faith based vs fact based; imagination vs reality

[timothypatricklarkin]

Baldwin mispoke in "not caring what people think".

Men are not perfect. They are not always good examples of their cause. The key is to love and forgive. It is difficult for those that don't have faith or hope in an afterlife to love and forgive, because all they have is what is in the world. We all die eventually. Those without faith, think their end is rotting in a grave. Those with faith believe in eternal life, so love and forgiveness become the most important virtues in the world.

[ProfessorPEARL]

@timothypatricklarkin

Sadly, you treat his words like one treats the bible. He said what he wanted to say. His words do not need interpretation.

If the key is to "love & forgive", why is the quote attributed to Jesus, "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword"- Matthew 10:34. How does one love that?

Those who think the have endless money, do not spend it wisely. This is human nature. I value life more than one who thinks they will live again.

[timothypatricklarkin]

@ProfessorPEARL That is a major cherry-pick, Professor! Jesus was talking about the shake up that would happen when the truth becomes paramount. Jesus was warning us that defending the truth will be dangerous, and they may lose their life. He was not saying to pick up a sword. (Islam, however, does have a "Verse of the Sword" and they are to fight anyone that is not Islamic.)

It's ok to hold Baldwin accountable for his words, but you should cut him some slack. It was a 1 minute interview.

[ProfessorPEARL]

@timothypatricklarkin

A person stating, 'I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,' means that defending lies is not dangerous... Science utilizes a vast array of tools to reach trustworthy conclusions. Rewording statements using a "mirror" phrase is one way we can see if what we believe actually makes sense.

Let there be no doubt, I have my beef with Islam (note youtube.com/watch?v=u6zsI-rRmt­w ), but this Christian, person-of-faith nonsense directly impacts my freedoms.

[ProfessorPEARL]

@timothypatricklarkin Also, I did not select out that statement from other statements which change the meaning of its phrasing. The basis for your belief is supposed to reside in following the person whose statement was, 'I come to separate children from parents' "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."- 10:37

His instructions, not mine. I love my people, & I would never demand this of any I love.

[timothypatricklarkin]

@ProfessorPEARL Another way to look at loving God more than your Dad or Mom is to defend a truth despite maintaining a relationship. For example, if your Dad commited murder, and you turned him in to the authorities against his will, you would be putting truth above your Dad. Or, if your boss commited murder, and offered you a partnership in the company to keep quiet, and you turned him into the police, you would be loving God (who is truth) more than your boss.