Here's the situation. I'm a university student who lives a good 5 & 1/2 hours away from my family and my home church, which has raised me. I've been trying to get to the local church in my current city, but between the great distance and laziness -- it honestly has not been happening. More and more my faith is being tested and this environment has become a challenge.
However, worse than that, many of my friends are not necessarily Christians, and those who are, are losing their faith or are so liberal that they are easily influenced by the dark side of university life. For example: I just watched Dogma with a friend the other night and afterwards he was endorsing the film, and it was very sacrilegious. I was arguing against it, but then I realized I had been out of practice with theology and am starting to lose my ability to persuade and reason for God. I worry about him and many, because I can see them being turned.
We're at the stage in our lives where a lot of reasoning and unanswerable questions come into play. We're somewhere in between Judas and Thomas and doubt and lack of faith is everywhere.
My doubt is not of God, but more of myself and what I'm going to do. I want to become a minister, but I have so far to go. Many of my generation of youth from my hometown have been lost in the world, who so hopefully have longed to serve their Lord. However, what concerns me more is those who are losing their faith and those that don't have any.
Please, remind me that there are still faithful Christians out there. Give me something I can show to my friend and remind him of God's love for him. Give others on this site something that can remind them of who they are, what they're doing here and that God is there for them. Also, and here's the real challenge: show God for His full nature of Law and Gospel.
General thoughts:
1) This submission can be poetry, short story, prose, you name it. Normally, I'd accept prewrites, but I'm not so much concerned with the literary excellence as your ability to express your passion for God and to reason in the name of God. (However, that doesn't mean you should neglect writing literature. I'm an English major, so I do know my stuff and don't appreciate lazy writing, so edit your work.)
2) Christians only please. I think it's clear why.
3) Choice of Angles:
a) Give me something that is good to show to a friend in doubt.
b ) Take a big question, or church ideology and argue your point of view
c) Your work does not have to be didactic (teaching/moral), but a full proclamation of praise is not recommended. It is very difficult to be honest if all you're doing is announcing praise of God. Why? Because you shouldn't be telling me how great God is and how wonderful He is. You should be telling Him that. Also, you have no idea how great He is. You only know a fraction of it. Since writing, especially poetry, is largely about talking about yourself, it's not fair to talk to God that way.
d) Write what you want and feel. The more you do this, the better it will be and the more creative as well. Let it be original and sincere.
e)Talk about an experience you have had or have seen a friend go through. What was the greatest test?
4) I've found, from personal experience, this works well to make sure people have read the contest outline: in your author's comments type: "I am a patient soul and Monkey-turkey thanks you for your time and effort. God bless you." (And if you are still reading up to now, thank you for your patience.)
1st -- 400pts
2nd -- 300pts
3rd -- 100pts
etc. depends. . .
I may be editing/modifying/giving new ideas/have to explain stuff as I go, so stay tuned.
Please spread the word on this contest!!!! The more entrances the better.
UPDATE
I am going to be holding a sister contest to this starting today and ending on April 15th because everyone in the world has been IMing me suggesting that they have the best prewrite in the world. rolls eyes The point of this contest is what it is, as stated as is. Please read the above carefully. Please check out the other contest for prewrite submission, if you must.
NEITHER OF THESE CONTESTS WILL CLOSE UNTIL I GET AT LEAST 20 ENTRIES FOR THE NON-PREWRITE CONTEST, OR UNTIL I'VE FOUND A LARGE ENOUGH POOL TO MAKE JUDGING DIFFICULT. . . There have been many good entries for ANOTHER CONTEST. . . Very few are actually meeting the criteria I'm looking for in this contest. . . This is a contest. The point of a contest is to earn the prize and to challenge writers. If the work lacks editing it is sloppy writing. If a work is all praise or does not apply to the premise set for this contest, then I don't know why you submitted it. It does not have to be an articulate write. Desperate times call for Christian action. When you're friend is losing faith, how do you help them? When you're low how do you get up? Where's your heart? Speak with that voice and you'll learn more about yourself and God than you ever thought humanly possible. Life is about the most beautiful uncertain and certain certainties. Let's see it.
