sisboombaa

Being a person who searches for a life of love and peace but finds him/her self surrounded by h**e and violence, what is that person to do. Personally, I believe violence should only be used as the last resort for self defense of oneself and/or loved ones when all other avenues have failed. Peoples of this world have always been war-like against one another through out time but now it seems to be getting too close to home. It is a situation of concern for me. What to do to protect my children, grand children and great grand children? As for me no problem as I'm on my way out due to age. I'm glad for that as I find this world for the most part insane and intolerable. But should I encourage my fellow citizens to fight back in the name of self defense? Is it even my right to decide on their behalf, or should I just look the other way and let nature take it's course. I've been searching for answers for a long time and now I'm just tired. Should anyone have answers I sure hope they are willing to share with the rest of us. Just thinking out loud.....again.
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padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

I, like you, am grateful that I'm an old man for much the same reasons you give. I cannot recognize much about today's America that remains of the America of my youth. People were better, not perfect, but much better. If someone would have told us America would become as hedonistic and decadent as it is today, we would have bet our lives that would have been impossible. But it happened and daily it becomes worse. What to do? The answer is to keep the faith, do not compromise with evil and persevere!

Tom Salinger

I am from da Bronx originally, and was once a heavy drinker. Twice I found myself alone in the wee hours of the morning on a subway platform when thugs approached me. An unlikely and un-asked for perfect calm descended on me, decidedly against what my mind had deemed necessary for the situation. Grace. Nothing bad happened. Waiting on the Lord in moments of mortal danger may seem naive or stupid. Instinct and reason prevail upon us for action. Self-defense measures. Survival is imperative. But that is not true. When survival is forgotten, by grace or a saintly spirit, miracles are ordinary. The most unlikely and wondrous things happen. Never a scenario we could consider. When a young man came into the place where I volunteer with a gun to rob us recently, that same calm without biding came. I saw me holding the gun. "Welcome," I said, "how can I help?" He started weeping. I went over and held him. The gun slipped to the floor. After a few moments he stopped crying and said, "You said welcome; I never heard that before." He is our newest volunteer. Oh, I did not choose those words.

sisboombaa

Yeah, I pretty much agree with you but still feel guilty for not defending my younger loved ones more than I have due too lack of ability.

missinglink Loc: Tralfamadore

Sheep will be sheered . Eventually .
That being said . It is a shame .
I have offered my open hand to
many times just to get it slapped .
It's just they way it is .

You have been lucky . I
hope for you it continues .

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Shalom

Tom Salinger

Padremike, you will know a tree by its fruit, yes? To put this into prospective are your words: "... If someone would have told us America would become as hedonistic and decadent as it is today..." Why has America's fruit become bitter and poisonous? Because of its roots. We defied Romans 13: " Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever REBELS against the authority is REBELLING against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." And their nation. Next, we allowed the heinous practice of s***ery as integral to the formation of our union. Next, we made all others that were not White male property-owners (women, b****s, Native Americans, Mexicans, and white laborers) as Second-class citizens or without any rights.

Humanity was not good before and is worse now. The situation in America and the world has not changed.

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

S***ery was alive and well in the time and place of Christ. Do you recall what Saint Paul said about s***ery and about one particular s***e by name? Today, as a distraction of even greater evil, s***ery, specifically s***ery only of b****s coupled with radical charges of r****m, has been portrayed as the greatest of all sins. Balderdash! S***ery and r****m doesn't even merit an honorable mention compared to the premeditated murder of innocent children in the womb. Yet how many people consider a******n a right? How different is that from those who once thought owning s***es was a right? These issues aside, Christ redeemed all mankind, both sinner and saint, free man and s***e, but only to those who freely choose Him. Adam broke only one commandment and lost paradise. How many have we broken? It is imperative to daily confess our sins and seek forgiveness and absolution. To do otherwise is to show great disrespect to the sacrifice made by Christ. Yet we remain free to reject the greatest expression of love in all history and become s***es to sin. America has become spiritually constipated and in this we find all our failings. Until life becomes so fearful and evil, until as a nation we are finally driven to our knees for help, life will not improve but progressively get worse.

okie don

. I hear ya sis. I understand one of our savior's final commandments, or recommendations was" Love one another". All I see, as you stated, is h**e & violence.
Sad, sad indeed what Lucifer is doing.

Dr. Evil Loc: In Your Face

It's simple, stand up and fight (in any capacity ), or become a victim. What other alternatives are there.

sisboombaa

2wheel, I thought the same way when I was much younger. But now I employ reason for the "attacker's" behavior by asking him/her questions on why they feel the way they do, what will they gain by attacking me, that they may gain more with my help as opposed to their hurting me. I realize that their reason for attack is fear. I find out what that fear is then point out that I can help in relieving their fear so there is no reason for them to harm me. When a person acts out of fear/anger they generally make things worse for themselves. There are many responses as a result of fear: attack, run away, cower, destroy, surrender, etc. However, if one acts within the scope of human compassion for their fellow man most conflicts can be resolved peacefully. See, there are other alternatives for our use other than just fighting back.

Dr. Evil Loc: In Your Face

I'm not sure you can reason with some intent on harming you, I wouldn't want to be in arms length or shooting range of them if they are seriously defective. Bad situation

sisboombaa

There is t***h to what you write, but because of my age in such a situation the shooter may be doing me a favor in that I'm going to die anyway and he/she may be saving me from a more prolonged and painful death. I chose to look on the brighter side of all issues. My life on this planet doesn't matter so much to me as it does to my loved ones. The difference between us is that I'm ready to go when my love and compassion are no longer of help to anyone. I feel that you are a very nice person and I hope you will give my words some thought for your own well being.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

I am is the same boat as you. I have surpassed the age generally agreed to be the ending of our lives. I for one feel blessed with the years I have survived. I fear for the safety of my children, grand children and great grand children. I pray that this country survives this era of hostilities by the political groups and h**e groups.

Dr. Evil Loc: In Your Face

I am a nice guy, will help anyone if I see they need assistance, asked or not. That being said, I am young enough to provide more than love and compassion if the situation warrants it, and probably would not hesitate in that regard either. I wish you peace and tranquillity til the good Lord needs you.