http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/06/19/discrimination/ In 2009, a student at Eastern Michigan University named Julea Ward was expelled from her graduate studies program. She was removed from the program because she refused to counsel a suicidal gay student. The reason, if you haven’t already guessed, is because she is a ‘Christian.’ To be clear: Julea Ward, while seeking certification from a state university, refused to apply her training to a fellow student (a requirement for certification), even though his life was at stake. Or: Julea Ward turned away a person crying out for help, because she is an adherent to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Mbas, I am a little vexed and happy to see this post from you. After all the millions of people murdered, imprisoned and abused by the christian church do you really think that one more is going to matter to people? You can bet that some attorney will jump on this and have her back in the driver's seat in no time. Supporting your post, and the posts of so many others, I would like to bring up a word however I have also considered your political views so this may be a fact based oxymoron for you. AS COPIED FROM GOOGLE ""fas·cism/ˈfaSHizəm/ Noun: 1:An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. 2:(in general use) Extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice."" Number 2 definition is what I am pointing at but I know so many people that support the first part then turn around and try to show compassion for the "oppressed" of the world so then it befuddles me. Nevertheless we are a society based on classes with the top 2% controlling pretty much everything below! Wouldn't the founders of our Constitution be proud I mean we don't call them "Royalty".

But it's not as simple as one person taking against another. Read on: [i]"The Michigan House of Representatives have addressed the problem…By passing a bill making it illegal to: “discipline or discriminate against a student in a counseling, social work, or psychology program because the student refuses to counsel or serve a client as to goals, outcomes, or behaviors that conflict with a sincerely held religious belief.”[/i] She is considered to be in the right. It is ok for a counsellor not to help a desperately suicidal youngster, provided that they can say that it would compromise their religious beliefs!! What would Jesus do / say???

I have no idea what Jesus would do, except drive some more nails :grin:, but i know what the lawyer will do! The lawyer will start that freedom of religion stuff and say that the counselor's rights are being violated on a federal level - tank - Fed trumps State every time otherwise half of the states would have legal marijuana manufacturing already. I am still hoping for that "enlightenment" at the end of this year PDM. :whistle: I am eating McD's French fries while typing - - It's getting difficult and messy - - now on to the hamburger. I would not disagree with the lawyer if that’s the way he went but i just think it's pitiful he would have to go that way. "Professionals" should be able to choose their clients because believe me "I DO" and I don't care if your married to a donkey.... Wait a minute the original subject was (indirectly) "Crapping on Christianity because it's fundamentally fascist." Just kidding. PDM many people say that I am a bigot because of my Druid Nature Worshipping stuff and there are many Euro-Pagans that lean that way but I am not one of them. I hate everyone equally.

Well, I think that Julea Ward was wrong; I think that the Michigan House of Representatives was wrong and I think that hatred of others is harmful to the hater

PDM, I was kidding about the "Hating Everybody" part. I'm a Socialist and I believe in people period regardless of race creed or religion. I do understand that people have basic "vices" that sway their behavior so it becomes problematic for others and that is what I "hate" but if you strip everyone down and put them all in the same situation then they will work together for a common cause and that cause is simple - Survival.

I think, whether christian or any other religion...people should have an open mind to helping others in need.

Welcome innersky23

I agree with you

Yes, I think that most will

I agree with your ascertation innersky. The only problem is that with organized religion there are always weights and balances. Most christians don't help others free of heart and with a clear conscience but instead they do this in hopes of gaining favor with their church, social group or even the God that they pray too and this goes for most religions, organizations, corporations or even trusts.

When you find that helping others brings you peace then that is a good thing however if you can find peace within yourself and still have the drive to help others only then will you have truly performed a charitable deed.

As humans we used to help each other because it was in our nature and this was simply called symbiosis. Symbiosis is the one thing that makes us different from all other animals because it encompasses within it relations, politics, cooperation and love.

However in today's world we stand by and watch as our neighbor loses his job, loses his car, truck, home, land and even watch as his children go hungry but when we are asked about him he just seems to be a victim of laziness, bad decisions or capitalist greed. "He could have gotten off of his arse and worked at walmart, or mcd's until another job came around." or so I have heard from one of his neighbors the whole time not realizing that welfare and unemployment pays alot more than minimum wage.

I suppose that I can look from the outside in or so I have been told. I personally have a hard time getting used to a world where taking advantage of people is the only way to succeed or so it seems where a person can work hard his whole life so he can retire only to have it all taken away from him right before he really gets to enjoy life for what it should have been all along.