I’ve never felt more happy, empowered, relaxed and free since I’ve been going to church.
There is probably a lot of evidence to prove that humans are social animals and getting together in orgainsed groups to chat and do good things makes us feel better.
If religion didn't exist people would still do this. Infact it would be better as it would be more inclusive without all the god stuff to get in the way.
Our country has a Christian past but as soon as the inclusion of religion in the fabric of our society, things like socuts/guides, playgroups, comunity groups is reduced the better.
Watching stuff on TV is no substitute for going out and getting mucky. 😀
Rationalism is on the decline. Personally I think we're not encouraging children to explore the wonders of science and the natural world in the same way we used to. Kids don't connect with nature in the same way.
No we are the best place we have ever been - for example both Blair and Cameron were devout but had to not speak [ very much] about it in public
We have moved so far from the dark ages. R ethe tolerance - if we were to say these views years ago or even in some countries today we would be killed as heretics and blashphemers - the church never mentions its own terrible sins of intolerance when asking us to be tolerant do they?
Rationalism is in the ascendency and most religious folk are token at best
Its been a long journey but we have made greta progress and I beleive we are "winning" the argument tbh
What is happening is that those who remain as devout are more evangelical and devout - perhaps because they are challenged daily???
Its a great time and religion [ in the west] is on the decline.
I would like it removed from the state and the national curriculum and hope to one day see that day.
Folk can believe what they want what they cannot do is impose this on others or think we need to be taught it to make us better- arrogant ****ers.
Imagine their reaction if we made all religious schools do a daily act of Dawkins reading 😉
FWIW I also dont think it is a messag eo flove and toilerance and if it is it is an iron fist in a velvet glove
Junky, you may well be right.
The religious may well be getting their fundamental on in a response to decling numbers.
There is probably a lot of evidence to prove that humans are social animals and getting together in orgainsed groups to chat and do good things makes us feel better.If religion didn't exist people would still do this. Infact it would be better as it would be more inclusive without all the god stuff to get in the way.
There's an [url= http://sundayassembly.com/ ]atheist "church"[/url] in That London and [url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/alaindebotton ]Alain de Botton[/url] has written recently about atheists using architecture and music.
why female?can we please just accept that if god exists, god is a domestic abuser and most probably female?
and junkyard, take a bit of time out from rationally thought/ineptly typed religious arguments and answer your text/emails. 😉
"The indoctrination of children into religious dogma is a form of child abuse."
I'm sorry you feel that way. Do you speak from experience? Is that where all your hatred comes from.
😳
Sits on naughty step texting
That told you!
Junkyard - Member
Rationalism is in the ascendency and most religious folk are token at best
JY - that is a great quote, which I might throw at a few students. Given the history of rationalism and its foundations in the likes of Wolffe, I look forward to seeing who sees the irony in that quote. But just goes to prove the arguments of adding historical perspectives to debates on religion.
As an aside, I wonder if relativism rather than rationalism isn't on the ascendency. As for the daily readings of Dawkins et al, everyone has access to the media!! 😉 Indeed the radio program referred to in the OP was hosted by a Guardian writer I believe!
One thing's for sure, all the non-religious people always seem to get very angry and defensive about their precious atheism/agnosticism.
Why not just brush it aside and ignore it if it's all just fairy tales and what-not?
😀
I'm sorry you feel that way. Do you speak from experience? Is that where all your hatred comes from.
You know you were supposed to turn the other cheek to the comment about child abuse, right?
Moses
Burning bush
Nuff said.
[i]Why not just brush it aside and ignore it if it's all just fairy tales and what-not?[/i]
because you're expecting my taxes to fund it.
otherwise I do 🙂
People are making one hell of an assumption thinking religion is in decline. And generalising .
The Church of England may well be. But that's because it's not a proper religion in the first place. It was just created as an excuse for a fat bloke to shag about a bit. Now its just a sort of the 'none of the above' option to put on the census as you don't believe in anything specific, but you don't [i]not[/i] believe enough to describe yourself as an atheist.
Would you say Islam is in decline? Nope! And Catholicism is having a massive renaissance in this country due to immigration
Binners +1
Non C of E churches are growing too
"I’ve never felt more happy, empowered, relaxed and free since I’ve been going to church" Edit... and believing in God.
But I guess I left that out, because most of you will think he believes in a Sky Wizard. What a nut job!?!
But I'm just like you... I like the outdoors, QI, meat pie, riding my bike hard, Spurs, quality sunday papers, classical music, rock n roll .... hell I've even got a pouncy/stupid coffee maker and a set of spare bombers hanging around the garage.... so do you really believe that I think there is a sky wizard controlling it all .... come on really ??
So
"to chat and do good things makes us feel better."
Yes agreed ... to be excellent to one another and for yourself I might add... for me God/church is like a lighting rod for that.... It makes me mind full of it, aware of it, gives it a name.
JY "Its a great time and religion(in the west) is on the decline"
Christianity maybe on the decline, I dont think Islam is on the decline here in the UK.
The religion of greed, vanity and celebrity worship is on the increase.
"I’ve never felt more happy, empowered, relaxed and free since I’ve been going to church" Edit... and believing in God.
Not evidence of god, however.
"You know you were supposed to turn the other cheek to the comment about child abuse, right? "
Yeah I know... but I'm new to this game, old habits die hard. I'll get there I hope.
edit ... Oh a second chance... must resist temptation.
... or the existence of the alleged nazarene ......
One thing's for sure, all the non-religious people always seem to get very angry and defensive about their precious atheism/agnosticism.Why not just brush it aside and ignore it if it's all just fairy tales and what-not?
Because it has more power and privilege than it should have.
The head of the church is also the head of state. The Church of England has reserved seats in the Lords. Religions get subsidised state schools.
