Just perhaps, someone else is a bit more important than you are?

Says a man whose political philosophy doesn't believe in a social safety net, but rather that everyone should be left to fend themselves at the mercy of the marketplace. Now THAT is lonely.

Mark,
I've been married for 32 years. It hasn't always been easy and it takes a lot of work, but it's been more than worth it. My family is the most important part of my life.

And besides, married men live longer than single men.

The most important person you have to look after is yourself. Considering another person's interests above your own is an unhealthy relationship. Let people do as they please, don't make idle judgments from watching people go about. It would be more prudent to get to know these people before making these kinds of observations.

(Note: Second post attempt: Technical difficulties)

I agree, Mark. We've become a society in which--(self) trumps all else. Take this example for instance--take for instance someone who really goes hard in their job, they just keep thinking to themselves--"Ah man, I'm gonna be the best, the richest there is in town." And as their wealth grows, so does their self-esteem, pretty soon they've gotten so much clout and authority that no single person around them, is worthy of their mention. If they see someone who has to a lesser degree in wealth and possessions, but are still yet doing well financially, they just snub their nose high and look down upon them, as if they were some sort of creature.

This is what has become of America, America has come to the point of great power, and they get caught up in the idea of--RICH!! In reality, all it really does is destroy them intellectually and personally, their soul has become so hardened towards those of the lesser degree because of it. It's just a sad fact!!

And....The very same can be said of sex--our society has become a society where sex is all there is, they just think that it's normal to see a young attractive lady on tv with her clothes off. At the beach--people just flaunt their bodies around like no one will ever notice--Like, "Who cares? I'm going to do what makes ME feel good. I'm going to do what -I- want to do."

Same thing with drugs--thousands of youngsters all across America, their lives are being totally destroyed with the consumption of Cocaine, Heroine, LSD, Marijuana, Paint thinner, Pain pills, just all sorts of drugs that will eventually see the demise of the individual who gets caught up in them.

I've seen first hand what drugs can and will do, and it's very sad. All because they want to do it their way--Well, Marilyn Monroe wanted to do it her way, and you see where it got her. Elvis Presley wanted to do it his way, and you see where it got him. Jimmi Hendrix wanted to do it his way, and you see where it got him. Anna Nicole Smith did it her way, and you see where it got her, and a list of others that would reach to the clouds that did it their way....How sad!!!

Of these individuals--the drugs played a role...the greatest contributor though was...they were filthy rich for their time. The money literally consumed their ego, their life, and ultimately, sadly...their soul. How very sad!!!

These individuals could have used their talents for the Lord, and help humanity in the greatest manner through God's help...But No, they said..."I'll do it MY way." I'm sure they really wish they could take those words back about right now!!!

So, what it all really boils down to, is that all the extremist positions in the world stem from the root cause--We call it? Liberalism which gives way to Radical Individualism and other extremes.

Liberalism has taken us so far now, the only way we can see an end to it, is if the people awaken from their sleep, and see it for what it is, before it consumes us just like it did those famous individuals.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Jeremiah

dan,

I've known them for years. One particular lady is extraordinarily beautiful and very much alone...and I mean she's drop dead gorgeous; she's also very intelligent and highly educated. She's everything any man could want...and she would like very much to be with someone, but with one thing after another and the fact that all too many men in 2007 simply have no reason to commit, there she sits, a priceless jewel, and alone.

You can't be happy EXCEPT by making others happy - that is something that I've learned.

Jeremy,

When have I ever put forth anything remotely like that position on any social issue?

Casper,

I've been married not quite two year, and it has been in this that I'm finally learning what it means to be fully human.

dan,

Thinking about it a bit further - I just want to re-emphasize that it is others who matter; you'll be taken care of if you take care of others...fail to take care of others, let everyone sink or swim on their own while you look rigidly after yourself, and you'll find that the worst off person is you.

If life is a game, then it is a game which is only won when you give away the prize.

Jeremiah,

There is a lot of waking up which needs doing - I've cracked one sleepy eye open, and whole new vistas of life are coming in to clarity.

