”The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply find unbelievable.”

I know Christians who are doing this right now. Sad really.  Take this (fictional) story as an example of truth in this statement.  You know people like this don’t you?

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.

He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, ‘I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.’ I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk; naturally…I assumed you had stolen the car.’

Our ship itinerary include a port of call in Labadee, Haiti. Yes, you heard me right, Haiti. A week before we sailed, I became concerned that one of our ports would be canceled due to the horrific tragedy that occurred in Port of Prince. Once on board the ship, it became clear that RCI was dedicated to continuing they’re 30 some-odd years of support of the Haitian economy. We were told that all the ships calling to Labedee were carrying precious supplies for the Haitian people. AND, that all 100% of monies spent while we were there were going to Haiti. The RCI resort employs some 250 local Haitians. If we did not call there, it would have a devastating effect on their economy, which would have a ripple effect all across the island.

Everyone disembarked at Labadee to enjoy an absolutely beautiful island. The area sported some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. However, we all left the ship knowing full well that there was a different picture some 60 miles away. You could tell that folks were there for a reason, not so much to have a have a wild and fun time, but to provide support that those individuals rely on.

Every deck and every balcony was filled watching the Haitians load off the thirty some odd pallets on the pier and move them on-shore for delivery. It was so quiet that you could hear the forklifts and crew talking as the supplies made their way to the shore.

SO, I was absolutely appalled when we arrived in Miami to only hear how our ship and RCI was being criticized for calling to Haiti! To the folks in the press who think they know what is right and wrong when it comes to Haiti… SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!. You sit in your comfy offices and spew out your garbage on what should and shouldn’t happen in Haiti. Well, I ask you this question.. WHAT DID YOU DO TO HELP THE HAITIANS?

I am proud that we were apart of something special. Thank you to Royal Caribbean International, the staff and crew on board the Navigator of the Sea and all the staff of Labadee, Haiti for an wonderful vacation. Thank you for all you continue to do for our island neighbors. The dedication to your customers is great, however your dedication to your RCI family and relationships could never be greater. Our prayers will continue for the Haitian people and for RCI as they lead the way in rebuilding that broken nation.

Kelly & Joanie Morrison, Texas
Navigator of the Sea – January 18, 2010

I’m not saying its better–just different. I’m not claiming we should or could do that here in America. We have more stress and have to work harder here, but we have far more opportunity and wealth. Do you think its possible that what conservatives and liberals are fighting over is really just two different approaches to life and government, both with pros and cons? Maybe one is not entirely “better” than the other, but both involve trade-offs.

I’m not picking a fight with anyone, just more thinking out loud. Maybe my outspoken conservative friends Brady or Brett will comment. Also to be fair, liberals should keep this in mind that maybe what conservatives want is not to have the country run by greedy corporations but a different set of advantages that involves more hard work, less security but greater rewards.

Just some thoughts…

The first thing to realize is that there are a few different scenarios which the terrorists could be using on your particular flight.  (Also realize that it could happen on any flight, not just one originating from a non U.S. location.) Options include testing TSA and law enforcement personnel, testing passengers and crewmembers, observation, dry run/practice, and actual execution of an attack.  Of course it is hard to differentiate which scenario is playing out until after your flight lands, but it might assist you in recognizing the threat and knowing how serious your reaction should be if you know all of the options. In most of these instances, their job is to also scare you. Terrorists create terror. If you stop flying, they win.  So be pro-active. Maybe something you do will cause them to call off the attack.

As a passenger you must be observant and vigilant. Most often someone notices some unusual activity or behavior. It doesn’t have to be just a person either. Suspicious bags, luggage, packages, notes, pillows, and electronic devices have been found on planes.  One of the biggest advantages you have is the ability to profile. TSA refuses to do the obvious thanks to political correctness.  Everyone knows who is committing these attacks — Muslim, Middle-Eastern men between 18 and 40.  Maybe al Qaeda is trying to recruit others than don’t fit this profile but it sure fits the mold right now.

Some things to look for: groups or pairs of men, a passenger talking to themselves, speaking Arabic, watching crewmembers (this is different than looking), staring at the cockpit door, long stays or multiple trips to the lavatory, reading a book but not turning any pages, nervousness, being unusual by trying to fit in, taking pictures/videos, not making eye contact. When you are at the boarding area and on the plane if you notice a suspicious passenger, look for others.  How many?  If it is one or two then they could be planning on bombing the aircraft or just making observations of crew procedures.  6 or more?  Then this cell’s objective would be hijacking the plane by brute force.  Also remember that there are sleepers that try to blend in with the other passengers and could be very hard to notice.  A website reports a well-dressed man in custody that was also a passenger on Delta Flight 253. After an incident, your entire plane might be delayed for security and they will treat everyone as suspects.  Also expect the government and airline to try to cover up parts or all of an event.

A recent example of a possible test occurred on Nov 17 with an Airtran flight from Atlanta to Houston. Eleven Muslim men got on the plane and caused a big disturbance and ended with passengers assisting the flight attendants in the commotion. TSA was called, they took the men off, talked to them, and put them back on. The crewmembers walked off the plane refusing to fly it, and then passengers walked off as well. The terrorists tested the TSA and passengers but probably also threatened lawsuits to the government and Airtran. This could be setting up a later mission with hopes the TSA and airline would be afraid to take them off the plane. Just like the Delta flight, the final layer of security, the crewmembers and passengers, are the ones who might have prevented an attack, nothing the government did was successful.

The best time to do something is prior to boarding and before the aircraft pushes back from the gate while the door is still open. This is when you have some control in the situation and easier for the captain to get involved.  Before you board you can talk to a TSA employee or gate agent and explain your concerns. The gate agents are usually very busy and might give you the brush off.   Talk to other passengers.  While on the plane you will have to find a flight attendant, which could prove difficult because at times the boarding process can be quite chaotic.  If one flight attendant seems to ignore you then talk to the other one.  Maybe ask to see the captain.  Write a note.  If you are really scared, grab your bags, say you are sick, and get off the plane. Some crewmembers can be just as ignorant about the serious nature of the threat as our government officials.  One time after a flight years ago a flight attendant asked me what the captain did about the suspicious passenger. She had called the cockpit inflight to report the behavior to the captain (since retired) and he neglected to tell me anything and did nothing.

While seated look for able-bodied men, military personnel, or deadheading crew to assist you.  Maybe you notice a suspicious passenger but do not feel it warrants a visit with TSA/Flight Attendant or it happens inflight . Volunteer yourself or change seats on your own to sit next to or right behind any suspicious passengers.  A recent crew moved a soldier to sit next to a nervous Middle-Eastern passenger before pushback.  Once while I was deadheading in coach during a flight, the captain told the flight attendant to move me next to a suspicious passenger.

Once airborne there are limited options.  Talking to the flight attendants and moving seats is basically all you can do.  A divert takes time and would be a major emergency.  On the flight I diverted for security issues we had an F-16 on our tail, ready to shoot us down if we didn’t immediately land.

If an actual attack occurs, then all bets are off.  Take Action! DO NOT wait for crewmember instruction! This is a life or death situation.  The terrorists will be hoping for the element of surprise.  You will probably die anyways if the terrorists are successful so you might as well die giving them a fight.  If it is a hijacking, block the aisles and do not let them get to the cockpit.  For a bombing, jump on the passenger and separate him from the ignition source.  For a suspicious package, box, etc. there is a place on the plane to move it to, but do not move it until necessary and with guidance from the crew.

The airlines are doing their best just to stay in business with the recession, bad weather, tough competition, and low fares.  The employees are very frustrated with pay cuts, long hours, full planes, grumpy customers and poor morale. The commercial aviation system wasn’t designed to fight terrorists. And don’t necessarily blame the TSA and law enforcement agencies.  They have some really hard working personnel trying to protect us.  It is the policies implemented by people working in the U.S. government that is the problem, and amazing enough, it is the federal government that is required by law to defend us by the U.S. constitution.  So what do they do?  President Obama decides to take legal action against CIA employees for using special interrogation techniques to obtain information from terrorists to keep us safe.  It was an obvious emotional, liberal, political decision.  This will only make it much more difficult for the intelligence agencies to do their jobs and recruit/retain top talent, as well as lowering morale.

Another government employee, the DHS Secretary herself, said after the 12/25 attempted bombing, “the system worked” when it was obvious to the world that it did not.  The news media gave President Bush an amazing amount of grief for not connecting the dots with 9/11.  Regarding the underwear bomber on Flight 253; his father warned the government, was on a watch list, paid cash for his ticket, no passport, no luggage. A third grader could have connected these dots.  The Republicans had to undo the laws and policies enacted by the Clinton Administration that impeded communication between intelligence and law enforcement agencies while President Bush implemented new ones to protect us after September 11.   Now Democrats are acting like it is September 10 again.

