FLOODS: Climate Change or Homosexuality?

[Skater Boy]

Well, it seems that some members of the Clergy (in particular the Bishop of Carlisle) believe that the effects of Climate Change (ie. flooding and other natural disasters) are a sign from God.

Yep, thats right, God is unhappy with how we are running things. What, exactly is it that God is unhappy with? Well, our tolerance of homosexualty, for starters.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/01/nflood201.xml

So, next time there's a flood here, or a tornado there... remember that WE are partly to blame for that!

Now don't you all feel bad?! ;)

ps: maybe the "Live Earth" concert should've had an alternative message? And please don't turn this into another 10 page thread of flaming arguments!

[Skater Boy]

lol, actually, I was gonna make this a poll, and see how many people vote that floods are caused by attitudes to homosexuality as opposed to Climate Change. But I think we can all guess what the results would be!

Mind you, there's always one...

[rissababynta]

ummm...even though god supposedly doesn't like homosexuality, i thought he still loved everyone. so, if that were true, why would he be pissed at people for embracing it? tolerance does not mean agreeing to it.


why do people always assume they know what god is thinking anyway.

[Doggie_Wood]

Let this tune stick in your head all day;

Let it Rain - Let it Rain - Let it Rain

:doggie:

[Skater Boy]

Hehe, or how about "raindrops keep falling on my head"?

But seriously, maybe this is it? Maybe someone should build an ARK or something... D'ya think they'd want two bisexuals on board along with a pair of everything else?

[Doggie_Wood]

Skate - damn it - now all I gonna wanna think about all day is Robert Redford.
He can rain drop on my head any day <sluurrrrppppp>

[FalconAngel]

Why is it that every time the church says that God is punishing humanity for our "sins", it is the innocent that suffer?
One would think that God would target the ones that the church says are "sinners" first.

So much for a loving God.

And people wonder, after all that, why I am Pagan.

[arana]

Why do they automatically think that God is mad at us for stupid things like homosexuality and such when disasters happen? Don't they think maybe if that were true he'd be more likely to be upset because he was unhappy at the way we treat one another or the way we are destroying what he's created? It's like working really hard to build your family a nice home and have your kids ruin it. ... just another reason people in religion dissapoint me I guess. :( Always trying to scare people into believing what they want.

[Skater Boy]

Come on, guys... everyone KNOWS that God FORGIVES serial killers, drug dealers and crooked politicians... but BISEXUALS? Thats just one step too far!!! :bigrin:

[Herbwoman39]

So much for a loving God.

And people wonder, after all that, why I am Pagan.

LOL! I actually feel sympathy for God. Imagine having so many wonderful children. And then...there are the ones who think they know better than anyone else and have no problems bullying others into being frightened by what THEY think God/Goddess/Universal Mind wanted in the first place.

It's not the church itself. It's the people, in my opinion. The church had something to say once and people corrupted that. THAT'S why I'm Pagan :)

[TaylorMade]

You may not like portions of what I'm about to say, but at least try and look at it from the angle I'm looking at.
I see it like this - - it's no different than a parent breaking up a fight by sending BOTH kids to their rooms, no matter who started it. Christianity postulates that there are no true "innocents". Now if you don't believe that, it's not gonna make sense. But if you at least see that is where the line of thought originates, you can see where it can be teased out to there. Though I do wonder where all the other sins fall into this. And that's the part that cheeses me off - -if homosexuality is a sin, fine. . .but don't you dare neglect to condemn the others with as much fervor as this one, because God would do the same. A hierarchy of sin makes no sense according to Christianity as it stands.

About judgment- - The Sr. Pastor at my church has a fondness for saying that when everyone else says it's judgment, it's usually not. After Katrina happened, he said, "Quite honestly, it's NOT God's judgment, and if anyone says it is, ignore them. Because if it were God's judgment. . .(he paused here) there wouldn't be a New Orleans left."

