I woke up this morning to my friend from next door banging on my window. I was pissed and yelled at him to stop until he said he needed to talk to me. I opened the door and learned my other friend was shot to death in front of his house last night returning from summerfest. For those of you who know Milwaukee it was in the Riverwest area. What causes senseless violence like this? Do people realize the power they wield in their hand when they hold a gun? Do they actually comprehend the difference between life and death? Maybe if people weren't led to believe there was an afterlife they'd appreciate the one they have now.
I know gun issues have come up in this forum before and I've always been against the right. However, if my friend had been allowed to carry a weapon and actually had a chance to defend himself maybe the lousy cocksucker excuse for-a-cockroach would've been the one dead.
"Trippster" wrote:
DJ,
First and most importantly let me give my condolences, it is especially hard when the death is sudden and for no apparent reason.
One of the most important benefits of religion (and afterlife as pretty much all religions teach) is the presentation of transcending values for all of life. It is where we get most of our value system. Regardless of your current beliefs, I would wager that your values, your parents values, somewhere came from religious beliefs.
if there is no afterlife than what does it matter in the here and now? Without a belief in a supreme being, who is going to hold you and other's accountable for your actions here on earth?
It is precisely the abscence of belief that drives this behavior. Without a God (who sees all) to be accountable to, the only concern is whether or not you are caught by the police. And the chances there are actually quite small.
it all comes down to accountabillity. That is what is lacking in the world. Being accountable to a God (whoever you think he/she is) and hence then being told by your God to be accountable for your actions toward others.
Don't blame religion. Blame the lack of religion.
P.S. and don't bring up the zealots. We all know that is not the essence of religion.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I believe I heard about it on the news.
"djcubez" wrote: