to feel despair at the gay marriage vote

In other words, I think we have to be careful when bandying numbers and statistics around

This is another of those which cuts both ways. " The majority say " - well we arent at all sure what they say are we? It depends on what they get asked.

The majority of the house of commons ( with a not very free vote despite everything said) voted one way but it has been acknowledged it may not be the way the population feel.

The same goes for how we are apparently now not C of E - or are we?

Another off topic. In my village a new ioncumbent tried to close the village church down. He said there was no congregation and therefore no support and that the church could not make its keep. He locked the doors and told the local population to go to his,more favoured building in another village. A year later the church was re opened by the Bishop because the locals refused to be told that there was no congregation and thus no one wanted the church and they paid for it, opened it and reparied it - and five years later it is still being supported. The congregation is still small compared to its "supporters".

So, the congregation of anti homosexual marriage may seem small but those who support the church in its ant marriage position may well be significantly larger.

Dont think that just because your statistics say the majority are in favour of same sex marriage, they are. They may not be.

You really are quite entertaining, maries . Which bit of a vote of 400 in favour and 175 against is not a majority in favour of the so-called gay marriage bill?

Concept of lateral-number-thinking now entering my head. It's a difficult concept. May have to think for a while before I understand it.

<wanders off chuckling and thinking what fun gransnet it>

whoops: is not it

BTW, I just googled for those numbers. Apparently from the Beeb, but it could all be liese, damned lies!

If I say anything I am being personal but if Bags says it he is being funny and I am a source of fun and entertainment.
Well entertain yourselves.

I got the message.' Gransnet is not a [place for people to come and discuss. its for regulars only.

btw, to you all as you join in the laughter. I do feel bvery hurt by the nasty comments here. Hence I will go and I wont come back and I will make sure I tell everyone I know on other forums how you are all so snide and nasty to newcomers.

Very hurt.

Have a laugh about that too. But I still think what I think l about homosexual marriage and I think it more now.

Maries if you thought it was me who was castigating you, I'm sorry. There isn't a hierarchy of posters on Gransnet. There are some people who post more frequently on political and religious issues than others but it's equal opportunities all round.

Maries I for one am sorry you have had this experience.

There are many people on Gransnet and not many of them have been commenting on this thread.

What a shame you feel that way- why is it OK for you to be passionate about your beliefs and yet see other passionate views as attacks?

Hallowed atheist though - what next?

Well... quite, jura . So "hallowed poster" is OK but "entertaining" is not. Hey ho.

maries "The civil change in the law imposing itself on the CofE only happens because that church is enshrined in our law as the established church of the state"

What state? Think about it.

But I'm betting.....

No, I won't say it. Back to the fo'c'sle, Bags, you mutinous dog!

There is a saying that "If god didn't exist, man would have invented him". If I ever find out who that man is, in spite of all my lifelong pacifist principles, I swear I'll kill him! Once again, I am losing the will to live.

Bags, I will never think of you the same way again.

Petallus I am confused – what experience are you apologising for?

all sleep well.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

J08 I don't think you should have said either of those things.

Well I did. No doubt it will soon be deleted. I hope Marie's sees it before it goes. She was treated badly.

Why do you absent so often have to mock people if they show a bit of emotion.

j08 I haven't mocked anyone. On the contrary, I have been very careful to express my understanding that this subject raises very powerful feelings. Please quote the instance where I have mocked someone on this thread. Maries has not been treated badly – her views have been responded to in a sensible and serious way. Disagreeing with what someone says is not bullying and there are no cliques. I am so tired of that lazy accusation.