I’m not one to harbor grudges, but, once a felon, you know, always a felon. Individuals convicted of felonious deeds, well, they may serve their time (some do) but I’m not sold on the idea that they’ve changed their character.

This is the reason Felons reoffend, because society shits them out. Do you know some of the ridiculous crap people get felonies for?

I’m a “social conservative” but I don’t support Huckabee and I do support as I have previously supported Romney, and this is why:

– Romney is the best qualified executive talent available among viable Republicans for the Executive Branch (President, or V.P. at this stage);

– I have opposed McCain for the Presidency due to his legislative record and oftentimes intentional denigration for Conservative issues, while also deeming himself “Conservative” while voting anything but (so the term just does not apply to the man, or hasn’t — maybe he’s undergone some epiphany or a few, don’t know);

and,

– I didn’t support Huckabee because he does not appear as intelligent and capable as Romney for the Presidency (and now the V.P., accordingly, due to recent events).

I can accept Romney’s changes over time on key issues and I do believe his positions at present are supportable by Conservatives.

I can’t see opting to support the lesser qualified individual for what is probably the hardest, most challenging job on the planet, and, in current times, become a job probably even more difficult than ever before.

It just seems sensible to support the guy with the best qualifications to be Commander in Chief. If we’re stuck with McCain (for unknown reasons from what I can tell) for the Presidency for now, at least select and support Romney for V.P. (or Jindal, though I’d rather see him do great works in Louisiana for now) and go with the guy who is the most capable to “reason through” and handle very, very difficult events and conditions. And who will be the President should anything happen to McCain after assuming office, AND who will likely be President in 2012.

I have a lot of confidence in Romney. Romney as V.P. to a McCain ticket would go a long way to restoring my confidence in voting, since I can’t vote for any Democrat and I need as a voter some fresh, new encouragement that the Republican ticket has some talent on it’s side.

I’m not one to harbor grudges, but, once a felon, you know, always a felon. Individuals convicted of felonious deeds, well, they may serve their time (some do) but I’m not sold on the idea that they’ve changed their character.

And that is precisely my point. You outright frame me as wicked. How dare you. You’re an arrogant little prude, aren’t you?

techno_barbarian on May 28, 2008 at 10:47 PM

You’re taking what I said out of context techno. Stop it. And grow up. Ezekiel, called as a watchman to warn Israel, was responsible to do his duty; otherwise he would be responsible for the deaths of the people and would be punished accordingly. In a parallel manner, Christians are called to bare witness to the saving gospel of Christ, or they will be responsible. You truly strain at a gnat and swallow a camel (Matthew 23:24). All you do is pick 5 percent of anything I say that you think you can capitalize on and attack me… lol .. you try to divert attention from the legitimate points I bring up about your comments. You know your “Christianity” won’t stand close scrutiny so you try to focus people’s attention on something else.

I’m not looking to fill the position of spritual advisor at this time. If anything opens up, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Re-read this thread. YOU responded to me first, not the other way around! I didn’t message you. YOU sent me a message. And now that you don’t like what you hear you cry like a little baby. So you gets this threads cry baby award: animated baby crying. Look, I don’t wanna hurt your feelings, but, y’know [shrugs shoulders] fine with me if you don’t message me.. okay, I have other things to do… lol .. I’d rather go talk to somebody who wants to hear the truth and I’m suspecting from the little bit I’ve read you don’t really want to hear the truth. What I see is you need LIGHT. That’s what YOU need. You’re blind in your sins.. I can’t convince you, you gotta do it yourself… and you don’t wanna cuz you love your sin… you’re like a moth to a flame.

I believe that people need to be woke up.

“If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 33:8

apacalyps on May 28, 2008 at 4:31 PM

And that is precisely my point. You outright frame me as wicked. How dare you. You’re an arrogant little prude, aren’t you?

I believe that you, and those like you, need to mind your own business. I grant you no power whatsoever over me. You’re entitled to your opinions. I am not obligated to give them any credance. And highhopes, this goes for you as well.

Bottom line; butt out.

I’m not looking to fill the position of spritual advisor at this time. If anything opens up, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Funny, my pastors always taught me that all one had to do to be a Christian is believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

techno_barbarian on May 28, 2008 at 2:07 AM

I don’t know what you’re Pastor teaches you, but if that’s all he told you about being a Christian, I’d look for a new Pastor. The Bible tells us that even demons believe in Jesus. James 2:19 says “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also BELIEVE, and tremble.” Just because a person believes Jesus exists does not garantee salvation unless it is a genuine conversion of the heart which means we repent and turn away from sin. Think about it. Many people know God exists but reject Him, some even hate Him! In Revelation (during the 7 year tribulation period — coming soon) we see that God pours out a multitude of plagues onto the nations, yet they still “repented not of the works of their hands… Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20-21) They BELIEVE, but they reject Him! Men will once again smugly relax in their humanistic and pantheistic religions, confident in the invisibilty of modern science and technology and willingly and knowingly elect to follow Satan against God. So techno, following Christ is more than believing okay. Of course we are saved through GRACE ONLY, but real faith is to repent and have a change of mind or spirit toward God and toward sin. It means to turn from your sins, earnestly, with all your heart, and trust in Jesus Christ to save you. It sounds to me like you have a misperception of what it means to follow Christ. I did too for a long time. I use to go out and party big time believe me… lol… women, drink, you name it! I did it all! Then I made a full commitment to believe and follow the Bible and left that lifestyle. It was the best decision I ever made and I thank God constantly for changing my heart and making me a new person.

No but it would also be wrong for a Christian to see somebody going astray in their faith and not say anything. … Perhaps what you are complaining about as people “judging you” is a message from fellow Christians asking you to think more deeply about where your faith comes from! That possibility even enter into your thinking?

highhopes on May 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM

Once again you got it highhopes. Very nice! People think I’m judging them, but I’m not. If your neighbor’s house was on fire in the middle of the night, what would you do to try to warn him? Would you whisper “fire, fire” or hollar real loud and bang on their door to get their attention, “Get out! Get out!

I believe that people need to be woke up.

“If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 33:8

You weren’t listening carefully enough if that is all you got out of what it means to be a Christian. That or your pastors were from one of those secular humanist “many paths” branches that perverts the very message of Christ.

Joining Christ is not like joining Sam’s Club. You don’t get a card that entitles you to salvation just because you call yourself a Christian. BEING a Christian involves faith and following Christ’s message.

highhopes on May 28, 2008 at 10:49 AM

Sweet music to my ears. I could not have said it better myself. I hope techno takes this to heart. Thank you, highhopes. Thank you very much..

…unnamed respondents skirt over another real reason why so many social conservatives think they have a problem with Crist

Ambinder

Heh.

And of course the matter of Jesus being God, which is kinda the whole point.

Esthier on May 28, 2008 at 12:13 PM

Which stems from my suspicions about the authorship.

Im a skeptic on the authorship of some of your gospels thats all.

Squid Shark on May 28, 2008 at 11:50 AM

And of course the matter of Jesus being God, which is kinda the whole point.

I think it is sometimes a matter of feeling trapped in a surreal world where Christianity is taking alot of our traditions and making them something strange. Some see it as a hijacking.

Squid Shark on May 28, 2008 at 11:49 AM

I don’t know what you mean.

Crist made it possible for convicted felons to have the vote in FL.

Good, they pay their debt to society, they get their rights back. first timers especially.

Esthier on May 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM

Im a skeptic on the authorship of some of your gospels thats all.

Esthier on May 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM

I think it is sometimes a matter of feeling trapped in a surreal world where Christianity is taking alot of our traditions and making them something strange. Some see it as a hijacking.

I am aware of who said it, I was taking the skeptics view that Luke never actually talked to Peter.

Squid Shark on May 28, 2008 at 11:05 AM

I didn’t realize you were that skeptic. Your marriage must be interesting.

I can relate. My husband was an atheist when we first met, and though that’s changed, he still disagrees with me on almost everything else. Luckily this political season we both agree that all the candidates could be better.

Its going to be difficult enough to vote McCain but if he nominates Crist most true, independent conservatives are going to simply stay at home on

nothing captain queeg could do would make me vote for him

Luke was more of a journalist. Peter is the one who had the vision, and it was specifically about allowing gentiles to hear the message of Christ.

I am aware of who said it, I was taking the skeptics view that Luke never actually talked to Peter.

That possibility even enter into your thinking?

highhopes on May 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM

Have you even read this thread?

If that’s all it was, there wouldn’t be any animosity.

a lot of christians do not think so….its called replacement theology.

right4life on May 28, 2008 at 10:39 AM

Fair enough. I don’t speak for all Christians.

I am willing to take my chances standing before the Father when my time comes. But no man has the right to judge me.

techno_barbarian on May 28, 2008 at 10:47 AM

No but it would also be wrong for a Christian to see somebody going astray in their faith and not say anything. If you really think that all it takes to be a Christian is saying so, you are missing the boat. Perhaps what you are complaining about as people “judging you” is a message from fellow Christians asking you to think more deeply about where your faith comes from! That possibility even enter into your thinking?