Fiannan

Hey, not everybody over 40 is out of shape! Your observation does contain merits. However, I had a single friend who was 34 and had the opportunity to date a very fit guy in his early 50s. She would have nothing to do with it. She's still single.

Haha...that's funny!

Yes, genetics is a mixed bag. The reason I developed an interest in this topic is when I was learning about the Church I thought it odd that Jews were described as white since I thought Middle Easterners were quite dark. Of course, that is before I met Middle Easterners on a large scale or even Jews. I know a Jew who looked almost identical with this Iranian actor portraying Jesus: ABC News: Story of Jesus Through Iranian Eyes The only difference was that he had brighter hair and a slightly larger nose. I also met an Israeli tourist who really resembled my oldest son (red hair, same basic facial features and very dark eyes). And most Jews I have met are either dark like Adam Sandler (that's not all that dark) or have William Shatner's complexion. Both these actors are Jewish. I guess it's important since if you know that people of that region ranged from dark hair and slightly olive skin (perhaps Solomon) to pale skin and red hair (King David his father) and even blonde hair existed in these Semite tribes then the Book of Mormon makes more sense. True, genetic studies are then made difficult since you had so many ethnic groups in the mix of what is now called the Middle East. ANd for the past several thousand years there have been invasions form Asia and Africa as well as many slaves brought into the region (some leaving their genes). As for the original Hebrew tribes all the sons of Isaac were polygamists and married from surrounding tribes and Joseph married an Egyptian -- another group made up of a variety of races and ethnic groups. So when people talk about Jewish genetics today one must realize that there is much more to the story. No doubt there were many groups represented in the Roman Empire. However, just out of curiosity, could you list any black leaders of the empire?

Absolutely. If a woman doesn't like the idea of any particular individual showing interest she can just terminate the conversation in a number of ways. And it isn't just age -- some women would feel extremely uncomfortable if someone of a different race was showing interest in them, or someone who is fat, or bald or short, or to tall or whatever. I say leave it up to the people to be able to have a Church-oriented area to mingle and then let people sort it out themselves. Oh, and I hope you are wrong about more Church members looking like Michael Moore than Chuck Norris. If that is the case you just made a HUGE case for polygamy assuming more females would prefer to mate for good genes than otherwise.

Mohammed's view of Jesus:

Oh really? What ethnic group is probably the most related to the Israelites? well, since they came out of the region now known as Syria maybe Jesus resembled these two very dark individuals -- President Asad and his wife (both Arabs): A more ancient Syrian named Hannibal Interesting. Physical Anthropology of Israelite Peoples

In response to Azazel420, 1) Crimes of passion do not get the death penalty that often -- in fact, in some states if you catch your spouse in the act of sex with someone else, and you freak out and, well, you know...you cannot be charged with first degree murder. I think even Brigham Young addressed this issue. As for the planning type of murder, you are seriously going to tell me that NO people think twice before doing something evil? And if you are addressing someone who plans out things quite intelligently, like a seriel murderer, do you really want them preserved? 2) Just because of the cost you cannot throw out the justice concept. Take a life and you forfiet your right to live -- it's that simple. 3) You make a good case now FOR the death penalty. Yes, advances in forensic investigations as well as in the use of DNA analysis makes false convictions much more rare. Thank you for making that point. Also, if you have reservations about giving the state the right to kill murderers then what about the state having the right to make people take the lives of totally innocent people -- which is the purpose of the military? Yes, I know that when you serve you are protecting your nation but when you go into any war you are killing soldiers who have done you no harm and civilians ultimately die as well. So yes, we do assume the sate can take life in extreme circumstances.

Seems like Charles Manson keeps getting parole hearings. If he wasn't so famous he'd be out there walking the streets. In states that don't have the death penalty was exactly does "life sentence" really mean?

Punjab Online: History of Punjab In remote areas of westerm China as well as much of Iran, Afghanistan, and even Pakistan you can find people with light skin and blue or green eyes. Of course, over time empires bring in many peoples and since light features are recessive they tend to disappear -- only occasionally surfacing in children. A friend of mine from Afghanistan has a grandmother who was extremely pale with blue eyes and red hair -- of course the racial history of much of Afghanistan is unclear as the dominant tribe may actually be descendants of Hebrews. The upper classes of India, Pakistan and even Bangladesh share more genes with Europe than they do with people in the south of India. From what I understand the caste system was an attempt to separate the races so it would be logical that if Buddha had blue eyes he probably looked like someone who would pass anyone's definition of a white person if he were alive today.

There's enough safeguards to insure that possibility will be extremely remote. Also, there is a difference between vengence and justice. If all people wanted was revenge on a guy like the article describes we'd just cook him pretty good but let him live and then put him in prison forever. How many murderers go on to kill again? who speaks for the rights of the victims there? If you have a rabid dog you know what the best thing is to do -- and the dog is totally innocent in that case.

Well, for starters the Bok of Mormon pretty much mandates it. Second, the Bible never condemnds it and in fact supports it. ALso, DigitalShadow or Redbeard, can you give me a list of people executed since 1979-ish who have later been shown to have been innocent?

