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Wow, lol. Um, where to start.

First off... someone mentioned not being able to pray or mention Christ in public school. Well... you are wrong. I went to a public school, and have friends that went to others. There were prayer sessions and Bible studies organized among teachers and students. We talked about religion. People prayed in school.

What is not allowed is teaching a religion in a way that is intended to convert people, etc. We talked about Christianity and many aspects of it in numerous classes, mostly history classes.

Anyway, my point is, student have as much right to talk to each other about homosexuality and date people of like sex as others have of talking to each other about a religion, and practicing that religion. Nobody in a public school teaches a class that tries to make people in lesbians. And if they do, that should be stopped imo.

Ok, what else can I mention. Hate crimes. I am, in general, against hate crime laws. I don't like anything that punishes someone merely for what they are supposedly thinking when they do something. This having been said, if you do something worthy of a hate crime, I really don't care if you get extra punishment. You probably deserve it. I say, raise all the punishments to match hate crime punishments, then we can all be happy. ;)

About the actual article, I have no problem with that. It is the kids' yearbook, let them vote how they want. Also, I don't know what kind of highschools you went to, but my highschool actually voted for the person they felt was most likely to succeed, and who they thought was the cutest couple, most of us didn't use it as a tool to make fun of someone else.

That is enough from me for now. Have a good day all. :)

Were those pictures staged?

I'm not trying to jump into this discussion between you two and take sides, but I just wanted to point out that he never said humans shouldn't eat animals... all he is saying is that IF you are concerned over an innocent cat getting hurt, tortured, etc.,... you should also be concerned with the many cows, pigs, etc. that are being abused in some way in meat factories across the country.

I have no idea on just how rampant this may be... but I just wanted to clarify what I think his statement was.

Many thanks for those that responded to me. Usually when I post some questions opposing the current the views trying to learn more, I merely get harrassed and called names. I want to really thank you guys for doing your best to give me thoughtful, polite answers, it was very refreshing.

Sometimes I have overly strong reactions to some of this because I had some homosexual/bisexual friends and aquaintances over the past 5 or so years. I got to know them very well, and when I ask questions, I tend to ask questions with them being the basis. For instance, none of my old friends (who I've lost touch with) would have condoned pedophilia or bestiality, they merely (for whatever reason, I don't even want to try and argue either side of this, hehe) were physically attracted to the same sex.

Anyway, I certainly don't believe all homosexuals are pedophiles, and I did know of certain homoesexual/pedophile groups, however I have no idea the percentages in either case. So, I'll have to do some research on my own. I generally don't have any problems with homosexuality happening in general, but I have a HUGE problem with pedophilia. The reason for my confusion with some of your statements was our perspectives. You were coming at this from a Christian perspective of sin, while I was coming at it from my agnostic perspective. And there is a HUGE difference from my current belief system.

Oh, a question just came to me. All sins are equal then in your eye? For instance, murder and stealing a pencil? I know this sounds like baiting, but I'm honestly just curious. I probably won't even respond, I just want to make sure that I understand the Christian idea of sin more clearly in every aspect.

Arguing from different religious perspectives creates many similar difficulties in other areas as well. However, in America, freedom is a right that we all enjoy. So, while I will support the right for homosexuals to do what they like in the company of consenting adults, I try not to step in on situations like the article that spawned this conversation. This situation should be dealt with from within the church for the most part.

Once again, thank you for all your responses, and I look forwards to hearing more from you.

"How dare they assert that God is on their side? What amazing arrogance."

Does anyone else see the AMAZING irony in this statement?

Anyway... I have a couple of serious questions. Why do people always laugh and say they deserved it when a homosexual gets AIDS... I have seen heterosexuals with AIDS too, ya know... I'm really just curious why everyone sees this as a strictly "gay" disease.

On another note... jimt said "Why not those who practice bestiality, or pedophiles? It's only sexual orientation, right?"

Do you honestly consider pedophilia(sp?) and homosexuality to be on the same level? One involves two consenting adults, the other involves one adult, and one child... BIG difference. Bestiality is a whole 'nother issue... lol, I don't feel like getting into that right now. :P

Anyway, before anyone calls me a homosexual, I'm not. :P I'm just playing a little devil's advocate trying to get to the heart of the issues.

pyou wrote:

"Good post. Interesting how previous discussions here on Potter claimed kids would never be tempted by sorcery or witchcraft from watching the movie, yet look at the quotes.

The same posters who feign innocence and alternative points of view also adamently condemn Jack Chick as heinous, but admire the Potter series.

Obviously, their picture isn't square."

ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL

Sorry, had to get that out so I could speak coherently. ;)

I will guarantee you some kids want to do something evil using magic after watching Harry Potter. I will guarantee that most of them wanted to do something evil not using magic before they saw Harry Potter.

I will guarantee that some kids want to help someone and be a good friend after watching Harry Potter. I will guarantee most of them wanted to help someone and be a good friend after watching Harry Potter.

I will guarantee some kids wanted to choke people using the force like Darth Vader did in Star Wars. I will guarantee that most of them wanted to choke someone or cause violence to someone before Star Wars.

I will guarantee some kids wanted to get in touch with something greater than themselves (The Force) after watching Star Wars. I will guarantee most of them wanted to get in touch with something greater than themselves before they saw Star Wars.

