pajarito

A religion is just a roadmap and not the end result. Religion isn’t the source for man’s humanity or inhumanity. It may serve as a guide for inner desires but it isn’t what creates them. The law prohibits me from stealing a car; however, if I rely totally on my selfishness without regard to morality or the fear of getting caught, I’ll steal it. That in no way diminishes the purpose behind the law itself. That's limited, shallow, and unfortunate.

I recognize your sarcasm and can appreciate the humor in it. I think there are extremists on both sides of the issue. Some consider me in that category. I, however, don't discount that dinausars existed or that things evolve. I personally just don't buy the whole package they're trying to sell as fact. Some of it may be. However, it is a theory. In reference to the James Dobson/Focus on the Family question, I just think it's important, when referencing what someone else said or believes, that one has proof. Otherwise one might smear another person or organization unjustly.

I'm not trying to discredit you and say that there aren't people who believe in this way. I'm just wondering if you have proof that it is also the view of Dr. James Dobson or Focus on the Family. Would you happen to have a link to an article or something?

The same negative things could be said about Pakistan’s anti blasphemy laws whereby anyone speaking what’s considered blasphemy against Mohammed and the Qur'an will be put to death. How about the slavery and genocide that’s occurring in the Sudan? Granted, the motives behind the Crusades weren’t all pure, however, they were in response to Islamic jihad sweeping through Europe. I agree that many wars have their roots in religious interpretation. As for being judged by actions and not intentions, that was kind of the point of my previous post. Christianity has nothing to do with the vile things that some have done with it over the years. It sounds like you’re rejecting it based on what people have done with it and not based on the thing itself. Christianity’s central figure, Jesus, did lead by example and not just words or intentions. That’s what he did throughout his entire life and even throughout his torture and death. He is the only person who could.

I don’t have a subscription to the NY Times and, therefore, could not view your posted article. However, I’m sure that whatever was posted does not reflect the basic teachings of Christianity. Both Christianity and Islam both have many elements in their histories which do not necessarily reflect beliefs in each. Regardless of people’s misuse of these religions, however, they are very different at their roots. One can study each and come up with his/her own conclusions concerning which one has basis in violence, fear, force, and intimidation and which one is based on peace. I know both also have peaceful tenets but I submit that much can be learned from the actions of the central figures rather than just the words. I think that offers proof of sincerity. Christianity’s central figure, Jesus Christ, taught to love God completely and to love your neighbor as yourself. Above all, this was his most important teaching. He was expected to come as a warrior and to forcefully defeat the Romans and liberate the Nation of Israel. He instead proceeded quite unexpectedly through completely peaceful measures. He did not force anyone into conversion but rather left that up to God. Islam’s central figure, Mohammed, frequently threatened and used force to unify tribes and to bring about conversion to his new religion. He was himself a warrior. In addition to the 5 Pillars of Faith , he also taught of greater and lesser jihad, the greater being the internal spiritual struggle of Muslims in submission to God and the lesser being holy war against non-Muslims on principle of belief. Jihad is included by many as a 6th Pillar of Faith within Islam. I’m not surmising that all that follow Islam are bad. I’m also not saying even that all included within the religion of Islam is bad. I’m just making a distinction for comparison. I’m also saying that Islam does in fact have a non-peaceful basis.

Had an emergency appendectomy in 92. Post surgery, they started me off with morphine. That was the most euphoric sleep I think I've ever had. Loved it! I also had Demerol. That stuff rocks! I don't ever need to have access to that kind of stuff b/c I'm sure I'd be a drug addict.

I’ve stood in the soccer field in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan where they used to parade women who accidentally showed their faces from underneath their burkas in a circle before executing them by shooting them in the back of the head in front of the crowd. I've driven through the arch at the entrance to the city where they used to hang those opposed to that Taliban and left them there for all to see. I've driven down the road and watched the taxi cab in front of me with the trunk raised, the men sitting in the front, and the women and children sitting in the trunk with a stick holding up the lid (in the freezing cold, talcum powder dust being kicked up everywhere, and the trunk filled to the max). I've seen women trying to get away from their husbands and back into the house while being beaten with a stick. I’ve seen graves littered from the result of what the Taliban did. Your view that the US Christian right is comparative to the Taliban is utterly, ridiculous, unrealistic, extreme, and asinine.

