Society & Culture - 30 May 2007

As I emerged from the local Chapters bookstore today, I saw customers coming out with bags full of stuff from the various huge department stores that made up the strip mall. I suddenly got the urge to go spend money which I did not have (credit card), on something that I did not need.

We live in a society of so much excess, getting ourselves into so much debt. We think that we must have the perfect home or the perfect dinner party to make our friends go "ooh" and "aah", when all we really need is shelter to keep out the rain, a strong sense of hospitality, good food, good drinks, and great conversations to entertain our guests. But we think we need the mansion, the nice car and the silver and crystal...

Why?

Is this Capitalism at its best or worst?

2007-05-30 15:18:47 · 3 answers · asked by Optimistic 6 in Other - Society & Culture

2007-05-30 15:17:34 · 24 answers · asked by - 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Or is the cross merely a symbol? Why do people treat a mere symbol so reverently? What would Jesus think about memorializing the instrument of His death?

2007-05-30 15:16:26 · 34 answers · asked by jxt299 7 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-05-30 15:15:10 · 3 answers · asked by april w 1 in Other - Cultures & Groups

Though miles may lie between us
we're never far a p a r t
for friendship doesn't count the miles
it's measured by the heart


Its a nice poem and just wondering how it would sound in Spanish.. only advanced/native speakers only! [Because obviously, i'm not yet =P]

Mil gracias!

2007-05-30 15:13:54 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

Has anyone had any experiences with her?

2007-05-30 15:13:38 · 15 answers · asked by Bunny 3 in Mythology & Folklore

Thanks!

2007-05-30 15:12:03 · 6 answers · asked by Bunny 3 in Mythology & Folklore

Why do we just not do it?

I mean sure go ahead be Christian, I dont care. Just leave me out of it. Same for Atheists.



~Atheist

2007-05-30 15:11:58 · 11 answers · asked by - 2 in Religion & Spirituality

I heard a lot of religious freaks insulting Bruce Almighty and how its creators would all burn in hell and the usual BS. Now there's a new movie coming out called Evan Almighty and I know for a fact the religious crap is gonna start all over again.
The biggest beef they have is the fact that the man who plays God is black. These Christians have redneck qualities, as their stereotypical belief for the longest time is that God must be white because Christianity was first founded amongst white people and he is Jesus' father. First of all, that has already been proven false, as to be shown in a future documentary. Mary and Jesus shared absolutely no maternal DNA, and that discredits the whole virgin mary theory. On that point, Noah is a fraud also. Just look at all all the billions of creatures on Earth today; it is mathematically and logically impossible to put two of each of them on an Ark and make them breed to continue life on Earth. Heck, half of them would die in 2 days with no food.

2007-05-30 15:11:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

What about them is different from the three main divisions of the Jewish Bible (Torah, Nevim, and Kethuvim)? How are these books different from Esther, for instance?

2007-05-30 15:09:02 · 10 answers · asked by Anthropomorphic 2 in Religion & Spirituality

Example
El viejo _____ en el hospital.
The blank is supposed to be filled in with a versio of Morir.

Yo _____ ir a la playa. (preferir)

2007-05-30 15:07:48 · 5 answers · asked by Chelsey K 1 in Languages

I have seen some really offensive questions lately and i really dont know why people post them when they know they are gonna get an earful.

1. Was Jesus a little fruity?
2. Was Jesus a little creepy?
3. Was Jesus a pornstar?


why oh why do people do that???

2007-05-30 15:07:16 · 34 answers · asked by Lauren. 4 in Religion & Spirituality

This is a strange question... but this goes to both Atheists and Christians.

- Atheists, are you prepared for the end of the world?

-Christians, are you prepared for the 2nd coming of Christ?

2007-05-30 15:07:06 · 22 answers · asked by SF azn 2 in Religion & Spirituality

which is slowly disintergrating) is done by consenting adults, anything goes? Is that correct? But if the same acts involve children or adolescents, then its not okay. Is this what I am hearing from all you liberals tonight who hate what is written in the Word?

2007-05-30 15:06:43 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

My four year old has been asking a lot of questions lately about God and where he is... and how she wants to see heaven. My fiance's mother died a while ago my daughter never met her but has seen pictures of her and I dont recall telling her that his mother is in heaven but she ramndomly asked me today is daddy mother in heaven... I usually have all the answers but I need a little help. Christians/Parents please HELP!!!!

2007-05-30 15:05:56 · 24 answers · asked by ButterfliKissus 2 in Religion & Spirituality

All the arguments on both sides have been presented at one time or another, but with the real "mainstream" scienctific disciplines offering conclusive evidence and verifiablity of the "maintream" scientific understandings and principles.
The creationist offers "psuedo science", twisted logic, misquotes, misinformation and outright lies as a retort..

Bearing in mind that at no point does science ever attempt to either prove or disprove the existance of god, yet these creationists attempt to use "psuedo science" to discredit science.. ie: "our science proves science is wrong.." etc..

Can anyone explain how such denial and ignorance is so prevelant in the face of overwhelming evidence and data to the contrary..??

Creationists, remember: Mainstream Science is the real science. Any claims outside of this framework are not science by any definition..!

2007-05-30 15:05:09 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-05-30 15:03:16 · 15 answers · asked by blaqkat05 1 in Religion & Spirituality

This is one of my favorites. It makes my favorite cute 'n' cuddly atheist laugh like a four-year-old being tickled. Feel free to share your own...

During the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, one morning's executions began with three men: a rabbi, a Catholicpriest, and a rationalist skeptic.

The rabbi was marched up onto the platform first. There, facing the guillotine, he was asked if he had any last words. And the rabbi cried out, "I believe in the one and only true God, and He shall save me." The executioner then positioned the rabbi below the blade, set the block above his neck, and pulled the cord to set the terrible instrument in motion. The heavy cleaver plunged downward, searing the air. But then, abruptly, it stopped with a crack just a few inches above the would-be victim's neck. To which the rabbi said, "I told you so."

"It's a miracle!" gasped the crowd. And the executioner had to agree, letting the rabbi go.

Next in line was the priest. Asked for his final words, he declared, "I believe in Jesus Christ the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost who will rescue me in my hour of need." The executioner then positioned this man beneath the blade. And he pulled the cord. Again the blade flew downward thump! creak! ...stopping just short of its mark once more.

"Another miracle!" sighed the disappointed crowd. And the executioner for the second time had no choice but to let the condemned go free.

Now it was the skeptic's turn. "What final words have you to say?" he was asked. But the skeptic didn't hear. Staring intently at the ominous engine of death, he seemed lost. Not until the executioner poked him in the ribs and the question was asked again did he reply.

"Oh, I see your problem," the skeptic said pointing. "You've got a blockage in the gear assembly, right there!"

2007-05-30 15:03:04 · 5 answers · asked by GreenEyedLilo 7 in Religion & Spirituality

Believe it or not, it will happen! when it does do u want to stay on earth when "ALL" demons are unleashed in the great tributlation?

Just want u to know "Jesus is coming back!". your time is running out people, Repent for the time is near!

2007-05-30 15:00:36 · 21 answers · asked by Matthew 4 in Religion & Spirituality

What could drive a mother to do this??? I have two. Yeah, they drive me nuts at times, as anyone with a 3 year old and 1 year old can tell you, but they NEVER ever deserve this! What is wrong with somebody to be able to take her 8 month old baby and hang it???? What are your thoughts on this??
I personally have tears because I remember when my children were 8 months, and it was a fun time. I know other mothers who are even more in love with their children. It's a mother's natural response, hormone-wise, to do all she can to protect her children. I will never understand this.

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=09e60eb2-b8f8-4a9b-8f3d-afb66403509e

2007-05-30 14:58:32 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

If we have a Separation of church and state, the why do you put your hand on the bible in a court room before you testify??

2007-05-30 14:58:03 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-05-30 14:55:57 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

i had/have a bully. she is a cousin in my family, and for a long time, the way she treated me (giving me the silent treatment, ignoring me, insulting me in front of others) did not really affect me. But for the past four years this has really ruined my life. I have started smoking, heavy drinking, depression, severe weight gain, low self-esteem, insomnia, nightmares, and feeling hopeless. How do I get over this? I am really miserable and need some help. Since she is in my family it may be hard to avoid her....but what can I do???????

2007-05-30 14:54:57 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

My wife and I think it's very important. We are now friends with a former teacher of hers and her wife. I made a few baby boomer lesbian and bisexual acquaintances back home in Orlando. And we got to know a female couple in their seventies after we saw them helping each other out of a bus--if you think that's to die for sweet in a mixed-sex couple, it's sublime for two women.

We're apparently the older role models for a teenage couple we know, too. (We're in our early thirties.)

So, do you have older role models? What are they like? Is this important to you?

2007-05-30 14:54:23 · 11 answers · asked by GreenEyedLilo 7 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

i'll be turning 30 soon. what's your opinion? do you think i'll be old? i remember when i thouht 30 was old. i'm not looking forward to it, but that's life i guess.

i'm an american... i wonder if turning 30 in the good ol' usa has the same negative image as it does turning 30 somewhere else in the world.

2007-05-30 14:52:45 · 20 answers · asked by rogue 2 in Other - Society & Culture

their sin was making a bad choice.... so how does a perfect being make the wrong choice?

2007-05-30 14:50:38 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

God is on America's side and wants to see all the muslims and Middle Easterners Dead or converted under America's Rules. True?

2007-05-30 14:49:16 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-05-30 14:49:07 · 10 answers · asked by Erica K 1 in Mythology & Folklore

2007-05-30 14:48:33 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-05-30 14:47:23 · 24 answers · asked by benignmalaprop 2 in Religion & Spirituality