The crime and folly of the court of Ravenna was expiated a third time by the calamities of Rome. The king of the Goths, who no longer dissembled his appetite for plunder and revenge, appeared in arms under the walls of the capital; and the trembling senate, without any hopes of relief, prepared by a desperate resistance to delay the ruin of their country. But they were unable to guard against the secret conspiracy of their slaves and domestics, who either from birth or interest were attached to the cause of the enemy. At the hour of midnight the Salarian gate was silently opened, and the inhabitants were awakened by the tremendous sound of the Gothic trumpet. Eleven hundred and sixty-three years after the foundation of Rome, the Imperial city, which had subdued and civilized so considerable a part of mankind, was delivered to the licentious fury of the tribes of Germany and Scythia.
- - The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by English Historian Edward Gibbon
In recent days it seems that many here on SOL 3 have been speaking of The Decline and Fall of the American Empire. However as the nation state of the United States does not qualify as an empire this seems to be rather presumptuous and is perhaps the product of ignorance, malcontent or guilt ridden loquaciousness.
It does raise the question as to a long term geo-political powers potential descent from such power, is the collapse of the United States imminent? As we have seen across the Multiverse Galactic Empires, Dominions, Unions, Federations, Alliances etc do collapse for many reasons. Even our own Sublime Hegemony is alert to the potential for conflict with the Teuto-Trans-Zenith Authority (of course the potential for collapse from within the Hegemony has been statistically proven to be highly unlikely).
SOL 3 historian Michael Grant in his book The Fall of the Roman Empire has divided the demise of the Roman Empire into intriguing sections:
1) The Generals against the State
2) The People against the Army
3) The Poor against the State
4) The Rich against the State
5) The Middle Class against the State
6) The People against the Bureaucrats
7) The People against the Emperor
8) Ally against Ally
9) Race against Race
10) Drop-outs against Society
11) The State against Free Belief
12) Complacency against Self-Help
13) The Other World against This World
14) Some Religious Disunities (Catholic Against Orthodox)
I have found myself of late meditating upon these various possibilities. It seems comparisons between the Roman Empire and the present day United States do hold some similar intriguing parameter delineations yet I would not with that surmise the collapse of the United States is imminent (of course one of the over arching geo political factors completely missing from Mr. Grant’s premise is the Super Factor of Gossip).
I am uncertain as to which factors most SOL 3 inhabitants would indicate as the prime movers in this situation.
27 comments:
An interesting hypothesis.
~Greetings Jean Luc~
How very kind of you to come by and leave a comment! The Inter Galactic Trans Dimensional News had temporarily reassigned me to covering the Teuto-Trans-Zenith Authorities Harem (where all the real governance in the TTZA really happens, can you imagine?) but here I am back on SOL 3 doing my best to decode these fascinating events for the rest of the Multiverse.
I will be sure to beam over to your place.
Lol, hey I wish it was the other world against this world, we so need an alien invasion to pull things together here, do your people do invasions?
EC, I sort of think that list of causes for the collapse of Rome is a bit like saying that the demise of HIV patients is due to pneumonia, hepatitis, cancer or whatever. Earlier Roman historians noted a collapse in the physical and moral discipline of their countrymen due to the influences of wealth. With Constantinople being established as a new capital, the winter grain harvest from Egypt was no longer bound for Rome with the resulting economic consequences. Then there was the inevitable mastery of Roman military tactics as Rome maintained its empire with the help of foreign troops. The final collapse usually has little resemblance to the original disease.
As you noted, the US isn't an empire, but like Rome, it has been a cultural and economic phenomenon. At the moment, there is nothing on the horizon really offering a serious challenge, but there is a tension as the elites who run our country seem completely uninformed about the values which made us successful. For example, the US pays for the large majority of the world's medical R&D, but many European countries use laws and regulations to keep American medical products artificially cheap, thus, Europeans are able to deliver similar quality medicines at a fraction of the price. Clever people propose that the US too can have quality medicine for cheap, but if we emulate Europe, a big chunk of medical R&D on SOL3 will come to a stop.
