The existence of God - Page 78

LondonRoad · 14-04-2009, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreverwar

1) Yes (but was, not necessarily is)
2) No

Where you looking over my shoulder when I was answering

TheNorm · 14-04-2009, 18:00

OK, for those who answered 1) Yes and 2) No (you know who you are):

So we are in a society enmeshed with Christian "values", but belief in God isn't necessary to function effectively in this society.

Round two:

Why don't we remove religion from society (and keep it in selected buildings only)?

Why don't Christians acknowledge that society can function without a belief in God?

Russ · 14-04-2009, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Why don't we remove religion from society (and keep it in selected buildings only)?

If I can jump here - because we don't need to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Why don't Christians acknowledge that society can function without a belief in God?

The Christian belief isn't just a hobby or a passing interest like football - it bases how we view the world, life, each other and everything around us. I cannot imagine a world without a general belief in God.

TheNorm · 14-04-2009, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

If I can jump here - because we don't need to....

But is religion adding anything useful to society? If not, do we really need it?

Quote:

...The Christian belief isn't just a hobby or a passing interest like football - it bases how we view the world, life, each other and everything around us. I cannot imagine a world without a general belief in God.

But we can have a functional society without a general belief in God - so why not go down this route?

**Chris** · 14-04-2009, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

OK, for those who answered 1) Yes and 2) No (you know who you are):

So we are in a society enmeshed with Christian "values", but belief in God isn't necessary to function effectively in this society.

Round two:

Why don't we remove religion from society (and keep it in selected buildings only)?

Why don't Christians acknowledge that society can function without a belief in God?

Thankfully we live in a relatively free society where beliefs and practices are outlawed or restricted on a case-by-case basis, having been shown to pose a serious threat to society, rather than the Chinese Communist Party approach you appear to be advocating, where a committee of 'wise men' decides what's good for the rest of us.

It's very easy to propose restriction of things you don't have any attachment to; unfortunately once you let that particular genie out of the bottle you never know when the things you are rather attached to are going to come under threat. I'm sure you have no more wish than I to find yourself staring down the barrel of a tank.

I'm not sure where you get the idea that Christians refuse to acknowledge society can function without God. Or rather, I'm confused about what definitions of 'Christian', 'function', 'God' and 'society' you're using. I'd like to get my teeth into this one, so if you could elaborate on your question a little, I'd be most grateful.

Russ · 14-04-2009, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

But is religion adding anything useful to society?

It has added to a great deal of morals and principles. Many countries' laws were and are based on them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

But we can have a functional society without a general belief in God

I strongly disagree.

---------- Post added at 19:39 ---------- Previous post was at 19:37 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I'm not sure where you get the idea that Christians refuse to acknowledge society can function without God. Or rather, I'm confused about what definitions of 'Christian', 'function', 'God' and 'society' you're using. I'd like to get my teeth into this one, so if you could elaborate on your question a little, I'd be most grateful.

I'm so glad you returned - I think foreverwar and I were getting a little worn out from holding the fort

TheNorm · 14-04-2009, 18:42

Look, I don't want to get into a tangled argument (this thread has enough already), so can we keep this simple?

Does anyone think it is necessary for shops to close on Easter Sunday? If so, why?

Russ · 14-04-2009, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Does anyone think it is necessary for shops to close on Easter Sunday? If so, why?

I think there should be tolerance for a) atheists to work the day if they chose to and b) Christians who did not want to work it.

**Chris** · 14-04-2009, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Look, I don't want to get into a tangled argument (this thread has enough already), so can we keep this simple?

Does anyone think it is necessary for shops to close on Easter Sunday? If so, why?

I'm all for Christians respecting the Sabbath rest, not because it's a law in the Old Testament but because it's made clear in the New Testament that it was supposed to be a gift from God to Humankind. Gifts are there to be accepted and enjoyed. When it comes to civil society, I'm a democrat and I believe it is acceptable for the majority to determine laws and principles which then govern the whole of society. If the majority wish to enact laws that echo Christian morality and practice, or to continue to live under such laws and practices, then in a democratic society the whole are bound by it. Except insofar as they are perfectly entitled to campaign and make a case for change.

TheNorm · 14-04-2009, 18:55

OK, so if the majority want Easter Sunday to be treated like any other day of the year, that would be acceptable?

**Chris** · 14-04-2009, 19:05

I'd consider it a pity, and I'd exercise my democratic right to say so, but in purely civil terms of course it would be acceptable. Observing any Sunday, or not, makes no human being more or less acceptable in the eyes of God.

**Maggy** · 14-04-2009, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

OK, so if the majority want Easter Sunday to be treated like any other day of the year, that would be acceptable?

Why would they?At the moment anyone working Easter Sunday is quids in...Make it an ordinary day and overtime is out of the question...so Shush!

banjo · 14-04-2009, 19:45

I am so sorry for all the people who have no belief in God you must be living such sad lives, peace be with you.

papa smurf · 14-04-2009, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjo

I am so sorry for all the people who have no belief in God you must be living such sad lives, peace be with you.

i shall treat that with the just contempt it deserves

banjo · 14-04-2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

i shall treat that with the just contempt it deserves

And I will treat your posts with the contempt they deserve