jmreire wrote: » That's one of the benefits of living in a democratic Country like Ireland,,,you are free to live an enjoyment-rich, adventure-filled, exhilarating, passionate, rule-breaking, free-spirited one, just as your friend is free to live a manner she is obviously very happy to do. The days of the RCC controlling this Country, are by now history, but even so if it were not for Covid, the Church's where I live would be packed at Christmas. And while not matching the Christmas / Easter Nrs, there's still good Nrs attending Mass each Sunday and feast days too. Another positive of democracy in action. There are Countrys where this is not possible. Many Happy Returns !!! :):)
seenitall wrote: » ^I know it’s Christmas Eve and all, and so I’m going to be blaspheming now, but the older I get, the less I understand the need for people to believe in a God, especially a monotheistic, fatherly, authoritative one. Or maybe it’s the feminist in me! I’m perfectly capable of being my own authority, thank you very much. Why would you want to subject yourself to the judgmental view of some guy in the sky? Life is so short, why not live an enjoyment-rich, adventure-filled, exhilarating, passionate, rule-breaking, free-spirited one? I have a friend who has converted to Fundi Christianity (she’s Saved!) and it really opened my eyes to the pitfalls of religion. From being a girl who used to share my views above, at the age of 26 she became a woman trapped in her own mind, with bigotry and a daily prayer schedule for some of her constant companions. Bashing homosexuality, among many other sinful things, and rejecting to “believe” in the evolution is seemingly where it’s at. I don’t know who feels more sorry for who: she for me, being convinced I’ll be going straight to hell, or me for her, for living a life built on utter delusion and spiritual destitution. How sad. Religion is a judgment- and shaming-filled authoritarian scourge. Happy Christmas, everyone!
seenitall wrote: » I find some people are absolutely cloth-eared when it comes to learning a different language, even one as simple to learn as English is.
holayadios wrote: » Hello, could you be a little bit more specific? I mean integration, in which way? language, customs?
KungPao wrote: » It doesn’t work. And I’m sad to see the Ireland I grew up in lose it’s character. If you come here, integrate.
Wibbs wrote: » While it's possible K, I'd be dumbfounded if it were to happen.
RoyalCelt wrote: » I believe who we should pick and choose. Europeans in general whether British, French, German, Eastern euro or Italians have all integrated very well. After the rocky start I'm very impressed with Eastern Europeans. They hold onto their traditions but are also proud to have their kids take on ours. I suspect it's because they'd want other nationalities to act the same if they moved to Eastern Europe. But all those lazy scrounging ****s, and we all know who they are should be turned away from Ireland at every opportunity. And as a country rapidly turning secular where religion isn't holding us back I'm strongly against taking in people who are ardent followers of religion themselves.
Kraftwerk wrote: » In the context of a discussion on whether we'd ever return to the levels of influence the church once had I made a factual statement on how the church hasn't gone away and still has influence in response to a post that said we would never again return to the levels of influence the church once had. There's no absolutes on that. As we've seen plenty in recent years strange things can happen and happen fast. The church is still very much involved and relevant in Irish society and were there to be a shift back towards religious conservatism they are ideally placed at the moment to take advantage of that.
RoyalCelt wrote: » But all those lazy scrounging ****s, and we all know who they are should be turned away from Ireland at every opportunity.
bubblypop wrote: » I have indeed lived in one of those countries mentioned. And I don't need any of that advise, thanks.
[Deleted User] wrote: » We're on a discussion board. Get over yourself. If you don't want arguments, what are you doing here?
My post related to both what he and you wrote. If you don't want to deal with it, that's on you, in spite of your desire to dismiss others opinions. The only logic that people went to those schools, not that it supported the narrative you put forward. Control and influence. Your words. Bah. You're not even bothering to defend your own statements, just deflecting away from it.
Kraftwerk wrote: » Another poster desperate to argue.
The other post may have been true but it had nothing to do with me or what I wrote because I didn't say what that poster was arguing against. Perhaps you'd all like to go pvt for your little circle jerk given its got nothing to do with me?
There was nothing wrong with the logic of my post. Its a fact that the RCC control 90% of schools. Its logical to conclude that a church in control of 90% of the school and who 80% of the population still consider themselves part of are not without influence. While its not the influence they once had and it seems to be changing more and more that's not to say those days are gone forever when a huge proportion of the population still consider themselves part of that religion.
