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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: "As a Christian" preamble to opinions.
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
I have just been moved to write to the Guardian about a letter beginning this way.
It may be that it isn't every time I see or hear this opening to a letter, or a post somewhere, or a phone-in item, the author goes on to pronounce something which I not only do not agree with, but strongly do not agree with. It is not usually addressing matters laid out in the creed, for example. It is usually, when I notice it, proceeding to spell out why some opinion, or group holding an opinion, is really beyond the Pale. (You can probably guess which subjects most frequently follow - expired equines.)
It isn't something helpful, like "As a Christian, I find it useful to spend some part of the day in silence, meditating". But maybe I just don't notice when it is.
The writer holds, as a Christian, that an unelected monarch is not the proper person to be head of state. (A position which I suspect he will not find in the KJV.) He further meditated on the unsuitability of the heir to the throne because of his lack of a high moral character and sincere Christian faith.
I seem to recall something about not judging, but I'm not so good at chapter and verse as most here.
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mousethief
Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953
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Posted
As a decent human being, I agree.
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This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...
Posts: 63536 | From: Washington | Registered: Jul 2001
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
"As a Christian" is a version of "the bible tells me so" for the illiterate. And is equally valid.
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
When my ex and I went to mandatory counseling during the divorce process, the counselor asked why he did not want a divorce. He couldn't tell her the truth, that he didn't want to let me have the half of our community property to which I was entitled. He also didn't lie and say that it was because he loved me.
So he answered that "As a Christian, I don't believe in divorce" in his typical holier-than-thou voice. (The look she gave him was priceless!) Needless to say, Mr. I-don't-believe-in-divorce was the one who remarried as soon as the divorce went through.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Doc Tor:
"As a leveller," I could understand...
Or even "As a Baptist", although many Baptists today know nothing of their Republican ancestry!
ISTM that using the phrase "As a Christian" could either simply be a defining statement, i.e. "This is the background that I'm coming from"; indeed I've used it in this way myself. But it can also - and often does mean - "I'm about to tell you the only proper Christian position", which isn't quite the same thing!
PS I've now read the letter, and it seems to me that the writer is making an unintentional non-sequitur. Although I happen to agree with his basic sentiment, one can't say that Republican views are automatically commensurate with being a Christian.
[ 18. March 2017, 16:08: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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mr cheesy
Shipmate
# 3330
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Posted
I think that people are looking for identity, particularly the white British (I can't speak how this phrase is used elsewhere) and so latch onto "as a Christian" as a marker of identity to distinguish themselves from all the other callers, letter writers, tweeters etc.
Of course, this shows mind-numbing stupidity because there is almost nothing that Christians have in common with each other and so invoking the identity tells the listener absolutely nothing at all about the person.
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arse
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rolyn
Shipmate
# 16840
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Posted
You want to try 'As a born again Christian' in conversation. No better way to clear a room.
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Change is the only certainty of existence
Posts: 3206 | From: U.K. | Registered: Dec 2011
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mousethief
Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by rolyn:
You want to try 'As a born again Christian' in conversation. No better way to clear a room.
And hardly confusing as to why.
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This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...
Posts: 63536 | From: Washington | Registered: Jul 2001
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Stercus Tauri
Shipmate
# 16668
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Posted
I have tried countering it with, "As a Christian from a country at one time deeply rooted in the monastic tradition, I am accustomed to a far higher standard of brewing than you have here". But it just confuses Americans.
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Thay haif said. Quhat say thay, Lat thame say (George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal)
Posts: 905 | From: On the traditional lands of the Six Nations. | Registered: Sep 2011
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
mr cheesy
Do 'white British' people go around saying 'As a Christian....'? I wouldn't have thought that was very common these days.
Christians do disagree on a whole range of things, although the stats apparently show that they're a bit more likely to hold certain opinions rather than others.
Moreover, I also wonder if religious decline in the British context has actually reduced a lot of the diversity of views among practising Christians the country. On social issues there's likely to be more and more agreement, although the family remains a source of division, I suppose. (As for doctrinal matters, no one seems too bothered to emphasise those in public.)
Without reading his letter I'm assuming that the OP's guy in the Guardian was trying to emphasise the fact that you can be a Christian and not a monarchist - probably as a challenge to the newspaper's atheist readers who might assume that all Christians are right wingers who adore the Royal Family.
