I am not often asked the question of whether or not God is a woman or a man............

[Lone_Star_Dem]

40. "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious."

"It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery -- even if mixed with fear -- that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man... I am satisfied with the mystery of life's eternity and with a knowledge, a sense, of the marvelous structure of existence -- as well as the humble attempt to understand even a tiny portion of the Reason that manifests itself in nature." Excerpt from an essay by Albert Einstein.

This is an excellent example of religious beauty. Granted, it's not religious in the actual sense of the word, but it does make you think and feel and aspire to understand that something more. Which is the root of most religion.

* “AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals”

* "It appears that America's anti-Biblical feminist movement is at last dying, thank God, and is possibly being replaced by a Christ-centered men's movement which may become the foundation for a desperately needed national spiritual awakening."

* "If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being."

* "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen." Post 9/11 Rant.

* "Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions"

* "[Homosexuals are] brute beasts...part of a vile and satanic system [that] will be utterly annihilated, and there will be a celebration in heaven." Various quotes from the Reverend Jerry Falwell.

This is an excellent example of the horrors bestowed on society in the name of religion. Bigotry breeds hate, and hate fuels violence.

I ask you, when in the hell is the world going to wake up to these disgusting behaviors?