Thank you for your comment! Since you requested in your profile that questions be put here, I thought that a reply comment would be best here too. If that's not best for you, I appologize in advance. There's always that delete comment button. XP

I understand what you mean. Not everyone agrees on right and wrong. But I've found that many people don't necessarily have a strong moral conviction because they've grown up hearing mixed messages, like hitting is good and hugging is bad, as well as hugging is good and hitting is bad. So, really, I'm just trying to push those people toward one side. As for the people who have a solid grasp of what they think is right and wrong, they can't be swayed one way or the other. For example, in your profile, you mention people changing their very being, but people don't easily change to such extremes. If someone changed so easily, their very being was obviously in flux to begin with (because of all the conflicting information they're receiving). Someone could just as easily come along and say, "don't respect, retaliate" and they might do just that, so I'm just trying to push it the other way. After all, there are many people on here who have a clear sense of morality, but find themselves plagued by people who don't. By helping make a few people on Colors at least slightly friendlier, I'm really helping both of those groups. And, yes, I know it's a small effect, but every small good is still good, whereas doing nothing is an invitation to let evil thrive.

Doing nothing or everything you can does not make a differance evil will always thrive, because those who seek to ruin the world have resourses and those who have the desire to save it hide in fear, that is why, that is why the world can not be better let alone perfect. I respect you for keeping calm and being respectful that I must say. The way you talk and act makes what you say seem real and legit, that your telling the truth, but the world and its people are very differant, one mans paradise is another mans nightmare. In your hast to to build up the world, unknowingly, you might just break it more.

Then again maybe i'm acting to ignorant, you are not right but neither am I.

It's true, the world won't be perfect and no two people can seem to completely agree, so harmony is difficult, but I do still believe that positive change is possible, that we're not forever doomed. For example, my great grandmother was beaten by her husband, so she left him. The police picked her up and took her back to him because women had no rights. Men still beat women, but the police don't round up the women and take them back to be beaten (for the most part anyway). Before then, human beings were owned as sla.ves and could be ki.lled on a whim. Mistrust and hatred between races still exists today, but we no longer encourage sla.very. As far as species, humans can be a bit lacking in some ways, but there are good ones who do fight the evil. Of course, they usually end up ki.lled...

I'd like to thank you also. You inspired me to become more active in trying to promote positive values and encourage people, so thank you! After all, it sounds like you've pretty much given up on humanity and I'm sure you're not alone, so that means I have to work that much harder. :3

Given up on humanity? no, I know their are still good people in the world and a lot less bad people, the results on which overthrows the other is a matter of position. The bad people are in a position where they can get what they want when they want it and have people to back them up and keep them in the position that gets them their power, as for the good people, most good people these days have a set of moral values (they see what is right) but the only problem is they are to scared to put them in to actions and the people who are not afraid to speak what they believe and succeed the ones who would have them scared weak have absolutly no postioning to even be so much as a buzz in the ear of selfish. The reason it can't be reversed... numbers theirs are to great. The reason I act this way is because I believe that this world is running out of time, that it will destroy itself before it is destroyed completly, if the world had more time... then maybe it would have a chance but I don't think so. I have been wrong before... but this time I hope I am.

And since we are getting into a habbit of this I thank you for keeping this between you and me and not calling your followers to "help"

Ah, I see now. To me, saying that evil will always win because the good are scared sounded like giving up on humanity, but what you believe is that it's just too slow a process for good to work out and you believe that time is running out. Is that about right? I'm glad that you're more open to the idea that we can change than it sounded like at first. You can understand why I misunderstood, though, right? And I also believe the end is near, just...not the end most people expect. Many things are happening "behind the scenes" that are changing the world as we know it. It's my belief that humans as a species have been artificially manipulated over the millenia to reject our more compassionate nature in favor of selfish, vio.lent and materialistic desires. But then, as you said, we could both be wrong. The truth may be somewhere between or somewhere far off.

Wait...what do you mean about calling my followers to help?

You know how when two people on colors have differant opinions and the someones followers get involved it quickly becomes an arguement.

Manipulated you say? Like a trend everyone seamlessly followed or something else like an intentional influence for a very specific outcome?

It seems like it would be harder to communicate with a bunch of people, so I'm glad no one else has discovered our conversation. :D Though, it doesn't seem to me like we could somehow end up in an argument. That's not my impression anyway. But I definitely get your point about the dangers of a bunch of people angry at one person. That's how we ended up with lynch mobs. But I'd say that the person or group of people that are hated often turns out to be just an outlet for other feelings, like how the German people felt depressed and like their contry had lost its glory and the Jews were a convienient group to blame. It snowballed from there. The thing is, there are often those lone few people who come along and point to a group of people to blame and use the fear that follows to rise to power. Very few people become leaders. Most people are followers. I think part of what you've been saying is how few and far between good leaders are.

Well, before I explain, let me first admit that I'm a conspiracy nut. :P So, I believe that human history has been shaped by a very few key circumstances. For example, see how Judeaism branched off into Christianity and Islam through one man (Abraham). A little change here or there could have made a profound difference. There was a long period of time in Britain where fruit and vegetables were reserved for the rich and the poor had a diet heavy in flour. This kept the poor full yet malnurished. Today, unhealthy food is still the cheapest, so the poor can be overweight while still being malnurished. One thing history has tought the rich is that hungry citizens rebel and overthrow the uper classes. So, to prove how much of a conspiracy nut I am, I believe that everything from religion to diet has been manipulated to make humans more obedient, appathetic and dumber. The positive changes always started with small groups or leaders who held no office. Still, those in power would have no power without the people, so they allow some changes. What I believe is happening is a fundametal shift behind the scenes that will transform the entire global leadership. I know, crazy talk. XP

Maybe this whole "behind the scenes" thing you are talking is true but just in case maybe it would be in the best interest for both of us to get back to the topic at hand.

I now know that you practice what you teach, a quality of a good teacher but most things you have been saying have being with the right intent but have swayed to more of your opinions. For example from everything you have been saying I know that you want people to think that there is nothing wrong with gay, even though most people beg to differ surely a man of your statue (if you will) can see this but you have never standed down from that. You truely believe that everyone who is strait should respect those who are gay because you respect them, take your "who deserves respect" pic the reality is respect is selflessly earned not deserved. You say two people who have angered each other should hug and be friends, I know vio.lence the last resort but if the world was capable of such compassion than you wouldnt be here for this cause would you. You say hug, I say walk away, lets face it their both just as good.

You're right, I wouldn't be making paintings with the kinds of messages I do if we didn't live in a world with negativity, selfishness and vio.lence. I'd probably draw a lot more fuzzy critters, dolphins and rainbows. :D And there's definitely a great amount to be learned from the darkness in this world, so long as we don't let it conquer us.

As for respect, the Rogue in my username comes from the part of me that strongly believes that no human should have authority over another human. As you said, respect is taken, but that doesn't make it earned. People in positions of power are as human as anyone else, no better and therefore not deserving extra respect. Of course, it's dangerous to express anti-leader positions. Besides, humans aren't ready yet. But the base of that is that everyone deserves equal respect. When one group of people respects another less than themselves, you get the mistreatment of people of another gender, race, religion or ecconomic class, but if people could just see that they are no more valuable than anyone else, then the world would be a very different place. There would have been no sla.very, no holocaust, no intentional kil.ling of innocent civilians in war, no ki.lling of homeless for fun. And, yes, again I know how the world works. I just try to sway people who are swayable toward a view that is positive for everyone.

As far as hugging vs running away, we've been conditioned from birth to feel isolated. This makes us easier to control and pit against each other and harder for us to unite. Even as infants, we are placed in empty rooms and forced to cry out until we accept that we're abandoned and alone. As we grow, "independence" means pushing ahead of others to be the one and only winner. There are only two ways humans can express themselves physically: either with compassion or vio.lence. People who repress or are conditioned to repress their compassionate nature become vio.lent and lash out. It's either hug or hit. Walking away just postpones the need for release until another time. It solves nothing long term.

You said that you want to sway people to a side that is best for both, I can tell that is what you desire but not what you are doing. Now before you think to yourself that i'm wrong I want you to think about this let me give you an example, gays vs. straits (I keep useing this as an example because it is a major problem) I am strait but I do know that most (if not all) gays want just to be tolerated by those who do not like gays, they want them to stop disrespecting them because their guy, to stop "saying" things insulting to them. If gays told straits not to do that... wouldn't that be "disrespecting" their freedom of speech? could some view that as "insulting" their freedom of speech? I didn't come to you at your painting to tell you to stand down, I didn't come to you to discourage you I came to show you a way the rest of this was trying to get you to understand a little bit of that way, so let me just tell you. Key word, compromise. You say to those who would hit, who would disrespect, who would insult or judge, but one thing I have noticed, is that since no one is perfect, its that both sides of an arguement are both right in some way. So instead maybe you could say "Hey straits they just have differant opinions there is nothing wrong with that, and gays you can't force someone to tolerate, respect, or otherwise accept you" Rogue you can not truely make me believe that you are trying to make the world better by trying to single out a type of view. Peace is balence, but a balence fully equel and unbias, utherwise those robbed of there humanity are nothing more then an ant being grinded by boot of tyranny.

P.S. sorry for misspelling a few things.

Don't worry about spelling errors. It's not like I'd know anyway since I kept spelling collab wrong until it was pointed out to me. :P It's ironic that I'd be bad at spelling since English is my best subject.

