First off I didn't misinterpret the scripture. Regardless of whether it was Paul or Jesus, 'All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for...' Now if you want to forgive me for mistating the speaker, as I was asking for, cool.

As to the Capitalism question, bartering is capitalism at it's simplist level. As opposed to our present worthless paper money, trading the wealth of goods you presumeably have for my presumeably different wealth of goods is capitalism. Even in the ancient days people got wealthier than others, and thus had greater possesions, privelege etc.

Come on Ed, what do you think money is other than a more efficient medium of exchange?

Apparently you didn't notice that Jesus was talking about sharing among believers. Did you note that He quit the whole bread and phish gatherings because the masses were only coming for the food? I mean Jesus told His disciples not to take His message to anyone other than Jewish brethern. Not to Samaritans, or the heathen(non Jews). Christians are told to keep ourselves 'separate' from non believers. You've romantisized the elements of scripture you approve of, while minimizing or overlooking the totality.

> And what would Jesus say about the American Tobacco Company, Enron, or Halliburton And what would Jesus say about the American Tobacco Company, Enron, or Halliburton And what would Jesus say about the American Tobacco Company, Enron, or Halliburton

If they haven't trusted in His death burial and resurrection, Jesus will have them delivered to Hell upon their death, and then later they will stand before Him when the books are opened, and the He will tell to depart from me into everasting punishment. Not unlike those scenes in Ghost I suspect. Of course Jesus wouldn't approve. You're misappling capitalism with this merciless capitalism that has always existed down through history. The scales were simply different. Afterall, the love of money is the root of all evil, as it has always been in human history.

11* ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12* And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13* And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14* And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15* And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

? Paul could never have imagined the future that has come to be. He never knew how much oil was under his feet on the road to Damascus.

Why would Paul care Ed? The creator of the universe has just given him pause by blinding him and asking why he's persecuting Him in the persons of His followers. I think Paul had other things on his mind, how 'bout you now that you're thinking a bit more broadly? If it was me, I'd be listening very carefully. What else would there be to do?

? Also, do you have any outrage left over for corporate welfare handouts (like tax breaks) after you're done beating up on pathetic welfare recipients for buying Ho- Ho's with their food stamps?

Obviously you'd be surprised by the depths of my outrage over corporate welfare. Tax accounting disgusted me. Still does. You haven't been paying attention, I have a deep sense of fair play and no use at all for the inherent unfairness that the megawealthy can afford to have built into the system for their benefit.

So you think these welfare recipients are pathetic? I think many of them are committing fraud. Maybe a great majority. But...I think they are committing fraud because the incentives in the system encourage them to because many people are like water and follow the path of least resistence. I mean, what a deal: have a baby, get free money; fake disability, get free money. What a way to avoid the presures of the responsibilities of life. And you don't need to work with a husband either. Why should overweight people who can work or dance be payed not to. Same with drunks, why should they get disability or SSI?

What I think is pathetic is a system that encourages so many to shortchange their future by becoming dependent on the state. Who, among other things, discourages them from having a savings account; or tells them their car is too expensive and if they'd just sell it and quit working they'd be happy to be their social worker and the system would provide them with all their needs, but if they keeping working they're pretty much SOL as far as social services are concerned. Or toss your husband out for a couple of weeks and then after everything is in place let him quietly move back in? You're gonna tell me you are so far out of the loop that you're not aware of this defrauding of the Ameerican taxpayer.

I don't believe you are that pathetic either.

And as I have said before, if they are smart enough to manipulate the system they are smart enough to work. I suppose you are outraged by workfare too. And why is it you, apparently, think unwed mothers should be awarded with a salary? And more so if they have additional babies? Don't you think that punishes children? Certainly you have numbers that prove that poverty leads to more poverty. Or are you one of these folks who believes having two parents, or a stay at home mom, 'shouldn't be romantisized'?

And you never did speak to the question of why we have more so-called poverty, per capita, than 30 or 40 years ago? That's not corporate greeds' fault.

Jesus said to warn the rich folks that they were in danger of going to Hell. Eternal damnation, to put it another way. Jesus speaks to the issue of expectation of profit/gain, in part, in the parable of the talents. And certainly scripture in both testaments speaks to the benefits and shortcomings, in the way of wealth, physical comforts or advantages, to working and saving, or not. Even to the extent of 'considering' various creatures behavior that is worthy of emulation. And human behavior that should be avoided because of the predictable outcomes. How judgemental of the judges of men huh?

? Jesus! Come back quick and show us again. We didn't really get it the first time....

I'm all for Jesus' coming back soon. This you are correct about: most of us didn't 'get it', and hasn't 'got it' to this day. But this time He is coming in judgement as King of all Creation, He already did His Lamb of God(that taketh away the sins of the world) and Prophet bits. Those are done, He's coming to take charge this time.

That ought to convince you of your righteousness. Which Jesus says each of us lacks completely.

Respect,

GM