Killer Gardner executed
Woman was raped, tortured, shot to death
By Glenn Smith
Gardner
The Post and Courier
The driver a hearse checks in with correctional officers Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 before entering the S.C. Department of Correction Broad River Road complex before the execution of Joseph Gardner.
Previous Story
Killer scheduled to die Friday for murder but slain woman's parents say pain will always haunt them, published 12/02/08
COLUMBIA — Joseph Gardner mouthed "Thank you, I'm OK" to a relative Friday as a lethal cocktail of chemicals flowed into his body, putting him to death for the slaying of a young North Charleston woman 16 years ago.
Gardner, 38, was executed shortly after 6 p.m. for his role in the rape, torture and killing of 25-year-old Melissa "Missi" McLauchlin in December 1992. Gardner helped brutalize McLauchlin at a North Charleston home before he shot her five times in the face and dumped her body along a Dorchester County road.
Through his attorney, Gardner offered a written final statement apologizing to McLauchlin's family for causing them such pain. He spent the day with his lawyer, Keir Weyble, but opted to forgo a last meal before he met his fate.
About 5:55 p.m., three media witnesses were led into the state's capital punishment facility at Broad River Correctional Institute. Already seated in the small brick viewing room were law enforcement officers, a prosecutor, Weyble and Gardner's cousin, Norman Ellis. All seats faced a wall with paneled windows.
The room was silent but for the ticking of a clock. From behind a brown curtain, a muffled voice could be heard saying something that sounded like "I'm going to pray."
The curtain opened at precisely 6 p.m., revealing Gardner in the adjoining room, tethered to a cushioned steel table with straps across his chest and outstretched arms. He wore a green jumpsuit with a white sheet pulled across the lower half of his body. An intravenous line snaked from a metal panel in the wall to his left arm.
He raised his head and turned to the left, smiling as he spotted Ellis sitting in the second row. He raised his head slightly and mouthed, "Thank you, I'm OK. Thank you, I'm OK" several times.
His eyes began to flutter after about two minutes and he strained to mouth more words. Finally, he let out a gasp of air and his head sunk back on the cushion. His mouth hung open and his eyes closed for the last time.
Two men in gray coats stood by the table, their hands clasped, and waiting as the minutes passed. The IV seemed to jiggle for a minute or two and then stopped.
A man in a blue coat entered the room. He checked Gardner's eyes with a flashlight, placed his fingers against the inmate's throat and listened to his chest with a stethoscope. Moments later, a voice sounded over the intercom.
"The sentence in the case of South Carolina V. Joseph Gardner was carried out at 6:15 p.m."
Gardner became the 40th inmate put to death in South Carolina since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, and the third inmate executed in the Palmetto State this year.
The execution didn't draw many protesters. Before the sentence was carried out, four of them paced along the sidewalk outside.
Ron Kaz, a Charleston carpenter, said he was familiar with case but didn't know Gardner.
"I don't believe the state has any business murdering people," Kaz said.
McLauchlin's parents, who live in Live Oak, Fla., chose not to attend the execution but were represented by North Charleston police Sgt. Ray Garrison, one of the lead investigators on the case. Her father, Clair McLauchlin, offered this statement: "It's over for him but not for us. It will never be over for us."
Their ordeal began on the night of Dec. 30, 1992, when Melissa McLauchlin got into a car with Gardner and other men after they spotted her walking along Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. They took her to a mobile home on Stall Road, where several men raped her.
The men later forced McLauchlin to bathe, bound her with a blindfold and handcuffs and placed her on the floorboard of a car. Gardner shot her twice in the face after she freed herself from the handcuffs and tried to escape. He then shot her three more times and left her to die along the side of a road in Summerville.
Gardner, who was in the Navy at the time, fled from the area and remained a fugitive until his arrest in Philadelphia in October 1994.
The case, which involved a white victim and five black suspects, stoked fears of racial unrest. The killing occurred just months after the Los Angeles riots following the acquittal of four white police officers in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King. Adding to local fears were revelations from investigators that Gardner and his co-defendants had decided to kill a white woman to avenge the mistreatment of blacks during slavery.
Of those charged, Gardner was the only person sentenced to die in the case. Two men received life sentences for murder, while two others received less than 10 years in prison as part of plea deals.
Gardner's statement
"I would like to apologize to the family and loved ones of Melissa McLauchlin for taking her from them and causing them so much pain. I was 22 years old then, and I am 38 now. While I have always been sorry for what I did, the passage of time has allowed me to mature, reflect and experience spiritual growth in ways that were foreign to me as a young man. I have repented for what I have done, and I am very grateful to the many people who have prayed with me and for me over the years and in my final days. I deeply regret that my actions deprived Ms. McLauchlin of the chance to marry, have children and experience life with God. I have spent years praying for her, and I encourage all people of faith to do the same."
