tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post2978158375137947582..comments2023-11-02T03:10:39.674-07:00Comments on GeeeeeZ!: Sunday Faith BlogZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-87514457263938717322010-01-29T02:36:01.089-08:002010-01-29T02:36:01.089-08:00Haiti is surely a Job among nations….Today, nearly...<i>Haiti is surely a Job among nations….Today, nearly all Haitians are Christians. About half also practice voodoo, an adaptation of their African ancestors’ native religion.<br /><br />In his narrow, malicious way, Robertson is making a First Commandment argument; when the God of Israel thunders from his mountaintop that “you shall have no other gods before me,” he means it. This God rains down disaster---floods and so forth---on those who disobey.<br /><br />But Robertson’s is a fundamentalist view. It’s so unkind and self-righteous---and deaf, dumb, and blind to centuries of theological discourse on suffering by thinkers from Augustine to Elie Wiesel---that one might easily call it backward. Every Western religious tradition teaches that mortals have no way of counting or weighing another’s sin. “If that happened to the Haitians because they’re so sinful, then why hasn’t it happened to him?” retorts Bart Ehrman, a Bible scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.</i> <b>[Some mortals who fancy themselves mind-0f-God readers cite “fullness of time” here, explaining that if your sinful homeland hasn’t been hit, it’s only because it hasn’t been hit yet; therefore, let us repent all together, in locksquat with prayer mats unrolled!]</b> <br /><br /><i>“I think,” adds Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of</i> Why Bad Things Happen to Good People<i>, “that it’s supreme hubris to think you can read God’s mind.”</i> <br /><br />-- Lisa Miller, religion editor, Newsweek, January 25, 2010, p. 14psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-79216463814166816512010-01-28T20:03:32.378-08:002010-01-28T20:03:32.378-08:00no need to be sorry...I need to communicate better...no need to be sorry...I need to communicate betterelmers brotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382038085149828957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-84970277872005517152010-01-28T10:33:26.324-08:002010-01-28T10:33:26.324-08:00I certainly agree with all that. Sorry it went ov...I certainly agree with all that. Sorry it went over my head first time around.Faith https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064746447414555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-16182364490188462082010-01-28T09:04:32.609-08:002010-01-28T09:04:32.609-08:00what I was attempting to suggest with Mao and Stal...what I was attempting to suggest with Mao and Stalin to duhkkky was that he can't attribute what Pat Robertson said to Z because:<br /><br />1. Robertson speaks for himself<br />2. Z never mentioned him at all<br />3. She's not a follower of Robertson, so any attempt on duhkkky's part to link the two is just either a 'guilty by association' (what association we still havent' figured out)<br />4. Robertson's entitled to his opinion<br />5. duhkkky used a strawman<br /><br />it's absurd to associate Z with Robertson at all<br /><br />duhkkky, though a lefist has nothing to do with Stalin or Mao and asking him to repudiate or apologize for them is an analogy of his effort here<br /><br />I don' care what Robertson thinks but duhkkky's attempt at painting all evangelicals with Robetson's remarks is ridiculous and simply a way for duhkkky to marginalizeelmers brotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382038085149828957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-59697665217567129302010-01-27T20:19:15.678-08:002010-01-27T20:19:15.678-08:00Militant radical Muslims arrogantly declare that t...Militant radical Muslims arrogantly declare that the disemboweling and slaughtering of men, women, and children in the marketplace by a bomb blast is God’s will since they are the wrong kind of Muslim. <br /><br />Overzealous fundamentalist Christian ministers and freelance evangelicals arrogantly declare God willed that hapless men, women, and children be killed, crippled, and made homeless in the hundreds of thousands in Haiti since they must be a misguided species of Christian.<br /><br />As it does with al Qaeda, it gives God a bad name.<br /><br />It is not what Jesus had in mind when he said, “Love your neighbor”---of that one can be certain.psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-88369703730776327012010-01-27T10:32:19.460-08:002010-01-27T10:32:19.460-08:00Oh drat, I really don't want to get too deeply...Oh drat, I really don't want to get too deeply into this, Elbro, but while I'm no follower of Pat Robertson I do know that there's no comparison between him and the devil-driven Benny Hinn. Hinn might as well be a voodoo practitioner himself. Robertson on the other hand is just a little too far out in charismania land for me, though I think his Christian credentials are basically OK and I'll still defend what he said about Haiti, even if he should be chided for bad timing -- no worse than that in my opinion. Hinn would never say anything so gauche -- he's just out to make money and he might as well be a voodoo shaman himself. I cannot compare the two.Faith https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064746447414555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-49235046782153894252010-01-27T10:06:40.607-08:002010-01-27T10:06:40.607-08:00Pat Robertson was a straw man duhkkky brought up. ...Pat Robertson was a straw man duhkkky brought up. He thinks Protestants follow Robertson and Hinn around like sheep. <br /><br />Most of us could care less.<br /><br />I think they're both charlatans who make God out to be a cosmic bell hop.elmers brotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382038085149828957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-91577220188382265082010-01-27T10:05:54.767-08:002010-01-27T10:05:54.767-08:00OK, Elbro, sorry if I misread you. I couldn't...OK, Elbro, sorry if I misread you. I couldn't really believe that's what you meant but I guess I'm getting hypersensitive about all this since I've defended Robertson.Faith https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064746447414555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-79673214024228558842010-01-27T09:47:46.020-08:002010-01-27T09:47:46.020-08:00Come ON. There is no comparison between Pat Robert...<em>Come ON. There is no comparison between Pat Robertson and fundamental Islam or Mao and Stalin and other "homicidal maniacs"! Who has Pat Robertson threatened? The very worst that can be said about him is that he offends some people's idea of propriety.</em><br /><br />this is my point to duhkkky. it was an absurdity to illustrate an absurdity.elmers brotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382038085149828957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-51259422177170564992010-01-26T20:54:38.653-08:002010-01-26T20:54:38.653-08:00The advanced stage of arrogance and bitterness inf...The advanced stage of arrogance and bitterness infesting Pat Robertson’s judgmental opinion of Haiti seems to drive the folks believing he did little or nothing wrong by speaking it out loud.<br /><br />Just saying.psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-27446215304666407952010-01-26T17:25:20.634-08:002010-01-26T17:25:20.634-08:00Linda: Isn't it amazing all the rancor that ar...Linda: <i>Isn't it amazing all the rancor that arises when either religion or politics are discussed?</i> <br /><br />It is hardly amazing. Historically, in all eras, politics has bred animosity and enmity. And religion began to inspire animosity with the first breakaway from orthodox faith, for, as Benjamin Franklin, back in 1751, observed, “Talking about religion is unchaining a tiger; the beast let loose may worry his deliverer.”<br /><br />Sadly, it is easier for many Christians to champion tolerance during the end-of-year holiday season than all year round.psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-2750902460921400502010-01-26T17:02:52.162-08:002010-01-26T17:02:52.162-08:00Yes, Linda..
And well put, FT...Yes, Linda..<br /><br />And well put, FT...Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-51795758739246632292010-01-26T09:00:45.169-08:002010-01-26T09:00:45.169-08:00I agree with Linda's last post. It is, indeed,...I agree with Linda's last post. It is, indeed, amazing. It's also depressing that a Sunday topic devoted to faith should give rise to so much bitterness and arrogance.<br /><br />Not what Jesus had in mind -- of that I'm positive.<br /><br /><br /><br />~ FreeThinkeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-24472704155724943112010-01-26T04:38:59.613-08:002010-01-26T04:38:59.613-08:00Isn't it amazing all the rancor that arises wh...Isn't it amazing all the rancor that arises when either religion or politics are discussed?Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12580498957271396362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-69987013446964898102010-01-26T02:40:00.596-08:002010-01-26T02:40:00.596-08:00No matter what religion you are, whether you'r...<i>No matter what religion you are, whether you're a Catholic, whether you're voodoo, whether you're Baptist or so on, so on, and so on---we all pray. We all pray</i>.<br /><br />-- Gail Henkepsi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-65818689708446228742010-01-26T02:10:08.833-08:002010-01-26T02:10:08.833-08:00Z: My aren't you smug.
Oy, again with the ...Z: <i>My aren't you smug</i>. <br /><br />Oy, again with the <i>ad hominem</i> attack. <br /><br />It seems you can hardly get by without them.psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-26459843213548427092010-01-26T01:38:39.497-08:002010-01-26T01:38:39.497-08:00How true, Z, I'm sorry I posted anything at al...How true, Z, I'm sorry I posted anything at all in relation to him.Faith https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064746447414555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-9018015587792631092010-01-25T23:44:49.332-08:002010-01-25T23:44:49.332-08:00My aren't you smug.
goodnight...it's ha...My aren't you smug. <br /><br />goodnight...it's hardly worth commenting to you.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-45844469020581972492010-01-25T22:32:59.717-08:002010-01-25T22:32:59.717-08:00Z: I think "a pact with the devil" was n...Z: <i>I think "a pact with the devil" was not consciously made as Robertson suggests. <br />I think he has his beliefs and he's entitled to them and ought to keep them to himself, personally...that's all</i>.<br /><br />Thank you, Z, for this reserved albeit frank reply to one of my questions. I think you should not have kept to yourself your disapproval of Robertson’s hurtful statement, even though it dissented from the strong opinions of some other posters here.<br /><br /><i>The theory that Haiti is a nation built on a pact with the devil has circulated on a number of websites, each tracing back to an apocryphal tale of Haitian voodoo priests sacrificing a pig and drinking its blood in 1791 in order to secure Satan's aid in expelling the French occupation. In return, the priests are said to have promised Haiti to Satan for the next 200 years. The French were soon beat back, and in 1804, Haiti became an independent nation. But even if you believe the story (something many historians doubt), Satan's lease on the tiny island nation should have expired in 1991</i>.<br />-- Time.compsi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-49725417827352723302010-01-25T22:02:43.972-08:002010-01-25T22:02:43.972-08:00I think "a pact with the devil" was not ...I think "a pact with the devil" was not consciously made as Robertson suggests. <br />I think he has his beliefs and he's entitled to them and ought to keep them to himself, personally...that's all.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-21947686917169620042010-01-25T20:31:05.855-08:002010-01-25T20:31:05.855-08:00Z: oh, psi bond... please remind me of any time I&...Z: <i>oh, psi bond... please remind me of any time I've talked up Pat Roberton's statements</i>.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, you have been conspicuously guarded, Z, about your reaction to his notorious defamatory statement, in which he slandered the Haitian people at the moment of their greatest distress.<br /><br />What is your humble view of Robertson’s statement, Z?psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-89148442661918962412010-01-25T20:20:44.684-08:002010-01-25T20:20:44.684-08:001:25:1: Proudly and contemptuously the self-righte...1:25:1: Proudly and contemptuously the self-righteous ones proclaim that he who dissents is a liar.<br /><br />1:25:2: Answer not an honest question according to your true thoughts lest you reveal your folly.psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-72867393376163311432010-01-25T19:27:48.483-08:002010-01-25T19:27:48.483-08:00In my view, the Christian religion is the most imp...<i>In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed.... No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people....</i><br /><br />----Noah Webster<br /><br />Voodoo sure does nothing for anyonelFaith https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064746447414555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-49096306431095643202010-01-25T19:21:45.384-08:002010-01-25T19:21:45.384-08:00Psalms 31:18: Let the lying lips be put to silenc...Psalms 31:18: Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. <br /><br />Proverbs 26:4: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.Faith https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064746447414555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-90196534975041647132010-01-25T18:38:18.533-08:002010-01-25T18:38:18.533-08:00Z: Psi Bond, you show a lack of having read and di...Z: <i>Psi Bond, you show a lack of having read and digested the thread when you say things like the following quoted comment of yours. <br /><br />"We should not treat the terrible earthquake in Haiti as a crisis not to be passed up for reinforcing the traditional distrust in government solutions that is central to devout U.S. rightwingers. To dig itself out, Haiti will need a lot of Haitian government programs in partnership with foreign governments. That is, assuming those on the right here who believe it is useless to aid Haiti do not prevail."</i> <br /><br />Z, you show a knack for evasively misreading what I write. Not a way to contribute to a rational discussion. WHOA.<br /><br />What I wrote is directly drawn from posters' statements.<br /><br /><i>Completely ignoring input, twisting words.. Not a way to win an argument. But, typical for you. "useless to aid Haiti?" WOW</i>.<br /><br />Can you honestly say, Z, there has been no input here suggesting that government should stay out of helping victims of disasters?<br /><br />Can you honestly say no one on this blog has said it is useless to aid Haiti? No poster here said, their alleged inferiority “proves day after day, year after year and decade after decade that they are utterly incapable of dealing with the hardships of life.” HAH! (Now you’ve got me mimicking your hysterical posturing!)<br /><br />Your best answer to my questions, Z, is silence. That would be typical for you.<br /><br />In fact, a poll of O’Reilly’s mostly conservative audience found that the majority of them would not donate to Haiti.psi bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900724279414147038noreply@blogger.com