Fear God

[NorthSideSox72]

I'd like to not close this thread. I think the video is not in itself insulting, it provokes discussion. The fact that it was posted the way it was, however, was certainly inviting similar responses.

 

One more time - I'll ask everyone to take a deep breath and remember that you are all pretty.

 

[Felix]

Great song

I probably would have gone with "Dumb All Over", but Heavenly Bank Account does the trick too I suppose

Edited August 31, 2007 by Felix

[Yossarian]

I listened for a minute or so, and that's about all I needed. My views on this guy would make no one happy, not the fundies, and not the Fla Sox secularists either. He is right about one thing. Christianity, as it stands now is lost. One thing to consider though, the fastest growing religions in the world, are those who profess strict and uncompromising moral strictures. Just a statement of fact, with no editorializing intended. I myself, would hardly be considered religious in the traditional sense.

[NorthSideSox72]

I listened for a minute or so, and that's about all I needed. My views on this guy would make no one happy, not the fundies, and not the Fla Sox secularists either. He is right about one thing. Christianity, as it stands now is lost. One thing to consider though, the fastest growing religions in the world, are those who profess strict and uncompromising moral strictures. Just a statement of fact, with no editorializing intended. I myself, would hardly be considered religious in the traditional sense.

I'd like to see some support for the fastest growing religions being stricter. I don't see that. I see the largest countries in the world (China, India) having a lot of people that are either only marginally religious, or are parts of LESS behaviorally stringent religions. I see the U.S. and the west generally having more and more of their core populations eschew religion entirely. So what religions, in what part(s) of the world, that are somehow more strict, are growing so quickly?

 

[Soxy]

I listened for a minute or so, and that's about all I needed. My views on this guy would make no one happy, not the fundies, and not the Fla Sox secularists either. He is right about one thing. Christianity, as it stands now is lost. One thing to consider though, the fastest growing religions in the world, are those who profess strict and uncompromising moral strictures. Just a statement of fact, with no editorializing intended. I myself, would hardly be considered religious in the traditional sense.

 

I think it will be interesting to see if that growth can be maintained. I think once there are political and economic changes in those areas, there will be rapid drift away from religion also. . .

 

[NorthSideSox72]

I think it will be interesting to see if that growth can be maintained. I think once there are political and economic changes in those areas, there will be rapid drift away from religion also. . .

Exactly - the fastest growing religion in the world right now is capitalism, in my view. Christianity is declining not only in actual numbers of participants, but also in the amount of involvement the average Christian has. I have seen much the same trend with Hinduism in India. Same trends in China. I think the majority of people are less religious as time goes on, but that those who are still more stringent are getting louder and more extreme.

 

[Yossarian]

I'd like to see some support for the fastest growing religions being stricter. I don't see that. I see the largest countries in the world (China, India) having a lot of people that are either only marginally religious, or are parts of LESS behaviorally stringent religions. I see the U.S. and the west generally having more and more of their core populations eschew religion entirely. So what religions, in what part(s) of the world, that are somehow more strict, are growing so quickly?

Your reply made me dizzy from banging my head against the wall. Islam, the Latter Day Saints, and various small Pentocostal faiths just to name a few. Just because Europe and the West are busy and gleefully flushing traditional religion down the toilet, doesn't mean that sits well with everyone. Why do you think so many Second and Third World countries and societies have abolute contempt for us.? The thought of their daughters videotaping themselves having sex a la Paris Hilton is nauseating to them. Everyone in the world doesn't want to be like us, and everyone in the world doesn't like our social and religious mores. I thought that was obvious, but I guess not. Every day it's shown to me in big and small ways how out of touch I am. Or maybe it's the other way around.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Your reply made me dizzy from banging my head against the wall. Islam, the Latter Day Saints, and various small Pentocostal faiths just to name a few. Just because Europe and the West are busy and gleefully flushing traditional religion down the toilet, doesn't mean that sits well with everyone. Why do you think so many Second and Third World countries and societies have abolute contempt for us.? The thought of their daughters videotaping themselves having sex a la Paris Hilton is nauseating to them. Everyone in the world doesn't want to be like us, and everyone in the world doesn't like our social and religious mores. I thought that was obvious, but I guess not. Every day it's shown to me in big and small ways how out of touch I am. Or maybe it's the other way around.

I am not sure what you found dizzying, but I see you chose to ignore my examples.

 

The Middle East is not the fastest growing part of the world. And neither is Utah. Of course there are examples of extremism on the rise, as I just said. but the largest growing countries, India and China, have populations that are walking away from religion as a trend. Not entirely of course, and not everyone either. But that is the way its going. Add them to the U.S. and the rest of the West, and that's a huge portion of the world population.

