Concerns About Sony's Religious Intolerance

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

Is that the formal pronoun "one", or the statistical number "one".?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

As a devout follower in the teachings of Aesop's Fables, from which the bulk of all modern religion's moral teachings actually originated (and note that I avoided putting those words in quotes, italics, bolding or underlines), I'm surprised that you all haven't come to realize that it doesn't matter whether or not there is a God... nor whether or not you believe in one... what is vitally important is that if you treat each other with the reverence and respect befitting Human Beings (including not belittling others for their beliefs), all will be right in the world.

What I do find interesting is that the concept of "leading a good life" - ie what one might call "moral philosophy" - is tied up with religion in most people's minds today. That is VERY much a "Judeo-Christian" outlook on life.

In most of the ancient world, moral philosophy and religion were entirely separate concepts - the Greek and Roman gods, for example, were NOT "loving" beings at all, and the primary purpose of religious observance was to stop them doing nasty things to you!

One of the best sources of teaching on "how to lead a good life" are, IMHO, the dialogs of Plato, and they are totally devoid from religion. They teach "how to live a good life", but "god" is nowhere to be found in the ideas expressed.

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck;335195}

Are you just as accepting of prayers in the name of Kali, Loki, Coyote, or Lucifer?

Seriously?

For myself, I do not like being prayed for by Christians, except for a tiny handful of specific people whom I trust to not attempt to convert me through their prayers. I don't want the attentions of the Christian god, a "jealous god," who kills children for the sins of their parents.

I'm sorry that you have such a bad view of Christianity. I know from my own experience that there are some among us Christians who use their religion as a battering ram instead of gently offering to share our religion, finding points of common beliefs that we can discuss. Can you not find a way to accept some of us as people who only want to do good in the world?

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Whoa... NO WAY is this thread still running?!?

As a devout follower in the teachings of Aesop's Fables, from which the bulk of all modern religion's moral teachings actually originated (and note that I avoided putting those words in quotes, italics, bolding or underlines), I'm surprised that you all haven't come to realize that it doesn't matter whether or not there is a God... nor whether or not you believe in one... what is vitally important is that if you treat each other with the reverence and respect befitting Human Beings (including not belittling others for their beliefs), all will be right in the world.

Okay. I'll stop back in in a week, and see how everyone's doing. K Thnx Bye!

Agreed, except I reserve the right to express my Christian beliefs and will not attack anyone who believes differently. OK?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Okay. I'll stop back in in a week, and see how everyone's doing. K Thnx Bye!

Should we let Steve get away with drive-by posting?

BOb

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Chris P Bacon

As a total newbie to this ebook thing and the forum I just wanted to say what a fantastically well written and reasoned thread this is.
On so many other forums (is that the correct plural?) this would have degenerated into a personal name calling flame war but here it just sparks informed, insightful and often witty debate.
Colour me impressed!
Long may it continue.
Chris

We do not allow that. Thats why once here, very few people leave. Even if warned.

Unless you are talking about the Kindle. Then, it seems, the sky is the limit. And I am left to defend it with my bare hands. (and a stick!) OH, and welcome.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I'm sorry that you have such a bad view of Christianity. I know from my own experience that there are some among us Christians who use their religion as a battering ram instead of gently offering to share our religion, finding points of common beliefs that we can discuss. Can you not find a way to accept some of us as people who only want to do good in the world?

Dixie,

Personally I have tremendous respect for the teachings of Jesus, as reported by the Bible. All good stuff - a great deal in common with what Plato had said 500 years earlier, in fact.

What I have a problem with is what Paul did, which was to transform Christianity from a religion following the teachings of Jesus, to a religion in which Jesus himself became a "divine being". (Yes, for those who don't know their history, it was Paul, not Jesus, who "invented" Christianity as we now know it). That, to me, converted a decent and devout man's teachings of moral philosophy into (and I mean no disrespect in saying this) "superstition", and that I cannot accept.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by Patricia

You ladies are incorrigible.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Ricky started it.

Even though the gender reference is wrong, I think this is the perfect place for an LOLCat.

(please scroll to bottom of post for thumbnail)

Originally Posted by MidknytOwl

Actually, if you stay in a hotel in Utah all the rooms have Books of Mormon in them. (Of course). And in my hometown of Las Vegas, the hotel bibles are all gold-covered. So at least they try, right?

I'm with you on the black thing - not only are not all black people American, but they're not all African either. It always pissed off my friend whose family came from Jamaica to be called African-American.

Really, as if you could determine national citizenship by the color of someone's skin. Absurd.

About the only person I know of who I would stick that moniker on is Barack Obama, whose father was actually African and his mother was actually American. Voted for him, I did, and I'm soooo glad my vote wasn't the kiss of death it usually is.

Originally Posted by BuddyBoy

In San Fran, I found "The Ways of Buddha" along with the bible. Of course, I always prefer "Be My Guest" by Conrad Hilton.

Personally, I'd like to see them put a small library in every room. Or, let you book the room with a reading preference.

Smoking or Non-Smoking?

Non-Smoking, please

Reading or Non-Reading?

Reading, please.

Religious Dogma or Novel?

Novel, please.

Originally Posted by tompe

The University I work at has some principle to book hotel rooms without porn channels if possible even if it is more expensive. My reaction to that was that I wanted a room without a bible since it upsets me more than the availability of porn channels.

A hotel chain in Sweden removed the bibles from the hotel room and Church groups bojcotted them and encouraged others to do the same and kind of forced them to put them back.

It's MORE expensive to book a room WITHOUT porn?? That's it. It's official, I live in Bizzarro World.

I think I'll just go back to bed and pull the covers over my head. Maybe take some chocolate and a cat or two in there with me for comfort and company.

If I get bored, I'll start a new religion. "There is only ONE GOD, his name is Eddie Izzard, and the Crazy Cat Lady Who Lives Out in the Sticks is HIS prophet!!!"

[desertgrandma]

[QUOTE=RickyMaveety;335796]Even though the gender reference is wrong, I think this is the perfect place for an LOLCat.


Why is the gender reference wrong?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Why is the gender reference wrong?

Maybe Ricky doesn't consider herself a "lady"?

BOb

[RickyMaveety]

[QUOTE=desertgrandma;335798]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Even though the gender reference is wrong, I think this is the perfect place for an LOLCat.


Why is the gender reference wrong?

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Maybe Ricky doesn't consider herself a "lady"?

BOb

Because, unless I read the caption wrong, it says "He" started it ... and DG and I are both female?

Or?? Am I missing something here???

[desertgrandma]

I don't know what anyone else said, but I said "Ricky" started it!!!

And you did, you know you did, you always do, so don't deny it!!

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I don't know what anyone else said, but I said "Ricky" started it!!!

And you did, you know you did, you always do, so don't deny it!!

Moi?? Sweet, innocent, darling little moi?? Pish tosh.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Moi?? Sweet, innocent, darling little moi?? Pish tosh.

Oh, my I do believe the world WILL end very soon now.....

[Patricia]

Originally Posted by Patricia

On the other hand, may I propose the MobileRead Hypothesis for scientific consideration:
"As a thread grows longer, the probability of its becoming frivolous, or downright silly, approaches one.

Hypothesis now confirmed.

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by Patricia

On the other hand, may I propose the MobileRead Hypothesis for scientific consideration:
"As a thread grows longer, the probability of its becoming frivolous, or downright silly, approaches one.

We're way past one. Closer to 42 actually.