Quote:
Originally Posted by calyman
1) In the past 2000 or so years, the Rome Based church has been most effective at eliminating all other alternative views, even within it's own sphere. Where are the Cathars and the Gnostics now?
2) Link this to 5 also. There are some Gay Christians who would want their union to be blessed by their Church.
3) Spiritual organisations do indeed weild a considerable amount of influence within society. They also receive many benefits not due to other secular organisations. The British culture is essentially a christian one, even though very few people nowadays are active christians; most cultural and societal norms have christiani values as their source, Christian leaders exert an undue influence over how we should think and act. Whether one likes or dislikes any particular belief is irrelevant. We are still expected to behave in a manner that is intrisincly christian in nature.
4) Here's one example, the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, all Anglican Bishops voted against it. I'd call that unrepresentative and undue influence.
5) As a Humanist, my views are my own. I'm willing to discuss those with anyone. I do not have the right to insist others should accept them, no more than any folower of superstition has the right to force their views on others. Sadly, most established superstitious organisations do not subscribe to this excellent approach. if a christian, for instance wants to discuss with me about any matter, I shall give appropriate respect to their views but this also means I don't have to buy into any specious nonsense about so called spiritual or established beliefs that offend and insult others.
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1. Gnosticism still exists today and although it may only be a resurrected belief as opposed to one coming out of hiding, its still around, its also believed some of the Cathar beliefs remain in France, in fact some people in the Languedoc still consider themselves Cathar if only by descent as opposed to beliefs. Oh and purely for education, Gnosticism undermines christianity.
2. Yes there are Christians who are gay and would wish for their union to be performed in a church. Personally it wouldnt bother me if they did allow gay marriages. However the hierarchy of numerous branches of the christian religion would have to be persuaded. And that is where the real homophobia is entrenched, not in a dullard minister at the lower end of his particular religious food chain.
3. So Christian values are bad? Which particular values would you like to replace them with? Lets face it Western Society has got to where it is now because of said values. Our laws and society in general is based on a christian viewpoint. It may be time to move on from them to a higher level, but at the moment they hold sway.
4. Yeah I can see 26 (Lords Spiritual - Anglican Bishops in the Upper House) people holding a lot of influence over a house of just over 700 (pre the latets round of Honours). They represent the total christian population in the UK. But yeah I sort of agree with your point, The whole of the house of Lords need overhauling.
5. Yeah i see you do offer them respect of their beliefs that is why you call their beliefs 'superstition'. Couldnt that be considered offensive and insulting?