*I can stand when people blaspheme and say Ch*** as if its a swear word*

[Serendipity30]

I can stand when people blaspheme and say Ch* as if its a swear word do people think its cool?? People say they are tolerant of peoples faith but situations like that make me wonder I literally wince when people say it. I refuse to believe I ABU

I'm not so sure about that. If I wanted to no longer be a Christian what would I have to do? I can't deny that I believe what I do.

"you do choose your religion"

ok Grimma but I have never heard it here i.e. Muslims using 'Allah' but I have heard OMG from all cultures.

I haven't read all the thread but I still think I make a valid point.

TBH I don't really like swearing either and try not to (do slip up sometimes).

If I wanted to no longer be a Christian what would I have to do?
Think about it long enough? Well, that worked for me...

Christians seem eager enough to try to convince others to become Christians, so they must think that these people can choose.

Most people's religion is determined by where they were born. Its not an inherent property, and its not immutable.

"Think about it long enough?"

Oh what a good idea. I've never thought about my faith at all.

I know, that came with a . But, people do change from - or to, or between - faiths after thinking about it. Not saying you should - just that it isn't impossible as you implied.

Grimma, that would be cultural religion eg this country used to be christian (no longer), therefore eg my parents were born cultural christians; and muslims are generally 'born' into the Islamic religion, therefore cultural muslims: the closest to that in GB are catholics ie born into catholicism. I guess it's the same with eg CofE, hence infant baptism: born into the religion, in that an infant can't make a choice at that age. imo the Christian God is all about choice: s/he wil not tolerate force, partiuclarly about something like this. It's entirely against his/her nature to force someone into a relationship - apart from anything, it's impossible for the relationship to be authentic or honest. However, I guess that a parallel would be arranged marriage, in that some/a lot of arranged marriages develop into genine love and respect because a lot of the participants of this practise agree with the premise of arranged marriage. A lot of cultural christians/muslims etc go on to develop a genuine love and respect for God and his/her precepts.

However, if you don't have a religious bone in your body - as I didn't before I became a christian and still don't (in fact find the religious aspect of christianity a severe strain - which is, on many levels, my problem: I can't know the quality or quantity of someone's relationship with God) - the entire notion of respect or awe for a deity will be entirely foreign. I was brought up to never use 'the Lord's name in vain' and, as that was culturally drummed into me, it stuck (as cultural training goes deep). I never dreamt that one day I wouldn't like people using God's name in a derogatory way because I love him/her and not because it was a rule that everybody ought to keep.

Grimma, that would be cultural religion
Not really - because as you say 'A lot of cultural christians/muslims etc go on to develop a genuine love and respect for God and his/her precepts.' - its nearly always the same god as their parents.

yes this is true Grimma but I think springy makes a good point. My dad wasn't a christian but I never heard him or my mum use this language.

maybe it is a generational thing. you don't really hear older people swearing i.e. 70 year olds

I know my generation tend to swear more.

OOH you do get Muslims , hindus etc in other countries converting to chritianity and they may get a really hard time. they must think it is worthwhile and something they want to do.

why would they bother rejecting their own religion to be treated as an outcast in society if they didn't think it was worthwhile?

Just highly amused about Spero and Reg.
In your dreams, girlfriend.

OOH you do get Muslims , hindus etc in other countries converting to chritianity and they may get a really hard time. they must think it is worthwhile and something they want to do.

And also renouncing faith altogether and getting a really hard time. Its very sad how apostates are treated by some religious groups

maybe it is a generational thing. you don't really hear older people swearing i.e. 70 year olds

true - I'm 51 and don't swear much myself. Hardly at all online, IRL a bit worse since I started hanging out with this foul mouthed bunch of harridans lovely group of ladies. Dad (WWII generation)used to refer to swearing as 'army language'.

Well that's your invite to the wedding in the bin LadyBeagleEyes. Plus, don't come swimming up to our ark begging to be taken aboard. We will be too busy repopulating the earth.

I say The Rapture, bring it ON.

Btw I have heard some absolutely FOUL language from very old people. they do tend to be drunk however so I accept the argument that swearing has probably become more prevalent nowadays.

Well, it's not very tolerant to try and restrict other people's language to what you prefer, is it? Iirc the commandment says "Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain" - not "Thou shalt whinge at infidels who take the name, etc."
So YABU. But I imagine somebody's already said that in the last 17 pages.

How about people doing it with other cultures' god words? I sometimes say "Irie!" which I caught from living in Brixton and rather liked. I've also been known to say "Insh'allah", "Mein Gott", "Bon dieu" and "Madre de deus" in various situations. Are you just as offended by all that, or is it only your precious ears you want me to protect?

Bejayzus

I thank you

What is an Alpha course?

Christian brainwashing induction.

Dione, I think the alpha courses are still running? I went to two about ten years ago as I had a friend who was v religious and I was genuinely curious. It was weekly meetings to discuss various issues of life and faith, but I suspect also seen as a dating service. I went to one at the posh All Souls on Oxford street and frankly it just served to reinforce my suspicions of the religious.

I had a lot of questions about how to reconcile the Old and New testaments and I don't recall a single satisfying answer - and it can be done, I think of CS Lewis, the only Christian writer I have been able to stomach.

Then my friend revealed herself to be utterly hypocritical and lacking in any kind of charity or compassion, so that was another nail in my atheist coffin.

AFAIK its protestants of various denomination who run Alpha courses, Dione.

Is it a discussion group or some kind of conversion workshop?

I've not been to one, but from what I've heard, the latter posing as the former.

The two I went to, I would say more discussion/reinforcement as I appeared to be the only godless one among them and rather swiftly two leaders were dispatched to our table to field my questions.

I am sad to say that one of the major reasons I have not been able to take the Christian faith seriously is the lack of charisma of its representatives on earth. No one had a sense of humour and they all seemed so lumpen.

Why won't Christians have a laugh? Serious question.

As you've met me Spero, I'll take that personally