Had an intersting discussion on religion at work today.

[conversationpc]

Sorry, but prayer of ANY kind doesn't belong in school!

Wrong. Children are allowed to pray on their own if they want to and it is Constitionally protected. Teachers or school officials are not allowed to lead children or the school in general in prayer. That's a whole other matter. What it boils down to is if a student wants to pray over their meal or use their time at recess to pray or read their Bible, that is their Constitutionally proteced right.

[Enigma869]

Wrong. Children are allowed to pray on their own if they want to and it is Constitionally protected. Teachers or school officials are not allowed to lead children or the school in general in prayer. That's a whole other matter. What it boils down to is if a student wants to pray over their meal or use their time at recess to pray or read their Bible, that is their Constitutionally proteced right.

My point was school sanctioned prayer, Dave! I am fully cognizant of the fact that any child can do what he or she chooses to do! I just don't believe ANY publically funded school has any right to endorse any religion!


John from Boston

[bluejeangirl76]

Right. You're allowed to be judgemental on the things that Christianity tells you are alright to judge. Never made any sense to me.

That's not what the Bible teaches, though. Yes, it says "Judge not lest ye be judged" but you have to take it in context. That often quoted passage goes on to say to "take the beam out of your own eye so you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye". In other words, how can you judge hypocritically? And even when you do judge, do so out of love, not in a judgemental way or attitude.

What the bible says and what comes from those who are supposed to be teaching it, I find, are two different things. I was referrring to the gross misinterpretations of what the bible says once people get their hands on it and the picking and choosing of what is to be followed and what they don't mind that we ignore.

My issues aren't with the bible or what it says, because I have my own beliefs as far as all that goes... my issue is with people, and the way they behave in the name of religion.

[conversationpc]

Wrong. Children are allowed to pray on their own if they want to and it is Constitionally protected. Teachers or school officials are not allowed to lead children or the school in general in prayer. That's a whole other matter. What it boils down to is if a student wants to pray over their meal or use their time at recess to pray or read their Bible, that is their Constitutionally proteced right.

My point was school sanctioned prayer, Dave! I am fully cognizant of the fact that any child can do what he or she chooses to do! I just don't believe ANY publically funded school has any right to endorse any religion!

Thanks for the clarification. Since your post didn't provide any context, I had no way of knowing you were talking about school-sanctioned prayer.

[geforcefla]

Im not an expert by any means ...but I do know this. I dont think many of you here, pro or con, "get it" on either discussion on religion. Take some time and understand what "it " really means to be a christian and why you go to church or pray, if you do youll see where everybodys points are mostly way off base. But everybody has that right to feel they way they want.....it is your free will to do so and believe what you feel is right.

[artist4perry]

What are your thoughts on the subject?

I'm cool with people having religious beliefs, my best friend is a devout christian. Its the fucking creationists i cannot abide - assholes the lot of them.

Thank you, nice compliment, and you know me.......how?

[artist4perry]

One thing I am having a major problem with this thread is, the original question was do you believe. I don't attack you for your lack of faith, why do you need to attack my faith? You can show case after case of Hypocrites using God for ill use, but they will never be Christians! I am not going to be upset if you never beleive. This is your right. But I ask you show me the same courtesy. It is just as much my right to believe. You either do or you don't. End of story! Best wishes to you!

This is precisely one of the major problems I have with ALL organized religion. It is almost always reduced to this "My God is better than your God", or "Your denomination isn't as 'Christian' as my denomination is", BS! As a complete non believer, on the outside looking in, it doesn't seem very "Christian" like to be so judgemental. I can honestly say that some of the more devoutly religious people I have encountered in my life have also been some of the more judgemental people, which has never made much sense to me. Some people can be religious and be very admirable for the causes they believe in, while others are just over the top, and obnoxious about it. I guess it takes all kinds...Even in religion!

John from Boston

I never said anything about any religion in general. I said people who use God's name to do evil are not acting like Christians. I never claimed one God better than anouther. How did you get all this from my asking you to please show me respect? Did you even read what I wrote?

