What Mr. Brown doesn't address are the reasons why those who call themselves Christian act so much like athiests. The truth is that the foundation of religion of all kinds has always been the fact that there were so many questions about the world and human life that couldn't be answered by anything else. The growth of scientific knowledge has changed that, and will continue to do so. In fact, the decline of religiosity witht the rise of science is a demonstrable fact. It isn't that some strange spiritual 'virus' has attacked Christians that needs to be cured by some undefined "awakening". This is the inevitable result of knowledge. To return to religiosity, you must reject what we know and any further attempts to know more. Good luck...

If Americans were so easily impressed by a good Christian example as to emulate it, the Amish would gain so many new adherents that they would dominate American politics. Well, except for one thing-I think voting violates their doctrine.

You're accusing the author of saying the opposite of what he actually said, and I quote: "Still, "don't vote – it only encourages them" has never been my philosophy." Beyond that, everything he said is true. You, apparently, believe the only truths that matter are those that induce people to do what you want them to do, all other truths should be suppressed.

nomad5: You are unnecessarily concerned about Congress. I believe virtually every conservative will do what I will do when they go into the voting booth-vote straight Republican. They probably wouldn't do that in every election, but they will this time because they know President Romney needs as much help changing course as possible. The worries that gave Obama a Republican House in 2010 and a push toward Republicans in the Senate have not disappeared.

(...sigh.. screwed up) ...capital they have to quit. There's nothing "unreal" about losing hard earned money.

#1) Speculators/traders have not necessarily done nothing else in life but speculate. You could say that about traders who work for trading firms, but there are many individual speculators/traders who have day jobs. #2) Speculators/traders provide a valuable service in the stock market, even though that isn't their intention. They provide liquidity. This means that if you want to invest, as in buying or selling, you can be certain you'll find someone to take the other side of the trade quickly and at a reasonable price. #3) It's true that speculators/traders can make money in both directions, but they can also lose a lot of money in both directions. ...capital they have to quit. There's nothing "unreal" about losing hard...

#1) Speculators/traders have not necessarily done nothing else in life but speculate. You could say that about traders who work for trading firms, but there are many individual speculators/traders who have day jobs. #2) Speculators/traders provide a valuable service in the stock market, even though that isn't their intention. They provide liquidity. This means that if you want to invest, as in buying or selling, you can be certain you'll find someone to take the other side of the trade quickly and at a reasonable price. #3) It's true that speculators/traders can make money in both directions, but they can also lose a lot of money in both directions. #4) Trading is a skill. Those who master it succeed. But 80% lose so much...

You're confused about the meaning of paranoia, probably due to the our society's sloppy use of words. Paranoia, contrary to popular usage, does not = fear. Paranoia is fear of imagined threats. The precautions and actions our security forces and agencies take against enemies is based on experience and evidence. "...absolutely no reason at all." Really?!

When you welsh on a debt, the creditor demands that the collateral be delivered (hard assets), and if the debtor refuses, then the guys with the guns come a-knockin'.

yackman388: Let me guess--You work for government at some level, and/or a member of a union, or collect welfare of some kind.

Quack Roy--master of the Non Sequitur. MLK wasn't mentioned in Dreams of My Father. That's why Davis' FBI file is relevant and MLK's isn't.