Originally Posted By EdisYoda I don't believe it's a hate of religion, it's the hate of "your" religious beliefs infringing on "my" religious beliefs (or non beliefs as the case may be) And I agree with whoever pondered which of hundreds of religious variations would be chosen as the official. I kind of welcome that debate to see how fractional that will really make things.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I don't believe it's a hate of religion, it's the hate of "your" religious beliefs infringing on "my" religious beliefs (or non beliefs as the case may be)" I think it's both. I tire of religious folks like the aforementioned leaders in North Carolina who legislate their beliefs on me. It's tiring and frankly un-American. As for hate, well I don't 'hate' religion. However given how frequently patriarchal, homophobic and sexist (for starters) mainstream religious people can be I'm surprised that anyone would be perplexed when non-believer express hatred at their beliefs.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Chair: "The motion before us is for the state to recognize that Jesus Christ is the one true savior and only through following His word one shall find everlasting peace. All those in favor?" All in attendance: "AYE!!!!!!" Chair: "The motion passes unanimously." (cheers, weeping and handshakes all around.) Chair: "Next on the agenda: Cits to welfare, hospice services, health programs, early childhood education and the unemployed. All those in favor?" All in attendance: "AYE!!!!!"
Originally Posted By Mr X ***He needs people to take care of the sick, the hungry, and the poor, and to treat people with love and affection*** Not for nothin - but couldn't he do all that himself, too, if he felt like it?
Originally Posted By mawnck Sanity prevails. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/state-religion-bill-north-carolina_n_3016154.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...154.html</a> >>The Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives killed legislation on Thursday that aimed to establish an official state religion.<< And what can we thank for this strange burst of common sense? >>An explanation on why Tillis decided to kill the measure was not posted and a Tillis spokesman was not immediately available for comment. The media firestorm regarding the legislation comes as Tillis is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) next year.<<
Originally Posted By TomSawyer "Not for nothin - but couldn't he do all that himself, too, if he felt like it?" Thus, the Christian version of the weaselly moment when Obi Wan tells Luke that he wasn't exactly lying when he said that Darth Vader killed his father, and the cause of Jedi-like acrobatics in explaining why an omnipotent, loving God would allow suffering and pain. (Father Kenobi waves his hand and says, "God has a plan. These aren't the arguments you're looking for.") If you are looking for a personal God who listens to every prayer and who changes the course of your life based on your piety and/or purchase of DVDs and books that are available by calling the number at the bottom of your screen, then it's this fundamental conflict that leads to talk of mysteries and plans. Why did 6 million Jews have to die horrible deaths under the Nazis? God has a plan. Why did those kids have to get shot in Newtown? God has a plan. Why are the Kadashians famous? God has a plan. I don't think that Jesus talked about a close personal relationship with God as a buddy. I think he was saying that by loving and caring for others, you come closer to the way God wants things to be. More like Buddha in that the whole point is to alleviate suffering and pain. That's why you take care of the sick. That's why you feed the hungry. That's why you visit people who are suffering in jail. And it's why Jesus said that the church is his body in the world. His resurrection was the beginning of the church, which would be acting as his hands and eyes and ears in the world. It's his Tom Joad moment - where ever someone is suffering, he'll be there. We are living, mortal beings. There's going to be suffering. I think that the whole point of Jesus' teachings is that we can reduce suffering and increase happiness by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, by taking care of them in their time of need. This idea of the personal God who created a universe of unimaginable size caring whether or not the Colts got the conversion seems childish to me.
