NationStates Jolt Archive

It is time for another one of my people topics. Today's topic: A man from my state of Nebraska by the name of Ron Larsen. He has filed lawsuits against the City of Plattsmouth for having the Ten Commandments on a stone in the park. As a Catholic, I say to him, "Don't look at it then." But this guy is so radical he won't listen to anyone. To understand how radical this guy is, listen to his letters and columns in a university newspaper.

On Christianity:
"I see no really difference in the beliefs of the Heaven's Gate cult and Christianity....You believe you'll live forever in a land of milk and honey with your gawd-thingie and his illegitimate son after you die, while 'bad' people will 'head south' to live with the bad fairy in a place of eternal fire."
-April 1997 letter to editor, University of Nebraska at Omaha campus newspaper, Gateway.

On prayer:
"The phenomena of prayer remains largely unexamined - especially in a public forum....Prayer is intellectual suicide. Prayer is hokum. Prayer is sleight-of-mind. And as such, groups that promote prayer... retard our advance as a species. It it time to deal with reality on its own terms and without resort to incantations."
-Gateway column,
October 1997

On Jesus:
"Many scholars think it unlikely that a character named Jesus ever lived, or if he did, that most of his life events were constructed postmortem by unimaginative followers who borrowed wholesale from myths of these aforementioned older 'gods'.
-Gateway column
December 1997

On the Bible:
"It is a mistake to rely on the 'Buybull' as a font of moral values. If we are to follow this disgusting tome's 'recommendations,' then we'd have to kill rebellious children, 'blasphemers,' men who refuse to impregnate their widowed sister-in-law, non-virgin brides, adulterers, gay, ad nauseam."
-Gateway letter to editor
January 1998

I have a friend who is atheist. And, he never puts me down for it. Sure we joke about each others beliefs every once and a while, but we don't go to the point where we hate each others beliefs, unlike this Larsen guy.

Now, some people have sent Mr. Larsen death threats, and that is much more horrible than what Mr. Larsen is doing. However, this man keeps attack religion so consistantly that I think his aim is for a forced, anti-religious stance from the government.

Oh, this is a discussion thread, too.

1. His lawsuits apparently seek to enforce the Constitution. Why do you have a problem with that?

2. Expressing his religious views publicly is verboten? Aren't you contradicting yourself? "Don't look at it."

I find everything he says hi-fucking-larious, especially that first letter, and for the most part true.

1. His lawsuits apparently seek to enforce the Constitution. Why do you have a problem with that?

2. Expressing his religious views publicly is verboten? Aren't you contradicting yourself? "Don't look at it."
He does have the right to lawsuits to enforce the Constitution, and I don't care if he's atheist. But he's hateful of religions. Most atheists just don't care.

Well he does have extreme views, but I have to agree with him on most of them. Anyway, if you are laughing at his beliefs why are you any better?

Ihatevacations']I find everything he says hi-fucking-larious, especially that first letter, and for the most part true.
So your saying its okay for him to call the Christian faith's God "gawd-thingie and his illigitmate son?" Don't you think it would be best for everyone if at least showed some respect for the Christian faith?

Well he does have extreme views, but I have to agree with him on most of them. Anyway, if you are laughing at his beliefs why are you any better?
I am not any better. I'm not laughing at his views. He has the right to be against Christianity. But he should the largest religion on Earth some respect.

He does have the right to lawsuits to enforce the Constitution, and I don't care if he's atheist. But he's hateful of religions. Most atheists just don't care.

Um. Some people dislike other religious viewpoints. Some of them are athiests. Many of them are not. Some of the are Catholics.

So what if he doesn't agree with your religion. Get over it.

(BTW, I think his first statement and his last have a lot of validity. Care to explain how they are wrong?)

So your saying its okay for him to call the Christian faith's God "gawd-thingie and his illigitmate son?" Don't you think it would be best for everyone if at least showed some respect for the Christian faith?

You do believe in a gawd-thingies, right?

And the gawd-thingie's son?

And Jesus wasn't born from a marriage between God and Mary, was he?

Why must he show respect? Why should he show more respect than you do to him?

His views aren't in a big statute in local park, are they?

I am not any better. I'm not laughing at his views. He has the right to be against Christianity. But he should the largest religion on Earth some respect.

He doesnt have to respect Christianity if he doesnt want to, people are discredited for more likely stories than the bible!

Anyway, I wouldnt be so sure it is the largest religion, its probably Islam now seeing as Christianity is generally in developed countries where the majority are atheist, Islamic countries tend to have more religious population now.

So your saying its okay for him to call the Christian faith's God "gawd-thingie and his illigitmate son?" Don't you think it would be best for everyone if at least showed some respect for the Christian faith?
I'm not saying its ok, I'm saying its damn funny, unless he is overly serious about it, then he is just a moron like the christian evangelists

PS. I might add that does not take away from the truth of the statements.

Um. Some people dislike other religious viewpoints. Some of them are athiests. Many of them are not. Some of the are Catholics.

So what if he doesn't agree with your religion. Get over it.

(BTW, I think his first statement and his last have a lot of validity. Care to explain how they are wrong?)
Fine, he shouldn't have to just look away. But I think he's wrong and that's my opinion. Also, he makes fun of religions. That may be his right, but he shouldn't do that. You have to show some respect towards things you disagree with.

Also, how do you know his statements are correct? In the Bible, those were punishments that are considered wrong by all. Even Jesus himself was against them. Remember the story of the stoning of the adulteress. Jesus stepped between her and the men about to stone her and said, "He who is without sin may cast the first stone." The men dropped their stones and left because they had sinned at least once in their lives. The bible doesn't promote those things. It is to teach lessons.

Ihatevacations']I'm not saying its ok, I'm saying its damn funny, unless he is overly serious about it, then he is just a moron like the christian evangelists
He is very serious about it. He's always trying to stop religious events. He really feels that way.

Well, isn't Heaven's Gate a death cult or is that another one? But assuming Heaven's Gate is a death cult, then is disrespectful of christianity which has shown some genuine good intentions at times. I disagree with the person because of his fanatical anti-religious zeal. I mean most christians do not do too much to enforce their beliefs and the ones that do tend to be viewed with the same amount of hatred as Ron Larson.

He doesnt have to respect Christianity if he doesnt want to, people are discredited for more likely stories than the bible!

Anyway, I wouldnt be so sure it is the largest religion, its probably Islam now seeing as Christianity is generally in developed countries where the majority are atheist, Islamic countries tend to have more religious population now. Actually, Christianity is the still the majority religion in the world. Islam is second.

You do believe in a gawd-thingies, right?

And the gawd-thingie's son?

And Jesus wasn't born from a marriage between God and Mary, was he?

Why must he show respect? Why should he show more respect than you do to him?

His views aren't in a big statute in local park, are they?
Um, this statute isn't huge. You really don't notice it when you go there.

Actually, Christianity is the still the majority religion in the world. Islam is second.

You can prove this? How exactly? And by what, countries of the religion or followers because one of the biggest places for Christianity, America, is probably still mostly atheist.

I find Mr. Larson to be as extreme, or even more extreme than the many catholic preachers who some people get angry at for saying what they belive. Now, I've always had a deep disgust for any type of extremist, but the man does have the right to speak his mind. There's really nothing that can be done about him.

You have to show some respect towards things you disagree with.
Says who?

Also, how do you know his statements are correct?
illegitimate son: well I don't know, did Mary marry God? Sounds pretty illegitimate to me
and Christianity DID steal EVERYTHING from other religions, it has nothing unique to its own religion.
And yes, most groups that promote prayer are against alot of shit that would advance society as a whole/=

In the Bible, those were punishments that are considered wrong by all.
No they wern't, Jesus had to stop a town from stoning and adulterer. No one was against them but Jesus.

Even Jesus himself was against them.
Too bad everyone now is a follower of Paul, not Jesus

I am not any better. I'm not laughing at his views. He has the right to be against Christianity. But he should the largest religion on Earth some respect.

Your right, but he can't, as he thinks it's stupid as hell. You can't respect something that you think is pointless and stupid. Christianity should be the bigger man, er...religion, and respect his right to free speech, even though he doesn't. Only looooooooove can overcome hate. :)

EDIT: Damn! Beaten to it!

You can prove this? How exactly? And by what, countries of the religion or followers because one of the biggest places for Christianity, America, is probably still mostly atheist.


From Wikipedia 2005, the free encyclopedia:
Christianity is the world's largest single religion, with an estimated 2.0 billion followers or about 33% of the world's population.

Just a question. Am I the only one in this whole forum that disagrees with this Ron Larsen guy?

Just a question. Am I the only one in this whole forum that disagrees with this Ron Larsen guy?

His beliefs or how extreme he is?

Just a question. Am I the only one in this whole forum that disagrees with this Ron Larsen guy?
I disagree with him being a jackass, I don't disagree with his statements

Is there a link you could provide us detailing the case? You're providing us only a very one sided biased view of the case.

Is there a link you could provide us detailing the case? You're providing us only a very one sided biased view of the case.
I read it in the Omaha World Hearld. It wasn't so much about the case, but about Ron Larsen himself.

His beliefs or how extreme he is?
His beliefs.

Just a question. Am I the only one in this whole forum that disagrees with this Ron Larsen guy?

I don't agree with most of what he said.

But I don't agree with your outrage either.

And I love how cavalierly you dismiss his arguably legitimate concerns over your religion being official endorsed by the city at the same time you demand his respect! :rolleyes:

I don't agree with most of what he said.

