On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:46:09 -0400, Bob the Window <b@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>max.it wrote:
>> On Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:00:34 -0700, sdr <sdrodrian@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> What Atheists Can't Answer
>>> By Michael Gerson Friday, July 13, 2007;
>>> Page A17 Wa****ngton Post
>>
>>> So the dilemma is this: How do we choose between
>>> good and bad instincts? Theism, for several
>>> millennia, has given one answer: We should
>>> cultivate the better angels of our nature because
>>> the God we love and respect requires it. While many
>>> of us fall tragically short, the ideal remains.
>>>
>>> Atheism provides no answer to this dilemma.
>>
>> This is not a dilemma, this is simply freewill.
>>
>
>Besides being based on the principle of freewill, as without freewill
>there could be no sin, Christianity offers the same advice on this
>'dilemma' as most atheists; "Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who
>sin against us." Do onto others as you would have them do onto you, in
>other words. It's not rocket science.
>
>Jesus' thoughts on everyday matters are a good basis for a society, of
>course, which is why Christianity became so attractive to the m*****. He
>believed in a structured society, as opposed to anarchy, but emphasized
>the necessity for natural justice to prevail. He was a practical and
>revolutionary teacher, and often put common sense ahead of dogma and the
>impositions of religious fanatics. He despised unjust law. He rejected
>the imposition of ancient hierarchies in favor of the astounding idea
>that all men are created equal. His directions gave birth to modern
>social democracy and to the left wing of modern politics, much to the
>disgust of the ruling cl***** of his time, both political and religious.
>In the end, they killed him for it.
>
>Jesus' teaching on ethics and the rule of law don't require a belief in
>God. Never did. That should be as obvious to a Christian as it is to an
>atheist.
>
>
An argument totally lost on most Scots, Scotland having been described
as "a pagan nation" by a cleric as most Scots seem to have rejected
Christianity.
Probably the major reason for the absolute determination of Scots that
wherever the Catholic versus Protestant sectarian argument spreads to,
it is not welcome in Scotland. Even the waving of Irish flags at
Rangers vs. Celtic football games is seen as a sectarian gesture,
while Orange lodge marches often draw abuse from spectators.
Scotland's secret shame
Celtic and Rangers fans
BBC One, Sunday, 27 February 2005, 22:15 GMT
This is a do***entary about hate and bigotry. About sections of two
communities, for generations at odds with one another, where the wrong
colour of clothing can mark you out for serious injury, or even, on
occasion, death. It's also a do***entary about football.
Sectarianism and religious bigotry have long been accepted as part of
a way of life in Scotland. The divide between Protestant and Catholic,
the Orange and the Green, is most visibly reflected in the sup****t for
Rangers and Celtic which begins early and spreads from parent to
child, from one generation to the next.
Only last year, the First Minister, Jack McConnell, labelled this
particular brand of hatred, "Scotland's secret shame."
It manifests itself most dramatically during what is called the
greatest club fixture in the football calendar - the "Old Firm" derby
between Rangers and Celtic. After a recent match, there was one
murder, three attempted murders and 62 arrests during a night of
violence.
On days like this, emergency callouts for Accident and Emergency teams
will increase by 66%, the vast majority made up of violent or drunken
assaults between opposing fans.
Legislation has now been introduced which outlaws sectarian behaviour.
Panorama investigates the effectiveness of the legal challenge and for
the first time puts the two major Glasgow football clubs under the
spotlight as they attempt to rid sectarianism from their sup****ters.
It also explores the violence and mayhem that undermines and erodes
the new image that Glasgow and Scotland want to present to the outside
world.
The Highlander
Tilgibh smucaid air do làmhan,
togaibh a' bhratach dhubh agus
toisichibh a' geàrradh na sgòrnanan!
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