I don't see American civilization coming to sudden stop soon, but the disease is certainly taking a long term toll.
~Salutations Bob~
Interesting question, we do not have what you would commonly think of as military forces (with large evil looking “starships” flying about with dramatic evil music accompaniment, dum de da, dum de dah, da, dah etc…) . However we are formidable at Thought Wars (what you would refer to as philosophy) which can make us irresistible to most non-Sublime Hegemony groups (Of course there are exceptions such as the Teuto-Trans-Zenith Authority who are really rather rascally). We are continually involved in Thought Wars in and out of the Hegemony.
The sheer spectacle of the Hegemony is so impressive that most are profoundly desirous of joining us (For example the Enchantra Water Music Festival Season and ending Gala, see sidebar for more).
We do also have another form of continual war (Intergalactic and Multiverse) in the Procreative Wars which in its title is quite descriptive (also known as Procreative Wars, see side bar).
Overall it is best to think of what you would consider as invasions as our suburban sprawl. As the Hegemony grows the outlying areas are simply absorbed as small towns or grassy fields are here on SOL 3. SOL 3 is still the wilds of the Multiverse, I am a reporter in the exotic wilds which is why it is enticing for Multiverse celebrities to get away to it.
~Greetings Looney~
Interesting thoughts and very good points!
What would you think of Gibbon’s theory (extremely simplified here) that the Roman Empire’s emergence as a society transitioning to “Christianity” was catastrophic for the Empire? Is there a current day similarity in the United States? Are you suggesting as such in the intelligentsia and/or government?
Also how would you view an elongated time line making the society “blind” to the fall until it is upon them (plausible deniability of a collapse of sorts)? Or the opposite, a fall so dramatic (as “lighting war”) that it is over before it is recognized as even starting?
In my studies I find the United States to be quite exhilarating (in a quaint SOL 3 kind of way). The conflict between community vs individuality provides much storminess in the society yet it also seems to have a penchant for creativity. Is this tension between community vs individuality part of the reason for progressive “thinking outside the box” (it also seems an ugly obsession in some persons)?
EC, I haven't read Gibbons, and my time investment in learning about the millennium after the 2nd century AD has been minimal. Besides the factors I listed, the Roman Empire was the longest lived of large empires on our planet with the Eastern part lasting more than 1,000 years under Christianity. The tribes which conquered the West in turn adapted Christianity, so it is most implausible to me that Christianity should have been a source of decay.
As to our possible blindness to decay, we may actually have the opposite problem. From "Silent Spring" to "Suicide of the West", we have countless prophets warning of our society heading for collapse. The story of "Chicken Little" has been retold as "An Inconvenient Truth" as we fluctuate between "Global Warming" and "Nuclear Winter". It seems that however our society dies, someone will have prophesied the event and we should have known!
Regarding community vs. individuality, is there a need for conflict there? Did you come to SOL3 to pursue your individuality only? Could it have been to escape from your community? Or perhaps you hope to provide something of value back to your community by expressing your individuality? Or maybe my parochial SOL3 viewpoint is completely amiss on this subject ... Anyway, this is probably something that your um, "outside the box" viewpoint might help me see better.
~Greetings Looney~
Gibbons is rather long winded at times but can also provide some rather robust insights that can hold the potential for exhilaration. I would agree with you in that Gibbons theory on Christianity leading to the fall of the Western Roman Empire is unsupportable (Grant seems to rectify this error by blaming everybody, the entire society to different degrees with more plausible support).
I am curious about your comments on Christian history. The Western Empire was Roman Catholic and the Easter was Eastern Orthodox.
In 1054 the East-West Schism (also known as the Great Schism with mutual ex-communication) occurred due to political, ecclesiastical and theological reasons.
