Less than a month has passed since Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz blew his own horn for being the ‘big picture’ kind of guy who would sit down with some gays (in their own home! we’re sure he brought plenty of purell) to discuss the issues of the day.
“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen it, but this is what it means to truly be a ‘big tent Republican’ instead of a panderer,” he said of his fundraising event fireside chat at the NYC penthouse of gay real estate execs Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass.
If you’ll remember from the idiotic fumbling that ensued, Reisner and Weiderpass couldn’t quite agree on a story of why this match made in hell was ever consummated. First it was a “terrible mistake,” then they somehow managed to throw all gay people under the bus for being “cheap” and “entitled,” and finally Weiderpass attacked the “gay extremists” who were so far out in left field that they couldn’t comprehend the good he and Reisner were doing by sitting down with someone like Cruz.
“I hosted a United States Senator Presidential candidate and asked him how he would feel if his daughter were to tell him she was lesbian,” Weiderpass wrote in an op-ed. “How often do you think he has been asked that?”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Let’s see if they moved the dial.
Cruz was asked to give his thoughts on gay marriage just before his meeting with tweedle dee and tweedle dum, and here’s the nonsense he spouted:
“What the media tries to twist the question of marriage into…is a battle of emotions and personalities. They try and make it say, for example, ‘gosh any conservative must hate people who are gay.’ As you know, that has nothing to do with the operative legal question…I’m a constitutionalist, and under the constitution, from the beginning of this country, marriage has been a question for the states.”
On the one hand it’s a stupid answer — what would marriage ever have to do with emotions and personalities?! But it’s not exactly antigay. If anything it’s an endorsement of the states’ right to lead the charge towards national marriage equality.
Cut to this week, when Cruz appeared on a right wing radio show and shared with host Eric Metaxas what he thought was the “greatest threat to religious liberty in the history of the United States.” Right Wing Watch reports:
Cruz said that the fights over “religious freedom” laws in Indiana and Arkansas were “heartbreaking” examples of how the Democratic Party has “gotten so extreme and so radical in its devotion to mandatory gay marriage that they’ve decided there’s no room for the religious liberty protected under the First Amendment.”
He added that while “Democrats joined with big business in vilifying an effort to protect our religious liberty,” too many Republican leaders and presidential candidates “ran and hid in the hills.”
“We’re a nation that was founded by men and women who were fleeing religious oppression and coming to seek out a land where everyone of us could worship God Almighty with all of our hearts, minds and souls, and that is under profound jeopardy today,” Cruz said.
We never thought we’d say it, but we do agree with Cruz on one thing — ‘mandatory gay marriage’ doesn’t sound like a good idea. We think people should get to marry whomever they like, and that goes for straight people too.
And if we were to check that gay rights Cruz dial, it seems to have ticked back a few notches from bad to abominable since his soiree with Reisner and Weiderpass. Job well done.
Rick Caffey
http://www.examiner.com/article/20-quotes-from-historical-americans-against-the-u-s-being-a-christian-nation
Michael Davy
Ooh! How I wish you would just belt up.
GG
Pandering asshat.
T-Wicked Iris Morgue
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, how HARD is it to understand, RELIGION HAS NO PLACE IN GOVERNMENT
Bob LaBlah
“What the media tries to twist the question of marriage into…is a battle of emotions and personalities. They try and make it say, for example, ‘gosh any conservative must hate people who are gay.’ As you know, that has nothing to do with the operative legal question…I’m a constitutionalist, and under the constitution, from the beginning of this country, marriage has been a question for the states.”
Back in the 1980’s I asked my Anthropology professor why did so few people find the class boring and dropped out by the end of the semester (I was at a community college at the time) and she replied to me “just remember, if you are at a social event and find that you can’t bowl people over with brilliance then at least be able to baffle them with bullshit.” We both laughed but I always remembered what she said.
