I live in Scotland and exactly the same happened after the 1996 Dunblane school shootings. What I find totally impossible to understand is that so many of those that insist on their right to bear arms, including assault weapons, also claim to be devout Christians. But they don't seem to follow the teachings. What ever happened to 'Thou s…
I live in Scotland and exactly the same happened after the 1996 Dunblane school shootings. What I find totally impossible to understand is that so many of those that insist on their right to bear arms, including assault weapons, also claim to be devout Christians. But they don't seem to follow the teachings. What ever happened to 'Thou salt not kill"? But again, it would appear that tiny bundles of cells that may or may not become an actual person are considered far more important than an actual child or adult. There just are no words.....
The "Christian" religion in America has been stolen, and corrupted, by those who believe "their way is the only way". I asked a once-friend his definition of "woke", and he couldn't answer, after I offered mine. It was "awakened to the needs of others. To be well-informed, thoughtful, compasionate, humble, and kind. Eager to make the world a better place for all people." Kind of a paraphrase of the words of Jesus, yet the "Christian Right" in this country won't accept THE WORDS OF THEIR SAVIOUR!! as words to live by. It is a sad time to be an American.
It would seem Christian Nationals are on the defensive stating that Christianity is under attack. Not sure by whom as I dont see it. The propaganda machine is in overdrive to convince them that somehow their faith is being threatened. I heard it last week and over the weekend. How can someone who doesnt walk the path of Jesus (Trump) be considered doing gods work? Thats a real stretch, unless of course the news they are watching doesnt mention or minimizes his discretions and maximizes his fight for White Christian Nationals. To quote the NY Times on Trumps Waco rally. "Trump gets back to grass roots campaigning" Not Trump endorses the Jan 6th insurection, endorses violence and discrimination against AG Bragg and commemorates Branch Dividian David Koresh a known child sex offender and cult leader. Christian Nationalists for Violence, Discrimination and Child abuse. That pretty much sums it up. The ends do not justify the means.
At his height Jim Jones had 3000 followers. 900 of which committed or were forced to commit suicide. The last election saw 74,000,000 people vote for him. If you take the same Jim Jones numbers that means Trump has 22 million people ready to die for him. Yippee.
Oh yes, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with that one. So many people are gullible and easily led by someone who can put on a good spiel. Trump is a greedy charlatan who craves the limelight. He got heady of the trappings of being President and wants to hang on to the feelings he gets from having such devoted followers. Like he once said he could shoot and kill someone in the middle of 5th Ave and his people would still support him. People in general are loathe to admit they might be wrong.
The Evangelical and conservative christians faiths are feeding these lies to their congregation. The followers are brainwashed or a cult. We are in a religious war.
So many of them think in absolutes, so they see the issue of their way of believing as vs other ways of believing, in a zero sum manner. So their logic is - if you don't believe as I do, you diminish my beliefs. If people who don't believe as I do are given the same rights as I have, then I lose my rights. Not logical, pretty childish, but there it is.
Ive heard before "I will do what I want". When it comes to laws they never apply to the selfish person only to everyone else around them when it benefits them. Dare to apply those same laws to them and you are infringing on their rights. In reality telling them they can't do something. Then the adult tantrum comes out. I'm on board with your thinking. One time I had an abortion discussion with a MAGA friend. His opinion was sacrosanct I couldnt budge him in anyway to see it slightly differently or sympathically. It was like he was arguing a position that was already established law and everyone followed it. Perhaps I was arguing with his echo chamber more than with him.
@Daniel. Thank you. It's a service to define this term above its origins in black communities. My take on it, building on what you already said: Woke... Awakened to the needs of others, compassionate, humble, thoughtful and kind. To be well informed and seek to make the world a better place for all people. To practice the tenets of the world's major religions.
Exactly. "Woke" is the opposite of love/compassion/kindness. It's all about control, rage, judgment. It's inherently anti-Democratic. I'm not saying Republicans are the answer. But neither is Wokeism.
