Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Current Events (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=486)
-   -   Fiscal and culture costs of a godless world view (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=423409)

  • Dec 8, 2009, 05:28 PM
    galveston
    Fiscal and culture costs of a godless world view
    We are seeing an increase in the number of people who deny that there is a god or that he has any ongoing interest in what happens on planet Earth.

    Once you reach that conclusion, then every glitch in the environment becomes a reason to panic. Basically, the "sky is falling" syndrome. There is no confidence that the various cycles of warming, cooling, volcanic activity, etc. will swing back from their highs and lows to arrive at "normal" as has been the case for as long as human history knows.

    Since it is now up to humans to control the forces of nature, we fall prey to every snake oil salesman who comes along. We become willing to surrender financial viability for the empty promise of "saving" the world. Worse still, we become willing to surrender liberties.

    Even though after all is done, the cllimatic and geological systems will continue to function as they have always done.

    Being a Christian, I know the sky is NOT falling.

    The Sun is under the control of the Creator and will continue to warm Earth, sometimes more, sometimes less. And there is not ONE thing any of us can do about it.

    We can only impoverish ourselves in a futile effort. The world seems to be overpopulated with fools.
  • Dec 8, 2009, 06:04 PM
    paraclete
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post

    We can only impoverish ourselves in a futile effort. The world seems to be overpopulated with fools.

    Yes I agree with you and many of them are meeting in Copenhagen in the next two weeks. It is interesting that the Bible, the message from God devotes some chapters to the thinking of fools

    Let us contemplate some of them;
    A companion of fools suffers harm
    The folly of fools is deception
    The folly of fools yields folly
    The mouth of a fool gushes folly
    Folly delights a man who lacks judgement
    Folly brings punishment to fools
    '
  • Dec 8, 2009, 06:33 PM
    NeedKarma
    There is no god and the sky is indeed not falling. Feel free to vent your car's exhaust into your house, I'm sure you're "creator" will take care to make all things right.
  • Dec 8, 2009, 10:36 PM
    paraclete
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    There is no god and the sky is indeed not falling. Feel free to vent your car's exhaust into your house, I'm sure you're "creator" will take care to make all things right.

    My creator will not save me from my own stupidity, and should I take your advice I'm sure he will tell me that personally. You statement is correct in only one aspect, the sky is not falling, however the air we breathe is less pure very day. Now I see little evidence of this myself on a day by day basis, but I have been to China and it is certainly true there as it is in all major cities. I think it is foolish to stay in such places.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 03:08 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by paraclete View Post
    My creator will not save me from my own stupidity,

    Yet people meet to try to save themselves from their owbn stupidity and you call them fools. Your logic seems faulty. Also please understand that there are billions of people in this world who live their daily lives without any religion whatsoever and they are doing just fine. Your way isn't the only way. :)
  • Dec 9, 2009, 06:54 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    We become willing to surrender financial viability for the empty promise of "saving" the world. Worse still, we become willing to surrender liberties.

    Hello gal:

    Surrender liberties?? SURRENDER LIBERTIES?? Really?? That's what we're GOING to do??

    We have NO liberties LEFT after the dufus TOOK them. Do you want me to list them for you?? No? It's OK, I'll do it for ME.

    Bush took away our right to Habeas Corpus. It's the FOUNDATION of our legal system... It's what the FIFTH Amendment to the Constitution is about. Bush took away your right to be FREE from the government reading your private email or listening to your phone calls. That's what the FOURTH Amendment is all about.. Certainly, he took away your right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. That's what the SIXTH Amendment is all about... The dufus also took your tax money and spent in on RELIGIONS groups, and that shattered the FIRST Amendment to the Constitution...

    No, I'm NOT done... But that should keep you busy for a while...

    excon
  • Dec 9, 2009, 08:24 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    Yet people meet to try to save themselves from their owbn stupidity and you call them fools. Your logic seems faulty.

    You don't see the irony in these particular people, bringing with them a carbon footprint the size of a small country, meeting to save the world?

    You don't think “Please, help save the world” sounds a wee bit like a religious movement?



    Quote:

    Also please understand that there are billions of people in this world who live their daily lives without any religion whatsoever and they are doing just fine. Your way isn't the only way. :)
    Roughly 1.1 billion profess to be "nonreligious." 84 percent of the world adheres to a religion, now that's billions.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 08:26 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Roughly 1.1 billion profess to be "nonreligious." 84 percent of the world adheres to a religion, now that's billions.

