Please do not think for a moment my acerbic barb was directed at you @Songbird-1. Your comment was taken in the light hearted manner in which it was phrased,
If it was aimed at me, I would say a) I respect people not their beliefs, which are their own business and as long as they keep them to themselves, I'll have no issue with whatever they may be. When they impose those beliefs on others - wholly innocent passers-by - I do have an issue and reserve the right to criticise them. b) If an organisation wants to put itself up as a guide or mentor to people's behaviour then it must be willing to be questioned and challenged over its assertions of truth or 'right'. If it cannot cope with a bit of light hearted mockery then it is not robust enough to cope with the real challenges of people's lives. c) Any organisation which categorises or catechizes people for what they are rather than what they do deserves to be mocked, at the very least. d) I am not the author of either of the quotes in my post. Pastafarianism has been around for a long time and grew out of the religious absolutism of parts of America and especially the US education system. Sir Terry Pratchett's views on religion and priests are well known. Satire was his preferred method of criticism.
I will defend anyone's right to follow whichever religion they find gives them comfort. And my own right not to have any of them preached at me. God will manage his own affairs and doesn't need my help, isn't harmed by me laughing at his priests. Churches (and the equivalents of all religions) have knowingly harboured some of the worst bigots in history. I believe that means they have questions to answer, and not just jokes to shrug off
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
âIt's still magic even if you know how it's done.âÂ
Well I suppose it's a bit easier to show respect and kindness when you are not one of the groups that is targeted by bigoted beliefs. Why should I respect beliefs that are sexist and homophobic? And to be clear, I'm talking about beliefs, not the people themselves. Coming from a family of born-again Christians, I love my family, and I don't get into religious debates with them, but their beliefs...no, I will never respect them, sorry.Â
Can you please tell me what part of the following I am meant to be respectful and kind about?Â
Homophobia: âIf a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death.â (Leviticus 20:13)
Misogyny: "1st Timothy 2:11-5 says âLet the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.â
Slavery: âSlaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.â (Ephesians 6:5)
Anti-semitism: âThe Jews, who have both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.â 1st Thessalonians 2:14-6"
And those are just a few examples. I wonder how many Christians have actually read the Bible, aka, the word of God, cover to cover. I have, that's why I'm not a Christian!
ETA - Before anyone says this is just because historically slavery was accepted, sexism was rife, etc etc...it's the word of God. God is timeless, infallible, omnipotent, unchanging. So what was true then, is true now. Just conveniently, people like to ignore the bits that are uncomfortable.Â
Levitus 21:9 also states "New King James Version The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the harlot, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire." We don't that much these days do we?
there's also a passage about not allowing menstruating women to cross your threshold. ( how , in polite company, does one check?) Not growing 2 different crops in the same field, Not wearing fabric made of more than one fibre.
Some believe that the earth is flat, that Trump won the election, that covid jabs contain microchips and ther 5G masts are doing all sorts of things.Â
In the past few days there have been reports of a previous Pope covering up abuse by priests. More interested in protecting the 'good name' of the church than protecting its followers.
When the Jehovahâs witnesses came round my dadâs way he used to invite them in for a coffee.
His theory was that by wasting their time in his house he was sparing his neighbours from having to answer the door to them. đ
My nan used to keep them chatting too (and double-glazing sales people), but in her case she just liked talking. My guess is that they didn't get much of a word in but did get tea and biscuits.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
In the past few days there have been reports of a previous Pope covering up abuse by priests. More interested in protecting the 'good name' of the church than protecting its followers.
Good name being code for profitability I assume
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Aw that's nice JennyJ. Soz that wasn't a Curmudge but she sounds lovely.Â
She was, but we did sometimes wish she wouldn't invite all and sundry
into her house. Fortunately nothing bad ever came of it, except I
suppose for the salesmen who, having been there for half an hour, were
then told "Well, it sounds lovely,I'll just get you my landlord's number".
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Oh,Wild Edges,I didn't see that one! Tut tut. About 15 years ago,a very plummy middle class friend,asked me how you actually shave your armpits. They always went to France on holiday,lots of swimming and said that as even the French women now did it, she felt she should follow suit.Â
Posts
a) I respect people not their beliefs, which are their own business and as long as they keep them to themselves, I'll have no issue with whatever they may be. When they impose those beliefs on others - wholly innocent passers-by - I do have an issue and reserve the right to criticise them.
b) If an organisation wants to put itself up as a guide or mentor to people's behaviour then it must be willing to be questioned and challenged over its assertions of truth or 'right'. If it cannot cope with a bit of light hearted mockery then it is not robust enough to cope with the real challenges of people's lives.
c) Any organisation which categorises or catechizes people for what they are rather than what they do deserves to be mocked, at the very least.
d) I am not the author of either of the quotes in my post. Pastafarianism has been around for a long time and grew out of the religious absolutism of parts of America and especially the US education system. Sir Terry Pratchett's views on religion and priests are well known. Satire was his preferred method of criticism.
I will defend anyone's right to follow whichever religion they find gives them comfort. And my own right not to have any of them preached at me. God will manage his own affairs and doesn't need my help, isn't harmed by me laughing at his priests. Churches (and the equivalents of all religions) have knowingly harboured some of the worst bigots in history. I believe that means they have questions to answer, and not just jokes to shrug off
âIt's still magic even if you know how it's done.âÂ
"New King James Version
The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the harlot, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire."
We don't that much these days do we?
there's also a passage about not allowing menstruating women to cross your threshold. ( how , in polite company, does one check?)
Not growing 2 different crops in the same field,
Not wearing fabric made of more than one fibre.
Some believe that the earth is flat, that Trump won the election, that covid jabs contain microchips and ther 5G masts are doing all sorts of things.Â
Are we expected to "respect" these folk too?
My nan used to keep them chatting too (and double-glazing sales people), but in her case she just liked talking. My guess is that they didn't get much of a word in but did get tea and biscuits.
Soz that wasn't a Curmudge but she sounds lovely.Â
She was, but we did sometimes wish she wouldn't invite all and sundry into her house. Fortunately nothing bad ever came of it, except I suppose for the salesmen who, having been there for half an hour, were then told "Well, it sounds lovely,I'll just get you my landlord's number".