The ââ?¬Ë?Blessing Yourself is Not a Crimeââ?¬â?¢ Deflection Crushed by Lord Advocate

[Frankie 8,150]

With the ongoing debate about Celtic goalkeeping embarrassment Artur Boruc�s behaviour before, during and after football matches still raging across the footballing community, Gersnet was interested to read the Scottish Parliament�s reply a to a petition from the Scottish Catholic Observer regarding Boruc�s blessing ritual before games he appears in.

 

One may remember that in early 2006 Artur Boruc was cautioned by Strathclyde Police because of his behaviour at an Old Firm match. Before the start of the second half (in front of the Copland Stand) Boruc accompanied his usual inoffensive genuflection with a series of offensive gestures ââ?¬â?? including the wanking sign, the ââ?¬Ë?Vââ?¬â?¢ sign and the ââ?¬Ë?come-onââ?¬â?¢ gesture. Many people ââ?¬â?? including police officers ââ?¬â?? observed this unacceptable inflammatory behaviour and Boruc was rightly punished (albeit leniently) as a result.

 

Since then many people have attempted to deflect from the issue at hand to suggest that Boruc was somehow being made out to be a criminal because he blesses himself. Nothing could be further from the truth. Several players (at home and abroad - including Rangers players) have performed this respectful religious gesture ââ?¬â?? usually without the childish stuff Boruc tends to accompany his with ââ?¬â?? which is thus largely respected by any decent Rangers fan.

 

As such, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini�s (Lord Advocate for Scotland) reply to one of these mischief-makers really makes for interesting reading. In it, she again reiterates the Procurater Fiscal�s decision of the time that:

 

ââ?¬Å?The Procurator Fiscal made it clear in writing to Mr. Boruc that it was the evidence of his alleged gesticulating to Rangers supporters in a provocative manner that was of concern. She did not in any way refer to the act of blessing himself.ââ?¬Â

 

Thus, hopefully the Scottish Catholic Observer and the many Celtic fans (including official singing sections) who continue to peddle the ââ?¬Ë?Blessing Yourself is Not a Crimeââ?¬â?¢ deflection from the issue of Borucââ?¬â?¢s provocative behavior of February 2006 will read the link to the Parliament reply very carefully.

 

While any religious person (controversial sporting figure or not) should have the right to observe their religious beliefs when and where they like; Boruc may well be better advised to follow Cardinal Winningââ?¬â?¢s advice of being careful not to ââ?¬Ë?prostituteââ?¬â?¢ their faith by being overly gratuitous in the act. Certainly Borucââ?¬â?¢s religious thoughts certainly seem a bit different from the norm when he often goes onto be so vocally and visually violent in many games (not always against Rangers either).

 

Certainly, I doubt any decent catholic (or any religious person) would be too proud of Boruc grabbing opposition players by the neck, slapping his own players across the face and constantly making offensive gestures at many different supports. Hardly the behavior of any self-respecting Christian.

 

But then that wouldn�t give this attention-seeker the sort of publicity he obviously enjoys. Appealing to the lowest common denominator of Celtic support seems to be his main aim. There�s no doubt Boruc (like many players in the Scottish game) receives a multitude of unfair and unnecessary abuse. It can�t be easy not to react and occasionally one can appreciate the banter that does occur as opposed to people complaining about nothing.

 

Nonetheless, Old Firm players who perform in one of the greatest world matches in one of the greatest atmospheric powderkegs have a duty to act in a manner more befitting of genuine Christians. Blessing yourself is not and should not be a problem. Accompanying such an act (and detracting from it) with other needless gestures is.

 

To conclude, of course ââ?¬Ë?Blessing Yourself is Not a Crimeââ?¬â?¢. 'Breach of the Peace' via several other offensive gestures is. Letââ?¬â?¢s hope we can finally put this whole issue to bed.

 

 

 

References

 

a - http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/petitions/petitionsubmissions/sub-07/subIndexForPE1005.htm

[Super_Ally 0]

Anyone in our media ever likely to run with the truth?

[Frankie 8,150]

Anyone in our media ever likely to run with the truth?

 

I hope that is a rhetorical question, boss... :devil:

[Super_Ally 0]

I hope that is a rhetorical question, boss... :devil:

 

 

It was definitely tongue in cheek, unfortunately. Reading a paper recently and an ex-player columnist (I forget who, a but of a nobody) was perpetuating the crossing himself lie.

[bmck 117]

just read this man. great read!