UK loses faith

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Kursk

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?

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 papa smurf

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.

Well said that atheist

[ianch99]

These figures from the OP's report highlight the contradiction of having various state institutions (state schools, etc.) governed by Christian (Protestant) principles ..

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

[Gary L]

Aint nobody got time for religion.

the real world and its problems have took priority.

plus it's the 21st century.

---------- Post added at 20:42 ---------- Previous post was at 20:29 ----------

Originally Posted by Paul M

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

When's the next one?
I'm bored of being Muslim.

[Mr K]

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

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

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

Well said that atheist

An electron microscope, a nano sculpture and 9 camels pass through the eye of a needle at the same time.

All things are possible; your soul is not yet lost Papa .

willard wigan

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Chris

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."

That's exactly how the rabid atheists would like it to be classed as, personally I respect people with a faith, especially when they practice it under fear of persecution or even death. To me it's as much of an insult to say to these people it's a lifestyle choice as when some ignoramus calls being gay a lifestyle choice.

The only thing religion has in common with lifestyle choice is they are both a personal choice though even though I'm an atheist having faith in these times is a much harder thing to do and that's why I might not agree with it but I respect those who follow a faith and defend their right to do so against anyone. I honestly don't understand the problem some atheists have and don't agree with some of the silly attacks they launch I don't view myself as anything special so maybe that's why I don't have a problem with faith most of the atheists I see and hear with a problem tend to have a high opinion of themselves and have their heads up a certain orifice.

[techguyone]

Originally Posted by Mr K

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

Now now.

blame Major Thatcher was long gone by 94

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Mr K

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

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.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

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.

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 Mr K

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

Margaret Thatcher resignation - 22nd November 1990.

Sunday Trading legislation was introduced in July 1994 in England and Wales, coming into force on 26 August 1994.

Originally Posted by ianch99

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.

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.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Chris

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.

Nope, I don't understand your point. Education is not restricted to just Western Europe. Can you elaborate?