Highly Disappointed in Pampered Chef

[BethCooks4U]

John, we are all who we are in our hearts. We don't always recognize who we are and maybe are even confused at points in our lives. Our environment clouds things. But eventually we become our authentic selves and just know.

I can't believe that our loving God would harshly judge anyone who is authentic and lives a good life without harming others (etc). Jesus taught tolerence - a lesson many people need to learn.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

John, let's just say I have specific beliefs that come out of years of research on this issue in response to friends and family members who are gay. They are very hard to explain in a post on CS and I will not do so. Suffice it to say that a) You will never hear the word "choice" come out of my mouth in regard to this issue and b) there is one Holy Spirit, and it is HIS job, not mine, to convict people of whatever sin is in their lives, be it self-centered pride, hatred or whatever.A few years ago, people complained about the gas cards because they were for a national chain that had few stations in our area. I personally believe that if someone will not shop at Best Buy, either because they don't have one in their area or because of a moral issue, then that person ought to be given a visa card instead, or PC Dollars. But there are others who will chase every carrot out there and would love to have a Best Buy card.We good?

 

[pclinskie]

'I can't believe that our loving God would harshly judge anyone who is authentic and lives a good life without harming others (etc). Jesus taught tolerence - a lesson many people need to learn.'

thank you.

 

[pampered1224]

Thanks Beth but that does not tell me why people think people would choose this lifestyle with all the hate out there? I mean am I that STUPID that I would obviously put myself in harms way because of a choice? I have never intentionally hurt anyone, I treat everyone with as much honest kindness as I can, I apologize if I don't and I own it, I do not hate anyone, and I believe in my higher power with all my being. If what I am is so evil, does it not make sense then that I would hate GOD? All you gay haters make it feel that way. And if that isn't going against God's teaching then I don't know what is apparently. And don't give me that don't hate the sinner but hate the sin crap. That is just a great way to rationalize it so you do not feel like you are going against Gods teachings. Either you do or you don't. Anything else is hypocritical. You know why? Because there is no acceptance. Do not try to understand it because even after 49 years I don't. Every time someone says things like hate the sin not the sinner or that they do accept, but not really because it is really only 50%, as they do not accept the action which is part of who we are, it hurts. And God never said it was OK to hurt someone. No matter who they are. So when someone says anything negative about gay people, they are talking to me. and that hurts. So you are telling me that God's plan for everyone is to hurt others in His name? And that is OK?
"Thanks Beth and yes, it is long winded! The point is this and it is a Sunday School lesson. What we think, do or do not do in our lives is on us. Plain and simple. God gave us free will and he gave us rules. We are the only ones we can put the responsibility on for every little or BIG rotten thing and every glorious good thing that happens to us. Others may gives us the opportunities but what happens with those opportunities is still our own doing. Consciously or subconsciously, everything we do is controlled by us. So..."
Yes, these are my words. And yes I believe them. However, I do not have control over the biologically of me

 

[BethCooks4U]

John, no matter who we are there are people who don't like something about us. Yes, gays have more to deal with than other groups but you have to come to terms with it. You've accepted who you are. Don't let those who are intolerant hurt you.

Be who you are and don't allow them so much power. We will all be judged some day. Let that be your peace.

 

[RMDave]

I am a little disappointed in this thread. You can love people without loving what they do and how they live. I have two very close relatives who are caught in this lifestyle. I love both of them dearly, and don't judge them, but we are very much against the choices they make. We have actually decided to start shopping at Target b/c of this.

"caught in this lifestyle" and "We have actually decided to start shopping at Target b/c of this." What a loving, sensitive and well educated way of thinking.

 

[Kathy's_Kitchen]

All I know is I did not wake up one day and choose to be heterosexual....if anyone has ever made a particular choice one way or the other, I would be interested to hear from them. I firmly believe that no one chooses any particular way of lifestyle, people are born one way or another....

I know the Bible says things that are against homosexuality but we also have to take into consideration the times in which the Bible was written. People killed, shunned, and ostracized all sorts of people for being different from the "norm." There are lots of scholarly studies out there that present the Bible in the light of when the particular books were written that sheds a lot of light on why certain topics are presented the way they are.

I do go to church every week to a mainstream denomination and believe firmly that God is a loving God who is the creator of all humankind (and all were created in His image) and loves us all equally.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Just know, Dave, that not everybody thinks this way. They are free to shop where they wish. As are we.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

. People killed, shunned, and ostracized all sorts of people for being different from the "norm." There are lots of scholarly studies out there that present the Bible in the light of when the particular books were written that sheds a lot of light on why certain topics are presented the way they are.

