Religious opinions in today's modern society?

Question

My nan and her sisters are BIG god worshippers (christians). A few weeks ago my cousin and her girlfriend had a civil ceremony. I was really pleased for them because they have been together for a long time and are lovely women, but the families reaction was childish, they are disgusted and think that they did this just to spite them? The family are very level headed, loving, intelligent people but they have made themselves look stupid after their reaction and left me questioning what kind of people they really are.

Are religions and beliefs a bit too old fashioned for the times?

By the way I am NOT a Christian and I do NOT believe in God x

Answer 1

I find that quite sad this day in age. Good luck to ur cousin and her girlfriend, I hope they have a great life together.

I have to agree with other posters who have put that their reaction is not one of people who are level-headed, intelligent or loving. Their reaction is very selfish and I think they are more worried about what other people will think of them. They need to realise that it takes many different people to make a world and that we can't help who we fall in love with.

I think that they need to get into the 21st century. Religion and beliefs (such as christianity islam, etc) are all very hateful, vengeful, mysoginistic, homophobic, abusive, murderous cults. You are best staying away from these religions. I hope that your family become more tolerant over time and maybe they are just scared because of not knowing about this different lifestyles.

Answer 2

Maybe our understanding is old fashion, but I don’t believe methodology of beliefs (faith) or religion is outdated.

Here’s a quick story - a few years ago, my wife asked me to teach a Christian Education Study (CES) at out Lutheran Church (I had never taught a class before). The idea was interesting for me, because the subject was world religions. The challenge was to present all religion respectfully and (most importantly) in an interesting way.

To get the full favor of the challenge, you have to understand that my daughter (and boyfriend), (3) math junkies, (1) child with family challenges, and (3) other intermittent students were all part of the CES. The question was – how to make the learning interesting and informative?

To achieve the goal we made the class interactive using reading, tracking similarities on matrix, and finding great stories to connect everything. I heard from the student’s parents, that the class was a success (well for the most part).

In giving this example I hope you can see that our energy can help drive a strong and vibrant message of love, respect, grace, and understanding. As long as we understand the delivery needs a bit of updating.

With regards to family – it’s the only thing in life you can not choose. So do what I do, just LOVE the heck out of those crazy people and show then YOU understand the difference between what is right (correct) and what is not right.

Besides loving them won’t hurt you any (actually you’ll learn a lot about your self) and they will actually love the attention.

God Bless!

Answer 3

I'm glad you are happy for your cousin and her partner, they need more people like you in your family. You have proved yourself to be intelligent, articulate, sensitive and broad-minded. Good on you, love!! Now, back to your question, religion, particularily christianity, is not at fault here. The problem lies in the upbringing that your Nan and the rest of the family have had. They were raised to frown upon anything that wasn't considered to be 'the norm', including same-sex relationships and mixed-race relationships. It is good that you have been able to see beyond all that and just love your cousin and her partner for who they are, not what they are. Religion never changes with the times, only people can do that and you are proof of this. Don't fall out with your family, or anyone else, over religion, we have world leaders to do that! Continue as you are and you won't go far wrong. Take care and keep smiling.

Answer 4

Old fashioned and stupid means only that you do not agree with their beliefs in the matter. I agree with them an acquaintance of mine did the same thing. I have not and will not discuss the matter with him unless he mentions it directly to me.

I think you will find that a lot of intelligent caring people do not see the matter in the same light as yourself> the reaction of the family is not spiteful, it is a knowledge of what is right and wrong. The so called civil ceremony (not a marriage of course) has no standing to a Christian other than a tax dodge. The relationship is flawed.

Answer 5

I believe 'religion' is needed so much more in todays society, for reasons that you have just demonstrated.
We live in a highly immoral world dominated by homosexuality, adeltury and murder. This is not to say that religious people are not at fault, they are not perfect by any means, however a large majority of immoral acts are performed by non-believers of a religion.
That is why I feel it is so important for people, especially the younger generation, to have morals- and, to be honest, the only realistic way is through religion (well, specifically, Christianity). Many people like to believe that it is a set of rules that are too hard to live by. However, if you embrace God (and it's not hard, look around at creation and the beauty some of this earth has to offer) and learn to love him, the 'rules' are not hard to follow- you live you life as a living sacrifice to God and praise Jesus for giving up His life so that we can live a life that is, essentially, free of sin as He will always forgive us.
So, to answer your question, no religious beliefs are not too old fashioned, they are suited to the 21st century just as much as anything else. And remember, they have stood the test of time and have prevailed over prejudice and attack! It's only been in the past 50 years homosexuality has come out of being a major taboo and, who knows, it might get to a stage where it becomes 'too accepted'. I then beleive that be will see a revolt against homosexuals and it will, once again, become looked upon with disgust and will become very 'hush-hush' again. For the record, that is only an opinion. I actually have a couple of gay acquintances, and I support them as it is their choice to live the way they live, just as I live in truth for Jesus.

Answer 6

You all have a point. God says that is plan is for one man to be joined with one woman and that homosexuality is a sin. However it's no bigger a sin than any other (in God's eyes). Your family have every right to be upset by anyone who does anything that offfends God. However, Christians are also called to be loving to all and forgiving to all, maybe your family are so close to this that it's hard to get over just yet but I'm sure in time the love they feel for your cousin will hopefully win out.
Christians by the way believe that God's word is relevent for all times. He doesn't change his mind to suit the current trends.

Answer 7

Your nan and her sister reacted based on their frame work of mind which suited their coping skills, attitude and time. they will still use their thoughts based on how they were brought up, and they surely will be judgemental, because they were taught to live based on what would others think? The both lived their lives based on what everyone else wanted them to do including religion. They may be intelligent, level headed, brilliant but attitude wise they are judgemental, perhaps they forget that being judgemental (which they believe God is) was God Job and not theirs.
Its time develop an attitude of live and let live,

Answer 8

Hello,religion?start a new life in a other country? people take the same old baggage with them yes (religion and believes)This f---s them up straight away, New life old ways.HA HA. A good friend of mine just found out she had a half sister who died 6 years ago and never met her.All generations are catholic, preached,worship-ed,in the name of who-ever but because a evil sin ????? was commited in the eyes of DOG kept this a secret until the sisters could not meet and my friend is in her 80 tiss so the lies and deceit in the name of religion went on 80years. All religion devides all nations causes wars makes despots feel important, people starving,over-populated,If you dont worship a idol you must be a sinner,Go and commit any wrong-doing in the name of DOG and you be forgiven in the name of your DOG yes is the answer just look around holy madness.Ducking in the stool in the name of religion need i say more.Good Luck

Answer 9

Yep! Way too old fashioned!

However, would your Nan and her sisters (coven) react badly towards you if you brought a boy of a different race home?
It could be just the way that they were brought up?!

Answer 10

I don't understand... is there supposed to be a kind of love that issues from satan or something? I'm sorry your family did that to your cousin. Let the happy couple know that someone on Y!A is wishing them every happiness!