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G.R. Patterson III wrote:


Jay Honeck wrote:

Murder is not generally considered a religious trait.


That's only because religious people don't regard it as murder if they kill
someone who doesn't belong to their faith. More people have been killed over
religion than anything else.

Where is your data? I think far more have been killed over greed than
religion. Unfortunately, my data is about as good as yours. :-)


Matt

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:17:16 -0500, Matt Whiting
wrote:

That's only because religious people don't regard it as murder if they kill
someone who doesn't belong to their faith. More people have been killed over
religion than anything else.

Where is your data? I think far more have been killed over greed than
religion. Unfortunately, my data is about as good as yours. :-)


Matt


Religion is a form of greed.

As an example, when the rapture comes, only the born again will enjoy
the blessings of heaven, while the rest of us burn in a sea of fire.

Not really a good example of sharing the wealth, is it?

wrote:

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:17:16 -0500, Matt Whiting
wrote:


That's only because religious people don't regard it as murder if they kill
someone who doesn't belong to their faith. More people have been killed over
religion than anything else.

Where is your data? I think far more have been killed over greed than
religion. Unfortunately, my data is about as good as yours. :-)


Matt



Religion is a form of greed.

As an example, when the rapture comes, only the born again will enjoy
the blessings of heaven, while the rest of us burn in a sea of fire.

Not really a good example of sharing the wealth, is it?

Certainly it is. Everyone has the opportunity to be part of the
rapture. Only those who choose not to participate will be left behind.
It doesn't get any more generous than that. It is entirely your
choice. What more could you ask for?

Matt

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
wrote:

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:17:16 -0500, Matt Whiting
wrote:


That's only because religious people don't regard it as murder if they
kill
someone who doesn't belong to their faith. More people have been killed
over
religion than anything else.

Where is your data? I think far more have been killed over greed than
religion. Unfortunately, my data is about as good as yours. :-)


Matt



Religion is a form of greed.

As an example, when the rapture comes, only the born again will enjoy
the blessings of heaven, while the rest of us burn in a sea of fire.

Not really a good example of sharing the wealth, is it?

Certainly it is. Everyone has the opportunity to be part of the
rapture. Only those who choose not to participate will be left behind.
It doesn't get any more generous than that. It is entirely your
choice. What more could you ask for?

Matt

Ah, Matt, you don't even know your own holy book. Revelations describes
the dimensions of heaven and it is not unlimited. Hurry up and go, fella.
First come, first served. As soon as it is full (Hell,it may be full
a'ready), newcomers will be turned away. Matter of fact I have it on good
authority they'll be pushed over the balusters into the fiery brink below.

jls wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

wrote:


On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:17:16 -0500, Matt Whiting
wrote:



That's only because religious people don't regard it as murder if they

kill

someone who doesn't belong to their faith. More people have been killed

over

religion than anything else.

Where is your data? I think far more have been killed over greed than
religion. Unfortunately, my data is about as good as yours. :-)


Matt



Religion is a form of greed.

As an example, when the rapture comes, only the born again will enjoy
the blessings of heaven, while the rest of us burn in a sea of fire.

Not really a good example of sharing the wealth, is it?

Certainly it is. Everyone has the opportunity to be part of the
rapture. Only those who choose not to participate will be left behind.
It doesn't get any more generous than that. It is entirely your
choice. What more could you ask for?

Matt


Ah, Matt, you don't even know your own holy book. Revelations describes
the dimensions of heaven and it is not unlimited. Hurry up and go, fella.
First come, first served. As soon as it is full (Hell,it may be full
a'ready), newcomers will be turned away. Matter of fact I have it on good
authority they'll be pushed over the balusters into the fiery brink below.



But it doesn't say how big the people there will be. :-)

At a few Angstroms in height, that cube will hold a LOT of us.


Matt

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
G.R. Patterson III wrote:


Jay Honeck wrote:

Murder is not generally considered a religious trait.


That's only because religious people don't regard it as murder if they
kill
someone who doesn't belong to their faith. More people have been killed
over
religion than anything else.

Where is your data? I think far more have been killed over greed than
religion. Unfortunately, my data is about as good as yours. :-)


Matt

I think you have a point there, Matt. Religion, to quote Stendhal, is
founded on the fears of the many and the cleverness of the few. The greedy
few have slyly used religion to mobilize the masses to do their bidding over
the centuries. Kings, prelates, despots, corporate executives, charismatic
ministers, governors, even elected presidents have found religion useful in
their hunger for wealth and power.

The Bible's justification of slavery -- e. g., the story of Ham in the Old
Testament and Paul's and Timothy's letters in the New --- was quite helpful
for the Conquistadors, the Pilgrims, Tidewater Aristocrats, and the Southern
Planters when they settled the New World.