(13-08-2023, 11:49 AM)Zurdo Wrote: Solitaire, now that's my sort of game.

(13-08-2023, 03:27 PM)Oh_hunnihunni Wrote: I am already fighting the urge to pour a glass and open the games app...

(12-08-2023, 02:36 PM)SueDonim Wrote: I have long felt that the tax-free aspect of charity should only apply to money/goods that go directly to the beneficiaries. There are far too many leaders who get away with big salaries and rich lifestyles while the parishioners go poor. Then there are those that have huge businesses that have a huge advantage over their competition because they don't pay tax, and the competition does.

I got put off the Sallies in the early 80s when my friend who was a member with a degree of standing in the church was denied help in getting out of the violent marriage she was in. Their attitude was that family cohesion is all and that she should stay and weather the bruises. Then later in the 80s they lobbied against the homosexual law reform. It's one thing to say that people's behaviour goes against your principles, but an entirely different level to promote laws preventing people from being who they are. I remember being given door knob/letterbox stickers that said something like "Salvation Army not welcome here....".

And then of course we are well aware of the whole debacle of what goes on at Gloriavale. A different aspect to a degree, but overall still part of the system that lets the leaders get away with everything while not being required to pay any tax.

(15-08-2023, 10:30 AM)king1 Wrote: this was a great series on Scientology

(19-08-2023, 09:30 AM)zqwerty Wrote: I can't understand why so many people fall for this nonsense.

When I was young I was taught by my parents that there aren't any answers to life, (whatever that means).

All one can do is get up and go to work everyday to get enough money to keep body and soul together, but chasing after a lot of money is not the best thing to do, better to get enough each day for necessities and live a life of quiet dignity.

There are no guiding spirits of any type that can give you a better path through life so anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to mislead you.

Be honest and do what you say you are going to do.

(19-08-2023, 11:15 AM)Lilith7 Wrote: Some people apparently have a need for religion. I've never had it but then I come from a long line of non church goers; at least, when it was safe to be so.


And yes, trees make more saense than some people.

(19-08-2023, 09:11 AM)Oh_hunnihunni Wrote: I cannot think of a single religion that isn't used as a control strategy. It is why I became a tree hugging pagan polytheist isolate....