The New York Times has published an interesting, very long, article about the Christian evangelical movement and its ties to the Republican party. Here’s the link.
@youthpastor
Having quoten earlier some of the pleasantries of the Moses part of the bible I must say, that seems to be the message of the first books in the bible. The israelites went hither and did this, god helped them kill their opposition. One israelite did something wrong and god ordered the most unjust punishment imaginable. God selected a favourite and killed all of mankind save one family and a handful of animals. Though I offered 2 single line quotes, they were not in any way taken out of context I think. And when you pick up a book and start reading, where do you start? The beginning! The part where god commits atrocities that would have left Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Mugabe and the lot gasping for air and telling him/her to go to hell for what he/she has done. What a wonderful thing to read, should anyone of your students ever pick up the book and start reading.
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I am glad that you use other books. This part about the message is still puzzling to me. How can one talk about a message of a book that has so many contradictory messages and is unbelievably inaccurate about the facts? This will not make any difference for sure, but would it not be better to just pick up Plato’s works and talk about his stories that concern virtues? They are mostly the same that are held in esteem by modern moderate christians. Moreover, the literary style is far superior and if you need explanations, he explains his meaning very clearly himself. Aristotle is a mess to read, but might also be a nice addition.
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It seems however, that your views are such that I could send a child of mine to a camp arranged by you, if I had children and there was no viable atheist camp. I am glad that you seem not to share the views of the hebrew god, one of the most evil characters in literature.
@youthpastor – I can honestly say that your use of the term ‘pedestal’ was not taken as an insult. To be frank, the moniker you have chosen is what really annoys me. These days I can go from mildly annoyed to extremely aggravated whenever I encounter someone who blatantly announces to the world that A) She/he deals with children, and B) Discusses religion with them like it is real.
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Children are our most precious commodity, and I think that it is unconscionable to fill their little, impressionable heads with false information and ideas that will be detrimental to their whole lives. Unlike some people here, I personally would rather cut off my arm before sending my children to any camp which taught belief in invisible sky fairies. I don’t care what kind of way you paraphrase things.
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If I were to tell you that on a regular basis I speak with a little green gnome who sits in the corner of my office and hiccoughs, you would probably have me committed. I could still be screaming about the truth of the matter as they cart me away. And, they would be carting me away, unless my green gnome suddenly appeared to everyone. But having said that, your weird, insane ideas of an all knowing, omnipotent deity, is just as unprovable and crazy to me. You absolutely cannot prove any of it, so how, in all conscience, can you sit down and speak to children about your beliefs? And, in my opinion, infest them with that disease?
.
Earlier in one of your posts you said that we should not eradicate the world of religion because most of the religions get along. You said that there were only a few who were causing all the problems. You my friend, have your head buried so far in the sand only your butt is sticking out. Wake up and smell the jihads!
\”…For example, my customers can call the phone number listed on my website and reach a human operator (rather than just a recorded message) at any time of the day or night…\”…
@youthpastor
Having quoten earlier some of the pleasantries of the Moses part of the bible I must say, that seems to be the message of the first books in the bible. The israelites went hither and did this, god helped them kill their opposition. One israelite did something wrong and god ordered the most unjust punishment imaginable. God selected a favourite and killed all of mankind save one family and a handful of animals. Though I offered 2 single line quotes, they were not in any way taken out of context I think. And when you pick up a book and start reading, where do you start? The beginning! The part where god commits atrocities that would have left Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Mugabe and the lot gasping for air and telling him/her to go to hell for what he/she has done. What a wonderful thing to read, should anyone of your students ever pick up the book and start reading.
.
I am glad that you use other books. This part about the message is still puzzling to me. How can one talk about a message of a book that has so many contradictory messages and is unbelievably inaccurate about the facts? This will not make any difference for sure, but would it not be better to just pick up Plato’s works and talk about his stories that concern virtues? They are mostly the same that are held in esteem by modern moderate christians. Moreover, the literary style is far superior and if you need explanations, he explains his meaning very clearly himself. Aristotle is a mess to read, but might also be a nice addition.
.
It seems however, that your views are such that I could send a child of mine to a camp arranged by you, if I had children and there was no viable atheist camp. I am glad that you seem not to share the views of the hebrew god, one of the most evil characters in literature.
@youthpastor – I can honestly say that your use of the term ‘pedestal’ was not taken as an insult. To be frank, the moniker you have chosen is what really annoys me. These days I can go from mildly annoyed to extremely aggravated whenever I encounter someone who blatantly announces to the world that A) She/he deals with children, and B) Discusses religion with them like it is real.
.
Children are our most precious commodity, and I think that it is unconscionable to fill their little, impressionable heads with false information and ideas that will be detrimental to their whole lives. Unlike some people here, I personally would rather cut off my arm before sending my children to any camp which taught belief in invisible sky fairies. I don’t care what kind of way you paraphrase things.
.
If I were to tell you that on a regular basis I speak with a little green gnome who sits in the corner of my office and hiccoughs, you would probably have me committed. I could still be screaming about the truth of the matter as they cart me away. And, they would be carting me away, unless my green gnome suddenly appeared to everyone. But having said that, your weird, insane ideas of an all knowing, omnipotent deity, is just as unprovable and crazy to me. You absolutely cannot prove any of it, so how, in all conscience, can you sit down and speak to children about your beliefs? And, in my opinion, infest them with that disease?
.
Earlier in one of your posts you said that we should not eradicate the world of religion because most of the religions get along. You said that there were only a few who were causing all the problems. You my friend, have your head buried so far in the sand only your butt is sticking out. Wake up and smell the jihads!
Roberta…
\”…For example, my customers can call the phone number listed on my website and reach a human operator (rather than just a recorded message) at any time of the day or night…\”…