Drea

"Dear Sky Daddy... please provide me and my family with the strength to continue hating those who we have labelled enemies, amen" Does that about cover it? Diverse enough for yah?

Firstly, I more than likely make more money than you do. Secondly, I more than likely am more thrifty than you are. Who do you think you are? Coming on MLW and insulting posters Mr. Newbie. Pffft. For all we know you live in your grandmother's basement... If you have an issue with foodbanks that is not my problem. Tomorrow when I do my weekly shopping I will still donate to the bin just like I always do. There will always be people such as Margrace and myself who believe in helping others. It's just in our nature to want to help others. It's called altruism -- a concept you are more than likely unaware of. Children need to eat, whether or not their parents just ran out of money or if they are utter losers. I would rather give to the foodbank than give the parents more money to spend at the pub.

Its not a "parallel" food distribution system. The food in the foodbank is purchased from grocery stores and donated. So the grocery store is still involved in the distribution. Foodbanks also recieve free food from them (damaged but edible fruits and veggies, dented cans, torn bags, day old bread). This food would just go to waste (tons of it does) if not to the foodbank.

Some people are irresponsible spendthrifts but that does not take away from the fact that there is a need for foodbanks. That foodbanks play an important role in many people's lives. It is obvious that you are very young and have not experienced a very wide array of circumstances in your life. Anything can happen to anyone, anyone can lose their job or be hurt and unable to work; their families still need to eat. And what is your issue with food banks anyway? Did you get turned down? It's not like foodbanks cost you any money -- so what's your issue?

Grrreat Idea! Move to downtown Vancouver from the sticks and not only will you not be able to afford food, you won't be able to afford rent either! Do you see what you are saying? If you have never been poor you have no clue what it is like. If you have never forgone a piece of bread because your kid needs it, you have no clue what it is like. If you've never had to juggle (should I buy food or pay the rent?) you have no clue. If you are single and poor -- you have no clue what it is like to have a little mouth to feed (besides your own).

Why do you hate children whose parents are not rich? Why are you angry with those who are "poor"? Foodbanks don't cost you anything. Those of us who want to donate do so with our own money or grocieries. Do you slam the door when the Salvation Army does their annual "walk and knock"? "Damn people sucking up resources! Should be born rrrich, like me! says the newbie.

He also has no children to feed. Children with irresponsible parents still need to eat -- hence food banks. How long would that loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter (expensive stuff that peanut butter!) go if he had three kids to feed? They are not giving "pennies", they give food.You would let your children starve because of your misplaced pride? Shame on you. Yah and all three year olds should have jobs already! One must prove they are low income and can only take food once or twice a month. How is that perpetuating irresponsibility? And so what if a few do? Do we let the honest ones starve because of the few who would take advantage?

wow -- you read all that into me saying "sometimes people are simply irresponsible, but that doesn't mean their children should go hungry" and "sometimes the money runs out before the month does". I have had to use the services of a food bank. Been there. Been poor. And was very thankful for what they were able to provide for me and my son. Try living on $324 every two weeks (EI) and see how far it gets you. Of course twenty years ago this would have been enough, but in the 90's it sure wasn't. We ate alot of oatmeal, alot of rice but we survived. I just didn't sit around whining about my plight -- I did something about it! I went back to college and upgraded my computer skills. "Poor" is not a life sentence for most. He hasn't a clue what it means to do without. So, no I do not believe I share his opinion. man oh man, you sure can read alot into one post. And yes, there are people out there who are simply irresponsible with their money. I say food banks are necessary for them and their children; as compassionate people, how can we punish children (not let them eat!) because they have parents with no money smarts?

No. Decriminalization will not work. How about if it were legal to own a car, but illegal to sell one to someone? Doesn't make much sense does it? Only full on legalization and regulation is realistic.

