Good to know to racism, bigotry is alive in the U.S Would you like to put us to death as well like the atheist did during the purges? Americans like you disgust me always judgmental and forcing your believes on others.

Mother of God

Oh, that is just so weird.

God has a mommy? How can anyone believe this stuff?

Mescovic, how is Chris expressing his opinion about this "forcing" his belief on someone? If you think some belief is dumb, it is not bigotry, just an opinion. He did not say he didn't want to live next to someone who believes this, didn't say he wouldn't hire someone with this belief - that is bigotry. Thinking someone's idea is dumb is everyone's perogative.

And RACISM? Please look this word up in a dicitonary. Your use of that word in this context is what is dumb!

If they aren't hurting anyone by going out and kissing a box with a belt in it, then let them be.

I think I understand what is trying to be said here. It's not racism or bigotry, just simple confusion. Mary is the mother of Jesus, the son of God. Mary could not be the mother to Jesus and to God at the same time. That type of situation would definately be against the teachings of christianity. Understand the confusion?

I was brought up Catholic, and while I never quite understood the whole "kissing" thing, you have to look at the mother behind the boy in the photo doing so, and see that believing does serve a purpose of gives a sense of meaning and happiness to people.

Now that I'm agnostic, since I don't believe that anyone can say for a fact that there is or isn't a "god" of some sort or another, I can honestly say that I have less of a sense of wonder during Christmas and other holidays than I used to have when I did believe, a few decades back. But then again, I also lost some of that sense of wonder when I found out that Santa wasn't real as well.

I don't put down (true) believers, in fact I envy them in a way, because that whole "sense of wonder" thing is really kind of a neat feeling. Although deep down, I do believe that everyone, even those who truly believe, have doubts from time to time. (So maybe we're all a bit agnostic?) If they didn't, why would anyone who really believes be afraid to die?

Bryan, uh oh, better watch that kind of talk around Trinitarians. They believe that God is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. So in other words, when God was "born" and raised as a human, then allowed man to kill Him (who, having no beginning or end cannot really BE born, OR killed) God was then dead in the grave (oh, shoot, wait, I mean HELL, yeah, right, where God always deserves to be) for three days and then resurrected himself back to heaven. In other words, I guess we were duped. We were told at the beginning of the Bible that it would take an equivalent perfect life to regain for Mankind what was lost by Adam and Eve, and this is how God thought to work it out? Completely nonsensical...and don't even get me started about the "Mary, mother of God, ever virgin" issue. The person who died for mankind's sins had to be a HUMAN, out of a plain HUMAN mother. Mary had several more children after Jesus' birth so I'm not sure how she remained a virgin after all of that. And Mary is never mentioned much in the Bible after her son's death, which is understandable because she no longer played a part. She'd done her duty, perfectly, but it never EVER says ANYTHING about her ascension to Heaven, much less about her throwing articles of personal clothing about while on her way. This sort of dogma is what turns people who are anxious to learn more about the Bible away, because NONE of it makes sense and it all conflicts which any MAN-made stories always will. The Bible as it was written without all the fun and games King James et al added to it, makes perfect sense as it is.

seriouslynow-4227937

God has a mommy? How can anyone believe this stuff?

What's even more mind-blowing is that any of us have a mommy. How did that happen? Or did it? (Are you really reading this, right now?)

Life itself is such a vast and strange mystery, that to believe that there may not be any more mysteries beyond this one would be kind of limiting of one's imagination or intelligence. Just what those mysteries are though are yet to be seen, as I don't believe any of the different "books of truth" out there have it quite right.

In the words of Puck : Oh what FOOLS these mortals be. IGNORANCE OF THE MASSES... alive and well in the 21st century. Now that should scare the living hell out of the SANE/LOGICAL part of the population. These people are nothing more than low IQ oxygen thieves.

