zyne

I have to make a slight addition to this one (sorry babe hehe) Nipples - Painlevel 3475689123745 - I thought I'd been hit by a bus when I had my first one done. I actually got cold sweats and ended up having to go outside the piercing place to vomit. Tongue - Pain level 0.1 - Can't say actually getting it done hurt at all ... the healing period however ... lets just say my barbell was close to 1" long and my tongue was so swollen you could barely see it. I have to admit, the second time I did it (a boring Sunday evening infront of the TV) was probably a 1.5 worth of pain but no swelling. I can vouch for the more personal piercings as well. If you are looking at becoming an experience richer, this is for you. I've personally never stopped regreting having it done LOL ...

As you should be. I wish more fathers took that approach to raising kids instead of turning in to "dead beat dad's" and walk out on both kids and marriage. Ya have my respect on that one!!

I don't believe in turning the other cheek. I believe in treating your fellow man with equal respect as you have been given. Also, your blind eye comment. What is that saying ... Ignorance is bliss. I think that's more a person thing than religious. Like I mentioned earlier my whole family here are christians and quite frankly, they all need "Ignorance is bliss" tattooed in their foreheads. Religious teachings and guidance doesnt mean a thing when the person referred to is fundamentally a piece of shit who really don't care! I see this every day in parts of the people around me and they hide behind their self righteousness "being a good christian" when in fact they are much worse than people lacking faith all together. At least I can honestly stand up and say I stick to what I believe in and not use spiritualism as a cover-up!

Really? Can you back that up. I have no desire to destroy anyone, but then again, I'm a woman. Judy I can honestly think of a couple I'd like to see in a world of pain ... starting with some of these child molestors .... granted .. I think they lost human "status" after comitting that kind of crime ..

And there's the disrespect towards the religious folks. I don't really agree with the teachings and I could never see myself going down that route but hell, these people have just as much of a right to believe and practice their religion as we have not to. I tend to get a lot of flack for being the only atheist in a family of christians and there are some heated debates from time to time. I can respect most stuff in the lines of the religion except for the just straight out stupid shit (See moral decay posts ..) that is close to insulting to my intelligence. I think there are some really great traditions that came out of the religions teachings (at least for me, keep in mind I'm not a yank

First of all, I didnt think I changed my argument. I'm still saying the same thing, maybe in different wording. Moral decay as a result of lack of religion and no, I'm still not buying it. I'm simply pointing out some of the finer moments when it comes to religion and its moral, and respect. Saying that lack of spiritual guidance is causing moral decay to me is kind of like the pot calling the kettle black considering all the moral decay taking place in this wars over religion (amongst other things). Another thing, there's been a lot of stuff going on in regards to the catholic priests (or whatever they are called) and sexual abuse on little kids here lately. How's that for moral decay? Certainly a member of the church wouldnt do such a thing since they have religion in their lives?? WRONG! They do!! And guess what, it doesnt have a damn thing to do with whether they are spiritual. It has to do with the fact that they are twisted, sick, mentally ill fucks and nothing else. Moral decay and respect issues are related to ones actions, not their faith. It's that simple .. and for the records, the people who supposedly did this to these kids need to spend a couple of decades in a cell with Bubba and his friends ....

You should try becoming one yourself, it would do you good! LOL

Take things out of context why don't you. That was in a reply to the constant "quit smoking, can't you quit blah blah" not your restaurant dilemma ... Keep track will ya ...

First of all, I lived in europe for 20 years, I've seen some of the shit first hand as I've travelled. Second, if you in any way can contend the fact that there has been more blood spilled in the name of religion than anything else, you are a bit .... WRONG! Think about this, how many wars have we had in the name of atheism ... I'm thinking .. ZERO! How far do I need to go back?? How about the crusades? Lets shove our religion down these peoples throats. I mean, pick up a history book and read for crying out load, its right there!!

I missed the last two lines on this one LOL .. Religious values should not be a determining factor as to whether you can agree with someone. That part has to do with values and that to me has nothing to do with religion!

I guess I actually had to read it in order to make a statement pertaining to said post's direct value to me LOL. I'm looking for it here dammit, give a brotha some time ... hehehe

I may have missed your post stating that or I skimmed it, that's my bad. I wasnt trying to generalize anything or anyone with that comment. I was basically just stating the fact that I thought it was direct and to the point, that's all.

I can see your point considering the asthma. Do understand that (I'll just speak for myself on this) I personally would not knowingly smoke around someone with that problem. I've been asked by friends at the dz not to smoke around em and as a result I usually put it out when they are around. It's the "die smoker!!" attitude I can't stand and don't have anything left over for.

LOL! I like that one! For some reason I feel it really belongs ..

Has it ever occured to you that we may be sick and tired of hearing it? Has it ever occured to you that we may have tried many times and not been able to? Has it ever ocurred to you that we may feel like you should mind your own business instead of ours? I'll be the first to admit I'm addicted to nicotine. I'll be the first to admit I've tried to quit, I'd even like to but its close to impossible. For some people its harder to quit smoking than hard drugs.

