Why is there such a quarrel with Christianity today?

[n_huffhines]

But on the plus side, I'd be exponentially less likely to start slamming smack again

Haha, I already tried esplainin' something to that effect.

 

[Gramps]

I'm not a daycare service. You're both good dudes and could find some common ground it you tried.

They are actually lesbian lovers having a little spat, PMS. All will be okay in a couple of days.

 

[G0 BIG 0RANGE]

Damn, this thread is all over the place.

I've found out that quite a few of our resident conservative/libertarians aren't religious at all, which brings me to this...

Satanism!

Of course, I'm talking about LaVeyan Satanism, not the scary stories of baby sacrifices we were told as children.

Satanist beliefs actually align a lot with libertarianism. It isn't about worshiping the Devil, as they don't believe he exists. It's more of a secular/atheistic group that promotes the virtues of selfishness (as Ayn Rand did, herself).

I recently finished the Satanic Bible, and it's a pretty interesting read for like $10 on Amazon.

 

[n_huffhines]

Damn, this thread is all over the place.

I've found out that quite a few of our resident conservative/libertarians aren't religious at all, which brings me to this...

Satanism!

Of course, I'm talking about LaVeyan Satanism, not the scary stories of baby sacrifices we were told as children.

Satanist beliefs actually align a lot with libertarianism. It isn't about worshiping the Devil, as they don't believe he exists. It's more of a secular/atheistic group that promotes the virtues of selfishness (as Ayn Rand did, herself).

I recently finished the Satanic Bible, and it's a pretty interesting read for like $10 on Amazon.

Most libertarians don't promote freedom for the sake of selfishness. Most think it's virtuous because freedom creates the most good for the masses, not just themselves. I mean, you could just as easily say that socialists promote the virtue of selfishness. They want security because they think that helps the masses, libertarians want freedom for the same reason.

I consider myself more of a libertarian than Ayn Rand and I don't think her views on self-interest are very representative of libertarianism. She's like a segue from conservative capitalism into true libertarianism.

 

[G0 BIG 0RANGE]

Most libertarians don't promote freedom for the sake of selfishness. Most think it's virtuous because freedom creates the most good for the masses, not just themselves. I mean, you could just as easily say that socialists promote the virtue of selfishness. They want security because they think that helps the masses, libertarians want freedom for the same reason.

I consider myself more of a libertarian than Ayn Rand and I don't think her views on self-interest are very representative of libertarianism. She's like a segue from conservative capitalism into true libertarianism.

I read her book The Virtues of Selfishness, I feel like that's what she was trying to say, basically. That freedom, through "selfish" endeavors, creates the most good (as possible) for everyone. But after reading the Satanic Bible, it read very similarly to how my libertarian friends speak (and Ayn Rand wrote). I don't think it is a bad thing to sound similar to "Satanists" and I don't mean it as an insult.

 

[Septic]

If pot is made legal. Insurance companies will adjust rates to compensate for potential loss. Rates go up. Costs go up. That same loaf of bread goes up.

The fed will be forced to subsidize business's because of loss. Because of insurance costs.

We all pay for it.

Do you have data to support that assertion or is that just what you think will happen?

 

[Septic]

I read her book The Virtues of Selfishness, I feel like that's what she was trying to say, basically. That freedom, through "selfish" endeavors, creates the most good (as possible) for everyone. But after reading the Satanic Bible, it read very similarly to how my libertarian friends speak (and Ayn Rand wrote). I don't think it is a bad thing to sound similar to "Satanists" and I don't mean it as an insult.

The satanist 'mission statement' is far more appealing than some of the more conventional 'religions'.

Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.

Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.

When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.

If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.

Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.

Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.

Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.

Do not harm little children.

Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.

When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

 

[G0 BIG 0RANGE]

The satanist 'mission statement' is far more appealing than some of the more conventional 'religions'.

Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.

Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.

When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.

If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.

Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.

Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.

Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.

Do not harm little children.

Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.

When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

Exactly.

 

[volprof]

I read her book The Virtues of Selfishness, I feel like that's what she was trying to say, basically. That freedom, through "selfish" endeavors, creates the most good (as possible) for everyone. But after reading the Satanic Bible, it read very similarly to how my libertarian friends speak (and Ayn Rand wrote). I don't think it is a bad thing to sound similar to "Satanists" and I don't mean it as an insult.

This actually sounds a lot like the concept of "enlightened self-interest" in international politics, which I suppose would be a macro-version of this concept you all are discussing.

For example, there are some (including myself) who think that a strong and relatively proactive America in international affairs is good for the world at large, mostly because the liberal international order we bring is "enlightened self-interest" - it helps us most (which is really our only intent), but it helps others in the process by liberalizing governments, by making them less corrupt and more accountable, and by providing more economic opportunities for the locals.

This concept, of course, all goes awry when you make a dumbass decision to invade a country that cannot be unified and that doesn't really serve any major threat. Say, a country like Iraq.

 

[volprof]

When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

I love how a grocery store or a parking lot is described with the world-historical significance of the Western Frontier. "Open territory." That's great! I think I will adopt that. It gives a language of adventure and heroism to the common and mundane. Recounting a fight as a battle in "open territory" sure beats the **** out of telling someone you got into a fight with a guy outside the Baskin Robbins.

 

[Septic]

I love how a grocery store or a parking lot is described with the world-historical significance of the Western Frontier. "Open territory." That's great! I think I will adopt that. It gives a language of adventure and heroism to the common and mundane. Recounting a fight as a battle in "open territory" sure beats the **** out of telling someone you got into a fight with a guy outside the Baskin Robbins.

You're right, 'open territory' should describe any place not your or someone else's 'lair'.

 

[Gramps]

You guys should just go ahead and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You dudes are putting way too much work in reading all these books and articles to find reasons not to. Turn your life over to Christ, ask God to give you knowledge of the Bible before you read it and all will be well.


You are welcome, see you in eternity.

 

[G0 BIG 0RANGE]

You guys should just go ahead and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You dudes are putting way too much work in reading all these books and articles to find reasons not to. Turn your life over to Christ, ask God to give you knowledge of the Bible before you read it and all will be well.


You are welcome, see you in eternity.

Ehh...

No offense, Gramps. You're one of the top 5 VN posters, in my book, and I respect your level headedness. I just can't subscribe to any supernatural belief system. I do appreciate your concern, however.

 

[apevol]

Haha, I already tried esplainin' something to that effect.

Yeah. Well, I'm here to verify it in a personal way. Legalization of marijuana would in all likelihood increase the odds that I live past 55.

I even believe in legalization of most illicit substances, even though I believe that may be to my detriment. Because I believe it would go a long way in helping some bigger problems. There's a very good chance that I would, (and a small percent of the population who are like me) be more likely to relapse and maybe die in the short term, but that we would see fewer people with the same problems in the future when it comes to some of the scarier drugs.

But I am certain that legalizing a few less harmful drugs would act as an immediate benefit to folks like me.

 

[Gramps]

Ehh...

No offense, Gramps. You're one of the top 5 VN posters, in my book, and I respect your level headedness. I just can't subscribe to any supernatural belief system. I do appreciate your concern, however.

:hi:

 

[volprof]

You're right, 'open territory' should describe any place not your or someone else's 'lair'.

I wonder how they divide the concept of "lair" from that of "open territory" when someone is driving in his or her car. For example, I'm driving my vehicle through open territory, but does that mean I'm in open territory or in my lair?

These two concepts fascinate me. I think I will have to research them more. Mostly, I am just thankful I now have a much more unique way to describe sitting in an English tea room with my wife this coming Valentine's Day.

 

[Septic]

I wonder how they divide the concept of "lair" from that of "open territory" when someone is driving in his or her car. For example, I'm driving my vehicle through open territory, but does that mean I'm in open territory or in my lair?

These two concepts fascinate me. I think I will have to research them more. Mostly, I am just thankful I now have a much more unique way to describe sitting in an English tea room with my wife this coming Valentine's Day.

Mobile Lair.

 

[ClearwaterVol]

You're not following. I'm saying marijuana is a substitute good. Meaning, if marijuana is legal, people will abuse more harmful substances less.

Why do you think the alcohol industry tends to oppose legalization?

Sounds like a good theory, but alcohol sales are up in Colorado since legalization.

 

[Vol8188]

Sounds like a good theory, but alcohol sales are up in Colorado since legalization.

What about opiate usage? And how much of that is due to increased tourism?

 

[Septic]

Sounds like a good theory, but alcohol sales are up in Colorado since legalization.

Sales are also up for Papa Johns and Cheetos.

 

[Vol8188]

Colorado premarijuana was second worst for prescription drug misuse. Now it ranks 12th worst. I'd call that a small victory.

http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH115/NSDUH115/sr115-nonmedical-use-pain-relievers.htm

 

[ClearwaterVol]

What about opiate usage? And how much of that is due to increased tourism?

Couldn't tell you. I know pain killer ods are down, but I don't know if that is solely due to weed or due to a confluence of factors. I know tourism is up in Colorado, but it has been on the increase for several years before weed was legalized. Like all stats, it depends on what you want to believe they mean.

 

[Obsessed]

Do you have data to support that assertion or is that just what you think will happen?

Common sense septic.

Having owned my own business, I understand costs. I understand liability.

 

[jvol1]

Ehh...

No offense, Gramps. You're one of the top 5 VN posters, in my book, and I respect your level headedness. I just can't subscribe to any supernatural belief system. I do appreciate your concern, however.

Doesn't the CoS believe in magic? That would appear to be a supernatural belief.

 

[Septic]

Common sense septic.

Having owned my own business, I understand costs. I understand liability.

I too own a business, understand costs and complexities of mitigating risk. I also understand that what your asserting is nothing more than a scare tactic used to illicit uncertainty with little to no evidence to support it.

Just like 'crime' was going to sky rocket after CO decriminalized THC - perhaps we should all wait to see before rushing to judgement. You may be right, but you might also be wrong.

Forget smoking and drinking, McDonalds & Burger King are right up there with what you should consider liability's to your health care costs. Should public policy be legislated to forbid the Whopper, Colt 45 and Kool's? Pointing at MJ and worrying about the cost of health care is as silly rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.