Amen to that brother! zzzzzz. Thought he had gone quiet. Ah well.

Joe. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I know that democracy and doctrine don't go hand in hand but someone decides what parts of Scripture are silly or embarrassing and those parts adherents should observe. Is it too radical to open the question up to those who are affected by it? National elections in government are based on asking those affected what they wish to be bound by so why not faith if it shapes you and your life?

Religions speak of moving with the times to remain relevant. Some become coercive whilst others reinvent themselves. My concern based on what I see and hear is that if people feel fulfilled without it they don't crave it despite peer pressure. Tobacco and recreational drugs have an affinity with religions on that score.

Surely there is more to it than that? Rhetorical question really because the more I see around me the more I am convinced that whatever the fulfilling role faith has it begins with either peer pressure or vulnerability.