Bro. Hex

In this century we have been newly filled by the conscious knowledge of our own darkness - that we carry this darkness within us. We no longer need to project our darkness outward into demons or scapegoats - or, if we do, we know we are courting disaster. It is by encounter with our own darkness that we recognize the light. It is the light itself which shows us the darkness - and both are summoned from within us. Lorna M Marsden, 1983 from Quaker Faith and Practice. GB.

Actually, hyper, I think it would be a good thing for churches to start paying taxes under certain circumstances.. For example, I am not adverse toward establishing rules to govern "commercial property" and similar "investments", which I think should be taxed just as they would be, if a non-religious (commercial) establishment were realizing those profits.

Good choices, Deborah, keep up the good work. And Rev. Rick... it sounds like you do have "a calling". Blessings be to both of you!

Ditto!

Thanks for bringing this incident to our attention, hyper. The world has a long way to go where religious tolerance is concerned. When I was in grade school, the good nuns taught us that there have been more people murdered "in the name of God', than for any other motivation. Still true today, it seems.

I still have trouble wrapping me around the fact that there are more than THREE TIMES as many people living on planet earth than there were during the year that I was graduated from high school (1962). Over-population by our species is, imho, the single greatest threat posed to our biosphere. And it is not a "coming threat" there are already way-too-many of us. If we don't fix this, Mother Nature will. She always does.

I'm sorry folks, but I like foxes A LOT... no matter what their age!

And be prepared for "flashbacks" at unexpected times, and at irregular intervals. Even three years after I had smoked my last cigarette, I remember suddenly craving one. But it does get easier, so long as you never give in.

Thanks for that referral, Dave.I have not previously taken notice of that course!

Former Member ?????

As a matter of common sense, it is unwise to practice ANY type of counseling unless you are a trained and certified operative in whichever specialized area of counseling you are considering. Getting ordained does not confer any special skills on you, and acting in a way that would give others to believe that you DO have specialized skills in any area, is a good way to get sued.

I can't argue with your "prescription for living", Bro. Kaman. In fact, I like it. But why must it be "Either/Or" ?? .....Why not "Both/And"???

On the other hand, I rather like revtimothy's "characterization" of many of the people we encounter in this life as being "angels' or "demons". Do not misunderstand me; I do not think that such characterizations are appropriate for "most" of the people we encounter in life. They are not. Most of us are admixtures of good and bad. We are thoroughly "grey"... but every so-often there comes along a person who has clearly gone over to one side or the other. And for such people as these, "angels or demons" is not a bad descriptor. This is not to suggest that there are not "real" angels or "real" demons "out there... somewhere" There might be such. But for most of us, the only angels or demons that we will encounter in this life... will look just like us. And one other thing... I mean no disrespect to Brother Kaman, but I cannot agree that the "hero" in his example is really "no hero at all". And I am not sure that I can agree that "he was only doing what he felt any man, under the same circumstances, would do". That may be the case. It may not. I don't think it matters at all whether the rescuer thinks his action was heroic. I THINK his action was heroic. Perhaps that's because I have a much lower opinion of what "any man" might do ...or choose not to do... in any given circumstance. A hero is a hero, regardless of whether or not he (or she) thinks so. We need heroes in this life. We need to be able to believe in the fundamental "goodness of man". It is our occasional, though perhaps rare, encounter with a genuine hero that helps us to carry on. And speaking of the courage to carry on, revtimothybland, I wish you and your brave wife good fortune, and kind encounters during your search for a home and a job.

All of our animals too, were adopted from shelters, or were found abandoned on the streets. Ours too became wonderful family members.

This thread has developed into such a great conversation !!

My "Con-dar" (a mental form of "Radar") was registering at the "Alert level", just like hyper and Rainbow have indicated. I don't feel the least bit guilty about it either.

Rev. Jerry, I wish to "echo" 100% what my friend, Songster, has said here. I have been away from the forum for the last couple of days, so I have no idea what unfortunate developments Songster is alluding to, but I will send thoughts and prayers your way, Hex

I am sorry that your kitty had reached the end of the road. I thank you for being thoughtful enough, and kind enough to end kitty's suffering as painlessly as possible. You did the right thing.

Hey, Thanks for this!

Great posts, folks! :thumbu:

I don't mean to to nit-pick, but ... em·u·late/ˈemyəˌlāt/ Verb: Match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation. Imitate. I think the word that would fit your intended meaning is: either "manifest" or "exhibit".

An interesting question, indeed. Personally I see very little significant difference between that machine and that sociopath.

I think that you have posted some extremely interesting questions, old-nick. I rather enjoy your atypical POV on many aspects of human existence. With regard to your question about machine intelligence being more or less "deserving" than human intelligence, I have to say that I would first need to be convinced that machine intelligence was a reality, or at the very least, a real possibility. At this point in time, I am not so convinced, but I will admit to the "remote possibility".

Scotty, I am very sorry for your loss. I will remember you, your family and your brother in prayer.

What self-respecting machine would even consider marrying a human?