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Community > Posts By > greeneyeman
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Topic:
Question....
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Tough question.
I would just say take it one day after another and just make the best out of life. There is really not much more you can do. These questions have been asked for thousands of years. One thing I know is that you will have alot of different opinions about them. We cannot say we are oblivious to imagination! That is for sure. :) |
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Thor is coming to Earth!
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Yes! Captain America is probably really good also. Very cool to see all of these comics as movies now.
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Topic:
Thor is coming to Earth!
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Is anyone looking forward in seeing the movie Thor?
I would post a video preview of it in here but I don't know how! |
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Very true about first fixing the elementary level in education to build up on better learning methods in the future to understand more difficult concepts.
Yes the Modern Whig Party is a odd group for they are former Democrats and Republicans that suddenly found a middle way to figure out how to resolve some of the problems here in the US. As a recently former vet myself I have observed that they campaign hard in and out of the military trying to get vets to join their party. I personally wish that somehow the two parties would agree on more things on the floor then they do now but it seems like it will just continue to be a back and forth party power system. 4 years Democratic sometimes 8 years then the power shifts back to the Republicans for 4 to 8 years and then back to the Democrats. In the end I hope we will come to some agreements and not resort to violence as a solution. I am tired of war and violence. |
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Topic:
Why ????
Edited by
greeneyeman
on
Fri 04/22/11 05:33 AM
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actually to make the idea work you'd have to toss out the most perfect document outlining the most perfect government ever to exist on the planet and starting over; the u.s. constitutional concept that 'all men are created equal' suggests that the individual is as great as any group including humanity as a whole. greed was around long before money existed. greed is evident in every species. territorialism, males fighting for females, or some other 'what's in it for me' mindset exists ian all life forms. survival itself is a form of greed. hiv is only trying to survive when it attacks the human body. too bad for the human but hey. I don't think the Constitution has to be thrown out if the Venus Project would actually exist. Actually the system would imply that all men are created equal since a Direct Democracy would be installed, which means the people actually vote for what they want instead of a represenative for a republic who usually change towards greed doing duties in interest for the large corporations instead of what they suppose to do and represent the peoples interest. That is why they were voted in the first place. You should check out the term "Plutonomy" and see that the only thing that is preventing the rich from having complete control of the world is the "vote" from the people. I think the thought of not having a monetary system seems to scare the majority of the people in the world and that such a concept is probably unimaginable to happen. I am also sure that certain interest groups would never let something like a Venus Project or anykind of Utopian society happen. I mean think about it for a second. What would happen if there wasn't a stock exchange suddenly? Would that be the end of the world? Would it destroy prospects for everyone or would we still be able to sustain as a world society? What if we found a different alternative to accomplish trading successfully then having to use the monetary system? Would it be the end of the world as we know it just because we don't use currencies? In the end the Venus Project will probably only remain a imaginative idea for Jacque and his few followers, yet one should give credit that he used his imagination in trying to find a solution to our world epidemic growing problems we are enduring now and in the future. Such things would include as you said diseases world population increase pollution tyranny and dictatorship possiblities due to greed greed in general for more power drinking water shortage correct government establishments that work for the people taxes deficits economic problems when representing countries I must also add that Jacque of the Venus Project also wanted to get rid of boundaries and nationalities as a idea. I know it sounds absurd, but are we not just a people with the same needs in many ways. I am aware the majority wouldn't even like the idea to represent as a universal world people and are very proud of their nationalities that we represent across the world. I have yet to see an American that is not proud of his country for example or a French man not proud of his country, but don't we at times get the better ego out of ourselves if we think in this manner? I am not suggesting that the Venus Project is the ultimate solution, I was just indicating that there are people out there that are contemplating on a bigger scope on how to resolve some of our current problems in the world and perhaps....just perhaps a radical change would improve our conditions. And maybe not...maybe we need no changes and they occur anyway. What we do know is it is good that people around the world discuss them and one can see in each country how they go about it. I personally enjoy how Switzerland is running its country. If you google Switzerland's governmental rules on how they run a country you would see it is a interesting aspect of how they do it. If America can do something in this manner? Probably would be difficult since it is such a large country with 50 individual states each with additional laws added to them. It would also interest me and probably this would belong in the political forum or something. I am not sure for I am a newbie here and yet to see how these forum threads work, but if the US required every citizen to vote like they do in Norway. It is like a law for them to vote over there. I know that only around 80 million vote over here in the states (give or take a few million each year). The point is that if we had all 360 million vote we would probably come closer to what the majority of the people think about the topics we find important. Such topics would include abortion laws, medicare, foreign policies, military spending, civil rights laws, voting procedures, religion, etc. etc. Anyway I just add more food to thought of course. I am no politician or economic advisor that is for sure, but it surely doesn't prevent me to voice my thoughts and concerns about it. I am always willing to hear anyone out on it though. |
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When the world seems dark, and the end is nigh....(again  )
Who are you going to blame? It's so handy to have a default figure. There's also the 'ingroup' ...'outgroup' mentality that sits amongst almost every human being...and ties in with the herding instinct of the human animal. Us or them....separation...elevation...pecking order. it all ties in to the common psyche of humans. Of course this is a generalisation...and there are the rare few over our history that don't succumb to any of it....or develop a capacity to overcome it. We will do everything we possibly can to avoid pain...it's a natural instinct....we humans just require this answer for everything...no stone unturned...and will distance ourselves by using a figurehead, or a collective of 'others' to hold accountable. I don't know if I am making sense to others here.. 