Puck was himself a fool, so he's probably not the best fictional character to judge others on the subject. In contrast, Socrates was intelligent enough to know how little he really knew. Anyone smart enough realizes that. But like Puck, it's often ego that comes out instead of intelligence when one appears too sure of themselves. It's always wise to have some healthy doubt in what one believes, and have the ability to look at a subject from a number of different and conflicting angles.

to believe that there may not be any more mysteries beyond this one would be kind of limiting of one's imagination or intelligence

I'm a great believer in mysteries. I'm even a believer in the wisdom contained in myths. I just don't believe in taking them literally. My mind won't just won't wrap around mommy changing god's diaper. And I certainly can't condone murdering each other over fairy tales, which is what the kind of devotion portrayed in the article so often comes to.

IMO, this is a sign of severe mental disorder. The fact that it was not so in earlier times, when it was the best explanation of things we couldn't understand, allows society now to pretend these people are normal. How normal would you consider your neighbor to be if he/she honestly believed the earth is flat?

This level of delusion often leads to acts of oppression, torture, and murder. Yet it is blindly tolerated rather than treated as the potentially dangerous mental illness that it is.

Is that little blue-haired old lady in church really a danger to others? I think she is. At the very least, she will indoctrinate and brainwash her young grandchildren to believe there is an all-powerful, all-seeing monster who will burn them for eternity if they don't do as they are told. Does this not cause serious life-long damage to a young child?

I joke about these nuts on places like Newsvine, but really, I don't think there is much to laugh about regarding severe mental illness that harms others.

@seriouslynow-4227937

The biggest flaws in your statement is in assuming that the people in this article will "murder each other over fairy tales" and guessing what the "blue-haired old lady" will tell her grandchildren. In truth, wars aren't started by ordinary people like these, but by leaders of their countries. They may use religion as an excuse, as our government uses "terror" and "weapons of mass destruction" as an excuse, but the majority of average people everywhere don't want war. Who would?

While you're talking about the mental illness of others, paranoia is a form of mental illness as well, and your post is not shy about revealing yours. Don't believe everything our side tells ya about the "bad guys." It's really no where near as scary out there as they want you to believe. I've traveled a lot, and people everywhere, including the U.S., generally treat you as good or bad as you treat them. There might be an exception here or there, but that kind of thing is true in every country. People are just people, after all.

But I've never had a problem. In fact, people in the countries I've visited are generally friendlier than people in the U.S.. But that's probably because they're no where near as scared as the people in the U.S. tend to be. There's just way too much fear here. And what's sad about that is, it's like a pro football player being afraid of walking into an elementary school playground. The U.S. is so powerful, and yet we're scared to death of little countries who just might have "weapons of mass destruction." Just like one of those elementary kids might have a slingshot. Makes no sense.

ROFL Cat.

I'm probably the last person my friends would describe as paranoid. As one example, not long after 911 I had the opportunity to live in a 3rd-world Arab country for a year, and off I went, despite being a woman alone who at the time couldn't speak or read the language. So you think I'm scared of the Christians? LOL

Good for a laugh, anyway.

holy moley rolley polely mother of pearl...

idiots abound (you can ALWAYS tell a believer, you just can't tell them MUCH...)

The U.S. is so powerful, and yet we're scared to death of little countries who just might have "weapons of mass destruction." Just like one of those elementary kids might have a slingshot. Makes no sense.

You are comparing nuclear bombs to slingshots? Dr. Cat is a good name for you. You have almost as much sense as my cat.

Yes nonsense like the atheist said when they murder millions of us and burned our temples down. It a shame your parents never showed you any morals to respect other people believes and cultures.

You can think someone's ideas are nonsense but still respect them. I think most Americans think it is nonsense to think that God speaks to only one person on earth concerning doctrine, but they still respect their Catholic neighbors. They may think it is nonsense to think that God favors one people over another, and reserves specific land for one ethnic group, but they still respect their Jewish neighbors.

Mescovic212 You can't argue with "these" people that disrespect. Funny but I would love to see them say to a muslim "What a dumb belief Islam is"...

See how fast they invoke faith as the sword is swooping down on their necks or a dagger to their throats...

