Oct 25th:
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott said he's urging Congress to consider raising the minimum wage so that Wal-Mart customers don't have to struggle paycheck to paycheck.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/25/news/fortune500/walmart_wage/
Basically Wal-Mart is saying that they would like to sell more cheap shit to low wage people. In order to do so, since trade with China eliminated 1.5 Million US jobs, they want the government to raise the minimum wage so these people can spend this extra money at Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart wants the people who would shop at Wal-Mart to have more money to spend then I think they need a good long hard look in the mirror. They could give all their impoverished 1.2 million employees raises, such as Henry Ford did, making it possible for his work force to be able to afford the products they were making. Or if Wal-Mart wants to make more money for the corporation then maybe they should cut the pay of their executives instead of gouging their vendors or taking it from their workers.
Some people would argue that Wal-Mart is forced to buy cheap Chinese goods and pay low wages with few benefits in order to stay competitive, profitable and keep their cheap-shit-buying consumer base coming back for more, but we all know that is a bunch of BS.
In 2004, H. Lee Scott Jr., President and CEO (not the founder) of Wal-Mart, made 22,991,599 dollars from Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart only paid him $991,599 per year (a salary I would kill for), they could take the other $22,000,000 and give 5,288 employees a $2 per hour raise. S. Robson Walton, Chairman of Wal-Mart is worth 17 Billion dollars. If you divided up his net worth and paid it to all the US employees of Wal-Mart they would all get a $4.80 per hour raise which is $9,984 per year. If you gave all of Wal-Mart's 1,200,000 US employees a $2 per hour, or $4160 per year raise it would only account for 1.7% of Wal-Mart's annual sales revenue. Wal-Mart's employees earn 20% less than unionized grocery store employees.
It is estimated that the US government spends up to 1.5 billion dollars subsidizing Wal-Mart employees with public assistance, food stamps and health care as these employees cannot make it on Wal-Mart wages. You could say they don't have to work at Wal-Mart. But, when Wal-Mart is responsible for these people's stores going out of business, or the town bulldozed their store or former place of employment in order to build a Wal-Mart, or their job was lost due to illegal competition from a Chinese manufacturer that Wal-Mart now buys from, then where exactly are they supposed to work, especially if they live in a small town?
More facts about Wal-Mart:
Wal-Mart received 37 million in welfare payments out of the new transportation bill.
They posted approximately 9 Billion dollars in profit last year.
They have collected over 1 Billion in economic development subsidies from state and local governments.
Wal-Mart also receives advanced warning from the federal government about child labor law inspections.
Wal-Mart has been busted for having illegal immigrants working in their store for less than minimum wage which drives down American wages.
Exports to the US from China outnumber US exports to China by 5 to 1.
70% Of Wal-Mart products are made in China.
Wal-Mart accounts for 14% of the United States 126 Billion dollar trade deficit with China.
Trade unions in China are illegal.
A story about how lower earning stores who never received government subsidies are being forced out by a Walmart receiving 10 million in local subsidies under eminent domain.
These guys don't create jobs--they eliminate them. Don't get the two confused.
Don't shop at Wal-Mart. Support Main Street American ma and pa stores when possible. Remember, America is a Democracy before we are capitalists; we the people also have the right to keep Wal-Mart from building in our towns.
"There is one rule for industrialists and that is: Make the best quality of goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible." -Henry Ford
Sources: Forbes, CNN, Wal-Mart Home Page,Walmartwatch.com, PBS Frontline, AFL-CIO
36 comments:
http://walmartwatch.com/
(walmartwatch has uncovered a secret memo between walmart stockholders re: bad PR due to lack of affordable employee healthcare)
http://www.walmartmovie.com/
(new film that looks inside the lives of employees by the same creators of "Outfoxed")
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/facts/
(the real facts about walmart)
Sorry, but I am a wife and mother of three and as long as Wal-Mart is the cheepest store around, I am going to shop there for my family.
I also shop at a Dollar Tree nearby where Everything's a $1.00 - pretty good deal. But they probably import from China too. Oh well, I guess I'm Anti-American for shopping at Wat-Wart.
Orwell was right on many things (like our Government Newspeak), but the real world domination will come from business. Walmart leading the way. And the sheeple will follow.
"Save a penny, cause its jumbo size, and they don't even recognize, they're killin the little man"
Dani:
Cheap stuff comes at a high price. What kind of future do you want for your kids? Do you want one that only offers them a job greeting customers at Wal-Mart, who by then will have put everyone else out of business and will jack up their prices by 100%? Don't forget that when they become the only retail outlet they will continue to only sell movies/music with their agenda, or their edited versions movies and music. That is not freedom. Or would you rather your kids to grow up in a diverse economy with many choices where they will be free to express themselves in any manner they want and will be free to buy what ever they want from whom ever they want and have numerous career choice paths? And yes the dollar store also sells stuff only made in China, but how many ice cube trays does one need? They are not a threat.
Wal-mart should be called Religious Nutjob-Mart.
I don't think some people care if it does push a religious agenda.
Dani...gay people are people too.
Stay out of my bedroom and I'll stay out of yours.
Dani, perhaps WalMart isn't costing you directly, but indirectly your taxes are paying for the healthcare benefits of walmart workers. The company encourages its workers to get on government programs so they do not have pay for benefits.
You may not be paying at the cash register, but you are on April 15th as walmart costs taxpayers billions a year in government welfare payments for its workers.
Don't get me wrong though, I am for a single payor universal healthcare system. I just don't think walmart should benefit unfairly under our system just because they pay wages which qualify their employees for welfare.
Wal mart takes out life insurance policies on their elderly employees without letting them know. Then when they die, Wal Mart collects the cash. As if they don't make enough money allready.
However, I shop at Wal Mart sometimes too. I'm saving my money, in the end it may fuck us, but as of right now, I need grocerys so fuck you.
You can get groceries anywhere Yacoob! Have you ever even compared the prices of their groceries to Sam's, the Mexican grocery stores or even Kroger? The biggest trick Wal-Mart plays is advertise something like a DVD player for a ridiculously low price of saw $50. That gets you into the store; what you don't realize is that they don't have the best prices on all their goods and can afford to lose money on the Korean made DVD player because they know you are going to buy their DVDs, socks, pizza, spark plugs, toys, and shotguns from them at a higher price.
I can get a huge restaurant sized bulk bottle of seasonings (basil, garlic etc.) at the Mexican store for the same price I would get a .3oz bottle at Jewel. They draw you in with some good deals but fuck you on others.
And as torporific said; you end up paying for it one way or another. Whether that means it comes out of your taxes or they don't have enough money to build another prison and they let some rapist go that ends up ass raping you in a dark alley somewhere because they already spent the funds on welfare recipients who work at Wal-Mart.
You think the Free Masons, Illuminati and Colonel Sanders has more power than Wal-Mart? Think again. You might as well send a blank check to the Skull and Bones and the Republican National Committee.
Great....just what we needed.
Another whiney little bitch-ass blogger with a anti-capitalist agenda.
Great, just what we needed; some uneducated yahoo who has been brain washed and has no data, facts or opinions of their own so they make a snide remark as "anonymous" as to avoid any type of intelligent debate as they are not capable of one. When you grow up and quit subscribing to Spoon Fed Weekly feel free to come back.
Any intelligent person would know that I am not anti-capitalist, I am pro democracy and that supersedes capitalism in America as nothing in our constitution suggests that America is to be a capitalist society. Being pro democracy we do have the right to tell Walmart to suck it and that they are not allowed to build in our communities. Are you saying that the freedoms and choice of the people is insignificant compared to the desire of a corporate capitalist entity such as Walmart to make money and put other businesses under? If so, please go back to high school and read a history book.
