Suicide rates and depression tend to be high in secular countries.
Yeah a point to wonder, if the people in the West are happy, then why are suicide and depression rates so high in the West?
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Suicide rates and depression tend to be high in secular countries.
In 2019, the ten countries with the highest suicide rates (number of suicides per 100k) were:
Lesotho - 72.4
Guyana - 40.3
Eswatini - 29.4
South Korea - 28.6
Kiribati - 28.3
Federated States of Micronesia - 28.2
Lithuania - 26.1
Suriname - 25.4
Russia - 25.1
South Africa - 23.5
Yeah a point to wonder, if the people in the West are happy, then why are suicide and depression rates so high in the West?
The West isn’t one entity.
Depression/ suicide in USA is high due to their extremely individualistic society. Also the US medical-industrial establishment seeks to create dependency on antidepressants and heroin substitutes for pain suppression.
In UK this is true to a lesser extent.
Sweden / Norway / Finland have high incidence of SAD because of the long dark winters lacking sunshine.
Southern France, Italy and Spain have low incidence of depression due to stronger social links and warmer climates.
Incorrect they are not .Most of these countries are secular
Incorrect they are not .
Most of these countries have a separation of state and religion and have secular constitutions. But you can keep burying your head in sand.
The Aramaic word for abomination is the same as the word for unhygienic.
This is the problem that conservative Christians have - if you change one rule then every rule is up for grabs.
I think that several very intellectual liberal Christians deny the divinity of Christ - privately. But his message of love, forgiveness, and kindness to the Other is what counts. So he becomes less the Son of God and more a psychological principle or ideal model of human behaviour.
You can't equate a holy book to a document like the the Constitution that can be amended regularly. That renders it useless. Either its the truth or its not.
What the major denominations of Christianity consider as common ground christian canon has been unchanged for 2000 years and that includes their stance on homosexuality.
Are you a believing christian or just a cultural one ? If the latter, then this discussion is quite pointless.
I thought the early Bible was written in Hebrew.
Modern understanding of Leviticus has changed. The translation from Aramaic appears to refer to hygiene, not morality. But now we have soap and water.
The historical strength of Christianity is that it sees itself as part of a wider culture and has changed with culture over time.
Mods, the thread appears to be derailed…..
And yet Christians don't bother with the same prohibitions on eating pork, shellfish, menstruation, leather handbags and selling your daughter into slavery. So you see, they do amend their constitution, not actively by passively by ignoring parts of it..
Christianity is in serious decline and has been , because of changes and because Churches have sold out their beliefs to maintain power.
This seems very clear to me.
. 22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
How can this refer to hygiene?
Not true.
All those medieval practices and dietary prohibitions you mention were applicable to societies and circumstances at that ancient time in Israel, it has never been taught by the Church as part of .. how christians should behave or their obligations. What is applicable to Christians is described in the New Testament. That's why that part of the Bible is named as such - a break from the past. As I've mentioned earlier, homosexuality in particular is also mentioned in the New Testament but none of what you've mentioned in the above quote is.
Do you know what the 'New Covenant' is ? That answers your question. Read up on it.
Yes, I attended church until the end of my teens. The New Covenant refers to salvation through Jesus. He also said:
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-18.htm
What is that verse supposed to mean ? It could have any number of interpretations.
People are pretty religious in those countries too.
The Bible wasn’t written in English. This article suggests that the prohibition is not of homosexuality but if the rape of a man:
https://blog.smu.edu/ot8317/2019/04/11/lost-in-translation-alternative-meaning-in-leviticus-1822/
So perhaps I was wrong. If this book came from Hebrew not Aramaic then the dual meaning of the former won’t apply.
Robert came up with his own Christianity.
He thinks homosexuality and premarital sex are permissible in Christianity.
Why are you as a muslim bothered about Christianity failing ? You should be happy. The Islamic point of view is that the Bible is a compromised and corrupted document so its funny to see some of you defend the sanctity and authenticity of the Bible verses discussed here.
Since you are coming across as an expert, you should also be aware the revelations sent to Jesus(pbuh), although corrupted still hold many truths which are fully in line with the Quran.
Its never a competition , Muslims respect these texts knowing their origins. After all its the ONE same God/Allah.