So, my rule of thumb is, if it's still there, it's not judgment.

<dons flame retardant suit>

*Taylor*

[Herbwoman39]

Oh, BTW, after a few minutes of digging I brought up THIS little beauty: http://www.carlislediocese.org.uk/mailto/?id=1

It's the Bishop's email for anyone ELSE who wants to send him a note.

[mn freak]

Oh, BTW, after a few minutes of digging I brought up THIS little beauty: http://www.carlislediocese.org.uk/mailto/?id=1

It's the Bishop's email for anyone ELSE who wants to send him a note.


Maybe we should send him an invite. We all know the people who say "God Hates Fags" and that kind of crap, are just hiding in the closet. Maybe this site would help the Bishop come out to himself.

:bigrin:

:2cents:

:flag2:

[TaylorMade]

Maybe we should send him an invite. We all know the people who say "God Hates Fags" and that kind of crap, are just hiding in the closet. Maybe this site would help the Bishop come out to himself.

:bigrin:

:2cents:

:flag2:

That's as bad of a form of stereotyping as those who seek to stereotype us. That's not to say that it doesn't happen, but there isn't a closet case behind every calumny.

*Taylor*

[Skater Boy]

Oh, BTW, after a few minutes of digging I brought up THIS little beauty: http://www.carlislediocese.org.uk/mailto/?id=1

It's the Bishop's email for anyone ELSE who wants to send him a note.

Nice work, Herbie! I'm sure there must be some way of adding his address to a pornographic spam list... just for fun... :bigrin:

[Skater Boy]

That's as bad of a form of stereotyping as those who seek to stereotype us. That's not to say that it doesn't happen, but there isn't a closet case behind every calumny.

I do agree with Taylor on that though... not every homophobe is secretly gay... its just not a sensible conclusion.

[Herbwoman39]

I agree with Taylor, too. Just because he's prostelytizing (sp?) Old Testament laws doesn't mean he's in the closet. BUT maybe if someone sends him an invitation to just hang with us in the chat room for a few hours so he can meet the people he's condemning, he might begin to see that we're not the reason behind "God's wrath".

[Skater Boy]

BUT maybe if someone sends him an invitation to just hang with us in the chat room for a few hours so he can meet the people he's condemning, he might begin to see that we're not the reason behind "God's wrath".

Herbie, do you honestly think we could win him over?! I think he'd take ONE look at the forum list with topics like "Curious to know who enjoys their own cum" and "Bisexuals, what type of porn do you prefer" and then he'd start PRAYING to God for MORE FLOODS!!!

I think his views are deeply held. It'd probably take more than "a chat" to convert a guy like that.

Jb

[anne27]

Read this quote today and thought it fit in this thread-


The radical right is so homophobic that they're blaming global warming on the AIDS quilt. ~Dennis Miller

[AdamKadmon43]

The thought crossed my mind to send the Bishop a nice, polite little email telling him to go fuck himself, but I decided not to. It would not accomplish anything.

Adam

[Herbwoman39]

Herbie, do you honestly think we could win him over?! I think he'd take ONE look at the forum list with topics like "Curious to know who enjoys their own cum" and "Bisexuals, what type of porn do you prefer" and then he'd start PRAYING to God for MORE FLOODS!!!

I think his views are deeply held. It'd probably take more than "a chat" to convert a guy like that.

Jb

Okay so this is the point where naievete takes the place of logic in my life. Sure, he has deeply held beliefs. Everyone does. I just have to believe that if we give him a chance that maybe getting to know individuals would help to soften his attitudes so that he can start seeing us as people and not some problem to be solved.

MY deeply held belief is in the potential for goodness and understanding in all people. I have to believe that, when confronted by our humanity, his own will be echoed in himself.

[Skater Boy]

Okay so this is the point where naievete takes the place of logic in my life. Sure, he has deeply held beliefs. Everyone does. I just have to believe that if we give him a chance that maybe getting to know individuals would help to soften his attitudes so that he can start seeing us as people and not some problem to be solved.

