Christian Unions at UK Universities
- Thread starter dowie
- Start date
Soldato
- Joined
- 1 Jun 2010
- Posts
- 7,058
- Location
- Bedford
Tbh in my case I find that majority of those who are deeply religious in any religion obnoxious.
They seem very condescening and spending time with them feels very unnatural where it feels like you are among a bunch of non-emotive human beings, whose outlook on life is very narrow and they are happy to lead a dull dry life than to enjoy even modest pleasures of life.
I find deeply religious women especially strange as they seem to become close minded once they resort to religion and lack any sense of humuor.
Another pattern I have observed in my life is that any religious society is a closed society and this can be seen around the world whether it is catholic church or saudi arabian clergy or even buddhist monks.
These kind of groups rather than engaging with broader society in general tend to recoil in their holes. Imo religion is meant to make you a pluralistic member of society but this seems to opposite in those groups. Perhaps they do it for religious purposes but then again I am not a religious scholar in any religion.
But I would say in the end that I would rather spend time with open minded people and have good time and enjoy my life rather than getting stuck with these groups.
They seem very condescening and spending time with them feels very unnatural where it feels like you are among a bunch of non-emotive human beings, whose outlook on life is very narrow and they are happy to lead a dull dry life than to enjoy even modest pleasures of life.
I find deeply religious women especially strange as they seem to become close minded once they resort to religion and lack any sense of humuor.
Another pattern I have observed in my life is that any religious society is a closed society and this can be seen around the world whether it is catholic church or saudi arabian clergy or even buddhist monks.
These kind of groups rather than engaging with broader society in general tend to recoil in their holes. Imo religion is meant to make you a pluralistic member of society but this seems to opposite in those groups. Perhaps they do it for religious purposes but then again I am not a religious scholar in any religion.
But I would say in the end that I would rather spend time with open minded people and have good time and enjoy my life rather than getting stuck with these groups.
Right, just wading in with this one without reading through so far, but what a ridiculous OP... Do they target losers? What would you class as a loser, because under I'm sure a lot of peoples' definition of a loser posting on a hardware enthusiasts forum is pretty high.
From what I've seen of Christian unions at Greenwich, where I am currently studying, they are in no way targeting losers. They are merely offering a place of solace away from the stress of studying. Enough people are put off by bigots like you attacking other peoples' right to have faith as it is...
From what I've seen of Christian unions at Greenwich, where I am currently studying, they are in no way targeting losers. They are merely offering a place of solace away from the stress of studying. Enough people are put off by bigots like you attacking other peoples' right to have faith as it is...
- Joined
- 3 May 2004
- Posts
- 17,718
- Location
- Kapitalist Republik of Surrey
I can't think of a more harmless inoffensive bunch than the CU at my university. I'm sort of surprised anyone feels the need to take issue with them, given that their motivation is not to go round offending anyone. Maybe the o/p ought to have a think about some more important things to worry about, like his work, exams, money etc instead.
Shock news as friendly CU people make friends with "social misfits", who by definition are ignored by everyone else.
edit:
Agreed. I hear people occasionally having a go at the CU here because they find it "intimating" or "indoctrinating" or some such nonsense whilst labelling the whole bunch as being "closed-minded". I really can't understand this view, I'm not a member of the CU here but I share many of their beliefs and views, and for the most part they're great people. There's the odd weirdo, but probably no more than in any cross-section of society.
edit:
Agreed. I hear people occasionally having a go at the CU here because they find it "intimating" or "indoctrinating" or some such nonsense whilst labelling the whole bunch as being "closed-minded". I really can't understand this view, I'm not a member of the CU here but I share many of their beliefs and views, and for the most part they're great people. There's the odd weirdo, but probably no more than in any cross-section of society.
Last edited:
So they targetted you, you're a loser, get over it. Serious answer, you went to university for an eductaion and posted probably one of the most moronic posts I've ever seen on these forums, well done.
Our christian society gives away hot chocolate and biscuits for free at the closing time of the monday night union party thingy. Marshmellows, whipped cream and everything.
Yes they do look a bit different from the rest of the university, and are generally slightly socially obscure. But they give out a huge amount of biscuits and hot chocolate, so they're ok in my book
Yes they do look a bit different from the rest of the university, and are generally slightly socially obscure. But they give out a huge amount of biscuits and hot chocolate, so they're ok in my book
That's what we used to do, and tea and toast for people coming home from the clubs.
I was part of the CU, can't say we ever 'targeted' particular types of people. I find it rather ridiculous that you would even suggest that.
Worst "im so uncool even the CU doesnt want me" thread ever! 
On a more serious note I cant think of a more innofensive pleasent group of people at my Uni. Walking past the CU rooms on my way to the union usually ellicits an offer of cake or a cup of tea. Its done politely with no malice or pushiness. I dont see how anyone coul take exception to them...
On a more serious note I cant think of a more innofensive pleasent group of people at my Uni. Walking past the CU rooms on my way to the union usually ellicits an offer of cake or a cup of tea. Its done politely with no malice or pushiness. I dont see how anyone coul take exception to them...
