Religious squabbling thread

“I don?t have anything to say. I already polluted other threads with this. Now here is a place to banish me and anyone else that starts a spat. Sorry”

“mtn gal - What brought this on? Bored this morning?”

“It's no fun to this on a thread made for that purpose. You have to degenerate a thread with meaning.”

“It is a form of apology”

“I suppose I belong here too, mtn gal. I wouldn't apologize for arguing religion even if it's off topic. The regulars get off topic all the time in this forum. they're just a little hypocritical if they jump down your throat for doing the same. Typical, though. Just typical.”

“I guess a lot of us are bored this morning. I just don't want to grade papers.

I guess there is a fine line between good-hearted fun and carefully prepared sarcasm.”

“An analogy of religion I once heard seems appropriate here...

No one can look directly at the sun because it blinds them. So you have to look at in the reflection of water.

Sometimes, the water is muddy or choppy, but it's still reflecting the light from above.

My two cents.”

“Hey Mutt - I think you're a "regular" by now also!

Nice analogy Zen.”

“Are there any other Marmot bags that will couple with the Marmot Arroyo (aside from another Arroyo?)”

“+10 to all you kind apologetic folks.

I will allow Mutt to receive the full 10 even though he attempted to back his way out of apologizing by blaming others and calling them hypocrites. I am a fair and compassionate scorekeeper.”

“You're right Le Subtil, its probably because of his high fiber diet.”

“I found it incredibly insensitive to defame a dead man in a thread that eulogized him. This from a man who defines insensitivity. I decided not to post any rebuttals, because it would only fuel debate. I think everyone has draw their own conclusions anyway.”

“What thread? Who is dead?

And whats so horrible about defining "insensitivity":

1 n : the quality of not being responsive or susceptible b : the quality of lacking feeling or tact
2 : the characteristic of not being physically or chemically sensitive.”

“lol @ bacpac. I forgot that nascar is sacred to the hillbilly belt. I can just imagine your face red with anger when I questioned the motivation of one of your prophets. No, really, I think you're sincerely exhibiting rightous indignation, bacpac, and that's got to be the most amusing and ridiculous response I've seen you give. BTW, I think of you as defining bitterness and philistinism and provencialism more than insensitivity.”

“hmm. now i'm starting to understand why all of the old regulars left.”

“Mutt, are you saying that the Arkansas Stud is a ham-fisted lout?

Did you heap sh!t on Earnhardt???
You insensitive puss-bucket!

Religion and redneck racing do seem to run neck-and-neck in the Hillbilly Belt though.
Much like the Asteroid Belt, the HB is strewn with un-thinking, brick-bats of dense material.”

“Do ya know why Hillbillies never pass no gas? It is cuzzin' they never hush up long 'nough to build up no pressure.”

“Oops sorry. That shoulda bind on da ain't I soshi el three ed.”

“Well FLY the same could be said about alot of people notable Liberal and Conservative whiners. There seems to be plenty of flappin jaws on this site today.

But since you are joking like this is a joke. I'm not much for slamming religion but I heard awhile back that a Methodist is a Baptist that learned how to read.

BTW is there some reason why many of you purposely go out of your way to butcher words and English language all in an effort to sound southern.

Hey Mutt did I see earlier where you were about to kick the late Lady Di. I bet if they were to trace your genes back in time we would discover that you are the spawn of the same stone throwers in Biblical times.”

“BR, actually I'm a distant cousin of Jessie James!”

“Hey there's NASCAR up here in NH (where I'm still working, but commuting). Lots of people here loved the real Big E! Its not just a Southern thing.”

“I was trying "to sound" hillbilly. We got some drawls in rural Pa that could rival anythang south of the Mason/Dixon. It was intended to be light humor. Many of y'all do beyatchin' an such, why getchore bun in a knot iff'n I doed it?
I really did like the joke, though I accept it as such and you intend no malice towards Baptists or Methodists.
Peace, Brer?”

