Should we not want DEMOCRACY IN HEAVEN?
401424
God didn't lose control.  He made people able to choose right or wrong.  Being people, we often choose wrong.  \n\nAlso, there's about a million reasons why God should be in charge: he made everything, he knows everything, he is perfectly just, he's all-powerful, he's all-present, he's outside of time (so he never runs out of time), and besides all this, he loves us!\n\nThe reason that he changed the languages at the tower of babel and wiped out the earth's population during the flood is that he is just and fair.  See, the hard thing to understand is that God deserves to be the Ruler over everything, including us, and when we rebel against him, we are the ones who are wrong.  That's the definition of sin-- rebellion against God.  So because the people building the tower of babel and all the people on earth(except for Noah) were rebelling against God, God in his infinate justice punished them, because justice demanded it, and he had the right to do so.\n\nIt's hard for us to understand, especially because we innately know that a person would be wrong to wipe out the world's poplulation or punish people for trying to userp them.  But because God is God, he's right to do so.\n\nIn fact, we all sin, and the just punishment for sin is eternal separation from God (otherwise known as hell).  No person on earth could possibly earn their way to heaven, because the requirenment for getting into heaven is perfection, which none of us has ever, or can ever, acheive.  So if God is just, he should punish us with eternal separation from him.  However, God also loves us, and he wants to spend eternity with us in heaven.  So, God came up with a plan, The perfect plan.\n\nHe sent his son, Jesus Christ, down to earth, to be born in a stable in Bethlahem.  Jesus is the only person who ever lived his entire life without sinning once.  He never sinned because not only is he 100% man, but he is also 100% God AT THE SAME TIME.  During his 33 years on earth, Jesus proved that he was God's son, and the savior of the world by preforming miracles and fulfulling thousands of prophecies that were given to the Jewish people hundreds and thousands of years before he was born.\n\nAfter living perfectly for 33 years on earth, Jesus came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, knowing that he would be put to death that Friday.  He could have stayed away from Jerusalem, or called angels down to stop his execution at any time, but he didn't.  He willingly gave his life because he knew that his death was part of God's plan.  Jesus was to live a perfect life, then die on the cross as punishment for the sins of every person who ever lived.  Jesus was whipped within an inch of his life, mocked, spit upon, forced to carry a wooden cross up to the hill where he was crucified on it, pierced by nails in his hands and feet, finally hung on a cross, where he was taunted and ridiculed until he died.  But far worse than the physical torture, Jesus, who had never sinned, took on all of the sins that you and I and the human race have ever committed.  He had to feel the guilt and shame of things he had never done, and he had to be separated from God.   Finally, Jesus died.  Jesus did all of this willingly for you, and he would have done it even if you were the only person on earth.  He loved you so much that he would rather die this horrible death than go through eternity without you.\n\nBut the story doesn't end there!  Jesus was laid in a tomb, where he stayed for three days, but on the third day, he came back to life!  This is the real meaning of Easter! After rising from the dead, he stayed on earth for forty days and appeared to more than 500 of his followers before ascending to heaven.\n\nIf you don't wake up tomorrow, do you know for sure where you're going?  Because of Jesus' sacrifice, your sins can be forgiven and you can be made right with God, know for sure that you will go to heaven when you die, and start
42823
I believe that all authority is appointed by God wether it is good or evil. So with that being said I feel it is up to our leaders to make that decision not us and that Christians should not be involved in politics unless God has led them to be a figure of authority. I fear the religious right getting their way in the political realm far more than I do the atheists. It is the religious leaders such as the Christian coalition that are stripping the American citizens of their rights.
190787
For this, look into ancient Greek history. That's the last time this planet saw true democracy. Now it's a hopeful face draped over a rotting corpse beneath. It's about time for something to change in the world. Something big. This planet needs an enema.
471280
It's impossible to prove a negative.  I doubt it would change religion that much at all.  People should have morals no matter if there is an afterlife or not.
577023
People choose not to be united. God gave us free will to do what we want.
1096673
Morally? No-God permit this with the people. Until he changes things to a new way people were allowed to judge of earthy things just not the heart. it was a protection to the people.
1143401
no.  was never a democracy.  it was intended to be a republic, but we all got sold to the highest bidder.  now its a corporate run capitalistic prison state.
167940
Democracy isn't an ideal system.  There are numerous flaws.  However it is the best form of government on the planet.  With a democratic society you aren't dragged out of your bed and taken off to some field and shot because you made a derogatory comment about your country's leader (Oh yes this does happen in other parts of the world.)  You say that freeing people from this type of persecution is unethical?!?  And these small groups that you are referring to are the ones dragging people out of their beds.\n\nOur founding fathers were living under an oppressive form of government.  If you read the deceleration of independence and even the preamble to the constitution you'll see what they were shooting for,  a form of government by the people and for the people.  Remember we are one of the newest country’s in the world but we also have the oldest constitution still in use today.\n\n\nWe the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America\n\nI truly wish you get the opportunity to travel outside the US.  So you can realize just how good you have it here. I don't know what college you are going to my dear but frankly you should ask for a refund.\n\nAnd remember the Freedom you are now enjoying to complain was paid for with the blood of this country's solders, IE that's why we aren't speaking German, Japanese or Russian.
937314
you bet!\n\nid give up this whole heaven, helland earth thing. id remove all people from hell (except people like hitler, murderers and rapists) and just hang out....feed all the people....make heaven on earth.\n\nif the world today is the best the christian god can do....i vote for a coup.
845693
I agree with the concept. Our salvation is completely dependant on the way we lead our life on planet earth. I personally believe salvation is not a state after death but a realisation of truth while living!
613831
ABSOLUTELY NOT! GOD DOES NOT FORCE HIMSELF UPON US! Whom ever is doing this needs to go back and read the bible again. We  have the right to choose how we live. Good or bad. In the end we alone are left with our own end results.
587193
There's no need to.  It doesn't make any difference, since there's no such thing as god, so why bother?\n\nI guess if you're scared of dying, it could provide some false security that you'll go to heaven in an afterlife.  For insecure people, it might do them some psychological good.  Trouble is, once they "get religion" they get all pushy, self-righteous, and start putting down anyone who doesn't believe as they do...
133137
WoW! Interesting and deep questions...\nI would get on my knees and pray, but not just on my last day; praying everyday is a good thing.\nI would accept it being my last day, because what ever is God's will is fine...and I do believe there is a better life after this earthly, physical life. As for fearing death, I'm pretty sure I would, but again, there is something greater to look forward to, and God says that this life is nothing compared to the afterlife. So...I do believe in Heaven, but not the "mythical" sitting around on a cloud thing that some of us learned in some churches. I believe Heaven to be as you said, "to see the face of God" and Jesus Christ"...and much more than that. Those chosen to be in God's government, ( as opposed to these corrupt, worldly governments that exist now, will be wiped away, along with all the misery and suffering!) will help set up a fair and right government, which keeps God's laws, ( not all these man made B.S. laws!) This new system of living will allow people to learn to live God's way, with peace and happiness. (I'm sure there will be opposition on this!) Many more wrongs of this messed up world, will be corrected...Lots of work to do! No time to just sit on a cloud!\nAs for HELL!!! I believe that, as the Bible says, it is a consuming fire, and that it serves the purpose of burning up those who will not accept God's law, after they have been taught in the future. It will be as if they never existed; so basically, we are all given the chance to learn God's ways, either in this lifetime, or in the next...amd hopefully, we'll accept it, and not be destroyed in hell! There is also the mythical "Dantes Inferno" which influences us to think of hell as an ever burning punishment...I don't believe this is true at all...God is loving and merciful, and will give us another chance to learn how to live, how to love, how to obey, how to be happy, how to live harmoniously with one another, no wars, how to worship etc.....and IF we continue to want to live, as we do now, with Satan's influence dominating this messed up world, that's it! Stick us with a fork! We're done!!!
980179
Is anyone ever ready for democracy?
58398
Democracy is not what our Founders created not is it what they wanted.  In fact they feared it.\n\nAs the Founders knew, democracy is the path to dictatorship.  \n\nIt is neither desired nor is it sustainable.
1174117
As long as there are religions, there are wars against countries.\n\nIf there were no religions, the wars would be of a more honest kind.\n\nnow there`s christians declaring wars for "democracy" in the name of god.\nIt would make a slight difference in honesty, if a president or nation would just say "we want your oil, period"\n\nreligion is a shield for real intentions.
708809
Over 200 years ago, the Scottish historian Alexander Tyler stated that democracies exist only until people realize that by capturing government they can enrich themselves. After that, though the form of democracy may endure, the substance will be lost.\n\nThoreau was an idealist, and like all others of his ilk, he failed to regard the negative consequences of his own propositions. How does the thought strike you that there is no contradiction between the all powerful, all controlling state, and what Thoreau says?\n\nHow does the proposition strike you that what people want (as expressed by the democratic process) is greater security from want, and greater fulfillment of desire? The growth of government power isn't some back-room conspiracy of a few power hungry maniacs -- it's the direct result of politicians giving the people what they're crying out for -- MORE!!!!\n\n[EDITORIAL NOTE: If this concept doesn't quite make sense; please refer to Dostoevsky. His section from "The Brothers Karamatzov," entitled, "The Parable of the Grand Inquisitor" deftly lays out the chilling argument that people want to get rid of the burden of freedom as quickly as they can].\n \n\nIt is simply the nature of power that any government big enough to give you what you want, of necessity, must also be a government big enough to take from you everything that you have.\n\nIf you really want "limited government" you can have it. But you can only have it if you are prepared to accept total responsibility for every outcome in your life, and not ask for government assistance when things go wrong. And the incontrovertable fact is, the people have rejected this notion. The "power and authority of the individuals" as expressed at the ballot-box has spoken over the decades, and the politicians have simply listened, and given the people what they want.\n\nWhat Thoreau is naively assuming is that people actually want government off of their backs, and are willing to assume the full burdens of their existences. He's wrong. People want the freedom to do as they please; but when things go badly, they want (and indeed, expect) the government to step in to make things right. This duality of desires inevitably leads to decadence and a diminution of the human spirit. This is EXACTLY what the great prophet, Aldous Huxley tried to warn us about in his masterpiece, "Brave New World;" and people still don't get the message. "The People" want to be taken care of; and out of respect for the "Will of the People," the government is increasingly giving the people what they want. But what the people want is ultimately destructive of the very spirit of freedom the people claim they wish to protect. \n\nThe journalist H. L. Mencken once said that Democracy is the theory that "The common man knows what he wants, and deserves to get it -- good and hard." He's right.