There's also the notion of shibboleths, things -- usually habits or ideosyncracies -- that re used to identify people as part of the "in" group (or, conversely, an "out" group). Consequently there is pressure to practice these habits to be recognized as part of the "in" group.

Yes, like virtue signalling... people who think similarly recognize that
the person signalling is "one of them."

A lot of people, religious and not, virtue signal, too. It can be annoying but not usually worth my worry, so long as they are only signaling and not trying to force their beliefs on me.

These behavious are most definately not exclusive to the religious or conservatives. I would go as far to say that acting offended by someone's religious practice is a signal to others that you are one of them.


* SLMR 2.1a * You radiate cold shafts of broken glass!
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On 21 Aug 2022, Mike Powell said the following...

There's also the notion of shibboleths, things -- usually habits or ideosyncracies -- that re used to identify people as part of the "in" gr (or, conversely, an "out" group). Consequently there is pressure to prac these habits to be recognized as part of the "in" group.

Yes, like virtue signalling... people who think similarly recognize that the person signalling is "one of them."

True.

A lot of people, religious and not, virtue signal, too. It can be annoying but not usually worth my worry, so long as they are only signaling and not trying to force their beliefs on me.

These behavious are most definately not exclusive to the religious or conservatives. I would go as far to say that acting offended by
someone's religious practice is a signal to others that you are one of them.

I'm not offended by most religious practices, although animal sacrifice does
go a bit too far, in my opinion. I'm not offended by people practicing their religion.

I'm offended when they act in such a way as to assume that everyone around
them shares their religious beliefs, or simply discount those who don't.

I'm offended when people try to force or pressure others to adopt their religious beliefs, including using social pressure and legislation to do so.

I'm offended when people claim to others that adopting their religious practices offers unproven benefits, especially concerning medical or mental health.

Jeff.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)

Hello Jeff,

[..]

I'm not offended by most religious practices, although animal sacrifice does
go a bit too far, in my opinion. I'm not offended by people practicing their religion.

Animal sacrifice is practiced among some in New Orleans, and has
been for centuries. I did not say human sacrifice, as nobody does
that. VooDoo is a religion, and is practiced among locals, most
found in the French Quarter. Marie Laveau's gravesite is a popular
tourist attraction, and books have been written about her. And
who can ever forget Chicken Man, who practiced his religion in
public in the French Quarter for all to see? Oh, how I miss his
antics ...

I'm offended when they act in such a way as to assume that everyone around them shares their religious beliefs, or simply discount those who don't.

Marie Laveau was from the West Indies who lived in the French
Quarter, a hairdresser who attended to the needs of the well-to-do.
She was very well known at the time, and made no secret of her
religion. It would do you well to learn some history about her,
and about VooDoo as it is practiced and has been practiced in
New Orleans and this country.

I'm offended when people try to force or pressure others to adopt their religious beliefs, including using social pressure and legislation to do so.

Do we need a Christian Taliban to rule this country? Practioners
of VooDoo do not force their beliefs on anyone. Why should those who
claim they are Christian force their beliefs on others?

I'm offended when people claim to others that adopting their religious practices offers unproven benefits, especially concerning medical or mental
health.

Imagine going to a doctor for a general check-up. Doc takes a look
at you, puts you through a series of tests, then calls you into his
office. Tells you five words, then shuts up - "I will pray for you."

Thank God you have insurance to pay the bill.

For Life,
Lee

--
What beer drinkers drink when they're not drinking beer

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
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Do we need a Christian Taliban to rule this country? Practioners
of VooDoo do not force their beliefs on anyone. Why should those who
claim they are Christian force their beliefs on others?

Because they believe they are better than the rest of us. But fear not, they are all going to Hell according to their own rules:

*Pride*, the original and worst of the Seven Deadly Sins:
The belief that one is essentially better, superior, or more important than others, despising their merits, and excessively admiring oneself as godlike, refusing to acknowledge one's limits, faults, or wrongs.

And even their Christ, who gave name to their cult, says that they are not welcome to Heaven:

Matt 19:21-24



--
United we are strong, we win. Divided we are weak, we lose.

