winjim
Welcome yourself into the new modern crisis
To be fair, that's a fairly modern analysis based on a Christian interpretation of religion.
Religious affairs
- Thread starter Ian H
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To be fair, that's a fairly modern analysis based on a Christian interpretation of religion.
BoldonLad
Old man on a bike. Not a member of a clique.
- Location
- South Tyneside
I am a total disbeliever.
I do find it odd that almost every (or even possibly every) human society does have some form of belief system, involving either super-natural beings or natural forces as some form of being. Perhaps it is a fundamental need for many?
I have always thought (quite possibly wrongly, I have never researched it) that organised region, with priests, mullahs, etc could only develop once a society had advanced to the point of producing surpluses (of food at least), at which point it is possible to have "non-productive" members of society (ie the priests etc) being maintained by the masses.
I don't have a problem with those who do believe (no matter what their choice of belief), provided they keep their beliefs "on their side of the fence", and, I will similarly keep my lack of belief "on my side of the fence".
Unfortunately the latter point appears to be very difficult for most folk.
I do find it odd that almost every (or even possibly every) human society does have some form of belief system, involving either super-natural beings or natural forces as some form of being. Perhaps it is a fundamental need for many?
I have always thought (quite possibly wrongly, I have never researched it) that organised region, with priests, mullahs, etc could only develop once a society had advanced to the point of producing surpluses (of food at least), at which point it is possible to have "non-productive" members of society (ie the priests etc) being maintained by the masses.
I don't have a problem with those who do believe (no matter what their choice of belief), provided they keep their beliefs "on their side of the fence", and, I will similarly keep my lack of belief "on my side of the fence".
Unfortunately the latter point appears to be very difficult for most folk.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
Did we not learn - from you, and possibly more than once - that you got into private school on the strength of some exceptional native brightness of mind?
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icowden
Squire
How does being offered funding on the basis of an interview and exam equate to religious belief in magical beings? I'm not following your reasoning.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
You misunderstand; itself mildly concerning as I believe I'm writing English.
I'm looking to get my progeny into private school, that the lumpen genetic material I've spaffed into the next generation might be... advantaged.
Concerned that despite having made the right connections they shouldn't look like total fucking idiots in later life, I'd sooner they went to an establishment with some titles other than
on the shelves of the school library.
And that there's more in the A/V resource archive than that clip of Dawkins snorting cocaine with David Coote.
So where did you go, that I might exclude it from our shortlist?
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icowden
Squire
Maybe if you were a little more direct rather than being snide, it might help?
Are you seriously suggesting that religious clerics of any denomination are telling the truth, and that money and power is not the primary driver of religion?
Perhaps try explaining what on earth you are on about? There are plenty of examples of the Church using power to coerce and control the population, many still in use today - from the Mega-pastors of the USA to the Vatican.
Finally, if you'd like to educate yourself further, there is an excellent report by the Sutton Trust into the Assisted Places scheme that was set up from 1980 to 1997. https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ASSISTEDPLACESREPORT0310.pdf
I'm not sure why you think I should be ashamed of having benefitted from it. Instead of school failing me, I was actually allowed to learn. Shouldn't all children be allowed to learn? Until state schools are actually able to do this, the only option is to pay for schooling if you can. Assisted places were a way of helping families who couldn't afford to pay. There are now Bursaries and limited Scholarships but they aren't as good, or as effective.
icowden
Squire
I think it applies to Islam as well (see also scientology if you count it as a religion). I will grant that it is less true of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism which genuinely seem to invest in helping their communities. It's easy to spot the difference between a religion that is about power and money - those that are not don't feel the need to proselytise.
The CofE used to be more about community than money but over the last 15 years it has changed a lot. Our vicar was replaced by religious zealots intent on brainwashing the congregation and extracting money, and this seems to be endemic through the diocese of Guildford as schools are misused and more widely as the church continues to protect paedophiles. People like the Reverend Richard Coles are no longer welcome as vicars.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
If you don't mean this, don't say it.
If you do mean it, don't say it.
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icowden
Squire
Why? If your grasp on belief is so tenuous that it can't be questioned, is it really belief?
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
Because Ramana Maharshi doesn't want your money, you clown.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
Bede Griffiths doesn't want to control you.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj wasn't that fussed about Eurodisney.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
Rowan Williams thinks you're a pill.
qigong chimp
Settler of gobby hash.
Ajahn Chah thinks you're having a laugh.
