The New Speaker…

[clenz]

There is no hate like Christian love.

I won't argue with you on that. I'm on record many times on this board stating that the worst thing for Christianity are Christians themselves.

I consider myself very fortunate to have come to Christ on my own terms. Met a lot of atheists, not saying you are, that were raised in the church and the shit they tell me spins my head.

A lot of Christians miss the main message that we all have our problems. Living in a glass house and throwing stones doesn't help.

I grew up going to church twice every single Sunday - Sunday school, morning service, night service
I grew up going to church every single Wednesday night from September until May starting in kindergarten as part of A.W.A.N.A starting with Cubbies, then Sparks, then T&T and then moving into middle school youth group and then to "senior youth group" all through high school. I earned every single patch and award through AWANA, including the Timothy Award which means I finished every single work book of memorizing verses, completing assignments, etc. from the very start to the very end of AWANA.

In the various youth groups growing up I spent hundreds of hours volunteering at various shelters, food banks, missions, etc. I went on full-blown mission trips to Mexico for 3 weeks where I was part of building a church from the literal ground up (not to what we would consider standards, but for the insanely impoverished area I was working in) cinder block by actual cinder block and then running group for young children similar to the cubbies or sparks in Awana. I then went to Canada, so the poorest neighborhood in all of Canada in Vancouver. Spent 3 weeks there working in a kitchen serving meals to the homeless, working with a program that helped kids, actually living - sleeping, showering, eating, everything - in a church for that full period. I went to bible camp every single summer from 2nd grade through the summer after my 8th grade year, which is when I started going on mission trips instead.

My dad was a deacon and usher my entire life. My family volunteered to clean the church every week, twice a week, for years because we felt like it was us doing "god's will". I spent every single Tuesday night cleaning from the weekend and getting it ready for AWANA on Wednesday night and then going back on Thursday night to clean to get it ready for the weekend and set up for whatever was happening in the church for the weekend. It wasn't a small church. Not a small church either. It has 2 sermons every Sunday morning - each with 400-500+ at each one. Mind you I grew up in a town of 1000 people and all the towns around us were that size or smaller. The church had 3 levels, has 2 multipurpose rooms/gymnasiums. On top of that I would play in a pick up basketball league with my youth pastor 3 mornings a week at 5AM. We'd go have breakfast together multiple mornings a week during the school year. He was - and is - a fantasitc person. But he was the start of this new age cult of personality type ministry we are seeing to try grab on and keep the youth. He wasn't as flamboyant as the stereotype, but he fit that mold. I really liked, and still do, like him as a person. What I'm saying is church, religion, god, jesus, etc. was my life growing up.

I held my graduation party in the fucking church.

By the time I graduated from high school I had read, damn near memorized, every single verse in the bible. I knew, and know, more about that book and the idea of religion than 99.999% of the people that claim to be Christians - and that is exactly why I find religion (any and all) to be the actual worst fucking thing to ever happen to this planet. I know EXACTLY what the Christian playbook is. I was literally indoctrinated in it from birth. All these Christians scream about indoctrination in schools, which is complete bullshit. The truest indoctrination is religion, specifically Christianity in America. I know exactly who these people are. I know exactly what they are trying to do. The little games that get played to make sure they can stay tax-free, avoid getting in trouble for being political during sermons, to buy politicians to do their bidding. I know it all. It was who I was raised to be.

The reason I hate religion like I do is because I know EXACTLY what it is. I know exactly who the people in it are.

"NOT ALL CHRISTIANS!!!"

Sure, and "not all cops" is also true, but when you see the same exact pattern play out in every single police force in every single town, city, metro, municipality, etc. across the country you start to have a pretty good understanding who what the larger picture and majority of it all is.

So few Christians understand even the fucking most basic shit of the bible that I'm embarrassed for them. Trying to have a real theological discussion - not even debate - where you just ask them to actually explain why the believe what they do and think how they think without simply going "Because Jesus and the bible and my pastor tells me" is impossible. They instantly start getting angry and screaming about gays, they, and commie scum.

On top of that I grew up insanely Republican. In middle and high school I had posters for George Bush on my lockers. I listened to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck EVERY single day. Paid for their membership packages to their websites well into my sophomore year in college even. Just like the religious sect, there's a reason I am no longer a republican and despise what that party is and has become. I was one of them. I was in it deep. I know what it actually is.

To tie this back to the actual topic we are in

Mike Johnson is a young earth creationist who believes the earth is 6000 years old, maximum. He believes that humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time. He believes there were dinosaurs on the ark. He has funneled government funds in Kentucky to create museums dedicated to trying to prove that and pushing those crack pot ideas. He believes and pushes conversion therapy, ignoring literally every pieces of research that's ever been done and how dangerous that is. He was one of the key figures in spreading lies and conspiracies around the 2020 election and trying to overturn it and create the insurrection. In fact he was the lead on the amicus brief in Texas at that time.

People like Mike Johnson are an actual danger to the existence of the Constitution, actual democracy, and the US as a whole.

[∞∞∞]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson admitted that he and his son monitored each other’s porn intake in a resurfaced clip from 2022.

