Apr 30 2013: Yes, I agree, but Asian could be adopting a different approach to solve this problem which is getting increasingly more difficult to resolved. Hence, I am curious what are their action plans are.
Sep 4 2012: Arthur, I think I have an alternative view about charity. Let me share with you an encounter. One day someone asked me to do some charity and I asked him how can I fulfill this task which I believe is one of the tasks most people would wanna perform in their lives ? He said, well you can contribute to a charity or do so charity work at the old folks home, spastic centre etc. I then asked, do I need to do this before I can be seen to be doing charity work? My belief is no.
The word "charity" means to help people in need, whatever the need may be. So I believe that by us interacting with other people and animals etc and by so doing bring about a better lives for these beings we are already performing work of charity. So if you ask me, you can proceed to buy your smartphone and can still carry out your charity work eg., advising your younger brother to be kinder to his neighbour for example. If we think of charity in this way, it will certainly create a better world and the best of all, everyone can play a part immediately
Jan 30 2012: Kundan, I think laws are not meant for those who live righteous lives but are meant for irresponsible citizens; government are meant to be the equalizer(referees of communities), of course there are good and bad equalizers in the same way as there are good and bad referees, if just because some bad refereeing leads us to conclude that we do not referee than I think this conclusion is flawed, granted that some governments use power to oppress their citizens, imagine a world without government.
I believe people in leadership positions do make mistakes sometimes nobody is perfect, same applies to government.
Jan 29 2012: I think we will not be able to find one that both parties will be happy about, so the only way is to continue the scientific work to prove or disproved existence of God, in the same way it took Christopher Columbus to prove that the world is round and not flat by embarking on the, then considered foolish journey, by the public.
Unfortunately, this is the only route because fact based argument is gaining more and more acceptance. Just like President Obama says, "You are entitled to your own views, but you are not entitled to your own facts"
Jan 28 2012: Peter, this issue will not go anywhere as long as the pro-God camp and the pro non-God camp cannot agree on certain basic rules for fruitful debates. Imagine in a game of soccer, players do not know what amounts to a unfair tackle or an offsite, how can the game become fair and watchable let alone beautiful? Will the rules for such a discussion be agreed by both parties now? I don't think so
Jan 27 2012: I think we should stop this debate about who is right about the existence or non existence of God because there will be no agreement I can assure you. The stalement can be compared to two salesmen both selling shoes, one Nike brand and the other Adidas. Both companies want to make the best shoes, but when asked in an open debate which company makes the better shoes, none would want to openly admit that the other is correct, even if it knows it is true. This response can either be a basic human survival instinct or as a result of a code of honour one has undertaken to protect. May be something else drives this behaviour.
In my view, science is the only tool available at this moment that will help us determine if there is indeed God. Asking atheist to have faith alone is not gonna work because atheist are people who would only accept a hypothesis as truth when backed up with sufficient cogent evidences and who would feel irresponsible if they just argue based on hearsay. Having said this, granted that "truth" it self is transcient and why it is so is mainly because new evidences might be found to disproved the accepted "truth". A good example is the debate over whether the world is flat or round centuries ago.
Jan 10 2012: Can you please elaborate what you mean? Are you saying that those who wish to help others change must change themselves? If yes, in what way?
Jan 10 2012: Hi Elizabeth, my view is unless it is a life and death situation, it is best that you postpone the expenditure. And now that you know that money is an important resources, to go out and work very hard for the money and save it and invest this savings so that it can earn you more money (interest or dividend income)..Most people cannot achieve their dreams because MOST dreams require an initial sum of money (in other words capital)..
I am glad that you are discovering the importance of this resource (money) at this early age .. Congratulation.. you will be a successful person.
Lastly, never get into debt if you don't understand the consequence of it ..
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A reply on Conversation: Are youth in Asia today worried about rising cost of living and fewer jobs ? If yes, what are they doing to mitigate/resolve these problems?
A comment on Conversation: A wish VS a charity or both?
The word "charity" means to help people in need, whatever the need may be. So I believe that by us interacting with other people and animals etc and by so doing bring about a better lives for these beings we are already performing work of charity. So if you ask me, you can proceed to buy your smartphone and can still carry out your charity work eg., advising your younger brother to be kinder to his neighbour for example. If we think of charity in this way, it will certainly create a better world and the best of all, everyone can play a part immediately
A reply on Conversation: Chinese Government ban on TV shows
I believe people in leadership positions do make mistakes sometimes nobody is perfect, same applies to government.
A reply on Conversation: Religion and Atheism
Unfortunately, this is the only route because fact based argument is gaining more and more acceptance. Just like President Obama says, "You are entitled to your own views, but you are not entitled to your own facts"
A comment on Conversation: Religion and Atheism
A comment on Conversation: Religion and Atheism
In my view, science is the only tool available at this moment that will help us determine if there is indeed God. Asking atheist to have faith alone is not gonna work because atheist are people who would only accept a hypothesis as truth when backed up with sufficient cogent evidences and who would feel irresponsible if they just argue based on hearsay. Having said this, granted that "truth" it self is transcient and why it is so is mainly because new evidences might be found to disproved the accepted "truth". A good example is the debate over whether the world is flat or round centuries ago.
A reply on Conversation: Most people want to change their lives, yet they are afraid to take actions. How can we encourage them to take the necessary actions
A comment on Conversation: Most people want to change their lives, yet they are afraid to take actions. How can we encourage them to take the necessary actions
A comment on Conversation: When you really really need money, what do you do?
I am glad that you are discovering the importance of this resource (money) at this early age .. Congratulation.. you will be a successful person.
Lastly, never get into debt if you don't understand the consequence of it ..
A reply on Conversation: Most people want to change their lives, yet they are afraid to take actions. How can we encourage them to take the necessary actions
But what about situations where we are not able to force these people? How do we motivate them?