Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:26 pm  

It always surprises me that the USA, where separation of church and state is enshrined in their constitution, is quite happy to elect, time and time again, presidents who are more than happy to openly admit to praying for guidance before making important decisions.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:27 pm  

I think Peggy's post very well paints a picture that is probably very widespread – and I don't think it's 'selfish', just indicative of human ego.

As I've said before – I don't have a problem with people believing whatever they want to. My problem is when they try to foist that on others and/or claim special treatment.

It struck me a few minutes ago to think that, since we've had legalised abortion in this country since the 1960s, why have there not been a glut of such cases since then? But then again, why is it only in relatively recent years that we have started to see exactly such cases, from across the religious spectrum?

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:28 pm  

McLaren_Field wrote:

It always surprises me that the USA, where separation of church and state is enshrined in their constitution, is quite happy to elect, time and time again, presidents who are more than happy to openly admit to praying for guidance before making important decisions.

What's more surprising is that their God always tells them to do what they wanted to do anyway. You never hear them say,

"Well, I was going to lay waste to another middle-eastern country, but God stepped in and told me not to."

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:28 pm  

McLaren_Field wrote:

It always surprises me that the USA, where separation of church and state is enshrined in their constitution ...

Many would dispute that – and claim it works a different way or at least that the founding father didn't intend it to mean what others would today claim. See all the malarky about crosses and nativity scenes in and outside public buildings etc etc.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:30 pm  

Mintball wrote: Many would dispute that – and claim it works a different way or at least that the founding father didn't intend it to mean what others would today claim. See all the malarky about crosses and nativity scenes in and outside public buildings etc etc. Hats off to this girl, I say.

Mintball wrote: Many would dispute that – and claim it works a different way or at least that the founding father didn't intend it to mean what others would today claim. See all the malarky about crosses and nativity scenes in and outside public buildings etc etc. Hats off to this girl, I say.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:39 pm  

Rock God X wrote: Hats off to this girl, I say. Hope Dally reads that and notes the intelligent and very "Christian" responses she received.

Rock God X wrote: Hats off to this girl, I say. Hope Dally reads that and notes the intelligent and very "Christian" responses she received.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:46 pm  

El Barbudo wrote:

Hope Dally reads that and notes the intelligent and very "Christian" responses she received.

They all had a good, long pray about this, and god must have told them to threaten her. Glory be!

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:52 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

What's more surprising is that their God always tells them to do what they wanted to do anyway. You never hear them say,

"Well, I was going to lay waste to another middle-eastern country, but God stepped in and told me not to."

You're missing a fundamental point. usually, both sides pray to God, and he's such a mischievous monkey, he tells 'em both to get stuck in, as God Is On Their Side. Presumably, having lit the blue fuse paper, he then retires and watches from a safe distance.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:53 pm  

El Barbudo wrote:

Hope Dally reads that and notes the intelligent and very "Christian" responses she received.

Richard Dawkins has a video in which reads out the hate male that he receives from people of faith.

[Kosh]

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:54 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

You're missing a fundamental point. usually, both sides pray to God, and he's such a mischievous monkey, he tells 'em both to get stuck in, as God Is On Their Side. Presumably, having lit the blue fuse paper, he then retires and watches from a safe distance.

With a large bucket of popcorn and a six-pack.