Drix D'Zanth

[color=darkred]I would go so far as to say kissing can make or break a relationship. I sympathize for you Tori. I must warn you, you are about to see the sensitive Drix, so please, be gentle. This story, as incredible as it sounds, is true. I was lucky enough to have a good first kissing experience. My family went on a two week vacation to Italy. Upon arriving to Rome, we met our tour group. I was at the still-ripening age of 17, and actually beginning to hold some semblance of manhood (I was a late bloomer, cut me some slack). Well amongst the group was probably the most beautiful girl I?d ever laid eyes upon. Her name was Laura, and she was an entire year older than me (Kind of a big deal, I?m in high school, she?s in college?) She stood about my height, with beautiful brown hair and hazel eyes. Her nose crinkled whenever she gave that cockeyed grin of hers, and it still gives me goose bumps. I was speechless, timid, and for lack of better words, starstruck. I made bits of conversation with her and she seemed receptive, building my confidence. Finally on the third day of the trip, we found out the parents were going wine-tasting and the younger people would be visiting a glass factory. Laura and I came down with a bit more "jet lag" and were allowed to spend our day in our hotel rooms. Laura and I immediately went to talking and walking on the beautiful metropolis of Firenze (Florence). I found myself enraptured with her presence, and was getting the strange air that she felt the same way. There?s a large river that runs alongside the city near Michelangelo?s peak. Café?s lined the entire bank and we found ourselves a quaint espresso/gelato bar. We sat and talked until the sun set until I leaned over and kissed her. I?ll never forget how soft her lips were. It was so wonderful, I?m not even sure how well I did. Nothing less than bliss. She actually was a bit more vicarious, yet the lack of slobber and tongue-shoving was a definite plus. I still don?t know how my first kiss came so naturally. When I opened my eyes, the sun had set. We both smiled and laughed at the fact, our minds seemed so alike. Let?s say the vacation was incredible. Then a stroke of bad luck. Upon returning home, where I intended to call Laura, I found out my parents forgot the contact sheet with the phone numbers and addresses. I?ve never been able to reach her since. [/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Bloodsin [/i] [B] Bush doesn't know WTF's doing, [/B][/QUOTE] Yeah.. he doesnt know WTF? I bet he wouldn't. I really don't know the doings of WTF, either. I doubt anyone here on OB could be a better president than Bush. Everyone's a critic, right? God forbid someone sucks at oration. I didn't realize your ability to give speeches and plaster on "politically correct" faces made someone a good president. Sure, he may be a savont, but he's a political savont.

Hey bloodsin, we at OB appreciate the though, but that's our job. Thread moved (have fun with this one mitchy)

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Bloodsin [/i] [B] 7. Poking dumb people [/B][/QUOTE] *poke poke* Well I'll be... It is fun. I feed off irony, to the point of being hypocritical to my own belif system. Sometime's I'm a bit tooo harsh.

[COLOR=darkred][B]Versailles[/b] Pitchforks and pikes in hand, the women stroll, all maenads, down the park to the menagerie, cull the roses and smash the coterie of statues held by marble. Guns explode behind. The women free the cognac-gorged lions, zebras, the snorting dromedary and, hunger-maddened, rip the artery bodies of goshawk and flamingo. Likewise, Death overthrows the body?s shed, the zoo assembly, parliament or diet at which the king surveyed his power and pomp. Dragoons, attendants, nobles, all have fled. Night closes on the unaccustomed quiet, hushes the squawk from the draining swamp. [b]Hummingbird[/b] He saw a hummingbird address a morning glory high at the vine's tip. I watched him study its stalled body, probing beak, and wingblur. It may be he pondered the energy expended by that tiny creature to stay steady, level in mid-air. Yet I believe that with an expert pilot's depth-perception he gazed beyond the bird at skies clearer than any transparent wingbeat while he assessed his chances on the morrow for a grassy landing, The surgeons survey his shaved belly, their black latching of stitches, and mark arise-and-walk day on his chart. He paces, toting his plastic urine-satchel. Tile by tile, he trundles his I.V. stand forward. Its bottles chink; a needle fangs a vein on his bruised hand. He shrugs my fingers off his elbow. [i]He is stalking on ahead-- Oh my hunter, your steel-barbed arrows lean in the locked cabinet by an unstrung bow. Your skis lie racked in the attic. You turn and tell me to remember: stop by the kennel, walk those hounds. Anywhere, hummingbirds instantly bring this all back to me.[/i] A nurse settles him in bed, rehooks bottles and the blood-dark bag. Green drops of morphine, a shot for clots. Drowsy, he designs fresh challenges; come fall, he'll take up hang-gliding-- which is why I took his ashes up the mountain and the north wind whirled them all away to dart and swoop and hover, invisible above the grass. [b]Syrinx Transformed[/b] I am never parsimonious with words, Figurative language, allusions And images, but I crave the sudden flame Of moments that make those devices Flee my mind like Syrinx from Pan, Squelching into river mud Inches from my grasp, essence lost Though familiarity remains, As when the blaze of skin on skin And of reflecting-pool irises Triggers a flashpoint driving out All thought, replaced for an instant By an onomatopoeia of breaths? Murmur, gasp, and sigh? Then the silence-soaked aftermath And the memory of something perfect, Where transfiguration to words cannot Reconstitute the body, Play the notes of ecstatic piping Or capture you, my Syrinx. [b]Mitch is Mod #3[/B] In a workshop quite well-noted, some forums end up bloated with a plethora of newbies who bounce right through the door. Having not read the conditions, they embark upon their missions and carpet-bomb the place while thinking ?they?re all that? (and more). ?Tis just another wannabe,? say the mods who hold the floor, ?whose work we shall explore.? Littered with abstraction, it provides a good distraction for those of us who watch with baited breath, the moment?s tense. ?It?s clichéd and it?s trite; if you try harder you just might construct a poem from this but I suggest you get thee hence to Blurbs of Wisdom? says Mod 1, ?the knowledge there?s immense.? Mod 2 says, ?Your writing makes no sense.? ?Say what? There is no metaphor and my rhyming skills are poor? Oh, and who was it that made you the f#*king expert anyway? Grammar, spelling and syntax? Well let?s get down to tin-tacks ?cos I don?t care for your opinion ? my words all truly say what?s in my heart. They flow from quill to page today and that?s the way they?ll stay!? ?So, the words flow from your soul, they complete you, make you whole? It?s a pity you can?t separate your skill from stubborn pride.? ?This could have been avoided? says Mod 3. ?Welcome and abide a while in the cold and dark Outside.? [b] What's funny is that I am such a hypocrite considering this last poem[/b][/COLOR]

Letter to a poet--- Walking along this stony path with no knowledge of its fate Ill tell you this right now, my friend there's no sign on heaven's gate The temple that I gaze upon blinding me with splendid light is the one beneath your breast with its umbra sparkling bright A hunger welling up inside that feasts upon your songs knows right where the banquet is and where her seat belongs watching myself through your eyes consumed by endless dreaming waiting to see where the story ends this plot could prove redeeming A breath escaped from my lips and whispered out your name this utter faintly caught your ear "This soul longs for your reclaim" So, soothe me with your gilded words Ill press them gently to my heart. You know I've heard YOU all along.. Right from the very start.

Excellent writing, Dagger. I am truly impressed with your word choice, in particular. I feel that you give a beautiful elegance to even the simplest of words. You have an amazing grasp on the existentialism of the English language and it?s forms. The first poem: What a story. The emotion of this perspective is incredibly profound and riveting. You have a superlative ability to give a life-testament to a mere sentence. I could think of many relationships that could relate to this poem, even in the metaphorical sense. ?Someday, when I have the strength to shed those last shackles and stand alone.? This line I enjoy in particular. It gives the poem a sense of completion without dulling it?s edge of realism. Second Poem: This one I like even better. I?m not sure how you could describe your work as anything less than profound. You focus on the obscure, and give it a personification, a beauty. I love how you mixed our conceptualizations of reality and words with this poem. The mechanics of it had it sliding off my tongue like cream. It really seems like you grasp dali's vision. Please, continue posting more.

