Comments on: Religious Extremism Knows No National Boundaries http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/ Here are my thoughts; share yours Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:28:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Russ Brown http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-52 Russ Brown Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:27:03 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-52 This new forum feels good. I always read your column in the Denver Post, but generally have not liked the paper. I definitely like the new format and still very much appreciate what you have to say. This new forum feels good. I always read your column in the Denver Post, but generally have not liked the paper. I definitely like the new format and still very much appreciate what you have to say.

]]> By: Wildflower http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-53 Wildflower Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:27:27 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-53 Wonderful speech today. Tolerance, Peace, Understanding and Truth, most likely the best sermon from any pulpit today, Rev. Jim. Wonderful speech today. Tolerance, Peace, Understanding and Truth, most likely the best sermon from any pulpit today, Rev. Jim.

]]> By: Russ Brown http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-54 Russ Brown Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:27:57 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-54 For many of us who felt the invasion of Iraq was not justified and watched it happen anyway under protest, the date certain should have been some time shortly after shock and awe ran out of steam and the occupation began. For many of us who felt the invasion of Iraq was not justified and watched it happen anyway under protest, the date certain should have been some time shortly after shock and awe ran out of steam and the occupation began.

]]> By: Linda Scholes http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-55 Linda Scholes Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:28:26 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-55 It is so necessary to realize that this country was founded on FREEDOM of religion. I believe that means people may worship or not in whatever way they choose as long as they don't force others to do the same. That is freedom. Tolerance is key; separation of church and state an important component. I want to live in a country that continues to allow differences and doesn't ask us to all be the same. It is so necessary to realize that this country was founded on FREEDOM of religion. I believe that means people may worship or not in whatever way they choose as long as they don’t force others to do the same. That is freedom. Tolerance is key; separation of church and state an important component. I want to live in a country that continues to allow differences and doesn’t ask us to all be the same.

]]> By: Linda Scholes http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-56 Linda Scholes Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:28:46 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-56 Great topic. Nice to have you on line! Great topic. Nice to have you on line!

]]> By: Steve Feld http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-57 Steve Feld Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:29:16 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-57 You write, "America’s religious nut jobs usually use words, not stick and stones, much less explosives-laden suicide vests." I imagine that's how it began in the Middle East with Muslim extremists. The growing intollerence in America will surely lead to Christian extremists resorting to the same kind of violence we see happening today in the Middle East. The book, "Letter to a Christian Nation" opened my eyes to the truth that all religions are nothing more than elaborate fairy tales. I highly recommend the book. You write, “America’s religious nut jobs usually use words, not stick and stones, much less explosives-laden suicide vests.” I imagine that’s how it began in the Middle East with Muslim extremists. The growing intollerence in America will surely lead to Christian extremists resorting to the same kind of violence we see happening today in the Middle East. The book, “Letter to a Christian Nation” opened my eyes to the truth that all religions are nothing more than elaborate fairy tales. I highly recommend the book.

]]> By: Elaine Amond http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-61 Elaine Amond Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:32:52 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-61 Jim, Thank you for your column on religious extremism. It is so very important to identify this kind of fascist zealotry no matter the face one puts on it. This country has largely been free of religious strife because our Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantee freedom FROM religion as well as freedom OF religion. The separation of Church and State is integral to our Democracy. Thank you for exposing this decidedly un-Christian behavior. Jim, Thank you for your column on religious extremism. It is so very important to identify this kind of fascist zealotry no matter the face one puts on it. This country has largely been free of religious strife because our Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantee freedom FROM religion as well as freedom OF religion. The separation of Church and State is integral to our Democracy. Thank you for exposing this decidedly un-Christian behavior.

]]> By: TJ http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-62 TJ Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:02:02 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-62 "Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear." -Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787 “Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.”

-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

]]> By: L. Scott http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-63 L. Scott Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:53:25 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-63 This is a good column - wish it was in the Post instead of Harsanyi's latest arrogant, shrill and cynical rant. There is no reasoning with the "nut jobs" because they claim everything they do is in God's name, so end of discussion. "Letter to a Christian Nation" is a great book on this same subject. Newsweek recently ran a great debate between its author Sam Harris and Christian, Rick Warren, who is the guy who wrote the Purpose Driven Life Series. It's worth checking out if it's still on their website. This is a good column - wish it was in the Post instead of Harsanyi’s latest arrogant, shrill and cynical rant. There is no reasoning with the “nut jobs” because they claim everything they do is in God’s name, so end of discussion. “Letter to a Christian Nation” is a great book on this same subject. Newsweek recently ran a great debate between its author Sam Harris and Christian, Rick Warren, who is the guy who wrote the Purpose Driven Life Series. It’s worth checking out if it’s still on their website.

