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DISCLAIMER: SORRY TO STRAY OFF TOPIC FOR A MINUTE:

Hey "Bill Gray"! You mentioned this Hispanic Church in Riverside, CA...10 years ago, then a year later, then 6 months later...so what of the last 8 1/2 years?? And why have your potent 'prayer warriors' forsaken the rest of the Los Angeles area? To be certain, Riverside is certainly a 'holy' city (as is Los Angeles, the 'city of angels') and there aren't any 'ungodly, alternative' shops anywhere to be found (even though most of the 'good' ones are up in the Valley) /sarcasm. I will be in Riverside, among other areas all of next week...how about an address of this Hispanic Church you speak of so I can stop by and worship with them? Or was this fiction you 'cooked up' to make a point?
This was an awesome response to the original thread starter! The discussion could have...and probably should have...ended with this! Nicely stated...

quote:
Originally posted by trader:
Mary...

If the windows are blacked out and you cannot see in, plus a sign that says you must be 18 years old to enter, then several things come to my mind...

First...Did the sign give you some type of idea what can of material may be inside..?

Second...Apparently, you went inside or you either know someone who went inside and told you about the items, which then makes me question your motives or how you pick your friends?

Third... Was it the draw of the unknown "Of what is in the box Mac", or the inner craving of touching and being around the forbidden fruit that made your skin have goose bumps..

Fourth.. Were you forced to go into the place?

Fifth
Why would you care, if you do not intend to shop at that store? I don't shop at a lot of stores and really don't care what they sell to you...I mean after all aren't you an adult...?

Oh! how the "Pious" love to point!

PS:
Another place you may want to go to is the video store on 2nd street just east of Woodward in Muscle Shoals...They have a back room for those like that kind of material...If you like the adventure of the forbidden then that room will probably fill your every quiver......
There are may different types of religion, not just one, so someone may have a different god from you!!!!


quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:

quote:
Originally posted by Kassy Sims:
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:
Hi Mary,

First, to answer your question: NO, I do not believe it belongs in any city, especially in the Shoals.

However, your post renewed a memory. About ten years ago, when I first moved to the city of Riverside, California, on one street corner (outside of town) there was a shop similar to what you have described -- selling all sorts of drug paraphernalia. And, right next door was a store-front Hispanic Christian church. This struck me as funny -- and I wondered who would win -- the god of drugs, or the one and only God. Some months later, I drove past again and the drug shop was gone -- but, the church was still there.

Fast forward a year, I drove past again and now, where the drug shop had been was now a Psychic Store -- selling all sort of New Age things. And, right next door was still the Hispanic Christian church. Again, I prayed: "Lord, show them who is really in control."

Six months later, the Psychic Store went out of business -- but, the church was still there. As I drove past, I smiled and thanked God for His faithfulness.

Do you think Florence needs some prayer warriors focusing on this drug/sex paraphernalia shop?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

I guess every building that is not a church is a loss then? When will people like you ever learn that people don't want nor need you trying to run THEIR lives. Why can't you worship your gOD as you please and let others worship theirs?

And besides Bill...I know for certain that you are a liar. You told a lie about me quite a while ago...I haven't forgotten.

Hi Kassy,

First, there is only one God -- so, I am not sure who or what you are worshiping. But, your comment does bring back memories. I can recall, nearly fifty years ago, long before I was a Christian, driving across the country. This was before the Interstate Highways, when we drove such roads as Route 66 -- and had to drive through many small towns.

My reaction in those days was that all these small towns had too many churches -- one on every corner. At that time, I was bothered to see more churches than bars in these towns. Today, when I drive through small towns -- I complain that there are not enough churches. Amazing what time, and becoming a Christian believer, will do to one's world view.

About lying about you -- quite honestly, Kassy, I don't recall ever being in a dialogue with you. From your attitude about God, I doubt that you were ever on the Religion Forum -- and I seldom wander away from it. Maybe I made an indirect comment and you took it personally, I simply do not remember ever exchanging ideas with you. But, if you think that I have made any false statements about you -- I do sincerely apologize. It was not intentional.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill
Well, read through this & have a couple of comments...

* The problem was not the business's proximity to a church - that would be the 'church man hurt my feelings' chip on your shoulder talking.

* If the woman had NOT gone in the store, you'd be all upset that she is complaining about a store based on hearsay & has never even been in the store.

I just thought I'd point that out since I went to all the trouble to read 6 pages. *snicker*

Oh yeah, should probably give my opinion on the store. I haven't been in there, but if everything stated here about the store is fact, I do appreciate them blacking their windows & posting the 'over 18' sign.

