Ghost Hunters Extraordinaire

laura · Ghost Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 388 Location: hampshire

I was asked today a very simple question.... but i struggled to answer...
"What religion are you?" was what was asked of me .... and i have to admit a great debate followed....

i have come to the conclusion that I acknowledge all religions but can not wholly accept any.

How would you answer this question?

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KathUCH · Poltergeist Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 56

Hi Laura,
I like this question for several reasons ! Firstly because I hate asking people this question myself if I have to for work ,also because I share the same viewpoints as you.

I always end-up replying "I don't really have a religion" and because I'm a caucasion married woman who maybe fits a certain stereotype, on a couple of occasions the person asking has said:

"I'll just put down C of E then,is that ok ?!" (!!!!)

Hunter · Ghost Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 325 Location: France

My answer is simple.....................
I say I'm an atheist, with a tendance to theosophy (I don't believe in a supreme being, but am interested in the history of religions !)
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Raymond · Avatar Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 5320

It depends on the situation I suppose. I've been asked this question a lot this year due to my many hospital visits, and due to the fact that most NHS desk staff are as thick as sh-t I normally say I don't have a religion.
If tehy looked like they know what a pagan is then I will say pagan but the last thing I need is some geeky GCSE educated oik saying to me "What's a pagan then?"

I've find this is a problem when they ask for my ethnic origin. My nationality is British (like everybody in the UK) but my ethnicity is English, and that never seems to be on these forms.
So I leave it blank.

david hobbs · Avatar Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 7880 Location: Essex

I always reply Pagan but in truth I don't think that I really have a religion at all.

Religions are made up by people.
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Waffle King · Spirit Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 995 Location: Essex

Technically speaking i'm a catholic, but the day i follow the pope (again) will be a fine day indeed, i tried it our properly for a year last year maybe the year before, just wasn't really for me, so now i'm a Mikeyist, i belive i am god, and i worship myself by doing what i do best, and earning only self respect, and sharpening my mind

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david hobbs · Avatar Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 7880 Location: Essex

wackyjacky · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:20 am Post subject:

I was Christened a Protestant but like the rest of you I don't follow religion. I must admit though, it did come in handy when applying for schools. I didn't christen my son as I think that he should be able to choose a religion if he so wishes later on in life. He can learn all about the different religions on offer and if he wants to join a particular religion, then its his choice. He only got into the school he's at because I was Christened (its a C of E school), though roughly 80 - 90% of the students there are from other denominations! If he hadn't of been bright, I'm not sure they would've taken him.

beantighe · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:44 am Post subject:

Your case, Jacky, is a classic example of why I think religion should be kept out of schools. That isn't the same as not teaching about different religions.

Schools should concentrate on giving children the best all-round education they can, and not fill childrens' heads with biased dogma. I think it just goes beyond the pale when parents have to prove they've been christened before their child can go to a certain school. There have even been cases of parents who have lied about their religion, or taken a crash course to convert, just to get their child into a particular school. In my view, that makes a mockery of religion. Anyone can spout things they've learned by rote - it doesn't mean they believe it. And that's why I think there shouldn't be any denominational schools.

Hunter · Ghost Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 325 Location: France

In France no form of religion is allowed or taught in schools & hasn't been since 1901.
Children learn about the basics of religion in history lessons !
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Raymond · Avatar Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 5320

I remember when my two youngest sisters were at school. Round here, by then, all the schools had gone to pot.
My second youngest sister was made to go to a mosque and pray to Allah so my parents' had her out of the school and into a catholic school, but even then she had to go through all the rigmarole of confirmation and my parents had to go to church every week for about 6 months just to keep her in the school.

david hobbs · Avatar Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 7880 Location: Essex

Are you saying that your sister had to go to a Mosque on a regular basis or was it a one of educational visit to see how others worship?
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evergreen · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject:

I reply no religion or not applicable... its a stupid question..

I recall my mother going into shock at being asked her religion into fearful Australia... when we first migrated
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beantighe · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:58 pm Post subject:

Why was that, EG? The shock, I mean. You came from Ireland, so was she catholic? And why was Australia fearful? I don't quite understand.

Personally, I don't see why anyone should have to give their religion. Not unless you're in hospital and they need to know what kind of priest to call if you're about to kick the bucket, lol! It worries me when authorities and those who design forms for us to fill out are so obsessed with what a person's religion is. I wonder what they'd do if you put something like The Flat Earth Society?

It's true, I really believe religion causes more problems than it solves, because everyone seems to want - or demand - to know what a person's belief system is, and then they judge you by it or think you might be a potential threat.

And while I'm here - does anyone else get as annoyed as I do at being asked for their 'Christian' name? Just because I'm white European, why do desk-bound pen-pushers (wherever they're to be found) always assume I'm Christian? I might be Jewish, or Hindu, or Buddhist for all they know. Would they ask any of them for their Christian name? It really bugs me, and I just say: No, you can't have my Christian name - you can have my first, or given name!

Waffle King · Spirit Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 995 Location: Essex

Hunter · Ghost Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 325 Location: France

beantighe · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:07 am Post subject:

I see what you're saying, Hunter, but why ask for a 'Christian' name, when you might not be Christian? I don't know about French, but in Spanish they have 'nombre' for a first name, and 'apellido' for a surname, or family name. That way there's no confusion. I just think asking for someone's Christian name is an outmoded habit which should become obsolete in today's multi-cultural society. I do actually find it offensive, as I'm sure other non-Christians would.

