Terror attack in London

[anthonyTD]

I often wonder how many God fearing [choose your prefrence] so-called good people in this world would continue to be good, if it was proven to them without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter how you conduct yourself, as a human, nothing bad is going to come of you' when your time on this world is up!
I have always been of the belief, if someone is genuinely good, they will be good' no matter what their belief system is.
A...

[farflungstar]

I agree Marco. But my point is simple - the only thing which divides us naturally is geography and tradition based on that geography. Anything else that defines separate groups such as religion is by nature divisive.

The little girl playing amongst the bombs in Syria is as much my sister as is my sister living in Cardiff - ideology shouldn't be a part of that - it's basic humanity.

I remember sitting in church at one of my grandparents funerals a very long time ago. The words the priest spoke... Only through me (JC) will you find a place in my father's house.... Really pissed me off and at the end of the service I asked him... Why should I speak to the monkey (JC) when I can speak directly with the organ grinder (God)? Where will my Muslim relatives go after death? He stuck to his mantra. I couldnt speak to God direct and my relatives were going to hell... Divisive.

Anyway - I'll shut up. In the school I own there is only 1 banned topic - religion - because it causes real animosity between people to the point of near violence - divisive.

[Marco]

Yes, but it doesn't *have* to be like that. It's how we as (fallible) human beings interpret and apply religion in our lives that ultimately makes it divisive (and violent) or not.

It is not innately *automatically* so.

Marco.

[farflungstar]

There's more of the divine in an ancient oak than in any church. And ultimately love can only be interpreted one way - it's when you begin to apply rules and conditions to it that it corrupts.

This assumption that people are preoccupied with the meaning of their existence is tosh - the majority of people are too wrapped up in the misery of their lives or daily struggle for survival - but religion says don't worry... Suffer now, it's good to suffer, pay us 10% of your money and we guarantee an eternity in paradise. Even HiFi hasn't come up with such snake oil!

[Marco]

Lol... Ok, I think you've said your piece on that matter now. Self-righteous anger is never an attractive trait!

Marco.

[farflungstar]

Yes I'll take your hint and shut up.

[Marco]

Cool

Marco.

[Joe]

Yes, but it doesn't *have* to be like that. It's how we as (fallible) human beings interpret and apply religion in our lives that ultimately makes it divisive (and violent) or not.

Apart from the bit about Prods burning in Hell for eternity, obvs*. Have to have some standards.

*From my fading recollection of Catholic doctrine, I think Muslims should be OK, though they might have to settle for Limbo (righteous heathens and all that).

[Marco]

Apart from the bit about Prods burning in Hell for eternity..

You must've attended too many Celtic vs. Rangers games!

Seriously though, I'd perish the thought if our priest (or indeed any of the parishioners) would ever utter such a thing during any mass I went to.....

Marco.

[Joe]

You must've attended too many Celtic vs. Rangers games!

Seriously though, I'd perish the thought if our priest (or indeed any of the parishioners) would ever utter such a thing during mass.....

Marco.

No doubt it's gone all namby-pamby now. Back when I was a lad, we used to pray for the conversion of the Jews on Good Friday.