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		<title>LDS Mormon Forums - General Discussion</title>
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			<title>LDS Mormon Forums - General Discussion</title>
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		<item>
			<title>A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27872-little-knowledge-dangerous-thing.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:57:20 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[My interactions with Vort et al concerning the &#8220;eternal regress of Gods&#8221; in the recent thread &#8220;Does G-d Worship&#8221; have been something of an education for me. It shows how easy it is to get a misconception (or in the case of &#8220;infinite regression&#8221; a fringe interpretation) stuck in your head and hold onto it as though it were the generally accepted reality. If it is superficially very close enough to the orthodox version, it can be very difficult to dislodge even when you&#8217;ve spoken to people who know the truth. I suppose the lesson is to keep questioning what we think we know &#8211; though that is not always easy: It is in the very nature of a misconception that we do not know that we have it.

Misconceptions often arise when we make what seems to be an &#8220;obvious inference&#8221; in the presence of too little information. The following comes from an evangelical Christian website I saw a few years back, which was arguing that the Harry Potter books are demonically inspired: 


---Quote---
Another cause for suspicion concerns the naming of Professor Dumbledore&#8217;s pet phoenix: Fawkes.

Guy Fawkes (1570-1606) was a Catholic mercenary involved in the infamous &#8220;Gunpowder Plot&#8221; of November 5 1605. Fawkes attempted to murder the Protestant King James I of England (VI of Scotland) by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament. Had he succeeded, England may well have reverted to Catholicism and there would have been no Authorised King James version of the Bible.

A connection between Guy Fawkes and Dumbledore&#8217;s phoenix may sound far-fetched but when asked, Rowling replied: &#8220;So you know about that? I&#8217;m surprised! Most Americans have never heard of Guy Fawkes!&#8221;
---End Quote---
(That is recited from memory, as I don&#8217;t think the website exists any more. I think I got the general flow and gist of the argument correct, though the wording was probably a bit different.) 

To somebody who knows nothing about the traditions surrounding Guy Fawkes in Britain, this may indeed sound sinister. But as anyone brought up in the UK (or in any other Commonwealth country for that matter) will tell you: It&#8217;s claptrap.

Everyone in the UK has heard of Guy Fawkes, though I suspect less than half have more than the haziest idea who he actually was, and fewer still connect him with any religious conflict or to the King James Bible. The reason he is well-known is because of &#8220;Guy Fawkes Night&#8221; &#8211; also known as &#8220;Bonfire Night&#8221; and sometimes even &#8220;Fireworks  Night&#8221;, celebrated each year on November 5. It is a national holiday &#8211; a bit like Valentine&#8217;s Day or Halloween.

Traditionally children stuff a set of old clothes with newspaper, straw etc. to create the likeness of a man &#8211; the &#8220;Guy&#8221; &#8211; which they carry from door to door asking &#8220;Penny for the Guy&#8221;. The money they collect is used to buy fireworks, which are fired off on the evening of Nov. 5 when the &#8220;Guy&#8221; is also burned on a large bonfire. There is also usually party-food in the form of hotdogs, candy apples and large amounts of (usually very badly made) toffee.

The &#8220;penny for the guy&#8221; thing is rarely done nowadays (particularly as everyone is terrified of paedophiles) but many people still have bonfire parties with fireworks. Many cities also hold large centrally-organised fireworks displays and bonfire parties for the benefit of the local community. At my old college (Loughborough University) the Students Union always organised a fantastic display to help children&#8217;s charities.

The overall effect is that &#8220;bonfire&#8221;, &#8220;fireworks&#8221; and &#8220;Guy Fawkes&#8221; have become synonymous to the average British mind. So what better name for a bird that is always bursting into flame?

