Lindy

Good post TS....interesting points

Why are ? I wonder?

From what I have seen, the group (Sinn Fein) gave up the fighting approach and is into the peace negotiations. I think that they are just wanting a whole country for their people period; not a country partially ruled by the British. The research I have done reminds me of a some colonists over 200 years ago that wanted to break away from the same ruling. A small group of states looking for justice, freedom and equality. I found that there has been fighting since Henry VIII brought Catholic Ireland under the rule of Protestant England in the mid 1500's. And the religious groups have been at it ever since, with some 30 plus years from the mid 1960's to the late 90's being very troubled times. Off shoot groups from the IRA sprung out when peace talks started in late 90's. There are some of the Irish who don't mind being under Bristish rule, like some of those colonists in the 1700's. I was discussing the freedom fighters (IRA) and remembered the underground groups who fought for what they believed in here in our country like the Sons of Liberty, who used intimidation and violence to make their point. Some of these Irishmen are die hard freedom fighters, they will give their lives fighting for the freedom they want for their country. I got into a debate with someone about terrorism, the IRA and freedom fighters...and wanted to know more. I think I found out a lot.

I am looking into some history of Ireland and am seeking opinions from anyone who cares to voice an opinion about the Irish Republicans, the Sinn Fein party and the thought of a free Ireland.

Actually, she told me that the holidays that we celebrate are all based on pagan holidays.

Two years ago we did our own traditional Passover seder with Mormon overtones - loved it. Cool. I wonder if it is becoming a trend among us mormons~ We had a Relief Society (Passover) Dinner one year, with talks, stories and meanings of some Passover symbols...and of course dinner. It was great!

You did a great job! I loved the one in the hat....but was very impressed with the black and white one also!

Snow~ go for it.....just enjoy learning about Judaism. I would have loved to have been there to have experienced the service myself. I had the opportunity to attend a program, with a Jewish friend years ago. And had the honor of listening to Holocaust survivors who stood up to denounce one of the speakers for dishonoring his heritage. More power to you in learning what you can. :)

And I have a few athiests I call friends, however, she tells me that she is not an athiest....she is a pagan

Not all athiests or non-Christian/Jews seek to destroy special days for other people. I was impressed when I found out a friend, who is a pagan, went to Easter Mass to light a candle for a friend who couldn't participate in that special event for Catholics. It was a favor he asked of her, and she knew how much it meant to him, so she went and she lite the candle in his stead. Well, it impressed me anyway. (had to edit pagan...I misspelled it)

I just started reading this thread tonight, and I really hadn't planned on even reading it (to begin with) because there is enough in this world to keep me down and depressed without fanning the fire. But, things happen, and here I am reading it....until this comment made me sit up and choke.... not that there was any intent to make me choke, but just the mear thought of having someone tell me if I could feel pain, or hunger, or sadness. I'm sure that everyone has seen a show, or read a book ( or experienced it first hand) about the person laying on the hospital bed with tubes up everywhere, and seeing and hearing everything going on, without the ability to speak, respond, or communicate in any way at all. The total helplessness of knowing that you are alive, and you are thinking.....and listening to someone tell everyone you are not. Screaming inside, with no one to hear you, crying inside and no one to understand your pain. I know that there are some who will just tell me.....that's just sci-fi....not reality. I say....what if? Funny, I remember saying the exact same thing to someone during an agrument (debate) about religion, and how wrong I was for what I believed. "what if" what I believe is wrong? Ok, but what if what I believe is true? WHAT IF? I know a lot of people tell their spouses, or loved ones..... "just let me die" if they are ever to the point of needing a machine to keep them alive. But I don't know how many of those same people meant "let me starve or dehydrate until I die" I can't fathom it. I'm not trying to start another agrument....just stating my mind and I'm out of it. WHAT IF? SF...you are a fantastic mother who will fight the cause for what you believe in, and with all the research you have done on various things...you will help change things for the betterment of a lot of people. I am proud of you and your determination. ( I really wanted to use "kick *** and take names" attitude....but determination was more board worthy

here's what I found out on Snopes http://www.snopes.com/horrors/food/chili.asp that really killed my craving for chili, chips and cheese tonight! ewwwwwwww

Thanks Outshined! Glad to hear it.....but then again....WHAT would I have to look forward to? Happy Easter to everyone.......no matter how they chose to celebrate the day!

