Ill. House Approves Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions

[Religionthebigli e]

Knowledge wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes they did, but I guess I am one of the lucky ones so to speak. Almost killed more times than I can count, my death experience, I have gone to far to go back... Tell me something, where is you opinion on phenomenal things that happen or can't be explained? What is your opinion about psycis that police use to find people? Gifts that people have that are unexplainable? Do you feel that all of these things don't occur? Don't get me wrong, I am just trying to see if you are closed minded on all things unseen.

I think psychics are clever con-artists who make an occasional "hit". When I was younger, I had a propensity for believing this bunk, mainly because of cleverly presented TV programs with good special effects and mood music. More often than not, psychics are wrong.

Wouldn't you think "legitimate" psychics would be jumping on this challenge?
http://www.skepdic.com/randi.html

[Knowledge]

Religionthebiglie wrote:

<quoted text>
I think psychics are clever con-artists who make an occasional "hit". When I was younger, I had a propensity for believing this bunk, mainly because of cleverly presented TV programs with good special effects and mood music. More often than not, psychics are wrong.
Wouldn't you think "legitimate" psychics would be jumping on this challenge?
http://www.skepdic.com/randi.html

The truth is, people who make money on it are not real. I do believe that some people have gift, who use them to help people. That is why I call them gifts. That is my opinion on it. So you are saying you are closed minded on all phenominal things? Have you not ever seen anything in your life that you could not explain?

[Religionthebigli e]

CDC wrote:

You can't PROVE your reality either.
Each person has their own reality.
You are just another cog in this universe.
No better no worse.
Consider yourself enlightened.
<quoted text>

How does one who has had their reality taught to them by someone else's version of reality(clergy) capable of enlightening anyone else?

I've weighed both sides of the issue for many years. If you haven't even considered that those who taught you what to believe might be wrong, you are only following in blind faith, and are far from enlightened.

[Religionthebigli e]

Knowledge wrote:

<quoted text>
The truth is, people who make money on it are not real. I do believe that some people have gift, who use them to help people. That is why I call them gifts. That is my opinion on it. So you are saying you are closed minded on all phenominal things? Have you not ever seen anything in your life that you could not explain?

Without scientific proof, I will remain skeptical. Why do people have a desperate need to believe such things? BTW,your bible condemns these things. Why would you condone it?

[Knowledge]

Religionthebiglie wrote:

<quoted text>
Without scientific proof, I will remain skeptical. Why do people have a desperate need to believe such things? BTW,your bible condemns these things. Why would you condone it?

Actually no it does not, Daniel had the gifts of dreams and visions and interpretations. He was called on many times by kings . There are many other things with the life of King David, he had people who had gifts of prophecy, ect to help him make decisions. I do believe in it, I have seen it more times than I could remember. I have also seen people who claim to have it, and use it for bad. When it is used for the bad, you can feel it, and that is not of God. Maybe someday you will have the opportunity to see some things, that you see, but can not explain. Life does not ever get boring after that.LOL The Bible does not condone witchcraft or soccerry . Corinthians speaks of many gifts, Jesus also did too. I was just wondering with all these things they are putting on tv stating they have scientific proof. I do know they can play with cameras.LOL

[CDC]

That's all fine and dandy Chester but I don't even belong to a church. Why do you assume a person must be part of a group to
have blind faith? I have no problem with any religion as long
as it does not wish me physical harm. From what I can see none
of the religious folks on here are wishing anyone physical harm.
Just their opinions against your supposed reality.

Religionthebiglie wrote:

<quoted text>
How does one who has had their reality taught to them by someone else's version of reality(clergy) capable of enlightening anyone else?
I've weighed both sides of the issue for many years. If you haven't even considered that those who taught you what to believe might be wrong, you are only following in blind faith, and are far from enlightened.

[Are you serious]

Really, for one the over population of people milking the system is getting ridiculous. Have five kids, the taxpayer will pay for them. Or maybe give them to a possible gay couple that would raise the kid in a stable family. Heroin addicts also have aids, we pay for them. There are more screwed up scenarios then gay people having rights. Just saying.

bad idea wrote:

<quoted text>
Join the blacks, they blame other people for their dissatisfaction in life as well. "Everyone just wants things to be fair." Well, reality check, life isn't fair. Also, think about it like this. How will civilization continue to exist with there becoming more and more gays? Last time I checked, a dude can't get another dude pregnant. Don't gay people, men in particular, have a drastically increased risk of aids? Yes they do. Isn't that expensive to treat? Yes it is. Don't most people with aids not have health care? Well, yes. Who pays for their treatments then? The taxpayer. Oh, well its seems to me the american taxpayer should be up in arms because in a round about way, this will only cost them more. It's also un-natural for a child to be reared by gay's. That is already putting them behind the 8 ball to start their life. Kids are cruel, so why would you want to subject a kid to anymore cruelty? The list goes on and on as to why this is a bad idea. Just my opinion.

[Religionthebigli e]

Knowledge wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually no it does not, Daniel had the gifts of dreams and visions and interpretations. He was called on many times by kings . There are many other things with the life of King David, he had people who had gifts of prophecy, ect to help him make decisions. I do believe in it, I have seen it more times than I could remember. I have also seen people who claim to have it, and use it for bad. When it is used for the bad, you can feel it, and that is not of God. Maybe someday you will have the opportunity to see some things, that you see, but can not explain. Life does not ever get boring after that.LOL The Bible does not condone witchcraft or soccerry . Corinthians speaks of many gifts, Jesus also did too. I was just wondering with all these things they are putting on tv stating they have scientific proof. I do know they can play with cameras.LOL

Scientific proof would consist of testable and repeatable evidence, along with the peer review process. Word of mouth doesn't cut the mustard. It would explain why no one will take up the man on his million dollar challenge. I wouldn't say that doing it for money makes anyone a fake. Hell, if I were psychic, I would absolutely use it to make a living. It sure beats work.

Modern day psychics would fall under the heading of false prophecy, don't you think? They're not casting spells, just giving false information.

[Religionthebigli e]

CDC wrote:

That's all fine and dandy Chester but I don't even belong to a church. Why do you assume a person must be part of a group to
have blind faith? I have no problem with any religion as long
as it does not wish me physical harm. From what I can see none
of the religious folks on here are wishing anyone physical harm.
Just their opinions against your supposed reality.
<quoted text>

I agree with you. Differing beliefs are interesting, and encourage exchanges in ideas. But, to say that religious people aren't wishing harm on others(gay people,atheists), then you haven't been paying attention.

[Knowledge]

Religionthebiglie wrote:

<quoted text>
Scientific proof would consist of testable and repeatable evidence, along with the peer review process. Word of mouth doesn't cut the mustard. It would explain why no one will take up the man on his million dollar challenge. I wouldn't say that doing it for money makes anyone a fake. Hell, if I were psychic, I would absolutely use it to make a living. It sure beats work.
Modern day psychics would fall under the heading of false prophecy, don't you think? They're not casting spells, just giving false information.

Yes there are a lot Of false prophet.LOL They steal your money too! LOL I hope one day you have something happen to you that you see that is unexplained...good of course. I think it is good to have an open mind and yes it is good to question all things. If you fall for everything I suppose you would be a fool.LOL I gotta get off here for awhile. My retirement is hard to get use too! I always said I would stay in bed, and catch up on the rest I never got.LOL Seems like I have to catch up on all the work, I have put off for years...LOL It has been enjoyable talking to you. Later.

[CDC]

I've seen a lot of "your going to burn in hell" and such but
no physical harm threats from people of faith.

Religionthebiglie wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree with you. Differing beliefs are interesting, and encourage exchanges in ideas. But, to say that religious people aren't wishing harm on others(gay people,atheists), then you haven't been paying attention.

[Blessings]

All I can do is pray for the non-believers and hope that whatever it takes God will help them see the light. I did. It took alot of time and trama, but I am now a firm believer. Happy Trails to you.

