Maxel

It encourages a zombie-like acceptance of a political figure. At the same time, the underlying agenda of those pushing many items those children sang about are far from godly agendas. All things ultimately have two sources: Christ or the devil. What is not of Christ is not godly and not good; it is therefore evil.That's how I look at the world, anyway. However, my comment was mainly to recast the issue in the context of a common English saying. I agree with everything else you said.

The Gospel isn't meant to unite the entirety of the world- only those who will heed its message. Those who fight against it will eventually be hewn down and cast into the fire. Until that day, the tares are left to contend with the wheat.The Gospel is simultaneously the greatest source of unity and division the world has ever known, because it separates the world into two, and only two, categories: the sheep of Christ and the goats.

I don't know. I know I'll meet them all eventually... I guess I'm most excited about meeting Alma the Younger (after Christ). I want to hear about his conversion story from his own mouth. It'd be awesome to meet Zeezrom, too.

Yes... I'm sure. Because something else, like "We'll change the world!" or some other platitude wouldn't work- it just happens to be the name of the most liberal president in recent history. So, the missteps of this generation are okay because they're supposedly not as bad as the missteps of previous generations?The lesser of two evils... is still evil.

That, sir, is faithfulness warranting celebration.

I don't think that multiple husbands is on the same level of "correctness" as multiple wives.The purpose of plural marriage is to raise a righteous people unto the Lord. I think that the father has a crucial role in that. Women can only bear children once every 9 months; increasing the amount of sexual partners won't increase the children produced. Another thing: it's my belief that, for whatever reason, there are more righteous women than righteous men (generally). So, allowing a righteous man to have more than one wife increases his ability to reproduce and care for children- this increases the effectiveness of the parenting and is more likely to result in righteous children.

I don't think Hemidakota was saying YOU don't listen. Hemi's remarks came across as a piggyback statement to yours, not one aimed at you (IMO).

I dunno. I think a big pandemic is coming soon (within the next 5 years). I have this crazy notion that a lot of terrible stuff will happen ~2012. Historians have noted that huge pandemics arise every so often throughout history and wipe out a significant portion of the population. According to some estimates, we're actually overdue for one.

I don't remember ever singing about the president, praising his words. I remember singing a song about all the presidents (from Washington to Clinton) commemorating major events of their presidency- but Obama's only been in office for 9 months!! This is profoundly rude. The smilie face doesn't help. Maybe you didn't mean it to sound rude and arrogant, but it does.

Agreed. But, who initiated this? I doubt it was the president or anyone directly tied to him.

From dictionary.com; third definition of "salute":to make a bow or other gesture to, as in greeting, farewell, or respect. So the traditional gesture of putting one's hand over one's heart can be considered a salute. Also, just listened to the audio. It's HORRIBLE. It's like traditional black gospel sung by someone who has no idea how to incorporate style, reverence, or even sing traditional black gospel.

How Wide the Divide? rocks! I see it mentioned and I have to post something praising it.So... yeah, it's awesome. Totally. PC-tested, Maxel-approved.

I've held my tongue this entire time, sorely tempted in doing something like this but spinning it a different way...

"Genuine history" doesn't involve endlessly spinning facts and completely ignoring opposing evidence to come to a foregone conclusion. One may argue that apologists do this- but the critics do, as well.

Umm... She's pushing marriage on you but starting to date another man and simultaneously asking for more time?Sounds like an unhealthy situation, friend.

I was born November 2. I sort of fit into the category... Failed my senior year of high school due to extenuating circumstances and got my GED (and placed in the 96th percentile). Have clinical depression and possibly other maladies, but remarkably healthy otherwise. Haven't made much money yet, but I'm currently in a job where I could possibly make $20,000 during the summer. Although when I was a baby, I did develop sleep apnea for a bit. Maybe that was due to my time of birth...? Interesting study.

THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING!!!

Wow. The hypocrisy of it all is blinding. Unfortunately, that's the law in Maryland (about consent being required to record private conversations). From the article: "Extreme emotional distress with attendant physical symptoms"? Really? Are you serious? "Injury to their reputations"? I should freaking HOPE SO- they were happily planning to aid UNDERAGE PROSTITUTION!!Some people make me mad.

Anyone have a video of him saluting the flag since he's been in office? Anyone know the story behind why he's not saluting the flag? Can't listen to the singing, but I'm sure it's gosh-awful.

Well, this guy has some redeeming qualities, of course. But, in an adult relationship, if he's unable to provide it would put a serious strain on the marriage. One of his biggest concerns isn't just fiscal immaturity, but also the fact that he's unable to hold down a job. The depression is always there but sometimes it gets really, really bad and he can't get to work because getting on a bus takes too much emotional effort, as does doing anything else. I'm wondering if maybe some sort of serious, committed relationship would help him. I know (and he knows) that it's best not to look at marriage as a salve to heal wounds, but it's possible to conceive a loving wife would be able to have the patience and strength required to help him out when things get really tough. I don't know. He's been one of my best friends since childhood, and he's always wanted to be married and have a healthy relationship. He's just fretting and getting down on himself so much...

A question has been pressing on me lately. A good friend of mine really wants to get married, but isn't ready. He has a few psychological and emotional problems that make marriage difficult. One of his main problems is that he's not very fiscally mature. He does all right when someone's there watching him and with him, but when he's on his own he's not able to really function. He knows he has these problems and is working on them, but because of his physical and spiritual makeup and things that happened to him in his youth he's not progressing very quickly. He has a difficult time holding down a job. The question I have is: are there any women out there who would even considering marrying a person like this? He really wants to do what's right and tries a lot, and is making progress. He'll never be someone who can provide a lot of material goods, and he'll always have emotional problems. Are there any women out there who would ever want to yoke themselves to a guy like that (I'm not asking to pass along names; he's just really depressed, thinking that he'll never be desirable).

Book never written:Trolls: They Make Sense and Use Logic, by Just K. Idding

The problem with ideas like the Atheist wager is that it's insufficient to motivate people with serious psychological problems to move forward. For instance, the reason I don't want to live is because I have severe clinical depression- it makes it impossible for me to function at a normal level. I won't be ready for marriage or even living healthily on my own for a while (and I'm almost 22). It's a horrible life, made better only by the knowledge that there are better things in store for me AND a never-ending source of strength I can lean on while on this earth life. If there was no God, those who say "what's the point?" would be the wisest ones, IMO. The reason that any belief that morality is superior to immorality stems from the existence of a God.

I think that would be hedonism- which does lead to self-destruction.The reason I wouldn't want to keep on living is because I have serious clinical depression. If there were no God and no reason to keep living, I'd rather end it than endure hardship upon humiliating hardship for the sake of brief moments of happiness.

Ummmm... *blushes*