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07/09/2008 03:31:53 PM · #51 |
| Jaw drops. Although this is rich material for jokes, I'll just add that the likelihood of 3 of 5 people going offline for only 6 consecutive days in the next few decades isn't zero. A war or strong solar flare that disrupts internet communications for a week could lead to some very interesting emails, complete with bank account numbers. |
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07/09/2008 03:50:11 PM · #52 |
Originally posted by farfel53:
I see many that haven't read it very carefully, but are very quick to judge. I also see many who on one hand shout for diversity and understanding, but wouldn't dream of letting a Christian get away without a scoffing. You don't agree, you don't understand, you don't believe, fine, why not just leave them alone, and let them be. I don't really understand your problems with this at all. I wouldn't do it, I suppose most people wouldn't, and even to some believers it might be a bit silly. It's not theft, or deception, or lying or cheating. It's trying to fill a need some might perceive as real. Yes, about like a TV preacher, maybe. I just don't watch them, I don't send them money. But I don't send politicians money, either...but I'll bet a bunch of you DO! |
You're right. Everyone, ...including christians, muslims, atheists, agnostics, et al, has a right to state what they believe, and, in the spirit of free enterprise, to attempt to make a buck off their beliefs. And, yes, I'll leave them alone - in the sense that I won't send them any money.
But scoffing... I almost feel an obligation to "scoff" (maybe even scornfully) when someone utilizes the Internet (or any other mass medium) anonymously to prey upon the irrational superstitions of a large segment of our population. In my estimation we need to do everything we can (within the law) to ensure that the weak aren't taken advantage of. Anytime we encounter something as preposterous as this, I believe we have an obligation to be skeptical.
yes, good post... |
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07/09/2008 04:15:10 PM · #53 |
[/quote]You're right. Everyone, ...including christians, muslims, atheists, agnostics, et al, has a right to state what they believe, and, in the spirit of free enterprise, to attempt to make a buck off their beliefs. And, yes, I'll leave them alone - in the sense that I won't send them any money.
But scoffing... I almost feel an obligation to "scoff" (maybe even scornfully) when someone utilizes the Internet (or any other mass medium) anonymously to prey upon the irrational superstitions of a large segment of our population. In my estimation we need to do everything we can (within the law) to ensure that the weak aren't taken advantage of. Anytime we encounter something as preposterous as this, I believe we have an obligation to be skeptical.
yes, good post... [/quote]
In your opinion, preposterous. By all means, scoff if you must. But here is the danger...that religious beliefs on the part of some becomes somebody elses idea of irrational stupidity, and then the righteous protection is forced on the poor foolish believers. Spare us all.
The nine most fearful words in the English language: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." (Or eleven if you want to count the contractions. Beat you to it!) Like I said, just leave folks alone to be stupid if they want.
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07/09/2008 04:25:12 PM · #54 |
Originally posted by farfel53:
The nine most fearful words in the English language: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." |
I would actually rate, "I'm here in the name of God to save you," much more alarming. I'm pretty sure your average Aztec would rather see a rep from his government than a missionary. ;-) |
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07/09/2008 04:26:39 PM · #55 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by farfel53:
The nine most fearful words in the English language: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." |
I would actually rate, "I'm here in the name of God to save you," much more alarming. I'm pretty sure your average Aztec would rather see a rep from his government than a missionary. ;-) |
Wave to me as the thread heads immediately to Rant...
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07/09/2008 04:33:11 PM · #56 |
Sorry. Didn't mean to raise up dander over something so simple as leaving people alone to believe what they want.
Peace, y'all. Don't fight.
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07/09/2008 04:36:14 PM · #57 |
Originally posted by yanko:
Kind of makes you want to stay behind for the photo ops... :) |
May lightning strike your camera...twice...;-P |
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07/09/2008 04:42:02 PM · #58 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by farfel53:
The nine most fearful words in the English language: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." |
I would actually rate, "I'm here in the name of God to save you," much more alarming. I'm pretty sure your average Aztec would rather see a rep from his government than a missionary. ;-) |
Wave to me as the thread heads immediately to Rant... |
In the immortal words of Belushi and Akroyd: "We're on a mission from God", ...and they were there to help, too ;-).
(...one more shot before we shuffle off :-) |
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07/09/2008 04:43:50 PM · #59 |
Originally posted by farfel53:
Sorry. Didn't mean to raise up dander over something so simple as leaving people alone to believe what they want. |
Your point is well-taken, but also we don't really know who is guarding the data of my bank account and other private information. With Identity Theft running rampant these days across the internet...I appreciate your faith that innocence shines at this website, but if the devil is hiding behind the curtain to steal my information...I firmly believe in the old Arabic saying...
