Jump to content

Recommended Posts

But not being religious is like not believeing in Santa isn?t it? I don?t need to belong or support Santadoesn?texist society ? or to be preached at to do so


I can just counter any pro-santa arguments as they arise


Creating a society around not believing in God just gives ammunition to those who say not-believeing in God is just another form of religion

If 'most' people don't believe but our taxes and gov't philosophy is still geared around religion, would that be representative? Of course we can lead good lives without god. In fact local councils do this more successfully (create a society without special regard to the idea that everyone has faith) than governments. And Santa doesn't demand lots of money and insist on special treatment (though marketing companies do that for him). However, I have yet to hear a representative of Santa have a Thought For The Day so may be that should be changed! I'll write to Radio Four immediately.


Yes please everyone follow the links.

My personal view is that the least I fill in on any form put to me the better.

To give your religion openly could be seen to others as not of their faith.

How true can a returned form be?

Many just object to giving their details and put the opposite.

Whatever you disclose will at a later date become Public general knowledge.

I don't really subscribe to the whole Humanist thing either - I don't feel the need to belong to an organised belief system. But in this case, the message is a good one. I've never understood why some people automatically classify themselves as C of E (or whatever background they're from) rather than what they actually believe.

There is a point though to this when you consider that no-one really has ever measured the level of Atheism. We monitor for various religious preferences (and that data might be accurate or not) and then just make the assumption that everyone else is of no religion. I think it would be interesting to know what the level of Atheism/ Agnosticism is and within that what the thinking is. I'm sure for example that a humanist may have a different view/ philosophy to that of say Richard Dawkins.

I also think far more people have faith than any survey shows.

"then just make the assumption that everyone else is of no religion".

That's the problem with the census. People just put CofE because that's what they're habit is or their parents did.


It's an interesting concern.


It's better in court than in government. I have to go to court about 5 times a year for work and they always ask if you have faith, rather than "what is your faith?" (making the assumption you have one, which is something the government does).


My word in court is taken no less seriously because I have merely promised to tell the truth, yet I stand against those who promise to God they'll speak the truth and lie blatantly in front of me!

Well quite....faith is a cultural label not a way of life (for many people) and the census question aids that. It's a good point because I've done it too. Ticked the CofE box because that's the culture I was born into. I don't do that now because I don't know what my religion is or if I have one. I do have spiritual belief but it fits no religion I know of, although someone told me my views might be those of a Quaker (at least they didn't say Scientology)! So there you go.....maybe I do have a religion after all....do they even list Quaker on the census form?

The actual 2001 census question:


"10 What is your religion?

* This question is voluntary

* Tick one box only


- None

- Christian (include Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)

- Buddhist

- Hindu

- Jewish

- Muslim

- Sikh

- Any other religion, please write in

[two ten-character spaces provided]" http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/censusform.asp


"The religion question was voluntary, and 4,011,000 people chose not answer it (7.7 per cent)." http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/commentaries/ethnicity.asp


I don't call that a leading question, and if 70+% of the population choose to tick the Christian box, who is to gainsay them? There are already available statistics - even cited within the Examples of Census Data Use PDF doc http://www.humanism.org.uk/_uploads/documents/Howthecensusisused.pdf (191kbyte) available on the BHA site - as to the much lower figures of actual attendance/participation. So I don't think anything is being hidden.


Paradoxically, if there had been a 'humanist' slot in the 2001 census, I'd probably have ticked it. If one turned up in the 2011 census I might not, if I thought it might be thought to place me in the BHA camp.

Query.


If the results of the census show that the majority of people in this country are non-religious that makes 'believers' a minority. As such, doesn't this strengthen the arguments and justification for faith schools, ie to protect minorities from discrimination?

That all depends what, culture you are brought up in there are plenty of minorities that still attends churches on Sundays and Saturdays and they are full as well as other faiths like Islam Judaism. My husband and I are spiritual although I don?t attend church regularly and he does not regularly attend a synagogue.


As for faith schools that and individual choice, I don't feel it is discriminatory at all.

There are several books devoted to what Humanism means.

When asked, I merely say that the difference is humanism is conscientious atheism, ie. you're consciously aware you are living life without a religion, and consciously trying to live a good life, too!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • There can be different vaccine versions for different age groups. Two weeks after having my two from DL at TJHC I have today a text from TJGP to say free flu vaccine is available for me  at the practice, and asking me to book online (where next appointment offered shows as 13 November). Years ago, when the two practices were still in Melbourne Grove, the GP practice was similarly not aware that I'd already had my flu vaccine at DL.  This time I can see my 9 October Covid one in my NHS online GP Acute Medicines records, and then, at the end of the entries: "Unknown Date "Influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) suspension for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes ..." I'm wondering if this date error is happening to others getting dual vaccinations from the TJ DL, or any other DL branches.  And whether it's turning up in the patient records of any other GP practice.
    • What kind of witch hunt is this? mandatory facial recognition? prison for shoplifters? Shops can protect their stock as they wish. but they choose profits first.  The obvious solution would be delivery only - and when you can get your shopping in 15minutes, who really needs to go to the shop? but no, the shops like the sales from people browsing and being hungry when they shop. They don't lay the shops out for our enjoyment. They don't actually care that much. If they did, there would be active and empowered security, lower stock on shelves, more security tags etc... don't be fooled. If you're going to go after shoplifters, go after the organised crime, theft to order etc  
    • Community payback already exists   https://www.gov.uk/community-sentences/community-payback
    • Thanks for that - none  of mine  have been Mordena - whilst vulnerable cat, think I will just take my chances… Will be having flu though - certainly not by choice - much prefer not to but in vulnerable group.. Avoided them until last year…. Luck of drawer if you are as sick as fog  or just sore arm … assume - god knows - that flu jab is same throughout country.       
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...