It transpires that vote rigging was part of an organised campaign to steal, forge and/or alter thousands of postal votes to ensure that Labour did not suffer from another backlash against it over Iraq war. The six candidates involved won Bordesley Green and Aston elections through rigging vote. The councillors involved are Mohammed Islam, Muhammad Agzal, Mohammed Kazi, Ayaz Khan, Shafaq Ahmed and Shah Jahan.

The councillors have been sacked from Labour Party and ordered to pay costs of trial. A criminal trial may take place after General Election. Judge Mawrey has decided not to burden people of Birmingham with court costs and has ordered that shamed councillors foot estimated £500,000 legal bill.

For his part, Charlie is a declared atheist. And, therein lays a dilemma for some libertarians. How can I — a certified, card-carrying Bible thumper — stand shoulder to shoulder with a guy who’s never thumped a Bible in his life?

In spite of ourselves

One may assume there is a détente in which discussion of religion is avoided like a trip to dentist. One would be wrong. I find few things more intellectually stimulating than a lively spat with a well-informed atheist — particularly when feeble attempts are made to defend untenable; eg, evolution.

Or, one may assume there is a level of irreconcilable toleration. Not so. Some of best Christians I know are atheists. By that, I mean, atheists usually surpass Christians in areas such as morality, decency and human kindness. I don’t tolerate these people. I like them. I enjoy their company. I’d rather hang out with a crowd of honest atheists than a church full of back-stabbing Baptists any day of week, including Sunday.

So why do libertarian Christians and atheists get along?

Exclusion doesn’t work

The answer can be found in word, “inclusion.” Think about it.

When Protestants control a government – say Northern Ireland, for example – Catholics and other non-Protestants have a tough way to go. And when Catholics take charge – as in Ireland – Protestants find themselves on outside looking in.

Come to think of it, when any religious group takes control, all others face dire consequences. Consider history of England. Bloody Mary had at least 275 Protestants burned at stake (including Archbishop of Canterbury) during her brief five-year term as Queen of England. A century later, Protestant Elizabeth I was executing Catholics. For their part, Muslims have a history of killing both Protestants and Catholics, not to mention Jews.