life hell http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for life hell Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:54:25 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/life+hell Hell Hath No Meaning As In Grand Cayman http://www.artwoo.com/article/hell-hath-no-meaning-as-in-grand-cayman http://www.artwoo.com/article/hell-hath-no-meaning-as-in-grand-cayman#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2007 02:27:06 +0000 hellgrand caymanlimestone depositslimestone formationscaribbean towncaribbean islandcaribbean islands http://www.artwoo.com/article/hell-hath-no-meaning-as-in-grand-cayman Caribbean island of , there is place known as . Just a short drive from five-star resorts and pristine beaches, rests an ominous field of brimstone with a fascinating geological history. There are certainly several versions to the story of how Hell got its name. Yet, most variations involve a local official seeing this strange limestone field for the first time and saying, "This is what Hell must look like." Whatever you may think of this unique version of Hell, the surrounding West Bay area of Grand Cayman offers some of the best photo opportunities in the Caribbean, while Hell itself promises an unforgettable sightseeing opportunity.



At this point, you are probably wondering what is so hellish about this little . The story is interesting, but certainly nothing to fear.

Approximately 1.5 million years ago, the sea level was 15-20 higher than it is today. As a result, Grand Cayman and many other were largely flooded. When the water receded, limestone-based coral formations were left behind. Scientists have recognized a large formation of such ancient coral -- known as ironshore -- covering most of the western half of Grand Cayman.

Ironshore is the central attraction of Hell. Yet, in Hell, the have taken on an ominous shape. In an area about the size of half a football field, you will see exposed black ironshore that has been uniquely weathered to resemble the fires of the netherworld. Though the formations may look like the result of volcanic activity, the limestone was in fact darkened by eroding algae after the sea waters receded. As the limestone was simultaneously exposed to acidic algae and the elements over many centuries, the field of Hell took on its devilish form.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to walk among the . However, the viewing platforms grant you a bird's eye view of the sharp, blackened ironshore. Beyond the rocks of Hell, you will see mangrove trees and the beautiful Caribbean scenery you expect of Grand Cayman.

There is also plenty of fun to be had with Hell's secondary attractions. At the town's small gift shop, you will be greeted by the devil himself (or perhaps just a man in costume) with such phrases as, "How the hell are you?" or "Where the hell are you from?" After picking up some "postcards from hell," you can send your friends and family a unique message courtesy of Hell's themed post office. Opened in 1962, the post office allows visitors the ability to postmark their Caribbean correspondence from Satan's hometown.



Just south of Hell, you will find Seven Mile Beach, one of the island's most famous beaches. Though the beach is only 5.5 miles long, it promises plenty of pristine, powdery sand. Many of the island's most popular resorts are located along this stretch, as well, yet the beach is rarely overcrowded. At the south end of the beach, you will find more exposed ironshore -- further evidence of the formations resting beneath the island's surface. Though the limestone at Seven Mile Beach wasn't weathered as dramatically as in Hell, it certainly gives you an idea of the island's -- and the entire Caribbean region's -- unique geological makeup.



The trip to Hell is a short one (the town, that is). Mini buses run throughout the island and Hell is a popular stop. It is even possible to walk to the site from many of Grand Cayman's resorts -- most being about 5-7 miles away. However you choose to get to Hell, the journey will definitely offer scenic views of the island's West Bay region.

You probably won't need to spend much time in Hell either. Offering a unique brand of fun, the town and its wicked rocks offer a simple, pleasant family activity. When planning your tour around beautiful Grand Cayman, plan an afternoon stop at the place no one wants to end up (but everyone seems to enjoy). This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes articles relating to travel in Grand Cayman and the Caribbean for the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort (http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/gcmgc-grand-cayman-marriott-beach-resort/). ]]> Christianity: A Quick Guide To One Of The Most Common Religions In The World http://www.artwoo.com/article/christianity-a-quick-guide-to-one-of-the-most-common-religions-in-the-world http://www.artwoo.com/article/christianity-a-quick-guide-to-one-of-the-most-common-religions-in-the-world#comments Sat, 22 Jul 2006 02:27:10 +0000 resurrection jesusregard jesussavior jesusfather godgod the sonworld christianitydan brown http://www.artwoo.com/article/christianity-a-quick-guide-to-one-of-the-most-common-religions-in-the-world
Christianity is one of the most widespread religions in the world. It is estimated that over 2.1 billion people worldwide are Christians

In Christianity, Jesus is a very important figure. In fact, the whole religion is based around his life and teachings. Jesus is considered to be the Messiah which means the anointed one in Hebrew. (Messiah is translated to Christ in English). Jesus is regarded to as both a god and a man. He was believed to have the human traits of mortality and felling pain; however, was also considered a god as he was able to beat death through resurrection.

Jesus was believed to have never married; however, recently, a new movie called the Da Vinci Code, based after the best selling book by , caused much controversy worldwide because it claimed that Jesus actually did marry. The controversy this movie caused it to be banned from playing at theaters in a number of countries across the globe including Italy, India, and many more.

In Christianity, it is believed that god is one being who exists as three persons, God the Father, or Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons that make up god are known as the Holy Trinity.

Many Christians believe that their sins can be pardoned with belief and Jesus as a savior. Jesus suffered much in his life. The vast majority of all Christians also believe that Jesus was killed on the cross and was crucified, but rose from the dead and went to heaven. This resurrection from the dead is why many people as a man as well as a god.

In Christianity, afterlife is composed into two sections, heaven and hell. Those who have lived a good moral life or have paid for their sins will go to heaven while all others will go to hell. Heaven is often represented as a peaceful place in the sky with clouds and angels in a calm and tranquil environment, while hell is often represented as a dark and evil unpleasant place underground where the devil resides.

Christian Theory states that there is a general resurrection, where the soul of the body remains alive until the physical state of the body is resurrected and awaits Last Judgment. Many Christians believe that all humans will be resurrected in some form, while some others believe that those who lead unrighteous lives will not be resurrected. Nelson Carrasco for Articles and information on Religion http://www.religionsecrets.com/ ]]> Stop Your Dog From Chewing Things http://www.artwoo.com/article/stop-your-dog-from-chewing-things http://www.artwoo.com/article/stop-your-dog-from-chewing-things#comments Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:27:07 +0000 furniture legspant legspaved with good intentionsroad to hellgood shoesgod sakesdog trainers http://www.artwoo.com/article/stop-your-dog-from-chewing-things pant legs, and more or allow it to put you in a state of depression. For it even wants to chew on your hands and feet.

Is this normal, will the dog ever grow out of it? It is normal if you allow it to happen. He may grow out of it but not before he can create some real damage. Actually he does not grow out of it. You probably keep after it until it finally does quit. Not before some great damage has been done.

You may even be contributing to his chewing by things you are doing with him. You may have good intentions but the has been . I am not saying your dog is a creature from hell like some might be thinking. Maybe even yourself. No your dog is just being a dog without proper training.

I myself have seen dogs chew the stuffing out of a brand new sofa, chew up and do a job on the legs of a wooden table and chair set. Holy Christmas there must be something that can be done with a creature like that. Visitors come in, only to swear not to go back because their hands are sore from the dog continuously biting them.

The dog does not know any better. It thinks it is playing, socializing, so to speak. You need to take control of your household and set the dog straight. You must do it before you have no friends not to mention footwear and furniture.

There is a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. You do not want to end up hating the dog or having it hate you. can be quite expensive but there is an alternative. You can be taught how to deal with your dog.

So get on the ball and take control of your life. Get your friends back and save the furniture. Stop that dog from chewing things up. There is help out there, it is just up to you to get it. All rights reserved. The author allows the use of this article as long as it remains the same with this text resource and the link remaining usable. You can find out more on how to stop your dog from chewing things and more by visiting the author's web site at http://www.doggyobey.com ]]> South Park (Season 4) DVD Review http://www.artwoo.com/article/south-park-season-4-dvd-review http://www.artwoo.com/article/south-park-season-4-dvd-review#comments Sat, 06 May 2006 04:32:02 +0000 tooth fairyair datenamblacomedy centralfairy moneysouth parkquintuplets 2000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/south-park-season-4-dvd-review South Park instantly ascended to the status of pop culture icon with its rapier-like wit and unique brand of sarcasm. Following the exploits of four elementary school kids - Kyle, Cartman, Stan, and Kenny - the series utilizes amateurish drawing skills, but grade-A humor. The creation of two friends, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, South Park remains one of 's most popular cable programs to this day...

The South Park (Season 4) DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere "The 's TATS 2000" in which Cartman's two-dollar bounty from the tooth fairy sparks an idea in the boys' heads to scam the tooth fairy. When they learn the truth about the tooth fairy, they establish a new plan to rob rich kids of their tooth , but they soon learn that a notorious mobster already has the tooth fairy market cornered... Other notable episodes from Season 4 include "Do the Handicapped Go to Hell?" in which a fundamentalist preacher convinces the boys that they are all going to hell unless they confess their sins (except for Kyle because he's Jewish, and thus, hell-bound already), and "Fat Camp" in which the boys dissect several endangered manatees in science class following a delivery mix-up with the Denver Zoo...

Below is a list of episodes included on the South Park (Season 4) DVD:

Episode 49 (The Tooth Fairy's TATS 2000) : 04-05-2000 Episode 50 (Cartman's Silly Hate Crime 2000) Air Date: 04-12-2000 Episode 51 (Timmy! 2000) Air Date: 04-19-2000 Episode 52 () Air Date: 04-26-2000 Episode 53 (Cartman Joins ) Air Date: 06-21-2000 Episode 54 (Cherokee Hair Tampons) Air Date: 06-28-2000 Episode 55 (Chef Goes Nanners) Air Date: 07-05-2000 Episode 56 (Something You Can Do With Your Finger) Air Date: 07-12-2000 Episode 57 (Do the Handicapped Go to Hell?) Air Date: 07-19-2000 Episode 58 (Probably) Air Date: 07-26-2000 Episode 59 (4th Grade) Air Date: 11-08-2000 Episode 60 (Trapper Keeper) Air Date: 11-15-2000 Episode 61 (Helen Keller! The Musical) Air Date: 11-22-2000 Episode 62 (Great Expectations) Air Date: 11-29-2000 Episode 63 (Fat Camp) Air Date: 12-06-2000 Episode 64 (The Wacky Molestation Adventure) Air Date: 12-13-2000 Episode 65 (A Very Crappy Christmas) Air Date: 12-20-2000 Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report (http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com), a blog where you can find more reviews like this one. ]]> Turning Your Relationship Around http://www.artwoo.com/article/turning-your-relationship-around http://www.artwoo.com/article/turning-your-relationship-around#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:08:19 +0000 sad statisticrelationship worklife couplesoul matetwo answersnew mensingle men http://www.artwoo.com/article/turning-your-relationship-around life couple (probably celebrities). Then if you ask how they think their "ideal" couples got and stayed together, they'll most likely give you either one of two replies.

The first of the is "luck." These women believe that relationships are based on "fate," "compatibility," or other things that are basically out of their control. They believe in the idea that everyone, themselves included, has a "" out there waiting to find them. In other words, they're waiting for "the one" to come along.

The second of the two possible answers is "skill." Women who give this answer believe that great relationships are made, not born, and that the success of the relationship depend on how well the couple get along and work together. In other words, these women believe that they have the power to either make a or throw it onto the rocks.

Looking at the two types of thinking, which one do you think is more likely to end up with a healthy, nurturing, more permanent relationship?

The second type, of course.

But which type of thinking do you really have?

Not to point fingers, but a lot of women do believe that there's really someone out there that's meant for them. There's no way of disproving that idea, either, but with all the great out there today, what do you think are the odds of "once in a lifetime" happening in yours? It's a , but many women hopelessly wait for "the one" to come by, not realizing that they could actually find him themselves if they only got up and tried.

That's what women with the second type of thinking do -- they waste no time navel-gazing and do something. They go out, they socialize, they meet -- in other words, they work on the skills necessary to attract men and get them to commit.

Yes, it's a skill. You see, men don't think the same way as women do. They can't be convinced to love you, no matter how "compatible" you think the two of you are. Instead, you can show them that you're the woman who can make their lives more fun -- and watch them do all the work.

In fact, men would do anything to be with a smart, independent woman who can make life more enjoyable. After all, you're out there looking for someone who'd make you happy for the rest of your life... can you blame the men for wanting the same thing?