[Religionthebigli e]

CDC wrote:

I've seen a lot of "your going to burn in hell" and such but
no physical harm threats from people of faith.
<quoted text>

That falls into the category of bullying. No one has a right to make that judgement. Young people especially, who haven't developed a thick skin, or who haven't had much life experience take it to heart, and many are committing suicide and other destructive behaviors. That's reality, not just my version of it.

[dances with weebles]

Knowledge wrote:

<quoted text>
I hate to say it, but you are right in many cases. That is why I say "put your faith in no man" we all have to be responsible for what we do in life. I always say you read things for yourself, or go to the source to find out if it is true. It is funny some people will fall for a lot of things . Since I have gone this far, I will tell you , my oldest son does not believe in God. He has left the faith, and it has broken my heart. He is not doing anything wrong, but he left because of what some other Christians did in his church. So, I suppose I have had every line thrown at me!LOL I am not going to give up on him either, I believe God will show him back someday. Sometimes when you don't believe, phenominal things will happen to bring you back. It happened to me, why He did it for me, I don't know, but I have seen things, that I can never deny,or explain but it was from God, and I do not do drugs.LOL My own experiences, is what has given me the faith that I have.

and yet, you can't put your faith in the bible, either. it was written by men. the proof of this is in that it has been changed so many times since it was originally copied from the latin vulgate.

i'm a christian pastor and have been for many years now. i will tell you something that i learned a long time ago. you can't drag anyone, even your children to the foot of the cross. it doesn't work that way. there's more... you can't even insist on them worshiping the same god that you do, or any god at all. it really doesn't concern you, or me. i have 4 kids and i had to learn this the hard way. does it break our hearts? probably, but it shouldn't. you see, it's really not our business. it's only between them, and their god or gods.

another thing that i had to learn over the years is that there are many, many gods in the cosmos... in fact, 63 of them are listed in the bible. all of these gods are very real. some are minor deities, and some are very, very strong. there are some which are even much stronger than the god of israel... but you have chosen the one which you wish to follow, and that's good. please allow everyone else to do the same. sometime, if you think of it, ask me about the church which i serve. the answers will amaze you.

here's a trivia question for you:

approximately what percentage of young christian students drop out of seminary within the first semestre, and why?

[dances with weebles]

Blessings wrote:

All I can do is pray for the non-believers and hope that whatever it takes God will help them see the light. I did. It took alot of time and trama, but I am now a firm believer. Happy Trails to you.

it's really none of your business, or anybody else's. it's all between each individual and their god, not you and yours.

[dances with weebles]

CDC wrote:

I've seen a lot of "your going to burn in hell" and such but
no physical harm threats from people of faith.
<quoted text>

tell me, what psychological effect do you believe that the threat of some non existent 'hell' would have on a 13 or 14 year old gay person reading these threads? i mean, if most adults haven't learned that 'hell' never existed, how do you expect young people to know the fact that 'hell' was only an invention of the followers of saul of tarsus to terrify the superstitious and the gullible into following their new religion? do you believe that it'll scare them badly enough that they might, by some miracle, become straight? that's impossible because they are the way that they were created by the all father and nothing that you could ever do or say can change that fact. not only that, but why on earth would you want to?

[Knowledge]

dances with weebles wrote:

<quoted text>
and yet, you can't put your faith in the bible, either. it was written by men. the proof of this is in that it has been changed so many times since it was originally copied from the latin vulgate.
i'm a christian pastor and have been for many years now. i will tell you something that i learned a long time ago. you can't drag anyone, even your children to the foot of the cross. it doesn't work that way. there's more... you can't even insist on them worshiping the same god that you do, or any god at all. it really doesn't concern you, or me. i have 4 kids and i had to learn this the hard way. does it break our hearts? probably, but it shouldn't. you see, it's really not our business. it's only between them, and their god or gods.
another thing that i had to learn over the years is that there are many, many gods in the cosmos... in fact, 63 of them are listed in the bible. all of these gods are very real. some are minor deities, and some are very, very strong. there are some which are even much stronger than the god of israel... but you have chosen the one which you wish to follow, and that's good. please allow everyone else to do the same. sometime, if you think of it, ask me about the church which i serve. the answers will amaze you.
here's a trivia question for you:
approximately what percentage of young christian students drop out of seminary within the first semestre, and why?

