The Decision in Perry v Schwarzennegger is for the Plaintiffs

[A-1 (imported)]

And none of this stuff -- Pavlov or Da Vinci Code or why we are gay...

{SNIP!}

...waddya mean "WE", Paleface?

[gareth19 (imported)]

That's a bold statement, are you sure, show your work and just how is fiction a bunch of lies? That just does not make any sense, Non fiction is based on truth or should be, fiction is a story and can be told anyway the author wants to tell it, its not based on lies, but his/her truth as a story teller.

So produce works other then the Bible to prove you point. In the mean time would you also explain the missing 12 or so years between the time he becomes an adult and when he starts his ministry because its a big blank page. The point is that there is a lot of stuff missing and the Bible was written by men for men to be read by men and all of them had little or nothing to say about women or there rolls in the history of that day. But if you do read between the lines and do a little investigation you might come up with a different solution than what you have posted above.

Keep in mind, I am a pagan.

River

As Dave noted, this drivel about Gnosticism (but that would be drivel about drivel, ah well) is off topic; let him rejoice in the Prop 8 Decision, besides I hate discussing religion because most people's religious ideas are rubbish. But yes I know what gnosticism is; I've not only read the Gnostic texts and related Manichaean texts in Greek originals but also some in the Sogdian originals. At this very moment I have Walter Henning's spritely Manichäisches Bet- und Beicht-buch (1936) at my feet. Simply put Gnosticism is the Microsoft of religions; all of the peripherals are proprietary. Gnosis refers to Knowledge; the Gnostics claim that there is hidden knowledge that is necessary for salvation, and if you join up, adopt the simple 336 step introductory plan they will gladly reveal in tantalizing stages the secret of success and happiness in this life and life everafter. That is why their texts are so incredibly stupid because they are always putting off the bottom line to sucker the suckers into further investing in the program. It is not unlike Scientology, the perfect post modern belief, they have it on the highest authority that authority can't be trusted. Christianity is the exact opposite; it is a shareware religion. The secret is open source, you don't have to buy the product on the installment plan to find out. They will tell you even if you don't want to hear it. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you; judge not lest ye be judged; look not for moats in others' eyes; let ye who is without sin cast the first stone."

Long before Dan Brown, D. H. Lawrence, a much better writer, wrote a stupid book, The Man Who Died. In it Jesus wakes up from the Crucifixion and gets it on with the Priestess of the local Pussycat Nightclub and Spiritual Release Temple. Mr. Brown isn't even originally stupid.

The Gnostic texts haven't been suppressed; they have been available for anyone with a little Greek, Aramaic, or Coptic for well over a century. They are simply so damn fucking stupid that only specialists have bothered with them. But in a world in which people have been known to actually read something as confused and illogical as Worlds in Chaos or Dianetics I suppose there is a market out there. I just don't want to be one of the customers and don't want to have to smile at the suckers buying into this load of bullshit.

[Riverwind (imported)]

I have come to several conclusions,

One you are a very intelligent person, that goes without saying.

You are well read, far beyond your years.

You totally missed my point.

It is impossible to lie if your writing fiction. I believe the bible and other religious text are just that, FICTION. Remember its called the greatest story ever told, and I am also sure some of it may be true, like any work of fiction. I don't discount that many millions of people believe this and some are more passionate about it then others. That is what makes it so wonderful and dangerous, how many wars would never have been fought if there were no religions? The thing with fiction is after time it could be taken as truth and in that lies the problem. Example, are dragons real? We all know the answer is NO except every culture has dragons in it, they all look very much the same, why? You see, one mans truth is another mans belly laugh.

Take care my young friend,

OH, and I am still a Pagan,

River

[Dave (imported)]

The 9th Circuit Court has set dates. I put them in the thread in the politics folder.