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What would Jesus download? Maybe Ubuntu CE

By Tina Gasperson on October 02, 2006 (8:00:00 AM)

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Jereme Hancock says the reason he created a Christian version of Linux, called Ubuntu Christian Edition, was simply to "bring Linux to Christian believers." Ubuntu CE, which comes with net filtering and Bible study software, is designed to fit in with Hancock's mission to provide a "family-friendly place on the Web," Hancock says.

Hancock, a 29-year-old bus driver with a B.S. in business administration, says he came up with the idea for Ubuntu CE earlier this year. "I wanted to see a full Christian Linux distro, and the only ones that I could find had pretty much stalled in their development. So I decided to create my own." Hancock used the Ubuntu Customization Kit. "The process of creating the ISO is fairly simple, and is based directly on Ubuntu," he says.

Ubuntu CE is just like "regular" Ubuntu, except that it has a custom splash screen and includes software that Hancock believes Christians would want to use, such as DansGuardian for Web filtering, GnomeSword for Bible study, and a script that provides a daily Bible verse. The latest CE release also comes with Automatix and GnuCash, for more secular pursuits.

"I know that this could all be accomplished with a meta-package or a bash script," Hancock says. "In fact, with each release there is an accompanying 'convert_me' script that will customize a default Ubuntu install to Ubuntu CE." But, Hancock says, an ISO targets new Linux users "who may never have heard of Ubuntu and would not know where to start with a bash script. I also wanted users to be able to burn the ISO to a CD and hand them out to their family and friends."

The custom distro is just the latest in a series of steps Hancock has taken with Linux. A college friend first Hancock to Linux, but he was "not that impressed," he says. Years later, an acquaintance handed him a copy of Ubuntu Warty Warthog, and he "was immediately hooked. I switched briefly to MEPIS because I was unable to get Win4Lin to run in Ubuntu. I liked MEPIS, but I kept getting pulled back to Ubuntu." Hancock still uses Windows to test his Web site in Internet Explorer and the Windows version of Firefox, but says he uses Ubuntu for "99.9%" of his computing time."

Hancock says the purpose of his portal site, where visitors can download Ubuntu CE, check the weather, and post in a prayer forum, is not to talk people into becoming Christians. "WhatWouldJesusDownload.com is a family site. I have tried hard to not include elements on my sites that could be perceived as pushy. For instance, I do not put links to pages that tell you 'how to get saved.'"

Rather, the site reflects his personal philosophy. "We should all consider what we download or view on the Web. So, we can first ask, 'what would Jesus download' before we proceed."

Hancock says he's experienced some resistance from some in the open source community who don't agree with his mission. "I have been disappointed in some of the reactions to the project," he says. "I expected to get some bashing, but I had really hoped the open source community would not be so closed-minded." Still, he says he's received a fair amount of support from unexpected sources. "I have received emails from quite a few self-proclaimed atheists letting me know that they support the project ... because they believe in the philosophy of open source software."

Tina Gasperson writes about business and technology from an open source perspective.

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on What would Jesus download? Maybe Ubuntu CE

Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content.

Not with that name...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 04:49 AM
Linux Christian Edition, by Hancock? It certainly made me smile.

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With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 05:19 AM
Ubuntu CE, which comes with net filtering and Bible study software
I somehow read that as<nobr> <wbr></nobr>..with ignorance and manipulation.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 05:30 AM
... and exactly the same way I read your comment<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:21 AM
That comment says a lot more about you than about Ubuntu CE.

If this is the filter you bring to every situation I would suggest you alter your info/opinion ratio. It may prevent further embarrassment.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:52 PM
Your comment is funny, I can agree with that and I can agree with that my comment tells alot about me.

It is the embarrassment part I don't feel. I'm proud of not living by a book, which most christians claim to, but don't; now take a look in the replies, I should kill myself? Would Jesus agree with that?

Religion is per definition ignorance and manipulation. Only 1 source of information. Governments would love that, wouldn't they?

Atheist have feelings like faith and hope, but belief is stupidity. Belief makes you hold onto something although everything proves it to be wrong.

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With what?-Intolerance

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:38 PM
You should feel embarrasment. Not for being an atheist, but for being an intolerant (and ignorant)* git. Like one of the posters below said. Open source is for everyone.

*Net filtering isn't just for the religious.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 02:28 AM
Per what definition? Whose? Here is the definition from dictionary.com:
–noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
—Idiom9. get religion, Informal. a. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
b. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.
I don't see either the word ignorance or manipulation, causing me to wonder who is ignorant and trying to manipulate things.

While it is true that people can manipulate religion and can be ignorant (e.g., not questioning the actions of the faith's leaders or not accept that they do not have all of the answers), that does not make religion in general ignorant or manipulative. That comment is as ignorant as saying that all whites are racists because some once belonged to the Ku Klux Klan.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 09:01 PM
Me again,
You don't know all that many Christians I guess. Nor is your knowledge of the Bible anything to brag about. If your asking me if there are ignorant Christians, of course there are. Some of them have their own TV shows, but to make the leap from those cursory observations to equating all religion w/ ignorance and manipulation is in itself ignorant and frankly sounds a bit hateful as well. You have a belief system of your own. It shapes your thoughts and guides your mouth. You are judging everything and everyone according to your belief system. If I had to guess, rather than believe in a superior God you have simply made yourself god in your own eyes and judge the rest of the world from that lofty position.

Been there done that.

What you need to understand is that all genuine Christians have been where you are and left. I wonder if you have ever been where they are?

Just a thought.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 10:23 PM
Hi again,
It is hard for you to be any more wrong about me as a person. It must be because you are biased about how you think Atheists are.

I have never felt hate.

I respect that some people feel better if they believe in ghosts, but I don't understand why and I can never accept the thought.

You are right I don't know many Christians, I have only one good friend who is Christian (It is a rare species in Denmark).

What is wrong with my knowledge of the Bible? Except that I call it propaganda material?

I don't believe. I observe and think rationally. How can I prove that God exists. I can't. Then why would I believe in him?

I'm not saying that being ignorant makes you a bad person. I'm just saying that you are irrational when you start believing without proof. Most people feel good about their ignorance and that is great.

The most plausible theory about human nature is that we are born the same with an empty brain, and our personality is shaped from input, which is why I never judge people. I think we should all be God, and take some responsibility for once. I am more God than God, I can change things. He can't.

I'm a humanist. I'm not trying to take over the world and make people my slaves. I care about humanity. I'm more unselfish than you as a Christian would be able to think of an Atheist.

If you have been where I am. Then what made you act irrational? Or what prooved to you that God do exist?

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 02:39 AM
You stated:
I don't believe. I observe and think rationally. How can I prove that God exists. I can't. Then why would I believe in him?
Do you believe there is life on other planets, as many educated (and presumably not ignorant) people do? If so, how, as there is no real proof as yet that other life exists?

I'm sorry, but the argument that if I can't see it, it doesn't exist just doesn't work. There are a great many things I probably would not believe existed if I used that criteria, simply because I've never seen them.

Ultimately, though, it comes down to two things. First, I prefer to think we are not merely an accident, as that sucks out much of the meaning in life. Second, I prefer to believe and perhaps one day be proved wrong than not to believe and be proved wrong (or right for that matter).

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 05:49 AM
Most educated people believe it is possible. Big differents

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 03:17 AM
Me again

I generally do not follow these trails but something about your response is just compelling me to answer.

You just proved my original point about your info/opinion ratio over and over again. You have a bad habit of taking half a fact and making a whole sweeping conclusion out of it and I consider that very dangerous behaviour whether you are Christian, humanist, atheist or whatever.

