tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48481876792107554482023-11-16T00:08:56.961+05:30THE DEBATERS' FORUMThe Debaters’ Forum is a plat-form for those who wish to debate on burning issues plaguing the society by opening up their minds. Here you will find questions asked and answers received through an international forum. You can post your questions to us and you will receive its universal responses by E-mail soon. Please make use of this golden opportunity. The Sales DigestK. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-52934971624907123802007-05-23T01:05:00.000+05:302007-05-31T05:12:36.534+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Don't you think that this bank officer </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>is an exception in the crowd? </strong></span></div><p><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>More on the question: -</strong> </span><span style="color:#009900;"></p><div align="justify"></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">While waiting at a Bank Officer’s desk, I saw a lanky old man walking in with his need to open a S/B Account to present a Government cheque expiring soon; that he received in his honor as a soldier of Indian National Army (founded by Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose). He presented his old school certificates to reveal his identity and honestly told him that the Account is limited to a one-time transaction only. In the normal way any Bank Officer of the present genre would have him driven out. But this officer patiently heard him, asked details and handed over an application form and asked one of his assistants to help him in filling the application. I was deeply moved when wiping out his tears the officer asked me to observe the plight of freedom fighters who live unrecognized while we enjoy the fruits of freedom. I did not remain there long, but I am sure the poor old man got his job done and that too with deserving honour. Please say a few words on what you think of him?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">BEST ANSWERS - Chosen By Voters </span></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></span><strong><strong>1. You were given a gift that day. You were allowed to see how different the world could be if people treated other people as they would like to be treated. Don't throw this gift away. Pass it on, and do something kind for another when you are given the opportunity. And thank you for sharing this story with us.<br /><br />2. Mostly,people are still kind and helpful ... and I'm glad this old gentleman happened to meet such a person. Thank you for sharing this moment, it was beautiful. </strong></strong><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"><strong>OTHER ANSWERS<br /></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">1. We don’t need a crowd to create sufficient positive energies to run a society.... a few are more than enough and that bank manager was certainly one of those Rishis.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing ... it confirmed my belief in God and his angels<br /><br />We all should follow his example (& I don’t think many will know what you wished to convey)<br /><br />2. Mostly, people are still kind and helpful ... and I'm glad this old gentleman happened to meet such a person. Thank you for sharing this moment, it was beautiful.<br /><br />3. Bravo for the bank officer with a heart! Too often they hide behind "that's not our policy."<br /><br />4. It is an example of still the humanity is present in the world. I can react by doing nothing but following his attitude.<br /><br />5. The Bank Officer has given excellent customer service. I hope others also will emulate him, so that this becomes the normal trend not only in the Banking industry but in other fields also. My heartfelt appreciation to the concerned Officer and also to you for highlighting it. Thanks<br /><br />6. The bank officer was doing his job, which most employees fail to do these days.<br /><br />7. Most of us want to work sincerely. This gives us job satisfaction, but sometimes we don’t have time to listen to the whole story of old men. It’s very, very sad. I wish we learned to respect older generation and give them sometime even if we have to work little extra in lunchtime or teatime. I have seen some good bank officers and some careless chaps too. What is most annoying is that if we ask them on phone for information. They say “come here we will get your job done immediately and when we go there they scold us saying that we had to get this that. (Photo ID, etc),” A surprise!<br />Sometimes they say we shouldn’t be disturbing them at lunchtime, (working hours are written as 10 am -3 pm, No lunch break etc). We also get time during our lunch break & go to our nearest banks where our paychecks are given<br /><br />8. My salute to the rare bank officer!<br /><br />9. Cheers to him and to you for recognizing true honor and kindness. And if you and others pass on in actions what this bank officer started, who knows how much better someone's life will be.<br /><br />10. I am too moved! Such person's achieving their goal does not get halted, and even they are defeated at some juncture, because of presence of useless & unsocial elements at most of the places, they retrieve the good out of defeat too.<br /><br />Such quality of a few personnel you find at every place and in the concerns, because of their belongingness to their orgnisation and to the humanity, the truth & honesty in the Society are in existence.<br /><br />I pray! God bless such personnel long, healthy and energetic life, so that asset of truth & honesty in society could place its' roots deeply<br /><br />11. Most of the official in all government office and other public related office like bank etc. does their work very sincerely like this bank officer.<br />But the public does not understand there are so many instructions, guidances, circulars and laws to control their work.<br />If they insist to fill the condition, public are hasten to judge them as rude and non-cooperative.It is our country and we work not only for salary and job satisfaction but it is our duty too to do the best for our country. As a retired government officer I salute the bank officer for his conscience.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><br /><br />12. My SALUTE to the bank officer. They are the few who has prevented the collapse of our present selfish society. I am very, very grateful to you for bringing this into notice. We must reward that officer and to you also for having this nice feeling. God bless you. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><br /><br />13. Help such persons as and when necessary and honour them when they meet. But they should not make capital out of each every now and then.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><br /><br />14. On occasions we should honour and help, as required but how long one should make capital out of it?</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><br /><br />15. He is very much appreciable and also it’s his duty because we are having the fruit of their hard work for achieving us freedom. Anyhow I applaud the bank officer.</span></div><span style="color:#3366ff;"><div align="justify"><br /><br /><br />16. I appreciate any help to any infirm person. If the officer was rough (may be he was busy) what is it you are expected to do? Can you help? I know most of us close our eyes for such injustices. Always talk politely to old and sick people. Freedom fighters are a class by themselves</div><div align="justify"><br /><br />17. Some behavior /culture/custom comes from family, some handed down from age to age. Hence realizing and solving the need of others comes under the banner of humanity and the person /concerned with welfare /engaged in this should be designated as humanitarian.<br /><br />18. Hats off to this great human being<br /><br />19. Deeply touched and deeply moved by the respect shown by the gentleman. It follows the "random acts of kindness" concept in some ways. Doesn't it. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">20. I appreciate the good and fine conduct of the bank officer. We need such people today!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">21. If I as bank officer I would have done same. It is not because I am a good person, but because Mr. Sethuramalingam commanded that care and respect. I do not blame government much as our whole society has became uncaring. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Courtesy: Yahoo Answers</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span> </div><div align="center">ANSWERS THROUGH REDIFF</div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc0000;">1. I would describe the Bank Officer as the most civilized person. In this era of fast pace and market-management plus running after green dollars only, he acted exactly as a person who values the ethics in first place. I see him in two roles; both are commendable and therefore praiseworthy. In first place, he respected the customer's old age and provided all kind of help, as he would have done in normal course of his workings. However, what struck me most when he came to know who was the old man, and what kind of his contribution to the Mother India, and instantly his reactions were notable, because he (the bank officer, I mean) was not an ordinary kind of Bank officer, but he did know who was Nethaji Bose and what was his contribution to freedom struggle. </span></div><p><span style="color:#cc0000;">2. I would say that he just showed respect towards an elderly person which is part of Indian culture<br /><br />3. There was no nobility involved. The officer has a job to do and he did it with extreme professionalism and courtesy.<br /><br />4. At first let me tell you one thing. Nowadays targets are set for each employee in a bank and we can expect same kind of behavior to a new customer who is willing to open an account<br />2nd here what you have mentioned is related to an old man, obviously as a citizen we should respect a senior citizen and the bank officer also gave the same respect every Indian citizen should do......hats off to the bank officer <br /><br />5. Higly "professional"</span></p><p><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">6. He knows the importance of history and has the sense of acting according to the situation.. Knows how, when and where to behave in what manner?</span> </span></p><p><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span> </p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;"> <span style="color:#006600;">ANSWERS THROUGH http://www.fropper.com/ - WORLD WEB FRIENDS FORUM</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span style="color:#006600;"></span></span> </p><p><span style="color:#cc33cc;">1. I appreciate the good and fine conduct of the bank officer. We need such people today </span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"> 2. If I was a bank officer I would have done the same thing. It is not because I am a good person, but because Mr. Sethuramalingam commanded that care and respect. I do not blame government much as our whole society has became uncaring </span></p><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"> </span></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"> </div><p><br /><br /></p><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-16605739413921272482007-05-18T07:08:00.000+05:302007-05-23T01:19:21.417+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Can castration be an effective deterrent </span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">against rape and child sexual abuse? </span></strong></span></div><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="justify"><br /></span><br /></strong>MORE ON THIS QUESTION: -<br /><br />The unrestrained sexual vulgarity promoted by cash-hungry Television channels accounts for progressive instances of rape and sexual abuses most of which go unreported due to social pressure and criminals’ threats. Even infants are sexually abused and killed. News Media reports many such cases. Mahatma Gandhi said India would be considered free only when its women folk could walk alone at midnight unharmed. If this is the criterion India is still not free. Even in daylight and in crowds and at home and work places women move and live in fear of either being molested or raped in seclusion. Many violators also enjoy political protection and some live under the shelter of criminals. Two ministers of the Kerala Cabinet – Kerala is an Indian State - under the successive regimes of Congress and Communism had to leave post on sexual abuse charges. A heinous crime calls for a deterrent punishment. Can castration of the abused human tool be an effective deterrent?<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Castration might help reduce the urges, but it does not eliminate the problem. Castration only removes the glands, not the part that is used to do the raping. People who have had castration done can take male hormones and be just as harmful as before. In addition, not all male sexual abusers use their male parts in their crimes. They may use objects.<br /><br />It might have some deterrent effect for those who are temped in this direction, particularly if a penectomy is performed along with the castration. "If you abuse with it you lose it!"<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">OTHER ANSWERS<br /><br />1. It’s cruel and unusual<br /><br />2. I'd say so.<br /><br />Oh, CASTRATION can deter a lot of things.<br /><br />Even if it's not a deterrent, anyone who is castrated is 100% guaranteed not to repeat that crime. Unless, of course, that crime is lying around.<br /><br />Is it the best punishment? That's a different kettle of fish.<br /><br />Although, I've always been in favor of not allowing anyone to commit more than three crimes. If you commit that many crimes, then decapitation could be a viable option, as you simply do not play well with others. For some crimes, you might not even get three strikes<br /><br />3. And rape and abuse aren't about sex. It is about power. So, no, it wouldn't help, unless the drop in testosterone mellowed them out.<br /><br />4. Unfortunately I think the justice system in the US is too tolerant towards cases like those and capital punishment should be considered.<br /><br />We are now facing a new secular generation of gunmen and sexual predators and our justice system needs to adapt accordingly, or we're going to have overflowing prisons and loads of sexual predators on the streets<br /><br />5. Not practical; Hitler failed<br /><br />6. In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful.<br />Brother, Most of The Religions, cultures and societies of today have become EVIL because they are not addressing the<br />problems facing the masses but rather they are just Aiding<br />and abetting evil concepts for power and worldly gains. We on the other out of loyalty to our countries and religions, just<br />murmur a few objections, yet hang on to the bandwagon for<br />fear of rejection in fighting against the truth.<br />Today religions and democracies are for the people , by the<br />people and of the people in the true sense. Government and<br />religious heads stay in power by agreeing to the evil demands of society. Adultery, rape, nudism, alcohol,<br />homosexuality, gay marriages, lesbianism are all allowed in the name of democracy and secularism so much so that today if you speak against such vices you can get sued in the<br />bargain .The entire process needs a revamp and the answers<br />to all of these problems lies in Isalm.<br /><br />Today Islam is the only Religion that not only has the solutions<br />to the problems of mankind but shows you a practical way of<br />how to achieve it. Islam is built on the commandments of Allah<br />our creator and He the almighty knows best how to handle his<br />creation. Islam is a practical way of life that stands for<br />RIGHTS and LIMITATIONS! Islam first goes after the root<br />causes of evil and then finally prescribes swift and permanent action that has a telling effect on society.<br /><br />The Greatest success for mankind in this world and in the hereafter is to worship the one God our creator and submit<br />ourselves to him in the way that he the almighty has prescribed to us through his messengers and prophets and<br />through the books of revelation. No Human can have true faith<br />in his heart unless he loves Allah and his messenger Muhammad [ pbuh] above all else and obey the Commands of Allah the almighty and Follow the ways of the Prophet<br />Muhammad [pbuh}.<br /><br />Islam Has totally forbidden Alcohol one of the Greatest and the root cause of all the evils of society. One will find that most<br />of the crimes like rape, molestation, incest , adultery, Murders<br />etc. have been committed under the influence of Alcohol.<br />under the Islamic law severe punishment is meted out<br />towards Alcohol and Drugs .That is why in Muslim countries<br />which implement the Islamic Shari'ah the crime rate is negligible.<br /><br />To prevent Rape and molestation of women Islam prescribes<br />the death penalty. People of double standards call this a very<br />harsh punishment as long as it involves someone elses<br />child or daughter, of wife or sister but if it involves some one<br />whom they love then they would like to put the criminal to<br />death with their own hands! Why these Double standards?<br />But first Islam offers the solution leading to the ultimatum.<br />Islam prohibits the unnecessary mixing of the opposite sexes, It<br />advices the Men to lower their Gaze and not to keep staring at women and dress up in a permissible manner. Islam advices the women not to mix with unknown men, to cover<br />their beauty by dressing up moderately, covering what needs<br />to be covered and only leaving open that what is necessary<br />like the face , and hands. Islam prescribes severe lashing for the single men and women who commit Adultery and the death<br />sentence for married people who commit Adultery. So when<br />you implement these strict Islamic laws in any country you will<br />get immediate results. That is why you will find in countries that<br />implement The Islamic law women and children can walk about<br />at any part of the night alone and no one will dare to approach them.<br />Mahatma Gandhi also said that India can be successful on all<br />levels if it had a man of the caliber of the second kalifa of Islam Umar Ibn Khatab [pbuh] to rule over it.<br />My friend only the worship of One God and adhering to his<br />religion of Islam will bring peace and happiness in this world<br />and in the next,<br /><br />Source(s):<br /><br />Holy Quran, Ways of the Prophet[pbuh]<br /><br />8. YES THAT IS THE BEST PUNISHMENT FOR SUCH FILTHY ANIMALS.<br /><br />9. You are asking to punish only the end result or in other words the "effect". But in the " cause and effect" series both are to be tackled to get the desired effect.<br /><br />Causes:- Media primarily cinema, lack of character, tolerance in the admission of bad things . Effects:- abuses<br /><br />10. It sure would make the victim feel better.<br /><br />11. I would be totally for that but it wouldn't change what is in their head. I look at this situation with John Evander Cooey and what he did with Jessica Lunsford. I think I would want to stop him at the point where he thought that having sex with a kid would be all right. I wish he had gotten some kind of help and monitoring the first time he ever tried to attack a child. Sure he was high but didn't he ever for a minute think, "I messed up! I've got to send this girl out of here and clean up and run away. He threw her away and didn't look over his shoulder. Her suffering was just too bad. He decided that if it were to be her or him to be rescued, it would him that was to be saved. I wish he could suffer the way she did.<br /><br />There are so many child abusers in the system that have been in treatment for years and have never apologized for their crime. It would be hard to believe an abuser if he did apologize because these people are such good manipulators.<br /><br />Any sort of rape is usually a sign of someone who feels insecure and wants to have power over someone weaker. Child abusers also have an element of being attracted to children sexually. I think that's got to be a sign that they were also abused. Otherwise, they're just wired wrong.<br /><br />12. If cutting off the offending organ would change the guy's mindset, I'm all for that. Is there any way to know that they wouldn't find other ways to do harm? Maybe they'd be even more violent if they felt like it was unfair.<br /><br />Can you get the offender to admit he did something wrong in the first place? There are too many people that either only apologize to save face or are in denial. Look how quick child abuse can turn into murder to cover up the crime?!!! This is more serious than people realize! When is it ever over for them? Can you trust them not to reoffend even if they say they won't? Castration would come close to proof. Maybe you could swing a deal that if they get castrated, then they're off the hook. Still a gamble<br /><br />13. No. The lust of the flesh will override any fear of punishment that is imposed, no matter how harsh it is. Sexual immorality is a mental illness, and punishment is never a deterrent to the mentally ill because they see themselves as beyond the law's ability to touch them. The only effective way to deal with the problem is to eliminate from society the 'triggers' that set off the mentally ill, such as the visual aids of TV, movies, videos, DVDs, pornography and the like. Also, these people need to be identified and given appropriate counseling and medical treatment. Spiritual counseling is of primary importance because this is a spiritual problem more than a physical one. Spiritual counseling alone, however, is not enough unless the spiritual counselor is also a psychiatrist. I am not saying that Christian counseling is the only way, for I do believe that there are sound counselors of all faiths that can be of great help in this area. After all, sexual misconduct is a worldwide problem and transcends all societies and religions<br /><br />14. SOUNDS GOOD TO ME (castration)<br /><br />15. My answer is NO, but please read below.<br /><br />1) I don't understand why you are focused on India regarding this global problem.<br /><br />2) Castration makes you permanently dead, the other makes you permanently unable to use your male genitalia (at least without some kind of implant!)<br /><br />3) Crimes like rape are often confused with crimes of sexual passion. This is very often not the case. Such crimes have more to do with the need to humiliate, subjugate or otherwise feel powerful over somebody the offender has rendered powerless.<br /><br />So my answer is NO. Castration will not prevent rape or child sexual abuse. Rape isn't always performed with one's genitalia but with other objects and child sexual abuse has too many disheartening forms to go into here (or anywhere, except possibly court.)<br /><br />16. It doesn't work. Rape and molestation are crimes of anger. Castration is not a valid deterrent, as the rapist will simply find some other way to hurt a person sexually.<br /><br />17. Rape involves more than sexual drive. It's about anger, power, and control.<br /><br />18. I think it would be a good deterrent; lets start some legislation in this direction. After one conviction that person will never rape again. I am all for this... only how would we separate those who are truly guilty from those that are wrongly accused?<br /><br />19. While castration is a very efficient way to prevent rape and child sexual abuse, it's only effective due to the psychological effects. It will not stop it, we still have fingers and foreign object we can obtain to conduct rape/sexual abuse. Sadly enough, castration isn't enough.<br /><br />There are people now (men and women) who hold obsession in being a Eunuch. After castration, they'd tan and harden the penis so that it may still be used, just detached. You never know a day what people can do, but I hope this helps to answer your question.<br /><br />20. No unless you also cut off their hands and tongues<br /><br />21. Dear Sir, ur question speak the pain of ur heart , which u have. Sex is natural call, but it is controlled by mind. When the mind is kept occupied with KAAM, such things like rape will remain happen. Yes I agree that stringent punishment must be introduced. In Muslim countries I have heard that male organ is cut off, when the charge of rape is proved in Islamic Court. Further I believe that such things are happening due to unwanted coverage given by electronic media for exposing the female beauty.<br />The other factor is easily available pornographic material in market and open exposure by females and children in school dresses. All these things excites man's lust of sex. Either we should allow free sex or should switch to our Indian moral values not in between, which is at present.<br /><br />22. So what is your point, you mean to say that there is a beast inside everyman, which is waiting for the slightest sign from a girl???<br />and i think that punishment will definitely work out in India .But i dono hw far it ll be successful in other countries considering that they use other objects!!!<br /><br />23. It may not work fully but it is a sure fire deterrent for rape and child abuse. Rape occurs in a fit of frenzy and to wreak vengeance. Mostly, it is not planned. So using other instruments and articles do not often occur. Proving a rape is a big debatable question as there are hardly any eyewitnesses present. Only physical evidence, if collected within a reasonable amount of time, stands the scrutiny of a court of law, which doesn't happen often. Unless the criminal is caught red-handed, it cannot be proved immediately. At least on such occasions, castration, including removal of organ will deter the criminal mind<br /><br />24. Good suggestion! but it would work only to certain extent, and will not eradicate the sexual abuse completely from society. To eradicate this if not impossible, it is really a very much difficult task ahead in our society.<br /><br />In my thesis to move towards civilisation we surrendered our this natural duty (I would never say it a right, I opined only three rights, 'food, cloth & shelter' rest all are duties) to society to regulate it to lead balanced living. This, after strenuous researches, had been brought within the circle of relation as husband & wife. Yet this natural right remained as being enjoyed through other methods by mighties, ignoring social obligations, however behind the screen, which exists in our society to day also.<br /><br />In my opinion the abuse is the contribution by both 'male & female' by not abiding to restrictions set in society, be it clothing of ladies or freely meetings of male &female.<br /><br />The sexual activities are the result of intuition which starts working from, coming nearer of male & female, by means of sensing contact & exposure of sexual organs of body (mostly of female & not of male in 99.9999999% cases).<br /><br />In the process of civilisation we had in-circled this activity under privacy, and by clothing females in befitting cloths to cover sexual organs baring exposure, by restricting vulgarity in entertainment, holiness in educating institutions and many more things bringing under the ambit of social disciplined boundaries. To day these social boundaries are crossed beyond far, females are free to expose to the end (not only in commerce but even to look distinct knowing the result of it), boys & girls are not social without opposite gender friend, what more to say! The stream is flowing very fast and though not impossible but much difficult to hold this sexual abuses without dedicated efforts of top heads in each field of society, be it family / village /block / district / state / nation / religion / politics / business / entertainment / education and in all.<br /><br />24. NO as it is a compulsion that comes out of the mind<br /><br />25. No, spiritual literacy to be imparted and morals made mandatory</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><p align="center"><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span>How do you define Christianity and </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span>how do you </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span>identify a true Christian by qualities?<br /></p></span></span></span></strong><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">More on this question: -<br /><br />You may differ; but the fact is that most Christians carry only labels of Christianity. Abusing other religions is their forte believing that it will please our Lord. Getting intemperate and wild when Christianity is discussed on its merits and demerits in practice are other traits of some Christians. Tolerance that is the most essential quality in practising religion is another missing concept. Many promoting factors and practices are purely nonsensical and laughable to enlightened true Christians. Your response may perhaps open the eyes of many who reside in the well.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />I am not a Christian and I am not religious, but I think Jimmy Carter, the former president, is a great example of someone who calls himself a Christian and lives by its ideals.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">1. Christianity is a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ God Almighty.<br /><br />1. Jesus tells us that we will know them by "their fruit"<br />Are they bearing fruit?<br />John 15:2<br />He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.<br /><br />See the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5<br /><br />2. To me, a Christian is someone who reveres Jesus Christ as the son of the Christian God and follow his teachings. True Christians would want to follow in the footsteps of the Christ and take up professions such as teachers, healers. They would live their lives by example and display the properties of kindness and mercy that the Christ displayed. They would feed the homeless, comfort the needy and help the fallen.<br /><br />The people who do these things can call themselves Christians and know that people will agree. Shouting at other religions about how great your god is isn't going to convince anybody. Showing us what it means to be a Christian might.<br /><br /><br />Who says tolerance is the most essential quality??? I see plenty examples of Jesus being intolerant. He did not put up with religious nonsense<br /><br />3. In a nutshell, that is the belief of Christianity. Christianity is unique among all other faiths, because Christianity is more about a relationship, rather than religious practice. Instead of adhering to a list of “dos and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God the Father. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ, and the ministry in the life of the Christian by the Holy Spirit.<br />A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).<br /><br />4. Quite a few have commented that Christianity is a walk with Jesus. Yes, it is a way of life. Not rituals and practices and norms. It is a fellowship with Jesus. Grow in life along with Jesus. When Jesus lives and works through a Christian, the fruits of Spirit, as mentioned in Galations 5:22 will be exhibited and they will vouch for you being a Christian. Christian names and memberships etc will not make one a Christian. Only following the footsteps of the Lord will make one a Christian.<br /><br />5. I am not Christian but I respect all religions. The truth is one get labelled as Christians etc in the families a child is born into. As per the family customs, belief child grows up and by observing etc follows his religion.<br />There are many persons who in spite of being non Christian they read about Christianity. Even though they may not visit church. Same are the cases of foreigners who are curious about Hinduism and start reading more about the books of Hinduism.<br />The famous - 10 Commandments are clear to enough to explain what the persons who follow and not. Thou shall not Kill ... Thou means You .<br />In those times Thou was known better. In each ages language pattern changes.<br />Persons who had understood 10 commandments clearly is enough .<br />Not just by reading but by practising too in daily lives. For common people 10 commandments are enough to understand and follow rather than going into high level books which only researchers can understand.<br /><br />6. I am not a Christian nor am I the advocate, but the truth is that there are good Christians (few in number) and not so good Christians (very many). However, this is obtained in all religions, indeed in all walks of life.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>MY QUESTION</strong></span></div><p align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Is India’s caste based reservation system fair and purposeful in its objective and implementation?<br /><br />Do you believe that with caste based reservation (1) the Government sincerely wants to help the deprived in the society with equal opportunities or is it conceived as a web to catch votes from the backward classes (2) the well placed corner the entire benefits of the quota system at the expense of the down trodden in each caste and (3) if the answer is yes do you see an end to the reservation system in India for generations ahead? Don't you think that the brilliant among the poor alone should merit reservation in professional institutions and caste distinction should be consigned to the garbage bin soon?<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#996633;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />No it's an old system that needs to grow up. When I was in India a lot of the Indians I talked to thought the system should go away</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. This is a great question! From what I know about India, the caste system is really a holdover from British colonial rule, and God knows the imperial British were obsessed with the class structure to begin with.<br /><br />What is really striking, I think, is that aspects of the class system have endured as long as they have and that leads me to believe that in a democracy which strives for a transparent and liberalized participation process (as India undoubtedly does) -- there is still a clear sense of inequality across ethnic lines. In other words, if they’re still holding onto it, they must still believe in it. I think its too easy to blame the elites for maintaining that kind of control; on some level the people still accept it and endure it, for all its base flaws<br /><br />2. Who can judge a person or government's true motive? Even if they may be wanting votes of the poor masses and lower castes....if it ends up making the playing field more "even" with education and job opportunities...then doesn't that justify it?<br /><br />3. Yeah! India's caste based reservation system is very and purposeful for the politicians. But not for the general public. In it's implementation it totally met it's objective. The main objective of India's caste based reservation system is to split Indians into several thousand groups so that the politicians can make these groups fight among selves and there politicians can rule us and fool us. In this aspect Britishers were far better than Congresswalahs. They divided into only two groups Muslims and Hindus but our great Congresswalahs starting from Nehru to Man Mohan Singh have divided and are still in the process of dividing us further more so that they can hang to power. Yeah you're right caste distinction should be consigned to the garbage bin soon? But who does it? When you go the polling booth your also vote for your caste person not to the qualified person. Am I right?<br /><br />4. Reservation cannot be based on caste due to following logic<br /><br />1. Caste cannot be the basis of poverty. Had this been true there would no poor other than Hindu society.<br />2. Caste system only prevails in Hindus so indirectly the government is favouring Hindus.<br />3. Indian constitution gives equal chances to all, but the caste-based reservation pulls apart some people other than other.<br />4. It is no other than a political stunt because if 100% jobs are reserved still government may not be possible to give job to each youth of reserved category<br /><br />5. My friend, caste based reservation system was only introduced as a open cheque book in the vote bank. That was the only objective, the only purpose. The politicians has been very successful in its implementation and would like the reservation to be extended to a wider spectrum so that there are enough votes to sustain the politicians.<br /><br />India will never be a casteless system so long as there are politicians of the present caliber<br /><br />6. There should not be any reservation in the country the studies should be based on the merit only<br /><br />7. No, it is an unproductive establishment as it fails to address the basic problem of lack of Primary Education<br /><br /><br />8. Actually caste based reservation is fair because from the time of yore, poor have been exploited by the rich. At least now their descendents should have reservation to reach higher strata of society. Economic parameter shouldn’t be criteria, reservation should be the basis of admission into higher courses. The implementation of Reservation Policy by the Government is political stunt to attract votes from the public.<br /><br />9. Its totally irrelevant in today’s times.<br />The constitution was drafted almost 60yrs ago ....... when the need was there .<br />Nowadays, people misuse it and its serving no purpose except rampant corruption.<br />It high time our people did away with the terms and drafted a new constitution altogether as per the changing times.<br />I’m sure u too will agree !!!!!!!!!!! Right<br /><br />10. First let us define talent, brilliancy, meritocracy in the context of Indian Hindus. Over the years the varna by profession has been converted to castes by birth. And by this conversion most stupid by the societal parameters had been considered to be Brahmin etc. the feudalistic attitude to corner the wealth is still intact. State is protecting interest of this self employed so called intelligentsia ( upper castes by birth). Today the military, the upper echelon of bureaucracy, the Para-military are the most casteist elite group, overzealous to protect their ill-gotten wealth by hook or crook. The 15 percent of the upper castes are enjoying the reservation of 50 percent of all the jobs. Their son and daughters are having a ball of a time with 50 percent quota for the 15 percent population. Look at the private sector - they have only sweepers or laborours from the lower castes as if all merits are shoved into upper castes . Nobody is born brilliant. It’s a misnomer. Prince became king not because he was brilliant but because he was prince by birth. Ask the people in media why their host and hostesses belong to upper castes by default. Merit - my foot. The BC and OBCs are awakening. It is time reservation is extended to judiciary, armed forces, all so called elite institutions and even sports especially cricket where lakhpathies/crorepathies are made by playing one match. It is time BC and OBC s are extended reservations in all sphere of life including in private companies. We have seen enough of the so called merits. We have scientists who can only copy and that too very poorly. We have bureaucracy at top echelon pervaded by the upper castes amassing wealth for themselves. We have shankaracharyas, acharyas, dharmacharyas, sadhu and sants doubling as murderers, defrauders. It's enough. We have lost our patience. It's the majority amongst Hindus who are being deprived of their legitimate share of the wealth.we will take over all temple trusts, all temple lands , all trusts and mistrusts . the supreme of NRI ( India ) must reconcile. It's exposed. It's bias towards upper castes is obvious. Any anti-reservation agitation hyped by the casteist media both print and electronics ( most of the owners are upper castes ) will be crushed permanently.We don't need a raja of manda or a prince of churhat to get our due . It's the beginning of another freedom struggle which will transfer power from the upper castes to BC/OBCs. Be prepared to loose and leave the land if you wish to.<br /><br />11. It is a discriminatory system as realised by Mayavati who changed her music suitably<br /><br />12. No! It is not fair and purposeful in its objective! And its implementation in present political scenario is not at all feasible.<br />13. Not Govt. but all the political parties are only interested in vote and also creamy lair of the reserved casts fetch 99.99% benefit of the reservation, as 99.99% of down trodden doesn't reach +2 stander, and therefore how can they be benefited with it.<br />Further I am sure one day the reservation would be done away from what it is in shape to day.<br />I had answered the similar questions, on reservation & education system, you may refer however one line here to write: "after +2 for further bachelor & master studies only deserving scholar be admitted and out of them who ever is not capable to pay fee their study cost be funded by Govt. this would easily be ascertainable in school itself.<br /><br />14. Caste based reservation isn’t helping anyone except politicians. Agree completely on this.<br /><br />What is needed is very good educational infrastructure that ensures all people get good education. All references to caste should be removed from everywhere. This is a sure shot way of eliminating caste and religious differences in India and the effects will be seen within a decade.<br /><br />15. 1) Yes, Government is sincere in helping the deprived class.<br />(2) The reservations are given for the social equality and economic ups and downs have no place because a) rich or poor low caste is not treated as social equals and b) poverty is not a sigma but his caste is always.<br />(3) Low castes were suppressed thousands of years. Hence for them to be equal with others it may take some time. How much time depends on two aspects; one is at what fast rate upper class wither away their holy of the holiest attitude and accept them along with governmental assistances to low castes and second is at what fast rate these downtrodden reach at least 60% of development in every field.<br />If both can happen tomorrow, there will be no reservations of any kind from day after tomorrow. Unfortunately, if it will take generation after generations, it has to prolong till desired results are seen and after another generation, reservations can be stopped.<br />Being the affected, and with largest majority in a democratic country they will decide what is right to them; others have to simply obey.<br /><br />16. A burning question, all right. Back in the 1940's Gandhiji pleaded the nation to unite and not to get divided based on caste and religion. But now 60 years later, the government has embarked on a clear mission to divide and dilute India based on caste. It is evident from the way the government files petition after petition in the Supreme Court, without carrying out any rectification, that the move to implement reservation in educational institutions for the OBC's , is to capture votes and not to really help those people. This move will make those people more backward and deprive them of their existing benefits. Without proper population statistics and information regarding the creamy layer, any form of reservation will go to the hands of the privileged and not to the backward people. The intention is not to be blamed but the path on which the mission is embarking is to be blamed, as Gandhiji rightly says, "The means are as important as the end<br />17. If a sound education policy and elimination of caste references had been followed since Independence Indian society would have been today free of any caste or religious differences</span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-41080641052518920172007-05-18T06:53:00.000+05:302007-05-18T07:08:43.961+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION</strong></span></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Please suggest means and measures to cultivate/enforce living values and discipline at home?<br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#3333ff;">More about this question:<br /><br />A loving and healthy home is where love, character, commitment and discipline exist. To my thinking all these are progressively on the wane. Besides all types of addiction too have taken over most in the community, particularly the young among us. In this light what are your suggestions/advices to prevent such calamity spreading over ruining family life and values? Along with me more readers will benefit by your advice</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />The family needs to have a solid structure. Jehovah's Witnesses find that the loving headship principle in the Bible provides this:<br /><br />"A husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation, he being a savior of [this] body." (Eph 5:23)<br /><br />“Husbands, continue loving your wives.” (Eph. 5:25)<br /><br />“Fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline & authoritative advice of Jehovah.” (Eph. 6:4)<br /><br /><br />"These words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. " --Deuteronomy 6:6,7<br /><br />"Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation,." (Eph 5:28-29)<br /><br />Family Life That Pleases God :<br />1 What is the husband's position in the family?<br />2 How should a husband treat his wife?<br />3 What responsibilities does a father have?<br />4 What is the wife's role in the family?<br />5 What does God require of parents and of children?<br />6 What is the Bible's view of separation and 7 divorce?<br />http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?art...<br /><br />Spend Time With Your Family!<br />- The Communication Gap<br />- Help From God's Word<br />http://watchtower.org/library/w/1999/5/1...<br /><br />Protect Your Children!<br />- Your Child Is in Danger!<br />- How Can We Protect Our Children?<br />- Prevention in the Home<br />- Common Misconceptions<br />- If Your Child Is Abused<br />http://watchtower.org/library/g/1993/10/...<br />http://jw-media.org/region/global/englis...<br /><br />Child Molesting---You Can Protect Your Child<br />- The First Line of Defense<br />- Talk to Your Child About the Danger<br />- Follow Their Instincts<br />- How Can We Tell Them?<br />- The "What if ... ?" Game<br />- Give Them the Words<br />- Be Alert Yet Balanced<br />http://watchtower.org/library/g/1985/1/2...<br /><br />Drug Abuse in the Family--What Can You Do? :<br />- Young People and Drugs<br />- How to Protect Your Children<br />- Soon---A Drug-Free World!<br />http://watchtower.org/e/20030408/article...<br /><br />Drug Abuse:<br />- Who Abuses Them?<br />- Why do They?<br />- The Solution to Drug Abuse<br />http://watchtower.org/library/g/2001/7/8...<br /><br />The Family Under Threat---Will It Survive?<br />http://watchtower.org/library/w/1998/4/1...<br /><br />2006 Report<br />http://watchtower.org/e/statistics/world...<br />Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">OTHER ANSWERS: =<br /><br />1. Get away from the mad, mad, mad, cities, seek nature.<br /><br />2. Dear Friend,<br />I appreciate your feelings and thoughts. Yes, it is true that now-a-days youngsters are losing moral values and principles to be followed in one's life. To prevent such calamities, elderly people should provide good environment for the youngsters. For the purpose, they have to correct their own mistakes in their lives and become a role model for the younger generation. But, there are also many youngsters who are attaining good personality with the influence of many prominent persons they have come across. Today, there are lots of good books, cassettes, and even good friends to get with. First of all, the youth should learn to behave in a society. Spiritual knowledge and understanding is very essential for everyone. There is no age group for learning spiritual teachings. It is better to start at a very young age. The younger the age to start with, the better the understanding. Anyway, there are so many Spiritual Masters in the world from whom we all need to seek blessings<br /><br /><br />3. Strengthen the family system.<br />People needed to be educated on the importance of value system in preference to the purely monetary conditions taking precedence in importance.<br />Children should be discouraged from wasting their time in idling in front of the idiot box. Encourage to inculcate such healthy practices like yoga, meditation, and prayer.<br /><br /><br />4. Practice what you Preach<br /><br /><br />5. One has to make certain rules! Of course every rule has an exception too! Make maximum togetherness of all available family members at one fix time DAILY FOR AT LEAST HALF AN HOUR! Try to ask suggestive AND OBJECTIVE questions and answers in between them! No one should be left without speaking anything ! Ask what they have done good or bad or average for that day! Always enhance all creative or pleasurable activity with family members ! Try FREE and FRANK communications between all the members irrespective of their age sex income education etc should be kept apart for this daily meeting! ONLY LOVE AND RESPECT should be observed and there should be one final authority usually eldest or who is very smart and active among the family! Ask and teach all juniors not to hide any thing from any one and try to get help for their own individual problems if any! Let all in the Family sit at one place every day for Prayer at least! The authority or main or leader or elder one in the family should see that not a single person is displeased or hurt! There should be always LOVE and RESPECT WITH SYMPATHY God bless you !</span> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Harvesting of souls through conversion! Why? For What? What is the Agent’s reward? Where he/she gets it?<br /><br />More on this question: -<br /><br />Brain-washed Missionaries roam around in developing countries with an eye to convert the distressed offering relief, reward, service and other benefits with an eye on converting them to their fold. What do you feel about it? Should not nations that take pride in its heritage ban conversion unless it was an act solidly based on genuine faith? Why not Immigration laws be made applicable in conversion too? A religion you are born is your mother? Should one disown one's mother and search for others on brain-fed falsehood?<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Religion is not mother but way of life, a path to attain objectives set by our Creator. Showing alternate path (teachings of new religion) which may appear easy to a person to attain the same common objective is an goodly act and not a sin. Please have a faith that there is only One God.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#996633;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. oooh scary....maybe we all should lock ourselves in our rooms and never come out!<br /><br />2. This a very deep question. I think you might be over thinking this. It is not the same as standing on the border of the USA and Mexico. Do you belong to both countries because you are standing with one foot in each one? Of course not! I say let's be a little more flexible. You're trying too hard.<br /><br />3. Well, yes. Missionaries have been committing cultural genocide for centuries now. Religious missionaries are just another group of people trying to get their way in the world; it's a war really. What do they get? They get to spread their virus, like "invasion of the body snatchers."<br /><br />5. James 5 v 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.<br /><br /><br />6. Wouldn't it be nice if Bush and Cheney the "professed converted Christians" would be converted and stop the sin of murdering and stealing.<br /><br />7. If anyone really want to do something for people, he should empower the people spiritually and not buy their beliefs/religion in exchange of bread.<br />Why people promote/spread a particular religion? They are not helping humanity at all. They are enslaving them.<br /><br />8. You have some interesting filters on the glasses through which you view the world. Faith and love prompts people to wish to share their experience of the spiritual. Every loving person would wish others to share the knowledge that God loves them, and that they have divine potential.<br /><br />No one is forced to accept a religion out of gratitude for services rendered. Most people who convert to another faith have genuinely had spiritual experiences, which change their heart. If you ban that, you ban people's freedom of choice.<br /><br />9. Can you tell me how exactly are you going to judge 'solid faith'?<br />I mean seriously. You can't tell people to stop doing what they like jus b'coz you think it is wrong. Maybe you haven’t thought about it but don't you think that d people who convert from there religion put thought into their decision?<br />After all they leave behind all that they have believed since birth in most cases.<br />U CANNOT BRAINWASH SOME1 2 DO GUD.<br />coz doing good always takes more effort than doing wrong.<br />Nobody is born with a religion<br />There is only 1 God who loves us unconditionally<br /><br />10. Poverty begets conversion not faith when u r hungry who ever gives food first is ur religion at that moment most Christian missionaries are doing this example seventh day Adventists they r paying 900/month to every person who converts<br /><br />11. Mark 16:15 to18 Jesus told his disciples to go into the world and preach the good news<br /><br />12. Reward? Hm! Let me think if somebody ones to through your laptop in fire and you get to save it in the last minute, which would be your reward?</span><br /> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">What qualities should you give importance when you choose your spouse? Do materialistic gains influence you?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#3333ff;">MORE ABOUT THIS QUESTION: -</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span> </div><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">I live in the Democratic Republic of India. Here we have so many laws with umpteen loopholes to circumvent it. Dowry is prohibited, but prevalent. Even highly educated and religious people bargain for it or indulge in violence over it. The aggrieved are the women folk. Should we not observe a code of conduct in the observance of marriage? I admit it is difficult; then what is the remedy?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />I have lived in India as a foreign student for more than six years and even married my classmate. Indians, for the most part, go for loveless arranged marriages based on narrow considerations such as caste, employment and family status, lucrative gains from the 'rishta'. You would have, unfortunately, little choice than to follow your parents choice unless u r a rebel. No code of conduct matters in such a lawless, conservative and backward country. People are still very traditional there. No wonder, the young aspire to flock to the USA , Canada, Australia etc. India is not going to change merely by passing laws when there is so much resistance to change and reform. Do you follow any of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Ambedkar, Swami Dayanand, Ramakrishna and so on ? None! It will take another century before India accepts love marriages and the girl's right to inheritance. In my wife's case, her brother stole her rightful share of property. That guy even married his wife without having seen or met the girl let alone dating her! Only thing that mattered is the right caste! India shining, say the Hindutva forces</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. At the end of the day you want someone that you can share your life with................. That’s all that counts.<br /><br />2. I am not familiar with your customs, but elsewhere in the world there are places where men and women choose one another freely.<br /><br />They offer many reasons for such choosing. Some are better than others if you want to ensure a long and happy union.<br /><br />Selecting a life-long mate is an important task, and since we are on a Religion and Spirituality question board, I am going to use some religious criteria.<br /><br />A couple should be of one mind on religion, and other major life topics. Raising children, for one. Setting up a household, sharing money, joint finances, who will care for the children, who will work outside the home, things like that.<br /><br />It is important the there be as little as possible to cause divisions between the two. Religion included.<br /><br />The Bible speaks of avoiding the situation of being "Unequally yoked". This refers to a farming term (because the people hearing these religious words were farmers....) If you were to connect a strong animal and a weak animal to a plow, you are bound for trouble. First of all, your rows would probably not be straight, as the strong animal would pull in his/her direction. The weak animal, however, may slow the whole process down, and in effect, drag the strong animal down. The two animals may end up hurting themselves in the process, so now you have two damaged animals, neither of which can finish the job of plowing.<br /><br />Unequally yoked marriages have built-in issues relating to the differences in philosophy. They are holes in the armor, and places where difficulties are prone to begin.<br /><br />Love, too, should be present for a long-lasting marriage. Love is the ingredient that helps you get over the difficult times. And, there will be difficult times.<br /><br />With the world beginning to recognize the women can stand alone and survive just fine, they are also beginning to recognize that women can make sound choices in selecting their mates, as well.<br /><br />Some cultures profess that women are weak, and need to be cared for. People even misunderstand Christians as saying the same thing. This is untrue.<br /><br />True Christianity brings women equal to men in the eyes of the Lord. In a marriage, however, the man has been deemed as the final authority when it comes to the family. This means that the man is to make the final decisions, and that the woman is to follow that decision.<br /><br />It does not say that the woman is a silent partner. Women are expected to have their say, and give their opinions. Men are expected to listen well, and understand the woman's perspective.<br /><br />When I teach classes on the subject, I put it this way. The women are supposed to say their piece honestly and openly. Then, the men are supposed to agonize over the decision, and make the one they truly believe is in the best interests of the family. Once the decision has been made, the family's responsibility is to follow the decision to the best of their ability.<br /><br />From time the time, a man makes a bad decision. At that point it is the responsibility of the man to admit this fact, and ask forgiveness not only of God but of his wife and family as well. The wife, especially, is to be supportive and refrain from the "I told you so" type of behavior. They should work out a new plan together.<br /><br />So, two people planning a marriage must consider these things, and determine if each one is compatible and ready to work as a team member<br /><br />3. Look for character -- strong, independent character<br />Look for personality -- good and pleasing personality<br />Upbringing and culture<br />Education and grooming<br />Speech and action<br /><br />4. What qualities are important to you? Who says you have to stay in India? Why do you condemn "freedom of expression" in one question, and then complain about having to deal with "tradition" in another?<br /><br />5. I think most people think about looks, money. yes especially money be it male or female. I think ideally one should think about compatibility. I will look for honesty, dependability and intelligence.<br /><br />6. No matter where Jehovah's Witnesses live, they strive to follow Bible principles, rather than cultural or religious traditions. This results in much better relationships, all the way around!<br /><br />"Do not you people be owing anybody a single thing, except to love one another; for he that loves his fellowman has fulfilled [the] law. For the [law code], 'You must not: commit adultery; murder; steal; covet,' and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this word, namely, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore love is the law’s fulfillment." Romans 13:8-10<br /><br />What Inheritance Do You Owe Your Children?<br />(dowry included in discussion)<br />http://watchtower.org/library/w/2004/9/1...<br /><br />Negotiating a Reasonable Bride-Price<br />(includes some experiences of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />http://watchtower.org/library/w/1998/9/1...<br /><br />What Is REALLY Needed for a Successful Marriage?<br />http://watchtower.org/library/w/1999/2/1...<br /><br />Can Money Bring You the Real Life? :<br />- Your Money or Your life?<br />- How Can You Keep a Balanced View of Money?<br />http://watchtower.org/library/w/2001/6/1...<br /><br />7. Don’t give or take, live and die for each other. If u have fallen in a vicious trap Laws are meant to be broken by the rich and powerful<br /><br />8. A pleasant personality<br />Education and culture<br />Self-confidence<br />Should not be an evil person<br />A positive attitude towards life.<br /><br />9. Did you care to verify the facts rather care to understand the system, before typing the question?<br /><br />The culture and the Vedic Wisdom in this great country show the way, answers every question.<br />QUOTE:<br />"This may sound like a newly discovered concept by modern psychologists but an ancient Hindu prince known as Yudhishtira revealed this "secret" about 4000 years ago. In an episode known as Yaksha Prashna in the Aranya Parva of that great epic, the Mahabharata, a divine being challenged the prince in exile to answer some questions, satisfactory answers to which may help restore the lives of his “dead” brothers (See my book Yaksha Prashna: A Hindu Primer, Second Edition, published by Periplus Lines LLC and released by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore, April 2001). One of the questions the Yaksha asked Yudhishtira was<br /><br />"kimsvin mitram grhesatah?" i.e. Who is the friend of a householder?<br /><br />To which the prince answered<br /><br />"bhaaryaa mitram grhesatah," i.e., the friend of a householder is his spouse.<br /><br />According to Hindus, therefore, the basis for marriage is friendship and such friendship is the understanding, the promise and the commitment that unites a man and a woman. With such authority, there is then no question about the role of a woman, her importance and her position in this equation that binds them together. "<br />From a most widely read article written by Dr.Sheenu Srinivasan<br /><br />10. I see nothing incorrect about someone who has been endowed with nice things, as long as it was legal. But to hold down someone socially because she is a female, is not only a primitive action, but a selfish one too! When we all die, it will be very hard for those with personal wealth to carry it with them. God Bless a Good heart!!<br /><br />11. Well materialism has also its importance but mostly try to see if you have connection in all the moments if you get in a good communication.<br /><br />12. I do not wish to hurt your feelings, but not long ago in one of your laws the wife would have been burned alive with her dead husband.<br />Now I am hopping and praying that most of your country's laws have been changed.<br />Some do get married for money and some for love. It depends on you and your partner. At the end you are the one who has to decide, to go which way.<br /><br />13. Same beliefs, morals, ideas on how to raise a child, goals, like the good book says can't have two masters and mammon is not one to worship</span> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#009900;">What are the practical ways to live our life? Practical ways can mean both good and bad!<br /><br />More on this question: -<br /><br />I live a good life – this includes a 'good Samaritan' life too - strictly according to my conscience and thoughts. But I always land in scorched earth. Why? Does not textbook specification of good qualities in life work?<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />One practical way to live life is to be as good as you can, while still focusing on ending physical death. I need your help! Let's get to work!<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. You have to do good things for yourself and what u believe ... if ur expecting a reward ur in for a rude awakening ...but i do think that doing good things for others generally brings good things ur way ..<br /><br />2. We are evil by nature.<br />It is practical to pick and choose what we will honor and what we will lie, cheat and steal about. We make up own ethics as we go and call it the standard for the universe because we exalt ourselves as GOD even though we don't call it that.<br /><br />That is practical and it is the social norm.<br />I am totally impractical. I attempt every day to use GOD's standards of ethics and morals and measure my standards to those. I fall way short. Praise Jesus who made a way to be very impractical<br /><br />3. Dear create in urself confidence that whatever is with u is given by God and whatever will be with u in future, it will be with HIS blessing. He has written on ur forehead ur fortue, u just trust him and do nothing wrong which ur soul do not accept. Adopt the principle "think higher-see toward lower.<br /><br />4. First up, I totally disagree with an answer above that starts saying, we are by nature evil. Imagine a just born kid being evil) It signifies heights of innocence and goodness. It is subsequent conditioning that makes us evil/bad<br />Coming to the question, practical ways to live life - Living it Bad way does not need an answer, I guess we all do it without any effort and so easily. Living it good way is a tough task. We need lots and lots of guidance to do that. Love everyone and yourself - I guess just following this is most practical and best way to live life King-size. Nothing else matters<br /><br />5. Try living in remote village and compare with u r city life u will have the answer<br /><br />6. You have to apply the process of elimination. The actions and thoughts, which do not contribute towards happiness, have to be given up. The thoughts and actions which provide happiness have to keep continue.<br /><br />7. Unfortunately, there is no alternative to doing good. Sometimes, however karma (the law of cause and effect) comes to play; the effect of something you did much earlier may turn up and cause some upsets. As we move up spiritually, these 'karmic debts' tend to show up more, as in 'you have to pay up now because you are moving away from the location.' You may also need to check to see that you are making the right choices even in your 'good Samaritan' acts.<br /><br />8. Live happily; help others; do not expect too much rewards over your efforts; do not have too much expectations on anything.<br />Reward or punishment it is only as you take it; it is internal.<br /><br />8. Are you doing the "Good Samaritan" life for your own benefits or for the glory of God?<br /><br />9. You live a good life. How good? People can call you a good person, but you cannot ever be called perfect. Nobody can.<br /><br />Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.<br /><br />Have you ever said a mean word? Have you held a grudge? In that case, you are not perfect. You are a sinner.<br /><br />To tell you the truth, NOBODY deserves ANYTHING! You don't even deserve your own existence. Everything we have was given to us by God. It was at first perfect, but we messed it up by breaking God's Laws.<br /><br />You can never be good enough. I can never be good enough. That's why Jesus died for us. He took our sins upon Himself, because He is perfect. He died in our place, so that we might live. He also came back to life, and He wants to know you.<br /><br />John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."<br /><br />If you "believe in Him", then you will be saved.<br />Think about it... it's not the "good Samaritan" life that saves. It's faith</span>.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION (2</strong></span>) </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;">I wish to invest in Mutual Funds. Could you suggest the best one and the plus and minus points in MF investing</span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I wish to invest my savings in a Mutual Fund of repute and not in the ones floated by the neorich. Please help me with your expertise.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">ANSWERS:<br /><br />1. Well, I'm not neorich. I've been investing in Mutual Funds since 1970. Funds of repute . . . there are about 23,000 open end mutual funds quoted in the US plus a 1,000 or so closed end funds plus about 500 exchange traded funds. In reality, no one need more than the funds offered by Fidelity or Vanguard.(each has more than 100 unique funds).<br /><br />Funds are designed to be suited to each individuals situation. Since you give no details about yourself (age, income, health, goals, other investments, etc), there is little anyone can recommend to you.<br /><br />Why use funds? By design the volatility of funds is managed. Steep drops in their investments is why people lose money . . . you feel you must sell at the BOTTOM.<br /><br />Over the past 10 years, AMD (#2 computer chip maker) goes up or down 20% in a typical month. The Fidelity Select Electronics mutual fund (the largest technology fund) goes up and down 10% in a typical month . . .and is well ahead of AMD from 5/2/97 - 5/2/07. Thus you are more likely to continue to hold the mutual fund than the stock and benefit from its growth.<br /><br />Source(s):<br /><br />http://www.best-of-fidelity.com...<br /></span><a href="http://www.best-of-vanguard.com/"><span style="color:#009900;">http://www.best-of-vanguard.com</span></a><span style="color:#009900;">...<br /><br />2. Look into an equity fund, these are made yup of stocks that mirror the entire stock market so it will pretty well track the market performance. Look for a no load fund.<br /><br />Source(s): motleyfool.com<br /><br />3. Reputable would mean no sec investigations. Best place to research mutual funds would be http://www.morningstar.com there are a LOT of good ones and no loads (meaning no buying or selling fees) are better in the long run. I have done funds before migrating into the volatility of ETF's and enjoying better success with them overall. Good luck though</span>.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">The strength and weakness of India! Respecting its limitations, your suggestions to raise it to a model State?</span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">This question is addressed to world citizens and not to Indians alone. Please send your response</span>.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />1) Nationalise all religious places.<br />2) No Government jobs, no reservation, no ration card, ineligibility for contesting elections or no share in the benefits of government schemes for those having more than 2 children.<br />3) Tax heavily on savings in absolute terms.<br />4) Tax benefits on expenditure.<br />5) Welfare and social security cover to tax payer in proportion to their contribution to exchequer.<br />6) Automatic license for fire arms to PAN card holders.<br />7) Time bound justice dispensation.<br />8) Limiting role of bureaurocracy to secretarial functions only.<br />9) Limiting the tenure of prime minister to two terms only.<br />10) Allowing the professionals to hold ministerial berths without compulsion to contest elections.<br />11) Making military training compulsory.<br />12) Enforcement of rule of law at all place without exception.<br /><br />Strength-Hard work<br />Weaknes-Corruption, Population</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">OTHER ANSWERS<br /><br />1. Lower the population. With such a high population, your nation is doomed to having a huge poverty class.<br /><br />2. Strength - People (Individually people are brilliant, high entrepreneurs, etc). Take the IT boom, without any government guidance or support, individuals have created a name for India.<br />Weakness - Lack of good governance and lack of vision by the rulers<br /><br />3. Strengths: Blind faith in Religion, Unity in time of crises, Existence of family in our society even by adopting westernization (Most important)<br />Weaknesses: The illiteracy (most importantly), negative diversion of ratio in relativity of composition in every field in the society, corruption on top level, commercialisation of education & religion, Vulgarity in entertainment for trade, unclothing & using female bodies to promote trade, blind faith in Religion.<br /><br />We have crossed the limits very far in most of the area. Of course we have progressed & developed but loosing our moral values.<br /><br />The governing body of the Nation must make sure the 100% availability of healthy & hygienic food "the first basic right" to each of its' citizen, as this is the only the resource which brings up & maintains an developed mind in human body, which is only the organ directing & controlling human activities.<br /><br />Literacy (includes education) is the resource for rise & fall of any society, which can be ascertained by an healthy mind, that to from the rising stage (from birth itself). To day most of our children are not even able to get mother milk even, because of mother not being fed all,(breakfast, lunch & diner).<br /><br />Those who are, engaged with business / law / medical / education etc. in society are governed (at top) by such personnel, most of whom have no morals as they are basically illiterate, and even if some personnel with moral exists there, they are compelled to act inconsistence with the others because of our more fluctuating Democratic system. Corruption had rooted very deeply in our governing system which needs total review in such way that corruption is totality eradicated from top and from Society.<br /><br />It looks easy to narrate but surely very difficult task ahead all of us. My few suggestions:<br />(a) Word "rights" be removed for every one, from each rules and awareness of "duty" has to be brought in each mind by performing which truly the rights of each one is protected on its' own.<br />(b) A Constitutional amendment be brought in constituting the basic rights "food, cloath &shelter" to each one and listing "fundamental duties" removing "fundamental rights".<br />(c) Voting be made an compulsory duty for all citizens (voting members), from where ever they are living.<br />(d) Mandatory characteristic for each political member be laid down and who fulfils these, he only be inducted in politics not any voting member of Nation.<br />(e) A befitting educational system for each children inducted to be compulsory upto 12th stander and admission to professional education must be on basis of performance at 10th & 12th stander.<br />(f) Entertainment to children (at home as well as at school) to be done away with commercialisation and it must be based to build up moral with entertaining.<br /><br />Many more thing are there could be listed but if useful!<br /><br />4. Strength: Intelligent, Talented and hardworking- human force.<br /><br />Weakness: Lack of leadership towards utilisation of above resources.<br /><br />HRD ministry should work towards tapping countries potential for all segments of trade and industry rather than stay put with reservations for creamy layer rather than deserving.<br /><br />India with such vast resources bleeds because a select few try to corner all available roles and pose as know all and there are no systems to utilise subject experts. This single act immensely harms any development and growth.<br /><br />5. First, system of Presidential type may be adopted as there is rampant privatisation. Public enterprises are vanishing from the scene of economy. Private enterprises are dominating the market forces. Socialistic pattern is vanishing from our constitution. The features of capitalism are surfacing. So presidential system is suitable for the country and then it will become strong and reforms will be implemented true to its spirit because there is one strong person at the helm. Then it will become model state.<br /><br />6. Strength of India, intelligence, hard work & manpower. The weakness is low percentage of education, poverty becoz of population, & non efficient govt & its policy.<br />For raising it to a model state, many changes to do first educate the 100%, & second control the birth rate.<br /><br />7. You start with Rome and the USA. Then add and write into the constitution those thing that have proved to be conducive to a corrupt society, militarism and campaign contributions.<br />Use the computer and the Internet to modernize the society, education and health. Include in the Constitution measures to limit monopolies and media concentration.<br />Because of the example of the USA, its success and its failures, the knowledge is there, the political will may not be.<br /><br />8. Strengths:- Vast area ,good climate in most of the days, mineral wealth, soft nature of the people, limited basic needs, adaptability.<br /><br />Weakness:- Social inequality, cunningness of upper class particularly among educated bureaucrats and judiciary, lack of education, superstition and population explosion<br /><br />1. Free education 2. Work for the poor to earn daily livelihood 3. Social equality in temples and places of worship<br />4.50% jobs, ruling positions to women 5.Equal share in ancestral wealth to women 6. Opportunities to easy divorce settlement and remarriage & public child care units for all children. 7. Infrastructural developments evened out to all states 8. Proper pricing for agricultural products 9. Industrial growth<br /><br />9. Strength of India is flexible constituency- police and judiciary. Weakness is corruption<br />1) It all happens because Police force is put under politicians. They will use excessive force or not at all depending upon views of existing Govt.. If police are made to report to impartial Professional Committee such behaviour could be eliminated<br />2) In the constitution, fair justice to all is guaranteed .In order to achieve this no time frame is mentioned. Secondly, Judiciary involves judges, lawyers and their clients. which are part of society. Whatever good or bad things are in society, are reflected in the above mentioned parts. We can not single out any one part to blame<br /><br />10. Strength- Honesty ,cultural heritage n Geographical locationLimitations- Inertia, Religions, Caste System</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-32252188018384210922007-05-18T06:49:00.000+05:302007-05-18T06:53:07.015+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION (2)</strong></span></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><div align="justify"><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">I wish to invest in Mutual Funds. Could you suggest the best one and the plus and minus points in MF investing.<br /><br />More about the question: -<br /><br />I wish to invest my savings in a Mutual Fund of repute and not in the ones floated by the neorich. Please help me with your expertise</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">ANSWERS<br /><br />1. Start by reading about Mutual Fund Investment basics. Once you read through 4-5 chapters (usually, not more than 1-2 pages max), you will feel better and will be able to understand more and move on to the next step, which is<br /><br />What risk tolerance you have and which time horizon/how long you are willing to bet your money for<br /><br />Remember one thing: you are entrusting your money to someone that you think/other folks think/perceive is going to do a good job of investing your money.<br /><br />You can easily do what any other mutual fund does by investing your money yourself.<br /><br />Not only you acquire an excellent and worthy experience, you will be forced to learn and understand more.<br /><br />Don't believe at once what other people tell you about mutual fund investing. It is an industry gimmick designed for people such as ourselves to drain more money from and hopefully, make money.<br /><br />The funny thing is the primary motto all of the funds will you:<br />a/ your money is NOT guaranteed (technically meaning 100% risk)<br />b/past performance of a mutual fund is not a guarantee of future results (technically saying that really, if we did well, that does not mean a hill of beans that we will do so again)<br /><br />Just think about all of this... and always keep those things in mind.<br /><br />2. Be involved with your money. The primary motto of mutual funds is also "your involvement with your invested money". The idea is that you are supposed to "give your funds away and let the "guru" manage it". Well, that's kind of stupid - don't you think? You work hard for your money - so hard that you are willing to entrust most of it to somebody and cross your fingers? Hope that gives you some serious thoughts..<br /><br />3. Find the funds you're comfortable with that pay the highest 5 year return. Thats a good starting point. Check the fees, call a broker or email the fund manager and ask them to explain how the fees work b/c it can get confusing, mainly they charge a fee either when you buy or when you sell, but they can also 'adjust' the stock price (by decreasing the rate of increase) and 'skim' off the top.<br /><br /><br />4. This depends on how much you know about investing, how involved you will be and how risky are you willing to be.<br /><br />If you just want to put your money is a fund that won't make the most money and won't lose the most money, I would recommend some of the huge fund families such as American Funds or Fidelity.<br /><br />If you want to be more informed and have specific ways you want your money invested, I would recommend working with a Financial Advisor.<br /><br /><br /><br />5. To find the best one go to the site moneycontrol.com find out the rank of MF's rank 1 means it is the best.<br />2. Track that MF and find the fund manager.<br />3. Find the history of the fund manager and the funds he has managed in the past<br />4. Find the growth of those funds<br />all these can be done with the help of moneycontrol.com<br /><br />MF's generally invest ur money in different companies and get the return which then is passed on to u. The return depends upon of those companies and the fluctuations in the financial market and affects ur return accordingly.<br /><br />My suggestion is invest monthly basis (SIP ) i.e systematic investment plan in 5 or 6 different good MF through ur bank like icici and uti for which u need to open an DEMAT account<br /><br /><br />6. For suggesting any meaningful answer to your question, certain other details are necessary such as your amount of investment, time horizon, your current income from pension, investments etc, your family financial obligations.......etc.<br /><br />However, assess yourself and based on your amount, time factor, risk appetite, financial obligations, return periodicity etc. you may have options, among others and divide your total investments in more than two options for possibility of better combined returns:<br /><br />1. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) offers 9% interest payable quarterly - offered by Post Offices and many leading banks like SBI, ICICI.<br /><br />2. Investment in select blue chip companies' shares. In view of the long-term economy boom, they are good options for high returns with minimal risk. I personally feel this as a better option than investing in Mutual Funds.<br /><br />3. Bank FDs. Some banks are offering 10.5% to 11% to senior citizens for 3+ years deposits.<br /><br />4. Kisan Vikas Patra by Post Offices.<br /><br />5. Real estate if you have enough funds.<br /><br />6. Something in pure 24 carat Gold, no ornaments<br /><br /><br />4. Safe,, as in principal being guaranteed,, means get a CD,, you'll earn over 5% with no risk.<br /><br /><br />5. A CD sounds like a good idea, since it seems to be a bit too late to start a long-term investment.<br /><br />6. Think the safe and the best for u at the moment is F.D, But I suggest u to go for for mutual fund on mid cap with part of your money which can give u nearly 20% intrest<br /><br /><br />7. First, I'd like to say that one could HARDLY find a good answer among the crowd, because most people are lost as to how to invest and/or protect their assets.<br /><br />You don't mention your age, the size of your assets or your risk tolerance, but I will assume that: 1) you are not too old 2) you have enough for a couple of small property down payments, at least, and 3) you are asking this question because you don't want to incur in high risks. That said, I could go and tell you my opinion.<br /><br />Savings accounts, CD's and bonds aren't much useful, because annual yields don't even match inflation rates.<br /><br />After trading stocks, options and other financial instruments I am convinced that they are not a good option for senior people in need of safe, easy and tax-convenient decisions for their retirement.<br /><br />Mutual funds claim big gains, but that is true only when markets are easy and irrationally bullish. Give them a bit of red markets and they easily go from +20% to -60%. Also, the higher the performance, the higher the risks they take, and you are asking for a safe investment. You can lose money by yourself, so why pay someone else to lose money for you?<br /><br />The safest, simplest and most satisfactory investment I would think of, which is also inflation-resistant and sometimes includes tax advantages, is ACQUIRING RENTAL PROPERTY at the cheapest price possible.<br /><br />This kind of investment is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from speculative buying/selling, which involves buying property at any price with the HOPE of selling it later at a gain. True investments must not rely on hope, but in a careful plan to obtain consistent gains.<br /><br />Investing safely in rental property involves knowing well your local market, finding desirable, low-priced properties and carefully calculating rental net operating income (NOI). And carefully means reaaaally carefully, including all expenses, repairs, taxes, closing costs, administration costs, loan interests, etc. Good books are available everywhere, but I used Summey and Dawson's.<br /><br />Finding properties with optimal NOI and start making money is only matter of discipline, a few weekends and a commitment not to make impulsive decisions.<br /><br />Source(s):<br /><br />About the risks of stocks:<br />http://www.shortpicks.com<br />About investing in rental property:<br />Summey and Dawson's "The Weekend Millionaire's Secrets to Investing in Real Estate: How to Become Wealthy in Your Spare Time"<br /><br /><br />8. The best way to invest today is mutual funds.u can very well invest in LIC policies for senior citizens, which provides u with cash on hands for every months that will help u independent on children’s it really works on my granny who has done so.<br /><br /><br />9. I would try Franklin Templeton. You may want to see if the is a investor in where you live. Sometimes Credit Union is better then banks but like everything else you need to do your homework.<br /><br /><br /><br />10. Invest in your family....<br />Fill them in about the life u have lived...the mistakes u made....and all of the lessons u have learned. Teach them to save their money....spend wisely....yet give generously of their time/energy to those less fortunate. Tell them that vanity is for fools...and having faith in God is pretty much all you need.<br /><br /><br />11. Bonds-That’s the catchword.<br /><br />As you are of a certain age, safe investment with moderate returns is better than unsafe investment with high returns.<br /><br />I suggest find some good bonds to investment-talk to friends, contact an investment firm, talk to some financial adviser....<br /><br />Also make sure your insurance-health, property etc. are upto date and make sure they have greater cover.<br /><br /><br />12. If you make an inquiry you will find many mutual fund companies are now a days offering guaranteed money backs with handsome interest rates in mutual funds. These rates are more than what bank FD offers yet its guaranteed.<br />Also in accordance you can plan your time period of investments from around 3-6 or even 10 years.<br /><br /><br />13. Hi there. I think it’s great that you’re looking to invest your savings. I was curious if you’ve put any thought to what might happen to your savings if you eventually need to move into a nursing home. Most people assume if they need to move into a nursing facility for any length of time, Medicare will cover it, but this is not true. And this is how people lose all their savings. In order to qualify for Medicare, you need to have a very low income and close to no assets or resources. If you have a savings or assets, you’ll have to use them all to pay for your care before you can qualify for Medicaid. What I’m getting at is this: if you’re an elderly individual, you need to be thinking in a broader sense. At this point, it’s not just about getting a return on your investment. It’s also about protecting your money and assets so you don’t lose them all at some point down the road.<br /><br />Medicaid looks back over the five years prior to applying for the assistance to make sure you didn’t move around your assets to appear low-income. If you do this before the five year mark, however, you are in the clear. You’ll be able to qualify for Medicaid and hold onto the bulk of your money and resources. The best way to do this is to put your money and home into a Medicaid Trust. This is an irrevocable trust that protects your assets from creditors, transfers to your beneficiaries when you pass and avoids probate (exhausting legal proceedings) when it transfers.<br /> 14. I recommend consulting an elder law attorney or a financial planner. Ideally, you want to not only see your money grow, but protect it from being exhausted by unforeseeable events</span>.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-76150156078153413182007-05-18T06:46:00.000+05:302007-05-18T06:49:26.808+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">List of leading world publishers and what steps one should take to get one’s work published?<br /><br />I am at the final stage of completing a book titled "Print-outs …….. mind". The contents have won admiration from many. I want to get the book published. Could you kindly advise me step by step of the proper presentation of the manuscript to the publishers for approval? I will ever be grateful to you for your advice.<br /></span><br /> <br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />The first step would be to complete it and edit it to the best of your ability. No publisher will take a chance on an unknown fiction writer without a completed manuscript.<br /><br />The second step would be to lose your devotion to the current title. Publishers will often change the titles of novels to things they think will sell better. This and cover art are things you have no control over.<br /><br />As far as novels go, different publishers specialize in different things, and fiction is a broad word. If you try to sell a fantasy novel to a publisher that only works with romance, you are going to get a rejection no matter how good your writing is. There are some smaller presses that will look at unagented material, but none of the bigger ones will.<br /><br />So do your homework. Take a look at the most recent "Writer's Market"... or even better, try the "Guide to Literary Agents".<br /><br />I absolutely suggest getting an agent instead of approaching publishers directly. I'm assuming you are not a contract attorney, so you will need someone to look over any offers and to guide you through the publishing world.<br /><br />Also, you will not be sending your manuscript to agents unsolicited! Send them a query letter and see if they ask to see a partial, then a full. If you send the whole thing, it will just get you a form rejection letter. Research each agent's specific submission guidelines and follow their rules! Use 12 pt. Times New Roman, with one inch margins all around if they do not specify. Single-space your query letter (with an extra space between the paragraphs) and double space sample pages or manuscript pages if they are requested.<br /><br />No publisher or agent should charge you any money up front! That is the sign of a scam! They make money by selling your book.<br /><br />Here are five websites that can help. Read them thoroughly (especially Miss Snark-- love her!) and research, research, research!<br />http://misssnark.blogspot.com/<br />http://www.agentquery.com/<br />http://www.publishersmarketplace.com...<br />http://www.absolutewrite.com/<br />http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/...<br />http://www.duotrope.com<br /><br />And be warned of the people on this list:<br />http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.h...<br /><br />You will face a lot of rejection, but if you really want this then keep at it! Work hard, and good luck!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. Get The Writer's Almanac from your library -- all your questions will be answered.<br /><br />2. All great info above but I would add - Join a writers group who are dedicated to helping each other grow, polishing their work and developing superior writing skills.<br />This is good for putting a polished offering in front of the publisher and for networking to find places that are accepting submissions in your genre or interest.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writers-ag"><span style="color:#993399;">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writers-ag</span></a><span style="color:#993399;">...<br /><br /> 3. Your local library should have a copy of the 2007 _______Writer's Market. There are many different versions (e.g. Children's Books, Novels & Short Stories, Mystery, etc.) Find the one that comes closest to your category. It not only includes advice on how to put your work together for the best presentation, but also advises you on who will accept submissions, submission guidelines (which vary by publisher) and what different publishers are looking for, so you don't waste time sending out manuscripts to the wrong places</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-966214146851921562007-05-18T06:43:00.000+05:302007-05-18T06:46:41.941+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">How do you portray a person who leaves his/her craving LOVE and run after other contributory or selfish gains?<br /><br />More on this question: -<br /><br />I can cite many instances of love being torn apart on various grounds such as materialistic gains, caste, religion and region, good looks, parental pressure etc. Very seldom the person invokes empathy on the shattering mental impact left on the affected. While the victim actually benefits from the release of life tied to an unsteady soul for life, the agony of separation is likely to leave a lifetime scar on the affected. In this context how do you define one such person?<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">BEST ANSWER (1)<br /><br />In today’s materialistic world the importance of LOVE has diminished to the extend you find it only in few romantic novels, poems, epics, stories & typical TV serials only. The institution of marriage is nothing but institution of family trading where some one purchases & some one sells, high class banquet halls, farmhouses, various diplomatic & stared hotels, luxury cars, imported flower arrangement, diamond & golden ornaments, high class social gathering, foreigner dancing troupes, high class music system & musicians, along with mixture of traditional uttan & mendhi ceremonies, bachelor's party & ladies sangeet, inclusion of movie , TV & stage actors & what not. Prior dowry settlement, demands as well offers. High class astrologers matching & fixing janam kundlis & tawas according to stars positions, charging high rates. Family pundit jee being pampered during each ever marriage function. Relatives & friends getting more then their dues in each & every family function, eager to wear traditional Rajasthan pugris to remain in lime light during the main marriage function. In this shinny atmosphere you want to search the LOVE. Even if by mistake any of them bride or groom had an affair with some one else that person is picked & thrown out as a fly from the cup of tea. This all happens prior or at the time of marriage but incase some one gets a chance to do so after his/her marriage due to family pressure to dump the previous spouse & go ahead with an new match, he or she won’t mind as what all they had dreamed once could not be fulfilled but now a second chance is there for them to have it. If you may be gaining in crores & few lakhs you have to pay for previous life partner to get dissolution of the marriage nothing wrong in such a trade. What about the sentiments, love. affection, "who cares" let some author write a story for TV serial out of it all typical ladies in Indian homes love such stories. As far defining such a person is concerned, no definition can be given as all are same when it comes to making money is concerned, never compare love with money as latter is always far much stronger then prior. Some may call such person cheat, bewafa, mutlabi, fraud & what not, but tell me who cares!<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best answer (2)<br /><br />Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Dear never try to see only one side of coin. For ex. If a person is in love with somebody do u think he should carry it even if he is under parental pressure my answer he should not carry it and both of person in relationship should understand it.love with one person have no right to hurt love and emotions of many around u .that to ,of people like parents. Though agony of sepration leaves a scar on effected, but agony is more and deep because they were not practical during relationship and mere emotions in any relation ship pays off bad<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Let them do, what they want.<br />Please you don’t do these things.<br /><br />2. One word definition as "selfish"!<br /><br />3. If the person leaves his or her love for financial benefits then surely is immature since he or she does not know that at a later stage in life, after retirement, would be completely alone with none to support.<br /><br />If for reasons like he or she does not have a good body, that's quiet inhumane.<br /><br />Parental pressure actually compels the person to think whom does he or she love more and what would be the ideal thing to do. This has more to do with morality.<br /><br />But I believe consciously or unconsciously the one who leaves also suffers since he or she loved not without cause.<br /><br />4. Do people really give up those whom they love for materialistic gains or for more superficial things? No. Because those people don’t really love anyone, they can’t love really love anyone ever unless they shed their selfishness. Such people are not capable of loyalty. They are selfish and cowardly besides being stupid. They lack the basic integrity of character. Shame on such people! Such people are actually cheating their own happiness out of ignorance while they may think that they are pursuing it. Truly speaking I have seldom seen such people happy, content or at peace with themselves.<br /><br />5. Are you sure that what u r citing is love and not merely a fling or infatuation???<br /><br />6. If you look animals, do you find any relationship between them. Are they doing any thing innovative in their life? What you enjoy on this planet in the name of science including this beautiful yahoo answering session all are based on the relationships we have created.<br /><br />7. It depends on the circumstances she/he is facing. Sometimes one has to put others before self.<br /><br />8. It is very difficult to judge a person. A Hindi song is there.(matalab ke a duniya sari yeha koye kese ka yar nehi kse ko sucha payar nehi.) Sorry its my opinion.<br /><br />9. Here let me say something.. it might not make any sense to you.. But I completely believe in it...<br />“If you love something, set it free.<br />if it comes back, it was and will always be yours,<br />if it never returns it was never yours to begin with”.<br /><br />See now if da person leaves and doesn’t return.. 4get it he didn’t deserve u. He didn’t deserve ur love...but if he returns give him a chance and believe,... me .. u'll never get to see happier people than u and dat guy......<br /><br />10. That is life and I think she is just materialistic moreover "Love can't keep us alive" can it?<br /><br />11. Love is a lovely affair. It is gift of god. If anyone hurts it, he/she has to pay.<br />If your sacrificing ur love for good/healthy reasons then u are great. u will get reward from god.<br />If u are ditching ur love for filthy reasons then just imagine what god will do..<br />“uske lathi me awaj bhi nahin hoti”. Not a word to describe..<br /><br />12. I will call him/her a cheat, "Bewafa"<br /><br />13. WORTHLESS<br /><br />14. There can be several reasons why a person would allow himself or herself to be moved by such pressure for example religion or family. I have moved from US to Sweden and married an Iranian. The cultural differences have been so hard. My family hates me etc...... While being in Sweden I have heard of many people who love each other very much get torn apart by their families because of caste or religion or whatever. Some have even been killed or beaten into leaving of course if they have been killed then they left involuntarily. But family pressure can have a very pronounced effect on a person and if the family is very strict the person that left would not show remorse in front of anyone because then it would show to the family or the families friends that that person still cared about the other and then the family would put more pressure on the that left.<br />As for leaving for materialistic gains or good looks or cheating then they were not worth your time. I know that there are religions out there that discourage women/ men not to marry someone that is not in the same league as they are example if one family is rich and the other poor. The poor ones family would definitely encourage the poor one to get married it would help that family especially if there is a dowry involved(payment to the family for the bride) If the rich one thought that is the only reason they are getting married then they would definitely discourage them not to get married.<br />I am sorry if something like this has happened to you and it takes very strong people to say no to a family but if it happened to you then you are worth more than they are saying or doing to you<br /><br />15. I describe the person who is left, depressed, deprived, soul tied, angry, hurting, wanting approval and acceptance, wanting to hurt someone else in the way that they were hurt, wanting to get back at the world for what has been done to them, unforgiving, victims, hopeless, and more than anything a basket case. Been there, done that don't want to go back to that hurtful place.<br /><br />The person that left is simply a selfish bastard<br /><br />16. Stupid<br /><br />17. Cheaters are people that has to be punished and has to be tied up to GODS HANDS so that they will never ever hurt anyone<br /><br />18. A coward.<br /><br />19. In one word, CRAZY </span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">20. It's not your place to judge a person, first of all. Secondly, maybe this person just didn't like you as much as you liked them. Since when is being happy a selfish/contributory act? Get over it and move on. You shouldn't just pigeon hole someone to make yourself feel less hurt.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-28138268953853172352007-05-06T07:47:00.000+05:302007-05-06T07:52:30.348+05:30<div align="right"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -<br /><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">We live in earth and worship many Gods! Kingdom of God! Does it exist here? Where it is and who is the King?<br /><br />More on this question: No offence is meant! Please reply applying your own intelligence looking at our brethren who carry different faiths in them and not quoting from books that advocate a particular religion. Symbolically it can mean your own clean conscience if we believe rightly that God resides in each of us. You can differ in attitudes and interpretation. Abusive answers will be reported</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />What is the Kingdom of Heaven and whom does it include? In answering this question, many Christians today would provide one of the following answers:<br /><br /><br />1. The Kingdom of Heaven is the Christian Church, beginning on Pentecost.<br />2. The Kingdom of Heaven is the future reign of Christ over the nations of the earth, from David’s' Throne, in Jerusalem.<br /><br /><br />However, problematic passages of Scripture have to be dealt with in defending both positions.<br /><br /><br />Passages, which support the theory that the Kingdom of Heaven is the Christian Church:<br /><br /><br />Ps 103:19<br />19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,<br />and his kingdom rules over all.<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Matt 13:24<br />24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.<br />NIV<br />(Here, sowing the seed is considered to be the spreading of the Gospel)<br /><br /><br />Luke 22:29<br />29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Heb 12:28<br />28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, NIV<br /><br />Col 1:13-14<br />13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<br />NIV Passages which contradict the theory that the Kingdom of Heaven is the Christian Church include:<br /><br />Matt 21:43<br />43 "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. NIV<br />(Indicates that Israel had claim to the Kingdom before the Church began)<br /><br /><br />Acts 14:21-22<br />21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.