A blog about News and Politics.
Gender: male Member Since: March 14, 2006 Last Signed In: November 20, 2008 Profile Views: 8063 Blog Views: 30599 It's MY turn! Oh, Marie Poor Rob's Almanac You can't open a door that is already open Will the REAL will please stand? Reality check Life is for the living I'll relent..Just a little It could be worse! Forward or Back? It's up to us! June 06 July 06 August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 
RSS 2.0    Share!
|
|
|
Slam a(insert pet group) go to jail, slam a Christian win a prize.
The outcome of the bruhaha over the KHSD poster plan proves something I have known for a long time. That there are still many more Believers than there are non believers. This is not a slam or a raspberry to the non believers. How someone feels about such matters is their business and they don't have to justify why they feel that way to me, or in my opinion, to anyone at all, even though they do tend to want me to justify myself on the issue. The believers have had their say this this time, just as the nons have had their say in other parts of the country. You can grouse about it being the board members actions, but were elections to be held today those same folks would be re-elected because elections are won by the most votes, not the squeakiest wheels. Listen, if you don't want to believe something, don't believe it, just stop telling me I should feel the same way as you. I have NEVER made fun of or done any namecalling to a non believer. That behavior is simply immature and counterproductive, but said behavior is the rule rhather than the exception to those on the other side of the fence. The opponents of the plan make the wild claims that the decision affects believers of other faiths, but I don't hear those other believers making any noise. That is because those people are firm in their beliefs and are not threatened by believers of differing faiths. A few years ago when the Tehachapi East Cemetery built a cross shaped planter visible from the freeway it was an ACLU member who started the complaining that it was unfair to other faiths, not actually people of differing faiths. I asked a Jewish aquaintance how he felt about it. He thought the whole thing was ridiculous as did everyone I talked to about it, but the cemetery lopped off the top od the planter and made it a 'T' rather than go to court. Who could blame them? But the simple fact is that not one person of a differing faith really gave a hoot about the whole thing and none were involved in the complaint. Once again, who is shoving what down who's throat? I say believe what you wish, they say believe what they wish. I am tired of being told I am intolerant by some of the most intolerant people on earth! I am expected to tolerate their points of view or be faced with childish namecalling, at the least, and major lawsuits at the worst. I say your opinions are your business, but you tell me that your opinions should be mine and that mine are silly and irrelevent. Is that what you call fair? If something as simple as a poster frightens you so much(and you ARE frightened because anger is only a manifestation of fear)perhaps you should look into why you really feel the way you do. Maybe your spirit is lacking something that Muslims, Jews, Hindus and others do not lack and that is true conviction where their beliefs are concerned. They aren't mad about anything, they just want to worship as they see fit and they do because the constitution guarantees that they can. They don't complain until they find a sympathetic judge to overturn a law passed by the will of the people. The vast majority of "right wing Christian fanatics" feel just I do. We aren't trying to force anything on anyone, we just want our views to be recognized too. Every other group in America has all the freedoms they are guaranteed and nobody denies them the right to demonstrate those views. Gays have parades, Porn has conventions and evolution is taught in schools(even though its actual proof is as lacking as Creation). But that's all OK with me. I really don't care what anyone else does, even if I disagree with them because I am comfortable enough in my own convictions to withstand anything I wish. I am the weakest link in my faith, not some poster or another type of worship. So don't tell me that expressing MY views is intolerant as you sit in you own bed of intolerance toward MY views, casting judgement and calling names(grow up already!)that you seem to think make you superior to me. "Fair" seems to be a relative term to those who oppose anything the right says or does. My views may be set inside me, but it's big, diverse world and just because I disagree with something doesn't mean you don't have the right to believe, support, debate and share it. I'm just asking for the same respect.
