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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:29 PM
Original message
Poll question: How do you describe your basic religious beliefs?
Edited on Mon Mar-29-04 03:47 PM by JohnLocke
Keep flaming to a dull roar, if possible. :)
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eyesroll Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:31 PM
Response to Original message
1. Culturally Jewish, religiously agnostic
Like most of my family...
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VelmaD Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:34 PM
Response to Original message
2. None of the above
I believe in a sentient universe...a greater universal consciousness if you will. I believe we are all a part of that consciousness. That the universe breaks off little parts of itself and sends them out into the world to learn things. When we die we take what we learned back to the that universal consciousness. We are the universe made mainfest trying to figure itself out.
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IrateCitizen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:35 PM
Response to Original message
3. Is there an "other"?
You've given a pretty narrow range of choices here pretty much confined by strict adherence to Western thought only and dependence on definition according only to our worldly experiences.

Myself, I'm a believer in a higher power/consciousness that is not separate from us but rather is a part of all of us at the same time, and we are a part of it. When we die, we are simply absorbed back into this greater consciousness. At another time, some of this consciousness may be used to form another being, of which a small part of what is now our individual consciousness may be used.

Does that fit into your nice-and-neat categories above?
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:37 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
VelmaD Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:41 PM
Response to Reply #4
10. No it isn't the same as deism
Deism includes a belief in God or a Designer. One can believe in a greater universal consciousness without ascribing that consciousness the powers of a god or believing that it created the universe.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. Deleted message
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VelmaD Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:47 PM
Response to Reply #11
18. Fine. I'll make sure not to speak...
unless spoken to next time. :eyes:
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. Deleted message
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Donating Member ( posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:54 PM
Original message
oh please
maybe you just didn't like the point she made.
Would you have told her to butt out if she'd been agreeing with you?

I expect this kind of one-upmanship when discussing politics but
oh that's right politics and religion as the old cliche says
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VelmaD Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:23 PM
Response to Reply #21
29. You know...it's not like you're a newbie or something.
One would think you'd be used to the rough-and-tumble, free-for-all that is the norm for conversation around here.
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Roaming Donating Member (476 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #10
26. How?
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mitchtv Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:25 PM
Response to Reply #10
30. er well I voted Diest
I want ot change that to Panthiest
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truthseeker1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:56 PM
Response to Reply #30
33. Yes, I wanted to vote Pantheist too, but it wasn't one of the options
I think some of the posters above might fit into the Pantheist category as well....

The belief that all is One and that One is God, thus all is God. This God is an all-encompassing, impersonal principle or force. A central doctrine for most eastern religions and New Age groups.
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H2O Man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:45 PM
Response to Reply #3
15. "Other" was the last choice.
I believe in the sum total of the laws of the universe, including the ever-present energy source that our limited senses are only able to access in a limited manner. I believe that there have been a number of enlightened human beings who have had a greater grasp of the higher knowledge: these include Moses, Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and a line of other spiritual leaders that are known to ethnic and religious groups around the globe, and through history. There are others who are not well-known, of course. These people try to teach a pathway to higher understanding. However, most people can only comprehend a segment of their teachings at a middle level. Others, including many of the fundamentalist leaders, are examples of the harm that comes from higher knowledge falling on those at the lower levels. Because of this type of thing, many mid-level people reject the higher message, mistaking it for the lower level foolishness.
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damnraddem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:51 PM
Response to Reply #15
23. Repeal the ...
laws of the universe!
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truthseeker1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:58 PM
Response to Reply #15
34. Interesting post.
Very well stated.
:thumbsup:
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elfwitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:37 PM
Response to Original message
5. Converted to Judaism and damn proud of it!
I spent most of my life spiritually unaffiliated. I believed in the big picture. Judaism helped me pull it all together.
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 07:59 PM
Response to Reply #5
41. Also Jewish.
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LadeJarl Donating Member (197 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:38 PM
Response to Original message
6. Atheist and
I have no clue how anyone can be anything but.

