Show of Hands

Absolutely true, on all points!

It was great! Thanks for asking!

Did the unwanted guest show up?

Im actually having that on Saturday so I'll have w to wait and see

This ^

LOL

This user is currently being ignored

No, that would scare me! :)

This user is currently being ignored

Apparently I'm offended by religion and am known for my anti religious rants...

Matt, you are the *least* offensive user, as far as I can tell. The people who criticize you are looking for something to be mad about. Don't take it to heart!

Matt I didn't mean it in a negative way I was just wanting your thoughts on it from what I had gleamed from some polls.

Suppose I didn't articulate that very well in my comment

I can understand that... Although that still leaves another comment claiming in known for anti religious rants

I found the discussion. That particular user is pretty extreme in some of his views.

I am rather perplexed by two of his arguments, in that thread. He appears to be saying, as a Jew, you should support mixing religion with government. Most Jews ...

... that I know are very leery of mixing religion and government. It can too easily become a promotion of Christianity.

The other strange one is where he says you do not support Israel. I have seen zero evidence of that. Believe me, I WOULD notice!

Thanks guys. !?! I'm not for mixing religion with government. I am against that. I do argue with Matt about government officials (and FFers) should be moral people (and that religious individuals do well in that job). Not because of social issues.

Grandma. Also wrong. I do not want Israel to mix religion and government either. That has never been a position if mine. If you believe I hold a position you should ask. Both points are 100% wrong.

Also grandma. I do feel that the way Matt condemns Israel for "other" infractions, always during Hamas problems, is offensive. That is not the same as hating Israel. C'mon guys.

Ozzy, I apologize if I misunderstood you. I took this to be for religion in government. "Your beliefs about separation of church and state fly in the face of our founding fathers and the morality that is needed for a country to self regulate."

As a Jew, I feel that separation of church and state protects me.

Also, I interpreted the following to imply that you think Matt does not support Israel. "Also, as a Jew, you should be more respectful of your country, religion, and Israel."

I sincerely apologize for any offense. That's how I read it. I purposely didn't use your name, because I don't believe in calling out users, outside of the original thread.

One more important point. I don't think Matt has ever "condemned" ...

... Israel. Criticized, but not condemned. There is a very big difference and it's *not* just semantics.

Respectfully, I think you were pretty hard on Matt, just for having different opinions. I was trying to tell him that.

But, I don't want to fight with you, either. You said to ask, so I'm asking. How do you feel about church and state?

I think he has been very critical of Israel especially during the war with Hamas. It is popular to NOT support Israel, especially if you are an atheist (which is very popular right now.

I agree with you about separation of C and S giving protection

But remember. Israel is a Jewish state, not just a sovereign state.

Also. Our FFers believed that only a moral (not religious) populace could self govern. That is the American experiment.
Constant questions calling the FF old white slave owners

Is not helpful, innocent or correct. I think Matt is trying to be provocative.
Sorry you think I am soooooo extreme.

And btw. On the "original thread". Did you see that I made 1 comment (my opinion), and then Matt made about 10 paragraphs to denounce me. So ... Who was hard on whom. ?????

This IS an opinion polling ap.
Thanks !

Ozzy, I have 4 points. Sometimes, it helps me to organize my thoughts that way, so please bear with me.
(1) In my first comments, I was not even thinking of the role of religion in Israel's government. That is a legitimate topic, but as ...

... far as I can remember, it's never come up before, on any SOH polls or my comments anywhere. So, let's take that off the table for present purposes.
(2) Yes, Matt can be wordy. :) As can I!
(3) I don't actually think he tries to be ...

... "provocative," as much as he is iconoclastic. There are plenty of provocative SOH users. It's a matter of posting style and attitude. I don't like that. Being iconoclastic, on the other hand, means that you are willing to question long-held ...

... assumptions. For example, mentioning the human flaws of the FFs is not vilifying them, in my opinion. It's taking a step back and encouraging people to think. That's in the best Jewish tradition, by the way.
(4) As you know (I hope), I am ...

... a strong supporter of Israel. I have never noticed Matt being hostile. He has said, from time to time, that Israel is not perfect. If he was hostile, I would be the first to call him out on it!
(5) So, I lied. I have five points. :) As you ...

... you said, this is an opinion polling app. My four points above are my opinions. You are very much entitled to yours. Please take this in the spirit of open discussion, not confrontation.

As always. :-). Thanks

I agree.