One Nation Under God.....a painting.

[John Schmidt]

Something to ponder.

One Nation Under God - Jon McNaughton	powered by Aeva

[Chrisj CMA]

Its so sad that an overwhelming minority of athiests can claim they are "offended" and they get their little feelings hurt and all of a sudden we have to fight to even say out loud that this is One Nation Under God.  I wish the best to everyone regardless of their religion or personal view of God.  And above all I pray we will again as a nation bless God like we once did. 

[sugarbee]

awesome painting.  It moved me.  I went to his website and ordered a print for myself.

Thank you for sharing that video

[fiddle mike]

I don't like it.  Though the compsition is good,  it looks like a propaganda poster more than inspired art. Also, he mis-states, and seems to disagree with, the Constitutional guard against a State Religion.
Personally I won't pledge my allegiance to a flag or (and I think Jesus would back me up, here) any other inanimate object The concept of "one nation" that over rides the rights of the states was the dream of the socialist who wrote the pledge, not the founders. The artist did include Lincoln who probably damaged the Constitution worse than anyone except Kennedy (who was filmed attending church every week with the wife he was chipping on).

Do you ever wonder that we have immigrants from Israel?

I think he was wrong about the Founders, too:

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.
-Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, Dec. 6, 1813.

[asfltdncr]

OR......NOT.

[alph]

I agree with you fiddle mike. 

Why wouldn’t it be “one nation under the tooth fairy” or one nation under “Bigfoot”

You can understand why people will get upset with us saying that because when I was a little kid, and I believed in my father being the strongest person in the world, and he wasn’t, I was upset with anyone that doubted my belief in him.  To a person that believes in something like a religious figure and you cut down all their ability to justify believing in something that doesn’t really have credibility.  Then we should expect them to criticize our beliefs in not believing.

Here’s my question for Christianity; if god so loved the world that he sent his only son, why then did he cast satan out of heaven, down to the same place he put his beloved people?  Also, wouldn’t it make since to once in a while, just show up and say “I’m here! Worship me!!!” 

I like how Reagan is in the picture!  He started the bankrupting of America!  Before him, our deficit was only $300 billion, after him it was $3 trillion!!!  In eight years!  Now there’s someone that loved America!


now for the pissed off replys!

[John Schmidt]

"now for the pissed off replys!"

Not from me Alph. That's why I prefaced the video with the comment: "Something to ponder." Hopefully that leaves it wide open for any and all people to say or think what they like. If it makes a person "think" of what's really happening...or has happened in recent history, then I've succeeded. We all have our own opinions re. the subject matter above and the apparent basis for it. Some formed from our own experience, some from our education. Either way, it's personal and should not be stifled by others just because others don't agree. Granted, there appears to be some inaccuracies in the message, but overall I feel the intent of the author/painter is sound. But again....that's just MY opinion, nothing more. 

[sugarbee]

ditto.  I am tolerant of other's beliefs.  There will be differences on any given topic, on any given day.

"now for the pissed off replys!"

Not from me Alph. That's why I prefaced the video with the comment: "Something to ponder." Hopefully that leaves it wide open for any and all people to say or think what they like. If it makes a person "think" of what's really happening...or has happened in recent history, then I've succeeded. We all have our own opinions re. the subject matter above and the apparent basis for it. Some formed from our own experience, some from our education. Either way, it's personal and should not be stifled by others just because others don't agree. Granted, there appears to be some inaccuracies in the message, but overall I feel the intent of the author/painter is sound. But again....that's just MY opinion, nothing more. 

[fstsix]

, wouldn’t it make since to once in a while, just show up and say “I’m here! Worship me!!!”   Brother alph, it's good to see you even question Him, he stands at your door and is knocking, Blessed is he who has not seen and still believes John-20-29 Question? "have you ever seen faith proved" ?     
Do you have hope in your life? How important is hope? Did you know that most marriages that fail are because a lack of hope, they have lost all hope of their problems being resolved so they file for divorce. It is also a major reason for suicide, people lose all hope in life so they will just end it. Scientists were doing some studies on the Norwegian wharf rats. They took the rats and placed them in a tub of water and continued to spray the tubs so that the rats could not roll over a float. The rats ended up dying after just seventeen minutes of swimming. The scientists again took another set of rats and repeated the experiment only this time after sixteen minutes as the rats were about to die they removed them and dried them off, placed them in there cage and fed them. They let the rats recover for a few days and allow them to live a normal life again. Then after some time had passed the rats are put back in the tubs of water only this time the rats swam for more that thirty seven hours before they died. The scientist concluded that the reason for this is that they had a salvation experience and they were hoping for a repeat salvation. The rats were able to swim thirty seven hours instead of seventeen minutes because they had hope. The hope of salvation. It is interesting how we as Christians have hope in Jesus Christ, and this hope gives us peace that surpasses all understanding. The question is why are so many of us afraid to give this hope to others. There are so many out there that need the hope that Jesus offers and yet no one is going out and sharing it. Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of despair, wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance -i.e., believing that a better or positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary. The word hope appears 142 times in the Bible, Jesus gives us a true hope in that one day we will spend eternity with Him.

