Atheist

[aposhark]

You see, thats where people get confused, its people who kill people, not churches.

I've said this before, if you "believe", thats great, if you choose not to believe, fine, but I wish the non-believers would stop talking rubbish and just put up or shut up.

I disagree completely, and I am NOT confused.
People have killed each other in the name of religion all the time, and they still do.
I will not put up or shut up, because it is the people who believe in religion that knock on my door and try to convince me, and it is the church that sends these people out. Bah!
It is manic street preachers that feel they have a right to shout about religion and "God" at the tops of their voices in most towns.
Why don't they stay at home and "shut up".
Religion is dying fast in the UK, and that pleases me no end.
Most people do not believe any of that nonsense any more

[joebloggs]

I know my comment won't be popular here beside you are right this is Great Britain. I don't have a problem with people voicing out their opinion bec everyone has a freedom of speech I agree with that . Lastly, I do like reading individuals opinion bec it helps you learn or to understand more. But opinion and making fun out of something is totally diffrent thing that's all my point.

I guess I will do your advice. This is the last comment I will make on this issue and I am not going to read it anymore. Thank you.

as said already, your in GB and your entitled to your opinion , and i don't think anyone intends to offend anyone , British humour sometimes can offend some people

my problem is what religion does to children, the guilt and the burden put on a 6yr old, who has been asked to told to go to confession. .. kids let them grow up...

[walesrob]

as said already, your in GB and your entitled to your opinion , and i don't think anyone intends to offend anyone , British humour sometimes can offend some people

Funny how we wouldn't dare have a thread about any other religion, but its OK to bash Christianity.

[aromulus]

Funny how we wouldn't dare have a thread about any other religion, but its OK to bash Christianity.

Maybe because we like to have an open mind......

I am afraid that freedom of speech will not apply if one intends to bash/criticize other races, religions, sexual tendencies or preferences....

Having to be politically correct, means that you have to keep your gob shut at all times or be careful who you speak to and what about....

It was kind of refreshing to see that while I was in Italy, on vacation, most people, even coppers, were quite happy to say things which over here would have caused one to be executed at dawn....

[KeithD]

So you think its God who created earthquakes?

Who mentioned that? I never!! I made the CLEAR point that people die in church during earthqauke, and yet it is supposed to be a 'safe haven'. Earthquake causes are proven by science.

Funny how we wouldn't dare have a thread about any other religion, but its OK to bash Christianity.

I've only been talking about a mythical entity/friend some folk call God, never related it to any name religeon.

Keep up or you'll be on detention!

[joebloggs]

I know my comment won't be popular here beside you are right this is Great Britain. I don't have a problem with people voicing out their opinion bec everyone has a freedom of speech I agree with that . Lastly, I do like reading individuals opinion bec it helps you learn or to understand more. But opinion and making fun out of something is totally diffrent thing that's all my point.

I guess I will do your advice. This is the last comment I will make on this issue and I am not going to read it anymore. Thank you.

respect to you, your the only one who has decided to say anything about us Atheist, well rob has joined you now , i'm not against anything, as long as it doesn't effect me, or they don't knock on my door, religion can be a good thing for some people, and also a bad thing .. for me, its not been a good thing.. 3 religions were in my life when i was young, 2 forced on me, my opinion, and i'm entitled to it, as you are entitled to yours

rob i'm against all religions, if your born in the north of the phils your likely to be 'forced' into being a catholic, if born in the south your likely to be 'forced' into being a muslim.. what choice does a baby or child have, but the one forced on them by their culture and parents.

[walesrob]

if your born in the north of the phils your likely to be 'forced' into being a catholic, if born in the south your likely to be 'forced' into being a muslim..

...and if your born in Wales, you'll be forever ridiculed

[PeterB]

...if born in the south your likely to be 'forced' into being a muslim..

Really? I wonder where all those people come from who fill the new Cathedral here in Tagum, six services every Sunday. I estimate that it seats about 1500, and there are often lots of people left to stand.

Our local church is full for two services, seating about 800. ... and there are many more churches in, and around, the town.

