Indexes
February 9th, 2010
February 8th, 2010
February 6th, 2010
February 5th, 2010
February 4th, 2010
February 3rd, 2010
February 2nd, 2010
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
- Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
- President Obama's first year (45)
- Many reject the politics of 'no' (45)
- Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (44)
- Writer comments on Neely column (42)
- The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
- Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (34)
- We need to conduct respectful conversations (30)
- Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam (25)
ADVERTISEMENT
It is not bigoted to announce a truth
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 6:27 AM PDT
This letter is in response to Bob Johnson's statement that Lodi is a Christian community and the response you put on the front page of your June 5 paper.
First a Christian is defined as someone that believes in Jesus Christ. Sorry, but I have to agree with Mr. Johnson. If you did a survey of all the households in Lodi I think an overwhelming majority would profess to be Christian.
The responses on the front page of the paper were interesting. Lodi is not a Christian community due to the amount of churches, it is not rude to any group to pronounce a truth. Why would you want to say a "faith" community over a "Christian" community? Just because someone doesn't seem to be too Christian doesn't mean they don't believe in Christ; thus they are a Christian.
Why do we have to be so politically correct? Mr. Johnson spoke a truth. He ended his statement with "whether people like it or not." And guess what? Some people don't like his comment; doesn't make it any less correct and certainly doesn't make him a bigot.
If I said that Iran was a Muslim country would the Christians who live there agree with me? Oops, no, they couldn't open their mouth for fear of being called out, tortured and possibly killed. God bless America!
We all tend to forget that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. And thus all of our local communities are as well.
We live in the greatest nation on earth. It is great for a reason. Why do we have to apologize for the beliefs that this great country was founded on? I don't get it.
I don't know Mr. Johnson, and I'm not a city resident — we live outside of the city limits — but I felt compelled to stand up and be counted. I am a Christian but not because I attend one of the many churches in the area. It is not rude to admit the community is predominately Christian (as is the USA). And from time to time, I probably don't act like a Christian, but I am, and Lodi is a Christian community.
Fred Rhodes
Lodi
Search for Ads 
Today’s Print Ads 
RSS Feeds
Reader Feedback
mystery girl wrote on Jul 9, 2009 4:30 PM:
" Mystery girl: Are you in elementary school? Your posts are torture to read. "
I suggest you actually read the articles before you answer the posts. That way we won't be tortured by you getting things so wrong.
Mystery Girl.xx "
dyan wrote on Jul 7, 2009 10:50 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 6, 2009 11:01 PM:
" Brian, the USA is a representative democracy, which is a type of republic. "
Brian is now feverishly researching the facts right now. He'll get back to you when he "thinks" he has figured it out. Well... we may be waiting a long long time. LOL "
Lodian wrote on Jul 6, 2009 10:59 PM:
Mystery girl wrote on Jul 6, 2009 2:31 AM:
" mystery girl wrote "Why would you want to say a "faith" community over a "Christian" community?"
Mystery girl: The answer is that there are thousands in this town that have faith but are not Christian. Faith is not exclusive to Christianity. "
Mystery girl did not write "Why would you want to say a "faith" community over a "Christian" community?"
It is third paragraph down in the article and I was actually replying to it. ;-)
Mystery Girl.xx "
Lodian wrote on Jul 6, 2009 1:08 AM:
Mystery girl: The answer is that there are thousands in this town that have faith but are not Christian. Faith is not exclusive to Christianity. "
mystery girl wrote on Jul 5, 2009 2:43 PM:
My comments were in line with topic.
So the confusion is simply a mistake on your part. But that is to be expected.
XX "
voter wrote on Jul 5, 2009 11:51 AM:
Brian wrote on Jul 5, 2009 11:04 AM:
" Looks like Mystery Girl is confused. "
-Indeed MG may be slightly confused. In comparison to Lodian once again not having the slightest idea about this topic, it's really irrelevant. "
Brian wrote on Jul 5, 2009 11:00 AM:
mystery girl wrote on Jul 5, 2009 5:17 AM:
"
Why would you want to say a "faith" community over a "Christian" community? Just because someone doesn't seem to be too Christian doesn't mean they don't believe in Christ; thus they are a Christian."
Devils advocate:- would say that the atheists in the Lodi community- as Billy Rubins shows, are not belonging to a faith but clearly comment as a member of the community. It would have been good for him to give his views which I have shared on the telephone with him on a number of occasions.
He will tell you that it was not an attack at all. Simply tit for tat as he likes to do so often to me elsewhere.
I wouldn't be too perturbed, he just told me a white lie that is all. Everything is fine now.
Mystery Girl.xx "
Lodian wrote on Jul 4, 2009 1:37 PM:
voter wrote on Jul 4, 2009 1:18 PM:
voter wrote on Jul 4, 2009 1:16 PM:
"In Italy the movement against democracy has taken the form of facism."
"has taken" is a present manifestation of a past action
This implies that Italy currently has a fascist government. You did say that. "
Mystery girl wrote on Jul 4, 2009 4:08 AM:
" mystery girl, we both agree that democracy was founded by the pagan Greeks. And for the record, Italy is not a fascist state. Now, what exactly are the specific principles that you believe to be exclusively Judeo-Christian? "
Hi Voter,
I never said it was a facist state now.
I think you do not realise that the greeks never founded the modern democracy of today and that these other democracys were the ones who were the founder of ours.
I am sure you can work the rest out from the principles of americas own democracy, don't you?
Mystery Girl.xx "
sam wrote on Jul 3, 2009 5:15 PM:
sam wrote on Jul 3, 2009 5:14 PM:
You are kidding, right? You are the "Mystery Girl" (not) but attack Billy for using a blog identity? You are so silly. "
voter wrote on Jul 3, 2009 2:32 PM:
mystery girl wrote on Jul 3, 2009 1:36 PM:
The earliest democracies were greek but small and every citizen could take a personal part in the deliberations.
Something of this kind was custom to the Anglo-Saxons and other teutonic tribes and through these the idea of self goverment was kept alive.
Partly throught he influence of the Church the representative system was evolved upon which the great modern democracies work. In all of them, whether Kingdom as Britain, or republic, as France, the will of the people, long considered as being only the adult males, have come into the 20th century to include also the adult females.
At the same time a certain impatience with the democracy, once regarded as an ideal system, has manifested itself. In some countries a dictator has superseded
assemblies elected by the people. In Italy the movement against democracy has taken the form of facism.
So this would be inconsequencial when looking at America and democracy.
Mystery Girl.xx "
voter wrote on Jul 3, 2009 1:05 PM:
mystery girl wrote on Jul 3, 2009 10:28 AM:
" 'an atheist who believes the american way being christian is?"
Hope you do not mind me shortening your message to get to the point.:-)
"
We all tend to forget that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. And thus all of our local communities are as well."
As you can see we were discussing that which has been put forward in the article and the reply Billy made to this. I think America is great and that Lodi News is very generous in the way they allow us to have our say. As the article points out, anywhere else people would be silenced.
Christianity brings freedom but it does not hurt anything or anyone who disagrees with their beliefs. Some other countries and their religions have done so. We hear Billy's comments but we never really see anything that would be good from them. I would love to see him in the news paper having been interviewed in his Lodi home telling us all about the reasons he believes he is right. Do you not agree with the article, Jeff? "
mystery girl wrote on Jul 3, 2009 10:14 AM:
" You're out of your element again, Mystery Girl, making claims you can't support. "
What claims????
I am at a loss as to what claims you feel are not supported with 'fruitchrist' and religious topics?
Please feel free to show me where you are talking about.
I feel as your such a main contributer to these threads and have such a bias opinion against anything to do with Christianity, it would be a really great thing if Lodi News did interview you so we can all see you and know who is speaking out in such a bold manner.
Now that would sell newspapers and it would certainly attract people to the Lodi News site.
Whats wrong Billy are you too chicken or too afraid to let yourself be seen.
Not ashamed of your views and opinions, are you?
Love Mystery girl.xx "
jeff wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:51 AM:
run-on aside, what does 'the american way being christian' mean? I must assume that you're saying, mystery girl, that being christian is the american way. and what about not being christian? does that mean that non-christians aren't american? at least not the way you and brian, et al. are? I hold being an american and upholding american values completely separate from any religious (or non-religious) views. Your sentence seems to suggest otherwise, and sets to alienate all non-christian americans. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Jul 3, 2009 9:35 AM:
mystery girl wrote on Jul 3, 2009 8:45 AM:
Why do we have to be so politically correct? Mr. Johnson spoke a truth. He ended his statement with "whether people like it or not." And guess what? Some people don't like his comment; doesn't make it any less correct and certainly doesn't make him a bigot."
If you compare the comments of Billy Rubin on every thread to do with religion he is really prejudiced against anything which suggests or supports a christian view or outlook.
If he lives in Lodi then perhaps the Lodi news should visit him and do an article on an atheist who believes the american way being christian is wrong.
I have seen him shout down and insult so many people on these pages. Why doesn't someone from Lodi News pay him and his partner a visit and let his state his case on record. The whole of Lodi can comment - so be able to tell him (just for a change) what they really, really want.
Mystery girl. "
Brian wrote on Jul 3, 2009 8:43 AM:
I'm not going to join you in your witchhunt on Giovanina. All too many
times do you enjoy doing this to not only her. Perhaps I am ignorant to think that I can rescue you from your twisted thinking. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Jul 2, 2009 3:01 PM:
That is not progress and we might then only conclude that your stupidity is intentional. "
voter wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:32 PM:
"I don't share your belief that Giovanina has this fantasy. Nor is their any evidence that the framers of the Constitution had any intentions to model it the way you interpret it.
Now, I'm not too sure Obama doesn't want a tyranny, one of the attributes of the Roman Empire. this willl be the first for a sitting Pres. "
Brian, you're traveling without a passport on that one. LOL "
Brian wrote on Jul 2, 2009 12:32 PM:
" Giovanina, I do not join you in your fantasy that the US is intended to be a tyrannical religious empire modeled after the Byzantians.
No Billy,
I don't share your belief that Giovanina has this fantasy. Nor is their any evidence that the framers of the Constitution had any intentions to model it the way you interpret it.
Now, I'm not too sure Obama doesn't want a tyranny, one of the attributes of the Roman Empire. this willl be the first for a sitting Pres. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Jul 2, 2009 11:00 AM:
Before you make yourself appear an even BIGGER fool (LOL), read what Giovanina wrote. Then read what I wrote. Then you may apologize and admit what an idiot you are. "
Brian wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:22 AM:
" Giovanina, I do not join you in your fantasy that the US is intended to be a tyrannical religious empire modeled after the Byzantians.
If you wish to see the basis upon which this nation was actually built, you might try researching the US Constitution and its framers, rather than looking for wild coincidences gleaned from dead theocracies. "
-Billy,
It is no coincidence but a fact that the three branches of government here are modeled after the Roman Government.
You are being intellectually dishonest by saying it is a fantasy that our government was modeled after the Roman
government. I can only conclude that
you're not happy with the course of history that you would want to change it. You may be able to convince someone
with the same limited ability of thinking as you that the history is different than what all the scholars say. But the rest of us aren't buying your BS. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Jul 2, 2009 12:13 AM:
Cogito wrote on Jul 1, 2009 11:39 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Jul 1, 2009 12:42 PM:
If you wish to see the basis upon which this nation was actually built, you might try researching the US Constitution and its framers, rather than looking for wild coincidences gleaned from dead theocracies. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:23 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:20 PM:
wtf: Well said. "
Brian wrote on Jun 30, 2009 7:08 PM:
when he puts words in their mouths. Nor will he stand for people putting words in his mouth. Words cannot explain how difficult it is to have a dialogue with him given his double standards. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Jun 30, 2009 5:47 PM:
stantaves wrote on Jun 30, 2009 5:28 PM:
Giovanina wrote on Jun 30, 2009 3:36 PM:
" "We all tend to forget that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles." has become the rallying cry for idiots.
