Religiosity compared ... Western European vs. US

[Elok]

I think the efficacy of their methods indicates at least a possibility that they're on to something. It's impossible to test the claims directly, and always will be, but if the system works, at least something's right. It's as if we didn't have microscopes, but found that immersing surgical instruments in boiling water did indeed lower post-op infection rates. It's a kind of indirect and suggestive "proof."

[Kidlicious]

I don't know how anyone would decide to become a certain religion unless they were finding the religion that is right for them.

[Proteus_MST]

I don't know how anyone would decide to become a certain religion unless they were finding the religion that is right for them.

Sometimes it is love.
Often conversions are made to appease the boy-/girlfriend or his/her parents, by being able to marry in a church of his/her denomination.

You will find this especially often, when there is resistance of the faith (or the parish) to let their members marry an unbeliever
(AFAIK you will find this type of conversion often towards catholizism, Judaism and Islam)

These converts may not be strong believers in the faith they convert to, but nominally they have become members of the faith

[Kidlicious]

Sometimes it is love.
Often conversions are made to appease the boy-/girlfriend or his/her parents, by being able to marry in a church of his/her denomination.

You will find this especially often, when there is resistance of the faith (or the parish) to let their members marry an unbeliever
(AFAIK you will find this type of conversion often towards catholizism, Judaism and Islam)

These converts may not be strong believers in the faith they convert to, but nominally they have become members of the faith

Yeah, I see this a lot. Plus it's one spouse that believes the same doctrine because otherwise might be trouble.

[The Mad Monk]

This isn't that uncommon in America, I think; if you start with the mindset that religions are all equally valid in some unspecified way, and you just have to find the one that's right for you, then this is a perfectly honest approach. Remember a few years back, when Imran said he considered Christianity superior to Islam, and at least one person here reacted with shock that he would say such a thing--even though it followed logically from his believing the one and not the other? A lot of us have been conditioned to think in incoherent ways about religion. Blame the Treaty of Westphalia, or maybe just blame Luther. I blame Luther. Everything is Luther's fault.

Luther?

...or Lucifer?

[Dauphin]

I'm reminded of this:

James Hacker: Humphrey, what's a Modernist in the Church of England?
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Ah, well, the word "Modernist" is code for non-believer.
James Hacker: You mean an atheist?
Sir Humphrey Appleby: No, Prime Minister. An atheist clergyman couldn't continue to draw his stipend. So, when they stop believing in God, they call themselves "Modernists".
...
Sir Humphrey Appleby: The Queen is inseparable from the Church of England.
Jim Hacker: And what about God?
Sir Humphrey Appleby: I think he is what is called an optional extra.

[Lorizael]

Luther?

...or Lucifer?

I'm sure Elok means Luther. Like, in the Thirty Years' War, there's no question whose side Elok would be on.

[Elok]

Damn right. I'd be over in Istanbul, trying to work out a way to make AK-47s out of local materials and teach a handful of Greeks and Armenians to use them effectively on the down-low. I would pay no attention whatever to some fight between two groups of heretics in northern Europe.

[BeBMan]

Atheist in practical matters myself. Agnostic in theory. Cultural Christian when it suits me (xmas holidays and such )

Beyond that I find religion interesting for a number of reasons (impact on history, society, culture, whatever).

Overall, as long ppl (religious or non-religious) can step back from their belief system at least so that they don't think just buying into X (or refusing to buy into X) makes them per se kinda cooler than the opposite it's all fine to me.

[BeBMan]

I strongly argued against this, insisting that she should choose a religion because its metaphysical claims are correct, not because they're appealing. Alas.

Our street preachers are truly offensive. Pretty much every woman passerby is called a name of some sort ("harlot" is a favourite). If they stood quietly and distributed materials no one would care.

Not much of fun here in this regard, aside from what Proteus said. Otoh, I sometimes see ppl inda streets asking others "do you love animals?". To which I either reply "no" (a flat out lie ) or something like "mostly roasted" to keep them at bay....

[Elok]

I'd have gone for, "Yes, but not in a sexual way. Generally. I guess it depends on the animal. A Mr. Pratchett has a very interesting song about hedgehogs I'd like you to hear; do you have time to stop and listen? It's really quite catchy, and deeply meaningful to me."

[Aeson]

Lori, didn't you try to convert her to your technoblob? After all, in the technoblob the patriarchy is completely destroyed.

[ZEE]

This thread is jumpin'. Not that I read, or will read, a single post.

[Kidlicious]

Lori, didn't you try to convert her to your technoblob? After all, in the technoblob the patriarchy is completely destroyed.

Feminism can't survive without the Patriarchy

[Proteus_MST]

Feminism can't survive without the Patriarchy

Sure, in a world without patriarchate, where men and women are treated equally, there is no need for feminism