Christianity is killing America

[tytlyf]

Christians make up about 80% of America. Christians are told to be and predominantly Conservative.

Conservative (dictionary):
Disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.

On the other hand you have Liberals or also known as Progressives

Liberal (dictionary):
Favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

As the world passes America by in technology and education, what do YOU think could be the contributing factor?

[Kuan]

Ever read three cups of tea?

Sometimes it is good to step back and slow down. Something Greg Mortenson learned in Pakistan. Technology is no key to happiness or bliss.

Sometimes we are so focused on rushing the technology we get we dont consider the consequences. Wouldnt the world be a lot better of if we didnt have nuclear bombs?

What I am trying to say is that liberals and conservatives compliment each other, they provide a sort of balance in the system even though they might hate each other. Not to fast, not to slow.

Like the old goldilocks tale, not to hot, not to cool. Not to soft and not to hard.

If your a boarder, its the sweet spot. Lifes balance.

[johnmarc]

Christians make up about 80% of America. Christians are told to be and predominantly Conservative.

Conservative (dictionary):
Disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.

On the other hand you have Liberals or also known as Progressives

Liberal (dictionary):
Favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

As the world passes America by in technology and education, what do YOU think could be the contributing factor?

Lets see...80% of 325,000,000 people is 260,000,000 religious folk, most of whom are Christians. That means that we have 260,000,000 different views of Christianity and of God. Conservative and Liberal are far too restricting.

However, your point is made. Probably so---conservative Christians (rare in other developed countries) probably do slow down the wheels of progress to some extent. This is not a group that values rational thought. Don't know just how backed up we got from eight years of George Bush.

However, a weak education system, permissive families, watered down standards and an addiction to recreation will make it difficult for America to compete with world standards. We are becoming a second rate country. Difficult to blame it entirely on conservatives however as they seem the most inclined to expect performance from their kids. Liberals own their fair share of the problem as well.

The primary contributing factor? We as a nation got cushy and we softened. Too soft now to compete effectively. I blame the religious and the non-religious as well. We all softened.

[Kuan]

Im no expert in politics but we really need to work on our foreign relations. We dont want to be the bully but we cant just roll over for every leader. Not only that but we really are failing with our relations with muslims.

Americans have yet to realize that the way we do things isnt the only way. We need to stop spreading democracy, but spread tolerance. Let the locals create the government they want.

[WinePusher]

The problem here is that you're going off of dictionary definitions for politically philosophical terms. First, let's start off by throwing out your loaded assumption that the world is passing America in technology and education. Granted, I'll concede that Obama is stifling American technological innovation with policies like closing NASA, however in comparison to the rest of the World America is the freest country there is and while other countries may surpass us in education and innovation it has come at a cost.

Now, when speaking in terms of liberal and conservative we have to remember we're talking about America. Our markets run along the lines of a Capitalist system, our heritage is rooted in European Christianity, and our government is a constitutional republic. Conservatives wish to preserve these institutions and systems, liberals clearly want to change them and progress past them, which is why Liberals tend to be staunch supporters of socialism (the antithesis of Capitalism) secularism (the antithesis of Christianity, and Big/Bloated government (the antithesis of representative democracy, liberty and freedom. So, I'd say the people wishing to "kill" America, her heritage, and her values are liberals, not conservative Christians.

[Wyvern]

The problem here is that you're going off of dictionary definitions for politically philosophical terms. First, let's start off by throwing out your loaded assumption that the world is passing America in technology and education. Granted, I'll concede that Obama is stifling American technological innovation with policies like closing NASA, however in comparison to the rest of the World America is the freest country there is and while other countries may surpass us in education and innovation it has come at a cost.

First you want to throw out the "loaded" assumption that america is being surpassed in technology and education but in the next sentence you concede that america IS being surpassed in education and technology, which is it? Please stop trying to blame everything on liberals/democrats/Obama it's getting old and is simply not true, if you really want to get into I can easily demonstrate conservative efforts to stymie scientific innovation and research so please just stop.

Now, when speaking in terms of liberal and conservative we have to remember we're talking about America. Our markets run along the lines of a Capitalist system, our heritage is rooted in European Christianity, and our government is a constitutional republic. Conservatives wish to preserve these institutions and systems, liberals clearly want to change them and progress past them, which is why Liberals tend to be staunch supporters of socialism (the antithesis of Capitalism) secularism (the antithesis of Christianity, and Big/Bloated government (the antithesis of representative democracy, liberty and freedom. So, I'd say the people wishing to "kill" America, her heritage, and her values are liberals, not conservative Christians.

Wow, you redefine what a liberal is and then you demonize it. Thank you for demonstrating the classic strawman fallacy.

[WinePusher]

The problem here is that you're going off of dictionary definitions for politically philosophical terms. First, let's start off by throwing out your loaded assumption that the world is passing America in technology and education. Granted, I'll concede that Obama is stifling American technological innovation with policies like closing NASA, however in comparison to the rest of the World America is the freest country there is and while other countries may surpass us in education and innovation it has come at a cost.

First you want to throw out the "loaded" assumption that america is being surpassed in technology and education but in the next sentence you concede that america IS being surpassed in education and technology, which is it?

It's the one where Obama is stifling American entreprenuership and innovation, didn't I make that clear enough for ya?

Please stop trying to blame everything on liberals/democrats/Obama it's getting old and is simply not true, if you really want to get into I can easily demonstrate conservative efforts to stymie scientific innovation and research so please just stop.

Nice generalization and avoidance of specifics. Whose the person shutting down NASA and American space innovation? You've already said you can point out conservative attempts to stem scientific innovation so lets hear it, lets hear your fallacious tu quoquo argument. And I'm guessing you missed the thread title and topic? The one where the poster tries to blame everything on Christianity, I don't hear you complaining about that, so please, spare me your selective outrage where it's not ok to blame Obama/Liberals and Democrats but it is ok to blame Christianity and conservatives, K?