During a conversation on the “War on Technology” at Benton, Louisiana’s Cypress Baptist Church — unearthed by X user Receipt Maven last week — the Louisiana representative talked about how he installed “accountability software” called Covenant Eyes on his devices in order to abstain from internet porn and other unsavory websites...

..."It sends a report to your accountability partner. My accountability partner right now is Jack, my son. He’s 17. So he and I get a report about all the things that are on our phones, all of our devices, once a week. If anything objectionable comes up, your accountability partner gets an immediate notice. I’m proud to tell ya, my son has got a clean slate.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

[houndawg]

What does the Constitution say about Pride month?

Why is it a whole month anyway? A bit much wouldn’t you say

I don't know.... a bit much what?

[Caribbean Hen]

Why is it a whole month anyway? A bit much wouldn’t you say

I don't know.... a bit much what?

Might as well be talkin to Vinny Barbarino

[kalm]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson admitted that he and his son monitored each other’s porn intake in a resurfaced clip from 2022.

During a conversation on the “War on Technology” at Benton, Louisiana’s Cypress Baptist Church — unearthed by X user Receipt Maven last week — the Louisiana representative talked about how he installed “accountability software” called Covenant Eyes on his devices in order to abstain from internet porn and other unsavory websites...

..."It sends a report to your accountability partner. My accountability partner right now is Jack, my son. He’s 17. So he and I get a report about all the things that are on our phones, all of our devices, once a week. If anything objectionable comes up, your accountability partner gets an immediate notice. I’m proud to tell ya, my son has got a clean slate.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

That’s a one hell of a rant Clenzy!

[UNI88]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson admitted that he and his son monitored each other’s porn intake in a resurfaced clip from 2022.

During a conversation on the “War on Technology” at Benton, Louisiana’s Cypress Baptist Church — unearthed by X user Receipt Maven last week — the Louisiana representative talked about how he installed “accountability software” called Covenant Eyes on his devices in order to abstain from internet porn and other unsavory websites...

..."It sends a report to your accountability partner. My accountability partner right now is Jack, my son. He’s 17. So he and I get a report about all the things that are on our phones, all of our devices, once a week. If anything objectionable comes up, your accountability partner gets an immediate notice. I’m proud to tell ya, my son has got a clean slate.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

I saw that and it is creepy.

Mike Little Johnson is now 2nd in line for the Presidency. What are the security risks of having this app monitoring him?

[Caribbean Hen]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson admitted that he and his son monitored each other’s porn intake in a resurfaced clip from 2022.

During a conversation on the “War on Technology” at Benton, Louisiana’s Cypress Baptist Church — unearthed by X user Receipt Maven last week — the Louisiana representative talked about how he installed “accountability software” called Covenant Eyes on his devices in order to abstain from internet porn and other unsavory websites...

..."It sends a report to your accountability partner. My accountability partner right now is Jack, my son. He’s 17. So he and I get a report about all the things that are on our phones, all of our devices, once a week. If anything objectionable comes up, your accountability partner gets an immediate notice. I’m proud to tell ya, my son has got a clean slate.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

Joey Rotten and Hunter would of benefited hugely from that type of check and balance, but Perv Biden didn’t give a shit and hasn’t changed a bit

[Caribbean Hen]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:


https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

I saw that and it is creepy.

Mike Little Johnson is now 2nd in line for the Presidency. What are the security risks of having this app monitoring him?

Ahhh The President is the biggest creep bud

[∞∞∞]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:


https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

I saw that and it is creepy.

Mike Little Johnson is now 2nd in line for the Presidency. What are the security risks of having this app monitoring him?

I'm convinced most congress critters don't know how the internet works. Besides being creepy, I have no doubt Johnson thought nothing of letting a 3rd-party app complete access to his personal device. Not really an issue for a random person, but big issue being a Congressman.

If our adversaries (and allies) are getting sensitive info - and they are - this is how they're doing it.

[houndawg]

I won't argue with you on that. I'm on record many times on this board stating that the worst thing for Christianity are Christians themselves.

I consider myself very fortunate to have come to Christ on my own terms. Met a lot of atheists, not saying you are, that were raised in the church and the shit they tell me spins my head.

A lot of Christians miss the main message that we all have our problems. Living in a glass house and throwing stones doesn't help.

I grew up going to church twice every single Sunday - Sunday school, morning service, night service
I grew up going to church every single Wednesday night from September until May starting in kindergarten as part of A.W.A.N.A starting with Cubbies, then Sparks, then T&T and then moving into middle school youth group and then to "senior youth group" all through high school. I earned every single patch and award through AWANA, including the Timothy Award which means I finished every single work book of memorizing verses, completing assignments, etc. from the very start to the very end of AWANA.

In the various youth groups growing up I spent hundreds of hours volunteering at various shelters, food banks, missions, etc. I went on full-blown mission trips to Mexico for 3 weeks where I was part of building a church from the literal ground up (not to what we would consider standards, but for the insanely impoverished area I was working in) cinder block by actual cinder block and then running group for young children similar to the cubbies or sparks in Awana. I then went to Canada, so the poorest neighborhood in all of Canada in Vancouver. Spent 3 weeks there working in a kitchen serving meals to the homeless, working with a program that helped kids, actually living - sleeping, showering, eating, everything - in a church for that full period. I went to bible camp every single summer from 2nd grade through the summer after my 8th grade year, which is when I started going on mission trips instead.