POINTS
1st place 500
2nd place 300
3rd place 100
4th place 50
5th place 20
6th place 10
However, worse than that, many of my friends are not necessarily Christians, and those who are, are losing their faith or are so liberal that they are easily influenced by the dark side of university life. For example: I just watched Dogma with a friend the other night and afterwards he was endorsing the film, and it was very sacrilegious. I was arguing against it, but then I realized I had been out of practice with theology and am starting to lose my ability to persuade and reason for God. I worry about him and many, because I can see them being turned.
We're at the stage in our lives where a lot of reasoning and unanswerable questions come into play. We're somewhere in between Judas and Thomas and doubt and lack of faith is everywhere.
My doubt is not of God, but more of myself and what I'm going to do. I want to become a minister, but I have so far to go. Many of my generation of youth from my hometown have been lost in the world, who so hopefully have longed to serve their Lord. However, what concerns me more is those who are losing their faith and those that don't have any.
Please, remind me that there are still faithful Christians out there. Give me something I can show to my friend and remind him of God's love for him. Give others on this site something that can remind them of who they are, what they're doing here and that God is there for them. Also, and here's the real challenge: show God for His full nature of Law and Gospel.
General thoughts:
1) This submission can be poetry, short story, prose, you name it. Normally, I'd accept prewrites, but I'm not so much concerned with the literary excellence as your ability to express your passion for God and to reason in the name of God. (However, that doesn't mean you should neglect writing literature. I'm an English major, so I do know my stuff and don't appreciate lazy writing, so edit your work.)
2) Christians only please. I think it's clear why.
3) Choice of Angles:
a) Give me something that is good to show to a friend in doubt.
b ) Take a big question, or church ideology and argue your point of view
c) Your work does not have to be didactic (teaching/moral), but a full proclamation of praise is not recommended. It is very difficult to be honest if all you're doing is announcing praise of God. Why? Because you shouldn't be telling me how great God is and how wonderful He is. You should be telling Him that. Also, you have no idea how great He is. You only know a fraction of it. Since writing, especially poetry, is largely about talking about yourself, it's not fair to talk to God that way.
d) Write what you want and feel. The more you do this, the better it will be and the more creative as well. Let it be original and sincere.
e)Talk about an experience you have had or have seen a friend go through. What was the greatest test?
4) I've found, from personal experience, this works well to make sure people have read the contest outline: in your author's comments type: "I am a patient soul and Monkey-turkey thanks you for your time and effort. God bless you." (And if you are still reading up to now, thank you for your patience.)
1st -- 400pts
2nd -- 300pts
3rd -- 100pts
etc. depends. . .
I may be editing/modifying/giving new ideas/have to explain stuff as I go, so stay tuned.
Please spread the word on this contest!!!! The more entrances the better.
UPDATE
I am going to be holding a sister contest to this starting today and ending on April 15th because everyone in the world has been IMing me suggesting that they have the best prewrite in the world. rolls eyes The point of this contest is what it is, as stated as is. Please read the above carefully. Please check out the other contest for prewrite submission, if you must.
NEITHER OF THESE CONTESTS WILL CLOSE UNTIL I GET AT LEAST 20 ENTRIES FOR THE NON-PREWRITE CONTEST, OR UNTIL I'VE FOUND A LARGE ENOUGH POOL TO MAKE JUDGING DIFFICULT. . . There have been many good entries for ANOTHER CONTEST. . . Very few are actually meeting the criteria I'm looking for in this contest. . . This is a contest. The point of a contest is to earn the prize and to challenge writers. If the work lacks editing it is sloppy writing. If a work is all praise or does not apply to the premise set for this contest, then I don't know why you submitted it. It does not have to be an articulate write. Desperate times call for Christian action. When you're friend is losing faith, how do you help them? When you're low how do you get up? Where's your heart? Speak with that voice and you'll learn more about yourself and God than you ever thought humanly possible. Life is about the most beautiful uncertain and certain certainties. Let's see it.