There are as many definitions of 'woke' as there are people trying to define it, but mostly it's an us vs them term in actual use. You say it's anti-Democratic, with capital D. Other guy speaks as if it were Jesus compassion... Thinking in terms of woke meaning 'awake' it means to be alert and honest in seeing each new how the world operates. One side uses it to bash people for their opinions; the other side uses it seek to get people to have informed opinions. As for me I'd rather be awake than have my head stuck in the sand of whatever the latest conspiracy theory might be. If that means I am woke then woke is a good thing.
Conspiracy theories on both sides my friend. One believes that the 2020 election was stolen; other side believes there are no biological differences between men and women, or that trans women can menstruate
No one that I know of thinks either that there are no biological differences between men and women or that trans women menstruate. If your friends or acquaintances think those things, they need to read a basic book on physiology.
The MAGAt/GOP use of "woke" is all that, but its original use has nothing to do with that. Take some time to understand what it is and where it comes from. For myself, I'm staying woke--and liberal, and progressive, and dedicated to objectivity, facts, and democracy.
This is a perfect explanation of Hypocrisy and hubris of the self-righteous extremist whom we are constantly confronted with. Well said. Well written. Eyes Open!
Omg, Daniel thanks for sending that. Utterly terrifying but it really is where the country is right now, and may remain, under the dominance of Christian Nationalism...we're totally screwed.
As a gun owner...as if those words have more power than as a non gun owner. Those whos lives have been destroyed by gun violence have as much right as gun owners in determing gun laws. Gun companies should have zero say. Citizens united decision be damned.
One way of caring for children is to BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS. Needless to say, the ridiculously named "pro-life" army is in FULL support of keeping these weapons legal, these same weapons which are so often in mass murders of little, born children.
There's difficulty in defining an 'assault weapon' such that a clever designer cannot get around the regulation. Consider a ban on any weapon/ammunition combination that can produce more than a certain level of kinetic energy at the muzzle. It may seem too technical but should reduce fatalities and the severity of wounds.
Its such a sin. Caring for that which isnt yet (cells the fetus) over that which is (the deformed, the drug addicted baby, the malnutritioned child). Its a type of future faking. Look see I care about this nebulous concept of a child to be, so I dont have to care about actual children. Cause once you have them, its pull yourself up by your bootstraps timr again. You aint getting any help from them. They are too busy "saving the future".
Believe me, they don’t even know what “ fetus “ means! They know what power and control mean! That is all... no accountability. One hundred year prison sentence for anyone hurting another human or otherwise animal should send a a notice that we will not give up our freedom to be safe and to have private choice to their maniacal need to be tyrants over us. Jesus !
Neither will work in 'Murica though. 'Muricans cling DESPERATELY to their THOUGHT that The Second Amendment, which exists SOLELY for Militias, ACTUALLY gives us 'Muricans the OBLIGATION to have a gun to kill . . . those different than us??? I really cannot fathom their reasoning, as I DID go to a New York college.
I know I'll probably get flak for my stance on gun control. To those who might object. If your doctor says to you, "I have some bad news about your tests." The patient is then told he has cancer of the femur and the leg has to come off. The guy objects but the doctor reaffirms his earlier statement, you lose your leg or you lose your life. What does the guy do? Sometimes the pill that does us the most good is the hardest to swallow. Ban assault rifles.
I live in Scotland and exactly the same happened after the 1996 Dunblane school shootings. What I find totally impossible to understand is that so many of those that insist on their right to bear arms, including assault weapons, also claim to be devout Christians. But they don't seem to follow the teachings. What ever happened to 'Thou salt not kill"? But again, it would appear that tiny bundles of cells that may or may not become an actual person are considered far more important than an actual child or adult. There just are no words.....
The "Christian" religion in America has been stolen, and corrupted, by those who believe "their way is the only way". I asked a once-friend his definition of "woke", and he couldn't answer, after I offered mine. It was "awakened to the needs of others. To be well-informed, thoughtful, compasionate, humble, and kind. Eager to make the world a better place for all people." Kind of a paraphrase of the words of Jesus, yet the "Christian Right" in this country won't accept THE WORDS OF THEIR SAVIOUR!! as words to live by. It is a sad time to be an American.
