You are a Racist, a Bigot and a Sexist.

[AnthonyGerrard]

I went to Sunday School as a young child but the stories of walls falling down by marching around playing trumpets, a flood that covered the whole world, dead coming back to life etc just didn't match my rational comprehension of reality.

I was always encouraged by my parents to investigate things and make up my own mind. My father often said, "believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see".

Dad had experienced the hypocrisy of religion and reckoned that many church goers only attended to ask forgiveness for what they had done and then went back to do it all again for the next week.

Mum had even been a lay Sunday School teacher in her late teens. Some incident with a priest about which she would never elaborate left an impression on her. None the less we were still sent to Sunday School but one day when I decided I didn't want to go any more she had no problem and that was it.

In Australia churches are afforded one class a week in state schools and this just served to make me think about it more. By high school I was was actively questioning the religious instruction teachers and they couldn't give answers.

Indeed the last RI teacher I had left after some particular penetrating questions and never returned. She apparently didn't bother to notify the school as our Presbyterian group was unsupervised for several weeks until one day when the Principal happened to walk by and noticed.

I have a reasonably good knowledge of the Bible have had lengthy discussions with religious doorknockers. One couple left saying that they would have to think about their beliefs because I had raised issues about morality they had never considered.

It was reading the Bible that encouraged my active stance against religion because I could see that its message was far from benign. I still have no had anyone serious take on the question of how the Hebrew genocide of the people already living in the "Promised Land" could be considered philosophically enlightening.

The only answer ever ventured is that they had to die because they were so wicked.

However most of the religious are like BladeRunner and avoid engaging in debate preferring to settle back to comfortable ground where they can pity my position.

I assure there is no reason to pity me. I am very happy contributing to the world as best I can and that includes chipping away at the foundations of religion, especially the primitive Abrahamic death cults.

But I would say my church never taught me to read the bible unthinkingly, indeed much of it they know is bollocks and as you say many have never read it completely, cos its not the main point if the religion at all.

Its evolved enough to know that science and religion sit side by side, and its teaching changes accordingly, so parts of the bible become obsolete, or have to be looked at in hsitorical context.

It does seem you tar all with the same brush? Which is more than a little distasteful.

Theres lost of good people , who beleive sensible things acting in selfless , good ways, in all churches. In my opinion you are not nearly enough allowing for that.


I am not so sure most church goers are so fixed as you think. I think that may be your error of judegment. I suppose it depends where you are.

However -

I have family in Oz - who activley encourage the state of Israel and discourage any idea of Palastine - because Israel existing is part of their path to heaven.

Certainly my child will never go to their church - I could quite happily though take her to my old church.


If you rallied against that kind of thing, I couldnt disgagree - your average fairly liberal, clued up church goer seems less fair game.

Maybe a little encouragement for the more liberal church goers, would better serve your cause than the hostility your seem to fire the way of everyone?

 

[RainLover]

However -

I have family in Oz - who activley encourage the state of Israel and discourage any idea of Palastine - because Israel existing is part of their path to heaven.

At long last. Now I know.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

At long last. Now I know.

Sibling and inlaws.

 

[RainLover]

Sibling and inlaws.

PM me their home address so that when I get cranky with you I can throw rocks on their roof.

 

[Bladerunner]

you said: "Perhaps you could start by explaining the profound message in Joshua where he and his followers massacre more than thirty tribes in their "Promised Land" at the instruction of their God. In what context is genocide someting that should inspire us?"

Seems to me you are talking about war. A war much as to day were the Israeli
people face genocide every day from extremist Muslims surrounding their "Promised Land". Were they wicked? I do not know but the bible states that they (the kings) would not make peace with Israel. In war, women and children die, unfortunately as in the case of ' the ending of WWII in the pacific' with two A-bombs being brought against two cities (innocent from the standpoint of battle). It could also be considered a 'genocide (city wide)' of the people within these cities.

The battles of Joshua are being fought still today.

In Joshua's day :
"And when all these kings"(All but one tribe in "the city of Gibeon" ) "were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel".

The God of Abraham ( you so diligently hate) helped them win a war against overwhelming odds:
"And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire."

In the end: "There was none of the (tribes) left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."

Today: we still have Israel surrounded by Muslim countries that have stated that it should be death to ALL of Israel. Would this be genocide in your mind or simply getting back at God for whatever atrocities you consider he did?

Seems to me that you are like an 'ole' (old) coon dog barking up the wrong tree. Rem, there will be one final battle the remains to be fought and while the outcome has been prophesied, there is not doubt that millions will die that day.

Genocide ---Yes, but only if you as an ideologue continue to think that everyone --EVERYONE can be saved and I am not talking about saving their souls from hell.


have a nice day

Bladerunner

Hope this did not go over the top but just had to address his charges?

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

PM me their home address so that when I get cranky with you I can throw rocks on their roof.

276 Lakemba St
Lakemba
NSW 2195

My brother and brother in law were on 60 minutes the other day.

 

[RainLover]

I don't know my way around Sydney too well.

However one thing for sure I would not go there without an armed escort.

I had a girl friend from Punchbowl back in the 70/80s. She was Croatian and her father is still looking for me.

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

I don't know my way around Sydney too well.

However one thing for sure I would not go there without an armed escort.

I had a girl friend from Punchbowl back in the 70/80s. She was Croatian and her father is still looking for me.

Is the armed escort just needed to protect you from the ex's dad?

 

[RainLover]

Is the armed escort just needed to protect you from the ex's dad?

No that was just a BTW. I lived in Parramatta for a little over a year before returning to Brisbane.

I believe Lakemba is populated with a particular race, but I can't remember which one.

The last few trips I did to Sydney was to Blacktown. I always left the office before dark. I don't like Sydney.

 

[ColinEssex]

We lived in Maroubra for a few years and I bought our car on the Paramatta Road.

Col