I love the Christians who give out toasties and coffee outside Strathclyde (and the QMU) Union. Always have a nice chat with them as well, and put a wee bit of change if they have a collection tin. I don't care what the money I give to them goes to, but I like to give them something for them giving me something. After all, the cheese and ham has to be paid for by someone!
Never had any indoctrination from them. I did a group project with someone who was heavily involved in the CU and had a chat with him about it. He echoed the thoughts of other people here, they just want to make sure people are having a good time, and are safe. Never once did he in any circumstance (be it whilst working, or socialising) ever try and get me to join. Nor was he a 'loser'.
Never had any indoctrination from them. I did a group project with someone who was heavily involved in the CU and had a chat with him about it. He echoed the thoughts of other people here, they just want to make sure people are having a good time, and are safe. Never once did he in any circumstance (be it whilst working, or socialising) ever try and get me to join. Nor was he a 'loser'.
CU at my uni are alright. Know quite a few people who are in it and they are all sound... maybe not my 'milking the cow' house mate, he like others are probably a bit odd. But they all seem ok.
They are always giving out free food and chatting to people on a night out or if you see them around.
They are always giving out free food and chatting to people on a night out or if you see them around.
Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Dec 2005
- Posts
- 12,488
- Location
- Bath
Our CU's great 
.
There are some societies though which are full of weirdoes, but (admittedly I'm biased) I definitely wouldn't call the CU one of them.
.There are some societies though which are full of weirdoes, but (admittedly I'm biased) I definitely wouldn't call the CU one of them.
This thread shows why not everybody should go to University.
I also like the use of 'misfit' in a derogatory sense, especially considering how a large proportion of very successful or influential people would likely be classed as 'misfits' in the same sense.
When did English society reach the point of 'socially adept' meaning 'gets drunk and goes clubbing to get laid on a regular basis' ?
I also like the use of 'misfit' in a derogatory sense, especially considering how a large proportion of very successful or influential people would likely be classed as 'misfits' in the same sense.
When did English society reach the point of 'socially adept' meaning 'gets drunk and goes clubbing to get laid on a regular basis' ?
I was taking a standard of socially adept to mean if someone on your course/similar course who had never spoken to you before, started speaking to you and asking you sensible questions on your course, that they would be able to respond coherently with little obvious embarrassment. The members of the Christian society that I have met regularly do not fall into this category.
Nice people though, and I do like my free biscuits
Maybe they all want to sleep with you. Maybe you're such a dominant person that they feel overwhelmed.
It's certainly a massive generalisation, although I can't possibly comment on your CU as I've never met them.
First they give you free hits, then you find yourself needing more
Would you rather have a freethinkers club or a Christian Union?
To be honest,I would rather have a freethinkers club, as they are hard to find and there are not that many places you can go for questions or discussion compared with Christianity.
To be honest,I would rather have a freethinkers club, as they are hard to find and there are not that many places you can go for questions or discussion compared with Christianity.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 29 Mar 2003
- Posts
- 57,671
- Location
- Stoke on Trent
You are really showing your colours now.
Not only do you think that your values are way better than anybody else's and you call them backwards or chavs if they don't match up to yours but now you're better than anybody else who believes in God and call them losers.
What's next on your Nazi agenda - 'Should cripples be killed?'
As much as I would love to jump on the "no one is any stranger or different to anyone else" train, there are patterns amongst certain groups of people. As said, the CU's at university don't have any particular awkwardness to them but they do hold an attraction to a certain type of person.
To qualify this, I am talking about those who became religious around the time of going to uni rather than those who had always had faith.
I knew a few guys who all "found" religion when they went to uni and they had all had some nasty things happen to them in the recent past, usually close family members dying. It helped them explain how their loved ones were taken from them by offering an answer that other places couldn't.
One of my flat mates in the first year was part of a local church and we all went along to support her at the first reading she did to the congregation. It was a very strange event and not entirely different to the video above(lets say 20% of the fervour and excitement). I don't have an issue with that, but they were quite keen on pressuring people there to jump in and accept god and jesus which I don't think is necessarily a good thing.
All societies at uni attract a certain number of odd ones but religion can be far more indoctrinating than any of the others. Im sure that 90% of these CU's are great and are simply a place for like minded people to socialise, but there are certainly plenty of churches which are not.
To qualify this, I am talking about those who became religious around the time of going to uni rather than those who had always had faith.
I knew a few guys who all "found" religion when they went to uni and they had all had some nasty things happen to them in the recent past, usually close family members dying. It helped them explain how their loved ones were taken from them by offering an answer that other places couldn't.
One of my flat mates in the first year was part of a local church and we all went along to support her at the first reading she did to the congregation. It was a very strange event and not entirely different to the video above(lets say 20% of the fervour and excitement). I don't have an issue with that, but they were quite keen on pressuring people there to jump in and accept god and jesus which I don't think is necessarily a good thing.
All societies at uni attract a certain number of odd ones but religion can be far more indoctrinating than any of the others. Im sure that 90% of these CU's are great and are simply a place for like minded people to socialise, but there are certainly plenty of churches which are not.