Poll Reveals Americans Blending New Age, Eastern, Traditional Religions

By on October 13, 2012 in News 74

What happens when you combine Christian fervor with a steadfast belief in astrology and reincarnation? 21st century America seems to be generating hybrid faiths, ABC News reports:

A new poll finds Americans are doing a tremendous amount of personalizing – picking and choosing from a diverse variety of religious traditions. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, nearly six in 10 Americans from all religions blend their faith with New Age and Eastern beliefs, like astrology, reincarnation, and the spiritual – not just physical – benefits of yoga.

The poll further found that nearly half of the public, 49 percent, report having a “Religious or mystical experience… a spiritual awakening.” That’s up from 22 percent in 1962. And 29 percent of Americans say they’ve felt in touch with someone who died — that’s up from 18 percent in 1996.

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  • kowalityjesus

    Gotta say, I’m a secret heretic, but by the devices of God himself.  I don’t think my experiences are applicable to anybody else, and in any context would make me look nuts.  Therefore I’m perfectly happy with subscribing to most of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and praising Jesus Christ as my saviour. 

  • kowalityjesus

    Gotta say, I’m a secret heretic, but by the devices of God himself.  I don’t think my experiences are applicable to anybody else, and in any context would make me look nuts.  Therefore I’m perfectly happy with subscribing to most of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and praising Jesus Christ as my saviour. 

    • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

      Just the other day, when that Vatican leak trial was news, I was musing:

      “it seems to me that if you’re still a Roman Catholic adherent
      after all the pedophilia, the cover-ups  and all the other heinous things
      facts and leaked documents aren’t going to shake your faith in The Church”

      and here you are proving my point
      thanks

    • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

      Just the other day, when that Vatican leak trial was news, I was musing:

      “it seems to me that if you’re still a Roman Catholic adherent
      after all the pedophilia, the cover-ups  and all the other heinous things
      facts and leaked documents aren’t going to shake your faith in The Church”

      and here you are proving my point
      thanks

      • kowalityjesus

        I take the long view, sir.  If you read through the book of Catholic Cathecism, you would be impressed by its intricacy and moral virtue.  I am, I’m afraid, very alone in these quarters in actually being knowledgeable about the 2000-year-old institution without sophistically singling out its faults.  

        If I were a dipshit cynic, someone who wears the facade of jadedness like a medal of honor, someone who habitually engages in iconoclasm to quench their fires of malcontent, or is not original enough to be constructive, then I would be saying the same thing as you.  In short, prattle on, may God have mercy on your soul.

      • kowalityjesus

        I take the long view, sir.  If you read through the book of Catholic Cathecism, you would be impressed by its intricacy and moral virtue.  I am, I’m afraid, very alone in these quarters in actually being knowledgeable about the 2000-year-old institution without sophistically singling out its faults.  

        If I were a dipshit cynic, someone who wears the facade of jadedness like a medal of honor, someone who habitually engages in iconoclasm to quench their fires of malcontent, or is not original enough to be constructive, then I would be saying the same thing as you.  In short, prattle on, may God have mercy on your soul.

        • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

           First of all I have read the Catholic Catechism, the words are laudable, but the practice by the prelates and its congregates is abominable.

          The first sexual advance I ever received was from a Catholic priest when I was 10. I was an alter boy and I think he liked my dress. Most of the priests in my parish were drunks, philanderers and gays.

          I may be a “dipshit cynic, someone who wears the facade of jadedness like a medal of honor” but I don’t support a cult of pedophiles in the name of moral virtue. I don’t revere some Nazi vampire as Pope.

          If I’m a “someone who habitually engages in iconoclasm to quench their fires of malcontent” at least I’m not making the words of Jesus a cloak of maliciousness.

          So what’s the long view? Is it some rose colored goggles that cover the crimes, hypocrisy and apostasy of the Catholic Church?

          If you were a Protestant Fundi, I could cut you some slack, but anyone who is still a Roman Catholic is beyond hope.

          Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me ómnium meórum peccatórum, éaque detéstor, quia peccándo, non solum pœnas a te iuste statútas proméritus sum, sed præsértim quia offéndi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super ómnia diligáris. Ídeo fírmiter propóno, adiuvánte grátia tua, de cétero me non peccatúrum peccandíque occasiónes próximas fugitúrum. Amen.

        • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

           First of all I have read the Catholic Catechism, the words are laudable, but the practice by the prelates and its congregates is abominable.

          The first sexual advance I ever received was from a Catholic priest when I was 10. I was an alter boy and I think he liked my dress. Most of the priests in my parish were drunks, philanderers and gays.

          I may be a “dipshit cynic, someone who wears the facade of jadedness like a medal of honor” but I don’t support a cult of pedophiles in the name of moral virtue. I don’t revere some Nazi vampire as Pope.

          If I’m a “someone who habitually engages in iconoclasm to quench their fires of malcontent” at least I’m not making the words of Jesus a cloak of maliciousness.

          So what’s the long view? Is it some rose colored goggles that cover the crimes, hypocrisy and apostasy of the Catholic Church?

          If you were a Protestant Fundi, I could cut you some slack, but anyone who is still a Roman Catholic is beyond hope.

          Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me ómnium meórum peccatórum, éaque detéstor, quia peccándo, non solum pœnas a te iuste statútas proméritus sum, sed præsértim quia offéndi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super ómnia diligáris. Ídeo fírmiter propóno, adiuvánte grátia tua, de cétero me non peccatúrum peccandíque occasiónes próximas fugitúrum. Amen.

          • kowalityjesus

            erg, grumble.  Largest charitable organization in the world, although I wish they were less opulent.  They get too much bad rap, I know plenty of good clergy.  Still a force for good, I’m sorry you were made to suffer, that is so shitty >:( 

            I forgot you were the knowledgeable one.  Where is the latin text from pls?  I am vulgate vatican II and don’t understand it.

          • kowalityjesus

            erg, grumble.  Largest charitable organization in the world, although I wish they were less opulent.  They get too much bad rap, I know plenty of good clergy.  Still a force for good, I’m sorry you were made to suffer, that is so shitty >:( 

            I forgot you were the knowledgeable one.  Where is the latin text from pls?  I am vulgate vatican II and don’t understand it.

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            It’s a prayer every Roman Catholic should know
            it’s called the Act of Contrition

            the charities of the Roman Church don’t seem to appear
            on lists complied from US tax returns
            even though they claim to be bigger than the biggest on the list
            http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/topfunders/top100giving.html
            but I’m sure, based on their performance, they’d never lie

            and they have mostly stonewalled and prevented
            monies from going to their victims of pedophilia

            nice little intellectual bubble your living in

          • kowalityjesus

            you’re*

          • kowalityjesus

            you’re*

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            so you can spot the spec in my spelling
            but you can’t see the beam in your own eye

            6:41 And why seest thou the mote in thy brother’s eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not?
            Luke 6:41
            THE DOUAY-RHEIMS TRANSLATION

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            so you can spot the spec in my spelling
            but you can’t see the beam in your own eye

            6:41 And why seest thou the mote in thy brother’s eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not?
            Luke 6:41
            THE DOUAY-RHEIMS TRANSLATION

          • kowalityjesus

            It grinds on a man to argue with sticks in the mud.

          • kowalityjesus

            It grinds on a man to argue with sticks in the mud.

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
            Luke 6:26

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
            Luke 6:26

          • kowalityjesus

            Thank you for the wonderful quotes, you hypocrite.  All you do is point out specks in other’s eyes and garner the praise of your cohorts.  We will see where those unobserved beams and those pyrrhic trivialities will get you. 
            The crown of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.  
            -Sir 1:18

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            well I’ll give you this
            you sure know how to turn the other cheek
            Jebus must be smiling

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            well I’ll give you this
            you sure know how to turn the other cheek
            Jebus must be smiling

          • kowalityjesus

            and leave a roaming
            marauder to his devices?  I have a thumbnail of crucaders for a reason.you would be wise not to give me purposeto deviate from God’s plan for you and I.

          • kowalityjesus

            and leave a roaming
            marauder to his devices?  I have a thumbnail of crucaders for a reason.you would be wise not to give me purposeto deviate from God’s plan for you and I.

          • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

            Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
            Luke 6:26

          • Kevin Leonard

            lol @ “I forgot you were the knowledgeable one”

          • BunkersTrust

            They get too much bad rap, I know plenty of good clergy.  Still a force for good, I’m sorry you were made to suffer, that is so shitty >:( 
            Interesting that your response to pedophilia is the same as the church; you must be a very good catholic. 

          • BunkersTrust

            They get too much bad rap, I know plenty of good clergy.  Still a force for good, I’m sorry you were made to suffer, that is so shitty >:( 
            Interesting that your response to pedophilia is the same as the church; you must be a very good catholic. 

          • kowalityjesus

            thank you, I just made it up. Baptised in April, would like to think I am fighting the good fight.

        • Calypso_1

          I too take the long view, and that is why I believe we’ve had quite enough of this travesty that claims to be a manifestation of divine right, will & dominion upon this earth.
           

        • Calypso_1

          I too take the long view, and that is why I believe we’ve had quite enough of this travesty that claims to be a manifestation of divine right, will & dominion upon this earth.
           

          • kowalityjesus

            nonsense.  There are much more devious incipient principalities.  There are much more devious antediluvian principalities.  Your energies are poorly allocated in fighting against Christians.  Anyone with a brain realizes that it is a better world where people are more charitable.  Why you persist is, to my eye, just a matter of pride, the sin of Lucifer.

          • kowalityjesus

            nonsense.  There are much more devious incipient principalities.  There are much more devious antediluvian principalities.  Your energies are poorly allocated in fighting against Christians.  Anyone with a brain realizes that it is a better world where people are more charitable.  Why you persist is, to my eye, just a matter of pride, the sin of Lucifer.

          • Calypso_1

            Mon oeil!  C’est vrai.
             
            When thine eye be single.
            Quasi lucernæ lucenti in caliginoso donec dies elucescat, et lucifer oriatur in cordibus vestries.
             
            Are you laying claim to charity being the exclusive province of xtianity?
            Evoking an antipodal to the anencephalus is a distasteful casting of such provenance as I doubt you have experienced the degree of charity required to care for beings such as these; whilst you still cling to covering naked ego, flinging epithets dipped in shit, hypocrite and hanging sins upon necks whilst wishing the mercy of the lord upon souls deprived of the salvation you are now privy to, oh so exclusive, newly replenished being, holy in the sight of the lord.
            You know not where my energies come from or where they go and they are certainly not wasted, nor exclusively directed towards claimants of Christian title.
             
            But perhaps your charity might begin by evoking the humility inherent in your faith and not rallying to its defense in the presence of those well versed in the ways of light and darkness and are more than happy to converse with you in terms that are not forced into petty trivialities well hashed by those that have come before you. 
             
            My own belief makes far smaller commitments towards humility, so such lessons are more apt to be forced ; ) [there are certain pleasures inherent to this approach].  I am however more than willing to take a step-down approach towards discussions such as these, particularly when someone that is here with particular religious beliefs is coming for a broader perspective and not to close the circle of their own views or to exclusively chastise others.
             

            PS:  and what know you of principalities? 

          • Calypso_1

            Mon oeil!  C’est vrai.
             
            When thine eye be single.
            Quasi lucernæ lucenti in caliginoso donec dies elucescat, et lucifer oriatur in cordibus vestries.
             
            Are you laying claim to charity being the exclusive province of xtianity?
            Evoking an antipodal to the anencephalus is a distasteful casting of such provenance as I doubt you have experienced the degree of charity required to care for beings such as these; whilst you still cling to covering naked ego, flinging epithets dipped in shit, hypocrite and hanging sins upon necks whilst wishing the mercy of the lord upon souls deprived of the salvation you are now privy to, oh so exclusive, newly replenished being, holy in the sight of the lord.
            You know not where my energies come from or where they go and they are certainly not wasted, nor exclusively directed towards claimants of Christian title.
             
            But perhaps your charity might begin by evoking the humility inherent in your faith and not rallying to its defense in the presence of those well versed in the ways of light and darkness and are more than happy to converse with you in terms that are not forced into petty trivialities well hashed by those that have come before you. 
             