So go ahead and make those changes. If you can honestly show them that you can stand on your own two feet and that you're amazing fun to be with -- then it won't be long before the first of these men start asking you for your number.Aaron Adams specialises in relationship matters for women. Want him back? Visit http://www.datingquestionsforwomen.com to find out 3 steps to get him back.]]> Living In Mexico: Everyone Loves The Theater! http://www.artwoo.com/article/living-in-mexico-everyone-loves-the-theater http://www.artwoo.com/article/living-in-mexico-everyone-loves-the-theater#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:30:00 +0000 utmost respectmexicansamerican expatalacritytheatrical stagelive on stagelife dramas http://www.artwoo.com/article/living-in-mexico-everyone-loves-the-theater alacrity is how life for the in Mexico basically falls into two classifications.

First, there are the Expats who actually live in the trenches. We live in Mexican neighborhoods and that's because we bothered to try to become bilingual. We actually go where go, live where they live, eat where and how they eat, and we talk to Mexicans offering them the by the fact we learned (are learning) their language and can learn the who, what, when, where, and how of Mexican life.

The second classification of Americans is the Fakepats. They will tell everyone they are expatriates when the truth is they only live in the Gringolandias (a gringo enclave=97gated community) apart and separate from the life and culture of the country they've invaded. While everyone else on the planet understands that if you profess to want to know the local culture, it only makes sense for you to live in the local culture but this seems to go over the heads of the Gringolandians!

An excellent way of thinking about this bizarre and inexplicable thing called Gringolandia and her inhabitants is to think of a . (I actually got this analogy from someone else).

Theatrical stages show make-believe life. They have fake storefronts, homes, props, and backdrops to create the impression of a different and fake reality on the stage. Life that takes place on the stage is a fake and scripted mockery of reality. Its purpose is to entertain those watching. And yet, the actors in the play act as though what they are doing is very, very real. To hell with reality, they say, we are . What we are doing is real.

Offstage and outside the walls of the theater is where life is really taking place. This is where you find the true- taking place in the lives of those who do not live onstage and who follow the scripted fakery. It is beyond the four walls of the theater where you will discover a world you didn't know existed. It is beyond the walls where you discover a darker side of the culture you moved into because of your profession that you love Mexico.

Because you won't (can't) leave the theatrical stage where you are told what to say in the script, your profession of a love for the culture is vain and empty.

The ticket off the stage, stopping that scripted existence, will be the language=97the portal to the culture.

The beginning step to earning the Mexicans' respect? Learn their language.

But, alas, "to hell with reality" is far too easy for most.

On that scripted stage of fakery and make-believe most will stay. Doug Bower http://www.zyworld.com/theolog/Page1.htm ]]> Review Of Hells Kitchen http://www.artwoo.com/article/review-of-hells-kitchen http://www.artwoo.com/article/review-of-hells-kitchen#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2006 02:27:05 +0000 gordon ramsayexecutive chefcookingamerican restaurantsexacerbatedinsultsbillion dollar http://www.artwoo.com/article/review-of-hells-kitchen cooking-based reality television show, is most known for its crass and cacophonous British chef . The US version of Hell's Kitchen follows in the footsteps of the UK television series, the original Hell's Kitchen,which was broadcast in the UK in 2004. The first American season (the show is now in its second season) premiered on FOX in 2005, with Season Two premiering in June of 2006. It has since been announced that a third season of the show will air on FOX in the Summer of 2007.

The premise of the show features twelve contestants (with restaurant experience ranging from to waiter) who are competing to own their own "million dollar restaurant". The contestant group features men and women of all ages, some who have been cooking in top and others who have been cooking only for their families. Friction and drama occurs largely based upon this wide range of experience and dueling egos, but is also by the rages and incessant doled out by head chef Ramsay.

As with the British show, the contestants are divided up into a red team and the blue team and compete in a series of cooking challenges, ranging from creating a five-course meal from last evening's leftovers to setting the perfect five-star restaurant table in the smallest amount of time. Each week, the best member from the losing team during the latest service period ("best" as determined by Ramsay) is asked to nominate two of their fellow teammates for elimination; one of these two is sent home by Gordon Ramsay.

The second season of Hell's Kitchen featured two teams divided by gender. The winner was promised an executive chef position at the Red Rock Resort Spa and Casino, as well as a financial interest in the restaurant.

Despite its popularity, critics and audiences alike have panned the show, citing that the drama is based solely on Ramsay's insults and his ability to humiliate both contestants and restaurant patrons. Find more out about Hell's Kitchen and the entire reality t.v. world at http://www.new-reality-tv.com ]]> Preparing The Self For A Triathlon Race http://www.artwoo.com/article/preparing-the-self-for-a-triathlon-race http://www.artwoo.com/article/preparing-the-self-for-a-triathlon-race#comments Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:27:02 +0000 faith and fearachievable goalstriathlon racetrainflickerpessimisticswim run http://www.artwoo.com/article/preparing-the-self-for-a-triathlon-race
And for one aspiring to become a competitor in a triathlon, he must not only do all that on the spot, he must do it over and over again months before he starts the race. And that is what we call "preparation".

The first junction in preparing for a is to muster all the courage, will and power that you have to be able to understand the risks of joining. Once you're convinced that you can get over the so-called risks then the next best thing you want to do is to pick up the race.

Remember that it is you that will make the choices based on the qualities you know you have. The race you will be choosing must never go beyond your capacities so you can create .

Most people in the field have the same strategy that everybody thinks is right. Swim as fast as one can, then bike to hell until the transition stage and pick up the remainder of his will to run the longest miles he has ever run in his lifetime. Those who know better can tell better the difference between making your own techniques and not by living in the paths of those who were proven to be unsuccessful.

You can follow common ing processes and develop until you can actually formulate your own. Train and test your mettle. Train until your confidence tells you that you will achieve the achievable. Train but never exhaust yourself.

Be careful not to overstrain yourself though or to get agitated right before the race. This is inevitable but anyone can atleast minimize the doom these might inflict. Never loose sight of your faith in yourself during the competition because you bargain to believe more on thoughts. There is never coexistence between . Be sure that you choose the side that will cause you to win. One wrong decision will cause your self-belief to . In a game of endurance, faith and will power will tell it all.

Preparation of the self includes prayers, visualizations, and of course the ritual of setting up gears and all other necessary equipments.

Crack dumb jokes if you need to or go with the flow of the tension. Daydream with the starting stages of the race and enjoy the scenery. While going your way through hell on the second junction, try to concentrate on the competition. On the last leg, chant over and over again that "it's already too late to quit". This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Triathlon and other useful information, please visit http://triathlon.articlekeep.com ]]> How To Find The Meaning Of Life http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-meaning-of-life http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-meaning-of-life#comments Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:25:01 +0000 honeyflower after flowerimbibesheikhfecessweet fragrancetrue disciple http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-meaning-of-life honeybee searches for honey, it sits on , trying to detect their nectar. Its whole intention is to obtain honey. It does not search for ; its only love is for the honey, the fragrance, and the pollen. It does not need feces. It flies for long distances to find flowers. It sits on a flower and draws the honey, then carries the honey in its mouth and the pollen on its feet, returns to its hive and deposits them there. Little by little, it makes large quantities of honey. It does not search for anything else. If there is any other scent, whether it is the odor of feces or even the of attar, it will not be attracted by them. It goes directly to a flower to take its honey.

In the same way, one who is truly searching for God, one who is searching for God's grace and truth and qualities, flies to a as a honeybee flies to a flower. What does he need from that flower? He needs the wisdom and honey which is God's grace. To obtain the honey of grace and God's qualities and actions, he must sit by the side of the sheikh and extract them from the sheikh, just as a bee extracts honey from a flower. That is his honey.

The disciples must sit on the qalb, the innermost heart, of the sheikh and the honey. Around him there may be land, gold, women, treasures, feces, urine, gold, silver, or platinum. There may be silk and velvet. There may be wealth and happiness, house and property, families and tribes. There may be thrones and palaces and many treasures. All these and more may surround the sheikh, but the will never sit upon any of them because they do not have the fragrance he is seeking. They do not have that honey.

If he sits only on the heart of the sheikh, then he can obtain the honey of grace, the honey of gnanam, the honey of God's light, the honey of the resplendence called Nur, the honey of the kingdom of God's grace, the honey of God's mystery. That disciple, that devotee, the one who does service to the sheikh, service to God, and service to all mankind, will sit on the heart of the sheikh and drink of his honey. He will not sit on the world.

On the other hand, those who prefer the gold, silver, wealth, women, land, races, religions, colors, gems, houses, properties, health, and happiness that surround the sheikh will never gather any honey, for those things all belong to the earth. What they think is gold is not really gold; it is earth. The precious stone is not a precious stone; it is hell. They will never find honey from any of these things. Anyone who places his faith in these things will perish with them. If it is something that belongs to the earth, he will go to the earth. If it belongs to hell, he will go to hell. If it belongs to maya, to illusion, he will go to maya. He will never be able to extract honey.

This is what a person with a great deal of experience in the world has said. That is what the Sufi sheikh has said.

Muhaiyaddeen, M.R. Bawa. The Golden Words of a Sufi Sheikh. Philadelphia: Fellowship Press, 2006. 442-443. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen for 50 years+ selflessly shared his knowledge with people of every race, religion=97from all parts of the world. http://www.wisdomarticles.com Want more powerful words of wisdom that stir the mind and heart? Visit http://www.thegoldenwords.com and find what your soul has been craving! ]]> Raising Hell For Prison Reform http://www.artwoo.com/article/raising-hell-for-prison-reform http://www.artwoo.com/article/raising-hell-for-prison-reform#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:29:22 +0000 maximum sentencespetty criminalsbillboard campaigninsurmountable obstaclefamous statementsviolent criminalsfaint heart http://www.artwoo.com/article/raising-hell-for-prison-reform
Unequal drug laws and the "Three Strikes Law" often result in receiving while are sometimes only hit with a "slap on the wrist."

Although many see drastic prison reform as an , Allen Jones of San Francisco is single-handedly attempting to raise awareness by launching a campaign called California Clemency by selling T-shirts in an effort to fund a throughout the Golden State.

One T-shirt reads, "YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO HEAVEN BY RAISING HELL ON EARTH." However, raising hell is exactly what Jones is attempting to do to change a system that some believe is impossible to change.

"I once saw a man get stabbed and I knew he was a goner based on the amount of blood lost at the scene," Allen says. "I later found out that the reason the paramedics continued to work on him was because they 'felt a very beat.' And that's how I live to help others. If I detect a very faint heart beat in an ex-con I will never give up on that person."

Despite his optimism, Allen knows it is an uphill battle to rehabilitate many criminals, after spending 10 years (1983-1993) working as a Bible study teacher to juvenile offenders in San Francisco.

"Call me crazy but God will give up on me before I give up on you," is one of Allen's most that he uses to inspire juvenile offenders.

"The weapon of choice for most criminals is excuses. And if you disarm them of that weapon you have a real chance of turning a life around. I disarm them by paying little attention to the zillions of excuses," says Allen.

Furthermore, he is definitely not looking for any excuses when it comes to prison reform in his home state, believing California could save billions with a new clemency system.

The case of Jackson Phaysaleum, who is in a persistent vegetative state costing the state $500,000 and Steve Martinez, a quadriplegic who was recently denied parole, would save the state an enormous amount of money, according to Allen. With the savings that could be made by clemency to inmates like Phaysaleum and Martinez, Allen believes more money could be spent on drug rehabilitation at female prisons, where 80 percent are incarcerated for drug offenses.

Allen cites the incarcerations of several California inmates as proof of the need of drastic prison reform.

Kevin Cooper is currently on death row for a murder conviction that resulted from a questionable DNA match. Santos Reyes is currently serving 26 years to life for forging a DMV test. Linda Susan Teague is incarcerated for 50 years to life for forgery. In addition, Gary Ewing is serving 25 years to life for stealing three golf clubs.

Most are facing stiff punishment because of the "Three Strikes Law," which views them as career criminals. "There is no such thing as a career criminal," Allen says. "People reoffend because they aren't getting the proper help they need to get on track. Not because they like beating old ladies over the head just so they can go back to prison."Todd A. Smith is the publisher of http://www.regalmag.com, an online magazine dedicated to issues affecting African American men. The website tackles such topics as social and political issues, health, relationships, business, sports and entertainment.]]> Our Christian And Patriotic Pursuit Of Happiness http://www.artwoo.com/article/our-christian-and-patriotic-pursuit-of-happiness http://www.artwoo.com/article/our-christian-and-patriotic-pursuit-of-happiness#comments Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:27:11 +0000 life liberty and the pursuit of happinessdeclaration of independencepursuit of happinesswe hold these truths to be self evidentjuly 4 1776paragraphsocrates http://www.artwoo.com/article/our-christian-and-patriotic-pursuit-of-happiness Socrates, and Plato all suggest that we personally play a pivotal role in our own happiness. Our right for the was also written by Thomas Jefferson in our of the Thirteen Colonies; but what we use as our guide to obtain happiness is essential to truly achieving happiness.

