Re: Why *TEN* Commandments? ``

From: Tom Potter (tdp_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 11/22/04 

Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 13:57:31 +0800

"hanson" <hanson@quick.net> wrote in message
news:19Ynd.206$NU3.141@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "Tom Potter" <tdp@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:30ad96F2pl5g9U4@uni-berlin.de...
> > "Uncle Al" <UncleAl0@hate.spam.net> wrote in message
> > news:419A28E7.2C3AFED1@hate.spam.net...
> > > The Church of Rome plus the Russian and Greek Orthodox
> > > Churches have NINE Commandments. Graven images, a
> > > polytheistic babble of saints and angels, plus the Trinity,
> > > the miracle of transubstantiation... are huge income streams.
> [Be fair & beat on your Jew gag too, Al. Don't just piss on the Xians]
> [If you don't then YOU will cause more Anti-Semitism......ahahaha...]
> > > The word of god is a political manifestation of
> > > Accounts Receivable. Religion is a tax upon the stupid.
> >
> [Tom]
> > As a an individual who has interviewed hundreds of people,
> > and analyzed thousands of resumes, I can assure the poster
> > that the people employed in religion earn far less than
> > government employees, and they do not have the benefits,
> > retirement, and security of government employees
> >
> [hanson]
> .....and what does that have to do with Al's attacks on the Church?
> >
> [Tom]
> > Also as one travels about the world, one sees that religion is
> > responsible for most of the finest creations of man.
> > Take away the temples, churches, artifacts, carvings,
> > and other works of art, and the world is left with
> > a great void. For example, note how the world reacted
> > when the Taliban destroyed the huge 2000 Buddha carving.
> >
> [hanson]
> But Tom, all these "works of art" were stolen, confiscated or
> made by slave labor in the name of religion, by the religious
> establishments. Religion was and is responsible for irrational,
> emotionally sick behavior of otherwise perfectly normal, good
> human beings.....
> >
> [Tom]
> > And note that religions handle many of the thankless jobs,
> > such as funerals, visiting the sick and dying, etc.,
> > and many important formal ceremonies such
> > as wedding, christenings, graduations, awards, etc.
> >
> [hanson]
> No, Tom, religion, i.e. its reps, do collect fees from such
> thankless jobs that *others* do. Religions is the tool to collect
> money for empty promises. Or has anybody you know come back?
> Or do you talk to the dead?.... Religious leaders do it all the time.
> Are you starting the Potterian Temple now?.......ahahahaha...
> Rabbi Potter.......ahahahaha.......Rabbi Potter. Nice ring to it.
> >
> [Tom]
> > I have been to many gatherings where the words of some
> > religious leader, was the highlight of the gathering.
> > Tom Potter
> >
> [hanson]
> Yeah, Tom, when the end is near, when you hear the "intergalactic
> night freight train" come to a stop at your bed site to scoop you up
> and haul you away, yondern.....do you think that any religious leader
> can or will stop you from going aboard that train?...........
> YOUR FEAR is what makes you believe in organized religious crock....
> ahaha... ahahaha......ahahahanson

It is interesting to see that Hanson
projects his own fears onto me.

I accept, and am comfortable with the fact,
that all things, including me, my genes,
my nation, my works, etc.
have a limited life,
but I do appreciate people and organizations,
that make life better for sentient life forms.

The "fees collected" by nuns, priests, church workers, etc.
are far less than that collected by most segments of society,
including government workers, teachers, corporate employees,
small business owners, etc.

I have toured many Buddhist temples, caves, etc.
and these are an advanced form of Disney World,
where smoke, chanting, incense, trees, chimes, statues, etc.
entertain, amuse, and in some case, give hope and solace to folks.
( These facilities provide a function where folks can
ask for health, money, success, happiness, a mate, etc.
Some do out of desperation, but most do for entertainment,
much as one knocks on wood, or picks a four leaf clover.)

I dare say that all the Buddhist sites on the planet
cost a fraction of what a Presidential election costs
in America, and as far as I know, no one goes to jail,
or has their property confiscated,
if they don't buy some incense at the Temples.

No doubt Judaism, and its' two offshoots,
Christianity and Mohammadism,
are more negative than positive at this point in time.
but these can be corrected with a little work. 

--
Tom Potter     http://home.earthlink.net/~tdp

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