20-somethings & 30-somethings, how do you see the future in America?

[funkymeeba]

The USA was a very unique thing that happened in that it was a Christian nation from the beginning.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. **** everyone who says this.

[Malphas]

The USA will be much the same as it is now, but will continue to experience a moderate decline in political/economic/military significance to the rest of the world, perhaps a very slight decline in cultural significance also. It'll also probably continue to be dragged into the 21st century with regard to government-funded welfare and infrastructure - much to the chagrin of types like the OP; although nothing like the extent of Europe.

The USA was a very unique thing that happened in that it was a Christian nation from the beginning.  If it was just a Godless country like most all countries in Europe (Europe is a spiritual wasteland) I would agree with you that things would take a more natural course.  But given the involvement of the Most High God, I don't things will happen naturally.  Our downfall could be much faster.  Look how far America has fallen in just 40 years. 

I'm of the opinion that the USA's staunch Christian affiliation is why it's one of the most ****ed up countries in the Western world. Same reason why the Middle East is so ****ed up, except you're swapping out Christianity for Islam (two branches of this same faith, anyway).

[Endzone]

The USA will be much the same as it is now, but will continue to experience a moderate decline in political/economic/military significance to the rest of the world, perhaps a very slight decline in cultural significance also. It'll also probably continue to be dragged into the 21st century with regard to government-funded welfare and infrastructure - much to the chagrin of types like the OP; although nothing like the extent of Europe.

The USA was a very unique thing that happened in that it was a Christian nation from the beginning.  If it was just a Godless country like most all countries in Europe (Europe is a spiritual wasteland) I would agree with you that things would take a more natural course.  But given the involvement of the Most High God, I don't things will happen naturally.  Our downfall could be much faster.  Look how far America has fallen in just 40 years. 

I'm of the opinion that the USA's staunch Christian affiliation is why it's one of the most ****ed up countries in the Western world. Same reason why the Middle East is so ****ed up, except you're swapping out Christianity for Islam (two branches of this same faith, anyway).

You funny guy. 

[SpAmRaY]

The USA will be much the same as it is now, but will continue to experience a moderate decline in political/economic/military significance to the rest of the world, perhaps a very slight decline in cultural significance also. It'll also probably continue to be dragged into the 21st century with regard to government-funded welfare and infrastructure - much to the chagrin of types like the OP; although nothing like the extent of Europe.

The USA was a very unique thing that happened in that it was a Christian nation from the beginning.  If it was just a Godless country like most all countries in Europe (Europe is a spiritual wasteland) I would agree with you that things would take a more natural course.  But given the involvement of the Most High God, I don't things will happen naturally.  Our downfall could be much faster.  Look how far America has fallen in just 40 years. 

I'm of the opinion that the USA's staunch Christian affiliation is why it's one of the most ****ed up countries in the Western world. Same reason why the Middle East is so ****ed up, except you're swapping out Christianity for Islam (two branches of this same faith, anyway).

I'm not sure how 'Christian' the USA is anymore....perhaps the term is used but that's about it.....

[funkymeeba]

"Christian" has zero place in how the government of the US operates. Anyone who disagrees clearly missed the "separation of church and state" memo.

[Endzone]

"Christian" has zero place in how the government of the US operates. Anyone who disagrees clearly missed the "separation of church and state" memo.

I will say that your side has been winning this battle for the past 30 or 40 years, and that is why we are in such delcine here in the USA.  But, your memo was never a part of our constitution. 

[hashbaz]

It can be argued that the US was founded on principles derived from Christian practice and thought.  In that sense it can be said to be a Christian nation.  Also in the sense that the vast majority of the people living at the time of its founding were Christian.  The fact that there is no explicit state religion doesn't necessarily make the label invalid.

[kravlin]

The constitution mentions religion once. And that's to say that there should be separation of church and state. Most of the founding fathers were outspoken against religion and politics being brought together. "in god we trust"  wasn't put on our money until the 1950s, it was originally " e pluribus unim"  or " from many,  one". The bill of rights gives freedom of religion in the first amendment. Nowhere is Christianity mentioned directly. America was never a Christian nation.

