Society & Culture - 21 October 2007

If you don't believe he exists, prove he doesn't exist.

2007-10-21 08:26:25 · 88 answers · asked by ♥FABULOUS♥ 2 in Religion & Spirituality

We all have heard about random acts of kindness. Paying it forward, helping someone cross the road, giving a five instead of a one to a homeless person...

But tell me...what was the last nice thing that someone (a stranger) did for you? Something that stood out, giving you a warm feeling inside...and did you then do something nice for someone else-or hoard the kindness and let the RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) die with you? I think that if we all do one RAOK a week-or even a month, everyone will be a lot happier. Even something as simple as a compliment to a stranger on thier hair or outfit. Care to give the challenge a try?

2007-10-21 08:26:07 · 3 answers · asked by Happy. Finally. 3 in Other - Society & Culture

Pope Says Faith Can't Justify Violence
Sunday, October 21, 2007 2:36:11 PM
By NICOLE WINFIELD
Visiting one of Italy's most crime-ridden cities, Pope Benedict XVI told ayatollahs, rabbis, priests and patriarchs from around the world Sunday that religion must never be used to justify violence.

Benedict condemned the "deplorable" mob violence that he said permeated life in Naples, home of the notorious Camorra organized crime syndicate -- the local version of the Sicilian Mafia.

The pope's visit coincided with a three-day meeting of religious leaders from around the world on the role of religion and culture in creating a violence-free world.

The pope told the Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist leaders they must work Other World Photos

Pope Says Faith Can't Justify Violence
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for peace and reconciliation among peoples.

"In a world wounded by conflicts, where violence is justified in God's name, it's important to repeat that religion can never become a vehicle of hatred, it can never be used in God's name to justify violence," he said. "On the contrary, religions can and must offer precious resources to build a peaceful humanity, because they speak about peace in the heart of man."

While the pope's message was universal, it had particular resonance in Naples, which has long been one of Italy's most violent cities. Besides petty crime, it has been wracked by Camorra turf battles over drug and arms trafficking, prostitution rackets and other lucrative activities.

Naples for years had the highest murder rate of all major Italian cities, although it slipped to second place after Bari in 2006, registering 3.3 reported homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, Interior Ministry statistics show. Naples' surrounding Campania region has for years also topped the charts for robberies and car thefts.

Last year, there were calls for the army to be sent in after nine people were killed in Naples in two weeks.

During an open-air Mass in Naples' main square, Benedict called for programs in schools and the workplace to change a "mentality" of violence that he said increasingly draws in young people who have few economic opportunities.

"There are so many situations of poverty, of inadequate housing, of unemployment and underemployment, of lack of prospects for the future," Benedict told the crowd on a chilly and rainy day.

"It's not just the lamentable number of Camorra crimes, but also the fact that violence unfortunately tends to become a diffuse mentality, insinuating itself into social life, in the historic center and in the new and faceless outskirts, with the risk of drawing in young people in particular," he said.

2007-10-21 08:23:50 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

For me and several people in my family, Y!A has been very influential in our lives, so I just wanted to see how it has changed other people's. If you can't think of anything right off the bat, try a little harder...you'll find something.

For me, it was important in my coming out process. I came out on Answers about a month ago as my first baby step, and now I'm coming out running. I don't think I would have been able to take these steps as quickly as I'm taking them if it weren't for Answers.

Furthermore, I feel like I'm helping others as well--helping them through the same inner turmoil I went through. It was also a great way for me to meet people like me, to know that I'm not alone in my struggles. Now I actually have people that I can talk to, people that I can relate with.

On a negative note, it's become a serious distraction when I'm trying to do homework...and I stay up until all hours of the night answering.

But enough about me, how has Answers changed YOUR life?

2007-10-21 08:23:23 · 15 answers · asked by White Knight 4 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

The UU church just released a ten minute video to expand membership. You can view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wezp1W2HKlU&mode=user&search=

What do you think about the UU church - or are you even familiar with it? If you are a current member, what do you like or dislike about your own church organization? Is it possible to have a cohesive church group where the beliefs of the members can vary so much? I'm interested in serious answers - I'm curious what others think.

2007-10-21 08:23:19 · 14 answers · asked by Eileen 3 in Religion & Spirituality

i wondered this when i heard he had a very intellectual mind.

2007-10-21 08:22:16 · 16 answers · asked by Omar 1 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

2007-10-21 08:20:14 · 15 answers · asked by celtic_princess101 1 in Languages

2007-10-21 08:19:22 · 1 answers · asked by singersparkles 1 in Community Service

If you've done or do this, do you explain how your understanding of the verse relates? If not, how come? The reason why I ask is because I see a lot of answers in which there are a couple verses and thats it.

I find this as annoying as a copied-and- pasted wiki page for an answer. Does anyone else?

Let me just say this before I continue, I don't find the Bible itself bothersome. It's annoying when some use it to back up their beliefs and doesn't put their understanding of it into their own words.

I mean, the Bible is not self-explanatory, if it was, there wouldn't be such a disagreement on the content of it today. There could be many interpretations to a verse. So why do you believe some Christians don't explain their thinking further than the scriptures they decide to use? Thanks:-)

2007-10-21 08:19:02 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

so, my friend and i have been making fun of the people who were building a church on her road. and it happened to be my religon. she's a buddhist, and im a christian. i wanna know how i tell her that.

2007-10-21 08:18:13 · 10 answers · asked by Katelyn C 1 in Religion & Spirituality

Three times in the last 48 hrs(app.) in country music, when I gave a thumbs up "only" to my answerer, it immediately gives them the best answer with five stars, and I don't get to pick the answerer "I" want.

2007-10-21 08:17:34 · 10 answers · asked by snow ball 3 in Senior Citizens

...“plundering gangs” [1], “bacteria”, “disease”, “racist, imperialist[s]”, followers of a “racist religion” who plan to “rule the world” who are “using” Christians to gain their ends [2], westerners would respond kindly? Do you think if young Jewish girls on Israeli television declared “We want to fight”, “We will annihilate the” Muslims, and “I will commit martyrdom” killing Muslims [3], we would sit back and do nothing? How DO you think we would react?

These are all things Muslims have stated in mainstream Islamic circles (including children’s television programs…) about Jews. Do you think we would react differently? Do you think we would be less passive, unconcerned, and apologetic if this was what the Muslims faced daily?


[1] http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=antisemitism&ID=SP160107
[2] http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=antisemitism&ID=SP169907
[3] http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=antisemitism&ID=SP157707

2007-10-21 08:16:30 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I want to measure the level of agression that is born by this word, by either atheists, fundies or the peaceful christians.

To produce something they can attack me with, I here provide a "missplelled" word.

And now to the question; "Do you think that your behaviour in here positively promotes what you represent?"

2007-10-21 08:14:20 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-10-21 08:14:13 · 1 answers · asked by Scumspawn 6 in Religion & Spirituality

... "Sixteen million (money worth in gold) - it's enough to last a lifetime."

I want to express this in French, but with simple words I could work with. Is it right if I say:

1) Seize-millions, c’est assez d’or pour le longtemps.
2) Seize-millions, c’est suffit pour le longtemps.

Or something else, what do you think?
Thanks in advance :)
:-)

2007-10-21 08:10:30 · 4 answers · asked by Paul 3 in Languages

This was said to me by a fundie homophobe.

Is it wrong to laugh when they say things like that?
.

2007-10-21 08:10:16 · 23 answers · asked by ABB 6 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

2007-10-21 08:09:45 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

2007-10-21 08:09:12 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

I understand the that most Christians believe that reincarnation doesn't happen, yet believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Would it be such a stretch to think an Infinite God with no boundaries--including the front and back cover of a book--simply could reincarnate souls merely by willing it to happen? I encourage you to a deeper level of thought.

My question is simply this:

Is reincarnation POSSIBLE?


Explanations of your personal beliefs are fine. However, understand that whether you BELIEVE in something, or whether something is POSSIBLE, are two different things.

I encourage those that believe reincarnation is IMPOSSIBLE to explain in great detail WHY they believe the way they do. This includes any limitations God has that we don't know of.

Note: This question is being asked with the current belief that a Higher Being, commonly referred to as God, did in fact create everything. This is assumed to be TRUE for the duration of this question.

Thank you for your participation!
VH

2007-10-21 08:08:39 · 19 answers · asked by Violet.Haze 1 in Religion & Spirituality

I am a regular at a certain pub, every thursday they have a quizz evening, and I am on one of the teams.
Last week I saw a really hot guy. Brown hair, glasses (he looks sexy with glasses). I noticed instantly that he was alone, and I noticed that he does not smoke the entire evening. (No, I was not staring at him; my eyes passed over him from time to time.)
I get the vibe from him that he is gay.
Now, I do not want to "pick him up", I want to get to know him a bit and after finding out more about him decide if I want to pursue a relationship with him.
I more or less have the idea how I will approach, as he will be there in a group...
Because I was in the closet for so long, never had a boyfirend, and I have never had a girlfriend either, as I never wanted a girlfriend(sad for a 24yr old!) so I feel a bit inept, Not in the intitial approach, but in how to proceed.
How do I know the right time to reveal I am gay? How do I let him know I am interested but not easy?

2007-10-21 08:07:49 · 8 answers · asked by 1Up 7 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

lets say your native language is english and you learn german in school and eventually you are fluent in it. So if someone were to talk you in german, would you understand it like english and respond the sameway or would you translate it from german to english in your head then translate from english to german to say something.

i hope you guys get what i am saying.

2007-10-21 08:07:44 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

2007-10-21 08:05:36 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-10-21 08:05:17 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

how can we help her get it out in the open

2007-10-21 08:04:41 · 15 answers · asked by Louis M 1 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

And you walk and walk and walk trying to find the darn thing!

2007-10-21 08:04:22 · 33 answers · asked by slk29406 6 in Senior Citizens

..in general have a platonic relationship, if your're in a situation where you really like the other person and what if that person might not like you..what then??
...what if the two are really attracted to one another or there is a strong chemistry between the two but for some reasons will not cross that boundary, can they still manage to keep things platonic???

2007-10-21 08:03:32 · 9 answers · asked by Indian Princess 3 in Other - Society & Culture

wronged by a friend, not just once, but many things over time. I've always tried to be understanding, but I'm tired of being walked on, too. I hate letting anger and resentment take over, I just want to be free of it and be happy. I need advice on this please, oh wise and wonderful seniors!

2007-10-21 08:01:32 · 21 answers · asked by Starscape 6 in Senior Citizens

2007-10-21 08:00:30 · 6 answers · asked by Wylliam 2 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

mail to people who questions their views?

2007-10-21 07:58:15 · 34 answers · asked by The Daughter of the King, BaC 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Leviticus 20:13

If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.


I know that being gay is wrong, Lev 18:22 tells us this. Does this verse mean they should actually be killed?

2007-10-21 07:58:03 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality