Freedom isn't free, nor is it eternal!

[Southron]

I hope you had a great day yesterday and took time to reflect on the blessings that God has given you as an American. We have so much freedom and opportunity here in America that people in other countries don't have. Sadly, too many Americans take it for granted that they will always be free. They forget that freedom and liberty are not eternal, nor are they self-sustaining. If we become apathetic and forgetful, then freedom will be lost. Just as a good father must work daily to provide his family with a home, food, clothing and other necessities, so must we work daily to secure for our children and future generations the same freedom and opportunity that we have. -Jason

[golfhobo]

Southron said:

I hope you had a great day yesterday and took time to reflect on the blessings that God has given you as an American. We have so much freedom and opportunity here in America that people in other countries don't have.

So.... you're saying that GOD only likes Americans? That those "other" countries aren't FREE because GOD didn't fight a revolutionary war for them?

Sadly, too many Americans take it for granted that they will always be free. They forget that freedom and liberty are not eternal, nor are they self-sustaining. If we become apathetic and forgetful, then freedom will be lost.

I certainly AGREE with this! I go further! It's not just our freedom that is at stake... it's our way of life and government. We are a VERY young country/society in the scope of World History. Our "empire" could fall just as easily as that of the Romans or Alexander the Great or the Mongolians! [All of which lasted longer than we have to date.]

Just as a good father must work daily to provide his family with a home, food, clothing and other necessities, so must we work daily to secure for our children and future generations the same freedom and opportunity that we have.

So... how is that "good father" up above doing these days as it concerns the health and welfare of his creation? [or his favored COUNTRY?]

WE (Americans) are free and prosperous because we fought for it, we PLANNED for it (in the Constitution) and we WORKED for it. We certainly DO have an obligation to leave the American Dream to our children and gandchildren.

And that means FUNDING education, scientific research, and HEALTHCARE improvements. It also means maintaining a strong but not "imperialist" military!

And, in light of what we know about so many countries suffering under SOME kind of religious control, and suppressive "elections,".... it is even MORE necessary that we maintain our INSISTENCE on a separation of Church/religion and State... as well as our FREE and equal democratic elections!

I WISH you had posted this under my thread about Independence Day. It would have been a welcome (and serious) opinion. But, rather than let it go to page 2 (or whatever) WITHOUT a single comment.... I chose to give it the importance I believed it deserved... and my unsolicited comment.

I really HOPE that you don't mind.

[One]

God? I thought it was revolutionaries with muskets and hatchets... Has independence day been turned into another religious holiday? Can we not have our secular holidays?

[Sharlie]

Can we not have our secular holidays?

Yes, when's your birthday?

[mitchno1]

and the so called good father not doing very good looking after us with all the weather disasters or f....n terrorists ,that what i think from the bottem of the world

[GMAN]

and the so called good father not doing very good looking after us with all the weather disasters or f....n terrorists ,that what i think from the bottom of the world

There are those who think that all the disasters that are plaguing this country is the judgment of GOD. As a nation, we seem to have turned out back on GOD. Others consider it a natural cycle we go through every so many years. Historically, GOD has punished those who fail to follow his teachings.

[Sharlie]

There are those who think that all the disasters that are plaguing this country is the judgment of GOD.

Like the above poster, which is funny to me, when so many live their daily lives void of a acknowledging Him. Then disasters happens and its His fault?? hmm

As a nation, we seem to have turned out back on GOD. Others consider it a natural cycle we go through every so many years. Historically, GOD has punished those who fail to follow his teachings.

Last time I checked a father doesn't grab another person's kid and start spanking them. So if He is not your Father, its highly likely He is not punishing you. If He is your Father, He is Good and you needed the spanking.

[MichiganDriver]

Like the above poster, which is funny to me, when so many live their daily lives void of a acknowledging Him. Then disasters happens and its His fault?? hmm Last time I checked a father doesn't grab another person's kid and start spanking them. So if He is not your Father, its highly likely He is not punishing you. If He is your Father, He is Good and you needed the spanking.

So bad is good? When people hurt it proves God exists and therefore it's a good thing? Now it's true that I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but your "logic" makes my head hurt. But wait, that proves God exists!!!

[Sharlie]

So bad is good?

Where did I say bad is good?

When people hurt it proves God exists and therefore it's a good thing? Now it's true that I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but your "logic" makes my head hurt. But wait, that proves God exists!!!

eh?
Punishment isn't good but it is NECESSARY at times.

[MichiganDriver]

Where did I say bad is good?
eh?
Punishment isn't good but it is NECESSARY at times.

Ahhh Religious Riddlespeak. Love it.

So... When God drops a tornado on a town and 153 people die, it must mean that some people are being punished, what about the others?

[Sharlie]

Ahhh Religious Riddlespeak. Love it.

So... When God drops a tornado on a town and 153 people die, it must mean that some people are being punished, what about the others?

