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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBqe...ex=5&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL, I've been to Church services similar to this one. You have to listen to the words closely, but it's pretty good!

Hey, we can now put to rest all these question about the meaning of life. I see it has been answered. I knew the answer a few years ago but I forgot. thanks to google, I found it again.

Here it is: Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything from the supercomputer, Deep Thought, specially built for this purpose. It took Deep Thought 7½ million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. Unfortunately, The Ultimate Question itself is unknown.

In conclusion; life is what it is...

so I take it by your silly reply about "pearls before swine" that you will not be putting anything on the line anytime soon? play it safe and when God asks you "what did you do in my name" you can proudly say "absolutely nothing." I lived in America and though surrounded by oportunity to witness in person I posted beliefs inculcated by my family into my brain and posted same on a hard drive on a server somewhere in the ether.
yup. that'll impress him.
darfur everett. learn that word. when you get to the promised land they will parade those 25.000 kids who die everyday right past your smug Christian face and ask "what did you do." and again like your supporters here "absolutely nothing."

Everett
Time to hit the ignore button. I am.

I hear people criticize the Bible and Christ and Christians a lot. It doesn't matter most of them have never read much of the Bible, they don't like it on general principle I guess. Sort of like some folks don't like blacks on general principle.

I knew a woman who was being witnessed to and just started laughing at the police officer who was doing the witnessing. I started writing a song called "Why not listen instead of laugh?" That was 30 years ago. That woman was with that officer because she was DUI. I'm not sure why she was drinking but it may have been because she aborted a child and afterwards gave a newborn child up for adoption. She would have aborted it but no one would give her the money. Her life was once pretty normal but somewhere she turned down a bad road. Why didn't she listen instead of laugh?

I see people who marry five or six times denounce the bible while their kids live with people who beat them up. I watch people do things that will get them sent to jail but for them go to church is out of the question (till they're caught). I see all sorts of things done by people who "laugh instead of listen."

The folks who want to criticize my Jesus upset me quite often. I've seen hundreds of Christians fall in their Christian walk but I've learned I would rather believe the Bible and put faith in its teachings than people who think their discipline or integrity is as honest as the Bible has proven itself to be to me.

Jesus is God. Praise God.

Cart,
If you are here representing some kind of charitable organizantion that helps the situation in Darfur,or you happen to be there doing something yourself to help those unfortunate souls,please PM me and I will do what I can,if only a small contribution.If that is the case,I admire what you are doing,and the fact that you are standing for something you believe in,just as I admire Everett for standing for something he believes in.We all have our causes.Everett has made his clear.I'm still unclear about yours(unless it is to chastise a very nice and well repected man).You are free to state your opinions,as you have(and so has Everett),but I dont understand why you seem to have such a huge problem with Everett stating his.I usually dont involve myself in conversations like these,but it is really bothering me....in fact after this,I think I will try to find that ignore button too.
Michelle

I was just trying to lighten the mood with my little vid, but as a lot of you know, my dad is a minister, and the most brilliant man I've ever known, yet he has explored every aspect of religion before deciding on Christianity. His preferred denomination was Protestant, but he respects all religions. Actually, now in his eighties, he is a practicing Quaker.

I am a Unitarian. I'm so deep in, you could sign me up to respect any religion, but Christianity is my core. Still, I thought it fun to post the Monty Python scene because a lot of people have that ridiculous view. Just tryin' ta have fun.

When people start disrespecting other people's views, that's when accountability is called for. NO ONE has the right to disrespect another person's religion. YOU are no better than anyone else. YOUR VIEWS are no more valid.

IMO, in the end, they all meet at a higher level. That's why I'm a Unitarian even though my dad is a Quaker and my mom is an Episcopalian (and yes, they're still married, just celebrated number 50! )

Religion is a very personal thing, and means something completely different to each and every individual, so respect is in line here. Anyone who thinks they're above anyone else, even in their Athiest belief, is making a mistake, for those who believe, have that belief, and those who don't, well, they're "f*cked" if they don't share their energy as much as they can, with those who they DON'T believe in. It's all about BEING ONE, and I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't get that, no matter what religion or denomination. Just because you choose to ignore collective consciousness, which suggests a higher energy at work, doesn't mean the rest of us who choose to believe are wrong. You are a lonely soul, and rightfully bitter, but don't deny the rest of us our joy in knowing our joining energy is God and we therefore have a meaningful place and purpose.

There is NO WAY such an outstanding amount of talent and intelligence could exist without an insurmountable love...and the only explanation for that, is God. However you choose to perceive Her.

Well,
I learned very early in life that I am not superstitious. I pretty well cleared everything up about Religion by the time I was 12. The Jury is still out on Oraganized Religion. Uh, why? If God had wanted it to be as clear as a Bell He would have made it that way. You have nothing to worry about. My salavation has never been in doubt and neither is yours. So put it out of your mind. Trust God and don't worry.

