It's No Wonder!

[dawson]

We've taken God out of our schools, banned manger scene displays on government property, banned a sculpture of the Ten Commandments from public property, etc. It's NO WONDER America is going down!

We are no longer "one nation under God" because God is under attack in America.

Glen Beck said it well, "Even if you're not a religious person, I need you to understand why this is so important and it all goes back to our country's founding. Before that, most people only believed in the divine right of kings; the idea that God only gave power to kings and those kings were accountable to no one.

But what made America unique was that it was founded on divine providence.
Remember the term "endowed by their creator" in the Declaration of Independence? That was a revolutionary concept at the time and it means that God actually had a hand in the world's greatest experiment in democracy.

Whether our founders believed in organized religion or not, each of them abided by the laws of morality and nature's God, which is why they put that term in the very first line of the declaration.

If you still doubt the founders' views on religion, then just listen to how Ben Franklin described the religion of America:

"I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs it by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this."

Like them, I believe that the true secret to our country's success is the belief that our rights are given to us by God and lent to our government only so they can protect our rights to life and liberty while we pursue happiness.

Unfortunately, we're moving in the opposite direction.

As we move toward socialism, our government is also moving from a renter of our rights to an outright owner of them. That is causing us to lose sight of who the real owner is: our creator.

A new poll says that 15 percent of us now have no religious belief — a number that has nearly doubled since 1990.

So what's the solution? How do we stop this surge in people putting their elected leaders above their creator?

It's actually quite simple: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Not only should you believe in God, but believe that he is the center of your life. So prove it NOT by telling everyone else what principles and values to have, but by living them out yourself."

And for AuntieFreda, here's a reference link for you:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,508929,00.html

[winnerx3]

Well this is a nice quote. Why isn't the begining in quotation ? At least you take word for word.

I agree with Mr Beck on a couple of issues.

"So prove it NOT by telling everyone else what principles and values to have, but by living them out yourself."

"Unfortunately, we're moving in the opposite direction".

These are the two issues I agree with. Now, why would you post a copy of something unless you agree with its principles ? and secondly, why would you post something you are not willing to live by, as quoted in that first quote.

Was this posted just for the sake of drawing in arguments, disscussion or to antagonize others who you may or may not believe are non Christian ?

No bother to answer me, I am just passing through and felt like pointing out the obvious and making a statement. I just thought it curious to make a quote and not tell right off...the whole story is a copy. You left out the advertisment for the colon cleanser, but maybe your reasons will work.

You know I am sort of sorry...for being a stinker about you. BUT I think one of us, that you hurt and deceived...I think one of us will always be around here somewhere, watching you and stoping to say something.

[imrose]

We've taken God out of our schools, banned manger scene displays on government property, banned a sculpture of the Ten Commandments from public property, etc. It's NO WONDER America is going down!

We are no longer "one nation under God" because God is under attack in America.

Glen Beck said it well, "Even if you're not a religious person, I need you to understand why this is so important and it all goes back to our country's founding. Before that, most people only believed in the divine right of kings; the idea that God only gave power to kings and those kings were accountable to no one.

But what made America unique was that it was founded on divine providence.
Remember the term "endowed by their creator" in the Declaration of Independence? That was a revolutionary concept at the time and it means that God actually had a hand in the world's greatest experiment in democracy.

Whether our founders believed in organized religion or not, each of them abided by the laws of morality and nature's God, which is why they put that term in the very first line of the declaration.

If you still doubt the founders' views on religion, then just listen to how Ben Franklin described the religion of America:

"I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs it by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this."

Like them, I believe that the true secret to our country's success is the belief that our rights are given to us by God and lent to our government only so they can protect our rights to life and liberty while we pursue happiness.

Unfortunately, we're moving in the opposite direction.

As we move toward socialism, our government is also moving from a renter of our rights to an outright owner of them. That is causing us to lose sight of who the real owner is: our creator.

A new poll says that 15 percent of us now have no religious belief — a number that has nearly doubled since 1990.

So what's the solution? How do we stop this surge in people putting their elected leaders above their creator?

It's actually quite simple: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Not only should you believe in God, but believe that he is the center of your life. So prove it NOT by telling everyone else what principles and values to have, but by living them out yourself."

And for AuntieFreda, here's a reference link for you:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,508929,00.html

Our country was founded by a bunch of people who were being persecuted for their religion. They managed to invade an occupied country and then proceeded to persecute anyone who didn't believe in their religion. This does not seem to me to be "divine providence". And probably didn't seem so to the native Americans. The pledge of allegiance was originally written in 1893 as an oath of loyalty to the country and "under God" was not added until the mid 1950's when everyone was terrified of Communism. I learned the original version and usually stick to it. Interesting that the addition was instigated by the Knights of Columbus when Catholics were among those religions most persecuted by the founding fathers. It's also fairly interesting that Ben Franklin was a religious person, but that has nothing to do with whether or not others "should believe in God". People should believe in whatever they want to believe in as long as they do no harm to others.

And no, I'm not an atheist.

