I think the answer to *what constitutes a Christian* is a personal thing. The only reason I use the term *Christian* is because the term is shorthand for a cultural understanding of the PREDOMINANT religion practiced in the US. I believe in an entity that is greater than I am, who reveals to me the gifts I receive when I care for someone less fortunate (which I am leaving undefined on purpose).

I hope this doesn't turn into a debate, because no one's mind is going to change. My historical study makes putting White Jesus in Jerusalem, Nazareth, or anywhere else, in a historical context. My cousin and I have read a mountain of books, podcasts, webinars... She needs to believe in Jesus Christ, and actively chooses to believe. She wants me to believe in Christ, too. I indulge my cousin because I love her. I think that my ability to be gentle and supportive of her comes from the omniscient higher entity, and I think that her desire for me to take the leap of faith is an ego need. We are the same age, so the religion thing is something we both shared with our grandparents. I don't think I am more or less anything than she is. We are on a level playing field.

Having had missionary parents, I learned about both faith based social improvement and secular humanism. Neither MUST be valued than the other. Both do good, and bad, works.

I grew up wondering why God demands so much suffering on the globe. I am not smart enough to know the Divine plan, but I believe that we all need sun and rain to learn humility and compassion. When we can look at our fellow travelers as beings worthy of our charity, we see our humanity. It matters. Kindness matters.

I find it difficult to see how the world has improved over the last four years. I think the Republican president has been a TOTAL shitshow of incompetence, arrogance, and unrelenting cruelty. You may be able to tell me what you think, but you can't change my mind.

After my little blind cat died, I rescued and adopted a little Chihuahua who had been severely neglected and abused. I had never had a dog before, but I was willing to try. The only thing that was important to me about him is that he has the best dog life he can have. He doesn't have to do tricks. He doesn't have to be bullied. He has grown from a shy, fearful, retreating little guy to proud of and happy with himself. That's God's work. I am bettered through service.

I think the answer to *what constitutes a Christian* is a personal thing. The only reason I use the term *Christian* is because the term is shorthand for a cultural understanding of the PREDOMINANT religion practiced in the US. I believe in an entity that is greater than I am, who reveals to me the gifts I receive when I care for someone less fortunate (which I am leaving undefined on purpose).

I hope this doesn't turn into a debate, because no one's mind is going to change. My historical study makes putting White Jesus in Jerusalem, Nazareth, or anywhere else, in a historical context. My cousin and I have read a mountain of books, podcasts, webinars... She needs to believe in Jesus Christ, and actively chooses to believe. She wants me to believe in Christ, too. I indulge my cousin because I love her. I think that my ability to be gentle and supportive of her comes from the omniscient higher entity, and I think that her desire for me to take the leap of faith is an ego need. We are the same age, so the religion thing is something we both shared with our grandparents. I don't think I am more or less anything than she is. We are on a level playing field.

Having had missionary parents, I learned about both faith based social improvement and secular humanism. Neither MUST be valued than the other. Both do good, and bad, works.

I grew up wondering why God demands so much suffering on the globe. I am not smart enough to know the Divine plan, but I believe that we all need sun and rain to learn humility and compassion. When we can look at our fellow travelers as beings worthy of our charity, we see our humanity. It matters. Kindness matters.

I find it difficult to see how the world has improved over the last four years. I think the Republican president has been a TOTAL shitshow of incompetence, arrogance, and unrelenting cruelty. You may be able to tell me what you think, but you can't change my mind.

After my little blind cat died, I rescued and adopted a little Chihuahua who had been severely neglected and abused. I had never had a dog before, but I was willing to try. The only thing that was important to me about him is that he has the best dog life he can have. He doesn't have to do tricks. He doesn't have to be bullied. He has grown from a shy, fearful, retreating little guy to proud of and happy with himself. That's God's work. I am bettered through service.

In his words from the thread: For many on the right, this is an inconvenient truth; Reality! Oct.12, 2017

“Every alternate identity was to escape the hounds on the right that mercilessly attacked without any concern for truth, with no regard for reason , and no point but hate”

And this is the other explanation given by Rumi:

mark
Dec 4, 2017 20:48:03 #
rumitoid (a regular here) Joined: Jun 5, 2013 Posts: 26209

I wonder if a person that does not have a pattern of abuse or insult who gets angry over an especially insensitive or obscene suggestion by another poster and in a fit of understandable rage lashes out, should he or she be deleted? There will be times when this kind of response is needed and acceptable. Is it just a word algorithm or is sensible judgment involved?

Having multiple personality disorder, I am fine with being reduced to a lonely one, as Admin has already taken the time and energy to deactivate all others,


I deleted the rest of this post that he lied about Pennylynn having multiple identities! She is gone and I will not post trash told by Rumi about her!

My other comments are not allowed!👿

In his words from the thread: For many on the right, this is an inconvenient truth; Reality! Oct.12, 2017

“Every alternate identity was to escape the hounds on the right that mercilessly attacked without any concern for truth, with no regard for reason , and no point but hate”

And this is the other explanation given by Rumi:

mark
Dec 4, 2017 20:48:03 #
rumitoid (a regular here) Joined: Jun 5, 2013 Posts: 26209

I wonder if a person that does not have a pattern of abuse or insult who gets angry over an especially insensitive or obscene suggestion by another poster and in a fit of understandable rage lashes out, should he or she be deleted? There will be times when this kind of response is needed and acceptable. Is it just a word algorithm or is sensible judgment involved?

Having multiple personality disorder, I am fine with being reduced to a lonely one, as Admin has already taken the time and energy to deactivate all others,


I deleted the rest of this post that he lied about Pennylynn having multiple identities! She is gone and I will not post trash told by Rumi about her!

My other comments are not allowed!👿

Republican Jesus is really judgmental about what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes.

As a daughter of missionaries, I have it on good authority that homosexuality is not an issue of concern in the KJV Bible. And trying to examine your every thought through the scope of all of the confusing and contradictory things in the KJV Bible can make your brain very mushy.

Christianity is so simple: Take care of yourself, be good, and help others. Nowhere does the KJV Bible say, "oh, thank goodness we have all of these zealots who make Saint Peter's job so much easier."

Well, the god I believe in isn't short on cash. I absolutely KNOW that *God* (whatever s/he might be) gave me the gift of a blind cat, through whom I became far more compassionate then I ever was. She made me a kinder, more thoughtful person. She required me to (not) see from her eyes, which then drove me to do things for her that I had not considered before I knew she had lost her vision.

At the end of her life, she lost her capacity to get around, she would step off tables and fall on the floor. She didn't know where she was, she didn't understand what was happening around her. God sent me another gift.

I held her in my arms and sang to her while the vet administered the... well... she died in my arms. I still cry about her.