POINTS
1st place 500
2nd place 300
3rd place 100
4th place 50
5th place 20
6th place 10
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on April 17, 2005
- Rewards: Gold: 400
- Final notes: When you have a friend who is lost, when you feel low, read them, (or yourself) The Prodigal Son by pattyann4500. This piece of work blew me out of the water, reminding me of something I forget, or rather, shows something in a way that I didn't see it before. This work both moves me greatly and has a timeless message. It's a message that everyone may not experience, but the message is one we can understand -- like a contemporary parable. Thus 1st place 400pts. + 100pts. for wowing.
(Stay tuned for comments. I'd like to comment on everyone's as I get the chance, but knowing me, that's a slow time coming. I tend to be critical, but fair. If you really don't want to hear it, or would prefer it IMed then let me know.)
1st place - 500pts
The Prodigal Son by pattyann4500
2nd Place -
Humbled Humanity by sinistertranquility
3rd Place
The Path of Life by PlayeroftheKeys
Honourable mentions:
4th place - 50pts.
Keeping Fairth. . . What I Do by jeaneileen
5th place
He died for you and for me by davesadler4
6th place
My Light by RockStarAngel7
Thank you all for entering. It has been a wonderful weekend reading what you all had to say.
**Commenting on fellow poets is not something you have to do. It's something you take the time to do and chose to do. Therefore, I will give one point each for each comment on another poet's poem:
sinistertranquility 2pts
PlayeroftheKeys 2pts
davesadler4 2pts
thebest-1-95 2pts
Mickie27 2pts
Windworder 6pts
Onfore4Jesus 2pts
catinahat 1pt
The top six placers are the top six for several reasons. 1) They stuck to the guidelines. 2) They put the required in the author's comments. 3) They are reasonable apologies, which moved me in some way uniquely the most. That is, they accept that the world isn't holy, but filled with holes, yet they show hope. I think that's the real trick with helping someone who's down in faith. You have to start out with honesty. Yes, you will be weak at times, yes there is horrible things in this world, BUT don't forget God. God exists and remember your hope in Him. We are are dead meat. We are going to die. In the meantime we will be tested on this earth. However, being here does not mean we lack God's grace. In fact this grace works through us and surrounds us and waits for us in heaven. I doubt I'll meet any of you here in this life time, but I can't wait to meet you in heaven. Until then, thank you all for entering this contest and God bless.
Entries [15]
1 - 15 of 15
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When all life ceases and all hope dies
You send an angel to my side...• Commented on by judge. -
What wonton thoughts this world puts on its occupants,
Asking of everything and nothingby sinistertranquility 40 lines, 1 comment, on Mar 21 7:28 PM 2005. In Spiritual, Society
Silver trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. -
Should you loose faith,
He will not.by PlayeroftheKeys 15 lines, 3 comments, on Mar 21 9:16 PM 2005. In Spiritual, Other, Love
Bronze trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. -
He grew up and married
Worked hard for his young wifeby pattyann4500 70 lines, 14 comments, on Mar 28 12:00 AM 2005. In Spiritual, Other, Hope
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. -
Humbly I pray
Down on my knee's• Commented on by judge. -
Oh my father, My Shepherd
I feel I've lost my place.by indigo tears 30 lines, 4 comments, on Apr 1 7:38 PM 2005. In Love• Commented on by judge. -
That's when he found me...by creativechick 18 lines, 1 comment, on Apr 12 1:17 PM 2005. In Love• Commented on by judge.
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To be a shepherd for my flock of sheep
You must learn this, My lesson, from aboveby Windworder 46 lines, 13 comments, on Apr 13 9:30 AM 2005. In Spiritual• Commented on by judge. -
I'm losing faith I'm losing sight I'm starting to lose my hearing you in the night what should I do lord to come back to youI want yoby Aaron Wagoner 47 lines, 1 comment, on Apr 13 8:48 PM 2005. In Spiritual• Commented on by judge.