MY deeply held belief is in the potential for goodness and understanding in all people. I have to believe that, when confronted by our humanity, his own will be echoed in himself.

I hope you're right, Herbwoman. It'd be amazing if we really could win him over. Please let us know if he replies to your email.

[TaylorMade]

Okay so this is the point where naievete takes the place of logic in my life. Sure, he has deeply held beliefs. Everyone does. I just have to believe that if we give him a chance that maybe getting to know individuals would help to soften his attitudes so that he can start seeing us as people and not some problem to be solved.

MY deeply held belief is in the potential for goodness and understanding in all people. I have to believe that, when confronted by our humanity, his own will be echoed in himself.

To a degree... I think you can be right. I think about my dad... for whom f*g this, f*g that was an integral part of his vocabulary. He is without faith, and disliked organized religion, but wouldn't hesitate to denigrate gay people. He believed that they were "disordered" and "sick".

After I came out to him... it's stopped. It's not a rule of thumb (because unlike you, I believe human beings are naturally bad), but it's ALWAYS a possibility that when the despised thing is your family, it changes you.

*Taylor*

[Herbwoman39]

I hope you're right, Herbwoman. It'd be amazing if we really could win him over. Please let us know if he replies to your email.

I...uhm...wasn't completely polite in my email. Wasn't totally rude, but I wasn't lil Miss NiceNice either. Didn't mention the site, but if i hear from him it'll be a bloody miracle.

[wolfcamp]

Maybe someone should build an ARK or something... D'ya think they'd want two bisexuals on board along with a pair of everything else?

You'd to allow four bisexuals, just to keep eveyone happy. :)

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Alright, alright!

Fine, if everybody in the world is going to argue then I'll just admit it.

It was me. I did it. I caused Hurricane Katrina. And possibly the Bush reelection.

It just kinda happened.....there was this girl-and she had the prettiest whiskey brown eyes you ever have seen....(come on people, don't judge, you know you've been there)...and I guess God happened to see me, so......he sort of wiped out a city while he was having such a great big hissy fit over it.

Listen, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't think he would notice.....there was a puppy or donkey or something in a well somewhere up North and everybody else was paying attention to that, so I thought he was too. I guess he doesn't get satellite news.

So fine, now y'all know who caused it. It was me. Go ahead-blame me. I knew it was wrong and I did it anyway. Go ahead and tattle on me to the great big scary "bishop" too.

I'll even make a public apology if it makes everyone in the world feel better to have someone to blame.

Here, I'm only going to do this once.....

I'm sorry I caused a great big storm of death by doing one of my boyfriend's girl friends.

But.....SHE LOVED IT.

[TaylorMade]

Nah, it was probably me doing my friend's girlfriend too.

*Taylor*

[anne27]

Alright, alright!

Fine, if everybody in the world is going to argue then I'll just admit it.

It was me. I did it. I caused Hurricane Katrina. And possibly the Bush reelection.

It just kinda happened.....there was this girl-and she had the prettiest whiskey brown eyes you ever have seen....(come on people, don't judge, you know you've been there)...and I guess God happened to see me, so......he sort of wiped out a city while he was having such a great big hissy fit over it.

Listen, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't think he would notice.....there was a puppy or donkey or something in a well somewhere up North and everybody else was paying attention to that, so I thought he was too. I guess he doesn't get satellite news.

So fine, now y'all know who caused it. It was me. Go ahead-blame me. I knew it was wrong and I did it anyway. Go ahead and tattle on me to the great big scary "bishop" too.

I'll even make a public apology if it makes everyone in the world feel better to have someone to blame.

Here, I'm only going to do this once.....

I'm sorry I caused a great big storm of death by doing one of my boyfriend's girl friends.

But.....SHE LOVED IT.


*laughs and snorts coke zero out my nose*

Damnnn, but you have a wonderful sense of humor! :cool:

[Herbwoman39]

ROFLMAO Joy! Remind me next time not o be drinking anything when I read your posts. I about lost it on my laptop :bigrin:

[FalconAngel]

About judgment- - The Sr. Pastor at my church has a fondness for saying that when everyone else says it's judgment, it's usually not. After Katrina happened, he said, "Quite honestly, it's NOT God's judgment, and if anyone says it is, ignore them. Because if it were God's judgment. . .(he paused here) there wouldn't be a New Orleans left."

So, my rule of thumb is, if it's still there, it's not judgment.

<dons flame retardant suit>

*Taylor*

If only ALL Christians could think like you, then perhaps there wouldn't be as many problems in the world caused by that particular religion.
Of course the Jews and Muslims would have to follow suit, as well as all of the other organized religions, for THAT to happen.

[12voltman59]

It really gets me with this "God Hates Faggots and that's why we have natural disaster crowd"--

So--God is pissed off about two guys or two gals getting it off with each other and that's why he wastes places like the Gulf Coast but we have situations like Hitler killing six million Jews, Stalin had his massive purges that killed multiples millions more people, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge with the Killing Fields in Cambodia, ethinic cleansing in the Balkans, and the whole scale genocides that have taken place in Rwanda, Botswana and now Darfur in Africa and not one peep from God on that!!!!!?????

These people are purely a bunch of ignorant idiots---

Herbwoman--I like your optimism that perhaps that Rev. Phelps might change his views on gays and bis--but I don't share your view on that.

A few months back when someone had a thread with a link to his site---I went there a few times and spent a fair amount of time reading through their bulletin board postings and wow----the stuff they write on there would curdle your blood---

An example of one posting "The Lie of a Loving God"--in that--they argue that the idea that God is at all kind and loving is refuted by them--they instead hold to the notion of the Angry, Vengeful, Wrathful God----I guess they misread the message of Jesus---but then---they say that Jesus is a very harsh judge, jury and executioner too.

One of the reasons I often refer to so many modern Christian types with quotes around the word "Christian"--they invoke the name of Jesus, make pronouncements and such and act in His name, but have none of the loving spirit of Christ----

[TaylorMade]

If only ALL Christians could think like you, then perhaps there wouldn't be as many problems in the world caused by that particular religion.
Of course the Jews and Muslims would have to follow suit, as well as all of the other organized religions, for THAT to happen.

Uhm, thanks.

I just see it as two groups on the defensive, wanting to be heard. One fears the past, the other fears the future. Both fears are valid, and deserve to be addressed. And as a member of both those groups, it's all I can do to be sane.

*Taylor*

[bohemian69]

You know, I had to go and check my calender.........Yeah, I was right. This is 2007, not the 1500's.
What's next people, burning us at the stake to appease his "god"???
Needless to say, it is people like that, that this world is in the condition it is in. :(

[TaylorMade]

You know, I had to go and check my calender.........Yeah, I was right. This is 2007, not the 1500's.
What's next people, burning us at the stake to appease his "god"???
Needless to say, it is people like that, that this world is in the condition it is in. :(

Blaming one group is short sighted... ALOT of groups persecuted LBGT populations, and they were not all religious.

*Taylor*

[AdamKadmon43]

I suppose that getting rid of religion would not solve all of the problems that we encounter in life, nor stop all the injustice and hatred in the world, but it might be at least a good start.

If we could get the courage to throw out of our lives all these gods that seem to plague and haunt and torture us so .... just tell them to go away and leave us alone.... stop making excuses for their horrid behaviour.....get the courage to stand up to them and not be afraid of them .... then perhaps there would be at least one less reason for people to go about hating and killing each other.

But it ain't gonna happen, because we seem to be scared shitless of them.

