Payback something I got in an e-mail ________________________________________ is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITE IT ON THE BACK OF YOUR ENVELOPES Or front
WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. WE'LL START WRITING IT ON THEOF OUR ENVELOPES, TOO! ----------Including Bills
You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say
'IN GOD WE TRUST ,' The law,they say, is being violated.
Anyway, we heard proposed on a radio station show, that we should all write
' IN GOD WE TRUST' On the back of all our mail.
After all, that's our National Motto, and ----- All the money we use to buy stamps. We think it's a wonderful idea.
We must take back our nation from all the people who< /I> think that anything that offends them should be removed.
If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writing or stamping......... 'IN GOD WE TRUST ' On our envelopes sounds good to us ..
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING A STAMP MADE TOO........ Lets use it as our signature on e-mails, too!
It's been reported that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, we have a very hard time understanding why there's such a mess about having ' In God We Trust!' On our money and having God in the pledge of Allegiance.
Could it be that WE just need to take action and tell the 14% to 'sit down and shut up'?
If you agree, pass this on, if not, disregard !!!
Disregarding one reason why this world is in the mess we're in now.
Better still, why not have it tattooed on your foreheads.
While 86% of Americans believe in God, I trust that only a very small percentile of them are so frightened by the 14% that they would waste their time indulging themselves in such petty foolishness.
Oh yeah! That's right. This is a cut-n-pasted, moronic chain letter that is normally spread in emails, but imbeciles like you choose to expand it to forums!
Thanks for making this forum my junk email folder!
Jesus Christ WTF don't you guys understand. 14% of whiners! If there are white american doctors or priest or they just got off the boat, they should STFU about slogans that been around for centuries.
Tabernacle comprenner vous rien?
"The only goddamn thing you know about the law is how to break it." Chief Lafleche
OK... "In God We Trust" in the post office. They could have left that alone. Just like "Merry Christmas" in December. This is part of a larger issue though.
However, if people expect others to tolerate religion, quit shoving it in their faces. Be good Christians (or Jews, Muslims, Hare Krishnas, Satanists etc.) and practice your faith privately. Those are the ones I have respect and consideration for... people who are content to go to church and/or have their prayers without the need to crow about it or impose it on others.
The World has been such a "mess" for thousands of years, in part, because of religion. It has in fact been the basis of many wars. Religion has also hindered progress.
At least now, America has gotten rid of that Born Again Moron from government and science can once again advance beyond weapons technology and ridiculous appeasements like "intelligent design". Your new president recognizes the importance of research and development... and the separation of religion and government.
I'll tell you this too... this forum is not the place to spread chain letter rubbish. If some people are going to be too obtuse to let them die on the vine, we can start deleting them.
QUOTE: OK... "In God We Trust" in the post office. They could have left that alone. Just like "Merry Christmas" in December. This is part of a larger issue though.
However, if people expect others to tolerate religion, quit shoving it in their faces. Be good Christians (or Jews, Muslims, Hare Krishnas, Satanists etc.) and practice your faith privately. Those are the ones I have respect and consideration for... people who are content to go to church and/or have their prayers without the need to crow about it or impose it on others.
The World has been such a "mess" for thousands of years, in part, because of religion. It has in fact been the basis of many wars. Religion has also hindered progress.
At least now, America has gotten rid of that Born Again Moron from government and science can once again advance beyond weapons technology and ridiculous appeasements like "intelligent design". Your new president recognizes the importance of research and development... and the separation of religion and government.
I'll tell you this too... this forum is not the place to spread chain letter rubbish. If some people are going to be too obtuse to let them die on the vine, we can start deleting them.
I could not agree more.
"In God We Trust" has no place on the money, in the Post Office or anywhere that is part of the U.S. government. Our forefathers included "Separation of Church and State" in the Constitution and its one of the main reasons our country was born. Its against the constitution and should never have been allowed. Believe what you want and trust what you want. The Constitution is why you can.
"God" has become nothing more than another "mind altering drug" in this world and we would all be better off without it.
There is a movie I just saw a few days ago that is very interesting and Is very controversial. Please understand I am not promoting atheism and am not one. I have a problem with all the different "forms" of organized religion and how they have evolved and how they interpret God. I strongly believe in "God". Science can explain things to a point. Its that final "point" they never will be able to explain and thats when the only explanation is there must be a God. Perhaps the answer is "There is no answer" and we must trust and have faith in that thing we call "God" to fill that void.
The Movie is "Religulous" with Bill Maher it will make you think
Ahh, I saw that on the tv guide on one of the pay per view stations. I was wondering what it was. I don't think I could sit through the whole movie, but I just read the synopsis.
No, I don't buy the "because we've run out of explanations, it must be God that did it". That's small minded thinking, along the lines of a flat earth at the center of the universe. There may be things that we just never understand, but that doesn't mean they are supernatural.
By the way, I wouldn't have a problem with traditional slogans like "In God We Trust" as a motto or being printed on money if it makes others happy, but I do have a problem with religious morals governing laws. I also have a problem with invoking the names of gods to justify wars. (e.g. "God is on our side!")
Obviously "thou shalt not" steal/kill/harm even when legal etc. but here's an example. Why is something like prostitution still illegal? It's not because of disease, because that can be monitored and prevented. It's because of religious morals. I'm not interested in it, but it's something that ought not to be illegal. It should be taxed and regulated just like any other service industry for those so inclined. Why let criminal organizations profit from it because of religious morals? It's not going away.
I do not want any aspect of my life to be controlled by religious dictates.
#75. "RE: Pay Back" In response to Grogan (Reply # 74) Wed May-06-09 01:00 AM by jmc
"I do not want any aspect of my life to be controlled by religious dictates."
I agree 100%. That is why I am totally against "In Got We Trust" or in god we anything anywhere concerning our laws and government. The "Religious Right" can be a very dangerous element in our Government and Laws. Look at the "Spanish Inquisition" In the 1400's and "Witch Hunts" 1480 to 1700 and The Crusades in 1095. How about Jim Jones and the People's Temple in 1978 and September 11th. George Bush was supported and probably elected because of religion. That guy basicly brought down the world. What Modern thing can happen in the name of god? The "brain washed" believers just know they are so right and justified. Right now in Iraq they are digging out and murdering any gay people in the name of religion. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7996487.stm What Next? The institution called "Religion" is responsible for a great deal of the problems in our world past and present and needs to go. And there is no reason why prostitution should be illegal its actually safer for people.
QUOTE: ...George Bush was supported and probably elected because of religion. That guy basicly brought down the world...
While I agree with a lot of what you say, THIS statement I can't agree with. I hold NO brief whatever for George Bush (either of them) but, although I can't speak to the "religion" part of your post, I think that "brought down the world" is a little overblown. The world is still here, even though warfare has taken many away. Still ... we are here, despite whatever machinations the Bush administration(s) have wrought. We in the US are now rid of the Bushes, and it remains to be seen what we will become with the new administration. Maybe we will succeed (I fervently hope we do), or ... maybe we won't. If not, we will surely move on to a new modality. Hope springs eternal.
QUOTE: ...George Bush was supported and probably elected because of religion. That guy basicly brought down the world...
While I agree with a lot of what you say, THIS statement I can't agree with. I hold NO brief whatever for George Bush (either of them) but, although I can't speak to the "religion" part of your post, I think that "brought down the world" is a little overblown. The world is still here, even though warfare has taken many away. Still ... we are here, despite whatever machinations the Bush administration(s) have wrought. We in the US are now rid of the Bushes, and it remains to be seen what we will become with the new administration. Maybe we will succeed (I fervently hope we do), or ... maybe we won't. If not, we will surely move on to a new modality. Hope springs eternal.
I just don't care for either of the Bushes and their stupidity. That statement was a bit strong I agree. The Iraq conflict happened because of his fathers vendetta and they bullshitted us with "They have weapons of mass destruction" His father wanted Saddam's ass and how many young men have died because of it. Him and Chaney where oil men and caused the oil market to "Bubble" and bust. What happened to Oil as soon as he left office? It crashed! Those slime balls caused this whole mess with their speculation and manipulation! Don't you wonder why they never said a word about a recession until bush left office? It was going a full year before they broke the news. It started Dec 07 and not a word was spoken till a few months ago. They knew if they told us it would really come down and it did.
I believe, as Einstein believed, that there is nothing that science can not eventually explain. To invoke a God for what you can not currently explain is not representative of any truth other than we still lack a real explanation of something.
Every day science fills in more of the gaps in our knowledge. It may take a century, or a millennium, or longer, but eventually we will need no myth to replace reality.
QUOTE: I believe, as Einstein believed, that there is nothing that science can not eventually explain. To invoke a God for what you can not currently explain is not representative of any truth other than we still lack a real explanation of something.
Every day science fills in more of the gaps in our knowledge. It may take a century, or a millennium, or longer, but eventually we will need no myth to replace reality.
I also believe what your saying. I don't believe all the "Fairy Tails" that modem religion tries to pass as the truth. I have trouble believing anyone can come back from death or that a virgin can give birth. In spite of all that I do believe there is something that can be called "God". It's very possible that someday science will prove there is such a thing, why not? I also think that if and when this happens we will not think of it in the same way we do now. I think in the future people will look back at this period of time and our beliefs as very primitive, much as we look back at the cavemen. The word "God" may not even be its name. It may even be some form of energy that we harness and use in the same way we use solar power. I feel that energy and so do many others. Someday science may be able to explain it. Every single civilization in recorded history has believed in some kind of "God". That is something that can't be ignored, it just keeps evolving and I feel will continue to happen.
If we ever discover what started everything that exists, it will not be an old man with a gray beard that constantly monitors our behavior and rewards or punishes accordingly. It will be a natural process scientifically understandable and mathematically definable.
QUOTE: If we ever discover what started everything that exists, it will not be an old man with a gray beard that constantly monitors our behavior and rewards or punishes accordingly. It will be a natural process scientifically understandable and mathematically definable.
Yes that's for sure. I wonder where, who and why in history this "Old Bearded Man" thing started. Perhaps to keep their slaves or population in line. In ancient Rome the emperors often proclaimed themselves God or a God. Drinking wine out of Lead goblets made them believe it too. Lead poisoning could be what brought down the Roman empire. In the past and present religion is just another thing people use to control each other.
Humans always ascribe perfection to their deities, and what is more perfect than they are? Man created God in his image.
Spinoza wrote that if a table were sentient, surely its God would also be a table.
“I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings” - Albert Einstein
QUOTE: Humans always ascribe perfection to their deities, and what is more perfect than they are? Man created God in his image.
Spinoza wrote that if a table were sentient, surely its God would also be a table.
“I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings” - Albert Einstein
"sentient" Sentience is the ability to feel or perceive subjectively
You quote Einstein quite often and its very interesting to read. Where do you get this from? This particular quote is so "apropos".
sen·tient Pronunciation:\ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ənt, ˈsen-tē-ənt\ Function:adjective Etymology:Latin sentient-, sentiens, present participle of sentire to perceive, feel Date:1632 1: responsive to or conscious of sense impressions <sentient beings> 2: aware 3: finely sensitive in perception or feeling
Good use them that is your choice, I personally would not howerever no one has the right to stifle the beliefs of others even if that belief is stupid.
>>>Good use them that is your choice, I personally would not howerever no one has the right to stifle the beliefs of others even if that belief is stupid.<<<
DJC……………. Your punctuation is so poor I had to read that post 4-5 times. Here is what I finally made it out to read. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Good! Use them! That is your choice. I personally would not, however. No one has the right to stifle the beliefs of others even if that belief is stupid.
Yarddaawg
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
#17. "RE: Pay Back" In response to Yarddaawg (Reply # 16) Thu Apr-30-09 03:40 PM by ablib
Quote:
DJC……………. Your punctuation is so poor I had to read that post 4-5 times. Here is what I finally made it out to read. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Good! Use them! That is your choice. I personally would not, however. No one has the right to stifle the beliefs of others even if that belief is stupid.
I must say. When James or Jim does this, it gets old. But when someone else does this....it's great!!
It can be hard reading some of these posts. Thanks Yarddaawg!
All negative comments by Shelly and James are totally taken with a grain of salt. James is great at name calling, he learned it well while sitting at the foot of Shelly the Shepard of the Liberal Flock.
I admire Shelly's knowledge on computers and other subjects, however I cannot and will not agree with his political beliefs. Shelly has core values and beliefs and stands by them through thick and thin. James has admitted he has no core values or beliefs, James will change his values and beliefs as soon as situation dictates he must.
All negative comments by Shelly and James are totally taken with a grain of salt.
Well duh! If you, or anyone,in any way, gets your little feelings hurt by these posts...you should seriously take a break from this place and have a nice hot cup of reality.
Quote:
James has admitted he has no core values or beliefs, James will change his values and beliefs as soon as situation dictates he must.
You said this before, but I still don't understand. James is die-hard liberal. He knows what his beliefs are and NOTHING will ever change that.
James am I wrong? Or can someone direct me to where James said this?
I told DJC that my core beliefs were something like, "Do onto others but do it first, and don't hog the mashed potatoes." And that they changed as I learned better.
But it doesn't really matter what I or anyone says to DJC. He's occupying his own dimension.
#31. "RE: Pay Back" In response to ablib (Reply # 30) Sat May-02-09 10:38 AM by jazz4free
Sure.
People who get up each morning to write the next chapter of their novel, or design the next microchip, or paint the next masterpiece, or storm the beach of the next enemy, or plow a new furrow to plant seed, or drive the fire truck to your burning house are not going to stop doing this stuff because their government is providing them and others with decent health care or making sure their children are not living in a refrigerator carton and being sent to a rotten school hungry.
You and I and DJC have bootstraps. Some folks, because of circumstance or the luck of the draw, haven't boots.
Voluntary charity does its best to provide footwear, but, despite all the good intention, often falls short. Too many people are left barefoot to walk on broken glass.
So government fills the void.
DJC rightly doesn't want government to hold his hand (in his case, I suspect, a paranoid euphemism for a ring through the nose and a feared finger probing in his pocket for a dusty nickle). But were he and the people he loves found dangling from the edge of a cliff above an abyss, I'm almost sure even he would swallow his hubris for the moment and accept an extended helping hand to bring him and those close to him back to firmer ground. Even if that hand was attached to an arm of the government.
A little bit of well-structured and thoughtfully-targeted socialism don't hurt all that much.
A lot of people in a lot of places are living quite content with it.
Now Ed, take it easy on James he is a Wannabee, He wants to be like Shelly. He also wants to be a US Citizen. I have no problem of him coming to the US working and living as long as he does it legally.
Quit trying to build a reputation off of Shelly. Show us your accomplishments and all the good you have done for mankind in your life. So far you have showed us nothing but hot air and your ability to copy and paste and a failed attempt to educate one failed member here.
Ed W.
"IN GOD WE still TRUST - ALL OTHERS, WE used to MONITOR"
Please answer the questions posed to you, failure to do so will confirm that you are a worthless waste of mankind trying to steal worth from Shelly, old wanabe james.
Ed W.
"IN GOD WE still TRUST - ALL OTHERS, WE used to MONITOR"
We now need to present credentials to participate on this board? I've been here for five years. The members have had more than adaquate opportunity to judge whether or not I'm full of shit.
Next time you visit your doctor ask him to recommend a psychiatrist.
You are one sad case, and if you weren't such a mean-spirited prick, I could almost bring myself to feel sorry for you.
This is definitely the last time I will acknowledge you.
#49. "RE: Pay Back" In response to jazz4free (Reply # 48) Sat May-02-09 10:18 PM by Ed W.
Quote:
QUOTE: We now need to present credentials to participate on this board? I've been here for five years. The members have had more than adaquate opportunity to judge whether or not I'm full of shit.
Next time you visit your doctor ask him to recommend a psychiatrist.
You are one sad case, and if you weren't such a mean-spirited prick, I could almost bring myself to feel sorry for you.
This is definitely the last time I will acknowledge you.
Get help.
Wow james, I see you are disclosing publicly that you have no credentials, as you call expertise, to disclose, so sad. You are a youngster in this forum and as such have shown many many times how full of BS you are.
I have no need for a shrink james but I will speak with my dream teams for some recommendations for a shrink for you. I know someone in this world must be able to help you and all your short comings and failures.
Amazing james, you are at least 10 times sadder than I could ever be and I really do feel sad for you and your wretched life. I have no use for you or your feelings.
As long as you continue to post your non stop BS and try to live off the respect that Shelly has earned, you will be called on it. So you are now going back to what you do best, or are you going to harass that poor old lady banjo picker that plays it so much better than you? I hope you don't threaten to beat the shit out of her every day either.
Ed W.
"IN GOD WE still TRUST - ALL OTHERS, WE used to MONITOR"
And what is so great about Shelly? He may have earned respect regarding computers and electronics but outside of that..... He is very opinionated on other matters as is everyone here.
Shelly is a very learned man, with a lot of life experience to share and it's reflected in his posts. Yes, he's opinionated, but I have to admit that some of the insight I've gotten from his posts (and often his opinions) has sometimes changed, or helped to form mine. Just that, nothing more grandiose. I believe that's similar to what James was trying to convey when he was attacked for it.
