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

[WJ99mobile]

Hate religion. Love religious architecture.

I used to try and tell people why god doesn’t exists. Now I’m just happy to let people be.

[jon1959]

Certainly.
We are indeed in a worrying place in terms of the spiritual health of the nation, but it's not for the first time.
The thing is, you see, that you cannot be a spiritual vacuum and if you're not filled with the right spirit you'll be filled with the wrong one, and I think this explains a lot of the problems we face in society today.

The Romans thought they'd ended Christianity,didn't they?

The Romans turned Christianity into a state religion. Out with the Vestal Virgins and in with the Pope.

[RonnieBird]

The Romans turned Christianity into a state religion. Out with the Vestal Virgins and in with the Pope.

Wasn't quite like that was it ?

They eventually became Christians, but not before persecuting Christians for a very long time and having reached a point - just as our present day enemies have - where they thought they'd destroyed it and replaced it with their own low practises.

We can observe that Christian societies thrive , and we can observe our own society withering on the vine as its faith and purpose dwindles . The stem is stronger than you think though and it will recover

[jon1959]

Wasn't quite like that was it ?

They eventually became Christians, but not before persecuting Christians for a very long time and having reached a point - just as our present day enemies have - where they thought they'd destroyed it and replaced it with their own low practises.

We can observe that Christian societies thrive , and we can observe our own society withering on the vine as its faith and purpose dwindles . The stem is stronger than you think though and it will recover

Well, if you are Wales-Bales you have played a blinder there with your Janet and John defence of globalist religion.

Just to play along for a while - the Romans persecuted lots of different people and beliefs (as well as tolerating them at other times) including Christianity before they adopted it and imposed it on everyone within their empire.

Who are our 'present day enemies' and what are their 'low practices'? Does 'our' relate to UK Christians, or to the mix of people who inhabit this messageboard (including the aetheists and Jedis)?

'We can observe' is an interesting phrase. I have observed many Christian societies (today as well as through history) that are insular, bigoted and oppressive. Others maybe not. But are you claiming that our society (UK, Europe, the West or however you define 'our society') is withering (I totally disagree with that opinion) because fewer than half of us hold supernatural beliefs and are card-carrying members of the (often wealthy, powerful and insidious) institutions that claim to champion those views?

You're not Truthpaste are you?

[The Gifaffe]

Hilarious that the word man uscripts is blanked because it has a hole in it. lol

[RonnieBird]

Well, if you are Wales-Bales you have played a blinder there with your Janet and John defence of globalist religion.

Just to play along for a while - the Romans persecuted lots of different people and beliefs (as well as tolerating them at other times) including Christianity before they adopted it and imposed it on everyone within their empire.

Who are our 'present day enemies' and what are their 'low practices'? Does 'our' relate to UK Christians, or to the mix of people who inhabit this messageboard (including the aetheists and Jedis)?

'We can observe' is an interesting phrase. I have observed many Christian societies (today as well as through history) that are insular, bigoted and oppressive. Others maybe not. But are you claiming that our society (UK, Europe, the West or however you define 'our society') is withering (I totally disagree with that opinion) because fewer than half of us hold supernatural beliefs and are card-carrying members of the (often wealthy, powerful and insidious) institutions that claim to champion those views?

You're not Truthpaste are you?

In fact the Romans were very tolerant and accepting of most religions in the Empire, and built joint temples for local idols which were often shared with their own. They took a very different and much harsher view of Christianity from the outset.

The word "our" refers here to Christians, so that's easily dealt with.

insular, bigoted and oppressive are all subjective terms. You may well regard things as insular ,bigoted or oppressive which others might not. Similarly, in fairness , "low practises " is a subjective term , and I expect I regard some things as such which you regard as quite wholesome and acceptable.

These are personal choices, and you are quite free to make your own. I would say that anyone's choices will have consequences, but you clearly reject that idea given your comments about "supernatural beliefs ".

Now, given that I am only truthfully answering the question posed in the OP , I'm hardly enforcing my beliefs upon you and,whilst I'd be delighted for you to find the truth of Christianity, I'm not going after anyone in the way that you seem to be doing.

If we can extrapolate the few points of yours I've read , I expect you'll be quite left wing and convinced about many things which I would reject because I've found that you can usually package these various beliefs together as being counter arguments against the plain truth, and persuasions to disregard the nature of the world in favour of some superficially more attractive version in which you can do what you like. Your choice entirely , as I've said, but do try and understand that you're practising a religion yourself because if I'm right about your general views , that'd tick all the boxes for a religion.

