But are they bringing better restaurants?

At present, Islam is often far more assertive than modern Christianity about maintaining visible religious practices and seeking accommodations for them in public life.
BillJ

By your own words, you were indoctrinated by your parents, your wife has reinforced that faith, and you've been exposed to other faiths and nothing has made you question what you were indoctrinated to believe.

What's more, you don't like Catholicism and are scared ------- of Islam, so you set up defenses to make sure neither intrudes on your way of life.

Sounds to me like your problem is really with Christians who aren't enough like Mommy and Daddy and Mrs. Mommy. Present-day Christians just aren't fighting hard enough. Need to be more . . . manly, muscular. Like Jesus was(n't). Uh-member him?

At present, Mistah Bill, US religious wackos -- particularly those influenced by the Southern Baptist Convention, fundamentalism, and Pentecostalism -- are often far more assertive than everyone else in America about maintaining visible religious practices and seeking accommodations for them in public life, and have gotten elected to enough lofty positions in the US to make a difference for the rest of the country and out of step with the rest of the world.

This has already happened.

How will atheist parents react if their children start coming home from school praising Islamic beliefs or bringing Islamic religious practices into their homes?

These days, in certain parts of the country, like the South, probably relieved they didn't bring home the teacher's version of Christianity.

Bill, what do you know about Islam? Did your wife take a class? Or is it the news you've seen in your life?

I am aware this will be difficult for some atheists and far-left individuals as soon as they hear any sort of defense of Christians. I will repost something I wrote earlier on this subject.
#1 | Posted by BillJohnson

Bill: My beliefs would qualify me as an atheist to you. Certainly far left. I'll defend Christianity and most other religions all day long. Just don't buy into them.

I'll especially defend religion's mystical branches; I won't abide religion's top-down cults, nor scriptural interpretations that allow only one view -- or that look down on others for not adhering to the same interpretation.

From your own posting, it seems to me that you're of the stripe that says, "I've said the sinner's prayer. I'm going to heaven. Makes me a good Christian."

Good luck with that.

"Makes me a good Christian."
No...it just makes me a Christian.
#18 | Posted by BillJohnson

You're right. I shouldn't have added the modifier. Apologies.

People sometimes self-identify as something that seems the complete opposite of who they are.

It's been said for years that far more US politicians are atheists than would ever admit it. Which as far as I know has always been zero.

Same way all of the pastors I've known would never let their real feelings be known from the pulpit. They like their jobs too much.

And please save me your pity if I've known the wrong kind of pastors. Honest theologians have 100 questions for every good answer, too.

How did you come to meet and know so many Pastors and their personal feelings?
#21 | Posted by BillJohnson

I've lived different places and attended different churches, and since I'm a member of none of their congregations and since I seem to know a lot about Christian theology because of being immersed in it because of my work for 25 years, and since they seem to find that all fascinating because I'm Jewish, and because in person I can be likeable, they tend to open up to me. I also find pastors really interesting to listen to, so if I meet one in a gathering, I'll chat them up and listen to them.

My wife, who when we were raising children was the primary religious influence in the family, had us leave one church because in the context of my going to the pastor for some counseling, the relationship flipped. I'd go to the church for his weekly meetings with me. When my wife needed some pastoral counseling, he wasn't really Johnny on the Spot. She was resentful, and I didn't blame her at all.

That pastor has retired now to be the on-premises chaplain for a wealthy gated beach enclave. Take that for what it's worth.

By the way, the same goes for the very few rabbis I've met in my adult life. [I'm not counting messianic; whole different version of dissembling.]

I'd hope most (non-Orthodox) rabbis are now horrified at what's happening to the Palestinians in the name of Israel. But no way could they tell that to the people in shul. Half the congregation would walk.

Bill: Don't forget to set out those Sabbath candles for tonight, like the Marys and Jesus would have done. Check the sundown time. Or are those practices offensive to you, like a Muslim call to prayer?

Do you feel put upon at Hanukkah if some of your neighbors place a menorah in the window facing the street? Are they proselytizing?

More to Bill's question to me:

For years we were members of a smallish mainstream Protestant congregation next door to a prominent seminary, and keep in touch with some of those people. We came to know pastors and pastors-to-be there, as well as theologians. And I have worked on numerous pastors' published books -- self- and otherwise.

One time we returned to our old area to find that a married couple -- co-associate pastors at our old church -- had just had a love child five-plus years older than their two acknowledged sons come back into their lives. Completely unexpected to them. She'd had the child, whom they gave up for adoption.

Then again, this nice young couple were all about sex, drugs, and rock and roll (and God) before entering seminary. He went into church-building back when that was a good industry in the 2000s. For-profit ministry. Church consulting.

My DR seniority doesn't show it, but I've been around awhile. One of my earlier memories is of Danforth, when someone called him a liar for saying he was part of three different entertainment unions for 20 years, or something close to that. He explained calmly that his work or his other pursuits gave him the opportunity to join each, and he never gave up the membership. I think the questioner presumed all the terms were served consecutively. Or that some things just seem impossible or too distant to their experience.

What's to stop other people from using those rooms for other purposes?
If the authorities remove or arrest that person, it could create an interesting court case.
#42 | Posted by BillJohnson

You mean airport bathrooms? Larry Craig?

FAFO.

Maybe someone should use one for an ordinary snack break and challenge any rule reserving it exclusively for religious use.
If the authorities remove or arrest that person, it could create an interesting court case.
#42 | Posted by BillJohnson

The missus take a class in Aussie law?

69!

67, you're a fool. If writing made intelligence, you'd be smarter than you are.

The reservations are like inner-city projects mostly because they were created by the same people and serve the same purpose.

"Left to their own devices, the natives here would still be knapping stone tools and eating corn mush."

Yeah, boy, England and Scotland are culinary wonderlands.

Natives . . . Just STFU raetard.

#56 | Posted by lfthndthrds Thinks the Incans and Mayans were knuckleheads.

Europe didn't have squat on Central Asia around AD 1000-1200.

Like arabic numbers and a thousand other improvements on your life? Thank a Muslim.

Clown.

French... So, yeah boy. And they owned a third of this continent at one time.
POSTED BY LFTHNDTHRDS

They owned a third of this continent? Property is a hell of a drug. You must be so proud.

Well, the French treated the Americas somewhat better than the Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Scottish, maybe.

I'll take Montreal and New Orleans over much of what lies between them, that's for sure.

Now do Rome

#81 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Rome? You mean like stretching back 2000 years? That Rome? Then the Vatican ever since? That Rome?

You're getting toward better food at least.

When it affects your daily life or the life's of people you care about, you'll understand what I'm saying.
#91 | Posted by BillJohnson

Has it done so for you? Muslims cramping your style? Specifically, please. Then we can put away our BillJ decoder rings and understand what you're saying.

I'm thinking less and less of you the more you post.
I think you're a bunch of hot air.
#94 | Posted by BillJohnson

No worries here. I don't post here for affirmation or attention. I'm about the only person here who asks you questions to let you try to explain yourself. You're afraid everyone is hating on the Christians. I'm defending them, even though I don't buy into their shtick, especially yours. If you can't back up your statements, and you usually can't, that's on you.

How are Muslims affecting your daily life? You brought it up. I'll tell you how they are mine: Not at all. And they're quite visible where I live. Indigenous immigrants too. Wonderfully friendly place. Everyone gets along fine.

Like everywhere else, the most dangerous people in your life are the ones you know.

It seems like wherever you go, there you are. I don't fear Muslims. I don't expect them to affect my life.

If you, however, fear them in the future, you're already there. Enjoy your day.

108. And all dogs were wolves only 40K to 20K years ago.

Shows what shorter generations can achieve.

Nope...Nothing is above the Constitution.

#169 | Posted by BillJohnson at

The people in North Korea have no God-given rights, BillJ? Factor of their birth, like your Christianity?