Sorry but the country was founded on those ideals. The majority of our laws are based on the Corpus juris civilis. It consists of the Codex Justinianus, the Digesta or Pandectae, the Institutiones, and the Novellae. It also includes Canon Law.
Emperor Justinian I was the head of the state and church in the Byzantine Empire. "
dogs4you wrote on Jun 30, 2009 2:35 PM:
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 1:09 PM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:52 PM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:47 PM:
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:46 PM:
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:44 PM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:39 PM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:37 PM:
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:29 PM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:18 PM:
"I believe Lodi to be a community that espouses Christian values. It is friendly, orderly and law abiding. "
That's ridiculous. You would find those same "values" in a multitude of villages and towns all over the world, regardless of religious affiliation of the citizens. This notion that only Christians have these values is both ignorant and arrogant. Travel might open your eyes to the larger world. I recommend it. "
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 12:05 PM:
wtf wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:56 AM:
I like saying "Merry Christmas" since I was raised in the Christian tradition; however, during the month of December, the Buddhist Bodhi Day, Jewish Chanukkah, Muslim Muharram, Pagan Yule, and African American Kwanzaa are also celebrated.
To me, the generic "Happy Holidays" is b-o-r-i-n-g. I would much rather have people of different religions give the holiday greeting that reflects their beliefs.
What an opportunity to learn about other cultures and beliefs, and what a beautiful sight it would be! Kind of like a full-sized Disney "It's a Small World"! "
Rhodie wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:52 AM:
Sorry Anthropis but I disagree with you. In oreder for a community to be considered "Christian" then not only should there be a large number of them there, but the community HAS to be motivated by Christian ideals. If a community is made up of mostly animal rights activists but the community's main export is meat then are they an Animal rights community? "
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:48 AM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:47 AM:
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:38 AM:
wtf wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:28 AM:
If the reason is because the idea is stupid...then GOOD! It goes to show how dumb this argument is.
Once again, class, America was founded on religious FREEDOM and TOLERANCE...the Founding Fathers didn't give a specific religion....which, I think, was the idea. "
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:23 AM:
You don't need to be "politically correct", Fred, but it would be nice if you were FACTUALLY correct, which you are not. This is not a Christian community any more than Lodi High is a Christian school. Majority status does not sanction a religion. "
anthropis wrote on Jun 30, 2009 11:09 AM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:36 AM:
" And Voter, you went with three dying things. Especially the latter two. "
Are you maligning the citizens of "Merica", the greatest-nation-on-Earth? "
wtf wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:35 AM:
Bob might have chosen his words a little more carefully and said something to the effect that Lodi was "primarily" a Christian community...and, no, that's not being PC...that's called tact.
But, Fred, you brought up an interesting point regarding Iran being a Muslim country; so here's what I propose:
Ship all Muslims to Iran - it being a Muslim country
Kick all Zionists out of our government and ship all Jews and AIPAC to Israel - it being a Jewish country
And import all Christians to the USA; but the question that begs to be asked is: **Which** Christians? Only born agains and not Catholics, what? "
Cogito wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:24 AM:
Cogito wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:23 AM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:06 AM:
"What will lead us through the next crisis - . . .? "
I'll go with intelligence, education, hard work, and tenacity. "
dyan wrote on Jun 30, 2009 7:52 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Jun 30, 2009 7:12 AM:
voter wrote on Jun 30, 2009 7:01 AM:
No, Fred, obviously you don't. "
Mazie wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:28 AM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Jun 30, 2009 6:06 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.