Christian Grans

thecraftymermaid I was merely expressing surprise that a thread which seemed to have run rather more than its course has been resurrected. Of course, there's no reason why any thread from the past 18 months shouldn't get a new lease of life if there is still something left to say. By the way, I don't think you can blame Gransnet for postings on Mumsnet – they are related but not the same.

It's fine to talk about religion - it has been a huge influence on the world. It would be odd if the subject did not come up on the forum.

All the christians I know clebrate Christmas both religiously and secularly - having a jolly time with their children and GC and enjoying the santa myth, as well as attending church.

Holding a different view about religion does not at all mean that people are attacking or mocking. I do not feel the need to be defensive about my agnosticism and nor should those with a religious faith feel the need to be defensive about views that do not accord with their own - they are not attacks, but simply a different point of view.

The more communication between people as people regardless of their faith or lack of it can only be good I think.

My post wasn't sharp, it was my opinion, this is a forum, no? The penultimate sentence about Santa in non religious households isn't tosh. A recent mumsnet thread concerned a mum absolutely furious and out for blood because her child's grandmother had told the child Santa isn't real. I was merely pointing out the irony, as it appears to me, of protecting children from from raving loony Christians whilst actively encouraging them to believe for as long as possible in a fat stranger in a red outfit, who drives around the world once a year in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, bestowing girfts on well-behaved children.
And sorry for resurrecting a dead thread. Obviously the old adage warning us never to talk about religion still holds true and I consider myself chastened.

Thank you Bags.

But actually, I don't think that every normal person does have those aspirations. And here I'm going to be very judgemental. I think that there are a great many mean spirited, selfish and intolerant people around. And an awful lot of grudge bearers.

Whatever our beliefs I think that high aspirations are admirable and that we can all benefit from following the example of good unselfish people.

I will stir the pot no further. Promise.

OK, elf. No prob. But doesn't every normal person have those aspirations? And act on them? Nothing humbling about it. It's just how people live if they give a damn and have ethical standards.

I wasn't having a dig at you, Bags. You said that you aim to make your whole life one of peace and goodwill and that you are sorry straight away if you have done anything wrong. I find that wholly admirable.

I'm afraid that I often fail to achieve those high standards and said that that was one of the reasons why I am in the church.

Please don't misinterpret what I said.

Mind you, we have been told this isn't the season of peace and good will yet. Maybe that explains it.

[sarc emoticon]

I think I'll bugger off out of the way of snide remarks as well.

I only aspire too, elf. I'm sure I don't achieve what I aspire to in this regard, nor in many others. Please don't misinterpret what I said in order to have a dig at me

Unless anybody posts something which personally attacks any other member I will no longer post on this thread, as I think everything has been said that could be useful.

The difference between Santa and God is that children, sooner or later, outgrow their belief in one of them. Many of us also outgrow (or never had) belief in the other.

Perhaps we need an archive? For dead or moribund threads.

Bags, I am humbled. I can only aspire to achieve the high morality which you embody on all occasions in your everyday life.

As I've remarked before, the church is a church of sinners, that's why I'm there.

I'm with petallus . As long as a thread is still there in the long list, it can't be considered dead. And there's no rule against resurrection. Although some posters might not believe in it.

Oh. I should have looked back a bit.

Lilygran - I thought my question was perfectly reasonable. Why would anyone want to resurrect a thread that has been dormant and has the potential to cause dissent? Especially somebody who claims to be a member of a religion devoted to spreading harmony and peace.
It has been repeatedly explained that some of us regard most religions as not only fallacious but frequently harmful, but nobody has ever been personally aggressive towards any other member. Why not just leave it at that?
I think I am the peacemaker here!

Great Scot! How did this thread get resurrected from the dead? I thought it had been gently laid to rest along with most other threads involving robust debate.

In spite of often discussing contentious issues and putting forward views that disagree with others, I aim to make my whole life one of peace and goodwill. This period of the year is no different from any other as far as that's concerned. I find all seasonal tat (religious and otherwise) a bit annoying at times, but I just ignore it as much as possible.

Likewise repentance does not need a special season. If I realise I've done something wrong, I'm sorry for it straight away.

Obviously one doesn't need to prepare for the birthday of a god one doesn't believe in so that bit doesn't affect me one way or the other. I presume that's what you meant by preparation, lily?

It isn't the season of peace and goodwill yet. It is the season of penitence and preparation (or will be very soon). Christmas used to be a 12 day festival and is now apparently 12 weeks. I really, really like Christmas but I'm finding this prequel makes me anything but peaceful and well-disposed.

Well I intend to behave as though it is Bags.

As an atheist I would agree about Gods being fictional of course but I like to leave a small space because I'm adamantly certain about very few things in this life.

My point was that there is agreement (unless you are a young child) about the fictional nature of one but this is not the case for the other.

Is it, petallus, or is that just what we're told? Can't say I've noticed any difference from other times of the year, except perhaps for more stories about family members falling out with each other

Both the god that is being talked about (what about all the others?) and Santa are fictional characters.

Nice one, Petallus!

Luckily this is the season of peace and goodwill!

It's fine to resurrect a thread if you want to.

Anyway, this one has a seasonal twist to it.

Not sure I would link Father Christmas and God if I were a Christian though, since at least one of them is a fictional character .