But then again, Preacher, guns are not allowed in mental health facilities, so why should they be allowed in your church?

And the people that go to churches are crazy? That's what it sounds like, and I think nearly all of us agree.

not all.

This is just so unfair

Omnipotent? Apparently not so much when you need killing machines in a church to protect yourself.

You'd think that divine intervention would be a good way to prove their religion was true.

There is plenty in the scriptures on fearing nothing but God. That guy is full of fear because he has no faith. The power of love and the peace of Christ is supposed to keep him safe. If he was 'right with God,' he'd be ready to 'be with the Lord.' I'm not into that any more but know what it was about.

Glad he didn't get his way in that case, but none other than Bobby Jindal (R-Romney Lapdog) called for guns to be allowed in the churches in Louisiana. No leadership solutions to deal with people who commit crimes other than kill. None of this crap they preach passes the smell test spiritually.

Don't you think that God wants to strike down anyone it wants?

I found it bogus and self-serving. I's more effective, I've found, to go at them with what they feel is sacred. This is the common ground in which one can meet them, and it's not disrespectful.

There are reasons people get into some of the more rigid groups, generally need an authority figure to feel safe and that they belong and they're very touchy about being criticized. It's mixed in with 'Mommy and Daddy said so, and they wouldn't lie and they loved me, so you're attacking me personally.'

That is what we confront when we diss them. Just puts that wall right up, can't get around it. But you can get to common ground and make a few dents in that to work with them on what you really need done. It's not a game of winning and losing, it's just getting things done.

They'll see the 'God strikes down anything it wants' as the polytheistic belief of the ancient Greeks, Romans, etc.in which their gods mimicked human behaviors and not trustworthy. So they won't listen. That is the Madalyn Murray O'Hair gambit. and they have been taught to guard against it.

The desert religions insist on permanence and obedience. The typical religionists and or authoritarian wants something they can count on. Like Mommy and Daddy. They keep themselves in a childish state of dependence and want to be rescued.

Anyway, those are just some observations, not professional ones. This is not that interesting to me anymore as I have done my time arguing with the folks. Someone who knows them best and loves them can help them, not me, I'm out of it.

or a sadistic braggart in the case of poor Job

Greek mythology with a whimsical deity who just screwed around with humans in order to score points with other gods. The story of Job, and Abraham having enough 'faith' to kill his own son is that sort of sadistic theme that you're talking about. It's torturous logic. I just said what works for me.

But I'm not going to argue for or against, and will probably delete my comments here. They were quickly expressed and dealt only with what I envision this pastor to be about. I don't do God, Guns, Gays and Gynecology, even with Democrats or especially with RW nuts, it's too primal to discuss with them.

Any opinion or thought is argued as any word is a trigger. I feel at times I am struggling to talk to a child, trying to be as diplomatic as possible to not be misconstrued. I am NOT referring to anyone here, or you. But I can feel the feelers put out trying to see what camp I am in and really, I am neutral except that I believe in the equality of all, which also means I have to live with the beliefs of others I find repugnant.

I am not in any of these camps and refuse to corralled. So that may not be what you wanted, but I remember the last time I opened my mouth like this the replies were very aggravating, trying to get me to commit to atheism or religion and work with the arguments. I am no longer a Christian, and do not wish to go after them, either. My ideas on them match more of the Founding Fathers, there is a lot more in life than that.

So I apologize, I am not going to go on an anti-Christian rant nor will I defend religion. Some people feel one must choose sides in these matters. I refuse. Thanks for your question and time, at least you didn't call me a liar or say what I said was BS when after all, it was just an opinion, an observation.

You are neither a liar or a bs artist.
Your opinions and observations are well presented.
I honestly mean that.

I just don't like to come back to My Posts and have to deal with someone's anger over something that is merely an observation, as if I am trying to convince them or diss them or sell them something.

So I'll leave it until that first post comes if it does, and I hope that helps anyone wants to work these things out with the different people a tool. People have so many patterns in their lives that help them make it through the world.

And if we think we are all equal, we have to behave that way.

Your comment is much appreciated.

Does he want his parishioners armed in case the snakes get out?

remember

A GUN is part of CHRISTIANITY??

That is the fucking stupidest thing I have ever; EVER read.