5 Notions That Americans Should Put Out To Pasture


Wisdom and knowledge come from the same family but are as different as apples and watermelons. What we call common wisdom is what made you expect me to say oranges instead of watermelons. Common wisdom flows off the tongue like water over the falls but doesn't always require that the brain be fully engaged. Some people call this, the common wisdom of the day. This particular kind of wisdom is rarely examined for truth or any other useful quality. It is commonly accepted because it is so commonly heard. It is much like an unpaid commercial that we set into motion not knowing where it came from and with little regard to whether it is true or not. It is like an old pal who always steps in to keep a conversation going when we run low on original ideas. It is almost never questioned and in most conversation, it is only a matter of who is going to say it first. Some of these sayings so glibly passed around among us are innocuous, while others are outright misleading and sometimes dangerous. Here are five of them that should be challenged, examined, analyzed and if reason prevails, will finally be put out to pasture.

Crime Doesn't Pay: Oh really. Who is sponsoring the myriad of television programs like, CSI, Law and Order, Cold Case Files, FBI, City Confidential, Cops and many others? Of course the criminals weren't thinking of this when the committed their crimes and we are not thinking of it when we see their stories but someone thought it out very carefully. They knew this was a goldmine. They knew they could sell their products and goods on the backs of the victims of these crimes and through the medium of the public's natural curiosity. Crime does pay; in fact it is an industry that pays in the millions. Perhaps it is time that we insist that some portion of the earnings from these sponsors was used against crime. Funds could be set aside for rehabilitation, prevention, law enforcement, education and prison ministries. Some states have enacted legislation that prevents the perpetrators of crimes to profit from their misdeeds through the publication of books and articles. Why not hold accountable others who are profiting from their misdeeds? Does this seem unlikely? It is not. If people can boycott a certain product or program why can't they also begin a movement to engage the producers and sponsors to contribute to the cause of crime prevention or help for victims? Has anyone asked them? This is not an idea whose time has come but rather it is an idea that is long overdue.

Reverse Psychology: Please read every word in this paragraph. If this far fetched notion were founded at all you wouldn't be on this sentence. What parent has not been heard voicing the reverse psychology notion? We have started to take seriously the idea that the only reason your teenager is doing something you don't like is that you have told him or her not to do it. The Catholic Church has misled many people with the idea that we are all straddled with something called original sin. The bible quite clearly says that is not so. What it does say, is that man is born with a sin nature or a natural proclivity to sin. We sin, not because we are told not to sin, but because it is in our nature. If we're going to take this lame saying seriously, then why aren't we demanding that our kids be lazy, do everything wrong and take drugs? Then we could sit back and watch them do just the opposite? Why would God have wasted his time with Ten Commandments? Couldn't He have done better with the ten sinful options? Maybe we should be grateful that God doesn't have any notions.

How Much Are You Worth: Your mind may have already begun to drift toward your last bank statement or the assessed value of your home by now. If this were a magazine like Forbes or Fortune 500 you wouldn't think twice about whether that is what the question was referring to. As a boy I remember a teacher telling us that the chemicals and other elements in our body were worth a little over a dollar. Inflation and other factors have since brought the figure up to a little over four dollars. Jesus said, a mans life is never measured by the things he possesses, Lk 12:15. A recent television show featured people who had succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. They had acquired everything they had ever hoped for and more. The one thing they had in common besides money was the feeling that they were totally unfulfilled. Many of them went searching for meaning by becoming volunteers, or joining charitable organizations, churches, prison ministries and other service oriented endeavors. Their net worth did not cut it for them in the most traditional sense of the word. People spend the last few years of their lives getting their business in order. That usually means they are arranging for the transfer of their personal wealth or property. Why is it that you needn't tell dying men that their net worth is not worth a whole lot? What man wouldn't give up a fortune to be able to cancel his last breath and go on living? Christ has told us that we are of inestimable value to both Him and His Father. We have an eternal value placed on us from above, and there is not enough money in this world to pay for even the least of us. How much are you worth?

Science And The Bible Don't Agree: When most of the world was afraid to sail too far out on the ocean for fear of falling off the edge of the world, the Bible clearly indicated that the world was round. It was the church that condemned Galileo for saying the sun and the planets revolved around the earth, it was not the Bible. Science has made a poor showing of trying to explain the Bible. Fortunately, it has also made a poor showing for disproving the Bible as well. The Bible on the other hand doesn't even enter the fray. It never argues with the findings of legitimate science. It has indicated that God intended for man to know and name just about everything on the earth, it is called taking dominion. God doesn't foster stupidity and having blind faith is not God's plan to keep us blissfully un-informed. The best answer that can be given to anyone about this absurd notion is contained in the following. Science is the book of how, the Bible is the book of why.

