How does it feel?

[Veritas]

Although religious faith is constantly under attack in the US, it's still a rather religious country. I'm wondering though, what it feels like for you British folks to live in a country that is non- and even anti-religious. Europe as a whole has become quite Godless and I find that troubling. Years ago I lived in Austria and the only people that went to church were tourists and old people. I felt out of place being so young at the time. How did Europe get this way? And how do people handle crisis and trouble in their lives without a faith background?

 

[philmwri]

I'm glad that i live in the united states which is a very christian country.The united states was founded by very religious people and many americans still have those values.Europe is becoming very secular and godless.

 

[Latreia]

I'm glad that i live in the united states which is a very christian country.The united states was founded by very religious people and many americans still have those values.Europe is becoming very secular and godless.

Which is really ok for them, but they want to export it to America. They sent their poor over here to take advantage of America's prosperity and American soldiers by the thousands died in Europe in WWI and WWII. Yet Europe is jealous and contemptuous of our nation and would like to destroy it. The first step is destroying Christianity.

They are doing a fine job of it.

 

[Tangnefedd]

If the US is allegedly a Christian country then thank God I live in the UK. warts and all. We don't have their constant banging on about homosexuality and abortion. We don't have extreme fundies bending the ear of our Government. Tony Blair might be bad, but at least he doesn't claim that God told him to invade Iraq! The UK isn't perfect, far from it, but at least it isn't the US and that is good!!!!

 

[kurabrhm]

If you have an appreciation of how many people in Britain suffered because of religion during its long history, its understandable why in today's age of materialism, religion has been rejected. Religion still affects certain people in the UK. Case in point - Northern Ireland - conflict between Catholics and Protestants still goes on despite its ancient roots. However, the real suffering in the majority happened way back in the Middle Ages etc when Britain was far from being enlightened through gaining her empire.

 

[Tangnefedd]

I don't think countries where religion reigns supreme are a good thing at all, it leads to bigotry, we see plenty of examples of that in the good ole USofA!

 

[steverock]

i personally think America has gone to the other extreme. lots of people voted for Bush because he's a christian. they forgot that he has completely forgotten about running a healthy economy in America, the gap between the rich and poor getting larger because of stupid tax breaks for the people who dont need it and a war in Iraq that was started on a pack of lies! they forgot about all that because he's a christian. that makes me very angry.

how can Bush feel its appropriate to say he was told by God to "free" Iraq? that wont cause any further problems will it!

Which is really ok for them, but they want to export it to America. They sent their poor over here to take advantage of America's prosperity and American soldiers by the thousands died in Europe in WWI and WWII. Yet Europe is jealous and contemptuous of our nation and would like to destroy it. The first step is destroying Christianity.

They are doing a fine job of it.

excuse me but Americans werent the only ones who died in WW1 and WW2 you know!! many more Europeans died during those conflicts mainly because countries like Britain and France were invovled from the start rather than deciding not to help until the US got attacked.

its not like countries in Europe gathered all the poor people together and said "lets send them to America and let them pay for it"! these people had lost everything due to war and they hear about America being the land of opportunity and want to achieve the American dream. therefore instead of rebuilding their lives in their country that has been revaged by war they move to America. in a country the size of America it shouldnt be a problem - if anything immigrants would have helped to develop America into the country it is today. bear in mind the people who founded America were immigrants.

i think you're going a bit far saying that Europe wants to destroy America. it makes no sense and seems completely paranoid.

i want to see christianity make a difference but i wouldnt want to go anywhere near the US extreme of choosing a leader based of whether they are a christian or not rather than looking at what they have done over their last term or what they promise for the next term, and see if those promises are going to be realistically achieved or if its vote grubbing.

 

[Tangnefedd]

On another American forum there is a lot of talk, by Americans, of the corruption in the White House, which seems to go right to the top. If this is an example of a Christian administration then secular would be better, at least it wouldn't be hypocritical! Come back Bill all is forgiven! The chap might not have been able to keep his trousers zipped, but at least he knew how many beans made five, much more important imo!