The Protestants note that less than 50 years earlier the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings became anti-Biblical and the Popes were highly unlikely to have been Christians (participating in numerous orgies in the Lateran Palace, gruesome violence etc took place over extended periods of time followed by the crusades along with indulgences for those involved in the crusades etc). The Eastern Orthodox had serious anti-biblical issues for several hundred years before this with the official veneration of icons, disagreements on basic biblical teaching in the Nicene Creed (the nature of Jesus, see the “Filoque” dispute for more on this if you are interested, Wikipedia has a sufficient article on this topic), communion etc.
I take your statement on your blog that you are a Christian Fundamentalist to also mean you are a Protestant. It seems that by 1054 both the West and East had fallen away from biblical Christianity. (Please note I am always here speaking of official practices and teachings, there is no doubt that during this period there were genuine Christians in existence). Stop me if I am incorrect but is it accurate that the Protestant Reformation was an attempt at reforming the Church from these kinds of unbiblical practices/teachings?
Do you view the official Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theology to be Christian and Biblical just as Protestantism? Can a person following those two groups official theology become a Christian and go to the Biblical Heaven?
I believe your point on popular media (Chicken Little etc) is well founded. As fiction needs conflict for interest stories about those on SOL 3 getting along and improving everybody’s lives “do not sell” (I am thankful this is not a part of the Sublime Hegemony system!) However it seems that the Biblical position is for combined cataclysmic events to rampage upon SOL 3. Another interesting aspect is that when these kinds of “scary” theories are put forth the do provide possibilities for improvement even if they are “reaching”.
I am on assignment on SOL 3 as a Pathfinder (see sidebar) by the Inter Galactic Trans Dimensional News (see sidebar). I am a journalist and explorer who loves to adventure in exotic locations but I regularly leave SOL 3 to go to other parts of the Multiverse (for example just the other day I was shopping, although not shopping in your context, at Diaphanous Cerulean 6 for some new Lustre lip-paint bars, see sidebar). I am continually in contact with friends, family and colleagues. So although I certainly do have some time alone (I do need to think as I am a writer which is rather solitary by nature) I am still often in community.
Let me frame this part of the conversation a bit differently (thank you for understanding). You are a Christian, the New Testament part of the Bible (an intriguing pack of information I mean to further study, hopefully with your assistance) makes it clear that “practicing” the Christian faith is personal and individual but it also must be lived out in community. In this teaching (and I may have missed something) although individuals are responsible for themselves they are also responsible for their neighbors, their friends and their enemies. They are to love yet it seems that some in the United States put an enormous weight upon individuality but not sufficient love into community.
I will give an example, in the United States many (Christians?) are vehemently against government health care yet it seems to me that the Bible supports both private health care and public health care (they both have “care” in them). Government health care does not seem to transgress any delineation provided in the New Testament in government rights/responsibilities in regards to the position the Biblical Deity wants them to play.
Thank you for this excellent opportunity to learn better how to decode SOL3 for the Multiverse!
I must say you do not seem Looney but erudite.
Oh eye candy,
I noticed that you've just changed your blog's layout.
It's great and I like it very much.
Very nice especially now it's loaded with lots of photos from the galaxies and nebulas. I've recently gotten crazy over those nebulas and universe. They are so interesting and beautiful. Are any of those near to where your home is?
EC, I wrote you up a long winded response, but a cosmic ray struck my computer and ...
Perhaps I will reconstruct it, but I wanted to tell you that I am impressed with how quickly you have mastered much of the history of SOL3. It reminds me a bit of Leeloo's refresher she took on SOL3 history after having been absent for awhile. Most people will study for many years to gain some understanding of the topics you discuss. Do you have a similar knowledge of the histories of all the planets you visit?
Hey EC!
Superb article!
When it is said that the American Empire has fallen, and declined, it means that the USA do not have the power, and respect, over the world that it once had. Other than that, I don't see it collapsing as the Roman Empire did...that country was built by very strong people (with odd backgrounds, many of them, nevertheless strong) so I am confident that they will come out of the crisis just fine: all they have to do is choose the right leader, in November, to begin with.
