Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< But I do think it's nice how this was turned into a personal attack on me, eh? >>> I don't see a personal attack anywhere in this thread, but since you quoted me, I'll assume that you're referring to my post. We may very well worship different gods. My god loves all of His creations equally, even if He may disagree with what they might do or believe. And, His only son died to forgive their sins, no matter how bad they might have been. Your belief system and your god may be different than mine, so please accept my apology if this has created conflict.
Originally Posted By jonvn "I don't see a personal attack anywhere in this thread" I do. This thread isn't about me, but you felt it necessary to try to turn it into one. "My god loves all of His creations equally" I don't have one. I'll leave it at that, as I don't want to offend you. Suffice it to say I hold religious belief not in the highest of esteem. "please accept my apology if this has created conflict." OK.
Originally Posted By YourPalEd <<<I was raised as a collie.>>> What are you calling your mother by saying this statement? Is there a reason, at least, why you do not wish to tell us what you were raised as? When you are a child you are not responsible for education forced upon you, and a lot of times it helps people to understand subtleties. Honesty is true freedom, after all, though it is imposible to be completely honest all the time, while a living human being.
Originally Posted By jonvn "What are you calling your mother by saying this statement?" I call her "mom." "Is there a reason, at least, why you do not wish to tell us what you were raised as?" Other than it being none of anyone's business, not really. But, if you really need to know, I was raised as what I am: A member of no religious group, and suspicious of all of them. I find religion to be little more than ornate sets of childish superstition. Now, people have religious beliefs, and they think that their rituals and irrational beliefs are worthwhile and it makes them happy. That's fine. I don't want to trample on that, as long as it stays out of my way. I have my own set of irrational beliefs, which is why I will sometimes buy a lottery ticket. So, I don't really go into discussing religion with people, because what I have to say about it is that I see little difference between the entirety of the Catholic Church, voodoo, and crossing your fingers to ward off bad luck as all basically the same thing. So now you know. In any case, if you think your religious ideas help you, great. But, to me, they are as meaningless as the idea of a black cat crossing your path being bad luck, or the horoscope section of the National Enquirer. It's not like I'm going to go out and file a lawsuit to get "In God We Trust" off our money, I simply don't care. It is neither offensive to me, nor is it meaningful. It's empty and pointless, but it certainly does me no harm. And that is how I was raised.
Originally Posted By YourPalEd <<<And that is how I was raised.>>> Interesting, but you left out the religion part.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <It's not like I'm going to go out and file a lawsuit to get "In God We Trust" off our money, I simply don't care. It is neither offensive to me, nor is it meaningful. It's empty and pointless, but it certainly does me no harm. < Okay I know I am going to get hammered for this reply, but here goes anyway. Wouldn't it be great if everyone viewed everyone else's rights this way ! Now I am Christian ( and Catholic to boot) - and yes this country was founded by people with Crhistian ideals, some with Deist ideals, some with no particular ideals etc.....it just so happens that more Christians than anyone else were a part of starting the U.S. and still are a vast majority today. BUT - wasn't this country founded on the belief of religious freedom, including the freedom to have no relgious belief ? I know it is an oversimplification, but as a school child many many moons ago that was the mantra for why the US exists today. And I believe without getting into gory details that that description still works to a point today. If there is a majority of Christians, then it stands to reason more symbols and more churches and more rituals will have creeped into everyday life. That does not make people of other faiths, or no faith second class citizens, but also if there is a parade that goes by and it had a Christian symbol on it, so what ? If there is a Buddhist observance should it bother Christians - NO. Why ? Because unless it causes you to do something so against what you believe in...it harms no one. If I walk into city hall and a Menorah is displayed, does that offend me ? Why should it ? Now if someone comes to my house and says take down that Christmas tree and start put up a Menorah - different issue completely. Religious symbology ( word ?) becomes part of a countries historical references...let's not move to erase it, and let time handle any of that. The U S is overwhelmingly Christian today, in a time line of humanity, that is a small portion of time, and who can say 100 years from now if that will still be true. I know I can't. I an not trying to speak for you Jonvn, but I can tel you my feelings that were sparked by your statement. If I moved to Saudi Arabia for instance for my job or whatever, I would not want them to suddenly stop their world to not offend me ( not that they would anyway - but you get my point ) - interesting statement, your post was (Yoda)
Originally Posted By Disneyworldland let me ask, when the Muslims get their 72 Virgins, do they stay virgins after Muhammad has sex with them or do they just get rid of the woman and get 72 more when done with them like Muhammad did on earth?
Originally Posted By DlandJB Muhammad had in his lifetime 12 wives. More than the Koran allows for, but no where near 72. Do you have a source for this, or is it just rhetorical?
Originally Posted By friendofdd JB, I haven't done any research on the topic, but 72 is the figure normally used in news stories which include the delights of paradise for martyrs in the cause. Occasionally the stories include the info that the 72 alway;s have their virginity restored. I can't verify this is what some muslims believe, but it has frequently been reported.
Originally Posted By DlandJB Fodd, I'm refering historically to how many times Muhammad was married, not to the promise of virgins for martyrdom. Am I still off track with 12? The original poster seemed to say that Muhammad himself had gone through that many women himself. I've never heard that before and couldn't find verification of it.
Originally Posted By DlandJB ^^ he said "like Muhammad did on earth" and that was what I was disputing.
Originally Posted By DlandJB And I was refering to the founder of Islam, as I thought poster #31 was.
Originally Posted By friendofdd Sorry, I got confused I guess. I don't have a clue about Muhammad's wives.