I know what I am attempting to share.. This makes alot of sense to me and thank you for sharing. |
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Edited by
greeneyeman
on
Fri 04/22/11 03:26 AM
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Modern Whig Party was created by veterans of the Iraq War. They shared discussions on what is best for the country. When we look into it some of the ideas are Liberal and others are Conservative. A mixture of both.
Here is what they believe in as a whole: Fiscal Responsibility - "The Modern Whig philosophy is to empower the states with the resources to handle their unique affairs." Energy independence - "Reduce dependence on foreign oil by developing practical source of alternative energy. This will have the simultaneous effect of changing the national security dynamic." Education/Scientific Advancement - "Increased public and private emphasis on fields such as space, oceanic, medical and nanotechnology. Also, providing common-sense solutions to enhance our educational system from pre-school to university- level studies." States' rights - Each state can determine its course of action based on local values and unique needs. " Social progression - "Government should refrain from legislating morality." Veterans' affairs - "Vigilant advocacy relating to the medical, financial, and overall-well being of our military families and veterans." There are also self-described "General Principles" of Modern Whig philosophy that are included along with the tenets: "This includes general principles of fiscal responsibility, strong national defense and bold social progression." So what do you say? Good or Bad? |
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Spirituality, Religion, or other means to calm the soul or motivate it. Is it required at all?
Why do people use it? Perhaps insecurities? Perhaps to motivate? Perhaps to live better? Why do some need it more then others? What is your output on the matter? |
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Topic:
Why ????
Edited by
greeneyeman
on
Fri 04/22/11 03:56 AM
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I have a friend who is over 90 that has been preaching a perfect Utopia for over 50 years. Unfortunately only few follow it...well what is few...a few million but not enough to make a world impact. If you get a chance go to google and type in the Venus Project. It surely is a interesting idea and I believe it would be worth a try. Unfortunately I don't think it will ever happen and if so then much has to go wrong before people would even consider this idea. I can't view his website. It's simply beyond the capabilities of my dial-up connection and browser. But I did look him up on Wiki. Based on what I've read there it sounds like he wants to do away with the concept of money and economy altogether and basically form a type of socialism where resources are shared based on who needs them rather than by who can pay for them. I have far more practical ideas of how an economy-based society can actually be made to work without having to be over-run by monopolies that are in fierce competition. It's not money that is killing us, it the competition to make the money that is killing us. Manufactures today are purposefully designing "Throw-way" products that are designed to become obsolete almost overnight. They are also designed to be unfriendly in terms of repair, etc. And automobile manufacturers are no exception to this. So as long as manufactures are focused on "making money" instead of focusing on what's best for humanity and the environment things are never going to change. But money itself is not the culprit. It's the way we view manufacturing solely as a means of "making money" that has become our nemesis. As long as money is involved in society there will never be a moment where greed doesn't come in play. In medieval times churches would determine the decisions of the people and bring in big profits at the same time to bribe or even control kings. Today banks that overtower the churches in cities now stimulate decisions that we follow like sheep in turn of huge corporations that influence our government and partially work for the government also. You may have heard of the term "Plutonomy" in which 1% of the wealthiest outweighs 99% of the peoples entire wealth move our economy to their desires. It is true that Jacque wants to eliminate the monetary system and find a sort of bartering system for everyone. He doesn't want a monopoly or control of anything. He will not be considered the leader or a president for his idea. He seeks no power either. He actually thinks government is also not a solution either and would get rid of it feeling it is not worth having one. People then ask how will there be order? How will a society work? He mentions that the people will vote on it. In other words he is looking for a Direct Democracy as opposed to a Republic run by represenatives run by the government who in reality do not represent the people as soon as they are elected. Direct Democracy as partial like Switzerland is using is a far better approach that allows us to know exactly what the people want instead of what corporate interests need to ensure their profits remain high regardless if the population suffers or not. . Another great video to watch on why the monetary system will eventually collapse is "Zeitgeist". There you will have a better explanation on why the monetary system cannot sustain us forever. I must admit that the idea is far fetch to most people when they hear about it, yet if you look into the possiblity of running a society that is truly run by the people without a monetary system but instead of a cooperative agreement to ensure everyone has the most sophisticated technology, best homes available to them, and a equal education throughout the world fighting some of the hardest concerns we might accomplish more in the end. But don't worry....99% of the people cannot adjust to such a new lifestyle and the ultimate rich would never allow it to happen. So if