[Willow]

Some have said a picture is worth a thousand words.  He's painted a very nice picture.

Art, of course, is meant to express the artist's message.  This painting does that and does it very nicely.

I probably wouldn't have painted the same picture even if I had the necessary skills.  I just don't have entirely the same view as the painter.  I'm
good with several hundred of his thousand words.

As to whether God and the Tooth Fairy are synonymous, either we will all know for sure one day or none of us will ever know for sure.    

[Robert]

That is so beautiful I just sat there and cried, what a beautiful representation of Gods hand on this Nation. I am so looking forward to meeting Jesus and just sit and talk to Him or maybe I wont be able to do anything but fall at His feet. I can tell you this, that you really never will know what beautiful really is till you meet Him, nothing compares. Thanks so much for posting that I would love to have that painting.

[asfltdncr]

Or how about that other great Republicant--Nixon.  It seems like these "Men of God" in the Whitehouse is killing us.

[bsnicely]

Think about it this way:  If those of us who do believe are wrong, well we haven't lost anything anyway. If those of you who don't believe are wrong, well look what you have lost.

 

[Buster]

Thank you, West Virginia

[John Schmidt]

Think about it this way:  If those of us who do believe are wrong, well we haven't lost anything anyway. If those of you who don't believe are wrong, well look what you have lost.

 

Well said, that was pretty much my father's approach as well. He was a very devout man, yet he and my mother lived an extremely full and active life. In my whole life around him, I never once heard him use any foul language...not even as much as a "darn." He once told me; "Son, be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read." Yet he never felt it necessary to "preach" at anyone. If you asked a question re. spirituality, the Bible, the Trinity, etc., he would answer the question and nothing more. He refused to use it as a launching pad for proselytizing....something I feel a number of Bible Bangers could learn from.

I learned a lot from him about life, and how to care for a wife. His caring for his first wife who died of cancer in 1948, then his second wife for seven years following a stroke taught me patience and caring for my current situation. As he often said....he couldn't have done it on his own strength. Frankly, neither can I. He taught by example, I can only hope I've done as much for my four girls.

[f6john]

      " To a person that believes in something like a religious figure and you cut down all their ability to justify believing in something that doesn’t really have credibility.  Then we should expect them to criticize our beliefs in not believing."



     Please don't confuse " religion " and God. Please don't point to a "religious" person and identify his actions as being representative of God's will. Answers to all your questions are available but you have to seek them out with an open mind and heart. Don't expect to get your answers from "religion".  Just don't close your mind to the possibility that you have missed something and God has a plan for your life. JMHO of course.

[fstsix]

I wonder what the artist was thinking.....? http://mcnaughtonart.com/artwork/view_zoom/?artpiece_id=353

[Charlie]

I don't like it.  Though the compsition is good,  it looks like a propaganda poster more than inspired art. Also, he mis-states, and seems to disagree with, the Constitutional guard against a State Religion.
Personally I won't pledge my allegiance to a flag or (and I think Jesus would back me up, here) any other inanimate object The concept of "one nation" that over rides the rights of the states was the dream of the socialist who wrote the pledge, not the founders. The artist did include Lincoln who probably damaged the Constitution worse than anyone except Kennedy (who was filmed attending church every week with the wife he was chipping on).

Do you ever wonder that we have immigrants from Israel?

I think he was wrong about the Founders, too:

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.
-Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, Dec. 6, 1813.

Dead on, Bro!  I couldn't agree with you more.

[Serk]

Think about it this way:  If those of us who do believe are wrong, well we haven't lost anything anyway. If those of you who don't believe are wrong, well look what you have lost.

