[tedquick]

Originally Posted by Patty55

I consider myself an agnostic theist.

One of the many things I question is why topics such as this are even included in the "Non-villages discussion". Why is this not off with all the church stuff.

If you mean that by being an agnostic theist that you believe in one god, but that he is simply not knowable, I can see how you might arrive at that conclusion. That is part of what makes this “former” greatest-country-ever such a wonderful place in which to live. Most of us on this website can (and do) share many views; some are similar, some are dissimilar, some are opposites while some others appear to be disparate. This is wildly interesting to me. While this certainly could be listed under religion, I originally thought of it as just a general discussion.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by tedquick

If you mean that by being an agnostic theist that you believe in one god, but that he is simply not knowable, I can see how you might arrive at that conclusion. That is part of what makes this “former” greatest-country-ever such a wonderful place in which to live. Most of us on this website can (and do) share many views; some are similar, some are dissimilar, some are opposites while some others appear to be disparate. This is wildly interesting to me. While this certainly could be listed under religion, I originally thought of it as just a general discussion.

Yes, but the thing is some of us don't share our views. I rarely do because I try govern myself.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by tedquick

While you and I are a little off topic (but maybe we’re really not), you bring up an excellent point: I think religion is the worst thing that ever happened to Christianity.
Or is it man’s insecurity that has frightened him into judging others who think/believe differently than he does? After all, if “you” think differently than I do then one of us has to be wrong and because of my precarious walk, I dare not let that error reside within me, therefore, the euphemistic “you” must be wrong.

I’m interested in your or any other reader’s thoughts.

As to the different sects of Christianity I humbly offer this bit of humor which was voted best Joke about Religion from Emo Philips
The best God joke ever - and it's mine! | Stage | The Guardian

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"

He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"

Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

[tedquick]

Thanks, blueash, your joke made my point better than I did and I thank you for that.

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Yes, but the thing is some of us don't share our views. I rarely do because I try govern myself.

I would love to hear your views. My world is much larger than my own little cloistered thoughts and close set of friends. That's the biggest reason I read and take part in some of the discussions on this website. I cherish the views of others. We all are who we are as a result of all of the influences in our lives, of which postings on this blog are a part.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by tippyclubb

Humans create God. I don't go to church anymore, and I don't pray often. I do believe in a higher power, I believe goodness is inside of everyone. I strongly believe in karma. I believe doing small acts of kindness everyday takes us one more step to our true purpose in life. The Golden Rule is a major belief of all religions and God is just a name.

I beieve in a power of deception that has convinced you there is no God. Satan is a master of deception. Consider that, not for my sake.

[graciegirl]

Sue Fitzmaurice, Author

[tedquick]

Such wisdom!

[Challenger]

I care very little about what you need to be mentally and emotionally comfortable about God-Gods-"the Beginning"

I do care about how you act and the motives that drive your actions . Many of the worlds greatest philanthropists are atheist or at least agnostic; many are people of faith.

For me your "works" (actions) will show me who and what you really are .

James 2-14 Faith without works is Dead.

JM(very)HO

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by tedquick

If you mean that by being an agnostic theist that you believe in one god, but that he is simply not knowable, I can see how you might arrive at that conclusion. That is part of what makes this “former” greatest-country-ever such a wonderful place in which to live. Most of us on this website can (and do) share many views; some are similar, some are dissimilar, some are opposites while some others appear to be disparate. This is wildly interesting to me. While this certainly could be listed under religion, I originally thought of it as just a general discussion.

Just curious, if the USA is the "former" greatest-country what country took its place?

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

Just curious, if the USA is the "former" greatest-country what country took its place?

Allow me to offer some fairly recent available facts (within the last couple of years):
America is 7th in literacy,
27th in math,
22nd in science,
49th in life expectancy,
169th in infant mortality,
3rd in household income,
4th in labor force and
4th in exports.

We are, however, number one in incarcerated adults per capita and number one in defense spending. So definitionally, do we sound like the greatest country in the world anymore?

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by tedquick

Allow me to offer some fairly recent available facts (within the last couple of years):
America is 7th in literacy,
27th in math,
22nd in science,
49th in life expectancy,
169th in infant mortality,
3rd in household income,
4th in labor force and
4th in exports.

We are, however, number one in incarcerated adults per capita and number one in defense spending. So definitionally, do we sound like the greatest country in the world anymore?

I was not aware that the catagories you list in total made up the greatest country in the world.

WOW...lots of folks struggling to get here, dying for, and praying for are going to be so disappointed.

PS....you must have really mixed feelings on a day like today...you know, Veterans day...people who thought they were fighting for something and look at those rankings....I assume you did not waste saying thank you to any vets !

[Gary7]

Originally Posted by tedquick

Allow me to offer some fairly recent available facts (within the last couple of years):
America is 7th in literacy,
27th in math,
22nd in science,
49th in life expectancy,
169th in infant mortality,
3rd in household income,
4th in labor force and
4th in exports.

We are, however, number one in incarcerated adults per capita and number one in defense spending. So definitionally, do we sound like the greatest country in the world anymore?

If these are truly the measurements of the greatest country in the world, then who is the greatest country in the world today?
And when was the USA #1 in each of these?

[tedquick]

Perhaps you misunderstood my point: I love America and would gladly die for her if my death would improve her future. I have no interest in living in any other country, but the direction that we are currently heading sickens me. There was a time that we would have been at the top of the above lists, not continuing to fall.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by tedquick

Perhaps you misunderstood my point: I love America and would gladly die for her if my death would improve her future. I have no interest in living in any other country, but the direction that we are currently heading sickens me. There was a time that we would have been at the top of the above lists, not continuing to fall.

I am curious which part of your statement...

"That is part of what makes this “former” greatest-country-ever such a wonderful place in which to live."

One of the things that make this the CURRENT greatest country-ever, is that we, the people can change the direction of the country.

I am not a young man....I have been unhappy with the direction a few times and happy with the direction a few times. THAT does not diminish that I think this is the greatest country ever and never believe it is former. I also do not measure the greatness of a country by the measurements you supply. You did not list heart, soul or anything in the abstract.

Would I like us to be on top of each of those lists ? I do not know.....only if it did not detract and added to our country, and I have strong feelings on many issues about which you flirt with here, but this country accepts a lot of folks from other lands and they need not take an intelligence test to get in.


SORRY I interrupted your thread here. I have a big mouth and am very opinionated, however, to me religion is from within and almost impossible to have a forum discussion on. Politics is different for many obvious reasons and you jumped from religion to politics in this thread. I have no desire to post on religion....it is in me and mine....I share when necessary, but certainly have no franchise on my feelings or my God, thus it is all personal. Sorry again...will leave you be