Install or not install...
 

BAR wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
BAR wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

If you weren't a fundamentalist it might be attractive.

I don't understand your response. I am sure it is me, but please
explain.


I don't believe that the Evolutionary Space Monkeys intended their
sacred texts to be literally followed, it is more a guide to enlightenment.

That is one school of thought, but I disagree it is a historical
document that should be literally followed.

Install or not install...
 

"Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is Here wrote in message
. ..

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:07:55 -0800, -rick- wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:

I have no problems with any of the major religions, nor do I have a
problem with someone being an atheist or agnostic, but recently they
seem to be as forceful (or more forceful) in their Anti-God preaching
as a Jehovah's Witnesses selling their version of God after waking you
up at 8 am on a Saturday.
I personally hope I've not offended any one (or too many) by simply
expressing honest opinion, raising questions, or any lame attempts at
humor. If so that wasn't the intent.

You definitely haven't offended me by any of your posts. I was really
thinking of posts by Harry and Doug, whose sole purpose was to denigrate
those who do have religious views.


Coming from a strict religious family I understand that some perceive
expressions of doubt as threatening. None of us know the unknowable
with any certainty and we shouldn't pretend to. We also needn't be
offended by differing opinions. My $.02 anyway.

I am all for open discussions, but if someone has deep seated religious
beliefs, it is counter productive to an open discussion to mock or
ridicule their beliefs. Harry and Doug want to use a logical discussion
to prove them wrong. Most religions are based upon faith, so using logic
is not logical when discussing religion. There have been many studies
that show a strong religious belief to have a positive impact on people's
health, so why would one want to destroy that belief.




Why are they so antisocial? Maybe they do need some God in their life.
Or simple consideration.

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists. I don't
understand anyone goes out of their way to ridicule anyone's belief,
including those I don't believe. Separation of church and state, does not
mean our politicians must not have any faith or mean they can not
acknowledge their religious beliefs.
Attacking someones religious or polital beliefs is a sure fire way to anger
and hurt them. What satisfaction does the attacker gets out of it? Who
knows. Doug is mad at the world and suffers low self esteem due to events in
his life that overwhehmed him. His behavior us understandable. Harry is not
so easy to understand. Until I figure him out, I'll just say he's just plain
rotten. I,m not a doctor but I do play one on wrecked boats.

Install or not install...
 

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
BAR wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
BAR wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

If you weren't a fundamentalist it might be attractive.

I don't understand your response. I am sure it is me, but please
explain.


I don't believe that the Evolutionary Space Monkeys intended their
sacred texts to be literally followed, it is more a guide to
enlightenment.

That is one school of thought, but I disagree it is a historical
document that should be literally followed.

Yes, it is an historical document but, I was written somewhat poetically
and thus can't be followed to the letter. I tried to follow it literally
and wound up on a hill beneath a tree naked and cooing. I started at
mid-night and I had lost my clothes along the way. When the police
picked me up they didn't take me home.

Install or not install...
 

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?


I don't care if they have sex with their monkeys, so long as they don't
try to shovel their religious beliefs onto my secular society. No
ayatollahs need apply.

Install or not install...
 

HK wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?


I don't care if they have sex with their monkeys, so long as they don't
try to shovel their religious beliefs onto my secular society. No
ayatollahs need apply.

"Your" society is our society and it is not secular.

Install or not install...
 

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:41:59 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?

I'll respect their beliefs.
--
John H

Install or not install...
 

BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?


I don't care if they have sex with their monkeys, so long as they
don't try to shovel their religious beliefs onto my secular society.
No ayatollahs need apply.

"Your" society is our society and it is not secular.


Uh-huh. We have no state religion or official religious belief in this
country, at least for the moment. I believe in maintaining the
separation of church and state, the prevention of the adoption of any
state religion or state religious belief, the withdrawal of state
subsidies to K-12 religious schools, and the end of tax exemption for
churches. The state should be neutral on matters of belief, and gives no
state privileges or subsidies to religions.

Install or not install...
 

HK wrote:
BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?


I don't care if they have sex with their monkeys, so long as they
don't try to shovel their religious beliefs onto my secular society.
No ayatollahs need apply.

"Your" society is our society and it is not secular.