 

I.E. Pascal's Wager... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager

My corollary to Pascal's Wager, what if you've spent your life worshiping the WRONG god and just angered the correct one? Basing your faith and worshiping on Pascal's Wager alone, I'd rather take my chances with living my life well by the morals that I was born with, and when I die, if I'm wrong and there is a "Good Place" and a "Bad Place", then if I don't go to the "Good Place" based totally on guessing the wrong deity to worship, after having led my life as good as I know how to do, then so be it...


I know, I know, arguing religion on the internet makes arguing politics seem calm and sane, but I just couldn't let the unreferenced reference to Pascal's Wager alone...

[bsnicely]

You have my appoligies for failing to reference Pascal's Wager. If I were a wagering man I would lean toward placing my bet on one of the more less exclusive religions. If it were a game, choosing a religion which did not exclude other religions from having the " way " to a reward in the end would be the best bet. As most other systems of worship ( Islam excluded ) teach that a man's good deeds and behaviour in life are the determining factor in his reward, not the acceptance of a particular diety, it seems possible that any little ol' god will do since he or she are not saving you to start with, it is you and your works saving yourself. I am not a perfect man and I fail multiple times a day ( Lord know's !) and I am not one to ram religion down other's throat. I won't argure about religion because I will never change your mind and you won't change mine. I will discuss it if asked for my opinion. I am no one's judge and try to live my life respecting everyone, regardless of your faith or lack of it. I understand that some folks do try to save the world and there is precedent for it ( The Great Commision ) but I believe that my faith is best shared with others through the way I interact with them, not what I can force them to accept. I will not go here again on the board but just to be honest with you, I have placed my bet on Jesus Christ who says " I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father but by Me". If I have misplaced my "wager", well, such is life........... 

[Serk]

bsnicely - There's no need to apologize for not referencing the name of the concept you were speaking of... And, I thank you for one of the calmest, most rational replies I've ever had in a religious based discussion...

I respect you and your beliefs. 

[3fan4life]

I agree with you fiddle mike. 

Why wouldn’t it be “one nation under the tooth fairy” or one nation under “Bigfoot”

You can understand why people will get upset with us saying that because when I was a little kid, and I believed in my father being the strongest person in the world, and he wasn’t, I was upset with anyone that doubted my belief in him.  To a person that believes in something like a religious figure and you cut down all their ability to justify believing in something that doesn’t really have credibility.  Then we should expect them to criticize our beliefs in not believing.

Here’s my question for Christianity; if god so loved the world that he sent his only son, why then did he cast satan out of heaven, down to the same place he put his beloved people?  Also, wouldn’t it make since to once in a while, just show up and say “I’m here! Worship me!!!” 

I like how Reagan is in the picture!  He started the bankrupting of America!  Before him, our deficit was only $300 billion, after him it was $3 trillion!!!  In eight years!  Now there’s someone that loved America!


now for the pissed off replys!

NOPE.......... NO ANGRY REPLY.........

If you REALLY BELIEVE that there is NO GOD............

What I feel for you is PITY 

[bsnicely]

bsnicely - There's no need to apologize for not referencing the name of the concept you were speaking of... And, I thank you for one of the calmest, most rational replies I've ever had in a religious based discussion...

I respect you and your beliefs. 

Thank you sir, and I yours as well.......   

[Robert]

I had never heard of I.E. Pascal's Wager that's very interesting but the Bible already has this covered.Rom 4:1  What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
Rom 4:2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Rom 4:3  For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Rom 4:4  Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
Rom 4:5  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
Rom 4:6  just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
Rom 11:6  But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
 As usual Pacals bet is a personal idea of how to do things that God should accept. Kinda like religion If anyone is going to talk about Jesus and compare Him with religion then unless they can do it on the basis of knowledge of what the Bible says then really their opinion on the subject is worthless. Not because the person is worthless but because they speak from a uninformed data base. The one thing that Christianity has going for it is yes you can turn it into religion and dogma and be controlled by the church or you can really find out if this Jesus is alive. Because if He is and makes Himself known then it goes beyond religion and into relationship. You can worship movie stars but if you have a personal relationship with one then it changes. Let me give a few scriptures on the subject
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
Joh 14:17  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
Joh 14:18  "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Joh 14:19  "After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
Joh 14:20  "In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21  "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
There is no person that doesn't have in their heart some witness of who Jesus is.WE serve a living God and not a dead statue,piece of wood or anything of the such. I am not trying to convert but without the knowledge of what the Bible really says then there will always be misconceptions. Anyone is free to believe anything he or she wants but when your belief is turned into a relationship and you can actually speak with a person then its really no longer your belief but a confidence in the person that you have that relationship with.  Being a Christian is a impossible thing to do unless the Holy Spirit is in you, its not for the faint of heart or selfish or those who want only their own way, who dont want to talk about surrender loyalty patience or putting off reward. These in our society are really bad words, but sacrifice when done the Lords way yields so much that your heart breaks with gratefulness. You see that's another thing religion will say "you have to do this or else" or "dont expect a reward for doing this not now at least" These are all lies born out of religion, but when you have a relationship you say I want to do this because of all the good things that He has done for me. It is no longer a burden but a love offering and a want to be just like the one you associate with. I am not a judge of another persons lifestyle or problems or faults, but I do try to live to a standard that God sets and the Holy Spirit confirms in my own life,because I know the results of bad decisions and want to keep in the path that has brought me life. Just like everything else including the Valkyrie I know I have a good motorcycle and want to share how good a bike it is and so it is with Jesus I know how good He is and want to share Him the one who brought me out of my pit with all the world. I know my Valkyrie is road worthy and can take me where I want to go, so too with Jesus.

