I don't get it.

[Susan]

And occasionally exceedingly dangerous -- like the time I was travelling a back road to Fort Worth and found myself driving towards a tornado which was heading towards me!

And of course, the road went two directions: towards the tornado, and away from the tornado.

I stopped, got my pictures -- and then got the h*** out of there!

LOL, That's scary. I wanted to be a storm chaser when I was a little kid. . .weird, weird me.

 

[Hydra009]

I don't trust people who excessively focus on how "horrible, depraved, and utterly evil life" is. They have a tendency to try to manipulate peoples' fear as a means of control to build support for their own agendas.

 

[ACougar]

Conservative slime objects to diversity, they object to freedom of belief, choice, word and deed whenever it contradicts their ridiculous moral codes and ideals (codes and ideals that even they are incapable of keeping.) Naturally they are frustrated, naturally they are angered when differing opinions are allowed so they throw temper tantrums and try to change this government of the people into a theocracy. Hungry for a repeat of the dark ages where the Christian Church wielded immense power, their goal is nothing less than the destruction of our current society. They will of course continue to have children because deep down even they don't even believe their own nonsense.

Present conservative company excepted of course!

OK, here's something I've sort of been puzzling over today. Beware, this post comes from a liberal slime and as such is probably going to aggravate everyone here.

 

[tulc]

is probably going to aggravate everyone here.

Man I wish I could do that!
tulc(stuck aggravating posters one at a time)

 

[Matt Never Existed]

I LOVE that!! I always knew that Frosted Flakes were really a TOOL of the DEVIL!! (of course, thats only after I choked on one for a minute and couldn't breath!!). We should protest all the companies that make breakfast cereals. How DARE they try to pollute me with their sugar-coated EVIL!

We can start a club!! The Anti-Breakfast Club! And can make signs like "Cheerios cause Hellfire" and "Breakfast Sin". And little pictures too, like for Breakfast Sin, we could have a stickfigure guy with a spoon of cereal going up to his mouth. What do ya'll think? (Pardon my post. I think we should all poke fun at the Phelps whenever we can, as they make me laugh with their signs and everything )

According to these, everything from homosexuals to television to what cereal I ate for breakfast last week is engaged in a massive movement to destroy Godliness, love, innocence, morality, and let your pet Scripture-citing parrot out never to be seen again

 

[Polycarp1]

I LOVE that!! I always knew that Frosted Flakes were really a TOOL of the DEVIL!! (of course, thats only after I choked on one for a minute and couldn't breath!!). We should protest all the companies that make breakfast cereals. How DARE they try to pollute me with their sugar-coated EVIL!

We can start a club!! The Anti-Breakfast Club! And can make signs like "Cheerios cause Hellfire" and "Breakfast Sin". And little pictures too, like for Breakfast Sin, we could have a stickfigure guy with a spoon of cereal going up to his mouth. What do ya'll think? (Pardon my post. I think we should all poke fun at the Phelps whenever we can, as they make me laugh with their signs and everything )

Absolutely! It cannot be coincidence that the first porn. movie to gain widespread publicity in America, some 35 years ago, was "I Am Cheerios --Yellow"!!

 

[Lanakila]

I cannot vote Susan, as I already have 4 kids. I hope that my kids make a difference in the world for the better. So far, they are just alot of work, and alot of joy to me, and my family.

 

[Kelly]

OK, here's something I've sort of been puzzling over today. Beware, this post comes from a liberal slime and as such is probably going to aggravate everyone here.

I've noticed the trend of pro-family conservative organizations to be stating how horrible, depraved, and utterly evil life is. Basically, according to an informal overlook of these sites and articles, society is crumbling into a hopeless mess of sin and degradation. According to these, everything from homosexuals to television to what cereal I ate for breakfast last week is engaged in a massive movement to destroy Godliness, love, innocence, morality, and let your pet Scripture-citing parrot out never to be seen again.

However, these same organizations also encourage, rather than celibacy and abstinence, that people get married and have (often large) families, and that somehow, people who are not in a family are less worthy of respect and less stable, caring individuals than those who are in families-among other things.

Wow...talk about biased. Next.

 

[elanor]

Okay, now, everyone sing it with me:

Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Ahem, sorry. It's all this slime, y'know?