[KeithD]

Really? I wonder where all those people come from who fill the new Cathedral here in Tagum, six services every Sunday. I estimate that it seats about 1500, and there are often lots of people left to stand.

Our local church is full for two services, seating about 800. ... and there are many more churches in, and around, the town.

He was being generic, not specific.

[Scouse]

Funny how we wouldn't dare have a thread about any other religion, but its OK to bash Christianity.

It's not just Christianity, I feel the same about all religions.

[KeithD]

Faith and religion are two different things. People have faith in different things, religions like Christianity, Muslim, etc, are just 'clubs' folk join who believe others have the same faith, but they don't, only similar.

[PeterB]

The point that I was making is that the Muslim population is in the minority - about 5% of the total population of the Philippines. That means that, even in Mindanao, Muslims are in the minority.

[Scouse]

If we don't talk about these things, nothing will ever change.

The people who say we shouldn't talk about politics or religion are thiose that don't know enough to discus them or know that your arguments are stronger than theirs.

[aposhark]

If we don't talk about these things, nothing will ever change.

The people who say we shouldn't talk about politics or religion are thiose that don't know enough to discus them or know that your arguments are stronger than theirs.

I would like religion to be off this forum, and for us to discuss far more worthwhile, less divisive, subjects.

[KeithD]

I would like religion to be off this forum, and for us to discuss far more worthwhile, less divisive, subjects.

Lesbians

[aposhark]

Lesbians

[Piamed]

My view is that to the commited individual practising their Christian faith, it defines what they do and who they are. An athiest by definition, is someone that believes God does not exist and thus has different elements that define them. On that basis it would appear that living together harmoniously would be a challenge.

However, couples do living happily together when one is an athiest and the other is not. How they do this is unique to each couple. In the cases I've seen, the wife invariably has to compromise the practising of her faith far more than the husband has to compromise on his athiest philosophies. This makes life less contentious for them.

Respect for something is demonstrated by assigning some value to it. That might present as a paradox to some athiests and vice versa.

I also think discussing politics and religion is not a problem so long as it is done truly respectfully and in love. I have devout muslims as friends, jews, athiests, buddhists, etc. We all get on as we do not use condescending land demeaning language when referring to the others faith and belief. Additionally, we appreciate and love the differences that exist in the world and love to know more about what we don't know. Surely, if we can all take that approach with what we dont know, we wont remain so ignorant and many of the major world issues would not exist.

Just my thoughts!

As an aside, God said we should love each other. I'm trying real hard but....er...as a Gooner....Chelsea? Hmmn! Only kidding.

[joebloggs]

My view is that to the commited individual practising their Christian faith, it defines what they do and who they are. An athiest by definition, is someone that believes God does not exist and thus has different elements that define them. On that basis it would appear that living together harmoniously would be a challenge.

However, couples do living happily together when one is an athiest and the other is not. How they do this is unique to each couple. In the cases I've seen the wife invariably has to compromise the practising of her faith far more than the husband has to compromise on his athiest philosophies.

Respect something is demonstrated by assigning some value to it. That might present as a paradox to some athiests.

Just my thoughts!

about as challenging as a fish eater living with a vegan ... no challenge at all , near 6yrs wed, yes its 6, i thought it was 7, but it just seems it

the misses can goto church all she wants, I'll not stop her if that's what she wants, but I've been with her a couple of times, and that was twice too many .

maybe I've seen too many good people suffer to believe in god, some of the most decent people I've meet were atheists, my stepfather for one.

you don't need to be a Christian to have morals or standards. maybe 2 things lacking in some Christians

[KeithD]

....maybe 2 things lacking in some Christians

...or any other religion/sect/cult

[joebloggs]

...or any other religion/sect/cult

your right scouser keith, sorry don't want to pick on Christians only.

