The federal government

[Milligan Hay - Iowa d:^)]

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@kraft-t wrote:

is providing service to the people which the people want. Churches are providing nothing but entertainment.

I don't know anybody that worships government. I do know some that hate government and want to make sure it doesn't work. Agree?

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Google the words, "Christian charities"  and see what you get.

Deny it if you want, but Liberals use the Central Government's place in their life as much as Al Qaeda uses "Allah" to advance their desires.

The "service" that the Central Government provides is much the same as a Two-year old Bull does with a Two-year old Heifer in Heat.

[Nebrfarmr]

I would argue that the Christians are having less influence than they used to, at least the strict orthodox ones.  At one time, no one with Newt's past would have had a chance in a national GOP race, let alone someone who is a Mormon.

[Nebrfarmr]

Well, if the Constitution is a 'living' document, who's meaning can change by popular views, as well as international ones, who is to say that the by definition the cutting off of a hand was to someday become 'standard' punishment, instead of 'cruel and unusual'.

I'm not saying it will, or even can happen, just playing devil's advocate here, on one way that it could be possible.

[KNAPPer]

I'd say in that case, I would hate to think what the punishment for men who commit adultery would be.

[Nebrfarmr]

 OUCH!!!  haha!

Actually, if I remember right, only the woman is punished for adultery under Sharia law.

[KNAPPer]

You are correct, sir. A friend who served in a milirary/diplomatic capacity in Iraq for a couple of years said they just usually drag the offending women out in the desert, kill them and no one asks questions.

[Nebrfarmr]

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@kraft-t wrote:

That organized religion has been licensed by our government to defraud unsuspecting citizens. Offering eternal life under the pretense that there is a supreme being that demands your participation and contribution.

Where's the fraud?  Any donations are voluntary, and monetary contributions are not required.  Our Church simply asks that you give what you have extra of.  My family has gone through a few hard times, and recieved more 'help' than we gave, and I try to give back.  I have little extra money, but I have helped fix plumbing, windows, and rooves for widows, and such.  Its all about helping each other out.

Hopw many poor a destitute people are bilked out of their meager assets or their life time saving to support a fraudulent religious sect.

I don't know.  Can you tell me ?  I personally don't know of any, but I do know of several who paid into Social Security, with the belief that it would take care of their needs after retirement, who are now realizing that it isn't.  Our Church has a 'clothes closet' for people like this, and another has a 'food bank'.  The government has them on a 'waiting list'.

The powers of persuasion is no less sinister than what Bernie Madoff did. Take their money and deliver nothing in return.

I'd argue that.  When someone in the Church (a REAL Church, not some oddball cult) has a tragedy, the first people to come help them, are the other Church members.  That is part of the reason to belong to a Church, the mutual support that you give each other.  To add to that, they DO pass the basket around, but they have no requirement as to how much, or how often to give, just give what you can, when you can, and do so with a happy heart.  When my brother got hurt, within hours, there were people offering to tend his livestock, watch the center pivots, etc. 

 It took 8 weeks in a coma, and 2 years in a wheelchair before it was even decided if he was 'disabled' or not.

Can you guess which decision was from a church group, and which was from the government?

What would people say if bernie madoff had tax exempt status?

I have no knowledge on this, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't pay anywhere near his bracket.

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[cotman03]

Three out of the four things you mention as being an intrusion on your rights are beliefs of the Catholic Church that have not made it in the discussion of national policy.  Come on....who is trying to make you eat fish on Friday, not eat pork at all and not use birth control (I hope you did!).  If a believer in the Catholic doctrine chooses to do those things then they do it by choice.  You don't have to and I haven't heard any mention of trying to make anyone do that except Islam.  Abortion is a controversial issue for more reasons than religious beliefs.  Surely you know that.  Christians and other religions have every right to be opposed to issues that go against their religious beliefs and that's not an intrusion on you.     

[GreaTOne_65]

Your no better than he is, Craigo! Good thing you've got your weapon on you, huh?

[dagwud]

Don: "I don't care if Christians or Jews have a voice in our politics as long as they don't impose their brand of law upon the American people. Fish on fridays, no pork in our diets, No birth control and no abortions. See there is few limits to the intrusion they would have in the free lives of american people."

I agree with your comment Don except for the part about abortion.  I'm not a religious person but find abortion wrong simply because it involves the killing of a human life which has no say in the matter. 

This whole religion thing is a mixed bag for me.   On one hand being part of an organized religion seems to be good for many people.  Religions for the most part preach a message of peace and helping your fellow man.  On the other hand I get upset seeing two faced TV preachers out to enrich themselves and often at the expense of the elderly or the sick.   My biggest problem with religions is the number of wars and people killed over religious differences.

Both parties are trying to score as many political points as they can over this latest birth control incident.   Dems claim Repubs want to ban birth control while Repubs claim Obama wants to force churches to accept birth control.   As usual the truth lies somewhere in the middle of these claims.

I understand churches opposition to abortion and capitol punishment but do not understand their opposition to birth control. This makes no sense in a modern world and especially in poor countries where families struggle to feed and care for the children they already have. 

I'm not sure how much say the Catholic church has over what I call "Catholic" hospitals.    However I have a friend who is a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa and according to her Mercy does abortions but does not publicized it.