Posted by Ezekiel 25:17 on May 02, 2002 at 02:10:01:
There has been a lot of interesting debate in the past few weeks I see, and I've come to the conclusion that I do not have the energy to read them all let alone respond to all the threads. This is meant as no disrespect to the authors and I encourage any of them to re-post anything of significance I have missed. However these are my conclusions (see if you're lucky enough to be listed below):
James 5:16
I'm glad you've been answering people in my absence and you've got a heck of a lot of posts which I will respond to in the fullness of time :) However, I will not disrespect you by framing answers I haven't fully thought about.
C. Augusto Valdés:
My friend.
You make a lot of interesting points, many which are relevant. However, I believe you're in step one of your atheist process. There is nothing to be gained in angry denunciations of organised religion. Hating Catholics, even though you believe them to be hypocrites does not achieve anything. You will gain more respect with reasoned arguments that clearly put forth your point of view. Each person has a right to their beliefs, no matter how naive or wrong. As they say, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink".
I've tried your approach of mockery and pointing out the obvious and it doesn't work. It might be fun at first, but ultimately it convinces no one :) Save the mockery for special occasions :) In the end, some people just won't change their minds and your efforts may be all futile, but if you can even convince one person to change their lifestyle for the better than you have already achieved a significant goal. I will respond to your posts in more detail later and I hope you contribute more.
Susan:
:Where in the heck can I get a bible? Do you have to buy one. Do the gidions mind if you steal them from hotel rooms? Why do the mormons wear those smelly suits. Do they really sleep with their sisters? Can we really be saved by Jesus? Are these the end times. I think this website was discussed in revelations and is hear to bring about the end times. This is sad sad sad...
I love your questions :)
The answers are:
1. Just steal one from church.
2. No, but the hotel managers do.
3. They like to suffer.
4. I'll have to research that one.
5. Sure you can, just donate $19.95 and buy your latest "I was saved by Jesus and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" at a religious outlet near you.
6. I'm pretty sure I predicted that it would all end in May, let me re-check that.
Brandy:
Keep trying. I don't think I can help you, but if poetry makes your day, than by all means, continue.
James Karanikolaou:
You scare me. I won't even begin to say just how much I disagree with your views, and your merging of ancient scripture to modern society. You are a racist, religious fanatic and I hope you don't get your hands on any firearms or weapons of mass destruction. I sincerely hope that your ideas aren't prevalent and that your Custom Computer Service does not brainwash anyone else. Have a nice day.
Siona Ibn Lisan Al Gaib:
Its great to hear the views from a segment of society that is not Christian. It is easy to forget just how much of this world's population is Hindu, Muslim, Taoist, Buddhist etc. and not Christian. I understand your anger, as your claims of mass slaughter are true to many respects. However, eventually we all have to hope that we can put the past behind us and move on to a better future. With the tensions in the Middle East and America on the warpath, this appears all the more unlikely in the near future but maybe someday.
Be angry if you are. Swear if you like, I have nothing against coarse language. However, I suspect that you too have a point to put across and it would be a lot more constructive to use more reason and logic.
Ezekiel has spoken.
Now he's going to get some real work done :)