This guy, RAFAEL Cruz, is showing that his campaign is already nearly over. He shouts from the mountain tops his candidacy for the president but here, right at the one month mark he is so cash strapped he has to turn to the very people he condemned in his announcement speech for money because the major corporations obviously aren’t given him shit. Stick a fork in this one, his ass is DONE. I give it right around the Fourth of July he “suspends” his campaign. Any one remember Liddy Dole and her poor performance a decade or so ago? Here is the gay version of her (yes, I do believe the man is a closeted pillow biter).
Christopher Jay
But there are gays who still audaciously call themselves “christian” and vote republican! Talk about being a self-destructive,self-hating loser!
Trent Stevens
Cruz is the greatest threat to America
Ron King
Preach pastor ted.
Desert Boy
Go back to Taliban Tejas, Calgary Cruz and shut the fuck up.
JzzE1
I thought Satan was the greatest threat.
AtticusBennett
Cruz would “accept his daughter” – alas, if Cruz had a lesbian daughter she’d likely kill herself before she ever came out to him.
Bauhaus
@AtticusBennett:
Even Dick [Darth Vader] Chaney is on his gay daughter’s side. What’s with this closet-case?
Bad Ass Biker
And what will little Teddy say when he eventually gets caught with a boy friend or a rent boy?
Mr-DJ
He needs to clarify WHAT religion – because he is a KKKristian, not a Christian. Please do not confuse the two.
Derek Williams
Brilliantly written piece that had me chuckling throughout my tapas.
Jonathan Lund
He needs to go back to his own country of birth and stay out America’s business. That’s what would any American criticizing Canada would be told.
balddude13
Reissner and Weiderpass are the biggest threat to the Gay Community! Auntie Toms are what they are!!!
gayspud-1
nobody has lost their religious freedom.plus americans are getting tired of this crap.gop needs to listen to the people
mcflyer54
Cuban/Canadian Senator Cruz is desperately low on funds and his “big tent” message wasn’t resonating with the religious wingnuts (those Christian folks who might be ask to provide a cake, some flowers and a pizza or two for the big tent potluck/revival). So Teddy boy had to return to his true pandering roots (with advice from his even crazier bigoted old man I’m sure). This man thought he was going to be the savior of the conservatives yet daily it looks more and more likely that he’s little more than another clown in the GOP’s traveling circus.
Avery Alvarez
If religion is so incredibly fragile, that two same-sex individuals entering into a union that solemnizes their love before their friends and family and fellow citizens threatens it, then it is absolute proof that religion has outlived it purpose, and is no longer required in a modern, technologically advanced society.
Jonathan26
When you dance with the devil, there are sure to be consequences. That is, for the two gay guys who sold out their own for a photo op. They think they’re different because they’re rich, but to Cruz, they’re just dirty queers like the rest of us. In this case, though, rich queers stupid enough to pay for meeting & a picture with one of America’s most notoriously & viciously anti-gay politicians. Making it worse, they tell us we’re cheap & entitled while peering down at us from their penthouse. They call us extremists on the very same day their famous dinner guest proposes sweeping anti-gay legislation. That’s also the same day a gay high school kid hung himself after suffering years of bullying in a school district where anti-bullying legislation has been repeatedly defeated by the very same people who Ted Cruz & Ron Johnson call their most important constituents. Whether or not Cruz wins the White House, he will continue to have a major role in conservative policies in this country for a long time & with battles still being fought in townships & municipalities all over the country, support of any kind is irresponsible for any person. For people that call themselves business & community leaders, it’s intolerable.
Atomicrob
Cruz prostitutes himself to his rather small radical base because he believes it garners votes. Unfortunately for him, to the Northeast, sophisticated Midwestern educational centers and West Coast, he comes across as an intolerant zealot who sounds like a complete fool.
Cian Brown
Religion is the greatest threat to the world!!!
Marcelo F. Levy
Religion, like Cruz, are destroying ‘Merika!
Cagnazzo82
@Cian Brown: That’s like saying ‘fire is the greatest threat to homes”… well no. Fire is in fact an essential tool that helps feed millions of people within their homes. Fire can bring comfort… i.e. in a controlled setting like a fireplace. Fire an be used to light a room or add ambiance via candles.
Religion is like fire. Its positive or negative effect is predicated on the person who wields it.
While Ted Cruz is up on stage yelling about gays. There are religious people remaining silent and feeding homeless people in soup kitchens. The two exist concurrently. The existence of one does not negate the importance of the other. No matter how loud one aspect may be yelling.
Xzamilio
@Cagnazzo82: Oh, hell no. There is no benefit to religion that could not be achieved through secular means. Religion is nowhere near essential like fire… it had a purpose during early mankind and it was a justifiable explanation for primitive man that did not have the tools we did to discern fact from fiction in the natural world.
And basically all you’re saying about religion is that is a blank amoral system that can be used for good or bad… well, thanks but that just demonstrates how in fact useless it is, then.
“While Ted Cruz is up on stage yelling about gays. There are religious people remaining silent and feeding homeless people in soup kitchens. The two exist concurrently. The existence of one does not negate the importance of the other. ”
So what? That’s not a tangible benefit of Christianity… Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Atheists, etc. are also in soup kitchens feeding the homeless. What is a benefit of Christianity that is only through Christianity?
Xzamilio
@Mr-DJ: They’re all Christians. Thousands of denominations, and no sky daddy coming down to clear up the confusion, even though millions have died and have been killed because one denomination or religion swears it’s the right one. No use trying to No True Scotsman… all they’ll do is say this groups isn’t real Christians and vice versa and on and on and blah blah.
twinkie1cat
Well, this is America and there are even gay conservatives. Don’t know how they live with themselves, but they have a right to be wrong.
What bothers me most is the refusal of the rightists to put the words “Christian” and “gay” together descriptively. Many many gays are Christians or at least religious. Whole churches full and both the gay community and the Christian community need to recognize this fact.
The Republicans are going through changes trying to convince voters that we are losing our religious freedom in America. Well, sorry, I have yet to hear of anyone being beheaded for their religion in America and the conservatives are welcome to go to the Middle East and have it done if they wish.
twinkie1cat
@AtticusBennett: When Newt Gingrich was trying to run for President it came out that he had a gay sister, Candice. His campaign tried to deny her and call her a “half sister”. This does not work in the South. If you have the same MOTHER as your sister she is your sister, not your half-sister. Your father’s children may be called “halfs” however. It is just a Southern thing. Newt’s mother got on WSB-TV with Monica Kaufman and straightened out the state of Georgia. Somewhat later Newt institutionalized his mother.
Your point about Cheney is somewhat similar. His support for gay marriage is the only decent thing about the man. Of course access to the grandchildren is a great motivator.
twinkie1cat
It bothers me a great deal that much of the gay community, especially those from the “frozen nawth” and other countries love to put down religion, especially Christianity.
God loves you and has a plan for your life.
Jesus Christ never put down anyone but hypocrites and conservative church leaders who were more rule bound than spiritual. He even praised the faith of a Roman Centurion who was in a same sex relationship.
No one was ever changed from gay to straight by getting saved. God accepts us just the way we are.
There were several different types of marriage in the Bible. And then check out David and Jonathan!
The fundamentalists of today are much like the Pharisees of the Bible.
Sodom was about not taking care of the poor, being haughty and proud and worshipping idols, not homosexuality. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
Michael Haynes
Yeah he will take a free meal from our people who have betrayed us to side with this twinky
russellhm
The greatest threat to religion in America are right wingnuts like Cruz, Huckabee and all the radical evangelical, tea-party fanatics. Even the Pope in his screed against climate change deniers pleads that we not proselytize. The days of Billy Sunday, Aimee Semple McPherson, and other Elmer Gantry types—including Billy Graham–are over. Churches losing membership. The PEW research shows a decline nationally in believers. And this trip spewing out of ignorant mouths to appeal to the most bigoted class of American voters is pathetic.
Gary_Gans
@Avery Alvarez: I could not agree more, Avery. If Love threatens faith his faith must be pretty limited and highly likely a tool for political gain.
Xzamilio
@twinkie1cat: And then there are those like me who have read the bible and just reject it as primitive stories that have very little historical accuracy and antiquated views that belong in the time era from whence they came. I put down religion because it is nonsense that we have allowed to permeate our society… it is the only acceptable form of a lunacy where we can sit there and say we are talking to someone and they talk back, and yet no one provides evidence.
Don’t give a damn if I’m being one of “those atheists” because “those theists” are the ones in power making laws based on iron age mythology, so excuse the hell out of me for taking issue with Aesop fables being law of the land.
Musk
Oh goodie! YOu have NO idea how long I’ve been waiting to be the greatest threat, EVER, to American religion. I wonder if I should put that on my resume.
Bob LaBlah
@twinkie1cat: Jesus Christ never put down anyone but hypocrites and conservative church leaders who were more rule bound than spiritual. He even praised the faith of a Roman Centurion who was in a same sex relationship.”
Could you PLEASE share with us what gospel you find that in? I know the Mormons had an idiotic gospel where blacks were once a tribe of whites but offended god and he got so made he made their hair course, lips and hips bigger (and if it were true I bet something else was…….well, anyway) and skin darker. I am curious which gospel you found that in and why the Pope nor anyone else for that matter ever mentions it. If you or anyone else are wondering why I am asking I will be more than happy to tell you.
Belinda Carmichael
Free meal? How much did those morons pay to have him eat in their presence?
TrekBear
Hey, Sen. Cruz, in that first picture, you should go ahead and extend teh rest of your hand so we can see your true colors!
Gary_Gans
@twinkie1cat: I personally do not hold any issue with your choice of faith. All I ask is that others do not use their choice of Faith to impinge on my life. Jesus did so much good, and it’s obvious that you are following the lessons on being a compassionate and loving person that Jesus stressed. I am so touched by it. I do wish that others that claim to be Christian held the lessons to heart like you do. I wish others held the heart that you hold so dearly. I am touched by your example.
Kenneth L. Kish
What are you afraid of Ted? Being outed? I thought so.
Low Country Boy
Ted Cruz is the greatest threat to civil liberties since . . . ever.
Jay Emerson
Yeah he’s defo not becoming president now
Jeff Eiselman
Bradley Engeldinger
B4 that it was jfk, B4 that it was communism, B4 that is was women voting, B4 that it was abolishing slavery ect ect ect
Chuck Cardillo
What an asshole
DistingueTraces
Of course he was happy to sit down to dinner with the wealthy gays. Few of the Republican demagogues are really ideological homophobes in their private lives.
That doesn’t make their public stance any better — it makes it worse. They are not old-fashioned guys distressed by modern moderns — they’re just cynically manipulating the worst instincts of their voter base for an electoral edge.
I find this hypocrisy more disgusting than any sincere brimstone preacher.
DistingueTraces
(I meant to type “modern mores”)
DarkZephyr
@DistingueTraces: That sort of thing happens to me all the time. Especially if I’m using some sort of mobile device with autofill and autocorrect rather than a computer. I wish queerty had an edit feature or a preview feature. Preferably both but at least an edit feature.
charmin88
Cruz is a dick, and not the good kind.
balddude13
Being Cuban myself, I am here to tell you that there are many Cuban men who are on the down low. There always have been. He is also against the U.S. having trade relations with Cuba. What an asshole.
Allen Manual
Its true though
LAman
It simply does not make sense to say that same-sex marriage goes against your religious freedom, and therefore should not be legal. That would be like saying pork should be illegal to eat because of some people’s religious beliefs. Just because it is legal, does not mean everyone has to have a same-sex marriage or eat pork. This is would actually goes against true freedom of religion, and freedom from religion. This reason alone should be enough to make same-sex marriage legal in every state of the U.S.
Leonard Woodrow
Christianity is about loving God and your neighbour. This prat seems to ignore the second edict.
balddude13
Re:LAman
Whatever you’re running for, you have my vote! I love pork!
Isaac Martinez
That’s Stupid… Im still lutheran and my church accepts me still hahahaa this is bull.
BRYANinSF
Ted Cruz, Bryan Fischer, Tony Perkins, Scott Lively and all the other Christian fundamentalists who rail against LGBT folks are damaging their own religion. Do they not understand that or is it intentional?
ted72
@Avery Alvarez: Well said.
Larry Scott
He should run for pope.
Billysees
@BRYANinSF:
” …and all the other Christian fundamentalists who rail against LGBT folks are damaging their own religion. ”
I think that’s very true. They damage it by practicing or encouraging the practice of the ‘worst’ values that can be found in any religion, example —
1. ‘Kill homosexuals’…Leviticus 20:13
Here’s why any if not all scripture verses need to be ‘reasoned-out’ to make sure they properly reflect the ‘best values’ that modern civilization and religion has to offer. From Paul, who wrote most of the NT and who said some very unkind things about LGBT’s —
1. …our knowledge is partial and incomplete…
2. …we see things imperfectly…
3. All that I know now is partial and incomplete…
(1 Corinthians 13:9,12)
Those three points are the reason it is necessary to judge and evaluate a matter or people based on all reasonable, ‘current or modern’ attitudes, experiences and knowledge.
Obviously then, we need to encourage ourselves and others to seek out and find new and better ways of understanding an issue than rely on scripture, which is too ‘partial’, ‘incomplete’ and ‘imperfect’.
—————————
The ‘Greatest Threat To Religion In American History’ is the poorly practiced ‘best’ values that a religion has to offer, example —
1. ‘Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God’…Romans 15:7
2. ‘…all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble’…1 Peter 3:8
BJ McFrisky
Cruz has taken a page straight out of the liberal handbook: Tell ’em what they wanna hear, and if they ever get wise to your deception, simply claim you’ve “evolved” on the issue.
balddude13
Do these Christian fundamentalists, conservative Republicans and other anti-LGBTQ ass wipes really take themselves seriously? Apparently they do and unfortunately so do other Americans. So what do we have to do as a community and U.S. citizens? We have to start taking part in the political process and that includes the voting process. Yes, we may already be doing that but we might have to work and fight harder. Ted Cruz, go away. We don’t need your bullshit and poison. We as Gay Americans have to stop wishing we were more like Europe and actually do something about it in our own country.
GayEGO
The economy and knowledge, not love and devotion, is the greatest threat to marriage of any kind.
Younger people do not follow the old time idea of the man earns a living and the woman stays home to care for the children, cook, do laundry, and clean the house. They may marry or they may not, they may have children or they may not.
Younger people have learned through education and communications that they have many more choices of the lives they can live. They have learned that they can have the promise of the pursuit of happiness and live the American dream. They have learned that the negative hoopla that “some” religions continue to spew forth is not for them. Fortunately there are some religious that are changing with civilization which is learning and moving into the future.
People like Ted Cruz hang on to the dark ages, meaningless speculations, not facts, of the past.
My partner and I of 53 years, married 11 years, can factually say that Massachusetts is doing well and that our love and commitment, law abiding practices, and respect for others, has proven that our neighbors and friends, gay and straight, are accepting of us. Inclusion is the key to moving forward whereas extreme exclusion of American citizens by people like Ted Cruz sets America in a losing, backward battle.
Fortunately, all indications are that America is moving forward and supporting Marriage Equality, a civil equal right for all American citizens.
balddude13
Bravo sir! You are a true role model! May your love for your partner continue to inspire others for ages. After all that’s what it’s really all about. The right to love who we want to. That’s all.
GayEGO
@balddude13: Well said! And we are winning as 36+ states support marriage equality. SCOTUS has consistently ruled in favor of Marriage Equality since overturning section 3 of DOMA in 2013. It is unlikely that they will rule against Marriage Equality not only because it would be the opposite of their previous rulings but it would cause a much bigger mess in America.
