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ShadowRider -- that ultimately is the point I was trying to make
In it all I do not doubt the sincerity of Graham, especialy when compared to other celebrity preachers but do shake my head at the amount of credence afforded them by most people.
posted by
gomedome
on June 19, 2005 at 2:54 PM
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Comment Celebrity preachers
I have to agree with you in the aspect that just because The Rev. Billy Grahmn knows so many important people and is so famous he seems above reproach. I believe that the same application can be made towards people like Pat Robertson who seem to equate being a Christian with money and knowing certain people. I must say that I do know so called Christians who seem impressed with this beyond reason but to me that is not true belief because the real message has been lost in the image of celebrity and money.
posted by
ShadowRider
on June 19, 2005 at 1:53 PM
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avant-garde - that's a valid point
I try not to be opposition for opposition's sake but sometimes it can be a fine line.
posted by
gomedome
on June 18, 2005 at 10:45 AM
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i agree
with much of your post, but i don't think that attacking someone who believes differently helps them to understand, even if it be blatantly obvious. in this manner, i think those who strongly oppose Christians give them the resistance they need, and represent the people who are deemed 'evil' in the world.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 18, 2005 at 10:02 AM
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I guess that I will be happy to settle for "That's almost an answer" since I have a few other things that I want to do this beautiful Friday evening.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 8:01 PM
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Tapsel-T -- neat animated gif
I'm gonna have to make one simular to it when I have time.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:57 PM
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calebs_blogger - that's certainly the right attitude
there is much to learn from differing perspectives. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:56 PM
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Okay Tapsel-T -- that's almost an answer
Yes I must conceed that when I refer to someone as crazy I am in fact consciously insulting them but crazy ol Billy is not a member of this site. I was more insulting the public persona he has developed and to this day proliferates. It is likely that the majority of people do not share my opinion on his being nuts which was the subtle point of this posting. He has been elevated to an untouchable status.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:53 PM
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view thru a different lens
I'll consider it good encouragement if I can make even a few valid points to an articulate blogger like yourself who sees the world thru a decidedly different lens than I do. I think exploring and discussing our beliefs with someone who thinks the opposite can be a useful thing...even if we just wind up "agreeing to disagree." I think that kind of spiritual exercize makes me stronger. Perhaps you can agree with that.
Totally unrelated... I made a trip by car from Toronto to Montreal while on business in Canada in March and enjoyed it very much. I wish I could have stayed longer. I hope to go back some time.
posted by
calebs_blogger
on June 17, 2005 at 7:49 PM
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posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 7:47 PM
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Gome, I don't like to make assumptions because when I do I am often wrong so I will ask you plane out. When you said the same thing about Billy Graham was it meant to be an insult to/about him? I guess that if you meant it as an insult for him than you would naturally take it that I was insulting you. Actually, I was not even thinking of it in an insulting way. You are an intelligent man that writes well and your newer posts are very interesting. But, it is hard to think of gomedome in anyway except for the carnival like aura of your title of your blog in the religious category. http://nurple.com/sideshow/
posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 7:38 PM
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Actually Tapsel-T -- that wasn't what I was asking -I know this posting
is a vehicle to attract attention or sideshow or whatever you want to call it. Re-read your first comment and tell me honestly if your intent was not to insult or if it at least has an implied insult within it. That is what I am asking you. Why do you feel you have the right to insult someone if you disagree with their posting?
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:26 PM
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I guess, Gome, that you were asking me why I think of your blog as a carnival side show? If that is what you were asking, I will try to answer in a grown-up way.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 7:20 PM
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Tapsel-T - that's a little better
I'm finishing off my first childhood.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:18 PM
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Gome, I have all of the qualifications to demonstrate childishness since I am well into my second childhood.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 7:16 PM
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Tapsel-T -- that's the stunned type of response I expected
I asked you why you felt you had the right to say such a thing not if you could demonstrate childishness for me.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:13 PM
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Sorry, gome if I intruded. I thought that membership in Blogit gave us the right to read posts and to make comments on them. I do read your posts often, seldom comment and very often disagree with your comments but just let it go. I will try from now on to keep my eyes turned the oposite direction whenever I see your moniker.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 7:11 PM
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calebs_blogger - I don't know where to start with your comment
You start with a ludicrous subject title then you drop a note from God and then you seem to drift in and out of lucidity. But you do make a few valid points.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:10 PM
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Tapsel-T -- you may indeed have a valid point buried beneath your cute
little remark. What are you doing cruising the side shows? Desperate for entertainment are we? Or is it like a car wreck that you can't divert your eyes from? Either way, why do you feel you have the right to say such a thing?