[Enigma869]

I do know this. I dont think many of you here, pro or con, "get it" on either discussion on religion. Take some time and understand what "it " really means to be a christian and why you go to church or pray, if you do youll see where everybodys points are mostly way off base.

Let me be the first to welcome you to MR. Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way...go pound sand! You're an asshole for coming in here and telling everyone that they are "way off base" and that many of us "don't get it". This is about opinions. Just because someone's opinion doesn't match yours doesn't mean that they, nor you "get it"! Now get back over to Jackass Talk, where you belong


John from Boston

[S2M]

[Rhiannon]

"Nearly everything you read signed "from God" is just somebody putting their words in My mouth." - God

Love that quote. Fits so well sometimes.

[bluejeangirl76]

"Nearly everything you read signed "from God" is just somebody putting their words in My mouth." - God

Love that quote. Fits so well sometimes.

"Rhiannon, qwit'cher bitchin'." - God

[geforcefla]

Thanks for the warm welcome John.......you pretty much made my point. How those Fins yesterday!!!

[Enigma869]

Thanks for the warm welcome John.......you pretty much made my point. How those Fins yesterday!!!

Fuck the Dolphins! And check your calendar...it was Sunday, not "yesterday"! Don't get too big of an erection over the Dolphins beating a JV team! They're still the Dolpins, and they still suck monkey balls!


John from Boston

[donnaplease]

Thanks for the warm welcome John.......you pretty much made my point. How those Fins yesterday!!!

Fuck the Dolphins! And check your calendar...it was Sunday, not "yesterday"! Don't get too big of an erection over the Dolphins beating a JV team! They're still the Dolpins, and they still suck monkey balls!


John from Boston

John, did you learn about erections and sucking balls in kindergarten???

[Enigma869]

John, did you learn about erections and sucking balls in kindergarten???

What the fuck kind of comment is that? You need your fucking head examined, making a jackass comment like that, dope! Do me a favor...if you want to go toe to toe with me...work on your fucking material and get back to me!


John from Boston

[conversationpc]

John, did you learn about erections and sucking balls in kindergarten???

What the fuck kind of comment is that? You need your fucking head examined, making a jackass comment like that, dope! Do me a favor...if you want to go toe to toe with me...work on your fucking material and get back to me!


John from Boston

Dude...Chill. I don't think any harm was intended.

[RedWingFan]

John, did you learn about erections and sucking balls in kindergarten???

What the fuck kind of comment is that? You need your fucking head examined, making a jackass comment like that, dope! Do me a favor...if you want to go toe to toe with me...work on your fucking material and get back to me!


John from Boston

Dude, remember. You're representing the great northeast. You're the open minded and tolerant one. You keep Ted Kennedy in the Senate for crying out loud!!!

[Enigma869]

Dude...Chill. I don't think any harm was intended.

She's asking me if I learned about sucking balls in kindergarten, and you're telling me "no harm was intended". If you say so, dude. I guess I'm not seeing how that statement could possibly be construed in a positive manner


John from Boston

[Enigma869]

Dude, remember. You're representing the great northeast. You're the open minded and tolerant one. You keep Ted Kennedy in the Senate for crying out loud!!!

Actually, you're only partially correct, RWF. I am open minded, indeed, but have zero tolerance for morons! As for Kennedy, in spite of Chappaquiddick and some of the other nonsense he got into in his younger years, I'm quite sure that history will view him as one of the most significant Senators this country has ever seen. I'm confident that if not for Chappaquiddick, he probably would have ascended to The White House, at some point, but even big, dopey, Teddy wasn't overcoming that!


John from Boston

[conversationpc]

Dude...Chill. I don't think any harm was intended.

She's asking me if I learned about sucking balls in kindergarten, and you're telling me "no harm was intended". If you say so, dude. I guess I'm not seeing how that statement could possibly be construed in a positive manner


John from Boston

I've seen far coarser jokes on here than that and they were definitely no harm intended jokes. Hell, I've been the brunt of far worse from the likes of Deano and TNC. Just take it in stride.