Now, when speaking in terms of liberal and conservative we have to remember we're talking about America. Our markets run along the lines of a Capitalist system, our heritage is rooted in European Christianity, and our government is a constitutional republic. Conservatives wish to preserve these institutions and systems, liberals clearly want to change them and progress past them, which is why Liberals tend to be staunch supporters of socialism (the antithesis of Capitalism) secularism (the antithesis of Christianity, and Big/Bloated government (the antithesis of representative democracy, liberty and freedom. So, I'd say the people wishing to "kill" America, her heritage, and her values are liberals, not conservative Christians.

Wow, you redefine what a liberal is and then you demonize it. Thank you for demonstrating the classic strawman fallacy.

Oh, more generalizations? It's ok, I realize that calling something a strawman is much easier than actually, substantively refuting it. Come on Wyvern, show which parts have been redefined and which parts are incorrect.

[Wyvern]

First you want to throw out the "loaded" assumption that america is being surpassed in technology and education but in the next sentence you concede that america IS being surpassed in education and technology, which is it?

It's the one where Obama is stifling American entreprenuership and innovation, didn't I make that clear enough for ya?

Considering you contradicted yourself in the space of two sentences yes I would like you to clearly state whether the US is or is not being surpassed in education and technology. Smearing the presidents name yet again doesn't really spell out your position.

Please stop trying to blame everything on liberals/democrats/Obama it's getting old and is simply not true, if you really want to get into I can easily demonstrate conservative efforts to stymie scientific innovation and research so please just stop.

Nice generalization and avoidance of specifics. Whose the person shutting down NASA and American space innovation? You've already said you can point out conservative attempts to stem scientific innovation so lets hear it, lets hear your fallacious tu quoquo argument. And I'm guessing you missed the thread title and topic? The one where the poster tries to blame everything on Christianity, I don't hear you complaining about that, so please, spare me your selective outrage where it's not ok to blame Obama/Liberals and Democrats but it is ok to blame Christianity and conservatives, K?

I didn't want to get into this because it is off topic. Last time I checked NASA is still chugging along. I thought you were all for free enterprise and competition? There are a number of private companies that already fulfill most of NASAs duties, military and other secret payloads have been handled by the USAF for many years and most of the basic space research has been handled primarily by JPL for decades now. I guess you forgot the time when Bush blocked all new stem cell research and effectively gave the rest of the world nearly a decades head start and he did it purely on religious grounds. Let me see if I got this straight, because the OP was anti christian/conservative instead of spending your time and energy refuting that point you instead preferred to instead attempt to shift the blame.

Now, when speaking in terms of liberal and conservative we have to remember we're talking about America. Our markets run along the lines of a Capitalist system, our heritage is rooted in European Christianity, and our government is a constitutional republic. Conservatives wish to preserve these institutions and systems, liberals clearly want to change them and progress past them, which is why Liberals tend to be staunch supporters of socialism (the antithesis of Capitalism) secularism (the antithesis of Christianity, and Big/Bloated government (the antithesis of representative democracy, liberty and freedom. So, I'd say the people wishing to "kill" America, her heritage, and her values are liberals, not conservative Christians.

Wow, you redefine what a liberal is and then you demonize it. Thank you for demonstrating the classic strawman fallacy.

Oh, more generalizations? It's ok, I realize that calling something a strawman is much easier than actually, substantively refuting it. Come on Wyvern, show which parts have been redefined and which parts are incorrect

No, not any generalizations at all here merely pointing out your construction of a strawman. Why should I refute a fallacious argument, it invalidates itself by being a fallacy. Demonizing the caricature that you have made of liberals might make you feel good but it doesn't really help anything one bit.

[LiamOS]

It's the one where Obama is stifling American entreprenuership and innovation, didn't I make that clear enough for ya?

I challenge you to produce data or other evidence to support the conclusion that Obama's regime is stifling entrepreneurship and innovation to a degree greater than would be expected in the context of such an economic state.

This reminds me somewhat of our previous discussion on the issue of American economic responsibility.

[DeBunkem]

What is stifling all of the nation outside of the most wealthy is the Wall Street "Too big to fail" bank heist of the millenium. Scientific, educational, infrastructure and family well-being depend on well=funded investment for the future. We are not bankrupt, but the banksters and uber-rich are sitting on taxpayer money thanks to corporate welfare. Conservatives favor this class warfare. Wisconsin is part of the next phase.

lib·er·al (lbr-l, lbrl)
adj.
1.
a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
d. Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
2.
a. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor.
b. Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes.
3. Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation.
4. Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education.
5.
a. Archaic Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
b. Obsolete Morally unrestrained; licentious.
n.
1. A person with liberal ideas or opinions.
2. Liberal A member of a Liberal political party.

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[Middle English, generous, from Old French, from Latin lberlis, from lber, free; see leudh- in Indo-European roots.]

conservative [kənˈsɜ�vətɪv]
adj
1. favouring the preservation of established customs, values, etc., and opposing innovation
2. of, characteristic of, or relating to conservatism
3. tending to be moderate or cautious a conservative estimate
4. conventional in style or type a conservative suit
5. (Medicine) Med (of treatment) designed to alleviate symptoms Compare radical [4]
6. (Physics / General Physics) Physics a field of force, system, etc., in which the work done moving a body from one point to another is independent of the path taken between them electrostatic fields of force are conservative
n
1. a person who is reluctant to change or consider new ideas; conformist
2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a supporter or advocate of conservatism

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Conservative

"We can have democracy in this country or we can have
great wealth in a few hands, but we can't have both.": Louis D. Brandeis