"Trust in God, but keep your camel tied tight."
Instead of turning a blind eye, do we not owe it to those genuine believers to make certain of the genuine nature of this website?
Gosh...I'm running out of cents now...I promise...that's the last two!
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07/09/2008 04:47:59 PM · #60 |
The good thing, as I see it, is that most of the people that would be the most likely to fall prey to this will never be exposed to it. MOST people who use the Internet are at least suspicious of most things, if not downrght cynical. The little old lady who might give the televangelist her Social Security check every month isn't going to be cruising around on the web.
At least, I hope people on the web are a little bit savvy about how things work. |
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07/09/2008 04:54:49 PM · #61 |
From THIS SITE
The site is for real. I came up with the idea back in 1999, for my own personnel situation, but did nothing about it. I started thinking about it again last year. I first contacted another company about putting it together. We discussed it for about a month, but they weren't really interested. In the meantime I found two other sites that were offering a similar idea. One was run by and Atheist who mocked his customers. (not exactly trustworthy to the Christian!) The other was a postcard snail-mail system. Neither one had the ability to edit stored documents and addresses. I ended up building the system that I needed.
The encryption is 256bit, but that is all I know of it. I'm not that tech savvy. I'm the guy who pays, the central link between team members, and face.
I actually started by registering the domain name. I don't really no why it shows up as anonymous, possibly because of the service I registered it through, possibly because I did not buy their servers and assign the name to it.
We do have customers. The site has seen a great deal of traffic. I think that most of the traffic is by angry non-Christians checking it out and venting on various blogs. I have read quite a few of these and politely answered some of them. I have taken some of their negative comments as constructive criticism and ordered a few changes on the site.
I was scouring to see if there was any hint that this was a joke. Most of the stuff you will find about them is on blogs. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a joke -- it is just too surreal to be real, though. |
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07/09/2008 04:54:56 PM · #62 |
Do we owe it to the porn consumers to make sure their sites deliver what they promise?
Sorry, I'm overboard. I guess I'm for people being adults, making their own decisions, and being responsible for the outcome...without the well-meaning but over-reaching hand of nanny-state. Yes, there are some succeptible and weak that need "protection", but it should be damn few.
It's just pretty ironic that some of those who yelp the loudest about evil religion are some of the biggest swallowers of the "promise" of government.
And no, I'm not a big fan of the "church", or missionaries, or TV preachers. I'm just a big fan of liberty and mutual respect.
Message edited by author 2008-07-09 16:56:54.
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07/09/2008 05:03:01 PM · #63 |
I surrender...
::shells out $40 bucks and pokes head in sand::
 DrAchoo? I won't wave to anyone, but I want you to know I put all of you on my email list...;-) |
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07/09/2008 05:16:56 PM · #64 |
Thats the part i'm referring to in bold. If those left behind are sinners or non-believers then why would I or a Christian or a believer want to leave stuff to the "bad apples". That might ruin my chances!
Originally posted by karmat:
Originally posted by gwe21:
but as a christian person, when the rapture comes, are you really worried about your bank account?!?!? This is another way to fraud people using religion.
and WHY would anyone from the church be around after the rapture?? If they believe in God shouldnt they be taken during the rapture? I thought the only ones left behind were those who didnt believe in Christ?? |
first question -- that is the absurb part to me. i really don't give a freak what happens to my stuff |
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07/09/2008 05:18:29 PM · #65 |
I'll leave personal religious beliefs out of it, but honestly, the very premise of "just send us all your bank account information, and we'll take good care of it and make sure it gets where it needs to go in case of Rapture" just smells bad.
Yeh, right, I'll just give someone all my bank account information. Scoffing at this is not a swat at Christians, it's good, healthy cynicism. |
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07/09/2008 05:35:40 PM · #66 |
Originally posted by karmat:
give bank account info, etc. to your "friends" rather than letting the government send it |
Wow. Wonder how many people will get their bank accounts ripped off by this scheme? I bet this site is based in Russia or Eastern Europe. BTW, why is this not in rant? |
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07/09/2008 05:41:52 PM · #67 |
Originally posted by farfel53:
I see many that haven't read it very carefully, but are very quick to judge. I also see many who on one hand shout for diversity and understanding, but wouldn't dream of letting a Christian get away without a scoffing. |
Yup. This is why this belongs in rant. Can you imagine the indignation that would be spouting around here if we were treating Muslims this way????? But since it's Christians it's all A-OK. It doesn't bother me as my beliefs are my own, but I believe a bit of fairness would be cool too. I consider Atheism a religion too, and I wouldn't want us abusing DPC adherents. |
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07/09/2008 05:56:00 PM · #68 |
Originally posted by fir3bird:
Originally posted by farfel53:
I see many that haven't read it very carefully, but are very quick to judge. I also see many who on one hand shout for diversity and understanding, but wouldn't dream of letting a Christian get away without a scoffing. |
Yup. This is why this belongs in rant. Can you imagine the indignation that would be spouting around here if we were treating Muslims this way????? But since it's Christians it's all A-OK. It doesn't bother me as my beliefs are my own, but I believe a bit of fairness would be cool too. I consider Atheism a religion too, and I wouldn't want us abusing DPC adherents. |
Exactly. Well put.