Wow flash, that's almost like a dare....for one thing this has absolutely nothing to do with Islam and if it did, you'd have a lot more rude and disrespectful comments on BOTH sides. And I am sorry (and I guess I should be terrified) to report but I have a dear friend who is a Muslim and I tell her I think it's dumb all the time. Then she tells me she knows I'm kidding and we laugh and move on. Just so's you know, I don't think she even OWNS a sword, or a dagger. Just kitchen knives same as us Christians. No ululating, running around with stuff on her head, nothing.

Apparently Mescovic has never heard of the Crusades or the Inquisitions...where CHRISTIANS MURDERED MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of people by trying to FORCE them to convert to their MYTH. Christians are currently responsible for almost all wars that are going on at present as well.

No ululating, running around with stuff on her head, nothing.

Oh, I love that ululating thing. My Arab girlfriends have tried to teach me how to do it, but I failed miserably. Still, it was good for a lot of laughs as I tried.

As for the "stuff" on their heads, I did better on learning how to tie a hijab. I think they can look quite beautiful as well as sexy, although obviously, that's not the point. In any case, the use of a head covering is suggested -- not commanded -- in the Qur'an, and then only when the woman is traveling among strangers. Its purpose had nothing to do with modesty. It was to indicate she was a free woman and a Muslima -- not a slave who could be accosted with impunity.

That's not true, actually. It's a clever tool that believers use to try and cast atheists as believers themselves but it doesn't make any sense. Not believing that an elephant in standing in your living room is not a belief system, nor a state of being that requires any definition. Try again.

That's nonsense.. Non belief is not a belief.

Thank you! That was my initial reaction as well! :)

It is the teaching of the orthodox church (and a few others) (in accordance with writings attributed to Joseph of Aramithea) that Thomas also doubted that Mary was physically taken to Heaven.

homesick: attributed to Joseph of Aramithea by whom? Are we talking about writings never canonized and therefore not included in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures? I guess I'm hard headed but if it's not in there, it's not in there. Is there a book of Joseph? No??? Well that explains why some people have never heard of it before or believe it because it's not in the Bible.

lol, let's hear the answer to that one!

Christ never died? Sorry Smukers, you're logic is jammed.

Romans 5:6 ¶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

That includes you too, Jelly Boy. Christ retained his scars to remind us for all eternity how much He loves us and how great a price He paid for the crimes of humankind.

so you were there hay! good to know..

I'm an atheist and even I know that it's you that's got to read what the Bible says, because that's not the account that it gives.

Just as there were witnessed to his resurrection, there were witnesses to his crucifixon. Christ did die for our sins (yours and mines) & was raised for our salvation.

The assurance of sins being forgiven is the greatest testimony to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. I can only feel sorry for those who do not have this assurance. Look at the events of the world and the foretelling of the coming of Christ, a major war in Damascus and Egypt - 2 of the major prophecies to be fulfilled yet, and when you see it - if it happens in your lifetime, at least then, BELIEVE!!

"As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man, They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all (Luke 17:26-27)."

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Not true. But for having to give this ridiculous example, I don't believe there is a whale in my back yard. That scenario requires no definition or belief system. By the way, there are multiple parties claiming they have this belt. Which one's right? Ah, the classic religious conundrum. Oh, and by the way, one of these parties only shows it to men. Nice belief system.

Always gotta have the last word don't ya db?

As far as them showing it to men,I say who cares and what difference does it make.

Ever think they might of cut the belt in half?You don't know!

At least they have a belief system.More than I can say for you.

But nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.

Belief or faith as we faith people call it, its not by site. Saying that you dont believe that there's a whale in your back yard is not belief. We believe what we know not what we see. You don't have to see a whale to know that a whale exist, so as it is with faith. Faith is having hope in things not seen. Most unbelievers or people with no faith, only respond to physically forms of nature or just what you see. Faith takes love, the love of GOD, the love of knowing that HE's there!!!

um Gloria...don't get all worked up again, stay calm, but consider this....I was severely whipped by a lovely Nun in parochial school when I was six because while moving to the front of the class I knocked a Missal (not even a whole Bible, just excerpts and selected prayers) onto the floor of our classroom in front of me and couldn't stop in time to avoid kicking it. And you really think these people would cut up an inanimate object that they worship (much to God's ire, his having said many times that he didn't want people worshipping anything or anyone but Him)? Again, another conflicting story.

that's how I heard it too.

