[ds968]

Many of these are political issues, not religious issues.  The pope is jealous because many muslim mufftas and imams have their own country in addition to their own religion, and get to be political leaders as well.  Therefore the "incredibly humble" pope has to compete with other religions and get involved in politics.

Agreed. Many are indeed political issues, but religious leaders who insist their God is all knowing, all seeing , all good and compassionate and more importantly all powerful to change anything and everything ( if he wanted ..ah, and there's the loophole , lol ) don't even offer a faith-based explanation for any of the above referenced atrocities .


That said, and in defense of Pope Francis, at least he appears to be the most forward thinking, moderate pontiff in history - of course this is relative to that role and his predecessors, but maybe there is hope that he might influence politics and eventually make a positive difference, as small as it may be ..we'll take anything we can get !

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[Rap]

The Pope comes from one of the most corrupt countries on the planet, Argintina, and runs one that has been and still is. I get tired of the same old tired platitudes on the evilness and corruption of capitalism. While not perfect by any stretch, it still offers the best route up for those willing to take advantage of honest opportunity. People aren't flooding our borders because we have a corrupt society.


When someone tells you that your house is in disorder and you must help everyone else I'm always somewhat suspect of their motivation and personal order. Deflection is a great tool to misdirect attention.

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[ds968]

One of the most corrupt countries on the planet ?! Seriously ? Yes there is, and has always been quite a bit of corruption there, but I don't believe Argentina even makes the top 50 countries in that dubious category.. Heck, I doubt it even makes the top 5 in South and Central America part of the continent . And even if it was, does that mean the Pope would have had to play along with the corruption game by mere association of growing up there ? Not sure I understand the connection.. Now, being the head of a ( arguably ) morally corrupt organization like the Catholic Church would be a more relevant association IMO, but he's clearly doing his best to change that image so I was just suggesting he might try to also influence political change for the better if anyone in congress really listens to his message.. I do agree with you however on the U.S. political and socio-economic landscape ; for all of our many flaws we still have one of the best systems out there which offers plenty opportunities .

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[MLB]

Came across this interesting presentation held at Rice university a couple nights ago.

Its an hour long, but from John Lennox, Cambridge professor of mathematics, who is an engaging speaker, and then there's Q and A afterward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSq4KLjMSlI#t=3822

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[ds968]

saw this the other day, must share .. ( surely appreciated by religious music fans )     THERE IS A STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN , AND A HIGHWAY TO HELL ; THAT SHOULD BE AN OBVIOUS INDICATION OF TRAFFIC FLOW PATTERNS 

 

:lol:     

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[968Syncro]

Well, there are other interesting sayings and songs as well.   How about the song “Drop kick me Jesus through the goalposts of life”, Recorded by Bobby Bare in 1976.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COfL-jtdFWQ

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[az968]

So if the Doobie Brothers thought "Jesus is Just Alright (with me)" was that because Brewer & Shipley took "One Toke over the Line (sweet Jesus)"???

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[Rap]

Good one Az! Dated us though!!!

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[az968]

Naw, my parents told me about them, I don't understand the references tho.

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[ds968]

Since Xmas season is all about God and Santa, here are a couple of E-cards for children and adults alike ..    

   

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[ds968]

Christmas explained :

https://www.facebook.com/awakenwithjp/vi...556363471/

..way to much time on my hands today, lol.

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[WJH]

That is just dumb.

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[ds968]

I think it was deliberately dumb. But since that ( dumbness ) is pretty much what defines all religion ( IMHO, or course .. ) I thought it was sufficiently amusing ..

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[WJH]

Making fun of what people believe, the sport of champions. 

 

It is still dumb. A total lack of understanding of Christianity and Judaism. 

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[flash]

"understanding of christianity and judaism"

 

that's an oxymoron if i ever heard one

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[WJH]

I understand it. It's really not that difficult. Perhaps I'm more intelligent than the average person.

 

I suppose it is human nature to make fun of things we don't understand.

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[flash]

actually, it's quite the reverse.  it's human nature to make up fairy tales to explain things we don't understand.  for whatever reason, many lack the ability to accept things as they are, and need to believe in something that explains things.  further, our own mortality brings about fear of the end, and creating a dream about something beyond this life helps those who can't handle or accept reality.

 

the entire concept of belief in something, anything, is ridiculous.  either it is or it isn't.  it either exists or doesn't.  belief is nothing more than refusal to accept facts, and instead make unsubstantiated claims.  i see no reason that any critical thinker would "believe" in anything.  either there is proof, or there is theory.  belief in a theory in any other context would be considered delusional.  a little over 2000 years ago, this one was too.

 

but then, the world needs sheep too.  can you imagine if everyone suddenly realized that this was it?  we would be in chaos.  everyone would be out for what they could get now.  there would be no reason to think beyond the moment.  that's why religion was created in the first place.  it was needed to maintain the threat of a bigger punishment than was conceivable.

 

that's why i find it ironic that the republicans fail to realize the longer reaching effects of many of their policies.  they are only focused on the now, and not the future.  but that's a topic for another thread.

 

i wonder what would happen if all of those who "believe" suddenly found out that this was all a biology experiment, created by another race?  what if we are just bred for some use?  what if the "rapture" is nothing more than a culling of a flock for food or slavery?  would they still "believe"?

 

who knows?  but, more importantly, who cares?

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[ds968]

When the answers to anything humans cannot understand is invariably " Everything happens for a reason... it's all part of God's plan " or " Only HE knows the answers " or " God works in mysterious ways " ( gotta love that one..) I think poking a little fun at religion is rather harmless and arguably deserved .


But I'll be the first one to applaud anyone whose religious beliefs motivates them to do good in life, help others, and hey, if part of those beliefs include the expectation that you'll be rewarded in the afterlife that's great but I don't think that should spare the topic from some humor .


And one more thought for anyone who thinks us non-believers have a superiority complex : nothing of the sort , or at least I never associate intellect or lack thereof with religious beliefs , I feel the two are entirely separate of one another ; I know many brilliant individuals who are religious , but we're talking about an emotional drive and an emotional need being satisfied which trumps any rational thought process keeping it at bay . You don't believe me ? Here's proof positive : Love . Argue with THAT ! Lol.

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[flash]

yeah -  i'm not suggesting for a minute that religion has not had its benefits.  the ideas and moral platforms are obviously a plus.  i've said that before.

 

i don't see any difficulty in understanding love.  there is nothing mystical about it.  it's a simple response to specific stimuli.  humans like familiarity.  that happens with repeated exposure to someone (it also breeds contempt).  endorphin response is easily tracked.  we all like things that trigger endorphins.  "loving" somebody is really no different than liking a particular food.

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[ds968]

It's not about understanding love ( not a dissimilar chemical reaction that one has to eating chocolate ) it's about how love and many other emotional responses will in most cases override intellectual or rational thought . Keeping a 20 year + 968 around in spite of the issues that come with it , or , at the other end of the spectrum spending $ 170k for a shiny new targa are additional examples of emotional OCD .. I won't mention spending $ 10 k or 20 k for a watch and buying a half dozen or those, or fifty pairs of shoes at $ 500 -$1,000 + each among those emotional drives which trump any logic, rhyme or reason because I have a very good friend of mine :-) :-) :-) who is guilty of such indulgences even when they make no sense at all .. Same with religion, IMO, - if makes you feel good, the hell with logic - that is of little or no importance !

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