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Heaven.com
Read Heaven.com on this site, and let me hear your comments.
Diane7
posted by
Diane7
on March 5, 2007 at 2:54 PM
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In fairness, A-and-B...
Some religions don't evangelize (proselytize); e.g. Judaism.
posted by
arGee
on November 18, 2006 at 12:56 PM
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Every religion has evangelism. That is the reason.
posted by
A-and-B
on November 18, 2006 at 2:17 AM
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franciscan - I give you permission to speak
Just try not to say something crazy.
When you say this:
"Jesus Christ is one God-man Who can and will do so much."
Against my better judgement, I'm going to ask you what you mean by "so much" and in what sense? Try not to make me sorry that I asked you.....
posted by
gomedome
on November 17, 2006 at 8:49 PM
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Schatz - Without addressing the first part of your comment other than to
say that: "if I were to complain about someone who is living beyond their means, I would have to point the finger back at myself" . . . I did my time of watching my spending habits rise with my income . . but we both reserve the same amount of sympathy for those caught in this rut, which is basically zero. Just for different reasons.
Now your closing line.
" . . . . I now see where people who have nothing must think all Americans are spoiled, lazy gluttons."
As a citizen of a society that shares a common history with the USA, I see the reactions of the international community to all things American. My views of the Americans straddles appreciation for who they are and an even deeper appreciation that I have access to the US market for both buying and selling. The world does see Americans as ".....spoiled, lazy gluttons" but you forgot the word "fat." One society leading the way in over consumption will generate opinions such as that but my society runs a close second. I cannot voice this opinion myself without being an incredible hypocrit. I view the sentiment however as an unspoken truth. One that is understood. One that is undeniably a problem that needs to be addressed.
The way I see it, we have a choice to correct our huge overconsumption problems on our own terms before the world community makes us change.
posted by
gomedome
on November 17, 2006 at 8:41 PM
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gomedome,
Jesus Christ is one God-man Who can and will do so much.
posted by
franciscan
on November 17, 2006 at 8:23 PM
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cantey_1975 - thank you - I consider that an extreme compliment
. . . and I hope to only speak on the matter of practicality with confidence.
posted by
gomedome
on November 17, 2006 at 6:44 PM
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TVBlogger - that is exactly the point and I do much the same thing
Only on a broader scale. I stopped trying to be a hero many years ago, but I am not yet ready to give up on being helpful to others. The true euphorias in life are always fuel for self esteem and nothing lifts one's self perception faster than well received charitable works. . . . . Besides it sometimes gives us the right to call in a few favours if we find ourselves in need of charity.
posted by
gomedome
on November 17, 2006 at 6:37 PM
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I think you have a genius for practicality
some, who may not understand that, misinterpret it for
a lack of spirituality.
posted by
calmcantey75
on November 17, 2006 at 5:27 PM
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Those are good points
but if you really want to do something, you CAN do something... just not for the whole world. I recently got signed up with "Women for Women" which joins a woman from the West with one from a war-torn country. It provides training, education and micro-loans. I may only help change one woman's world, but for her, that's all that matters.
posted by
TVBlogger
on November 17, 2006 at 4:08 PM
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Normally I would argue with you that love doesn't have a price tag or
hold a grudge. However, I have recently found out how much money is earned by a couple that I am very close to. They just took a week's vacation to a sunny and tropical place where the locals are dirt poor. I am having a hard time not being angry at them. They haven't any kids, and they are seriously whining about money problems, even though the two of their combined incomes exceed four times what John and I raise three kids on. Wow. Yeah. Love is all you need. And a closet full of Anne Klein.
Additionally, I had a friend tell me the other day that I 'just don't get it' while I was trying to help her brainstorm about a job. She informed me that her husband had already made 68K this year and there are still two months left. Once more, they live on more than double our income, with one less kid, and cry the blues about money all the time. I am having a really hard time not being completely cynical. It doesn't change the fact that I'm happy in my own life, it just makes me nauseous thinking about how much money they waste on things like insisting on driving brand new vehicles and having houses larger than they need.
To make a long comment short, I now see where people who have nothing must think all Americans are spoiled, lazy gluttons.
posted by
Schatz
on November 17, 2006 at 3:14 PM
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Makes sense to me.
Although I still reserve the right to whine incessantly about how much stuff costs...
posted by
strat
on November 17, 2006 at 1:50 PM
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A most intelligent argument.
posted by
Jenasis
on November 17, 2006 at 1:44 PM
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