[iceberg]

i believe everyone has to have something to believe in. faith in something more. no one wants to be wrong in what they believe in so you get religious wars of faith all through time.

our faith is only as strong as we'll let it be and questioning it is sometimes one way to make it grow stronger. tearing down someone elses is another. so while i don't really believe in God per se for a variety of reasons, i do look for the common traits of all religions and try to figure out what i believe in cause i don't think i know enough to know yet. : )

besides...i gave up religion for lent and that really confused me.

[Shadowsong]

Only thing I know for sure is I believe in love!
The kind that comes from deep in your soul
The kind that your heart just knows is forever
That for sure is the only thing I need to know

[maverick218]

I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to personal salvation.

are you saying this is your only way, or are you applying this to everyone?

Based on what the Bible teaches (which I believe to be the infallable word of God), yes, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

[Enigma869]

Based on what the Bible teaches (which I believe to be the infallable word of God), yes, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

This is getting confusing. So you're saying that only those who follow Jesus' teachings have truth and "The life" (whatever the hell that means)? How shocking...a religious person from NC! I didn't come across too many of them when I lived in NC! You guys must have all been hiding while I was there


John from Boston

[iceberg]

I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to personal salvation.

are you saying this is your only way, or are you applying this to everyone?

Based on what the Bible teaches (which I believe to be the infallable word of God), yes, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

one thing i never understood with the bible being infallable is - how many words today can we not translate from the bibles original language? how many words today don't mean the same as they did in our own lifetime much less 100 years ago? gay used to be a happy thing now it's a rights movement.

the bible is much like anything around us - it is what we need it to be to further our own peace of mind. this is why i said faith can come in many forms, religion is just the most popular. but we all want, and need, something higher to believe in or our lives can fall to be "wasted time".

that's it. i'm playing that song this thurs! not heard it in awhile.

[iceberg]

Based on what the Bible teaches (which I believe to be the infallable word of God), yes, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

This is getting confusing. So you're saying that only those who follow Jesus' teachings have truth and "The life" (whatever the hell that means)? How shocking...a religious person from NC! I didn't come across too many of them when I lived in NC! You guys must have all been hiding while I was there

John from Boston

i sure am glad you don't force your views and ways on others, john. : )

[Rhiannon]

How shocking...a religious person from NC! I didn't come across too many of them when I lived in NC! You guys must have all been hiding while I was there

Stop it before I smack you. You should be used to it by now.
Remember, not every Southerner is so easily swayed by literature compiled by crusty old Roman politicians in 325. Personally, I enjoyed the Apocrypha and Gnostic books way more. On a side note, I still find it amazing that many people don't even realize the origin of their Holy book. Or that it was compiled by Pagans.

[iceberg]

How shocking...a religious person from NC! I didn't come across too many of them when I lived in NC! You guys must have all been hiding while I was there

Stop it before I smack you. You should be used to it by now.
Remember, not every Southerner is so easily swayed by literature compiled by crusty old Roman politicians in 325. Personally, I enjoyed the Apocrypha and Gnostic books way more. On a side note, I still find it amazing that many people don't even realize the origin of their Holy book. Or that it was compiled by Pagans.

pagans are people too!!! well, usually...

ever read the celestine prophecies?

[Enigma869]

i sure am glad you don't force your views and ways on others, john. : )

What the hell does this sentence have to do with my reply? You must be another Jackass Talk refugee!


John from Boston

[Enigma869]

How shocking...a religious person from NC! I didn't come across too many of them when I lived in NC! You guys must have all been hiding while I was there

Stop it before I smack you.

No

Remember, not every Southerner is so easily swayed by literature compiled by crusty old Roman politicians in 325.

Perhaps not, but every one that I met surely was! They all told me I was going to hell for not accepting Jesus Christ as my "Lord and Savior". I spit out my drink laughing. I then asked where their Sunday morning house or worship was, so I could stay as far away from the Kool-Aid camp as possible


John from Boston