Bag60: Ever why your massive majority (since we're the "few") and your almighty God just haven't managed to get this country running the way you want it to? Huh, I bet there's a reason, can you figure it out?
Contrapositive: So... you think non-virgins should be executed. This is the wonders that God brings to the world, eh?
Do Christians never stop to wonder why this almighty God is so damned unfair? I mean, let's put aside all the misery he could wash away in a second. Let's just ignore the fact he forgives you of your sins, yet punishes every human being for the sins of two human beings from the start.
What about the fact he gave physical evidence of his existence to people, per the Bible, in Jesus, yet he will send you to the worst torment you could imagine if you fail to believe in him on pure here say?
So let's recap. You have a God who created playthings, decided they didn't work the way he wanted so he punished him. Continued this thread with punishments in the form of death, killed every human on the planet except Moses and Co. in the flood, because every other human was apparently evil... what are the chances, huh?
And he encourages his playthings to kill each other if they don't live their lives to a gold standard. Hell of a guy, that God. And finally, your choices for afterlife are eternal damnation in the worst possible manner you could imagine, or bliss in the form of kissing up to this divine being who apparently has an ego that needs to be constantly stroked in the form of praise and unyielding obedience.
Did no one ever stop to think, "Hey, isn't ego a -human- trait?" Did no one ever stop to consider that even if God does exist, maybe we've got it all wrong? You place your faith in a 2,000 year old book that has more translations than pretty much any other book in history. Countless copying, mistranslation, and not to mention the abuse it's had at the hands of people of power (Popes, Kings, other leaders).
It amazes me when people can't simply accept others who don't subscribe to their own beliefs. You know, I think that all Judeo-Christian beliefs are the biggest hook-line-and-sinker lie ever. I think a lot of people are going to die and there will be a big black nothing to greet them.
Despite that, I fully believe people have the right to have faith in whatever notion they choose, and it's not right for me to harass them, nor is it right to hope they convert to my way of thinking. If they find peace in what they believe, they should continue to believe in it.
On the flipside, I see comments here like "I hope the non-Christians come to find Christ in their lives" and I can't help but be staggered. If you're hoping someone converts to your beliefs, do you think you're going to act in ways that intrude on that person as a next logical step? Why not just respect they believe something you don't and feel like that's OK for them?
It's ironic that so many Christians fight so hard to protect perceived rights re: their religion, yet also fight so hard to prevent perceived rights of other groups (other religions, gay/lesbians, etc.)
mnlostdutchman61: You never had a right to practice your religion in any way you want, any time you want, any where you want. Do you really think you had a right to, say, give out communion to the masses in the middle of a street downtown? Of course not. This is the same concept - saying practicing religion is not appropriate in this particular place.
I don't know what you mean by "coming here" for freedoms. Many of those who oppose religion mixing with government are born and raised Americans, myself included. In fact, I don't think I've ever met someone who moved to this country and then went liberal activist railing against religion in schools. Have you?
I don't think there's any doubt these girls meant well. I think we can all agree that their actions are certainly better than being out doing drugs or getting "knocked up", but that doesn't mean they can do anything they want if some of us agree with it, either.
No one is trying to stop you from practicing your religion. But you don't have a right to practice it anywhere, anytime you want if it intrudes on other people. To think you have such a right is just plainly selfish.
Would you be equally protecting the right of someone to go to a football game and invoke the name of Satan? Of course not. Be fair.
Captainrt: Valid point, but I think we'll see "In God we trust" removed from U.S. currency in the future. References to God are gradually being removed from all such things.
It's appropriate. You can't slant the government toward a specific religion, and by having "In God we trust" instead of "Allah be Praised", for instance, you are doing just that.
nciceman: Untrue. This is a public display of scripture, which is very different than students quietly praying in a group to themselves. Further, the article indicates this ritual was started by the coach, a government employee.
Finally, the fact it's part of a school event makes it clear (per the U.S. Supreme Court) that Christianity is being endorsed by that school because they have permitted it (for years). This is a violation of federal law.
RebelRookie: With all due respect, I challenge you to provide evidence that America's public schools are teaching children that being gay is a preferable lifestyle or that they should hate America. It should be common sense that war should be avoided where it can be. Some wars are necessary, but no war is "good". Global warming is a very, very well accepted scientific principle at this point.
Do you not realize how hate-filled your post was? You're spitting vitriol everywhere. Is that really necessary? Can't you argue your point without name-calling? Is your enemy liberal people or liberal ideas? It seems like you're attacking the people well above and beyond the concepts themselves.
Finally, those school administrators were upholding federal law. While you might be willing to put your job at risk to stand up against the U.S. Supreme Court, I don't think that most of America is so willing to cast aside jobs, particularly in the current job economy.
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
Everyone who has an opinion on this is an extremist? Really?
And great point, eeeeeek.
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
Bag60: Ever why your massive majority (since we're the "few") and your almighty God just haven't managed to get this country running the way you want it to? Huh, I bet there's a reason, can you figure it out?
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
jnm: Should the day also start with prayers from every other religion too? If not, why?
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
Contrapositive: So... you think non-virgins should be executed. This is the wonders that God brings to the world, eh?
Do Christians never stop to wonder why this almighty God is so damned unfair? I mean, let's put aside all the misery he could wash away in a second. Let's just ignore the fact he forgives you of your sins, yet punishes every human being for the sins of two human beings from the start.
What about the fact he gave physical evidence of his existence to people, per the Bible, in Jesus, yet he will send you to the worst torment you could imagine if you fail to believe in him on pure here say?
So let's recap. You have a God who created playthings, decided they didn't work the way he wanted so he punished him. Continued this thread with punishments in the form of death, killed every human on the planet except Moses and Co. in the flood, because every other human was apparently evil... what are the chances, huh?
And he encourages his playthings to kill each other if they don't live their lives to a gold standard. Hell of a guy, that God. And finally, your choices for afterlife are eternal damnation in the worst possible manner you could imagine, or bliss in the form of kissing up to this divine being who apparently has an ego that needs to be constantly stroked in the form of praise and unyielding obedience.
Did no one ever stop to think, "Hey, isn't ego a -human- trait?" Did no one ever stop to consider that even if God does exist, maybe we've got it all wrong? You place your faith in a 2,000 year old book that has more translations than pretty much any other book in history. Countless copying, mistranslation, and not to mention the abuse it's had at the hands of people of power (Popes, Kings, other leaders).
When did plain old common sense die?
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
It amazes me when people can't simply accept others who don't subscribe to their own beliefs. You know, I think that all Judeo-Christian beliefs are the biggest hook-line-and-sinker lie ever. I think a lot of people are going to die and there will be a big black nothing to greet them.
Despite that, I fully believe people have the right to have faith in whatever notion they choose, and it's not right for me to harass them, nor is it right to hope they convert to my way of thinking. If they find peace in what they believe, they should continue to believe in it.
On the flipside, I see comments here like "I hope the non-Christians come to find Christ in their lives" and I can't help but be staggered. If you're hoping someone converts to your beliefs, do you think you're going to act in ways that intrude on that person as a next logical step? Why not just respect they believe something you don't and feel like that's OK for them?
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
It's ironic that so many Christians fight so hard to protect perceived rights re: their religion, yet also fight so hard to prevent perceived rights of other groups (other religions, gay/lesbians, etc.)
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
mnlostdutchman61: You never had a right to practice your religion in any way you want, any time you want, any where you want. Do you really think you had a right to, say, give out communion to the masses in the middle of a street downtown? Of course not. This is the same concept - saying practicing religion is not appropriate in this particular place.
I don't know what you mean by "coming here" for freedoms. Many of those who oppose religion mixing with government are born and raised Americans, myself included. In fact, I don't think I've ever met someone who moved to this country and then went liberal activist railing against religion in schools. Have you?
I don't think there's any doubt these girls meant well. I think we can all agree that their actions are certainly better than being out doing drugs or getting "knocked up", but that doesn't mean they can do anything they want if some of us agree with it, either.
No one is trying to stop you from practicing your religion. But you don't have a right to practice it anywhere, anytime you want if it intrudes on other people. To think you have such a right is just plainly selfish.
Would you be equally protecting the right of someone to go to a football game and invoke the name of Satan? Of course not. Be fair.
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
Captainrt: Valid point, but I think we'll see "In God we trust" removed from U.S. currency in the future. References to God are gradually being removed from all such things.
It's appropriate. You can't slant the government toward a specific religion, and by having "In God we trust" instead of "Allah be Praised", for instance, you are doing just that.
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
nciceman: Untrue. This is a public display of scripture, which is very different than students quietly praying in a group to themselves. Further, the article indicates this ritual was started by the coach, a government employee.
Finally, the fact it's part of a school event makes it clear (per the U.S. Supreme Court) that Christianity is being endorsed by that school because they have permitted it (for years). This is a violation of federal law.
Cheerleaders’ religious signs draw fire
RebelRookie: With all due respect, I challenge you to provide evidence that America's public schools are teaching children that being gay is a preferable lifestyle or that they should hate America. It should be common sense that war should be avoided where it can be. Some wars are necessary, but no war is "good". Global warming is a very, very well accepted scientific principle at this point.
Do you not realize how hate-filled your post was? You're spitting vitriol everywhere. Is that really necessary? Can't you argue your point without name-calling? Is your enemy liberal people or liberal ideas? It seems like you're attacking the people well above and beyond the concepts themselves.
Finally, those school administrators were upholding federal law. While you might be willing to put your job at risk to stand up against the U.S. Supreme Court, I don't think that most of America is so willing to cast aside jobs, particularly in the current job economy.