Any person can't just walk into a food bank and get groceries... usually (at least in BC) the family has to be signed up, have proof of low income, and are only allowed to get food once or twice a month. Food banks are a necessity because money runs out before all the bills are paid... and some people aren't always responsible with their money. Not that I think we should "cover for" those who spend irresponsibly -- but it would be criminal to let families with children go hungry because the parents spent their money unwisely. Have you seen those commercials on TV, "food or rent". That is the reality for many more than we realize. I donate to the foodbank every time I buy groceries (Salv. Army bin)

you cannot refute that religion is unprovable and therefore resort to calling me a "fanatic". I wish everyone on earth had food to eat too -- does that make me a "fanatical food giver"? LOL When a person cannot refute the argument they resort to insults. Oh well. Have fun with that I am sure your sky daddy will forgive you for being an ass. Your next post on Socialism... hullo. By nature we are socialists or our species of animal would not have survived it's evolution! In modern context...do you believe each parent should school their own children, that you should build your own roads, that you should be your own police dept and fire dept...? Oh and the military -- who should pay them, private enterprise? LOL You have gotten communism mixed up with socialism, me thinks. There is very little communism left in the world, but socialism (humanity has a conscience after all!) is on the rise in all countries -- even in that big capitalist nation people are calling for social reform. But I am THE baddest, evillllest person a'cause I don't believe in your sky daddy notion. I am an eeeevil athesit -- booga booga! *scared yah didn't I?

Have you seen the thread on the "Mohammed Cookie"? Some real good attitudes of "tolerance" on that thread I tell yah! hey AW, I am not trying to get in a "match" with you. I am saying I am not a "fundy" that most atheists are not "fundies". And trust me, I know me better than you know me. Now, as an atheist I am willing to work with and socialize with those who believe in a god. The believer, however, has been taught that I (being an atheist) am in league with the "devil" and cannot be trusted. This I could tell from that lovely Christian woman's reaction... she looked literally afraid when I stated my non belief. I have no fear of some judge telling me who I can and cannot socialize with... the same cannot be said for Christianity (or any other religion). And this thread is about Child abuse with regard to religion - is teaching children not to socialize with nonbelievers abuse? Perhaps it could be construed as such. Cheers!

so I see that you do think that a blowjob is worse than war. you poor guy. There have been reports that more than a hundred thousand Iraqi's have been killed since 2003. I do not have time to look up statistics. How about if you look up some stats that shows us how many people have died in Iraq (troops and civilians) since 2003. You can't! LOL Because it would undermine your position -- your "stance" that blowjobs are worse than death.

You have a problem with my "attitude toward religion". What attitude should an atheist have when watching child abuse happen (ala God Warrior nutbar woman)? Shall we just shrug and let it go? Shall we allow Sharia law to be "fair" to all religions? That religion probably has a "problem" with your attitude towards it's followers as well. What are you going to do about it? Are you goiing to change your beliefs? Are you going to "tolerate" their religion infiltrating your life? Your child's life? Of course not. And I feel the same way.

I don't give a crap if ONLY ONE person died. They are dying for a lie. NO ONE DIED when Clinton got his blowjob -- why can you not understand this? Is death better than a blowjob in your opinion? Man you gotta get out more or get a better girlfriend! Not once in any of my posts have I ever said Bill Clinton was a "great" president. You people keep bringing up his blowjob AS IF it has any importance on the world stage at all. Who gives a shit who screws who? Reread the above. Are you thick man? Sex is baaaad.... bombs are gooood.

read post #14 silly. I said I exaggerated it. Death toll is more in the hundreds of thousands rather than millions.... so that makes it all ok.... "but he hasn't killed MILLIONS, just HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS, so really he's a goooood guy!" and AND We were discussing presidents of the USA. Clinton and Bush in particular... This discussion had nothing whatsoever to do with WWII or the atrocities committed then. This is about recent LIES and the SEVERITY of said lies. So what do you think is worse? 1. Lying about a blowjob -- involved three people Monica, Bill and Hillary. 2. Lying about a war -- involved countless millions in many countries.

That is excellent news! 10 years for the bastard. HA! Hope someone in prison mangles him so he comes out in a wheelchair... I wonder why prisoners don't do this type of thing more often. I know if I were in jail and someone came in for some really horrendous crime I would do my best to harm them. Hey, if I'm in prison for the rest of my life, what do I have to lose?

I hope we have an election soon. So we can get Dion outta there and get in someone we can all relate to. I cannot relate to this man, I cannot understand 80% of what he says! I will vote NDP this time because I know they don't have a hope in hell of winning and I want the conservatives to have another minority. IMO, I like our country running with a minority. That way there are more representatives for the populace and everybody's voice gets heard. That being said, I also don't like that there can be an election at the drop of a hat... on the same token, I don't want someone for four long years if they are doing a terrible job. Yah can't win I tell yah!