Maybe they spray it with Lysol!

You sir have a very good point!

I wish they had posted a pic of it. I would find it interesting to see what kind of girdle/belt that is described.

As far as all those arguing religion--it's a wasted effort. Those who do not believe in the Christian god, savior, etc. are not going to be persuaded by those who do. If those who do believe find comfort in their religion, that all fine and well, too. Arguing it incessantly proves neither side of the debate.

For those of us who don't believe in the Christian religion, we have our reasons. Many of us embrace a different belief system. (Some embrace none at all.) To quote the Christian Bible in attempts to prove a point, is circular reasoning. I could quote Melville and Moby Dick all day, and eventually convince someone that a giant white whale was a god (or demon). It's a book, written by a human, and it can say anything--good or bad. I realize that the Christians are trying to defend their religion, but they aren't going to change the way others think or believe. The same goes for those who don't believe.

To document the "Mother of God," the story line goes that God decided to come to earth to see how humans lived. He impregnated Mary (Mother of God) through the Holy Spirit and was born to her as the son, Jesus. Jesus lived his life on earth until he was crucified and died. He was then resurrected by his father (in Heaven.) Now for all this to work, one must believe in the Trinity, where all three are one, but they are also separate entities, which makes it all a Holy Mystery. Some argue that the Trinity is three separate beings (Father, Son, Holy Ghost/Spirit), and I think that seems to actually work a little better in the chemistry. If I'm in error, please forgive me, but this is as I understand the situation.

But back to the belt--it's a historical relic. Accept it for what it is. It is part of a belief system, and it "validates" the above religious story, since if Mary existed, she must've had a belt. If she had a belt, she could have had other things, like children, and then we are back to the Christian story.

Believing or not believing is up to each individual. Criticizing, rebuking, arguing, and so forth will only escalate differences, not sooth them. We must work together. Aristotle said, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." I think this translate to, "Everyone has an opinion, no matter how stupid it is." However, I'm not that good at being PC, so I'll go with Aristotle's statement. Best Wishes to all.

hi Zapper,

you are right in that it is useless to argue religion with others of opposing beliefs....but when you are able to have a civil conversation about it, and give ear to BOTH sides, it is a very enlightening discussion. You are kind not to revile or criticize. And the whole Mystery thing is just that...a man-made conundrum which doesn't really make any sense at all. The Bible is clear and concise, and doesn't ever contradict itself if you just read what is written and not what someone in a pulpit says it said.

Thank you Sonata's Adela. The "mine is better than yours because" arguments is a "he said, she said" problem. We can agree to disagree, and move on. However, power brokers on both sides of the discussion want to escalate the differences in their attempts to one-up. It's a moot issue. You believe as you wish; and I believe as I wish. I'm all for getting along, learning about one another, and trying to understand the thinking behind the belief. It really is amazing at how much we are alike than we are different; we just call our ideas and beliefs different names.

Atheists deny the existence of a higher power; however, by-in-large, they interact with the rest of society as well as the most devout religionists. Their personal integrity, community service, work ethic, etc. are equal to anyone else's. They just believe (not as in a higher power) in something different. (This statement is not to stoke the fires of what "belief" is, it's "believe" in the broader sense of how and what we think.)

Lastly, I have read the Christian Bible several times, and several different versions of it. My reading has not changed my belief in the different path that I follow; however, the readings were an educational experience. I think it would be a good thing if all were to read about different belief systems. Understanding is the key to peace and tranquility. The problems occur when someone(s) try to impose their belief (or lack of) on someone else. Then it's not about belief, it's about power.

These people aren't Roman Catholic either.

