Society & Culture - 21 December 2007

Some Protestants see suffering as God's punishment of sinful people or the world as a whole. Others see such suffering as a way a loving God tests the faith and strength of survivors.

2007-12-21 02:27:22 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

yeah... it's almost Christmas but still can't find the perfect gift for mom. my mom is not easy to please. if she does not like your gift she won't tell you but you can see it in her face... hehehe. seriously, i need help.

2007-12-21 02:27:11 · 7 answers · asked by inner_beauty 2 in Christmas

http://www.abetterhope.com/hope/birthday.html

I thought it was common knowledge that he wasn't born on te 25th of december. Here, however, people are saying his birth is the reason we celebrate.

I celebrate the solcstice, not in a religious way. I get heckled for saying the holiday wasn't originally a Christian one. Well, it wasn't.

2007-12-21 02:25:47 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I can't really wait much longer! I'm making about 14 different kinds.. Mmmmm:) and I have sat aside today (Friday) and tomorrow to do them. But now I'm worrying that it's too early and they'll be stale.

2007-12-21 02:24:29 · 11 answers · asked by Jess 3 in Christmas

i have been to psychologists, on pills, to the doctor, and more.
i really want to know why, if god supposedly loves me so much, that he makes me want to kill myself so much.

everyday is just more pain, it never ends. i just want this pain to go away.

since god has a plan for all of us, does this mean he wants me to die?

2007-12-21 02:24:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Do churches have a responsibility to humanity to really provide charity, or just pretend that they do?

There are 2.1 Billion Christians in the world. Each of them gives offerings or tithes weekly. If only $1 per person actually went towards helping the hungry, there would be an additional $109 Billion per year to combat world hunger.

That is larger than all but 23 of the worlds country's production and yearly wealth.

Do you feel shame that your offering and tithes don't end up in the hands of the needy, or is it OK that your church gives less than a typical golf club? My club gave more than 100,000 to charities and our community last year. If 1/3rd of the churches in the us counsel of churches would do the same, there would be $3,689,910,000 to help the needy.

Are churches, tax free country clubs that don't do charity?

2007-12-21 02:23:14 · 8 answers · asked by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 in Religion & Spirituality

if there is such a thing as a god what would they care about a humans thoughts or what one said?

any thoughts-thanks for any answers---smile and enjoy the day

2007-12-21 02:22:07 · 23 answers · asked by lazaruslong138 6 in Religion & Spirituality

Hell or High waters it just wouldnt be xmas if you didnt watch it.

Griswald family xmas for me

2007-12-21 02:22:05 · 20 answers · asked by ? 6 in Christmas

If I wrap a gift I am going to mail in shiny paper, can I just put labels on it and mail it, or does it HAVE to be in another box/envelope???

2007-12-21 02:21:43 · 8 answers · asked by que otro hay 4 in Etiquette

2007-12-21 02:20:47 · 64 answers · asked by zsq 1 in Religion & Spirituality

i am having ritual and feast with my family

Wishing you all a very blessed holiday season, no matter what you celebrate (if anything)!

xoxo

Riegan :)

**offers a glass of holiday cheer**

2007-12-21 02:12:56 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

(I am one of them.)

What are your thoughts on art, music, and literature? Evolutionarily speaking, aren't they wasteful if not communicating a necessary message?

The transcendent (for lack of a better term) feeling I get in the presence/partaking of great art is one of the things that leads me to question the idea that we are just meat that will eventually be fertilizer.

I could go on--but I don't want to narrow it down too much. I'd love to know your thoughts.

2007-12-21 02:12:05 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

If you're not, please don't waste our time. Nothing personal - it's just a Jewish question is all. I can't help but notice that the missionaries on here address questions to Jews, and when they receive an overwhelming number of Jewish replies (most of them decent, some of them excellent - mine always are), they go and select one of the answers that bears no connection to Judaism, written by a fellow evangelist who's basically saying "amen, brother!"

Okay, so my question is, what do you think of this?: I'm Jewish, and visibly so. ...on account of my kipah. Yeah, so anyone who can identify a yarmulke will know I'm Jewish the first time they see me. Still, many will wish me a Merry X-Mas. I'm not bothered by it (clueless goodwill beats "educated" hatred), but sometimes I want to come back with "Io, Saturnalia!" as a joke. Should I be worried about avodah zara issues, even though no one today worships Saturn? I figure "Merry Christmas" is technically more problematic. No?

2007-12-21 02:11:11 · 10 answers · asked by Daniel 5 in Religion & Spirituality

In the July/August Annals of Family Medicine it was reported that 35% of atheist physicians donate time to help the poor while only 31% of Christian physicians do this. This study is consistent with many other studies that show the atheist population to be more charitable and kind and less violent and criminal than the Christain population. When education and socioeconomic background is controlled the differences are less but still slightly in favor of the atheists.

I am interested in thoughtful responses on what you think are the causative, or perhaps salient correlated factors for this difference in morality.

Please no denials from Christians; no accusations of "liberal scientists." To be published a study must have double blind controls to eliminate researcher bias. This is your chance to be reflective on the shortcomings of your faith.

For atheists please no bragging about your moral superiority...the differences in morality are only very modestly in your favor.

2007-12-21 02:10:36 · 35 answers · asked by Dendronbat Crocoduck 6 in Religion & Spirituality

... when the word for soul in Genesis, nephesh, is used for animals?

"And God created great whales, and every living creature (nephesh, psuche) that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (Gen. 1:21).

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature (nephesh, psuche) after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so" (Gen. 1:24).

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (nephesh, psuche)" (Gen. 2:7).

2007-12-21 02:10:29 · 21 answers · asked by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-21 02:10:11 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

I think if I make New Years resolution it will be to try doing little things that make God happy. I'm often stretched for time, so adding little things to my every day routine would be good.

2007-12-21 02:09:47 · 18 answers · asked by Tanya Pants 2 in Religion & Spirituality

I would like to give a "Thank you" holiday gift to the ladies I usually see every morning at my local Tim Horton's. What would be appropriate? I would like to spend around $20.

Thanks for all your ideas!!!

2007-12-21 02:09:45 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Etiquette

2007-12-21 02:09:28 · 12 answers · asked by ' 4 in Religion & Spirituality

I do, I would rather clean out a septic tank than go the mall at Christmas time

2007-12-21 02:08:47 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Christmas

A couple in California recently had there baby pass away. It died from starvation. They were vegans and wouldnt feed it breast milk or cows milk! They gave it apple juice!! IDIOTS!!! I cant say how ticked off I am. Im a dairy farmer, and when people are that stupid I want to track them down and choke them. I am so annoyed by people saying, dont eat meat, dont use fertilizer-it kills fish! Screw fish, PEOPLE ARE CRAZY NOW!!! Get your backs off the farmers!! If you dont like the smell next to a farm, dont live there. GET USED TO IT!! If you really hate us, we ought to go on strike, the farmers, and see how those idiots like it!

2007-12-21 02:08:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

If we all report the GAP ad as not being a question or an answer, will GAP get a violation notice, and will the ad then be removed?

2007-12-21 02:08:17 · 20 answers · asked by batgirl2good 7 in Religion & Spirituality

most folks will say anything good about them -- example i know from past experience i have heard folks bad mouth other folks and would not give them the sweat off them selves if that person was really in bad shape but let that same person die and you would think he was able to walk of water!!! does a spade really change his color when he dies???

2007-12-21 02:07:16 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Senior Citizens

im tryin to learn japanese anyone got any answers

2007-12-21 02:06:53 · 7 answers · asked by hana a 2 in Languages

If there was an entity that was infinitely more powerful and infinitely wiser than we are, what could we be certain about it's character?

That it would be loving? That it would desire a relationship with humans? That it would communicate via a book or spiritual revelation?

2007-12-21 02:05:40 · 11 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Religion & Spirituality

We are talking about many billions of dollars here folks, maybe many trillions.

2007-12-21 02:05:37 · 19 answers · asked by Buke 4 in Religion & Spirituality

If you don't like it you can leave they say, so here is the same R&S down under where they don't worship Gap
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/dir/;_ylt=ApafAsZws1gCma9wYRmrjaUFEBV.;_ylv=3?link=list&sid=396545163

I don't know how it is going on the UK and CA (Canada) versions, but for now there is no Gap down here.

Think of this as more of a public service announcement and any time there is an annoying ad just type au. before the address.

2007-12-21 02:04:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-21 02:04:05 · 23 answers · asked by Seeing B 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2007-12-21 02:03:12 · 31 answers · asked by Wide Awake 7 in Other - Cultures & Groups

2007-12-21 02:02:35 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages