DirtyChai

The "proof" is in the practical application of scripture evidenced by the change in those needing to fill a void in their personal lives. You can call it placebo if you want, but who are you to deny anyone that opportunity? Especially for those that have yet to experience it for themselves to the fullest extent possible?

Given the inaccurate lengths of time posted in this thread, it's apparently irrelevant to the skeptics as well. . .

We probably would have, but they look like us and are harder to point out. Same reason you don't hear much griping about Serbian/Croatian Muslims. They're virtually indistinguishable from western European Christians.

Rome usurped Christianity in the early 4th century. It's apparent that until then, they didn't recognize any foreseeable benefit coming from it. In fact, Christianity was perceived as a threat, which is why it was outlawed and it's followers brutally murdered. It's pretty much the same reason Jewish leaders wanted Jesus killed. His influence over the people was a threat to their power. Killing him would have been unpopular among the multitudes that took a liking to him, so they just diverted the blame by having the Romans do their dirty work.

It still probably didn't have as much an impact as the provocative works of secular liberal atheists at Charlie Hebdo. Who's to say that this wasn't the work of like-minded individuals? There's a huge difference between publishing a magazine for people to read if they so choose, and threatening people by leaving hateful signs on their property. Granted it's different, but not by much. It's all hate regardless. Apparently there is a sense of doublethinking in today's society that hate may or may not be acceptable depending on the method of delivery, and by whom it's delivered. What does that have to do with what we're talking about?

You're right, the 1st amendment gives people the right to do that. You also have the right to ignore them, or tell them to piss off, or offer up your own "3 tenants" by which to live. I haven't kept up with this whole transgendered thing in the military. I don't see why it should matter. A person's sexuality is their own business, so keep it that way. There are a lot of things people don't want to do when they go into the service. Some people don't want to shave their heads, but it's not about you. If people with penises have to dress and act a certain way, then you do it. You just go in there, keep your mouth shut, do you job, serve your time and get the hell out of there if that's what you want to do. Why should your sexuality have anything to do with that? People just need to relax on both sides, but it's hard. Life is so good that we have nothing better to do than create more things to moan about.

It still probably didn't have as much an impact as the provocative works of secular liberal atheists at Charlie Hebdo. Who's to say that this wasn't the work of like-minded individuals?

It could also be by the hands of conservative nationalists or other white supremacy groups, many of which include atheists. It's just that they have a familiarity with christianity and never felt threatened by it, so they just focus on other groups.

I dislocated my shoulder shoulder playing middle linebacker on the JV scrub team. After fracturing my skull in a baseball collision, I decided that I wanted to basejump. After a year of persistent begging, my buddy finally obliged to indulge my deathwish, and guided my accident prone dumbass through a few basic jumps. But that's all it's been since then. Pretty basic stuff. I'm looking to progress, and the best way seems to be through skydiving. My shoulder has always been a concern. I've re-dislocated it several times just sleeping the wrong way. Just wanted to say thanks to all who posted here for giving me some hope. Thanks!