Posts by Joe Grundy

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

Joe Grundy

"I can talk about Santa, reindeer, Elf on the Shelf and their ilk, but no baby Jesus."

Well, being facetious, I have always favoured the nativity story versions in 'Mark' and 'John'.

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

"Knowing and understanding a politician's religion is very important to me, and it think it should be important to everybody. I know I am probably more sensitive about it than non-ex-JWs, but I wish other people paid for attention to it"

I agree, and principally for this reason: if someone is asking me to vote for them (a job interview) I am entitled to question their ability in critical thinking. Most or all religious adherents would fail this test.

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

Joe Grundy

I see. Best not to wear it after a good night out involving much beer and weird curries then.

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

Joe Grundy

Thank you for the response. Perhaps part of the problem is that (uniquely, I understand) the Quran declares itself the final and only correct revelation. This has not worked out in practice, of course, hence the sectarian wars.

Going back to my original point. Has any potential voter or reporter ever asked (for example) Sens. Hatch or Flake whether they wear the 'sacred underwear' and if they believe in its properties? And if so, why?

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

Joe Grundy

"Conversely every candidate must be a “Christian” to have any chance of getting any of the votes from fundamentalist Christians. Only in extremely liberal areas could a professed Atheist be elected."

"USA has the best freedom of speech and freedom of religion, among the many nations I know of."

I'm just trying to reconcile these statements. They can't both be true, can they?

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

Joe Grundy

Thank you for the response. I think I understand this. What would happen (I wonder) if in a particular state/county/electoral entity the majority were Muslim/Scientologists/whatever? Or a mainly Hispanic-based pentacostal based fundamentalist sect?

Your point about 'Christian' is taken. My heritage -as far as I can tell - is that I'm descended from Huguenots, refugees from Protestant/Catholic progroms (not to mention the Great Schism between Catholic/Orthodox). But they all seem to get along a bit better nowadays.

19

Religion in the USA and Elsewhere

by Joe Grundy in

trying to follow media reports in the us and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.. in the uk, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people.

even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.. in the us (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue.

the evangelical christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.

Joe Grundy

Trying to follow media reports in the US and elsewhere, a question occurred to me.

In the UK, religious beliefs are largely irrelevant to most people. Even those who claim adherence seem to do so in a fairly vague way and it doesn't seem to make much difference.

In the US (it seems to me) it's a much bigger issue. The evangelical Christian movement seems quite powerful politically in various iterations ("family values" etc.) and a movement for "religious freedom". People like Billy Graham's son seem to wield some power.

And yet there's something I don't understand (several things, actually). If religious freedom (including freedom from religion) is the norm, how could a 'Muslim ban' be contemplated, when 'Muslims' are just adherents of Islamic religion in one of its many forms? Are they not included in the 'religious freedom' concept?

Again, it seems to me that relevant questions are not asked of people/politicians/office holders or seekers if they relate to religious beliefs. Relevant because they go to critical thinking. For example, a Christian could be asked whether they believe thew nativity story in Matthew or Luke (and if so, which one, and why), a Catholic could be asked whether they believe that the wafer and wine are literally transformed into the body and blood. Jews could be asked if they believe the OT as literal truth ( the exodus for example). Mormons could be asked about ... well, a whole bucket load of stuff.

Yet this never happens. I appreciate that in most places religious etc. views can't feature in job interviews, when it comes to voting I would really want to know just how gullible the candidate is and how developed is their ability for critical thinking.

64

HYMNS you will never hear at the Kingdom Hall

by Vanderhoven7 in

do you have examples of hymns you will never hear in kingdom halls in any country.. here are a few of my favorites:.

https://youtu.be/cjivdc-_njs.

https://youtu.be/7gfvl0ef-be .

Joe Grundy

I am a proud atheist, and that's well known in my family (who mostly share my views).

And yet, as I get older and think about these things, if I have any say in any funeral I may have I would request that the music would include 'Gwhahoddiad' and 'Cwm Rhondda'. Not for their religious content but for their Welsh content.

I don't agree with the religious content, but this was what I was brought up with, it's intermixed in a way. Proud to be Welsh despite the religious heritage, but accepting the memories of singing Welsh hymns on desolate rain and windswept hillsides at funerals as a child. Family members (I realised later) and others who'd died too early (the 'dust').

There is a poignant dignity - and I dare anyone to challenge it - about standing with your head uncovered in the rain.

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