Restless Wonderer

At the root of the mysteries of the human body lies an amazing chemical called DNA.   It is the stuff genes are made of, its sequence coding for the protein building blocks of our bodies.   DNA itself is composed of four molecules called nucleotides and the sequence these appear in determines which protein is built.   In other words, there is a sequence in the DNA which codes for a specific protein sequence.   This microscopic assembly line is truly amazing and it parallels our experience of human communication.   DNA is like a language, with nucleotides combining to code for proteins, which represent a pattern for complex organs and systems, just as letters combine in a written language to code for words, which represent ideas which can be realised in the physical world.   At the basis of life, then, is information which is intelligible and useful.   Of course, this information is only useful if the apparatus in the cell that is necessary for produc...

I have been watching the Ashers 'equality' story unfolding for some time, but only now have I decided to go public with my views on this complex issue. Firstly, I feel great empathy for the owners of Ashers, who appear to be sincere and humble people.  They did not seek the media storm that has followed their polite refusal to make a cake decorated with a pro-homosexual marriage message.  They did not discriminate against a customer on the basis of sexuality or any other personal trait - they simply felt uncomfortable producing a product that bore a message they could not support in good conscience.  I expect the vast majority of sensible people will sympathise with this.  I wish this family had not found themselves in the courts and I feel frustrated that a publically funded body has supported the case against them. Secondly, however, I am uneasy with the Christian protests about the case.  Thousands of Christians gathered at Belfast's Waterfront Hall...