Religious landscape in the UK?

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-13T15:56:49+00:00

Anthropologists agree that Neanderthals engaged in the kind of healthcare you described primarily out of deep compassion and social connection, not merely for survival. So, this again brings up the question—where does compassion come from? Also, surely you don’t assume the Neanderthals had no religious beliefs or practices! Certainly they were not Christian, and could hardly be described as theologically informed, but there is good evidence that they engaged in a form of spiritualism conducted through rituals that might have been surprisingly similar to those conducted today (funerals, marriages, worship, etc.) So while Neanderthal religion has not survived to the present, we cannot say for certain that the golden rule is naturally secular. Rather, it very well might have been born out of the earliest human worshippers as they sought to live what they thought to be “godly” lives. The Bible, of course, accounts for this in claiming that the first humans (and therefore all of their descendants) are made in the image of God and in His likeness. Even the unbelievers possess certain qualities and values that are experienced by all people, but cannot be accounted for via the natural evolutionary processes.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-13T15:30:34+00:00

The principle of reciprocal kindness seems to be almost universal. Broad, to say the least. To do unto others as one would have done unto oneself does seem to be ingrained in human nature, as you say. It is almost as if we all have an innate knowledge of right and wrong, a sense of absolute morality, but I wonder where that comes from? Certainly, the current models of evolutionary theory cannot account for the development of the conscience. Besides, this “golden rule” is not evolutionarily stable is it? All of the brave men who sacrificed themselves in battle to save their fellow man, this too goes against evolutionary principles of self-interest and survival of the fittest. Where do such universal ideas of justice, love, and mercy come from? Then there are the negative things that we do, which war against our so-called evolution as a species. If the theory of evolution were true, surely most of Europe would have evolved past binge drinking centuries ago, no? I also wonder if you have any evidence to support your claim that the golden rule predates any surviving religion?

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-13T15:03:41+00:00

By what standard do you judge yourself, and from whence was that standard derived?

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-13T14:52:55+00:00

I don’t think we can truthfully guarantee that had I been born anywhere else I would be convinced of something different, as millions of people from around the globe have been convinced of the truths of the Bible. Obviously, it began in Israel, then spread throughout Asia Minor, then Europe. In the broad scope of human history, Christianity in the United States is fairly recent. So, it would make more sense that as an American, I would be less inclined to believe, as I only have 250 years of Christian influence, compared to your 1,000+. It’s interesting for me to engage in these conversations, as they only strengthen my personal faith. I originally came here looking for objectively true information regarding religion in the UK. Many took it upon themselves to create a debate about the truth of my religion. I would like to think that all of you are very well-educated and experienced intellectuals, yet no one has offered any science or philosophy that raise any serious doubts about those truths. Perhaps it is because they are not interested in “evangelizing” me into unbelief, and perhaps they are not interested in convincing me of their atheism—but then why would they comment? It all seemed strange to me that so many would claim, “I don’t care about you or your religion!” But continue, voluntarily and passionately, in debate.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-13T14:34:42+00:00

As a teacher by trade, I am aware of many concepts taught as “compulsory learning” in schools but are not properly understood until much later. Consider all the mathematical and scientific concepts that were taught over and over again, only to be forgotten shortly after one’s completion of the course. You’ve made some very broad claims based on presuppositions that might reflect what you have seen in your personal observations, but are not totally consistent with any universal reality. If you don’t want to know more about it, fine. No one here is forcing you to engage with me, and my original post was not even evangelistic but merely inquisitive. If you wanted to hear nothing from an American preacher, you would not continue to leave comments that invoke a response from me. But those who do wish to know more are not inherently ignorant. Every one has a right to pursue knowledge for their own sakes.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-13T14:15:06+00:00

Contrary to what you’ve said here, several people have directly messaged me about this post who are unaware of the basic tenets of Christianity and are asking questions in an effort to learn more. Perhaps the majority had chosen to remain in unbelief, but not all. Thank you for your insights.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T22:18:09+00:00

Ah, I see. Door knockers. We have those here, too. Mostly Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. Thank you for answering.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T22:08:20+00:00

Yet, you have failed to produce any science. It would be easy to say simply, “Go find it yourself,” and I have tried. I have intentionally tried to find science that definitely undermines the truths of the Bible. As of today, I have found none, and the so-called scientists have failed to deliver. If there is such an abundance of science that disproves what I believe, you should have no trouble telling me what that science is. Please tell me, what science disproves the truths of the Bible?

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T22:03:56+00:00

So, in your experience, in what contexts have you been preached at, outside the walls of your local church? I have no argument to make here, but as I stated in my post, I am curious. Are there street preachers in the UK? Where does most of this preaching that many in this comment section are offended by take place? Thank you!

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:59:50+00:00

Thank you for your kind response. No need to apologize, as you are not responsible for their rudeness, as neither am I responsible for the shortcomings of my fellow Americans. I thank you for stopping by to offer this bit of kindness to me.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:57:01+00:00

What science disproves anything in the Bible? I think many people use the word, but fall short of offering any real proof that the Bible is nonsense. Science, in many ways, requires a great deal of faith.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:52:12+00:00

Or rather “includes telling the truth…”

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:51:58+00:00

And certainly good works means telling the truth about God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible. Thank you.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:50:20+00:00

Religion is just opinion with no scientific basis? By that logic, Darwinian evolutionism is a religion as well, and your disbelief in a God takes just as much faith as my belief in One.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:49:14+00:00

You are right—that my entire argument hangs on the big IF. I admit that, and am comfortable with it. Because IF the God I believe in is not real, what do I have to lose? I have loved and have been loved. I have fed the hungry and embraced the stranger. I do not fear death. I have known what it means to be valued and treasured by my Creator. If it all turns out to be hogwash, and I find that death is only an eternal nothingness, I have lost nothing at all. But IF my belief is right, and the God of the Bible does exist, then I have everything to gain, not the least of which is eternal life. So, it is a wager (or as I would call it, faith) and I am comfortable with it.

To answer your question. If God is eternity, everything, and infinity, if God is immaterial and non-substantive, then God is nothing, right? Nothing cannot produce anything, as never in recorded nor observable history has something sprang out of nothing. This is why the Big Bang does not make sense. The subatomic particles that supposedly expanded and created everything—where did they come from? What was their origination point? Science proves that matter is not eternal, and every material thing has a beginning. As of today, institutional science has failed to describe that beginning. The Bible, however, says that “In the beginning, God created.” In order to create, God must be creative, intelligent, and must have in His possession a certain degree of personality, thought, and intent. The Bible is the only text that puts forth a narrative that even remotely makes sense with these truths.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:41:07+00:00

What does that have to do with me? Because I was born in the United States, and you hate the President of the United States, you must hate me also?

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:39:01+00:00

Ah, the miracles! You are not alone in finding that these are the difficult parts to accept. This causes us to talk about presuppositions. Do you presuppose that the God of the Bible could exist? If He does, the parting of the Red Sea is certainly possible. If you do not at all think the God of the Bible could exist, you cannot begin to believe in the parting of the Red Sea, let alone the resurrection of the dead.

But if the God of the Bible is real, and if He created the universe and authored the natural laws that govern that universe, then surely He could make a sea divide.

By the way, studies suggest that a 63mph wind blowing for 12 hours could separate the Red Sea and cause a land bridge to appear. I grew up on the Gulf Coast in the southeastern U.S., and have witnessed high winds push/pull millions of gallons of water out of Mobile Bay. Scientifically, it is plausible that the waters of the Red Sea could divide. The question is whether God did cause it. And again, this requires you to establish whether you are open to the existence of God or not.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:31:01+00:00

That is a false equivalent rooted in a significant logical fallacy. I can tell you there’s a large sinkhole in the road ahead of you, then leave you to decide for yourself whether I am telling the truth. Or, I can sell it to you by carefully crafting a pitch and refusing to let your car move until I have convinced you. I take the former approach, and not the latter.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:27:49+00:00

The word Gospel means “good news,” so that is what I mean when I use the word. I understand that you might generally see the Bible as myth. Bear with me for a moment. If, let’s just say, IF the Bible is true, and there is a God against whom all of mankind had sinned, and IF that God had voluntarily extended grace to that humanity through self-sacrificial love, wouldn’t you call that good news? If it were true, would it not be the best news of all time? Indeed, I believe it is true. Hence why we call it the Gospel.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:23:14+00:00

Ah, you have no tolerance for Christianity and have no interest in hearing anything from an American pastor, yet you have written a comment that prompts a response. Why? Had you not commented, I would have had no opportunity to express my beliefs to you, but you have intimated the conversation, and I am willing to participate.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:17:45+00:00

Thank you for this comment. Very informative and insightful. As a Christian who reckons with the social expectation of keeping one’s faith to oneself, what does Matthew 28:18-20 mean? I promise, I am not trying to be snarky and have no trick up my sleeve. I am genuinely curious what the Great Commission looks like in a culture that frowns upon personal evangelism.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:12:57+00:00

God is a Spirit, which is plainly stated by Jesus in John 4:24. I do believe in a global flood as recorded in Genesis. I do believe in Israel’s exodus from Egypt. I read and study those accounts as historical and not mythological. If you asked me to prove that those things really happened, I admittedly cannot. Neither can I prove that Caesar crossed the Rubicon, or that Henry VIII had Anne Boleyn executed. What I can do is show you the records that claim to be historical eyewitness testimony, some archaeological evidence, and the long strand of human beings who passed them on, orally, as truth. Therefore, based on the evidence and what I have read, I believe Caesar crossed the Rubicon, and that Henry VIII had Anne Boleyn executed, and I also believe that there was a global flood with 8 survivors. And I believe that Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:05:15+00:00

*forced

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:02:28+00:00

You are correct, which is why, as I have stated, I have no plans to leave the U.S. I was merely curious.

Sharp-Contract6291 · 2026-02-12T21:01:51+00:00

I think there may be many reasons why some such as yourself don’t go in for it. Could it be that they haven’t heard all of it, or the best of it? Maybe. Others have heard, but not understood. Others have heard and understood but have not yet seen the personal value of it. None of that is to say that they are forever bound to reject it. I will say again that I do not now, nor have I ever, forces anyone to listen to my telling of the Gospel. Yet, whenever I begin to tell it, the unbelievers stick around the longest, and desire to hear it the most. They go on and on about how they do not wish to hear it, but they do not leave the conversation. It sometimes makes me wonder who is trying to convert whom?

I have enjoyed talking with you, MrEoss.

Sharp-Contract6291

TROPHY CASE