Example Bible = propaganda material

Yes it has been used as that in different places at different times however, if you are a humanist and humanistic material is often used as propaganda then you = propagandist? Or more accurately humanistic ideas = propaganda?

You said "I don't believe" that made me laugh till my sides hurt. You believe in a great many things that you can not empirically prove. If you are arrogant enough to "believe" that is not true you are not very intellectually honest.

Finally your conclusion that I believe in God therefore I am irrational is not an honest conclusion or a question but a crude playground put-down not a serious dialog where learning is possible. So how would you like me to answer that? Yes I know where you are coming from and I have been there and changed. If you are really curious why, I wonder what you think you will learn from a question like that.

Just a thought.

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With what?-atheisim.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:47 AM
"I somehow read that as<nobr> <wbr></nobr>..with ignorance and manipulation. "

Most atheists do.

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Re:With what?-atheisim.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 05:42 AM
I bet there are alot more people that believe in god that think the same as the poster than their are atheists

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 03:29 PM
Jewbuntu would've been funnier, pity he's a Xtian.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 03:34 PM
Buddhabuntu, anyone<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)

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Re(1):With what?

Posted by: Anonymous [ip: 149.76.205.135] on March 17, 2009 12:04 AM

Re:Jewbuntu

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 04:22 PM
That sounds about right -- Jesus might have preferred Jewbuntu since he was a Jew. Then again, Jesus was also a dedicated idealist, so he might have chosen Debian instead of Ubuntu.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-P

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 06:12 PM
"I somehow read that as<nobr> <wbr></nobr>..with ignorance and manipulation."

Oh yes, and I'm sure you're the only flawless person walking around, infallible as usual.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:rolleyes: Kill yourself already and do the world a fucking favor.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:36 PM
Now that is the spirit of christianity!

I'm glad I'm atheist and humanist.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:06 PM
Good for you. Hope you have a pleasant life. Now leave our faith alone.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Doug Loss on October 03, 2006 08:21 PM
Why is it that you atheists seem to always have to proclaim your lack of faith from the rooftops? Trying to proselytize? Can't accept that others don't share your belief system? Face it, you're just as religious as anyone else. You firmly believe in the lack of any higher authority than yourself without any more proof than believers give. I proclaim you a religious zealot!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:))

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 10:44 PM
My dictionary disagree and I disagree. If you can prove to me that God exist I will believe in her. I have faith. Faith is a feeling. Religion is blindly believing something and not taking arguments.

Prove to me that God exist and I wont call you irrational.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 11:25 PM
This post seems to demonstrates that you may not understand "faith". Faith is a belief in things that are not seen. Religion is the exercise of faith. If it were "Blind" then there would never have been more than one denomination or faith. And in religion, faith is the test we are here for so "Proving" the existance of God replaces faith with an absolute knowledge, which in turn takes away, or at least impedes free will and choice.

At any rate, can you DISprove the existance of God? Our science that appears to do so, is based on a number of fundemental assumptions that are not 100% proven.

There are those who take issue with that, but I have grown up in a home with a Phd in Physics, and an appreciation for both science and religion. Just because "religion" has somehow left a bad taste in your mouth does not make it wrong. Humans are wrong, not God. In any case, I defend and am happy to see you form your own beliefs and opinions. I only wish the "tolerance" went both ways more often, from BOTH believers and non...

May you have peace and well being...

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:26 PM
Speaking as an atheist, just why is it that Christians can't scratch their own itch? Open Source is open to all.

Here's a hint pal: The message should not be "You're Christian and you suck." It should be "I'm an atheist and we're people too."

Oh well, "people" certainly includes jerks.

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Re:With what?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 07, 2006 03:08 PM
Amen Brother.

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god's firewall

Posted by: als on October 03, 2006 04:10 PM
> Ubuntu CE, which comes with net filtering
packets only from Vatican ?

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Re:god's firewall

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 06:10 PM
Ho, ho, ho, aren't you the funny one? Go suck a cock, little slut.

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Re:god's firewall

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:57 PM
Watch your language. God reads NewsForge.

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Re:god's firewall

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 12:16 AM
no, but she does read<nobr> <wbr></nobr>/.

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Re:god's firewall

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:27 PM
Not everyone's a catholic.

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Athiests / and or/ humanists

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 10:12 PM
To those of you who are "thankful" that you are not a "religious" freak... keep in mind that you, in fact, are.

Secular Humanism has already be recognised as a religion. Chronicled on another site (google it and you will see it's not a matter of opinion, but fact) It could not be beter stated that as follows:

Even the Supreme Court of the United States spoke in 1961 of Secular Humanism as a religion. It was a struggle to get atheism accepted as a religion, but it happened. From 1962-1980 this was not a controversial issue.
But then Christians began to challenge the "establishment of religion" which Secular Humanism in public schools represented. They used the same tactic Atheists had used to challenge prayer and Bible reading under the "Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment. Now the ACLU is involved. Now the question is controversial. Now Secular Humanists have completely reversed their strategy, and claim that Humanism is not at all religious, but is "scientific."

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since you brought it up

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 10:32 PM
Opposite of believing in a god is atheism
Opposite of Secular Humanism is religious in the traditional sense
Opposite of scientific is faith.

I think you have some definitions and comparisons mixed up. But really, who cares?

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Re:Athiests / and or/ humanists

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 10:34 PM
You can have any religion you want and be a humanist.

Humanism: Concern with the interests, needs, and welfare of humans.

Atheos means "Without God". I still call myself atheist though if you could prove to me that God exist I would believe in him.

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Re:Athiests / and or/ humanists

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 11:12 PM
Do not forget that science is also faith-based.
Any scientist knows that scientific "Laws" are just a framework that has been extensively scrutinized, but that it can be wrong. Scietuific laws can, and must, be challenged with new definitions. Scientist "believe" that previous work is true, and use it as a framework to build new definitions or paradigms on the top of that. That takes faith.

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Re:Atheists / and or/ humanists

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 07:25 AM

Do not forget that science is also faith-based.



This is an old apologist sophistry: Conflate ALL beliefs and all ways in which one can believe to religious faith and then use this conflation to demonstrate that arguments against religious faith are facetious.

The difference between empirical beliefs like science and religious faith is that evidence or better models can change scientific/practical thought quickly. Holding to a belief NO MATTER WHAT isn't a virtue in science. Basically belief based on the best possible information is not faith since if better up-to-date information comes along then the belief changes. So don't mix the two up. 'kay?

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Re:Atheists / and or/ humanists

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 07:18 PM
You are right.

We can only be sure that our laws of pyshics work under our conditions. The laws might change or be heavily refined/expanded if the conditions change (we learn more), but the laws work and we can use them to build faster racecars than if we used faith.

Comparing science and religion is a mockery to the great religious scientists.

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Re:Athiests / and or/ humanists

Posted by: ickusslime on October 03, 2006 11:54 PM
Then you would be agnostic... If you will except proof.

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Re:Athiests / and or/ humanists

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 04:29 AM
Okay, I'm agnostic. You learn new things every day. In my country atheist is commonly used as one who don't believe in God. Agnostic defines it great. Thanks.

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Just stop it!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 11:01 PM
The story is about a guy that was able to take a powerful operating system, tailor it to how he thought best and distribute it to the world. It's about the power of Free Software to allow you to do what you want with it.

And all you people have time to do is turn it into an argument about religion.

Idiots.

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Re:Just stop it!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 11:17 PM
The article mentions religion, why shouldn't we?