Mark,

"Thinking about it a bit further - I just want to re-emphasize that it is others who matter; you'll be taken care of if you take care of others...fail to take care of others, let everyone sink or swim on their own while you look rigidly after yourself, and you'll find that the worst off person is you."

I agree with you here. However, if you are going to say things of this nature, then shouldn't you endorse the Health Care bill for CHILDREN that Bush just vetoed? Shouldn't you support the safety nets that have been put into place and not want to strip them away?

You can say that private industry, churches and charities should help those people, and I agree. However, the simple fact that there are 47 million people without health care, millions of the children, millions of homesless, many of who are veterans and/or mentally ill and people that don't have 3 meals a day goes to show that route doesn't work quite as well as we would all like.

I don't want the government running every aspect of people's lives either. At the same, at some point you have to go back to the Sermon on the Mount and look for another way to extend a hand to those who have fallen down.

Peace, Gaijin

P.S. Can you set me up on a date? ; )

So, what it all really boils down to, is that all the extremist positions in the world stem from the root cause--We call it? Liberalism which gives way to Radical Individualism and other extremes.

Wow.
Just wow.
So all the rampant sexuality, drug use, and demise of celebrities ranging from Monroe, to Jimmi Hendrix, is the fault of liberalism????????????

Jeremiah, are you out of your mind????????

Repeat after me: I will quit listening to Christian lunatics like Pat Robertson and James Dobson!

You really need professional help, dude.

I can't disagree with you Mark, as much as I instinctively want to. Humans are socials beings. We need support and we need to give support. You sound like the stereotype of a liberal in this post.

But, frankly, your politics are all about self interest over community. Your economics place the individual over his neighbor. You vehemently oppose community (ie, "government") making an effort to improve the lot of the worst off.

Self interest is a powerful force that could be focused toward the betterment of all, but your politics seem interested in focusing self interest in how many dollars are in the bank account. I know you're a thoughtful person, as much as a disagree with you, but wtf?

When have I ever put forth anything remotely like that position on any social issue?

You haven't, Mark--Germy, Jonnie, and minnowhead are broad-brushers who find it necessary to attempt to refute everything posted here. Why don't you do a spoof post, praising all the great accomplishments of the Donkaroach Congress? I'm sure they'd find something to disagree with. Contrarians are those who are void of ideas, so they impugn the ideas of others...

Jeremiah wrote "At the beach--people just flaunt their bodies around like no one will ever notice--Like, "Who cares? I'm going to do what makes ME feel good. I'm going to do what -I- want to do."

I don't know about you, but women in bikinis does make me feel good. They're performing a public service, IMO.

Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,
I have nobody for my own.
I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,
wish I had someone to call on the phone.

I'm a neocon, a lonely neocon,
Despised and alone and the fault is my own.
That's why I'm lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,
I wish that I could go back home.

Letters, never a letter,
I get no letters in the mail.
I've been forgotten, yeah, forgotten,
Oh how I wonder how is it I failed.

I'm a neocon, a lonely neocon,
Despised and alone and the fault is my own.
That's why I'm lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,
I wish that I could go back home

you'll be taken care of if you take care of others...fail to take care of others, let everyone sink or swim on their own while you look rigidly after yourself, and you'll find that the worst off person is you.

Posted by: Mark Noonan at October 14, 2007 11:24 PM

Mark, I'm impressed. It seems as if you leaving behind that selfish Right-Wing Conservative notion of "I'm alright, Jack, screw you" and are now starting to see that the Liberal idea of reaching out and helping your fellowman or woman is not so distasteful after all. Good for you!

Canadian,

You mean the Conservative belief that people who are capable of working and earning their own living should do so, and take responsibility for their own lives, as opposed to...

The Liberal ideology which encourages, enslaves, and hopelessly chains tens of millions and their families and decedents to government welfare, hand-outs, and the backs of others... and which opposes the idea of personal responsibility for ones own actions and life?!!!

AAR

Canadian Observer, the conservative position isn't that we shouldn't help our fellow man.

We just don't believe that the best way to help our fellow man is by giving some autocratic authority the power of coercion through government violence so that intellectuals can play with our lives in an attempt to build society how they want it.

Same with economic stuff, if a solution based on free ideas, the full capacity of human ingenuity and voluntary association doesn't work, one based on top-down autocracy and coercion probably won't work any better.(Unless you throw in a little wealth redistribution)

Wow Mark, somedays you're 'help your fellow man' guy and most of the time you insult your fellow Americans with every post when they espouse some variation of 'we are our brother's keeper'. I know the regulars here will start railing about handouts and boot straps and all that hyperbole, regardless of what we actually mean. But which ARE you???

Can I quote this post back to you when you start the sliming again?

Winnowhead,

Government isn't community - and, in fact, government transfer payments for welfare and health care are an almost exact negation of what is really meant by "community". My community isn't a bureaucrat reviewing an application for welfare...my community is my family, my church, my neighborhood.

On thing which really got me thinking about this yesterday was a story related to me in my confirmation class (its a Catholic thing) - one of our group had taken his wife out to dinner at Red Lobster the other day and, as usual, there was far more food provided than anyone could eat...so, they naturally boxed up the leftovers to take home (hey, this is shrimp and crab legs we're talkin' here).

On the way out, they saw a homeless person quietly reading the Bible...the next thing to happen was natural, and what is meant by community...they handed over their leftover food to the homeless man, and got a massive reward for their generosity. The man said, "God bless you.". That, winnow, is community - that was of more worth to both parties than all the socialistic welfare schemes ever made.

We are to cast our bread upon the waters - not work out a plan where someone else's bread is extracted from them and then given to someone else. Government is to secure my person and my property - beyond that is superfluity. But when I see a need, I am to fill it, immediately and with great joy - that is real, that is human...that is the way we're built.

We've gone about destroying that - we've worked very hard at making ourselves into anything other than human. We pass our social ills on to bureaucrats, and call ourselves generous...we demand health care for all, but none of us thinks to go down to the charity hospital and ask if there's anything they need, or that we can do for them...what we've been demanding, when you boil it down, is that everything be taken care of by other people while we get to pat ourselves on the back for our humanity because we voted for higher taxes and more social spending.

Be a human, winnow - go out and do something for someone in need. Its what I'm going to try and do.

jayhay,

I don't believe I slime anyone...and if you think I'm some sort of "perish the hindmost" libertarian then you simply have not been reading what I write.

CO,

The most selfish, "I'm all right Jack, screw you" attitude comes from the left - example: the demand that any sort of depravity be allowed in public regardless of its effects on others because unless one individual is allowed to do whatever he wants, we're all bigots.

Jonathan,

I have a tremendous respect for Dr. Dobson, he is a man of principles. You won't find many in this day and age whom the Founders held in the highest of esteem. To put it more in perspective, he is a Man of God--which defines those principles on which he stands. Dr. Dobson reminds me of the Apostle Paul, who was willing to forsake all for the Lord.

So many make the mistake of saying--"Family first, and God second--Or, Work first, and God second."

Never work!!

Unless God is first before all things--You'll never be blessed, and you'll never be happy. Furthermore, whenever God takes His hand of blessing off of you, then you have no power over the enemy--You may say--"Hey bro! I be ok man, everything cool."

Oh yeah? Well, that's what Elvis said, and Jimmi, and Marilyn Monroe--and kazoodles of others, and there wasn't a thing they could do about it. Why? because they didn't have Jesus Christ in their heart and life, they put self above all else.

So, the point I'm trying to make is this--You can have all the fame and money in the world, but unless you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then you'll be the most miserable, most unlikeable person that ever walked.

Wake up dude!

Jeremiah

"married men live longer than single men"

No, it just seems longer!

No, it just seems longer!

Dasein Libsbane,

Yeah, I can remember when we went to Granma's and Granpa's house, I would go in and set down in the little room where he sat the most in the winter, there was a little stove there he tended to, he had to stoke it every now and then with wood to keep it going. Sometimes he would look down at his watch and say--"Great day, it's already four O'clock, time fly's by, one minute you get up, and the next thing you know, it's bedtime."

Something that stuck to me the most of all, when he said--'The older you get, the faster time goes.'

That rings so true--Why it seems just like yesterday when we celebrated Christmas and New Year's Day, and now, in just eleven short weeks, we'll be celebrating another New Year!!

Life really is too short, I think we need to make the most of it while we can, and the best way to do that I believe, is to use what time and talents we have for the Work of the Lord, to try and reach as many souls as possible before His return!!

God bless!!
:)

Jeremiah

"married men live longer than single men."
Married men also wish they were dead, more than single men.

"married men live longer than single men"

No, it just seems longer!
"married men live longer than single men."
Married men also wish they were dead, more than single men."

I love it. I usually tell people that my wife and I have had 12 wonderful years together, which isn't to bad out of 32.

The truth is I like being married. I like knowing that there is someone in the world that will worry if I don't make it home at night. I like having someone to share my victories, my failures, and my everyday life with. I guess I got lucky. I found someone that laughs at my stupid jokes and puts up with all of my bad habits. You can knock marriage all you want, but it beats going through life alone.

Jeremiah and Mark Noonan,

The funny thing is, That your both completely wrong. And the opposite of what you believe will bring heaven on earth. You both have no insight, and I'll tell you are far behind. And YOU TWO, are actually the most disruptive element in bringing what you think your bring.

If you want to believe someone is more important than you, you'll have to start with other human beings on this earth. You both don't know where you stand in the human world, so you can't concern yourselfs with God!!!

USA

USA,

I'm afraid that I understand precisely zero of what you are trying to say.

USA,

You probably, and I'm sure, don't know me. I have been active in the past on B4B and have been a passive observer over the many months that Jeremiah has been posting here. Jeremiah is my brother (in real life, not just in the spiritual aspect). Sometimes my interest is piqued enough to take fifteen minutes of my time to post, but mostly I just observe as I don't have a computer of my own yet.

But I did want to pass on a small note to you ...

I've read what you had to say, and as far as most aspects of this thread are concerened I don't quite understand what your post is hitting at either. But I'm guessing that you generally hate Christianity because it promotes defending the weak, preserving innocent life, and promoting a moral life style.

All in all I will say this about the situation, Mark and Jeremiah are not wrong. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He loves all people on Earth regardless of who or what they are. He does not judge people as to their status quo in society, nor does he hold it against them for inabilities or abilities. But what he does require is that every man use what he has been given in order to further his purpose, which is win souls to Christ.

Lately I have been struggling in my Christian walk, but I am slowly, every so slowly, getting back to the right track. It is hard for me at times because work constricts my ability to go to church and fellowship with other Christians. But my Lord understands this and he doesn't more than what I am capable of giving, he only expects I do my best in my situation. And the same applies to you.

This leads up to my next point ...

We all face situations like mine, where work takes up the majority of most of your days. You come in every day/night dead tired, most times grumpy...

Heck, it'd be awfully stinking sad to think that this is all that life holds. To think that the only solace we hold in life is grudging out hours at work, misering up every hour of every day, only to get just one dollar more. To think that the only companion a person had was slaving their rear ends off at work...

If this was the case, I don't think life would be worth living. I want purpose in life, I want something that is a driving force in my life, and not just anything. I want something that is not only for my own good but something that will help others too. And I honestly think that if I do that, then other people will see it, appreciate it, and come to want what I have. It may not always be the first time around that they will, or even the fiftieth, but in the end people remember.

I've come to find, in every situation, every time, that Jesus Christ is the only One capable of giving us that purpose and hope in life. After all, He is the Giver of Life, time has proven this, in everything we see. He is the Gift to man that just keeps on giving. He is peace, kindness, and love.

I don't want to spew hate speech at you, or anything like that, I just want to convey a message that I honestly believe in my heart is true. Whether you choose to accept it or not, is in your hands. But I feel comfortable in saying that I've given you something to think about, and I hope that you will think about it, and not just brush it off as lunacy...

In closing... I hope to get me a computer so I can post more often soon. Until then, hope everyone is doing well, and I will keep on observing the blogs. :-)

P.S. -- Fantastic interview on C-Span Mark and Matt. It was really cool seeing you guys have a discussion on a major news network. Hope to see you guys up there some day debating the top dogs and even holding some of the debates yourselves. :-P Keep in touch. --

Lucas

I can appreciate the sentiment, especially if you expand your vision beyond the office walls. That is the birth of the liberal mind. MY community is the United States of America and beyond. I spend about a quarter of each year abroad, and when I get back, I am "home". I love this place. I love it's children. I love it's grandpas. It pains me to see any of them suffer needlessly for want of big pharma ransom cash, or to be blamed for their own suffering because they picked the wrong insurance coverage before they got sick. This is evil. Conservative evil, and it must be fought.

The Bible itself advocates wealth redistribution on a need basis in Acts 4:34:

"There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales (35) and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

Sorry, folks, but Jesus and the Apostles were socialists. Period.

This is a world of lonely people. It is full of people who fear they are being judged by those around them and found wanting, especially the "ones who could lose a few pounds", a line I find unbelievably offensive in this context.

Be careful not to project your own thoughts and feelings onto others, as these women may seem distant simply to keep you off their backs. And for everyone's sake, don't let the women folk know you wrote this article for all the world to see, or you will be in a world of hurt around the water cooler.

Your perceptions of their sadness and loneliness assumes you know what is best for them, arrogant and misguided as that may be. I have been married 24 years and have two incredibly well-adjusted kids in college, and everyone in my family would seem distant and sad in the presence of someone they felt was judging them based on some boogie-ghost-in-the-sky bearded God on a throne, and out of pure politeness, would avoid eye contact with you like the plague.

Your vision of "happiness" ignores the fact that divorce in the Bible Belt far out-paces that homo-hugging socialist experiment called Massachusetts. Sharing a home, bills and children with someone possessing diametrically opposed genitalia is no magic formula for happiness.

Serving others, especially less-fortunate-than-yourself strangers, is. That is called "socialism". That is W.hat J.esus W.ould D.o. if indeed you actually believed in Jesus, and not the conservative remake known as Jesus, CEO.

And no, Jesus is not the way, the truth or the life. Jesus, if he existed at all since the Romans left virtually NO record of his existence and the Romans kept incredible records, was a married Jewish guy with some great ideas about ending the cycle of bloodshed by loving your enemy, sharing your wealth, paying your taxes, healing your sick and not charging interest on loans, all of which the conservative mindset ignores and even vilifies.

Infinite wisdom, all knowing, all seeing, omnipotent, omnipresent God didn't get writer's block two thousand years ago (1400 if you are Muslim). Man's early attempt to explain the universe resulted in the Bible. Man has expanded his grasp exponentially since, describing "God" through physics, math, chemistry and the manipulation of human health and mental well-being. The sum total of human writings encapsulating knowledge barely scratches the surface of "God". You've got to let the superstitions go. You've got to say no when preachers call for your submission to them, the "keepers" of God's will, as if they've got a cell phone back in time to determine that bashing babies on rocks as described in Psalms is now a bad idea, but divorce and remarriage is ok now if you say a few of the right words.

They're conning you.

I can appreciate the sentiment, especially if you expand your vision beyond the office walls. That is the birth of the liberal mind. MY community is the United States of America and beyond. I spend about a quarter of each year abroad, and when I get back, I am "home". I love this place. I love it's children. I love it's grandpas. It pains me to see any of them suffer needlessly for want of big pharma ransom cash, or to be blamed for their own suffering because they picked the wrong insurance coverage before they got sick. This is evil. Conservative evil, and it must be fought.

The Bible itself advocates wealth redistribution on a need basis in Acts 4:34:

"There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales (35) and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

Sorry, folks, but Jesus and the Apostles were socialists. Period.

This is a world of lonely people. It is full of people who fear they are being judged by those around them and found wanting, especially the "ones who could lose a few pounds", a line I find unbelievably offensive in this context.

Be careful not to project your own thoughts and feelings onto others, as these women may seem distant simply to keep you off their backs. And for everyone's sake, don't let the women folk know you wrote this article for all the world to see, or you will be in a world of hurt around the water cooler.

Your perceptions of their sadness and loneliness assumes you know what is best for them, arrogant and misguided as that may be. I have been married 24 years and have two incredibly well-adjusted kids in college, and everyone in my family would seem distant and sad in the presence of someone they felt was judging them based on some boogie-ghost-in-the-sky bearded God on a throne, and out of pure politeness, would avoid eye contact with you like the plague.

Your vision of "happiness" ignores the fact that divorce in the Bible Belt far out-paces that homo-hugging socialist experiment called Massachusetts. Sharing a home, bills and children with someone possessing diametrically opposed genitalia is no magic formula for happiness.

Serving others, especially less-fortunate-than-yourself strangers, is. That is called "socialism". That is W.hat J.esus W.ould D.o. if indeed you actually believed in Jesus, and not the conservative remake known as Jesus, CEO.

And no, Jesus is not the way, the truth or the life. Jesus, if he existed at all since the Romans left virtually NO record of his existence and the Romans kept incredible records, was a married Jewish guy with some great ideas about ending the cycle of bloodshed by loving your enemy, sharing your wealth, paying your taxes, healing your sick and not charging interest on loans, all of which the conservative mindset ignores and even vilifies.

Infinite wisdom, all knowing, all seeing, omnipotent, omnipresent God didn't get writer's block two thousand years ago (1400 if you are Muslim). Man's early attempt to explain the universe resulted in the Bible. Man has expanded his grasp exponentially since, describing "God" through physics, math, chemistry and the manipulation of human health and mental well-being. The sum total of human writings encapsulating knowledge barely scratches the surface of "God". You've got to let the superstitions go. You've got to say no when preachers call for your submission to them, the "keepers" of God's will, as if they've got a cell phone back in time to determine that bashing babies on rocks as described in Psalms is now a bad idea, but divorce and remarriage is ok now if you say a few of the right words.

They're conning you.

Mark, you do in fact use incredibly insultng words and tone. And if each of us handing out out leftovers to homeless people on the street solved the problems we face, we might have a chance. It's so much bigger than that, though that's a nice gesture. What I do think from reading you is that your vision of the world around you is very narrow, but I hope the path your are taking with the church (though there are others) will lead you to a more open-eyed enlightenment. That would be one person, but it would be a start.

(See how I don't call you names or say that you love death or any of that? You could express the teachings of your catechism in that way - try not casting false witness. Say what you think without the venom.)

Congressive...You and jayhay have such a hatred for the truth. You can't get through life and expect to be blessed hating Christians like that!!

Jeremiah

USA,

Sure, we can let others experience the life-changing miraculous healing power of Christianity in their own time, but the seed must be planted before it can grow. If all I do is begrudge everyone, and keep everything to myself, then I'm not doing what God would have me to do, I would be guilty of putting self before God. I would be a tree that is not producing the spiritual seed of Salvation in fruit of abundance. And if you've read the bible you would know that, any tree that does not produce fruit is hewn down and thrown into the fire, in the spiritual aspect, that would mean fire everlasting.

Jesus Christ gave me life, and now He expects me to give the Gift to others. That, my friend...Is True Love. The Light of Jesus Christ!!!

Jeremiah

Jeremiah, you are projecting. I don't hate Christians any more than I hate smokers. I pity those who have been suckered into doing something irrational to their own detriment, and become annoyed when they exhale the byproducts of their poison in public places.

I certainly don't relish the idea of paying for their habit, as everyone does with smokers through increased healthcare expenses, and Christians through "faith-based" tax spending, not to mention the HUGE tax benefits churches enjoy for spouting irrational gibberish that translates into everyone else shouldering THEIR tax burden. It's not like churches don't benefit from fire, police, roads, water and all other tax-funded government services, they just don't have to pay for them.

Religious thuggery is "protected speech" even though it's the same as if a shady character told you to give him ten percent of everything you make, and you will live in peace and love, but if you don't, you'll be thrown into a burn barrel by the East River. This is extortion, unless it's "religious" and then it's just the Imam/Magisterium spreading the love.

I do hope that your rational mind will kick into gear if you ever hear words from "god" inciting you to violent behavior against non-believers, as happens from time to time.

In the mean time, I, too, am called by a higher power to speak out against ignorance and evil in a loving, rational way. It's the doctrine of "Evil Succeeds When Good Men Remain Silent."

