[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

Because they are the rules of their religion. Some religions will not marry people outside that particular faith, some religions will not marry divorced people... Do you suggest that divorced heterosexuals are being disciminated against?

Absolutely

[Livia]

You've got to pick your battles Irene and stop getting outraged on other people's behalf. It's a massive waste of energy.

I notice with some amusement that it is always the atheists, agnostics and other assorted "non-believers" who seem to be the ones with all the ideas about changing religions.

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Merry Kizzmas

Because the bible was written before the discrimination laws?...
If you don't like it don't follow it simples...
Everyone would be much happier if they didn't as far as I can see.

Yes that is exactly why church attendance has diminished to an all time low.

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

You've got to pick your battles Irene and stop getting outraged on other people's behalf. It's a massive waste of energy.

I notice with some amusement that it is always the atheists, agnostics and other assorted "non-believers" who seem to be the ones with all the ideas about changing religions.

Why do you assume that I am any of the above and am outraged fighting "other people's " battles?

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

Yes that is exactly why church attendance has diminished to an all time low.

My synagogue's never been busier.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

Why do you assume that I am any of the above and am outraged fighting "other people's " battles?

I am not assuming, the clue was in the words you wrote. The church should change, everyone should be allowed to marry or do whatever they want, divorced people are being discriminated against... Isn't that what you're saying then?

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

My synagogue's never been busier.

Sorry I was referring to the Christian faith .

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

Sorry I was referring to the Christian faith .

Oh I see. So Judaism is okay then? Not marrying gay people... it's just the Christians you're mad at?

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

Oh I see. So Judaism is okay then? Not marrying gay people... it's just the Christians you're mad at?

I know very little about the Jewish faith I am from a christian background. I am not qualified to comment.

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

I am not assuming, the clue was in the words you wrote. The church should change, everyone should be allowed to marry or do whatever they want, divorced people are being discriminated against... Isn't that what you're saying then?

From that you assume I am agnostic etc. etc.? So you believe that everyone but the church should be heartily "discouraged" from discriminatory actions?

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

I know very little about the Jewish faith I am from a christian background. I am not qualified to comment.

Right. So you think that the Christians should be a special case and that legislation should make them marry gay people. But Judaism, Islam and all the other religions should be treated differently? Surely if one religion is forced to do something the others are not, then you're discriminating against Christians?

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

From that you assume I am agnostic etc. etc.? So you believe that everyone but the church should be heartily "discouraged" from discriminatory actions?

No, I think you should know a little more about what it is you're discussing before you engage in a debate. It's you yourself who are championing discrimination against Christians.

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

Right. So you think that the Christians should be a special case and that legislation should make them marry gay people. But Judaism, Islam and all the other religions should be treated differently? Surely if one religion is forced to do something the others are not, then you're discriminating against Christians?

I do not believe that any religious sect should be allowed to discriminate. As my studies have never encompassed any of the religions you mention I am commenting on the" faith" that I was subjected to.

[Kizzy]

You are entitled to have an opinion and express yourself however you wish irene, I thought it was the LGBT christians that wanted the changes made, so they could marry in church?
Why that suggests atheists and agnostics are exempt from comment I don't know...

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Merry Kizzmas

You are entitled to have an opinion and express yourself however you wish irene, I thought it was the LGBT christians that wanted the changes made, so they could marry in church?
Why that suggests atheists and agnostics are exempt from comment I don't know...

Sorry Kizzmas you have lost me. I seem to being accused of some weird stuff here.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

I do not believe that any religious sect should be allowed to discriminate. As my studies have never encompassed any of the religions you mention I am commenting on the" faith" that I was subjected to.

No one is suggesting you aren't entitled to your say, Irene. It's just rather amusing that by demanding Christians change their rules and not that all religions do, you make your argument look a little weak. I have never studied Islam but I think if one religion is made to allow gays to marry, then I think all religions should, including Islam. Or your are discriminating. Isn't that kind of clear to you?

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Livia

No one is suggesting you aren't entitled to your say, Irene. It's just rather amusing that by demanding Christians change their rules and not that all religions do, you make your argument look a little weak. I have never studied Islam but I think if one religion is made to allow gays to marry, then I think all religions should, including Islam. Or your are discriminating. Isn't that kind of clear to you?

I'm sorry but your argument does not seem rational. Are you saying that all the worlds religions should have identical dogmas? I really do not understand what you mean. The disparities between different religions are many fold surely? For instance when I have attended our local synagogue the ladies were all seated separately to the gentlemen. This is not so in Christian churches. C of E accepts divorce, Catholics do not. Please try to discuss this without being aggressive because I am genuinely interested and found your sarcasm quite off putting.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

Sorry Kizzmas you have lost me. I seem to being accused of some weird stuff here.

I said the same last night on this issue, nobody can or should change an existing religion.
Politics has no place meddling, however everyone is entitled to an opinion, I am not a christian but that should not mean that my view on this means any less.
As a democracy everyone is equal regardless of what their beliefs are.

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Merry Kizzmas

I said the same last night on this issue, nobody can or should change an existing religion.
Politics has no place meddling, however everyone is entitled to an opinion, I am not a christian but that should not mean that my view on this means any less.
As a democracy everyone is equal regardless of what their beliefs are.

The many offshoots of Christianity can and have changed down the centuries.

[Irene Pearson]

Will you tell me why my last post to Livia has been deleted?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Irene Pearson

The many offshoots of Christianity can and have changed down the centuries.

Yes they have, and some are more tolerant than others, fair play to them.
However, why should westminster stamp on those who are not, it's not a faith then is it?
it becomes an enforced regime.

Originally Posted by Livia

You've got to pick your battles Irene and stop getting outraged on other people's behalf. It's a massive waste of energy.

I notice with some amusement that it is always the atheists, agnostics and other assorted "non-believers" who seem to be the ones with all the ideas about changing religions.

[MTVN]

Well I suppose the problem is that the CofE are still technically the official Church in this country and we don't have complete separation of church and state, that makes the gay marriage question even more difficult because they are seen as conducting marriages on behalf of the state, and if they're against marrying same sex couples than it's problematic to legalise it

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Merry Kizzmas

Yes they have, and some are more tolerant than others, fair play to them.
However, why should westminster stamp on those who are not, it's not a faith then is it?
it becomes an enforced regime.

No I believe they become less discriminatory. A majority of congregants are for this change just as they are for women priests.

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Livia

You've got to pick your battles Irene and stop getting outraged on other people's behalf. It's a massive waste of energy.

I notice with some amusement that it is always the atheists, agnostics and other assorted "non-believers" who seem to be the ones with all the ideas about changing religions.

The funny thing is though. It's often Atheists that have more knowledge on Religion than the so called Religious people (Not on about you). I don't like to engage in Religious debates anymore but often in ends up in Theists deflecting, that's why I don't bother.