Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hello. Can you help me?
Ida M. Briggs

Posted on 08/13/2004 9:36:00 AM PDT by IdaBriggs

Hello. I am hoping you can help me.

I am trying to "reach out" to your side of the world in an effort to help each side understand the other. I apologize in advance if I offend or upset any of you, because that is NOT my intention. I hope by putting my "real name" on this post, you will view what I am about to say in the sincere way I mean it.

I am somewhat frightened of you.

Again, I apologize if I am offending, but I thought you should know about it. I also know I am not alone in my feelings about you because I have talked with other people who feel the same way. We think you are trying to impose your religion and way of life on the rest of us.

I know most of you are good people. You are kind and generous with your friends, family and neighbors. You help strangers change tires, work as teachers, risk your lives in the service of others -- all things everyone admires, respects and honors. Those of us on "the other side" do the same thing.

But sometimes you talk in painful ways about “evil” as if to associate us with "demons" and "satan" because we don't agree with your path. That is very hurtful, and it makes us feel like you don't really see us as fellow human beings with different understandings of God. I am a gardener by hobby, and not always a very good one. My husband likes to tease me about "killing plants" instead of growing them because sometimes I over water or put too much fertilizer on them, yet every year I keep trying, and gradually, my garden is starting to become beautiful. I love roses in particular, and am reminded every day how wonderful God is because He made so many different kinds – I have three different red roses alone, and each one is perfect! I have seven different colors of Petunias, and use them to explain how God loves people of all colors to my neighbor's children. I guess that is why I believe you, who scare me so, really do have love in your hearts for all of us, even though sometimes it doesn't seem that way.

The worst times are when the topics of Abortion and Gay Sex come up. No one would ever force you to have an Abortion or indulge in Gay Sex in America EVER, yet you persist in making these topics of conversation as if they trump all other considerations. The only way I can reconcile this with a rational viewpoint is if I think you believe you are trying to SAVE those who don't believe the way you do from Hell. This seems to be a very loving action on your part, but feels rude and controlling in a not-positive way to the rest of us. Many of us do not believe these things will result in eternal damnation, but are simply part of God’s plan for each individual.

If you are truly horrified by the thought of these things, I don’t know what to say to make it easier for you to understand, but I will still try. I guess it would be like making everyone not wear jewelry or make up because some churches believe adornment is demonstrating vanity; it may end up being something we are all judged by, but it may also simply be a misreading or misinterpretation of the text. I am not saying your adherence to the tenets of your faith is wrong; I am saying other people have a right to love God in their own ways, and our civil laws should not be about defining “sin” but crime.

I say again, I am not meaning to offend. I have a very strong faith in God, and trust him to do the right thing. I don't like hearing people say that God is judging all of America based on who is President; both men have qualities worthy of admiration at some level, and both are interviewing for the job of enforcing our constitution. It demands we keep church and state as separate institutions so that we don't have wars in this country over religion (like they do in Ireland with Catholics and Protestants or in Iraq with Sunni's and Shiites). It demands I respect your right NOT to have an abortion if you don't want one, and NOT to indulge in gay sex if you don't want to, and to follow the teachings of your faith in the way you best understand them. It demands we all work "for the common defense, promote the general welfare and ensure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity" and on behalf of that, I am reaching out to you to find out how we can frame the debates on these things without heaping scorn and shame upon each other. No matter what the results of the November 2, 2004, election, I personally want all Americans to be proud of our country, and the way we run it.

I know I am already.

In Humble Sincerity, Ida M. Briggs


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education; Religion
KEYWORDS: imaconfusedtroll; imagone; imahogg
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 241-254 next last
To: backinthefold

I can't make myself visit DU without barf clogging up my keyboard...was I specifically mentioned, or was Ida just giggling like a schoolgirl: "You'll never guess what I just did!"


141 posted on 08/13/2004 1:44:13 PM PDT by grellis (A! Elbereth Gilthoniel!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 131 | View Replies]

To: grellis

was the thread reinstated? I went threw the news listing, than crused over to duh, and found this.. thats why I posted the link.

It opened right up for me... was it closed?


142 posted on 08/13/2004 1:44:34 PM PDT by backinthefold (yesterday was not a very gay day, now was it??)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 135 | View Replies]

To: ferrit
"I asked my doctor and he told me that there is something called an intact dilation and extraction that is used when a baby has died but that is all that he knew of."

Time for you to get a new doctor. The one you have is a liar or doesn't know his own field. Do a google search on intact dilation and extraction. Here are reasons it is done....

The fetus is dead
The fetus is so malformed that it can never gain consciousness and will die shortly after birth.
The fetus is alive, but continued pregnancy would place the woman's life in severe danger.
The fetus is alive, but continued pregnancy would grievously damage the woman's health and/or disable her.
The fetus is alive, but the woman wishes to end her pregnancy for non-medical/psychological reasons.

You need to broaden yourself a little. The truth will set you free.

143 posted on 08/13/2004 1:49:00 PM PDT by Rokke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies]

To: ferrit
There is no such thing as a partial birth abortion.

Then why did we have to have a petition drive to get it banned here in Michigan?

Just so you know, a PBA is when a woman is dilated; the baby's legs are grasped by tongs, pulling the baby down the birth canal; then surgical instruments puncture the base of the baby's neck, the brain is extracted, and the skull is crushed, making delivery of the now dead baby so much easier.

