I hope so. It does me. Its nice to think we can move forward discussing religion, scholarship, and even other matters with a great deal of charity. I'm all for it.

We ought to instill an ego rack, like a coat rack, at the door as you enter this place. It won't happen, but its nice to imagine.

It would be a step way up from my current position as a volunteer maintnance worker here at the sewage plant. But, given that few people are willing to do my current job, such a promotion is unlikely to happen.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Since you are unable to clean up your own act, it is no wonder that you are completely ineffective at making any progress elsewhere.

I find it amusing to see the critics being analogized as publicans and sinners rather than as Pharisees, Scribes, and Saducees, and this against the fact that it wasn't the publicans and sinners who were Christ's critics, but the Pharisees, Scribes, and Saducess.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Are you equating yourself with Christ, Wade?

You know, news of you has come down the line
Even before ya came in the door
They say in your father's house, there's many mansions
Each one of them got a fireproof floor
Snap out of it baby, people are jealous of you
They smile to your face, but behind your back they hiss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

Got to be an important person to be in here, honey
Got to have done some evil deed
Got to have your own harem when you come in the door
Got to play your harp until your lips bleed.

They say that patriotism is the last refuge
To which a scoundrel clings
Steal a little and they throw you in jail
Steal a lot and they make you king
There's only one step down from here, baby
It's called the land of permanent bliss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

Listen, and then rewind it to about 3:20 to hear the Knopfler solo again.

KA

As do I. In fact, my reputation for being able to relate with and love such people is the reason I am routinely called to home teach the disaffected and inactive in the wards in which I have lived.


You're referring, of course, to the scribes and pharisees--the biblical scholars of their day.


No, not at all. I'm not a biblical scholar, and I've never felt motivated to expel sinners from the church, seeing as how my self-reflection would compel me to lead virtually the entire congregation out the door (leaving only my wife and two or three other women to turn out the lights).


I can certainly understand why.

AMEN!

Give me a freaking break.

As previously intimated, "uncleanliness" is an occupational hazard for sewage plant maintnance workers. And, for those who only see me while at the sewage plant, particularly those splashing about in the cesspool, it makes sense that they might conclude that I can't clean up my act nor have made progress elsewhere. But, they would be mistaken--which is what they dogmatically dew (pun intended).

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Good old Wade. Never met a metaphor that he couldn't stretch to the point that it would break and then some. You have a unique talent for rendering jokes unfunny.

No. If you recall correctly, David is the one who analogized himself in that way. I simply spoke to how the critics were being analogized. Glad i could clear that up for you.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Indeed. I am sure that Will is absolutely right when he restricts the spirit of Christ's criticism to apply only to those who happen to be Biblical scholars.

In other words, "cursed be the Bible scholars for being Bible scholars."

Sheer stupidity.

You have made it abundantly clear that you hope rhetorical technicalities save you from your own putrescent behavior. A wonderful Pharisee or scribe you make.

Thanks for the link to the Dylan song.

So why is the same post do you say exactly the opposite of what you are commending DB for? DB is a nice guy while Will is may be a nice guy to, you will not know it from his posts. I tend to think our posts say a lot about us.

I accept the fact that you act this way in your home ward, out in the real world, at face value. However, this is not the way you have chosen to treat people on the Internet.

I am not saying that you do not have a right to defend yourself, or defend the Church, but how can you deny that you have not been outright spiteful toward others? How can you deny your disrespectful treatment of women on this board?

And, what is your excuse for your misuse of trust and authority given to you when you divulged Trevor's IRL information in conjunction with the article he presented to FAIR in confidence?

These are the types of actions that David is referring to.

Will, I have no doubt that you are a good person and a devoted father. In spite of some of the awful things you have said to me, I have defended you when posters here have attacked your character in those areas, and, in my opinion, crossed the line of decency. But you do have a definite blind spot in how you come across.

Let me ask you this. This is in reference to your conversation with David:



You claim that David misunderstood your comment. If it did not mean that you have personal connections with unnamed others who could destroy his aspirations, as he suggested, and you did not mean that you were tacitly referring to his possible apostasy, then what DID you mean?

Evidently, the breaking point of an analogy is dependent upon the rigidity of the mind of the beholder. The same goes for humor. Much gratitude to you for providing the perspective of an unwitty stiff. LOL

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Being considered unfunny by you is a compliment that one cannot buy. Thanks. This is high praise indeed.

Ironically, Pee Wee Herman says the same thing as you, but more succinctly; "I know you are, but what am I."

Thank, -Wade Englund-

At the very least you could look for a tired joke that hasn't already been abused just hours ago by your pal Will. Good grief.