Life and (After) Death
Pete is getting personal on the air today. It’s not really weird for me, as his brother, to hear him open up like that. He’s always been, as he says, “an open book.” And any of his family members can attest that book has often been more open than we’d prefer. But I’ve rarely heard a radio or other media personality who is that way, in an honest fashion, over the airwaives (or satellite waves, as it were).
So in addition to wondering about your thoughts on life, death and afterlife, I’m wondering if listeners appreciate the approach Pete takes to certain topics (like life and death and legacy today, or therapy last week, etc.).
Personally, I don’t spend much time thinking about these topics — certainly not death and afterlife. I don’t figure there’s any way to know what happens when we die, so I’ve never really thought it was worth caring. I suppose that’s because my view of life is that the more time you spend pondering moot subjects, the less time you spend living. So I don’t know if there is a god or if there is an afterlife, and I don’t really care. But I do appreciate people who spend time talking about how we make life more fulfilling, more relevant and more valuable, the way Pete’s terminally ill friend Hank seems to have, and the way Pete is trying to. That’s one of the ways I look up to my little bro.
This is a repost of my message to Pete.
Just thought I’d give you my thoughts. I personally believe, first of all, that we are all probably wrong. That said, here is my speculation: I think after death we have re-incarnation as an option. Otherwise there is a “heaven” our souls retreat to. I don’t think heaven is a bunch of people standing around contentedly, I think it would have to be different for everyone; if there was only one version of heaven, why are there so many different types of people?
Anyway, I consider myself to be a non-traditional Christian, or maybe just a Monotheist (one supreme being-not sure if Jesus was born from God or not, and don’t really care either way), and am also an evolutionist, and there is no reason they can’t coexist together…
So what is the meaning of life? Why are we here? To live, I think that is the simplest answer. Perhaps we are here to enrich the life-energy of the universe. Perhaps we are here to, as I think somewhat, act as the entertainment for a supreme, but not all-knowing, being. Perhaps we are simply random gases that somehow formulated into thinking beings and when we die, we once again become random gases, and thats that. Who knows…guess we’ll find out when we die.
I have a conference call to get on here so I can not call in… I would love for someone to discuss this, though.
1. To all the religions who say that we were made in God’s image: You can NOT believe in evolution. Also remember that only humans (and not pets or animals) can go to Heaven. If you do, please tell me at what point during the evolution of man that we were intelligent enough to be able to ascend into God’s kingdom?
2. To the Christians/Jews/Muslims of the world: Many groups believe that non-believers are unable to join the Lord. Are you telling me that no Egyptians, Ancient Greek, Pre-Christian Roman, Native American, as well as billions of people currently inhabiting the planet can not attain their higher reward?
Hell, I want to know if we all fucked up and find out that it was Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, et al up there!?!?! That would be fucking hilarious.
John wrote:
I’m curious, why not? Have you ever heard of ‘theistic evolutionists’?
I respect all religions. However, I have no expectations of an afterlife. My bones will go right back to the earth when I die. This being said, I take the rather blunt approach to living my life that this is the only chance I’ll get so I might as well make it the best ride I can. I long since stopped taking shit from people about my principles and beliefs because as Mr Jimi Hendrix wrote “I’m the one that’s gonna die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life how I want to.” My life will end when it’s my time and it’s no one else’s business how I conduct myself til that day. This is why I very much believe in a person’s right to die as Governor Ventura brought up.
I do need to agree with John that it would be funny as hell if I had to cross the river Styx after I die. I’d much rather feast with my brother’s in Valhalla til Odin calls forth his faithful to fight the giant’s during Ragnarök. lol
I have, but at what point were we made in God’s image then? Keep in mind, I am catering this to the afterlife discussion. I don’t know if the “evolutionists” believe that man was made in God’s image though.
Are you telling me that all “people” from an arbitrary date like 20,000 BC were God’s Children and those before were not?
Or, when did God seed the Earth? If it was at the beginning of life (when amino acids came to form the first single celled lifeform) aren’t then we all God’s children deserving to join the afterlife? This would all life and not just sentient, semi-sentient, and even the bacteria in your colon.
“I do need to agree with John that it would be funny as hell if I had to cross the river Styx after I die.”
Are you going to make sure that someone puts a coin in your mouth when you die?
