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Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 11:27 AM Dec 2013

Finally Found The Courage of My Convictions and Told Facebook Bigots off!

Okay I have been quiet long enough about my opinions. I am straight and was raised Catholic. What I want to know, however, is what ever happened to "let he who is without sin cast the first stone? "Or he who is a judger of my father's law is no longer a follower of my father's law? "Or Judge not less ye be judged." "Before you look to the Cinder in your neighbor's eye, first look to the one in your own eye."

I get some people believe strongly that being gay is a sin. But what I don't understand is how you all get to be the arbitor of what is and isn't a sin for every other person in this country. As far as I am concerned the only beings who gets to decide what a sin is, is GOD and JESUS period.

Yes we have free speech in this country but that only means the government can't arrest you for saying anything unless it causes an imminent threat to others lives. Just because you have the ability to say something doesn't mean you should say it especially when it's only purpose is to be hurtful and degrading to someone else.

Frankly I am appalled of how accepting people have become of bigotry in this country and how much we applaud people expressing it. You can feel free to unfriend me if you want but I applaud A&E's decision.

86 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Finally Found The Courage of My Convictions and Told Facebook Bigots off! (Original Post) Liberalynn Dec 2013 OP
Feel better? Ghola_Duncan Dec 2013 #1
Yes I do Liberalynn Dec 2013 #2
Good Job Srkdqltr Dec 2013 #8
jobs go begging kardonb Dec 2013 #63
Great post, du rec..n/t monmouth3 Dec 2013 #3
Thank you! Liberalynn Dec 2013 #5
Thanks. I've waded in on some of Facebook pseudo-Christian posts supporting Robertson's hatred too, Hoyt Dec 2013 #4
You're welcome. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #6
Limbaugh has enabled sociopaths to feel good about themselves Chrom Dec 2013 #12
Good Pont and welcome to DU Chrom. Marie Marie Dec 2013 #71
back wards Chaco Dundee Dec 2013 #76
Well, it all begins with the biblical story of creation. I have never heard anyone ask who wrote kelliekat44 Dec 2013 #7
Excellent post. Thanks. nt okaawhatever Dec 2013 #14
And keep in mind, too, where did the other women come from in that creation story? calimary Dec 2013 #18
12 years of Catholic school here ybbor Dec 2013 #49
His safety! tweeternik Dec 2013 #67
Welcome to DU, ybbor! calimary Dec 2013 #69
Genesis only works if their was incest going on ryan_cats Dec 2013 #53
They're kids had incest, but no biggie bcz since they were the 1st humans, no recessive genes yodermon Dec 2013 #58
Very good post abelenkpe Dec 2013 #9
these are the same hypocrites that Jesus spoke of in the Bible, the ones who pray in public Chrom Dec 2013 #10
Welcome to DU, Chrom! calimary Dec 2013 #19
I swear some of them act like they are scoring "get to heaven" points every time they Liberalynn Dec 2013 #27
And by their selfish thoughtless un-Christ-like behavior, they take His name in vain. calimary Dec 2013 #68
This is it exactly why they bother me too. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #26
Ahhh... that Oldie but Goodie - the "Sermon on the Mount." calimary Dec 2013 #72
Bravo Lynn! Great post! blondie58 Dec 2013 #11
Thank you and agreed. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #30
K&R. Aristus Dec 2013 #13
Damn straight packman Dec 2013 #15
Well said Liberalynn Dec 2013 #31
This is not a 1st amendment issue, as there is no government action restricting Phil's speech DeschutesRiver Dec 2013 #42
It's so odd that many are seeing this as an attack on their culture BrotherIvan Dec 2013 #54
Was just discussing with dh why, as you said, these people seem to be everywhere right now DeschutesRiver Dec 2013 #64
Totally agree BrotherIvan Dec 2013 #66
This message was self-deleted by its author DeschutesRiver Dec 2013 #85
I have used the 'doesn't a boss whose employee called him/her an asshole' get to fire? duhneece Dec 2013 #16
+1 Liberalynn Dec 2013 #33
The worst people are those who hear/see the bigotry and Vashta Nerada Dec 2013 #17
Thanks Liberalynn Dec 2013 #47
For enlightening information about how -- and why -- the judeo-christian mythology evolved, chervilant Dec 2013 #20
Thank you I wil check those out. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #36
Jesus didn't say anything about it PatrynXX Dec 2013 #21
This Liberalynn Dec 2013 #37
"crazy Right Christian to be mostly Orthodox Jewish" exactly! Chrom Dec 2013 #48
Plus, the Bible is just mythology. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #22
I believe in the Bible... Stellar Dec 2013 #24
Cool Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #28
I'll leave at just what I said. Stellar Dec 2013 #34
The bible you "believe" prescribes death for the following infractions... PassingFair Dec 2013 #38
I'm done Stellar Dec 2013 #59
See, that's the rub Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #41
The contradictions always bothered me too. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #46
To me it comes down to intent Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #52
raised catholic, left the church, then I read the Bible which is how I wish the church would behave Chrom Dec 2013 #50
I agree with the essence of your post Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #55
Sorry if I angered you. Stellar Dec 2013 #60
No, not angry at all Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #61
Probably just me.... Stellar Dec 2013 #80
Without vocal/facial Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #83
"Spiritual but not religious" was the outcome in my case eridani Dec 2013 #75
Rem acu tetigisti! Kelvin Mace Dec 2013 #77
I tend to go back and forth on religion. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #39
OK, but tell me first how to friend you. Stellar Dec 2013 #23
ya did good dembotoz Dec 2013 #25
But...according to the buybull, homosexality IS a SIN, punishable by death. PassingFair Dec 2013 #29
I kind of look at the Bible as a book like any other book. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #44
I unfriended someone who posted a 'Support Phil!' message. closeupready Dec 2013 #32
i also saw the "support Phil" post JanT Dec 2013 #74
On a side note, if there is really a yin/yang energy closeupready Dec 2013 #86
Good for you! sibelian Dec 2013 #35
Despite what some say, it takes more courage to stand up to bigots than to spout bigotry. politichew Dec 2013 #40
So did VA_Jill Dec 2013 #43
I applaud her for her courage. Liberalynn Dec 2013 #45
You post number on this is 6066, unintentional? ryan_cats Dec 2013 #51
I've had some friends finally clean out their friends list Marrah_G Dec 2013 #56
You did a good thing, Liberalynn! A VERY good thing. calimary Dec 2013 #57
I once saw a FB "friend" write a fucked up post BainsBane Dec 2013 #62
"Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine" Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2013 #65
Thank you for standing up to them. It is SOOOOOOO important that we fight them when we can LaydeeBug Dec 2013 #70
could not have said it any better Liberalyn nt JanT Dec 2013 #73
K/R!! LovingA2andMI Dec 2013 #78
It's appalling how accepting of bigotry skepticscott Dec 2013 #79
Might be just be simpler to suggest they have sex and travel. dipsydoodle Dec 2013 #81
Excellent response. Thank you for sharing it here. I think that is exactly what these gtar100 Dec 2013 #82
I just deleted 4 or 8 folks from mine. ileus Dec 2013 #84
 

kardonb

(777 posts)
63. jobs go begging
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 08:23 PM
Dec 2013

God created " man " ( meaning ALL humankind) in his own image ! Case closed .

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
4. Thanks. I've waded in on some of Facebook pseudo-Christian posts supporting Robertson's hatred too,
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 11:40 AM
Dec 2013

It's quite depressing seeing that stuff. Some are thousands of bigoted posts long.

Robertson also said some ugly crud about Blacks, Obama, etc., that deserves notice and response. Guess he's going for a certain audience.

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
6. You're welcome.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 11:48 AM
Dec 2013

It really is upsetting how far this country seems to be slipping backwards in terms of basic human decency in how we treat our fellow human beings.

I swear some of these people would root for bullies on a playground. It really bothers me that some of them are my family members and were my friends growing up. They weren't like that back when we were kids. I don't know what could have changed them and made them so willing to be hurtful to others.

 

Chrom

(191 posts)
12. Limbaugh has enabled sociopaths to feel good about themselves
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 12:14 PM
Dec 2013

They feel supported in being as angry and mean spirited as possible.

It was socially unacceptable to be a greedy selfish asshole....until Limbaugh....now they are proud of their behavior.

Chaco Dundee

(334 posts)
76. back wards
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 01:46 AM
Dec 2013

This country is not slipping back wards in terms of human decency,it's only revealing it's true colors.

 

kelliekat44

(7,759 posts)
7. Well, it all begins with the biblical story of creation. I have never heard anyone ask who wrote
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 11:53 AM
Dec 2013

the original story. And those who say Moses wrote it...how did he know about it since he wasn't even around until millions of years later? Who really made up the term "marriage" and what does it really mean? Nature seems to take care of generating species through "mating." Society seems to take care of managing the species through "marriage." So if women and men can be "married" to the church or married to Christ, it seems that "marriage" is not just between a man and a woman. I dunno...right now I seem married to laptop.

calimary

(90,021 posts)
18. And keep in mind, too, where did the other women come from in that creation story?
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:09 PM
Dec 2013

As in - we have Adam and Eve. Their son Cain killed their other son Abel. And suddenly we had humanity multiplying and begetting all over the place. Who was it Cain married? Who was she? Where'd she come from? And did EVERYBODY route back from Cain's lineage then? Who was Seth, a later son of Adam and Eve - and where'd he find HIS wife?

We could go on questioning this stuff for longer than the alleged Methuselah allegedly lived...

I had a Jesuit-educated teacher of Scriptural Studies in high school. He had two words for this whole conundrum that really summed it up for me. "As if." He wrote it on the board one day early in the school year during an introductory lecture, and drew little arrows pointing to it. His point was - these were allegories. Metaphors. Efforts to explain stuff to the mindset WAAAAAAAAAAAAY back when. Before science. Before research. Before advanced studies. Heck, before too many could even read or write.

It helped illuminate that whole issue for all of us in his class. Never forgot that lesson. Clarified pretty much everything.

ybbor

(1,749 posts)
49. 12 years of Catholic school here
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:01 PM
Dec 2013

It was the early 70's to mid 80's when I was there. My schools were mainly lay people teaching and the post Vatican 2 era was in full swing. I only had 5 nuns in 12 years, and mainly once a week for art or one hour long class. Catholics were pretty progressive in those days. When I would ask my religion teacher questions along those lines she was respond in the same manner. Like that a day may have been a million years long to explain the creation in 6 days story. I found it very open to discussion. I continued to play the devil's advocate in my religion classes, and eventually considered religion class as a history class of sorts.

I currently consider myself a very spiritual agnostic, who is freaked out at how much the church has changed since then. I am very supportive of the new pope, but I am worried about his safety with all these "real Christians" out there who are seeing their way being challenged.

tweeternik

(255 posts)
67. His safety!
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 09:15 PM
Dec 2013

I am also very supportive of this new Pope. He is obviously trying to change the direction the church has been heading. I know quite a few "christians" who really do not agree with his actions. His safety worries me, as well. He seems to travel and mingle among the people with what appears to be very little protection. (Compared to say, the president). Every time I see clips of the Pope on tv, that comes to my mind ..... his safety.

calimary

(90,021 posts)
69. Welcome to DU, ybbor!
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 10:34 PM
Dec 2013

Glad you're here! I went all through Catholic school too. I heard that explanation at one point - "well, one 'Day' might actually be a factor of many years, or many millennia, or some such. But basically we have years of verbal tradition originated and passed down through generations of nomads and sheep herders, many of whom never saw a book or the inside of any sort of classroom, and eventually written down by somebody in a language eventually translated by somebody else, and maybe they did it as literally as possible and maybe they had an agenda to promote or an objective that motivated them. Therefore, seems to me the Bible CANNOT be taken literally, but as inspiration and food for thought and discussion.

ryan_cats

(2,061 posts)
53. Genesis only works if their was incest going on
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:22 PM
Dec 2013

Genesis only works if their was incest going on.

Once Cain admits he murdered Abel, he is sentenced to basically walk the Earth. Cain is worried that someone might recognize him and try to get vengeance for Abel which is why God says that anything done to Cain will result in the person doing this gets 7 times over vengeance in return. My question is who was he afraid of, only Adam and Eve are the only other people on Earth? Then in the next verse, Cain is making love to his wife, where did she come from?

yodermon

(6,153 posts)
58. They're kids had incest, but no biggie bcz since they were the 1st humans, no recessive genes
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 05:35 PM
Dec 2013

could have matched up to cause birth defects.
Seriously, this is what i was told growing up.

I'm more interested in what was in the Land of Nod, East of Eden, when there were only a handful of humans on planet earth at that point.

 

Chrom

(191 posts)
10. these are the same hypocrites that Jesus spoke of in the Bible, the ones who pray in public
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 12:08 PM
Dec 2013

They spout their BS loudly but do not understand or follow one bit of it.

It's as if they have never read sermon on the mount.

A person could not read the Sermon on the Mount and still call themselves a Christian and a Republican.

calimary

(90,021 posts)
19. Welcome to DU, Chrom!
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:12 PM
Dec 2013

Glad you're here! NO KIDDING!!!! Yes, I'm SHOUTING!!! Those "pious" trolls on TV and at public prayer breakfasts and services and stuff, strutting around doing their holier-than-thou thing (and be sure to send money, folks! I'm doing GAWD'S work!).

Jesus said we were supposed to go hide in a closet to pray, not to blab it around, not to strut down the center aisle at church being a big loud splashy show-off so everybody knows how much you have and how much you just donated. That lesson certainly was lost in a hurry, wasn't it?

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
27. I swear some of them act like they are scoring "get to heaven" points every time they
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:58 PM
Dec 2013

say the name "Jesus".

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
26. This is it exactly why they bother me too.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:56 PM
Dec 2013

They are using Christianity as justification of their blind hatreds.

Totally agree with you also about the Sermon on the Mount. That was one of the few things in my Catholic upbringing that actually stuck with me and actually played a large part in my choosing to become a liberal Democrat.

calimary

(90,021 posts)
72. Ahhh... that Oldie but Goodie - the "Sermon on the Mount."
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 12:10 AM
Dec 2013

One of the best-loved extended Quotations of Jesus Christ - that is ironically one of the LEAST-referenced or quoted by the so-called "religious" "right." As you'll notice by listening to them, they never heard of such a thing. They prefer the "Old Testament Jesus" - the "Leviticus Jesus" who only talked of punishing. They like the hard-ass Paul the Apostle, who came up with that little gem about how if you don't work you don't get to eat. Jesus Himself NEVER said that, at least from what my studies and all those years in Catholic school have shown me. If you forced them to recall The Beatitudes, you can probably expect them to come up with a litany of "blessed are the rich" and "blessed are the greedy" and "blessed are the selfish" and "blessed are the warmakers." And, after all, wasn't it the poor and sick and needy whom He drove out of the Temple that day, while exalting the money-changers?



blondie58

(2,570 posts)
11. Bravo Lynn! Great post!
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 12:14 PM
Dec 2013

I don't often right Back Either. Mostly because i foliow my Libran heart to stay peaceful And harmonious.

But really, What does it matter to you if two of The same gender get married? Love is Love. ❤

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
30. Thank you and agreed.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:04 PM
Dec 2013

They keep claiming straight people's right's are being taken away. What I want to know is how?

No one is going to come into someone's house, hold a gun to his/her head and say "you have to divorce your husband/wife and marry a gay person."

All that is being said is each individual has the right to marry and love whom they choose, period end of story.

My rights aren't endangered in any way by gay people being give the same rights.

 

packman

(16,296 posts)
15. Damn straight
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 12:58 PM
Dec 2013

Told my former right-wing son who is now (he says) a Libertarian basically the same thing when he threw First Amendment rights into the discussion. Like yelling "fire" in a society, it is harmful, destructive and removes the abused person from the group. Next step is to isolate them as a group, next to have them wear arm bands or some such ID, next to --- well, history does teach us where this line of thinking leads to.

DeschutesRiver

(2,359 posts)
42. This is not a 1st amendment issue, as there is no government action restricting Phil's speech
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:25 PM
Dec 2013

All your son has to do is read the first amendment to see that, as it is explicit that "congress shall pass no laws....." Has zero to do with the ability of citizens to say whatever they want, whenever they want. Merely prevents our government from restricting our freedom of speech. This so easy to google that it is pathetic, but the level of basic misunderstanding about the 1st amendment is shocking, considering how often it arises. It is like some people can neither read the written word nor comprehend any more.

What has happened proves that Phil can say anything he wants, because he just did. And his action of expressing himself merely had a consequence that neither he nor his audience like. That is their precious capitalism in action, where the business called A&E and the market decided Phil was not feasible any longer. But as always, Phil is still free to express his opinions as nothing has stopped him yet from doing so. He doesn't like the consequences, boo hoo, but there is nothing in the 1st amendment that would apply since the government isn't involved here.

Despite the fact that actions have consequences, plenty of people speak their minds anyway. They just don't cry about the consequences like Phil is doing. He is a coward, in fact. He wants to use his bully pulpit to express this crap. Fine. But there are no protections against the consequence of a backlash by others who have the opposite opinion. That is how being free to express yourself rolls in a democracy because everyone is entitled to it. What a crybaby.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
54. It's so odd that many are seeing this as an attack on their culture
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:27 PM
Dec 2013

I guess it's the last gasps of the rise of hillbilly culture or some such. When Reagan let the holy rollers come to the table, they went from kooks on late night tv swindling old folk out of their savings to political powerhouses who could deliver blocks of votes. The media did a hard right turn in their greed to market to the "flyover states" and get every last eyeball and turned their channels into "all redneck 24/7."

Stupidity, bigotry, hate and ignorance were celebrated and marketed. Just look at the transformation of the Duck Dynasty people (a show which I had not even heard of until this controversy); they're marketing an identity which is creating super heroes of *gits with gunz* that spreads into our larger culture as people all over the country (and at gun shows) rush to imitate it.

They seem to be everywhere. But perhaps they can be beaten back. You knew grunge wouldn't last forever (though it seemed to) and hopefully this will go away too, to be replaced by some other awfulness. But surely, the non-bible thumpers are getting weary of their constant screeching. And look at what happened to Paula Deen. Though the rednecks complained, and did support her and buy an extra helping of her books, their puny minds must have registered that you can't get away with this shit. She has lost her national appeal and her media empire. The same will go for Phil. Yank the chain to make them pay attention.

Corporations only care about the bottom line. They are smart enough to know that rednecks are actually a small percentage and for the most part a lower income percentage who buys within a very limited circle. Sure, there are some companies who can capitalize upon that niche, such as Hobby Lobby or Chick Fil-A, but a huge multi-national cannot afford to cater to their very small population. Notice the Ellen controversy, or the Cheerios multi-racial controversy. They weren't pulled. That is very important because it means that the corps aren't willing to give into the rw crap any more. Eventually, they will have used up all their air on shit like the war on Christmas and Benghazi! other nonsense and just become isolated. Look how Fox news has fallen after the Romney debacle. I do believe mainstream "independents" will now wander off to the next fad, leaving the bizarre Jesus freaks to go back to their swamp. And good fucking riddance.

DeschutesRiver

(2,359 posts)
64. Was just discussing with dh why, as you said, these people seem to be everywhere right now
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 08:25 PM
Dec 2013

Esp talking about a group of people we knew and last had contact with in 2006. Back then, I wasn't aware that any of them were even republicans because it never came up. In fact, in this large group I did know a few racists who I avoided but on the gay issue, the straights never dissed them and we had many many gay people in this group. Not a even a majority but lots.

Fast forward to this year and I looked up some of these people on FB. Holy shit. There is uniform hatred of blacks and gays, and venom toward Obama. Like tea bagger rage style, and while a few of these people were not what I would call nice folk, I never heard even the jerks talk like they are today. I would have left that group activity if these people had talked this way back then. The only thing I can figure is that back when I knew them, they likely were haters but at that pint, they still felt like America belonged to them, that they were the ruling class and color and orientation and so they tolerated the fact that gays and blacks even existed. Because they just felt completely superior, in a way that they didn't even question. These are trust fund old people, doctors, business owners ( some small, some big names), celebs, pharmacy execs, and others. Right now, they are screaming vile insults, lying about facts, threatening bodily harm and wiping the spittle off their chins. It is horrifyingly extraordinary to see this base bagger crap being flung like feces by these people all over facebook. And you can add the same thing from a lot of my rural religious lower class neighbors who similarly have just noticed that the world view has shifted and they no longer make the rules, nor have they been invited to participate in the future.

I believe too that these are the screams of a part of the population whose expiration dates draws nigh, and that they are loud because they finally woke up to understand that their reign is over. And yes, while I worry about what might replace them, I am at this point relieved to know that they indeed are not slated to last forever. And I add another fucking good riddance to the nasty lot of them. Watching it dawn on them that they have been consigned to the junk pile of history is unpleasant but since I believe it signals their departure, I am glad to see it.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
66. Totally agree
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 08:53 PM
Dec 2013

I'm lucky, I guess, to live in a West Coast bastion of "liberals" who sometimes aren't so liberal but would never spout that crap. I feel for you and everyone else who has crazies in their vicinity or family.

I do believe that because the economy is so bad, they want to fight to the death for the last trickle down droplets. They're pissed that the people they once could look down on, point and say, "Well at least I'm better than they are" are somehow in their perception getting more of the pie. In Mississippi Burning, there's a great scene. Willem Defoe asks Gene Hackman, "Where does it come from, all this hatred?" Gene Hackman tells of when he was a boy in the South. His father was a farmer and the "negro" farmer down the road bought a mule. Gene's dad was always being jibed by his friends about how the black farmer was going to get richer. So one day, the mule ends up dead. Gene Hackman realizes his father did it. His father, ashamed, looks over and says, "If you ain't better than a n--- son, who are you better than?" Gene Hackman ends the scene by saying, "He was just an old man, so full of hate, he didn't know that being poor was what was killing him."

That scene, despite the language, has always come into my mind whenever I hear these bigots. They don't realize that minorities don't take money from their bank accounts. Gays don't do a thing to their marriage or family. And yet they scream persecution if they're not allowed to spread their bigotry and hate. Embarrassed millionaires all, who last time out chose a smirking plutocrat as their standard-bearer, not knowing he hates them just as much. As if they have more in common with silver spoon Mitt than the black person down the street who grew up in similar economic circumstances. We can all point to the pulpits and shows that have brainwashed them into thinking this; it's an old trick. I'm just so surprised that it has caught on so strongly, all packaged in a big corporate bow. It seems that every new controversy these days has some Kristian nutter at the center. I have to visit friends in Europe next week and it's always so embarrassing. They never let up on how stupid and anti-intellectual we are. I keep telling them, We're not all like that! But with our media infecting the rest of the world it's becoming more and more difficult.

I just wish the Rapture would come soon so we can be rid of their sorry asses. Buh bye cretins!

Response to BrotherIvan (Reply #66)

duhneece

(4,510 posts)
16. I have used the 'doesn't a boss whose employee called him/her an asshole' get to fire?
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:04 PM
Dec 2013

Public airwaves includes gay & black citizens as 'bosses'.
The statements made by bigots means said bigots, who make such statements anywhere public, should know their 'boss' (the public) can fire them for disrespectful statements. I read of that defense on DU, where else?

chervilant

(8,267 posts)
20. For enlightening information about how -- and why -- the judeo-christian mythology evolved,
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:24 PM
Dec 2013

read anything by Elaine Pagels, and consider reading Barbara Walker's Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets.

PatrynXX

(5,668 posts)
21. Jesus didn't say anything about it
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:26 PM
Dec 2013

I know he saved a Prostitute however. So I've primary found the crazy Right Christian to be mostly Orthodox Jewish. Totally ignoring the New Book and only going by the Historical Old book as if Christ never existed. Hence the notion of putting Christ back in Christian. Most of the right have removed him.

 

Chrom

(191 posts)
48. "crazy Right Christian to be mostly Orthodox Jewish" exactly!
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:56 PM
Dec 2013

They don't care for Jesus or his message and they sure as hell don't want him to come back.

If Jesus did come back, they'd be trying to crucify him all over again.
 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
22. Plus, the Bible is just mythology.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:31 PM
Dec 2013

People who base their anti-gay views on the Bible might as well base them on stories of Zeus, Thor, Pele or the Jolly Green Giant.

Stellar

(5,644 posts)
24. I believe in the Bible...
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:52 PM
Dec 2013

but not Zeus, Thor, Pele or the Jolly Green Giant. It's just what I believe in. I'm not asking anybody else to agree or disagree with my beliefs.

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
28. Cool
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 01:58 PM
Dec 2013

and not trying to pick a fight, but do you believe in all of it, or just parts of it?

