I Went To Church Yesterday…..

[naomi24]

…. to a service for infant and junior school children to celebrate the end of a successful school year …. and it was lovely – a happy, joyful occasion. The local community, along with local dignitaries, gathered, the children gave us a run-down of what they’d been doing throughout the year, the head teacher told a few jokes, the vicar told a few jokes, and as I listened to the little voices belting out ‘Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna to the King of Kings’, I couldn’t help thinking what a pity it is that religion insists on including sin and the prospect of punishment in its doctrine. If it dispensed with the fear, the guilt, and the doom and gloom, it might attract more interest. I know …. if the church didn’t teach people that they’re sinners who need to grovel in repentance in order to save their souls, there would be no point to it all – but it was just a thought. Shame God isn’t nice, isn’t it?

If you don’t know the hymn, here it is. Different children, of course, but not so very different. The actions were just as animated.

[maggiebee]

Thank you so much for this Naomi - love to hear the joy in the children's voices.

[vulcan42]

Not sure what your link is supposed to prove,goodlife, it shows a sports stadium full of people and the field set for "it's a knockout" type game. Is this how jehovahs witnesses amuse themselves?

[naomi24]

Maybe they have a game of Angels & Demons. ;o)

[naomi24]

Maggie, you're welcome. Pity someone's going to tell all those children they're sinners though.

[sandyRoe]

That ain't necessarily so. If they were told to respect other people, and treat then as they would want to be treated themselves, that would be enough.

[Octavius]

Today maggiebee will find that uplifting enough as it is, no need for thoughts of sin or exactitude.

[naomi24]

Octavius, indeed there is. That's the whole point of the post.

[naomi24]

sandyRoe, but that isn't what happens.

[Octavius]

Maybe, but I was referring to this.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1262049.html

[naomi24]

Ahh, I see. Well, if the video brings Maggie comfort, then I'm pleased I posted it.

[chakka35]

Yes, an uplifting post, naomi. Thank you for it. And you're right about sin, which is purely a religious concept. Avoiding acting against the law and one's own morality is quite enough to ensure a half-decent life without religionists adding odd rules of their own. In any case different religions (and sometimes parts of the same religion) have different lists of what are sins - just like different clubs have different rules of membership.
So if you're not religious you don't need to recognise sin.

[Khandro]

chakka35; //....sin, which is purely a religious concept.// Pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth, are just some of human failings, and all have dictionary entries independent of religion.

[boxtops]

Naomi, well done for posting the OP - it's really cheering :-)

[chrisgel]

^^^^ Another unsubstantiated claim Khandro. //all have dictionary entries independent of religion. //
Your statement lacks any logic whatsoever. What authority have you to say that these words are independent of religion? Are you an etymologist?

[naomi24]

Khandro, do those entries in the dictionary classify those things as 'sins'?

[Octavius]

Actually what Khandro said is perfectly logical. The issue is whether one determines them as sin - as the church would.

[chrisgel]

^^^^ Making unsubstantiated claims to support your position. i.e. Sloth, gluttony etc. are in the dictionary but they have no connection with religion is a False Premise as far as I can see. It is therefore illogical.

[Octavius]

Sorry chrisgel, but in your rush to make sense, you didn't.

[chrisgel]

Ok then i'll have another go.
You can't use a fallacious statement in support of another statement as proof of anything.
1. Words are in a dictionary
2. Those words relate to supposed failings
3. Those words have nothing to do with religion.
4. Conclusion - Sin isn't a religious concept.
Utter twaddle.

[naomi24]

Boxy, thanks. It is, isn't it. It's just such a pity that those little minds are going to be tarnished with the more unsavoury and damaging aspects of religion. It would be rather nice if religion were restricted to happy thoughts.