Sip

I think it is absolutely crucial here to make a distinction between personal spirituality and affects of prayers by strangers. I think the thesis here is that prayer doesn't impact others directly. If you are spiritual and find that prayers by others helps you in some way, that is a very different story because that is personalization of the gesture of the prayer (and then the impact of those feelings in your brain on your well being). The two are very different things. One suggests some magical properties of prayer that can transfer from strangers to the subjects of pray (goes without saying that I find it rediculous). The other has to do with the connection between personal thought and personal well being (which I don't find rediculous at all).

http://s93725736.onlinehome.us/hf/har_egg.jpg

I think they should study the relation between eating pickles and whether it impacts the chances of winning the state lottery next. Hey, after all, if my perception is going to impact my chances of winning the lottery, I want to know because I'll go get 14 pickle jars RIGHT NOW.

Is it true or is it not true that he killed two rival gang members? "Rival" implies that he too was in a gang. What ... is he now the Armenian equivalent to Tookie Williams?

Of all the stupid things going on in Iraq, this beauty pagent has GOT to be #1.

Ha ha !!! I heard about the playboy thing and searched on the web ... I guess I ended up at the older report. Whooooooooooo peeeeeeeeeee #1

They should ship the bastard to Turkey and try him there

By the way, I just love when all these new rankings come out as highschool seniors are trying to decide which acceptance letters to sign (if any).

Actually playboy recently ranked UW at #7 in their top 25 party schools! http://www.playboy.com/on-campus/partyschool/02.html (note:beware of inappropriate material on the site ... but the link is ok). Their list is more like: 1. Arizona State 2. California State - Chico 3. Rollins 4. Louisiana State 5. West Virginia 6. Colorado 7. UW Madison 8. Connecticut 9. Kansas 10. San Diego State ... UCSB is 22nd on their list. http://i.cnn.net/si/2003/sioncampus/09/10/top_ten0916/t1_sioccover_si.jpg But guess who's the #1 sports school (as of 2003) according to Sports Illustrated? Sports Illustrated Best College Sports Towns (click link) Of course my most favorite quote: "... University of Wisconsin campus, is indeed surreal, a little universe in which red and white seem the only allowable colors and the TV ticker on the afternoon of Sept. 11 read airport closed...state capitol closed...no word yet on badgers game. '

I only "read" when it's in video format on TV

Obviously this is yet another attempt by God to mislead the fools who don't particularly believe in creationism.

I don't understand why anyone would chose to buy a Mac to run windows That'll be kind of ordering criss-cut fries that costs 2x the regular fries at a fast food joint, but then substituting the regular fries instead.

The sad thing about the whole virgin ordeal is that it would be like having to break in a Lamborghini 72 times before you can REALLY put the pedal to the metal have some REAL fun. Doesn't that sound like worse than the worst possible torture imaginable? On a related note, I just recently bought a small outboard motor for my inflatable boat. The manual talks about something like a 10- to 12-hour break in procedure!!! That means I have to sit there like a retard and let this thing idle around the lake for 10 hours before I can start to floor it to see how fast it goes.

Mosjan, you think you have headache now ... just imagine ... 72 virgins = 72 over-protective mother-in-laws. But then again, maybe when you are in Heaven, you are safe from the mother-in-laws who may not be there... though I think they'll find a way to come harass you in heaven too

Ha ha ... I think DeeDee might have been expecting a group outraged that she is switching from Christianity to Islam ... but she probably didn't expect to find so many infidels among us

That's what I was thinking until I set foot inside the St. Peter. It is absolutely the most spectacular structure I have ever been into. The only word I can come up to describe it is "magnificient". Then I worked my way into the Vatican museum. Eve, I know it'll be hard for you to believe but I actually felt all emotional and stuff in the Sistine Chapel. One cannot comprehend the beauty of that place until you are actually standing there and looking up and this true masterpiece. I could have done without the zoo atmosphere down below with the countless tourists flashing their cameras even though about a billion signs on the way and inside say not to do it. I could even MORE do without the rude guards that would kick anyone out immediately if they saw them photograph anything ... but I guess if someone doesn't know how to turn off their flash, they deserve to be kicked out. But as they say, that was just the tip of the ice berg. One doesn't begin to appreciate and understand how truely anti-Christ the catholic church is, until you walk in and see all these amazing riches packed so densely in such a tight little place. It makes you go WOW and kind of makes you sick at the same time. It's weird. I highly recommend checking the place out though if you are in Rome.

Exactly. That's the entire point. Believing in things you don't understand is NEVER a good thing. Now back to the question at hand ... whether it's God or Allah or the Flying Spaghetti Monster one has to ask him or herself is it one's association with a certain organized religion that defines who you are or is it something else that may be more from within. If the pack mentality of sticking together with a group of people that like to run around a square building once a year in a counterclockwise manner and chant prayers or want to face a certain way and stick their rear-ends up in the air 3 times a day makes you happy, so be it. Asssssssalam Alaikem and Allaho Akbar to You. May peace be with you and va aaaale Mohammad (pbuh).

How else would you describe a virgin woman getting pregnant without even knowing about it in advance or having given permission? What you label as "immaculate conception", I would label as "divine rape". Offensive or not, they both mean the same thing.

Just as others views may be insulting to you, you have to realize that your "feelings" can be insulting to others. You can't ask others to not express their opinions on a certain topic just because you find them insulting.

It's not the quotes but how they are used

By the way, I tried searching the forum to see if this has been posted before but the search isn't working for me at the moment.

http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2006..._pamuk_200k.asx

Why? How come I have to hear your endless bible quotes and not complain, and I can't say what I think? What makes you so special? Matthew 5:38-42 And Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

I most definitely agree about Jesus. I personally think Jesus himself has been one of the most amazing people that has ever lived (especially for his time). That's probably why I get pretty disgusted why people drag his name into the gutter by attaching their God and all the other mumbo jumbo to a man that had so many good things to teach about how to live, and most importantly, set the example himself. But noooo ... who cares about Jesus the man. All they want to talk about is his supernatural dad who raped a virgin supposedly (without her even knowing about). Great example He set

I'm willing to bet Islam has probably said the same thing LMAO at the religion of "peace" ... yah and it also values women the same as men haaaaaaaaahahaahahahahahaah