The BIBLE.

I believe in God. I am rigid about certain things but pretty flexible about most things. Some people don't believe in God, they are a lot less flexible than me. God has nothing to do with that.

It's not that a person is an atheist or a religious person, it's how they choose to interpret whatever doctrine guides their life. Being an atheist or religious by itself does not say anything as to how open-minded or closed-minded you are. It's like liberals who claim they're "open-minded" and "accepting," but disagree with them about anything, (such as the death penalty, abortion, or environmentalism,) and you'll rapidly find they're not nearly as open-minded as they claim to be. I am pretty much a conservative, but I've learned that me thinking a certain way on the death penalty won't do jack $hit about actual policy, so no need to get in people's faces about it.



Try reading the great works of antiquity, be it the original story of Arthur and his knights, or Greek mythology, or whatever, and what you've put down here will seem like a cuddly puppy in comparison. At least the Old Testament contains stuff like the Ten Commandments. In ancient Greece, you may murder somebody if they were a bad guest at dinner. You have to interpret stuff in the context of the times from which it sprang. The Old Testament was a revolution in moral thinking becasue, (and you may laugh if you want,) because what came before it was barbaric in comparison.

For example, the whole "love your children and cuddle them, etc." thing started in the early 20th century. Before then, your kids could die (and often did die,) very early in childhood, so parents could not get attached to their children. In the middle ages, people put "swaddling clothes" on their children, which was something that completely prevented the child from moving. It was reasoned this would make the parents' lives easier becuase they wouldn't have to run after the kid. On this site children regularly whine about how their Mommy didn't buy them Pokemon cards. Try being tied and immobile for the first 5-6 years of your life.

spiritual significance aside... i like constant, deep physical pressure (not sudden), that sounds like it'd be kinda fun.

a thought for some of the southperrians here (not necessarily in this thread):

my parents suck
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." eph 6:3-5
"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." col 3:21

our earthly mothers and fathers are imperfect, and sometimes, in disobedience to God's command, they embitter us deeply. how do we respond to that?

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." isa 40:31
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." mt 6:32-34