tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post354101314826198144..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Random Encounters with Baseball and other thingsMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-86215060066258606482009-11-03T23:01:40.923+08:002009-11-03T23:01:40.923+08:00FYI, taken from the Internet:
Question: What is t...FYI, taken from the Internet:<br /><br />Question: What is the Presbyterian Church's Postition on Homosexuality?<br /><br />The Presbyterian Church (USA) continues to debate the issue of homosexuality. Currently the church takes the stance that homosexuality is a sin, but maintains a concern for homosexual believers. However, the Presbyterian Church (USA) does not necessarily take a stance on whether or not the sexual orientation is chosen or changeable. The "Definitive Guidance" warns members to be sensitive when rejecting the sin so they do not reject the person. <br /><br />The Presbyterian Church (USA) also calls for the elimination of laws that govern private sexual behavior between adults and laws that would discriminate based upon sexual orientation. However, the church does not sanction homosexual marriage in the church, and a Presbyterian minister cannot perform a same sex union ceremony like the marriage ceremony.<br /><br />Other, smaller, Presbyterian church groups like the Presbyterian Church in America, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church all state that homosexuality goes against Biblical teachings, but they do believe homosexuals can repent of their "lifestyle" choice.<br /><br />(It should be noted that many openly gay clergy serve in the Presbyterian Church USA).Marcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-73026790483890446782009-11-02T21:58:56.840+08:002009-11-02T21:58:56.840+08:00David:
I'm glad that the Presbyterians didn&...David:<br /><br />I'm glad that the Presbyterians didn't endorse the anti-gay march. <br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-71069077976696893102009-11-02T20:01:55.266+08:002009-11-02T20:01:55.266+08:00Presbyterians are so much a force for good in Taiw...Presbyterians are so much a force for good in Taiwan that hardline deep Blues hate them, even when they are Christian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-34890303310203028452009-11-02T16:09:17.896+08:002009-11-02T16:09:17.896+08:00Yes, test the brains...hah. Brains, intestines, th...Yes, test the brains...hah. Brains, intestines, they are all the same to me: GUTS.<br /><br />About the drug dealer. Yes, that's a lot of coke worth a lot of money, but if its his business, he has to sell it to realize the profit, plus he has to go buy more from his supplier. I also agree it was probably not all his.<br /><br />Oh, and he has to teach to get the ARC, of course.Red Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699964464336470134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-72583387319828010102009-11-02T14:00:08.005+08:002009-11-02T14:00:08.005+08:00Michael, members of the Presbyterian Church may ha...Michael, members of the Presbyterian Church may have participated in the anti-gay march in Taipei on 24 October. However, the march was not officially endorsed by the PCT. Members of the Tong-Kwang Light House Presbyterian Church participated in the LGBT Pride event on 31 October. They were handing out postcards with a message that the church accepts everyone no matter what their sexual preference.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061413827755873948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-54114325277908613472009-11-02T08:06:21.794+08:002009-11-02T08:06:21.794+08:00I have a lot of respect for the Presbyterians, and...I have a lot of respect for the Presbyterians, and you may have noticed that after Morakot it was their donation page I recommended (though I doubt you noticed; when I praise Christians I get no kudos, but when I observe their authoritarianism, hatred and contempt for other religions, and drive for cash, status, and power, they react right away). Did you notice, though, which side they were on in the anti-gay pride march? <br /><br />MichaelMichael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-57707725393815405232009-11-01T05:48:35.155+08:002009-11-01T05:48:35.155+08:00"Couldn't Taiwan simply pass a law that a...<b>"Couldn't Taiwan simply pass a law that all beef sold in Taiwan (regardless of origin) had to pass a mad cow test, or be so young, or what not? This would be fine by WTO rules, because it applies to all parties."</b><br /><br />They could say any areas that have not been mad cow free for at least 5 years cannot export beef that is 1) not tested and 2) over 30 months. And no bone, brain, or internal organs.<br /><br />This properly places the burden on the exporting country and is fair in that it's not singling out the US.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-65708806394080206722009-10-31T21:25:07.796+08:002009-10-31T21:25:07.796+08:00Michael, I was surprised by your stereotyped comme...Michael, I was surprised by your stereotyped comment about Christians in Taiwan. Surely you must know that many Taiwanese can't even tell the difference between a Mormon, born-again and Greek Orthodox. What really surprised me is that you didn't exclude the Presbyterians, whose contributions and commitment to Taiwan democracy and independence is well documented.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-88100726721031416292009-10-31T18:19:37.390+08:002009-10-31T18:19:37.390+08:00I don't do any "faithbashing" as the...I don't do any "faithbashing" as there is no such thing. From time to time I am publicly critical of supernatural belief. Hard not to be.