Religion in America slips....

AZ Jim said:
Back in the 50's when I was in the service and they were issuing dog tags one of the pieces of info included on them along with name, branch, serial number, blood type was religion. As I recall there were three choices, Protestant, Catholic or Jewish. I don't think they asked if you preferred "none of the above" but I chose the Protestant rather than make an issue of it. So, had anything have happened to me some some poor minister would have been summoned to usher me into "heaven".
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In the fifties, When I applied for my first job with a major insurance company, I had to bring a recommendation letter from my minister. I tell you true.
 

My, underock, we are somewhat in agreement again. Yikes! Belief in what my agnostic son refers to as a 'sky daddy', is no replacemment for tending to the ills so prevalent here on mother earth. Hmmm, I can see I may need to search further afield to find reliable subjects for our continuing tourney.lol.:playful:
 
In my youth, some 50 or 60 years ago, life in much of the west coast of Scotland was dominated by the (largely Presbytian) church. Even just a few years ago, life on the Western Isles was governed by the church and nothing was done on a Sunday - no shops, ferry crossings, petrol stations etc..
Having returned to Scotland - the East this time - I've found it almost totally secular. Sunday is just another day and festivals such as Easter are largely ignored. EXCEPT for one small village near me which has the highest number of churches per head of population in the UK. As an athiest, living here suits me fine.
 

Shalimar said:
My, underock, we are somewhat in agreement again. Yikes! Belief in what my agnostic son refers to as a 'sky daddy', is no replacemment for tending to the ills so prevalent here on mother earth. Hmmm, I can see I may need to search further afield to find reliable subjects for our continuing tourney.lol.:playful:
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Now look! How are we ever going to bring peace to the planet if you insist on disagreeing with me? I know I'm right. You know I'm right. So lets be done with it! Love and peace.:love_heart:
 
Underock, hmm. It appears that I may have underestimated the depth of your delusion. Due to my enormous compassion for your plight, I offer my services pro bono as your online therapist. With due diligence on both our parts, I am convinced we can uncover the root of your pathology.:eek:nthego:
 
Capt Lightning said:
In my youth, some 50 or 60 years ago, life in much of the west coast of Scotland was dominated by the (largely Presbytian) church. Even just a few years ago, life on the Western Isles was governed by the church and nothing was done on a Sunday - no shops, ferry crossings, petrol stations etc..
Having returned to Scotland - the East this time - I've found it almost totally secular. Sunday is just another day and festivals such as Easter are largely ignored. EXCEPT for one small village near me which has the highest number of churches per head of population in the UK. As an athiest, living here suits me fine.
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I remember a few years ago the Free Church on Lewis and Harris was furious that ferries would accommodate tourists by running on Sunday. They were also outraged at having to perform gay marriages. Barra and South Uist aren't nearly so bad as they are Catholic.

I'm unlabeled but wouldn't call myself an atheist and I love it here after coming from the bible belt - Tennessee.
 
Shalimar said:
Underock, hmm. It appears that I may have underestimated the depth of your delusion. Due to my enormous compassion for your plight, I offer my services pro bono as your online therapist. With due diligence on both our parts, I am convinced we can uncover the root of your pathology.:eek:nthego:
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Lol! If you think in your wildest imagination, ( of which I notice you have an abundance ), that you can unravel in the few short years that I have left, a mind that I have assiduously been warping for eighty two years, I applaud you for your optimism. Wow! That's a forty six word sentence. Possibly, a personal best for my habitual run on sentences!
 
It seems to me that morals "may" have come from the teaching of Jesus, or possibly other "god figures" and would the decline in christianity go hand in hand with moral decline. What one person thinks is a good moral, another person no longer believes. "Love one another as I have loved you" something like that, seems a good way to live, forgiveness seems better to me as well.

I'm just wondering about the "good morals" of yesterday, no longer applying with "maybe" the majority of folks, has to do with the horrendous atrocities that are happening more and more. Right and wrong is now decided by each person's own brain. What they "feel" is right, rather then something like the bible to use as a map for life.

I agree that some religions and organized I mean, are way, off track from what Christ taught. But talking about Him, can anyone tell me anything he taught that wouldn't make us better people (more kind and loving) and ultimately more happy? I just believe, some time, some day, some happening in our lives are going to have us crying out for God. Although, there are, I know, people that would literally die, without asking from someone or something they can't see, for help. I might even be one. Guess I'll find out one day;)
 
Ameriscot said:
Aye! When visiting my family one Xmas my (atheist) brother asked if I was still a witch (wasn't a witch but a Pagan) or was I Buddhist. I replied I was unlabeled, an answer he enjoyed.
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I agree with Shalimar, ( sometimes happens ), "unlabeled" is great. I hate all of the technical bologna, not to mention societal baggage attached to atheist, agnostic, etc. I call myself non-believer, because its clear and describes me. "Unlabeled" is even better. Descriptive, and adds an unspoken "don't try to put me in a box" retort. I'm not a Buddhist either, but I like the way he thought.
 
"Unlabeled" is good, its what I am "an unlabeled man"
I will say though that without religion in our cultures we would have been deprived of some wonderful buildings, which I do appreciate, some churches I have been in have a peace beyond understanding.

Our current burgeoning religion "Capitalism" only produces monstrous buildings, where only bankers are allowed to worship at their altar/screens. I can't imagine there is much peace to be found in them either, and the wars, poverty and deaths they are causing exceeds previous religions in my opinion.
 
merlin said:
"Unlabeled" is good, its what I am "an unlabeled man"
I will say though that without religion in our cultures we would have been deprived of some wonderful buildings, which I do appreciate, some churches I have been in have a peace beyond understanding.

Our current burgeoning religion "Capitalism" only produces monstrous buildings, where only bankers are allowed to worship at their altar/screens. I can't imagine there is much peace to be found in them either, and the wars, poverty and deaths they are causing exceeds previous religions in my opinion.
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True, we would have missed out on a lot of gorgeous architecture without churches and cathedrals. I love to visit them. Was awestruck by the Vatican and I haven't been catholic for nearly 50 years.
 
merlin said:
Our current burgeoning religion "Capitalism" only produces monstrous buildings, where only bankers are allowed to worship at their altar/screens. I can't imagine there is much peace to be found in them either, and the wars, poverty and deaths they are causing exceeds previous religions in my opinion.
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I'm inclined to agree with your judgement, but what alternative to capitalism do you suggest?
 
Josiah said:
I'm inclined to agree with your judgement, but what alternative to capitalism do you suggest?
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I don't really have one Josiah, though I fear we have strayed too far from the middle path as the Buddhists would say, a coalition of capitalism and socialism would be the best I could come up with. We are lost in self interest and greed at the moment I fear.
 
Josiah said:
I'm inclined to agree with your judgement, but what alternative to capitalism do you suggest?
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I think he means the obvious wealth of some of the religions with regard to opulent temples and cathedrals, while claiming to be non-profit. They are capitalists for sure
 
AZ Jim said:
Churches should not be tax exempt.
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I don't have a problem with them being tax exempt if they are using their coffers to do good works and to help people.. However, the very second they step into the political arena and use their pulpit to promote candidates and political ideology, their tax exempt status should be removed.
 
QuickSilver said:
I don't have a problem with them being tax exempt if they are using their coffers to do good works and to help people.. However, the very second they step into the political arena and use their pulpit to promote candidates and political ideology, their tax exempt status should be removed.
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They all are into politics, directly or indirectly. They are America's largest business.
 
AZ Jim said:
Churches should not be tax exempt.
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YES! I couldn't agree more! We should tax the **** out of them - especially those who invade my privacy by going door-to-door selling their product.
 

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