Originally Posted by Kursk (Post 35839475)

That's interesting. So would you say it means that a materially rich man is debarred from heaven by God (presumably because accumulated wealth is unacceptable in that it should have been put to an altruistic purpose) or that a rich man excludes himself from heaven by virtue of his own failure to believe in God?

Originally Posted by papa smurf (Post 35839489)

The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.;)

Originally Posted by Paul M (Post 35839509)

According to the last Census, I'm Jedi ...

Originally Posted by papa smurf (Post 35839489)

The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.;)

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35839495)

Well said that atheist :D

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35839433)

No, it isn't.

For those that practice a faith - and I mean those that seriously believe and act upon the teachings, not people who wear a nominal label - they do it because they believe there are serious consequences, in this life and in eternity. To call it a "lifestyle choice" puts it in the same category as the brand of coffee you prefer, and that very seriously misses the point.

So far as Christianity goes, evangelical denominations are growing, but the larger, established and in most respects theologically liberal ones (the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, mostly) are shrinking at a greater rate.

This is because society no longer pressurises religious conformity, so those of a nominal belief are less likely to go out on a Sunday and practice what they say they believe.

It is no surprise that religion is less of a thing in rich, Western countries. Those who are rich, have no need to ponder whether they need an eternal saviour. They feel like they're fine as they are so they don't trouble themselves with thoughts of religious obligation.

Jesus himself recognised this when he said "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35839520)

There's just not enough time to believe in anything. Everyone works/goes shopping Sundays now....
I blame Thatcher.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35839520)

There's just not enough time to believe in anything. Everyone works/goes shopping Sundays now....
I blame Thatcher.

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet (Post 35839551)

I blame reality and modernity. To each their own explanation. :)

Plenty of time to do the earlier morning Eucharist, etc, still though. My mother in law finds time to attend every Sunday without fail.

So I blame pretty much everyone since the Enlightenment.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35839520)

There's just not enough time to believe in anything. Everyone works/goes shopping Sundays now....
I blame Thatcher.

Originally Posted by ianch99 (Post 35839552)

You can probably add Education to this list .. being presented with credible non-deist explanations on how we & the Universe came about didn't help.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35839565)

That explanation only works if you're trying to say that only Western Europe is educated.

And seeing as I'm sure you're not saying that, I'm sure you'll agree your explanation doesn't work. ;)