My dad was a deacon and usher my entire life. My family volunteered to clean the church every week, twice a week, for years because we felt like it was us doing "god's will". I spent every single Tuesday night cleaning from the weekend and getting it ready for AWANA on Wednesday night and then going back on Thursday night to clean to get it ready for the weekend and set up for whatever was happening in the church for the weekend. It wasn't a small church. Not a small church either. It has 2 sermons every Sunday morning - each with 400-500+ at each one. Mind you I grew up in a town of 1000 people and all the towns around us were that size or smaller. The church had 3 levels, has 2 multipurpose rooms/gymnasiums. On top of that I would play in a pick up basketball league with my youth pastor 3 mornings a week at 5AM. We'd go have breakfast together multiple mornings a week during the school year. He was - and is - a fantasitc person. But he was the start of this new age cult of personality type ministry we are seeing to try grab on and keep the youth. He wasn't as flamboyant as the stereotype, but he fit that mold. I really liked, and still do, like him as a person. What I'm saying is church, religion, god, jesus, etc. was my life growing up.

I held my graduation party in the fucking church.

By the time I graduated from high school I had read, damn near memorized, every single verse in the bible. I knew, and know, more about that book and the idea of religion than 99.999% of the people that claim to be Christians - and that is exactly why I find religion (any and all) to be the actual worst fucking thing to ever happen to this planet. I know EXACTLY what the Christian playbook is. I was literally indoctrinated in it from birth. All these Christians scream about indoctrination in schools, which is complete bullshit. The truest indoctrination is religion, specifically Christianity in America. I know exactly who these people are. I know exactly what they are trying to do. The little games that get played to make sure they can stay tax-free, avoid getting in trouble for being political during sermons, to buy politicians to do their bidding. I know it all. It was who I was raised to be.

The reason I hate religion like I do is because I know EXACTLY what it is. I know exactly who the people in it are.

"NOT ALL CHRISTIANS!!!"

Sure, and "not all cops" is also true, but when you see the same exact pattern play out in every single police force in every single town, city, metro, municipality, etc. across the country you start to have a pretty good understanding who what the larger picture and majority of it all is.

So few Christians understand even the fucking most basic shit of the bible that I'm embarrassed for them. Trying to have a real theological discussion - not even debate - where you just ask them to actually explain why the believe what they do and think how they think without simply going "Because Jesus and the bible and my pastor tells me" is impossible. They instantly start getting angry and screaming about gays, they, and commie scum.

On top of that I grew up insanely Republican. In middle and high school I had posters for George Bush on my lockers. I listened to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck EVERY single day. Paid for their membership packages to their websites well into my sophomore year in college even. Just like the religious sect, there's a reason I am no longer a republican and despise what that party is and has become. I was one of them. I was in it deep. I know what it actually is.

To tie this back to the actual topic we are in

Mike Johnson is a young earth creationist who believes the earth is 6000 years old, maximum. He believes that humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time. He believes there were dinosaurs on the ark. He has funneled government funds in Kentucky to create museums dedicated to trying to prove that and pushing those crack pot ideas. He believes and pushes conversion therapy, ignoring literally every pieces of research that's ever been done and how dangerous that is. He was one of the key figures in spreading lies and conspiracies around the 2020 election and trying to overturn it and create the insurrection. In fact he was the lead on the amicus brief in Texas at that time.

People like Mike Johnson are an actual danger to the existence of the Constitution, actual democracy, and the US as a whole.

What a horror of a childhood.....

Mine had its moments but at least I dodged the religion bullet.

How does a person suspend disbelief to the point where they can accept that jabbering nonsense as fact? My mom had her own good reasons for detesting organized religion but she always told us that we were welcome to it if we wanted some. Here's the part I don't get: It was obviously phony and obvious that their purpose was collecting money and even a 12-year old could see it plain as day; how can so many people be so foolish as to wilfully participate in such and obvious scam?

[kalm]

Damn I forgot how much I love angry Clenz.

Also this is a totally normal, healthy, non-creepy way to parent an underage teen:


https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/p ... 234870634/

Joey Rotten and Hunter would of benefited hugely from that type of check and balance, but Perv Biden didn’t give a shit and hasn’t changed a bit

Here’s a related headline for you…

JIM JORDAN SNIFFS DICK PICS WHILE ROME BURNS

November 8, 2023/0 Comments/in 2024 Presidential Election, Hunter Biden /by emptywheel
Yesterday, David Weiss, the US Attorney turned Special Counsel leading an investigation into Hunter Biden that has entered a sixth year, testified to the House Judiciary Committee.

His written statement debunked Gary Shapley’s claims about what he said in an October 7, 2022 meeting, as has the testimony of every other witness who attended the meeting, as well as US Attorneys Matthew Graves and Martin Estrada and (on other matters) Shapley’s supervisors and DOJ’s Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Tax Division, Stuart Goldberg.