]]> By: eprob http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-65 eprob Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:08:05 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-65 The voters at the polls must be made to realize that the religious right wants to make our democracy into a theocracy. We can not let that happen! Vote at the next election and continue to vote to oppose this. It is great that you are continuing your columns on line! The voters at the polls must be made to realize that the religious right wants to make our democracy into a theocracy. We can not let that happen! Vote at the next election and continue to vote to oppose this.
It is great that you are continuing your columns on line!

]]> By: Anoldguy1944 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-66 Anoldguy1944 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:43:45 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-66 Before I retired from teaching, I used to tell the students in my Western Civ. classes, "Never trust a zealot." As your examples show, tolerance is not really part of ANY absolutist view of religion, and one of your previous commentators has already said it well: the Constitution was intended to provide us with protection FROM religion as well as providing protection FOR religion. That separation of church and State that Mr. Dobson and his Colorado Springs disciples would like to eliminate is one of the essential ingredients of democracy. Before I retired from teaching, I used to tell the students in my Western Civ. classes, “Never trust a zealot.” As your examples show, tolerance is not really part of ANY absolutist view of religion, and one of your previous commentators has already said it well: the Constitution was intended to provide us with protection FROM religion as well as providing protection FOR religion. That separation of church and State that Mr. Dobson and his Colorado Springs disciples would like to eliminate is one of the essential ingredients of democracy.

]]> By: Wildflower http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-73 Wildflower Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:47:36 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-73 Well, here we go again. I just saw the news on t.v. an anti-abortion group is trying to pass a law in this state to stop abortion. How long has it been, 30 or 35 years since women fought this battle in this state to have control over their own bodies? It was pointed out to me the people interviewed didn't mention any religious organization so they might not be. Yeah right, if you believe that you'll believe anything. If the Bush administration would just listen to the medical profession they could stop their costly "abstinence" program and dispense real birth control information and abortion wouldn't be a concern to them.I hope this doesn't pass. Do they really want our young women bleeding to death in a back alley again? What is so hard for the religious right to understand that each person has the right to NOT believe their religious views? What has happened to Science and Medicine, looks like we're heading back to the Stone Age. Well, here we go again. I just saw the news on t.v. an anti-abortion group is trying to pass a law in this state to stop abortion.
How long has it been, 30 or 35 years since women fought this battle in this state to have control over their own bodies? It was pointed out to me the people interviewed didn’t mention any religious organization so they might not be. Yeah right, if you believe that you’ll believe anything. If the Bush administration would just listen to the medical profession they could stop their costly “abstinence” program and dispense real birth control information and abortion wouldn’t be a concern to them.I hope this doesn’t pass. Do they really want our young women bleeding to death in a back alley again?
What is so hard for the religious right to understand that each person has the right to NOT believe their religious views?
What has happened to Science and Medicine, looks like we’re heading back to the Stone Age.

]]> By: Stuart Clark Rogers http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-76 Stuart Clark Rogers Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:22:19 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-76 I fear you have too much faith in the image of a kind and loving Jesus. Look at Matthew 10:34-36 for his direct quote (King James version): "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." Of course, our Bible does not exhort violence against "infidels" anywhere near as vehemently as does The Koran. Apologists who believe Islamists are tolerant people should read with what relish The Prophet encouraged slaughter. I fear you have too much faith in the image of a kind and loving Jesus. Look at Matthew 10:34-36 for his direct quote (King James version):

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

Of course, our Bible does not exhort violence against “infidels” anywhere near as vehemently as does The Koran. Apologists who believe Islamists are tolerant people should read with what relish The Prophet encouraged slaughter.

]]> By: teaching as a career http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-227 teaching as a career Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:24:51 +0000 http://spencerspeaks.com/2007/07/15/religious-extremism-knows-no-national-boundaries/#comment-227 <strong>teaching as a career...</strong> I started teaching humanities from the very beginning, and I really loved it...visit my blog to find out more... teaching as a career…

I started teaching humanities from the very beginning, and I really loved it…visit my blog to find out more…

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