Does anyone on this forum go to church?

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I like the idea that the RC Church "Came Close" to running the Government in the Republic !!!

You can't GET much closer ----- Illegal Contraception and Abortion and non- prosecution of Guilty Priests was NOT thought up by the Politicians ---- but who would dare to argue ?

[mvgrogan]

just found this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11113417

enjoy!

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

just found this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11113417

enjoy!

Can't say we have experienced any strippers OUTSIDE our Church,
The changing rooms for the production of "Joseph and his Amazing Coloured Dreamcoat" were, however, somewhat cramped -------
Surprising how friendly it can be !!!!

[Eruresto]

Seconding that. He was until very recently my bishop, and also a very gifted writer: I used a few of his books in my essays and was struck at how well written and readable they were.

[Katharine]

Oh Alan - may I pass your anecdote on to a clerical friend who worked with him at Manchester University? My friend described him as an old sparring partner!

[Katharine]

Alan, I saw my friend today and told him your story - he loved it and said it was so typical of the man! More seriously he said what a great loss to the CofE he was.

[Chris Blewett]

Alan,

I read this article on Mailonline yesterday and wonder what the REAL facts actually are? It would appear (from the Mail article) that the couple in question haven't actually fostered since 1993 and that this High Court action started as a result of a meeting with Social Workers in 2007. Neither does it say what guidelines were being breached.

So..we appear to have a couple who are saying that their Christian beliefs are being disregarded without actually saying how or why or indeed what harm is or could be done to children buy the couple.

As a Franciscan Tertiary, I find this all deeply unsatisfactory and can only think that if all the facts were published that we would see that the truth doesnt sell papers!

I have a feeling that Foster Parents, like 'normal' parents should be allowed the flexibility to discuss any issues which their foster children bring up in a manner and at a time which is helpful to the child. For instance, if the couple take the stance that homosexuality is totally wrong - how would they deal with a child who wants to explore their own sexuality to see if they are 'gay'.

Just before anyone gets the wrong idea, I'm am neither for or against homosexuality - where I am is that each person should find their own place where they are comfortable so that they can be a 'whole' person.

I suspect that we are beginning to reap the benefit of a society that has allowed the individual to decide what is right and wrong and has then bent over backwards to allow it in the name of that person's 'rights'. A little like the Anglican church has done for at least the last 40 years by continually moving boundaries.

I would be grateful if someone could help me through the mire of this one!

[Mid A 15]

Hello Chris,
I think the issue for me here is that people are being discriminated against because of their thoughts rather than their actions. Homophobia is not specifically a religious condition and strikes me as being far more primal reaction to unfamiliar territory. When somebody comes out it is as if they have been strangers all that time and it is difficult to know or judge what the effects are or can be. That applies on a fundamental human level not specifically a religious one. Though, of course, diguising this primal fear through reference to scripture is a common thing.

Of course, thanks to Aristotlianism, the Christian is placed in a difficult position on this, but I think the past track record of the children these people have fostered previously should count for more than their personal beliefs.

I hope they appeal against this decision and that they win their case as it sets a very dangerous precedent indeed.

Chris and Alan

I find this site quite informative when it comes cases like this.


http://religionlaw.blogspot.com/

[Chris Blewett]

Andy

Thanks for that - I suspect that cases like this will continue to hit the newspapers. I note with interest that the judges acknowledge that they are secular - I wonder if parts of society have changed to see themselves as secular (apart from Baptism, Weddings and Funerals) but that the English psyche sees itself as Religious. NOW thats a whole new area and I've just scared myself with the out of box thought!

[Great Plum]

Chris,

I thought I'd only ever heard of one Franciscan Tertiary (my mother in law!) and it's interesting to hear there's at least one in the OB community!

[Chris Blewett]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for that, hopefully I'm nothing like your mother-in-law (in a nice way!!)

Actually I think another Franciscan Tertiary was a master - but I don't want to name him in case I'm wrong!!

We are a select group - Did Br Angelo visit the school whilst you were there???

[kerrensimmonds]

I think that the Headmistress' Secretary, Miss Gamble, belonged to a religious order 'in the world', when I was at school. What is a 'Franciscan Tertiary'?. Maybe she was one...

[Katharine]

My late godfather, Bob Pope, was for some time chaplain to the third order of Franciscans, which I presume is the Tertiaries. At another time, he was Anglican Chaplain in Rome, given his surname this did cause confusion at times as he was there with his wife - Mrs Pope!

[AKAP]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for that, hopefully I'm nothing like your mother-in-law (in a nice way!!)

Actually I think another Franciscan Tertiary was a master - but I don't want to name him in case I'm wrong!!

We are a select group - Did Br Angelo visit the school whilst you were there???

Br Angelo visited in my time and was charismatic (very over used term but applicable to Br Angelo). I think I need another Br Angelo to discuss christianity with.

[Chris Blewett]

AKAP - yes I remember those days. Angelo and I still converse from time to time. He seems to be the same today as he was then and lives near Brighton and is kept busy looking after parishes with no priest. I may tell him that he has been described as charismatic - he will laugh!!!

There is a Franciscan house in Northumberland (look at http://www.franciscans.org.uk for the location) - there are some excellent brothers there who are not too dissimilar to Angelo!!