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RedStatesMan - you really are clueless and I question if you fully
understand the English langauge.
I clearly stated democratic countries in this blog, the middle eastern theocracies you mention in your last comment are irrelevent. Nor do any of their politicians make claims of respecting the beliefs of others. ....and where did I assume who you are supporting in the political arena? I could not care less.
The part you clearly miss is that you represent everything I describe in this post. Your religious tolerance and respect for the beliefs of others is non existent. I've suggested that you stay away from this blog, the subject matter seems most times, to be beyond you. Instead of discussing any of the topics, you come charging in with your emotional and childish responses loaded with disdain and then accuse me of insulting you. If you cannot construct a coherent argument or engage in dialogue without adding all of the irrelevent drivelling nonsense and false accusations that you seem to do with every comment, I'll be glad to block you. I don't have time for obtuse chuckleheads.
posted by
gomedome
on January 18, 2008 at 8:49 AM
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Re: RedStatesMan - it's only interesting to you
Oh, I always get your point regardless of how you enjoy degrading me about that beloved phrase you use. I see the opposite than yourself about how non-believers treat believers. Just read the blogs on this site. On Blogit, in the Religion section, I read about how the Lord helped a man who suffered from alcoholism, I read about how the Lord has helped people, I read about their Chrisitan beliefs, then I come to your blog with a picture of the devil and all of the degrading words against Chrisitanity and Christians. I am still amazed at how, out of all the bloggers on Blogit, there are two who are constantly being attacked by Chrisitans and in your travels how discussing religion can be risky. I live in North Carolina. I have no idea where you travel where there are bands of Christians running around attacking non-believers. You also degrade our nation, as well. I can assure you that your beliefs would not be very welcomed in a Middle East country. Take this blog to a Middle East nation and see what happens. I notice that your location is Canada, that explains a lot. I would recommend that maybe you should not worry about religion or politics in the USA.
By the way, as you put it, this Bible thumping Christian Republican from North Carolina is not supporting Huckabee nor Romney. So do not assume so much. You said that you travel throughout the USA and when you bring up religion it could be risky; then don't discuss it. That would be like myself going to Harlem and discussing the Civil War. You can not change people's opinions.
posted by
RedStatesMan
on January 18, 2008 at 8:24 AM
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RedStatesMan - it's only interesting to you
Simply because the point one more time has sailed over your head. Vietnam for example may be 2nd on your list of the least religous countries but it has a deplorable track record as far as allowing religious freedoms are concerned. The next time I see a political candidate from Vietnam expousing the respect their citizenry affords to the beliefs of others, I'll write a post about what a hypocrit they are.
The correlation you attempt to illustrate of non religious countries being more tolerant and subsequently respecting the beliefs of others is not a point without some merit however. Despite the fact that you are probably not honest enough to acknowledge the truth, non believers tend to treat believers far better and respect an individual's right to believe, to a degree far greater than the reverse.
posted by
gomedome
on January 17, 2008 at 9:32 PM
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Re: Interesting!
Kinda tough to respect others' beliefs when there are no beliefs to respect.
posted by
RedStatesMan
on January 17, 2008 at 8:32 PM
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Interesting!
The top ten least religious nations in the world:
- Sweden (up to 85% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)
- Vietnam
- Denmark
- Norway
- Japan
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- France
- South Korea
- Estonia (up to 49% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)
Interesting that you named at least 3 out of the top ten. All of these nations are either non-believer, atheist or agnostic countries. No wonder you chose them to name. Have you ever considered moving to Vietnam?
posted by
RedStatesMan
on January 17, 2008 at 8:30 PM
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Re: FineYoungSinger - judging by some of the things I've read on this site it
regarding the site insanity---ROTFLMFAO.
My thoughts on the matter are that Religion becomes a platform behind which the candidates can hide. Gay rights & same sex marriage are State issues, not Federal issues. So why do they push it? Because it makes great TV. A U S president has no more jurisdiction over same sex marriage as they do over your marriage as a Canadian citizen.