 

Feel free to keep banging that head. Let me know when you want to discuss the examples I have given. Or when you want to give any of your own.

 

[Yossarian]

I am not sure what you found dizzying, but I see you chose to ignore my examples.

 

The Middle East is not the fastest growing part of the world. And neither is Utah. Of course there are examples of extremism on the rise, as I just said. but the largest growing countries, India and China, have populations that are walking away from religion as a trend. Not entirely of course, and not everyone either. But that is the way its going. Add them to the U.S. and the rest of the West, and that's a huge portion of the world population.

 

Feel free to keep banging that head. Let me know when you want to discuss the examples I have given. Or when you want to give any of your own.

I did. We don't agree. Leave it go at that. Like Strother Martin once said, "What we have here is failure to commincate."

[Yossarian]

It probably won't help but here it is.

 

Growth rates of various religions

 

Pentecostals

[NorthSideSox72]

It probably won't help but here it is.

 

Growth rates of various religions

 

Pentecostals

That pretty much proves my point. Among those 6 fastest growing religions you point out, only 2 are by nature religions that would be considered behaviorally "stringent". And even Islam has varying degrees of that. B'Hai is a very open, flexible faith. Christianity of course has a wide range of followers, but most are not so strict. Hinduism is also not very demanding on people's lives. Jainism I admit I know little about, but Wiki says that they preach equality of all life, spiritual independence, and education.

 

Plus, look at the growth rates - for all six, none are even 2%. The world's population is growing at a faster rate than that. Therefore, even for these religions that are fast-growing, are not really growing in relationship to the world population at all. They are shrinking.

 

Pentacostals are also an example of what I was saying. Most of western Christianity is seeing lethargy, but some of the smaller subsects like the Pentacostals and FLDS are drawing that conservative minority in significant numbers.

 

EDIT: Further research reveals that the world rate of population growth is roughly 1.5% right now, not the 2.0% I thought it was. I was off by half a percent. Doesn't change the point - these religions, according to their rates of growth, are at best only staying stable on a relative basis.

 

[Yossarian]

Whatever.

[LowerCaseRepublican]

Your reply made me dizzy from banging my head against the wall. Islam, the Latter Day Saints, and various small Pentocostal faiths just to name a few. Just because Europe and the West are busy and gleefully flushing traditional religion down the toilet, doesn't mean that sits well with everyone. Why do you think so many Second and Third World countries and societies have abolute contempt for us.? The thought of their daughters videotaping themselves having sex a la Paris Hilton is nauseating to them. Everyone in the world doesn't want to be like us, and everyone in the world doesn't like our social and religious mores. I thought that was obvious, but I guess not. Every day it's shown to me in big and small ways how out of touch I am. Or maybe it's the other way around.

The sad thing about the Paris video and to add to your comment about other nations' outrage. In that video, she stops and answers her cell phone. Not only is the act of sex cheapened with the video tape (secretly -- having it done for capitalistic purposes with two+ willing adults is okay in a civil society) but she goes even further by being a whore to technology as well thinking that a cell phone is more important than her relationship with her man.

 

Was the call really that important? I mean, really. If you're 'getting down', turn off the f***ing cell, y'know?

[Soxy]

The sad thing about the Paris video and to add to your comment about other nations' outrage. In that video, she stops and answers her cell phone. Not only is the act of sex cheapened with the video tape (secretly -- having it done for capitalistic purposes with two+ willing adults is okay in a civil society) but she goes even further by being a whore to technology as well thinking that a cell phone is more important than her relationship with her man.

 

Was the call really that important? I mean, really. If you're 'getting down', turn off the f***ing cell, y'know?

I don't know why this post made my day, but it did.

[sox4lifeinPA]

Is anyone surprised that I haven't posted in this thread yet?

[LowerCaseRepublican]

His site is freaking hilarious. Wow...

 

And did he provide any examples of the "Go ahead and sin and sin..." preachers? No.

 

How does he know that the Holy Spirit is or is not speaking through a person?

 

And "mainly an evangelical Christian nation"? Try a nation of Deists and secular humanists who wanted a clear separation of the churches and the state.

 

How does he know if homosexuals are born that way or not?

 

He agrees with Jack Chick? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA **coughs, catches breath** HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

As for all his assertions -- for the Bible I read, it has something in there about taking the log out of one's own eye before removing the speck from another person's. He may want to check all that out in all his scriptural posturing.

 

A person's walk with the deity/religion of their choice is between them and the religion/deity that they choose. In Christianity, God knows a person's heart and intention much better than any person including this guy who seems to be knowing exactly what is in other peoples' hearts.

