Political quiz

[Imran Siddiqui]

This isn't how Imran's beliefs influence his politics. Imran has talked before about how he became significantly more liberal when he became Christian. For example, he cares a lot more about the plight of the poor now because of his Christianity. So his politics are shaped by that priority of his, which is in turn shaped by his religion. It doesn't mean he's attempting to put his religion into law, and it doesn't mean he's claiming that his religion is the basis of the law; it just means that his religion is the source of the ethics he applies to politics. We all have some source of ethics we call upon when taking political stances; for some that source is religious.

(Sorry for completely speaking for you, Imran.)

When speaking for me in such eloquent terms, I don't mind at all.

It means that religion is important to you and influences your life. And if you want to understand such a person, then you would want to know what their religious views are.

It is similar to wanting to know who is contributing to a politician and what relationships he/she has to different interest groups and corporations.

JM

Indeed. In fact it may be just as important than knowing where the contributions come from.

[Sava]

What is the relevance? Why is it important to make the point that you believe in a certain ethical position because you follow God A. Does that somehow make your ethical position more solid?

Exactly. If anything, mentioning religion just lets everyone know you are only doing the right thing because of fear of God's retribution.

It's better than being an asshat... that's for sure.

On some level, I think talking to "God" is just a person working with their internal monologue. Religious people are able to benefit from this process as the rest of us do, they just cling to the whole "God" thing because it's safe.

[kentonio]

It means that religion is important to you and influences your life. And if you want to understand such a person, then you would want to know what their religious views are.

In other words you're claiming that all Christians must hold the same set of beliefs and ethical positions? Because otherwise what's the purpose in needing to disclose it?

It is similar to wanting to know who is contributing to a politician and what relationships he/she has to different interest groups and corporations.

No it really isn't, not unless you're seriously arguing that all religious people will follow the desires of their church over all over issues.

[kentonio]

Tell me exactly where David Cameron is enforcing his religious beliefs on people by simply stating in a speech that Britain should be proud to be a Christian country? Maybe you can extrapolate it from that. If you can.

We're not a Christian country. We're a secular country with a number of Christians in it.

[Sava]

Tell me exactly where David Cameron is enforcing his religious beliefs on people by simply stating in a speech that Britain should be proud to be a Christian country?

Why? I never claimed he was.

I have no interest in participating in your imaginary arguments.

[Imran Siddiqui]

We're not a Christian country. We're a secular country with a number of Christians in it.

You are "secular country" with a number of Christians in it... with an official state Church.

I don't think taking pride in the country's Christianity is going to take us back to divine right of Kings, you silly wanker.

[Sava]

I don't think taking pride in the country's Christianity is going to take us back to divine right of Kings, you silly wanker.

Nobody said that. Ever.

Our complaint is more "falsely categorizing a country as Christian is wrong because it's factually wrong... and the vast majority of people in the UK generally find it inappropriate."



BUT YEAH NEXT STEP IS INQUISITIONS




dumbass

[Jon Miller]

We're not a Christian country. We're a secular country with a number of Christians in it.

Isn't it interesting to know Cameroon's view and influences?

From a US perspective you can be both a Christian country and a secular country. I understand that for europeans, it is mixed up with the issue of state churches/etc, but in that case you also have a state church...

From wikipedia:
Christianity (59.5%)
Non-religious (25.7%)
Not stated (7.2%)
Islam (4.4%)
Hinduism (1.3%)
Other religions (1.8%)

JM

[Sava]

Isn't it interesting to know Cameroon's view and influences?

JM

People are liars and hypocrites. The last person I would trust to explain David Cameroon's (sic) views and influences is David Cameroon (sic).

[AAAAAAAAH!]

For example, he cares a lot more about the plight of the poor now because of his Christianity.

He should care about the plight of the poor because of basic human decency... it's a bit sad that he only cares about the poor because Jesus keeps nagging him to do so.

[Sava]

He should care about the plight of the poor because of basic human decency... it's a bit sad that he only cares about the poor because Jesus keeps nagging him to do so.

This.

[Lorizael]

He should care about the plight of the poor because of basic human decency... it's a bit sad that he only cares about the poor because Jesus keeps nagging him to do so.

I should have put in a caveat for this counter, but I got lazy. The simple response is this: you have your own set of ethics (which you're calling "basic human decency") that tells you why you should care about the poor. Everybody has a source of ethics, whether they consciously espouse it or not.

[AAAAAAAAH!]

Before I found Jesus I didn't care if you losers were poor and miserable and starving! But now if I help twenty poor people I get a free big-titted angel when I die and go to heaven.

[Lorizael]

If you think your brain is not acting on the basis of reward when you make ethical decisions, you're deluding yourself.

[kentonio]

You are "secular country" with a number of Christians in it... with an official state Church.

I don't think taking pride in the country's Christianity is going to take us back to divine right of Kings, you silly wanker.

Wow, someone's taking a purely innocent discussion a bit personally. Is it your time of the month or something?