    It's not about being part of a majority, it's about what's right for you. Plus within that 84% most would tell you that those not part of their religion are doing it wrong.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 08:38 AM
    excon

    Hello again:

    Those numbers notwithstanding, religion is on its way out, thank god. Europeans are shedding it right and left. I wonder if it has anything to do with having an educated populace?

    It does seem that the more one studies, the less one believes in fantasy.

    excon
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:08 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    It's not about being part of a majority, it's about what's right for you.

    Irrelevant to the point, which was there aren't "billions" of nonreligious people in the world.

    Quote:

    Plus within that 84% most would tell you that those not part of their religion are doing it wrong.
    And within that 1.1 billion nonreligious people, most would tell everyone else they're doing it wrong. So what's your point?
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:13 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Those numbers notwithstanding, religion is on its way out, thank god.

    Nice pun. What you miss is that they're just replacing it with another religion of their own creation.

    Quote:

    Europeans are shedding it right and left. I wonder if it has anything to do with having an educated populace?
    Educated on what?

    Quote:

    It does seem that the more one studies, the less one believes in fantasy.
    Study what?
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:16 AM
    Alty

    Why is this thread in current events and not the Christianity forum?

    Okay, I'll play along.

    Quote:

    Once you reach that conclusion, then every glitch in the environment becomes a reason to panic. Basically, the "sky is falling" syndrome. There is no confidence that the various cycles of warming, cooling, volcanic activity, etc. will swing back from their highs and lows to arrive at "normal" as has been the case for as long as human history knows.
    You're saying that all non-believers feel this way? Well, you're wrong. I know the sky isn't falling, Foxy Loxy told me so right after he ate Chicken Little.

    Quote:

    Being a Christian, I know the sky is NOT falling.
    I'm a Deist and I know this as well. I guess you Christians aren't the only ones in the know.

    Quote:

    The Sun is under the control of the Creator and will continue to warm Earth, sometimes more, sometimes less. And there is not ONE thing any of us can do about it.
    That's your belief, it's not fact. You're right that there's nothing we can do about it, but I don't believe that your God is the one controlling everything.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:21 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    Why is this thread in current events and not the Christianity forum?

    Because the reddies would flow like rain from the religious types.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:25 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Irrelevant to the point, which was there aren't "billions" of nonreligious people in the world.

    Are the chinese religious? Not really.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    And within that 1.1 billion nonreligious people, most would tell everyone else they're doing it wrong. So what's your point?

    Most atheists don't give a crap about what you believe in. However it doesn't take long in a christianity thread before someone tells an atheist that they are going to hell or they don't know the "Truth" (lol!).
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:31 AM
    Alty

    Quote:

    Most atheists don't give a crap about what you believe in. However it doesn't take long in a christianity thread before someone tells an atheist that they are going to hell or they don't know the "Truth" (lol!).
    It's not just the Atheists that get told this NK. The Diests, the Jews, Muslims, all groups that don't adhere to the vary narrow views of Christianity are told that they don't know the truth.

    I guess everyone is wrong.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:42 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    It's not just the Atheists that get told this NK. The Diests, the Jews... I guess everyone is wrong.

    Hello Alty:

    How can you be the chosen people, and wrong at the same time?

    excon

    PS> I know what it is... I've been chosen to gather, so the Christians can float up to heaven, while I go to hell. Or, I could go to heaven, if I wanted to BE a Christian, but NOT as a "chosen" Jew.

    It's kind of like the Nazis chose the Jews too, and the reason ain't a whole lot different.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:46 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    Because the reddies would flow like rain from the religious types.

    Funny how you never see the irony in your posts.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:49 AM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello Alty:

    How can you be the chosen people, and wrong at the same time?

    excon

    PS> I know what it is... I've been chosen to gather, so the Christians can float up to heaven, while I go to hell. Or, I could go to heaven, if I wanted to BE a Christian, but NOT as a "chosen" Jew.

    It's kinda like the Nazis chose the Jews too, and the reason ain't a whole lot different.

    Exy, if I had the answers then I'd be in charge. ;)

    If there is a God then he's the only one with the answers, sadly he's not sharing those answers with the rest of us. I wonder why that is? Could it be that he, a God, doesn't really care about the little ant farm he built?

    Now I'm going to get it. Bring it on kids, I'm bored today. ;)
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:50 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    It's not just the Atheists that get told this NK. The Diests, the Jews, Muslims, all groups that don't adhere to the vary narrow views of Christianity are told that they don't know the truth.

    I guess everyone is wrong.

    NK began his response to this thread with "there is no god," so yes everyone tells everyone they're wrong.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:53 AM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    NK began his response to this thread with "there is no god," so yes everyone tells everyone they're wrong.

    Does he not have the right to an opinion?