Opinions are like assholes, we all have one and they all stink. Point STILL being: It's my right (and my choice)

This is going to ridiculous lengths. Just launch me in to fucking orbit with a carton of Marlboro's and leave me for 10 days. For fucks sakes people, its going from ridiculous to .. I don't know where .. I'm just amazed at that last comment ...

by the way, finally someone who approaches this issue without a blindfold, thank you!! Ahhh, so only people that agree with you 100% are approaching the issue without a blindfold. I do believe that several posters in this thread had valid points, not just the ones that agree with you. Nope, I'm not saying that because she agreed with me. I said it because it was presented in a manor that was fair towards either "side" and without bullshit. Also, there are valid points in here I don't agree with but I value as well. Just because you have a disagreement doesnt mean you cant learn from them yanno. Its the straight up ludicrist comments that are attacks on atheists/agnostics that pisses me off. My other half is christian and does the whole church thing and even though we don't see eye to eye on that we haven't killed each other yet. Correction, I'm the atheist so I guess that should read "I havent killed her yet" LOL ...

Ahh the blame game ... its so ... 6 year oldish! Look, if you are looking at putting blame on someone, have some yourself. As a parent you should not subject your children to a harmful environment. Ludicrist? Yes, I agree .. same level as your comment. If I go out to eat and there is a smoking section in said restaurant I have no problems what so ever to fire one up. If you want to bitch and wine about it, that's fine, I'll give you that as it is your right. But don't come here and put the reponsibility on the smokers. You have just as much of a responsibility to keep yourself and your children away from it as I do so don't give me that shit. Do *I* make myself clear?

I guess you're saying that if you don't believe in god you're a criminal? I guess I need to go to jail, go directly to jail and not collect 200 dollars. Is it just me or does anyone else think that statement is absurd? I don't believe in god and yet, I'm not in prison, I don't step on the wrong side of the law, I have moral, I take my responsibility and I try to treat my fellow man in the same fashion as I would like them to treat me. La dee daa .. Let me call up the closest county jail and confess my sins since that's where I belong. Your statement is ridiculous! I agree 100% with you. Isn't it up to the parents to raise their children to be morally and socially responsible. If we are only to learn this in church, we would be in a lot worse shape. Judy I would certainly think so. If you really want to talk about respect and moral just look at Ireland and all the bloody bombings. Hows that for respect or morals? Look at balcan and the war there, respect? Moral? I don't think so. Look at the lack of stability in Israel and Gaza, moral, respect? I don't think so. There is more blood spilled in the name of religion than for any other reason and you talk about how society is decaying as a result of people losing their faith? Yet another absurd statement. Loss of moral and respect is NOT a result of lack of spiritualism. On the contrary, had it not been for religion there is a good chance the disturbing pictures we see on the night news never had to be seen. I'm not saying religion is to blame for this, I'm saying peoples interpretation of it is. And I'm also saying that anyone believes that the lack of religion causes moral decay needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Religious folks are to blame for just as much of the moral decay as an atheist! by the way, finally someone who approaches this issue without a blindfold, thank you!!

You're right, there is nothing anyone can say in defense of it. But there's also no denying that smoking is an addiction, not, as many people (both lifelong non-smokers and "reformed smokers") seem to feel, a character flaw. The fact that some smokers find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to quit does not make them weak, lack willpower or any of the other ephithets that are thrown at them. Do you really think that smokers are proud of having this disgusting, smelly, deadly addiction? Do you really think that we enjoy spending our hard earned money on something that is far more likely to kill us than is jumping out of airplanes? Yeah, that's real helpful. Y'know why some smokers get defensive when they hear "constructive criticism" from non-smokers? Because they've tried to quit. Repeatedly. Some even quit on a per-cigarette basis (that's my last one dammit!). And it's fucking hard. And they're tired of listening to self-righteous non-smokers tell them they are somehow less than okay because they are addicted to nicotine. Imagine trying to do something and failing. Repeatedly. How would that make you feel? Yup. It'd make you feel like a piece of shit. Now compound that by having people you care about tell you that your failure means you're weak, that you lack willpower, that you are somehow less than they are because everytime you try, you fail. I won't blow smoke in your face. I'll make an effort to keep the smoke from my cigarette from fouling the air that you breathe. In return I ask that you don't make me feel that I am subhuman because I have yet to quit smoking. Seems like a fair exchange to me. I think that is the best response I've heard in a LONG time!

Because your smoke is inhibiting me from enjoying my meal. Why isn't it cool for me to rip a satisfyingly righteous fart after a good meal at a restaraunt?.... Because it is offensive to others. I choose to be civil and go outside if need be. This is America though, and you are free to choose to be offensive if that is your wish. First of all LOL!!!!!!!! By all means, if you feel the need to fart, go ahead .. I'm a smoker, my sense of smell is degraded anyhow

I don't see how this can become a legal matter. So I guess you're saying that if you don't believe in god you're a criminal? I guess I need to go to jail, go directly to jail and not collect 200 dollars. Is it just me or does anyone else think that statement is absurd? I don't believe in god and yet, I'm not in prison, I don't step on the wrong side of the law, I have moral, I take my responsibility and I try to treat my fellow man in the same fashion as I would like them to treat me. La dee daa .. Let me call up the closest county jail and confess my sins since that's where I belong. Your statement is ridiculous!

I for once loathe people who smoke around children .. probably as much as I dislike parents subjecting their kids to it in a public setting. The kid doesnt have a choice, but the parents do ... i'll be the first to admit that I'll quit the day I find out zyne jr. is on the way ...

Go for it! There's a whole big parking lot outside And that is what I do when eating at a smoke free restaurant.