I like how you think through things and feel us conversing is really interesting and thought expanding. Though, could you please explain the end about the ants being tra.mpled by tyrany? I know it's a metaphor, but somehow I lost the meaning behind it. Feel free to explain it like you're talking to a child. XP

As for what I understood, freedom of speach works two ways. If someone can complain about insulting, they can insult. I would just like to encourage everyone to treat each other how they would like to be treated. Basically, "love your neighbor as yourself". I would never advocate a law against speach. Laws don't change people's hearts. As for telling someone to try to be nicer somehow infringing on their rights, I'm not sure how that applies. I could tell people to eat less meat, but that won't take away their right to eat it. Maybe you can explain? I know, it probably just sounds like I'm trying to drag out the conversation just to get more insight. XD

Well your right I have been a bit unclear first of the ant is a person with a differant belief and the "boot" of tyranny is what is holding him down even though he is unharmful. Second the whole point out wrongs from each side is a suggestion to make you not sound so "bias", to be fair and equel not taking to one side and pointing out wrongs of the other. I think to succeed at what your doing you need to be in the middle but not the wall that separates the sides but the glue that brings the togather through compromise. As far as colors goes, you are the only one who can do that.

Don't think to hard on the ant and boot thing it really doesn't matter that much.

Well, I agree that the ant's harmless beliefs shouldn't be tra.mpled by tyrany. Who's tram.pling them, though, I'm unclear on. But, yeah, I'll move on. :3

I'm the only one capable of uniting Colors? Well there's an ego stroke! XD I'm just kidding. But, seriously, I understand where you're coming from, but wouldn't a compramise between being nice and being rude just be a bland neutrality? How can I balance helping with hurting without them canceling each other out? Keep in mind that I don't have a frame of reference to work with here. To me, if people aren't nice or mean, they've got no personality. Even sarcasm is a blend of nice and mean. Who wants to fill the world with people who just state facts without emotion or passion? So, my question is, what's the middle ground?

Ok solving problem by either v!olence or discussion we both know v!olence is the last resort in my opinion if someone wants to slap you, you can get over that I mean its not like it hurts but if someone punches you or something like that then you can't let him get away with that, you hit back. Not to retaliate but to humble him. Or if someone says you are a gullable son of a (you know what I mean) you could say only a fool refuses to see the truth. Defence not offence. Expierience is the best teacher, so let me try to be clear here (there's a first for everything) if someone was going to bash you by insults or v!olence then you need to show them their wrong by giving them their own medicine so they can understand what it is like to be on the wrong end of the fist or the tongue, if they could not see this by doing it then they will not learn by being told. You could say what better would we be then? Clearly you have heard people say things like "I fight for my family" or "I fight for my country" honorable men say things like that, the ones that need teaching would say "I fight cause it gives me pleasure" So to your question the middle is that, not fighting by choice but fighting when you don't have a choice. A prooving insult, not an indignant one. Having your first resort peace and and your last v!olence and all resorts in between being peace. Being quick to forgive and slow to hate, as best we can atleast.

I've thought about this for a while and I can see how using vi.olence for defence may be more effective, but I've realized that I can't do that. Something inside me won't let me even seriously consider fighting back. It would go against the belief to love and forgive everyone, to always turn the other cheek and treat others how I'd want to be treated. The most I could do is try to reason with someone. I'm sure I'm every evil dictator's dream citizen: for peace but a pascifist to the point that I'd let myself be ki.lled rather than fight back. I'd be little more than a human shield in protecting my family, which isn't enough, but I can't find any hate to draw on to fight with. *sigh*

You say what I just said in a way that you do not agree, just because I came out and said it so soon doesn't mean that when it comes to action anyone should be that quick, you agree with me reasoning is the first choice but sometimes people can not be reasoned with are forced to be humbled. I would not fight bu choice but you must tell me this would you fight back or let yourself become an example of the very evil you seek to destroy?

That's what I'm saying. I agree with you that vio.lence should be the last resort and that sometimes someone needs to fight against evil in ways that defies moral absolutes, but that someone probably wouldn't be me. I don't know how to fight back. Let me tell you a story...

There once was a man who was captured simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. They tor.tured* him for information that he didn't have, but he never broke. When a vio.lent rebellion took place, he was able to escape with other captives. Many of them took revenge on their former captors, but he didn't. He even told others not to, claiming that it would be stooping to their level. The former captives explained that they needed to be taught a lesson or this would happen again to other people. But he claimed that mercy and forgiveness was a lesson. Were they both right?

Wow, this is getting too philosophical. Feel free to ground this conversation if you can.

I guess another way to put it is, Did Martin Luther King Jr need Malcolm X? Can change come through peace alone, even at the cost of making martyrs?

Yes it could, but not often. But the story about *******, the mans choice not to go for revenge was justified by the fact that those men would end up dead anyway.

Look we have strayed from trying to find equal footing to discussing everything we disagree on. You know what I want from you, let me ask, what would you have me do?

Wait...what are we disagreeing on? Maybe you can tell me if my recent art has been going in the right direction message wise?

Good, but is charity money really going to the right cause, or is it intercepted?

That's why I put donate clothes and volunteer. It's probably best to donate directly, but just because some people may misuse the money doesn't undermine all of giving. I just wish those description fields were longer. There are a lot of community groups who get together to help people, like what our church does with serving food to homeless people.

Can you make some suggestions for future art that will further the goals you put forth?

Well i'm glad you agree with me but what I meant was not them misusing it but the "ones" who ship it, or lack their of doing. To your other request I would say maybe something to do with race, now most people do not like it or even accept it, but the truth is there is no right side both blacks and whites get judged by the other so neither are to blame... both are to blame. Maybe you could say something like "respect the other race like they are your own" but please just make it even if you do post something like that, that is the main deal for me.

"Respect the other race like they are your own" fits into treating everyone fairly, so I'm sure I can do it without it being controversial.

I find it strange that people still mistrust other races. It's one thing to simply feel more comfortable with someone who has a similar upbringing and understands your worldview better, but everyone's different. Many times two people of different races have more in common than two people of the same race. For example, my best friend and I have far more in common than anyone else I know, including those related directly to me by blood, but we're of different races.

Yet I still find that there's never a time when all my friends would be hanging out together and it's not just their different personalities, but also the style of clothes, who their other friends are, if their popular, and race too. In fact, I sometimes feel a pang of jealousy when two people who are total strangers act like friends when they see each other. As it turns out, they do this because they happen to be the same race. I act like everyone's friend because that's how I'd like to be treated, but I notice how my friends who are hispanic hang around other hispanics, aisian around asian, black around black, white around white, indian around indian, philipino around philipino, etc. And then they make jokes demeaning their own races that are not funny, but more used for bonding.

I wish people could see that what people look like isn't who they are.

Did you know that there is a law against being racist? its called a hate crime, and it is highly abused because now (true story) A black guy kicked a white guys dog, the white guy chased him and hit the the black guy, (it is uncertain what the black guy was charged with) the white guy was charged with assult... and a hate crime. Why I have no idea but its getting out of control.

Hate is an emotion, in other words, it'd be a thought crime. While I understand taking motive into account on crimes, I'm pretty sure a whole lot of them revolve around hate. I'm not familiar with the details of what you brought up specifically though.

I was thinking that, if everyone loved each other, they'd never hurt each other, but that's not true. Sometimes we hurt those we love. Still, we should strive to be filled with love.

Thats I an ideal you know can't happen.

Well, striving is the best we can do for now, but I feel like someday I'll see a world without hate, without pain, and without death. In the mean time, I'm just trying to be an optimist in the face of harsh realities.

Thats not this world, but the one after.

Alas, that's probably true. Happy New Year, btw! Have any resolutions? I'd like to get caught up on my long list of art I planned but never got around to. :P Saadly, collabing is too fun. XD

Happy new year and no I think if you want to change your life you should do it the moment you realize it not like "ok january first" you know what I mean?

Yes, you're right. Besides, people don't tend to keep those January resolutions to February anyway. :P Regardless, I sense that a lot of interesting things are ahead this year.

I have to agree, 2014 will be a good one maybe even for colors to. Like you I have a lot of things I would like to say, as you do, but the last thing colors needs is another "preacher" that is why I am discussing this with you. I think that people on colors have an intent when they say things that is neither right or wrong, let me give you a scenario and how I think people should react in it. You draw a painting that well... isnt good someone comments saying "its not good" I would think that that person is just expressing his personal opinion and useing his first ammendment right (if he/she is American) and you would react calmly like whatever, thats your opinion you can have it but I don't care. See my thoughts are in a world where people live and die all the same its natural for one to want to be great or be the best at something, but to reach such heights he would have to recognize his friends and supporters from his enemies and "nay-sayers". Man has a disire to proove people wrong he must do that not by stoping... but overcoming, the infallable nature of his antagonists.

"...by overcoming the infalible nature of his antagonists." I'm sorry, but tht part confused me. :3 As for the rest, it's much more productive to explain what's wrong than a vague "this is bad" or people can't improve and better themselves. What my friend @super*star puts in her gallery description is not just a desire for feedback, but saying, "rather than saying 'this sucks', say 'try drawing the legs longer'." We can't improve on praise alone, but neither can we improve if we're told something is bad without explanation and we give up after trying but failing to reach this vague "good" that was never explained. I'm pretty sure we're both in agreement over this. The part I think we disagree on is "preaching". I really like hearing other people's opinions, beliefs and different ways of seeing things. In fact, I'm often tempted to insight a person just to make them express them. I know this is an art site, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes reading those rants people make. They're not for everyone, but they do have an audience. It's like political comedy. It's not everyone's cup of tea. From what I can tell, not only do I know you'd come up with some interesting message ideas, but I think you're actually tempted to do so but hold yourself back. I could be wrong, but it is in human nature to need to express oneself and just talking to me I'm sure is pretty limiting, especially since I often get caught up in "real life" and don't reply promptly. I do appologize for that. Life, you know? :D

Me? preach? Maybe I want to on the inside but I don't care to think about it, because I know what would happen if I do *zero comments* You on the other hand are expected to do that, you are expected to preach I am not therefore I can not I am not popular enough. Sure I can deal with any kind of cyberbully there is, but that doesn't mean I can help others do the same. You are like the second "main guy" in colors (next to techno-bits) so you are popular, you are clear in what you say, you practice what you preach I'm a walking contradiction you can bearly understand haha.