Last thing about the truth, well in fact the truth is very important to me.

[pomeroy]

In fact the Romans were very tolerant and accepting of most religions in the Empire, and built joint temples for local idols which were often shared with their own. They took a very different and much harsher view of Christianity from the outset.

The word "our" refers here to Christians, so that's easily dealt with.

insular, bigoted and oppressive are all subjective terms. You may well regard things as insular ,bigoted or oppressive which others might not. Similarly, in fairness , "low practises " is a subjective term , and I expect I regard some things as such which you regard as quite wholesome and acceptable.

These are personal choices, and you are quite free to make your own. I would say that anyone's choices will have consequences, but you clearly reject that idea given your comments about "supernatural beliefs ".

Now, given that I am only truthfully answering the question posed in the OP , I'm hardly enforcing my beliefs upon you and,whilst I'd be delighted for you to find the truth of Christianity, I'm not going after anyone in the way that you seem to be doing.

If we can extrapolate the few points of yours I've read , I expect you'll be quite left wing and convinced about many things which I would reject because I've found that you can usually package these various beliefs together as being counter arguments against the plain truth, and persuasions to disregard the nature of the world in favour of some superficially more attractive version in which you can do what you like. Your choice entirely , as I've said, but do try and understand that you're practising a religion yourself because if I'm right about your general views , that'd tick all the boxes for a religion.

Last thing about the truth, well in fact the truth is very important to me.

You refer to 'absolute truth' in one of your posts. How do you define this?

[Baloo]

In fact the Romans were very tolerant and accepting of most religions in the Empire, and built joint temples for local idols which were often shared with their own. They took a very different and much harsher view of Christianity from the outset.

The word "our" refers here to Christians, so that's easily dealt with.

insular, bigoted and oppressive are all subjective terms. You may well regard things as insular ,bigoted or oppressive which others might not. Similarly, in fairness , "low practises " is a subjective term , and I expect I regard some things as such which you regard as quite wholesome and acceptable.

These are personal choices, and you are quite free to make your own. I would say that anyone's choices will have consequences, but you clearly reject that idea given your comments about "supernatural beliefs ".

Now, given that I am only truthfully answering the question posed in the OP , I'm hardly enforcing my beliefs upon you and,whilst I'd be delighted for you to find the truth of Christianity, I'm not going after anyone in the way that you seem to be doing.

If we can extrapolate the few points of yours I've read , I expect you'll be quite left wing and convinced about many things which I would reject because I've found that you can usually package these various beliefs together as being counter arguments against the plain truth, and persuasions to disregard the nature of the world in favour of some superficially more attractive version in which you can do what you like. Your choice entirely , as I've said, but do try and understand that you're practising a religion yourself because if I'm right about your general views , that'd tick all the boxes for a religion.

Last thing about the truth, well in fact the truth is very important to me.

Being non-religious is not ‘doing what you like’. It’s actually quite possible for non-religious people to live a good life and to behave ethically just to make the most of the one life we have and not due to a fear of supernatural consequences.

[light up the darkness]

In the last census I identified myself as Jedi.
I understand that the total was around 10,000 or thereabouts

So statistically there may well be other posters on ccmb who are similarly minded

Where are you?

[City123]

In the last census I identified myself as Jedi.
I understand that the total was around 10,000 or thereabouts

So statistically there may well be other posters on ccmb who are similarly minded

Where are you?

In my Religious Studies GCSE exam I opened one answer with "In my experience as a practising Jedi..."

[light up the darkness]

In my Religious Studies GCSE exam I opened one answer with "In my experience as a practising Jedi..."

[The Gifaffe]

I find it incredible that truths in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics etc. are constantly being updated as research led discoveries shape our understanding of the universe yet religions are clinging on to m****cripts written thousands of years ago which, whilst containing excellent values (all our laws have Christian commandments at their heart), have not been updated any time recently by fresh religious visions, prophecy, miracles, visitations or suchlike which cannot be debunked with only minor investigation.

At the door of every church is a collection box/tray. They are a business which sells the afterlife. Something that comes with no guarantees, evidence or brochure. Each church is a franchise paying upwards to the top of the pyramid.

