Pain pain blah more whining!

[Stitchy.]

Wait what?

[MacabreHellgrave]

You said you were a big guy. I meant how tall are you? Sorry I used a misnomer there, it's a habit of mine.

I'm about five foot eight or so. Most guys where I'm from are at least five foot ten and my eyes naturally recognize them as being larger than I (I tend to be on the thin side). This is why I asked how 'big' you were.

If you're any bigger than six foot two or so, you need to take a deep breath and work on your interpersonal skills. I have a mild stutter myself, that comes and goes in seasons. What my old speech therapist said was, "slow and easy talking".

I probably has some form of Napoleon Complex, however, I'd love to be six ft or taller, because I'd probably get more respect that way, at least initially. If you're taller than me and if you can't talk to people without shaking, imagine how people shorter than you feel.

EDIT: I'm 22, so I have a bit more life experience than you do. If I can do fine, so can you.

[gothicusmaximus]

Originally Posted by MacabreHellgrave

You said you were a big guy. I meant how tall are you? Sorry I used a misnomer there, it's a habit of mine.

I'm about five foot eight or so. Most guys where I'm from are at least five foot ten and my eyes naturally recognize them as being larger than I (I tend to be on the thin side). This is why I asked how 'big' you were.

If you're any bigger than six foot two or so, you need to take a deep breath and work on your interpersonal skills. I have a mild stutter myself, that comes and goes in seasons. What my old speech therapist said was, "slow and easy talking".

I probably has some form of Napoleon Complex, however, I'd love to be six ft or taller, because I'd probably get more respect that way, at least initially. If you're taller than me and if you can't talk to people without shaking, imagine how people shorter than you feel.

EDIT: I'm 22, so I have a bit more life experience than you do. If I can do fine, so can you.

I'm about as tall as you-- represent. It's pretty much an uncorrectable physical deformity, especially when it comes to getting laid, but we have to rise above. Ironically.

[KontanKarite]

Originally Posted by Stitchy.

Also I am not a normal christian so don't hate on me I don't push it on others most other christians think I'm satanic because of the way I look anyways and to most people I don't say anything about religion whatsoever each man is entitled to his own beleifes I won't bother them about mine or theres.

But my teacher is very annoying about it glaring at me if I have a cross necklace on which I wear mostly because I just like the way it looks and he has tried to keep me after class to push it on me which got old after the third time. Religion is like Genitals protect your own but don't wave it around in other peoples faces.

Actually... your teacher IS a dick, but at the same time, you must be aware that you do put yourself in league with those that would like nothing more than to ostracize you in the name of their God.

You can't actually respect the right of other people having a different religion because that takes credence away from your faith. As your good book says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. No one can achieve salvation without him. There IS NO alternative and for you to abide the religious expressions of others flies in the face of your own.

So which is it? Is it okay to be Muslim to you or do you secretly have the opinion that every person without Christ is damned?

Sadly, your faith and the other Abrahamic religions do not allow leniency in faith. You can not logically say with a straight face that being a Pagan is totally okay.

But, I'm really derailing this topic. This isn't about your faith.

[Stitchy.]

Well for one the bible was written by man which naturally means it has some flaws also I have faith but I respect peoples choices god gave us the option to choose what faith we wanted for a reason also I beleive it serves christianity more good not to shove it down others throats then it does to try because usually all it causes is hatred of christianity so theres not much use in it. I just choose not to try and force people to beleive in what I do if my god wanted that then he would have done it but anyways lets not turn this into a religious arguement those pop up and derail things way to much these days and yes honestly I can its like saying I can't say its okay to be a democrat or republican I have my beleifes doesn't mean I hate everyone who doesn't share them.

On Macarbe's note I am about as tall as you but most people I know are shorter then me. I also am very very skinny clinically under weight though you can't see my ribs I just have a very slim build I weigh about 110 or so and yes I know most people are rather intimidated by my height and dress when they first talk to me but its pretty easy to tell I'm nervous when I talk to most people because I also can't stop pacing or moving usually so they get over that easily I on the other hand have zero idea why I am so nervous maybe its because of my family kind of teaching me young people hurt.

[ART]

There are a few ways of dealing with nerves while interacting with other people.
The one I always used back in the days when approaching girls made me ... a little less than comfortable. Lets face it, approaching girls when feeling less than comfortable is a crash and burn kind of situation, so...

Imagine the worst outcome of the interaction. Depending on whom you are approaching this usually ranges from getting ignored and/or laughed at ... to getting punched in the face.

So. Do you really fear that?

[Stitchy.]

No I actually do not know why I start shaking like I really don't have a logical reason to do it but I start shaking and getting nervous its very strange really.

[Malicious Insanity]

I shake also. Sometimes I shake so violently I have been asked "are you cold"? at least once every time I am out and about. I also find myself having a hard time breathing. I still haven't figured out how to get over this little irritation so what ever advice you're given will hopefully help me. Sorry for leeching (not really).

