25,000 Evangelical Christian Youth rally against promiscuity and corporate culture

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Should we point out that those posts are hurting, not helping, the claim of the benefits of "finding Jesus"?

For instance: "Being Christian leads to a one-track mind!"

I don't know.....I'm thinking it might be Fred Phelps in disguise......

LOL!! You yourself replied saying you believed in all the same things!

approvemedammit,

So what brought you back?

[LaL 418]

there are so many reasons why those without religion choose to live a moral lifestyle. I found THIS article very simple and provides just a peek at how the "others" live .

Again, do they believe in all the things I mentioned in my previous post?

assuming you mean this list :

Let me ask this though - how many of you NON Christians are anti gay marriage, anti-abortion, anti gay adoption, will be disappointed if your children have sex before marriage, are anti children-out-of-wedlock, and drink little to no alcohol?

I have NO IDEA if THEY as a whole believe in what you posted above. I am thinking you want an answer that is plain and simple. ie: as in your perspective, InCanada is a Christian, therefore believes x y z... Well I am sure you have seen that not ALL Christians have the SAME values and same interpretations, and I am sure the whole group of people who do not ascribe to a religion have the a range of values & interpretations.

I can answer for myself though, however you will revert back to the only moral compass you know/understand - the bible.

Let me know if I misinterpreted your question.

[PlatyPius 5]

"LOL!! You yourself replied saying you believed in all the same things!"

I did. But I didn't present them as the absolute moral "Truth".....

Edited June 6, 2006 by Cian

[incanada1234 0]

approvemedammit,

So what brought you back?

I knew you missed me getting banned.

I dunno, I was just bored today at work.

[Jenn! 918]

Why are focusing on those things? Being a moral person does not mean that you are necessarily anti-gay!

I believe there were more things listed than just "anti-gay" (and actually, it was anti gay MARRIAGE)

Well, will you just come out and say what you're trying to say already?

Gay marriage is a political, not a moral issue. The moral debate would be whether you approve of others practicing homosexuality.

What is your point though?

[Dina 0]

It is solely because of the level of religious fanaticism that I feel somewhat bad about Sian coming to live here. She's never been exposed to the kind of freaks that we have here in the US.

I keep telling Marky that things like this are a damn good reason for us to live in Germany...

Well, idiots like these you can ignore. Double digit unemployment rates, a looming 19% VAT, a breaking social network and a country on the slide for the past two decades, you cannot! Despite these freaks, the US is by far the better choice to call home.

My comment was intended mostly tongue in cheek. I am a first generation American and I am proud to be such. I agree that right now, the US is the best choice, but I am concerned about what appears to be a decrease in personal liberty in this country. If this wave of social conservatism continues, I don't think I will be so happy to live here. I don't believe that people who lie for a living (politicians) should dictate how I live my life.

Incidentally, the last time I checked, the unemployment rate in his area was pretty close to Californias and the cost housing is MUCH lower.

[rclouse 0]

In reading this thread, there are some things I just had to answer. But first a

general comment:

Oh God, incanada's back. God/Jehovah/Jesus/Brahma/Buddha/Allah/Zoroaster/Thor

help us.

If it's really about being accepted for being gay, Muslim, whatever...and these

guys are not just allowed, but encouraged to demonstrate for their beliefs...why

aren't Christians extended the same right??

The problem is when Christians try to force their beliefs on others. A gay

pride march is for gays to stand up and feel better about themselves and try to

educate straight people. If instead they were trying to force their lifestyle

on us, I for one would feel as offended as I am about this Christian march.

1. I believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God.

This is where you start to have problems. The Bible was put together by

committee. Some gospels were not included. The Bible has been translated many

times. The Bible contains many contradictions. And the Bible contains many

anachronisms (slavery, anyone?). Instead you should look at the lessons of the

Bible instead of the literal, supposedly infallible word. IMHO.

My beliefs have kept me going in some very, very dark times in my life.

This is why, I think, so many people take their religion very seriously. As the

Shepherd said, "Faith doesn't need fixing. Faith fixes you." So when someone

questions or attacks that faith, you get a very strong reaction. Quite

understandable. The problem occurs when one believes those who believe

differently, or not at all, also earn a similarly strong reaction.

Those who commit these and many more acts because "God told them so" must be

talking to some sort of psycho-God, because my God is a God of unconditional

love.

Spot-on. I was taught a long time ago "God loves all his children". Too many

people, by their actions, change that to "God loves only his Christian

children". Or Muslim. Or Jewish. Or Baptist. etc.

The Teenage Bill of Rights

When activists seek to remove God from our schools,

God shouldn't be in our schools in the first place. If you want God in your

school, there are plenty of private religious schools ready to take you and

your money. Public schools, run by the government, must remain separate from

religious teachings. It's in the Constitution. You know, that thing Bush said is

"just a God-damned piece of paper".

I personally believe that all religions contain at least some truth. I had this

epiphany while reading the Wiki entry on Buddhism. A lot of it made sense,

"take the middle path" and all. The (Prophet/Son of God/just some guy) Jesus

had many very good things to say, and it's a good idea for everyone to learn

about them. Islam has many good ideas in it, for example zakat, obligatory

donation to charity. And so on. But no religion is "perfect", no religion fits

everybody, and just turning your brain off to blindly follow what a book, or

worse what someone tells you what the book says, is a really bad idea.