[rainman]

I like the painting. I truly think that if the leaders of this country would spend a little more time on their knees and reading the Bible then we would be ok.
I do believe in God and I do believe He is who he says He is and that very soon He is coming back for His Church
I played music and have for most of life. I have played in bar’s, parties and boy what a good time I was having. Life could not have been so good so I through.  Then one day my wife and I went to a church and it wasn’t so bad so we started going on Sun. Then I accepted Jesus into my life and boy it seemed like the whole world changed. I saw things in whole different way. 
Three different times God has shown me His power and how much he loves each and every one of us. The first was a healing in my lower back which at times I could not walk because of the pain in my leg. I now have no problems in my back. The second time was with my ankle that I had busted up so bad the x-rays could show nothing I was put in a soft cast and told to go home and stay off of it and come back in a week for another x-ray. Within two days after being prayed for I was walking with my shoes on and when back for the x-ray and they could see were the bones had be broken. Dr’s say that should not have been walking on my foot when I came back in to see him.  And last put least. In 2004 I was hit head on by full size suv on my motorcycle I was running about 45 to 50 the truck turned in front of me at a point that I did not have time to hit the brakes. The in pack put me up and over the suv and I landed on the other side or behind the truck. Folks and all that got was some cuts and six stitches on lower left leg .  The closes that I was wearing was not ripped or anything else. I can remember hitting the black top and when I came to rest I seen my bike slide a past me.  Some of you are going say boy you where lucky. So be it. But you don’t go through all that and get up and walk away from it.  And buy the way all that I had on was t-shirt and pair of pants and shoes not boots.  The Dr’s ask if I turned the bike over in the parking lot because I had no injuries that band-aid would not cover. And then said son someone had their hand  on you.  I am not mad just hurt. But as for me and my house will believe and worship God (JESUS).
I will not get in a debate over this subject on the forum again but just had to say my 2 cents in.
May you have a safe and Happy New Year         

[alph]

I agree with you fiddle mike. 

Why wouldn’t it be “one nation under the tooth fairy” or one nation under “Bigfoot”

You can understand why people will get upset with us saying that because when I was a little kid, and I believed in my father being the strongest person in the world, and he wasn’t, I was upset with anyone that doubted my belief in him.  To a person that believes in something like a religious figure and you cut down all their ability to justify believing in something that doesn’t really have credibility.  Then we should expect them to criticize our beliefs in not believing.

Here’s my question for Christianity; if god so loved the world that he sent his only son, why then did he cast satan out of heaven, down to the same place he put his beloved people?  Also, wouldn’t it make since to once in a while, just show up and say “I’m here! Worship me!!!” 

I like how Reagan is in the picture!  He started the bankrupting of America!  Before him, our deficit was only $300 billion, after him it was $3 trillion!!!  In eight years!  Now there’s someone that loved America!


now for the pissed off replys!

NOPE.......... NO ANGRY REPLY.........

If you REALLY BELIEVE that there is NO GOD............

What I feel for you is PITY 

See, that’s what I’m talking about.  There’s always someone out there that’ll say “you’re going to hell if you don’t believe in jesus.”

So are you telling me that all the Jews are going to hell? All the Hindus, Buddhists, Shinto’s, Juche, Cao-Dai are all going to Hell?  See, I can’t and won’t believe that you can judge all people simply by the “god” they chose.  And unless you belong to the right “country club” you’re not allowed into the club house.

