Hold please

Do you not see how this is a contradiction that you're just supposed to accept and not question? Do you not see this is one of the most basic problems with the Christian Faith, this lack of answer for situations like this? How is it that anyone of a rational mind would see this and not say, "Wait a minute. Someone's not right here." And if were supposed to follow Jesus, then I guess his word trumps the opinions of the Prophets, huh? My point is that I have read this and no one has supplied a satisfactory answer because here's what it comes down to - nobody wants to admit they've been caught and that the contradictions happened because someone added their own little "personal " contribution to the Bible. How do I know? Look at history - who are the "bad guys" in the Bible? The Egyptians and Romans. Who was responsible for forcing the Jews into slavery? The Egyptians and Romans. Who (according to the Bible) wrote the Bible? People of Jewish Faith. I could go on and on. (14 hrs ago | post #528)

Should God and The Bible be taught in our School System

A subtle suggestion that the Church will break laws they don't agree with. And there are no attacks on religious liberty. No one has said that someone cannot worship how they want in their own house or Church. What fundamentalists and other "pious" individuals fail to recognize is that religious liberty also takes into account the need to prevent one Faith from directly or indirectly forcing their views and traditions onto anotherUnless they say something Christians don't happen to agree withRight. Like laws against legal marijuana, laws against same-sex marriage, the 18th Amendment1. Where has this ever been taught? 2. Try it and see how much people respect that "separation of Church and State" when they get arrested. 3. Who decides what is "immoral "? Morality is subjective, especially amongst the religionsIt seems to me that those laws which are based soley on "Christian Principles" lack the power to bind in conscience, since so many people a) are not Christian or b) are questioning why these laws exist in the first placeSo basically what this says is that any person who signs this edict will stubbornly (and possibly illegally) stand by it, regardless of what the law saysOnce again, who determines what's immoral? Because what I find immoral VASTLY differs from what the Church finds immoralOnce again, this is a public declaration of intent to break laws. Clearly no legal help was requested in the writing of this proclamation. (14 hrs ago | post #555)

Should God and The Bible be taught in our School System

Civil law really has no reason to get involved in peoples' personal lives. And it seems to me that those who are against same-sex marriage have lost the meaning of marriage by focusing on only one (irrelevant) aspect of itThis is one of those statements that shows the one-track mind of the Church. There's nothing wrong with the "marriage culture". Marriage is still the same as it has been for years. The problem is that the Church fails to educate young people on the realities of the institution. Most people who get married don't really comprehend the importance and seriousness of what they're doing. Some are not nearly as self-aware as they should be to be entering into such a union. But none of this is important to the Church. "Get married and have children," is the mantra. It's the societal pressures for people to get married and "promote the marriage culture" which have led to infidelity and divorce. Perhaps if we all took people as individuals and realized that some people should not get married (and didn't pity or condemn them for it) we would find that the institution of marriage is just as strong as its ever beenFirst and foremost, we need to get away from this idea that marriage "elevates " or "enhances " relationships. If the relationship is not solid before entering into a marriage, it's not going to get any better once the deed is done. Second, marriage is not required for the "generation, promotion and protection of life". Intelligence, patience, understanding and self-awareness areHow is denying someone the right to get married in any way recognizing, honoring or protecting itAnother aggrandizing statement. And Freedom of Religion is not jeopardized. It's just finally being enforced the correct way by taking into account the needs and desires of ALL Faiths, not just one. Unfortunately, sometimes these desires clash, so the only logical thing to do is make the law inclusive (i.e. no 10 Commandments in the CourthouseWeapons? Really?!? (continued) (14 hrs ago | post #554)

Should God and The Bible be taught in our School System

I'm interested to know what you all hope is going to come of this manhattandeclarati on.com? More importantly, take a second and think about what you're all excited about. I’ve read the summary of what the “declaration” stands for and from what I’ve read, those who sign it stand for contradiction, selfishness, intolerance and hypocrisy. Let’s look at the text of the summary1. No one's trying to "expand abortion". They're simply saying no one has a right to force someone to make a specific choice. I really wish pro-lifers would understand this. 2. Stem-cell research has moved away from embryonic stem-cells and into existing adult ones. 3. If someone expresses a wish to die, why is there always some Reverend who feels that they need to speak on behalf of this person? Usually someone they've never met? If I'm in a vegetable state, I've told my family to pull the plug. To keep me alive is selfish and exacerbates my suffering just so they can feel better. If you truly love someone, you would want them to be happy. Lying in a bed hooked up to tubes and machines is not making anyone happyI love PJP II, but he, like so many other Popes, liked his histrionics. And government's first obligation is to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizenry. It's the first obligation of the people to protect the weak and vulnerableFine. That's your jobMarriage has not been "wounded " by these acts. These are not acts of marriage, they're acts of individuals. And promiscuity and infidelity are essentially the same thing. And how is redefining marriage "subverting " itNothing like a Christian group to make aggrandizing statements. How does marriage help sustain education or welfare for all? It doesn't. There have been studies that show some health benefits1. Social pathologies arise from poor parenting or genetics. There are many sociopaths and serial killers who came from "healthy " married homes. 2. The "redefining " of marriage is an expansion, so that more may take part. And no one is saying that the Church has to recognize these unions. Just the law. (continued) (14 hrs ago | post #553)

I try to help whenever I canIt's really not any business of "the people" what someone does in their private life, nor is it any right of "the people" to dictate how someone should live. And once again, who determines what's "perverted "? Because clearly, you and I have different opinions on the subjectIt still amazes me how people like you cannot see the selfishness, bigotry and short-sightedness of this statementOnce again, animals do not have the capacity to make this type of educated decisionWow, you believe you can talk to dogs? You've got bigger problems than I thoughtWe elect our officials with the intent that they will propose and pass laws for the betterment of our Society and Nation. How many laws have passed that you personally never voted onBut sometimes "the people" are wrong. If it was up to "the people", there would be a United States of America and a Confederate States of America. If it was up to "the people", there would still be segregation. We are a Representative Republic for a good reasonWhen those officials and judges get involved, we see progressI know that my friends would still be my friends no matter what because they're open-minded, intelligent people. It's a shame you can't say the same about yoursYou really don't know? Wow, your delusions run deep. (16 hrs ago | post #251)

Should illegal immigrants get tuition breaks?

Actually I have been to Maine and I found the people and landscape equally beautiful. Personally I have never been to Arkansas, but I've met many people who grew up there and they too were wonderful people. (16 hrs ago | post #525)

Education

I checked on these numbers and everything I have seen supports them. - But - It should be noted that these numbers are also provided by organizatons who are focused solely on illegal immigration (FAIR). So, it can be safe to say that these organizations have a vested interest in making these numbers say what they say. I'm not saying that their intentions are dishonorable, but their methods may be a bit sketchyYour logic here is skewed. $9-10 billion is spent on education, health care and other funds. You assume that this money would be diverted to deporting illegal immigrants. I can guarantee that this would never happen. One of two scenarios would occur if somehow the illegal immigrants were to suddenly disappear (along with their children) 1. The excess money would stay right where it is - education, health care and other. Can you imagine the uproar if you told a State that you were diverting $7.7 billion earmarked for education to some other program? Never happen. That $7.7 billion would stay right where it was. 2. The money would be absorbed and the budget would be reduced by $9-10 billion for the next Fiscal YearOnce again, you fall prey to the correlation/causat ion trap. Perhaps they have laws against illegal immigrants, but other factors contribute to the low levels you talk about. Population, industry, terrain, urban development, social services - all of these contribute to the low levels you're seeing. And 10 years? Do you realize that you could move the entire population of Mexico into the U.S. in 10 years? (16 hrs ago | post #3964)

Should God and The Bible be taught in our School System

I'll make you a deal. You stop making assumptions about what "Secular Progressives" believe and...well, just stop. (Thursday | post #552)

Should God and The Bible be taught in our School System

You guys do realize that that's only .08% of the population, right? (Thursday | post #551)

It's not even about historical events. It's about how in Scripture it says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," and "Those without sin cast the first stone," yet the Faithful feel justified to judge, condemn and cast stones at will to those who question them. It's about failing to recognize that times are changing and so many "traditions " of the Church are what's keeping people from joining in on Sunday morning. It's about the extreme ways people attempt to force their faith on others (Suicide Bombers, Planned Parenthood bombings, etcLet me make one thing clear - I have no quarrel with God. I have, however, a problem with the people who claim to follow His wordBut is not Christianity the lessons about how to follow ChristWhether or not I Believe, it doesn't mean that I can't relate. (Thursday | post #521)

Do you, nowThey're falling away from YOUR truth, butYou FUNDAMENTALLY know this? HowWait, your fundamental Belief is why you're not surprised? And here's a bit of pious wordplay that I'm always interested in debunking - why if someone questions a tenet of the Faith, do the Faithful say that someone is "attacking " them? It's an observation or question. I haven't attacked anyone. I just point out where things don't make sense or contradict each other. I also have made sure that the facts were straight. I have never personally condemned someone for their Faith. I've condemned them for condemning others, but never for their FaithNote what you said - WE say truth is absolute. At least you recognize that this is the opinion of a group and not the actual factsUm...aren't morals the domain of ReligionKeep telling yourself that, but it doesn't make it any more...ahem...true As do the Faithful. Can you not see how you accuse others of doing the exact same thingNo, to deny others their "truth" is ignorant. To suggest that your Belief reigns above all others is ignorantYou and me bothAssuming, of course, that there is a HeavenI've never heard this word beforeNow you're just playing the martyr. Tone down the "poor me" drama. No one thinks that someone is a "hate monger" for standing for what they believe in (unless, of course, they believe in hate). Standing firm in the Lord doesn't make one a hate monger. Using that Belief to condemn and chastize others who don't believe does, though. (Thursday | post #520)