The Coming End of Modern Civilization

[SpyridonOCA]

Federal entitlement programs, military and economic imperialism, and the growing consumption of world resources are all unsustainable. The Tower of Babel that modern man has built will fall, sooner rather than later, as there is no sign that our political and economic system will change. Throughout human history, the average person lived under tyrannical rule, with a great gulf between the extremely wealthy and dirt poor reinforced by the state. Is it not surprising that America is becoming, if not already has become, such a society? The New Testament repeatedly makes a distinction between the kingdoms of this world, ruled by Satan, and the Kingdom of God. It’s the American religion to believe that our nation-state is somehow exempt from Satan’s dominion.

[buzuxi02]

Are you a volunteer for Ron Paul's candidacy?

[rusmeister]

Spyridon, your OP and your avatar seem to be at odds.

I've spent a fair part of my life going through disillusionment at the difference between what my mother and (Baptist) churches taught me as a child on how our country and the world should be, and the reality, which is extraordinarily difficult to see (and indeed, none of us see all of it). I always believed in the justice and fair play of America, I wanted to serve my country, I believed that if you worked hard you could achieve the American dream, etc etc.

Our faith does have the best answer. This world is not our home and there really is not a whole lot we can do to change it via our own efforts. The ideals I expect are to be found in the Kingdom of God.

[Khaleas]

Are you a volunteer for Ron Paul's candidacy?
Yea, I'm starting to think he's getting paid for hanging out here posting...

Now we'll hear the volume start to go up since we're disagreeing with him... (luckily TAW doesn't have volume)

[Nichole]

:doh: Oh yay..........here we go again, another futile attempt on bashing the US. To "open our eyes" and see what this BIG, BAD GOVERNMENT is doing to us. You are so apt to proclaim that our government has violated the basics of the Constitution, etc. Dude...........seriously, if you don't like it here, why don't you move to another country? Try one where there are no freedoms, like one where military is mandatory and if you speak your opinions against the government (which you infamously do so here) you get killed for it!!!! I think many others here are in agreement with me when I say we are sick of these threads you post! But I'm sure you are going to knit pick what I have just wrote apart and dissect it and make it look like I'm the big bad brainwashed American.

[Dorothea]

Federal entitlement programs, military and economic imperialism, and the growing consumption of world resources are all unsustainable. The Tower of Babel that modern man has built will fall, sooner rather than later, as there is no sign that our political and economic system will change. Throughout human history, the average person lived under tyrannical rule, with a great gulf between the extremely wealthy and dirt poor reinforced by the state. Is it not surprising that America is becoming, if not already has become, such a society? The New Testament repeatedly makes a distinction between the kingdoms of this world, ruled by Satan, and the Kingdom of God. It’s the American religion to believe that our nation-state is somehow exempt from Satan’s dominion.
I'm sorry that you are so saddened and disappointed with your country and the way life is around you at such a young age. Today, our priest talked about being grateful for all that God has given us. Maybe this would help you....focus on the good things in your life you've been blessed with through our God, and give thanks and be grateful for His goodness and love. Glory to Him.

[rusmeister]

:doh: Oh yay..........here we go again, another futile attempt on bashing the US. To "open our eyes" and see what this BIG, BAD GOVERNMENT is doing to us. You are so apt to proclaim that our government has violated the basics of the Constitution, etc. Dude...........seriously, if you don't like it here, why don't you move to another country? Try one where there are no freedoms, like one where military is mandatory and if you speak your opinions against the government (which you infamously do so here) you get killed for it!!!! I think many others here are in agreement with me when I say we are sick of these threads you post! But I'm sure you are going to knit pick what I have just wrote apart and dissect it and make it look like I'm the big bad brainwashed American.

I know your statement wasn't directed to me, but, I, uh, did move to another country. :)

I sympathize with your POV, but as I tried to indicate above, I sympathize with Spyridon's, too.

There ARE lots of things wrong with every country, in every place. When we stop letting that bother us so much it becomes easier to see the good in where we are. In the given case, it's necessary to see that there's a major limit to what we can really do. The problem is that the media are constantly working to convince people how important politics is, and together with our schooling, they generally succeed. Once we see that all of the noise is just that, it's easier to turn off the boob tube or computer and look outside and see what IS.

[Nichole]

I know your statement wasn't directed to me, but, I, uh, did move to another country. :)

I sympathize with your POV, but as I tried to indicate above, I sympathize with Spyridon's, too.

