Posted this 'elsewhere' before. Spot on

diamondgeezer wrote:

Brilliant!

I haven't seen that before DG...

What kind of reaction have you had from religious people when that was posted?

It is a very good vid.

I'm so glad that my parents didn't ram religion down my throat, therefore letting me decide for myself what I do, or do not believe.

pheony wrote:
Me too.

But having lived in small rural communities since I became a mother, my children and myself have recieved various backlashes from having this attitude and view, thanks to the fact that religion runs rife through these places.

I was once called in to see the headteacher of a primary school when my boys where younger. My middle son had informed the class, when questioned about his 'faith', that he didn't have any and that religion didn't mean anything to him. The teacher thought it was terrible, passed it on to the head, who proceeded to have it out with me during a 'meeting'.

Needless to say, she was told. Not by swearing or shouting as my persona may indicate , but told nonetheless.

I was really taken aback at the time... never saw that coming at all.

This same child was also pulled up in front of the headteacher for drawing an 'evil snowman' picture once too and she thought it warrented a little talk from the school nurse for fucks sake ... seriously!

I hate the education system.

I still have that picture and it comes out and gets put up every christmas

psketti wrote:

I hear ya psketti.

I can't stand it when people try to force their beliefs on others.

When I was a kid, I went to sunday school a few times...after asking my parents permission..... because I was told they gave free mars bars, which they did. ....found it all a terrible bore and couldn't even be tempted with a bit of chocolate after the 3rd visit, so never went again.

Ab Origine wrote:

I agree with Condell that Man's construct, religion, is responsible for the things he mentioned. As a result, Churchianity has turned out to be the greatest sword in human history.

Some folks however, have recognized it, shunned it and turned instead to a spiritual journey, where unlearning things comes easy to some and is a challenge to others (like me but I'm still learning).

psketti wrote:
A 'mixed' reaction shall we say...



I stayed out of the religious section over on the other place. Because what would be the point?

You're never going to change people's minds when it comes to their religious beliefs however valid & logical your argument, so all I would have ended up doing is causing unnecessary offence, which is the last thing I wish to do.

Pat Condell says it all in that vid imo. Not much more I can add to that.

(I didn't post it in the religious section over there btw, just in a relevant thread on the main boards)

Only the person is capable of changing his own....if he wishes. It's not easy, nor can it be comfortable. All you can is make a mention and let it go at that, if even that.

Ab Origine wrote:

psketti wrote:

Testing.

I got an invalid post ID in another thread - disregard this if it goes thru.

psketti wrote:
Yep

To me, christmas isn't a 'religious' thing. Christianity just hiked the old pagan solstice festival for its own purposes anyway.

A bit of light laughter & fun in the dark depths of midwinter is what it should be. & a bit of magic for the kids.

And it doesn't have to be a load of commercialised bollocks either if you choose it not to be. Its what you make it, simple as that

I was a GREAT santa as my kids grew up

... and I say 'was' because last year it all ended sadly

Finally had to give up the santa ghost and now I have to wait for some grandkids to do it all again


My christmas tree's a right old fashioned thing too... real tree, with every colour available on it... and dominated by all the things the kids have made throughout the years... it's ace

You can keep your modern colour coordinated shite far as I'm concerned... BORing

*apologies to all those with colour coordinated trees

quietgirl wrote:
Theres a marked vast difference between what religion is supposed to be (as taught and thought) and what it actually is.
I think its wrong to say that religion is spiritual as spirituality is meant to be unique to each human being and completely free of dogma.
How can religion be spiritual if it has rules to abide by?
If you already have a pre-conceived notion of God then have not the church robbed people of what God actually is? Have they not diverted and quelled everyones true spirituality?
I see religion and authority being one and the same, the whole notion behind it being that a ruling class believe that the proles ought to be given a worldview (a paradigm) because the ruling class themselves have given THEMSELVES a paradigm to believe, which is that they have some divine right AND SKILL by blood to rule and that the proles will never be capable of managing successfully by themselves because they are stupid, they are lower creatures, to be looked after like pets.
As DI once said, religion destroys spirituality.

And yeah DG, for most families christmas is precisely what you say it is.
What a refreshing change to see someone say it for what it is

reilgion helps many people though Andy.

I'd agree it is extremely oppresive though

Your article quotes a man called Alan Shatter ... what a surname

Melanae wrote:
You see the above ties in with:
"the proles will never be capable of managing successfully by themselves because they are stupid, they are lower creatures, to be looked after like pets."

There'll always be those who need help, but the religious crowd think that they are the ones who should provide it because the proles will never organise and provide that help themselves you see. If not them then some charity or govt quango etc. Do such people really actually have a true care or empathy for others or is it just a job for them?
I would say there are some here and there but by no means all or even the majority imho.

And then theres the question to ask...are they really 'helping'?
Or are they giving the impression of helping?

diamondgeezer wrote:
Absolutely, and as such, it's really something you can do with your loved ones any day of the year, too.

Personally, I don't do anything to commemorate that particular date, as it means nothing to me. I've also found it interesting to review the significance of that particular date to various religions and belief-systems throughout history.

There was some interesting stuff over at dif about 'worship' and taking part in 'mass rituals' without really being aware of what you're doing, but I'm not brave enough to tackle that particular issue over here, and I think it would probably deserve a thread of it's own anyway.