Sophie Brooke, a member of Blackburn Cathedral choir, talks about the pressure to fit in.
Many people today are influenced by the images they see in the media and on television and by their desire to be like those they see on the screen and in magazines.
It often makes us feel we must fit in and do what others tell them is seen as best.
This applies not only to the clothes we should wear, the places we should go but also to what it is 'cool' to talk about and even to believe.
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Reading Tom Daggett's blog I wondered whether teenagers don't talk about their faith because it's private to them, because it's "not cool" or simply because they don't have a faith.
These days it isn't "cool" to be a Christian, and in school if you are asked what you did at the weekend and you say "I went to church", some people do look at you in a different way - often one which makes you feel uncomfortable.
I was brought up in a practicing Christian family, I attended a local church with my parents and enjoyed going to Sunday School.
I have never been forced to go to church or to have a faith.
I have been through many different phases, from believing so much I didn't question but wanted to proclaim it, to not understanding quite what I believed and so wanting to give up and now to believing but sometimes still having uncertainties.
Although I am now comfortable with my faith, I question, I am far from understanding everything I believe but I know I will discover as I go along and having a faith is not about always trying to understand.
I don't talk very much about my faith to my friends (although we have had some brilliant opportunities to explore and share our own and others beliefs in our RE lessons at school) and some people might think that this must mean that I am embarrassed, that I don't want people to know about what I believe in because I'm afraid of what people will say.
Yet this is not the case. I enjoy my faith because it's private, it's mine and it's something that no one can control, they can only influence.
Part of my not wanting to share my faith however probably does have something to do with peer pressure, I don't mind talking to adults who share my belief, but it is more difficult to talk about it to my peers or adults who don't have a faith.
However, faith isn't only about words; Christians should share their faith with others by their actions.
This isn't always easy either and we don't always do the right thing but I think that we can show others what we believe by how we act; standing up for others even if our friends turn away; listening to others even when we are tired or fed up; not joining in unpleasant conversations about other people; or perhaps giving up something for Lent even if your friends laugh at you.
(I know some of the bloggers out there will say that anyone can do these things, but don't you think that having a faith can give us the incentive to do more than we would otherwise?).
People don't bother to find things out for themselves just like people don't bother to question.
Whether it's questioning what you don't believe in or what you do it doesn't matter, people shouldn't sit back and just let their comfortable life take over, they should always be wondering.
Even though I don't talk about my faith to others I try my best to live by example, I know what my morals are and I like to think that I try to live by them.
Posted by: Jospeh Yossarian, London on 9:18am Tue 4 Mar 08
[quote]don't you think that having a faith can give us the incentive to do more than we would otherwise[/quote]
No, absolutely categorcially NOT! Pure fallacy.
It's a sad state of affairs if it requires the input or a supernatural imaginary friend for people to have a generous life!
If you suddenly wake up one morning and think "actually, my doubts about religion are more than that; I'm now a skeptic" - that does not make you any less of a person. True personal responsibility for your actions then follows, without the contraints of the imaginary friend indoctrination regime.
don't you think that having a faith can give us the incentive to do more than we would otherwise
No, absolutely categorcially NOT! Pure fallacy.
It's a sad state of affairs if it requires the input or a supernatural imaginary friend for people to have a generous life!
If you suddenly wake up one morning and think "actually, my doubts about religion are more than that; I'm now a skeptic" - that does not make you any less of a person. True personal responsibility for your actions then follows, without the contraints of the imaginary friend indoctrination regime.
Posted by: Ann Slater, Blackburn on 1:10pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Joseph Yossarian. Having an 'imaginary friend' i.e God does not put constraints on the feelings of responsibility we should feel towards our fellow man, neither does it absolve us from that responsibility, but it does add a greater dimension to those feelings.
Joseph Yossarian. Having an 'imaginary friend' i.e God does not put constraints on the feelings of responsibility we should feel towards our fellow man, neither does it absolve us from that responsibility, but it does add a greater dimension to those feelings.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 1:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Hi Sophie,
You make some very valid points. With regard to sitting back and getting comfortable you are spot on.
Many People stop wondering. They roll over. They get the pretty girl, the wealthy guy, the certificate, the diploma, the stamp of approval, and they fit in. They Get comfortable with their acheivements and stop wondering. Stop Challenging.
Religious People and Atheists do it. They choose a certain route and don't say or do anything that rocks the boat. After all, Challenging the routine way of seeing and doing and thinking can make a guy unpopular with some folk. And nobody wants to be unpopular.
The Eternal is within you. The WORLD is full of theories. Some are comfortable with just the theory. Some will not settle for belief in a theory. They won't subscribe to a theory. They won't go along with it forever.
I am here for those who won't go along with a theory. Those People who know in their Hearts, feel in their Hearts, that they have a need for something more than a theory.
In fact, I Love those People.
Hi Sophie,
You make some very valid points. With regard to sitting back and getting comfortable you are spot on.
Many People stop wondering. They roll over. They get the pretty girl, the wealthy guy, the certificate, the diploma, the stamp of approval, and they fit in. They Get comfortable with their acheivements and stop wondering. Stop Challenging.
Religious People and Atheists do it. They choose a certain route and don't say or do anything that rocks the boat. After all, Challenging the routine way of seeing and doing and thinking can make a guy unpopular with some folk. And nobody wants to be unpopular.
The Eternal is within you. The WORLD is full of theories. Some are comfortable with just the theory. Some will not settle for belief in a theory. They won't subscribe to a theory. They won't go along with it forever.
I am here for those who won't go along with a theory. Those People who know in their Hearts, feel in their Hearts, that they have a need for something more than a theory.
Posted by: Joseph Yossarian, London on 1:31pm Tue 4 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Ann Slater[/bold] wrote:
Joseph Yossarian. Having an 'imaginary friend' i.e God does not put constraints on the feelings of responsibility we should feel towards our fellow man, neither does it absolve us from that responsibility, but it does add a greater dimension to those feelings.[/quote] On the contrary - "faith" can lead people to narrow their dimensions.
It leads people to think that they are a "chosen people" and therefore somehow more important than those (equally human)of different faiths.
It leads to the ostracisation (and then discrimination, and then persecution) against those who do not share the same "imaginary friend" as the ruling elite of a particular society.
It can lead directly to intolerance of those who do not share the same belief systems - often in direct contradiction to the messages of those same belief systems.
It leads to a sense of responsibility towards an "imaginary friend", which countless examples have shown to be the opposite to a sense of responsibility towards fellow man.
Ann Slater wrote:
Joseph Yossarian. Having an 'imaginary friend' i.e God does not put constraints on the feelings of responsibility we should feel towards our fellow man, neither does it absolve us from that responsibility, but it does add a greater dimension to those feelings.
On the contrary - "faith" can lead people to narrow their dimensions.
It leads people to think that they are a "chosen people" and therefore somehow more important than those (equally human)of different faiths.
It leads to the ostracisation (and then discrimination, and then persecution) against those who do not share the same "imaginary friend" as the ruling elite of a particular society.
It can lead directly to intolerance of those who do not share the same belief systems - often in direct contradiction to the messages of those same belief systems.
It leads to a sense of responsibility towards an "imaginary friend", which countless examples have shown to be the opposite to a sense of responsibility towards fellow man.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 1:53pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Dear Joe,
The temporary is seeking the Eternal like the drop is seeking the Ocean. There are as many routes for the drop to take to the Ocean as there are drops. No two journeys are the same.
The Atheist and the Theist are both seeking the same One Eternal. One can approach from the South Pole and One from the North Pole.
Nothing can change the Eternal. Although the Journeys are never alike. Every path is utterly Unique. The ETERNAL is not in a hurry, some can be long and some will be short.
THEY ARE ALL WONDERFUL!
Dear Joe,
The temporary is seeking the Eternal like the drop is seeking the Ocean. There are as many routes for the drop to take to the Ocean as there are drops. No two journeys are the same.
The Atheist and the Theist are both seeking the same One Eternal. One can approach from the South Pole and One from the North Pole.
Nothing can change the Eternal. Although the Journeys are never alike. Every path is utterly Unique. The ETERNAL is not in a hurry, some can be long and some will be short.
Posted by: Ann Slater, Blackburn on 4:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Joseph I think you are confusing faith and some followers of organised religions who believe that only they are right. It's not faith that leads to people being ostracised and persecuted, those who truly believe in God cannot hate anyone else for practising their faith in a different way. Only when people become locked in fear or believe that only they are right do they have hatred enough to hurt others. God taught only love and this loving God is the one we should be teaching our children about.
Joseph I think you are confusing faith and some followers of organised religions who believe that only they are right. It's not faith that leads to people being ostracised and persecuted, those who truly believe in God cannot hate anyone else for practising their faith in a different way. Only when people become locked in fear or believe that only they are right do they have hatred enough to hurt others. God taught only love and this loving God is the one we should be teaching our children about.
Sophie,
Thank you for encouraging me to go on wondering and questioning. My experience of this so far has led me to bocome more God centred, not less.
But it IS difficult when people seem to enjoy having a go at you. For instance, I'm mystified by what - just as an example if I may - Joseph gets out of writing 'imaginary friend' in your blog today. Obviously Joe, you do it to wind up, if not to deliberately offend. Where is the pleasure or the integrity in that?
Sophie,
Thank you for encouraging me to go on wondering and questioning. My experience of this so far has led me to bocome more God centred, not less.
But it IS difficult when people seem to enjoy having a go at you. For instance, I'm mystified by what - just as an example if I may - Joseph gets out of writing 'imaginary friend' in your blog today. Obviously Joe, you do it to wind up, if not to deliberately offend. Where is the pleasure or the integrity in that?
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 5:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Humanity has been given the Most Miraculous Gift! It must be Acceped as a Gift! Simple!
Once it has been Accepted as a Gift! the Gift! can be opened. There are many Gifts. They all have a reason attached to them.
There is nothing quite like an Eternal Gift!
This is the kind of Gift that has no reason attached to it.
Humanity has been given the Most Miraculous Gift! It must be Acceped as a Gift! Simple!
Once it has been Accepted as a Gift! the Gift! can be opened. There are many Gifts. They all have a reason attached to them.
There is nothing quite like an Eternal Gift!
This is the kind of Gift that has no reason attached to it.
Posted by: Joseph Yossarian, London on 5:29pm Tue 4 Mar 08
[quote]I think you are confusing faith and some followers of organised religions who believe that only they are right[/quote]
[italic]
It is faith that causes people to believe that only they are right. . . .a bit of catch 22 and a circular argument approaching.
The assertation that there is a difference between those of "[italic]faith[/italic] " and "[italic]those who follow organised religion[/italic] " seems to me to suggest some sort of moral superiority for those who have the same faith as you over "those who follow organised religion".
I in turn assert that as soon as a body of faith thinks it has moral superiority over another faith or body of religion it is on very, very, shaky ground.
I further assert that "those who follow organised religion" think they have "faith" just as much - or more - as you believe you have "faith". [/italic]
Which to me looks like just another argument over who has the most powerful supernatural friend.
[quote]God taught only love[/quote]
Evidence? The old testament preaches horror in prett hefty measure for those who are not "of faith" or followers of "one organised religion"
[quote]it is more difficult to talk about it to my peers or adults who don't have a faith[/quote]
Well clearly. Those who share your faith are unlikely to question it. Those who do not are more likely to ask the difficult questions which question the very basis of faith:
Why christianity over any other religion?
Do you honestly believe the bible?
All of it or just the bits you like and of which you approve?
Where do you draw line line with the teachings of the old testament? (Same question - new testament)
Why not the church of the flying spaghetti monster, or even it's moderate spin-off?
(ok being a bit disrespectful now, but I'm sure you see the point!)
The difference between "[italic]faith[/italic] " and "[italic]some followers of organised religion[/italic] " being akin to the difference between the peoples front of judea and the judean peoples front, as Mr J. Cleese might say.
I think you are confusing faith and some followers of organised religions who believe that only they are right
It is faith that causes people to believe that only they are right. . . .a bit of catch 22 and a circular argument approaching.
The assertation that there is a difference between those of "faith " and "those who follow organised religion " seems to me to suggest some sort of moral superiority for those who have the same faith as you over "those who follow organised religion".
I in turn assert that as soon as a body of faith thinks it has moral superiority over another faith or body of religion it is on very, very, shaky ground.
I further assert that "those who follow organised religion" think they have "faith" just as much - or more - as you believe you have "faith".
Which to me looks like just another argument over who has the most powerful supernatural friend.
God taught only love
Evidence? The old testament preaches horror in prett hefty measure for those who are not "of faith" or followers of "one organised religion"
it is more difficult to talk about it to my peers or adults who don't have a faith
Well clearly. Those who share your faith are unlikely to question it. Those who do not are more likely to ask the difficult questions which question the very basis of faith:
Why christianity over any other religion?
Do you honestly believe the bible?
All of it or just the bits you like and of which you approve?
Where do you draw line line with the teachings of the old testament? (Same question - new testament)
Why not the church of the flying spaghetti monster, or even it's moderate spin-off?
(ok being a bit disrespectful now, but I'm sure you see the point!)
The difference between "faith " and "some followers of organised religion " being akin to the difference between the peoples front of judea and the judean peoples front, as Mr J. Cleese might say.
Posted by: Sophie Brooke, Preston on 8:15pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Dear Joe,
I am very sorry if I have given you the wrong impression in this blog. I'm not trying to prove a point to anyone but I am just talking about my faith and what it means to me. I don't believe everything the Bible says and most of it is symbolic or related to the culture of the time. I'm presuming that you take the Bible litterally but I don't know where you got the spagetti monster from?