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Re:Just stop it!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 11:40 PM
Maybe because the artical is only mentioning it in terms of how LINUX SOVLVES SOMEONE's SPECIFIC NEEDS.

Since it happens to be relgious... everyone uses it as an opportunity to fight about it. Now if this had been about how it helps Buddists, or Hindu, it is likely that the venom being thrown around would be about half as bad. But just like windows users, or newbie linux user being ridiculed by the long time geeks... religion (especially Christian) seems to spark this animalistic need to debase and mock those who believe

I quess we should just accept that if someone wants to talk about how FLOSS helps some coporation, beleif system, political agenda, race, sex, creed, school of thought, that we will have to endure this endless fighting and OT abuse...

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Off topic!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 08:46 AM
I have a sister who likes to steer conversations off at odd angles. For example:

Me (speaking to my brother): "My lawn mower is in bad shape. It runs like a dog! Won't even cut short grass."

My sister (butting in): "Our dog found a dead bird the other day!"

Me and my brother: "Huh?"

I had mentioned a dog but my sister's comment was completely off topic.

I love my sister but but when she does this kind of thing she really comes off as a clueless idiot. Just like all you anti-religion and pro-religion people arguing about a tangent to the point of the article.

Idiots.

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Christianity is stupid

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 03:46 AM
and so are all religions which adore a being you can't see

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Re:Christianity is stupid

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 04:57 AM
And you're a fucking idiot, didn't daddy tell you that? Keep your head up your ass, that way we won't have to smell the horrible stench coming from your rotting corpse.

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A rude declaration is more stupid

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 05:12 AM
Did it feel good to denegrate the vast majority of the human race?

Do you feel superior now?

Do you enjoy wallowing in intellectual self-righteousness?

Some call rude, unfeeling disregard for the beliefs of others stupid. In this case, I agree with them. It's OK to express your opinion. However, athiest or not, general courtesy and basic morals should be applied to maintain civility of the discussion.

Did your parents teach you anything about manners or are you ignoring them on purpose?

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You're a fool

Posted by: ayteebee on October 04, 2006 05:15 AM
But it's ok, you don't really exist. After all, I can't see you...

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Christianity is stupid-Pot stirring.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 07:20 AM
OK. So what did you accomplish with your statement? *looks around* I don't see any religious people suddenly jumping ship to become an atheist. Likewise I don't see the ranks of the atheists swelling. So what again was the purpose of your post?

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Great example of the flexibility of Linux

Posted by: Brian Masinick on October 04, 2006 10:08 AM
This effort speaks well for the flexibility of Linux distributions as a whole, for the Debian project, and for the Ubuntu community.

It is quite clear that it is not something that is absolutely NEEDED, as even the author himself acknowledges, for you can simply add the desired packages from readily available repositories, but it speaks to the CONVENIENCE of creating all kinds of custom tailored distributions to meet a specific need.

This isn't even the first Christian oriented distribution. I've known about Ichthus, for example, for well over a year, maybe longer. That happens to be a Live CD, and it includes very similar software.

The point is that it is great that there is choice, and it is also great that it is easy to either cut down or build up a distribution fairly easily to meet a specific need or interest.

These are two examples of such interest.

There are Puppies of various forms that optimize the use of Live CD technology, DSL based distros that emphasize very small footprint, numerous Slackware variations that do everything from run from a Zip drive to running custom Linux User Group (LUG) software... and on and on.

These are not intended for the world at large, they are intended for special interest groups.

Try to make something like that with commercial software. From a technical standpoint, it can be done - IF they'll let you at the bits and pieces to do it. with Linux, it's easy, hence the proliferation of this kind of stuff, with no end in sight.

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Kinda cool

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on November 13, 2006 10:30 PM
This is kinda cool you know, I think it is a great idea to take the linux kernel and build a system based upon your needs and then share your idea with the world and say, feel free to add to this.

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Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 05:15 AM
Some say the actions of the god of the Old Testament (OT) were just and all that violent stuff was washed away by the blood of Jesus.The New Testament (NT) is just an attempt to cover the nasties of the OT with the death (suicide?) of a man or "the so-called son of god or god himself as Jesus, one part of the 3-in-one trinity".

The god of the OT wanted the blood of animals for atonement, and when one brother offered his best vegetables, he was cursed by god. So giving god plants instead of animals made him mad. I wouldn't give any god an animal either, today we see that animal sacrifice is evil and it was evil back then in the OT days as well, so it stands to reason that the god of the OT was evil as well, and filled with madness that could only be satisfied by the death of a human being (Jesus) later on. Deaths of animals then a death of a person? Songs taught to children about the blood of Jesus? Such madness should be condemned as voodoo but it's not, and it ruins many a person's life as they discover when they shake loose of the madness and grasp logic, reason, reality to discover it's nothing more than jingle bells nonsense anyway.

All the goody-goody parts of the NT, even parts of the mysteries of Jesus were taken from religions that predate Christianity, it's a copy and paste religion. Those who spin their wheels in the mud of Christianity and its so called originality have failed to study religions prior to it, even the bread-to-flesh, wine-to-blood so-called mystery was used in religions prior to Christianity, it's nothing new, just a clean soapy wash of the OT but those who know better see it for what it is, a pile of steaming B.S.

The good news of the god who loves the smell of animals burning (OT) for him and now a human being dying for him? Sorry, I don't believe in animal cruelty nor cruelty to human beings. That the suffering of Christ was so terrible (suffering is not good that's why we as humans seek to remove it as much as possible, we don't revel in it like the invisible god) is B.S., many cancer and aids patients, as a small example, live much longer and painful lives than Jesus could've ever imagined.

Much of the miracles and even stories of the Bible are a copy and paste of content from older religions, and something had to be done to make the vicious god of the OT look a little better. Sadly, though, you'll find even some of the so-called apostles were killers of Christians before they became apostles, the Jesus guy sure knew how to pick them. I guess their previous jobs were convincing enough so they were useful to the sick tale of suffering for the invisible god, part 2.
The invisible god hides as his followers continue to war against each other, each side praising his respective name.

Sick religions, sick sick sick.

I'll pick caring for animals and humans and tales about consideration for each creature vs. mad stories and songs about the merits of the demise of both creatures for some invisible god.
The NT can never erase the crimes of the god of the OT, Jesus or no Jesus.

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Re:Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:27 AM
Geez, the guy made a distro port targeting a specific group, which you clearly are not a member of, and you go off on some tirade about how "evil" Jesus and God are, and how Christianity is such a copy of other religions...yet no examples? Hmm...I wonder why....This article was just conveying information about another "use" of open source solutions, and you have such a knee-jerk reaction...I hope you can someday understand what Jesus' sacrifice means for all us sinners. In any event, good luck in life.

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Re:Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 10:09 AM
I agree with your subject line 100%.
Ubuntu is great, and I don't want religion either. I happen to be an evangelical Christian but I imagine that when it comes down to it, I would probably reject many of the same things that you reject.

That being said, there's no need to be so full of vitriol - no one has hurt you or limited your freedom in any way. There's no need for you to get so worked up. Chill out, live and let live. No one is proselytizing you by offering a distro of Ubuntu with some Bible software and other packages that might be of interest to Christians.

Kindest regards,
Dex

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Re:Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 01:50 PM
"The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?" says the LORD.
"I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.


- Isaiah 1:11 (New International Version)




The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.



- Psalm 51:17 (New International Version)




Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.


- John 14:11 (New International Version)


<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/" title="biblegateway.com">http://www.biblegateway.com/</a biblegateway.com>

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Re:Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on December 22, 2006 09:40 PM
You could google for "ubuntu satainic edition" - I think you'll find what you're looking for<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-)

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Re:Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 10:47 AM
Just like Saul was[1] before he became known as Paul, we are blinded to the truth, until made anew through the Holy Spirit.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)

1. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Also see Acts 9:1-16

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Well then, don't use this add-in!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 12:19 AM
If you don't like the Christian Edition add-in, then just don't use it! Geez...don't knock others for doing something with Free Software that they have the right to do. That's part of the freedom. Nobody's putting a gun to your head to install this add-on.

If you feel that strongly against the entire Ubuntu distribution for what this dude's doing, then choose another distro. CentOS, Fedora Core, Yellow Dog Linux, SuSE Linux, and heck, Debian itself are very good distros.

#

Re:Well then, don't use this add-in!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 09, 2006 03:55 AM
"That's part of the freedom. Nobody's putting a gun to your head to install this add-on"

Yes, freedom from religion. Only because sane, rational, and intelligent men were wise enough to stop the Christians from converting by using violence, study history and learn. I don't want to use it, no, and I never will, but you will not silence me from expressing my opinion.

#

Re:Ubuntu is great but I don't want religion

Posted by: Administrator on October 04, 2006 07:22 AM
The beauty of Linux being used by someone for what they want.

And you are whining? So what if he made a "Barney" edition? So what?

Maybe you could create a "Hellbound" edition for yourself. Go. Your smart enough.

Right?

Well? Right?

#

Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 06:03 AM
...but for some reason it just won't let me use Evolution to check my email.

ba-da-bum.

#

Re:Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 09:29 AM
Hahahaha! Pretty good, by God.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-)

However, I don't think that such a distribution add-on is a bad idea. You've got some "Christians" (quotes intentional) who won't even look at anything that isn't ablazened with 100 crosses on the front of it, even for educational use. Of course, when I ask them why they continue to use MS Windows, they say, "well, the Real World (TM) uses it." Cheap excuse...that is, *IF* you're trying to appear "Godly".

This distribution tweak would probably help convince some of the religious sticks-in-the-mud to consider GNU/Linux. I'd be interested to know what Rev. Parris, who has visited NewsForge's pages before with articles, thinks of this effort.

#

Re:Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 12:25 PM
Ironically, Christians are more tolerant of evolution than darwinists are of alternative scientific theories.

#

Re:Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 12:06 AM
That's because those "alternative scientific theories" are 1.) not theories at all (look up the word "theory"), and 2.) not scientific, but rather religious, and generally Christian-leaning.

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Re:Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 01:55 AM
Funny, that's not what many "other" prominent and respectable scientists think. And, yes I'm aware that there's also many respectable scientists that agree with your characterization. Obviously, I disagree with such hateful and oversimplified characterizations. I see nothing wrong with having the *freedom* to learn _both_ secular and religious views in science!!!

#

Re:Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 06:25 PM
"Funny, that's not what many "other" prominent and respectable scientists think."

You are being lied to. The end.

#

Re:Email Client

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 08, 2006 11:40 AM
> You are being lied to. The end.

Typical response. Your lame assertions only serves as more proof that you really are *close-minded* and hostile to alternative views.

#

A ridiculous idea

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 06:05 AM
It's bad enough having hundreds of distributions, but multiplying that by hundreds of religions and sects, makes absolutely no sense.

If someone is so devoted that even Linux must be religion-colored, a script would be enough to "exorcize" his machine of all possible demons, and "bring it to the fold".

#

Not if you're a Christian school, it's not

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 12:31 AM
On the contrary. First off, it's not a separate distribution, but rather an add-on to an existing distribution, namely Ubuntu. Second, this add-on is the perfect tool to get all those Christian schools throughout at least the USA, Britain, and Australia to start using GNU/Linux. Not only do you have a GNU/Linux distribution whose management very actively promotes Free Software with his billions (a great example for Christians or anyone else to follow if ever I saw it), but you also have Christian-specific applications that can be used in schools. Why do you think so many Christian schools keep purchasing MS Windows? One big reason is all the Christianity-specific "edutainment" apps for it. It doesn't mean that *you* have to load or use those apps, though, so I don't see the problem.

In the interest of full disclosure, I myself am an atheist. I have determined that organized religion of *any* sort is totally for the birds as far as my own life is concerned.

#

Re:A ridiculous idea

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on December 16, 2006 06:17 AM
i wander what would happen if you had to type
'chmod 666 x'

or start a daemon.

#

Re:Hmm

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:32 AM
Same experience with installation here. After burning a CD-ROM on various machines, verifying the MD5 sum etc. the only conclusion I could draw was that there is something broken in the installer.

BTW during this process I definately uttered a few choice words that Jesus would not approve of.

#

Informative

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:37 AM
Thanks for an informative article. Many and varied are the linux distrubutions in existence now. I applaud those who are doing something to actually put open source software to use for a target group. Too often it has been presented as a generic desktop, but many are now shaping it to be useful.

#

JC better not download the kernel source!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 07:47 AM
Definately a few words in the source that might offend a few believers.

$ grep -Ri THE_F_WORD<nobr> <wbr></nobr>/usr/source/linux

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Re:JC better not download the kernel source!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 01:30 PM
I tried that. Shocking<nobr> <wbr></nobr>/usr/src/linux/arch/sparc/kernel/ptrace.c:/* F*** me gently with a chainsaw... *

#

Good for him, but...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 08:57 AM
after he gets rich off of this, he won't be able to get into heaven.

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Re:Good for him, but...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 12:20 PM
First, you're either a) confusing Catholicism with Christianity or b) exemplifying a common misunderstanding of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus died for our sins in order to save us[1]. Second, you fail to define any specifics of how he would profit. If we're talking a matter of ethics, there's a number of ethical ways to profit from something that's free. For example, he could simply create a service around it and charge for that service.

1. 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

#

Re:Good for him, but...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 10:37 PM
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

#

Re:Good for him, but...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 11:39 PM
Verses in scripture must always be verified with other verses in scripture. If we were to take Matthew 19:24 by itself, than we might be mislead to believe that God doesn't like rich people. When nothing could be further from the truth. To understand what Matthew 19:24 is saying we must also take Matthew 19:26 into consideration. Then the message becomes clear, "with God all things are possible." So, a rich man without God, obviously won't enter Heaven, but a rich man with God will. History has repeatedly shown that it's dangerous to take a single verse out of context.

references:
Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

#

Re:Good for him, but...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 12:16 AM
"Verses in scripture must always be verified with other verses in scripture."

Okay.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

Yes, through God all things are possible. But the pursuit of wealth requires a lot of time and energy. Where is your time better spent?

#

Re:Good for him, but...

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 05:50 AM
First, surprise! I wasn't verifying any of the verses, I was including the verses that finished what was said in Matt 19:24. When I said verify, that was your queue to find other versus (from other books) in the Bible that *support* _your_ interpretation. Second, Taking a few bible verses out of context is not a valid form of verification. You referenced Matt 19:24 and went on to reference Matt 19:21-23, but all these verses lead up to Matt 19:26! If you want to start quoting random, single line Bible verses, I suggest you try Proverbs.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)

> Yes, through God all things are possible. But the pursuit of wealth requires a lot of time and energy. Where is your time better spent?

While it's true that wealth can be achieved without God, it can also be achieved through God. God wants us to live healthy and fulfilled lives. The main message in Matt 19:21, is to seek perfection only through God. It's a warning to those that try to seek perfection through worldly possessions and a prelude to Matt 19:26.