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-16328997710763142822009-10-31T17:54:15.661+08:002009-10-31T17:54:15.661+08:00Red A, I think you need to test the brain of the c...Red A, I think you need to test the brain of the cow.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-33350921162485190142009-10-31T14:33:40.027+08:002009-10-31T14:33:40.027+08:00Couldn't Taiwan simply pass a law that all bee...Couldn't Taiwan simply pass a law that all beef sold in Taiwan (regardless of origin) had to pass a mad cow test, or be so young, or what not? This would be fine by WTO rules, because it applies to all parties.<br /><br />Thus, America could export intestines as long as they did the testing. (Not that I think it is necessary, the odds of getting mad cow are lower than many other preventable diseases in Taiwan.) <br /><br />Mainly I think this issue is being used as a cudgel by the opposition to hit Ma. They exploit the fear of people on the food issue and free trade which are cheap shots. Melamine in milk is one thing - mad cow with extremely low incidence rates is another.<br /><br />The pregnant joke was funny - why should he give up his seat for a pregnant woman if the kid isn't his...LOL.Red Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699964464336470134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-23644360369904633342009-10-31T14:27:27.809+08:002009-10-31T14:27:27.809+08:00Dammit. Are you going to do much faithbashing? Cau...Dammit. Are you going to do much faithbashing? Cause I don't feel like finding a new blog.Aoedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10168363291842342663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-29835436926996049802009-10-31T13:00:21.217+08:002009-10-31T13:00:21.217+08:00I predict the beef thing will go like the turkey p...I predict the beef thing will go like the turkey parts fight so many years ago. The market will open, the meat will come in, no-one will buy it. /problem.<br />You would have thought that the Americans would have learned the lesson, but I guess they have forgotten already.<br /><br />The bus lady joke is great btw.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08682148923201795830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-64666407079164684172009-10-31T10:31:52.982+08:002009-10-31T10:31:52.982+08:00About the Canadian coke dealer, I wonder if he was...About the Canadian coke dealer, I wonder if he was really such a big time dealer or if he was just set up to take the fall for some big bosses. It seems strange that someone who has 136kg of coke has to teach English. I know the guy was probably involved in drug dealing in some way, but the question is exactly what was his level of involvement. <br /><br />And as you mentioned the Mormons check out this article from the NY Times: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/fashion/01love.html" rel="nofollow">All I Wanted Was a Hug</a>Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13061413827755873948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-42399336553653529952009-10-31T05:27:21.323+08:002009-10-31T05:27:21.323+08:00thanks for sharing your thoughts.thanks for sharing your thoughts.jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781359766481676932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-39804710436438412832009-10-31T04:16:36.250+08:002009-10-31T04:16:36.250+08:00Food is always a touchy issue. We all like to be p...Food is always a touchy issue. We all like to be picky about what we eat. I think American's can relate quite well to that - check the supermarket shelves, and you'll find fat-free, gluten-free, kosher, vegan etc. <br /><br />Food is also intensely personal - people are willing to put up with all sorts of external influence, but when it comes to someone else forcing food down your throat - that's where people draw the line. I think the DPP is probably doing the right thing there - it should be up to the people to make this decision. Even if the decision isn't necessarily rational.StefanMuchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13041616398172997165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-84267477094170433872009-10-31T02:59:08.633+08:002009-10-31T02:59:08.633+08:00136 kilos is actually around 2 million bucks136 kilos is actually around 2 million bucksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-14561858291897482852009-10-31T02:28:53.527+08:002009-10-31T02:28:53.527+08:00I must admit that I didn't get the bit about t...I must admit that I didn't get the bit about the pregnant woman, but I did have a chuckle at the comment about praying.<br />As an athiest myself I had to wonder who or what I prey to haha.Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636298335852627990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-54324252320397515162009-10-30T23:42:27.810+08:002009-10-30T23:42:27.810+08:00Except of course that certain people hate the idea...Except of course that certain people hate the idea of baseball being an international sport, it wouldn't be unreasonable to have Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea form a league. The distances are reasonable enough (only two hours and change to Seoul!), and Taiwan and S. Korea could be at a similar level of play to Japan with fewer teams. Japan would probably be most resistant to this, but the market potential of this is just huge.<br /><br />An alternative to this of course is an expanded cup, with multiple entrants from Taiwan, Japan, and S. Korea. Sounds like hella fun to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com