RonD1120 58 #351 November 7, 2012 QuoteQuoteIt is American politics and our society that I am referring to. Our morality, ethics and civility are at the lowest point in my lifetime. It is all of us.Honestly, Ron? I mean, I'm pretty sure you were alive during the 1950s (I was, at least the late '50s) and I know you're older than me. So you were alive during the time of Jim Crow, and possibly during the era of McCarthyism. Do you really believe that today's morality, civics, and civility is lower than they were then? Do you really believe that an effort to ensure sick people can get medical treatment is morally more evil than segregation? Do you really believe that allowing consenting adults to marry regardless of race or gender is more evil than lynching people who were only trying to register non-whites to vote? Don I graduated from high school in 1960. Segregation existed in my area of the South but I was not aware of it or its consequences. I was the target of hate from third through sophomore years because I was a Yankee. In my house Joseph McCarthy was a good guy. The TV show "I was a Communist for the FBI" starring Richard Carlson was one of my favorites. About 10 years ago I learned that McCarthy was brought down by presenting tampered evidence of an altered photo. I don't remember the victim but he was shown in the company of a known Communist and it was faked. I was oblivious to McCarthy's legal problems as I was too young at the time. We were fighting Communism when I joined the military in 1960. I was involved in the beginning of the Vietnam War, 1961-65 when I was separated from active duty. Communism remained the enemy until 1968. Then Walter Cronkite, Jane Fonda and the student protest leaders began changing its face. I graduated from USF that year and I knew America was beginning to change. I tried to go along with the change until 1981. Then I realized it was wrong, it was subversive socialism. I became a staunch Conservative at that time. Decadence is ruling our country. We will pay the price for our folly. The day is on its way, the day is comin'. ~Jefferson StarshipLook for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgiaDon 340 #352 November 7, 2012 QuoteI graduated from high school in 1960. Segregation existed in my area of the South but I was not aware of it or its consequences.But you are aware now, I assume, of what went on in those days. QuoteI graduated from USF that year and I knew America was beginning to change. I tried to go along with the change until 1981. Then I realized it was wrong, it was subversive socialism. I became a staunch Conservative at that time. Change how? In that communism was seen as less of a bogey man? In that uppity women/minorities/etc began to demand their civil rights? Sorry if I missed it but I don't get what the specific changes are that you find so threatening. Since you seem to like to quote song lyrics here's one you might know: Come gather 'round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You'll be drenched to the bone If your time to you Is worth savin' Then you better start swimmin' Or you'll sink like a stone For the times they are a-changin'. For me, when the America of anti-communist paranoia, color bars, and glass ceilings is dead and buried I'll be happy to help shovel a little dirt onto the grave. An America of inclusiveness, where "people are judged on the content of their character" and one doesn't have to be afraid to offer a hand up to someone is what appeals to me. Don_____________________________________ Tolerance is the cost we must pay for our adventure in liberty. (Dworkin, 1996) “Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” (Yeats) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,122 #353 November 7, 2012 QuoteAn America of inclusiveness, where "people are judged on the content of their character"I think it's harder to separate character from appearance, manners, and behavior, and the more inclusive one is, the wider the range of each one has to expect. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petejones45 0 #354 November 8, 2012 Quote40 Days of Prayer is a call to fervent prayer for our elections. We are in desperate days as a nation as the spiritual, moral and financial fabric of our nation is disintegrating around us. Believers need to pray as never before. America's National Prayer Committee and its member organizations are putting out a call to pray 40 days prior to the elections (September 28 - November 6). http://www.40daysofprayer.net/ religion is an evolutionary invention by manLook out for the freefly team, Smelly Peppers. Once we get a couple years more experience we will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future! BLUES! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LyraM45 0 #355 November 8, 2012 Quote >And what makes you say morality is at an all time low? Change. Fundamentalists have said that every time a new group gets rights here in the US. They said it when women got the right to vote. The Catholic Encyclopedia, published during the fight against women's suffrage, said ". . men are granted their power by God, and beneath man is woman, who are women are only given 'glory' in their subordinate position through man. " Allowing women to vote " . . . is not compatible with the standard of nature or the Gospel.... The proclamation of the Rights of Man... bind man to woman as the absolute master." They said it again when blacks were allowed by the Supreme Court to marry whites. Virginia opposed this mightily; fundamentalists there claimed "Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix." After the Supreme Court's decision you heard the same kind of whining - America has lost its way, no morality is valid once half-humans are allowed to marry our women, we will never recover from this blow etc etc. They said it when homosexuality turned from being a crime to a mere unusual event. Now they are saying it over gay marriage. Some day 50 years from now some fundamentalist will be saying "well of course I am OK with interracial and same-sex marriage. Only a bigot would claim there's anything wrong with them. But rights for augments? They are an abomination, and our society will collapse if we ever give THEM rights." If dz.com had a smiley smacking a nail on the head, I would insert it here Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #356 November 8, 2012 Quote religion is an evolutionary invention by man That may well be since religion is ritualized behavior. A personal spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is something else altogether. Would that be of interest to you?Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #357 November 8, 2012 QuoteA personal spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is something else altogether. The burden of proof has not been met for the existence of a spiritual anything or that Jesus Christ really rose from the dead. I am not convinced that Jesus Christ wasn't a composite person, essentially a myth based on a number of people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #358 November 8, 2012 OKLook for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #359 November 8, 2012 QuoteQuote religion is an evolutionary invention by man That may well be since religion is ritualized behavior. A personal spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is something else altogether. Would that be of interest to you? You are right. The former is a means of social control exercised for centuries on a largely ignorant populace, the later is a self delusional defense mechanism to make you feel better about that which you cant control.____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #360 November 8, 2012 Except, in my case there was no delusion. I had the experience of deliverance from the bonds alcoholism and other substance abuse. I have explained this phenomena on several occasions past. My only goal is to share Christ.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #361 November 8, 2012 QuoteExcept, in my case there was no delusion. I had the experience of deliverance from the bonds alcoholism and other substance abuse. I have explained this phenomena on several occasions past. My only goal is to share Christ. That doesn't distinguish it from a delusion. It just means it was a useful delusion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #362 November 8, 2012 While the effects are real, the attribution of cause to your imaginary friend is delusion. Kudos to you that your delusion worked, that the imaginary construct you put your faith in led you to improve your life. The results are admirable and not to be derided (if it works it works) but nearly every American children has more supportable "personal relationship" with Santa Claus that is just as real as your relationship with Christ. If Snuffalufagus inspires someone to clean up their life that is great, but in the end its just two men in a hairy suit.____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #363 November 8, 2012 Did you have to look up how to spell Snuffalufagus? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #364 November 8, 2012 nah just sounded it out.. google says i missed an f towards the end____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 622 #365 November 8, 2012 Apparently not. Proof of existence??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterblaster72 0 #366 November 10, 2012 Looks like God just underlined his point. Florida finally finishes its vote count and another swing state goes to Obama. Final score: 332-206 Pretty emphatic point eh? Welcome to reality. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #367 November 10, 2012 Quote Looks like God just underlined his point. Florida finally finishes its vote count and another swing state goes to Obama. Final score: 332-206 Pretty emphatic point eh? Welcome to reality. Like I said before, we have been praying for God's will. I personally do not believe he gave BHO again as a reward. Now our work and direction are quite clear. At least it is to me.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC1 0 #368 November 10, 2012 QuoteLike I said before, we have been praying for God's will. I personally do not believe he gave BHO again as a reward. Now our work and direction are quite clear. At least it is to me. The most obvious interpretation is that God wants the USA become more liberal since that's who he put in charge. Listen to the Lord Ron, join the Democrats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #369 November 10, 2012 Quote The most obvious interpretation is that God wants the USA become more liberal since that's who he put in charge. Listen to the Lord Ron, join the Democrats. No, I am not willing to do that. I gave up party affiliation several years ago.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,623 #370 November 10, 2012 QuoteQuote Looks like God just underlined his point. Florida finally finishes its vote count and another swing state goes to Obama. Final score: 332-206 Pretty emphatic point eh? Welcome to reality. Like I said before, we have been praying for God's will. I personally do not believe he gave BHO again as a reward.. I doubt that that any god (or goddess) cares one iota about what you personally believe.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC1 0 #371 November 10, 2012 QuoteQuote The most obvious interpretation is that God wants the USA become more liberal since that's who he put in charge. Listen to the Lord Ron, join the Democrats. No, I am not willing to do that. I gave up party affiliation several years ago. I would do anything for god, but I won't do that eh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #372 November 10, 2012 Quote Quote Quote The most obvious interpretation is that God wants the USA become more liberal since that's who he put in charge. Listen to the Lord Ron, join the Democrats. No, I am not willing to do that. I gave up party affiliation several years ago. I would do anything for god, but I won't do that eh? When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petejones45 0 #373 November 11, 2012 QuoteQuote religion is an evolutionary invention by man That may well be since religion is ritualized behavior. A personal spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ is something else altogether. Would that be of interest to you? no because i quit believing in imaginary friends when i was kidLook out for the freefly team, Smelly Peppers. Once we get a couple years more experience we will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future! BLUES! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgiaDon 340 #374 November 11, 2012 QuoteQuote Looks like God just underlined his point. Florida finally finishes its vote count and another swing state goes to Obama. Final score: 332-206 Pretty emphatic point eh? Welcome to reality. Like I said before, we have been praying for God's will. I personally do not believe he gave BHO again as a reward. Now our work and direction are quite clear. At least it is to me.Perfect illustration of the futility of praying for God to perform an action, such as choosing a President. There are at least four possible explanations for the outcome, with no way to distinguish between them. God may have "chosen" BHO because he was the better of the two candidates, God may have "chosen" BHO as a punishment, God may have chosen to stay out of the process altogether, or there is no God. You (Ron, and anybody else) have no objective way to tell which explanation is true, and so you choose to interpret the outcome through the lens of your own pre-existing prejudices, with the result that any possible outcome of the election would just reinforce what you already believed to be true. Face it, Ron, by "interpreting" the meaning of the election, you are just twisting God's will (whatever that may have been) to your own desires. Talk about arrogance! Don_____________________________________ Tolerance is the cost we must pay for our adventure in liberty. (Dworkin, 1996) “Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” (Yeats) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #375 November 11, 2012 Today is Veterans Day. Take a ride up to Toccoa and spend the afternoon in the Currahee Military Museum. Study the artifacts and the words of the men honored there. While you are there, try to imagine BHO as their leader.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