"However as the nation state of the United States does not qualify as an empire this seems to be rather presumptuous and is perhaps the product of ignorance, malcontent or guilt ridden loquaciousness." - LOL LOL you were a bit harsh, darling! By Empire they mean the political and economical influence the United States have in SOL3...wouldn't you agree?
I agree with you: Michael Grant's sections do seem to reflect a bit what is going on, presently, in the United States. But still, I don't see it collapsing...at least not anytime soon.
"(of course one of the over arching geo political factors completely missing from Mr. Grant’s premise is the Super Factor of Gossip)." - LOL LOL LOL this was a good one! Indeed, Gossip and intringue plays a huge role in politics - always have, always will. Perhaps Mr. Grant sees these factors as female characteristics that do not pertain the political stage...but we all know that it does.
Loved this article! *bowing*
Cheers, darling
~Greetings Astrogalaxy~
I am personally pleased that you like the improvements in the “layout” of SOL 3 NEWS, and The Inter Galactic Trans Dimensional News passes along its collaborate gratitude.
My “home” Azure 7 is not near any of the locations displayed in the images, they have been placed on SOL3 NEWS so that our outer Multiverse audience will have the location and technological abilities of SOL3 decoded and because they look so pretty! Can you imagine?
~Salutations Looney~
I hope your “long winded” response was not similar to the long windedness of Gibbons!
I want to take this opportunity to apologize for the “cosmic ray” that “struck” your computer. I understand this is common on SOL 3 computers and it is often caused by the Sublime Hegemony Hyper-network (“stealth network”). I suggest upgrading to the latest Scriontalabat-Bindoor ForeProjectors (see sidebar) as it will not have this difficulty. Sad at the loss of your data!
Thank you for your gentlemanly words about my mastery of SOL 3 history. Since my arrival here I have attempted to grow my knowledge base as quickly and productively as possible, that being said I have a very long way to go as SOL 3 is surprisingly complex for such an undeveloped planet. I am of course greatly assisted by Hegemony technology in my research which aids my research substantially.
My knowledge of other planets/systems is substantial; of course one of my specialties is the Teuto-Tran-Zenith Authority (see sidebar) I am a leader in the Hegemony in this area.
~Greetings and Salutations Max~
Upon my reflecting upon the term “American Empire” I have diagnosed an understanding that it is an “umbrella term” by which the combined projectable authority-power of a Governance Power may penetrate other Governance Powers. This is different than say the Roman Empire which used its military to conquer others and then impose their standard of order upon them while absorbing their “best practices”.
I am curious as to whether the United States has actually decreased in this area or that others have simply improved in these areas making it look like the have declined or if it is a real decline.
My sources tell me that the United States in its current fiscal situation has a larger economy than Europe and Japan combined and it seems the United States is not currently at an economic “high tide”.
I am curious as to your meaning about some of the United States founders having “odd backgrounds”. It seems that the current election you refer to for coming out of the current “crisis” in the United States depends upon more than a Presidential choice but also as much upon the other Washington DC politicians.
Michael Grants concepts are interesting to use in delineating the potential avenues of approach and escape from some governance problems.
Oh dear I was not in the understanding that on SOL 3 was seen as gender specific! In the Hegemony everybody knows the essential primacy of gossip! If this line of thought was rescinded our system would collapse!
Thank you for your support fellow female.
Hi Eye Candy!
Fascinating chain of thoughts you have brought together!
I think the Grant list is helpful in that it shows how various “special interest groups” can clash within a society and strengthen or damage it.
The US constitution is a remarkable piece of work, perhaps one of the most brilliant concepts we on SOL 3 have created. Yet it is an old document and idea so at times less brilliant persons have managed to get their hands on it and derail certain parts of it. That being said it is still an amazing “Thought War” as you like to say or as some would say a city of light upon a hill!
While the US is robust in its defense against outside forces it at times suffers from the inadequacies of those that are its own citizens (similar to the Roman Empire). Many in the US have a success guilt complex created by the immense success of the US and their feeling guilty that they are doing better than others but don’t deserve to be doing so (when things go bad for them they feel better since they believe they deserve this outcome). What they seem to miss is the shocking positive projection provided by the inherent ideas within their constitution.