It would seem Christian Nationals are on the defensive stating that Christianity is under attack. Not sure by whom as I dont see it. The propaganda machine is in overdrive to convince them that somehow their faith is being threatened. I heard it last week and over the weekend. How can someone who doesnt walk the path of Jesus (Trump) be considered doing gods work? Thats a real stretch, unless of course the news they are watching doesnt mention or minimizes his discretions and maximizes his fight for White Christian Nationals. To quote the NY Times on Trumps Waco rally. "Trump gets back to grass roots campaigning" Not Trump endorses the Jan 6th insurection, endorses violence and discrimination against AG Bragg and commemorates Branch Dividian David Koresh a known child sex offender and cult leader. Christian Nationalists for Violence, Discrimination and Child abuse. That pretty much sums it up. The ends do not justify the means.
Can't help thinking,'rump is another Jim Jones of Guyana fame.
At his height Jim Jones had 3000 followers. 900 of which committed or were forced to commit suicide. The last election saw 74,000,000 people vote for him. If you take the same Jim Jones numbers that means Trump has 22 million people ready to die for him. Yippee.
Oh yes, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with that one. So many people are gullible and easily led by someone who can put on a good spiel. Trump is a greedy charlatan who craves the limelight. He got heady of the trappings of being President and wants to hang on to the feelings he gets from having such devoted followers. Like he once said he could shoot and kill someone in the middle of 5th Ave and his people would still support him. People in general are loathe to admit they might be wrong.
Hahaha
The Evangelical and conservative christians faiths are feeding these lies to their congregation. The followers are brainwashed or a cult. We are in a religious war.
A relative of mine is an Elder in an born again faith and what I overheard him talking about. Yeap that is exactly how it is going down.
So many of them think in absolutes, so they see the issue of their way of believing as vs other ways of believing, in a zero sum manner. So their logic is - if you don't believe as I do, you diminish my beliefs. If people who don't believe as I do are given the same rights as I have, then I lose my rights. Not logical, pretty childish, but there it is.
Ive heard before "I will do what I want". When it comes to laws they never apply to the selfish person only to everyone else around them when it benefits them. Dare to apply those same laws to them and you are infringing on their rights. In reality telling them they can't do something. Then the adult tantrum comes out. I'm on board with your thinking. One time I had an abortion discussion with a MAGA friend. His opinion was sacrosanct I couldnt budge him in anyway to see it slightly differently or sympathically. It was like he was arguing a position that was already established law and everyone followed it. Perhaps I was arguing with his echo chamber more than with him.
@Daniel. Thank you. It's a service to define this term above its origins in black communities. My take on it, building on what you already said: Woke... Awakened to the needs of others, compassionate, humble, thoughtful and kind. To be well informed and seek to make the world a better place for all people. To practice the tenets of the world's major religions.
Awakened, not Woke. Educated not Indoctrinated.!!
Better Woke than Wack!
Exactly. "Woke" is the opposite of love/compassion/kindness. It's all about control, rage, judgment. It's inherently anti-Democratic. I'm not saying Republicans are the answer. But neither is Wokeism.
Michael Mohr
"Sincere American Writing"
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
There are as many definitions of 'woke' as there are people trying to define it, but mostly it's an us vs them term in actual use. You say it's anti-Democratic, with capital D. Other guy speaks as if it were Jesus compassion... Thinking in terms of woke meaning 'awake' it means to be alert and honest in seeing each new how the world operates. One side uses it to bash people for their opinions; the other side uses it seek to get people to have informed opinions. As for me I'd rather be awake than have my head stuck in the sand of whatever the latest conspiracy theory might be. If that means I am woke then woke is a good thing.
Conspiracy theories on both sides my friend. One believes that the 2020 election was stolen; other side believes there are no biological differences between men and women, or that trans women can menstruate
No one that I know of thinks either that there are no biological differences between men and women or that trans women menstruate. If your friends or acquaintances think those things, they need to read a basic book on physiology.