The opposition is being dragged, kicking and screaming, to Marriage Equality. The few who continue to dig their heels in will simply bury themselves.
GayEGO
@BJ McFrisky: Right on! Ted Cruz is a sneak and will take money from anyone. :>)
Stan Schulz
My fellow gays. Ted Cruz satisfies in you a need for a villain in the public square. Social media would cease to exist without the gay vs anti-gay narrative. Many of you would shrivel up and die without some kind of drama to keep your blood pumping.
balddude13
Re: Stan Schulz
REALLY??? Is that something you’re ashamed of?
Bob LaBlah
@Billysees: Your points notwithstanding here is what turned me COMPLETELY off to religion once I really gave it some thought. If the “son” of god was resurrected then why would he NOT still be walking amongst us? If this “god” was so powerful then why didn’t he simply wipe out those who inflicted cruelty on others? Mind you now, we are talking about a “god” who seemed to have NO problem with his “son” being beaten to a pulp, a crown of thornes placed on his head and made to drag a huge cross thru the streets that he ended up being nailed to until “death”. This “god” had no problem wiping out Sodom and Gomorrah but let the other places on earth, many of which were just a “filthy” as those two, go on as they were. And last, why was there no mention of the Indian, the Chinese or other races that existed at the time, the dinosaur and the events that preceded this bullshit that was now “law”? If it was all knowing it is obvious it was very selective as to what it wanted you to know.
I have said before and say again religion is the biggest crock of shit that ever came along. Keep in mind the Confederates had plans to CHANGE the bible’s wording that would allow/justify slavery. Slaves, a people who had no written language, had no other choice but to stand there and listen to MASTER tell them that his “holy” book said to obey master. Since the pictures of the master were of a white man whom else were they to think was to be obeyed? Not only would there have been two versions of this bullshit but the entire world would sooner or later have had to make a choice as to which one was “valid”. We might have seen another situation where the pope had no other choice but to organize another crusade to end this lie. But since blacks and indians more or less didn’t matter to the eyes of the wealthy europeans then……..
Let us not think for one minute that these gospels could have been written by anyone whose intentions was to elevate a MAN above those whom they were being ruled by at the time to justify THEIR “beliefs”. And thats just what I bet was done too.
Giancarlo85
@BJ McFrisky: Nice attempt in trying to turn it around on liberals. You fail miserably once again. You republicans are all the same… full of shit.
Bauhaus
@BJ McFrisky:
“Cruz has taken a page straight out of the liberal handbook: Tell ’em what they wanna hear, and if they ever get wise to your deception, simply claim you’ve “evolved” on the issue.”
Conservatives are constitutionally incapable of “evolving” on ANY issue, and you know it.
jwtraveler
“We’re a nation that was founded by men and women who were fleeing religious oppression and coming to seek out a land where everyone of us could worship God Almighty with all of our hearts, minds and souls, and that is under profound jeopardy today,” Cruz said.
Cruz certainly does speak with all the knowledge and enlightenment of the 17th century. I wonder where he stands on burning witches, as if I need to ask. [Actually witches in American were hanged, but ‘burning’ sounds more dramatic.]
Billysees
@Bob LaBlah:
Bob,
You’ve mentioned many interesting things which I don’t have ready answers for. I have no religious credentials at all, I’m just another rank and file person who has an interest in the ‘good things’ religion can represent and always wonder why they are ‘not’ on the top of all religious agendas. I’m talking about all of the ‘love thy neighbor’ stuff. Christianity has many of those kinds of ideas or verses but they are not always front and center, especially when the conservatives have their say.
I think I can say a couple of things that’ll provide a half decent answer to some of your comments —
” If the “son” of god was resurrected then why would he NOT still be walking amongst us? ”
According to the scriptures, his resurrection was more than just coming alive again sometime after being brought down from the cross. He was later ‘taken up’ into heaven the scripture says.
It was sort of like a ‘beam me up, Scotty’ kind of thing like from the Star Trek movies. Humor intended.
