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).

What about other species? Have you ever studied the intricacies of chimp society for example, they have wars, crime and punishment of a sort.

Why would I want to judge them? It seems to me that it tends to be the religious that are the most judgemental.

And you're not judging a group of people, just for belonging to a particular Faith, at all in this?

I was not suggesting we judge monkeys. I had already said that is is not for human kind to judge. I was asking about other species in response to your assertion that human kind is the only judge. Meaning that other species may be capable of judgment too, this is why I mentioned the intricacies of chimp society.

The more I think about it the more I am beginning to think how judgmental human doctrines and dogma can be. Within Christianity there is forgiveness and full redemption available, not so with some human doctrine, which judges fully on a few unconnected 'warning signals' (that there is something amiss before it materialises) and encourages early pre-emptive action. This is superstition in action.

Combust, I am not asking you about any school, I am asking you what you did about the stigmatization of children whose parents did not want them to be brainwashed or indoctrinated in the school that your DCs went to. I am not saying that the school stigmatized children deliberately, but you saw that children were being stigmatized. What did you do about it?

" I am not saying that the school stigmatized children deliberately, but you saw that children were being stigmatized. What did you do about it?"

My children wer not stigmatized as I didn't remove them from indoctrination apart from the regular chuirch visits.

What did I do to avoid my chdren being made conspicuous by being taken out of assembly? I didn't take them out.
Simple. Ridiculous that I shod have has to deny my principles- but as the needs of Christians outweigh the needs of non Christians I had no choice. The families of Jehova's witnesses at the school asked for their chdren not to attend any part of assembly so they would not be stigmatised by being taken out in the middle. Which meant that they could never be part of all the other community aspects of assembly, never show their work, never be awarded a prize in front of their friends ......But hey, so long as the Christians got what they wanted.......

Hak there would be absolutely no stigma if a significant/majority proportion of parents opted their child out of part of the assembly. You suggest that a significant amount are there under duress, so if they all agreed to do this it would become more normalised. Problem solved.

However if many/the majority do want their children to take part in collective worship, why would you deny them for a small minority? My decision would be to ensure the minority do not miss out on the community aspect of assembly and are not stigmatised either.

I do tend to get what I want, in the end, though...(although I will stop wanting a thing if it is brought to my attention that it is not right.)

You're alright then capsium. well done you.

I have had to seriously review some of what I want though combust

Are you telling me you don't get what you want, at least, eventually, very often? Time to start looking at what it is you want, if this is the case IMO.

However if many/the majority do want their children to take part in collective worship, why would you deny them for a small minority?

You might want to read up on the 'Tyranny of the majority'.

Clearly if the majority want burglary to be illegal that must be imposed on all, because otherwise the majority must suffer being burgled. You can't give a minority the right to break in any house they choose without it adversely affecting everyone.

Now suppose we said that because the majority eat meat the minority of vegetarians must be forced to eat meat? That would be wrong because it's quite easy to arrange for both to be satisfied.

Of course the irony is that Christians are not even the majority, but that is beside the point. It is perfectly possible for Christians to assemble to worship without arranging it to the disadvantage of those who wish not to.

So we say to Christians "let's arrange things so we can both be happy" and they say "NO!! only Christians have any rights. No one else matters. We won't make even a trivial effort to consider others"

Which only confirms what I've always said about the effects of religion on otherwise decent people.

"Getting what I want" is not really the way I want to live my life. I want to nurture my children, live my live in harmony with others, to help others, to support, and enhance my community.

You do seem to sum up the church's attitude quite well though.

"Getting what I want". Nice. Very altruistic. But you're OK - right?

I want to nurture my children! live my life in harmony with others, help others, to support, and enhance my community to.

Wants do not have to be selfish. I'm surprised you assume they do.

"So we say to Christians "let's arrange things so we can both be happy" and they say "NO!! only Christians have any rights. No one else matters. We won't make even a trivial effort to consider others""

Yep. This.

"
Wants do not have to be selfish. I'm surprised you assume they do."

No, they don't have be selfish. But sometimes they are. And insisting on Christian observances at state non faith schools is. Very selfish.

"live my live in harmony with others"

But not to the extent of doing anything to accommodate their wishes.

Back no child is forced to participate in collective worship though. So the force feeding meat analogy is not appropriate.

Indeed if the majority opted out, as you suggest the majority are not Christian, as the norm, assemblies would have to look very different.

I believe it is possible to arrange collective worship in schools without disadvantaging those who opt out and believe this is how opt out should be handled. I would support anyone who wanted my support in ensuring opt our was handled well in schools.

Agreed Hakluyt. What about The rights of others religious children in schools- should they have to conform just because the chritians say so. And I agree- the christains are not even in the majority. I know of very few families at my kid's school who are actively christian- but religion in school indoctrinates compliance.

Hak cross post.

I would do something. I would act to support anyone who wanted my support to ensure their school handled opting out of worship fairly, sensitively and without stigma.

Thus your assertion that I would not do anything to accommodate their wishes is incorrect.

combust I find many schools indoctrinate compliance full stop.

^regardless of religion.