Suda

And the winner is . . . . . . . Tom Strange!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Suda

Lainie Kazan My Big Fat Greek Wedding John Corbett

Here are some interesting things I learned about atheism from the link provided by Oakspear in his post #33. I put them in quotes as I copied directly from the source. Highlighting and underlining is quoted as provided by the source. Any emphasis I have added is both highlighted and italicized. Garth’s link in post #43 provided invaluable information on the thoughts of some atheists. Here is one I found particularly insightful. In reading through the conversion stories, it seemed that many atheists rely on their study of logic, reason, philosophy, other religions, and science to formulate their "code of conduct" or determine the values, morals, and ethics they live in accordance with. Therefore, it is not surprising that they share similar values, morals, and ethics with people of religious faiths. An "ah ha, now I get it" moment for me was when I understood the following. To me as a Christian, God and the belief (including values, morals, and ethics) system of Christianity is an "all-in-one" package. By accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior and choosing to make him Lord of my Life, I accept the teachings of the Bible as my guidebook for living. I strive to live my life in the way that would please God and Jesus Christ. I fall short, but continue to strive. An atheist rejects the existance of God or gods. However, most are of the opinion that in order to live in a civilized world, values, morals, and ethics are required. But instead of accepting a pre-set "code of conduct" from an external source, they consider a wide variety of "suggestions" from a wide variety of sources, and independently choose those that they feel are applicable and necessary. Most often, their choices reflect those of the "society at large" in which they live. To a Christian, God-religion-morality are an all inclusive package. The atheist does not feel a need for a spiritual guide, and thus does not base his morality on a diety-proscribed system of beliefs. It seems that trying to compare Christianity and Atheism can be a bit like comparing apples to oranges, because of the lack of a proscribed “code of conduct” for atheists. This lack leaves a lot open to speculation, and the “fear of the unknown” is what I think many Christians, including myself, had an emotional reaction to. Bolshevik’s quote below gives what many people fear. Given the Christian belief that the sinful nature of man needs a savior, those who reject the savior are often seen in the worst case scenario of : But when I finally understood Oakspear’s posts below, it diffused that fear. And At first I did not understand George Aars comment below. From my Christian perspective, the portion I highlight below seemed contradictory. After reading about atheism I could see where he was coming from. Big step for Suda! Jim’s comment further clarified this for me. Bramble’s post gives further insight: I sorta look at it this way now. The "black and white" are the far points on the continuum, the boundaries. Individual choices make up the great expanse of grey area between those points. You can profess a religious faith and be moral, profess a religious faith and be immoral, profess no religious faith and be moral, or profess no religious faith and be immoral. Your "degree" of morality comes from your individual choices, decision by decision. Few people will be black "completely immoral" or white "completely moral". Most of us are grey. Having spent 99% of my life living in the "Bible Belt" I have had limited exposure to atheists, and have developed friendships with only a dozen or so (which accounts for almost 100% of those with whom I am acquainted). All of them are good, moral people that I am pleased to have as friends. There's not a bad one in the lot. My role model for the "perfect manager" is an atheist. Since having the privilege of working under and with him, I have strived to emulate his human relations and communications skills (in my professional and private life), because, imo, he's simply the best there is. I am glad to be shedding my fear of the unknown, and feel that I will no longer be surprised in the future in finding out that someone I admire is atheist. A life without God for me would be empty, directionless, and without hope. For them it is not. And we have both made the choices that are best for us individually. I can live peaceably with that. Suda (hoping this post isn't too long!)

