1 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 3:39:41pm |
Did the King of Jordan do the smart thing today?
2 | watching you tiny alien kittens are Tue, Dec 4, 2012 3:51:19pm |
"Christmas has gotten so big that it's eating other holidays, watch out Halloween!"
LOL :D
3 | engineer cat Tue, Dec 4, 2012 3:59:29pm |
i made a beautiful flying spaghetti monster birthday celebration creche for our local Macy's to go alongside the christmas and hannukah creches
but somebody ate it
4 | andres Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:14:49pm |
As always, Jon nails it perfectly.
I'm still laughing.
5 | wrenchwench Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:14:50pm |
re: #3 engineer cat
i made a beautiful flying spaghetti monster birthday celebration creche for our local Macy's to go alongside the christmas and hannukah creches
but somebody ate it
Now I'm hungry.
6 | SteveMcG Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:33:35pm |
"Black Thursday, or what used to be known as Thanksgiving!"
7 | Gus Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:35:41pm |
I mentioned something similar to this last week. Christmas is one day so why do we walk about saying "Merry Christmas" months before? Or that is why do people feel compelled to saying this salutation and get offended by those like O'Reilly if you don't do it according to their standards. Such as saying "Happy Holidays." We don't go about during the month of June saying "Happy 4th of July."
8 | EPR-radar Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:37:20pm |
Bill O'Reilly: "Christianity is not a religion, it is a philosophy"
This is old news, but still noteworthy as possibly the single most stupid comment from a RW culture warrior to date.
These Christian fanatics that give a bad name to their own faith are also fundamentally clueless about what it is that they believe.
9 | bratwurst Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:39:29pm |
re: #8 EPR-radar
Bill O'Reilly: "Christianity is not a religion, it is a philosophy"
This is old news, but still noteworthy as possibly the single most stupid comment from a RW culture warrior to date.
Don't forget...this IS the same guy who apparently doesn't know the difference between a falafel and a loofah .
10 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:41:48pm |
@ericboehlert @jestei I heard Jim DeMint even put a stick in the spokes of Dole's wheelchair as he rolled out
— Fake Chuck Grassley (@FakeChuckGrasly) December 5, 2012
11 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:44:22pm |
re: #1 ProGunLiberal
I wonder when King Abdullah II will decide to imitate Peter Gabriel, and will use the Sledgehammer.
Also, I am going to go out on a limb, and say that before Obama is out of office, there will be another Bosnian War, Croats and Bosnians vs. Serbians. I think at this point, Croatia and Bosnia should merge.
12 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:44:35pm |
re: #7 Gus
I mentioned something similar to this last week. Christmas is one day so why do we walk about saying "Merry Christmas" months before? Or that is why do people feel compelled to saying this salutation and get offended by those like O'Reilly if you don't do it according to their standards. Such as saying "Happy Holidays." We don't go about during the month of June saying "Happy 4th of July."
JESUS. It's all about that dude, the depth of your misplaced belief, and how you show it to the Jonses.
13 | dragonfire1981 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:44:55pm |
You know I'm a Christian and I believe what most demonstrates my faith to people are ACTIONS.
- If I give a poor man food and clothing, I am being Christ
- If I build someone a home or paint a room for them, I am being Christ
- If I give a waitress a $50 tip I am being Christ
- If I am providing emotional support for someone in a difficult situation I am being Christ
I am NOT being Christ by waging a silly "War on Christmas".
14 | dragonfire1981 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:47:05pm |
re: #7 Gus
I mentioned something similar to this last week. Christmas is one day so why do we walk about saying "Merry Christmas" months before? Or that is why do people feel compelled to saying this salutation and get offended by those like O'Reilly if you don't do it according to their standards. Such as saying "Happy Holidays." We don't go about during the month of June saying "Happy 4th of July."
Evidently the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas has become known as "The Holidays". In Canada the line is more blurry because we do our Turkey day in October though nowadays the Holiday period in terms of marketing, festivities, parties, etc. now runs pretty much from Nov. 1 to Jan. 1.
15 | sattv4u2 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:49:37pm |
re: #7 Gus
We don't go about during the month of June saying "Happy 4th of July."
No, we don't
But there is no equivalent for the 4th as there is Advent leading up to Christmas. I guess "they" couldn't come up with a salutation that went with Advent that sounded as good together as the MERRY and the CHRISTMAS did
Glad Advent?
Cheerful Advent??
Nothing really rolls off the tongue
Someone says Happy Holidays to me, I say it back at to them
Someone says Merry Christmas to me, I say it back to them
This is one of the biggest non-issues of my life
16 | ReamWorks SKG Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:51:31pm |
This is a hard one for me to weigh in on.
I hate it when they call a Christmas Tree a "Holiday Tree" as if that makes it acceptable for other religions.
I don't celebrate Christmas, but call a Christmas Tree a Christmas Tree. Call a dinner on 12/25 a "Christmas Dinner"
I find the Christmasification of Hanukkah offensive. I have no problem calling Christian holidays by their proper name. Trying to include other holidays under the Christmas generic "Holiday" is wrong.
17 | Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:53:05pm |
re: #1 ProGunLiberal
Did the King of Jordan do the smart thing today?
What would that have been? I've been in transit most of the day and just got home.
18 | engineer cat Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:54:04pm |
re: #13 dragonfire1981
You know I'm a Christian and I believe what most demonstrates my faith to people are ACTIONS.
- If I give a poor man food and clothing, I am being Christ
- If I build someone a home or paint a room for them, I am being Christ
- If I give a waitress a $50 tip I am being Christ
- If I am providing emotional support for someone in a difficult situation I am being Christ
this
jesus asked people to do hard things, like being nice to people who were being assholes to you
jesus says if someone asks for your shirt, give them your coat as well - can't you just see the wingnuts laughing at a statement like that?
19 | jamesfirecat Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:55:25pm |
re: #18 engineer cat
this
jesus asked people to do hard things, like being nice to people who were being assholes to you
jesus says if someone asks for your shirt, give them your coat as well - can't you just see the wingnuts laughing at a statement like that?
I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
---Gandhi.
20 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:55:43pm |
re: #17 Dark_Falcon
Well, considering the MB's Constitution for Egypt that in essence establishes a Hardline Sunni Theocracy, the King of Jordan needs to simultaneously ask the US for economic aid (perhaps the money we give Israel, Egypt, and Pakistan?), and ban the Muslim Brotherhood.
21 | engineer cat Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:56:11pm |
re: #13 dragonfire1981
on the other hand you know you are on the opposite side from the "my good deeds are like filthy rags to the lord" crowd
i think martin luther was great, but i part company with him at the point that he thumped his bible repeating "by faith alone! by faith alone!"
22 | freetoken Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:57:16pm |
It strikes me as something that ought to be the center of the endless discussions of the talking heads (e.g., "Meet the Press" and similar shows) on how the treaty voted down today - a treaty that included, years ago, Republicans in its pedigree - now is seen by the contemporary GOP as the work of enemies of the US.
Even Richard Nixon was not this backwards.
Instead, what we get is an endless faux reality show (yeah, what irony) of magical balancing and the refusal of so many so called "journalists" to not offend their interviewee/guest.
The "War on Christmas" is the real insight that too many are also afraid to discuss. I keep repeating myself here, but there really is a failure of what I call the worldview of many inhabitants of this nation. The past century and a half of discoveries has turned their belief system into shards, and now everyone is getting cut by the mindless throwing of the rubble.
The angst over the destruction of their worldview has turned a non-trivial portion of our nation towards isolation and, when confronted, blind rage.
We are behind Europe in this, as they went through the post-Christianization blues after WWI, and afterwards the major social movements that arose beat up the continent.
History does not repeat itself (even if it does rhyme) and I don't expect we will repeat the whole WWII scenario, but I do think we have many years of adjustment in this new millennium until America as a whole gets used to a small world and a smaller US role in running it.
23 | Gus Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:58:15pm |
re: #15 sattv4u2
We don't go about during the month of June saying "Happy 4th of July."
No, we don'tBut there is no equivalent for the 4th as there is Advent leading up to Christmas. I guess "they" couldn't come up with a salutation that went with Advent that sounded as good together as the MERRY and the CHRISTMAS did
Glad Advent?
Cheerful Advent??
Nothing really rolls off the tongueSomeone says Happy Holidays to me, I say it back at to them
Someone says Merry Christmas to me, I say it back to them
This is one of the biggest non-issues of my life
Yeah, I don't care one way or the other. I prefer Merry Christmas because it rolls of the tongue better. It's still the holiday season though since it has many of them packed in there including New Years. The appeal growing up was this: gift toys and getting more than a week of from school.
24 | TedStriker Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:58:56pm |
re: #13 dragonfire1981
You know I'm a Christian and I believe what most demonstrates my faith to people are ACTIONS.
