Welcome....FORTYLEGZ....F&R Summer Feature!!

**Q3210** · 08-11-2008, 12:22 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

Poor 40 Legz...This is the time of Judgement.

**f0rTyLeGz** · 08-11-2008, 05:40 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<span style="color: #000099"> <span style="font-size: 17pt"> WELCOME FORTY!! </span></span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">Thank you, thank you for the warm greeting.</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">....<span style="font-size: 11pt">And we begin....Take it away forty!! </span> </span>

1)Did you grow up with religious beliefs, and if so, at what point/age did you start to question them?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">My mother was very religious. She was a Christian Scientist, and she took me to Sunday school, and prayed over illnesses, and often read the Key to the Scriptures to me out loud.</span>

2) In the absence of a religious/spiritual frame of reference, how do you motivate/inspire yourself (and others) during those difficult times in your life?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I believe that having consciousness and language is the rarest event in the universe. I rejoice in having one.</span>

3)Now, we do know that the various belief systems,science or faith, do not have ALL the answers to everything pertaining to our existence. Do you ever have any struggles with doubts in your current convictions, especially during the "I don't know" moments?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">Sure all the time. But I don't ever believe that there is a magical solution to the binds that I find myself caught up in. I never think that maybe there really are gods. </span>

4) Was there someone within your circle (family or friend) who influenced and helped shape you in your current belief (or lack thereof)? If not, who inspired the most in your current beliefs (or lack thereof)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">No. I was always a little embarassed about my mother's faith. And although I never challenged her, when I was seven or eight I questioned my Sunday school teacher about Joshua and the falling walls and all of the dead people. Mom never took me to Sunday school again... and it was never mentioned in the family. Sometimes I would go to church later on because there would be a big restaurant dinner afterwards.</span>

5)For some people, religion, regardless of which, adds a sense of purpose/meaning to their lives. How has your world view shaped how you approach life?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I value this life, having life, and all of the lives I touch.</span>

6)As you look at the world today, and the different challenges (starvation, war, famine, etc.), how does your world view inform/influence how you see things? Would you say it is a matter of the survival of the fittest?[/size]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">My views about what is really going on here has led me to believe that loving, and gentle (no spanking) parenting is of the utmost importance in having a good life.</span>

<span style="color: #000099">As always, to our readers, please don&#8217;t forget you can add your questions too!! </span> [/quote]

**Diplomat** · 08-11-2008, 10:47 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

Thanks, 40. Silent_River and I appreciate your willingness to be a part of this feature

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: f0rTyLeGz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
2) In the absence of a religious/spiritual frame of reference, how do you motivate/inspire yourself (and others) during those difficult times in your life?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I believe that having consciousness and language is the rarest event in the universe. I rejoice in having one.</span></div></div>
Care to expand on this? I'm not sure I have a handle on how "consciousness and language" motivates/inspires you.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3)Now, we do know that the various belief systems,science or faith, do not have ALL the answers to everything pertaining to our existence. Do you ever have any struggles with doubts in your current convictions, especially during the "I don't know" moments?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">Sure all the time. But I don't ever believe that there is a magical solution to the binds that I find myself caught up in. I never think that maybe there really are gods. </span></div></div>
In the absence of a belief in any diety, how do you reconcile those moments of uncertainty?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6)As you look at the world today, and the different challenges (starvation, war, famine, etc.), how does your world view inform/influence how you see things? Would you say it is a matter of the survival of the fittest?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">My views about what is really going on here has led me to believe that loving, and gentle (no spanking) parenting is of the utmost importance in having a good life.</span></div></div>
Does this mean that you attribute man's inhumanity to man, basically speaking, to the result of some having being spanked as children?

