Religious fanatics

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt

You forgot the most murderous religion - Communism -

No kidding....'cause unless you keep getting back in line, you'd starve to death trying to live on a cracker and a sip of wine.

[chad thomas]

My religion is not about controll. It's about accepting Jesus Christ as my personal savior. It's about obeying GODs commandments, not what man said.

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Zealotry? Nothing could be furthur from the truth. I like religion despite those who would spoil it for the rest of us. I am simply pointing out that the extreme blind following without question way is outdated and simply an instrument of control of the few.

All religion is like this since the ages before Christianity. Adramalech was worshipped in ancient Assyria and at his temples, children were supposedly burned at his alter; Baal by the Canaanites; in ancient Egypt, the worship of Set was made illegal. All civilizations at one point have made sacrifices to their gods as the tradition of polytheism dictated. With the exception of ancient druid which celebrates the earth, most believe that failure to "obey the ruler was to disobey the god and risk wrath".

Then it went out of fashion and the birth of monotheism emerged. Supposedly the light to bring peace. The bibles and Kuran all say the share the same values: peace. What do thease scum do, they twist it and use it for their own political purposes-control. Majority of thease crusaders I would say, do it to maintain order or stay in power. Long has religion now been nothing more then a tool or control rather then its intended purpose-bring about a peaceful way of life.

Yes I am ranting but I say that most not all people have forgotten what religion is and is trully intended for.

You forgot the most murderous religion - Communism -

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

To all:

Thank you for the kind words. It is nice to see that my efforts to brighten up a thread that will otherwise be overrun by zealots not go unnoticed.

I really don't have an opinion on "In God we Trust." Without saying my religious beliefs, something on the head of a coin isn't going to change them. But, I always understood the phrase not to be one of “religious expression” but one of "we don't trust anyone else"--an ode to the libertarian "government that governs less governs best" belief of American democracy if you will. Oh well . . .

Junctionfan:

This really isn't a place for me to talk religion, so I am not going to get into it with you on the merits, but I fail to see how your zealotry is not the most extreme expression of a religious view that I have yet seen on this forum. Also, you take the most extreme examples of a 3000+ year old institution. That is hardly fair. I don't judge all Canadians on the basis of Margret Trudeau . . .

Gabe

Zealotry? Nothing could be furthur from the truth. I like religion despite those who would spoil it for the rest of us. I am simply pointing out that the extreme blind following without question way is outdated and simply an instrument of control of the few.

All religion is like this since the ages before Christianity. Adramalech was worshipped in ancient Assyria and at his temples, children were supposedly burned at his alter; Baal by the Canaanites; in ancient Egypt, the worship of Set was made illegal. All civilizations at one point have made sacrifices to their gods as the tradition of polytheism dictated. With the exception of ancient druid which celebrates the earth, most believe that failure to "obey the ruler was to disobey the god and risk wrath".

Then it went out of fashion and the birth of monotheism emerged. Supposedly the light to bring peace. The bibles and Kuran all say the share the same values: peace. What do thease scum do, they twist it and use it for their own political purposes-control. Majority of thease crusaders I would say, do it to maintain order or stay in power. Long has religion now been nothing more then a tool or control rather then its intended purpose-bring about a peaceful way of life.

Yes I am ranting but I say that most not all people have forgotten what religion is and is trully intended for.

[Anonymous]

Well, this has been one of the most civilized debates concerning religion I have ever witnessed.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

PS, I still think the complainer is likely a "sock puppet" created by another member expressly for the putpose of causing this clash.

Look hard at his style of prose and punctuation, and you will probably pick out glaring similarities with some other trouble maker. A mans writing style is like a set of finger prints.

Agreed.....but this is happening so often now, that it's hard to keep track.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

I don't judge all Canadians on the basis of Margret Trudeau . . .

Well that's just great!!!

I was planning on going to the freaky deaky swinging singles weekend in Canada this summer....

Guess I'll take the kids to Disney instead.....maybe I can hook up with Jessica Rabbit....

<Gabe bows his head, as he knows that he has been beat>

There is no way I can top that.

au contrair my frer......

we're peers in peerage....

[Anonymous]

PS, I still think the complainer is likely a "sock puppet" created by another member expressly for the putpose of causing this clash.

Look hard at his style of prose and punctuation, and you will probably pick out glaring similarities with some other trouble maker. A mans writing style is like a set of finger prints.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

True,
But this might be an example of a troll's effort backfiring.

After reading all the postings, it is rather satisfying to see that not only is religious tolerance an almost universal trait among the members, but the ability to poke fun at ones self, as well as each other, is alive and well also.

And I noted that we all were quite quick to defend CWs right to believe however she wants too, and her right to express that belief here, and just as quick to defend the right of some to not believe in a eternal being, and their right to express such beliefs.

Makes me feel a lot more secure in knowing that at least that part of the American experience is still alive and well.

So, for once, a trolls posting managed to bring out the good in all of us, and create a great platform for Deacon Gabe and Dan the man to exercise their truly god given talents!

Ed

Heh, well....the best way to get a troll out from under his bridge is with the use of fire,.....yes?[8D] Flame the little sucker out of there?

While the following is not intended as a reflection on CW, because all I know of her is the positive that I read from her posts, but as it pertains strictly to the solicitous religious pandering that the more proactive evangelicals are know for,...well I would tend to side with the complainer in that case, because it can get nauseating.

The ones I h8 the worst are the flowery "OH, god bless you, I'll be praying for your soul" types, where the implication is that they will, since I don't have the sense to, etc........(which I don't think CW is that way, so the guys complaint, in this case, is probably not well founded)

I don't think it is a matter of the beliefs that is the problem, it is the evangelical nature of a portion who make all the rest look bad...

As far as "In God we trust", and the "one nation under god" bit in the pledge,... well I think both have no place in a government professing to be equal to all.

Michael Newdow has it right, IMHO http://www.restorethepledge.com/ .


As someone who was born a Catholic, but at one point decided "enough is enough", it is degrading to have to carry currency with someone elses emotional baggage emblazoned across the front of it.. So, I pay by check, whenever possible [:D]

[CShaveRR]

Andy?

I always thought it was Art or Harold.

("Art in Heaven" or "Harold by thy name")

[gabe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

I don't judge all Canadians on the basis of Margret Trudeau . . .

Well that's just great!!!

I was planning on going to the freaky deaky swinging singles weekend in Canada this summer....

Guess I'll take the kids to Disney instead.....maybe I can hook up with Jessica Rabbit....

<Gabe bows his head, as he knows that he has been beat>

There is no way I can top that.

[techguy57]

Dan- Thanks as always for the great laughs! No better way than to start my day of with some quality laughs[:D]

Gabe-Perhaps one of the best responses I have read on this forum. I think I'm going to print it out and put it on my wall.[8D]

Ed- Couldn't agree more with everything you've said (as usual). I've been a believer for some time that if you can't laugh at yourself then you are way too serious.[:)]

Mike

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

And now let us pray...

OMMMMMMMMM.......

EMD, GE, ALCO, Baldwin, ad inifinituuuummm.....
Stop at crossing gates don't try to beat theeeemmm.........

OW, sides splitting... laughing to hard.... total collapse imminent[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

I don't judge all Canadians on the basis of Margret Trudeau . . .

Well that's just great!!!

I was planning on going to the freaky deaky swinging singles weekend in Canada this summer....

Guess I'll take the kids to Disney instead.....maybe I can hook up with Jessica Rabbit....

[dharmon]

And now let us pray...

OMMMMMMMMM.......

EMD, GE, ALCO, Baldwin, ad inifinituuuummm.....
Stop at crossing gates don't try to beat theeeemmm.........

[gabe]

To all:

Thank you for the kind words. It is nice to see that my efforts to brighten up a thread that will otherwise be overrun by zealots not go unnoticed.

I really don't have an opinion on "In God we Trust." Without saying my religious beliefs, something on the head of a coin isn't going to change them. But, I always understood the phrase not to be one of “religious expression” but one of "we don't trust anyone else"--an ode to the libertarian "government that governs less governs best" belief of American democracy if you will. Oh well . . .

