Posted on 02/11/2013 4:31:49 PM PST by ilovesarah2012
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So, the offended hit the abuse button and went to the authorities complaining about something they heard/read - nothing new here.
> “Why would God have mercy to those who deny even His existence and live their entire lives as if there wouold never be a reckoning? Mercy is reserved for those who go to Him and ask for it. Beating the crap out of her would be for my benefit.”<
Applying the Golden Rule again, I wouldn’t punish anyone for not believing in my existence, and certainly not by something as horrific as hellfire. Most of us know what being burnt for a split second feels like. Imagine that pain going on and on. Who really deserves that? Assume that this woman in the news story really is an awful bitch, who takes delight in preventing others from presenting their religious beliefs in public. Still, eternal torment for that? I don’t even think she deserves to be beat up.
I’m not an especially merciful person. I’d like to see Bin Laden and the others who caused those people in the Twin Towers to have to choose between burning and jumping to their deaths to have to suffer themselves (a few seconds anyway of a torment like burning, and a longer time of lesser suffering). Even persons who have committed very evil acts, though — not to mention those who are unbelievers but otherwise treat others fairly well — are not in my opinion deserving of eternal hellfire, or anything close. I certainly don’t love my enemies, as some passages in the New Testament ask Christians to do, but I wouldn’t punish even the most evil of them for very long.
I think persons who assume that unbelievers are going to be tormented forever just aren’t thinking about what that kind of suffering would be like. I don’t see how any finite offense could merit infinite retribution.
> ...many are frustrated and scared seeing all of our countries traditions and preciously held beliefs thrown to the wind.
The freedom of individuals to worship or not worship as they please — with due regard for the rights of others — is one of this country’s most important traditions. I’m frustrated with the growth of government myself, and with the persons who have risen to power.
The way things have been going, I don’t think it’s wise for conservatives to frame arguments in terms of individuals having to comply with the cultural and religious beliefs of the majority. It’s becoming more and more evident that the left controls the establishment in most aspects of American life. It’s in the interest of people on the right to fight for the rights of the individual.
So what is the problem, they don't want to know HIM here, why would you even expect they want to be with HIM for eternity? They get what they choose - I would say that is mercy.
They can't handle Truth here and get offended and Heaven is where All Truth resides.
Besides the disgusting stuff you mention, there is plenty of reason to fear going into combat alongside these freaks; they are mentally ill. We had one as governor here in NJ; what a compulsive whacko.
It always surprises me that adults raised in the USA are unaware that we have a variety of religions and ideas about religion in our nation.
Next, I’m surprised that they don’t realize that some of those religions/denominations/groups are quite large and some are quite small. IOW, some have many adherents and some have very few.
Next, I’m perplexed that they don’t know that the very first right preserved in the very first amendment to our Constitution is religion. Government can’t force your attendance at a government approved religion, and they can’t put parameters on your free exercise of your religion. The next portion of that same first amendment says that the government can’t control your speech.
An adult recognizes that it is an open marketplace on religious ideas, that there will be religious people all around them every day, and they’ll be sometimes talking about their religion (or lack thereof). And, since our government is peopled by our citizens, they too will represent that same diversity and that same penchant to freely speak about what’s important in their own lives, and sometimes that will be about their religion.
An adult, hopefully, learns to appreciate and learn from the diversity of opinion all around them.
Sadly, we have out there those who think they are the only ones around, and that others should just shut up and say nothing, so that their zone of exclusion isn’t violated by thoughts and opinions they don’t like. So, they call on government to do exactly what the constitution forbids: trample on that town square of discussion that tolerates everyone talking all over about whatever is important to them.
Actually, it’s easier if a government doesn’t have to concern itself with being the “thought or speech police”. It’s far easier not to concern itself with chasing down unwelcome speech and to concern itself instead with building bridges, clearing roads, defending a nation.
Some people need to just grow up and recognize there are others around them who are different than themselves, and that some groups are larger than others.
Yes! Exactly. Very well said. Well said indeed!!
atheists and agnostics don’t realize that they are just another group with ideas about religion
that’s why the supreme court considered them a religious group.
religion is their stock in trade.
they just talk about “no god” instead of “God”, but it’s still god-talk.
Well, I see you’re a retired Army chaplain, and suppose you’ve had a good bit of experience in this area. I agree that persons with minority opinions can’t reasonably expect not to offended by some of the things they see in the public environment. I do believe some care should be taken to avoid imposing religious indoctrination from above, though.
The military doesn’t have time for religious indoctrination, either from above or laterally. It’s too busy accomplishing its military objectives.
As with nurses, doctors, lawyers, and counselors, chaplains are there for a specific purpose, those who have religious needs, whether formal or informal. They are resource people and not commanders.
Any time a chaplain is leading a worship setting event, then that chaplain will fully speak as a representative of his/her faith group.
Any time a chaplain is leading a non-religious class, training seminar (suicide prevention or battlefield ethics, for example), or other event, that chaplain will not be in a religious role, but will still be the religious person that he/she is. If some of their God-talk creeps into their methods of expression, then that is simply who they are and an example of diversity in the military.
If someone can’t handle that a Christian says “O Jesus” at some point in a conversation, then they need to check out of existence, because they are surrounded by all types and sizes.
Enjoy the diversity all around you, appreciate it, but be yourself...whoever you might be.
“I do believe some care should be taken to avoid imposing religious indoctrination from above, though”
I can’t help but smile and wince -thinking of what our ahem, esteemed ex prez said about the definition of “is” is. “It all depends on what the definition of indoctrination is” It seems to me that we all may be operating from slightly different definitions of “indoctrination”. It isn’t hard to see how that could complicate a debate. What is one person’s indoctrination could be anothers freedom of religion. Hmmm.
Then you did not understand the nature of God. God is perfect and as such, cannot have imperfection in His presence. Your idea of good enough is a far dry from God’s standard. To put it simply, I would not want to be in a heaven that would have my unsaved self admitted. But there is a solution that is almost too easy to be believed. Just have faith that Jesus was the son of God, he lived a sinless life, and as such is uniquely situated to bear our sins. Once you believe that you will be changed.
Then you do not understand the nature of God. God is perfect and as such, cannot have imperfection in His presence. Your idea of good enough is a far cry from God’s standard. To put it simply, I would not want to be in a heaven that would have my unsaved self admitted. But there is a solution that is almost too easy to be believed. Just have faith that Jesus was the son of God, he lived a sinless life, and as such is uniquely situated to bear our sins. Once you believe that you will be changed.
If SSG Gettmann finds it offensive, she can resign her commission.
Really. Poor baby. Poor namby pamby wuss.
> “To put it simply, I would not want to be in a heaven that would have my unsaved self admitted.”<
Please excuse this digression into something facetious. That reminds of a line attributed to Groucho Marx — “I wouldn’t want to belong to any club that would have a person like me as a member.” :-)
Yes, I stole it from him.
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