re: Terrorism

God, Terrorism, Love, and Fear.
It does sound beautiful & poetic that way but, the reality is it's
Doctrine, Fanaticism, Obedience, and Coersion.

These are what motivate a an anti-abortionist to scream at a girl entering a clinic "You are going to Hell."
That is the elements offire in Fred Phelps that fuels every utterance of "God Hates America."

Doctrine:
"Interpret as You Like" is written in invisible ink below the words, Holy Bible. It's God's greatest trick on and test of humanity. As with any literary work of achievement, a great number of readers can glean a great number of conclusions by reading the same passages. For instance, there are many people who believe that the Song of Solomon is about the joy of oral sex.
Taking the words of the Bible out of context, or manipulating that context, is how many Fire and Brimstone brimstone believers make their arguements.They take God's ultimate and most difficult task and demean by placing where it was never designed to be, in human hands. The Bible was intended to be a guidebook, not the moral letter of the law. While humans can act as lawyers, God is the judge.

Fanaticism:
Anyone who has been to a Pro-Gay Marriage rally has seen them. They are falling over themselves, screaming. While the drag queens are overseven feet tall, hair and heels included,and drapped in the loudest possible colors, they look completely sane, in comparison. "God hates fags!," they shout at you. That is not the voice of God. It is the protestations of a fanatic, someone who has manipulated doctrine to fortify a belief centered in hate. God did not intend his followers to be rabid and barking, like angry dogs. It is God's wish that we be at peace with ourselves and others,as a flock of sheep. God is not a fanatic. People further their individual beliefs by invoking God's hate for others. Since we have no direct line to God, we might assume he's not participating.

Obedience:
We are told over and over again, although God will always love us, God prefers that we obey his wishes. This is not a tall order, nor is non-negotiable. Humans are granted the leeway for occasional wavering of faith. We are also promised forgiveness. Assuming that it exists, Hell was created for those who continously or gravely disobey. While some fanatics would use this as a case to say thatgays, abortionists, and non-believers are on the short-list for Damnation, this is their manipulation of text.

Coersion:
Coersion is different than fear because of the desired end result. When someone is made to be afraid, the likelyhood of them revisting the site of provoked fear is small. To threaten someone to an audience with God which ultimately will end in their eternal damnation is coersion. Attempting to compell someone to change their lifestyle, beliefs, or actions may invoke fear but, the end result is not to simply have the person shake in their boots. The desired result is to change the person. By holding aloft a sign depicting a 6 week fetus, an anti-abortion activist does not intend to scare the young woman entering the clinic. She is trying to coerse the girl. She wants the young woman to turn around before she reaches the door.
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So, basically, God is being used. Humans are threatening Hell.

The simple equation is as old as time

Interpretation of doctrine inspires fanaticism = believers using coersion to dictate obedience.

God is no where to be found in that equation.
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disclaimer: Kate does not affiliate herself with any religion. The thoughts expressed here in are the result of a rudimentary Presbyeterian upbringing and a basic appreciation for theBible, as a literary work.

Quoting HippieMommieArmyWife:“ SHe actually said why she prays: "it makes me feel better to think that someone is there to guide me ... [snip!] ... even though i know hes not." She's 16... give her some freaking time to develop a fuller understanding of her beliefs... geez!”

by all means. im not attacking the girl. she just confused me. ''geeze''

Quoting Kate Did It:“ God, Terrorism, Love, and Fear. It does sound beautiful & poetic that way but, the reality is it's ... [snip!] ... here in are the result of a rudimentary Presbyeterian upbringing and a basic appreciation for theBible, as a literary work.”

In the wise words of ACDC, "Who Made Who?"

Quoting Majesty Est.2007:“ by all means. im not attacking the girl. she just confused me. ''geeze''”

 

Quoting HippieMommieArmyWife:“  ”

LOl and now that you mention it. at 16 your more than likely to not know what you want and to stil be in that confused stage.and figiring things out.

I understand the concept of praying even if you question whether there is a God. Because voicing your problems or wishes or whatever you pray about, is therapeutic. When I was younger and struggling with my 'faith', I figured if there isn't a God, then I'm merely getting something off my chest. Almost like venting to a friend, except without being interrupted or given advice.

Quoting Kate Did It:“ God, Terrorism, Love, and Fear. It does sound beautiful & poetic that way but, the reality is it's ... [snip!] ... here in are the result of a rudimentary Presbyeterian upbringing and a basic appreciation for theBible, as a literary work.”

Just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading that  

Quoting Mommy & Straight:“ Just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading that  ”

Thanks! That was my Saturday morning rumination over coffee.

Quoting Kate Did It:“ Thanks! That was my Saturday morning rumination over coffee.”

Well I enjoyed it, it was very well put IMO. Sitting back and giving a subject a good ole ponder is always good for the soul  

God Hates the World Music Video -

A good example on my equation!

Most people who think you can go to Hell for an action are fueled by ignorance. The Bible clearly states that belief in Jesus as the savior guarantees eternal life in Heaven. John 3:16 doesn't have a disclaimer at the bottom like "*except for you homos, baby killers, and Democrats." Most people I've encountered who claim that sinful actions can send you to Hell have not read the Bible, or they for some reason don't realize that the Old Testament rules no longer apply. (My personal favorite is the old "if you don't get baptized you go to Hell." WTF?)

Damn uneducated bigots, making us sane Christians look bad.  

Quoting Kate Did It:“ God Hates the World Music Video - A good example on my equation!”

LMAO! I watched the whole freaking thing and couldn't stop laughing.

If they didn't have the apocalypse to base their religion on, I don't think there'd be anything else left of it. They don't do charity, they don't "save" people, they obviously don't do the "Hallelujah! Thank God for all the beauty in the world" thing.
I feel bad for them. Living like all the omnipotence in the universe actively hates us.
Any form of religion that fails to celebrate life, in my eyes, undermines itself. If God made life, the single most miraculous thing in the world, not celebrating it is like being given a gift and putting it in the trash before it's even open.

Quoting HippieMommieArmyWife:“ LMAO! I watched the whole freaking thing and couldn't stop laughing. If they didn't have the apocalypse ... [snip!] ... miraculous thing in the world, not celebrating it is like being given a gift and putting it in the trash before it's even open.”

Years ago, I used to be really, really politically active. I went to protest everything. everywhere. If I caught wind of some bigoted, hate speaking group meeting somewhere, there I was with a group of like-minded people, armed with protest banners, signs, and whatever-else the situation made neccesary.
With very little notice, some friends and I organized a contra-rally at the same time, same place as a so called "Sanctity of Marriage Rally" in my hometown, Asheville, NC.

((Asheville is a battleground. Located high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it has filled with people of all fabrics and walks of lives. Much of the surrounding region is the same. Growing up here as a kid, I felt like a freak amoung the rednecks. Now, it's as if the rednecks are freaks amoung us. Part of me bristles up at the idea of MY mountains being gentrified by outsiders. It's true: Western NC is the only area of the country where property values are steadily rising. Still, it's comforting to know I've got back up against some of the locals, who having been so insulated for so long have some what "backwards" or "dated" views on what I consider major issues. Basically, Equal Rights. Still wind up a country road far enough and you'll find a Klan enclave or a church similar to Westboro Baptist))

So, we all show up at this rally and set ourselves up on one side of the park. People hold signs like "If we ban gay marriage will it lower gas prices?" and "Jesus loves Everyone!" There are all ages of people and lots of them are dressed colorfully, gaily even. People sing, hold hands, and play games while the Religious Nut-jobs take to their stage and start ranting. Everything is peaceful until...

The police made an announcement for protestors to leave the park. They rolled up their banners and prepared to leave. And then, the cheif advisor to Charles Taylor, our district's congressional representative at the time, gets on stage and joins in the hate rally. And....like that....
a wave of police charged towards everyone knocking over people and eventually arresting eleven. It was pretty brutal. Lots of these kids had black eyes, one had fractured ribs. I guess they didn't move fast enough.
I did Legal Aid for people arrested in protests who were from Asheville. That basically consists of organizing jail support, fund-raising bail, helping file papers and locate lawyers. The people were charged with trespassing. Eventually, the city failed to uphold the charges. There way a lot of outcry from the community over the inappropriate behavior of the police.

But...this is what really scares me. When civil officials and police officers become involved in the agendas of relgious zealots, citizens are potential victims of people taking God's wrath into their own hands.

Quoting Star1984:“ Most people who think you can go to Hell for an action are fueled by ignorance. The Bible clearly states ... [snip!] ... is the old "if you don't get baptized you go to Hell." WTF?) Damn uneducated bigots, making us sane Christians look bad.  ”

people interpret the Bible in different ways. That is why there are different versions of Christianity now. So you can't claim all sane Christians believe one way or should, or the bible clearly says one thing or doesn't. The very fact that one set of beliefs couldn't be agreed upon and one interpretation of the Bible couldn't be agreed upon is why there are so many different Christian churches today.
And that is okay.
The point is that you shouldn't shove your beliefs down other's throats. Especially when that "shoving" is fueled by fear or hate.

Quoting Mommy & Straight:“ people interpret the Bible in different ways. That is why there are different versions of Christianity ... [snip!] ... point is that you shouldn't shove your beliefs down other's throats. Especially when that "shoving" is fueled by fear or hate.”

I'm Baptist and I'm told we're polar opposites of sane  

And regarding a post on the first page, I pulled a Carla and literally did a *headdesk* - lawl