So much for the “American melting pot”.  That is, unless you want all “white meat-chicken noodle soup”!

By the way, I was a devout Christian for a majority of my life (like 40 years of it).  I watched Christians do some pretty ungodly things, only to drop buckets of tears on Sunday and say their saved until next church day.  In many US towns there are equal amounts of churches to bars/taverns, why is that?

I feel happier in my own soul believing that I have to live with myself and that I am responsible for my own actions and my own conscience.  I’m smart enough to know that if a cheat on my wife, I’ll be lonely and single again!

If anything, what Christians need to do is practice what they preach, but must of them don’t know that!  Somehow, they’re above the law.  Think of it, if the FBI didn’t monitor the CIA and vise versa, one of the two would be filled to the brim with corrupt individuals, thinking they’re above the law.

So, why can’t there be a tooth fairy standing if front of those men?  I’m sure that at one time, they all believed she existed (that is, if the tooth fairy was a woman)?  Didn’t you?  How about Santa?  Come on, you know I’ve got a point there. 

[alph]

Listen, I’m not angry at anyone.  I just can’t understand why so many people profess to be Christian in America to the point were paintings are made with everyone following jesus, and no one practices the “love” that jesus supposable taught.   No one knows the hearts of the people in that painting, yet they are all cast as being true believers of jesus.

Don’t pity me, I pity those not living a life congruent to the teaching of their teacher.

I am an electrician, I practice what I was taught everyday, if I didn’t, I’d be dead.  So many Christians haven’t been taught anything it seems.  And you feel sorry for me?  I don't get it?

[fstsix]

alph, i personally dont pity you, i have been reading all your post, and like  you see the actions of people in the church sitting next to me, and wonder if they really understand Jesus, they may not', The one thing i have found in my walk is that 'Man' will always let you down, i can also understand about certain denominations thinking theirs is better than the Church down the street, i hated God most of my life until i turned 22 years old, and had a life threatening experience open my eyes to how fragile life is, not everyone will have this happen, i guess the Lord was not done with me yet, As far as The religious leaders today and their mistakes they will pay a higher price than most.i have lived all over the country and have visited a lot of Churches, but like yourself it was hard to watch denomination Pride and separation of the Body of Christ, i have become close to Jesus because he was a rebel of his day, 'think about it' the Law didn't like him the religious leaders didn't like him and he didn't belong to a Church he was the Church, His Church had no Walls! he pretty much had nothing good to say about religion at all, so whats my point? i do not set my eyes apon Man, he is a fallen creature, and we have already been judged, we need not judge each other, This Jesus has been around a lot longer than these other Man made religions have, It's just that Jesus was not Man made, But the Religion the man has instilled in the local Church by tradition is bondage, if not teaching the Word of God. i personally try not to focus on tradition but on my real friend Jesus, remember (Jesus Church has No Walls) he dosn't dwell in buildings.it must have been a big deal when he came a left we still count the days on our calender every day. here is a friend i used to hang with down in the South we used to go in the prisons together and share the good news, sometimes you just know some have been touched by the spirit. Peace.http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/TB36

[Robert]

Alph I agree with you but where I dont is with letting it sour your relationship with the Father.

Gal 6:7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Gal 6:8  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Gal 6:9  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Gal 6:10  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

AS for all the other faiths
None but Jesus died for my sins rose on the third day to demonstrate His power over death, so I could have a relationship with the father and have all the gifts that were promised on earth plus eternal life

None other have demonstrated that they have the power over death or the ability to heal or the ability to give someone mindful peace.

None have said that they will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit so that you are never alone

And if you still worry about all of them they will see God when they die and He judges them. All will appear in front of the throne to answer for their deeds in life.

Gods real purpose was to have His children saved and have a relationship with them. To be able to talk and sit with them to share and enjoy their company. Religion concentrates on sin relationship concentrates on love. God is for us and wants us to succeed in all our endeavors and to live unhindered by hurts and sickness and to always be able to come and talk with Him over all the things in our lives. Jesus work is a gift for us just like the Holy Spirit is the another part of the gift.It cost a tremendous price and was given to us free of charge and the only thing we have to do is accept Him and this free gift. I could understand why God after letting His Son die for us suffering like He did and making the way for not only eternal life but also the blessing that comes with it could say it was your choice to accept or reject this free offer and you chose the wrong thing. If you go further God said I set before you life and death choose life. WE must be stupid when God has to tell us to choose life when the choice is set before us. God provides all the tools at our disposal we choose either to pick them up and use them or do something else, its our individual choice. We also choose how much to use the tools He has given us. God doesn't force us to do something we dont want to do.The devil lays traps and snares for us but God helps us to avoid them and have power over them and warns us about them.


Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2  "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.
Mat 25:3  "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
Mat 25:4  but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
Mat 25:5  "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.
Mat 25:6  "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
Mat 25:7  "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8  "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
Mat 25:9  "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
Mat 25:10  "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11  "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.'
Mat 25:12  "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'
Mat 25:13  "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

[¿spoom]

I just wish he hadn't called it "One nation under God" since that phrase was added to the Pledge many years after it was written and I don't like it much. The Pledge of Allegiance was supposed to be just that-pledging your allegiance to this country. Nothing about any religion, (or lack of it) just promising to be true to this country above all others. What a great concept; no matter what you were and where you came from, you were welcome to make this YOUR country and you promised and renewed that promise every time you faced the flag and what it represented.
But that just wasn't good enough for some folks, and in the 1950's they just had to muck it up with religion. I was brought up Methodist and am actually related to two presidents (the Adams) but I know many really good Americans who don't have Jesus as their Savior. It wouldn't stop them from laying down their lives for this country. JM2¢

[3fan4life]

I agree with you fiddle mike. 

Why wouldn’t it be “one nation under the tooth fairy” or one nation under “Bigfoot”

You can understand why people will get upset with us saying that because when I was a little kid, and I believed in my father being the strongest person in the world, and he wasn’t, I was upset with anyone that doubted my belief in him.  To a person that believes in something like a religious figure and you cut down all their ability to justify believing in something that doesn’t really have credibility.  Then we should expect them to criticize our beliefs in not believing.

Here’s my question for Christianity; if god so loved the world that he sent his only son, why then did he cast satan out of heaven, down to the same place he put his beloved people?  Also, wouldn’t it make since to once in a while, just show up and say “I’m here! Worship me!!!” 

I like how Reagan is in the picture!  He started the bankrupting of America!  Before him, our deficit was only $300 billion, after him it was $3 trillion!!!  In eight years!  Now there’s someone that loved America!


now for the pissed off replys!

NOPE.......... NO ANGRY REPLY.........

If you REALLY BELIEVE that there is NO GOD............

What I feel for you is PITY 

See, that’s what I’m talking about.  There’s always someone out there that’ll say “you’re going to hell if you don’t believe in jesus.”

So are you telling me that all the Jews are going to hell? All the Hindus, Buddhists, Shinto’s, Juche, Cao-Dai are all going to Hell?  See, I can’t and won’t believe that you can judge all people simply by the “god” they chose.  And unless you belong to the right “country club” you’re not allowed into the club house.

So much for the “American melting pot”.  That is, unless you want all “white meat-chicken noodle soup”!

By the way, I was a devout Christian for a majority of my life (like 40 years of it).  I watched Christians do some pretty ungodly things, only to drop buckets of tears on Sunday and say their saved until next church day.  In many US towns there are equal amounts of churches to bars/taverns, why is that?

I feel happier in my own soul believing that I have to live with myself and that I am responsible for my own actions and my own conscience.  I’m smart enough to know that if a cheat on my wife, I’ll be lonely and single again!

If anything, what Christians need to do is practice what they preach, but must of them don’t know that!  Somehow, they’re above the law.  Think of it, if the FBI didn’t monitor the CIA and vise versa, one of the two would be filled to the brim with corrupt individuals, thinking they’re above the law.

So, why can’t there be a tooth fairy standing if front of those men?  I’m sure that at one time, they all believed she existed (that is, if the tooth fairy was a woman)?  Didn’t you?  How about Santa?  Come on, you know I’ve got a point there. 

I don't believe that I said that you were going to Hell.

As a matter of fact I know that I didn't because only God knows what's in your heart.


However, I do pity you or anyone for that matter who does not believe in the existence of God.

To live life without a belief in a higher being and without the hope of an existence beyond death is living a life of emptiness.


Although, I am a Christian, I also never professed that you should be also.  It simply isn't my place to attempt to "convert" you and I have absolutely no intention of doing so.


I understand how people come to believe in different things.  It's easy to understand why some people are Christian and others are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist etc.


What I don't understand and never will understand is how ANYONE can look around at the wonders of this Earth and completely deny the existence of ANY GOD whatsoever.

If you choose to be one of those people then that is your right.

Just as it is my right to pity you or anyone else who chooses to deny the existence of God.