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You have given me wisdom,
And all I have ever needed.• Commented on by judge. -
I am a homing dove<SPAN style="Fby ALittleDream 176 lines, on Apr 14 11:40 PM 2005. In Spiritual• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
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Monkey-turkey. Perfect name.
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Too bad about the pre-write clause.
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Nice contest idea! I applaud your efforts.
I might even enter if I get the chance...
God bless you and take care, Sim. -
Thanks. It actually has quite the story to it. Lol
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don't count yourself out yet, I may be doing a second part to the contest for prewrites - see update above.
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I second the prewrite vote! lol
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I have so many Biblical poems, a number of them including scripture references, that would serve your needs well. Alas, you are not allowing prewrites. Perhaps, another time.
Good luck with this one!
Love and hugs, B♥nnieQ
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To be honest with you, you need to allow prewrites. BonnieQ is the only person on this site that I know who can tell you what you need to here. This beautiful woman is God's gift to many here. You should allow her to enter one of her poems just for the sake of reading it. Either that, or just go to her author page and read. She can help you find what you seek.
I'm trying to think of what I would say to you, but it would not be for the trophy. It would be to help you! God Bless you, and be strong. Hugs, Patricia -
I know of Bonnie Q and how truly amazing she is. I'm hoping to run a sequel contest to this to include prewrites, but this contest is what it is for what it is. There's no reason why anyone can't try to enter this contest. After all a prewrite is only as good as today's write and better than tomorrow's write unless it does get written.
For the last contest I had there was a bounty of uneditted prewrites. In fact there were only 2 fresh submissions out of 20+ submissions. Part of the point in having a contest is to challenge the writer to do something different or to improve their previous work. If you're not trying something new or improving on something you've already done, you're not getting anything out of anything. I can't stand lazy writing and it's certainly not appropriate in this contest. -
i totally agree with u monkey-turkey. although sometimes prewrites r good for different contest. u should always challenge urself by writing new ones and doing that will only make u better.
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im not sure i can enter the contest but ur request has moved me. wanna tell u that i do have some prewrites u could check them if u want, in which i speak to/abt God. for i know what u feel. i did feel the same in my first 2 years at uni. it's a new world out there. i'll be praying for u anyway
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I understand that you asked for no pre-writes, and I think your reasons behind it are totally honorable, but I really would hope that you reconsider, because i think the last one I wrote would be perfect for this contest, and I would really like to enter because i like the sound of this contest. Please consider my poem "Turn Your Life Around" because i think it wouldn't be a waste of your time and I'd like to enter. I don't think that if I did another one that it would have the same impact, otherwise I'd try for that. But that is entirely up to you, but please consider it.
God Bless,
Nick
Edited on Apr 06, 2:38 p.m. because ''. -
I am going to be holding a sister contest to this starting today and ending on April 15th because everyone in the world has been IMing me suggesting that they have the best prewrite in the world. *rolls eyes* The point of this contest is what it is, as stated as is. Please read the above carefully. Please check out the other contest for prewrite submission, if you must.
NEITHER OF THESE CONTESTS WILL CLOSE UNTIL I GET AT LEAST 20 ENTRIES FOR THE NON-PREWRITE CONTEST, OR UNTIL I'VE FOUND ENOUGH ENTRIES to judge from fairly. . .
Edited on Apr 07, 2:04 because ''. -
so i guess you are saying that most of the poems that are in right now arent worthy. we ok then i hope you get what you are looking for. thanks for the contests though. david
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Dude 1) Who am I to say what is worthy? 2) I have only had a skim through a few entries and have seen many careless mistakes. . . (I'm always game to help people with editing/suggesting/critiquing, but having said that, I can't do that for everyone -- I'm swamped as it is and some don't want to hear it any way) I can tell that some people did not in fact read the outline for this contest. . . This frustrates me. I'm not a big fan of such a kind of ignorance. I feel so frustrated when people feel they can just submit stuff without care. It shows; believe me. All of these writes are worthy of effort and that is why I said I'll be less interested in the science of writing this time around (though if mistakes appear like the plague in a write, then it really does kill what the writer is trying to say). I won't get an official run through until April 15 (last day of classes). I may close the contest then if I can determine place winners. If not, then I'll prolong the contest.
3) Many works, I can tell already, would fair better in another contest. What I mean is that they would fit better in another contest, or they're just not striking me. It has nothing to do with worth. I'm an unworthy subjective creature. It takes a lot to move me, and like everyone else in this world, there are times when I can be extremely selective. Forgive me if I seem harsh. It's just this contest is a very personal thing and it's really a challenge for writers to expose something about themselves. This is a real challenge and very difficult thing to do. I don't expect every work will strike me the same way.
Edited on Apr 07, 1:58 because ''. -
EXCUSE MY IGNORANCE BUT IF YOUR LOOKING FOR ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH POETRY, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHETHER IT IS PREWRITE OR NOT? BLESS U IN ALL THAT YOU DO IN YOUR EFFORTS.
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It makes a huge difference. 1) prewrites have no consideration of this contest's premise 2) prewrites are poorly edited submissions submited without diligence, with few exception 3)Prewrites are accepted in the 2nd part to this contest & are therefore not excluded at all see the sister contest as explained above. 4) Please feel welcome to submit a poem in that one if you'd like. I've not refused prewrites, in fact I've allowed them more power by having them as the focus in the second part of this contest & therefore I fail to see the discrimination you suggest. 5) First and foremost I find encouragement through the word, but in the application of the modern world (even though the bible is timeless). Great support also comes from others with faith. That's where you all come in & where this contest provides the motivation and organization for such useful application.
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Please don't allow the flack about prewrites to discourage you. It's ok, its YOUR contest and you don't have to accept prewrites for it and you shouldn't have to explain why you won't accept them... just please don't get discouraged... you are doing a good thing with this contest and I do hope that you find what you are looking for. God bless you Stay strong, dig deep into God's Word. Personally I LOVE Isaiah... especially the chapters from 30 on up ... I find LOTS of encouragement in them. Also, bring your friend's attention to his future with the Lord. Maybe point out what heartbreak God (I believe) suffers when He sees us faltering when all we need to do is focus on Him... really, I hope you and your friends find the encouragement needed. ~Melissa♥
Edited on Apr 11, 8:38 p.m. because 'simply put, I can't spell!'. -
God bless you! This comment made my day.
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(Gasps) OH MY G*D! You have Liberal friends? How could you? How could you say that Liberals are the "dark side of university life"? That's just......... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeird. I was going to enter a sarcastic poem into this, but I've now decided to instead accept Satan into my heart and quit poetry.
Somehow I doubt you'll comprehend the humor in that.
Disclaimer: No offense whatsoever was intended towards any Christians, nor Republicans. I am not trying to insult you, just state my opinion, and I am covered under the 1st amendment.
Oh, and Dogma was FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNY! I laughed my off. Somehow I don't think you thought the fact that God was a woman in that movie was funny................ Maybe I have a sixth sense.............................................
Again, no offense intended. -
Oops, that comment got rid of something........................... In between the first "How could you?" and the second "How could you?" I put /sarcasm in triangular brackets, but they disappeared. So you understand that I am a Liberal and I was being sarcastic for the beginning of it.
Apologies. -
Oh god, your liberal friends have took to the dark side? Heaven forbid??? Whatever shall we do? Give me a break. Dogma was a damn movie. Why don't you try reading something different and see that your friends are not losing faith, they are finding reality. See that your friends are moving forward while you are still stuck in your naive mentality.
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^^ Agreed.
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I think Satan is the most liberal friend I know. Or so he tells me he's my friend, and sometimes I listen. (Listening is a good thing, right? After all one who listens is caring and compassionate and really learns be and do good with good advice. . .)
I'm afraid I neither am Republican, nor am law abidded by your 1st admendment, nor wish to be. Though they are nice ideas, I'm sure, the rest of the world doesn't really care, because well, they just haven't discovered the New World, yet. Besides Republicans and New Democrats are so left wing. (This would be true too if the left wing is broken and leaning right which, oh right, they already are.)