Today, I am prepared to address the misunderstandings about the scope of my authority to decide where, when, and whether to bring charges in this matter. I do not intend to answer questions that could jeopardize the ongoing litigation, our investigations, or the rights of defendants or other individuals involved in these matters.

I am, and have been, the decision maker on this case. I do not, however, make these decisions in a vacuum. I am bound by federal law, the principles of federal prosecution and DOJ guidelines. As a result, there are processes that I must adhere to in making investigative and charging decisions. These processes did not interfere with my decision-making authority. At no time was I blocked, or otherwise prevented from pursuing charges or taking the steps necessary in the investigation by other United States Attorneys, the Tax Division or anyone else at the Department of Justice.

NYT reported that Weiss is fed up with Republican interference in his case.

That Mr. Weiss spoke to the committee before issuing a final report on the investigation reflected his mounting frustration with House Republicans, according to people close to him, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

https://www.emptywheel.net/2023/11/08/j ... ome-burns/

[clenz]

How does a person suspend disbelief to the point where they can accept that jabbering nonsense as fact? My mom had her own good reasons for detesting organized religion but she always told us that we were welcome to it if we wanted some. Here's the part I don't get: It was obviously phony and obvious that their purpose was collecting money and even a 12-year old could see it plain as day; how can so many people be so foolish as to wilfully participate in such and obvious scam?

How does a person suspend disbelief? Easy - actual indoctrination. Mainstream religions are no different than Jamestown, Manson, Heaven's Gate, etc. They all started the same way, they are all run the same way, they all recruit the same way. The difference is religions like Christianity are old enough and were picked up by those in charge thousands of years ago as their preferred method of maintaining power, control and money so they made it State-organized. They gave it legitimacy. Whereas anything that's newer than that - any of the cults or Mormonism - doesn't have the centuries of indoctrination at such a massive scale to be seen as legitimate.

Religion is evil. It is the definition of indoctrination. Why do you think missionaries specifically pick out the most impoverished, least educated, most insulated, most isolated, etc. areas and tribes to "mission"? Because they know those people don't have the understanding of the world that developed areas will. They know they will be much easier to trick with snake oil type sales pitches. "Sure, you have your gods but your gods have left you here to struggle with life. My god has made me/us so powerful we were able to travel to find you and we want the same for you and to save you from burning in hell so you must follow our god". The fucked up part is, they didn't know this "god" existed. So this is where my example of rejecting a gift I didn't want comes in - god doesn't punish those who "reject Jesus" if they've never heard of him. Now these missionaries or forcing god/jesus on them and going "NOW THAT YOU KNOW OF HIM YOU WILL BURN IN HELL UNLESS YOU ACCEPT HIM AS YOUR SAVIOR". That's pretty fucked up.

Religion, and anyone who tries to spread it and push it on literally anyone else, is actually evil and selfish. It's not done out of love for others. It's done to make them feel like they are accomplishing something, filling a demand from a god that will punish them in hell if they don't, etc. They may feel like it's out of love for others, but it isn't. It's out of fear for what happens if they don't follow the indoctrination.


And before SG tries to bring it up, no I don't force my issues with religion on my kids. I say nothing of religion. I got asked what happens after people die the other week and my answer was essentially a long discussion about "no one actually knows, and depending who you ask you're going to get a different answer. There are those who think when you die that's it. Your physical life is over. There are some religions that believe you are reincarnated based on karma your accrued in this life. There are those who believe in various heavens and hells. No one knows what happens. You just live your life to be the best person you can be and to leave the world and those around you in a better place than you found them and whatever happens happens after that." They are free to pick a religion when they are old enough to do so and make actual logic-based decisions. I know adults around them (my parents, their mother's parents, family friends on both sides, the babysitter they went to as young children, etc.) are trying to indoctrinate them. Everything with them is "God this. Jesus that." I just grin and bear it and move on after.

I'll stop now, but anyone who espouses the more extreme of the beliefs of the that system has zero roll making decisions to run the country - especially in such a roll as speaker.

[Caribbean Hen]

I’m not a fan of the church but You don’t need to set foot in a church to believe in the goodness of Jesus

[∞∞∞]

I had an Evangelical coworker that did yearly mission trips to Africa. This "charity" taught English.

The catch was that the learning material was Biblical. So basically you had non-English speakers being tricked to learn Christianity under the guise of a free education. Some charity...

[clenz]

I’m not a fan of the church but You don’t need to set foot in a church to believe in the goodness of Jesus

Yet 99.9999999% of Christian's don't actually life the way Jesus taught. They ignore damn near all of it, because it doesn't fit what they want and how they want those around them to act to make sure they aren't uncomfortable.

You want to talk about the difference between a faith system and a religion? That's fine, that's a different discussion.

I'll steal a line that the Christians that pretend to be more accepting say "If you want to be gay that's fine, just keep it in your house. No one should know you're gay when you're in public. We don't want you holding hands, kissing, showing affection. Don't force us to see it and be exposed to it"

Same thing for you and you're made up god and religion

"If you want to be Christian that's fine, just keep it in your house. No one should know you're christian when you're in public. We don't want you reading bibles, evangelizing, or praying. Don't force us to see it and be exposed to it"

[clenz]

I had an Evangelical coworker that did yearly mission trips to Africa. This "charity" taught English.

The catch was that the learning material was Biblical. So basically you had non-English speakers being tricked to learn Christianity under the guise of a free education. Some charity...

That's how it all works. They go after 3rd world countries. Those that can't speak English, those that don't have the same learned critical thinking skills from being exposed to a large number of experiences and ideas, etc.

It's literal indoctrination.

[Caribbean Hen]

I’m not a fan of the church but You don’t need to set foot in a church to believe in the goodness of Jesus

Yet 99.9999999% of Christian's don't actually life the way Jesus taught. They ignore damn near all of it, because it doesn't fit what they want and how they want those around them to act to make sure they aren't uncomfortable.

You want to talk about the difference between a faith system and a religion? That's fine, that's a different discussion.

I'll steal a line that the Christians that pretend to be more accepting say "If you want to be gay that's fine, just keep it in your house. No one should know you're gay when you're in public. We don't want you holding hands, kissing, showing affection. Don't force us to see it and be exposed to it"

Same thing for you and you're made up god and religion

"If you want to be Christian that's fine, just keep it in your house. No one should know you're christian when you're in public. We don't want you reading bibles, evangelizing, or praying. Don't force us to see it and be exposed to it"

I’m fine with gays, have a few in the family. They can get all lovey in public too, and I can think it’s gross.

[SeattleGriz]

I won't argue with you on that. I'm on record many times on this board stating that the worst thing for Christianity are Christians themselves.

I consider myself very fortunate to have come to Christ on my own terms. Met a lot of atheists, not saying you are, that were raised in the church and the shit they tell me spins my head.

A lot of Christians miss the main message that we all have our problems. Living in a glass house and throwing stones doesn't help.

I grew up going to church twice every single Sunday - Sunday school, morning service, night service
I grew up going to church every single Wednesday night from September until May starting in kindergarten as part of A.W.A.N.A starting with Cubbies, then Sparks, then T&T and then moving into middle school youth group and then to "senior youth group" all through high school. I earned every single patch and award through AWANA, including the Timothy Award which means I finished every single work book of memorizing verses, completing assignments, etc. from the very start to the very end of AWANA.

In the various youth groups growing up I spent hundreds of hours volunteering at various shelters, food banks, missions, etc. I went on full-blown mission trips to Mexico for 3 weeks where I was part of building a church from the literal ground up (not to what we would consider standards, but for the insanely impoverished area I was working in) cinder block by actual cinder block and then running group for young children similar to the cubbies or sparks in Awana. I then went to Canada, so the poorest neighborhood in all of Canada in Vancouver. Spent 3 weeks there working in a kitchen serving meals to the homeless, working with a program that helped kids, actually living - sleeping, showering, eating, everything - in a church for that full period. I went to bible camp every single summer from 2nd grade through the summer after my 8th grade year, which is when I started going on mission trips instead.

My dad was a deacon and usher my entire life. My family volunteered to clean the church every week, twice a week, for years because we felt like it was us doing "god's will". I spent every single Tuesday night cleaning from the weekend and getting it ready for AWANA on Wednesday night and then going back on Thursday night to clean to get it ready for the weekend and set up for whatever was happening in the church for the weekend. It wasn't a small church. Not a small church either. It has 2 sermons every Sunday morning - each with 400-500+ at each one. Mind you I grew up in a town of 1000 people and all the towns around us were that size or smaller. The church had 3 levels, has 2 multipurpose rooms/gymnasiums. On top of that I would play in a pick up basketball league with my youth pastor 3 mornings a week at 5AM. We'd go have breakfast together multiple mornings a week during the school year. He was - and is - a fantasitc person. But he was the start of this new age cult of personality type ministry we are seeing to try grab on and keep the youth. He wasn't as flamboyant as the stereotype, but he fit that mold. I really liked, and still do, like him as a person. What I'm saying is church, religion, god, jesus, etc. was my life growing up.

I held my graduation party in the fucking church.

By the time I graduated from high school I had read, damn near memorized, every single verse in the bible. I knew, and know, more about that book and the idea of religion than 99.999% of the people that claim to be Christians - and that is exactly why I find religion (any and all) to be the actual worst fucking thing to ever happen to this planet. I know EXACTLY what the Christian playbook is. I was literally indoctrinated in it from birth. All these Christians scream about indoctrination in schools, which is complete bullshit. The truest indoctrination is religion, specifically Christianity in America. I know exactly who these people are. I know exactly what they are trying to do. The little games that get played to make sure they can stay tax-free, avoid getting in trouble for being political during sermons, to buy politicians to do their bidding. I know it all. It was who I was raised to be.

The reason I hate religion like I do is because I know EXACTLY what it is. I know exactly who the people in it are.

"NOT ALL CHRISTIANS!!!"

