Catholics & Catholicism

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? I say Catholic Christian, so kinda both. nods.. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Nope. Didn’t figure.. me neither. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? What do you mean by "literal"?  Do I believe there really is a hell where there is eternal suffering due to rejection of God?  Yes.  Do I believe in a real heaven where immortal joyous bliss is found in perfect relationship with God?  Yes. Nods. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? Neither, I guess. So you go the eternal torture route minus the clown suit?

Ya, I guess that would be it.  :-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Of course. *nods On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? You mean sex?  He may have had a previous wife that he had sexual relations with, I believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin. I figured you would.

It’s the Catholic stance.  It was believed in the early Church as well. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? I don’t understand I guess you’d have to be a woman to get that one.  (I’m WHAT?!).

Hm, okay. snip Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? How is abstinence a "complication"? For those of us meant to have a mate, it is.

How do you know you are "meant to have a mate"?  Is it written in the sky?   Sorry for sounding flippant here, but I’m really curious as I’ve always wondered that kinda thing. But I think that sinners can be Christians, so long as they realize their sins and repent of them and try to turn away from them.  This includes any sexual acts outside of marriage. Well, we knew we disagreed about this.

I’d rather stick with scripture and the Church on this one.  I understand you disagree. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? Depends on what is being counseled.  Can’t make a blanket statement like that. Religion… in the function of a lay person.

Still too broad for me.  Sorry.  :-) A better priest/pastor/preacher? Well, since only men can be priests, I would have to say men here. different church different rules.

It’s not just a rule, but an infallible doctrine.  Christ chose only men as disciples so that’s one reason.  Plus the fact that the priesthood is meant to participate in the one high priesthood of Christ, who also happens to be a man. A better teacher? Depends.  Like I said above. Religion…again, as a lay person.

Depends on what is being taught.  Sorry I’m being difficult here, I just can’t think of an answer to a broad question. Anybody baptized as a child? Yes, me. Not me… 16 years old.

That’s cool. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you believe the Bible is infallible? I believe it is inerrant. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? The Church. This explains the former. Do you find swearing immoral? If you swear vainly, yes. What do you mean by vain?

Like if you invoke God’s name when swearing for something not Godly. Here are some verses to ponder: [Mat 5:33-37] "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply `Yes’ or `No; anything more than this comes from evil. [Jas 5:12] But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Are you a teetotaler? Huh? Do you believe in total abstinence from alcohol? You’re RC, Jugg, so I assume the question is moot.

I believe that drunkenness is sinful, as Scripture states.  But I don’t beleive in total abstinence from alcohol.  After all, Christ himself drank wine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — Pax Christi, Les — There are magnificent beings who walk this earth disguised as humans. Don’t you ever forget that!                           ~Idgie Threadgoode Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistlestop Cafe

Response:

I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? It depends on the context. Many people ask "religion" when they mean denomination. Around here, there are two "religions:" Christian and Catholic.

*bites tongue. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? No. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Yes to both. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? He only wears PJs in the winter when it is cold. Does he exist as a real entity or is he just symbolic? I would say as a real entity. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? The first time, yes. The subsequent times, no. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Sex? Yeah. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? It’s hard to say, not being in that situation. Still, I think bad things come of smacking archangels.

What if you’re friends with them? lol, j/k. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you believe in miracles? Yes. Angels? Yes. Demons? Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? I am a saint, but I do not pray to dead people.

If I remember right, Jesus explained to the saducees that God is the God of the living, not the dead… if that’s true, then how can he be the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. (As he so often introduced himself) Do you believe in life after death? Yes. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? You mean if they don’t fit into my box? No, but I do believe they have to have a relationship with Jesus and that God judges the heart.

That’s what I meant. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? No, I do not. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? Neither. A better priest/pastor/preacher? Man.

Why? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A better teacher? Don’t honestly know. Anybody baptized as a child? Someone, I’m sure. But not me. Do you believe the Bible is infallible? Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? WTF? Geesh. Anyway, Jesus’s promise to preserve His word.

Jesus never wrote a book.  He left a church.. that church made the Bible. Do you find swearing immoral? LOL. Yes. Are you a teetotaler? Yup.

Why? Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… My guess is my answers and yours are about opposite.

Not the *really important ones. — Pax Christi, Les — God is always faithful Leslie.          ~my friend Will

Response:

<snip Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? I think that Satan is quite real. I do too.  But real in what sense? I think he is a living being with a real agenda.  I think he works his best to destroy as many of us as possible, mainly through lies and deceit.

Mmm…legit and mature of you. ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Yes. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? No. So much more even tempered than I.  Actually. I don’t think if I were put in the situation I would have hit him, but I might have wanted to very badly. Well, Mary understood (and may have helped Joseph along in his understanding) that this was God’s will and purpose for the both of them.  I think when an angel appears to a person, that person is experiencing more than just "Hey, howareya!  Angel here!"  I think,

Well, yeah…  Like I said, I don’t think I would have reacted that way… but as a woman… I don’t think she was the serene maddonna the icons make her out to be.  Pregnancy is scary enough in the year 2000, I don’t even want to think about being a 13 year old girl who hadn’t even been touched and going through it. being touched by the divine, one might have had a completly different reaction than just the common-sense "Hey! Look-what-you-did-to-my-fiance!" kind of thing! heh-heh.

Well, yeah… Do you believe in miracles? Yes.  I’ve seen them and experienced them. Curt, do you care to share with the group? *giggle. Don’t giggle.  I might.  And I am serious about having personally witnessed miracles.

I was seriously asking the question, too, Curt. Angels? Yes. Demons? Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? No… Not in the sense of praying to… but I believe in the "full communion of saints" in that, when communing, I’m doing so with all those saints who have gone before. A man after my own heart.  Why do you have to married and much older than I? Trying to tempt me?  ;-)

No, I don’t dig old guys.  *evil laugh. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you believe in life after death? Yep. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? No. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Yes and no. Is that ambiguous enough? I’ve been there. Understood. It took me a long time to get to the point I’m at theologically on that issue. Yeah, I’m on the fence.  We’ll see, as things develop, how I’ll fall.

Yeah. I know how that goes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip Do you believe the Bible is infallible? Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? It says so. Why is it a credible source? I’m just going for your logic here. I’m rather fond of the Bible myself, I just don’t buy the infalliblity theory. (I buy the inspired theory… but I only do the infallible thing about God) I think there is archeological (sp?) evidence in abundance that supports many of the Bible’s claims.  Enough that, after awhile, I admittedly stopped questioning the veracity of it.  That bugs the living crap out of the hardcore realists who must have *everything* answered *exactly* to their satisfaction.  So?  Sue me.  I haven’t abandoned logic… but have completed the search to me own personal satisfaction. Now, without launching into a long diatribe about it, I think you can read it and understand that some of the Bible is poetry, alegory, and even fables… but all of it is intended to impart knowledge of God or our relationship to Him.  Hey, some of it’s even meant to be funny.

Well, yes… but by infallible I meant completely uncorruptable.  I can use it to justify anything (Pick a vice any vice) if I play dirty. Do you find swearing immoral? Yes. Why? I think it is contrary to God’s will for us to be "coarse of speech". The tongue is a powerful weapon, and we are warned to be careful of what we say.  That said, I’m quite capable of swearing quite eloquently, when I forget myself. lol  And I do it alot! Dammit. heh-heh

So it’s a mannerism thing with you? If I cuss, it tends to be around other people who speak that way, so it’s usually not…offensive, abrasive. Are you a teetotaler? Not any more. Any reason? Yeah.  It almost killed me, almost killed others, and I honestly feel that God snatched me back from the edge of a very, very dark abyss. If there’s one thing I always return to when I’m weak in my faith, it is the memories and regrets I have about who I was… and who, by His grace, God has made me today.  Serious answer for a silly question, eh?  ;-)

Not drinking almost killed you? — Pax Christi, Les — God is always faithful Leslie.          ~my friend Will

Response:

Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? what’s an archangel? A really big angel…gabriel specifically in this case. question: last christmas, my friend told me she was playing the angel who told mary she was pregnant in her chruch play. i coulda sworn she said "Gloria" and not "gabriel". now, she’s protestant, if that clears things up. or if not, can someone set me straight?

Read the first few chapters of Luke.  Gabriel was a very busy angel. He even appeared in the old testiment to Daniel, and I think some other people.  But Luke contains the nativity thing and mention Gabriel as the messenger.  I dont’ know where your friend got that idea. — Pax Christi, Les — I’m not that gay!!       ~ My friend Will

Response:

I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

It depends on the context. Many people ask "religion" when they mean denomination. Around here, there are two "religions:" Christian and Catholic. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity?

No. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

Yes to both. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

He only wears PJs in the winter when it is cold. Does he exist as a real entity or is he just symbolic? I would say as a real entity. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

The first time, yes. The subsequent times, no. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations?

Sex? Yeah. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

It’s hard to say, not being in that situation. Still, I think bad things come of smacking archangels. Do you believe in miracles?

Yes. Angels?

Yes. Demons?

Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

I am a saint, but I do not pray to dead people. Do you believe in life after death?

Yes. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

You mean if they don’t fit into my box? No, but I do believe they have to have a relationship with Jesus and that God judges the heart. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

No, I do not. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

Neither. A better priest/pastor/preacher?

Man. A better teacher?

Don’t honestly know. Anybody baptized as a child?

Someone, I’m sure. But not me. Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

WTF? Geesh. Anyway, Jesus’s promise to preserve His word. Do you find swearing immoral?

LOL. Yes. Are you a teetotaler?

Yup. Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days…

My guess is my answers and yours are about opposite. — Pax Christi, Les

– Inky Well, Harv hit the aisles dancin’ and screamin’. Some thought he had religion; others thought he had a demon, And Harv thought he had a Weedeater loose in his Fruit of the Looms. — Ray Stevens (in "Mississippi Squirrel Revival")

Response:

snip (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? I think they’re all separate but each has the same purpose. Are they the same person though?

nah….unless they join hands and merge into one Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? yeah Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? apart from God

I just can’t see Satan in a pajama suit! Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? yeah On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? yes, they had a lot of kids What makes you say that?

There’s some bible verse that states Jesus’s brothers names and says that his sisters were with him.  I wish I remembered the verse, and I’ve just piled a bunch of junk on top of my Bible (oops) , so I don’t want to look it up right now. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? what’s an archangel? A really big angel…gabriel specifically in this case.

I thought it was maybe an angel shaped like an arch…but that just didn’t work right snip Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? not sure Been there, felt that way.

not sure what to think Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? not sure A better priest/pastor/preacher? man A better teacher? woman Why do you say that? (both of the above)  Aren’t clergy often in a teaching position?

I’ve always heard that all preachers and stuff should be male.  I don’t know what to feel about that.  I said women were better at teaching, merely because I’ve had more female teachers.  LOL snip Are you a teetotaler? huh? Sorry, old word. Person who believes in total abstinence from alcohol. They try to pass it off as Temperance, but it’s really not. (Temperance is moderation, not just with alcohol but with everything)

That would be my parents; they claim to have never drank in their lives…LoL  I don’t believe in not drinking, though; even Jesus drank! It’s probably best not to get drunk, though.  :) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Pax Christi, Les — There are magnificent beings who walk this earth disguised as humans. Don’t you ever forget that!                            ~Idgie Threadgoode  Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistlestop Cafe

Response:

my answers same as Juggernauts, save for I can’t buy Mary was a virgin after His birth.  And I drink, which in moderation (like really limited) is not bad, but i do see the sin that comes after a few too many, both in stupid things i say, and in bad things i do

I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? Do you believe in miracles? Angels? Demons? Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? Do you believe in life after death? Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? A better priest/pastor/preacher? A better teacher? Anybody baptized as a child? Do you believe the Bible is infallible? If you do, wtf gave you that idea? Do you find swearing immoral? Are you a teetotaler? Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… — Pax Christi, Les

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? I answer "Christian"… of the Lutheran flavor. Hehehe. I say mine less gracefully, but that’s how I handle it. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Nope. Me either. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Yep. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? I think that Satan is quite real. I do too.  But real in what sense? Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Yes. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? No. So much more even tempered than I.  Actually. I don’t think if I were put in the situation I would have hit him, but I might have wanted to very badly. Do you believe in miracles? Yes.  I’ve seen them and experienced them. Curt, do you care to share with the group? *giggle. Angels? Yes. Demons? Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? No… Not in the sense of praying to… but I believe in the "full communion of saints" in that, when communing, I’m doing so with all those saints who have gone before. A man after my own heart.  Why do you have to married and much older than I? Do you believe in life after death? Yep. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? No. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Yes and no. Is that ambiguous enough? I’ve been there. Understood. It took me a long time to get to the point I’m at theologically on that issue. snip Do you believe the Bible is infallible? Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? It says so. Why is it a credible source? I’m just going for your logic here. I’m rather fond of the Bible myself, I just don’t buy the infalliblity theory. (I buy the inspired theory… but I only do the infallible thing about God) Do you find swearing immoral? Yes. Why? Are you a teetotaler? Not any more. Any reason?

