Ron Cusano

I said that our legal system was based upon Biblical principals. I never said or implyed that all Biblical principals and understanding was contained in the law. If that was the case, the Bible would be our constitution, which it is not.

I am not going to get into a political debate because nothing good can come of it. I don't approve of everything that Bush has done and every decision that he has made, but I do support the war on terror. Based upon the information that was available at the time, which was accepted by leaders of both parties, it was believed that there were weapons of mass destruction there. There is no question that Saddam was in bed with Islamic radicals and that there were training camps in the country. This man committed genocide against his own people, was a constant threat to the middle east, and harbored those who would destroy America. There were numerous reasons why I believe we needed to invade Iraq.. The big difference between this war and the invasion of Poland by Hitler is that this was an act to attack our enemies where we found them, and defend our national interests, whereas Hitler's goal was world domoniation. There is no comparision. Weather you believe in the war or not; weather you like Bush or not, he is the President of the United States, duely elected my the majority of the people in this country, and deserves our respect and support during this time of war and constant threat against our country.

Please allow me to answer you! First, our country was founded on, and our government formed under the principals set forth in the Bible. These principals have become the foundation of our legal system, and the basis upon what that systems deems to be right or wrong. As an individual you may disagree with that, but nevertheless, it is the law of the land and we must abide with it. The death of "Matthew Shepard" and others, and the hate that caused that, weather you believe it or not, does not come from fundamentalist Christianity. It comes from people who wear the name tag, but are countifeit garments. Christians love the people, but hate whet we consider to be their sin. There is a very big difference. I feel and can understand your pain.

It was Hitler who made the law. Hitler was not a Christian under the Biblical understanding. Christian's are obligated to obey the law unless it contridicts God's law. The wonton killing of millions of Jews and others is certainly not in agreement with Christian Biblical understanding and practice. They certainly were not guilty of committing any crime worthy of death.

There is no contridiction between being a Christian and accepting the death penalty. I believe the two are harmoneous, expecially since Christians are told to obey the laws of the land. I doubt that any fundamentalist Christian believes that Hitler are actually a Christian, regardless of the label he put upon himself.

I have absolutely no problem with people challanging what I say. In fact I encourage it!! No one should accept anything I say just because I say it. If someone wishs to challange what I say, by all means let's have a lively discussion about it. If someone asks me why I believe something, I am more that glad to explain my understanding and reasoning. But, when I ask others to to the same, that's where the mocking and name calling starts and things break down. When someone makes a statement, do you believe it's wrong to ask them to give a reason for the statement?

Thank you!

If that is true, then why does everyone get so upset when I say what I believe?? I have been told in no uncertain terms that some take offence because I believe my beliefs are absolute and I won't be flexible on them. Do I have a right to believe and say that here??

Go back and read what the post actually said! I pointed out how stupid it would be to classify athiests in the same catagory as Hitler or any one else, as it is stupid to classify Christian fundamentalists and fanatics. I did not compare athiests to Hitler. Go back and read the words! You are twisting them.

Then we agree!!

You are taking things I said and quoted from the Bible out of context and in a way I never meant them. Nevertheless, and not to belabor the point, if this is how things were taken, I deeply apoligize to everyone. I may have said some things in an inapproiate way while being the brunt of mockery and name calling myself, but should have shown more restraint and not have responded in that same manner. I have never said or implyed that I know more about Christianity that anyone else. Can we put the "bad blood" behind us and consider honest discussion please?

OK! Tell me specifically how you fell I was disrespectful of others beliefs at ay time that I was no first provoked or mocked! Show me!!

I do and have said so repeatedly. Trying to engage discussion on beliefs or non-beliefs if not disrespectful in the least. And, I have had some interesting, sincere exchanges with some, but what seems to happen, is that a few agitators feel obligated to jump in to provoke and mock, and we deteriorate back into the abyss!!

To be honest, I think that has been expressed and certainly implied but at least two that come to mind.

With evangelical christianity the two become one because part of the tenents of our faith is that we need to share it with others. We do that by sharing the biblical truths that we believe. Apparently, sharing what I believe, and sharing it to be untimate truth, which I believe it to be, is what everyone gets upset about. To expect me to keep my faith to myself is to ask me to not practice my faith.

You know what!! We agree on something! But, not all "good Christians", "good Jews", "good Muslims", "good Whosits" or "good athiests" come out of the same mold. You just have to be true to what you believe or not believe!

Oh, I have tried to and will continue to, but you don't expect me to sit quietly while someone mocks and provokes me, do you? Would you??

With all due respect, when someone some attacks Jesus and my faith, they are attacking me and I do take it personally. The can disbelieve and I have no problem with that, but when someone trys to make a mockery out of my faith, yeah, I will take it personally. There is no reason for it. I have been told by some that the reason they are mocking is because they don't want to hear about what I believe. I thought I was free to say what I wanted here! Do other rules apply only to me?? If I said disparaging things about Jew, Arabs, Irish or blacks, I would expect them to take it personally too! Wouldn't you? Why can't we disagree without going for the throat?

And, of course, you are clean in all of this!! You took no Part in it!!

I am so sorry your family went through all that, and I am sorry that so much pain has been inflected on Jews in the name of Christianity. Any so-called Christian that could do that is no real follower of Jesus. I hear what you are saying and will bear it in mind. Thanks for serious comments and thoughts.

You forgot being a "Taliban"!!

I was going to say that but I didn't want to start any more controversy!!

I was banded on 7/19, I am down about 70 lbs. and going for my 3rd fill tomorrow. I also started a local Lap Band Support Group Meeting that meets twice a mon th that has been great support to me antd the other members.

And a lot of other people killed a lot of Jews and Arabs in the name of Christianity, but that doesn't make them Christians. I was using an anology to try to point out that she felt comfortable making those remarks about fundamentalists, but would probally be offended if I made simular remarks about athiests.

Oh, I agree! In Christianity, I don't think anyone should believe because of blind faith, but should question and investigate to form a belief. Is that waht you mean about "wrestling"!