Arkansas Blog

Maybe if the ballpark designers would include a baptismal shaped like a batter's box, he'd withdraw his opposition.

*baptismal, baptistry, dunkin' booth, whatever*

Is there a ball park in America that doesn't sell beer?

The naive stupidity -- had he never been to a ballpark before? What a silly shit of a human being.
The right wing Christian conservatives are all bells, whistles and exploding fire trucks, but no substance. They are trying to sell a product that thinking folks won't ever buy again.

I thought the SBC boycotted Disney some years back. Now Floyd uses them to build his playland, but then my memory tells me that the SBC declared victory in that campaign much as we did in Iraq some 3 years ago.

what a nut job! Baseball + Beer = America. I Think the good Rev. might hate freedom.

BTW a couple of ballparks in Utah don't sell beer or cokes, the strongest thing you can get in Provo is lemonade

Well.....probably no ballpark in Springdale then. The members of First Baptist Springdale will get to watch ball on tv in the comfort of their homes.....which will allow them to chug beer without the fear of others in the congregation having to watch one drink the satan soda

Damn. Now that means we can't watch Ronnie Floyd, in a Flashy Elvis Jesus jumpsuit, blow up in an explosive baptismal during those double headers.

Viva Ronnie Vegas!

Ok, maybe he was not really thinking about beer being sold there but give me a break, you christian haters. You really think a minister is going to continue to support something once they find out that alcohol is involved in the situation? Give me a break and get off christians' backs for once.

What a douche bag. I am so sick of these baptist militants telling me how to live. He should concentrate on trying to download less child porn and stopping beating his wife. What a frickin douche bag.

BTW a couple of ballparks in Utah don't sell beer or cokes, the strongest thing you can get in Provo is lemonade

Just one more reason to avoid the state of Utah.

Get off Christian's backs? How bout you bible thumping holier-than-though hypocrites get off of everyone else's backs for once. We don't tell you how to live, so stop telling us.

Good thing nobody has mentioned to His Eminence that some minor league teams have been known to hold promotional events that involve (shudder!) dancing, and (horrors!) rock and roll music... No telling how rabid his opposition might become at that point.

Maybe those pushing for this ballpark can win him back to their side by solemnly promising that no abortions, flag burnings, or gay marriages will be allowed during ball games; that John Kerry will be arrested if he ever tries to pass through the gate; and that the facility will be named in honor of George W. Bush.

(I guess it goes without saying that Rev. Floyd obviously is unfamiliar with the old adage about the difference between Baptists and Methodists: Methodists will acknowledge each other when they accidentally meet in the liquor store...)

I am not a Christian hater; iI consider myself to be one. But I am sick and tired of folks like Floyd being the face of Christianity. He gives us all a bad name.

"You really think a minister is going to continue to support something once they find out that alcohol is involved in the situation? Give me a break and get off christians' backs for once. "

I hope you realize that not all Christians, not even all protestants, think it is wrong to consume alcohol.
NEWSFLASH: Not all Christians believe the same way.

I think it's obvious that Mr. Floyd, stinging from last week's defeat, is trying to position himself as a crusader to get positive public attention. He needs to recover from the PR disaster that was the exposure of his flock's greed and idolotry.

This is a ploy to get his name in the news and make himself a crusader to either 1) get richer off of local aginners, or 2) keep building to a political race in the near future.

If Boozeman ever retires or looks vulnerable, look for "Pastor" Floyd to go Huck on us and run for the 3rd District seat.

"You really think a minister is going to continue to support something once they find out that alcohol is involved in the situation? Give me a break and get off christians' backs for once."

I'm Christian, and I've had a few beers with my religious leader on occasion.

Point I was trying to make is that could you see Rex Horne continuing to support publicly a new eating place that then has to apply for a beer license? No, a minister is not going to do that, regardless if his "flock" supports alcohol or not. So what so suprising about this situation?

Anon: not all christians try to force things upon others. But, we are charged to tell about our beliefs and how we believe one should live. If you don't like it, sorry. Just turn the channel, turn the page, walk away, etc.

And, yes I know some Christians drink alcohol. Thanks for the newsflash. Wow, that really busted my bubble.

(I guess it goes without saying that Rev. Floyd obviously is unfamiliar with the old adage about the difference between Baptists and Methodists: Methodists will acknowledge each other when they accidentally meet in the liquor store...)
Posted by: N. Vino Veritas

This may be slowly changing. A lot of Methodists I know have been seeming more Baptist-like lately.

I noticed that the Presbyterians have now joined the Episcopalians/Anglicans in allowing gay clergy. In the old days, the Methodists would have lead the way on that.

As usual, interesting point, Patrick....
And yeah, Inside and G. Weigel, I've got you beat -- I've seen my Lutheran minister with a beer in the ballpark....

Hey Ronnie: you don't have to buy a beer at the ballpark if you don't want one.

Interesting that they were going to sell HOT DOGS and NACHOS but he had no problem with that. Even though eating too much is one of the 7 deadly sins.

JESUS turned the water into wine, not lemonade. How come the Baptist have such a problem with beer. Alcohol is not bad in moderation and neither are peanuts.

"Methodists becoming more like Baptists,"
If you are referring to the pastor in Virginia refusing a gay visitor to join the church, then yes we are becoming like Baptists; however, look at the reaction from the bishop of that region, the Book of Discipline, as well as the reaction from the majority of the country including the Bible Belt and you should be safely reassured that Methodists are not becoming more like Baptists (except for the Confessing Movement).

Yesterday you were all moaning about a taxpayer financed ballpark. Today its okay since Floyd is now against it?

If you are referring to the pastor in Virginia...
Posted by: Anonymous

No, I didn't hear about that one. I'm referring to Methodists I know personally, and actions/resolutions of the Arkansas Conference the last couple of years, and the North/South Arkansas Conferences before that.

I'm referring to how saying "Amen" in church has become the cool thing to do in the last 10 years, and a lot more. Methodists have been turning more conservative, trying to become more Baptist-like, for at least 15 years. It's hard to miss.

I always figured it was an attempt to reverse dwindling membership by emulating the highly-successful Baptists. But they've been doing it so long now that it's actually changing the way Methodists think. They aren't the open-minded all-loving bunch they once were.

Will it be the Sunday preceeding the November election that Ronnie Floyd flashes his sign proclaiming 'Vote God' with images of A$a! and Jim Holt? That should be ripe good entertainment, if one can stomach sitting amongst his flock for an hour or so. And he won't have to worry about the IRS, as they're too busy putting the screws to churches that have questioned the morality of our imperial ventures.

A man goes to see the doctor because he's losing his memory.

The doctor says "I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is your brain is failing and we have to do a transplant. The good news is that we have a selection on hand.

"Methodist brains are $100, Presbyterian brains are $200, and Baptist brains are $100,000."

The guy says "Why are Baptist brains $100,000???"

The doctor replies "Do you know how many Baptists we have to go through to find a normal brain?"

"Anon: not all christians try to force things upon others. But, we are charged to tell about our beliefs and how we believe one should live. If you don't like it, sorry. Just turn the channel, turn the page, walk away, etc. " by Insider
You have created a "charge" to justify your arrogance and aggressiveness toward people and things you do not understand. Your problem is faith - you think you have the right answers but problem is you don't ask the right questions. I suggest if you want to assault people with your religion you go to Iraq and talk to folks who are really interested in that drivel - Al Qaida in Mesopotamia. You folks would make a wonderful couple -- gay or otherwise!

Notice how much like the Taliban many Christian Churches are becoming?
Ronnie meet Osama.
I'm from the liberal wing of the Episcopal Church...we believe in God but not that we are God.

Most people who call themselves christian really don't live a life that reflects the teaching of Jesus; most refuse to think for themselves; most parrot that which they hear from some man who is supposedly 'caled'; most will not stand for injustices when the price is too high to pay; most do the same as the 'sinners' behind closed doors. I stopped attending church several years ago because I don't blindly follow any person--male or female. Being spiritual has very little, or anything, with attending a physical structure.

Politics make for strange bedfellows. For example, it is rumored that Little Rock's Jim Lynch is an active supporter and consultant to Mark Stodola, who is going to run for Mayor of Little Rock. Jim Lynch and Mark Stodola. Go figure.

I like Jim Lynch but did not realize he and Stodola had a connection. And, in my opinion, Mark is not going to win the mayoral election. I think Glenn Schwarz(I think) should be a candidate; he speaks at all the board meetings.

Doesn't he believe in the Bible? Proverbs 31-7
"Drink so that you might forget your poverty, & remember your misery no more". I'm of the opinion the bible must be interpreted, we all know someone who reads the above to mean drink until you pass out...I take it to mean its ok to have a drink to relax...Some people read the King James version and get that they should pack a coffee can with nails & gunpowder and set it off in front of a abortion clinic... Some Muslims read the old testement (I understand we Christians share that with Muslims) and get that Shia's should kill Sunni's because they aren't the "true believers"
The devil is in the interpretation.

Stodola plans on running an anti-city board race with Lynch's help. Stodola is about as "anti-city hall" as Hillary is " anti-federal government."

If alchohol is bad, why did Jesus turn the water into wine? And don't try the old "water was bad in those days" because he could have turned it into clean water instead of wine.

I'm a recovering Bapist. I've learned over the years that much of what the Baptists preach is not based on the Bible. There is nothing in the Bible for example to back up the "once saved always saved" born-again doctrine. This is just one more example of Baptist beliefs not based on scripture.

"I do not believe that the Bible teaches teetotalism . . . Jesus drank wine. Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast. That wasn't grape juice as some of them try to claim." (Miami Herald (December 26, 1976), section A, p. 18).
-Billy Graham

I see front pew sitters in the liquor store all the time. (In full disclosure, it is NOT because I see them there...only that they profess to be of "The Good Christian Sort") Of course, they try not to make eye contact with me or the other front pew sitters. They hasten to do business with you if you aren't a front pew sitter..."Oh yeah, he is NOT of the Good Christian Sort..." and in my experience some, not all mind you, of these are the same people squeezing pennies out of the poorest and most gullible folks.

This Floyd character is a hoot. First you support the ball park, then withdraw because the park will sell cold beer? As a strict Cold Beer Worshipper, I must say that Ronnie Floyd is a fool, and any member of his "flock" is likewise. Short sighted at least.

Don't get me wrong...Jesus seems like he was a cool dude with a peaceful message. All of these bozos who fly the flag of Christ and, in His name, shout down Cold Beer Worshippers can kiss my ass...man, I feel like having a cold beer now...

at lunch my wife and i discussed whether i could become the grand poobah of the baptists. she said i wasn't moral enough and i wasn't baptist. i guess i am in the same boat as armani ronnie, he can't either.

Forget the ballpark issue, what's up with a church having an associate pastor for strategic communications?

I've always heard the following: 1) a Methodist is a Baptist who wears shoes; 2) a Presbyterian is a Methodist with a college education; and 3) an Episcopalian is a Presbyterian who lives off his/her investments!

I agree with Mike. What the hell is going on up at Six Flags these days? Do they also have a Chief Marketing Officer?

A fool says in his heart there is no God.
Be not deceived God will not be mocked.
The rich man in hell being tormented lifted up his head and saw!
Only a Fool would mock God, what the hell are you dumb asses doing to yourselves? That's right, you are pilling heap of coals on your heads.
But, it says that it is not what goes in your mouth that comdemns you; it's what comes out that condemns you. In this case it's what you write that condemns you.
Shut the hell up and be quiet. George Bush can't help it when he lies to us.

wtf?

Like it or not, preachers in small communities have a great deal of influence. Ronnie Floyd is apparently a very successful Baptist minister. Just because he didn't win an election does not deminish his strong influence with his flock.

The USDA recognizes the importance of church ministers, with respect to modifying health and nutrition.

Democrats recognize the importance of ministers when they make their visits to black churches around election time to invest in the get out the vote.

Well this is the thing think of all the MONEY for the Liquor Sales $$$$$ that should bring a nice cash flow into the town . . . maybe that should be looked at as well

As a lifelong Methodist, I can tell you that there has been considerable wailing that the church has no mechanism for excommunicating Dubya, who claims the name but certainly never absorbed any of the spirit.

Ok... I grew around Six Flags Over Jesus and have to say that the 'majority' of them are blinded by the corrupt belief system that has been thrown upon them.

- your beliefs are your own, no one wants to hear them unless they ask you specifically
-the old saying 'judge not lest you be judged'
-give your money and gifts to people who need it, there are homeless people, battered women, disabled war veterans and so forth, why do you need to have a huge building and have a minister who wears Armani suits?
-How much money is spent on pamphlets left on doors and cars that TURN people away from the belief structure and cause garbage to be left in the streets killing trees and damaging the enviroment? Just a waste
-Act as you preach, if you really believe alcohol is evil then don't drink it, but not everyone agrees with you so let them be

Doing things like this is why many people detest Baptists, I know for myself that I will never attend First Baptist or any other Baptist church for these reasons and other reasons as well