In reference to Leslie Gray

[Roadtoad]

This is what James Randi had to say about a "Christian" who tried to blitz him about his comments...

Almost immediately, another offended believer, a Leslie Gray, expressed her e-mail wishes for me in bolded, 18-point type, heavily underlined all the way. When I tried to respond, she'd blocked replies. Great at handing it out, but not too willing to be answered. And obviously a good Christian:

Can't wait until you meet Jesus and you get the punishment of a lifetime for being the fraud that you are. He was a gifted man and showed us His abilities maybe you can offer Him the money!!!!! Every time I see you on television I get sick so sick I want to throw up every time. Wonder why? I believe in certain powers beyond our belief and no I don't like Sylvia Brown [sic] either and as far as making yourself out to be some skeptic you've become a part of your own game because now you take part of what God has said not to do be JUDGEMENTAL! [sic] Not making any money well I predict you will be the one on the deep end asking God to forgive you. I think you will be the one with all of that money and living your life just as miserable as you appear to be on the shows I watch. I think you are jealous and you wish you could have a gift. I pray that you will be sent here in your next life as a gifted clairvoyant and you go through someone like yourself. By the way I know many homeless children who starve in this country that you could help with all that money you are collecting for your foolish games. Hey get a bleepin life and grow up and show God that he didn't waste his time sending you here to be a waste of life, do a good deed instead of being so damn selfish.

Well, Leslie, I don't do wine-to-water or loaves-and-fishes, that's true. But I can offer you some advice: don't watch me on TV, if I so affect you! Do I really appear to be miserable when I'm on TV? I'm not, really; I love it. And, I don't send out frantic, disorganized, rambling letters to people — as you've done here. So who's the miserable one, Leslie? Who's the "judgemental" one here? And since the psychics out there have many millions, and I have only one to offer, why not appeal to them to feed those hungry kids? I can't use the million for that purpose, but they're not limited from doing so... I'll try for a good deed, tomorrow, though. I promise. Maybe I'll take on the support of another hungry child through Childreach, through which I've supported three kids, changing from time to time, continuously for the last 36 years. No, not a million dollars, only about twelve thousand, but a rewarding project for me.

I can just hear the grinding teeth, and feel the sweaty hands and blinding hatred. Poor, angry, lady.

I wouldn't mind adding the following to this:

Seems to me that rather than wasting her time screaming (figuratively) at JR, she'd do a lot better getting her nose out of joint everytime someone suggests she drag it out of her Bible, and maybe start looking around her community at what needs to be done. At the very least, there's people who need a ride to the grocery store, there's people who need a hand with their yard work, and there's probably a parent or two who could use a hand with child care. Seems funny to me she has all this time to sit and grind her gums over Randi's imagined "slights," but she can't find the time to help out around her neighborhood.

I know this type well. I'm thoroughly sick of them. They've always got time to slander someone like Randi, but no time to help out sick friends, or no time to do more than the absolute minimum around town. The mind-numbing bathos of their perpetual bleat against people who don't view the world in their own (limited) way is, sadly, pathetic. Personally, I think she's demonstrated she knows NOTHING of Christianity.

Good God, is it possible she's Billiefan2000's sister?!?!?!

 

[Zep]

Totally agree with you both.

 

[Lord Kenneth]

Christianity, not being something based on fact, is simply what people make it up to be.


As such, there is no true objective definition. I don't like this-- the more liberal Christians claim the more intolerant ones are not true Christians, and vice versa. It's rather annoying. You both believe in a flawed doctrine, so quit your bickering. It's like arguing if the monster under your bed is red or green.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Moral systems don't have to be based on fact though. They are based on assumptions. (Unlike scientific or engineering systems which BETTER BE based on testable fact).

Consider-
"Another commandment I give unto you; that you love your neighbour as yourself."

Simple enough in principle, very hard to put into effect- "Treat people as you want them to treat you." There's not much wrong with that as a rule for social interaction.

The god baggage...is god baggage, contextual to it's time.
Let's not discard the baby with the bathwater though.

There's good stuff in Christianity, Buddhism, Communism. The trick is to be eclectic- pick the good stuff that works, dump the wrappings. (Remembering to separate for recycling as per city ordinance).

 

[Roadtoad]

Kenneth, it really doesn't matter in the long run, there was no reason for Gray to be rude, regardless of what her stated beliefs are, or for that matter, anyone else's. You and I will disagree about spiritual matters, but the bottom line is that there's no reason at all for either of us to be rude to one another in our disagreement.

Gray isn't a believer in anything, though, when you get right down to it. If she really believed in ANYTHING, she'd have sufficient courage and strength to treat people with respect. She does not. She's just plain rude and nasty. Frankly, I'd just as soon she not come here to post. Flame Wars is already too hot.

 

[BillyJoe]

"Treat people as you want them to treat you." There's not much wrong with that as a rule for social interaction.

I agree except that I would say that it is a guideline rather than a rule. I have come across individuals who definitely cannot be treated this way. They would never react in kind and you put yourself at grave risk treating them in the way you would wish them to treat you.