RonD1120

Man, you are batting 1K this morning. However, he is a raghead. What else can you expect. I must be really bored. I'd better go outside for awhile. 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.

Who is basing their hope in Secular Humanism? And hope for what? Everyone that does not believe in a metaphysical higher power as hope for life fulfillment. I don't believe in a metaphysical higher power and I'm not a Secular Humanist. I might well agree with many of their positions but I've never bothered to check what they are. Perhaps you could tell me where I base my hope? You always seek to make semantical arguments, a standard liberal tactic. You come across as a person without hope, an ego centric seeking only the maximum return for today and no thought for tomorrow. I base that opinion on the way you express yourself and your profile. 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.

Nope, wrong concept. I would help you if you keep track of all my posts. Just a suggestion. I am keeping track. It's right there in black and white. You specifically mentioned religious education vs the lack of it. jclalor replied directly to that, and then you responded with an extremely condescending post that shifted the goalposts towards personal revelatory experience. This brought you a double opportunity to a) insult him and b) completely ignore the fact that he's provided a full study that contradicted you anecdotal evidence. OK, I'll give you that one. Change "The other nine are much younger and they were raised in church" to read, the other nine are much younger and they were raised with Christian principals. 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.

Who is basing their hope in Secular Humanism? And hope for what? Everyone that does not believe in a metaphysical higher power as hope for life fulfillment. 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.

Nope, wrong concept. I would help you if you keep track of all my posts. Just a suggestion. 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.

Everything I saw or read pertaining to waterboarding indicated that the practice produces the intense fear of drowning. It does not create physical pain. How is fear equated with torture? Creating fear to motivate or modify someone's behavior is an everyday occurrence. Fear, in some form, was emphasized in every position I ever held. If you choose to respond, base your response on the concept that fear equals torture. To me, it seems obvious; but I realized that we could get bogged down in defining "torture". So, to help lay a foundation, and since we're discussing actions done by or on behalf of the United States, here's the definition under United States law: *** TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 113C > § 2340 § 2340. Definitions As used in this chapter— (1) “torture” means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control; (2) “severe mental pain or suffering” means the prolonged mental harm caused by or resulting from— (A) the intentional infliction or threatened infliction of severe physical pain or suffering; (B) the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality; (C) the threat of imminent death; or (D) the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality... If I was a judge (and with 25 years of practice I think I'm qualified to be one), I would rule that waterboarding constitutes torture under US law under several aspects of this legal definition. Thank you, that makes sense to me, from the legal perspective. 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.

Eh, you have no right to take exception to my concerns regarding my family. None of your business. Today is Sunday. Just as a suggestion, go to a nearby church and just listen. Don't make any commitments, just listen. 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.

Then expalin: Several weeks ago, a ground-breaking study on religious belief and social well-being was published in the Journal of Religion & Society. Comparing 18 prosperous democracies from the U.S. to New Zealand, author Gregory S Paul quietly demolished the myth that faith strengthens society. Drawing on a wide range of studies to cross-match faith – measured by belief in God and acceptance of evolution – with homicide and sexual behavior, Paul found that secular societies have lower rates of violence and teenage pregnancy than societies where many people profess belief in God. Top of the class, in both atheism and good behavior, come the Japanese. Over eighty percent accept evolution and fewer than ten percent are certain that God exists. Despite its size – over a hundred million people – Japan is one of the least crime-prone countries in the world. It also has the lowest rates of teenage pregnancy of any developed nation. (Teenage pregnancy has less tragic consequences than violence but it is usually unwanted, and it is frequently associated with deprivation among both mothers and children. In general, it is a Bad Thing.) Next in line are the Norwegians, British, Germans and Dutch. At least sixty percent accept evolution as a fact and fewer than one in three are convinced that there is a deity. There is little teenage pregnancy , although the Brits, with over 40 pregnancies per 1,000 girls a year, do twice as badly as the others. Homicide rates are also low -- around 1-2 victims per 100,000 people a year. At the other end of the scale comes America. Over 50 percent of Americans believe in God, and only 40 percent accept some form of evolution (many believe it had a helping hand from the Deity). The U.S. has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and homicide rates are at least five times greater than in Europe and ten times higher than in Japan. All this information points to a strong correlation between faith and antisocial behavior -- a correlation so strong that there is good reason to suppose that religious belief does more harm than good. At first glance that is a preposterous suggestion, given that religions preach non-violence and sexual restraint. However, close inspection reveals a different story. Faith tends to weaken rather than strengthen people’s ability to participate in society. That makes it less likely they will respect social customs and laws. All believers learn that God holds them responsible for their actions. So far so good, but for many, belief absolves them of all other responsibilities. Consciously or subconsciously, those who are "born again" or "chosen" have diminished respect for others who do not share their sect or their faith. Convinced that only the Bible offers "truth", they lose their intellectual curiosity and their ability to reason. Their priority becomes not the world they live in but themselves. The more people prioritize themselves rather than those around them, the weaker society becomes and the greater the likelihood of antisocial behavior. Hence gun laws which encourage Americans to see each other not as fellow human beings who deserve protection, but as potential aggressors who deserve to die. And hence a health care system which looks after the wealthy rather than the ill. As for intimacy… Faith encourages ignorance rather than responsible behavior. In other countries, intimacy education includes contraception, reducing the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Such an approach recognizes that young people have the right to make their own choices and helps them make decisions that benefit society as a whole. In America faith-driven abstinence programs deny them that right -- "As a Christian I will only help you if you do what I say". The result is soaring rates of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Show me ANY study where non-beleivers are more law abiding than beleivers. My, my, my, personal revelatory experience is the explanation. I've had it, you haven't. It is no more complicated than that. I am not responsible for your anger but, I recognize that I am a target of opportunity as your scapegoat. I'm OK with that. I'll be your huckleberry. 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.

You might want to check the DSM-IV. 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.

Agreed Disagree. In the (essentially religious) sense in which I believe you are using/defining the word "faith", Secular Humanism is not a "faith". While it is a philosophy, not all guiding philosophies of human ethics and conduct are "faiths". Secular Humanism If you base your hope in it, it is a faith. 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.

Everything I saw or read pertaining to waterboarding indicated that the practice produces the intense fear of drowning. It does not create physical pain. How is fear equated with torture? Creating fear to motivate or modify someone's behavior is an everyday occurrence. Fear, in some form, was emphasized in every position I ever held. If you choose to respond, base your response on the concept that fear equals torture. 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.

I see see it this way. Freedom of speech guarantees our right to sell, persuade, influence any issue we choose. Christianity is a faith; Islam is a faith; secular humanism is a faith. Christians are forced to proclaim their faith in every venue possible for the love and concern of their children and families. They don't trust Islam and they have no faith in secular humanism. A politician would never proclaim his/her Christian faith publicly unless a political benefit was assured or strongly anticipated. As far as public education goes I believe this, the incidence of mental illness has increased in direct proportion to the decrease in religious teaching. That's my position based on my personal experience, belief and chosen path for the last 29 years. I am not concerned with whomever chooses not to be Christian. I am only concerned with my right to proclaim my belief and my desire to associate with like-minded people. I have grandchildren from my wife's offspring, her first marriage. The oldest, 19 YOF, was not raised with any religious teaching and she is a cold-hearted, self-centered young lady. I am concerned for her welfare. The other nine are much younger and they were raised in church. They are warm, fun loving, lovable kids to be around. The difference is overwhelmingly obvious. 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.

You are drifting away from the issue. The problem is not the absence of protection from illegal use aircraft. The issue is the availability of aircraft for illegal use. Exactly, availability and frivolous use of aircraft must be stopped or at least severely curtailed. By restricting aircraft use to a few centralized airports around necessary metropolitan areas we can easily monitor who is gaining access. There should be no more than 100 such ports, two per state, in the U.S.A. where aircraft can be accessed. Altitude usage can be regulated by need and proven experience. Licenses to pilot aircraft should be issued only to those who demonstrate such license will be used for the common good. Manufacturers must be held responsible for making their products available to anyone who can afford them. Aircraft are complex and potentially dangerous pieces of equipment. Only certain intellectually elite persons are capable of safely owning and flying them. Aircraft should not be allowed to be scattered around the flight line, held in place by one or two ropes. Aircraft should be securely locked in hangers constructed like bank vaults with time locks and security devices. The aircraft controls should be locked in such a manner that only a select few can gain access and not just some eleven year old boy seeking a joy ride. Fuel should be completely expended or drained from the aircraft after each use. Leaving an aircraft fueled is an invitation for disaster. Bottom line, aircraft destroy buildings, damage the environment and kill people. Ownership and use for leisure purposes must be stopped. There are too many small unregulated airports and too many aircraft available to society. Only by reducing the number of aircraft, by any means necessary, can we feel safe from the irresponsible, mentally incapable, reckless, criminal sociopaths that desire the unrestricted use of the space above our homes and our children. Given the current state of affairs and tragic recent examples, think how your children must feel every time they go outside to play and see an aircraft or someone dressed in aviation attire. Think of the children and the unexpressed fear they must harbor in their impressionable minds. 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.

Good one! 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.

Argue? Convert? My dear fellow you fail to see the humor. This is a forum for intellectualization and pontification. No one will ever win or be converted by the BS of cyberspace. This is fantasy land for those who do not have video games at hand. 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.

Correctly stated. 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.

Thank 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.

Good one! 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.

While some of us were working on our advanced degrees, Ron was killing billions of brain cells daily with his admitted substance abuse. It explains a lot. I have an advanced degree. As far as killing brain cells, only the weak ones. Don't you always feel smarter after a couple beers? 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.

HEY!! what about a car???? No, that is a waste because we have public transportation. However, i-phones and 52" HDTV's are justified. 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.

It is far more important for you to understand you than it is for you to understand me. I am just a voice in the cyber wilderness. 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.

You misunderstand. Our social ills are the result of those privileged elite making more than $50K per year. Their obscene wealth needs to be redistributed to the ghettos and the barrios. If those folks had more welfare they could get the healthcare and housing they desire. 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.

I am retired with Medicare supplement insurance. Last year the copay for a specialist was $25 this year it is $30. Copay for a regular doc is $10. Last year I was treated for cancer and it cost me around $4K. We get no COLA in Social Security and an increase in Dr charges. I am a veteran so I get some care through the VA with a copay of $15. What is worse, sometimes I have to wait an hour or more just to see a doctor. I am a citizen and the government should take care of me. I spent my working years trying to help the dregs of society. Those social services were federally funded. They owe me. I think we should have free meals on wheels with pizza and bar-b-que on the menu also. 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.

The cost of Stinger missiles is beyond the means of the average citizen. Only computer programers, lawyers and doctors could afford one. If aviation activities were restricted to key locations in the country then we could adequately monitor and regulate the safe use of aircraft. Mainly we could reduce the desire to use these dangerous vehicles for purposes other then what they were designed, primarily military applications and transportation. I know people who own aircraft for no other purpose but to brag about it. This waste of financial resources is unacceptable in our society at this level of social awareness and human need. 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.

What do you think personal experiences do to effect reality? 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.