Is that a problem to Europeans? I'm seriously sorry if I'm offending you some how. I'm not being sarcastic. As an American, I don't really understand why that offends you. My country has values, I'm sure all of them do. But I'm just an American, so once again, my apologies.

No, not at all. I've got friends who are American, and your posts remind me of how they are. A bit of difference makes the world a more interesting place. Sorry for any offence.

Back on topic now.

No problem then . I just tend to get on people's bad siides so I didn't know

Well, we're slowly getting rid of all sorts of religious knick-knacks here. As Nietzsche (a famous philosopher) once put it : "God is dead" (which basically means mankind can go on as kind and respectful without it being God related in any way).

You're different because USA were found by pilgrims who were being persecuted for their beliefs, so your whole culture is about respecting other people's beliefs, and, let's face it, as everywhere else, some people are trying to impose their views (proselytism is the word) and will invoke the freedom of belief to defend it, no matter whether it's stupid or not. Yes, creationists and intelligent design defenders are the first example coming to my mind.
Of course I'm drawing a caricature here, but that's just to make my point more blatant.

I guess the main rift in our approach to a lot of questions is based around that kind of difference.

This has really gone off topic now.

Sorry.

I can respect your right to the belief. That's fundamental.

However, the belief itself is completely open to my criticism, and my complete and utter disrespect.

It's a very important distinction. Just because you believe it doesn't mean I can't treat it with the contempt it warrants.

On Facebook the other day I saw an American make a post: "if we evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around now?" I just about lost all hope with humanity at that exact moment.

Just like an American christian said on his facebook. "If the earth was 10 feet further away or closer by the sun, we would all not excist. What wonder God created. Blablabla"

So incredibly stupid. Especially when you know the earths distance from the sun varietes wildly every year from a minimum of 147.1 million kilometers (91 million miles) to a maximum of 152.1 million kilometers (94.5 million miles).

But ok. I gave up on people like that. They are free to believe what they want but please don't try to convince others with bs like that

And people say Americans are rude. Jeez. I said that we can agree to disagree. So you can trash the belief but you are then saying that you are unable to agree the fact that we don't think the same things. So you are saying that you are acting on the second point, when you are in fact the first. Maybe you misunderstood me. When I said, respect each others beliefs, I meant the first one, not the second one. That is now changed. That's a language difference.

And Teddy: I believe in evolution. I kinda just believe some things are more symbolic than anything else.

I didn't know that Europe was completely Athiest or I wouldn't have said anything. In fact, this is a cycling website, and I should not have even written anything that brought up religion. I'm sorry. This isn't the first time and fought and ranted on here. So this is it, before I end up getting banned.

It's probably important to point out that not all Europeans are atheists. Equally important is to point out that not all Americans believe the Earth is flat.

I though this was the off-topic thread...

As a former European now in the United States, I'm bound to defend this sometimes festering nation. It has flaws all over its warted face however it also has much to admire and cherish. Some of the principles upon which it was founded, even if only romantically/idealistically, are admirable and worth applauding/defending.

There are a lot of people here, it turns out. They're not all to be judged by bad TV shows, outlandish news stories or the extremist views of some. You'd have to spent a lot of time here and travel to really get a sense of the people. You might find surprising conclusions hit you. No really ... I mean WEIRD.

I dare say one could align the extremist/ignorant views of the far right extremist fundamentalist 'christian' right here with the similarly extremist neo-right of NW Europe. They wear different costumes but sing similar hymns. Extremists are much alike all over. Same with idiots.

Now, Other Races 2012?

Yeah, come on. Stop all religion talk.
In cycling, all are united!
Break it off, this way we're getting nowhere.

To get back on topic, I've got shocking news: apparently la Tour De France starts today what a surprise, huh! Great news! Let's all enjoy it.

"La" Tour de France ? How many floors do they intend to build there ?

"La tour" means "the tower", if anyone didn't get it.

Le tour then?

Tour of Qinghai Lake, Stage 2

1. Luka Mezgec (Sava/Slovenia) 2h47'30"
2. Jake Keough (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling/USA) s.t.
3. Cristian Benenati (Farnese Vini - Selle Italia/Italy)
4. Hossein Nateghi (Tabriz Petrochemical Team/Iran)
5. Ivan Kovalev (RusVelo/Russia)

Mezgec takes the leader's jersey.

How is the TOQL 2.HC race with those riders. Anyway, nice result for Keough, he's trying to get good at the only thing he doesn't suck at: sprinting.

The other riders in the Top 5 don't indicate an usual mass sprint, though.

Yeah, the stage wasn't flat. Mezgec is very fast, but he can climb much, much better than the average sprinter.

Österreich-Rundfahrt / Tour of Austria, Stage 1

1.				BAZZANA Alessandro		TT1
2.				GAVAZZI Francesco		AST
3.				CANOLA Marco		COG
4.				PREIDLER Georg		TT1
5.				VANTOMME Maxime		KAT