you get a chance to download on youtube the following you might find it compelling to watch and read. Of course one would have to have a open mind to it or otherwise one just denies the idea from the get go. Check out Bilderberg Group Check out Zeitgeist Videos Check out the main website of the Venus Project Now again to remind you this is not Socialism or Communism that most scream out as soon as they see a different concept of their own. It is a new way of seeing how to live amongst each other bringing out the most of our minds to innovative ideas to modernize our world in a cleaner safer environment that could eliminate poverty and crime. I guess it is an experiment that Jacque has been working on for over 60 years. I am sure there are many before him that dreamed of a Utopia and attempted it, but all have fallen short somehow or somewhere, so I don't think the Venus Project will ever find its glory in reality, but it is good to imagine at times. In the end, competition will remain, power thrives will continue, inequality and modern day slave trade will continue, crime will continue, corporations will influence governments, and debts will remain high for the majority of the population throughout the world. It is fascinating to see that we as a people accept this lifestyle as soon as we enter the world as adults thriving to find ends meet. Of course not all are in this situation but the majority in the world are. Also you might wonder about the motivation to invent if no reward will be given for it? The reward is that the people live better because of the invention and one is recognized for it. In otherwords, when a inventor discovers something he is not looking to patent it for himself and to figure out how to make billions of dollars in it, but instead distribute his idea to everyone so the people can live better for it. This of course is unheard off to most people's minds because of the greed and need for money, but there are few inventors that did such acts. When they are asked why they didn't patent their idea, they simply say that the patent goes to the people. At the moment I can only think of Jonas Salk who didn't patent the polio vaccine. There are more though! I guess it is a kind of mind set that would have to work universally in order to make such a project work. Alot of communication and ideas would have to add to the Venus Project discussing on how we as a people (world people) not just the United States can improve our environments as a whole. Anyway it is just food for thought and I am very aware that 99% of the people will look at the Venus Project skeptically for they are closing their minds at the possibilities of how we might have to make a major overhaul altogether to ensure a future in our world. If we do nothing then we will only see more and more hardships in the future. Also if you ever travel to the Venus Project near Okeechobbee lake in Florida you can visit his facility and actually discuss about his ideas and suggest better ones. He is really great to talk to and has alot to say. I am sure there are many great ideas out there and that is why we have these discussions. Your idea sounds great also but I can already see alot of laws have to be created to ensure for them to work. |
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Topic:
Why are we so complicated?
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So many different types of religions! I wonder if a professor in Theology had to study all of these different belief systems. If so, I would love to know what their opinion of it all comes to.
Bábísm Bahá'í Bahá'í Faith Orthodox Bahá'í Faith Islam Kharijites Nation of Islam Shiite Alawites Ismailis Jafari Zaiddiyah Ghulat including Alevi / Bektashi Ahl-e Haqq Yazidi Druze Ahmadi Sunni Berailvi Deobandi Hanafi Hanbali Maliki Mu'tazili Shafi'i Wahhabi Sufism Naqshbandi Bektashi Chishti Mevlevi Zikri Judaism (see also: Jew; Hebrews) Contemporary divisions Karaite Judaism Rabbinic Judaism Orthodox Judaism Haredi Judaism Hassidic Judaism Modern Orthodox Judaism Reform Judaism Conservative Judaism (Masorti) Reconstructionist Judaism (arguably not a religion) Humanistic Judaism (arguably not a religion) Historical Sects Hasmoneans Essenes Pharisees Sadducees Zealots Sicarii sects that believed Jesus was a prophet Ebionites Elkasites Nazarenes Crypto-Jews Marranos Conversos Christianity (see List of Christian denominations) Eastern Orthodoxy Roman Catholicism Oriental Orthodoxy (Monophysitism) Nestorianism Protestantism Anabaptists Anglicans Baptists Lutherans Methodists Pentecostals Reformed Calvinism Presbyterian Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Unitarians Waldensians Latter-day Saints Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Community of Christ Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Seventh-day Adventist Jehovah's Witnesses Messianic Judaism (not actually Judaism but rather Jewish-rite Christianity) Samaritans Mandaeanists Rastafarians Black Hebrews Hebrew Christians [edit] Dharmic religions Religions with a concept of Dharma, also major religions of historical India Hinduism (see also Contemporary Hindu movements) Agama Hindu Dharma (Javanese Hinduism) Shaivism Shaktism Smartism Vaishnavism Gaudiya Vaishnavism ISKCON (Hare Krishna) Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission Six major schools and movements of Hindu philosophy Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Purva mimamsa Vedanta (Uttar Mimamsa) Advaita Vedanta Integral Yoga Yoga Ashtanga Yoga Hatha yoga Siddha Yoga Tantric Yoga Ayyavazhi Shramana Religions Buddhism (see Schools of Buddhism) Mahayana Nikaya schools (which have historically been called Hinayana in the West) Theravada Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism) Jainism Digambara Shvetambara Panth Religions Sikhism Kabir Panth Dadu Panth [edit] Other revealed religions Believers in one God, also called classical monotheism, who follow an Indo-European culture of belief, philosophy and angelology. Zoroastrianism Magus (see Three Wise