Polly Toynbee
Polly Toynbee
Mary Louisa Toynbee, known as Polly Toynbee, is a British journalist and writer, and has been a columnist for The Guardian newspaper since 1998...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionJournalist
Date of Birth27 December 1946
pain anxiety-disorder people
One in six people suffer depression or a chronic anxiety disorder. These are not the worried well but those in severe mental pain with conditions crippling enough to prevent them living normal lives.
religious children teaching
There is all the difference in the world between teaching children about religion and handing them over to be taught by the religious.
fire people together
Nothing keeps people together like the exalted conviction that they alone are to be spared that eternal anguish of hell fire to which everyone else will be condemned.
happiness gdp government
Could a government dare to set out with happiness as its goal? Now that there are accepted scientific proofs, it would be easy to audit the progress of national happiness annually, just as we monitor money and GDP.
years support catholic
In the polls, over 80% support the right to die and have done for the last 25 years. Even 80% of practising Catholics and Protestants support it, plus 76% of Church Times readers.
jail reason-why crime
But the single overwhelming reason why jails are bursting is longer sentences given for more crimes.
happiness real mean
Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically verifiable. That means people and whole societies can now be measured over time and compared accurately with one another. Causes and cures for unhappiness can be quantified.
happiness water challenges
Is anyone serious about the politics of happiness? David Cameron dipped a toe in the water, using the word lightly, but denying the hard policies it implies. Labour shies away from it, but should take up the challenge.
education government world
But instead of standing up for reason, our government is handing education over to the world of faith.
islam superstitions reason
This is indeed a clash of civilisations, not between Islam and Christendom but between reason and superstition.
dying care aspect
Openness about death has led to greater care about all aspects of dying.
pain transformation incapacity
Thresholds of pain, indignity and incapacity are entirely personal.
islam body christianity
Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves through disgust of women's bodies.
islam body christianity
The pens sharpen – Islamophobia! No such thing. Primitive Middle Eastern religions (and most others) are much the same – Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves through disgust for women's bodies.