I gotta say, you can knock me over with a feather right now? LOL I do have to ask what church do you serve under? I have a million ideas why they would quit, what is the main reason? You have my attention.

[Knowledge]

I do have faith in the Bible, some people don't understand others because they say that they are weird because things happen to them. In the past twelve years, I have had so much happen that I can't deny God's word or my faith. Have you ever had I am going to try to spell it, forgive me if it is wrong, dejouvoo? I know that sounds creepy but I have it all the time. I have been shown many things and they happen. When I have dreams they happen, not all the time but the ones I can remember vividly. I tried to run, but you can't hide.LOL I know it all sounds crazy, I don't go around telling people things, but I will try to warn someone if I see something bad for them, it has saved a few people their lives. I didn't ask for it I just started getting it. As far as the Bible, if I don't understand what is going on about something, I pray and God shows me in the Bible where to go and look. I look it up and bingo it is exactly what is going on,in my life and how things were taking care of. Now that you think I am weird, I know I have set myself out there.LOL What do you think of that? I have also seen things, good and bad. I do not do drugs and I do not drink, LOL So you tell me what you think is going on? Spiritually? I know the others are going to be shaking their heads I did for a long time.LOL I use to think everything logically I like to try, but on some things, I don't anymore. I am the type I have to see it with my own eyes to believe.

[KiMare]

dances with weebles wrote:

<quoted text>
the problem, as i see it, is that actually very few christians read from the bible. they have it read for them, and then believe what someone else says that it means... either that, or they read it themselves with a set of preconceived notions lodged in their heads and really have no clue as to what it says.

Every time I mention a passage, you become stupefied. Your arrogant assertion of people who don't twist what it says is nullified by your lack of influence. You are a part of a rapidly dying denomination full of 'gray hairs'.

But the greatest incongruity is you don't believe half of what it says, yet you 'understand' it better than others? Your own words disqualify you.

[dances with weebles]

Knowledge wrote:

I do have faith in the Bible, some people don't understand others because they say that they are weird because things happen to them. In the past twelve years, I have had so much happen that I can't deny God's word or my faith. Have you ever had I am going to try to spell it, forgive me if it is wrong, dejouvoo? I know that sounds creepy but I have it all the time. I have been shown many things and they happen. When I have dreams they happen, not all the time but the ones I can remember vividly. I tried to run, but you can't hide.LOL I know it all sounds crazy, I don't go around telling people things, but I will try to warn someone if I see something bad for them, it has saved a few people their lives. I didn't ask for it I just started getting it. As far as the Bible, if I don't understand what is going on about something, I pray and God shows me in the Bible where to go and look. I look it up and bingo it is exactly what is going on,in my life and how things were taking care of. Now that you think I am weird, I know I have set myself out there.LOL What do you think of that? I have also seen things, good and bad. I do not do drugs and I do not drink, LOL So you tell me what you think is going on? Spiritually? I know the others are going to be shaking their heads I did for a long time.LOL I use to think everything logically I like to try, but on some things, I don't anymore. I am the type I have to see it with my own eyes to believe.

i've been an active pastor, for over thirty years now and you'd be amazed as to how little surprises me.*lol* i do know that there are many inexplicable things which happen. my daughter was in scouts with a blind girl who also happened to be mentally 'challenged'(how's that for a nice 'p.c.' term?) anyway, she was psychic. they actually had her on public television in rochester n.y. for a special show. they called a woman which someone else knew who happened to live in san francisco. as the woman walked through her house the girl described each room, the furniture and the colours of the walls and drapes to her.

can i explain it? no. do i try? not at all.

deja vu is the feeling that you've seen something before, even you know that it's a logical impossibility. some people believe more in 'vuja de'... the wishing that you hadn't seen the first time what you're seeing again.*lol*