I wish that I had a Faith

it’s not good enough to say you are a Christian, you have to live your life as one

I think maybe religion is triggering for some people

There are people who have been abused by other religious people and I think their thinking is that whatever God or gods they worshipped should at least be able to protect or manage their own flock so to speak.

Most religious people I have met in life are good people, the same as non religious people, but not all and I have been shocked by that because I cannot logically in my mind put together a person who believes in hell or sinning with a person who behaves in ways that don't support that and is an unkind or abusive person.

Although I'm never quite sure if I am an atheist or agnostic because there have been times in my life when there was nothing I could do in a situation and no help or support I could seek in another human so I've closed my eyes and hoped someone was out there listening.

I think, I would have found faith if I could trust the followers of religion to be any better in general than the good and bad I see in every demographic I have ever been in contact with.

That's the truth of how I feel about it, I'm respectful of others beliefs because of the person behind those beliefs not the belief itself.

Agreed GSM just as anyone who doesn't have a faith shouldn't be so arrogant and say they're right and we are wrong.

Mollygro 'Fine FP. If you can’t respect other faiths then don’t.'

oh dear, honestly. Do you actually read posts? This is exaclty the opposite of what I've said.

Jane, I don’t consider that having a faith implies ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’. I have chosen my own faith but am not so arrogant as to say anyone not subscribing to that faith is wrong. Most faiths teach humility. I trust in my faith. That is all anyone of any faith can do unless they are radicalised fundamentalists.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

Anniebach

Yes your point Fleurpepper not mine

No, you are confirming what I said.

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 ...

Yes your point Fleurpepper not mine

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 ...'

Anniebach

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

you are making my point, thanks.

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.