h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bush was fine and Dandy with Robertson until the "you are with us or against us" hit Pat R between the eyes . Happened of course when he spoke on other topics.

I doubt Bush will tell him to stop praying for a supreme court seat. Bush has hoped for that since day one. IMO that is what the whole election was/is about. The supreme court changing. That could effect the US permanently, it's constitution and what it upholds by law.

I agree, of course- the Governement can still be misspent or embezzeled. Experience and track record should be considered before fixing something that is not broken.

I have recently heard the worrying news that our Tony wants to do something along the same lines in this country! If other nations perceive us in the same generalised way that we see them how long before I am a "christian fundamentalist" pureley because of my place of birth? Religion is a dangerous thing. While I do not deny anyone their beliefs, so much of what is taught breeds mistrust and hatred (false prophets/idols) though the religions all preach peace and harmony on the surface. I am treading on dangerous ground here and am generalising, as the majority of christians, muslims, buddhists etc that I know are supremely tolerant people, and many are able to see through the holes in the pure doctrine they are taught. There are always however a few who take things too literally and too far and these people cloud our perceptions of the worshippers of their faith. There is a quote from a C.S. Lewis childrens book which says I think, " Whatever good is done in the name of *evil deity* is done for me, whatever evil in my name is done for *evil deity*" Good done by anyone for any reason is still good for us all, evil done in the name of whoever is still an act of hate against us all. Bush, (*sarcastically* lovely man!) runs the risk of tarring all christians with his brush. While I have no problem with my money being given to a charity , religious or not, I think the problem is in the narrowness of the application.

*Applaudes*

*bowing* I thank you.

Seriously though, I'm sure that muslims can do as much for the homeless/poor of the U.S. as any christian, it is simply sad that wuth the current political climate they will not be offered the chance. It would do a lot to re-align the veiw taken of the muslim faith by America's Christian fundamentalists to something more akin to the reality. How many of the fundamentalists were bandwagon jumping? It's my veiw that many of todays political and public policies are determined by press coverage, that overgeneralises far more than I do, and government policy/public opinion is re-active rather than pro-active.

A few theist views nicely represented!

"If other nations perceive us in the same generalised way that we see them how long before I am a "christian fundamentalist" pureley because of my place of birth? Religion is a dangerous thing. While I do not deny anyone their beliefs, so much of what is taught breeds mistrust and hatred (false prophets/idols) though the religions all preach peace and harmony on the surface. I am treading on dangerous ground here and am generalising, as the majority of christians, muslims, buddhists etc that I know are supremely tolerant people, and many are able to see through the holes in the pure doctrine they are taught. There are always however a few who take things too literally and too far and these people cloud our perceptions of the worshippers of their faith"

The same also applies to politics. See the near-religious fervour of the Red Guards in the Chinese cultural revolution for details.

true

That is part of why we do not want labels right?
They work both ways.

A cloud exist in the middle of any two differing views. It does not mean you can never see through it. It does not mean you can never go back and forth. It's just a cloud, not a wall!
Some RL walls exist in this world, I can think of none that have helped.

mixing my wallsand metaphors
I'll try to stick to clearer black and white facts-arguements in the debate threads.

Really

There are problems in this comparison between religion and political fervour. Politics is something we have an apparent choice in, though I do strongly feel that the mass veiwpoint will be determined by the media. Religion is often, and once again I am generalising, something that is chosen for us, wether by parents or community. Up until recently, and this is very possibly still the case, schools in the U.K. were obliged by law to provide(not my terminoligy) a certain daily ammount of christian education. More often a blind eye is turned to this as in many multi faith schools it would cause outcry. But imagine the religious power that could be weilded by the church if this were to be enforced. I have insisted that my daughter does not attensd a "sunday school" as I believe her religion should be her own choice.
I offer no support to those who comit attrocities, or inflict their beleifs on to any one else, wether political or religious. I feel that all our perceptions are clouded by the information to which we are privvy, and as the media decides this it is they who wield the axe of power.
There have always been exceptions to these cases.Religious converts later in life often are the most fervent "beleivers". Political systems who have absolute power offer no choice to those who live under their dominion, as in communist china.
It has also been suggested, and not by me, that communism is the worlds youngest religion. It demands absolute faith, stands no competition from other deities, and has twin gods in Lenin and Marx. Though for all its purity of vision it has like the other religions of the world become corrupt and infected from inside.
This is something to consider.

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/faith14.htm

This is an article worth reading by atheist on the faith based programs

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/faith14.htm

This is an article worth reading by atheist on the faith based programs

The faith based .orgs were given an OK to refuse someone whom is totally against the same ideals. The thought is that another program will be availble without such beliefs. Not always!

The faith based programs are on private property which I am sure also changes some circumstances.