General Chat

We all believe in different ways & in different things & our faith is our own.
I was brought up with the adage ‘Do as you would be done by, defend others as you would hope they would defend you’. Though at times I have been disappointed by people I loved &/or respected, this has resulted it many firm friendships.
There have been times in my life when my faith in others has proved to be wrong, my faith in a god tested to the limit, but that belief remains.
All over the world there are people with strong beliefs, these religions differ in many ways like our languages, but whatever we may call these beings I believe they are the same one. Whether you believe we are reincarnated to improve ourselves, join the ones who have gone before us/pass into a third dimension, or are taken back into Mother Earth, it comes down to a belief that there is a future after death.
There will always be ‘Doubting Thomas’s’, after all it took our ancestors many years to believe that the world was not flat & you could not fall off of the edges!
The future will tell, at the end we will all know the truth, but I know that that end will be easier believing that I go to join the rest of my family.

I think that perhaps the late Dave Allen had the right idea when, at the end of his programmes he wished everyone goodnight and 'May your God go with you'. That sentiment would, I think, cover everyone of any faith.

Apart from the gun laws in America, faith is also being scrutinised there right now.

A disillusioned, exploited & a gun-wearied nation is glad to believe & hope again. The hope of Heaven is a vital need to counter the balance of the wicked & the misfortunes of the dead school children.

Cynthia. It was Dermot, not Merlin.

I think it is an absolutely lovely sentiment, whichever version it comes from.

It introduces one of my most favourite chapters in the Bible (Hebrews Chapter 11). Linking these Old Testament saints to all of us. Saying that neither they nor us will be complete in heaven without them.

It gives me the sure and certain hope that Abraham and Moses are waiting for all of us one day. They are not complete without ME. Or any of us who have been picked or will be picked. We in 2012 can know a lot about Jesus through the New Testament writers. These saints of the Old Testament believed - yet had few of our advantages. :-D :-D

Thanks Merlin - you know your King James bible - it's from Hebrews 11.1


I must admit that we never use the King James version at church - so haven't heard that translation for ages :-D


I actually like the translation from the New Living Bible :

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."


It's one of those quotes which needs someone with knowledge to explain. I find
the verse from somewhere in Corinthians helpful in understanding it.....

"We live by faith, not by sight".



As Scozz says......Each to their own :-D



ps. I'm reading at church this morning so I'll try and remember to check which version we use.

A favourite hymn or song in churches today is:

"God's spirit is in my heart;
He has called me and set me apart.
This is what I have to do-
What I have to do:

He sent me to give the good news to the poor,
Tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
Tell blind people that they can see,
And set the down-trodden free.
And go tell everyone
The news that God's kingdom has come."

I agree that there are times and places for that - Cynthia's link was an example, nativity plays and Christmas Eve mass, carol singing in public places, Joy with her Sally Army friends are other examples. But we do try and tell people why we feel so wonderful :-D

'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen'.

Happy Christmas!

I don't follow any Christian religion, but I respect it.
Our own personal beliefs should be kept private .
Whatever gives you comfort is your own affair, and shouldn't be laid open to ridicule.
I love the Christmas season, or Yuletide, and hope everyone enjoys this time in their own way. :-)

I'm not "churchy" at all.

But!!! I don't understand why those who are not interested in religion add their views to this post!

The subject line said what it was.

Each to their own :-)

It was a good link wasn't it?


When I was little, I can just remember going shopping for the turkey at the market and so many of them hanging up and, when we brought them home, my mum did the plucking and pulling out of the giblets etc.....ugh.


My grandparents came from 'down south' to 'up north' and that made it very special.


My mum's brother lived in Canada so, for some obscure reason, our present opening was delayed until the afternoon because it would coincide with the Canadian relatives open theirs! It was quite a ritual.


Just before that, my grandfather would dress up as Father Christmas and I would be his fairy and do a dance for everyone. How they kept their faces straight, I do not know.


I can remember telling my mum and grandmother off for talking whilst I was dancing to 'Wonderful, Wonderful, Copenhagen .......dear oh dear....... :-D :-D


I guess we went to church but I really can't remember.........ooooooer!

Couldn't resist the sing-a-long Cynthia,very enjoyable, many thanks for sharing this link.

I agree with AnninGloss I love Christmas too,

I'm no way offended by any religious thread , I respect everyone's beliefs ....
but what I cant understand is WHY do folk condone a thread that is pleasing to some ?

Its just plain nastiness ...

Nobody has asked those who don't approve to READ this thread .....its nonsenses !!

Cant understand some of you ......

John its a lovely gesture to nudge us about the Christian aspect of Christmas...Thank you !

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ..........
:-D

I think that I like Christmas Eve almost better than Christmas Day. At home years and years ago there was always such a feeling of expectation, my Granny coming to stay, togther with my younger Uncle, my mother putting finishing touches to the tree, helping with veg, my stepfather coming in with this and that and catching my mother under the mistletoe!, looking out the stocking, an orange for santa placed by the chimney. Midnight for young grownups, church on Xmas morning for my Granny and me, until one year I was old enough to join the midnighters. So many happy memories.

Lovely link Cynthia :-) Thank you.

There must have been many of different faiths in the onlookers, non believers too but each and everyone of them stood and watched in either joy or amazement at this 'flash'
performance. No anger, no protest - just a peaceful group of people.

Jo :-)

I love Christmas, the decorations, buying presents, sending and receiving cards, and yes, I do remember the real meaning. I love my nativity scene, would not be Christmas without it. I was brought up in a Christian home and, although I don't attend church these days I do still have faith. There is no reason why there should not be a Christian thread. Anyone who doesn't want to doesn't have to read or add to it.

I love Christmas for all sorts of reasons, I am lucky that I have family near and we get together and that I can speak to my family that live overseas on Skype. We exchange gifts and cards with friends and neighbours many of whom are not christian. I have close family that are deeply religious and although we do not have their commitment of faith I have respect for the path they have chosen to follow.


Yes there are many people that celebrate Christmas who are not Christian but John is so that is why he put it in the title.

Roy. Just seemed appropriate. And anybody not that interested in the Christian side of Christmas is very welcome here.

I do think the modern Christmas is very inclusive. It brings together Eid and Divali and Hannukah and lots of old pagan images as well. So something for us all to enjoy. I might even gobble a turkey bone with Eldrick one year (yes, Cynthia, poor turkey - and poor sprouts) :-D

I totally agree with you JustGinnie. It would be really nice to be able to post your own feelings and memories, and perhaps questions without incurring scathing, and at times hurtful/rude comments from people who clearly can't/won't even acknowledge anyone elses point of view. Please, let those of us who do believe or respect those who do, have a peaceful conversation. Thank you John for your kind comments, and a very Happy Christmas to you and everyone else here.

I know who DOES hate Christmas.



The turkey :-(

Why does your thread state "Christian Thread" in the title? are you suggesting that only Christians celebrate Christmas?

Just because they both have the word "christ" in it, doesn't mean that just Christians celebrate Christmas

Even Muslim's celebrate christmas in a small way, I have christmas cards from Muslim friends to prove it

Roy