religion means so many different things to so many different people. it seems to have a common thread tho. its a way of explaining that which we cant explain but need to have some form of explanation for. its faith based because there never is any proof to its validity .belief is the antithesis of reason. to believe in the unprovable is a concept i have trouble with. to me religion, as an institution, is the root of all evil. the fact that all gods of all faiths are portrayed as all- good, all-knowing, and"all-mighty" well, they all cant be "all".now, that i know of, no god preaches killing, in fact, were does it say, Go forth and spread the word, and if they don't convert, Kill them. the "THOU SHALL NOT KILL" is completely discarded. more death is the direct result of religious faith than any other type of ideology..the crusades were nothing more than religious genocide and possibly, the seed that has sprouted into the jihad of today. the protestant and catholic conflicts, the Nazi attempt to exterminate Jews and the list goes on and on. there was a recent article in USA today (Mon Oct 16 2006. the forum) that implies that the lack of religion in our society is the cause for the breakdown of our society and the world at large.it states "evangelists did the only responsible thing they could in a democracy, they organized and reached out . they found allies in church going roman catholics, protestants, Jews and even some agnostics who believe that religion plays a vital role in hold society together." now i take it personal when "they" hold me, a non church going person responsible! i like many others i know who don't believe or just don't know. still have a belief in humankind, the good verses evil and the right from the wrong. the church should step back and do some self evaluation!religion has always tried to impose its will in the name of Gods-what or who ever they believe that is-IF YOU DONT CONVERT I WILL HAVE TO KILL YOU! maybe the almost across the board problem with priests and little boys is the cause of society breakdown not the other way around. why during this incredible time of trials and tribulation do we not hear the pope raging against the machine!! religion is and always will be a self perpetuating, hypocritical bunch of bbbbbbbbbbbbbb!OUR SOCIETY IS BREAKING DOWN BECAUSE WE HAVE LOST FAITH IN EACH OTHER AND now believe THAT WE CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT EACHOTHERS HELP! if God is all powerful why then does he, she or it allow the horrors of today. why did he she or it create the world in 6 days, so he could rest on the 7th? if i were all powerful, Unfortunatly im not, i would have made the world in 1 and taken the next 6 off! And i most definitely would not allow my flock to be systematically beaten,raped, murdered, starved, tortured and exterminated and left to die in so many horrible ways in so many different conflicts in our world (his world)! NOV 16 hello- i have often Wondered what value we individually and collectively put on life? Do we believe there are more important life forms? Is any one individual in that species worth more than another?... sun was veterans day, a day to reflect and honer all those that have fought and esp. the ones that gave the ultimate sacrifice, they paid with their lives. as i listened to the interviews with the men who served, regardless of the conflict, i began to hear something odd, the men of all wars past and present, talked about what it meant to be a vet. there was very little talk of the causes that they and their friends who lost their lives fought for. they made the impression that they fought for the man on the left and the one on the right. they would give anything to replace themselves for their lost friends. Maybe they didn't believe in or worse even know the cause that were willing to die for. The news station then broke in for live coverage of a current situation were a soldier from the us had been kidnapped.. you my have heard of this, anyway , to help in his release the army is offering a 50,000 reward for information leading to his safe return............. currently there is a 50,000,000 reward on the death or capture of Osama bin laden. does our gov. say this American hero(i say hero because they are) is worth less than Osama. i guess that answered my ques. on the value of human life....what about other forms, is the size of an animal equal to its value would you shoot an elephant if it wasn't threatening your life.... would or have you stepped on an ant that was not threatening your life??? did you not just put size in as value???NOV17 another news situation that makes me wonder.... two stories two very different outcomes and out looks....2.5yr child running to meet mommy coming home from work. a 200lb driveway gate falls on her she is knocked down and out, spends night in hospital but is home next shaken but alive... parents praise god over and over for her survival....... next story same news same day 4yr old rides out of driveway and is run over and killed....... should parents praise are blame god?? i would love to see a post game interview ,were after they have interviewed a player from the winning team, who has just thanked GOD,for the win. they interview a player from the opposing team who says god thanks for nothing. nov20 AND THE MEN WHO HOLD HIGH PLACES MUST BE THE ONES WHO START.TO MOLD A NEW REALITY CLOSER TO THE HEART.(rush-farewell to kings)when and who was the first human to kill another animal for the shear pleasure(sport)?i grew up in a wilderness area were hunting and fishing were the main types of recreation. i have all ways done both. the killing did bother me but i justified it to myself saying its important for the conservation of those animals. not just in the fees paid for licenses.(that money goes towards helping sustain wildlife)but, the fact we have decimated most of natural predators that naturally would keep the population strong. i believe that its a necessary evil. i don't, how ever look to fondly on the hook and release types. i remember asking someone once why they did that and their response struck odd .........i don't believe in the killing, was his response... while he was telling me this i couldn't help being surprised. he was using live bait. i guess size does matter......April 17 2007 It appears that random acts of kindness have been replaced with random acts of violence... The shooting that took place at Virgina Tech is an unbelievable tragedy, its a clear view of the escalating violence in schools that only mirrors that of the the larger world. I only want to make a point of relativity here. Thirty five students randomly sat in there last class yesterday its terrible. But, not to lighten that act but to "Illuminate" for all. Yesterday, 173 random people took there last look at life, a look that was already bleak it takes place almost every day(no not Iraq it happens there too) Dar-fur as of this date over 500,000 have been murdered and 2.5 million forced from homes only to watch them burned to the ground, now live in deplorable conditions in refugee camps. I only wish their voices could be as loud as those poor students. Maybe, just maybe those lost at VT will give a new reality to the everyday carnage that the rest of the world lives with.