And Waff, I don't think you're talking rubbish - I think what you're saying is that in order for some people to feel powerful, there has to be a scapegoat, and if it isn't one group of people, then it will be someone else. Assorted religions are very good at scapegoating others. So is this the fault of religions per se, or is it just the human condition, whatever religion they belong to?

wackyjacky · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:16 am Post subject:

I've lived in London now for about 20 years now and I've never been asked for my Christian name, only my first name and surname (and maybe the odd time for a middle name!). I have had experiences of being asked for my Christian name but I never really felt offended by it (probably because it was a common thing to do way back when I was younger

) though I can understand that anyone of a different religion would... in saying that, would the people of other religions be asked for their Christian name?!

Raymond · Avatar Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 5320

beantighe · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

beantighe · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject:

Sian · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject:

I really don't see what the problem is.

My daughter Carys is still a bit young for all this but I will certainly have no problem whatsoever about her going to a mosque, wearing a headscarf and participating in muslim worship as part of an educational trip.

This world is full of hate and the majority of that hate stems from ignorance. I don't want my daughter to grow up hating people because of thier religion.

Islam is a complex religion, believers spend years if not their whole lifetime learning about it. The best way for someone totally alien to their customs to learn more is to try living their life for a while.

What is so wrong about showing children in a practical way how other people worship? Surely they were not being brainwashed into conversion!

If a letter ever comes from Carys' school requesting permission for her to visit a mosque then I will sign and return it with no delay and be first in line to volunteer to help. Only through education will our children grow up less bigoted and ignorant than our generations.

I wonder how many of the people who felt this was unacceptable have actually spent time studying Islam? It is a religion based on modesty, understanding and generosity.

Yes there are extremists, just like there are in every religion, it just happens that this is the time for Muslims to be villified in the press solely to make it easier for the world leaders to declare war on muslim countries where there are assets to be exploited.

I hoped that the members on here were intelligent enough to see through the propaganda.

I have lived and travelled in Musilm countries. While travelling I lived by their laws and customs - by choice - as far as it was possible to as a lone female. I have enormous respect and affection for the people I met and the way they live their lives.

If my daughter decides in the future to study Islam I will do everything I can to help and I'll be very proud of her for not being a closed-minded sheep.

Raymond · Avatar Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 5320

Sian · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:03 pm Post subject:

You raise some valid points Raymond.

No I have not travelled in Pakistan, I have briefly been to Iran, most middle eastern countries and pretty much all of northern Africa with the exception of Libya (they don't do tourists).

Let me answer your points one at a time.

1. I cannot speak for Muslim parents. I am not one. Why did they refuse to let their children visit a church? Did anybody ask them? I would be genuinely interested to know the reason.

2. I base my opinions on Islam on the majority of people I met on my travels. I spent 6 months in Muslim countries living with these people, not on tourist routes but out in the desert with a rucksack. I ate at their campfires and washed my clothes with the local women. I was treated with respect for the majority of the time.

3. Your point about rural Pakistan - as I said I haven't been there so I can't comment apart than to say that Islam does not demand women to be covered head to toe. The koran states that women should dress in a modest way, not revealing thier bodies to men other than their husband as a mark of respect - to themselves as much as their spouse. If rural communities choose to take this to extremes then so be it but it certainly is not the norm for the vast majority.

Again your point about homosexuals being hung in Iran, Yes the Koran is against homosexuality - as is the bible. Again there will always be extremists. I do not agree for one moment. Whatever a persons sexual orientation they still have the right to live thier life in peace and I believe that most people would agree. The middle east in general is still a very conservative area of the world. I'm not in favour of their ways but I'm not going to condemn an entire religion because of it.

Different countries and different cultures do things in different ways. Their ways may seem barbaric or cruel to us but they quite probably think the exact same thing about us. Are your morals more moral than theirs?

4. My daughter needs no help from your gods or anyone elses. I am bringing her up to learn about a person and their culture before she makes a decision about whether they are right or wrong. Who are you to question another persons morals? Who are you to question someone elses religion? We all live our lives the best way we know how.

I am teaching her to look at the whole picture, not the tabloids. Any extreme views should be given a wide berth in my opinion. I answer her questions honestly and encorage her to ask questions. I buy her books on subjects she asks about and I feel that a religious education is very important. i do not restrict it to one religion. Since she was a baby I have read her religious stories from as many different religions as I could find the books for. I want her to be a well rounded and open minded child and adult.

If that makes me wrong in your view Raymond that's your tough luck not mine or hers. I hope my daughter will grow up to see a world full of people not labels. I don't give a shit if someone is fat, thin, straight, gay, muslim, buddhist, whatever. They are a person with rights just the same as mine or yours.

Raymond · Avatar Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 5320

In answer to your first question, the muslim parents wouldn't allow their children to visit other places of worship because they viewed it as 'pointless'.
To them, Islam is the only religion and Allah is the only God. They didn't see the point in their children learning about other faiths as all other faiths were wrong.

Of course, you must raise your child in whatever way you see fit. Hopefully by the time she's an adult the next world war would have come and gone and either Islam will be wiped out or will rule the entire world. I'm sure, thanks to your teachings, she'll be well equiped for either outcome.