“I am putting this here as a response to comments in the ?Hero? thread.

Mutt and Tom seem to be condemning religion based on an important question or observation. That is ?Why does God permit bad things to happen to good people, or at least innocent people. If God is a God that loves all of us how could this be permitted? So there must be no God.? They aren?t that direct though.

Granted many religions don?t have a good answer to that question. But I am at complete peace with this issue. No I will not explain here. Some would say that would be ?forcing my religion down their throats?. I know that in the end equity, love, justice and mercy will be applied to all. This will not happen in this mortal existence. Without this expanded vision the world is a cruel and terrible place. Please don?t condemn me for being able to see what you refuse to look for. I don?t condemn you for your beliefs but I do have a hard time being silent when my believes are demeaned. I would reject religion too if I saw only what you see.”

“Huh? I believe in god. My beef is with religion. There's a big nasty side to organized religion that most followers tend to ignore or shrug their shoulders at because they only focus on the good parts. So please, "don't condemn me for being able to see what you refuse to look for."

But I'd better be careful what I say now, because I can feel Nigal's presence hovering over this discussion, ready to smite me down for not adhering to his trolling doctrine. :-)”

“wow. mutt and i agree on something.”

“Briar, as the son of Methodist ministers I like that Methodist/Baptist joke. Of course I also like one friend's description of the Methodists: "The bland leading the bland." ;-)”

“Mr. Raddygast, you complain you not regular no more? Try this!

Chicken & Prune Stew

2 lb Chicken or turkey parts, with the fat and skin removed
1 c Pitted prunes, diced
1/4 c Lemon juice
2 tsp Turmeric
Lots of mixed diced vegetables, such as onions, carrots, potatoes, and turnip

** Procedure **

1) Place the poultry, prunes, and turmeric at the bottom of a large (about 4 litre) slow cooker or crock pot.

2) Fill the pot to no closer than 3 cm of the top, with the diced vegetables. Then fill with cold water until the vegetables are covered.

3) Cook on high for 1 1/2 hours. Then cook on low for about 8 hours.

4) Just before serving, mix in the lemon juice and remove the bones.

It will clean your plumbing in a yumblilicious way!”

“Mutt, Nice shot, don't forget to say something nasty about my mother.

You are indeed the great debater. Your name-calling and Junior High tantrums are pretty clear, but when challenged to defend your ideas it appears you aren't really sure you even had an idea. Your criticism of Religion is so arbitrary and vague you leave us nothing to debate. When pressed for specifics you respond by saying, "I don't wanna." Well I don't either.

Bitterly yours, bacpac”

“Hey man, I saw Mutt post to two threads that had nothing to do with defaming ANYONE! Just regular threads. "Worst Camping Experience" and "Aborist." Just plain, ole helpful and interesting stuff.

Guess he musta tried snackboy's recipe.

And, flyguy6x, ever been south of I-80 in Iowa (not counting Des Moines)? Why ya'all'd swear youse way dun suth uh duh Mason-Dixon line. Not at all like us "Northerners!" (geez, I mean I am clear in the hinterlands by MN and WI) We speak good English here..... not like duh Suther'ners or sarabelle the dog.....WOOF! ;-)”

“I was going to post this to the quote thread but it seems to fit here ok...

"Hey! Where am I going?
And what am I doing in this handbasket?"
-Terry Pratchet

As for the whole God/Universe/Big Picture stuff, I assume it's all just a big misunderstanding that will sort itself out. And in the end we'll all share a good laugh.”

“Imagine this entire group is at a campfire with some burly and mysterious fellow who walks up to join us. After we get to talking a bit, his words bring certain meaning..

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you, when people abuse you, and persecute you, and speak all kinds of falsehoods against you for My sake. Be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. "


It seems to me that with or without religion as oppressive as it could be, there will be some who are hopeful and inspired. It also seems the intent of these truths is to bring peace and an inheritance. This is the kind of stuff that changes your heart.”

“Sure you don't mean Religious Scribblings?”

“snackboy, you are mixing metric with the English measuring system.
What the hell is up with that?

Blessed are the cheesemakers...
The Greeks shall inherit the earth....

An Episcopal priest is just a Catholic priest who's into women.”

“Oooooooh, I are sorry. I meaned to use all metrical, so here is correct ones:

3) Cook on high for .4572 metric hours. Then cook on low for about 2.4384 metric hours.”

“You people are getting close to becoming THEM!”

“Dija hear the one about the Jehovah's witness who married a Unitarian and converted?

He went door to door trying to talk to his neighbors for no reason in particular.

(Tehipete, I'm a methodist minister's grandson)”

“PedXing, so am I (sort of). Both my grandfathers were ministers--originally United Brethren, then EUB; they were retired by the time of the 1968 merger, so they were never active UM ministers. But both of my parents were (now retired).”

“Hey, you're not sqabbling!
Now get crackin'!

snackboy, that's muck butter!
We have snow in Towson, how's by Laurel?”

“what did jesus say to the headwaiter at the last supper?

"separate checks, please."”

“And the last thing he told the discples that night was”

“C'mon people, if you want to be in
painting you've got to get on this side of the table.”

“Hey, where are the Jew jokes... you know "how was copper wire invented..." or maybe some Islam slammin, we know that they are all kooks with bombs, and what about those crazy Hindus, starvin by the truck load cause they wont eat their sacred cows... I think you get my point.”

“Secretary: "Holy Father - God is on line three."

Pope John Paul II: "Than you, Pietra."
"Hello?"

God: "John Paul?"

Pope: "Yes, my Lord?"

God: "I know you've had a long, hard day, so I'll be brief. I'm calling with both good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

Pope: "Ummm, the good, I suppose."

God: "This IS good news! I've decided to call my flock into the One True Church!"

Pope: "What?! That's great!"
"After that news, what could possibly be bad?"

God: "I'm calling from Salt Lake City."”

“yeah hype, we get it, you are thin skinned or have no sense of humor.”

“Actually Lumpy I am just disappointed that many folks find humor in a faith system that is so important to those who practice it.”

“Y'all are ALL STINKY BUTTS and I HATE YER GUTS and would not even SMELL YER BUTTS cept for a mergency situation!”

“we're squabbling now.”

“Here is a serious question; how does one choose a religion?
I wasn't raised religious but I wasn't raised atheist either. We did Xmas as a secular family gathering holiday but never really talked about the 'reason for the season'. So when I arrived at an age when I could think for myself I gave some serious thought to religion in general. I read about several and it seems like most share some common themes. I'm rambling a bit but my point is that none of them really rang true. They all had elements of superstition dressed up to look official, but I just couldn't really believe.
So I'm curious; is religion the type of thing you have to be raised into for most people? How did you decide which faith to practice?”

“Hyper... #1 Jesus was a jew, so it is a jew joke, #2) my joke took no slam at Jesus or Christians... I heard it from a very devout Christian, there was not hatred in it, similarly jokes about different denominations come from within the the churches#3) I certainly tell jokes about Jewish religious thinking and jopkes about Jews, nost of them come from with Jewish traditions.”

“Jee-zus, hyperpacker, you must really be insecure with your beliefs to take offense like that. I don't know how else to explain why your version of the sacred is wide open to ridicule. There is nothing you could say about my beliefs, no matter how vile, that would come close to offending me. What I consider to be sacred is well above human reproach. But then I'm secure in my beliefs. So that's what you get for buying into christian guilt and fear: an insecure sheep person who actively seeks to suppress anything and everything outside their narrow spiritual perspective, because everything else threatens what they HAVE to believe to be true (in order to avoid hell, of course). Pathetic. You have great company with a lot of censors and book burners, hyper.”