Messages

1006

Debate & Discuss / Re: How Does Tomorrow Dream?

« on: March 24, 2011, 11:12:44 am »Message ID: 330253

John Trudell sounds like Michael Bolton.  His message is loud and clear, but I don't necessarily agree with it.  I do believe there is somewhat of a propaganda effort by our government.  We say we are going into countries to stop other countries' leaders from hurting their countries' people, when in fact our primary reasons for going in are are own national security (i.e. we go for terrorists and our oil interests).  However, I served 27 years in the Air Force (and treated approx 50,000 wounded warriors while stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany for 10 years), and I can tell you that the US does the best it can to limit collateral damage and protect civilian lives.  There were plenty of civilians killed on 9/11, that was intentional.  Unfortunately, there have been lots of civilians killed in our overseas endeavors, but it is not intentional. 

1007

Debate & Discuss / Re: What you think of people

« on: March 23, 2011, 06:30:11 pm »Message ID: 330024

I agree with you jd... we all judge as part of our instinctual make-up.  That can't be helped.  When you see someone for the first time, you "judge" their situation based upon what you see.  You hit the nail on the head though when you said--and I'm paraphrasing--that people shouldn't judge a person negatively without knowing his or her situation.  The old phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover" is applicable.  Like you said, it's basically how you are trying to assess the situations and definitions of judgment itself.  Take care.

1008

Debate & Discuss / Re: Do you think some jobs are as "REAL" as other jobs?

« on: March 23, 2011, 06:23:07 pm »Message ID: 330016

There are plenty of ways to define a "job"... for example, the "job" of raising kids doesn't pay at all monetarily (it pays loads in terms of love and memories), but it is perhaps the most important job of all.  And, if you are at home and using your free time to do surveys and other money-making activities, you are making good use of your time.  Whether anyone considers it a "job" or not doesn't matter.  You're doing what's good for you.

1009

Debate & Discuss / Re: WOULD MONEY BE MORE VALUABLE IF THERE WERE NO MORE FOOD TO SURVIVE?

« on: March 23, 2011, 06:18:44 pm »Message ID: 330011

I would say unless you could somehow make the money edible, it wouldn't have much value at all since you can't take it with you when you "cross over"... and without food to survive, it seems everyone would be following that path.  It just goes to show money isn't the most important thing!

1010

Debate & Discuss / Re: A mind perforated by bigotry

« on: March 23, 2011, 06:15:59 pm »Message ID: 330009

Unfortunately Bishop Williamson is rethinking his position due to what I would call the "Mel Gibson Virus", i.e. his statements were caught and made public, so it's time to recant.  I honestly don't know if I would blame the Pope for not knowing since the Catholic Church is one of the largest "corporations" in the world and you can't know the secrets of all your Bishops.  However, there is not doubt the Bishop in question is either anti-semetic or just plain ignorant.

1011

Debate & Discuss / Re: What you think of people

« on: March 22, 2011, 04:06:06 pm »Message ID: 329583

“Judge not, that you be not judged." -- Matthew 7:1

This comes from the Bible, but nearly all religions have similar quotes regarding The Golden Rule, tolerance and judgment.  To have an opinion is OK, but to judge others based solely on your beliefs is not.

1012

Debate & Discuss / Re: Are you scared of future health problems?

« on: March 22, 2011, 04:02:52 pm »Message ID: 329582

I'm less scared of future health problems than I was about 20 years ago.  I spent 27 years in the military, with about 23 years working as a health care professional (radiology and nuclear medicine).  I've seen many advances in medicine in that time frame that have convinced me that more and more cures are around the corner.  The life expectancy of humans has improved significantly in the last 100 years due to medical advances and I think this trend will continue considering our vast scientific improvements.

1013

Debate & Discuss / Re: Jesus God or a god: The christian debate to end all christian debates read rules

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:58:45 pm »Message ID: 329581

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," -- Ephesians 4:2

I had trouble understanding the original question, but since the post said to use a quote from scripture, I feel this one is the most appropriate regarding this subject based upon what I'm guessing the question in fact is.

Whether Jesus is God or the Son of God or just a great prophet is, in my eyes, not the most important thing.  What is the most important thing is the message he spread on love and tolerance. 

However, if I had to give a definite answer, I would answer "God".  I think there is an omnipotent power, i.e. Spirit, God, or The Light that we are all part of.  And I think God wants us to be tolerant of each other regardless of our religious beliefs.

1014

Debate & Discuss / Re: Smart *bleep* answers

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:45:34 pm »Message ID: 329579

Now that's my kind of teacher!  I like to see "smart asses" get a dose of their own medicine.  Good jokes; thanks for the laughs.

1015

Debate & Discuss / Re: I don't believe in the Devil or Hell

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:41:59 pm »Message ID: 329577

I agree with the initial post:  I believe in Karma and differences in the length of time it will take each individual soul to progress to the "light" we are all heading toward (and part of) as interconnected beings, but I don't believe in a "fire and damnation"-type Hell.  Would a loving, omnipotent Spirit, i.e. God, subject a soul to burn in Hell for eternity, or would the same loving God give a Soul a chance to make up for mistakes and continue onward on an eternal journey to the light?  I think it's the latter.

1016

Debate & Discuss / Re: I am convinced there is a Higher power

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:36:56 pm »Message ID: 329575

I believe there is an Omnipotent power, i.e. God, Spirit or whatever you wish to call it, and that we are all part of it.  I think we are all interconnected and that love is the most important thing.  If everyone was tolerant of each other and lived by the Golden Rule, oh what a world it would be!

1017

Debate & Discuss / Re: Natural Disasters

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:33:21 pm »Message ID: 329574

I do believe in global warming, but don't think that natural disasters have increased in numbers.  Earthquakes can be expected since the Earth has been shifting since the start of its existence.  I believe we need to treat our planet well, but nothing can stop Mother Nature.

1018

Debate & Discuss / Re: what happen to people who die, that had no use for GOd when they were living?

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:28:46 pm »Message ID: 329569

If I'm not mistaken, the reason the US fought the Revolutionary War was due to differences in thought.  When the US seceded, we formed a Constitution and Bill of Rights, including freedom of religion.  I believe we should all be tolerant of others beliefs and just try and treat each other right. 

To answer the initial question, I believe people will continue on their eternal soul journey when they "die"... although I believe death is just a transition to another place.  If a person doesn't accept God, I don't think they will be persecuted, I just think it will take them longer to reach the light.

1019

Debate & Discuss / Re: Not the typical gay marriage/religious musings

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:20:58 pm »Message ID: 329568

I don't think God would relegate a good person to Hell based upon his or her sexuality.  I don't think the government should regulate who should and should not get married and to whom (excluding children of course).  I think if gay people want to commit by getting married, let them.  To each his own.

1020

Debate & Discuss / Re: To the Christian who thinks only those who accept Christ will go to heaven....

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:14:14 pm »Message ID: 329566

I just returned from Thailand on March 10th after visiting my fiance.  She is Buddhist, as is her sister and most of Thai populace.  Anywhere you look, you will see Buddha statues, including most residences, public places, taxi dashboards, etc.--pretty much everywhere.  To make a long story short, I know a lot of people of different religions who have good hearts and cannot believe that a loving omnipotent being, God, would relegate all those who are non-Christian to hell.  If you live by the Golden Rule and realize that love is the most important thing, I think you will be rewarded when you "cross over", Christian or not.