Maybe God Used Evolution To Create Man: To argue against the evidence would take more space than allowed here for the task. But don't be fooled the Scopes Monkey Trial will go down in history as the only bout ever won by the evolutionists. All anyone has to do is put up the words "creation science" on any good internet search engine. The material fed back from that phrase alone would keep them busy for weeks. The evidence against the evolutionary model is mounting exponentially as opposed to the few finds the evolutionist are claiming. The power of the evolutionary model is no longer in its facts but now it is largely in its momentum. It is hard to stop a speeding train. There is much now to refute this secular pipe dream but it is not just the evidence that is failing the evolutionist it is their philosophy. Science which is otherwise known as empiricism has popped the bounds of its own definitions. By definition science is the procuring of data by and through repeatable, observable phenomena. When scientists make statements about something that happened millions of years past the have left the realm of empiricism. Since no one was there to see the phenomena in question much less to repeat it, such statements are now only speculative, conjectural and akin to simple guesswork. Such speculation is in the realm of "prior philosophic postulate". In plain English that is the exact equivalent of faith.

The belief that God used evolution to make man, speaks of a faithless generation. It also speaks of a generation of Christians who haven't noticed that they are worshipping a God who after all may only be a liar. And God's Son bought into that lie so how can we expect a liar to provide the whole world with the kind of truth that universally saves men. In street terms we are speaking of gutless Christians but for the sake of diplomacy let's say they aren't too willing to take a firm stand. The apostle Paul wasn't as gentle as I have been. He said we should let God be true and every man a liar, Romans 3:4. I think I'll stand with Paul on this one.

Rev Bresciani is the leader of a non-denominational ministry in the New Orleans area. He has written many articles over the past thirty years in such periodicals as Guideposts and Catholic Digest. He is the author of two books available on Amazon.com, Alibris, Barnes and Noble and many other places. Rev Bresciani wrote, Hook Line and Sinker or What has Your Church Been Teaching You, published by PublishAmerica of Baltimore MD. He also wrote a book recently released by Xulon Press entitled An American Prophet and His Message, Questions and Answers on the Second Coming of Christ. Rev Bresciani has his own website at http://americanprophet.org





Latest News:



Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news
News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI)
Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. DailyMe: News tailored to your individual tastes (The Christian Science Monitor)
Column: Custom news websites come and go, but this one gets it right. Sarah Palin docu wins record ratings for Fox News (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
In a week of records surrounding the Republican National Convention, Fox News Channel earned another one with its weekend documentary on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. MySpace ad business ahead of target: News Corp (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
News Corp's (NWSa.N) MySpace advertising business is operating ahead of expectations and its digital ad business is performing better than the marketplace, the company's chief operating officer said on Tuesday. STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Erdemir shares fall on iron ore prices (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News)
STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary News Buzz: Recreating the Big Bang, Gates Urges Slow Iraq Drawdown, Ike Gains Strength (US News & World Report)
Top news from the Associated Press For consumers, good news down the line (Sun-Sentinel)
Whether you buy a new iPod or not, there may be good news for you in Apple's release of new iPods on Tuesday . Fox News Vaults To Top Of Primetime Ratings (MultiChannel News)
Who says no one watches political conventions? Fox News Channel?s coverage of GOP Presidential nominee John McCain?s Sept. 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention drew 9.2 million viewers, topping all other basic cable shows last week, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

Site: news - Google News
News Analysis A Difficult Road Awaits Panetta at the CIA - New York Times

News Analysis A Difficult Road Awaits Panetta at the CIA
New York Times, United States - 4 hours ago
The latest on the presidential transition and other political news from Washington and around the nation. Join the discussion. For Leon E. Panetta, ...
Video: Analyst Weighs in on Obama's CIA Pick AssociatedPress
News roundup: Israel presses on in Gaza; Obama tries to reassure GOP USA Today
Hotspots: Breaking news from around the world Chicago Sun-Times
Huffington Post - The Associated Press
all 2,542 news articles
Warsh?s Crisis Skills Propel Him Toward New York Fed Candidacy - Bloomberg

Warsh?s Crisis Skills Propel Him Toward New York Fed Candidacy
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
9 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Reserve is nearing a decision on the next president of the New York Fed, with Kevin Warsh?s Wall Street background and role in ...
CNET News Daily Podcast: Say hello to the Palm Pre - CNET News

Boston Globe

CNET News Daily Podcast: Say hello to the Palm Pre
CNET News, CA - 10 hours ago
At the CES gadget extravaganza in Las Vegas, Palm has just unveiled its much-anticipated new handset, the Palm Pre, which features the new Palm Web OS. ...
Palm's new Pre smartphone gets lots of good buzz USA Today
Palm unveils new smart phone, operating system The Associated Press
Palm strikes back with new OS, pré handset at CES Ars Technica
San Francisco Chronicle - TG Daily
all 433 news articles
Amid Sales Slump, Chico's Taps New CEO - Wall Street Journal

