Phoenix-
It's no contest actually.There are arguments that haven't even been hinted at yet and which the other side have no notion of.Our good manners refrain from deploying them to protect the innocent.
Frankly, i don't. When the world is full of heathen savages like christian or muslim fundamentalists who are happy to bomb the be-Jeebus out of anyone in their path, the expectation of making peace is nil.
Arguments not hinted at, which the other side have no notion of. Give me a break.
What a clown. Do you wear yellow shoes and a red nose?
niriain asked on another thread-
Quote:How and to what does ecstasy bind in the body? Also how does it effect serotonin levels?
Quote:What a clown. Do you wear yellow shoes and a red nose?
Five year olds can do that.
<thanks for the links, Joe. Brought back memories of Vidal and Buckley on the Cavitt show...>
Set- One thing that I have learned in life, is that talking out things with people, especially with people with whom you don't agree, is the best way to come to at least an understanding, if not an agreement.
I think that a lot of misunderstanding is rooted in fear. Open communication relieves a lot of that fear, and helps people to get along with one another. Bringing differences out in the open, in a dispassionate, intelligent way, free of diatribe and innuendo, will do much to create good will amongst individuals.
I cannot control what is going on in the world, and I am not naive enough to think that what I do will make a bit of difference in the larger scheme of things. What I do know, is that I can interact with people with whom I come in contact, and make that smaller world a better place to be.
I go from one decade to the next without discussing religion in real life, Phoenix . . . spare me your attempts at enlightenment, 'K?
Five year olds and a2kers.
If people believe what they believe and honor the beliefs of others then there isn't any need for contention. If people believe what they believe and are self-righteous to the point of being obnoxious then there will be contention but not the level of contention we have here. But when people believe what they believe and are self-righteous to the point of working to change the law of the land to reflect their theology, then those who don't believe have every right and IMO obligation to expose the effort for what it is and fight with whatever strength they have.
Momma Angel has stated her intention to lobby to change the laws of the US to reflect those of her Christianity. She has stated that the laws of her Christian God supersede any law written by man and man's written laws need to change to reflect the laws of her God. I'm surprised more people aren't jumping all over this. Phoenix, if MA's interests were in living her life under the direction of her Bible then I would have no qualms with her position whatsoever. It is her stated intent to change the laws that you and I live under that has me irate.
Intrepid states he doesn't understand where all the animosity from the US posters comes from. Perhaps he doesn't have a conservative Christian coalition trying to rewrite the laws of Canada to reflect his Christian God, or perhaps he agrees with the efforts if they exist.
Snood thinks Momma Angel's beliefs are hers and she isn't hurting anyone and doesn't deserve the wrath of those who don't believe the way she does.
Some think that lobbying efforts to change the laws to the US to reflect the laws of the Christian God isn't an attempt to hurt anyone, or that posting websites from Christian groups who claim that the Constitution was written by Christians for Christians and should be construed to reflect Christianity isn't an attempt to hurt anyone. I think it is vital that moderate Christians, liberal Christians, and non-Christians alike expose this activity for exactly what it is and fight against it with every possible resource.
I too think Momma Angel has a warm heart. I too think she has found peace in her religion that she didn't have before. I wouldn't dream of taking that peace away from her, but I will fight with every ounce of energy I have against her stated efforts to turn this country into a Christian homeland.
J_B wrote:I too think Momma Angel has a warm heart.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
J_B- I cannot fault anything that you said in your last post. Many times, on many threads, I have stated that I may not respect a person's beliefs, but I respect the right of that person to hold those beliefs............................as long as that person's beliefs do not infringe on MY life.
George Bush's popularity has hit a very low point. I believe that the Republicans have finally gotten it into their heads that if they want any power in this country, they have to return to a more middle ground, to get any of their people elected. Therefore, it is their best interests, to extricate themselves from the radical Christian right. I think that the country is returning to moderation. And that, IMO, is a very good thing!
J_B, Thank you for expressing in words I lack concerning the infringement of our lives by christians who believe they have a god-given right to change our laws to reflect their beliefs. They have already done harm to our children by getting some states to teach ID as science in our schools, and they wonder why we are so aggressive in our verbage. I doubt very much they will ever understand why there is a great divide between these fundy christians and those of us that disagree with their efforts to change the laws of this land to favor their religious beliefs.
J_B, so is the road to Heaven.
I agree with Phoenix' sentiments but who can deny Set's:
"When the world is full of...christian or muslim fundamentalists who are happy to bomb the be-Jeebus out of anyone in their path, the expectation of making peace is nil."