Who is going to be first to bash the bishop ?

[youngmafbog]

Looks like this debate is only just hotting up.

http://www.thesun.co....-in-Nazi-Germany.html

[Mosaic]

Good lord and thank heavens. I thought you were using a euphemism.

[flump1]

He is nucking futs

[bazwillrun]

anybody that dresses like that and believes in fairy tales cant be the full ticket

[FredPuli43]

Slightly misleading; the former Archbishop of Canterbury was saying that the people of neither side should be called 'bigots', called names. He called to mind that the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany had begun with name calling. His message as that such name calling just polarises and intensifies feeling and anger; a calm, rational, debate was what was needed.

He did, however, stick with the view that gay marriage undermined the very fabric of society. Doesn't sound very rational or accommodating !

[youngmafbog]

Sorry Mosaic, couldn't resist !

Couldn't agree more Baz.

Just one question anyone, will this also apply to Muslim churches, or are they excempt ?

[jno]

Muslim churches??

[joggerjayne]

He's a witch ... BURN HIM !!

[tonyav]

I thought being slightly mad was / is one of the main qualifications to be Archbishop of Canterbury.

[anotheoldgit]

This site is a typical example of what the Ex-Archbishop is talking about, name calling is often used by some on this site against anyone daring to oppose their own views.

The constant name calling against the religion of this country also regularly takes place, wasn't it the Soviet Union who also tried to diminish religion?

/// The communist regime confiscated religious property, ridiculed religion, harassed believers, and propagated atheism in schools ///

[Davethedog]

A couple of points What is it, that if a person says a couple are gay they can't get married, means they are not bigoted. When Clegg was gointg to say it I was in wholesale agreement, but with his usual lack of backbone he swallowed it.

Religion has persecuted the non believer to the point of torture and death for time immemorial. Yet when subjected to a valid argument, with some naming calling, shows that it cannot stand up for itself. It has no valid argument but because of history thinks it should remain immutable.

In no other walk of life would a unsubstantive body be allowed to hold sway in such a way. Let us not forget that the only reason "creationism" exists is because they couldn't defend the stories in the bible.

[bazwillrun]

Creationism... the get-out clause for those with blind faith....You try defending the indefensible....not easy !

[ichkeria]

Labelling one group of people in an argument such as this as "bigoted" is usually unhelpful and as such I think Carey has a point, whether you agree with his views or not.
I counted a Wapping 6 lines in that article, btw. Nothing like getting the news in depth :-)

[Duncer]

I agree with ichkeria, but Carey's comparison with the Jews is ludicrous. It'll be a while before 6,000,000 die over this issue?

[Octavius]

You lot sound like a right bunch of hand wringing liberals.

Doh.

[Duncer]

I can honestly say I have never been called that before.

[anotheoldgit]

While not being particularly religious myself, I have lived more years than most on this site and have witnessed the big changes that have taken place in our society during all those years.

And what I have noticed is the fact that (in the days when the churches were more full than they are today, and when Sunday was a special day, when most put on their very best, even though many had to take them out of hock and then return the same on Mondays, most children went off to Sunday School, and we still had religious assemblies in our schools), society was more close together, people were more disciplined and morals were very much higher than they are today.

[ichkeria]

There was an excellent debate on the radio the other week about this issue, between a gay rights campaigner and a fundamentalist Christian. Each put his/her argument forcefully but politely, and, despite it has to be said some potentially (tho I am sure unintentionally) offensive views being propounded by the latter, the former, despite goading from the interviewer, refused to label her a "bigot". It was rather refreshing.

[Duncer]

Too often "bigot" is used as a default setting in emotive arguments, lessening the real effect of the word.

[FredPuli43]

And is that perceived moral decline the perception of old age; the old have been saying that for thousands of years; or is it supported by incontrovertible evidence, aog?

It would be a wonder if going to Sunday school or church or morning assembly prevented moral decline. Any child, even one brought up by an atheist, will learn moral behaviour.If it fails to do so, the fault lies in the upbringing, not the religion or lack of it.

[Davethedog]

Duncer you cannot overuse Bigot you either are are not. Chrtian churc preach that we are all gods children, then hypercriticaly deny that to a certain section of society. It also says that god is to be the judge of all and if you judge, you will be judged by god. so where does that lead to?

Carey's comparison of the Church to the persicution of the Jews is beyond laughable and only reinforces the views of us that believe that religion is not only out dated but totaly out of touch.

As a closing point some might want to read this, its not for the easily shocked,then tell me who should be compared to the Jews:

http://www.guardian.c...carey-nazi?CMP=twt_fd