**f0rTyLeGz** · 08-11-2008, 02:37 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
2) In the absence of a religious/spiritual frame of reference, how do you motivate/inspire yourself (and others) during those difficult times in your life?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I believe that having consciousness and language is the rarest event in the universe. I rejoice in having one.</span></div></div>
<span style="color: #3333FF">Care to expand on this? I'm not sure I have a handle on how "consciousness and language" motivates/inspires you.</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I have gone through difficult times lately and rejoicing in having life seemed to work. Being aware of what I share with the rest of humanity was comforting... and I suppose motivating and inspiring.</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3)Now, we do know that the various belief systems,science or faith, do not have ALL the answers to everything pertaining to our existence. Do you ever have any struggles with doubts in your current convictions, especially during the "I don't know" moments?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">Sure all the time. But I don't ever believe that there is a magical solution to the binds that I find myself caught up in. I never think that maybe there really are gods. </span></div></div>
<span style="color: #3333FF">In the absence of a belief in any diety, how do you reconcile those moments of uncertainty?</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I guess I just say to myself that I don't know what the answer is and I can live with the ambiguity. I suppose Im talking about those hard times when someone I love gets very ill, or has a tragedy in their life and the question comes, "Why them?" or "Why me?"</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6)As you look at the world today, and the different challenges (starvation, war, famine, etc.), how does your world view inform/influence how you see things? Would you say it is a matter of the survival of the fittest?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">My views about what is really going on here has led me to believe that loving, and gentle (no spanking) parenting is of the utmost importance in having a good life.</span></div></div>
<span style="color: #3333FF">Does this mean that you attribute man's inhumanity to man, basically speaking, to the result of some having being spanked as children?</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I think that is a leap... however, if no one was beating their children as a cultural norm... say, if no children in Jamaica were being spanked, jerked, yelled at, or humiliated by their parents and care givers, and that was <span style="font-style: italic">the</span> cultural norm... then yes, "mans inhumanity to man" on the island might disappear.</span>

DC · 08-11-2008, 06:10 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

Gwan troo forty..Just a pass troo..but 'I'll be bock!' (in my best Schwaggneagor accent )

**f0rTyLeGz** · 08-11-2008, 08:51 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">And I would like to add that that doesn't mean that children don't need discipline and instruction and "borders." It is just my belief that there are loving solutions to all of these times. And a huge percentage of those moments can be avoided by the parents by just planning ahead. "Child proofing" for your particular kid. Knowing what your child is going to want or need in the near future, and having that whatever at hand, when the time comes.</span>

DC · 08-11-2008, 11:13 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

A couple more for ya:

1. Do you think that at some point, religion/faith in 'gods'/'God' will be non-existent in our societies?

2.Do you consider yourself a humanistic atheist? Why?

3. If you are/were a parent, would you try to influence your child(ren)'s decisions regarding their religious beliefs? Do you think parents should exert any influence in this regard?

4. Do you socialise with religious folks forty? (Aside from your family and friends who are religious)

5. Have you visited a church/religious setting in recent years?

DC · 08-11-2008, 11:15 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess I just say to myself that I don't know what the answer is and <span style="font-weight: bold">I can live with the ambiguity</span>.</div></div>

Personally, I think 'ambiguity' is a natural observable fact in the human quest for answers to life, regardless of one's beliefs system, and I think that by being honest about the ambiguity and living with it, is how we all learn to survive -religious beliefs or not..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes I would go to church later on because <span style="font-weight: bold">there would be a big restaurant dinner afterwards</span>.</div></div>

**f0rTyLeGz** · 08-12-2008, 06:31 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

Silent_River:

<span style="font-style: italic">1. Do you think that at some point, religion/faith in 'gods'/'God' will be non-existent in our societies?</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I think it depens on what one calls "God," or "gods." But I do believe that magical type of gods will fall from favor rapidly over the next hundred years. Some say the next century will be The Century of Biology. Medicine will make astounding leaps forward, and cures will be found for many of the ailments that plague us. Remember, I'm spawned from parents whose father was an original believer that Christianity was all a person needed to heal the sick.</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">2.Do you consider yourself a humanistic atheist? Why?</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">No. But it's just because I don't label myself. It never comes up in conversation.</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">3. If you are/were a parent, would you try to influence your child(ren)'s decisions regarding their religious beliefs? Do you think parents should exert any influence in this regard? </span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I think one's children know what their parents believe... by the age of seven or eight. And what is really is important is a parents relationship with their kids. By that I mean do your kids believe that you are on their side? Do they believe that you really know what is going on? Do you kids know that you trust and respect them as who they are?</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">4. Do you socialise with religious folks forty? (Aside from your family and friends who are religious).</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">No... not in the last decade or so.</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">5. Have you visited a church/religious setting in recent years? </span>

The last time I was in a church it was a funeral in Jamaica. It was wild!