27 comments from 12 users
1
posted by
robbwillis
on Nov 19, 2007 at 07:45 AM
Did you catch last week's Nova on Intelligent Design?
posted by
sojourner7
on Nov 19, 2007 at 08:39 AM
Amen, brother.
posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 08:44 AM
And I second that "Amen" to the Nova program. Well done throughout.
posted by
witbee
on Nov 19, 2007 at 08:56 AM
I still say I would like to see some "local" historical documents put up, too. Maybe the original Bakersfield charter or something.
That would be cool. posted by
adampayne
on Nov 19, 2007 at 09:16 AM
A lot of folks slam PETA, and don't go to jail. Shucks, the PETA slammers here in this county get elected to public office. posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 09:24 AM
And lots of folks who publicly slam gays can be found in Republican political offices, church pulpits (and men's room stalls, tapping their feet.)
posted by
Shsrebel10
on Nov 19, 2007 at 09:41 AM
I love PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals). Yummy :D
posted by
johnburnssucks
on Nov 19, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Here ya go, Rebel... . I'm getting hungry... posted by
RoyTullis
on Nov 19, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Mark. You won't get any "live and let live" attitude from any of the "religion haters" on this blog.
posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 10:59 AM
You've got to give it to get it, Roy.
posted by
sagefever
on Nov 19, 2007 at 11:03 AM
"Live and let live"~ there you go. To be clear I hate religion. Spirituality I have no problem with. True believers ,in what ever they believe,need no defense or for that matter posters.
posted by
adampayne
on Nov 19, 2007 at 11:18 AM
You're wrong, Roy. I found the title of this blog post to be a joke. Plenty of animal rights groups get slammed everyday in this county, and actually get rewarded. Give me a break. Also, I don't know of any person who slams a Christian and wins any prizes. Live and let live means not jamming down the public throat a motto established in the 1950s that repeatedly is misrepresented as being part of the Founding Fathers' lexicon. I think Moto must have proved his point , pardon anybody that doesn't share the opinion giver's point of view.
posted by
RoyTullis
on Nov 19, 2007 at 11:23 AM
I should have included or "religious bloggers also. Sorry about that.
posted by
TomW
on Nov 19, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I'm tired of the Catholic bashing too.
posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 12:17 PM
And the bashing *BY* the Catholics. Boy, if *ANY* organization had reason to take heed of the "let him cast the first stone" dictat, it's the Roman Catholics. Spam Code: TJ THC. Is it really better than the stuff grown north of the border? posted by
TomW
on Nov 19, 2007 at 12:20 PM
RF, I was just trying to restart the Catholic/Evangelical wars here. That way, according to the article, everyone gets a prize!
posted by
robbwillis
on Nov 19, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Once again, who is shoving what down who's throat? All depends on who's ox is being gored. From my perspective, the non-believers shoving is usually in reaction to some believer's shoving. Take the religious parodies on this board for example. Looks like you see it the other way around, though. posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 01:39 PM
I thought those were settled, and the evangelicals won?
posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 01:42 PM
posted by
antiextremism
on Nov 19, 2007 at 04:32 PM
I'm tired of all the agnostic bashers, we may not logically believe in God......but we're gonna cover our bets anyway. We are adamant about our right to indecisiveness! LOL Personally I think it's all ado about nothing. The motto has historical significance. If you want to start posting crucifix's above classroom doors, that's when it will be a problem. Those against it are afraid it will lead to a slippery slope, and guys like Vegas hope it does. It's done, it's over. Now get on to failing school children and ignoring infrastructure. But Mark, not all things that the majority of people want should necessarily happen. That's why we have a Constitution, and that's why we are a Republic. True majority rule democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner. posted by
randomfactor
on Nov 19, 2007 at 04:36 PM
"We demand rigidly-defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!" --Majikthise.
posted by
antiextremism
on Nov 19, 2007 at 05:54 PM
Careful Random. Quoting liberals is one thing, but quoting liberal Canadians is just .....well.......Unamericun.
