I apologize for the length of this post, which is, I'm sure you can tell, one of the reasons I refrain from getting involved in these discussions. I just don't know when to stop.
I suppose now would be good.

Fiery Red
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Hi Fiery Red,

No need to apologize. I appreciated your post, even though I don't agree with it completely, but then, I am not sure if I always agree with myself completely...so there is something to laugh at if you'd like?

You list of animal behaviors was duly noted, some I was aware of...others I am not, but still, I would like to point out that you needed to look at the extreme behaviors of several groups of animals to even get close to matching the far more common behavior of man.

*A side note here: In Genesis woman is punished by the pain of her labor (bearing offspring), and it is only women and not animals that receive this punishment. If we look for the labor of birth...most animals pop out there children with relative ease. Oh, there are exceptions, as your local Vet will attest to, but the truth is...a 600 pound mare can pop out a 70 lbs. foal in half the time and with much less pain...than a 120 pound woman can her 8 pound baby, on a normal basis. Now one doesn't have to be a mathmetician...to see the difference
in the size ratio...and whos delivery should be hardest. To me, this is biblical evidence. Conclusive? No...but still...some evidence...in an an area where it is said there is none. And...what is more...there is more, for those who wish to look.

You asked why, or what a deity had to do with the crime and punishment of my post, and I do feel, I left a gaping hole there...so I will simply say...that many times I see God accused of cruelity or injustice, yet mankind heaps the same on the criminal element of his own kind, so when God steps in, as he has the right (should he exist, and I believe he does) in an effort to protect his law abiding followers, there should be no complaint. Not for the corrective action...anyway. Now, it is equally true...that the seeming lack of action, should be of concern, but to me...it involves a whole different set of criteria, so I won't try to complicate things by going astray from our subject at this point.

I would like to address this point you made.
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"I intensely dislike being labeled an atheist, while in may be an accurate description based on the definition of the word, it has other connotations to people I personally find repugnant. Skeptic also, I am not skeptical of everything and anything that comes down the pike. If something piques my interest, I'll look into it, if what I find is unsatisfactory, then I may become skeptical of the subject in the manner presented.

As for every trouble man has he brought on himself, well...duh.
Where else would it come from?"
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I don't think someone should be labeled an Atheist either...unless they're flagging that banner...I mentioned earlier. So I agree with you and respect your stand. I did not mean to imply...all who do not believe in God should be peltered with labels and stereo-typed accusations, any more than I believe those who do believe should be peltered by those who do not.

Comparisons. I guess they are something we must make to make critical decisions as to what we ourselves will believe and having looked beyond church issues, and at what should be instead, I am one who feels belief in God has far more to offer and stimulate my mind, than viewing myself on a unique island (planet)...lost in a sea (space) with no real purpose, other than survive. But then, that is me.

I appreciate your logic Fiery Red. Thanks.

Touche',
El Stevereno