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"Thanks for the tip, but I don't think the Bible needs to be argued over. I'm not into apologetics." You are in a DISCUSSION forum. We DISCUSS things here. You can either dump links, post a bunch of bald claims then storm off indignant when asked to support them, or you can DISCUSS. If you can't tell the difference between those 3, you're going to have a rough time in most DISCUSSIONS online. (Places where everyone just pats each other on the back for agreeing with each other don't really discuss- and IMHO aren't very healthy for a growing spiritual life.) "Come on now Rocky, are you telling me you don't know the general message of the Bible? I think it says things generally go better when aligned with the Bible as opposed to going against it, " A)THAT'S the "general message of the Bible"? B) The Bible has a "general message"? It's a codex, and I think each book of the book of books has a general purpose (message?) and there's general points made. If there is a single, GENERAL message OVERALL, I'd be rather disappointed it was that one. I think proponents of The Red Thread make a better "argument" for a "general message" that actually means something- and I'm sure you've heard at least a little of their supporting verses. "The Bereans didn't demand Paul back up all his claims (Acts 17:11). They searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true or not." You have the full text of what they discussed the whole time, and can prove that Paul made a bunch of claims and didn't support them from Scripture? It seems to me that Paul was used to actually supporting his claims when he preached. Acts 17:1-4. (KJV) "17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Acts 17:1-4. (NASB) "17 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” That was in Thessalonica. (17:1). The main problem in Thessalonica was when the religious authorities stirred up a mob. Acts 17:4-8 (NASB) "4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. 5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things." "The Bereans didn't demand Paul back up all his claims (Acts 17:11). They searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true or not. They were more noble than the Thessalonians who wanted to string him up." A) You INFERRED that Paul didn't back up his claims when in Berea. Paul suddenly changed his presentation style radically? And that without a verse saying so, and you just happen to know that anyway? B) The mob was the problem. There were respectable Christians in Thessalonica as a result of Paul preaching and making sense to the Thessalonians. Why do you think there ARE letters (plural) to the saints at Thessalonica? Some believed- and The Word says so-we just read that. "I'm also trying real hard to see how the methods of argument people make here are much different than mine. Other than being on flip sides of the coin, they seem pretty much alike. " I can only speak for myself. Everyone else can see the difference with what I just posted, and what you posted and I replied to (which now, at least, actually addressed some verses, which was, again, an improvement.) Now you have a basis of comparison. Compare them side-by-side if needed.

Thank you all so much! Wordwolf, you are so helpful! And thank you, DWBH. Finally finished what TWI kept me from achieving. Kitten plans on studying cybersecurity.

Yes, well and happy and hoping you are as well. (It sounds like you are.) Wordpup and Mrs Wolf are well and happy also [Bullinger.] This thread is a workaround to old documents: http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/24519-greasespot-cafe-documents-and-audio-archives/ That's to the Greasespot Cafe Documents and Audio Archives. The document you mentioned was not listed in "Waydale Editorials"- it was listed in :GSC Editorials. The menu for that is here: http://web.archive.org/web/20030402054832/http://greasespotcafe.com:80/main/editorial.htm The direct link for "Destruction of Self" is here: http://web.archive.org/web/20030306031357/http://www.greasespotcafe.com:80/editorial/destruction-self.htm

I was thinking, kindness and compassion go a long way to overcoming social isolation, which may be an indicator of problems. But there are many social isolated people who don't commit heinous crimes. And there are people brought up in decent households who do commit heinous crimes. So what, in practical terms, are you doing, rrobs? In what way are you attempting to effect social change in your community? Is it working? How has your community improved? These might be helpful things to know. Please tell us more about your assertions that "With a scripture centered change of mind, the quality of your individual life will take a turn for the better. " and how that relates to your opening statement of "The quality of life of a society is ultimately determined by the thoughts that each individual in that society holds in their mind." So again, what, in practical terms, are you doing, rrobs? In what way is the quality of your life and thus the quality of life of your society [community] effecting social change in your community? Is it working? How has your community improved? Show us your faith, by its outworking. By what you do.

November 22 is Mr. Garden's birthday. He didn't really catch on to what was happening except his birthday party got canceled. I was in a physics class (which I later failed) when the guy from the school radio station dashed in to announce three shots had been fired at President Kennedy's motorcade and it was believed he had been fatally wounded. The guy teaching the class, said, "Oh yeah?" and went on writing some meaningless formula in spite of the fact his class was abuzz. A very sad occasion. I sometimes feel it was the end of the golden years of feeling safe and right and good. WG

I was in school.. first grade. I didn't entirely understood the ramifications of that happened..