This still happens today. Maybe not in our backyard in America but it happens in other countries.

 

[Kathy's_Kitchen]

Yes, I thought about saying that when I was typing...but thought I'd stick with the goings on here in the U.S. Not that the same thing doesn't still happen here but it's usually not the accepted behavior no matter what group is being targeted.....

 

[RMDave]

Believing in the teachings of Bible and going to church are wonderful things for people who get comfort from doing so. Kathy's post was nicely put. Intrepid Chef's posts were simple and direct and to the point. Mine never are.I found this on the Web. Since it wasn't from a Wiki-site, it may be more factual than most. WARNING: It is going to offend those who don't like references to "body parts" and "sexual behavior." But hey, the Bible says it so it should be considered acceptable and appropriate.Here are 11 things that are technically banned by the Bible. (All quotes are translations from the New American Standard Bible, but, because I'm actually trying to maintain serious journalistic integrity here, I cross-referenced several other translations to make sure I wasn't missing the point.)1. Round haircuts. See you in Hell, Beatles... and/or kids with bowl cuts, surfer cuts or (my favorite) butt cuts. Leviticus 19:27 reads "You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard." 2. Football. At least, the pure version of football, where you play with a pigskin. The modern synthetic footballs are ugly and slippery anyways. Leviticus 11:8, which is discussing pigs, reads "You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you." And you're doubly breaking that if you wake up, eat some sausage then go throw around the football. Or go to the county fair and enter a greased pig catching contest. 3. Fortune telling. Before you call a 900 number (do people still call 900 numbers, by the way?), read your horoscope or crack open a fortune cookie, realize you're in huge trouble if you do. Leviticus 19:31 reads "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." The penalty for that? Check Leviticus 20:6: "As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people." Seems like a lifetime of exile is a pretty harsh penalty for talking to Zoltar of Madam Zenobia. 4. Pulling out. The Bible doesn't get too much into birth control... it's clearly pro-populating but, back when it was written, no one really anticipated the condom or the sponge, so those don't get specific bans. But... pulling out does. One of the most famous sexual-oriented Bible verses... the one that's used as anti-masturbation rhetoric... is actually anti-pulling out. It's Genesis 38:9-10: "Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother's wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also." Yep - pull out and get smote. That's harsh. 5. Tattoos. No tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 reads, "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord." Not even a little butterfly on your ankle. Or Thug Life across your abdomen. Or even, fittingly enough, a cross. 6. Polyester, or any other fabric blends. The Bible doesn't want you to wear polyester. Not just because it looks cheap. It's sinfully unnatural. Leviticus 19:19 reads, "You are to keep My statutes. You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together." Check the tag on your shirt right now. Didn't realize you were mid-sin at this exact second, did you? (Unless you checked the tag by rolling off your neighbor's wife while you two were having anal sex in the middle of robbing a blind guy. Then your Lycra-spandex blend is really the least of your problems.) 7. Divorce. The Bible is very clear on this one: No divorcing. You can't do it. Because when you marry someone, according to Mark 10:8, you "are no longer two, but one flesh." And, Mark 10:9 reads, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Mark gets even more hardcore about it a few verses later, in Mark 10:11-12, "And He said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.'" 8. Letting people without testicles into church. Whether you've been castrated or lost one or two balls to cancer isn't important. The Bible doesn't get that specific. It just says you can't pray. Deuteronomy 23:1 reads (this is the God's Word translation, which spells it out better), "A man whose testicles are crushed or whose penis is cut off may never join the assembly of the Lord." Oh, and the next verse says that if you're a bastard, the child of a bastard... or even have a great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchild of a bastard, you can't come to church or synagogue either. Deuteronomy 23:2 reads, "No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the Lord; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the Lord." 9. Wearing gold. 1 Timothy 2:9 doesn't like your gold necklace at all. Or your pearl necklace. Or any clothes you're wearing that you didn't get from Forever 21, Old Navy or H&M. "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments." 10. Shellfish. Leviticus 11:10 reads, "But whatever is in the seas and in the rivers that does not have fins and scales among all the teeming life of the water, and among all the living creatures that are in the water, they are detestable things to you." And shellfish is right in that wheelhouse. Leviticus 11 bans a TON of animals from being eaten (it's THE basis for Kosher law); beyond shellfish and pig, it also says you can't eat camel, rock badger, rabbit, eagle, vulture, buzzard, falcon, raven, crow, ostrich, owl, seagull, hawk, pelican, stork, heron, bat, winged insects that walk on four legs unless they have joints to jump with like grasshoppers (?), bear, mole, mouse, lizard, gecko, crocodile, chameleon and snail. Sorry if that totally ruins your plans to go to a rock badger eat-off this weekend. 11. Your wife defending your life in a fight by grabbing your attacker's genitals. No joke. Deuteronomy actually devotes two verses to this exact scenario: Deuteronomy 25:11-12. "If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals, then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity." That's impossible to misinterpret. Ladies, if your husband is getting mugged, make sure to kick the mugger in the pills. Do not do the grip and squeeze (no matter what "Miss Congeniality" might advise). Or your hand needs to be cut off.
As a final note, I know that nine of these 11 cite the Old Testament, which Christianity doesn't necessarily adhere to as law. To which I say: If you're going to ignore the section of Leviticus that bans about tattoos, pork, shellfish, round haircuts, polyester and football, how can you possibly turn around and quote Leviticus 18:22 ("You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.") as irrefutable law? I am happy that many following the teachings of the Bible. I assume that means all of the teachings and not just the Readers Digest condensed version.

 

[DebbieJ]

I agree that they were just as clueless as us, and no doubt got a deal. Otherwise they'd be handing out COLD HARD CASH. Which people could then turn around and use to buy the November/October host specials people are clamoring for!

I think it's fine to vent and an even better idea to make people aware of what's going on so we can all make our own decisions. Some of us were not aware.

I prefer not to mix politcs and shopping ...

Then you would never buy a thing at a retail store. I'm sure there is *something* you can find about every retail store or their parent company out there. It's just near impossible to vote with your dollars anymore.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I mean that shopping is hard enough for some of us without putting politcs into it

 

[RMDave]

I mean that shopping is hard enough for some of us without putting politcs into it

Well you can always use your BB Gift Card to make things ... oh wait. Never mind.

D

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Oh and Dave ... I don't do the horror scope thing b/c I refuse to let the enemy tell me who I am; know the verses on Onan were written b/c the guy didn't want to give his SIL a kid to take away his inheritance (selfish) and adhere to what God told Peter about pork and stuff in Acts 10:15. ("Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.")I think that applies to people just as much as it does to food. 'Nuff said.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

At least if they hit the BB card twice I wouldn't be chasing down customer service reps who call me "Day-In."

 

[RMDave]

At least if they hit the BB card twice I wouldn't be chasing down customer service reps who call me "Day-In."

LOL! Thanks for making Me laugh IC!

 

[pampered1224]

Dave, there is one thing I think, correction, I know, I disagree with is the boycott. Sounds funny and no I do not agree with what either company did but if we are living in our beliefs that God has taught us, we do forgive.
For those of you who hide behind "Love the sinner but not the sin", the Bible teaches us that love is unconditional. That statement tells me that you made love conditional. "I won't love you if you do this." The opposite of love is hate. Plain and simple. Stop sugar coating it. Stop lying to yourself and the rest of us. Be honest at least and say you HATE gay people. At least being honest in that hate is closer to being what God wanted from us.

 

[RMDave]

John. What makes this world wonderful is that we all have divergent opinions and methodologies. The boycott has been an effective tool. Target's Board of Director's made it very clear that this type of un-properly vetted donation will no longer be tolerated. Best Buy's response? Hide in the ground and pretend nothing happened.Unconditional love is not love given with self-righteous attitude. I believe in unconditional love and respect. But attack me, my children, my friends, my community or anybody/cause I care about, and I'll show unconditional loathing.Hugs to you and yours,D

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

And John, I would have to add that some people really DON'T hate gay people, they are simply ignorant. They don't realize the full implications of what they are really saying. Been there, done that, returned the t-shirt.Actually returned the t-shirt when I was 8 years old and made an un-thinking statement along the lines of "Eeeww, that's so gay." My aunt stopped her vacuuming to say, "Your uncle Larry is gay. You still love him, don't you?" I said, "Oh, of course I do" and went back about my business.

 

[lesliec]

All but 3 of the verses quoted, are from the Old Testament which is before Jesus shed His blood on the cross for us.
All of the verses were used out of context, but I guess that's what educated people do. The New Testament verses referred to divorce and modesty. Although society accepts both of those things, The bible is repeatedly clear about them.
Heaven is a place reserved for those who Know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Heaven is not a place for good people, or those without sin. I am a sinner, but I know, without a doubt that I will one day be seated at His feet.

You obviously have strong beliefs, as do I, and we aren't going to agree.

 

[RMDave]

Thank you for your comments, Leslie. Am I to assume then that the teachings of the Old Testament are passe? They were improved upon in Bible II: The New Testament?I'm glad that Jesus shed his blood for you. As a Jew, I think he was a nice guy who disappointed his mother by not becoming a Doctor. I am happy that you truly believe that you will one day be seated at Jesus's feet. You are correct what we each have strong beliefs. I agree we should agree to disagree. That's what educated people do.

