Thanks for the comments about the Church of Scotland. I was a Divinity student in Aberdeen in the mid to late 80s. In spite of being a Baptist I worshipped with the CofS, most of my friends went into CofS ministry and it seemed pretty healthy.
In addition to any theological observations that I'm not sure I can assess, I'd add a few more factors. Identifying as a Christian is on the decline in the UK as a whole. There are a lot of similarities between Scots and English society (as well as so important differences) but the decline in Scotland may also be influenced by the following.
The history of religious strife is livelier in Scotland than in England, stoked by sectarianism particularly in the Central Belt and West of Scotland. This is still kept alive through the Celtic/Rangers rivalry on the football pitch. Understandably it turns people away from organised religion.
The image of 'established' religion is less attractive than in England. The stereotypical image of the Presbyterian minister is dour and humourless. In England even Dawkins can appreciate the contribution that Anglicanism has made to English society. There's no such equivalent cultural love in Scotland.
The royal family is more loved in England than in Scotland where republicanism is more widespread and more respectable. The royals are associated with religion as part of a UK Establishment so by association if you reject the royals then you may be rejecting religion as part of the package.
Sorry for the length of the post. There's more I could write but I thought I probably shouldn't!
I moved back up just over two years ago. There are some churches growing, tend to be 'non-denominational' and evangelical.Cof S appears to be a much older congregation. A little bit like N.Ireland there's probably a surplus of church buildings due to historic splits and schisms but it's still sad to see many up for sale as it points to declining Christian witness. Thanks for highlighting the issue and hopefully that can lead to some prayer for the renewal of God's church in this part of the world.
"many have complained about the cost in civilian casualties; a complaint which one might understand if it were not for how the hostages were treated and why Hamas deliberately kept them in built-up areas....." Mike ?? really ?? Are you thinking as a military man? In the worlds most densely populated enclave, ie Gaza, everywhere is (and has always been) a built up area!!
Why? Because Israel wants it thus!!
Every miserable, bloody inch has always been a built up, controlled, surveilled space that is now uninhabitable. The IDF knowingly put > 270 civilians/ kids/women to death for that rescue. Furthermore, the demons from Hamas seem to be matched all the way by the demons in the Isreali settlements - I am challenging you to bring some balance and fairness to this issue. Surely....?
You can't close the door on reality without it coming in through the windows.......
Chris, mate, there is a legitimate critique of Israel's conduct of the war in terms of committing war crimes and some in the Israelis government even have genocidal intentions towards the Gazans. But Hamas does not blink at it own civilian casualty rate, in fact, uses them to stir up anti-Israel sentiment in the west, which is working. Hamas' motto is "We love death." Israel may not be sufficiently discriminatory in its use of violence to destroy Hamas and free the hostages, but Hamas knows it benefits from high civilian casualties and does nothing to mitigate it. I can point you to some non-partisan reporting news that indicates this is Hamas' strategy.
I don't know where you're from Don but here in the UK the right wing Daily Telegraph constantly labels Keir Starmer as being Far Left which is pretty laughable. Too many terms can be thrown about, Far Left, Far Right, Woke, used as 'snarl' words, dismissing alternative views without engaging with the substance of what is being said.
Thanks for the comments about the Church of Scotland. I was a Divinity student in Aberdeen in the mid to late 80s. In spite of being a Baptist I worshipped with the CofS, most of my friends went into CofS ministry and it seemed pretty healthy.
In addition to any theological observations that I'm not sure I can assess, I'd add a few more factors. Identifying as a Christian is on the decline in the UK as a whole. There are a lot of similarities between Scots and English society (as well as so important differences) but the decline in Scotland may also be influenced by the following.
The history of religious strife is livelier in Scotland than in England, stoked by sectarianism particularly in the Central Belt and West of Scotland. This is still kept alive through the Celtic/Rangers rivalry on the football pitch. Understandably it turns people away from organised religion.
The image of 'established' religion is less attractive than in England. The stereotypical image of the Presbyterian minister is dour and humourless. In England even Dawkins can appreciate the contribution that Anglicanism has made to English society. There's no such equivalent cultural love in Scotland.
The royal family is more loved in England than in Scotland where republicanism is more widespread and more respectable. The royals are associated with religion as part of a UK Establishment so by association if you reject the royals then you may be rejecting religion as part of the package.
Sorry for the length of the post. There's more I could write but I thought I probably shouldn't!
Hi Simon, thanks for the insider perspective. I haven't been in Scotland for nearly fifteen years.
I moved back up just over two years ago. There are some churches growing, tend to be 'non-denominational' and evangelical.Cof S appears to be a much older congregation. A little bit like N.Ireland there's probably a surplus of church buildings due to historic splits and schisms but it's still sad to see many up for sale as it points to declining Christian witness. Thanks for highlighting the issue and hopefully that can lead to some prayer for the renewal of God's church in this part of the world.
"many have complained about the cost in civilian casualties; a complaint which one might understand if it were not for how the hostages were treated and why Hamas deliberately kept them in built-up areas....." Mike ?? really ?? Are you thinking as a military man? In the worlds most densely populated enclave, ie Gaza, everywhere is (and has always been) a built up area!!
Why? Because Israel wants it thus!!
Every miserable, bloody inch has always been a built up, controlled, surveilled space that is now uninhabitable. The IDF knowingly put > 270 civilians/ kids/women to death for that rescue. Furthermore, the demons from Hamas seem to be matched all the way by the demons in the Isreali settlements - I am challenging you to bring some balance and fairness to this issue. Surely....?
You can't close the door on reality without it coming in through the windows.......
Chris, mate, there is a legitimate critique of Israel's conduct of the war in terms of committing war crimes and some in the Israelis government even have genocidal intentions towards the Gazans. But Hamas does not blink at it own civilian casualty rate, in fact, uses them to stir up anti-Israel sentiment in the west, which is working. Hamas' motto is "We love death." Israel may not be sufficiently discriminatory in its use of violence to destroy Hamas and free the hostages, but Hamas knows it benefits from high civilian casualties and does nothing to mitigate it. I can point you to some non-partisan reporting news that indicates this is Hamas' strategy.
What about the Far Left?
Too far either way damages society.
You tend to harp on the far right.
Don, I critique and warn the left a fair bit here too. Look up my article on why I'm not woke.
I did not think you were woke. I just notice more comments against the right. I admit I could be overly sensitive
I don't know where you're from Don but here in the UK the right wing Daily Telegraph constantly labels Keir Starmer as being Far Left which is pretty laughable. Too many terms can be thrown about, Far Left, Far Right, Woke, used as 'snarl' words, dismissing alternative views without engaging with the substance of what is being said.
Simon I am from the US