Suicide Bombers for Jesus

http://journal.davidbyrne.com/2006/08/american_madras.html

~Ulrika~

I tried the link twice, but it wouldn't come up ...

But that's stupid!

Why else would God make kids if not for the reason for using them as pint size explosives of His will?

Lets see Kevn try to whitewash this.

David Byrne? Talk about a Talking Head.


Yep.. there are extremists everywhere. Does the article describe all Christians? No, it doesn't. Nor does watching a rant by Osama Bin Laden describe and speak for the entire Muslim community.

I get kinda in awe of the back and forth on Christian VS... .... VS Christian etc on here. This is one of those things that nobody is ever gonna win lol. You wont convince Kevn not to be a Christian and he isnt gonna have you getting baptized anytime soon either.

I get very concerned with extremists in any religion or culture. Nothing wrong with believing in something I have seen it change some for the better in many religions. Fanaticism.. that is the scary thing.

But nobody intends to become fanatical. Nobody tries for the deep end. Everyone just wants to make things better so where does the line go? The line doesn't seem to be drawn over religious lines, does it? The Christians have gotten over the crusades, the Bhudists have mended their temples, the Muslims are still fighting their Jihad, PITA is mugging fur coated citizens and ELF is operating like an informal Fight Club cult.

How do you know if you've gone overboard if you are at war with the very people who are calling you loony? It stands to reason that you already think their oppinions are crap. You've already predisposed them as being "sheep" or other metaphor for dumb followers. So how do you manage to reality-check yourself every now and then? )

~Lefty

Everybody has a differnt threshold I think. Just like in the Muslim community, the person not strapping a bomb on a yelling jihad doesnt get attention. Christians dont get news time unless they are a pastor stealing from the masses or a priest molesting a choir boy. For every wacko in any flock there are many more that do not illicit extremist behavior.

For me personaly how I would reality-check is this: When judge my fellow man becomes on my mind more then help/love my fellow man.. I am missing the point. That of course is my personal opinion. I dont propose to change anyone into anything here. I have my own beliefs and I dont think anyone will subscribe to them the way I do but me. But see, to me that is my reality check. I know that there are other views, but it is not in my power to change any of them.

There are people on this board whom I disagree with in thier views. No surprise there because none of us will ever agree on everything. I dont think that person is less then me or that I am more right though. I came from a background that allowed for much judgement of others and it took me a long time to respect others even when they didnt see things my way. Again, another test *I* use is can I hear the other side and not find myself angry or overly frustrated over the differing opinion? If I begin to take something personal it could open the avenue to anger, then possibly hate. Hate in about any religions true form is wrong from my experience. We as people interject our own ideals into those religions and THAT is when you have bloodshed.

Believe it or not not all people who believe in something struggle with becoming fanatical. There are those who can believe, feel right about it and not start a war.

Bah! You humans are ALL crazy!

Sanest thing I have heard in a long time.

Here's more information on the movie, Jesus Camp, referred to in David's blog.

http://www.indiewire.com/biz/2006/07/magnolia_eyeing.html

~Ulrika~

Kids <3 Jesus

Ulrika,

i can see where this concept could be frightening if either the perception of the children becomes skewed or that of the message itself.

however, having been raised attending a few diffeent churches of varying presentations.. i have the inerpretation as one of passiveness. emphasizing the lengths you would go to to in not giving up your faith (such as being faced with death or giving up ones faith to live), but not encouraging violent actions in the "name of (your chosen Deity)".

does it have a potential danger? i can see where it could in the right hands, but it seems to me that the usual point of view is one of strength in one's belief and non-aggresiveness.

Well, IMHO, you've answered your own question. If you've gone so far that you have to resort to making your opponent submit to get your way, then you've gone overboard. This doesn't mean you shouldn't defend yourself from attack...but there *is* no preemptive defense. This is why cops (should) arrest the person who threw the first punch in a fight. Once you say "The time for talk is ended; I shall now make you submit to my way of thinking", you've crossed the line, IMHO.



I'll agree with you that most Christians preach passivity and non-violence...but if you look at what most of them practice in their secular lives, and what their political opinions are....well, the word 'hypocrite' comes to mind.