Dickson's Blogathon

Whoa man, I'm glad he's ok, I know how it feels to have a dad in a car accident knocked unconscious. Here's to your dad's recovery.

werd

So how is your dad now? The senior drivers in the city are really dangerous. I pray for your dad's good health and recovery.

Yes, "PRAY" if you don't mind that I believe in the power of prayer:) Well here's my stand. I think one of the functions of religion is to bring out the goodness in human beings. And I know a lot of people who are not religious but doing things that Jesus would do. I don't see any reason why God should send these people to hell just because they don't go to church every Sunday. The thing is that in the real world, there's too much tempation to sin. You know when you've done something bad, your conscience will never forgive you, so here comes in the most important function of religion, it brings you peace inside because you're staying away from doing bad, so you live a happy life with no burdens in heart. Now, when you're so happy, then nothing can prevent you from going to heaven.

The problem with the people preaching is that they go out with an assumption that people who are not religious or even in a different religion "believed wrong". That annoys me too. Who would like to be told "wrong" or "you're a sinner" right off the face? I think they just need to be a little more open minded so that they don't scare people away. Btw, I think that pilot is extermely couragous in what he did.

Finally... "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..." A little singing just to annoy you. :)

Thank you for your concern. I really appreciate it.

Even though everybody (including myself) has once prayed for something in their life, I have to disagree on the power of prayer. People pray because we would like to believe there is more we can do even though there really isn't. Haven't you ever had the feeling of frustration when you want to help but there isn't anything more you can do. Thats why people, regardless of religion and culture, pray. It alleviates this frustration and makes them feel like they are doing something. What is the first thing we would do in an accident such as this? We immediately call for help. We put our lives in the hands of paramedics during those initial and crucial minutes and then ultimately we rely on the years of experience of the doctors. And almost in all cases, people try to do more by finding the best doctor available and to get more and different opinions of the victim's condition just to reaffirm ourselves. And after all this is done, then we find ourselves praying for the best. Could you imagine praying first then calling the paramedics? Needless to say, the outcome would be much more tragic. But sadly, for some people praying is all they have. Many people living in third world countries do not have access to the doctors and the billion of dollars of equipment we have here in America. When something tragic occurs, they try to seek help only to find it is very limited, if any. Desperation settles in and the only thing they can do to calm themselves is pray. If you went to one these countries, I'm sure you will find "miracles" don't occur as often as they occur here.

Just yesterday, I read a report on human trafficking of children in Romanian and it hurts for me to read each sentence. It is unfathomable of what people can do, knowing the pain and anguish it will inflict on the children. In one case, a small boy tried to commit suicide by burning himself. But he was saved by an older child who later on taught him to live by prostituting, drug dealing and getting through each day by sniffing solvents. Try telling these kids to believe in religion and surely they will scoff at you. They live only because they are willing to "sin" and only because there are sick people in the world who are willing to exploit them. As much as I pray for them everyday, I know my prayers will not go far. What can God do if not even the law can help them? If I want to help, I know for a fact that praying isn't the answer. And at this point, I'm pretty sure I will do something more physical and concrete in the future to aid them. But for now, I'm powerless and all I can do is pray. Until there is some divine intervention that can save these children and other victims of society, I will not be able to believe there is a God.

As for the pilot, I must admit he was courageous in standing up for what he believes. But at the sametime, I must point out that he was very intolerant of other people's culture and lifestyle. Imagine the pilot saying:

"Those who wear Nike raise your hand. For those that don't, please consult with them to discuss your bad taste in clothing."

Now how courageous would that be? I would find that quite insulting. And likewise, promoting religion in that fashion is no different.

I fully respect those who carry out religion in a sincere and humble fashion. Even more so, I respect those who not only show kindness in their religious setting but also to those on the "outside". I find in this world there are too many people who are kind only because they fear God. And their lack of sincerity often shows in a burst of rude selfishness and intolerance. But you on the otherhand is someone who really shows religion in the best light possible. And in some ways, you really make me want to believe there is a God but at the sametime, I cannot forget those who suffer every minute. And for that reason alone, I cannot put faith into something that seems so powerless. For the sake of these people, I hope one day I will be proved wrong.

