tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post119968331624732525..comments2024-03-12T21:24:23.240-04:00Comments on Emily Bryan Romance: The Blogging Gender GapEmilyBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-15381942918165695142010-05-12T00:10:37.558-04:002010-05-12T00:10:37.558-04:00So true, Emily. And that is the problem. I do n...So true, Emily. And that is the problem. I do not mind public prayer and a moment of silence and reflection. However, since moving to the South, more often than not they turn into "Praise Jesus and Hallelujah!" sessions. In a public forum, where the prayer is meant for all in attendance, if God is mentioned it should be in general terms so it applies to which ever deity a person worships. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. It is an atmosphere where Catholics are not Christians, and if Jesus isn't your Savior and the King James Version isn't your Bible you will burn in Hell no matter what your beliefs are. <br />Many priests have said that our religion the path we have chosen. It is the right one for us. Others have chosen different paths and that is OK, it is right for them. Neither is better, just a different way to get to the same place. I just wish more people would see it that way and not constantly force themselves on everyone else.librarypatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-46030458033107421392010-05-11T05:43:09.780-04:002010-05-11T05:43:09.780-04:00Pat--I'm not offended by public prayer no matt...Pat--I'm not offended by public prayer no matter who's doing the praying. At the rate we're going, we need all the prayer we can get.<br /><br />That said, prayer is usually a very personal, very private thing. A public prayer tends not to be directed to God. It's more for the consumption of the people who are listening. It's like a speech given with everyone's head bowed and eyes closed. <br /><br />I wonder if we'd have the same complaints about public prayer if the ones doing the praying were truly talking to God instead engaging in thinly veiled preaching.EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-2040470057384920032010-05-11T02:35:12.066-04:002010-05-11T02:35:12.066-04:00Thanks for a thought provoking post, Emily. I had...Thanks for a thought provoking post, Emily. I had not heard of the flag T-shirt incident you mentioned. Things are getting out of hand. Take it a step further and do not allow anyone to wear jewelry depicting religious symbols. No cross or star of David necklaces. Do not allow women/girls to wear scarves on their heads. All because someone might be offended. That makes as much sense as complaining if someone wears an Earth Day T-shirt. It is not just the First Amendment that is being forgotten. This country was founded on freedom in your beliefs and tolerance, neither of which is very widespread today. <br /> Many have forgotten that the richness and greatness of this country is due to the rich diversity of the people who have come here and made it home. <br /> A growing vocal group has been shouting that this christian country has no room for those who do not share their beliefs. The Founding Fathers kept religion out of the government and the running of the country. They included the freedom to worship and believe as you wish. That extends to everyone, not just those who share the christian faith. They forget the original religion in this country was not Christianity. A benediction at a public event has often turned into an in your face christian challenge. These same people who feel they have the freedom to speak their piece, would complain if the benediction prayer were from the Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist, Wicca or other faith. They are all valid and represent portions of the population.<br /> The venom that is coming from some bloggers and radio & TV personalities is frightening. It is hateful, destructive, inflammatory, and often outright lies. They are trying to stir up a mob and are using freedom of speech as a weapon/excuse. They forget that every freedom also entails a responsibility. <br /> It is becoming frightening to see this freedom being used in an attempt to destroy the system that guarantees it. I don't know what the answers are, but our country is in deep trouble if the current atmosphere of intolerance and self-righteousness continues.librarypatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-19600141198745622082010-05-10T17:50:01.239-04:002010-05-10T17:50:01.239-04:00Agreed, Kim. There are plenty of bloggers who deli...Agreed, Kim. There are plenty of bloggers who delight in offending as many people as possible. <br /><br />Wouldn't it be fun if they were simply ignored?EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3217012316587200736.post-84281651162560862932010-05-10T16:08:25.067-04:002010-05-10T16:08:25.067-04:00Thanks, Emily, for a thought provoking post. The ...Thanks, Emily, for a thought provoking post. The comment "Own what you write" is great advice but today’s technology and culture encourages bloggers to leap before they look.<br /><br />As a military veteran, I wholeheartedly defend anyone's right to free speech. But I also remind bloggers about the responsibility that comes with free speech. I have read some blogs that challenge an issue with the intent of addressing it. I respect that approach. But I have also read some blogs that provide useless, even destructive, words that simply serve as a means for the blogger to see his/her name on the Internet. I have no time for that. But these bloggers still have the right to free speech. I would hope, though, they realize the precious gift of free speech and find a way to celebrate it rather than abuse it.Kim in Baltimorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16335590022753325700noreply@blogger.com