I agree that Spencer's is worse. I also just loved walking through the mall with my son after the addition of Victoria's Secret. There's an embarrassing moment I could do without. Are those window displays really necessary? Geez! I know where to get great lingerie, guys...don't need it advertised to the kids.
yea, our downtown is so classy we can't have this business there, I mean look at our downtown, we have a dollar general, a few bar/restaurants, pawn shops, payday advance stores, several empty for lease buildings,etc. etc. I personnally will not be shopping at this business, but, let's face it sex sells.

btw: if you haven't been keeping up with the news, the crime and drugs have been here for a long time, nothing new there.
Last edited by onepatriot7
Have any of you seen their MySpace page? It seems the sex aides were an afterthought. Their primary business is drug paraphernalia. Can someone be arrested leaving the store with their purchases, or are such items only illegal when found with actual drugs?

Just yesterday we stopped at the Kangaroo Mart outside Scottsboro where they used to have a cute selection of toys. In the last month or so the toys were all replaced with some really nasty looking drug paraphernalia. Fortunately, my four year old grandson wasn't interested. Sheesh.
My feelings regarding religion and porn are basically the same: people should be able to do what they want, as long as they don't do it in the street and scare the horses.

Actually, I do draw the line equally on both. Don't try to convert my family to either. Let us find our own god, and our own recreations. Your evangelism is a ****ed nuisance!
This is some good reading at 4 in the morning. Why would you not want a store like this one? Then all the stuff you don't want to see is in one place and behind blacked out windows. You can see pictures of naked girls in Books A Million and that place is full of kids at times, has no age limit, and has clear windows.
quote:
Originally posted by Duckbutt:
My feelings regarding religion and porn are basically the same: people should be able to do what they want, as long as they don't do it in the street and scare the horses.

Actually, I do draw the line equally on both. Don't try to convert my family to either. Let us find our own god, and our own recreations. Your evangelism is a ****ed nuisance!



thank you Duck butt......you hit the nail right on the head i agree with ya
quote:
Originally posted by marypaulk:
The point is that it is not appropriate for our downtown. Anyone that would argue that it is just wants to argue. I went into the store because I did not believe what I had heard and wanted to see it for myself. Unlike many of the people posting here I do not comment on things that I have no firsthand knowledge of. Go into the store and see if you would want to have your business located next to One Luv. Would you bring company or family to the restaurant next to it and not feel a bit embarrassed of your town? I don't care about what they sell. If it is legal then fine. That is not the issue. The issue is that the location is not appropriate and nice towns do not allow such stores in their downtown business district.



i would be embarrassed if one of my friends witnessed your attitude in person. on the net we can hope you're a troll but in person that possibility dissappears. you have the option not to shop there, noone made you walk in the front door. if your church had a sign saying self righteuous *******s outside, i would know better than to enter unfortunately it just says something about god.
quote:
Originally posted by Johnsonville:
I am not sure why this is even an issue. Certain pornography is legal to sell to adults. If you don't want to be around it, don't go in the store. If the shop is keeping those under 18 outside the door, then only adults are going inside. They can buy it or look at it if they want. If you don't like that a business is selling something that is presumably legal, you should perhaps work to change the law.


bravo! i like this comment. amen!
quote:
Originally posted by barksdale.jeff:
quote:
If you want to pick on something and get it banned, stop these guys who have fake testicles hanging from the rear bumpers/trailer hitches of their vehicles. Those things are about the tackiest items I've seen in a while.


That one quote might have taken the wind out of this whole thread!!!

LMAO!!!!!!

I can just see marypaulk calling businesses to see if they are selling truck nuts and wanting them moved out of town!!!!!


lmao!! too funny!! ive got to find some of those! anyone know where they sell them??
quote:
Originally posted by 0neHotMomm@:
quote:
Originally posted by barksdale.jeff:
quote:
If you want to pick on something and get it banned, stop these guys who have fake testicles hanging from the rear bumpers/trailer hitches of their vehicles. Those things are about the tackiest items I've seen in a while.


That one quote might have taken the wind out of this whole thread!!!

LMAO!!!!!!

I can just see marypaulk calling businesses to see if they are selling truck nuts and wanting them moved out of town!!!!!


lmao!! too funny!! ive got to find some of those! anyone know where they sell them??


MAYBE they have some in this store here in question?
I tend to agree. The store windows are blacked out, age limit is posted and I am sure they ask your age when you go in there. I see where kids all the time have torn the covers off Easy Riders in the book store just so they can look at the nude models on the bikes. It's not like the kids can't get on the net and see it anyway or see it in texts at school.
quote:
Originally posted by marypaulk:
The point is that it is not appropriate for our downtown. Anyone that would argue that it is just wants to argue. I went into the store because I did not believe what I had heard and wanted to see it for myself. Unlike many of the people posting here I do not comment on things that I have no firsthand knowledge of. Go into the store and see if you would want to have your business located next to One Luv. Would you bring company or family to the restaurant next to it and not feel a bit embarrassed of your town? I don't care about what they sell. If it is legal then fine. That is not the issue. The issue is that the location is not appropriate and nice towns do not allow such stores in their downtown business district.