[ 18. March 2017, 17:15: Message edited by: SvitlanaV2 ]
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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mr cheesy
Shipmate
# 3330
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
mr cheesy
Do 'white British' people go around saying 'As a Christian....'? I wouldn't have thought that was very common these days.
I've only ever heard or seen people using the phrase when they're white and coming from a very Evangelical position. Even non-white evangelicals don't seem to say it.
quote:
Christians do disagree on a whole range of things, although the stats apparently show that they're a bit more likely to hold certain opinions rather than others.
Quite so, but if the phone-in is about, I don't know, increasing Value Added Tax then it is very unlikely that prefacing your contribution with "as a Christian" is really telling anyone else anything about you and your position in the debate. That's all I was saying.
quote:
Moreover, I also wonder if religious decline in the British context has actually reduced a lot of the diversity of views among practising Christians the country. On social issues there's likely to be more and more agreement, although the family remains a source of division, I suppose. (As for doctrinal matters, no one seems too bothered to emphasise those in public.)
Certain types of Christian seem to think it is their responsibility to be seen in public giving the biblical line (ie their own idiosyncratic understanding of Christianity as divine revelation for everyone) on various topics. Most other Christians do not see this as their role and so even if they contribute to phone-ins are unlikely to do so under the banner of "as a Christian".
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arse
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
I suppose that, as a Christian, I should feel attracted to the Fifth Monarchy position rather than the Levellers, as a suitable ground for my rather vague republican feelings.
It was the sniping at Charles that grated, I think. But I was primed to find something objectionable, by all the others I have heard before.
And, somehow, I always hear "born again" in the phrase, even if not actually spelled out.
[ 18. March 2017, 18:17: Message edited by: Penny S ]
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Schroedinger's cat
Ship's cool cat
# 64
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Posted
"As a Christian" could be used to explain that this is the reason behind my position. In truth, as is pointed out, it is used to say "All Christians believe this" and if you don't you are not a real Christian.
And of all the people not fit to be head of state, there is a PM and a president I can think of with rather less capability. The monarch is, IMO, quite suitable as head of state. And as a Quaker, I really don't give a shit who is head of the church I left.
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Blog
Music for your enjoyment
Lord may all my hard times be healing times
take out this broken heart and renew my mind.
Posts: 18859 | From: At the bottom of a deep dark well. | Registered: May 2001
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
"As a Christian" can be topped only by "I forgive you as a Christian" for pure annoyingness. It's certainly a good signal to quit listening, change the channel, or turn the page.
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
"As a Christian" can be topped only by "I forgive you as a Christian" for pure annoyingness. It's certainly a good signal to quit listening, change the channel, or turn the page.
Also, when someone puts on a sicky-sweet smile, and in a sicky-sweet voice says "I'll pray for you."
Yes, I appreciate all the prayers I can get, but that's just a passive aggressive response.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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Schroedinger's cat
Ship's cool cat
# 64
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Posted
"That's nice. Ill make your effigy in clay and stick it with pins."
"You pray for me. You need to pray more".
"Thank you for your forgiveness. Now, if you just shove it where the son doesn't shine, I will continue doing those things which I know you hate".
"And I forgive you. You can't help it that God made you such an arrogant, unpleasant person with no shred of decency".
"I'll pray for you to. I pray to Cthulu, of course..."
"As a Christian, I wish you would shut the actual fuck up."
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Blog
Music for your enjoyment
Lord may all my hard times be healing times
take out this broken heart and renew my mind.
Posts: 18859 | From: At the bottom of a deep dark well. | Registered: May 2001
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
The writer holds, as a Christian, that an unelected monarch is not the proper person to be head of state. (A position which I suspect he will not find in the KJV.)
1 Samuel 8. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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Adeodatus
Shipmate
# 4992
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Posted
The introduction "As a Christian..." is quite useful. It usually means I needn't bother reading anything that comes after it, lest I expose myself to Foam Mouthed Rambling Imbecile Virus.
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"What is broken, repair with gold."
Posts: 9779 | From: Manchester | Registered: Sep 2003
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Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Stercus Tauri:
I have tried countering it with, "As a Christian from a country at one time deeply rooted in the monastic tradition, I am accustomed to a far higher standard of brewing than you have here". But it just confuses Americans.
Or makes us think you should back up your empty words with open bottles.
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“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
Preach it, my suds- loving brother. ![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif)
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Adeodatus:
The introduction "As a Christian..." is quite useful. It usually means I needn't bother reading anything that comes after it, lest I expose myself to Foam Mouthed Rambling Imbecile Virus.
I dunno. I have used the phrase occasionally when I have criticized the behavior/ teachings of right wing religious folk, for instance. "As a Christian, I don't believe in a teacher leading children in prayer at public school, because I believe God is not honored by coerced expressions of faith." Like that.
In such case, what I am trying to say is, don't hide behind the cross, because you'll just run into me.
[ 19. March 2017, 04:10: Message edited by: Kelly Alves ]
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
I guess that that usage would cause serious confusion as their brains would come up with "it does not compute". But I can think of situations where it would appeal to me!
And you remind me of the occasion when I was taking assembly, and introduced the prayer section, which I did by asking the children to think of their own prayers in silence, and did not tellt hem to close their eyes and put their hands together, nor police their attitudes (deliberately, since I recalled a teacher in my own childhood proclaiming "someone did not have their eyes closed during the prayer" and my consequent utter contempt for the woman, who clearly didn't herself - I wasn't going to go there). And a colleague burst out of her classroom and accosted one little mite and told him loudly to close his eyes and pray, thus completely shattering the state of mind I had worked towards.
I know that God wasn't keen on Israel getting involved with kings, but I specified the KJ version as I have gathered that the said James was keen that the translation under his patronage shoould bolster his claim to divine right.
[ 19. March 2017, 07:02: Message edited by: Penny S ]
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passer
Indigo
# 13329
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Posted
Might tweet a link to this thread to The Donald. If he were to start his ramblings with "As a POTUS....." it would make it easier to auto-filter them out.
Also, the phrase "As a Christian" looks like a candidate for inclusion in the sermon version of bullshit bingo.
Posts: 1289 | From: Sheffield | Registered: Jan 2008
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Adeodatus
Shipmate
# 4992
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
don't hide behind the cross, because you'll just run into me.
Ooh, I like that!
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"What is broken, repair with gold."
Posts: 9779 | From: Manchester | Registered: Sep 2003
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sharkshooter
Not your average shark
# 1589
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Posted
Much more often than "As a Christian...", I hear "As a teacher...", or "As a scientist...", or "As a lawyer..."
I just take them to be advice of any bias in the following statements. Of course, they are more likely intending it to mean they speak with some authority.
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Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. [Psalm 19:14]
Posts: 7772 | From: Canada; Washington DC; Phoenix; it's complicated | Registered: Oct 2001
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
How would it sound Shroedinger's Cat (or twat), if someone said, 'As a non-Quaker I don't really give a shit what those self-righteous so-called Friends do in their heretickal conventicles'?
These things cut both ways.
As it happens, I am interested in what the Quakers do. But not when they get arsey about everyone else. None of us are immune from that tendency, of course.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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Schroedinger's cat
Ship's cool cat
# 64
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Gamaliel:
How would it sound Shroedinger's Cat (or twat), if someone said, 'As a non-Quaker I don't really give a shit what those self-righteous so-called Friends do in their heretickal conventicles'?
Fine. I don't have a problem with that. But you missed the real point - it was the church I left. It is not that I think I am better (or Quakers are better), just that it no longer concerns me. The arguments about the role of the monarchy in the church. Because I no longer care - and because I used to.
** Side note. I know I am very pro-Quaker at the moment. Sorry. It is not that I think the Quakers have it right in all things. It is just that I have a new perspective on things. It is a more positive and more helpful (for me) perspective on life.
So naturally, it comes through a lot. Sorry.
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Blog
Music for your enjoyment
Lord may all my hard times be healing times
take out this broken heart and renew my mind.
Posts: 18859 | From: At the bottom of a deep dark well. | Registered: May 2001
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
No need to apologise, he said Purgatorially. It's only natural for you to be pro-Quaker or pro whatever else you might have moved onto. I'd be the same if I went from one tradition to another.
Thing is, though, not all Anglicans - even in the CofE - are that bothered about the Royal Family - and you may even find a few closet republicans in CofE churches ... Although indifference rather than an anti-royalist view would be more common than an outright anti-monarchist stance.