- If I give a poor man food and clothing, I am being Christ
- If I build someone a home or paint a room for them, I am being Christ
- If I give a waitress a $50 tip I am being Christ
- If I am providing emotional support for someone in a difficult situation I am being Christ
I am NOT being Christ by waging a silly "War on Christmas".
re: #19 jamesfirecat
I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
---Gandhi (supposedly, but unverified).
FTFY...
I was looking for the same quote in response, but was unable to verify that it was from Gandhi himself.
25 | ReamWorks SKG Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:59:15pm |
What the heck did Bill O'Reilly mean that "Christianity is not a religion?" Is that a mainstream belief among Christians?
26 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 4:59:50pm |
re: #25 ReamWorks SKG
Among the Evangelical Set, yes.
27 | engineer cat Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:01:05pm |
re: #25 ReamWorks SKG
What the heck did Bill O'Reilly mean that "Christianity is not a religion?" Is that a mainstream belief among Christians?
unsuccessful goalpost moving exercise
28 | jamesfirecat Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:01:44pm |
re: #25 ReamWorks SKG
What the heck did Bill O'Reilly mean that "Christianity is not a religion?" Is that a mainstream belief among Christians?
I don't know but I bet him and Anton "The Cross is not a Christian Symbol" Scalia got together to compare notes...
29 | sattv4u2 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:02:38pm |
re: #20 ProGunLiberal
wait,, WHAT??
You want the US to cut aid to Israel to give it to the King of Jordan so he in turn can "ban the Muslim Brotherhood"?
How, pray tell, does that work out??
30 | bratwurst Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:03:01pm |
re: #11 ProGunLiberal
Also, I am going to go out on a limb, and say that before Obama is out of office, there will be another Bosnian War, Croats and Bosnians vs. Serbians. I think at this point, Croatia and Bosnia should merge.
Take it from someone who has been fortunate enough to spend time in this region: neither will come to pass.
31 | Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:04:51pm |
re: #20 ProGunLiberal
Well, considering the MB's Constitution for Egypt that in essence establishes a Hardline Sunni Theocracy, the King of Jordan needs to simultaneously ask the US for economic aid (perhaps the money we give Israel, Egypt, and Pakistan?), and ban the Muslim Brotherhood.
Taking money from Israel and giving it to Jordan could only happy with the approval of Congress, which would not be forthcoming.
As for banning the MB, I'm not so sure that's wise. It's inherently dangerous to proscribe a group like that, since it will drive them underground and radicalize the survivors still further. What the king needs to figure out a way to do is to ease the political discontent in his kingdom, which might be better done through economic reforms.
32 | Obdicut Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:05:35pm |
This is one of the more aggressive ad campaigns I've ever seen.
33 | freetoken Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:06:21pm |
re: #25 ReamWorks SKG
What the heck did Bill O'Reilly mean that "Christianity is not a religion". Is that a mainstream belief among Christians?
I suspect that Bill O is heading down the Clash of Cultures path. Part of their argument to defend their discrimination against Muslims is that Islam is not a religion but a world system (that happens to be at war with "us", they say.)
What the paleocons want to portray is that we are in a war of world systems, with the "good" system happening to be us (and we just happen to be "Christian"), and the "bad" system being them, Islam, not a religion but an evil worldview, evil like those communists, etc.
34 | dragonfire1981 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:06:37pm |
re: #19 jamesfirecat
I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians, your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
---Gandhi.
It's sad to think it's been so many years since that statement was made and yet it's about truer than ever now.
35 | wrenchwench Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:08:48pm |
re: #32 Obdicut
This is one of the more aggressive ad campaigns I've ever seen.
[Embedded content]
Creepy. I don't even want to watch all of them.
36 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:09:54pm |
re: #29 sattv4u2
Yes, yes I do. Israel can support itself, it has a decent economy.
We should be more worried about Jordan. The MB's actions should be sufficient for us to stop supporting Egypt, and Pakistan never should have gotten the support of us in the first place.
Either that, or crank up the Natural Gas Output, and get Jordan some to compensate for the devious actions of the MB.
38 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:11:00pm |
re: #32 Obdicut
This is one of the more aggressive ad campaigns I've ever seen.
[Embedded content]
...just you know why......
yeah, successful ad.
39 | Charles Johnson Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:12:25pm |
re: #32 Obdicut
This is one of the more aggressive ad campaigns I've ever seen.
[Embedded content]
Never say no to panda.
40 | freetoken Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:13:33pm |
Speaking of creationists:
Indiana senator's plan to teach creationism evolves
The issue of teaching creationism in Indiana science classrooms will be on the legislative agenda when the General Assembly convenes in January — it just won't be called that.
State Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, who sponsored last session's failed attempt at creationism instruction, said Tuesday he won't introduce similar legislation this session allowing schools to teach the origin myths of multiple religions. Instead, Kruse said he's "working on a different approach to the subject" focused on "truth in education."
Specifically, Kruse wants to empower students to challenge their teachers "to make sure what is being taught is true."
[...]
TRUTH!!!!
41 | abolitionist Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:13:41pm |
re: #37 b_sharp
I'm thinking of becoming a Cromunist.
Do you mean you favor use of Universal Time instead of local time zones?
42 | freetoken Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:14:10pm |
From now on, I'll call creationists "TRUTHERS!!"
43 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:14:49pm |
Great new ringtones. Annoy the shit out of someone in an elevator. merryfuckingxmas.tumblr.com#MERRYFUCKINGXMAS
— Denis Leary (@denisleary) December 4, 2012
44 | Gus Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:16:15pm |
Of course by now I'm sure there are people out there who are in your face "Merry Christmas" people greeting people left and right with an attitude. Sort of like that one person in the office that's always blessing people after they sneeze and then leers at those who didn't bless 'em. Oh yeah! Merry Christmas!
45 | Dark_Falcon Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:16:25pm |
re: #43 Stanghazi
[Embedded content]
Sometimes it seems fun to be a jerk. It's only later that you find yourself called to account for it.
46 | Gus Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:17:44pm |
re: #45 Dark_Falcon
Sometimes its seems fun to be a jerk. It's only later that you find yourself called to account for it.
Oh yeah. Denis Leary is known for his saintly ways.
47 | BongCrodny Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:17:49pm |
re: #8 EPR-radar
Bill O'Reilly: "Christianity is not a religion, it is a philosophy"
This is old news, but still noteworthy as possibly the single most stupid comment from a RW culture warrior to date.
These Christian fanatics that give a bad name to their own faith are also fundamentally clueless about what it is that they believe.
If "if you don't believe in what I believe in you're going to Hell and will burn forever" is a philosophy, it's the stupidest fucking philosophy I've ever heard of.
48 | TedStriker Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:20:44pm |
re: #46 Gus
Oh yeah. Denis Leary is known for his saintly ways.
Denis Leary does "Abrasive Irish-American" very well...
50 | Kragar Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:22:07pm |
So O'Reilly says Christianity is a philosophy?
Then according to Wingnut thinking (I know, just go with it), it deserves no special protections under the Constitution as a religion.
"Islam is a political ideology. Certainly it takes characteristics of religion, but by and large, at its core, both in the United States and around the world, it is a political ideology," Staver asserts. "Consequently, to use the same kind of laws for an advancement of a political ideology that you would for religious liberty could eventually cause some concerning issues that we want to address."
If O'Reilly is correct, then Evangelicals pushing Christianity at every turn is them attempting to promote their radical political ideology, not practicing their religion...
WAIT JUST A FUCKING MINUTE!!!!
52 | TedStriker Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:24:29pm |
re: #49 Stanghazi
Oh I miss Rescue Me.
I can't imagine Rescue Me without him in it or having a hand in creating it.
53 | sattv4u2 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:24:29pm |
re: #36 ProGunLiberal
Yes, yes I do. Israel can support itself, it has a decent economy.
We should be more worried about Jordan. The MB's actions should be sufficient for us to stop supporting Egypt, and Pakistan never should have gotten the support of us in the first place.
Either that, or crank up the Natural Gas Output, and get Jordan some to compensate for the devious actions of the MB.
So Israel is punished because Egyptians voted in the MB!
makes perfect sense to me!! {sigh}
54 | Kragar Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:26:18pm |
re: #51 Gus
Can't share it here, but someone on another site I visit captioned a screen capture from a porno with "I mean Paul Atreides. We want him killed. I did not say this. I am not here." and I swear it was the funniest damn thing I've ever seen.
55 | Charles Johnson Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:26:22pm |
I actually am very familiar with this Christmas display in Santa Monica - I've seen it many times over the years I've lived in LA, on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway. In recent years they've had to put it all behind security fences, and the statues are looking pretty threadbare and worn out. It's hard to imagine anyone really missing it if it goes away - maybe some kids would, but in its current condition I doubt it's all that much fun even for them.
56 | freetoken Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:26:53pm |
Hmm....
Court upholds Indiana’s ban on secular wedding officiants
A federal court in Indiana has rejected atheists’ requests to preside at wedding ceremonies, saying only clergy or public officials are licensed to solemnize marriages.
