Would you Christians agree...?

Question

...that certain aspects of your religion are being unfairly imposed on all people (Christian or otherwise)? I mean:

1.- many people cannot work on such days as Christmas or Good Friday (unless you own your own business),

2.- some laws (like those banning abortion or gay marriage) are based solely on religious principles, but they have to be observed by everybody,

3.- languages are invaded by religious imagery (eg.: "good bye" which comes from "God be with you", "Oh, my God!", or "Jesus!").

If you agree, and you think it has to change, how can that be done?

If you don't agree, then why not?

I only talk about Christianity because that's the only religion that imposes their things in Western countries.

And I don't oppose to people having their religious holidays. I oppose to those holidays being imposed on everybody else.

I think abortion is the least traumatic solution sometimes. And I most definitely support gay marriage (although I am not gay, in case you're wondering).

I'm really disappointed with most answers. I just mean I find it unfair that non-believers (or people from minority religions) are forced to do things because a faith we have a constitutional right not to choose, imposes it on us. It would surely be the same if another religion were predominant. But I live in Argentina, and here it's the Catholic church that "rules" (as someone said). Only it "rules" over people who have a right to choose not to be ruled over by it. And that's what annoys me. I don't mean I'd like to work on Christmas or Good Friday, or to abort or marry another man. I mean that if I wanted to, I would not be able, because I work in a school, and it closes on both days, and abortion and gay marriage are forbidden here. When the Jewish have their celebrations here, they are respected, but they don't impose them on the rest of us. And they don't impose either their beliefs, traditions and convictions on the rest of us. That's what I meant.

Answer 1

Yes you are right of course, but this is nothing new is it?
It will change on its own, religion is dying churches are closing people are less superstitious, it will take a few more years but its on the way out! look at Holland as an example!!
Yipeee Yipeee

Answer 2

Christmas was originaly a pagan holiday. It was implemented by the Roman Emperor after Rome became Christian, in order to keep them from falling back into old practices. I don't know about where you come from, but I see plenty of people still working on Christmas. Not to mention, it has become a very secular celebration geared more towards family and fellowship, than the celebration of Christ's birth. Last I checked, plenty of people who are not Christian are usually just as angry about missing Christmas Holidays.
Good Friday is only one day. I'd hardly say either of these are unfairly Imposed. Canada is hardly part of the British Empire, but we still have to take Victoria Day off. And don't even get me started on Labour day!
One also has to look at the statistics. In 2001, 77% of Canadians were Christians. So, why bother keeping places open, when 77% of your employees can't work anyways? There's no law saying that you HAVE to close on Good Friday or Christmas! The only thing the laws say is that if you have employees in, you pay them time-and-a-half, which for those who aren't Christian, they should be quite happy they're getting paid extra for a holiday they don't celebrate anyways.

As to your second point. Not all Christians are against either of those. Those particular issues have christians who will fight either way for them, just like they have aetheisist, agnostics, etc. who are against them. So to say those laws are "Purely Christian" is a complete and total fallacy. Please, before you say something like that, do your research.

and your final point: When you live in an english speaking culture, or a culture that descended from Europe, that's to be expected. Europe was a primarily Christian area up until a few centuries ago. Such things become integrated into the culture as a whole, especially since it was illegal to be Aetheist for a very long time!

Answer 3

There are lots of business open on Christian holidays, and in the case of Christmas those willing to work on that day are rewarded with an increase in their hourly rate. Furthermore, a good argument could be made that the Christian religion has safeguarded the rights of workers in that for a long time it guaranteed them at least one day off a week from their toils. The sabbath should be seen as a reward, rather than an obstacle.

In the UK the abortion and gay marriage laws are very liberal, and the established church has only small influence in government policy. That said the Church of England is leading the rest of the international Anglican Communion in promoting the acceptance of openly gay ministers; despite some strong opposition elsewhere.

As for Christianity's influence on the English language, I'm afraid you're going to have a very tough time popularizing this very militant stance. Please remember, though, that it was the early translations of the bible into English that first broadened its usefulness. Tyndale's bible made England realize that it's language could be adapted for any purpose, and could be a language of international diplomacy and spiritual soul searching as well as the language of the gutter as had previously been thought.

Answer 4

1. If you go to, lets say, Rome where christianity is the MAIN religion, and you are not a christian, you and a minor group(not necesarily non-christains) will be the only ones who probably works on Christmas, if your work place is open. Now Go to, lets say Iraq where muslim is the Main Religion, and you are not a muslim, again you and a minor group(not necesaryly non-muslims) will be the only ones who work in any day that is a holiday in thier religion, if your work place is open.