..

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On 23 Aug 2022, Bj”rn Felten said the following...

Do we need a Christian Taliban to rule this country? Practioners
of VooDoo do not force their beliefs on anyone. Why should those who claim they are Christian force their beliefs on others?

Because they believe they are better than the rest of us. But fear
not, they are all going to Hell according to their own rules:

Ah, but there are two sets of rules, you see...

One set says that everyone will be judged by their sins, with those deemed unworthy of Heaven being sent to Hell (or possibly Purgatory).

The other set says that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is cleansed of
all sin by the blood of the sacrificial Lamb, basically a "Get Out of Hell Free" card.

One set of rules for the faithful (for some definition of "faithful"), and another set for everyone else. Pretty convenient, no?

Jeff.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)

Not sure what your reading, but im certain Christ never said people who commit sins are not welcome in Heaven.

I guess you can believe what you want, or interpret how you feel, but that doesnt make it true.

Bj”rn Felten wrote to Lee Lofaso <=-

Do we need a Christian Taliban to rule this country? Practioners
of VooDoo do not force their beliefs on anyone. Why should those who
claim they are Christian force their beliefs on others?

Because they believe they are better than the rest of us. But fear
not, they are all going to Hell according to their own rules:

*Pride*, the original and worst of the Seven Deadly Sins:
The belief that one is essentially better, superior, or more
important than others, despising their merits, and excessively admiring oneself as godlike, refusing to acknowledge one's limits, faults, or wrongs.

And even their Christ, who gave name to their cult, says that they
are not welcome to Heaven:

Matt 19:21-24

--
United we are strong, we win. Divided we are weak, we lose.

..

--- Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; sv-SE; rv:1.9.1.16) Gecko/20101125
* Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)

... MultiMail, the new multi-platform, multi-format offline reader!
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A48 2022/07/15 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The ByteXchange BBS | bbs.thebytexchange.com (1:19/37)

On 23 Aug 2022, Chad Adams said the following...

Not sure what your reading, but im certain Christ never said people who commit sins are not welcome in Heaven.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of God." -- Jesus

Are rich men not welcome in Heaven? Might they be guilty of one of the seven deadly sins?

The idea that too many sins keep one from Heaven, though, is mostly attributable to John of Patmos, the author of the Book of Revelation. It is
in that book that the Judgment Day is discussed, and Jesus' separating the sheep from the goats, etc.

I guess you can believe what you want, or interpret how you feel, but
that doesnt make it true.

Right back at ya.

Jeff.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)

Hello Bj”rn,

Do we need a Christian Taliban to rule this country? Practioners
of VooDoo do not force their beliefs on anyone. Why should those who
claim they are Christian force their beliefs on others?

Because they believe they are better than the rest of us. But fear not, they
are all going to Hell according to their own rules:

*Pride*, the original and worst of the Seven Deadly Sins:

The belief that one is essentially better, superior, or more important than
others, despising their merits, and excessively admiring oneself as godlike, refusing to acknowledge one's limits, faults, or wrongs.

There are many different kinds of pride. The absolute worst form was
depicted in Pierre Boull‚'s "Planet of the Apes" novel.

Banality - completely ordinary; trite.

And even their Christ, who gave name to their cult, says that they are not welcome to Heaven:

Matt 19:21-24

Lemme see.
A young man had observed and kept The Law (Ten Commandments).
And had all the riches one could hope to have. But still that was
not enough. So he asked Jesus "What good must I do to gain eternal
life?" Jesus took one good hard look at him and said -

First, sell what you have, give to the poor. And you will have
treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

An exchange.

Jesus made the man an offer.

An offer only a fool could refuse.

The man walked away, sadly shaking his head, for he had many
possessions, none of which he wanted to part with.

Jesus did not negotiate, or try to make deals.
The man had asked him a question, and Jesus gave him an answer.

Then Jesus told his disciples "it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the kingdom of heaven." Followed immediately by his allusion
about a "camel going through the eye of a needle".

So what did Jesus offer, in exchange for the rich man getting rid
of all his stuff? It is clear that Jesus wanted none of it for himself.
And it is also clear that his disciples wanted any of it. So what was
the deal?