It used to exploit/oppress the ignorant in return for heavenly reward. Now it's a haven for the needy and easily led.
It used to be run by the power hungry and abusers. Now there's more women and minorities.

Eventually the business model will be dead.

[goats]

I find it incredible that truths in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics etc. are constantly being updated as research led discoveries shape our understanding of the universe yet religions are clinging on to m****cripts written thousands of years ago which, whilst containing excellent values (all our laws have Christian commandments at their heart), have not been updated any time recently by fresh religious visions, prophecy, miracles, visitations or suchlike which cannot be debunked with only minor investigation.

At the door of every church is a collection box/tray. They are a business which sells the afterlife. Something that comes with no guarantees, evidence or brochure. Each church is a franchise paying upwards to the top of the pyramid.

It used to exploit/oppress the ignorant in return for heavenly reward. Now it's a haven for the needy and easily led.
It used to be run by the power hungry and abusers. Now there's more women and minorities.

Eventually the business model will be dead.

But we know now all those things written 1000’s of years ago were mainly bull s, just to keep the people in order and to follow the church mantra. Hopefully in a few hundred years it will be talked about like cigarettes will be, ie extinct, with a more peaceful society that accepts others for what they are, not what archaic beliefs they hold.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

But we know now all those things written 1000’s of years ago were mainly bull s, just to keep the people in order and to follow the church mantra. Hopefully in a few hundred years it will be talked about like cigarettes will be, ie extinct, with a more peaceful society that accepts others for what they are, not what archaic beliefs they hold.

Most religions contain stories from preceding religions. It's merely folklore. And do you ever wonder why no-one believes in Greek and Roman gods anymore? The major Abrahamist religions are quite new in the great scheme of things and thousands of gods were believed in before they came about. People tend to simply believe in a god that they are first introduced to wherever they are in the world - and whenever they happened to be living.

[Wales-Bales]

But we know now all those things written 1000’s of years ago were mainly bull s, just to keep the people in order and to follow the church mantra. Hopefully in a few hundred years it will be talked about like cigarettes will be, ie extinct, with a more peaceful society that accepts others for what they are, not what archaic beliefs they hold.

And now politicians and laws keeps people in order. It's the same thing really

[goats]

And now politicians and laws keeps people in order. It's the same thing really

They try too you mean, there are lots of people I’ve known who dont really follow any rules.....

[Croesy Blue]

M****cripts

It actually is

[rudy gestede]

I find it incredible that truths in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics etc. are constantly being updated as research led discoveries shape our understanding of the universe yet religions are clinging on to m****cripts written thousands of years ago which, whilst containing excellent values (all our laws have Christian commandments at their heart), have not been updated any time recently by fresh religious visions, prophecy, miracles, visitations or suchlike which cannot be debunked with only minor investigation.

At the door of every church is a collection box/tray. They are a business which sells the afterlife. Something that comes with no guarantees, evidence or brochure. Each church is a franchise paying upwards to the top of the pyramid.

It used to exploit/oppress the ignorant in return for heavenly reward. Now it's a haven for the needy and easily led.
It used to be run by the power hungry and abusers. Now there's more women and minorities.

Eventually the business model will be dead.

This is another alt btw

[The Gifaffe]

This is another alt btw

Yes it is. See previous post re subject. Get over yourself.

[ToTaL ITK]

After years of being forced to listen to utter garbage and sing Holy holy holy! in assembly ...they didn't manage to indoctrinate me.
I'm of the mind that if you are religious you are not a free thinker, don't bother to try and change my mind tho :P

[rudy gestede]

None of the arguements for the existence of God be they Ontological, Cosmological , St. Thomas Aquinas so called 'proofs' nor the modish Presuppositional Apologetics actually demonstrably prove,in any way, the existence of God but merely regress to a greater conundrum i.e. who or what created the Creator?.

Is this him too?

[bobh]

There's the old saying
"Never argue about Politics or religion - the other person will never change "

Interesting that politics and religion seem to generate the longest threads on a football forum.

[Wales-Bales]

There's the old saying
"Never argue about Politics or religion - the other person will never change "

Interesting that politics and religion seem to generate the longest threads on a football forum.

Politics and religion are both fictions, as are most things in our life. The trick is to know what is real and what isn't.

[William Treseder]

https://youtu.be/8r-e2NDSTuE
In a nutshell.

[The Gifaffe]

https://youtu.be/8r-e2NDSTuE
In a nutshell.

Better still... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo