*new

Ellen is correct. Conservatives are free to make their own programs and movies to get their own point of view across (of course not in the crude, disgusting and insulting manner of the left). Complaining that the left does things that promote their childish world view gets us nowhere – and makes us appear as if WE want to squash free expression.

The sad fact is that conservatives are free to write, finance, and create their own productions – but they choose not to do so. They do not seem interested in devoting time, energy and money into the arts, as the left has been doing for fifty years. The left dominates art, entertainment and media because they worked tirelessly toward that goal and they were willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Conservatives prefer to pursue careers in non-media related businesses, play golf, watch sports, and plan to leave all their money to their children. If you wonder why the left so dominates big media, our own inaction and disintrest led directly to that.

Am I wrong? Prove it.

You sound like a real hoot. Too bad you were unable to demonstate scintilla of wit in your story. Reminds of what Jesus said on the cross…"what way to spend easter."

I'll admit that this sin lead to another sin as I took the Lord's name in vain in my reaction. The slippery slope of evil is steeper each day.

It may be that Larry can't hit the toilet either. That picture looks chest-high on the wall…must have been a stunt double, as I doubt Little Larry can do much more than wet his pants.

There is some continuity in the world…HBO still sucks.

Hah! Good one. Thanks.

This column makes no sense. Curb did not take a 'cheap shot' at Christianity nor Christians, rather he was mocking the gullible people who happen to 'see' things like Christ in their cookie dough, a minority of nit-wits. No one should be offended by this, unless you're one of them.

I'd cancel my HBO subscription, but I already did it last year over Maher's boorish behavior. This month my cable company offered to give me free HBO and I declined. It's OK. Netflix is going to put them out of business eventually when the technology is in place. Be honest, other than them being allowed to swear or show the occasional flash of nudity, is there any pay-cable show other than Dexter that wouldn't be just as good (or just as bad) on regular TV? It's a waste of money.

Larry David has always been an equal opportunity offender on Curb. He has mocked the peculiarities of jews, muslims and christians repeatedly on the show. This is no exception. He made fun of the people who are part of the fringe of christianity who will flock every time you can sort of see the outline of Jesus or Mary in some random pattern/ How many times have we seen news stories like this? Candle light vigils etc.. I seriously doubt that the vast MAJORITY of christians believe those fuzzy images are anything but coincidences.

I signed up with HBO to watch the Sopranos. As soon as the series had run its course I cancelled.
Tho it would take much more than the Sopranos to get me to resign, I only regret
that I miss the actual cancellation of HBO. I would sign up again just to cancel but I have to spend
too much time responding to the Natalie Portmann's of the world.

Get a grip!

Christians are going about this matter all wrong. Use this opportunity to show that at least they can have pictures of their most revered figure in their homes.

"I and the father are one." John 10:30

So it waws suicide

oh, and you know you're not going to cancel your HBO because of this. That's laughable.

Just my opinion, but in order to rise from the dead, one must first be dead.

I consider Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world. I believe that He is the literal son of God, and that condescended to come to Earth and suffer far more than any other being on this planet has suffered, because He loves me. And I love him very much for it and all that He has done for me. He is my elder brother, and He is my friend, and I worship Him. I am deeply offended that somebody would urinate on His image.

And no, I don't see His image in my cookie dough.

I will give props to HBO for the Adams miniseries. The first few episodes were out standing.

Unless you're an unfortunate Danish cartoonist, WHERE would you come up with an image of Mohammed to do whatever to it???

Yes you are! And I'm not excited because you're wrong, but because this flick was so good, and has such a priceless story behind it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805526/

That's almost as funny as burning in a lake of fire for eternity…let me know how that one works out for you.

As long as Santa doesn't put me on his Naughty List

As I recall he said 'forgive them Father they know not what they do.'

I hear he loos remarkably similar to the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones

Dexter is freakin' fantastic…I just finished the first season and I love it. (I also netflix it and forgo buying Showtime, hahaha)

Larry David is a very talented writer and actor. The episodes of CYE are damn hilarious and quit genious by totally overblowing small things until they become a huge catastophy.
So he splashed some urine water on Jesus. It wasn't his fault.
I doubt Jesus would have cared. He might have even seen the humor in that.
Hell, we paid for a crucifix to be placed in a bottle of urine.

Great story; of course it's totally fictional, but a good read nonetheless…

Why don't you tell that to his face, tough guy? You sound like a little b*tch to me…

I don't think that's the case. Unless someone agrees to have their programming data shared, it is highly illegal for a cable company to encroach on someone private viewing habits. Besides, lefties subsidizing that which isn't being viewed en masse is a common practice (NPR, PBS, Air America, etc.)

HBO fired Dennis Miller and replaced him with Bill Maher (fresh off being fired from network tv) because of politics. Miller had a slew of Emmys & hoardes of viewers, but, it was political.

To say that you're going to keep your HBO package & just "not watch the progamming that offends" is rationalizing akin to subscribing to Playboy & complaining about the nudity while telling yourself (generic "you", by the way) that you're okay because you don't look at the naked women & just stick to reading the viewer mails & the jokes (and articles!). It's a cop-out.

Cancel HBO, folks. If you're giving them your money, you're part of the problem.

Never watched it, never will. I think Jason Alexander does a better job at being Larry David than David does.

I'm Catholic, and I'm not offended by the thought there are morons out there.

However, uber-sensitive Catholics I do find offensive.

Next time I'm in Hollywierd , I will look him up. Thanks for the advice…..B*tch.

The Great Gazoo was either the worst idea in the world, or the most brilliant artistic play in modern TV history.

So go around that liberal brick wall.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805526/

So you're saying that even though Larry David is consistent in his own work he should be judged based on your perception of the industry as a whole? Your argument completely avoids the actual subject.

Also, how exactly has Larry David been able to make jewish jokes for all of these years under the tightly controlled system you mentioned above?

You may contact HBO's Consumer Affairs Department at 212-512-1208 Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Eastern Time and let them know how you feel.

I called just to find out if they are planning on an apology or explanation?
I was told that they are considering the # of calls this week but no decision has been made yet.
I will give them a couple more days and tif they don't corret this than I will unsubscribe.

For me it's not about making fun of christians, that goes with the territory, it's mocking Christ that so offends the senses.

This reminds me that all of the major film studios have created divisions and hired staff to work in the faith area. There was some press on this back when Fireproof came out (distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment btw). It only makes sense. Those businesses will pursue money. Do you really think that there is a massive market for preachy christian movies going completely untapped? Do you really think that existing Hollywood studios could really keep that down? Film studios struggle to stay alive all the time. Do you really think they would leave that market sitting idly if there were billions to be made? Do you really think that Rupert Murdoch would let that market pass him by?

OF COURSE NOT!!!!!!! Instead there are some modest profits to be made by making low budget films for this NICHE audience and that is what the studios are aiming for.

As presented in the show, the bathroom would have been covered in urine. The curious thing to me was that Larry David seemed terrified of the image of Jesus and what he had done to it. It wasn't that he was just wary of being caught by the homeowner, he was afraid to even touch the print to dab the urine off.

I can't find your comment to my post below on my screen yet for some reason only known to Bill Gates
but I respond. Its not your sleep or time on earth that would be up for grabs but the hereafter.
I hope this doesn't sound preachy as I am in no better position than anyone else and probably worse than
most. Its just that I am a believer tho I certainly don't live like it.

Interesting comment — doesn't address Ms. Karis' point or her argument, but merely feebly tries to mock her and take a shot at Christianity. As someone once said, your inconsequential comment reveals your lack of insight, intelligence and character. I would say you're just a moron.

My point is, its not a niche audience, it's THE audience, and that's what Hollywood no longer gets.

I'm not talking about religious films that happen to be entertaining, I'm talking about entertaining films that may have a religious aspect to them, that's not portrayed as pedophile, hatred, violence, or what ever.

That's what they don't get. There are normal people out there, who don't live in Hollywood, who aren't repulsed by the concept of morals. From what I gather here at BH there's a lot of people in Hollywood who think that too. And I find it encouraging.

That is THE audience they're ignoring. There's a huge market between Disney and action/sex/violence/hatred for religion. I know. I'm one of them, and I know I'm not alone. We're willing to spend money. But we don't get the options under the current economic business model from the studios.

But we're still out here, and we're still looking for something to spend out hard earned money on.

Is that right? Well I've always tried to be as considerate as possible. Never screwed anyone out of money, always give up my seat on the bus to old ladies etc. etc. So if I'm going to burn in a lake of fire for all eternity I guess there is no God.

Thanks for the number. I'll call them to tell them I thought the episode was hilarious and to keep them coming. Instead of turning it off, you have to "F" it up for the rest of us with a sense of humor. Nice going prude.

Maybe they could do a CYE with Muhammed's picture on a roll of toilet paper.
It would be great to wipe your butt with it.

They are saving Muhammad for next season…lol.

He has a right to his religous intolerance and I have a right not to watch his show because of it.

a Roman prefect and some Roman soldiers? whaaaat?

Glenn- Bravo! Exactly right and although I probably don't agree with your politics I think you're absolutely correct about the problems conservatives are facing in trying to get their point-of-view across in mainstream culture: too much complaining and not enough work.

Cambias- I though you guys we're supposed to be the tough guys and Liberals the limp-wristed nancy-boys but apparently I'm wrong. You don't like the system? Work to change it. You can't find funding from certain places? Go find it elsewhere. You can't find distribution? Build your own channels. And so on, and so on. Or just keep complaining that you're all just victims.

Here's what I consider to be a great irony: growing up I noticed many conservatives refused to allow African-Americans the argument that 'the Man' was holding them down and therefore they could never get ahead. It became and excuse for many of them to not even try. The conservatives were right, of course. And now look at you, Cambias, doing nothing but making excuses. The Man holding you down. By all means, do nothing. Let the Liberals you hate keep creating the culture while you sit on the sidelines and bitch. How's that working out so far?

Okay, B*tch!

His humor is orwellian irony in the post-modern urban schizoid style. I give this schmuck a limp on the Putz-Meter Rating, a true schmatta.

you should also be offended because, as our good writer pointed out, it is just lazy boring humor. I hate lazy conservative or liberal humor.

Funny, I feel the same way about Obama's autobiography.

Do you know what the christians did to David's through out centuries of inquisition and the like? Christians piss on us and have done so for centuries, note with an air of self-righteous indignation. All those stinking bibles need to be edited for racist hate speech. No wonder we're pissed. How many have died terrible brutal tortuous miserable deaths from christians? How many of David's ancestors were victims?

Right on Larry David. Giv 'em hell.

I've never been a fan of potty humor, and have seen "Curb Your Enthusiasm," a couple of times. I thought the show pretty funny at times, as well as, cringe inducing, at others. Since I don't get HBO so I would have to settle on the DVD packages if I were so inclined. I still love "Seinfeld," though, and agree with the writer here, about David.

Jesus was Jewish so PISS-OFF! All you self righteous christians are disgusting. The antisemitism is rife here. The queer thing is that many christians have Jewish ancestory. ATheir ancestors converted under pain of inquisition, though, that did not always save them.

Why is Jesus crying? Because of the way that his religion was perverted ,and his people replaced by impostors, who use his name in vain.

Oh I'm late for my meeting with the Elders. The Lizards are sending secret signals. Tin foil hat made in China it's got the latest code in it.

http://simplyjews.blogspot.com/2006/02/is-ben-sha...

Curb your urine, Larry.

Hollywood stopped "getting it' a long time ago when they found it more important to push an agenda and peddle sleaze than to make the quality movies they once did. Could you imagine "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Mr. Roberts" being made today? Hollyweird…I have no use for them.

It wasn't his fault.

My God, do you understand the difference between Larry's crafted SCRIPT in front of a camera and Larry taking a piss off camera in real life? No offense, but, do you even have a pulse that's real? No one can be that dumb. TV isn't real life!!! Wow.

Ya better love God,
With exuberance.
Ya better not fondle
Your protuberance.
Judgment Day is coming…. to town.

(to the tune of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)

You know, Moses and Abraham and the other weiners of the Old Testament never mentioned hellfire.

That is purely an invention of the alleged Jesus character.

No one has a right to religious intolerance. Tolerance of intolerance isn't a virture.

As Cat Stevens (our favorite little Muslim creepo) famously sung, "The worst butt is the cheapest."

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dave Kirkland, Tom Rhoads. Tom Rhoads said: Larry David's God-Given American Right to Be a Jerk http://bit.ly/hVCt8 [...]

I have cancelled my HBO subscription. When the operator asked why I was cancelling- I said "Larry David." She said "Say no more- you aren't alone."

People- vote with your remote control and your entertainment dollars.

Fiction: the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form. dictionary.com

The Bible is not fiction. In order for it to be fiction, the writers would have to have written it with the intent of writing fiction and not because they believe it was God's will. Since there is no proof(i.e. evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, dictionary.com) that every single writer of every single book in the Bible wrote it as fiction, your claim is ridiculous.

The only logical conclusion to make about the Bible is that was written by a bunch of loons with nefarious purposes or that it was the word of God. Whichever one you believe, it cannot be labeled as fiction.

One of the benefits of a living in a free country is that people like Larry David are free to be rich and famous, and put forth whatever filth they desire. And all the decent people get to pick up what he's putting down–and realize he's a bottom-feeding scum-sucking low-life. I just love America. And I'm learning new reasons why every day.

And as for the praise he's received making him in his own eyes worthy of the "I am a genius entitlement." It reminds me of John Lennon and his quote about the Beatles' fame and popularity with respect to Christianity:

"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first – rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."

If my history is correct, Lennon was the one to "go," to "vanish and shrink." And the assassin's bullet caused him to be the one to "go first."

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12

Turn to II Confabulations, please, and read about the first holy man…

"And he toiled not in the vineyards, nor labored he in the fields. And though he knew not his ass from a HOLE IN THE EARTH, yeah, verily, and though he couldst not find his OWN ASS WITH BOTH HANDS, praise whatever, he prosper might-eh-lehhhhhh, for he could talk that shite-tuhhhhhh."

We're back to that tired old chestnut, are we?

Lemme see, when I turned 18, I had to start looking out for myself.

How old is Jesus now? 2,006, I think, cuz He wasn't born exactly when the calendar-makers thought he was. Anyway, He needs to just speak up for himself, if he's having a problem with the show.

Right on, from a non-Jew. You preach it, I'll shout out the amens.

You need to get help, immediately. Your mind is diseased in a most horrible fashion.

It wasn' t that it made fun of lefties…it didn't do well because it wasn't very good. I saw it.

Sorry, I missed your "NOT watch his show".

By finding this site, I have found the moron's den. Sweet. I'll be coming back to keep tabs on the lunatic fringe.