jmreire wrote: » I'm guessing that you have never lived in any of the Countrys you have mentioned? If you were to pick the most severe form of Islam ( Saudi Arabia Wahabbis , from who isis borrow their brand of extremism ) and put it at the top of the world scale of hardline Islam, at the very bottom of the scale, you will find Kosovo and Albanian Islam. Historically, Hoxa in Albania and Tito in ther former YU, kept a tight control...Islamism was not an issue. And their legacy is still in evidence. So Islam and sharia are not the force that they are in other Countrys., and especially like Indonesia... My advice to you if considering holidaying or visiting any part of Indonesia, do your research before you go.......and under no circumstances fall foul of Sharia law while there. Hereunder is an excerpt from an Indomesian friend of mine. The background was a Christian living in the same place as her, was brutally murdered. The police quickly caught the murderer, and jailed him, but then released him. There was a huge outcry, and the police again arrested him, and brought him to trial eventually.. Against all the odds, he was convicted and hanged. And her advice. on Islam Quote:- On an individual level, a Muslim could be a good friend but not the authority, the system, the laws always sides the Muslims. But I repeat, one day you will be the same as us, a minority in your own country. Too many Muslim migrants in the west now. Good luck and may your children and grandchildren have a safe life in future.
bubblypop wrote: » Off the top of my head, indonesia, Kosovo, Albania.
Frankie Machine wrote: » We can all read for ourselves what was said. You quoted another person who posted as follows - There's a very clear picture being painted of the difference between past and present in those words there. So when you retort with a contrary view that ... it's perfectly valid for others to assume that you are challenging that picture. That's why more than one of us did so. You created the context within which to read your words, by including the quote in the first place. It's out of order accusing people of lying just because you failed to express yourself as you wished. In the context of the words you quoted, and other observations about referenda etc, your point about schools is not really impactful.
[Deleted User] wrote: » I had a catholic upbringing. Catholic primary and secondary schools. Attended a seminary (Jesuits) too during a number of summers. Church choir. etc. Quite a religious family, with priests/nuns throughout on both sides. And it didn't matter because the effect of Church control was disappearing by the time I entered schooling. The stories of my parents about the power of the parish priest were like fantasy stories in comparison to when I grew up (70s). Neither the schools, nor the priests in my community had much sway with what people believed outside of Mass and holy days. The other post was "liked" by me because it was true. The Church owning 90% of schools doesn't matter one iota because the indoctrination of people was 'mostly' a thing of the past. People voted for SSM and Abortions, even though they had attended Catholic schooling. Oh... and my understanding of English is pretty damn good. Perhaps you should consider the logic of what you want to write before writing it.
Deleted User wrote: » I had a catholic upbringing. Catholic primary and secondary schools. Attended a seminary (Jesuits) too during a number of summers. Church choir. etc. Quite a religious family, with priests/nuns throughout on both sides. And it didn't matter because the effect of Church control was disappearing by the time I entered schooling. The stories of my parents about the power of the parish priest were like fantasy stories in comparison to when I grew up (70s). Neither the schools, nor the priests in my community had much sway with what people believed outside of Mass and holy days. The other post was "liked" by me because it was true. The Church owning 90% of schools doesn't matter one iota because the indoctrination of people was 'mostly' a thing of the past. People voted for SSM and Abortions, even though they had attended Catholic schooling. Oh... and my understanding of English is pretty damn good. Perhaps you should consider the logic of what you want to write before writing it.
Kraftwerk wrote: » I think the issue is people on here are so eager to argue that they can't even comprehend basic English. That poster basically invented a point to disagree with and everyone is thanking him. Then he asks me to use the wrong word that will suit his misunderstanding. Now we have you telling me my point wasn't even worth raising. As I said. Some people just want to argue. If there's nothing they disagree with they'll invent something.
Those pics don't look any worse than the Eucharistic Processions I had to go on when I was an alter boy. The Irish people have had more than enough of religion interfering with how they live their lives and their choices. And we still have some way to go dealing with the damage religion being an overbearing presence in society has done. Religion, whatever the faith will never have that kind of power again in Ireland.
Religion still has a lot of control and influence. Something like 90% of schools are under the control of the Catholic Church.
Kraftwerk wrote: » I think the issue is people on here are so eager to argue that they can't even comprehend basic English. .
Kraftwerk wrote: Religion still has a lot of control and influence. Something like 90% of schools are under the control of the Catholic Church.
Frankie Machine wrote: » I think the issue is that your point wasn't worth raising in the first place, such is the meaninglessness of the 'control' you were referring to.
Kraftwerk wrote: » Where did I say they control voters? I said they control 90% of the schools. Which they do. 90% of schools are operated by the Church. Can you quote where I said the majority of voters are under the control of the RCC? You can't. Because you made it up.
Yellow_Fern wrote: » I am not sure about Kosovo and Albania but Indonesia forbids inter religion marriage, marriage licences are often needed for couples booking rooms, churches are bombed regularly and worse of all, the mayor of their capital city, a christian was imprisoned under blasphemy law for saying his muslims critics misinterpreted the Koran. https://www.economist.com/asia/2016/12/20/the-persecution-of-a-christian-mayor-in-indonesia
jmreire wrote: » You might like to name them?
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