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 7:08 PM
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Amen for JanesOpinion
Jesus did say "No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) so Graham is on firm scriptural ground. No doubt this is an uncomfortable assertion for many. It basically says we can't pick and choose from multiple religions the aspects we like the most. (I think most religions have some aspect of exclusivity.) As C. S. Lewis says in Meere Christianity, it is not enough to say that Jesus was a great moral teacher. He claimed to be God on earth and that the only way to heaven was through Him. We should accept Jesus as the Son of God He says He was or write Him off as a lunatic.
But... He does give us a choice. God did not create us robots who do His bidding. He values our worship and praise most when we do it as a deliberate choice. But.. when you get down to it we are here on this earth for God's purposes and not our own.
posted by
calebs_blogger
on June 17, 2005 at 6:58 PM
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Gomedome, you are wrong. You said, "So by now you are thinking what an unfair thing to say about the venerable Rev. Graham?" That is not what I was thinking at all. What I was thinking right at that time was, Gomedome..."has been practicing his carnival side show for so long that he doesn't seem able to speak in any other fashion."
posted by
TAPS.
on June 17, 2005 at 6:51 PM
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that would be the goof of the century, wouldn't it?
posted by
calmcantey75
on June 17, 2005 at 6:49 PM
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cantey_1975 -- that's right - he could be a she-male
his voice seemed too low though.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 6:46 PM
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gome
I dont know, in this day and age you cant always assume every male possess male genatalia.
posted by
calmcantey75
on June 17, 2005 at 6:37 PM
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JanesOpinion -- Your comment probably makes sense to you
You assume to know the man's mind in suggesting he would give his life for his beliefs then assume that I do not have the same strength of conviction without having any idea if it is true or not. This must be based on a judgement of some sort which you state in your next paragraph that you have no right to make. Could your assessment be based entirely on elevating the worthiness of Christian beliefs above all others? You're so brainwashed that you spew prejudice without even trying.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 6:32 PM
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I believe that . . .
Billy Graham would stand up for his beliefs even if it meant death, would give his life (if needed) to save his neighbor. Could you say the same for yourself?
It's not my place to judge you or anyone, but of one thing I am certain is the genuineness of his beliefs. In a society where anything goes, and religion is vicarious, whatever you want it to be and changing from day to day . . . his strong stand is refreshing.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on June 17, 2005 at 5:17 PM
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Yes cantey_1975 - he is a male and we can assume he has male genitalia
But I fail to see what living a life of a wealthy celebrity by maintaining a facade has to do with him having the combination of cockiness and courage we associate with the vernacular of having "balls".
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 12:57 PM
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Metta -- when you think about it this little nuance of our make up
transcends into all arenas. The problem with it lies in that the effort and energy that one should put into proving their theories or contentions is quite often put into convincing others instead.
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 12:48 PM
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Gome
you have to give the guy one thing: he has balls.
posted by
calmcantey75
on June 17, 2005 at 12:47 PM
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David1Spirit -- one part I found particularly humorous was when
ol crazy Bill charged right into "the only path to salvation is through Juses Christ" routine. The very Jewish Larry King simply replied "You believe that do you?"
posted by
gomedome
on June 17, 2005 at 12:45 PM
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A nuance of human nature has always been that the more people you can get to agree with you the "truer" the story becomes.
We have been seeing this phenomenon way too often in American lately... I'm thinking more of political leaders... which many theologians are trying to take that place...
posted by
Metta
on June 17, 2005 at 11:13 AM
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I will concur with your observations
If man is ever to achieve awareness (peace, love,etc) he will have to stop listening to people like Billy Graham, and other "crusaders"!
posted by
David1Spirit
on June 17, 2005 at 9:45 AM
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