Christianity banned from cinemas

[wigginhall]

However you wriggle  -  which you have to do so often  -  singing Christmas carols at Christmas, as an atheist, is hypocritical, cowardly and deceitful.   

But why?  Are you saying that taking part in, or enjoying, music, must involve a belief in the words?  I sometimes play music by Jewish cantors, as I find it haunting, so are you saying that I must be Jewish to do this?

[BashfulAnthony]

But why?  Are you saying that taking part in, or enjoying, music, must involve a belief in the words?  I sometimes play music by Jewish cantors, as I find it haunting, so are you saying that I must be Jewish to do this?

 To join in singing the words of a specific Christian event, one that is precious to them, when you do not believe in them, is rather unctuous. 

[Shaker]

But why?  Are you saying that taking part in, or enjoying, music, must involve a belief in the words?  I sometimes play music by Jewish cantors, as I find it haunting, so are you saying that I must be Jewish to do this?

There'll be an ad hoc excuse for this. I asked if my culturally, nominally Hindu but actually non-religious neighbours were hypocrites for sending Christmas cards. According to Bashers, they're not, even though they don't believe in or celebrate any of the Christian trappings; when atheists in the same position send Christmas cards, they're hypocrites, apparently.

Still not at all sure how that one works in any rational, logical way.

[wigginhall]

To join in singing the words of a specific Christian event, one that is precious to them, when you do not believe in them, is rather unctuous.

So at a carol concert, non-Christians should remain silent?  Wow, that's such a kill-joy attitude.

[Shaker]

To join in singing the words of a specific Christian event

But you've been told more times than I can remember that for most it isn't.

[Nearly Sane]

To join in singing the words of a specific Christian event, one that is precious to them, when you do not believe in them, is rather unctuous.

Me old mother didn’t think that when I saw the hymns at my father's funeral. Shall I give you her number so you can tell her that I was being cowardly doing that?

[Nearly Sane]

Or indeed when I went to the Jewish wedding of my friends Ceferino and Simon this year, I could have refused to wear a yarmulke, but I think that would of made me a bit of a dick.

[Nearly Sane]

Or even when I went round to Claire's last weekend and I happily ate the vegetarian food instead of asking for bacon.

[Gordon]

However you wriggle  -  which you have to do so often  -  singing Christmas carols at Christmas, as an atheist, is hypocritical, cowardly and deceitful.   

No it isn't - stick a guitar in my hand and I'll happily give you my rendition of 'Puttin on the Ritz' even though I've never been to New York.

[Shaker]

Or Jake the peg, even though you have two legs, diddle diddle dum

"Or my old mans a dustman" when he isn't.

 

Hypocrites all, I tell you

[SusanDoris]

BA #333

What arrogant smugness to think you have put Shaker 'in his place'!  I suppose it is remotely possible that you were trying to make a joke, but it didn't sound like it to me.

[Shaker]

BA's jokes are no laughing matter

[Walt Zingmatilder]

BA #333

What arrogant smugness to think you have put Shaker 'in his place'!  I suppose it is remotely possible that you were trying to make a joke, but it didn't sound like it to me.

What arrogant smugness to think that Shaker cannot be put in his place.

Recently Shaker's claim that David Attenborough's approach to religion was anodyne appeasement was in fact shown to be mere decency of a kind Shaker can never grasp or partake of.

[Rhiannon]

Me old mother didn’t think that when I saw the hymns at my father's funeral. Shall I give you her number so you can tell her that I was being cowardly doing that?

This reminds me of the memorial service for a very dear neighbour of mine. He lost his faith in WW2 as a prisoner of war; every day that I knew him he sang 'Onward Christian Soldiers' whilst walking his dog to keep rhythm as his knee was bad. Knowing that most of his friends in the village were Anglican, his wife arranged for a memorial service with hymns to be held in our parish church, and the pp followed her instructions not to mention anything to do with Christianity, salvation or God's love, even though he felt he wasn't doing his 'job' as it were.

Bunch of hypocrites.

[ippy]

However you wriggle  -  which you have to do so often  -  singing Christmas carols at Christmas, as an atheist, is hypocritical, cowardly and deceitful.   

Must tell my wife, another atheist, as are the rest of my family, oh yes my wife's a gospel singer, loves almost everything about it, so do I.

Funnily enough most of the singers in her group are atheists too, like the rest of us they love the music.

ippy

[ProfessorDavey]

You could hum!  I think it a bit much to join in carols, at a specifically Christian celebration, when you repudiate all the song stands for.  Have the courage of your convictions.

Hmm - not sure the musical director of my choir would be too happy with me (and the other atheists in the choir) humming rather than singing the words.

Nor the 300 or so members of the public who pay good money to come and see us perform in our Christmas concert.