I don't want to seem rude, but your poem is fairly uninspired, in my opinion. It's full of the esoteric "everything is special and unique" that it doesn't really have a point. I suppose it serves it's purpose, but I think you should continue delving into your abilities to write something truely unique and facinating. As for the mechanics, I like how you tried to rhyme most of the time. Sometimes you wouldn't rhyme, and other times it appeared as though there was a definate scheme. Nextly, the poem seemed to have a nice flow until you started adding syllables. Try to smooth those out with different diction. Overall, I could only judge this poem based upon how old you are and how long you've been writing. Otherwise, keep writing, you show great potential.

You guys in your fairly shortsighted critisim, haven't realized two things PT has pulled off here. He's created an entire story, character base, and given it CONTENT through [b]dialogue[/b] and nothing else. No actions, no movements. Everything is explained fairly subliminally within the text. He's also kept it believable. Secondly, Is this Dr. No reference specifically to the James Bond villian? If so, getting a job as one of his lackeys probably wouldn't be difficult at all.

I don't really mind. I'll vote for whatever president supports, in my opinion, the best policy. James hit it on the nose. What I really hope is that people won't consider that as an incredibly important attribute. I hope people don't vote for a president because she's a [i]woman[/i] or because he is [i]gay[/i]. The presidential positions not a platform for a social group, but a police officer of policy.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet]*thinks drix needs a nap*[/color] [color=violet]I'm pretty good at Checkers. I beat everyone in that *gloats* as for Chess, Lincoln keeps saying he'll teach me but something always comes up, like FTX, or CQ or Iraq ::P:. I don't know if I could figure that out. Gambling card games, well, stay out of Vegas, that's all I have to say. Does anyone know any good drinking games?(those of us who are old enough to drink that is) My friends and I turned slap Jack into a drinking game and I kept losing so bad that well...it wasn't pretty. Oh, you know what else is a good game? MadGab. I don't quite know how to explain that one tho.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] We play "Beer Pong" at my college. Basically each team of one or two has about 8 or so cups of beer (plastic cups, less breakage) arranged in a bowling-pin style. One team tries to throw his pingpong ball into another team's cup. Depending on the rules, the person must then drink the beer or the ponger does.. it depends. Basically, the more you lose, the more you drink, the more you're schnogged, and the more you drink. It's a cycle until one team empties their cups and loses by default, or passes out. Ahhh yes, and if you dislike my moderating procedures, I would encourage you to bring it up through PM. Your opinion is superflous and inappropriate in that situation. No need to play mod, Chibi.

I think the funniest thing about this thread is that no one gives a damn about what other people wrote. There is no discussion here. Thread closed.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=blue][b]Pros[/b]: There is a problem with prisons being over crowded. This process of capital punishment will lessen the people in prison on death-row. Also, there is the cost of keeping the prisoner incarcerated and alive. You aren't allowed to starve the person, you must feed them. Also they must be clothed and given a place to stay. This includes the prisoners who are serving back to back life sentances with no chance of parol. The costs add up from year to year. [color] [/B][/QUOTE] I'm not sure where the wource was. But to do the medical procedure, the extended and voluptous living contitions, a multitude of court procedures and re-evaluations; Per Capita it costs more to keep a person on death row, and excecute him, instead of life in prison.

A thread like this has already been started. Granted, it was relationship advice, but an advisory thread nonetheless. The problem with it was the severe lack of discussion. Usually it ended up in extremely focused, and disconnected topics varying from individual. This doesn't generate any progress for the forum integrity, and so I must close this thread.

I've not been allowed to approach a risk board within 15 feet as per restraining order. You see, I play the "diplomatic" style of risk where I would convince all of my friends to feindishly distrust and betray eachother. Then, I would mop up what remains after the battle. Risk is a glorious game, indeed.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B]I'm just going to appologize for letting my typing mouth work faster than my typing brain a few weeks ago. That's all. [/B][/QUOTE] I'm sure the apology was well-recieved. However you must be far more respectful to other people's opinions in the future, please. I understand that taking an opposing viewpoint causes controversy, but no need to flame. Considering the fact there was no "real" topic and the entire topic was completely insubstantial because Ryu is just on medication, add the multitude of poor-quality repsonses; this was just waiting for me to press the "close" button. Ryu, I urge you to think out your opinions and formulate a topic that's open to, and worth, discussion please. Instead of wasting everyone's time.