Um… Point of clarification…  I thought "teetotaler" meant somebody that drinks a lot… not the other way around.  I’ll have to look this up somewhere… — Pax Christi, Les — God is always faithful Leslie.         ~my friend Will

Peace! Curt D. Ickes Don’t sweat the petty things… And don’t pet the sweaty things. — Dennis Miller

Response:

Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? what’s an archangel? A really big angel…gabriel specifically in this case.

question: last christmas, my friend told me she was playing the angel who told mary she was pregnant in her chruch play. i coulda sworn she said "Gloria" and not "gabriel". now, she’s protestant, if that clears things up. or if not, can someone set me straight? — Amy arc-t’s little wiccan girl http://www.geocities.com/avalontala/index.html

Response:

<snip Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? I think that Satan is quite real. I do too.  But real in what sense?

I think he is a living being with a real agenda.  I think he works his best to destroy as many of us as possible, mainly through lies and deceit. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Yes. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? No. So much more even tempered than I.  Actually. I don’t think if I were put in the situation I would have hit him, but I might have wanted to very badly.

Well, Mary understood (and may have helped Joseph along in his understanding) that this was God’s will and purpose for the both of them.  I think when an angel appears to a person, that person is experiencing more than just "Hey, howareya!  Angel here!"  I think, being touched by the divine, one might have had a completly different reaction than just the common-sense "Hey! Look-what-you-did-to-my-fiance!" kind of thing! heh-heh. Do you believe in miracles? Yes.  I’ve seen them and experienced them. Curt, do you care to share with the group? *giggle.

Don’t giggle.  I might.  And I am serious about having personally witnessed miracles. Angels? Yes. Demons? Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? No… Not in the sense of praying to… but I believe in the "full communion of saints" in that, when communing, I’m doing so with all those saints who have gone before. A man after my own heart.  Why do you have to married and much older than I?

Trying to tempt me?  ;-) Do you believe in life after death? Yep. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? No. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Yes and no. Is that ambiguous enough? I’ve been there. Understood. It took me a long time to get to the point I’m at theologically on that issue.

Yeah, I’m on the fence.  We’ll see, as things develop, how I’ll fall. snip Do you believe the Bible is infallible? Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? It says so. Why is it a credible source? I’m just going for your logic here. I’m rather fond of the Bible myself, I just don’t buy the infalliblity theory. (I buy the inspired theory… but I only do the infallible thing about God)

I think there is archeological (sp?) evidence in abundance that supports many of the Bible’s claims.  Enough that, after awhile, I admittedly stopped questioning the veracity of it.  That bugs the living crap out of the hardcore realists who must have *everything* answered *exactly* to their satisfaction.  So?  Sue me.  I haven’t abandoned logic… but have completed the search to me own personal satisfaction. Now, without launching into a long diatribe about it, I think you can read it and understand that some of the Bible is poetry, alegory, and even fables… but all of it is intended to impart knowledge of God or our relationship to Him.  Hey, some of it’s even meant to be funny. Do you find swearing immoral? Yes. Why?

I think it is contrary to God’s will for us to be "coarse of speech". The tongue is a powerful weapon, and we are warned to be careful of what we say.  That said, I’m quite capable of swearing quite eloquently, when I forget myself. lol  And I do it alot! Dammit. heh-heh Are you a teetotaler? Not any more. Any reason?

Yeah.  It almost killed me, almost killed others, and I honestly feel that God snatched me back from the edge of a very, very dark abyss. If there’s one thing I always return to when I’m weak in my faith, it is the memories and regrets I have about who I was… and who, by His grace, God has made me today.  Serious answer for a silly question, eh?  ;-) — Pax Christi, Les — God is always faithful Leslie.         ~my friend Will

Peace! Curt D. Ickes Don’t sweat the petty things… And don’t pet the sweaty things. — Dennis Miller

Response:

: I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. : How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are : instead of your denomination? I guess I would if I were asked, at this point in my life.