Uh-huh. We have no state religion or official religious belief in this
country, at least for the moment. I believe in maintaining the
separation of church and state, the prevention of the adoption of any
state religion or state religious belief, the withdrawal of state
subsidies to K-12 religious schools, and the end of tax exemption for
churches. The state should be neutral on matters of belief, and gives no
state privileges or subsidies to religions.

There is no "separation" between church and state in the Constitution,
there is the first amendment. Are you going to throw out the opening and
closing prayers of the House and Senate? Why are the re military
chaplins? Religion is a critical component of our society.

Install or not install...
 

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:01:40 -0500, "Jim" wrote:


"Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is Here wrote in message
...

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:07:55 -0800, -rick- wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:

I have no problems with any of the major religions, nor do I have a
problem with someone being an atheist or agnostic, but recently they
seem to be as forceful (or more forceful) in their Anti-God preaching
as a Jehovah's Witnesses selling their version of God after waking you
up at 8 am on a Saturday.
I personally hope I've not offended any one (or too many) by simply
expressing honest opinion, raising questions, or any lame attempts at
humor. If so that wasn't the intent.

You definitely haven't offended me by any of your posts. I was really
thinking of posts by Harry and Doug, whose sole purpose was to denigrate
those who do have religious views.


Coming from a strict religious family I understand that some perceive
expressions of doubt as threatening. None of us know the unknowable
with any certainty and we shouldn't pretend to. We also needn't be
offended by differing opinions. My $.02 anyway.

I am all for open discussions, but if someone has deep seated religious
beliefs, it is counter productive to an open discussion to mock or
ridicule their beliefs. Harry and Doug want to use a logical discussion
to prove them wrong. Most religions are based upon faith, so using logic
is not logical when discussing religion. There have been many studies
that show a strong religious belief to have a positive impact on people's
health, so why would one want to destroy that belief.




Why are they so antisocial? Maybe they do need some God in their life.
Or simple consideration.

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists. I don't
understand anyone goes out of their way to ridicule anyone's belief,
including those I don't believe. Separation of church and state, does not
mean our politicians must not have any faith or mean they can not
acknowledge their religious beliefs.
Attacking someones religious or polital beliefs is a sure fire way to anger
and hurt them. What satisfaction does the attacker gets out of it? Who
knows. Doug is mad at the world and suffers low self esteem due to events in
his life that overwhehmed him. His behavior us understandable. Harry is not
so easy to understand. Until I figure him out, I'll just say he's just plain
rotten. I,m not a doctor but I do play one on wrecked boats.

Neither Harry nor Doug have the power to hurt or anger me. They do have the
ability to appear totally farcical, which they do on a regular basis.
--
John H

Install or not install...
 

BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
BAR wrote:
HK wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:57:37 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

I can understand why people are atheist, agnostic and deists.

How do you feel about worshippers of Transcendental Meditative
Catholic Buddhist Fundamentalist Evolutionary Space Monkeys?


I don't care if they have sex with their monkeys, so long as they
don't try to shovel their religious beliefs onto my secular society.
No ayatollahs need apply.

"Your" society is our society and it is not secular.


Uh-huh. We have no state religion or official religious belief in this
country, at least for the moment. I believe in maintaining the
separation of church and state, the prevention of the adoption of any
state religion or state religious belief, the withdrawal of state
subsidies to K-12 religious schools, and the end of tax exemption for
churches. The state should be neutral on matters of belief, and gives
no state privileges or subsidies to religions.

There is no "separation" between church and state in the Constitution,
there is the first amendment. Are you going to throw out the opening and
closing prayers of the House and Senate? Why are the re military
chaplins? Religion is a critical component of our society.



Elegant, ain't it?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


No law. That means no state religion or state religious belief. You are
free to exercise whatever religion you wish, but there is nothing there
saying you can try to shovel it onto me or onto the state.

As for chaplains, I believe their pay and benefits ought to be borne by
religious organizations, not by the taxpayers. But I wouldn't push for
that. That's just my belief.

Yes, I would toss out the opening and closing prayers in Congress.

Your assumption and the assumption of several of the other simpies here
is that I am anti-religion. I am not. I don't give a damn what religion
you practice, so long as you keep it in your church, in your home, and
*out* of my state. I am a disestablishmentarianist.