Should all Citizens be Able to Vote?

[H Abiff]

Wow, I could care less what anyone believes. I am not a teacher or a preacher. But there is a difference between a religious belief system and a political system such as was in early Europe and now in the mideast. I have no idea what you have seen that blinds you so badly. You manage to show great disrespect for people that have caused you no harm and through this lack of knowledge let a totalitarian system pass as the same as honorable believers in God. As I said before I am disappointed. I honestly thought that you were coming from a position of knowledge of Bible and history, but this is not true.

[jerrycsmith]

I'm afraid it IS true, Hiram. I'm certainly not blind; possibly you need to do a little research on your own. Whether anyone cares to admit it or not, islam is one of three major Jehovan faiths. I have no love at all for the muslims or their virulent doctrine, but they will certainly prevail if we let them, and it looks like we will.

As far as what anyone believes, I could care less. It's what they do with their beliefs that matters. When they cause my country to be weak and unwilling to defend itself against aggressors or even common criminals, they most certainly do me and every other American lots of harm.

[cbk]

Jerry, just one point here. Catholics DO NOT pray to statues. The statues are there to merely remind the person praying, who they are praying to. One can argue that it may not be a good idea to have those statues, as people can misunderstand why they are there. But is it any worse than Jews praying at the wailing wall? Seems people need a little reminding of why and who they are praying to. Actually I like Catholic churches. They are usually beautiful and quite a bit of their statues are works of art. I also like synagogues. They give me a peace of soul. Can't tell you why, just do. But then I would say, that is their purpose. I also feel a peace when I sit alone and observe nature. It is good to sit and contemplate once in awhile. Most of us are far too busy for our own good.

[jerrycsmith]

I was merely trying to stress to Hiram that the ragheads do not pray to a black rock, either; it just serves the same purpose as the cross or statue, a mantra of sorts.

[cbk]

I'll go along with that. It's just what they are praying for (to overcome the world and kill all who aren't muslims) that gets me worried! ;D

[jerrycsmith]

Yep; that makes them the sworn enemy of everyone else in the world. It seems odd that they still survive, and are growing faster than any other faith. Fear has always worked in favor of religion. Rather than take up arms against them, the vast majority of the undecided will buy prayer rugs. Faith should not have that kind of power, but it does.

[jb]

This past Sunday late morning, there was a soft knock at my front door. I had already been out taking my daughter and family out for breakfast and was back home on the computer. I was bare chested because I like that when I'm home. I was going to put my T-shirt back on, but decided against it AND I thought maybe the wind made the metal security door make a noise.

Anyway, there were two Jehovah Witness ladies that wanted to talk. My blood pressure went up. One of them starts out and I heavily paraphrase saying, "Don't you think the world the way it is with all that is going is bad and things could be better .........etc.!" I told her that was just human nature. Her sidekick said, "That's right!" Then the other lady wante to read me a scripture and I told her NO!! I was really embarrassed that I had no shirt on. They acknowledged they did knock on my door unannounced. I let them give me a handout which I normally don't want, but I was just trying to be courteous. AND I get VERY angry when somebody knocks on my door and THEN wants to argue with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was going to tell them that I don't agree with their doctrine and WHY, but I know they would be loaded for bear and contradict whatever I said. I was also going to tell them of my wife passing and what I've been through, BUT thought better of that.

God wasn't a Catholic, a Baptist, a Presbytarian, a Mormon, a Muslim, etc. BUT we formed all these groups after our creation. It ALWAYS amazes me how we started with the simplification of Adam and Eve and ended up with what we have now like all the beliefs and ethnic groups, etc. It boggles my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jerrycsmith]

You showed them more courtesy than I would have, John.

Regardless of one's belief about gods in general, religion is a totally manmade thing, and should be treated as such.

[Tommy Thompson]

I've had Jehovah witnesses show up at my door several times in the past. I remember once they handed me a booklet "the Tower" or something like that...then they asked me for a dollar. I've never been shy about telling them..."I'm an atheist and while I respect your right to believe what you want, I don't believe any of it". This has led to some very interesting conversations like their description of what "evolutionists" believe. Their descriptions in their book is so outrageous as to what evolution is all about borders the absurd. According to their book evolutionists believe that if you put all the parts to a car in a giant barrel and keep it turning over that eventually you will end up with a complete car....these people are just downright STUPID.

[jerrycsmith]

I think most of them evolved that way, Tommy. For way too many otherwise intelligent people, it's a matter of defending the "Truth" they were taught, rather than the truth they can learn if they start with a clean slate and fill it with only what they discover on their own. The path between the two is narrow at first, but soon widens until it makes almost a 180 degree turn. Once well down that path, it's hard to imagine you were ever led down the other.

[cbk]

When I was still flying for the corporation I worked for, they provided me with a small apartment up in Des Moines. One late afternoon I too received a visit from two nicely dressed ladies who were Jehovah Witnesses. Normally, I don't encourage them but it was really hot and one of the ladies was quite elderly. I asked them if they would like a cool drink and to sit for a few minutes. The younger one looked at her older companion and immediately accepted. I believe she was genuinely worried about her friend. They came in and we wound up having a very nice conversation that wasn't about religion. With the air conditioning and a cool drink the elderly lady perked right up. Long story short, these two ladies came by often enough that I thought of them as friends. We had interesting discussions about religion, politics, gardens, children etc. They never tried to push their religion on me, and turned out to be intelligent, very sweet ladies. Our friendship lasted over two years. Then one winter evening there was only one lady at the door. It was the younger one who said she just stopped in, after shopping, to tell me that our older friend had gone to live with her daughter in Arizona. I was much relieved as I was afraid that she was going to tell me about a funeral. So sometimes things turn out much differently than we think they are going to. Had I just closed the door on them I would never have had the pleasure of their company. I still don't like door to door salespeople....no matter what they are selling. But now days, perhaps I'm just a little more polite when saying no.

[jerrycsmith]

Know why JW women are flat-chested? It's caused by people pushing them off their front porch.

[jb]

May 18, 2013 16:25:45 GMT -5 jerrycsmith said:

Know why JW women are flat-chested? It's caused by people pushing them off their front porch.

OMG! Too funny! ;D

[jerrycsmith]

I'm afraid I'm still kinda unpolite, Chris. Not only would I not want to meet JW women, it's none of their damn business what I believe in, or not. They are being presumptious in thinking so, although I understand their doctrine demands such things. That's their problem, not mine.

[cbk]

Jerry, while I understand how vehemently you oppose organized religion, I am reminded of Winston Churchill's letter to Hitler which was a masterpiece of diplomacy. And when asked why he just didn't lay down the law, so to speak, his answer was, "My dear fellow, when you have to kill a person, it cost you nothing to be polite."
Now I'm notsaying I'm always polite, for a do have a temper that gets the better of me sometimes. However, I have observed that things usually turn out better when I am polite.