General Chat

Eldrick

We have free will to worship whatever and whoever we want - at least in the UK. You make a good point about the House of Lords and I doubt many Christians would disagree that having Bishops as part of our legislature seems archaic. But tradition in England in particular is very long established and dismantling it is a slow and laborious process.

I assume you would also dispute the existence of Allah in a Muslim debate and suggest scientic knowledge demotes Allah as equivalent to a huge penguin. Not sure so many posters here would rush to your defence.

And for a very good reason. Everyone feels safe and secure to mock God in the UK. Change God to the Arabic name Allah and that mockery tends to subside rather.

To have a frank and open discussion about the existence or not of God is a freedom that we have fought for. We can say what seems outrageous things to someone else and not be stoned or beheaded. But mocking God or denying His existence could seriously damage your long term health and welfare. The Christian, The Muslim, the Jewish God has clearly stated He shall not be mocked.

Take care with your everlasting soul, Eldrick. And that is a fraternal loving comment, not a paternal or patronising one. :-)

What......and no one mentioned the ugandan christians and their kill all the gays bill......?

:-D

No matey, allah is as much a figure of scorn and mockery as the great penguin. Even worse, allahs prophet was a paedophile, as you will be aware.

If people dont like mockery of stupid gods, dont have stupid beliefs. I laugh and deride them all, heap every ounce of ridicule on them that i can muster, safe in the knowledge that mockery of the non existent is a totally safe occupation.

Yours,

The great penguin with a mad hat

I'm not subscribing to your insurance policy. You are as brave as your avatar (which incidentally looks remarkably like me) :-D

Sorry AnnC - I know that will deeply upset you. But I cannot help my looks :-( :-(

News this morning:

"The Church of England is facing growing pressure to rip up its rulebook to allow the ordination of women bishops.

Culture Secretary and Minister for Equalities Maria Miller and former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton have added their voices to those demanding urgent reformation of the church's internal policies."

It did seem logical to me that, once the point about ordained women had been conceded, that the bishoprics would eventually be open to women. It is after all the top of the career ladder for a curate or vicar, and for women to be denied the same promotion opportunities as male colleagues seems very wrong to me.

How very nice for you to have had the freedom of choice as an adult John.

I note you have selectively ignored the damage that religion makes on young lives but then, not having been manipulated by religion at a tender age and carried the guilt imposed well into your adult life you wouldn't have a clue.

Enjoy your new found airy fairy faith but don't rub too hard on that mark on your threadbare pate while you tap away in your attic.

It is foolish to insure against what cannot happen.

As you know, mohammed married aisha, a 9 year old girl. And consumated the marriage as well. Does your brand of faith condone that practise or does fear prevent it condemning it? Just interested to know!

Island I have no attic and I don't like pate :-S :-S

Abuse of young people is rather removed from whether women should become bishops in the Church of England. Not quite sure what you are saying. Is it that all religion is bad because children can be abused on religious premises? Is it that religious people can say one thing and do another?

Bit confused (genuinely) :-S

Eldrick

I know very little about the Prophet Mohammed. I think the age of consent is/was quite different in different countries in different ages. Wasn't Mary very young when she gave birth to Jesus?

And in Ireland, I am sure you could get married at 14 not so many years ago.

Personally, I would ban sex for every man under 30 and every woman under 25. Let them concentrate on other things before the hormones let rip. Just my opinion. But then your science of biology suggests all animals (and humans too, by our connection to monkies in your world presumably) have a basic urge for sex from the earliest days of puberty.

:-S :-S

John i don't think anyone is saying religion is bad just that bad things have happened because of religion,

Most people of religious belief and faith try to live their lives based on the good bits but not all.

As for women bishops, All main stream religions have consistently tried to oppress women and give them second class status throughout history,

As resent as the early 1900's a woman/wife was the property of man, And her husband could legally sell her on the open market and when the laws on that where changed the church put up strong opposition, The church also subscribed to the policy that a husband was entitled to demand/rape his wife without legal redress untill about the 1960's

Roy

Roy Bad things happen. Politicians usually get the blame. Often religion too.

I used to daydream a lot in my young years (approx 7-10 years old) and tried to create a perfect world where there was no violence, plenty of food and love. I based the economy on football, and my little country (Isles of Scilly actually) was the greatest exponent of the game and huge amounts of money cascaded into those little islands. Everyone was a millionaire on Bryher and St Agnes.

I was the supreme ruler and there was no religion and certainly no Sunday School or classes to learn the Q'ran or Bible or Talmud by rote.

It didn't take me long to realise I could not hack it. I doubt Hawkins could either, though he might keep going a bit longer than me. But God (Allah) can - and has from the beginning till the end of time. No change, no shadow of turning.

John,

"It didn't take me long to realise I could not hack it. I doubt Hawkins could either, though he might keep going a bit longer than me. But God (Allah) can - and has from the beginning till the end of time. No change, no shadow of turning"

You are of course assuming that their is a God,

You still have no proof of that

Other than what is written in a book their is no proof that their was a God or religion at any time let alone the beginning of time

I have no doubt that in 2000 years from now some people will be worshiping Harry Potter as the one and only true God

Roy

Hi john

No, i was merely asking whether your faith has the courage to condemn mohammed for sleeping with a 9 year old. I have the courage to do so, it is appalling and disgusting and all the rest of it. But in the name of religion, its ok, eh?

I pretty much rest my case.

John, thank you for giving me the opportunity to completely ignore your post as you have done so often to myself and others.

think it's called tunnel vision ;-)

Selective replying, I call it.

It is because we are not Eldrick, whom John is trying ever so hard to impress with his superior Biblical knowledge, and failing, miserably

Julia in Derbyshire

Oh well, perhaps John thinks it's fine to instill fear and guilt in youngsters which takes decades to shake off, if ever.

How many of us were told in church that God was watching our every move? My vicar was a hellfire and brimstone preacher. Sat in a bloody freezing church 3 times every Sunday listening to him condemning everything considered sinful sticks in young minds.

Bloody scared me witless!

Wonder why it is that so many Vicars Priests etc tend to wear Dresses when preaching? Is this some "Affectation" among them? Read today that some Muslim women are going to be "Tagged" so their husbands know exactly where they are,sounds good.

. . . . . and he doesn't like paté ;-)