[Tarzan]

It can be argued that the US was founded on principles derived from Christian practice and thought.  In that sense it can be said to be a Christian nation.  Also in the sense that the vast majority of the people living at the time of its founding were Christian.  The fact that there is no explicit state religion doesn't necessarily make the label invalid.

That's like saying that Slovakia or Poland are Muslim countries.  After all, both were part of the Ottoman Empire, up until the Polish-Ottoman War of 1672.

[hashbaz]

That's like saying that Slovakia or Poland are Muslim countries.  After all, both were part of the Ottoman Empire, up until the Polish-Ottoman War of 1672.

Were Slovakia and Poland founded on Islamic principles and thought?  Have the majority of their populations ever been Muslim?  I don't think the meanings of "Christian nation" that I mentioned apply here.

Note that I'm not claiming that the senses I mentioned are either true or useful -- I merely said it could be argued.  The phrase "Christian nation" generates a lot of contempt, but I don't think we can just throw it out summarily because of the separation clause.

[keyboardlover]

I don't think spirituality plays as much of a part in the madness as OP believes. What was so "Christian" about mass-murdering Native Americans or creating a government which subjugates and rules everyone under it? Personally I have no problem with people who are spiritual as long as they aren't initiating force on anyone.

However, I would argue that religion is VERY much THE problem. The most dangerous religion in the world of course. Statism.

[eth0s]

If you never got the memo:  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." ~ U.S. Constitution, Amendment I.

Now if you want to practice religion like the founders, that is your right, but just take notice that you have only three choices for your religion:  the Congregationalist church, the Catholic Church (are u pedo?), or the Church of England (God Save the Queen).  Those were the only established churches that existed in the original States/ Colonies.   

If you go with Congregationalist (which is my recommendation) then you should do it like a Massachusetts Pilgrim in 1776, and wear some big-buckle shoes, and wear a funny black hat, and go the stockade every Sunday, unless you respect G*D's law and go to church in the morning (like 5:00 am) and return directly to your home where you shall remain basically motionless feeling guilty about being the miserable sinner that you know you are.  Do not even think of watching football.

If you want to practice any other religion, that is simply not acceptable, at least not under the original founders' intent.  You would need some kind of modernist, moral-relativist justification for deviating from the founders' established religions, which you don't want.

[Endzone]

If you never got the memo:  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." ~ U.S. Constitution, Amendment I.

Now if you want to practice religion like the founders, that is your right, but just take notice that you have only three choices for your religion:  the Congregationalist church, the Catholic Church (are u pedo?), or the Church of England (God Save the Queen).  Those were the only established churches that existed in the original States/ Colonies.   

If you go with Congregationalist (which is my recommendation) then you should do it like a Massachusetts Pilgrim in 1776, and wear some big-buckle shoes, and wear a funny black hat, and go the stockade every Sunday, unless you respect G*D's law and go to church in the morning (like 5:00 am) and return directly to your home where you shall remain basically motionless feeling guilty about being the miserable sinner that you know you are.  Do not even think of watching football.

If you want to practice any other religion, that is simply not acceptable, at least not under the original founders' intent.  You would need some kind of modernist, moral-relativist justification for deviating from the founders' established religions, which you don't want.

You must have studied history in public school.  The first article in the Bill of Rights simply means that the federal government shall not interfere in the affairs of the church.  Remember the reason for the whole seperation from England was so that the church would be free to worship as they wanted--not be bound by the "3 religions" as you describe.  You must be cooperating with your own delusion if you can't see this because it is so obvious what it means if looked at in the context of what America was all about and why settlers came here in the first place. 

[kravlin]

If you never got the memo:  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." ~ U.S. Constitution, Amendment I.

Now if you want to practice religion like the founders, that is your right, but just take notice that you have only three choices for your religion:  the Congregationalist church, the Catholic Church (are u pedo?), or the Church of England (God Save the Queen).  Those were the only established churches that existed in the original States/ Colonies.   

If you go with Congregationalist (which is my recommendation) then you should do it like a Massachusetts Pilgrim in 1776, and wear some big-buckle shoes, and wear a funny black hat, and go the stockade every Sunday, unless you respect G*D's law and go to church in the morning (like 5:00 am) and return directly to your home where you shall remain basically motionless feeling guilty about being the miserable sinner that you know you are.  Do not even think of watching football.

