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

Just dropping by after I saw you post something on one of Justin's many threads. Wow, you've been around for awhile, haven't you? But this is the first time I have come across you.

I've just been here since last March. But I love h2g2 and have become quite addicted to it. I have met so many interesting and wonderful people - as well as a few serious **sholes. Well, par for the course, as they say.

Never a dull moment.

Well, that's all. Just wanted to say hello and also that I thought your posting to Justin was quite good.

az

I just responded to your posting on the 'child smacking' thread, where you mentioned Justin.

It seems to me that Justin is getting his own back on his various threads. He cannot answer anything that does not fall within his very narrow view of what a 'Christian' is supposed to be.

I think he is quite outmatched by some of the people participating on that thread. And he knows it. So he is falling back on just telling people, including me, that he refuses to answer their questions anymore.

I wonder what he is afraid of?

az

Somewhere is a link justin's own web page.

http://www.newtestamentpattern.net/testimonies/justinhughes

Oh, here it is!! on his page.

Read and enjoy.

The man is a bigot.
His view is that the host of the Elected is already decided and any one who is Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, etc etc, and me and you,
Dr Williams and on and on are not in the gang.
In fact anyone who isnt him.
You will also find if you look hard enough that one of his political and religious heroes in Ian Paisley.
Says it all really.

I was brought up as a Baptist and my Dad worked for DR Williams for a while in Wales and still acts as an advisor to the bishops from time to time.
However, my brand of liberal, tolerant religious activity marks me out for special treatment as I have betrayed the faith in his view.

Does this sound like any other extremists from any other group you can think of?

I just posted something on one of Justin's threads but stupidly hit 'post message' while I was trying to transfer some quote of his, so my initial posting ends up looking totally stupid. Well, I tried to explain this in the following posting. Grrr.

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Well, no kidding. The man is also quite delusional.

I was brought up (so to speak) as RC. And I maintain that this religion should have an R rating - never to be shown to children under 18 years of age. It is just way too scary for young children to understand. They don't have the wherewithall to see that most of it is myth and parables. Like, I am going to burn in the eternal fires of Hell because I have sinned? Get outta here. But I really did believe this when I was a kid and it scared the heckity out of me.

I have no problem with people needing some sort of religion to believe in, though this is not my case. I no longer have a religion. But I mean, really. Religion and god concepts should be about being good and kind to our fellow man. And not because we are afraid of some sort of eternal hell-fire but just because this makes sense. You just don't hurt people. This makes sense. And why? Well, would you like being hurt? I don't think so. So then, don't hurt anyone else. It's logical.

The golden rule. One of the most intelligent things Jesus ever said, if indeed he ever said this. But it is still quite a fine rule.

az

Very nice post!

I concur 100%

I dont practise religion any omre myself, but I do still beleive in the guiding principles that uder pin all faiths.

Decency, tolerance, kindness etc etc.

The Koran isnt a bad book, neither is the bible in its many forms.
However they only serve as a parable and a guide ( much like this one )

The monty Pyton team summed it up in the Meaning of Life film

try to lead a good a lifeas you can, get some exersise and generally try to get along.


Sums it all up for me!

I do get riled by extremists.
It is the certain that bugs me.
Justin is pretty much the same as Bin Laden to me.

I do also side with Cromwell on the main points about Catholisism, though I would apply it to all religion - that it is not just a faith but a political force.

And when you see it applied by the likes of Justin you can see what he means.

Rambling again here, but hey!!!!!

Mark,

ALL religious books and teachings have something to say, and I think they have very good things to say when you take them out of the narrow concept of being some sort of religion.

I not only loved the Monty Python Meaning of Life but also Life of Brian. It showed how ridiculous it is for anyone to ever think they have some sort of direct link to GOD. In the sense that this makes them special.

I think we all have a direct link to our own personal god concept. Which is what makes life both interesting and mysterious. But you know, if I think you are god as much as I am, then there is no problem. I will treat you with the same respect that I would treat any god idea, and I should also be treating myself in the same manner.

Extremists are lost people, as far as I can see. They are so insecure and f**ked up that they NEED to have some THING that gives their life some sort of purpose or meaning.

Hey, I get up every morning and I have three cats demanding their breakfast, which makes me laugh. And I welcome each day as a new possibility to perhaps do things better than I did yesterday. And I presume you have your child, or children, to also make you aware of this. About just how damned lucky we are to wake up every morning and have a new day ahead of us. With all we have.

If that isn't GOD then what is?

az

Dont those nice men in white coats put you in a room with rubber wallpaper if you think you are God?

Just thought!

I'm just not used to agreeing with people on the guide LOL

After last Christmas I had a deep conversation with my son ( then nearly 7 ) about the existance of Santa.

My explanation, and it is one I stick to, is that if you believe in the inner ability of everyone to be kind and generous then Santa will always exist.

By the way, I guess I've never really out grown all that stuff myself!
I know that sound mush but it those principles that I try to stick to.
I always see life in shades though and that is why the abslute conviction of some does my brain in.

Did you suss out that Justin is an adulterer, a drunk and an ex copper?

It just strikes me that he has found a crutch for his life and is now so dependant uponit that he cannot move on.
Think, change, adapt are the watch words here.
This is why I think people like Rowan Williams, David Jenkins etc are hated by guys like Justin because they want you to think about lifes problems and come up with solutions instead of just shouting on.

By the way, you must excuse my typing.
My fingers just arent fast enough when I'm thinking LOL

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Eek! Well, I do try to not say this too often!

My take on Justin is that he went through a personal crisis that ended up with him doing some weird destruction of personality thing so that he could continue living with himself. And he called that salvation God. He also could have called it Justin. Or Fred.

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Well, that is true enough, I think. Which is why I tried talking to him. But now he is telling me I am an idiot and Jesus doesn't want me to hear his words. Snore. . .

I think Justin is addicted to his religion. And I think that is quite sad, but unless he acknowledges this then he will continue to be the same. I do wonder why he bothers posting here, though. It's almost like he wants people to disagree with him.

az

i guess Jesus doesnt want you for a sunbeam?

You may not know that Justin was kicked off a bulletin board thing ( like the guide ) on the BBCi's religious pages.

It is the mission of good christian to spread the good news, and YOU WILL LISTEN!

I guess this is just part of his one.
Though pretty much everyone here tends to be fairly liberal minded even when agruing.

And the famous phrase from Marx about religion being the opiate of the masses wouldn't go down very well I think.

Well, like I told you before, I am not religious in any way. But I feel quite secure in the idea that I am living in 'god', whatever that means. I know what it feels like, but I have no vocabulary to explain it properly. And don't get the wrong idea. I'm not some airy-fairy thinking they are somehow connected to God. I don't need to do that. I am alive. So I am god. And so are you, Mark. I think it's just that simple.

Religion is mostly about control, as are all organized things like this. Politics, etc.

Anyhow, I've never been a 'group' sort of person.

az

Time to go soon for today.

Just one point though - we are all group people really.
We can all be put in our little box!
It's up to you which boxes you choose from the pile thats all.
If you knew me better you might know about some of the odd ones i've choosen over the years!

Some are public and some are private, but we still end up grouped with others.

And you are right about the control thing

Okay, we are all group people.

No man is an island.

We are social animals, us humans.

But we can choose our groups, however small they might be.

az

Gosh, you get going really early!

I've just got to work and read some posts, I tend to be here when it's quiet at work ( Sundays etc ).

I'm waiting to see what revs me up today!

Well, I work at home mostly, so the computer stays on and I check in from time to tome . . . so sometimes I will be 'on-line' but not actually 'here'.

hi stranger,

long time no see.

it's raining here like mad with lots of thunder and lightening - a perfect time to stay in and be cosy with my cats.

how are you?

az

Hi,

Sorry been off with a stinky horrible cold!
Also I'm stuck on nights this week, hence its 02:30 an I'm just stopped for a bite to eat.

The joys of being a wage slave I guess.

In with the cats seems the best place to be!!!

Any how I hope your ok despite the weather

Well, the joys of being a wage slave means that you get a wage!

I don't. I work freelance most of the time, so I am never allowed to get sick.

Yes, it was a cosy-ish weekend. Now of course it is sunny and nice out. Which is actually good since I have to go out to work and would not like to do this if it were totally pissing down.

Ah, life, eh?

az