Adrianvs

"Do you eat pork? Do you eat animals that are "clean" or "unclean"? Or have you disregarded those terms because you feel they no longer apply today." You have ignored the brief explanations regarding this issue. If you want to understand it better, read the Acts of the Apostles, particularly Peter's speeches in Act 10 and 15. I accept the words of Peter as the Prince of the Apostles and he whose "faith may not fail." Now I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't simply "carry words two thousand years forward and expect them to have the exact same meaning as they did at the time they

nsnowman, I'm sure that you draw the line on "tolerance and acceptance" when it suits you. Even limiting it to sexual acts between consenting individuals, I am sure that there are many that you would not want presented to your children as "acceptable lifestyles." Where and how do you draw the line? As for using Bible passages, most do not see Scripture as a homogenous collection of direct commandments to the reader. That is an Islamic notion. Jewish and Christian Scriptures are historical records using many literary forms. The New Testament explains why the Levitical laws no lon

Please stop using the Constitution against _____________. It was written in a time when _______________. Fill in the blanks to your liking.

Wheeler, As you probably know, I feel that all life, including the Scouting program, should be informed by philosophy. I am a student of Plato and Aristotle, among other classic writers, and have written a considerable amount on their writings and ideas. As such, I find the introduction of classical thought to the Scouting community to be a most beneficial move. I have made it myself, in somewhat more subtle ways. On the issues of gender, I am not of the "unisexist" camp. I accept different trends of behavior and roles for men and women. Some may consider me "conservative" or e

I believe in the concept of redemptive suffering. I also believe that pain is a part of life and any life training should prepare one to endure painful or unpleasant situations properly. Or, in the words of a particular BSA program, "...to preserve a cheerful spirit even in the midst of irksome tasks and weighty responsibilities." I believe that hardship strengthens the body, mind, and soul in very important ways. HOWEVER, I think it would be a mistake to assume that something cannot be good without being painful or difficult. A campfire is a good thing because it is beautiful, provid

I think that a black arm band (and/or neckerchief) would be appropriate. While I wouldn't begrudge one who wanted to wear black shoulder loops in mourning, I think it better to add the symbol to the complete uniform rather than replace a uniform piece with another symbol. You could just as easily attended wearing all black "civilian" clothes, but you chose to attend as fellow scouts and scouters. It only seems right to be properly attired as such as you demonstrate your reverence and rememberence. Again, I don't look down on anyone who has or wishes to wear the loops. I just think that an

I prefer to wear boots with the field uniform (Class A, VentureScout), whether formally or informally. For some reason, dress shoes don't seem to go well with the uniform to me. For formal occasions, I must admit, I have a pair of "dress boots." Comfortable, functional, and snazzy looking. Note: this is probably the first time I have used the word "snazzy" in print. Suggestion in alternate spellings are not welcome.

Acco, Eagle54 wasn't proposing that "non-denominational" services were somehow made more specific. I don't think that is possible, as your example indicates. He was referring to the common practice of having services conducted by and for members of the religions in question. As Bob states, one should try to represent all religions as possible and necessary. There is nothing wrong with Scouts' Own or similar services, but it doesn't meet the needs of every religious group. If numbers are significant, it is often worthwhile to let groups worship in the manner designated by their faith.

Ozemu, While Wheeler is working from a Christian perspective, most of the works that he is quoting from are pre-Christian. 4 Maccabees and the Book of Wisdom are Hebrew writings from the period before the birth of Christ (500-100 BC, I think). While the latter is part of the Catholic canon, the former is not canonical in any major religion and was offered as a piece of Hebrew thought informed by Greek tradition. The Jewish community rejected these Greek writings as inspired in a council around 100 AD, but I think they are still held in esteem. Of course, the Hebrew or Hellenistic trad

And yes, raising chickens was a purely hypothetical example. May I assume that your example of what you are looking at on the public computer was hypothetical as well? Obsession? That I find government ownership of one's home more intrusive than government access to public library records is hardly an obsession. I do see evidence for obsessions, delusions of persecution and delusions of reference on this page, however.

"I'd like to see us spend more time figuring out why people in foriegn countries hate Americans, and less time figuring out how to protect ourselves from them." Do you want the Freudian answer or the theological one? Do you think that the US government officials should make pilgrimages to Mecca and the tomb of Lenin on their knees instead of working on national defense? You seem to know why Americans are hated; why don't you enlighten us? While you're at it, tell us how many American civilians have to be killed to pay for our nation's sins. The enemies seem to indicate that total annh

"However, we (I guess that's the editorial we) have not learned to live with the government snooping into what we are reading or looking at on our computers.." I agree completely. If the Patriot Act allowed the government to snoop into what we are reading or looking at on our computers, I would be concerned very much. The issue at hand, however, is what we (or anyone else) are checking out of a public facility and typing on a public computer. It is not the same.

We have become so accustomed to goverment agencies and programs that we sometimes fail to remember what public facilities are. We assume that the goverment is somehow a distinct (yet elusive to define) entity from the institutions like the post office and public library which we use every day. Perhaps it is the streaks of libertarianism in me, but I usually make note of the public or governmental status of any institution when using it. Because of this, it didn't shock me to think that one governmental agency is able to look into the records of another. Perhaps I am just hoping that the go

OK, Here is the real question: Who would win in a fight between Herbert Hoover and J. Edgar Hoover? Seriously though, I don't want to give the impression that we shouldn't be vigilant regarding government intrusions. I just don't happen to think that looking into library records happen to be an invasion of any right. In fact, it wouldn't bother me if the usage records (as far as checkout goes) were open to the public. If the government owns the facilities, the usage records should be open to them. If the people own the facilities (I tend to lean this way), then the usage records shou

Any member of the local judiciary with "proper authorization" may create a search warrant on the spot. It's only a phantom difference. Would you rather the federal agencies need a "search warrant" to force library employees to turn the screen around at the counter? Whom do you think is being unjustly "looked into" here? Exactly how is it more invasive than giving an account of how all your income was dispersed throughout the year? If you have no problem publicly carrying a book to the library counter and checking it out, why is it so bloody embarassing to have it come up on a screen? If

I just can't seem to work myself up to shock that government agencies can examine records of public library use. I always assumed that they were public records that could be easily accessed by even local law enforcement. Perhaps I just assumed that my transactions with such public facilities were a matter of public record. All it takes is a nod from one of myriad black robe wearers to authorize the local law enforcement agency to search your entire home. Don't suddenly feel violated that the federal government has the ability to visit your local library and type your name in the database.

We have had a female program director at our camp for the last four or five years. It has worked well for us, although there is consequently a distance between the program director and the rest of staff. While some of this may be due to age differences, I feel that gender plays a role as well. I have no problem with a woman serving as program or camp director. It would seem preferrable, however, for at least one of the two to be a man. This just seems intuitively right, but the conditions at other camps may differ on this.

"It is not illegal. I respect the right that Achileez possesses in his ability to choose a religion, just as he respects my right to make that decision. We don't have to agree on the choice, but the freedom to choose is what's important." Must we respect all choices that are currently legal? It is one thing to respect an individual's human dignity or the virtues which they possess. It is another to "respect" an false belief or wrong action. I don't think the latter is possible. I respect many people with whom I disagree, but I cannot respect ideas or choices which I perceive

Regarding the dogmatic materialists who attempt to rely on what they call reason... In the words of G. K. Chesterton: It is idle to talk always of the alternative of reason and faith. Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all. If you are merely a sceptic, you must sooner or later ask yourself the question, "Why should ANYTHING go right; even observation and deduction? Why should not good logic be as misleading as bad logic? They are both movements in the brain of a bewildered ape?" The young sceptic sa

"I can tell...you're a Mediterraneanist." Is that a compliment, Pack? Seriously though, I don't think I am. It's just that the discussion at hand was about virtue. Virtue is a Greco-Roman concept that was later adopted by Europeans under Roman influence. If we were talking about karma, I would be quoting Siddhartha Gautama and Patanjali. I don't speak Greek, Sanskrit, Latin, or Bengali. It doesn't have anything to do with barbarism. Nor does having a beard, surprisingly. Your Latinist friends may disagree, of course. If by dead languages, you mean those that are no longe

'Saddle, I think that Ozemu was implying that the virtues are the same for men and women (which is correct). Perhaps he was referring to different means of training and education which may allow these virtues to be attained by men and women. It may also be a case of mistaking different behaviors of men and women ruled by virtue as different sets of virtue. In such a case, the specific traits of virtuous men (as opposed to virtuous women) might be considered manly virtues (as opposed to womanly virtues). I don't know. If you really want the virtues, here they are: Prudence Temp

Is the prohibition of laser tag and similar activities within the Guide to Safe Scouting? If so, then it would be quite misleading, given the supposed reason given for it's prohibition. In other words, if the issue is simply that of combat simulation, then the prohibition on such activities should be moved to the 2004 issue of the Guide to Politically Correct Scouting, not the G2SS. Or are there actually safety related reasons for its prohibition?(This message has been edited by Adrianvs)

"All due respect to the old Lad - He is very longwinded." You have no idea, my friend.

Does the military use of "US" designate national or governmental affiliation? Or does it signify ownership (national or governmental)? The French refer to their own nation as "la France," but they refer to ours as "Les Etates-Unis." Is it an inconsistency?

"Am I missing someting or is the aisle not wide enough for the US & Church flags to process together?" If I am not mistaken, the flag on the right of the bearers during procession would be in prominence. That is why having the flags cross is necessary if they are to be posted on a raised level (thus having their positions reversed). If the flags are to be posted on the same level as the "audience," it seems that they would not cross. In Catholic churches, the bishops' liturgical committee recommends that the flags are not posted in the sanctuary (usually raised), so a crossing woul