its funny how they call this christian fiction... Showing 1,201-1,250 of 1,587

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I beat up one kid in my life. I was 14. He tried to kill my 12 year old brother. He was 16 and bigger than me. But he was killing my brother, so I beat him up. I felt very bad, and concentrated thereafter on Debate.

But grownup men still like to be on top when they can't win with wit. Who has been throwing mud? You. You decided to go after my looks.

[Glenn]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "I wish I could have traveled. Didn't have any money for it though. I feel like a victim now. First time in this conversation."

I am 67 for next couple of months; my birthday is the beginning of May. I worked two jobs to make enough money to travel. I came from a family with one parent (father) in hospital for 5 years, while the other battled cancer, and worked to feed nurture her family. I traveled first to England where I worked to finance my further travels. It's all about setting goals, prioritising, and making sacrifices. When I married my wife, I told her that I wanted her to have her own opinions. I have learnt a lot from her; primarily that I'm always wrong. I love her unreservedly.

[Glenn]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: " Who has been throwing mud? You. You decided to go after my looks. "

Pardon? I never said or infered anything about your looks. I did say with your working out you should look good. It was not sarcasm. One of my moral beliefs is never to pick on anyone's personal appearance. It is a cheap way of scoring points. What they SAY is fair game, however. So if I gave the wrong impression I appologise. You may peruse all I have written and I don't think you will find me critical of anything other than those that make personal attacks or use bad language to incense the sensitive. So please, do not assume what I mean. What I say is what I mean. I use irony, certainly. I don't veil my opinions.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I think I mistakingly confused you originally with Bruce - sorry. He's the one who knows nothing about China, etc.

I started college at age 38. It took a lot of planning and work, if we are going to go there. I've worked almost all of my life, did not drink or do drugs except as a teen. I was a secretary, office manager, etc. I am familiar with working hard, saving and planning.

Are my bonafides acceptable to have an opinion?

[Glenn]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "I think I mistakingly confused you originally with Bruce - sorry. He's the one who knows nothing about China, etc.

I started college at age 38. It took a lot of planning and work, if we are going ..."

Your bonafides are very acceptable. I wasn't trying to make comparisons, or making any judgements about your achievements. I respect all people who have worked for what they have. I just don't like personal attacks. I am generalizing here, so please don't think that I am picking on you. I suspect that we could be friends, even with our differing views. I'll be honest, most of my best friends often disagree with me. My problem in that area is my moral beliefs. If someone say something which infringes on that area, I feel that if I say nothing I am tacitly endorsing their views. My wife feels, vociferously, that I should keep my trap shut! So then I argue the point with her. What a mistake. I never learn.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Wow. My husband steps on my feet so much as his signal to me to shut up I have learned to move them into the aisle or out and away from him when I wear soft shoes! I also feel if I don't speak up I will be assumed to be in agreement. I'm half native-American but look white, so you can imagine the blood-curdling things I've heard. Also, my husband is conservative and religious, but not an organized religion fan. His friends assume I believe as he does. Most of the time I DO shut it for the sake of a friendly evening - but sometimes......

; )

[Glenn]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "Wow. My husband steps on my feet so much as his signal to me to shut up I have learned to move them into the aisle or out and away from him when I wear soft shoes! I also feel if I don't speak up I..."

Oh boy, do I know the feeling. I use a two-pronged attack with new acquaintances. Firstly, make them like me. Part of this process is to be open and to like them, of course. Most people know if you are playing them. Then, once that happens, introduce your beliefs in a very low-key way. However, if they leap on to that with both feet, and you raise your level of attack, your spouse is going to come down on you, knife drawn, and administer the coup de grace!

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I've definitely experienced extremely long car rides home where having the windows rolled up is a must.

In social situations, I don't want to spoil things. However, when people press - and some do - I tell the truth. Sometimes I make a new buddy, other times I go home with black and blue feet.

I'm a woman with no kids, I never learned how to cook or sew, my husband knows more about gardening. Most people are religious, but I have PTSD from religious people - how am I to respond to the average female interest in couple nights. "How old are your children? Oh really, NONE? It must be awful! I'll pray for you...."

It's amazing I haven't broken teeth in grinding them.

It's worse when the talk turns to recipes, kids' schooling, kids' playground adventures, kids' toys - what the hell is a 'Pretty Pony'? I get lost and bored. I wander over to the men where the talk silences suddenly at my appearance.

I'm only happy with lefties and political junkies.

[Xdyj]

Shanna wrote: "Agnosticism/Gnosticism addresses knowledge what you know or don't, or claim to know or don't. In regards to god everyone is agnostic, because one simply cannot know if there is or is not a god/s.
A..."

