OT Fish Freakery

Whilst pondering the new Libertarians it occurred to me more and more cars
are now sporting ichthys - Jesus fish - badges.

Coupled with I've seen a greater number of people reading Bibles on
public transport does this mean we're in the grip of the brand new
puritans?

Not wishing to get bogged down into a facile 'its a fairy tale for the
weak minded' argument why does it appear that organised Christianity
appears to be making a resurgence and how is it to be resisted?

 

People are searching for something to cling to and believe in because
Big Brother is such a disappointment this year.

 

On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:05:04 +0100, sweller

snip>

Punch them in the face if they approach you trying to convert you to
their religion.

You can make the day more entertaining (1) by explaining to the
audience what the difference is between someone who is a strong
believer in a religion (2) and a political activist (3).

(1) Not for me. I'm off to Ireland in about 20 mins.

(2) Let's say a mormon for the sake of arguement.

(3) Let's say a member of the BNP but this could just as easily be
someone from the opposite end of the spectrum who also happens to be a
union activist.

 

I've not noticed this. However assuming it's true why do you think it
needs to be resisted?

I've not seen you suggesting that Islam was attacked for example.

 

Heh.

 

Plus you get to do it again when they turn the other cheek

<snip>

 

On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:05:04 +0100, sweller

I blame Dan Brown.

 

I'll give you evens on jihad.

 

Perhaps resisted was the wrong word - countered maybe better - and I
should have written 'organised religion' rather than organised
Christianity. However the rise of Christianity, particularly the more
strident brand, does concern me as I can't really see a compelling reason
for it.

There seems to be an increased need for people to cope with their
alienation by turning to religion; in the traditionally alienated
demographic (young black/Asian) the rise of Islam comes as no surprise but
the increase of 'new-wave' Christianity does.

The question is: are people turning to the church or the church turning
to the people? Are the new churches exploitative or providing succour?

Why do people take the easy way out (IMO) by placing their faith in
religion rather than trying to deal with the root cause of their problems.

 

Lack of hope I'd suspect. But I don't know.

I had a mild flirtation with Christianity when in my pre-teens upto
about 14 or so; due to the explotation of obvious insecurity etc. in my
character by an RE teacher. God bless him... In my case it was
searching for answers. Answers that didn't come.

I don't think I know *what* new-wave Christianity is.

Are there really 'new' churches or is it the CofE becoming more
'charismatic' and evangelical with the Alpha Programme and what have
you?

Er.. didn't you answer your own question with "the easy way out"?

In any case, I'm not convinced religion is a fix for the vast majority.

Although, it must be said that many of the most content people I know
are religious. Also not stupid, well not if measured by academic and
'life' achievement.

 

Never mind that, the *real* question is why are so many of them the
wrong way round?

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Apparently 80% of a recent BBC survey thought that the 'Doomsday Book'
[1] was by Dan Brown

[1] I have no idea how it was spelt in the survey.
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Because it claims to have the answers ?

 

I saw a "VVV 666" numberplate in Malta the other week

I bet he sold his soul for that one ...

 

I prefer the traditonal Lousiville slugger, or when the going gets tough, a
nice crowbar. That hook end really makes things lively.

 

Check that they're not the ones with little feet at the bottom...

For what it's worth, on London public transport I'd say that people reading
bibles don't seem to make up a representative cross-section of multi-cultural
London.

I wouldn't mind them so much if they got a fucking wiggle on

 

I keep a 2' length of 600mcm for social engineering purposes.

 

On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 13:06:12 GMT, catman

I've just read a problem page letter from a woman claiming her
husband's obsession with The DaVinci Code is ruining her life.

 

On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:05:04 +0100, sweller

Never mind that - I've started seeing black bull stickers on cars -
what the heck does that mean? Eh?

 

I'd go with some sort of Spanish symbol. Maybe they're all members of
an underground sect?

http://www.spain4uk.co.uk/black_bull.htm