Baptism meeting with father

Georgiegirl256

shegirl wrote: »

Because we're all evil parents for 'lying' to our children, engaging in Santa and damaging them through our lies :rofl:

And so it starts again....

She isn't mocking your POV, why do you have to knock hers?

shegirl

mountainofdebt wrote: »

I take it you never read the thread about forced sharing at school which then turned (weirdly) into a rant about religion in schools.......

:eek: I sure did miss that one!

Torry_Quine

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Well, I can't speak for others because it isn't how I choose to behave myself, but I think it probably is where the private spills over in to public: historically the church has had a big say in how we have been allowed to live our lives (especially in the most fundamental areas around sex for example) so perhaps you represent memories and experiences that others have had that aren't actually anything to do with you personally.
And some people just like a gloves off debate/argument and are happy to get and good as they receive.

It makes sense that when systems were being set up that the church was a big part of that and although this country is very different now we have to work from where we are. If we were starting from scratch now no doubt it would be very different!

However all people with or without faith have a reponsibility to try and make the world a better place, for instance as in your example in the areas of sexual behaviour. Obviously there will be differences in how things should be but even then there is no need for rudeness or name calling

Brighton_belle

Torry_Quine wrote: »

However all people with or without faith have a reponsibility to try and make the world a better place, for instance as in your example in the areas of sexual behaviour. Obviously there will be differences in how things should be but even then there is no need for rudeness or name calling

As a humanist I completely agree with you.

Georgiegirl256

notanewuser wrote: »

I dislike the way (some) religions target the young, so as to influence them while they aren't able to question. Yes, many question later on, but why not just provide the information and let children and adults decide for themselves?

I appreciate the past, and the fact that when the majority of the country were practicing christians, laws, public policy etc were linked to it. However, that is no longer the case and the insistence on keeping things how they were when the stats show the proportion of the population being christian shrinking every year infuriates me.

I spent 7 years at a church school. I was not compelled to take part in any religious activities and indeed didn't past the age of 12. My 3 year old daughter starts at a school nursery in September and will be exposed to far far more than I was purely because of the nursery teacher's beliefs. I'm having to prepare to homeschool if we don't manage to get to a reasonable compromise.

We had relatives refuse to come to our wedding and our DD's naming day because they weren't religious services. Like you we couldn't be hypocrites. Other family members are perfectly happy to be hypocrites.

I worked for a long time in HR for an international HR chain - the hassle religious beliefs caused me in trying to do my job was ridiculous.

There should be room for all belief systems in our society - this is after all the 21st century. Believe whatever you like, in your own homes and families, but don't expect everyone else to want to practice it too.


Does any of that make sense?

Perfectly. Thank you for explaining.

I agree with a lot of what you say. However I am of the opinion that there is no harm in christening a child, I don't think that is forcing religion on them. They can still make their own choices when they are older.

I do agree about the school issue though.

inkie

i've not read the whole of the thread, but I know there were some questions asking why people who are non-religious get married in church.
personally, I think that it's because it gives a feel food factor, picturesque venue etc....

enginesuck

Proud father of non Christened / Baptised / Confirmed / circumcised children. I'm not a militant atheist - I let them attend religious education at school, but I also encourage critical thinking.

In my honest opinion baptising a baby is harmless (it's just water and talking) but it's a bit weird ! It's the guilt and lies that are taught from religion that comes afterward which is the most harmful aspect.

margaretclare

jaylee3 wrote: »

No, no, no, I didn't mean you - or any one individual MC.

Thank you.

I was just saying that *some* atheists seem oh-so-happy to slag off Christians/Christianity, but would not (I believe) say the same about Islam/Muslims.

No, they would not. And the reason is very simple. Racism!

BTW, about Santa Claus - in the UK we used to have Father Christmas. Santa Claus, IMHO, has little if anything to do with Christmas. He's much more to do with Coca-Cola! I collect old postcards, and I have cards a century old when 'Father Christmas' was not in bright red, but in brown.

I also don't like lying to children. But hey, where do you stop? I'm told that many of the littlies now are hooked on a Disney film 'Frozen' and the characters therein. Fairy stories have been told, in one form or another, for generations.

margaretclare

mountainofdebt wrote: »

To stir the board up a little perhaps as Ican't see any other reason



Thinking about it I think Christianity is probably the only religion,certainly in this country, that people feel 'comfortable' openly mocking.

Although I have been baptised and confirmed, I'm not very religious though I find as I get older I'm having more 'conversations' with God though not in a church setting (so figure that one out) but I do get annoyed when people feel that its ok to pick and choose which bits they want to celebrate

DH would certainly agree with you. He says some places have an 'aura' and they are the places that he and I find to go and pray. In church there is usually too much going on. It's nice that there is social contact, laughter, joyfulness, cup of tea/coffee afterwards, but not conducive to prayer.

I can usually pray sitting in the back garden among birdsong and the only intrusive noise is easyJet or flybe taking off from the local airport, but that only lasts seconds.

lostinrates

margaretclare wrote: »

Thank you.



No, they would not. And the reason is very simple. Racism!

BTW, about Santa Claus - in the UK we used to have Father Christmas. Santa Claus, IMHO, has little if anything to do with Christmas. He's much more to do with Coca-Cola! I collect old postcards, and I have cards a century old when 'Father Christmas' was not in bright red, but in brown.

I also don't like lying to children. But hey, where do you stop? I'm told that many of the littlies now are hooked on a Disney film 'Frozen' and the characters therein. Fairy stories have been told, in one form or another, for generations.

Isn't dismissing Santa Claus as a coca coal 'saint' similarly racist? After all, a saint is a saint which ever language and cultural tradition and interpretation he comes in. Father Christmas, Santa Claus , Saint Nicholas. Even with in Christianity there is multiculturalism! I went to 'faith' schools in different continents and countries with different Christmas traditions and different emphasis on different festivals. I find the anti Santa Claus thing that goes on here somewhat self defeating. A rose by any other name......

Just like god really, its better to believe in being good, gracious and kind and supportive...than not, IMO, what ever 'flavour' that comes in.