Their system is almost unparalleled upon SOL 3 in its ability to allow for peaceful interchange of combative ideas and ideals within democracy bolstered by a capitalist system. This democracy and capitalism combine to create a dynamic society providing for amazing potential.
EC, thanks for the notes on the Scriontalabat-Bindoor ForeProjectors. I will see about getting an allocation in my capital equipment budget. Do you know if Scriontalabat is doing outsourcing? We have a bit too many projects going on ...
Regarding your earlier comments on fundamentalists and protestants, I should provide some clarification on our beliefs. You have already observed that individualism is a key value to fundamentalists and protestants, which does make it a challenge to produce simple definitions that are universal. (Perhaps I should say 'SOL3-wide' instead of 'universal' - we can be a bit conceited in our ignorance of the rest of the universe.)
'Protestant' is really a historical term such as an 'abolitionist' or a 'conquistador', so referring to someone today as a protestant is a misnomer. As you noted, the protestants were protesting the Catholic hegemony in the 15th and 16th centuries, however, these issues have largely vanished and although we can undoubtedly find something to protest about, the issues and concerns have changed considerably. I have little interest in actively protesting political situations that no longer exist. As far as the original reasons for the protestants protesting, I am sure there were many and you have noted just a few.
Your main questions: "Do you view the official Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theology to be Christian and Biblical just as Protestantism? Can a person following those two groups official theology become a Christian and go to the Biblical Heaven?"
Built into these questions is a, um, fundamental misconception. Christians don't follow theology. Christians follow Jesus Christ, which we consider to be a relationship with a real person. We understand Jesus to be the only son of the only God, and we know Jesus by the stories of the Bible, by seeing how Jesus effects other Christians, and by a personal inner relationship which we experience through another manifestation of God that we designate as the Holy Spirit.
You made the statement, "In the Hegemony everybody knows the essential primacy of gossip!", and gossip is based on stories, not propositional calculus, which is what theology tries to derive from Biblical stories. Of course we must be careful to restrict ourselves to the stories for which we have the most confidence, so unbridled gossip is something that we don't condone. Knowing a person and having a friendship always comes with a certain amount of ignorance of the others background and possibly some factual errors regarding where they came from. Would you be highly offended if I, out of total ignorance, believed that you had come from JaQiNa 5 instead of Azure 7?
BTW: Have you checked out the Charismatic Christian groups here on SOL3? They seem to be the least interested in Christianity as theory and the most interested in a personal experience. Just wondering what your impression was ...
~Salutations Looney~
I am uninformed as to the potential “outsourcing” of Scriontalabat you would I am sure find their organization of great interest.
Your words in the matter of “SOL3-wide” are refreshing and revelatory of your expansive thoughts (the common usage of universal is rather limited in the Multiverse).
Thank you for your insights as to the use of Protestant, perhaps I should have used Reformation instead?
It is my understanding that the topics that were deemed in need of Reforming are still active within Roman Catholicism and have actually been entrenched to a greater degree over time. The current official Roman Catholic position is that Protestants are anathema (cursed by God) and only thru the Roman Catholic system of theology can one get things correct with God (I am unsure of some of this terminology as religious and theological history is long and elaborate and I am having to study all of SOL 3 not just this one area of thought but this area of the SOL 3 experience is proving to be one of the most interesting areas).
I have perhaps projected a misconception with my use of the word “theology”. My intention was inclusive of salvatory beliefs. My studies indicate that the Roman Catholic system declares that a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ (I find this a profound concept) is only possible thru faith infused with good works (ascribed by the Roman Catholic system, good works are essential to salvation in this system). Whereas the Reformed/Protestant position seems to be “faith alone” with works playing no roll whatsoever in this process (however I believe they also teach that a person will after salvation enjoy a process called sanctification which would involve as you mentioned the Holy Spirit touching and leading them in their lives.