Although, I wonder, have you heard of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Now there's a sure policy. Just ask Quebec. They'll sign anything.
But hey, I live in the West, so what the heck am I talking about? Well not everyone came across in the Mayfair. I suppose some of us hitched onto a bunch of geese by accident, but how were we supposed to know they weren't ready to fly south, yet?
Sometimes I dream of our prime minister, Paul Martin, decked out in red and flying around with a Canadian flag cape. He's a fine looking devil dressed in red, I think. (Or so he should be, he's the leader of the Liberal party, don't you know?)
See, that's just the thing fellow. Up here in Canada you can't get much more red than the liberal party, and that's what Canada is run by, or at least by minority. Good old freedom, you can't get much more red than with freedom. Why is the liberal party red? Why blood shed of course! Can't be free if you aren't killing somebody to get it. Can't be accepting, free and peaceful unless you're killing somebody to get it, no sire!
The good old Romans loved to wear red, and they were a pretty liberal and peaceful civilization in their day. Yep, I couldn't say they had a single war in the famous 200 years of Augustus' peace. And Hilter, you know, he loved a touch of red in the arm bands, and then Russia and China they just love the red! Hey what do you know? Even America has red stripes! (If no where else, than at least in the East with everyone else.) Still. . . Canada almost 200 years of red (mind you that changes from time to time, sometimes we feel blue) and no blood shed. . . Is that a lie? I think you'll find it is. After all, Democracy is better than communism. Now there's the most truthfull statement mankind could ever make. . . Ha! Even in a democracy you'll have slaves. Even in a democracy you'll have a leader. Mind you, if you're high-class in a democracy, you don't tend to complain about how wonderful capitalism is running
Seriously, though for a moment. Dogma was sacriligious. It makes fun of God. Anything that levels God to human standards and tries to make it look like God is conquerable or changeable by angels and humans, do you honestly think God is that vulerable? The point of God being woman in the film was that God can be any race, any gender, etc. (thus why Chris Rock defines Jesus as a brother of his own race with great emphasis). While it is true that God is supra race and sex & yet omnirace and omnisex, the way the message is brought about in the film is not presented well. The movie attacks Christian doctrine and especially the Roman Catholic church (And I'm a Lutheran, so you don't have to be Roman Catholic to see that and to be offended). The movie is impressionable to non-believers and tries to turn Christians from their faith. There is a difference between suggesting ideas and showing how the world works. This film tries to show how the world works, because it attempts to explain things for mankind which just aren't true. Whether you believe the film is a full blown comedy, or not, doesn't matter. The film is in many parts very serious and geared to destroying faith in God. That cannot be from God, but instead is from the devil. Compare it to someting like the Passion of the Christ. What are each trying to achieve? What is the point of the film at the core? You must be critical of what you watch. Which is a truer representation of God and how you think the Lord would want to be portrayed? If you are Christian you must understand that. If you have a hard time defining the difference, then you're in trouble. Especially if you watch something which tries to turn you away from Christ so strongly, which Dogma does.
Do not mistake me for being ignorant of your humour. I get it. Most won't. You must be careful in what path you pick, for there are some which will not take what you say humourously and will take it for face value. It's ok to be crazy now and then, but we must becareful of our ignorance and know when to be serious, too.
While I think I would have tried to appreciate your sarcastic entry for its creative intent, I think it would really depend on what you said.
Don't get me wrong. Liberalism is great. . . I myself prefer neo-realiberalism. There's a difference between liberal liberal and liberal, though. There are too many liberal wanna-be-extremists and not enough conservatives. If we go totally liberal we lose our morals, our sense of family and God.