Sure, and "not all cops" is also true, but when you see the same exact pattern play out in every single police force in every single town, city, metro, municipality, etc. across the country you start to have a pretty good understanding who what the larger picture and majority of it all is.

So few Christians understand even the fucking most basic shit of the bible that I'm embarrassed for them. Trying to have a real theological discussion - not even debate - where you just ask them to actually explain why the believe what they do and think how they think without simply going "Because Jesus and the bible and my pastor tells me" is impossible. They instantly start getting angry and screaming about gays, they, and commie scum.

On top of that I grew up insanely Republican. In middle and high school I had posters for George Bush on my lockers. I listened to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck EVERY single day. Paid for their membership packages to their websites well into my sophomore year in college even. Just like the religious sect, there's a reason I am no longer a republican and despise what that party is and has become. I was one of them. I was in it deep. I know what it actually is.

To tie this back to the actual topic we are in

Mike Johnson is a young earth creationist who believes the earth is 6000 years old, maximum. He believes that humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time. He believes there were dinosaurs on the ark. He has funneled government funds in Kentucky to create museums dedicated to trying to prove that and pushing those crack pot ideas. He believes and pushes conversion therapy, ignoring literally every pieces of research that's ever been done and how dangerous that is. He was one of the key figures in spreading lies and conspiracies around the 2020 election and trying to overturn it and create the insurrection. In fact he was the lead on the amicus brief in Texas at that time.

People like Mike Johnson are an actual danger to the existence of the Constitution, actual democracy, and the US as a whole.

Solid reply. Thank you.

I'm sorry to hear your story, but unfortunately, it's one I've heard before and that's a problem. Four of the eight guys I used to play disc golf with in Phoenix all had similar stories. All of them, I would readily admit, would score better on a "who's the biggest sinner" assessment than me. As I previously said, I came to Christianity on my own terms, so I've only had a good experiences. I'm only now starting to see how problematic is has become. I remember the first time I heard about Kenneth Copeland and looked him up.

I'm going to have to check out some of his beliefs, but as stated, solid reply. That helps me to look items up.

I don't think he's a danger to our constitution, but he certainly won't make Christian conservatives look good if he goes too extreme. At least you have that going for you.

[SeattleGriz]

How does a person suspend disbelief to the point where they can accept that jabbering nonsense as fact? My mom had her own good reasons for detesting organized religion but she always told us that we were welcome to it if we wanted some. Here's the part I don't get: It was obviously phony and obvious that their purpose was collecting money and even a 12-year old could see it plain as day; how can so many people be so foolish as to wilfully participate in such and obvious scam?

How does a person suspend disbelief? Easy - actual indoctrination. Mainstream religions are no different than Jamestown, Manson, Heaven's Gate, etc. They all started the same way, they are all run the same way, they all recruit the same way. The difference is religions like Christianity are old enough and were picked up by those in charge thousands of years ago as their preferred method of maintaining power, control and money so they made it State-organized. They gave it legitimacy. Whereas anything that's newer than that - any of the cults or Mormonism - doesn't have the centuries of indoctrination at such a massive scale to be seen as legitimate.

Religion is evil. It is the definition of indoctrination. Why do you think missionaries specifically pick out the most impoverished, least educated, most insulated, most isolated, etc. areas and tribes to "mission"? Because they know those people don't have the understanding of the world that developed areas will. They know they will be much easier to trick with snake oil type sales pitches. "Sure, you have your gods but your gods have left you here to struggle with life. My god has made me/us so powerful we were able to travel to find you and we want the same for you and to save you from burning in hell so you must follow our god". The fucked up part is, they didn't know this "god" existed. So this is where my example of rejecting a gift I didn't want comes in - god doesn't punish those who "reject Jesus" if they've never heard of him. Now these missionaries or forcing god/jesus on them and going "NOW THAT YOU KNOW OF HIM YOU WILL BURN IN HELL UNLESS YOU ACCEPT HIM AS YOUR SAVIOR". That's pretty fucked up.

Religion, and anyone who tries to spread it and push it on literally anyone else, is actually evil and selfish. It's not done out of love for others. It's done to make them feel like they are accomplishing something, filling a demand from a god that will punish them in hell if they don't, etc. They may feel like it's out of love for others, but it isn't. It's out of fear for what happens if they don't follow the indoctrination.


And before SG tries to bring it up, no I don't force my issues with religion on my kids. I say nothing of religion. I got asked what happens after people die the other week and my answer was essentially a long discussion about "no one actually knows, and depending who you ask you're going to get a different answer. There are those who think when you die that's it. Your physical life is over. There are some religions that believe you are reincarnated based on karma your accrued in this life. There are those who believe in various heavens and hells. No one knows what happens. You just live your life to be the best person you can be and to leave the world and those around you in a better place than you found them and whatever happens happens after that." They are free to pick a religion when they are old enough to do so and make actual logic-based decisions. I know adults around them (my parents, their mother's parents, family friends on both sides, the babysitter they went to as young children, etc.) are trying to indoctrinate them. Everything with them is "God this. Jesus that." I just grin and bear it and move on after.

I'll stop now, but anyone who espouses the more extreme of the beliefs of the that system has zero roll making decisions to run the country - especially in such a roll as speaker.