God favored many wealthy people in the Bible such as Job, David, and Solomon to name a few. Do you really think that God doesn't want us to acquire wealth and live happy lives? While it's true that the Bible warns us not seek happiness through materialism and idolatry (things that are worldly), it also serves as a guide those that want to seek wealth in a godly manner.

#

How boring you western "christians" are.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 02:08 PM
Why are you signing off for Jesus? What do you have in Him? A primitive overly complex bulk of crap code to substitute for harmony of the world?

People, *please*, first fix your own release-critical bugs, like mixing up faith, religion, sports, and business, and *check* your trust chain. When Christianity was split, your ancestors left on the wrong side, having no more continued link to the very beginning of it. And thus you believe in money, actually, and prefer to cite rather than execute.

Besides, Ubuntu is very much off the proper balance of quality and pure marketing buzz. Moronic domain names for moronic projects aren't going to fix that, surprisingly.

Sorry to write all of this, I'm no saint either, but without bugreports there are hardly bugfixes, heh?

--
Michael Shigorin
ALT Linux Team member since 2001
(yes, we have lots of crap code to offer, too)

#

Hmm

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 03, 2006 11:17 PM
I am not sure what the intended userbase is for this.
Is it intended for geeks who already are familiar with GNU/Linux who happen to be Christians?
If so, then this is doomed to fail, why would anyone want to get that distribution, when they could just download few packages for whatever distro they are currently using. Mixing GNU/Linux and religion is a bit creepy and silly.

However if it is intended to be given away at churches to all people there, not just geeks then this is might actually be a good idea since alot of people wouldn't know how to download and install those packages and configure them, etc. And this might bring more people to GNU/Linux.

#

Re:Hmm

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 09:40 AM
It should also be given away and marketed to Christian schools. There's one in my neighborhood that I'm thinking of doing this with. If it gets more Free Software users, then hey, I'm for it.

#

Re:Hmm

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 03:11 PM
Exactly!

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Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 05:49 AM
Probably, yes. Many geeks, myself included, have a well-founded skepticism of *any* religion, given the history of science in, for example, the Middle Ages. Recall that Newton and the other physicists of their day made a concerted effort to take "mysticism" out of physics for just this reason.

What I find troubling is when Christians happily bash, or tolerate bashing of, "Islam, or Hinduism, or Judaism, or Buddhism, or Zoroastrianism, or Druidism, or any number of other religions." But then when someone criticizes any aspect of Christianity, then it is Christians who react knee-jerk reflexively, claiming "you're a heretic/heathen/infidel!" and even at times make that person a target for violence. That's a double-standard that every Christian should be actively opposing, regardless of what you think members of *other* religions might think.

Here's a mild example. My girlfriend is a Christian, and she always was complaining about how "Christians are persecuted" here in the United States. She is a White woman. I put her on the phone with my Dad, a 74-year-old Black man, and she got a good lesson about what *real* persecution is. She's quieted down about that significantly since then.

Now, that said, some of the comments were, IMO, a bit harsh and even uncalled for here. I personally have no problem with an Ubuntu add-on that installs apps that are specific to the software writer's religion. That's his right; it is, after all, Free Software. Heck, if this dude wants to make his own complete distribution and call it "Christianux", then great! That's one of the freedoms of Free Software. I would have a similar attitude toward an "Islamux" or a "Wiccanux" or "Hindux" or whatever. If it puts Free Software in more people's hands, especially in schools, then to me, that's a good thing.

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 12:47 AM
> What I find troubling is when Christians happily bash, or tolerate bashing of, "Islam, or Hinduism, or Judaism, or Buddhism, or Zoroastrianism, or Druidism, or any number of other religions." But then when someone criticizes any aspect of Christianity, then it is Christians who react knee-jerk reflexively, claiming "you're a heretic/heathen/infidel!" and even at times make that person a target for violence. That's a double-standard that every Christian should be actively opposing, regardless of what you think members of *other* religions might think.

Many Christians will happily denounce the mass-murdering of innocent people and therefore happily denounce the root of the violence, Islam. There's no other religion that preaches the use of violence except Islam. It's amazing that you have the audacity to even compare the two. Only when Islam is criticized (or easily offended) do we see a violent repsonse. What happened when the Da Vinci Code was released world-wide? Did the Christians take to the streets in riots? Were there any symbolic murderings? No. What happened when the Pope tried to create a scholarly level of dialogue with Islam? Riots and symbolic murderings. Are they're peaceful aspects of Islam? Sure, but I would speculate that when they talk of peace, it's only peace through violence and the annihilation of entire nations.

I would be ashamed of any Christian that resorts to name calling, but no of none personally. Yet, it's ammusing to see how you take the misdeeds of a few and apply that to the majority - I don't fault you for it though. Christians should be held to higher standards, but because of this they often are suspect to the harshest of criticisms. Where an atheist isn't bound to any set of moral standards (not even their own) and as a result won't be held to any. What should be expected of Christians is that they have enough knowledge and understanding of their own faith to defend it, without resorting to name calling! If anyone claiming to be Christian is turning someone into a target of violence, than I'm guessing they probably aren't really Christian. Christianity is only defined through Jesus and God's Word, not just any flawed person claiming to be Christian.

As a Christian, I can personally testify, that I'm imperfect in each and everyway and don't deserve to be saved by God anymore than you or anyone else. Being Christian is about being human. Don't let anyone let you think otherwise.

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 10:46 AM
"Many Christians will happily denounce the mass-murdering of innocent people and therefore happily denounce the root of the violence, Islam. There's no other religion that preaches the use of violence except Islam. It's amazing that you have the audacity to even compare the two. Only when Islam is criticized (or easily offended) do we see a violent repsonse."

Not true, I'm afraid. The "root of the violence," as you put it, is people making bad choices, not any specific religion. Look at what happens in Britain and Ireland today, as just one example (Christian gunfighting). Look at how the Christian nations came to major economic and military power (violence). I've been around enough both American and British Christians to learn that, with few exceptions, they are highly intolerant of anything not exactly matching their own specific religious views, even among other Christians! If only you could see the rudeness that I've regularly experienced at the hands of Christians in my country (the USA), I think that you would agree that it is most unlike how Jesus would've behaved. I sure wish more Christians would actually follow Jesus's teachings.

My girlfriend is one of the few Christians that I actually respect; it's because she actually does attempt to follow Jesus's ways for real and is thus, while holding different views from mine, consistent. That's why she's my girlfriend. It is a sad fact that if Jesus Himself appeared in virtually any Christian church in the United States and started talking (since He is the Son of God, He by definition knows all languages), He would be RUN OUT OF THAT CHURCH as fast as the congregation members could shoot bullets at him.

All religions have their violent people in them, including yours. We have only to look at the Crusades, Inquisition, Salem witch trials, Negro slavery, American Indian wars ("Manifest Destiny"), the treatment of the Aboriginals of Australia, etc. to remember that Christians are just as guilty as the others.

As for the name-calling, you just did it. You just referred to an entire religious branch (Islam) as "the root of the evil." Sorry, bro/sis/whatever, that's name-calling and un-Christian.

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on November 18, 2006 12:24 AM
"As for the name-calling, you just did it. You just referred to an entire religious branch (Islam) as "the root of the evil." Sorry, bro/sis/whatever, that's name-calling and un-Christian. "

So, basically, what you are saying is that Christians aren't allowed to tell their beliefs, but it is OK for Muslims and others to voice theirs. Even if it is a violent voice.
What would have happened if a movie like the Da vinci Code had been written about Islam and released worldwide? From what I have seen in my 50 years, it would have caused worldwide violence. But, I guess that is OK as long it is a minority that is being portrayed as deceiving people.
As far as what is happening in Ireland, I can't answer for that. But from my point of view it looks like a civil war that happens to be drawn along Catholic and Protestant lines. Not really Christians, but people who use their denomination as their reason for what they are doing.

