Religion and politics

[Bikewer]

NPR's "All Things Considered" is running a series this week on the subject.
First segment, a visit to the Cornerstone Family Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

I don't know what sect this represents, but they're evidently quite "fundie", what with glossolalia and all.

They interviewed six members of a weekly prayer group who have been getting together for some years. The thing that struck me about these people was that their statements were deeply irrational. Nearly every sentence contained some self-contradictory elements.
Of the six, four were Bush supporters and two (rather surprisingly) were for Kerry.

One lady said, (paraphrasing here...) I hope George Bush wins, but if Kerry wins, that's alright because it's Gods Will."

[crimresearch]

Originally posted by Bikewer
NPR's "All Things Considered" is running a series this week on the subject.
First segment, a visit to the Cornerstone Family Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

I don't know what sect this represents, but they're evidently quite "fundie", what with glossolalia and all.

They interviewed six members of a weekly prayer group who have been getting together for some years. The thing that struck me about these people was that their statements were deeply irrational. Nearly every sentence contained some self-contradictory elements.
Of the six, four were Bush supporters and two (rather surprisingly) were for Kerry.

One lady said, (paraphrasing here...) I hope George Bush wins, but if Kerry wins, that's alright because it's Gods Will."

Nothing contradictory there..

*If* one believes in a Supreme Being, it could follow that one's civil leaders were pre-ordained from above.
:rolleyes:

I suppose next week they will balance the series out by observing a Rainbow Gathering?
:p

[fishbob]

I learn something new every day.

source (http://skepdic.com/glossol.html)

According to Dr. William T. Samarin, professor of anthropology and linguistics at the University of Toronto:

Glossolalia consists of strings of meaningless syllables made up of sounds taken from those familiar to the speaker and put together more or less haphazardly .... Glossolalia is language-like because the speaker unconsciously wants it to be language-like. Yet in spite of superficial similarities, glossolalia fundamentally is not language.

Glossolalics behave in various ways, depending upon the social expectations of their community. Some go into convulsions or lose consciousness; others are less dramatic. Some seem to go into a trance; some claim to have amnesia of their speaking in tongues. All believe they are possessed by the Holy Spirit and the gibberish they utter is meaningful.
I can't wait to try this out in one of these discussions. Hey crim . . .

[T'ai Chi]

Originally posted by crimresearch

*If* one believes in a Supreme Being, it could follow that one's civil leaders were pre-ordained from above.
:rolleyes:


Could? It has to mean that.

[Gastric ReFlux]

Originally posted by Bikewer
NPR's "All Things Considered" is running a series this week on the subject.
First segment, a visit to the Cornerstone Family Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

I don't know what sect this represents, but they're evidently quite "fundie", what with glossolalia and all.

They interviewed six members of a weekly prayer group who have been getting together for some years. The thing that struck me about these people was that their statements were deeply irrational. Nearly every sentence contained some self-contradictory elements.
Of the six, four were Bush supporters and two (rather surprisingly) were for Kerry.

One lady said, (paraphrasing here...) I hope George Bush wins, but if Kerry wins, that's alright because it's Gods Will."

I saw one of these arguments erupt over at Rapture Ready. One guy said the president would be selected by God, someone started wonder about Hitler being selected by God, and damn if that thread didn't get locked quickly after.

[Gastric ReFlux]

Originally posted by Gastric ReFlux
I saw one of these arguments erupt over at Rapture Ready. One guy said the president would be selected by God, someone started wonder about Hitler being selected by God, and damn if that thread didn't get locked quickly after.

Ahh yes, here it is. Nice Rapture Ready thread about God choosing leaders (http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=163377)

Yep, you gotta love a thread where Becky bans someone.

:cs:

[Brahe]

Originally posted by Gastric ReFlux
Ahh yes, here it is. Nice Rapture Ready thread about God choosing leaders (http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=163377)

Yep, you gotta love a thread where Becky bans someone.
My favorite bit actually came near the start of that thread.

pobot:
leah - the florida election can be explained by dodgy human political activities. Where exactly does God come into the Florida election? Does he work in the Republican Party, or guide the hand of the Electoral Commissioner, or in the minds of the voters, or those in authority who deny the right to vote to certain others?

I reckon if God was a Republican he would do away with democracy altogether and just allow us to set up dictatorships. The notion of God working for one political party over another is manifestly ludicrous.

PreTribber:
Keep your questionable remarks as to what you think God's batting average is to Apolo....I just noticed you've already received two warnings to keep your views to Apolo. Your continued stay here is at the mercy of the Mod who gave you the first two.

Man, these guys are entirely insane. First they make obviously fallacious or immoral statements, and then they ban people who do no more than disagree with their idiocy. And this dishonesty, instead of condemned, is actually applauded (except among those too stupid even to recognize what's going on)! If they were just a bunch of lunatics, it wouldn't be so bad since there's a good chance there'd be sane people to counter the worst of the rantings. But when you have obviously insane mods and admins silencing all dissent, the positive reinforcement can drive people to new heights.

Frankly, I'd be worried for any children that these people might have. It's simply too easy to rationalize any action when you resist self-examination this stridently.

[Gastric ReFlux]

Originally posted by Brahe

Frankly, I'd be worried for any children that these people might have. It's simply too easy to rationalize any action when you resist self-examination this stridently.

Actually, my favorite part of that whole board might be how a forum is named "End Times Chat".


Here's some ideas that could fit in well with that theme:

Nuclear Armageddon Chat
Toxic Waste Chatter
Let's Shoot the Breeze About School Shootings
A Lighthearted Talk about the Apocalypse
Mark of the Beast Fun and Games

[Soapy Sam]

Am I really wierd, or does "Glossolalia" sound like some kind of kinky sexual behaviour to anyone else?

(I realise the two are not mutually exclusive).

[Tony]

Clearly Satan and his minions are in control of Rapture Ready. What better way to discredit jesus than making his followers look like absolute morons?

[TragicMonkey]

Originally posted by Soapy Sam
Am I really wierd, or does "Glossolalia" sound like some kind of kinky sexual behaviour to anyone else?

It fits in with the expression "Rapture Ready" well enough.

edited to add: Please note I had taste enough not to mention the Second Coming of Christ.

Whoops. Guess I just did.

[Ipecac]

Brahe, I found that quote deeply interesting as well.

I also liked this by CJL in response to Pobot:

Quote:
I think God could have found a more impressive leader to call.

Thats your opinion. You will never be able to see the plan God has for each of our lives. That includes President Bush.

Quote:
And if he loses and Kerry wins, will it be because God called Kerry also?

Yes.

Quote:
I don't think God meddles in human election campaigns and party politics. If he does, he doesn't seem have a very good batting average recently

God is involved with every aspect of each of lives. And btw...God's batting average is perfect. His Will is perfect. GWB was the choice to be in office. It is NOT your place to judge God and His Will. Doing so to be cute or to try to show intelligence really shows the lack of maturity on your part.

Quote:
leah - the florida election can be explained by dodgy human political activities. Where exactly does God come into the Florida election? Does he work in the Republican Party, or guide the hand of the Electoral Commissioner, or in the minds of the voters, or those in authority who deny the right to vote to certain others?

Wow, the urban legends of the 2000 election have made it all the way to Austrailia. Just for your info, no one in Florida was kept from voting. There are a couple of threads in Elections that will help you out with that lie.

Quote:
I reckon if God was a Republican he would do away with democracy altogether and just allow us to set up dictatorships. The notion of God working for one political party over another is manifestly ludicrous.

Actually, God is neither party. He is completely in control. Everything is His. So what is really ludicrous are your assumptions as to what most of us think. Hope this helps.


YBIC,
CJL



So much for free will.

Yeah, heaven forbid we try to show intelligence. Sheesh, these people are stupid sheep.

[Gastric ReFlux]

Originally posted by Ipecac

So much for free will.


I don't know how much free will you can expect out of someone with a boardname of Bondservant. I dunno, sometimes when perusing the RR boards I wonder if some of them are really cut out for this concept of democracy. I mean their fondest wish is for Jesus to come back and reign as king, and it doesn't seem they see it as Jesus winning a democratic election.

Although it seems that most likely Jesus would be a Republican.

:cs:

[Ipecac]

Originally posted by Gastric ReFlux
I don't know how much free will you can expect out of someone with a boardname of Bondservant. I dunno, sometimes when perusing the RR boards I wonder if some of them are really cut out for this concept of democracy. I mean their fondest wish is for Jesus to come back and reign as king, and it doesn't seem they see it as Jesus winning a democratic election.

Although it seems that most likely Jesus would be a Republican.

:cs:

You're right. Fundamentalists do seem to be desperately waiting to bend that knee and grovel before the lord. They prefer slavery to standing up on their own feet.

[MLynn]

One of the reasons I am not registered at RR is the lack of First Amendment rights.

Go pobot!! (even tho you've been cut off)

[Stitch]

Maybe 1inC should have a look at that BBS. A lot of people there seem to be saying there is NO free will. God has it all planned out and things only happen because he allows it - wow!!

Originally quoted by Bondservant
Well.. my dear if you believe in God you know there are no "accidents" or coincidences and nothing happens that He doesn't allow...so your argument is with the Almighty....

[wageslave]

They have people over there with nicks like 'ready4liftoff'. Phew, that's scary.

Mind you being a sceptic I'd be inclined to register and post as 'ready4nothingtohappenwhataripoff'.

[Zombified]

Originally posted by Stitch
Maybe 1inC should have a look at that BBS. A lot of people there seem to be saying there is NO free will. God has it all planned out and things only happen because he allows it - wow!!
That's Calvinism's influence, isn't it?

[pgwenthold]

Originally posted by wageslave
They have people over there with nicks like 'ready4liftoff'. Phew, that's scary.

Mind you being a sceptic I'd be inclined to register and post as 'ready4nothingtohappenwhataripoff'.

Just make sure you tell your computer to remember your login name. I'd hate to have to type that all the time.