Considering the taboo nature of the thread and of recent threads, Ive decided to close this one off. Why? Because as much blood has been squeezed from stone on this issue. I feel Justin gave the thread plenty of finality and put it best.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by rttocs77 [/i] [B]Heh. I think most people at our school would be 'considered preps' by majority of the people in these forums. To put it as that 70's (or maybe 80's song): 'She works hard for the money.' [/B][/QUOTE] rttocs, you are just elaborating what epid3mic, TN, and Babygirl have said in several earlier points. Bravo to TN, epid3mic, and babygirl for, once again, providing a reasonable opinion on the subject. No one will ever define "prep". No one will ever define "punk". Everyone has their own personal definition of the two so, as Semjaza has identified earlier, there's no point in hating a group. It's sad how people like to generalize and stereotype in order to feel superior to another. Stereotypes are sometimes accurate, sometimes they are not. We just seem like a people too cought up in ourselves and the dramatic to take the time and patience to realize the individual. If that didn't make sense. It's ok, it doesn't make sense to myself and is a pretty crude representation of what's trying to be put into coherent language. I stray from the topic. Do I hate preps? No. Do I hate some people that may fit someone else's definition of prep? unfortunately sometimes I do hate people. Why would I hate them? Not because I'd be so idiotic to generalize them by their clothing, social status, or monitary value. Probably because of a more personal or individual thing.

I agree with James wholeheartedly on this one. It's simply appauling to see the practice of captial punishment in the United States where we say every citizen has "unalienable rights to life"? Not only that, it's the easy way out for most criminals. Sure, our Penitentiary system is flawed and provides too many luxories. But lock them in a box for the rest of their lives and give them bread and water.. that's what I say. If we gave punishments that reflected the severity of the crime (instead of posh coushined beds and nice cable TV), people would probably re-consider their actions. If I were to kill someone, I'd much rather just die, then spend 60+ years in jail.. how drall. I don't think I could say anything more without sounding reduntant. Bravo James! You've taken my veiwpoints and constructed them into well-constructed works of forum art. Bravisimo.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B][/b]No offense but thats the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I would have thought someone as smart as you would never make a completely idiotic comment like that. I sure hope you can read over that and see how completely moronic that makes you sound. [/B][/QUOTE] Transtic, I can?t help but be offended by this. Our opinions differ, our rationalizations differ. How is my opinion any more or less stupid than yours in an issue as impalpable as homosexual lifestyle? I can?t control how you react to my difference in opinion. I choose indifference. Not on the topic, but the reaction. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B][/b]Morals.... morals are bullsh*t, your morals are, my morals are.... morals are a personal thing.... therefor because you think it's morally wrong, doesn't mean it is to everyone else. Just to you. Therefor you cannot generalize morals because they can't be. It's idiotic to think you can generalize morals to EVERYONE, when it's obvious they are strictly a personal thing. By generalizing them, you make youself sound like a stuck up idiotic prejudicial loser... which I know you aren't but with comments like that, you certainly make me think you are. [/B][/QUOTE] Then why is it "wrong" to kill? I?ve tried to address this viewpoint for a while now because it is so difficult to understand, and so hypocritical. By your philosophy, nothing is wrong, nothing is right. Only on the individual basis. If we are talking about politics, we aren?t talking about the individual. We are determining a general morality. That?s what a democracy is. You cannot honestly vote something is right, without believing it is morally right. Plato?s Republic determined that the whole purpose of civilization is to allow a general consensus of absolute moral right in order to structure a society upon. Without some sort of intrinsic right and wrong, how can you bear any claim to any sort of civilization. Where do the boundaries of legality lay? Once again, I wish you could understand that we only differ on this issue, sure it?s an issue that comprises your lifestyle. My lifestyle is influenced by Christianity, yours by homosexuality. It doesn?t mean I dislike you as a person. To say such demeaning things towards myself is an individual reflects poorly on your character, Chris. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B][/b]It's still prejudice. Pride and prejudice my friend.... you're absolutely FULL of it. If you don't like gay people, which is pretty obvious you do, and don't BS me with that "I love everyone" crap, cause you don't... if you hate the act, you hate the person cause the person does the act. If I murdered your mother and sister or brother or whatever.... would you sit there and say "I love you Chris, but I hate what you did"?... lol no... you'd hate me for what i did, and you hate gay people for what they do, don't try to hide behind your little book and make excuses for hate, cause there is no excuse for hate. [/B][/QUOTE] How hypocritical. You can lambaste me with unsubstantiated conclusions about what I do hate, or who I hate, with such conviction that you insult me? That you pelt me with your vitriolic? Let?s keep this civil. Firstly, I?ll take note that you compared homosexuality to murder. Fair enough. Isn?t there a previous argument I heard condemning people for comparing homosexuality to murder or a sin? How about the arguments that homosexuality doesn?t hurt anyone else? If I can?t use murder as an example, neither should you. Either way, I don?t know how I would feel In a situation. Of course I?d hate you if you killed my family, but that?s because I?m human. That doesn?t excuse the fact that I?d be sinning through my hate. I?m not trying to make any excuses here. We?re all sinning. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B][/b]My heart goes out to you too cause you have to hate so many things based on a religion of love. [/B][/QUOTE] As I?ve said before. I don?t hate gay people. I hate homosexuality as an act. Even so, hate is a strong word. I just disagree?. I just pity the choice. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B][/b]Perhaps you didn't read my post, which I will now quote for you. You probably didn't read the other one which talked about the difference between homosexuality and beastiality. [i]The bottom line is this isn't about religious cermonies or religion period, it's about human rights.... I guess thats something that the bible doesn't advocate.[/i] It's not about religion... marriage is just a word to us. If you don't want to call it marriage, call it civil union... whatever, doesn't f-ing matter. We just want rights... the same HUMAN rights (not animal) as straight people have. I don't expect you to understand, you don't know what it's like not to have rights or be gay for that matter... you're a white male christian... your kind has practically ruled this world for the last 1500 years. [/B][/QUOTE] I don?t think you realize what you are asking. What exactly do you want? To be recognized as married? The same goes both ways. You can share property, you can share benefits, hospitalization costs, your will , etc. You can dictate that as you please through power of attorney. Just like any married couple. The only difference is health insurance. Why aren?t you advocating THAT instead of advocating MARRIAGE? By bringing your personal life choices, which I understand as abhorrent through a moral, biological, and personal standpoint into the government; you chose to bring it into the public and demand it?s acceptance through legality. Fine, I?ll not oppose it through Religion. I?ll take a biological stance. I oppose it through science. Overall, I don?t think it?s right. So I?ll advocate against it. Welcome to Democracy. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B][/b]Didn't God give us free will to do as we please? So why do you continue to ridicule us for doing what we please? I don't care if I'm going to hell... so shut up about it... I'm tired of you telling me what I should and should not be doing. You're wasting my time, and you're wasting your time. So just sit back, live your own little religious life and leave us the hell alone... is that so God damned hard? Live your own life, stop living mine. [/B][/QUOTE] Did you bother reading my post? I didn?t tell you to be Christian. I didn?t make you read that. I didn?t make you react to that. You are telling me to accept same-sex marriage as acceptable. I don?t. So quit wasting your time? I think not. This is what debate?s all about. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet]First of all, you may call me Chibi, CHW, or CHibi HorseWoman. Not Cheebs, this name was given to me by my husband and only he may call me Cheebs. That said and out of my system I will now continue on the actual topic While it may be possible for sex to exist and love not to in the same context, (ie, a situation like rape where the victim most likely doesn't have love for the rapist) In this country and some of the more civilized nations you don't get married without loving the person you vow to spend the rest of your life with (I'm not going to get into arranged marriages because it's irellevent to what I'm talking about.) IN this case, I love my husband, who I vowed to spend the rest of my life with, so I'll have sex with him. An animal has no reasoning skills so how can this animal say yes or no to sex with a human. I'm just going to come right out and ask, WTF have you been watching? It's unnatural for a human to want to have sex with an animal, but it's not unnatural for a human to have sex with another human. Homosexuals are human. Do a blood test on yourself and a homosexual, they have the same number of chromosomes. color] [/B][/QUOTE] I?m sorry Chibi, but? are you ?denying my right to freeedom? of speech? *gasp* In all reality, I apologize, I?ll call you CHW from now on, if that?s ok. Now, I don?t say it?s unnatural for a human to have sex for a human. But a man to have sex with a man is. And a woman to have sex with a woman is. I?m going to avoid the religious stance here and take a scientific stance. Biologically, it?s abhorrent. Just like bestiality. So I use my metaphor in that sense, If that helps. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet] [color=violet]So, now homosexuality is a lie? I didn't know that. I'm afraid I don't know how touch that one, so I'll stay away from it. But I'll say it's still stupid. What I believe John was saying in his gospel is you can't love God with hate in your heart. Which is what many people have towards homosexuality simply because it's not what they consider 'right'. This is what you're doing. tho, I also find your veiw interesting since in your signature it mentions that you're a member of this board's Yaoi/ Shounen-Ai club. Can we say hypocritical thinking? [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] I suppose I?ll have to come back to religion in order to cover my bases here. No, homosexuality isn?t a lie. How you came to that conclusion must be an intricate process, indeed? The both are a sin, according to my religion, and wrong. Does that help you? I don?t hate homosexuals, I hate sin. Because I love God, I hate sin. The two don?t mix. As for the Yaoi/Shounen-Ai club? well I didn?t know what that meant when I signed up. I just saw a bunch of character pairs and thought "oh must be some sort of dynamic duo thing" Lucky me, I don't speak Japanese.... And I love JTHM. My error. Feel free to remove me from the list *shrug* :-\ [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet] [color=violet]I believe I stated this before. Being homosexual doesn't mean you don't know God. That's an unfair assumption. Sexuality isn't about religion, it's about how you were born. You don't choose whether you're gay or straight. It's the same as saying you choose if you're black or white, rich or poor or even male or female. You simply can't do that. It's impossible. If we could do that I'd be a beautiful skinny rich woman and my husband would have to be in the military to support us. [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] WOAH! Stop the train folks. You have got to be kidding me. You can?t choose if you are gay or not? Let?s identify this on a few levels. I love my dad, I lived with him for 18 years before heading off to college. I didn?t necessarily choose to love him, but the relationship developed through mutual input. Fair enough. I love my best friend, he?s a guy. I love him like a brother, not as a sexual partner, or a husband, but we have a strong relationship. If we wanted to live together and share everything, we could, by power of attorney. However, saying a man can?t be held responsible for his own actions. Engaging in homosexual behavior, or even getting married is a [b] conscious, choice[/b]. It is not, by any means, intrinsic or involuntary. Gay people can live with eachother and have sex with eachother. Just don?t expect me to say it?s right through my personal vote. As I?ve said: welcome to Democracy. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet] But I can't do that any more than a friend of mine can control that he likes boys and not girls. And I'll say this again too, I know pleanty of homosexuals who attend church. Does this mean taht they're going to hell? Do you honestly belive in your version of afterlife that St.Peter is going to go to Valerie Crisler and say, I'm sorry, you were a lesbian and even tho you went to church and the worst thing you did was run a stop sign , you're going to hell. Then he'll turn to I don't know Jeffery Domeer (sp?) and say, yes,. you raped and murdered young women, but hey, you were straight and converted, welcome in? If you answered yes, please stop reading now. The Bible has many interesting laws to it. Why don't you use it to condone slavery again? People did that in the 1800's to legitamize why they had slaves. But was slavery 'moraly' right? Is it okay to keep a human in bondage? No, but people swore the Bible said it was just fine. [/color] [/B][/QUOTE] Church isn?t what gets you to heaven. For a person who quotes the Bible, you should know this right? The only way to God is through Jesus? salvation. Simple as that. Church is a place of worship at it?s most fundamental purposes. Oh great, I quoted God again. Sorry, I just need to correct you on that. Now, I could lie every day for the rest of my life. I could lie and lie and lie. I could steal and murder. I could go to church at the same time. But that doesn?t mean I?m going into heaven. Hating someone is a sin right? And the Book of John says with sin you can?t know God. Then how can you sin through homosexuality and still expect to be a Christian? As for Jeffery Dahmer, he can be saved. The salvation of Christ is offered to anyone who wants to receive it. Also, running a stop sign isn?t a sin. As for slavery. Slavekeeper?s moralities were different than yours. For someone who disdains my use of religion and morals, you sure bring the issue up a lot. The Bible says "everyone is created equal in the eyes of the lord." Slavery is wrong. I could quote a few more parables, but I would like to keep this off religion ok? [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet] [color=violet]Contradictory to which religion? Your religion, maybe, but to some other religions possibly not. Wicca doesn't have a book which states that men can't marry men. Satanists don't have one either. And what about atheists? Don't even [i]try[/i] to tell me you think an atheist is going to believe the way you do about marriage and religion. But, TN and others have clearly stated that homosexuality has nothing to do with religion, so I'm not going to elaborate on that part. All these people want is recognization of their rights as humans who want to live together. Are you trying to tell me that just because you'r religion says it's so that this should continue? Like TN said, White Christian STRAIGHT men have run the world for 1500 years. You haven't been oppressed or denied your rights. No one has ever told you you can't get married to someone you love. And I highly doubt you've been told that you can't attend your religious services or had to fight to hold a ceromony. It's time to quit hiding behind a book and join the world[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] I?m not trying to tell homosexuals what?s right and wrong. I?m telling you what I believe, just like you are. Hey chibihorse? you know a guy named Alexander the Great? You know, the one who ruled the greatest land mass under Macedonian rule in the Hellenic period of history and defeated the Persian empire? Yeah, apparently he was gay. Otherwise, nice number? not sure where you got that, but whatever. It?s doubtful that if people were gay (kings) they would talk about it. Nice how you forget the Sariphs, Ottoman emperors, Queen Elizabeth. You have the right to everything a marriage encompasses except for the word?. (on and health insurance). As DanL put it, why not advocate for something different? Why marriage? Thanks for the "worldly" reference. Reading your opinions on homosexuality has opened my eyes. Homosexuality doesn?t make a person who he is, stop stereotyping. I suppose I should take my leave from this topic. I figured I?ve covered my final bases with my rebuttals and you all know where I stand. If you have any further arguments or "enlightenment?s" to provide for me, by all means, PM. As for the religion, I suppose you all misinterpreted it. I wasn?t trying to be demeaning, and obviously context was misunderstood. However, perhaps it?s good I?ve reverted to my good ol? scientific stance. It?s been fun debating. I hope you don?t hold this viewpoint so strongly that it will limit future relationships. We are all made up of varying opinions and ideas. I didn?t mean to offend anyone as much as was required. I?ll see you on the boards.

Alright, this thread has stretched itself about as far as possible. Too much of all the "I'd be water so I'd shooot fountains and blow away the ground" hypothetical possibilities and the fact that these aren't actually "elements", per se. Then we have people inventing "elements" like spirit and darkness. Darnkess... it's an absence of light, it has no tactile properties whatsoever. To sum it up, it seems like everyone has their own definition on what elements exist, and what do what. Therefore, this thread's only purpose is shouting out random self-contrived opinions. That's about as justifiable as I can be.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by cesar906 [/i] [B]The best war movie is is pearl harbor [/B][/QUOTE] Post quality is severely lacking cesar (you know its spelled caesar right?). Anyway, I'm suprised no one has mentioned Band of Brothers. Yeah, I know, it's a miniseries. So what? It's got the production value of any movie and the quality (if not better accuracy) of Saving Private Ryan. the best catch? It's based on REAL people and REAL events. Almost nothing is fabricated in this movie, folks. They even interveiw the men after the last epsiode. I found myself breaking into tears.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet]I agree. Beastiality has as much to do with homosexuality as pineapples have to do with the Russian Ballet. In other words, they have nothing in common. An animal cannot reciprocate your love anymore than a pineapple can do a pas de chat. Yet for some odd reason the people (with the exception of DanL. and Justin who gave rather good arguments based on their beliefs and left stupidity out of it.) who were so dead set against same sex marriages equated it with beastiality. I have to wonder if they equate their parent's marriages with something like that as well.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] It's not so much about what the practice involves, Cheebs, that Justin and Dan are probably trying to contrast, but it's morality. How can you define bestiality as morally wrong if you say same sex marriages are right? The fact is, you cannot. Love and sex rarely accomodate eachother, and it's evident in bestiality that some animals DO and WILL have sex with humans. They obviously want it, humans want it, the human loves the animal; so it should be right, no? The point they are making is that both of them are unnatural, and morally wrong. It's a difference in opinions. We found ours on an absolute truth: religion. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i] [B][color=violet] Don't try to use religion for your debate because the Bible mentions love more than hate. And if you say you love God yet hate homosexuals, you are a liar. It says so in 1John (I don't remember the verse) If a man says he loves God and hates his brother he is a liar. For how can he love God who he hasn't seen when he hates his brother who he has seen..[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] Nono, don't hate gay people. I don't. I just hate the act. I don't hate the liar, i hate the lie. To be honest, I love most people. It would be ideolistic for me to claim I love everyone, but when emulating the actions of christ (to be a christian) you must love every man, even the man that strikes against you. You can hate the strike, without hating the person. My heart goes out to anyone who doesn't know God. Not just because they are choosing a path to an eternity in hell... but because they are chosing an eternity without the greatest relationship anyone could possibly comprehend. As for my opinion on gay marriage.. i'm against it. Marriage is a religious practice, and homosexuality is contradictory to the religion. Why exactly would homosexuals want to utiilize an event that is directly contradictory to their own lifestlye (in sex, that is)? I don't think the gov't should go on a random crusade to try and abolish sodomy, because you can't. Whatever they want to do, they can, just keep it behind closed doors. Should it be protected as a marriage by law? No thanks, I'll elaborate later.