 

[Martin^^]

Although religious faith is constantly under attack in the US, it's still a rather religious country. I'm wondering though, what it feels like for you British folks to live in a country that is non- and even anti-religious. Europe as a whole has become quite Godless and I find that troubling. Years ago I lived in Austria and the only people that went to church were tourists and old people. I felt out of place being so young at the time. How did Europe get this way? And how do people handle crisis and trouble in their lives without a faith background?

Can you describe what it is about Britain/Europe that you consider so 'Godless', compared to the US?
There are many faiths here in the UK, and people are free to worship as they wish. For a country to deserve the label 'anti-religious' it should surely prohibit religion, like the old communist bloc nations.

 

[Martin^^]

And how do people handle crisis and trouble in their lives without a faith background?

Maybe you are assuming that people do not have a faith background because they do not attend church. Some people have a belief in God and a basic moral code, but do not feel comfortable attending church. They may still draw strength from spiritual belief, but may not feel the need to express it in the form of church attendance.
That might not be religion as you understand it, but it may be others' way of expressing spiritual feelings and a source of strength for them in times of crisis.

 

[Buttermilk]

Mod Hat On

I have just cleaned this thread - if people do not start being civil to each other then the thread will be closed.

Mod Hat Off

 

[Buttermilk]

. I'm wondering though, what it feels like for you British folks to live in a country that is non- and even anti-religious.

Can you qualify that claim? Have you ever lived in the UK?

 

[Martin^^]

...if people do not start being civil to each other then the thread will be closed...

I agree. It's dreadful when the brits and yanks start squabbling amongst themselves.
We ought to engage in some common activity to forget our differences - you know, like fighting a war together.

 

[Maxwell511]

I'm glad that i live in the united states which is a very christian country.The united states was founded by very religious people and many americans still have those values. Europe is becoming very secular and godless.

We in the Republic still have God mentioned in our constitution and no-one (even atheists like myself) complains. The majority of people here even wanted to give him a shout out in the european constitution.

 

[Maxwell511]

Which is really ok for them, but they want to export it to America. They sent their poor over here to take advantage of America's prosperity and American soldiers by the thousands died in Europe in WWI and WWII.

How many european immigrants fought in the american civil war?

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

Although religious faith is constantly under attack in the US, it's still a rather religious country. I'm wondering though, what it feels like for you British folks to live in a country that is non- and even anti-religious. Europe as a whole has become quite Godless and I find that troubling. Years ago I lived in Austria and the only people that went to church were tourists and old people. I felt out of place being so young at the time. How did Europe get this way? And how do people handle crisis and trouble in their lives without a faith background?

As a Brit, being among so much unbelief keeps me "on my metal" so to speak, when it's cold out, you make sure your central heating is turned up, i.e. you make sure you are close to The Lord. Don't expect interest from people and you will never be disappointed. Sometimes we go outreaching and no-one is really interested, but God and the brothers & sisters are the soft-hearted ones so we always get blessed. We tend to be well-received by the many african people around.

Outsiders handle crisis by relying on medication or unprescribed drugs, or alcohol. Of course there are psychologists, retreats etc where people can be helped to see beyond their troubles, by finding a new relationship or different lifestyle.

In Britain it's money and glitzy alternatives that keep many from God's way, in Europe it's often the same, or maybe the false notion that spiritually-dead traditional religion = christianity. The break-up of old-style parochial existances in villages due to people moving to cities and new transport links and immigration/emigration means that the fear & social pressure to go to "church" of that used to exist is now gone.

Friends in Georgia, USA say that although most people claim to be christian, really they are just going along for social reasons and in some southern baptist communities the fear factor is still there.

 

[Latreia]

On another American forum there is a lot of talk, by Americans, of the corruption in the White House, which seems to go right to the top. If this is an example of a Christian administration then secular would be better, at least it wouldn't be hypocritical! Come back Bill all is forgiven! The chap might not have been able to keep his trousers zipped, but at least he knew how many beans made five, much more important imo!