Thank you – people tell conservatives to make their own movies, but it is so much easier said than done. The failure of 'An American Carol' is proof of that (even if you thought it wasn't that good…I thought it was okay – slapstick isn't my favorite kind of comedy).

Oh whatever – I didn't watch it and don't plan to! I'd rather watch my cat take a crap! That doesn't mean I or anyone else here can't express our dislike of this ridiculous and juvenile stunt.

All true! Joke is, the only reason davud has said "right", stems only from the fact that people who believed in the Guy he just pissed on.. founded this country, and not follower's of he who's face can't be looked upon. I doubt you'll see any funny bit's on your favorite HBo show, or any other cable offerings, which will Mock Islam, or show any Bodily fluids whatsoever, on Muhamed. Karis is off kilter thinking that pesky Lawsuites would be the worst of Mr. David's fears, if he had went with that script instead.. The funny thing is, Hollywood and the Left attack's people who follow Jesus all the time, for two reasons. First, it's what folks like larry truly feel about people that do Believe in God. Second, picking on Christian's is just too easy my friends, they just keep forgiving them .,

I'm glad there's a hell for you to burn in, I really am.

Somehow I just knew you'd come and piss all over this guy's comment.

You're even lower – you're an amoeba, one that has absolutely no ability to think and comprehend and therefore no hope of graduating to idiot status or even moron status. My proof? Your abysmal spelling, aka attempts at being humorous. Complete failure on all accounts, but then that's what you are – a failure. Just a bag of mashed up meat, to paraphrase another moron lefty like you.

Nothing like the exposure of anti-Christian bias to drag out the degenerate, perverted lefty trolls. This is why I make sure I don't associate with liberals. They're disgusting, amoral gutter scum and the trolls in this thread are ample evidence of that fact.

Exactly. It was poorly written and the jokes were just plain obvious. I've tried to get people to watch the movie "Serenity", which was a well done libertarian film. Hell, sometimes I feel like we're in that world right now. It played on the "David and Goliath" theme and kept it's anti-socialism messages subtle. Ok, maybe not so subtle. But there are decent films out there, however scarce they may be. And they aren't all of "The Killing Fields" variety. Believe me, after watching this film, it's clear that even in the far future socialism is a mass killer. But it's a well-developed, thoughtful and humorous flick (the opening scene alone will suck you in). And these are the kinds of films conservatives/libertarians/whatever should put their money into. Whether they be the producer or the consumer.

And speaking of the consumer, remember something. It's never too late to send a message to these clowns. Stop spending your money on DVD's and movies that enrich pompous jerks. Buy DVD's that you know have the message you want to hear. At the end of the day, regardless of their politics, these idiots are still capitalists.

First of all: leave Nancy Pelosi out of it. Your crass comment about her really undermines the rest of your message: that we should have respect for one another. How about you?

If you can't make the distinction between criticism and wishing someone dead, your mind is just as diseased as KilledthelastLevite's.

You need help, as soon as you can get it. Thanks.

Your little tactic of labelling those that notice Jewish perfidy as "anti-Semitic" has collpasped into irrelevance.
Imagine how a "comedy" written by a Christian(or any non-Jew)would be received if it mocked the racist,genocidal aspects of the Talmud/Judaism.
I'm an atheist and abhor all religions but I see which ones could qualify as evil and it is not Christianity…

Lots of far-right commenters (like myself) can't stand your diseased remarks.

The business of calling people liberals, that's what you've got, one size fits all, right?

You give conservatives a bad name, you with your hating. You should be ashamed, and you would be, if you had the mental powers to see yourself as you are.

Mel? Is that you?

This is just another case of a Jew mocking and degrading Christianity with their vile cynicism on one of their monopolistic broadcasting venues.
The next tactic for them in this silly routine will be to call those that disagree "haters" and "anti-Semites".
Jews remind me of an autistic,spoiled little boy who runs around kicking people in the groin and when he's criticized for his terrible behavior throws himself to the ground and whines "You hate me!!"
Anti-Semitism is a disease,you catch it from Jews.

You're in good company, dgl.

Some of the most illustrious terrorists in the world take the same position you do: The holocaust didn't happen. If it did happen, it was just a tee-ninesy bit, nothing major. If it was something major, and millions of Jews were killed, no big deal, since they deserved it, anyhow.

How do you let your mind become so diseased?

You're engaging in the usual tactic of embellishing what the minimizers claim in order to undermine their point.
Never did I claim that it "didn't happen",or that it was just a "tee-ninesy bit",or "nothing major".
I'll just respond by saying what the American Red Cross declared upon their examination of the camps.
Roughly 250 to 300 thousand died from starvation and typhus(common afflictions for anyone unlucky enough to wind up in a concentration camp).
Nor did I imply that Jews deserved it.
When compared to the Christian deaths from communism it is a "tennsy bit" I suppose.
Where's your outrage at the tens of millions of verifiable deaths of Christians as a result of communism(Jewish inspired,created and still advocated by Jews) in the Soviet Union?
Regarding the holocaust,the truth needs no laws to support it,it can withstand scrutiny and doesn't fear examination.
Only lies and liars need laws to enforce "truths" on a population.

Your first sentence started out to be perfect. "You are not going to burn in the lake of fire…"

Then you had to go ruin it with maniacal fantasy.

Dear KilledthelastLevite,
Go drink bleach.

Christians are the biggest supporters of the Chosen People and understand the role they play in the grand scheme of this world and the plan God has for it. Mr. David – don't piss on your allies!

Yep, he sure fits the typical provocative liberal troll passing through to stir up trouble. It's a tried and true tactic for them that they've employed on many sites.

Larry David has an absolute right to be disgusting. And shallow. Larry David and Larry Flint are the price of freedom of speech. And I have the right to object and to refuse to participate.
I'd cancel my HBO, but I already did. I don't subscribe to HBO, or the NYT, or the LA Times, or MSNBC.

I have Hulu, Netflix, Breitbart, Amazon, the public library and lots of streaming sources that will allow me to watch and read whatever I choose without support those things I find deeply offensive. It's a little more effort, but really, not all that much. I really believe that we are in a war for the soul of our nation. There will be little battles and big ones. This is a little one, and easy to win.

Yes, don't reply to any of my claims, just dismiss me as a maniac.

How about replying to any of my points or statements? No? Okay, hit me up with some more inane, smart ass replies. God bless.

Posted my other reply before I saw this one, btw.

You're right. The truth or untruth of something is not determined how many people believe it. However, Christianity has been around for 2,000 years and has been believed by billions of people. Isn't it arrogant of you to assume that they were/are all simpering, maniacal, loony, wacko, idiot, nutjobs?

Isn't it possible that some of them could at least be as intelligent as you? Hard to imagine, I know, but humor me. And if at least .1% of those billions were/are as smart as you yet they still believe in the tenets of Christianity, is it not unreasonable to think that there is something to it? Something that satisfies the soul more than your childish, petty, arrogant, dismissive, atheist beliefs cannot?

Of course not. If there was any validity to Christianity at all then your comfort bubble would have to be burst. I know how scary that can be. God bless.

You want a miserable fellow; how about that whiny minger b*tch Bill Donohue!

So you're on Mark David Chapman's side, huh? Way to be a c*nty A-hole!

You don't have to be wacko to be a Christian (although many are).

I'm pretty sure we're victims of our biological and psychological makeup, when it comes to seeking supernatural escapes from death, as well as finding other answers, particularly about the ultimate significance and purpose of life itself.

It's a matter of dumb luck (I think) that Christianity broke out of its narrrow confines in the Middle East. I would agree on one thing: Christianity (and each of the 2,000 or so other religions) satisfies the "soul" (read that as psychological needs) more than my childish, petty, arrogant, dismissive, atheist belief. And there is no comfort bubble here, my close personal friend whom I've never met. I'm still mad about being lied to as a child.

Actually, yes. That's the only thing required. However, that choice takes a mere instant. After that, you must make changes to your lifestyle/actions or your faith will whither and die.

I know it's hard to understand, but the thing you're caught up with is justice in human understanding. You see the hurt and damage Madoff and many other people caused/cause and think that there's no way they could get into heaven. Cuz they've just been too bad. however, every sin is equally wrong in God's eye, in that He does not like it nor can He ignore it. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" So, in truth, all humanity is in the same boat as far as God is concerned. The degree or magnitude of the sin is not the issue in God's eye, it's any sin at all.

We all have sinned. That is not a judgment statement, but a fact. So, now what? If all(i.e. every human who has, is or will live) are sinful, how can we ascend up to the Almighty. The answer is we can't. For in the history of humanity, only one person has led a blameless life, and that was Jesus. We could not get back to God, so God came to us. And what is common to all humanity? Our free will for make choices.

God made the only requirement for salvation a choice of belief. Believe that Jesus was God's son who died for YOUR sins. That's it. It's free to any and everyone. God made salvation thusly so that all may come back into a personal relationship with Him. His mercy is beyond human comprehension.

Now, when I say that's it, that's the barest thing needed for salvation. however, there is much to be done after that. You must leave your life of sin and follow after God, which means paying for your sins and accepting the consequences of them. If someone murdered someone then became a Christian, the right thing for that person to do would be to turn themselves over to the police and pay for their crimes.

Another aspect of your argument needs addressing. You are worried about the idea of that if you live a horrible life, raping, killing, stealing, talking in the theater, etc and then at the last moment, believe in Jesus, you get out of jail for free!

It is erroneous to hold onto that belief. The Bible clearly states that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord!" will enter the kingdom of heaven. And if this God fellow were to really exist, do you think he would be bamboozled by the likes of a someone talking out of their ass? If so, then he's a crappy god and I wouldn't give him the time of day

My God's better than that. If you don't believe me, take the time to get to know Him. It's worth it, imo. God bless.

Ok, thanks for that. I won't be changing my ways but I appreciate the honest response.
What about all the other religions in the world? Are they false?