A lawsuit filed by the Indiana chapter of the Center for Inquiry argued that an Indiana law that requires marriages to be “solemnized” — made official by signing a marriage license — only by clergy, judges, mayors or local government clerks — violates the Constitution.
But Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana ruled on Friday (Nov. 30) that marriage has religious roots. Therefore, government regulation of marriage is an act of religious accommodation — not endorsement — and protected by the Constitution.
[...]
57 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:27:23pm |
re: #53 sattv4u2
No, Israel will do just fine without our aid, and it is much more needed elsewhere.
58 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:27:43pm |
re: #51 Gus
Pinterest had something similar. Weave your bacon into a sandwich size square and bake for the ultimate BLT.
Hey, glass half full & all that.
59 | sattv4u2 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:27:54pm |
re: #52 TedStriker
I can't imagine Rescue Me without him in it or producing it.
He was also good in the (remake of the) Crown Heights Affair
Decades ago I used to go to a lot of the comedy clubs in Boston to see him, Kevin Meany and Steve Sweeney
60 | A Man for all Seasons Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:28:03pm |
re: #43 Stanghazi
[Embedded content]
SS.. Can you believe OU and Florida will meet in the Sugar Bowl?
I will still love you after the game no matter who is the Victor
61 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:28:41pm |
re: #52 TedStriker
I can't imagine Rescue Me without him in it or having a hand in creating it.
It was all him. He had a cousin fire fighter at ground zero iirc.
62 | Gus Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:29:09pm |
Mitt, during the campaign: "I love American cars!" Mitt, after the election: "Check out my new Audi!" twitter.com/RafalcaRomney/...— Rafalca Romney (@RafalcaRomney) December 5, 2012
63 | dragonath Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:29:34pm |
64 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:32:27pm |
re: #60 A Man for all Seasons
SS.. Can you believe OU and Florida will meet in the Sugar Bowl?
I will still love you after the game no matter who is the Victor
OMG Hoops. They changed up the whole thing after the SEC Championship. We are playing LOUISVILLE. #3 VS. #17 (or something like that. we'd better watch out)
YES, OU and Stoops would've been epic. We got burned.
I don't know where you ended up. I'm looking.
[Link: espn.go.com...]
65 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:33:01pm |
re: #60 A Man for all Seasons
SS.. Can you believe OU and Florida will meet in the Sugar Bowl?
I will still love you after the game no matter who is the Victor
And yes, I am especially upset that we won't be able to THROW DOWN.
66 | Kragar Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:33:20pm |
Dennis Leary and Christmas time means its time to watch "The Ref"
68 | dragonath Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:34:47pm |
re: #8 EPR-radar
Bill O'Reilly: "Christianity is not a religion, it is a philosophy"
This is old news, but still noteworthy as possibly the single most stupid comment from a RW culture warrior to date.
Remember, Jesus was George Bush's favorite "philosopher".
69 | TedStriker Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:35:23pm |
70 | A Man for all Seasons Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:35:38pm |
re: #65 Stanghazi
And yes, I am especially upset that we won't be able to THROW DOWN.
Damn..The pundits were wrong..That never happens.
//Be well my friend
71 | Kragar Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:36:48pm |
re: #69 TedStriker
Tru dat.
"You're a "Wong"?"
"Well, my mother was Irish."
"And your father?"
"Wasn't."
72 | dragonath Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:37:12pm |
Who is Dennis Leary? Is this a LSD Christmas or something?
73 | Stanghazi Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:37:41pm |
Louisville is 21 or 22. We are 3 or 4.
Serious diss. Unless we crumble embarrassingly.
Glass half empty sometimes I guess.
74 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:43:47pm |
re: #70 A Man for all Seasons
Know of any job openings in Oklahoma?
75 | A Man for all Seasons Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:49:19pm |
76 | ProGunLiberal Tue, Dec 4, 2012 5:55:39pm |
re: #75 A Man for all Seasons
What sort of things? I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, with minors in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies.
77 | A Man for all Seasons Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:04:02pm |
re: #76 ProGunLiberal
What sort of things? I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, with minors in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies.
2 years ago I was packing to move to Singapore when the State of Oklahoma paid Hitachi Millions to expand. With your experience you could get hired as an entry level worker in one of the biggest companies in the world.
Where you go from there is up to you. Please don't go into HR. I'd have to throttle you.
/
78 | stabby Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:06:50pm |
re: #13 dragonfire1981
You know I'm a Christian and I believe what most demonstrates my faith to people are ACTIONS.
- If I give a poor man food and clothing, I am being Christ
- If I build someone a home or paint a room for them, I am being Christ
- If I give a waitress a $50 tip I am being Christ
- If I am providing emotional support for someone in a difficult situation I am being Christ
I am NOT being Christ by waging a silly "War on Christmas".
I once made friends (kind of) with a prickly fundimentalist who was working as a night guard at the company I used to work for. He was an ex-marine.
One of the things he told me was that works count for nothing at all. According to his belief, everyone is destined to go to hell unless they believe in Jesus. I didn't bother to ask him if Catholics believe in Jesus in the right way to avoid hell etc. etc.
79 | CarleeCork Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:09:04pm |
re: #55 Charles Johnson
I believe the point is that nativity scenes belong on church lawns or on individual lawns. Courthouses are part of our government and don't need religious displays of any kind.
I'm truly sick of people trying to turn the US into a theocracy.
80 | SteveMcG Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:12:40pm |
re: 79 CarleeCork
I wish my dinger worked. JFC, is it really that awful if a stranger wishes you Happy Holidays? After all, businsses do it all the time and nobody (almost) bats an eye.
81 | stabby Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:23:21pm |
re: #32 Obdicut
Those are Egyptian commercials. They must resonate in a country like Egypt where authoritarian abuse of power is a fact of life.
82 | CarleeCork Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:27:28pm |
re: #80 SteveMcG
re: 79 CarleeCork
I wish my dinger worked. JFC, is it really that awful if a stranger wishes you Happy Holidays? After all, businsses do it all the time and nobody (almost) bats an eye.
I have NO problem with people wishing me a merry Christmas. I just want to keep that wall of separation between church and state. Otherwise, religious organizations need to find other lands to theocracize. I've seen how theocractic countries treat women.
83 | SteveMcG Tue, Dec 4, 2012 6:31:15pm |
Therre is a woman in my public speaking class who gave a speech on why it is an expression of her free will to wear the burka. In shor, she chooses to obey the prophet's word. Whatever. I didn't bother saying anything. For her next speech she told us how important it would be to watch the "Esoteric Agenda", some hysterical hyperonspiracy film.
84 | Tigger2005 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 9:10:31pm |
It IS ridiculous to say mainstream Christianity is a "philosophy" and not a religion. However, when you get right down to it, there was no agreement at the "beginning" as to what Christianity actually was. In fact, Christianity can't really be said to have had a "beginning." It's a synthesis of several religious/spiritual/philosophical impulses. The evidence doesn't support the belief that it all sprang from the teachings, acts and martyrdom of a man named Jesus. The picture we get from the earliest extant "Christian" writings is of an extremely diverse movement, with various sects almost at each others' throats for preaching a "different Jesus." Very odd for a time so soon after the supposed death of the founder. If you really had actual disciples of Jesus moving out into the Empire from Jerusalem, all preaching the same message, why would there be so much disagreement? The Jesus of the Gospel of John contrasts sharply with the Jesus of the Synoptics...and good grief, read Hebrews. That Jesus seems to have very little to do with either the Gospel Jesus or Paul's Jesus. Then you have the fact that Matthew and Luke, and even John, so clearly copy copiously from Mark. It makes no sense. If you want to tell Jesus' story your way, why borrow somebody else's work and add your own touches? Why not just sit down and start writing your own account as YOU remember it, or as YOU have heard it? Unless Mark is your ONLY source for ANY stories about Jesus' supposed "life."
It's actually far more likely that no man called Jesus existed. Rather, Christianity "started" with a variety of beliefs, some having very ancient root but overlain with varying degree of Greek philosophy and Jewish mysticism, about a divine intermediary between God and man who "saved" either by imparting spiritual wisdom or by having undergone a death and rebirth. Originally nobody believed this being had been on Earth...the closest they came was to say that he descended to the lowest heaven where he took on the "likeness" or "form" of flesh and was put to death by the demonic rulers of that dimension.
Only after Mark and the other gospels had been circulating for some time did anyone begin to think that stories about Jesus...originally seen as allegories...were about an actual historical man. When this belief took hold, though, it completely changed the game.
85 | jogiff Wed, Dec 5, 2012 2:21:55am |
So he's not going to mention the fact that the displays were banned from public land because the atheists' displays kept on getting vandalized? Nope, Jon Stewart (as usual) takes the easy path and blames that favorite scapegoat, atheists who have the temerity to talk about atheism.