Comments for Eric Kaufmann http://www.sneps.net Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:25:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on The Age of Contraction: expressing the spirit of world population decline by Hannodb http://www.sneps.net/political-demography-articles/life-on-the-downslope/comment-page-1#comment-43 Hannodb Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:25:16 +0000 http://www.sneps.net/?p=783#comment-43 In your book "Shall the religious inherit the earth?" you wrote: "Religion's problems would instantly evaporate if all holy books began with 'And the Lord decreed that His highest purpose is the wellbeing of mankind and that everything in this Book must be interpreted in that light.'" I am pleased to tell you, that this passage is found in the Bible. When the pharasites asked Jesus what is the most important law, He answered "You must love your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your strength, and your neighbour as yourself". When the pharasite asked who his "neighbour" is, Jesus told the parable of the gratious Samaritan - effectively painting the Samaritan - a race which the Jews despised - as his neighbour. Also, on the night Jesus was captured, Peter came forward with his sword to defend Jesus from the mob. Jesus repremanded him, saying "He who lives by the sword, will die by the sword" -effectively condemning holy war. Jesus Himself said that he came to this earth, not to judge mankind, but to save him from his wickedness. Paul says that we should not condemn the unbeliever, but show him God's love. So you see, whenever someone tries to convert you using violence and fear, that person does not know Jesus, and is no true Christian. True christianity spread through love and compassion, but it is also important to note that the message does not end there. Christianity differs from all other religions: Other religions claim that this is what you need to do to be close to God. Christianity teaches what God already did what was needed for man to be close to Him, we should just accept it, and a live of gratitude will follow. In your book “Shall the religious inherit the earth?” you wrote: “Religion’s problems would instantly evaporate if all holy books began with ‘And the Lord decreed that His highest purpose is the wellbeing of mankind and that everything in this Book must be interpreted in that light.’”

I am pleased to tell you, that this passage is found in the Bible. When the pharasites asked Jesus what is the most important law, He answered “You must love your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your strength, and your neighbour as yourself”. When the pharasite asked who his “neighbour” is, Jesus told the parable of the gratious Samaritan – effectively painting the Samaritan – a race which the Jews despised – as his neighbour. Also, on the night Jesus was captured, Peter came forward with his sword to defend Jesus from the mob. Jesus repremanded him, saying “He who lives by the sword, will die by the sword” -effectively condemning holy war. Jesus Himself said that he came to this earth, not to judge mankind, but to save him from his wickedness. Paul says that we should not condemn the unbeliever, but show him God’s love.

So you see, whenever someone tries to convert you using violence and fear, that person does not know Jesus, and is no true Christian. True christianity spread through love and compassion, but it is also important to note that the message does not end there. Christianity differs from all other religions: Other religions claim that this is what you need to do to be close to God. Christianity teaches what God already did what was needed for man to be close to Him, we should just accept it, and a live of gratitude will follow.

]]> Comment on Climate Change and Conservatism: Why Greens May Go Blue by Michiel http://www.sneps.net/other/climate-change-and-conservatism-why-greens-may-go-blue/comment-page-1#comment-37 Michiel Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:23:33 +0000 http://www.sneps.net/?p=639#comment-37 True, its a constant flux, however our activities are a mayor determinant for climatic change and the resulting consequences. A mentality such as it changes, full stop, is precisely the short sighted, self centered, easy way of looking at the world. It is exactly that mentality captured in ''You cannot “reduce” climate change. The climate changes, period.'' that will make life extremely rich and pleasant for us but will result in complete destruction in the long run. True, its a constant flux, however our activities are a mayor determinant for climatic change and the resulting consequences. A mentality such as it changes, full stop, is precisely the short sighted, self centered, easy way of looking at the world. It is exactly that mentality captured in ”You cannot “reduce” climate change. The climate changes, period.” that will make life extremely rich and pleasant for us but will result in complete destruction in the long run.

]]> Comment on Climate Change and Conservatism: Why Greens May Go Blue by harbinger http://www.sneps.net/other/climate-change-and-conservatism-why-greens-may-go-blue/comment-page-1#comment-9 harbinger Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:01:45 +0000 http://www.sneps.net/?p=639#comment-9 You cannot "reduce" climate change. The climate changes, period. You cannot “reduce” climate change. The climate changes, period.

]]>