I'm trying to get you to post something I can agree with. Before this conversation I thought we were completly differant but you have shown me that were are a lot alike, we agree on a lot of things. I hope you can see what I have been trying to tell you this whole time, cause trust me, if I could sum it all up, I would.

You're selling yourself too short. Someone doesn't become popular and then spread a message. Well, okay, some do, but my point is that you can gain popularity THROUGH the message. People love comments, especially well thought through ones like you're capible of making. Believe me, many people struggle with what to write. That's why people will get likes sometimes but no comments. And I caught that slight against your ability to be understood, but I think it just relates to you knowing words and phrases that are unfamiliar to me or you referring to a point I may have forgotten, so all you need to do is simplify your points. I'm not saying that people are too dumb to understand, just that there are many factors, from how much someone reads recreationally to how distracted they are (this is a handheld after all and I know I've been distracted plenty of times while reading something and completely missed the point). If you were to look back at some of the ideas I tried to out across in my early art, you'll see that I had tp keep explaining what my point really was. That tought me to simplify and avoid overly complex concepts (hence you ending up with respect everyone equally, which is simpler than I would have liked, but got its point across). Obviously I still have a ways to go if you THOUGHT we disagreed more than we actually do, but I'm learning.

As for getting your messages known, that goes back to your ability to comment. MANY artists get little to no feedback on their art. This makes them extremely greatful for the few comments they do get. You may develop a dialog back and forth and even make friends. And, in the process, your art is noticed. My tutorial on how to get likes is basically what I did to become noticed. It involved a lot of interaction with artists without many likes or comments (this was before followers). I would constantly be commenting on art that I felt was similar to mine in some way in new paintings. I still have the same friends that I made back then. They liked my art so much that they spread the word to their friends and so on. If you have something unique or interesting that people won't find many other places, those you talk to will tell others. This comes down to presentation. The message is one thing, but writing it isn't good enough. You need neatness (I use lines and write between them), eye-catching imagery, and most importantly: time. That is something I really learned, that the more time you put into something, the better it turns out. Puting that 3 hour challenge for anything I upload on myself was a huge help to me. I was basically forced to keep at it even if I THOUGHT it was done. And low and behold, it wasn't done because it got better. Now, I'm not trying to push you to do anything you don't want to do. I'm just saying there's not much point in quitting before you start because the game's rigged. I don't have infinite time and I have hundreds of ideas I'm backed up on, so I for one would welcome some help. Again, it's just something to think about.

Ah you are trying to help me, I thank you for it but this was not what I meant. Now some people say I am good but well... even if I am knowing a weakness if an invatation to "always improove" and even if I could not find a way to become better, if anything I know this. Depression is a weakness I will not bend to, greed is an excuse I will not resort to. That is my motto.

The reason I say I can not get to the level you are is because you came in with all the skill and talent and people ready to strive to the ideal of the Rogue Ranger. I came in just some dude who drew a few paintings, uploaded the best ones first and called himself an artist. I gained a few friends to modivate me to where I am now but make no mistake about it I am probably one of the most impatiate people you'll ever know (or not know really) I see now that drawing is helping but I have a long ways to go. You have patience with people, that makes you colors most dangerous artist like it or not.

Patience with people makes me "Colors most dangerous artist"? I'm not sure how that works, but okay. :3 You don't come across as impatient though. After all, I don't hear, "Hey, when's your next upload?! And when will you reply?!" XP Patience with art I think is learned, but patience with people comes from empathy. If you can see where people are coming from (or at least come close to it), then it's easy to be patient with them. Then again, I've never been impatient, so part is genetics and adrenaline levels. I've noticed people who have stronger adrenal gla.nds are less patient, though they also have fewer allergies. I would never be able to play games where you're constantly fighting off enemies or startled and/or hyped up, whereas I know many people would find games that I play too slow and boring. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I think patience levels are pretty well set. After all, my dad constantly talks about wanting to learn patience, but my mom never has to try and is always patient (unless she's really tired, which happens to us all).

I would have liked the idea of you putting across message art, but it's alright. I just have quite a long list of art I'm behind on. I'll try to enlist some help with the ideas though. That doesn't mean I don't want to continue to hear any ideas and/or suggestions you have, because I do. :D

Patiance is dangerous because with enough of it people will do what you say as long as you tell it to them the right way. I am glad you are not just side-stepping my ideas and I am also glad you are open to others opinions, now some of the things you said were your opinion and those who spread there opinions everywhere usually want to rid the world of those who do not share their opinions i'm glad your not one of them. You understand niw what I want so my work is done. If you want to know more of my opinions fill free to ask, in this painting of course, I don't want outside interuptions.

Well, not to get too philosophical, but isn't everything to a degree an opinion? After all, unless someone knows everything, there's always room for doubt. I like how you called tem "moral suggestions" and I'm not going to try to force people to think any way. People need to want to be nice or to feel better about themselves, but I suppose with enough encouragement that direction, it might become "popular" to be nice. I see what you mean now, that I'd have the patience necessary to keep at it until things change. On Colors, I don't think it's that dangerous, but outside it could be. I can see around me just how much people do because they're "going with the flow" rather than thinking for themselves. Hmmm...do you have any ideas about how to make a point to question things that would put across the idea of being open minded without it becoming "everyone's opinion is just as right"?

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted" thats a quote but i'm sure you can figure a way to hide it but maybe you can use that as a backbone. Something is true once you make it true, if you believe whatever you here "louder" then your the first to be minipulated.

Now I don't like useing a quote thats not mine but well when its the first thing that comes to mind you kinda have to, you know. I said hide the quote just use it as a base because a lot of people will probably know that one.

I think that a painting on the nature of truth will be harder, so I'll add that to my list of future art. I really wanted to do the one on race for Martin Luther King Jr Day, but I'm always so behind... Life is so crazy right now.

Its fine, just make sure you direct the message to both sides.

By the way, have you ever considered that a fight is the "victim's" fault? Let me ask you this, colors everything is verbal, like when someone is insulting you, that person wants to know that their noticed they want to know that their mission to provoke you is successful. They thrive on responsive emotion which gives them the perfect envirement to push you further and further. But what if someone came to you and insulted you, and what if you just ignored him, what if you just acted as if he were never even there? He would leave knowing that he gave the best he could to wrong cause, and wasn't even noticed. I get insulted and ask myself "why? why am I not offended by anything and yet others are?" So why must we be so offended at idiots who want you to bend under it all, or misled victims looking to proove an invalid point. Now I know getting offended is a natural emotion for some, but what would you say if you were really questioned, "why am I offended?"

You make a very interesting point, especially here on Colors where no one can punch you. I mean, obviously spamming someone's art and account hacking is something more physical that needs to be reported, but the rest is words. I was actually thinking of this recently when someone made a comment to the effect "It's just an animal. Man up." and I wanted to go on some long rant about the way we view masculinity and its destructive effects and all that, but then I asked myself "Why?". I obviously felt upset that someone would use the "just an animal" line as well as the frustration I felt over the way males are taught to be emotionless, but do I really expect to "educate" the commentor or just make myself feel better? As I always tell people when they appologize for ranting, it's therapeutic to let things out. But there's a time and place. I can see how an emotionally motivated response can easily lead to an argument. Many people hate being wrong, others feel they must defend their honor or beliefs, and some just love arguing. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is nothing.

Of course, that being said, a discussion or even debate is different. I find it interesting to find out why people believe certain things and to try to see things from other perspectives. And sometimes being forced to defend my beliefs has not reinforced them, but made me rethink them. No one knows everything, so we can all learn.

Though, in conclusion, while I really see how what you say is true and should be followed, I know many people who internalize things very easily. I read all the time about people who don't even need someone else to insult them because they insult themselves. While I myself may not be prone to depression, I know many people, one a parent, who suffer from this and just how serious it is. They may have made great progress, but then someone comes along and insults them in a way that reinforces their previous belief and that progress is broken. After all, sticks and stones can break your bones but words can break your spirit. Again, these aren't the people who will start some argument to defend themselves, so it doesn't exactly fit your point of avoiding conflict, but it ties in with why I believe people should be more thoughtful with what they say. I'm not dismissing the seriousness of someone making themselves a "victim" and starting an argument. I'm just adding the seriousness of someone making themselves a "victim" for their own self deprivation. Do have any thoughts on how to help those people in particular? I don't know if you have ever suffered personally from depression, but for me it's only been those brief times after I've lost loved ones.

Loosing someone you love is like loosing a part of yourself. Depression is a weakness, but I view weaknesses differently, I see them as a highlighted way to become stronger. But no, I have not had a problem with depression, I become confused and look to find an awnser, spending hours at night digging deeper and deeper into my thoughts. Most conclutions come from comparing what I think is just to the question at hand. People can say what they think is right but the truth is "If your not willing to fight for what you believe in, then you might as well be faithless" (another quote I made up) That area is where you personally are respected most. To your other question, people feeling depressed, more often then not are because they always have someone putting them down, telling them that they'll never be good enough to accomplish anything, these thoughts get in their heads until they want nothing more then to die. I would say this "Your friends and family tell you your great all the time but you don't care, you don't lission but that doesn't make it any less true but you will take ONE, one opinion from ONE person, if you let insults chain you down.... then live to break the chains"

Ooh, chains is a great visual image and I can see how that can be used in painting format. One tricky thing about message art is too much message with too little art. That's not to say quotes aren't great and I do really appreciate yours, just also finding imagery is very important too. I definitely think depression is something that needs to be addressed, especially with the very real problem of sui.cide.

