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If one is going to take bits and pieces of the bible/quran , is that person still a believer?



I don't think I can determine for another person what they are nor would I want to or even care enough to. I think only they themselves can determine that. Also, I don't understand the part about "taking bits and pieces." People do that all the time- at least people that I know.

When I had just moved to LA I meet this shabby looking guy who lived in the Hollywood Hills near Mulholland Drive. The guy slept,dressed formally in suit and tie, in a
coffin in the cellar surround by tanks of piranha fish, and from time to time got up to play dirges on a big electric organ. In the day time he worked as a prop master for the studios.

Once, at his house, I caught him waxing his chest. "Mechanical Men don't have body hair" he said to me. "Pinocchio didn't have body hair" He definitely took his job very seriously. When I was leaving he gave me his business card which only read "God is Love." I remember he really enjoyed to discuss the apocalypse but also had this errie habit of going to the cemetery and putting flowers on the graves. "I wish I knew all of them" he used to say.

It turns out he actually wasn't religious and wasn't crazy. David Lynch was a big fan of his. He actually knew a lot of people in Hollywood but you'd never have known it because he never "looked" the part. He said he only read the bible once, came upon that line, and in his words "that was it." I actually still have his card in my wallet. I remember when he handed it to me he was so serious- like "this ain't no joke kid."

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The other thing that concerns me: Islam is the fastest-growing religion on earth. And the only branch of christianity on the upswing right now is evangelical (bible literalists). Is that good for society? I'm asking that sincerely, not sarcastically. Anyways, i think maybe this should be another thread.


I don't know much about Islam except you have to take at least one pilgrimage to Mecca. As far as the doctrine itself I've never read it, but I doubt it says "Do a Jihad on anyone that doesn't comply with my words." The only Islamic people I know are real peaceful and very family orientated peoples- I've never known an extremist and never been screamed at for not reading the Koran or even knowing what exactly it says. Shit now I might have to read it as I feel very stupid for commenting on something I know nothing of. Maybe we can just ignore what I said.
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I hit her with the hammer on top of the head. She made a lot of noise and kept on making noise, so I hit her again.