Toad,
Maybe I just don't see what the big deal is? You asked me "what kind of future do you want for your kids." I want my kids to grow up to live happy and healthy lives. I want them to be people of strong character and who are confident in who they are as human beings. Success is not defined my what type of job they have or how much money they make. Wal-Mart does not have a monopoly on retail, nor will it put everyone else out of business. As with any store, if they have an agenda to sell things I don't approve of, I simply won't buy it. We shop at several other stores for household goods, but primarily at Wal-mart. All depends on who has the best price on paticular items. BTW - Sam's Club is owned by Wal-Mart.
Personally, I would rather spend the time boycotting other things of moral relevance and that might actually make a difference in the society we live in. Getting cheep groceries is not something I am going to fight to lose.
R, Who said anything about gay people? What does that have to do with Wal-mart anyway?
But since you mentioned it, the homosexual lifestyle is a perverted lifestyle, it is destructive to our society and it should be re-criminalized. Murderers, child molesters and rapist are people too, does than mean it's okay?
Torporific,
My taxes pay for a lot things that I don't approve of, like the welfare system, state funded abortion and public schools. Our government spends $500 Billion a year on a failing system that is producing generations of illiterate and dysfunctional people. Maybe if our kids had a chance at a good education, then they would be motivated to get a good job so they can have a promising future? Parents should pull their kids from the public school and take responsibility for their education. Otherwise, quit whining and complaining about how bad things are. The future of this nation depends on our children, and at this rate, it looks pretty scary!
The people who shop at Wal-mart, which was the point I was trying to make, tend to be religious anti gay people.
I looked at your profile, Dani. It's ok not to agree with me; I certainly don't agree with you. Just recognize that gay people are people, not animals. I recognize you're a Christian and have the fundamental right to worship.
I take offense with your insinuation that gays are immoral, because you do not know me. You are judging people like me by what YOU consider to be right. Your arrogance, and yes it is, in assuming what is right and wrong and what should be punished by re-criminalizing something that you have no business interfering with, is so non-Jesus.
Morality doesn't only belong to the Christians.
R- I wasn’t aware that Wal-Mart’s customers tend to be religious anti gay people. When I shop there, it is mostly White trash and Mexicans with a bunch of unruly children running around everywhere. Maybe it's just Denver, I don't know?
I never once said that gay people are animals. I said that the homosexual lifestyle is a perverted lifestyle and it is destructive to our society. My mother-in-law is a homosexual and we would want nothing more than for her to be freed from that bondage and healed of all her pain from within. I have lived that lifestyle and I know how destructive it can be. As with all of sexual immorality, it is wrong and destructive. Something usually happens to a person during childhood which causes promiscuous behavior and homosexual tendencies. My heart goes out to them and I pray for their deliverance.
GOD is the One who said homosexuality is wrong, not me. I am just proclaiming the Truth as I know it. Not too long ago, sodomy was punished by swift and painful execution according to God. God does not condone the celebration of sodomy as in a parade on a city street or in a public school classroom as if it were something glorious. In fact, God violently wiped out Sodom and Gomorrah, remember?
You say this is “so non-Jesus.” If I may ask, how on earth would you know what Jesus is like? You reject Him and deny that He is the Truth. How could you possibly know what Jesus would do? I’ll tell you that Jesus is not tolerant and accepting of sin, and He will NOT be mocked.
You said, "Morality doesn't only belong to the Christians."
True, I totally agree with that. Morality is a universal concept that applies to the entire human race. God is the One who created morality and He sets the standards for right and wrong. It is always wrong for ANY person to murder another person, rape a woman, molest a child, commit adultery, fornicate with another, or be a homosexual. Those are God’s standards for Righteousness! If you don't like it – take it up with Him. If you want to know more about what God really says, I would love to answer your questions.
I talk to God on a regular basis and he thinks that's just silly. Morality actually belongs to a travel agent in Newark.
TOaD, where'd my comment go?
I'm not going to assume that you deleted it because I doubt very much that you would.
So lemme ask again:
Have you donated to our Project Valour yet??????????? You can't have missed it.
Whenever god, (Jesus) talks to me he tells me to get as much puntang as possible, of course in a way that is safe for myself and the said puntang.
