Re: Re: Religion...National...and Underage Drinking...

[Guest guest]

,

true it's well said, but I disagree

What facts do you have to back your statement that a majority of LP's

are religious?

All I'm saying is that LPA offering religious services in a formal

manner or a christian prayer at any event, someone, somewhere is

going to be offended. Why push another LP away over this topic when

they may be at LPA for reasons that pertain to our mission statement

as opposed to our own personal secular choices?

On May 25, 2006, at 5:26 PM, irish_p_butter wrote:

>

> No, I don't feel like praying only in my room, where I am banished

> to do so. People are free to bring up workshops or meetings to be

> held at a conference, and if one of them is religious then awesome!

> If people are not that faith or no faith at all then they simply

> don't have to go! Religion is not a dirty word, not something to be

> banished to the confinds of one's hotel room, this is not an

> underground secret society! Advertising religious events at a

> conference is NOT shoving religion down anyone's throat. Guess what,

> I'd RATHER pray with my LP friends at a service then blindy trying

> to find a church and attend with people I don't know feeling like a

> complete outsider!

[Guest guest]

On 5/25/06, tony soares <tonysoares@...> wrote:

>

> ,

> true it's well said, but I disagree

>

> What facts do you have to back your statement that a majority of LP's

> are religious?

Glad you asked this question Tony, because I have an answer. In the United

States, 85% of the population identifies with one of the five major

religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism. Of that

number, approximately 77% identifies themselves as Christian, about 25%

Catholic and 52% Protestant or other Christian (17% Baptist, and the rest

spread out pretty evenly). 15% percent of the population identifies

themselves as atheist or agnostic. Islam is the fastest growing religion,

and Pentecostals and non-denominational conservatives are the fastest

growing denominations of Christianity.

In studies of all persons with disabilities, the number of people claiming

to be religious runs slighter higher than the national average (about 87%).

No extensive study has yet been done of LPs or LPA (which will be the focus

of my doctoral dissertation and book) but I'm assuming it falls somewhere

between the national average and those of all people with disabilities.

Given that LPA is a cultural cross-section of U.S. society, it is safe to

assume that 85% of our members claim some sort of religious affiliation.

Sources:

The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) 2001

Harvard Divinity School, Pluralism Project

All I'm saying is that LPA offering religious services in a formal

> manner or a christian prayer at any event, someone, somewhere is

> going to be offended. Why push another LP away over this topic when

> they may be at LPA for reasons that pertain to our mission statement

> as opposed to our own personal secular choices?

Instead of asking why are we holding religious services at a conference, the

better question may be why are we not holding more diversified religious

services at conferences? Services that encompass a broader perspective than

Protestant Christian? The atheists and agnostics can choose not to attend,

nor should they feel compelled to participate (the service, not the

conference).

Bill Bradford

--

" There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going

all the way, and not starting. "

(Buddha)

" You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. "

( 8:32)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Bill,

I knew the statistic was something like that.

Tony, who would be offended? If someone is not

interested, they simple do not go to that worship or

discussion, simple as that. It's like picking and

choosing what workshop or reception to go to.

So based on Bill's statistics, a few percent are

offended, but what about us? Having to hide or

practice in private offends me! I don't see people

walking around handing out Bibles trying to convert

others, I think most of us are respectful of other

people, so what exactly is the threat?

I agree with Bill, lets not have just one, lets have

many different type of faith meetings. I'd love to

meet other Catholics and see how being an LP effects

their religious beliefs and vice versa.

We do everything else together at a conference,

honestly why should this be " hidden " ?

Sorry but this is political correctness on speed.

There is a time and a place to protest, and a time and

a place to be accepting of others and their beliefs or

lack their of. One group shouldn't get special

presidence over another. I just feel like us believers

are always shoved away like some dirty secret. I hope

those days are coming to an end!

-

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Now, check those statistics against those that actually attend services.

On May 26, 2006, at 12:26 AM, irish_p_butter@... wrote:

> Thanks Bill,

>

> I knew the statistic was something like that.

>

> Tony, who would be offended? If someone is not

> interested, they simple do not go to that worship or

> discussion, simple as that. It's like picking and

> choosing what workshop or reception to go to.

>

> So based on Bill's statistics, a few percent are

> offended, but what about us? Having to hide or

> practice in private offends me! I don't see people

> walking around handing out Bibles trying to convert

> others, I think most of us are respectful of other

> people, so what exactly is the threat?

[Guest guest]

Tony to -

All I'm saying is that LPA offering religious services

in a formal manner or a christian prayer at any

event, someone, somewhere is going to be offended.