 

[taterbug]

It is obvious that with such a large group of people, there will always be differing opinions regarding issues of politics, morals, religion, etc. The one common ground we all have is that we are adults. That doesn't mean that we can't share our beliefs, or even debate them, but as Dave said "I agree we should agree to disagree."
We could argue, debate, discuss, or beat this to death until the end of time, but nothing more than ill will and feelings will be the result.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Ah, but Dave, he hung out with a doctor (he wrote Luke and Acts, after all) as well as a tax collector. My guess is had he walked the earth in this day, he would have hung out with car salesmen and journalists, but that's another discussion.Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the law by doing something we can't do ... live a perfect life and die for us.

We could argue, debate, discuss, or beat this to death until the end of time, but nothing more than ill will and feelings will be the result.

I agree ... which is why I agree we need to agree to disagree. I know that these kinds of discussions tend to become the kind of conversations where people attack others. I would hate to see that happen to us here, so I will abide by 2 Timothy 2:23: "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."

 

[flemings99]

:sing:

It is obvious that with such a large group of people, there will always be differing opinions regarding issues of politics, morals, religion, etc. The one common ground we all have is that we are adults. That doesn't mean that we can't share our beliefs, or even debate them, but as Dave said "I agree we should agree to disagree."
We could argue, debate, discuss, or beat this to death until the end of time, but nothing more than ill will and feelings will be the result.

Well said. I have some strong opinions on the subject matter had hand as well, but since we are discussing PC will keep it there.

I AM EXCITED about the BB cards b/c I plan to use mine to get Christmas gifts--1st one for me wii Just Dance 2---any one have Just Dance 1? It's sooooo much fun!

Last time they were offered, I used mine to upgrade my MS Office software. Combined it with a sale & got it for only $50 :sing:

If you don't have BB or don't like them can't you trade the card on one of those exchange gift card sites? or better yet give it to your down line as an incentive.

 

[pampered1224]

That is a good idea Barb! Trading the card would be a good way to resolve that issue. either way it is still an incentive. Some sort of a goal helps reach further and really, if you use them as bench marks in your climb to a trip, it is a good way to track your progress.
And no, I am not going to mention that other discussion again. We should all be old enough to agree to disagree, including me.

 

[Chef Gilles]

Choice? a choice to shop where you want YES but it is no choice to be homosexual. I see some make a choice of what verse of the bible they chose to believe and which they chose to leave out. New testament....."love one another"
By chosing to judge others or judging their behavior is sinful in my point of view...oops I judged but I love all of you because I am blessed with the holy spirit and can forgive the harsh words used in this thread. God Bless You All dear PC friends!

 

[Kelly8]

As a Jew, I think he was a nice guy who disappointed his mother by not becoming a Doctor."

That's offensive-just saying.

 

[Kelly8]

I'm glad that Jesus shed his blood for you.

He shed his blood for you, too. Honestly, I don't know how this thread went from talking about boycotting a store that quite possibly donates to anti-homosexual activities to bashing Jesus and other people's religion. I am deeply offended over this and really thinking of cancelling my subscription because it allows Jesus-bashing (that sounds really bad, huh? Almost like boycotting stores). We are supposed to be allowed to have our own beliefs in this country and yet, we are condemned if they aren't liberal beliefs. Not everyone agrees with your lifestyle. No, I don't believe it's a choice, but it's a lifestyle that some people find hard to comprehend. And yes, you can "love the sinner, but not the sin." Adultery is a sin. My father is an adulterer, but I love him to pieces. So I can't love him because of his actions? This thread has just gotten silly! If you have a problem with Pampered Chef then take it up with Pampered Chef. Stop stirring the pot and trying to persuade people to join your cause. You had to have known that posting what you did in the very beginning would get people very riled. Again, I was totally respectful of your belief until you started Jesus-bashing. That's something that offends me, and probably others out there. So you don't want to be offended, but you see no problem in doing it to others.

 

[chefsteph07]

As a Jew, I think he was a nice guy who disappointed his mother by not becoming a Doctor."

That's offensive-just saying.

YES, it IS offensive.
I guess it is expected that we are tolerant and politically correct and if we are not, and actually speak our mind about something that may differ, then we are labeled insensitive haters, but when the shoe comes back around we are just supposed to lay down our beliefs and take a comment like that. To those who do not believe in Jesus, or agree with the teachings, or whatever your beliefs may or may NOT be, does NOT give anyone the right to mock and belittle what others believe.