Glad you're on the way dmiller. Can't wait to meet you! Drive safely and get there in one piece! Suda

As you may know, I have a tendency to be verbose, so I am making a concerted effort to keep my responses here short and sweet, rather than so long no one has the inclination to read them. Hope I'm successful! I thoroughly enjoyed the posts by johnj. They were very thought provoking and “put a name” to some things that had been stirring in my thinking. I admit to knowing just a wee bit about other religions. I am aware of the “broad generalities” but, having never been motivated to study them in depth, am largely an “ignoramus” on them. I found the following statement very interesting. We often hear of the similarities between the “major” religions and/or belief systems. I found this to be an interesting contrast.I also thoroughly enjoyed the information he and George Aar presented about the care of the elderly, needy, and ailing in Japan. In American, these groups can find aid from family, friends, civic organizations, faith-based organizations, and the government (there may be other venues I have not considered). Of course, the need seems to always exceed the supply, so their problems aren’t solved, just helped to one degree or another. In Japan, it would seem these same resources are available, with the exception of maybe the faith-based organizations. To paraphrase Wikipedia, Confucianism is a belief system of secular ethics and secular morality directed towards the cultivation of a “civilized individual” who will contribute to the establishment of a “civilized society”or country with the ultimate goal of world peace. Confucianism does not have a deity but I would imagine that many of the morals and values it promotes are not dissimilar to those promoted by other religions, including Christianity. As Tom Strange so aptly noted: Indeed, Christianity does not have exclusive rights to morality and values. Similar values have been held by non Judeo-Christians throughout history. A great example is Aesop, a Grecian or African (up to debate which) who lived during the mid 6th century B.C. From George’s accounts, the culture of Japan exceeds that of America in respect to its lack of slums and its overall cleanliness. And the society seems to do its best to serve the needy within it’s finite means. The Confucian morality and values of the Japanese people seem to contribute an equivalent of what the faith-based and civic organizations do in America. Suda

Gee, second class I'm tardy to. Sorry! Here's a "pictograph" hint. Title shown in one picture. Suda

So solly - been busy. Here goes (sure hope I haven't done this one before!): 7 pictures. #2 and #3 go together, as do #5 and #6. Suda (hoping it's better late than never!)

Precious and Few - good tune! Suda

So sorry I missed your big day, Mr. Hammeroni! But I hope it's better "belated" than never for me to send my best wishes to you. Well, I never... ...knew anyone more deserving of a Happy Birthday than you! Hope it was grand! Suda

So much to respond to and so little time in which to do so! I'm really enjoying all the input and learning alot. Thanks for the links! They take quite a while to read through. I'll be posting again soon I hope. Thanks again for all the input. Suda

Hip hip hooray for both doojlets! Suda

Still praying for everyone out there. RR, glad you're on the team. Thanks for all your help! Suda

Hip Hip Hooray! Suda

NiKa, praying for you and your sweet mother. Suda

Happiest of birthdays! Hope you're all well and enjoying your day off! Knowing how you love to pick the banjo . . . This one was picked especially for you! Happy Birthday! XOXOXOXO, Suda

Yeah, the fact that Atheism has no set of beliefs other than there is no God or gods, leaves a lot up to speculation. That's unfortunate when people read into it "amoral people" verus "moral people who have left God behind". I'm sure it has it's share of both kinds of people, as do all the religious organizations. Suda

Well, Hotty Totty, Miss Belle! I'll skip Oxford if you're gonna be in Starkville. Would rather spend the afternoon with you than in the Grove. And that's saying a lot, 'cause I love grooving in the Grove at Ole Miss. Suda

Doojable and dmiller "beat me to the punch" and told you the same information I was going to share. Is this what you were looking for? Suda

Thanks, Belle. Your compliment moo-ves me! Suda

Welcome to the cafe, 30! Good to have you here. May I offer you some cookies and coffee to enjoy as you browse the forums? (I'll give you lots of cookies so you can share them with your friends in chat. LOL). Hope to see you in chat again real soon! Suda

Saying I look like a heifer, huh? "Fat and docile, big and dumb. They look so stupid . . ." What a compliment! lol Suda

Rhoda (of Mary Tyler Moore spin-off fame?) Suda

Yeah, think it's a balance. Still trying to find it! Suda

Was there a movie Barbarella? Seem to remember something along those lines. Suda (who loves to listen to Ella Fitzgerald sing!)

I'm still wondering. lol Suda