" AMEN! Great letter. "

" Susan, that lightning rod I spoke of yesterday drew two of them in today. Funny how, even supposedly educated people read what the want into a letter. "

" While it's true that the teachings of Jesus inspire some to "Love thy neighbor" I feel that there is a group that is far more inspiring in this area. People like Santa Clause, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, Mickey Mouse, The Telletubbies, Barney the Dinosaur, Sponge Bob, Superman, Aqua Man, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc... "

" I think they only read the headline and as I pointed out on my letter thread the headline is deceptive and inappropriate. "

" He who begins by loving Christianity better than truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all.
— Samuel Taylor Coleridge
"

" I did it again, I responded to Ms. Flood on my thread not on this one. I can't juggle five different letters at once. All too often people don't see what is going on in their own communities. I think the Bible has Jesus saying to look to the beam in your own eye before worrying about the speck in your neighbors eye. People rarely see what is right in front of their noses. "

" Let There Be Peace

A wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest home near a
junior high school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement
in peace and contentment. Then a new school year began. The very
next afternoon three young boys, full of youthful, after-school
enthusiasm, came down his street, beating merrily on every trash can
they encountered. The crashing percussion continued day after day,
until finally the wise old man decided it was time to take some
action.

The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young percussionists
as they banged their way down the street. Stopping them, he said,
"You kids are a lot of fun. I like to see you express your
exuberance like that. In fact, I use to do the same thing when I was
your age. Will you do me a favor? I'll give you each a dollar if
you'll promise to come around every day and do your thing." he kids
were elated and continued to do a bang-up job on the trashcans.

After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this
time he had a sad smile on his face. "This recession's really
putting a big dent in my income," he told them. "From now on, I'll
only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat on the cans."

The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they did accept his
offer and continued their afternoon ruckus. A few days later, the
wily retiree approached them again as they drummed their way down
the street.

"Look," he said, "I haven't received my Social Security check yet,
so I'm not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will
that be okay?"

"A lousy quarter?" the drum leader exclaimed. "If you think we're
going to waste our time, beating these cans around for a quarter,
you're nuts! No way, mister. We quit!" And the old man enjoyed peace
and serenity for the rest of his days.

Received from Donald F Howaniec.
"

" Ms Humphries, you say, "I think the Bible has Jesus saying to look to the beam in your own eye before worrying about the speck in your neighbors eye. People rarely see what is right in front of their noses." // Some advice you'd do well to put into practice.
"

" Attandage it is time to move beyond your self, others have beyond their selves. I am concerned about the splinters that blind all of us. I am concerned about the fear and hate that masquerades as piety. I am concerned about the malaise that is affecting our world. I am concerned that many people appear to be searching for something but that they don't seem to know what IT is that they are searching for. I'd like to help them find their way whether that way is through Christianity, or some other one of the Worlds Great Religions, or through a personal quest without religion such as the Gnostic path I have chosen. Each of us has the ability to progress spiritually and in the process help to make this world better for all people. "

" Yes, it's true that people all over the world help their brothers and sisters and it is often forgotten or not news worthy to report it. And yes, it's true that many of those who help those in need are Christians. HOWEVER, it's also true than millions of non Christians ALSO help out those who are in need. Why just credit the Christians? Why not credit the majority of the human race who are good, decent, caring and loving HUMAN BEINGS and about half of them aren't Christians. Shouldn't we be proud of them too? Encourage them to keep up to good works in the name of humanity? This is why we "heathens" get so upset with Christians. We EXIST, we LOVE OUR FELLOW MAN too, we CARE too, we GIVE too......and....you're welcome :) "

" Ms Humphries, if, as a Gnosticism sect member, you can't settle on just one true belief (you seem to espouse teachings from many different religions), how do you expect to help other folks find THE right path to salvation? LOL, talk about 'splinters'! // Ever listen to that song: "Did you ever have to make up your mind? Pick up the one, and leave the other behind? ..."? // Help yourself, then you'll be able to help others. Sounds like you're convinced that God's message is only intended for you to pass on to someone else who 'really needs' to hear it. A little humility goes a long way when you're in the business of trying to save everyone else's soul. "

" Susan: Is there a link to your letter? (I apologize in advance if it is right here in front of my face and I am overlooking it.) "

" Becky – you are absolutely right. Non-Christians do a great deal of helping their fellow man unselfishly and without thought of getting any credit for it. Anyone who would argue with that would only need look around for about twenty minutes and find plenty of examples to support your (and my) contention.

One of the problems Christians have is that we all suffer what I call the “Bill Buckner Syndrome”. Bill Buckner was a fairly decent baseball player. He didn’t set the world on fire but he certainly contributed positively to every team he played for. Unfortunately while playing for the Boston Red Sox in a World Series, he made an error. The error allowed a runner to reach base, the New York Mets went on to win the game and win the next one as well and became the World Champions.

Bill Buckner made literally THOUSANDS of plays cleanly, efficiently and dare I say perfectly throughout his career. What one play do you think he is known for? Google Bill Buckner and see what photo is there. That will answer that question.

