Amazing news!
What a comforting thought. I will be/burn in Hell for only a short time and not eternity. Of course I will atone, who wouldn't. We all get to go to heaven eventually. Neat
Wow, what a load off of my mind. But, if I want to move up the levels of Heaven, I had better divorce my Catholic husband (if he doesn't convert) and find myself a good Mormon man. I wonder how many sister wives I will have? Bummer, I just realized I'm too old to safely produce perfect Mormon children. No one will have me. Maybe a 60 year old Mormon will. There might be hope for me after all ;?
The spirit world? Another astounding revelation. Just today there were two obits stating quite clearly that the deceased have gone straight into Christ's arms. Wrong! Silly people
Cnn reporting....
The sect's sudden openness appears an attempt to reunite mothers and children. However, the stakes may be higher, said Walsh, who explained that FLDS members believe polygamy and ably caring for many children are essential to reaching the highest tier of heaven.
According to FLDS beliefs, you must be free from sin -- as with most Christian religions -- to get to heaven. Those deemed "wicked" go to hell until they atone for their sins, said Walsh, a mainstream Mormon doing post-doctorate studies at the University of St. Thomas-Houston in Texas.
Those who aren't deemed wicked go to the "spirit world" to await the final judgment that dictates in which of the three levels of heaven they will reside for eternity. Everyone will eventually go to one level of heaven, Walsh explained, but to ascend to the highest tier, you must first learn certain lessons -- how to be a good parent and spouse among them.
"To really enjoy heaven, you have to be married and you have to have your kids with you," Walsh said. "Everything experienced on Earth will be in its more perfected form in heaven."
Apr 28, 2008
Apr 27, 2008
Atheist soldier
Army Spc. Jeremy Hall sues U.S. for religious discrimination
JUNCTION CITY, Kansas (AP) -- Like hundreds of young men joining the Army in recent years, Jeremy Hall professes a desire to serve his country while it fights terrorism.
Spc. Jeremy Hall says the pressure to believe in God is so strong, "I was ashamed to say that I was an atheist."
But the short and soft-spoken specialist is at the center of a legal controversy. He has filed a lawsuit alleging that he's been harassed and his constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn't believe in God. The suit names Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
"I'm not in it for cash," Hall said. "I want no one else to go what I went through."
Known as "the atheist guy," Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshipper and -- just as severe to some soldiers -- gay, none of which, he says, is true. Hall even drove fellow soldiers to church in Iraq and paused while they prayed before meals.
"I see a name and rank and United States flag on their shoulder. That's what I believe everyone else should see," he said.
Hall, 23, was raised in a Protestant family in North Carolina and dropped out of school. It wasn't until he joined the Army that he began questioning religion, eventually deciding that he couldn't follow any faith.
But he feared how that would look to other soldiers.
"I was ashamed to say that I was an atheist," Hall said.
It eventually came out in Iraq in 2007, when he was in a firefight. Hall was a gunner on a Humvee, which took several bullets in its protective shield. Afterward, his commander asked whether he believed in God, Hall said.
"I said, 'No, but I believe in Plexiglas,' " Hall said. "I've never believed I was going to a happy place. You get one life. When I die, I'm worm food."
The issue came to a head when, according to Hall, a superior officer, Maj. Freddy J. Welborn, threatened to bring charges against him for trying to hold a meeting of atheists in Iraq. Welborn has denied Hall's allegations.
Hall said he had had enough but feared that he wouldn't get support from Welborn's superiors. He turned to Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
Weinstein is the foundation's president and a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. He had sued the Air Force for acts he said illegally imposed Christianity on students at the academy, though that case was dismissed. He calls Hall a hero.
"The average American doesn't have enough intestinal fortitude to tell someone to shut up if they are talking in a movie theater," Weinstein said. "You know how hard it is to take on your chain of command? This isn't the shift manager at KFC."
Hall was in Qatar when the lawsuit was filed September 18 in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas. Other soldiers learned of it, and he feared for his own safety. Once, Hall said, a group of soldiers followed him, harassing him, but no one did anything to make it stop.
The Army told him it couldn't protect him and sent him back to Fort Riley. He resumed duties with a military police battalion. He believes that his promotion to sergeant has been blocked because of his lawsuit, but he is a team leader responsible for two junior enlisted soldiers.
No one with Fort Riley, the Army or that Defense Department would comment about Hall or the lawsuit. Each issued statements saying that discrimination will not be tolerated regardless of race, religion or gender.
"The department respects [and supports by its policy] the rights of others to their own religious beliefs, including the right to hold no beliefs," said Eileen Lainez, a spokeswoman for the Department of Defense.
All three organizations said existing systems help soldiers "address and resolve any perceived unfair treatment."
Lt. Col. David Shurtleff, a Fort Riley chaplain, declined to discuss Hall's case but said chaplains accommodate all faiths as best they can. In most cases, religious issues can be worked out without jeopardizing military operations.
"When you're in Afghanistan and an IED blows up a Humvee, they aren't asking about a wounded soldier's faith," Shurtleff said.
Hall said he enjoys being a team leader but has been told that having faith would make him a better leader.
"I will take care of my soldiers. Nowhere does it say I have to pray with my soldiers, but I do have to make sure my soldiers' religious needs are met," he said.
"Religion brings comfort to a lot of people," he said. "Personally, I don't want it or need it. But I'm not going to get down on anybody else for it."
Hall leaves the Army in April 2009. He would like to find work with the National Park Service or Environmental Protection Agency, anything outdoors.
"I hope this doesn't define me," Hall said of his lawsuit. "It's just about time somebody said something."
JUNCTION CITY, Kansas (AP) -- Like hundreds of young men joining the Army in recent years, Jeremy Hall professes a desire to serve his country while it fights terrorism.
Spc. Jeremy Hall says the pressure to believe in God is so strong, "I was ashamed to say that I was an atheist."
But the short and soft-spoken specialist is at the center of a legal controversy. He has filed a lawsuit alleging that he's been harassed and his constitutional rights have been violated because he doesn't believe in God. The suit names Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
"I'm not in it for cash," Hall said. "I want no one else to go what I went through."
Known as "the atheist guy," Hall has been called immoral, a devil worshipper and -- just as severe to some soldiers -- gay, none of which, he says, is true. Hall even drove fellow soldiers to church in Iraq and paused while they prayed before meals.
"I see a name and rank and United States flag on their shoulder. That's what I believe everyone else should see," he said.
Hall, 23, was raised in a Protestant family in North Carolina and dropped out of school. It wasn't until he joined the Army that he began questioning religion, eventually deciding that he couldn't follow any faith.
But he feared how that would look to other soldiers.
"I was ashamed to say that I was an atheist," Hall said.
It eventually came out in Iraq in 2007, when he was in a firefight. Hall was a gunner on a Humvee, which took several bullets in its protective shield. Afterward, his commander asked whether he believed in God, Hall said.
"I said, 'No, but I believe in Plexiglas,' " Hall said. "I've never believed I was going to a happy place. You get one life. When I die, I'm worm food."
The issue came to a head when, according to Hall, a superior officer, Maj. Freddy J. Welborn, threatened to bring charges against him for trying to hold a meeting of atheists in Iraq. Welborn has denied Hall's allegations.
Hall said he had had enough but feared that he wouldn't get support from Welborn's superiors. He turned to Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
Weinstein is the foundation's president and a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. He had sued the Air Force for acts he said illegally imposed Christianity on students at the academy, though that case was dismissed. He calls Hall a hero.
"The average American doesn't have enough intestinal fortitude to tell someone to shut up if they are talking in a movie theater," Weinstein said. "You know how hard it is to take on your chain of command? This isn't the shift manager at KFC."
Hall was in Qatar when the lawsuit was filed September 18 in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas. Other soldiers learned of it, and he feared for his own safety. Once, Hall said, a group of soldiers followed him, harassing him, but no one did anything to make it stop.
The Army told him it couldn't protect him and sent him back to Fort Riley. He resumed duties with a military police battalion. He believes that his promotion to sergeant has been blocked because of his lawsuit, but he is a team leader responsible for two junior enlisted soldiers.
No one with Fort Riley, the Army or that Defense Department would comment about Hall or the lawsuit. Each issued statements saying that discrimination will not be tolerated regardless of race, religion or gender.
"The department respects [and supports by its policy] the rights of others to their own religious beliefs, including the right to hold no beliefs," said Eileen Lainez, a spokeswoman for the Department of Defense.
All three organizations said existing systems help soldiers "address and resolve any perceived unfair treatment."
Lt. Col. David Shurtleff, a Fort Riley chaplain, declined to discuss Hall's case but said chaplains accommodate all faiths as best they can. In most cases, religious issues can be worked out without jeopardizing military operations.
"When you're in Afghanistan and an IED blows up a Humvee, they aren't asking about a wounded soldier's faith," Shurtleff said.
Hall said he enjoys being a team leader but has been told that having faith would make him a better leader.
"I will take care of my soldiers. Nowhere does it say I have to pray with my soldiers, but I do have to make sure my soldiers' religious needs are met," he said.
"Religion brings comfort to a lot of people," he said. "Personally, I don't want it or need it. But I'm not going to get down on anybody else for it."
Hall leaves the Army in April 2009. He would like to find work with the National Park Service or Environmental Protection Agency, anything outdoors.
"I hope this doesn't define me," Hall said of his lawsuit. "It's just about time somebody said something."
Apr 26, 2008
The Great Flood
I laughed so hard I had tears running down my face. In my cubicle at work! I won't do that again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LtiyefHCe4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LtiyefHCe4
Uda is Unbelievable
Again, I am sure this old lady means well, but she drives me nuts (not angry) . And the Helena IR prints her silly stuff every Saturday. This weekend, she claims to have saved a baby girl through prayer. I think its insane to continue letting people go on like this in public. Of course she/God didn't save the baby. Its ridiculous! This to me is the height of audacity to be so wrapped up in your love for God one completely loses any sense of reality.
People would say, be nice and leave her alone she is not hurting anyone. But, letting this slide is part of the problem with America's so called tolerance for religion. Don't get me wrong, she can believe whatever she wants, but to promote such ideas through the press and supporting such warped mental thinking as a good thing is not healthy. But, if I don't show respect for this woman and criticize her beliefs I'm bad? I used to not want to hurt any ones feelings but, well someone has to do it.
Just recently a couple let their 11 year old daughter die from a curable disease. They prayed instead of taking her to the hospital.
Below you get a sense Joan was a hysterical mess when she got to the hospital. And because she prayed so very very hard and out loud, she saved the baby. CRAYZZEY
Her article removed per her request
People would say, be nice and leave her alone she is not hurting anyone. But, letting this slide is part of the problem with America's so called tolerance for religion. Don't get me wrong, she can believe whatever she wants, but to promote such ideas through the press and supporting such warped mental thinking as a good thing is not healthy. But, if I don't show respect for this woman and criticize her beliefs I'm bad? I used to not want to hurt any ones feelings but, well someone has to do it.
Just recently a couple let their 11 year old daughter die from a curable disease. They prayed instead of taking her to the hospital.
Below you get a sense Joan was a hysterical mess when she got to the hospital. And because she prayed so very very hard and out loud, she saved the baby. CRAYZZEY
Her article removed per her request
Apr 22, 2008
Master gunny and I
Master gunny wrote on Apr 22, 2008 2:38 PM:
“By using the Iwo Jima flag raising photo to promote the cause of global warming, Time magazine has committed sacrilege and, dishonored the memory of the thousands of Marines who sacrificed their lives for this hallowed ground. Some companies will do anything to sell their agenda!. "
My reponse (online Helena IR)
mastergunnery,
How is this sacrilege? Consecrated by whom? Is this statue holy?
I too am a veteran and even though the Time magazine picture may have been in bad taste and obviously offensive to some conservative vets like you, I do not think it was meant to dishonor anyone.
Go Navy!
“By using the Iwo Jima flag raising photo to promote the cause of global warming, Time magazine has committed sacrilege and, dishonored the memory of the thousands of Marines who sacrificed their lives for this hallowed ground. Some companies will do anything to sell their agenda!. "
My reponse (online Helena IR)
mastergunnery,
How is this sacrilege? Consecrated by whom? Is this statue holy?
I too am a veteran and even though the Time magazine picture may have been in bad taste and obviously offensive to some conservative vets like you, I do not think it was meant to dishonor anyone.
Go Navy!
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