Therefore it seems to me ~ ~ an outsider that the two belief systems are contravening the others beliefs at an intersection of beliefs that makes them incompatible in that they deny the others validity as to being able to enjoy the Christian experience/life. They have opposing views on how one may engage in this “personal relationship” with this Jesus that is a “real person”.
Thank you very much for your information on gossip!! Very helpful! I have been stumbling upon the use of gossip here on SOL 3 and having many problems in understanding its usage here.
The Hegemony usage of gossip is not the same as here on SOL 3! We use the term gossip as meaning the disclosure of secrets but not as acts of deception or attacks on other persons character or person. As all information is commonly held within the Hegemony secrecy in matters that pertain to public life are all considered unacceptable. Everybody owns all information and nobody owns any information.
I found this SOL 3 proverb on gossip interesting and thought I would share it with you: “A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.”
I am curious as to the usage of the concept of “gossip” and found your explanation of the Biblical stories helpful, stories can be wonderful creative ways to display truths, I am very fond of this process~ Is this the reason that the Bible has the Four Gossips?
I understand your point on me possibly being from JaQuiNa 5, a good learning point (incidentally I believe you would love JaQuiNa 5 as its natural splendor is magnificent, but Azure 7 has a much more enjoyable and sophisticated society).
I have had insufficient time to assess “Charismatic Christian groups” I have seen some media reports on them and they seem rather ecstatic. Are they distinguishable from “Word of Faith groups”?
Thank you for this excellent conversation you are greatly advancing the decoding of SOL 3.
~Greetings Livingsword~
Your points on the United States are fascinating and show considerable erudition. However it is unfortunate that SOL 3 has not yet been able to move beyond all of its current political and economic models. Democracy and capitalism may seem functional and better than your other systems but they both still have serious flaws and vulnerabilities.
Greetings EC!
"Upon my reflecting upon the term “American Empire” I have diagnosed an understanding that it is an “umbrella term” by which the combined projectable authority-power of a Governance Power may penetrate other Governance Powers." - yes, but you did understand how the Governance Power may penetrate others, right? I mean, did you get the nuances of it?
"This is different than say the Roman Empire which used its military to conquer others and then impose their standard of order upon them while absorbing their “best practices”." - yes, that is exactly what they did. Which goes to show that they had the complex of superiority.
"I am curious as to whether the United States has actually decreased in this area or that others have simply improved in these areas making it look like the have declined or if it is a real decline." - I believe they have declined...the proof of that is the conflict between Giorgia and Russia. A few years ago, the US would speak and everybody would obey. Nowadays, the US speaks and Russia has the nerve to come to an US network and mock of them.
"My sources tell me that the United States in its current fiscal situation has a larger economy than Europe and Japan combined and it seems the United States is not currently at an economic “high tide”." - yes, I also heard that. But the Germans came to public (I believe last week) and claimed that this financial crisis is the proof that the US no longer reigns, economically speaking...are the Deutsche right or wrong? Who knows...
"I am curious as to your meaning about some of the United States founders having “odd backgrounds”. It seems that the current election you refer to for coming out of the current “crisis” in the United States depends upon more than a Presidential choice but also as much upon the other Washington DC politicians." - darling...I reiterate: the US founders stemmed from odd backgrounds (Europe still remembers...perhaps you should beam over here and check our libraries, you will love it, I promise). Yes, you are right: it also depends on other Washington DC politicians, but choosing the right leader is the beginning of everything, don't you think so? I mean, look at the result of their last choice...
"Oh dear I was not in the understanding that on SOL 3 was seen as gender specific! In the Hegemony everybody knows the essential primacy of gossip! If this line of thought was rescinded our system would collapse!" - LOL LOL yes, on SOL 3 certain things are viewed as gender specific. Girl, you guys are the smart ones: I also think that political intrigue is necessary...
"Thank you for your support fellow female." - I am always willing to support my sisters (real women), so...you are welcome, dear :D!
Cheers
~Salutations Max~
I understand the nuance of how an “empire” may project its influence (either intentionally or by its sheer popularity/projectability).
