Originally Posted By SuperDry ^^^ (#20) This is likely caused by this technique being a well-practiced science of certain media outlets that some posters in WE consume in an excessive amount. <<< If you believe Jesus ever had a good word for war or torture or tax cuts for the rich, or raping the earth, or refusing water to dying migrants, then you might as well believe bunnies lay painted eggs.... >>> What I find fascinating when people who have a fundamentalist viewpoint on Christianity, and ostensibly live a life whose entire focus is based on their belief in Christ, take the above viewpoints. Whether it be online or in personal interactions, when a fundamentalist promotes something along the lines of the above, it's amazing what affect a response like "What do you suppose Jesus would do in this situation?" has. And I ask such a question much more in earnest and with sincerity than I do sarcastically. What I usually get, either online or in person, is a viscerally negative response. I usually back off, but I find it privately amusing that the response I get is almost always very decidedly un-Christian, shall we say. Let's use the example of being against putting water out in the desert for the illegal immigrants so that they don't die from dehydration. Separate from the matter of whether it's good public policy (and I think that there are good arguments on both sides, and that reasonable people can differ), I find a striking correlation both online and in person with people that are of a fundamentalist Christian faith and those that are rabidly against such a plan. And I don't understand why. Given the fact that there are illegal immigrants dying in the desert, ask yourself the question: "What would Jesus do?" I think there's only one answer, although I'd be very glad to hear from someone with an opposing view. What normally happens in such a situation is that the opposing person goes off in a rage to one extent or another. But I've never really heard a good response. The best response I've heard from a Biblical standpoint is that there's a general dictum to "Obey thy elders," which in general is one of the reasons given why a Christian person is duty-bound to obey the laws of society even if they aren't religious in nature or directly derivative from the Bible. Since illegal immigrants by definition are breaking the laws of our society, it's easy to fall into a "let 'em eat cake" sort of attitude. And an argument can be made that this may actually be the best thing to do from a practical standpoint. But I find it hard to believe that it is what Christ would have done.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad POST 21... can we add people who swear by chiropractors, and home schooling as being the ONLY way to go, to that post? You begin to see the type of person. Why can't we all just get along and be friends? Hey cstephens, didn't they deport you?
Originally Posted By cape cod joe 23)DVC--Why can't we all just get along? Because people here are resentful of the only two posters who know what they're talking about> Pass and myself Everyone is clueless
Originally Posted By cape cod joe I am in a good mood here and I wish everyone with their religious beliefs, if any, a happy easter, passover, resurrection day or whatever! ccj
Originally Posted By cape cod joe Jim---a wet noodle at you as that is NOT Politically Correct or is it?
Originally Posted By cape cod joe post 22--sstephens--This is one of the funniest one liners I've seen here yet! I'm alone here in the office laughing my butt off at that. That is funny!!!
Originally Posted By cape cod joe DRY-- I think (only conjecture here) Jesus would give the illegals water and gently lead them back to where they came and lecture them on respecting other people's rights?> What do you think Dry?
Originally Posted By Mr X Interesting post, SuperDry...next time we get together I'd love to hear more of your views on this stuff... BTW, I will be in America for a month or so from May 22nd (east coast though)...if your travels happen to take you there, PLEASE let me know!
Originally Posted By hightp "All hail the Easter Bunny!" I prefer the late great Irish comedian, Dave Allen's saying: "Thank you, good night and may your god go with you."
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< DRY-- I think (only conjecture here) Jesus would give the illegals water and gently lead them back to where they came and lecture them on respecting other people's rights?> What do you think Dry? >>> I think you're probably right. Of course, it's very difficult to come up with an exact answer, as the notion of detailed immigration laws, passports, and strict, formal borders are modern inventions. But I think you're on the right track: I think that given the current situation, Jesus would provide water to those in need while at the same time counseling them that they need to obey the law. And if He thought the law was unjust, in most cases He'd use the democratic process to work for change. But that's just my guess. Gee, this is kind of fun. It's kind of like "What would Walt do in <xyz situation> today?" but taken to an extreme.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Interesting post, SuperDry...next time we get together I'd love to hear more of your views on this stuff... >>> I would enjoy the conversation. It's too bad we had so little time in January to just chew the fat on such things. <<< BTW, I will be in America for a month or so from May 22nd (east coast though)...if your travels happen to take you there, PLEASE let me know! >>> Man, our timing is a bit off. I'm actually booked to arrive at TDR at the end of May for a few days! I was hoping to see you there, but it appears unlikely in light of what you say above.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice <<I know your wife is pregnant right now, but a wife is NEVER huge. She might be 'comfy', or 'voluptuous', or MAYBE even 'pleasingly plump'. But a wife is NEVER huge.>> *LOL* RoadTrip, I'd love to take your cute, short self and just bounce ya on my knee for that! *Tweaks yer cheek*
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <I think a minority of Christians (remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil) are convincing themselves that they are descriminated against to strengthen the rallying cry. > Absolutely dead-on correct, ecdc. As, of course, were Maher's comments.
Originally Posted By JazzCat cstephens, this is a prime example of what I mean: Gadzuux wrote: "Christians have made the oppression of gays and lesbians their 'reason for being' a rallying cry. As a result of working tirelessly to reduce the status of one class of americans, you can expect some pushback." Gadzuux, you lumping me in with people who are oppressing gays and lesbians. You also wrote: "As a prime example, look at the neighboring thread about these groups that are attempting to rescind rights granted to gays and lesbians. Here's a link to their website. Take a look at the misinformation and fear-mongering plastered all over the home page. Is this "you"?" It most certainly is NOT me and Inspector57 would attest to that. So thank you, Gadzuux, for proving my point. Just because I mentioned "Christians are constantly being told that we need to accept various ways of life, many people refuse to accept us" it is obvious that you are one of those people who refuse to accept me because I am a Christian.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder Okay, now I'm beginning to wonder why this thread was even started. As has been pointed out several times, Christians are being attacked in this country. cstephens asked a while ago what you meant, and until Gad came along, you hadn't responded at all. I'd offer his response was perfectly understandable given the circumstances. Can you come up with any examples where Christians are being prevented from practicing their faith? Are mere differences of opinion now considered attacks? I think it's safe to say the Gads of the world would like to be free to choose who they can marry, sleep with, etc. without fear of retribution from certain quarters and the restriction of otherwise inalienable rights. How in any way is that infringing on your right to lead the Christian lifestyle you desire? He just wants to be left alone, but simply because of a sexual preference the Christian right wants to take away domestic partnership laws, introduce Constitutional amendments designed specifically to prevent gays from marrying ad nauseum. Nowhere is anyone introducing legislation to prevent Christians from doing anything. And what's worse, right wing Christians insist on making it even uglier by saying if you are anything but arch-conservative in your politics, you can't possibly be a Christian. So pardon me and others for not seeing your point. You're free to be as Christian as you like. Thank your lucky stars you aren't gay, then you'd have yourself a real dilemma.
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder Oh for Pete's sake, Of all the times to be King of the Typos. The sentence should read "As has been pointed out several times, Christians are NOT being attacked in this country."
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<*LOL* RoadTrip, I'd love to take your cute, short self and just bounce ya on my knee for that! *Tweaks yer cheek* >> Hmmmm... that sounds fun. I'm ready to bounce!!
