A Request for Tolerance

[Mr. Majestic]

""""""
Do you remember where God has been
It's such a lovely song
I've heard a rumour from Ground Control
Oh no, don't say it's true

They got a message from the Action Man
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed love
Sordid details far away"

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of Jap girls in synthesis and I
Ain't got no money and I ain't got no hands
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I'm stuck with a valuable friend!!!
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
One flash of light
but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue,
Want I need is to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You'd better not mess with Major Tom

[[Syl]]

Ok, obviously I split the "How much do you really know about the Bible" thread.

Okok. Guys, you know I agree with you, but let's give MrM the benefit of the doubt, a little christian charity if you will. It hasn't really been an issue lately, but let's try to go easier on the christian debate stuff. We're not here to convince anyone who doesn't want to be, nor debate with anyone who doesn't want to. As often as it is in the reverse, I don't think this stance will hurt anyone.

Actually, I think I have to refer back to the Roundtable Discussion thread. Let's try to title and tag our threads to avoid confusion or the semblance of intolerance. MrM, I do suggest you avoid the *debate* threads and such, and I also suggest you add a tag like *PCO* (Pro-Christian only) to threads you create.

Again, if there's anything I can do (I cannot support, much less enforce, blanket censorship for or against any one ideology), let me know. I really do want everyone in this forum to be happy.

MrM, this coming from a fairly extreme non-christian, thank you for voicing your opinions. But keep in mind, just because we may disagree, it doesn't mean we want to offend.

[Mr. Majestic]

I thought I'd found a reason to live
Just like before when I was a child
Only to find that dreams made of sand
Would just fall apart and slip through my hands
But the spirit of life keeps us strong
And the spirit of life is the will to carry on
Adversity what have I done to you
To cause this reclusive silence
That has come between me and you
And the spirit of life oh-ho remains in light
And the spirit of life oh-ho remains inside
I never thought it would be quite like this
Living outside of mutual bliss
But as long as the veins in our arms still stand up
The spirit of life will keep living on

[[Syl]]

Uh, dude. We have Vespers and the Hall of Gifts if you feel like sharing stuff. I must ask you to desist.

[Mr. Majestic]

I'm going to go yell at myself in my sleep.

[danlo]

You've got a bunch of the lyrics to Ashes to Ashes wrong--but I guess you've fixed them to suit your purposes. You also seem, now, to be "floating" off to your own planet--so, er, have a nice time, I guess. I would assume that if one's faith is strong enough-he/she needn't be exhibiting signs of a persecution complex Oh and btw I've never argued religion or philosophy with you, you are brand new to the board (apparently) I don't know you--and you are not on a personal basis with me so I would appreciate it if you didn't use my name in any of your posts unless you are talking to me directly e. g.:

Danlo DAMMIT or AVATAR DAMN YOU

thank you.

[Mr. Majestic]

Kinda strange that he's so abrasive.... oh well. I'll see you all in 2006. I can't handle the violence & I can't do the fight alone. No one came to my aid. So I die alone, my hand is up as I drown in the waters of the intolerance. I wave goodbye. It's kinda mocking becuase I shouldn't even be worrying about it when I'm dying. But I can't help it. I have to give a little finger of the last word to say, Hey world I was here. It's pretty lame, I know. But what else can I do. I just watch 's eyes as I sink below the waves of Kevin's Watch's hate against Christians that they say isn't hate or intolerance but they call something else and smile and grin & high five each other. WE WON! WE BEAT THE CHRISTIAN DOWN! GIMME FIVE!

I look into 's eyes as I sink below the waves and realize that the only real course of action is the realization that no one here is interested in the tolerance of Christians. I lock my eyes with and drop beneath the waves. My hand is still held up high in my faith but I've failed on so many levels that it doesn't matter anymore.

I leave, drowning, remembering my time here. I think of it. What did I do here? did I help anyone? Maybe, but since the intolerant majority won & beat me to a bloody pulp, probably not. Will anyone see any of my posts & think kindly on this brave soul? Probably not. My finger points straight up, my last finger, the nail of which points directly at. Did I do anything here at all? Or did I just fail at everything that I had set out to do? As my hand falls beneath the waves no one can see the tears.

[kevinswatch]

The Watch is nothing but a place of openness and tolerance. If you believe otherwise, then you are simply delusional and it's all inside of your head. The fault lies in you for making a bigger deal and being so melodramatic about everything, and not in the actions of the other members here. I have never seen anything here to make Christians feel threatened. If you feel threatened, then it can't be a direct result of anyone here. If you can't handle people talking openly about religion, then you shouldn't be here.

If you really do feel threatened, then there are better ways to resolve your problems. Talking to the mods or admins privately is a good start. But this isn't the way to do it.

I will not tolerate such melodrama and over hyping a situation that doesn't exist.-jay

[Plissken]

I would appreciate it if you didn't use my name in any of your posts unless you are talking to me directly e. g.:

Kinda like calling a man a n***** ain't it?

Dont' TALK to to ME.... BOY!

Kinda strange that he's so abrasive.... oh well. I'll see you all in 2006. I can't handle the violence & I can't do the fight alone. No one came to my aid. So I die alone, my hand is up as I drown in the waters of the intolerance. I wave goodbye. It's kinda mocking becuase I shouldn't even be worrying about it when I'm dying. But I can't help it. I have to give a little finger of the last word to say, Hey world I was here. It's pretty lame, I know. But what else can I do. I just watch 's eyes as I sink below the waves of Kevin's Watch's hate against Christians that they say isn't hate or intolerance but they call something else and smile and grin & high five each other. WE WON! WE BEAT THE CHRISTIAN DOWN! GIMME FIVE!

I look into 's eyes as I sink below the waves and realize that the only real course of action is the realization that no one here is interested in the tolerance of Christians. I lock my eyes with and drop beneath the waves. My hand is still held up high in my faith but I've failed on so many levels that it doesn't matter anymore.

I leave, drowning, remembering my time here. I think of it. What did I do here? did I help anyone? Maybe, but since the intolerant majority won & beat me to a bloody pulp, probably not. Will anyone see any of my posts & think kindly on this brave soul? Probably not. My finger points straight up, my last finger, the nail of which points directly at . Did I do anything here at all? Or did I just fail at everything that I had set out to do? As my hand falls beneath the waves no one can see the tears.

Good, uh, Lord! Did Zeph just get out of detox?

[kevinswatch]

Let's try to drop it, alright?-jay

[lurch]

...late again..dam!...
...Has anyone seen the Passion Plays that go down over in Eurpoe during Easter times.? Folks actually drag crosses and even crucify themselves on the cross...It is coinsidered a honor to the person who is allowed to re-inact the crucification of Jesus. They identify so closely to Jesus, they want to experience being crucified....Now if we could just get a city to apply eminent domain on some slum hilltop, where any body of any religion could display their close association to the icons of their religion, topless or non topless as per personal preference, with or without life support systems attatched,,then and only then, would the world be a better place..
....seriously!....MEL

[[Syl]]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_syndrome

[Edge]

This may be a bit late, but I'm trying to develop the habit of not making posts until I've formulated what I want to say, and can do so in a calm manner.

Mr Majestic: As a Christian, I take exception to your coming in here, presenting yourself as a representative of Christianity, and then throwing around accusations of intolerance and bigotry. The people here are tolerant, welcoming, intelligent and extremely diverse. I've never felt personally attacked or degraded (well, except for the one time, but that person's gone now). I might butt heads with some people now and then, and occasionally get plissed off, but more often than not I'm the one who ends up owing an apology. I respect and admire all the Watchers who post here, regardless of what they believe (if anything).

Of course there are posts made, and links posted, that I don't agree with and that sometimes upset me. But honestly, it's a matter of perspective. For example: the 'Bible quiz'. I personally think it's all quotes taken out of context, in order to present a skewed concept of God. But rather than getting defensive about it, I made posts saying exactly that. And when people ask questions, I don't necessarily assume they're trying to catch me out or attack my faith; I try to take them at face value and give as good an answer as I can. Because if what I believe is the truth, then there must be an answer.

And also on the subject of perspective: I don't believe that God is shaken and cowed by some quotes taken out of context or even completely twisted. I don't think He needs me to defend Him; I'm pretty sure He has broad shoulders; and quite honestly I think His greater concern is for people in pain, hungry, abused and suffering.

