Cantousent

Anyone who truly believes they have any significant power over himself is sadly mistaken. We don't have power over ourselves. Science on the one hand gives increasing power to our very genes and yet advocates of science want to put everything on the individual level? What is it some of you say? You can't have your cake and eat it also? According to Calax, God is nothing more than what we love in ourselves. ...But God is not the same in every religion. For instance, some folks claim that humans created God because they feared death, but there are some religions that see death as the complete end of being, others that see death as universally bad (or at least not good), and even some that don't address the idea of an afterlife at all. Some folks suggest that religion serves to explain natural phenomena, but that doesn't account for religions where explanations for natural phenomena are only incidental or don't receive any significant treatment at all. Some folks say that religion only serves one purpose or another, but that's simply not true. Religion is a complex issue. Atheists and Believers alike should refrain from simplistic and pointed explanations. There is no real explanation for religion. Hell, even within a single religion, such as Christianity, different denominations will undoubtedly have different views. So, you can't say "[t]hat is why there are so many churches in the christian faith. Everybody has their own idea of what god is..." and then say "the [sic] belief in god is a desire by man to find somthing bigger than himself to explain all the unexplainable things. Ultimatly god is everything we love about ourselves personified and taken to another level." At best, you might claim that the belief in God is a desire by a man to find something bigger than himself to explain those unexplained things which he would like to explain. Even that, as useless of a general statement as it is, remains woefully simplistic.

If you'd asked him if he'd risk his life in such a way before the event, what would he have said? It's good to see something positive.

The subject of this report is metadigital ____ Standardized Attributes ranging from 0 (not applicable to subject) to 5 (subject exemplifies attribute): Intelligence: 5 Didactic (Good): 5 Didactic (Bad): 4 Annoyance: 2 Chutzpah: 2 Wits: 4 Charisma: 4 Will: 3 Eloquence: 5 Kindness: 3 ____ Assessment of reviewer

Ah, it was some fellow who only posted once. No biggie, as Cantousent replaced him. Okay, you've forced me to post on the subject of comics just so I don't continue to derail the thread. I started collecting comics when the New Universe hit the shelves in the mid 80s. Marvel took a gamble. Too bad it fell flat. I had the first handful of Justice comics among others. Those, I have donated to the Henderson District Public Libraries. I still enjoy a good graphic novel. The Watchmen series was quite good as was the one where Superman is compelled to come out of retirement. There is another series out recently based on fairy tale characters in New York. I'm intrigued. I'll probably read that when I get the chance.

T.O.M.B.S., the rematch! Okay, I've considered the handy, standardized TOMBS report to use for all TOMBS participants. That's all well and good, but it kills what I like best about TOMBS... the individual care of assessing our friends. So, I will use a standardized value for the first part and then, instead of values, I will assign special epithets for members. First of all, this thread isn't meant to replace the Vol. 2 thread. Second, I welcome folks posting reports in this thread, but I'm willing to do all the reports myself. Post, report, or otherwise participate as the desire hits. Third, please don't be offended by my reports. I wouldn't post a report if I did not like you. If I cause offense, please do not take it. Such was not my intention. Finally, I will get to anyone who wants a report, even if I have done one for you in the past. As a matter of fact, I plan on doing a report for every person whom I have already evaluated in the vol. 2 thread. My first vict... ahem... subject will be metadigital. I've been jonesin' to do his report ever since his did Mus?'s report in vol. 2. I'll get straight to his.

Dammit, I'm not a mod, guys. I told them when I became a mod that it wouldn't last. I've had two alts, both of whom I identified. :Eldar's shaking his head with a wry grin icon: I. AM. NOT. A. MODERATOR. hahahahaha

More devs posting. More Gromnir posting. More of Fionavar posting in the actual threads. More of most everyone posting.

I'm in the middle of a multiplayer game with a friend. It's awesome on the LAN because we can compare maps. If we ever go cut-throat, I'll be sure to hide it from him. I don't go cottages early, that's why they're great in the mid game, when I have set up the food/production situation and have cities big enough to support a lot of 'burbs.

For it's specific purpose, State Property is damned good. Generally, however, I like the high end settings. I dunno, there have been plenty of times I didn't want to upgrade my settings just because a new option came available. For instance, I rarely take slavery. That doesn't mean it's not useful, but only that it doesn't suit my style. Thanks, Julian. It is State Property, not police state.

In my view, the cottage builds are hugely overpowered in the mid to late game. By the time you get all the goodies, you're raking in cash, financial trait or not.

+10 T.O.M.B.S. points for everone who posted in this thread previous to this post.

I wouldn't worry about anyone converting just yet. Good Lord, Child, date first and decide on the heavy issues when the time comes.

Your ego is only as small as your imagination. :Eldar's mischievous grin icon:

The Trinity is such a logical dilemma that St. Augustine himself threw in the towel. He also had a transcendent experience that brought the whole issue home. We're used to seeing the issue of Trinity settled, but we must understand that it is only settled by faith itself. It remains a logical roadblock. Just thought I'd throw all that into the mix. As for the Muslim/Christian marriage experience... date her. If you love her, marry her. You'll probably have bitter fights over religion from time to time, but that's not so bad. You'll probably have a broader view of other religions for all that. God willing, and with some determination, your marriage will be a beacon of light to a world of darkness.