Of course, gotta pay the ferryman! I thought it was coins on the eyes?
or on the tongue, i thought… maybe I am wrong.
Who knows, can’t really be wrong. Either way, If there is an afterlife I hope there is beer.
Beer fountains… sigh… oh, an all 4 seasons of BSG on Blu Ray.
In all seriousness now, I think that people always want to know/discover what happens after we die is because it is about the only question that we can never answer. That is unless you like to feel the movie Flatliners is accurate.
It’s true, people want what they cannot have and that’s a real answer to the question of what happens after death.
I enjoy everyone’s individual interpretation, but folks like John Edwards who bank on people’s interest in an afterlife disgusts me. I think we should off him and have him contact us from the other side and let us know what it’s really like, the douche bag.
Look at the negative “afterlifes” that we have conjured up over time. They are almost hilarious.
From HELL!!! The place Pete obviously goes to after he warms up the crowd at the Colbert Report…. The place where there are two screaming little kids and a wife who likes to defend personal training in a manner similar to Todd’s defense of Bush’s military history…
To what Faust’s hell which involved simply being a spirit never being able to be in God’s grace.
John,
That is funny, yesterday kind of felt like hell. (reserving the right to continue to defend Bush’s military service, until someone produces those facts Pete referred which demonstrate otherwise)
Thanks for bringing it into this thread, though! You’re a peach!
Todd, what a difference between yesterday and today. Thank you for your apology. I’m glad you see the error of your ways. People are going to be more willing to listen to you with a more tactful approach. I’m also glad you now see that although Pete and Brian are very different personalities, they are both fine people with a deep concern for humanity and also concern over the state of affairs within our country, and with what our country is doing elsewhere. I do accept credit for having raised two sons who are far more passionate and knowledgeable about these affairs than I have ever been. They are educating me and by doing so, forcing me to become less apathetic and more involved. I hope we can all continue to have a civil relationship on the blog while agreeing and disagreeing about topics being discussed.
I read a book, which I now read every Christmas called, “When Santa was a Shaman”. It traces the concept of our modern icon back to the nature worshiping, hunter gatherer tribes of man. I really enjoyed all the different ties with different religions throughout time that this character has.
Anyone who has an open interest in religion should check it out, the pictures are pretty awesome too.
John from Cleveland wrote:
What is your concept of ‘God’s image’?
Consider Statuary Hall in Congress. It is filled with statue images of renowned figures in US history. Each one is an image of [insert name]. Yet these images don’t feel, think, breathe or move. But also share certain characteristics with the person they mimic, such as shape and size, otherwise they wouldn’t be images, would they?
If humans are made in God’s image, it doesn’t follow that humans must be duplicates, right?
The god of the bible is said to be eternal. This means timeless, which doesn’t have a beginning or end. If this is true, there is no ‘afterlife’, but ‘eternal life’.
Do you recall the series premiere of Star Trek Deep Space 9? This episode illustrates the difference in perspective between linear existence (our reality) and eternal existence.
CS Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters:
I thought of this today when Pete’s callers were exhorting him to live for [The Present] moment.
You also wrote,
On the first question, I wasn’t telling you anything, I was just asking why can’t a person believe both.
I think perhaps it is due to having different ideas as to the nature of God. The bible says humans were created in God’s image. If human lifeforms are descendants of the first single celled lifeform, they weren’t ‘men’ until whatever event happened to lift them above their nearest genetic relative. So if that is what you’re getting at, I hope this helps explain how one can hold both views harmoniously.
Don’t you ever stop and wonder: why are we here? What’s the grand purpose?
Well why does it have to be such a big deal?
Maybe human beings are a planetary disease? Like the Earth’s got German measles or facial herpes, right? And that’s why all of the other planets give us such a wide berth.
It’s like, “Oh, don’t go near Earth! It’s got human beings on it, they’re contagious!”
What I’m saying is, Pete is an intergalactic, pus-filled cold sore!
(loosely quoted from Red Dwarf)
about the evolutionary theories, I cannot claim to hold the same belief as everyone, but here is my summation: God created the Universe, (like a painter making a painting) he made it to expand indefinitely (as it does…we are constantly moving away from other masses), (My thoughts)he got bored, he created life from the spectrum of elements, (not on just one planet….I do believe in other-than Earth forms….what a waste of space otherwise…) he watched life progress from single-celled organisms to man to…who knows (we are still evolving…people are born without wisdom teeth, appendices, etc.). God gets lonely (or if you prefer, the Gods became lonely…if you are polytheistic that is….try talking to the same person or five people for an extended amount of time, you’ll see…now imagine eternity) so God pushed to “intelligent” life, which in my terms, means a life-form with the ability to understand things bigger than itself, bigger than its relative environment (some animals can do this as well, so it may not include only humans….I don’t know which specifically as I cannot personally communicate to animals other than the haman species).
While we are alive, we are entertainment, when we die, perhaps we are company….
oh and by the way, if you’d like to know more about my ideals, feel free to check it out on myspace, im researching religious texts, in my own time of course….but whatever, mylovesandmylife
“While we are alive, we are entertainment, when we die, perhaps we are company…”
That is a fantastic statement.
I just finished listening to the first hour of the show on the rerun because I was subbing this afternoon when the show was on. I must say I am very moved by this entire topic and the callers’ comments thus far. Sometimes it’s nice to have a discussion about something other than politics and what’s wrong with our government/country/world. I’m proud of you, Pete.
I second “Mama Mary’s” comment, saved me some typing!
Pete, during the show your wife called in. Listen to her, she’s right. Without personal trainers most people wouldn’t know where to start. You said you have thought about being a teacher. Parenting aside, as being a parent its a responsibility to teach your children. But, Pete, you were a teacher. You taught people how to manage a healthy lifestyle. Most people (and until I got educated about it) don’t know how to stay healthy or properly excercise. On a future show if you ask all of your caller if they know what their minimum calories needed per day just to keep them breathing. You said you didn’t care for personal training it was something you did as you persude your comedy career. I have to object to that. I don’t believe you would have done it if you didn’t care.
As I commiserate with your friend/mentor Hank, as I mentioned earlier, you were also one of his inspirations. Thats why he choose you to go for walks with every Thursday thats why he chooose you amongst the thousands of personal trainers in New York. And as you also mentioned you didn’t connect with him to guarentee enrollment into the private school. I bet that was the best impression you left on him. You were a true friend.
You mentioned a letter you wrote to him and failed to deliver. First of all, as of the show he was still alive. So you still can deliver. Secondly, he knows what he means to you as you should know what you mean to him. Since were on the topic or such a similar one. You mention and joke about not being a “real man”. From what your mother posts about you, how your brother speaks of you. It doesn’t take someone to be able to fix a garage door or patch a roof. It takes someone who is a loving father, husband, brother, son. It takes someone who can stand up for his beliefs someone who can talk about such deep topics as death. I believe your all of the above.
On a lighter note as emntioned in Thursday’s show. You bet Pete, your invited to the wedding! Brinbg the wife and kids too!
yeah it is John, as Shakespear said, “all the world is a stage.”
Scott, you brought tears to my eyes with that message. You are so right about what a takes to be a man or good person in general.
I will have to come to your wedding to watch my granddaughters, don’t you think? Seriously, I wish you great happiness.
Mama Mary, make sure Pete brings you and your other half with as well! And Brian can come to, bring the whole Dominick Family! Late Sept. early Oct 2009!
This show Pete does every day has taught me alot about life and politics, I’m so glad that Pete has a family thats gets involved, even though you get to use the “special” call in phone line! But I’m also glad that Pete is the family man that allows his family to be involved. I don’t agree with everything Pete says, only about 95% of it! But what fun would it be if I did?
Scott, Brian probably does, but I don’t use the “special” line, the hotline. I don’t even have that number. In addition to that, Pete always asks what I have to say before he allows me on. Go figure! Here I changed his diapers all those years and he has to screen my calls.
BTW, I don’t always agree with what he has to say or how he says it, but I admit that I really admire both Pete and Brian for trying to make this a better world in their respective ways. Both sons know much more than I do about politics and the war and all the people involved. I don’t have the patience to investigate in depth the way so many of you do, but I have learned much more by listening to the show and reading the blog.
Thanks for inviting us (complete strangers) to your wedding. I want to meet that fiance who is going into the field of education. I’m sure we would have much to chat about on the subject (not at the wedding). However, I would bet that as you are are working out all the details for your wedding and reception you will find that you will have to eliminate some guests rather than add more.
Does your fiance have time to read the blog? She ought to chime in sometime.
This is much more like a personal email than a comment for this blog and I’m sure the other bloggers (none making comments at this time) are bored with our chat. Thanks for responding at any rate.
I think this is a good topic to comment on for my very first petesbigmouth blog entry. First, I want to express to my darling “husband” my enthusiasum for the show. I shine with pride every time I listen to him on the air - he expresses himself without any reservations - which sometimes can get him in to trouble at home, but overall his candidness and honesty is what wins people over. I am certain he will continue with his success and reach the masses with positive messages, enough to possibly change some minds for the better. With that said, I have to comment on my call yesterday. Because he is so frank, and sometimes runs his BIG mouth without thinking, he did make a comment about personal training that annoyed me a bit, so i felt the need to comment on air. And thanks Scott the Trucker for backing me up : ) In Pete’s defense, i don’t really think he was knocking the profession, I think he was just criticizing the people who misuse it. Who use personal trainers as a way of flaunting their money, instead of learning and truly wanting to better their health and well being. After talking to pete about the subject, he agreed that he misspoke on air. As far as everything else on the topic, i echo Scott’s sentiments.
On another note - I briefly commented on my correlation between life after death and religion. Because i had two screaming kids in the background, I was a bit distracted and felt i couldn’t make a just point (i tried to explain to my daughter that mommy was contemplating the cosmos with her daddy - but she didn’t buy it). I grew-up in very Roman Catholic home. My father was and still is a radical Catholic. I was taught to believe that our time on earth was a place to suffer so we can exist in eternal happiness when we die in heaven. And yes, only the catholics will be forever in paradise, everyone else will just be fucked for the rest of eternity. How ignorant people are. To a lesser extreme - i think the idea of heaven is comforting to people and therefore helps them deal with the idea of death. It’s a way of explaining death to a child - a way of making it less scary. I want to believe that the people we love who die will never leave us - will be there to guide us through the journey of life. But I think the harsh reality is we are brought back to the earth - where we originated. Our purpose is to make the most of the limited time we have - because it’s all the time we have. Our actions now do not determine what happens next. It’s the same for everyone. Our actions determine our here and our now - make it matter now, so it will continue to matter to the people we leave behind.
I know I said part of this before… Since I also grew up Roman Catholic, I also heard where people said that any non Catholic will not ever get into heaven. No one could ever answer my biggest question: If only Catholics go to heaven, what happened to the millions of people that lived on the Earth before Catholicism existed? Are they all burning in hell?
Scott, thanks for the invite. Unfortunately, I can’t make it, since I hate weddings, but I wish you all the best at your crappy event that people will dishonestly swear to you was a “simply marvelous” affair, all the while they can’t wait to get the fuck out of there.
Second, I do use the special call-in line, since I work on the show. But as an exclusive bonus to all you blog readers, I’m going to reveal the number, just this once: 866-901-3825.
Hilarious John - good point! On the same topic - where do all the non-catholics go now? are they going to hell as well? That layer wasn’t mentioned in Dante’s Inferno. And will the Dali Lama go to hell too? even though he’s a better man than almost any catholic? hmm….??? pretty pathetic.
Boy, for people raised as Roman Catholics, you sure don’t know much about the mythology. In the New Testament, Jesus dies on the cross so that all those who came before him can be relieved of the damnation of eternal hellfire (so all those smited in the Old Testament rose to heaven with J-Man), and so that we could all have the opportunity to go there, too. Technically, only if you died after the moment Jesus died can you go to hell. In fact, if you died 10 seconds later, but you hadn’t gotten word that confessing your sins would save you, you went to hell. And it was like that for a couple hundred years while they haphazardly scribbled together the New Testament.
This is just my own recollection from Church School, which I have to admit I didn’t pay any attention to.
In reply to Mama Mary and Babies Mama, who for short I will address as…Val!