Once Christianity has the same level of power and privilege as Zeus or Thor, we'll stop talking about it.
I wonder if relativism rather than rationalism isn't on the ascendency
That is a good one for the philosophy students and a fair point tbh
As for the daily readings of Dawkins et al, everyone has access to the media!!
Yes but only the religious get Thought for the day
Would you say Islam is in decline? Nope! And Catholicism is having a massive renaissance in this country due to immigration
Gives us a few hundred years to grind them down will you binners
FWIW I think those two religions share a remarkable quality
Folk who clearly do not follow one word / much of that religion still count themselves as belonging to it
IIRC 99% of catholics ignore the contraception rule so it depends what you look at tbh
I know a muslim who drinks , smoke s and commits adultery - he still thinks he is a Muslim and teh growth of the religion a good thing
I am a better [closer to being a ] Muslim than him
They will keep their pockets but they dont control the entire cosiety we live in.
Their power is in decline and it will be for ever
... or the existence of the alleged nazarene ......
I think the existence of Jesus is accepted now, because they went to a lot of effort to make up lots of things about him.
Turning the other cheek would actually indicate to a Roman Soldier that you were his equal or possibly get him into trouble - nothing to do with the way it's usually understood these days.
I’ve never felt more happy, empowered, relaxed and free since I’ve been going to church.
..or..
I've found a crutch and I'm happy with it. It's also cheaper than alcohol
I know a muslim who drinks , smoke s and commits adultery - he still thinks he is a Muslim and teh growth of the religion a good thing
If you tell someone in Ireland that you're an atheist they'll ask whether you're a catholic atheist or a protestant atheist.
Turning the other cheek would actually indicate to a Roman Soldier that you were his equal or possibly get him into trouble - nothing to do with the way it's usually understood these days.
I know. I was using it in the sense it's usually understood nowadays, rather than what Jesus meant.
I’ve never felt more happy, empowered, relaxed and free since I’ve been going to church.
I've met lots of bitter, uptight, depressed church-goers.
Yes but only the religious get Thought for the day
For which little "blessing", I am sure they are very grateful (in the context of the mainly secular media) 😉 !!
Hang on.
do you really believe that I think there is a sky wizard controlling it all .... come on really ??
Ro5ey, I apologise if I misunderstand, but are you saying that you're a church-going Christian but [i]don't[/i] believe in a god?
By extension then, is it fair to say that your life improvements aren't directly due to "I found religion" but rather "I joined a social club"?
For which little "blessing", I am sure they are very grateful (in the context of the mainly secular media) !!
Surely God is in everything? So, he's in the "secular" media as well as in Thought for The day.
I never thought I'd say this but I'm with Ro5ey here. Everyone who's dismissive of all religion just goes on about the Sky Fairy/imaginary friend stuff. And that's very easy to take the piss out of. In fact its hard not too. Its an open goal
I'm hardly religious but take my daughters to (catholic) church. Which, contrary to popular conception, is always rammed to the rafters on a Sunday. And it genuinely creates a sense of community. Which is a good thing, yes?
And the organisations they support/fund do a lot of good. We were hearing on Sunday about a catholic missionary from Salford who got himself bumped off a few years back, for ceaselessly fighting corruption in Africa, until it got him killed. But hey, we don't want to hear about that. We want to hear about him buggering choirboys
Folk who clearly do not follow one word / much of that religion still count themselves as belonging to it
IIRC 99% of catholics ignore the contraception rule so it depends what you look at tbh
How dare you!!! I'm a catholic and I have 2 kids!!!
And the organisations they support/fund do a lot of good.
What, the Jimmy Savile appreciation society; otherwise known as a large number of Catholic priests in many countries who systematically abused the people who trusted them for many decades?
I'm hardly religious but take my daughters to (catholic) church. Which, contrary to popular conception, is always rammed to the rafters on a Sunday. And it genuinely creates a sense of community. Which is a good thing, yes?
Community is great. It's not proof of god's existence.
My two go to church each Sunday with their mum. They also get money from the tooth fairy and Santa brings them presents. Both of them openly say that the tooth fairy isn't real, the eldest is hedging her bets on Santa just now, and both have declare that God's not real.
And the organisations they support/fund do a lot of good. We were hearing on Sunday about a catholic missionary from Salford who got himself bumped off a few years back, for ceaselessly fighting corruption in Africa, until it got him killed. But hey, we don't want to hear about that. We want to hear about him buggering choirboys
Are there no atheists doing good work in Africa?
Good reposte Mike - another question for later use! But the answer will depend on one's definition of omnipotence. But for sure, in one defintion, you are correct.
"I've met lots of bitter, uptight, depressed church-goers."
Strangley enough, I'm humble enough not to think I can talk for the billions of other peoples of faith... I wonder whether church taught me that, or I worked out for myself ?? No matter... I mearly give you MY honest and heartfelt feelings on the matter. Most will not give two figs, others will think happy clappy ******, but maybe my little twittering might mean something to someone... If its you, follow your heart... wish I had found this years ago when I lost that crutch in a drunken stupor 🙂
Good reposte Mike - another question for later use! But the answer will depend on one's definition of omnipotence. But for sure, in one defintion, you are correct.
I'm paraphrasing what a priest said to me when I said atheists wouldn't make a fuss about religion if religion didn't butt into secular matters. She said that there were no secular matters.
Is it that time of the month again?
I'm pretty much with you there Mike. I wasn't arguing for the existence of the soup dragon or otherwise, just making the point that organised religion gets a rough ride. Sometimes unfairly in my view.
No matter... I mearly give you MY honest and heartfelt feelings on the matter.
I'm happy that you're happy.
Binners you prove my earlier point - the catholics are excellent at keeping the lapsed within the flock 😉