To ask why religion is declining in Britain

[Jackieweaver2024]

Just that really I would be interested to hear everyone’s opinions?

Prove that she does.

Why should God be a he?

Another reason l hate religion.

@Marmunia11975

Prove that God doesn't exist!

You only have to read the news to conclude that either God does not exist, or he/she is a psychopath.

As a Buddhist who was raised in the Church of England I believe that on the whole people are now more spiritual but less inclined towards formal Christianity. To me the basic grounding of Christianity seems to be that Jesus died to save us and that to be redeemed ourselves we must lead our lives as e directed, that we are dependent on something outside ourselves. I suspect this sat very well with the general population when society was more hierarchical.

With Buddhism (not a religion) the teaching is that we all have the inner resources to become enlightenment within ourselves, and that it is a question of accessing them. Although the belief is ancient it has more of a resonance in current times.

@ILoveAllRainbowsx

Because it was used to control the masses when people were uneducated.

Now that people are educated it isn't needed.

Most people on this thread aren't as well educated as the early Christian apologists - I doubt any of us could give Aquinas or, more recently, Descartes a run for their money in intellect. Entirely up to you whether you are theist/atheist, but it's arrogant to think that you hold your own stance because of some greatness in intelligence compared to others.

Religion may be dying out, but it's arguably being replaced with the cults of nationalism, Brexitism, wokeism, etc.

I voted YABU because the OP has done a post and run. Probably wasn't getting the answers that she was hoping for.

I agree with most on here that religion is out dated. Doesn't reflect on modern society.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Prove that she does.

Why should God be a he?

Another reason l hate religion.

God is also she in Hinduism.

Because god doesn't exist

...that doesnt really answer the question that OP posed and ran away from though?
If you believe God doesnt exist, have they ever existed, or only recently ceased to exist? ....or has it taken society thousands or more years to realise?

The strange thing I found about church was that aside from obviously disputing the beliefs of other religions there were so many divisions and contradictions between various branches of Christinanity (Methodists/Baptists looking down on Catholics/C of E etc) which for me took away from the "love your neighbour" message.

A lot of teaching in any religion is based on being a decent human being (put others before yourself/be hospitable/respect people and property/dont steal/dont commit adultery etc)

Most people on this thread aren't as well educated as the early Christian apologists - I doubt any of us could give Aquinas or, more recently, Descartes a run for their money in intellect. Entirely up to you whether you are theist/atheist, but it's arrogant to think that you hold your own stance because of some greatness in intelligence compared to others

Are you sure? Really sure? Could they have invented a vaccine using modern science? Are intellectualism and education the same thing?

The ‘masses’ weren’t educated previously so didn’t know how to question or think for themselves. They are now educated and the majority have made the decision to reject religion.

Although l agree that it is being replaced with Nationalism, Trumpism etc. I do believe people need a cause of some description. It would be nice if it was a more humanitarian causes but maybe that is the future?

And look at the mess religion has caused. Isis, Inquisition, etc etc,

But mainly the bible is full of men. Hanging out with a man. Women aren’t really represented. The majority of religions are headed by a male icon who repressed women.

Well for me, worshipping a controlling, woman hating narcissist is not something that appeals.

I also think religion is replaced wort faith or spirituality, so maybe less attending church on a Sunday (or any other holy day) but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a decline in belief.

I'm agnostic, I do not believe in god but I can't say for sure anymore than I can say for sure that life isn't just one big tv show for aliens. On the balance of probabilities and what I do know, then I God doesn't exist, but equally I have spent the majority of my life absolutely convinced that he did exist and beyond all rational argument. I had a "personal relationship" with God and now I'm left realising it's possible to convince yourself of anything with enough training.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

But history is a source of wisdom about those times

Some people accept it to be wisdom from God, but even if you don't, there is wisdom there. Solomon is a great example

Because it's bollocks and people are slowly coming to realise that - particularly as the more traditionally religious older generations are dying.

I suspect it's because it is too directive. People these days don't care for being told what to think.

Also, traditional monotheistic faiths might be declining but there are indications that other avenues of spiritual belief, in particular various forms of neopaganism, are growing exponentially.

What I don't understand is the need to scoff at others, infantalise them or mock their faith system, whatever it is, with taunts of superstition and believing in fairy tales. Believe what you want: no need to be supercilious to others.

There may well be religion on there, but in the Relgiuos Education curriculum it is referring to God and religion, and it taught from a bloody Christian viewpoint, so wisdom is not likely to be referring to the social issues of the time. It’s referring to the religion bit as ‘wisdom’

And that’s what makes it farcical

@LApprentiSorcier because he gave people freedom of choice and unfortunately some people choose to be awful

Even if everyone only followed one commandment - love your neighbour as yourself - the world would be a much better place!

There are a lot of interesting cases where atheist scientists have been determined to disprove God and ended up becoming Christians!

Religious!

@LApprentiSorcier because he gave people freedom of choice and unfortunately some people choose to be awful

But if you were in charge and all-powerful, would you just sit and watch if, for example, a baby was being battered to death by someone exercising their freedom of choice? No, of course you wouldn't - almost no one would.

The Ten Commandments.

You shall have no other God before me😂
You shall not make idols
Remember the Sabbath day🤣

Yeah the Ten Commandments are really worth following.

And I think although the bible does have a lot of men in that was more to do with the times

However, considering how make-centric those periods in time were, I love that it still showcases strong women - Deborah, Esther, Ruth, Marys - plus many of the leaders of the first churches were women

It also highlights people of different classes and creeds - often championing those who would usually have been overlooked. I do love how Jesus admonishes the 'high religious' people for caring more about rituals and tells them they need to worry more about their actions to all. That's still a very relevant message today IMO!

Being a true believer and living it out I think can be quite different to 'being religious'

@LApprentiSorcier - well the other option is to control everything and everyone like robots..?

What I don't understand is the need to scoff at others, infantalise them or mock their faith system, whatever it is, with taunts of superstition and believing in fairy tales. Believe what you want: no need to be supercilious to others

Agree with this, providing the religious person is not standing in judgement over a non believer.