Yeah, some justice, right? Thanks for the incisive remark.

I'm sorry there's not one for you. Truly.

Actually, not. Just kidding. I'm glad the whole concept of Hell is a misbegotten lie, for you, for me, for everyone. You however, are less deserving than most. I can tell this by your awful attitude.

We certainly don't. If this BS became a de facto part of the Conservative position, I'd line up behind Obamacare, cap and trade and any other scheme, just to make sure I was well away from the stench of those like dgl1962.

I wonder how many liberals aren't all that liberal, but just don't want to identify with certain belly-crawlers like good ol' boy dgl.

If you want to claim wacko, who am I to stand in your way?

However, I certainly don't think all Christians are wacko, and many are very intelligent. Everyone has the right to be mistaken. You're mistaken in your religious life, in my view. I hardly see that as back-pedaling (not peddling, lol) on my part.

Free will is no illusion, and I don't know how you extrapolate that from my atheism. I exercised my free will to toss aside something I consider riddled with falsity, from its main character to all its plots and sub-plots.

I'm sorry my "dumb luck" theory bothers you. It bothers me, too. I'd far rather ideas survive on merit alone. Regrettably, cases such as Anna Nicole Smith prove that merit sometimes has nothing to do with it.

Please define "religion" and "false" and I will give you a response.

The Bible assures us of a personal God, who will answer prayers while we're alive and give us an eternity of bliss (if we're jam up and jelly-tight) once we die. If there is an impersonal God (the God of the Deists), there might as well not be one. The impersonal God simply kick-started everything whirling and removed itself from the equations.

So, yes, in the sense of God, as understood by the big three monotheistic religions, I say there is no God. Any beliefs I have are related to my conduct here in the physical realm and have nothing to do with events following my physical life.

Religion is full of fallback positions: "Hey, Dad, my business is going wonderfully well!" ("Of course it is, son. You're a devout Christian and God is on your side.")

Next year: "Hey, Dad, my business has gone to shite. But I'm still a devout Christian. What gives?" ("Well, son, it is written in the sacred text that the rain falleth on the just and the unjust alike.")

I couldn't possibly be anyone else's God. So, that hardly makes me the penultimate anything in all of this existence.

There could be a Deist's God and no afterlife. There could be a Deist's God AND an afterlife. There could be an afterlife with no God whatever. Neither presupposes the other. I don't fear any combination of the above possibilities. I am convinced there COULD NOT BE a personal God as worshipped by Christians and that there COULD NOT BE a Heaven or a Hell operated by that personal God, to reward or punish earthlings for their lives and levels of devotion to Him/Her/It.

You beliefs are your own. I hope they don't cause you to do bad things, as they have so many others in the past. I'm quite sure my outlook won't cause me to misbehave. Remember, I can't go around killing people, since I would rob them of their only chance at life. (On the other hand, what if I weren't REALLY killing them? What if I could believe that I was merely putting them into some sort of supernatural, mystical mode of transition? Wow, that's the ticket!

What an evasion! Parsing worthy of Bill Clinton — I must congratulate you!

No doubt that the sequel was more successful, but the original wasn't advertised very well (in fact, it was kind of the point that they wouldn't send missionaries around the world to advertise it to anyone; a rabbi is explicitly supposed to turn down a convert three times before agreeing to convert them).

At this point I have to ask you what denomination you are

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It makes sense that the Cable companies can't tell anyone else what I ever watch as an individual.

However, both the cable companies and the production companies need to how many watch each show. You are saying that even though they have digital technology that they have to depend on monitors placed in homes.

There are many people who would see you as mistaken, your view having no greater value than theirs. And I don't think it's your theories that bother people. It's the disrespect with which you treat their most cherished beliefs. No person here actually cares whether or not you have faith in a higher power. It's that you attempt to delegitimize those who do by attributing that faith to some psychological condition or need. By labeling it as something "mental" or "emotional".

You can try to smokescreen your intent to insult by playing to some intellectual high ground, but that's just makes you a liar. Why don't you conduct yourself honestly about your disdain and let the chips fall where they may?

You wrote: "The reason there is no "evidence"(i.e. empirical, scientific, quantitative data) for God is because if there was, then you would no longer have the choice of not believing. You would be forced to acknowledge Him as Lord."

How quaint. The fact is, if God kept the promises He/She/It made in the Bible, there would be evidence. Do you think God kept promises at one time, only stopping the practice once we became so numerous and so advanced that we could spot his re-jiggering natural law for the benefit of his adherents?

Take prayer (no, take it, please): Every scientific study has shown that prayer has no efficacy. One study seemed to indicate otherwise, but turned out to be fraudulent. (One of the men involved went to prison, but not for the study.)

Belief in the supernatural is a bad thing, no matter how you slice it. Take a look at this: http://tinyurl.com/b4ee7w

We need to get over this kind of BS, this acceptance of the supernatural. We're past the point where it can kill us, but it sure is sad.

Here's an idea. Exchange the picture of Jesus for a picture of Obama, then proceed with the rest of the skit 'as is.' What do you think the reaction would be from the cult of Obama worshippers?

