The Christian Conservative Right Is A Sham.

[Archivist]

ow many times have you been pulled over or harassed by them?

I was pulled over by a police officer once. It was my fault--he clocked me doing 60 in a 45 zone. I was polite to him and he certainly didn't harass me in any way.

You take that number and put it to everybody.

That would be a pretty low number.

It makes me wonder sometimes, the kind of world a person must live in to not be able to acknowledge that police treat people like criminals everyday.

Again, please provide evidence. You made the claim--the burden of proof rests on you.

And a small minority are abusive? No, the police in this country, collectively, have become much more aggressive and infringe on people's constitutional rights.

Proof? Evidence? Do you have any statistics showing that a majority--even a significant minority--are abusing people's rights?

They don't even like people filming them because they know what they do is not in line with what they are allowed to do.

I'm sure some don't. Again, do you have any proof or evidence showing that this represents a majority of police officers?

But those like yourself, I'm sure, go and give them that extra mile because you suppose there's no way giving people that much freedom isn't going to result in a nationwide pandemic. But the truth is that it already has begun, and while people sit there and twiddle their thumbs and deny it, it just continues to grow.

Again, proof? Evidence?

 

[Skybringr]

I gave you a particularly deep video and referenced a book which speaks on America's emerging police state.

The proof is everywhere, it's the reality of the country we are living in right now.
Like I said, and know that it's amusing to me, that those like yourself just twiddle your thumbs and deny it. There is police abuse every single day in this country, right down to even the minor things such as police usurping authority which they do not have, taking advantage of people's ignorance to rights they have.

There's no point in me providing proof. I could give you literal hundreds of sources, but it wouldn't change anything. You are diametrically opposed to any notion that the world is not how you see it; a lost cause.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

"If you don't work, you don't eat."

Tammy, can you give me a job then? This rhetoric doesn't hold water in my reality. I tried working. I've had many jobs in the past. But every job just made my mind worse off. The last job I had was driving 18-wheelers. I drove trucks for five years. Eventually my mind got so bad that my doctor, my wife, my dad, and my friends all insisted that I admit myself to a psych hospital. So I quit my job, and went to the hospital. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I only stayed in psych ward for ten days, but it was something I really needed.

Then I got onto social security disability. I'm grateful that I was accepted onto SSDI, but it barely pays the bills. My only luxuries are diet coke and the internet.

I'm willing to work, but I just can't hold a normal 9-5 type of job. But since I'm so broke I have tried for a year to get a job anyway. But nobody will hire me.

Here's my work history: I fixed the electronics in the military jets that kept them from getting hit by missiles, I ran a printing press producing wrapping paper in a factory, I manufactured medical tape, produced screws at a factory, I drove 18-wheelers for four years all around the eastern U.S., I've installed sheetrock in houses and done other construction work, I’ve done farm work, and I worked in a fast food restaurant cleaning the bathrooms and the fryers. And then there was the work I did as a kid. When I was 10 and 12 years old I worked 30 hours a week hauling logs, shoveling dirt and bricks.

But nobody will hire me. I can't even get a job at Walmart. When I go to a job interview they can tell that I'm not quite normal. And so they don't hire me. Now I'm perfectly happy with who I am, but it makes it impossible to find work.

I can do video editing and special effects. I can do most of what they do in Hollywood. And so I'm considering the idea of starting a small school to teach people how to do video editing, make their own movies, design a website, and put their movie up for sale. That's something I think I can do. But I have no money to start the business, so I'm simply out of luck.

So tell me again about how the church shouldn't give handouts, and that if I'm not working then I shouldn't get help.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

Oh, and I agree that the police situation has gotten out of hand. I was camped out at Occupy Wall Street when the cops raided us. And the media did not tell you the real story. If you want to read what really happened, I posted this on my blog site.

 

[Archivist]

I gave you a particularly deep video

The video showed abuse by a few police officers. I freely admitted earlier that "there are police officers who do abuse their powers." However, I also stated that "they are a tiny minority of police officers." The video that you posted provides nothing that in any way disproves my earlier statement.

and referenced a book which speaks on America's emerging police state.

All you did was to post a picture of the cover of the book with a statement that it was "a good read." You provided no factual information in support of your position.

The proof is everywhere, it's the reality of the country we are living in right now.

If the proof is "everywhere", then it shouldn't be difficult for you to provide evidence in support of you position.

Like I said, and know that it's amusing to me, that those like yourself just twiddle your thumbs and deny it. There is police abuse every single day in this country, right down to even the minor things such as police usurping authority which they do not have, taking advantage of people's ignorance to rights they have.

Fine...then provide evidence, facts, statistics, anything to support your claim.

There's no point in me providing proof. I could give you literal hundreds of sources, but it wouldn't change anything.

In other words, you have no proof to offer.

You are diametrically opposed to any notion that the world is not how you see it; a lost cause.

Actually no. I am more tahn willing to change my mind. But I will do so only when presented with proof, not just your opinion.

 

[ThisBrotherOfHis]

(And I bought the website almost a year ago for much less than my overdue balance on my electric bill, so it's not like I could have paid the electricity had I not had a website.)

Perhaps if you had used the money toward your electric bill then, this ...

I am writing this as the electric company is outside of my condo turning the electricity off right now.

Good bye.

... would not have been happening when you posted this.

Tammy, can you give me a job then? This rhetoric doesn't hold water in my reality.

You call the Word of God rhetoric? Tell me, why would you come to a Christian forum/message board and say this for everyone to see? If you are a Christian, you revere, not denigrate the word of God. Something about this whole thread -- and yes, I've read it all -- smells. Not sure what you're up to, but it isn't to the purpose of anything positive for the kingdom of God.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

Perhaps if you had used the money toward your electric bill then, this ... ... would not have been happening when you posted this.

Websites cost about $50 a year. I owe $600 on my electric bill. And if you go to my website you can see that the purpose of the website is to serve God.

By your logic, had I never bought a soda or gave to charity, then I could afford to pay my electric bill. Sure it's true, but should I live without a single small luxury? I'm not living it up in the upper class with a yacht and several houses of my own. I only buy small luxuries like a 68 cent bottle of soda, or $4 a month for my website.

It's people like you who are just like the pharisees, looking down your nose at the poor, blaming them for their predicament instead of offering help.

You call the Word of God rhetoric? Tell me, why would you come to a Christian forum/message board and say this for everyone to see? If you are a Christian, you revere, not denigrate the word of God. Something about this whole thread -- and yes, I've read it all -- smells. Not sure what you're up to, but it isn't to the purpose of anything positive for the kingdom of God.

I didn't say the Word of God is rhetoric. You are clearly just looking for an excuse to justify your judgmentalism. What disturbs me is that you are calling your right wing ideology the Word of God.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

Also, I've contacted literally dozens of churches, and not a single one is willing to help me.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

Yay! My stepmother just mailed me a check so I can buy the equipment I need for my video business idea.

 

[woodpecker]

That's great news Jay, I will pray God will bless you if it be his will. Don't listen to the brother who has been judging you, he does not even know you...the fruits of Spirit are encouragement, not condemnation with an attitude of self righteousness, as he is portraying.

 

[Tammy]

Tammy, can you give me a job then? This rhetoric doesn't hold water in my reality. I tried working. I've had many jobs in the past. But every job just made my mind worse off. The last job I had was driving 18-wheelers. I drove trucks for five years. Eventually my mind got so bad that my doctor, my wife, my dad, and my friends all insisted that I admit myself to a psych hospital. So I quit my job, and went to the hospital. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I only stayed in psych ward for ten days, but it was something I really needed.

Then I got onto social security disability. I'm grateful that I was accepted onto SSDI, but it barely pays the bills. My only luxuries are diet coke and the internet.

I'm willing to work, but I just can't hold a normal 9-5 type of job. But since I'm so broke I have tried for a year to get a job anyway. But nobody will hire me.

Here's my work history: I fixed the electronics in the military jets that kept them from getting hit by missiles, I ran a printing press producing wrapping paper in a factory, I manufactured medical tape, produced screws at a factory, I drove 18-wheelers for four years all around the eastern U.S., I've installed sheetrock in houses and done other construction work, I’ve done farm work, and I worked in a fast food restaurant cleaning the bathrooms and the fryers. And then there was the work I did as a kid. When I was 10 and 12 years old I worked 30 hours a week hauling logs, shoveling dirt and bricks.

But nobody will hire me. I can't even get a job at Walmart. When I go to a job interview they can tell that I'm not quite normal. And so they don't hire me. Now I'm perfectly happy with who I am, but it makes it impossible to find work.

I can do video editing and special effects. I can do most of what they do in Hollywood. And so I'm considering the idea of starting a small school to teach people how to do video editing, make their own movies, design a website, and put their movie up for sale. That's something I think I can do. But I have no money to start the business, so I'm simply out of luck.

So tell me again about how the church shouldn't give handouts, and that if I'm not working then I shouldn't get help.

No Jay, I can't give you a job, but I can give you a couple pointers that will help you save money...(and be healthier).

Throw out the Diet Coke.

Not only is it expensive, financially, but it is really horrible for you...and makes your mental health issues worse.

How to Use Diet As a Treatment for Schizophrenia | LIVESTRONG.COM

Don't buy FAST FOODS. Your body needs good, healthy nutrition, and so does your mind. There can be an amazing improvement in your mental health, just by changing your diet.

Get on a strict exercise program. The mind is just another organ of your body, and exercise is as important to your mental health as it is to your physical health.

If you make a few changes like this, you will begin to improve, and I think someone would hire you, inspite of your mental health issues....there are MANY who have the same mental health problems you have, who hold full time jobs. It can be done.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

No Jay, I can't give you a job, but I can give you a couple pointers that will help you save money...(and be healthier).

Throw out the Diet Coke.

Not only is it expensive, financially, but it is really horrible for you...and makes your mental health issues worse.

How to Use Diet As a Treatment for Schizophrenia | LIVESTRONG.COM

Don't buy FAST FOODS. Your body needs good, healthy nutrition, and so does your mind. There can be an amazing improvement in your mental health, just by changing your diet.

Get on a strict exercise program. The mind is just another organ of your body, and exercise is as important to your mental health as it is to your physical health.

If you make a few changes like this, you will begin to improve, and I think someone would hire you, inspite of your mental health issues....there are MANY who have the same mental health problems you have, who hold full time jobs. It can be done.

I was doing a lot of physical exercise because of my job, eating healthy because I could afford it because I had a job, and wasn't drinking soda or anything unhealthy. I was even reading the bible everyday. Yet it was during that time that my mind got the worst.

You are simply wrong if you think the reason for my problems is an improper diet and lack of physical health.

 

[Jeremiah Land]

I think if the Church was doing what God told us to do (not individuals, the collective) then the communities would be taken care of in famine and plenty. The people get their increase from God. 10% of that increase goes to the Church. The minister and family spend enough of that resource from the people to live on, and then they store and save the rest. That way, as some have said, if you have congregation struggling for whatever reason, the Church would have had a "silo" of resources stored away for everyone else - whether it be money, wood, corn, cotton, or incense. And, since the tithe is 10% of God's increase, it isn't as if the people ever lost anything. They still retain 90% of their increase.

If we forget about what is qualified for a tithe and just say money, there should be in every church a store for times like this. In the mean time, to the best of people's abilities everyone in the community should be helping freely (doctors/nurses volunteer clinic hours, warriors/soldiers/fighters man security for the church, chefs/cooks cater, etc.)

*shrug*

I just think the church can be so much better than a blinding light in the middle of a trash heap, so to speak. The congregations are suffering; Church was the original God-given social security/"entitlement program."

I am not a political person, nor do I succumb to the terms, conservative or liberal.

As far as the church business, they are more concerned with their building and comfort than helping the sick, the poor, widows and orphans.

We should worship together in homes or if we are following a denomination or preacher, the building and amenities should be minimal, so the members giving monies will know most of their giving would go to such people in need....not for carpet, coffee and donuts, soft pews, a great surround sound for the big screen TVs and rock worship band and lighting.

Thank y'all both for these posts. I really agree with these points and felt they were thoughtful contributions to the thread.

I don't care about politics and so I'd like to avoid name-calling, but it's fair to say that as Americans and Christians we have in many, many ways grown stagnant. We go through certain motions - be it attending church, donating money, or even volunteering our time. But are we really caring for others in the way that God calls us to? I'm not excluding myself from this.

In so many ways our culture is just plain rotten. And not in a political Red-Blue way that so many people get all too caught in. At our very core, we as people have become apathetic, narcissistic, overtly materialistic, and lazy (spiritually and physically). Our sense of community is so far gone that I pray God will help us.

It's one of the big reasons I will never attend a "megachurch". I feel in my heart they embody so many of those 'bigger-is-better', greedy characteristics we have as Americans -- and I'm not saying many of these churches don't do a lot of good -- but they don't sit well with me.

I think the Knights of Columbus is an inspirational organization. I'm not a member or even a practicing Catholic anymore, and they're so big that I'm all too sure that they have their own set of issues and red-tape nowadays. But looking at their founding, Father McGivney saw that many (mostly immigrant) Catholic men were getting sick and/or passing at an early age, leaving behind families to fend for themselves. And so he set up that support system which especially at that time, was not there previously. I really respect that.

Obviously we have to take a bigger picture approach and not just focus on our own, immediate issues... so it's good for us to help out others, be it in a foreign country or what have you. But I can't help feel that as a church, there is so much more we can be doing to support our communities, especially in these hard times. Giving someone two dollars or showing them how to cook just doesn't cut it.

 

[Skybringr]

I was doing a lot of physical exercise because of my job, eating healthy because I could afford it because I had a job, and wasn't drinking soda or anything unhealthy. I was even reading the bible everyday. Yet it was during that time that my mind got the worst.

You are simply wrong if you think the reason for my problems is an improper diet and lack of physical health.

There's nothing wrong with drinking diet soda. Despite the myths, aspartame is actually a very inert substance- it passes right through you.

Sugar is exponentially worse for you. In fact, it has been proposed that sucrose in and of itself is poison- you don't even need it to survive, your body can manufacture better sugar from fat and protein then any source.

That is what diabetes, for example, is- sucrose poisoning. Our bodies cannot handle vast amounts of sugar, because it doesn't really need it. It's been proven that one can live on fat and protein, without any carbs period.

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

There's nothing wrong with drinking diet soda. Despite the myths, aspartame is actually a very inert substance- it passes right through you.

Sugar is exponentially worse for you. In fact, it has been proposed that sucrose in and of itself is poison- you don't even need it to survive, your body can manufacture better sugar from fat and protein then any source.

That is what diabetes, for example, is- sucrose poisoning. Our bodies cannot handle vast amounts of sugar, because it doesn't really need it. It's been proven that one can live on fat and protein, without any carbs period.

Thanks for that post. I agree.

Also, I was trying to convey something in a previous post that I don't think I properly stated...

Some people can work 100 hours a week, and still be mentally healthy. But some people cannot. Some people can only work 40-50 hours a week. And then there are still others, who are like myself, where even a typical 9-5 job is unsuitable for. I can still work. I have many skills to offer the world. But I simply can't do it in a typical work environment. And I think God is helping me out quite a bit with starting my own business, doing something I really like to do and which doesn't cause me negative stress. To read about my new business venture that I've just started (and haven't yet made any money on, but I'm optimistic), please visit my revised site: www.JLakoda.com

God is awesome.

 

[alien444]

No Jay, I can't give you a job, but I can give you a couple pointers that will help you save money...(and be healthier).

Throw out the Diet Coke.

Not only is it expensive, financially, but it is really horrible for you...and makes your mental health issues worse.

How to Use Diet As a Treatment for Schizophrenia | LIVESTRONG.COM

Don't buy FAST FOODS. Your body needs good, healthy nutrition, and so does your mind. There can be an amazing improvement in your mental health, just by changing your diet.

Get on a strict exercise program. The mind is just another organ of your body, and exercise is as important to your mental health as it is to your physical health.

If you make a few changes like this, you will begin to improve, and I think someone would hire you, inspite of your mental health issues....there are MANY who have the same mental health problems you have, who hold full time jobs. It can be done.

WOW. You just cured schizophrenia with self-righteousness. The New England Journal of Medicine will be impressed.

 

[alien444]

Thanks for that post. I agree.

Also, I was trying to convey something in a previous post that I don't think I properly stated...

Some people can work 100 hours a week, and still be mentally healthy. But some people cannot. Some people can only work 40-50 hours a week. And then there are still others, who are like myself, where even a typical 9-5 job is unsuitable for. I can still work. I have many skills to offer the world. But I simply can't do it in a typical work environment. And I think God is helping me out quite a bit with starting my own business, doing something I really like to do and which doesn't cause me negative stress. To read about my new business venture that I've just started (and haven't yet made any money on, but I'm optimistic), please visit my revised site: www.JLakoda.com

God is awesome.

Good Luck

 

[Jay NotApplicable]

WOW. You just cured schizophrenia with self-righteousness. The New England Journal of Medicine will be impressed.

^I love it. Great post.

Also, awesome news:

My stepmother just had her taxes done and she gave me $600 to buy the hardware I need to start my business!!

I have two of the greatest, most generous mothers in the world; my biological mother, and my dad's second wife who is my step mother. They are both pretty poor themselves, but they are so incredibly generous with their money. I feel so blessed!

 

[alien444]

^I love it. Great post.

Also, awesome news:

My stepmother just had her taxes done and she gave me $600 to buy the hardware I need to start my business!!

I have two of the greatest, most generous mothers in the world; my biological mother, and my dad's second wife who is my step mother. They are both pretty poor themselves, but they are so incredibly generous with their money. I feel so blessed!

Congrats. Good Luck

 

[Skybringr]

^I love it. Great post.

Also, awesome news:

My stepmother just had her taxes done and she gave me $600 to buy the hardware I need to start my business!!

I have two of the greatest, most generous mothers in the world; my biological mother, and my dad's second wife who is my step mother. They are both pretty poor themselves, but they are so incredibly generous with their money. I feel so blessed!

I wonder how they feel about each other..

Don't take that the wrong way, my very not Catholic mother has been married and divorced six times. I know how that is.

In Roman Catholicism, you see, divorce doesn't really exist. In light of God and the rite of marriage, she's still married to my father, the first marriage.