This is a bit of an update.  Please see the following link, thank you...\nhttp://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Legal/New_York_custody_case_sparks_debate_over_parody_religion_61159.html\nHow can the judge be that offended, the movie it was a parody of was definitly gory and not ment for all people.  Yet because it was biblical in a base it wasn't offensive?  Satire is a well recognized art form that is respected so how does that hurt a child?  If the child never saw any of it how is that harmful either?  By this reasoning shouldn't communion be a cause to take kids away because it is a representation of something else that some find offensive?
136282
Is there ANY way in which that is NOT a violation of the first amendment?  That judge managed to destroy BOTH freedom of religion AND freedom of speech in one sentence!  It's perfectly legal to refuse medical treatment for a dying child because it goes against your religious beliefs, but God forbid you make fun of Christianity when your kid's not even there.  Has Bush tried to appoint this guy to the Supreme Court yet?  And why is it that they don't take away people who teach their children to racism and homophobia (or creationism for that matter) but parents who's religion goes against Christianity can lose their kids?  Or maybe it was the sex toy thing.  Perhaps we should take away the kids of everyone who has had sex.  But wait a second, that might not work so well.
84574
I'm a Christian and all but, that's just plain...idiotic I would never play something like that. What's the point? \n\nAnd no, it makes absolutely no sense. These people are simply stupid and hypocritical. God, or any other religion for that matter shouldn't promote killing in the name of God--in the name of anything. \n\nSheesh, these are the type of people that make Christians look bad. They aren't true Christians. They are deluded morons who are so stuck in their saintly appearances to the point of figuring out ways of entertaining fellow Christians through crazy games. I don't know. Maybe it's just me. But, you're right. It's stupid. And sort of spoof like. I would imagine South Park doing something like that.\n\nLol. If you think that's bad check this guy out:\nhttp://www.truechristian.com/ \n\nHe's clearly lost his marbles.
567508
Well at risk of igniting an unintended flamewar I think you're 100% correct about the "selective" nature of modern christian morals.  I think the justification is more along the lines of that magic and witches/wizards are portrayed or "glorified" as heros in the HP series while in Snow White, Narnia, etc.... they're always portrayed as evil villians.  Many of the conservative christian parents choose to shelter their children from any culture/lifestyle etc... that does not glorify God as they know God to be.  Not to mention that many of the christian movements now follow church leaders almost as if they were prophets themselves.  The very minute a man like Jerry Falwell speaks out about the evils of something like Harry Potter you can expect hundreds of thousands if not more of those in the Baptist Church to immediately shun Harry Potter when they perviously may not have had a problem with the books in their house.  I agree with you wholeheartedly when you state that it's "parenting" not "sheltering".  When a child is sheltered from the mainstream world (however evil or sinful it may or may not be) and brought up to view the world in the rose colored glasses of the church they have a very difficult time adjusting to life on their own and dealing with those who may have different beliefs and at least from my personal experience people raised in households like that tend to be quite intolerant of others because they view them as inherently different from themselves due to the lack of diversity in lifestyle and belief they experienced in their formative years.  \n\nGood Question!
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I understand your confusion, and to a ceratin extent, I agree with you.\n\nI read the book, and I plan to see the movie (as soon as the hype dies down).  I think that the reason this book is taken so seriously is for two reasons:\n\n1.  Dan Brown begins the book by stating that all of the groups, artwork, etc. are completely true.  People assume that if these things are true and accurate, then the whole book must be as well.\n\n2.  The whole premise, that Jesus was married and that the "holy grail" isn't a cup but is in fact the holy bloodline of Jesus, isn't a new theory and is one that some people have argued for many years.  Plus, it is plausible!  I'm not saying that it is likely, but it is possible.\n\nWhat I don't understand is why this film has to change poeple's faith.  Even if it was discovered with 100% certainty that Jesus was married, that doesn't change my faith in Christianity at all!  (It makes me wonder about the people who made the decision to cover it all up, but it doesn't change my faith in God.)  In fact, learning that Jesus was married might actually make me identify with Him more than I currently do.\n\nI wish that people would think about that more seriously... what has REALLY changed?