But I don't agree with your outrage either.

And I love how cavalierly you dismiss his arguably legitimate concerns over your religion being official endorsed by the city at the same time you demand his respect! :rolleyes: I understand his concerns. I understand why he thinks this. I just disagree with him.

His beliefs.

I don't disagree with his beliefs, but he's so extreme it's just as bad as someone doing the same for other religions, probably worse, since he's an asshole, too.

I read it in the Omaha World Hearld. It wasn't so much about the case, but about Ron Larsen himself.

Well then you'll forgive me if I take your accounts of the story with a bag of salt. You're portraying him as some raging, frothing-at-the-mouth lunatic, but it's obvious that you're quite biased to the other extreme. I'd like a more impartial explanation of the case than you can provide. Otherwise I can't possibly make an informed opinion on the case.

Well then you'll forgive me if I take your accounts of the story with a bag of salt. You're portraying him as some raging, frothing-at-the-mouth lunatic, but it's obvious that you're quite biased to the other extreme. I'd like a more impartial explanation of the case than you can provide. Otherwise I can't possibly make an informed opinion on the case.
I understand. I'll try to get the link for you. Here it is: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1638&u_sid=1451099

You'll have to register for free if you want to read the article.

I understand. I'll try to get the link for you. Here it is: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1638&u_sid=1451099

You'll have to register for free if you want to read the article.
how about you use the copy and paste function, everyone else does and they dont evne quote places you have to register for

Ihatevacations']how about you use the copy and paste function, everyone else does and they dont evne quote places you have to register for
I can't access the page either. And I'm only 13, so I don't have permission from my parents to do such.

I understand. I'll try to get the link for you. Here it is: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1638&u_sid=1451099

You'll have to register for free if you want to read the article.
How about using BugMeNot?

http://www.bugmenot.com/view.php?url=+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.omaha.com

I can't copy and paste. There's a copyright on it prohibiting that without permission.

I can't access the page either. And I'm only 13, so I don't have permission from my parents to do such.

You can't access the page, but know what it says? :confused:

Assuming it's as simple as you make it out to be (no I didn't sign up for that local thingy), I disagree with his methods.

I agree very much with the things you quote him for. I also agree it's more constructive joking about religions than treating them as they want to be treated.
I assume you're not inclined to speak of Islam with respect, if you're dissing some fundamentalists. Like me, you'll prolly think it's stupid treating a mockery with respect. And you might give people the impression you share some common ground.

However... There's no arguing your culture - his own culture - is Christian. Since that's the case, I think raving about statues with Christian symbols is daft. I don't see how it's possible to move forward if you deny where you come from. In my opinion, he might as well petition for having a WWII statue demolished. "I don't believe in war, I think it's obscene to have war memorials!".... The guy needs to realize where he is.

Anyway, I hope you get over it. It's just one guy after all. And I hope you realize there's no sense in believing in religion. You might also have an easier time getting through to him if you weren't religious.

NB: Out of curiousity, how do you make fun of your Atheist friend?

Holy Paradise is why people like us(radical atheists, antitheists, same thing) are like this. Not only is it fun, but we are also helping people like him on the path to understanding that his religion is not infallible, and should be doubted. Furthermore, popular does not mean right. Though, to be fair, these are lessons learned as one matures.

Regardless, he is pretty much correct in both his case and his letters. Why do you need the ten commandments in a public(I assume) park? Surely you christians have it memorized, so you dont commit sins? And/or you have a bible to consult, just in case? No, I think its meant for non-christians. So unless you want to turn it into a huge religious park, with every religious document each religion, no matter the size, wants(Which certainly I dont, what a waste of space and money), it would be much easier to just get rid of the statue.

Assuming it's as simple as you make it out to be (no I didn't sign up for that local thingy), I disagree with his methods.

I agree very much with the things you quote him for. I also agree it's more constructive joking about religions than treating them as they want to be treated.
I assume you're not inclined to speak of Islam with respect, if you're dissing some fundamentalists. Like me, you'll prolly think it's stupid treating a mockery with respect. And you might give people the impression you share some common ground.

However... There's no arguing your culture - his own culture - is Christian. Since that's the case, I think raving about statues with Christian symbols is daft. I don't see how it's possible to move forward if you deny where you come from. In my opinion, he might as well petition for having a WWII statue demolished. "I don't believe in war, I think it's obscene to have war memorials!".... The guy needs to realize where he is.

Anyway, I hope you get over it. It's just one guy after all. And I hope you realize there's no sense in believing in religion. You might also have an easier time getting through to him if you weren't religious.

NB: Out of curiousity, how do you make fun of your Atheist friend?

Except our constitution says nothing about war statues. There is, however, an implied seperation of church and state, which this covers. Our culture is not predominantly christan, its predominantly atheist(without theism, not against it). Only a few parts of our culture is actually christian.