Republican party to excise religious-rig ht tumor?

“I don't agree with Violin on many many issues and topics but if his mother/inlaw does live with him then he is a fine example in that respect and he should be proud of it.”

“Bacpac and MarkO brought this up as a slur.
Violin seems to think of his living with his Mother as a bad thing too.
Personaly, I would be glad to take my Mom and Dad in if they needed help.
It would be the Christian thing to do.
last edited: 3/26/07 7:31:05 PM”

“"I just got sassed by a whore."

-- Early Squidbilly”

“Lol - at XL's knowledge and use of history. ;op”

“WOW roman empire until the 1800's ...um is that what passes for education in your school district?

King Conrad I’s accention to the throne in 911 marked the transition from the East Franconian to a German empire. Yet due to Conrad’s origins, his title was officially “King of Franconia,” and later “Roman King.” As of the 11th century, the German empire was referred to as part of the “Roman Empire,” as of the 13th century “Holy Roman Empire.” In the 15th century the words, “of the German Nation” were added.

Don't know if your history books covered the Holy Roman Empire but it was as elected as any other monarchy.
last edited: 3/26/07 9:29:54 PM”

““There are no Atheists in a foxhole.”
bacpac
1:51:47 PM
3/26/07

I agree with Mutt. That's a myth. There is an amazing scene in the documentary "Touching the Void." (btw: its an amazing movie and well worth seeing). Joe Simpson with a broken leg spends the night stuck alone in a crevasse unable to climb up and out of it. His is an amazing feat of endurance in the face of certain death. In the voice over Joe (who survived to take part in the film) states that he had been an atheist, but wondered about his conviction - however, in his darkest most dreadful moment he did not think of God or prayer or any such thing. He states that is how he knows he is a rock solid atheist and has no belief in the supernatural. I'm sure, if he had prayed it would have made an amazing story of faith and redemption.”

“Osama has won, you all are proof.”

“I'm not good at avoiding getting sucked into personality things, so I can't resist saying that I respect Sass and Birch. I don't believe as they do, and I'm to the left of them on most issues. Still, I can't think there of any TT regulars who try harder than they do to maintain themselves with humility and integrity.

I'll bash the activist political "christian" right along with anyone. I think they helped energize and lobotomize much of the current administration in damaging ways. I think there is a very good case for saying that the Christian Right isn't very Christian. I've known quite a few people who were guided by the example and life of Jesus, as they knew it through the Bible, whom I admire and am humbled by.

There is a line between the zealots and others. I think Abraham Lincoln said something like, "Let us not proclaim that God is on our side, but pray that we are on his side." Another Christian poverty worker, when asked why he cooperated with atheists, said "I do not own the truth, I strive to serve the truth."

I have to speak up for MarkO, too. I think he's a great guy and a heck of a Dad. Personally, I have known him to be kind and generous with his time and energy. I imagine this is true for others in the fray on this thread, but I've had the pleasure of backpacking with MarkO and his son in Maine and Vermont so I can speak with direct in-person knowledge.”

“I appreciate that Ped, very much.

I'll be very honest with you....I don't like what many Christians do either. I don't think they spend their time and energy doing things that Christ would want them to. I think they are too narrow minded and exclude too many. I don't want many of them speaking for or representing me. But, my faith is not in Christians, it's in Christ. It's not always perfect but what can I say?”

“What mankind does to spiritual beliefs through organized religions is often a shame.

What I find extremely funny is the projection displayed by many of the “liberals” who criticize organized religion. Many “liberals” who criticize organized religion aren’t truth-telling whistleblowers. What they really have are competing religious beliefs.

As loud a mouth as Ann Coulter has, she nailed that thought when she titled her book Godless: The Church of Liberalism.


Because many “liberals” have their own belief systems based on faith not facts. Their lack of self-examination and attempts at red herring argument such as that displayed by this romper stomper troll, would take a lot more than smart pills to cure.


It’s pretty funny to witness angry attacks on organized religion. Except for the attacks by folks who are angry because they took it up the whazoo from Father O’Malley when they were kids. We can all understand why people like Mutt hold grudges against organized religion.
last edited: 3/26/07 10:56:05 PM”

“B.S. - I've chatted (online) with enough atheists - some who have been in combat - to know that they don't have a secret theist lurking in them. It's just a cliche.”
Mutt
12:57:46 PM
3/26/07

Sure, chatting online is where we find the truths in life.

Your response is definitive.”

“No reply will be forthcoming until some people get to "work" Tuesday AM. - Scumbag

I sometimes have free time at work not because I'm a slacker, it's because I'm good at it. I'm friends/friendly with most of IT, and we all joke around to see who racks up the most Internet use. My boss doesn't give a crap what I do as long as I do my job and grow the department. So really I think it's more telling of Tilt himself that he thinks that's a burn. No doubt he has a long history of being a slacker, to be projecting it on people. Too funny.”

“Thanks, Ped...

It has been nice knowing you......and it still is.

There was a time when I would openly criticize religion here but since I have hiked with and gotten to know so many good people here I prefer to leave that alone.

I know of a certain Trail Talker who was treed by a bear in West Virginia.
The bear took a swipe at the guy tearing his lower leg some but at least he didn't die.
I don't know if my friend was doing any praying but he claims to have schit his pants.
There may be just as much of that going on in foxholes as praying.”

“Still, I can't think there of any TT regulars who try harder than they do to maintain themselves with humility and integrity. - pedxing

Oh please. Integrity? Maybe, I don't care. But humility? Hell no, they work damn hard at building their social image here - it's obvious that they place great importance on coming across as "good followers not of christianity but of christ". You can see that in Sassafrass's not-so-humble post. The holier-than-thou streak is a mile wide in them. It's a particularly distasteful type of elitism, too, in that it let's them completely dodge the fact that properties inherent of their belief system cause conflict and division in society. They don't care, because it's those *other* christians doing that, and, well, whaddya gonna do. Certainly couldn't be endemic of their beliefs, so no need for critical thinking.

