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Religion/spirituality

I wish that I had a Faith

(506 Posts)
FannyCornforth Sun 04-Apr-21 13:23:01

Hello Everyone
Yes, I do wish that I had a faith.

My family on my mom's side are church goers and I went to a Methodist chapel and Sunday school as a child.

But I just don't seem to have the gene, for wont of a better expression.
I'm very 'envious' of those who have a strong belief.
I work in a Catholic school and I often really wish that I shared what many of my friends and colleagues have.

It's the sense of community, and continuity too. Not just the 'going to church' thing, (I don't think that I could ever get into going to church) but more of a deep bond and understanding.

Lots and lots of things. It seems like a human need. I definitely feel like I'm missing something.

I have been reading Annie's Good Friday thread and the other Easter threads, and I thought that I would post this and see what others think

Thank you ?️

Caleo Mon 27-Mar-23 13:45:36

That is usually what happens in life Fanny . Take forgiveness for instance, it's easy to forgive intellectually but a lot less easy when forgiveness is a gut feeling. "Help Thou mine unbelief!"
Some people call it the grace of God when we are able to be good at heart.

Mollygo Mon 27-Mar-23 13:42:53

Fleurpepper

What is GN member cam here and said she is a very faithful Muslim, and that Islam is the only true religion?

Most posters would probably say nothing, or just point out that that is her belief.
You’ve already seen what some posters would do.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 27-Mar-23 13:41:51

Everyone would keep quiet about her religion Fleur, just as they would if someone said they were Jewish. It’s only Christianity which is fair game.

FannyCornforth Mon 27-Mar-23 13:40:10

Caleo, I’m so agnostic that I have no idea what I believe.

I think that was the basis of my starting the thread.

My head says ‘no’, but my heart says ‘yes please’.

Smileless2012 Mon 27-Mar-23 13:40:00

Personally volver, I wouldn't regard you telling me that my belief is founded on sand as blasphemous, insulting or ridiculing. I would regard that as an expression of your point of view.

However, comparing it to a belief in Father Christmas, fairies at the bottom of the garden, unicorns, being told it's immature and those that do believe need to grow up etc etc are insulting and ridiculing. Not only do comments like these insult and ridicule the believer, they insult and ridicule what's believed in.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 27-Mar-23 13:39:28

Dobyou understand the difference between someone just saying they have a different belief to yours and why, and then going on to insult you for holding your belief and insult the object of your belief?

Caleo Mon 27-Mar-23 13:39:17

GSM wrote:
"Why do you need to tell people their belief is founded on sand volver? Another insult. Why don’t you just take option 3? You are not responsible for our education, spiritual or otherwise."

But that is to denigrate a belief, it's not to denigrate German
ShpherdsMum. GSM's idea does not define GSM, and GSM is allowed at any time to change her mind.

Fleurpepper Mon 27-Mar-23 13:38:16

What is GN member cam here and said she is a very faithful Muslim, and that Islam is the only true religion?

volver3 Mon 27-Mar-23 13:35:11

Germanshepherdsmum

Why do you need to tell people their belief is founded on sand volver? Another insult. Why don’t you just take option 3? You are not responsible for our education, spiritual or otherwise.

I should take option 3, you're right, but I'm waiting in for a delivery so I'm filling the time.

So if you don't want me to tell you that your belief is founded on sand, you only want to hear opinions that agree with yours and you don't want to be challenged, or to defend your position. That's not so good.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 27-Mar-23 13:34:58

She just can’t help it Molly. Sad really.

Caleo Mon 27-Mar-23 13:34:35

If I hang on to a stupid or harmful belief I will thank anyone who can argue me out of it. If anyone can argue for an idea and really help me to a better understanding I will thank them for it. This happens a lot at Gransnet about interpersonal and practical ideas, and politics too. I have found that Gransnet is not the place to expect reasoned discussions about religion or philosophy.

Mollygo Mon 27-Mar-23 13:34:03

V3🤣🤣
Shut up and don't take the chance of upsetting the religious people, then never darken this thread again.

I'll take option 3, please.

But you didn’t, so what was the point of saying it?

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 27-Mar-23 13:33:04

Why do you need to tell people their belief is founded on sand volver? Another insult. Why don’t you just take option 3? You are not responsible for our education, spiritual or otherwise.

Anniebach Mon 27-Mar-23 13:29:31

A child believes in Father Christmas, I am being classed a child

volver3 Mon 27-Mar-23 13:28:45

Yes GSM "without anyone being insulted* then this thread could be a place for an objective discussion couldn't it.

Please enlighten me as to how I can tell people that their belief is founded on sand without them shouting "blasphemy" or "insult" or "ridicule"?

FannyCornforth Mon 27-Mar-23 13:28:33

Smiles 👏

FannyCornforth Mon 27-Mar-23 13:27:53

This is a very zeitgeist- y discussion really.
What constitutes an insult.
Is it in the eye of the beholder?

But. it’s not really one I want to enter - we’ll be mentioning the blooming w word if we aren’t careful

Smileless2012 Mon 27-Mar-23 13:26:23

Ah, so that wasn't said to you by anyone on GN then volver. Your post did suggest that that had happened here so I'm please you've cleared up any misunderstanding.

Yes GSM "without anyone being insulted* then this thread could be a place for an objective discussion couldn't it.

I see nothing metaphysically broadminded in any comment that results in insults and ridicule to make a point. The point, indeed the entire argument is lost a soon as it happens.

let the mature, constructive, healthy exchange of views recommence, pollution free we can only hope NanaDana.

FannyCornforth Mon 27-Mar-23 13:24:50

FannyCornforth

Erm, I’m not sure about that 🤔

Sorry - my reply was to Caleo, not Annie

I don’t like using the quote button too often.
Apologies

FannyCornforth Mon 27-Mar-23 13:23:48

Erm, I’m not sure about that 🤔

Anniebach Mon 27-Mar-23 13:23:43

It is an insult to ridicule a persons faith

Caleo Mon 27-Mar-23 13:19:26

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

_________

On the contrary freedoms of thought and speech are good. A faith does not define the person who holds that faith. Therefore it's not an insult to a person to ridicule their faith.

FannyCornforth Mon 27-Mar-23 13:18:01

Germanshepherdsmum

Btw I haven’t reported you.

Oddly enough, neither did I

Caleo thank you thanks

volver3 Mon 27-Mar-23 13:16:20

Oh, I'm back.

I wonder who reported me?

Reported.

NanaDana Mon 27-Mar-23 13:15:16

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