Religion & Spirituality - 16 September 2006

One member of her family came up to the grieving mother and told her that the reason her son died was because she had taken up "those Satanic matrial arts". Fortunately for the speaker, the mom was too stunned to deliver the proper response. (I had to be held back though.) I later overheard the same person claim that martial atrists as part of their training get possessed by demon familiars.

So I guess my questions are: Is there no limit to stupidity? What is it about religion that turns the rational mind off? Why is Xenophobia somehow an acceptable practice among the religious?

2006-09-16 13:06:13 · 22 answers · asked by Scott M 7

If I'm supposed to be smart enough to figure out that the christian god is the "one true god" of all the gods and goddesses known to humanity, why would I be stupid enough to deliberately choose the bonfire?

2006-09-16 13:06:11 · 10 answers · asked by bobkgins_sock_puppet_2 1

The Christian god, according to the Christians' own mythology, saw fit to destroy almost all life on Earth after getting peeved that it didn't turn out right - which is absurd for an omnipotent omniscient entity but we'll gloss over that for now - and promises everlasting torture for anyone who displeases him. Do you really feel comfortable about spending eternity in the company of such a character? It seems to me that you should be rather worried about his state of mind...

2006-09-16 13:06:03 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Im not saying the pope was right or wrong. but the reaction by those upset as his remarks was crazy. what are they trying to prove.

The Pope makes some remarks that taken out of the larger context of the speech could be taken as him claiming Islam is a violent religeon.
So to protest being called violent, what do they do?

Why, They firebomb two churches.
I guess that'll show 'em that Muslims aren't violent.

Can anyone explain how doing a violent act to protest being called violent shows that they are not violent?

(and don't flame me. I do not claim all Muslins are violent. I am refering to those that firebombed the Churches in protest.)

2006-09-16 13:04:00 · 13 answers · asked by CG-23 Sailor 6

Ben Stein (T.V. personality) wrote this.


If they know of him at all, many folks think Ben Stein is just a quirky actor/comedian who talks in a monotone. He's also a very intelligent attorney who knows how to put ideas and words together in such a way as to sway juries and make people think clearly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

Herewith a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something lik e this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards .. honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

2006-09-16 13:03:24 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

if so could you give me some info. cuz i was invited to attend some of their meetings

2006-09-16 13:02:36 · 6 answers · asked by eaglestraces123 4

When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for help of the civil power, 'tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.
-- Benjamin Franklin, letter to Richard Price, October 9, 1780,

Do you understand the quote? He's saying that if a religion needs public funds to keep operating (as EVERY church in the US gets 100% tax breaks I think this qualifies) then that religion is a bad one.
It also makes an excellent point about god's non-existence. Can you find that subtle clue? 10 points to the person smart enough to figgure that one out.

2006-09-16 13:02:12 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-09-16 13:01:13 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous

christian church as powerful and influential as it was during the days of the knights templar

2006-09-16 12:59:37 · 17 answers · asked by Brutal_Yet_Beautiful 2

2006-09-16 12:57:27 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous

1st of all, if you got any.. i really and deeply and truely apologize for any muslim that was the reason of any discomfort or any insult you may have sustained.
Secondly, I dont give them excuses and i certainly dont expect you to do so, but just consider them Silly Little kids who doesnt understand the concept of religion or maybe the concept of islam.

Again, I apologize, for the hate mail, and if only i could apologize for terrorism, but i know most of you wont accept it. but let me do so anyway, i really apologize for any muslim's mistake.

peace
Muslim

2006-09-16 12:55:34 · 12 answers · asked by heshoz 3

My Christian brothers, the time is now unite, and as Warriors of God, as Crusaders, through action we can bring change, as a shield for the innocent, a helping hand for the oppressed, as a Army set down by God we fight beneath His banner and for His glory, these paan Muslims are screaming for a jihad killing thousands of innocent, and I give a rallying call for the true belivers to unite and March out to oppose these evil pagans. and understand that even if we fall in battle, we shall rise in glory with Christ. Praise be to God

2006-09-16 12:54:06 · 25 answers · asked by king_of_crusade 1

Questing existence of God, questioning parent's view of God, etc

2006-09-16 12:53:56 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-09-16 12:53:05 · 25 answers · asked by Z ten 3

If you belive in GOD it means you know his orders. So, if you want sex whithout any responsibility, tell me when and where GOD let you to do this?

2006-09-16 12:53:03 · 14 answers · asked by S 2

2006-09-16 12:52:22 · 6 answers · asked by Rosebud 2

Some one mentioned to me once ---

Islam is one of the best religions in the world practiced by some of the worst people in the world.