Plenty of Anglicans I know are pretty hazy as to who their Bishop is, let alone anything else.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
As far as the Quakers go, I'm pretty positive about the Friends - even though I'd lean more heavily on creedal statements and 'outward forms' than they'd be comfortable with. I can see where they are coming from and what they are getting at but from where I'm 'at' I don't see anything there that one couldn't pick up elsewhere if one were so inclined - contemplative prayer, meditation and concerns about social justice and so on aren't an exclusively Quaker thing - and they aren't claiming exclusivity on those things either, of course.
I know a few people who are feeling drawn towards the Quaker Way and I'm pleased for them and wish them well if they go down that route. I've got my interaction with Quakers but I'm not sure I could be one - whereas I could see myself in one or t'other of the historic Churches - given my sense of history and interest in liturgy, iconography and so on ... Although I wouldn't want to get all hobbyist about those aspects. Means to an end, not ends in themselves.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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mr cheesy
Shipmate
# 3330
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Posted
I used to know somehow who prefaced almost everything he said with "As a Quaker...", even when the group to whom he was talking didn't have the slightest interest in Quakers and were much more likely to be receptive to "I think this because of this Quaker principle.."
I haven't thought about him for years, I wonder what happened to him.
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arse
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Karl: Liberal Backslider
Shipmate
# 76
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Gamaliel:
No need to apologise, he said Purgatorially. It's only natural for you to be pro-Quaker or pro whatever else you might have moved onto. I'd be the same if I went from one tradition to another.
Thing is, though, not all Anglicans - even in the CofE - are that bothered about the Royal Family - and you may even find a few closet republicans in CofE churches ... Although indifference rather than an anti-royalist view would be more common than an outright anti-monarchist stance.
Plenty of Anglicans I know are pretty hazy as to who their Bishop is, let alone anything else.
You speak as if there's something, beyond accidents of history, monarchist about the CofE. But if it's the Church of England, it's as much the Church of us republicans as anyone else, surely? I mean, I know some monarchists do seem to assume that everyone shares their views, I know, (I particularly object to the singing of God Save the Queen on Remembrance Sunday, as if remembrance and monarchism are related concepts, which for me they are not), but I don't think it's expected to be one, is it?
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Might as well ask the bloody cat.
Posts: 17938 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: May 2001
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jacobsen
seeker
# 14998
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
"As a Christian" can be topped only by "I forgive you as a Christian" for pure annoyingness. It's certainly a good signal to quit listening, change the channel, or turn the page.
Or, courtesy of C.S.Lewis in The Screwtape Letters "I forgive you as a Christian, but there are some things one can never forget."
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But God, holding a candle, looks for all who wander, all who search. - Shifra Alon
Beauty fades, dumb is forever-Judge Judy
The man who made time, made plenty.
Posts: 8040 | From: Æbleskiver country | Registered: Aug 2009
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:
quote:
Originally posted by Gamaliel:
No need to apologise, he said Purgatorially. It's only natural for you to be pro-Quaker or pro whatever else you might have moved onto. I'd be the same if I went from one tradition to another.
Thing is, though, not all Anglicans - even in the CofE - are that bothered about the Royal Family - and you may even find a few closet republicans in CofE churches ... Although indifference rather than an anti-royalist view would be more common than an outright anti-monarchist stance.
Plenty of Anglicans I know are pretty hazy as to who their Bishop is, let alone anything else.
You speak as if there's something, beyond accidents of history, monarchist about the CofE. But if it's the Church of England, it's as much the Church of us republicans as anyone else, surely? I mean, I know some monarchists do seem to assume that everyone shares their views, I know, (I particularly object to the singing of God Save the Queen on Remembrance Sunday, as if remembrance and monarchism are related concepts, which for me they are not), but I don't think it's expected to be one, is it?
I said no such thing. What I was trying to do was demonstrate that not all CofE Anglicans are monarchists - something I find that many folk from other countries automatically assume.
I do wonder how very liberal, republican vicars get on with the 1662 prayers when they don't buy into that world-view - although they all seem to use it.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
As a Quaker, what's the deal with the oats?
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
I think the use of the phrase "As a Christian" sucks fetid dingoes kidneys.
(With thanks to the late Douglas Adams)
Huia
[ 19. March 2017, 20:33: Message edited by: Huia ]
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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sabine
Shipmate
# 3861
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:
As a Quaker, what's the deal with the oats?
My Meeting used to use a Quaker Oats container for offerings. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
sabine
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"Hunger looks like the man that hunger is killing." Eduardo Galeano
Posts: 5887 | From: the US Heartland | Registered: Dec 2002
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
I thought this thread was going to be about the Tracey Ullman show sketches.
