What, no Peru debate?!?

“Why each of us decides
I've never understood
One special friend
One true love
Why each of us denies
Everyone else in the world!”

“I always liked Bacpac more than Mutt...and a few others too.”

“You like me!?! You really, really, like me!

snif”

“damn, dude, take a hint. almost everyone here likes ya.

except the liberals. and that's only about 70% of them.”

“bacpac, you are one of the few people that I read all your posts. Always a hoot! Like the time you asked if we could just call Tarpy "The guy who got dumped by Amy"? He-frickin'-larious!”

“Let's not overdo it here, folks. We like bacpac but I wouldn't want to see him working with subatomic particles.”

“awww, lookit all the love here. It just brings a tear to my eye...sniff sniff

bacpac, ya wanna be next to go for the title?

>;oP”

“Whats the best title:

"Heir to the thrown?"
or
"Heir to the thrown out?"”

“damn AmyG, you're brutal. bacpac, I've come to respect and, even like you recently. Mutt, I can see a lot of wisdom buried deep within your comments, but it's all just too bitter for most people to get. And why do you bash shrinks? Did they not fix you?”

“Title? What Title? The "I was dumped by AmyG title?"

Sure, I am willing to sacrifice a little pride for some of that stuff!

HOOOOOOYYYYYYaaaaaaaaaa!”

“Nigal,

That is awfully sweet considering I stole your TT email. I never did much good with your alias, but I boated tehipite and Zen Hiker, among others with Mel's.

I think tehipite has a thing for blonds, ROTFLMAO and Zen is just as twisted as he appeared.

I will try to read your posts too. LOL”

“Get a room, you two! Ick!”

“Mutt will absolutely get my vote for "Troll of the Year".
It is so obvious why his threads continue for so long. He brings up a fundamental rift, (in his own caustic fashion), between fundamentalist christians and people who see the harm they do to humanity, at times. The christians' immediate reaction is to quote the bible, get angry, or express sympathy for his "lost soul". None of that really does much to debate his points.
Whether I succeed or not is for others to decide, but I try to get beyond his emotional tirades to hear his argument, Just he same as I try to do with those representing the christian argument. I find some of what he has to say very intriguing.”

“",just the"....(see above).

PedXing, I'm bringing this stuff up from cloudy memory, but if you read about the early church in Greece, you should find that reincarnation was a hold-over belief that they brought to christianity. It was a commonly held beleif until the churhch leaders felt they needed to suppress this form of spiritual understanding. I'm going to let your sense of adventure carry you to the sources.”

“Dunadan, this statement that you make now is consistent with what I thought I knew and what I found during my further explorations.

What was new to me and what my little research seemed to contradict was your statement that:
"Prior to one of the church councils, (I can't remember which), reincarnation was the dominant belief in the church."
If you have your rethinking, and my researching and rethinking have led you from this notion to the one you posted at 11:08 last night then this is kewl. We traded some information, did some work and came out in agreement! And both of us learned something.”

“From the waco Christian side: There is no mention of any kind of reincarnation in the bible but there are a lot of splinter denominations that do take on theological theories that are not found in the Christian bible or theology. Generally when a church begins adopting things that go against the bible they siece (SP?) to be Christian (followers of Christ) churches.”

“Anyone familiar with the opera Carmina Burana? A beautiful piece (written by Carl Orff) about a cloistered monastery which has been out of touch with the mother church for centuries and the evolution of the rites and sacriments they practice. The boys choir sections are moving!
You ought to be able to find the translation on the WWW.”

“How about a link, you say? Ok. I'll give it a go. Carmina Burana
This is just the history of the piece, not the lyrics. So, you don't care? Well. I don't care if you care. Pffffffttt.

O fortunata.”

“I saw Carmina Burana last year in Philly...a beautiful performance. Poetic...

:o)”

“Poetic this ---> (_|_)”

“Nigal: are you really curious about who I am and what I believe? Is anyone? I suppose I could describe myself if anyone's genuinely interested.

pisgahforest: there's plenty of reasons why don't care for psychology which don't have anything to do with failed therapy. Maybe I'll get around to telling you why in a while.

pedXing: Why don't you offer a critical analysis of psychology for pisgahforest - that is if you actually know anything about the field. you obviously aren't interested in addressing any of my arguments, which is why I'm assuming you're overstating your knowledge of the field.”

“Throne,
Heir to the sh!tter”

“Sure I'm interested Mutt. It's always better to get insulted by someone that you actually know something about beside the fact they are a God-hating tree climber. 8)

where ya live? What do ya do for a living?”

“Nigal, let me give this a shot.

He lives at home with his parents and he works for the Post Office.”

“No bacpac, he lives in Cleveland, hangs out with people named Drew, Oswald and Kate and he works at Drugco.”

“BaSO4, you're calling me Lewis? That's a compliment!

I know practically nothing about any of you people. But anyway, here I am: I?m male, 30, 6'2", 185 lean lbs, white (German/French/Irish heritage), brownish blonde hair, I live in the midwest, and if I get a picture of myself scanned, I'll be sure to let you all know what the devil looks like.

