Christianity. In the context of whether belief is actually necessary. Or not.

Certain neighbours would not befriend my Mother because she was a Catholic who had married a Protestant. No problems at all within our families however one particular neighbour 'reported' my Mother to her priest. This complete stranger appeared at our door, I was approx 8yrs old when this man proceeded to tell my Mother, who I was standing beside, that in the eyes of God she was not legally married and I was a bastard! All in the name of God of course.

I have my own thoughts about religion but unlike the priest, I do not wish to offend anyone.

DGC goes to a Catholic school and I shall be interested to hear his take on it all when I see him later in the year.

LOL- our grand-children go to a CofE school, which is quite traditional. We were staying with them late November/early December, and it was very hard to cope with all the Christmas stuff and questions, and keep a straight face too (aged 5 and 8). Children in Catholic schools are taught about religion from a very young age, with of course first communion being full of difficult religious concepts, confession of sins, etc.

Oh I do wish there were no Church schools of any kind in England!

The Jain and Hindu religions include a lot of beautiful parables, dances, colours, music , too- much more perhaps. Diwali, the festival of light, Navrati, the festival of dance, and others for colours, etc.

My GC go to "messy church" once a month in the local village church. They pay their dues, eat the grub, have some fun and trot off home. There is no religious hard sell as far as I can discern, just an underlying assumption that god exists.

DGS aged 5 asked afterwards "What is all this god stuff?" and my DD explained. He scratched his head for a bit and said "Naah - I don't think so." Out of the mouths of babes.

Tegan, anglicans may not 'indoctrinate' from a very young age- to the same extent as other faiths- But Anglican children are taught about Jesus and lots of other parables and stories from a very young age, are they not? I certainly was. And of course, some Christian groups do so to a much larger extent, the Catholic Church does, and other smaller Churches, evangelical and all sorts of sects- what about Creationists who teach the children a totally 'invalid' history of the world?

Yes, a lot of beauty in the buildings, the music- and the love given to 'one's' own, but not necessarily to others who do not belong, in reality. I certainly remember the segregation between Catholics and Protestants where I grew up. It was not beautiful, I can assure you. Perhaps these images of beauty are 'easier' to believe in if you come from a unique Church community, where unhealthy and nasty competition prevailed.

This Sunday, our local Church will again have a ecumenical service for all Christians and denominations in the area. Great.

For me, the beauty, music, etc, because of the conflict between Churches here, and in our community and family (mother Protestant, father Catholic) + also the influence of the Salvation Army (who organised activities for kids during the holidays- then tried to gain our soul, via beauty, music and stories) and the Jehovah's witnesses- made be suspicious from a very early age- and I felt the music, beauty, the stories- were there to 'trap' me into one group or other. Glad I abstained ;)

Some of the imagery in the bible is indeed moving and this is why so much beautiful music and art has been inspired by it. I have spent large chunks of my life singing requiems and other such music and my life would have been poorer without it.

However I do not find the concept of the crucifixion or anything surrounding it beautiful and think that this should not be foisted on children in school as it is grotesque. I am always puzzled by the cross as the ubiquitous christian symbol - if the story were to be repeated today then generations to come would have an electric chair or a hypodermic needle as a uniting symbol. Bizarre!

Is belief actually necessary? - necessary for what would be the question I guess. There is of course the quote (from whom) that if god did not exist it would be necessary to invent him.

In a word, no. It's one failing [which isn't really a failing] is that it's far too sensible and forgiving [and doesn't indoctrinate people from an early age].

I don't know enough about other religions to reply to your last question jings but yes all the things you mention are beautiful.