christmas is nearly hear when did it lose its meaning

"It's all as believable as the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny as far as I'm concerned " When you said this were you not suggesting these people are idiots?


These World problems are not created by religion at all, they are created by Man, their religions tell them that war is wrong but they use it to further their own ends. If people were really true to the teachings of their religions then there would be less conflict in the world. Human nature is the cause of these atrocities.

I wasn't suggesting anything - and certainly didn't call anyone an idiot.

Who created "religion" - answer = Man

Religion has got in the way of giving life saving operations to children before because their parents didn't think it was in line with their religion.

IMO it's all a load of rubbish but it's dangerous rubbish and gives people excuses to cause problems.
 
Having just returned from the midnight service, no, the spirit of Christmas is alive and kicking! A very big turn out despite the high winds.

Having distributed Santa presents to a food bank yesterday so that some youngsters will enjoy Santa's gifts in the morning and helping from 11am to 3 pm serving lonely folk enjoy their Christmas lunch - the spirit of Christmas is still here.

The toys all donated, the helpers for the lunch we had to turn away twice as many as we can use. Folk are superb, filled with the Christmas spirit and giving of their time and cash to help others.

Don't let the deflectors allow you to think otherwise - people are just great at this time of year and also throughout the year as well.

Thankyou sir! One in the eye from you for the cynics. Christmas is alive and well - if you are willing to open your eyes and understand and acknowledge all that is still good with Christmas and celebrating the birth of Christ.
 
You seem to be aiming a few accusations at me

I don't give a monkeys about religion - I think it's all made up nonsense with make believe people regardless of what their name is or what religion it is

It's all as believable as the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny as far as I'm concerned

But if other people want to believe in religion then they are more than willing

which rather demonstrates that you don't really understand what having a belief and faith in a religious context actually mean. But it's an easy dig.
 
...but I retain the right to think religion is nonsense!

And your definition of 'religion' is? You must have some idea of it in your mind for you to be able to state that it is nonsense. And it seems to me that you are completely failing to understand the difference between religion as a concept (however you choose to define it) and belief and faith in a religious context as aspects of human consciousness and groundings for an individuals morals, ethics and behaviours.

I'm not seeing much else out there providing much moral guidance these days. It is perhaps tricky that much of what you would see as secular good citizenship and standards of behaviour are based upon faith and religious values.
 
I wasn't suggesting anything - and certainly didn't call anyone an idiot.

Who created "religion" - answer = Man

Religion has got in the way of giving life saving operations to children before because their parents didn't think it was in line with their religion.

IMO it's all a load of rubbish but it's dangerous rubbish and gives people excuses to cause problems.

I suggest you look inwards at your own prejudices.
 
Christmas is alive and well!! Christianity is about obeying the laws of the land ( based on thou shall not kill etc) and respecting and helping those less fortunate than ourselves. As for religion it seems it is about others interpretation of sacred documents and rituals that IMO won't help the poor sod who is homeless or just in need of some help. I am a proud Christian that does not follow the religious part of the doctrine.

Have a great Christmas everyone no matter what your affiliations are. :thup:
 
I suggest you look inwards at your own prejudices.

Unfortunately SocketRocket, prejudiced views about religious belief - views that are based upon rather lazy thinking about cause and effect - are very easy to hold.

I find it interesting that so many who profess no religious belief call and act upon religious concepts and at the same time fail to recognise them for what they are or deny that they do so. And when this contradiction is pointed out I am told that these are nothing to do with religion. Well I'd expect nothing else because clearly nothing good comes from religion - I'd be told. Whatever!
 
which rather demonstrates that you don't really understand what having a belief and faith in a religious context actually mean. But it's an easy dig.


I spent 4 years in a catholic run school and my mother is a practising catholic so don't preach to me about not understanding

I have made my choice through expirence and have seen the devastation caused by religion

You have your own belief and I'm not having a go at you for it so show respect to other people's belief.

The problem I have and can see exactly in your posts is that religious people or people who have faith in religion can never stop arrogantly preaching towards people who don't have a belief in religion.

Religion has a history covered in blood
 
I spent 4 years in a catholic run school and my mother is a practising catholic so don't preach to me about not understanding

I have made my choice through expirence and have seen the devastation caused by religion

You have your own belief and I'm not having a go at you for it so show respect to other people's belief.

The problem I have and can see exactly in your posts is that religious people or people who have faith in religion can never stop arrogantly preaching towards people who don't have a belief in religion.

Religion has a history covered in blood

Apologies from me then are due as it was not clear from your post that you do understand the difference between 'religion' and what is done in the name of religion - and an individual's 'belief and faith'.
 
And your definition of 'religion' is? You must have some idea of it in your mind for you to be able to state that it is nonsense. And it seems to me that you are completely failing to understand the difference between religion as a concept (however you choose to define it) and belief and faith in a religious context as aspects of human consciousness and groundings for an individuals morals, ethics and behaviours.

I'm not seeing much else out there providing much moral guidance these days. It is perhaps tricky that much of what you would see as secular good citizenship and standards of behaviour are based upon faith and religious values.


That's a bit of a sweeping statement SILH, of course I understand the differences. I believe, however, that you can lead a perfectly good and caring lifestyle without being a practicing Christian, Muslim etc etc. Most sensible religions preach the right moral codes and most are twisted by those who care to do so.

I just don't believe in God, Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha or any of the other religious figures. The Bible, Koran etc have been written and changed over the centuries and are, in my opinion, the basis of either good or hatred however it is read by different factions.

Where religion is nonsense to me is the fact that to be a Christian you have to believe that God created the earth and Adam and Eve and all other things, not accept that and, for me, Christianity falls apart at the first hurdle. I personally don't need the church or bible to treat people how I personally would like to be treated.

I don't have any problem with anyone who is a believer in any religion at all!
 
Exactly what prejudice are you talking about ?

I'm still waiting for the apology after your false accusations

Your prejudice to people with a religious faith. You blame these peoples beliefs for many of the ills of the world but as I have explained to you previously, it's not the religion that creates these ills, it's Human nature which often uses religion as a security blanket to mask the need for power and control.

I have nothing to apologise to you for. I have debated your views and explained where I disagree with them and why.
 
Your prejudice to people with a religious faith. You blame these peoples beliefs for many of the ills of the world but as I have explained to you previously, it's not the religion that creates these ills, it's Human nature which often uses religion as a security blanket to mask the need for power and control.

I have nothing to apologise to you for. I have debated your views and explained where I disagree with them and why.

You haven't debated anything - you have just thrown accusations around and you have just posted another one.



When exactly was I prejudiced against anyone with any belief ?
 
You haven't debated anything - you have just thrown accusations around and you have just posted another one.



When exactly was I prejudiced against anyone with any belief ?

In that case its not worth continuing this subject with you. Just re-read your threads for the answer.
 
In that case its not worth continuing this subject with you. Just re-read your threads for the answer.

There is nothing to re read - I gave my own thoughts but I never pointed any accusations at anyone not suggested anyone was an idiot ( something you accused me off ). I don't treat people any different because of their religious beliefs - my mother is very religious and she understands my thoughts and i understand hers. Her beliefs don't change anything in terms of how I treat or see her. And that's the same with anyone. When people start to preach religion to me knowing my views on the subject and try to push those views then I will start to treat them differently because they don't respect my views.

I respect your right and beliefs on religion but you don't seen to respect mine and are throwing accusations at me

If you are going to continue to throw accusations towards people then back them up please.
 
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