What is pulling America Apart?

[d taylor]

That’s nice; does one’s politics “change” when one repents?
Anybody else see doublethink here?

There is that, yes, the trick to to get some benefit for the rest of us while they rake it in.
We’ve departed from that station some time ago.

Where did i mention repent

 

[Pommer]

Where did i mention repent

Oh!? “Repenting” isn’t necessary?
Great, I had been misinformed!

 

[RDKirk]

I think we can all take time to mark the progress we've made and use it as a reminder of the work still to be done. I can use the Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney as an example. We used to attend as a mark of solidarity with gay rights. Now so much progress has been made here that it's more of a celebration of that fact and it's turned into a party rather than a demonstration. The original march for rights served it's purpose. So...we don't bother going any more. But turning up is not used as a 'litmus test' as to your position on gay rights. And anyone else who suggested that I didn't support them because I don't now go would get short thrift.

Not what I was talking about.

Hyperbole doesn't help in this type of discussion.

No, that is not hyperbole! It is actually happening, more than one documented circumstance, even backed by local black politicians. It's considered "personal reparations."

 

[rturner76]

What is pulling America Apart?​

The named "Trump Party." They stand on "no cpmpromise." IMO, the most creditable politicians are willing to compromise, not just attempt hostal takeovers.

 

[Pommer]

I think we can all take time to mark the progress we've made and use it as a reminder of the work still to be done. I can use the Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney as an example. We used to attend as a mark of solidarity with gay rights. Now so much progress has been made here that it's more of a celebration of that fact and it's turned into a party rather than a demonstration. The original march for rights served it's purpose. So...we don't bother going any more. But turning up is not used as a 'litmus test' as to your position on gay rights. And anyone else who suggested that I didn't support them because I don't now go would get short thrift.

Once the fight for rights is over you needn’t feel obligated to attend, (as you apparently do not); that event is now a celebration of all the hard work that got those folk enough freedom to party hardy, without fear of social isolation.
Not attending is fine for straight folk, it wasn’t about them anyways.

 

[timothyu]

until then we have to consider all of those not in our in-groups.

That's where the caring for others including enemies comes in... now.

 

[Pommer]

That's where the caring for others including enemies comes in... now.

No, politics fights over the selfishness of man while those of the Kingdom care for others including their enemies.

Whenever someone decides to divvy up the country into two groups, they always seem to place themselves in the “correct” group.
Enjoy your day.

 

[Bradskii]

No, that is not hyperbole! It is actually happening, more than one documented circumstance, even backed by local black politicians. It's considered "personal reparations."

Then the person is an unrepresentative idiot for claiming that he or she could get away with it simply being 'a minority' and anyone who let them get away with it is a bigger idiot. You have have 'more than one documented circumstance' of stupidity.

 

[Bradskii]

Once the fight for rights is over you needn’t feel obligated to attend, (as you apparently do not); that event is now a celebration of all the hard work that got those folk enough freedom to party hardy, without fear of social isolation.
Not attending is fine for straight folk, it wasn’t about them anyways.

The fight went on long enough that my kids were involved to a certain extent. Especially my daughter who has a lot of gay friends. But the grandkids? It'll be 'Marches? Protests? Demanding rights? I...don't get it. Why would they need to do that?'

 

[RDKirk]

Then the person is an unrepresentative idiot for claiming that he or she could get away with it simply being 'a minority' and anyone who let them get away with it is a bigger idiot. You have have 'more than one documented circumstance' of stupidity.

You aren't paying as much attention to what's rumbling in the "blackosphere" as I am.

 

[Mayzoo]

.

 

[DaisyDay]

the average voter is to dumb to understand the problems

Should be "too dumb" and am not!

 

[Ana the Ist]

Should be "too dumb" and am not!

Ty.

 

[Ana the Ist]

The fight went on long enough that my kids were involved to a certain extent. Especially my daughter who has a lot of gay friends.

The associated equivalent of "I have black friends" that no one can say anymore is "my kid/child/brother-in-law/second uncle twice removed/fourth cousin/step great grandparents/ have black gay lesbian queen trans/neurodivergent/little people/indigenous friends."

 

[timothyu]

Whenever someone decides to divvy up the country into two groups, they always seem to place themselves in the “correct” group.
Enjoy your day.

Those of the world assume two groups while those of the kingdom know there are three.

 

[timothyu]

but there are many flavours of “any day now!”

Yes, even the original prophets and apostles are still waiting.

 

[FireDragon76]

America isn't a great model of a functional, healthy society. It's not even a good one. Merely a middling one. Among developed nations, the US has some of the lowest indicators in terms of human flourishing and wellbeing. We have some of the most physically unhealthy people of any western nation, and also some of the worst mental health as well. We have high rates of violence, and high income inequality, as compared to other wealthy nations. Part of the problem is that American refuse to accept that. It's only when you can look at yourself and see your flaws that you can do something about them. But instead, we have a political system full of toxic nostalgia and grifters, and our society is dominated by a spiritually and morally bankrupt culture based on greed and self-interest, with shallow moralisms and wishful thinking passing for spirituality and religion.

 

[timothyu]

But instead, we have a political system full of toxic nostalgia and our society is dominated by a spiritually and morally bankrupt culture based on greed, self-interest, and shallow moralisms.

Every generation says that at some point. What we don't have today is a sense of responsibility before rights. It has gotten reversed.

 

[Richard T]

Well, to be fair, the framers were divided on the issue.

People will often cite quotes like the on you have above to make a claim that it was intended to be a religious nation (and we can get into the problems and pitfalls of that if you'd like) ...or the slight variation of that same sentiment which is what you expressed, which is "this limited government stuff only works if everyone believes in God"

But then neglect to mention that other framers/founders made statements like these (all made by different framers)
The Bible is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalise mankind.

The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy.

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.

The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.

In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.

Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.

It's important to note that what's considered an atheist or agnostic today, would've often been referred to as a "deist" in those times. And a substantial portion of the the gentlemen who helped set up our country fit that mold.

For every John Adams and John Jay, there was a Ben Franklin and Thomas Paine.

Yes, you are right. Not all the framers were of the same mind. I guess I meant the quote to suggest that as America has become less Christian it is losing its salt so to speak. Hopefully a trend that will reverse.

 

[timothyu]

Hopefully a trend that will reverse.

If something severe happens to draw people back to God, you can bet at first it will be to blame Him for events. Man is never good at taking responsibility for the mess we make and understanding it is our will, not His, that creates the problems in the first place.