Is it right to enforce your religious views on others?

Religion still plays a major part in today’s society, and whether or not you’re religious, you can be sure that any debate regarding religion is likely to be very interesting to say the least.

Whilst the majority of society is very tolerant on individual’s personal beliefs, they are some who would prefer not to indulge in conversations regarding another’s faith.

Religion often becomes a problem when you are unwittingly subjected to the views of others- whether you like or it not.

Whilst nobody should have to hide their religious views, it’s also important to remember that we are all entitled to our own beliefs and these should be respected.

The burka debate rages on…

The subject of the burka, and whether or not it should be banned in the UK has been a hotly debated topic for a while now, and the debate recently reached fever pitch when a Conservative MP declared that he will refuse to hold meetings with anyone who insists on wearing one.

MP Philip Hollobone recently stated that unless the veil is lifted, he won’t be prepared to converse- and this has been met with mixed reactions.

He said:

“I take what I regard as a common sense view. If you want to engage in normal, daily, interactive dialogue with your fellow human beings, you can only really do this properly by seeing each other’s face.”

The burka, which is worn by many Muslim women in the UK, seems to be appearing in the headlines on an increasingly regular basis and the subject is showing no signs of disappearing any time soon…

Scientologist Church faces ‘slave labour’ lawsuits from ex-followers

According to the Daily Mail, the Church of Scientologists treats their followers as something like slave labour. The Scientology Sea Organisation compound in Los Angeles is said to be the headquarters of the worldwide faith organisation, but two former members have filed lawsuits against it, claiming they and other loyal members were forced to work around 100 hours a week for next to nothing.

Scientology is no stranger to controversy, but the latest reports suggest that two of the former followers, Marc Headley and Claire Headley (husband and wife) are demanding backpay of more than £1 million from the church.

There are worse accusations from the Headleys too; psychological abuse, pressure to have an abortion and cripplingly long working hours to name but a few.

The church’s response? Those filing lawsuits are “liars looking for money”.

Offensive fundamentalists vs. grieving family in Supreme Court Case over freedom of speech

In one of the most shocking stories I’ve read lately, the issue of hate-mongering religious fundamentalists picketing military funerals has raised its ugly head again, thanks to a high-profile case in the US Supreme Court.

On one side is a Kansas church, who follow the (il)logical line of thinking that terrorism and soldier’s deaths in Middle Eastern countries is, of course, a punishment from God for America’s tolerance of homosexuality.
On the other is the father of a soldier who was recently killed in action, who was subjected to abusive campaigning at his son’s funeral in Maryland.

The legal issue here is freedom of speech, a right upheld by the First Amendment. However, the moral issues for me are basic human consideration, empathy and also blind stupidity. The young man who died was a person loved by many – no matter his profession – and the signs the campaigners waved at his funeral, such as ‘Thank God for Dead Soldiers’ and ‘Thank God for 9/11’ were disgusting and shocking.

The aspect that most disturbs me about this story is that at the core of Christianity and many other religions is the concept of love, and I see no evidence of this in the message these fanatics are promoting.

Has Amy Winehouse embraced Scientology?

Recent press reports suggest that troubled singer Amy Winehouse has followed her off-again-on-again ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil (currently in rehab) into a new-found belief in Scientology. The controversial Church of Scientology has many celebrity followers, including John Travolta and Tom Cruise to name but a few.

According to sources close to Amy the press have managed to dig up, the singer will adopt anything Fielder-Civil thinks or believes without question, leading many to worry about her being led astray (again).

Well, whatever you believe about Scientology as a credible ‘religion’; it is at least less physically damaging than copious drug-taking.

Private faith school to open in Hull may cause concern for parents

A new school set to open in Hull this September is causing a great deal of controversy in the local area as well as in the press. The New Life Academy will cost parents £2,000 a year to send their children there, and will follow the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum.

Supporters say the school will provide children with an ‘individualised’ Christian education so that they may learn at their own pace, but those opposed to it hold a drastically different option. Amongst other arguments, those opposed are warning parents that the school will isolate children and attempt to condition them with ‘fundamentalist’ Christian teaching, where they will be taught to interpret the Bible entirely literally.

Religion and sex

Religion and sex is a massive subject around the world and allot of religions ban or stop you having sex before marriage. The idea behind this would drive me mad as what would happen if you never get married, would that mean you would never have sex?

I think this is why you see lots of sex scandals with vicars and even sometime children or did I see that at the movies, either way sex and religion will always be in the news and I’m glad for once I’m not religious.

What are your experiences, have you had the same issues? Let me know your thoughts?

Is Religion Dying?

Many people may argue the case with this statement but research is showing this is the truth. Alot of research has been carried out to look into this especially in America where reports are stating that religious observance is at an all-time low.

Two thirds of Americans no longer attend religious services with any regularity and ten percent assert they do not believe in God at all. Fifteen percent of Americans say they have no religion, double the percentage in 1990.

All though this is just research carried out in America it is happening everywhere and proof of this in the United Kingdom Is by the amount of local community churches being shut down and few numbers actually attending mass.

Faith has helped keep many countries’ strong and we should not turn our backs on history or we will come to regret the future. The role of religion has been enormously beneficial, and its value must not be ignored.