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Court
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 09:28 am: | 
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>>>>you're out IN the vastness
You got that right.....
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Whatever
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 11:25 am: |
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Court,
Explain photo please... who is in the 'giant prune' suit and who is with the Thunderbolt... |
Joey
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 12:00 pm: |
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Quote:Damn, Texas sure is big!!!
Sure, but if you cut Alaska in half, there will be 2 states bigger than Texas. Texas's highest point is a foothill to the foothills of Mt. McKinley. Populationwise, there are 35 times as many people in a square mile of Texas as there are in Alaska, give or take.
Those Christians: Have you ever actually sat down and read the Bible? Talk about violence and killing and genocide! God warned the Jews, telling them if they did not kill all the Palestinians, they would forever be a thorn in their sides. |
Tbolt834
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 12:28 pm: |
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Which is precisely why Israel has to put up with a terorist organization masquerading as a part of the human race. If they would have followed orders, possibly the holocaust would have never happened!
Now, if only Dubya takes care of Iraq (Saddam) the way his dad should have done a few years ago.
Dave |
Bomber
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 01:07 pm: |
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an interesting case of topic creep . . . . . . .this started as a good wish for all about the time of the winter solstice . . . . hmmmmmmm . . . .. guess different people have different idea . . .think I'll wander back to the tech portion of the board |
Arbalest
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 02:21 pm: |
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Blake, as I said, I do not deny the idea of a Creator. I just don't believe he gives a shit about the creatures that inhabit his/her universe. I have many little critters that share my property with me, birds, chipmunks, woodchucks, etc. While I like most of the critters, I don't get overly worked up when a hawk stops by for lunch. (I do get pissed when the neighbor's cat stops by, though.) Jesus led an exemplary life, one that should be emulated by others. I do not believe he was the son of the Creator, here to lead humankind to everlasting Salvation. |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 03:36 am: |
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Charlotte,
Sounds like you and I are of similar spirituality. We ought to come up with a new religion, "Christian Naturalist"? LOL!
Arbalest,
What creator would not care about his creation, especially the most unique components of that creation, those possibly cast in most likeness to the creator herself?
Please give the C.S. Lewis book a read. It isn't a long book. I'd be real interested in your opinion. Your not afraid to consider the possibility that Christianity might be right are you?
Bomber,
It's all good brother.  |
Arbalest
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 08:21 am: |
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Blake, I will give the C.S. Lewis book a read. If you accept that the universe is infinite, and that we exist as a self aware life form, then it follows, according to probability, that we are NOT unique. If life exists here, it exists on an infinite number of worlds. If I have many gardens growing flowers, even if I have a favorite garden, if a woodchuck digs up the flowers, it is merely an inconvenience. Eventually I may remove the woodchuck, but I am not overly concerned with fate of the flowers that were destroyed. I will plant more. Unfortunately, this world has too many woodchucks digging up the plants, and I don't see any evidence of the gardener working to remove them. |
Whatever
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 09:18 am: |
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Blake,
I never said I was a 'Christian'. I just said I have an open mind... and if you really want to know I think what people do in the name of Christianity for the most part sucks. I always tell the Jehova's that come to my home to 'save' me that I am a Born Again Pagan... which is slightly better I think than a friend of mine who tells them he is a Convicted Felon...Once I start grunting they usually go away.
The most practical path I have found yet to date is Buddhism, actually. But that has its problems too when you look at the structure of it. The Tibetan Buddhists struggle with the human power issue as much as anyone else, and when you throw in the Communist influence it does not become any more 'pure' a practice... I read a book 'In Search of the Panchen Lama' that explains the Chinese domination of Tibet and the bizarre mixture of 'religion' and 'politics'.
I could be most likened to a shamanistic naturalist buddhist, or maybe a non-theistic spiritualist pagan, or maybe an open minded Anything But Christian! 
See, it is very complex. By very nature of the issue, words cannot do it justice...If you show me a source of the christian philosophy that is not dogmatic, condescending and patriarchical, I would consider reading it. I can show you many that are shaming and patriarchical and linear and just plain don't work for me... sheesh, Bomber, your good cheer is not related to this debate.
This debate is as old as the existence of man himself.
Ara,
If a woodchuck could ride a bike, what kind of bike would a wooodchuck ride if a woodchuck could ride a bike... or a chipmunk or whatever you prefer... Hawks do have special meaning for me... but that is a very very very long and convoluted story.
Court,
Still don't know who the photo above is of.... |
Mikej
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 09:29 am: |
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Charlotte the naturalistic buddistic spiritualistic nonconformist motorcyclist,
In the pic above, that be Court hisownself standing at the lap of America bike, an S2 I believe. Not sure who is in the (as you put it) prune suit.
Now can you come down here and talk to my Tuesday and Wednesday night instructor and translate for me? I have absolutely no clue what she's talking about and am almost ready to bail out of her classes. Her doctoral research and area of interest is religion and politics, and it makes it very difficult to comprehend her conversation.
MikeJ (Confused, and sometimes bemused) |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 10:11 am: |
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>>>who is in the (as you put it) prune suit.
Hint: He does high-zoot photos and his wife, a fairly fabled motorcyclist was nearby. I'd gone to have dinner with them and to meet a movie guy (former carpenter who works under the assumed name Jack Ryan)on a BMW in Jackson Hole, WY. Those are the Tetons in the background and to get there are the right time to get the right shot required leaving a toasty warm bed in the very wee and very cold hours of the morning.
