Dear Westboro baptist church, Kansas...

Filling that need is the objective core to any religion.

Yes, well... the core of my argument was that there isn't much of a difference between the religions. And that was in response to your speaking as if there were. It's like you've already given up that idea.

I'm fairly certain that a lot of people would be living much better lives if they truly believed that one of these days Jesus will show up and start sorting.

Perhaps some portion of people. But it's hardly that simple. For example, you yourself seemed to be saying earlier it isn't working on you. And it's not like those who live the worse for it can't also really believe. It's not what you believe but what kind of spiritual attitude you have.

Yes, well... the core of my argument was that there isn't much of a difference between the religions. And that was in response to your speaking as if there were. It's like you've already given up that idea.

No, I've given up on my ability to explain it- at the moment, I don't think I can explain to you that an apple isn't an orange. Sure, they are both fruits, they both have skins to protect them and seeds inside, but they have a different taste and a different texture. And each one of them has a core, whether it's noticed or not, and it can be eaten, but a lot of people spit it out.

Perhaps some portion of people. But it's hardly that simple. For example, you yourself seemed to be saying earlier it isn't working on you. And it's not like those who live the worse for it can't also really believe. It's not what you believe but what kind of spiritual attitude you have.

It's working on me, but I'm just so far out that it's taking a while. Would I like to be perfect? Oh yes. Am I there yet? Not even close. However, I have at least read enough to know where I'm headed to, even though it's nearly a country away. Ok, I'll concede that point; I have no way to know if the guy who charged God with making terrorist threats against humanity was perhaps joking with God and everyone else. That's one of the many ways in which God is a more qualified judge of humankind. But if I see religious leaders suggesting violence, I'm still staying away from them. I'm trying to get rid of my violent thoughts/actions, not build on them or justify them.

Your idea that there isn't really much difference between religions is popular, but it is not true in my opinion.

Religions are specific. They are tied to the specific point of history they live in, tied to other social, philosophical and economic processes around them. Some religions are most interested in mysticism and/or personal relationship with god/s, others, such as Islam, are very involved in the real world and everyday life. There are also theological differences and that's another ballgame - but the most important differences IMO are the differences in focus and mentality.

As a Lutheran, I prefer a model where earthly regiment takes care of earthly things, and religion is a private and personal matter. The Catholics, though also Christians, would view this very differently. Just to use a simple example.

As a Lutheran, I prefer a model where earthly regiment takes care of earthly things, and religion is a private and personal matter. The Catholics, though also Christians, would view this very differently. Just to use a simple example.

Who's "the Catholics"? I personally know two people I know for sure to be Catholic, and I'm sure both would view it much as you do.

As a Lutheran, I prefer a model where earthly regiment takes care of earthly things, and religion is a private and personal matter. The Catholics, though also Christians, would view this very differently. Just to use a simple example.

Who's "the Catholics"? I personally know two people I know for sure to be Catholic, and I'm sure both would view it much as you do.

Well, in countries where the Catholic Church is the dominant religious force, they are very involved in society and everyday life of the faithful. Also, the Catholic dogm gives priests, not to mention the Pope much more spiritual power than they ever could have according to Lutheran tenets. That is one of the key things in 16th century England the religious schism was about.

Well, in countries where the Catholic Church is the dominant religious force, they are very involved in society and everyday life of the faithful. Also, the Catholic dogm gives priests, not to mention the Pope much more spiritual power than they ever could have according to Lutheran tenets. That is one of the key things in 16th century England the religious schism was about.

That's the level of things like countries, and applying to the religions themselves it's ultimately statistics. By applying statistics, you could always have a basis for some prejudice (not any whatsoever, but some) about any group. What I'm saying is a more specific instance of how prejudice is still flawed because individuals aren't statistics. It started with someone saying they wouldn't want a specific religion because of what kind of core it has; I'm arguing there is no core to a religion, because you can't say someone is doing it wrong just because they aren't in a statistical majority, and so to an individual any religion is whatever they make of it.

As for the schism you mention, it, too, started from within the religion, with people wanting to change its official policy to match their inner version. On the religious side of things, anyway.

That's the level of things like countries, and applying to the religions themselves it's ultimately statistics. By applying statistics, you could always have a basis for some prejudice (not any whatsoever, but some) about any group. What I'm saying is a more specific instance of how prejudice is still flawed because individuals aren't statistics. It started with someone saying they wouldn't want a specific religion because of what kind of core it has; I'm arguing there is no core to a religion, because you can't say someone is doing it wrong just because they aren't in a statistical majority, and so to an individual any religion is whatever they make of it.

An individual person's worth is indeed in what he makes of his own life and not in his alliances. But it would be a mistake to refuse to see that people as groups act differently than people as individuals. Therefore statistics and general tendencies do matter. That is the whole point of sciences such as sociology or cultural anthropology. When dealing with individuals - treat them as such. When dealing with large population masses - ignore mass tendencies at society's peril. What infuriates me is that some people do this for ideological reasons and even call it science.

Well, I was talking about the core of a religion from the point of view of an individual - does your point really challenge anything I said?

Well, I was talking about the core of a religion from the point of view of an individual - does your point really challenge anything I said?

Well, as long as you are talking about one single individual, almost anything is possible - but that doesn't mean that all the religions are really the same, as I interpreted your message. Just as different philosophies aren't all the same even though they may have similar consequences or important parallels with individual persons.

It's a question of the definition of "the same".

I will say that different religions aren't different philosophies. Nor do they "have" them, because that would get impossible to define with the existence of variation.

And when we're talking about religions as different from each other, the other important thing to remember is that variations of one large religion are also different. I'm not really arguing so much for the similarity of religions as about the dissimilarity within any one.

I hate to bring these guys up again, but I just found out that they're coming here to my hometown! Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Here's the quote from their website:

Central Studio Queen Mary's College - God H8s Ur Queen! Cliddesden Road In Merry Old England they plan to further enrage the Living God by putting on the farce known commonly as "The Laramie Project". Now that is so interesting. We will picket them, and see if they actually believe those lies they tell about how tolerant and accepting Brits are.

"The Laramie Project", incidentally, is a play about the murder of a gay university student. Of course, considering that Geert Wilders was recently forbidden from entering the UK for being an 'undesirable person', so they might just get turned away as well.

Still, it's all good news for Central Studio. It's really just a tiny theatre on the college campus... this is proabably the most publicity they've ever had (apparently Elizabeth Hurley went there. Never met her though... shame for her really. Poor thing ended up with that Hugh Grant who can only do one character... I can do loads).

Seriously, I wonder how on Earth they could have found out about this. I wouldn't be surprised if someone working in the Studio actually sent them an E-Mail.

RIIIIGHT! Just because you rage against God and make laws that say you cannot use "hate speech" (a/k/a - you may not speak of the Bible standards) in the UK does NOT mean you will not get the message that God Almighty intends for you to get. God Hates England; Your Queen Is A Whore; You Hate God; God Hates You; You're Going to Hell; Matt Is In Hell; Hell Is Real Ask Matt; God Hates Fags (Buggers); Obey God, etc. Some of the best Bible preaching in the history of the world came out of that dark dismal land, but now it is full of all abominations! God will shortly destroy the UK and the world, but not until they have gotten the plain, clear message so that they will be WITHOUT EXCUSE!

Wouldn't it save time if they just listed the things God likes? Like God Likes Puppies... see, that makes me want to be closer to God.

Oh, bloody Phelps again? He's like the damned villge idiot of all of Kansas! He and his little group have no power over here, they're just loud. I began ignoring or poking fun at him long ago, since the man is nearly impossible to take seriously.

Oh, bloody Phelps again? He's like the damned villge idiot of all of Kansas! He and his little group have no power over here, they're just loud. I began ignoring or poking fun at him long ago, since the man is nearly impossible to take seriously.

Oh, don't woory. I know how miniscule and insignificant Phelps and his Church really are. I tell people they should just ignore them altogether... and yet, maybe it's the writer side of me, I can't help but find him interesting. I really want to understand what kind of thought processes they must have... like I said it's probably the writers side of me.

Really, of all the plays being performed in the world right now, what makes them decide to fly all the way across the ocean to picket outside a college theatre hardly anyone knows the existence of anyway?

Blatant insanity, or just plain bloody-mindedness, I'd say.