I'm rolling on the floor just thinking about it. Oh, the outrage!!

You have stepped into the realm of subjectivity again. If my beliefs are purely subjective(i.e.as long as they work for me), what would it matter if they hurt anyone else? So, all beliefs are subjective(i.e. only works for them and are not true for anyone else) except for ones that hurt/kill people? But if we're nothing but walking, talking bags of DNA following whatever programing nature has chanced us with, then how can it be wrong if I was programed to kill or hurt people? How can killing be wrong if in nature we see animals kill all the time?

You can't have it both ways. You cannot claim that all beliefs are subjective(i.e. only good for the individual person and not for anyone else) and hold onto a belief that covers everyone(i.e. no one shouldn't hurt or kill anyone because of their belief).

And why is life so precious to you, anyway? We're all dead men. What does it matter if I die in my sleep or someone comes and slits my throat? From whence do you draw your value of life? It cannot be from nature, for in nature, killing is as natural as anything else.

Btw, the last thing I would want to happen to you right now would be your death. If you die apart from Christ, you are lost forever. The longer you live, the more opportunities you will have to see the light, repent and become my brother in Christ. But that's between you and God.

More evasion, but I'll play the very stupid game.

Religion: "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs" (from http://dictionary.com

False: "not true or correct; erroneous" (from http://dictionary.com

Wow, these really are difficult concepts.

That is interesting information. I didn't know that about Rabbis. Thanks for passing it along.

I know it's an extensive process to join the Catholic Church, my wife went through it. She took classes for several months. Not that they were grueling or anything.

Um, yeah, because that's what Jesus did, right? Oh wait.

HumanPersonJr already did.
I was raised presbyterian, went to Sunday School and Church every Sunday until I was 16 and I remember being all about helping your fellow man, being a good person etc. You know, the good samaratan stuff. That was how you served God.

So telling you my reasoning for asking someone to define the terms of their argument is more evasion?

See! Now that's not how I would have defined evasive. So, it's probably good I am making a habit of asking people to define their terms. Since I am interesting in actual debate and not just bickering.

You ask (rhetorically and facetiously): “[H]ow can it be wrong if I was programmed (sic) to kill or hurt people? How can killing be wrong if in nature we see animals kill all the time?”

It’s wrong because it’s inconvenient. When lots of people go around killing lots of other people, progress tends to falter or even stop. Humans seek benefit for themselves, and progress is part of that benefit. To further that end, humans make laws against inconvenient behavior, irrespective of the motivating force (programming) for the behavior.

I’m getting tired, here. Why do you ask questions to which you already know the answer? Anyone who got through sophomore year of high school knows this stuff.

Actually that could make a funny Curb episode. Mel Gibson is visiting Larry and tries to make a good impression because of that whole DUI rant. He goes into the bathroom and accidentally a drop of his piss lands on a picture of the wailing wall hanging on the wall (not that Larry David would ever have such a picture, but go with me here).

I doubt there would be any controversy about that at all. It's all about context.

Why on earth would you presume me to be a Christian? Because I defend one's right to believe? Because I defend the potential legitimacy of that belief? If anything, I'd say that makes me a lawyer. Or is it that I place that belief on equal footing with your disbelief?

And save your lectures on nature for the kiddies. If you want to play this game with me you're going to be in for a long month. My problem with you is not your disbelief. It's your dishonest use of intellectual discourse to insult people. I'm no psychic. I'm just not stupid. And speaking of stupid, since you didn't have the mental prowess to pick it up the first time, I'll spell it out. Your whole diatribe is nothing but a "smokescreen" being used to throw slights at people who you perceive to be of a lessor intellect. And for what? Self-amusement? Can't you find more constructive ways to play with yourself?

And you're still doing the mind-reading thing. You wrote: "Your whole diatribe is nothing but a 'smokescreen' being used to throw slights at people who you perceive to be of a lessor (sic) intellect."

Neither you nor Jerb seem (to me) to be of lesser intellect than I am.

I've re-read my comments, and there are a couple I wish I hadn't made. In re-reading Jerb's comments, I see some that he also might (if he's anything like me, and I believe he is) wish back in the ink-bottle. However, you're off base with your double-barrelled criticism. I can't very well make assertions without at least implying that contrary assertions seem (to me) to be less sensible and appropriate.

I spent a few years in the Church of the Nazarene myself, as did Jerb. Those years were good ones in most respects, but they were also the years in which I formed the basis for my eventual nonbelief.

To the extent that I can, I apologize for my intemperance. If you want to know which remarks I regret, I'll be glad to list them. Let me know.

Shalom.

You may not be mean spirited. I don't know you. But I'm an analyst. One of the things I do is examine the basics and here is what I see. You made several attempts to bait people into an argument. It's common among athiests to rope in the first person who comes along. But then you threw out an argument of the lowest common denominator. Had you not resorted to that one, I might have dismissed you as just another athiest defending their patch of earth in the world. But using the mental defect card…that's the mark of something else entirely. You think it's harmless? I assure you, it's not. Those are the same people who want to take faith away from others. And whether God exists or not, they haven't that right. These people want to control our lives and destroying the faith of those who believe is only one way of achieving that end. If God no longer exists, there is only the state.