Men) Gnosticism Basilidians Bogomils Borborites Cainites Carpocratians Cathars Marcionism (not entirely Gnostic) Ophites Valentinians (see Valentinius) Hinduism (Vaishnavism) [edit] Indigenous religions The orally transmitted canon of indigenous peoples, many involving some variant of animism and many defunct African religions Akamba mythology Akan mythology Ashanti mythology Bushongo mythology Bwiti Dahomey mythology Dinka mythology Efik mythology Egyptian mythology Ibo mythology Isoko mythology Khoikhoi mythology Lotuko mythology Lugbara mythology Pygmy mythology Tumbuka mythology Yoruba mythology Zulu mythology African religions in the New World Kumina Obeah Santería (Lukumi) Vodou Candomblé Macumba Umbanda and Quimbanda Xango European religions Anglo-Saxon mythology Basque mythology Druidry (Celtic Religion) Finnish mythology Germanic paganism Norse mythology Greek religion Greek mythology Mystery religions Eleusinian Mysteries Mithraism Pythagoreanism Roman religion Roman mythology Slavic mythology Asian religions Babylonian and Assyrian religion Babylonian mythology Chaldean mythology Sumerian mythology Bön (Indigenous Tibetan belief) Chinese mythology Shinto Oomoto Tengrism (Indigenous Mongol, Tartar & Kazakh belief) Yezidis (Modified indigenous Kurdish belief) Native American religions Abenaki mythology Aztec mythology Blackfoot mythology Chippewa mythology Creek mythology Crow mythology Guarani mythology Haida mythology Ho-Chunk mythology Huron mythology Inuit mythology Iroquois mythology Kwakiutl mythology Lakota mythology Lenape mythology Navaho mythology Nootka mythology Pawnee mythology Salish mythology Selk'nam religion Seneca mythology Tsimshian mythology Ute mythology Zuni mythology Oceanic religions Australian Aboriginal mythology Balinese mythology Maori mythology Modekngei (Republic of Palau) Nauruan indigenous religion Polynesian mythology [edit] Neopagan or revival religions Modern religions seeking to recreate indigenous, usually pre-Christian, beliefs and practices Church of All Worlds Dievturiba Germanic Neopaganism also called Ásatrú or Odinism Hellenic polytheism (modern revivalist forms) Judeo-Paganism Maausk Neo-druidism Summum Taarausk Wicca Alexandrian Wicca Dianic Wicca (Feminist Wicca) Gardnerian Wicca Faery Wicca Feri Tradition [edit] Non-revealed religions Philosophies not transmitted by a divine prophet Carvaka Confucianism Deism Fellowship of Reason Spiritual Humanism Mohism Taoism [edit] Left-Hand Path religions Faiths teaching that the ultimate goal is separating consciousness from the universe, rather than being absorbed by it Dragon Rouge Satanism LaVeyan Satanism Church of Satan Order of Nine Angles Setianism also spelled Sethianism Temple of Set The Storm Quimbanda [edit] Syncretic religions Faiths created from blending earlier religions or that consider all or some religions to be essentially the same Arès Pilgrim Movement Cao Dai Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) Huna Konkokyo Law of One Manichaeism Unitarian Universalism Universal Life Church Tenrikyo Theosophy Seicho-No-Ie [edit] Entheogen religions Religions based around divinely inspiring substances Ayahuasca-based beliefs Church of the Universe (marijuana sacrament) Peyotism THC Ministry [edit] New religious movements See List of new religious movements for a list based on other sources See hereunder for religions founded since 1850 with small followings Monotheistic NRMs Direct Worship of the Actual God Indigenous NRM's Burkhanism Cargo cults Ghost Dance Native American Church African Diaspora / Latin American NRM's Rastafari movement Umbanda Candomble Kardecist Spiritism Hindu-oriented NRM's Sai Baba/Sathya Sai Organisation Hare Krishna Transcendental Meditation Sant Mat Swaminarayan Vedanta Society Osho/Rajneeshism Meher Baba (actually a Zoroastrian) Oneness University Aum Shinrikyo (Aleph) Eckankar NRM's with Islamic Roots Subud Ahmadi Dances of Universal Peace Nation of Islam (Black Muslims) Christian-oriented NRM's Unification Church Jesus People Children of God People's Temple Pentecostalism Holiness movement Iglesia ni Cristo Buddhist-oriented NRM's Soka Gakkai Won Buddhism Hoa Hao Friends of the Western Buddhist Order Chinese-oriented NRM's Way of Former Heaven sects, including I-Kuan Tao ("Way of Unity"), T'ung-shan She ("Society of Goodness"), Tien-te Sheng-chiao ("Sacred Religion of Celestial Virtue"), Daoyuan ("Sanctuary of the Tao"), Tz'u-hui Tang ("Compassion Society"). Falun Gong ("Dharma Wheel Work," a qigong meditation group) Japanese-oriented NRM's Tenrikyo Seicho no Ie Johrei (Johrei Movement - Sekai Kyusei Kyo Izunome Kyodan) Reiki Oomoto Soka Gakkai Aum Shinrikyo (Aleph) Korean-oriented NRM's Chondogyo Jeung San Do Juche (The personality cult of North Korean leaders) Unification Church Vietnamese-oriented NRM's Caodaism Hoa Hao Malaysian-Oriented NRM's Sky Kingdom Western Magical / Esoteric Groups Kardecist Spiritism Theosophy Agni Yoga Anthroposophy Arcane School Association for Research and Enlightenment Church Universal and Triumphant Golden Dawn Gurdjieff Work AMORC Spiritualism Eckankar Thelema Argenteum Astrum Fraternitas Saturni Ordo Templi Orientis Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis Process Church of the Final Judgement Order of the Solar Temple White Supremacist Religions Church of Jesus Christ Christian World Church of the Creator (Creativity Movement) Church of the American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan [1] Black Supremacist Religions Nuwaubianism Alien-based religions The Aetherius Society [2] Raelism Scientology Church of Scientology Free Zone Urantia, Book of Universe people Other NRM's Antoinism Breatharianism (Air cult) Brianism Elan Vital Faithists of Kosmon Virus, The Church of Tony Samara [edit] Parody or mock religions Groups that poke fun at other religions or religion in general Discordianism Church of the SubGenius (The cult of Bob Dobbs) Church of Jesus Christ Elvis Fictional religions turned Parody Bokononism Jedi census movement Flying Spaghetti Monster (Pastafarianism) Invisible