Open To Experience---Threads of Philosophy and Beliefs

I am still confused by Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato, and who is whom, but I think it was Socrates who introduced introspection. "Know thyself", he said. This, more than any philosophical realization, is in my opinion the most important. I believe God, Tao, Brahma, Nirvana, and the potentiality for each is within us all. I believe we are running down the same path and living on the same energy. In short, there is something that connects us all as human beings, and as plants and animals. That something takes many many forms and even more lives to fully understand.
But knowing what is inside yourself is truly the most important. I believe that knowing what you need in life, and knowing your place in it, leads to many fruitful discoveries and rewards.

War is the best game, and the worst life.

I believe in the fight for life, and the survival of the fittest. What I don't believe in is the bullying of the surviving by the thriving, but that's another thing. What I also believe in is the military superiority through better tactics, not simply numbers and tech- look at Iraq. Terrorists, numbering probably only a half or maybe a third of the Allied and UN forces there, working with IED's and AK-47's and using guerilla tactics are WINNING. Get that.
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"Who is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?"

I'm wondering if you are saying that you agree to the war and all wars in general. Also, guerrilla tactics work for the "terrorists" because WE are invading THEM. America can't use guerilla tactics unless we are being assaulted.

I've often thought of survival of the fittest, and it seems to fit in with what Charles Darwin said. With each generation, only the strong survive. It's HOW you survive that is the beauty of life, and it is surely worth fighting for.

War is the best game, and the worst life.

You just wait and see whats coming. I am a devout Christian. I look around and see all the corruption in the world, and the only conclusion that I come up with is that we are going to be in for some FIREWORKS come the end of the world.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

I agree with you, in a terrified sort of way. I think it is only a matter of time before America falls from the apex we once were at. We can already sense traces of that plummet in our economy...and our wars.

When you say there are going to be fireworks at the end of the world, are you meaning catastrophic devastation, or fireworks in the term of a celebration? I'm also wondering if being a devout Christian allows you to see true corruption of the world and its people or just the corruption corresponding to your faith. Just as good acts take many forms, acts of selfishness and greed do as well. Sometimes even a good person isn't a good person.

War is the best game, and the worst life.

Forgive me for sounding snooty. All I meant by saying I was a devout Christian is that I believe that the end of the world is going to come, and all bad boyz are in for a real treat. I myself have QUITE A LOT to get off my chest before that time comes. And by fireworks, that can be taken in two ways. The good guyz will have a lot to celebrate, but I was kinda referring to God blasting the skin off of evil duds. (I am tempted to name a few political figures at this point, but that would not be proper on this site.)
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

Maybe we could talk about peace instead of wars. I think peace is a way more powerful tool than killing people. For example, we were at hot terms with China about 40 years ago. Very hot, worse than with Russia. Mr. Nixon, however, opened the door with them, and crushed the wall that divided us. Now, we are on very good terms with China. Clinton helped a lot with China, too, I think. It is funny though, that two of the most dissappointing presidents (at least referring to certain scandals) achieved some of the greatest stuff with other countries.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

It is a hard thing to visualize the posibility of world peace. It is almost impossible to acheive such a thing in this day and age, because there are too many differences between people. Some philosophical guy I don't know said that man has always feared what they cannot understand. Maybe if we could get past this fear, maybe we could get along. For peace to happen, I think the world would have to be united in a common cause or belief. We saw this with the world trade center attacks. Lots of countries turned their hearts to us and each other. The trouble with this all is finding the right cause...
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

I tend to differ. The 9/11 attacks did unite certain countries- just not the entire world. Many nations were jumping for joy when they heard that America had finally been dealt a blow on her shores. North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, some even say Russia, all were happy to some extent because of it. But a threat hasn't come along large enough to involve the entire world. Thus, War of the Worlds was written...
"Who is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?"

War of the Worlds was a GREAT book, and a cool movie. However, I agree with what you said, The 9-11 attacks united some for us, and some against us. But, it still DID unite those countries a bit, even if it was against us. I tend to take a romantic's view on things. Big aliens come and invade earth. Earth unites against them. Aliens go home. Earth is a happy place finally. Unfortunately I have to be realistic, too. Maybe if we were able to concentrate on a common ground that is not the battlefield. Like, maybe each country could help the 3rd world with hunger and malaria and stuff. What would the impact be if we went over to Iran and helped reconstruct a Muslim temple for them? It's an interesting concept.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

Peace is a wonderful thing to think about. Of, course, I'm being unrealistic here. I just wish every country was NOT in a war and they got good along with each other. It's just bloodshed, families being split, and the destruction of Mother Nature. That is not fair to anybody, not to the people you are killing, not to there families, and definitley not to the soil you are standing on. Just think of it this way: You were born on this Earth for one mission: to stop all wars, all bloodshed, and start peace all throughout the World. Why do people have to start wars? It is not fair to anyone and I hate it and I'm sure lots of others hate it too.

This brings us back to the big question. How do we establish a universal state of peace when the world is dominated by people who fear differences. Lets face it, the differences between each human being are permanent. They will never go away, and they shouldn't go away, for this is our defining characteristic as human beings, is unique character and personality. If you take away this, man is not special, and nor is he human anymore. Accepting differences, meaning saying "dude, thats fine with me.", is the key. When it comes to races, religion, and stuff, we should accept that. When it comes to lifestyle, we live with it, and not criticize.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

One thing I like to do is to give service. I like going with a friend of mine and mowing the lawn of an elderly lady who goes to our church. She really appreciates it, and it's really fun. She's nice, my friend is cool, and the work is fun. I also like stacking wood. I just think it's fun. I dunno why, but It's fun to me like basketball is fun to some people.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

Does any one here think that the united states is too much of an international bully. I read an article that said that the USA is losing its status as the world's only super power. I gues I just don't think we are doing the right thing by being the world's only super power. We are more like international bullies than international peace keepers. We haven't been doing a good job getting involved with anybody else's country. I think we ought to mind our own business. We would be saving billions of dollars every month alone by pulling out of Iraq.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."

Talk to ya later. remember........VOTE FOR BABBIT!
Peace,
Mango

sometimes i feel that people too quickly jump on the bandwagon against war. I am totally against war myself, but i recognize the need for it. the world is home to too many really evil people, who gain power. When these people try to extend their power over people who don't want it, what then. If someone is threatening to overthrow your government, is it okay to just let them have what they want? no... what war is, a lot of the time... is people taking the bravery to stand up for what they believe in. Certain conflicts in the world today i think are a big waste of time, but war in general is because people are willing to give their lives to stand up for what they believe in. Unfortunately, it has some very bad consequences.
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"if it's wierd, then i done it right."