I wish that I had a Faith

And without anyone being insulted. The insults here are not imaginary.

Fanny, I empathise with your feelings. Me, if I did not belong to another, more metaphysically broadminded , online community I'd feel frustrated. I agree community is a human need.
However I much prefer a community where all ideas can be discussed objectively without anyone feeling "insulted"!

Btw I haven’t reported you.

I recommend option 3.

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."

To relegate a poster to the ranks of people who are not worth having a discussion with is even more insulting, if you think about it.
Nobody has a right to not be offended by having their ideas objected to, including me and Franbern.

I don't know exactly what Franbern's objection to this discussion is. Me, I will argue my point of view with no moral support from anyone. Endorsement from snowdrops is hardly worth having anyway.

volver3

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.gransnet.com/info/netiquette">Talk guidelines.</a>

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.

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

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?

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

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

The truth often hurts.

That's quite hurtful.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

How is it being respectful to patronise another person?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.