Agh what a touchy subject. I?m debating this subject constantly within my head and it?s hard for me to give a concrete stance. Firstly, whatever homosexual couples want to do behind closed doors is up to them. Great, have your pride, congrats. Don?t expect me to agree or accept homosexuality as a good or right choice. However, I will accept that you are homosexual. That?s the main problem. If you disagree with a [I]personal choice[/I] such as your sexual preference, you suddenly become "homophobic", and I?ve been called "racist" because I think being homosexual is wrong. I don?t go out and tell homosexuals to change their lifestyles, so don?t tell me I?m "homophobic" because my opinions differ. As for marriage.. we must recognize it as the religious practice it is. The Bible is against homosexuality (do I really need to post verses? I?d hope we all agree on this one). Matrimony is fundamentally religion based? so by definition gay?s cannot be married or the religious institution defies its own philosophy. *shrug* If you think you are married, I don?t care. It worries me when churches are pressured or almost forced into allowing the marriage of Gays or Lesbians. That?s my problem with that issue. The government , historically, has created benefits for family environments for married couples. They are supporting a religious event in marriage. If homosexuality is contradictory to the religious event, then why do homosexuals even want the holy matrimony? *shrug* Should homosexual couples adopt? I say "why not". Children need love, whether it comes from a gay couple, or a straight couple. We shouldn?t bias our adoption policies (in Virginia a gay couple were given an adopted child over a straight couple because gays are, according to the agency, "less likely to create an abusive or harmful environment"). It just comes down to the needs of the children over the needs of the adults. Gays should not adopt because they feel the necessity to "procreate" (this includes artificial insemination). I don?t think there?s too much to say on this. Gays in the military? Not touching that today. Overall, I just see this as a moral decline. If we continue to let the structure of our morals slip into permeated relativity, where everyone can have their "personal truth", we lose sight of an absolute truth that holds civilization and law together in the first place. Ex: I want to now marry a donkey. I have a right to marry this donkey, and I believe this donkey loves me and I love it. You are prejudice against me if you say I can?t because our love is true. No, we can?t have children. No, this isn?t natural. I don?t care. My donkey and I demand that we are recognized, and our proud of our bestiality! How can you argue against bestiality if you argue for homosexuality? Having sex with a donkey and having sex with the same gender isn?t any less "unnatural". They both aren?t supposed to happen. It?s natural or unnatural , no gray area in this instance. *sigh* We are going to slip into the same fate that?s befallen history over and over again. Moral decline, ethical decline, leads to political decline, social decline? it?s a downward spiral. Right and wrong don?t exist anymore. It?s frightening to me what could happen to the future integrity of our nation. If you are going to practice homosexuality.. please keep it to your personal life, behind closed doors.

I am afraid of LARPS... sometimes the people there are just a bit too serious. Especially concerning vampire the masquerade. I play vampire the masquerade (or try to) almost every sunday with a group of friends. I'm the storyteller so I can't say i have a "favorite" character out of the myriad i roleplay. The experience is always fun, and i really connect with the people I'm roleplaying. It's fun to get a group of people who actually try to imput into the game as much as I do, and we create an environment that sucks away hours of our free-time.