Good answer Mike but from what I have read I rate it five. I don't think Puritans exist today like they did in the 16th and 17th cen. Though I am beginning to wonder.

It’s not a probability; it is the fact - simple as that. We have caused more evil than the evil perpetrated by the Iraqi people.

For heavens sake just take the statement for what is EXCELLENT. Why do we always need to go back and say ah but he or she said this or that? Even Jesus, Mohammad, and Buddha said some stupid stuff. So cool it and just rate the quote.

I believe we have had this discussion... …Look, religion is good for those who are religious – it’s sad that religion has taken morality out of the classroom and into the nave. Ethics, of which morality is a primary product, was the fundamental education of the earlier curriculums, unfortunately governments and schools boards have forsaken this pivotal education. Children learn this now from the parents, religion, spiritual guru’s, and of course, Fort Knox. I also believe that morality forms part of our genetic make-up and that morality, like other forms of evolution, can be retained in the genes. Life experience is of course the platform from which children and adults spring from and forms the major contributing factor in how we react and communicate with our fellow human beings. The statement is correct but you could place a number of other nouns that would also be appropriate.

Yes, this is exactly what is happening to our society today and yet we are dumb and silent, so, unless we fight to regain out freedom, we to like sheep we will be led to the slaughter.

The problem with this quote and others of a similar ilk (other than the fear factor), is that they help fan the flame of religious fundamentalism “The fate of unborn millions will now depend on God, on the courage and conduct of this army”. Don’t align God with your army, its yours and not his – you have the right to prey and worship to your God, even go to battle in his name, but that’s all it ever is. Arjuna, who did not believe in violence was encouraged to change his mind and go into battle by his God Krishna – this story forms the subject of the book “Bhagavad Gita”. They went into battle under Ajuna’s name not Krishna’s – “I Have A Dream”.

George, you may have been a great General and politician but his wisdom leaves much to be desired. Morality is absolute regardless of religion, morality needs no religion to support its position of men and women – it needs their good hearts who believe in justice for all peoples; it needs to be free from all attachment, including religion. Morality was there the first day we stepped away from the cave. Do not take to your bosom that which is not yours, attach yourself if you must but leave it there for All.

Its really very simple... Its us that makes it complicated - but then humans are like that.

Well said Archer - Its funny the blue states have the highest IQ

Though born in Russia just before the communist take-over this statement has little to do with communism and socialism; these attributes can be practiced by most forms of government - we have our young men and women sacrificed on the sands of Iraq, we are being told more and more what we can and can't do (physical force comes later). We have presidential hopefuls taking us back to the dark ages - yes, we haven't changed we just have more gadgets.

A quote for ALL - now let's practice it...

Archer is right on. We also feed the beast with our fear that is promoted by propaganda and lies. Military and corporate power is running our country and we just sit back and allow it to happen. We need to change the rights of military personnel which would allow them also the right to be a conscientious objector.

He was right... I have a dream "One day, we will all be one human family" Mike, I agree, we need to move away from this rhetoric - this is an individual belief and their religious comments should not be included in political discussions - it goes against all what our forefathers tried to prevent. All people are basically good, including Christians, but it’s when they try to subjugate others through the platform of political banter that we become corrupt.

Yes, well said Archer - Neither did Krishna

This should be stapled to the door of every church, synagogue, mosque, and very goverment office.

It is after all the ONLY way - one day perhaps we will practice this virtue above all others - what makes us violent? ego, greed, revenge, intolerance, and most importantly, the eating of dead flesh.

It is the true test of strength.

I love this quote and use it often

Service above Self...

Yes, yes, Waffler, kg, Paula, Reston, and Mike. I like to think this wasn't written by an ad executive:
"Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home. " -- Tecumseh 1768-1813 Shawnee Chief

Will, yes, you are so right - ww2 was different, Hitler invaded other countries, and yes it took America two years to join in (shame on America) - Iraq we invaded and we are lucky few others have joined in. We have the mightiest army in the world and any country making war on us would be signing their death warrant. Intelligence is what we need not bombing villages and killing women and children. We spend more money on defense than the rest of the world put together - if we are to police the world it should be done in consort. In the great words of Albert Schweitzer “The awareness that we are all human beings together has become lost in war and through politics.”

We have never had socialism in America perhaps we should give it a try...

Just learn, and be modest and be honest and you will be loved

Unless we rise up when we see injustice our words are dust in the wind. Enough rhetoric now is the time for people to march in the streets and bring back our country, away from these dark years of deception and lies. Humans are NOT FREE period. We must work for our freedom - say to a baby with HIV whose parents have been brutally killed whose life expectancy is one year "but you are Free" Freedom is totally relative - we must distance ourselves from this talk of "we are born Free" it means nothing unless it can be practiced. God has nothing to do with it either - natural law doesn’t belong to God or anyone. Natural law is the nature of things and the nature of man has corrupted the nature of law. Unless we stop the rhetoric and start getting our hands messy and helping those in need and less fortunate our words are meaningless. Go to Africa and dig a well, go to India and help eradicate Polio, go to war zones and bring peace - unless you do this our words are dust in the wind.

Democratically elected is right on - this governemnt was not democratically elected - The majority voted for another governerment. Unfortunately, those in power turn the wheels of democracy and the people are left totally uniformed.