restoring faith in humans...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

[joeb]

This does not restore my faith in humanity in general.  It restores my faith in this rescuer's love of animals.  To make the generalization that you did is a huge leap.  Just because one person does something great/loving does not mean all of humanity is now like he is.  It's too bad the generalization isn't true.  I wish it was, but it isn't.  I see too much every day that tells me real love for others in the human race is vanishing like smoke in the wind.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

This does not restore my faith in humanity in general.  It restores my faith in this rescuer's love of animals.  To make the generalization that you did is a huge leap.  Just because one person does something great/loving does not mean all of humanity is now like he is.  It's too bad the generalization isn't true.  I wish it was, but it isn't.  I see too much every day that tells me real love for others in the human race is vanishing like smoke in the wind.

 

and it's a shame (but not a surprise), with such a pessimistic attitude, that the video did not help you see that there is still good in people today... 

[joeb]

and it's a shame (but not a surprise), with such a pessimistic attitude, that the video did not help you see that there is still good in people today... 

You mistake what I said.  I said the guy who saved the dog has good in him.  He showed some selflessness.  That doesn't mean that everyone is like him.  All you have to do to see that it isn't true is to look at what's going on with ISIS.  They are massacreing thousands of people.  Are they just as good as the guy who saved the dog?  How about the con artists who steal the life savings from elderly people?  Are they OK and naturally good?  If they walk a little kid across the street does that make up for them impoverishing the elderly? 

 

I'm not being pessimistic.  I'm looking at what I see around me in the world.  I don't see anything but evil in the con artists mentioned above or the terrorists.  Their entire lives are dedicated to harming others. 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

sorry, but the majority of your comments come across as pessimistic ... this is not a thread about terrorists or con artists...  it's about the fact that there are truly bright spots left in humanity, if we would only look for them..

 

*** 

 

why is it that you seem to delight in dwelling on the negative?  I try to post interesting, uplifting, and helpful things things here on C/A.  It's mystifying why one would feel compelled to respond in such a contrary manner...

[thx4mercy]

Thanks, Pam....it IS refreshing to see a good news story once in awhile!

[Igakusei]

Also, con artists and ISIS make up a vanishingly small proportion of humanity. There are far more people like that in the video than the other way around.

[LifeHiscost]

  I see too much every day that tells me real love for others in the human race is vanishing like smoke in the wind.

32"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.…Matt 24

 

…27"Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. 28"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."...Luke 21 Emphasis theirs' LHC

 

Keep looking up brother! The more that takes place according to the Word, the clearer the picture becomes.

 

…15He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure. 17Your eyes will see the King in His beauty....Isaiah 33

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!  

[joeb]

Also, con artists and ISIS make up a vanishingly small proportion of humanity. There are far more people like that in the video than the other way around.

If this is true, do you leave your doors unlocked when you leave your residence?  I don't.  When I was a kid growing up we never locked our doors, and we never had anything stolen from us as a result of that.  That would never be true today.  In fact, it's difficult to find truly honest people anymore.  There are still some, but they are a real minority anymore. 

 

Unless you think I'm all negative I always tell the honest people I find around me that I appreciate their honesty when they display it in a situation in which they could have ripped me off in some manner but didn't.  I also tell the parents I see that are raising well-behaved children that I appreciate the effort they put into teaching their children good values.  Whiy do I do that?  Because I truly appreciate those traits of character.  I'm also someone who thanks his wife every day for all that she does for me. 

 

I understand why you, as a non-Christian, might think the world is getting better, but the Bible tells us that evil will grow worse and worse the closer we get to the end of the time.   There is nothing in the heart of fallen humanity, which follows the lead of the prince of this earth(Lucifer), that leads to a lessening of evil for we are a decieved race that is willingly led captive by Lucifer.  Only in the heart of those who follow the leading the of Holy Spirit is there the genuine desire to love and do good to others.  Notice I said, those who follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not Christians.  Why?  Professing to be a Christian does not make one a follower of God.  Jesus said, the road to destruction is wide and easy, but the road to eternal life is very narrow and hard, and but very few will choose that road.  This tells me that those who are honest, upright, and truly loving are a small minority on this earth. 