"And what is so great about Shelly?" Shelly is one of the most intelligent human beings that will ever cross your path. He is a man filled with a deep understanding of almost anything you throw at him and he is very humble about it. He has a heart of gold and will help anyone if he can. This Forum exists mostly because of him. You may not agree with some of his opinions but you better believe they are not based on bigotry or ignorance. If you knew some of his life experiences you would be floored. Trust me, you don't want to piss him off.
Every one has life experiences. What makes Shelly's any different than the things ED W has seen or Done? What makes Shelly's any Different than what James has seen or done? What makes Shelly's heart bigger than Johnny Rebs? Shelly maybe a very nice person and have a lot of knowledge but there are many others here at PCQ and A that have an equal or greater amount of knowledge depending on the subject, after all he cannot feed the multitude and make water into wine. I know many consider Shelly a man of all seasons, however many also vehemently disagree with his views on the OTL side of PCQ and A.
QUOTE: Every one has life experiences. What makes Shelly's any different than the things ED W has seen or Done? What makes Shelly's any Different than what James has seen or done? What makes Shelly's heart bigger than Johnny Rebs? Shelly maybe a very nice person and have a lot of knowledge but there are many others here at PCQ and A that have an equal or greater amount of knowledge depending on the subject, after all he cannot feed the multitude and make water into wine. I know many consider Shelly a man of all seasons, however many also vehemently disagree with his views on the OTL side of PCQ and A.
Your Question was: What is so great about "Shelly"? I simply told you what "I" think is great about Shelly. There's obviously many great minds here. I respect the hell out of Shelly and think he can make water out of wine. The question was about Shelly. Why would that take away from anyone else? If I would mention anybody else it would be Grogan. Grogan is so down to earth and an incredibly intelligent person. I love his style and to the point no bullshit attitude. Does that statement make everybody else idiots? I hope not.
#58. "RE: Pay Back" In response to DJC (Reply # 56) Sun May-03-09 11:13 PM by Shelly
Shit! I get busy and miss a few days here, and I find everybody at each others throat. Not only that, somehow I got involved in the discussion!
Stop taking my name in vain. Yes I can turn water into wine, all it takes is planting a grape vine cutting and watering it. But I can't turn this place into a one where we can enjoy satisfying discussions if we can't disagree with each other without becoming vicious and childish.
It isn't that hard to participate in an intelligent discussion.
1. State your beliefs clearly and support them with sensible arguments.
2. Understand that someone is likely to disagree with you.
3. If you are the one dissenting, state a cogent argument to support your position. "You're an asshole" is not a cogent argument.
Using this formula, you can argue back and forth ad infinitum, and remain civil.
Most importantly if you are unable to contribute to the discussion at hand, stay the hell out of it! Only a total fool would go out of their way to prove they are a total fool. That will gain no respect from anyone that is not also a fool. This thread has become a good example of what I am talking about.
We all can lose our temper once in a while, but some here want to engage in a vendetta, and that is not acceptable.
The only solution I can see, is that we all start anew and avoid the vindictiveness. If anyone can not act like an adult I suggest they leave. Because, I don't care who you are, or how long you have been here, we will not hesitate to throw you out for good.
This may seem harsh, but to save the forum we must remove the cancers. Our alternative is to close the OT forum.
#59. "RE: Pay Back" In response to Shelly (Reply # 58) Mon May-04-09 12:08 PM by DJC
Calling people fools idiots and stupid is not a very valid argument either. I know I cannot win in a verbal argument with you, but I am not foolish enough to think I am always correct. I do not have a an ego to feed. I give you your do when it comes to technical matters in the computer field. I do disagree with your political views as do a small minority of other posters on this board. Yes you can remove someone to stifle someone that disagrees with you. Some may call that being the bully on the block.
I am sorry to once again correct you, but no one has ever been barred from our sites for their beliefs. A handful have in the last decade been banned for inappropriate behavior and totally ignoring all attempts public and private to change their ways.
There is a small group of members here I philosophically disagree with almost all the time, and many of them have been here a long time.
I personally have no hesitation to make someone uncomfortable in the hopes that they will decide they will find a place more amenable to their ideas. That strategy can only work on someone too dense to be able to support their opinions with good arguments.
I also have no hesitation also to say that people who only want to be disruptive and post one sentence insults due to plain viciousness or mental instability will not be tolerated as long as in the past. They only drive the decent members away. There are people here today only because I intervened on their behalf with the staff without their even knowing it.
