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Do you enjoy your Hot Cross Buns and nice to have a 4 day long weekend :-)!
Happy fertility rite weekend to you too, John! :)
--Val
And if the consumer reports of the day were to be correct, the contractors did not do a very good job with their nailing to achieve death - said to be alive again some days later!
Hi John,
Greeting to you across the Pond. Got a little from Validus"s reply but....What is " Nail up Day " ? Just curious
Cheers
Glinka
I believe John is injecting a bit of humor into the old biblical myth starring a certain "Jesus Christ".
-Dan H.
Sorry Dan,
I dont consider it a Myth !
It's more TRUTH than most can comprehend!
Agreed. It's no myth but the truth.
Jason,
For a man who has spent his life struggling so valiantly against the chains of religion, I am honestly surprised that you would cast reason aside so easily. Click the link below for the real "truth" about the origins of Easter.
With respect,
Val
Easter
Easter has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity. It's well known that eggs and rabbits have nothing to do with Jesus and his death. What does this have to do with my belief in Jesus and the meaning of his death?
My point is that, armed with the knowledge that the story of Jesus' death and resurrection is simply a retelling of earlier myths, from earlier times, how can you lend validity to the rest of story you assert to be true (which is also comprised of other retellings of other earlier myths)?
Again, I don't mean to disrespect the sincerity of your belief, but consider it my responsibility to question superstitious belief systems with no foundation in scientific truth or historical evidence. In my opinion, humanity needs to nurture and maintain the practice of authentic spirituality, but "religion," per se, is quite probably the single greatest impediment to the continued advancement of our species, and the single greatest threat to all life on this planet.
--Val
I thought you were referring to the pagan trappings associated with the commemoration/celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection. Those I reject.
That Jesus came to this earth and gave his perfect human life as a ransom for all mankind is no myth to me. His resurrection is no myth to me. I disapprove of the pagan elements that were added later just as I don't celebrate "Christmas" due to its being infected with pagan elements. I have nothing against pagans, I just don't like their religion mixed with Christianity.
Your assertion that you apparently consider Jesus and his role in saving mankind to be one among many"superstitious belief systems with no foundation in scientific truth or historical evidence" is purely your own opinion and one that I vehemently disagree with. I certainly respect your right to have it, of course.
Just because I left the corrupt Watchtower organization is in no way a rejection of Christianity on my part. That is what they would like people to think.
As for John's original posting on the matter. I didn't find it funny as I'm sure other Christians here didn't. I have no problem with his posting it as I always support free speech when possible. When anyone makes such a post that will obviously tread on the feelings and beliefs of others, they should be prepared for a spirited defense of such beliefs.
Hi Jason,
That was an excellent response to what is a touchy subject.Like you said is correct about free speech but I too felt John's humor would be taken as an insult to some on this board.Trying to joke around is fine but some topics are best to be left off the table.Also trying to prove a point by picking up things off the internet won't fly with some because one can post anything on the net whether truthful or not.
Mark
I consider belief in macro-evolution to be howl-at-the-moon crazy and could post how I feel it's the biggest lie perpetrated on humankind. I could make jokes about it. Some would find them funny, others wouldn't. I would expect to receive some strongly worded defenses of evolution and maybe even some saying a post like that shouldn't have been made.
Same principle. It's my right to make the assertion of how I feel. It's their right to defend their atheism or agnosticism. Dabbling in these subjects is emotional because both sides think they're right and think the other side is nuts.
Jason,
Wow, Could not ofsaid it better myself. Before I became a christian my fists always did the talking for me. Thank you for explaining for which I could not. I never was a good orator but it seems you've hit the point exactly.
My good friend whose son is over in Afganistan with the US Marine Corp. Says " when you see your life pass infront of you while you hold your buddy before he deid, there are is no atheist" we all beleive in something higher, in our case Jesus Christ
Peace
Glinka
I feel the same -I don't consider it a myth and nail up day sounds a bit disrespectful...(I'm sorry John)
Dee,
Yes I do agree w/ you, It is disrepectfull. I was allways taught, You can always get along great in a room full of your friends if you dont get into religion or politics, and certainlly dont ridicual what they believe in.
Glinka
No need to apologize, Glinka. You are free to share your beliefs just as I am free to express mine. I don't have a problem with religious beliefs. I just don't have any myself.
Really, though, the only thing in common between all the people here is hair length longer than the social norm. That's hardly an all-encompassing trait!
-Dan H.
Dan,
It wasnt really an apology Dan but your right we really only have one thing in common here and religion and the disrespect of it shouldnt be included, but what do I know I'm just an attender not a member here. BTW I'm a Christian so thats why I take offense. We, could dabate for days...anyway.....Howz your hair these days my fellow longhair??
Peace
Glinka
No need to apologize, Glinka. You are free to share your beliefs just as I am free to express mine. I don't have a problem with religious beliefs. I just don't have any myself.
It's unfortunate Glinka that some religions can be treated with disrespect and no one bats an eyelash over that while if something negative is said about others you are roundly criticized.In a perfect world it would be great if we all respected others beliefs but sadly that's not the case.Just my thought on this matter.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I completly agree with you. Its never a good idea to make fun of someone elses beliefs, even to poke fun. But I allways did think you had a leavel head from your point of view.
Peace
Glinka
Yes that's right..and more like moths!
... lighten up. There are very few subjects or situations in life that are above a bit of good-natured ribbing, and religion is not one of them. Race, religion, politics, sexual orientation... hell, even musical preferences and favorite types of food are all topics in which I can find plenty of humorous material. Feel free to poke fun at mine any time; I won't take it personally.
One of the greatest tools you will ever develop, as a long-haired man and as a human being, is a thick skin. The advice so often given here ("Don't worry about what other people think. Just be true to yourself, and do what is right for you.") can be applied to much more than the growing of long hair.
I wish you all a happy Easter, a belated joyous Ostara, and an early merry Beltaine. For the scientifically minded, I suppose a belated happy Yuri's Night is also in order.
And John, for what it's worth, good on ya, mate! As far as I'm concerned, the more laughs we can bring to this too-often dreary world, the better :)
--Val
Good on you Val and well said :-) Well need a laugh from time to time...the world would be a strange stitched up place if it wasn't!
Cheers,
John.B
It's the only holiday we have that celebrates a longhair!
Bill
Lol... yes Bill it does celebrate longhairs
Glinka
Christ is risen but too bad I couldn't make it to church! I was too busy cooking, trying to salvage an old eggplant otherwise it would have wound up in the trash. It looks like a traded The Saviour for an eggplant, that's no doubt sad and a BUMMER!
... no religion required (though a sense of spirituality is necessary):
“When we understand and practice deeply the life and teachings of Buddha or the life and teachings of Jesus, we penetrate the door and enter the abode of the living Buddha and the living Christ, and life eternal presents itself to us” — from "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh