I wish that I had a Faith

Franbern. You appear to be struggling with differentiating between mature exchange of opinions, and expressing disrespect for those who happen to disagree with you. Honestly, it is possible to strongly disagree with someone, yet continue to respect both their opinion and them as a person. If you can't do that, which from your own words, appears to be the case, then yes, please move on.

Insulting and ridiculing posters because they believe in something you don't is hardly conducive to promoting debate and discussion is it Franbern.

Catholic, Presbyterian, CofE, Evangelical, Wee Free, does it matter?

Only if you take the moral high ground and pretend those who don't agree with you about the role of the supernatural are "ridiculing" you.

Exactly. Comparing faith in a god with believing in Father Christmas is insulting and disrespectful. It’s a shame Franbern can’t see that.

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You can politely tell me you don’t share my belief and of course that’s not disrespectful. But if you go further and compare my belief to a child’s belief in Father Christmas then you are ridiculing my belief and showing disrespect. Likewise with your usual reference to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Germanshepherdsmum. "Comparing faith in a god with believing in Father Christmas is insulting and disrespectful. It’s a shame Franbern can’t see that." Exactly. So is stating that anyone who has religious faith "is immature and hasn't grown up". The ridicule is not imagined. It's clear as day. They said it, it's on the record, and what's more, they know it is. Why deny it? Click bait?

Oh OK.

Note to self: Religious people are very touchy and their belief in the supernatural can't stand up to scrutiny.

Do you want us to patronise you, is that it? "Yes yes, of course you can believe in things with no proof, you're completely entitled...."

Why is believing in the God of the Christians untouchable but believing in Santa Claus is fair game? Where should we draw the line?

Possibly so. I don’t share many beliefs that others hold but I respect their right to hold them. I don’t belittle them and joke about their beliefs.

The FSM isn't my idea by the way. But if I told you who came up with it I think some posters might self combust.

Germanshepherdsmum

Possibly so. I don’t share many beliefs that others hold but I respect their right to hold them. I don’t belittle them and joke about their beliefs.

So, no indication of how to decide if a belief is to be respected or not?

You do understand the concept of respect for others I assume? If so, then let’s see some of it if you are capable of showing it.

How is it being respectful to patronise another person?

Yes it is disrespectful to compare Santa Claus with my God. I find it really hurtful and blasphemous and that is all I will say about it.

I find it very hurtful when people tell me I'm a fascist. (Happened on here yesterday) I find it really hurtful when people tell me that I'm a bad person for not believing in God.

Yet, it still goes on.

Respecting someone’s beliefs is not patronising them. You really don’t care that your nasty comments hurt others, do you? Don’t bother to answer that - it’s abundantly clear that you don’t care a toss about others’ feelings.

Who has said you are a bad person for not believing in God? Link please.

That's quite hurtful.

But I guess its OK to hurt me because I'm not religious and won't cry "blasphemy!"

The truth often hurts.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

Lots of Christians believe in intelligent design, including my late mother

Yes volver where has it been said that you're a bad person for not believing in God?

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Telling people who believe in God it's no different to believing in Santa Claus isn't the truth though is it volver it's the expression of an opinion.

So are you going to say where you were told that not believing in God makes you a bad person?

I doubt it Smiles because I don’t believe it happened.

volver3

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Oh dear. Touchy touchy. I'll have to watch what I say.

As for the "Bad Person" thing... there is life outside GN. I've been told by a family member that my belief system means I'll go to hell.

There's three options here.

I tell you you're all entitled to your opinions, smile and leave you to it. (patronising, because I think you're wrong but I'm not allowed to tell you)

Enthusiastically embrace a society based on superstition.

Shut up and don't take the chance of upsetting the religious people, then never darken this thread again. Accept that saying what you think is not allowed.

I'll take option 3, please. Blessed be the fruit.