No, he lied to the whole damn world! This American election is being watched by the entire world. Why? Because American policy affects everyone not just Americans. So yah, I have an opinion on it. So do Iraqi's and Brazilians and Britains and the French, and Germans..... and everyone else who is breathing. You people are nuts. You can forgive a president who lied to you about a war in which hundreds of thousands have been killed (ok I exaggerated and said "millions" so sue me) but you cannot forgive a president for getting a blowjob then lying about it. How many people out there have NOT lied about a sexual encounter? -- now all the "innocent" liars will chime in "I didn't cheat, I didn't lie, I am perfect!" Sex is eeeevil... bombs are gooood. We know. We know. You'd let your 13 year old play computer games where they get to be a "first person shooter" but you don't allow them to play "Leisure Suit Larry". Sex is eeeevil... blood and guts are goooooood...

Sales and marketing is all about pretending. Us marketers are gooood actors LOL I don't mean to come across 'pissy' but I resent being called a fanatic. It's a ridiculous assumption that has no merit. And I am not asking people to give up their beliefs -- I am asking only that govt and the public be spared from religious interference. Is that too much too ask. *ideally I would LIKE for the whole world to give up the notion of religion and concentrate on the life we have rather than "the next one" which may or may not be real. I live my life as though there is no "other". Fully and completely with no guilt.

and what do you know about my real life? Religion rarely comes into our conversations. Do you seriously think atheists are running around burning crosses, destroying effigies of Jesus? Usually we are just silent. The internet has finally given us a voice -- the only voice we have. Living in the bible belt as I do.... I would lose clients if I didn't pretend to believe. So I pretend. *shrug*. As Chrisitans they CANNOT have ESP (devil stuff!) so I have no worry about people reading my mind and finding out I am only pretending.

The woman I mentioned is in no way shape or form a "fanatic". But she was very shocked by my admission of atheism. Just because a person does not believe in religion does not make them "fanatical". I am sure that this lovely woman would love to see the entire world become Christians (as I would like to see the entire world become secular) but she is not fanatical about it, nor am I. You don't like atheists so you call us "fanatics". Not all Christians are fanatics and I have never met an evangelical fanatical atheist. I do not need to make wild claims that someone is invisibly judging my movements. I make wild claims such as the earth is billions of years old, and humans evolved here. On the contrary, as an atheist I personally am responsible for everything I say and do. I cannot "give" my problems over to nature to solve for me. What people believe is not going to change. We do not believe. Simple. And this lovely woman? If all Christians were like her I would have no problem with them. But alas, "god warriors, the crazy trading spouses lady, etc give good Christians a bad name.

Holy Crap Bat Man! Stalin was a president of the US? How come nobody knew? FFS, no one was comparing (in this thread) Hitler, Stalin, or Mother Theresa. It is about perceptions -- Clinton is a very bad man but Bush is above reproach. How many died during Clinton's blowjob? How many have died since Bush started blowing up people? Do you see the difference. A man gets a blowjob and you folks think he is the "devil incarnate". Frig. Sex is eeeeevil... bombs are gooooood. Get over it, Hillary did.

Here on MLW, yes I mock people's religious beliefs. Would I do that in person? No I would not. Internet forums are not the same as "in person". Many (probably most) things said on this forum would never be said in person. I would never, for example, tell a native to "Fly little eagle fly!" in person, but have no issue with saying it here. On MLW I am just another poster... in real life I am me and conduct myself accordingly. I'd hate to see bc04 or leafless for example, acting in real life the same way they do here. Cheers!

White Doors, I work with a really nice Christian woman. She carries her bible everywhere and lives by it. She is a kind and loving person. Well the other day we got to talking and I said that I am basically an atheist. She was absolutely dumbfounded. I've noticed that since then she is not so friendly to me anymore (even though we have a monthly project that we work on together). I am (and have been) more than willing to "set aside" my non-belief and just simply "leave it off the table" so to speak, but she is not. She cannot, in her heart, condone my atheism so she avoids me. I can tolerate her belief, but she cannot tolerate my lack of it -- and that is the difference.