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chucktonian (anonymous) says...
That's a good start. Now clean out the rest of death row!
December 6, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
I second chucktonian's comment!
December 6, 2008 at 4:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
I'll jump on this bandwagon: One down...how many to go????
December 6, 2008 at 4:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
I'll also add: "The execution didn't draw many protesters"...could it be that this was simply too disgusting a crime for even the normal anti-death-penalty activists to fathom?
December 6, 2008 at 4:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sassa (anonymous) says...
My only problem with this execution is that it took 16 years of taxpayer money to support him. My opinion...
try em. Guilty. FRY em. not wait and wait.
December 6, 2008 at 6 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kennyt (anonymous) says...
Add me to the band-wagon and 16 yrs of free food health care etc just to kill him, on the day of his conviction take him outside and shoot him 5 times in the face with the other killers watching just like that innocent young lady.
December 6, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jatkins (anonymous) says...
South Carolina didn't solve anything last night.
It stole another life, supposedly in the name of justice, and caused more innocent suffering -- Joseph Gardner's family played no part in the crime, yet the State forced them to suffer.
It was a needless killing. It could have been stopped.
Obviously, the crime Joseph committed was horrendous, but when South Carolina executed him they did so in revenge: a pathetic and unnecessary killing, nothing more. Whilst I respect South Carolina and it must obviously be able to punish the perpetrators of grave crimes, it does not need to kill to do so. It just continues the cycle of violence.
My sympathies go out to both Joseph's family and Melissa McLauchlin's. Also, I pray that the State of South Carolina will one day rise above vengeance; other than its death penalty, it is a great state.
"Even the most vile murderer does not release the state from its obligation to respect dignity, for the state does not honor the victim by emulating their murderer. Capital punishment's fatal flaw is that it treats people as objects to be toyed with and discarded: One day the Court will outlaw the death penalty. Permanently." --William J. Brennan, Jr., late US Supreme Court Associate Justice (1906-1997)
December 6, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prettywoman2457 (anonymous) says...
I do have sympathy for Gardners' family, but not for him. When the murder of another human being is with malice, like this one was, he should have had a justice done to him long ago. He knew he did it, it was proven he did it and more than anything....HE ADMITTED HE DID IT!!! It would have given me great pleasure to have been there to watch and more pleasure to have pulled the switch. Eleven years after Brennans death.....still no change...ever wondered why? You tell my sister's daughter why the man that killed her mother 3 years ago when she was 2 1/2 why he is still here and her mother isn't. Her killer took away everything that the child needed. When someone admits that they killed and they did it with malice, should automatically fry. No, it will not bring back the victim, but it would make a whole lot of people feel that justice is done and may detour someone else from killing. Maybe one day soon, SC and other states will wake up and update the system. Malice is intentional and SC can't seem to understand that ALL killers that kill with malice should be put to DEATH!!
December 6, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
B_Fwank (anonymous) says...
The only hands that had blood on them were those of Gardner.
The left have helped to breed thousands of these self serving hate-filled murders. Liberals have plenty of blood on their hands, from every illegal-drug infested housing project to the thousands of fatherless boys that will grow up like Gardner.
December 6, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blackberry_fan (anonymous) says...
"South Carolina didn't solve anything last night.
It stole another life, supposedly in the name of justice, and caused more innocent suffering -- Joseph Gardner's family played no part in the crime, yet the State forced them to suffer."
That's were you are wrong. South Carolina did solve something last night. They permanently took a rapist and killer off our streets. Never will he commit a crime like this again.
And the way I see it, South Carolina did not impose any suffering on Joseph Garners family. Joseph Garner did.
The biggest problem with situations like this is no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions. Its always the government or society. Joseph Garner did his crime. Now he has paid his debt to society. He is lucky he got to go the way he did. The victim did not have that luxury.
December 6, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
B_Fwank (anonymous) says...
blackberry_fan - the bleeding heart libs dont care about the real victim, in their deluded minds gardner was the victim.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
December 6, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
First, let me identify myself politically: I am a republiterianocrat with strong independent tendencies. I oppose abortion but support the death penalty.
This young man committed an unspeakable crime; his punishment was appropriate as prescribed by law. I understand that it does not bring back the victim but it does ensure that there will be no other victims at his hand.
Society has a right, indeed an obligation, to protect itself from the most violent among us; we do that with our laws. There is not one person on any death row in America who is there because the sang off tune during choir practice.
