ISRAEL - IRAN - SYRIA - HAMAS - HEZBOLLAH - WWWIII?

Actually, i do consider myself an atheist--to the extent that i know of no god, i am without god--atheist. But i don't assert that there is no god, i simply point out that no one has ever demonstrated that there is a god.

However, we have learned that logic is not one of Ican't's strong points, and that he is happy to proceed to sweeping pronouncements without a shred of evidence.

So, do we assume everythng our minds can conjure exists, and seek to prove their non-existence, or should we assume nothing exists until we discover their existence?

He offers an oversimplistic and simple-minded view of the middle east and of Muslims

The Declaration of Independence
(Adopted in Congress 4 July 1776)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, in that they are endowed by God with certain rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the people governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to secure these rights.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that people are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

To secure for me my rights endowed me by God, I must possess the right to defend myself effectively against those attempting to deny me one or more of my rights. Those people who are attempting to deny me or are denying me one or more of my rights, thereby forfeit those very rights originally endowed them by God that they seek to deny me.

The gift of my rights by God obligates me to attempt to help others secure these same rights, whenever anyone attempts to deny them these same rights.

Actually, i do consider myself an atheist--to the extent that i know of no god, i am without god--atheist. But i don't assert that there is no god, i simply point out that no one has ever demonstrated that there is a god.

However, we have learned that logic is not one of Ican't's strong points, and that he is happy to proceed to sweeping pronouncements without a shred of evidence.

GA Resolution: Israel must withdraw from E.J'lem, Golan

Decisive majority in UN General Assembly approves six pro-Palestinian resolutions, including calls for Israel to dismantle settlements, withdraw from territory captured in '67, including E. J'lem, Golan Heights despite heavy opposition by Israel, US
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3335043,00.html

Setanta wrote:

Actually, i do consider myself an atheist--to the extent that i know of no god, i am without god--atheist. But i don't assert that there is no god, i simply point out that no one has ever demonstrated that there is a god.

However, we have learned that logic is not one of Ican't's strong points, and that he is happy to proceed to sweeping pronouncements without a shred of evidence.

You are confusing agnostic with atheism.

Agnostic: person who believes that it is impossible to know whether God exists.
Atheist: belief that there is no God.

pachelbel wrote:

Setanta wrote:

Actually, i do consider myself an atheist--to the extent that i know of no god, i am without god--atheist. But i don't assert that there is no god, i simply point out that no one has ever demonstrated that there is a god.

However, we have learned that logic is not one of Ican't's strong points, and that he is happy to proceed to sweeping pronouncements without a shred of evidence.

You are confusing agnostic with atheism.

Agnostic: person who believes that it is impossible to know whether God exists.
Atheist: belief that there is no God.

I am confusing nothing. There is more than one definition of atheist. I am without god, therefore i am an atheist. It is not axiomatic that an atheist denies that any deity exists. I certainly don't need to be dictated to by the likes of you on this, or any other subject.

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?va=atheist&x=28&y=10
Main Entry: 1athe·ist Pronunciation Guide
Pronunciation: -_st
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
Etymology: Middle French athéiste, from athée + -iste -ist
: one who subscribes to, advocates, or practices atheism
synonym see AGNOSTIC

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?va=atheism&x=35&y=9
Main Entry: athe·ism Pronunciation Guide
Pronunciation: thizm
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
Etymology: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist (from Greek atheos godless, not believing in the existence of gods, from a- 2a- + theos god) + -isme -ism -- more at THE-
1 a : disbelief in the existence of God or any other deity b : the doctrine that there is neither God nor any other deity -- compare AGNOSTICISM
2 : godlessness especially in conduct : UNGODLINESS, WICKEDNESS

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?va=agnostic&x=31&y=12
Main Entry: 1ag·nos·tic Pronunciation Guide
Pronunciation: agnästik, g-, aig-, -k
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
Etymology: modification (influenced by English Gnostic) of Greek agnstos unknown, unknowable, not knowing, from a- 2a- + gnstos known, from gignskein to know -- more at KNOW
: one who professes agnosticism ; broadly : one who maintains a continuing doubt about the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimates <agnostic>
synonyms AGNOSTIC, FREETHINKER, and ATHEIST can all apply to one who does not take an orthodox religious position. AGNOSTIC is the most neutral; it usually implies only an unwillingness on available evidence to affirm or deny the existence of God or subscribe to tenets that presuppose such existence. FREETHINKER is broader; it can apply to one of no determinable religious position or to one who feels truth is made more available by not committing oneself to any orthodoxy, especially a belief in God's existence. Often it can suggest a reprehensible and dangerous license of opinion. ATHEIST can apply strictly and neutrally to one who denies the existence of God or tenets presupposing it. More frequently than FREETHINKER, however, it has carried ideas of reprehensible license of opinion and menacing godlessness.

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?va=agnosticism&x=24&y=12
Main Entry: ag·nos·ti·cism Pronunciation Guide
Pronunciation: agnästsizm, g-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s
1 a : the doctrine that the existence or nature of any ultimate reality is unknown and probably unknowable or that any knowledge about matters of ultimate concern is impossible or improbable; specifically : the doctrine that God or any first cause is unknown and probably unknowable b : a doctrine affirming that the existence of a god is possible but denying that there are any sufficient reasons for holding either that he does or does not exist -- compare ATHEISM, SKEPTICISM
2 : SKEPTICISM 1b
3 : an agnostic attitude or disposition

Hmmm... Anyine heard from Frank Apisa lately? Is he still kicking around somewhere?

Bolton not amused by Hezbolla's western-style protest


Huge Hezbollah rally in Beirut

US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton gave sarcastic praise to Hezbollah for using western tactics in an attempt to bring down the Lebanese government. "Well good for them," he said referring to Hezbollah's rally of nearly one quarter of the Lebanese population in Beiruit.

Christian leaders joined Hezbollah calling for the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and his US-backed government. The largely peaceful protest was reminiscent of the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine, which brought down the Russian-backed government of Viktor Yanukovych amidst allegations of electoral fraud.

Hezbollah's popularity soared after it fought a brutal, thirty-four day war with Israel this summer, which leveled parts of Lebanon and killed scores of civilians. The Israeli offensive had the tacit backing of Washington, but was ultimately condemned by much of the world. Israel is presently under investigation for war crimes for using cluster bombs in Lebanese civilian areas.

Outside the UN in New York on Friday, Bolton tried to differentiate the protest in Beirut from similar, pro-western rallies. Bolton said "the point is that the government of Lebanon is democratically elected". But "so was Hamas" shot back Trish Schuh of The Muslim Weekly. Bolton then called Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

But like the western-dubbed terrorists of Hamas, Hezbollah has widespread support among its people. Student protester Mohamad Dakdouk said that "Hezbollah is helping people with reconstruction, the government has done nothing," in an interview with USA Today journalist Jeffrey Stinson.

A brief editorial follows

The recent rise in anti-western sentiment among Arabs in the Middle East correlates directly with a lopsided US foreign policy in the region. The US recently went so far as to veto a UN resolution condemning Israel for what all accounts appears to be the deliberate shelling of civilians (terrorism) in Gaza by Israeli forces. Though probably not official Israeli policy--it was more likely an act by a distressed tank commander than a "technical failiure," as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert alleged--the result was the same.

Events like these only cement feelings of distrust and hatred toward the west among Arabs. The United States should look to other, more moderate groups in Israel and the Middle East when formulating foreign policy and vetoing UN resolutions. Catering to Israeli extremists is and has been detrimental to US interests, the interests of Israel, and most obviously, as demonstrated by recent events in Lebanon and Gaza, the interests of Arabs.

After Bolton bolted from the press stakeout at the UN, Trish Shuh spoke to a CNN journalist about the deeper issues. She felt that AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee), the highly influential lobby group influencing US foreign policy in the Middle East, may need to be exposed for promoting extremist policies. After asking CNN correspondent Richard Roth if "CNN Presents" would ever consider doing a story on AIPAC, Roth said he'd rather cover a sex scandal.

http://cnnexposed.com/story.php?story=26

pachelbel wrote:

Setanta wrote:

Actually, i do consider myself an atheist--to the extent that i know of no god, i am without god--atheist. But i don't assert that there is no god, i simply point out that no one has ever demonstrated that there is a god.

However, we have learned that logic is not one of Ican't's strong points, and that he is happy to proceed to sweeping pronouncements without a shred of evidence.

You are confusing agnostic with atheism.

Agnostic: person who believes that it is impossible to know whether God exists.
Atheist: belief that there is no God.

I am confusing nothing. There is more than one definition of atheist. I am without god, therefore i am an atheist. It is not axiomatic that an atheist denies that any deity exists. I certainly don't need to be dictated to by the likes of you on this, or any other subject.

Quote:

Bolton not amused by Hezbolla's western-style protest
...
US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton gave sarcastic praise to Hezbollah for using western tactics in an attempt to bring down the Lebanese government. "Well good for them," he said referring to Hezbollah's rally of nearly one quarter of the Lebanese population in Beiruit.

...