******************************************

Please - someone is going to be offended no matter

WHAT is offered. Some will be offended by sex

workshops, some by the GBLT gathering, some by the

rock music, some by drinking, some by immodestly

dressed women...

If LPA is going to deny an activity because it is

deemed offensive by someone, well then, the LPA

convention will consist of people sitting around in

long robes and looking at each other.

That would be fun.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Yeah me too.. As Christians I would like to see anyone hide Tony OR me! For

differing reasons of course!

Cheers,

Karolyn

Re: Religion...National...and Underage Drinking...

> We do everything else together at a conference,

> honestly why should this be " hidden " ?

--

This is the second post in which you stated that Christians are forced

to be hidden at LPA events. Please explain what you mean as I am not

understanding it.

Rose

writing as a list member

===

[Guest guest]

They're hiding behind the bar!

Just kidding

[Guest guest]

Randy! Shame on yer, what a bum joke!

Are you REALLY suggesting that the ONLY people at conference to get drunk are

Achons??????? Since I believe, we are the only ones with this condition.

Fred, trying to get to the bottom of this problem.

Re: Religion...National...and Underage Drinking...

Oh! I almost forgot! The robes were designed to hide their

protruding rumps.

Randy______

> >

> > They're hiding behind the bar!

> >

> >

> >

> > Just kidding

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

As a 4 time past conference chair or co/chair , let me briefly address

this issue .

1. A Sunday morning prayer service at conference as gone on as long as I

remember. It's nothing new. It's been on the schedule at 8 or 9 ish on

Sunday morning. I also recall that the posting of the services of

different denominations has been in conference guides. So the posting of

service was information for out of towners... Holding a VOLUNTARY prayer

service on Sunday morning , at a time which didn't conflict with anything

and most people are still in bed.... makes it appropriate for those that

want it ... I don't see why anyone would be offended. If a Muslim group

came and asked for a room without chairs at a particular time of day , I

wouldn't discriminate.... and would do my best to accomdate them .

2. In recent years, individuals have asked for an evening Bible Study.

They needed a meeting room... Had their own " facilitators " . ...didn't

need refreshements... so there was ZERO COST to the Conference and hence

to the membership. In Orlando, I didn't hear a thing about the Bible

Study all week.. .. they didn't really ask anything of us.... although I

did find out that they requested and received microphones without

committee approval at a cost of a couple hundred dollars.. But they

weren't the only " unauthorized " requests for micorphones during the week.

My point is... the Bible Study was there if someone was looking for it

..... and for those that weren't ... they probably didn't even know.

3.. I have mixed feeling for public prayer at National Conferences. I

would prefer a moment of silence before dinner for those to have a

private moment of blessing or thought, I think this would not offend

anyone...

4. If a Kosher meal was requested of me as Conference chair .... I would

do my best to accomadte the individuals... we provide Vegetartian....

Marge

[Guest guest]

Rose,

Hidden was in response to Tony's earlier posts about

practicing in your room.

The meaning I also had behind it was something I've

felt for awhile, that in society we do have to hide

our religious beliefs from others. I am too afraid to

say Merry Christmas to someone because it might be

offensive. This Christmas though, Happy Holidays will

not be in my vocabulary, its M.C alll the way!

However, this is about conferences so my only point is

how there is nothing wrong with having a religious

event at a conference, if someone comes forward and

wants to host it. That conferences meet almost all the

needs of an lp. Many lp's whether they practice every

week or not, spiritual beliefs are important to them

and it would be great to meet other lp's to discuss

it.

-

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Amen Sister! Preach it to the masses!

(oh, and Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Namaste, and whatever the

different holiday greetings for Buddhism might be..)

Bill the Heretic.

On 5/26/06, irish_p_butter@... <irish_p_butter@...> wrote:

>

> Rose,

>

> Hidden was in response to Tony's earlier posts about

> practicing in your room.

>

> The meaning I also had behind it was something I've

> felt for awhile, that in society we do have to hide

> our religious beliefs from others. I am too afraid to

> say Merry Christmas to someone because it might be

> offensive. This Christmas though, Happy Holidays will

> not be in my vocabulary, its M.C alll the way!

>

> However, this is about conferences so my only point is

> how there is nothing wrong with having a religious

> event at a conference, if someone comes forward and

> wants to host it. That conferences meet almost all the

> needs of an lp. Many lp's whether they practice every

> week or not, spiritual beliefs are important to them

> and it would be great to meet other lp's to discuss

> it.

>

> -

>

>

>

" There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going

all the way, and not starting. "

(Buddha)

" You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. "

( 8:32)