I suspect that I am engaging in a gross over-simplification of a complex philosophical issue, but too late now... I'm gonna post it anyhow.

Adam

[TaylorMade]

I suppose that getting rid of religion would not solve all of the problems that we encounter in life, nor stop all the injustice and hatred in the world, but it might be at least a good start.

If we could get the courage to throw out of our lives all these gods that seem to plague and haunt and torture us so .... just tell them to go away and leave us alone.... stop making excuses for their horrid behaviour.....get the courage to stand up to them and not be afraid of them .... then perhaps there would be at least one less reason for people to go about hating and killing each other.

But it ain't gonna happen, because we seem to be scared shitless of them.

I suspect that I am engaging in a gross over-simplification of a complex philosophical issue, but too late now... I'm gonna post it anyhow.

Adam


Here.

http://www.paint-test-equipment.co.uk/images/Broad%20Brush.jpg

Seems you're pretty adept with it.

*Taylor*

[softfruit]

It's a bit of a contrary god that punishes gay-friendly culture by flooding Carlisle, Sheffield and that little place in Cornwall - rather than Manchester, Soho and Brighton, say...

[canuckotter]

Seems you're pretty adept with it.
At the very least, you have to admit that this topic is a pretty good example of why people in the queer community feel justified in holding a strong antipathy towards Christians...

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Uh oh. Now it's started.

If anyone want's me to crack an inappropriate joke just say so now.

[Skater Boy]

Uh oh. Now it's started.

If anyone want's me to crack an inappropriate joke just say so now.

here's one:

Q: What is a lesbian?
A: Just another woman trying to do a man's job!

Hahahahaha.


haha.


ha.


Y'know... there was a WHOLE PAGE of these... :eek:

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Ha, and ha ha ha ha. Ha. And by the way.....ha.

[anne27]

Uh oh. Now it's started.

If anyone want's me to crack an inappropriate joke just say so now.


*waves hand* me, me!

[JoyJoyHollywood]

*waves hand* me, me!

Alright....but, you asked for it....how about a nun joke? Nuns are fun.



So, there are these three nuns standing in front of St. Peters pearly gate. (They died by the way).

The first nun goes up to St. Peter and he asks her, "Have you ever touched a man's penis before?"

She nods her head in abject shame and gestures with her hand.

He says, "Then go put the offending part in the holly water to cleans yourself of the sin, child."

So, she does and she was in fact cleansed of her sin. She entered heavens gate with a beauteous expression on her face.

Then the second nun walked before St. Peter with total humility.

St. Peter asked her, ""Have you ever touched a man's penis before?"

She nodded her head in response.

And to this St.Peter said, "Then go put the offending part in the holly water to cleans yourself of the sin, child."

And as she made way to the cleansing water the third nun said-

"I'm not gargling that shit after she puts her asshole in it."




What can I say, not my best material, but it works sometimes.

[TaylorMade]

At the very least, you have to admit that this topic is a pretty good example of why people in the queer community feel justified in holding a strong antipathy towards Christians...

Of course... but not too long ago Christian members of this forum did a mea culpa...how many times do we have to get on our knees to beg forgiveness for the rest of our co-religonists...

I feel like saying... enough...take us as individuals, dammit.

*Taylor*

[AdamKadmon43]

It is very wrong of me to start passing judgement on, and condemning an entire group of people just because of the actions of a small number of members of that group. I should be mature enough to know better than that. If I do not want others to make generalizations about me, then I should not make generalizations about them.

But, damn it.... sometimes some of them just manage to really piss me off.

Adam

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.


St. Francis of Assisi

[canuckotter]

Of course... but not too long ago Christian members of this forum did a mea culpa...how many times do we have to get on our knees to beg forgiveness for the rest of our co-religonists...
Hey, I just remembered you asking why people in this community were so antagonistic towards the Christian community, I figured I'd point out an obvious source of friction. Doesn't make it right (on either side) but there it is.