Don't forget we are 'performing' not 'worshiping' BA.

[SqueakyVoice]

Hmm - not sure the musical director of my choir would be too happy with me (and the other atheists in the choir) humming rather than singing the words.

I think you'll find that you're allowed to sing, but you have to keep your fingers crossed.

Because that stops the magic getting in. Or out.

Or something.

[Shaker]

And what about all them atheist composers who wrote music in religious forms, and even worse, all them religious composers who wrote music that had nothing to do with religion at all.

Bastards, the lot of them 

[Outrider]

As long as you don't ever join in with the words, of course;  and to suggest plenty of atheists don't join in, is naive.

Oh, wow... does that mean that if I sing Taylor Swift's 'Blank Space' that I'll be attracted to men?

O.

[Shaker]

Hmm - not sure the musical director of my choir would be too happy with me (and the other atheists in the choir) humming rather than singing the words.

Flos Campi by Ralph Vaughan Williams has a prominent part for a large but wordless chorus - literally humming and aaahing throughout.

I'm sure that's ideologically acceptable to BA

[Outrider]

The c of e are thinking of taking it to court, they say it's religious discrimination.

 

I don't think it is.

I don't think people want it, and the cinemas need to listen to what their customers want.

If you let the c of e do it, the you have to let the scientologists and Mormons do it.

I absolutely hate the idea.

There are lots of places I respect the presence of religion, such as remembrance services and even in council meetings where it is part of a longstanding tradition and people have the option to step outside for a minute, but in cinemas?

No!

No one I've spoken to thinks it's appropriate.

I think the c of e will lose face on this one, if they force it through the court.


 

More importantly, I think they'll lose the case. Religious discrimination prevents religious views being treated differently, this isn't treating any religious view differently from any other - I don't see they have a leg to stand on.

DCM will say that it's a contentious area that sparks discussions they don't want to be a part of, and as evidence will site the coverage it's had in the media.

O.

[Outrider]

I don't really expect to change your mind about anything,  You are so closed-minded and dogmatic, that it would be a minor miracle to change your mind.

Which dogma do we have that we can be dogmatic about, out of interest?

As my first headmaster said to me, so long ago: "when faced with pig-ignorant dogmatism and failure to concede anything, however ridiculous the position, you can only keep chipping away."

Shame he didn't succeed, I'd say.

Having said all that, I shall now leave, for tea; not running, but sedately wending my way, having put you in your place    place.

Firmly outside of your view of 'proper' Christmas... where we started. Well there's a relief.

I can see how Christmas carols might, in some instances, be considered to have a religious origin or a religious spin - and equally how some people can like to sing and not give a toss what they're singing, hence Boyzone - but what's religious about sending Christmas cards?

O.
[/quote]

[Aruntraveller]

I come late to this discussion - but I would just like to register my thoughts that this ban is a load of nonsense. I bet the cinema chains will be taking plenty of Christmas generated dosh from the breweries, supermarket chains, perfume companies etc.

One advert/film that isn't for a "commercial" purpose and they turn money down. Wankers.

And I post this as an unrepentant atheist.

[Outrider]

I come late to this discussion - but I would just like to register my thoughts that this ban is a load of nonsense. I bet the cinema chains will be taking plenty of Christmas generated dosh from the breweries, supermarket chains, perfume companies etc.

One advert/film that isn't for a "commercial" purpose and they turn money down. Wankers.

And I post this as an unrepentant atheist.

Personally, in this country, I don't think too many people would have cared less about it if it were shown. However, once that one is shown it opens up a whole can of worms - the religious discrimination laws would have then made it difficult to turn down adverts from Islamic groups - which aren't intrinsically any more worrying to anyone who actually thinks, but there are Sun readers out there - or the Scientologists (who aren't shy about getting their lawyers out when they feel like it) and who knows who else, and certainly there are people out there who would take offence at some of those.

Given the sentiments it's aroused, I think they've made a reasonably good call... if they can weather the storm and not be bullied into caving in.

O.

[~TW~]

Personally, in this country, I don't think too many people would have cared less about it if it were shown. However, once that one is shown it opens up a whole can of worms - the religious discrimination laws would have then made it difficult to turn down adverts from Islamic groups - which aren't intrinsically any more worrying to anyone who actually thinks, but there are Sun readers out there - or the Scientologists (who aren't shy about getting their lawyers out when they feel like it) and who knows who else, and certainly there are people out there who would take offence at some of those.

Given the sentiments it's aroused, I think they've made a reasonably good call... if they can weather the storm and not be bullied into caving in.

O.

The average cinema goer does not know what day it is so no problem.The Lord will have his way and with all these nutters from isis knocking about better to stay at home at least you wont be charged £3-00 for a bag of not very good sweets,rip off merchants is the key word.

             ~TW~