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07/09/2008 06:33:05 PM · #69 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
I'll leave personal religious beliefs out of it, but honestly, the very premise of "just send us all your bank account information, and we'll take good care of it and make sure it gets where it needs to go in case of Rapture" just smells bad.
Yeh, right, I'll just give someone all my bank account information. Scoffing at this is not a swat at Christians, it's good, healthy cynicism. |
Good post! The objection isn't so much about religion but more about taking advantage of people's anxiety and good intentions for profit through the faceplate of religion.
::whispers worriedly::...Has anyone seen my camel?! |
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07/09/2008 06:43:07 PM · #70 |
Originally posted by lenkphotos:
Originally posted by farfel53:
I see many that haven't read it very carefully, but are very quick to judge. I also see many who on one hand shout for diversity and understanding, but wouldn't dream of letting a Christian get away without a scoffing. You don't agree, you don't understand, you don't believe, fine, why not just leave them alone, and let them be. I don't really understand your problems with this at all. I wouldn't do it, I suppose most people wouldn't, and even to some believers it might be a bit silly. It's not theft, or deception, or lying or cheating. It's trying to fill a need some might perceive as real. Yes, about like a TV preacher, maybe. I just don't watch them, I don't send them money. But I don't send politicians money, either...but I'll bet a bunch of you DO! |
You're right. Everyone, ...including christians, muslims, atheists, agnostics, et al, has a right to state what they believe, and, in the spirit of free enterprise, to attempt to make a buck off their beliefs. And, yes, I'll leave them alone - in the sense that I won't send them any money.
But scoffing... I almost feel an obligation to "scoff" (maybe even scornfully) when someone utilizes the Internet (or any other mass medium) anonymously to prey upon the irrational superstitions of a large segment of our population. In my estimation we need to do everything we can (within the law) to ensure that the weak aren't taken advantage of. Anytime we encounter something as preposterous as this, I believe we have an obligation to be skeptical.
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Now THIS is a good post. |
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07/09/2008 06:44:47 PM · #71 |
Originally posted by fir3bird:
I consider Atheism a religion too... |
Uh-huh... you may consider it that way, but it's not true, anymore than my disbelief in the tooth fairy is a religion. |
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07/09/2008 06:53:12 PM · #72 |
Originally posted by farfel53:
In your opinion, preposterous. By all means, scoff if you must. But here is the danger...that religious beliefs on the part of some becomes somebody elses idea of irrational stupidity, and then the righteous protection is forced on the poor foolish believers. Spare us all.
The nine most fearful words in the English language: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." (Or eleven if you want to count the contractions. Beat you to it!) Like I said, just leave folks alone to be stupid if they want. |
I used to agree with these sentiments. Then along came Jonestown and ruined for all the stupid people and those who would prey upon them.
Supidity, gullibility, naievite, whatever you chose to call it, isn't always harmless. Sometimes it can lead to the loss of a life's savings or even be fatal. I do not have a problem with True Believers. I have a problem with the preditors who would milk them for a fast buck.
Read your good book. We are called to be our brothers keepers. |
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07/09/2008 07:02:19 PM · #73 |
Message edited by author 2008-07-09 19:22:08. |
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07/09/2008 07:41:08 PM · #74 |
Originally posted by Chinabun:
Thats the part i'm referring to in bold. If those left behind are sinners or non-believers then why would I or a Christian or a believer want to leave stuff to the "bad apples". That might ruin my chances!
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Just for the record, as a Christian, I do not consider non-Christians "bad apples." At all. Period. There are people in my life, very near and dear to me, that are non-Christians. I think they are awesome, good people; they just don't believe like/what I do.
Message edited by author 2008-07-09 19:42:20. |
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07/09/2008 07:42:47 PM · #75 |
Originally posted by karmat:
Originally posted by Chinabun:
Thats the part i'm referring to in bold. If those left behind are sinners or non-believers then why would I or a Christian or a believer want to leave stuff to the "bad apples". That might ruin my chances!
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Just for the record, as a Christian, I do not consider non-Christians "bad apples." At all. Period. There are people in my life, very near and dear to me, that are non-Christians. I think they are awesome, good people; they just don't believe like/what I do. |
right on Karma. well said.
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