General Cycling Discussion - "Christian Leadership in Cycling" Newsletter

I have signed up for a newsletter called "Christian Leadership in Cycling" and have really enjoyed its content. I wanted to post the sign-up email address for others who may be interested. This information comes at the beginning of each newsletter.

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Christian Leadership In Cycling (CLIC)

*To be added – email info@trinitysportsgroup.com, subject: Add to CLIC list
…Please also provide your name, occupation and how you are involved in cycling

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Excellent...nice to see someone else not afraid to post on the subject matter of Christianity...it looks like the prime focus for Trinity Sports Group (http://www.trinitysportsgroup.com) is Road Riding.

Here is a Mountain Biking Specific Christian org for any MTB'ers that are interested...

Believers On Mountain Bikes (http://www.ridedirt.com/bomb/)

I missed the brand bike god used.Was it road or mountain?

Thanks for posting the links. One more reason to love to ride.

Last I talked to God, he was riding cyclocross :D

God is my hero, He rides a USPS trek no doubt.:D

He'd be riding whatever type of bike he needed to at the time to catch your particular interest...he might even flat or break something on purpose to get you to stop and open up some conversation. For that matter...he might go sailing over the handlebars, landing on his face to get you to stop spend a little time with Him...

Thanks for the information. Looks pretty good. :thumbup:


Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
God is my hero, He rides a USPS trek no doubt.:D
Gosh, all this time I thought it was a Litespeed. :D

I don't know what God rides but I think he builds Colnagos.

Seriously though, nice to see that some folks are bringing together their religion and their favorite hobby. I coached Track and Field at a Christian high school for years and loved the way that sport could be used as a form of worship.

I thought about joining a Christian cycling organization, but decided to follow Chunk 666

http://www.dclxvi.org/chunk/

Their Mandate:
We are a bicycle club and temperance league. We are a wandering klezmer band working to hasten the heat death of the universe. We have stolen more children than the Romany and lost more fingers than Django Reinhardt. Most importantly, we are believers in the use of muscle-powered steeds, which augment the physiology of their riders. After the imminent Apocalypse, gasoline and bullets will be rare. Those who already ride bicycles and shoot bb guns and slingshots today will easily dominate the huddled masses tomorrow. The laws of physics will change as well. Bicycles that are ridable now will be unridable in the future, while our apparently foolish machines lay waste to the world.
:beer:

Personally, I don't think I would follow ole chuckie to far. Something about the blind leading the blind.

Is this site a look at what happens when kids outgrow Dungeons and Dragons, get some souped-up bikes, and learn to create a website?

Did a 40 year old create this site in the basement of his parents house, where he still lives?

And how in the heck did you find it?

... and lost more fingers than Django Reinhardt

If they can find a way to work Django in to their mandate they can count me in. Does that funny birthmark on my scalp make me the official leader?

Easyrider - Ditto.

Alright, so somebody's gotta ask it -- What would Jesus ride?

Originally posted by easyrider
I don't know what God rides but I think he builds Colnagos.He usually rides a lot with me on my Kojima road bike but recently spent a lot of time with my Giant MTB during my trip to India. ... And let me say that I'm ever so thankful that He did.

If you want to see another example of mixing faith and cycling check out bfb2003's website (http://www.pascoe.biz/bfb2003).

Alright, so somebody's gotta ask it -- What would Jesus ride?

I am sure he would ride an old cruiser with extended forks, ape hanger handle bars, a banana seat with a five-foot sissy bar. He would really look cool with his long unkempt hair flown in the breeze and his sandaled feet on the block pedals. I mean no one would take him seriously on a unicycle or a full suspension MTB.
:D

You painted a perfect picture Gordon P!!

Thanks for posting the links. For the past several years, I've been trying to find ways to meld my occupation (psychologist), my Christian faith, and my love of cycling.

Thanks again!

Mary Ann

Are you allowed to swear & curse when your knocked off your bike or some pillock in a car cuts you off ? & I spose snotrockets on windshields are out of the question too ? Wats the rules ? are Muslums & Jews ect allowed to join ?

Originally posted by greywolf
Are you allowed to swear & curse when your knocked off your bike or some pillock in a car cuts you off? It's more a case of asking them if they're ready to meet their maker - and then telling them that if they do that again you'll help them find out.:D

Religion. Just another power grab by the organized to mold the minds of sheep and fleece them of their money.

Originally posted by ParamountScapin
Religion. Just another power grab by the organized to mold the minds of sheep and fleece them of their money. Sorry you feel that way. That is certainly not my experience or I'm sure the experience of many others.