Yeah thats something you need to be very carefull with, just know that. Its a situation not to be taken lightly.

Do you pay attention to politics?

I somewhat pay attention to politics. It can be interesting, but it can also be frustrating. What aspect of politics were you thinking of? That way I'll know if that's an area I follow.

Just wondering if you would see any sort of right and wrong in that. Because I know that most kids and teenagers do not pay attention to politics but their are some adults on here and with everything wrong with the world today the adults arent entirly innocent, specificly parents. All the bad teenagers in the world were raised by their parents, now maybe the parents divorced but in my opinion they should stay togather for the sake of their kid so either way its their parents fault. Now if you did try to send a message to parents I know they would not listen to you, that is why I brought up politics, hoping that maybe you can give them an understanding of politics or misunderstanding for that matter. Show them to just worry about they life they brought upon themselves. Winning their respect in politics so that maybe they will listen to you when you get to the topic at hand. Now i'm very unsure about this, if it will work or not, but with all the bad people in the world today you can not argue them entirly innocent.

Unfortunately politics, like religion, is something Colors specifically states not to post art about. Basically, they don't want to have some big argument break out I suppose. Though, while some polititions are probably descent people who believe in what they stand for, I've found that many of them are just after the power and have no real convictions. It's why you end up with two political parties disagreeing in public but then agreeing behind closed doors, often right after lobyists pay them a visit. Personally, I'm not fond of our political setup, but specifically how it has become. The system of checks and balances seems well thought out, but money and ideology has corrupted it. Pay congress minimum wage and fobid the acceptance of any other income or even being taken out to dinner as bribery and have them immediately fired. Conduct polls in their district to see if they are meeting the needs of the people they represent. We're supposed to have representative government, but they tend to represent large corperations that make money by firing American workers. "Of the people, by the people, and for the people," right?

So, do you think parents would listen apart from politics? My own parents met as children, started dating as teenagers and have been together ever since, but I understand that is rare. And, yes, we all need good influences in our lives, but this world has become more...uh...challenging.

Perhaps you are right politics would not be a good use of your time, I will say though that if people listen to what colors said you should and shouldnt do then you probably wouldnt be here. The group you focus on is very adaptable to change unlike adults who are stubborn, hard-headed, and otherwise ignorant. In casew of being a parent they need to be but I have noticed that they never give it up. One of my biggest annoyenses is people (formally adults) always try to teach me something but they always refuse to be told anything that I know. The truth is omnipresent, it can come from anywhere. While influences blind youth, ignorence blinds adults. Maybe you agree with me, but somewhat "knowing" you for the time I have I bet this whole escapade has brought up the old phrase "Respect your elders" I can guerentee you that know one respects anyone that doesnt respect them back. Which is also the point I made in your respect painting.

I've noticed that none of your comments have the slightest hint of hostilism, so if my comments come out as somewhat insulting then I apoligize. You have said nothing insulting therefore I will not to you. But you really don't need to hold anything back against me, I am totally good with anything you have to say.

You haven't come across as insulting that I've noticed. Though, dealing with words only, maybe I've missed the tone and you have been insulting. XP Seriously, though, I focus more on what we're saying than how it might be said. After all, I know we have lives and can come here with any type of outside thoughts on our minds. For example, I've been worried about the cats and possums, since one possum is injured and the cats can get into trouble. I always thought Baby was street-wise, but we know what happened there. And then I read about the ki.lling of all those dolphins in Japan and it's very upsetting. Still, I have no reason to hold things back with you. Obviously I don't write everything I ever think just because of the time it takes to type, but if you feel I didn't get to something, mention it and I'll go further. My friends at school seriously think that I can just never be angry, but I can be. It just doesn't last for long because I'm by nature very mellow. I also tend to try to understand people. But, if you were to say you tor.ture animals for fun, I may come across as insulting. Otherwise, honestly most of the time we seem to agree.

Ironically, I was just talking to an adult about respect. :3 No one knows everything and everyone's an individual, so therefore we all know different things, have different lives and perspectives. Some people can learn a lot from observation. Others can experience a lifetime but miss the entire point. Someone is always older or younger, but that's just a number difference. We can all learn from each other and we'll still only learn a tiny fraction of what there is to learn. That's why that respect painting had a teacher, police and then young girl, because who thinks they deserve respect at the expense of others? And who is made to feel they don't deserve respect? Ageism is like racism. Many times we don't even know we do it. In my ideal fantasy world, everyone would respect each other. Like you said, if you can't respect if you're not given it. And, yes, like you, I've been as.sumed naive without the person even listening to me. One time, had a girl not been there who knew what to do, a small boy would have choked to death because the "superior" adult wouldn't believe "an imaginative child". Sometimes disrespect can be fatal.

I should be clear that not all adults are completely stuck in their ways. They can learn and change, though often it involves something drastic, like my dad having a heart attack or my mom her gull bladder removed or the death of Baby. It's just easier to get stuck thinking one thing. Adults have lower hormone levels, so they have less energy and get worn out easier. It also means it's harder for them to change, because change takes effort. Still, it would be just as ageist of us to say all adults are the same. :P

Btw, I've been thinking of doing something on how to deal with negative comments. It would start out with someone getting a bunch of positive comments, then one negative one and going crazy over that one, leaving negative comments back and starting this neverending cycle over one comment. Ten I'd present alternatives and encourage them to focus on the positive. I know, I say this but haven't finished all the other things I started. XP

Oh, and just because I can't upload a painting about religion or politics, that doesn't mean we can't discuss it here. Like you said, I shouldn't feel like I need to hold back and neither should you. :) For example, do YOU follow politics? :3

Discussing something that will not lead to an upload is not of my concern, I appreciate your kindness but don't forget why we're doing this in the first place. From what I can tell most people's anger and frustrations can all be summed up into one word, yours seams to be, pain, you can not stand any kind of pain, not for yourself but for others. You seek to rid the world of pain. Mine is the word, average. People always want to be like others they want to have the average style which then leads to the average additude, the average personality. People can not accept to be anything else other than average. That is where I get my nickname because i'm not afraid to go my own way, i'm not afraid to do what I want, i'm an alfa-male and a leader and at times I dont care if anyone follows me where ever I go in life. I find myself being differant anyway I can because i'm not myself, if I am not my own person then I might as well be no one at all. I always wonder why people are to afraid to go a differant way, a question that has an anwser I don't need to know. Maybe you can come to use in that subject, if you agree that is.

Actually, the "Rogue" in my username represents something similar, though just being an outsider who has never wanted to "fit in", but I didn't really seek the role I ended up in on Colors. It seems to me that you would have fit that role better, as you describe yourself as "an alpha male". But, I suppose we aren't given what we ask for, but do the best with what we have. Someone with more free time would have been better able to put across my messages though. :P And, yes, I appreciate that you want to stay on target. Though I feel like you know more about me than I know about you. That's an observation, not a complaint.

I wouldn't call out a guy as morally stable as you without doing a little reseach. (if you will) By the way words "alfa-male" their just a term, in case you did not know, they practically relate to the "leader or follower" naming. Alfa-male means you will not take orders from anyone you don't see fit. You said you did not plan for this but one thing i've noticed is that (hopefully this is not to complicated) you do not choose your role, your role chooses you. But like it or not the role that chose you, here on colors, is not one you can just walk away from. Your message, I rarely agree with, but I respect not message itself, but the fact that guts to fight for what you believe in. Everything from paintings for everyone to see, to comments towards one person, like you are doing to me, only not for the same pupose as others I presume. In our own minds we're both right, you say things like don't retaliate, love your enemies, don't hate respect all! I say things like set yourself apart, find the truth yourself, fight for what you believe, don't fear what is not strong. Mine are ugly metaphors, while yours are clear. You know how to say things in ways all can understand so don't say I would be better at your role. My mission in all this is for you to understand those ugly metaphors and then them but not my way but the way of our equal footing.

(I meant "say" them by the way)

I don't know if I'd call them "ugly metaphores", but I see your point about how things are said. For example, someone could misinterpret the alpha-male part about not taking orders from those you don't see fit as you feeling superior to others and looking down on them. Obviously, you wouldn't want to be misinterpreted in that way (or other ways). Just so you know, though, it's not like I can always get my message across the way I want to. I don't have some magical gift with messages. I remember back when I made a painting about how insecurities are the same whether you're straight or gay and some people thought I was demeaning straight people. At least now I think more people understand even if they may not all agree. So, don't just dismiss that you may be able to get your point across to people in a way that you will feel better about.