PassingFair

(22,451 posts)
38. The bible you "believe" prescribes death for the following infractions...
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:14 PM
Dec 2013

Sodomy[16]
One man picked up sticks on the Sabbath, he was taken into custody because a punishment was not known. The LORD told Moses that the man in custody must be killed. This particular crime and punishment is isolated case law.(Numbers 15:32–36)
A betrothed woman who does not cry out while being raped[17]
A woman who is found not to have been a virgin on the night of her wedding[18]
Worshiping other gods[19][20]
Witchcraft (Exodus 22:18)
Taking the LORD's name in vain or cursing his name[21]
Cursing a parent[22][23][24]


Still "believe" that?

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
41. See, that's the rub
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:24 PM
Dec 2013

People told me that in order to be a better Christian I had to study the Bible.

I did, and I became an atheist.

Scripture is pretty horrible in places and VERY contradictory in others. So I am puzzled when people say they "believe" in the Bible. Do they believe what is said in Leviticus? Judges? Revelations?

Do they believe that the death penalty should be handed out like candy on Halloween for a variety of sins that would result in the depopulation of the planet if carried out.

Some folk seem to believe in all of the blood and vengeance parts, but not any of the love and forgiveness parts. How does one believe in a book which doles out death and destruction while demanding love and tolerance?

Again, I am not trying to troll you, I am just trying to understand how it is possible. I was raised Catholic, and it was the Church's misogyny, bigotry, and protection of child molesters that drove me out of the Church. I was then courted by fundamentalists preaching "prosperity gospels", faith healing and speaking in tongues, but logical examination of their beliefs also were contradictory and self-serving.

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
46. The contradictions always bothered me too.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:40 PM
Dec 2013

That's why I don't take it literally. I think like most philosphies it should be taken with a grain of salt.

My memory isn't as good as it use to be but I seem to remember a theroy I was taught in Philosophy class my Junior year in college, that more holds true for me.

That is the notion of fovrgive me if I get the name wrong, "Polarity of Being?", I think introduced by the Greeks.

That is their is a theoretically good side and a theoretically bad side to everything that exists in the universe. Like fire can provide us with heat and light but it can also burn and destroy. A dog can be a loving protector one minute and then turn around and bight us the next, another human being can love and help us but then switch and hate and hurt us.

I think that is the way of religion too. There is times it can be productive and times it can be destructive.

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
52. To me it comes down to intent
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:15 PM
Dec 2013

I upset some religious folk (including my wife) with my view that to "sin", in the classical religious definition of the word, is impossible without malice.

I get arguments that you can unintentionally hurt someone, which I do not dispute, but if it is done without intent, it is a mistake, not a sin.

To me this is a far simpler philosophy/ethical system than what is found in the Bible.

I have always said that knowledge (science, technology, etc) is invariably a two-edged sword. Nuclear physics can mean CAT scans or nukes. Chemistry can mean insulin or heroin. We can build aircraft carriers or hospitals. We can use our hospitals to cure the sick, or profit off them.

But in every instance of duality comes the choice to act benevolently or maliciously, selflessly or selfishly.

The advantage of the philosophy I stumbled upon is that it can be stated in a single sentence, and probably explained with examples in a few pages. It is flexible and pretty much answers all moral dilemmas. This beats a thousand pages of arcane text (translated and re-translated through a half dozen languages) trying to apply bronze age socio-economic morality to a digital age culture.

The downside to my philosophy is it makes no promise of omniscient, omnipotent beings who will punish evil-doers and reward the faithful with everlasting paradise basking in the aura of his awesomeness. In my philosophy, we are all ultimately responsible for our own actions and cannot justify our malice as "just following orders". We have only one life to get it right or get it wrong. There is no cosmic paternal figure demanding our worship in exchange for forgiving us for transgressing the myriad of contradictory rules found in His holy writ.

 

Chrom

(191 posts)
50. raised catholic, left the church, then I read the Bible which is how I wish the church would behave
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:10 PM
Dec 2013

I only read the red letters, the words of Jesus, where he doesn't mention one damn thing about people being gay, or abortion, or any of the Republicans pet issues.


Now I understand what Jesus was talking about with the hypocrites in the churches. I don't think he would appreciate that 'Christianity' has been set up in his name to do the exact same thing as before, make people feel good about themselves while they crush the poor and justify their hate.


But I refuse to let mindless hateful assholes steal the teachings of Jesus from his true followers.

They are imposters.

We are the party of true followers, who continue the teachings of love and tolerance whether we be gay, athiests or whatever.

God judges us by our actions not our words.

It's not what we call ourselves, it is how we treat our fellow humans that matters.

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
55. I agree with the essence of your post
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:44 PM
Dec 2013

but quibble on a few points.

Jesus does contradict himself in places (people can argue this point, specifically about which words may be "accurately" ascribed to Jesus. Trouble is the text was written long after his death, and the death of the principles, so definitive answers are few.

By and large, the philosophy of Jesus was:

1) Love one another

2) Forgive one another

3) Love your enemies

4) Love God.

I can get behind everything except #4, since while I believe Jesus existed, I don't believe God exists. But that is just me.

God judges us by our actions not our words.

If he does exist, who is he to judge? What gives him the right. Seems that he made a LOT of mistakes as our "creator", the least of which is a neglect and abuse that would get your or I a visit for child protective services these days. To quote Gene Roddenberry: "We must question the logic of an all-knowing, all powerful central character, who creates faulty humans and then blames them for His own mistakes."

Based on God's behavior in the Bible, he is not someone I admire, would tolerate judging me, nor would I want to spend eternity with. Also, this constant demand for praise and worship is indicative of mental illness, not divinity (and Jesus seems to have bought into that need).

We are the party of true followers, who continue the teachings of love and tolerance whether we be gay, athiests or whatever.

Well, I think you and I can co-exist, however, I can't chuck a penny without hitting some other group claiming the same credentials (true followers) who would burn us at the stake for our beliefs (or, in my case, lack of belief). We can make a strong case for your view being the superior one, which would be of small comfort to you and I sharing a roaring fire. Personally, I am not interested in your views (which I can agree with) being vindicated posthumously, with promises of eternal red hot pokers up the backsides for our persecutors (even if it is a lovely thought). If God can't step in and clarify who is right before you and I are charcoal briquettes, screw him.

It's not what we call ourselves, it is how we treat our fellow humans that matters.

True enough, but does nothing to protect us from those who are prepared to treat us shabbily (and that is to say, lethally) because what we call ourselves doesn't comply with what they THINK we should call ourselves and we don't treat people as they BELIEVE we should treat people.

Stellar

(5,644 posts)
60. Sorry if I angered you.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:00 PM
Dec 2013

That was not my intention. I don't think all believers are bad or want to argue what is written. I didn't grow up in the church and I didn't find the bible...it found me. Believe it or not, when it happened I was trying to find out where the party was. So I'm what you call a baby christian, I guess.

I just want to be around people of like minded politics (cause I don't like arguing about that either).

Still friends, I hope?

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
61. No, not angry at all
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:37 PM
Dec 2013

please do not take anything I said as heated. Quite the opposite, I was being conversational.

Occasionally on DU folks do try to have civil discourse wherein you say something, and I say something, and we walk away the better for the encounter.



My sincere apologies for not making that clear.

Stellar

(5,644 posts)
80. Probably just me....
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 08:48 AM
Dec 2013

My son tells me that I'm too sensitive (I hate when that happens). LOL!

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
83. Without vocal/facial
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 12:31 PM
Dec 2013

cues and body language it can be hard to figure it out.

You have a nice Christmas/New Years/Boxing Day.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
75. "Spiritual but not religious" was the outcome in my case
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 01:17 AM
Dec 2013

As a Catholic high school sophomore, I decided that it was about time I read the bible cover to cover. When I finished, I was a non-believer. Oddly enough, in Bible classes the story of Lot never included him offering his teenaged daughters for gang rape. Nor anything about Yahweh's orders to obliterate villages, kill and the men and women who have "known" men, but keep the young virgin girls for yourselves. I would never invite an entity like that over to my house for dinner, let alone worship him/it.

I had to give up on the Douay translation and use the sinful Protestant King James Version because of having to deal with nonsense like "Let the clouds rain down the just" for "Let justice be done, though the heavens fall."

 

Kelvin Mace

(17,469 posts)
77. Rem acu tetigisti!
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 01:56 AM
Dec 2013

I am completely baffled as to why any truly benign entity would demand worship.

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
39. I tend to go back and forth on religion.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:16 PM
Dec 2013

I guess its because it is hard to overcome 9 years of daily Catholic indoctrination.

Basically I am at the point now where I am pretty sure I believe in a higher power but not in orgainized man made religion. That could all change tomorrow and I could be an agnostic or an atheist again so I respect those viewpoints too.

As for the Bible my personal belief was it was written by people long ago who had their own prejuidices and imperfections so I don't base my life on it. There are things it talks about that I agree with and things it talks about that I don't.

I just try to live my life the best I can without hurting others, helping who I can and where I can and regret and apoligize when I fail in these goals. I have to hope that if there is a judgement of my life to come that will be enough.

PassingFair

(22,451 posts)
29. But...according to the buybull, homosexality IS a SIN, punishable by death.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:02 PM
Dec 2013

"As far as I am concerned the only beings who gets to decide what a sin is, is GOD and JESUS period."


God says so.

In the buybull.

Note: I don't buy the bull in the bible. None of it. No cherry picking here... I think ALL of it is myth.

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
44. I kind of look at the Bible as a book like any other book.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:26 PM
Dec 2013

It was written by humans whether or not one belives it was devinely inspired or not. Individuals personal belief's and prejuidices always find away to sneak into their work. There are parts of it where I totally agree with the principle, like the Sermon on the Mount and not Judging Other People and parts of it that I totally disagree with.

So I guess you are right that I am cherry picking too.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
32. I unfriended someone who posted a 'Support Phil!' message.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:05 PM
Dec 2013

That's that. Getting too old for that shit.

JanT

(229 posts)
74. i also saw the "support Phil" post
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 12:23 AM
Dec 2013

I just responded: he is a bigot
enough said about a really stupid statement. If they want to "unfriend" me. so be it.
I support A & E in their decision. I don't have TV reception in my house so i have only watched the show once. that was enough for me. The more i catch a show here and there, the more grateful i am that i don't send money to the cable company each month.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
86. On a side note, if there is really a yin/yang energy
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 07:44 PM
Dec 2013

to the universe, perhaps it was working yesterday, because while I unfriended one person, today I friended a NEW 'old' friend from grammar school who posted some liberal things.

so, you win some, you lose some.

