Ok I have to say from the start that as a non christian I don't take biblical texts as truth in themselves. But even taking it as stated; the implication is that they became "married" by having sex.
I am happy to talk to anybody about my beliefs but I don't proselytize because I don't think mine is the only valid way. I also think everyone has to find their own way.
Do you have any evidence that the marriages referred to in these cherry picked statistics were church weddings rather than secular ones?
Do you have any statistics for countries in which Christianity is not the dominant religion?
Well I usually post on pagan sites (ESF in particular) but I like to learn and discuss things beyond my own path, or to look at my own ideas and beliefs from a wider perspective so I thought I would try this place out.
I like to be challenged by new ideas or to hone my own ideas by defending or...
Or....
The same plant produces many mutations over time (red spots, blue spots, pink fuzzy lines...) most of these random mutations have no beneficial affect and do not survive long in evolutionary terms. However the random appearance of the yellow spot does indeed turn out to mimic a predator...
You don't seriously think this is typical of most Pagans do you?? :rolleyes:
Mr Brenner would be kicked out of all the Wiccan covens I know.
You know anyone can call themselves wiccan or christian but that doesn't make it so...
Personally I don't really like the terms or labels but I think that in reality there is, as you suggest, a considerable amount of overlap between the two approaches.
In order to know yourself and grow as a person you have to acknowledge and learn from your shadows or your darker side; however...
I don't believe in sin, but if I did I'd probably enjoy most of them. ;)
I do agree though that Christians seem to be way too obsessed with homosexuality while other sins dn't get much of a mention.