I also think it's a great pity that you chose not to participate in any of the threads that present a positive view of Christianity, because I for one would have welcomed your input and viewpoints there, rather than complaining about percieved attacks on your faith.

[CovenantJr]

I guess I should just stay away from the lions when they are feeding.

Go on, call us a clique, you know you want to


In any case, it appears Mr Majestic has said his goodbyes, so I think this topic is pretty redundant...

[ChoChiyo]

I would like to compliment the Watchers who posted on this thread for not being sucked into a nasty situation.

This is purely my opinion (though I believe myself to be a fairly astute observer of on-line behavior), but it appears to me that <i>someone</i> hoped to set up a cauterwauling in hopes of polarizing the board in a huge flame ball of Christians vs "antiChristians" (quotations used because I really don't believe anyone here IS anti-Christian. Perhaps people other than me are anti-<i>pseudo Christian control freak manipulators</i>. Having been raised by abusive fanatics, I think I am entitled to that. But I don't believe anyone is anti CHRISTIAN.)

Everyone responded intelligently and with a great deal of politeness and compassion--in fact, I would go so far as to say everyone (from the board) behaved with <i>Christian charity,</i> giving someone who become increasingly more chaotic the benefit of the doubt till the very end.

Nice job, folks. Really. Nice job.

*is impressed with high caliber of KW friends*

[Plissken]

Of course, I only responded with Agnostic charity. Is that okay to?

[ChoChiyo]

Agnostic charity is an acceptable alternative.

[Dromond]

I would like to compliment the Watchers who posted on this thread for not being sucked into a nasty situation.

This is purely my opinion (though I believe myself to be a fairly astute observer of on-line behavior), but it appears to me that <i>someone</i> hoped to set up a cauterwauling in hopes of polarizing the board in a huge flame ball of Christians vs "antiChristians" (quotations used because I really don't believe anyone here IS anti-Christian. Perhaps people other than me are anti-<i>pseudo Christian control freak manipulators</i>. Having been raised by abusive fanatics, I think I am entitled to that. But I don't believe anyone is anti CHRISTIAN.)

Everyone responded intelligently and with a great deal of politeness and compassion--in fact, I would go so far as to say everyone (from the board) behaved with <i>Christian charity,</i> giving someone who become increasingly more chaotic the benefit of the doubt till the very end.

Nice job, folks. Really. Nice job.

*is impressed with high caliber of KW friends*

I didn't respond because I saw what was transpiring, a ghost of intolerance from the past, asking for tolerance. (irony)

But truth be known, I am anti-christianity, though not anti-christians.

Any that have been here awhile know this about me.

I just believe that the warts and scars of its history are skimmed over to get to the supposed meat of its lesson, and I don't agree with that philosophy.

I do know that I've treated the bible harshly in a few responses to others' posts, but never to an individual belief.

Respect is a two way street.

[Fist and Faith]

But truth be known, I am anti-christianity, though not anti-christians.

Any that have been here awhile know this about me.

I just believe that the warts and scars of its history are skimmed over to get to the supposed meat of its lesson, and I don't agree with that philosophy.

I have to disagree with your disagreement. If we didn't skim over that stuff, we couldn't discuss any religion, culture, or pretty much anything to do with humanity. Since the warts and scars are a part of our species, and accompany everything we do, I don't have any more problem ignoring them when discussing the meaning of Christianity than I do when discussing the American dream. Obviously, the nastiness would have to be a part of a discussion of the history of Christianity or America. And if a Klansman wants to discuss Christianity, he's gonna get an earful. But I'm not going to insist that Furls Fire answer for the KKK's evil, the Inquisition, the Crusades, etc.

[Furls Fire]

First and foremost...I love God and Jesus, not religion. I call myself Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ and all His teachings. I was raised Catholic, but as I grew I realized that I did not agree with most of the Church's teachings, altho I still find some of it beautiful. My faith doesn't come from religion, it comes from my heart and soul and my love for the Father and His Son.

Second.. The Crusades, the Inquistions, the KKK, etc are all examples of people using God as a front to promote their lust for power and their evil. And I'm sure when they came before Him at the moment of their passings, they were made to give answer for their evils. They have nothing to do with me or my belief. They don't enhance it and they don't sway it. And they certainly don't make me feel shame for my faith.