So a deeper knowledge of the cultural context in which Rowling was writing made a nonsense out of the argument, but I suspect that a lot of non-Brits were fooled. It&#8217;s exactly like Alexander Pope once wrote:


---Quote---
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again."
---End Quote---
P.S. This thread probably belongs under "General Discussion" - please could one of the mods move it over? Thanks.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>My interactions with Vort et al concerning the &#8220;eternal regress of Gods&#8221; in the recent thread &#8220;Does G-d Worship&#8221; have been something of an education for me. It shows how easy it is to get a misconception (or in the case of &#8220;infinite regression&#8221; a fringe interpretation) stuck in your head and hold onto it as though it were the generally accepted reality. If it is superficially very close enough to the orthodox version, it can be very difficult to dislodge even when you&#8217;ve spoken to people who know the truth. I suppose the lesson is to keep questioning what we <i>think</i> we know &#8211; though that is not always easy: It is in the very nature of a misconception that we do not know that we have it.<br />
<br />
Misconceptions often arise when we make what seems to be an &#8220;obvious inference&#8221; in the presence of too little information. The following comes from an evangelical Christian website I saw a few years back, which was arguing that the Harry Potter books are demonically inspired: <br />
<br />
<div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px; ">
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				Another cause for suspicion concerns the naming of Professor Dumbledore&#8217;s pet phoenix: Fawkes.<br />
<br />
Guy Fawkes (1570-1606) was a Catholic mercenary involved in the infamous &#8220;Gunpowder Plot&#8221; of November 5 1605. Fawkes attempted to murder the Protestant King James I of England (VI of Scotland) by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament. Had he succeeded, England may well have reverted to Catholicism and there would have been no Authorised King James version of the Bible.<br />
<br />
A connection between Guy Fawkes and Dumbledore&#8217;s phoenix may sound far-fetched but when asked, Rowling replied: &#8220;So you know about that? I&#8217;m surprised! Most Americans have never heard of Guy Fawkes!&#8221;
			
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</div><i>(That is recited from memory, as I don&#8217;t think the website exists any more. I think I got the general flow and gist of the argument correct, though the wording was probably a bit different.) </i><br />
<br />
To somebody who knows nothing about the traditions surrounding Guy Fawkes in Britain, this may indeed sound sinister. But as anyone brought up in the UK (or in any other Commonwealth country for that matter) will tell you: It&#8217;s claptrap.<br />
<br />
<i>Everyone</i> in the UK has heard of Guy Fawkes, though I suspect less than half have more than the haziest idea who he actually was, and fewer still connect him with any religious conflict or to the King James Bible. The reason he is well-known is because of &#8220;Guy Fawkes Night&#8221; &#8211; also known as &#8220;Bonfire Night&#8221; and sometimes even &#8220;Fireworks  Night&#8221;, celebrated each year on November 5. It is a national holiday &#8211; a bit like Valentine&#8217;s Day or Halloween.<br />
<br />
Traditionally children stuff a set of old clothes with newspaper, straw etc. to create the likeness of a man &#8211; the &#8220;Guy&#8221; &#8211; which they carry from door to door asking &#8220;Penny for the Guy&#8221;. The money they collect is used to buy fireworks, which are fired off on the evening of Nov. 5 when the &#8220;Guy&#8221; is also burned on a large bonfire. There is also usually party-food in the form of hotdogs, candy apples and large amounts of (usually very badly made) toffee.<br />
<br />
The &#8220;penny for the guy&#8221; thing is rarely done nowadays (particularly as everyone is terrified of paedophiles) but many people still have bonfire parties with fireworks. Many cities also hold large centrally-organised fireworks displays and bonfire parties for the benefit of the local community. At my old college (Loughborough University) the Students Union always organised a fantastic display to help children&#8217;s charities.<br />
<br />
The overall effect is that &#8220;bonfire&#8221;, &#8220;fireworks&#8221; and &#8220;Guy Fawkes&#8221; have become synonymous to the average British mind. So what better name for a bird that is always bursting into flame?<br />
<br />
So a deeper knowledge of the cultural context in which Rowling was writing made a nonsense out of the argument, but I suspect that a lot of non-Brits were fooled. It&#8217;s exactly like Alexander Pope once wrote:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px; ">
	<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px">Quote:</div>
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			<hr />
			
				&quot;A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.&quot;
			
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</div>P.S. This thread probably belongs under &quot;General Discussion&quot; - please could one of the mods move it over? Thanks.</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Jamie123</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27872-little-knowledge-dangerous-thing.html</guid>
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			<title>Is this a ghost?</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27867-ghost.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:35:51 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Hello we live in a home from the 1940's era and both my wife and I suspect there is a ghost in the home.  I am not the original owner of the home and I I can see where there was fire damage in one of the rooms because it has been replaced with drywall.  Anyway, from time to time we'll hear footsteps or laughter.  On a whim I snapped a shot of the upstairs when we heard those noises and my wife swears there's a ghost in this picture.  I circled the area she's talking about in red.

