FunkyTown

Yep. If we're going to give it, we should be able to take it. I've certainly had more than my share of people say this sort of thing to me. I usually look at them and say, "May I ask why?" And then I proceed to explain my viewpoints. Which then becomes bible bashing. Which then results in them getting frustrated and walking off. Maybe I should learn not to bash.

Have I ever told you how much I love your posts, LM? I do. They make me smile. PS: I do agree with a multi-party system. Not because it reduces corruption(The Brian Mulroney years here in Canada are proof of that), but because it reduces the power of all parties. Frankly, I'm a fan when the government must muddle along and leave things mostly the way they are except during vitally important times.

Yes to all four, Rame!

I am awesome. That is all. I can't explain why, but rest assured that for at least today, I should be nominated for the Nobel Prize for Excellence in the Field of Awesomeness.

I'm a fan of the multiple party system. In fact, I believe that the US should have at least 3 more parties being considered seriously: The Libertarians Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom , the Centrist Party The Centrist Party — The Centrist Party and some far left Labour party. This would force checks and balances on governments that have heretofore assumed supremacy. Plus, when we have the LDS get together, I could wear my Centrist Party T-shirt in a sea of Libertarian and Republican shirts. EDIT: Actually, now that I think about it... It's said 15% of the US is rabidly Left and 15% rabidly Right. I bet 15% would be rabidly Centrist as well. I hadn't considered that maybe my rabid attempt to have both sides see what the other side offers is simply me being a rabid Centrist.

Herein lies the problem, Kona: Your own knowledge of what Free Will should be has been tainted by the zeitgeist (The spirit of the age). Let's look at a rock with no free will: A rock sits in the place where it's supposed to, unless something acts upon it. If someone picks it up and throws it, it will move precisely the speed imparted upon it until it is slowed down and comes to a halt somewhere else. It moves in precise harmony to laws that have been since the universe was created. Man, on the other hand, has the enviable position of being able to make a choice. Does this mean that he can choose to jump off a cliff and float off the ground like a soap bubble? No, because gravity still acts upon him. Can he choose to walk through flames without being burned? No, because laws that govern transference of energy still act upon him. The man with free will can still jump off the cliff, but he will crash to the ground below and die. He can walk through flames, but the flames will still burn him. Free will is the ability to decide your own actions, not the ability to decide the consequences of your actions. Now, for those crimes that are seemingly victimless, God has created laws that surprisingly set us free. We can use drugs that destroy our body, but we may become addicted and lose the very gift of free will we were given. We can choose to rebel against his teachings, but then we become petulant children who ignore the council of one who is much more intelligent than ourselves. This has been the pattern of man for millenia.

Uh oh... I can't remember if that's how this got started at all. I need to come up with something fast that covers my bum in case I'm wrong. I know! I'll lie about it! Hopefully my lack of internal monologue doesn't give me away. Nuh uh, Lolgirl. I've ALWAYS gotten Batman underoos.

Hahah. I love this girl. Tell us what you really feel. Of course, you realize that this is the type of person who will have the greatest testimony if we can let the Holy Spirit work through us, right?

I've known your brain was scrambled since you made fun of my batman underoos, Lolgirl. COOL people have batman underoos.

Holy cow, you are awesome.

Hi Jolee, I'm hearing a slightly different version of events than other people. You say this problem only seems to be taking place since your oldest has gone. You say that your husband takes her side and you have referred to it as two against one. Have you considered that, maybe, a part of the issue is that you're starting to go through Empty Nest syndrome? A lot of mothers become short tempered with the children they've started to raise. Have you considered that you may be a tad more irritable now and it might be that she has legitimate grievances? I'm not saying it's black and white, but you might want to consider if perhaps you have changed a bit since your oldest left. Many do.

That's really interesting. And Quetzalcoatl suggestions? That's not something I'd have expected.

You see, this is why you need a rivalry, Ceeboo! Just think: You can talk to your wife about how terrible (x) is and how you'll get even with him. Then, you can stop whenever you want and say "Hah! Let's see (x) do as many as I did!" It's foolproof! Spite is the greatest reason to do -anything-.

If he didn't, then you made me wear a red speedo thong in Times Square for nothing! I still can't get that part clean where the homeless guy accosted me.

I was completely jealous. And Moe? Kudos to you on wearing a Speedo thong and jumping out of a cake. You're a better man than I am.

Yeah. Uncontrolled inflation essentially renders any attempts at saving for retirement impossible and, in fact, renders savings impossible. It mystifies me that they think two years of rough times is worth decades of impossible times for the most disadvantaged. It's just a terrible plan.

You know you're awesome, Beef. :) If there's anything we can do, let us know.

The police say twenty-seven.

And pouncing like a jungle cat on them to get my 8th wife!

Hahah. This is why I love you, Halfers.

Yep. Rameumptom is correct - An aging populace living longer and having fewer kids means that the cost of their retirement will be high indeed.

:mad:Some things take more than reason. We can't all live on logic, Spock! I can prove I'm immortal. Watch: Complete Scientific proof. There! Still living. There's no evidence I'll ever die. Stop trying to scare me, Moe!

Me Phabs! I'm immortal. I've been doing an experiment for over 30 years, which is longer than most experiments. I haven't died yet!

Ugh. I must disagree with you vocally on this. No. The bible doesn't state God is just the God of Israel. Genesis is very specific in pointing out God as the creator and organizer of everything. That's the overarching theme for Genesis and Numbers (All those begats are not just random items. They draw the conclusion that we are all part of a massive family). This sort of reasoning you're putting is just wrong and would -definitely- be pointed to by much of mainstream Christianity as heresy. Because it is. For those who know me, I have never... Ever... Used the word heresy. I have called people misled. I have disagreed with them. This is actual, full fledged, dyed in the wool heresy.

I mean you monger fear.