Not true.

I agree.

I was pulling HARD for A&M. That was a great game! I had an ulterior motive, though. I was hoping they'd open the door for Auburn. Can't fault em. They very nearly pulled it off. Impressive!

100% agreement.

This is a very cruel and indecent comment. I wouldn't say things such as this about John Edwards if he had cancer let alone his wife. One should really think before posting what pops in his/her head.

If you mean by that if one admits that they fall short of the Glory of God and accepts Jesus as their Lord and only means of salvation as it is stated in the Bible, then I agree. If you mean adhere to the teachings and perform good works as is also stated as a requirement in the Bible, then I disagree. You can do good deeds as listed in the Bible all day long and be just as guilty as anyone else. Christianity is less about the religion than it is about the person of Jesus. In that aspect, it is less like a religion than all of the others. Anyone who puts the religion of Christianity above God is in fact performing idolatry.

I'm not Catholic. Just because you go to church, are Protestant, Catholic, or other, went to Catholic School, or whatever, does not necessarily mean that you're a Christian. The Pope doesn't hold the keys to heaven. Many people throw out that they're Catholic or went to Catholic school as some kind of catch all for their own personal moral justification or their personal salvation. If whatever you're pushing can't be backed up Biblically, then it's not right. I don't care what denomination you might belong to.

Me too!

What? When did I say that suicide was ok? I might have said that life is sacred. I don’t believe I ever said that euthanasia or suicide was justified in the Bible. I said that it occurred in the Bible. I asked if anyone could find God’s justification for it in the Bible. The Bible depicts history as well as provides moral guidance.

I'm honestly not quite clear on how I feel about this topic anymore. Not all Christians agree with it. God gave us both law and grace. There's God's moral law but we also have to live in society together. That's a tough one. Capital Punishment

No, but if you wanted to pass laws like, you can't treat sickel cell anemia in hospitals because it doesn't apply to your race, then yes. I don't see much difference between that and passing laws that apply to your religion. I do because the first mentioned is blatantly racist and the motive is to do harm to a particular race. Whether you agree with euthanasia or not, the prohibition of it is for the betterment or moral wellbeing of everyone. I’m sure you disagree with this. I’m just saying that it is a bad comparison.

I never said or meant to imply that it was mandatory. However, this country was founded by persons who believed in God and wanted to worship how they pleased. The Constitution is going to reflect that. It doesn’t prevent a person to not worship or believe in God if that’s what he/she chooses. It protects people’s right to worship or not worship however they want. My point in all that was to establish that God wasn’t meant to be “taken out” of politics by the 1st Amendment.

I'm glad I've brought you to some understanding.

What Lawrocket said.

The “civil” laws of the Nation of Israel at that time are not necessarily in unison with the moral law of God (i.e. it’s not necessarily what God commanded). The commands of the Old Testament are divided generally into moral law, ceremonial law and civil law. The moral law (i.e. The 10 Commandments) remains in effect. The ceremonial law (sacrificing 2 oxen, etc.) was fulfilled in Jesus' sacrificial death and the New Testament teaches that it is not binding anymore. The civil law (stoning for adultery, etc.) was the law of the nation of Israel, which operated as a Theocracy, and is not the civil law of any other nation.

Biblical basis for God’s justification of it. I even said myself earlier that it happened in Biblical times. I can’t find evidences of toothbrushes in the Bible either, Bill. Don’t go off on a tangent again. Death and dying is mentioned and dealt with in the Bible. Just because methods have changed in our technological development over the years doesn’t change the end result.

What does the “country club” or “domineering or suppressive” atmosphere of “some” churches got to do with the foundational messages of Christianity? What does the misuse of the religion or the vile things that some people in religion do have to do with God’s message and why you should or should not believe it? You’re missing seeing the forest for the trees. Uh-huh. Don't let the Jews hear that. Statements like that verge on bigotry. Why is it bigoted to say that Christians make up the majority in this country? So do Caucasians. Does that make me a racist?

You're living in a fantasy. Making you think though, aren't I?