Many seem unable to make a distinction between true Christianity and the false proclaimers using it for political manipulation. Corruption in the White House or in any government or any country in the world results from those who are blasphemers when they advocate their power by religion.

Most certainly, the power structures throughout Britain's long history have made and are still making vile uses and committing hideous abuses in the name of religion. Any honorable and spiritual ideals can be distorted into malignant crimes against humanity. How could one be blind to the fact the Christianity itself is based on love of one's fellow man? Christianity stands against all evil and oppression and sin. It is those who not only refuse to obey the Word and the Bible who cause the most calamity in the history of man, but also those who have refused to allow others to be true Christians.

But where has Britain learned corruption of power through their monarchs? The very first actions of the organized Holy Roman Church were to crush all those who did not bow to its power structure. Christianity triumphed through the Roman oppressive military supremacy only to be crushed and betrayed by the first power structure raised in the name of Christ, but bereft of Christ's teachings.

Yes, those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. And bigotry is certainly NOT exclusive to Christians.

 

[Tangnefedd]

America might consider itself a religious country, but is it any better for it? It seems less tolerant of minority groups than we are in the UK. It is a very violent society as people have the right to carry guns. If that is what a religious country does for you, give me the secular UK any day!

 

[stranger]

The very first actions of the organized Holy Roman Church were to crush all those who did not bow to its power structure

The first acts of Rome after deciding to acquire christianity as its STATE religion was to suppress the Hebrew christians , the ones who followed the Hebrew Jesus' teachings !

In order to persecute the original christians the Emperor, a man that by Roman tradition must proclaim himself to be a god , proclaimed that the day of worship would continue on Sunday, the traditional Roman day of worsip of their sun god ... thus the hebrews were persecuted and killed or scattered for not keeping the Roman law because they would not change from keeping the holy Hebrew sabbath of God ... every single church mentioned by Jesus in Revelation is today a ruin , razed to the ground ...

Rome never replaces Jerusalem in scriptural prophecy ...

What does Jesus say :-

Rev 13:3 ... and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:...
...
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

All the world worshipping Satan bar only the saints ... who are the saints according to God? :-

Ps 148:14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

Deut 33:1 ¶ And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.

Ps 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 ¶ And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Da 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

It doesn't say a word about Roman priests and it even seems that Rome crucified Peter ,but then later decided it was agood idea to claim that he gave them power over the congregation of God.... power Peter never had anyway since jesus siad he was the leader of the church and no-one else , all disciples were equal :-

Mt 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi ['master']: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Thus ONLY the saints of Israel will take part in the first resurrection as firstfruits ... and they will be the priests who minister in the redemoption of the billions of the earth of rev 7:9-10 - after the second resurrection then, in the new earth

Thus ironically, after all the terrible persecution of Israel by Rome and the rest of the world , the remnant of israel will minister in the redemption of those who persecuted them ....

Ex 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I have lived for several years in the US and my impression of the main denominations are that they are what it was like here about 30 years ago. Everyone goes to church because it's what expected of them (excuse the gross exaggeration). Not many are 'on fire' for Christ, and there is a lot of points-scoring between different denominations or different parts of the same denomination.

I think I read somewhere that the % of the population that will follow Christ is about 10% - that's roughly where we are in the UK, and it's similar in parts of the US, such as the Pacific Northwest. When the number gets really far from this, you have a lot of nominal Christians in your pews, and not those that are eager to serve him and learn more about him.

I'm glad we've moved on from this situation in the UK, where you used to be dragged along by your parents, or by the twitching of your neighbour's net curtains. As evangelical Christians, it gives us a lot to work with. It's much easier to introduce people to the Christian faith when they don't already consider themselves Christian.

It's also good to be in a spiritually alive church where people will actually go to mid-week bible studies, prayer meetings, and home groups. I didn't find this in the Epsicopal Church USA (sister church to the Church of England).