betsy

Skeptisicm is what helps you seperate the bullshit from the truth, so I don't think I will be entering that site, because I would have to excersize skeptisicm. But seeing as how you don't excersize skeptisicm I would encourage you to buy the Egyptian Book of the Dead...this will tell you how to navigate the afterlife, if you do not excersize skeptisism you will find your self very well informed. Research and open-mindedness is what helps you separate the b.s from the truth. Thank you Newbie for the link. It will take a good time reading through it.

So did Jesus. Was not His teachings about love? He had warned of temptations in several passages, and He knows the path to salvation is narrow indeed. Your wishes for mankind are noble....but you forget one thing: human failings The irresistible pull of self-gratification, greed and lust for power. But who had tainted history with blood, Dark Angel? Man.

What history is not tainted with blood? We've heard of people doing some heroic deeds. I read of a man who jumped in icy waters to try and save a stranger. The teachings of my God indicate that giving one's life for a stranger is also like dying for Him.

This guy claims empircal evidence of the afterlife. But if you go through there with a closed and totally skeptical mind, don't even bother visiting his site. link I visited and did a quick scan...and the "deathbed vision" caught my attention. I decided to terminate further reading, at least not until after I've presented these "experiences".... My husband's grandfather resided in a nursing home, still able-minded at aged 105 although had to use a walker to be able to move around. We went to visit after he sent word that he would like me to bring him a dish that he'd enjoyed. So we went to his room and greetings were passed around. Suddenly he asked: "who's that girl?" He was looking in my direction. My husband hastily explained, "this is my wife ____" Grandpa waved his explanation away, interrupting him, and with obvious impatience said: "I know your wife! That's your wife (pointed at me)....but I'm asking about the other one over there!" And he was looking past me, towards the door. We both looked around. There was no one else in the room besides us. My husband just said..."Oh I didn't see her...." Grandpa said, "well she was there." We changed the subject and gave him the food he was asking for. And the visit went fine. Two days later, we got word he died. Back home, it's old wives tale about people dying seeing apparitions, usually of known dead kins. And such tales seem to be shared by other cultures all over the world. How did these tales come about? And for it to become almost universal in its appeal? Personal experiences is not admissible proof (except for the person who had the experience), and of course it is understandable that they are met with skepticisms. I had one unexplainable experience as a young adult...it suddenly just happened in a span of about 1 month...and then had abruptly stopped. My parents' room, for some reasons, just make my hair seem to prickle...and gave me goose bumps. It didn't happen all the time...only on certain times. But always in that room. It culminated when I used their washroom. I was washing my face by the sink (and had soap on my face so my eyes were closed). I heard someone whispering in my right ear but I couldn't understand what was being said. It was garbled. I can still recall the sensation of breath being puffed as someone speaks in your ear...that tickling sensation. I thought it was my young nephew playing a joke on me...and I told him to stop. I suddenly swung my right arm. No one was there. Boy, did I ever sprint out of there! I told my brother about it. Of course, Mr Skeptic treated it lightly and gave me a practical advice: "Next time it happens, ask what it is saying. Maybe he's trying to say there's a buried treasure somewhere in here!" Nothing ever happened again. Even the odd sensations I felt in the room had stopped. To this day I am thinking, was it maybe because I blabbed about it? The house we're living in now sometimes....give out some sort of "vibes." There are no apparitions...or no moving objects...or noises in the night. It's just that "feeling." And it comes only once in a while. But I do not feel threatened. I don't know why but I am convinced whatever it is, it is "friendly." One time I mentioned it to my husband, and he answered "yes, I know what you mean. I saw shadows." But he said it like a joke. So I didn't pursue the conversation. Then we were socializing and talking with friends and the conversation turned to unexplainable stuffs...and he brought up the shadows. So I asked, "you mean you really saw shadows?" He said, "Not directly seen them. Just like movements by the side of my vision." I said I thought he was joking when he mentioned them before. He said he didn't want to scare me. I know of someone who'd said she actually saw one and described what she saw. It was corroborated by another (who had never met her). Part of me is still skeptic too...for it's hard to readily believe when someone else is giving an unexplainable account. I feel so confident that there is something beyond death. Whatever or however it is, I do not know. But we just do not simply ceased to be. Numerous personal accounts all over the world, although cannot be proven....cannot simply be dismissed.

I know that I did not pick the wrong religion. I am talking about Christianity. The different divisions among Christians (various denominations) are just man-made. When Christ said "Upon this rock I built my church..." He was not talking about Roman Catholicism...or United Churches..etc., He was not referring to a building being literally built on that rock. He was referring to all His teachings. But that is the difference between faith and science. Faith does not require any evidence at all. I believe that there is something beyond death. You want me to believe otherwise....then it is for you to show some proof that my belief is wrong! This is not like the whisper game. Scholars had translated, and retranslated, and retranslated....but the translation keeps getting better, because scholarship is more sophisticated, and more objective presumeably....and they all got back to the original source of documents. We are not talking about amateur monks translating anymore...but academics. Homeric epics were pooh-poohed for centuries as containing no facts of historical significance. Yet the brilliant telling of the Trojan War, thought to be mythical less than a 150 years ago, is now accepted as fact. Thanks to the archeological studies of the area. These poems were passed down ORALLY for over 2 thousand years (we now know that the Trojan War occurred I think around 2500 B.C.) And Homer did not write until 650 BC, give or take I forget the exact dates. Yet these written documents based on ancient oral traditions have proven to be extremely accurate. The Biblical record was all recorded during historical time. The Jews and others kept excellent records of current events. The facts surrounding Jesus' life are not in dispute. If you were raised in our society, then your moral precepts are based on our culture's belief system. Our culture's belief system is a religion known as Christianity. Whether you like it or not, your moral standards are based on Christian standards....no matter whether you accept them or reject them. The "no regrets" indicates that you may reject them, but that is called moral relativism, the belief in a fluctuating morality. But that's a whole other thread.

I wonder how many atheists suddenly embraced faith on their deathbed?

No, I don't need one. I'm pretty sure! At least I've got documented history to back up my belief. Zeus and company were based on nothing but a need to explain. And that's the same for all pagan religions from Aztec to Wiccan. Islam is based on prophetic declaration, you might as well believe Jimmy Jones or Charles Manson...or even Jean chretien as believing Mohammed. Mohammed said "I heard from Allah blah-blah-blah..." and they believed. And they still believe. You don't have to believe my documented history. But I do.

The one you've described above? Oh yeah! Imagine the amount of value for money on the gameplay! I love the type of building empires....I was hoping for the Age of Empire...but it had a very bad review for PS2. The Romance of The Three Kingdoms apparently has that kind of gameplay.

Yes. But they've released Final Fantasy Tactics. You place your characters in grids. Popular titles have dabbled in tactics. Ogre Battle is another RPG that released a tactic. Other newer title is Gladius by LucasArts...that one is also fun! I'm waiting for a sequel. One of the best tactics I've played is Dynasty Warriors tactics. It's like chess...you place your characters in grids, then once you're done...you just sit back and watch it all happen in action. The more chain reaction combos you make, the more points you score. The graphics is not as awesome as the latest ones...but still quite enjoyable to behold.

Would a dad be more appreciative if his ex debunk him to his children by saying "he's never been your dad. You're not his children," then introduces the new boyfriend as "this is your real dad." And not only that, but put an ad in the paper and start to promote the idea to everyone that the real dad is not the real dad at all. So it's like someone who's sided with an enemy...trying to take his children away from him. Some may merely believe in Him because they don't want to be wrong....although it is not perfectly through faith....there is still some amount of faith. It is a start to building faith. Faith! Evidence is not necessary. Much more "empirical evidence." The same that you don't have any evidence at all that MY God does not exists. Much more GOD or a CREATOR for that matter. Not MY God. You're more likely referring to that other so-called god.

Do doctors have a back up plan? You know just incase babies really do come from storks? But it's proven that babies don't come from storks. Doctors know they don't need a back-up plan.

I cannot think of a more appropriate title for this topic. As I was leaving the grocery store, a woman, accompanied by a teen, practically only a couple of feet away, called my name. My smile was automatic and stopped to say hi....but my mind was running fast trying to remember this woman, who looked vaguely familiar. Then i hit me! She's a mom who used to bring her kids to me, and she's been battling cancer. At first she was able to fight it off...and she was telling us about it. She's always been so friendly even then when her kids have no more need of a sitter. And I remember trying to give her some info from what I've read in magazines. Then the cancer came back. Only last year we bumped into her husband and he told us that there is nothing they can do anymore. She is obviously still fighting it....but perhaps she is winning...or that there is a chance. We talked about the kids....and the daycare...small pleasantries... I never did ask her about her illness. I did not know if it is appropriate....that maybe she might not wish to talk of it especially in a public place. On the other hand I hope she didn't think I am not concerned about her well-being....or that I'm trying to avoid it.... What should've I done or said?

I got introduced to RTS with "Command and Conquer" for N64 and Dune 2000 for PS2. I've been searching for those kind of games ever since....however most RTS games reviewed seem to have poor quality. I do not enjoy playing on the computer so the games had to be either on N64 or PS2. Then I also discovered what they call the "tactics". It started with Vandal Hearts, then Final Fantasy, and Dynasty Warriors. I have Romance of the Three Kingdoms (a war strategy), but have not played it yet....somehow I do not look forward to reading the tutorials. But it's waiting should I have the desire someday to tackle it. But I did really enjoy C&C and Dune 2000...using the controls was simple enough. And I am really very much into one-player mode. My poor school kid keeps asking me to get into two-player with him...and I always find an excuse... I guess one of these days I'd have to sit it out and make him happy.

