pajarito

You know…I’m going to go out on a limb and say, even though I don’t know the context of this quote, that there’s probably a lot more to the person’s argument against “embryo” stem cell research than merely “I know in my heart it is wrong.” I don’t think it was a good idea to spend tax dollars for this and I probably would have used my own money if it bothered me that much, however, I doubt that Ashcroft is the first to take the liberty of doing something like this. Ashcroft’s just happened to be of a religious or morality issue. The fines must be high in order to make them effective. For example, Atlanta pollutes the Chattahoochee River and those of us downstream suffer the effects. They don’t care at all and pay tens of thousands of dollars per day in fines. They’d rather pay the fines because it doesn’t even sting and not fix their problems. As a matter of fact, they just keep expanding and the problems increase yearly. Anyway, there also has to be some standard for decency in broadcast media. If you want to show your ass to the world, do it on cable. That’s a complicated one. If we’re just talking about “developing” countries, it might be more beneficial, in the long run, to continue funding treatment of AIDS and try and convince them otherwise about abortions at a later date.

The processor speed of my computer (400mhz), back when I bought it around 98 used to be considered very fast. Now, only a short number of years later, it's considered a slug comparatively and the technology has increased exponentially. I just think it's a dangerous trend in reference to implants.

I hate that too!! Scares the hell out of me!

It's a disturbing idea.

I agree with PeacefulJeffrey!

C.S. Lewis states: “When people break the rule of propriety current in their own time and place, if they do so in order to excite lust in themselves or others, then they are offending against chastity.” Therefore, I don’t think it’s the particular body part that’s important (i.e. “boobies”). Like you said, a woman’s neck or even ankles used to be considered sexual. It’s all in one’s motive.

I could be wrong but I don't believe it mentions "boobies" per say. However, it does make reference to women and men covering up and dressing appropriately in reference to chastity. Of course, in some cultures, "boobies" aren't considered to be the sexual focus of desire that we in our culture make them out to be. "I like boobies!" I think that, for the most part, those that are that way are farther detached from Christianity.

Are you an anarchist?

Because the people who set laws like this are fat, religious, sexually repressed puritanical chauvenists. You don't necessarily have to be religious in order to possess a sense of decency and morals. I'm quite sure that it's not just the religious folk who might think that people covering themselves up is good thing. I'm also pretty sure that it's also not just the religious people who are setting or agreeing with rules like this. By the way, why must one be fat and sexually repressed in order to be religious?

Got several jumps out of a contract-air DC-3 when in Army HALO school back in 92' at Ft. Bragg. What a nice ride!

And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. Matthew 17:20” Do all those who kill themselves go to Hell? Some people believe that all who commit suicide go immediately to Hell. However, the Bible never says if this is the case. The Bible is silent on this issue. God probably did not address it in black in white for a good reason. If we knew that we would still go to Heaven if we killed ourselves, there would probably be a lot more suicides taking place than there already are. However, if we knew that all who killed themselves were automatically banished to Hell, no matter what their situation, it may be too much for the grief-stricken family and friends to bear. Murder and suicide are not unpardonable sins. The only unforgivable sins are rejecting Christ (Mark 16:16) and blaspheming the Holy Spirit. (Mark 3:28-29 KJV) Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: All other sins can be forgiven. However, anyone contemplating suicide may be in danger of going to Hell, as their relationship with the Lord is not intact at that point. Those who would consider suicide may have a severed relationship with Christ and therefore they would enter the real Hell--which is worse than the hellish feelings they are experiencing at the moment. Suicide Maybe, I misstated. If so, I apologize. I meant that “we” must reconcile with God (explained in more detail in previous posts). Along with free-will comes the thought of being able to do the things of God and without God. Pride is not always a bad thing, however, in this context, it is. In fact, it is the worst sin and can be found at the root of just about every form of crime. This is passed down from generation to generation. Does it not make sense that your offspring will not inherit some of you in this aspect? Those un-Godly traits might be considered to be a disease by some. I won’t even begin to address the attempt made above to compare Godly vs. Government punishment. It’s just not the same. Again, God doesn’t “want” to punish anyone; however, justice is a necessary thing.

