that guy in Arizona Wrote: Guy: Welcome to the Democratic Hub. Although you are a recent member, I found that your posts to date were well thought out, and supported by some very good factual background. Your link about Christianity contained a LOT of good information, and I suspect that many Christians really aren't all that familiar with the history of Christianity. I was brought up with the Baltimore Catechism, which painted a much different picture.Although I've got my own website, I've also contributed to a site that was set up by some old friends in Minnesota, who converted to the Baha'i religion nearly 40 years ago. The basic message of the article below mirrors your thoughts that we should all be tolerant of other religions:http://bahaimn3640.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-with-enemy.htmlThe article below expands on your thoughts about the "Divine Right" of Christian emperors:http://tohell-andback.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-of-signs.html
Schmidt Wrote: First, thank you Guy Dwyer for sharing A Message Worthy of Consideration...Why Are Christians So Divided and In Conflict? Although a "non-believer" myself, I know from my mother's teachings that much of Christianity is good...and that the vast majority of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and others largely seek to conduct their lives, as the website so aptly puts it: "by the the Universal Divine Imperative at the core of all religions — and like all truly religious people they understand that it will be those who are humble, gentle, peaceful and meek who shall inherit the earth by treating all others, including the least of our brethren, kindly and fairly, as everyone wants to be treated."Also, I wholeheartedly agree with the caricatures of the goats and wolves as hypocrites that "fight for theocratic political power and rulership, claiming God is on their side and against their “godless” enemies. But they are guilty of religious discrimination, theocratic imposition, and bigotry."Yes...very true.Arizona -- Likewise your articles, Thanksgiving with the enemy, and the Book of Signs, both about Muslims and Islam are right on.  As one who worked closely with Muslims during my working career including living three years in Libya, I can attest to the truth of your words: "The truth is that the Islamic religion is the most popular single denomination in the world, and the overwhelming majority of its followers are non-violent people."I have former work colleagues and friends that are Muslims, and the stereotyping of Muslims that is being conducted by the goats and wolves in propaganda outlets like Fox News couldn't be further from the truth.Again thank you both for sharing. It is articles like these that enhance the value of the discussions in this website.
alias Wrote: Seems to me as long as we have religious freedom in the USA, there is no danger of a "Christian Caliphate".  We've been okay for over 200 years without anyone establishing a "Christian Caliphate".  That is a diversionary rabbit trail to take the focus off the real problem and threat to liberty in the world, Islamic Caliphate established through intimidation and terrorism. There are no Christian run states on this planet who are threatening democratic nations. Islam is the problem in Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Queda, etc, etc, etc.Get real.
Guy Dwyer Wrote: alias Wrote: Seems to me as long as we have religious freedom in the USA, there is no danger of a "Christian Caliphate".  We've been okay for over 200 years without anyone establishing a "Christian Caliphate".  That is a diversionary rabbit trail to take the focus off the real problem and threat to liberty in the world, Islamic Caliphate established through intimidation and terrorism.  There are no Christian run states on this planet who are threatening democratic nations.  Islam is the problem in Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Queda, etc, etc, etc.Get real. Seems to me you miss the point, perhaps because you are unaware of how political powerful the "religious right" has become in America.Perhaps the most blatant example of that was in the 2008 presidential election, when being a Christian was a de facto litmus test for being a viable candidate for the presidency. That's because for the last 30 years since the "religious right" rose to political power with Ronald Reagan, they have been gaining more and more political power from local school boards to state legislatures to the judiciary (all the way to the Supreme Court) to Congress and the White House (under Reagan and Bush).Check out Ignored American History, and check out how America has betrayed the intent of the Founding Fathers regarding religion....
alias Wrote: Seems to me as long as we have religious freedom in the USA, there is no danger of a "Christian Caliphate".  We've been okay for over 200 years without anyone establishing a "Christian Caliphate".  That is a diversionary rabbit trail to take the focus off the real problem and threat to liberty in the world, Islamic Caliphate established through intimidation and terrorism.  There are no Christian run states on this planet who are threatening democratic nations.  Islam is the problem in Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Queda, etc, etc, etc.Get real.