[Auntie Freda]

We've taken God out of our schools .... NO WONDER America is going down!
..... God is under attack in America.
..... America ... was founded on divine providence.
..... God actually had a hand in the world's greatest experiment in democracy.
..... each of them abided by the laws of morality
..... I believe that the true secret to our country's success is the belief that our rights are given to us by God ...

A new poll says that 15 percent of us now have no religious belief — a number that has nearly doubled since 1990.
How do we stop this surge in people putting their elected leaders above their creator?
NOT ONLY SHOULD YOU BELIEVE IN GOD BUT BELIEVE THAT HE IS THE CENTRE OF Y0UR LIFE !!!!!

And for AuntieFreda, here's a reference link for you
Gee thanks, mate. Yep, I'll take the bait.
And yes, for the sake of brevity, I HAVE cherry-picked your cut-and-paste down to the bits I'd like to respond to.
Hardly an atttempt at subterfuge or to alter your meaning. Clearly,anyone can scroll up to read your full text if they have the stomach for it.

NOW, by what right do you and your kindred fundies tell others what they "SHOULD BELIEVE" ?
How dare you ?
You obviously believe in the same sort of theocracy which exists in Iran and other Muslim countries.
So much for real freedom.
People should have the freedom not only NOT to believe - but not to have what they perceive to be superstitious nonsense rammed down their childrens' throats in schools or forced upon them in public places by the State.

You fall into the common fundie trap of leaping to the totally erroneous conclusion that there is no morality outside religion (Christian religion of COURSE).

Most atheists, agnostics and assorted pagans that I know are far, far more 'moral' than "Christians" like Bush and his predecessors who have been responsible for the maiming and murder of MILLIONS from Vietnam to the Middle East and Central America and all points in between.

Your "Christian" leadership has led America to become the most violent, gun-crazy, warmongering nation on earth.

If and when an American leader arises who does NOT espouse such "Christian" values, there might be hope for your sad and sorry nation.

[dawson]

"...Whether our founders believed in organized religion or not, each of them abided by the laws of morality and nature's God, which is why they put that term (endowed by their creator") in the very first line of the declaration

Like them, I believe that the true secret to our country's success is the belief that our rights are given to us by God and lent to our government only so they can protect our rights to life and liberty while we pursue happiness.

"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Not only should you believe in God, but believe that he is the center of your life. So prove it NOT by telling everyone else what principles and values to have, but by living them out yourself."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,508929,00.html
ImRose and Auntie Freda: I don't believe Beck was being quite as dogmatic about telling others what to believe as you both suggest. He clearly tells Christians "NOT to tell everyone what principles and values you have, but [prove your faith] by living them out yourself". And, "Whether our founders believed in organized religion or not, each of them abided by the laws of morality and nature's God, which is why they put that term (endowed by their creator") in the declaration".

And, as far as the American Indians go, I totally agree with you, ImRose. That was all wrong...terrible...but quite another issue. The revolutionary concept of democracy was what was "divine providence"...but how man went about establishing that is what was wrong where the American Indians were concerned.

winnerx3 aka "spymyster":
Not only did I use quotation marks, I also posted the link where I found Glen Beck's comment. I can't be more upfront and honest than that (the first sentence in comment #1 was mine). I'm sorry you're such an unhappy person.

[Auntie Freda]

ImRose and Auntie Freda: I don't believe Beck was being quite as dogmatic about telling others what to believe as you both suggest.
Really .......... ?
Not only should you believe in God, but believe that he is the center of your life.

[dawson]

You took that out of context to give it a false emphasis...as you often do. If you leave it in context you will find that my statement is correct. You left off the next sentence..."So prove it NOT by telling everyone else what principles and values to have, but by living them out yourself. I agree that the two statements are rather contradictory but he's only human...you have to read it in context to understand his intent.

He has every right to say that he believes everyone should believe in God but he also acknowledged that it's more important that we live it rather that push it.

[Auntie Freda]

s q u i r m .......

[dawson]

y o u w i s h .......

[qloopy80]

Doesn't Dawson (aka Anna7 and numerous other feminine names) talk a lot of nonsense?

[oth]

ohh Qloopy - so long a break -
I thought you & Dawson must have made up & have
been chatting happily ever after - somewhere else!

[Auntie Freda]

ohh Oth - one could but hope ......

[dawson]

ohhh qloopy80, oth, and auntie freda - 3 men gossiping like 3 old biddies. I leave and the forum drops to this low of a level? hahaha.

Came back to read some riviting discussions...can't find any since I left unless you get off on nit-picking and yank bashing.

[Auntie Freda]

The "nit-picking" is just a bit of harmless banter.

YANKBASHIN' is a noble and necessary cause. Everyone knows THAT !


I'm sure we will all once again revel in your pearls of wisdom should you deign to share your profound thoughts with us.

[oth]

sure has mate - here's just such a pearl. (In another "discussion") :

dawson

"Have you forgotten your good friends winnerx3, qloopy80, pooky,
and lou-lou val? Please send them the link and take them with you."

[Auntie Freda]

Now, now, Oth.
Remember, we're a bit starved for comedy since BB's departure.
And Dawson's usually good for a giggle.