I and the rest of the staff have a strong belief in freedom of speech, but that does not extend to irrational attacks on others without provocation. All of you know that I do not suffer fools gladly, and if you demonstrate stupidity I will say so. But I have never cursed anyone, nor threatened anyone here with violence. No person coming here should have to put up with that kind of thing.
If you are too delicate to tolerate criticism for your position, you do not belong in an opinion forum, unless you can give as well as you get, in good humor. A well phrased insult is time honored in debate among intelligent people. A punch in the nose is best relegated to a bar room brawl.
But I have never cursed anyone, nor threatened anyone here with violence. No person coming here should have to put up with that kind of thing.
Absolutely, Shelly, and the message has been received loud and clear. You'd think that for all my self-proclaimed intelligence, I'd be able to recognize deliberate provocation for what it is and ignore it.
From now on, should a similar incident occur, I'll count to one hundred, and then, if necessary, bite my tongue until it bleeds.
And, if I don't, you won't have to ask me to leave -- I'll do it voluntarily.
#70. "RE: Pay Back" In response to jazz4free (Reply # 63) Mon May-04-09 03:34 PM by JohnnyReb
*sigh*
Here we are again. Every so often this forum comes to a head with bickering getting out of control...
I don't think you need to feel too much guilt, James. You usually begin your foray into each thread with some sort of reasoned response, and then things degenerate as the thread gets heated. Others just jump in fully-degenerated...
I haven't posted much over the past months, but have been following the discussions on an almost daily basis. It seems like the number of regular posters has dwindled so much that I no longer need to take off my socks to count them. Even Jordan has stopped posting (I hope he is OK, btw...).
I have no suggestions, answers or anything else. It just seems sad that things are where they are. I am sure it is just a cyclical thing, and the board will pick up again. It always does. Just promise not to cause it to self-destruct before it comes around, guys....
The following was posted by Ed W in this thread and is a good example of his posts lately.
>>>You couldn't make a pimple on Shelly's ass.
Because you are the a$$hole, coward.
will confirm that you are a worthless waste of mankind trying to steal worth from Shelly
You are a youngster in this forum and as such have shown many many times how full of BS you are.
continue to post your non stop BS
harass that poor old lady banjo picker that plays it so much better than you?
threaten to beat the shit out of her every day either<<<
I, for one, do not like this kind of posting. Ed did not use this sort of post when I first joined this forum but lately he is doing this on a regular basis. This, I believe, is a good example of what Shelly is talking about.
Ed – please go back to being the Ed I am familiar with. You have, in the past, had much to offer.
Yarddaawg
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
Believing in God, and keeping formal Church and State separated are two very different issues. The founding fathers were thinking of the mess in Europe where church and state structures were politically intertwined. Many of the fathers were agnostics (Jefferson), or had only a general belief in a Higher Being. They still believed society needs a moral values system based on some kind of theistic belief.
Putting "In God We Trust" on government documents is intended to remind us that society needs a set of values that foster mutual trust and brotherhood. That does not mean that I want to evangelists (of any stripe) to take over.
If it said, "In Jesus we Trust". "In Allah we Trust", etc. I'd have a problem with that. No problem with "God". After all, he or she might be listening.
Many were Deists. They believed in the existence of an intelligence (God, if you wish) that created the universe but then left it to its own devices. They definitely rejected religious dogma for the very reasons you stated.
I No longer believe in "GOD".If I did I would ask him(her?) to temper the comments that I hear my 2nd family members tossing at each other.I enjoy a joust or two but seldom join any more because of the personal slurs.I can take the heat but I find it starts with reasonable statements and then slides into 4th grade bickering with more anger and less reasoning.I tried "highjacking the thread thinking it would throw it off the track but that did not work.Family fueds are not rare but I wish they were more civil with this great gang.When you get angry enough to lose your cool,send the comment to me and i will delete it.I will read it first and grade it as to how well the insult was worded .I grade on the curve and you might be awarded a BS degree for your best effort !KNOCK IT OFF (please)x( THIS THREAD IS FORMALLY "HIJACKED" again!
I enjoy a joust or two but seldom join any more because of the personal slurs.
It's unfortunate you've been made to feel that way, John. And for whatever part I've played in causing you to be uncomfortable in this, your home, I apologize to you personally.
Although we may disagree on most things political, I've always looked forward to your thoughtful, well-reasoned posts, and have nothing but the greatest respect for the wisdom of your long experience.