<br />NIV<br />(Shows that members of the Church were yet seeking to enter the Kingdom)<br /><br /><br />2 Peter 1:10-11<br />10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<br />NIV<br />(Again, shows that believers were yet waiting to enter the Kingdom)<br /><br /><br />Additionally, it can be stated that it is the main duty of the Church to point people to the kingdom, and thus, Church and Kingdom are not the same.<br /><br /><br />Passages which support the theory that the Kingdom of Heaven is the future reign of Christ on earth, from Davids' throne in Jerusalem:<br /><br /><br />Dan 2:44<br />44 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.<br />NIV<br />(The "time of those kings", here being seen as future, as it involves 10 kings ruling the Roman Empire at the same time, an event that never historically occured. See Dan.7:24)<br /><br /><br />Dan 7:27<br />27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Matt 7:21-23<br />21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'<br />NIV<br />(Indicating that entry into the Kingdom does not take place until judgement day)<br /><br /><br />Matt 8:10-12<br />10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."<br />NIV<br />(indicating that entry into the Kingdom takes place after the return of Christ)<br /><br /><br />Matt 25:34-35<br />34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.<br />NIV<br />(indicating that entry into the Kingdom takes place after the return of Christ)<br /><br /><br />Luke 21:29-31<br />29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Rev 5:10<br />10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,<br />and they will reign on the earth."<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Rev 11:15<br />"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,<br />and he will reign for ever and ever."<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Rev 12:10<br />"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,<br />and the authority of his Christ.<br />NIV<br />(A yet future event taking place after the 2nd coming of Christ)<br /><br /><br />Passages which seem to contradict the theory that the Kingdom of Heaven is the future reign of Christ on earth, from Davids throne in Jerusalem:<br /><br /><br />Matt 16:28<br />28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."<br />NIV<br />Note: Some commentators claim that this passage refers to the Transfiguration on the Mount, which, in the Gospels, occurs immediately after this statement. This is problematic, however, as Jesus clearly indicates that only some of His disciples would be alive to see the inauguration of the Kingdom, and none had died before the Transfiguration occurred. As well, it states that they would see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom, which is not what took place at the Transfiguration, for at the Transfiguration, Jesus gave us a glimpse of His eternal glory. He was not seen coming to anywhere, from anywhere.<br />However, the central problem with both of these theories is the Kingdom is limited to earthly and external criteria. A better understanding of what the Kingdom of Heaven is comes from this passage:<br /><br /><br />Luke 17:20-21<br />20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Now, while it seems unreasonable that the Kingdom would exist within the hearts of the Pharisees, to whom Jesus was speaking in this passage, the heart of His answer is this: the Kingdom is spiritual, in nature.<br />While the Church is the body of believers, collectively, the difference between the Church and the Kingdom is that while believers enter the Church, the Kingdom enters the believer.<br /><br /><br />Another excellent way to understand the Kingdom of Heaven is to consider the Jewish understanding of it:<br /><br /><br />The Jews believed all time was to be divided into 2 parts: The Present Age and the Age to Come.<br /><br /><br />The Present Age involved the dominion of Satan, the effects of sin, and the sinful nature of man, as inherited through Adam. The Age to Come corresponded roughly with the Kingdom of Heaven, which would be inaugurated after Messiah would come. It involved a period of peace on earth, where the people of God would rule the nations from Jerusalem.<br /><br /><br />By the Christian reckoning, the Incarnation of Christ 2000 years ago caused an overlap in both these time periods. Currently, Christians live in this overlap. So while, to the Christian, the Kingdom has been initiated, it has not yet fully commenced, and the effects of sin are still felt. This is the most suitable method of reconciling all passages relating to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament.<br /><br />Matt 11:11-12<br />11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.<br />NIV<br />This passage indicates a change in the Kingdom from defensive to offensive. This began with John, preaching repentance, in preparation of the coming of the Messiah. The offensive position of the Kingdom worked rapidly, for shortly thereafter, when the disciples went out preaching in the towns of Judea, Jesus made the statement that He had witnessed Satan fall like lightning from the heavens, indicating a serious blow had been dealt.<br /><br /><br />While passages such as:<br />Luke 22:29-30<br />29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.<br />NIV<br />...seem to indicate the Church is the Kingdom, notice this passage describes an apparent 2 Kingdoms, so, in some respects, the Church may be considered as a type of Kingdom, but should never be understood as the sum total of the Kingdom of Heaven.<br /><br /><br />Jesus made several analogies to the effect of God's Spirit on the heart and soul of the one who responds to His message, the streams of living water springing up unto eternal life for the woman at the well being a case in point. Ultimately, this is what the Kingdom of Heaven is: it is the effect God has on the heart and soul of the one who responds to His calling.<br /><br /><br />Rom 14:16-18<br />17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,<br />NIV<br /><br /><br />Kingdom of Heaven passages also cannot be confused with the Millennial Kingdom, which is evidenced by visible signs on earth preceding the Second Coming. One must be diligent in their study of the Word to differentiate the two phases of the Kingdom.<br /><br /><br />In this passage:<br />2 Tim 4:18<br />18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.<br />NIV<br />...Paul refers to heaven as a Kingdom, which indeed it is, but again not to be confused with the Kingdom of Heaven, which has its emergence in the hearts of living believers, as evidenced by an abundance of passages which present the Kingdom of Heaven as being near or upon living believers.<br /><br /><br />As a final note, it should be said that while men could not enter the Church until after Pentecost, men still were saved and became part of the Kingdom before then. This is shown by passages such as:<br />Matt 8:10-11<br />11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.<br /></span><span style="color:#3366ff;">NIV</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#3366ff;"> </p><div align="justify"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">OTHER ANSWERS:<br /><br />1.This is America. We're a republic. We don't bow down to royalty.<br /><br /><br />2. Nobody really knows what happens after you take your last breath or who is in charge of this universe (if anything or anyone) I see myself doing many peaceful things that most religious people do not ever think of doing....There are many different religions because there are many different people...I just haven't found any to be a part of.....I've tried.....but I am fine being a wonderful person all on my own<br /><br /><br />3. Somebody is the ruler administrator planner .....etc<br />We dont know HIM....<br />unimaginable by our limited brains...<br />But the rule of the universe is that IF you are in harmony with nature's law, you and everybody else will have a smooth sail, or else there will be hilarious accidents.<br />Nature’s law is a moral law that works in our minds and makes us understand naturally what is right and what is wrong. This is good side of Nature's law.<br />One day or the other sooner or later, History repeats and all of us will have to pay for the historical crimes we do. The worst of the emotions of human beings is.. "Revenge" & GOD one day or the other gives opportunity to every tribe to take revenge. then revenge of that revenge.. goes on and on till the world ends. That is bad side of nature's law..<br /><br /><br />4. We worship many Gods because man always look towards something else to find answers. I will admit over 300 years ago and beyond there was little to go on compared to the information we have today.<br /><br />On this planet we have all the knowledge we need to solve our existing issues. What is lacking in today's world is the education of the people into this new knowledge.<br /><br />Religion have seen their day and now it is time to leave them where they came from, in the past. We spend to much time fighting over outdated ways of thinking because the masses want to hold on the the status quo. How many people in this society won't even pick up a book and learn what is really going on in this world today? These are the dinosaurs that are just going to have to become extinct and I am truly sorry about that but we must be allowed to move to a higher ground in man's evolution.<br /><br />The planet earth is on the brink of eradicating the primitive religions in this world. Our governments are not telling us the truth about what they know because it would cause a panic on one end but it will free the citizenry on the other. It is the free of the minds of the people that scares the U.S. government the most or any government for that matter<br /><br /><br />5. The kingdom of God resides in us. Just don't think ill of anybody. Be simple; learn to be simple. The 'term' simple doesn't mean you are exposing yourself below the belt. Not at all!<br />On the contrary, such an attitude emanates from the enlightened realization that this is our world. We have to make it heaven. Nobody knows what or how 'Heaven' is. But, we do have the idea that the heaven is such a place where reigns peace and bounty.<br />Peace will be ours as we look at others as out kith and kin. Bounty is not measured in terms of dough. Actually, the mad race for money has metamorphosed a minuscule section of human beings into money-minting machines.<br />Hence, Mammon worship is to be blamed for the mess. But, without money one cannot lead a decent life. But, there is no limit to the amount of money one needs to secure a satisfactory lifestyle.<br />So, the heaven on earth is very much possible. The golden mean is 'Lead a life governed by simple living and high thinking!'<br /><br /><br />6. You rightly said! God resides in each of us, but you know our body is an complete "Universe" in which somewhere at one spot "Thou" resides. This so called Universe is circled in the body and we (in my thesis 99.99% of us) walk in it restricted to the external requirement only, not trying to know about this Universe, resulting in accepting positively what looks around and reachable! ignoring the truth that remains in. The .01% (remaining out of us) had / have put in their efforts to meet / know the God and spread fragrance of their acquired knowledge to rest of us on basis of which we all do live our life. Now how far the .01% had met / known the God / truth! again it mostly remains with them when they move heavenly journey, because generally one life is not sufficient to meet / know the truth of God and nature around whom all creatures moves.<br />About worshipping! in my opinion it is an method to be self disciplined, and it works 100% positively if truly worshipped.<br />moreover the Idle of God / Goddess are construed / imagined materially because once it is not an living object it wouldn't reacts and this is most important in being disciplined by self. To certain extend I have my personal experience of true worshipping.<br />About king! he is the most accountable (to the habitats, not only human beings, and to the God, that's why he is said to be Divine Representative) person in society, if he truly accounts himself.<br /><br />7. Vaikuntha dham and Lord Krishna is the king. if you want to go there than energize your soul<br /><br /><br />8. The kingdom of God lies within." It is the higher state of consciousness, when our soul energy "our mind" is residing in the upper chamber of our brain. Our consciousness ("mind") is just an electromagnetic field. When we meditate we can speed up our chakras, get into the same vibration as nature and transcend the body. The mind withdraws from the body upward (towards "the crown" of the head) and we become a king. Everyone wants to become a king, but only a king knows his own fate. When you become a king in consciousness, you are bound to take care of all others.<br /><br />Source(s):<br /><br />His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Art of Living Foundation.<br /><br /><br />9. I believe that the kingdom of God is here and every where. If you doubt his existence, because of the continuing evil ways, I would only say that it is because of his lila that these things are allowed to happen. This will come to an end. The existence here alone is not the end. There is a life beyond and a life after death. You will have to account for your actions, be it karma, or a judgment day<br /><br />10. All Q ...one answer....<br />our soul is the right answer of all Questions<br /><br />11. I do not think that god would be made after running a kingdom and exercise the powers of a King this kingdom of god is a proposition of one of the religions .It has been adopted by another religion also though it does not use the term kingdom of god . Those religions that say that God would sit in judgment over the deeds of the people one day that is unknown, alone speak of the kingdom of god .May be they think that kingdom is the greatest think on earth and heaven.<br />some eastern religions do not think that god is running any kingdom. They even consider that god himself serves the righteous man and many maharishs are portrayed as more powerful than the gods themselves.<br />If god is the soul of man , and while dying it is the soul that leaves the body and reach heaven or hell where is he question of any God sitting in judgment over himself as soul is god himself ?<br />Where is he question of the soul of man going to hell as the soul is god? Will any place where god is , can ever be a hell.? The eastern religions consider the soul of man as \God and God, the soul of man does no part take of the actions of man who acts according to the inputs of his senses only. The soul does not guide the actions of man. The senses do not go to heaven or hell. They are qualities of the physical bodies of man and they cease to exist as the soul leaves the body of the man.<br /><br />12. God must remain hidden for many reasons. You can't know God so easily just by a question otherwise you will be God and God will be your servant. Slow down, bow down and rise up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />13. I believe what God's Word itself says about God's Kingdom, that it is an actual government that will rule over earth & mankind from the heavens, in order to bring them back to their originally intended state of perfection. The following 'article' is actually a grouping of Scripture reference-links, so you can easily see what the Bible says, for yourself. They are grouped together to answer these listed questions:<br /><br />What Is the Kingdom of God? :<br />1 Where is it located?<br />2 Who is its King?<br />3 Do others share in ruling with the King? If so, how many?<br />4 What shows that we are living in the last days?<br />5-7 What will God's Kingdom do for mankind in the future?<br /></span><a href="http://watchtower.org/library/rq/article"><span style="color:#009900;">http://watchtower.org/library/rq/article</span></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><br />14. We worship many gods because everyone is different the one true god made us that way on purpose and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.<br />Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. ...</span></div><p><span style="color:#009900;">CHURCH OF THE FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTERhttp://www.venganza.org/about/open-lette...</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-88701401723385938892007-05-05T04:08:00.000+05:302007-05-05T04:29:11.727+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">MY QUESTION</span></strong></div><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">Who has proposed the concept of 'ZERO'? An Arab or Indian Mathematician?<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">More on this question: -<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">It is believed that the '0' concept is proposed by an Arab Mathematician and Astronomer , Muhammad Bin Ahmed in 967 A D. Or was it really the Indian Mathematician Ramanujam?<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Zero appears in the Hindu number system, which is used by all humanity today was developed by 6th century Indian mathematician Brahmagupta.<br /><br />The oldest known text to use zero is the Jain text from India entitled the Lokavibhaaga, dated 458 CE.[9] it was first introduced to the world centuries later by Al Khawarizmim, a Persian mathematician, astronomer and geographer[citation needed]. He was the founder of several branches and basic concepts of mathematics.<br /><br />Rules of Brahmagupta<br /><br />The rules governing the use of zero appeared for the first time in Brahmagupta's book Brahmasputha Siddhanta, written in 628. Here Brahmagupta considers not only zero, but negative numbers, and the algebraic rules for the elementary operations of arithmetic with such numbers. In some instances, his rules differ from the modern standard. Here are the rules of Brahamagupta:[11]<br /><br />* The sum of two positive quantities is positive<br />* The sum of two negative quantities is negative<br />* The sum of zero and a negative number is negative<br />* The sum of zero and a positive number is positive<br />* The sum of zero and zero is zero.<br />* The sum of a positive and a negative is their difference; or, if they are equal, zero<br />* In subtraction, the less is to be taken from the greater, positive from positive<br />* In subtraction, the less is to be taken from the greater, negative from negative<br />* When the greater however, is subtracted from the less, the difference is reversed<br />* When positive is to be subtracted from negative, and negative from positive, they must be added together<br />* The product of a negative quantity and a positive quantity is negative<br />* The product of a negative quantity and a negative quantity is positive<br />* The product of two positive, is positive.<br />* Positive divided by positive or negative by negative is positive<br />* Positive divided by negative is negative. Negative divided by positive is negative<br />* A positive or negative number when divided by zero is a fraction with the zero as denominator<br />* Zero divided by a negative or positive number is either zero or is expressed as a fraction with zero as numerator and the finite quantity as denominator<br />* Zero divided by zero is zero.<br /><br />In saying zero divided by zero is zero, Brahmagupta differs from the modern position. Mathematicians normally do not assign a value, whereas computers and calculators will sometimes assign NaN, which means "not a number." Moreover, non-zero positive or negative numbers when divided by zero are either assigned no value, or a value of unsigned infinity, positive infinity, or negative infinity. Once again, these assignments are not numbers, and are associated more with computer science than pure mathematics, where in most contexts no assignment is made. (See division by zero)</span><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">OTHER ANSWERS<br /></span></strong><br />The Mayans developed the concept of zero--->the absence of value. The Mayans = Mexicans.<br /><br /><br /><br />The first records we have of the symbol we use for 0, is from Hindu writings from the late 9th century.<br /><br />However the Babylonians were known to have used a space as a placeholder for empty "columns" as far back as 1700 BC.<br />Around 1400 years later, they developed the first known symbol to stand for an empty place. It looked something like YY.<br /><br /><br />It didn't actually stand for the number we know as "zero." It was never used alone. It was only a place holder.<br />The Mayan culture developed a symbol for the number zero, probably independently of the Babylonians, sometime later.<br /><br />Another source:<br />Zero didn't exist in the ancient or classical world. The greeks and romans didn't have it.<br /><br />The first hint of a concept of representing zero was in India, where they represented zero by leaving a blank space.<br /><br />Islamic culture, having conquered an area of the world that managed to cover many different cultural and scientific backgrounds, establish a city of light and religious tolerance, named Baghdad (though interestingly it was Islamic religious intolerance that resulted in the destruction of the center of Islamic religious tolerance).<br /><br />Here, following on the from the inherited Greek tradition of science and philosophy, they made many advances such as the invention of the University (the word comes from Arabic), computing (they invented the Algorithm, mathematics (they invented Algebra) and chemistry (well they made the first primitive steps called in the west Alchemy).<br /><br />They also realised that they should represent a value of nothing with a figure, which is 0. 0 is really a placeholder, and many mathematicians consider it not to be a number (try dividing 2 by 0).<br /><br />This simple invention has allowed us to perform an interesting range of calculations. Because all this happened in the 9th century when Europeans were illiterate barbarians, Europeans often studied from Arabic texts or went to the Middle East to study. As a result of this knowledge, along with the lost Greek texts returned to west and helped us rebuild our civilization, and we happily use it to make smart bombs and give them as presents back to the nice people of Baghdad<br /><br /><br />The "0" was named for Zero Natta a man that lived around 21 BC. Zero was a nobody that did a lot of nothing and was widely know as the ranking expert on nothing. He used to go from city to city lecturing on nothing. He did so much nothing that his name became synonymous with nothing. Thus when people had nothing, they would say that they had "Zero". The practice caught on and is still in wide spread use today.<br /><br />ZERO was proposed by an Indian mathematician. but not by Ramanujan<br /><br />Zero is called shoonya in India. It was introduced by Indian scientist, philosopher and scientist in ancient times well known as "ARYA BHATT".it was first introduced in India only.<br />Zero is philosophy of a religion. I will put it as...<br /><br />HE are forever and cyclic,<br /><br />A cycle of start middle and end.<br /><br />And cyclic is an endless zero,<br /><br />Symbol zero says it all!<br /><br />Grasp both "zero" and GOD! You will feel similarities. But not 'a single equality' among similarities!<br /><br />Hindu philosophy categorically states that GOD alone is everlasting and a cyclic order of "start middle and end" is bound to each other form of material existence.<br /><br />With due regard to "first part of your question" I have answered now.<br /><br />Cause of a very early zero evolution in India can be attributed to "a need of language-use"<br /><br />'A number-sense' present in a sentence adds a condition to said sentence and concurrently 'a more precise meaning to sentence' (which is need of a language-use)<br /><br />By adding number in language it is achieved. In other words numbers are conditions!<br /><br />Naturally Indians used numbers as before units/unit conditions ( 1,2,3,4....have before-units 0,1,2,3... and it was retained owing to merits of it over 1,2,3,4...). Thus a zero concept and a related Vedic Mathematics emerged too early in India. When a mathematician say Vedic Mathematics is not-scientific I grasp what is meant by word science!<br /><br />I recommend you to limit questions like these by involving bare minimum words in it!<br /><br />Even though I have answered logically, my straightforward answer to your question is that "no single mathematician of Arab or Indian origin" has done it.<br /><br />As 'Hindu philosophy portraying HIM match to that of 'a zero of a number system' you can trust zero emerged in ancient India and no further!<br /><br />Finally don't trust well laid out words but wait for your own inner signals to conclude a true state!<br /><br />Indian mathematician Ramanujam <br /><br />Concept of zero was proposed in India and by Aryabhatta not by Ramanujam or Arab mathematician Muhammad bin Ahmed. <br /><br />As far as I am concerned its an Indian <aryabhatta>........<br /><br /> I think it was an Indian Mathematician "Aryabhatta" . But probably Mayans also had some kind of similar concept. <br /><br />Yes, I say that Indian mathematician proposed the number ZERO. His name is RAMANUJAM.<br /><br />0 was proposed by Indian mathematician ' Aryabhatt'.<br />Arabian mathematician got this concept from Indians, and they passed it 2 Europeans.<br />The numbers are known as 'Hindsa' in Arabic language because they got this concept of numbers from 'Hindu' or 'Indians'.<br /><br />Concept of zero was first proposed by kanad maharshi when he introduced 'shunya' or nullity. Later Ramanujam and other eminent mathematicians held on to this powerful concept and gave it the number status as zero.<br /><br />NOT RAMANUJAN He was alive far after Calculus was created. He did cool stuff (like an infinite series that got closer and closer to pi) but it was the Aryabhati guy who got 0.<div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-26437820855188265872007-05-01T04:35:00.000+05:302007-05-01T04:37:41.733+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">My Question - </span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#009900;">Why people react with anger & emotional outbursts when sensible questions on religions are asked? Intolerance?<br /><br />More about it: -I have enough leisure-time and I think a lot on what happens around me, particularly exploitation of the innocents on many fronts? When I can't find out proper answers myself I refer the questions to an intelligent platform as 'Yahoo Answers'. Many of the answers I have received enriched my intelligence and knowledge. But I also receive answers through the Yahoo Forum and some of which are insulting. One gave an indication that 'Indians are idiots'. I did not want to react because I believed that his/her upbringing was faulty. I am a Christian by birth and I live among Hindus, noble in tolerance and understanding and I am proud of my brethren. Many of my Christian brethren had quoted from informative sources and replied to my questions to my entire satisfaction and gratitude. But a few express intolerance towards my questions. My request is this: - Let religions not come in our way to freethinking and let not emerging thoughts be suppressed!</span><br /> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#336666;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Please look around and most of the things that move are round. The earth is round so that friendship can encircle this. We know that history has recorded the ice age, the Stone Age, the ancient age, medieval period, 20th century, Modern time and finally the present times. Neither the religions are made nor Gods were prayed. Still people lived. As the population grew, societies were formed and each society demanded a separate entity. That is how faith came to be followed and people imagined things there never were and asked why not. When the origin itself is not clear or not known people tend to be angry or emotional. If X calls why an idiot, Y does not become an idiot. It is an opinion expressed, and need not be true. Take it easy my friend, first you don’t become emotional. We are all just actors in a drama lasting only for a short while. Forgive and forget them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">OTHER ANSWERS:<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">1. I believe that people react with anger because they don't let the Holy Spirit guide their thoughts and emotions and they obviously don't have to close of a relationship with Jesus.<br /><br />2. Tolerance and understanding ,sharing of thoughts and opinions,a dying art ,I live for the fact that some people can change my opinions ,what a gift they have given me ,answers to my questions ,and questions to my answers,thanks for the sharing<br /><br />3. Its' called intolerance, but it really is their ego, they think "How DARE he/she/they talk about MY religion that way?" It is an Ultra-sensitive topic, and people will only be happy if you speak extremely gently about their religions, so it's best not to talk about it.<br /><br />4. My friend, you know the answer and still you want to know more of it. Each one thinks differently; each his own way. Why go far, look at our families. Does a son think the same like his father or like his parents, very few! So justice and time is our main factor. People are not ready to accept real truth of life.<br /><br />5. Religion is not the only rickety bridge that leads to the other side........actually I would rather say it is one of the paths that are yet discovering their ways across. What people tend to forget is the fact that each religion connects with each other and grows its boundaries and possibilities. I wouldn’t say religious intolerance is the root of the outburst of anger to questions on religion, it is ego, narrow mindedness and the inability to accept that the spiritual world is a much bigger concept that religion and that every religion gets entangled in certain controversies. The leaders of the religions should either explain them or solve them. Emotional or angry outbursts only prove that the person in question fears that his religion might be wrong in someway...however it is important that we understand that people make religions and that corruption comes along with those people. So we cannot have perfect religions considering the makes weren't and aren’t so themselves. Besides situations also affect religions...something is acceptable now... wasn't then. So we must learn to analyse and understand what we follow better than to blindly follow it.<br /><br /><br /> No. Religion is a matter of personal faith. The word "personal" has all in it. Every individual has different ways of existence, which no one challenges. Similar is the case with "faith". When joined, it becomes a solid affair. Hence the reaction. Intolerance has no meaning here.<br /><br />No religion is great in itself...its all ones efforts and great deeds that make a religion.....its only within India where all religions rest...one should firstly never compare any religion...after all ....every religion was given birth by a God....and again....God is one.....!! people go hyper and definitely lack tolerance and that is the reason why they react so aggressively...they themselves compare their religion with others and then start with the criticisms.....why don't they understand that if .............."EVERYTHING WOULD BE PERFECT, THEN A PENCIL WON'T HAD A RUBBER ON HER HEAD!"<br /><br />People react with anger when sensible questions are asked because the reason is that they don’t know the answer which might convince the other person. People also do not like to apply their mind to give some sensible answer and sometime it so happens that the person who has asked the question may be of a different religion so one feels that he is taunting his religion. People feel sometime that their answer might go against their action which may be right or wrong.<br /><br />For one thing religion is a sensitive and heart-touching subject and may rub or touch a nerve or two of some one. May cause angry outbursts. So one should be extremely careful while dealing with any aspect of religion. It is not always possible that the answers will always please everyone. Somebody may not take it in good strides depending upon his frame of mind at that moment.<br /><br />Together with intolerance, they only appear to be religious and not at all truly religious. Truly religious people always experience their religion and no religion by itself is aggressive. So truly religious people are always calm and ready to share their intimate experience in religion.<br /><br />Learn from animal kingdom the stronger the animal the least reactive it is to smaller cohabitants. An elephant seldom reacts to monkeys; the lion does not really mind foxes loitering around. It is the strength of wisdom and maturity that provides patience.<br />The lesser one has the more reactive in all likelihood.......we have anecdotes in almost all Indian languages conveying "Thohtha Chana Baje ghana." Hollow create noises.<br /><br />If a person who is eligible to comment on that when asked will not react. When he is living with people of all caste, creed and habits he should not react. But at times when they tend to provoke knowing that you are from the other community for fun, the people who react are emotional. There are different types of people good or bad in all communities. Sensible person should not react with anger. All god is one and only we follow different culture and habits by virtue. You must always have self-confidence<br />that you respect your religion above all and not carried away by these questions and criticism by others.<br /><br />It is only intolerance and added point with not knowing much about the religion followed.<br /><br />Because the people are having blind faith in their religion, that's why they could not tolerate any single word against their religion. It's only happened due to the shortage of proper research on religion & language.<br /><br />1. May be they do not want their religion to be less than other.<br />2. Sometimes making it an issue to create jealousy to others.<br />3. Because of the experience in their life, they need to blame someone else for their deeds and throw their frustration out.<br /><br />Ignorance and only ignorance is the main reason.<br /><br />Due to insufficient knowledge. Proper Education gives us softness, polite and gentleness. When we are not a position to understand each other then only we react.<br /><br />Religion is based on the faith. The most important impact of the religion is being positive and optimistic in attitude. Asking sensible question on religion may hurt faith and sentiments of a person. Then people who have a degree of tolerance power may tolerate but in case of scarcity of tolerance people obviously outburst. Actually religion is not a personal matter. It is related with sentiments and faith of millions of people. So while commenting on such a sensible matter, we must be careful that your question must not hurt any body.<br /><br />We Indians are mainly divided in three religions - Hindu, Muslim & Christian. Other religions like Sikh and Jain are originated from Hinduism and Muslim religions. From ancient times many races with their different religions came to India like the Huns, the Parthians and many more. But none of their religions are in existence in present day. They mingled with the Hindu religion. Because they did not posses a rich culture of their own, while Hindus were thriving with great intellectual property .So they took the culture and religion of Hindus as their own, of course keeping some of their own rituals intact. This mix of culture can be seen in the GANDHAR style of art.