E17Avenue

Those who wish to have the beliefs of group A respected by members of group B should consider switching groups and reading this thread again.

HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!

Tracym

OK I'm confused.... which "side" is offensive?

Who is A and who is B?

E17Avenue

Don't make me read through the entire thread and cut quotes from every other post.

Just pretend you're a Christian and read it through. Then wonder who respects whose wishes and beliefs.

Tracym

Imo, you don't have to respect other people's beliefs. There are plenty of beliefs I don't respect at all. I think they're frankly stupid and ridiculous - that's my right to think so.

However, what I do respect, is the right for people to have whatever belief they want, as long as they don't cram it down my throat.

I don't think you'll find anyone in this thread saying Christians shouldn't believe what they want - it's the attempt to get others to believe the same they have a problem with.

If you find it offensive - well, either don't read it - noone's forcing you. Or go ahead and put forth your position, if you care to.

Dan725

Actually, there is potentially more of a crossover there than meets the eye. Having spent a lot of time working with the US military, it is quite astounding as to the religious undercurrent running through the US Forces - after all, the military is just a reflection of society. To the average Brit, its quite amazing to hear the amount of reference to religion you hear on a daily basis when working with the US, and how this war machine is blessed by the Lord, and so on - its hard not to draw reference to modern day crusaders, if you like.

While not doubting the professionalism of the US Forces (and there of plenty of serving people who are not religious at all), after working with them for any length of time, you do notice the high proportions of this religious undercurrent, and you do have to wonder if sometimes it does colour judgement slightly; or if not, at least provides justification for certain actions.

E17Avenue

You are shoving the belief down people's throats that Christians are what you say they are.

Pot, meet kettle.

E17Avenue

If I, as a religious person, shove religious beliefs down your throat, that is the same as you, a non-religious person, shoving non-religious "beliefs" down my throat.

Both unwanted. If you don't like what Christians say, find a polite way out of the conversation. Don't bash us and expect us to disappear from what is obviously a highly abusive thread.

britex01

This is MY thread! If you're not happy with it - leave it!

----

lisag8070

Were only talking about some of the people we've met and the experiences we've had...

E17Avenue

...and generalising these experiences across 1 billion people or more...

britex01

No more no less than do religious fanatics!

Accept that Lisag is right... this thread is concerned with one's own personal experiences... not some charged-up bull in a china shop, postulating against those individuals who do not wish to be swayed or 'bullied' by conformist orthodoxy.

----

Ray

All opinion are acceptable here ...

britex01

It is said history repeats itself. Is mankind, I wonder, returning to a former age, but a worse one?

It's a crazy world we live in, for sure.

----

neil

Did some countries ever really completely move on from that stage?

Anyway, if anyone mentions religion to me I now say that I have a problem with organised religion and that is why I do not go to church. If pushed I won't say categorically that I do not believe in God etc. because it just isn't worth the trouble. I will usually say something along the lines of: "I do not believe we are all that there is", which is ambiguous enough to get away with (I do believe there is a very high likelihood that life exists elsewhere in the universe).

Tracym

That's just plain silly. First of all, I never said whether or not I was in fact a Christian - you know nothing about me, whether I am religious or non-religious. I could be Christian, Jewish, or a devil-worshipper for all you know.

Secondly, I am not shoving any beliefs down anyone's throat - they're perfectly free to make their own conclusions.

Thirdly, I didn't say Christians - or certianly not all Christians - shoved beliefs (although some do) - I simply said that was the only thing I objected to, if ANYONE did it.

You might like to read a bit more carefully.

I have not suggested you change your beliefs in the slightest - again you are jumping to completely unwarranted conclusions.

I didn't bash anyone.

If you read back just a little, politely getting out of the conversation was what I suggested, in order to not hurt Christians feelings.

I did not expect you to disappear - I suggested not reading it if you didn't want to - OR putting forth your opinion if you cared to.

You are assuming a tremendous amount, and not reading what I've actually said, and quite overreacting imo.