That's really funny Alison, because I was going to use that same example earlier, but decided not to. -michael

No, minority is not an offensive term. Not in any use of the word. What would be offensive would be changing the phrase to "people of color". That insinuates that all minorities are race related. Geez, people who only have four toes on their left foot are definately a minority, but it has nothing to do with their race. The most offensive thing in America today is political correctness. It's just so stupid. I'm overweight, but do people really think that by calling me a "woman of size" I don't know that they are really calling me fat? Calling a rose by any other name it is still a rose. Sure there are some offensive words that shouldn't be used, like n*gger, but this PC stuff has gone way overboard. -sandee

Joel you wrote: *Many public schools will no longer have Christmas on their holidays because it may offend people of other religions. Instead they use Winter Break. Did they think that they might be offending me, who is of the Christian religion. No, of course not.* You're absolutely right. The reason being that it is OK to make fun of Christians. I've been discussing this very thing recently with my family and friends. I don't understand why we are the one group of people that it is completely acceptable to insult and offend. Take for example The Go-Go's new CD, God Bless The Go-Go's. Now, The Go-Go's are my all time favorite group and the fact that they are dressed as saints/nuns on the cover didn't bother me at all, but on their website they have a copy of the Hail Mary only it is rewritten to be about them. I'm not Catholic, but that offended even me. HOWEVER, I completely support their right to do it. That's what freedom is all about. I'm just wondering if they would have even considered rewriting a sacrement of, say, the Muslims or Jewish or Buddhists.....? -sandee

Ok, let me enter the fray right now. Anyway, personally speaking, I don't think the word 'minority' is very offensive, but rather I find that the phrase 'people of colour' more derogatory. When we talk about races, religions, beliefs, opinions and identities, you would have the minority and the majority. Like what Ethan has said, people fall in many different categories all at once and can be divided into groups. I will always belong in the minority somehow no matter who or what I am. It's worse attributing anything to a matter of race when you decide to use 'people of colour' instead. I'm Chinese (that's not my nationality in case anyone is wondering), and I have got a few funny looks in the past when I travelled overseas and some have just presumptuously assumed that I was some culturally inept, English-as-a-second-language speaker. It's not because they think "gee, she believes in a different philosophy from the mainstream", but instead it's because I look different. Essentially, I think that if the word 'minority' is used, it sort of, inadvertently, refers to every one of us in general, depending on the context of course. Btw, I find the phrase 'people of colour' quite weird, isn't everyone coloured, I mean, who's transparent? That's just some idiosyncracy of mine, having some inane thought every now and then. -li

have to commend you for that comment Li. You are right. Everyone is of colour. -michael

"Sandee wrote "You're absolutely right. The reason being that it is OK to make fun of Christians. I've been discussing this very thing recently with my family and friends. I don't understand why we are the one group of people that it is completely acceptable to insult and offend" I have been wondering why this is the case. It seems that Christians are targetted more often for ridicule here. I suppose this could be because there are more of them around. But another example is from the University I attended. At this University when I first started there was something called Christian Awareness Week. Booths were set up etc etc. No problem. Then about 2 years later, they replaced that with Spiritual Awareness Week because they did not feel that having a Christian Awareness week was being sensitive enough to everyone else's spirituallity. Well ok I can see their point, don't agree with it but fine. However what really got me is that now implemented at the University is Muslim Awareess week, Sikh awareness week and a couple more. I was ok with not having a Christian awareness week, if it meant it was straight across the board, but there is a clear double standard here. I just don't get it! Anyways...enough of that.....lol -joel

the more I read everyones replys, the more I wonder about both minorites and "people of color" and why we need them at all in America. Yeah, so they maybe a different color or there may not be as many of them in America, but they are here, and they are becoming an American and thats what matters. It shouldn't matter at all what color they are or anything like that. I hate racism so much and I still wonder why we all can't just got along with each other. -justin

Racism exists, Justin, because of all of the many cultures that exist in the world. One culture, race, whatever, always wants or believes something different than another culture and so they fight over what is "right." It isn't a nice thing, but as long as there are different people, of different cultures, with different thoughts and values, there is always going to be disagreements. Whether it be over a word like minority, or anything else, someone is always going to be there who is offended or who wants something different. Someone will always disagree. -michael

yes I understand this, but I'm just one of those people who would rather see people all get a long and have the world be a safe place, instead of a place full of hate and crime. I know why racism exist Michael, I'm not a freakin kid, but I don't how people can be that way towards others. -justin

