Since we can all agree.....

[Splinter Cell]

It's not right to unfairly attack and classify entire segments of our society with stereotypes, why doesn't this apply to Christians and other religious folks?

To spite the popular opinion around here, not all followers of religion are close-minded or hateful bigots.

By attacking these people in mass, isn't that doing the same thing that some have done to the GLBT community?

You can't judge entire groups of people, you have to take them one on one, or you risk doing exactly what you're fighting against to begin with. Insulting them all because you have a problem with a few is no more justified then the unfairness you experience from that few.

If you sink to the level of those you are offended by, you're no better then them. We all need to remember this.

[mondo joe]

1. Link please

[Splinter Cell]

2. Link to what?

Read the entire forum, it happens on here everyday.

[mondo joe]

3. To what you're describing.

Link please.

[Clio the Leo]

4. Thanks for saying.....

... what I've been too chicken to. :)

[BeFree]

5. Fundies

Should be attacked, imo. As a group, fundies have a mindset that is oppressive and bigoted at their core. They are very intolerant of democratic actions, imo. They have great power in America.

Definition: Fundies are those religious people who base their religion on just a few parts of the Bible or Koran, picking and choosing only those parts that enforce their bigotry and exclude those parts that preach against their intolerance.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Fundamentalist who actually claim to believe their nonsense

are dangerous close-minded hateful bigots. I can only judge them by their words and their deeds. Their words and their deeds condemn them.

Of course I believe in redemption and salvation in this world, so just because a person is a dangerous theocratic fascist today doesn't mean that they cannot come to their senses and rejoin enlightened human society.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. You should share with us

The teachings of Christ regarding how his followers should react to 'persecution'. I know he said to rejoice in that. I never see any rejoicing. Any ideas as to why that is?
Here is my favorite Jesus quote for this week's controversy. If his so called followers followed it, we'd have had a week of peace. So I offer up this quote and the startling concept that if Christians listend to Christ, all problems would vanish:

Jesus: " Do not pray in public, like the hypocrites do."

How's that one for you? I did not say it. Jesus did. Now go 'honor' him with a public prayer that insults millions....but try to taste the irony.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. So I guess you think Jesus was full of it

about rejoicing, not divorcing, praying in public? No response to direct Bible questions may be a part of why you don't get respect. One gets what one gives. Ingorning what is asked of you is rude, and being rude will not bring you a flood of respect. That is also Bible stuff...cast your bread, you reap what you sew...
funny to me all the religious people who refuse or are unable to discuss the actual Scriptures.

Jesus: "Do not pray in public as the hypocrites do."
Rick: " I will pray in front of millions."

You tell us how that works.

[RichGirl]

9. Our enemies are our mirrors.

Never before has it been more clear that we are flip sides of the same coin. We are intolerant of those we accuse of being intolerant. We complain about being excluded from a church because of our views by excluding others because of their views.

The Bush era: republicans were patriots, they owned the flag, they were the REAL American. Now, the left wants to own the president, the inauguration. If you don't agree with us, you aren't a real American and cannot have a voice at the Inauguration.

The definition of the word Apocalypse means "uncover". Much is being uncovered and it's not all on the right!!!

The only change that can make a difference is the one that Obama stated...to focus on common ground instead of differences. Who would have thought that it would be the democrats who totally don't understand that and are digging in their heels in resistence!

[Bluenorthwest]

12. I agree

it is terrible that gay Americans are being given no voice while those that hate us are given places of honor. There is no gay voice at your inaugural. Because we don't agree with Obama and Warren. So we are excluded, and those who slander us are raised up. And that is wrong, certainly.

[Warren Stupidity]

13. Opposition to intolerance is not intolerance.

That is just total crap. It is a banal excuse for not standing up when bigots try to get their way.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[liberal N proud]

11. All religions

There is one religion that if mentioned here or any where with any criticism will get you struck down quicker than all others.

[11 Bravo]

14. Shit, we can't all agree that it's Tuesday.

[rug]

17. It's Wednesday in Singapore.

[LWolf]

15. That's a point.

I think the reason that it's a weaker point is because the christian faith itself, embodied in the organized sects that dictate dogma, is saturated with judgment. While there is a scripture that says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," the entire faith of the major organized branches revolves around judging sin, judging non-believers, and judging other faiths. The "we are the only way to god" part offends the rest of the world.

If organized christianity stopped judging all those outside their congregations, then they'd probably not be judged so harshly, themselves. A perfect, living example of the scripture.

I am aware that there are more open, ecumenical branches of christianity. They tend not to be the major power players, though. That, in itself, suggests that they are more authentic, since I don't think Christ's message was one of political power.

I'm aware that there are many faithful who do a better job embodying the spirit of the Christ that they follow than their pastors, priests, and church hierarchy does.

I think when you hear people attacking "christians," they are attacking the least-christ-like of those who identify themselves that way; those who seek political power, those who judge others, those who seek to narrow the way.

[salin]

16. Er... judging vs denying human and civil rights

are completely different things. We can revisit this discussion when Christians civil and human rights are denied to them simply for being Christian.

I am a liberal Christian (UCC) and take no offense at broad statements about Christians. The religious right has organized over the past twenty years and have used as wedge issues to whip up their supporters and get them to vote for religious right candidates - issues that at their heart intend to deprive others of their rights.