#

Ubuntu CE

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 05:55 AM
I am glad to see there is a Christian Edition of one of my favorite distros. I have used several of the bible guide packages that CE features and I enjoy them. Thank you and God Bless.

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 06:57 AM
Yeah, Islaminux can come with Bomberman, chemical toolkit software and a eBook of anarachist cookbook.

Amishinux can come with sticks, stones and a chalk stone.

Judalinux can come with GnuCash, JMoney, osFinancials, Buddi, HomeBank.

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 09:39 AM
I'm with you. The top poster's a little too sensitive, ain't he/she/it?<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-D

Wouldn't it be great to have a distro that came in a jewel case that's an exact replica (size and all) of Stonehenge? That'd be Druidinux!

And then there's Amun-Ra-nux, which is really just the GNU userland w/ the OpenSolaris kernel. You know, for that Egyptian in all of us.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-) Hey, does that mean that Nexenta (<a href="http://www.gnusolaris.org/" title="gnusolaris.org">http://www.gnusolaris.org/</a gnusolaris.org> is inherently religious?

Of course, Ubuntu Christian Edition would have to come with...EVOLUTION! Oh wait, someone else already pointed that out, huh? Hehehehe

#

ALLELUIAH! -- A Linux distribution for Christians

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 03:00 PM
I am so happy to see this article. I have been waiting for a sign (from God<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-) about which Linux distro to use at home. I picked the Kubuntu based distro because I like KDE as a user better. I aways switch the Redhat systems at work to use KDE. Yes, I am sure there are words in comments in the Linux source code to clean up but maybe we can start something and gradually make it cleaner and more PROFESSIONAL. I am proud to be a Linux FAN and proud to be a CATHOLIC and believer in JESUS. For those non-believers who are dissing this article, don't worry you do not have to choose to use these Christian Distro's just like you do not have to choose to believe in God. Please remember GOD LOVES YOU!

#

Re:ALLELUIAH! -- A Linux distribution for Christia

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 03:50 PM
Christian americans are crazy…

#

Re:

Posted by: Administrator on December 30, 2006 03:41 AM
I am a Roman Catholic and may switch to Linux. Should we be concerned about Richard Stallman's attitudes toward God as an impediment to using Linux:

<a href="http://www.stallman.org/saint.html" title="stallman.org">http://www.stallman.org/saint.html</a stallman.org>
<a href="http://www.stallman.org/saintignucius.jpg" title="stallman.org">http://www.stallman.org/saintignucius.jpg</a stallman.org>

I think this illustrates Richard Stallman's attitude toward God (especially the fifth paragraph from the bottom):
<a href="http://www.oreilly.com/openbook/freedom/ch04.html" title="oreilly.com">http://www.oreilly.com/openbook/freedom/ch04.html</a oreilly.com>

#

Ubuntu CE addresses a wider problem

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 04:52 PM
Whilst I agree with the CE distro in personal belief, many of you are missing a bigger picture, with kids (and adults alike) downloading smut and irated software / movies etc from the Internet (sometimes even unintentionally).

We need to think about what we download, and a distro that helps us in that regard can't be a bad thing.

My 2c.

Donald Klopper
Sonny South Africa
(misspellt intentionally)

#

What offends me most about this

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 04, 2006 08:40 PM
What offends me most about this is the attempted conflation of Ubuntu with Christianity by co-opting and incorporating the Ubuntu logo with the Christian fish logo, and the mimicking of the official Ubuntu websites.

It's fine if you want to make a distro for Christians, but don't try to deceive people by using the look of the original.

#

Re:What offends me most about this

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 01:15 AM
If you think that the conflation of two logos that share similarity in principal is bad, what would you think when they are completely opposite? Christians have tolerated having their own religious symbols conflated with symbols of sexual immorality. Which do you think offends Christians more, the Da Vinci Code's Mary as a prostitute or pop-star Madonna's crucifixion?

Somehow, I don't think it's asking too much for you to tolerate an Ubuntu logo with a Christian fish.

#

Re:What offends me most about this

Posted by: Administrator on October 05, 2006 10:48 AM
"Somehow, I don't think it's asking too much for you to tolerate an Ubuntu logo with a Christian fish."<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...then again, depending on his mental prowess (or lack thereof), maybe it is.

{ASIDE}
The earlier Evolution crack was an absolute riot.

#

Great idea, except you're 7 years too late

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 04:30 AM
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Node/4081/" title="geocities.com">http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Node/40<nobr>8<wbr></nobr> 1/</a geocities.com>

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 07:25 AM
It's interesting to read all these supposedly "enlightened" people reverting to the "gotta bash Christians" reflex.

Expect no less from the "enlightened." Reflexive hatred and fear of Christianity remains the single prejudice regularly practiced and endorsed in the secular liberal society the world appears to be (unfortunately) rapidly becoming, and particularly in the United States. Christians will be bashed so long as we continue to stand for the Truth.

I wonder if these same people would have the same reaction to a distribution that promoted Islam, or Hinduism, or Judaism, or Buddhism, or Zoroastrianism, or Druidism, or any number of other religions.

Of course not, those distributions would be acclaimed for their "diversity" and "tolerance."

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 10:22 AM
Oh, is that why you Christians like to shoot doctors who defend a woman's right to choose? Is that why you don't protest when the Ku Klux Klan prominently refer to themselves as "Christians"? Is that why you don't complain when the news media refer to "Islamic terrorists" but complain when they refer to "Christian terrorists?" You don't mind talking about "Greek/Roman Mythology" but you get upset when someone speaks of "Christian mythology."

Too many of you religious zealots are just too inconsistent. I don't oppose Christianity. I do oppose YOU and your type, though. Since you oppose liberty, then perhaps you should try out Red China or Saudi Arabia for a few years. You don't stand for the "truth". You stand for a theocracy.

#

Re:a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 07:39 AM
Oh, is that why you Christians like to shoot doctors who defend a woman's right to choose?

A Christian who has truly accepted Him would never murder anyone. Not even a murderer of babies.

Is that why you don't protest when the Ku Klux Klan prominently refer to themselves as "Christians"?

We do. Educate yourself. I'll start you off: <a href="http://www.prisonfellowship.org/article.asp?ID=1391" title="prisonfellowship.org">http://www.prisonfellowship.org/article.asp?ID=13<nobr>9<wbr></nobr> 1</a prisonfellowship.org>.

Is that why you don't complain when the news media refer to "Islamic terrorists" but complain when they refer to "Christian terrorists?"

Because there's all those "Christian terrorists" out there? Please. We don't complain about the term "Islamic terrorists" because that's what they are. It's an accurate description. What would you call them?

You don't mind talking about "Greek/Roman Mythology" but you get upset when someone speaks of "Christian mythology."

It's more like an amused chuckle at your ignorance of history than really being "upset," but it's because Christianity is based on the words and actions of people who actually existed, not mythology.

Too many of you religious zealots are just too inconsistent. I don't oppose Christianity. I do oppose YOU and your type, though.

Feel free. Not that you know anything about me or my "type," but feel free anyway. While we're here I'll specifically draw attention to the language you used about my "type", which clearly reinforces my comment about Christian prejudice not just being accepted, but practiced. You are a bigot.

Since you oppose liberty,

I do? Where did I say that? What form of oppression do I stand for? Again, educate yourself.

then perhaps you should try out Red China or Saudi Arabia for a few years. You don't stand for the "truth". You stand for a theocracy.

You have no idea whatsoever what you are talking about. I don't expect you to, of course, because you are surely "enlightened" and like all bigots, have a distorted and stereotyped concept of the people you hate. Do yourself a favor - do some research, talk to some Christians, go to your local church, maybe even - gasp! - pick up a Bible to find out what Christianity is actually about. At worst, you'll at least know what you're talking about. At best...well, it'll be worth it, let's put it that way for now.

#

Re:Great Article and Keep on Rocking!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 10:56 AM
"Most of your negative comments come from anonymous posts, which I don't know why, God knows who you are<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)"

Yep, and so would George W. Bush and his cronies if folks (like me) didn't post anonymously. Sorry, I don't relish the idea of his pals showing up at my door with guns or bugging my house for not sharing his specific religious/political beliefs. Privacy is an inherent human right. In fact, there have been many cases throughout history when *Christians* made every effort to remain anonymous, because the country or regime under which they lived didn't like them, either (e. g. Armenians in Ottoman, and today's, Turkey).

#

Re:Great Article and Keep on Rocking!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 11:32 AM
ahh, i love those afraid of the the black helicopters as well. I don't care if it is Republicans or Democrats, they are all bogus and would do the same thing, not just George W. Bush. He seems to be everyones way out these days. I may not support him, but he isn't the reason the US Government sucks!

#

Re:Great Article and Keep on Rocking!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 05, 2006 11:57 PM
Actually, I agree with you on that last point. The real reason that the US Government sucks is because the electorate choose to be sheep and not vote the bums out. That includes wannabe dictators like Dubya and Cheney, unfortunately, as well as the vast majority of Congress. The new habeas corpus rules should have you particularly alarmed if you're American. Personal liberty and privacy are indeed under attack unless you support the policies and religion of the current party in power.

What do do about it? Get your ass out there and vote your actual conscience, not who you think the best marketeer is (e. g. Kennedy, Lott). Defend your right to practice your religion of choice, including that of no religion, if that is your choice.

#

Festivals end as festivals must!

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 03:27 AM
If you want to protect future generations, educate them about religion without forcing them to believe in one set religion, let them decide when they're older if they want to follow a religion.

Brainwashing is evil and the wars that continue between followers of the invisible god of the Bible continue today. Like racism, don't let your kids believe/worship a "jealous" hateful god like the one in the Bible.

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god is dead and no one cares

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 03:35 AM
"For those non-believers who are dissing this article, don't worry you do not have to choose to use these Christian Distro's just like you do not have to choose to believe in God."

Of course, because today we enjoy a thing called LAWS against forced conversions by torture and the like. Christianity spread by forced-conversions, or don't you read history? People were driven from their religions, their religions called "pagan" and told they were "devil worshippers" and threatened with various violent acts, methods, and means if they refused to convert.

I will never forget the history of the violent religions, but those who follow them today deny these violent histories or shrug it off saying "but that was then and things were different" they are fooling you and they are dumb, only LAWS protect us from religion.

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Re:god is dead and no one cares

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2006 02:40 PM
First, be thankful it wasn't Islam. Second, How ridiculous of you to charge that anyone would force a "Christian" distro on you! When was the last time a Christian strapped an IDE on their chest and blew themselves up for Jesus? What about freedom of speech? Should we get rid of that so you don't have to be subject to opposing views or expressions either? How absurd!

What "LAWS" are you talking about? The Bill of Rights which guarantees us freedom of religion or the _unwritten_ "laws" of Separation of Church and State. Of course, it's also worth noting the religious influence found in our Declaration of Independence - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights<nobr> <wbr></nobr>..." Would you prefer that we rewrite our Core documents to a more secular form?

If your referring to more current laws, I hope you're not so naive to believe that Islamic fascists don't seek to use our laws against us. Haebus corpus and Geneva conventions were both intended for *conventional* warfare and combatants, not suicide bombers!

Violence is born from a lack of moral standards, when it's religious it's always from a deviation or perversion of a religion's standards. Think about that the next time you make more idiotic and vague references of religion inciting violence in history.

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Re:god is dead and no one cares

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 07, 2006 12:05 AM
Christian forums across the net are filled with bickering over this very issue. Try and use Islam all you want (it's just another religion with the same violent god as Christianity, another copy and paste religion) only because it's the latest violent religion which has focus in today's media but you will NEVER, so long as there are sober, intelligent men on this planet, erase the history of the VIOLENCE of Christianity. Put down the smoke and mirrors and face the truth, Christianity has a long and bloody history of forced conversions and to deny or ignore this means just another ignorant Christian with fingers in their ears singing a La La song.

The parent poster never charged that "that anyone would force a "Christian" distro on you" I think you responded to the wrong thread.

This page on Ubuntu CE is just another fine example of how the history of Christianity is filled with bickering and squabbling, hell look how many denominations there are and none of them can agree on anything, it's all bullshit, it has been and it will continue to be.

The violent invisible god of the Bible, regardless if it's Christianity, Islam, or Judaism, deserves no worship.

LAWS will continue to protect us from religion, debate this all you want but that is fact, unlike your invisible god of jealousy and malice.

By the way, your posting in defense of the violent god of the Bible isn't earning you any brownie points or merit badges in heaven so you can leave the ego crack pipe in its figurative container.

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What Open Source Software Should be used for.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 07, 2006 03:21 PM
This is a great example of how open source software can be used to cater to any need that arises. Every distro available is there to fit a specific need in how it operates. This is simply an extension of that, into not just how the system works, but who it's focused on. I hope to see more variations like this.

I could see Allahnix or Ubudda type varients. Perhaps varients of distros focused towards those of us who like writing stories and perhaps focus on different styles of writing. And I know there would be a market for a varient that focused on only webdesign and video editing. To the fellow who worked this up I say bravo.

And the to folk who turned this comments thread into a personal Jihad/Crusade (pick your own word for holy war) against Christians in general... somehow I think you really missed the point here. Of course thankfully the distribution of athests telling these gits to shut it is proprtional.

Keep it to the article, please.

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Re:What Open Source Software Should be used for.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 08, 2006 01:59 AM
"Keep it to the article, please"

Wow your post sure had a lot of words for saying a lot of nothing.

Jesus died on a cross like many common criminals at the time and no one cared except a few former Christian killers (apostles) and other crazy people who saw ghosts, today we lock both murderers and delusional people up, or at least heavily medicate the latter.

Grow up ghost worshippers!

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Re:What Open Source Software Should be used for.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 08, 2006 11:46 AM
...

Dude, the article is about a person focusing on a group of interest and tailoring an Open Source program in this case the Ubuntu Linux distro to something for their specific needs. The fact it's a religious group is inconsequential. It's about focusing on the needs of a group and providing for them, the very epitome of what Open Source software is about.

Do you have some reason you are so bigoted against people of faith? I would think people who promote free speech and software wouldn't be as closed minded and bigotted as you seem to be.

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Re:What Open Source Software Should be used for.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 09, 2006 03:31 AM
"Do you have some reason you are so bigoted against people of faith? I would think people who promote free speech and software wouldn't be as closed minded and bigotted as you seem to be."

It's called educated about the peoples of faith, thank you very much for the bigot remark, it shows the Christian spirit of love in the face of differing opinion. There's nothing close minded about hating Christianity and other religions which adore a violent invisible god of the OT and there's nothing wrong with educating people on the history of the violence in Christianity when most people just cling to lies. If anything, I was open minded enough to educate myself on all religions so as to better understand why people self-medicate with invisible beings.