Bleah! Their type is lower than the damn brainwashed fools who are the Religious Right, because they should know better, and they should have the strength of character to address and change those aspects of their faith that are so damaging. But they won't, because christ-like they are not.”

“I have to speak up for MarkO, too. I think he's a great guy and a heck of a Dad. - pedxing

He probably is. However, he's not very bright and he's pretty ill-informed with a penchant for inane conspiracy theories. Plus he acts like a toady, always being a "me-too" rather than a substantive contributor. He's just not Internet forum material, so it's fun to bash him.

eta: I don't really think anyone here is a "bad" person, with the exception of Tilt. Even violin with all his childish and petty faults seems alright.

I must be in a charitable mood this morning.
last edited: 3/27/07 7:43:39 AM”

“Sure, chatting online is where we find the truths in life. - bacpac

It certainly can be. You need to step out of TT some time; I think it's jaded you. There is sincere conversation out there if you care to seek it out.”

“What I find extremely funny is the projection displayed by many of the “liberals” who criticize organized religion. Many “liberals” who criticize organized religion aren’t truth-telling whistleblowers. What they really have are competing religious beliefs.

The funny thing is that there is nothing inherently evil or wrong with organized religion. What? Would we prefer unorganized religion? An organized religion shows the true power of the followers. Say for a christian being a part of an organized church is showing the greatest result of Jesus' teachings. Jesus was a bit of a socialist type who said feed the hungry, clothe the naked, come together in one accord, so on and so forth. What better example of this can you find than a church that says, "These are our core beliefs and we will share them with others as we serve our fellow man.".

Take the Catholic church. So much of our social structure is owed to the Mother Church. Schools, orphanages, and hospitals all across the globe were started by the Church. I would dare say the Church has saved more lives than it has taken.

And yes just like with any other large organization things do go wrong, bad people get in, and things can screw up. I'm no fan of the evangelicals who get heavy handed but hey, it's their right to practice and spread.”

“"He probably is. However, he's not very bright and he's pretty ill-informed with a penchant for inane conspiracy theories."
Mutt

Only in your little mind.

Mutt, you are like a teenager who thinks adults are stupid and have seen none of the world.

Some day you grow up...............maybe.”

“No, I'm highly educated and have great respect for true intelligence and depth of knowledge. If you have it, great, but I see the opposite here every day.”

“Good luck with your tumor, Poochie.”

“PSS - the people who tried to "civilize" the natives, and brought the diseases that wiped them out.................................

churches, missionaries & alter boy molesters.

However, arclite was now right about 2 things.

1. - he's stupid
2. I should have inserted a "holy" in front of "Roman Empire" for Germany. typo, but good research.

Too bad you can't respond to the premise of my rebuttal, for you have none.

lololololololol”

“I sometimes have free time at work not because I'm a slacker, it's because I'm good at it.

jeesus. ive seen some lame excuses for why people steal from their employers before, but this one takes the cake. but i'll give you 10 points for creativity.


No, I'm highly educated and have great respect for true intelligence and depth of knowledge.

HAHAHAHOHOHOHEHEHEHE! stop it, you're killing me! not only are you a gawdam rocket scientist, you're also humble! whats next? sainthood? kids, can you say pompous ass?”

“lame excuses - hikerboy

Meh, no substance. Actually, I think the only legitimate criticism that can be levied against me is that I don't seek a higher and more demanding position. But, the thing is, I'm making good money, and I have plenty of time for family. It's a perfect combo for me right now.

pompous ass? - hikerboy

Have you ever known me not to be? Maybe you haven't read too many of my posts over the years.”

“The cowardly trolls are busy today.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
last edited: 3/27/07 9:09:14 AM”

“SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS”

“Liberals have a religion like Reaganites have a religion. And then there are those who raise Ayn Rand to a God like figure.....


Or we could just say people tend to defend their beliefs and views instead of dramatizing evrything?

Or maybe that's just the nature of internet forums?”

“I recall the great Ayn Rand Debate.

I also remember the A.R. installment of the American Authors series on C-SPAN... the tour of their 'center' or museum (I forget what they called it) and interviews with the faithful. Strange Crew --- If you saw them on the street you'd think they were the Goth wing of the AARP.”

“WOW...hey Ped, ever read Lincoln's Sacred Effort by Lucas Morel?

I guess I see people who lead "politics" with religion (i.e. Christian Republican) as more confused.

Religion is not tied to WHAT we are it is the basis for WHO we are.”

“It certainly can be. You need to step out of TT some time; I think it's jaded you. There is sincere conversation out there if you care to seek it out.”
Mutt
7:36:25 AM
3/27/07

It is not me who is jaded.”

“This thread contains everything that's fun about fuego, except for someone threatening to kick my ass.”

“This thread contains everything that's fun about fuego, except for someone threatening to kick my ass.”
Phaedrus
6:19:30 PM
3/27/07

Why don't you come to DC and say that?”

“I'll kick yer ass with one frontal lobe tied behind my back!”

“I remember that guy!”

“I can't wait to hear the faith-based arguments for "Universal Healthcare" during the next election cycle.

And I can’t wait for the campaigns where we’ll be exposed to new and interesting ideas:


1. If you aren’t a member of my group, you’re wrong

2. If you don’t believe like I do, you’re stupid.

3. There’s nothing wrong with me, you’re the problem.




And so it goes…”

“What if they displayed a chocolate Mohammed?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11669242/”

“A few small countries would burn to the ground.”