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I just want to know why it was okay to have scriptures & other signs of faith posted on government property in the past and now it's not okay. Who gave a group so much authority to think and act for the majority? If something is offensive, I turn my head away, but I respect someone else's right to do the offensive thing. I don't like it, but I don't go running to the ACLU & cry all over them because I was offended. I don't urge them to hire a multitude of lawyers to make those people stop their vile display, violating my senses. I don't like a lot of things that are happening in this world. I try to make a difference where I live, and an even smaller difference at the ballot box. But, all this talk about separation of church and state is horse hockey. Our constitution DOES NOT have that wording in it anywhere. I've read through it several times and I don't see it. Must have been written with invisible ink! But, the Russian constitution DOES have that wording. I can see how that would be important...to the Russians. This country was founded on scripture and Godly values, not matter what the history revisionists are trying print in our school books now days. And no matter if you or anyone else likes that fact, it's a fact. If it was good enough for our forefathers, why isn't it good enough for us now? I don't believe that we are so very enlightened now that we've forgotten where we've come from. I think a lot of people just don't want to be reminded of any symbol of faith. It might make them uncomfortable, and we wouldn't want that! We want everyone to be happy, right? But, in their effort to please one group, they're offending another. I guess it's okay. Those crazy Christians have had the past couple hundred of years to plaster their stuff all over this country. So, now they can just back off quietly and shut up. That's the attitude that the ACLU sends every time they force someone to remove another symbol of faith from public view. It reminds me of what happened in Nazi Germany. When Hitler was killing all the handicapped people, no one made a fuss because it didn't affect them. When he started killing another group of people, no one said anything because they weren't affected. Then Hitler came for them, with not a whole lot of people left to put up a cry. It wasn't until Hitler started taking over other countries that people stopped him. This tearing down of the symbols of faith will not stop. Many new churches don't even display a cross anymore, blending in with all the other buildings in the area. I believe that this country has been blessed with so much because of Godly people living and working here. Revelation 3:15-17 says, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I wish that you were cold or hot, one or the other. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. Because you said, I am rich, and have lots of  stuff, and have need of nothing (even God); don't you know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked?" I believe we are already reaping the consequences of our departure of faith. That's why more & more bad stuff is happening to America than ever before. We will believe in anything, as long as it doesn't make us too uncomfortable. I know I am making this really long, but this is something that's very dear to my heart. I love America and I love the people who live in her. I also know that there will be a few who are offended by my long tirade. Sorry that your feelings have been hurt in any way. But, I stand firm in what I believe. Everyone has the right to live out their faith in any fashion they desire. That includes government property, because it's a part of America too. Stopping the public viewing of these symbols isn't going to stop people from believing in Jesus, worshipping God or limiting their church attendance. But,
481488
I've often wondered why the God-haters have a compulsion to live in this category.  I know some are kids thinking they are being amusing and daring, but some are adults and they just come to insult, slash, and hurt.  Those I don't understand at all, unless they are under conviction and think they can fight God on this site.  Maybe you are on to something, "closet Christians", that's cool.
318826
Doesn't it seem as if people cling to their beleifs so hard, they will refuse to acknowledge anything that might question that? I mean, what if you found out that your Mom was a crackwhore for the first half of her life and you were the offspring of her pimp? (no offense to any mothers. This seems to be the case. besides, those 2000 year old beleifs, were the beleifs for 2000 years. This Da Vinci schmuk has just surfaced as a new beleif that can be considered by the mases. Or is it... global warming? I haven't read the book nor seen the movie, but I am familiar with the subject matter through schooling. When in school, or watching a movie that makes you think, it is enlightening. If we did not question things, there would be no need for Jesu, right? Why stop questioning now. I apologize, but it seems this Da Vinci controversy has surfaced the weakest of humans and found great fault in religion just by questioning it, whether true or not. The uproar confirms this. And for the twist... I agree with the author of this question, maybe not in the exact same sense. But I am God folks, not the one you all know, but my own. Think about this concept! What does God do for you? What is his purpose? Can these things be accomplished by yourself? It can be done.