” And last, why was there no mention of the Indian, the Chinese or other races that existed at the time, the dinosaur and the events that preceded this… ”
See here — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion
That’s the best I can come up with that’ll help describe what’s going on with history.
You might be interested in having some kind Bible learning experience like a Bible study course. Schools and colleges have such courses. I picked up my Bible knowledge by reading many kinds of books about the subject over many years.
Here’s a good start for you, as it was for me, read ‘The Man Nobody Knows’ by Bruce Barton. The subtitle is called ‘A Discovery of The Real Jesus’.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Nobody_Knows
That book and others he wrote like ‘The Book Nobody Knows’ will give you a good foundation about Jesus, who he was and what he was really like.
mcflyer54
Interesting, thoughtful and considerate reply to the previous post. However, having read one of the two books you mention in your reply (among numerous other pro/con religious books, one must always understand that the authors of publications concerning reliigions (regardless of the denomination or faith) are, exactly like those who originally wrote the bible, human beings with an agenda. The intended purpose of these writers, no matter how objective they may believe themselves to be, is to further their own conviction or objection to religion. Ultimately the end result is a book which supports their own “research”. Although I hold no religious beliefs I come from a very strong religious family, we have agreed to disagree on many points, but have always come to the conclusion that you can be a good and moral person without believing in any higher power. I’m not interested in attacking another for their religious beliefs and/or opinions however, neither am I interested in having to live my life based on someone else’s chosen religion.
Bob LaBlah
@Billysees: According to the scriptures, his resurrection was more than just coming alive again sometime after being brought down from the cross. He was later ‘taken up’ into heaven the scripture says.’
That answers it all. No one saw him walk out of that cave that was guarded by armed guys for a while after his death. No one saw his rise to heaven either. So what we have here is a “gospel” whose obvious intention is to elevate this man to a god like statue. Never mind the other types of gods that people believed in at that time. This one HAD to be the true god because that is what it says in the gospels written by other men regarding “him”. I won’t repeat what that sounds like because I have already said it.
The brutality of the Romans got even worse, regardless of the power of this god. People were already believing in pagans and such and still suffered the same brutality as these christians. So where is the power of this god, who was obviously powerless to stop the suffering of the Jews, the slave trade, the Black Plague, the HIV crisis…………….get real here. It is nothing but a belief that I have no problem with anyone believing in if that is what it takes to make them treat people with respect. I simply ask that one not require of chastise me and others who simply do not believe it.
As the years passed on it became obvious that MANY of those popes were well aware of its power because of the ignorance of people at that time. Look no further to what happened to Galileo, Isaac Newton, Copernicus and others who were charged with blasphemy because they PROVED many of those “beliefs” wrong. (Copernicus did not suffer as bad as the other two but he was ridiculed until proven right by other scientist). Once their power was challenged the accuser HAD to go. There could be as many kings as the land would allow but the supreme ruler at the time was the Pope and the unforgiving army that he had no problem dispatching under the guise of a Crusade. Now do you get it? You could NOT, under no circumstances, prove them wrong without consequence.
My family had no problem going to church (I went kicking and screaming and got slapped in the mouth many a day because I fell asleep or talked) and praising the Lord but as soon as they left and we rode thru the black area the N word readily flew out of their mouths at a machine gun pace. It is all in what you want to believe and for how long and when it best suits your purpose. As I said, it will always remain a crock of shit to me. Vultures looking for the ignorant to prey upon.
Bob LaBlah
@Billysees: One last thing a lot of people have never given much thought to because they dismiss it as soon as they hear about these people: In the country of Israel at least fifteen to twenty people per month are taken out of the desert after being discovered walking around thinking/claiming to be John the Baptist, Moses and last but not least, Jesus himself. Based on this “resurrection” theory my reaction is “whose to say they aren’t”?
Daggerman
..this is such silly nonsense–from the beginning religion was created by human beings because they were upset by the truth, and wanted to theorize. In other words the facts were taught to be ignored…Marriage is a HUMAN right, not just a heterosexual privilege!