I don't know if anyone has heard the news, but there is a claim that the boxes that Jesus and his family were buried in have been found.

"While the Bible tells the story of Jesus and his resurrection, this box could show physical evidence that he existed, was buried and that he had a son, Judah."

While that might upset those that believe in the word for word Bible, it will not interfere with my faith, because, I don't care if it was the human body of Jesus that was resurrected or a hologram type image that one could put their hand through. It is all the same to me.

I guess some group will come out with a new connotation of the word “resurrected” (was that in Greek, Hebrew of Aramaic?), so that the people who need a literal Bible can say, "I told you so", while others will deny any facts that may be shown "as science run a muck".

It is nice to know that until "Global Warming" destroys the Earth (or at least its ability to support human life), there will be something interesting to debate.

Yes the thread is here on LBT. I just went in there to see what was being said there and found laurend has visited.

Yup. Seems like it will be a pleasant thread. Here's the link, BJean: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/bandster-support-us-t30306.html?t=30306

Muchas gracias mi amigas! The other one on to Jew or not to Jew is growing pretty stale.

Muchas gracias mi amigas! The other one on to Jew or not to Jew is growing pretty stale.

You're welcome! Yeah, that one is a lot of rehashing old comments. It's starting to get old, especially when you-know-who doesn't seem to understand any of the points anyone else is making.

Maybe I'm your long-lost daughter!:heh:

I have a grandson who is 21.

You can call me Grandpa TOM.:help:

You can call me Grandpa TOM.:help:

I think I will!:biggrin1::clap2:

My goodness, this thread has been busy since last night. You know the funniest thing. All of this bantering and negative vibe on this thread all based around "chrisianity". Again, I am a Christian, I guess to all of you a "Liberal" Christian, but how many of you have visited the "Pagan" thread? Everyone is calm and welcoming to anyone who posts either out of interest or couriosity. This is making us Christians look bad.

I have been reading that thread, and you have a point.

That's ridiculous. I don't think anyone is refusing to engage in debate (discussion is a better word, I think), and certainly no one is refusing to recognize anyone's civil rights!

Certain Christians are refusing to recognise the civil rights of homosexuals to same-sex civil marriages.

and certainly no one is refusing to recognize anyone's civil rights!

Come to my job for one day, observe my two bosses and their little baby, and listen to their story of how they can't get married and have NO rights married people have such as:

• Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
  
• Automatic Inheritance
  
• Automatic Housing Lease Transfer
  
• Bereavement Leave
  
• Burial Determination
  
• Child Custody
  
• Crime Victim’s Recovery Benefits
  
• Divorce Protections
  
• Domestic Violence Protection
  
• Exemption from Property Tax on Partner’s Death
  
• Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
  
• Insurance Breaks
  
• Joint Adoption and Foster Care
  
• Joint Bankruptcy
  
• Joint Parenting (Insurance Coverage, School Records)
  
• Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
  
• Certain Property Rights
  
• Reduced Rate Memberships
  
• Sick Leave to Care for Partner
  
• Visitation of Partner’s Children
  
• Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
  
• Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefits

And you come here and you really get to know them, and then you look them and their baby in the face and tell them their civil rights aren't being violated.

http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common/printfriendly.pl?/science/news/stories/2007/1859195.htm

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21294575-2703,00.html

http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/faithandvalues/stories/2007/03/01/0302LVReligiousHoax.html

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/news/nation/16791591.htm

http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2007/02/28/editorial-christs-tomb-claim-rubbish/

http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idarticle=8178

http://www.kath.net/detail.php?id=16084

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=90143668-258f-40e1-a74b-491dc11f4aca&k=24566

http://www.earnedmedia.org/ccn0227.htm

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200702/FOR20070227b.html

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=25053

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21294575-2703,00.html

http://fullcoverage.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070226/ennew_afp/israelreligion_070226163417

http://movies.netscape.com/story/2007/02/27/experts-dispute-jesus-tomb-film/

Certain Christians are refusing to recognise the civil rights of homosexuals to same-sex civil marriages.

My understanding of civil rights is that they apply to characteristics of people that cannot be changed (color, national origin, gender, etc.), not to actions they choose to participate in.