When God does, then I'll ask, but since I don't believe that is Him, I won't. I am a parent, and I don't kill my kids to punish them. Good Night

[Orangetxguy]

Ahhh Religious Riddlespeak. Love it.

So... When God drops a tornado on a town and 153 people die, it must mean that some people are being punished, what about the others?

When I see those numbers of deaths involved....I usually just think that God was simply being expedient.

Those 153 were due in heaven at that moment.....and some place in amongst the rest of the carnage....were several "somebodies" whom were getting their "Comeuppance'.....as it were.

[MichiganDriver]

When God does, then I'll ask, but since I don't believe that is Him, I won't. I am a parent, and I don't kill my kids to punish them. Good Night

Not to nitpick but you gave the wrong answer. God wouldn't be punishing people if they weren't believers and so you should have corrected me by saying it's not punishment, eternal life in heaven is a reward.

BTW, I'm sure tomorrow I'll regret speaking my mind to a religious person - I always do. If believing in supernatural beings gives you comfort then please do, comfort is a hard thing to come by.

[mitchno1]

you would think it be hell getting filled up ,like George Jones sings Hell is open 24hrs,

[One]

Ahhh Religious Riddlespeak. Love it.

So... When God drops a tornado on a town and 153 people die, it must mean that some people are being punished, what about the others?

Oh yea u know in Alabama theres a bunch of evangelicals constantly asking people if they been saved....The big 'tornada' as they call em here came within a few miles of my house headed right for it, then disorganized only to reorganize about 3 miles on the other side...I must be blessed- maybe i had it right and the hypocrites with their bibles and fake facades had it wrong? Of course im speaking a bit tonge andchek here :P

[golfhobo]

GMAN said:

There are those who think that all the disasters that are plaguing this country is the judgment of GOD.

1) I bet you are a "card-carrying member."

2) HOW "insensitive" of you!! You are replying to a post from a guy in New Zealand (for Christsakes,) and talking about "this country's" disasters or plagues!

As a nation, we seem to have turned our back on GOD.

Or... vice versa! What did New Zealand do?? THEIR version of our NYC AND Wahington D.C. combined... is their capital of "Christ's Church, New Zealand."

For NO OTHER REASON ... than maybe their "social networking" with sheep.... these people have had their whole country/government CRUSHED by earthquakes... the LATEST just a few days ago!

You want to tell THEM that GOD crushed Christ's Church, NZ because they had "lost their way?"

Others consider it a natural cycle we go through every so many years.

And it IS... to an extent! But, there is PROOF that the "weather patterns" and temps of THIS "cycle" (and the last few,) have been ENHANCED by carbon emmissions and "global warming." But, that doesn't explain the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, does it? Or.... DOES it?

Historically, GOD has punished those who fail to follow his teachings.

REALLY??? You have "historical" proof of that? OR are you just relying on what the BIBLE tells you happened?

I go back to my question of... WHY New Zealand? WHY Chile? They're a totally Catholic society and country! Why is GOD "punishing" these OTHER countries??

Oh yeah... I forgot! Per the original post... ALL the blessings of GOD were "endowed" to AMERICANS!! ... the REST of the World is "on its own!"

Note to Michno1: I got ur back, dude... but, why can't Y'all speak English?

Maybe a few more quakes will do it! ....

[golfhobo]

Sharlie TRIED to say:

The above poster's comment, which is funny to me, implies that many live their daily lives void of an acknowledgement of Him. Then disasters happen and [they claim] it's His fault??

Pardon the "rewrite," but... am I close?

Hmm... Last time I checked a father doesn't grab another person's kid and start spanking them.

Ohhhh.... but you have NO IDEA how often I really WANT to!!

So if He is not your Father, its highly likely He is not punishing you. If He is your Father, He is Good and you needed the spanking.

ROFLMAO!! I think I "get you" Sharlie! Michigan is a bit slow... but, he's working on it!

BTW... I noticed the change of avatar. I really LIKED the horses one you had before. WHY the change? And.... what does this NEW one mean to YOU? I gotta admit, I'm struggling to understand it.

[Sharlie]

Sharlie TRIED to say:



Pardon the "rewrite," but... am I close?

Yes, I knew YOU'D get me! Its nice to see things haven't changed too much.

Ohhhh.... but you have NO IDEA how often I really WANT to!!

Yup, its hard not to

ROFLMAO!! I think I "get you" Sharlie! Michigan is a bit slow... but, he's working on it!

Thanks, We women are not an easy thing to understand, we hardly understand ourselves sometimes.

BTW... I noticed the change of avatar. I really LIKED the horses one you had before. WHY the change? And.... what does this NEW one mean to YOU? I gotta admit, I'm struggling to understand it.

Why do I like it? There is no hidden meaning. I like the contrast of black, white and red. I changed it quickly. I could use something new. Just haven't invested much thought in to it.