I don't hate Christians any more than I hate smokers. I pity those who have been suckered into doing something irrational to their own detriment, and become annoyed when they exhale the byproducts of their poison in public places.--Congressive

But your words are contradicting, Congressive--such as this--Jesus is not the way, the truth or the life. Jesus--and a whole string of lies and venom against Christians and Christianity.

What you just said, whether you realize it or not, is blasphemy against God's Holy Spirit!!!

The very same thing that you are doing to God, here's what He done to Hymenaus Alexander--1 Timothy 1:20--'of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

From that point forward, anything can and will happpen to you, whether you believe it or not--you would lose your job, your family, you would be tempted to do drugs, alcohol--Let's just say your whole life's career would go to nothing because you chose to disobey. Now, you may say "I would never do anything like that."

What are you going to do to stop it?
Unless you trust in the Lord to help you in this life, then you will have no power whatsoever to overcome the temptation of the enemy. NONE!

You further show your pure hatred of all things Christian when you say this--through "faith-based" tax spending, not to mention the HUGE tax benefits churches enjoy for spouting irrational gibberish

"Irrational gibberish"?????

What "irrational gibberish"????? You mean ministers preaching the gospel to those who are lost and need of the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ?

Let me tell you something--It doesn't matter how much money we will ever have here on earth, it will never compare to what God has in store for those who love and Serve Him--which leads me to this--Matthew 6:19-21--'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destoys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'

You see? Earthly things corrupt the soul, making one's life miserable and unbearable, to a grueling demise, but if we fix our eyes on Jesus; the Author and Finisher of our Faith, He says our life shall be made new and everlasting.

Also, who says that ministers don't pay taxes? All ministers have to pay taxes just as everyone else does. The only things that are not taxed is the usage of the building and grounds. If Democrats have their way they will though...and just goes to prove the evil desires and intentions of those on the left.

Plus, any and all literature that is distributed is the money through God's people and their interest in reaching to the lost souls in this world, and My, what a wonderful idea. The funds also help to make possible a Christmas for those little children in Africa who are dirt poor, and you should see the faces of those little children when they open their gifts on Christmas day, how they appreciate what they've been given--and here in America, most kids get the finest of everything, many get brand new cars, and care less. While so many like those in Africa, and other countries have nothing, not even as much a meal!!!

In the mean time, I, too, am called by a higher power to speak out against ignorance and evil in a loving, rational way.

You're going about it with the wrong attitude, Congressive. And I'll tell you, without the Lord, you won't reach many--for eye is bad, full of darkness. You see, you just THINK that you have the light, but it is darkness--If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

John 15:5--Jesus said--'I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing!!!

If you have Christ in your life, then you will have the capacity to reach many souls, but without Him, it is all in vain!!!

The Lord can use you, Congressive!! If you'll just open up your heart and mind and let Him in to do the work that He desires of you!!!

Jeremiah

Lucas,

Hopefully you are reading. Since Mark selectively forgets the english language to protect his insanity, you might be the only person I can communicate to. I'll spend some time trying to explain things to you.

Mark Noonan and Matt, are clinically insane. They suffer from Psychopathic Personality Disorder. They are both very ill. Your brother is the same. They are delusional, they have lost their minds, they are not normal.

On to what you say to me and what you are wrong about:

"But I'm guessing that you generally hate Christianity because it promotes defending the weak, preserving innocent life, and promoting a moral life style."

Well that would be nice if Christianity was like that, but it's not. Protecting the weak? All this political language you use is translated into the real world as you wanting to control other people. YES! Backwards speak isn't going to help you now. You want to control other people's lives HOW? you ask? The Anti-Abortion view isn't about saving innocent lives, you want to control millions of women, where does someone else's body begin and yours start? You desire control. Discrimination of gays is what you call "promoting a moral life style"...what you say is everyone has to live as an airhead like you, then you'll be confortable enough to mind your own. Control and fear and untangible delusions is what you stand for.

"Mark and Jeremiah are not wrong."
Listen to what I say. They are wrong, they are as wrong as wrong can be, just look at Mark for example, he doesn't know what I mean? Am I typing a different language, no! That's the delusion of insanity from Mark. Can you and Mark understand words when you don't want to?

"I've come to find, in every situation, every time, that Jesus Christ is the only One capable of giving us that purpose and hope in life."

