Ruth

Thanks Ruth, Dizz my cat just got fixed and got shots...she's recovering...have a wunnerful Thursday (((hug)))

Hello Ruth. Thank you very much for your welcome. I look forward to your fellowship.

James

Have a wunnerful Wednesday, Ruth (((hug)))

Thank you Ruth!!!! I downloaded it and i'll be using it around Christmas (((hug)))

Thanks! Hope you have a good weekend too. I'm going to my parents today with the kids.

I think you belong here. Things have been strange lately, and I feel I have had a role in that, and I am going to tone it down some. I really like it here, and there are some really nice folks here too, so I don't want to drive people away. I tend to be rather outspoken, and while I have meant no offense to anyone, it has unfortunately come across that way to some.

But Ruth, please don't worry about falling in step with anyone or anything...you are a ray of sunshine here and I suspect everywhere you go. The world needs more people like you.

Yes, that is maddening. The glib assumption that something based on faith can even be claimed as knowledge is a major irritant.

I think I have an idea of who is badgering you, judging from some posts on the forums. Their opinion about whether you are a believer or not in their eyes is of zero consequence. What matters is how you feel about it, and the decisions you have made for yourself as a person with the right to choose for yourself.

Yes, once I began to reason and realized faith didn't and couldn't make sense for me, but still having doubt, I feared going to hell. Now that fear is gone completely...but I feel for all the children around the world being made to fear this horrible notion.

I had nightmares about it, and spent a great deal of time thinking about how horrible an eternal torment by burning would be. I couldn't think of any crime so horrible as to deserve that, much less being sent there simply because you didn't believe.

That was why the concept was invented...to scare people. Billions of children have been abused in this way. It's sickening.

Thanks Ruth!!!!! Yay!!!!!!! (((hug)))

Awesome!!! I wish i would's thought of that...i kinda miss the dollies and the backgrounds, etc.

That was smart, Ruth

You know, as a teenager struggling with it all, I came to conclude that the main character of the Bible was the most horrific monster I had ever heard of. I mean only a monster of epic proportions would burn people for eternity because they could not believe something for which there isn't a shred of evidence. An infinite and horrible punishment for what I see as no crime whatsoever made me realize I could never believe such a monster would exist. And from there it was just a matter of time before I realized I simply could not believe in anything supernatural, simply because there is no evidence. I simply remain agnostic on it, because there is no evidence to support or deny it.

Hello Ruth,

Yeah, I suspect you are right. But just remember, you haven't said anything here to insult or put anyone down, so you have nothing to answer for.

After all, it's not like you've have the sheer audacity to require evidence for stated fact...LOL!

Hey Ruth,

You owe no one an explanation and your beliefs are just as valid as those of anyone else.

Hello, Ruth!

Yes, I know how you feel...it is one thing if one of our siblings criticizes another sibling in front of us, but when someone outside our family criticizes one of our siblings, we are much more defensive.

Hey Ruth,

I think the U.S. is the greatest country in the world, but I think we should be able to criticize our government and its policies without being viewed as unpatriotic. Now bashing is one thing, but thoughtful criticism aimed at looking to improve things is what patriotism is all about, IMHO.

I always vote, but I haven't really begun to narrow down the choice for the least worst candidate yet...hehehe.

Awesome avatar Ruth!! How'd you get that? LOVE it!!!