Erik
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Catholic Sensation Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:44 PM
Response to Reply #6
14. and if i were to say the same about anyone who isn't catholic
i'd be considered a bigot
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damnraddem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #6
22. That's not surprising.
If you had a clue, you'd be an agnostic. ;-)

(Sorry, but you gave me such a good straight line.)
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CO Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:40 PM
Response to Original message
7. Gimme That Old-Time Religion - HAIL, ZEUS!!!!
:-)
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:41 PM
Response to Reply #7
9. LOL
:)
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CO Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:44 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. I Saw That On a Bumber Sticker Once
I'd like to get one, and put it next to my "FOCUS ON YOUR OWN DAMN FAMILY" sticker.
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dbt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:40 PM
Response to Original message
8. Where does Pagan fall?
I'm so confused!

:evilgrin:
dbt
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everythingsxen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:44 PM
Response to Original message
13. I believe in...
yes.
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zonmoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:46 PM
Response to Original message
16. Maltheist
basically think god exists but can only be evil.
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felonious thunk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:47 PM
Response to Original message
17. I was born a snake handler and I'll die a snake handler
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damnraddem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:47 PM
Response to Original message
19. Oh, let's see now: uh, maybe agnostic.
Actually, militantly agnostic -- I think.
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geniph Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #19
36. Join the Church of the Militant Agnostic!
We Don't Know and You Don't Either!
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 06:14 PM
Response to Reply #36
37. LOL
:)
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DenverDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:49 PM
Response to Original message
20. Pantheist
Everything in the universe is made of the actual substance of Prime Creator.

I believe that this is the true, original, pre-Roman message of Christ. That our souls, that are our true identity, are acutally a tiny part of the body of God, and our job in materiality is to grow that spark (that I believe actually causes our hearts to beat), through practicing agape love for all things.
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x-g.o.p.er Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:52 PM
Response to Original message
24. Guilt-ridden Missouri-synod Lutheran here!!
:)
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Roaming Donating Member (476 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:17 PM
Response to Reply #24
28. LCMS here too, but why feeling so much guilt? :-)
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x-g.o.p.er Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 05:10 PM
Response to Reply #28
35. It was part of my church upbringing
Did you not get that as part of your catechism? I thought it was part of the curriculum...at least it was in northern MN when I was growing up!! lol
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Roaming Donating Member (476 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 06:43 PM
Response to Reply #35
38. No, :-) thankfully not, but I grew up in a congregation that was
more charismatic, somewhat unusual for LCMS churches.
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 10:33 PM
Response to Reply #38
48. Kick (nt).
Edited on Mon Mar-29-04 10:33 PM by JohnLocke
:kick: :kick:
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mvd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 03:54 PM
Response to Original message
25. Monotheist
But I don't think this leaves out the possibility of re-incarnation. I believe that heaven contains harmony, but not necessarily paradise, so I'd say God is good or neutral.
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5thGenDemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:15 PM
Response to Original message
27. Catholic, with tongue planted firmly in cheek
I guess it's like disagreeing with your parents -- you don't see eye-to-eye on some things, but you're still part of the family.
John
I'm one of those "Easter and Christmas" Catholics, and have been since I was 14 or so. But I DO still consider myself a Catholic.
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TahitiNut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 11:56 PM
Response to Reply #27
51. That's a tough way to take ...
... communion. :silly:
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Commie Pinko Dirtbag Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
31. cat /dev/null (nt)
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blindpig Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
32. depends on the day of the week
weekends I'm a pagan(polytheist); Mondays agnostic; Thursdays tend to be Deist. Blood sugar & endorphines I guess.
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Cuban_Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 06:46 PM
Response to Original message
39. Born, raised and will die a Roman Catholic.
:D
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zauberflote Donating Member (179 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 07:56 PM
Response to Original message
40. I don't get monotheism
I mean, it's not really monotheistic. You've got Lucifer battling God. You've got all those angels - seraphim, cherubim - and I don't know who else. They may not be "The Creator," but they're immortals and that makes 'em gods in my book. They would fit easily into any pantheistic mythology.
And without GWB, I'm sorry, I mean Satan, you don't have the religion.
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mvd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 08:23 PM
Response to Reply #40
42. Well, unless they are equals, I consider them to be..
servants of God. As I said above, God may be neutral. In that case, there wouldn't be a need for Satan IMO.
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zauberflote Donating Member (179 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 10:47 PM
Response to Reply #42
49. No real argument here
But they're still immortal servants, with Satan one very disgruntled employee.
No one messed with Zeus either, except for his wife.
But I grant you the individual Greek gods had more work of their own to do.
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tjwash Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 08:51 PM
Response to Original message
43. Other
Love God, do not like organized religion
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 09:32 PM
Response to Reply #43
46. Where did I say anything about organized religion?
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ButterflyBlood Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 09:19 PM
Response to Original message
44. Monotheist n/t
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Darranar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 09:20 PM
Response to Original message
45. Agnostic with athiestic tendencies. n/t
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Djinn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:40 AM
Response to Reply #45
57. Me too
depending on my mood I'm an atheist or agnostic. When I'm being totally honest I'd say agnostic because I can't be anymore sure "there isn't" than anyone can be sure "there is"..if you get my point.

