Posts by azirra

The Navy and Air Force are the "brains." The Army and Marines are the "brawn." My insider recommendation to anyone considering the military would be to join the Air Force or Navy. They tend to have waaaay better facilities, treat new recruits with a little more respect and dignity, plus you will probably be slightly safer from injury and death if you deploy to a war zone, as the Navy and Air Force are more support services rather than frontline fighters. Also, Id recommend that you pick an MOS (job) that offers a long training period, so you will be able to use that free military training to get a job when you get out. For example, I became an Army nurse, so now that Im out, I can be a nurse...whereas no one in the private sector really needs infantry dudes, you know?

Requirements to join: ok physical shape, high school diploma or GED, not much else. As long as you're under 35 and have no huge permanent injury, they'll take you.

As for "how was it"...the military is a really mixed bag. Made lifelong friends, got screamed at a lot...it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Original Post by clharr:

In a perfect world, this would not even be an issue.  However, this is not a perfect world, and unlike CC, the military is not full of liberals.  Quite the opposite.  The military needs to find a path that does not, as an earlier poster pointed out, result in gay soldiers being beaten to death.  "Don't ask, don't tell" is a compromise.  It may be the best we can do for now.

I was in the Army Reserve for 6 years, 3 of which were on active duty. And yes, certain parts of the Army - like the medical sections and the language sections (I was a nurse) - most certainly are full of liberals and most certainly are full of gay people.

I remember riding in a van with my company commander (who everyone knew was a lesbian), the first sergeant, and a bunch of high ranking platoon leaders right before the 2004 election. A political conversation commenced. It was a consensus, they were all voting for Kerry because they all agreed that Bush was abusing the military.

Ive showered with lesbians. They didnt hit on me. My morale was fine.

Im sure there is a different vibe towards gay people in some all-male, active duty infantry units, but in my experience, the unofficial motto of the medical & language sections is "dont ask, don't care."

I think Obama ought to end DADT. It would be nice for gays to have legal protection in case they get a weirdo commander who actually wants to kick em out. But...meh...even if Obama doesn't, societal views are changing, and acceptance of homosexuality has seeped into the military, whether the older generation of Pentagon policy makers like it or not.

Original Post by simwaves1:

Original Post by carmenxox:

All I know is that I'm not wasting my time on Earth believing in BS literature that was written thousands of years ago when people still believed the world was flat and revolved around the sun...etc.

Chronological Snobbery

I came across this today and found it amusing. It made me think back to this comment you made.

"Chronological snobbery"?!?

Jesus H. Christ.

OF COURSE humanity gets smarter and better informed over time. OF COURSE we make progress, especially in terms of how to use the scientific method to prove what is or isnt true. Its not snobbery. Its building on our prior investigations to refine our theories of how or why things work.

You are training to become a doctor. I come to you with a brain tumor. Are you going to give me a course of leeches, like they would have prescribed 2,500 years ago? No, because we've developed better treatments.

Are you practicing "Chronological snobbery" when you skip the leeches and give me the latest treatment? Nope, youre following the facts. So is Carmenxox. The people who lived 2,000+ years ago, including the ones who wrote the bible, didnt have the tools that we have today. It isnt an insult against them -- they did the best they could without accurate maps, microscopes, telescopes, basic knowledge of DNA and the existence of germs, etc. And for that I give them props. But it isnt chronological snobbery to point out the obvious: they got a lot of things wrong. No offense to Jesus, but a modern 3rd grader knows more about science than Jesus did.

Original Post by cellotlhicks:

When something boggles me, I research till it makes sense. Doesn't mean that I condone evil things.

Are you saying that you have researched slavery, rape, genocide, and all of the other bad things in the bible...so now they make sense to you?

I guess all I can say is that Im thankful that those things dont make sense to me, no matter what the historical context is, and Im not in a position where I have to defend that kind of stuff or apologize for it because it is part of the history and context of my belief system.

I can relate! Not being prepared...hurts.

Original Post by cellotlhicks:

Original Post by garrickthewise:

If you truly believe that "God wrote his word" then you must also believe these things(because God says so!):

1.  Slavery is just.

2.  Women who menstruate are unclean and should be separated from society.

3.  Homosexuals should be stoned.

4. A woman is the property of her husband.

5. Abandon your wife and children for Jesus and you will receive a reward in heaven.

6. It is okay to sell your daughter.

I could go on and on but I won't.  My point is that if the bible is the "Word of God", then that word is timeless, because God is timeless.  So if you don't believe it's okay to sell your daughter, why not?

 Quick Question...have you ever read these verses on your own, and learned about the history and context behind them at all? I think you have a weak understanding about God's system of justice, and about the difference between what in the bible is recorded,and what was actully condoned by God.  There are also several verses that could refute some of what you have written here. I suggest glancing at the book, 'The case for faith' by Lee Strobel if you really believe that. there is a chapter about 'how could a loving God condone some of the evil things metioned in the Old Testament.' Helped me to understand God's nature, justice and will a little bit better. I wish I could go into more detail, but they think I am busy here at work .

I was gone for a while, but reading through some of these posts the past few days, it is quite sad how rude and insulting some people have been. Have a good day everyone.

1. Im sorry, but there is no excuse for the things in that list to be okay under any circumstances. Was slavery in America okay because of "the history and context"? No way. If anyone said it was, they would get completely ridiculed. All of those things were just as unethical 2000+ years ago as they are today, its just that people will admit it now. Our society is more open to talking about human rights.

2. Yes, its true that a lot of bible passages contradict a lot of other bible passages. Even some of the words of god contradict other words of god, as reported by the bible. But you cant just shop around for the bible passage that is the least offensive. To do that is to turn a blind eye to what your religion actually promotes, which in many cases is gross injustice of several groups of minorities.

3. Lee Strobel is a successful writer because he helps Christians deal with the guilt and embarrassment they feel over controversial and outdated tenets of the bible. Like you said, he tries to whitewash the things in that list by saying "well, its okay if you consider the history and context."

Personally, I think its all pretty telling. If all it takes for a Christian to dismiss racism and sexism is a Lee Strobel book....

Original Post by fitnessgirll:

Original Post by azirra:

Fitness - Youve decided to suddenly convert from Judaism to Christianity just to spite a person on an internet diet forum? Sorry but your posts confuse me way more than Lorik's. I hope you are just being ironic.

 No need for the formality....call me 'girl'. ;)

And, I haven't converted to anything...can't. I'm not religious. Well, I wasn't...thanks to Lorik..I'm enrolling in nun school tomorrow. ;)

Now I lay me down to sleep...

I pray this thread does not utter a peep

If it continues before I wake

I pray CC blows up this site!

I kid, I kid...

g'nite I'm headin home!

Oh I guess you were kidding. I always take people too seriously. Nighty night, Girl.

Original Post by fitnessgirll:

shut up.

seriously.

is no one else brave enough to tell you but me?

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STFU!!!!!!!

You are making me want to go get communion. This...coming from a woman that hasn't stepped foot in a religous building in over 10 years!

Praise Jesus! OY VEY!

 

Fitness - Youve decided to suddenly convert to Christianity just to spite a person on an internet diet forum? Sorry but your posts confuse me way more than Lorik's. I hope you are just being ironic. The meanest thing said to anyone on this whole thread so far is you telling Lorik to STFU.

And Lorik - Theres a general rule that while debating, the first person to invoke the Nazis loses. Its usually a desperate move. You were doing great before the Nazi analogy, so no need to pull that one out.

What is your goal? How many pounds in 8 months?

Have you already tried the calculator tool that tells you how many calories you need to eat per day to reach that goal?

Also - swimming laps tends to be easy on the joints...do you have access to a pool?