I would suggest that it's probably bad form to insult a large section of the Bikeforums community just because you disagree with their beliefs.

I respect your right to disbelieve and simply ask that you respect my right, and the rights of many others here, to believe.

If you feel so strongly I would think that the title of the thread should have given you enough warning that this is a discussion you could simply ignore.

Alright, so somebody's gotta ask it -- What would Jesus ride?

And would it work on water?

Could he turn a Huffy into a Bianchi?

Alright, so somebody's gotta ask it -- What would Jesus ride?

IMHO, this is exactly what is wrong with "religious" people today-just this sort of pointless drivel (or others, such as "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin"), assumes that:

a) there is any reason to expect that he would be doing something as banal as this, and

b) assuming that you are important/worthy/holy enough to have the (one and only) right answer to this pointless question.

BTW, paramount, well said!

I will now attempt to calm myself....

Oooohmmmmm....mani padme huuummm.........

I think somewhere my subtle British irony got lost. I'm not a fan of religion either.

We used to have the expression "Christ on a bike!" for something unbelievable and I remember a T shirt on sale a little while ago that says it all "Jesus loves you, but I'm his favourite" :D

Originally posted by Ed Holland
And would it work on water?

Could he turn a Huffy into a Bianchi?

Probably, and, yes :)

Thanks for the links. I like the "Corner of Truth" page on the Bomb site, I tend to think he would probably be riding something like a Nicolai, that would be a huge improvement over a donkey :D

Keep the faith!

Money is the big turnoff.

Originally posted by D*Alex
IMHO, this is exactly what is wrong with "religious" people today-just this sort of pointless drivel (or others, such as "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin... [/i]
D*Alex... I'm shocked. Shocked to find there is gambling here!
Oops, wrong thread. Hmmm, as long as I'm here, anybody mind if I proselytize my Presleytarian faith? Maybe I'll start a holy war! My saviour can beat up your saviour!

Jesus said: "Love thy neighbor." (Matthew 22:39)
Elvis said: "Don't be Cruel." (RCA, 1956)

Jesus is the lord's shepherd.
Elvis dated Cybill Shepherd.

Jesus was a part of a trinity.
Elvis' first band was a trio.

Jesus walked on water. (Matthew 14:25)
Elvis surfed. (Blue Hawaii, Paramount, 1965)

Jesus' entourage, the Apostles, had 12 members.
Elvis' entourage, the Memphis Mafia, had 12 members.

Jesus was resurrected.
Elvis had a famous 1968 "comeback" TV special.

Jesus said: "If anyman thirst let him come unto me and drink." (John 7:37)
Elvis said: "Drinks are on me." (Jailhouse Rock, MGM, 1957)

Jesus was a Capricorn. (December 25)
Elvis was a Capricorn. (January 8)

Matthew was one of Jesus' many biographers. (The Gospel According to Matthew)
Neil Matthews was one of Elvis' many biographers. (Elvis: A Golden Tribute)

"[Jesus'] countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow." (Matthew 28:3)
Elvis wore snow white jump suits with lightning bolts. (Las Vegas, 1968)

Jesus lived in a state of grace in a near eastern land.
Elvis lived in Graceland in a nearly eastern state.

Jesus was first and foremost the son of God.
Elvis first recorded with Sun Records, which today are considered to be his foremost recordings.

Jesus was the lamb of God.
Elvis wore mutton chop sideburns.

Jesus' father is everywhere.
Elvis' father was a drifter, and moved around quite a bit.

Jesus was a carpenter.
Elvis' favorite high school class was wood shop.

Jesus wore a crown of thorns.
Elvis wore Royal Crown hair styler.

Jesus said: "Man shall not live by bread alone."
Elvis liked his sandwiches with peanut butter and bananas.

Hang out with The King at the 24 Hour Church of Elvis (http://www.frankwu.com/elvis1.html) !

A few bad apples have created a terrible image for the Christian faith. An image of piousness, hypocrasy and money hungry greed.

I am a Christian...I sure hope that I NEVER come across as "religious". To me "religion" denotes a set of values and beliefs based upon traditions, practices and rules of a group of PEOPLE (a denomitation).

My beliefs and convictions are about my faith, not about religion.

D*Alex - Jesus would and will do just about anything "banal" to establish and keep a relationship with you or anyone for that matter.

Look up the definition and the distinction between Faith and Religion.

Originally posted by Ed Holland
I think somewhere my subtle British irony got lost. I'm not a fan of religion either.

I wish we had some of that subtle irony over here in the states.

We tend to get aggressive about everything. About our religion, our lack of religion, our cars, our bikes, .. you name it.

It's interesting to me that religion has a reputation for being "intolerant," yet when I read through this thread it is very clear who the intolerant people are. They apparently just can't tolerate that folks might have a faith that they can't understand and they have to "enlighten" them as to the problems with religion.
Ironic.

The content was clear from the thread heading. The post was completely harmless. Yet folks feel they have to jump in and ambush religion?

Is this driven by a tremendous need for attention? Self-esteem issues? Loneliness? Powerlessness in their real lives? I sincerely wonder.

Wouldn't it be better to read the thread and say, "Well, they're religious and I'm not, but I respect their beliefs so I'll just go check out another thread."?

Wouldn't that response foster a better sense of community?

At the end of the day, I can no more tell anyone what to believe than I can tell them what bike to ride.

On the other hand, whilst I hold no religeous belief whatever, I have to accept that people tell me I am daft to ride 8 miles to work in all weathers each day in hideous lycra shorts.
Some of them are my best friends!

Its the same difference :)
Cheers,

Ed

Originally posted by easyrider
Wouldn't it be better to read the thread and say, "Well, they're religious and I'm not, but I respect their beliefs so I'll just go check out another thread."?

Wouldn't that response foster a better sense of community? [/B]

Maybe, but I think that if, from your point of view, someone posts something silly and bizarre, you might be tempted to respond and indicate how silly and bizarre it is.

One poster mentioned that Jesus would do certain things for his believers. Just imagine how you would feel if instead of Jesus the poster had mentioned that Lumlu the Martian would do "just about anything" to "establish a relationship"?

Might you find yourself *not* respecting his beliefs, but respecting his right to have them?

I think a lot of people have daft ideas about their deities and politics. I generally don't say much unless they are using it as an excuse to do something harmful, like bomb people.

But to disagree with someones point of view, even when uninvited, is to me not a sign of intolerance. Intolerance, to me, is telling someone that they can't have that opinion, they can't post it here, they are less than human, or otherwise threatening them.

Rude, but not necessarily intolerant.

Edited to add: I re-read the postings and noticed someone made a sweeping generalization about "religious people".

That form of stereotyping is intolerance in my book. I'll let the rest of my post remain as it was so that I can look foolish for overlooking the stereotyping.

Jesus was a part of a trinity.

There is, and always has been controversy about this. The "trinity" was a piece of dogma introduced in about the 4th century, in order to attempt to explain several inconsitancies on the question of whether Jesus was god, man, or just what. The trinity explanation attempts to use just a bit of logic to make this quandry less problematic.


Jesus said: "If anyman thirst let him come unto me and drink." (John 7:37)

Here we have a quote from the book of John. This book is entirely different from the other 3 (and more contemperaneous) gospels, has significantly different ideas on the divinity of Jesus, yet it is the one which fundamentalists quote the most. Why?


Jesus was a Capricorn. (December 25)

Nope, sorry. December 25th was the Roman Saturnalia festival. Early christians used this date, since it was a festival of rebirth. The new testament refers to "shepherds watching their flocks in the field" on the night of the birth. There are also references to their being lambs with the flock. This would put the birth at around march or april.


Jesus was a carpenter.

...As were most farmers during the winter months. He was also described as a fisherman, and as a shepherd. Likewise, these were some of the many part-time occupations of a poor farming person. This is probably the point of this description, not that he had any sort of a profession.

As far as my beliefs go, well, I spent many years searching for "the truth". I never found it, but it did make me ask many more questions. In the end, I realised that religious dogma, on the whole, contains things that no intelligent person would believe if it were concerning anything other than their faith.
I'm sorry if I offended anybody, but I was just trying to point out the faults of reducing faith to pointless one-liners. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "My saviour can beat your saviour". Is this what the debate has come to?

I hope this doesn't go further as a debate about personal faith.
Personal faith is not something you can debate. It's something
you can't really share with anyone who is not open to it. Nor can you argue with someone against what they hold dear. It just ain't workin'.

And when the dust settles, nobody is any different.

Originally posted by greywolf
Are you allowed to swear & curse when your knocked off your bike or some pillock in a car cuts you off ? & I spose snotrockets on windshields are out of the question too ? Wats the rules ? are Muslums & Jews ect allowed to join ?

You have to answer those questions for yourself.....It doesn't make any difference what anyone on this earth thinks about it, except you.

Originally posted by Pete Clark

And when the dust settles, nobody is any different.

As it says in Ecclesiastes

"All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again."

I'd have to say that what you do is finally more important than what you think or feel or believe. At some point the motivation for your behavior is your business, not mine.

"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."--Thomas Jefferson

I would suggest that it's probably bad form to insult a large section of the Bikeforums community just because you disagree with their beliefs.

I respect your right to disbelieve and simply ask that you respect my right, and the rights of many others here, to believe.

If you feel so strongly I would think that the title of the thread should have given you enough warning that this is a discussion you could simply ignore.

When you start a thread like this in the General Discussion Forum I'd say you better welcome any comment that's posted. Having traveled the world and shared meals with Hindus, Muslims and atheists, Christians are easily the most intolerant hypocrites I've stumbled upon - the majority of my family included. It reminds me of that old saying about politics, religion and money - never discuss them in mixed company. One thing I must add. Though I don't believe a bit of their doctrine, Latter Day Saints (christians as far as I am concerned) are consistently among the nicest people I've known.

Originally posted by Aerow
I have signed up for a newsletter called "Christian Leadership in Cycling" and have really enjoyed its content. I wanted to post the sign-up email address for others who may be interested. This information comes at the beginning of each newsletter.

--------------------------------------------------
Christian Leadership In Cycling (CLIC)

*To be added – email info@trinitysportsgroup.com, subject: Add to CLIC list
…Please also provide your name, occupation and how you are involved in cycling

--------------------------------------------------

I thought it was important to revisit the post that sparked this dialogue. As many have stated, Aerow simply made available a link -- as many others do for a variety of services, products -- he thought may be of interest to some of the members of bike forums. As with all posts, some members found this a desirable, link having information of interest to them, others did not. I'm all for open dialogue about faith, but that's not what this post was peddling.....it was as ordinary as a link for a good deal on panniers.

I haven't observed anyone passionately protesting whether the panniers were, in fact, a "good deal."

Mary Ann

Originally posted by Rotifer
When you start a thread like this in the General Discussion Forum I'd say you better welcome any comment that's posted....

This is my point......a thread like what?

It doesn't seem to me that Aerow was proselytizing....simply making a link accessible.

.....it was as ordinary as a link for a good deal on panniers

Aside from the fact that it was in the General Discussion forum. I'm, obviously, not a moderator. My point was simply that anyone is free to join the discussion.

I get your point and it is valid. But focus has shifted from the specific newletter to ideology.

To extend the "good deal" analogy I cited above, if we were talking about panniers, folks would post responses saying whether they think it's a good deal or not.....in this case, their appraisals of the newsletter after they had a look at it.

Some would feel compelled to take the discussion to the ideological level; that is, debating the worth of panniers and similar schleping accessories....in this case, Christianity and other religions. The pannier discussion would NOT take on the intolerant tone this one has.

Mary Ann

Yes, you are right. I'm a little uncomfortable with the pannier analogy though. I've had troublesome panniers on tours - irritating as hell. But enormous evil has been foisted on mankind in the name of Jesus(yes, Mohamed as well). Not a burden you should have to bear, but, nonetheless, you do.

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families:
[ Stories From Rwanda ] (http://www.salon.com/special/1998/12/bookawards/21sba_gourevitch.html)

Originally posted by Metal Cowgal
The pannier discussion would NOT take on the intolerant tone this one has.

Mary Ann

Yes, but I don't think pannier advocates (or opponents) would think that brand preferences have anything to do with the eternal fate of my soul (you know - the inifinite BBQ), or that they could be the potential basis for a war, inquisition, etc.

Religion is a touchy subject. You bring it up - be prepared to duck.

Anyway, the original poster just mentioned the newsletter then the next guy up said:

"Excellent...nice to see someone else not afraid to post on the subject matter of Christianity..."

I think that kind of opened up the floodgates for comment. Someone takes a swipe at "religious people", someone else indicates that a person critical of religion is "...driven by a tremendous need for attention? Self-esteem issues? Loneliness? Powerlessness in their real lives? I sincerely wonder."

Making broad negative, generalizations doesn't help. Indicating that people who disagree with you have mental and emotional deficiences doesn't help much either.

It's the kind of discussion you get when you bring up religion, politics, the value of wearing helmets.... :p

It's the kind of discussion you get when you bring up religion, politics, the value of wearing helmets....

... headphones.

Originally posted by Rotifer
... headphones.


Headphones!!!

If you are a headphone wearer, repeat after me

"... may I go straight to hell, where I will eat naught but burning hot coals, and drink naught but burning hot cola. Where fiery demons will brush me in the back. Where my soul will be chopped into confetti and strewn upon a parade of murderers and single mothers, and my tongue will be torn out by ravenous birds."

(humor provided by Rev. Lovejoy on the Simpsons )

Where in the blazes do you think I'm posting from?!