But something in me keeps pushing me towards "we're an accident of molecules" and there's nothing "out there" so I think I'll probably get more and more like my dad as I age and die a confirmed atheist...plant a tree on top of me and let me be good mulch...coz I doubt I'll be doing much else
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The Lone Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
47. Came to the realization that it was more important


For God to believe in me, than for me to believe in him.
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LastKnight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:22 AM
Response to Reply #47
55. i like that...
thats cool... i never thought of it that way.

-LK
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nemo137 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-29-04 11:13 PM
Response to Original message
50. basically protestant, when i choose to identify
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LWolf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:18 AM
Response to Original message
52. Out of these options,
probably a deist. I don't do labels well; just about the time you think you've got me pegged, a contradiction arises. If I were to choose a label, it would be:

Eclectic
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arewethereyet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:20 AM
Response to Original message
53. Christian, I won't lump that in with anything else
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LastKnight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:21 AM
Response to Original message
54. i donno what the hell to think
as of late ive been questionining my beliefs, flip flopping back and fourth between believing and not... and i donno where i stand, really, its confusing the crap outta me.

-LK
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Triple H Donating Member (714 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:28 AM
Response to Original message
56. I'm a true Christian....
Edited on Tue Mar-30-04 12:29 AM by Triple H
that means I don't do the kinds of shit the RW does, like spit on the poor, judging others, or anything else bad like that.

I believe in God and Jesus, and I believe Jesus died for my sins. I also believe God created the world, but in billions of years time.

I guess you could say I believe in Creationism and Evolutionism together. I believe God kick-started the whole evolution process.

That's what I believe in. I don't want to have to argue and tell you why I believe all that. Just respect my beliefs. :) :hi:
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Djinn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:46 AM
Response to Reply #56
58. I doubt anyone will argue in this thread
it doesn't seem to have that vibe my only point would be that the fundie types think THEY are the TRUE Christians...who's to say they're not right...though (if there is a ) God forbid that were the case
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 11:02 AM
Response to Reply #56
60. Good post.
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Triple H Donating Member (714 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 11:04 AM
Response to Reply #60
61. Why thank you.
:thumbsup: :hi:
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truthspeaker Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 08:38 AM
Response to Original message
59. atheist
Edited on Tue Mar-30-04 08:38 AM by truthspeaker
Just like my avatar.
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Ratty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 12:56 PM
Response to Original message
62. Agnostic but with an open mind
I'm pretty sure I don't believe in god. I believe in a very mechanistic universe. I do not believe in fate or predetermination. I don't believe in life after death. I'm pretty sure we're just biological machines. Intuition and Art are nothing more than subconscious pattern-recognition. Love is hormones and brain chemicals. I firmly believe nothing transcends science. That science can describe everything. I am open to the possibility of some kind of spiritual aspect to the universe though. It's not my thing personally, but I don't disdain most people's quests for "spiritual fulfillment," or whatever you want to call it.
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Westegg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 01:42 PM
Response to Original message
63. "God is a concept...
...By which we measure
Our pain
I'll say it again
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain

I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in Mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in Yoga
I don't believe in kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that's reality

The dream is over
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the Dreamweaver
But now I'm reborn
I was the Walrus
But now I'm John
And so dear friends
You'll just have to carry on
The dream is over "

---John Lennon
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rustydog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 01:47 PM
Response to Original message
64. My religious belief is private. Unlike Bush wearing Jesus on his sleeve
to wipe the blood of the thousands of dead from h is hands.
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JohnLocke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 06:01 PM
Response to Original message
65. Kick (nt).
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ulysses Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-30-04 06:49 PM
Response to Original message
66. agnostic n/t
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