<br /><br />But the case was not the same with the Muslims and the Christians, they possessed a great wealth of their own culture which were completely different from what flourished in Indian soil. They never really mixed, specially in higher society.<br />In spite of this problem, Indians could have lived in peace but there were greater obstacles. Religion is a vast idea, in Hindu mythology; this word has been used to express nearly a thousand different meanings. But today what we, the common people follow is merely a bunch of meaningless rituals. We are almost in dark about the great virtues religions taught us. And as our religion is cut-off from it's stems, it becomes very easy for orators and political leaders to provoke us in the name of religion. The British understood this fact properly and so do present day politicians. Education was considered to be the medicine but today we see engineers and scholars as Muslim Jihadees and Hindu communals. I try not to be negative, but my friend, when I think of all these, I don't really see a quick solution. If you are really concerned you can e-mail me at "mainakputatunda@yahoo.co.in". Goodbye.<br /><br />People react with anger because they feel out of control of the given situation. There are some who are religious fanatics who have this intolerance. What they fail to understand is we are human beings first creation of the supreme God. Religion is man made for his own convenience. If each one understands this, the world will be a better place to live in.<br /> Religion, religious preaching, and practices should push the practitioner to the Spirituality orbit. Apparently the fault will be in the individual, and preaching and not the religion if the persons do not evolve and revolve in the spiritual orbit. Hindu preaching is Dharma based. It is learned and imbibed in an open University system with an open mind. They practice and practice praying God for entering the Spiritual orbit. Generation to generation they strive in this direction. Money, material and other attractions do not deter their determination. Hence India is a Veda Bhoomi and Karma Bhoomi. Our tolerance should be at Zero Level. Christian conversions with wrong methods may give short spell enjoyment to the persons involved. But they are doing lot of damage to the Religion and Revered Christ. I have my feeling that Lord Krishna and Christ are one and the same. Intolerance, looses the Vivekam and grab negativity, sufferings</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-35663107497939015412007-05-01T04:15:00.000+05:302007-05-01T04:17:31.642+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Can dark complexioned (black) parents beget fair complexioned (white) children?<br /><br />More on this question: - A Commercial Evangelist presented a benefactor family of his prayers on the T V screen in his home production. He monitors the conversation with nodding gestures and promptings for the viewers to learn that the couple of jet- black complexion had no issues for several years and through his prayers the woman conceived and a child was born. The presented child was highly fair complexioned – in local term ‘white’. Is this possible genetically? Can this happen through divine intervention? The related context is that we read in News papers of Hindu statues drinking milk and Christian statues shedding tears – all period bound! Are we a nation of faith healers and faith gulpers?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">ANSWERS: -<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">1. Biologically, it is possible for two parents with relatively dark skin to have a child with relatively light skin - and the other way around; the difference isn't usually very dramatic, but it's often there. Skin color is the result of a very complex interaction of a variety of different genes and developmental conditions.<br /><br />2. Dark skinned people may have an albino baby.<br />Short of that, I do not think it is possible to have a child with skin radically lighter than both of its parents. I do not thing this happened by divine intervention, I see no reason why God would do this.<br /><br />3. My mother is dark skinned. My father is dark skinned. I am not dark skinned or adopted. God was not involved since both are atheists.<br /><br />4. It's genetic. That's something most of us learned about in our junior high life science class. The grid for skin color is fairly large, so the variations of skin color can be vast.<br /><br />5. This is similar to what was once a tenant of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.<br />It can happen if there was a light skinned person in the family history, and that child received those genes.<br /> <br />6. Sure can, and I have seen just this...<br /><br />7. Yes if you get a white,Mexican,Spanish,Italian or any other light skined race and mix with the black man /black woman and they will have light skined children.<br /><br />8. It is definitely possible in terms of an Albino child, but I doubt it has anything to do with divine intervention so much as genetics and anomalies.<br />I know a black man and woman who have three white children, and that was purely because they were born albino. They all have fair hair and grey eyes, but still retain features of their darker skinned parents.Other than that, I don't know! Scientifically, what you're talking about is probably an Albino child.<br /><br />9. It may be possible through Niyoga. Niyoga is the concept of Hinduism wherein husbands get wives impregnated through pious, healthy, smart and well built religious persons. This is not an ancient practice but present and future also since it is supported by sacred scriptures. However most of the people do not practise it, though it may be helpful for such very black, short heighted, sick, genetically ailing, hereditarily suffering, mentally retarded, psychologically unfit husbands.<br /><br />10. We lack scientific temperament as a race<br /><br />11. Simple: Use "OUTSOURCING".<br />"ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION".<br /><br />12. This is genetically impossible. Besides which GOD loves people of all races--so why did the baby have to be white?<br /><br />13. Absolutely. Just check the records.<br /><br />14. If the wife has white male friends.<br /><br />15. Yes, that is entirely possible and it has happened before. The fair child may have genetics related to a relative of long ago who may have been white. White is not better; it just is a color.<br /><br />16. Yes, definitely. I have seen it happen in my family. I have also seen a dark skinned child be born to white couples with mixed racial backgrounds.<br /> Additionally, there is a famous case that happened recently when twin girls were born with radically different complexions. Snopes has photos of the girls with their parents. The blonde-haired blue-eyed girl looks a bit out of place, but is their biological child.</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-1300432599946566882007-05-01T04:04:00.000+05:302007-05-01T04:09:10.848+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION: -</strong></span></div><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Do not churches open a window for Faith Merchants and Blessings-brokers against the tenets of Christianity?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">At all the Christianity 'baiting and bashing carnivals' we find men in colourful so-called holy robes sharing the podium with faith traders who fleece the naives and gullible of their money on several guises to build up huge personal assets. Jesus Christ drove away the moneychangers from the church and to me His accredited followers go on adulterating the basic concepts of Christianity by gifting credibility to the faith merchants who are hell-bent on amassing wealth. Should not we all join together and fight this evil trend?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Whoa girl, you can write! I agree with you 100% but I am far more fascinated by your writing. You are great!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">1. As a Christian Preacher, writer and Evangelist I take exception to your statement.<br />I work a full time job, overtime and all, to support my family.<br />I have never taken one red cent from a Church or Church member.<br />My web-site, http://www.anchorpoint.org, is paid for my me and I do not accept donations.<br />Don't believe me, check it out for yourself.<br />http://www.anchorpoint.org<br /><br />2. Not fight, but continue to serve God by offering the truth to those with ears to hear.<br /><br />3. Jesus drove away those who where selling things to get their sins forgiven.<br />Today, the problem is not if you are selling Bibles or christian books.<br />The problem is when people sell things to get their sins forgiven.<br />Like the Catholic church selling indulgencies.<br />4. Just don’t go to the ones you don’t want to see<br /><br />5. Some denominations absolutely forbid the exchange of money or the "selling" of even religious material under the same roof as the worship center or sanctuary.<br /><br />But you are right. Especially in Charismatic and Pentecostal churches, the pastors actually invite speakers with merchandise to sell, just so they can fleece the flock. I have seen it too many times.<br /><br />6. Yes, but you are talking about the minority -- most of our pastors in our local churches are just regular guys making less than some factory workers and working way more hours with no union! The guys you are against are those send-me-all-your-money guys on TV -- they are not true to God's calling.<br /><br />7. It's not charlatans like Cashflow Dollar and the rest we have to fight. It is the ignorance, gullibility, magical thinking that we have to combat. Where there are sheep there are wolves. We need to turn the sheep into bears. Then the Benny Hinns and Peter Popoffs and their ilk can go get jobs they are morally qualified for like running elevators.<br /><br /> 8. Those aren't Christ's followers!<br />He prophesied about them - as His Enemies:<br /><br />"A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power?<br />And then will I say to them, I never had knowledge of you: go from me, you workers of evil." -- Matthew 7:22,23<br /><br />“There will ... be false teachers among you. These ... will quietly bring in destructive sects & ... disown even the owner that bought them . . . Also, with covetousness they will exploit you with counterfeit words.<br />And a great number will go ... in their evil ways, through whom the true way will have a bad name.<br />And in their desire for profit they will come to you with ... deceit, like traders doing business in souls: whose punishment has been ready for a long time ... their destruction is watching for them.” -- 2 Pet. 2:1- 3<br /><br />Religion---How Should It Be Financed? :<br />- Giving Until It Hurts? [OR],<br />- Giving That Brings Joy!:<br />- - - Tithing and the Law<br />- - - Christian Giving<br />- - - "As He Has Resolved In His Own Heart"<br />- - - Voluntary GIving Today<br />- - - Did the Early Church Fathers Teach Tithing? [No.]<br />http://watchtower.org/e/20021201/article...<br /><br />I trust that God can take care of matters. His plan is already in the works. It is just a matter of a little more time ...<br /><br />The End of False Religion Is Near!<br />- What Is False Religion?<br />- How Will It End? ...<br />http://www.watchtower.org/e/kn37/article...<br /><br />9. It is there everywhere.But some exempted are also there.<br /><br />10. Jesus said "for many will come in my name. Do not be fooled."Also said was "They will want their ears tickled." In other words, they will love the liars. Boy do these guys know how to lie. Yes, it is appalling. What's more is their gall to take their money, so they can live like kings. I hate to think what’s going to happen to them.</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><br /> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -<br /><br /></span></strong><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Do you agree that striking of that "in-law" relationship with sincerity can improve harmony in home living?<br />The "in-law" term used in relationship in a family does indicate, promote and sustain a fabricated relationship. Agreed, you can never convert that relationship into a natural one. But still when one enters into that relationship and sincerely and determinedly make an effort to build up bonds equal to that of a natural one a certain amount of harmony can be maintained at home. In fact wisdom demands it. All over the world the 'Mother-in -law' and the 'daughter-in-law' relationships are viciously looked at and stories and jokes abound on it. But those who have done away that 'in-law' term are many and they are happy although it is a very difficult task. If from childhood this healthy relationship is preached there can be a lot of difference in family relationship in general. So why should not we have 'father, mother, brother, sister etc.' erasing that 'in-law' tag in our life. A very sensitive subject indeed! Deliberate in detail and respond, please<br /></span>. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#990000;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />If we call a horse a monkey will that change the inherent nature of our feeling toward it?<br /><br />No matter what you call your spouse's mother, you should strive to have a good, friendly, reciprocal relationship with her as well as her father. And your wife should be doing the same with your parents. But it takes years to develop the depth of intimacy with "in-laws" as with your own parents.</span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#990000;">OTHER ANSWERS: -</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">1. Why does it matter what you call them? I have a mother in law and a step mother in law...I get along with one but not the other. No matter what I called one of them she would still be an awful human being who was horrible to my husband when he was a child.<br />A name is just a name and has no impact on what the relationship will be.<br /><br />2. I agree with you. The in law term should be stricken. Then it would be more like family. I try not to call my sister in law an in law. She is closer to me than my own sisters. Me and my mother in law don’t use that term. It makes us closer. We connect on a different level cuz I am like her own child. People don’t look at us any different and they don’t know she is my in law. Children should be raised with that kind of thinking. Their mother in law is no worse or better than their mother. OR father or sister or brother.<br />We are a bunch of people that spend time together a couple times of year. And we all have watched us grow and change. That is what family is about. I have seen my sister in law grow, get married and now having children. Same as my sister. So family is family without the in law.<br />thank you.<br /><br />3. Never try to erase this term accept them as they are and it will be fine, a mother and daughter can take each other for granted and fight and get back together if the same if you try with in laws may be in lakh one might succeed but at the same time if you try to maintain your limits in everything then life might be better than the usual because there never is a hassle in a home always the development of hatred or misunderstanding seed is sown by either the relatives or the neighbours or some close associated in both the sides in the name of sympathising these things are created. If you are shroud enough not to discuss any of the family issues to any body not even to parents or your own kith and kin then you will view life to be very smooth. But mo human can develop that habit every body has a Naradha inside them who creates controversies.<br /><br />4. Very true! 'in-laws' at home are actually 'out-laws'! mature, civilized living is, living in harmony!<br /><br />5. Yes.I think this is true. The fact is that a closeness and a comfortable zone is required for a healthy relationship. So if a "mother-in-law" and "daughter-in-law" think themselves as mother and daughter, then that can lead to a good harmony in family life .But it is difficult at times when they have very different mentality. Still both should try their level best and realize and accept these things. Then the life will be beautiful and colorful.This will improve harmony in our family.<br /><br />6. I agree that there are some great mother/daughter in law relationships out there. I have one of my own. My mother 'in law' is the greatest person. She helps us with the children she is there for any need that we may have, I help her with things, we go many places together and our relationship is great. I also have my own mother who I love deeply and do much of the same with her. She lives 2 hours away from me so it’s hard for her to be here all the time. On the other hand I know people who have mother 'in law' relationships that aren't so great. I don't know why and never understood all the jokes and such because it isn't as bad as it is made to sound.<br /><br />7. It is just a term no different from husband, mother, father etc.<br /><br />What is more important then the label is the acceptance of your new extended family and what role they will play in your life.<br /><br />Start looking at them as a new addition to the family that will offer you insight into your husband and how he relates to them.<br /><br />If he has a good relationship with his family chances are you will to.<br /><br />If his relationship with his family is distant chances are yours will be as well.<br /><br />What is more important then any label, is the relationship itself.<br /><br />I am not sure if changing the title will solve the problem.<br /><br />If you have a problem with the label do not use it.<br /><br />Refer to your in-laws by their names, or introduce them as your husband or wifes parents.<br /><br />You could say this is Louise my husbands mother.<br /><br />This is Mrs and Mr so and so by husbands parents.<br /><br />You need not use the term in law at all.<br /><br />Your relationship with your spouses family is just that.<br />Do not get caught up in how society thinks.<br /><br />8. No. The words "In-law" are not the problem.<br /><br />The problem with the parents comes from refusing to cut the umbilical cord and wanting to continue to be the guiding influence for their child's life.<br /><br />The problem with the child is not wanting to trust the spouse and wanting to rely on the parent or parents.<br /><br />The problem with the spouse is jealousy toward the in-laws because they cannot make a decision between the two of them without in put from the in-laws.<br /><br />The reality of the whole thing is that as a young person getting married you are used to relying on your parent's wisdom and don't want to appear dumb or make a wrong decision.<br /><br />A parent finds it hard to let the child go and wants to keep the child, even though married, from making mistakes which can be avoided.<br /><br />The spouse becomes infuriated because it seems like a lack of trust in their judgment if the other partner goes to consult the parents.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#006600;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#006600;"> There is also the jealousy of "ownership" when an in-law or spouse refers to someone as "my son, daughter, wife, husband, etc."</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-87409781365820946302007-05-01T03:25:00.000+05:302007-05-01T03:28:19.221+05:30<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: - </span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Religions flourish under suppressed thoughts and misconceived fears! Do you agree?<br />My explanation! I believe in a single universal God common to all; but worshipped as different entities (deities), religion-wise. I also understand and appreciate the role of religions in propagating its faiths. But religions as of today has an ugly face as a divider of humanity and an asylum to evil forces, baiters of God and squeezers of the knave. Religions have now turned as the supreme commercial entity run by trained personnel with ignorant shareholders. None fights against because of imaginary reprisals from the ultimate power that is God. And God is in fact most loving and benevolent.</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#ff6600;">Excuse me, but religion hasn't transformed. We have.<br /><br />If I give you a knife, you can carve beautiful things out of it or hurt someone. You choose to hurt someone. Whose fault is it, yours or knives? Why blame religion for all that's happening around the world. We are the sole beings responsible for it.<br /><br />If we stop paying attention to those who misuse religion and carry on with our own lives, we could help the issue. But we choose to join one or the other such group. It's all our fault.<br /><br />All the best...<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Other answers: -<br /><br />1. Did you just find a way to try to make people afraid that they should believe like you? Peace be with you<br /><br />2. Well, sometimes, yes. But you can't blanket all religions or specifically, all congregations of any one religion, under your statement. There are religions who behave that way, and a lot that do not.<br />You will find a specific congregation of one religion who behaves that way, but then another congregation of that same religion in a different place will not.<br /><br />3. Religions may just do their flourishing as you suggest. Christ and His Kingdom and Family have NOTHING to do with any religion at all. Your premise fails there.<br /><br />4. There can be no religions unless men organize and control it.<br />So why don't you blame man ...and not religion?<br /><br />5. While it is true that religion seem to flourish when it is suppressed, for example the early Christian church, and in the U.S.S.R. when religion was frowned upon, the church did flourish, as did other religions.<br />But while fear or the threat of Hell might convince someone to accept religion, is is only a temporary acceptance and they soon return to their original lifestyle.<br />The only real way to true conversion, or belief is through the sharing of God's love.<br /><br />6. Any religion that goes about trying to convert because 'Our Religion Is The Only Way' is ignorant, tyrannical and highly dangerous. All the terrible wars we have suffered through Milena in the name of religion have been more devastating than both World Wars put together.<br /><br />In that respect the Zoroastrians score the highest. They do not allow conversion into their faith and so have not had to fight any wars to show how wonderful their religion is. When asked if his religion is the best a true Zoroastrian will say, "No. Second best." When asked which religion is best, he will reply with a little smile, "Yours!" The matter ends there and everyone is happy.<br /><br />7. Religion is collective following of faith and is not based on suppressed thoughts and misconceived fears but it is rather seeking the solution of individual for the same and the preachers have the responsibility to correctly guide<br /><br />8. "You alone, Jehovah, are the God above all other gods in supreme charge of all the earth." (Psalms 83:18) LB<br /><br />However, there are others called gods, some of which are ideas made up by men, &, some, which have chosen to be evil.<br /><br />9. Is There Only One True God?<br />- Figments of the Imagination<br />- Jesus, the Angels, and the Devil http://www.watchtower.org/e/200602b/arti...<br /><br />I've spoken with various ones who trained at seminaries belonging to different churches, who admitted that they studied that sect's beliefs, & business management + money-making courses ... but no real Bible studying ever took place.<br /><br />Religion---How Should It Be Financed? :<br />- Giving Until It Hurts vs. Giving That Brings Joy<br />- - - Tithing and the Law<br />- - - Christian Giving<br />- - - "As He Has Resolved In His Own Heart"<br />- - - Voluntary Giving Today<br />- - - Did the Early Church Fathers Teach Tithing? [No!]<br />http://www.watchtower.org/e/20021201/art...<br /><br />I also recognize that many religions use an unhealthy fear to motivate membership & compliance ...<br /><br />Has Christendom Betrayed God and the Bible ...?<br />> Unbiblical Doctrines + Ungodly Actions = Not Christian http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/art...<br /><br />However, God Himself is actually very loving ...<br /><br />Identifying the Only True God<br />- An Identifying Name<br />- Jehovah or Yahweh?<br />- Does It Really Matter?<br />> The True God's Qualities<br />http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1999...<br /><br />Yet, a loving parent will not let their children to be brutalized indefinitely. Prophecy states that there will soon be an end to unscriptural religions, including political & other aspects of it. For anyone or organization that claims or takes on what only the Messianic government of God can accomplish, is trying to userp -- rather than support it ...<br /><br />The End of False Religion Is Near!<br />- What false religion is<br />- - How it will end<br />- - - How to identify true religion<br />http://www.watchtower.org/e/kn37/article...<br /><br />"Come close & listen. I have always told you plainly what would happen, so that you could clearly understand. ... This is what Jehovah --your repurchaser-- has said, 'I Am Jehovah your God, who punishes you for your own good and leads you along the paths that you should follow. O if only you would have paid attention to my commandmnents! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river, and your righteousness would be like great waves of the sea." -- Isaiah 48:16-18 (Living Bible + NWT)<br /><br />Is There Sound Basis for One's Beliefs?<br />- Your Right to Believe<br />- - Belief Versus Truth<br />- Why Do You Believe What You Believe?<br />- - Brought Up to Believe It?<br />- - Educated to Believe It?<br />- - Influenced by the Media?<br />- - Finding a SOUND Basis for Belief<br />http://www.watchtower.org/e/20010801/art...<br /><br />10. No I don't agree! Religion / Religions never flourish where thoughts are suppressed and fears misconceived. Exposure of thoughts and existence of fear of GOD are the main sources to flourish the Religion. I agree with you "Supreme commerciality of Religions" but you know root of every thing is in the family "the parents / guardians", if this basic unit of society is truthful to its' members with literate sense of belongingness to the humanity, things would be better and entire humanity on Earth would be threaded as a one garland which is always fresh.<br />And let me tell you Religions never separate the humanity! it always brings together, this truth I had seen in my life period at the age, bittern 5 - 20 yrs, not in one family / village / community but at many and many places.<br />Being materialistic and commercializing various aspects in human life is not wrong but not at the cost of loosing moral values.<br /><br />11. No. Religion is born out of freedom of thought, belief and practice. There is no religion where thoughts are suppressed and stubborn fears are acceptable. From the great religions, one thing is common, they all tell people how to live peacefully, harmoniously. Today's so called religious practises are reflection of the social evil thoughts and practise thereof. Furthermore the glitter is so much that it blinds the people and deviates from right path. True religion and the god do not talk of reprisals and fears it is so called god-man who preaches so to confuse the masses.<br /><br />12. Agreed totally.<br /><br />The fear of the unknown and the curiosity to know the unknown will always remain, until we understand the supreme.<br /><br />And you are right in saying that the Supreme Being is one only, for all of us. Those with vested interests do not allow this universal philosophy to gain strength, and they take advantage of the vulnerable.<br /><br />13. So does belief in god if you think so negative just enjoy religions they save your culture don’t take them so seriously?<br /><br />14. For the time being we will forget about god.<br /><br />But all most all religions go away from god and Godliness. You must have seen people who boast about their religions, do against everything which their religion has preached. Certain religions have many gods who fight among themselves.<br /><br />My religion-Hinduism says there is only one God but you can see millions of Gods everywhere in temples to footpaths. People spend lots of their ill gotten wealth in these temples. People stand in queue for days/hours together to pour money in coffers of temple but will not pay a single pie to the poor.<br /><br />Certain religious people who will not hurt even a fly will fleece people with high interest or selling spurious food/medicine since their religion did not say anything about it.<br /><br />There is a religion, which preached about non-killing of lives. But today they eat everything that moves and are in all south Asian countries.<br /><br />Certain religions have rules to pray, eat etc and most of the religions do not allow any questions to be raised against their practices and punishes the fellow who question them.<br /><br />But everybody forgets that all religions are man made and that there can be only one God and cannot have many gods since god is extremely powerful.<br /><br />If there are many gods will they not fight among themselves to find who is superior among them and if they fight then they will lose that position.<br /><br />Godliness is extremely great. It is incomparable. It marks only the good and wants everybody to be good. God does not bother whether one prays to him or not, whether anybody offers any thing or not.<br /><br />HE wants everybody to be good. You see in real life two sections of one west Asian religion are fighting and killing themselves.<br /><br />Sometimes back another religious people in the highly civilised UK of two different sects fought among themselves for years together.<br /><br />Which God wanted this?<br /><br />People should come out of the nutshell and think.<br /><br />15. There are some people who are exploiting the sentiments of people in the name of religion. But we ourselves have to change this and if start respecting the sentiments of other religion and become more tolerant, then, I don't see we can't do away with it. If start loving human kind, then nothing like this will exist. All religion preaches love and this is the very essence of ever religion.<br /><br />16. There is only one religion propounded by 186, 000 prophets since Adam, refined and revamped according to the requirement of society but the practice depended upon the intellectual level of that particular society and culture as such prophets appeared periodically. Religion is meant to free you from the burdens of superstitions and fears of human beings, provide you confidence and seek protection of God who is just, benevolent, caring more than mothers as he created all the beings .Religions cannot flourish under coercion and suppression of thinking but it is rather the religiosity which overtakes the human minds ;that is the time that due to his utmost love and affection for mankind sends new prophets to help mankind for developing courage and conviction for enlightened life.<br /><br />17. Perhaps Vedas are the real source for mankind to live very happily. Because, Bhagwadgita, or any other in this directions shows the dharma. However, the so-called Religions are flourshing, spreading with cynical thoughts and rule the World and claiming that their way only reaches GOD. However, the persons who are really in search of spirituality would come out from religion evolving through Religion but not hating other Religions or other Dharma Sastras. Now money, power is pushing the persons to Ayomayam (total ambiguity).<br /><br />18. Hi - it could take hours to answer this and add my thoughts - however am tired! :-)<br />unfortunately I don't think religion has very much to do with god - it is Man made in the state it is in today.<br />a god that demands blind faith or burning in hell ... ????<br />a god that demands war be brought upon another whose thoughts are independent and different ???<br />to me.....god is the most loving - we are all a part of the unconditional love - and to question who we are and why, is - I hope - what part of being a spiritual human being is and not simply a human animal</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-33900276474386962212007-05-01T03:10:00.000+05:302007-05-01T03:14:23.699+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION: -<br /></strong></span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Does it make sense that God answers only tearful prayers? Evangelists make us believe so. Is God that cruel?<br /><br />More on this question:<br />I am a little sadistic. I get maximum entertainment viewing blessings-brokers parading the healed to add to their credibility, claiming that God answered their prayers through tearful prayers. When they pray, they cry, - no tears please - and distort their faces and features and raise their hands copying Jesus Christ in His prayers. Is our God that cruel that He makes us cry? Evangelists say that Satan sow diseases and Christ runs after and heals the victim - only after registering their tearful prayers. Why Jesus Christ allows Satan to do this evil? We believe we were His creations and does He not have a duty and responsibility to look after our welfare, as we did not choose this life we possess? Our earthly fathers take this responsibility far more seriously and are to be emulated by Heavenly-beings. I believe in the Ultimate that is our God and I am unable to digest this senseless nonsense? The image of God is tarnished by His own creations and they indulge in faith abuses.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">ANSWERS: -<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">1. No, he most certainly does not have a duty to us. I'm sorry your only exposure to prayer has been of the tearful, mournful kind, but that's like asking why all rock and roll songs are about politics. They aren't, and much prayer is done with a joyous, grateful spirit. What I see you doing is what I did most of my life, which is to presume that God should or shouldn't do such and such a thing. You're just looking at the wrong believers, that's all. We are not all like that. Why not just recognize that imperfect people are going to respond to God in a variety of ways, most often imperfectly, and instead of assuming their God is not the real God, accept that they, me, and even you might not perfectly represent Him in our lives? Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and petition, make your requests known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.<br /><br /><br />2. Jesus never told his followers to act like idiots, or say stupid things...<br />If someone is sorry for their sins, doing their best, and needs help.... God will answer the prayers....they do not have to cry on TV for god to hear them...<br /><br />3. God hears the sincere prayers of those who are His... He dose not hear the prayers of the non-believers who have not come to Him in The Way He prescribes... and he dose not hear the in-sincere prayers of the believers either.... God dose not answer every prayer with an affirmative.