First Mama Mary. The reason why I would invite someone I do not know to my wedding is as simple as this… I listen to Pete everyday. I missed maybe four of his shows and a few clips here and there. I like Pete, have a very BIG mouth! Ask Kelly (my fiance). Theres times when she wishes I would just keep it closed. Oh yeah, my Dad would second this! But I am a brutaly honest person who sugar coats very little to nothing. I feel like I have a connection with Pete and even Brian since I have listened so much and even brought my own opinion into the show as well as here on the blog. The only thing to do next is to meet the guy! And since Pete has proven he’s a family man, I invite him to bring the family that participates in the show . . . what the hell! I would love for Kelly to get involved on the blog, but politics doesn’t do much to interest her, but she does like to know issues that eefect her. If we have another education topic I will see if she may chime in. And as I may need to “eliminate guests” whats a few more, besides the invite being rather rhetorical as well as open, I think the company of Pete would really liven things up better then a “dollar dance”! If you ever feel the need to chat up education or something more as a personal email, Brian and Pete both have my email address, feel free, just make sure the subject line explains who you are.
Val. I understand where both you and Pete where coming from on the show about personal trainers, but I feel your point was more clear then his. I agree with him and you on how much of a waste of money it can be. I’ve heard some gyms (in larger cities) can cost upwards to $300.00 plus per month! What for? I have a gym membership worth $56.00 a month that of course I can’t use now. (and maybe you can help me get out of the contract, since I moved 45 miles from the gym, but then maybe you can’t!) But it includes everything, yoga, pilates, training groups, child care, all the equipment, plus trainers and its state of the art. But you were thinking the same as me, everyone needs the education in their own lifestyle. I think to many people lift wieghts in the wrong manner and never want to be bigger then Joe Salzone!
As for death. It’s the only guarentee in life. I agree with Brian, when you think about death you miss out on your only life. I was raised Catholic, now claim Christianity. I choose this way because of the lifestyle and my true beliefs. I’m not a monomaniac flag-waver of my creed. I was turned off my religion about seven years after going the play “The Keys” when I approached the cast to compliment them on their proformance they started to turn into little Christian recruits. For over an hour they talked about how I need to devote my life to God and break up with my then girlfriend to focus on God. I’ll put it this way, I know why I’m here, besides my parents “doing it”, and I know who I believe in. The funny part is, Catholicism and Chritianity believe in the same beared, thorn crown bearing, strong upper cheasted male. Which really is a darker skinned person who comes from Jeruselum and may have a spare tire in his mid-section. I also believe the Bible has been changed over the years to be more simplistic and better read.
John from Cleveland. Thank you for mentioning Greek Mythology. First of all when I had Kelly listen in the show when Pete who claimed to be athiest, in which from his expression of his beliefs, I am glad he reworded to agnotic. Did upset Kelly, then I stood up for Pete, and explained his point of view. I used the “Do you believe in Greek Mythology” question. She replied with a simple honest “I don’t know”. Then I said, explain the pyramids and temples. She couldn’t reply again. As a believer in God and early high school I practically aced Greek Mythology. I’ll kinda contradict myself. I said explain the purpose of these pyramids and temples, then explain the remains of God? I don’t question God’s existance, he simply left little behind in his existance. But to me I also feel people such as Zues, Posiedon, Hades and even my favorite Aphrodite, could have lived, just exaggerated. Theres just as much of if not more evidence of such life. But maybe I enjoy Greek Mythology since theres a solid story and more interesting. But I find it ironic that you mentioned mythology when I used it as an example. Now I feel like I had intellect with it!
Sorry I rambled, as I haven’t had interent I felt I had catching up to do and some responding to do as well.
I said it on the air yesterday and I’ll say it again here for those who missed it.. TWO SIMPLE WORDS: CARPE DIEM.. (Seize the day). Live life to it’s fullest. Worry not what happens when you die but what happens when you live.. Dylan Thomas once wrote a beautiful poem about this topic.. “Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night”.. I live my life by these words everyday.. We came in this world kicking and screaming why not go out the same way? If I could choose a way to die I want to go out like James Dean. (speeding car hits wall on hwy, instant fireball car disengrates).. But here’s a mind twist for everyone reading this about life.. We make “YES” and “NO” choices yet the results are “MAYBES” “WHAT IF’S”.. (Take a person you like and want to ask out, You’re asking a “yes” or “no” question but you dont control the outcome) When you wake up for work 2 choices.. “GET UP” (YES) or “STAY IN BED” (NO) but when you try to get up your leg falls asleep (MAYBE).. Your choices dont change you just have a 3rd option now “WAIT TILL YOUR LEG WAKES UP”. Go to the store “BUY” or “DONT BUY”.. But they’re sold out “BUY A DIFFERENT PRODUCT?”.. WORRY NOT ABOUT THE PAST OR FUTURE YOU CANT CHANGE THEM.. YOU’RE IN 1 SINGLE MOMENT THE PRESENT (HERE AND NOW) SO DONT WORRY ABOUT THE CHOICES YOU MAKE.. RIGHT OR WRONG MAKE A CHOICE…
LOL, Brian you crack me up! I hope to never hear “simply marvelous” in terms of anything… too fucking snobish! In fact the talk of the wedding will probably be me drinking chocolate milk for a wine glass, since me and wine do like each other! But, Brian your honest and I respect that. I did take down the call in line, as I will probably never use it, unless of course I think what I have to say is so important that I need to call in, its good to have.