In a university society everyone and everything is so liberal. It's liberal liberal. I'd say at least 7/10 students move away from home and start their own lives for the first time. That's a beautiful, but very dangerous, course to run. You get lost a lot. You lose a lot of yourself. Some of the good stuff you recover, if you keep you head on your shoulders, but more likely the tendecy is to give into temptation, to stray from everything morally right and to indulge in "super" freedoms like drinking to get drunk, sleeping with whoever wherever, etc. etc. . . . You name it. There is no time more doubtful or trying than when you're in your 20s, on average. (Sure there are exceptions and you can argue that to death all you like.) The 20s is often, for the first time, a period where you are left to figure things out on your own. The day you're in a house alone and you go to the washroom and look at the guy in the mirror and say one of two things: "It's just you and me now" or "Well God, it looks like it's just you and me, now" That's always the greatest test of one's life.
Edited on Apr 16, 11:30 because ''. -
Response to paragraph 1: Nothing
Response to paragraph 2: Waaaait... Republicans are left-wing? Whaaaat?
Response to paragraph 3: They'll sign anything? Well, that explains a lot.
Response to paragraph 4: No comment in every way possible.
Response to paragraph 5: See above. Moreso, in fact.
Response to paragraph 6: Are you one of those "Beddeh dead dan red" people?
Response to paragraph 7: Four words. Then don't watch it.
Response to paragraph 8: I was being crazy? Funny, I didn't notice that.
Response to paragraph 9: Ah. Thank you for attempting open-mindedness. And almost (hopefully) succeeding. I would appriciate you a lot more than I do if you were fair about my non-existant entry.
Response to paragraph 10: Not enough conservatives, eh? God bless Texas and overpopulation in your opinion? And you're Canadian? I guess good stereotypes are hard to live by, then, right? Thank you. You've now made me seriously consider not moving to Canada and instead just enduring Bush's presidency. Then again, maybe I'm just immoral. Exit humor.
Response to paragraph 11: If you've not realized it by this point, I am what you refer to as a pro-ish-communism, liberal-liberal non-Christian. Not anti-Christian, I'm not immoral enough to be anti-Christian. Just not-Christian.
Slightly Atheist, actually.
According to what I just said, don't you think I'm pro-sex-before-marriage etc?
The reply ends here.
Just to be safe, I repeat that I am NOT anti-Christian and NOT anti-God. Just anti-bullsh - (battery dies) -
There is a great difference between retardation and imagination. I agree that movies such as Doma are damnable. Thank you for making that affirmable. I actually read quite frequently. English majors tend to do that. While I see no relevance with reading to film in your argument, I assure you I am well read.
If these friends you speak of are finding reality, then why do they find life meaningless and turn away from God? Why does introspection and egotism take over their souls? Why can't they see beyond a worthless world and self? Why don't they just die? That's all that's left isn't it? Might as well die if you've already given yourself a final judgement.
No! They are wanning in faith and losing their faith because they are becoming lost. They seek the truth and need guidance. They forget the life around them. The beauty of God in life. The smile of an attractive woman. How does that make you feel? The baby's laugh. How does that make you feel? A waterfall. A voice. Music. You like to write? How about art. How does heart make you feel? Do you feel the passion and joy when you've made something beautiful? I think you do. Even a scientist enjoys new and beautiful things. Discovering life, how things work, and how to make something new. How was life created? Out of nothing? Come on, even nothing comes from something.
People seek the truth because they still don't know it or have forgotten it. They are regressing into the the unknowing world of childhood. They explore and search and seek to be taught. Anyone who does not know; they seek. Indeed, even those who know, they seek to know better.
"Everbody is moving forward in the wrong direction. If they were moving in the right direction, they would be there all ready."
Reality is a weak word because not everyone grows up in the same backyard. I thank God for my naive mentality, because for the short time it was, it allowed me to see the world through the eyes of a child. From time to time it can be good to do that again, but it's impossible to remain that way in this world, no matter the reality. The greatest realization is not so much that we realize that we "know nothing," but actually that we know very little and we don't always know how to communicate what we know.
Edited on Apr 16, 12:44 because ''. -
Paragraph 1-7 was some pretty rich sarcasm. I'm sorry if you didn't understand it all.
Paragraph messages:
1) Listen, but be critical of who you listen and their message.
