Darth, I do not have a history of knowing, as Gretchen does, that you normally make thoughtful comments, and had no idea why you did nothing more than post a single Latin phrase, except that it was obviously meant to criticize us for our admiration of the President.
I don't know how often you come here, but if you knew most of us as individuals, you would know that we are fiercely independent thinkers, most of whom are dedicated Christians who worship a Holy and Almighty God, and are overwhelmingly thankful that in His Sovereignty, he placed George W. Bush in authority over us.
While I understand the danger of idolatry as a believer, it is my responsibility before God to be in prayer that my intense admiration not turn into idolatry (and believe me, I am). And I do not appreciate (that's putting it mildly) some complete stranger, who knows nothing about me, or my walk with the Lord, accusing me of idolatry, cult worship, kool-aid drinking, or the other things I have been accused of (some obscene).
For one thing, I assume you are male. And I would guess you have interpreted harmless comments about the President's appearance as being more significant than they are. We have a whole lot of fun on this thread. We admire the President. We like the way he looks, the way his wife looks, the way they love each other, the President's quick wit, the way he acts around kids and animals...... but there is a significant difference between us and a 'cult of personality.'
Because we are thinking, principled people here, the appreciation of those things is a by-product of our respect for the man, and what he stands for. We may disagree with him. We may not understand what he is doing, but we respect him, and that respect will not go away unless he does something to cause it to happen.
There is not one person here who does not understand that he is just a man. That, sir, is why many of us pray for him daily. But he is a man being used by God to do great things because he, himself is yielded to God, and as long as that is true, and, as I said earlier, the GLORY is given to GOD, you needn't worry about him......or us.
151 posted on 4/5/02 9:19 AM Eastern by ohioWfan
Now the next day [after Jesus' crucifixion] ..., the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers [the soldiers] did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Saying, Say His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 27:62, 63; 28:1-15)
Where there is truth, there is also going to be error (read = the world as we now know it).
I will do some further research on the Darwin recantation claims, as I have lost track of the papers I had on it.