Mosques and churches

[DavidinSouthampton]

I think it was wednesday that c of e churches banned public worship so there are no mass gatherings at the moment in c of e churches

The Methodist Church nationally has advised Sunday worship (or any other day) should not take place. I would imagine most, of not all, are doing it.

 

[jonnyrovers]

Isn't the bigger question 'why aren't believers questioning their faith'?

If there is an interventionist god out there, why would she/he (see what i did there?) do this to us?

Might start another thread.

 

[dazzer6666]

Regrettably, I've Pledged not to eat those.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Isn't the bigger question 'why aren't believers questioning their faith'?

If there is an interventionist god out there, why would she/he (see what i did there?) do this to us?

Might start another thread.

I think you are confusing God with a Superman film....also isn’t it the virus that is doing it

Also how do you know that people aren’t, just because you havnt heard about it

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Why are you focusing on mosques & synagogues?

FYI my next door neighbour is a vicar and went to ‘work’ today in his attire so clearly churches in West Sussex are still open

My daughter’s church broadcast their service this morning with the vicar in full regalia.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

And seeing as it's Sunday, here's a link to Bishop Hannington Memorial Church in Hove 10am live service which is happening as I type this.

It's my home church when I'm back in the UK, so I can vouch for it.

https://www.bhmc.org.uk/live.html

Phil Moon (Vicar) isn't doing it from the church as he's self-isolating (7 days to go), he's doing it from home.

So no other people there and responsible attitudes shown.

Worth a listen.

My parents married in Bishop Hannington church & I was christened there.

 

[beorhthelm]

Isn't the bigger question 'why aren't believers questioning their faith'?

If there is an interventionist god out there, why would she/he (see what i did there?) do this to us?

Might start another thread.

traditional response is either this is sent to test us, or a punishment. no, neither are consistent with a benevolent diety.

 

[RossyG]

Isn't the bigger question 'why aren't believers questioning their faith'?

The same reason Job didn’t when he was put through torment.

God has started plagues before and at the very least is allowing this virus to happen. Why? No idea. Maybe to remind us that we’re in a fallen world.

From a Christian point of view, tribulations in this world, no matter how severe, will ultimately mean nothing in the next. This world is like a gruelling test for eternity. It’s hard to keep that perspective at times, especially when you’re at a low ebb, but that’s what it is.

I know many atheists find this ridiculous, but so it goes. Each to their own.

Another thing people say is, well, that God must be a right b@5tard, then. But He’s not human. He sees a bigger picture that we can’t possibly comprehend.

Again, atheists I’ve spoken to don’t like this response and think anyone who believes is barmy, but that’s fine. We’re all entitled to an opinion.

 

[RossyG]

traditional response is either this is sent to test us, or a punishment. no, neither are consistent with a benevolent diety.

Here’s a quote from C.S. Lewis.

“The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world: But joy, pleasure, and merriment, He has scattered broadcast. We are never safe, but we have plenty of fun, and some ecstasy. It is not hard to see why. The security we crave would teach us to rest our hearts in this world and oppose an obstacle to our return to God: A few moments of happy love, a landscape, a symphony, a merry meeting with our friends, a bathe or a football match, have no such tendency. Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.”

 

[jonnyrovers]

The same reason Job didn’t when he was put through torment.

God has started plagues before and at the very least is allowing this virus to happen. Why? No idea. Maybe to remind us that we’re in a fallen world.

From a Christian point of view, tribulations in this world, no matter how severe, will ultimately mean nothing in the next. This world is like a gruelling test for eternity. It’s hard to keep that perspective at times, especially when you’re at a low ebb, but that’s what it is.

I know many atheists find this ridiculous, but so it goes. Each to their own.

Another thing people say is, well, that God must be a right b@5tard, then. But He’s not human. He sees a bigger picture that we can’t possibly comprehend.

Again, atheists I’ve spoken to don’t like this response and think anyone who believes is barmy, but that’s fine. We’re all entitled to an opinion.