A lot of Christians do a lot of good things. A lot of Christians try to beat people over the head with the Gospel and try to win them to Jesus by telling them they are going to hell if they don’t change their ways. Which of the two are Christians most known for outside the sphere of Christianity? That’s right.

I think that’s the point the writer was making in this letter. Sometimes all the STUPID things Christians do cloud the fact that there are a lot of Christians that do well by their fellow man. Rarely is the reverse true. But we agree, you don’t have to be a Christian to do good works. "

" Attainedage, I am not a member of a Gnostic sect, I am a Gnostic. I recognize that all religions have pieces of the truth, that all of their texts are sacred and full of great wisdom, that the one teaching common to all religions and peoples is that the single most important thing is not what you do but how you treat your fellow man. Gnostic has been translated as knowledge but it is more about understanding. Understanding how the world works and how people work. Towards this end I recognize that education is a life long process, that I must learn about Science, for the more I know how the world works the more I know how I work. I must also learn about philosophy for their writings are full of great wisdom. I must learn about history for I can never learn where I am going until I understand where I have been. I must learn about Sociology and Psychology for when I learn how other people work I learn how I work. AND I must learn about religion, ALL the worlds religions because for better and worse they have been and will continue to be a major power and influence in this world. "

" 43324: See it here: http://tinyurl.com/2s3bpz "

" Rotty: Thank you. "

" attain-Gnositcs don't try and convince anyone of anything. We believe the truth is inside us all. We don't need somone to tell us what to think or what to believe. We have direct contact with the creator inside ourselves. We meditate, relax, and personally speak with our maker. It's a very uplifting and spiritual experience. We also believe in Jesus, Muhammed, Buddha. We beleive they were ALL here and they were ALL prophets of the same creator. "

" Yes Susan it is time for you to move beyond yourself! "

" Sorry 43324 I overlooked your query. Thankyou Rotty for giveing him the link. I wouldn't know how to do that. "

" Mr. Vanatta I have moved beyond my self and that is why I am speaking up and speaking out. That is why I am not intimidated by fear or hate mongers. I have crossed the rubicon and there is no turning back. I believe that we can make a difference for ALL people but not if we hide from reality. What do you believe Mr. Vanatta? "

" Well said Becky. Gnostics can be very spiritual beings. The problem for them is that they don't need a priest or minister or rabbi or imman to intervene between them and their God. Part of the opposition to gnostics is the fear of those that they would be put out of a job. But that won't ever happen. One of the differences between eastern and western religions and philosophies is that the eastern thinkers realize that different people progress along their spiritual path at different paces and they allow for that and encourage everyone to progress as far as they can at their own speed. I think too many Christians have trouble when someone moves to a spiritual level that is beyond what they can comprehend. Now some will get upset thinking that I am saying that Gnostics are better or more spiritual then Christians. They are just at a different level, neither better nor worse. "

" 1. Christianity: 2.1 billion
2. Islam: 1.5 billion
3. Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion
4. Hinduism: 900 million
5. Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
6. Buddhism: 376 million
7. primal-indigenous: 300 million
8. African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
9. Sikhism: 23 million
10. Juche: 19 million
11. Spiritism: 15 million
12. Judaism: 14 million
13. Baha'i: 7 million
14. Jainism: 4.2 million
15. Shinto: 4 million
16. Cao Dai: 4 million
17. Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million
18. Tenrikyo: 2 million
19. Neo-Paganism: 1 million
20. Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
21. Rastafarianism: 600 thousand
22. Scientology: 500 thousand

"

" Father bob the Pew Charitable Trust just published the first of a major research project on the U.S. Religious Landscape. The first question asked was "What is your present religion, if any?" Only 51% of All Americans say they are Protestants. (That includes all of the Protestant denominations) 24% Catholic 16% Unaffiliated. They asked a second question "How important is religion in your life?" Only 56% said religion was very important. (that includes people from all faith groups) Religion is still a powerful influence but much more diversified then ever before. "

" Dear Becky, the internal realization you feel, bolstered by a thin layer of 'worldly education' you've acquired regarding proof of the existance of a 'supreme being' reminds me of the same mentality exhibited by primitives completely isolated from the influences of Christianity, where they had the same 'intuitions' as you do about life. They worshipped things like sacred tree trunks or sacred stones. The advance of civilization, along with the birth of Christ and His following, led to "FAITH" in our future by following His path. All that other stuff is crap. How does that work for you? "

" You're Welcome, gang.
Susan, all ya need to do is go uptop to the "Comment policy" area, (where ya log in at), click on the tinyurl.com link, & it will take you to a website where ya can insert a long website address, then click the button, & it will make it into a much shorter link, to insert into someone's address bar.
It's very helpful alot of times, when referring back to articles. "

" Attaineadge why do you feel a need to belittle Beckys spiritual level or mine or any other person who doesn't believe what you believe? Is it because we have advanced beyond you? Are you jealous of our level of contentment and our security in our knowledge? Are you afraid of what you don't understand and too afraid to learn so that you might understand? "