That being said, I would never, ever deny the right of one person to engage in whatever activities that person chooses to engage in (whether it's sexual or otherwise) so long as that activity does not infringe on the rights of another (which, btw, is why I'm pro-life or anti-abortion, whichever term you prefer -- because abortion infringes on the rights of the baby). I just don't see gay marriage as a civil rights issue. I know others will disagree; that's just my opinion.

My understanding of civil rights is that they apply to characteristics of people that cannot be changed (color, national origin, gender, etc.), not to actions they choose to participate in.

Please explain why anyone would choose to be Gay.

No one chooses to be Gay, they just are.

I know from personal experience. I would do anything, anything at all, to suddenly become straight. Believe me, if I could take a pill and change into a straight woman, I would.

I am married to a man who I met when I was 20 years old and didn't know a damn thing about life in general. He is a wonderful, amazing person, but I can't ever describe the pain we have been through because of my sexual orientation. You have no right to tell me I chose to be a lesbian. If I could choose differently, believe me I would.

Honestly, you have no idea what you're talking about. You really don't. Sorry, but you don't.

My understanding of civil rights is that they apply to characteristics of people that cannot be changed (color, national origin, gender, etc.), not to actions they choose to participate in.

I disagree, big surprise I know.

I don't get why choice makes a difference in this debate(setting aside for now my belief that being homosexual isn't a choice). Why would it matter in deciding who to grant rights to? How would allowing gay civil unions affect anyone else, infringe on their rights?

My understanding of civil rights is that they apply to characteristics of people that cannot be changed (color, national origin, gender, etc.), not to actions they choose to participate in.

Sexuality cannot be changed. There is a clear difference between sexuality and sexual behavior. A heterosexual is going to always be a heterosexual, even if they engage in homosexual behavior on a dare. Your sexuality is defined by who you are deep down attracted to, not who you sleep with. I could go out and find a woman to sleep with, but that doesn't mean I'm attracted to her. If I did that, I would be engaging in homosexual behavior, but I wouldn't be a lesbian. You can change who you sleep with, but you can't change your sexuality.

That being said, I would never, ever deny the right of one person to engage in whatever activities that person chooses to engage in (whether it's sexual or otherwise) so long as that activity does not infringe on the rights of another (which, btw, is why I'm pro-life or anti-abortion, whichever term you prefer -- because abortion infringes on the rights of the baby). I just don't see gay marriage as a civil rights issue. I know others will disagree; that's just my opinion.

How does two men marrying infringe on anyone else's rights?

I am not going to go through a long, detailed response to everyone, but I will say this. I have a friend who I've known for a very long time who, at one point chose relationships (sexual) with women over relationships with men. She turned away from that lifestyle and is now happily married with children. She and I have had long discussions about this issue and whether sexuality is a choice. She tells me, and I believe her based on experiences that I've had, that it is completely possible to get overcome with attraction and emotion to the point where you fully believe your sexual decisions cannot be overcome and are a part of who you are. And yet, when stepping back from the situation and understanding passions and drives for what they are, can be redirected.

So that's the experience that she (and many others) have had. I'm sure others of you don't know anyone like this and have had other experiences. I choose to make my decisions based on what I know, so I don't consider homosexuality something you're born with; I consider it a choice.

I personally can't believe anyone would choose to be gay. For a while it was trendy to be gay or bisexual, and maybe there were some choices made then, but I doubt that's true homosexuality as much as temporary attention, like someone would choose to have purple hair, or a girl will kiss her girlfriend in front of a group of guys just to get the gyus' attention, not because she is truly attracted.

Choosing to be gay would be like saying, "Please hate me! Please give me a difficult life! Please treat me as less of a person because I am attracted to the same sex! Please cut my civil rights off at the knees because I do not live my life in the same way heterexual do!" Who would ask for that, and make it a choice?

Gadget, do you have any gay friends? Truly homosexual. And true, know them inside & out friends - not casual acquaintences or "chums" from down the block. It's fine if you do, but it would surprise me. Because I persinally don't understand how someone who is really tapped in to what it's like to be a homosexual in our society could believe it's a "choice".