The MAGAt/GOP use of "woke" is all that, but its original use has nothing to do with that. Take some time to understand what it is and where it comes from. For myself, I'm staying woke--and liberal, and progressive, and dedicated to objectivity, facts, and democracy.
The idea of Wokeness, originated in the African American communities, where it meant recognition of an injustice.
This is a perfect explanation of Hypocrisy and hubris of the self-righteous extremist whom we are constantly confronted with. Well said. Well written. Eyes Open!
Trump as Jesus
https://twitter.com/i/status/1639362806712524818
Omg, Daniel thanks for sending that. Utterly terrifying but it really is where the country is right now, and may remain, under the dominance of Christian Nationalism...we're totally screwed.
NO WE ARE NOT<WE ARE NOT RESIGNED AND DON"T ACCEPT THAT!
A look into a bizarre and terrifying dark world.
Heard that one on the Medias touch yesterday. That is REALLY scary.
I'd be delighted to see Trump crucified. He could be cremated and his ashes flushed down a public toilet.
Very well said! My thoughts exactly.
As the old quip goes, "The Christian right is neither."
As a gun owner...as if those words have more power than as a non gun owner. Those whos lives have been destroyed by gun violence have as much right as gun owners in determing gun laws. Gun companies should have zero say. Citizens united decision be damned.
TheNRA obviously has NO CONSCIENCE,I'm going to the GOOD LORD about this!
The so-called "pro life" coalition only cares for the fetus, not the child, or the adults who bear those children.
One way of caring for children is to BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS. Needless to say, the ridiculously named "pro-life" army is in FULL support of keeping these weapons legal, these same weapons which are so often in mass murders of little, born children.
There's difficulty in defining an 'assault weapon' such that a clever designer cannot get around the regulation. Consider a ban on any weapon/ammunition combination that can produce more than a certain level of kinetic energy at the muzzle. It may seem too technical but should reduce fatalities and the severity of wounds.
Perfect. You might want to take a lookat this article from today's Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2023/ar-15-damage-to-human-body/?itid=hp-top-table-main_p001_f001
Saw the article. As an infantry corpsman in the 70s also saw the real thing.
Thank you for bringing a dose of reality to this horrific situation.
Its such a sin. Caring for that which isnt yet (cells the fetus) over that which is (the deformed, the drug addicted baby, the malnutritioned child). Its a type of future faking. Look see I care about this nebulous concept of a child to be, so I dont have to care about actual children. Cause once you have them, its pull yourself up by your bootstraps timr again. You aint getting any help from them. They are too busy "saving the future".
The difficulty with "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is that it's hard to do if you can't afford boots!
If you think about it, it's impossible even if you have boots.
Believe me, they don’t even know what “ fetus “ means! They know what power and control mean! That is all... no accountability. One hundred year prison sentence for anyone hurting another human or otherwise animal should send a a notice that we will not give up our freedom to be safe and to have private choice to their maniacal need to be tyrants over us. Jesus !
Seonaid ; Control, control control! Not love, or freedom or anything like that. Power!, and , of course, Greed.
So tragically true Laurie.
What too many don't accept,power is for God!
Neither will work in 'Murica though. 'Muricans cling DESPERATELY to their THOUGHT that The Second Amendment, which exists SOLELY for Militias, ACTUALLY gives us 'Muricans the OBLIGATION to have a gun to kill . . . those different than us??? I really cannot fathom their reasoning, as I DID go to a New York college.
It makes them feel valid,'cos they know they're not!
Seonaid , you couldn’t be more right! They use the title “Christian” as an excuse not a lifestyle.
They talk the talk and don't walk the walk!
Donald Hodgins
Writes Donald’s Substack
2 min ago
I know I'll probably get flak for my stance on gun control. To those who might object. If your doctor says to you, "I have some bad news about your tests." The patient is then told he has cancer of the femur and the leg has to come off. The guy objects but the doctor reaffirms his earlier statement, you lose your leg or you lose your life. What does the guy do? Sometimes the pill that does us the most good is the hardest to swallow. Ban assault rifles.