How does it feel?

[Tangnefedd]

I am glad that church going is no longer expected in the UK. It means that by and large the people who attend church genuinely want to be there.

 

[stranger]

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

Speaking as a Britisher, I can confirm that Great Britain is largely religious and very few indeed are anti-religious ... but christianity in Britain is as deeply divided as anywhere and so not of ONE truth of God just as everywhere else... thus who could be interested in religion of men, what we need from God is baptism of the spirit leading us into all truth of God, as Jesus promised his followers ... we do not see anyone with ALL truth of God in men's tradition!

So what use religion of men's tradition anywhere without the holy spirit of truth?

Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:

 

[bmoynihan]

How ironic!! People from a country that causes war and pollutes the earth having a go at Europeans because we are less Christian!

 

[Tangnefedd]

How ironic!! People from a country that causes war and pollutes the earth having a go at Europeans because we are less Christian!

I suspect that is because our American cousins don't see themselves as the rest of the world sees them! The live in some sort of patriotic haze through which harsh reality doesn't often penetrate!

 

[Freakconformist]

How many European immigrants fought in the American civil war?

hmmm, maybe all of them? Come to think of it a whole lot of immigrants fought in every American war I can think of. Americans should know since they are required to take 4 years of American History and World History is an elective!

Really, this should be erased or something. It's a bowl full of rubbish. I for one am ashamed to be part of a community that raises people to believe that no matter what happens they are better then everybody else. It's enough to make people spit.

Americans of all people should know better then to generalize. Apparently we generalized because we're so gosh darn proud of our cultural diversity. pleh!
I'm sure there are a lot of people who would say America is the God-less country. I know better, because I know that I believe in God, if nobody else. Same holds true for any other country in the world, no matter how "Godless" they seem, we should take it for granted there is at least one person who is a Child of God, thus above such condemnation.

I know that it is not my place to Judge. Maybe that's something you should think about a bit more, Veritas.
That's all I got to say, I can't say any more, because I confused myself I think.

 

[bmoynihan]

How ironic!! People from a country that causes war and pollutes the earth having a go at Europeans because we are less Christian!

I suspect that is because our American cousins don't see themselves as the rest of the world sees them! The live in some sort of patriotic haze through which harsh reality doesn't often penetrate!

I think thats the scary thing, it reminds me of the way the Germans were before WW2, im by no means saying that they are as bad as the Germans were but it all starts somewhere, and very often its when a country becomes too self involved.

 

[Freakconformist]

I think thats the scary thing, it reminds me of the way the Germans were before WW2, im by no means saying that they are as bad as the Germans were but it all starts somewhere, and very often its when a country becomes too self involved.

That's exactly why George W. Bush scares me. :o
I await the day I have to salute his picture!

 

[Jer]

How ironic!! People from a country that causes war and pollutes the earth having a go at Europeans because we are less Christian!

Although they may be the main factor in this it doesn't mean we are free from it. Really, that is almost as bad as you're making out Americans. All of Europe has problems with pollution, and I don't see a lot of the countries disagreeing with America. In fact, what did a lot of them do? Go in and help?

I would say that a number of Americans are going to church because it's the social norm, rather than from true faith. But I also think there are a lot more christians out there who are real christians as well. So many in the UK claim they are christian but they don't live it, and haven't looked at a bible or been in a church or that type of thing.

The reason we are more secular I think is because the christians here are generally lazy. We have our own little religious bubble which we live in and there is no way you are going to get us out of it. Also we are watering down the faith so much that it's not different from anything else. Oh, all ways will get you to hevean and stuff like that, when Jesus said He is the only way.

Another reason is a lot of people aren't christians is because the culture says live for now, and don't bother about the future. Of course not quite like that. But it is what's upbehind it if you have a look.

And there is always the association of christians with hypocracy. A lot of people who claimed to be christians are thought to be, as they say they are. Or there is christians who make mistakes and it represents the whole faith badly. Yeah, those are a few reasons...

 

[bmoynihan]

Maybe Europe is just more advanced than America. As a society we no longer need the threat of damnation for us to do good things and to be controlled.

We are developing a society based on respect because its the right thing to do and not because we are told to!

I guess its the same as a child growing out of believing in Father Christmas!

 

[David Brider]

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.

I'm dubious about much of the "Christianity" in America - I suspect that a large percentage is very nominal indeed.

Heck, in the UK at the last census I believe something like 70% of the population of the UK described themselves as belonging to various Christian denominations, and yet less than 10% are in church membership and/or regular attendance. I doubt the US is much better in reality.

David.

 

[David Brider]

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

To be honest, it doesn't feel (to me, at least) as if it is particularly non/anti-religious. Sure, there're more non-Christians than Christians - be they people of other faiths or of none - but people are free to believe what they like and to practice those beliefs (the potential ramifications of the religious hatred bill notwithstanding).

If you want an anti-religious country, try North Korea...

David.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I'm dubious about much of the "Christianity" in America - I suspect that a large percentage is very nominal indeed.

Heck, in the UK at the last census I believe something like 70% of the population of the UK described themselves as belonging to various Christian denominations, and yet less than 10% are in church membership and/or regular attendance. I doubt the US is much better in reality.

David.

It's not.

 

[Tangnefedd]

Whether it is is nominal or not, it doesn't seem to make the US a pleasanter place in which to live!

 

[Latreia]

Whether it is is nominal or not, it doesn't seem to make the US a pleasanter place in which to live!

It is ridiculous to assume one knows everything about living in a country one has not spent their entire lives in. My family has lived in the United States for generations, not one is aware of international politics and turmoil, too busy tending to their children, grandchildren, husbands, wives, and working for a living.

The great majority of my relatives lived in rural areas, were farmers and were chuch going Christians. My own mother played organ in a country Christian Church, that was it's title, Christian Church. In those days, members of that country church enjoyed fellowship by bringing food to share lunch after services.

This is still the custom in ways, for my own First United Methodist Church has a lively group of members, seniors and all ages who meet just for fellowship and sharing potluck. American churches are not so neatly dismissed as some countries like to think in their misinformation, distortions and cultivated, encouraged hatred of Americans.

I repeat, bigotry is not merely confined to Christians or Americans.

 

[Maxwell511]

Another thing about the Republic. Any state founded school is free to have daily prays and talk about reiligion (in an apprioate class) all they want. We even have a state reiligion exam (which is mostly on Christianity). Does anyone complain? No. Those that don't what to participate don't.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

It is ridiculous to assume one knows everything about living in a country one has not spent their entire lives in.

Funny, this thread started off by trashing UK practices...

 

[Veritas]

Funny, this thread started off by trashing UK practices...

This thread was NOT about trashing anybody's "practices" but turned into that.

 

[Tangnefedd]

Veritas, you started this thread by implying that as we weren't as Christian as America so it mustn't be very pleasant to live here. You don't like it when we reply in kind.

 

[Buttermilk]

Mod Hat On
Enough of the snide remarks EVERYONE.

This is a potentially interesting topic and I am aware that both sides feel passionate about it, but we can be passionate without being rude to one another.

This is the last warning, anymore rudeness in this thread and I WILL close it.
Mod Hat Off

 

[Veritas]

Veritas, you started this thread by implying that as we weren't as Christian as America so it mustn't be very pleasant to live here. You don't like it when we reply in kind.

You misunderstood the OP.