LW says people should respect Dan Crowley's faith

[Elite_Pie]

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

Although I admit I've never read it, that's a good example of why I see the bible as a fairy story. I find it as likely to be true as Jack growing a giant beanstalk or a handsome prince being turned into a hideous beast. It must take an incredible level of faith to take that as real.

Then again, some see GB News as being balanced and fair!

[BanjoPie]

Didn’t think this forum could sink as low as this.

[OldBanksy]

Just throwing about a sentence, without context, is meaningless at best, eg:

When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.[2]

At best as I understand it at that time none of the disciples could read or write and stories were passed on by word of mouth until scribes started to write them down around 70 years later. There's no certainty as to who actually said what but then that is how much history came to us.

Did Jesus not urge his disciples to bring swords or know that they would use them?

Written by Greek speakers 40 to 60 years after Jesus' ministry. No eyewitness testimony. We can't even know for certain what has happened in Israel and Gaza in recent weeks, even with the benefit of satellite communications. Never mind what happened there 2,000 years ago.

The bible blaming the Jews for persecuting Jesus to death. The longest hatred. All very dispiriting.

[Elite_Pie]

Didn’t think this forum could sink as low as this.

So why don't you pluck off?

[Newish Pie]

I’ve not used the word brainwashing, indoctrination is much more apt. And just because there are examples here of people who’ve escaped unscathed, it doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of people who don’t.

I wouldn’t even describe my kids as atheist, the thought that there is a ‘higher being’ wouldn’t even occur to them. God is as ridiculous to them as the yeti or the Loch Ness monster.

No, fair enough. I shouldn't have said 'brainwashing'. I dunno, I just think from my own experience of going to Catholic primary and secondary schools there were very few seriously devout people in my year group by the end. Although perhaps they were more than I thought, and they just kept it quiet. Lots of "cultural Catholics" who might go to midnight mass, or maybe Easter. I just don't see myself as having escaped an induction factory.

[applepie2]

Did Jesus not urge his disciples to bring swords or know that they would use them?

Written by Greek speakers 40 to 60 years after Jesus' ministry. No eyewitness testimony. We can't even know for certain what has happened in Israel and Gaza in recent weeks, even with the benefit of satellite communications. Never mind what happened there 2,000 years ago.

The bible blaming the Jews for persecuting Jesus to death. The longest hatred. All very dispiriting.

Jesus was himself a Jew, as were all the earliest disciples. Roman soldiers, unlikely to have been Jews, did the killing. Most of the bible, possibly all of it, was written by Jews. I don’t find your arguments very convincing. But I’m unlikely to engage any more in what this thread has become. It’s gone wildly off topic, and that’s pretty disrespectful to three of our club’s players, particularly Crowley who expressed his faith in a single sentence during the course of an interview. Luke Williams had the right idea in what he said; he implied that he didn’t see things in the same way as Crowley, Bostock and Morias, but that he was fine with them as long as they are behaving professionally, and relating well with their teammates and staff. If Williams is happy to say that they are a good influence on other players, that’s good enough for me. In another bible quote, “by their fruits you shall know them".

[ThaiPie]

I would describe myself as an atheist who hopes he's wrong ( especially on the life after death question) I was actually fairly religious until I was 10 & lost my 14 year old brother to the Trent, I questioned the existence of a glorious being looking over us then & have seen nothing to change my opinion since, however in a way I envy those with true faith because I understand & have seen how it can help some in some very dark times.

A thought provoking post Ancient Pie. It's easy for non-believers to underestimate the immensely positive role religion plays around the world.

[Mud Pie]

It's easy for non-believers to underestimate the immensely positive role religion plays around the world.

agree, and it's also easy for the religious to underestimate the harm religion/religious bods have done around the world. Having spent many years working with the least lucky in Asia, perhaps like you, my stance would always be: wherever possible live and let live.

Buddhism's not a religion in the sense that the Abrahamic religions are, but the opportunity for people to find refuge wherever they can should not be discounted, imo.

anyway, perspective a la Hitch:

“Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.”

I find the whole subject beyond my ken, and I'm increasingly ok with that.

[ancientpie]

That's an awful thing for anyone to go through... I'm guessing from your username and the ages you mention that this was a long time ago, but that's nightmarish. Can't even begin to imagine... that sounds like the kind of thing that never leaves you, no matter how much time passes. Hope you and your family have been able to find some peace and solace, whether from religion or otherwise.

1968 mate & thanks for the sentiments, I was 10 a terrible age to deal with this, old enough to understand but to young to really cope & there was very little outside help in those days. It took many years ( especially for my mum) to learn to live with it but eventually you realise that life goes on & many others suffer similar or even worse. COYP

[The Dug Out]

I dont think this should be a NCFC issue,99% of subscibers here are here for NCFC not any kind of religious discussions. I would not have known about any of our players religions, nor would i care, if it wasnt for LW making an issue of it, why pour petrol on a proverbial fire if it was a mere handful of people on twitter, I want LW to be the manager of NCFC,i do not want a lecture from him on how pure and godly some of our players are, its their business, what they do on the pitch is mine.
It is disapointing that the club has turned into a religious football regarding the supporters.