On the topic of hell. Why I don’t respect the Romain Catholic preachings. 1. Theres too much instruction. 2. Too much excerise for a Sunday morning…stand up, sit down, kneel down. As Kelly says, “stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight”! 3. Molestation 4. I enjoy burgers on a Friday night 5. I just can’t bring myslef to confession, although a free psycologist isn’t a bad idea. Without all of this, your basically hell-bound. With Christianity, its simple, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord Savior, your in. As mentioned in my previous post, I don’t push religion. I felt the need to explain the difference of the two religions that are destroying the world due to their missuse. In the words of Jesse Ventura, worship a tree, just do it on your own time. I respect everyones religion, and as for where will the Dahli Lama go? Where ever he so chooses by the power of his own religous beliefs.
Hahaha, “too much exercise” has to be THE best argument against Catholicism I’ve ever heard. Laziness would also be a great argument against Islam, then, too — all that bending at the hips, 5 times a day!
I’m glad you took my remarks about your wedding in good humor. And you’re all going to catch my hypocrisy when I’m best man at Little Brother’s on-air wedding to Babies’ Mama, which I think is going to be the funnest wedding ever.
Scott, whatever you do, if Pete comes to your wedding, DO NOT let him make a toast. He will go on and on and on, and you’ll have to interrupt him with a blogcast if you want him to shut up.
Scott, Catholics are Christians. Are you talking about the Evangelical type? The “born again” Christians may be what you’re talking about. Just making sure I understand where you’re coming from.
My husband, who was raised Catholic used to pick on me and say I wasn’t a “member of the one true religion of God.” I resent that assumption and I’m not altogether sure he wasn’t half serious (I was raised as a Methodist). Now he is just plain frustrated with Catholicism. Because of the changes the church made he has gradually come to believe it’s all a bunch of crap. Besides that, he taught skiing every weekend in the winter and used that as a good excuse to skip church.
My family is an odd mixture of Christians, atheists, and agnostics. My sister and her daughter are “born again.” They take all this very seriously. My other sister is a lay minister and substitutes when ministers are away. My mom is a believer and churchgoer. Thank goodness my brother is an atheist. It’s sometimes difficult to be around all those “believers.”
Cal Thomas, a very conservative associated press journalist, says there is no scientific evidence of evolution. The moment I read that I wanted to ask, “Where is the scientific evidence of God?” Of course Thomas also believes we are teaching homosexuality in schools so there you have it. I am just afraid there are too many others like him who would like to impose their beliefs on all of us and the government in particular. I have no objection to anyone believing in God or Bhudda or any higher power. I just don’t want anyone trying to preach to me or try to subject me to their beliefs. I believe the Bible is just a bunch of stories written by men who claim they are the truth according to God. However, these very stories are interpreted differently by different people. Who is right?
I was raised to believe in God and even attended church fairly regularly growing up, yet I have to refute that way of life in recent years. I don’t think it has changed how good or bad I am at all. How many people who claim to be religious are not really practicing the 10 Commandments, are not really good people? Yet there are many nonbelievers who are truly wonderful people. There are a lot of hypocrites out there and I see GW as one of them (sorry, Todd, there I go bashing him again).
I don’t worry about death and the hereafter. I worry more about growing older and losing my independence. I worry about becoming incompetent and having others take advantage of my state. I worry about becoming a burden to others.
I really have to get a life. I spend too much time reading and writing on this blog.
Thanks, you make me feel so much better about how I am spending my Saturday…
There are several sects of Protestant and Orthodox Christian faiths that deny Catholicism is Christianity. It’s really weird. Christianity of course simply denotes the belief that Jesus Christ was the son of God and that he died for “our” sins. Which of course is ridiculous, but it’s equally ridiculous for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. There’s some kind of hair-splitting that certain non-Catholics are keen on in order to cast off Catholicism as non-Christian — but then, Catholics have been pretty guilty of exactly that for a long, long time.
I once took a tour of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, but I was lucky enough to have a Palestinian Muslim tour guide, which was hilarious. To the chagrin of the Orthodox priests who run the place, he took us to all the parts where Israeli forces had recently fought with Palestinian guerrillas who took refuge in the Church. He was like: “So here you can see where the fighters holed up, and here are the bullet holes in the church where the Israelis opened fire. Oh, and over here is where Jesus was born.” If you ever get the opportunity, take that version of the tour, instead of the “Here is where the donkey rested” bullshit version.
Mama Mary, don’t feel bad, If I didn’t drive truck, this is about all I would do! Then I miss the show and I’d be even more upset, man, you can’t make me happy! Part of my point was that to me Chritianity and Cholicism are the same…same God. But the churches are different. I jealous, skiing, I love skiing, I haven’t gone since 1999/2000 when I worked a ski resort, hence my Sno_man nickname I use for my email and other stuff.
Brian, of course I’ll take your marriage comment humorously, as we have noted, we all have our beliefs. But hey, I’m getting a new fucking toaster! And We’ll let Pete do the toast, it’ll certainly be better then the one anyone else gives, especially since I won’t have a “best man” who the hell am I to pick which friend or brother of mine is better then the other, and if he’s so much better then me, why isn’t Kelly marrying him??? (I totlay ripped that from Seinfeld)
Anyways, speaking of Mama’s and Brothers, I’m heading north to visit mine in a bit so until later on, have a great weekend.
I’m addicted to Pete’s Big Blog….Damn!
Several points here. For John, that is my problem as well. Its why I consider myself a “non-traditional” Christian. i do not think that acceptance of Jesus as the literal son of God from a virgin guarantees entrance into heaven.
you can’t tell me that because a seriel killer all the sudden says, “Yep, Jesus sure was the Son of God” two minutes before he’s fried gets admitted to heaven, and yet the …I don’t know….Zambizee (don’t know if that’s what they’re called) fellow who lives his life by his concience, goes around helping when he is able, but has no knowledge of some guy named Jesus doesn’t get to go….BullShit.
I believe if you generally try to do what is right in your “heart” then you go to “heaven” what precisely heaven is, no idea…but I hope there is a REALLY BIG shrimp buffet their…..lol. I think I’ll retire from human existence after this round (the whole re-incarnation thing) When I die that is….lol
I’ll see what I can do at that time to come back and let you all know….lol, but that’s gonna take a while, you’re probably better off just guessing.
Humans have never been able to deal with the unknown. In my opinion, a little kid a very long time ago asked his dad where he came from, the dad not knowing, came up with a little story of this great being who created the planet, life, and the universe around us. Over time, other generations in the tribe told the story, adding to it as time went on, and when the tribe came up with the means of documenting in the form of writings, someone wrote it down. Over time, this document was written and rewritten by many and we now know it as the Bible, Qur’an, or any other form of holy writtings.
However, I believe in God and do the right things because I love God, not because I fear God. Fearing an angry God is a means of staying out of hell, but doing the right thing out of love for God is a more noble cause. I do believe in an afterlife for personal reasons, just not in anything written by man. Complex, I know.
Let me tell you a story. . .
I do not like being referred to as a sheep. Thats one of the reasons i do not like “church”. There are way too many references to people being stupid, mindless sheep that need someone to “guide” them down the path of righteousness. (or whatever path we need to be led down)
I went to church when i was younger, and one thing that really stands out, one thing that i will always be creeped out by, one thing that i’ll never be able to forget is this…
They passed out these little crackers and some grape juice and said the following:
(Jesus speaking)
This is my body, eat me.
This is my blood, drink it.
What the fuck ! No thanks.
There are many other things that keep me away from church, but these 2 are the two that i point to when asked.
Threatening someone with “hell” is no different than threatening a child with the Santa Clause lie.
Those stupid, stupid children… they actually believe in Santa Clause. Be “good” and Santa Clause will “reward” you at the end of the year.
Be “good” and God will “reward” you at the end of your life. It’s all the same lie.
