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| Acmlm's Board - I3 Archive - - Posts by Silvershield |
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Silvershield   580                   Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by Cruel Justice As long as you're making a D&D reference, it's rather important to keep in mind that evil and good don't equate to mean and nice. I'd not hesitate to contend that the majority, if not the entirety, of this board's population could be labeled some form of good (or, in some situations, maybe lawful neutral). I find chaotic and true neutral to be somewhat unrealistic and have met few people who would faithfully adhere to the tenets of either. For that matter, an accurately evil alignment more or less requires wanton destruction or, if nothing else, total disregard for one's fellow human; it's not commonly seen among well-adjusted members of real world societies, I would argue. It makes me think of an argument I read on a message board once concerning the alignment of a character in Baldur's Gate II. The character, who enforced a totalitarian regime on a city and oversaw all of its defenses as well as any civil policies, lived comfortably while his subjects starved. Though not detailed all that thoroughly within the scope of the plot, the character was hinted at having deeper motivations that those that were immediately evident. In the discussion on the message board, while some posters argued that he was undoubtedly evil because of his oppressive rule, others made the point that his deeper motivations were unknown and it was impossible to conclude what his alignment was; as one person said, "lawful good does not mean lawful nice." In the end, I would've called the character lawful neutral, as he paid little heed to the concerns of good or evil in seeking a method of rule that would have ultimately the greatest benefit. (edited by Silvershield on 11-28-05 12:41 PM) |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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I must comment, Bookworm, that your frequent "quotation marks" get "annoying" quite "quickly." 
First, thanks for pointing out that its Catholicism. That was bothering me. More importantly, I see that there is a popular misconception regarding the relationship of Catholicism to Christianity. Here at college I've recognized, moreso than ever, that an unsettling number of people relate Catholicism to Christianity as equivalent ideas. It is absolutely vital to realize that to be Christian is to subscribe to any religious belief system that recognizes Christ as a being to be worshipped, while Catholicism (along with Protestantism and its subreligions) is a branch of Christianity. That is to say, every Catholic is Christian, but not every Christian is Catholic. It's an important distinction. That said, Catholicism is a more liberal branch of Christianty in many ways. We still hold a range of beliefs that will appear to some as overly conservative but, when compared to the fundamentalist churches - those notorious for the whole stupidity of this Intelligent Design debate, as well as many other less than shining examples - we're hardly the bad guys. |
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Silvershield 580  Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| The reason I'd find it so hard to argue against evolution, even if my church rejected it, is that it simply makes sense. Given that mutations can occur when genes are passed from one generation to the next - a scientific and undeniable "known" - the idea of evolution logically follows. I'm no biologist, nor am I inclined to science in any form, but I can easily reason that natural selection will gradually create a trend in a population that can be defined as evolution. | |||
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by Phantomrain"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by cds113089If that's the interpretation you prefer, you're essentially stating that anyone with faith will perform good deeds anyway. So, by association, if you do not perform good deeds then you do not have faith. Which means that faith alone cannot get you into heaven, because it is not truly present at all without virtuous works to accompany it. In any case, I'm a practicing Catholic, and most priests I've known over the years - there have been a number, mind you - have emphasized the tenets of Christianity that promote good deeds over those that glorify Christ. By all means I worship Jesus and accept him as my guide and Savior, but His primary teaching was that one is to treat his fellow human with respect and love. How can you say that you worship a god without placing in high regard the teaching that he emphasized over all else? |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by drjayphdTo look to a cliche for an example, would anyone here suppose that a person from some distant, uncivilized part of the world is destined to burn for eternity just because he hasn't accepted Christ, even though he has no contact with Christianity (or any Western religion, for that matter)? To live a good life and treat one's neighbors with unconditional love is all that God asks of us, though to believe in Him makes that path infinitely easier. |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| I've been on payroll at the movie theater in my hometown for a year and a half, but haven't worked there since Thanksgiving break and, before then, since August, because I'm living away at college.
There's actually the prospect of getting a job at the ice rink where the school's team plays hockey. They're looking for zamboni drivers. So, I'd be able to cross that off the list of things to do before I die. |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by DanielleYou're exactly right. The job pays well - $10.00 an hour, apparently - but also entails various other janatorial tasks around the arena including cleaning locker rooms and such. But, it would be an experience nonetheless. I know, from attending a number of hockey games, that the drunken students make a sport of harassing the zamboni driver. Which is hilarious, though it probably wouldn't be if I were the driver  . |
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Silvershield 580  Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by cds113089For reference, the whole passage is, "From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles." To clarify the passage, certain unspecified peoples rejected the Christian God and chose to worship animals or humanity instead. That's reasonable enough to understand. But, I would interpret the passage to mean that, after said peoples rejected Christianity, God made no further effort to manifest Himself conspicuously to them. The forefathers in those groups had the opportunity to be Christian but are at fault for defering it, but how can you damn every descendent of those tribes as well? Jesus hasn't come down from heaven to convert those non-believers in the present day; they are essentially paying for the sins of their fathers, according to your belief. Tell me if you need me to clarify my line of thought at all. Originally posted by cds113089He wasn't referring to Catholicism, but to fundamentalist Christians. Which, as you pointed out, Catholics are certainly not. Thankfully. |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| Then say your piece, Ziff. I'm not all too fond of resorting to the Bible, in all honesty, because I'd question (or outright deny) whether it should be taken literally. And, when not taken literally, the various interpretations are too subjective. | |||
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| Any of Baldur's Gate I or II, Icewind Dale, Return to Krondor, and both Fallouts are amazing, if it's an RPG you're looking for. The first two are perhaps my favorite games ever, and are several years old so are probably quite cheap also. The third, Icewind Dale, runs on the same engine as both Baldur's Gates but it more hack-and-slash and action than RPG. Nobody's ever heard of Return to Krondor, but it's cheap and has a wonderful storyline; it's a bit short, though. Fallouts I and II are post-apocalyptic RPGs, very non-linear and not the average "elves and fairies" fantasy game, but wonderful nonetheless. | |||
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| I use lololol as of late, not because I'm some anti-Microsoft fanatic, but because I was exposed to it once and really fell in love with the toolbar that holds links to sites of your choice (which I've recently discover IE can do as well) and the ability to have a single window open but various tabs within the window. I tend to keep a bunch of programs open at once when I'm writing a paper - at any given time, it'll be two or three Word files, iTunes, and a number of web sites (including dictionary.com, thesaurus.com, and several sites needed for research regarding that particular assignment), and it helps a lot to be able to see all the taskbar icons without having all the Word files or all the browser windows grouped together. | |||
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by emceeEven as the generally moral person that I'd consider myself to be, I cannot bring myself to entirely reject the notion of torture. Surely it is nothing short of inhumane when used as a method of punishment, but can you not imagine a circumstance where it would somehow be justified? It is appalling to be forced to think that way, but we must all consider, for example, a case where a person holds information that can save the lives of many. Is that person's well-being - not even his life, mind you, just his safety from torture - not justifiably sacrificed? In a way I find myself playing Devil's advocate here, but not without thoughtfully considering all options myself. |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by ArwonI don't know, but I'm sure you or someone else will embrace the opportunity to criticize Christianity and America at the same time! |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| I'm a Catholic Christian, and believe passionately in the importance of deeds over blind faith. Adherence to a theistic religion is admirable, as it is often difficult, but if one cannot bring oneself to subscribe to Christianity in its entirety then it is far more vital that one aims to follow its basic, universal code of morality. | |||
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| I was awake until five o'clock this morning polishing off my last paper of the semester, stole a few hours of sleep, handed it in at one, and was on my way home for winter break .
I was home not a month ago for Thanksgiving, but it's still an inexplicable shock to be back in my own house, taking a nap in my own bed (to make up for that near-all-nighter). I love the whole Christmas atmosphere more than I can describe, and the house feels so warm with all the candles and various decorations, the tablecloth in the dining room, the lights and Nativity outside. Not to mention the luxuries of being able to flush the toilet with my hand instead of foot, not having to wear sandals when taking a shower, and having a warm, carpeted house (instead of a tile dorm room floor that seems to radiate cold). The thing I missed the most, maybe, was having a clean room with a bed that isn't full of crumbs and miscellaneous Bad Stuff; you see, at school, I'm rooming with two other guys in a room designed for only two people total, and my bed (due to its convenient location) is something of a hotspot for people to lounge on, eat on, put their feet up on... In any case, since the holiday season is in full swing, and I'd reason that many people who were living away for whatever reason are finally returning home, I invite personal tales of the joy (or, perhaps, despair) of coming home for the first time after an extended period of absence. Anyone have a story to tell? |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| Nah, it's cool, I know him in real life .
Anyhow, yeah, I'm about an hour and a half drive from home, so the gas money adds up a bit too quickly. He goes to our state's university, though, so he has the luxury of a slightly more convenient system of public transportation. Bus or train fees are too expensive from when I am. |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by emceeCiting my own observations, I disagree. Of virtually everyone I know, very few exhibit no similarity in height to either or both of their parents. My roommate at college is quite tall, as are both of his parents. One of my best friends back home is tall, also resembling his parents' heights. I, myself, am around 5'8", and both of my parents are on the shorter side. Genetics are not the end-all, I think - it's probably easy enough to find an example of someone who does not resemble his parents in height - but it's a good starting point. Edit: Regarding diet and lifestyle, I am not too dissimilar in either respect to any of my friends, nor have I ever been in the past (specifically, during puberty and earlier), but I am one of the shortest among us. (edited by Silvershield on 12-17-05 04:13 PM) |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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Originally posted by spel werdz riteBecause we all know that modern religion - Christianity, specifically - rejects medical science and burns witches. |
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Silvershield 580 Since: 11-19-05 From: Emerson, New Jersey Last post: 6296 days Last view: 6284 days |
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| I've had one, lasting from August of 2004 to about eleven months later. I was two weeks from 17 when it started, and it ended a month or so before my 18th birthday. She's a couple of years older than me; as I was a senior in high school, she was pursuing a theater degree at the local community college.
Things got complicated, to put it vaguely, and the split was messy. In any case, we're quite close now, and I love her dearly. Not romantically, though. As a consequence of the messy details of our breakup, I fear that I might have some trust issues now. I don't have a current romantic interest but I get the feeling that, should one arise, the biggest difficulty would be in devoting myself while simultaneously opening myself to betrayal. |
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| Acmlm's Board - I3 Archive - - Posts by Silvershield |
Except for the gawking that you'll get from the skaters, of course.