Christians complain of being marginalised - is it an example of why they should be?

[sp1814]

This happened in the US, but increasingly in the UK, we're seeing a similar move towards the right, whereas as a nation we are deserting the church (look at falling numbers actually worshipping on Sundays) and politically, we're moving towards the centre (as evidenced by the failure of any extreme left or extreme right party during the last two elections).

http://www.dailymail....n-rescinded--gay.html

Why do Christians keep shooting themselves in the foot in this way? It's just so unnecessary...

[Zacs-Master]

Is that the right link?

[sandyRoe]

That happened in America. They do things differently there.

[naomi24]

That's ridiculous! I can't see what bearing his sexuality has on it. None of their business!

[emmie]

that is about a case in America?

[sp1814]

We have a number of stories of our own B&B owners, registrars refusing to conduct civil partnership ceremonies.

However, I'm talking about Christians in general - same way that other posters will refer to Muslims generically, whether they're from Bradford or Istanbul.

[emmie]

so why not highlight instances of cases here. All religions seem to shoot themselves in the foot, in some cases more than the foot.

[mushroom25]

"peace and goodwill to all men".
(except for certain ethnic and gender-orientation groups)
isn't religion wonderful?

[emmie]

that is why i despise all religions, because they do not practice good will to all men, it's more do as i say or else. We will execute you, excommunicate you, you will burn in hell, and any number of punishments that religious leaders can dream up.

[sp1814]

Another case:

http://news.yahoo.com...433838--abc-news.html

[jno]

I suppose schools have a right to decide who to invite along to address them. I doubt, for isntance, that your local comprehensive will be inviting any porn stars along soon, though they may be wonderful people who like cats and are good to their mothers. (On the other hand, they may think MPs are just fine.) Sex is always going to be a touchy subject, like it or not.

The Catholic Church in Britain is not much better

http://www.guardian.c...-schools-gay-marriage

but it doesn't speak for all Christians (thanks to Henry VIII). I doubt that anything like a majority of Christians in either country feel this way.

[naomi24]

Sp, Christianity is very diverse and therefore it’s impossible to generalise. There is an enormous gulf between, say, the Westboro Baptist Church, the Mormons, the Church of Rome, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses – all Christians – but all very different - and there are hundreds of sects all with their own ideas. Islam isn’t like that.

[sandyRoe]

No? Surely the urbane Muslim in London is very different from their co-religionist in Afghanistan.

[jno]

Islam is indeed like that. There is a vast gulf between the hellfire imams of Saudi Arabia and my wine-drinking Muslim friends.

[emmie]

The urbane Muslim, you are joking surely.

[sp1814]

em10

I know where you're coming from, but I wouldn't go as far to say I despise all religions. They can and do, give support and succour to those in need and there are many wonderful people working within religious establishments...

However, there is a power and influence they have which affects the rest of us, and I think that's unacceptable.

There was a sketch on the US comedy show 'Family Guy' which I believes sums religion up perfectly

Man 1: I like you and have no reason to dislike you.

Man 2: I like you too, and have no reason to dislike you

Man 3: Hey you guys, have you heard about that magic baby that's just been born in Bethlehem?

After a brief pause, all three men proceed to stab each other to death.

[emmie]

do they pray, go to the Mosque, believe in Mohammed the Prophet, and the teachings of the Qu'ran if so, then what would be the difference.

[jno]

do you really imagine Muslims as one worldwide mass, liiving and breathing and thinking and acting in unison? They differ from one another the same way atheists do.

[sp1814]

naomi24

Islam is most CERTAINLY like that.

I have a very good friend at work called Selwan, who is one of the nicest chaps you could ever meet. He's a business analyst whose interests are football, clubbing and tinkering with classic cars.

At no point does he force his religion into the conversation, and to be honest - you wouldn't even know he was Muslim unless you realized he doesn't drink.

To say all Islam is a unisect religion is a very dodgy road to go down - simply because the Koran (like the Bible) can be interpreted in so many different ways.

[NOX]

I have liberal Muslim friends who are charming, as Jno said very far from the stone 'em and hang 'em for any misdemeanour lot you usually hear about in the Daily Mail. You can say the same about any religion, there are liberals and there are fundamentalist nutcases who think it's fine to kill anyone who disagrees with them, it's not unique to any one religion.

[naomi24]

jno, no, Islam is not like that. Your wine-drinking friends do not drink wine because they belong to a religious sect of wine-drinking Muslims.