I don't play that game. You'll realize I think I'm a big piece of shit and can do better in many ways with my life. Just read through the Autism thread where I admit to being a huge piece of shit for discriminating against my own special needs son. Treat him differently than his brother and sister. I have no leg to stand on in criticizing or judging others.

[UNI88]

I grew up going to church twice every single Sunday - Sunday school, morning service, night service
I grew up going to church every single Wednesday night from September until May starting in kindergarten as part of A.W.A.N.A starting with Cubbies, then Sparks, then T&T and then moving into middle school youth group and then to "senior youth group" all through high school. I earned every single patch and award through AWANA, including the Timothy Award which means I finished every single work book of memorizing verses, completing assignments, etc. from the very start to the very end of AWANA.

In the various youth groups growing up I spent hundreds of hours volunteering at various shelters, food banks, missions, etc. I went on full-blown mission trips to Mexico for 3 weeks where I was part of building a church from the literal ground up (not to what we would consider standards, but for the insanely impoverished area I was working in) cinder block by actual cinder block and then running group for young children similar to the cubbies or sparks in Awana. I then went to Canada, so the poorest neighborhood in all of Canada in Vancouver. Spent 3 weeks there working in a kitchen serving meals to the homeless, working with a program that helped kids, actually living - sleeping, showering, eating, everything - in a church for that full period. I went to bible camp every single summer from 2nd grade through the summer after my 8th grade year, which is when I started going on mission trips instead.

My dad was a deacon and usher my entire life. My family volunteered to clean the church every week, twice a week, for years because we felt like it was us doing "god's will". I spent every single Tuesday night cleaning from the weekend and getting it ready for AWANA on Wednesday night and then going back on Thursday night to clean to get it ready for the weekend and set up for whatever was happening in the church for the weekend. It wasn't a small church. Not a small church either. It has 2 sermons every Sunday morning - each with 400-500+ at each one. Mind you I grew up in a town of 1000 people and all the towns around us were that size or smaller. The church had 3 levels, has 2 multipurpose rooms/gymnasiums. On top of that I would play in a pick up basketball league with my youth pastor 3 mornings a week at 5AM. We'd go have breakfast together multiple mornings a week during the school year. He was - and is - a fantasitc person. But he was the start of this new age cult of personality type ministry we are seeing to try grab on and keep the youth. He wasn't as flamboyant as the stereotype, but he fit that mold. I really liked, and still do, like him as a person. What I'm saying is church, religion, god, jesus, etc. was my life growing up.

I held my graduation party in the fucking church.

By the time I graduated from high school I had read, damn near memorized, every single verse in the bible. I knew, and know, more about that book and the idea of religion than 99.999% of the people that claim to be Christians - and that is exactly why I find religion (any and all) to be the actual worst fucking thing to ever happen to this planet. I know EXACTLY what the Christian playbook is. I was literally indoctrinated in it from birth. All these Christians scream about indoctrination in schools, which is complete bullshit. The truest indoctrination is religion, specifically Christianity in America. I know exactly who these people are. I know exactly what they are trying to do. The little games that get played to make sure they can stay tax-free, avoid getting in trouble for being political during sermons, to buy politicians to do their bidding. I know it all. It was who I was raised to be.

The reason I hate religion like I do is because I know EXACTLY what it is. I know exactly who the people in it are.

"NOT ALL CHRISTIANS!!!"

Sure, and "not all cops" is also true, but when you see the same exact pattern play out in every single police force in every single town, city, metro, municipality, etc. across the country you start to have a pretty good understanding who what the larger picture and majority of it all is.

So few Christians understand even the fucking most basic shit of the bible that I'm embarrassed for them. Trying to have a real theological discussion - not even debate - where you just ask them to actually explain why the believe what they do and think how they think without simply going "Because Jesus and the bible and my pastor tells me" is impossible. They instantly start getting angry and screaming about gays, they, and commie scum.

On top of that I grew up insanely Republican. In middle and high school I had posters for George Bush on my lockers. I listened to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck EVERY single day. Paid for their membership packages to their websites well into my sophomore year in college even. Just like the religious sect, there's a reason I am no longer a republican and despise what that party is and has become. I was one of them. I was in it deep. I know what it actually is.

To tie this back to the actual topic we are in

Mike Johnson is a young earth creationist who believes the earth is 6000 years old, maximum. He believes that humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time. He believes there were dinosaurs on the ark. He has funneled government funds in Kentucky to create museums dedicated to trying to prove that and pushing those crack pot ideas. He believes and pushes conversion therapy, ignoring literally every pieces of research that's ever been done and how dangerous that is. He was one of the key figures in spreading lies and conspiracies around the 2020 election and trying to overturn it and create the insurrection. In fact he was the lead on the amicus brief in Texas at that time.

People like Mike Johnson are an actual danger to the existence of the Constitution, actual democracy, and the US as a whole.

Solid reply. Thank you.

