suze: I can see you and Peter would get on, are you a lawyer too?

Rusty: remind me not to tell you next time I have an op.

RaeBee: Very true, but there can also be a time and a place.

Peter: What the

Wybong,

I'm not sure what you mean. I enjoy your sanity, long may it continue.

Rusty

Wbong and others

I have no problem with Christians as such but I tend to focus on individuals rather than organized groups (churches/ political parties etc).

I've met good Christians and equally bad Christians.I also distinguish the between good and bad ANY religion and non believers.

I would argue that "one *needs* or doesn't a religion" to be either good or moral are totally specious assertions. They are emotions on steroids.

I suggest that extremes (which by the laws of distribution constitute about 15% at either end and therefore the exception rather than the rule) are the problems.

The likes of the fundies that treat the OT as literal and sprout it at every occasion in lieu of common sense or sensitivity are more of a nuisance than setting a good example. e.g. OS I caused a problem in a crisis intervention service by reporting a fellow counselor who was quoting biblical passages to a teenager who rang up distressed that she was pregnant. Other religious counselors resigned because "the counselor" was 'counseled'. Their religiosity blinded them to the purpose of the call, the girl's distress.

Likewise the like of the aggressiveness of the atheist's archdeacon Dawkins isn't helpful or conducive to acceptance either.

In reality religion is an emotional choice "each to their own" and should have no legal influence beyond the right for reasonable practice.

Exclusionary, secretive, prejudicial (incl.sexual)or non legal practices ( female circumcision, arranged marriages etc) don't IMO qualify as "reasonable" practices.

The Catheter bit Rusty, no your fine, I enjoy your posts too, open minds and logic it appears are a rarity in here

Wybong,

If there is need, I'll polish the silverware. I subscribe to many modern innovations of surgery and you may be pleasantly surprised

Peter,

Joshua (or however you pronounce it) also cursed a mustard tree, which jehova had not seen fit to make prosper for his benefit. Only the tree suffered.

Don't fail to be productive, whatever you do.

Ever notice how many "churches" have ATM's in the lobby? Thank goodness for technology, else there might have to be a bank teller instead. Thank goodness an ATM is not a "money changer". I guess it's OK if the church makes a percentage on "hosting" the machine. That is after all what these "churches" are all about.

Rusty