Thanks again, Bro Bill...& yep, I've visited the Site you mentioned here/and got La Femme also interested in the idea..so this Forum's already made a Small Difference on the planet.

Sam..you seem pretty involved in Darfur. Have YOU gone over & offered your Medical Skills? If NOT, what makes YOU fit to judge the rest of us here?

I find The Golden Rule seems to summarize most all of what ANY religion seems to preach, basically, sans all the "Heaven-or-Hell" Payoffs/Negative Sanctions. I remain always willing to help someone I see in-need..within the limits of what I have. I need No Organization to urge me to do so/I don't expect some Deity to cut me a break in The Afterlife..since as Jean Paul Sartre in-essence once said, "Who NEEDS an afterlife..this one's been bad-enough..." (I'm toying with the Christians a bit...tho as I'd mentioned, I'm inclined to believe in Reincarnation.)

But..if "This is it" so be it. You can spend this span feeling Guilty for whatever you've done or not done...OR you can view and live life as Positively as you choose. You can chastise your neighbors all you want, BUT they'll probably tune you out all the quicker the more you turn up the frequency and volume.

I find it wacky that we have this tremendous urge to chat directly with The Deity, while we haven't even learned to chat civilly within' ourselves. Lord knows, we've had many an Example already-sent.

Waal...back to Lurkin'...
Best Wishes..Peace!
Stan

I don't think anyone, including Sam, has posted anything hateful or intolerant. This is a normal democratic ideological discussion. Anyone who passionately cares about issues and ideas is not therefore intolerant. Organized Christianity can be comically pretentious. Personally I deplore most of what passes of Christianity, yet I look at the life of Jesus as clearly "The greatest story ever told". This has been a healthy discussion. I'll leave it with a quote from Elie Wiesel:

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”

Hi, i'm working alot and get on to check in and then go rest so I can get up and go work again..but I do want you all to know that I do believe in God..and I do respect and love each of you on here..I feel i've gotten to know you and I really want to be apart of you here..we are all different, it would be so boring if we were all alike , we wouldn't have anything to talk about then..we all have our own beliefs and own religions and we all will fight for what we believe in..like fighting for our country, we do it for our right to feel and believe the way we do..just because one believes different doesn't mean it's wrong..I know how I feel and i'll always feel this way, and I love the way I feel and believe, but please don't put me down cause I may not be like you..I still love and breathe and walk just like everyone else.. isn't it really great that we are different. and hey, this is all I really have to say, and if i've said something wrong for putting my thoughts in then , hey this is just me...now can we all please go back to being friends and writting songs.......love you all....glyn

"I do respect and love each of you"
And I thought I had a face only a mother could love Glyn.

Nope you've got someone else, and i'm sure i'm not the only one....glyn

Now, if only I could get out of my cage...

What's it worth to ya??????????? I AM woman, I have a plan

Joe
I beg to differ. This was Hateful, intolerant and just plain crass.
I don't have a clue what the 25,000 starving children has to do with anything.

Glynda,
That is exactly what I was trying to say...you have a much better way with words than I do.Everyone should be able to speak about their beliefs with out being told to"shut up",and resorting to name calling is just.....childish.You are an awesome person Glynda.The next time that I am looking for the right words to say,I will come talk to you first.....and we love you too....Michelle

There is nothing wrong in expressing beliefs and opinions or questioning other folks political or religious ideology providing it is done in an adult and respectful manner. People who cannot take criticism or are offended too easily should get a thicker skin or refrain from participating as sometimes the truth hurts. There are some people who like to dish it out but cannot take it. They end up resorting to name calling irrelevant ridicule or other childish practices.

Death is the poor man's friend,who wants to live forever?...some of us have a longer journey than others,and some catch an earlier bus,but we are all heading for the same destination.Life is to be loved and valued,along with friends and family.if no one dies, then no one lives.Life has the same cycle with everything we share on this wonderful planet..we have a spring,summer, autumn, and winter, in our circle of life,if we are very lucky, we may reach the winter of our lives with all our facilties,and in decent health..if you do..thank your God for giving you such a blessed life,thats the best we can hope for."IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME"..then i wont reach my winter,but i sure have enjoyed the other three seasons,it is totally not worth worrying about something, you can neither do nothing about, or avoid...live your life to the full,and leave good memories,and be thankful of where and when you were born..millions do not have that luxury.if all our forebearers crept into a corner worrying about and hiding from life,where
would would we be today?...make that little dash on your expiry date useful.....Terry Moore.

Hi Terry nice to hear from you....hope all is well....Very good comment.....just about sums everything up.

For those who have the slightest hope that we consciously survive death, the statement quoted below by a woman named Mary Baker Eddy is the most logical explanation of what happens to us after we pass away. The term "pass away" by the way was coined by Mary Baker Eddy's followers, and then slipped into the American vernacular sometime around the turn of the 20th century. In this life, we live and learn and grow and pay consequences for mistakes. Why would we suddenly "cross over" and be sent to a place of "eternal" reward or punishment? It is more likely that we continue to evolve- that is, continue to live learn and grow.

Mary Baker Eddy
From Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896

After the change called death takes place, do we meet those gone before? -- or does life continue in thought only as in a dream?

Man is not annihilated, nor does he lose his identity, by passing through the belief called death. After the momentary belief of dying passes from mortal mind, this mind is still in a conscious state of existence; and the individual has but passed through a moment of extreme mortal fear, to awaken with thoughts, and being, as material as before. Science and Health clearly states that spiritualization of thought is not attained by the death of the body, but by a conscious union with God. When we shall have passed the ordeal called death, or destroyed this last enemy, and shall have come upon the same plane of conscious existence with those gone before, then we shall be able to communicate with and to recognize them.

If, before the change whereby we meet the dear departed, our life-work proves to have been well done, we shall not have to repeat it; but our joys and means of advancing will be proportionately increased.

The difference between a belief of material existence and the spiritual fact of Life is, that the former is a dream and unreal, while the latter is real and eternal. Only as we understand God, and learn that good, not evil, lives and is immortal, that immortality exists only in spiritual perfection, shall we drop our false sense of Life in sin or sense material, and recognize a better state of existence. MBE
**********************************************************

so fellow songwriter's and seekers of truth, Jesus said it pretty plainly as Luke recorded in verse 17.

Luke 17 (KJV)
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you".

Still, Christians stitch together all kinds of bible passages as justification for a scary afterlife. There IS no afterlife. Life is always with us. You have never known anything else but life. It just seems like there is death because people pass away from us. But when you "pass away" from your present experiences, you will have new ones. One day, maybe you will stand on the shore and ascend to a more spiritual consciousness without having to pass through mortal fear. Do I believe this? Yes. Do I understand it completely. No, but it is logical.

When we die we die...end of story....nothing more logical than that.....to believe otherwise is just plain denial, wishful thinking and an irrational rejection of the inevitable.....mankind did not come into existence till a few thousand years ago.... other forms of life began by chance and evolved over millions of years..... sadly the planet and everything on it will die eventually when we are hit by meteors or our orbit changes or the sun fails or blows up etc. The human imagination and our ability to create tall stories and fables etc is incredible.

That said because life is so short we should all make the most of it instead of wasting time on fanciful ideas about things we do not understand.

That is probably the biggest clue that something lies behind the curtain of our everyday existence. But it is more incredible- that is: not credible, that so called "matter" what ever that is suppose to be, could organize itself into this amazing result. You may have it exactly backward when you say everything is material. Try understanding the universe from the point of view quantum physicist Amit Goswami for instance, who wrote the book "Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World". Physicist have probed matter to it's apparent limits and have concluded not only that it doesn't exist, but that there is not a vestige of "Is-ness" about it that isn't a thought model, created by-guess who? Us, the thinker.

It is THE question we are talking about, so it isn't going to be easy to fathom. I have been asking THE Question as long as I can remember.

...........................
thatthatisisthatthatisnotisnotisitnotitis
Or to punctuate:
That that is, is. That that is not, is not. Is it not? It is.

Probably the only thing that can be said about death, with any degree of certainty, is that death has to be experienced to understand its ramifications.

However, it is mind-boggling that we exist in the first place. I suppose the same set of circumstances that occurred to bring us into existence, could happen again.

I’ll be delighted if it does. But for now... I love living, and breathing, and doing my thing; for if you can't enjoy the present life, what makes anyone think the afterlife will be any different.

Best, John

My last thoughts and statement on this subject is I know I will die as my family and friends before me..don't know anymore than this..don't know no one that has died before, so don't have nothing to go on, except all I can do is live the rest of my life best I can, try not to hurt anyone, try and treat others as I want to be treated..try not to make problems where there wasn't any before (I say this for the women at my work that love to keep stuff stirred up, things that don't matter anyway, such little picky things)..All I want to do is get by and tell my kids I love them, everyday.I know my time is gettin' closer, and I want to live, thanking each day I wake. All i'd like to have when Something Happens to me is Yellow Roses..I do so love yellow roses..you all take care and I love each of you..it was my lucky day, the day I was directed to this forum..thanks glyn

We are on earth to fart around and don't let anyone tell you any different.....Kurt Vonnegut

When you die, it will not bother you at all.....hopefully it will upset someone else. What you may have reason to fear is your friends or family dying. Dwelling on it before it happens is silly - get out there and write songs, play music, live life, have a good time while you can. There is no value in even uttering the words "when something happens to me".

(but do the will/living will/life insurance stuff as needed)

This kind of discussion is why most songwriters write sad songs.

And die from Drug overdoses