December 6, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
jatkins, the state of SC did not cause this distress on Gardner's family, Gardner did; he alone, Also, the state of SC did not murder Gardner. The state of SC killed Gardner as punishment for his crime. It needed to be done to validate justice. What cycle...this is not a cycle of violence; this is the completion of a responsibility of SC to punish criminals...a straight line function. If Gardner had indeed repented, he probably would have understood this.
December 6, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brutus1 (anonymous) says...
jatkins, now what do YOU suggest should have been done to him.
Maybe gone to rehab and put back on the street? I think what was done to him was too easy. He just went to sleep.
December 6, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FTPAG (anonymous) says...
Justice has been served.
A man has been punished for his crimes.
He was not murdered, he was executed.
There is no one rejoicing here today.
There is no blood on South Carolinian's hands.
Punishment must be dealt in order to preserve society.
Some people do not have the stomach for things such as capital punishment.
Fine, turn your head and let those who are willing to make the tough decisions deal with these issues.
But, don't pop your weak little heads out and condemn those who are willing to shoulder the responsibility of making these decisions.
December 6, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
Jatkins, I have to disagree...the peaceful going-to-sleep process that Mr. Gardner succumbed to last night was NOT any part of a "cycle of violence", other than being directly attributed to by his violent, hateful nature. His cousin was the only relative to show for the execution. I wonder how many times his family has actually come to visit. My opinion is this: If my loved one was in the Department of Corrections for the rest of his/her natural life, I would definitely think execution (a painless one, at that!), would be a better alternative. Watch a couple of episodes of Oz, and tell me that life imprisonment is more humane...I would have chosen to have Mr. Gardner suffer indefinitely until his final outcome, but the prison system is overpopulated, and at his relatively young age, the cost to house him for the rest of his natural life would be exorbitant. Good riddance. I hope you took an air conditioner, Mr. Gardner.
December 6, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southerngirl45 (anonymous) says...
In cases like this so many innocent people are made to suffer. The ones left behind have the rest of their lives to grieve, while the cruel killers ask for forgiveness, are put to death and it's over for them. I don't believe it is our right to put someone to death,only God. I know there are those who disagree. The article we read today left out a lot of details fo the original story. After she was raped repeatedly, her genitals were washed with bleech, and then taken to her final place of doom. I am not God so I cannot say what punnishment was fair to this animal and an animal he was! Sometimes I think they should lock up crud like Gardner in a solitary unit never to see daylight again with no communication to anyone. At least they would have to relive their actions over and over until the day they die. To me that would serve punnishment. I am sorry for the families on both sides as they are the ones who will suffer for the rest of their lives. We as parents raise our children and try try to instill good moral brhavior and values, but sometimes along the way some go astray for reasons we do not fully understand. I can only pray that God had a hand in this because the Bible tells us "Thou shalt not kill". I believe this includes the ones who puts the leathal injections into a killers veins.How are they any diferent than Gardner? They also have taken a human life and isn't murder, murder? I don't know. I do not know either of these families and I hope that my oppinion does not offend any one.
December 6, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
jatkins, citing William J. Brennan is laughable. Brennan was a liberal hack!
He was AGAINST capital punishment and FOR abortion.
He would let Gardner live and let the innocents with beating hearts die.
December 6, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve85 (anonymous) says...
Someone explain this to me please. Gardner was obviously a killer, but the Ten Commandments say, "Thou shalt not kill". Now, what is this person who injected the poison into the IV but a killer according to the Commandments? I am not an extremely religious person, nor am I too terribly intelligent, but, I believe I know right from wrong. Killing someone is killing someone, whether in a house in North Charleston after rape, or in a legal setting with witnesses. I just wish we as taxpayers didn't have to pay for all these murderers and criminals to live, probably a better life in jail than they did when they were loose on the streets.
December 6, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seneca264 (anonymous) says...
I hope you burn in the land down under Joe. It is comforting to know that someone as evil and perverted as you will never walk this earth in the company of decent folks. The only regret I have about this is that the state allowed this scum to waste the taxpayers money for 16 years.
December 6, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
As for all you two faced liberals who denounce eliminating a homicidal scumbag, yet think nothing of stabbing a baby in the back of the neck and sucking out it's brains, in many cases simply because you don't want a baby interfering with your selfish lifestyle; your hypocrisy is contemptable.
December 6, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brutus1 (anonymous) says...
Bring the bible into it. The bible also says "An eye for an eye."
December 6, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
simmonsk219 (anonymous) says...