[MacabreHellgrave]

Originally Posted by gothicusmaximus

I'm about as tall as you-- represent. It's pretty much an uncorrectable physical deformity, especially when it comes to getting laid, but we have to rise above. Ironically.

To make matters worse, I have a rare physical disability that affects my muscles. I can't have more than two drinks and I can, as of this current level of strength, barely curl 15-20 pounds.

And the face of a 17 year old boy as well. Most people don't respect me, but I'm trying to be a better person.

For those of you who would like to have an understanding of what it's sometimes like being me, imagine being strapped to a chair, with arms and legs bound and somebody is spitting on you and for the sake of imagery, beating your face in. You can't fucking move, and if you cry you're only going to make this SOB cum in his fuckin drawers even more than he already is. My disease can potentially get worse as well, and that could mean wheelchairs and even machines to help me breathe.

If anyone is interested, look up mitochondrial myopathy.

Life fucks everyone over, however idk... my case might be a bit different.

[KontanKarite]

Originally Posted by Stitchy.

Well for one the bible was written by man which naturally means it has some flaws also I have faith but I respect peoples choices god gave us the option to choose what faith we wanted for a reason also I beleive it serves christianity more good not to shove it down others throats then it does to try because usually all it causes is hatred of christianity so theres not much use in it. I just choose not to try and force people to beleive in what I do if my god wanted that then he would have done it but anyways lets not turn this into a religious arguement those pop up and derail things way to much these days and yes honestly I can its like saying I can't say its okay to be a democrat or republican I have my beleifes doesn't mean I hate everyone who doesn't share them.

I never said you hate anyone. I said by the tenants of your faith, you can not give credence to another faith by saying it's okay to be that faith without taking credence away from your own. This wouldn't be a problem if Christ never said that his way was the only way to salvation/enlightenment and that only through him, being the son of god, can you get that salvation.

You may not be a prick, but YOUR HOLY texts are inherently violent and true to what you said, written by men in a time FAR FAR less lenient and progressive than this. Your participation in an Abrahamic faith gives credence to those that want to deny free speech, deny gay rights, believe that women are not equal, and think for some sad demented reason, that they should be some tool to exercise the will of a god that not everyone can conclude is real.

Sad thing is, if Christians were to revise their own books to be more progressive, loving, and permissible, they would conclude that there's really no good reason to be a part of their religion.

[korinna5555]

Originally Posted by MacabreHellgrave

mitochondrial myopathy

MELAS, or one of the other ones?
I would love to get my hands on you.. (I'm in massage therapy school)
Actually, if it IS MELAS, massage would probably help drain some of the lactic acid buildup.

[alchemie]

Call a shrink?

[korinna5555]

Me, or the OP? O_o

[Saya]

Originally Posted by KontanKarite

Actually... your teacher IS a dick, but at the same time, you must be aware that you do put yourself in league with those that would like nothing more than to ostracize you in the name of their God.

You can't actually respect the right of other people having a different religion because that takes credence away from your faith. As your good book says, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. No one can achieve salvation without him. There IS NO alternative and for you to abide the religious expressions of others flies in the face of your own.

Most religions center around a person who was also capable of gaffes, and as far as gaffes go thats not an entirely bad one. Buddha once said that women are always thinking about how to seduce men, and its better to stick your dick into the mouth of a poisonous snake or a charcoal pit than into a vagina. The thing is more progressive practitioners of old religions are very aware that the records we have were often written long long long after our teachers supposedly spoke and contradict each other. Its very necessary to look at scripture critically with this in mind. Some Christians accept that, others believe that it was probably written in to imply that Christianity is the only way, or they interpret it another way.

Sadly, your faith and the other Abrahamic religions do not allow leniency in faith. You can not logically say with a straight face that being a Pagan is totally okay.

Sad thing is, if Christians were to revise their own books to be more progressive, loving, and permissible, they would conclude that there's really no good reason to be a part of their religion.

So what is theology then? Don't the practitioners who study their religion with a critical eye have a say in how they can practice or believe?

[MacabreHellgrave]

Originally Posted by korinna5555

MELAS, or one of the other ones?
I would love to get my hands on you.. (I'm in massage therapy school)
Actually, if it IS MELAS, massage would probably help drain some of the lactic acid buildup.

Not sure if it is.

[KontanKarite]

Originally Posted by Saya

So what is theology then? Don't the practitioners who study their religion with a critical eye have a say in how they can practice or believe?

I would go so far as to say that those that acknowledge their texts to have fallacies are welcome to practice it anyway. However, when we go on the assumption that is commonly believed to be that the texts are the perfect word of God, then spiritually, you must cleave to it. To identify the flaws and continue following with scrutiny means what? If morality isn't the domain of that religion and the religion is known to have flaws, then why bother practicing in the first place?

Keep in mind, my experiences theologically are not based in the mild studies of holy scriptures to understand, but the studies of those scriptures in southern baptist and pentecostal environments where fear and guilt was the motivators of following their religion.

