quote:

Originally posted by activated:

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Originally posted by zdirector:
Snuka, It's really sad that people think it's okay to talk about absolutely anything on this site except spirituality. In fact, it's a bit appalling to think that sex, hatred, abuse, vindictiveness and some of the other things that occasionally appear on this site are ok, but not what one believes.No one ever said this. Stop trying to manipulate ideas. Bravo, snuka. Personally, I can't imagine being an actor without accepting some divine intervention This indicates a bit of lunacy on your part. Jesus will not help you win the oscar, try an acting coach....it's too tough a business to do on your own. If people are so uncomfortable with discussions of religion,they don't need to read these posts. No one said anything about being uncomfortable about religious discussion. Again, stop manipulating what was being said. Learn to read.This IS the 'Off Topic' column, isn't it? Keep meditating and expressing yourself, Snuka.

I completely agree with you, Zdirector. I don't have a problem with people disagreeing with what Snuka writes.Obviously, you do. It's just that suggestion that he shouldn't even be allowed to post it. No one suggested that either. Well, I may have, not because of his beliefs, but because of his lack mental capacity. I found the anti-immigrant sentiment in the thread Donald started just as disturbing as anyone could've possibly found this one. But, I realize this is the off topic section. So, rather than suggesting Donald shouldn't post, I simply decided not to read it. Others may choose to read it and debate with Donald. But, I don't think anyone told Donald that it didn't belong here.

Part of me thinks there shouldn't even be an "off topic" section, and that everything on this board should relate to acting. In that case, there would be no religion, politics, or anything else that's likely to cause an uproar--aside from arguments over acting technique. But, then again, aren't the off-topic items just as relevant to acting as "technique?" I'm assuming that's why the moderator included this section. It's worth knowing what's going on in politics and current events, because you never know when you'll get an audition that relates to those things.

But by that logic, a discussion of religion could be just as relevant. What if one of you gets called in to play a Christian in a film? Are you going to play the character as self-righteous, hypocritical, war-mongering, right-winged, or any of the other myths and stereotypes that you have in mind when it comes to Christians? And uh, how do these myths and stereotypes come about?Would it not be worth knowing what a non-stereotyped Christian (since I don't think Snuka has played into any of those) believes and sounds like? I can't wait to see your next routine. I love stand up comedy! If Snuka doesn't fall into the category of a stereotypical snake charming, tongues talking, televangelical christian than we should all have our heads examined. I know what a non-stereotypical christian sounds like, I read from him everyday. Thanks Robert Kim! Not once has he tried to "convince" me the Good lord is only going to love me if I were christian. Even after I spent many a sentence bashing the christian followers. He is an open minded man, with intelligence AND faith. To me, THAT makes a true christian, a man Jesus would want as a believer.

And that doesn't just apply to Christianity. Again, all of the Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and even Atheists should also feel free to write about whatever they believe in, or don't believe in. I could understand the anger if someone was trying to dictate that Christianity alone should be discussed here. But there is freedom to discuss any and all spirituality here. I'd argue for more discussion, not less. And those who choose not to discuss their beliefs shouldn't be on a mission to prevent others from discussing theirs. Key word here: DISCUSSION. When a discussion started that even remotely challenged ol' snuka, he turned with his tail between his lakes with answers like:

You're taking the bible out of context.

You don't know me. You don't know what I know and what I don't know. You pick some Scriptures from the Bible that you already have set opinions about and you already have self-serving answers to and use those scriptures to try to entrap me. I know your plan and your tactics. You're going to twist and manipulate what I say if it doesn't fit into your view of the Bible.

I'm not playing your game. Regardless of what I say, you're going to have a problem with it.

Otherwise, there's no point in having an off topic section, and we should talk about nothing more than classes, headshots, and filming.

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Originally posted by zdirector:
I don't think we'll resolve this and I don't want to argue with you, because I totally understand everything you are saying. If someone is preaching every week and trying to force their opinion on others, then I agree that it is at least unfair and in bad taste, if not inappropriate or wrong....although I will say once again that no one is forcing you (I hope) to read what they write. As for atheists...they probably believe everywhere is the proper place for atheism, and that is fine. They have the right to believe what they wish. As for separation of church and state...this has nothing to do with the state. It has to do with society, which is not the same as the state. Some of us believe church and society cannot be separated because our beliefs are at the core of everything that happens in society. If someone else wants to believe that is a crock, fine...they have that right.

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No there is to be a set seperation of church and state (judiciary, legislative, and executive. Our monetary system is part of the state. Our elected officials should adhere to the rules of the state. Our schools should adhere to the state. Our COURTS should adhere to the rules of the state.
We should not have to put our hand on a bible in the court of law. We should not have to pledge allegiance. We should not have "In God We Trust" on our money. We should not judge a presidential candidate or even entertain the thought of ASKING a candidate what their religious affilition is.

