Some Christian pastors praised the slaughter at Pulse.

I don’t know which one is the worst, but religion as a whole is certainly an anchor holding back progress. I don’t know if a any sort of global ‘utopia’ is actually possible but I know it isn’t possible as long as religion exists. So on that point we certainly agree.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by nittany ram.

Billy_T wrote:

nittany ram wrote:

I don’t know which one is the worst, but religion as a whole is certainly an anchor holding back progress. I don’t know if a any sort of global ‘utopia’ is actually possible but I know it isn’t possible as long as religion exists.

We agree on that one, definitely.

I also don’t think “utopias” are possible. Perhaps they’re not even desirable. But I do believe we can do immensely better. Doing much better is the key for me. We have a ton of room between our current barbarism and that utopian high.

I’m reading a biography of the Romanovs right now, and judging from the norms of the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries — I’m up to 1740, roughly — we’ve already reduced a great deal of commonplace barbarism in the world. Obviously, we have tremendous work still ahead. But it gives me some hope for the future.

Well, I wish I had your optimism but I have no hope for mankind’s future. I see a toddler and I cringe when I think of the world he or she will inherit. I think humanity has two, maybe three generations left.

“According to Islamic law (in the first verse quoted above), the following two crimes can be punishable by death:

Intentional murder
Fasad fil-ardh (“spreading mischief in the land”)
Intentional Murder

The Qur’an legislates the death penalty for murder, although forgiveness and compassion are strongly encouraged. The murder victim’s family is given a choice to either insist on the death penalty, or to pardon the perpetrator and accept monetary compensation for their loss (2:178).
Fasaad fi al-ardh

The second crime for which capital punishment can be applied is a bit more open to interpretation. “Spreading mischief in the land” can mean many different things, but is generally interpreted to mean those crimes that affect the community as a whole, and destabilize the society. Crimes that have fallen under this description have included:
Treason / Apostacy (when one leaves the faith and joins the enemy in fighting against the Muslim community)
Terrorism
Land, sea, or air piracy
Rape
Adultery
Homosexual behavior

http://islam.about.com/cs/law/a/c_punishment.htm

I saw sound bites from several “Baptist” preachers after Orlando. Unbelievable and totally disgusting that there are people alive in this country in the 21st century that can actually spew out that type of vitriol, especially after so many fellow Americans were just butchered.

BNW: I find it highly ironic that you are telling other posters that they are being too negative when it is the very policies you support that have made them so world weary. Can you see that?

bnw:

Have you ever known someone, or several someones, who were slaughtered with a semi automatic rifle?

Have you ever tried to explain to crying, screaming, unconsolable children why people important to them had just been snuffed out like a candle, and had to explain to them why one little scrawny fuck was able to kill 26 people in such a short time??

If your answer is no, consider yourself lucky, because if things stay status quo, your luck, and everybody else’s luck is going to run out.

TSRF wrote:

bnw:

Have you ever known someone, or several someones, who were slaughtered with a semi automatic rifle?

Have you ever tried to explain to crying, screaming, unconsolable children why people important to them had just been snuffed out like a candle, and had to explain to them why one little scrawny fuck was able to kill 26 people in such a short time??

If your answer is no, consider yourself lucky, because if things stay status quo, your luck, and everybody else’s luck is going to run out.

Thankfully my answer is no. However I have helped train victims of violent crime. As mentioned earlier many of those who survived the Orlando massacre will be buying a firearm and hopefully getting the proper training to use it effectively.

Mackeyser wrote:

The tone deafness…it burns….

No it is the difference between optimism for the future and forever wallowing in a human race is ending pity party.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by bnw.

TSRF wrote:

I’m optimistic for a future where we have common sense gun regulations.
Even Trump came out and said we shouldn’t sell guns to people on the terror watch list.
Can’t wait for the NRA pity party when semi autos are banned…

Don’t know anything about that list but I’ve heard there is talk about using the No Fly List to ban people from buying a firearm. From what I’ve read the No Fly list is extrajudicial. They don’t have to give a reason for your name on the list nor do you have any recourse. Doesn’t seem legal but these days the law doesn’t work for the 99%.

You will have a long wait for that semi-auto ban pity party.

TSRF wrote:

“I’ll have to wait for that pity party”?

Not if my gal HC gets elected.

She isn’t just gonna ban them, she’s coming for them!

That’s right, Billy Bob. And you too, Slim Jeans Pete: She is coming for your mother fucking guns! Every single hell spawned one of them!

Glad I don’t have any: just posting on this here site probably puts you right to the top of the list.

No she won’t. Too much money to be made. You should know that by now.

Because it should.

owh, Mom!!

I think we’re all adults here.

I have moved past the point of attacking people about their views; I’m now attacking the views.

If you ever disagree, please move the post, but I think it is important to continue a dialog on such an important subject, especially when we are getting input from someone who thinks differently than most of us do.

TSRF wrote:

How bout the “posting on this here site” part?

Did that make you feel uncomfortable at all?

Thanks and regards,

No, since I own what I have LEGALLY. That means REGISTERED and I have a conceal carry permit too. Therefore government knows full well who I am, where I am and what I own. As a law abiding gun owner I’m out in the sunshine exposed to the whims of gun grabbing BOR shredding people in and out of government.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by bnw.