Mmm….. : (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) : Do you have problems with the Trinity? Not at the moment. : Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? No.

So what do you think happens when we die? : Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is : the primary torture being apart from God? I don’t believe in the Devil at all.  I’d probably go with B.

No fallen angel? : Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? No.

What made you come to this conclusion? : On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Of course.

I agree with you about that, so I shan’t quarrel. I dont actually mean to quarrel I’m just trying to find out what other people think. : Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? On the right day of the month, yes!  ;-)

Finally! a female who understands! : Do you believe in miracles? Absolutely. : Angels? Not in the conventional sense.

So no wings and glowing halos but still spirits different from ourselves or are we talking human beings influenced by God to do strange things? : Demons? Not in the conventional sense.  I believe there are Powers in the world whom Christians are called to oppose.  See Walter Wink.

Who is that? : Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? Not usually.  I’ve prayed to my grandfather, though.

I just talked to mine. : Do you believe in life after death? Yes. : Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian : are automatically going to hell? Good Lord, no!  I don’t believe in hell, so no-one’s going there.  One can make a hell for oneself and condemn oneself there, though.

: Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like : abstinence? Yeah.

Ditto. snip — Pax Christi, Les — God is always faithful Leslie.          ~my friend Will

Response:

I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

ah, i say im Catholic… (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity?

nope Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

hmmm…hell is a complete seperation from God…so whatever that entails, but since God is all that is Good, I doubt its too fun… Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

well…the Devil picture is more interesting…but i dont really belive it… Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

yep On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital

relations? hmmm…Catholic Church of course says no…I dont personally see why not after the birth of Christ…nothing really to indicate such in the Bible and I dont see how it would affect Jesus’s teachings Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

lol…i imagin it would be a bad idea to hit an archangel…John the Baptist’s father was made mute for just scoffing at Gabriel, much less hitting him. Do you believe in miracles?

yes Angels?

yes Demons?

yes Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

"pray to" as ask them to pray for God to me…just as I might ask a friend of family to pray for me, I ask certain saints to ask God favors for me at times…although I also and usually pray directly to God Do you believe in life after death?

yes Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

thats one of the $10,000 questions…I’d say its left to God’s judgement…I certainly dont think those who have never been exposed to Christ and His teachings are going to hell for a lack of belife… Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

ah, i dunno…the Bible really isnt too homosexual friendly…according to it, its clearly a sin.  As to their salvation, again that is for God’s judgement…not mine… Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

hmmm…i dunno… A better priest/pastor/preacher?

well…according to St. Paul, preachers should be male…Ive not really been exposed to many female preacherspriests, so I dunno.. A better teacher?

ha…well, since ive been in high school where there are more male teachers, Id say they are generally equally as good Anybody baptized as a child?

i was…2 or 3 months old i think Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

on matters of faith, yes.  On scientific and historical matters, certainly not…the Bible consists of different literary forms…without a good understanding of their context, many miss the actual points of the Bible, imho If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

well, i think it is infallible in faith becuase thats its intent…it was inspired by God and thus cant be wrong in matters of faith.. Do you find swearing immoral?

meh…i swear at times…i wish i didnt…i dont think its a major thing, but kinda bad habbit Are you a teetotaler?

ha…no…er, well…being only 17 (18 in a week exactly!!! woohoo!) i dont really drink (teetotaler=no drinking and drinking is sin blah blah…right?), but have no problem with it in moderation and assuiming its used responsibly…Jesus drank wine, so I dont think there is any real basis for drinking being a sin (in moderation, of course)…just my two cents…pirate scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… — Pax Christi, Les

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? I answer "Christian"… of the Lutheran flavor.

Hehehe. I say mine less gracefully, but that’s how I handle it. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Nope.

Me either. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Yep. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? I think that Satan is quite real.

I do too.  But real in what sense? Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Yes. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? No.

So much more even tempered than I.  Actually. I don’t think if I were put in the situation I would have hit him, but I might have wanted to very badly. Do you believe in miracles? Yes.  I’ve seen them and experienced them.

Curt, do you care to share with the group? *giggle. Angels? Yes. Demons? Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? No… Not in the sense of praying to… but I believe in the "full communion of saints" in that, when communing, I’m doing so with all those saints who have gone before.

A man after my own heart.  Why do you have to married and much older than I? Do you believe in life after death? Yep. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? No. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Yes and no. Is that ambiguous enough?

I’ve been there. Understood. It took me a long time to get to the point I’m at theologically on that issue. snip Do you believe the Bible is infallible? Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? It says so.

Why is it a credible source? I’m just going for your logic here. I’m rather fond of the Bible myself, I just don’t buy the infalliblity theory. (I buy the inspired theory… but I only do the infallible thing about God) Do you find swearing immoral? Yes.

Why? Are you a teetotaler? Not any more.

Any reason? — Pax Christi, Les — God is always faithful Leslie.          ~my friend Will

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How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? Raises Hand

(Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Nah.  I just accept that it’s a concept too big for my human brain and go on w/my life.

So you just don’t think about it? Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Sure

Why? Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? Not sure.  Don’t think it matters. Either one is too horrible to contemplate.

So which is worse to you? Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Don’t know, not sure it matters.

Tell a Roman Catholic that. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? Yeah, then I’d head for John Hopkins, since I’m a male, I’m sure there would be some money in the event. . . .

Must have to be a woman. snip Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Heh.  I was a teenager.  Abstinence was simple.  It was the alternatives to abstinence that got real complicated.

What does that have to do with abstinence being a requirement or not? snip Are you a teetotaler? Yes.  I had my share in the sixties.  I find no need for it in my life today.

What about other people? Do you think we need to abstain too? — Pax Christi, Les — I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. ~Isaiah 65:17-19

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Thanks Charos. snip — Pax Christi, Les — I’m not that gay!!       ~ My friend Will

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snip (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? I think they’re all separate but each has the same purpose.

Are they the same person though? Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? yeah Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? apart from God

Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? yeah On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? yes, they had a lot of kids

What makes you say that? Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? what’s an archangel?

A really big angel…gabriel specifically in this case. snip Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? not sure

Been there, felt that way. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? not sure A better priest/pastor/preacher? man A better teacher? woman

Why do you say that? (both of the above)  Aren’t clergy often in a teaching position? snip Are you a teetotaler? huh?

Sorry, old word. Person who believes in total abstinence from alcohol. They try to pass it off as Temperance, but it’s really not. (Temperance is moderation, not just with alcohol but with everything) — Pax Christi, Les — There are magnificent beings who walk this earth disguised as humans. Don’t you ever forget that!                            ~Idgie Threadgoode  Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistlestop Cafe

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: I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. : How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are : instead of your denomination? I guess I would if I were asked, at this point in my life. : (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) : Do you have problems with the Trinity? Not at the moment. : Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? No. : Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is : the primary torture being apart from God? I don’t believe in the Devil at all.  I’d probably go with B. : Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? No. : On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Of course. : Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? On the right day of the month, yes!  ;-) : Do you believe in miracles? Absolutely. : Angels? Not in the conventional sense. : Demons? Not in the conventional sense.  I believe there are Powers in the world whom Christians are called to oppose.  See Walter Wink. : Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? Not usually.  I’ve prayed to my grandfather, though. : Do you believe in life after death? Yes. : Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian : are automatically going to hell? Good Lord, no!  I don’t believe in hell, so no-one’s going there.  One can make a hell for oneself and condemn oneself there, though. : Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like : abstinence? Yeah. : Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? Depends on the counselee. : A better priest/pastor/preacher? Depends on the p/p/p. : A better teacher? Depends on the teacher. : Anybody baptized as a child? Well, yeah. : Do you believe the Bible is infallible? No. : If you do, wtf gave you that idea? : Do you find swearing immoral? Depends. : Are you a teetotaler? I don’t drink, but I don’t call myself a teetotaler. : Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. : I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… OK. Priscilla — The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.                 — Elizabeth Taylor

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there)

i don’t know what i answer, so i’ll take this anyways Do you have problems with the Trinity?

yes. they’re always watching me. i need my privacy, especially taking  a shower Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

i believe that there is some place higher then earth, and after being reincarnated so many times, you have the choice of ascending to that place, if you’re done all you’re supposed to (to explain more, i could go into a LONG post) Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

red pj suit. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

no. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital

relations? were they married? Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

out of shock. then again out of disbelief. then again because i like things of 3. Do you believe in miracles?

yes Angels?

semi Demons?

like the ones inside my head? =) Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

no. i don’t like bothering people Do you believe in life after death?

reincarnation, and that higher place i mentioned before Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

er….no Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

homo….same…..i don’t get the question Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

woman, for me anyways. A better priest/pastor/preacher?

male, cause i’ve never known a woman p/p/p A better teacher?

woman, cause i never liked my male teachers Anybody baptized as a child?

i was Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

in what? If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

um…..steve told me so. Do you find swearing immoral?

fuck no Are you a teetotaler?

a what??? — Amy arc-t’s little wiccan girl http://www.geocities.com/avalontala/index.html

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

meeeee (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity?