Posts

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Originally posted by snuka:
avidactor,

You think that you're so intelligent and enlightened but you resort to using condescending, disrespectful language to attack me, "because of his lack mental capacity." This wasn't a smear at you. HONESTLY. It is what I believe to be true. If this is what I believe to be true, then it must be so, right? This is your own logic I'm using here.

I'd say that you're lacking in mental capacity. I understand what you're saying.
You're contradicting yourself here. However, you've put a block up to what I'm saying so that you don't have to really listen and understand what I'm saying.
WHAT are you saying, then? Because so far, you haven't answered a single question asked to you with any rationality. That is the whole point I'm making here! I said in my last post, if you come to an answer with any semblance of intelligence, then I will listen.

You know that I'm talking the Truth. You're just trying to continue to justify in your own mind your ideas.
Um, this is EXACTLY what YOU'RE trying to do. Listen, in all honesty, how can you justify your 'religion' to be TRUE? There is no one true belief. You need to get out more man! How can you put belief and truth in the same meaning? You cannot. You have a belief, and I told you before that its great you have it. We all have our own beliefs. You CANNOT prove your belief, nor can I. At least I am humble enough as a human being to KNOW that. I don't preach it to others who don't agree with me. I don't try to convert people. I don't tell people who God is, because frankly, we all seek our spirituality in different ways. Emmy is an athiest, I do not believe she is going to Hell for her beliefs. In her own right, she has tons of physical evidence to prove her ideas. We on the other hand, do not. We rely on faith. Faith cannot be proven. It cannot be calculated, and it sure as hell cannot be forced into your heart. I DO NOT BELIEVE JESUS IS/WAS/OR EVER WILL BE GOD. I have no problem if you think that he is. My problem is moreso with the fact that you say you're RIGHT because it is what YOU think. Don't DARE try and say I'm blocking ideas out. It is YOU, my friend, who is blocking ideas out. FACT.

I have been respectful to you.
By telling me, [B]and others who the "right" God is, no, you haven't. [/B]

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zdirector,

God bless you!

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emmyaward4,

You know that I'm talking the Truth too. You're just trying to continue to justify in your own mind your ideas too.

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emmyaward4,

You know that I'm talking the Truth too. You're just trying to continue to justify in your own mind your ideas too.

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Originally posted by emmyaward4:

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emmyaward4,

You know that I'm talking the Truth too. You're just trying to continue to justify in your own mind your ideas too.

what? I am sorry who is this from?

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Originally posted by SecondBanana:
I guess I don't visit Backstage or ride the subway for spiritual enlightenment.

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Originally posted by activated:
Fortunately, the post was clearly marked "Meditating on God's Word."
...For anyone indifferent (or especially opposed) to religious discussion, it wouldn't make any sense to click on it. At the end of the day, we only read, enjoy, or resent the threads that we choose to click on.
apparentely, activated, you cannot read clearly, OR you simply don't understand. No one here is opposed to "discussion" (except for maybe you, z, and snuka). Whenever the "discussion" doesn't go your way (ie we all say Hooray for Jesus for being God #1!) you pout about it. I think religious arguments are great! I think debate is great. Debate is what makes actors do their job better. If we didn't question, we'd have no creativity.

...as long as his clearly labeled posts require the reader to consciously choose to access them, it would appear that those who are offended read them for the sole purpose of getting offended.

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Originally posted by Lisa:
I think a good healthy laugh may be in order on this thread:

When You Can No Longer Sit and Listen Politely

DEAR MARGO: My sister-in-law is a born-again Christian and very outspoken about her beliefs. She agitates my husband to no end when we are at family gatherings. I can't think of a wedding that we've been to in the last 10 years where she hasn't cornered us about being saved. We've tried to tell her that we have our own beliefs, and I usually walk away, but my husband gets very stressed and angry and gets into it with her every time. I have tried to advise him to walk away, but for some reason he cannot. His family has started becoming annoyed with him for not being able to drop it, but even I am getting to the point where it is not acceptable to be accosted in this way. Why should we have to duck and cover just to enjoy ourselves without being bothered? She even sends tracts to us in birthday cards and other letters. I am tired of having to deal with this. Any suggestions on how to handle this zealot?

--- HAPPY WITH OUR OWN BELIEFS, THANK YOU

DEAR HAP: Zealots have many causes for which to proselytize (i.e., stopping smoking), but religion seems to be the historical number one. Your s-i-l has extremely poor judgment to pursue you at family gatherings, especially after being told thanks, but no thanks. "Dim" is the word that comes to mind. Because your husband, however, seems unable to walk away, suggest he try a new approach when responding to his sister. Here's some early American history I read somewhere: Thomas Paine, considered by many a de facto Founding Father, ridiculed the Bible as a long fairy tale of crime and fantasy. Thomas Jefferson took a razor to the New Testament and cut out everything he thought silly, evil or mystical. He was left with a very short book. Then your husband should try to make a case for atheism. Apoplexy guaranteed.

--- MARGO, DEFENSIVELY

Dear Margo is written by Margo Howard, Ann Landers' daughter.