nowlin@ihu1e.UUCP (Jerry Nowlin) (09/30/84)
. >>Even if you judge people to be sinners, which the bible says you >>shouldn't ... >Where does the Bible say that? Try Matthew 7:1-5 from the sermon on the mount and Romans 14:12-20 where Paul is talking about how christians should behave toward non-christians. The passage from Romans will probably come back to haunt me. I should know better than to give you scriptures since you'll just invoke Rule 1. I *try* not to judge other people because they don't look like, act like, or agree with me. I'm not black but I don't hate blacks. I'm not gay but I don't hate gays. I'm not christian but I don't hate christians. I don't eat liver but I don't hate people that do. They all fall in about the same category to me. Whether the difference is one nobody can change or it's something a person has a choice in, as long as it doesn't hurt me or anyone else what right do I have to interfere. Being different shouldn't mean better or worse, just different. If someone tried to force me to eat liver I'd put up a fight. That doesn't mean I won't sit at the same table eating my hamburger while they eat liver. It's people like you who try to force their beliefs/morals on the rest of us that really bother me. What gives you the right to decree what a true christian or even a good person is? Oh, I forgot. You can use the parts of the bible you agree with. >>"No longer seeking" >If the experiences you mentioned (cigarette-smoking deacons, racist >church members) halted your search for the truth, you must not have >wanted it *too* much. And I certainly hope you aren't suggesting that >believers should feel shamed because you've given up! I don't expect anyone to be ashamed because they're religious. I didn't give up. I finally saw through the smoke screen that religion really is. I don't need it to be content. I don't need something to look forward to after I die to be happy right now. My life is in my control and if I choose to screw it up I don't need a deity or a devil to put the blame on. >>I think Dave's hatred is much too deeply ingrained to allow him to >>explain or question it. >This is the second time I've seen this hatred thing. Jerry Nowlin >said something similar. I definitely hate lies and sometimes react >viscerally against them (having seen the disastrous results that >acceptance of lies has had in my own life and the lives of some of >my friends). As far as I know this is a virtue. Let me know if >you can correct me on this. Hate is a very strong word. I don't know anyone who thinks of it as a virtue. I don't know what's poisoned you with hate. You have my sympathy. I can only wish you some peace of mind and hope you find someone who can love you in spite of your hatred. If I were religious I'd definitely pray for you. Jerry Nowlin ihnp4!ihu1e!nowlin