Gnosticism was a branch of early Christianity influenced by mysticism & platonism that lasted from the 2nd to the 6th century. Its believers did believe in god & Jesus, although they gave those concepts completely different meanings. Its moral teachings are not exactly progressive by today's standard but it did arguably reject certain more orthodox ideas like church authority, forced conversion & moral policing, & a few modern religions fundamentalists of both Christian & Islamic variety still demonize it.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Xox-

it's awful.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Xox wrote: "aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "Xox-

it's awful."

What William Benjamin Wood experience is common enough. When a person is brought up to believe in religious bullshit by his fucking shi..."

More fun too!

[Xdyj]

I'm a bit surprised that this happened in a United Methodist church. I always thought it's one of the more liberal denominations, & the UMC near my house is fairly consistent in supporting lgbt+ & other civil rights/human rights causes.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

What happens to the children is the most tragic part of of religious belief.

[Shanna]

Thanks Xdyj, I did know that, but my autocorrect kicked in I meant gnostic, small g, noun not proper noun, in it's most basic meaning as the antonym for agnostic. Sometimes people mistake beliefs for knowledge what applying these categories. What I was trying to explain, April's lack of knowledge, in that the burden of proof has not been met, of the existence of a god means she is agnostic ( not knowing if ) about the existence of god, it, in turn informs her atheistic stance on whether or not she believes ( not knows, believes) in the existence of a deity. Conversely one can be a a agnostic theist, believing there is a god but not knowing there is a god

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "I would like to remind people that their fucking shit religion don't have right, only people and animals have rights.

An open dislike of fucking shit religion like Christianity, is not a violation..."

Any new thoughts? Same old words describing the same old predjudices. Please, someone come up with a little originality.

[Will]

I plan on writing my revelations on some platinum tablets. I'll try to make it original, but I'm not off to a great start.

[Glenn]

Will wrote: "I plan on writing my revelations on some platinum tablets. I'll try to make it original, but I'm not off to a great start."

Good idea! Perhaps I can give you a hand. Platinum, wow. That's going to cost a bit. Maybe UV resistant plastic would be more viable. Looking for great start? Want to start with a bang? How about "This is the way the world ends..."

[Kimberly]

Dave wrote: "Wasn't really all about a paycheck? Isn't that why the original plan for a tight concise 4-book story arch ballooned into a dozen plus spin-off franchises like Left behind for Kids? As for everyb..."

All authors want their stories read and that means money. Also, credible authors whether Christian, wiccan or anywhere in between want to get an idea across. I'd like to read your review of an equally fanciful story in whatever "belief system" you have.

[Will]

Excellent hook, Glenn. Love me some TS Elliot!

[Mary]

Glenn wrote: "Will wrote: "I plan on writing my revelations on some platinum tablets. I'll try to make it original, but I'm not off to a great start."

Good idea! Perhaps I can give you a hand. Platinum, wow. Th..."

Just listened to an interview on NPR about the Artic ice caps and the author of the book (Elizabeth Kolbert) The 6th Extinction of Earth. For the most part, I do not care what people believe. But when it begins to impact the rest of us, criticism is necessary. We do have a problem with climate change and the religious right's stance on science and education is dangerous to all of us. They may want to go out in a blaze of Armageddon glory, but I would just as soon my grandchildren have a world to live in.

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Any new thoughts? Same old words describing the same old predjudices. Please, someone come up with a little originality.."

Tell me about it. I would like the religious deluded to com..."

Nope. Nothing original.

Will, I think I'll just talk to you from now on. I'd hate for the world to end just with a whimper.

[Mary]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Any new thoughts? Same old words describing the same old predjudices. Please, someone come up with a little originality.."

Tell me about it. I would like th..."

Unless they are psychotic, "God" did not tell anyone what to do. Evil people made the decision to do evil themselves and used religion as justification.

[Xdyj]

Actually many historians & bible scholars believe that some of the most offensive Pauline verses were most likely not written by Paul himself. It makes no difference to my fundamentalist Christian friends though b/c they believe in not reading anything on the history of Christianity except those approved by the church.

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Any new thoughts? Same old words describing the same old predjudices.

For your amusement, this book would tell you stuff that religious deluded say their fucking piece of shit god told them to do.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...

Any tips on what books to read that give the case for the other side? People believe what they want to believe and mostly only read what confirms their views.

Laura, where are you? I don't want to seem as if I only pick on Xox. Any snide and nasty comments are acceptable.

[Shanna]

I was wondering about Laura myself, I'm a bit miffed at myself for coming in late on that one, she looked like fun

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Any tips on what books to read that give the case for the other side? People believe what they want to believe and mostly only read what confirms their views."

Normal non religious p..."