I was thinking that, someone could call a rugged warrior covered in dirt and scars ugly, but they could also call it heroic. You don't have to be all sunshine and rainbows to put your point across. :3

Rainbows and sunshine are symbols of happyness I have never had the luxury of. I am a lot like that in many ways, I prefer cold, dark, and rainy days over warm and bright days. To your point you could misinterpret me for being depressed or gothic but its simply just my opinion. Comparing my ideals to your action we both have difderant approaches, I have been thinking about this for a while. Compare the world as we see it, to war. You, me, and the victims we disscuss are all on one side. Our army is weak, scared, and confused. The other side is the people who antagonize, the people who intimidate, the ones who simply want you put down. Their cause is lost but they are still strong. Your approach would be to destroy their artillery, in other words their cause. My ideals would be to strengthen our army to throw down their weapons and walk away... In this metaphore the other army wants nothing but a war, one thats pointless to fight, in a sense that we don't give them what they want. I say let them say what they want, it will be for nothing if know how to defend against it. So let silence be the war that fights for peace. The right thing to do is often the hardest, and like you said before "The hardest thing to do is nothing at all"

Looking back on some things, you talk as though you want me to make my point myself, its not a matter of feeling sorry for myself, its not a matter of cutting myself short, its the fact that I simply just can't. Yes I know and will say I can probably get my point across but, as you said before, there has to be art to go with it. Please rogue if I can handle this truth then you should be able to accept it, to accept the fact that messages need art talent I simply do not have. Besides our messages, deep down they are similar but does anyone really look that deep? No. My message would just supply another voice in their heads. Two people doing that kind of thing will only serve as fuel to fire. Come on, you must realize this. So is two messages sounding completely differant what you really want? or are you tired of this, are you tired if all the messages and preaching, and are you tired of colors? Deep down I think you are, but I know you won't abandon colors, you'll want a replacement... is that what your looking for?

I admit that it can be a burden sometimes to have this long list of things I *should* paint vs the things I want to paint. For example, I have started so many animated messages that I don't finish because, honestly, I don't really seem to care for animating anymore. I know, people have said how good I am at using the playback feature for what it wasn't designed for and I *do* really want to help people, but many times I just feel uninspired or too tired to work on what must be hundreds of ideas I have pilled up by now. Instead, I find myself drawing a shirtless guy on the beach. I doubt that's something I can use to help my followers. XP

That being said, I have no intention of leaving or even giving the work all to one other person, but it was a nice thought (brief as it may have been) to think that I would have more help. I guess that probably sounds selfish, but I never wanted you to say my words in my way, but yours in your own. I see your point about a unified message, but couldn't that also be seen as other ways of seeing things not having a say?

You come up with some really great imagery, like with the battle. I was just trying to encourage you because I also sometimes feel like it's a monumental task to get started and then see a painting through to the end, so even I need encouragement sometimes. Don't worry, I'll get back to message art soon. Well, soonish. Thank you for being so patient with me. I must drive you crazy sometimes. XD

I'd like to also let you know that there have been many things in my personal life recently that have negatively impacted my inspiration and normal positive nature, so that's a factor too. Things will get better though.

I know what you mean there. Life hard sometimes, for everyone some more than others of course. You can always tell how harsh ones life is by how he acts, although most people just love for people to sorry for them. That seams to be the new thing to do in the world, come up with some sob-story to get everyone to feel sorry for you then you get what you want or others lose what they've earned in most cases. This is the main reason that the "survival" instict in everyone should work. You said I have been doing good with imagry so lets see if I keep it rolling. You are a survivor, lost in the forest, like in real life there are so many directions to go and you don't have the first guess where. Wolves, compared to liars, to the untrained eye a wolf could be confused for a dog, a poor dog lost in the forest... much like you... you come to understand what the dog feels like. For only a second of trust it. Like a poor soul becomes a liar, the dog becomes a wolf and they you victimized. As this metaphore compares to colors let me put it in a phrase "Like all, respect some, trust none" meaning even if you don't like someone stay out of ther way and if they cross yours act nice for it is only temparary. Respect those that you, and you only, choose to. Trust none because you know nothing of them. And you know what they say about survival "Don't trust anyone!"

I'm sorry for not being on much. Real life tends to take priority. I mean, I'm not saying you're not real! I just mean that I have set my family and school as higher priorities. I'm not saying you're not important. I hope you know that I do value our discussions. :)

While I think it's true that many people can start out wanting attention through sympathy, I know from experience how empty it can feel. I made an animated tribute to my cat who passed on to express his life from my perspective, even the parts I regretted. I also wanted to explain why I had been gone and I knew "my cat died" would result in "is that all?" without something more. I still want people to see that animals matter. If humans have souls, so do they. If animals don't have souls, than humans don't. The responses I got were mixed. The ones that were just sympathy or "I'm sorry", even though they were probably sincere, I didn't read more than once. It was the ones were the people talked about their pets and about their experiences that really caught my interest and moved me. Sympathy can only go so far. If people seek just that, they're missing out on the big picture. Everyone has a "sob story" to share and I personally believe we should share them. We should share them not for comfort but for release. When you hold onto pain, it can eat away at you and make you bitter and susp.icious of others, but when you let it go it's freeing. So I have nothing against sob stories or rants so long as they're sharing with an openness that comes from honesty and release and not from deceit and desire. One of the reasons people find psychiatrists helpful isn't because they say anything wise or useful, but is because they listen. And a way those drug and alcohol rehabilitation groups work on some people is that they see they're not alone in their struggle. Someone who can't relate comforting or encouraging you just isn't as impactful. We all need to know we're not alone. So, yes, some people will create sob stories just for attention, but some of those people will eventually realize that it's shallow and superficial. True, not everyone analyzes their actions, but some do and can learn and grow. It's confusing being human sometimes.

Could you please explain the part about how people "lose what they have earned"? I wasn't clear on that point.

As for the imagery, I definitely see it, though it honestly sounds a bit dark. I'm sure I'll figure out a positive spin, though I'm having trouble with the whole "trust no one" survivalist thing. I know it will sound naive, but I just could never accept the survival aspects of nature. I even still find death to feel unnatural. The idea of fighting for survival feels so wrong and artificially imposed. I know that trying to deny reality does nothing to change it, but I feel that somehow humans are the key to changing this. After all, humans are not naturally vio.lent creatures. We are fragile, with thin skin. No other hairless creature is as breakable as us. We have more erogenous zones than any species. Our skin serves the purpose of pleasure, not pain or work. Yet everything from society to genetics to diet has been set up to make us vio.lent and turn us against each other. We have no preditors, so someone or something has made us our own preditors. We have no reason to compete for resources, but we just blindly accept that this is how it is and nothing will ever change. So, sure, it's a huge risk, but we need to trust if we ever have any hope of escaping this cycle. Personally, I'd rather die trying to change things than to live comfortably in a society I know is wrong. But, that being said, I have to admit that I can be a real coward. After all, I speak out online, but how much do I do in real life? Not nearly enough. And I feel like a hypacrit sometimes for that.

Actually, it's spelled hypocrite. I thought it had looked wrong... -_-;

Look let your life come before colors its a lesson that many fail to realize. You seem to have mistaken the meaning of my last comment, you speak of real sob stories, I mean the ones that people make up just for attention, let me give you an example. "Creative-Inc" an artist I am not a stanger to in fact he once followed me, before he quit. He started saying things like "no one likes my art" "my followers are leaving me" "I cant draw" "I have no friends" on and on and on he kept going, until he edited he description by saying "I have a terrible life, i've been abused, abandon, and rap- ped but still trying to smile through the pain" I looked at his latest painting a found out that not a single person made a commented on that matter, but I knew I had cracked his code when... he quit. I knew that he knew he could not get any more attention through sob-stories. People can't believe you the way you tell a story by comments like this. I think its better for us all to not bring the outside world in.

When the time comes where we part ways, what would you have me done? what is your purpose in replying? what to you want out of me?

^#^ Wow, I seem to misunderstand things a lot. Sorry about that. Though honestly, it never occured to me that someone would lie about being abused, ababdoned, especially ra.ped. I know people who that's happened to and it's not something they'd bring up ever. Right now, I seem to keep seeing people upset and quitting Colors because the number of likes they get is far lower than the number of followers they have. I might need to address this in an animation. But it goes to show how different people react differently to the same situations. It's not the event, but the person's response to it.

I like reading your ideas and they get me thinking, even if my thoughts may drift off target. I also like bouncing ideas at you. Does there have to be some big master plan? Can't we just be friends? Or is it all business? After all, with how slow I am at implimenting any of your ideas, why do you still talk to me? Isn't it because it's more than just that one purpose?

I guess another way to put it is that you see things differently than I do and that opens my mind to things I hadn't thought of as well as makes me examine my way of seeing things.

Yes, it is all buisness. Could we be friends? No, probably not. You talk about me having patience with you and all the misunderstanding you have been doing, but theres something you need to know. This whole conversation is because I was tired of people acting like you were just an item that is "programed" to speak of moral truth instead of a man speaking his mind and creating caos doing it. Everyone thought you were a role model and those who didnt were people doing the exact thing you were, speaking their minds. I saw all of this and realized that I had had enough. You misunderstood some things yes, but even if I had lost all patience, what was I suppose to do? Nothing, I can do nothing until this is resolved. Someone said to you "Stop shoving your opinions down peoples throats!" I simply ask make a painting thats fair. Something like "Straights can't make gays become straight, and gays can't make straights respect them" You focus on one side, ask you preach to both.

You always give me so much to think about. In fact, I really spent a lot of time thinking about this last thing you said.

I know that it's sometimes hard to tell tone in words alone, so I may be wrong, but I sensed a lot of frustration in your words. I really had no idea that people thought I was "programed". I guess I don't really know what people say about me unless they leave it in the comments. To me, it seems obvious that no one knows everything, therefore no one can always be right, but maybe that's not obvious to everyone. I guess I'll have to consider drawing something that says just that about myself. Like a confession. :P

The line about me creating chaos by speaking my mind concerns me. What chaos have I created? Knowing specifics will help. Chaos was definitely not my intention, so I'll do what I can to address it and the more I know the better I can do that.

The gay pictures some people disagreed and that ticked some of your supporters off then a fight broke out.