Government by definition is a bureaucratic monopoly.  It is managed by politicians and career bureaucrats.  Slow, inefficient, unaccountable. Lots of finger pointing, blame games, commissions, hearings, conferences, meetings, and reports, but do you know anybody that got fired after 9/11, Fort Hood, or any other government blunder?  Deja vous with this security lapse?  It feels like we are on a team that wants to lose.  And I don’t like being on a team that likes losing and neither does millions of people across the United States.

Unfortunately, until the Obama administration, Congress, and our government officials get serious with national security and the war on terrorism, then what we will lose is more of our freedoms and the lives of more American citizens.

For example, take an extreme liberal.  Liberals generally believe in large government to solve social issues.  They will endorse government regulations and increased government power.  They will do this for a number of reasons, but one common one I hear is regulation of large corporations to prevent exploitation of workers, the community, the environment, consumers and so forth.  Government then is considered a tool by the people to prevent wealth and powerful corporations from becoming too powerful and corrupt.  Powerful corporations are considered “bad” by extreme liberals because they can then use that power to exploit the people in various ways such as paying unlivable wages or dumping toxic waste near a residential area.   Corporations are also very bureaucratic and deceitful and therefore will not hear the complaints of their various stakeholders–employees, shareholders, consumers and so forth.  They will be slow to take corrections in matters such as public health or welfare until it is deemed profitable or legally necessary.

There is definitely some truth to this but there is a core problem with this philosophy.  Namely by expanding government power to “check” large corporations and their corruption, bureaucracy and deceit, they create a government that in fact acts just like a large corporation.  Government and politicians are incredibly bureaucratic, much like large private businesses.  They practice a fair amount of spin and ideological manipulation just as corporations do and are just as susceptivle corruption.  Worse, they do not have financial incentives the way a business does to become more efficient.  Where a corporation must make money at some point in order to survive, the american government can literally print its own money or increase taxes and borrowing against the future from foreign lenders.

Ironically, conservatives have a similar problem.  They are generally anti-government for exactly the above reasons, and are often pro-business to the extreme.  The problem with their view is that without SOME sort of government regulation, corporations take over, eliminate competition and fair trade through monopoly and aggressive tactics with vendors and partners  and actually use the government itself through lobbying to protect their interests.   While corporations have some monetary incentive to be efficient in a way the government doesn’t, they are not necessarily beholden directly to the public, because their leaders are not elected by the citizens, but by shareholders.  They also can practice exactly the same level of deceipt through advertising and media relations as the government.  They don’t even have to produce good products in order to survive–merely profitable ones that may be cheaply made, over-hyped or even unsafe.

Similarly, both groups will claim to be defenders of liberty.  Ironically, both fail here as well, just in different ways.  Liberals will strive for personal liberty, such as on issues of private drug use, abortion, religion in public schools, and so forth.  However, they will often vote in ways that gives the government more power to control people’s personal lives, so that it can solve problems such as poverty and health issues.  Liberalism also tends to dampen business interests through higher taxes and regulation, which doesn’t just affect large corporations  but small businesses and individual entrepreneurs as well.

Similarly, conservatives will vote to defend things like family values and strong defense, but in doing so they will curtail individual freedoms.  Allowing the government to define marriage, imprison people through the patriot act and control medical practices by outlawing abortion or medical marijuana also gives the government more interference in businesses and individual choices.

It seems that any level of extremism tends to be self-contradictory.

Something I often hear from Christians (or Muslims, and the like), but surprisingly from atheists as well goes something like this: If you want to really learn the truth if God exists or not, read the Bible!

I honestly have to agree.  I think everyone should read the Bible.  Christian, atheist, agnostic, etc.  READ THE BOOK.   You’ll be surprised by what you find in there.

But wait!  Before you do.  I want you to keep one thing in mind.  Keep this thought in the back of your head.  “God is the creator of the universe.  God is the creator of everything.   God is the most intelligent being who ever existed and and who ever will exist.”  Then promise me with that thought in your mind, when you finish this book, you will ask yourself this question: “Is it possible that the most intelligent being in the universe wrote, dictated, inspired, etc. these writings?”

When you’re done.  The answer to that question should be an easy one.  It will be yes or no.

Unfortunately, I know that some of you will claim “I’ve already read it.” or you won’t read it at all.  But I assure you, you can’t know until you do.  For those of you who won’t read it, I’ll give you some excerpts of this book to entice you to see what it actually says!

Remember.  The most intelligent, all loving God wrote this book.

“For I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever.” – Jeremiah 3:12
“Ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn forever.” – Jeremiah 17:4

So which is it?  Does God not keep anger?  Or does he keep it forever?

