Real Men Love Jesus.
IBTL
With respect, I take some exception to this, RNM. I was raised Jewish. I do not practice Judaism per se today.. More like what my wife (who was raised Catholic) referred to once as "Jewish Lite" (that means it has 1/3 less guilt) Those religious traditions are the bases of our individual beliefs, but not the sum total of them. In short, neither of us is much fond of organized religions. With that background, I think you see where I'm coming from and why I cannot in any form of honesty say that I love Jesus... nor do I hate Him. I respect that you and many others, including my wife, view Him as your Lord and Savior, and more power to you with that.
Note that I said I take some exception, not that I'm offended, because I'm not. Perhaps I might modify your thought above:
Real (Christian) Men Love Jesus; All Real Men Respect Others' Beliefs
Would you agree with that?
That is the stated goal of some. Others just go into every thread with a pro-Christian slant, and cause as much trouble as they can until it's locked, and then say the threads are obviously too much trouble for the mods. I figure Christian posts will be banned. I also figure atheist posts, and those denigrating Christianity, will be allowed.
Actually, Joe, we're just going to ban YOUR posts. I kid, I kid. The suggestion you're discussing has been made to the mods. Considering the rants on both sides of the issue. I won't lie, I might be willing to consider the possibility of religious discussions not happening here, and here's why: I didn't send my daughter to school to hear her teacher's religious beliefs; I would not have sent her to church or taken her to synagogue to learn English, math, science, etc. I don't come to INGO to discuss Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, or any other religious system of belief. It would be wrong to remove only one, so if one must go because the topic is detracting from the purpose of this bulletin board, all must.
Please note that the above is NOT in any way to be taken as a policy statement at this time, it's only my personal thought process in an effort to be fair and reasonable to all. It is NOT any form of INGO policy. I said the suggestion had been made. I did not say it was being considered with any seriousness. Do know that before any sort of policy like that was imposed the mod team would discuss it at great length and no matter what our consensus, if Fenway does not agree, it will not happen.
FWIW, I'm not aware of any of the mods who does not have a personal belief and a personal relationship with God as each of us knows Him.
The same reason they fight in perfectly good threads about taking the family out shooting. They like to fight.
There are an awful lot of people that like to do this.. I really wish they would not- it makes that much more work for us and that means less time to enjoy INGO.
I don't have any problems with christians in real life or the internet. that said I do tend to dislike the preachy christians in real life and especially the internet when they are obviously being preachy but try to disguise it as any but. I say preach all the jesus stuff you want but don't get offended when/if someone flames you for it.
I saw a great phrase once on that font of great wisdom: The bumper sticker. It read: "Dear Lord, protect me from Your faithful followers!" I love that, because it's not insulting anyone, it's merely recognizing that some people are dissatisfied with others' answers to the God question AND feel they must change those answers. I am of the opinion that the only person with authority to change someone's opinion is that person, him- or herself, and then, only on his/her own initiative.
Respect. It's a hard word. It's an even harder deed.
^^This. (And techres, this is one reason you made such a great mod here. Deeds, not words. (Dagnabbit! Someone please rep this man... I can't rep him again yet.))
HELP! HELP! I'm being repressed!
Oh, what a give away. Did you hear that, did you hear that, eh?
That's what I'm on about -- did you see him repressing me?
You saw it didn't you?
And as heavy as this discussion has gotten and likely will get... We needed this bit of comic relief. Thanks to Monty Python and thanks to ATM for referencing it.
Blessings, all,
Bill