            My own belief makes far smaller commitments towards humility, so such lessons are more apt to be forced ; ) [there are certain pleasures inherent to this approach].  I am however more than willing to take a step-down approach towards discussions such as these, particularly when someone that is here with particular religious beliefs is coming for a broader perspective and not to close the circle of their own views or to exclusively chastise others.
             

            PS:  and what know you of principalities? 

          • kowalityjesus

            touche! touche, my friend! Your discourse is a delight of uncommon sophistication.  

            Sir I claim no such impunity to the darkness of sin, other than the cloak of my baptism and the torch of my experience and discipline.  I am humbled by the Lord in the ways he sees fit.  Myself being of a changeable disposition, I imagine that I’m something of a handful for those who vouch for and guide me.

            Humility is a path to wisdom.  Notwithstanding, I will cuff my brother if I can authoritatively discern some error of his from which I have already freed myself.  I have been mortally afraid of hypocrisy in my day, to my own mental and social detriment.  When I point fingers or show aggression, I do so sparingly and with the most delicate tread possible.  I avoid harboring delight in the folly of my enemies as such that I fear God.

            I will welcome any worldly or otherworldly axiom which I can wrest from your ostensibly superior knowledge-base.  One’s genius cannot exceed one’s insanity, although insanity can easily outstrip genius.  

            My second-hand knowledge of principalities is modest though robust, even while heavily tainted by dissonant information.  My firsthand knowledge of common principalities is clemently shielded by my humble position.  Of unseen principalities I have a few bizarre glimpses.  Thankfully for my sake the devices through which I have come by those occurrences have been largely censored and abstained from.

          • kowalityjesus

            touche! touche, my friend! Your discourse is a delight of uncommon sophistication.  

            Sir I claim no such impunity to the darkness of sin, other than the cloak of my baptism and the torch of my experience and discipline.  I am humbled by the Lord in the ways he sees fit.  Myself being of a changeable disposition, I imagine that I’m something of a handful for those who vouch for and guide me.

            Humility is a path to wisdom.  Notwithstanding, I will cuff my brother if I can authoritatively discern some error of his from which I have already freed myself.  I have been mortally afraid of hypocrisy in my day, to my own mental and social detriment.  When I point fingers or show aggression, I do so sparingly and with the most delicate tread possible.  I avoid harboring delight in the folly of my enemies as such that I fear God.

            I will welcome any worldly or otherworldly axiom which I can wrest from your ostensibly superior knowledge-base.  One’s genius cannot exceed one’s insanity, although insanity can easily outstrip genius.  

            My second-hand knowledge of principalities is modest though robust, even while heavily tainted by dissonant information.  My firsthand knowledge of common principalities is clemently shielded by my humble position.  Of unseen principalities I have a few bizarre glimpses.  Thankfully for my sake the devices through which I have come by those occurrences have been largely censored and abstained from.

  • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

    Neo Gnostics?

  • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

    Neo Gnostics?

    • Kevin Leonard

      The more I think about it, the more I like this term. Gnosis, at its heart, is about personal experience, personal knowledge. 

      The article does a disservice by tagging people as “picking and choosing” between the various spiritual/ religious systems as if they were living in some kind of belief system candy shop. I have been accused of doing the same  - “pick and mix spiritualism” was the accusatory phrase.

      But my process has really been about finding a system that can corroborate or even relate to the experiences I have had. There have been some that corroborate them, but most, as soon as they define my experiences within their particular belief system, place limits on it, or worse… rules.

      It is no wonder that people are becoming with dissatisfied with dogma, no matter its origins. Adhering to any belief is troubling when you have no experience to verify it.

    • Kevin Leonard

      The more I think about it, the more I like this term. Gnosis, at its heart, is about personal experience, personal knowledge. 

      The article does a disservice by tagging people as “picking and choosing” between the various spiritual/ religious systems as if they were living in some kind of belief system candy shop. I have been accused of doing the same  - “pick and mix spiritualism” was the accusatory phrase.

      But my process has really been about finding a system that can corroborate or even relate to the experiences I have had. There have been some that corroborate them, but most, as soon as they define my experiences within their particular belief system, place limits on it, or worse… rules.

      It is no wonder that people are becoming with dissatisfied with dogma, no matter its origins. Adhering to any belief is troubling when you have no experience to verify it.

