sinker

I was not the one who was criticizing someone for bad spelling. Lord knows I'm a horrible speller. I was actually taking exception to the fact that a poster was trying to discredit what YOU said based on the fact that there were spelling errors in your post. What I was saying, if you wouldn't mind re-reading, is that the INTENT or MESSAGE of your post is what is important, not necessarily how it is (mis)spelled. if you didn't get it yet, I was defending you! btw, it's a nice wood shed. you should come by to visit... -the artist formerly known as sinker

the second half of his statement went to the person and their inability to spell, therefore they have nothing intelligent to say... typical to paint christians that way... i seem to recall another heated thread recently where that was a major issue... -the artist formerly known as sinker

I don't think promiscuity is the reason the Pope prefers to exclude gays from the priesthood. That seems like a tangent from this thread. As far this thread goes...I look at the Pope the same way i look at the supreme court in the US. The bible is open to interpretation, just like our constitution. You need someone there to be the highest authority on the issue. That's what the pope is in the Catholic church. Under the current Pope, the interpretation is that the bible clearly stands against homosexuals as priests. That is the more traditional stance of the church. When a new Pope comes in, i'd expect any hotly debated topic to come up again. The same thing happens when the US Supreme Court changes members. Gays and Abortion are going to being debated for quite a while by the pope and the Supreme Court of the United States. Personally I have no problem with homesexuality. I don't think allowing them to be priests is a big deal. But the Pope says no. Gotta go with him, until someone convinces him that he is wrong. yes that is tangent, slightly, but still tangent. however, more to your point, the doctrines of the catholic church are not "debatable" as laws are in this country. whereas roe v wade may someday be overturned, "laws" or doctrine in the c church is not. sure, there has been an evolution of sorts, a maturation, but never a contradiction... homosexuality will never be ok in the church, either by the clergy or the laity. -the artist formerly known as sinker

that's it, attack the person... very nice. good job. why not address his statement? is homosexuality consistant with all christian churches? no, definately not the catholic church... there should be NO one inside the catholic church teaching something contrary to it's doctrines... if you don't believe in what it teaches, go to a church that espouses your beliefs. or start your own. -the artist formerly known as sinker

anyone out there know valid figures of the #s of sexual partners the average gay man has vs. the average heterosexual man? -the artist formerly known as sinker

you are right about both points I think but I want to add something... while there is more mainstream media promoting hetero promiscuity, I was referring more to the fact that the homosexual community seems to be more promiscuous than the hetero one. as to the decision to eject gay priests, I have to ask some theologian friends of mine about this... I hope that the vatican isn't just blindly sweeping out all gay priests... the church teaches that perhaps orientation in many cases cannot be changed, but that it is possible for those afflicted to live chaste christian lives, even in ministry. I would hate to see my friends who are priests w/ homosexual orientations (but who are faithful to church teachings) excluded from ministry. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Most priests practice celibacy, doesn't matter if they are gay or not. Are you saying that because they are gay they have a harder time being celibate? I personally know a couple of priests who have homosexual orientations. They are celebate but they have had difficult times with that. It could be that the more brazen promescuity promoted in some parts of the gay community could make it more difficult for gay priests to be celebate. Also, sexual addiction can certainly play a big part in it as well. But for that matter, such an addiction is quite prelevant in hetero's too.... I think it should be said, and emphatically so, that most priests ARE celibate, most live a very virtuous life. While this isn't to take away that there are serious probs in w/i the catholic clergy, I think sometimes it is lost in the mainstream that most priests are good men who fulfill their vocations honorably. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Gee, tell us how you really feel. What a hateful post. It is in fact quite easy to take moral guidance from Pope Benedict first, b/c I don't judge him based on his mere appearance (B-grade horror movie look alike? is that be best you can come up with? is this how you size up everyone you take advice from?).... second, he's an ex-nazi b/c he fled the regime after FORCED membership... it was compulsory and his fleeing from them could have resulted in his dealth... that's quite heroic... I'll gladly listen to someone of THAT moral fiber and strength, thank you very much. And homophobia is really is a misnomer... there is not a fear of homosexuals... there is on the other hand a view that, like pedophilia and other nonheterosexual orientations that it is disordered. Also, it is viewed as NOT THE FAULT of the homosexual that they are the way they are, therefore, much compassion and support is to be given. The church is not so brazen as to say that homosexuality is caused genetically or familially and leaves that up to scientists and psychiatrists and the like. If one were to really read the church's view on these matters, one would see that there is great compassion for homosexuals in the church, even if her followers sometimes --oft times-- are guilty of hatred and bigotry. Excluding gays from the priesthood is not homophobia or bigotry and it is myopia to see it only in that way. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Do you think that someone who has never had an intimate relationship should be out there advising others how to run their lives? What are your views on Whuffo 1st jump instructors teaching and debriefing student skydivers? Surely some involvement in the world at large is a requirement for guiding people through that world? I don't get it. Maybe you can explain it to me. t how do you know a priest has never had an intimate relationship? there are priests who were married and were widowed... would they count as being able to give valid advice? there are also priests who were clergy in other faiths, converted to catholicism and were given special permission to remain clergy and be ordained... so married priests, while being the exception, are not unknown today. another point, does a doctor need to have had an illness or does a counselor need to have had a condition in order to give his patients good counsel? i think not. JPII was one of the best pastoral counselors the catholic church as ever known. i believe this from having met him, from having read most of his writings as well as the biographies that others have written about him. i think he was a virgin. yet, his writings on sexuality are some of the most deep and erudite yet known to man. he counseled thousands of married couples pastorally and was highly successful. yet here he was, a celebate priest... but not just a priest, but someone wh ohad divine assistance, as all priests do, in helping their people. -the artist formerly known as sinker

For the hundredth time...We_do_NOT_worship_statues!!!! Folks, why don't you truly educate yourselves before making blatant ignorant opinions and statements. defend, bro, defend!! -the artist formerly known as sinker

sounds more like a bush-hatin' rumor spreader to me (not your friend, but where ever they got it...) -the artist formerly known as sinker

I always thought that was a rather graphic term given its religious origin.... see? some religious folks aren't so down on sex...

no axim, had two previous ipaq's but now have a treo 650 and love it... didn't think i'd ever own a palm again, but this thing just rocks. -the artist formerly known as sinker

definately the land of MILK and honey... -the artist formerly known as sinker

I figured that you 'guys' had this unspoken code of 'I met her first' kinda thing...that is what I am betting on in this situation. But I could be totally wrong. To answer the question....I really don't wanna lose either of them as friends, but I think that I would regret not pursuing even more. i've never really had that code, unless I had strong feelings for the girl too, but if that other dude is already dating someone, tough! he can't have you both, can he? but it is mature of you to think of not disrupting their friendship as well as yours with them over this, but as another poster said, try just being open w/ the guy... if you think there is reciprocation from him, it would be a good way to have your perceptions validated. and who knows, a wonderful relationship could ensue. -the artist formerly known as sinker

good point... -the artist formerly known as sinker

I definitely think it is there....just don't know how to pursue it without messing with the friendship between him, his roomate, and me. I met the roomie first, but knew that we would only be friends. Now that the roomie is seeing someone.....do I go for it?? Very touchy situation. what do you think the likelihood is that it WILL negatively affect the friendships if you pursue? IMO, life is too short to live w/ regret... but will you regret not pursuing, or will you regret messing up friendships, if that's the possibility... -the artist formerly known as sinker

With that said - if someone breaks into my house, intent to cause me harm, I will shoot to center of mass until they stop trying to do me harm. If they die from that - their bad. *** and there, were it to be me on the stand testifying as to why I shouldn't be locked up for killing this man who threatened to do me harm, my defense would be... I didn't intend to kill him... I intended to neutralize the threat he posed to me and/or my family. call it semantics if you want, but shooting the little bastard in the knee cap may not neutralize the threat. -the artist formerly known as sinker

deuce, you crack me up. -the artist formerly known as sinker

I regret that I didn't get together one last time w/ Chris Martin before last October... hard to believe it's been almost a year... -the artist formerly known as sinker

i guess you could whip out some of those euphamisms for a laugh? j/k... -the artist formerly known as sinker

This job was a business development role for a smallish software company. They were looking for an industry expert to help them build a new vertical. (That's about as specific as I want to get on a public forum). gotcha... not that I understood much, but thanks...

i'm w/ you... never was one to expend too much energy if she didn't show signs of interest... hated the girls who played hard to get... just seemed stupid to me... my wife actually persued me, which i loved! -the artist formerly known as sinker

Wrong. Neo-Cons suck. I find moderate Republicans (like Unicorns, they're getting harder to find) a lot more palatable than extreme lefties. Funny, I find moderate lefties more palatable than extreme lefties too. they require less ketchup... not so dry and stringy. -the artist formerly known as sinker

thats the funniest shit I have heard all day!!! can you say douche? -the artist formerly known as sinker