144 posted on 08/13/2004 1:49:13 PM PDT by grellis (A! Elbereth Gilthoniel!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies]

To: backinthefold

beezdotcom pinged me back at #122; when I tried to read the ping I got a message saying the thread had been pulled.


145 posted on 08/13/2004 1:52:21 PM PDT by grellis (A! Elbereth Gilthoniel!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 142 | View Replies]

To: grellis

this is my favorite comment...

They Don't Read or Write Very well over there
so don't expect many of them to get past your first sentence. They can spell most curse words and insults real well, though, so you'll get a freeper edumication on how to demonize someone in two syllables or less.

And posting your real name? These freaks are violent, unstable people who "Kill for jayzuss." If you live through the week without a death threat I'll be amazed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
we curse over here???? wow, didnt know I could do that...
No, you arent mentioned...


146 posted on 08/13/2004 1:52:23 PM PDT by backinthefold (yesterday was not a very gay day, now was it??)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

What have I done in order for you to be so rude? Or do you make it a practice to try to intimidate new posters? And if so, what exactly do you get out of it?


147 posted on 08/13/2004 1:53:23 PM PDT by Mister Blond
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: ferrit
That is the procedure called intact dilation and extration and is used when a late term pregnancy has died in womb.

ONLY when a late term pregnancy has died in womb?

148 posted on 08/13/2004 1:58:06 PM PDT by new cruelty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: biblewonk
You have a females understanding of God and Politics.

Some people around here would take offense at that.

149 posted on 08/13/2004 1:58:27 PM PDT by newgeezer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Mister Blond

everyone gets a bit ruffed up when they are new here, sort of an initiation process... dont sweat it... you got on to a flaming thread, and tempers are bound to be high...

welcome to FR by the way :)


150 posted on 08/13/2004 1:58:57 PM PDT by backinthefold (yesterday was not a very gay day, now was it??)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: newgeezer

Well, did you check out what she said?


151 posted on 08/13/2004 2:00:31 PM PDT by biblewonk (And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: JerseyHighlander; MeekOneGOP; grellis; SandyInSeattle

so.. you are "ToadOracle" over on duh?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, guys over at FR, don't ban me please, I have 5 years worth of postings over there, including many original writings I haven't archived to a blog yet.

First, I'm a small l libertarian, have volunteered for various big L candidates.

FR nick: $#JerseyHighlander#$


152 posted on 08/13/2004 2:05:42 PM PDT by backinthefold (yesterday was not a very gay day, now was it??)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: backinthefold

Hey thanks!

I've just never liked bullies. And this troll stuff is akin to asking someone if they're still beating their wife.


153 posted on 08/13/2004 2:07:28 PM PDT by Mister Blond
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]

To: backinthefold
Yes I am. Signed up today, just to finish a private convo with this Briggs lady while the thread was pulled. Enough people know me here, I see no need to defend my posting record. It speaks for itself.
154 posted on 08/13/2004 2:10:22 PM PDT by JerseyHighlander
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 152 | View Replies]

To: Mister Blond
What have I done in order for you to be so rude? Or do you make it a practice to try to intimidate new posters?

Rude? Make it a practice? Intimidate? Strong words.

Act III, Scene II, of Hamlet. "QUEEN. The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

And if so, what exactly do you get out of it?

A shiny new nickel.

155 posted on 08/13/2004 2:10:53 PM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: ferrit
"Roe Vs Wade was pretty clear that post viablity abortions are no nos and it is too dangerous anyway to have a third trimester abortion unless the baby has already died."

Not exactly.

Roe v. Wade never really said that "post viability abortions are 'no-nos'".

What Roe v. Wade did was establish a sort of "time table" for states to regulate abortion.

Roe v. Wade said, in essence, that the states could not regulate or prohibit abortion during the first three months of pregnancy.

During the final three months of pregnancy, Roe v. Wade said that states could regulate or even prohibit abortions altogether -- as long as their were provisions in state law which allowed for abortions "in order to protect the health and life of the mother."

A companion decision to Roe v. Wade (I think it is Doe v. Dalton) defined "healtn and life of the mother" in such a way as to include the mnetal health of the mother. That decision essential gave abortionists catre blanche to determine that a late-term abortion could be done in order to protect the health and life of the mother.

Dr. George Hiller in Wichita and a doctor in Omaha use that provision extensively in order to kill unborn babies.

156 posted on 08/13/2004 2:18:50 PM PDT by chs68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 132 | View Replies]

To: JerseyHighlander

I think youve been banned over there.

157 posted on 08/13/2004 2:19:19 PM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 98 | View Replies]

To: backinthefold; Mister Blond
sort of an initiation process

What she said. The initiation process.

The flames, the secret handshake, the dead horse in the Deans office, etc.

158 posted on 08/13/2004 2:22:18 PM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]

Comment #159 Removed by Moderator

To: lowbridge
Hey, over on DU, if you disagree with noiretblu or sangh0 (or, sangha, her other posting name), you get banned.

Skinner and the kids have a very low tolerance for other opinions - and they play favorites.

160 posted on 08/13/2004 2:25:43 PM PDT by chs68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 157 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 241-254 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson