Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 1:33 pm  

And speaking of such matters... "Cardinal O'Brien has already authorised a plan to raise £100,000 through special church collections to support the Scotland For Marriage campaign against same-sex marriage." This says everything that needs to be said about the Catholic Church. If they can raise £100k, wouldn't their God prefer that they use it to help those in need rather than to oppress those who are different? Help starving children, or force their dubious 'morality' on others? It's easy to guess which path the Catholic Church will choose every time.

And speaking of such matters... "Cardinal O'Brien has already authorised a plan to raise £100,000 through special church collections to support the Scotland For Marriage campaign against same-sex marriage." This says everything that needs to be said about the Catholic Church. If they can raise £100k, wouldn't their God prefer that they use it to help those in need rather than to oppress those who are different? Help starving children, or force their dubious 'morality' on others? It's easy to guess which path the Catholic Church will choose every time.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:13 pm  

Spot on, Mintball. And personally I think that Christianity is feeling challenged in this country for the first time in recent history, by atheism, Islam and a general lack of respect for religion and Christianity. So some are trying to fight back and their true views on gays, women etc are brought to the fore from being hidden away when things weren't so bad and even if people didn't really turn up to church they still called themselves Christian. For the first time in their lives my parents didn't put themselves down as Christian on the Census. They've never attended church in their lives other than for weddings/funerals etc but have always hesitantly called themselves Christian. That's changed, and I think the more "devout" have noted this steady but gradual change over the last few decades and can see the end is nigh.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:14 pm  

Did anyone else see this last week? It was a story about a medieval Welsh manuscript, The Laws of Hywel Dda, that was sold at auction in the US. Where this is interesting in terms of this discussion is that this 10th century book indicates that, in Wales at the time, marriage was considered an agreement, not a holy sacrament. In other words, it shows as factually incorrect the claims that marriage has always been religious. Religion is part of our cultural heritage. To pretend otherwise would be ridiculous. But some of the claims of some people are far from having any historic accuracy. So when people either lie – or are utterly uninformed – why should they be able to have a special voice in public life on the basis of the beliefs that causes them to spout misinformation?

Did anyone else see this last week? It was a story about a medieval Welsh manuscript, The Laws of Hywel Dda, that was sold at auction in the US. Where this is interesting in terms of this discussion is that this 10th century book indicates that, in Wales at the time, marriage was considered an agreement, not a holy sacrament. In other words, it shows as factually incorrect the claims that marriage has always been religious. Religion is part of our cultural heritage. To pretend otherwise would be ridiculous. But some of the claims of some people are far from having any historic accuracy. So when people either lie – or are utterly uninformed – why should they be able to have a special voice in public life on the basis of the beliefs that causes them to spout misinformation?

[Kosh]

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 3:46 pm  

kirkstaller wrote:

What role should religion play in public life?

None whatsoever.

kirkstaller wrote:

Should Christians be allowed to espouse their views in a public forum?

Yes.

kirkstaller wrote:

Should expression of biblical views be criminalised?

They haven't been.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:07 pm  

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2174181/Sales-rep-repeatedly-accused-gay-didn-t-like-football-wins-44-000-payout-harassment.html Sometimes having strong religious views can lead to expensive court cases...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2174181/Sales-rep-repeatedly-accused-gay-didn-t-like-football-wins-44-000-payout-harassment.html Sometimes having strong religious views can lead to expensive court cases...

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:49 pm  

If your religious beliefs are compromised by your job its time to change profession.

On a side note, i have never understood why homosexuals would seek to be in a religion which demonises their sexual orientation. All religions, like this forum, have their rules and if you don't like them don't join.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:51 pm  

If your religious beliefs are compromised by your job its time to change profession.

On a side note, i have never understood why homosexuals would seek to be in a religion which demonises their sexual orientation. All religions, like this forum, have their rules and if you don't like them don't join.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:29 am  

The sad and inexplicable thing is how, in the 21st century, so many people still feel the need to believe in some god or other, instead of just accepting full personal responsibility for their actions.

Adults should within legal limits have freedom of expression, which involvs beliefs, however dotty, as long as this odes not infringe on the rights of others to go about their lawful business.

However the law should ban any child being in any way indoctrinated in any form of religion. Religion should be allowed for adults only. The sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of the religious are only adherents of their flavour of religion because they were brainwashed into it during their infancy and youth, and are now pressurised in very many cases to conform.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:04 am  

dr_feelgood wrote:

If your religious beliefs are compromised by your job its time to change profession.

On a side note, i have never understood why homosexuals would seek to be in a religion which demonises their sexual orientation. All religions, like this forum, have their rules and if you don't like them don't join.

I've got to agree with this, it baffles me.

Re: Religion in public life - criminal? : Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:07 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

However the law should ban any child being in any way indoctrinated in any form of religion. Religion should be allowed for adults only.

Agreed. And if such a law was passed we'd see the (almost) complete disappearance of religion within a generation or two.