Junctionfan:

This really isn't a place for me to talk religion, so I am not going to get into it with you on the merits, but I fail to see how your zealotry is not the most extreme expression of a religious view that I have yet seen on this forum. Also, you take the most extreme examples of a 3000+ year old institution. That is hardly fair. I don't judge all Canadians on the basis of Margret Trudeau . . .

Gabe

[cherokee woman]

Ed, you are so right. Each of us have our personal beliefs. None of us are
ever going to totally agree with each other. What a dull world we'd live in, if
that were the case! I don't care if someone agrees with the way I believe, or
not. But I sure don't want anybody telling me what I can or cannot believe in,
or that I can't express my beliefs or my thoughts. And I TRY not to impose my
beliefs on anyone else.

Sister Paula

[tree68]

Terrorists will be terrorists. Religion just gives them a platform from which to launch their violence. The terrorists in this country seem to come out when their team wins a championship. They may not be setting off car bombs, but they are spreading terror and violence nonetheless, however briefly.

[Junctionfan]

1/ To Daveklepper: I must disagree respectfully with you. It has always been that way for ages. The Crusades started it and has raged on unofficially ever since. The U.S has just inherited the mess from the Europeans and has fanned the flames of hatred for awhile now stemming from international interfering with countries that don't want the "outsiders sticking their nose where it doesn't belong". The terrorist groups being the opportune politcian like scum that they are, adds the logs to the fires of hatred and nurses it to health even after hundreds of years and despite an apology from Pope John Paul II.

2/To Fuzzybroken: Good response sir, I couldn't agree more.

[Mookie]

And just when I was thinking you all had gone and gotten boring, you have an all night 4 page party!

Sister Mookie laughs and shakes her head!

[edblysard]

True,
But this might be an example of a troll's effort backfiring.

After reading all the postings, it is rather satisfying to see that not only is religious tolerance an almost universal trait among the members, but the ability to poke fun at ones self, as well as each other, is alive and well also.

And I noted that we all were quite quick to defend CWs right to believe however she wants too, and her right to express that belief here, and just as quick to defend the right of some to not believe in a eternal being, and their right to express such beliefs.

Makes me feel a lot more secure in knowing that at least that part of the American experience is still alive and well.

So, for once, a trolls posting managed to bring out the good in all of us, and create a great platform for Deacon Gabe and Dan the man to exercise their truly god given talents!

Ed

[selector]

Actually, dharmon, the author of the 'original' was C.C. Parry. Words and music.

[Anonymous]

Everybody,.....I think you all just got "trolled" Somebody is messing with ya, think about it .. The guy has 9 posts TOTAL and is trying to decide how the forum should be run? How many of you all felt THAT confident when you were that new here?

This guy is just playing with ya, probably a psuedo member who has another member name here, who likes to start fights...

[rich747us]

Just to piggyback on my last post; let's remember why many of us visit these forums. We come here to pursue what, in my opinion, is a hobby that is second to none! Let's remember to keep this forum fun! [:)] Let's not get all worked up and "offended" just because someone made a mention of their personal religious beliefs. There are far beter things to be "offended" over.

[rich747us]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

If you are referring to the fact that they don’t "drink" there...so what.

If you mean that some of the posters have a religious message in their signature...again, so what.


They are just as entitled to their opinion as you are to yours.

What you may view as religious fanaticism others might view as simple expression of religious faith.

Your definition of fanatic?

"He" or "they" are allowed to say what they want here because "we", the majority of the other forum members, recognize that " their" religious beliefs and the ability to express those beliefs is just as precious to them as our choice not to express our religious beliefs are to us.

Typing GOD IS GOOD doesn’t make me, you, or anyone else a fanatic.

Just because some chose to wear their religion on their sleeve isn’t offensive.

What is offensive is when others choose to try and stop them from exercising their freedom to express their faith.

Has anyone "not allowed" you to post what you wi***oo?

No, so the same courtesy should extend to the person you are referring to.

If what is written there is offensive to you, you’re free to say so.

You are not free to prohibit others from stating a viewpoint you don’t agree with, solely because you don’t like it, or don’t agree with it.

Because when that happens, then who gets to decide what is "allowed, and what is "not allowed"?

You?

Me?

Then, if that happens, this is no longer a forum, but becomes your personal web page and soapbox...with no other viewpoints, (except those that agree with you) allowed.

