Jeb Bush or Donald Trump?

[MoValley John]

I actually enjoy discussions regarding faith, and I love learning about parts of the faith where I'm uneducated. And I probably most enjoy discussions with Catholics.

But I can look at a man, someone I know, who is a regular at perpetual adoration, but who is also a known bookmaker and overall kind of scummy guy. I don't know how he thinks he'll be saved, just because he's Catholic. Maybe he will be and I'm all wet. I'm more than open to that possibility.

BUT that hardly makes the Catholic faith as a whole a bad religion. I would guess that a plurality of the decent and wonderful people I know are Catholics.

Is bookmaking a sin? I don't know. It's illegal in Kansas and Nebraska, but that doesn't mean it's a sin, just illegal. The Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus's tunic. I'm not sure if they had a bingo and a meat wheel going, but they did gamble for Jesus's stuff. I try to not judge too much, but we all judge. I think the Romans went to Hell, but the Bible never said, so who am I to judge?

By the way, there's a raffle for a new Harley and a break the bank to support the local homeless shelter. Get your tickets early.

[shocka khan]

I actually enjoy discussions regarding faith, and I love learning about parts of the faith where I'm uneducated. And I probably most enjoy discussions with Catholics.

But I can look at a man, someone I know, who is a regular at perpetual adoration, but who is also a known bookmaker and overall kind of scummy guy. I don't know how he thinks he'll be saved, just because he's Catholic. Maybe he will be and I'm all wet. I'm more than open to that possibility.

BUT that hardly makes the Catholic faith as a whole a bad religion. I would guess that a plurality of the decent and wonderful people I know are Catholics.

First of all, I appreciate the more respectful tone.

Second, I have had many, many Catholic friends throughout my life, my best friend, who lived in Wichita and El Dorado for many years before he passed a couple of years ago. He was best man at my wedding and I at his. He taught RCA during the last few years of his life. My family and I helped him during the darkest time of his life and gave him a new start, which allowed him to prosper, marry and have a son who is extremely successful.

My neighbor in Topeka, who also passed, who was an agricultural salesman and later a regional manager for his company. He was as big as a bear and always had a smile on his face. No one was his enemy.

My sister, who converted to the religion.

My girlfriend, whom I have been with for about 8 years. Her entire family who I think very highly of. One of her best friends and her son, who is a priest.

When I say I was disenfranchised from a religion it was not Catholic. I prefer not to disclose my personal experiences but I'm making an exception here and making limited disclosure in the interest of demonstrating to you that I have had many positive experiences with Catholics.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Catholic religion.

I will confess that I overheard an acquaintance (who is a Catholic) making a reference to the Catholic religion and the diversity of opinions in the religion so that it allows anyone to pick and choose particular beliefs within reason, much like going to a cafeteria. Hence the term 'cafeteria Catholic'. I'm guessing that this is a term originating from the south (Louisiana) and perhaps not heard much in Kansas.

Enough of the self-indulgence. Let's move on. This type of discussion is better suited for Dr. Phil than the Shockernet board.

[shocka khan]

Is bookmaking a sin? I don't know. It's illegal in Kansas and Nebraska, but that doesn't mean it's a sin, just illegal. The Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus's tunic. I'm not sure if they had a bingo and a meat wheel going, but they did gamble for Jesus's stuff. I try to not judge too much, but we all judge. I think the Romans went to Hell, but the Bible never said, so who am I to judge?

By the way, there's a raffle for a new Harley and a break the bank to support the local homeless shelter. Get your tickets early.

In the religion I belonged to, gambling wasn't a sin, per sae, until it got out of control. Limited betting, casinos, raffles OK. Spending your entire check at the horse track and not being able to pay the rent would have been a sin.

By the way, send me a link to the raffle and if I can donate online I will. I'd probably have to give the Harley away.

[MoValley John]

In the religion I belonged to, gambling wasn't a sin, per sae, until it got out of control. Limited betting, casinos, raffles OK. Spending your entire check at the horse track and not being able to pay the rent would have been a sin.

By the way, send me a link to the raffle and if I can donate online I will. I'd probably have to give the Harley away.

So the sin would be in how you managed or didn't manage your blessings? Putting a grand on the Cowboys isn't a sin, but if you can't feed your kid and you bet a $20 three way parlay with the Lions, Rams and Buccaneers, that would be a sin.

And a really bad bet.

[wufan]

Straight and narrow is the path to salvation in my Baptist upbringing. Gambling and drinking are temptations of the devil best left alone. ;)

[Dave Stalwart]

bet a $20 three way parlay with the Lions, Rams and Buccaneers, that would be a sin.

That would definitely be a sin, no other qualifying information is necessary.

[RoyalShock]

I respect shocka's choice not to reveal where he had his disenfranchisement experience, but I'm reminded of the adage: "If you find the perfect church, don't go there because you'll mess it up."

While it's important for Christians to be a reflection of Christ and always mindful of how others perceive us, those who use the sinful behavior of Christians to justify their lack of belief are completely missing the point of Christ's sacrifice.

Not one is righteous. No, not one. All have fallen short of the glory of God.

We are saved through grace.

The other side of that is, "Shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? By no means!"

Sorry for the mini-sermon.

[SHOCKvalue]

I respect Trump's accomplishments, but from a PR perspective the man is a train wreck; a blathering idiot. The political machine would eat him up and spit him out like a sunflower seed shell in no time.

I don't have anything terribly against JB, but I'm not a fan at all of his strong connection to the political establishment, and if he did win the GOP nomination you might as well just plan on Hillary for the next four or eight years. JB would never capture the independents; not a chance in hell.

Not that anyone is asking, but I'm a pretty big fan of Ben Carson due to his detachment from the political machine, obvious high level of intelligence, and the fact that the man is 100% self-made. I understand from the liberals I know that by liking Carson that makes me an older, rural, white tea party or possibly KKK member. Who knew?

[Dave Stalwart]

You are racist if you didn't support Obama, but you are also racist if you DO support Ben Carson. Did I get that right?

[pinstripers]

Ben Carson is a wonderful man and role model, but has no chance to win the nomination.

[Dave Stalwart]

Ben Carson is a wonderful man and role model, SO HE has no chance to win the nomination.

yep

[SHOCKvalue]

You are racist if you didn't support Obama, but you are also racist if you DO support Ben Carson. Did I get that right?

I believe that is the libtard logic logarithm.

Ben Carson is a wonderful man and role model, but has no chance to win the nomination.

yep

I get your sarcasm, but...

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/ben-carson-tops-gop-field-new-2016-poll

[Kung Wu]

Not that anyone is asking, but I'm a pretty big fan of Ben Carson due to his detachment from the political machine, obvious high level of intelligence, and the fact that the man is 100% self-made. I understand from the liberals I know that by liking Carson that makes me an older, rural, white tea party or possibly KKK member. Who knew?

I LOL'd.

[MoValley John]

So much for Bush getting excommunicated, I hear Jenner changed churches, too!

wbcchurchsign.jpg

[jocoshock]

"these 15...........CRASH..........10, TEN commandments"

The greatest movie clip of all time...

https://youtu.be/Ah-WdAwVg9c