Ken, More so the lack of them

Wow! we all agree (with the quote that is)

Yes a thousand times

I perfectly agree. We (America) are fast becoming isolated not only towards other nations but also within our communities and this is yet another vehicle to speed up the process. Parents, I agree, should be responsible in helping their child to become educated while helping the educational process by early learning and encouragement. Children must be free of parental intolerance and indifference, they must have the freedom to choose their own path in the world. State education, as the basis by which children can obtain education, must be the norm, all else can be extra curricula. Children should not be made to believe in their parents philosophy or religion they should be free to choose. Furthermore, Parents have no experience in the very complex attributes that are necessary in the education of a child. And lastly, there is nothing so damaging to the growth of a child than isolating them from other children.

I perfectly agree. We are fast becoming isolated not only towards other nations but also within our communities and this is yet another vehicle to speed up the process. Parents, I agree, should be responsible in helping their child to become educated while helping the educational process by early learning and encouragement. Children must be free of parental intolerance and indifference, they must have the freedom to choose their own path in the world. State education, as the basis by which children can obtain education, must be the norm, all else can be extra curricula. Children should not be made to believe in their parents philosophy or religion they should be free to choose. Furthermore, Parents have no experience in the very complex attributes that are necessary in the education of a child. And lastly, there is nothing so damaging to the growth of a child than isolating them from other children. There is nothing that can take the place of learning from other children: How A Child Learns by Dorothy Law Nolte: If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, she learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, she learns to feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, she learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, she learns justice. If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval, she learns to like herself. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Reston I agree - Mike, try a million years, and if you believe in science like I know you do, you will understand the cyclical spread is getting closer. Religion has always deluded the common mind.

Obviously he didn't print much... A very silly statement - don't worry about Obama throwing out the constitution GWB has already done a good job of that. This country under GWB has been divisive, full of corruption, greed, and derision. Mike, you have mentality that is a major problem in America and that is that you are guilty before proven innocent. The destructive rain of GWB and his religious right wing fascist's will be the low point in America's history. Obama has already proven you wrong with the choice of Rick Warren. Mike, I don't understand you, one minute you are criticizing atheistic social oligarchy and then the next criticizing theocracy - what are your beliefs so that I may understand your dialogue.

History is a horror story written for children.

The cloak of truth has no color, and yet each of us ware a different color - I am therefore I must exist - this knowledge is essential if we are to evolve.

I'm with you on this one Waffler - a terrible quote, one that has no intellectual base. Archer really, usually you have insightful posts but this one must be an aberration. Public schools don't turn out productive citizens, really...

Rhonda, you obviously you didn't get my point; massacre's by Christians shouldn't even be on the list. Why are you comparing what should be compassion and love for your brothers and sisters to that of fascists. Are you justifying a percentage of killings - say 20%?. Your argument is not valid - The Spanish inquisition was one of four main inquisitions from the 12cen. to the 19cen. During this period millions were burnt at the stake including thousands of women. Many other incredibly cruel and horrific acts against humanity continued with the blessing of the Vatican. As for numbers, and just to provide you with a few, the Crusades alone killed over 9 million, God himself in the flood killed millions. It reminds me of that famous quote "Good people will do good things, and evil people will be evil, but it takes Religion for good people to do evil." Happy New Year, Robert

There is no maker; you are your own maker. Its thoughts like this (above) that led to the Inquisition and a thousand other examples of torture, wars, intolerance, burning people, etc, etc.etc. No research is necessary when such hate and despair has been the instrument of the Vatican and other religious groups and recorded in countless diaries - the 20th cen was the bloodiest, mostly because of American foreign policy and those two bombs we drop on Japan. Read 'Belief and Bloodshed - Religion and Violence across Time and Tradition'. Religion is not the only culprit in the crime against humanity - but my argument is that it should not even be on the list.

Unfortunately, it's not Christianity we are against but its followers - they have little in common with the teachings of Christ. Good people will always rise to the top regardless of any affiliation. Good people do not need religion to live a moral existence. But, if their beliefs further the course of humanities well being without prerequisites or conditions then I will protect them also.

At least he is nearly way there - I revere kindness above all else, then compassion, ethics, morality and liberty

Love it - typical GBS humor

We have become to reliant on a myth and not enough on science - if we gave our attention to all living creatures this world would truly be blessed until then we remain ten feet from the cave and stuck in the industrial revolution unable to take that second giant leap.

It's quite obvious then that non-believers may end as the children of God.

I give this three stars as his heart's in the right place though a little misguided. My faith is simple KINDNESS - I need no other - it provides me with the road by which I travel. The doctrine of what should or shouldn't be is ours already - it has no need for a venerated reformer - the more we lean on the words of others the less we will see the true light of peace and freedom. The road to enlightenment and oneness is there for all to see - it needs no mystery, no God; You yourself are the God and faith you seek. Use you heart to determine the way - the dawn of reason and freedom is already upon us and all we need is an interpreter. We will never experience pure reason like we will never experience absolute Freedom. TJ was a bit of a rascal even more so than Clinton (see the film "Jefferson in Paris"). His words are prophetic considering our responses to today's three quotes. Anything that's denigrates or dehumanizes other groups of humanity is wrong. Conversely, anything that uplifts and shows compassion for all living beings is the reality we should enthuse in all things. Morality has no need for faith based religions, though if that is where you find it so be it. By the way, can anyone tell who wrote the New testament?

What is is and faith its servant -allow those to have their faith and us not to have any - I will guard both.

Good Archer you said it for me and the two Robert's from Sarasota agree

Freedom is a right that belongs to us - period.

Wow! I'm with you Archer - laws should be based on our welfare not those that commit crimes.

Though I am an atheist I would fight for your freedom to practice your religion

I wish he wrote that letter to me for I would reply in kindness and assert my belief too - though taking a different tact. Moral practice needs no place of worship but the corridors of your own heart

Sorry, I'm late- good Robert and Andy