He says that the point of life is to live, imagine that, and be happy in whatever way that I can that doesn't hurt others or the world in which I live.
I dont believe that Morality is an objective idea. If you don't believe that morality is relative than how do you explain war?
God is the source of morality
God says thou shalt not kill
In wars people are killed
:.War is against gods morality
Do you oppose all war and all killing no matter what the circumstance? If not than you believe that morality is relative too.
Toad, I'm sorry for turning your post's topic from Wal-Mart to the rather dubious 'sins' of homosexuality and lack of religion.
Look. I grew up Lutheran and read the Bible a lot. It was one of my most favorite books, actually. It's brimming to the seams with betrayal, adultery, violence, and advice on what to eat. It's great.
I don't think Jesus, going with your theory that he existed, was nearly as judgemental as his current day followers.
He did not like to see people taking advantage of others, which was part of the reason for the little temper tantrum at the temple where he overturned tables because he saw too much profit being made in the name of his Father, BUT he loved everyone. Even rich people.
It's strange how everything comes full circle. I see modern, well-to-do Christians not unlike those people in the temple. Self-righteous and hypocritical. People who have made their money exploiting others--like the business people in the temple.
I'm not suggesting that you are, Dani, but there is plenty of them.
I am not a believer, but I respect those that do. Unless they *try* to force their religion down my gullet.
Karen:
Click on the link about the Denver situation. Plenty of people loose their stores due to a wal-mart being built; not to mention all the inner city and Main Street type stores that everyone abandons for cheap shit in the suburbs.
Sondra:
I didn't delete anything. You may have posted a comment on another subject line but not this one. No I haven't donated to what ever that project is for a couple of reasons. 1. Forgive me for not donating to a cause that is being supported by a pro gun site. Like the Red Cross who knows where that money will really end up.I don't want my money going to people who already have too much power. 2. I don't want those DVDs.3 I really didn't look into it much because again I just assumed it was some project to give every Iraqi child a gun and teach him to spend his money at McDonalds.
Dani: I challenge you to find a verse in the New Testament (which is the law Christians are to follow else you would still eat Kosher and go to church on Saturdays) where God or Jesus says anything but Judge not yet ye be judged. The scripture you refer to does not exist. If you are referring to the passage in Leviticus (Old Testament/Torah=Jewish law) where God is telling the Jewish priests how they should live then you will have to start stoning your kids when they talk back to you and your husband will have to grow a beard as well.
Wal-Mart sucks! Target rules! Down with jebus! Satan rocks!
My mother lives in one of those tiny communities being eaten by Wal-Mart. They moved in, opened a supercenter with low prices and a wide selection, and slowly all the little stores around them began closing down. Now they have a near monopoly on everything they carry, and they no longer feel the need to offer such a wide selection as they once did. The thing that really gets me is that the people in that community complained that Wal-Mart was going to hurt them from the time the store opened and yet they continued to shop there. Whenever I asked them why they bought there products knowing they were crappy and would ultimately come to harm them, the basic argument was always "I have to shop there. They're slightly cheaper."
To me, when you factor in the low quality, lack of customer service, and half hour waits in line, it's really not much of a bargain. Similar with the Dollar Tree - I bought a cheap bottle of window cleaner there that actually leaves a filmy coating on surfaces. Sometimes it's worth the extra three cents to get a decent product. I haven't shopped WM or DT this year, and I don't plan to ever return.
Power to the people. Bad is good, baby. Down with government!
Grant:
Exactly! Once you let a company force everyone out and they gain the monopoly they can carry what they want and charge what ever they want for it. If that means they don't carry Fahrenheit 9/11 that means your town won't have access to that, a Ludacris album or whatever the Wal-Mart morality police decides you should have access to.
I thought monopolies were illegal? I wonder what kind of precedents there are for someone in a small town as your mothers to sue Wal-Mart for having a monopoly. What is the federal definition of a monopoly and how localized does that law get? Obviously there would be nothing wrong with being the only hardware store in a town of 900 people but at what point do the monopoly laws kick in?
You are a very very very ignorant asshole, TOaD. You're not even fun anymore.
BTW, there are about 40 blogs participating...AND it's very clear what it's for AND you don't give ME the $$ it goes to Soldier's Angels...AND there a quite a few other things being offered...but mostly ....you can give just for the sake of it and because it's a lovely cause.
Yannow what? Now my respect for you is in the negative numbers. Fuck you TOaD. You really are a dickless phony. I only keep you from being the first person kicked out of my place because everyone seems to enJOY kicking your ass. And look ma, NO GUNs are needed.
We're buying voice activated laptop computers for wounded soldiers and I'm setting up a web site for them so they can have THEIR say. Freely and unencumbered.
What are you afraid of?
SondraK
Since I don't read all Stop the ACLU blogs I wouldn't know if this was a real cause or something you set up to, as I said, donate to the NRA or go buy a new double donged dildo. Typically when I donate money to a cause it is a local cause and I vote for people who don't cut veterans benefits and pay. You are robbing Peter to pay Paul. If you would quit voting for Enron Execs. to run the government you would find that the troops would already be adequately supported and paid. What are you afraid of?
By the way I would like to know where all this "ass kicking" takes place.
If those guys in the NRA had real convictions, they'd shoot themselves.
Ryan – since all morality is relative, let me ask you this:
Is it absolutely wrong to rape a woman or molest a child?
As for war, there were dozens of wars all throughout the Bible. God says thou shall not MURDER. There is quite a difference between killing a murder. God is the One who instituted the death penalty, remember?
I do not oppose war, so long as it is a just war. This war in Iraq is not a just war and Bush is going to have many people’s blood on his hands for a useless cause. I feel sorry for him on judgment day.
R – I know this is a sensitive subject for you and I do not blame you for not liking Christians. Just like you said, many are “Self-righteous and hypocritical.” So-called Christian networks are full of scandalous crooks who make their money exploiting others and most Christians are so ignorant to God’s word they are an absolute embarrassment to Christianity.
While Jesus is loving, He is also very judgmental and intolerant of Sin. Jesus called people dogs and swine for their wickedness and said that the unrighteous will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.
Yes, “God so loved the world….” But the verse continues, "he who does not believe is judged already because he has not believed in the Son of God.”
Toad – You challenged me to find a verse in the New Testament where God or Jesus says anything but Judge not yet ye be judged. Ok, I just love a good challenge, however this is not one of them.
“Do Not Judge” – That is probably one of the biggest clichés that Christian’s have tangled them selves up in. It is probably one of the most popular quotes that Christians and non-Christians use today. Yet, it is the verse that is most consistently taken out of context.
Matt. 7:1 says, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” – yes we all know that part. But when you keep reading, you find that Jesus says - “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” When we repent of our sin, take the log out of our own eye, then we can judge.
Jesus said, “Do not judge…you hypocrite.” I cannot tell a homosexual that their lifestyle is destructive if I too am gay. But since I am not, I won’t be a hypocrite in telling them that.
Jesus repeatedly taught men to judge rightly, insisting they “judge with righteous judgment” and He praised a man who “rightly judged.” The Apostle Paul shamed the Corinthian Christians because no one among them was willing to “judge the smallest matters.” As the Apostle wrote, “He who is spiritual judges all things” for “we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:15‑16)
1 Corinthians 6:2‑5 : “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?”
Jesus said in Luke 12:56-57 - “Hypocrites! …Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?”
Jesus said also in John 7:24 - “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Any more challenges Toady? Bring it on!
That makes no fucking sense at all.
"Who said anything about gay people? What does that have to do with Wal-mart anyway?
But since you mentioned it, the homosexual lifestyle is a perverted lifestyle, it is destructive to our society and it should be re-criminalized. Murderers, child molesters and rapist are people too, does than mean it's okay?"
Sorry, what great wrong are homosexuals doing that is destroying society again? Are you refering to art? or possibly ballet? or maybe music. Clearly these things are terrible and doing away with homosexuals will saftly rectify this. A murderer kills another person who doesn't want it, a rapists rapes someone who doesn't want it. What does a homosexual do to another person that doesn't want it?
I've never read the new testiment (as I'm not christain), but I do recall the bible saying a man may not lie with another man has he would a woman. Seems to me god is just saying pick one or the other.
Then again if you think god wrote the bible you're beyond my help. I'm fairly sure the new testiment is broken up into books by who wrote each book.
to Grant: I'm glad you are wealthy enough to not shop at wal-mart. Unfortunately I am not as blessed as you, and like I said, I sometimes buy things from wal-mart.
and Toad: yes, I do price compare before I shop there. I only buy what is the cheapest. Otherwise I wouldn't go in there. In turn, I save money to blow on my ever-growing addiction to hookers and paint huffing. Usually I shop at, and get clothes and other shit like that at Goodwills or ancient antique stores, places in that vein. Toad I'm your fucking brother. You know as well as I know I try to support Independent companys and artists as much as I can...Fuck! I refused to buy bands albums that were on major labels until I was like 19! Althought now I do buy major label bands, if they're good. But I buy them only at Independent record stores. So yea, call me a fucking sell-out cause I drink Starbucks. Well, they're coffee is better than other places I've been. Sorry. whatever
And No, Monopolies apparentely are not Illegal. Just look at Microsoft and Standard Oil. Standard Oil (owned by David Rockefeller, who also owns Chase Manhattan Bank as well as everything else in this fucking country besides maybe Kentucky Fried Chicken) split up into different companies, just to where it wouldn't seem like a monopoly. Shell, Exxon, Mobil etc. These are all Standard Oil and David Rockefeller enterprises.
Wal Mart is already doing the same thing. "Sams Club". Next it will be something to the effect of, "White Trash Guns and Cheese". A different overt identity, but the same name in the end.
That passage about men is in the Bible but the Christians do not adhere to the old testament or they would be called Jews.
Dani: I was looking for a verse where Jesus said homosexuality was evil.
I just read Dani's profile about me section for her website. Wow after reading this I think I have to go and watch some porn to rid myself of her virtue and piety. Im currently having flashbacks from the movie Carrie, those poor, poor daughters of hers.
She sure is drinking the kool aid and Im sure shes serving it during break time at christian homeschool junction. One thing I can say for her is that she would make an excellent breeder in a suicide cult...
"I am a wife and a homeschooling mother of three beautiful girls. I am on assignment from God to be a good helper to my husband and to train up the next generation for Christ! My life verse: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." - 3 John 1:4
Hey Karl,
Funny you should mention my profile, because I was advised by another “Christian” to remove my favorite movies and music since basically it contradicts what I believe. But hey, I grew up in a certain culture and there are just some movies and musical artists that I like a lot, what can i say? Would I let my kids listen to them or watch them – no. But that’s the glory of being a parent, I can censor everything my kids do. Check out my profile again and maybe you’ll change your mind? Oh, and I usually don’t drink kool-aid, unless you got some vodka for it? And as for my kids, they are the most happy, obedient, secure and loving kids anyone has ever know. We hear it all the time – meanwhile other kids in public school are killing their parents and killing their peers and committing suicide because they have so much anger built up inside. But what do I know anyway?
Perhaps you think this is better for my profile?
“I am a crack whore who sells my body for money and I live on the streets. I have three illegitimate kids who are a burden on my life and who I should have aborted. I am on assignment from God to bring pain and suffering in the lives of my children and I hope to bring disease and hatred to everyone in my life. I have no greater joy than to watch everyone around me perish for all of eternity.”
Is that better?
Hi Toad,
When Jesus spoke, the issue of sexual immorality needed no clarification because ever since the beginning (Genesis 1), God created man and woman, to be united as one flesh, and sex was to remain within marriage. It was common knowledge among the Jews, that sexual sin of any kind is wrong, that's why "Do Not Commit Adultery" is one of the 10 commandments, so there was no need for Jesus to tell the people something they already knew. In the OT, sodomy was punishable by death.
