Tpoppa

The starting point of the schism you describe is the creation vs. evolution debate. Historically, there has been little if any middle ground in that discussion. You either believed on or the other. This is ground zero for science vs. theology. Recently I've heard some Christians soften their stance on this argument, saying perhaps God allowed evolution to happen. Not coincidentally, this "softening" seems to be occurring as overwhelming evidence for evolution is mounting. It's worth pointing out that nothing in the bible would seem to indicate that the word of God was hinting at evolution.

I was also raised in a very Christian setting. I've read the bible cover to cover. I've studied multiple religions (out of curiousity not as a member). They're all alot more similar than most believers are willing to admit. The reasons they exist are mainly sociological. Their development all follow pretty much the exact same path in regard to how advanced the culture was that gave rise to each set of beliefs. I find the whole concept to be quite fascinating, but nothing has led me to believe in a higher power. The reason you are Christian is geography. You were born in a mainly Christian country. If you were born in India you'd be a Hindu. If you were born in Iran you'd be a Muslim. If you were born in Ireland you'd be drunk right now. If there were a higher power it would be alot less random than that.

"No atheists in a foxhole" is a nice saying but it's not what I'd call a accurate statement.

Is that code for banging a bunch of Spanish dudes out of the country so their friends and family don't find out?

God, gods, and the super natural were Bronze Age Man's best attempt to explain the unexplainable. Man could explain VERY little during the Bronze Age, due to limited/nonexistent knowledge of medicine, the human body, the universe, germs, weather...pretty much everything that affected living and dying. It was not a particularly enlightened period in the development in mankind. As knowledge, science, & technology evolve...we are less dependent on trying to explain the world around us via the super natural. http://carm.org/hawking_universe_god

Is "God" a valid choice for a provider on HealthCare.gov?

I think it would be most excellent if there was a supreme being that could make order from chaos, bring meaning to the meaningless, and intervene divinely. However, my lifetime of experience from observing the world around me...seeing good people die untimely deaths, while the less deserving carry on simply does not bear this out. This is where some say, "God works in mysterious ways."

Here is my most honest, trying not to be an a-hole response: The whole notion of God choosing who to heal and who not to heal is counter-intuitive to many teachings in the bible about God being merciful, loving, just, etc. I think after people of faith go round and round on this topic they inevitably give up and say something like "God works in mysterious ways," which is the equivelent of saying this cannot be explained in the context of Christianity <or insert other religion here>. In a large enough control group where all received equal medical care and half pray for healing and half do not, the differences would be "statistically insignificant." I think prayer can make some difference, but I would call that difference a "Placebo Effect." Again, I have much faith...in science.

Scruit, are you a deeply religious fellow? Some of the responses you get may offend.

I have much faith...in science.

I see this http://tinyurl.com/2g9mqh

The weather is starting to look a little better.

The cop probably planted some drugs on the K9 and said it was self defense. Standard department proceedure, right?

If I was in the market for a trak bike, I'd snap this up.

Yet another windscreen?

The weather isn't looking great so far.

I once said F it and quit a job because management made some terrible decisions that chased off some clients and cost the company losses in the 8 figure range. I let them know I left because they were morons. I didn't even look for a job for 6 months.

Even if you don't want kids, I'll bet you'll want someone to take care of you when you're old and feeble.

8 more years. I'm retiring at 50. Maybe I'll be a slumlord after that.

I dislike (most) unions because I would like the economy to improve.

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/transmission/qas.html Although coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola, if a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.

My guess is that's why it closed.

Without watching that video, what is the draw to staying small? If you buy smart, bigger doesn't have to be more expensive. I upgraded from an 1100 sq/ft house to one that was about 2.5 time bigger and much newer. My total expenses are up about $100/month and that includes utilities. I'll gladly pay $100/month just to be in a better school system. Red, a great way to save $$ is to stop paying taxes in stupid Cuyahoga County Also, wouldn't staying small limit the equity in your home for when you retire?

[brings all the boys to the yard]