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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

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

999 replies

gingerdodger · 04/07/2014 15:03

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).

OP posts:
Kewcumber · 20/07/2014 22:18

There are only so many waking hours in a day for them. Shock

You are a devout christian and you can't fit in a prayer once a day?! Our muslim friends seem to manage without the benefit of worshipping in school.

capsium · 20/07/2014 22:35

Kew we have prayed together. Yet I am still very greatfull to what the school provided collective worship wise. Have you no experience of children with additional needs?

As I have said I believe opt out should be handled sensitively. As for segregation I have so much experience of my DC not being fully included, for example he was only offered part time schooling for most of the reception year, segregation for the period of time Collective Worship takes place loses a lot of it's meaning for me...so I find it difficult to comment...

BigDorrit · 20/07/2014 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

capsium · 20/07/2014 23:39

?!

Oh BigDorrit there is only so much within me, I admit to my biases. This does not stem from a lack of care concerning others, but if you are asking me to empathise, thus involves drawing upon similar experiences, which I have attempted to, but I still don't, fully at least, get the severity you appear to attach to this issue.

My compromise, I use the word as it is the best I have, is that I would support a fight to ensure a school dealt well with opt out. I think you don't fully get the degree of strength I have received through my faith, and the sheer depth of my thankfulness to it.

I think you'll just have to forgive me this one. Do you know, I cannot actually physically go against my conscience very easily? It makes me feel quite physically ill, no matter how much I would like to fit in with others. However my faith is also the best thing to happen to me, I have never had such clarity and strength. I have also been able to find the strength to help others.

Alright Jack? Well yes I am well. However do not think I have never suffered or that I don't ever go out if my way to help. If I did not know how much this comment belonged to rhetoric in general I would be quite hurt. Please tell me that s not your aim, if it is it really is a futile one.

Kewcumber · 21/07/2014 00:08

Have you no experience of children with additional needs?

Yes.

But only one.

On the other hand I am a single parent so maybe that gets me extra credits?

capsium · 21/07/2014 00:15

Extra credits? I really don't know. I appreciate being a single parent can be hugely challenging and I am thankful my DH was at hand so to speak. But this is not a competition. I just pointed out my biases, as they stand, because I have limits.

Kewcumber · 21/07/2014 00:24

I just meant I only have one which is easier than having several - on the other hand there is only me dealing with it.

A lot of the time is is very easy and sometimes it is very hard. Similar to other peoples lives really.

capsium · 21/07/2014 00:28

As I have hopefully inferred, I do not judge you Kew, just pointing out my own limits.

BigDorrit · 21/07/2014 00:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

capsium · 21/07/2014 01:05

Well it is that is a good thing that I do not depend on your forgiveness BigDorrit.

What I would say is that you might find your life a whole lot easier if you were more generous in your forgiveness. People are fallible. Added to this I don't offer, even in the saying of it, my support to causes easily. When I say I would support a parent in ensuring opt out is fair I really do mean it. This would require effort on my part, which I suspect at lot of people you know would not be prepared to give if they would not be prepared to support you in this.

So you have a painfully honest person offering support, which you do not encourage as opposed to people who would never actually do anything. Maybe time for a rethink?

BigDorrit · 21/07/2014 01:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

foxinthebox · 21/07/2014 05:01

So you have a painfully honest person offering support, which you do not encourage as opposed to people who would never actually do anything. Maybe time for a rethink?

This statement is, quite patently, ridiculous. You use self deprecating language the gore message is that you are a martyr whereas other people (who you don't even know) are going to be useless.

headinhands · 21/07/2014 06:07

So you find out that the school are going to have 10 mins of unicorn worship a day. You're entirely fine with the opt out system are you? You don't see that an opt in system would be the only fair system?

Hakluyt · 21/07/2014 06:46

How would a school deal well with opt out?

Practically, precisely, how?

Delphiniumsblue · 21/07/2014 06:50

Children are opted out, it is easy to deal with- they stay in the classroom with a TA- there is generally plenty they can do.

Hakluyt · 21/07/2014 06:55

"Children are opted out, it is easy to deal with- they stay in the classroom with a TA- there is generally plenty they can do."

And miss assembly.

Delphiniumsblue · 21/07/2014 06:58

They go back in for the non religious bits- it is no big deal- quite common. A lot of the assembly is business, celebrating children's work etc.

Hakluyt · 21/07/2014 07:05

And they do this so nobody notices? So a shy child doesn't feel conspicuous? No pause while they find their seat, no staring?

But anyway, now there is finally another person on the thread who is in favour of compulsory Christian worship, can you explain why? In a more detailed way than "Because I do"?

Delphiniumsblue · 21/07/2014 07:07

They just slip in the back and everyone sits in the floor anyway. You seem determined to make something very simple difficult!

Delphiniumsblue · 21/07/2014 07:09

They don't stare- they don't notice - it would be odd to have them all facing the door.

Hakluyt · 21/07/2014 07:12

So the praying bit comes first?

You didn't say why you think it's a good idea to have compulsory worship.

Hakluyt · 21/07/2014 07:13

They slip in at the back- so they don't join their class?

Delphiniumsblue · 21/07/2014 07:19

I didn't say it was a good idea to have compulsory worship - where did I say that? [ confused]
I was merely answering your logistics question which is really simple and yet you are determined to make difficulties! Do they need to join their class? The class, or anyone else won't notice if they do or don't. If it was important to them they could. They do it everyday- no big deal.
The thread is nothing to do with schools anyway.

Delphiniumsblue · 21/07/2014 07:20
Confused
Hakluyt · 21/07/2014 07:25

Well they need to join their class if they are then going to show their work. They might even just want to sit with their friends. And how does the TA know when to bring them back in?