Are you an ex Christian?

Thas my whole point, mumof. If it is allright for someone with, say, the pope's beliefs to tell others what he thinks and to pronounce on what he believes is right or wrong, then it's also allright for someone to disagree, even in terms that the pope might find offensive.

Otherwise the argument would appear to be that people with certain beliefs can express them but people with other beliefs can't.

I'm talking about respecting people, not beliefs or ideas that people hold dear. You are free to 'insult', mock, ridicule, argue against in an erudite manner, any of my beliefs or ideas without it being an insult to me as a person.

Well if that were the case no one would ever contradict or criticise anyone - more tea Vicar? Annie hasn't been disrespected.

It is a matter of treating everyone with respect.

vamp was expressing her belief. That's equality.

Fine, then, annie, you're insulted. Are your beliefs affected? If not, what's the problem? None of your rights to believe what you want and to express your beliefs are being taken away.

I agree about ways and ways, jura. But the bad ways are not all on one side and the bottom line is that any person's right to hold and express their beliefs is equal to any other person's, however 'offensive' others may find the views or the expression of them.

Calling my beliefs garbage was insulting

Agreed Bags- but perhaps there are ways and ways of saying the same without using 'garbage' - not sure.

When my pratising Catholic cousin was very ill with cancer, he told his daughters he wanted to be cremated. When he died, his older sister went berserk- telling my nieces they would condemn him to not being resurrected on the Day of Judgement, etc. It was truly ugly - they no longer speak (my nieces of course did as their father had asked them...

But if someone thinks certain beliefs (beliefs, I said, not the people holding the beliefs) are garbage, why shouldn't they say so? Shouldn't that person's right to that point of view, that belief, that opinion be as respected as any other person's right to believe what they choose?

One rule for all is the only fair way so, when you think about it, you can't really complain about vamp saying certain beliefs are garbage in her view. Her opinion is as valid as anyone else's and her right to hold an opinion other people find "uncalled for" or rude should be respected and on equal terms with, say, the pope's belief that burial is better than cremation.

Which I also think is garbage. But I respect his right to hold that opinion, just as he should respect my right to disagree with it and think it silly in the extreme.

Well said Hippy, respect for all

Iam, thank you. I respect people's choices in their faith or non faith, having my faith classed as garbage was uncalled for and hurtful

Im a practising witch ?? dont care what anyone chooses to believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs.

So only Christians are responsible for care of those in need

vampire queen, you are entitled to your opinion of course you are. However, describing "the rest of it as garbage" seems very dismissive and even unkind to gransnetters who do have a Christian, or indeed, any faith.

I still like the idea of the world would be a better place if we were all nice to each other but the rest of it is garbage.

The Vatican has just declared that RCs can be cremated but the ashes must be buried or stored in a church. Now call me a cynic but if the ashes are buried there will have to be a second service at the grave so the priest will get paid twice and I have no doubt there will be storage costs incurred if you leave them in a church.

JC said that if you had two coats you should give one to someone who didn't have one. Not store up as much money as you can in investments, gold, jewels etc. Imagine the good that could be done in the world if all the churches liquidated their funds and spent the money to help those in need.

The bible starts with Adam and he didn't claim to have superior power

I thank God from my home , the church, the garden, anywhere I want to give thanks

I went to Sunday school, was confirmed and attended church on a regular basis. The first thing which made me wonder about the church, was the vicar telling the congregation that he didn't want any copper in the collection, just silver! Finally read about the Cosmos and felt this was it for me. No dogmatic religion, as all religions began with a man proclaiming he'd been given some superior power. I thank cosmic healing and cosmic energy every day, from my home, no palatial church etc.

Very gracious

Amen

Definitely shared Elegran

Crossed posts, Anniebach, and a shared reaction!

Anyone who felt patronised for being "righteous and saintly" could bat the ball right back with a comment about it being righteous and saintly to mention the "40 local elderly folk for lunch and afternoon tea" who were "so lovely and so thankful about our welcome over the past 7 years."

I won't do so, because the comment wasn't about me - it couldn't be, really, I don't aspire to even a smidgeon of saintliness.

Who is feeling righteous and saintly? You had 40 people for lunch and tea , bowed head and remained silent during prayer and enjoyed the gratitude of a couple who expressed their gratitude to you !

"Righteous and saintly"???

What on earth are you talking about?
What happened to "play the ball and not the man" ?

Cinema last night, then a meal with friends- and today 40 local elderly folk for lunch and afternoon tea- which was truly worthwhile. I sat quietly with my head bowed during prayers, like a good girl. And sat with a lovely couple I'd never really talked to before, and who were so lovely and so thankful about our welcome over the past 7 years. That was great.

And sometimes you realise that banging your head agaisnt a brick wall is just not worth it.

But I am so glad it's made you feel righteous and saintly