Rick wrote (in two separate postings):
"consider this hand shake, a peace offering, an apology for offending you and a wish to have peace beween us."
Splendid offering of peace Rick. I accept whole-heartedly and also desire peace with you.
"let us argue about bush and politics and war and all other things that do not touch on religion. i have none and you do. that puts us at odds regardless of what we say."
Perhaps (to the latter), but I'd prefer not toargue with you about President Bush or the war et al. These things are "of this world" and not what I prefer to focus on. Despite what you think, even though I do consider myself more conservative than not, your social views aren't offensive to me.
"i must continue, however fighting my good fight against pretty much everything including organized religion and the coming roe vs wade fight, assuming democrats can fight."
I respect your position Rick and would encourage you to fight for what you believe in. As for Row V Wade, I'm sure that you know where I stand on that issue.
"i am sure i will offend your religious upbringing, but my none religious upbringing wont be offended by the comments (probably not from you) about my godlessness and my lack of understanding about the meaning of life from a religious point of view. my lack of faith, my selling myself to the devil, my future burning in hell for eternity and i'm sure other remarks i have not even thought of."
Actually Rick, I don't have a "religious upbringing" to speak of. To the contrary, I was quite the heathen myself most of my life. As for your condemnations listed, I don't judge you (even though I did wronfully call you a bigot). I don't believe it is my place to tell you where you will end up after you pass away.
"i have helped your cause and have bumped this thread and the picture of Christ to the top. resurrected if you will, by a heathen."
Heathen to heathen, I appreciate your tongue in cheek recognition of my previous post regarding "bumping" my picture up. Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, I still think that there's a chance for you! : )
"i guess i am not an atheist, i don't even think about it one way or another. god, no god, universal force, no universal force. what's the difference? solved the dilemma at age 12 and haven't had to deal with it since."
Age 12 eh? Must have been pretty bright then. You ask "what's the difference"? I say plenty, but I agree with your call for peace and the end to our barbs at one another. I suppose that my wish would be for you to be as happy an at peace as I feel. That's all Rick, nothing more.
"don't be so subtle, we all know that the jewish hierarchy "sold out" christ."
Aha!!! You caught my sentence that used the word "people" huh? You are correct Sir. I stated that I "knew who killed Christ". And I believe that between Caiphas and Annas and the other power hungry members of the Sanhedrin, their political pact with Pilate and Herod Antipas to rid the Temple of threats posed by Christ killed Jesus.
The Jewish people had as much to do with killing Christ as taxpayers have to do with the hidden agendas of their representatives (?)
"he was not a proper jew, i think he voted democratic, he was a liberal don't forget. he was a trouble maker and they turned him over to the romans to deal with."
But Sir, you confuse Christ with the Sadducees or perhaps the Scribes of the Sanhedrin. They thought themselves to be "proper Jews" as far as observing the "letter" of Mosaic law. But, as you have accurately pointed out, He was very much a social liberal thinker and wanted GOD's people to follow (or live) the "spirit" of the law, thus making him a very proper Jew in actuality.
Much like the liberals of today (limosine liberals), the Temple keepers told others what was "good for them" but failed to live the example themselves. Much too often we hear cries of "eat the rich" from the likes of Gore, Levin, and Kennedy. And yet, these Men live as kings while the poor beg for scraps. So who among us lives as Christ now? It is left up to us (the little ones) to live as He did and do for the least of our bretheren.
Peace to you Rick.