A very well informed and measured response, thank you. I'm afraid I sit firmly with the atheists on this one but as you say, each to their own. I would however caveat that when 'each to their own' causes unnecessary harm in the name of god, god is not responsible and is not to be held accountable. A human made that choice and should own it.

 

[jonnyrovers]

I think you are confusing God with a Superman film....also isn’t it the virus that is doing it

Also how do you know that people aren’t, just because you havnt heard about it

An interventionist god would be wholly responsible for the virus.

 

[Eeyore]

My daughter’s church broadcast their service this morning with the vicar in full regalia.

That's what I was thinking. He may be off to do a live link.

Church beambacks ! Mind you, they were doing that 30 odd years ago when Billy Graham turned up.

 

[Eeyore]

Here’s a quote from C.S. Lewis.

“The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world: But joy, pleasure, and merriment, He has scattered broadcast. We are never safe, but we have plenty of fun, and some ecstasy. It is not hard to see why. The security we crave would teach us to rest our hearts in this world and oppose an obstacle to our return to God: A few moments of happy love, a landscape, a symphony, a merry meeting with our friends, a bathe or a football match, have no such tendency. Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.”

I've read his works. 'Mere Christianity' is heavy going but nonetheless a worthy read.

 

[LamieRobertson]

An interventionist god would be wholly responsible for the virus.

I wish you good health for body and soul ..take care fellow Shorehamite

 

[Soylent Blue]

ironic really, Catholic mass in Italy and some Islamic ceremony in Iran are what caused explosions of incidence in those countries. where is their god?

if we have official banning of pubs and resturants, we should have official banning of religious gatherings too.

I had or have a hunch that a lot of the spread was the middle classes coming back from their skiing holidays in the alps etc, this is why that so many of the establishment have it. So far 25% of the deaths have been muslim out of 4% of the population, the way their culture is set up is geared to spreading it..

 

[Soylent Blue]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/black-country-church-worshipper-linked-17958972

Black Country church worshipper reportedly 'linked to local coronavirus outbreak'

The West Midlands has been named as the first 'hot spot' outside of London

Thought the numbers in Birminghan were going up a bit fast.

 

[peterward]

Try a Polish supermarket. I have one near me NEXT DOOR to a LIDL. The Lidl was completely empty, but I came back with fresh veg, some nice potatoes and butter.

Loads of bread there too and a freezer stacked with frozen veg.

I was shopping at 7pm.

Sorry off topic: Cats out of the bag! I've got an eastern European wife and concur, pretty fully stocked.

Also I've managed to get plenty of meat yesterday after enduring a week of empty shelves everywhere. A bit pricier but check out local farm shops.... A couple round me were also struggling getting stuff from suppliers, but found a really good one that butchers on site (so no supply issue), and can put in advance orders as opens 2 days a week. Sure you'll find plenty similar in Sussex if you're sick of empty shelves on the local supermarket.

 

[peterward]

....

 

[Jim Van Winkle]

The same reason Job didn’t when he was put through torment.

God has started plagues before and at the very least is allowing this virus to happen. Why? No idea. Maybe to remind us that we’re in a fallen world.

From a Christian point of view, tribulations in this world, no matter how severe, will ultimately mean nothing in the next. This world is like a gruelling test for eternity. It’s hard to keep that perspective at times, especially when you’re at a low ebb, but that’s what it is.

I know many atheists find this ridiculous, but so it goes. Each to their own.

Another thing people say is, well, that God must be a right b@5tard, then. But He’s not human. He sees a bigger picture that we can’t possibly comprehend.

Again, atheists I’ve spoken to don’t like this response and think anyone who believes is barmy, but that’s fine. We’re all entitled to an opinion.

If you contracted COVID-19 (I hope you don’t BTW) and it got to a critical state. Would you stay at home and pray or seek medical assistance?

Asking for an Atheist.

 

[LamieRobertson]

If you contracted COVID-19 (I hope you don’t BTW) and it got to a critical state. Would you stay at home and pray or seek medical assistance?

Asking for an Atheist.

That’s kind