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ginnieb - the funny part was that I wasn't kidding about the hockey
Oldtimers pick up hockey every Monday at 6:00PM where we get together to raise our cardiovascular and laugh at how pathetic we have become as athletes.
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2008 at 7:17 PM
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LOL about the hockey gomedome!
Wish I was out there playing it but I'll have to be content to sip tea out of my limited edition hockey-scenes Tim Horton's mugs!
posted by
ginnieb
on February 12, 2008 at 3:04 PM
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FineYoungSinger- Re: I wish I'd have gotten here sooner.
That movie is on my list to see.
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2008 at 8:01 AM
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Xeno-x - more than that, turning back the clock never works
We need not look any further than the Taliban to see the failings of a return to religious ways of yesteryear and they are intent on a totalitarian form of government. How could societies possibly retain the values of democracy if a return to old fashioned Christian values are prescribed for one and all?
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2008 at 7:57 AM
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Don't get me started: the indigenous peoples had more Christian values
than did the first settlers.
You look at Jamestown and Plymouth in particular: their indigenous neighbors helped them, and how did they reward them? By uprooting and decimating them.
And speaking of dredging up the past, Christians may not want to;l but I think a passage from the Bible helps h ere. Jesus was railing the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes when he said "You say that if we had lived in the times of the prophets, we would not have treated them so; yet I say to you, you will fill up the measure of your forefathers." Something like that. Too many of today's Christian's hold on to the heritage and narrow-minded, self-centered, holier than thou, egotistical ideas of their forefathers. None is as right or as good as they are. There is not that much difference between them and those who thought Indians and Africans were inferior.
posted by
Xeno-x
on February 12, 2008 at 6:19 AM
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I wish I'd have gotten here sooner.
You all took my comments, so all I have left is an observation and a film recommendation.
Last week, as we stood before the names etched on the Vietnam Memorial, it was crystal clear that this nation is most certainly engaged in religious conflict constantly (for those that may not know, the US got involved in the Vietnam War to "fight communism", a fight of ideals which are in essence religion). Despite the 1st ammendment, the cause of Christianity is more and more often the battle cry.
I've already recommended this film elsewhere on this site, but I'll do it here again: It's called "Charlie Wilson's War"; I don't want to spoil it, as it's a fantastic film that has many, many layers. Without getting too into detail, the film depicts in part some fairly clear religious motivations behind certain actions of the US government.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on February 11, 2008 at 9:58 PM
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ginnieb - I feel the same way - it has been my experience that those who
claim to be proponents of worthy values quite often need to take a look in the mirror.
I would have replied to your comment earlier but I had to go and play hockey.
posted by
gomedome
on February 11, 2008 at 9:56 PM
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thoughtfulness - Re: This country....
Very well put. There is no denying the influence of Christian values in the formation of the two societies on this continent and there is even a strong argument to suggest that our turning away from some of these values contributes to our problems. You will not get an argument from me on either of these points. Honesty dictates that in viewing how our democracies came to be, a direct line can be drawn from Christ's "All men are equal in God's eyes" to the modern day philosophy of inalienable rights for all citizens. It is the use of these notions to justify elevating one particular religion to a position where it is inextricably linked with government, that I have a problem with.
posted by
gomedome
on February 11, 2008 at 1:57 PM
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Nice to hear Canada mentioned...
...and why are values of good and love and kindness relegated only to Christian ones? It always blows me away when others claim that we can't have all those values unless they are taught by Christ.
posted by
ginnieb
on February 11, 2008 at 1:53 PM
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This country....
I think I have the answer, since I too have been guilty of saying that before. It's more of a hope or a wish that the country began with those who held high moral standards, (such as those described by Christ) and were decent God believing people. True enough the North American continent holds some of the best values on human life, and the most fair laws for treatment of evildoers. Being Christian holds no monopoly over good and decent laws governing a nation, but it's one of those phrases so easily tossed around, and well meaning, (the values part) that people just use it to signify their belief that the 2 countries are still great because of the morality still held by most of its' people. The laws Christ laid out are great ones to follow, even if the founders didn't go by them. To say the country's going to hell in a handbasket, one could argue it's because of the lack of adherence to Christian values or those values similar to one's Christians are suppose to have. It's a passion thing in my opinion.
posted by
thoughtfulness
on February 11, 2008 at 1:45 PM
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