I wasn't trying to treat you like a kid. I was simply replying to your message with my own opinions. -michael

joel wrote*I have been wondering why this is the case. It seems that Christians are targetted more often for ridicule....* Actually, it is foretold in The Bible. It says that the believers will always be hated by the world. -sandee

Yeah Sandee I guess it was foretold in the Bible. It still is frustrating. I would love to chat with you more about this though. What exactly do you believe? Or is there a more appropriate spot to talk about this? -joel

You asked what I believe? I don't attend church. I study the Bible on my own. Here is a breakdown of what I believe: I believe there is only one true GOD. He is composed of God the Father (who lives in Heaven) God the Son (who we know as Jesus) and God the Spirit (who lives with us here) I believe Jesus was born from a virgin who was given Jesus by the Spirit. I believe Jesus was born, lived, and died sinless. He died as a sacrifice to pay for our sins so that we wouldn't have to. I believe because he was sinless that he defeated death and physically rose up from his grave to go to Heaven and live with the Father. I believe if we ask him to use his sacrifice to pay for our sins that he will go to the Father and say "I know this person". and then the Father will hear our prayers, the Spirit will help us and comfort us, and we also will defeat death and go to live in Heaven with God. -sandee

WOW! Sandee that was very deep and I have to say I agree with everything you just said. I too believe in God, but don't go to church. I feel that I get my peace from God by just talking to him/praying to him, I don't feel like I need to go to church to get that. -justin

Wow, finally I find people who understand my views as well. I find church to be simply a building. I find Catholicism to be too demanding with all of it's rules. That is why I take it upon myself to practice my faith and talk to God as I see fit. I was baptized and raised as a Catholic, but now I call myself Christian and nothing more. It means that I can believe in God on my own terms and I find comfort in that. -michael

It feels nice to hear from you guys. :) Well, I'm a new born again Christian, haven't been baptised yet. I try to go to church whenever I can, but even if I don't, it's not like I suddenly don't know what being a Christian is all about. -li

I'm so in the boat with Michael. I too am Catholic and think that their "rules" or demands or whatever or just way to much for what Society is like today, they may have been benefical back then, but society has changed so much since and I don't agree with a lot of things that they believe. I prefer just to wake up, if I need to pray , I pray Isn't believing in god enough? why do we need to go to church to hear the same thing every weekend? -justin

Well some interesting things here. First of all to Sandee, you are right on to what I believe. I am curious though why you do not attend a church? I know that many people have been hurt by church's. They are run by people, and thus they can make mistakes and big ones as well. Just curious. To the topic of why bother attending a church. I would have to say that the church has nothing to do with a building or an organization. A church is the community of believers within that building. If the building changes the church still exists. That's why even though China will kill and imprison people for their meeting together to study and worship, there is a strong Christian body there. Just because that church in that country is tied to a 'religion'. Does someone 'HAVE' to attend a church? I would say no. I think that to say "isn't belief in God enough?" is not true either though. I think this issue boils down to a belief in the Bible. Lots of people believe in God but think the Bible is waste of time. Therefore they won't go to church or do a lot of other things. I guess for me church is a place where I can learn more about the person of Jesus Christ and grow closer ina relationship with Him as wel as a place to have fun, hang out, meet with friends and family who share the same beliefs. If church is a chore, then yeah why would you go, I don't blame you. Hmm lots more thoughts running through my head about this, but need to think about it before spitting the out...lol -joel

I use to go to church all the time I use to live out in Guam and Hawaii and church was fun to go to everyone liked each other, we always had fun, it was very spirtual and like a huge family when my family and I moved back to America, we felt very unexcepted at many of the catholic churches it didn't have that family feel to it and the people were down right rude I think this is one of the many reasons I don't attend church anymore it doesn't seem real, atleast around where I live it seems like a lot of the people go, just so they can make it look like they are all good and stuff they seem so fake and it upsets me I prefer to go somewhere where its very spirtual, the people go because they want to go and the church feels like a family -justin

Joel, I was raised as a baptist and I used to go to church 3 times a week. I have no trouble with organized religion. I stopped going to church when I developed agrophobia. Hope that answers your question. -sandee