I think they’re all separate but each has the same purpose. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

yeah Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

apart from God Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

yeah On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital

relations? yes, they had a lot of kids Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

what’s an archangel? Do you believe in miracles?

yes Angels?

yes Demons?

yes Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

no Do you believe in life after death?

yes Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

no Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

not sure Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

not sure A better priest/pastor/preacher?

man A better teacher?

woman Anybody baptized as a child?

at 12 Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

kind of If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

family Do you find swearing immoral?

to a certain extent i suppose Are you a teetotaler?

huh? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… — Pax Christi, Les

Response:

I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

I answer "Christian"… of the Lutheran flavor. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Nope. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Yep. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

I think that Satan is quite real. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Yes. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? No. Do you believe in miracles?

Yes.  I’ve seen them and experienced them. Angels? Yes. Demons? Yes. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

No… Not in the sense of praying to… but I believe in the "full communion of saints" in that, when communing, I’m doing so with all those saints who have gone before. Do you believe in life after death? Yep. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? No. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

Yes and no. Is that ambiguous enough? Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

Depends on the person/persons they are counselling.  And probably on the conselor, too. A better priest/pastor/preacher?

No difference that I can tell. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A better teacher? No diff. Anybody baptized as a child? Yes. Do you believe the Bible is infallible? Yes. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? It says so. Do you find swearing immoral? Yes. Are you a teetotaler? Not any more. Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… — Pax Christi, Les

Peace! Curt D. Ickes Don’t sweat the petty things… And don’t pet the sweaty things. — Dennis Miller

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

Raises Hand (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity?

Nah.  I just accept that it’s a concept too big for my human brain and go on w/my life. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

Sure Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

Not sure.  Don’t think it matters. Either one is too horrible to contemplate. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

Yes. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital

relations? Don’t know, not sure it matters. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

Yeah, then I’d head for John Hopkins, since I’m a male, I’m sure there would be some money in the event. . . . Do you believe in miracles?

Yes Angels?

Yup Demons?

sure do. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

Absolutely.  Why should death cut them off from the body of believers? Do you believe in life after death?

See above. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

no Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

Heh.  I was a teenager.  Abstinence was simple.  It was the alternatives to abstinence that got real complicated. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

Gender does not enter into it, imho.  I would neither accept nor reject a counsellor specifically because of their sex. A better priest/pastor/preacher?

See above. A better teacher?

Depends.  Studies show that boys and girls do better at different ages with different teachers.  Once again, see above. Anybody baptized as a child?

Yes. An infant, to be precise. Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

For what teaching? Moral teaching? yes. A recording of Christ’s ministry? yes.  Scientific description of the cosmos and the earth’s geology? No. Excellent poetic descriptions, though… If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

Life experience. Do you find swearing immoral?

Not necessarily, although it is a good indicator of a limited vocabulary and intellect. Are you a teetotaler?

Yes.  I had my share in the sixties.  I find no need for it in my life today. Perry Lee

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

I don’t…hard question to answer…in one word I’d say atheist…many nuances to that however… (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity?

No problems…no belief either… Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

No… Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

I think the devil was a brilliant manner to scare people into a specific belief… Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

No. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital

relations? One would assume Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

Damn straight! Do you believe in miracles?

No. Angels?

No. Demons?

No… Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

Nope… Do you believe in life after death?

Nope… Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

LOL I hope not! Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

Sure!  Anyone can be Christian…all you gotta do is believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins… Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

Can’t say… A better priest/pastor/preacher?

Same. A better teacher?

again… Anybody baptized as a child?

Nope… Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

LMAO with the countless contradictions and whatnot?  Hardly m’dear… If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

My guess would be the water… ;P Do you find swearing immoral?

Fucking right I do!! Are you a teetotaler?

