Forums Forums General Forums A - Z Lifestyle Didnt expect this in a carpark.

Many years ago I went to London by pre-electrified train. My employer paid for first class and I got comfortably installed in a first class compartment. Shortly before the train started an extremely distinguished looking gentleman carrying a brief case joined me, and we nodded politely to each other and read our newspapers, respecting each other's privacy in traditional English fashion. He could quite easily have been a very senior Whitehall mandarin or a high court judge.

Nobody joined us and we had left Crewe when he looked at his watch, and asked me which direction I thought we were going. I said I wasn't quite sure but I thought roughly southwest. He agree with this, thanked me and retrieved his briefcase and took what turned out to be a prayer mat from it. Arranging this as best he could on the floor he knelt on it and began his devotions. Having concluded them, after probably about ten minutes, he got up, replaced his prayer mat and sat down and resumed his crossword.

I didn't like to tell him that I and he had got the direction quite wrong, and he was actually facing, not Mecca, but Rugeley power station.

It is different Mikey, Henry VIII did not break the rules of the bible, he broke the ruling of the Roman Catholic church or the Pope.

In the bible it is recognised that divorce is going to occur. In the Old Testament, laws were laid down in order to protect the rights of divorcées, especially women .
That just shows how little you know, Mikey

After the reformation the rules were relaxed in this country. Hence the Church of England. Then Mary reverted to Catholicism and continued with beheadings, particularly of Bishops who had been allowed to get married during King Edward VI brief reign. They had to denounce their wives and many were burnt at the stake. Then Elizabeth's turn...etc. . So I rest my case.

When the time comes, how will I be able find out I was wrong all this time ? Think before you speak young man.

Did his actions make you feel uncomfortable Ex ? I think I would have been so. Something not experienced before, is a bit bewildering.

Many years ago I was on a full plane (Air Italia) and a man was sitting opposite me in other aisle with full robes and headgear on , think he may have of Jewish or Greek Orthodox origin.No sooner had flight departed Heathrow and seat belts were unbuckled he jumped up and with these beads in his hand started praying. Obviously I was shocked but then he sat down so I thought that was it but no every 20 mins or so he did same thing everyone was getting abit annoyed but nothing was said to him. If it happened today I think we would have all jumped on him , thinking he was a terrorist. Maybe he was a nervous flyer, who knows?

Granny you win hands down on quoting the bible and rules regarding its text, my bad
We both agree that Henry VIII made a choice through his interpretation of the bible, yes?
So what is the difference between the roman catholic church, the pope, Henry VIII and any other charlatan that can interpret the bible as he see's fit?
Religion is dangerous granny.
I will meet my maker when the time comes and will not be force fed beliefs that are not backed up
By the way granny, I cannot stop thinking of a 49ish hour glass body. Why?

Religion is dangerous granny.---Thats like saying Driving or Football is dangerous

I will meet my maker when the time comes and will not be force fed beliefs that are not backed up-----How would you define being "backed up". For many the bible reveals the plans of God many scoff at that but the same people would gladly believe anything in the e.g.Enclopaedia Brittanica

By the way granny, I cannot stop thinking of a 49ish hour glass body. Why? wink---Perhaps Granny needs to back that up!!

Driving and football are dangerous, no denying that
Define backed up: Proved to be true e.g. Encyclopedia Brittanica
"By the way granny, I cannot stop thinking of a 49ish hour glass body. Why? wink---Perhaps Granny needs to back that up!!" Again true

Everything s dangerous Mikey.

Still not understanding are you. Henry VIII split from the church in Rome, because he wanted a divorce, nothing to do with bible interpretation. Rome would not allow his divorce because the Roman Catholic church did not approve.

Is this the reason you conclude religion is dangerous.

quote "So what is the difference between the roman catholic church, the pope, Henry VIII and any other charlatan that can interpret the bible as he see's fit?"

The danger element comes from those who like to put forward their own misinformed calculations and interpretations to justify themselves.

Although, Henry VIII did not do that , he was a devout Roman Catholic and simply wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. England also had Protestantism at the same time. Catherine of Aragon was Spanish , Spain being a very Roman Catholic country too. Henry VII had wanted to unite England with the powerful Spanish dynasty for peace and security and his son Prince Arthur married Catherine of Aragon of Spain.(arranged marriage) 5 months after their marriage, Arthur died and Henry VII had made his son Prince Henry (VIII) vow to marry Catherine, the then Princess of Wales.
This is what happened. Needless to say there was a lot of politics involved and the Spanish connection was to be liquidated if Henry VIII was allowed to divorce her. So you see, it wasn't simply to do with the bible or religion. He wanted 'OUT' after 24 yrs of marriage and the only way, was to break with the Church of Rome.
Spain at the time of Elizabeth 1st was still trying to get in the door again, resulting in the Spanish Armada .

What's that supposed to mean Fish ? A saucy comment for one so young.

Correct, and even more correct
There is the danger granny, in religion, rather than morale belief of what is right and wrong
I like you and you like me but we have different beliefs, no problem
Just imagine a world without religion
What do you think it would be like?

Simply better !

Could have been worry beads.

A world without religion, Mikey ? ISIS on every street corner, that's what it would be like. No rules, no guidance and no help.

Cools and Ex made posts about their experience, but they were a gentleman's beliefs of peace through his enforced religious following. That I agree, is how we were in this country and Europe also 450 years ago, but we eventually had a choice and considering there are 2.2 billion Christians , by choice , in the world, it can't be so bad. Today, we are all very nervous about any such experience relating to Islam, and why would that be, do you think ? Those who pray and those who are dead are not to be feared. Do you fear people who meditate, because that's what prayer amounts to. Are they dangerous people ?

Anyway, I think we need to meet for coffee , discuss this much further.

Anyway, I think we need to meet for coffee , discuss this much further.

Agh- but would he find that 49ish hour glass figure in the café?

Trouble with an hour glass figure at 49 is that you need to stand on your head to turn back time!

No granny.
The premise of religion is sound, and I will always believe that. Most of our morales are borne out of some sort of inherited belief
Religion is at its base, politics
I always vote labour but have the choice of changing my mind without going to hell or burning at the gates of....You know what I mean granny


Agreed granny. Just don't tell casper