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is a clear example of the difference between living for oneself and living for others. Madalyn is obviously an extreme example, but a good one to point out the uselessness of any view that only exists as a view in reliance on breaking down another view without putting forward anything useful in it's place. It will be nice if people can simply accept that we are not all the same when it comes to understanding life and that there is place in a religiously oriented society for all levels of understanding without having to abandon everything outright and denying those who differ from ourselves a place in the sun. Sadly many people are not interested in being nice, but would prefer to be known for being rational and of superior intelligence at all costs since they probably have nothing else to offer or feel good about themselves. I don't know much about the "American Atheists" but there is a tendency for angry people to draw other angry people to the same cause both inside and outside religion. This is one of the reasons why I think the difference lies in the motivation behind a persons stance on this issue and not the stance as such. I've known Atheists who became atheists based in part on negative experiences with angry and hateful so-called believers that were truly just and righteous people themselves and I find it sad that many Christians insist that such people are bound for hell if they don't speak specific words and go through specific motions. God is, made and knows the heart of every person and no human's judgement of another person based on expressed believes or the lack thereof will make any ultimate difference in each judged persons life here and hereafter. Our own judgements of others however does influence our own lives directly. I'm getting carried away. Cheers.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on October 17, 2008 at 3:21 PM
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I think the Lord chose him! sam
posted by
sam444
on October 16, 2008 at 8:46 AM
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Re: I think prayer is a personal thing...but my comment is to say how sad
Yes; we can hope so, but it is more likely that it injured her vanity! Unfortunately, the child is often amoung the most injured, and you are right: It is sad.
Thank you, Ariala, for your valued input!
posted by
GEPRUITT
on October 15, 2008 at 7:33 PM
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I think prayer is a personal thing...but my comment is to say how sad
and hurtful it must have been for him...wanting his mother's love like he did, but obviously being caught in philosophical battles instead...I'm glad he came to have a real experience with God. I find that amusing...I'm sure it broke his mother's cold heart.
posted by
Ariala
on October 15, 2008 at 6:38 PM
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