Bill Maher making fun of republicans

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Why are you implying that atheism/agnosticism is a phase that people grow out of? Like it's puberty or something...for someone who talks about being respectful of others beliefs, you don't sound very respectful yourself.

Just as there are those who were emos as kids and were atheists out of rebellion, there are also those who were normal religious kids, and then as they grew older, became more educated and thought more, they just couldn't buy into the religion they had crammed into them as a child. Since you like Maher so much, I'll give you his take:

I never in my life went to chruch with my parents. But I beleived in God. My best friend went to a Catholic school so when I slept over on Saturday nights I would go to church with him on Sunday mornings and drop my dime into the collection pan.

When I got to be 22 or so religion started not making sense to me. I became an agnostic. A few years after that I thought that was stupid and became athiest. I guess I was an athiest until I was about 30 or so and started to think about everything again (and had a few life changing things happen to me - not kids) and realized that I did think religion was a good thing and God as well. I was self centered when I was an athiest. It was all about me. That is part of what I grew out of.

So good for him. He drilled religion out of his head That makes him a much better person.

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I never in my life went to chruch with my parents. But I beleived in God. My best friend went to a Catholic school so when I slept over on Saturday nights I would go to church with him on Sunday mornings and drop my dime into the collection pan.

When I got to be 22 or so religion started not making sense to me. I became an agnostic. A few years after that I thought that was stupid and became athiest. I guess I was an athiest until I was about 30 or so and started to think about everything again (and had a few life changing things happen to me - not kids) and realized that I did think religion was a good thing and God as well. I was self centered when I was an athiest. It was all about me. That is part of what I grew out of.

So good for him. He drilled religion out of his head That makes him a much better person.

If you feel that you need God in your life, by all means have at it.

But, the eternal question, Do you HAVE to have God to be a good person? Some argue that you do. Do you have to believe in a church to get to Heaven? It depends on the religion.

Part of the Reformation was that each and every person is responsible for their own salvation. Each of us can read the same verse in the Bible, and it will mean completely different things to all of us. For someone like myself...I am not going to define my spirituality by the couple of verses that a church says are the important one's and then not recognize the rest. I'll take the Bible as alligory. I'll take it as a way of relating a moral code. But, I'll also take it with a grain of salt.

Believe me, I wish that this craziness that I've associated with some facets of religiousity, I wish I didn't have that.

True story....

My mom called me one day. She told me in an excited and rushed voice "Have you seen any gas cans?" I didn't know what on earth she was talking about. She told me, "I was in the garden (at her home) and I had a vision from God. He told me that if I see three gas cans on a corner, that I have to get you, your sister, and the kids and we need to leave." I asked her where we were supposed to go, she told me "Far away, away from the coast, because something bad is going to happen." I told her, "How do I explain this to Bobby?" (That's my Husband) She told me "God didn't say for us to take him. " I told her that I wouldn't leave without my Husband. And I hung up on her.

My Mom honestly believes that God told her this. She believes God tells her lot's of things.

To me, She's nuts. To her, she's got a blind faith no one can shake. And she belongs to a whole church of people like her, and her church has sister churchs, and their churches are making more church's, and so on and on it goes.

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

If you feel that you need God in your life, by all means have at it.

But, the eternal question, Do you HAVE to have God to be a good person? Some argue that you do. Do you have to believe in a church to get to Heaven? It depends on the religion.

Part of the Reformation was that each and every person is responsible for their own salvation. Each of us can read the same verse in the Bible, and it will mean completely different things to all of us. For someone like myself...I am not going to define my spirituality by the couple of verses that a church says are the important one's and then not recognize the rest. I'll take the Bible as alligory. I'll take it as a way of relating a moral code. But, I'll also take it with a grain of salt.

Believe me, I wish that this craziness that I've associated with some facets of religiousity, I wish I didn't have that.

True story....

My mom called me one day. She told me in an excited and rushed voice "Have you seen any gas cans?" I didn't know what on earth she was talking about. She told me, "I was in the garden (at her home) and I had a vision from God. He told me that if I see three gas cans on a corner, that I have to get you, your sister, and the kids and we need to leave." I asked her where we were supposed to go, she told me "Far away, away from the coast, because something bad is going to happen." I told her, "How do I explain this to Bobby?" (That's my Husband) She told me "God didn't say for us to take him. " I told her that I wouldn't leave without my Husband. And I hung up on her.

My Mom honestly believes that God told her this. She believes God tells her lot's of things.

To me, She's nuts. To her, she's got a blind faith no one can shake. And she belongs to a whole church of people like her, and her church has sister churchs, and their churches are making more church's, and so on and on it goes.

Oh, she might be a little nuts

[SpicyMcVoodoo]

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Oh, she might be a little nuts

why is it considered a psychological condition to think invisible people are talking to you, but if it's the creator of the universe talking to you, it's taboo to say anything?

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Oh, she might be a little nuts

Yeah...well, that's the thing, we think she's nuts.

But in her mind, and in the mind of her church, she's got "A Relationship with God the Almighty".

I've been to her church, and it scared me because there are ALOT of church's like that now. It's not about having bake sales and helping homeless people for alot of them. They feel they have a mission from God to spread the gospel, because we are in the end times, and that they have a "CRUSADE" and calling to do something. And I tell ya....it's nuts.

I wish it was as simple as who has long hair at church (for men) and other issues. But these people, they are growing in numbers, and in power in our society, and it's a scary thing if you aren't on board with it.

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

why is it considered a psychological condition to think invisible people are talking to you, but if it's the creator of the universe talking to you, it's taboo to say anything?

Well, my Mom sought psychiatric help. But, when they questioned the "voice of God" she was hearing, she refused help from him. She went to some where else. Believe me, she's got major major issues....You should hear the latest one...

My Mom moved to a small town in AZ about 6 months ago. She moved by herself, she's unmarried, and only has a dog. She started going to a church (it was the first thing she did when she moved, she found a church before unpacking.) and then within a month, she decided that she wanted to "Minister to the Youth." she told me that she missed her grandkids, so she wanted to be around kids more. She started with the teenage boys in her area. They come to her house, they have log ins on her computer, they have a key to her house, and they basically hang out with this "really cool Christian Lady". She feeds them, and then she preaches to them. She's now spreading this outward, and is going to start going to the High School in town with pizzas so she can talk to the kids about God.

The problem is, is that she can't get along with women or people her own age because she's a nut. So, instead, she's using these young kids, who won't question her authority to fill a void because she has no family where she lives. The kids come over as much as they like, even when she's not there, it's like...MOM what ARE YOU DOING?????? She's asking for trouble, but she refuses to listen to me.

Her church felt it was weird that she had taken such a keen interest in the teenagers...especially the boys. My Mother insists that she just gets along better with boys than girls (which could be true because my sister and I can't understand that woman.). The church is close to kicking her out.

But she doesn't care what people think. Because she told me that God sent her to AZ to save the Youth of that town. She believes she has a calling from God to save them. (And it has NOTHING to do with being lonely.)

[smokie700]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Well, my Mom sought psychiatric help. But, when they questioned the "voice of God" she was hearing, she refused help from him. She went to some where else. Believe me, she's got major major issues....You should hear the latest one...

My Mom moved to a small town in AZ about 6 months ago. She moved by herself, she's unmarried, and only has a dog. She started going to a church (it was the first thing she did when she moved, she found a church before unpacking.) and then within a month, she decided that she wanted to "Minister to the Youth." she told me that she missed her grandkids, so she wanted to be around kids more. She started with the teenage boys in her area. They come to her house, they have log ins on her computer, they have a key to her house, and they basically hang out with this "really cool Christian Lady". She feeds them, and then she preaches to them. She's now spreading this outward, and is going to start going to the High School in town with pizzas so she can talk to the kids about God.

The problem is, is that she can't get along with women or people her own age because she's a nut. So, instead, she's using these young kids, who won't question her authority to fill a void because she has no family where she lives. The kids come over as much as they like, even when she's not there, it's like...MOM what ARE YOU DOING?????? She's asking for trouble, but she refuses to listen to me.

Her church felt it was weird that she had taken such a keen interest in the teenagers...especially the boys. My Mother insists that she just gets along better with boys than girls (which could be true because my sister and I can't understand that woman.). The church is close to kicking her out.

