"have believed for 2017 "
As a socialist, I occasionally become somewhat pissed of when the term is used as one of abuse - regularly here.
Muslims are constantly coming under attack for their beliefs on this forum.
Whence the difference?
Over those 2017 years Christianity has been used as an excuse for torture, mass murder by burning for "kicking with the wrong foot", an excuse for international plunder - from The Crusades to WW1 - and more recently, as an opportunity to sexually abuse children and enslave "falen women".
Hardly a belief worth making 'untouchable'
Religion in Ireland is nor entering a fascinating phase.
Following the last few decade's revelations, it has largely falen from grace in the minds of many former believers.
The latest skirmish is over it is right for Ireland's main maternity hospital should be owned by 'The Sisters of Mercy' (probably Ireland's wealthiest religions body, with all the restrictions that will put on bringing children into the world in an establishment which still has strict rules on how the population should behave
No too long ago, on our local radio station, two of these good sisters described the Magdalene Girls in their care as "the sweepings of the street".
Fully old world
Jim Carroll