I rarely talk politics or religion with friends and family... don't know why, just don't. This OT Forum is the only place I really read about them. Funny thing I've noticed. Maybe I've always known this, but it has become crystal clear. The same people that believe in GOD, also believe we should all have guns and that it's OK to cut down all our trees and there is no such thing as "global warming". Is this normal? Do all those beliefs go hand in hand normally? Not even joking around...... serious point I'm bringing up.
1) I believe in God 2) I own no guns. They scare me. 3) I believe in stewardship of the planet. Cut down a tree...plant at least 7 more. 4) I'm still undecided on global warming
I believe in guns because I believe in the second amendment. I don't believe in religion.... I think there's something though. Trees grow back.... so yeah. Global warming is now climate change. Make a note.
I don't know if I'm a part of that group, but yes, I'm a Christian, and yes, I'm pro-gun ownership. I don't see how the two conflict. Throughout my life, I've read enough literature and taken enough classes on Christianity, religion in general, and philosophy to discuss the issue intelligently. However, I don't post too often on religious issues for two reasons. First, people tend to be set in their ways when it comes to Christianity. It's not an argument worth participating in if the other party is can not be swayed to at least understanding why you believe what you believe. Second, growing up in the heart of the Bible-belt, I've been evangelized to my entire life, and learning from those crazy experiences, I would never want to push my religion on someone else in the way that the evangelists I grew up with did. Still, I don't see any conflict of interest between Christianity and gun ownership.
His point is that the same people who: A) Believe in God B) Think everyone should own a gun C) Think it's okay to cut down trees D) Don't believe in global warming It's just a huge, broad, generalization of Christians, gun owners, and... non-hippies?
Yeah, that's just it. It definitely is a "huge, broad, generalization of Christians, gun owners, and... non-hippies?" The same people that consider themselves "liberal," while decrying most modern stereotypes about race, sex, age, etc., are also still finding themselves in a "high and mighty" position to condemn Christian gun-owners, largely in the Southeast. Essentially, they're very selective about their liberalism, and live life with activist blinders on... It's as if they're in an intellectually or morally superior position to those who own guns or practice Christianity, without having actually lived the life of a Southeastern Christian. Instead of understanding the necessity for arms in certain areas, the so-called "open minded" folk really try to impose their will upon others, as if they know what's best for the sort of people they'd pass by when they're broken down on the highway.
The ape loves trees. Shocker. From my perspective, I can understand at least a tenuous link between Christianity and gun rights, given Paul's multiple treatises on individual liberty (which, by the way, doesn't extend to morality issues, which is why Christians generally oppose homosexuality and abortion). However, I've never understood why the religious right generally falls on the anti-climate change side of the spectrum. The best explanation that I can come up with is that the environmental side often seems to elevate "Mother Earth" to an almost deific level, which will naturally be opposed by those who worship the Creator rather than the creation. Similarly, the first chapter of Genesis places man at the pinnacle of creation and indicates that man was instructed to subdue the earth (Gen. 1:28), which suggests man being of greater importance/significance than the rest of nature. Much of environmentalism seems to denigrate and demonize mankind in comparison to the Earth, which might be perceived as anti-Biblical. I'm more of an "all things in moderation" kind of guy--I don't think everyone needs to live off their own backyard garden and reduce to one can of garbage per year, but I also don't want corporations to spew waste from every orifice of their buildings either. Controls without being controlling, so to speak.
Which is EXACTLY why I love a huge (grilled) steak!! Yes, all things in moderation....including moderation. (See big steak comment for clarification. )
Sorry, but this is just a stupid, uninformed post. 1) Point out some posters here who think "we should all have guns". If you can't see a difference between a) people wanting to protect their rights/liberties/constitution/recreation and b) "we should all have guns", then you probably shouldn't be starting discussions. 2) Point out some posters here who think "it's OK to cut down all our trees". If you can't see the difference between a) people not convinced that inaccurate climate models should force economic penalties with no proof it will make any positive changes or that humans actually don't know what needs to be done, if anything, and b) "it's OK to cut down all our trees", then you shouldn't be starting discussions. 3) If you think the discussion is as simple as "there is no such thing as global warming" or not, then you shouldn't be starting discussions. So basically you've read about some posters believing in God, and then created a a bunch of strawmen to associate with those people.
Christianity is at its heart a pacifistic religion. Possessing a weapon (unless it's a rifle required for hunting food) while professing to follow a pacifistic religion shows at least a little bit of cognitive dissonance, but don't feel singled out. Lots of pacifist religions throughout history have been stuffed to the gills with people ready, willing and able to kill for any number of reasons. In any case, it doesn't really bother me; do and think as you please. FWIW, I'm an atheist, gun-toting, mishmash of liberalism and libertarian-ism, who thinks the biggest problem our planet currently faces is about 5 billion people too many, but I suspect the viruses and bacteria will eventually balance that equation.
1. Don't believe in god. 2. Don't think everyone should have guns, but should have the ability to get one if they want 3. It's not OK to cut down trees, but what's done is done. All we can do going forward is do it right. It's hard to say to Brazil, "you can't do it, though we did" and keep them down economically. 4. The earth is clearly warming. The question is whether Mankind can contribute to additional warming in any significant manner. I'm not convinced.
I'm with you on all points, though I'd say my belief is global warming is 65/35, with the 65% of me believing in it.
