What you want to know about Christ.

LinearAq: "The moment we decide that all opinions are of equal value, we cheapen humanity."Another view point: The moment we decide that people with differing opinions are not equal, we cheapen humanity."I know I am a bigot concerning:
1. People who believe they are allowed to steal, kill and rape with impunity.
2. People who wish to remove the rights of someone because of their race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
3. People who lie in the name of their God in order to financially profit from it."The only thing that makes you into a bigot here is in not tolerating other people. Becoming intolerant to stop intolerance doesn't work. All the above behaviour is tolerated in certain circles and justifed the world over. It's happening everywhere."For some strange reason, American society has started to believe that "my freedom of speach" means "my freedom from the consequences of or dissenting opinion about my stupid lame-ass harmful ideas that I just spouted out".What consequences would there be from someone's dissenting opinion about stupid lame-arse harmful ideas?I don't know this Phelps guy but if he is putting out garbage, why are people listening to him? I would say voicing your opinion is exactly placing you at their level. Just because you believe your opinion is justifed doesn't change it into truth. It is still an opinion from your point of view.
Good people doing bad things does nothing to stop the Hitlers of this world. The people whose behaviour you question also believe they are good people. Who's the judge? Concensus of opinion? Lord help us!

Hi LinearAq, sorry for the delay in responding.
I have previously avoided discussing issues because mainly they are 'principles' and in principle I actually agree with you. I am totally against intolerance, racism, gay bashing, violence, exploitation, manipulation, oppression, greed, apathy and the list goes on but very, very few humans see themselves this way.I'm full of principles and, through personal experience, I have good reason to be. However, I understand evreyone else has good reason also. Each of us has good reason for our principles through each individual personal life experience. This is where we are all equal. Could it be a case of, 'there but for the grace of god go I'?We cannot change people. It is arrogant to try to do so. You can only change yourself. I am simply advocating that in order for us to influence a united, harmonious human race, then we have to understand each other, as opposed to vehemently standing by principles.In the case of the 'bigots', aren't these people mothers, fathers, doctors, lawyers, candle stick makers and all quoting from the bible as you are? Their principles also get in the way of humanity, as does the majority, whatever those principles may be. It is not each other we should be challenging but ourselves.An example from personal experience is that at the moment, I am struggling with the biggest principle of my life. I am challenging my principle that I will not tolerate others' false opinions of me. I've fought all my life for this principle. No-one knows me as I know me and I am not who others think I am. I have had to walk away from everyone I have ever loved and stand alone. How's that for a powerful principle?Principles are fine but you have to be prepared to live by them too. It isn't always easy. We could try using the issues to see who we are instead of cultivating them for weapons disguised as principles. We are all guilty of mis-understanding and intolerance of others' behaviour, but the change begins with seeing this in ourselves.The whole truth will out-shadow any principle.

Why are you really intolerant of christians? You were one once and yet have no understanding of how their life experiences brought them to their views. You do seem angry and I wonder if you were burnt?My daughter was burnt by religion. Maybe you can relate. She was in her 20's and feeling vulnerable and lost. For a couple of years she studied to become a J.W and really wanted to fit in. In the process, she did become a bit self-righteous but believed it was following the bible and god's word.However, she found a boyfriend and had sex. Big NO NO. Fornification. Bloody hell! They sent her to coventry and banned her little perks to show her how sinners are not tolerated. It broke her heart. She knew she wasn't a bad person. She only wanted to be loved.It was a difficult period in her life but she learned NOT to judge others by their behaviour, as she was. She understands herself much better thanks to that experience. She understands it works for them and is happy for them. She tried the hat on but it didn't fit. She chose to move on. This is life. Choice.Eventually the only choice we will have to make is to 'NOT BE that which we do not wish humanity to be'.