However just as in the previous comment technically on SOL 3 on a historical level an empire is developed by force of arms including invasions, such was the case with the Roman Empire or Soviet Union for example. The United States does not do this it typically uses “influence” having to resort to force as say in Iraq or Afghanistan shows a weakness in that it could not persuade by Thought War alone. A military may be needed to back up a society but it displays more power when it does not have to “flex its muscle”.
Russia seems to have its recent feelings of accent from its exports of oil and gas. It is interesting to follow the rise and fall of governance areas in accordance to the cost supply and demand of natural resources.
I also heard the same German assessment of the US economic situation. If it was not for the economic pain some in Europe are feeling it seems they are rather pleased at the situation in the United States. It seems that Europe should spend some valuable time looking at its system.
I will investigate more European history as you suggest Max thank you for the idea. I am still puzzled about the hinted irregularities of the United States founders.
Within the US system the President cannot do everything they want to do. There is the Senate and the House and the Executive office (President) and the Supreme Court which also at times attempts social retooling. If the President does not have both the lower and upper houses on his side it can and often does impede the President may be able to accomplish. In the US system they are all leaders, the President may act as a fulcrum but they can also be a lighting rod. If a President does not have a majority of the Supreme Court appointed by as President from their party this can also block movement in some instances.
As the United States seems to be becoming more divided (as the list of Grants on the Roman Empire) getting action to take place may be more difficult unless control of both the upper and lower house is claimed in the election. Often it is even challenging for Presidents to get what they want form the two houses even when they have the majority.
These are reasons why being able to work with members of the opposition is such a hotly contested topic in this election. Of course I am possibly missing something as my knowledge base in these areas needs to expand to a great degree.
On gossip I recommend you reading my last comment to Looney in this article, it may be amusing~
Warm hug to you Max (I believe this would be appropriate between two females that are respectful, appreciative and growing a friendship).
Salute~
"As all information is commonly held within the Hegemony secrecy in matters that pertain to public life are all considered unacceptable."
EC, good thing y'all are well behaved females! I am quite happy not to know most of what happens here on SOL3.
"It is my understanding that the topics that were deemed in need of Reforming are still active within Roman Catholicism and have actually been entrenched to a greater degree over time."
The Reformation occurred on many different levels. Some of it was based on abstract theological concepts. Other parts were political-economic such as the economic drain on Europe as Rome gathered in income. Then there were the pragmatic concerns of the simple people who only wanted to know God and be assured of salvation, but the Roman Church was denying them this possibility, while draining them of money. During the Reformation, those who had studied academic religion were by far the most prolific writers, so we are frequently left with the impression that theological concerns were by far the most important as we look back at the literature that was produced from this period.
Jesus said to a thief dying on a cross next to him, "today, you will be with me in paradise". The thief was probably just a simple person who probably couldn't even pronounce "filoque", or "infralapsarian", or "dispensationalist". Like most simple people, the thief didn't read the fine print on either his mortgage loan documents or his theology. In fact, he doesn't even understand the physics of the multiverse! He just wanted a relationship with Jesus.
Among the friends of mine who grew up in Catholic churches and schools, most of them never heard that they could accept Jesus as their savior and have a relationship with Him. Instead they were taught to repeat catechisms and honor a bureaucracy that was mislabeled a "church". In Christianity, all the theology in the Multiverse is of no value unless you have a relationship with Jesus.
I have also met people from "Protestant" churches who were similarly taught rituals and loyalty to human bureaucracies, although their fine print theology is much different from the Catholics. On the other hand, there are leaders scattered among the most Christian oriented religious bureaucracies who in greater or lesser numbers direct people towards Jesus. The conclusion is that each church leader needs to be evaluated on an individual basis based on what she is teaching and we can only make crude generalizations based on dusty theological tomes that sit unread on shelves.