  • bobbiethejean

    Poll Reveals Americans Blending New Age, Eastern, Traditional Religions
    Poll Reveals Americans Blending bullshit, horseshit, and goatshit. There, fix’t.

  • bobbiethejean

    Poll Reveals Americans Blending New Age, Eastern, Traditional Religions
    Poll Reveals Americans Blending bullshit, horseshit, and goatshit. There, fix’t.

    • Kevin Leonard

      You are, indeed, one of Swift’s Yahoos. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

    • Kevin Leonard

      You are, indeed, one of Swift’s Yahoos. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

      • bobbiethejean

        No, actually I’d say that about you, seeing as how primitive and stupid you are. I don’t often gloat, but it’s wonderful having a high IQ. It gives me a nice vantage point from which to look down upon all the idiots who think there is a magical man in the sky who gives a shit about us cosmically inconsequential primates on a planet that’s a dot in a solar system that’s a dot in a galaxy that’s less than a dot on a dot’s ass in the grand scheme of our universe.

      • bobbiethejean

        No, actually I’d say that about you, seeing as how primitive and stupid you are. I don’t often gloat, but it’s wonderful having a high IQ. It gives me a nice vantage point from which to look down upon all the idiots who think there is a magical man in the sky who gives a shit about us cosmically inconsequential primates on a planet that’s a dot in a solar system that’s a dot in a galaxy that’s less than a dot on a dot’s ass in the grand scheme of our universe.

        • Kevin Leonard

          Interesting. In the same sentence, you place yourself above, looking down on others who are looking up. You say you don’t like to gloat, but you are guilty of the same crime of arrogance as Lucifer (metaphorically speaking). Further, I would say you gloat in every single post you make, however obtusely.

          You make assumptions that I believe in a magical man in the sky (argument from ignorance), but you suggest there is a grand scheme in our universe. Are you suffering from cognitive dissonance? And do you even get the metaphor of why I called you a yahoo, you shit-flinging monkey?

          • bobbiethejean

            “Grand scheme” is a figure of speech meaning big picture; it doesn’t necessarily imply that there’s a magical man who created the universe. I really should not need to explain that.  

            As for Lucifer being guilty of anything, how precisely do you know that? because a book told you so? Credulous git. I happen to know Lucifer. He’s rather a lovely fellow. Also, I have a bridge for sail, interested?

          • Kevin Leonard

            Point to where I said I was a believer in a magical man in the sky, please. There is no observation. You cannot see, therefore you cannot be trusted with science. 

            Take away his measuring devices!

            You also cannot read between the lines. I was pointing out your inability to construct a cohesive argument.

            His Mensa card is expired!!

            You cannot even comprehend when I explicitly state I was using a metaphor.

            Revoke his poetic license!!!

            I hereby dub thee, “Troll,” and nothing more, from from this day, forward, from now until you are released from your mortal coil, save Grace bestows light unto your heart.

            Toad.

          • Kevin Leonard

            Point to where I said I was a believer in a magical man in the sky, please. There is no observation. You cannot see, therefore you cannot be trusted with science. 

            Take away his measuring devices!

            You also cannot read between the lines. I was pointing out your inability to construct a cohesive argument.

            His Mensa card is expired!!

            You cannot even comprehend when I explicitly state I was using a metaphor.

            Revoke his poetic license!!!

            I hereby dub thee, “Troll,” and nothing more, from from this day, forward, from now until you are released from your mortal coil, save Grace bestows light unto your heart.

            Toad.

          • bobbiethejean

            Every nonsensical retort you’ve aimed at me I can just as easily aim right back at your basaltic, logic-proof skull except I would actually be justified.

            [You also cannot read between the lines]

            Actually I did. In fact, I wouldn’t even call that “between the lines,” your intent was fairly well obvious and I assumed you’d understand that I was disagreeing with your ridiculous sentiment. I guess next time I should spell things out more simply for you.

            [You cannot even comprehend when I explicitly state I was using a metaphor]

            The fact that you were using a metaphor has no bearing on the validity of your argument. It was an irrelevant, meaningless statement.

            Several things you’ve said on other articles have led me to believe that you’re a believer. If I am mistaken, then I apologize and I was wrong. Still doesn’t change my opinion that you’re a dumb-ass.

          • bobbiethejean

            Every nonsensical retort you’ve aimed at me I can just as easily aim right back at your basaltic, logic-proof skull except I would actually be justified.

            [You also cannot read between the lines]

            Actually I did. In fact, I wouldn’t even call that “between the lines,” your intent was fairly well obvious and I assumed you’d understand that I was disagreeing with your ridiculous sentiment. I guess next time I should spell things out more simply for you.

            [You cannot even comprehend when I explicitly state I was using a metaphor]

            The fact that you were using a metaphor has no bearing on the validity of your argument. It was an irrelevant, meaningless statement.

            Several things you’ve said on other articles have led me to believe that you’re a believer. If I am mistaken, then I apologize and I was wrong. Still doesn’t change my opinion that you’re a dumb-ass.

          • Kevin Leonard

            Well, you can believe i’m a believer, and you can have opinions that i’m a dumb-ass, but you have clearly and consistently revealed that you are an arrogant, shit-slinging primate who is incapable of contributing anything other than derision to the discussion. (Oh, I guess in another thread, you have proven capable of contributing a link). 

          • Kevin Leonard

            Well, you can believe i’m a believer, and you can have opinions that i’m a dumb-ass, but you have clearly and consistently revealed that you are an arrogant, shit-slinging primate who is incapable of contributing anything other than derision to the discussion. (Oh, I guess in another thread, you have proven capable of contributing a link). 

          • bobbiethejean

            By all means, continue smacking your face all over your keyboard if you like.  Your insults mean nothing to me. Maybe I am a little arrogant but only when it comes to this because I know I’m right. Religion is bullshit. As for you being a believer- I don’t think it is illogical to assume that you’re a believer since you’re so rigorously defending religion.

          • bobbiethejean

            By all means, continue smacking your face all over your keyboard if you like.  Your insults mean nothing to me. Maybe I am a little arrogant but only when it comes to this because I know I’m right. Religion is bullshit. As for you being a believer- I don’t think it is illogical to assume that you’re a believer since you’re so rigorously defending religion.

          • Kevin Leonard

            You, sir, are more than a little arrogant. If you look closely at this thread, none of my comments have been in defense of religion. With one exception, they have all been against you. Because I think you are vile. You demonstrate the only way you know to sustain your insatiable need to be right is to denigrate others. In this activity, you are scum. I have become fed up with it and so have redirected the attention back to you.

            If you look at the other thread on the near-death experience, again, you will not see me defending religion, so you have, again, proven yourself incapable of following a continuous thought, but merely able to jump to erroneous conclusions. In fact, in this very thread, I sympathize with those who have abandoned dogma. Yet, you stick to the assumption that I’m a believer? 

            I would really like to see you make one intelligent, cogent statement, somewhere, in a thread related to spiritual matters, but I’m afraid you are inept.

          • bobbiethejean

            I made a faulty assumption concerning your beliefs, yes, but was it really unjustified? Let’s not forget this all began when you started hurling insults because I DARED proffer the opinion that religion is bullshit. So there are three options I saw at the time: 1.) You’re a believer or 2.) You’re an apologist. 3.) You’re just some git with a chip on his shoulder who I probably said something not nice to in another thread. So it’s obviously not 1. Maybe 2 or 3? Unless you have some other excuse for pretty much outrightly calling me stupid for opining that religion is bullshit.

          • bobbiethejean

            I made a faulty assumption concerning your beliefs, yes, but was it really unjustified? Let’s not forget this all began when you started hurling insults because I DARED proffer the opinion that religion is bullshit. So there are three options I saw at the time: 1.) You’re a believer or 2.) You’re an apologist. 3.) You’re just some git with a chip on his shoulder who I probably said something not nice to in another thread. So it’s obviously not 1. Maybe 2 or 3? Unless you have some other excuse for pretty much outrightly calling me stupid for opining that religion is bullshit.

          • Kevin Leonard

            lol. What happened to the other comment I got in my email subscription where you called me an asshole? Sure. To you.

