Election Year or Fear!

[ramAnag]

rA, I think it fair to say that you exhibit anti Christian and pro Muslim tendencies in many of your posts and thus assume these are what you feel. Like me , think you are anti most religions but your love of the underdog underpins this ando so you come across as stated.

If I do, GP, then I’ve either been deliberately misunderstood or I’ve made my case very badly and if it’s the latter, I apologise.
I was brought up as a Christian, went to a CoE Primary School, used to sing in one of the country’s leading choirs, am a godfather and regularly raise money for the upkeep of our local church, albeit as a piece of history.
I believe that the example of Jesus Christ is one which we would all do well to follow however, possibly like you, I feel that the original example has been tarnished by the use of organised religion as a means of social control and I have no time for the hypocrisy which can all too regularly be seen as synonymous with religion throughout the centuries.

I’m not pro Muslim at all. As I’ve said, I feel most organised religions have a great deal to answer for however I believe there to be a clear and obvious link between those with a racist agenda and those who aim to discredit/blame Islam at every opportunity. If I have a creed it’s one of ‘live and let live’ and ‘do unto others as you would have done to you’.

Hope that’s cleared that up. I’m not anti any religion, neither do I subscribe to any, but - curiously on the anniversary of Auschwitz - I’m opposed to the persecution and demonisation of those who choose to follow one…however misguidedly.

[Geoff Parkstone]

But please don't let this get into a religious debate

[Geoff Parkstone]

I was raised CofE - I think all our generation were - and went to a secondary school of Catholic origins but one that was basically secular. Anyway one kid who was Buddhist in whole school, a few non Orthodox Jews and no one of any other faith. 50 odd years later and it's a whole different story and I imagine RE is a completely different thing there.

Secondary school totally turned me off religion, it probably would do the same if I was there now, although the teaching would probably be more balanced.

Sorry but your post created a bizarre image in my mind of angelic boy soprano rA doing solos at Oldham cathedral if there is one. No it's not a city is it - Manchester cathedral then. Standing in cassock and surplice before a gushing crowd of parents, fearful of the forthcoming castration to maintain performance sills!

[ramAnag]

I was raised CofE - I think all our generation were - and went to a secondary school of Catholic origins but one that was basically secular. Anyway one kid who was Buddhist in whole school, a few non Orthodox Jews and no one of any other faith. 50 odd years later and it's a whole different story and I imagine RE is a completely different thing there.

Secondary school totally turned me off religion, it probably would do the same if I was there now, although the teaching would probably be more balanced.

Sorry but your post created a bizarre image in my mind of angelic boy soprano rA doing solos at Oldham cathedral if there is one. No it's not a city is it - Manchester cathedral then. Standing in cassock and surplice before a gushing crowd of parents, fearful of the forthcoming castration to maintain performance sills!

Lol…not far off. Won a choral scholarship at ten and was at boarding school 200 miles from home till my voice broke at 14 under the influence of numerous cigarettes. Then returned north and had the same experience as MA. Music teacher thought he was getting a gifted musical addition to the school choir. He was disappointed. All I wanted was to play rugby, football and cricket along with the usual adolescent mischief and told him so in no uncertain terms.

However, my point was. My upbringing was entirely Christian and I still identify with most Christian values albeit in a non attending capacity. There is no way in which I am anti Christian.

[Andy_Faber]

However, my point was. My upbringing was entirely Christian and I still identify with most Christian values albeit in a non attending capacity. There is no way in which I am anti Christian.

But, as you seem to trust GP's views more than I, you do accept now that my observation is valid.

[ramAnag]

But, as you seem to trust GP's views more than I, you do accept now that my observation is valid.

No I don’t think your observation is remotely valid and it’s not about trust. GP made an observation. You made an accusation, a completely unfounded one.
I am no more anti Christian than I was anti English when Tricky made that accusation ages ago.
It’s a discrediting tactic from both of you and I still await a single piece of evidence which has enabled you to describe me as anti Christian.

[Andy_Faber]

GP made an observation. You made an accusation
.

You?re clutching at split hairs there rA, but it?s a spat that could just go on so I?ll just let others ?observe? like GP did and come to their own conclusions

[swaledale]

No I don’t think your observation is remotely valid and it’s not about trust. GP made an observation. You made an accusation, a completely unfounded one.
I am no more anti Christian than I was anti English when Tricky made that accusation ages ago.
It’s a discrediting tactic from both of you and I still await a single piece of evidence which has enabled you to describe me as anti Christian.

I'm not so much anti Christian or indeed anti religion, anyone is entitled to believe whatever they want to with the important caveats, that they don't try and shove it down others throats or use to influence other people's lives, that they actually observe and practice the tenets of the faith they claim to believe in, rather than select the bits that suit them and ignore the bits that don't and that they respect the right of others to believe other things or not as they wish.

Frankly don't give stuff what a person believes in provided it doesn't have a malign influence on mine and other peoples lives.

[Geoff Parkstone]

PS I was the only 11 year old in my year who failed the audition to the school choir fuelling a lifelong hatred of singing

[MadAmster]

PS I was the only 11 year old in my year who failed the audition to the school choir fuelling a lifelong hatred of singing

We got a new music teacher. He wanted more members for the choir. First music lesson he got everybody up individually, played a note, you sang it, he played another and so on. first lad mailed 4 notes on the trot. You're in, he said. The lad was too timid to argue. next 5 all purposely hit the worst possible version of the notes played and were told NO! Then came the Amster. Note perfect. You're in he said. Oh no I'm not, I replied. So began the usual panto back and forth, oh yes you are... Eventually he asked why not? I told him choir practice clashed with swimming training and I was getting to County finals and hoped to get further. Ah, but there's swimming training Monday too. Once a week is not enough, I replied. This went on for the rest of the lesson. I was the class hero. Next music lesson, the remaining 25 or so all hit false notes and were excused. Fun times.