I guess the main difference between the two is that Santa Clause won’t set you on fire and laugh as you burn if you don’t “accept” him into your heart.
And the Catholics Would have me “spray my semen into the belly of a whore” rather than masturbate.
Anyone that says you are going to Hell for masturbating should be considered insane.
The Pope says Condoms are a “tool of the devil”
How many people do they think are going to go to hell because of Birth control?
It’s unreal. It’s Stupid. It’s insane.
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_meritt/bible-contradictions.html
Contradictions, anyone?
Wow, okay, I dont even know where to begin.
1. Catholics believe that the act of creating life is sacred. Preventing it from happening is a sin in their opinion. I really find the “spraying of semen into a whore” to be an offensive remark. It is also a misguided one. If you really want to be accurate, you should realize that sexual contact with anyone outside of marriage is also deemed a sin as well.
2. Santa Clause is a movie. Santa Claus is a representation of a person who once existed and did place items at the doorsteps of poor people. Saint Nicholas is actually revered by Orthodox christians as well. Why don’t you read up on him first:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
I am so sorry that you think the Santa Claus “lie” is so bad. I am obviously sure that you don’t have kids or yours are the type that have to be convinced that all those around them are complete shits.
3. You need to learn about the difference between the types of sins in the Catholic world before you decide to pass judgment. Not all of them are considered Mortal sins. Some are Venial sins and can be forgiven if you truthfully seek forgiveness. Some sins are not even written. Lying is one of the ten commandment sins but hypocrisy is much worse to commit.
4. I am so glad you post from “Infidels.org” It clearly shows what type of person you are. So sorry that 4 people couldn’t get Jesus’ story to be 100% the same. Im sorry that some thought a cloak was red and not purple or he drank one beverage versus another. It is the message behind the mundane facts.
5. Most people should be deemed as “sheeple” Our American economy has been all about being better than your neighbor when it comes to the size of car, television, and house. It is all about having a hotter girlfriend/wife. This is EXACTLY what was happening at the time of Jesus’ life. He was trying to show everyone that there is so much more to life than the accumulation of power, wealth, and vanity.
Why don’t you sit here and rip down all the different religions out there? All of them have different types of contradictions to them. From the polythiestic to the monothiestic, they all have their merits as well. All of them are really a basic code to live by.
Sorry if I seem a tad upset here, but I completely hate people that are destructive in 4 consecutive posts and offer nothing to this forum at all.
Wow a civil forum to a religion bashing forum, how’d that happen? This site is ment for Independants, although the Republican and Democratic point of view is welcome. And if you think your upsetting the “Pete” in Pete’s Big Mouth, your sadly mistaken, he’s agnostic. If you think your offending people on this post, who post here regularly, we accept opinions and welcome open thought. The one thing about this blog is that comments aren’t posted to offend the readers.
congrats to Pete for having the “brass” to open with a topic like this, and show everyone what kind of a man he really is.
I don’t know if this is apropos of anything, but, I frequently hear Pete defending his opinions as “non partisan” even as they match some political or religious affiliation. In his defense, being independent doesn’t mean having original positions on all subjects. For that matter, it doesn’t mean having an original position on ANY subjects. It just means that you come to your conclusions on your own. The only voice that I continuously hear on this show who is anything but independent, is Todd, who is apparently Bush’s nephew or something and has absolutely no ability to acknowledge bush’s wrongs.
Nothing personal, Todd, you sound like a nice enough guy, and I know many people like you with whom I get along quite well. But you have very little business participating in any of these “independent” discussions because you are a fanatic. It’s a harsh word, but it’s true. You are convinced the earth is flat and no evidence to the contrary will make you accept its roundness. I have to admit that I’m surprised that Pete takes the time to argue with you. I certainly wouldn’t.
As for the afterlife, whatever it is that happens, certainly has nothing to do with anything in the Christian bible. I can argue with complete conviction that no such person as Jesus ever existed and if anyone does even a cursory examination of the Jesus myth, you will find that it is taken almost verbatim from the Egyptian sun god’s Horus’ story (who himself was an amalgam of pre Egyptian Sun god legend).
There’s a terrific amateur documentary on line called Zeitgeist that sums up all the details. Well worth a gander, as well as some follow up research to verify the claims.
Sorry for the let down.