Gee, what a surprize.

[Davor]

Xox

What happened to you? Why are you so angry? I think the idea of good reads is to comment on the books we read. What we enjoy and what we do not. You are looking for attention and obviously receiving it. If you reply to this email you will most likely drop some F-bombs and tell me i am an idiot. That is OK but I would like to ask you to try and view organized religion differently. Religions like governments, they always have great intentions but the people running them become corrupt and abuse there positions. It is not the fault of anyone religion or government what individuals do. We all have free will. I have read and studied(to a lesser degree) the Bible, the Quran and the Tao teh ching. All have beauty in them, and all try to teach you the same thing. Admittedly they all have parts I disagree with but I have books that I love but hate certain aspects or chapters. I don't have to follow them blindly and you do not have to hate blindly. You harm us all when you harm yourself with such emotions. Try reading the Tao Teh Ching. It is a different path to the same place. It may closer to what you are looking for.

Cheers
Davor

[Glenn]

Davor wrote: "Xox

What happened to you? Why are you so angry? I think the idea of good reads is to comment on the books we read. What we enjoy and what we do not. You are looking for attention and obviously..."

Davor, you sound like a very reasonable person, with many reasoned comments. And that, alas, is why Xox is not going to take your good advice. The reason is reason just isn't reasonable to his belief system, his raison d'etre. But, hey, I like what you said.

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Gee, what a surprize."


Not for me. Normal people act normal. Where is the surprise?"

The surprise is not recognising the irony.

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "The surprise is not recognising the irony."

Then it is your fault that it is executed badly.

Whatever. Who give a fuck?"

Well said, Xox. You're actually very similar to God. You're never wrong.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Christians took the purity and perfection crown, Glenn. They say they aren't ever wrong and they don't need proof only belief.

[Glenn]

aPriL MEOWS often with scratching wrote: "Christians took the purity and perfection crown, Glenn. They say they aren't ever wrong and they don't need proof only belief."

April, you don't think you are never wrong, and neither do good Christians. Knowing one's own weaknesses is what life is all about. We improve ourselves by admitting our mistakes and ALWAYS realising we may be wrong. When your mind closes, that is impossible and you make yourself unhappy.

[Will]

Which is why evidence is required, and unsubstantiated claims can be dismissed until the required proof is met. This is also why science follows the evidence and builds models based on the observable evidence instead of starting with a conclusion and trying to find the evidence that fits that conclusion. Dogma and faith are the enemies of reason.

[Glenn]

Will wrote: "Which is why evidence is required, and unsubstantiated claims can be dismissed until the required proof is met. This is also why science follows the evidence and builds models based on the observab..."

Interesting word dogma."Dogma is a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. It serves as part of the primary basis of an ideology, nationalism or belief system, and it cannot be changed." It pertains to atheism as well as religion. Xox's rhetoric is dogma. The same is true for Laura. While they cannot accept that they may not be right, they are exhibiting faith. That is their right. When they use that faith to bully those that may not agree with them, that is their wrong.

[Will]

They are irrelevant to my comment.

[Glenn]

Will wrote: "They are irrelevant to my comment."

I wasn't disagreeing with you, Will. I was using what you said to bolster my argument that REASON should be used, rather than bluster.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

If Christians used Reason, they would not have to resort to Faith. Reason uses facts.

[Will]

I understand, I'm merely expressing that it is religion that holds the unreasonable sacred. I don't know if the other people here are dogmatic or not, and if those people are not giving you a reasoned argument when you're looking for one, it might be best to look elsewhere and ignore them.

[Davor]

Wow, this is quite the thread. Nothing about the book but very interesting. I actually liked the book. It was almost well written, and the idea of it fascinated me. Just image what would be going through our heads if something like this actually happened. Almost as cool as a zombie apocalypse.
Yes it was preachy and if you read further on in the series the only thing that surprised anyone was how bad the writing become.
And then as Satan shook his fist in the air he said "I would have gotten away with this if it wasn't for that pesky tribulation force" It was like reading a scooby-doo mystery.
Regardless of all this and the overt preachiness of the books, i still found some enjoyment from them. There are a lot of opinions here and they seem to span the spectrum. I am enjoying everyone comments, even the ones from Xox. I find the F-bombs a little much but he is really no different then the people who believe that God inspired the writing of this books. They do not understand that these book are corporate creation, not the will of God.
My father would tell me that there were three sides to any argument. His side, your side and the truth. I think that fits here as well.

thanks
Davor

[Davor]

Xox

It is obvious that you do not believe in organized religion and I can not offer proof that any one religion is real. But there really was a jewish guy who walked around telling everyone that we are all equal. That we should be nice to each other no matter if you are jewish or not. He got crucified. Was he the son of God? Who knows? He said that we all were.
There was also a Merchant that told people that we should follow a system of rules and laws. Was he the last profit? He told us that Allah knows what is in our hearts. What is in yours?
Laozi was real too. He was actually a philosopher so he may have the most credibility here. His writings should us the way.