Image: http://www.lds.net/forums/attachments/general-discussion/310d1258727646-ghost-ghost.jpg ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Hello we live in a home from the 1940's era and both my wife and I suspect there is a ghost in the home.  I am not the original owner of the home and I I can see where there was fire damage in one of the rooms because it has been replaced with drywall.  Anyway, from time to time we'll hear footsteps or laughter.  On a whim I snapped a shot of the upstairs when we heard those noises and my wife swears there's a ghost in this picture.  I circled the area she's talking about in red.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.lds.net/forums/attachments/general-discussion/310d1258727646-ghost-ghost.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>


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	<td><a href="http://www.lds.net/forums/attachments/general-discussion/310d1258727646-ghost-ghost.jpg">ghost.jpg</a> (52.1 KB)</td>
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			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>SteveMcluuf</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27867-ghost.html</guid>
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			<title>Recipe needed</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27850-recipe-needed.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:38:57 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Does anyone have a recipe for a good broccoli-cheese-rice dish?  Want to make one for Thanksgiving.</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Does anyone have a recipe for a good broccoli-cheese-rice dish?  Want to make one for Thanksgiving.</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Moksha</dc:creator>
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			<title>Swimming and Bathers</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27848-swimming-bathers.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:53:55 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[What do you see as appropriate bathers when you go swimming?

I've seen church members wearing just a bikini before, or bikini with board shorts... one piece with shorts, or just a one piece... But I haven't been swimming in so long and I was curious as to what other members wear when they go swimming.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>What do you see as appropriate bathers when you go swimming?<br />
<br />
I've seen church members wearing just a bikini before, or bikini with board shorts... one piece with shorts, or just a one piece... But I haven't been swimming in so long and I was curious as to what other members wear when they go swimming.</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>daenvgiell</dc:creator>
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			<title>Considering a business venture... Tithe on gross rev or net?</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27841-considering-business-venture-tithe-gross-rev-net.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:55:58 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[I'm conisering getting back into trucking, and buying a truck to do so

so shold i pay tithe on my gross rev to the business? or what i pay my self?

here are soem ballpark numbers

total rev                $4000
truck payment        $500
fuel                       $ 1500
insurache               $300
maint fund              250
taxes                      750

so if my math is right that would leave me net 750  (this is per week)

so waht do i tithe on?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>I'm conisering getting back into trucking, and buying a truck to do so<br />
<br />
so shold i pay tithe on my gross rev to the business? or what i pay my self?<br />
<br />
here are soem ballpark numbers<br />
<br />
total rev                $4000<br />
truck payment        $500<br />
fuel                       $ 1500<br />
insurache               $300<br />
maint fund              250<br />
taxes                      750<br />
<br />
so if my math is right that would leave me net 750  (this is per week)<br />
<br />
so waht do i tithe on?</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Jbs2763</dc:creator>
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			<title>A favor for Peyton</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27838-favor-peyton.html</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:44:07 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[The little guy in my Primary, Peyton (7), who has a terminal brain tumor is now transitioning from school to hospice care.  This is a very difficult time for everyone who knows him. He has been provided with a prayer pager.  Every time someone calls, it will vibrate, and he will know that someone is thinking of him and/or praying for him.  It would be wonderful if this pager went off all the time.  The number is (979) 239-0357. When you call, there will be three beeps.  Enter your zip-code and press #.   Peyton will get a page with the zip code.  We want him to know that people near and far are praying for him. He&#8217;s in Texas so is on Central time.
    Thanks]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><font color="black"><font face="&amp;quot">The little guy in my Primary, Peyton (7), who has a terminal brain tumor is now transitioning from school to hospice care.  This is a very difficult time for everyone who knows him. He has been provided with a prayer pager.  Every time someone calls, it will vibrate, and he will know that someone is thinking of him and/or praying for him.  It would be wonderful if this pager went off all the time.  The number is (979) 239-0357. When you call, there will be three beeps.  Enter your zip-code and press #.   Peyton will get a page with the zip code.  We want him to know that people near and far are praying for him. He&#8217;s in </font></font><font color="black"><font face="&amp;quot">Texas</font></font><font color="black"><font face="&amp;quot"> so is on Central time.</font></font><br />
    <font color="black"><font face="&amp;quot">Thanks</font></font></div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>havejoy</dc:creator>
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			<title>My Laptop Died....</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27835-my-laptop-died.html</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:38:47 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[:(

