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'In my experience, people are generally good (and only human), and if people would stop closing their minds with religion then their honor and reason would shine through. '

"And therein lies our problem. You look at the world with murderers, rapists, thieves, cheaters of all sorts and those who are just plain mean and still somehow see good. While commendable, I submit that it is illogical, unreasonable and the source of all disagreement between us. "

Ah! Now we are getting somewhere. Thank you!

This view of the world as "murderers, rapists, thieves, cheaters" (and "meanies") is something I am very interested in. I, too, see this viewpoint as a major source of the liberal/conservative split, if not _the_ source.

I submit that you would be happier in life if you would let go of your fear. People are not out to hurt you. (Not even black people.) The Fox nightly scarenews does not represent the real world. Liberals are not out to take away your rights. If you leave your door unlocked at night you will not be killed in your sleep. "Africanized Killer Bees" are not migrating to your home state. If you misbehave, you will not go to hell.

It's okay to feel good about the world. Try it for a week, and (assuming you survive all the murderers and rapists) you are guaranteed to feel better about yourself. Living in fear devalues your life, your humanity, and your happiness.

I submit that you would be happier in life if you would let go of your fear. People are not out to hurt you. (Not even black people.)

How DARE you? Don't even TRY to paint me as a racist.

I'm not afraid in general, I am sensible. There are good people and bad people in this world. A small amount are really awful, probably an equal amount are very good.

But the people in the middle are likely to take advantage of any situation they can to be bad where they cannot get caught. Look at the numbers of people who steal from their employer and shoplifters. Look at the numbers of people who lie on resumes or cut in line. These are the majority of people, not rapists and thieves.

I don't lock my doors at night. I rarely lock my car (this annoys my husband). I don't worry about African bees. Neither do I worry about "global warming" or the horror of homelessness or the millions!! of people killed by SUV's. You don't really think that Fox News reports MORE "scary" stories than any other network?

Liberals would love to deprive me of the right to school my children as I please, drive the car I wish to drive, wear a cross at my government job, or spank my children in public. They very much wish to take my money by force. And would like to deprive me of the right to own a gun. They want to dictate who I can employ.

I don't fear much of anything. I sensibly do not wander around (even in my lily white-middle class neighborhood) alone in the dark. I stay away from high crime areas. Generally I feel pretty safe.

To make myself more clear...remember the outpouring of goodwill after 911? All those people holding hands in churches, donating blood and money? Many of those same people would walk off with too much change from a grocery store, snoop through your medicine cabinet at a party, or deny their kid broke your window when he really did. Good and bad, but more inclined to do bad in general.

If I sin without forgiveness from Christ, I will go to hell. You don't have to believe it, but I insist that you TOLERATE my belief.