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).

Religion does seem to hold more sway in the states. I am glad that the power of the church is crumbling in the UK.

I am the OP. I haven't entirely gone away but this thread has drifted away from the original question somewhat, although I do thank everyone who gave a view on this as it made me think about how as humans we can reach out to other, regardless of our perspectives on such fundamental things as faith.

I actually find the way this thread has gone both somewhat ironic but not entirely unexpected. I say ironic because it kind of answers the first part of my question of 'do people find it important' to share their views but I am not sure it is answering, for me, the why, so it kind of shows me people are keen to share their views but does not really address what this achieves in promoting a better understanding of each other's motivations and mutual understanding.

ginger- are you religious? Do you share your faith?

Hi. I think I answered that in the initial post but yes I am Christian. I do share my faith, I do this because it is part of me, means a lot to me and has enriched my life. I do believe sharing my faith is a crucial part of it, however I believe this is best done by being open and honest and living Christian values of love as best I can. If others take an interest in my perspective I will always answer as best I can but, if I am honest, I tend to avoid the debates of entrenched views at the point when it seems as though they are not achieving anything other than point scoring. I do like a good discussion as it makes me think and also listen to where others are coming from and, hopefully, widen my perspective.

ginger you share your faith but what if you have it wrong?

One of the many things I despise about religion is the resolute view that the religious "know" they are right despite no evidence, despite all the pointers suggesting that it is all a sham, a big lie.

Does it not occur to you that there may not be a god, that jesus didn't actually walk again three days after his death, that you may be spreading a lie, a fairy story? That in sharing your faith you are at best giving people false hope and at worst speading an indidious and pernicious misogynistic power system?

I could be wrong but I can only be honest. Others have to take their own decisions and find their own path.

But you are happy to influenece their decisions by spreading your faith?

The problem is that it is very hard to get away from the practical.

Atheist/secularist/non Christian "I think people should be able to belive whatever they want so long as it doesn't have a negative impact on other people"
Christian "Oh, that's fine then, because Christianity doesn't have any impact on non Christians"
A/S/NC "What about faith schools?"
C "Well, we should have faith schools because I want them for my children"
A/S/NC "What about unelected bishops in the House of Lords?"
C "We should have them because I want Christian input into legislation"
A/S/NC "What about compulsory Christian worship in state schools?"
C "We should have compulsory Christian Worship because I want it for my children"

If Christians were prepared to accept that they occupy a position of privilege in the UK and agree that it isn't right and should be changed, then it would be possible to have interesting philosophical debates. As it is, the "I'm all right, Jack" approach is just so entrenched and closed minded that it is difficult to get past it.

I agree Hak. I am just hoping that todays synod vote in the CofE will vote against women becoming bishops.

Happy to share my faith. Others will choose if that influences them.

I really don't want to get into the whole issue of schools and non elected bishops but for the record I don't think non elected people of any persuasion have any place in democracy and I would do away with the House of Lords full stop and replace with an elected second chamber.

I think faith schools have their place but should be mindful to teach in an inclusive way (as has been my own experience of faith schools) but there needs to be equally high quality alternatives.

I don't want to derail my own thread so will stop here but would not like anyone to think I was ignoring them.

It is hard to split off from the practical reality I suppose but I was looking at more what motivates us as individuals and how it feels right to share our views for us.

So why sahre your faith unless you think you have influence?

Because

Because its part of m

It is what you do that counts and not what you say.

Sorry tablet gone funny.

Its part of who I am. If I don't share it and live it I am not being honest.

How does your faith come up in conversation? One of my best friends is a Baptist, and the only time it comes up really is when she asks someone else to be the promoter of the PTA raffle even though it's usually the Chair's job........

How does your faith come up in conversation?
I suppose that depends on what your faith is! And where you live!

I would rarely bring mine up (and I am not an active practitioner). But I find that it comes up when:
a) something happens in the world related to the religion I identify with, and in the course of discussing the event, it becomes relevant
b) an 'evangelizing atheist' or a person actively opposed to the religion I identify with says (or more often, posts!) something which mischaracterizes or is abusive.
c) when one's neighbours are building bonfires and burning the symbols of a religion, stealing icons from gravesites to burn on said fires, and attacking members of that religious community (and other non-protestants!) in the streets where one lives. As is happening here. In my proud little corner of the UK.

"c) when one's neighbours are building bonfires and burning the symbols of a religion, stealing icons from gravesites to burn on said fires, and attacking members of that religious community (and other non-protestants!) in the streets where one lives. As is happening here. In my proud little corner of the UK."

Well you wouldn't have to be of any faith to find this objectionable and to speak out about it. Simply being a civilized human being would be enough.

What's an "evangelizing atheist"?

Well you wouldn't have to be of any faith to find this objectionable and to speak out about it. Simply being a civilized human being would be enough.
Of course not. I was answering your question How does your faith come up in conversation? - one's faith does come up in conversation when its symbols and its members are openly under attack. It also comes up when one lives in a community where 'faith-based identification' is the norm and is asked on a daily basis.
You would really need to understand the reality of life here to see that the question "how does your faith come up in conversation" seems humorous/sad to many of us here.

What's an "evangelizing atheist"?
An evangelist is someone who actively seeks to convert another to their position, and who preaches their views with the purpose of conversion.

Hak, the reason things don't change is because people like yourself don't can't be bothered to change them. If you don't have the courage of your own convictions, why should anyone else have that courage for you?

Dione, I'm not sure that's a fair charge. People act on their convictions in different ways. Hak (and I am aware that there are parallel conversations going on over two different threads, so maybe Hak has said more about this on the other thread) is advocating a method of change. It's not the method I personally believe to be most effective or the one that best suits my own temperament or situation, but I don't think she's lacking in conviction.

Brd, I don't consider moaning on the Internet to be "acting" on one's convictions. By all means use it to canvass opinion, find support and discuss strategy, but there comes a point when you have to actually act. Or not.

But don't blame other people for your lack of action. Don't bore on constantly (and for years) to others about their choices when you chose to do nothing.

Dione- you have absolutely no idea of what I am doing to make this change happen.

However, as this is something that would make practically no difference to the lives of Christians, and a significant difference to the lives of others of other or no faith, I continue to find it depressing that Christians are not prepared to support the change.

The problem I have with what Hak has posted above is just that it doesn't reflect my views or positions (as a self-identified member of a Christian faith) accurately. I agree with her entirely when she says that
If Christians were prepared to accept that they occupy a position of privilege in the UK and agree that it isn't right and should be changed, then it would be possible to have interesting philosophical debates. As it is, the "I'm all right, Jack" approach is just so entrenched and closed minded that it is difficult to get past it.
I also agree 100% with what Hak identifies an atheist/secular/nonChristian position: "I think people should be able to belive whatever they want so long as it doesn't have a negative impact on other people"

We should have a separation of state and religion, of education and religion, of legislation and religion. Absolutely. I can be a Christian and advocate for that.

Yes I do Hak. I know because I asked you. And your answer was "nothing". And now that it no longer impacts you, you want to preach to everyone else. You had years to do something, to make a difference. Others made a stand, you did not stand beside them. You did nothing.

As for your comment that Christians are not prepared to support the change, Christians here have said that they do support change and have signed the petition requesting change. However your comment does surprise me, your tendency to see only what you want to see and ignore everything else is extraordinary.

Brd, my personal opinion of CW is nothing. It doesn't bother me. If it were to be abolished tomorrow, that wouldn't bother me either.