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Original poster

to think we no longer live in a Christian country

926 replies

orlantina · 04/09/2017 21:41

More than 53% of people have no faith - according to a recent survey.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41150792

That figure changes to 71% amongst 18-25 yr olds.

It surveyed 3000 adults - so it would be interesting to look behind the stats but it seems that more than half the country have no religion.

Christianity is still probably the most common religion out there.

Should this have implications for areas of national life?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
JacquesHammer · 05/09/2017 21:21

I've never been to a funeral in a church.

One wedding. One christening

Original poster
orlantina · 05/09/2017 21:26

The world will not fall apart if we don't have a State religion.

People will still be able to do all the religious things they want to. Celebrate their festivals.
Christmas will still be a special day in the UK.
I am sure faith schools will still exist.

But schools won't be forced to have an act of daily worship.
Bishops won't automatically get seats in the House of Lords.
Our Head of State won't be the Head of the Church of England.

The Church of England will lose its privilege and will be the same as other religions...including all branches of Christianity.

OP posts:
derxa · 05/09/2017 21:38

I'd rather believe in something rather than nothing.

Original poster
orlantina · 05/09/2017 21:41

I'd rather believe in something rather than nothing

You seem to be thinking that people who don't believe in God don't believe in anything.

That's strange.

I don't believe in God. I believe in lots of other things though.

OP posts:
Original poster
orlantina · 05/09/2017 21:43

So really you'd rather believe in a God than not believe in a God.

OP posts:
derxa · 05/09/2017 21:52

So really you'd rather believe in a God than not believe in a God.
yes If you'd been through family tragedy like me then you would.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 05/09/2017 21:53

A hypothesis starts as an unknown and then people try to prove it or disprove it

A hypothesis can never be proven - only disproven.

It is assumed "correct" until proven incorrect.

NikiBabe · 05/09/2017 21:53

Good.

to think we no longer live in a Christian country
Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 05/09/2017 21:53

But it's honestly not actually a choice thing. I just don't believe. If it's not there it's not there.

MargeryFenworthy · 05/09/2017 21:55

As a Catholic I find it sad. My faith is very important to me.

derxa · 05/09/2017 21:55

Christopher Hitchens was a bit odd. I don't care what he said.

PacificDogwod · 05/09/2017 21:57

Exactly, Slightly.
I used to have faith.
And now I don't.
I don't feel particularly different tbh.

I do love Hitchens though - what a man.

BitOutOfPractice · 05/09/2017 21:57

I haven't read the thread sorry but I absolutely believe that the church should be disestablished

JacquesHammer · 05/09/2017 21:57

As a Catholic I find it sad. My faith is very important to me

But living in a secular country wouldn't take that from you.

NikiBabe · 05/09/2017 21:58

Christopher Hitchens was a bit odd. I don't care what he said.

I find it odd that those that believe there is a magical man in the sky who impregnated a poor peasant girl feel it necessary to force their ludicrous beliefs on those who can't quite suspend their disbelief that far.

I dont care what you say or think derxa

Original poster
orlantina · 05/09/2017 21:58

yes If you'd been through family tragedy like me then you would

Faith is important to many people. I am glad for you that your faith is important.

However...this thread is about a State religion and an established church.

There is no reason to have such a thing.

People who want to believe and who have faith should have nothing to fear from losing a state religion.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 05/09/2017 21:59

Margery I would've thought that as a catholic you'd be one of the first to welcome disestablishment.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 05/09/2017 21:59

Actually the eating from the tree of knowledge is often thought to refer to sex

And to self-awareness.

And "original sin" is not sex, as many people think - it is disobedience.

NikiBabe · 05/09/2017 21:59

I'd rather believe in something rather than nothing.

Believe in santa then.

Cailleach666 · 05/09/2017 22:00

Absolutely.

This is not about denying people the right to have faith. Everyone should have the right to worship if they choose to.

We just don't want religion as part of the state and hold such power and influence.

PacificDogwod · 05/09/2017 22:01

I sometimes envy people their faith - it must be very comforting.

derxa Thanks

Still don't think that state and religion have any business together.

However, I suspect that they will always go hand in hand as a lot of organised religion (I am not talking about personal beliefs) is really an organisation to amass power and/or wealth.

Original poster
orlantina · 05/09/2017 22:01

As a Catholic I find it sad. My faith is very important to me

I am sure that 'replacements' can spring up where people can find that sense of community, helping others etc...without the believing in God side.

A kind of 'church' without God and faith.

OP posts:
PacificDogwod · 05/09/2017 22:02

Yes, original sin was self-awareness.
Also man was given free will, so even according to the gospel is entirely responsible for what he/she does with it.

PacificDogwod · 05/09/2017 22:03

orlantina, I've joined a philharmonic choir Grin
Singing and community and tea/biscuits afterwards - what's not to like!
We even do hymns...

TheFallenMadonna · 05/09/2017 22:04

I am a secularist and have a religious faith. If that is what this thread is about, I completely agree.

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