Pink Unicorn Kibology Landover Baptist Church Church of Emacs [edit] Fictional religions See List of fictional religions [edit] Forms of religion or alternative beliefs Agnosticism Animism Atheism Ditheism (Dualism) Henotheism Monolatrism Humanism Secular Humanism Kathenotheism Maltheism Monism Monotheism Panentheism Pantheism Cosmotheism Polytheism Shamanism Suitheism [edit] Nonsectarian and trans-sectarian religious movements and practices [edit] Esotericism Alchemy Anthroposophy Esoteric Christianity Freemasonry Gnosticism Kabbalah Occultism Rosicrucian Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis Confraternity of the Rose Cross Rosicrucian Fellowship Surat Shabda Yoga [edit] Mysticism Christian mysticism Gnosticism Hindu mysticism Tantra Ananda Marga Tantra-Yoga Yoga Bhakti Vedanta Kabbalah (also part of Judaism) Kabbalah Centre Martinism Merkabah (also part of Judaism) Meditation Spirituality Sufism Theosophy [edit] Magic (religion) Astrology Divination Prophecy Exorcism Faith healing Feng Shui Hoodoo (Rootwork) New Orleans Voodoo Magick Chaos magick Enochian Magic Grimoire magick Goetic magick Miracles Pow-wow Seid (shamanic magic) Vaastu Shastra (Hinduism) Witchcraft [edit] Ritualism Prayer Sacrifice Animal sacrifice Human sacrifice Worship [edit] Organizations promoting Ecumenism Dances of Universal Peace Inter-religious Organisations |
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Topic:
Why ????
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Start at front door... Live God as you take each step. If enough people do this... Every day will be god filled. In a few words you have the answer! Amazing. lol Well it does bring food for thought. That is for sure. :) |
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Topic:
Why ????
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sure i'll take the first one. i don't think middle ground is possible with different religions. think of how the word is used. "religious in my thinking", "i religiously attend raider home games", i religiously floss my teeth". the word "religious" means a very firm belief to most folks that cannot give way to other beliefs whether the religion be christianity, the nation of islam or the raider nation. the world would be a safer place without any religion. perhaps we should start someplace other than the church or mosque. maybe start at the oakland coluseum ya think? It surely is a good idea, yet for some reason I think the human will never agree on anything regardless of what system or belief system is created. A Utopia I think some call it seems to be impossible in reality yet possible in our imaginations. I have a friend who is over 90 that has been preaching a perfect Utopia for over 50 years. Unfortunately only few follow it...well what is few...a few million but not enough to make a world impact. If you get a chance go to google and type in the Venus Project. It surely is a interesting idea and I believe it would be worth a try. Unfortunately I don't think it will ever happen and if so then much has to go wrong before people would even consider this idea. |
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Edited by
greeneyeman
on
Thu 04/21/11 03:13 AM
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Very interesting. Let me see if I get this right if I can. If one has faith but suddenly something happens to where they don't have faith anymore and don't believe what they once did to be true they are still consider "born again? regardless. Do you mean it is a temporary glitch? I say this for I have met many that were Catholic and then changed to Protestant or Baptist then finally became Atheists or so they claim. Are they not Atheists even though they say they are? I mean they did at one time "believe" but now don't anymore. Explain to me please. Thank you:) i was raised presbyterian and recall saying i believed in god when i was young. now as an agnostic i don't feel that i've lost my faith and belief in god so much as i think that never actually believed. i was indoctrinated into thinking i was a believer. my folks told me about god and jesus, took me to church where everybody believed in god and congress even inserted the word "god" into the pledge just at the time i was learning the damn thing the other way in kindergarden. lol. so you could say that my early life was filled with god. but i'm not certain at all that i was ever a believer in god any more than i was ever a believer in santa clause or the easter bunny. all three i took on testimony from others. So yeah I understand what you are going through. You were introduced to god at a very young age and lived with it and even witnessed historical events such as having god in the pledge. That must have been interesting to witness. Today you are not sure what to believe. It could be true or not and therefore you just believe within as a resolution. I think it is a valid point and what is most important is it works for you. Can I say safely that it works for you that you seek strength within and not from a higher identity? kinda/sorta. not sure that i seek inner strength so much as it just is what it is. i lift weights to build physical strenth but if i do something to develope my "inner muscles" i'm not concious of it. you've got me wrong when you say "today you are not sure what to believe." that's not quite me nor does it meet my definition of what agnostic thinking. i consider someone who is not sure what to believe to be a "weak atheist." one who does not necessarily believe there is no god but is not convinced god does exist. an agnostic like me simply thinks that such things cannot ever be known so we give it no thought. Now I understand completely. Yes maybe it is better not to give it thought as much as some do on a daily bases. I think everyone is different. We have to take in account of demographics, culture, upbringings, and a myriad of other things in account also. Do you agree? I mean everyone is different for sure and come to different conclusions that work best for them. The