Faith is a virtue of the Intellect

[Optrader]

@ImRightYoureWrong

@Optrader

There’s plenty of poverty, though I don’t think anyone could put a credible case for rural ghettos like in the big cities. The underlying problem is the same. People of sound mind and body not taking responsibility for their own lives.

Then why do you blame the government?

What is the very first priority of EVERY government that has ever come into existence?

[Optrader]

@ImRightYoureWrong

@Optrader

There’s plenty of poverty, though I don’t think anyone could put a credible case for rural ghettos like in the big cities. The underlying problem is the same. People of sound mind and body not taking responsibility for their own lives.

Then why do you blame the government?

Our government is comprised of individuals isn’t it?

[Meriweather]

@Optrader

I like this idea Meri and there are many poor who will, or wish to contribute. Too many though, choose the easy way and are all too happy to wait for someone to stick food in their mouths and literally live on the streets if someone doesn’t. The government makes no real effort to separate the wills from the won’ts. As you said, they are concerned more with justifying their existence.

The government needs to take responsibility for advertising “entitlements” instead of offering charity. People will take “entitlements” but many push away from taking charity and being seen as a charity case. If a person cannot feel relief and gratitude that there is charity available for them in a time of need, that is probably the first indication that they realize they can do more to take care of themselves.

The reason the bureaucracy offers “entitlements” over charity is that people wanting their entitlements will walk through their door, whereas people asking for charity are not nearly as numerous.

The other plus, is that almost all of us wish to help those in genuine need, but it is easy to grow cynical when the government is seen bailing out those who already have it better than we do ourselves.

[Meriweather]

@Optrader

I like PIE!!

Me, too! But I am a great fan of pi as well. Pie on pi day is tops. (Especially if it is lemon meringue)

[ImRightYoureWrong]

@Optrader

Our government is comprised of individuals isn’t it?

You were talking about poor people not taking responsibility for themselves

[ImRightYoureWrong]

@Meriweather

The government needs to take responsibility for advertising “entitlements” instead of offering charity. People will take “entitlements” but many push away from taking charity and being seen as a charity case. If a person cannot feel relief and gratitude that there is charity available for them in a time of need, that is probably the first indication that they realize they can do more to take care of themselves.

The reason the bureaucracy offers “entitlements” over charity is that people wanting their entitlements will walk through their door, whereas people asking for charity are not nearly as numerous.

The other plus, is that almost all of us wish to help those in genuine need, but it is easy to grow cynical when the government is seen bailing out those who already have it better than we do ourselves.

This is a load, based on nothing but conjecture. Government welfare by definition is not charity. And relying on public charity doesn’t work. NOTHING is stopping charity right now except there is not enough of it, thus you get government programs.

[Borgia_dude]

@Optrader

@Borgia_dude

@Optrader

@ImRightYoureWrong

@Optrader

And yet, today every big city is full of homeless people. In some cities like San Francisco, people have to step around feces band syringes. All those compassionate liberals in California and still an abundance of poverty. Other big cities like Chicago and Baltimore are war zones filled with gangs and drugs. Doesn’t seem like 8 years of Obama’s hope and change did much. Didn’t they WANT Obama to help them? Why can’t you guys get rid of poverty? Why don’t you just pass laws making poverty illegal? Since gun laws have done such a wonderful job of making big cities safer, you would think anti poverty laws would make people stop being poor.

Holy talking points batman

I’ve noticed that whenever a liberal says " We need to have a dialogue", the last thing they actually want is a dialogue.

When you brush off, as the rantings of a cultist lunatic, the points I make, you then can pretend the points don’t exist. Meanwhile society continues to suffer because that’s what you guys do.

I’m sure you’ve heard the definition of insanity. To keep doing the same thing over and over and over, in hopes of a different result. The biggest problem liberals have is refusing to acknowledge that man is his own worst enemy. We bring every problem and evil upon ourselves. Despite our best efforts and all the hope in the world, still our problems persist. Man is not the solution, but the problem.

Think about this: What does a new born infant know? Does he know he’s poor? Does he know he’s white or black or American or Chinese or atheist, Christian or Hindu? Does he know to hate people because of race or religion? Does he know he will end up by age 25 uneducated and in jail for life? Nope. EVERYTHING he is is what he is taught. So, if we find ourselves, in our young life in a situation we don’t like, how do we change the situation? The situation will never change for anybody if they don’t own their own life.

I’ll grant that government can provide some things to help people. People who are hungry sure appreciate food stamps. People who are homeless sure appreciate a warm place to sleep, but government has been doing these things for decades and still the homeless situation in places like San Francisco get to the point that the rest of society is dealing with problems like feces and syringes in the streets. The reason these problems persist us because government doesn’t, can’t and never will address the underlying problem, which is the fallen nature of people that can only be changed by Christ. This is the teaching and training that people need to avoid poverty and other problems in life. It’s accepted by faith, confirmed by observation and experience.

