Do you feel it is important to share your views on faith or atheism?

[gingerdodger]

This is a genuine question, I am not asking to promote a faith vs atheism debate as we have plenty of those.

My question is whether people feel that it is part of their faith to share those beliefs with others? How far do you take this and how do you approach it? Similarly for those who are atheist, do you feel it is important to share your opinions and in what ways do you do this?

I know some faith groups see this as absaloutely fundamental to their faith whilst others are more relaxed. I also see that those who do not believe in God(s) also often wish to share their opinions widely. It interests me to think about what this achieves in terms of sharing opinions, understanding of each other etc.

From my point of view I strive to be open about my faith, I like to listen to other's perspectives as this makes me think (providing they are listening, I tend to bow out when it starts to feel adversarial and not inquisitorial). I don't feel compelled to actively knock on doors (metaphorically or otherwise) to share my faith but rather subscribe to the view that I hope my approach to life and openness about faith allows me to discuss my faith openly and honestly. I do believe actions speak louder than words and the best form of 'preaching' is to live Christian values of love (not saying I am good at this).

They might have imbibed rather a lot of cider I suppose...

capsium- you call yourself a christian? You should be ashamed of yourself and attitudes.

Not my definition of course but by your own you are doing a pretty bad job.

Oh. What has offended you combust?

You don't know?

No.

What does your religion actually teach you capsium? It seems not tolerance or altruism nor enhances your empathy or understanding of others.

At least you are guaranteed a position in heaven eh? Good for you.

Um...Wassailing does involve the cider harvest and drinking cider. Hugh was drinking cider as were the other Wassailers in his programme, the ritual may not have been a serious portrayal of the ritual. The incantations sounded pretty traditionally authentic though...?

Close? Something to do with this?

Tell me combust, or how can I modify my approach?

Not my position to tell you what to do capsium- isn't that why you have a god?

I'll carry on as I am then combust.

Good for you capsium- as long as you are true to your faith other people don't really matter.

Enjoy your self indulgent bubble.

?

Oh well I like a good mystery...

Hak & Combust, you both did nothing? Were yours the only non Christians in the school?

What do you suggest we should have done dione?

"Hak & Combust, you both did nothing? Were yours the only non Christians in the school?"

I explained why I did nothing. We have a large number of JW families in the area and they all opted out of assembly. I am sure that a significant number of families do not realise that non denominational schools expect children to pray.

I am shocked that you both did nothing about this given your strength of feeling regarding this issue.

You ask what I suggest you do Combust. I have no suggestions for you, but I can say that I would not tolerate my DC being "brainwashed" or "indoctrinated". I would opt out rather than let that happen. If I or my DC were unhappy at how the opt out was handled by the school (missing info, feeling like the odd one out etc) I would find other parents who felt the same as me (JWs, atheists, muslims) and get support for a solution to the problem. I would then be a PITA until a solution was found.

I have found this approach works well with most things. I most certainly would not have done nothing.

Ah- but you are putting words into my mouth. I have never said anything about my children being brainwashed or indoctrinated.

But as usual, the Christian contingent misrepresent,obfuscate , play dumb- do anything rather than admit that they love being in a privileged position, and won't give up an inch of that privilege without a fight. Otherwise they would say "Actually, yes. It would be so much nicer if all the children in the school of any religion or none, could share a moment of peace and quiet reflection together." Because there is no other possible reason for their insistence that the quiet reflection has to include prayer- and therefore exclude non Christian children.

My use of "indoctrination" and "brainwashing" was in response to Combust's posts. That's why I addressed that part of my post to her.

I think that it is a shame it drifted. OP didn't ask anything about schools or children. There are countless threads about collective worship-they crop up regularly. (and still people think there are secular schools).
This one was more interesting and an entirely different question.

My question is whether people feel that it is part of their faith to share those beliefs with others? How far do you take this and how do you approach it? Similarly for those who are atheist, do you feel it is important to share your opinions and in what ways do you do this?

This was the question and I think they should keep their beliefs to themselves unless they are specifically asked for them.

These threads are often derailed by the same people who need to whine about collective worship. I suppose moaning to believers in some way makes them feel better about the fact that they chose to do nothing about it in RL.

Most of them don't even belong to the secular society who are trying to make changes. They moan on MN. I don't generally mind, but I think it unfair to hijack a thread that was nothing whatever to do with it!

Why can't people answer the much more interesting question asked by OP?