<br /><br /><br />4. Evangelists are money grubbing, hair spray using, liers, cheaters, embezzlers who will take every cent from the naive and gullible.<br /><br />5. How could a creation reveal anything but a "tarnished" vision of its creator? A pot can hardly reveal the slight curve on the potters fingers let alone imagine the make of intentions of its creator outside of its own being. for us to truly know God we can but believe to know. God by definition being perfection and the all to obvious assumption that humans are flawed means again we cant truly "know" in perfection what is perfect.<br />Tearful prayers are a sad outcome of our society. When things are going good we take care of ourselves, when its tough we don’t want to deal and pass down the burden to a simple idea of someone who listens and takes away our pain that we so rightfully deserve. So my advice, when you encounter pain cleave onto it learning to love it for what it is for through pain come true pleasure.<br /><br />6. TV Evangelists are all on the Forbes 400 list of richest men in America. They are really good at what they do to get on TV.<br />They are super rich and have multimillion-dollar mansions and whole fleets of jets and cars and servants and they are the highest paid movie stars on record. So they say what causes you to send money! They are all about the money and do very little good with the money except get rich. Have gold faucets and the Bakers had air-conditioned doghouse.<br />They build hospitals and colleges but they are not free. They to make them money and remember it is all tax-free. They try to sound respectable by being against something we all are like abortion or Gay's but there is very few of the viewing public that are that or do that.<br />So it doesn't really hurt their contributions. They are for big business and the Republican party, who is also for big business.<br />They say be good but carefully staying away from what good means. Like adultery or lies or fornication. Knowing most of the viewing public is doing those things. They are the modern day snake oil salesmen. But hardly authorities on what God does.<br /><br />7. I believe God loves us & when we pray he some times says yes , no or wait . some times we cry & other time we don't . I don't think that matters. When we pray in an unforgiving state it blocks our prayers from getting to God .<br />He does not controal us or others . Some times others do bad things to us & our familys . Bad things started to happen when Aden & Eve were cast out of the garden of eden . They did not obey God .<br />Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom comes. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.<br />I know life isn't always what we want it to be, but prayer always helps, putting us in the right frame of mind. Open to Gods will<br />God Bless You .<br /><br /><br />8. To logically challenge your mind about the existence of God check out godisimaginary.com. It offers 50 logical questions to cause believers to think.<br /><br />I think careful deliberate thought has more credibility than blind faith in emotional prayers. Read godisimaginary.com and then decide what you believe.<br /><br />Also, read whywontgodhealamputees.com<br /><br />9. You are right in the sense the image of god is tarnished by his own creation by exactly not knowing him self. Supreme god father paramapita shiva is point of light energy speaking now through medium of prajapita brahma, saying that my sweet children i am your almighty father, I am love full, I am bliss full, peaceful. he never be a cruel. he will not sent a Satan on his creation to do evil to his children. Satan is in our thoughts. now god is liberating us from that Satan thoughts with clear knowledge. he is saying that i am the care taker of all the universe.<br />he does not answer only our tearful prayers. god will show kindness on all his children. we may not mercy for him. its our birth right.<br /><br />10. Tears make us realise where do we stand. Knowledge of where do we stand helps us a lot to be less confused so that we can be clearer in our prayers. By praying we give indirect suggestion to us to fulfill our desires which finally leads to" Answers".<br /><br />11. God is Truth and so He only understands the language of Truth. Happiness is a sign purity and spirituality whereas sorrow is a sign that some impurity is there. Being the Source of Purity He is also blissful so He naturally wishes see us Blissful also because He has so much Love for us. Some truly pray to God only when they are in trouble and have to cry. Anyway it is enough to ask God once with truth in your heart, then if it is meant to be He will fulfill the wish in His own way and at His own time. Just have full love and trust for Him and regard for whatever, whenever and however He gives, because He would naturally give what, when and how it is best for us, no? Of course, there is also the good advice "Do your best and leave the rest for God". Sometimes our eyes may become little watery because of happiness when we think of God, but i am sure no one would be disturbed by that....:)<br /><br />12. The Creators strength is made perfect in weakness.<br />Doesn't it take a lot of pain to make a hardheaded man<br />turn to Our Creator?<br />However, the Source of Life doesn't want basket cases<br />as followers!<br />I say something often which offends people, But I'm trying to make a point. King David said, "I WILL LOOK<br />UP!"<br />I tell others all the time. Don't stand there with your head down, looking into hell. LOOK UP! For you are a Child<br />of God!<br /><br /><br />13. Have you ever heard a child in a store saying “Gimmie, I want that, I want it now! I gotta have it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!”? Then he or she falls on the floor, screaming, kicking and crying. What does that make you feel like giving that child? Probably not what he/she is asking for.<br /><br />Then there is the child who picks up something and says “Can I have this please...please...?" But when he or she is told no, he looks at it and puts it back. You know he/she is thinking “I know we don't have the money for that now even though I really want it. Maybe we will get rich someday and I will get everything I always wanted just like that kid at school.”<br /><br />Now which child would you be most likely to give something to? Yet, aren't we all the children of God, (i.e. Creator, All-That-Is, Father, Allah, the Buddha, Universal Force, Jehovah, Goddess, Master, Sam, Joe, Joan) It doesn't matter what name you call your God, He or She is allowing your soul to use your body for a reason. He hears your prayers. Which child does He hear the most? I know His love is unconditional but do we ever listen to ourselves as God hears us? And do we ever sit still quietly enough and long enough to hear His answer?<br /><br />Some people only turn to God in a time of need or crisis, they make promises or beg for help then they feel guilty afterwards because they had not given God a thought for such a long time. After the crisis is over, they will again forget to turn to Him or acknowledge God in their lives. God understands and really does not hate any of us no matter how often we do or do not talk to Him.<br /><br />God is with us and in us every moment of our lives. He feels, understands and experiences everything we do. He has a sense of humor, a compassion and a love that is Omni (ie-greater than a human can experience). He hears us even when we are not speaking to Him and even when we do not think He is listening. He is always present.<br /><br />Just as we may hate what our children do sometimes, we could never really hate our children. So it is with God. We are His children, He may hate what we do sometimes, but He never really hates us for doing it. He understands that we are souls in a human body using a limited capacity human brain and we are going to make mistakes. He knew that when he allowed us to come here. He did not make us perfect for a reason. We have to learn and He teaches us just like we teach our children.<br /> Talk to God when you think of Him. You can call him whatever you want, He will understand. It does not matter what name you call a friend as long as you keep in touch sometimes, you will remain close friends. And a real friend understands that you have not had time to call lately but you still remain friends. So it is with God. He is our Friend. No matter how often we do or do not call Him, no matter what we call Him (or Her if that is your preference) and no matter what we say, God is always listening. He is listening even when we don't think He is. We are His children. He is our Father and our Friend. Thank God</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-49955202622567200312007-05-01T03:08:00.000+05:302007-05-01T03:10:25.054+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -</span></strong><br /></span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Can you enlighten me on funny superstitions that are being practiced around you?</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Here is one! Yesterday morning I watched a T V programme titled ‘Kottankulangara Chamaya Vilakku’ telecast in Malayalam, an Indian language of Kerala origin. It was a temple festival that paraded thousands of people who looked similar to transgender in female attire; but were not. They were all macho males, dressed up as women in fulfillment of their vows for prayers answered by their Goddess. Most surprising and disgusting - enticing too - were those with good curves who were all semblance of prosperity; educated and cultured male Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, Teachers, Computer Professionals etc., made up as women. They narrated the rewards the Goddess gave them; job, job promotion, spouse, wealth, property and what not! A show with a difference? At Evangelic carnivals the blessings brokers pray; results not revealed always. This temple show! Thanks-giving for blessings in kind! And we live in 21st Century!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">1. My girl friend will never walk over three drains no matter what you say. She thinks its bad luck!<br /><br />2. I am superstitious about spiders I let them live because they are supposedly a sign of wealth to come ....I am not rich yet<br /><br />3. My old roommate used to spit on the broom if it brushed her feet. So gross!<br /><br />4. I don't see the festival you described as "superstitious" so much. I think it's fine if they wish to do this to worship the Goddess. If they get fulfillment from it, let them do it. I don't think they are hurting anyone.<br /><br />5. Yeah around here there is this superstition that if they don't have an overabundance of police then social order will break<br /><br />6. Some say that you should not cut your hair and your nails on Saturdays ... I still don’t know the reason<br /><br />7. Leting the main door of the home kept wide open in the evenings so that goddess of wealth enters our home.<br />One should not sleep in the evening for the same reason.<br />Cleaning the house after 18.00 is strictly wrong.<br />Giving sharp objects to others in need will cut the relation among them.<br />Cats walking across while we go on an important matter.<br />Seeing dead birds, dead mans procession, widows, on our way out.<br /><br />8. Black cats are witches people say that .That is really weird and also don’t cross the road when a cat crossed it its bad luck wait for two minutes. Seems like some people really hate cats.<br /><br />9.<br />1.Calorie intake needs to be a specified amount<br />2.Vaccinations<br />3.Meat won't kill you<br />4.Alcohol hurts the drinker only- or people the drinker comes into direct contact with<br />5.Books are bad for you<br />6.Roadkill is always dead<br />7.What doesn't kill you makes you stronger<br />8.Cars, planes, trains, and subways are safe transportation<br />9.Stars falling-nothing to be concerned about10.Electricity is not bad for the eyes, and is not unhealthy in any other way, either </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-67718537752997604742007-05-01T03:01:00.000+05:302007-05-01T03:08:13.173+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION: -</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">What is the gender of Satan? Does He/She/Transgender resembles anything living? What details holy Book gives on it?<br /><br />More on this question: - It is projected in TV Evangelism on the Screen as one with two horns, fleshy in the middle, black and with an earth-touching tail. Since the total figure is cast in silhouette, one cannot identify the gender even with an eagerly and searching look all over it. No offence is meant. Sincerely speaking I am confused. What do they do? Who has deputed it to do all the evils and only the evils? Why no power can prevent it from doing nasty things? How they are neutralized by faith healers? Could some one explain its features and functions?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />In ancient Jewish tradition Satan is simply an angel doing the work that God assigned to Satan to do.<br /><br />The word Satan means challenger. With the idea of Satan challenging us, or tempting if you will. This description sees Satan as the angel who is the embodiment of man's challenges. This idea of Satan works closely with God as an integral part of Gods plan for us. His job is to make choosing well over evil enough of a challenge so that it becomes clear to us that there can be only one meaningful or logical choice.<br /><br />Contrast this to Christianity, which sees Satan as God's opponent. In Jewish thought, the idea that there exists anything capable of setting itself up as God's opponent would be considered polytheistic or setting up the devil to be an equally powerful polarity to god or a demigod.<br /><br />Oddly, proof for The Christian Satan/devil mythology is supposedly found in the ancient Jewish texts that were borrowed to create the bible. One can’t help but wonder how Christians came up with such a fantastically different interpretation of Gods assistant Satan in their theology.<br /><br />Other hints about Satan’s role in human relations can be seen if you look at the name Lucifer. It’s meaning in the original tongue translates as Light bearer or light bringer. Essentially the bringer of enlightenment. The temptations of the Satan idea bring all of us eventually into Gods light. Hardly the Evil entity of Christian mythology. Love and blessings<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">1. Satan is male, and his consort, Lucifer, is female. Lucifer is female because she is the “light-bearer”, the “morning star”, which is Venus. Satan is a bad dumbo and Lucifer is a wise duvet (you could compare this with Adam & Eve where Eve was the clever one and Adam was good for nothing). And yes, it’s all mythology [but true anyway].<br /><br />2. "It" is a myth. It does not exist. Satan is the antithesis to god. You can't something good, without having something else designated as evil. He is basically a cop out by people who do bad things. Satan is the entity people can blame when they do something they are ashamed of. For example, if someone has sex out of wedlock they get to say "I didn't give into the natural biology that made me become aroused. Satan tempted me, and it is Satan's fault".<br /><br />Interesting fact about Satan. The name Lucifer means "Bringer of Light" or "Enlightened One". Basically, the bringer of knowledge. Isn't interesting that the "original sin" is gaining knowledge? What ulterior motives did the original church have by making the desire to gain knowledge a sin?<br /><br />I have an interesting theory about Satan. One I would like to explore more if time would ever permit it. From the basic knowledge I have of religion, philosophy, mythology, and theology, I think it would be possible to compare, and show many similarities, between the "lives" of Socrates, Satan, Prometheus, and the one and only Jesus. There "lives" are very similar, and the goals and events in their lives are also very similar. I am sure there are more "people" throughout the worlds of theology and mythology who could also be included, but I am not aware of them all at this point.<br /><br />*Added* I will assume I got the thumbs down for saying I could present a clear comparison/ similarity between the events of the "life" of Satan and Jesus.<br /><br />3. Hi, I study in the original Texts of Christian Scripture; I wouldn't listen to a TV evangelist for advice on how many sugars to put in my tea. There is so much information on Satan in the manuscripts, that I could not possibly fit it all here, so I'll give a few facts:<br />First of all, whether or not Satan can change his gender is unknown to us; however, in the Garden of Eden he was definitely male;<br />How do I know? Because according to the Bible manuscripts, Eve's sin was not eating fruit; she was beguiled by Satan, which means, "wholly seduced".<br /><br />3.Isaiah 14:12-15<br /><br /><br />12 How you have fallen from heaven,<br />O morning star, son of the dawn!<br />You have been cast down to the earth,<br />you who once laid low the nations!<br /><br />13 You said in your heart,<br />"I will ascend to heaven;<br />I will raise my throne<br />above the stars of God;<br />I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,<br />on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. [a]<br /><br />14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;<br />I will make myself like the Most High."<br /><br />15 But you are brought down to the grave,<br />to the depths of the pit.<br /><br /> <br />4. Angels are most often portrayed as female. Probably because we think they are the most beautiful, but there is never a gender given to them in the Bible. The angel names seem to imply male, but I don't know that the Bible states they are male or female. Jesus, when answering someone’s question, said that in heaven we will be like the angels, neither marrying or giving in marriage. Some think this means that angels have no gender. In Genesis God told all creatures to go forth and multiply. This might not have been a purpose of angels. Not much of an answer, but then there's not much of an answer in the Bible.<br /><br />5. Ezekiel 28:11-19 describes Satan. He was a covering cherub in heaven (angel that was before the throne of God). That's the same as the angels built in gold on top of the Ark of the Covenant. Very bright! Bedecked with jewels. Beautiful. Not some character with horns, tail & in a red or black suit. I think that's one of his deceptions to get people thinking know way is this guy for real.<br /><br />The Bible says Satan is the father of lies - all bad comes from him. You should read "The Great Controversy Between Christ & Satan". It'll explain a lot.<br /><br />God can prevent him from doing nasty things. But, if he were destroyed before people/angels saw all his evilness then God would be worshipped from fear of punishment instead of from love. He wants us to love Him. Through this whole "controversy" that's going on Satan is revealing his true self and his time is almost up. Ezekiel 28:18-19 says that Satan will be killed by fire and will be no more. He's NOT in charge of hell for ever - he's dead.<br /><br />5. I think faith healers are frauds. There is definitely a power working there but it is not from God. The Bible says Satan works with lying wonders and can be transformed into an angel of light. Since Satan is causing the infirmity/disease he can cure it, too. One of the give-aways (Bennie Hinn is the only one I've seen) is the great show that is put on in the healing process.<br /><br />Edit: Thumbs up, Malcolm! That's why Satan is evil - everything he does is against a loving God. Satan wanted to be God, but that's impossible and He got thrown out of heaven because of all the strife he created so he hates God & His creation - us. He'll do everything in his power to bring us down with him.<br /><br />6. As far as I can tell, Satan has evolved and is no longer the evil being some people may still claim him to be.<br /><br />To speak of evil in general would be less of a misleading way of thinking. The Satan idea may have been nothing more than a remnant of European scapegoat. It wasn't a Jewish tradition in any past life memory of mine.<br /><br />7. According to Christianity there is only three holy things: God, father and holy spirit. But no women.<br />Remember that faithful apple because of which you are here?<br />So where is Idea of women came to God?<br />Why did God prohibit sex with women (eve) (for Adam not you)?<br />All this proves that Satan is a woman.<br /><br />8. Forget every thing they describe about 'Satan'. People having bad thoughts and intentions to harm others are 'Satan' and well wishers of humanity are 'Deities' irrespective of gender. All the stories are exaggeration and tantalization of this fact. No Satan or Deities are elsewhere but in the people's mind, heart and character so don't get confuse.<br />By the way, what way will you choose to be, Satan or Deity? Ha---ha---ha. Well it's up to you.<br /> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#990000;">9. But Satan refers to in Holy book as "HE" So Satan is a male....!but I have doubt when I meet my wife....!<br /><br />10. "Satan" is not a person. place or thing. It is a name human beings have given to the energy of fear. All of the feelings of hatred, anger, greed, jealousy, rage, judgment, righteousness, all come from fear. The fear that we are not connected to each other, to GOD, to the all knowing, loving, accepting, joyous source from which we ALL come. The fear that we need more love, money, stuff to have peace and happiness, that we need to prove our worth to ourselves and to each other and to GOD. That we are all sinners and bad and powerless over ourselves. These are the thoughts and feelings based in fear, they have nothing to do with GOD these are feelings that move us away from GOD and into confusion, hopelessness, and desperation. When we approach our lives through the lens of these feelings when we see the world through the lens of these feelings and we make decisions and act based on these feelings, we will most assuredly place our minds and lives in a state known as "hell". You said that no power could prevent it from doing nasty things. WRONG. We have the power, all we have to do is change your minds, and then we can change our hearts. Change your mind from confusion and fear and anger and hatred and judgment and hopelessness and turn to the energy of GOD, to love and compassion and joy and inspiration and beauty and hope. See what happens to your mind and your life when you make the switch. It's all right inside of us he has given us the power of co-creation of our lives and of the Universe. He has given us CHOICE on how we view and act in the world and our actions will always be based on what is in our hearts, what we are feeling. We need to stop looking outside ourselves for the answers and focus on what is in our hearts, clear out the negative, the fear and confusion so that we can hear. Hear what GOD is saying to us, when we realize that connection and listen we will never be confused or afraid again, for we know that we are being guided by our source in every second of every day. Our source that created us to be exactly who we are, a part of the divine, a part of him brought forth to create love and beauty in our own special way in the world that he loves so much. That is the purpose for all of us, to create his love and compassion in the world.<br /><br />11. I suggest that you turn your focus to "What is GOD" instead of what is Satan. We will always create what we are focused on. Be mindful of what you are focused on.<br /><br />12.That is a question that is unimportant for us in these last days. All I know is he is a sinful being that wants to destroy me, and I don't care about his personal attributes. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#990000;"> 13. Good question! I do know that Satan was one of God's most beautiful angels. He was one of his main angels, until it went to his head and he wanted God's power. Well that wasn't going to happen. So he became the fallen angel. But I never to question was he male or female. It was always assumed he was male. If I find out I will let you know</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-8962937687908084192007-04-30T04:14:00.000+05:302007-05-13T06:35:25.921+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>MY QUESTION:</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><div align="justify"><br /><strong><br /></strong><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">What (1) personal qualities, (2) commitments & (3) background you expect of from your present/ future husband?<br /><br />More on this question: -<br /><br />Your answer in detail covering all the three will help those (1) who live a married life and (2) plan a married life. Please respond to this question in community interest. lileeann33<br /></span><br /></strong><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Personally, I would overall look and observe him from all angle of perspective.<br />He should possess good character, have knowledge of family values and come from a good family background which projects his persona of how well to do and committed he would be in his marriage relationship with values and respect.<br /></span><br /></strong><span style="color:#993399;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. FOR A GUY. (1) Personal qualities. He has to be responsible, manly, masculine (fix things, not frilly, not heterosexual), like children, be able to work 40+ hour weeks, traditional, somewhat intelligent, strong. (2) Commitments. I'm not sure what you mean by this. I guess that he is not afraid of it and wants to marry soon. (3) Background. I am mixed race so I will never find a person of the same race as me. I think I prefer Caucasian men or Spanish men, or White mixed with another race (Mexican, Asian). He should be full-time employed, doesn't have to be super rich but needs a car and be able to live on his own and support our family<br /><br />2. I am married but currently on the path towards Divorce, after to extortion, blackmail, threat and finally desertion and that too after I refused to pay anymore to my wife's folks!!<br />To me in a marriage both Man and Woman are equal and so the qualities that one needs to look for too are the same.<br />Below is what I learned from experience:<br /><br />1. Personal Qualities - Do not fall for it. It could be covered up until after marriage.<br />2. Commitments - This also change from time to time so not dependable.<br />3. Background - This is probably the only factor that could help you learn your present / future better half including the above two factors. In fact you need to be bothered of not just his/her background but also his folk's background since upbringing has a lot of effect on a person<br /><br />3.<br />Honesty<br />Value of time , money and food<br />Sound mental and physical health<br /><br />4. A witty piece but I feel that there is some truth to it<br /><br />What I Want In A Man, Original List ... (at age 22)<br /><br />1. Handsome<br />2. Charming<br />3. Financially Successful<br />4. A Caring Listener<br />5. Witty<br />6. In Good Shape<br />7. Dresses with Style<br />8. Appreciates the Finer Things<br />9. Full of Thoughtful Surprises<br />10. An Imaginative, Romantic Lover<br /><br />What I Want In A Man, Revised List ... (at age 32)<br />1. Nice Looking - preferably with hair on his head<br />2. Opens car doors, holds chairs<br />3. Has enough money for a nice dinner at restaurant<br />4. Listens more than he talks<br />5. Laughs at my jokes at appropriate times<br />6. Can carry in all the groceries with ease<br />7. Owns at least one tie<br />8. Appreciates a good home cooked meal<br />9. Remembers Birthdays and Anniversaries<br />10. Seeks romance at least once a week<br /><br />What I Want In A Man, Revised List ... (at age 42)<br />1. Not too ugly - bald head OK<br />2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car<br />3. Works steady - splurges on dinner at McDonalds on occasion<br />4. Nods head at appropriate times when I'm talking<br />5. Usually remembers the punchlines of jokes<br />6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture<br />7. Usually wears shirt that covers stomach<br />8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids<br />9. Remembers to put the toilet seat lid down<br />10. Shaves on most weekends<br /><br />What I Want In A Man, Revised List ... (at age 52)<br />1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed to appropriate length<br />2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public<br />3. Doesn't borrow money too often<br />4. Doesn't nod off to sleep while I'm emoting<br />5. Doesn't re-tell same joke too many times<br />6. Is in good enough shape to get off couch on Weekends<br />7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear<br />8. Appreciates a good TV Dinner<br />9. Remembers your name on occasion<br />10. Shaves on some weekends<br /><br />What I Want In A Man, Revised List ... (at age 62)<br />1. Doesn't scare small children<br />2. Remembers where bathroom is<br />3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep<br />4. Only snores lightly when awake (LOUDLY when asleep)<br />5. Doesn't forgets why he's laughing<br />6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself<br />7. Usually wears some clothes<br />8. Likes soft foods<br />9. Remembers where he left his teeth<br />10. Remembers when...<br /><br />What I Want In A Man, Revised List ... (at age 72)<br />Breathing<br />These are the things I expect of my future husband:<br /><br />1. Personal qualities--respect, intelligence, and a sense of humor.<br />2. Commitments--to me and our relationship, shown by love, trust, faithfulness.<br />3. Background--single, never married, Italian, Catholic<br />Source(s):<br />http://www.theromantic.com<br /><br />5. He must have a good look, patient, understanding as well as sense of humuor. I don’t really mind as long as he's Malaysian, Singaporean or Indian? Middle class would be ok! and same religion as mine, if he's not, he has to follow mine..<br /><br />6. He should be caring, loving and understanding, and he know how to respect our elders, will be sanskari also...........<br /><br />7. These are the things I expect of my future husband:<br /><br />1. Personal qualities--respect, intelligence, and a sense of humor.<br />2. Commitments--to me and our relationship, shown by love, trust, faithfulness.<br />3. Background--single, never married, Italian, Catholic.<br /><br />1) Personal qualities<br />You should start at looking at your own personal qualities. Do your best in what ever you do. Use these qualities of yours to influence and excite your husband or future husband to be. Do NOT expect any personal qualities.. if it happens it is a bonus to you and you can sit relax and enjoy.<br /><br />2) Background<br />Expectation does not have any limits and often comes with disappointments. Embrace who he is who he will be and nurture his weakness and share his strength....<br /><br />8 PERSONAL QUALITIES:<br />Integrity<br />sensitive, yet masculine<br />business mind<br />intelligent<br />stable<br />have great morals<br />6'2 , hard worker<br />mechanical<br />good in bed<br />great teacher, good listener<br />nice dresser ect...<br /><br />Commitments:<br />Committed to his job<br />to me and the kids<br />to God<br />to having things in life<br />to being healthy<br />to making us happy even when happy isn't so happy.<br />Being a good lover<br />Background:<br />No mental problems<br />No jail time<br />Educated<br />Sober mother and father ( most likely he will be sober)<br />Hard working parents ( breeds a hard working child)<br /><br />9. ATTENTION TO MY FUTURE HUSBAND:<br /><br />1) Personal qualities: 1st thing would be TRUST, "baby we can’t have love if don’t have trust"-I would say. 2nd would be LOYAL, being faithful to each other is very important. 3rd, Having RESPECT for one another. I could go on but these are my tops 3.<br /><br />2)Commitments: He should always be there at reach when I need him in important situations, he has to be able to share task and responsibilities, and when i want "ice-cream!!!!!" damn he better get me the ice cream. He has to be committed to my goofiness, and when I wanna play PS3, damn hand me the controller when I say so. All this may sound silly but what's really important is knowing that you’re committed to each other that’s all it takes.<br /><br />3) backgrounds....ohhhhh this is easy. doesn’t matter. I go for any. I am up for anything<br /><br /><br />10. This is a great question because it is so important to consider what your requirements, needs, and wants are before you get married. So many people don't do this kind of introspective work. For me personally, I have a very thought out list.<br /><br />My relationship requirements are:<br />Emotional and physical safety<br />Understanding<br />Acceptance<br />Emotional Awareness and expression<br />Trust/Honesty<br />Open Communication<br />Loyalty<br />Respect<br />Tenderness/Sweetness<br />Verbal/Emotional Intimacy<br />Passion/Flirting/Chemistry<br />Addiction-Free<br />Shared Vision of Life<br />Shared Sense of Humor<br />Recreational Compatibility<br />Dependable<br />Faithfulness/Monogamy<br />Being Valued and Cherished<br />Attentive<br /><br />My partner will be committed to creating a loving, passionate relationship and doing the work that it takes to maintain it.<br /><br />My partner will be committed to making more money than he spends, securing our financial future, and celebrating money without letting it define or control him.<br /><br />My partner will be committed to a healthy mind/body/spirit.<br /><br />My partner will be committed to our family and providing our children will a positive, loving male role model.<br /><br />My partner will be committed to me in his thoughts, words, and actions by saving all of his sexual energy for me.<br /><br />Background doesn't matter. It is who you are on the inside that counts. Everyone loves the same, laughs the same, and feels the same.<br /><br />Source(s):<br /><br />Terri: The Passion Coach<br />www.passionatelivescoaching.co...<br />www.passionblog.typepad.com<br /><br />12. 1.Smart, sobor and Intelligent 2. to give love, happiness and to be faithful to married life 3. well-educated and settled to maintain the family<br /><br />13. Personal qualities<br />must have sterling qualities of humaneness ,character and discipline<br />2. Commitments<br />Loyalty to wife, and financial security to wife, family and children and parents.<br />3. background - good family background in being a good human being responsible to his family and to society.<br />14. Just stay single and have a boy toy,,,,, men wine and dine you to get you,,,, then change all the game rules once you are married. Background checks don't always help either,,,, they will only tell you if they broke the law, have hot checks, etc. It won't tell you if they are a person of their word or how they treat people. What are you to do then,,,,, interview every ex-wife and girlfriend they have had,,,,,, Family sure won't tell you. If they have to tell you that they are honest or nice,,, they usually are not...... honest nice people don't have to tell you,,,, you already know by their actions,,,,, funny how someone’s actions change once they have the trophy</span></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: </span></strong></div><p><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>How do you react to thanking our Lord through News Media and promoting Him?<br /><br /></strong></span><span style="color:#999900;">More about this question:<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">The Deccan Chronicle, an Indian News Paper in its Chennai (India) edition – 3.4.2007 -published a coloured picture of Jesus Christ with the following message: - “Thank you Jesus for the Favours Received” This fulfills the thanking sense. Next a picture of Jesus Christ! Then this glorification! “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved, adored and glorified throughout the world now and for ever, Amen.’ Now business takes over with an assurance. “Say this prayer nine times a day and your prayer will be answered” Now you will think that this is an unsolicited faith promotion by a Christian! No! He is a Hindu by name Ravichandran. In Kerala, the bastion literate State in India, scores of advertisements like this appear in most newspapers every day. Should genuine Christians laugh or cry on the image of Jesus Christ being presented and the fate of Christianity<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">BEST ANSWER - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Christians should embrace the image, if the image shows Jesus in a positive light.<br /><br />OTHER ANSWERS: -</span></p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;">1. I'm not so sure about the whole "say this prayer nine times a day" thing. That's getting ritualistic, which is something that the Bible warns against<br /><br />2. I'm not a Christian, but I think there is a universal answer to this question. Thanking the Lord for the gift of life he has given to us should be in a subtle way; the Lord doesn't want us to thank him in a grand way with a lot of showoff, all he wants is a genuine prayer of thanks that comes right through us from the gratitude we feel for the great mercy the Lord has on us.<br />I am really against the commercialization of the real fine & pure aspects of our life in this way, I just hope people (like the one in ur case) stop being so artificial & mundane and learn to pray with a pure heart of love, hope & faith.<br />Hoping for the best.<br /><br />3. The purpose is to draw more and more people's attention towards God, Lord or religion. Every religion does it by advertisement through posters, magazines, news papers, stage show, TV and even feature films.<br /><br />4. The commonest refrain of all other religionists is that Hindus worship idols and we do not. I have observed that almost every religion has physical symbols that are held sacred or are worshipped. What if an idol is replaced by something else. Hindus worship the cow holding it to be sacred which has sound economic and moral justification others hold some species of animals as sacred and sacrifice them on certain days to god. What I do not understand is what is better to preserve the sacred or to destroy it.<br /><br />5. Christians should only embrace the truth. I don't see this as being any good at all for Christianity. God is not at our beck and call, and no matter how many times you pray, if you're not in His will, your prayer will not be heard.<br /><br />6. It depends on person to person and i will compare it to giving sacrifice. Like Hindu devotees sacrifice their tongue or other body part Christians give advertisement. If you ask me personally I will not do this.<br /><br />7. Advertisement is advertisement with clear motive of self promotion and is to be seen with that angle only as the content of truth is a question mark<br /><br />8. If his people won't praise him Jesus said, the rocks and stones will cry out! I think it's great.<br /><br />8.This is the promotion of Christianity as a religion, and not as a personal relationship with God. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that if you pray a stock prayer nine times that your prayer will be answered. THAT'S religion!<br />9. All things work for the glory of God, according to the Bible. I don't have a problem with printing the prayer and a picture of Jesus. Anything that serves to remind us to thank Him for all things is good. Better than the BS rap songs, MTV etc. that glorify evil. My question is what is the difference in saying this prayer 9 times and a Catholic repeating the Hail Mary or Our Father multiple times? This is nothing to fear and it has nothing to do with business. It is a good message.</span></p><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><p align="center"><br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION:</span></strong></p><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Do you believe in pure Christianity or Christianity added with wasteful fats over the centuries? More ……<br /><br />…….Some observations to think about!<br /><br />The Bible is the most misinterpreted book in the whole world. If you have an axe to grind you have plenty of verses in it to do the job for you.<br /><br />"Amen, Hallelujah, Blessed be His name, God is living, Praise the Lord. His will be done" - these are some of the most fat-rendering, misused expressions utilised entirely for self-aggrandizement.<br /><br />The Christianity at its origin was fat-free. Now it is fat submerged thanks to some of its wily followers.<br /><br />If you have an option to choose what would be your choice – the original one or the corrupted one?</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">BEST ANSWER - CHOSEN BY VOTERS<br /><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">I would prefer the teachings established by St. Paul any day. This was what closely resembled Christ's original message. By the time Christianity was born, that original message had been adulterated (to the point of persecuting the followers of the original message).<br /><br />Don't overlook the fact that Christianity came long after the first set of followers (who established what would later become Christianity) were gone. The original teachings were then mixed up with some pagan beliefs (like Christmas celebration to make the new one more popular), and with a few decrees here and there, the old teachings were taken over completely and Christianity was born<br /><br /><br />OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /><br />1. I would choose to follow the True faith without all that crap found in cults like Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormonism that was added centuries later.<br /><br />2. I believe in pure Christianity<br /><br />3. The very original one, which I still believe s the true religion but now it has been corrupted; too bad!<br /><br />4. I don't quite get what you are saying. What is wrong with saying, "Amen, Hallelujah, Blessed be His Name, God is living, Praise the Lord. His will be done"? I don't see how these words can be used for self-aggrandizement. Perhaps some do, but I'm having trouble imagining how they do so. It seems to me that if anything, these verses would produce humility in the person, and it reminds them to not be selfish, but to think of what God wants.<br /><br />5. I do think that many people ignore some of the most important verses of the Bible though, so I kind of understand a little bit of what you might be saying. For example, Jesus clearly taught to live a humble life with no attachment to material possessions, and yet many today seem to forget those verses. They seem to ignore the part where Jesus says how hard it is for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of Heaven<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc0000;">6.. I believe in the purest form of Christianity not the garbage that was added later at the Council of Nicaea and other so-called Church Councils.<br /><br />7. Many religious groups who reject the pagan teachings, customs, doctrines, and holidays are considered "heretics" and "cults" such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, Anabaptists and some of the Seventh Day Adventist groups. These groups reject worldly ideas and pagan holidays that infiltrated the churches centuries after Christ walked this earth. Jesus said that his TRUE disciples would be hated and spoken against, NOT accepted by the world or its political systems such as the mainstream churches that label them Christian but hypocritically follow the ways of the world.<br /><br />8. I would rather be labeled as a "heretic" or a "cultist" then blindly follow a church system which has committed so much evil over the centuries, these so-called "Christian churches have taken sides in two world wars, blessing so-called "Christian" leaders such as Adolph Hitler and George Bush, while at the same time they profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What hypocrisy! The church that was founded after the Council of Nicaea changed in nature. The early Christians were the "under-dogs" and were persecuted because they were viewed as a "cult" and enemies of the Roman Empire. After Nicaea all of that changed. The church became part of the state and persecuted other religious groups as "heretics" and "cultists" because a small number of TRUE "Christians" refused to follow the worldly ways of the Nicene Church and its so-called "Orthodoxy."<br /><br />9. I believe in God's word the Holy Bible! So, yes; I believe in pure Christianity.<br /><br />10. Since for a long time Bible did not exist in the form of a preserved and documented condition as human interjections in the text due to mischievous intentions or knave ness cannot be ruled out. Bible was meant for the Jewish people till the advent of universal message, so it is not for following after that. Whatever was true in Bible was reaffirmed since it had become imperative after the corruption of biblical text<br /><br />11. I believe Christianity to be a relationship with God and not a religion... because religion makes Christianity a political institution with Bishops and Priests..... but I do go to Church for the simple reason of to remind myself that I'm not alone in this war on Earth....<br />I believe in what the Holy Spirit teaches me through the Bible nothing more or less.... everything I know comes from Him.....<br /><br />12. I really don’t like religion.<br /><br />13. The bible is my ONLY code of conduct, and I don’t think anyone should try to interpret it. Just don’t interpret it, read it, understand exactly what its saying, and there you go! God's word! Definitely worth living by I don’t NEED anyone to tell me what it says, I can go and read it myself. I can discuss it with people, see what they think, fine...but if the bible says THIS, I believe THIS.<br /><br />14. You are right if you are upset with someone that really doesn't know the bible and you need to tell them where they are going just use that bible to beat them over the head with it I mean with Words that in the bible. I do not think God wants to take verses out of the bible to show people who never read the bible how right you are but if you read the whole chapter of the book you will find they can use one verse to use against you and now you upset that they lie, that what make so many people leave the Christian faith because they read the truth and the lie was forced on them by someone taking a couple verses out of the bible<br /><br />15. Believe in Christianity. God wants us to praise him for everything. I agree that we are not to praise him for self-gratification. We are warned to not preach from the corners of the street or praise him just so others can hear how good we are and make ourselves feel better.<br /><br />16. Yes, you’re right! Our nation is spiritually obese. What do you, and I, intend to do about it ?<br /><br />17. Consider that your interpretation of corruption might not be the same as other people. The expressions you mentioned, when used by a born again Christian, have a lot of meaning and importance. People who casually throw these phrases around, and have no idea of their meaning are just being flippant and really have no idea what they are saying. The beauty is in the eye (or heart) of the believer.</span></div><span style="color:#cc0000;"><div align="center"><br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><div align="left"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Organ harvesting? Organ Gifting? Look at it from different angles and share your thoughts on it!<br /><br />More on this question: -<br /><br />Organ donation and harvesting are always looked on from religious and community interest angles. "The act hurts religious sentiments; those who gift their organs will not have it in their rebirth", these are some of the many arguments against it. "Gift Love, Gift life; Organ Donation is the noblest Godly act one can ever think of in one's life as it leases out a fresh new life", these are some of the arguments in its favour. Grind the issue in its finest detail in your mind and digest it in your brain and make the society richer in enlightenment on this issue with your elaborate answer. Many thanks in advance</span></div><p align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">BEST ANSWER: -</span></strong></p><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc6600;">I happen to favor the idea. I think its a gift you can give to someone and their family, promoting life. Isn't that what we're all about as spiritual people anyway? Promoting life, and the well being of others not only in life, but death too. Its one of the most unselfish things you can do, think of others either in your time of grief or when you no longer have life yourself.</span></div><p><span style="color:#cc6600;">OTHER ANSWERS: -</p><div align="justify"><br />1. Most religions make up their rules by men who have passed them down from previous rules from generations based on trial and error via variations of rules that did or didn't work based on the current economy of that religion! Silly rituals are concocted for reasons of power and out of man’s own ego and fears so that somehow if we coddle ourselves into believing the outcome of these rituals, then the unknown and the idea of death will seem less awful and scary. Just like in the Old Testament, ritual after ritual we relate to this God through these rituals thinking that giving an unphysical God all this physical and egotistical attention, we will gain favor with "him." In reality, God is simply an unfathomable, ball of lit up intelligence that probably would find all this ritual ridiculousness petty and pointless. Yet since we are in a physical world, we have this desire to physical-ize him- in art, in depiction, and in how we worship him. If we remove the physical rules and doings from the God equation, we only have his loving essence, which is who we are and what our sprit is considered. When this loving "essence" is tapped into, and we connect with that, than the only "rule or ritual" we technically should be following is listening to and carrying out that essence! So in thinking of serving God, you are serving your higher, loving self, and the rest is all an illusion, including the temporary physical earth we "see," and live in, including the shallow physical "rituals" we engage in. Not allowing your disciples in any religion to not be able to pass on your organs after you are dead in order to give LIFE to another is simply another man made, fear based rule, again fear of the unknown that somehow you will be punished because you are "incomplete" when you leave this earth. But really, when you leave this plane, you are PERFECTLY complete, because the ONLY part of THIS life that you take with you when you die, is your ESSENCE! And to the point that you evolved in your essence. So if you are giving up a no longer working piece of you to help another, how is that NOT the workings of a loving essence? Do we want to live in FEAR or do we want to live our live out of LOVE!??<br /><br />2. In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most merciful<br />From an Islamic perspective we learn that the preservation<br />of life is above all else. After much thought Islamic scholars<br />are still divided on this issue bur in general Organ transplanting and gifting has been made permissible but<br />with certain restrictions which would depend upon individual<br />case scenarios.<br />In any case sale of any organ is nor permitted.<br />The donor should not put himself at risk of any kind to donate<br />a particular organ.<br />Only organs that will not put anyone’s life to risk can be donated. For example you cannot donate your heart as you will die so such organs are not allowed to be gifted.<br />Risk ratio must be analysed and compatibility should be thoroughly examined if there is any doubt of risk to both the donor or the recipient then it should not be carried out.<br /><br />As far as donating organs after death, It may be permitted in<br />very special cases after advice from reliable Islamic scholars<br />But generally Islam does not permit the body of Muslim to be<br />dissected for any reason other than medical investigation</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><span style="color:#996633;">.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-4781773059673492022007-04-29T00:47:00.000+05:302007-05-13T06:47:16.481+05:30<div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-40741144078509839832007-04-29T00:40:00.000+05:302007-05-13T06:52:02.223+05:30<div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-26211609933067790722007-04-29T00:31:00.000+05:302007-04-29T00:33:27.611+05:30<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">MY QUESTION:</span></strong><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Do you believe in pure Christianity or Christianity added with wasteful fats over the centuries?<br /><br />Some observations to think about!<br /><br />The Bible is the most misinterpreted book in the whole world. If you have an axe to grind you have plenty of verses in it to do the job for you.<br /><br />"Amen, Hallelujah, Blessed be His name, God is living, Praise the Lord. His will be done" - these are some of the most fat-rendering, misused expressions utilised entirely for self-aggrandizement.<br /><br />The Christianity at its origin was fat-free. Now it is fat submerged thanks to some of its wily followers.<br /><br />If you have an option to choose what would be your choice – the original one or the corrupted one?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">BEST ANSWER - Chosen By Voters<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">I would prefer the teachings established by St. Paul any day. This was what closely resembled Christ's original message. By the time Christianity was born, that original message had been adulterated (to the point of persecuting the followers of the original message).<br /><br />Don't overlook the fact that Christianity came long after the first sets of followers (who established what would later become Christianity) were gone. The original teachings were then mixed up with some pagan beliefs (like Christmas celebration to make the new one more popular), and with a few decrees here and there, the old teachings were taken over completely and Christianity was born<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#993399;">OTHER ANSWERS: -</span><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Would choose to follow the True faith without all that crap found in cults like Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormonism that was added centuries later.<br /><br />1. I believe in pure Christianity<br /><br />2. The very original one, which I still believe in as a true religion but now it has been corrupted. Too bad!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3. I don't quite get what you are saying. What is wrong with saying, "Amen, Hallelujah, Blessed be His Name, God is living, Praise the Lord. His will be done"? I don't see how these words can be used for self-aggrandizement. Perhaps some do, but I'm having trouble imagining how they do so. It seems to me that if anything, these verses would produce humility in the person, and it reminds them to not be selfish, but to think of what God wants.<br /><br />I do think that many people ignore some of the most important verses of the Bible though, so I kind of understand a little bit of what you might be saying. For example, Jesus clearly taught to live a humble life with no attachment to material possessions, and yet many today seem to forget those verses. They seem to ignore the part where Jesus says how hard it is for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of Heaven<br /><br />5. I believe in the purest form of Christianity not the garbage that was added later at the Council of Nicaea and other so-called Church Councils.<br /><br />6. Many religious groups who reject the pagan teachings, customs, doctrines, and holidays are considered "heretics" and "cults" such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, Anabaptists and some of the Seventh Day Adventist groups. These groups reject worldly ideas and pagan holidays that infiltrated the churches centuries after Christ walked this earth. Jesus said that his TRUE disciples would be hated and spoken against, NOT accepted by the world or its political systems such as the mainstream churches that label them Christian but hypocritically follow the ways of the world.<br /><br />7. I would rather be labeled as a "heretic" or a "cultist" then blindly follow a church system which has committed so much evil over the centuries, these so-called "Christian churches have taken sides in two world wars, blessing so-called "Christian" leaders such as Adolph Hitler and George Bush, while at the same time they profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What hypocrisy! The church that was founded after the Council of Nicaea changed in nature. The early Christians were the "under-dog" they were persecuted because they were viewed as a "cult" and enemies of the Roman Empire. After Nicaea all of that changed. The church became part of the state and persecuted other religious groups as "heretics" and "cultists" because a small number of TRUE "Christians" refused to follow the worldly ways of the Nicene Church and its so-called "Orthodoxy."<br /><br />8. I believe in God's word the Holy Bible! so yes I believe in pure Christianity<br /><br />9. Since for a long time Bible did not exist in the form of a preserved and documented condition as human interjections in the text due to mischievous intentions or knave ness cannot be ruled out. Bible was meant for the Jewish people till the advent of universal message, so it is not for following after that. Whatever was true in Bible was reaffirmed since it had become imperative after the corruption of biblical text<br /><br /><br />10. I believe Christianity to be a Relationship with God and not a religion... cos religion makes Christianity a political institution with Bishops and Priests..... but I do go to Church for the simple reason of to remind myself that I’m not alone in this war on Earth....<br /><br />11. I believe in what the Holy Spirit teaches me through the Bible nothing more or less.... everything I knew came from him.....<br /><br />12. I really don’t like religion.<br />The bible is my ONLY code of conduct, and I don’t think anyone should try to interpret it. just don’t interpret it, read it, understand exactly what its saying, and there you go! God's word! Definitely worth living by. i don’t NEED anyone to tell me what it says, i can go and read it myself. i can discuss it with people, see what they think, fine...but if the bible says THIS, I believe THIS.<br /><br />12. You are right if you are upset with someone that really doesn't know the bible and you need to tell them where they are going just use that bible to beat them over the head with it I mean with Words that in the bible. I do not think God want use to take verses out of the bible show people that never read the bible how right you are but if you read the whole chapter of the book you will find they have use one verse to use against you and now you upset that they lie, that what make so many people leave the Christian faith because they read the truth and the lie was force on them by someone taking a couple verses out of the bible<br /><br />13. Believe in Christianity. God wants us to praise him for everything. I agree that we are not to praise him for self-gratification. We are warned to not preach from the corners of the street or praise him just so others can hear how good we are and make ourselves feel better.<br /><br />14. Yes, you’re right. Our nation is spiritually obese. What do you, and I, intend to do about it ? </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;"> 15. Consider that your interpretation of corruption might not be the same as other people. The expressions you mentioned, when used by a born again Christian, have a lot of meaning and importance. People who casually throw these phrases around, and have no idea of their meaning are just being flippant and really have no idea what they are saying. The beauty is in the eye (or heart) of the believer.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-15149172399020170102007-04-29T00:15:00.000+05:302007-04-29T00:17:12.604+05:30<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION:</span></strong><br /></span><br /></div><span style="color:#009900;">How do you react to thanking our Lord through News Media and promoting Him?<br /><br />More about this question:<br /><br />The Deccan Chronicle, an Indian News Paper in its Chennai (India) edition – 3.4.2007 -published a coloured picture of Jesus Christ with the following message: - “Thank you Jesus for the Favours Received” This fulfills the thanking sense. Next a picture of Jesus Christ! Then this glorification! “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved, adored and glorified throughout the world now and for ever, Amen.’ Now business takes over with an assurance. “Say this prayer nine times a day and your prayer will be answered” Now you will think that this is an unsolicited faith promotion by a Christian! No! He is a Hindu by name Ravichandran. In Kerala, the bastion literate State in India, scores of advertisements like this appear in most newspapers every day. Should genuine Christians laugh or cry on the image of Jesus Christ being presented and the fate of Christianity<br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">BEST ANSWER - Chosen By Voters<br /><br />Christians should embrace the image, if the image shows Jesus in a positive light.<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">1. I'm not so sure about the whole "say this prayer nine times a day" thing. That's getting ritualistic, which is something that the Bible warns against<br /><br />2. I'm not a Christian, but I think there is a universal answer to this question. Thanking the Lord for the gift of life he has given to us should be in a subtle way; the Lord doesn't want us to thank him in a grand way with a lot of showoff, all he wants is a genuine prayer of thanks that comes right through us from the gratitude we feel for the great mercy the Lord has on us.<br />I am really against the commercialization of the real fine & pure aspects of our life in this way, I just hope people (like the one in ur case) stop being so artificial & mundane and learn to pray with a pure heart of love, hope & faith.<br />Hoping for the best.<br /><br />3. The purpose is to draw more and more people's attention towards God, Lord or religion. Every religion does it by advertisement through posters, magazines, news papers, stage show, TV and even feature films.<br /><br />4. The commonest refrain of all other religionists is that Hindus worship idols and we do not. I have observed that almost every religion has physical symbols that are held sacred or are worshipped. What if an idol is replaced by something else. Hindus worship the cow holding it to be sacred which has sound economic and moral justification others hold some species of animals as sacred and sacrifice them on certain days to god. What I do not understand is what is better to preserve the sacred or to destroy it.<br /><br /><br />5. Christians should only embrace the truth. I don't see this as being any good at all for Christianity. God is not at our beck and call, and no matter how many times you pray, if you're not in His will, your prayer will not be heard.<br /><br />6. It depends on person to person and i will compare it to giving sacrifice. Like Hindu devotees sacrifice their tongue or other body part Christians give advertisement. If you ask me personally I will not do this.<br /><br />7. Advertisement is advertisement with clear motive of self promotion and is to be seen with that angle only as the content of truth is a question mark<br /><br />8. If his people won't praise him Jesus said, the rocks and stones will cry out! I think it's great.<br /><br />8.This is the promotion of Christianity as a religion, and not as a personal relationship with God. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that if you pray a stock prayer nine times that your prayer will be answered. THAT'S religion!<br /> 9. All things work for the glory of God, according to the Bible. I don't have a problem with printing the prayer and a picture of Jesus. Anything that serves to remind us to thank Him for all things is good. Better than the BS rap songs, MTV etc. that glorify evil. My question is what is the difference in saying this prayer 9 times and a Catholic repeating the Hail Mary or Our Father multiple times? This is nothing to fear and it has nothing to do with business. It is a good message.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-55575526910150380722007-04-28T03:17:00.000+05:302007-04-28T03:29:34.300+05:30<div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>What you see below are some of the questions I have posted in the web seeking answers from all over the world. The responses are given below for your evaluation. It was reproduced as it was and you have to tolerate the mistakes and the tone of answers.</strong></span></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;"><strong>MY QUESTION:-</strong></span> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Specify the role of fidelity in married life? Why infidelity? Suggest measures to end infidelity?</strong></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"></div><div align="justify"><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#999900;">More on this question: -</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#999900;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff0000;">Fidelity is on the wane! Many say. Please answer touching all aspects of fidelity in married life? Does forgive and forget rules apply on violations? What suitable punishments do you recommend for the violator? <br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Best Answer 1- Chosen By Voters<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Fidelity is the foundation of a successful married life.This coupled with love and understanding embellish it and make it a bliss.<br />If somebody really wants to be a happy person then he/she should follow it religiously.<br />Some people tend to think that they can be an infidel, and get away with. It is possible, but then, in the back of their mind the thought of infidelity will haunt and would gnaw at their conscience. They are bound to be miserable in the long run.<br />Infidelity once can be forgiven, but if any body is habitual then he/should be kicked off.<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Best Answer 2 - Chosen By Voters<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#663300;">Fidelity is essential in my marriage. Emotional fidelity is as important as physical fidelity. I don't recommend "punishment" for the violator, but I do recommend a good counselor or therapist for both parties. It is up to the victim as to whether she or he can forgive.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#006600;">1.Complete Fidelity is the only option there is no forgiving it and the only punishment should be a divorce<br /><br /> 2. Cheating is wrong. That I could never forgive or forget.<br />divorce/breaking up.<br /><br />3. Why are you so formal about it? Once a cheater, always a cheate! If the person states that they love you, why would they hurt you like that? No reason, other than they're scum.<br /><br />4. I'd say it depends highly on circumstances, what were the sexual conditions of the relationship at the time? You should try to get to the root of what's going on and why, then maybe drag him to a counseling session as a method for trying to reclaim what's been lost. Punishment is not a concept that I think should be incorporated into a good loving relationship, it conjures elements of domination, and control which can be further damaging. Try to forgive and heal if you can, if not I'd say scrap it all and start somewhere new.<br /><br />5. I once had a very interesting conversation with a middle-aged man who's cheated many many times, but is still married to his wife and says that they have a good marriage and a good bond. He was only cheating for sex and not the emotional aspect, and from his point of view, it is not actually wrong. He says his wife does not know and that he does not plan to tell. What was... for lack of a better word, interesting, to me, is simply that he seemed to feel absolutely no remorse for his actions. He spoke about it like he was retelling his day or a trip to a grocery store. Perfectly calm, perfectly methodical, nothing more.<br />The difference for women here is that women cheat for the emotional support, for the emotional understanding. when women cheat, it is more likely to be serious trouble (ie divorce) for this reason. When you see women on TV telling their stories about cheating, you always see them crying, in stark contrast to the gentleman mentioned above.<br /><br />In my mind, my never-been-cheated-on mind, I believe that you should forgive. Forgetting would be a personal choice.But forgiving is good for the soul, because you're only beating yourself over for someone else's mistake, for someone else's sin.<br /><br />6. To end infidelity there are two possible solutions;<br />1) End marriage<br />2) Put Computer chips in people’s heads<br /><br />7. People grow apart and sometimes find someone outside the marriage. It's human nature. There is no way to end infidelity. Forgive and forget shouldn't apply, unless you want it to happen again. Punishment? The person who cheated was unhappy, punishment isn't warranted.<br /><br />8. Separation only for violator. Fidelity is not on the wane , particularly in Muslim society it is nearly non existent. Violators are not true Muslims, according to Islamic laws. Fidelity is a must to be maintained in married life . It is not at all difficult too to keep it so. Only grossly indisciplines, completely unreliable, dishonest , unjust, highly selfish, materialistic minded, very dangerous person having no conscience and not being God fearing at all thinks or goes for infidelity. Such person must be discarded by the society at any cost. Such person can spoil the whole life of the person of opposite sex for ever if that is a man i.e., he can tempt & arouse so many simple & innocent girls/women to nymphomania, have sex, make them pregnant & leave like trash easily, without even thinking what adverse effect it can have in the personal life of the hapless victim. If, to prevent this, hard Islamic laws are implemented like 100 lashes for adultery & death sentence for the rapist, it is justified. There should not be any scope for forgive & forget in such VERY SERIOUS matter of great human dignity & honour. In married life, both husband & wife MUST try to adjust so much that they make married domestic life interesting, like & love each other & have regular satisfactory sex, then there won't be any scope for infidelity at all<br /><br />9. You have to constantly renew your marriage live it/love it infidelity arises when u have not met his/her demands in bed<br /><br />10 It is very important to have a happy and harmonious marriage life where trust and respect is not stained by being unfaithful. Divorce is not the only solution but rather, it is a way of running a way from the problem. And yes, to forgive and to forget applies that is, if you two still love each other and willing to talk about it in the open. Understanding and listening helps to find out what motivate him to break the marriage vows. Though, it's easy to forgive but to forget is hard. Time will tell. You can ask him what he really wants! Is he happy with you or what? To stay or to go! It's only him who can decide. If he does, then you know that he meant to stay. For good!<br /><br />11. The role of fidelity in a marriage truly depends on the marriage. No two marriages are the same. For one couple it would be he/she strays once and its over. For the next it would be counseling, for the third it could be just plain fun. Men and women need to understand what a promise means and how one lie can affect and break up the whole family. As far as punishment goes, that only will go as far as the person who strayed in the marriage has guilt. If that person does not feel guilty or remorse, there is no punishment. That person is getting what they really want and that is out. If the party does feel remorse the punishment is looking their partner in the eye and remembering how they lied and let them down. The worst case is when children are involved. The children are cheated on too<br /><br />12. I think there is infidelity because people don't really connect anymore.<br />Fidelity is an attitude of the heart. It is the conviction to one's spouse, "I am wholly and completely for you, as we two are for God." There is no room in the marriage covenant for wandering eyes or extramarital desires. Whether or not you can forget should be separate from forgiveness, without forgiveness nothing can be healed. And "punishment" or the way you deal with it is personal.<br /><br />13. Fidelity is the prerequisite for the success of marriage. Infidelity is more often the result of the boredom that occurs in the conjugal life that sets in after some time. It should be the endeavour of all the married couple, to sustain the interest in each other<br /><br />14. Fidelity in married life comes from the character and the character comes from the family background. Infidelity comes from negative thinking, non-satisfaction.<br />Fidelity remains even there is poverty infidelity exists even there is ample of money.<br />In fact it is in character. In case of violation only treatment with positive attitude will be the remedy instead of any other negative punishment.<br /><br />14. Fidelity is not a punishable crime. It is because of the lack of treatment either physically or emotionally. So forgive and try to bring back the old "love"<br /><br />15. Fidelity?<br />"In modern human relationships, the term can refer to sexual monogamy. In western culture this often means adherence to marriage vows, or of promises of exclusivity or monogamy, and a lack of adultery. However, some people do not equate fidelity in personal relationships with sexual or emotional monogamy.<br />Forget and forgive? Where comes the necessity, as the 'faithfulness' or 'unfaithfulness' is judged by emotions between two individuals?<br />I can give you another reference, go, read it, and contemplate on what marriage really means,<br />Fidelity is very important... but also is forgiveness. In many cases it's because marriage has no importance to the world anymore. It's just a silly thing people do. Well Marriage was meant to be a commitment and covenant between two people. To stand together through thick and thin! Not to just be turned aside when the mood strikes us. People have no care for how sacred marriage is and therefore have no care if they are unfaithful.<br />It is very possible for people who have had infidelity in their marriage to work through it and heal. It is also possible for people who are unfaithful to continue to be unfaithful. Whether or not a marriage or relationship should end because of infidelity must be looked at on an individual basis... circumstances differ people differ. Basically... the problem with Marriage Is that people have forgotten how to Love completely.. how to trust... and how to be forgiving and self-controlling. All these things point to how little we think of our selves and how little we think of others<br /><br />16. Forgiveness and a second chance to realize their wrong doing. Why? I believe all people should get another chance. We all make mistakes whether they be small ones or big ones. Sometimes it's those chances we get in life can help us to help others who happen to have made those same mistakes. Why to we have to rip apart others for their wrong doing? Doesn't that hurt others even more?<br />Are we more self righteous and proud enough to say that we ourselves haven't done something just as awful?<br />I think through true forgiveness that alone could get the person's attention enough to one day forgive themselves and possibly ask others for forgiveness.<br /><br />17. Why do people cheat? It could be a number of reasons. Some may cheat because they aren't happy with themselves. It could be issues that they have with themselves that they do not recognize that they have a problem.<br /><br />It could be lack of maturity and they are seeking out someone to gratify their needs. Maybe they are looking for someone outside their marriage because they can't seem work that out with their partner.<br /><br />Maybe they don't truly love themselves and their partner enough? Others may find it acceptable behaviour but what they don't realize is that they are hurting themselves and the ones they cheat on.<br /><br />Jealousy becomes the result when some one is cheated on mainly because one person who may happen to be faithful may take their wedding vows much more seriously. Even if both parties are cheating on each other the only one's they are truly hurting is themselves.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#006600;"><br /> 18. Infidelity has been around since marriage has been to suggest that anything has changed other then the fact that people are just more honest about it means that things in a way are getting better albeit honesty seems cruel rather then just letting go of a past mistake and moving on</span>. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-14543494989612936552007-04-28T03:12:00.000+05:302007-04-28T03:17:02.392+05:30<div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Parents! What do you expect of your children at your 'dependency stage' of old age? </span></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">As I look back at this old age I recollect the happiest occasions I had gone through with my growing up children - all daughters. My home was full of joy. Now things changed. They are all married and live separate looking after their families. Being a widower I live alone and they do not have time to be with me to relive the life we had passed. I am financially independent for which I profusely thank my God. Otherwise things would have been sadly different. When I look around I see a number of old and infirm parents who lack the love and care of their children and whom their children look down as a chronic liability. How do you look at this growing trend? Please share your thoughts with me.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">BEST ANSWER - Chosen By Voters<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">I expect anything from my children, I have my life to live and they have theirs I have made my plans and will live my life until that point, when I will make my exit.<br /><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#993399;">OTHER ANSWERS: - </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#990000;"><br />1. I visit my mom twice a week and call her almost every day. And when my Grandmother had a stroke my mom took care of her.<br /><br />2. I will have no problem taking care of my parents should they require it. But they planned well, so I probably won't need to do much for them financially. I'll never stop visiting them as often as I can; I like them, in addition to the natural love I feel for them. Besides, I want my daughter to know her family, and all us have fun together. By the way, I'm an atheist, my parents are both Christians, and my daughter is in the process of learning about the various beliefs out there. Religion has never been important in my family; we care about actions, not beliefs.<br /><br />3. I am the second son in six, in my family. My father passed away when I entered first year of B.E (5 years course then) in 1964. I studied on scholarship and passed in distinction in electrical engineering. Ours was a very very poor family. We all lived with mother under one roof. There was my grand mother and her father too then. Some how days passed. The elders used to say moral stories and we had a good happy time. The children are married and settled fine in life and are away because of their jobs. They contact over phone and enquire once in 15 days or so.<br />By god's grace I get a pension to make me live independently, on my own.<br />But, Sir, it is our primary responsibility to see that our children get good education and settle well in life. We shall feel happy if they are well of some where. In the present age you can not even dream to have children near by, they get jobs in cities in isolated places from one another. Ok. That is life. Once in a fortnight they call over phone and speak for a few minutes.<br />The daughters -in-law and sons-in-law are just relatives...they do not know how we lived. They live the life their own way. If you try to correct or advise them, you get only mental agony. Leave them to lead their life.<br />Our Indian scripture say we have to lead a life of saint after discharging all duties.<br />We have done that. Let us read Great Epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Mahabhaga... and Bhagavat geeta in reverence and meditate upon things to live happily.<br />We are a crowd ourselves alone. We have everything in us. Let us not expect any thing from our children or anybody. That leads to pain only. It is time we live peacefully without bothering ourselves about things that are not in our control. Let us do some thing to society if we can...other wise let us pray and try to realise Him.<br />If the children come and spend some time, Ok, we are happy. If they are unable to come for their own reasons. OK then too we are happy.<br />Nothing prevents you from being happy. It is you alone that spoil your mood.<br />So you are a successful man and discharged all duties well and your children are good citizens, independent. So you shall be proud of it.<br />BE HAPPY IF THEY ARE NEAR YOU THAN FAR AWAY FROM YOU.<br />Remember. Sir, we come alone and go alone.<br /><br />4. Infant,youth and old are the three cycles in life.<br />Dependency in infant stage is inevitable and it is well taken care of by parent as their duty; in unfortunate circumstances it is either not taken care of well, or done by OTHERS.<br />In old age, one after passing thro' all ups & downs should not expect anything, including emotional support, from anyone. Learn to take anything as it comes, and pray for the wellness of universe and ready to breath the last peacefully.<br /><br />5. It seems wise to not expect anything, but I hope that I'm teaching my children to have sufficient love and respect for others that they will gladly care for their parents as necessary.<br />My parents cared for my father's parents for several years. We've been caring for my wife's parents for over 10 years so far. Although I'm not always happy about what is sometimes a burden, it's not something that should be left to non-family if at all possible.<br /><br />6. All Children when they are grown up have their own problems and environment. If they are nearby we are lucky. At old age, elders should try to be independent at least financially.<br />Children also should think about the struggle put in by parents to bring them up and should try to take care of them and show real affection and responsibility on their parents. They should also remember that soon they would also become old.<br />We elders can live with the family of our children, with attitude of adjustment of all issues and also understanding the problems of the family of our children.<br />Otherwise we should manage and learn to live alone ourselves. In this respect we can follow steps suggested by some of friends who have answered earlier here<br /><br />7. This life is a great boon for us. So serve people as much as you can irrespective of any relation and without expecting any thing. I do the same and believe in that.<br /><br />8. Most of the old men and women who rue the fact that their children are not interacting with them now due to their old age often themselves have done so with their own parents when they were young. When they did not allow their parents to live with them due to their or their spouse's selfishness that even twenty or 30 yrs back when the concept of joint family was more stronger, how do they expect emotional attachment or physical closeness from their children now!<br /><br />9. Though I am poor I would do the best I can with what Allah has given me<br /><br />10. My mom is very sweet and cool:....<br /><br />11. So pretty much what you're saying is you're glad you got lots of money even if you're old and life is over. That's the spirit.<br /><br />12. I have made plans so that my children would not have to take care of me. My mother took care of her mother after the stroke. She did not work so she was able to do so. When my mother got sick, she went really fast. We all took turns taking her to chemo and radiation. She only lasted for 5 months. I cannot imagine the long years some people devout to the care of a loved one. We would have found a way. I would love to have been able to try.</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-11891158681279490272007-04-28T03:07:00.000+05:302007-04-28T03:12:40.827+05:30<strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993300;">Would you agree if I say that the universal quality of 'LOYALTY' is being sidelined in life in general?</span></strong><span style="color:#993300;"><br /></span><span style="color:#993300;"><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#006600;">More on this question: -</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">I believe that the values of life are declining day by day. The quality of loyalty is one. Our moral calls for loyalty in relationship such as loyalty in family relations, professional relations, spouse relations, loyalty to our providers and loyalty to those who serve us - to name a few. Think for a while and answer in detail: - (1) Does it exist the way it should be or is it on exit? (2) If it does not what are the reasons? (3) How can that quality be strengthened and cultivated afresh?<br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">BEST ANSWER - Chosen By Voters</span></strong><strong><span style="color:#333399;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#333399;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">Not in my life brother. Everyone around me is loyal to each other, significant other, family & all the gang bangers that frequent my life.<br /><br />Human ethics tend to fall into the "if you do for me, I'll do for you" spectrum, as opposed to the, "I'll do for you, and then you do for me" spectrum.<br /><br />Most people learn an important lesson early on in life. Human beings are basically one insult, one fit of anger, one slap across the face, one inconsiderate action, away from descending into animal-like behavior. You see it everyday, on the news, in the supermarket, at the intersection. A small portion of people rise above this, and a small portion sink below this, but for most people, the limits of their loyalty stop when their internal "scale" tips just past the halfway point.<br /><br />If you look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs, secondary and tertiary needs (friends, possessions) are not necessary for survival, but they're more than sufficient reasons for people to abandon their loyalty. A rare few will remain loyal when their primary needs are threatened, but most people will turn if their most basic human needs are in jeopardy.<br /><br />Think of the most loyal relationship you can imagine... a mother and her infant. If the infant's life is threatened, some mothers will sacrifice their own lives to save the infant, even if the chances are good that the infant will die without the mother. In fact, nature would prefer the infant die, and the mother can have another child. This is an extreme case where too much loyalty can be a bad thing.<br /><br />Loyalty can be taught, and sometimes even enforced, but true loyalty (like true respect) must be earned. The burden is not on the followers, employees, children, etc to remain loyal, but on the leaders, employers and parents to be the types of people deserving of loyalty. If a person desires loyalty, they simply need to act and behave in ways that inspire others to be like them.<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span></strong><br />1. "But know<span style="color:#cc0000;"> this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For MEN (mankind) will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, "DISLOYAL", having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures, rather than lovers of God, having a form of Godly devotion, but proving false to its power, and from these turn away." 2nd Timothy 3:1-5. Doesn't this scripture pretty much sum up the condition of the "world" today? If you talk to an elderly person today, they will often say things like, " In my day, things were so different, kids respected their elders, families stayed together, etc..." Even I can say being raised up in the 60's and 70's, that society has changed drastically, and NOT for the better. The only solution I can see is we CAN work on those things individually, however, as for the bigger picture, (the world) I can only hope in God's promise that He will intercede to bring about changes in a universal way. As you can clearly see, not everyone is concerned about God's instructions on how to treat others<br /><br />2. Nothing is declining -it is only changing- regarding loyalty- better return the help received from any corner in the way they expect /want.<br /><br />3. Yes, moral binding of or values of life is declining. But loyalty remains strong. Loyalty in family relationship is declining, professional relationship is declining. But loyalty to greed, loyalty to the powerful, loyalty to corrupt ways of making money, loyalty to individual ego are all rising. If loyalty to leaders and ideas was not there terrorism could not have proliferated. If loyalty to self-ego and sexual desire were not there, why would individuals go on marrying and divorcing repeatedly. If loyalty to money is not there, why would people make money through corrupt means. What has declined is not loyalty. Loyalty has changed from values anchors like honesty, integrity, selfless love for others, attitude of sacrificing for others, patience, tolerance, to new anchors of dishonesty, money making, greed, sex desire, self ego, jealousy.<br />The reason for this change was because for long loyalty was taken for granted and loyalty was imposed rather than understood. There is now a phase of revolt against loyalty to values was rewarded with the chain of serfdom, slavery. The current revolt is not making people really free. They are falling from frying pan of one type of slavery to fire of more dangerous type of slavery.<br />To get back to moral values will take time. People have to come to great grief after they pursue with the current set of values. They will cry for getting out of the greater mess that are traveling towards. They will look for leaders who will care for their uplift in moral standards and lift them out of the quagmire. It will take place only as part of a natural process. We have to bear with the current phase of human beings rushing in to the quagmire by pursuing unsustainable, counter productive values.<br /><br />4. Thanks a lot. Some one coming up with such thoughts. I 100% agree with you.<br /><br />(1) We can't say that it is at exit, otherwise how fellow like you are in existence! "LOYALTY" today also exisst in each of us, but it is hidden.<br /><br />(2) It is not exposed for the reason that "the few literates, very few available today, are over come by educated mass, of today, to that extent that it looks like disappearance of literates".<br /><br />(3) And you know positive characteristics of an human being, Loyalty being one out of those, could be retained only when one is positively literate. Further universality of loyalty is to take birth from beginning 'the root", which is family, from where child starts learning literature of life to become positive human member of the society. Once the families become literate environmental platform of universal loyalty would emerge on its' own.<br /><br />I would feel honoured if I become contributor in the effort of yours' you are aiming at.<br /><br /><br />4. Either a person is loyal or not loyal as it is an inner individual virtue. You can't classify loyalty in many. The other forms you mentioned are not called loyalty but selfishness. Loyalty is broad minded not narrow minded.<br /><br />5. Yes! I believe so as now a days people will go on to ditch any one who is near one. I think it is really on the exit. It can be strengthened by incorporating values regarding GOD and the fear of GOD as unless the belief on some Supernatural power is incorporated the ethical values are not developed the fact about Loyalty would go on decreasing.<br /><br />6. loyality means<br />L love<br />O of<br />Y yourself<br />A and<br />L love<br />T to<br />Y yourself<br />then where is the problem? <br /><br /> 7. The time and values are fast changing. The pace of change is unimaginable. In the melee, people have no time for values, qualms etc. Hats off to those who maintain their value system, even in the midst of the madding crowd's ignoble strife.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-62565866983849280242007-04-28T03:02:00.000+05:302007-04-28T03:06:56.130+05:30<div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>To a Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Chaplin Comic Show I choose Televangelists’ Comic Show! How about you?</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">More on this question: - </span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">When they parade witnesses and monitor their statements with promptings, wail without tears, telling convincing lies, misinterpret and quote from Holy Bible, distort their faces with their eyebrows dancing, jumping and walking up and down, claim that they cured Aids, Cancer etc., through prayer brokering, assert that students jumped from zero to hundreds in examinations by becoming partners in their private empire building programmes, I laugh out loud and at the next moment cry at the naivety and ignorance of my brethren. Just try one comic show for a change and answer how right or wrong I am!<br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;">Best Answer - Chosen By Voters<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">You are SOOO right. I am a Christian solid as a rock and I watch those shows and alternately laugh out loud and want to throw my shoe through the screen. I think that they are mostly servants of Satan. They have so twisted a message of tolerance and kindness. They sow only anger and disgust and are a rotten representative of the messenger of peace, satisfaction and serenity.<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#993300;">1. It is a pity that here in Spain we don’t have those shows...they are so funny, I like when people start shouting and raising their arms...it is so crazy! and one always wonders is the public in those circuses paid???<br /><br />2. Agree with you 100%. I'm still anxiously waiting to see an evangelist prance around, exaggerating his speech far more worse than Capt. Kirk that an emergency medical attendant with an oxygen tank will have to strut besides him<br /><br />3. You are describing politicians, liberals, athei's., scientist, evolutionist and an whole cadre of left leaning humanistic host.<br /><br /><br />4. Television entertainment programs mention God more often than they did in the mid-1990s but tend to depict organized religion negatively, a study released Thursday said. The Parents Television Council watched every hour of prime-time on the broadcast networks during the 2003-04 season and logged 2,344 treatments of religion. They judged 22 percent of the mentions positive, 24 percent negative and the rest neutral.<br />The conservative group's last study, released in 1997, found far fewer mentions of the topic — an average of once per hour compared to three times per hour last season.<br />But any mention of a religious institution or member of the clergy was at least twice as likely to be negative than positive, the council said.<br />"Ninety percent of the American people believes in God," said Brent Bozell, the council's president. "It is an important issue to most people. Hollywood is attacking the very thing that they consider important in their own lives. Perhaps Hollywood ought to be changing its world view."<br /> Negative examples varied widely: from comic Jimmy Kimmel joking on the American Music Awards that winners should resist thanking God, to a Catholic priest admitting on "The Practice" that he had had sex with a woman who was later murdered.<br />Well-publicized scandals about pedophile priests made Catholics particularly vulnerable, the council found.<br />"Catholicism is in the bulls-eye of the entertainment medium," Bozell said.<br />His group singled out NBC, saying its mentions of religion were nearly 10 times more likely to be negative than positive. "Law & Order" episodes, which tend to have stories, ripped from the headlines, helped skew those numbers, the group said.<br />Bozell noted, however, that one of the negative NBC examples the PTC cited — Karen on "Will & Grace" quipping, "let's go buy that historic church and turn it into a gay bar" — reflected as poorly on the character as on religion.<br />An NBC spokeswoman, Shannon Jacobs, said the network hadn't seen the study but rejected its conclusion. NBC's programming reflects the diversity of its audience, she said.<br />"It is never our intention to appear, nor do we accept the notion that we are, anti-religious," she said.<br />Among the positive examples, the PTC cites a "JAG" episode where a character prays to God to say hello to her dead mother, and an "American Dreams" episode where an actor playing a medical student says a surgery is partially in God's hands.<br />Bozell said he's not suggesting that all television programming "ought to be about St. Teresa" or even be all positive about religion, but that Hollywood should keep in mind the overall picture it presents to viewers. Parents Television Council: PTC<br /><br />5. Most of television religion is of the devil. Preachers preach a Jesus that says, 'come and get it", instead of the real Jesus that said to "take up your cross and DENY yourselves'. They talk a lot more about the abundant life for right here and now, instead of eternal life, and I don't even remember the last time a preacher on TV or radio preached a sermon on hell, oh it might offend the viewers or listeners. All these big shot televangelists, and I won't mention any names, with rings on every finger, private jets, thousand dollar suits, alligator shoes, driving around in Rolls Royces, living in mansions, and an air conditioner for their dog house, being driven around in limos, while at the same time asking the viewers to send them money as a seed. You don't see them denying themselves. They do not represent Jesus Christ at all. Most of what is on so called Christian TV caters to the flesh, and in fact, I quit watching "Christian" television. Most of those televangelists live deliciously, "whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." {Philippians 3:19}. Most of them use a perversion of God's word {NIV, NASB,RSV etc,} instead of the Authorized KJV. I had heard some of them say that God wants us to be rich, while Jesus said, "woe unto the rich", and "blessed be ye poor". It is dangerous to watch so called Christian TV programs. If Jesus Christ Himself was to preach on some so called Christian TV program, not that He would ever consent to be on it, but if He did, He wouldn't be allowed back on, and if my pastor who is the Godliest man I know was to preach on TV, that program would lose viewers. Most of tv "Christianity" is "Hollywood Christianity".<br /><br />6. What about televangelists and evangelic bible-thumpers? What about the Pat Buchanans, the Jerry Falwells, and the Jim Bakers and Pat Robertsons, the Hare Krishnas and the Oral Roberts, and all the other fallen angels of deceit? Are not some of them at this very moment bailing out and parachuting toward an upcoming Third-Party fiasco? Will not some of them eventually arrive back in their pews and pulpits ranting and raving to their captive throngs, while wearing coats of many colors and sheepskins on their bare arms--hiding what they really are--myth-Sayers and seers of the cloth--wearing very dark glasses--observing straight ahead while using only blind hindsight and ancient doctrines? Do they not typify the defeated Christian Coalition--the Cultists of the far right?<br /><br />7. Thy God: Again? Aw man… Okay, no, don’t pick at it! No, no… NO! Alright, calm down, no more tears God. Who’s a big deity? You are!Alright, now put your elbow on something to steady your arm… good… now go in slow. Don’t look at it! You’ll flinch if you look at it!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4848187679210755448.post-53482164195012925312007-04-28T02:57:00.000+05:302007-04-28T03:02:34.380+05:30<div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">MY QUESTION: -</span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">How do you evaluate a State sponsored strike - Bundh, Hartal etc. in Indian terminology?<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">More on this question: -</span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Against a Supreme Court stay on 27% reservation for other backward classes, Tamilnadu, an Indian State at Government level sponsored a statewide total strike restraining the freedom of all Indian Citizens and common services operated through the State. A once great country has become so notorious now in poor discipline due to coalition politics. Not a single session of Parliament goes smooth without violating parliamentary dignity. States do not honor court verdicts and find loopholes in disobeying. Recently a Supreme Court Judge was in tears in an open court being blackmailed. What is the Supreme Court for, if its dictates are dishonored? On Saturday throughout the State, rail/air/surface transport, and all industrial and commercial activities came to a standstill. Fear of reprisal made the strike a big success. A State forcing the strike on its people! Should not its Governor, Prime minister and President resign in honor? Is it not a first-degree contempt/dishonor of court?<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">BEST ANSWER - Chosen By Voters<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Gone are the days for fear of contempt of the court with the legislature and executive and as you said there is a heavy tirade of these two against the judiciary is an order of the day. Earlier there happened to be a healthy competition between legislature and judiciary and one organ used to check the other for a welfare state. But now, since the politics is the last resort of the scoundrel, the berths are plenty of it today and there is no spite in getting the constitution amended to suit their fancies. </span></div><span style="color:#006600;"><div align="justify"><br />As far the state sponsored bundhs are concerned, the whole state is liable to be punished by courts under not only 'contempt' but also under using force on the peaceful citizens leading normal life and for abetting fury and disturbance on the masses.</span><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">OTHER ANSWERS: -<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#993300;">1. Evaluate these Strike, Bandh, Hartal etc. in India as a HOBBY.... When there is nothing constructive to do the mind becomes Devil's Workshop.. and the Law makers create confusion first and then study the loop holes later after few burnings... killings takes place. How much energy is lost of this country in this manner?. We are good in this HOBBY.. Finally our output is that of the Indian Cricket Team at World cup.! and even now we do not learn from our experiences. It just becomes a natural repeating of the old "Thamasha"<br /><br />2. Let us be happy that at least they announce ahead of time... people stay at home and there is less violence... If they did not do that, along with the bandh there will be damage to public property too. I guess the state govt. are so rich, that they can afford to forego one day of revenue...<br /><br />3. The Election commission should "ban" all political parties who participate in "bandhs" from participating in elections! Yes... that would be great thing... At the end of every year the Election commission should make a list of all losses caused by bandhs, and "fine" these parties.... Public should fight and get a court order to "stay" all these parties...<br /><br />4. That would be great... we don’t need any of these guys... The good guys are actually hiding because they don’t have the strength to fight the corrupt guys.<br /><br />5. Indian Constitution and democracy is completely different than what you believe. Here, the mechanism is as follows: The muscle men leaders (crooks, criminals, money suckers) manage the elections and the electorate by their dubious means, get elected as MPs and MLAs, become kings or contesting kings, royal class citizens with absolute right over what the laws would be, how the laws will be enforced, how and how much they would oppress people, what and how judiciary should function. State sponsored bandhs are nothing but the conch shell sounds before this royal class goes in to fighting among themselves or with judiciary that dares to sit on judgment over the kings and royal class families that have exclusive right over all in the country. In uncivilised societies you cannot but have corrupt, criminal and despotism powered and driven democracy.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#993300;"><br /> 6. Now a days the politics have become struggle for survival. It is for the party, by the party and of the party. The people are not in the scene. State sponsored Bandh and Hartal is just to get added mileage in there carreer and they want to show their party is above the court and hence our administration is becoming week day by day.Our leaders (?) are after the vote Bank, the culture, customs, education have no value to them. In fact in this case only our judiciary system can help us. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">We welcome your comments - We respect your comments</div>K. Mathew Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316397928860749247noreply@blogger.com0