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Atheist in protest over 'Christian-run' leisure

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Published Date: 04 January 2008

By Rob Stocks

AN Over Wyre atheist is mounting a one-man protest against the handover of leisure facilities in Wyre to the YMCA.

Ian Abbott from Knott End is angry about swimming pools in Garstang and Fleetwood being handed over to what he sees as an overtly Christian organisation.

Mr Abbott, 55, of Hackensall Road, who is chairman of the Lancashire Secular Humanists, has made an official complaint to Wyre Council about the handover, saying he does not want to play a part in funding religious organisations, but is given no choice.

He said: "I am a 55-year-old man who would benefit greatly from visiting a gym and swimming pool more regularly.

"Some years ago I was a member of the Wyre-run centre in Fleetwood and recently considered the possibility of re-joining and resuming some gentle regular exercise.

"But now it is the YMCA.

"I want someone to tell me how a secular local authority can justify supporting an overtly religious organisation."

Mr Abbott was told by Wyre Council it shared similar values with the YMCA.

A letter from the authority to Mr Abbott said: "The council and the YMCA hold similar values in terms of recognising the potential for sport and leisure to improve communities.

"It was felt a collaborative working arrangement between the two organisations would assist the council in providing benefits for the community.

"The YMCA is a well-established organisation on the Fylde coast with an excellent reputation for managing leisure facilities. We are not aware of any religious pressures being imposed on our customers.

"The YMCA and Wyre Council welcome people of all faiths, or none."

Nobody from Wyre Council was available to comment on Mr Abbott's complaint.

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Last Updated: 04 January 2008 9:40 AM
Source: Blackpool Gazette
Location: Blackpool

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Willieck,

Fleetwood 04/01/2008 10:38:26

Get a life Ian and save your energies to protest about something important.

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Ian Abbott,

Knott End 04/01/2008 12:08:09

For clarification, I am not mounting a 'one man protest'! As Chair of Lancashire Secular Humanists I represent the many non-religious residents of Wyre (and Lancashire) who, given the choice, would choose not to support the YMCA in its vision to create an inclusive Christian Movement. I am concerned about how many non-religious people will now be deterred (either actively or passively) from using these ‘publicly funded’ facilities; and also have concerns about the restrictive employment practices that many Faith organisations employ. Think of it this way; replace the word Christian (in YMCA) with Atheist, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish or Muslim and ask yourself how prudent would Wyre Borough Council’s decision seem then? To read my unabridged letter of complaint go to www.lancashiresecularhuimanists.co.uk

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JH2008,

Preston 04/01/2008 14:27:37

Surely access to local services (health, social care, sport and leisure) which we all pay for through our local taxes is a vitally important issue. There is no evidence that religious organisations provide better services to the local community than local authorities (which, unlike religious groups) are accountable to us as voters, and certainly no evidence they are better value for money. Even more importantly, non- public bodies such as religious groups do have not the same obligations as service providers under the Human Rights Act - the issue of their freedom to discriminate against certain groups whose lifestyle they may disapprove of is very alarming. We need the protection of human rights and equality legislation in both service provision and employment and for that we need to keep public services public. Keep faith where it belongs - a private matter.

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Tracy Porter,

Blackpool 04/01/2008 14:49:57

I totally agree with comments made by Ian Abbott regarding Wyre Borough Council handing over the leisure facilities to the YMCA.I do occassionally use the leisure facilities in the Wyre Borough, especially the swimming baths, together with my four children. However, I absolutely refuse to fund a religious organisation and for this reason, my family and I will no longer use the leisure facilities. I honestly think Ian Abbott has a very valid point with his comment about how prudent the Council would be if the word 'Christian' was replaced with that of a different religion (or atheist). I do not feel that Wyre Borough Council have the right to use public money in this way. I am also of the opinion that should I use the facilities provided by the YMCA, that I would be supporting an employer who discriminates on religious grounds.

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Ken Hayes,

Thornton 04/01/2008 15:19:06

I sent my own protest to Wyre BC about this some time ago and I am still considering whether to complain to the Equality and Human Rights Comission on the grounds that, by allowing the Young Men's Christian Association to re-brand the facilities as their own, the council effectively discriminated against people of other religions and (like me) none. People of other religions are likely to be deterred from using the facilities, finding their Christian link unnecessary and therefore offensive. The fact is, the YMCA are merely managers of centres which are still publicly owned and maintained - and they are paid to do it (the first year cost to council taxpayers was estimated to be nearly £300,000). This money is, in effect, tax diverted to support a particular religion. It can't be right to allow it.

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Carole Truman,

Lancs 04/01/2008 15:20:32

Its almost impossible to turn on your TV and radio without hearing about how imporatant it is for people to use the New Year to adopt healthy lifestyles, eat a better diet and get more exercise. So I think the Council needs to listen to people like Ian when he says that the YMCA is putting him off going to use his local exercise facilities. Ian is not alone in his views - he just has the courage to voice what probably a lot of people are feeling. Atheists, non-Christans, older people and women are all going to be put off by excercise facilties that are run for young male christians. Come on Wyre Council, you need to admit that you've really shot yourself in the foot with this one if you're serious about promoting healthy lifestyles across the community

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Rationalist DNC,

Preston 04/01/2008 16:17:58

I agree entirely with Ian Abbot. This is just another example of Government, National and Local, farming out Service Provision, which should (must) be of a secular nature and be seen to be secularly run, to various "faith" groups and organisations. Considering the low percentage of "faith" followers in the U.K. this is a scandalous situation and must be stopped.

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SoR82,

formally of Blackpool 04/01/2008 16:43:47

I dont really regard myself as religious or no religious. For the most part I do not really think about it either way. But I do not think this is a good move, I do not believe that in effect tax payers money has any right going to a religious group regardless of the avenue it is acquired through.

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paul dunk,

04/01/2008 16:44:46

I don’t understand this at all. The YMCA doesn’t use leisure facilities as recruitment drives for Christianity or its self what it does do are run an efficient, competent and local health centres. They run groups outside of school time at a cheap rate to help out parents and any money they make they put back in the community. Can I ask how many homeless people the Lancashire Secular Humanists have housed this year, how many care facilities the Lancashire Secular Humanists have set up and run and how many homes have the Lancashire Secular Humanists provide for young people this year. Clearly Abbott would wish a private firm to run the centres and keep all the profits, if any, themselves. Leave the YMCA alone until you can take their place.

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SoR82,

04/01/2008 16:47:56

Oh and i forgot to add as for the "We are not aware of any religious pressures being imposed on our customers." That is completly irrelevent to Ian's point I dont know where the council learnt PR but they need to try again they obviously didnt pass the exams.

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