If one reads the beginning and the first sentence of the second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence, you will have, what I feel, is a realistic guide to how to achieve happiness. I have copied the beginning parts of our Declaration of Independence below for you to read for yourself, and I have underlined what I feel is our clue to what is our guide to this pursuit.

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I also read and see these patriotic words and their meaning from a Christian viewpoint. How you interpret these words maybe different than my interpretation.

Our Father in Heaven's first wish for us is that it is that we develop and have a deep, meaningful relationship with Him. His second wish is regarding our treatment and actions towards our fellow man be the same as we would do for ourselves. These are the primary commandments of our Father, but because of Him also granting us (free will) He does not make us do them, it is up to each of us as God's children to follow His wishes. Just as us as parents we can instruct and guide our children, but we cannot make them follow our wishes, we only hope that they will see their importance and meaning as adopt them as part of their character in their own lives.

If each of us does not respect and treat our fellow man with the respect and dignity as an equal, life can be hell on earth. Also, if each of us does not have a continuing and growing relationship with our Father in Heaven life can be hell on earth and beyond into the afterlife.

People from different walks of life, stature and income levels have made the statement that they feel something has always been missing in their lives, and not until they initiated an ongoing relationship with the Father in Heaven did this void seem filled. These constant reminders throughout history and in our daily lives themselves should be a neon sign for our guide as to what we need to do in the pursuit of happiness, but as the adage goes "History repeats itself." Why is this statement true? Because many people seem to not learn from history and others mistakes, hence we repeat them!

I can only pray as a patriotic Christian that to those who read this article will wake up and smell the coffee, and indelibly take them to heart. Articles interest to a Christian and patriotic way of life are written by Steven E Coffman (Owner) of Family-eStore. I hope that you are enlightened by them. Read more of our articles at:http://www.family-estore.com ]]> What Is The Connection Between God And Man? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-the-connection-between-god-and-man http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-the-connection-between-god-and-man#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:15:00 +0000 gods powerfive elementsgod and mandesirepower of godgod existsgod is a man http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-the-connection-between-god-and-man God and man? If God is unseen, how can a connection be established between man and something unseen? How can man see the connection? Is the one who sees the connection a man, and is one who does not see the connection also a man? How does the connection come?" A man asked these questions of a Sufi gnani.

The gnani replied, "True indeed. Not everything we see or believe in is God, and not everyone we see is a man. But it is easy for a true man to see the connection between God and man.

"God is beyond mind, , and thought. From a place beyond mind, desire, and thought, one who acts with the qualities of God, who does the duty of God, who hands over to Him the responsibility for the diseases of hunger, illness, old age, and death, one who does duty without selfishness and has compassion--he is in the state in which . He is a man, an insan. He is God. In that state he can see the connection between man and God, which is made up of the qualities and actions of God.

"When form is created, the ray of the comes into each form. Thus a connection exists between the power known as God and the ray known as the soul. That ray existed within Him in anathi, the dark time before the beginning. The bodies that were formed with the ray of inside them will live with that connection.

"There are six kinds of lives. One of them, man, has a connection to God. Man had that connection in anathi, and he maintains it even after he leaves anathi. Just as a fish dies when it is taken out of water, the ray of the soul will die if its connection to Gods power is broken.

"Gods power exists for all time. But if man forgets his connection to it and establishes a connection to the , to earth, fire, water, air, and ether, he will live and die with a connection to hell.

"One who maintains the connection to , while those who prefer the connection to the elements are pulled by those shakthis, their forces and energies, and disappear into the karma of animals. They become subject to millions of births and to hell. One who is connected to God is pulled by that power and grace and will disappear in God.

Muhaiyaddeen, M.R. Bawa. The Golden Words of a Sufi Sheikh. Philadelphia: Fellowship Press, 1981, 2006. 144-145. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen for over 50 years selflessly shared his knowledge with people of every race, religion-from all parts of the world. Before Bawa's passing in 1986 he wrote "Peace and the Mind" and requested that everyone in the world receive a copy. For your FREE copy visit http://www.onegodonly.com ]]> Do You Need To Advertise Your Business? http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-you-need-to-advertise-your-business http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-you-need-to-advertise-your-business#comments Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:24:59 +0000 offline businesstons of moneyspending moneybusiness cardspamphletsown businessniche http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-you-need-to-advertise-your-business own business it doesn't matter if online or offline"? What is or was your result? Have you made any money out of it? If not, are you consistent enough to keep going with your business or you are a character who give up easily? Are you very easy to persuade about making money fast on the internet? If so have you ever seen an which grows fast?

If you brainwash yourself you will notice that there is no concept of growing fast or within a few weeks to make a ton of money=85 Unless=85

First, the only way to make a ton of money fast is to promote a super product which really offers an opportunity for a with tons of super and I say super hungry people=85they are dying of hunger and eager to know about your product or service you offer=85have you that product?

The second way is you have available to offer your product with advertising and I mean advertising=85you send thousands and millions of ads all over the network online and also advertise offline=85 but unfortunately this only can be achieved with tons of money=85have you got that kind of money?

When you are a newbie in the online business you might, as myself, not have the ways of so you have to find a way to get your words out to the WORLD, I know it is not easy. The same happens when you for example have an offline business, you have your shop in a street of your town or even worse because of lack of money you have your business at home, you have to save the rent because you haven't made any sales yet.

Imagine what is the easiest way to spread out the words to as many people as possible to know of your existence...?that's right through or , you distribute to as many locations in your town with the consent of the owner of course and you tell them what are you offer or sell.

A few business cards are very inexpensive to make and put all the information on it with your phone no. and street address and so on. You can also go to book libraries and ask the administrator if he allows you to stick a pamphlet at the entrance or where ever it gets the most attention for visitors.

You also might go to expositions or shows and distribute your cards to as many people as possible asking them before if they have an interest in what you are selling or offering if it is a service or something.

Okay, it still might not deliver money right away to your door, but you have made a start at least you are a lot better than other people who start a business and do nothing, don't move a finger they just relax and think the money will come all by itself=85dead wrong, a business doesn't work like that. You know from NOTHING comes nothing. You have to work at the beginning like hell more than you were working as an employee I can guarantee you that.

There is a famous quote by media mogul, Ted Turner: "Early to bed, early to rise=85 Work like Hell, and Advertise."

I think this gives you a little bit of imagination about starting a business. Don't believe al those lies which are everywhere=85 there is no way to get fast money without doing nothing=85there isn't. Don't believe that crap out there, they spread the words of earning easy money to get rich by them, but understand that you won't get rich with that concept. Get that in your head=85 You have to work.

You know as a child I had the imagination that in a country with nice climate, temperature and the whole year sunshine and rain, like here in Mexico, you only stretch your hands out and pick up a fruit and that's it the population have not to work they have all year around everything without doing nothing. But later on when growing up I saw what a hell of work has to be done to harvest all the fruits and vegetables and so on.

Yeah, life is not that easy and you should have noticed it yet by now. You have to work and you have to advertise. The same would be you walk in your local streets and see a business where you see nothing, no sign, no merchandise, no words of what they are selling or offering, do you think they will sell? You know there is a saying: "A Business without a sign, is a sign of no Business." I tell you this is dead true. Anton Winkler is owner of http://antonshomedealsolution.com and writes on different subjects to help people to get start up their business. To learn more about the topics Anton suggests you visit:http://www.antonshomedealsolution.com and his blog:http://antons9dollarsolution.blogspot.com ]]> 10 Common Expressions And What They Mean http://www.artwoo.com/article/10-common-expressions-and-what-they-mean http://www.artwoo.com/article/10-common-expressions-and-what-they-mean#comments Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:35:00 +0000 bump on a logone million dollarsmove logscommon expressionstime clocksbat out of helltime keepers http://www.artwoo.com/article/10-common-expressions-and-what-they-mean common expressions we use and their meanings.

"I=B4m as hungry as a horse." Meaning: "I=B4m very, very hungry." This odd saying probably originates from the huge amount of food that a horse needs each day. Though they ingest a relatively small amount of grass at a time, the continuous eating makes them appear to be starving at all times!

"I feel like a million bucks." Meaning: "I feel great!" A million bucks refers to a million dollars. Obviously, if you had , you would feel pretty good! This is especially true since this phrase originated in a time when a million dollars was worth even more than it is today.

"He's like clockwork." Meaning: "He is always punctual or on time." Clocks are the ultimate . The word clockwork refers to the gears that work inside the clock to keep it ticking and when you say someone is like those gears, you mean he or she is always on time, not early or late.

"They were running like a ." Meaning: "They were moving very quickly." Hell is a very unpleasant place full of fire and demons, so you can imagine that a bat would be in a big hurry to get out of there! Thus, the expression means that the subject was going very fast.

"I know them like the back of my hand." Meaning: "I know and understand them very well." Your hand is a part of your body and chances are, you=B4ve looked at it a few times in your life. You know exactly what the back of your hand looks like and so, when you use this expression to refer to how well you know someone, it means you are very close to them.

"He sat there like a ." Meaning: "He didn=B4t move." Logs are inanimate. They don=B4t move. If there is a growth or a bump on a log, it doesn=B4t move either, at least, not on its own. So if someone or something is just sitting there, without making any motion, you can refer to them as a bump on a log. We usually use this one in a negative sense.

"I feel like a fish out of water." Meaning: "I am uncomfortable or feel like I don=B4t belong." Fish live in water, they can breathe in it and they feel comfortable there. When taken out of their water, they are very uncomfortable and certainly don=B4t belong.

"I'm watching you like a hawk." Meaning: "I will be watching you very carefully." Hawks are well known for their amazing eyesight. When you tell someone you=B4ll watch them like a hawk, it means you won=B4t miss a thing they do.

"Put a sock in it." Meaning: "Be quiet." Putting a sock in someone=B4s mouth tends to stop them from talking, which is where this expression comes from.

"Happy as a clam." Meaning: "I=B4m very happy." We refer to clams as happy because they have the ideal life . . .. living on the beach, no work to do. They simply open their shells to get food. So, being happy as a clam is to be really pleased with life. Learn English in the Comfort of your own home! http://www.englishlink.com/aboutus_ENG_HTML.asp Learning English online has never been so comfortable and easy. Receive language training in line with the most respected English language schools in the world, study at home or in the office. We work hard to develop your English language ability, and we focus on quality, passion, community and results. ]]> The Best Caribbean Vacation On The Cayman Islands http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-best-caribbean-vacation-on-the-cayman-islands http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-best-caribbean-vacation-on-the-cayman-islands#comments Mon, 17 Jul 2006 04:27:11 +0000 western caribbeangreen sea turtleturtle farmwater sportscayman bracqueen elizabeth iihell http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-best-caribbean-vacation-on-the-cayman-islands western Caribbean you will find the Cayman Islands, which are comprised of three main islands -- Little Cayman, , and Grand Cayman. All three of the islands are lush, green, and exotic. If you want a vacation place where you can relax, soak up the warm sun, frolic on the sandy beaches, dine on authentic island cuisine, sightsee, enjoy , and more, then the western Caribbean is the place to go.

During the day, you should consider some time at the Farm. There, you will see small enclosures of sea turtles, some small enough to hold and others with a head the size of a ball. Inside the store, you can purchase all types of beautiful gifts, some handcrafted, and some that represent the trip to the sea . In addition, the Botanic Park and Gardens is well worth the visit. There, you will experience some of the most breathtaking flowers and vegetation in all the Caribbean.

A short drive away is the town of . Although small, the trip is worth making. Once there, you will see an amazing limestone field that looks much like you would expect Hell to look. In this little town is a quaint shop where you can purchase all types of tee shirts with cute sayings such as "I've been to Hell and back". Even taking a simple drive along the coastline is a wonderful way to experience the freedom and beauty of the islands.

The western Caribbean also offers a wonderful and exciting nightlife. For instance, on Grand Cayman, you will have a choice of wonderful cultural events, comedy clubs, jazz shows, local theater, festivals, and more. Many of the nice hotels located on the island feature extraordinary shows so check the current schedule to see what genre is playing.

Of course, the Caribbean is extremely well known for having some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world. Therefore, if you love to scuba dive or snorkel, this would be your diving paradise. Other water sports enjoyed in the Cayman Islands include ocean kayaks, swimming, windsurfing, banana boat rides, paddle cats, sailing, parasailing, water skiing, and the list goes on.