A closed mind kneels before invisible beings, I do not.

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Use regular Ubuntu

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 08, 2006 01:52 AM
This is not the distro you're looking for

  This is not the distro you're looking for

  Move along

  Move along

Just use regular Ubuntu without the fish, chips, and swinging crosses

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I love Ubuntu but not god

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 09, 2006 03:47 AM
"Christians will be bashed so long as we continue to stand for the Truth."

People rightly fear Christians who understand the history of the violent religion. Sing your praise for the blood of Jesus all you want, it doesn't erase the years of forced violent conversions by Christians. Laws protect us today from these close minded swine. What they call "pagan" today were normal religions back before the Christians trampled on them and their people.

The truth is, people are discovering the wonderful Eastern religions that came before Christianity and finding how interesting true peaceful religions can be, compared to the bloody and violent history of Christianity, and I haven't even mentioned the corruption of the "one true church". Christians see this reply as a means to earn brownie points for their scout leader in the sky, when it's all b.s., just like the nutcases willing to give up their life for Allah. Study the history of Christianity and you'll see the same kind of losers being martyrs.

I'll take a peaceful Eastern religion (or none at all) over the violent god of Christianity and his violent people any day. Laws made by sane and intelligent men are all that has prevented Christianity from remaining a violent religion.

Let them grovel before their statues of the ten commandments and crosses on hilltops as they are plucked from public land. I will smile every day this happens knowing that freedom from religion and sanity is prevailing, finally.

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Re:I love Ubuntu but not god

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 09, 2006 11:12 AM
Most of what you said is just nonsense and personally, I find it tasteless and insulting, but I'll bite.

> I'll take a peaceful Eastern religion (or none at all) over the violent god of Christianity and his violent people any day. Laws made by sane and intelligent men are all that has prevented Christianity from remaining a violent religion.

The Holocaust and the Crusades were both perversions of Christianity. In both cases there's an important distinction to be made between what was taught and what was practiced. The fact that you fail to make such an important distinction may just be neglegence on your part, but IMO it completely undermines your credibility. Forcefully eqauting the violence of Islam to Christianity not only displays ignorance, but causes further damage to your credibility.

> Let them grovel before their statues of the ten commandments and crosses on hilltops as they are plucked from public land. I will smile every day this happens knowing that freedom from religion and sanity is prevailing, finally.

There's just one tiny little problem with your sick and twisted dream - the 1st Amendment. I suggest you read it some time.

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Re:I love Ubuntu but not god

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2006 02:17 AM
Christians always want the last word

Thank god laws protect us from forced conversions

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Re:I love Ubuntu but not god

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2006 02:53 AM
> Christians always want the last word

Who said I was a Christian? You can have the last word, but why must you persist to tell lies? If you don't like Christianity, there's much more sophisticated and honest ways to express your feelings.

> Thank god laws protect us from forced conversions

Yes, there are laws that protect us from suicide bombers, but to suggest that Christians practice violence or "forced" conversions is false and absurd!

Thank God we have laws that preserve our freedom to practice and express our religious beliefs!

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Re:I love Ubuntu but not god

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2006 06:20 AM
"but to suggest that Christians practice violence or "forced" conversions is false and absurd"

The Crusades and Inquisition were just stepping stones in the history of violence in Christianity. Deny the violent history of Christianity and the forced conversions all you want, history disagrees with you.

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your lord was received by the angel of light

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 10, 2006 06:14 AM
Where is the tolerance you speak of, Christians? Can you not face intelligent people who disagree with your fake god with patience? Instead, you call us bigots. Father Lucifer and his mighty daemons of the abyss laugh at your pathetic Lord. Did you know that the mighty daemons dribbled Jesus, when his spirit came from the cross, like a basketball and slam-dunked him through the fiery hoops of Hell? Jesus dances for the daemons amusement in Hell as we speak, his empty promise of "this generation shall not pass" before he returns being fed to him through a large wooden clown's head mixed with circus music for all of Hell's enjoyment.

I want Ubuntu FSME:

Ubuntu Flying Spaghetti Monster Edition

Defecate on your book of belief!

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What day is it?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 11, 2006 01:17 AM
This discussion has long been over, yet we still see comments that are doing nothing but *bashing* Christianity. Whomever is persisting in this childish manner of rage is being pathetic. You're not having a _real_ debate by attacking your opponent with hateful and baseless accusations. Your only adding fuel to your own fire! Any true Christians that get your hate-filled messages of lies will just forgive you and pray even more for your salvation. So, take your pressure pills and get outside of your basements for some much needed fresh air and sunlight. You'll be amazed at all the glorious surroundings you've been neglecting!

Best Wishes!

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Re:What day is it?

Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 12, 2006 05:50 AM
"Any true Christians that get your hate-filled messages of lies will just forgive you and pray even more for your salvation."

And what of all the people who died throughout history because they believed in something other than Christianity? Where was the forgiveness then? We will not forget the lies and hate filled messages and actions of the 'true' Christians throughout history.

ONLY LAWS protect us from the hate of Christianity

If the discussion is over, why are you posting? Why aren't YOU outside instead of reading a discussion which is 'over'?

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a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Administrator on October 04, 2006 12:04 AM
It's interesting to read all these supposedly "enlightened" people reverting to the "gotta bash Christians" reflex.

I wonder if these same people would have the same reaction to a distribution that promoted Islam, or Hinduism, or Judaism, or Buddhism, or Zoroastrianism, or Druidism, or any number of other religions.

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Re: a real "religious war" on Linux.com

Posted by: Anonymous [ip: 89.217.168.219] on January 15, 2008 11:42 AM
I can't believe that, as the "motto" of Ubuntu is "Linux for Human Beings", some freaking religious fanatic has to go and change "for Human beings" to "for christians"......
It's very consequent to the opinion among religious fanatics (ie, eahc and every religious person) that only those of their religious madness are "humans" and deserve to have their rights respect3d.....the rest?
See you in Hell, thanks.
Had to be a religious fanatic....

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Hmm

Posted by: Administrator on October 03, 2006 04:04 AM
Ive tried installing Ubuntu I always get a error while trying to load up, and I know its not just me, so I think Jesus would go for a different OS.

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Great Article and Keep on Rocking!

Posted by: Administrator on October 03, 2006 10:10 AM
I appreciate this article, I appreciate open source being used for more than what has been in the past. I am glad to see a Linux distribution finally targeting something and someone. Most of your negative comments probably come from people who couldn't even give you a definition of open source w/o first googling for it. Now if other distributions and open source projects would get their marketing act together. Remember, comments mean you are doing something productive, nevermind the haters. Most of your negative comments come from anonymous posts, which I don't know why, God knows who you are<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)

Great article Jereme, and God Bless from the Ichthux Team! <a href="http://www.ichthux.com/" title="ichthux.com">http://www.ichthux.com/</a ichthux.com>

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What would Jesus download? Maybe Ubuntu CE, after consulkting with his not-virginal mother and his c

Posted by: Anonymous [ip: 89.217.168.219] on January 15, 2008 11:46 AM
I can't believe that, as the "motto" of Ubuntu is "Linux for Human Beings", some freaking religious fanatic has to go and change "for Human beings" to "for christians"......
It's very consequent to the opinion among religious fanatics (ie, eahc and every religious person) that only those of their religious madness are "humans" and deserve to have their rights respect3d.....the rest?
See you in Hell, thanks.
Had to be a religious fanatic....

#

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