Stephen Fry on meeting God ...

I live in the Chichester diocese and was listening this morning to the Sunday morning religious programme on Radio 4. I didn't know but Chichester is a bastion of the old school i.e. do not believe in women Bishops. Surprised somehow - not sure why though .

I don't know of any Christians who would be offended by people of another faith or none joining in with their services.

That's interesting, granjura, although I'm not sure what you mean about respect in this instance. Are you saying you sing etc. out of respect for the rest of the congregation, or that you feel guilty about singing etc. when you don't believe the words so feel you have to cross your fingers out of respect?

(I'm also wondering why you attend such occasions when you're a non-believer and even got married in church, but never mind...)

Well yes, good point. I just hate hypocrisy, always have. But mainly it is about respect- respect for those in the congregation, many of them friends- who are there because they truly believe what they are saying, and the Priest/Vicar. For instance also for our wedding- it seemed too important a day, too important vows- to mix them with lies.

Perhaps it's just me. We have family and friends who belong to so many religions and none- and we respect them and their beliefs- and would not wish to mock or demean.

I find it strange that you, as an atheist, would feel the need to cross your fingers behind your back, granjura!

Who or what is going to strike you down for lying?

And it does not help people, if christians never speak of their faith. It helps themselves only.

faith - no, it is nothing like the feelings of a great piece of art or music.
From the christian viewpoint, the bible says that faith without works [meaning good works] is dead.
So nothing similar at all.

I'd love that too thatbags- but I'd like it without the pretence and the lies- and having to cross fingers behind your back when singing or saying the words...when reciting the creed, and so on. I suppose I am just a bad liar.

I love the idea of meeting just to share and love, and sing together- without all the lies and nonsense.

I'm probably repeating myself here but I feel that God and religion were two things invented by man..but we invented them because we had a need for them [and have done so since primevil times]. And I'm tempted to put art in the same category.

Really liked Stephen Fry's reply and don't understand anyone who dismisses him as 'Just an entertainer' He is an actor, a raconteur, a writer, a campaigner and a spokesperson for many causes. He speaks openly and honestly about things that many people prefer to keep secret. Disagree with him by all means but show him some respect.
I understand totally Joan's post about the things which attract us to religion even though we don't believe. I have a big thing about gospel music and have sung in gospel choirs although I don't believe in god. It just sounds so good!
I wonder about the feelings that arise when I see a great painting or other work of art and if this is similar to what some people describe as faith ? Anyone help me with this?
Got to have an Oscar Wilde quote - 'Religion is like a blind man looking in a black room for a black cat that isn't there, and finding it.'

Agree bags

And I've always thought of mountains as natural cathedrals, I think it started from when I was a child and my uncle would take us kids along on hikes and make us observe silence and drink in the scenery.

Me too, gknot. I have no problem with the idea of god as personal thoughts and the idea of church as a social/community gathering for mutual and individual support.

Excellent post Joan. GK- would love to hear about the talk and the conclusions. Thanks.

Joan that's a lovely post.

I'm very interested (and lucky) to be going to a discussion tonight between one of the founders of The Atheist Church and a theologian on the subject of whether you can have a church without God.

I love Stephen Fry - he has a brilliant mind. It took me a lot longer than he did to realise religion is just made up ideas, and that God is simply an imaginary friend.

But praying to this imaginary friend is a bit like meditation, and can bring about answers to problems and questions. These answers come from your own mind though, not from a supernatural personage. This is why two different people praying about the same thing, will come to two different answers.

I still love old churches, and the sound of hymns on a Sunday. I wouldn't mind betting that some members of congregations no longer believe but enjoy the social gathering , the music, and the camaraderie.

Agree, Stephen Fry said a totaly good thing. Never believed in God and this allmighty thing

I think the main point she is making is that believers also argue with God and complain bitterly but go on believing. There's a well known story about a group of Jews in a concentration camp who agreed that in the face of such evil, God could not exist - on the lines of feetle's post - and then gathered to say evening prayers

Aslan is/was amazing. How did CS Lewis get to embody God in a lion. And so realistically.

An interesting response.

What she is describing is HER god, which bears out my feeling that people create the god that they want or need, and that every believer actually believes in a different god. I don't regard that as a criticism, simply an observation; and this does not belittle their faith.

For people who took issue with Fry's rant (and even if you didn't) try madeleinedavies.co.uk/2015/02/01/a-response-to-stephen-fry/

Thank you very much Ariadne and Mishap I appreciate your comments very much. There is so much about this world we do not know or understand and we must all perceive and believe whatever we feel is ok for us.Thank you. Whatever sad things are going on for Gransnetters I wish you strength however you achieve it.

I think Anno is right. Worshiping, sacrifice, etc doesn't seem to have any noticeable effect on world disasters.

I never did believe that God sees every sparrow that falls thing. What about the sparrowhawk wanting his dinner.

It's all beyond me. I'll wait and see what happens when I'm dead.

If the ant got trodden on, he had probably omitted to worship the elephant and tell him how wonderful he was!

Taking the analogy of the ant and the elephant to its logical conclusion: the elephant steps on and kills the ant without knowing it's there and with no compunction if he does notice it.

www.bwindifriends.co.uk/ Those who have expressed the view that Stephen Fry is a self-serving waste of space might like to look at this link and to find out about his efforts to spread the message about the dangers of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Not everyone likes his humour, but I think it is unfortunate to dismiss his genuine humanity and compassion for others.