    You believe in God, nes pas? So wouldn't you state that as your opinion?

    I don't understand why you're upset about this. Surely the fact the NK doesn't believe in God is not news to you.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 09:56 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speechlesstx View Post
    Funny how you never see the irony in your posts.

    Explain it to me, I'm open to it.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:11 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    Does he not have the right to an opinion?

    Sure, and he expresses it often. I was just pointing out him telling us we're wrong - while making the point that most religious people tell others they're wrong.

    Quote:

    I don't understand why you're upset about this.
    Pointing out the irony in NK's posts means I'm upset about this? LOL!
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:12 AM
    galveston
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again:

    Those numbers notwithstanding, religion is on its way out, thank god.

    excon

    That's what Voltaire thought.

    He was wrong.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:15 AM
    galveston
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    There is no god and the sky is indeed not falling. Feel free to vent your car's exhaust into your house, I'm sure you're "creator" will take care to make all things right.

    American cities have cleaner air today than they did 40 years ago. This in spite of there being many more automobiles than 40 years ago.

    And we did not destroy the economy to do that.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:15 AM
    Alty

    Quote:

    Sure, and he expresses it often. I was just pointing out him telling us we're wrong - while making the point that most religious people tell others they're wrong.
    We all express our beliefs often, because they're our beliefs. The Christians quote the bible left right and center to prove that their beliefs are valid. Those of us that aren't Christian have the same right to express our beliefs and why we feel they're valid.

    Quote:

    Pointing out the irony in NK's posts means I'm upset about this? LOL!
    I guess you're not upset. Perhaps you're just trying to goad him into a confrontation.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:26 AM
    galveston
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello gal:

    Surrender liberties??? SURRENDER LIBERTIES???? Really??? That's what we're GOING to do??????

    We have NO liberties LEFT after the dufus TOOK them. Do you want me to list them for you??? No? It's ok, I'll do it for ME.

    Bush took away our right to Habeas Corpus. It's the FOUNDATION of our legal system.... It's what the FIFTH Amendment to the Constitution is about. Bush took away your right to be FREE from the government reading your private email or listening to your phone calls. That's what the FOURTH Amendment is all about.. Certainly, he took away your right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. That's what the SIXTH Amendment is all about... The dufus also took your tax money and spent in on RELIGIONS groups, and that shattered the FIRST Amendment to the Constitution...

    No, I'm NOT done... But that should keep you busy for a while...

    excon

    Why is everything Bush's fault?

    Surely you know enough history to know about Woodrow Wilson and the Federal Reserve Act, whereby we have been ripped off ever since by a system that saddles us with both principal and interest by borrowing money into circulation instead of the government issuing it into circulation.

    Surely you know that the Democrats set up the great Ponzi scheme known as Social Security, which is now bankrupt because of another Democrat, Lyndon Johnson, who put the SS trust funds into the general funds where it was promptly spent on a no-win war against poverty.

    By the way, that is a Democrat war that has been going on a lot more than 8 years, and no exit strategy in sight.

    And now, If Obama has his way, you will lose a lot of choice about your health care, and will have to pay exorbitant amounts for your energy because of cap and tax.

    Dream on. Continue to blame everything on Bush.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:29 AM
    speechlesstx
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    We all express our beliefs often, because they're our beliefs. The Christians quote the bible left right and center to prove that their beliefs are valid. Those of us that aren't Christian have the same right to express our beliefs and why we feel they're valid.

    Can't say that I've ever believed otherwise, not need to justify that with me.

    Quote:

    I guess you're not upset. Perhaps you're just trying to goad him into a confrontation.
    I have a great put down here but I'll be nice to him. I was merely pointing out an exaggeration of his and noting the irony in his posts. No need to read anything else into it.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:31 AM
    galveston
    [QUOTE=NeedKarma;2122130]There is no god and the sky is indeed not falling. QUOTE]

    Do you believe that CO2 is a gas that must be reduced? Do you believe that the world must take itself back to 18th century modes of living, giving up our automobiles, central air conditioning, and other energy using amenities.

    If you do, then you DO think the sky is falling.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:37 AM
    galveston
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    Exy, if I had the answers then I'd be in charge. ;)

    If there is a God then he's the only one with the answers, sadly he's not sharing those answers with the rest of us. I wonder why that is? Could it be that he, a God, doesn't really care about the little ant farm he built?

    ;)

    He already gave us the answers.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:40 AM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    He already gave us the answers.

    He as in God?

    That's your belief, not mine.

    I don't want to get into the same fight again and again and again. We never accomplish anything when we talk about our beliefs. Not you and me, but Christians versus the rest of us. We just go around in circles until the thread is closed.