I did not have children. It was a initially a deliberate decision, but then unexpected health issues arose making it a decision beyond my control. I consider it a blessing from the Lord that I never had a desire to raise children of my own, otherwise I don't know how I would have dealt with that. However, my life has NEVER lacked children. I have 55+ (I'm starting to lose count!) nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great grandnephews. I couldn't adore them more, and have been very close to some of them (particularly after the early death of one of my sisters). We used to mostly live in the same area, but now many are starting to move to other areas of the country. (I set up and run a family-only messageboard to help us keep in touch. )

I don't understand the notion that we should not bring children into the world because the days are evil. Frankly, the days have always been evil. But God has always been good. And when God is in something, there will always be blessing even in the middle of difficulties.

I have always had issues with some of the "family" attitudes and rhetoric in parts of the church. I have been in (never stayed at) churches where family was so elevated that it felt little short of worship. Heaven forbid you should be childless in such a place. I actually had one sister in the Lord respond more than once to me with the patronizing words, "Well, dear, that's because you don't have children." And it's worse for people who are single. They are only people waiting to be married. I believe families are a gift from God, and children are a blessing on loan from Him. But there are places in the church where the elevation of the family is so entrenched that anyone who doesn't fit into the mom/dad/kids mold (or struggles within it) doesn't fit. Very unhealthy.

UberLutheran! A storm chaser! That is totally cool! Even though tornadoes are pretty scary, they are still thrilling to see. My degree is in physical science, and meteorology was part of my major. Stormy weather is my favorite weather. My brother is moving to Florida in April, and I'm all excited to go visit him during hurricane season. Of course, I also love earthquakes and get really excited when we have one (and bummed if we have one and I didn't feel it). And one of my goals is to see a volcano erupting. I think I'm a product of video games meets physical science.

And I don't eat breakfast cereal.

 

[My Higher Self]

Okay, I know I am way behind the curve here, and I went from the OP all the way to the end without reading, but I wanted to chime in with this anyway.

More people would probably adopt (including myself and STS) if adopting wasn't so much like "purchasing" a child. I mean good lord....we are by no means rich, but we live a decent life and could certainly provide the love and life a homeless child wants/needs. Yet, since we don't have hordes of cash laying around, and we have children of our own, we are unable to do adopt. Its a shame that we'd rather keep them locked away somewhere then let them be with a family that would love them.

 

[pmarquette]

OK, here's something I've sort of been puzzling over today. Beware, this post comes from a liberal slime and as such is probably going to aggravate everyone here.
all fish caught , require some cleaning ...

I've noticed the trend of pro-family conservative organizations to be stating how horrible, depraved, and utterly evil life is. Basically, according to an informal overlook of these sites and articles, society is crumbling into a hopeless mess of sin and degradation.
that is why we .... the salt , light are here , to apply the blood , to cleanse , to restore , to renew ...

According to these, everything from homosexuals to television to what cereal I ate for breakfast last week is engaged in a massive movement to destroy Godliness, love, innocence, morality, and let your pet Scripture-citing parrot out never to be seen again.
start speaking , praying , oposing , going , and doing ...

However, these same organizations also encourage, rather than celibacy and abstinence, that people get married and have (often large) families, and that somehow, people who are not in a family are less worthy of respect and less stable, caring individuals than those who are in families-among other things.
always wars , rumors of wars , granola bars [ fruits , flakes , nuts ] this line of reasoning is a " cop out " ...

Here is where I see the disconnect between these positions: If modern life is indeed as horribly corrupt and sinfully dangerous for everyone as the pro-family organizations proclaim it to be-WHY bring more children into it?
what did Mary and Joseph decide ?

So they can sin? So they can be corrupted and live in this miserable world that's either on its last legs or close to it? So they can suffer tribulation and pain?
why did mom and dad keep you ? for failure or because God had some thing for you to do ...Ephesians 1.5,11

I personally don't see why they aren't encouraging people to adopt and raise children that are already here rather than have their own kids. . .or why they aren't encouraging celibacy and abstinence if they seriously believe things are as awful as they are. I mean. . .why bring children into such an awful life?
guy in the gardening center has 100 acres ... be like Alaxender Dowie , build a new Zion [ Zion , IL ] with right priorities , right people , right church ... and be an example for the lost , do the right thing that they might see the good that you do and give glory to God...
Isn't that a selfish desire of the parents?

 

[tulc]

... be like Alaxender Dowie , build a new Zion [ Zion , IL ] with right priorities , right people , right church ... and be an example for the lost , do the right thing that they might see the good that you do and give glory to God...

You mean this guy? http://www.fwselijah.com/dowie.htm
tulc

 

[Lillithspeak]

Susan....



I *heart* you. You have just summed up so eloquently my entire opinion about the pro-"family" movement. I'm of the opinion that family is what you make of it. It could be a man and his beloved dog (no, I don't mean marrying the dog). It could be an aunt and uncle raising their sister or brother's children. It could be two heterosexual parents with 2.5 kids and an SUV who live in the suburbs. It could be a husband and wife. It could be a husband and wife with their cats. It could be two gay men or two lesbian women. It could be homosexual couples who have children. Family should not be defined as a man and woman in their first and only marriage who have 3 kids, a Golden Retriever, and SUV, and live in the suburbs and other living arrangements are abnormal or a detriment to society. I would take it as a slap in the face if somebody told me my relationship wasn't "good enough" to make a positive contribution to society.

We will not dismiss, denigrate, nor reduce Golder Retrievers to a smarmy cliche in this forum, it is FORBIDDEN! The God of the Goldens will punish any such blasphemous sinners to the nearest giant litter box in the sky! BEWARE! YOU ARE FOREWARNED!!!!

 

[BarbB]

OK, here's something I've sort of been puzzling over today. Beware, this post comes from a liberal slime and as such is probably going to aggravate everyone here.

OK, liberal slime, is that why you and I have been butting heads recently? Ha ha ha!

Your OP is interesting - I voted that I was sleepy since I'm a grandparent and won't have anymore kids in this life.

I felt EXACTLY the same way at age 20 as you have written about. EXACTLY. Eventually, I married, had no children of my own. I did inherit 2 stepdaughters, one of whom has a child, so I do have family in spite of my own stupid decision! Thank you Lord!

My viewpoint has changed. If anyone wants children, have them! The world can't change your love for them.

Also, abstinence and celibacy are emphasized these days - but marriage is the most important economic act a woman can do! Especially if she has or wants children.

Just my $.02.

 

[BarbB]

We will not dismiss, denigrate, nor reduce Golder Retrievers to a smarmy cliche in this forum, it is FORBIDDEN! The God of the Goldens will punish any such blasphemous sinners to the nearest giant litter box in the sky! BEWARE! YOU ARE FOREWARNED!!!!

Lillith - I can't believe it but I TOTALLY agree with you (except about the God of the Goldens, because the Living God probably has a whole kennel of Goldens!) Golden Retrievers are next to godliness!

 

[Polycarp1]

Lillith - I can't believe it but I TOTALLY agree with you (except about the God of the Goldens, because the Living God probably has a whole kennel of Goldens!) Golden Retrievers are next to godliness!

Count me in too!

--Poly (who was accompanied by a Golden from his 7th birthday until he had to be put to sleep while I was 18)

 

[faver]

as bad as it is now, untill God comes back and takes us. or whatever it is that you believe or life ends. and i'll be honest i don't know everything in the Bible as to what is exactly states will happen. but no matter what, wether you believe it or not. you can just stop not have any kids at all and not keep life going. you have more kids especially from those that promote good works and trying to live a better life. and bring people up right. those we need more of. you want a change theres nothing wrong with bring up kids in the world, just do it right and do your best and keep faith always in the picture some way and some how. no matter. what.

cuz if somethings going bad in life. wether political or religous, do you just stop and run away or stop trying. NO, you keep on fighting, keep going onward with progress. it hasn't been easy getting to this part. theres always been bad things, and evil. theres always been the devil, but remember there as always been God. thats what makes life worth living, cuz really, what other reason is there. why be good and why try to be right. what reasonable case would you have to promote good things. other then to just because its good. cuz with that then people will continue to run wild and you won't have any control in life.

 

[UberLutheran]

Conservative slime objects to diversity, they object to freedom of belief, choice, word and deed whenever it contradicts their ridiculous moral codes and ideals (codes and ideals that even they are incapable of keeping.) Naturally they are frustrated, naturally they are angered when differing opinions are allowed so they throw temper tantrums and try to change this government of the people into a theocracy. Hungry for a repeat of the dark ages where the Christian Church wielded immense power, their goal is nothing less than the destruction of our current society. They will of course continue to have children because deep down even they don't even believe their own nonsense.

Present conservative company excepted of course!

Dang. And I was even going to let you hold the videocamera while I drove!

 

[elanor]

...cuz if somethings going bad in life. wether political or religous, do you just stop and run away or stop trying. NO, you keep on fighting, keep going onward with progress. it hasn't been easy getting to this part. theres always been bad things, and evil. theres always been the devil, but remember there as always been God. thats what makes life worth living, cuz really, what other reason is there...

I agree, faver!

 

[ACougar]

I do, I do... I want to do the driving though!

Dang. And I was even going to let you hold the videocamera while I drove!