Interfaith Group

MADem

(135,425 posts)

3. I think many people just don't feel they need an intermediary anymore.

Fri Mar 15, 2013, 01:19 PM

Mar 2013

Still others resent the government getting involved in the process, as happens in Germany.

In Germany, you have to declare your religious affiliation (which can be "none" if you like) to the government, and the government deducts your "tithe" and hands it right to the religious institution! They aren't the only country that has this scheme, but they're the one I've heard the most about (I have a German friend who told me all about it!): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax#Germany

Makes it harder to cheat on one's taxes!!

Speaking of intermediaries, that's the basis of Islam--that there is no need for an intermediary. Some say that Islam is straying from the principal focus of the faith because in some areas, the emphasis has shifted from personal supplications to a deity five times a day, to an emphasis on "leaders" who tell the flock what Allah ostensibly wants, and grand buildings.

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Yet Another Survey Shows ‘Nones’ Growth at Record Levels [View all] cbayer Mar 2013 OP

Personally, I don't think it's much about religion at all... TreasonousBastard Mar 2013 #1

Agree. I think many of these people are leaving their religious organizations cbayer Mar 2013 #2

I'm not sure when, why, or how... TreasonousBastard Mar 2013 #19

Churches can be relevant, and we found one that is. Lots of kids. kwassa Mar 2013 #13

Yeah, I think kids are the key and... TreasonousBastard Mar 2013 #17

I think many people just don't feel they need an intermediary anymore. MADem Mar 2013 #3

As George Carlin once said, lovemydog Mar 2013 #4

I had no idea that this happened in Germany. cbayer Mar 2013 #5

They aren't the only country that does this sort of thing, either. MADem Mar 2013 #6

I can get behind the idea of reusing graves, but not the mandatory tithing. cbayer Mar 2013 #7

I do think the future is in "Interfaith" conversations and interactions. MADem Mar 2013 #21

There is power in numbers and in diversity, imo. cbayer Mar 2013 #23

Not quite as bad as it sounds... TreasonousBastard Mar 2013 #16

Yes, exactly--you tell the government what faith you prefer, and they take out the money for you MADem Mar 2013 #20

I suppose not many of us need an intermediate--but my guess is that all of us need a community nt Thats my opinion Mar 2013 #15

Agreed. MADem Mar 2013 #22

Much of early protestantism was based on a rejection of... TreasonousBastard Mar 2013 #18

I guess the whole "We're Number One!!!!!!!" (minus the giant foam finger, of course) MADem Mar 2013 #24

"not an indication of declining religious belief." SpartanDem Mar 2013 #8

The term none is in response to the question about which religious organizations cbayer Mar 2013 #9

I think it is just based on demographicS alone SpartanDem Mar 2013 #10

I think you are correct that declining belief is rising, but the rise in the cbayer Mar 2013 #11

Well, another poll says that atheists represent about 5% of the population, up from 1% kwassa Mar 2013 #12

And that an international survey. cbayer Mar 2013 #14