    I respect your right to believe in the God of the bible.

    Please respect my right to follow my own beliefs which are very different from yours.

    I'm out of here. This will only lead to a headache.

    Good luck with your fight, I mean discussion. :rolleyes:
  • Dec 9, 2009, 10:46 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    Why is everything Bush's fault?

    Hello gal:

    Let's see if we can keep the argument in one straight line...

    I didn't say EVERYTHING is Bush's fault.. You said we'd LOSE liberties under Obama.. I just mentioned the liberties we lost under Bush. It's no more difficult than that.

    Do I think, that NO MATTER which administration is in power, that my Constitutional rights have remained intact? I do not. I don't think the Democrats look out for 'em any better than you folks do.

    excon
  • Dec 9, 2009, 11:02 AM
    galveston
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello gal:

    Let's see if we can keep the argument in one straight line...

    I didn't say EVERYTHING is Bush's fault.. You said we'd LOSE liberties under Obama.. I just mentioned the liberties we lost under Bush. It's no more difficult than that.

    Do I think, that NO MATTER which administration is in power, that my Constitutional rights have remained intact? I do not. I don't think the Democrats look out for 'em any better than you folks do.

    excon

    Point taken.

    Conservatives and Republicans are not necessarily the same thing.

    I doubt if it will work, but we DO need a third party.

    BTW, did you see a late poll that shows Palin's approval rating to be within 1% of Obama's?
  • Dec 9, 2009, 11:12 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    BTW, did you see a late poll that shows Palin's approval rating to be within 1% of Obama's?

    Hello again, gal:

    I did not. I DID predict that Sarah Palin would be our next president IF the Democrats failed to pass a public option. And, that's exactly what the Democrats did.

    Obama has managed to do the unthinkable... He's pissed off EVERYBODY including me.

    Since Huckabee folded, the right wing of the party is available to Sarah. As a matter of fact, that wing is the ONLY wing that has it together. Yes, I think she can win.

    Do I think that would be good? No.

    excon
  • Dec 9, 2009, 07:23 PM
    inthebox

    Galv,


    I think when someone places more faith and value in material things of this world, like money and possessions, then you get the current culture of overconsumption.

    Regardless, when one dies, you can't take it with you. A mansion or BMW or huge bank account can't eulogize you. But if one helps others, makes others smile and laugh, improves the lives of others - I think these relationships are for eternity.


    G&P
  • Dec 9, 2009, 07:28 PM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by inthebox View Post
    Galv,


    I think when someone places more faith and value in material things of this world, like money and possessions, then you get the current culture of overconsumption.

    Regardless, when one dies, you can't take it with you. A mansion or BMW or huge bank account can't eulogize you. But if one helps others, makes others smile and laugh, improves the lives of others - I think these relationships are for eternity.


    G&P

    I just want to point out that it doesn't take a faith in God to help others and improve their lives.
  • Dec 9, 2009, 08:27 PM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by inthebox View Post

    I think when someone places more faith and value in material things of this world, like money and possessions, then you get the current culture of overconsumption.

    Totally agree. Of course this happens whether you are religious or not.
  • Dec 10, 2009, 05:16 PM
    galveston

    I have to wonder how many of you know what I mean when I use the term "biblical world veiw".

    Do you?
  • Dec 10, 2009, 05:37 PM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    I have to wonder how many of you know what I mean when I use the term "biblical world veiw".

    Do you?

    Well considering that it's the first time you use it then perhaps you should explain it.
  • Dec 10, 2009, 06:27 PM
    paraclete
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    I have to wonder how many of you know what I mean when I use the term "biblical world veiw".

    Do you?

    Even though I am a Christian I'm not sure what part of the Bible you are referring to, The part that says God so loved the world and sent his only son or the part that says it was so evil he destroyed it or the part that says as it was in the days of Noah so it will be. My interpretation of a biblical world view is the world is evil and liable to destruction. Is this your meaning also?
  • Dec 10, 2009, 09:24 PM
    galveston

    What I mean is that God is in control of the big picture and that climate is not part of man's responsibility.

    Man was given oversight of the day to day affairs, and he is responsiblefor his own problems.

    Property rights are sacred as are rights of inheritance.

    We are supposed to treat our fellow man in the manner we wish to be treated. If this were followed, there would be no oppression of the weaker among us, whether by politicians, dictators, or CEO's.

    But as it relates to this thread, it means that those who attempt to defraud the public with rigged information for their own personal gain are nothing more than predators.
    They hope to make everyone else provide them with great wealth and power.

    Definitely not a biblical world view.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:59 PM.