Onward Christian Soldiers.

Margaret Pilkington · 03-11-2005, 20:03

I always thought that the Archbishop of Canterbury was a defender of the faith, but apparently he is apologising to the nations of the world who he says were 'wickedly' taught hynms and carols by missionaries. By the way, this all happened in the time of Queen Victoria. I am fed up of these people who are so disenchanted with our heritage that they feel they have to apologise for our cultural background.

If this man....the figurehead of the Church of Engalnd feels so bad about our ancestors having sowed the seeds of Christianity in the dark recesses of Africa - then maybe he is in the wrong job.

Islam is looking for converts.

Oh, and while I am up here on my soapbox. Lambeth Council (hey, isn't that the Archbishop's neck of the woods) has banned the Christmas Lights......well, no...... they are still having the lights, but they are calling them 'Winter Lights'......they don't want to upset the Ethnic minorities.....but I bet they have a poster up somewhere in the borough the proclaims 'Eid Mubarak'

Oh, I think I should just mention that I hold no particular beliefs or affiliations to any Church or religious organisation.

SPUGGIE J · 03-11-2005, 20:10

When the church desides to follow the "in thing" then we are all in a mess. Could Lambeth council change the name of EID and get away with it? Doubt it so why does christmas have to change to suit the "in thing"

garinda · 03-11-2005, 20:12

I've lived in loony Lambeth, but when I also lived in neighbouring Wandsworth our streets were lit up by the council, not for Christmas but for Dwahli.

All faiths should be respected, but we are a Christian country. We've had Jews living in Britain for centuries who haven't felt threatened by Christian celebrations. Most of my Jewish friends love Christmas, as well as their own holidays.

garinda · 03-11-2005, 20:19

Integration, coupled with tolerance is fine, seperatism isn't, as can be seen in the suburbs of Paris this week.

As long as the 'pc brigade' insist on diluting British culture, the majority of people will feel threatened, and the flames of a backlash will keep on being ignited.

katex · 03-11-2005, 20:23

Agree, agree. agree .. I have no religious beliefs, but love my country.
Crunch was re. the Christmas Cards last year that couldn't depict any 'Jesus' thing or whatever. It is the councils that are inciting racial prejudices, not us humble folk. Why ? Just too scared to lose a vote and defend our culture. No .. not defend, incorrect word .. uphold.

Bad-Wolf · 03-11-2005, 20:23

I quite agree. I am proud of my country its past and its culture. If we are going to ban the majority of people in this country from celebrating there religion in public becasue it might offend people of other faiths, mainly immigrants and there decendants, then perhaps we should ban all of the others as well. I have never heard of anything quite so stupid! This is England.... England home of the English! If other want to come here they must accept our culture and our people or go somewhere else:engsmil: .

Doug · 03-11-2005, 20:33

I’m a believer in respecting the faith of the country you live in and that in return they should show respect for yours….We should keep in mind that we have been fighting over religion and beliefs for over two thousand years. What we should note and what our local representatives and central government should be keeping an eye on is the events that are being played out on the streets of Paris at this moment. It’s going to happen here of that I have little doubt if this lack of pride in our heritage continues to be degraded.

Margaret Pilkington · 03-11-2005, 20:40

Christianity brought many good things to the people of the developing countries. One Victorian missionary was hacked to death when she tried to prevent a young African girl from bleeding to death after she had been circumsised. In India, many of the hospitals were started by missionaries....who incidentally, would treat people regardless of their religion.
How can we apologise for our ancestors bringing faith to communities?......we cannot change our history......and apologising does nothing constructive.

Doug · 03-11-2005, 20:45

You are right Margaret; do you remember a couple of years back when we had all this in regard to slavery?

Margaret Pilkington · 03-11-2005, 20:49

I do indeed. I worked with a Consultant who would devote part of his holidays to going back to India to help run the missionary hospital there.....this man is white and was raised in Liverpool and is a committed Methodist. He has encouraged members of the nursing staff to go with him each year and they take items of equipment that is outdated but still working.....this is the mark of a true Christian....... OK, he might sing a few hymns (badly) while he is operating........and Dr Rowan Williams wants to apologise for this.

chav1 · 03-11-2005, 20:49

so as not to offend christians " eid " will now be known as Eidmas

Doug · 03-11-2005, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by chav1

so as not to offend christians " eid " will now be known as Eidmas

In some parts of the world they would cut your balls off for less……

chav1 · 03-11-2005, 21:17

why would less want my balls cutting off...?

West Ender · 03-11-2005, 21:22

First, I'm not a "Christian" in the sense that, brought up by a Roman Catholic mother and an agnostic father, I eventually chose the latter persuasion. I am, however, English (no, I've no Scottish, Welsh or Irish in me for the last 400 years but OK, if you like, I'm British).

My country may have, indeed has, some murky events in its history but what country hasn't? I'm proud to be English (British) and I'm proud of my country's history, culture and traditions. One of those traditions is that it's a Christian country. I appreciate that it has, at times, been a divided and somewhat sectarian-intolerant Christianity but none the less Christian for that.

We English (British) have, particularly in the last century, welcomed and accepted people of all faiths into our midst but we have retained our essential Christian identity. How dare these ridiculous people try to belittle and deny our heritage?

I will not bow to the PC brigade by moderating Christian terminology in order not to cause offence to anyone who is arrogant enough to be offended. I will not pretend that Christmas is not about Christ, even if I don't adhere to the dogma. I will extend Christmas greeting to all, Muslim, Jew, Hindu or whatever and he who objects to my sentiments can go elsewhere and object from far away. I don't think there would be many takers - except the looney councillors.

Margaret Pilkington · 03-11-2005, 21:23

Chav...somebody said they could get him some bloody nuts for Christmas!