Comments on Exploring The Word: What we call sin

"Compute the cost, levy the taxes - and get on wit...

2008-09-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

"Compute the cost, levy the taxes - and get on with it" versus your more recent blog on the need to return to frugality in America. The first idealogical position is consistant with the Democrats, while the second is more the ideal of conservative Republicans. However, I agree that George Bush knows how to spend with the best of them. Maybe Sarah Palin can stop a few more "bridges to nowhere".

Steve, from a dirt road beside a corn field in Texas.

As I have told anyone who would listen, the answer...

2008-04-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

As I have told anyone who would listen, the answer to all of our social problems is education, education, education. Can you image the level of education that could be obtained if we spent the kind of money that is being spent in Iraq on our kids? If every child who had a desire to learn in college was given that chance?

With an educated populace, more people would be able to open small businesses. Most people in this country are employed by small businesses. The more the merrier, I say. People are afraid of the competition and that more jobs would be lost but I say that is hogwash. If people are better educated, there will always be a new business with new ideas to be born with new employees to hire.

With an educated populace, politicians would not be able to smoke-screen the issues with false public images, lotteries instead of taxes, ridiculous earmarks to buy votes, etc. They would be forced to make educated decisions or be voted out of office.

Educated people tend to understand multiple viewpoints (whether they agree with them or not) and an understanding usually leads to a compromise rather than a stalemate that turns violent.

Children who are educated are less likely to make "sinful" decisions like using hard drugs, unprotected sex, gambling, etc. Instead, the fundamentalists seem to think the easier solution is not education but censorship. They seem to believe that if the sin is removed (or at least hidden) then no one will think to do it. Unfortunately, kids are smarter than that. They do it because they don't see the downside because nobody wants to talk about it.

One of the things I always liked about the Presbyterian church (and CCPC in particular) is its drive to learn. Continuing education in all subjects, no matter how uncomfortable, should be a staple of everyone's life.

If I were emperor, that is what would happen!

I'm not sure that the 35% who don't think hard dru...

2008-04-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure that the 35% who don't think hard drug use is a sin are saying that it is ok. I think of it as an individual failing rather than a sin. Its a failing that can lead to a lot of sin though.
I agree completely about slots. I posted on the subject months ago. I think I'm the only person still opposed to the lottery. The only way I would be in favor is if it was mandatory for every adult in the state to spend $300 on it annually (or if they wished, simply write a check to the state).