main thing is you are good with what you believe even if it doesn't really matter or does. By the way coming back as a vet from the Vietnam War surely was an experience in itself. I too just came back from the desert and I think such a thread is good for me to discuss some deeper topics as I surely had time to think about it but never had anyone to talk to about. Thank you for the opportunity. thanks for serving. i do agree that culture, upbringing, etc., has much to do with the conclusions we come to. i suppose that goes back to your point of inner strength. is it inner strength if your strenght comes from what you were taught by your parents or others or can real inner strenght only come after first discarding everything you've learned and starting over. you went through basic training. what is the purpose of military basic training if not to tear down the recruit, rid him/her of nearly everything he's learned, all habits and most behavior and begin over to build a soldier from scratch? think about it. were you refered to as a soldier before graduating from basic? where you thought of as even human. i recall being relitively nice things like "recruit" to not so nice things as "maggot". I think the experience was beneficial just because it shows us that we have a stronger inner strength then we can imagine. The pain, the agony, the high requirements, and later the reason why we had to go through basic training taught me a great deal of things, but again I have met many who just hated it and didn't understand the point of such rigorous training and being called these names while training. I knew that the drill sergeants job was to make us tougher and stronger incase we were ever put into a situtation of hopelessness. That "inner strength" that you are talking about is in everyone of us. Some understand it more then others and others don't even know they have it using other methods instead to find strength. So maybe we just have it like you say without truly knowing and use it anyway. It is a type of survival technic that we use instinctively. Am I too off beat on this? I am surely just contemplating as I type not sure if I am getting anywhere with this. What I can say is that if we push ourselves to the limits we can discover a new self identity at times, yet if we don't and reflect on things deeply in silence we can also come to a different type of inner strength also. Perhaps we need both to really understand the reality of this wisdom we learn each day in our life lessons. You are much older then me so you probably have a deeper understanding of it all. I guess one can also call it "soul" searching...yes??? Perhaps? I mean if one gives it a deeper thought about it all. |
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I think it rattled the chains of our societal structure...the floods, and Cyclone Yasi... It has really rattled everyone...we are not invincible...and because it affected every state in this GIANT country...the impacts are massive...from our oceans, to our agriculture...a whole city was flooded...towns were blown off the map with the Cyclone.. We're a nation of toughnuts though...we tend to pick ourselves up...dust ourselves off...look around, and go help a mate...or a stranger...do the same thing. It's hard to describe the aussie mindset...we really are pretty down to earth toughnuts....(hard head?)... We've been isolated for the whole of our European history from the rest of the world....far from every other nation...so we've learnt to do it ourselves...there is a resilience in this nation...and I've got to witness it again, this past summer. Clean air....google Town of 1770...and you will see where I live, and why it I call it clean. I could imagine and it is great that the mindset is this way when things go bad in a country. The US when the 9/11 attacked occurred really got the people united in a long time to help the victims of this horrible attack. Fire trucks from many states lended a hand to help the victims of the attack. It surely is amazing when you see the people actually uniting as one regardless of color, thoughts, beliefs. Today although I see so many radical disagreements on so many topics that I wonder what happened to the moments when we were united as one when we endured such an attack in New York. Anyway it is sad that we as a people only get together when things go bad. I am not sure how Australia is on politics and beliefs but I know that it is admirable that the nation gets together to help out in a terrible cyclone and flood. I do know this however that the Buddhist religion or philosophy grows fastest in Australia then in any other nation in the world. I read this somewhere. I also read that Australians read the most then any other nation. Something like 2 books a week on average! I am not sure how valid this is but I found it interesting to read as a statistic at one time. Anyway cheers for sharing a little something about Australia. Lets me understand a little more about the country and we should all learn more about other countries cultures, lifestyles, beliefs, and ideas. It doesn't hurt at all! |
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What a politician lying????? That is unheard of! No way~! lol
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I will trade you some of the humidity I suffer here in Florida for some of that fresh air in Australia! ha ha Just joking around. Yes we should find humility and to be grateful. I think in general we do though, yet I see a great many people take things for granted all so often. When I returned back home I realized that many people truly suffer for things that are not so important in life. I wonder at times how to convey to them that it isn't so important afterall....but then I just leave it and watch how certain individuals truly complain for stupid things such as why they don't have the latest technology or food done properly to their taste. Anyway I am probably just talking to much for my own good! Lol HAHAHAHA!...Humidity??? Holy guacamole! where are you Josie?....