I'm a research analyst. My job entails gathering primary data for analysis, analyzing secondary data which is usually provided by the funding agencies, and training people. When data comes in or I?m training, etc., then I?m ?feasting.? Usually there?s time every month when I?m between project stages (?famine?) and I get to play on the Internet and piss off christians.

I?ve studied sociology, political science, and a little psychology. I?m not a Ph.D., but I was ABD (all but dissertation) when my major prof decided to take a job at a distant university, leaving me with a contentious
committee who were only marginally interested in my research concentrations (social organization, deviance, methodology) or my dissertation topic. The department was in transition and switching emphasis from traditional concentrations to rural sociology, which was bringing in much more grant money at the time. So I became disgusted with the whole discipline and dropped out to pursue applied research that would actually have an impact on people?s lives. I enjoy it, and I?ve never looked back.

Let?s see, Nigal is correct, I enjoy all facets of tree climbing, and I work on some weekends doing treework for people (mostly for free). I like to backpack to my favorite climbing groves (which was one reason I came to this forum), and camp overnight in the canopy. I also sail, and own a Catalina daysailer. I enjoy canoeing, too.

I?m not married, but have been involved in a string of monogamous long-term relationships with women since I was 18 or so. First time lovin' for me was 16 (after I got my driver?s license, of course). Bacpac, I haven't lived with my parents since I was a freshman in college, although I lived with my brother for over 3 years. I'm currently living with my girlfriend of 2 years.

As far as my faith goes, I generally don?t talk about it much with people because my beliefs are really only valid to me, the same as everyone else. In simple terms, though, I'm not a "god hater" as Nigal suggested, rather I strongly believe in a higher power (just not a judgmental anthropomorphic deity). I believe in life after life (not necessarily human life). I believe the nature of the universe and life is pretty much beyond the capacity of human understanding, and I?m comfortable with not knowing. So I?ve never understood the need for people to cling to simplistic cultural myths of the afterlife (religions). I?ve never understood why anyone would embrace guilt and fear and a judgmental god or a garbled holy book. Most of my understanding of life has been gained through self-reflection, learning about other religions and faiths, and much of it has just been obvious to me. My beliefs provide me peace and comfort in times of turmoil, and I have never feared the afterlife. I firmly believe that any or all my beliefs may be wrong.

As I'm sure you are aware, christianity really irritates me. So do some other facets of American life. I'm a pretty laid back person, although I'm no stranger to confrontation, either. I never hesitate to rebut a christian's dumbass conformist opinion on social issues. But I am capable of polite social discourse on the issue. I'm proud to say I've been instrumental in saving at least one person from christianity. that was particularly satisfying; to show someone how much more there is to life than suffocating christian dogma. I'm actually not a hateful little person, but I think it's funny some of you assume I am, and I see no reason to correct you. I am proud to be a flaming liberal. I'm all for finding new sources of energy, cleaning up polluting industries, protecting workers' rights, legalizing gay marriages and eliminating discrimination of gays, keeping abortion safe and legal, legalizing pot, providing government subsidized healthcare, abolishing the death penalty, completely disarming the american populace (impossible I know), taxing religious institutions, making religion disappear from ALL aspects of gov't and public institutions, funding "obscene" art exhibits using public money, teaching grade-schoolers in public schools all about sex, masturbation, homosexuality, birth control, pregnancy, pornography, and STDs, protecting the remains of american wilderness, prohibiting new roads in wilderness, and much, much more!”

“Wow, I read that whole novella! You know, if he wasn't such an arrogant bastard, I would probably read more of Mutt's posts...I might even lick err like him.

>;oP slurrrp”

“=:O

aimee, you da man!”

“Damn, Mutt. Now I know more about you than I know about myself!!!
The dude can write. Ya gotta give him that!”

“Holy Moley, Mutt is Ice Tea all grown up! "It's not my fault I am not a Doctor it was a conspiracy against me." Nothing is ever your fault is it Mutt? Your list of liberal goals is straight from the party line. When are you going to start thinking for yourself and stop being a sheep for the Liberal machine? Baaaahh?

I read the newspaper today, I guess that makes me a research analyist. I read the 'B' section too or secondary analysis as some would call it.

Give Mom a hug for me.”

“"As far as my faith goes, I generally don?t talk about it much with people because my beliefs are really only valid to me, the same as everyone else."

Is this guy a total schitzoid or what? We aren't people? Huh? He has been talking to chopped liver?

When has this Psycho not talked about Religion?”

“Mutt, you forgot the part about being a part time arborist.”

“BaSO4, he mentioned his passion for cutting trees. I think that was his reference.”

“Ped. Yes, that was the goad I needed to jumpstart my memory of bible study. Thankyou.
Hey, Nigal, the bible is an interpretation of an interpretation of an interpretation... To study any subject, the bible included, you should be willing to take as objective a view to your research as you can. If you think your favorite version of the bible is the one and only, then you need to open your eyes. It's OK to have a point of view. We all have ours. You just need to acknowledge that it is a point of view.”

