Latest British Social Survey finds 52% of the Country are non Religious

[Gofer Blue]

African Bluebird - I agree with your assertion that this country (as a whole) is not anti-Christian but I would add the proviso: “not yet”. I would say that the majority of people in this country are apathetic towards Christianity rather than anti, but remember Jesus himself said that those who followed him would be hated in the world (John 15:18 and 19). Sadly I think the “church” (by which I think most people automatically mean the Church of England btw) is becoming known for what it is against rather than what it is for. Hence like one notable poster on this forum when they talk about Christianity I think they have their own fixed stereotype of Christian in mind, which makes me wonder if they have ever actually met a true Christian? Such folk may be in a minority as not everyone who attends a church is a Christian!

My “church” now is a house group – a small collection of folk from many different backgrounds who meet in a home, in many ways akin to what the early church was. We have no minister or hierarchy, just an ordinary bunch of people who are followers of Jesus and try to live as he would have us live.

(John 13, verses 34 & 35): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Moreover we have a strong emphasis on turning our faith into actions, based on James 2:14-18: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds”

This is what I believe the church should be. I remember someone once asked the question – would Jesus recognise his church if he came back today? It is split into so many denominations now with so many man-made traditions and customs that I'm pretty sure he would not recognise it!

Becoming a Christian has changed my life completely and has taken me into so many places and situations that I would never have considered before. I am not perfect, on the contrary like all true Christians I recognise that I am clearly not and couldn't hold a proverbial candle to Jesus, but thankfully he accepts me as I am!

[Baloo]

I actually still think a lot of religious privilege still exists in the UK. In politics, education, public ceremonial events, marriage/pastoral support and some areas of public broadcasting. And it fosters the perception of detachment, formality and a privileged position for some which simply doesn't reflect the beliefs of the majority of the UK population today. I think increasingly people either just can't relate to it, or think it's just wrong and it may need to ditched if organised religion is to find a way to present itself as authentic and interesting to a population increasingly aware of other potential sources of answers to the so-called big questions.

[truthpaste]

I actually still think a lot of religious privilege still exists in the UK. In politics, education, public ceremonial events, marriage/pastoral support and some areas of public broadcasting. And it fosters the perception of detachment, formality and a privileged position for some which simply doesn't reflect the beliefs of the majority of the UK population today. I think increasingly people either just can't relate to it, or think it's just wrong and it may need to ditched if organised religion is to find a way to present itself as authentic and interesting to a population increasingly aware of other potential sources of answers to the so-called big questions.

As someone who has known Christ since Jimmy Scholar was managing the City, I can tell you that organised religion is NOT the answer and forms the biggest barrier to individuals finding Almighty God at a personal level.
Religion = conflict, control, anger and confusion.
Christ provides true peace, true freedom, a real purpose in this life a real hope for the future.
Jesus declared - "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father, except through me"

The retirement benefits aren't too shabby either

[Taunton Blue Genie]

As someone who has known Christ since Jimmy Scholar was managing the City, I can tell you that organised religion is NOT the answer and forms the biggest barrier to individuals finding Almighty God at a personal level.
Religion = conflict, control, anger and confusion.
Christ provides true peace, true freedom, a real purpose in this life a real hope for the future.
Jesus declared - "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father, except through me"

The retirement benefits aren't too shabby either

Had you been born in another geographical location and/or in another point in time you would be lauding the concepts of Valhalla, Elysium, The Happy Hunting Grounds or a myriad of other possibilities.

White people raised in the UK in recent centuries are, statistically speaking, overwhelmingly likely to become Christian if they adopt any religion whatsoever. It has been the state religion, we were all exposed to it at school, at home, in youth organisations, in cermonies such as weddings and funerals etc etc.

It's all about which religion we are exposed to and indoctrinated with at an early age, which explains the low level of sikhism in Iceland and the dearth of believers in Valhalla in the Punjab.

Religion is merely a cultural conduit spread across the globe by missionaries, empires and even commercial entities. Such is this connection that Spanish speakers, whether they live in Mallorca or Manila, are likely to be Christians etc. Hebrew speakers are likely to be Jewish and over 90% of Arabic speakers are Muslims.

Believing in the first religion we are exposed to (if we are to be religious at at all) and rejecting all others is entirely predictable.

BY the way, you never answered my question about Moses i.e. what evidence is there regarding his reports about God's statements? Can you direct us to a credible audit trail of any description?

[Baloo]

As someone who has known Christ since Jimmy Scholar was managing the City, I can tell you that organised religion is NOT the answer and forms the biggest barrier to individuals finding Almighty God at a personal level.
Religion = conflict, control, anger and confusion.
Christ provides true peace, true freedom, a real purpose in this life a real hope for the future.
Jesus declared - "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father, except through me"

The retirement benefits aren't too shabby either

For some I'm sure. However, for others all of these are potentially available in living the one life we have.

[splott parker]

As someone who has known Christ since Jimmy Scholar was managing the City, I can tell you that organised religion is NOT the answer and forms the biggest barrier to individuals finding Almighty God at a personal level.
Religion = conflict, control, anger and confusion.
Christ provides true peace, true freedom, a real purpose in this life a real hope for the future.
Jesus declared - "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father, except through me"

The retirement benefits aren't too shabby either

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