Regarding the Word of Faith in comparison to the Charismatics, my (very limited) understanding is that these groups share some similarity of style, but in substance there is a broad spectrum. The Word of Faith groups are generally led by people of the character of Zaphod Beeblebrox who generally seek their own glory and promise SOL3ly prosperity and health. There are others who direct people towards Jesus, rather than themselves, but perhaps engage in some peculiar behavior as part of the process.
Perhaps you have noticed that inhabitants of SOL3 are always commenting on the oddities and peculiarities of others, but considering themselves to be entirely lacking in divergent characteristics? This is a primary source of gossip, however, as a result of inconsistent ideas about others, gossip can divide into various mutually contradictory strains. Is this trait common in the Multiverse? Regarding gossip in the Hegemony, if all the information is shared, than presumably contradictory strains of gossip are impossible, or have I come to a simplistic deduction?
As I was writing this, I was pondering the inadequacies of a "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe" when there were those who traveled about in the Multiverse. Has such a guide been written for the Multiverse?
Salutations EC!
Your comments are a fantastic read (you are an extremely intelligent being, darling)! I just came because I didn't want to leave you without a reply...
Well, I think that the concept of Empire is changing, darling. After all, the world is changing. Empires now, are economic potencies and diplomatically influencial nations. Although it is good to have military backup.
"I also heard the same German assessment of the US economic situation. If it was not for the economic pain some in Europe are feeling it seems they are rather pleased at the situation in the United States. It seems that Europe should spend some valuable time looking at its system." - I agree.
"I will investigate more European history as you suggest Max thank you for the idea. I am still puzzled about the hinted irregularities of the United States founders." - you are welcome, darling :D! LOL LOL I wouldn't call them irregularities...oddities is the proper word.
"Within the US system the President cannot do everything they want to do. There is the Senate and the House and the Executive office (President) and the Supreme Court which also at times attempts social retooling. If the President does not have both the lower and upper houses on his side it can and often does impede the President may be able to accomplish. In the US system they are all leaders, the President may act as a fulcrum but they can also be a lighting rod. If a President does not have a majority of the Supreme Court appointed by as President from their party this can also block movement in some instances." - yes, after all this is not a third world country (where Presidents can act as they see fit) we're talking about. But in order to have the houses on his side, a Presidente must be a good leader, he must make them understand that his ideas, decisions (etc) are good and will benefit the nation as a whole.
Now, if a President has his own agenda...who will want to follow him?
"These are reasons why being able to work with members of the opposition is such a hotly contested topic in this election. Of course I am possibly missing something as my knowledge base in these areas needs to expand to a great degree." - lol I believe you are in the right track, dear!
"On gossip I recommend you reading my last comment to Looney in this article, it may be amusing~" - LOL I shall, thank you *bowing*!
"Warm hug to you Max (I believe this would be appropriate between two females that are respectful, appreciative and growing a friendship)." - why thank you *warm hug*!! Yes, it is more than appropriate between two women :)!
Cheers
HEllo Eye Candy
Here's wishing you Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Cheers!
EC, were you at the inauguration? Just curious what you will dispatch to the rest of the multi-verse. "Hope, Change, finally discovered on SOL3". ;-)
Hi it's me again!
I've a award for you at my blog!
Have a wondeful week.
Cheers!
~Greetings and Salutations~
Darlings, I am pleased to announce that my demise has been greatly exaggerated and I will soon be decoding more of Sol 3 and as a bonus the Multiverse!
I will also be revealing my multitudinous glorious adventures from the past few months with more I am certain award winning articles…oh darlings I see I have actually won an award from Astrogalaxy who must be incredibly intelligent and insightful with good taste how wonderful!…I digress…I will also be providing some surprises including the latest fashions, interviews and gossip from around the Multiverse and little cutie like a puppy Sol 3!!
Coming soon….very soon…sooner than soon…
Thank you to my adoring fans for their persistent patience, however I am of course well worth the wait just ask the Teuto-Trans-Zenith Authorities Harem! ;)
Valedictions darlings…
EC!!! Darling! You are back!
You have been missed, no doubt :D!
I can't wait to read all the goodies you have for us!
See you sooner than soon,
Max
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