Josie lives in a constant 32 degrees celcius humidity 180% in the extreme tropics close to the equator in Darwin,...maybe a slight exaggeration!...and I live in the sub tropics of Queensland!...we've just had the WORST floods ever in European settlement memory...in the height of our summer...you want humidity?... 
I suspect there is a shift happening within the lower socio-economic groups in the US...a humbling...amazing things happened to your countrymen during the Great depression...all of the frivolous complaints disappeared....and a new or revived heart...resilience re-emerged.. I suspect it will experience a renaissance again. Oh wow a flooding that is horrible! Yeah I didn't have that yet, but did experience some hurricanes. I don't want the humidity!! I want to trade you our humidity for fresh air since you claim there is fresh air where you live. I live in the city so fresh air is something we could use! ha ha Yeah but if you have a ton of humidity also then there is unfortunately no trade we can do! lol Thanks for the laugh by the way although the flood is not what I am laughing about at all. That most have been a horrible experience indeed. |
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Hmmm Well as a child, I hated to hurt anything or anyone. I would not argue, I always did what I was told and tried my best to do whatever I could. As a child I knew about God and believed he was there, I can remeber at 8 trying to explaing to my brother why he was real, and my brother telling me that he was just like fairy's and wasnt even there. (Well I believed in fairies as well, so that was a pretty bad day) My brothers faith never changed and neither did mine. But my brother is one of the best men I know, he is a faithful father and husband, he is a great worker, honest trustworthy and just a great bloke, but he has no faith. Actually he does have faith just inhis family not God. As an adult I am the same, I still will not hurt anyone or anything, I still do what i am told, without I think it is wrong and I still do my best. But I think for me it is like I just dont ever walk alone, I guess for me it is like my parents where to me as a child. When things went wrong, I just did everything I could to fix things and if I couldnt Mum and dad took care of it. I guess I see God the same, If I can do something I do it, if I cant do it, I believe its in his hands and I dont think about it again.. I honestly dont know where I would be, I think that because of lifes experiences I would basically be the same, but I just cannot imagine not having faith, its just a part of me that is there. I understand. You grew up with the faith system you were taught and feel it is a normal way of life. You instinctley wouldn't hurt anyone regardless if you were introduced to Christianity or not. You know the Buddhist believe that one shouldn't hurt anything in life that lives. Not even a mosquito! So in this perspective Buddhist would be proud of you when you mention you couldn't or wouldn't hurt anyone or thing. They believe this to be true because the bug or animal could have been your previous mother or elder at one time ressurrected again as such in this lifetime. Yes for many this is ridiculous but for them it is true. Anyway yes I think I understand what you are saying.
No not really, my parents didnt believe in God, we didnt go to church and we didnt talk about God, I am not sure why I believed in him, I just always have, but then again I believed in fairies and elves and all those things, and I would have defended them all, Asking for proof that noone could give me to show that they didnt exist. I could grab a book and disapear for ages, sometimes I would take a tent and stay out with my brother, we lived in the bush so there was nothing to fear there, I could escape with my books into my own dream world for days if I wanted, my life did not involve worry or need as a child. My brother and I would head out for days on our bikes and come back if we wanted something, but we had pretty much everything we needed to survive on our bikes, from the time we where little we where free to go. Oh I see now! You were sort of the mediator of it all. Kind of the middle point. I mean you created it for yourself and are happy with the results. In the end isn't that what counts. Who says elves and fairies don't exist??? Maybe they do! If so they certainly are shy to reveal themselves. lol Anyway now I understand more clearly. |
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For those that say they get their strength from within and are not in need of a higher identity or even morale support of a loved one...where do you think that comes from? I ask for many mammals in our world get sick if they can't get morale support from a elder or another mammal of somesort. They get so sick that death occurs. This usually happens to younger mammals but there are cases of older animals also getting sick without affection, love, or communication. Are we any different? I know we claim to be of a higher intelligence as humans but do you think when it comes to being alone with no morale support whatsoever that the within is enough to live off? Will a human not go insane, grow weak, or uncertain after such a long time. I say this for many religious prophets such as Mohammed, Jesus, Buddha have endured long periods of time alone and suddenly come back with new wisdom to share with others and change ways one can think. Some come with astonishing stories that today some cannot believe can happen realistically. Can being alone for so long provide illusions or miracles? Sorry if the questions sound weird, but you have to admit it does open some dialogue right? lol I suspect when you empty out the 'white noise' of our lives...when the silence is so loud, your blood pumping through your body sounds like hydraulics....clarity arrives. I spent a week out on a coral cay some years ago...7 days alone, just me and the critters that own the island..no speech...no other human.. and in that time....a whole other space expanded...all the day to day clutter in my head was gone....I got to be two eyes...a silent witness...to what was around me...and also what was within me. it was only a week.... I look forward to, in a couple of years when the youngest children are independent adults....doing something similar for a year or two. I have spent much of my childhood silent....my young adult hood silent...and alone... whether there will be any great epiphanies is another thing...