[LaL 418]

Why are focusing on those things? Being a moral person does not mean that you are necessarily anti-gay!

I believe there were more things listed than just "anti-gay" (and actually, it was anti gay MARRIAGE)

Well, will you just come out and say what you're trying to say already?

Gay marriage is a political, not a moral issue. The moral debate would be whether you approve of others practicing homosexuality.

What is your point though?

Its only a moral debate because for some ungoshly reason we still do not subscribe to separation of church & state when it comes to marriage. Marriage is a religious term and is purely defined so. What we need a legal term for marriage (ie: civil union) for those who wish to be legally recognized and leave the "marriage" to those who want to have the union recognized by God.

[Sister Fracas 5]

It makes me sad to know that there are people who think that I have no morals simply because I do not subscribe to any religion. I wish I would be judged by my actions, and not my beliefs.

I know what you mean and I guess I can only say it's most important what YOU know in your heart, not how others will judge you. It's just too bad they are perhaps a bit nearsighted.

oh boy.. why am i get in to this.. i dont know but i'll answer

I'm Buddhist so i'm not a christian -

I find the Buddhist ways so peaceful and tolerant. And although I don't formerly practice Buddhism, I agree with many of the ideas. I absolutely eat up the teachings and writings of the Dalai Lama (I realize there are several forms and you probably aren't a follower of Tibetan Buddism, but nevermind...hehehe.) Just some tidbits from HH Dalai Lama...

"Such human qualities as morality, compassion, decency, wisdom, and so forth have been the foundations of all civilizations. These qualities must be cultivated and sustained through systematic moral education in a conductive social environment so that a more humane world may emerge. The qualities required to create such a world must be inculcated right from the beginning, from childhood. "

"Living in society, we should share the sufferings of our fellow citizens and practice compassion and tolerance not only towards our loved ones but also towards our enemies. This is the test of our moral strength."

"The ultimate purpose of all religions is to serve and benefit humanity. This is why it is so important that religion always be used to effect the happiness and peace of all beings and not merely to convert others.

A religion can and should be used by any people or person who finds it beneficial. What is important for each seeker is to choose a religion that is most suitable to himself or herself. But, the embracing of a particular religion does not mean the rejection of another religion or one's own community. In fact,

it is important that those who embrace a religion should not cut themselves off from their own society; they should continue to live within their own community and in harmony with its members. By escaping from your own community, you cannot benefit others, whereas benefiting others is actually the basic aim of religion."

"Materialistic knowledge can only provide a type of happiness that is dependent upon physical conditions. It cannot provide happiness that springs from inner development independent of external factors.

For renewal of human values and attainment of lasting happiness, we need to look to the common humanitarian heritage of all nations the world over. May this serve as an urgent reminder lest we forget the human values that unite us all as a single family on this planet."

[rclouse 0]

Oh yeah, one other thing I wanted to say. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, cause not only do I get to say what I want, nutjobs can also say what they want & bring their crazy & dangerous ideas out into the open. They freely and openly identify themselves!

[incanada1234 0]

I find the Buddhist ways so peaceful and tolerant.

Everyone sick of the word "tolerant" being overused these days, raise your hand.

[LaL 418]

Everyone sick of the word "tolerant" being overused these days, raise your hand.

and THAT folks, is our cue that incanada's brain is full (picks out just one random post and jests at it, vs answering questions or posts back to her.)

Edited June 6, 2006 by lal_brandow

[Sister Fracas 5]

Everyone sick of the word "tolerant" being overused these days, raise your hand.

and THAT folks, is our cue that incanada's brain is full (picks out just one random post and jests at it, vs answering questions or posts back to her.)

well it IS better to be intolerant afterall...

Edited June 6, 2006 by Frances

[rclouse 0]

I find the Buddhist ways so peaceful and tolerant.

Everyone sick of the word "tolerant" being overused these days, raise your hand.

If this was Fark.com, I'd have to say the IRONIC tag explodes.

[chri'stina 190]

Basically those of us who believe in the bible and follow that way, have every right to do so and to say what we believe. It is not shoving it down anyone's throat, its SPEAKING A BELIEF. Shoving is telling you that you HAVE to do what I say. Saying what I believe is not forcing anyone to do anything, for God's sake.

Maybe I am exagerrating, but after being gone all day and coming back to read this thread....there is so much intolerance towards Christians too it's not even funny! Self-righteousness comes in many forms...not only in a religious form, but people who think they know everything and who do not want to let Christians believe what they believe either.

People always say something is getting shoved down their throats, from hearing words being spoken or reading what someone writes here. Opinions are considered shoving something down someones throat...???? I could say words are getting shoved down my throat too by some of this stuff I read, because I do not agree with it and could be belittled for not agreeing if I really got into it all(notice I said could be, not definitely will be). Pahhh whatever, time to cook not to be ticked off.

So many pretend to be tolerant, as I've said so many times before, then tolerate my beliefs too even if you don't agree with them.