Have Prince Charles, Lord Carey And Others Got A Point?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10535984/Christians-feel-pressure-to-keep-silent-about-their-faith-Lord-Carey-warns.html

Why in a Christian country are some fearing to admit their faith in their own workplaces even never mind about abroad?

/// Lord Carey, who was Archbishop of Canterbury until 2002, said he is “worried about the future of faith in the West” as he highlighted an “increasing timidity” among churchgoers, with some fearing to admit faith in their own workplaces. ///

Even on this site we witness Christianity being regularly criticised, while some will go to greats lengths to give support to the Islamic religion who in my opinion has more to be criticised over.

/// Speaking at a reception at Clarence House, the Prince of Wales told assembled guests the world is in danger of losing something “irreplaceably precious” with 2,000-year-old communities under threat from fundamentalist Islamist militants ///

[youngmafbog]

Personally I have no time for any religion and I expect those that do practice to keep it to themselves. The workplace is not the place to shout about it.

[OILhead]

I think people should keep quiet about their faith and if a lot more people, of all faiths, did that and stopped trying to prove their faith is better or more worthy - and therefore they are better or more worthy, that would be a great improvement.

[mikey4444]

I'm not really sure if Charles, Carey, et all have a point at all. I see no evidence whatsoever that Christians are feeling any pressure to keep quite. I saw the Sally Army out with their brass band this morning, rattling collecting tins and if last year was anything to go by, the JWs will be out in force this coming Saturday, pestering us on our doorsteps.

There was an interesting discussion on the Today program this morning about the kind of difficulties that Christians face in Muslim countries, like Egypt. Churches are being fire-bombed and lives are being put at risk. Perhaps the great and the good should concentrate on the real problem areas, rather than trying to get in yet another sound bite on Xmas Eve.

[ToraToraTora]

I find it remarkable that there are people who go in for any of the fairy tale brands to be honest. The Human race cannot ever progress until we shake off this innexplicable need to believe in some brand of old pony.

[anotheoldgit]

OILhead

/// I think people should keep quiet about their faith and if a lot more people, of all faiths, did that and stopped trying to prove their faith is better or more worthy - and therefore they are better or more worthy, that would be a great improvement. ///



Yes but that is precisely the point ('People of all faiths') but that is not what is happening, because it is mainly the Christian faith that takes the flack.

[boxtops]

I don't see any evidence here that people are keeping quiet about Christian faith - they are trooping off to the family services today, midnight mass tonight, and so on. Loads of churches with congregations, round here.

[OILhead]

I am suggesting that the answer is not to enable all to speak out and talk about their faith, but instead to discourage all equally.

[mikey4444]

That can't possibly be true AOG ! Surely its Islam that is taking the flack, as you put it, day in, day out, especially here on AB. I'm not saying that Islam doesn't deserve the flack mind you...far from it !

[jno]

The Human race cannot ever progress until we shake off this innexplicable need to believe in some brand of old pony.

The human race has progressed a very long way despite the presence of religion (though of course a few ABers are still in the stone age).

[mikey4444]

Sorry..pressed the submit button too quick !

Its the women in burkas that are getting in the news, for all the wrong reasons, not the little old ladies in wooly hats making their way to Church on a Sunday morning.

[woofgang]

I am not afraid or ashamed to talk about my faith but feel that its my choice when or if I do so and its not any one else's business. Round here, I don't see any timidity. Churches are lit and busy.

[modeller]

boxtops // ........................Loads of churches with congregations, round here. //
What world are you living in ? In the UK only about 6% attend places of Christian worship.

[jno]

many more at Christmas, modeller

[ToraToraTora]

Yes jno, despite indeed, just imagine how far we'd have progressed if we didn't spend so much time and effort in trying to prove which set of fairy tales is best.

[jake-the-peg]

If I believe in a carpenter raised from the dead who walked on water, made bread and fishes appear and magically elevated into the sky I'd be pretty timid about admitting it too!

Oh and just to be even handed about it, angels dictating books, and invisible Imams are no better!

[craft1948]

furiously knits a woolly hat

[jake-the-peg]

It isn't faith that's the problem its intolerance of others

[Kromovaracun]

Who exactly decides that this country is 'Christian'?

Frankly, I'm glad that the faithful are being encouraged to keep their religion to themselves and no longer feel entitled to push it onto others. I only wish other faiths would feel the same (I'm looking at you, Islam).

[Kromovaracun]

And actually,I have to say, I think that they may have a point in that Christianity is often the easiest to criticise of the major faiths. I wish people would be equally as critical when it comes to Islam or Buddhism - but there is an undeniable feeling of 'edginess' or controversy when it comes to those two.

Fortunately, the number of atheists seems to be on the rise. And atheists, by and large, don't tend to discriminate between religions.