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and this is mine: Yes he did this crime and yes it was wrong and if it were my sister mom or any relative i would be angry and i would hurt god still loves us all no matter who we are gardner's letter says that he REPENTED and guess what guys thats all it is required for him to do with god that is the first thing you must do redeem yourself holy everyday. he knew what he did was wrong and he asked for forgiveness no WE do not want to forgive him but he made his peace thats all too it. We all have different beliefs so from what i was taught i cant say that he made it to heaven but my heart believes he did. I do feel sorry for trhe victims family and his family as well they all have and will continue to suffer im not saying what happened was right not by any means lets just pray that both families wil grow strong and find peace behind this.
December 6, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinagurl (anonymous) says...
Bottom Line: SC did the right thing!!!
December 6, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
No_One_Knows (anonymous) says...
To everyone that has sanctioned this death with some type of rejoicing in your comments. My heart goes out to you, because even as horrible as this crime was this man, left a statement that was intersting. He stated that he "repented" for the sin that he has done. Yes the Bible does clearly state "Thou shall not kill", but also if you hate this man for the crime that he did, you to are a murderer (1 John 3:15). It is unfortunate what Mr. Gardner did what he did, but if he truly repented, then I agree with the comment that "he understood this death". So if your cheering about what has happen, if your going to church tomorrow, you too should also ask for forgiveness because we should never rejoice in death. I do feel for the family of the victim and of Mr. Gardner, but I do feel for some of you that will say the things that your saying and will take Communion tomorrow. Now if you don't know God then my comments are irrelevent and as you respond to my comments, believe me I will be definitely praying for your soul.
December 6, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Thank You, South Carolina. One less sub-human piece of crap roams this Earth. Each and every individual that commits a violent crime needs to meet the same fate. Law abiding citizens should not have to worry about coming face to face with such animals. We should not have to worry about our loved ones when they leave the home to shop, see a movie, eat dinner. I have only two wishes:
1) The death penalty be carried out in a more timely manner in such cases.
2) Only those that oppose the death penalty for violent criminals be victimized in the future. Their opposition has led to these criminals being released back in to society to brutalize, rape and kill again. Those that oppose this just punishment are just a guilty as those the commit the crimes.
If this man is in your heaven, your heaven, with your god, is not a place I want to be. If your god embraces this man, your god is a failure.
December 6, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
Everyone of you bleeding hearts on this message thread make me sick. Go join hands and pray with the kidnapper, rapist, torturer and murderer of your daughter..
The only mistake here was the length of time it took to come to fruition.
December 6, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
simmonsk219; He's filled his requirement for forgiveness by repenting. Gee that's nice. Ever wonder why it took him so long?
Do you think if I rob a bank and get caught and REPENT God will forgive me and the authorities will let me keep the money?
Too bad he couldn't be executed a few more times!
December 6, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
When this man's life was put to an end, it was done so in a manner that was relatively painless and quick. We can't say the same for his victim who was tortured, raped and then shot. Who knows what sort of terror was going through the mind of this poor woman as her life was being taken from her by this pathetic excuse for a human being. Imagine what her family must be having to experience even to this day. A parent never gets over the death of a child. If your child were to have died of an illness, you can almost learn to move on; but to have their life ended in a manner such as this would be devastating to her family on a monumental scale. The State of South Carolina imposed nothing upon the family of Gardner. Only Gardner himself imposed suffering upon his family when he committed the crime.
December 6, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cardfan (anonymous) says...
southerngirl-your Christian beliefs tell you that killing another man is wrong and therefore the death penalty should be overturned. That is a legitimate thought...however, in you same argument, you believe that we should instead torture the killer. How does that follow your Christian beliefs? The problem with most of the so-called Christians that I have encountered is their overly hypocritical beliefs. I seriously doubt that God would prefer torture someone for the remainder of his life over death.
Prisoners who are isolated for prolonged periods of time have been known to experience "depression, despair, anxiety, rage, claustrophobia, hallucinations, problems with impulse control, and/or an impaired ability to think, concentrate, or remember." Studies have also shown that isolation can cause "impaired vision and hearing... tinnitus(ringing in the ears), weakening of the immune system, amenorrhea(absence of menstrual periods in women), premature menopause... and aggressive behavior in prisoners, volunteers and animals."
Previously healthy prisoners have "developed clinical symptoms usually associated with psychosis or severe affective disorders" including "all types of psychiatric morbidity." Many have committed suicide.
For prisoners with pre-existing mental or emotional disorders, living without normal human interaction, physical and mental activity and stimulation can aggravate their symptoms to levels equivalent to torture. In one complaint filed against the Connecticut Department of Correction in August 2003, social isolation and sensory deprivation drove some prisoners to "lash out by swallowing razors, smashing their heads into walls or cutting their flesh."