Amid Sales Slump, Chico's Taps New CEO
Wall Street Journal - 2 hours ago
The announcement came as Spotlight Capital Management LLC, a New York hedge fund that has been pressing the board to name a new CEO since last March, ...
Yahoo reportedly near decision on new CEO - CNET News

Reuters

Yahoo reportedly near decision on new CEO
CNET News, CA - 57 minutes ago
Yahoo is said to be wrapping up its search for a new chief executive, and a decision could come as early as next week, according to a report late Thursday ...
Yahoo nearing to name new CEO: WSJ RTT News
all 32 news articles
China calls for full, effective implementation of new UN ... - Xinhua

WELT ONLINE

China calls for full, effective implementation of new UN ...
Xinhua, China - 1 hour ago
8 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the comprehensive and effective implementation of the new Security Council ...
Video: Israeli war on Gaza continues after second lull - 08 Jan 09 AlJazeeraEnglish
New UN Gaza resolution proposed Aljazeera.net
AP Top News at 11:27 pm EST The Associated Press
Times Online - Boston Herald
all 38,704 news articles
News of home theater tech from LG comes streaming in - CNET News

ABC News

News of home theater tech from LG comes streaming in
CNET News, CA - 6 hours ago
The CNET editorial team recognizes the best new products at the show with awards in 10 categories, an overall Best of Show award, and the People's Voice ...
Video: Loaded: Happy New Year! CBS
Consumer Electronics Show: Some New Things NBC Los Angeles
Summary Of Wed News From International Consumer Electronics Show CNNMoney.com
abc7.com - IT PRO
all 849 news articles
Ballmer touts Windows 7 beta, new deals - CNET News

Xinhua

Ballmer touts Windows 7 beta, new deals
CNET News, CA - 20 hours ago
Microsoft will also announce new deals for Windows Live that will see Microsoft's search engine become the default on PCs from Dell as well as touting a ...
Microsoft's news at CES not so new Seattle Times
Windows Live Essentials released, more Windows Live news from CES LiveSide
Ballmer highlights aims for New Year CRN - UK
TechFlash - CNET News
all 1,021 news articles
Thrift stores exempted from new lead-testing law - Houston Chronicle

USA Today

Thrift stores exempted from new lead-testing law
Houston Chronicle, United States - 45 minutes ago
A new ruling means thrift stores are not required to have toys tested for lead and chemicals. According to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, ...
New rules on toys could spell doom USA Today
More news on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Los Angeles Times
New Lead Law Explained LocalNews8.com
KARE - WCCO
all 121 news articles
New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend - CNNMoney.com

New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend
CNNMoney.com - 11 hours ago
New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: NHTB) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of thirteen cents ($0.13) per share payable January 30, ...

MORE RESOURCES:
Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for inspirational
Inspirational Experts in Fashion, Cuisine and Lifestyle to Share Tips and Trends at Orange County Head to Toe Women's ... (PRWeb)

Southern California's premiere women's consumer show, the Head to Toe Women's Expo returns to OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., October 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Presented by Ralphs Grocery, the Head to Toe Women's Expo gives mothers, daughters, and girlfriends a chance to reconnect during a weekend of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. Several experts, ... http://firepit-plans.com Introduces "The Fire Pit Planner Guide" a Comprehensive Inspirational Guide to Building ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

http://firepit-plans.com is a new site that offers a unique do-it-yourself inspirational plan to building fire pits, the guide offers tips and advice on operating and constructing fire pits in the outdoors, house garden or backyard. Reporter's Notebook (Dallas Morning News)

Certain parts of Irving City Hall will soon be getting makeovers. Residents and visitors can expect to see inspirational quotes on walls and prominent displays of the city?s mission statement within a couple of months. Bob Walter: Iraq hero gets moving tribute in Elk Grove Park (The Sacramento Bee)

For a hero: As if anybody could forget Joe Nurre of Wilton, a fitting and permanent memorial to the inspirational Elk Grove High School football captain is attracting plenty of attention in Elk Grove Park. Joe Nurre A plaque dedicates an Elk Grove barbecue area to Joe Nurre. MCC Honors 9/11 Victims and Families (R News)

Monroe Community College hosted a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Remembrance Walk on the Brighton campus. The hour long event included music, inspirational speeches, a moment of silence and flowers placed at the base of the 9/11 monument there. Local review: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' entertaining, educational (The Pantagraph)