Well I'm sorry your wrong. Just think of what your saying Jesus is the ONLY way? ONLY? Ha! You are dealing with a limited view that is perpetrated by the very people your siding with. Fascism and control is what Christianity and Conservativism is. They are right now acting against God, they are stopping God from allowing you to see a larger viewpoint than what the Consevative Bigots give you.

"But I feel comfortable in saying that I've given you something to think about"
No you haven't. You have no idea how far ahead of you I am. And I frustrated because of these people Mark, Jerimiah, Conservatives who are psychopathic low-IQ fascists, and they have no idea because their mental defects restricts them to behave like robots.

Since I'm speaking 5-grade level english maybe you can read and understand me??????????

Jerimiah:

"You see, you just THINK that you have the light, but it is darkness--If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

Congressive, as you may know, Jerimiah is Psychologically Projecting onto you. Which means that Jerimiah has just admitted to you that Jerimiah THINKS he as the light, but he doesn't. It is an admitance, more than anything else.

jayhay,

Certainly I use the wrong words at times and say things in a manner which causes offense. But with all that, I don't think that anything I've said can be called a "slime"...unless you have such a broad definition of "slime" that it would de-facto include mere disagreement. And, be that as it may, I am making an effort to become more gentle in my speech - to ask myself, "would my Lord appreciate what I've just said?".

You should, of course, keep in mind that Our Lord could, at need, use some rather harsh terminology against some people. The truth must be told, even if it hurts some who hear it. Possibly my harshest rhetoric is reserved for those who advocate the barbarism known as abortion - if you can find a kinder and gentler way for me to call murder what it is, then I'm all for it. Second on the list for harsh rhetoric are those who knowingly lie about things.

I'm always open for correction, however - and if you come across anything I write which you find particularly offensive, then let me know - explain just why you think I said something the wrong way. I do take such things into consideration.

USA,

We can understand you now - you hate us and wish us ill. This is ok. We love you, and will pray for you.

Congressive,

I guess you don't know just how much the varied religious bodies in the United States expend on charity...this is because you don't understand what "community" is all about. You think of community as a selection of atomised individuals who do whatever they darn well please while government takes care of the failures - for us, community is just that; our community. Our brothers and sisters right around us.

To try and get this back on track - ie, off the Christian-bashing track you and others have put it on - what I was trying to relate in the post is that human beings are made for each other...that our happiness depends on the happiness of others; that unless we are giving ourselves away with both hands and with great joy, we are denying our basic humanity.

I, of course, am a Christian and thus hold that it was God who made us this way and, furthermore, that Jesus showed us that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life...he gave himself utterly and completely away. But even if you want to leave Christianity out of it, you'll be hard pressed to find arguments other than selfishness and hedonism to oppose the concept that our purpose in life is to help one another. You're wise enough to know that while you could scratch out an existence entirely on your own, a real life requires the voluntary participation of others...you KNOW this, and from this understanding (which, it seems, most of us have blocked) comes the inescapable conclusion that our happiness is dependent upon the happiness of others.

Keep in mind, of course, that "happiness" and "feeling of pleasure" aren't necessarily the same thing - you can get all kinds of sex and drugs to give you a sense of pleasure, but happiness requires others.

USA,

We can understand you now - you hate us and wish us ill. This is ok. We love you, and will pray for you.

Posted by: Mark Noonan at October 16, 2007 10:54 PM

Mark trying to get under my skin. Mark trying to "push my buttons".

The point is why. Why. You won't stand on your own two feet when we talk about why. You just lay down and play dead.

USA,

Why you feel the way you do? Oh, we already understand that - you are ignorant of history and of Christianity...and you also have filled your heart and mind with hatred. Our task - with our prayers - is to break the logjam of hatred in you, and that will allow you to learn about history and Christianity, and thus come to understand us.

Mark,

Your a Psychopath. You ignore the facts everyone lays out. You fold when someone points out the faults in your ideology. Your ideas can't stand a debate. So you post something like you did above.

USA

USA,

What? You'll first have to post something you hold as a fact which disputes something I say...then we can debate facts. All you've done is come here and insult us.