quote:

ORIGINAL: mbes
There's a vast difference between those who are racist and those who don't like a particular religious group

Hmmm...that's funny.  I always thought ignorance and hate was the same thing no matter who it was directed toward.  Not liking an ENTIRE race or an ENTIRE faith is pretty much the same...pretty much involves the same level of idiocy to me.

If I don't like someone based on the color of their skin, that is based on something ephemeral and has nothing to do with who they are as a person. If I dislike someone based on their belief system, that has to do with the choices they've made and is, I think, a valid basis for "judging"

I was speaking of "rationalizations" above in this thread and boy is this a fine example of one.  Why, pray tell, do you feel it is acceptable to "judge" anyone based on their faith or their race?  You've basically said "I won't judge you for being black because you can't help it but if you choose to be Muslim, THAT I can and will judge you for."  Yeah, that makes a lot more sense[image]http://www.collarchat.com/micons/m22.gif[/image].  And, saying that someone's race has "nothing to do with who they are as a person."  I'm still pondering that one...lol...Trying to find "valid" reasons to judge others - especially for something as intrinsic to them as race or faith - is probably not a real well-thought-out concept.  Just my 2 cents...........slave luci

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ORIGINAL: mbes
I appreciate what you're saying, and I understand it
Good......
However, someone's race is something they are born into (I'm saying this as someone born into a specific "race" and therefore expected to embody particular traits that I don't embody)
See, here's where we differ.  I don't agree that there are "particular traits" that anyone in any given race is "expected" to "embody."  That would mean everyone in a certain race is basically the same and I don't subscribe to that.  I'm sure if we all think about it, we can come up with a laundry list of assumptions about various races that are assumed by racists to apply. 
Presumably someone's religion is something they've been introduced to, and something they've decided to embrace. I was raised in a religious group. I left because I don't accept what I was expected to embrace. That would make religion a conscious choice, as opposed to ethnicity which is given at birth.
That all makes sense, yes............
As for judging, don't we all judge what is acceptable to us?
I guess I differentiate between deciding what is acceptable FOR me and what is acceptable TO me.  Even though I don't choose certain paths, that doesn't mean I judge them as unacceptable for others.
I couldn't say that any other skin color is unacceptable to me, but I have no problem stating that certain religious philosophies are unacceptable to me
Again...many are not FOR me, but not unacceptable TO me.
Doesn't everyone say that every time they attend their own church rather than another?
Attending one church over another, to me, does not mean the others are "not acceptable."  They simply aren't suitable for me.  More power to those who choose to attend them or to those who choose not to attend any.  The problem I always have is when the ones who attend a different one than I or ones who attend none decide to tell me how wrong I am.  That is what is "unacceptable" in my book......slave luci

quote:

ORIGINAL: UKEvolutionary
for those that believe, find what comforts you in your faith but keep it to yourselves eh ?
No....not on a discussion board when the topic has come up.  I am open about my feelings on the subject but I have NEVER expected someone else to believe what I do.  When the topic is raised, I say what I feel without evangelizing.  Those who so oppose Christianity sure don't "keep it to themselves," so I certainly have every right to add my opinions to the mix.  I'll keep my thoughts on it silent when they do, eh?.........slave luci

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ORIGINAL: UKEvolutionary

Sorry, but all of these people quoting the Bible, and passages from It is the MAIN reason I keep away from religion. There is not a scripture you can't take out of the Bible to justify something that YOU believe to be right, to back up YOUR opinion, and it  SOOOO contradicts itself !!
Though shalt NOT kill ------- An eye for an eye, is just one of MANY.
And if we were all to "Follow" the Bible, why don't we all take more than one wife ? such as Abraham, Moses and David to name a few !! sorry, but the Bible and D/s , BDSM ........ For ME, forget it, for those that believe, find what comforts you in your faith but keep it to yourselves eh ?

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ORIGINAL: severetorture

I am also still amazed at how many learned people still cling to organized religion of any sort.There is no greater source for evil in this world.

quote:

ORIGINAL: UKEvolutionary

Sorry, but all of these people quoting the Bible, and passages from It is the MAIN reason I keep away from religion. There is not a scripture you can't take out of the Bible to justify something that YOU believe to be right, to back up YOUR opinion, and it  SOOOO contradicts itself !!
Though shalt NOT kill ------- An eye for an eye, is just one of MANY.

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And if we were all to "Follow" the Bible, why don't we all take more than one wife ? such as Abraham, Moses and David to name a few !!

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ORIGINAL: severetorture

Yes,but strength in numbers justifies the problem in the eyes of the world.Inherently,a person is smart,it's people who are stupid.You may be a very nice person,committed to righting the wrongs of the world,but as long as you are a part of those who do the opposite you do in the name of the same religion,it's kinda hard to defend it.You of course can defend yourself.And you have and for that you should be commended.
I don't see the need to bring organized religion into your life if you already have the goodness and drive in your heart to do good.Be your own person and be strong in your desire to help others.

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ORIGINAL: JerryInTampa

quote:

ORIGINAL: UKEvolutionary

Sorry, but all of these people quoting the Bible, and passages from It is the MAIN reason I keep away from religion. There is not a scripture you can't take out of the Bible to justify something that YOU believe to be right, to back up YOUR opinion, and it  SOOOO contradicts itself !!
Though shalt NOT kill ------- An eye for an eye, is just one of MANY.

While the Bible can indeed be contrary, it's equally common for people to find false contradiction.

Your example here is a good one. The Bible never forbids killing, certainly not in the OT. The law you are speaking of is "don't commit murder", which is "killing in violation of the law".

"Tooth for tooth" is punishment and, if done according to the law, an execution would not be a murder.

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And if we were all to "Follow" the Bible, why don't we all take more than one wife ? such as Abraham, Moses and David to name a few !!

I'm not certain that Abraham nor Moses had multiple wives, and David was chastised for his many wives and concubines... that said, the allowance changed via Papal edict.

A better question would be "why do Christians divorce".

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ORIGINAL: slavegirljoy

Also, do not judge Christianity based on the actions and character of some Christians.  Judge Christianity based on the actions and character of Jesus.

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ORIGINAL: JerryInTampa

The Bible, especially the OT and Paul, are extremely male-dom-women-as-submissive-property (who should wear a mark of authority).
The Quran, which draws *very* heavily from the OT, gets even more codified: requiring men to beat their wives (litely) if they are insubordinate.