However, one of the most popular sports in the Caribbean is the exploration of the underwater world. Below the surface, you will be blown away by the colorful fish, coral reef, drop-offs, and even submarine tours that will take you below 800 to 1,000 feet. Regardless of the time you spend or the things you do while in the western Caribbean, you can be sure you will take home a beautiful memory of one of the most gorgeous places on the planet. In addition to beautiful islands, the people are warm and hospitable. Jenny Ursworth runs the website Ryl Caribbean a site totally dedicated to researching Caribbean related topics and contains details of the latest popular Caribbean Travel packages. For more details please visit http://www.rylcaribbean.com ]]> Fishing Swordfish Without Killing? http://www.artwoo.com/article/fishing-swordfish-without-killing http://www.artwoo.com/article/fishing-swordfish-without-killing#comments Sat, 17 Jun 2006 06:32:10 +0000 record fishtrophy fishswordfishsport fishermantargetcommercial fishermandefinitely http://www.artwoo.com/article/fishing-swordfish-without-killing Swordfish on deck It's all about fishing. The dark side gladiator of the ocean. The swordfish. Have you ever tried landing a big swordfish on deck? After a 5-6 hours fight with a 1000 pound swordfish that had no intention of giving up without a fight. This great fish is a legend living in its own time.

Killing a . How many of you would cut the line because you knew you had a large female breeder on the line of any fish? I guess you would cut the line because you would feel bad if you caught and killed it; even though you were allowed to catch it. How about a record swordfish weighing more than a 1000 pounds, and it was hanging at the end of your line. Would you kill it then? Even if it was a female breeder? Well some would and some wouldn't. Myself, I couldn't do it.

An old swordfish fisher ones told me, that the only difference between a and a is that one of them takes pictures of his catch. I have come to realize that he was wrong and that some sport fisherman will kill for records, pictures and sponsors.

Fish with no table value To kill any record fish that has no table value is just sinful in my book. We have caught so many bigger than hell Hammers on my boat and when we get them to the gunnels we hold them for awhile to stare at this amazing creature and then cut them loose. You feel a hell of a lot better watching it swim away, and when we get to the dock we can still tell everyone we caught a huge Hammerhead.

On the other hand I would plant the pond in any big Swordfish, because there is a lot of meat there and they are a true and a proud catch by anyone's standards.

Guys fishing for the world record, they release most of all fish and only keep the one that counts. Their gear is such that they only larger fish, practice catch and release, tagging fish, not catch and kill. These guys do less harm to the overall species I think.

And what about the guy who fish swordfish for food and money? He keeps every thing large and small. How do you compare? Who is good and who is bad?

I think when a record is caught it brings more people to the great sport of sword fishing and attention to preserving the species due to the positive media attention, not the negative attention of the killing some do out there.

Anyway good luck, tight lines and clear water to you all.

Thank you for your time. Much more information about http://www.Swordfish-e.com on this website. Check it out! ]]> How to Win Him Back http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-win-him-back http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-win-him-back#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:08:16 +0000 needy womenpresent state of mindemotional levelstupid mistakesgirl friendscountless timestime don http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-win-him-back stupid mistakes on your part? It may not have happened to you yet, but you may know someone whose relationship ended on that sour note. Because of this, a lot of women go into their next relationships with fear in their hearts that it too could happen to them.

You may be going back in the past now, thinking about all your relationships that failed because you said the wrong things and did things the wrong way. You may also be wondering if you should exert effort in winning him back or not. Is it even possible to win back his affection after all has been said and done?

The good news is that you can get him back if you want to. A man can change his just as he was able to change his mind for the worse and broke up with you.

The question now is how to get him back.

Do not try to rationalize with him like when you do with your . If you think that you can solve your problem with him the same way you solve problems with them, it may not probably work. Rationalizing is acceptable in the level of friends, but not with boyfriends. He, and you, should be looking for the ability to communicate on a more .

You may have been telling him that he should consider getting back again, but this time, don't tell him; show him. He does not want to feel unconvinced when he is with you, so don't let him sense any fear from you. It would help a great deal if you make him feel all good things whenever he is with you. Tell me, don't you think you have better chances of getting him back if you provide a positive, nurturing and exciting environment for him?

Countless women have crossed the paths of the good and available men and they can recognize the form of clingy and from afar. These are attributes that could make him run towards the nearest exit because he knows that he will not have a good time if he stays with these kinds of women just as you will not have a good time with men who are immature.

If you want to get the good men, then know that they want women who think for themselves, unpredictable, interesting and basically fun to be with. You can be that kind of woman if you lay aside all the fear that is in your heart regarding your relationship. It may be fear of rejection, or the fear of not being loved or probably the fear of not being able to meet the expectations. Whatever that fear may be, throw it out. Set your eyes on what you want to see will happen in your relationship that what you think may happen.

By proving that you are the kind of woman who thinks for herself and can achieve whatever she sets her sights on, they he will realize that he need not worry about the state of your emotions. By doing so, it will definitely become easier for you to go back to the kind of relationship that you enjoyed in the past and so much more.Aaron Adams specialises in relationship matters for women. Visit http://www.datingquestionsforwomen.com to find out 3 steps to make him want you back.]]> Slayer -- My Opinion http://www.artwoo.com/article/slayer-my-opinion http://www.artwoo.com/article/slayer-my-opinion#comments Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:27:07 +0000 slayerdirty rotten imbecilesreign in bloodsouth of heavengod hates us alldave lombardolamb of god http://www.artwoo.com/article/slayer-my-opinion Slayer it is my pleasure to get to say a few good words about them. They formed in 1982 in Huntington Beach, CA by Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. Early on they sounded a lot like Judas Priest, especially the album Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel, Hell Awaits. After signing with Rick Rubin they released their land mark album featuring the songs Angel of Death and Raining Blood. The level of musicianship that Slayer has always shown surpasses any band in their genre. Reigning Blood is one of the defining hardcore/slash metal along with Metallica's Master of Puppets and DRI's .

Prime Cuts

Because Slayer is one of my favorite bands it is hard to pick which songs I think you should listen to first. One of my personal favorites is Angel of Death. The first track of the Reign in Blood album, gives you a good idea of their overall style with other songs such as Ghosts of War from their next album . Also from South of Heaven the song Behind the Crooked Cross and much later the song Catalyst from Slayer's new release Christ Illusion.

If you like Slayer and want to find bands of a similar style, I recommend and their album As the Palaces Burn. If you like their earlier stuff better than their later stuff, I recommend Iron Maiden's album Power Slave. The Canadian Metal Band Voivod and their album Dimension Hatross is another good album to pick if you enjoy Slayer.

Information: Slayer formed in 1982 with members Tom Araya (bass, vocals), Kerry King (guitar), Jeff Hanneman (guitar) and (drums). Their albums include Show No Mercy Hell Awaits, Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, Divine Intervention, Undisputed Attitude, Diabolus in Musica and . http://www.musicandsuch.com/slayer.html ]]> Slayer -- My Opinion http://www.artwoo.com/article/slayer-my-opinion http://www.artwoo.com/article/slayer-my-opinion#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:00:01 +0000 dirty rotten imbecilesslayersouth of heavendave lombardojeff hannemanrick rubinvoivod http://www.artwoo.com/article/slayer-my-opinion Slayer it is my pleasure to get to say a few good words about them. They formed in 1982 in Huntington Beach, CA by Kerry King and . Early on they sounded a lot like Judas Priest, especially the album Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel, Hell Awaits. After signing with they released their land mark album Reign in Blood featuring the songs Angel of Death and Raining Blood. The level of musicianship that Slayer has always shown surpasses any band in their genre. Reigning Blood is one of the defining hardcore/slash metal along with Metallica's Master of Puppets and DRI's .

Prime Cuts

Because Slayer is one of my favorite bands it is hard to pick which songs I think you should listen to first. One of my personal favorites is Angel of Death. The first track of the Reign in Blood album, gives you a good idea of their overall style with other songs such as Ghosts of War from their next album . Also from South of Heaven the song Behind the Crooked Cross and much later the song Catalyst from Slayer's new release Christ Illusion.

If you like Slayer and want to find bands of a similar style, I recommend Lamb of God and their album As the Palaces Burn. If you like their earlier stuff better than their later stuff, I recommend Iron Maiden's album Power Slave. The Canadian Metal Band and their album Dimension Hatross is another good album to pick if you enjoy Slayer.

Information: Slayer formed in 1982 with members Tom Araya (bass, vocals), Kerry King (guitar), Jeff Hanneman (guitar) and (drums). Their albums include Show No Mercy Hell Awaits, Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, Divine Intervention, Undisputed Attitude, Diabolus in Musica and God Hates Us All. http://www.musicandsuch.com/slayer.html ]]> The Case Against Spirituality http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-case-against-spirituality http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-case-against-spirituality#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:01:30 +0000 major world religionsdirt napchristianity islampeaceful coexistencelevels of consciousnessreligions of the worldrivers flow http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-case-against-spirituality
I get what people are trying to say: I don't like organized religion, or necessarily agree with the concepts put forth by the . I consider myself a good person, and have a belief in a higher power. I try to take the best concepts from the , and live them out in my daily life.

That's all fine, I guess. Except for the fact that all of the world's main religions speak of an afterlife. Whether we are speaking about Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, or Islam, you have to confront what happens after a . (You could rank Atheism as a religion as well, as belief in nothing, and no afterlife still counts as a belief system.)

The big 3(Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) give you one shot at the afterlife. You get heaven or hell, one up or down vote. All of them claim to have a lock on who goes to heaven. Most people understand this, and most are willing to take a hard look at this life, and make a choice regarding which pool they're jumping in.

The spiritual person has decided they are not jumping in. They're going to take a select portion of water from each pool, and pour it into a pool of their own making. Usually, the spiritual person has adapted some form of reincarnation as their afterlife, so there is no hell to be avoided. There are only higher and lower . If they do have a concept of heaven, the view is generally that everyone goes there. This idea is drawn from the "All into the ocean." argument.

Spirituality offers freedom from religous conflict, a with all religions, and a modernized view of morality. What's not to like? It sounds nice. To that I would say "Plenty."

Let's start off with sin, error, misdeeds, stuff you definitely know you screwed up big time. The Qu'ran, Jewish Law, and Christian bible have much to say concerning all things. At the very least, the put forth the idea of flawed humanity. Spirituality believes the best in people. We are all ascending together. Sure, we have our flaws, but humanity is basically good.

The problem is that history has proven humanity is not basically good. It has even proven that people involved in major religions are not very good, in fact, sometimes they do really evil things. The Old Testament(or Law and Prophets, should you prescribe to Judaism's paradigm) speaks of horrible attrocities committed by people God chose to lead. King David, venerated in Christianity and Judaism, committed adultery, killed the woman's husband, and allowed troops to die as a result of his selfishness. Pretty awful.

God also forgives David, when he asks for it, but judges his family based on his sin. Sin and redemption are huge themes on the Judeo-Christian ethics. The only major disagreement they have is whether the Messiah is coming or has already been.

Those who subscribe to spirituality need no savior. There's nothing to be saved from. The only person who you need to ask forgiveness of is yourself. You are your own redeemer. This is the problem. Everyone has a conscience, and instinctively knows what is right and wrong. Everyone always has the impulse to do the wrong thing. Sometimes those impulses are overcome, sometimes they are not. We all know they are there.

For the people who turn to spirituality, the quest for truth must be paradoxically paired with the denial thereof. Some people take up Spirituality as a way to avoid the stigma of more fundamentalist adherents of their religion of choice. Some just do it because it is popular. The main thing is that they avoid persecution for what little faith they have.

Back to the original issue: What do you do if you are wrong? What if you choose the reject the reward of heaven, or the punishment of hell as prescribed by the big 3. Even if you dismiss their concepts as an archetypal projection of some vast human consciousness, you have to admit that there is some solid concept from which they drew their "mythologies".

You have to come to the conclusion that some deity you may, or may not know will judge you for your actions on the earth. Whether that justice is based on your allegiance to that Deity in this life, a la Islam, or the punishment has been taken for you by the Deity, vis-a-vis Christianity, the judgement is coming. If these religions are incorrect about sin and punishment, and all paths do lead to God, then their practioners lose nothing in the afterlife.

Those who believe in Spirituality are the ones who stand to lose eternally, after not standing for any belief system in this life.Kurt Hartman is Head of Employee Training at Mobile Fleet Service, Inc. They sell earthmover and mining tires to the construction industries.]]>