Ok just wondering Sandee, I am assuming you meant agorophobia, in which case I understand. I mean I don't understand to the extent of I have experienced that, but I understand in the extent that I mentally get it. -joel

see Justin and I totally agree with you. Why bother going if you feel like an outsider and it seems dead. A great point! I have been to churches like that and I would rather stay at home by myself then go to a church like that. I hope you find one that you are looking for someday. -joel

part of me does want to go back to church so badly It can be nice and it seems as if you can let out so much emotions when you are there and people won't care, but I don't feel like that at a lot of churches here -justin

I just thought of something its kind of interesting how we all kind of feel the same way about church and religion religion is such a touchy subject with some people and its interesting that we all so far have some of the same views I figured people would have been mad and pissed off by now -justin

am sorry.....how did the conversation move from racism to Christianity? -jeff

That didn't ruin the effect! Words makes perfect sense here. How else could people from different countries all over the world come together, but with words. The internet is called the global community, but without words where would we be? Someone had to come up with them, God created everything, he gave us the power of speech, and the ability to develop it. I also agree there is a god, obviously! I don't attend church, when I was young, a Sunday school teacher barraged us one morning, and told us we had to say a prayer right then to become a 'born again Christian'. When I told my parents they were a little upset, but they didn't want anyone else telling me what to believe, they told me the truth comes to the ones who look for it. So I've just lived my life looking for it, it's a never ending search, and eventually in the end you get there if you've followed the right path.
P.S. I don't know if I'm allowed to change the subject. While I agree that the abilities of all things (animals, water, weather) were created by God, but was wondering who got to name everything. Because some words just sound really stupid.. Like Hand, who decided it would be hand, and not Foot, ? I know it comes from old latin and stuff, but which old latin person decided it? A question I've always asked, and almost everyone thinks I'm nuts. "Alison, it's just the word, leave it alone, that's what it is." What do you think? -alison

I think a lot of people wonder where in the world some names have come from there are a lot of weird ones out there like Spatula, thats a weird one -justin

Good one!!! Banana??? Or, Artichoke??? I know, enough... The realy topic was racism right? I just don't think in our day and age it is quite the issue it used to be. And I don't mean that to be offensive, but I commend the human race for bringing it as far as they have. Some people still have their beliefs, but as with religion, politics and even sports, you aren't going to have a general consensus. You have more ideas floating around, and that isn't going to change, it's what makes us interesting. Imagine, everyone, everywhere has exactly the same thoughts at exactly the same time. Frightening. -alison

Here's a link for you to think about bud. As Christians we are called to treat everyone as equals. It is not only our moral, but religious duty to do so. In any case, Jusus hung around with all sorts of people and so it shouldn't seem so wrong to some when it comes to interacting with people of every race, culture, or creed. In an ideal world racism would not exist, but since it does and we really can't help it, what is the problem with grouping them, (getting back into the whole "people of colour" and "minorities") as long it is not done with negative intent? People can and will be called much worse! -michael

Yeah Michael I would agree with that. I don't find there is anything wrong with grouping people as long as it is done not with some intent to degrade that group of people. For myself, I don't mind being called a Canadian or a Christian, because that is who I am. I am also called a white guy. No problem there, I am white. It is a way that people can identify themselves, and doesn't mean that they are lesser people. I am surprised sometimes though how much racism still exists. Even in my city, racism is a problem, people are still just ignorant of the world and it ticks me off. -joel

It's not a good thing, but (though I hate to sound extremely negative) I don't see it ending any time soon. -michael

Yeah no kidding, people make the same mistakes over and over again, you'd think we would all learn, but I know from my own life that this is true. """" Hmm maybe I should actually get off my butt and do some of that work that I need to do. Nah I'll wait......OH NO I am out of time.......((((3 days later)))) Hmm maybe now I should do some of that work that I need to do....nh I'll wait...OH NO I am out of time!!!....etc etc ad nauseum...... -joel

prev|ep1chapters|next

home|episodes|contestants|info|opinions|communication|links

this website is not an official website of abc's the mole or any of the mole televised shows. this website does not reflect the opinions or thoughts of the producers of the televised shows. all content (words and images) on this website is owned and copyrighted to cybeteur productions. no images on http://thecybermole2.tripod.com have been borrowed except for the ads (obviously). if you find any problem (legal or technical) with this website, please email the webmaster and explain the problem.

copyright 2002.