[TaylorMade]

Hey, I just remembered you asking why people in this community were so antagonistic towards the Christian community, I figured I'd point out an obvious source of friction. Doesn't make it right (on either side) but there it is.

True... I guess I should be grateful I'm not Muslim or something. People would be thinking I was giving free blow jobs with all the times they have to apologize for the crazy in their religion.

*Taylor*

[IanBorthwick]

This is also why I am considered Pagan.

Fact is I'd like it if they read the bible more and talked crap less. As someone pointed out before, only recently did the church start altering passages in the bible to be homophobic. Then there are the passages IN the bible they ignore which really piss me off! Such as Peter in his letters to the Romans about "Who are you to question what God has Wrought?" That was in direct answer to crippled or different people than themselves. I would have to say it was an attempt at an excuse for people who are less than perfect with a god who is supposed to BE perfect, but it pertains to us too.

Peter was a schmuck of the first order, pushing a power play agenda in his letters and travels, saying ok to Slavery and other such deviantism. Fact is, though, he did speak of forgiveness and such which we see very little of. The Church has searched for scapegoats throughout history and rarely internalize any blame for their own bad behavior....sounds like they arren't heeding the words of Jesus,"Tend to the beam in your own eye before you deal with the mote in your brother's."

Stunning to me they would just breeze right on past that golden nugget of wisdom, but then they can't push a control agenda without stepping on the Christ's neck a few times, right? And after all, Jesus won't mind, right? He preaches forgiveness for THEIR sins....couldn't be a climate issue because they are fighting the law changes to make every relationship valid....nah, couldn't be that.

Has to be what they fear...couldn't be the molestations of those children they sweep under the rug, or the years of deaths the chruch has caused in the name of their Peaceful and Loving God. Couldn't be the mass children producing that has lead to famine and suffering....

When they look for blame I wonder if they ever look inside first. I know I do, and I soulsearch a long long while before I make a decision. Seems to me the Christian Chruches ought to listen to Gandhi and "Try Christianity for a change." The world might just get along a scosh smoother if they do.

[TaylorMade]

Here, if you want to smack around Christians, there's a nice place to start. (http://main.bisexual.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3765)

At this point, I almost wish I WERE Muslim... :rolleyes: I'd probably get off easy in comparison.

*Taylor*

[Skater Boy]

At this point, I almost wish I WERE Muslim... :rolleyes: I'd probably get off easy in comparison.

*Taylor*

Probably NOT actually. Although some would be too cautious to speak their minds on the subject...

[IanBorthwick]

Here, if you want to smack around Christians, there's a nice place to start. (http://main.bisexual.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3765)

At this point, I almost wish I WERE Muslim... :rolleyes: I'd probably get off easy in comparison.

*Taylor*


Ok..allow me to explain something that seems to be getting lost here. We are NOT smacking around christians, it's the CHURCH that is pissing us off constantly. The religion is, if left alone, fine per se. However the CHURCH is sticking their interpretations on everything with a mind towards control. Chruches represent control...of money, thoughts, life, whatver you like. It's all control.

When people say in history books,"The Roman Empire fell...." it's WRONG> The Roman Empire is alive and well and living in the guise of the Roman Catholic church. When the world became too large to control through threat of arms, they realized the way to power was by becomign an intermediary between humaity and the afterlife. Through it they can dictate how to control mankind in a fashion that suits them and furthers their ends of power and control. Anything that stands in the way is the enemy, and anyone who thinks differently and is accepted undermines their power.

All churches have become stamped from this mold to a greater or lesser degree that have appeared since. Simple reality.

What we hate is the bigoted control of the masses. Because that control, invariably, turns on those who stand outside their power, usually in a very painful manner. From the Crusades to the Inquisition to the Holocaust....it's all bad.

Christ taught a truth I hold dear,"Love thy neighbor as thyself."

