It is funny that most religions actually follow the same philosophies.

Be kind to others
Don't hurt others
My god is better than yours
Kill you if you don't like my god, or try to assimilate you

I was brought up Baptist, but I think at this point I can safely say that I have a problem with most organized religion.

I think the movie Dogma actually made a point when they put down beliefs in favor of "good ideas"... people don't kill each other over ideas, but they become fanatical about their beliefs.

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some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant

http://www.marchforbabies.com/chuck725 ... helping babies born prematurely and with birth defects

Many years ago, I entered the wonderful temple of God's revelation. I entered the portico of Genesis and walked down through the Old Testament Art Gallery where the pictures of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Daniel hung on the wall.

I entered the music room of the Psalms where the Spirit swept the keyboard of nature and brought forth the dirge-like wail of the weeping prophet Jeremiah: to the grand impassioned strains of Isaiah until it seemed that every reed and harp in God's organ of nature responded to the tuneful touch of David, the sweet singer of Israel.

I entered the chapel of Ecclesiastes where the voice of the Preacher was heard, and passed into the Conservatory of Sharon where the Lilly of the Valley's sweet scented spices filled and perfumed my life.

I entered the business room of Proverbs and passed into the observatory room of the prophets where I saw many telescopes of various sizes, some pointed to far off events, but all concentrated upon the Bright Morning Star which was soon to rise over the moon-lit hills of Judea for our salvation.

I entered the audience room of the King of Kings and caught a vision from the standpoint of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; entered the Acts of the Apostles where the Holy Spirit was doing his office work in the forming of the church; passed into the correspondence room where sat Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and John penning their epistles.

Finally I stepped into the throne room of Revelation, where all towered into glittering peaks, I received a vision of the King seated upon his throne in all his glory.....and I cried.

Hooters?...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Even "deformed" young ladies have to work somewhere....NO? BD

Deformed or not...

I just like women who don't know about restraining orders...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Yea, but while you worry about restraining orders, the endowment ends at the neck and your physical food order usually gets "restrained" as well but they still expect "no restraint" from your wallet. BD

You make it sound like predation...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Is that not what makes a capitalistic society turn its wheels, the business of preying upon the contents of the consumers wallet, via the distraction of the fairer sex? Hey, it's your hard earned money, eat, drink, make merry....enjoy! But, if you are like me, your enjoyment ends when you reach the length of your marital chain, and the wife gives a big tug, or you reach the bottom of your wallet, usually both caused by the happiness of marital bless. And if you are not happily married, it sounds like you have chosen the proper place to offer chase until "YOU" are overtaken by a sudden case of marriage. BD

These three things are my view of organized religion:

Ever since the dawn of man, man has created or made up some sort of religion or god or gods to explain something that they were or are not capable of understanding.

Religion is a tool to gain power and control over the masses.

Religion is for people who cannot handle the complexities or realities of life so they have to dumb down and simplify everything in order to be able to handle life.

With these things said I respect and support anybody that adheres to any form of organized religion. Different types of religions from all over the world makes this world a diverse and unique place to be. I, however, become very angry when religions try to force themselves upon everyone else, condemning all who don't believe what they believe.

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I pledge allegience to the Earth as one.