Are any of these laws actually made up with huge influence from the pages of the Christian book though?

I don't think so, unlike the nutty Islamic folk, who like to create their rules of everyday living from the pages of their barmy religious books.

Its why they aren't interested in democracy - Democracy equals common sense and the rejection of religion in general.

hundreds of our laws are based on Christian dogma.

Rubbish... While historically they may have their roots in Christian values, most are just based on supposed common sense - Yes, we rightly still frown on theft and treat it as a crime, but we don't take adultery too seriously nowadays, do we?

However, many Islamic nations have their laws deeply entrenched in their religious texts - Their dire treatment of the female Muslim is ample proof.

sorry, it's not a reason for divorce anymore, is it?

oh, hang on.

But it isn't because of some barmy Christian rule that people divorce if one of those in the marriage is committing adultery, its because its pretty much a common sense conclusion to a failed relationship?

There is a difference between using religious books as a guide to life and using religious books as a strict rule to life....

Equally as many Christian nations treat homosexuality far worse than some Muslim countries treat women

Agreed, but Standee was trying to claim that Western governments somehow draw up their policies around the teachings of the Bible, in the same way that some Islamic countries rule their populations by the demands of the Quran - I'd suggest that with the change in attitudes and policies with regards to gay people, and with an esteemed Western leader like Tony Blair even being recently voted as a Gay icon, that being a homosexual in a 'Christian' Europe isn't quite as bad as being a woman in a strict Islamic country?

Try being a homosexual in a christian country like Uganda.

The fact that some rulers have chosen to take an extreme view of what they consider a holy book is not the sole province of followers of Islam.

Malaysia is a Muslim state but whenever I've been there most of the women have dressed in a similar manner to many western women.

A radical and extreme interpretation of a book is not the sole preserve of Muslims and I would argue has less to do with religion than a desire to dictate to others how they should live their lives

Again, I agree with you, but I was referring to the fact that Standee thinks most of Europe is under a similar style of governance to Uganda, or any country using a holy book to dictate their population's lives.

While many religeons have issues with primarily sexual preferences and activity, only 1 ( and a tiny minority of it ) has openly declared that all who dont follow it should die

So who would that be

I take it you're a Religious person, hence, can see no wrong in how it dictates lives and laws in the West.

Shopping hours on a Sunday...

1) A religion is not a person (who - WTF?)

2) Misinterpreting a religion is not the fault of the religion, it is the fault of the individual.

Peter Sutcliffe was from Bradford but only a fool would try to blame Bradford for Peter Sutcliffe

Quote ="cod'ead"1) A religion is not a person (who - WTF?) 2) Misinterpreting a religion is not the fault of the religion, it is the fault of the individual. Peter Sutcliffe was from Bradford but only a fool would try to blame Bradford for Peter Sutcliffe'" 100% agreed anyone who doubts how stupid religion is, should have a listen to this (or go see it) saw this on Saturday evening in the West End, if you have time, listen to it (NSFW/kids) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... CqJ_9vFxRo

Quote ="cod'ead"1) A religion is not a person (who - WTF?) 2) Misinterpreting a religion is not the fault of the religion, it is the fault of the individual. Peter Sutcliffe was from Bradford but only a fool would try to blame Bradford for Peter Sutcliffe'" 100% agreed anyone who doubts how stupid religion is, should have a listen to this (or go see it) saw this on Saturday evening in the West End, if you have time, listen to it (NSFW/kids) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... CqJ_9vFxRo

No, I'm not a religious person, but I can easily live without doing a bit of extra grocery shopping on a Sunday..... However, I'm not sure living without my head for the 'crime' of not choosing to follow a certain faith would be as simple?

your total lack of understanding of the situation is noted.

Its good that you mention Tony Blair, converted Catholic, in this paragraph - now what was it that he said again about making his mind up whether or not to invade Iraq (and all that followed), something about asking his God what he should do, something which he also shared with his buddy George Jnr, presumably they both had the same hotline to their God and their God, he say "Yes".

Is that how Blair sold it to Parliament then?.....



Nah, a group of people actually sat there and debated whether to go to war. Unfortunately, they decided to go ahead.

Now whether God brainwashed all those guys too, I don't know, but I'm pretty certain Tony didn't stand up on the day and say 'Its what God wants, lads'.

If Blair openly admits to praying to god for guidance, then that's his own lookout, but I'm still pretty certain we don't use holy books to make our laws, unlike in some other countries around the world......

..... 'Right everybody, human rights.... Now it says in Matthew, Chapter....' .....

you clearly are misguided to believe that religion does not impact on our laws and customs.

...... Of course it impacts, we are historically a very Christian country, so like we have many fantastic religious relics scattered over our land, we will have laws and traditions that have their roots in that faith.

However, I still don't think much of Parliament's business is carried out under the strict guidance of the Bible.

so, you're changing the focus of the conversation now, to talk about [icurrent[/i law making.

we are NOT a Christian country, we are a country that has had Christian Dogma determine our path... crusades...?

Nope, in fact I don't blame most of the parliamentary MPs for voting in favour of the 2003 invasion of Iraq because if you repeated the same exercise today for another random middle east country with a leader who has previously been demonised by press reports then the same decision would probably result.

What won the vote back then was the so-called September Dossier which gave the opinion that Saddam had access to nuclear weapon grade uranium and was already in possession of biological weapons that could be ready for action "within 45 minutes", the compliant press were quick to pick this up and declare that Saddam was ready for nuclear war within 45 minutes (Murdochs press especially so).

Since then the September Dossier has been proved to be a spectacular exercise in telling outright lies based on no evidence whatsoever - but it convinced all those who read it and led directly to the invasion and all that followed - that is all that is needed to kick off a holy war if you ever wanted to start one, presumably Blair had possession of the dossier before the parliamentary vote and it was at that point that he prayed to his God, as did Bush and inside both of their heads and driven by a dossier of lies they made their decisions, or rather a God of their choice made it for them.

And is that a bad thing or do you suggest we extinguish all our links with our Christian past? - Knock down all the cathedrals and churches throughout the land?.... Outlaw Christmas and Easter?

Surely there is nothing wrong with taking guidance from, or keeping the traditions of, the past, even if they stem from a Christian root, if it is serving some sort of positive in society in general?..... That is a massive difference from a society which uses religious books to form great sections of their laws, many of which are associated with punishments only fit for the Stone Age, which is what happens in many strict Muslim countries, and, indeed, in some extreme Christian countries too.

Another display of compassion by ISis

You have to feel pity for his family - terrible thought of his last few seconds.

Will not be long before the next either.

Unfortunately it was always going to happen once the UK joined the military campaign.

What is has done, is harden public opinion against IS and demonstrated exactly the sort of people we're dealing with. The sort of people that absolutely cannot be allowed to increase their stranglehold on the region and must be wiped from the face of the earth.

What has been refreshing and probably incredibly annoying for certain right-wing groups, is to see so many Muslim groups and communities appealing for Alan Henning's release, and holding services for him after his death. The fact IS ignored them will hopefully align many more Muslims against them.