I don't require others to survive...although as humans we are instinctually herding animals...you only have to look at how many of us cram into small spaces...cities.. 
Which comes to a question if we as humans require another human to be happy in the long run. I hear always of how famous naturlists such as Henry Thoreau lived only for many years enjoying nature without seeing another human for years on end and are perfectly fine, yet are we instinctively such as herders in the past. I can imagine that many are happy alone without anyone to chat with for the majority of their life, but is it healthy in the end. Will one become delusional, alone, lonely, or have somekind of side effects! lol I don't know just wondering because in some ways I think we do need our serenity and quiet moments but in other ways I think we also need socialization and security. Each individual is different and in the end some of us have choices on how to live best. |
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Very interesting. Let me see if I get this right if I can. If one has faith but suddenly something happens to where they don't have faith anymore and don't believe what they once did to be true they are still consider "born again? regardless. Do you mean it is a temporary glitch? I say this for I have met many that were Catholic and then changed to Protestant or Baptist then finally became Atheists or so they claim. Are they not Atheists even though they say they are? I mean they did at one time "believe" but now don't anymore. Explain to me please. Thank you:) i was raised presbyterian and recall saying i believed in god when i was young. now as an agnostic i don't feel that i've lost my faith and belief in god so much as i think that never actually believed. i was indoctrinated into thinking i was a believer. my folks told me about god and jesus, took me to church where everybody believed in god and congress even inserted the word "god" into the pledge just at the time i was learning the damn thing the other way in kindergarden. lol. so you could say that my early life was filled with god. but i'm not certain at all that i was ever a believer in god any more than i was ever a believer in santa clause or the easter bunny. all three i took on testimony from others. So yeah I understand what you are going through. You were introduced to god at a very young age and lived with it and even witnessed historical events such as having god in the pledge. That must have been interesting to witness. Today you are not sure what to believe. It could be true or not and therefore you just believe within as a resolution. I think it is a valid point and what is most important is it works for you. Can I say safely that it works for you that you seek strength within and not from a higher identity? kinda/sorta. not sure that i seek inner strength so much as it just is what it is. i lift weights to build physical strenth but if i do something to develope my "inner muscles" i'm not concious of it. you've got me wrong when you say "today you are not sure what to believe." that's not quite me nor does it meet my definition of what agnostic thinking. i consider someone who is not sure what to believe to be a "weak atheist." one who does not necessarily believe there is no god but is not convinced god does exist. an agnostic like me simply thinks that such things cannot ever be known so we give it no thought. Now I understand completely. Yes maybe it is better not to give it thought as much as some do on a daily bases. I think everyone is different. We have to take in account of demographics, culture, upbringings, and a myriad of other things in account also. Do you agree? I mean everyone is different for sure and come to different conclusions that work best for them. The main thing is you are good with what you believe even if it doesn't really matter or does. By the way coming back as a vet from the Vietnam War surely was an experience in itself. I too just came back from the desert and I think such a thread is good for me to discuss some deeper topics as I surely had time to think about it but never had anyone to talk to about. Thank you for the opportunity. |
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Very true Ms. Harmony. There surely are so many idealogies out there that support and not support having a faith. This leads to another set of questions that will be twofold. For those that carry faith: Can a person that doesn't have faith still be grateful and show humility in their life even if they don't have guidance in the matter? For those that do not carry faith: What causes someone with faith to not show humility as of being grateful even though it is preached to them often throughout their lifetimes? Ummm....I am humbled by what I am privileged to witness....the amazing young people who call me mum...the amazing land that surrounds me....this planet that sustains us... This amazing house, I can call home...a job...a place to grow food, clean air, clean water...safety for my children and myself.. I am incredibly blessed...invaluably honoured with this life.. Humility is internal...it HAS to be felt...otherwise it is so much rote. I will trade you some of the humidity I suffer here in Florida for some of that fresh air in Australia! ha ha Just joking around. Yes we should find humility and to be grateful. I think in general we do though, yet I see a great many people take things for granted all so often. When I returned back home I realized that many people truly suffer for things that are not so important in life. I wonder at times how to convey to them that it isn't so important afterall....but then I just leave it and watch how certain individuals truly complain for stupid things such as why they don't have the latest technology or food done properly to their taste. Anyway I am probably just talking to much for my own good! Lol |
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