It’s denied by liberals who keep believing and doing the same insane things…

Ok. How does the high rate of rural poverty figure into all of this?

We have more educational opportunities than ever and still rural communities are poverty-ridden ghettos.

There’s plenty of poverty, though I don’t think anyone could put a credible case for rural ghettos like in the big cities. The underlying problem is the same. People of sound mind and body not taking responsibility for their own lives.

The rural poverty rate is not much different than the big city poverty rate so I’m not sure why you keep railing on urban poverty only.

I agree there are some people of sound mind and body not taking responsibility for their lives.

But people also need opportunity and training to be able to get jobs better than minimum wage.

[rp5x5]

People do not understand cause and effect. (Karma) and do not understand that faith is behavior, within and without.

Here is a quote from a Buddhist Sutra quoted by Sun Lotus (Nichiren 13Th century)

The Parinirvāna Sutra states: “Good man, because people committed countless offenses and accumulated much evil karma in the past, they must expect to suffer retribution for everything they have done. They may be despised, cursed with an ugly appearance, be poorly clad and poorly fed, seek wealth in vain, be born to an impoverished and lowly family or one with erroneous views, or be persecuted by their sovereign.” It continues: “They may be subjected to various other sufferings and retributions. It is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the Law, that they can diminish in this lifetime their suffering and retribution.”

Faith, in the life-moment, is the never-give-up will from within, then new causes pave the way to expiate negative karma. This also refers to the time, country and initial capacity for salvation. Karma can be individual or of a group.

• general and specific. A country and time of the worst suffering is no accident. Birth in a given time and place is a shared karma. Birth in the best country, time and place is akso Karna.

Taking responsibility for one’s own causes and effects is the beginning of faith and "Sange " Japanese Buddhist term for repentance, and the faith to change and breakthrough to Awakening, is an active practice of faith and prayer.

[Meriweather]

@rp5x5

People do not understand cause and effect. (Karma) and do not understand that faith is behavior, within and without.

Here is a quote from a Buddhist Sutra quoted by Sun Lotus (Nichiren 13Th century)

The Parinirvāna Sutra states: “Good man, because people committed countless offenses and accumulated much evil karma in the past, they must expect to suffer retribution for everything they have done. They may be despised, cursed with an ugly appearance, be poorly clad and poorly fed, seek wealth in vain, be born to an impoverished and lowly family or one with erroneous views, or be persecuted by their sovereign.” It continues: “They may be subjected to various other sufferings and retributions. It is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the Law, that they can diminish in this lifetime their suffering and retribution.”

Faith, in the life-moment, is the never-give-up will from within, then new causes pave the way to expiate negative karma. This also refers to the time, country and initial capacity for salvation. Karma can be individual or of a group.

• general and specific. A country and time of the worst suffering is no accident. Birth in a given time and place is a shared karma. Birth in the best country, time and place is akso Karna.

Taking responsibility for one’s own causes and effects is the beginning of faith and "Sange " Japanese Buddhist term for repentance, and the faith to change and breakthrough to Awakening, is an active practice of faith and prayer.

Nicely said.

[Borgia_dude]

Karma? Any evidence for it?

[rp5x5]

@rp5x5

moment

Karma is cause and effect. Is there evidence for cause and effect? Of course there is, In Buddhism, there is both, linear and simultaneous cause and effect. This accounts for all phenomena,

In Japanese a word for Karna is “Renge”. In sanskrit, it was pundarika. This means Lotus flower blooming. The Lotus flower and fruit appears at the sane time simultaneously, so it became a symbol of Karma-cause and effect.

Everything, sentient or insentient, operates according to this law.

What you call “evidence” can be seen in all phenomena. Therefore Buddhism teaches, “All phenomena reveals the true aspect”.

Science uses Microscopes and Telescopes or atom smashers to gain insight, but this is limited. No microscope or Telescope or cyclotron, can fully penetrate into the depth of life. These things only offer, primitive understanding, Faith and Practice can lead to the real awakening, that far surpasses, the limited mind. The proof is actual. It is the evidence and includes oneness of subjectivity and objectivity. This is a much better microscope and telescope or cyclotron, then these transient tools of primitive science. All beings are in fact, already equipped with this. Faith in this is the entry point to use this tool of awakening.

[Borgia_dude]

@rp5x5

Karma is cause and effect. Is there evidence for cause and effect? Of course there is, In Buddhism, there is both, linear and simultaneous cause and effect. This accounts for all phenomena,

No. Karma is non-physical cause and effect. There is no evidence for that.

