[MK Chris]

Did anyone see this last night on the 'most hated family in America'? What a bunch of nutters! Well, actually, to be more specific - one nutter and the rest sheep. Especially the American journalist who visited to do a documentary on them and ended up joining them!

[Loudmouthed_Cutie]

no i missed it

[Ballbag]

Without meaning to offend anyone, that's what happens when religeon gets out of hand.

I just love their arguments though, basically everyone's a fag and should be treated with disrespect.

I liked the jazzy signs though, especially the "Diana is a Fag" one. Made me chuckle at it's ludicrousness.

[kendra k]

who's the "journalist"?

[Ballbag]

I can't remember his name.......... but I tell you what........ he don't like the fags.

[MK Chris]

Without meaning to offend anyone, that's what happens when religeon gets out of hand.

I agree, religion (and politics) are the cause of all wars - but this guy has taken what is supposed to be a peaceful religion (though I'm an agnostic myself, I understand that Christianity is supposed to be a loving religion) and twisted it to suit his own prejudices - and to that end he's no better than those who run Al-Qaeda.

[MK Chris]

who's the "journalist"?

Steve Drain.

[Ballbag]

Christianity is supposed to be a loving religion

All religions are supposed to be loving, the problem is that they are also supposed to be "hating" of other religions, hence the problems.

I thought it quite sad though seeing the little 5 and 6 year olds chanting "we hate fags"..... he blatently doesn't know what he's on about....... he's also not going to last long in high school with a mind set like that.

[Nicola_Red]

I saw it too - horrifying. I am a Christian and I tend to think the most important part of the Bible is "love thy neighbour as thyself". An awful lot of it is open to interpretation and also can't really be applied to modern times, but that to me seems to be a good general rule to live by. The family in the show don't seem too keen on that bit. The problem is that they seemed to think that picketing funerals and the like constitutes some sort of "love".

I agree that one of the saddest parts is the kids who are clearly being brainwashed. The older ones were just trotting out stock phrases they'd been taught over the years and the young ones obviously had no understanding of what they were 'protesting' about. When Louis asked the boy of about 7 yrs old what he thought they were doing and he just shouted randomly, "soldiers...fags...sweden..." like he was on some kind of game show. Disturbing.

It also struck me how alike they all were, especially the girls. The cousins were the spit of each other. Dunno about anyone else but I don't look much like my cousins at all. Does the words 'inbreeding' spring to mind...?

[Ballbag]

Oh there were deffo a few webbed feet in that room...... no doubt about it.

[DemonHorse]

This guy has taken what is supposed to be a peaceful religion (though I'm an agnostic myself, I understand that Christianity is supposed to be a loving religion) and twisted it to suit his own prejudices - and to that end he's no better than those who run Al-Qaeda.

Indeed, he's twisting a religion in the exact same way as any extremists. I don't think there are many religions left that don't have 'extremists' who twist the message to their own ends. Bush has been doing it for years with Christianity.

[Sidders]

Christianity is supposed to be a loving religion

All religions are supposed to be loving, the problem is that they are also supposed to be "hating" of other religions, hence the problems.

I read a line in Da Vinci Code last night that stuck out. "Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical." Not that I'm particularly religious anymore.

[Loudmouthed_Cutie]

The only reson i kept reading that was to get to a good bit only to find that there actually insn't one..

[Mafro]

This programme was a bit hard to watch sometimes. Those idiots attitude was plain disgusting and is one of the reasons religion can get tae *, it causes more problems than it solves. That kid getting smacked in the face with the bottle was hilarious though.

[Yudster]

I think its funny that you all think these people are Christians. I think its even funnier that they do too.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

Who are you to judge that they aren't Christians Yudster? For all you know God could be up there applauding them for their great work.

I choose to believe differently to them and can't agree with a lot of their actions but a lot has been done for good and bad by people calling themselves Christians.

I agree, religion (and politics) are the cause of all wars -.

Oxygen is the cause of all wars. Without it we couldn't live.

[Yudster]

Its not me calling anyone anything. I'm just having a laugh.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

no you are being patronising.

[Yudster]

No I'm not, I'm having an opinion for a change. I enjoyed it, I might do it again one day.

[foot-loose]

First of all, I didnt watch the program on the other day. If anyone knows when / if its repeated, let me know.

From "The West Wing".

The President is talking to a radio show host and some of her points of views:

President Josiah Bartlet: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

Dr. Jenna Jacobs: I don’t say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

President Josiah Bartlet: Yes it does. Leviticus.

Dr. Jenna Jacobs: 18:22.

President Josiah Bartlet: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here.

I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?

While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?

Here’s one that’s really important because we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?

Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you? One last thing: while you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, in this building, when the President stands, nobody sits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-zhNiGlogQ


So to summarize - I ain't religious, but I have no issues with those who are. Surely, the Bible (and other texts) are not meant to be taken literally and are only designed to give you a decent set of guidelines with which to live your life by?

Anyone who uses their religion as an excuse for something (be it football, homophobia or terrorism) must be in the wrong. If you dislike / hate something that much - I think people should have at least have the courage to say that it is them that hates it, not what their god has told them to hate.

[Yudster]

I'm not sure we should be living our lives according to The West Wing though.

[foot-loose]

No

But it highlights the point surely?

Im being very serious today! Posting about religion and smoking!

**goes to find the goat and go back to the bar**

[Yudster]

I'm trying not to be serious. Serious is all around, and getting seriouser. I'll see you in Zoot's.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

The West Wing was great tv...

[pinkysibbs]

They were a bunch of oddballs!It does annoy me though that everytime a christian is shown on tv or in film they are always weird or barmy when actually the majority are just as normal as the rest of us but just believe in something!It just bugs me because tv producers only ever show christains negatively but you never see muslims or buddists shown in such a bad light for fear of being called a racist.