What do you say ? Agree /Disagree ? Comments?

2006-09-16 12:52:17 · 10 answers · asked by rat123pig 3

Well I have that gas problem, no matter what I do or don't I still have gas probs. Is this God's way of keeping me single or what?

2006-09-16 12:51:26 · 11 answers · asked by bananapepperz 1

as christians we are taught to turn the other cheek and love until death.if i become a jehovas witness will i still be accepted by fellow christians.

2006-09-16 12:49:16 · 15 answers · asked by steve t 1

A parent is not invisible.

A parent does not say "do it my way or I'll let you commit suicide"

A parent does not offer a book and say "figure it out or commit suicide"

A parent does not say "worship me or else..."

A parent never gives up, and will use whatever means is necessary to protect their child.

Anyone else have trouble with this comparison?

2006-09-16 12:49:12 · 12 answers · asked by bobkgins_sock_puppet_1 1

And if so, why would anyone want to spend eternity with people like that. I know I wouldn't.

2006-09-16 12:49:00 · 26 answers · asked by - 2

I am not a mormon,however I am going to church with a friend that is a mormon tomorrow. I am a little nervous because I have not been to a church in a couple of years,other than for holidays. I am not exactly sure what to expect. Is it like a catholic church? I have heard that is very social and it gives people a chance to communicate with other people. Is this true and can someone give me some insight about the mormon churches? Thanks in advance.

2006-09-16 12:48:45 · 15 answers · asked by chrissyb02girl 1

I found that having a general anaesthetic was a very sobering experience. My consciousness was snuffed out, just like that. No dreams, no sense of elapsed time on wakening, no nothing - I simply ceased to exist for the time I was out. I have no doubt whatsoever that when I take my last breath, it will be just the same, except that I will never wake up again.

If you believe in an 'afterlife', and have experienced a general anaesthetic, did it leave any lasting impression on you? Did it perhaps give you pause for thought? Did it perhaps leave you with a dawning realisation that death is, indeed, simply the end of you? In my opinion, if it didn't, then it jolly well ought to.

2006-09-16 12:48:05 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

marilyn manson or a christian

2006-09-16 12:47:55 · 3 answers · asked by Z ten 3

The Pope quoted an eariler pope and saying " show me what Mohammed brought that was new and there you'll find only things evil and inhumane". and that is so true, they pray to a stone 5 times a day, in mecca in the temple of Kabba? I'm a Christian do I have to face a cross ? no!! I wear a cross as a disply of my faith I'm proud to be a christian, the jews go to the waling wall not to worship it, but to show respect for the lords temple. But these Muslims claim to worship the same god we do they dont, I worship the god of israel, not the God of Arabia. and my God says not to have Idol's aka stone worship. I dont think these Muslims are stupid enough to mess with a Catholic Pope I believe they still remember the Crusades. The very FIRST crusade was successful, as the Crusaders captured Jersulem, but over time they made peace with theses pagan and even let them come back to jersulem as citizens of the Crusader Kingdom, thus placing a cruse on the following Crusades

2006-09-16 12:47:45 · 10 answers · asked by king_of_crusade 1

I often get accused of being a "hater" by Muslims, yet I have done nothing hateful to Muslims- as a matter of fact, not too long ago I helped a Muslim woman and her child who were stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire and no cell phone(instead of being thankful that someone was changing her tire, she was more concerned not to break Shariah law by talking to me or making eye contact with me- her 9 yr. old son was the only one who said thank you).

Contrast that with Muslims who call me "hater" yet fail to criticize those in their own religion who fly jet planes into buildings or blow up innocent civilians with suicide bombs.

So what is hate ? Simply saying things about another religion which they don't like or blowing up those who don't share your view of theology ?

2006-09-16 12:44:11 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

We continually sin by lusting, fornicating, commiting adultry, watching pornography, gossiping, hating,murdering, etc. What I'm trying to say is that we like to do what feels "good" even if it is a SIN, but when something bad happens, we immediately blame god as if we didn't deserve it. comments>>

2006-09-16 12:44:09 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous

...a bonfire?

2006-09-16 12:42:49 · 11 answers · asked by bobkgins_sock_puppet_1 1

2006-09-16 12:42:00 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

God favored Abel for sacrificing lifestock. Cain's interest was in growing stuff so he offered that as a sacrifice. Both were giving to God what each was passionate about so why did God make Cain feel so bad about it that he killed his brother out of jealousy?

2006-09-16 12:39:47 · 16 answers · asked by Dellajoy 6