Religion and Politics

yeah everyone has their own beliefs infact i live by my tribes belief. So if people choose not to believe in god that's on them but i sure as heck do and i've had experences were angels are concerned aswell. But in native beliefe god is known by our people as the great spirit :) but see that's my beliefs i've had my experences so no matter what people say to me i remain... a believer ^_-

Originally posted by Aquaknot Originally posted by Heavenly_tRiNiTy Originally posted by Aquaknot So there was Jesus, with his Disciples about to go to the Temple.  At the time, there was a "Temple Tax", which everyone hated, but had to pay if they wanted access to the Temple.  Turns out Jesus and his posse had no form of legal tender.  Jesus tells Peter, "go down to the water and you'll find a fish with a coin in its mouth. Go get it and bring it back here".  Peter goes on his way and comes back with the coin.  Jesus then says to Peter; "go to the Temple and pay my tax and yours so that we do not offend them". Hmmm... so the moral of the story isn't just an apparent miracle, but Jesus worried about offending the very people he disagreed with.  Nice. Aqua u missed one or two things out. Temple taxes were paid by everyone to the King, only the sons of the King didn't have to pay them. Jesus makes a point of this by enquiring to Peter the correct earthly protocol (as if he isn't aware). But he is making a statement that he too is the son of the highest authority, one higher than any earthly power. He does so by firstly the conversation then by getting Peter to complete a miraculous task. Offending someone as retaliation doesn't teach his disciples the intended message. Although they cause offence in his father's house he respects their custom to demonstrate how pious they will need to be if they are to spread his teachings. Respect customs, even ones that contradict your own or cause u offence imo is the lesson.  Wow,very good Trin-  I was just pulling out the part that fits current events with not offending others just to make a point.  Not many know that level of detail.  I'm impressed.

Originally posted by DEMON_ON_SLAUGHT Originally posted by Iuckshot just shouting something out there wont convince a lot of people :o so what your saying is that priests, vicars, etc. aren't doing anything worth while? :O

Originally posted by Heavenly_tRiNiTy Originally posted by Aquaknot Originally posted by Heavenly_tRiNiTy Originally posted by Aquaknot So there was Jesus, with his Disciples about to go to the Temple.  At the time, there was a "Temple Tax", which everyone hated, but had to pay if they wanted access to the Temple.  Turns out Jesus and his posse had no form of legal tender.  Jesus tells Peter, "go down to the water and you'll find a fish with a coin in its mouth. Go get it and bring it back here".  Peter goes on his way and comes back with the coin.  Jesus then says to Peter; "go to the Temple and pay my tax and yours so that we do not offend them". Hmmm... so the moral of the story isn't just an apparent miracle, but Jesus worried about offending the very people he disagreed with.  Nice. Aqua u missed one or two things out. Temple taxes were paid by everyone to the King, only the sons of the King didn't have to pay them. Jesus makes a point of this by enquiring to Peter the correct earthly protocol (as if he isn't aware). But he is making a statement that he too is the son of the highest authority, one higher than any earthly power. He does so by firstly the conversation then by getting Peter to complete a miraculous task. Offending someone as retaliation doesn't teach his disciples the intended message. Although they cause offence in his father's house he respects their custom to demonstrate how pious they will need to be if they are to spread his teachings. Respect customs, even ones that contradict your own or cause u offence imo is the lesson.  Wow,very good Trin-  I was just pulling out the part that fits current events with not offending others just to make a point.  Not many know that level of detail.  I'm impressed. tnx Aqua! No offence taken, its about understanding and at least u understand the christian point of view. I'm not saying its right or whatever but its my take (and others too i would think). Food for thought tho. And a nice example of healthy debate without butt hurtiness!

Actually....there were many different people that didnt have to pay the tax....the tax takers didnt have to....well i think haha but im pretty sure more people then just the kings sons didnt have to pay

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100909/ap_on_re_us/us_nyc_mosque_imam

Originally posted by Deadaim http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100909/ap_on_re_us/us_nyc_mosque_imam <FONT>  <FONT>amazing.. let them build a mosque on ground zero or we will be attacked by muslim extremists? <FONT>  <FONT>if these muslims really arent trying to put it on ground zero as a symbol of victory then they shouldnt care if its moved.. and for a group of people who demands you dont even do something as simple as make a comic about muhammed.. its amazing they cant understand why americans would take it offensive to have a mosque built on the site where islamic extremists killed thousands of people in a cowardly attack.   supposedly moving it will make "the muslim world" feel like its under attack.. this is coming from the same religion that wont allow churches in their country or christians in certain areas?

i do agree with you on the mosque. i also believe its to be built as a symble of there attack on this Country! therefore its not acually not a true religious structure or is it? its clear to me that it should not be built at the planned sight! and my oppinion has nothing to do with my religion but whats best for my country in this perticular situation.

there not going to stop the build so how can it be stopped without going against our own constitution? there inlies the problem? Its probably going to be built which is totally screwe'd up in my oppinion! i mean the balls some of these people have is unbelievable??? attack a country then use there own constitution to force them to allow you to build a mosque to commerate the attack? there's going to be a lot of angry Americans! It will create so much hate!

and they know this! the question i have is, are these mosque builders extremists or is that what being Islamic is really all about? because i really honestly don't know? muslims have to know this is going to create a lot of anti muslim anger in this country so why would they want that? its acually pretty bizar when you think about it.

im not anti anyone or any religion and im not try'n to sound like im being negative towards muslims but i just don't understand why any muslim would agree with this perticular mosque being built so near ground zero? they have to know howi sensetive to Americans and specially New Yorkers this situation is? thats much is obvious!

the bottom line is, Its going to cause nothing but anger and hate so why build it at that location unless thats what your intention is in the first place?

i for one don't want to se more anger and hate! its 2010 its time to try to end all the anger and hate isn't it?

Originally posted by SP61gTSupra

Idiot #1  I'm going to burn a bunch of books because you are extemists.

Originally posted by Deadaim <DIV =byline><CITE =vcard>By AMIR SHAH, Associated Press Writer <SPAN ="fn org">Amir Shah, Associated Press Writer</SPAN> </CITE>– <ABBR =recenttimedate title=2010-09-09T10:36:25-0700>2 hrs 4 mins ago</ABBR><!-- end .byline --> <DIV =yn-story-> KABUL, Afghanistan – Hundreds of angry Afghans burned a U.S. flag and chanted "Death to the <FONT style=": static; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; COLOR: #366388 !imant; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-WEIGHT: 400" color=#366388><SPAN style=": static; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; COLOR: #366388 !imant; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-WEIGHT: 400" =k>Christians</SPAN>" on Thursday to protest plans by a small American church to torch copies of the Muslim holy book on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. um ya.

thats not very tolerant or understanding? you can bet it will get even worse if the q'ran burning's acually take place!

but they do that type of thing all the time so its nothing new.

Originally posted by Heavenly_tRiNiTy Church and state can never be separated its like declaring that politics has no place in society. England, EU (France and Russia and maybe a few others aside) and USA are morally christian countries are they not? Do the main tenets of your laws conform to the 10 commandments? I think they do - perhaps thou shalt not kill is a little questionable as some states choose execution as a way of righting a wrong. Could you call them fundamentalists as in the traditional eye for an eye? I guess so. And the more liberal states that incarcerate/rehabilitate could be considered modernists? Maybe? You are supposed to be tolerant and democratic even allowing views and beliefs that challenge yours because you will examine and learn at a deeper more meaningful level. Islam perhaps is in some ways less tolerant, more fundamental in its approach. There is only one version of the Qu'ran afaik (I would love to know if there are more and how they differ) so its easier than christians who seemingly have many gospels, several versions of the Bible at various stages of christian evolution.  Is this where christianity is less able to meet the challenge of Islam - for me i think so but its my opinion. One thing I know is that when ppl sit down and discuss things as sensible human beings (not being childish - name calling, criticising spelling/grammar, nor being rude or disrespectful) we all learn more and understand better about things like religion and politics. I will say this though, generally speaking - if ppl continue to blatantly disrespect others  (whether christian, religious, atheist etc) then it's not worth having these threads, lock it down. if some of u guys cant say anything constructive or challenge anything in a civil way then dont say anything at all. believe or not, its your prerogative but heathy discussions for all plz.

I think our country's laws are based on morals, not religion. Also, as far as the death penalty, "eye for an eye" is a little extreme of a reference. It's only reserved for the most heinous of murders with aggravating circumstances. Very few murder cases result in the death penalty being the judgment. That's not to say that the capital punishment system isn't flawed. Nothing's perfect.

I for the record was raised Roman Catholic. i'm not anymore. I'm not an atheist either. I believe in a god/higher power, but my view does not conform with (most) religion's view of god. I for the most part, think religion is f*cked and false. Just my view. Have a spiritual connection with your own version of god (if you want), have good morals, and you're all good. That's how I live.

This earth is too fragile for it to have been formed without a guiding hand.

Originally posted by Deadaim its funny how people with ****ty lives are always against religion. its like your lives were so horrible you couldnt possibly fathom that their could be a god, why would your life so suck so bad if their was a god? that post by lunchy is offensive, and pathetic.   ever notice that 99% of online gamers are atheist.. its not because they are some super smart people that managed to see thru the hype thats convinced 4 billion people that religion exists.. its because the same douches online are the same kids that grew up resenting life and being picked on every day, and thus thats why the majority of online gamers are atheists, and most are jobless little goofballs so most gamers = atheist liberals.   sucks being surrounded by a bunch of nerdy tools just because i enjoy video games.

it also has to deal with the crap they feed in mainstream education.

Originally posted by uc SYZYGY uc GOD is real! Non believers need to realise this before its to late!

my answer/question = 1st . WHY BELIEVE IN SOMEBODY ELSE IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

wow i was right! Rauf wrote a book stating the ground zero mosque is for stealth jihad! that being the case shouldn't it fall under national security? if so the president has an obligation to stop it don't he? id say so!

the reason for the mosque was obvious, but i didn't think it would be proved. writing a book was a bonehead thing to do.