I voted for water.

Hell, I made arrangements and met one of my buddies from my RtCW clan. it was quite an event. We took turns buying rounds of beer. Unfortunately, I'd be more likely to take turns buying rounds of coffee, but that's how it works.

Happy birthday, you yutz. Are you the last forum hero, by the way?

As an aside, you should read The Brothers Karamazov. It directly tackles the idea of an Omnipotent God letting Evil Things Happen directly from the perspective of the atheist. It is the most compelling argument against religion I have read. The author worried that he had made an argument against religion against which he could not prevail. He, himself, was a devout Christian of the Greek Orthodox flavor for his entire life. You aren't the only person to doubt. Doubt itself is not confined to religion. For my part, I believe that you will find your way. If that way leads you from God, then so be it. I will be disappointed, I admit. I cannot be a Christian without rejoicing in Christianity. On the other hand, religion is such a faulty basis for judging our fellow humans here on earth. To quote from the aforementioned book: "If it can't be decided in the affirmative, it will never ben decided in the negative. You know that that is the peculiarity of your heart, and all its suffering is due to it. But thank the Creator who has given you a lofty heart capable of such suffering; of thinking and seeking higher things, for our dwelling is in the heavens. God grant that your heart will attain the answer on earth, and may God bless your path."

I had considered being a priest when I was younger. My paths at a young man were... less than religious. I started drinking at 14, a lot. I started smoking at 16, as much. I was suspended several times between Junior High and High school. I signed up for the Navy at 17. By the time I was 21, I had already been through a residential alcohol treatment program. By the time I was 25, I had attended, at least part time, four different colleges. ...And during all that time, my Catholic faith was somewhere in the back of my mind. I don't know what you will decide, Child. I know that my path diverged from the priesthood a long time ago. The local parish priests who essentially scoffed at my interests because I was young and hasty would probably be happy to have my service now, but that path is closed to me. I am married. What you should know is that doubt and trial are not a sign of weakness. We are beset daily by arguments, good arguments, that attack the very notion of God. The best of these arguments echo only in the silence of our own thoughts. There are people of simple faith who believe with all their hearts and never doubt. Indeed, these people are a blessing in their simple faith. Some of us, however, are not so blessed. I won't tell you that you must keep the faith or that you are bad for having doubts. Where a path diverges now, it may return later. I am an insignificant voice in a huge internet, but I can promise that I will not think less of you and, should you change your mind, I will welcome you back with open arms. Should you decide that the very idea of God is nothing more than a lie, then I would still be happy to call you friend. I cannot explain the omnipotence/infinite benevolence of God at the same time. I wish I could. I simply cannot believe in the infallibility of scripture. If I became a priest, I could never be certain I was doing God's work or my own. That is the nature of every good deed. Sometimes, however, we must allow ourselves to feel happy at a good deed without trying to second guess our motives. You are a young man. There is a long road before you and no certainty where your path will take you. Keep searching and doubting, but don't lose heart. Rejoice, and be glad. Blessed and holy are you for suffering for your faith, even when you are the instrument of torment.

I keep playing and enjoying this game. The people I love to hate... Catherine the warmonger (I hate it when she slaps me) Nappy or Louis the warmongers Incan warmongers People I love to love... Frederick the decent fellow Washington the decent fellow Cyrus the decent fellow Favorite person to play: FDR

I had never looked for my name online before. When I did a search just now, the results showed for some fellows Church of Scientology report. Weird.

Bingo! Actually I'm not but enjoy seeing Eldar get yelled at for having a mouthy alt. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hahahaha Lord, that was funny. You're still swine!

Ah, the comedy. The man of the hour himself! I say that without any sarcasm. If reading the interview is informative, then having the chance to speak with the subject of the interview is even better. I hope you keep your word and write more later. :Eldar's raised eyebrow with the hint of a smile icon:

Dammit, don't give me so much credit. Tarna is the real deal. It's that seven years or so he has on me that grant him special powers! BTW: My favorite mod would still be Fionavar, even after recent events. Tarna is a great mod, though. Even better, he's a great guy.

Actually, I did this with Atreides and it was quite successful. In fact, I had him send me the money order after he recieved the Magic Cards in the mail. That was shipping from California to Australia. He got the cards with some extra goodies I included, like a life counter. He sent me the money order with some extra goodies, like different lands from the newest MtG set. It was all good. As a matter of fact, I bet there's a good chance Obsidian won't like a lot of this business going down on their board, but it's not like I made a profit on the cards. So, before the thread is locked, if someone would like a crack at my Iron Crown Lord of the Rings card set with some 2.5-3k cards, my 2k+ Mythos cards, my 1k or so Battletech cards, or my 3-4k L5R cards, let me know by PM and we'll work out the same deal. I like them, but they're just taking up space in my house.