In short, when a practitioner with the critical eye says that it's permissible to be of another religion and can still get the goods in the afterlife, then you've made following that religion a moot point. So... Why be affiliated with any religion when you're just as capable of being a decent human being without it?

[Ben Lahnger]

Originally Posted by KontanKarite

So... Why be affiliated with any religion when you're just as capable of being a decent human being without it?

Because some people seem incapable of being decent human beings without religion, and actually do exhibit better behavior while cleaving to the tenets of their religion. In such instances, it is more important to me THAT they believe, than WHAT they believe.

[Saya]

Originally Posted by KontanKarite

I would go so far as to say that those that acknowledge their texts to have fallacies are welcome to practice it anyway. However, when we go on the assumption that is commonly believed to be that the texts are the perfect word of God, then spiritually, you must cleave to it. To identify the flaws and continue following with scrutiny means what? If morality isn't the domain of that religion and the religion is known to have flaws, then why bother practicing in the first place?

Keep in mind, my experiences theologically are not based in the mild studies of holy scriptures to understand, but the studies of those scriptures in southern baptist and pentecostal environments where fear and guilt was the motivators of following their religion.

In short, when a practitioner with the critical eye says that it's permissible to be of another religion and can still get the goods in the afterlife, then you've made following that religion a moot point. So... Why be affiliated with any religion when you're just as capable of being a decent human being without it?

Ouch, half of my family is pentecostal, they really are just motivated by fear and guilt. Thankfully my parents wanted us to go to a really open minded church so we were raised Anglican, and I was around the United community a lot too. I still obviously had my problems with them, but literalism wasn't one of them. The United services especially were always about peace love and understanding, but the Pentecost services I've been to were crazy.

Anyway, the thing to remember is that the Bible doesn't have to be the be all and end all of the religion. For the liberal Christians I know, they tend to focus on the community of the congregation, their personal relationship with God, Jesus as a model of ethics, and social services (for example, Salvation Army's charity work). Most of them don't mind me being another religion, I suppose that, Bible being flawed, they still get meaning from the story of Jesus, it makes them happy, and they just feel they need to find God. One of my childhood friends became a United minister, the way she explained it to me is that she believes the story of Jesus to be true, and the church has given her many opportunities to do good work, and thats all that really matters to her. She thinks that I'll still go to heaven when we die, but she wants to make life on earth good for everyone.

[KontanKarite]

I would have to say that in my experiences, that kind of motivation is entirely rare. Logically, they don't NEED the religion to be that way, but as Ben pointed out, it makes a lot of sense in that regard.

But I must point out, and this is a leap of faith or at least a thought to consider is that honestly, we don't know what these people would be like without religion. Ben points out that religion keeps these certain people from being bad people but in effect, this is within a society heavily influenced BY that religion. They learned first what their "enemy" was and then learned afterwards to be "tolerant". It's more of an observation and a what-if but we can't know what those kinds of people would be like if the world was influenced more by reason instead of religion.

[ART]

And while some are reigned in by religion, others have their hatred fueled by it and commit heinous acts of bigotry and violence.

So, is it mostly good or mostly bad?

[Ben Lahnger]

This reminds me of that line in the movie "Serenity", when the preacher Shepherd Book grabs Captain Mal Reynolds' coat by the collar, pulls him close, and as he (Book) is dying sputters out, "I don't care what you believe in, just believe in it."

Of course, earlier he had also said, "When I talk about belief, why do you always assume I'm talking about God? "

[Stitchy.]

Wow this turned into a religious debate rather quickly lols anyways.

Honestly again it was written by man and therefor should not be taken word for word one it was written back many many many years ago by a man who has flaws just like us and therefor probably added in a few things that applied to society around him in a way we should do the same but in a more accepting way rather then excluding others the bible isn't perfect its just something to steer you in the right direction if you are a christian that is. And I agree with Ben I really honestly am utterly fine as a christian to say that other religions are completely okay I beleive I am right but I'm not going to force others to do what I beleive there thoughts are just as credible as mine I just don't beleive int here religion doesn't mean I hate them or want to convert them because I know both won't do any good and is simply counter productive to trying to do anything in life what so ever be it a job or a love it just won't happen that way.

[KontanKarite]

According to your ten commandments, there will be no other god before yours. Also, do not worship false idols.

Being a pagan is okay?

[Stitchy.]

It means I won't do that. Its kind of liek when your a kid you listen to your parents and you don't listen to other parents but your not like trying to kill theres or something thats how Isee it slightly its just there choice not mine to make in my opinion I think its wrong for ME to be a pagan but I don't care whatsoever if YOU are.

[ART]

The commandments I know are from Lutheran tradition.

It goes something like this...

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."

Note the thous and the thee. Nothing in there about stopping others from breaking said commandment.

EDIT: And Stitchy shares my view it seems. Goodie.

EDIT the second: Come to think of it, a good christian could even start up a pagan idol factory without breaking this commandment. As long as the idols are for others.
Devil + bible = loopholes?