[KeithD]

Faith does not need religion, but religion needs faith

[firelady]

i am filipina and i have no religious life. i think its safe to safe i dont belive in the church or in a divine being.

the last time i was in a church to attend was when I was 12 because we were all required to attend the mass as part of out elementary school graduation ceremonies - whihc i must attend because i had to receive that shiny medal that my mom was very proud of.

my take is that religion should be a personal matter, that people should not insist their religion on other people - honestly i think this is very impolite and irritating

nor judge them because they have one or have not one.

frankly i think the world would be happier without religion or religious zealots. religion is credited for having spilled so much blodd in the name of the Almighty One.

[aposhark]

i am filipina and i have no religious life. i think its safe to safe i dont belive in the church or in a divine being.

the last time i was in a church to attend was when I was 12 because we were all required to attend the mass as part of out elementary school graduation ceremonies - whihc i must attend because i had to receive that shiny medal that my mom was very proud of.

my take is that religion should be a personal matter, that people should not insist their religion on other people - honestly i think this is very impolite and irritating

nor judge them because they have one or have not one.

frankly i think the world would be happier without religion or religious zealots. religion is credited for having spilled so much blodd in the name of the Almighty One.

Well said firelady
Trouble is, if it is a personal matter, why do so many people get on buses in the Philippines and read out the bible.
THEN ask for MONEY
I wish they'd leave people alone.

If people in the UK got on buses and tried to preach ANY religion, they would be shouted down and put off the bus in no uncertain terms.
British people would not put up with that nonsense.

[vbkelly]

Well said firelady
Trouble is, if it is a personal matter, why do so many people get on buses in the Philippines and read out the bible.
THEN ask for MONEY
I wish they'd leave people alone.

If people in the UK got on buses and tried to preach ANY religion, they would be shouted down and put off the bus in no uncertain terms.
British people would not put up with that nonsense.

i agree

[KeithD]

i agree

If we search for Vbkelly's "I agree".....it comes up with half of your posts

[Geraldine]

If we search for Vbkelly's "I agree".....it comes up with half of your posts

I agree!

[amyburple]

They said Philippines is a country of God fearing nation? Why some filipinos marrying foreigners whose Atheist? I don't condemed people being Atheist I just don't understand why filipinos suddenly forgot the foundation of being a Christian. How can a Christian and Atheist live together happily?

Most of my Brits colleagues are very open being Atheist. Well, as they said its not end of the world...yet let see

Ummm I'm dating an Atheist before which is don't know that he is. It didn't work out..I'm born again christian and he is atheist can't stand on that. I will not compromise my self dating or living with someone that our beliefs are contradicting... I will will not work at all...

Good thing my husband to be is born christian since then... So we ENTRUST our plans for the FUTURE and our RELATIONSHIP to GOD...

[KeithD]

If people say a relationship failed on religion they are either useless at relationships, or it was likely other reasons, but blaming religion is the easy option. I have never personally known any couple have problems because of differing religious beliefs.

[Piamed]

about as challenging as a fish eater living with a vegan ... no challenge at all , near 6yrs wed, yes its 6, i thought it was 7, but it just seems it

the misses can goto church all she wants, I'll not stop her if that's what she wants, but I've been with her a couple of times, and that was twice too many .

maybe I've seen too many good people suffer to believe in god, some of the most decent people I've meet were atheists, my stepfather for one.

you don't need to be a Christian to have morals or standards. maybe 2 things lacking in some Christians

As usual, I agree with much of what you said Joe. Many of the most decent people I've met are non-believers. Someone calling themselves a Christian does not necessarily mean that they are aspiring to practice their faith in as commited a manner as is possible for them.

Nor does it mean that most of society will consider them exceptionally nice persons. Ones faith is very much a personal thing; only they and God know what they are truly about.

Remember that the term Christian was assigned to those that observers felt behaved in a manner consistent with that of Christ. Unfortunately, the terms use is often subjective.

When we evaluate the behaviour, we should consider whether their behaviour is reminiscent of Christ. If it is not, then are they Christians?

...or any other religion/sect/cult

I agree to an extent. I also think the detailed answer is 'it depends'. Depends on the individuals practices as well as what their beliefs are.

Hmmmmm! I WAS admonished. But at least I have ONE friend. Thank you Iain.

Al.

at least TWO amigo.

i am filipina and i have no religious life. i think its safe to safe i dont belive in the church or in a divine being.

the last time i was in a church to attend was when I was 12 because we were all required to attend the mass as part of out elementary school graduation ceremonies - whihc i must attend because i had to receive that shiny medal that my mom was very proud of.

my take is that religion should be a personal matter, that people should not insist their religion on other people - honestly i think this is very impolite and irritating

nor judge them because they have one or have not one.

frankly i think the world would be happier without religion or religious zealots. religion is credited for having spilled so much blodd in the name of the Almighty One.

I hear where you are coming from. In my view, a church is a collective of people with a common belief system. If the believe system is based on love then it can do much good.

The word zeal is often misused, so in order to retain its original sentiment I will use the following synonyms which have not been abused as much: fervour, zest and passion. For the purpose of avoiding ambiguity, I shall also effect a contextual change of the word religion for the word faith.

Thus, passion and faith go hand in hand.

When people refer to religious zealots, I believe they mean people who have at best a complete misunderstanding about a faith and have become obsessive about an issue to the extent that they are willing to cause harm. They associate their 'cause' with a faith and the average Joe Public cannot discern the difference.

Ummm I'm dating an Atheist before which is don't know that he is. It didn't work out..I'm born again christian and he is atheist can't stand on that. I will not compromise my self dating or living with someone that our beliefs are contradicting... I will will not work at all...

Good thing my husband to be is born christian since then... So we ENTRUST our plans for the FUTURE and our RELATIONSHIP to GOD...

If people in the UK got on buses and tried to preach ANY religion, they would be shouted down and put off the bus in no uncertain terms.
British people would not put up with that nonsense.

Hi Aposhark. I'm assuming that you are speaking in some semblance of a metaphor. People are always campaiging for their faith and/or money on the transport systems. I find that travellers are either receptive or at worst, just ignore them. People in the UK are mostly socially tolerant. Often to the extreme.

If people say a relationship failed on religion they are either useless at relationships, or it was likely other reasons, but blaming religion is the easy option. I have never personally known any couple have problems because of differing religious beliefs.

I have known a relationship to fail where the couple were initially evenly yoked but then the wife became a Born Again Christian. It changed who she was while the husband remained the same. Unfortunately, each then had substantial expectations of the other. That caused the break up. I guess they grew apart.

[aposhark]

Hi Aposhark. I'm assuming that you are speaking in some semblance of a metaphor. People are always campaiging for their faith and/or money on the transport systems. I find that travellers are either receptive or at worst, just ignore them. People in the UK are mostly socially tolerant. Often to the extreme.

Hi Piamed.
My thoughts were not connected to a metaphor.
I just think that people in the UK would not tolerate religious people spouting off and asking for money afterwards.

The whole point for me is respect for people and tolerance for peoples' beliefs or lack of beliefs.
I personally don't go around telling everybody I am an atheist, but I find it so obnoxious that religious bods feel they have to tell everybody about their beliefs. They actually SHOUT in the streets . What a bore and what a liberty, and if anyone asks them why they do this, they shout even louder
I also do not ask for money from people because I am an atheist.

I realise that people in the Philippines are "god-fearing" and if that is their belief then good luck to them, as long as they go about their business in a quiet dignified manner.

But you see, religion does strange things to people and they feel it their right to try to convert others.

As you know, the "RC" or "C of E" religions are fading away as every week goes by.

People just don't care about them anymore in the way they did in days of old.

I don't know why religious people feel they cannot live with non-believers.
That is bigotry and intolerance.

If we all observe our history we will notice that Europe was subjugated and spent hundreds of years by religious zealots who killed people because they did not want to believe.

That is one of the main reasons that people in Europe fled in their droves to the "New World".

I understand that people, like my father, strongly believes in the church.
That is fine by me, as long as it is not rammed down my throat.

I will continue to ignore the church as many millions now do here in the UK. However, if a poster here or anywhere asks how people can live together with differing beliefs, then the answer is clear for all to see. Don't rock my boat and I will not rock yours.

God does not exist and no amount of brow-beating, shouting or persuasive language will convince me otherwise.