December 6, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KnowAllSeeAll (anonymous) says...
In all actuality, the cost of execution is greater than that of 30-years incarceration, when factoring in the cost of appeals and the added security of housing someone on death row.
I have no problem with someone being put to death for a heinous crime, but it's not something that should be celebrated, in my own humble opinion. To me, this is something the State does because it has to and should not be used capriciously (sp?) And no, execution does not amount to murdering someone. Inmate Gardner was put down the exact same way a dog or cat is put to sleep. Too good for him? Maybe so.
Doesn't Utah still use a firing squad for executions? I'd read that somewhere but I'm sure that information might very well be dated by now.
I hope the victim's family member finds peace...because they deserve it.
December 6, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
"The only mistake here was the length of time it took to come to fruition."
---------------------------
All I can add is "Adios Gardner, you disgusting piece of s--t."
December 6, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
"Doesn't Utah still use a firing squad for executions?"
-----------
I think Utah lets the condemned choose which method they want, with death by firing squad being one of the...uh... choices.
December 6, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
Posted by FTPAG
"...There is no one rejoicing here today..."
I am rejoicing.
A WORTHLESS P.o.S. was put to death. I feel that SC needs to put more of them to death. Except for the McLauchlin family, I feel absolutely not one bit of sorrow.
December 6, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kennyt (anonymous) says...
To No_One_Knows Do you believe God will send people to hell for there sins if they have not repented at the end of the world(age). Most people in jail repent turn to God and as soon as they are free turn right back to there old ways. God knew this killers heart and I hope he did repent but his punishment fits the crime, and the word kill in hebrew means murder as in unwarranted death.
To the left wing nuts who will protest at a (guilty) murders death chanting "it is wrong "and turn there heads when a (innocent) baby's brain is sucked out of it head and say its the woman right to chose to kill her fetus, are the one's when taking communion tomorrow you are taking His blood and body unworthy stop it!!!
December 6, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nature_lover (anonymous) says...
I think whether or not you oppose the death penalty, what should scare the crap out of everyone is that someone could actually commit a crime like this. Our society is desensitized, now even more so than when this crime was committed. Hollywood continues to push the envelope with gruesome garbage that has made its way from "R" ratings to "PG" ratings to prime time television. Turn on MTV and you see kids having hot tub orgies in the name of "real life" and rappers singing about their bi***es body and killing people. Maybe what's happening here is a culture that's being defended in the name of political correctness is an endorsement for violent crime.
December 6, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
simmonsk219 (anonymous) says...
YIRD: Before you respond to my one reply versus the other 40 on here read it again its my opinion if you dont like it get over it the truth is the truth. Ask for forgiveness and you get it. Man does not have the last say so God does. So theres no need for me to reply to your question of robbing a bank k i'm pretty sure you know the answer to that stupid question silly!!! If you want to do something right to make you feel better go pray for the victims family that they have a peace of mind.iIm not saying what was done was by any means right it was wrong but i believe the last statement was from the heart. "Touch not gods annoitted " you be blessed!!!!!!
December 6, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Was this considered a "hate crime" by our liberal friends?
GOOD BYE!
December 6, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spengler (anonymous) says...
Waaahh! all the ACLU bleeding hearts come out. What a bunch of hypocrites. If it was 5 whites on 1 black, you'd hear something else, mainly silence. This drone was an evil animal. Too bad the other 4 are still wasting air.
December 6, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irish (anonymous) says...
Take a deep breath. Exhale. Now repeat after me: "more air for me!"
December 6, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
simmonsk219; Your original post was so grammatically incoherent that you should feel "blessed" that I could even find something to respond to.
Ask God for a functional brain while your praying for a murderer's family to recover from their loss.
December 7, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
onesidedsquare (anonymous) says...
yird, sorry, but i have a spoiler, there is no god, you can't ask him for what he can't give, people have to earn their riches, and for some, their life serves as a warning to others
December 7, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
onesidedsquare; Careful now, I'm an agnostic and neither except or deny the idea of a supreme being.
I often get disgusted with the arrogance of "believers" who consider no view but their own;there is a God!
Atheist are just as arrogant stating there is no God!
I suppose that by attending church and tithing and following certain rituals believers feel they are keeping their premiums current on their life insurance policy for life after death.
I don't buy it myself.
Rather than trying to push a square peg into round hole, I prefer to live the best I can and leave the God no God issue a question mark.
My comment to simmonsk219was framed in a manner commensurate to her particular religious bias.
December 7, 2008 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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