bABA...

I didin't say I don't respect him. I don't necessarily respect him (I think respect is something that should be earned, not automatic, and since I don't know Casey, I don't have the knowledge to decide if I respect him or not), but I definitely don't not respect him. I also respect his decision to base his entire life soley around the teachings of the bible. I, however, don't have to agree with it, and I think it should be encouraged for religious people to seek out information outside of their inner circle of other religious people. I've never been a fan of mass thinking, which has always been one of my main problems with religion. You're not encouraged to think outside of the box (or in this case, the bible). I'm glad to hear that you are willing to question things, bABA. I just wish that all religious people were like you. Unfortunately, i've found in my life that you are in the extreme minority.

I agree....there are some religious people who practice what they preach and are no hypocritical when It comes to the teachings of the bible and how they decide to live their life, on the other hand the majority(at least that I have found) are the most hateful. hypocritical people in the world. Im not saying MG casey is any of these, but I think it would be good to explain his opipnoin a bit more, other than "its in the bible...etc"

I will say however(and i am christian0 that I think its a bit ridiculous to try and base every belief off the bible. There are WAY TO MANY things in the bible that do not even apply to todays society. Also, many use the bible as a weapon which is just disgusting, and not the true intentions of the bible itself

If you want to believe homosexuality is wrong simply because the Bible says so, or any other publication says so I don't care if its Eintein or whatever, without havng anything else to back it up, I think it's completely ignorant. But go ahead and think that if you want.

However, to go further and try to prevent something from happening, simply because of those beliefs, ignoring that not all people share those beliefs is downright stupid and arrogant. I'm not trying to prevent anyone from excercising their right to gather for mass at church every week or anything of that sort, even if I don't care for it/should be done.

There is nothing wrong with being a Christian/Jew/Muslim, just don't use it to single out groups of people different from you. The misuse of the Abrahamic religions is a great reason why the world has much racism/sexism/etc.

And let me repeat it, there is zilch in the Bible that condemns homosexuals, just homosexual sex. Yes, there is a difference. So people should stop misinterpreting the Bible to suit their prejudices. Wait, that will never happen.

hey makeshift. Maybe you might find this nitpicking but heres the thing. I'm not Christian or anything but personally, I'm religious and its something i keep to myself for reasons i'll state in a bit. But when I hear a statement like this:



i question everything cause its my nature to. But my mom doesn't. My uncles dont. lots of people i know dont. They dont judge others either. But they do what they do cause of their beliefs. To me reading the above is sort of like a mock towards their entire way of living cause its an implication that forget issues like gay issues ... but you personally do not respect their decision to maybe not drink alcohol for the rest of their lives. Again, not acccpting or believing is one thing. But its just ... some feeling i get.

I guess the reason i brought this up was because of a few comments passed on MG Casey right now over the span of this thread. Casey said he comes from a bible belt. I came from a similar surrounding to. And the fact that he was surprised is not shocking at all. Its actually the most understanable reaction. he (as me) was not exposed to this life. we just weren't. all our lives, we learnt something different yet instead of educating, certain members who will best remain unmentioned decided to take a pot shot at him ... honestly, i find that rather inappropriate, considering hes been terribly nice here.

Another thing is ...since i moved here ... at every twist and turn, i've had people tell me to take that sip of the alcohol, to forget my rules of celibacy and break my fast .... sure, when i tell them its religious, they're all like, i respect that dude but come on .. this one time. to many its not a big deal. but just the way religious people try to enforce their beliefs on others, i've had people trying to take it away from me. And i'm not talking about 1 or 2 people ... literally a good 70 to 80% of them. I've always found that hypocritical ... and in many ways, this board is one of the few places where people have been okay with my stance on religion and my own personal practices. its only 2 years ago i really started drinking and gave it up about just over a month ago .. this time for more reasons than just religion ... and sadly, i'm starting to hear the same comments again .. even when i try to explain them its not religion theyre like this one time, dont think about it and just do it. its sad really....

i would excuse it if its 1 or 2 people but .... meh.

I just hope I didn't say anything wrong. Aside from being obviously an non-religious heathen, for which G-d must strike me dead.

bABA...

Just a couple of responses and then I gotta pick up dinner.

Your family might base their entire belief system around their bible and not question it, but like you said, they don't judge other people. That's all i'm asking for here.

As for the alcohol thing, I completely respect that decision - it's not hurting or oppressing anyone.

I completely understand Casey's reaction to the thread. I've know people in my life who have moved from the the Midwest or the South to the West Coast, and they are in complete shock over the open homosexuality here. They don't hate these people, they just don't understand it, and I completey get that. I'm just asking them to open their minds a little.

Also, bABA, i'm sorry to hear that your religious beliefs have been treated poorly by others since you moved to where you currently reside. I find that behavior to be just as close minded as the behavior we've discussed in this thread. When I was younger (16,17,18), I was very angry with religion and people that were religious, so I was extremely close minded towards them, and honestly hateful. I know realize that that is extremely hypocritical, and I have tried very hard to remain open minded towards all walks of life. I may never be religious, but I don't ever want to hurt others with my actions.

Please refrain from replying to my posts.