No…but I am a wakestabler… Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days…

Read some Sartre and then decide how alone you are… — *+_Charos_+* "What good is a book that does not even surpass all books?" –Friedrich Nietzsche

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? Do you believe in miracles? Angels? Demons? Do you feel close to/pray to the saints? Do you believe in life after death? Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell? Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? A better priest/pastor/preacher? A better teacher? Anybody baptized as a child? Do you believe the Bible is infallible? If you do, wtf gave you that idea? Do you find swearing immoral? Are you a teetotaler? Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days… — Pax Christi, Les

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination?

I say Catholic Christian, so kinda both. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity?

Nope. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven?

What do you mean by "literal"?  Do I believe there really is a hell where there is eternal suffering due to rejection of God?  Yes.  Do I believe in a real heaven where immortal joyous bliss is found in perfect relationship with God?  Yes. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God?

Neither, I guess. Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant?

Of course. On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations?

You mean sex?  He may have had a previous wife that he had sexual relations with, I believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her?

I don’t understand. Do you believe in miracles?

Yes. Angels?

Yes, I believe they exist. Demons?

Yes, I believe they exist. Do you feel close to/pray to the saints?

Yes. Do you believe in life after death?

Yes. Do you think that people who aren’t specifically and irrefutably Christian are automatically going to hell?

I can’t judge that. Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence?

How is abstinence a "complication"? But I think that sinners can be Christians, so long as they realize their sins and repent of them and try to turn away from them.  This includes any sexual acts outside of marriage. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman?

Depends on what is being counseled.  Can’t make a blanket statement like that. A better priest/pastor/preacher?

Well, since only men can be priests, I would have to say men here. A better teacher?

Depends.  Like I said above. Anybody baptized as a child?

Yes, me. Do you believe the Bible is infallible?

I believe it is inerrant. If you do, wtf gave you that idea?

The Church. Do you find swearing immoral?

If you swear vainly, yes. Are you a teetotaler?

Huh? Thanks…. Like I said, I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world. I’ll answer these questions myself in a few days…

Cool. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — Pax Christi, Les

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I’m just wondering how alone I am in the world… so I thought I’d just ask. How many of you answer Christian to a question of what religion you are instead of your denomination? I say Catholic Christian, so kinda both.

nods.. (Those of you in arc-t, slide "if you answer Christian" in there) Do you have problems with the Trinity? Nope.

Didn’t figure.. me neither. Do you believe in a literal hell and heaven? What do you mean by "literal"?  Do I believe there really is a hell where there is eternal suffering due to rejection of God?  Yes.  Do I believe in a real heaven where immortal joyous bliss is found in perfect relationship with God?  Yes.

Nods. Do you think the Devil wears a red pj suit and carries a big hot poker or is the primary torture being apart from God? Neither, I guess.

So you go the eternal torture route minus the clown suit? Do you think Mary was a virgin when she got pregnant? Of course.

*nods On that same note, do you think she and Joseph had normal marital relations? You mean sex?  He may have had a previous wife that he had sexual relations with, I believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin.

I figured you would. Would you have hit the archangel if he had told you what he did her? I don’t understand

I guess you’d have to be a woman to get that one.  (I’m WHAT?!). snip Do think homosexuals can be Christians without any complications like abstinence? How is abstinence a "complication"?

For those of us meant to have a mate, it is. But I think that sinners can be Christians, so long as they realize their sins and repent of them and try to turn away from them.  This includes any sexual acts outside of marriage.

Well, we knew we disagreed about this. Who makes a better counselor, a man or a woman? Depends on what is being counseled.  Can’t make a blanket statement like that.

Religion… in the function of a lay person. A better priest/pastor/preacher? Well, since only men can be priests, I would have to say men here.

different church different rules. A better teacher? Depends.  Like I said above.

Religion…again, as a lay person. Anybody baptized as a child? Yes, me.

Not me… 16 years old. Do you believe the Bible is infallible? I believe it is inerrant. If you do, wtf gave you that idea? The Church.

This explains the former. Do you find swearing immoral? If you swear vainly, yes.

What do you mean by vain? Are you a teetotaler? Huh?

Do you believe in total abstinence from alcohol? You’re RC, Jugg, so I assume the question is moot. — Pax Christi, Les — There are magnificent beings who walk this earth disguised as humans. Don’t you ever forget that!                            ~Idgie Threadgoode  Fried Green Tomatoes At the Whistlestop Cafe

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