**f0rTyLeGz** · 08-12-2008, 06:40 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silent_River</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess I just say to myself that I don't know what the answer is and <span style="font-weight: bold">I can live with the ambiguity</span>.</div></div>

Personally, I think 'ambiguity' is a natural observable fact in the human quest for answers to life, regardless of one's beliefs system, and I think that by being honest about the ambiguity and living with it, is how we all learn to survive -religious beliefs or not..
</div></div>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I know what you mean...my Dad was in the military and we moved constantly. I learned quickly that what was cool, beautiful, hip, fun... everything, changed from one place to the next. Sometimes it seemed, when we arrived at a new location, that <span style="font-style: italic">everything</span> was up in the air.</span>

**Diplomat** · 08-12-2008, 10:46 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: f0rTyLeGz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Silent_River:

<span style="font-style: italic">4. Do you socialise with religious folks forty? (Aside from your family and friends who are religious).</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">No... not in the last decade or so.</span></div></div>
<span style="color: #000066">Is this by choice, and if yes, why?</span>

**Diplomat** · 08-12-2008, 11:04 AM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: f0rTyLeGz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">And I would like to add that that doesn't mean that children don't need discipline and instruction and "borders." It is just my belief that there are loving solutions to all of these times. And a huge percentage of those moments can be avoided by the parents by just planning ahead. "Child proofing" for your particular kid. Knowing what your child is going to want or need in the near future, and having that whatever at hand, when the time comes.</span> </div></div>
In an effort to understand your added response to the previous answer to the question asked, I'm still trying to connect the dots between how children are treated and the different challenges we're talking about. Of course, treating a child wonderfully, etc., doesn't guarantee that such a child will turn out to become a productive citizen. The total opposite is possible, so it does seem to me that "man's inhumanity to man" goes much deeper than how individuals are treated as children.

As someone who accepts Darwinism and it's inherent materialism, do you believe that some individuals are "wired" to be violent, and by extension, predisposing some nations to war? In this world view, are humans meant to keep fighting with each other with only the "fittest ones" surviving?

**f0rTyLeGz** · 08-12-2008, 04:14 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: f0rTyLeGz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Silent_River:

<span style="font-style: italic">4. Do you socialise with religious folks forty? (Aside from your family and friends who are religious).</span>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">No... not in the last decade or so.</span></div></div>
<span style="color: #000066">Is this by choice, and if yes, why?</span> </div></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">I am not sure about everyone that I know beliefs, or if they go to church or not. But in my closer network, there are no church goers... Ive plenty of Jewish friends, but none that I know of who attend synagogue except on high holidays. I've got no Muslim pals. The 'spiritual people' that I am closest to are holistic, green Earth types.

It would never occur to me to not like someone because of their religious beliefs. And I found out very early not to talk about what I believe, because back in the day if you said you were an atheist... or just non-believer, some people were very likely to be offended, and want to test their faith by confronting an infidel.</span>

**rudemonk** · 08-12-2008, 04:27 PM

Re: Welcome....*FORTYLEGZ*....F&R Summer Feature!!

40 that is interesting that your dad was military- was he in a potential combat role and how does the military handle christian scientists. I mean I would think were he wounded in combat he would be cas evac'd and treated without regard to his personal conviction?

Welcome....FORTYLEGZ....F&R Summer Feature!!

Welcome....FORTYLEGZ....F&R Summer Feature!!

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