What does it mean to be a conservative?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by wire2john

That's a tough one...consider this quote:

"Man is no Aristotelian god, contemplating all of existence at one glance."- Walter Lippman

This is perhaps my favorite quote from Dr. Thomas Sowell's book 'Knowledge and Decisions'. Do you appreciate the point he is making? Tell me what you think it means.

Aristotle viewed god as perfect without flaws. Therefore if man was as the god of Aristotle he would be able to understand the totality of existence. Hence man being imperfect and having to learn the world around him must take the time to research things out.

Did I win a cookie?

[wire2john]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Aristotle viewed god as perfect without flaws. Therefore if man was as the god of Aristotle he would be able to understand the totality of existence. Hence man being imperfect and having to learn the world around him must take the time to research things out.

I think that is a fair if lengthy explanation; Solomon makes the same point in Ecclesiastes 8:17. So, since we agree that even the Godliest among us are operating with an incomplete (and possibly even flawed) understanding of the world around them, it is my desire and great joy to offer new insights, when I can, to expand the scope of someone's knowledge, which in turn expands their understanding. Do you understand now what I meant by "expand understanding"?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by wire2john

I think that is a fair if lengthy explanation; Solomon makes the same point in Ecclesiastes 8:17. So, since we agree that even the Godliest among us are operating with an incomplete (and possibly even flawed) understanding of the world around them, it is my desire and great joy to offer new insights, when I can, to expand the scope of someone's knowledge, which in turn expands their understanding. Do you understand now what I meant by "expand understanding"?

I don't think you understand the situation. While you may believe you have great insight, while others who are conservatives are merely Neanderthals scratching their hindquarters. You aren't expanding anyone's understanding, but driving them farther away from your point of view. Every man's own perception is his reality. So, while you wax philosophically on a forum concerning liberalism. Others are dealing with what they see scripturally. Philosophy and the Bible are diametrically opposed.

[wire2john]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

...while others who are conservatives are merely Neanderthals scratching their hindquarters. You aren't expanding anyone's understanding...

Wow, this is really ugly, vicious, and beneath an evangelist...but I still love you anyway! To be honest, you remind me of myself before God humbled me in 2009. But nevertheless, I will resist the temptation to share insights with you in the future, since you find my commentary both worthless AND incendiary, lol.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by wire2john

Wow, this is really ugly, vicious, and beneath an evangelist...but I still love you anyway! To be honest, you remind me of myself before God humbled me in 2009. But nevertheless, I will resist the temptation to share insights with you in the future, since you find my commentary both worthless AND incendiary, lol.

Oh, did I fail to mention that liberals are ugly, and vicious but mask it under an intellectual blanket? Instead of moving along with the conversation they make their own comments which are just as sharp, but follow them with a kiss on the cheek. Ah, a little like the garden of Gethsemane arrest scene. But hey, they were once like the Neanderthal, but God blessed them to become Cromagnon complete with Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, Ray Bans, and flip flops.

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by wire2john

Are you trolling me?

You're the one who brought up "intelligent, objective" conversation, then proceeded to ignore a potentially intelligent and enlightening point, because you didn't think it would change your mind. Perhaps before you dismiss something out of hand, you might want to actually listen to it for yourself. If you don't want to, that's fine too; but don't talk to us about intelligent discussion if you're unwilling to engage in it yourself.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Jito463

You're the one who brought up "intelligent, objective" conversation, then proceeded to ignore a potentially intelligent and enlightening point, because you didn't think it would change your mind. Perhaps before you dismiss something out of hand, you might want to actually listen to it for yourself. If you don't want to, that's fine too; but don't talk to us about intelligent discussion if you're unwilling to engage in it yourself.

Bravo!

[wire2john]

Wow you guys are terrible...it would have been better if I had held my peace.

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by wire2john

Wow you guys are terrible...it would have been better if I had held my peace.

How is any of what I wrote "terrible"?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by wire2john

Wow you guys are terrible...it would have been better if I had held my peace.

Oh, please forgive me, another trait of liberals is taking the position of the victim. Especially in liberals who are in religious circles. They make their comments, their comments get criticized, then instead of continuing the discussion they cry victim. Yet, since they're within a religion they use the religion to show how they are being persecuted for their noble words. You see, we are terrible? Terrible why? Because we hold a opposite opinion? Isn't that what they accuse us of doing to them? Hence the reason why I will from time to time point out the pyschological projection which people tend to do as they discuss issues. Liberals tend to construct a Nicer Than Jesus paradigm in which all should live. If the conservative says nay no, then the Liberal scolds the Conservative for being a backward cave dweller unwilling to experiment or climb out of their tar pit. Yet, what the Conservative sees in the Liberal is not just an experiment to try new ideas, but actually trying to reinvent a program which not only works quite well, but is tested to always work well.

Liberals in religion are always looking to make the religion that they are currently in more user friendly. Clean up all the rough edges. They see giving money as an issue to prevent neophytes from growing, then the receiving of money is kicked to the curb. Religious leadership as Guru, Rabbi, Priest, Pope, or Pastor standing as the religion's head is sometimes viewed as an obstacle, and therefore needs to be removed so the group can be free in their religious expression.

Dress, customs, headcoverings, women not cutting hair, men not allowed to shave, alternate lifestyles, whatever may keep the group from being inclusive often gets removed or added to or from the list.

Yet, it is this pseudo religious socialism which only runs into decay and ruin in the long run. Movements usually go for about a little over a hundred years. After that the old heads die off and are replaced by those who really didn't see a need to keep adding oil to the gears. While the machine doesn't break down immediately it does over the course of time. It wears down after hard prolonged use. By the time the machine shows its wear, the parts start to need to be serviced. Yet, there is no one who even remembers how to services these parts. Also the manufacture's manual has also be revised to such a degree that all the specifications are lost.

What you have in the end is a piece of equipment which is far beyond restoration. Just because some believed it could run without the oil.