posted by
motopoet
on Nov 19, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Well..once again I see that many have missed the point completely. I, myself, as the writer of this post, speak for myself and no one else. The title was meant to be sarcastic, but as usual, many took it at face value. I guess I need to start with a disclaimer where my sarcasm is concerened. PETA is NOT a sect or race. They are a bunch of intrusive,obnoxious, private property damaging, assaulting, insulting and arrogant people. The comparison or PETA to religion or sprituality and atheism is like comparing it to the Masons. It's a club meant to draw attenition to an issue, not something devoted to the betterment of humanity one way or the other. I am not a religious person. I haven't attended church regularly in many years, but my faith and sprirtuality is not based in, on or around a building full of people. I didn't ask for my post not to be commented on, just for folks on the other side to respect me, personally, as I do them. You have never, and never will, hear me namecall here or in person to those with whom I disagree. The same cannot be said for many who oppose my views here OR in person. I don't lump anyone into any group based on their opinions, I do that based on their actions. All I asked for was teh same respect.
posted by
adampayne
on Nov 20, 2007 at 08:31 AM
"Slam a(insert pet group) go to jail, slam a Christian win a prize."Yes, you're entitled to your opinion. Every one is entitled to their opinion. PETA is an extreme group devoted to furthering animal rights. The group outrages many individuals and organizations. I, personally, equate what the organization does to other extreme groups the world has spawned over the years to promote an ideology. There is very little difference between these animal-activist people and the extremists on either side of the abortion issue. No fundamental difference between what Peta does today and how Abolitionists dealt with slavery two centuries ago. Religion has historically been fertile ground for extreme positions promoting an all or nothing ideology. The glue that holds all of these groups together is that any means justifies the end. In the zealot's eyes the cause is so great, and any sacrifice should be made to gain the righteous victory. Opinions are not facts. Our dilemma is the inability to settle on the facts regarding these issues, and then positions we can stake out which we can all agree upon. The vast majority of "right wing Christian fanatics" feel just I do. We aren't trying to force anything on anyone, we just want our views to be recognized too. Your comment above seems ironic, given that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are Christian, and that the views of the religious right receive non-stop coverage in every form of discourse whether it is education, entertainment or politics. I always try to read your stuff with an open mind, but where in this country are right wing Christian views not recognized? Is that a joke? I am not saying that by recognizing the views one has agreed to them, but certainly you can agree that right-wing Christian views are recognized everywhere in this country, even in Kern County.
posted by
TomW
on Nov 20, 2007 at 09:45 AM
The vast majority of "right wing Christian fanatics" feel just I do. We aren't trying to force anything on anyone, we just want our views to be recognized too. Every other group in America has all the freedoms they are guaranteed and nobody denies them the right to demonstrate those views. Gays have parades, Porn has conventions and evolution is taught in schools(even though its actual proof is as lacking as Creation). But that's all OK with me.So you'd be ok with porn parades, Christian conventions and gay rights posters in schools or are these things somehow different? posted by
antiextremism
on Nov 20, 2007 at 10:39 AM
The vast majority of Right wing Christian fanatics don't feel as you do Mark. Thus the term fanatic. Just as some PETA people are fanatical, so too are some Christians, so too are some atheists etc etc. You are a Christian with Christian beliefs and should not be ostracized for your beliefs, just as non believers shouldn't. And yes, there is much more evidence for evolution that creationism. People seem to think that because Darwin's theory isn't absolute, that somehow shoots a hole in evolution. It does not. Evolution is a fact, and Darwin's theory is just that. A theory about how evolution works. How cancers act is theoretical too, but does anyone deny cancer exists? You can see evolution in everyday life. It is a valid science. You just have to look at the family pet and compare him to a wolf, and you realize that genetic mutations occur. Dog from wolf mutations were mostly designed by man, so don't you think nature, or if you are a believer, God, can design that way? The fact that the earth is billions of years old, and anyone who denies that must also believe the moon is made of cheese, should point to the fact that perhaps the Bible's 7 days were misinterpreted at the very least. The thought that mankind is only 6,000 years old is just intellectually dishonest. I guess what it boils down to is this.....as a Christian, do you think that classrooms should cater exclusively to Christianity. If not, you're not a right wing Christian fanatic. Any term of historical significance is okay by me. Teachers telling Buddhists or Muslims that they are wrong is not okay. Religion is a personal issue, and no religion should be held up as the official religion of America. That is as anti American as it gets. Our original Puritan settlers left Europe for that very reason. They came to this land to have the right to practice their religion, while giving others the right to practice theirs. posted by
