WeeDee

I wouldn't disregard things that 'haven't been observed' when explaining why God is responsible for all of creation.

Where is it today, Ararat?

Some of these statements are untrue. I don't mean without belief - just untrue. Gene mutation can be observed by anyone studying 'genetics' to a reasonable level. For the layman - if genetic 'mutation' didn't exist, then all siblings would be identical. ie. there's an element of potential mutation in every event in which genes are 'exchanged' eg. fertilisation of an egg by another's sperm. With regards to the flood - did Noah get a pair of every species of animal into an ark. That's a lot of animals nevermind the plants and bacteria that must have been needed to re-seed the world after the event.

But Matt, the people who are reading these words in a Bible (one of the many variants, translations etc.) know who has made everything because they're reading the Bible that's telling them. I think Mesterh is asking about the people who have never encountered the Bible. And what if one witnesses nature and draws a different conclusion from the God-centred one?

Or whose God should we place our bets on?

For a while, I drove my daughter and her best friend (who's a Christian) to a Christian Activity group. My daughter eventually decided that this wasn't for her because she suspected something hollow in a way of thinking that had to be 'hidden amongst fun games'. From the mouth of babes - eh? Her best friend is still her best friend.

If He is God, then He chooses to have the scars, He chooses to be damaged. Nothing occurs against His will. He cannot be portrayed as a victim of circumstance.

What do you mean? To claim 'He gave everything' is practicing care - but to claim otherwise is being careless?

And He hardly gave everything he had when he was able to reclaim it all back, undamaged and with interest.

I can understand your feelings, Matt - you're obviously are a man of strong faith. But one can only be upset if one believes in a God in the first place. The people, whose views you find upsetting, may not accept this first principal.

Elegantly answered. Thanks.

If one of your children decides, maybe in the future, to find out more about religion, would you support that? (this is not a loaded question, Skyhuck)

A Christian up-bringing provides many valuable resources that can aid a child's development - care, love, sense of community, self dicipline, respect for others etc. Fortunately, all these aspects are available to families who happen to be Hindu, Ba Hai, agnostics and aethiests etc. To superimpose universal values on a favoured group exposes flaws in that group's thinking (as well as its humility).

Or to extend this thought further still - should we remove children from all the couples who are planning to tell own their child that homosexuality is wrong? Don't get me wrong, I am an aethiest - but after exploring religion, not ignoring it. If I am to be allowed my own 'explanation' of it all, then I must allow others to have their view (even a religious one). My problem comes with belief systems that are just self-supporting and adopted by people who have never considered the alternative.

I would guess getting insurance, public liabilty etc would be a bit tricky without some 'proof' of competence.

Hi Stevie, along with being a tree cutter I'm a qualified teacher - primary school. We are always attending training regarding dyslexia. You're right about the range of 'symptoms' that a dyslexic may exhibit, but they don't all have to be present - nor does the presence of these symptoms neccessarily mean you have dyslexia. It doesn't just affect the written word but is a condition that affects the processing of information in the brain as some of the people have already said. It seems to be already ' hard-wired' in the brain from birth - this isn't always noticed by the dyslexic. Indeed many people go through life without knowing they suffer from it! In-life events may trigger a deeper awareness of one's dyslexia but I am unaware of it ever 'creating' the condition. As Andy has said, your change of lifestyle/priorities may have placed stress on you that produces symptoms that are similar to dyslexia - it's impossible to know without proper investigation. Andy also used the word 'coping' and that's what teacher are charged with doing - helping the dyslexic find strategies that help them cope with a condition for which there is no cure but one that is kept in perspective by many sufferers - some of whom have already proved that on here! If you are able, Stevie, get some local advice. But don't assume your difficulties arise from dyslexia until you're a wee bit better informed - then your 'solution' will be better placed. Dee

Never mind the tree - It's the building in the last pic that frightens me!

Defending on all fronts, eh Stevie?

There were fewer stopages in 'The King's Speech' !

A small amphibian - like a salamander.

What about ............... REPORT Demanded Planned it Canned it One-handed

You HERETIC, you!

After reading your thread, I came across this one and was just wondering if you were! And then I found out!

I don't know the details, Mr. Bish, but - you at least have control over how YOU conduct yourself. You choose how you deal with your clients, you choose how you do your treework and you choose how you're going to react to this situation. Remember, all of this colours your professional image - not just the monkey stuff. I would guess that most of your customers will judge you on your work and not what they hear. As Tommer says, take the moral high-ground and let your competitors work in a way they deem fit. Dee

Assume the top pulley point is weaker than you think - and the lump on the line is heavier than you think. The system's SWL is not neccessarily a 'target' that must be reached.