The Diner is a place where a particular group of folks have been meeting for a long time, discussing food, personalities, religion, more food, each other, politics and just about anything that strikes their fancy.

And, just like a real diner, if you don’t like what’s served there, go eat elsewhere....


Ed

I could not agree more, Ed! I wonder if the person who started this thread would be complaining if someone quoted the Muslim Q'uran or writings from the Buddhist or Hindu faiths? Far too many people are getting way to sensitive about another person's religious beliefs. It's pretty ridiculous to be offended just because someone made mention of thier religious beliefs.

[fuzzybroken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Here is an interesting question for the religious folk. What is the purpose of God giving us free will if we are always praying that he give us a miracle?

Well, I tell you what JunctionFan, God gave ALL folks free will, but intelligence to only certain people. Those people know who they are, and others think they know who they are. [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]

Enough for today,
-Mark
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken

[daveklepper]

1. Junction Fan: No the war is not between terrorist fundamentalists of the east and bigotted christian fundamentalists of the west, it is between terrorist fundamentalists of the east and those who believe in multi-ethnic, freedom-of-thought democracy. The problem we all face, and indeed Amtrak faces, is typified by our President asking the Saudi Prince to lower oil prices. Big favor! It is true that the Saudis have realized the fundamentalism they have themselves created is getting out of hand and is now even a threat to them, but still they are the ones themselves that created it. They still have religious police that check, for just one example that a young man and his fiance don't walk side by side on a Ryadh street (never mind Mecca or Medina) by the girl walks a certain number of paces behind him. Thus the recent horror on a Gaza Beach, now that this sort of thing has been imported into the area formerly under Israeli "occupation" after Egyption "rule" after a British "Mandate" after Turksh "rule" after Crusader "occupation" after Turkish "rule" after Roman "occupation" after the third Jewish commonwealth under the Hasmonian Jewish Kings. (Sorry for the history lesson but most statesman and some religious leaders of all faith sometimes forget it.) So Religion can be a horror. But it is important to realize that Democracy is not opposed to religion or visa versa. Including Islam. There are Islamic countries, including one or two in the ex-Soviet Union, that have decent relations with Christian countries and with Israel. And are Democracies.

2. The Catholic Church today recognizes the rights of Protestants, Jews, and Muslims to our own paths to the Eternal. Most Protestants and Jews and certainly a lot of Muslims feels the same way. I really don't know what is meant by the words "Religious Fanatic" on the original post. Is it someone who wants to serve the Eternal in everything he does, whether it is posting on the Forum, or trying to be patient on a supermarket or bank line when the clerk is fouling up and delaying everyone, or giving charity or just conducting is business as honestly and carefully as possible? If so, count me in as a religious fanatic! Is it someone who reminds himself of that promise to the Eternal by using the exact prayers his or her particular religion suggest at the times his or her religion suggest? Again, count me in as religious fanatic!

But if you mean that a religious fanatic is one maintains that his religion is the only one and others should either be converted or ....., well that is a person who is a menace in my opinion.

And Ethical Humanism is another approach to the Eternal, the "God in Man' and can certainly lead many people to fine and ethical conduct. No problem. So, for that matter can Hinduism or Shintnoism or Confusionism, and it was an Orthodox Rabbi that illustrated to me how the different "Gods" of these "Pagen" religions are, if you analyze their texts closely, really meant to be many different characterists of the same Eternal Spirit. (Like the classic Christian Trinity) Religion, like most tools for living, can be used for good or bad, and I have seen pretty much only good on this Forum

The humor of Amtrak-Tom is terrific. I am going to have to use that St. Peter story with my religious Jewish and Christian friends, but my Muslim friends might not understand it. The whole posting was worthwhile if only for that story, a real classic, thanks Amtrak-Tom!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

[%-)][%-)][%-)]
musta missed something....who was it that said "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash"

I think it was either Mamie Yokum or General Bullmoose from the Al Capp Comic Strip L'il Abner. LC you think you might remember better than me?

[vsmith]

[%-)][%-)][%-)]
musta missed something....who was it that said "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash"

[jeaton]

No Dan, Blake should apologize to you.