Since you are coming across as an expert, you should also be aware the revelations sent to Jesus(pbuh), although corrupted still hold many truths which are fully in line with the Quran.
Its never a competition , Muslims respect these texts knowing their origins. After all its the ONE same God/Allah.
Since its corrupted, you should just ignore the Bible as a whole and just stick to the Quran, given that muslims believe that the latter is the final and complete revelation.
The Bible's central message is that Jesus is the son of God, which the Quran absolutely rejects. If the Bible has got its central theme wrong, it subsequently follows that apostles have no credibility and were all just liars .. so there is no point in defending any other verse in the Bible.
As an atheist, can I ask why you are concerned at all? You're spending time on something you dont believe to be true at all. lol.
Since its corrupted, you should just ignore the Bible as a whole and just stick to the Quran, given that muslims believe that the latter is the final and complete revelation.
The Bible's central message is that Jesus is the son of God, which the Quran absolutely rejects. If the Bible has got its central theme wrong, it subsequently follows that apostles have no credibility and were all just liars .. so there is no point in defending any other verse in the Bible.
The Bible is missing the Gospel of Barnabas.
King James Bible (translation) is responsible for the highest level of corruption in religion than any event in history.
Second thoughts perhaps, other than that, discussion on Islam has a tendency to bring out the Thiest defending Athiests.
I think a lot dont realise there were many gospels but assume it was only the 4 in the New Testament.
They choose certain gospels to further politics and left others out.
I really dont understand atheists. It would be like, we Muslims spending masses of time discussing the fairy dragon overlord, ruler of the dragon world etc. It makes no sense, so we dont.
Or perhaps deep down atheists arent really atheists but their arrogance and desires makes them want to be![]()
Almost all Christians, especially living in the West, believe Jesus [PBUH], was white, with blond hair, and blue eyes.
Almost all Christians, especially living in the West, believe Jesus [PBUH], was white, with blond hair, and blue eyes. This is how corrupt and confused Western Christianity.
As for Athiests, I can only speak of the ones in the UK who are the first to book Xmas and Easter holidays.
It is no wonder the Anglican church and all have bartered the message of God for lefty politics.
Even if this was the case once upon a time, I don’t think nowadays amongst Christians that this is the general perception of what Christ looked like.
Seems to be more commonly held that he had dark eyes and a dark complexion, was of Jewish / Middle Eastern appearance, of regular build, with brown or black curly hair & a matching beard of medium length.
Hope you're well James.
Do you agree with Robert , Christianity allows same couple relationships?
Religions don't have to allow same sex marriages, but they have to respect those that do. Any religion that excludes people that do have same sex marriages are discriminating and religion is based on non discrimination.
If a religion does exclude people in same sex marriages then that religion is promoting discrimination and would be hypocritical if they accuse others of discrimination.
What is that verse supposed to mean ? It could have any number of interpretations.
Hope you're well James.
Do you agree with Robert , Christianity allows same couple relationships?
I think a lot dont realise there were many gospels but assume it was only the 4 in the New Testament.
They choose certain gospels to further politics and left others out.
I really dont understand atheists. It would be like, we Muslims spending masses of time discussing the fairy dragon overlord, ruler of the dragon world etc. It makes no sense, so we dont.
Or perhaps deep down atheists arent really atheists but their arrogance and desires makes them want to be![]()
Pure nonsense, and the US Supreme court and UK courts say so.
https://www.theguardian.com/law/202...oses-seven-year-battle-against-belfast-bakery
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...-bakery-that-refused-to-make-gay-wedding-cake
In a secular society the state and religion are meant to be separate and the gay couples who took religious bakery owners to court because the owners refused to make gay wedding cakes, lost their cases.
“The bakers could not refuse to supply their goods to Mr Lee because he was a gay man or supported gay marriage, but that is quite different from obliging them to supply a cake iced with a message with which they profoundly disagreed.”
You didn't read your own link which supports what I said.
The bakers did not refuse service because he was gay, it was because they did not want to write a message on the cake. If a non gay person asked for the same message on the cake the baker still would have refused to write the message.
As you can see from your own link had they refused to serve him because he was in a same sex marriage then he would have won the case.
Your own link proves my point, thank you.
You didn't read your own link which supports what I said.