God did that in a much more severe scenario with his son because of his love for you. He doesn’t “wish” harm on us, just what’s good for us and necessary. However, there is justice for our actions and payment will come due. ”But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. II Peter 8-10” Abraham wasn’t forced to kill his son. It was a test of the depth of his faith. Life is a maturity process during which we tested. It’s ongoing. We are supposed to develop into a better person over time. Even if God knows what you’re going to do, sometimes you need to prove it to yourself and grow stronger.

The alternative is the apparent needful clinging to an irrational and contradictory human self advanced by individual prideful and selfish desires.

God is responsible for creating all of us in his “image.” In other words, he didn’t create robots that would follow a coded script. He created living, thinking, creatures with the ability to choose and act on their own. In that way, he created us like himself. This was done in order for a relationship to be possible. Every indication in scripture leads to the conclusion that God wanted a relationship with his creation (in reference to us). Otherwise, what would be the point? Maybe, God is all powerful, ever present, and all knowing but he is not “everything.” The designer is separate from his creation. His “image” is in us and his creativity in everything he made, like a duck billed platypus, but he is not what he made. A painter who paints a portrait puts his personality into his work but he is not the painting. We are made in the image of God but that doesn’t mean that we were “programmed” to do specific things at specific times. I personally don’t see why the literature has to be discarded. Therefore, since I believe it to be accurate and trustworthy, the standard for goodness is basically spelled out in the 10 Commandments. Before the law is shown to us, how do we know we’re wrong? If you’re constantly surrounded by sickness, how do you really know the depth of your own sickness? I am convicted by these commandments and it becomes quite obvious to me that I don’t even come close to the holiness of God. The “wages of sin is death” and justice is a necessary thing, therefore, there will be accountability for our selfishness in the end. Since it is impossible for us as imperfect beings to pay that penalty (speaking of spiritual death mind you), God became the person of Jesus and paid the price for us if only we “choose” to live through him. We live in a physical world and this is our current reality. A physical and personal “blood” sacrifice is entirely appropriate. Like I said before, both ideas are equally supportable in reference to the sovereignty of God and our inherent free-will. You can’t eliminate one in lieu of the other. They are two truths running parallel courses. In our limited understanding, we can either choose to eliminate one and support the other or we can accept both of them for what they are. I believe the more responsible thing to do is the latter.

Spiritual body. Our physical bodies are insignificant.

Thought I'd respond to this one first since it's easy and most of your others require some thought on my part. Our views are very conflicting, however, they lead to some very interesting discussions. I agree 100% with this post.

I don’t think that’s what he’s ascribing to by saying what he said. Personally, I think the life experience is one of sacrifice and learning. That is to say, we’re given opportunities every day to think of others rather than ourselves. I don’t claim to do a good job in this area myself. It’s a work-in-progress whereby we mature. Some might consider that suffering. However, others might consider it pleasure and what ultimately leads to true happiness. Pride. That sounds like Pantheism. Sounds like a demeaning rather than sincere question. Why must it hold that just because we exist in the environment of a time continuum, our actions must be controlled or scripted by the force that created it? in the large perspective you either have freewill (nothing is predetermined from any viewpoint) or you do not (someone (the prime mover) knows exactly how, why, when you will behave as you do because you were created to do exactly that) and you are living the illusion of freewill due to your limited perspective.. You’re putting limits on God based on your own limited perspective. That’s a form of pride.

Jerry! ... Jerry! ... Jerry!

Voting is your right and privilege as a US citizen paid for dearly by those that came before you. I think you should vote regardless.

Dude...that would be freakin' awsome! Right on! If only...

Wha...oh...ok....I'm paying attention now. Aside from what Storm1977 posted, I'm just wondering when you're going to start the revolution?

Counted, recounted, confirmed, people gotta get over it sometime and stop whining... Really? What about all the people improperly excluded from the voter lists? I don't think their votes EVER got counted. Who are you referring to? Convicted felons, illegal aliens, or just people just to f$*&%@# stupid to walk around let alone fill out a ballot and actually know who they're voting for?

Maybe. Hey...if there's an idiot running around out there but he's doing stuff that helps me out, I'm tempted to just let him keep doing what he wants. If he's a hinderance or a liability, however, that's another story and actions might need to be taken otherwise. That's just part of the nature of unconventional warfare. That's a different kind of war requiring a less than conventional mindset.

It's not the size of the gun, it's how and if you'll use it! At least, that's what I keep telling myself.