"What good must I do to gain eternal life?"

What did Jesus have that the rich man wanted, but could not buy?

What exactly did that man who dressed in rags and ate scraps given
to him by others have that the rich man so desperately wanted?

Do what I tell you and then "Follow me."

No negotiation. No bargaining. Either you do, or you don't.
That's the deal.

The rich man rejected what Jesus had to offer (eternal life)
in favor of keeping what riches he had stored on earth.

I came into this world with nothing.
I will leave this world with nothing.

Whatever I have left behind will be finder's keepers.
Thus keeping the earthworms happy. At least for a day.

For Life,
Lee

--
Every bite is a different temperature

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
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Hello Jeff,

Not sure what your reading, but im certain Christ never said people
who commit sins are not welcome in Heaven.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of God." -- Jesus

The quote, attributed to Jesus, is an allusion (or reference) to
an opening in the wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem. This opening
is only large enough to allow a camel (without baggage) to enter into
the city. In the gospel, it is used to express a religious truth, in
a way most people of that time could easily understand.

Are rich men not welcome in Heaven?

What can you take with you? Like the camel going through "the eye
of the needle", it could carry no baggage.

Might they be guilty of one of the seven deadly sins?

Money is the root of all evil. Which explains why Jesus dressed
in rags, and never worked a day in his life.

The idea that too many sins keep one from Heaven, though, is mostly attributable to John of Patmos, the author of the Book of Revelation.

There is only one sin that can never be forgiven.

It is in that book that the Judgment Day is discussed, and Jesus' separating
the sheep from the goats, etc.

Matthew 25.

I guess you can believe what you want, or interpret how you feel, CA>but

that doesnt make it true.

Right back at ya.

Is truth relative?
Or absolute?
I would hate to meet someone who knows the truth.

For Life,
Lee

--
Love! Not hate! Makes America great!

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
* Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)

On 25 Aug 2022, Lee Lofaso said the following...

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for rich
man to enter the kingdom of God." -- Jesus

The quote, attributed to Jesus, is an allusion (or reference) to
an opening in the wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem. This opening
is only large enough to allow a camel (without baggage) to enter into
the city. In the gospel, it is used to express a religious truth, in
a way most people of that time could easily understand.

Are rich men not welcome in Heaven?

What can you take with you? Like the camel going through "the eye
of the needle", it could carry no baggage.

Interesting point.

Might they be guilty of one of the seven deadly sins?

Money is the root of all evil. Which explains why Jesus dressed
in rags, and never worked a day in his life.

Technically, the love of money (or material wealth in general) is the root of all evil.

The idea that too many sins keep one from Heaven, though, is mostly attributable to John of Patmos, the author of the Book of Revelation.

There is only one sin that can never be forgiven.

And that is?

It is in that book that the Judgment Day is discussed, and Jesus' separating
the sheep from the goats, etc.

Matthew 25.

Good point.

Jeff.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)

Technically, the love of money (or material wealth in general) is the
root of all evil.

Correct.

Three more of The Seven Deadly Sins:

1. Lust (an unbridled desire, such as for money, or power)

2. Gluttony (the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste, leaving the needy hungry)

3. Greed (a desire to acquire or possess more than one needs, especially with respect to material wealth)

Yeah... They are all going to hell, that's for sure. I hope they sleep well while still alive -- their God will have slightly hotter accommodations in store for them.


--
United we are strong, we win. Divided we are weak, we lose.

..

--- Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; sv-SE; rv:1.9.1.16) Gecko/20101125
* Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)

Hello Bj”rn,

Technically, the love of money (or material wealth in general) is the
root of all evil.

Correct.

Can man serve two masters? Or will such divided loyalties cause
problems that cannot be resolved?

Three more of The Seven Deadly Sins:

1. Lust (an unbridled desire, such as for money, or power)

2. Gluttony (the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste, leaving the needy hungry)

3. Greed (a desire to acquire or possess more than one needs, especially with respect to material wealth)

Pride is at the top of the list, and existed even before man's fall
from grace. And to think Satan was guilty of all 7, as found in
Genesis 3. Good thing Big Guy Upstairs also came up with 7 Virtues.

Yeah... They are all going to hell, that's for sure.

What do you mean "they"?
The whole world is going to hell in a handbasket.
And this is the only world we've got.

I hope they sleep well while still alive -- their God will have slightly hotter accommodations in store for them.

World without end?
End without world.

See you in hell. :)

For Life,
Lee

--
Black lives matter!

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
* Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)

Hello Jeff,

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than

for

rich
man to enter the kingdom of God." -- Jesus

The quote, attributed to Jesus, is an allusion (or reference) to
an opening in the wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem. This

opening

is only large enough to allow a camel (without baggage) to enter into
the city. In the gospel, it is used to express a religious truth, in
a way most people of that time could easily understand.

Are rich men not welcome in Heaven?

What can you take with you? Like the camel going through "the eye
of the needle", it could carry no baggage.

Interesting point.

I ran across that tidbit of info in a book entitled "Humor of Christ"
by an author by the name of Phelps, while browsing at the local public
library. Not sure if that book is still on the shelves.

Might they be guilty of one of the seven deadly sins?

Money is the root of all evil. Which explains why Jesus dressed
in rags, and never worked a day in his life.

Technically, the love of money (or material wealth in general) is the root of all evil.

True. Man cannot serve two masters, as noted by Jesus. And guess
which one most people choose?

The idea that too many sins keep one from Heaven, though, is

mostly

attributable to John of Patmos, the author of the Book of

Revelation.

There is only one sin that can never be forgiven.

And that is?

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is conscious and hardened opposition
to the truth. [1 Jn 5:6]

That is what is noted as being the unforgivable sin. [Mt 12:31]
Do note the following -
A word spoken against the Son of Man can be forgiven. [Mt 12:32]
But god damn you to hell if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit. [Mt 12:33]

Entire passage Mt 12:24-37.

It is in that book that the Judgment Day is discussed, and Jesus'
separating
the sheep from the goats, etc.

Matthew 25.

Good point.

After being separated, where did they go?
They had to have been sent somewhere ...

For Life,
Lee

--
Love! Not hate! Makes America great!

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
* Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2)

What do you mean "they"?
The whole world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Actually no. Only those who believe in Hell. Strangely enough, there's not a single mention of Hell in "their" holy book.

But then again, neither is "their" ombudsmen to God (priests, bishops, popes). Not once anywhere. But hey, when you believe in an imaginary fantasy-figure, why not add some real figures that are not even mentioned or defined. After all, logic has never been a part of the Christian cult.


--
United we are strong, we win. Divided we are weak, we lose.

..

--- Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; sv-SE; rv:1.9.1.16) Gecko/20101125
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Hello Bj”rn,

What do you mean "they"?
The whole world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Actually no. Only those who believe in Hell. Strangely enough, there's not a
single mention of Hell in "their" holy book.

A fundamentalist preacher reminded me about that some time ago.
When Christians say their prayers, they are asking two things -

* Give us this day our daily bread.
* Deliver us from evil.

So where are we?
Is this what I think it is?
Hell on earth?

There is a third thing, but most folks shrug it off.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those against us.

Real sporting. Do unto us as we do unto others.
The golden rule in reverse.

No wonder folks wanted to crucify Jesus.

But then again, neither is "their" ombudsmen to God (priests, bishops, popes). Not once anywhere. But hey, when you believe in an imaginary fantasy-figure, why not add some real figures that are not even mentioned or defined. After all, logic has never been a part of the Christian cult.

There were people outside the January 6 rally wearing t-shirts
JESUS IS MY SAVIOR AND TRUMP IS MY PRESIDENT. Lots of fundamentalist
types in the crowd that was there. By their lights, Trump is their
god. Their lord and savior. The chosen ones.

With 6 Catholics on the USSC (out of 9 justices), this has become
a court straight out of The Handmaid's Tale, just like the land of
Gideon. And they are just getting started with their rulings.

For Life,
Lee

--
As Good As It Looks

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb
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