Why do things always break RIGHT after the warrenty expires?  For about 2 weeks, the screen has been flickering.  And today, I turned in on, and nothing happened.  However, I found that if I take a flashlight, I can see just fine.  The screen didn't go out, just the backlight.  But I don't really like the idea of holding a flashlight up to the screen while I'm using it, so I think I'll just send it in for repairs.  I hope it's a cheap fix...Anyone here a computer expert? :rolleyes:

Anyways, I'll see ya'll when my laptop is fixed.  I think this flashlight is going dead, so I gotta end this.  Bye ^_^]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>:(<br />
<br />
Why do things always break RIGHT after the warrenty expires?  For about 2 weeks, the screen has been flickering.  And today, I turned in on, and nothing happened.  However, I found that if I take a flashlight, I can see just fine.  The screen didn't go out, just the backlight.  But I don't really like the idea of holding a flashlight up to the screen while I'm using it, so I think I'll just send it in for repairs.  I hope it's a cheap fix...Anyone here a computer expert? :rolleyes:<br />
<br />
Anyways, I'll see ya'll when my laptop is fixed.  I think this flashlight is going dead, so I gotta end this.  Bye ^_^</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>LostSheep</dc:creator>
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			<title>This should make Elphaba happy</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27815-should-make-elphaba-happy.html</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:41:10 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Johnny  Depp...People magazines sexiest man of the year.
 
The sexiest man alive: Johnny Depp - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/18/depp.sexiest.man/index.html)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Johnny  Depp...People magazines sexiest man of the year.<br />
 <br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/18/depp.sexiest.man/index.html" target="_blank">The sexiest man alive: Johnny Depp - CNN.com</a></div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>pam</dc:creator>
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			<title>Total Insanity</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27813-total-insanity.html</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:57:37 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Okay so I'm watching the nightly news right now and one of the stories of the night is:
 
Numerous people are camped outside In-N-Out Burger waiting for the grand opening tomorrow.
 
What?  For a hamburger?  Yeh I like the double doubles but not enough to camp out just to get one.  
 
Get real people.  Unbelievable.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Okay so I'm watching the nightly news right now and one of the stories of the night is:<br />
 <br />
Numerous people are camped outside In-N-Out Burger waiting for the grand opening tomorrow.<br />
 <br />
What?  For a hamburger?  Yeh I like the double doubles but not enough to camp out just to get one.  <br />
 <br />
Get real people.  Unbelievable.</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>pam</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27813-total-insanity.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[T'was the month before Christmas]]></title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27802-twas-month-before-christmas.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:12:28 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Got this in an e-mail:
Alan Price wrote: ** *Twas the month before Christmas***

***When all through our land,* *****Not a Christian was praying* *****Nor taking a stand.* *****See the PC Police had taken away,* *****The reason for Christmas - no one could say.* *****The children were told by their schools not to sing,* *****About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.* *****It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say* ***** December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.* *****Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* *****Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* *****CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod* *****Something was changing, something quite odd! * *****Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa* *****In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.* *****As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* ***** At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found....* *****At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears* *****You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.* *****Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *****Are words that were used to intimidate me....* *****Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *****On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !* *****At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* *****To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.* *****And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* ***** Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace* *****The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded* *****The reason for the season, stopped before it started.* *****So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'* *****Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.* *****Choose your words carefully, choose what you say* *****Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , ****not Happy Holiday !***















]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Got this in an e-mail:<br />
Alan Price wrote: <blockquote><b><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"> *Twas the month before Christmas*</font></font></font></font></font></b></b><br />
<br />
<font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*When all through our land,* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Not a Christian was praying* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Nor taking a stand.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*See the PC Police had taken away,* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*The children were told by their schools not to sing,* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Something was changing, something quite odd! * </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*In hopes to sell books by Franken &amp; Fonda.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found....* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Are words that were used to intimidate me....* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say* </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , </b></font></font></font></font></font></b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="2"><font color="black"><font color="black"><font face="Papyrus"><br />
</font></font></font></font></font><b><font face="Papyrus"><font size="4"><font color="green"><font color="green"><font face="Papyrus"><b>not Happy Holiday !*</b></font></font></font></font></font></b><br />
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</blockquote></div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Dr T</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27802-twas-month-before-christmas.html</guid>
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			<title>healthiest states...</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27795-healthiest-states.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:20:34 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>i found this to have some interesting information...