When Jesus refers to sexual relations in the Gosples, He was only speaking about married couples. However, the Apostle Paul wrote the most of the books in the New Testament and it was Jesus who inspired him. Paul was sent to the Gentiles to preach the gosple of grace and he spoke of the Law in all of his writings. In Romans is that God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts and degrading passions because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
To save space you can click on the links to read what the Bible says about sexual immorality including homosexuality. =>
God gave them over to a depraved mind: Romans 1:18-27
The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 6:8-10
Flee from sexual immorality: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
The Law is for the lawless: 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Ok - I spelled "Gospel" wrong twice!
How embarrassing - that's my public school showing!
Dani:
Although this post was about Wal-Mart I have to address Dani's misinterpretation of scriptures.
"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."
This is not advocating the judgment of another; this is just another way of saying "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." It is not an advocation of being able to pass judgment on other people once you yourself are perfect. Isn't God supposed to be the one who judges? Are you saying you now have the power to say who is going to hell or not?
As far as your hypocrite comment goes, you said that you can tell a homosexual he is a sinner as long as you are not a homosexual. The 2 things wrong with this is that you are still not without sin, and that is addressed in the above paragraph about the spec in the eye. What this also means, in its loosest interpretation, is that you can tell a Democrat that he has a destructive lifestyle if you are a Republican. In other words, anything that you disagree with you can call a sin. You still have not pointed out any part of the New Testament that says homosexuality is wrong. Yes sex without marriage is addressed but just being gay is not; and how is someone supposed to have sex with marriage if it is illegal for them to get married?
Just because you don't agree with something doesn't make it a sin; just because you interpret one part of your version of the Bible one way doesn't mean that you are right or that God actually put his stamp of approval on it. There are many versions of the Bible and they say different things due to the authors and the interpretation of languages. The Gospels weren't even written until several years after Jesus' death. And in the two oldest copies of the Bible, each have two extra, and different, books that are not included in the one that is sitting in the Christian book stores. So that just goes to show you that the Bible isn't really the direct word of God and you can't take everything literally.
Try living on a boat with two elephants and every other animal on the planet for 7 months and you will see what I mean.
Oh ya, don't shop at Wal-Mart! Jesus wouldn't approve of slave labor; even though the Old Testament does.
Okay Toad, I am not going to spend much more time on this, obviously you are choosing to be willfully ignorant.
Perhaps you overlooked the other five passages I provided that say "Judge with righteous Judgment," "He that is spiritual Judges all things," and "Judge for yourselves what is right"
You know what is funny, is that through all this, you sure are being judgmental of me - you hypocrite! You tell me not to judge and you judge me! That is what Jesus is talking about!
Of course, no man can judge another man's heart, but I can sure can judge by their actions. If someone raped your mom, should you not judge that person?
BTW - if we're not supposed to judge, we should probably rip out the entire book of JUDGES that is in the Bible.
You also said, "You still have not pointed out any part of the New Testament that says homosexuality is wrong."
Ok - Re-read the verses that I gave you the links to above - all are in the New Testament! Check different versions too, they all say pretty much the same thing.
As for the Bible not being the word of God...2 Timothy 3:16 says that, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Signing off - Dani
Well, I couldn’t possibly come up with a more enjoyable post than Dani and this will probably be a letdown but I couldn’t let this topic close out without sharing my “Bi-Color Commercialism” theory.
I have a running theory that by the time I retire there will be only two possible choices in America for any given product or type of retail outlet. They will, in fact, be the same damn thing but the packaging will be divided between two opposing colors.
For example:
Target: Deep discount mass retail outlet with red motif including red outfits for the employees.
vs.
Walmart: Deep discount mass retail outlet with blue motif, include blue outfits for the employees.
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Circuit City: High-tech gadget and entertainment store with red motif. See Target.
vs.
Best Buy: High-tech gadget and entertainment store with blue motif. See Walmart.
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Coke: Dark cola with red can and logo
vs.
Pepsi: Dark cola with blue can and logo
…and thus my theory grows …..
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