403803
Hayden, i am a religious studies major and among the things i am looking into right now is contemporary Christmas as compared to biblical Christmas.  it is so hard to know with the Christian bible if ppl mentioned are actually in it b/ of the translations..... as of yet, i have read nothing of Jeannette or Isabelle.\n\n**In its original form i have great respect for Christianity (although i am not Christian), but so many things have been lost and others picked up form diff cultures. the tree and the date are specifically from paganism. the snowman and such (wintery characters) actually originated here in the West. aside from the nativity scene which would be grossly incorrect historically, very little is taken from the bible.\n\n i would urge today's Christians to resume Christmas as it was intended. i think you have a beautiful faith and if you believe it to be from God then changing and adapting should not be necessary. moreover, Hayden may be slightly bold in the way he addresses his topics, but his challenges should only allow true Christians a chance to really learn their bible. It is a shame how much is believed by the majority of Christian ppl that is in fact untrue.\n\npeace and blessings to all\n\nps in response to your question....it was scriptural. and if you find anything interesting or if you'd like to see any of my research feel free to email me.
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I think because there's not other "hot", juicy topic right now (the war is dragging on and on, no huge change in that; no OJ-type "trial of the century", etc.), so this movie is being hyped because of the movie makers' PR folks.  \n\nIt will in no way affect people who are truly Christian, but for those who are looking for yet another reason to scoff/not believe in Christ, yep, those folks will say SEE???  \n\nKinda like that Brokeback Mt. thing .... if not for the movie maker's PR team, I doubt that more than a sprinkling of folks would have bothered seeing it, and gays would have liked it and straights would have panned it.  End of story.
166304
When you say "Whoa, parents please keep your kids away from this adult material" you have inadvertently made a valid point. The Bible isn't some kiddy book designed to delight children. It is the inspired Word of God that isn't afraid to tell the truth about every aspect of life from the glorious heights of God sending his beloved Son to pay for our sins to the depths of confronting bestiality and acts of cannibalism.\n\nThat's one reason why it's the best selling book of all time in all the world. As to the passage you've posted if you take it in context you will find that God had warned the Israelites hundreds of years before that they would end up resorting to cannibalism if they forsook Him and turned to worship false gods.\n\nHere is the prophecy God gave to Moses as a warning for them hundreds of years before this incident came to pass.\n\nDeuteronomy 28:52  "They shall besiege you in all your towns, until your high and fortified walls, in which you trusted, come down throughout all your land. And they shall besiege you in all your towns throughout all your land, which the LORD your God has given you.  (53)  And you shall eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of your sons and daughters, whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies shall distress you.  (54)  The man who is the most tender and refined among you will begrudge food to his brother, to the wife he embraces, and to the last of the children whom he has left,  (55)  so that he will not give to any of them any of the flesh of his children whom he is eating, because he has nothing else left, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy shall distress you in all your towns.  (56)  The most tender and refined woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because she is so delicate and tender, will begrudge to the husband she embraces, to her son and to her daughter,  (57)  her afterbirth that comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears, because lacking everything she will eat them secretly, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy shall distress you in your towns.  (58)  "If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God,  (59)  then the LORD will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting.  (60)  And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you.  (61)  Every sickness also and every affliction that is not recorded in the book of this law, the LORD will bring upon you, until you are destroyed.  (62)  Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God.
477222
watching the video made me sick to my stomach. i can't answer why he made that joke. it is something you would have to ask him yourself. i believe all people are to be loved and not singled out because they live contrary to what the bible says. to be honest, i'm just speechless as to a pastor behaving in such a manner.
201796
It's as accurate as it can get.\n\nSatan himself tried to stop this from movie from being made.  Mel Gibson speaks of all the demonic forces that came against him and his team.  But God wanted this movie to be released to bring in the harvest as the Lord's return is sooner than we think.\n\nGod bless you and I understand you getting ill.  Jesus really went through all that for you and me.