I don't follow Christianity word by word, I go with what I feel is morally right using mainly my conscience and help from others (religious or not). I question my faith and respect other faiths. I have been brought up to respect everyone no matter what religion. I would hope that people keep an open mind.
Thank you for the support from other people, it means a lot.
Dear Joe,
I am very sorry if I have given you the wrong impression in this blog. I'm not trying to prove a point to anyone but I am just talking about my faith and what it means to me. I don't believe everything the Bible says and most of it is symbolic or related to the culture of the time. I'm presuming that you take the Bible litterally but I don't know where you got the spagetti monster from?
I don't follow Christianity word by word, I go with what I feel is morally right using mainly my conscience and help from others (religious or not). I question my faith and respect other faiths. I have been brought up to respect everyone no matter what religion. I would hope that people keep an open mind.
Thank you for the support from other people, it means a lot.
Posted by: Simplysimon, burnley on 2:42pm Wed 5 Mar 08
Dear Sophie,
Just because a man claims to be an Atheist does not mean he is not Devoted to God. Strip away the outer covering of Religion and Atheism and you will find a Heart that is full of, Bursting with Gratitude and Love for God.
Always keep Faith in God. Whatever your conceptions of God. God considers the Heart of every Being. Heart-felt Devotion and Love are really all he is looking for.
God does not weigh our rights and our wrongs. He Never counts our mistakes. It would take tooooo long! God weighs our Heart. Our Sincerity.
Every Man on Earth has a duty to fulfill for God. No two duties are the same. Every Story is Unique. Man's duty is Unique. God looks to see if we are fulfilling it from our Heart.
God never looks at the outer appearances of things. He is not impressed by appearances. He is Impressed with the Essence, the Sincerity, the Purity of the Heart.
He has nothing against Atheists who are True to their Heart.
Dear Sophie,
Just because a man claims to be an Atheist does not mean he is not Devoted to God. Strip away the outer covering of Religion and Atheism and you will find a Heart that is full of, Bursting with Gratitude and Love for God.
Always keep Faith in God. Whatever your conceptions of God. God considers the Heart of every Being. Heart-felt Devotion and Love are really all he is looking for.
God does not weigh our rights and our wrongs. He Never counts our mistakes. It would take tooooo long! God weighs our Heart. Our Sincerity.
Every Man on Earth has a duty to fulfill for God. No two duties are the same. Every Story is Unique. Man's duty is Unique. God looks to see if we are fulfilling it from our Heart.
God never looks at the outer appearances of things. He is not impressed by appearances. He is Impressed with the Essence, the Sincerity, the Purity of the Heart.
He has nothing against Atheists who are True to their Heart.
Posted by: Joseph Yossarian, London on 6:34pm Thu 13 Mar 08
[quote] I don't believe everything the Bible says and most of it is symbolic or related to the culture of the time[/quote]
My point being that only recently has the chuech allowed the stories of the bible as symbolic. Otherwise even less people would take them seriously and less people would believe. Some sections still teach it all as fact.
[quote]I'm presuming that you take the Bible litterally[/quote]
Quite the opposite. Having read most of it I think it should be thrown in the bin.
[quote]spagetti monster[/quote]
Try google or wiki; followers are known as "pastafarians ...! Good little parody of religion.
[quote]I go with what I feel is morally right using mainly my conscience and help from others (religious or not). I question my faith and respect other faiths[/quote]
Good! Positive response suggests (and I hope) that you won't fall for all the indoctrination guff. Going to hell and all that rubbish.
Question other faiths though - they are build of similar straw.
For example, ask "why do you believe that you will be reincarnated as a dog?" which to the non-religious sounds about as plausible as the christian resurrection ethos.
I don't believe everything the Bible says and most of it is symbolic or related to the culture of the time
My point being that only recently has the chuech allowed the stories of the bible as symbolic. Otherwise even less people would take them seriously and less people would believe. Some sections still teach it all as fact.
I'm presuming that you take the Bible litterally
Quite the opposite. Having read most of it I think it should be thrown in the bin.
spagetti monster
Try google or wiki; followers are known as "pastafarians ...! Good little parody of religion.
I go with what I feel is morally right using mainly my conscience and help from others (religious or not). I question my faith and respect other faiths
Good! Positive response suggests (and I hope) that you won't fall for all the indoctrination guff. Going to hell and all that rubbish.
Question other faiths though - they are build of similar straw.
For example, ask "why do you believe that you will be reincarnated as a dog?" which to the non-religious sounds about as plausible as the christian resurrection ethos.
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