I wish that I had a Faith

NanaDana

Anyone who doesn't believe in God is immature, childlike, and needs to grow up. Your disbelief is based on sand, and any argument that you use to support your disbelief will be personalised, and subjected to ridicule. I don't actually believe any of that. You are perfectly entitled to exercise your disbelief, without fear or favour, and most certainly without it being mocked, belittled or subjected to personal ridicule. Is anyone getting the message? I doubt it...

Oh we're getting the message NanaDana. But not the message you think you're sending.

Anniebach

Those who mock Christians are mocking all faiths

which is exactly what I said- if I respect one, I have to respect them all. Why should 'Faith' be dependent on where you were born, your parents or upbringing/culture- if it is Faith.

And yes, I am quite sure that those who do profess to have faith here- believe that Christianity, in one of its many many many forms, with huge disagreements, is The One and Only.

and that the others are a bit of a nonsense, quite frankly- not quite Father Christmas, but possibly worse.

So many died in the holocaust because they were a bit of nonsense

This comment by Volver relates to the above

'Did you reason your way into religious belief or is it just a nice idea that you hope is true?'

Why should faith be dependent on where you were born, your parents and culture? Some, a very few- reason the whole thing and then choose a religion, because it truly resonates with them, for a particular reason (or reasons) - but most people all over the world keep with the religion they wer born in, or a slight variation of the same. Few reason it all out, then pick the one that makes sense to them.

Not at all fleurpepper. You are suggesting that Christians think that for instance Judaism is ‘a bit of a nonsense … not quite Father Christmas, but possibly worse’. That’s a disgraceful observation. Jesus was a Jew.

Anniebach

So many died in the holocaust because they were a bit of nonsense

you are making my point, thanks.

I never mentionned Judaism, NO-WHERE.

Islam, Judaism and Christianity are very very close, and believe in the ONE God. Others do not, and are dismissed as 'a bit of ...'

Yes your point Fleurpepper not mine

When posting, I was thinking of the Methodis Minister on the day of Navrati, at my school. Or the Headmistress at another school, who invited parents to celebrate Diwali, then ask Hindu parents to thank The Good Lord for such a wonderful evening of light and dance. As said, oblivious at best- or the above ...

Anniebach

Yes your point Fleurpepper not mine

No, you are confirming what I said.

And yes, I am quite sure that those who do profess to have faith here- believe that Christianity, in one of its many many many forms, with huge disagreements, is The One and Only.

And you are quite sure of that how exactly?

I suppose that is your belief-and you are entitled to it.
Your attitude is exactly what RE in school is trying to overcome. Teaching children about other faiths and teaching that because others have different beliefs, which can affect the way they worship, live, dress and eat it doesn’t mean those others are wrong, nor that they aren’t entitled to their beliefs without being insulted or ridiculed for holding them.

You don’t need to respect a faith you don’t have. Just ignore it and carry on with whatever makes you happy. You don’t have to belittle those who do have a faith unless you believe that ridiculing others makes you a better person.

Humza is a Muslim. Will GN posters be ridiculing him for his faith in public, or will they keep that sort of behaviour for GN where they can do it anonymously?

Did you not see the words ‘for instance’ fp?

Yes Fleurpepper as a Christian, Christianity is "The One and Only" but that doesn't mean I'm unable to respect another's faith, or be unable to respect them for having no faith, and would ever feel the need to ridicule them for what they believe in or for choosing not to believe in anything.

Fleurpepper. Yes history is full of conflict between competing religions, and "religious" wars were common, as opponents struggled to impose their "one true God". It's also true that even today, religious intolerance continues to feed terrorism, persecution, denial of civil rights, and even genocide. However, it's a bit of a stretch to claim (not even suggest... "I am sure") that "those who do profess (Christian) faith here, consider that other faiths "are a bit of a nonsense, quite frankly- not quite Father Christmas, but possibly worse". How exactly do you know this to be true? Most people of different faiths that I know tend to show respect to each other, and although their creeds may differ in some ways, can also identify common ground. Tolerance in practise.

Not just between religions, but within Christianity.

Not sure you have been reading my posts. Tolerance is one thing, but if you do have a strong Faith- although you can tolerate others, and respect them from a distance- it is very difficult to truly respect them AS EQUALS, of equal value. If you truly believe your Faith is THE ONE - respect comes in name only- as 'mistaken' or 'a bit strange' ... etc.

This is already so within Christianity, as per Jehovah Witnesses, Plymouth Brethren, or even Catholics and Protestants, and even between different denominations, and even in the CofE.

And with in mind the two examples (of so so many) given beforehand, in two separate schools, and the Vicar at my ACs school when they were very young. And so so many more.

When my parents got married, my mother a Protestant from a very Bourgeois background, divorced and with a child- married my father, from a staunch Catholic background- it was as if they were committing the worst sin- they were ostracised by both sides.

Caleo. IMHO your argument attempting to put a positive slant on "childlike" is disingenuous. When used in its original context, it was linked to being "immature" and "not grown up" , and as such, was clearly employed in order to suggest that such a person was insufficiently intellectually developed to allow them to achieve a mature. reasoned analysis, whether about faith or about anything else. In other words, in a context which would be clearly insulting to any adult. The originator of its use even tried to claim that it couldn't be considered as an insult, as it "depended on the child". Groan.... Also, to narrowly focus on its use to imply a child's "deference to authority" is highly selective, and certainly fails to paint the whole picture.

Do you have relatives who have a variety of Faiths- and whom you are all supposed to respect as equals. You see, I do, and I do, but they don't...with each other. Nowadays, the different Christian ones sort of tolerate each other, but would never tolerate anyone being a Muslim (as many of our relatives are).

Why should be respect Judaism, and not Islam? And as said, there are as many ways of being either as there are ways of being 'Christian'- with huge differences, which are often NOT well tolerated within.

Who suggested we should respect Judaism and not Islam? You seem to think that Christians look down on people of other faiths - we don’t respect them as equals. That’s utter nonsense. Maybe your family members behave in that way, from what you say, but that’s not the Christianity I was brought up with and practise.

That's a shame Fleurepper but you shouldn't judge everyone based on how your family members behave with one another.

Interesting to hear your own take on it, Fleurpepper, but that is a view which is specific to you, and is based on your own, immediate experiences. Don't assume that you know everyone else's mind on the topic. That would require a degree of clairvoyance which is certainly beyond the capabilities of any mere human being.

Oh dear. There was a program on Radio 4 today about Humanism, discussing its history and its various strands. The presenter thought that the various strands would all subscribe to free thinking, enquiry, and hope. I think those are all good liberal democratic principles.
The problem with having a faith is that it implies 'I'm right' and therefore 'you're wrong'. Even having tolerance for other faiths still tends towards a negation of them.
I prefer to think about issues and come up with my own solutions.

Fine FP. If you can’t respect other faiths then don’t. Nobody on GN is insisting that you do.
If you can only demonstrate your lack of respect by ridiculing and belittling, it’s sad, but still your choice. (I’m not sure why you have to put respect “as equals”. That is usually only used by people who deny that other can be right. Maybe that’s what the relatives you mentioned do.
Who said we should respect Judaism but not Islam? I must have missed that.

Thanks for answering Norah, I can see I had the totally wrong end of the stick on that one!

Smileless2012

That's a shame Fleurepper but you shouldn't judge everyone based on how your family members behave with one another.

I don't- those were just 3 exemples of so so many over 70+ years and in several countries.

As Jane71 says.