RonD1120 62 #1 May 30, 2011 21 May was Armed Forces Day; last week was Military Appreciation Week; today is Memorial Day. In the past week I have attended three funerals for military veterans. Yesterday Carmen and I attended a memorial church service for two local KIA's in OIF/OEF. Today we will travel to the Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell with Carmen's brother, Henry, for the memorial ceremony. Henry is 89 and served with the naval invasion forces at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. I pray that God continue to bless the United States of America, guide us more wisely in the selection of our leaders and, never let us minimize the cost of our freedom.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
jaybird18c 25 #2 May 30, 2011 "De Oppresso Liber" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #3 May 31, 2011 At each of the funerals and both of the memorial services an invocation with Christian scripture was read and prayer was offered. Respect was provided to the fallen, their families, the U.S. flag, to the Republic for which it stands and, to our Father in Heaven. No one objected. Anyone who honestly believes that America's heritage is not based on Judeo-Christian principles is living in gross denial of the truth.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
okalb 104 #4 May 31, 2011 QuoteAnyone who honestly believes that America's heritage is not based on Judeo-Christian principles is living in gross denial of the truth. I don't think you will find many that will deny that it has become that. There are just many that feel that it goes against the principles that this country was actually founded on and it disgusts us to see the fanatics trying to push us further and further towards a "christian taliban" running the country.Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,595 #6 May 31, 2011 QuoteAt each of the funerals and both of the memorial services an invocation with Christian scripture was read and prayer was offered. Respect was provided to the fallen, their families, the U.S. flag, to the Republic for which it stands and, to our Father in Heaven. No one objected. Anyone who honestly believes that America's heritage is not based on Judeo-Christian principles is living in gross denial of the truth. I would like to congratulate you on respecting the purpose of memorial day, and not hijacking it in a cheap attempt to push your own political agenda.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybird18c 25 #7 May 31, 2011 QuoteI don't think you will find many that will deny that it has become that. There are just many that feel that it goes against the principles that this country was actually founded on and it disgusts us to see the fanatics trying to push us further and further towards a "christian taliban" running the country. The Mayflower Compact was covanantal in nature (a biblical concept). Sure, this country was also settled (maybe even primarily out of business motives) however, it's hard to deny the heavily religious influence. Our founding fathers certainly did not intend a theocracy, but religion was always integrated in government. That's not to say an establishment of religion but definitely not elimination of it from government. That would be a very revisionist view of history indeed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #8 May 31, 2011 QuoteThere are just many that feel that it goes against the principles that this country was actually founded on Like Congressional chaplains opening each session of Congress with prayer? (until present-day) Like church services being held in the House of Representatives? (until shortly after Civil War) Like national days of fasting and thanksgiving? (Washington/Adams) "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth--that God governs in the Affairs of Men." "I also believe," Franklin continued, that "without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel." "...dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation." - George Washington "Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them." - George Washington Mayhaps you don't know as much as you think about the subject. Quoteand it disgusts us to see the fanatics trying to push us further and further towards a "christian taliban" running the country. Nice soundbite... is that you, dreamdancer?Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #9 May 31, 2011 QuoteOur founding fathers certainly did not intend a theocracy, but religion was always integrated in government. That's not to say an establishment of religion but definitely not elimination of it from government. Integrated? No, I disagree - determined to not re-create the equivalent of the Church of England? Absolutely. In fact, when introducing the Bill of Rights to the Convention, Madison stated "the civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed."Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #10 May 31, 2011 QuoteAt each of the funerals and both of the memorial services an invocation with Christian scripture was read and prayer was offered. Respect was provided to the fallen, their families, the U.S. flag, to the Republic for which it stands and, to our Father in Heaven. No one objected. Anyone who honestly believes that America's heritage is not based on Judeo-Christian principles is living in gross denial of the truth. Blah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deltron80 0 #11 May 31, 2011 QuoteAt each of the funerals and both of the memorial services an invocation with Christian scripture was read and prayer was offered. Respect was provided to the fallen, their families, the U.S. flag, to the Republic for which it stands and, to our Father in Heaven. No one objected. Anyone who honestly believes that America's heritage is not based on Judeo-Christian principles is living in gross denial of the truth. watch what you say to this witch doctor he might do some voodoo on ur ass Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #12 May 31, 2011 QuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting?Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deltron80 0 #13 May 31, 2011 QuoteQuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting? I believe he implied it by saying we were living in "gross denial of the truth" LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #14 May 31, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting? I believe he implied it by saying we were living in "gross denial of the truth" LOL So, we'll put you down in the 'projection' column as well, then?Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #15 May 31, 2011 QuoteQuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting? I'm using past and present posts to connect the dots."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanG 1 #16 May 31, 2011 Do you think Christian prayers would have been offered if the fallen had been Jewish, Hindu, or Muslim? Could the fact that the fallen were Christians have influenced the types of prayers offered, or do you believe that Christian prayers should be offered regardless of the beliefs of the fallen or their families? - Dan G Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #17 May 31, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting? I'm using past and present posts to connect the dots. Feel free to show the posts where he has advocated forcing people to worship in the Christian faith.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #18 May 31, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting? I'm using past and present posts to connect the dots. Feel free to show the posts where he has advocated forcing people to worship in the Christian faith. Feel free to show the posts where he has advocated allowing people to worship in non-Christian faiths or allowing people to not worship at all."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #19 May 31, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteBlah, blah, blah ... I believe in something I can't prove and you better believe it to ... blah, blah, blah. I must have missed where he said "and you better believe it too" - can you point it out for me, or were you just projecting? I'm using past and present posts to connect the dots. Feel free to show the posts where he has advocated forcing people to worship in the Christian faith. Feel free to show the posts where he has advocated allowing people to worship in non-Christian faiths or allowing people to not worship at all. So, you "believe in something you can't prove", hmm?Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KidWicked 0 #20 May 31, 2011 QuoteAt each of the funerals and both of the memorial services an invocation with Christian scripture was read and prayer was offered. Respect was provided to the fallen, their families, the U.S. flag, to the Republic for which it stands and, to our Father in Heaven. No one objected. Anyone who honestly believes that America's heritage is not based on Judeo-Christian principles is living in gross denial of the truth. I'm just curious, but would it be ideal in your opinion if 100% of the US population was christian?Coreece: "You sound like some skinheads I know, but your prejudice is with Christians, not niggers..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #21 May 31, 2011 QuoteDo you think Christian prayers would have been offered if the fallen had been Jewish, Hindu, or Muslim? Could the fact that the fallen were Christians have influenced the types of prayers offered, or do you believe that Christian prayers should be offered regardless of the beliefs of the fallen or their families? I feel certain they were of the Christian faith as were their families. The PGR will stand in respect regardless of the person's religious preference. So far all the ceremonies I have attended have been Christian. I suspect the family of a Jewish veteran would request PGR escort and/or flag line. It just hasn't happened for the year I have been riding with them. A Hindu or Muslim family, I just don't know if they would want us present. If requested we would honor the request. The point I was making is the Atheists don't attempt that separation of church and state misunderstanding at the funerals of our veterans.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
RonD1120 62 #22 May 31, 2011 Quote Feel free to show the posts where he has advocated allowing people to worship in non-Christian faiths or allowing people to not worship at all. How about this one. Feel free to worship or not worship any thing, any person or, any place that works for you. I only offer testimony that after many years of searching and testing I found the answer in Christ Jesus.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
DanG 1 #23 May 31, 2011 The funeral of a veteran should be about the veteran and their family. If they want Christian prayers, fine. If they want other religious prayers, fine. If they don't want any prayers at all, that should be fine with you, too. A funeral, even if it occurs at a National Cemetary, is not a government function. I think we can both agree on that. Where I disagree with you is in your implication that since it is okay to have Christian prayers at a soldier's funeral, the US is therefore a Christian nation. If that's not what you were implying, then I apologise. - Dan G Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 897 #24 May 31, 2011 The government shows up for the funerals too? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #25 May 31, 2011 Quote I'm just curious, but would it be ideal in your opinion if 100% of the US population was christian? No, it would not be ideal. People are still sinners and the churches are full of them. The only quality that is ideal is knowing your name is in the book of life.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