2 and 3 go together. History records show times where the religion of a country largely influenced the government of that country and even educational bodies in it too. One might say that you are even lucky to live in a mainly christain society, If Jesus did not stop the stonning of the aldulterous woman in the bible we might even have laws that stone people to death. It is not that i have anything against religions that for example stone or hang people to death, but after watching a documentary program about a 16 yr old girl being hanged due to indecent behaviour, i somehow fell happy as a christain. See link below.

So to sum it up, if you dont like the society you live in, you better pack to a new one where you think you will feel at home. It is hard to separate most laws from the religion of the society where the majority of the population folow the main religion.

I rest my case.

Answer 5

Much of this is NOT being imposed, but has been agreed by concensus by elected leaders.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say you must not work on Good Friday or Christmas Day - it does say that everyone is entitled to rest from work. That is the idea behind the sabbath and I for one am glad that there are certain days enshrined in law as public holidays. Why do you want to work on those days?

Yes, there are laws that may be perceived to restrict the rights of certain people. Whether or not you agree with those laws, they were designed to stop society fraying at the seams - the same for all laws. The alternative is anarchy. Of course, you could argue that some of those laws have crossed a boundary, but I take you back to my point about those laws not being made by the church but by people that you and I have elected.

Not sure I get your point about language. Personally I find blasphemous expressions quite repugnant, so please get them removed from the language!

We might need to agree to disagree on these points, though!

Answer 6

My religion rules! If I didnt think it did, I'd convert. Even today if someone can disprove it, or point out enuff flaws, I'd probably be an athiest or convert. The fact is, Ive had tooooo many religious discussions with too many people- not arguments - and 'won' all so far..
Pointwise answer to your points?:
1) Dont you LIKE holidays??!! U Workaholic you! And besides.. if you really want to work, Im sure you'll find SOMETHING to do.. anyway, in Arab countries like UAE, saturday and sunday are working, friday is the holiday and Christmas is a WORKING day -- I remember they had EXAMS on that day!!!!!! If you mean that public offices are closed in the name of religion, I say gimme ANY excuse and I'll be glad its a holiday! And you're free to work at home.. with the internet today its highly possible. If you really can't bear it, in the 21st centruy you have a million options tailormade to suit your needs. Move country, job.. anythings possible.
2) Some states permit gay marriage. Jesus never said no to gays. He loves everyone :-) As for abortion, I htink its fine in certain cases like rape, etc.. but come on, would your conscience really permit you to just go killing lil' babies?! You want your 11minutes of pleasure you be prepared to pay the price!!
3) "Oh, my God!", or "Jesus!" are blasphemy -- not part of religion u! The 1st commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain!!
Cheers! Amen! Halleluia! ;-) :-D

Answer 7

Sorry, I don't care. I am orthodox. I don't care if gay people marry. I just don't want them to do it in a Church, and I'm not agree whit them adopting kids. But if any of this things happens I would not go on the street to protest. I speak another language, so we don't use this expressions. Oh, and I don't believe is wrong to work in the days you've mentioned at NR 1.I think that are just superstitions.

Answer 8

Should I decide to settle in Saudi Arabia I would expect to conform to their laws and customs.

For example, no alcohol, the imposition of capital punishment or public flogging for certain offences. Also, if I were female, I would have to accept restrictions on my dress and behaviour. Similarly I would respect their language and culture.

If I had serious objections I would exercise my right to leave the country.

Anyone settling in another country should not expect all aspects of the host country's laws and society to change to suit them.

Where many different cultures live side by side in a host country it is obviously impossible to change to suit ALL of them.

If the society you find yourself living in is not to your liking and you can no longer tolerate it then you are free to leave.

That applies to the indigenous population too.

If you are a settler in a foreign land then you have already chosen to desert your birthplace.

Answer 9

1. Why are you complaining about days off?
2.Have you not clicked on that neither gay marriage nor abortion are against the law anymore? And by the way I am glad that the law upholds 'do not murder' and 'do not steal'
3.Language is influenced by the colour of life. Don't use words you don't like. hehe.

Answer 10

Every society in the earth has been influenced by the main religion, and we are no different. I we would lose the influence of our beliefs it would be only the TV to tell us what to believe and be. Anyway religion nowadays is just on of the forces who influence our society.

Answer 11

Do you think Muslims agree with gay marriages? Don't talk about Christians because our religion is not as aggressive as the others.