just an observation

[trekkor]

A lot of interest in world events.
Overall, many people are VERY concerned about their future.

No solutions to the problems in sight.

The Bible is for the most part, rejected as a source of direction.

Between available media, comments here and my conversations with others I have seen this to be the view of the majority.

I find it sad that so many people are afraid and have no hope.


KT

[Joeaksa]

Not here. None of my friends nor family feel this way. Things could be better but they could as well be a lot worse.

We will work our way out of this and be better for it. Those who are afraid need to stop worrying and get to work. Sitting around and moping about the crap that we hear in the news media is doing no one any good.

America is not what it is today by its people being sad. Pick yourselves up and get going.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Pretty much what Wayne said.

Yes, we have our problems and we have serious issues facing us as a society/culture, but the threat of immediate death is less of a reality than our fathers and grandfathers faced. At least until the next draft fires up - for those of us under age 35. . . But I digress.

[M.D. Holloway]

Compare the creature comforts, medical technology, food & water availablity, economy, unemployment, infra-structure, international buisness relations, communications and education to that of any other country and any other time and your saying people have lost hope! Dude! These are by far the best times ever on Earth! maybe you should think about changing a few things on the home front if your life is not up to snuff. Times they are a good brotha!

[450knotOffice]

+1

[dd74]

Originally posted by trekkor
The Bible is for the most part, rejected as a source of direction.

I have yet to meet anyone who has rejected the bible. If read directly, by one's self, valuable lessons are to be had.

The problem is interpretation of what the bible says. It seems now more than ever, intellectuals tend to explain its lessons for personal and/or political gain.

I wish it were interpreted on face value, i.e. on a pure human level. If certain persons were to not use it as an addition to their bully pulpit, I believe it would be more widely read and potentially followed.

[trekkor]

I'm fine and feel very positive about the future.

Most people don't believe there will ever be world peace ( or a world ).

Not to mention rise in crime, violence and drug use worldwide.
For many, threat of war, terrorism, pandemic, global financial collapse etc is on the mind and media...


KT

[trekkor]

Originally posted by dd74
I have yet to meet anyone who has rejected the bible. If read directly, by one's self, valuable lessons are to be had.

The problem is interpretation of what the bible says. It seems now more than ever, intellectuals tend to explain its lessons for personal and/or political gain.

I wish it were interpreted on face value, i.e. on a pure human level. If certain persons were to not use it as an addition to their bully pulpit, I believe it would be more widely read and potentially followed.

Nicely put.

I often wonder why almost everyone has one or more copies of the bible in there home or growing up, but so many people do not want to talk about this topic.

Why is that?


KT

[M.D. Holloway]

Can't say I talk much about the color of the sky unless a strom is coming. I don't talk about the air I breath unless it stinks or the water I drink unless it is bad tasting - whats the difference? The good book works as well as a few others. And?

[dd74]

Originally posted by trekkor
Nicely put.

I often wonder why almost everyone has one or more copies of the bible in there home or growing up, but so many people do not want to talk about this topic.

Why is that?


KT

I have no idea. Unfairly, this society has put a terrible toll on those who believe the bible. And it's much easier to disrespect someone who follows it than respect someone who does.

Withstanding those who use the bible in an abusive manner, I am increasingly willing to talk to people about its meaning now more than ever. Why? Because it provides comfort, and I'm all for learning about what makes a person comfortable, particularly as comfort offsets strife, which is epidemic these days.

BTW: when I write "abusive" I am speaking about persons who act disingenuous to the lessons the bible teaches while claiming they follow it.

[nostatic]

the problem ain't the book, it's the people who thump it...

[Victor]

I too have a positive outlook and get a sense of comfort from having a deep sense of faith that some day the world will be rid of this curse invented by man referred to as "God".

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Victor
I too have a positive outlook and get a sense of comfort from having a deep sense of faith that some day the world will be rid of this curse invented by man referred to as "God".

Well Victor,

Thank GOD that the majority of us do not feel that God is a curse.

He has saved my life several times and continues to this day to guide me throughout life.

I may be in control of the small stuff but know who is really in charge of my life. Sad that some people have not figured this out yet but hope that it will happen before they die, otherwise it just may be a very long time in a place other than Heaven.

[trekkor]

Originally posted by Victor
I too have a positive outlook and get a sense of comfort from having a deep sense of faith that some day the world will be rid of this curse invented by man referred to as "God".

I think that is a ridiculous thing to say.
Your whole life's outlook is "positive" based because "someday"
religion will be forgotten?

I don't believe your post is sincere or truthful.
It's only design is to generate an arguement and it is rooted in chaos.

Although, I do agree that the bulk of the problems in the world are a result of the actions of people that claim to worship God, yet their actions show it to be impossible.


KT

[trekkor]

Originally posted by nostatic
the problem ain't the book, it's the people who thump it...

You are correct.


KT

[Joeaksa]

Just received this. Perhaps you should give this to your friends...


THE DONKEY

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried tofigure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway.

It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.

They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.

Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well.

He was astonished at what he saw.

With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey
was doing something amazing.

He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped
up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.

The trick to getting out of the well is to shake the dirt off and take a step up.

Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.

We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!

Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to being happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more
5. Expect less

NOW --------

Enough of that crap .
The donkey later came back, and bit the ***** out of the farmer who had tried to bury him.

The gash from the bite got infected, and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.