James Ron: Our Religious Ignorance

Is ignorance of religion handcuffing Canadian diplomacy and developing a generation of citizens ill suited for a world where religion remains a powerful force?

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[pendulousphallus]

@MarmaladeINFP Steve asks questions he expects his viewers will want answered if they're unfamiliar with the subject. It's a newsmagazine show, which means a sometimes shallow overview of current events in order to get the most imformation to the viewers in the most economical means. Steve is a sharp cookie, but he's still a TV host. Don't worry bro.

[MarmaladeINFP]

@shirehorse9 I was just surprised by how the host tried to force his ignorance onto his guest. He asked a loaded question and answered it himself without letting the guest respond. I watch this show on occasion and that is the first time I've seen such an aggressive rhetorical question from the host.

[MarmaladeINFP]

@shirehorse9 Of course, much of Christianity is based on paganism. In the first few centuries, Christians incorporated hellenistic pseudo-biographies of heroes and incorporated the theology, symbolism and rituals of various Hellenistic traditions. In later centuries, the Catholic Church incorporated paganism from all across Europe making many pagan deities into saints. Christianity is so mired in paganism that it's impossible to separate the two.

[shirehorse9]

I disagree with him about Christmas. Christmas trees, and their British counterparts wreaths and boughs, was a product of a Germanic pagan paradigm. Trees became a part of the Christmas tradition, outside Germany, only 150 years ago. Trees were never a part of a Christian tradition, but rather it was a part of pagan belief system. The Christian component of Christmas is the addition of a star, angel, and religious services. If you exclude the later two you no longer have a Christian Xmas.

[shirehorse9]

@MarmaladeINFP There tends to be a perspective that to teach the subject of religion is to use the educational system to indoctrinate. Most don't realize that a course can be taught on the subject of religion without a proselytizing component.

[MarmaladeINFP]

The host demonstrated his ignorance. He stated that to teach religious literacy is to encourage religiosity. Are Canadians really as confused about religion as the host?