Oh and one more thing, I will NEVER be annoyed by your singing. I'm annoyed by my own singing if anything ;)

This is a true story that I heard today, maybe I'll just share with you here.

It was Jan. 12, 2004. The weather forecast reported the lowest temperature in Toronto since 1994. Paul was on his way to his office on Young and King. He was a little late for his meeting. While he drove into the parking lot, he spotted a man squatting on the sidewalk with one arm streched out in the cold. A begger. Paul parked the car, walked out of the parking lot, turned the corner and saw the same man squatting the same way as he did a few minutes ago. He looked stiff.

Paul walked closer to him and asked,
"Do you need something warm?"
The man looked up, did not respond.
Paul took a twenty dollar bill, handed it to the man, and walked away. But as he was leaving, he heard the man shouting from behind,
"Can I buy you a coffee?" Paul turned around and felt confused about this man's offer.
"Or perhaps a hot chocolate?"
"No, I'm in a real hurry to my office now, but thank you very much, I..." Paul responded with hesitation.
"Are you coming back?" The man insisted.
"Yes, I park here, I'll come back for my car."
"You know, twenty dollar is big for me. I will wait for you today, here, and I will buy you a coffee. My name is Shawn."
"I am Paul. Thank you, I wish you have a nice day." Paul then hurried toward his office.

After work, Paul saw the man again as he drove out of the parking lot. He had been waiting, holding a cup.
"Hey Shawn."
"Hey, this is for you."
"Thank you, I really don't need..."
"I haven't touched it, it's warm."
"Thank you Shawn." Paul took a sip from the cup.
"You see," Shawn flipped open his left boot "the two pairs of socks," and lifted up his jacket "and this yellow shirt, all for sixteen dollars."
"Good now you're warm."
"Paul, do you mind I pray for you? I pray to God all the time."
"Oh, I'm Catholic, feel free." Paul took out another fifteen dollars that he found in his pocket.
"See, there's a church down the street, I go to mass every evening at eight. I know you have a wife and a daughter."
"Haha. You're close, I have a wife, a daughter and a son only one and half years old."
"See, I was close, God just told me that."
"Yes, you were close, haha."
"God bless you Paul, good bye."
"Good bye."

Now I wonder, the begger has no money, but how can any rich man have so much joy over twenty bucks? Who's the one suffering then? The restless working rich man who's never satisfied with the number in his bank account, or the begger?

God wants us to have joy and peace, that's why he created "the Garden of Eden" right from the beginning, a place where there's not supposed to be any suffering. Then why are we suffering today? I would like to tell you that it is because our ancestors, Adam and Eve did not obey the rules and ate that fruit, but that sounds to you just pure Jewish mythology. I think people in the third world countries has no food or shelter because many of these countries are at war. War happens because country leaders are greedy of the wealth in the materialistic world. And it's sad that's the way social structures have to be, leaders make decisions for their people; wealthy nations make decisions for the not so wealthy. God did not choose to let this happen, humans did. We have problems separating what is the physical and spiritual happiness; what is the physical and spiritual suffering. Church helps us to undderstand that.

Tell me if I'm getting too much into this "friendly debate". It's reading week, haha.

ur all fucked up

the guy with the p'sssss is over haps coz hes got p's in the bank and can afford to buy nice clothes, food and most probably gets laid on the regs.....the begger feels pissed coz he most probably doesnt wash and smells kinda like that thing i found behind my sofa the other day...and dont get none from the ladys. he goes to church and the people in there tell him if he beleives in god everythings will be alright for him but at the end of the day we all know its all bullshit and hes got a *** life.....he needs to get himself together, have a wash and get a job xx

Hey wtf is with "It is easier to believe in religion when you live in America" Wt the hell is that about seriously i dont believe in god but still amerca is full of crime i live in the UK and it aint half as bad as america. Anyone can believe in god no matter WHAT country you live in so dont think wat u sed is correct. i am sorry to here bout ur dad glad he is ok and wish u the very best X

heyy man oi think that u are so right and i would like to use your thought and opinion in my persuasice esay is tht okay with you??

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