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Do you agree with the U.S. general's statement?

Do you agree with the U.S. general's statement?

  • Total voters
    19
Misterveritis said:
That is not what the story shows.
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So you think that the Temple of God should be used for something other than the glorification of God? Is that what Jesus taught?

Here's an interesting story

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
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I thought the bold was interesting because it demonstrated the deep humility that Jesus had. He personally didn't think of himself as good, he felt that only God was good.
 
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Thrilla said:
he didn't say he was killing in the name of God...didn't even come close to saying it.
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Did I say that he directly said that?
 
ocean515 said:
You're like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.

Since you like polls so much, why not cut to the chase and create one that reads

I hate religious people. Do you agree with me, yes or no.

It would certainly make your "ready to pounce" attempts here more efficient.
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Maybe religious people ought to stop doing such idiotic things. Ever think of that one? There would be no reason to point out all of these ridiculous things if the religious didn't constantly say and do such ridiculous things.
 
images (32).jpg

My God is better than your God
nee nee nah nah nu nu
 
Misterveritis said:
Do you believe that is the essential lesson? Was it because the merchants were making money or was it that they were cheating the people?

I searched and came up with a site that describes the location and activities as a place of robbers, a place to conceal loot, a place for thieves. I did not see anything about overturning their tables because they were making a living.

Matthew 21:13 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'"
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Surely sounds like a church to me. Brother, buy us some wastebaskets because
the collection baskets are too small, in the name of the Lord, don't ya' know?
 
MildSteel said:
Yep. That's just the type of stuff I am talking about. Now I hate religious people. Damn that is so whack that it is beyond whack.

Like I said in another thread, I was out of my mind to consider voting Republican. What in the hell was I thinking?
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Well, you've certainly confirmed a couple things.

You've teed up the ball with your poll question and dared someone to take the bait. Why beat around the bush?

How about this, since you've take offence to my first suggestion.

Do religious people suck? Yes or No.
 
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Cephus said:
Maybe religious people ought to stop doing such idiotic things. Ever think of that one? There would be no reason to point out all of these ridiculous things if the religious didn't constantly say and do such ridiculous things.
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Maybe non-religious people should stop being so prejudiced. Ever think of that one? So the General believes his God is better than the other guys god. Does that give him some special super human powers? Who cares what the General thinks about his god?

I know, F'n religious freaks. F them all. Mighty tolerant of you.
 
MildSteel said:
So you think that the Temple of God should be used for something other than the glorification of God? Is that what Jesus taught?

Here's an interesting story

I thought the bold was interesting because it demonstrated the deep humility that Jesus had. He personally didn't think of himself as good, he felt that only God was good.
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Nice story. Is God glorified when those who believe are excellent at their work?
 
ocean515 said:
Well, you've certainly confirmed a couple things.

You've teed up the ball with your poll question and dared someone to take the bait. Why beat around the bush?
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And that suggestion is so whack it is beyond whack. The point was to have a legitimate discussion on the issue, not to dare someone. Like I said this is whack on top of whack.

ocean515 said:
How about this, since you've take offence to my first suggestion.

Do religious people suck? Yes or No.
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I think the suggestion that I would think that is ridiculous. I have said, if not here then elsewhere, that if he wants to think that fine, but he should keep it private. The U.S. government has no business promoting a particular religion NOR condemning one. And people who are representing our government don't have any business publicly promoting one religion over another publicly, especially dressed in uniform. It does not mean that religious people suck. I have made clear references to Jesus here. Why would I think religious people suck? That's what is so whack about the suggestion.

That said, since you asked for a direct yes or no, the answer is:

NO I DO NOT THINK RELIGIOUS PEOPLE SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get it?
 
Misterveritis said:
Nice story. Is God glorified when those who believe are excellent at their work?
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It is a great story.

When those who believe what? Believe in God?

God is glorified when someone is engaged in activity whose motivation is solely meant to glorify God without any desire for self aggrandizement.

What the story illustrates is this, actually it was possible for that person to obtain the kingdom of God. All he had to do was do as Jesus told him. The problem is that someone who is in that situation would most likely not do so because of their attachment for mundane things. For example, if someone had 100 billion dollars and had thus grown accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle and let's say they were basically pious like the person is the story. Chances are that if they had to give up their comfortable lifestyle, give all of their money and possessions to the poor, leave their family, and accept a life of hardship were they had very simple clothing, possibly eating little, sleeping wherever they could, and strictly abstaining from sex for the sake of the glorification of God, most likely they simply would not do it. It is possible that someone in such a comfortable situation might, and in fact there have been very rare persons to actually do it, but it is not likely and such a person would be rare. That is why Jesus said although it is difficult, it is possible by the grace of God. When a person is FACTUALLY convinced that he is simply meant to glorify God, he will do anything, no matter what to please God. That is what Abraham did. That is what Jesus did. So the point is that it is possible to do anything if the motivation is PURELY to please God. But the evidence of that would be that such a person is willing to do anything, no matter what to please God, even if it meant giving up their work, their home, their family, their money, their friends, and their prestige. Even if that meant being ridiculed by family and friends. That is the test.
 
MildSteel said:
And that suggestion is so whack it is beyond whack. The point was to have a legitimate discussion on the issue, not to dare someone. Like I said this is whack on top of whack.



I think the suggestion that I would think that is ridiculous. I have said, if not here then elsewhere, that if he wants to think that fine, but he should keep it private. The U.S. government has no business promoting a particular religion NOR condemning one. And people who are representing our government don't have any business publicly promoting one religion over another publicly, especially dressed in uniform. It does not mean that religious people suck. I have made clear references to Jesus here. Why would I think religious people suck? That's what is so whack about the suggestion.