There ARE lots of things wrong with every country, in every place. When we stop letting that bother us so much it becomes easier to see the good in where we are. In the given case, it's necessary to see that there's a major limit to what we can really do. The problem is that the media are constantly working to convince people how important politics is, and together with our schooling, they generally succeed. Once we see that all of the noise is just that, it's easier to turn off the boob tube or computer and look outside and see what IS.
LOL.................sorry buddy! It was not directed towards you by any means or for you moving to another country.........or anyone else here for that matter that moved to another country. LOL! Sorry for offending anyone here about that! I have just learned to not watch the news, listen to media, etc., especially since hubby deployed. Alot of it is so super hyped up, that you can not believe what you hear! Anyway...........forgive me! :crosseo:

[SpyridonOCA]

I'm sorry that you are so saddened and disappointed with your country and the way life is around you at such a young age. Today, our priest talked about being grateful for all that God has given us. Maybe this would help you....focus on the good things in your life you've been blessed with through our God, and give thanks and be grateful for His goodness and love. Glory to Him.

I am thankful to be an American, since I believe that our blessings come from God rather than government, but I am not a patriot or nationalist. American exceptionalism is not an Orthodox doctrine. Like our founding fathers, I believe that one need not love his government to love his country.

John 18:36
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

Luke 4:5-7
The devil led him up to a high mountain and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and power, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. So if you worship me, it will all be yours."

1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of Satan.

[SpyridonOCA]

Are you a volunteer for Ron Paul's candidacy?

Supporting a presidential candidate like Ron Paul is a lesser evil than standing idly by as our Constitutional rights are taken from us.

[Bushmaster78FS]

So how's Ron Paul doing, good? Is he climbing up the ladder towards presidency?

[buzuxi02]

Supporting a presidential candidate like Ron Paul is a lesser evil than standing idly by as our Constitutional rights are taken from us.
Spyridon thats fine, i respect that your standing up for what you believe in. Just promise me you will not become so disillusioned that you become like Bobby Fischer.

[rusmeister]

I'm wondering, Spyridon, when you're going to get that worrying about the "lesser of 2 evils" and really believing that "My Kingdom is not of this world" are incompatible views.

It did take me roughly 40 years. I just wish I would've figured it out a lot sooner.

[SpyridonOCA]

I'm wondering, Spyridon, when you're going to get that worrying about the "lesser of 2 evils" and really believing that "My Kingdom is not of this world" are incompatible views.

It did take me roughly 40 years. I just wish I would've figured it out a lot sooner.

I do believe that Ron Paul is a decent man. His record and professional life show it.

[Protoevangel]

I do believe that Ron Paul is a decent man. His record and professional life show it.
I Agree. And if I get the chance I'll vote for him.

But in the past few weeks, you have really seemed almost... (forgive me) rabid.

Don't be too disappointed if (when) he doesn't get voted in as President. Also, if he does get voted in, don't be too surprised when very little actually gets done, because no-one will want to co-operate with him, either republicans or democrats.

[SpyridonOCA]

I am afraid of what would happen if Hillary Clinton were elected president.

[ThePosterFormerlyKnownAs]

Don't be too disappointed if (when) he doesn't get voted in as President. Also, if he does get voted in, don't be too surprised when very little actually gets done, because no-one will want to co-operate with him, either republicans or democrats.

Well, that's pretty much a given, whoever gets voted in. :D

[Protoevangel]

Well, that's pretty much a given, whoever gets voted in. :D
:doh:What was I thinking! :D

[Protoevangel]

Well, that's pretty much a given, whoever gets voted in. :D
:doh:What was I thinking? :D

[rusmeister]

I do believe that Ron Paul is a decent man. His record and professional life show it.
Spyridon, you're missing my point. I believe it, too. Let's assume RP is a decent man.
So what?
He's still not going to really have any power to change anything if he does get elected. he'll quickly find his honest, decent efforts blocked by Congress, the SC, lobbyists, and other more behind-the-scenes forces.

Elections are only an illusion of power, and they do a wonderful job of keeping people quiet, in believing that they do run their own government.

[SpyridonOCA]

Spyridon, you're missing my point. I believe it, too. Let's assume RP is a decent man.
So what?
He's still not going to really have any power to change anything if he does get elected. he'll quickly find his honest, decent efforts blocked by Congress, the SC, lobbyists, and other more behind-the-scenes forces.

Elections are only an illusion of power, and they do a wonderful job of keeping people quiet, in believing that they do run their own government.

The things you are saying might be true, but I honestly don't want Hillary Clinton in the white house.