Ah, yes, well that's why I stopped uploading art centered around a gay theme about a year ago and have focused on other topics. Obviously it's still on my mind, but I know that people feel very strongly on the issue. Some people are angry because they see growing acceptance of what they believe is wrong and other people are angry because they've spent a lifetime being tormented for being who they are. And I understand about the two sides you bring up. After all, it's true that you can't force anyone to do anything, especially not deep emotional things like change their attractions or respect someone you just don't. Obviously, talking with each other can lead to understanding the other's perspective better, but some people are prone to arguing because they feel defensive. I think that if I do decide to deal with the topic of being gay directly again, I may upload it as Mature. It would get less views, but might get people less prone to fight. I mean, no matter how fair I try to be, someone will go off on a rant about how only one side is right. So, what are your thoughts on using the mature option? Honestly, I had just been trying to avoid that because I just showed two guys being close, not even kissing, and some people were offended. They could have been best friends. There was literally nothing to be offended by in the painting, so they came there with a chip on their shoulders and an idea already in their minds that affection and love is wrong. So, you see why I feel tackling something gay may be a little risky? I'm not saying I won't do it, just that I'll have to be very careful.

I have to admit that I'm disappointed that we can't be friends, that it has to be all business. I mean, we're human beings, not robots. We have feelings. But, yeah, I'll respect your limits.

I was re-reading the comment you referenced about me shoving my beliefs down people's throats and my first reply on that painting sounded a bit arrogant. I guess I was offended that someone ignored the whole picture to focus on something else. That goes back to us having feelings, but I've learned a lot since then and I've changed my views on many things. I've accepted that there are some people who are negatively polarized and, as much as I'd like to, I can't change their polarity. They will forever flinch when hugged and fear everything around them, lashing out at shaddows. This may be spiritual, experience or just their biology (adrenal function). But I do feel that, at the end of my exchange with that user back then, we had agreed to disagree.

People who lash out like that have never truly felt happyness they have never felt love, all they know is pain and anger they were raised with it therefore hardend by it to the point of no emotion in some cases. I read somewhere that to be friend with someone you have to share the same views and goals in life. Our view are too differant the only thing we have in common is one thing (and one thing is not enough for "opposites attract") we both seek to make colors a better place but my idea of it is OUR idea of it. See I don't want you running rough shot over colors with your opinions but what differance would it make if you did it with mine? I feel that a compromise between our ideals and opinions would prove very effective. I figured we have spent this whole time searching for that equal footing.

Well, if our views are completely different, then that works out perfectly for the goal of finding balance! :D See, if we can find the elements on a topic between the two of us that we agree on, there's the exact point at which we need to draw the ideas from, where the two sides meet, with us being the two sides. After all, if we can find common ground and learn to live with our differing perspectives, then surely some others could do the same. It's like the expression about "my opinion is here and yours is there, but the truth is somewhere in between."

I know this will sound silly, but I had this idea in my mind of a painting where people comment with questions and you and I give answers that are completely different and ask the questioner to find the balance between. But, while it would be an interesting exercise for people's minds, it would probably feel like school, not an art app. :P

Most likely, were better off finding it ourselves. We need a topic, you tell me your views on it and I tell you mine, then we find a way to compromise with them in a way that you and I agree, and maybe others will too.

Sounds good!

The painting I'm working on now is about labels, that they don't define people, specifically about how we're labeled by others or by society with set expectations (even "boy" comes with expectations, like being less sensitive and into sports) and, since those don't fit us, we add other labels. I'm certainly guilty of this, but then I realized that all these labels don't define me because labels aren't unique and people are.

On the topic of bullying, I believe that people should never "bully back", which I see a lot. "He was mean to me. Let's all be mean back and see how he likes it." Basically, becoming a bully won't stop bullying. In fact, I've found people claiming to be against bullying can be some pretty bad bullies themselves. It goes to my core belief that everyone should be treated how you'd like to be treated.

I have more, but I'll be back later. :)

I would say to defend yourself but not anymore than you need to, in other words defense not offense. Now what is the balence between theses things?

Hmmmm.... We have offense, which neither of us support, then we have defense on your side and be nice even if you're being bullied on my side. Haha, my side sounds like the wimpy side. XP So, defend yourself nicely? No hitting back or verbal attacks even to defend yourself, but don't run away, stand your ground? I'm trying to think of this for physical and verbal attacks as well as for online communications, but are the rules the same in both cases? I'd try to apply them to both, but you?

Like someone could insult you and you could say stuff like "that all you got?", "oh yeah thats original" like showing them that your practically indistructable. Especialy on colors when your acount is like a mask to hide you emotions like anger and sadness. In other words your acount is a mask, you just need to know how to wear it. Because to me an insult only hurts because your mind makes it hurt. Once you accept that, their just words, nothing more.

This mask imagery really intrigues me and I'll have to come up with a way to use it. And I guess we should focus specifically on bullying on Colors. It'll be easier because dealing with in-person bullying is different than the cyber kind and is still a big issue here. Though those particular two quotes sound almost like challenges, like "Is that all you got?" "No, I'm no wimp. I've got more!" See, one of the reasons I'm so wary even of defense is that it can easily make the other person defensive too. I've seen this from experience. And people aren't always careful with what they say, so intent goes a long way. Maybe we should start with ways that people on Colors can make the negative comments not dominate their life so much. I wish it were as easy as just telling them that they choose how to respond to words, but some people are very sensitive. Though probably everyone has their weak spot. Even I've been pulled in before, like when someone said me being gay was an insult to my parents and showed I hated them and mocked their (heteros.exual) love for each other that made me. I felt very defensive about that because it caled into question the love I have for my family. The thing is, why did I have to explain it to a stranger? We're just usernames to each other. Though I was thinking that, if I ignore a comment, then someone else can see it and respond to it, so maybe it's best to respond, if just to prevent it from escalating. My approach has been (though not always, I'm human after all) to reply in a friendly way so that at least no one else will jump in and respond thinking they need to defend me. It seems like being nice works better than "is that all you got?" but maybe that's just my perspective. How about the art of being nice with a slight edge, like "Thank you for your comment, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Have a nice day!" XD I'm terrible at this as you can tell.

I don't have much experience at being tough or intimidating, as you probably figured out already. :P But maybe there's a way to make people see the power they have, at least on Colors where it's just words...

The phrases I gave were for cyber bullying like you would say those things to show them you don't care. Like someone calls you an S.O.B you could say "oh very original" Then they will start using more cuss words (because they think it will work) and the more they say them you act like there weak and your nit offended even if you are, but that goes back to the mask thing.

I've been thinking about this and I'm tempted to try to end the confrontation right away, maybe by deleting the comment, but you're into letting the other person continue to comment and escalating it until he just gets tired and moves on, knowing he had no impact. I think both approaches could work, but I'm also thinking about the possibility of other people becoming involved if it just keeps going on with profanity. Hmmm...

Another thing we need to think about is the feelings of the person being cyber bullied. Putting on a mask that shows no emotions doesn't actually make those emotions go away. And the longer the hurtful words go in, the more the person will feel hurt inside, even if they don't express it. Obviously not everyone's the same and some people are more sensitive than others, but it's not healthy for any of us to hide our emotions unless we have somewhere to release them. People who supress their emotions either harm others or themselves because, like hokding any other bodily function, it will come out on its own. As a metaphore, if you hold off peeing for too long, you might go in your pants. Likewise, holding emotions in too long will make them come out in uncontroled ways. So, maybe we should lean back toward being nice rather than the mask unless you have a suggestion for a safe place to release all the emotions that would be building up during the responses to the taunts and profanity?

By deal is if you got a problem go settle it somewhere else, you don't need to go to your charger, pick up a machine, turn it in, go to an app, go to the gallery, go to a pic, go to the comments and act like your proving a point. It just seams dumb to me. Besides humans can take a lot more mental punishment then they let on, some don't know it but most know it refuse to accept it, they like to cause a little trouble or start some meaningless drama. I figure if we ignore them but leave the comment than it will show them it didnt work and wasn't worth the loss of their personal dignity. Like it or not colors is a game, one not to be taken seriously, let the reality of the outside world stay out.

Okay, so then we've concluded that ignoring the comment is our compromise? It's too bad I can't just share a sketch with you, but here's a four-panel comic:

Person A (reading comments): "A negative comment. Oh well, I'll ignore it." Person B: "He's ignoring my comment! Well, I'll just find someone else." Person C: "A negative comment! I must defend myself!" Person B: "Excellent! I've started a fight!"

Do you think Person B is too much of a comic book vilain or does the basic idea sound good?

He plays the part of the villain. You know that ignoring a negative comment will only make matters worse. I say end it where it starts and don't drag it out.

Uh, don't tell me we're back to the beginning again... Well, this is an important topic to get right, so how do you recommend ending it right away?

Well give me a common example to work with?

Alright, I'll play the villain. >:)
"Your art sucks. Do everyone a favor and just quit Colors and never come back."

Do yourself favor and quit looking at it.

See, one sentence and if he comments back he's looking for trouble. Then would be the time to ignore him. Are we clear enough?

Ah, reply by telling the person off once briefly, then ignore any further comments by that user. Reply once then ignore if it continues. Right?

Exactly.

I tried portraying this in a comic strip format and failed miserably. Somehow the telling off part always felt out of character for me. So, I'm starting a Bully Free Zone. It's a shared account where people can come and state their specific bullying issue and get advice. Moderators will make paintings for specific users and their issue and, in addition to them giving advice, visitors can give advice. There will later be separate accounts, one for general advice and one for friendship/relationship issues. Hopefully having somewhere to go will organize some of the stray emotions around Colors, especially if the moderators are good at their jobs. I think you'd have a valuable perspective, so I'll let you know when I'm further along. I want everything organized and ready to prevent any confusion when it's first launched.

What do you mean moderates?

Some moderators copy people's issue to put on a painting for advice for that person's specific issue. Others use that painting to give advice. Still others can reply to their issue directly if they don't want to wait a day and all four paintings allowed per username a day have been uploaded. And of course others monitor the comments and delete anything inappropriate.

And you think that instead of causing a colors riot people with an issue are just going to go talk to this colors psychiatrist?

Oh, I'm sure at least four a day (possibly way over that) will go to each group for advice. There are a whole lot of users on Colors. Some are bound to be open to this alternative approach. I really doubt we'd need to seek people out, though the thought of seeking out those with the most vocal issues did cross my mind. We'll have our hands full, I'm sure.

Look i'm just saying that the people who are willing to talk about it, are the people least bound to cause that much trouble. Typically people with an issue start bullying to share their anger, a misplaced vent if you will.

I understand and I'm sure people won't be shy to share which user is causing problems, but together people might figure out a way to help the bully find alternative expressive forms. Or are you afraid that people will find out about someone bullying someone else on Colors and gang up against the bully? I suppose that's possible. Since the bullies themselves are unlikely to come, the group would be more focused on techniques for dealing with such people like the ones you and I discussed. I know it would be nice to do much more, but we all need to accept our limitations.

Since we first started talking, my views have changed. I now see how people being negatively polarized can of course negatively polarize others, but it can also positively polarize too, by making people feel passion against a wrong or sympathy for a victim. In the same way, me trying to positively polarize people can actually push some people more toward the negative polarization. An example of this is how fighting for civil rights can anger some people and make them even more against them than before (a "backlash" effect). But, that being said, I think it's better to polarize than to be lukewarm. That's what's happening now in our world, a coordinated attempt to pit two sides of every issue against each other and make people decide (even subconsciously) which polarity to choose.

I agree, people are being turned against each other in any, and every way, possible. Problems have existed in this world pretty much every since it started, but now it seams problems are growing and growing each day, evolveing into something much worse by the second. People like you strive to prevent this growth and begin a new one, that of kindness. You said that you have to know your limits, but how can you accept your limits knowing that what you fight against is limitless. Your fight is an up hill battle, you seek to give people strength to be kind and to do the right thing even if it means nothing at all. What you appose is born nature, acting on pure instict and emotions that require no will. I say that one who follows others should be smart enough to know who to follow, unfortunatly most cannot see this. Your plan is like to attract the followers, the next to meaningless part of the growing problem on colors. Their are specific people on colors that inspire others to take after them, insults, critisism, bullying all of that kind of stuff. The way I see it, you break their habbits, causing their "followers" to go with them. Like a chain reaction.

When faced with something vast and overwhelming, it's tempting to submit and give up. After all, what's helping a tiny handful of people while doing nothing to change the world? But I still believe it's better to at least make the effort. Even one person matters because everyone is a unique soul. And, honestly, I think time is running out. As for the last part of what you wrote, I have to admit that I was a little lost. Can you please rephrase it?

Think of it as an army, you k!ll the general the rest surrender. Simple enough?

I understand the concept of ki.lling a general and their army surrendering, but I'm unclear on how the metaphor fits into Colors. Maybe I haven't seen enough of Colors, but so far as I have seen, bullying is isolated and there is no group structure to it. I haven't come across some leader bully who influences others to become bullies. There are groups of close friends, but even they don't have a leader they follow. There are isolated people who influence others, but are you saying there are like Anti-Rogue Rangers out there? O_o

Not particularly, see now most people take whatever is spoken enough to be the truth, and you are a very popular artist, I can't say exactly where but for sure in the top three. People know you for your messages and believe them to be true and give you all the support they can. There is only a hand full of people who don't think what you say is entirely true, myself included. Thought i'm almost certain that there is no one who utterly hates you and could be considered an "Anti Rogue Ranger" To the point no one encoureges bullying, in fact all the bullys in the world wouldnt consider themselves bullys. The person I am refering to is an artist called Komodo_wolfgang. Examples of his methods include the relatable posts, we all love those right? wrong, in his words (direct quote) "Not funny, not art, why post?" other things such as birthday charts and polls he says the the same things towards. Wrather I get it or not it hurts peoples feelings, although he has a lot of followers that share in his methods, it can be said that who ever doesnt follow him hates him. I can say that neither you or hate him, but as for me, he just gets on my nerves how idiotic I personally think he is, though just cause I think doesnt mean I need to tell him that. Though in his discription he says he will delete irrelevant comments i'm sure he will make an exeption to someone of your stature.

Aw, I'm flattered you think so highly of me! :D Seriously, though, you made me currious who could be considered the most popular artists, so I took a peak in This Week's Best and Top Ranked, which I rarely do anymore. First there's of course Techno-Bits, who always monopolizes the top of Top Ranked and -Symphonic who somehow manages to have so much in This Week's Best that I literally struggled just to find a painting not by -Symphonic, and Meow-Mix, who has art in both. Those three all have nearly twice as many followers than me and much more widely seen art. Then there's the old classics like nya-nya, The Cartoon Guy, Victor S. and MO.SAID. And we're only down to those with over three thousand followers and still not approaching me. So, maybe it's not followers that counts? Well, it's definitely not a like to follower ratio, because I usually get getween four to eight percent of likes to the number of followers I have. This shows that, if I'm popular, it's certainly not because of my art. :P But I'm not here for likes or huge publicity. Sure, I'd like my messages to be heard, but it usually comes down to knowing people. So, in this case, it helps that I remember Komodo_Wolfgang from a painting he did about me being a power ranger. It's been a long time, but I'm pretty sure he'll remember me. The thing is, I'd be no more influential than if I were his friend with no followers at all. I wasn't aware of any of his negative comments, so I'll have to take a look. Thanks again for the ego stroke though! XD

Acceptance of your ability is the first key to being successful. Though I feel you should accept the skill you have, I would not give you credit for accepting reality. Given how easy it is to hide lies and be purposely humble. But I do not know you therefore I can not judge or trust you. Take my words seriously when I say to not let this "ego stroke" go to your head. As for Komodo_wolfgang, their isn't a post not concerning art thats far from his derogatory comment. He's easy to find.

The "ego stroke" comment was supposed to be a joke. :3 I know that you want to stay professional all the time, but it's harder for me to be constantly serious than I guess it is for you. But I won't press you on it, since you've made it clear this is the furthest our relationship will go.

I wasn't trying to be humble. I know I have a lot of followers and I use that when I can. I was just showing that I'm not even close to being in the top three. During the time that I went from two-thousand to two-thousand four hundred, other artists with two-thousand went up to four-thousand because they upload more and because their followers follow them for what they mostly upload. Most of my followers are from back when I used to upload animated tutorials. If I were to make more animated tutorials, I'm sure my Colors "stature" would grow again, but honestly I find them rather tedious now. That's not to say I won't get back to them, just that I'm focusing on other things.

As for Komodo_Wolfgang, I spent a while searching through relatable posts, teenager posts, and birthday charts as far back as the end of last year, but I guess all comments by him have been deleted. So, I searched online and the only result I got was from may of last year, where he said, "This isn't art." Do you think maybe he's moved on and doesn't still do this or is there a specific painting you can refer me to? I suppose I could just ask him outright if he still does it, but I don't want to open a wound he's already let heal so to speak.

Btw, do you find it better in the long term to "trust no one"? I guess you don't have to answer that. I was just currious.

Yes, even though it is much easier to trust somebody on colors, considering hiding your feelings is as easy as flick of the wrist. I can understand why some people have come to trust people on here, all you see of them is practically a username and some words, but yet that is enough for some to call them people. That is for colors that is, to further my point your comments are only digital words so it is very easy to be confused. But if it was real life you were talking about, my take on trust would be very conservative. In my mind the rules for trust are (one) anyone who says you can trust them can't be trusted (two) You can only trust those who trust you (three) Anyone who has authority over you can't be trusted (four) Trust is a luxury not an essential. Maybe you might view this differantly but we wouldn't be ourselves if we didn't contrast now would we? What troubled you that brought up that question?

I had been thinking a lot about the age old debate between being open or closed. Your thoughts on trust are a big part of that. If you trust easily, you're easily hurt, but if you're cautious, you're safe. This also ties into something else I've been wondering for a few months now. You know the saying "It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"? I really wondered if that's true. After all, "ignorance is bliss", so isn't not loving better than the pain of loss? In the same way, is it better to never trust than to trust and be betrayed. Basically, is living with an open heart instead of a closed one worth all the enevitable pain? I've been hurt in my life by things I could have prevented had I never opened myself up to them. So, I wondered how not trusting was working out for you, because honestly I'm way past caution when it comes to trusting and I know I've paid the price for that. It's just not as easy as you make it sound and I still don't know the answers.

I'm sorry, that was probably irrelevant. Though it does raise an important point that I have many questions I'm debating in my mind and have changed my thinking a lot in the past year, so I'm not always this oracle of strong opinions and supposed answers. :3 Btw, I was directed to this very interesting idea: #positiverevolution. You really should read what its creator has to say when you have time. It's very thought provoking and inspiring, at least I thought so.

It honestly seams very typical, people seam to be saying that sort of thing in differant words everywhere, saying things like help each other, stop bullying, your amazing, start a revolution! I have a talent of seeing through things and all I see is fantasy. Why would you think you can help others when you can't even handle your own insurities. You can't stop bullying because in every ones mind their doing the right thing, so why on earth would you think they would take that message directed towards them? Who's gullable enough to believe that someones "your an amazing person " message addressed to no one imparticular would actually make them feel better! You could post it over and over or scream it from the rooftops, no matter how loud a message is or how often you use it, doesn't make it true! You don't encourge others to be a role model, any one who does that is no more helpless then the ones they wish to help. Go your own way and be a role model, stop waiting for hero's, BE ONE.

