theism v atheism

[packhorse]

Are there more closset atheists than practising Christians in the UK?

[ummmm]

Closset atheists ?

Do you think people might be ashamed of not believing ?

[raysparx1]

Got no time for any of it, you are either a decent person or you aren't I know some right nasty gits that go to church, what is christianity anyway ? what does it mean ? better to be a nice person and not go to church than go and be nasty

[carrust]

I thank God every day that i'm an atheist !

[naz_nomad]

It's probably just as much work being an atheist as it is being religious ..best to do what ray said, and just not bother with it at all ... I live next door to a vicar, and he's the rudest, most ignorant person you'd ever meet, says a lot for Christianity, eh?

[ummmm]

I have very strong beliefs....but respect other peoples

[snagged]

I am not 'religious' (believing in and worshiping a superhuman controlling power or powers, esp. a personal God or Gods) however, if other people want to believe in that, it's fine by me... but I do 'believe' in honesty, decency, repect etc... I guess that makes me an 'agnostic'...

[raysparx1]

what it makes you snagged,is, a decent human being.

[ummmm]

And you Ray sweetie xxx

[packhorse]

In reply to ummmm,
I think that some might give the impression that they are christian but deep down find the religion too incedible to accept. They may feel that by admitting that they do not believe they may be stigmatised.

[ummmm]

Ok.....I understand where you are coming from.

It's silly really, don't you think? Everybody should be free to believe in what they believe in....

Live and let live.......

If only it was that simple eh....

[packhorse]

I tend to agree with the majority of answers, i.e. that being a decent person is most important. But I raised the question because there seems to be churches closing down everywhere and modern science is providing answers to a lot of, until now, unanswered questions.

[snagged]

I'm prob. going to get slated for this by many... but I come down on the side of 'evolution' rather than 'creationism'...

It just makes more 'sense' to me personally...

(ducks head and waits for fallout)...

[raysparx1]

Can't see anything wrong with that snagged, all I can see is religion has caused more wars and problems than anything else, with the possible exception of Greed.

[packhorse]

Thank you, Guys,
Nice to know that I am not alone.

[Ctrak]

Could be wrong on this, but I think the C of E membership in the UK is now less than the number of people who've bought Sgt. Pepper.

Cue Lennon quote...

<opinion>
I personally think that religion's obstructive; I don't mind people believing in God, but Christianity is not your beliefs, they're someone else's that a) have been forced/ingrained into you, b) that you're adopting out of fear of going to hell, or somesuch, or c) because everyone else seems to believe, and you're too lazy to come to your own conclusions.

This doesn't mean I'd smash down every church in the land a la Stalin if I got into power, though. Until they become lawbreaking, Churches aren't particularly anything to be reviled.
</opinion>

[-Zorro-]

"And on the 6th day, Man created God"

[ummmm]

Ctrak.....and a touch of Catholic guilt.....

[whiffey]

Has anyone actually studied the evidence for the resurrection ? Much of it it takes for granted that the New Testament is genuine, but it is so compelling if you look into it.

If you think the NT is not genuine, then bear in mind that there is far more documentary evidence for it than for Caesar's Gallic Wars, and few would deny that Caesar hurled his armies at a bulwark fortified by nature and men, in about 55BC from memory.

[Tha-Flash]

Yeah, I think people are waking up nowadays and starting to think for themselves.

Man shoulda made it something more convincing, like the sun. Not some invisible thing lol.

Religion is useful but I don't think its true. When I say useful, I mean like criminals who turn to "God" and start doing good.

A lot aren't even closet atheists, its just most people wont talk about it.