But she doesn't care what people think. Because she told me that God sent her to AZ to save the Youth of that town. She believes she has a calling from God to save them. (And it has NOTHING to do with being lonely.)

Sounds like you reject religon because of what your mother is doing. That is your choice but have you made that choice own your ownor has your mother made it for you?
the hardest thing to admit to is giving up is control because of someone else. (This includes myself)

[SpicyMcVoodoo]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Her church felt it was weird that she had taken such a keen interest in the teenagers...especially the boys.

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by smokie700

Sounds like you reject religon because of what your mother is doing. That is your choice but have you made that choice own your ownor has your mother made it for you?
the hardest thing to admit to is giving up is control because of someone else. (This includes myself)

Um, I reject that because I want to believe in something, means that I have to forego, what to me is rational thought. I believe that I can believe in a God, I can believe in a higher power, but I don't have to suscribe to a church for salvation. People like my Mom, believe people like me are going to hell.

I am not mindless. I have questions. And I am not afraid to admit that I don't know. I don't feel like I "HAVE" to know.

What happens when you die? I have no idea. But, there are alot of theories. Some make sense, some don't, but in the end....does it matter? Because by then, it's too late.

You know, I have a struggle with this, because I have kid(s) and I want to be able to answer their questions. If they ask my Mom, she'll give them a fundamentalist Christian Answer. If they ask me, they'll get what I believe honestly.

If I had to answer "What is God?" I would probably tell my son, that God is something that is bigger than us, and bigger than our understanding. It's something you can turn to when you are in trouble, and it's something that loves you unconditionally. I don't think it needs any further explanation than that. I'd rather him discover his own spirituality, and what that even means to him, than try to fill his head with myths, superstitions, and damnation.

Some people don't feel the need for religion. My Husband doesn't. He's happy with that. Right now, in my life, I don't feel like I need to be part of an organized church, to live my life morally.

People who attend church, and are open about their faith are representives of their faith. And if you have a church with crazy people acting crazy, it's going to make people not trust it or want to be part of it. That's all it is with my Mom. My mom can preach a good word about how I need this salvation, and in the same breath tell me that God is punishing me for all my sins. You can't win.

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

That's what my sister said. And that's a good point. And I told my Mom..."All it takes is one accusation. One law suit. And your life is over. Your money will be gone."

She told me that God is protecting her, and these are good kids, and that it's "different" where she lives. Because, you see, Orange County, and the "big city" is full of sin. But in her small town America, "God has his hand on me".

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Oh, she might be a little nuts

By the way....

Do you think she's nuts because she thinks God talks to her?

Is that the reason for the nuts? Or is it the message?

[garbagemanlb]

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

why is it considered a psychological condition to think invisible people are talking to you, but if it's the creator of the universe talking to you, it's taboo to say anything?

Great point.

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

By the way....

Do you think she's nuts because she thinks God talks to her?

Is that the reason for the nuts? Or is it the message?

I was just teasing. I'm not a doctor, a shrink or a religious scholar so I can't say what is up with your mom.

[smokie700]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

By the way....

Do you think she's nuts because she thinks God talks to her?

Is that the reason for the nuts? Or is it the message?

I would find her strange because of her actions with the kids. In todays world adults have to be very careful about interaction with kids/teens in private settings.

[JaJae]

Bill Maher is a failed comedian who wouldn't get the time of day if he didn't say such stupid political things all the time. He's learned how to keep a paycheck coming by saying what liberals want to hear.

[motivez]

He's one of the better political thinkers we have today

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by motivez

He's one of the better political thinkers we have today

Bill Maher? He thinks the polio vaccine was a bad thing. You respect that kind of thinking?

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by JaJae

Bill Maher is a failed comedian who wouldn't get the time of day if he didn't say such stupid political things all the time. He's learned how to keep a paycheck coming by saying what liberals want to hear.

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

What has he done that's made him any sort of money or given him any form of credibility in comedy over the past 15 years?

The only way he makes money is by telling liberals what they want to hear. He's not funny, he's not even a good actor. I'd say he's failed as a comedian. Now he's a political talk show host and horrible book writer.

[Thorgrim]

he's a libertarian, he's not liked by the liberal blogosphere too much