The bakers did not refuse service because he was gay, it was because they did not want to write a message on the cake. If a non gay person asked for the same message on the cake the baker still would have refused to write the message.
As you can see from your own link had they refused to serve him because he was in a same sex marriage then he would have won the case.
Your own link proves my point, thank you.
It said: “The supreme court found on the facts of the case that the applicant was not treated differently on account of his real or perceived sexual orientation, but rather that the refusal to supply the cake was because of the defendants’ religious objection to gay marriage.
It said: “The supreme court found on the facts of the case that the applicant was not treated differently on account of his real or perceived sexual orientation, but rather that the refusal to supply the cake was because of the defendants’ religious objection to gay marriage.
This was my original post "Religions don't have to allow same sex marriages, but they have to respect those that do."
.
Again sheer nonsense, the Bakers DID NOT respect same sex marriages because the Bakers REFUSED (discriminate) to acknowledge same sex marriages by REFUSING to bake a cake with same sex messaging because the gay message went against the bakers religious beliefs.
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This is exactly what I wrote, religion can have their own views on same sex marriage but they cannot discriminate against people of same sex marriages. They themselves do not have to bake cakes with same sex messages but they cannot refuse to serve someone in a same sex marriage.
The outcome of this court case proves that point.
No it is not what you wrote, you are now in damage control mode.
The Baker did discriminate! The baker refused to comply with the gay couple's request, because the baker does not believe in same sex marriages!
Let me make it simpler for you.
Discrimination laws only apply in PUBLIC, not in private. As a business, I have the right to refuse to serve who I want. UK Common Law and the US Constitution do not apply to the private sphere! Which is precisely the reason why private companies such as FB and Twitter are free to block who they want when they want, and precisely why I can say racist things in my own abode and never get arrested.
Get over it, the cheap attention seeking stunt by gay couples back fired, in the WEST!
The five justices on the supreme court – Lady Hale, Lord Mance, Lord Kerr, Lord Hodge and Lady Black – found the bakery did not refuse to fulfil Lee’s order because of his sexual orientation and therefore there was no discrimination on those grounds.
So the information in your link was false then?.
We are going around in circles.
Fact remains, the baker is a private business and has right of refusal, but the gay couple thought they could make a quick buck by claiming they were discriminated as soon as same sex marriages were legalised. Didn't matter in the end because a private business has the right to serve who they wish and discriminate, the courts agree, and the only reason why the baker had to reveal his religious reasons is because the case went to court.
The case would not have gone to court had it not been for the gay couples sinister motives. Ask yourself, why did the gay couples in question reach out to a baker known to have strong Christian values? No Athiest bakers around?
You cannot cry over discrimination yet champion freedom of expression and secualrism in the same breath.
Thankfully we do not live in Germany, France et al, where laws against thought exist: we are free to believe what we want, including Holocaust denial and homosexuality is an abonination.
Nothing wrong in believing certain things are an abomination as long as you don't say it out loud to someone in public.
Where did I say that?
The Church will not marry gay couples.
The Archbishop of Canterbury now says that he will bless such a union. Hence the Anglican schism.
Nothing wrong in believing certain things are an abomination as long as you don't say it out loud to someone in public.
Clearly you agree gays can marry . Christianity doesn’t , it’s even more clear . Archbishop is a tool of the state , which is obsessed with shoving lgbt immortal lifestyle down everyone’s.. Most Christians won’t follow suit . It’s a minor issue
Hope you're well James.
Do you agree with Robert , Christianity allows same couple relationships?
Hope you're well James.
Do you agree with Robert , Christianity allows same couple relationships?
In terms of the schism mentioned in the OP, the religion of Christianity has a complex history with numerous primary sources and our knowledge of it is based on more than just the life of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, and more than just the Bible even.
That’s news to me. Please elucidate.
Obviously, it means Jesus said he did not come to change Mosiac Law, so that Law remains in force until Judgement Day.
Thanks but I'd rather take advice or orders from the Lord not from a random Indian poster.
.
lol .. it makes no sense to me. A God just can't tell his followers 'Oh, by the way, that other book is only partially correct .. some verses are false, some are partially true and some seem sketchy, more so dodgy .. so be careful when you read that'.