For a gripping evening of theater as educational as it is inspirational, ?Bill W. and Dr. Bob? at Heartland Theatre Company, can?t be beat. Steve Amerson to Sing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Convention (Christian News Wire)

DENVER, Sept. 11 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve Amerson, well-known Inspirational music artist will be singing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Annual Convention, A Celebration of Honor, in Denver, Colorado at the "Patriots Award Gala" on Friday, September 19, 2008. Radio pirate suspect arrested in Wilton Manors apartment (Sun-Sentinel)

When you tune into FM 103.9 in Broward County , you're supposed to hear a sermon by Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy or inspirational music from the likes of Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman. Randolph Reads kicks off with celebration (Asheboro Courier-Tribune)

ASHEBORO ? A Randolph County initiative to unite the community in reading and discussing an inspirational non-fiction book about a nearby town?s struggles with change is under way. Honor Text Helps Americans to Remember (WCAV Charlottesville)

The clock strikes 9:11am and your phone beeps, but it?s not your average text message. Instead, it?s an Honor Text, a brief inspirational message about some of America?s service men and women. Site: inspirational - Google News
» Inspirational drama anything but 'Broken' - Chicago Daily Herald

New York Times

» Inspirational drama anything but 'Broken'
Chicago Daily Herald, IL - 37 minutes ago
This movie is based on the inspirational book by Bishop TD Jakes, which might explain why Duke treats it like an overripe project for the Lifetime cable ...
Bill Duke's Not Easily Broken The Phoenix
all 63 news articles
Gerard Lucien Gaudreau, inspirational speaker - Baltimore Sun

Gerard Lucien Gaudreau, inspirational speaker
Baltimore Sun, United States - 22 hours ago
By Frederick N. Rasmussen Gerard Lucien Gaudreau, a former partner in a Baltimore real estate firm and an inspirational speaker and teacher, died of heart ...
Inspirational Deborah Riedel soprano dies of cancer aged 50 - The Australian

Inspirational Deborah Riedel soprano dies of cancer aged 50
The Australian, Australia - 17 hours ago
Matthews described Riedel as an inspirational singer. Riedel grew up in Sydney and was a schoolteacher before successfully auditioning for a place in the ...
Inspirational coach sharing her experiences with local girls - Chinook Observer (subscription)

Inspirational coach sharing her experiences with local girls
Chinook Observer (subscription), WA - 15 hours ago
ILWACO ? On June 11 from 10 am to 3 pm, girls in grades sixth through 12th have a rare opportunity to spend a day with an inspirational leader of young ...
Tyler Thompson, inspirational JCJC student, dies - Laurel Leader Call

Tyler Thompson, inspirational JCJC student, dies
Laurel Leader Call, MS - Jan 7, 2009
By Jason Niblett, newseditor@laurelleadercall.com A Jones County Junior College student who symbolically became an inspiration during the 2008 Jones County ...
Local Sports Hero to Share Inspirational Story at Business Club of ... - dBusinessNews Triangle (press release)

Local Sports Hero to Share Inspirational Story at Business Club of ...
dBusinessNews Triangle (press release), NC - Jan 7, 2009
Triangle - (Raleigh, NC) January 7, 2009 ? Logan Aldridge, a top national wakeboarder from Raleigh, will share his inspirational story at the Business Club ...
Inspirational yachtsman is guest at memorial lecture - Bourne Local

Inspirational yachtsman is guest at memorial lecture
Bourne Local, UK - 17 hours ago
He is a really inspirational person.? The memorial lecture marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Len Pick. Chairman of the trustees Trevor Peacock ...
ESPN says Baldelli will sign with Red Sox - Providence Journal

New York Daily News

ESPN says Baldelli will sign with Red Sox
Providence Journal, RI - Jan 7, 2009
Not only did he make an inspirational and remarkable return to the lineup in 2008, but he produced in key situations for the Rays, especially in the ...
Farewell Rocco: Baldelli signs with Red Sox Tampa Bay's 10
Signing with Red Sox a homecoming for Baldelli Providence Journal
all 948 news articles
In Economic Turmoil and Uncertainty, the Promise of an Education ... - Reuters

In Economic Turmoil and Uncertainty, the Promise of an Education ...
Reuters - Jan 5, 2009
In Economic Turmoil and Uncertainty, the Promise of an Education is Inspirational and Life-Changing for Four (4) Deserving and Gifted Fashion Students to ...
University of Arkansas Inspirational Singers to Present 'The ... - University of Arkansas Daily Headlines

University of Arkansas Inspirational Singers to Present 'The ...
University of Arkansas Daily Headlines, AR - Jan 6, 2009
The UA Inspirational Singers will present "The Gospel Feast" at 6:30 pm Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, the Town Center in Fayetteville. ...
Home | Site Map | Resource Links