How about this one?

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.” – John 5:31
“Jesus answered: Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid.”  – John 8:14

Apparently the water is a little muddy here too.

Can we see God?  Apparently that’s a little muddy too.  A paradox perhaps?

“Jacob said, ‘I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’” – Genesis 32:30
“No man hath seen God at any time.” – John 1:18

Remember, the most intelligent being on the planet wrote this stuff guys and girls – and – this “All Loving God” would have you feel how about mercy?

“Blessed are the merciful” – Matthew 5:7]
“Leave alive nothing that breathes. Show them no mercy.” – Deut. 7:2
“The Lord hardened their hearts… that they might receive no mercy.” – Joshua 11:20
“I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the Lord: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them. A curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord’s work! A curse on him who keeps his sword from bloodshed.” – Jer. 13:14; 48:10

Hmmm.  I’m confused.  What should I do now?  Oh wait!  Jesus came to change things.  He came to set us free from the laws.  The old testament doesn’t apply anymore. So Mathew is right and the old testament is “passed”.  Yet Jesus was very clear that he did not remove the laws right?

I’ve heard many pastors say in the past “God is not evil.  God can not do evil.  God is love and therefore the absence of evil.”  Sometimes I wonder how many pastors have actually read the Bible.

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7
“Then God sent an evil spirit.” – Judges 9:23
“Behold, this evil is of the LORD.” – 2 Kings 6:33
“And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” – Exodus 32:14
“evil came down from the LORD” – Micah 1:12

Ladies and Gentleman, there are a hundred other verses in the Bible just like these.  Google it, or just READ THE BOOK.

Lastly, I leave you with some commandments.  These are from the most intelligent being in the universe.  Remember, Jesus said he brought grace, and forgiveness if you don’t follow the laws – but you’re supposed to still try to follow the law to the best of your ability (some say you MUST follow the laws to get to heaven, even with grace).  So here are the commandments from your All Loving, Merciful God:

“Any person who curseth his mother or father, must be killed.” – Leviticus 20:9
“If a man cheats on his wife, or vise versa, both the man and the woman must die.” – Leviticus 20:10
“If a man sleeps with his father’s wife… both him and his father’s wife is to be put to death.” – Leviticus 20:11
“If a man sleeps with his wife and her mother they are all to be burnt to death.” – Leviticus 20:14
“If a man has sex with a woman on her period, they are both to be “cut off from their people” “- Leviticus 20:18
“If a priest’s daughter is a whore, she is to be burnt at the stake.” – Leviticus 21:9
“People who have flat noses, or is blind or lame, cannot go to an altar of God” – Leviticus 21:17-18
“If anyone, even your own family suggests worshipping another God, kill them.” – Deuteronomy 13:6-10
“If you find out a city worships a different god, destroy the city and kill all of it’s inhabitants… even the animals.” – Deuteronomy 13:12-15
“Kill anyone with a different religion.” – 1. Deuteronomy 25:11-12
“If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals, then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.” – Deuteronomy 17:2-7

Sure is a good thing that today’s cafeteria Christians boldly proclaim their loving God, and just ignore all the rest.  No one would ever go to church if they were taught this on Sunday!  Or maybe, just maybe, this stuff was written by man, not inspired by God at all.  Just a thought?  Maybe?  You decide.

Does that mean we should keep polluting and consuming fossil fuels and other resources at exactly the same rate of growth that we are currently? Do we really think that we can just keep increasing our energy consumption and the oil will be there indefinitely, or that churning smog into the air from oil, gas and coal wont ever have any ill affects (look at china)? Do we think somehow the earth and its resources are infinite and can withstand a never ending increase in global population and industrialization? Should our economic interests forever outweigh the need for future sustainability?

Answer: GOD

I counted the number of people that were killed by God in the Bible. I came up with 2,038,344. Now, of course that greatly underestimates God’s total kill score.  I only included those killings for which specific numbers are given.  There are many events in the Bible where no number of fatalities are given.  Noah’s flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the many plagues, famines, etc all are unknown variables, likely to push this number well over 30 million (see below).

Satan on the other is documented as killing only 10 people in the written text of the Bible.  Even those 10 are suspect, as God basically allows Satan to do the killings as part of a “bet” (Job’s family).  Don’t believe me?  Here’s the scripture:

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job … And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD … put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house…And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. – Job 1:1-19

So there you have it.  Confused?  So am I.

Now to take this one step further, let’s put some real world numbers to the rest of God’s killings.

Sure makes you question that “All Loving God” stuff huh?