The Healthiest and Unhealthiest States on Yahoo! Health (http://health.yahoo.com/featured/67/the-healthiest-and-unhealthiest-states/)

the full list of how the states rank....

The Healthiest And Unhealthiest States - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/16/unhealthy-healthy-states-lifestyle-health-states-top_chart.html?partner=yahoohealth)

are you surprised where your state falls on the list?  i must say i am, i figured it was in the bottom half but not quite that far down.  lol</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>i found this to have some interesting information...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://health.yahoo.com/featured/67/the-healthiest-and-unhealthiest-states/" target="_blank">The Healthiest and Unhealthiest States on Yahoo! Health</a><br />
<br />
the full list of how the states rank....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/16/unhealthy-healthy-states-lifestyle-health-states-top_chart.html?partner=yahoohealth" target="_blank">The Healthiest And Unhealthiest States - Forbes.com</a><br />
<br />
are you surprised where your state falls on the list?  i must say i am, i figured it was in the bottom half but not quite that far down.  lol</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Gwen</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27795-healthiest-states.html</guid>
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			<title>Attention All Moderators!!!</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27792-attention-all-moderators.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:26:18 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[There.  Now that I have your attention.  Please report to the moderator discussion forum and read the thread "Who's on First?"]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>There.  Now that I have your attention.  Please report to the moderator discussion forum and read the thread &quot;Who's on First?&quot;</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>pam</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27792-attention-all-moderators.html</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>Is this sufficent?</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27788-sufficent.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:13:37 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>President Obama usually, for various reasons, has his First Limo registered in the country he is visiting. If he does that when he comes to Norway next month, Norwegian taxes and beaurocracy will make him pay 720 000 dollar for the pleassure of having Norwegian license plates on the limo from the airport to Oslo and back. (100 km)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>President Obama usually, for various reasons, has his First Limo registered in the country he is visiting. If he does that when he comes to Norway next month, Norwegian taxes and beaurocracy will make him pay 720 000 dollar for the pleassure of having Norwegian license plates on the limo from the airport to Oslo and back. (100 km)</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Maya</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27788-sufficent.html</guid>
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			<title>Max age for single male missionary??</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27776-max-age-single-male-missionary.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:50:02 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[My question for you that are more informed than myself is... What is the max age that you can serve a full time mission as a single male member of the church? I have heard that 27 is the cut off but i'm not sure if that's just a recommendation to promote marriage rather than missions once someone is a little older or?? I mean if someone is 28 would you be out of luck or would they consider putting you in the field?? Any info would be helpful thank you..]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>My question for you that are more informed than myself is... What is the max age that you can serve a full time mission as a single male member of the church? I have heard that 27 is the cut off but i'm not sure if that's just a recommendation to promote marriage rather than missions once someone is a little older or?? I mean if someone is 28 would you be out of luck or would they consider putting you in the field?? Any info would be helpful thank you..</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>zephyr</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27776-max-age-single-male-missionary.html</guid>
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			<title>Missionary Visa Problems in Brazil?</title>
			<link>http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27769-missionary-visa-problems-brazil.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:17:01 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[I'm hearing rumors that some kind of problem has arisen with American missionaries getting Brazilian visas and that some 300-400 American missionaries may have to be re-assigned.  Anyone heard anything more about this?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>I'm hearing rumors that some kind of problem has arisen with American missionaries getting Brazilian visas and that some 300-400 American missionaries may have to be re-assigned.  Anyone heard anything more about this?</div>

]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/">General Discussion</category>
			<dc:creator>Just_A_Guy</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/27769-missionary-visa-problems-brazil.html</guid>
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