Jerry Falwell - R.I.P.

[kj]

>>kj this sort of dialog can go on forever unless you define the baseline. I think Mr. Carlin did it well with this:

I don't see how that defines a baseline, nor how it shortens dialog, but that's fine.

>>This is not to deny that spirituality and transcendence exist, just that they shouldn't be operated as profit centers because that's what organized religion always devolves to.

Not in every case. But if you're saying people always come up short of perfection, sure.

>>Every successful organized religion in history has amassed wealth and temporal power along the way. That's no accident.

It's human nature (greed). kj.

[Seacrest]

Godwinned.
http://nom-de-grr.livejournal.com/51142.html

[Silencio]

[quote kj]However, the real issue to me is whether it is o.k. to treat people poorly because they've treated people poorly. I don't think poor behavior justifies poor behavior in return, but I guess for some people it seems "fair". When does it end though? He treats someone poorly, so now we can treat him poorly. Someone else sees both of us treating each other poorly, so now it's ok for them to treat all of us poorly. I guess we're all justified in stomping one another, which is just great. What a nice vision of how things could be. kj.
Revenge begets revenge begets even more revenge; and on and on it goes.

Jesus [H]himself had something to say about the issue: something about turning the other cheek. Humanity is going to be mired in an endless cycle of strife and violence and fear until we all finally learn that lesson. Forgiveness is more powerful than anger.

[Kiva]

[quote RgrF]kj this sort of dialog can go on forever unless you define the baseline. I think Mr. Carlin did it well with this:

Religion has convinced people that there’s an invisible man…living in the sky, who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn’t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer and burn and scream until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you and he needs money.

Either you acept that invisible man or you question the whole precept. I question the whole precept.
.
If that is all you know of spirituality, of course you would have that view. The Anthropomorphism of god drives me nuts. It saddens me that it is the most popular view and that people make $ off of others' needs to have the daddy they never had.

Spirituality is so much more than that...too bad..

kiva

[yoregano]

[quote vision63]What sort of "friendly political ranting" would you like to see? Instead of just lamenting the state of a thread, share your wisdom regarding a more preferable discussable discourse. I agree, calling people names is beyond the pale. But people get to have a perspective, don't they?
I find very little of the content of this thread, and several more like this one, to be "friendly." I learned a long time ago that trying to get very far in terms of real debate, discussion, and insight is a frustrating pursuit. So I just don't expect it nor try very hard. I full well realize that I will almost always have a minority opinion on this board when it comes to social, political, and religious subjects, and I'm just not interested in arguing with deaf ears nor getting abused in the process. It's just not worth it. Now, I do get a bit adventurous at times and poke in from time to time. I guess this was one of those times.

[$tevie]

[quote kj]When does it end though? He treats someone poorly, so now we can treat him poorly.
He's dead. I don't think anyone can "treat him poorly" at this point. Unless you believe the dead come back and read internet forums.

[RgrF]

[quote $tevie][quote kj]When does it end though? He treats someone poorly, so now we can treat him poorly.
He's dead. I don't think anyone can "treat him poorly" at this point. Unless you believe the dead come back and read internet forums.
kj may have been alluding to the coarsening of discourse and general disrespect we see with regard to the late unlamented Mr. Falwell. On the other hand maybe Jerry's just reaping what he sowed.

[kj]

>>He's dead. I don't think anyone can "treat him poorly" at this point. Unless you believe the dead come back and read internet forums.

We're talking about him because he's dead, but I'm pretty sure the hate did not begin exactly when he died. And since I was talking about the idea that hatred (even of a dead person) spills over into the rest of our lives... you'd just rather be a smart alack, huh? Well, never mind then. kj.

[RgrF]

[quote kj]>>He's dead. I don't think anyone can "treat him poorly" at this point. Unless you believe the dead come back and read internet forums.

We're talking about him because he's dead, but I'm pretty sure the hate did not begin exactly when he died. And since I was talking about the idea that hatred (even of a dead person) spills over into the rest of our lives... you'd just rather be a smart alack, huh? Well, never mind then. kj.
In this case a smart alexandra. Uppity women, next thing you know they'll imagine one could be president.

[JoeH]

I never hated Jerry Falwell, disliked him extremely, but not hated. So he's dead. No dance for joy, but I certainly don't miss him.