Fop 1 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Light sensors cause religious row A couple have taken legal action after claiming motion sensors installed at their holiday flat in Dorset breached their rights as Orthodox Jews. Gordon and Dena Coleman said they cannot leave or enter their Bournemouth flat on the Sabbath because the hallway sensors automatically switch on lights. The couple's religious code bans lights and other electrical equipment being switched on during Jewish holidays. They have now issued a county court writ claiming religious discrimination. They also claim breach of their rights under the Equality Act 2006 and Human Rights Act 1998 and the case is due to be heard at Bournemouth County Court next month. It has gone further than it should have done, I think they have jumped the gun Neighbour The light sensors were installed at Embassy Court in Gervis Road to save money and energy but the couple, who live in Hertfordshire, felt they breached their religious rules. Dr Coleman and her husband offered to pay for an override switch as a compromise but Embassy Court Management Company rejected this and the couple took legal advice. They have said they will drop the legal action if an override switch is installed and their legal costs and compensation are paid. The firm said almost all residents supported the installation of the sensors and taking legal action was the Colemans' "prerogative". Other residents in the block of 35 flats, who could end up having to pay legal costs, are upset. Neighbours meeting One of them, who did not wish to be named but attended a management meeting last week with the couple, said: "For some time there has been discussions around here about the lights being on all day, which is crazy. "Light sensors mean the lights only come on when you require them to be on, which is common sense. "This couple are observant Jews. They have a religious problem with this. "It has gone further than it should have done, I think they have jumped the gun. "They did come to a meeting and put their point of view forward. "The general view was that despite any differences the matter should be resolved as quickly as we can. "It just seems to have been blown out of all proportion." In a letter to the other residents, the couple said they sought legal help because the sensor lights meant they would never again have full use of their flat. They also said that their solicitors told them they had a strong claim. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8103581.stm Ah... religion, where would be be without it....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentAxeman 199 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Light sensors cause religious row A couple have taken legal action after claiming motion sensors installed at their holiday flat in Dorset breached their rights as Orthodox Jews. Gordon and Dena Coleman said they cannot leave or enter their Bournemouth flat on the Sabbath because the hallway sensors automatically switch on lights. The couple's religious code bans lights and other electrical equipment being switched on during Jewish holidays. They have now issued a county court writ claiming religious discrimination. They also claim breach of their rights under the Equality Act 2006 and Human Rights Act 1998 and the case is due to be heard at Bournemouth County Court next month. It has gone further than it should have done, I think they have jumped the gun Neighbour The light sensors were installed at Embassy Court in Gervis Road to save money and energy but the couple, who live in Hertfordshire, felt they breached their religious rules. Dr Coleman and her husband offered to pay for an override switch as a compromise but Embassy Court Management Company rejected this and the couple took legal advice. They have said they will drop the legal action if an override switch is installed and their legal costs and compensation are paid. The firm said almost all residents supported the installation of the sensors and taking legal action was the Colemans' "prerogative". Other residents in the block of 35 flats, who could end up having to pay legal costs, are upset. Neighbours meeting One of them, who did not wish to be named but attended a management meeting last week with the couple, said: "For some time there has been discussions around here about the lights being on all day, which is crazy. "Light sensors mean the lights only come on when you require them to be on, which is common sense. "This couple are observant Jews. They have a religious problem with this. "It has gone further than it should have done, I think they have jumped the gun. "They did come to a meeting and put their point of view forward. "The general view was that despite any differences the matter should be resolved as quickly as we can. "It just seems to have been blown out of all proportion." In a letter to the other residents, the couple said they sought legal help because the sensor lights meant they would never again have full use of their flat. They also said that their solicitors told them they had a strong claim. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8103581.stm Ah... religion, where would be be without it....... FFS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11080 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Tazer em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acid 0 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Pathetic, another story to sell. In what way can light sensors be violating someone's rights? Horseplop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 Tazer em! Only on non-Jewish holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11080 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 awwww, but they're old and different. anyway, how many Jewish Holidays are there? couldn't they just not go to the flat on those days? surely if they're not allowed lights on, they're not allowed to drive or do owt else that's much fun, may as well stay in their house and eat Gefilter(sp?) fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 awwww, but they're old and different. anyway, how many Jewish Holidays are there? couldn't they just not go to the flat on those days? surely if they're not allowed lights on, they're not allowed to drive or do owt else that's much fun, may as well stay in their house and eat Gefilter(sp?) fish It's their religious human right to be able to go into their flat any time they want without being confronted by the heresy that is electricity. Something that is more confusing is how electricity is specifically mentioned given all their religious texts massively pre-date it. Wonder if it mentions Warp travel on religious holidays because Yahweh knew it would be invented in 2853ad and told them to write it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJS 4447 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) My take is one of simple query - everything else aside, do they not think how stupid it is that such a rule exists? Why would God care about lights? It's the simple obedience without question that saddens me. Edited June 17, 2009 by NJS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11080 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 My take is one of simple query - everything else aside, do they not think how stupid it is that such a rule exists? Why would God care about lights? It's the simple obedience without question that saddens me. sure, but temper that sadness with the gladness of two old people bumping into things in the dark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15871 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 http://hayom.blogspot.com/2006/01/applianc...th-mode-to.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 http://hayom.blogspot.com/2006/01/applianc...th-mode-to.html (quite literally ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11080 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) anyone's mind start racing at the possibilities at the sight of a piece written about Jews and Gas Ovens? ... just me? Edited June 17, 2009 by The Fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 anyone's mind start racing at the possibilities at the sight of a piece written about Jews and Gas Ovens? ... just me? "While manufacturers were thinking up ways to make kitchen appliances better, Orthodox Jews were yearning for the good old days of simple gas ovens." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SloopJohn 0 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 My take is one of simple query - everything else aside, do they not think how stupid it is that such a rule exists? Why would God care about lights? it's part of having a discplined ascetic day right? not exerting yourself on worthless trivialities etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 My take is one of simple query - everything else aside, do they not think how stupid it is that such a rule exists? Why would God care about lights? it's part of having a discplined ascetic day right? not exerting yourself on worthless trivialities etc. Ironic they're pursuing this then, eh? I can't think of anything more trivial. Assuming they aren't just seeing £££'s (which is unlikely imo). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 My take is one of simple query - everything else aside, do they not think how stupid it is that such a rule exists? Why would God care about lights? it's part of having a discplined ascetic day right? not exerting yourself on worthless trivialities etc. Well it's clearly now about obsessively focusing on trivialities (no matter what the original intention may be). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 anyone's mind start racing at the possibilities at the sight of a piece written about Jews and Gas Ovens? ... just me? "While manufacturers were thinking up ways to make kitchen appliances better, Orthodox Jews were yearning for the good old days of simple gas ovens." Had to read that twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliver 0 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 awwww, but they're old and different. anyway, how many Jewish Holidays are there? couldn't they just not go to the flat on those days? surely if they're not allowed lights on, they're not allowed to drive or do owt else that's much fun, may as well stay in their house and eat Gefilter(sp?) fish It's their religious human right to be able to go into their flat any time they want without being confronted by the heresy that is electricity. Something that is more confusing is how electricity is specifically mentioned given all their religious texts massively pre-date it. Wonder if it mentions Warp travel on religious holidays because Yahweh knew it would be invented in 2853ad and told them to write it down. It wasn't - igniting a fire was. Electricity was seen as a development of that (used for light, heating etc) so it was included later on. I'm sure Warp Travel will be included when it comes along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7099 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Orthodox religious - bunch of cunts. End of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11080 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Orthodox religious - bunch of cunts. End of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SloopJohn 0 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I have a lot of respect for strong religious types unless they take their chosen texts wholly literally... which is where America's problem lies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 I have a lot of respect for strong religious types unless they take their chosen texts wholly literally... which is where America's problem lies http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8032641.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cid_MCDP 0 Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I have a lot of respect for strong religious types unless they take their chosen texts wholly literally... which is where America's problem lies True 'dat. I find it amazing that being as how the Bible seems to be written really poetically and with tons of metaphor and whatnot that so many people want to take it so literally. Not to mention it's been translated a couple of times, y'know? That's just crazy to me. It's like the building a fire thing and how the folks referenced in this story take it to mean lights. I mean, maybe since they're supposed to be sitting around meditating on God or whatever, the Jews back in the day didn't want them building fires because building a fire was a pain in the ass and it distracted you from thinking about God? Y'know, going out, gathering up firewood and kindling, then working with flint and steel or whatever to start the kindling, then blowing on it to catch the rest of the wood- I can see how that'd be distracting or "work" or whatever, y'know? But flipping on a light switch? That doesn't take any effort or thought at all. Might not have had anything to do with heat or light at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I have a lot of respect for strong religious types unless they take their chosen texts wholly literally... which is where America's problem lies True 'dat. I find it amazing that being as how the Bible seems to be written really poetically and with tons of metaphor and whatnot that so many people want to take it so literally. Not to mention it's been translated a couple of times, y'know? That's just crazy to me. It's like the building a fire thing and how the folks referenced in this story take it to mean lights. I mean, maybe since they're supposed to be sitting around meditating on God or whatever, the Jews back in the day didn't want them building fires because building a fire was a pain in the ass and it distracted you from thinking about God? Y'know, going out, gathering up firewood and kindling, then working with flint and steel or whatever to start the kindling, then blowing on it to catch the rest of the wood- I can see how that'd be distracting or "work" or whatever, y'know? But flipping on a light switch? That doesn't take any effort or thought at all. Might not have had anything to do with heat or light at all. well of course if the flat owners started to ask "are you orthodox Jews?" before selling to them a whole firestorm would descend on their heads..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Not that I advocate taking religious texts literally - far from it - but a lot of what is written is clearly (in my view) meant to be taken literally. Also, if you say much of it is meant to be metaphor, you then get into enormous problems about how to interpret metaphors written (in some cases) 1000s of years ago that have undergone dozens of translations. Basically neither option has any grounding in reality as I see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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