JustDan,
The perfect Law of God is written in the hearts and conscience of men of good will, not on some Statute books. Jesus taught the commandments of God are based in acts of sacrificial love and forgivness, which is far above the human constructs of national laws. The Mosaic law was a human construct to govern a society - a nation. The law Jesus came to fulfil was the perfect law of God ie, Love God with all heart mind and strength and go far beyond the rulings of the social law in relationships with neighbours, and onself. The law of God is what emerges as the highest of aspirations in human relationships, not in merely meeting regulations and religious rituals. Read Galatians 4 and 5.

Though Jesus celebrated religious festivals he did so because he lived in that culture, not because it was the perfect law. In fact he was accused of violating the Sabbath because he picked grain on the Sabbath. So he did not fulfil that law. The Mosaic Law was a developing law for Israel, They continually added to it statutes. That was not the law that Christ came to fulfil

Philo were you on drugs when you read my post? I had to go back and reread it myself after reading your response.

No where did I say I hated men. Nor did I say I was repulsed by pregnancy.

If I agree with someone on some points I will say so. Hence my support of Ash's letter - I don't hold grudges if someone is religious or has a different POV. Also Ash has never been rude or insulting to me. He has enough intelligence to know I am targeting fundamentalists like you.

I freely admit I have derided christianity. Just as you deride those who don't share your superstitious beliefs. You see, respect goes both ways if you don't give it don't expect it back. Very arrogant if thats what you want.

If you don't believe in an immaculate conception well good for you - but I can't read minds. There are so many different versions of christianity it is impossible to know which version any one subscribes to at any given moment. Which makes me wonder, which religion IS the 'right' one.

"The perfect Law of God is written in the hearts and conscience of men of good will"

If the law of god is so perfect - where is YOUR good will? Presuming you are a man that is.

Xena/ Philo,

Spot on Xena.
The ‘right religion’ and the ‘right religion for me’ are worlds apart. One show sincerity, spirituality and respect for oneself and other humans and beings in general. The other is the foot in the door for everything evil.

Fundamentalists (from all religions) always dodge questions about whether they can accept others as they are or the rule of law. In a thread either by David Palmer or BD there was a quote that “Taliban ideology’ does not recognise earthly laws”. I asked both David and BD if they recognise earthly laws related to Palestinians occupied territories (Notice how they always refer to biblical context or ‘Israel got some of their old land’ theory). I am still waiting on an answer!

BTW, as a Muslim I believe in Jesus and his virgin birth. But that is my belief and no I am not offended neither by your comment Philo/ Xena because:
- Part of my belief is everyone is judged individually by his own deeds and intent.
- Belief or disbelief is a choice and a personal risk Just like insurance. You don’t know whether you will crash but you work a month per year to pay for a’just in case’ scenario. I have no physical evidence on Jesus virgin birth except the Koran but I chose to.

Peace Philo & ‘warrior princess’ :)

Ash

Thank you so much for your post, Ash. I am so glad that you don't take my position on religion personally. I agree it is our actions that define us and our choice in what we believe.

You might be surprised that despite my atheist views I often listen to John Cleary on the ABC on Sunday nights - I find his moderate views encouraging. Last Sunday was a plus indeed.

For those who missed it I recommend anyone to listen in regardless of their religious views.

A snippet from the ABC is below:

"Talkback: Islam and tolerance
Sunday Nights with John Cleary
Sundays 10.00 pm to 2.00 am

To talk more about this we are joined by Waleed Aly, Melbourne-based lawyer, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Islamic Council of Victoria - as well as Samina Yasmin. Samina is a Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at U WA.

Muslim communities are feeling the pressure, again. Following the London bombings, moderate muslims are being demonised along with the jihadist extremists. And this time round the perpetrators are not wild eyed fanatics flying planes into buildings, but kids from next door. A number of the Sunday Tabloid columnists have begun to speak of the need to be more concerned about what is happening within religious communities here at home."

And what an intersting program it was.

Look forward to hearing more, Ash.

Cheers

For Philo and Xena :)

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

BOAZ DAVID - when you read my post .... READ my post. If you had you would know I was quoting Karen Armstrong when SHE attended a conference in the US about security and intelligence.

And furthermore, you would have seen this link: http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-07/10/article03.shtml
regarding the action Muslims are taking against terrorism.

But because you read so selectively you miss out on an awful lot. Methinks you must read the Bible and Q'uran with the same accute myopia, in fact I don't just think it your posts prove it.

"REVELATION, n. A famous book in which St. John the Divine concealed

all that he knew. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know

nothing."