I will guarantee some people wanted to go out and blow up abortion clinics after reading the Bible. I will guarantee most of them had violent, hateful tendencies before they read the Bible.

I will guarantee some people wanted to do good for mankind in the name of God after reading the Bible. I will guarantee that most of them wanted to do good for mankind and something greater than themselves before they read the Bible.

Anyway... perhaps you can see what I'm getting at. Those quotes may or may not be real... but for each quote directed in the anti-Harry Potter direction... I can probably find thousands in the pro-Harry Potter as a good role model deirection.

Either way... I knew by a relatively young age (before I started attending school) the basic difference between right and wrong, good and evil, fantasy and reality. Using this, I was able to watch and read stories as I grew up... and they didn't harm me and turn me into an evil person. I took what was good out of them, the moral lessons that were taught, and used it as a growing experience.

If something like Harry Potter actually causes someone a few years down the road to be an "evil" person, then I strongly suggest looking into how they were raised, and how they had been instilled with values. Thanks goodness my parents did a good job, so I didn't have to have everything censored and spoon fed to me, my parents gave me a foundation, then put some TRUST into my ability to reason on my own.

Having said all this, and I did apparently write alot, I wish I wouldn't have. This isn't even really a Harry Potter conversation... it is for the most part a Christian vs. non-Christian argument, or at least a fundamentalist Christian vs. non-fundamentalist Christian argument. And we all know how quickly those arguments get worked out. :P About 2000 years and counting!

Nope, you are not alone in that belief. I would be pretty worried about possible hostage situations, terrorist strikes, etc, in attempts to free him.

Ok, first off, in general I have no problem with the death penalty (I don't like killing people, but I understand the uses for it), and I am against abortions except in extreme cases. I'm just saying this so when I play a little devil's advocate here, nobody tries to reem me for things I don't believe. :P

Ok... most of you seem to be saying ~99% of actors are idiots and you should not support them. Does this mean that none of you ever see movies? I assume you don't own televisions, VCRs, or DVD players? The only reason these people you all hate so much make so much money and are so famous... is because people see their movies. Just curious how many of you actually stand by what you say... or if you still watch movies regardless of what you say here (or sitcoms, primetime dramas, etc, etc).

Also, being against the death penalty does not make you anti-American, lol. I'm not speaking specifically to Glover's beliefs... but just anti-death penalty in general. Glover didn't say he wanted bin Laden to be freed, or let go... he didn't say he would be sad if bin Laden was killed in battle... all he said was that if bin Laden is "captured" (or anyone else for that matter), he does not believe we should seek a death penalty. How is this anti-American? Killing bin Laden doesn't bring all those people back. Now... somebody, don't remember who, but he was the only one with a GOOD argument here said that if we keep bin Laden alive, we may have to fear terrorists trying to break him out by causing more suffering. I feel that is a good reason to seek the death penalty... but I don't think it is a good reason to hate someone who thinks the death penalty is wrong.

Finally, how many of you are Christians? (I am not, just FYI.) Isn't Christianity against killing of any sort, including the death penalty? Just wondering if any of you that are asking for bin Laden's life are Christian, and how you justify that based on your Christian beliefs.

Alright, take it easy everyone, and I look forward to your responses.

Yeah, I got free tickets to an early screening of AI the week before it opened... I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for it... although I did lose that chunk of time... /sigh

I have to wonder what it would have been like if Kubrick could have actually done the movie himself. Ah well.

At least we can warn the rest of you about it in advance.

Nevermind, Fred just said the same thing I was getting at. ;)

"God hates sodomites and catamites"

Actually, my Bible says God loves everyone. Although I don't pretend to speak for God, the Bible does say God loves all of his children. Maybe you have an updated version that I haven't read yet.

I'm an agnostic, and I just want to say, I have no problems with the majority of the country (President included) praying in times like these. I think as long as nobody is being forced to pray (don't know how you would do this anyway, lol... mind control, perhaps?), it is fine by me.

I personally did a lot of reflection, both mentally and spiritually this week (which I guess you might consider praying, just not in the strictly Christian sense), and a lot of talking with members of many religious and non-religious belief systems. I'm glad to say that most of us are unified as Americans, even if we can't be unified religiously.

Be safe all.

I haven't heard anything about a fatwa being announced against bin Laden, but bin Laden hasn't been accused and found gulity yet. I don't know much about fatwas, do they need more evidence? And can they issue a fatwa against a group like terrorists in general? Or does it have to be against specific (able to be named) people? I'm curious.

Also, while searching some Islamic sites, I found most of them that are updated frequently had messages in opposition of the acts this week, and I know many mosques (sp?) have held candle light vigils this week. Here is one web site I found with a message from a "renowned Muslim scholar": http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2001-09/12/article25.shtml I have no idea how widespread these feelings are among the majority of Muslims, just posting to add some thoughts to the mix.

Anyway, I'm going to be trying to find out a bit more about Islam and the Quran (I took a history class on the Islamic world in college, but my knowledge is minimal and my memory fleeting), all I've heard so far are quotes, which may or may not be taken out of context from both sides of the issue. I'd like to research enough to make a strong opinion of my own. Keep the information flowing!

Be safe, and I have confidence everyone here is doing what they can to aid in the relief efforts right now.

Unfortunately a large portion of America appears to be ignorant in more way than one. :/ I can barely fathom anyone who could come to conclusions like these... but I have met them, so I know they exist.