Are you religious?

Post by **Zimmerman** » 08 Mar 2014, 14:15

Like it says... Where do you stand?

Post by **Spinynorman** » 08 Mar 2014, 14:21

I voted for I'm not, and religion should be abolished although really I'm somewhere between the last two options as I wouldn't make it illegal or anything like that.

Post by **hancockjr** » 08 Mar 2014, 14:25

Voted for the last option but really it's more about what people force onto others (including their kids). I don't mind others being religious but don't make that affect others.

Post by **stevejtr** » 08 Mar 2014, 17:32

hancockjr wrote:Voted for the last option but really it's more about what people force onto others (including their kids). I don't mind others being religious but don't make that affect others.

Indoctrination. Gotta catch 'em young...

I voted for the last option too. That said, I write regularly to an octogenarian catholic nun who was most helpful when my uncle died a few years ago. Planning on visiting her in May if possible

Post by **blahblah** » 08 Mar 2014, 18:54

Spinynorman wrote:I voted for I'm not, and religion should be abolished although really I'm somewhere between the last two options as I wouldn't make it illegal or anything like that.

How can it be abolished and not be illegal?

The last option sums up my view quite well tbh.

Post by **Beerfuelledman** » 08 Mar 2014, 22:14

Define "Religious". I always thought of the religious like the "Pharisees" - i.e those who refuse to drink alcohol even though Jesus turned Water into wine at a Wedding.

Post by **nffc** » 08 Mar 2014, 22:26

I have never been religious. I used to think that as long as they don't force their beliefs on me then fine. But after reading Dawkins books it may have changed my opinion, or more likely reinforced my beliefs that are opposite of the PC version. I am now of the view that religion is harmful and does more damage than good.

Post by **jimmy ching** » 08 Mar 2014, 22:35

When they ask me for my religion at hospital I always say a football team. Obviously it's best to say the team that you think the doctor will support.

Post by **sted** » 09 Mar 2014, 01:15

Depends what you mean by religious. If you mean do I follow a religion, then no. However, I do believe in God.

Religion is man made, and because of that, it serves man. It has been used throughout history to subjugate and persecute mankind and deservedly gets a bad press.

It is a matter of geography more often than not which religion you belong to, and for that reason, nobody should be judged purely by what side you support. Somebody once said that if god is a mountain, the different religions could be likened to villages dotted around it's base. All looking at the same mountain, but seeing it from different viewpoints.

If you were to press me, I'd say I believe in an Abrahamic god. One god. That's what binds the Jews, Christians and Muslims together. I don't go to church because I'm not a Christian, a mosque because I'm not a Muslim, or a synagogue because I'm not a Jew. I think of god as my father and do not expect him to be 'that' happy with my drinking, gambling, swearing and general carrying on, but hey, he's my dad and I wouldn't disown any of my kids just because of their lifestyle.

I'm a scientist by trade, and therefore know quite a bit about evolution, and I think it's shameful that people try to deny it. However, I have read quite a bit about big bang theories and you know what? It's a massive step to equate the two. It's just as plausible (obviously more so to me) to believe in divine creation and an afterlife.

I might be wrong, and most certainly am in a lot of my thinking. But believe me, I've thought about it a lot. I'm happy with it at the moment, but also worried in case I've got it all arse about tit.

To pigeonhole me, I guess you'd say I was a sort of Universalist. Pastor Google will explain more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **Mystery** » 09 Mar 2014, 01:23

Very interesting and well explained post.

Now would you let Sted back to the keyboard to post some drivel

Post by **sted** » 09 Mar 2014, 01:24

Mystery wrote:Very interesting and well explained post.

Now would you let Sted back to the keyboard to post some drivel

Shalom my virtual friend

Post by **tclist** » 09 Mar 2014, 01:57

Couldn't cast a vote, no option for me.

Atheist but respect the right for those who wish to follow 'their' god.

Post by **Zimmerman** » 09 Mar 2014, 07:38

I'm not, but not bothered religion exists?

Post by **tclist** » 09 Mar 2014, 11:24

Zimmerman wrote:I'm not, but not bothered religion exists?

It comes across wrong to me Zim.

I am bothered if those who do believe are being ridiculed etc. that bothers me.

Post by **Zimmerman** » 09 Mar 2014, 11:56

Yep fair point. Think I'm the same.... The last option is/was for me.

I totally accept people who have/need their faith.
In principle religions are good, they tend to have good values and morales. So I totally accept and respect people having religion. It also gives people 'strength' etc.

If we all lived by that code, the world would be a better place.

I just don't like how it is still held up as a beacon that we're all supposed to follow despite the majority of us not being religious.

Post by **murf** » 09 Mar 2014, 12:48

I think the last option is the best fit for me. Each to their own and religion has, over the centuries, kept a lot of people 'good' and a lesser number have acted badly in its name.

You could, of course, call that control of the masses by the authorities, once the leaders of most countries twigged it was sensible to control the church rather than fight it (the Romans being a prime example). The UK is now maybe one of only a few countries where it no longer really applies.

Post by **Zimmerman** » 09 Mar 2014, 12:57

Apart from the 100+ bishops who sit in the house of lords and help pass laws that affect us all.

Post by **murf** » 09 Mar 2014, 13:00

Zimmerman wrote:Apart from the 100+ bishops who sit in the house of lords and help pass laws that affect us all.

All power is overall slowly being eroded though. No mainstream political party would dare spout religion or be shown to be influenced by it.....

Post by **blahblah** » 09 Mar 2014, 13:05

It is probably due to the historical religious wars that Europe (inc these Isles) suffered from, unlike America which is why it is compulsory over there?

