jfields

I pre-ordered it on March 16.... 2001. Since I placed the order and called dibs, I get to read it before my wife. But I may relent and consent to a joint read-aloud.

Chris, Correction noted. Getting back to generalizations, from what I've seen, most religions have components of both humility and tolerance. The people out bashing the "unbelievers" often seem to have skipped a few chapters out of the books the allegedly revere.

Most excellent reply! LOL!

Doh! True. You mean it casts a negative light on skydivers every time I mention Clay's continued sexual relations with sheep?

Wendy, Both you and Chris (Muenkel) have said that some opinions are not representative of Christianity as a whole. Or of religion as a whole. I understand that. What I don't understand is why some people don't comprehend how their attitudes and actions reflect negatively on both them and their religions.

Sure it was an attack, just one veiled with religious justification, which is one of the main reasons I dislike religion. I have no problem with you being religious. Why do you have a problem with my not being religious? Is this a personal insecurity? Because plenty of other religious folks belong to the "live and let live" philosphy instead of the "you are going to burn in hell" camp. I can respect their attitudes and admire their tolerance. The sticky note I just wrote on my desk says, "I am the almighty ruler of the universe and everyone who disagrees with me shall be cast into the fiery pits of hell for all eternity, starting when I submit this post." If I attribute that to God and say it is "TRUTH", in capital letters, does that make it true? If so, this will be a really short conversation. I didn't write that, nor do I wish it, but it illustrates the absurdity of trying to force your beliefs on others with the bible as your support. It doesn't do your cause any good to stomp up and down and say, "It's in the bible, so it MUST be true." That doesn't sway anyone who doesn't take the bible as a literal book of God's words. Do you take the writing on my hypothetical sticky note as true? You would be a lot better off explaining the role of God in your life and how you feel it benefits you. Those explanations of belief are much more valid than nebulous assertions of biblical truth. You can believe that the bible is the word of God, but you can't prove it. Your belief hurts nobody, and you are entitled to it. Your statement of it as fact rather than belief, and insistence that I believe it is insulting and arrogant. There is nothing to show that either of us is right or wrong, and we are both equally valid in having a perceived framework in which we base our lives. Yours is religious, mine is secular. What is wrong with that?

in a kind of LSD-inspired halucinogenic way.

Sure, as long as you don't mind one that fits an XXXXL shirt.

Damnit, Clay, don't you start bidding against me!

There is a musical about meeting his girlfriend.

Do you have membership cards?

Yes. And to throw out another oldie but goodie, the CS Lewis "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Good for kids, but stuff there for adults as well and a fun read.

What? Where?

Someone is at work reading his morning news today.

I've read the HP series repeatedly as well. I prefer its style to LOTR. Another classic to check out is Ursula K. LeGuin's "Wizard of Earthsea" trilogy.

My wife reads some of the Harry Potter books to her third grade classes. They love it. Lots of them end up buying the books and reading along at home. I agree with you, Andrea.

Yeah, it will shrink a little, but not enough to fit a petite toddler any time soon. And I'm sure Mininac is as eager as Lucy to start wearing fashionable dz.com attire. You know you'd fork over the cash to see Calum in a stylin' dz.com shirt. Fess up!

HH, I have a message to pass on to you: Sorry, I'm still working on teaching her manners. She's only 14 months old, after all.

You may want to rethink the personal attack, Chuteless. I've been respectful of other people's opinions in this thread. Maybe you ought to do likewise, or are respect and kindness not part of your personal religious values?

I agree with this completely, and I'm an atheist. Even those of us that don't believe in God should still take the time to enjoy the beauty in the world, whatever its origin.

Natural is nice, so she is obviously disqualified.

"God didn't make the 30 gallons of beer in my house. I did." I already started on the beer part. And if anything comes close to making me believe in a God, it is a nice pair of boobies. There.

Nope. I'm in charge of my own life. I homebrew. God didn't make the 30 gallons of beer in my house. I did.

I don't believe in dog either, despite that furry thing trying to hump my leg.

Proof is when something is irrefutably shown to be true by set principles of reasoning. Those rules are applicable to all. Main Entry: 1proof Pronunciation: 'prüf Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, alteration of preove, from Old French preuve, from Late Latin proba, from Latin probare to prove -- more at PROVE Date: 13th century 1 a : the cogency of evidence that compels acceptance by the mind of a truth or a fact b : the process or an instance of establishing the validity of a statement especially by derivation from other statements in accordance with principles of reasoning The key there being that you regard the bible as truth. Your believing it does not make it so. It may or may not be, but in either case, it doesn't depend on your belief. Insane asylums are full of people that believe things that aren't true, to the level of completely denying reality in favor of an alternate and false perception.