Next time you see me, ask me why I changed hotels in Jackson Hole.
NOTE: The town is REALLY "Jackson". The term "Jackson Hole" derived from a geogpraphical reference to the topography that, over time, wormed it's way into the name of the city. Kinda like how CASPAR, WY ended up as Casper. I get around on Buells alot |
Davegess
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 12:20 pm: |
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Court call me at work |
Nevco1
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 02:34 pm: |
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Any credence to the concept that the universe is just a mobile hanging in some kids bedroom??? |
Bomber
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 02:42 pm: |
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benn reading sam clements again, bill? |
Nevco1
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 02:49 pm: |
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You should get to know him. There is seldom a moment without laughter. Even when he is dead serious. |
Nevco1
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 02:50 pm: |
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Oops...Wrong author. Was thinking of Clement Salvadore. LMAO Same Wit!!! |
Bomber
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 02:51 pm: |
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oops . . . .. .pick up "mysterious stranger" by twain . . .written toward the end of his life when he was getting even darker . . . . . |
Joey
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 04:35 pm: |
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Oops, myself! There are more like 75 times the people per square mile of Texas as of Alaska. Sorry for the goof. |
Road_Thing
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 04:42 pm: |
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excerpt from "Letters From the Earth"
(Satan's letter to St. Michael and St. Gabriel)
"This is a strange place, and extraordinary place, and interesting. There is nothing resembling it at home. The people are all insane, the other animals are all insane, the earth is insane, Nature itself is insane. Man is a marvelous curiosity. When he is at his very very best he is a sort of low grade nickel-plated angel; at is worst he is unspeakable, unimaginable; and first and last and all the time he is a sarcasm. Yet he blandly and in all sincerity calls himself the "noblest work of God." This is the truth I am telling you. And this is not a new idea with him, he has talked it through all the ages, and believed it. Believed it, and found nobody among all his race to laugh at it.
Moreover -- if I may put another strain upon you -- he thinks he is the Creator's pet. He believes the Creator is proud of him; he even believes the Creator loves him; has a passion for him; sits up nights to admire him; yes, and watch over him and keep him out of trouble. He prays to Him, and thinks He listens. Isn't it a quaint idea? Fills his prayers with crude and bald and florid flatteries of Him, and thinks He sits and purrs over these extravagancies and enjoys them. He prays for help, and favor, and protection, every day; and does it with hopefulness and confidence, too, although no prayer of his has ever been answered. The daily affront, the daily defeat, do not discourage him, he goes on praying just the same. There is something almost fine about this perseverance. I must put one more strain upon you: he thinks he is going to heaven!
He has salaried teachers who tell him that. They also tell him there is a hell, of everlasting fire, and that he will go to it if he doesn't keep the Commandments. What are Commandments? They are a curiosity. I will tell you about them by and by. " |
Nevco1
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 04:45 pm: |
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Gee, wonder what the adjusted birth rate is between TX and AK? Would be a comparo between long cold nights and wild country women. LOL |
Nevco1
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 04:48 pm: |
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RT...Excellent quote. I especially like the part about the Low Grade Nickel Plated Angel...Reminds me of a Wannabe Jap Cruiser.
God Bless... |
Bomber
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 06:06 pm: |
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Thing
well done, sir . . . . .. great what this board reveals about us, ain't it? |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 08:10 pm: |
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There are times I enjoy reading more than writing. I like my friends not only for who they are but where they take my mind.
Court |
Road_Thing
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 09:56 pm: |
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Shoot, gents, I didn't WRITE it, I just cut'n'pasted it!
r-t
"Moreover--if I may put another strain on you--my FLHR has 60,000 trouble-free miles on it..." |
Aesquire
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 10:59 pm: |
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For those who kneel beside us,
At altars not Thine own,
Who lack the lights that guide us,
Lord, let their faith atone.
If wrong we did to call them,
By honour bound they came;
Let not Thy Wrath befall them,
But deal to us the blame!
R Kipling |
Aesquire
| | Posted on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:22 pm: |
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I claim to be "reform druid, we worship bushes" this keeps most of the prostelytizers away.
I suspect Charlotte & I could agree on a few things. I have several Wiccan friends, and a few Buddists, even a few Christians. The Rest I didn't ask. Frank discussions of Faith are fine, and I prefer them over mood altering substances with a nice view. Coca-cola & a cigarette at a scenic outlook with a Buell in the foreground, and a mountain in the background would be fine.
Wings at Hooters might be ok too.  |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 03:47 am: |
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Aesquire,
I have no problem accepting that there *might* be other intelligent life. Doesn't change my faith one bit. I do have my doubts though.
Char,
Read the book! |
Phillyblast
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 04:37 am: |
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R_T
thanks for killing my fantasy that we're just a bunch of rough 'n' tumble biker dudes(ettes)
this is one of my personal faves:
(Char the bird of prey ref. is for you )
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
a cookie, cause I'm out of soup cans, for the first person that names title and author . . .
and let's not even get into my convoluted and conflicted views on religion, and my attempts to reconcile the reality of the physical church with the beauty of a pure faith . . .
man it sucks to be raised Irish Catholic sometimes. Do I really have to root for Notre Dame, I went to Rutgers, ferchrissakes. |
Road_Thing
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:40 am: |
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Yeats--"Second Coming"
r-t |
Phillyblast
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 12:40 pm: |
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