Post by **tclist** » 09 Mar 2014, 14:57

murf wrote:
Zimmerman wrote:Apart from the 100+ bishops who sit in the house of lords and help pass laws that affect us all.
All power is overall slowly being eroded though. No mainstream political party would dare spout religion or be shown to be influenced by it.....

Apart from Tony Blair who felt gods hand on his shoulder

, despite his fellow Iraq war conspirator Campbell insisting "We dont do God", they weren't to hot on truth either.

Post by **Surprised** » 09 Mar 2014, 15:03

Religion isn't really the problem. The problem is those who hijack religion for their own ends and those who hate all those from another religion because of the behaviour of a few.

Post by **Bunners** » 09 Mar 2014, 16:16

Surprised wrote:Religion isn't really the problem. The problem is those who hijack religion for their own ends and those who hate all those from another religion because of the behaviour of a few.

TBF those who knocked on my door yesterday morning at 9.30am just as id got my 12 week old down WERE the problem

Post by **jimmy ching** » 09 Mar 2014, 16:28

Wierd. I got asked at my door by some godbods, if I was deaf.

At least they should have written the question down, plonkers. It was at this point I realised they were the Smith brigade. I've decided I'm going to buy myself a pair of glasses and stick some pyramids on them. That'll freak them. It might even challenge the core of their religion.

Post by **Dennisthemenace** » 09 Mar 2014, 17:29

jimmy ching wrote:Wierd. I got asked at my door by some godbods, if I was deaf.

Did you answer...... "Pardon?"

Post by **jimmy ching** » 09 Mar 2014, 17:44

Yes. I did hear it first time but it was not a question I expected, so I said pardon.

Post by **Zimmerman** » 09 Mar 2014, 18:29

I understood yer Dennis.

Post by **Edmondson** » 09 Mar 2014, 18:52

Zimmerman wrote:Yep fair point. Think I'm the same.... The last option is/was for me.

I totally accept people who have/need their faith.
In principle religions are good, they tend to have good values and morales. So I totally accept and respect people having religion. It also gives people 'strength' etc.

If we all lived by that code, the world would be a better place.

I just don't like how it is still held up as a beacon that we're all supposed to follow despite the majority of us not being religious.

I understand the "accept" certainly for the reasons you allude to (giving strength, sound morals etc)

However on the "respect" is this not tricky when their beliefs you would describe as "at best the ramblings of superstitious shepherds".

I think in reality the topic of religion is rarely discussed amongst friends. I'm sure most of us have a full range of friends with different beliefs that tick all the options above. However is it any different to finding out your adult friend genuinely believed in Father Christmas? Do we all just think, best not to go there, appreciating it can be a sensitive area, one that people have grown up with from their family etc. As opposed to challenging anyone with religious beliefs and thinking they must be some kind of lunatic, believing in all that mumbo jumbo.

I guess one factor is that elements of religion creep into all our lives (unless we make special effort to avoid) like going to weddings / christening in church, celebrating Xmas etc.

Post by **murf** » 09 Mar 2014, 20:23

Edmondson wrote:I guess one factor is that elements of religion creep into all our lives (unless we make special effort to avoid) like going to weddings / christening in church, celebrating Xmas etc.

A tricky tangent...

I believe in marriage and xmas etc as great British traditions that I happily celebrate despite being a devout atheist. Church weddings are a bit iffy though for atheists and (arguably) agnostics - I got married in a registry office but would have had a church wedding if Mrs m (a non-attending catholic) had wanted to.

For some reasons I find the seeming increase in big church christenings far more hypocritical, even for those who would mumble they are christians but haven't stepped in a church since the last wedding / funeral /christening they were invited to. It all seems about showing off rather than anything even slightly religious (could say the same about weddings...)

Post by **arsene doesn't know** » 09 Mar 2014, 20:58

tclist wrote:Couldn't cast a vote, no option for me.

Atheist but respect the right for those who wish to follow 'their' god.

As above - none for me but fully supportive of the right/freedom to worship.

EDIT - but you must NOT knock on my front door and try to convert me. Have a massive issue with that.

Post by **Zimmerman** » 10 Mar 2014, 06:22

Edmondson wrote:
Zimmerman wrote:Yep fair point. Think I'm the same.... The last option is/was for me.

I totally accept people who have/need their faith.
In principle religions are good, they tend to have good values and morales. So I totally accept and respect people having religion. It also gives people 'strength' etc.

If we all lived by that code, the world would be a better place.

I just don't like how it is still held up as a beacon that we're all supposed to follow despite the majority of us not being religious.

I understand the "accept" certainly for the reasons you allude to (giving strength, sound morals etc)

However on the "respect" is this not tricky when their beliefs you would describe as "at best the ramblings of superstitious shepherds".

I think in reality the topic of religion is rarely discussed amongst friends. I'm sure most of us have a full range of friends with different beliefs that tick all the options above. However is it any different to finding out your adult friend genuinely believed in Father Christmas? Do we all just think, best not to go there, appreciating it can be a sensitive area, one that people have grown up with from their family etc. As opposed to challenging anyone with religious beliefs and thinking they must be some kind of lunatic, believing in all that mumbo jumbo.

I guess one factor is that elements of religion creep into all our lives (unless we make special effort to avoid) like going to weddings / christening in church, celebrating Xmas etc.

Yes, sort of.

It depends how close a friend they are.
I've discussed/challenged it with some. Then I have other friends that I have no idea of their beliefs.

I respect them (the religious ones) in so much as its their belief.
In the same way, if a vegetarian came to my house for dinner, I wouldn't make them a steak.

FISO