As for the rest of the issues: health care, budget deficit, social security, taxation, etc., are all congressional. Read the Constitution. All the president can do is VETO, and with pork slapped on every bill pushed across his desk, his power is limited in all those areas. (Line Item Veto was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998, so it's not an option.)
In reality, the US government no longer functions as it was designed, and hasn't for many, many years. People peddling the belief that we live in the greatest free society in the world might as well buy the Brooklyn Bridge I have for sale on Ebay.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on January 17, 2008 at 1:34 PM
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FineYoungSinger - judging by some of the things I've read on this site it
may also be a case of the writer not having any real thoughts.
As cruel as that may sound, we have read some pretty inane stuff on this site. The last time Noah and the dinosaurs came up for example; I had one guy tell me that God shrunk the dinosaurs into little miniature critters the size of dinky toys so that they would fit on the Ark. Another guy insisted that God viewed murder and talking on your cellphone while driving as equal transgressions, both punishable by eternal suffering. There have been countless other instances of interpretational insanity.
Certainly we are seeing much more of a focus on religion amongst politicians due to the upcoming election but they are not focusing on it by accident. Where it is as you say a political gamepiece and this is true in all democracies, it is far more pronounced as an issue in the US elections than it is in any other countries.
posted by
gomedome
on January 17, 2008 at 12:56 PM
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Xeno-x - it's comical really, I often wonder if these people have any idea
that their religions are simply historically recent offshoots of catholicism?
When they insist that only they are "true Christians" and all the others are not, can they not see that there is really no difference between them? They all got started by someone interpreting the bible a little differently than another group, or breaking away from the catholics because they didn't like something they insisted on.
posted by
gomedome
on January 17, 2008 at 12:40 PM
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Christians are always right and if you aren't, you aren't.
I have read what you have read on Blogit. Let's see, Catholics don't regard any religion but theirs as valid and cannot take communion with any other Christian denomination; Fundamentalist Christians say that the requirement for being Christian is to accept Christ -- this then excludes Catholics and Episcopalians and Lutherans and Mormons -- it has been plainly stated here that Mormons are not Christians; and neither are Amish, etc.
Mike Huckabee I would think very definitely thinks that way.
posted by
Xeno-x
on January 17, 2008 at 12:07 PM
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seed=seen.
damned typos.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on January 17, 2008 at 9:38 AM
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gome---religion is much more a political gamepiece than anything
here in America. Polls, the media, political strategists, and a handful of religious leaders that throw their hats into the political ring put it out there on a much more vocal level than is seed in our daily lives. I wouldn't just buy into what you read. Regarding Blogit---I suspect that most of what you read here is regurgitation of polls, media & political campaigns, and not the writers' real thoughts.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on January 17, 2008 at 9:37 AM
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sam444 - I don't very often pick on Americans but there is a chasm between
the words of the American constitution and practical application.
Overall, the USA is one of the most decent and accomodating societies on this planet but it has developed its own religious brands and with them, a distinct societal ostracism towards all other faiths and beliefs other than Christianity. (They've even written their own bible) This coupled with how Americans view themselves are ultimately the root of the problem. Though it is not unusual in terms of human behaviour. Once a national identity is established and is interwoven with one specific religion, to subtly (and no so subtly) demand conformity is inevitable. One thing that I am certain of pertaining to every last person that has hassled me on this site, is that they have never once set foot off of the North American continent.
posted by
gomedome
on January 17, 2008 at 8:45 AM
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I only respond regarding my faith when asked. I attempt and is my forte to respect everyone's chosen path. I would be presumptuous to do anything else. It is a sad thing for our country but I am in agreement with you. There aren't any boundaries until we add the lines. I like your commentaries very much. sam
posted by
sam444
on January 17, 2008 at 7:32 AM
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