Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jamey who wrote (36811)	4/23/2004 7:13:40 AM
From: rrufff	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 39621

James, That sounds great in principle. However, when one's beliefs are attacked and groups are generalized and demonized, it becomes "hate speech," "fighting words," which take on a life of its own, much different from the nice words of your post. I would never attack another group by virtue of their religion or claim that they would never be saved because of the form of worship or that they are devils merely because they belong to a religous group. There are wonderful passages in each religion's holy books. There are also hateful passages and messages that may have been common at the time they were written, but today, are nothing more than anachronistic attempts to "elect" oneself and exclude all others. Every religion has this. Certainly, if there is a deity, that deity would "elect" or look favorably upon those who choose love over hate, who choose inclusion over exclusion. With respect to my own religious beliefs, I specifically reject references to exclusion that are contained in ancient tomes. For example, the Talmud, which is often attacked, is really nothing more than a bunch of internet commentators of that day. Some were great thinkers and some were bigots. They controlled their internet message board. The common people did not have access. A bunch of them would sit around and comment on great things and insignificant things, much like people do here. To me and most modern people, they have no more significance than a message board and, in fact, probably less significance. It does not pain me to reject this. Thinking evolves with the times and the environment. I suggest, respectfully, that Jesus would reject the commentaries, including the gospels and internet postings, of those who would condemn others because of a differing belief. I also believe that Jesus would condemn those who would blame an entire people for perceived slights from 2000 years ago. It's time to move forward and get the best that the deity has given to us, and that is life and love and the responsibility to do good for our world and this planet.