Thanks ; I appreciate the sentiment :)

May all the contributors on this list and people everywhere have a good year, enjoy the wonders of the world we live in, question and have compassion for others.

To David f.

I think you give Christianity too much credit, and for all the wrong things credited to it. The Holicost for instance. Can Christianity take credit for Hitler? Can Hitler be counted as Christian if he oppressed Christians that, based on their beliefs, stood against Him? If I am right about Christianity not being the blame for this evil, then perhaps it could be looked at simularily about other evils placed in the name of Christianity, only to be found that they aren't Christian at all.

Where there is critism let it be real and hold merit. Let Christians live by their beliefs and the teachings in their religion, and test them on the merit of the Christians who are Christian in more ways then just their name and claim. I say this because there are errors in our communities. And if a nonbeliever is able to point them out then hopefully that will help the Christian and his/her community. Often I'd observe that much of the issue can be traced to not actually living up to the teachings of Jesus. So an honest critism is of value only if it holds merit.

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If you can do this you will excape the hype against Christianity. It is not a plague, but all to often is a sturdy glue for society. Hope for the sorrowful and the hopeless alike. Teachings to love God (He is real by the way) to give generously, love one another, respect authority, and to not compromise on their faith. Many hospitals and schools are started in poor areas by Christians, or if not them then by other religion's follower. Not many schools (if any) can claim it was started in a poor community without religous roots as the foundation of the school. And though medical science has advanced hospitals, I'd wager the same kinds of roots are in the history of most hospitals that are the foundation of any country.

A plague might be a bit much. Too much credit, without merit to what is being blamed on it. Let each religous belief be judged on the values it practices. And then after that on the people who don't practice them. Not the other way around. First judged by the people who do not practice what they believe.

Either way, I wish you a wonderful new year too. And in this season compassion for those with little, and with those who have lost loved ones. Have a Merry Christmas. :)

David: You don't have to be under stress to have a vision and one that communicated a silent message, only her and I understood! The fact you clearly don't believe in an afterlife? Doesn't confirm or deny an afterlife!

The apparition could have been literal or real, or the product of your alleged stress? Either explanation has an equal possibility of being true, rather than what you chose to believe or summarily discount!

Moreover, as someone who has opened death's door on no less than three occasions and returned! I'll thank you to keep your witness free assumptions/asertions to yourself.

After all and to coin a phrase, you are not the suppository of all wisdom!

That said do try to enjoy the Christian festive season and goodwill to all men. It doesn't hurt I assure you.
Alan B.

Thankyou NNS.

Alan ; I think you mean "Depository". :)