Physical cause and effect can be tested and verified. Can we test karma similarly?

[rp5x5]

Karma is both physical and mind. Even you writing here includes body and mind.

I already explained YOU and all beings have the tool to prove it. Even top physics theory knows mind and matter (body) is inseparable. A cornerstone of physics is that the " experimenter" effects the experiment.

Your life itself both body and mind, is already proof and the entry point is faith. You cannot expect to grasp this without effort. Faith , practice, meditation and prayer, devotion to this Supreme law, is the way to get the full proof.

Full proof Enlightenment, is much greater that any proof by science or logic. It is a divine proof. Science still leaves people the question of what is illusion and what is reality. Reality as it is, is fully experiential, when subjectivity and objectivity is fused as one.

Deep inside all beings, is a seed that can be scorched, dormant or growing, depending on faith and practice.

[wiley8425]

Hate the sin, not the sinner, hypocrite.

[ImRightYoureWrong]

@Meriweather

Yes, they join the group of the judgemental people who judge those who do go to church. May the two groups enjoy each other’s company.

Many of those who give a weekly pittance also spend the rest of the week in action. The next time an act of kindness is seen or experienced, simply dismiss the pittance this kind person may donate each week.

And many poor people work hard. Doesn’t stop you and others fom judging them.

[Meriweather]

What sin?

But first keep in mind I am not one who “hates the sin” (or hates at all, for that matter). The definition of sin is missing the mark. I do not hate it when someone who is trying misses the mark. I am of the philosophy that people have not made the mark yet, and sins (missing the mark) is forgiven for those who miss and still try.

[rp5x5]

@ImRightYoureWrong

@Meriweather

Yes, they join the group of the judgemental people who judge those who do go to church. May the two groups enjoy each other’s company.

Many of those who give a weekly pittance also spend the rest of the week in action. The next time an act of kindness is seen or experienced, simply dismiss the pittance this kind person may donate each week.

And many poor people work hard. Doesn’t stop you and others fom judging them.

A school teacher might judge and critique a lazy student. But isn’t that usually arising as mercy for the student?

If a student is bitter they give themselves a bad grade and might give up.

[Meriweather]

@rp5x5

A school teacher might judge and critique a lazy student. But isn’t that usually arising as mercy for the student?

If a student is bitter they give themselves a bad grade and might give up.

Is the criticism constructive? In my experience students are very good at discerning what is constructive (even if they choose not to act on it) and what is unfair criticism. In a classroom situation what the students find most unfair is not receiving the personal time they feel they deserve. Can’t argue about that, because when there are 35-37 students in a fifty minute class, personal time is at such a premium it often isn’t there.

As far as criticism in general: Is it meant to be constructive or is it meant to be insulting? I have a difficult time seeing criticism as merciful or unmerciful, unless you are saying that constructive is merciful and insulting is unmerciful?

[Borgia_dude]

@rp5x5

Karma is both physical and mind. Even you writing here includes body and mind.

I already explained YOU and all beings have the tool to prove it. Even top physics theory knows mind and matter (body) is inseparable. A cornerstone of physics is that the " experimenter" effects the experiment.

Your life itself both body and mind, is already proof and the entry point is faith. You cannot expect to grasp this without effort. Faith , practice, meditation and prayer, devotion to this Supreme law, is the way to get the full proof.

Full proof Enlightenment, is much greater that any proof by science or logic. It is a divine proof. Science still leaves people the question of what is illusion and what is reality. Reality as it is, is fully experiential, when subjectivity and objectivity is fused as one.

Deep inside all beings, is a seed that can be scorched, dormant or growing, depending on faith and practice.

All unproven except the mind and body are inseparable.

“Full proof enlightenment” seems like a bunch of words to me (no insult intended). It doesn’t mean anything and can not be shown to be true.

[rp5x5]

@Meriweather

@rp5x5

A school teacher might judge and critique a lazy student. But isn’t that usually arising as mercy for the student?

If a student is bitter they give themselves a bad grade and might give up.

Is the criticism constructive? In my experience students are very good at discerning what is constructive (even if they choose not to act on it) and what is unfair criticism. In a classroom situation what the students find most unfair is not receiving the personal time they feel they deserve. Can’t argue about that, because when there are 35-37 students in a fifty minute class, personal time is at such a premium it often isn’t there.

As far as criticism in general: Is it meant to be constructive or is it meant to be insulting? I have a difficult time seeing criticism as merciful or unmerciful, unless you are saying that constructive is merciful and insulting is unmerciful?

Yes, constructive criticism would be merciful. Saying " usually" as I said above might be wishful thinking that all teachers are doing their job and not conveying bitterness to the bitter student. Not all teachers are manifesting mercy. Even then, a student may be bitter anyway even with a merciful teacher.