I am not saying any of these mean were deities but try to understand what there message and intent was. There is beauty and peace in all of us. I can say that honestly and I was named after the Slavic God of War!!

Cheers
Davor

[Will]

Blood sacrifice that removes all responsibility if you accept it seems to be a barbaric and flawed system - to me at least.

(I'm just remarking)

[Glenn]

How to be repetitious:

Just press hilite and then copy and paste, and you'll save a lot of time with messages.

[Glenn]

Funny how I didn't address anyone in particular about the repetition. And yet...

[Glenn]

Xox wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Funny how I didn't address anyone in particular about the repetition. And yet..."

You are the one who like to pick on me. Read your own posts sometimes.

"

I really must commend you, Xox. A very brief, rhetoric free message that conveyed exactly what you meant, no repitition and without a single expletive! Well done.

[Will]

I don't agree with Xox's approach, but I understand the anger. Just think on the Catholic Church's position on condoms in Africa and the amount of suffering that results from that indictment alone and it's easy to start getting pissed off. Add to that the oppression of women under religious authority, the painting of everyone's actions as black or white, the indoctrination of children and the threat of hell, etc., and it's pretty easy for "offensive" words to start boiling to the surface.

I'm not condoning the approach, merely shedding light in a perspective.

[Glenn]

Will wrote: "I don't agree with Xox's approach, but I understand the anger. Just think on the Catholic Church's position on condoms in Africa and the amount of suffering that results from that indictment alone ..."

While I might agree with you with reference to the points you mention, I can also understand that the majority of Christians also don't agree with many of the points. Also there is always a good deal of exageration thrown in to the mix. There are a lot of fundamentalists, not to mentions insincere so-called preachers spreading the bad word. But every religious person is not a closet oppressor of women and children. What I find less than good argument for a particular cause is the tarring and feathering of any and all persons who disagree with one. It offends a lot of innocent people, it spoils one's credibily and makes people with my sense of humour laugh derisively and disbelievingly. Why set out to alienate when you should be courting? Hate is a poor substitute for tolerance. So the perfect state is a government that doesn't allow freedom of worship. Religion is removed. Not the kind of administration I would be looking for. So if you go that route, I'll just have to thank all the deities I can think of that I'm living in South Africa. We have every religion imaginable, freedom of worship, people of every ethnicity, not to mention opinions. I belong to a minority group with a minority language which fortunately, nearly everybody uses to communicate. There is a lot about those many religions that I disagree with, but hey, to each his own. There is a lot about me that is not perfect. I think that I will concentrate on improving myself, instead of pointing fingers at everybody else and blaming them for everything wrong in the world.

[Will]

Not sure anyone here is claiming that religion is everything wrong in the world, or that you shouldn't have the freedom to worship whatever you want (so long as it stays out of government). Religion is a destructive construct regardless of the intention of its followers, as it gives authority to those that claim special knowledge from a deity. No one (as far as I can tell) is claiming it's the single source of all of humanity's problems.

[Robin]

Geezer wrote: "but it was written to scare the pants off of anyone that believes in Revelations.

Every generation has a fear of/desire for the Apocalypse. Somehow its implied that death and destruction will giv..."

Um.. it is only scary if you are a non believer. If you believe there is nothing to fear...read the other books in the series, I challenge you. It brings hope.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Robin - I read the entire series (12 books). Why? Close members of my family are fundamentalists. They are off the deep end whenever something, to them, scary happens, like gay marriage. I'm afraid they'll off themselves to escape 'the tribulation'.

Glenn - 'to each his own'. What a protected enclave you must be lucky to live in! All over the world, plus what I, a woman, occasionally run into these days, is a religion with pretty tough monstrous responses with real punch when you rub up against some 'religious deluded'.

Why can't you 'gee, they never hurt or bother me' types get it? Religion is not benign! Right now in Africa several countries are enduring, yet again, religious warfare which is attempting genocide of the other and both sides (Christian and Muslim) are raping the women and children of both sexes. What other conclusion is there but you apologists for religions are not only stupid, but naive and uneducated? At best, you simply can't understand the danger. At worst, you are either too innocent to be intelligent, or not at all able to process the suffering of others who have been tortured because of some psychological deficiency, or sadistic.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Xox wrote: "Don't want to burst anyone bubble as South Africa has gone a long way. But this is what white Christians used to teach in South African schools.

Mixed messages in black schools"

Wow.