2) The world doesn't revolve around American government, though some of America's laws and policies are nice ideas. The right wing plane point was that the American government, whether democrat or republican, they are both right wing. (Take Issues in World Politics -- great course)
3) Quebec is often the most difficult province to get to sign anything, because they always want special rights. Sometimes this makes them the wisest province to deal with and the most frustrating.
4)Too often Canadians are called Americans and we're not the same, just similar, in some ways. Most people don't know how Candians got here, or just don't care. That's sad.
5 & 6)The current leader of Canada is Paul Martin of the Liberal Party (One of our parties like you have New Democrat & Republican). The colour of the Liberal party is red. These paragraphs play on Canadian humour of politics. A "minority" run government is a where the leading party in the house of commons only has the most amount of seats by a slight majority in population, but the seats of all the other parties added together equals more than the the leading party or something like that, so it's not a majority, but a minority, or something like that. . .
7) Red is not necessarily bad. Even during the Romans' 200 years of peace there was war. Red is often associated with freedom, community and the group fighting a bloody battle to take down the blue bloods, but it doesn't have to be. Anyone who suggests that Canada hasn't shed blood in 200 years suggest we didn't fight in WWI & WWII and we sure did. Democracies such as Canada and America have red stripes as well. Communism is a great thing, but it doesn't work well. Capitalism is a horrible thing but it works well. Put the two together and you get a sort of democracy both good and bad, but mostly capitalist.
There is a great boom in liberalism in Canada, and I think that is becoming an issue of concern, since we are at times losing our identity as a nation and a culture. We've always had that problem from the very get go, but with time this nation in some ways is becoming dangerously liberal and losing a moral base and a sense of what is right. It's very difficult to say that Canada is a nation of God. In fact, in all honesty, I don't think it is fair to say that is any more. Liberalism and freedom is always good for choice, but it's bad for reason.
Having said that, I still love living here and do try to be as open-minded as I can. Thank you for your comments and for respecting the contest by not entering. I will be hosting other contests in the future for all walks of life to enter, and have done so before, so keep an eye out.
Edited on Apr 16, 1:39 p.m. because ''. -
Funny, I always thought Canada was in America.
Let's name the continents. North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Austrailia, Europe, and Antarctica.
Now, Canada is in North America, if fifth-grade geography serves. Now, since North America is often referred to as America, and Canada is in North America, then Canada is in America.
True / False.
Guess...
And also, Dogma is an a-(battery flickers)-s-kicking movie. I have never, in my whole life, either read your last two comments or said that Dogma was not the best movie with Chris Rock in it. (He was in it, right?)
And the director did a great job balancing between Jay and Silent Bob as main characters. The hockey-stick dudes kicked a-(battery flickers again)-s. Seriously, when they came up, I jumped.
And when it turned out that God killed people by talking, I actually laughed out loud. I did! That was le FUNNY!
But though God being a woman was pretty cool, it would've been even cooler if she'd been a black man instead. Although it kicked a-(battery briefly dies)-s even with God as a woman. I was hoping that she wouldn't be just a white man.
But Silent Bob talked! I almost cried! He said, I believe, "No ticket". And his career was ruined. He still kicked a-(channel changes briefly)-s though. He was probably cooler than Jay.
Talking about Jay brings to mind a scene involving near-sexual intercourse. Almost... Poor Jay. Good thing he got famous on his own.
Such a gooooooooooooooooooooooood movie.... Loved it.
Obviously you didn't.
If you didn't get this before, I didn't read your last two posts. HA! HA HA! AND I AM PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION! HAAAAAAA! YEAH! WOOOOO!
No offense. I cough cough used to cough love Canadians, and I still love Canada.
(Drinks some cough medicine, and coughs it all over you)
Sorry.
(Wipes mouth)
Now I've got to go watch another qwoteunqwote "sacreligous" movie.
Ciao.
And watch Dogma again, if you're so open-minded. XD
(Look at it sideways. No, other way. Tilt your head left. Other left. Good job.)
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