If you want to practice any other religion, that is simply not acceptable, at least not under the original founders' intent.  You would need some kind of modernist, moral-relativist justification for deviating from the founders' established religions, which you don't want.

You must have studied history in public school.  The first article in the Bill of Rights simply means that the federal government shall not interfere in the affairs of the church.  Remember the reason for the whole seperation from England was so that the church would be free to worship as they wanted--not be bound by the "3 religions" as you describe.  You must be cooperating with your own delusion if you can't see this because it is so obvious what it means if looked at in the context of what America was all about and why settlers came here in the first place. 

Churches are also not legally allowed to meddle in the affairs of statehood either.http://aclj.org/churches-organizations-/political-speech-non-profit-tax-issues. They're allowed to comment on problems facing society but distinctly not allowed to endorse candidates. It's a two way street. Just because some pastors do currently isn't because it's not against the law, but instead it's because the IRS hasn't audited them. Any Non-Profit (lol, non-prophet) that isn't taxed is barred from making any political statements whatsoever.

And we don't follow christian morals anyways, the bible promotes slavery and incest and a ton of other things that are considered immoral by our society. We've figured things out well enough that we're able to eat pork (Leviticus 11), wear blended garments (Leviticus 19:19), divorce (Mark 10:9) and we wear gold on a regular basis (Timothy 2:9). So we're not running by christian morals.

And the whole seperation from England was not so we could pray as we wanted. That may be why the pilgrims originally came to the US, but that doesn't include the (much larger) number of people who came here to make another life for a variety of reasons (wealth, danger, what have you). The Revolutionary War was fought over the idea that we shouldn't be taxed without being represented "No Taxation without Representation". Religion was not a major force for the majority of people who came to America, nor the reason for the revolutionary war. The only reason people think that is because the mayflower story is so frequently told when it's such a small part of US history. Seems like public school is doing considerably better at teaching kids than you thought, you should get your facts straight.

[keyboardlover]

Folks, folks, you're ALL missing the point.

The state IS a church.

Have you ever read judicial canons? Or pledged allegiance?

[kravlin]

Folks, folks, you're ALL missing the point.

The state IS a church.

Have you ever read judicial canons? Or pledged allegiance?

Yeah, but only because it's bad form not to. I also pray at Christmas dinner as not to offend my overly religious grandparents even though I don't believe in Christ.

[Leslieann]

You must have studied history in public school.  The first article in the Bill of Rights simply means that the federal government shall not interfere in the affairs of the church.  Remember the reason for the whole seperation from England was so that the church would be free to worship as they wanted--not be bound by the "3 religions" as you describe.  You must be cooperating with your own delusion if you can't see this because it is so obvious what it means if looked at in the context of what America was all about and why settlers came here in the first place.

Sorry, but you are wrong.

Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that line, actually clarified it later in life (while he was president) in a letter to a newspaper and said it meant exactly that, "A wall of separation between church and state" was his words. 

There is a full explanation and even a link to the original letter here.

Or pledged allegiance?

The Pledge of Allegiance did not include "God" until the 1950's, when it was added to it.

[Endzone]

Well believe your own delusions if you want to.  Anybody can rewrite history to their own liking.  The fact is that the Christian church had a profound affect upon American history, and that is why this nation was the most prosperous in the history of the world--at least it was until you liberals took over.

You think like the nuts that believe in the theory of evolution.  How could anyone that is sane believe in this nonsense?  The thing is, people who believe in the theory of evolution, they know if the back of their minds that it is just a wild chance that this could ever happen--let's say 1 in a billion.  So why do they believe this idiocy?  It's because they want to wash God from their conscience.  They do not want to be submitted to the creator God.  Same thing with you explanations about U.S. history.  They are false, but you are willing to believe them because you want to do the same thing the evolutiist do, and that is to wash God from your conscience. 

[funkymeeba]

I hope you spontaneously combust. That would be the best of all acts of god.

[keyboardlover]

The Pledge of Allegiance did not include "God" until the 1950's, when it was added to it.

That's not the point though - regardless of that word...you're pledging your allegiance to a fictitious authority. Not only that, you're doing it with your hand over your heart while staring at a fancy piece of cloth.

[Endzone]

I hope you spontaneously combust. That would be the best of all acts of god.

You keep playing your video games, and you might be the next guy to go shoot up a school. 

[keyboardlover]

You keep playing your video games, and you might be the next guy to go shoot up a school. 

That's uncalled for. There's no actual link between violent video games and violent acts.

[kravlin]

Well believe your own delusions if you want to.  Anybody can rewrite history to their own liking.  The fact is that the Christian church had a profound affect upon American history, and that is why this nation was the most prosperous in the history of the world--at least it was until you liberals took over.

You think like the nuts that believe in the theory of evolution.  How could anyone that is sane believe in this nonsense?  The thing is, people who believe in the theory of evolution, they know if the back of their minds that it is just a wild chance that this could ever happen--let's say 1 in a billion.  So why do they believe this idiocy?  It's because they want to wash God from their conscience.  They do not want to be submitted to the creator God.  Same thing with you explanations about U.S. history.  They are false, but you are willing to believe them because you want to do the same thing the evolutiist do, and that is to wash God from your conscience. 

Actually, evolution is incredibly easy to understand and we've witnessed it. You have to remember that this is over millions of years. It's literally trial and error over time. And if you have a large enough number of instances over a long enough period of time, you get evolution. It takes a lot less faith for evolution than for you to believe in a higher being. And if you're arguing it's just a theory, so is gravity, and a lot of other things. It has nothing to do with wanting or not wanting to be submitted to god. Whether god exists or not doesn't change whether evolution is happening.

[kravlin]

You keep playing your video games, and you might be the next guy to go shoot up a school. 

That's uncalled for. There's no actual link between violent video games and violent acts.

and on top of that, violence is actually down within the united states.

Pretty sure this guy's just a troll and we should move on. I'm done here.

[Endzone]

You keep playing your video games, and you might be the next guy to go shoot up a school. 

That's uncalled for. There's no actual link between violent video games and violent acts.

Maybe in your mind there is no link.  But if you look at every school shooting, the perp had a history of playing violent video games.  It's the one thing most everybody had in common.

So, imagine a U.S. in 2038 where there are no violent video games?  I wonder what video games will be like then.  I wonder what kind of computers they will be played on.  Will your average Joe even be able to afford a good computer then? 

[iri]

all the world plays violent video games.

[Tym]

You keep playing your video games, and you might be the next guy to go shoot up a school. 

That's uncalled for. There's no actual link between violent video games and violent acts.

Maybe in your mind there is no link.  But if you look at every school shooting, the perp had a history of playing violent video games.  It's the one thing most everybody had in common.

So, imagine a U.S. in 2038 where there are no violent video games?  I wonder what video games will be like then.  I wonder what kind of computers they will be played on.  Will your average Joe even be able to afford a good computer then?

Yes there is a link between violent video games and acts of violence, but video games are only the "trigger" and they are unstable individuals. If it wasn't video games it would be movies, or the news. They are a ticking timebombs.

[keyboardlover]

The video games aren't a "trigger" that's ridiculous. The fact of the matter is that violent people are going to do violent things no matter what. I play violent video games and I'm one of the most peaceful people I know.

There's an actual real link most of the school shooters had though - prescription psychotropic drugs.

[Tym]

I had some evidence, but now I can't find it

But it was basically showing the correlation between a number of murders in Europe and video games, such as the person who had built a replica weapon from a game and stabbed a girl 37 times because that was the combo it had in a game.

Clearly this individual was unstable, and "trigger" was the wrong word, I used speech marks to try and show this as I couldn't think of anything better. Its hard to explain, I don't think the video games made these people snap and go on killing sprees, more encouragement.

[esoomenona]

Why do you waste your breath arguing with people like this? You'd be better suited arguing with a wall, and having him leave his opinions in his mouth. The world would be a better place for it.

[iri]

prescription psychotropic drugs.

does ritalin count as such in the states?

[Tym]

prescription psychotropic drugs.

does ritalin count as such in the states?

In my experience (I watched that episode from the Simpsons) yes.

[kravlin]

You keep playing your video games, and you might be the next guy to go shoot up a school. 

That's uncalled for. There's no actual link between violent video games and violent acts.

Maybe in your mind there is no link.  But if you look at every school shooting, the perp had a history of playing violent video games.  It's the one thing most everybody had in common.

So, imagine a U.S. in 2038 where there are no violent video games?  I wonder what video games will be like then.  I wonder what kind of computers they will be played on.  Will your average Joe even be able to afford a good computer then? 

Your argument is the same as "Drinking water causes cancer, because everyone who ever had cancer has drunk water" or "Breathing air causes people to go insane because all insane people have breathed air. Video Games (and violent ones) have almost completely saturated our culture the younger kids go. There's a reason that the main crusader for that kind of thinking, Jack Thompson, has been disbarred. It's because he's got absolutely no idea what he's talking about.

Now most of the shooters having mental issues? That is a real problem that we're not talking about. People with mental health issues are ostracized, not given the help they need. The fact that the media promotes these people's faces constantly after an event drives more insane people to try. The issue is purely cultural, not driven by some kid playing cod with his friends.

In 2038 there will be the same games, and people will be able to buy computers, they just won't buy computers like you and I do now, where they're desktops, stuff like androids and tablets and laptops will be the end result. consoles will still run games and they'll still be everything from earthshattering and heartbreaking, to violent and dumb.

[Endzone]

I think if you play violent video games, you are in danger of being partially controlled by a demonic spirit.  How else could these guys that shoot up schools do what they do?  It isn't just a mental issue.  The drugs are also a common problem as another poster pointed out. 

The same thing goes for pornography.  If you watch it you are opening the door to partial control by a demonic spirit.  That is why it is so hard to get out of. 

[Endzone]

So young people, will things be better or worse in America in the year 2038 when most of you are about  my age?  I'm not talking about on an individual level, but in a general sense. 

[Narcix]

 Random Italian guy with depression  POV
every day the world is more ****ed up and becomes a harder place
instead of focusing on progress "the important people" is busy with silly fights and other unuseful crap.
some countries have no future
ex. italy. the man who screwed the world still got a ****ton of votes last election.
people is just blind, and those who see are surrounded by fog.

[keyboardlover]

Demonic spirits? Wtf?

[Photekq]

I think if you play violent video games, you are in danger of being partially controlled by a demonic spirit.

What the hell are you talking about? It sounds like the ramblings of an absolute madman. You think porn and video games open you up to demonic spirits? You're a ****ing nutjob.

[absyrd]

I think if you play violent video games, you are in danger of being partially controlled by a demonic spirit.  How else could these guys that shoot up schools do what they do?  It isn't just a mental issue.  The drugs are also a common problem as another poster pointed out. 

The same thing goes for pornography.  If you watch it you are opening the door to partial control by a demonic spirit.  That is why it is so hard to get out of. 

This thread just got funny. Cheers.

[Leslieann]

Well believe your own delusions if you want to.  Anybody can rewrite history to their own liking.  The fact is that the Christian church had a profound affect upon American history, and that is why this nation was the most prosperous in the history of the world--at least it was until you liberals took over.

You think like the nuts that believe in the theory of evolution.  How could anyone that is sane believe in this nonsense?  The thing is, people who believe in the theory of evolution, they know if the back of their minds that it is just a wild chance that this could ever happen--let's say 1 in a billion.  So why do they believe this idiocy?  It's because they want to wash God from their conscience.  They do not want to be submitted to the creator God.  Same thing with you explanations about U.S. history.  They are false, but you are willing to believe them because you want to do the same thing the evolutiist do, and that is to wash God from your conscience.

[esoomenona]

Guys! I have a demonic spirit in me. I was watching transsexual porn, so it's a shemale demon, with exquisite breasts and a large penis.

[funkymeeba]

Moose, there is no way that is a demon. That concoction could only be heaven-sent.

[esoomenona]

Moose, there is no way that is a demon. That concoction could only be heaven-sent.

So "God" loves my anus being expanded by women with bigger genitalia than me? Thank you. I was beginning to think I was going to hell, but now I know that I can enjoy many shemales in heaven!

[hashbaz]

Aaaaaaaand /thread.  Thanks for playing everyone.