As for you, are you really willing to say that God is simply a mental defect that can treated by modern psychiatry. Would you really rob a man of his faith and belief? Because that's next logical step in your position.

As for myself, what I have is hope.

Yes, I did mean to theist. Not deist. Sorry, I'm in the middle of something right now and not paying much attention to what I'm doing. However, if you look at the "con't." note at the bottom, there is another post attached. Apparently it has to be approved by the moderator. I'm not sure why. It's not like I called you Sean Penn or anything. And I didn't use foul languange. Although I did imply you were a socialist Nazi with ties to the FARC.

As for the mental defect argument. I'm not going to back down from that. You made the point that belief in God was a psychological attempt to escape death. This is a part of the classic mental defect argument. It isn't new. And it's pretty repugnant. I don't have extreme anger towards you. My anger is directed at an entirely different group. The subsequent post explained it. Maybe the moderator didn't like my use of the word "denominator." I'll try to repost and see what happens.

You may not be mean spirited. I don't know you. One of the things I do is examine the basics and here is what I see. You made several attempts to bait people into an argument. It's common among athiests to rope in the first person who comes along. But then you threw out an argument of the lowest common denominator. Had you not resorted to that one, I might have dismissed you as just another athiest defending their patch of earth in the world. But using the mental defect card…that's the mark of something else entirely. You think it's harmless? I assure you, it's not. Those are the same people who want to take faith away from others. And whether God exists or not, they haven't that right. These people want to control our lives and destroying the faith of those who believe is only one way of achieving that end. If God no longer exists, there is only the state.

As for you, are you really willing to say that God is simply a mental defect that can treated by modern psychiatry. Would you really rob a man of his faith and belief? Because that's next logical step in your position.

As for myself, what I have is hope.

I don't think God exists, and yes, I do think the way we lean toward the concept of God (religion in general) comes from the human condition.

However, I wouldn't want to see it treated, by psychiatry or any other means. Neither would I want to see laws put forth to limit religion's influence in the U.S.

I've read far sharper criticisms of religion than the ones I've posted here.

Jefferson (Thomas, not George) said: "Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion."

When you claim that I call religious people fools and mental defectives, you do so without the knowledge that my dear and wonderful mother went to her death as a committed Christian.

Anyhow and anyway – I'm signing off. Certainly, though, if you wish to continue, I will do so. Thank you for all the replies.

No kidding? Damn, I thought they just followed Larry around with a Handycam. Dumb ass…
Apparently, YOUR God didn't imbue you with much of a sense of humor or you squat when you pee.
I think the latter.

Amen.
He might have even blew holy water out his nose when Larry peed on him.

You cite a source without noting subsequent developments in Jewish thought. Are you actually reading from the Talmud or just material compiled from hateful preachers and taken out of text. Some quotations have been taken out of context and some are complete fabrication.
Besides, there is more than one Talmud and multiple translations.

Back when I had a friend, I tried to protect him from everyone else. So, I kinda understand why hippieslayer is all worked up.

On the other hand, your remarks are FUNNY AS HELL, lol, so hippieslayer can kiss my WFA.

Mostly coffee and vinegar…and a pack of donuts.

I feel like conservatism can stand on it's own and that socialism needs whatever help the lefties are willing to supply. Kind of like the old "If it's not broke, don't fix it". Liberals see everything as being broken.

Only if you think free speech is a problem…

So I guess Larry the Cable Guy is not high on your list…

You do know Muslims can't have pictures of Muhammad anywhere in their house right??

Pretty much. Did a fine job of 86-ing him, too. But losing gobs of blood from several gaping bullet holes in your body tends to have fatal results.

Sad face

You are a saint!

And you wonder why people ridicule Christians? So what if you're offended – no one gives a shit. Bullet in the head? The historical Christ would have turned his other cheek on you and never looked back. Pipe down and go pray to whatever supernatural power you imagine gives a damn about you, you credulous, deluded clown.

Your history is incorrect, as is your understanding of Lennon's statements. Lennon was obviously not expecting Christianity to "go," to "shrink" or "vanish," in his lifetime. He was not a stupid person, although he was unwise to cast pearls before swine.

Lennon's politics were wrong. However, his intuitive take on Christianity was probably spot on the money. Atheism and skepticism in general are on the rise, a refreshing trend, indeed.

Your first two posts are at odds with your most recent, in my view. Further, I think you misuse the word "hyperbole." Further, Lennon didn't vanish or shrink, as a cult might. Rather, he was murdered, in a horrific hail of gunfire that had nothing whatever to do with his religious views.

And you piously quote a Bible verse to round out the idiocy. Do you think the Bible is the first text to examine pride and its relation to virtue? Let me offer a clue: The Bible, indeed the whole concept of Christ, is derivative.

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