 

politichew

(230 posts)
40. Despite what some say, it takes more courage to stand up to bigots than to spout bigotry.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:17 PM
Dec 2013

Good work.

VA_Jill

(14,371 posts)
43. So did
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 02:26 PM
Dec 2013

one of my young (as in the age of my kids) FB friends, who I've known since she was a teenager. I was proud of her and told her so, right out loud there on Facebook. Nobody ever accused her of not being outspoken, but this was exceptional even for her as she was talking to someone who was a family member, though not a close one.

ryan_cats

(2,061 posts)
51. You post number on this is 6066, unintentional?
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 03:12 PM
Dec 2013

You post number on this is 6066, unintentional? Kind of funny.

I believe the judge not quote actually means that if you judge someone unfairly, then that is how you will be judged.

You are quite correct about the only arbiters of sin are God and Jesus although I know a lot of people who think that they are. They are also the biggest hypocrites because they do judge the speck in another's eye but not the plank in theirs.

Marrah_G

(28,581 posts)
56. I've had some friends finally clean out their friends list
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 04:31 PM
Dec 2013

It's something I did long ago.

calimary

(90,021 posts)
57. You did a good thing, Liberalynn! A VERY good thing.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 04:58 PM
Dec 2013

Seems to me that these assholes can freely believe this shit and spout this shit and spread this shit MAINLY because there's been so little push-back. How many liberal/progressive voices are there on the radio to counter-act the 152,974,853 CONservative talk show hosts out there? How many Dems stood up to the bush/cheney avalanche? HOW MANY ACTUALLY SPOKE UP??? Besides those of us growling about it here and elsewhere in the blogosphere where few mainstreamers paid attention or paid ANY OF US any attention?

So I'm glad you pushed back. We all need to. And get louder and louder! Look what a few knuckledragging crackpots with their three-pointed hats and teabags accomplished, just because they banded together and got loud? They thus APPEARED to be larger and more powerful and that made them more influential. MANY more of us need to be doing that.

There was another thread here, too, about confrontations at a water cooler.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251344457

All these idiots the poster confronted - evidently ONLY get their "information" from their own insular "approved" sources - like Pox Noise and limbaugh-and-clones. It occurred to me that we ALL need to do this more, because some of those folks who are steeped in the CON and teabagger toxins may never have had the opportunity to hear the truth that OUR side has - quite literally ON OUR SIDE.

BainsBane

(57,757 posts)
62. I once saw a FB "friend" write a fucked up post
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:39 PM
Dec 2013

I don't recall if it was bigoted or anti-Obamacare. Anyway, I immediately unfriended the person.

 

LaydeeBug

(10,291 posts)
70. Thank you for standing up to them. It is SOOOOOOO important that we fight them when we can
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 11:28 PM
Dec 2013

You will only change them when you let them know that what they are is unacceptable and why.

They will change when it is unacceptable to keep up the pretense of feign outrage or "Constitutional Poutrage" when everyone with half a brain knows damn right well it is bigotry cloaked in the Lord's Word and the People's Papers

Good on you, sweets, you just made my day.

LovingA2andMI

(7,006 posts)
78. K/R!!
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 03:12 AM
Dec 2013

Especially this comment:

"I get some people believe strongly that being gay is a sin. But what I don't understand is how you all get to be the arbitor of what is and isn't a sin for every other person in this country. As far as I am concerned the only beings who gets to decide what a sin is, is GOD and JESUS period."

Speak it, tell it Liberalynn. It appears many folks TWISTED words of God to wrongly determine they are Judge and Jury of Men/Women. Nothing can be further from the truth and using God's words. In turn, they would be wise to watch what expressed from the lips or written in thoughts online, from their idol Phil Robertson as:

Ex 20:3-4 (NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

Deut 29:18 (NIV) "Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison."

2 Ki 17:15 (NIV) They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the Lord had forbidden them to do.

2 Ki 17:40-41 (NIV) They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

1 Cor 10 (NIV) Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry."

1 Sam 15:23 (NIV) For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.


Enough said.

 

skepticscott

(13,029 posts)
79. It's appalling how accepting of bigotry
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 08:41 AM
Dec 2013

people on this SITE have become, and how much they applaud people expressing it. In this very thread, in fact, one of the most prominent homophobes in the world is being fawned over.

gtar100

(4,192 posts)
82. Excellent response. Thank you for sharing it here. I think that is exactly what these
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 10:19 AM
Dec 2013

so-called religious people need to hear, the ones that go around declaring what is sin and what isn't. That is the role of God according to their own religion, not every single follower. One of the messages I got from the gospels (I'm not Christian by the way) was that the judgment of each person is left up to God and we can let go of that burden because of that. Maybe I'm way off on that but from that perspective it makes all these "arbiters of sin" look like either idiots or manipulators. They are using the mask of their religion as just another way to cover the ugliness of their misguided prejudices and continue to express them.

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