Thom confronts Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas on the Christian bootcamp "Spiritual Warfare" for Teenagers?

[EnnoiaBlog]

I am not sure about the death penalty being sought for Unitarians in Massachusetts. It wouldn't surprise me, however -- since they promote an inclusivity which modern-day evangelical protestants simply detest. What's the point of a gentleman's club if anyone can join?

[fatfatat444]

Ethnos is the Greek word for Nation. We are not one nation. We are of many nations and many ethnicities. We are a country with a variety of people with their own beliefs, there own gods, and their own ways of living. This country has had crazy religous fanatics for years from SALEM WITCH TRIALS all the way to the modern Evangelical movements.

Our Founding Fathers were secular leaders. Many Middle-Aged Conservatives have forgotten that and have lived in their spirtual dreams....

[jcr4runner]

James Franklin was jailed for libel. Today he would probably be protected under the first amendment, but no one was jailed or executed for Unitarianism in the 1700s.

If Tomboy had any credibility he would have a real discussion and allow rebuttal.

[jcr4runner]

Upon release from jail, James Franklin was not grateful to Ben or keeping his paper going. Instead he kept harassing his younger brother and administering beatings from time to time. Ben could not take it and decided to run away in 1723.

This event had NOTHING to do with Unitarianism.

Unitarianism was not illegal in Massachusetts in the 1700s. Some prominent ministers were Unitarians.

It's sad to me that Tomboy cuts off Rusty and then starts frothing at the mouth spewing utter nonsense.

[jcr4runner]

The Franklins found themselves at odds with Boston's powerful Puritan preachers, the Mathers. Smallpox was a deadly disease in those times, and the Mathers supported inoculation.

The Franklins' believed inoculation only made people sicker. And while most Bostonians agreed with the Franklins, they did not like the way James made fun of the clergy, during the debate. Ultimately, James was thrown in jail for his views, and Benjamin was left to run the paper for several issues.

[jcr4runner]

Unitarians were executed in ENGLAND but not Massachusetts in the 1600s.

Unitarianism didn't become popular in Mass until the early 1700s. It was controversial, but many Unitarian preachers such as John Mayhew were allowed to preach and publish freely.

The problem with Tomboy is that he cuts off Rusty and then dominates the argument with no rebuttal -- even to point that are clearly wrong.

[aimmie842003]

I think Rev. Rusty Thomas has hit the nail HEAD ON!

[badmuffy]

I blame corporations for immasculating men..Alot of women would like to be stay at home moms but they can't because one income isn't enough anymore.

[Rantandreason]

You should also add women to that list of who to blame. There were ads taken out in papers and commercials made during the feminist revolution talking about how testosterone was the cause of the ills of the world.

There was pressure from all sides forcing men to "be more feminine", and look how much women just loooooved their metrosexual "men".

[nonthiestnc]

thoms guest seems blinded by some unproven book and person floating in the sky to dictate what men should do & be. people are so wrapped up into their beliefs, they forget common sense

[chiefrc77]

I actually agree with the Reverend in regards to what is happening to men in our society today. Just watch commercials, it's always funny when the woman is clowning the man but let's see what would happen if they tried reversing the roles in those commercials.

Of course, that's the only thing I agree with the Reverend on. The rest of his points are insane. It's so easy to blame "moral impurity" as to why our society isn't as great as you think it should be.

[kixmet]

i too agree with you on that one point only. But when a historically disadvantaged group gets emancipated such things happen. The answer is not reversing back to something regressive. Its a matter of time when men and women will learn to find an equilibrium. with regards to moral impurity, well our morally pure past had slavery, to say the very least.

[captcrais101]

Sounds like a military style of Jesus Camp. This guy is a therocrat.

[TheAtheistTEEN]

HOLY SHIT THAT QUOTE ON THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL IS WAY OUT CONTEXT!!!!!

mind = blown...

i gotta tell someone....

[lisabob22]

what made America great was people working, getting paid a fair wage with a strong middle class. Since we have gone to corporatism we are losing the middle class, and soon if conservatives have their way, we will be a two class society and most likely bankrupt.

[chiefrc77]

You could not have described our current situation in America any better. It's nice to see that there are at least a few people that aren't either completely blind or ignorant to what is happening.

[jimlaregina]

Read the book THE TERROR DREAM by Susan Faludi. The post-9/11 corporate media babble about the need for men to be manly and for women to get back in the kitchen, you can see why the noise machine drowned out clear thinking. With fear and confusion already competing with better judgment after the hijacked planes hit, it was no surprise to see people embrace the silly simplicity of the corporate media's anti-female, pro-macho man baloney.

[jakeman4you]

Who`s this god idiot everyone keeps talking about..is it that voice from a burring bush that some insane desert dweller heard...and the one who told abraham to kill me son..ab said man you must be puttin` me on..maybe I should tell people that god talks to me..I mean I need no evidence..just take my word for it...give me a break all you ignorant brain washed freaks

[julsHz]

The Founding Fathers were enlightened, progressive thinkers. Thanks Thom, for a continuation of that tradition. I have this feeling it's time for a New Enlightenment.

[w0g4life]

What does is matter of John Quincy Adams was a Christian or not? It's not relevant to what the constitution states. I both love and hate this constant christian quote mining that they use. It's hilariously stupid but also shows how weak their argument is.

[ciahart]

Imagine this country with Thom as it's source of information instead of the likes of Beck and Limbaugh...Thom, you're knowledgeable, reasonable and armed with facts. Please keep up the good work.

[zaknefain100]

"Enlightened Deists"

Indeed.

The only thing separating most of the founding fathers from atheism was a little bit of scientific discovery.

I cringe every time I hear the "founded as a christian nation" drivel....

[hiten369]

Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas is a nut job.

[antifaith82]

Men are being emasculated by women? Really? Can you say PROJECTION???

Thom, great job on framing the Rev's argument for him. He was on defense more than he's probably used to. Awesome!

[DoctorE0]

Insane for Jebu$ aka the imaginary mass murderer in the sky

[valupak]

That was great!

[oinonio]

Wow. respect for the host, bringing up Sweden and Norway and the Taliban, not to mention how Paul's role in the Bible. 

The Reverend, on the other hand, sounds like an American Jihadist of the worst stripe. Total Handmaid's Tale.

[Teenagefreedomfightr]

Every reasonable person can see that this guy is a complete lunatic. Although perhaps bordering abusing the first amendment anyways how is there any ways he can have this ridiculous camp for teenager's? As a teenager who believe that most of us don't get enough freedom (especially those who a brainwashed into things such as this) cannot conceive that this could be legal. Not to sound militant and repetitive but this kind of militant idiocy must be destroyed.

[Ga5524]

Rev. Thomas should realize that the founding fathers of this country were freemasons.

[oinonio]

Enlightened Deists. God was the "divine watchmaker," set earth in motion and walked away. They left europe to avoid the state/religion mix: hence the separation clause...