Why is always a personal GOD better than other God? Who has REALLY seen any GOD to be so certain? The God Olympics is something invented by humans. Stop saying that your GOD is better than the other guy's GOD..All Gods are the same.The important thing is to have faith, if you want to have a religion.

I just feel sick when I see this kind of idolatry, and so does God.

Both of you should take some Pepto Bismol and get over it.

Loud Cry, a fitting name.Any who,no it's not idol worship and it's something you don't understand.

Great post also IRESPOND.A lot of Common Sense.

I never said my God is better than anyone else's god. But the truth of the matter is that MY God IS better than any other god. That's just the way it is. And the reason is because He is the Only True God, the Creator of all things seen and unseen. He is Master of the universe and King of all kings, He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is above all god's and He is Savior of the world. He is the greatest, the most magnificent, the nicest, and the most loving God. He is faithful, and good, and kind, and He will never stop loving His children. You would do well to get to know Him. He loves you, even when you don't understand.

Yeah! Right! Enough with the preaching! Stop telling the same thing! You are one of those people that cause others to become ATHEISTS with your rhetoric.

So kind and generous...except if we disagree with you

No where in the Bible is there anything written by jesus. Interesting, huh? Also, no one in the bible can actually quote with honesty anything jesus said because the writers of the bible aren't contemporary with jesus. So, it's all hear-say or just plain myth.

To IRESPOND-2315268: You'll have to kill me to get me stop telling how great my God is. I could no more stop talking about my God than you can live without breathing. It's just the way it is. You should check Him out. He really likes you, even when you're mean ;) And by the way, you're disagreeing with me doesn't upset me at all. I am still kind and generous, but how would you know about that anyway.... Please, have a good evening and do not be anxious or upset because of anything I have said. I speak only out of love for God and for mankind. I really want to see us all happy together in heaven one day..... why not start here? Peace~

We don't worship the Virgin Mary we only ask that she intercede on our behalf when it comes to her Son Jesus Christ. In no way is she the key to Heaven and all Christians should know that. The new Catholic Church or the one after ..forgive me if I'm wrong ( Vatican II ) has greatly modernized the Church. I belong to the Society of St. Pius the X and we still say Mass in Latin ( or follow along in english ) and Women as well as Men are asked to dress properly and babies are kept quiet in the crying room when attending Mass. We don't hear the Father preach against Baptist, Protistants or any other Releigon because it is often brought up that some of us in the Congregation are no where near as good a God fearing person then those in other Releigons.The Traditional Mass is a beautiful Celebration and one that I unfortunately do notal ways attend. I have no excuse for that..but I do defend what we say and hear while we are in Church.We are no better then the lowest person on earth. The devotion we give to the Blessed Virgin Mary should not be construed as worshiping an Idol.It is so not that.It's a special reverance we give to her but we also ask that Michael the Archangel help us fight against the evils of the Devil and to St. Joseph to help us raise our Families right. It dosen't bother me that some think we are Idol worshipers because who am I to judge any of you or your beleifs.

Peace !

Loud cry

You can believe any way you want, just don't preach your beliefs to me. I have my own beliefs and they don't match word for word with yours.

Loud cry: yes, you are right. It is idolatry.

A2345: Yes you do worship Mary, and she wasn't a Virgin after giving birth to Jesus, much less his siblings, so why do you still call her that? And why would you ask Mary to intercede with Jesus for you when Jesus himself said he was the intercessor between Mankind and God. You don't pray to Jesus (well you wouldn't if you actually had ever read the Bible), you pray to God in the name of the Christ as you were commanded. Regarding Idols, do you own a rosary? Stare at a cross to pray? Have graven images all over your place of worship? Regarding babies being removed from the room, did you ever read in the Bible of Jesus removing children from the room for crying? No, he said "suffer the children to come unto me". You teach your children to mind, you don't run them out of the room....

Have one of your little Priest guys explain how he dares require you to call him Father. Because Jesus said "no one is your Father except Him in the heavens". A little pretentious, maybe? Asking a human being for forgiveness?? How is that supposed to work?