            I reckon you can call me an apologist -as I am for all belief systems, including materialists. It is only when one belief system excludes all others that I become unforgiving.

            At least you are displaying rational thinking, now.

          • Kevin Leonard

            lol. What happened to the other comment I got in my email subscription where you called me an asshole? Sure. To you.

            I reckon you can call me an apologist -as I am for all belief systems, including materialists. It is only when one belief system excludes all others that I become unforgiving.

            At least you are displaying rational thinking, now.

        • BunkersTrust

           I don’t often gloat, but it’s wonderful having a high IQ. 

          If you have to tells us of your high IQ, you’re not gloating… you’re deluded. 

        • BunkersTrust

           I don’t often gloat, but it’s wonderful having a high IQ. 

          If you have to tells us of your high IQ, you’re not gloating… you’re deluded. 

          • bobbiethejean

            State administered test, results, bitch.

          • bobbiethejean

            State administered test, results, bitch.

          • BunkersTrust

            I see we have yet another genius in our midst and an incredibly articulate one at that. Welcome to the club of High IQs boobiethejean.

          • BunkersTrust

            I see we have yet another genius in our midst and an incredibly articulate one at that. Welcome to the club of High IQs boobiethejean.

          • bobbiethejean

            Why thank you, I am indeed quite articulate, if I do say so myself. However, my lowly, humble self, does not quite reach the levels of genius. I am shy by about 5 points. It runs in the family. My sister is shy by only 1 point. I realize not everyone has the good fortune of tumbling out of their mother’s vagina with a high IQ but I don’t think it is unreasonable of me to expect your average person not to be a complete, unmitigated facepalm-inducing moron of cosmic proportions who credulously accepts such nonsense as religion without hesitation. Yet apparently that is too much to expect because a majority of the world does in fact believe there is a magical man in the sky who gives a shit about the personal goings on in the lives of a bunch of nose-picking primates on a planet that is a dot on a dot on a dot’s ass in the universe.  

          • bobbiethejean

            Why thank you, I am indeed quite articulate, if I do say so myself. However, my lowly, humble self, does not quite reach the levels of genius. I am shy by about 5 points. It runs in the family. My sister is shy by only 1 point. I realize not everyone has the good fortune of tumbling out of their mother’s vagina with a high IQ but I don’t think it is unreasonable of me to expect your average person not to be a complete, unmitigated facepalm-inducing moron of cosmic proportions who credulously accepts such nonsense as religion without hesitation. Yet apparently that is too much to expect because a majority of the world does in fact believe there is a magical man in the sky who gives a shit about the personal goings on in the lives of a bunch of nose-picking primates on a planet that is a dot on a dot on a dot’s ass in the universe.  

  • http://twitter.com/jasonpaulhayes jasonpaulhayes

    “When we see religion split into so many thousands of
    sects, and I may say Christianity itself divided into it’s thousands also,
    who are disputing, anathematizing, and where the laws permit, burning and
    torturing one another for abstractions which no one of them understand,
    and which are indeed beyond the comprehension of the human mind, into which
    of the chambers of this Bedlam would a man wish to thrust himself” — Thomas Jefferson

  • http://twitter.com/jasonpaulhayes jasonpaulhayes

    “When we see religion split into so many thousands of
    sects, and I may say Christianity itself divided into it’s thousands also,
    who are disputing, anathematizing, and where the laws permit, burning and
    torturing one another for abstractions which no one of them understand,
    and which are indeed beyond the comprehension of the human mind, into which
    of the chambers of this Bedlam would a man wish to thrust himself” — Thomas Jefferson

    • kowalityjesus

      It is in the best interests of Christians to unite and put away our petty differences, celebrate the diversity of worship from across the globe.  The devil lies in semantics; as it once was said and I will poorly paraphrase, the great minds who founded the religion did not operate on the basis of language.  Paradoxically we have mostly words as records for the guidance of our behavior.

    • kowalityjesus

      It is in the best interests of Christians to unite and put away our petty differences, celebrate the diversity of worship from across the globe.  The devil lies in semantics; as it once was said and I will poorly paraphrase, the great minds who founded the religion did not operate on the basis of language.  Paradoxically we have mostly words as records for the guidance of our behavior.