I see your point, Cello, but do you also agree that some injustices are too big to deserve being tolerated?

I think a lot of people look for different things, but what I do is compare boxes and get the one with the least calories per serving size.

If you go by calories, fat and sugar are already built into that calorie count. Pure fat has 9 calories per gram, and both carbohydrates (like sugar) and proteins have about 4 calories per gram. This is why following a low-cal diet will naturally lead you toward low-fat foods.

Another good thing to look for: Fiber! Fiber physically fills you up and then usually just passes right through you. So you get to feel full and your body absorbs barely any calories from it. Fiber also keeps you "regular"

In high school, there was a guy in my art class named Pierre who used to tease me all the time by saying that I looked like a man. And its true that I have kind of strong, masculine features: square face with a square jaw, prominent eyebrows, and a distinctly non-dainty nose. Overall, I have a very serious, penetrating look unless Im making a silly face.

After high school I joined the Army, and I remember going out to the field a few times and then returning back to the barracks and seeing myself in the mirror, covered with dirt, my hair tied back in a bun, and thinking "Pierre was right. I totally look like a guy."

Now that Im older, I like my look and I think it fits my personality. It also goes well with the bold colors I like to wear. So yeah...it may sound like an oxymoron but I have an unconventional "masculine" kind of beauty.

Original Post by re_newed:

Original Post by cptbunny:

That book says he's perfect. It's a book. If I write a book saying I'm perfect, does that make me perfect too?

 

 Just re-read my post and ask God for yourself.  Oh wait -- He "isn't" real.  So have fun with your little life.  And no, you aren't perfect.  No one is.  Men falter, and when you lean on your own understanding and not the word of God you will falter.  I'm done with you. 

Good news, Bunny - it worked for Job!

"There was a man...whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright."   - Job 1:1   

If the bible is perfect, then it must also be true that some random regular dudes like Job are also perfect...since the bible says they are.

So yes, Bunny you can write a book about how perfect you are and it will come true!

PS - Youll do great in school, and dont worry about bullies, college doesnt really have bullies.

Original Post by re_newed:

You obviously know, according to what I'm telling you, Jesus is the Son of God, and no one can go to heaven without verbally agreeing He is Lord and Savior of their life.  So what do you think?  Now that you know, will God hold you accountable? 

A "tribe in the jungle", as you put it, who has "never heard of Jesus" will not be held accountable to the Word.  But that is why you have missionaries going out, to the "four corners" of the earth, preaching the gospel and sharing the Word.  Everyone has free will, and then it is up to them.  If they choose to recieve it or not, now they are held accountable.  There is a good or bad consequence for whatever they choose.  It's up to them

God is a gentleman.  He won't push himself onto you.  But you will have to face the consequences in the end.

Whoa. So people who have never had exposure to Jesus all go to heaven, as they dont get punished for not having heard of God. 100% of the "jungle tribe" goes to heaven.

As soon as a missionary tells them about Jesus, there is a very strong possibility that they will reject the story, and therefore become accountable, right? So now that they have been warned about Jesus, only some of them go to heaven...the rest dont believe the story.

Why do that to them? Why take a person who is guaranteed to go to heaven and ruin it by telling them the story? Isnt it mean and cruel for Christian missionaries to go spread the word? By doing so, they are actually decreasing the probability that those people go to heaven, because they are providing people with the opportunity to reject Jesus. Think of all the people who would have been saved if there were no missionaries...literally billions of people...

Im confused ... you are a newly married virgin? Or are you a virgin who is going to be married soon?

Condoms have a lot of downsides. They take time to apply, you have to remember to apply them, youll always have to make sure you have a constant supply, etc. Plus it doesnt sound like your guy is really a fan of this option.

For long-term protection that you dont have to even think about, try something like an IUD which lasts for 12 years or check out this birth control implant that lasts for 3 years.

Take this  birth control quiz that can help you weight which method works best for your needs and then go talk to a doctor.