I'm sorry to hear your story, but unfortunately, it's one I've heard before and that's a problem. Four of the eight guys I used to play disc golf with in Phoenix all had similar stories. All of them, I would readily admit, would score better on a "who's the biggest sinner" assessment than me. As I previously said, I came to Christianity on my own terms, so I've only had a good experiences. I'm only now starting to see how problematic is has become. I remember the first time I heard about Kenneth Copeland and looked him up.

I'm going to have to check out some of his beliefs, but as stated, solid reply. That helps me to look items up.

I don't think he's a danger to our constitution, but he certainly won't make Christian conservatives look good if he goes too extreme. At least you have that going for you.

He is a public servant who has taken an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution. If he looks for guidance from the bible before or instead of the Constitution he is a danger to the Constitution. He is free to look to the bible for guidance in his personal life but as a public servant, his oath to the Constitution takes precedence.

[SeattleGriz]

Solid reply. Thank you.

I'm sorry to hear your story, but unfortunately, it's one I've heard before and that's a problem. Four of the eight guys I used to play disc golf with in Phoenix all had similar stories. All of them, I would readily admit, would score better on a "who's the biggest sinner" assessment than me. As I previously said, I came to Christianity on my own terms, so I've only had a good experiences. I'm only now starting to see how problematic is has become. I remember the first time I heard about Kenneth Copeland and looked him up.

I'm going to have to check out some of his beliefs, but as stated, solid reply. That helps me to look items up.

I don't think he's a danger to our constitution, but he certainly won't make Christian conservatives look good if he goes too extreme. At least you have that going for you.

He is a public servant who has taken an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution. If he looks for guidance from the bible before or instead of the Constitution he is a danger to the Constitution. He is free to look to the bible for guidance in his personal life but as a public servant, his oath to the Constitution takes precedence.

So what is he going to implement that is detrimental?

Do we have checks and balances to prevent his deranged impulses?

[UNI88]

He is a public servant who has taken an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution. If he looks for guidance from the bible before or instead of the Constitution he is a danger to the Constitution. He is free to look to the bible for guidance in his personal life but as a public servant, his oath to the Constitution takes precedence.

So what is he going to implement that is detrimental?

Do we have checks and balances to prevent his deranged impulses?

He's in a leadership role, it isn't just about what he's going to implement. Can he push for funding to go to places the government shouldn't be funding?

Mike Johnson is a young earth creationist who believes the earth is 6000 years old, maximum. He believes that humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time. He believes there were dinosaurs on the ark. He has funneled government funds in Kentucky to create museums dedicated to trying to prove that and pushing those crack pot ideas. He believes and pushes conversion therapy, ignoring literally every pieces of research that's ever been done and how dangerous that is. He was one of the key figures in spreading lies and conspiracies around the 2020 election and trying to overturn it and create the insurrection. In fact he was the lead on the amicus brief in Texas at that time.

People like Mike Johnson are an actual danger to the existence of the Constitution, actual democracy, and the US as a whole.

What will little johnson do if trump loses again in 2024? Will he honor his oath to the Constitution or will he again attempt to subvert the election results? Fortunately the Electoral Count Reform Act will make this more difficult.

[SeattleGriz]

So what is he going to implement that is detrimental?

Do we have checks and balances to prevent his deranged impulses?

He's in a leadership role, it isn't just about what he's going to implement. Can he push for funding to go to places the government shouldn't be funding?

Mike Johnson is a young earth creationist who believes the earth is 6000 years old, maximum. He believes that humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time. He believes there were dinosaurs on the ark. He has funneled government funds in Kentucky to create museums dedicated to trying to prove that and pushing those crack pot ideas. He believes and pushes conversion therapy, ignoring literally every pieces of research that's ever been done and how dangerous that is. He was one of the key figures in spreading lies and conspiracies around the 2020 election and trying to overturn it and create the insurrection. In fact he was the lead on the amicus brief in Texas at that time.

People like Mike Johnson are an actual danger to the existence of the Constitution, actual democracy, and the US as a whole.

What will little johnson do if trump loses again in 2024? Will he honor his oath to the Constitution or will he again attempt to subvert the election results? Fortunately the Electoral Count Reform Act will make this more difficult.

And? What is he going to ram through that will be detrimental? Permanent Handmaid's tale? Sabbath Sunday?

[houndawg]

He's in a leadership role, it isn't just about what he's going to implement. Can he push for funding to go to places the government shouldn't be funding?



What will little johnson do if trump loses again in 2024? Will he honor his oath to the Constitution or will he again attempt to subvert the election results? Fortunately the Electoral Count Reform Act will make this more difficult.

And? What is he going to ram through that will be detrimental? Permanent Handmaid's tale? Sabbath Sunday?

I imagine that high on his list will be trying to divert public money to religious causes and that he faps to thoughts of making his superstitions the official superstitions of our nation.

[SeattleGriz]

And? What is he going to ram through that will be detrimental? Permanent Handmaid's tale? Sabbath Sunday?

I imagine that high on his list will be trying to divert public money to religious causes and that he faps to thoughts of making his superstitions the official superstitions of our nation.

Exactly. He ain't passing shit to infringe on anyone, but we have to listen to coulda shoulda woulda nonsense from the ill to less than informed. You included.