“With all due respect Dunadan, you are incorrect about the interpretations of the bible. Translated and interpreted are two very different things. It is a misconception that the bible has been watered down. There are so many examples of this but this ALWAYS leads to a pissing match that I will not start on a public board. If ya wanna know e mail me.

BTW- I never said my version (?) was the one and only. This may be hard to understand but I take my point of view from the bible, not apply my POV to it. An objective view is very valueble when searching for truth but once you find truth you cross over into faith and decernment. A very good book about this process is "The Case for Christ" by (something) Strobal.”

“Heh! Geeze, bacpac, you've obviously been waiting a loooong time to dog on old Mutt. You sure try real hard, but you're not very witty, are you. It's humorous to know I get under your skin!

First, it was my decision to drop out, and it was based on more reasons than what I described. To suggest that I ran away crying betrays a lack of any understanding you have of higher education. But that shouldn't surprise anyone.

Second, I said I don't talk about MY faith much. I talk about christianity all the time. You even quote me saying just that, right before your pathetic attempt at twisting my words. You ended up making yourself look like you can't read plain English. Again, not surprising.

Third, I do prune trees, in the industry standard manner, and this is a far cry from a "passion for cutting trees." You may be suggesting that I engage in "topping" trees, which I don't do. But I really think you're just unwittingly expressing your ignorance of an entire industry.

Bacpac, the difference between you and me is that no one really knows me from my posting here. You, on the other hand, are exactly the same person here as you are in real life. So while people incorrectly perceive me to be a quarrelous, hateful person (because I criticize their precious religion), you ARE what you come across as: a bitter, miserable, lonely, desparate, womanless, masturbating, middle-aged, fat ugly creep. It's no wonder you can't keep a woman in your life - I imagine you're only outlet is either your hand or the fat ugly drunk skank at the local bar. It's obvious you're close-minded, judgmental, and bigoted. I guess you might have your GED, but you definitely are an uneducated, provencial, Philistine with no understanding of anything beyond your pathetically narrow, backwards existence down there in Arkansas. No woman of any quality would want you.

I've always said you were a moron and a complete waste of time to respond to. You routinely get dogged by others here for being so damn bitter and hateful. What's the point of your pathetic existence, man? Why hang around here when you have the reputation of being the forum's asshole? What could that possibly do for you, unless you enjoy being an asshole in real life?

Bottom line, bacpac: you're not an interesting person. You have nothing of import to say. You're not intelligent, you're not educated, and you're definitely not witty or humorous. You sure as hell can't keep up with me in an argument.

By the way, calling AmyG "ya little hottie, you" IS NOT GOING TO GET YOU ANY. LOL!!! desparate loser.”

“Hate-breeder!”

“Methinks Bacpac has gotten under Mutty's skin a tad.”

“Thanks for the 411 Muttster. That does show some heart knowing that things were going to get picked apart. The more polarity I see between us the more I see how much alike we are. Scarey, ey?”

“kleetn, bacpac is the only person here who truly irritates me. Most people here have their redeeming qualities. But bacpac truly is a pathetic person.

If bacpac had made some insightful insults of me, then I'd be interested and amused. But try as he might, his brainpower is just not up to the task. That's irritating, because it wastes my time.”

“Dee-um. Somebody gots pimp-slapped.”

“to quote nigal: 8D”

“What, no Peru debate?!?”

“Ooops! I quoted bacpac wrong. Here it is:

"RE: Hot stuff, baby!

I kinda figured the temp was a couple degrees warmer around AmyG.
Get ready to sizzle in the DR ya little hottie.

bacpac
5:28:19 PM
5/3/01"


LOL! Still is painfully embarrasing.”

“OK, this exchange with bacpac has been way too personal and has left a bad taste in my mouth.

It's one thing to fight about religion and politics, but it's another to hurl personal insults. I was out of line. Truth of the matter, I don't know bacpac or who he is, and I don't care to, either.

So congratulations, you pissed me off, bacpac. I'm out of here for a while now, and I won't be checking back to see if you respond. So go ahead and have the last word - it won't be read by me.”

“The antagonist concededs!”

“Word.”

“Actually, I think its being graceful in victory. He has left Bacpac a way to save face.”

“Odd, Mutt complains about BacPac's personal attacks??

I'm still puzzled as to how much Mutt simply didn't want to hear, or chose to ignore and how much I could have made clearer. Wondering if I tried to respond to him too much, or too little.

For example, I said "You've shown no sign of ability or interest in real thought, debate or discussion." Later, I tried to tell him that I was criticizing what he had shown and challenging himn to do better. Would it have done any good to repeat that I was only commenting on what he'd shown and was not commenting on his abilities?

I did not respond to his last round of responses, because it was hard not to believe that he was deliberately misinterpreting what I said in order to make his attacks.

(And, if you are reading this Mutt, I welcome your response.)”

“Ped, is it worth it?”