Celivia, you don't need to read the violent version to kids. They publish special childrens versions which take out the uncomfortable bits.

I suspect that is more about cementing a "loving god" image in kids minds rather than to protect them from the harm of reading about how the christain god is really reported to treat people.

R0bert

Correction from my last post: the first sentence should be: “Yes Martin, I agree that the Koran is violent, but isn’t there violence like murder, rape, incest, lust, sexism, prostitution, torture in the Bible as well?”

Robert, I believe your suspicion makes sense.
I have actually never looked at a children’s bible- and in my ignorance, I’ve always vaguely assumed that the children’s versions of the biblical ‘stories’ would be simplified and funned-up a little with colourful illustrations.
But I do know that some parents read the 'adult' version of the Bible with their children. I also think that the Koran is read by children at a young age. Both contain a lot of cruelty and violence.

Can you imagine what the Bible would look like if it was to be published, including the ‘uncomfortable bits’, as a comic? I think that certain parts might be classed as ‘filth’ or at least as ‘politically incorrect’.
I dare say that this goes for any other religious books as well.

The Bible reports the behaviour of many over a history of thousands of years. It does not sanction the behaviour it does give us a glimpse of how human behaviour affects society and relationships. If you recorded what happened in the World today that affects society and relationships much of it would not be suitable for children. However it happens and has consequences that indicates who we as human look to for guidance of our values.

That is why Jesus coming into the world offered a new perspective. "Love your enemies."

“reality,” back already? Last week you told us you were heading off to Latvia for a gay parade http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=4664#48488

Apparently you did the same thing there as you do here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19878988-1702,00.html

Yes, there are lots of compassionate catholics http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=4664#49294 but you’ve really lost your grip on reality if you think you’re one of them.

Fortunately, among catholics, the compassionate ones are even in the majority – only 35% of Australian catholics think that homosexuality is immoral http://www.tai.org.au/Publications_Files/Papers&Sub_Files/Homophobia%20webpaper%20Final.pdf

You mentioned your kids. It probably doesn’t matter what rot you try to pound into their poor heads – expect at least four out of the six to realise that their dad’s got it completely wrong with the morality stuff. Indeed, there’s a one in three chance that one of your children will be gay. Think about that one, before you throw any more excrement.

“If you recorded what happened in the World today...much of it would not be suitable for children.”
Philo, that's true.

One thing I would be concerned about though is that God seemed to be quite violent himself.
I read somewhere that because God was angry he drowned many people and animals. I’m sure I could find some more examples of God being violent. God could have done with some anger management. Still, God is adored by millions.

Before I read those bible bits I assumed that God was supposed to be always good and have super power, but now I understand that that's not the case. I don’t understand why people glorify him.

You also said: ‘That is why Jesus coming into the world offered a new perspective. "Love your enemies."
That would be nice- it would be peace everywhere.

To follow this advice from Jesus, the church should start by changing its offensive language directed at homosexual people. Why don't you agree?
Before one can ‘love’ one’s enemies, one probably first has to be able to accept them for what they are.
It's easy for Jesus to give advice, it's harder to follow it up.

Reality Check, I forgot to reply to your religious war comment.
You are quite right that there were many more victims in non-religious wars then there were in religious wars.
Still, this doesn’t negate the fact that there were also innocent victims in religious wars.
That fact doesn’t make it right that people died during religious wars. So it is quite irrelevant how many people died in other wars. My point was that if it wasn't for religions, these people would not have died in these wars.

Thanks, w for your links- so catholics are the least homophobic among the Christian religions. Let’s hope that homophobia will gradually keep declining.

It’s a shame that from all the people who don’t think that homosexuality is immoral, almost half still discriminate because the research says: “Among those who believe homosexuality is immoral, 56% are of the opinion that gay couples should be allowed to adopt children."

To remind Philo yet again, the biggest and largest growing HIV + population are women from 18-30 in Southern Africa. You forgot this in your selective statistics.

The statistics you give from Europe have nothing to do with gay pride parades. It is impossible to predict the time of acquiring HIV as the "window period" during seroconversion can be up to 12 months. It can take time for HIV to show up in a test, and the problem is that many falsely believe that they are HIV - only to find they seroconverter a few months later. This is a nasty trap from the virus.

It is not a "lifestyle" virus either, it also is caught by body fluids, sharps and accidents. Many in Africa caught HIV thanks to the Red Cross using dirty needles and infected blood in vaccination programs. How is this a "lifestyle"?

Your quote:

"several sensitive boys I have known who have fallen into homosexuality it was their peers who teased them and Public School teachers who influenced them that they ought to consider being gay".
This is utter rubbish. No one can turn or influence a person into being gay, just like no one can turn or influence a gay child into being straight. Psychologists simply cannot do it and neither can Jesus. No teacher tells kids to "consider" being gay. If this is true, sue the Christ out of them. Of course, this is just gossip: no credibility.

Excusing Israel for banning their Gay Pride parade, rendering their regime heroic in their oppressive ways is so typical of Philo. I think this is the point Reality Check was making about religion.

Religions are shoving their violence down the world's neck, and after Lebanon, the world is losing patience.

People in the crossfire just want to be left alone and will stay away from your temples of hate.

Philo's "Sahra Lee" layer upon hateful layer is nothing but flake that leaves a mess on the carpet. What a nutter!

Still no compassion Philo: the flower-man that jackboots his pansies.