That said, since you asked for a direct yes or no, the answer is:

NO I DO NOT THINK RELIGIOUS PEOPLE SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get it?
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No it's not ridiculous. According to your OP, the General made his statement while speaking at religious functions. Why should he keep his religious views private while speaking at religious functions? He wasn't speaking for the US Government at the Pentagon, he wasn't testifying before Congress. Why does his profession preclude him from expressing his religious views?
 
ocean515 said:
No it's not ridiculous.
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No it is ridiculous because clearly I believe in God, so you cannot say that I think religious people suck.

ocean515 said:
According to your OP, the General made his statement while speaking at religious functions. Why should he keep his religious views private while speaking at religious functions? He wasn't speaking for the US Government at the Pentagon, he wasn't testifying before Congress. Why does his profession preclude him from expressing his religious views?
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If he is in a position where he has to officially represent the U.S. government he cannot be at a public event, in uniform, giving the impression that he advocates one religion over another. He cannot be saying that his God is bigger than the God of someone else. First of all it is wrong. The God of Abraham is the God of Muhammad and is quite frankly the God of everyone, INCLUDING ATHEISTS. So it is a ridiculous suggestion.

If his faith is so strong that he feels the need to do that, he is free to do so. He should simply retire from his government role and he can do that to his hearts content.
 
MildSteel said:
No it is ridiculous because clearly I believe in God, so you cannot say that I think religious people suck.



If he is in a position where he has to officially represent the U.S. government he cannot be at a public event, in uniform, giving the impression that he advocates one religion over another. He cannot be saying that his God is bigger than the God of someone else. First of all it is wrong. The God of Abraham is the God of Muhammad and is quite frankly the God of everyone, INCLUDING ATHEISTS. So it is a ridiculous suggestion.

If his faith is so strong that he feels the need to do that, he is free to do so. He should simply retire from his government role and he can do that to his hearts content.
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Sorry, your need to censor his beliefs doesn't fly. He was speaking privately at religious functions. The fact you would censor his beliefs speaks volumes.
 
ocean515 said:
Sorry, your need to censor his beliefs doesn't fly. He was speaking privately at religious functions. The fact you would censor his beliefs speaks volumes.
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No it doesn't speak volumes about anything. What speaks volumes is that you appear to think that he cannot effectively promote his religious beliefs by giving up his government position. Were Jesus and his disciples generals?
 
MildSteel said:
No it doesn't speak volumes about anything. What speaks volumes is that you appear to think that he cannot effectively promote his religious beliefs by giving up his government position. Were Jesus and his disciples generals?
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Yes it does. You want to restrict a persons freedom of religion because of his profession. That is all that needs to be known about your line of thinking.
 
ocean515 said:
Yes it does. You want to restrict a persons freedom of religion because of his profession. That is all that needs to be known about your line of thinking.
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No I am not restricting his freedom of religion because of his profession. As a matter of fact, I think it is great that if he feels so strongly about his faith that he would relinquish his position to promote his faith. If he is that strong in terms of spiritual realization, why can't he relinquish his position? Is is perhaps he is attached to a mundane position? There are no generals in the kingdom of God, at least not in the capacity of general. Why are you so attached to him being a general is the question.
 
ocean515 said:
Maybe non-religious people should stop being so prejudiced. Ever think of that one? So the General believes his God is better than the other guys god. Does that give him some special super human powers? Who cares what the General thinks about his god?

I know, F'n religious freaks. F them all. Mighty tolerant of you.
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There's nothing prejudiced about pointing out absurdity, stupidity and irrationality. Those who are being ridiculous can think of it as a learning opportunity to better themselves. The general is being paid to do a job and that job is on his feet, not on his knees. If he wants to believe, that's up to him. If he starts making moronic statements in the course of his official duties, that's something else.
 
The general reserves the right to believe what he wants to believe, but while Representing the United States Military he should refrain from belittling one religion at the expense of another.
 
MildSteel said:
Lt. General William Boykin made the following statement



Do you agree with his statement?
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No, but that's typical patronising commentary that you find in adherents to all religion.
 
iacardsfan said:
The general reserves the right to believe what he wants to believe, but while Representing the United States Military he should refrain from belittling one religion at the expense of another.
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He should refrain from making any religious statements whatsoever as he carries out his duties. I'd certainly never have any confidence in someone with imaginary friends.
 
Cephus said:
There's nothing prejudiced about pointing out absurdity, stupidity and irrationality. Those who are being ridiculous can think of it as a learning opportunity to better themselves. The general is being paid to do a job and that job is on his feet, not on his knees. If he wants to believe, that's up to him. If he starts making moronic statements in the course of his official duties, that's something else.
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Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of this country. Thankfully, the founding fathers took great strides to provide for that. They also recognized there would be people who think like you, and created protections against actions that could be taken as a result of such thinking.
 
ocean515 said:
Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of this country. Thankfully, the founding fathers took great strides to provide for that. They also recognized there would be people who think like you, and created protections against actions that could be taken as a result of such thinking.
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Separation of church and state is also a cornerstone of this country. Look it up.
 
Cephus said:
Separation of church and state is also a cornerstone of this country. Look it up.
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LOL. Clearly you're cornering the market in moronic statements on this thread. I think I'll let you continue.
 
ocean515 said:
Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of this country.
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And due to the military legal system and the rank structure, anyone serving under Boykin cannot feel free to practice his/her religion freely or express contrary religious thoughts.

Your religious freedom ends when it affects mine.
 
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