How are his followers not supposed to get confused by that and filter out the good bits from the bad ? That would sound like a lazy Creator to me.
Like I said, it makes zero sense for a muslim to defend any Bible verse, just ignore it ... you have the final edition.
Have no idea what you're talking of and I dont think you do to either
We have the Quran, unchanged and protected forever. If it confirms any rulings in the bible, we can agree.
Or are you suggesting the Priests should marry men in their churches when this is against Christianity?
You're interpreting that verse to what you WANT it to mean. That has never been how the Church interpreted it.
The people who were closest to Jesus, i.e his apostles, and the immediate Church leaders were more likely to know what Jesus meant by his words than you or I or anyone who's looking at these Bible verses 2000 years later and assigning their own meaning to it.
I don’t know how it could possibly be interpreted any other way.
Nobody who met Jesus wrote the Bible. The Gospels were written around 70-80 AD.
I doubt that there were twelve disciples. I think that number is derived from sacred geometry.
Agree, nothing wrong at all, but the state must not force (through law) their liberal nonsense upon religious folk in the same way religious folk should not force their beliefs on to others. Which is why in the case of the bakers, they were well within their rights to refuse to serve a homosexual couple even though despite the couple forcing their beliefs upon the religious, and hoping for a payout (but lost) because they thought they were unlawfully discriminated.
This is precisely what secularism is all about in the bakers' cases - The separation of religion and the state.
. Didn't matter in the end because a private business has the right to serve who they wish and discriminate, the courts agree, and the only reason why the baker had to reveal his religious reasons is because the case went to court.
Not accurate on the specifics. Private businesses cannot discriminate against gay people but they can discriminate against gay themed customer orders. That is what we learnt from the outcome of this bakery case.
It seems you've been reading some new-age revisionist history. I wonder by whom.
I'm just telling you what historians have traditionally believed and there's no reason or evidence to think otherwise. The Bible was compiled into one enormous book 300 years after the death of Jesus but the individual books themselves were basically Jesus biographies by the four apostles plus mainly Paul.
Not here in the UK. The latter case would be considered Direct Discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
No, I’ve been listening to ordained ministers for the first twenty years of my life. Mosaic Law remains extant. Don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t commit adultery etc. The new covenant is about salvation by accepting Christ, not salvation through obeying the Law.
If the four Gospels were written by men who knew Jesus, they wouldn’t differ from each other so much. Paul never met Jesus either.
Have no idea what you're talking of and I dont think you do to either
We have the Quran, unchanged and protected forever. If it confirms any rulings in the bible, we can agree.
Or are you suggesting the Priests should marry men in their churches when this is against Christianity?
So, if a gay Robert goes to an islamic bakery and wants a wedding cake with two miniature men on the cake top, the baker can't refuse to make the cake or he'll go to jail ?
The baker wouldn’t go to jail, but would face a fine by the state if found guilty in criminal court. If the gay Robert told the Police.
I don't know who these rogue ordained ministers are that you refer to but they certainly aren't from any of the major denominations of Christianity - not Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy or Protestant. The ten commandments are obviously valid today but the civil law part of Mosaic law has never been part of Christianity. You should prove otherwise.
Beg to differ. There is no evidence for the unchanged story of Quran. No one has the original Quran that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
You guys follow Hafs recitation of it. Hafs was from mid 700’s. His recitation was written down during Abbasid Caliphate. No one has the Quran from Rashidun and Umayyad Quran.
If I remember correctly, the Hadiths from Hafs were rejected as he was not trustworthy.
Beg to differ. There is no evidence for the unchanged story of Quran. No one has the original Quran that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
You guys follow Hafs recitation of it. Hafs was from mid 700’s. His recitation was written down during Abbasid Caliphate. No one has the Quran from Rashidun and Umayyad Quran.
If I remember correctly, the Hadiths from Hafs were rejected as he was not trustworthy.
Beg to differ. There is no evidence for the unchanged story of Quran. No one has the original Quran that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
You guys follow Hafs recitation of it. Hafs was from mid 700’s. His recitation was written down during Abbasid Caliphate. No one has the Quran from Rashidun and Umayyad Quran.
If I remember correctly, the Hadiths from Hafs were rejected as he was not trustworthy.