I do agree and really like the statement that there are those in any religion (or some with none) who are more Christlike than those who give themselves airs of being very pious.

Did you know that the Church used to torture people for trying to translate the Bible into common language so all could know what it said? I'm just asking.....

Saved from what, an imaginary hell, due to a imaginary sin of some imaginary fore-father, by a imaginary god in a imaginary heaven.

Exactly, what is real here? I see nothing of reality.

When you walk outside and look up in the sky and see snow falling do you know where it comes from or why is it that every snowflake is different? Its easy to lash out when you don't understand this GOD, or sins or hell. But the truth still remains, everyday. Everytime the fall season approaches we as human being run for our costs, but we forget to ask the big question, why do we know its fall?

Ever since the creation of the world, his invisble attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse... (Rom 1:20)

Everytime the snow falls or the rain comes we know that its GOD not because we've seen him but because we experience HIS creation everyday, every fall winter spring or summer. Yes you're right,you can't see hell, sins we cant see, but we know its there because GOD who created every form of nature told us so in HIS WORD!!

John: so let me get this straight: God died? Then who resurrected Him? What happened to "no beginning and no end"? Was it fake then? All a sham? None of us saved because no one really died? If Jesus was God, who was he praying to? Who did he cry out to in his agony of death? Himself?

It's pointless trying to convince any religious person that god does not exist, you would be better off trying to explain quantum theory to a brick. You would get a more intelligent response. The stories in the bible are derived from tales of European and Middle-eastern mythology, they date back over thousand s of years and have been changed and retold thousands of times. The story of Christ was constructed from numerous myths and legends including the life of Julius Caesar. for example there is an interesting article "'Jesus was Caesar': New book by Philosopher and Linguist Francesco Carotta Claims That the real identity of Jesus Christ has Been Discovered" that shows the similarities. History becomes legend, legend becomes myth and myth becomes religion, and truth is distorted or lost along the way.

IRESPOND - My faith relationship with Jesus Christ is based upon fact.
The most important fact being that Jesus died on a cross (a Roman form of punishment at that time, but not used before the Romans when it was prophesied hundreds of years before that Christ would die on a cross); and he rose again - the tomb of Jesus the Messiah is empty except for his grave clothes. 10 of the apostles were martyred for their belief of the fact that Jesus was resurrected and that they too would be resurrected - or do you believe these men would be willing to suffer and die to maintain the integrity of their lie that they had seen, touched, and eaten with the risen Christ? I am not willing to die for a lie, but I am willing to live and die for my risen Savior.

On another note: of course I do not believe that this is the belt Mary tossed down to Thomas as she ascended into heaven. I do not want to criticize those who believe that, but it is beliefs such as this that become obstacles for non-Christians to trust in Jesus.

Do not reject the perfect Savior because of imperfect people. If you sincerely seek the only true God with all your heart, with a desire to know Him, He will make Himself known to you.

Not Idolatry.Again you don't understand!

What is there to not understand from the scripture he quoted? It was plain English, translated from plain Hebrew. Simple to understand.

Honey, I understand perfectly. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic home, at the feet of a Jesuit priest.....I am now in recovery..... I suggest dear one that you read what God has to say about idolatry, not what a pope says. Infallible as they may claim to be, they are just plain wrong. Did you know that they removed the 2nd Commandment from the catechism and then split the 10th Commandment into two so they would still have 10??? Did ya know that? And do you know why they did that? Because the second Commandment FORBIDS IDOLATRY. Check it out my friend. And while you're at it, you would do well to do a little research to find out how another one of God commandments was changed, I am speaking specifically of the 4th Commandment. You don't know what that one is? Well it's in the Book in Exodus Chapter 20, and also Deuteronomy Chapter 5. Many blessings to you as you search for answers in the only place they can be found.

Loud Cry...BW...lilolme....thanks, guys. And Loud Cry, keep in mind, they practice Mass in Latin for a reason....many those poor people haven't the faintest idea how to SPELL Deuteronomy, much less find it.

You can't be serious with your comments, really? Of course we know what makes God sick. Have you ever read the Bible? It's all right in the book. In fact, idolatry makes God so sick that He is trying to make sure ya all stop doing it before it's too late. He loves you and He wants to be loved by you too. When you are worshiping anything other than Him you are not giving Him the honor, love, or adoration He asks for, and more importantly, He deserves. And by the way, not that I need to defend myself to you, a complete stranger, I am very concerned about peoples rights and in my line of work I fight for the underdog every single day of my life...AND, I don't get paid for it.....just sayin. Worship God, not a belt or any dead person, I mean really....it's not that hard to grasp, that is, if you read the Book. Peace out!

Read Leviticus and find out what god hates.. he hates 4 legged birds ( these don't exist and never have) for 1 thing and he hate bats which are birds in the bible. God does love the smell of blood, right from the bible. Exactly how wrong does a book have to be to be accepted as crap. Leviticus is one sickening section. That description of god shows a mentally sick being.

I'm completely serious. According to the Bible, there are seven things God hates:

Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Maybe looking down on sweet-faced, humble, poor men, women, and children and their beliefs is not making Him as sick as those of us who are so pious and arrogant as to loudly shout that others in their beliefs, which are different from ours, are making Him sick. Maybe their humble, pious belief is more acceptable to Him than the arrogance of those who loudly proclaim to have all the truth and who publicly judge and cut down the simple faith of others.

Maybe the idolatry mentioned in the second commandment in the book of Exodus wasn't talking so much about belts, but had a far broader application. Food for thought...

Amen to that Ms. Peace!!

There is no credible evidence that Jesus actually existed.. The best the Bible is, is hear-say.

Duh, you are ignorant on your history. There was a historical Jesus, as referenced by historians of his day. But alas, that does not mean YOU have to believe anything about him. Maybe you don't really exist and are a figment of your momma's imagination. At least if you are real, learn some world history and look at archeology, which helps to interpret history. Or should we not confuse you with the facts, since your mind is made up?

No contemporary historians of the day wrote about jesus. Name one. Josephus was not a contemporary.

^_^ Which is why they would all lie and say no one fell asleep >:D (I'm sorry, I had to do it >_<)

People reduced to placing their hope on a container maybe holding a piece of mythology 2000 years old

I am sorry.I do not see your point. How is this different that swearing with your right hand on top of the bible when people are to be sworn as President of the most powerful nation on earth?

How old is the bible? Also, Congress can not pass any laws at all, except, of course it took them about 15 or 20 minutes to pass that asinine law "In God We Trust" last month.

See my point?

From Wiki:

A girdle is a garment that encircles the lower torso, perhaps extending below the hips, and worn often for support. The word girdle originally meant a belt.

OK...You miss the point. The "girdle"that they are referring to, is not one that you would see in this century. The girdle that they are discussing is more like a pice of wrapping clothing. I think that it is only some small piece of it too. It is inside a box, and nobody can touch it. And yes, people go around kissing the box and it is unsanitary, but people do not care.

The catholic church has all kind of things that have to do with clothing. They have something called "The Turin Cloth" as well. That is a piece of clothing that apparently was the clothing that was used when Jesus was crucified. Modern technology has proven that a hoax.

In Mexico, there is a piece of clothing that apparently was the apron of an indian that was visited by the virgin Mary, and that has her image on it. That clothing still remains a mystery, because they have not been able to determine the age, even with carbon technology.

There are other "clothing" mysteries. The catholic church is very colorful, and they cater to each country according to their believes and cultures. There is an "apparition" of different kind in every catholic country. In each country, the virgin was very politically correct, and never offended anybody. You have to give it to the catholic church. They were excellent diplomats when they expanded the faith!

yeah, except when they were murdering people by the thousands because they had the nerve to already have a religion of their own. Central and South America leap to mind among others. And regarding something as pagan, foul, and sinful and then incorporating it into your religion just to appease the locals isn't very cricket either....like what? Well lets see...Christmas. Easter. The colors purple, gold, and red worn by the highest of church leaders. Idols.