When he was asked,"Who is my neighbor, Master?" his response was vague so that the person would think for themselves. His ways were to teach you a few truths and let you figure it out for yourself.

WHo is my neighbor? Until we travel to the stars, anyone here on Earth is my neighbor.

When they act holier than thou, it is against the teachings they espouse, for the bible teaches them all sins are the same in gods eyes. Murder, sodomy...mere reproducion are sins. So we are all equal in the eyes of your god. Therefore he cannot condemn us at ALL. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Jesus was without sin and cast nothing...if we all cast no stones but instead reach out in brotherhood, how many wars would simply not occur? How many lives would not end? How many people who cry in the night in pain would be answered rather than reviled?

No..it is not the teaching we hate, Joy...it is the church that spins it out different than the original teacher taught the lessons, that we dislike.

In my religion I was taught a particular tenet that I think is pretty appropriate today.

"Do what thou wilt" was said to me, "And as thou wilt so mote it be...for Love shall be the WHOLE of the Law, Love under Will."

[JoyJoyHollywood]

What did I do? Man, I knew I was going to get involved in the Holy War.

Just a few jokes! That's all. C'mon everybody loves nun jokes-even the nuns.

And it was just some poetry. Trying to calm everyone down. Pretty things, nice pretty words of serenity and peace-that were probably written by an atheist!

Skater Boy, you just had to pick up a stick, go strolling up to the Holly War Bear and start poking him with it, didn't you? Had to poke the Bear.

[Skater Boy]

Skater Boy, you just had to pick up a stick, go strolling up to the Holly War Bear and start poking him with it, didn't you? Had to poke the Bear.


Yup, "Bear-Poking" is one of my hobbies. I don't think I'm skilled enough yet to call myself a "Professional Bear-Poker", but it is fun to give a bear a good poke every now and then, and its probably the only way to find out if the bear is dead or just sleeping.

Have you ever considered becoming a nun yourself, JoyJoy? Because I think the outfit would really suit you...

[bi4fun22]

does anyone remember Christopher Columbus?

Before he sailed everyone KNEW the world was flat. In fact you ass got burned by the church if you didn't believe it.

And now "Christians" KNOW that the bible is true.

Anyone else see a correlation to that?

[TaylorMade]

does anyone remember Christopher Columbus?

Before he sailed everyone KNEW the world was flat. In fact you ass got burned by the church if you didn't believe it.

And now "Christians" KNOW that the bible is true.

Anyone else see a correlation to that?

An institution vs. personal conviction.

There are some who consider themselves Christians who don't take the entire Bible as truth, though.

*Taylor*

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Yup, "Bear-Poking" is one of my hobbies. I don't think I'm skilled enough yet to call myself a "Professional Bear-Poker", but it is fun to give a bear a good poke every now and then, and its probably the only way to find out if the bear is dead or just sleeping.

Have you ever considered becoming a nun yourself, JoyJoy? Because I think the outfit would really suit you...

And what exactly do you mean by that?

[Skater Boy]

And what exactly do you mean by that?

Er... d'you mean the "Bear Poking" part or the "nun outfit" part? Both were written with tongue firmly in cheek. Although I do think the world needs a few more Bisexual Bear Pokers and Bisexual Nuns... especially since the vast majority of Nuns and Bear Pokers are distinctly heterosexual. :)

Hope I haven't offended you yet again JoyJoy... I do keep forgetting how sensitive you are...

[dafydd]

I'd have to ask, so why is God punishing India?

"India flood toll reaches 800 as thousands are left stranded" in Telegraph today.

It's not exactly a nation renowned for its LGBT inclusive society. Actually last time I checked, homosexuality is illegal there.

d

[AdamKadmon43]

I'd have to ask, so why is God punishing India?

"India flood toll reaches 800 as thousands are left stranded" in Telegraph today.

It's not exactly a nation renowned for its LGBT inclusive society. Actually last time I checked, homosexuality is illegal there.

d
God's aim is not always accurate. He has been known to sometimes miss his intended target by as much as half a planet. He probably meant to flood San Francisco.

Adam

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Okay-I've got to say something here. I know that it's not going to be popular, but I'm going to stick my neck out and do it anyway.

Most Christians don't give a flying (expletive) about what the more obnoxious and ignorant speakers for Chistianity say because they think that they are a bunch of losers and they never listen to them anyway. They just try and live with the embarrasssment of having to be associated with them. They take no religious lessons from them. Nor do they allow them any influence in their lives.

Christians are not all the same. Ask anyone from the British Isles if Catholics and Protestants are the same. I don't think you'll get a yes. If Christians were all the same, then how could there have been both the Oneida Society on one end and the Puritans on the other? While still both being Christians?

I don't think that we are being very logical or even very nice by lumping the average Christian together with the radical, ignorant wastrels that preach stupidity and blame or their eager and often mentally deficient followers.

I was raised outside the Abrahamic belief systems. But, I do know Christians. And I will not shy away from stating that they are not totally compelled by their religions. Most make their choices by their own unique blend of ethics and personal morality-not by the dogma of their faith.

The people who attack us are not doing so because of their belief system-they do so because they are ignorant, mentally diseased, violent, subpar human beings. Their religion only gives them a plausible excuse for their actions-but it does not spawn their desire to hurt and oppress. That comes from only a sickness inside themselves.

Perhaps instead of offering cersure to those here who are Christians we should instead applaud them for not following dogma ignorantly or disgorging worthless faith based hatred on us, like the inferior religious do.

[TaylorMade]

Joy...

Will you marry me? It won't count in the eyes of the state of Florida, but...I have to share a bed with someone who said something like that. :tong:

*Taylor*

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Yes, but you might kill me before the Honey Moon is over. Some have said I'm......hard to live with.

[TaylorMade]

Yes, but you might kill me before the Honey Moon is over. Some have said I'm......hard to live with.

Then lets just have one of them thar endless engagements. :)

*Taylor*

[JoyJoyHollywood]

That might be more advisable.

[TaylorMade]

You know this means now we're gonna have a major hurricane this season or something , right? :tongue:

*Taylor*

[JoyJoyHollywood]

Ha....one can only hope for the best.

[lastlaf44]

Gah, religion so messy! S'why I don't believe in the Sky Bully, hehe. ^_^

[AdamKadmon43]

I had promised my self to just give this up and go on to other things, but I just do not seem to be able to resist the urge to stick in yet another un-solicited opinion.

It just totally astounds me that people living in an age of space travel, computers, weapons of mass destruction, talking parrakeets, cloned sheep, i-phones and the South Beach Diet are still deriving their philosophical / religious information and beliefs from the ranting and ravings of a bunch of semi-lunatics with really bad health habits wandering around in the middle eastern desert 2000 years ago... Surely we can do better than that.

Maybe it is some sort of metaphorical, symbolistic sort of approach to things that I am simply unable to comprehend .... Or maybe it is just all some sort of really bad dream.

Adam

[TaylorMade]

I had promised my self to just give this up and go on to other things, but I just do not seem to be able to resist the urge to stick in yet another un-solicited opinion.

It just totally astounds me that people living in an age of space travel, computers, weapons of mass destruction, talking parrakeets, cloned sheep, i-phones and the South Beach Diet are still deriving their philosophical / religious information and beliefs from the ranting and ravings of a bunch of semi-lunatics with really bad health habits wandering around in the middle eastern desert 2000 years ago... Surely we can do better than that.

Maybe it is some sort of metaphorical, symbolistic sort of approach to things that I am simply unable to comprehend .... Or maybe it is just all some sort of really bad dream.

Adam

Or maybe if you decided not to be condescending and simply asked the question with an open mind, w/o insult, they'd tell you.

But that's just me.

*Taylor*