(On phone so can't link but a YouTube search should find them. May not be viewable outside the UK though.)
Basically she plays a woman in various situations - a date, a job interview - where everything is going swimmingly until she mentions she is a Christian, at which point she's suddenly treated like a leper.
In one sketch she has been asked to be godmother and they are at the baptism, but the parents freak out at the mention of religion.
As far as I know she doesn't self-identify as a Christian. Interesting to speculate where she got the idea for the character.
What's refreshing is that the character is not a fundie, not spouting judgemental claptrap - she's just a normal person.
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*sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
quote:
Originally posted by Adeodatus:
The introduction "As a Christian..." is quite useful. It usually means I needn't bother reading anything that comes after it, lest I expose myself to Foam Mouthed Rambling Imbecile Virus.
I dunno. I have used the phrase occasionally when I have criticized the behavior/ teachings of right wing religious folk
Another time when "as a Christian" becomes a useful opening is when someone who possibly never darkens the door of a church is telling us what we should believe or do. Examples could include the various British/English nationalist groups who claim to be defending a "Christian nation" against Islam - to which I have to say "as a Christian, my faith and Lord do not need a bunch of thugs to defend us against anyone". Incidentally, those groups are also very likely to support the monarchy in a very over the top manner, seeing them as a symbol of British identity (ignoring the fact that they're Germans).
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
When I was young and callow my reaction to the "As a Christian" thing would be to growl silently and/or switch off.
With age has come a better way, IMHO: I listen until a suitable pause in the rant (it usually is a rant) occurs and then ask something along the lines of "But do you think the confusion and schism about the filioque clause is where we can trace back to the origin of many of the world's troubles?" (or words to that effect). So far it has had a miraculous effect of stopping the conversation stone dead in 100% of cases.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
All English people are Germans if you go back far enough, why single out the Royal Family?
The English are Anglo-Saxons with some Danish, Norman and Celtic blood - and often more besides.
The staunch monarchists I know don't make a big deal out of the Royal Family being 'Wenglish' but British. The monarch is the king or queen of Scotland as well as England, of Wales and Northern Ireland as well as Canada, Australia and lots of islands in the Pacific and Caribbean.
There are rocks and reefs which have the British royalty as titular heads of state ...
Meanwhile, the monarch is titular head of 'This Church of England by law established.' A whacky arrangement.
I've come across US Episcopalians online who make a bigger deal of the monarchy than most Anglicans I know over here - waxing lyrical as to how monarchy is a 'God-ordained' system of government and going on and on and on about King Charles the Martyr ...
They're nuts.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
Brilliant, l'Organist.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
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Posted
As a Christian, I believe that you should have an opportunity to save your soul, so instead of hanging you, which is what you deserve, I'm just going to poke your eyes out instead.
That's how they did things in Constantinople, only in Greek.
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Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
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Tubbs
Miss Congeniality
# 440
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Adeodatus:
The introduction "As a Christian..." is quite useful. It usually means I needn't bother reading anything that comes after it, lest I expose myself to Foam Mouthed Rambling Imbecile Virus.
It's right up there with I'm not a racist but ... Nothing good every comes after the but!
Tubbs
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"It's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than open it up and remove all doubt" - Dennis Thatcher. My blog. Decide for yourself which I am
Posts: 12701 | From: Someplace strange | Registered: Jun 2001
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ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Gamaliel:
All English people are Germans if you go back far enough, why single out the Royal Family?
Because they've tried to hide it for purposes of expediency and survival- Saxe Coburg Gotha to Windsor, Battenburg to Mountbatten and all that?
Their "distancing" themselves from their German roots is only a century old if that.
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
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Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
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Posted
Two world wars might do that to you.
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"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
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Gamaliel
Shipmate
# 812
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Posted
Well yes, and it probably says more about populist anti-German sentiment than it says about the Royal Family themselves.
The first two Georges were very 'German' in the way they acted - and George III took pains to distance himself from that, 'I glory in the name of Briton ...'
One doesn't have to be an ardent royalist not to see the Saxe-Coburg's Anglicisation of their surname as sinister and cynical. Heck, people who happened to have German surnames were having their houses and property vandalised and were even assaulted in the streets.
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Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind.
http://philthebard.blogspot.com
Posts: 15997 | From: Cheshire, UK | Registered: Jul 2001
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