Seems alphy may be on more familiar terms with his majesty than you are comfortable with. Seems you assume too much... "alphy" doesn't seem to know any more about it than you do. His most intimate family never called him "Joe". And JS's name is rarely mentioned in most Sacrament meetings. Don't let facts get in the way, though... I'm not going to assume what Sacrament meetings you attend, but I hear his name mentioned fairly often in the ones I attend, especially on F&T Sundays. I wouldn't begin to assume what terms of endearment his immediate family may or may not have used. I wouldn't even assume you knew, though it appears you seem to think you've a firm assumption of the "facts." Your comfort level does seem a bit agitated by anyone not Mormon referring to him familiarly and that's to be understood. J~ I'm not even going to assume what sacrament meetings you attend, but right now, I am assuming that you have a problem with Joseph Smith at this time of your life, referring to him as "his majesty" is just a little much don't ya think? The sacrament meetings I attend have more of a Christ centered atmosphere than a Joseph Smith centered one. Of course if the meeting is about JS, his name does come up more frequently. I think that you might need to find a differnt ward to go to if this one makes you feel the way you do, not good for your spiritual well being.

Wonderful statement TS! I couldn't agree with you more. So many angry children who don't have a clue why they are feeling the way they do, or have a healthy channel to vent in. Don't get me wrong, teachers are heros in my book, I know that they didn't (and still don't) get paid nearly enough for all the work they do, they didn't get the training needed to recognize and act upon a lot of problems, and some still don't have the training they need. I found out years ago that the there are some teachers that couldn't deal with kids who thought "outside the box" if they couldn't fit the mold of a "normal" student, they were classified as a troublemaker, a slacker, or a special ed student. The teachers weren't taught how to handle kids with problems... and so many problems out there for the kids to have to deal with emotionally. It is a crying shame that there is such a small percentage of teachers who take the time to try to understand the underlying needs (or problems) of a troubled student. I don't blame the teacher, I blame the education system, the states and the nation itself for the lack. And USN, sometimes parents, grandparents, or guardians of these troubled kids need help with an emotionally disturbed or troubled child. Sometimes, one person who cares is not enough in certain situations. Someone said something a while ago that I remembered..."a world (or group) of many, a family of one" Here is a link I found today http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/viewpoin...6shooting.shtml a quote from that article "This event should shake parents, community leaders, teachers and school administrators into asking: Are we doing enough to help our troubled kids?" My thoughts exactly.

soooo how can I be wrong? By asking if you were a male? Or are you NOT comfortable with who you are with the goth?Geeeez, Kids!

I converted to LDS years and years ago from a conglomeration of different churchs, and I do remember the great Easter services, the sun rise service, the "No Greater Love" cantata by the church choirs. It took awhile for me to understand why the LDS church doesn't put on more of a whoooptee do on Easter Sunday; that being that the atonement, death and resurrection of Christ is remembered every Sunday in Sacrement. It's a big deal EVERY Sunday, not just once a year. I don't think that Heavenly Father would care if you went to an Easter service somewhere, if you think you are missing out on something special.... If it helps you feel closer to the spirit of Christ to see a special program, go for it. I don't think that anyone would condemn you for it. :)

Not something I like to read myself.... I know that not everyone has the same standards of vulgarity, but I don't like it either. Unless you were referring to the benefit of Christ...or for the good of Christ......but I'm not fiiiiiiinding it.

So User...you are a male? and congrats on being comfortable with who you are.

Well than why on earth are you seeking the opinion of inferior females on the subject? We are not worthy. Go seek the opinion of similarly superior males. You are wasting your time with us lowly females. Whatever lucky woman marries you of her own volition fully deserves what she gets! ROFL

elle~ I'm not going to say that I agree with everything that USN has to say, bit I will tell you that he has more logic than most anyone I know his age. And you couldn't debate with anyone better versed in the Bible, I enjoy him tremendously, and really get annoyed with others who don't have a clue who he is, or why he thinks the way he does. Sorry, had to vent. Mormon mom out Sorry lindy, you're absolutely right. I don't know who USN is or why he thinks the way he does. Bad newbie etiquette. elle (also mormon mom) out. no hard feelings elle oh BTW...welcome to the board!

Thanks Jenifer :) I'm so very glad that batboy found you! And to others: I am aware of the diverse, contrasting, and sometimes total opposite viewpoints we have on this board....but that is what makes us a class of our own. Others are not shut down, or banned for life because their opinions contradict church values, if they were than this would just become another boring yada yada yada board. Just an FYI....I hadn't been as steadfast in my faith as others seem to be, and lo and behold...bat helped me through a real bad phase, encouraging me to be who I need to be, NEVER pushing me away from where I should be and I will continue to stand on bat's side. Viva la difference.

Oh dear me, USNational, I'm probably "unable to grasp the points you've made" because you're vastly superior! Good heavens, man, let me assure you that your points are not at all hard to grasp. They're tired and ridiculous arguments that a five year old can grasp. They're simply not based in logic or correct theology. Nor are they based in reality... you might want to get a little experience before lecturing on male/female roles in marriage. elle~ I'm not going to say that I agree with everything that USN has to say, bit I will tell you that he has more logic than most anyone I know his age. And you couldn't debate with anyone better versed in the Bible, I enjoy him tremendously, and really get annoyed with others who don't have a clue who he is, or why he thinks the way he does. Sorry, had to vent. Mormon mom out

USN~Now you have done it....no Mac and Cheese for you! We will never agree on the appropriateness of a good physical punishment for a woman, but then we agree to disagree on several things as it is. Good of you to ask that question..... what I would suggest? For drugs/alcohol abuse..... I guess that since there are men out there who love their wife enough to TRY to help her, over and over and over again with programs, counseling, or therapy and even when that fails to work, as a next to last resort....they have her arrested to keep her from harming herself or someone else. Incarceration seems to be a pretty good punishment for that sort of thing. There is always an alternative to beating someone to "make" them change. People should change because they WANT to.. not because they have been beaten into submission. Not a lot of females will stick around to endure an abusive husband, although some take longer to realize that they don't have to be treated like livestock in a marriage. That's when they leave, and the husband realizes that he lost part of his heart and soul because of his brutality. (or he should) Punish? I don't think that, that is a word that most married couples even think about in their relationship. But just to humor you...I think that sorrow, humiliation, loss of faith, trust and respect is enough to cover the word "punish" And I know that you don't believe in the ideal of present day prophets....silly boy....but you know I speak my mind anyway. There are those who take the Bible literally, an eye for an eye as an example....but there are others who believe that with the coming of Christ (NT) that some of the "old rules' (of the OT) were set aside for newer commandments..... like "love one another".

I vote yes.... I try to see the best in people, and I see good in bat, have for years. Yes, he can get to you IF you let him.....so can some other people.. Bat and I had a run in a long time ago, and I let him know how I feel, and you know what? I found out that he is a very nice person in reality. And there are some posts I ignore from other people, cause they make me angry, upset or frustrated, but I don't try to block them from posting things I don't agree with. I think that if we are solid in our faith, and comfortable in who we are, the different opinions of others who don't agree with us, shouldn't deter us from who we are. If we don't agree with what is posted....or are bothered by it..... flip to a different thread. Same as we do on the tv....we don't HAVE to watch, or listen to something that bothers us....unless it peaks our interest. If we are to block everyone who doesn't agree with exactly what the Church is about, or those who have differing opinions of what is right and what is wrong.....than it will be a very sad board to come to. I too miss the bat.