Poll shows backlash on gay issues

[Woodsy]

Just like that emblem of diversity, the rainbow flag, actually stands for all of humankind?

 

[Pete Harcoff]

And between this, assisted suicide, excesses of the homeland security measures, and the inevitable coming global clash with the pan-Islamic empire that gave us Our Good Friends on 9/11, I for one am profoundly grateful that my time on this miserable little planet is rapidly winding down. Like Paul, I am anxious to depart this sphere and be with Christ.

You don't like the idea of the changing social attitudes in the Western world, so you call for the end of the world?

Seems a touch pessimistic to me, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

 

[Pete Harcoff]

[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]! How DARE they do something so repulsive as organize a group to represent themselves in a democracy so they can have the same rights as everybody else?! BURN THE HERETICS!

I know! What is this world coming to where people want to live in peace and harmony?! What a mind-bogglingly crazy idea!

 

[Inspired]

Just like that emblem of diversity, the rainbow flag, actually stands for all of humankind?

RED stands for courage.
ORANGE offers the vision of possibilities.
YELLOW represents the challenge that GREEN has kindled.
GREEN represents growth, a challenge to co-operators to strive for growth of membership and of understanding of the aims and values of co-operation.
BLUE suggests pessimism, reminding us of less fortunate people in the world who are in need of the benefits from co-operation.
VIOLET is the color of warmth, beauty and friendship.


And if you are secure enough in your own life to not want to control someone else's you slap one on your car to show your support for gay and lesbian rights. Just because 100% of gays and lesbians beleive in gay and lesbian rights, doesn't mean you have to be gay or lesbian to dawn the symbol.

 

[Wolseley]

I for one am profoundly grateful that my time on this miserable little planet is rapidly winding down. Like Paul, I am anxious to depart this sphere and be with Christ.

You don't like the idea of the changing social attitudes in the Western world, so you call for the end of the world?

Seems a touch pessimistic to me, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

No, actually I'm not calling for the end of the world, Pete. I'm not a dispensationalist, so I don't believe in the whole "I'm going to be raptured and leave the world before the great tribulation" scenario.

What I was talking about is the fact that I am nearly 45 years old, and I have at best maybe 30 years left, and if I'm lucky, even less.

I was talking about my death, not Western civilization's.

Don't get me wrong---I firmly and wholeheartedly believe that Western civilization is on its way out; I suspect the next dominant culture in the world will probably be Islam---but hopefully I will be gone before we collapse from our own corruption and they come and establish their own rule.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Pete Harcoff]

No, actually I'm not calling for the end of the world, Pete. I'm not a dispensationalist, so I don't believe in the whole "I'm going to be raptured and leave the world before the great tribulation" scenario.

What I was talking about is the fact that I am nearly 45 years old, and I have at best maybe 30 years left, and if I'm lucky, even less.

I was talking about my death, not Western civilization's.

Don't get me wrong---I firmly and wholeheartedly believe that Western civilization is on its way out; I suspect the next dominant culture in the world will probably be Islam---but hopefully I will be gone before we collapse from our own corruption and they come and establish their own rule.

Sorry for the confusion.

My apologies, I read Satisfied's response following yours and adopted his interpretation of your post.

But...I really don't know what to say. I mean, doomsday talk is one thing, but to actively wish for your own death... that's something else. I don't understand how you feel about the world or why you would wish for such a thing. Do you really believe the world is such a terrible place? That all humanity has worked for and struggled through to get where we are, to just be willing to let it slide away? Surely there are things to hold onto in the world.

Maybe I can't understand your view. I don't believe in an afterlife. But because of that, maybe I view my own life different. I see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to do things; to create things; to leave a lasting memory for those that follow.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you find peace.

 

[Wolseley]

Oh, I am perfectly at peace, Pete. I merely realize that this world is nothing more than a stage, a training ground for eternity, and it's something that has to be endured, for the most part. I am saddened, repulsed, and appalled by much that I see happening in the world, but fortunately, I know that I will not be remaining in this world forever, and when the time comes, I will not be unhappy to go. I think two passages of Scripture can neatly sum up my thoughts on the matter:

"Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him....the world and its enticements are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:15, 17)

"For to me, life is Christ, and death is gain....I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit." (Philippians 1:21, 23-24).

It's not that I'm about to go leap off a cliff, or anything like that; it's simply that I realize that while we are in this world, we have to endure nasty things like sin, and disease, and pain, and hatred, and loss---and in the next world, we will have none of that; only joy, and peace, and love, and comfort, and well-being. This world is a "valley of tears", as one of our Catholic prayers puts it, and it has to be wearily slogged through until we reach our true home in the next reality.

For us, dying is to be looked forward to---it's one of the best things that can possibly happen to us, because we will no longer have to endure all the nasty things of this world, and we will spend the rest of eternity in the dazzling Presence of Jesus Christ. Death is a friend to be welcomed, rather than an enemy to be fought.

But when that liberating death comes is God's call to make, not ours. We have to continue to labor until He makes the decision to end our lives.

I am profoundly sorry that you do not believe in an afterlife.....believing that this world is all there is is one of the most dismal thoughts I can possibly imagine.

Nevertheless, I thank you for your concern for my well-being, and I offer you my blessings for it.