 

And an international Vatican and Jesuit conspiracy? BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This is almost as funny as Alex Jones' infowars.com website. Man, that was a healthy gut laugh. Thanks.

 

Not bashing Christianity but just the inconsistencies, insanity and outright obnoxious hilarity of this guy's bloviating.

[FlaSoxxJim]

Not bashing Christianity but just the inconsistencies, insanity and outright obnoxious hilarity of this guy's bloviating.

 

But, but. . . quit mocking his beliefs.

 

[southsideirish71]

I am a Christian, and more to the point a Roman Catholic. I watched the video, and went to the website. The website is just the rantings of an anti-catholic conspiracy theorist. The evil Roman Catholic's and of course the Jews are going to run the earth under a New World Order. The only thing we are missing is the black helicopters and mancow.

 

So lets get the quick rundown on the video guy and the site creator. He was in a rock band, did lots of drugs, most likely was depressed or suffered some sort of mental disorder and came to an epiphany about God. He harbors hatred for Catholics, which ironically was what he was. He believes in a vengeful and strong armed god. Maybe he can buy some land around Waco and hold off the ATF longer the next time around.

 

Drugs are bad, Mckay

 

I believe in a loving, caring and compassionate God. I don't need saving, especially by former rock and roll drug addicts who hate my religion.

 

I learned something though reading the website, Here all this time I thought Ossama bin Laden ordered the 9/11 attacks when according to Mr. Drug and Roll it was the Pope. The evil Catholic church strikes again. Wait till the Irish invade, you will all be sorry.

Edited September 2, 2007 by southsideirish71

[LowerCaseRepublican]

I am a Christian, and more to the point a Roman Catholic. I watched the video, and went to the website. The website is just the rantings of an anti-catholic conspiracy theorist. The evil Roman Catholics and of course the Jews are going to run the earth under a New World Order. The only thing we are missing is the black helicopters and mancow.

 

So lets get the quick rundown on the video guy and the site creator. He was in a rock band, did lots of drugs, most likely was depressed or suffered some sort of mental disorder and came to an epiphany about God. He harbors hatred for Catholics, which ironically was what he was. He believes in a vengeful and strong armed god. Maybe he can buy some land around Waco and hold off the ATF longer the next time around.

 

Drugs are bad, Mckay

 

I believe in a loving, caring and compassionate God. I don't need saving, especially by former rock and roll drug addicts who hate my religion.

 

I learned something though reading the website, Here all this time I thought Osama bin Laden ordered the 9/11 attacks when according to Mr. Drug and Roll it was the Pope. The evil Catholic church strikes again. Wait till the Irish invade, you will all be sorry.

You mean you haven't awakened yet? Not only do you get Jesuit/Jewish/Anti-Catholic conspiracy baiting but you can also get yourself Omega 3 Fish Oil pills! It's a one stop shop!

[TheBlackSox8]

My brother(twin), who i'm really close with is GETTING religious.

 

You guys kinda know the person i am....he keeps shoving this stuff at me...hard for me to take some of the other things he's shown me. He's into the conspiracy stuff...i was looking into it with him...then he points me to this stuff. I had to take a break from the preaching and get back to movies, music, and sports. He tells me to stop with the mundane stuff that takes your mind away from what matters(God), and tells me to read the bible etc....

 

So I read the bible in my time and take my own views, but i don't want an open mind like him.....he looks at that Tom guys videos and website constantly...i've rarely had time to get on the internet and reply. I respect my brother for his views and his opinions, and whatever else he throws at me(he is the closest out of everyone i know).

[Texsox]

The thought of their daughters videotaping themselves having sex a la Paris Hilton is nauseating to them. Everyone in the world doesn't want to be like us, and everyone in the world doesn't like our social and religious mores. I thought that was obvious, but I guess not.

 

Bingo. Yet sooo many Americans believe we have the only and best solution to a form of government and way of life.

[Texsox]

I am not sure what you found dizzying, but I see you chose to ignore my examples.

 

The Middle East is not the fastest growing part of the world. And neither is Utah. Of course there are examples of extremism on the rise, as I just said. but the largest growing countries, India and China, have populations that are walking away from religion as a trend. Not entirely of course, and not everyone either. But that is the way its going. Add them to the U.S. and the rest of the West, and that's a huge portion of the world population.

 

Feel free to keep banging that head. Let me know when you want to discuss the examples I have given. Or when you want to give any of your own.

 

This is where we have a large population splitting hairs. Do you mean they are dropping out of organized religious orders or simpling not being religious anymore? Folks around here (like SS and Kap) like to say they are religious, they just do not attend a Church or belong to a specific religion.

 

If we accept that, then adding up Church membership is not a valid yardstick.