motopoet
on Nov 21, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Adam..no matter whgat anyone else thinks of my views, they do not have the right to tell me I am wrong, which many opposition folks do. Having faith is never wrong, just as not having faith is never wrong. If they want to disagree, fine, but to put me and my views down simply because they feel differently is wrong, period. You can spin it anyway you like, but PETA is STILL not a sect. It is a club for people who feel animals deserve better treatment than humans. If you feel that way, fine. Just don't expect me to agree. I won't call you names or judge you on that, but as a believer, I AM called names and judged and all I am saying is that I should be treated the same way I treat others...Hmmm..I think that's in the Bible somewhere... TomW...Schools already have gay rights posters and clubs. My daughter, a freshman at Centennial High is in that club. She isn't gay, but thinks gays need her support. I disagree vehemently with it, but she is free to support any issue she sees fit and right to her. It's not my job, even as her father, to tell her what to believe or how to feel about an issue, it is only my job to protect her from being harmed by engaging in dangerous behavior, which supporting gays is obviously not. Porn doesn't have a parade, they have a convention in Vegas and it is unlikely that any school anywhere in the USA will ever have a "Ron Jeremy Day". Please..Let's keep it real. Anti..You'll notice that the term was in quotation marks. That is because the left tends to refer to anyone who believes in God as a "Right wing Christian Fanatic". I have been called one on this very site and I haven't been to church in years. This is not to say that there are not believers on the left, they just seem to think that their brand of worship is somehow different than mine. Christian fanaticism has become nothing more than another bullet in the political Gatling gun of the left, and it is an effective one because it plays on the fears of the uninformed. I am not saying the right doesn't emply similar tactis on other issues, but that doesn't mean I agree with the way they load that gun either. As to evoultion..I do believe that life has evolved as to the continuing strengths or weaknesses of any given species, but I believe it was all created by God. That is where the lack of proof of either side lies with me. There is no proof either way so I rely on my faith in God to fill in the gaps just as you rely on your faith in science. I get it, dude, and you will NEVER hear me denounce a man of science in that regard. I do NOT believe that the timeframes in Genesis are correct, but that is an issue I will settle with God when I see Him. I have never said that I believe classrooms should cater to anyone in particular. If the Muslims and Hindus want to have posters put in classrooms, they should stand up for their right to be noticed and let the people decide the merits of their position. I have no problem with that because, as I have already stated, if I don't want to believe in something, I don't have to. Believe me, I am MUCH more concerned about peer pressure to drink, smoke, use and have sex than I am about whether or not a Muslim poster is staring my kids down in a classroom because, lets face it,most kids aren't going to pay attention to those posters anyway. Hell, we can't get the majority of them to pay attention to the Periodic Table of Elements in Chemistry or the Multiplication tables in math class, why would we think they are going to pay attention to any other poster. As far as anyone stating that any religion is THE religion, I agree. That is wrong and certainly non constitutional, but that is not what is going on here and anyone really paying attention can see that. Even in the fold of Christianity there are so many sects who interpret the Bible differently that it is almost ridiculous. On top of that, the term "God" doesn NOT refer to Christianity. God can be interpreted as any diety to any belief system. Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God. It's where Issac and Ishmael are concerned that Muslims and Christians split, and later whether or not Jesus or Mohammed was the Messiah and the Jews believe the Messiah has yet to come. I suppose that can be seen as MY spin on things where the poster is concerned, but YOU don't have to believe it and I'll still buy you lunch as long as you don't think I'm nuts for feeling that way or liking the Radiers!
1
BAKERSFIELD.COM HOT TOPICS: Loading Stories
Advertisement |