The right to bare arms

[simeon]

Hmmm...I would think a bible thumper like you would be at church when Sunday Morning is on. Interesting... They have tv in church now?

This was on very early sunday morning, I didn't realize I was bible thumping on here, considering I have never left any bible scriptures in my post besides my signature.
Thanks for the judgement, have a great day.

[run_to_win]

Hmmm...I would think a bible thumper like you would be at church when Sunday Morning is on. Interesting... They have tv in church now?

Didn't you mean "racist bible thumper" or have you adopted another hateful label to spew?

[bsmooth]

Didn't you mean "racist bible thumper" or have you adopted another hateful label to spew?

Thats funny. Considering many christians label their fellow followers who have a more fevererant belief in the religion as " bible thuimpers", I do not think it nearly as hateful as you make it out to be.

[run_to_win]

many christians label their fellow followers

vs

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful."

I doubt an athiest meant it as a friendly term and considering her recent history of hate filled judgements...

Of course, a recent poll suggests that 20% of self-professed athiests actually believe in God so who knows what the hell they're actually thinking. 

[Buddhagirl]

It really wasn't said in a hateful way. Even when I was forced to go to church, we referred to other christians as bible thumpers. It might be a southern thing.

And, I call bs on that poll. If you believe in god you are not an atheist. You might be someone with doubts, but you're not an atheist. It's like those that tell me they're vegetarians, but eat chicken and fish.

[MaineDolFan]

How many people (even gun owners) actually carry a gun around with them, just in case a crime happens and they need to defend themselves?  In this sense, aren't we just like countries that don't allow guns? 

I do.  I have my S&W on my person at (almost) all times.

[Pats2006]

Nuttin' wrong with the Barrett 82A1 .50 Cal for a little light target practice.

In case anyone is curious what this little compact jem of a piece looks like, here it is:

I have shot one of these.  Nice kick.  We used to shoot through broken down humers, right through the eng blk's.

I own 2 pistols.  A Sig .357 and a little .22 I load it with bird shot when it goes in my pocket.

My bro-in-law has every gun you can think of, AK's, M16, Sniper rifle, and I can go on.  I dont see any problem with the right to bare arms.  When there in the right hands.  Gun safty is the bigest.  For the fucks that own guns and leave them out so there kids can kill them self, or take them to school and go shoot it up thats where the problem starts. Gun safty, gun safty, gun safty!!

Anyone can go out and get guns I think there are some people out there that should not have the right.

Here are the 2 I have now.  Next is a M16.

[run_to_win]

If you believe in god you are not an atheist.

I agree.  I think the poll pointed out that 20% of atheists don't know what "atheist" means.

"Religion is regarded ... by the wise as false." 

[Dave Gray]

I have been meaning to weigh in on this, but I've been busy.

The gun issue is one I'm kinda conflicted about.  I hate guns.  I don't want to own one, and I am not comfortable with them.  I don't want to be around them.  In a perfect world, or country, citizens would not carry them.

However, this is not a perfect world, and I don't pretend that it is.  For a culture so rooted in personal gun ownership, it's too difficult to retract that right.  It is also equally entrenched into the criminal world, so a gun ban would most likely only strengthen the effectiveness of criminals.

I do, however, support gun restrictions.  Just like there are restrictions on other rights, I have no problems with waiting periods, banning certain types of weapons or ammunition, background checks, mental illness testing, or whatever else.

-----

Side argument: While I love and support the Constitution, I don't like "it's in the Constitution" being the sole argument towards gun ownership (or any right, for that matter).  The Constitution is a living document and can be amended to add or remove rights.  I much prefer to argue rights on their own merit, rather than the fact that I have them because I have them.  My right to free speech doesn't just exist because it's in the Constitution.  If we think like that, I fear that we might amend our Constitution to justifiably remove those rights.  Also, the Constitution is OLD, man.  Things arise, and the world changes -- that's why we need to keep amending it over the years.

[CF DolFan]

It really wasn't said in a hateful way. Even when I was forced to go to church, we referred to other christians as bible thumpers. It might be a southern thing.

How was it not hateful? You even went as far as to make fun of him supposedly being in church by questioning if they have TV.  If you are going to hate on people don't try and paddy cake it. Go ahead full steam.  It really isn't flattering for your "I'm the only fair person and I don't give a crap about other opinions "attitude."  If you aren't careful .... we might think you do.

Truth is I call myself or others I Bible thumper in jest  and maybe even a cracker at times but how many times have we read about the reasons it isn't safe for anyone to call a black the "N" word ... even in friendly terms.  Seems negative condentations are OK as long as it isn't directed at a minority? I don't think so.

Hmmm...I would think a bible thumper like you would be at church when Sunday Morning is on. Interesting... They have tv in church now?

[Buddhagirl]

How was it not hateful? You even went as far as to make fun of him supposedly being in church by questioning if they have TV.  If you are going to hate on people don't try and paddy cake it. Go ahead full steam.  It really isn't flattering for your "I'm the only fair person and I don't give a crap about other opinions "attitude."  If you aren't careful .... we might think you do.

Truth is I call myself or others I Bible thumper in jest  and maybe even a cracker at times but how many times have we read about the reasons it isn't safe for anyone to call a black the "N" word ... even in friendly terms.  Seems negative condentations are OK as long as it isn't directed at a minority? I don't think so.

CF, trust me when I say that wasn't hateful. Snarky? Most definitely. Hateful? No. When I am truly being hateful you will know it. I have no problem being hateful and/or mean and really do not feel the need to hide it.

[MaineDolFan]

I have no problem being hateful and/or mean and really do not feel the need to hide it.

I'm personally taking you at your word on this but I am sure you can understand why some people here would call you out on this. 

Being 'hateful and / or mean' towards someone based upon their religious beliefs it's basically the exact same thing as being hateful and / or mean to someone based upon their race.

[fyo]

Being 'hateful and / or mean' towards someone based upon their religious beliefs it's basically the exact same thing as being hateful and / or mean to someone based upon their race.

No, it most certainly isn't. This is the kind of crap that's perpetuated in our overly PC world, but it's still just crap.

Following a religion - or any belief system for that matter - defines who you are and how you act. If my religion allows me, or even requires me, to ritually butcher every dog I come across, then that's certainly something completely different than what color my skin happens to be.

We should be tolerant of others, regardless of their beliefs, but that doesn't mean we should accept any actions in the name of religion.

Race, on the other hand, has absolutely nothing to do with someone's actions.

Yes, I know, I'm being argumentative and all major religions are fundamentally peaceful and I shouldn't "hate on anyone" just because there are idiots out there of the same faith. Well, surprise, I don't hate anyone based on what they say their religion is. (And although I use the word a lot in conversation, I don't actually hate anyone that I can think of right now, at least no one I've ever so much as seen in person).

It is, however, completely unfair to equate religion and race.

[MaineDolFan]

No, it most certainly isn't. This is the kind of crap that's perpetuated in our overly PC world, but it's still just crap.

Judging someone based on anything other than WHO THEY ARE is equally indefensible.  It's not crap what so ever.  I don't want to be judged for being multiracial any more than I want someone to judge me for my religious beliefs.

Making a blanket assumption about anyone based on anything other than who they are = not acceptable.  Period.

[CF DolFan]

Your arguing semantics fyo. That's like saying if I bash gays its ok because they choose to be gay. I can choose another religion just like they can choose not to participate in gay acticvities.

Hate crimes lumps everyone together... and should IMHO.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_crime
Hate crimes (also known as bias motivated crimes) occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership in a certain social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation.