Quote: › I assume you read Paine at the public library or your personal library? Also, what did you local preacher say that convinced you? Or should I say didn't convince you?

I first found Paine tucked away in a very infrequently visited portion of the library. I knew the name from American history and was intrigued that he had written on another topic.

As for the second bit, you ask for something that is more than a decade ago in my life, a life that has gone through many changes since that time. I cannot recall what was said. I do recall, however, that the arguments were neither persuasive nor memorable.

Of course, I had a habit of asking those difficult questions and thinking outside the box from a very early age, as most of my school teachers would more than gladly tell you. So I am certain that this particular issue was more likely than not the first thing that tickled my brain about religion. It just seems as though it was the one that I could no longer ignore and keep faith together.

Nator,

[quote]I had a habit of asking those difficult questions and thinking outside the box from a very early age, as most of my school teachers would more than gladly tell you.[/quote]

We are very different.

I was concerned more with what is, not what if. I find much more enjoyment is sitting in nature, fishing, hunting, camping, the outdoors, than I do anywhere else.

I could care less about why or how.

Quote: › We are very different.

That we are.

Quote: › I was concerned more with what is, not what if. I find much more enjoyment is sitting in nature, fishing, hunting, camping, the outdoors, than I do anywhere else. I could care less about why or how.

I too find great enjoyment in nature, including the activities listed.

I just don't stop there. I once asked a question of my grandmother regarding word usage. The question centered around why the word blue was associated with that particular color pattern and what, if any, difference it would make if the word associated were red and not blue. She categorically refused to even think about it and considered the question completely invalid.

Guess I'm just wired differently than most.

Nator,

Quote: › She categorically refused to even think about it and considered the question completely invalid.

I'd find your questions intriguing, but after that, irrelevant to practicality. Please don't take that wrong either.

I am a "if it works, don't fix it" kind of guy.

That said, I am all for improvement and innovation.

Quote: › I'd find your questions intriguing, but after that, irrelevant to practicality. Please don't take that wrong either. I am a "if it works, don't fix it" kind of guy. That said, I am all for improvement and innovation.

I'll readily admit that not all my questions may have a practical application. However, I am a theory oriented person more than a practically oriented person.

That is a quality that does not show in the majority of the population, so I sometimes have difficulty relating to those around me.

Nator,

Quote: › However, I am a theory oriented person more than a practically oriented person. That is a quality that does not show in the majority of the population, so I sometimes have difficulty relating to those around me.

I can truly appreciate that.

In my profession, welding trades, there is a lot of theory that goes into the process. The guys that are usually the best practically, are the worst theoretically. And vice versa.

Quote: › I can truly appreciate that. In my profession, welding trades, there is a lot of theory that goes into the process. The guys that are usually the best practically, are the worst theoretically. And vice versa.

All very true. While I may not understand fully the practically oriented people, I do appreciate them. Sometimes they provide focus for me.

Nator,

Quote: › While I may not understand fully the practically oriented people, I do appreciate them. Sometimes they provide focus for me.

You're welcome.