 

Do I appreciate the guy who saved the dog?  You bet I do.  But the generalization that it takes to say that all people are like him is one that is too much for me to make. 

 

I'll give you another for-instance about what I see in the world.  A little while ago on this forum I was mocked because I had compassion for the nation of Finland because so many Finns had lost their jobs because of how Apple has run Nokia out of the cell phone marketplace.  Do you really think that this was good behavior on the part of those who mocked me?  Does that behavior tell you just how good and loving the world as a whole is? 

[joeb]

32"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.…Matt 24

 

…27"Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. 28"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."...Luke 21 Emphasis theirs' LHC

 

Keep looking up brother! The more that takes place according to the Word, the clearer the picture becomes.

 

…15He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure. 17Your eyes will see the King in His beauty....Isaiah 33

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!  

I like how you find appropriate scriptures.  Others may find you "self righteous" because of it, but all I see is that you find your reality in the scriptures.  And that is a very good thing.

[fccool]

If this is true, do you leave your doors unlocked when you leave your residence?  I don't.  When I was a kid growing up we never locked our doors, and we never had anything stolen from us as a result of that.  That would never be true today.  In fact, it's difficult to find truly honest people anymore.  There are still some, but they are a real minority anymore. 

 

And, you probably can still do it today.   People don't lock the doors because of the majority people will just walk into your house and steal.   People lock the doors because there are a minority of people who would do so if the doors were generally unlocked.  For the most part, it doesn't really stop such people from breaking in either, but it's done for insurance claims.

 

I understand why you, as a non-Christian, might think the world is getting better, but the Bible tells us that evil will grow worse and worse the closer we get to the end of the time.   There is nothing in the heart of fallen humanity, which follows the lead of the prince of this earth(Lucifer), that leads to a lessening of evil for we are a decieved race that is willingly led captive by Lucifer.  Only in the heart of those who follow the leading the of Holy Spirit is there the genuine desire to love and do good to others.  Notice I said, those who follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not Christians.  Why?  Professing to be a Christian does not make one a follower of God.  Jesus said, the road to destruction is wide and easy, but the road to eternal life is very narrow and hard, and but very few will choose that road.  This tells me that those who are honest, upright, and truly loving are a small minority on this earth. 

 

Now, this is just silly.  Any average person would, if they can, share their lunch with a starving child.   Claiming that things are continually getting worse is obscene.  You can't point to isolated pockets of human depravity and claim that everyone is like that. 

 

Do I appreciate the guy who saved the dog?  You bet I do.  But the generalization that it takes to say that all people are like him is one that is too much for me to make. 

 

 

So would be the generalization that everyone is like the criminals that you lock your doors to protect you home against.   It's not even comparable. 

 

I'll give you another for-instance about what I see in the world.  A little while ago on this forum I was mocked because I had compassion for the nation of Finland because so many Finns had lost their jobs because of how Apple has run Nokia out of the cell phone marketplace.  Do you really think that this was good behavior on the part of those who mocked me?  Does that behavior tell you just how good and loving the world as a whole is?

 

You judge the moral condition of the entire humanity on the bases of how some people respond to an article you posted?   How about judging based on something like this?

 

http://www.nptrust.org/philanthropic-resources/charitable-giving-statistics/

[JoeMo]

I hear people say stuff like "The light might be growing, but so is the darkness."  How is that possible?  darkness is the exclusive opposite of light - darkness is the absence of light.  How can darkness and light both grow at the same time?

 

I appreciated your post, Pam.  We need to see more of the light.  Most media focuses on the bad because "if it bleeds it leads".  So almost everything we see on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc. is negative.  I find it discouraging to listen to some of the gloom and doomers on here who say "the world is going to Hades in a handbasket, proving that we are in the end times; so be afraid - be VERY afraid".  It is stuff like Pam's post that show me that there ARE still good people in the world.  Rather than focus on the "bad" in Islam (ISIS, al Qaida, etc.) why can't we look at the equally numerous people in Islam that are coming to Christ?  Instead of being afraid of getting caught up in the wrath of God; it's much more pleasant to focus on the aftermath of living happily ever after.

 

Phil. 4:4-9 says,

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

 

Maybe I'm reading it wrong; but this seems to say "focus on the positive things."  There are always good and bad things going on simultaniously in the world and our lives.  I seem to stay more in the attitude of gratitude when I focus on positive things rather than grumble about the negative.

[joeb]

And, you probably can still do it today.   People don't lock the doors because of the majority people will just walk into your house and steal.   People lock the doors because there are a minority of people who would do so if the doors were generally unlocked.  For the most part, it doesn't really stop such people from breaking in either, but it's done for insurance claims.

 

 

Now, this is just silly.  Any average person would, if they can, share their lunch with a starving child.   Claiming that things are continually getting worse is obscene.  You can't point to isolated pockets of human depravity and claim that everyone is like that. 

 

 

So would be the generalization that everyone is like the criminals that you lock your doors to protect you home against.   It's not even comparable. 

 

 

You judge the moral condition of the entire humanity on the bases of how some people respond to an article you posted?   How about judging based on something like this?

 

http://www.nptrust.org/philanthropic-resources/charitable-giving-statistics/

You're misunderstanding me. 

 

I've pointed out that one example is not evidence of the whole and given examples showing that it isn't true.  That's all I've done other than show what the word of God says about what will be happening as we get closer to the end of time.  As a Christian I believe what word of God says about human nature.

 

Of course the generalization you're attributing to me is untrue as almost all massive generalizations are false.  Good thing I never made the generalization you're saying I made isn't it.....  

 

I could make the same kind of generalization though.  I know someone who taught their dog to chase deer because they didn't like the deer eating the flowers in their yard.  Then, when the neighbors threatened to shoot the dog for chasing deer on their property they tied the dog up.  The dog kept working it's way loose so they tightened the collar down so tight it literally took all the hair off a section about 3" wide on the dog's neck.  Then they left the dog tied up outside during the winter when the temps went down well below 0 degrees Farenheit.  It froze the flesh on the poor dog's neck and then the frostbitten flesh started to rot when the weather warmed up.  They had someone come and shoot the dog when the dog finally became so sick it was clear it was dying.  The same person refused to give a female dog extra food after she gave birth to 5 pups.  They claimed the 80 lb dog with 5 extra mouths to feed didn't need more than 2 cups of food a day. Should I claim everyone is that sick and cruel because of this person's actions?   

[LifeHiscost]

 

You judge the moral condition of the entire humanity on the bases of how some people respond to an article you posted?   How about judging based on something like this?

 

http://www.nptrust.org/philanthropic-resources/charitable-giving-statistics/

http://www.crimeinamerica.net/crime-rates-united-states/

 

"/"National Crime Survey-summary:

In 2013, the overall violent crime rate declined slightly from 26.1 to 23.2 victimizations per 1,000 U.S. residents from 2012 to 2013, per the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The violent crime rate had declined for nearly two decades before increasing in 2011 and 2012.

The overall property crime rate, which includes burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft, also decreased after two consecutive years of increases. From 2012 to 2013, the rate declined from 155.8 to 131.4 victimizations per 1,000 U.S. households.

In 2012, for the second consecutive year, violent and property crime rates increased for U.S. residents age 12 or older, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The overall violent crime rate (which includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault) rose from 22.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons in 2011 to 26.1 in 2012"

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

sad that an uplifting type of thread should be dragged down by the doom and gloom crowd...

[Aliensanctuary]

With so much cruelty taking place in the world, it's important that we see the acts of kindness, too. It would be a far better world if everyone would take care of each other and the animals, and in fact, that's what the Kingdom of YHVH is all about, taking care of each other.

[Neil D]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tamara-star/7-habit-of-chronically-unhappy-people_b_6174000.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

The above link shows 7 habits of Chronically Unhappy people..Perhaps we should ask if we harbor these habits and then maybe we can submit these things to Jesus....perhaps....

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or not....

[Tom Wetmore]

Important distinctions...  Happiness is a choice, really.