Floyd, dear one,: Robert, my best enemy;
Always happy to see that I endear myself with others (sorry, apparently you're not amused).
: ...I mean seriously, I could say "before Abraham was, I am" but doing so does not answer my questions about extra-dimensionality. Don't believe me? Try to get a doctorate in physics using this as an argument.
Floyd, since we are back to the original question, perhaps nothing would qualify as evidence in your mind. Perhaps I'll leave you with Pearce's ISBNs for Evidence for Truth: Archeology, ISBN 0863472648, and Evidence for Truth: Science, ISBN 086347263x. Pearce is a an Oxford PhD, who spent his early years as an understudy to Melaart at Catal Huyuk. They are both good reads, whether you agree or not.
Shift to WTO topic.
:...The only thing all the protestors had in common that you can reasonably assume from their attendance was their dislike for one or more aspects of the WTO and/or their agenda.
This is perhaps true. On closer inspection, there seemed to be two groups of anarchists who attended the fest. One was the peaceful group who were gassed, beat, and arrested. The second group was in the background, wearing ski masks and causing all sorts of violence. They seemed to get off scott free.
This latter group reminds me of the brown-shirts of the 1930's who sped around the streets of Germany hurling bricks through windows and creating chaos. Their actions in Seattle were documented as being well coordinated and planned (International Herald, 3 December). So I can sympathise with your being around them, (hopefully you don't own a ski mask).
: Most of the protestors opposed a lowering of real wages and labor standards and/or a softening of environmental protections. The protestors were not in any position to make global treaties, only the people inside the convention center could do that. The protestors were the "average blokes" that you accuse us of trying to oppress. Yes, I would like it if my children are able to earn a livable wage and drink clean water, and yes, I will work to make this the case. Yes, this may mean imposing restrictions or sanctions on capitalist multinational corporations, but the people who own these businesses are not "average blokes," Robert, they are oligarchs who are each doing a lot more to oppress the "average bloke" than all the protestors combined could ever manage.
So you don't want a global treaty or some legislation. I think you do.
OK, so you get your global treaty. Who will enforce it? A global police? A global cop? A global state? Remember the treaty is not worth the paper it is written on if it is not ENFORCABLE.
Ironically, the same kevlar-clad bloke who thumped you on the head and whom you villified a few weeks ago may, one day, be your hero when he hauls some poor fisherman to jail for accidently snagging a sea turtle. So enforcement comes with force. Treaties require enforcement. Global treaties require global enforcement. Is this conspriacy talk to you?
What you are doing Floyd is, replacing the nation-state with the global-state. No freedom will be gain through that. Neither will your much vaunted individualism.
Perhaps the greatest anarchy to the WTO would be strong nation-states. They wouldn't know how to break them down.
: By the way, I was wondering something. You argue that there is such a thing as "fake Christianity," and that the believers of this "fake Christianity" think they are practicing real Christianity (i.e. they don't knowingly believe something that is not true). Given this, how do you know your approach is not also "fake Christianity?" You believe it is true, and that is one of the symptoms of "fake Christianity" is it not? In other words, how can you tell "real" from "fake" versions?
: I'm honestly curious.
: Thanks for writing.
Floyd, you are quite welcome indeed. Good question.
I think Paul answered this in Galations 5:4-5. "...you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."
Psuedo-Christianity requires SOMETHING of you. It requires you to build an earthly kingdom, social policies of some sort or another, abiding by a lot of do-do's and don't do's, and on and on, unt so weiter. It is action before faith.
Moreover, it seeks a fleshly kingdom, not God's Spirit Kingdom. They trade in God's Kingdom of Grace for man's Kingdom on Earth. They are rooted in earthly goals. Jesus said, My Kingdom is not of this world.
On the other hand, Christ's Salvation requires NOTHING of you. You can do absolutely nothing for Christ, you are indeed helpless. His Salvation is based wholely on unmerited favor (His Grace). Your Kingdom is Spiritual not earthly.
The differences are like night and day.
As for my testimony, I thank God for His Grace. There are no list of do's, or don't do's attached. Nothing that I've done in my entire life merits any favour with Him. He's given me a Free Pass. Praise His Holy Name. God Bless.
Robert
