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gome
What can I say? I have time only for three words: excellent, as usual...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 22, 2007 at 6:35 PM
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ladychardonnay and afzal50 - thank you and thanx for stopping in
posted by
gomedome
on November 21, 2007 at 11:35 AM
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FineYoungSinger - inevitably, any association will succumb to the formation
of divisional barriers within it.
The only reasons that the other major religions do not have as many divisions within them as does Christianity, are because Christianity is older and has the vast majority of it's constituency within free societies. Those religions which exist in closed or restricted societies still manage to somehow create divisions within them but the numbers of divisions aren't as high because they usually simply shoot their protestants or reformists. . . . . back to the point:
There is always enough naievete and myopic vision to go around when someone comes up with an idea for a so called world changing association. Human behaviour however will manifest its constants in that it is only a matter of time before the association takes on the traits of all others.
posted by
gomedome
on November 21, 2007 at 10:53 AM
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wow, Talion took my thought regarding "The Scarlet Letter".
You instantly make me think of the tragedy of christianity in its divisions---are you a Christian? If so, which kind, are you Catholic or Protestant? Catholic, are you conservative or liberal? how conservative? how liberal? Opus Dei? Some other Pope besides Benedict (o yes, there are several today)? Protestant, which of the 448784588675845678765487 denominations do you belong? And which incarnation of that denomination? Which Bible do you read? Because all these things are soooooooooo much more important in the grand scheme of life than how we treat one another. ISN'T IT????? (ok done venting)
"Organization" just breeds division. Let your life as you live it be the sign of what you believe, not some club masthead.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 21, 2007 at 6:51 AM
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once again - good writing
posted by
ladychardonnay
on November 21, 2007 at 6:17 AM
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Interesting !
posted by
afzal50
on November 20, 2007 at 11:20 PM
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Talion - that's too funny, I didn't see it at first but of course it is
"Thee" Scarlet Letter, the red A brand for adultery from the book of the same name.
Stupid friggin atheists . . geez, this unification of all people that don't believe in God is a little trickier than it appears. . . . it's hilarious really. A green letter A would have been so much better. That faux pas aside, the only possible reason that I can use as a basis of justification for making my own beliefs be known is that; there is no counterbalance in the development of prevaling social norms to a believing majority. I also have children, if I am able to influence the possibility of them avoiding some of the things I have endured in my life, I will make an effort to utilize that influence.
posted by
gomedome
on November 20, 2007 at 9:54 PM
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gomedome
Socio-economic standing is an important consideration, but also the size of the area where one lives. It's almost impossible to ostracize someone in a large, metropolitan city. Move a few miles away and you're once again a stranger. However, in a small town, ostracizing someone can be much easier.
I'm by no means ashamed of my religious beliefs (or lack thereof), but I don't believe it's often appropriate to brandish them either. My agnosticism is a personal matter, second only to my sex life. It occasionally ticks me off when people volunteer their relationships with their god. Why should I do the same? That would make me just like "them." Thanks, but no thanks.
If that's the symbol, I want no part of it. As an English major, that big red A invokes memories of The Scarlet Letter. Again, thanks, but no thanks.
posted by
Talion
on November 20, 2007 at 9:27 PM
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