Obviously nice towns do allow it or it would not be there... and I have taken folks to eat at restaurants next door/across the street from places like that and simply made no comment about it. If a one of "those" places opens, then other businesses around it should be prepared for some kind of reaction from customers, whether it's verbal comments or a drop in business. And your posting on here probably has done a lot more for that place business-wise than any type of marketing they did on their own. Maybe you should not have mentioned it at all and others would not have noticed it. I know I never noticed it until you mentioned it.... and I'm downtown nearly every day!
Last edited by Calypso
quote:

Generally speaking, along with the sex shop/strip club comes a lifestyle of hard drinking, drugs and crime, prostitution.


So what has caused all the drinking, drugs, crime and prostitution in this area before that store opened up? Prior to that place opening, you could listen to any scanner on any given night and hear calls regarding any and/or all the above mentioned. A while back 2 women were arrested for running a "house of ill repute" from a "massage" parlor on Woodward Avenue, Some guy in East Florence was arrested not long ago for prostituting a minor. A local preacher years ago (and I have personal knowledge of this happening), was arrested and convicted of child molestation; his sentence was 3 years probation, which he was allowed to complete in the town he moved to-- this man was caught when police wired one of his victims the man confessed on the wire tap that he had been sexually molesting neighborhood children for several years (it never made the paper, for some strange reason)--- the victim wearing the wire told his attacker he was going to report him to the police and was told by his molester that he was not the first victim and would not be the last, and no one would believe him or any other child who reported him because "everyone believes a preacher over a sinner, especially in this part of the country"), another pillar of the church community committed suicide after it was discovered he had paid some guys to kill his wife (she survived for a few days after the attack, long enough to let the cops know her husband had come in right after it happened and told the guys to leave and he would take care of the rest... hubby assumed they had killed her and placed a 9-1-1 call and told the dispatcher (without checking her pulse) that he had come home and his wife was dead, the guys were caught and confessed it all)... how do you explain all that in this "nice little town"? My older brother was an alcoholic LONG before alcohol sales were legalized. And this was all BEFORE the "sex shop" was opened up.... don't blame a town's drinking, crime, drugs and prostitution on sex shops and night clubs, 'cause it don't hold water.....
Last edited by Calypso
quote:
Originally posted by Infomercial:
I haven't seen this shop, but aren't you talking about Mobile PLAZA?

There used to be a head shop on Seminary Street, don't know why it shut down.


Jeez, doesn't anyone remember Turning Point Records on Tennessee Street in the 1970's? Head shop galore!!!!! And this was WAAAAAYYYYYYY before legal alcohol sales.... no uproar raised about it then, but if it were to reopen now...
quote:
Originally posted by semiannualchick:

If I carry friends/family from out of town to a restaurant & they saw a place like this, they would probably be surprised because this area has the reputation of being “behind the times”

There’s been talk for a couple of years of a Hooters coming to Florence. There’s not much difference in a strip joint & Hooter’s


Yep, Florence is definitely "behind the times" and it has cost us big time. A lot of major recording stars don't come here despite our huge pool of talented musicians/recording studios because there is "nothing to do".

As for not much difference between Hooters and a strip joint-- well, at Hooters the girls wear shorts , t-shirts with the Hooters logo , panty hose (those sinful females!), and white tennis shoes (now ain't that a sin and a half!). I have seen females wearing a LOT less than that walking the downtown streets and mall here in Florence. Hooters is a restaurant and they have a uniform for the waitresses to wear. Some wear their shirts a bit tighter than others and this is a personal choice the waitress makes. Most wear their shirts no tighter than I would normally wear, but there ain't nothing showing, and a bra must be worn.
quote:
Originally posted by Moose:
Funny stuff. BTW - you can buy a variety of porn at the local Books A Million. Just ask for it at the customer service desk. Be warned, you gotta pay for it immediately - no take backs! And please, do not take it with you in the store's bathroom to read. Go home.


They sell Playboy and other "gentlemen's" magazines, but NOT Playgirl! That really ticks me off.....Think the person working the day I went in and asked for Playgirl must have been the one who started this thread because I sure got a filthy look.....
quote:
Originally posted by thenagel:
...as we all know, the good people of our state congress have outlawed the sales of any of those horrible, evil wicked sex toys in the state


Wonder why some of those good people have not outlawed cucumbers and yellow squash being sold in the produce sections of the grocery stores..... not to mention cooking oil, honey, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, whipped cream... have I left anything out?

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