Sunmountain - no flames here.
But I think that many Americans make assumptions about the British because of our history.Rather like they talk about
the land of the free as if it were the only democracy in the world. And so, although my country has a history of religious fervour (as does the US, incidentally), modern day British citizens do not have religion dictated to them any more than you do.
Interestingly, our average Christian church is far less involved in politics or dictating the way people should live than yours. I have never heard of a church promoting anything like Ezzo, nor do Christians circumcise in the UK (something brought into fashion over here by some fairly extreme Puritans) The Church simply doesnt get involved in political issues, apart from the occasional bland statement about caring for the needy when an unpopular bill comes before Parliament. Eg, abortion is not an issue in British politics. But maybe I'm going too far
T and am going to land in deeper hot water here......
The concept of religious education fascinates me. Our family went to a hannukah celebration last week. I was raised in the UK, where religious education is part of the curriculum, although parents can have their child withdrawn if they wish. (Note the term 'education' which is different to talking about worship) Dh was raised here in the US, and until he met me was critical of the British policy of educating about religions.
On the way there, he asked me to give him a lesson about Hannukah.
I wonder, how powerful is education in countering prejudice? Personally, I'd prefer my child to learn about different belief systems and have knowledge and therefore respect for them. You would probably counter this with the fact that you will do this at home. But how many parents
won't ? And so another generation grows up in ignorance and prejudice.
So I don't think our differences over using Christmas greetings, is that simple. There are probably a myriad of reasons why the two cultures see things differently, and I strongly disagree with the implication that 21st century British Christians are insensitive but that British non-Christians tolerate it because they are used to persecution.
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) I wish it had done the trick, but like Sunmountain said, you can't really get it until you've lived the life. And, to be honest, with the exception of a short stint of church-going in my childhood, I have not lived anything approaching the life of a devout Christian... I have appreciated learning more about it on MDC, though... Honestly.
, I see you are relatively new here!
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