Anyway, for all you Atheists and non-believers in God, I'm curious: Do you have any back-up plan? You know....in case you're all wrong? Me, if I happen to be wrong in believing that there is an afterlife (which means that you guys have been right about the whole thing all along)....well, that must really be a let down. Except that I wouldn't know how I really messed up...because as soon as I died..poof. I'm nothing. No realization...no dawning of the truth moment...no comprehension...nothing. I'm erased. Gone. But what about if I'm the one who's been right all along? Which then means you guys are all wrong. What if you died....expecting it to be the end. Back to nothing. Only to suddenly find yourself still being...somewhere...anywhere....everywhere...but not nowhere. The dawning...realization...the comprehension.... What then? Oooops.

Seeing that you used the plural form in religion, yes I do agree for the most part....except that MINE does not mislead. Of course I talk as a firm believer of my faith.

Oy, never heard of it! What genre is it?

Don't be posting any spoilers here! At least not til after I've seen it!

Perhaps even more! Apparently this movie did show some brutal practices (like human sacrifices) at the time. But compared to other movies (SAW, Hostel, are just some of the most horrifying I'd ever seen), that depicted gratuitious violence, several reviews had stated that the violence in this film was for realism.

They've got a very good advantage compared to Canada. Location.

Unfortunately I have not seen the movie yet, and it will probably be after the holidays that I would be able to do so. From what I've read so far, it's getting some excellent reviews....especially the luscious vistas ....and recommended to be seen on wide screen. It is a very brutal and violent movie but the violence is said to be the way it was during those times. And it seems the previous scandals about Mel Gibson did not hurt it at the box office. It was number one on its first week, way ahead of another action/adventure by Leonardo Di Caprio. "Speaking of a story, “Apocalypto” does actually have one, and it’s surprisingly simple at that. The majority of the film revolves around one young hunter’s trek back home to save his pregnant wife and son after he has been captured and their village ransacked by a dominant tribe. Although a specific time frame is never addressed, the movie obviously takes place well into the decline of the Mayan civilization. The disappearance of the Mayan culture has always been a mystery to archaeologists. Presumably, European explorers and disease might have caused their abrupt dissolution; however, “Apocalypto” also addresses a theme of corruption from within. A civilization must start to crumble on its own before others can pick away at the pieces. Whether or not Mr. Gibson intended this theme to apply to current worldly situations is open for interpretation." "A great civilization is not destroyed from without until it has destroyed itself from within." http://movies.yahoo.com/mvc/dfrv?mid=18092....0wrvviJbQiUg-- What happened to the Mayan civilization? Does it mirror the current society in some ways?

A lot of RPGs and Adventure games are touched by religion or faith. Not necessarily outright Christian or Muslims....but some have resemblance to the mentioned religions and others....or mixtures of various religious belief and mystical fantasy in one. Pagan worships, and something that resembles wiccan are very common too. Actually it's rare to find such games without a base on religion or faith. One of the impressive cut scenes I've ever seen depicting the story of creation and destruction with religious tones is the N64 Zelda (the very first one that was released on N64). Geesh, some "faith" depicted in such fictional narratives sound so compelling with all its intricacies...and to think that most gamers are children and young adults. But of course, RPGs and Adventure premise is the same old battle between good and evil.

I love Real Time Strategies, so after reading about it here, of course I automatically checked out the review on Gamespot. It's only on PC it seems...and it has a very bad review. Rating of 3.4 out of 10. The gameplay premise seemd very interesting for me (it's sounds more like an RPG than the RTS I know such as Command and Conquer)...but apparently, it's "buggy." http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/leftbe...tml?sid=6162370

Are you afraid of any of them? I hear what you are saying and I see that too. The difference is that I also see the children of immigrants and I do not believe they continue the bigotry. Bigotry will be solved by attrition within a generation or two. The old bigots will die off. The bombers in London subway were British-borne! The plot that was uncovered recently involved suspects that are also borned and raised in England! Why does it take so little to convince these young men to become traitors to England and their fellow-citizens? Loyalty could not have run that deeply...and if it does, it obviously runs deeply for another.

Who knows, science may crack the mystery of existence...and humans' full potentials. Through the guidance of God. It's highly possible, no?

Q should just challenge P to an old fashion duel! As a grade schooler I fondly recall being meanfully teased by a boy. I couldn't get at him because he run faster than I can. So I just took off my shoe and threw it at him. I got him on the head! But the nun got me...witnessed my hitting the boy. I got rapped on the hands and detention. But it still was worth it. That's why I said "fondly recall..." To this day I could still see the boy crying.