Hello I am new here

[bell-the-cat]

But 1.5, if an Armenian gives up their religion, they are in essence giving up being Armenian. Christianity is integral with being Armenian.

It isn't and it can't be. The way that Armenian intellectuals playact their religion - using it for social coheison while not seriously believing in it - is probably harmless, no worse in a way than celebrating Christmas. But, to be honest, if a nation's survival really does depend on it seriously following and believing a religion that is, like all religions, basically nonsense, then perhaps it is better off not surviving. But remember, there were plenty of Armenians around before there was Christianity!

I am minded of a visit I made with a group of Armenians to a derelict Armenian church in Malatya. After looking around, the most religious of those present started to hold a little religious ceremony involving singing, cajoling the rest to join in - which they all did except for one man who after resisting politely in the end said he was not going to mouth words that he did not believe in. They still went on and on at him to join in but he courageously resisted that near overwhelming peer-pressure. The whole thing was embarrasing to witness, and I felt very sorry for him and angry at the rest for not seeing what they were doing.

[bell-the-cat]

yes it is me actually I was fooling around yesterday while doing my homework didn't realize it was still up there

Hi Jade too.

[Gavur]

I totally disagree and I think your observations of our Christianity is stuck at a 10 year old's point of view.

[bell-the-cat]

BTW - did I post some pictures of the "Mother Armenia" figure, and also the female personification of the ruins of Ani, somewhere on this forum? I've been searching but can't find them.

[Gavur]

Was it on a French stamp?

[bell-the-cat]

I totally disagree and I think your observations of are Christianity is stuck at a 10 year old's point of view.

Disagree with who?

[Gavur]

With your assesmant of Armenian's would have been better off with out following Christ

[bell-the-cat]

Was it on a French stamp?

No, it was in a thread in which the symbolic importance of Ararat was being talked about and some Turkish person was saying that it shouldn't be an Armenian symbol because it isn't in Armenia. Maybe it was another forum.

[bell-the-cat]

With your assesmant of Armenian's would have been better off with out following Christ

Your words "following Christ" would seem to indicate you are a believer. So nothing of what I said would be applicable to you. If you want to believe then go ahead - (but I don't, so prepare for ridicule if you start pressing your beliefs onto me. )
Except that it is a strange sort of believer who would accept that it is OK to have a situation where the majority of those acting like believers are in reality not, and actually believe it is all to be no more than a colourful folk tale.

[Jade]

No, it was in a thread in which the symbolic importance of Ararat was being talked about and some Turkish person was saying that it shouldn't be an Armenian symbol because it isn't in Armenia. Maybe it was another forum.

I remember something like that too actually..unless its my imagination playing tricks on me...you should look in the "assasination of hrant dink" thread...I think its there