to think we no longer live in a Christian country

[orlantina]

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?

By saying people have to denounce their own religion to fit into this "progressive society" isn't really allowing people to practice their religion as they see it should be, therefore religious freedom is no more

People have religious freedom. But if their particular views are offensive to many people, then modern society would have an issue with that.

People have the freedom to say what they want. If what they say is out of kilter with society, then they don't fit in to society. We live in a democracy and you need votes and support if you want power.

If your views aren't what people believe, then you have the freedom to express those views but you won't win any support.

My sister is very religious.

She thinks homosexuality is sinful.
She has the right to think that, but when she airs her views she shouldn't be surprised at people arguing with her, criticising her, perhaps becoming angry.
This is not a punishment, this is a natural consequence of her " free speech".

With rights come responsibilities. Is her " religious freedom" being restricted because people get upset when she says she doesn't like homosexuality?

She has the right to think that, but when she airs her views she shouldn't be surprised at people arguing with her, criticising her, perhaps becoming angry

And in the case of MPs, not getting the support they need from the electorate.

I suspect there are MPs who do have an issue with homosexuality and abortion but who keep their mouth shut or even lie just so they get support and don't want to rock the boat.

odds of us being here in conjunction with the moon and sun has been described as "a tornado tearing through a scrapyard and all the pieces landing to compose an aeroplane Nonsense comparison, one is random, one isn't.

Natural selection, the theory behind it, is just a theory and struggles when it gets to complex structures like the eye. Missymoo, I find it hard to believe you have a science background because the development of the eye is very well documented. As a designed organ its pretty crap, as an evolved organ its as expected.

Life really isn't that special, we have cloned it and can now create synthetic life. Earlier this year a couple of researchers made a bacterium with a pair of synthetic bases. If you dont need DNA with A, C, G and T in it then who knows what sort of life has evolved, in what environments and where in the universe.

Tim Farron was hounded over his opinion of gay sex, not gay marriage and it was because he refused to answer the question. Its relevant because he could have been deputy PM (if a coalition had occurred). Rees-Mog is being asked because he could be PM, leader of the country. This matters because they could be passing laws that affect us all. JRM answered immediately and said he would not impose his view on others. I think this is the last you will hear of it because no one cares about his individual opinion as long as its not imposed on others. This is not a witch hunt of religious beliefs but an interrogation of views if there is a possibility of them being imposed on others. Very very sensible.

hearts If you were right that our planet is 'special', why would you conclude a Christian god must exist. There is so many other options why just randomly pick one particular god? I dont get your logic.

There does seem to be a contrast between Old Testament God and New Testament God.

I agree but whats important is that the church haven't denounced the old testament and they keep printing book that include the old testament. So one has to assume they still think its the 'word of god'.

I suspect there are MPs who do have an issue with homosexuality and abortion but who keep their mouth shut or even lie just so they get support and don't want to rock the boat.
When people lie or keep shut you get a group think scenario where opinion is biased to one extreme.

It's like all these people saying "you must respect my everyone's opinions". Some people have the opinion that people with dark coloured skin are inherently inferior to people with light coloured skin - Am I supposed to respect that?

When people lie or keep shut you get a group think scenario where opinion is biased to one extreme

Depends on the consequences of lying or keeping their mouth shut.

I keep my mouth shut on here about some things because of the consequences. The effect on here around that subject is group think.

I'm just watching the news about Rees-Mog, as a catholic he does not believe in abortion but says he wouldn't change the law or let it interfere with political role- but he's probably just commited career suicide. Why do the media even have to ask such questions

Why on earth wouldn't they ask these questions?? This is a man who courts public office and influence over others' lives; shouldn't he be accountable for allowing religious dogma to inform his views?

The very same "why do the media have to pry so much" was said about clerical child abuse too, as if they were somehow to blame for bringing it all out ... I found it a pretty sinister view then and still do now

Cardinal Sin- no you don't have to respect the opinion, but the right in itself to have an opinion.

Orlantina, curious to know which subject you mean.

I just think if people are scared to voice an opinion it's not healthy. If political correctness says religion has to change to fit in with current thoughts then it's going too far. I don't think we live in a very tolerant society at all. It's only tolerant if you say and do as your supposed to.

I always respect the persons right to have a belief. I don't have to respect either the belief or the person on the basis of that belief. I'm just pointing out to the religious some on this thread who have repeatedly said "you must respect my religious everyone's beliefs", that no, I don't have to, and not every belief is worthy of respect.

I think the saying is 'he who stands for nothing, falls for everything'

You don't need a religion to have morals x

I agree but whats important is that the church haven't denounced the old testament and they keep printing book that include the old testament. So one has to assume they still think its the 'word of god'.

They can't denounce it... the OT has been fulfilled though. The blood thirstiness of "God" was sorted out by Jesus dying/resurrecting so fear not if you believe in Jesus, repent your sins and accept your salvation. God is quite nice now. He's got over stuff.

However you need the OT or you wouldn't know that Jesus was the prophesied messiah... I mean Bob from Tesco could be the messiah if you didn't have the OT to point you to Jesus

Personally I worship Mithras though

Why can't bold just work when copying and pasting

My apologies @Fresh8008

If political correctness says religion has to change to fit in with current thoughts then it's going too far. I don't think we live in a very tolerant society at all. It's only tolerant if you say and do as your supposed to

What's missing from that statement is the impact someone's view has on others - and the fact that very often the person with that view has the power.

People who are against gay marriage tend not to be gay - but they feel the need to express an opinion on gay marriage.

Male religious leaders such as the Pope express an opinion on abortion - yet it doesn't affect their bodies.

If you think a group should / shouldn't behave in a certain way, and you are a member of the dominant group, the one with the power over the group you have an opinion on - and it doesn't affect you, then you have every right to that opinion - but you will be challenged on it especially if if seems to be out of kilter with what many people think.

Look at Trump and America to see the impact that someone with power and who seems to have a massive issue with women, LGBT people and basically people who are not 'like him'. He also has Christian values apparently.

People who talk about political correctness and who get concerned over opinions not being allowed to be expressed are very often members of the dominant group with power and privlilege who have an opinion on how the non dominant group should behave. And then get upset when they are challenged on that.

Religion still has a lot of power and influence in this country. Damn right people should challenge it on views such as sexism, abortion, LGBT rights etc etc.

They can't denounce it... the OT has been fulfilled though. The blood thirstiness of "God" was sorted out by Jesus dying/resurrecting so fear not if you believe in Jesus, repent your sins and accept your salvation. God is quite nice now. He's got over stuff

What does that actually mean though, 'fulfilled'?
God was a blood thirsty tyrant (in the OT) who 'pretended' to commit assisted suicide / killed his own son, (delete as appropriate) though didn't really because he is an immortal and can't die, but forgave himself anyway so he could reinvent himself (in the NT).

What am I missing?

Well, it does rather make a mockery of the saying "Jesus died for our sins".

What they really mean is "Jesus spent three days pretending to be dead for our sins".

Cardinal, "Jesus died for our sins. Except he didn't actually STAY dead. So what did he sacrifice? His weekend? Jesus gave up his weekend for our sins." Jesus kind of died for our sins!

To answer the original question OP, I am glad religion is declining in the UK and church and state should not in anyway be linked.

One thing that has always puzzled me is that this "god" character is supposed to have created man in his own image and also the heaven and earth.

If we ignore the mountain of evidence from the scientific community, why is so much of this planet either to hot, cold, dry, wet, submerged or too high for us?

Estimates are around 10-15% of it is somewhere we can live, with 85-90% of unavailable.

If god exists, it must be a insect or a fish.....

I've now got an image of Jesus hiding in a cave, giggling like Peter Griffin from Family Guy...

Missymoo freedom to have an opinion works both ways though. You are free to express your opinion. If you do so in my hearing, I am free to express my opinion of your opinion. I would hope both of us would be civil enough not to be rude about anything, or to come to blows, but when you say things that I have strong feelings about, you will have to accept my freedom to express those feelings - always within the confines of the law, obviously. As the parent of a gay child, I do indeed have very strong feelings on marriage equality. I am happy for people to oppose it - but any moves to repeal it will meet with my vocal opposition, expressed to the fullest extent that the law permits.

The Guardian view on the survey

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/sep/07/the-disestablishment-of-the-church-is-now-necessary-and-inevitable

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/814645/china-church-religion-crackdown-shuangmiao-henan/amp

Look what is happening in China, the government are trying to do away with religion, Christianity, because it intereferes with their communist state and is an unwanted influence- a barrier to the subservience of the people towards the government. As I said in an earlier post this is an act of cultural marxism, the British identity is being stripped away so we will be easier to control. So all that are willing to throw away religion be warned what you are letting yourself in for.
Instead of the moral compass religion has provided for centuries we now have political correctness instead, people vying to be the most oppressed to gain advantage in a self serving way, pointing the finger at those with "privilege"- instead of being kind and respectful to one another as taught by religion.

Instead of the moral compass religion has provided for centuries we now have political correctness

As I said upthread, people who use the term 'political correctness' are usually the ones who have privileges to lose as other groups close the gap on equality.

Because equality to some people looks like loss of privilege to others.

Look what is happening in China, the government are trying to do away with religion

You seem to be confusing disestablishing the Church and State with getting rid of religion.

You do know the difference, don't you?

nstead of the moral compass religion has provided for centuries we now

I suspect some people will give some examples where religion has lost its moral compass over the centuries.

As well as some positive examples of morals.