607499
Oh, Jim!  I want to meet that flying spaghetti monster!  Did I miss him again? The meatballs were bouncing all over the place and I looked for him, too, but he was gone.  Or did someone eat him.  Did you eat him, Jim?  Tell me you didn't....  The Creation story has been around alot longer than the Evolution story...whether we agree with these two shouldn't make any difference...they should get equal time so people have a chance to make up their own minds.  Elevating either one over the other is not what it's about...is it that you can't trust kids to choose your way?  You probably say it's religion...it's not.  Just like when it told of the planets in space when men thought the world was flat...Someone may know a little more than you.  Just because it's written in a book and not in fossils shouldn't blind you to the fact that someone had to know, and then told the writers.  Anyway, I'm not that worried about it.  I don't fight over it, I just fight over the abusive treatment that flies around.  So, if other religions want to say their thing, great.  Maybe they should have a special course for the ideas over the origin of man...maybe the kids can act each one out and have a good time doing it. What is the threat???  I don't get it...
255092
The bible should never be considered anything but a work of fiction.\nEdit: I'd also like to point something else out. A lot of people are making the statement that God threatening with the possibility of hell is like a parent warning a child against a blazing fire. For one, the act of burning a child, though perhaps practical, is very cruel and sadistic. Kind loving parents would take a more practical and less cruel approach: simply do all that is necessary to keep the child away from the fire. There are numerous other logical fallacies in this analogy, but I would hope that they are painfully obvious to anyone intelligent enough to consider religion critically.
316130
I'm an ordained evangelical minister and see no problem with either the movie or the book. The problem is that Dan Brown has stated that the book and movie are fictional, but Christians say it's misleading--but their problem is that they are trying to pick apart DVC without going to the Bible to find out what is true in DVC and what isn't. If they'd just stick with the Bible as their source for truth and read it and absorb it, and keep in mind that DVC is fiction, then it's absolutely no problem. I just wonder how many Christians are seeing the movie or reading the book without opening their Bibles. :-(
31469
Whew-- Here's a question to all those who post about religious folks and non-religious folks... Are we ever going to settle this? Yeah didn't think so.\nStill I commend Wrathpuppet and the more thoughtful responders by espousing their beliefs in as clear a manner as possible, and Schneb- That's got to be one of your shorter replies, kudos on the mutual respect.\n\nI'm going to shy away from a grandiose analogy, for a simpler one that might still fit.\n\nEver went to see a movie the day it came out, was blown away by it, and when you told your friends they needed to see it, and right away, they blew you off? Ya know like they'd heard bad reviews, or just didn't think the material was something they were interested in. But it's killing you because you love and respect these people and you wish them to share in this wonderful cinematic experience... and you're sure if they would just take the time and go, they'd thank you for it later? ** to carry this theme out... it's not that you believe these folks (that you're trying to tell about this great movie) have never seen a good picture before or that they couldn't discover it on their own, it's just that it was SO good for you, SO moving, SO vital, that you really believed if they never saw it, their life would not be as rich as if they had.\n\nShortest answer possible, they think they're doing you a favor or a kindness, you may already have an interesting life that has happiness in it, but they fear for your eternal happiness. \n\nI for one will leave each to their own, and only try an help the ones who say they are unhappy or in some need, and the answer from me rarely will have religious overtones. \n\nMy God is just love. Wrath, judgement, the need to be worshipped and obeyed are the attributes of other's Gods. \n\nThe afterlife does not hold auditions.
376405
As a full fledged member of CBOA (cry babies of america) I have to say I take offense at your offending, you offending offender you!  LOL.  \nI think people have taken the pc thing a bit to far.  Do we all remember our mother's lesson of "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me".????\nThis is a general religeon and spirituality forum, come in here expecting to have folks disagree with ya.  \nI'm with you...First Amendment provides freedom of religeon, it doesn't offer freedom from it.