Tony Erikson Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I was just reading this from the National Secular Society. It's regarding them putting their case forward in the High Court for councils to stop having prayers at the beginning of meetings. Firstly I didn't realise it went on. I also dislike how if an atheist feels uncomfortable with it they're asked to leave. As said in the report, if someone was against the reading of racist or sexist material they wouldn't be asked to leave so why should an atheist. God doesn't belong in council meetings. Especially considering religion in Britain is in rapid decline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmith Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Why would someone that doesn’t believe in God be uncomfortable with a prayer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Bideford? Seems like a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut. How many other councils have prayers at the beginnings of meetings? Sheffield certainly doesn't and I'd bet none of the other Northern Mets do either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloomdido Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Why would someone that doesn’t believe in God be uncomfortable with a prayer? Because praying to gods has no place in a publically elected forum such as a Council meeting. It is insulting to one's intelligence and the "We've always done it this way" argument doesn't hold water either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Bideford? Seems like a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut. How many other councils have prayers at the beginnings of meetings? Sheffield certainly doesn't and I'd bet none of the other Northern Mets do either. Devon County Council Mid Devon District Council North Devon District Council Plymouth City Council South Hams District Council Teignbridge District Council Torbay Council Torridge District Council West Devon Borough Council Ashburton Town Council Bideford Town Council Dartmouth Town Council Newton Abbot Town Council Ottery St Mary Town Council http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8798878/Councils-told-to-stop-praying-before-meetings.html Why does it seem like a sledge hammer? Religion should not mix with state affairs. We're not all believers in the Christian god. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Why would someone that doesn’t believe in God be uncomfortable with a prayer? What Bloomdido said. Though I will add, if one doesn't believe in god then it all just sounds like tosh which has no reflection on the meeting taking place. To an atheist they may as well be talking to the Easter Bunny. Not really appropriate behaviour for our elected representatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmith Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 What Bloomdido said. Though I will add, if one doesn't believe in god then it all just sounds like tosh which has no reflection on the meeting taking place. To an atheist they may as well be talking to the Easter Bunny. Not really appropriate behaviour for our elected representatives. I would agree that prayers should be banned because they may offend a member of a different religion, but I don’t see how they would offend an atheist. I just sit and ignore prayers when I have no choice about listening to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would agree that prayers should be banned because they may offend a member of a different religion, but I don’t see how they would offend an atheist. I just sit and ignore prayers when I have no choice about listening to them. Offend is a bit harsh. I don't think any atheist has been offended by prayers (Except for the ones that call for their death). It's the fact that it shouldn’t happen in public meetings and if an atheist objects they are told they can leave. I ask if someone was reading a racist book would anyone who doesn't believe what is being read out be told to leave? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmith Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Offend is a bit harsh. I don't think any atheist has been offended by prayers (Except for the ones that call for their death). It's the fact that it shouldn’t happen in public meetings and if an atheist objects they are told they can leave. I ask if someone was reading a racist book would anyone who doesn't believe what is being read out be told to leave? Sorry my bad I managed to get from uncomfortable to offend. Just replace all my offends with uncomfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Sorry my bad I managed to get from uncomfortable to offend. Just replace all my offends with uncomfortable. Would you take someone seriously if before they had a meeting with you they must consult the Easter Bunny? I think that's the uncomfortable part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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