Aimed at the Wrong People?

Seems like this has declined into a slanging match- May did/ didn't do X / Corbyn did / didn't do Y. We don't really know what people do/ don't do when not reported unless we were there so don't pretend to.

This is another very unpleasant thread now.
I have a faith, it's not something I talk about much. I find so many people feel they have the right to dismiss anyone with faith as daft, or prepared to believe in magic. I wouldn't dream f being so offensive to those with no, or different faiths.
Praying for the dead isn't about 'phopbf they 'get a better seat in heaven'. Dismissive, is unnecessary and negative,
What about a more gentle style of posting, to go along with the more gentle style of politics many of us would like to see.
What kind of example do our generation want to set for the younger people? I live in a town where we have a large Muslim population. We are an umbrella town for asylum seekers, as are many other former mill towns in the north west. We have a growing pipulation of African Muslims who I hope will find common ground with their Pakistan Muslim neighbours,
The evangelical Church is full to bursting. The congregation includes White a British and many fairly newly arrived Africans. Are they to be dismissed by posters here, with The ease found possible for Theresa May's faith
.

Hear, hear Iam64. People who believe pray for the souls of the dead. Let's give reigion a break on here, please.

It started as being very unpleasant, though, Iam.

I am an atheist and a lapsed confirmed Christian, with a strong Christian upbringing.

What I find so very difficult to come to terms with, and why I can no longer believe in a higher being, is the extraordinary hypocracy I see emanating from all religions.

Wars are carried out in religious faiths, people are slaughtered in religious faith, people are left to starve when a professed religious vastly wealthy country does absolutely nothing to save those dear children. People are drowning as I write this who are surrounded by countries of faith.

Excuse my cynicism, but that is why I agreed with nanny

Iam, I'm afraid it is not only those who do not believe who could be seen as making remarks others may not like. We also had good Christians telling us that someone is better because they prayed with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Jen is right; this started out as an unpleasant thread, designed to cause trouble rather than clarity - sadly it appears to be succeeding.

I do t dispute any of that ww.
Which organisations were at he front of offering practical and emotional support at Grenfell, the Churches,
My charity of choice when recycling clothes and household items, is the Salvation Army. They work with people on the very edges of our society,
No one could claim religion hasn't been involved in wars or terrorism. That isn't a reason to dismiss any faith as nonsense.
I'm watching Broken, written by the wonderful Jimmy McGovern. It portrays the Catholic Church in all its complexity. I feel our society will lose a lit if we simply dismiss all faiths and believers as hypocritical losers .

Of course they were iam !!! They would be utterly immaterial if they didn't. But I stick by my point. I will not continue with this conversation as it may upset too many people and I don't want to question their beliefs. Windows and souls etc.

I know some of you will not understand my point of view but I genuinely cannot understand the concept of praying for the dead. I did ask someone to explain, and I apologise if my second post offended. I was probably trying to elicit a response to my first question.

But I'm still in the dark.

And yes, people are entitled to their faith or to their atheism.

I'm afraid I have little time for any organised religions and ostentatious displays of piety.

I very much respect people of faith who accept that others have different beliefs from their own, and who put their faith to good use by helping others, especially when it is inconvenient or unpopular to do so.

I'll go along with that too Eloethan

What do you mean by them being 'utterly immaterial' whitewave?

ana if you had read the whole of my post you would realise that as far as I am concerned for the reason I have given have closed the subject.

Good posts Iam64 ....it is the height of crassness to talk about religion in that way.

....and the Salvation Army is wonderful.

We can talk about religion any way we want, same as any other subject.

Yes, you can, if you wish to upset or offend durham but few posters really want that.

I am upset and offended by the position some on here are trying to give their religion. Apparently if they mention their belief free speech has to stop! If you are going to be offended don't bring the subject up. Keep it in your head - along with the opinions you don't like being challenged either.

So you are allowed to say the Salvation Army is wonderful?

My religion is veganism, and I think that's wonderful, as well as CND.

My religion is humanism, but they are often far from wonderful

That is some of the reasons i find humanism so fascinating

I am a believer and yes I do pray for the dead because I believe we all have a soul and I pray that their souls can rest in peace.

There are those of a different faith or no faith at all and, of course, I accept and respect that.

I remember a priest once said to me that any religion which cannot take criticism or even ridicule will not last long - and Christianity as been around for 2,000 years!

Veganism is not a religion durham ( though I realise that to some people it almost is)
The Salvation Army does wonderful work....where there is a human need, they are there!

Judging by the blind faith of the angry brexiters, brexit seems to be a new religion, and no you must not criticise it as they find it offensive and get even angrier

Those who show the most ostentatious display of piety have always been atheists

varian ..... who on here is talking about Brexit ( except you) must it be brought into every topic?