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[stillnosheep]

double post

[stillnosheep]

Jim,

My post nowhere referred to Christians; but to Christianity.

Rather than being uncalled for it was made in a thread entitled "Why are people so hostile to Christianity here?" and was an honest expression of my feelings about the religion at the time of posting (except for one word which would have been better expressed as "detest"). I was at one time intending to end the sentence on a question mark but decided that that would be a cop out on my part and might be considered an underhand method of allowing myself to state my position without having to stand squarely behind it in case of criticism.

According to Jim Scrivener one of the characteristics of the effective teacher is that they are honest (Learning Teaching, Heinemann, 1994, p.8 )

You write that "Dave's is a forum for ESL teaching, NOT religion-bashing."

If the criticism of religion is now to be considered inappropriate here then so should the promotion thereof. But why stop there? Why not attempt to legislate against the discussion of politics, philosophy, current affairs, history, sociology, and other matters only tangentally related to teaching without which Dave's would be a much poorer, less attractive, less frequented and ultimately less advertised upon site?

I don't know where you are from but my views are fairly mainstream in many areas of Western Europe, where many people find themselves living in what is efectively a post-religious society, the current upsurge of support for some aspects of fundamentalist Islam notwithstanding. You are of course, entitled to agree or disagree with my sentiments and postings as you wish but if you wish to criticise me please do so using valid reasoning. "Dave's is not a forum for (whatever)" is not valid reasoning but an attempt to silence the expression of beliefs and opinions which make you personally feel uncomfortable. Some of the opinions expressed by a few of the posters here make me feel uncomfortable, but I would not suggest that they have not the right to express them, as long as they are prepared to accept honest criticism in response.

Again, I was not being critical of any particular Christian or poster, but of the Religion, and its Corpus, which I consider to be often... (well you know that by now).

Thanks

[Captain Onigiri]

Well, this thread is probably only moments away from being pulled but I'm still going to try to get the information before it gets yanked.

[JimDunlop2]

[Cshannon]

[dbooster]

[Sweetsee]

Can someone provide examples of the hostilities toward Christianity?

[buddhaboyjp]

I have come.

[Sweetsee]

Thank goodness. How was your birthday?

[Seeker of truth]

[markle]

[markle]

I tend to disagree with SNS. Christianity is a fine religion, as religions go, it just that it's strength and weakness is (as with all religions) it's adherents. Some are the most outstanding individuals you would ever like to meet, some are complete and utter scumbags. I have learnt from the teachings of Jesus and they guide me, but in no way do I consider myself a Christian. We can all learn something from all religions.

[Seeker of truth]

[nomadder]

One of the great things about Japan is that most aren't that interested in religion.

Ya ya ring a bell, clap your hands and ask for a wish.

Like Dorothy in Oz.

[kanjizai]

Please　read Lafcadio Hearns Japan an Interpertation ch. 15 it gives you the history of japan and its experince with christianity and its native religion and what led　to the expolsion of the religion.