Newsmax.com - Fla. Man Sentenced to Die for Teen's Fire Death More details of what this guy did to his girlfriend pictured below: Dane Abdool | People You'll See In Hell

With all the fuss over a certain pastor and his claims about Jesus being a black guy persecuted by white Italians I got to thinking, which religions are actually not founded by white guys in the world? I mean, Jesus was most definently white and probably resembled the typical Ashkenazi Jew of today. David and Esau were described as red headed and Mohammed said Jesus fit that description as well -- and if Mohammed, who is often described as reddish (could mean extremely pale skin as in ruddy or red hair) then he would then be a white guy as well. Then you have Buddha who was from the ruling clan of an indo-European people governing India so he would be white -- in China people might be surprised when they see centuries-old murals and statues where Buddha is always shown with blue eyes. Just thought this was interesting now that race and religion is a big topic this year in the elections. My goal isn't to say a certain color is special but it is rather interesting in my opinion. Also, I have heard some radical feminists say that feminists should not be members of any religion that was formed by a man at all and regardless of the race issue I guess that wouldn't leave very many alternatives (at least regarding the major religions). Any thoughts?

The phrase that it is better to have a gun and not need it rather than need a gun and not have it is very true. Also, from a Church standpoint I believe you have every right to defend yourself. And believe me, if I caught anyone trying to rape or kill anyone in my family I'd want to re-enact the scene in "Sin City" on them where the Bruce Willis character does a bit of reconstructive surgery on the villian and ties him to a tree afterwards -- if you saw the movie you get my point.

Okay, if you spot someone over 30 who looks like the guy in the poster below you could assume he'll not be in the best of health by the time he reaches 70: However, if someone keeps themselves in shape maybe this is what they will be like when they are nearly 70:

Again, I am going to ask, are states and nations who allow famles to get married at 14 (with parental consent) contributing to child abuse? Are religions that had leaders who married young women in some way questionable? Are parents who would allow their 14 year old to get married and feel their religion is okay with it in some way contributing to child abuse?

Do you have a breakdown on gender on the inactivity thing? From what I have observed it is the 30/40 something males who go inactive or stop going to singles events since there are few femles their age or younger. Yet if they are in the workplace or in non-Church social settings they are seen as desirable to non-members who are in their 20s. Come on now, I am married with a bunch of kids yet I have had young women come onto me in pretty agressive manners -- finding my e-mail and sending me pretty personal letters or making pretty suggestive comments (with one person I asked by wife to make sure to review correspondance so nothing could be mis-construed). I know other guys who have experienced the same thing -- and in many cases the young females were not indicating the desire for an affair but something much stronger. Females generally prefer older guys so why force a female who is in her mid to late 20s to be in a singles program where many of the guys are still coming to social events with their pants down to their knees and wearing baseball hats backwards?

Hey, the only Leno I like is Jay Leno -- unlike the other late night hosts he is actually quite funny. And I do support the Church position on this issue. As for the slippery slope argument here's a perfect example. In the 1960s birth control was still ilegal in many states. The US Supreme Court then used a non-existant phrase in the constitution called "hte right to privacy" to throw out these restrictions on birth control. They would then use this same precedent to validate Roe v. Wade a decade later. And then a bit over two decades later they returned to this idea and invalidated every state law banning sodomy. Now if you had said back in the 1960s that the courts essentially making birth control legal throughout the USA would lead to the legalization of homosexual acts nationwide I think most people would have thought you were really pusing it. Yet...

Deseret News | LDS Church expresses disappointment in California gay marriage decision If the issue was important enough for the Church to spend a lot of money and man hours to get a ban on gay marriage approved by the voters I think that makes it quite clear where the Church stands.

American Gangster -- excellent movie! 28 Weeks Later -- entertaining but not the best zombie movie. Resident Evil 3 was far better.

Again, why not let adult members choose who they want to socialize with? If all the singles are in the same activities and some 20 year old doesn't want to socialize with some 50 year old then so be it -- she doesn't have to. If on the other hand she does then that should be her choice as well. If you want an interesting story about age differences and still a happy marrige taking place look up the guy who played Scotty on Star Trek.

You didn't catch the irony, did you? Oh well, since my topic in Sunday School was forgiveness I won't hold it against you for the personal jab. PS, what did you find objectionable in regards to comic I posted? If you are going to delete something you can at least give a reason why I suppose.

So by your reasoning, if indeed some "crime" was taking place these states leders should be indicted as co-conspirators? No, they responded to what appears to be a hoax caller. Three years ago the age of consent was much younger. In some states you can marry someone who is 13 or 14 -- and that is true of many countries. If you have a beef with the age thing I suggest you form a PAC and lobby for the age of consent to be raised to 18 nationwide. Here I have to agree with you. The FLDS should have learned from the ancient Muslims and send these young men out with a mission to convert women and marry them before returning. Think of how large their group would be by now if that was their policy. Hope you aren't referring to the allegation of how many had broken bones before the age of 18 since I believe Willow shot that down with pointing to the fact that their averages were below the national average. So these women were pimping out their kids? Pretty serious charge. Yep, nail those mommies -- but yet no arrests of the alleged male abusers? Did you read what you wrote before you punched the submit button? Again, if you define abuse as an arranged marriage then your terms are supported. Also, how did these women escape? Did they run through mine fields? Have to dodge bullets? Or did they just pack up and leave? So I want to get this straight, if any country or state allows 14 year olds to marry are these nations guilty of supporting child abuse?

"Obviously the holy practice will commence again after the Second Coming of the Son of Man and the ushering in of the millenium." (Mormon Doctrine, p. 578) I have no other resources on hand right now but I once heard that when the birth rate went to an incredibly low level in the world then polygamy would come back -- and the trend now is for negative birthrates. Once Africa gets more in line then just wait.

Polygamy existed pretty much from the days of Adam until the Roman era of the Christian Church among believers. Jews suspended it a few centuries ago in Europe to avoid further problems with good Christians who often wanted them dead. And if as one poster has already said that God needed the Church to survive to that's why polygamy was done away with then it goes to rason that once society sees polygamy as okay then it will return. Also, polygamy should not be comparred to deviancies as the Bible upholds polygamy but condemns wicked practices.