Going through colors all I see is people gathering around each other and waiting for a miracle, making no effort to fix things themselves. Do not act like this is directed towards you. You practice what you preach, I may not agree with them nor admit that you beliefs make you a role model, but I have no doubt in my mind, that the fact that you stood up for what you believe in and took matters into your own hands is truely admirable. I speak nothing of your message when I say this world needs more people like you. You support the irrelevant cause colors has made, but your not bound to it like the others are.

Explain how your meant when you said your beliefs have changed in the past year

What do you feel when you see a rainbow? A colorful sunrise? What do you feel when the air is fresh with the smell of rain and leaves? This may sound irelevant, but it's not. What do you feel when you hear a song for the first time that you somehow know instantly will be one of your favorites? When you meet someone and you just know you'll be friends? How do you tell a beautiful work of art from a skilled but asthetically lacking painting in the first instant you see it? Those feelings inside you are taking the world you observe around you and working your identity into it, your very being. It's a unique part of how our minds place us in the world. Now what do you feel when someone says something positive, even if it's not directed at you? What if it's harsh words of hate? What drives you to defend a stranger? That feeling. Your mind and body respond to stimulai. It's a hug versus a hit. You have little control over that first reaction, to flinch.

It's like the moment when you realize something for the first time. Just like with the person you know you'll befriend, that first reaction is enevitable and unstopable. Only afterwards can you break it down logically and hold yourself back. Deep down, you know that even the smallest act of kindness has that power to create that feeling in that unstopable and unavoidable moment. What good does it do to make a positive statement? What can it change? Well, what good's a rainbow? It just appears as light refracts through moisture in the air. It's pointless, right? But not to someone seeing it. People who have a rough day could use a small smile, a tiny spark of beauty and hope that they never ever would have allowed themselves to feel if they could stop it, but it's unstopable. That's the real power of positivity. Just as one bad event can bring you down, even some minor "straw that broke the camel's back", one positive event can lift you up again.

It's not conscious and no matter how stubborn you are, you can't fight it because it's human nature at its core. Sure, some people are more prone to negative polarization and so they fear the light and find comfort in the dark, but even they are human. Many people have thought that humans somehow derive their morality from culture or religion, but as studies of morality amoung children the world over have shown, almost every human on earth is born with a very distinct sense of right and wrong. Sure, it's not what we might consider socially acceptable morality, but it's still almost universal, meaning that the baseline for human concepts in all of us, once we dig past the layers we've been tought, is the same. So, in case you're wondering, most bullies only need to see that they have hurt another person and they know it's wrong. That's where social upbringing comes in and tells them to not care about others, to think only of self, that concept that started the moment their parents let

them cry alone in a room all night as infants. We are born one way, but made another, so that means that the uncontrolled feeling is the same. You've hurt someone, you feel guilt. Then you justify your actions, you swap blame, you move on. But you already felt it. It was there in the first moment, before your conscious mind caught it. And, again, that's the power of positivity. People will either polarize or they will remain neutral. There's pleanty of negativity in this world. The forces trying to get people to negatively polarize (to put it in spiritual terms, to "go to hell") are very effective at their jobs. But if someone can bring you down, obviously someone can bring you back up. You're right that too many people are just drifting in between, waiting to be led one way or the other, but sometimes a spark can spread. If people can learn to let that first moment of wonder and joy bloom instead of immediately stiffling it, that will be their spark, their inspiration and call

to action. Help someone and they may feel inclined to help someone else. It's in them already, they just need that spark. Soon many people are helping others. Sure, some will give up the moment they hit resistance, but not all will, especially if others encourage them. See, it isn't about me encouraging you with my words or you encouraging me witn your words. It's about us encouraging each other. When you come up with words of encouragement, where do you draw them from? If they have any truth at all to them, then you've drawn them from a reality or a moment that you had to feel yourself to know it would be encouraging. When you help someone else, it makes them AND you feel good. Likewise, if you hurt someone, you too will feel bad. There's no "everyone thinks they're doing the right thing". No, most people know they're just muddling through life and really have no idea if they're doing it right. You said yourself how rare it is for people to actually follow through with their

convictions. Those convinced they're doing the right thing are in the minority and even they could use some healthy doubt. I'm not sure what you believe, but I believe that everyone and everything has a purpose. So, if we all inhabit this one planet, that must have a purpose. If we were meant to all be emotionally closed off, lonely beings living by ourselves, we would have been given our own planets. Instead we're here being pitted against each other with one obvious and clear way to make the world better, by coming together and helping each other. We're more con.nected that we believe. We're like a forest on the surface, separate trees, but underground, our roots intertwine. We can't survive separated. We can ONLY survive together.

In some ways, when my beliefs changed, they became closer to those I had as a small child. At three, I told my mom I chose this life before I was born. She immediately told me it doesn't work that way, that my soul was created in the womb. I was raised by conservative Christian parents and I was a Biblical literalist. I felt so certain I knew what each part of the Bible I studied meant and that really sums up the rest of my beliefs. It wasn't until Baby's death that I really seriously asked myself what happens to animals when they die. Let's be honest, the Bible doesn't treat animals well. But I knew that animals and humans both feel the entire spectrum of emotions, from jealousy and regret to love and hope. We all dream. And then there were more questions. How could the creator of all that is good and evil punish humans for being human? Instead, I saw that some people crave vio.lence, power and war. They'd be uterly miserable in what I would consider paradise. So, either they have to

change dramatically, or it just wouldn't be fair to either of us if we ended up in the same place. After all, that's what this life is all about, about polarizing one way or the other. We're given good and bad and we go one way or the other with it. I'm still trying to piece it all together, but that's the direction my beliefs have been heading recently. I've accepted that I can't save everyone, but I also know that there are some positively polarized people out there who have just been dragged down by the negativity of this world and, if we could help them, they'd overcone the darkness. Because, in the end, they really would be happier in a world of peace and that's what it comes down to for me: where people belong.

To me its not about your you belong, its how you get there. People like to think that if two people come from the same place they will be the same, but look at you and me. We were both born into christian, conservative families yet we share few things in common. Perhaps only the will to make things better, if that at all. You said you don't know what I believe so i'll tell the best I can. I believe that this world was inhabited by love and care, and has decreases ever since, to the point were we might be now. Everyone is full of ignorant greed and selfish disregard for others feelings, sanity, rights, and saftly. People feel that when someone crushes their dreams, their telling the truth, I say its the best reason to prove them wrong. People mistake alone for lonely and darkness for sadness, I see alone as peace and darkness as refuge, a break from reality if you will. Propoganda uses all these things for their misinformative values. People see it and devour it without knowing.

So in one day where the temperature is cold, the weather is rain, the light has been faded and obscured, your friends don't speak and neither do you, your bored, your left alone, lightning serves as happiness being just a flash to remind of darkness, and thunder serves as depression echoing through your mind. Making no atempt to stop it because deep down you like the way it feels, you want people to feel sorry for you when you purposely drag those emotions every where, waking them up time and time again for that purpose until you can't let it go. Perhaps the story of greed. I've felt that way before, only I knew it was all lies and didn't happen for a reason. I kept it to myself until there was nothing left to feel sorry about. So know I like the days of rain, thunder, lightning, and obscured light just as much as others love rainbows and sunshine and warmth. I see all these differances as a sign that the world is not bound to one setting, so why should we be?

One last thing. Pain is a lesson to be learned, so weather its mental, physical, or phycological, the mark of the lesson taught is strength. Meaning you need strength to overcome pain of any kind.

Sorry for the delay, but I was focused on setting up #bullyfreezone. I'm hoping that we can help lure people in who, as you put it, carry their missery around looking for pity and then break those feelings in favor of constructive and positive ones, like self empowerment, which you also mentioned. At least one person so far then went on to give advice too, so it may be a small effect, but I feel it has the potential to make Colors at least a bit more positive. Of course, I'm sure you have thoughts on this. ^_-

I have actuelly changed my mind on. Seeing as though you make paintings for anybody I think it does have potensial. But I have a condition of question, would your moderators delete ANY sort of advise?

If it's advise, they shouldn't delete it. I did try to choose my moderators well, but obviously no one's perfect. Only offensive comments should be deleted, like "You deserve to be bullied you good for nothing waste of air!" or something like that. Sometimes the truth can be a little harsh and I know I personally can spend a lot of time thinking and rethinking responses to sound uplifting while also helpful.

Obviously you brought this up because you have something specific in mind. I'm guessing maybe that might be you want to help but you're worried your advice might sound harsh? Well, one of the advantages of an open forrum like this is diverse opinions. After all, none of us knows everything and we're all wrong about something. As long as you're goal is raising the person out of self pitty and not to plunge them deeper, then it should be fine. And I think our goals are actually similar. *gasp* XP

You're right earlier too, that I use the analogy of light and dark too freely. The night has its own calm, the rain is refreshing and the thunder wonderous. In fact, many animals feel comfortable in the dark because they can hide. But, being raised Christian too, I'm sure you know where all that light and dark imagery representing good and bad come from. But it also draws on that uncontroled first reaction I mentioned last time. We initially fear the dark, but the light can be too bright. Our pupils dialate at the sight of bright colors and dark, cloudy days can not only reduce our vitamin D levels but also lead to depression. Still, rain is necessary not just for plant life. We too need a break from those bright colors. So, I tried using terms like positive or negative polarity, but there are other terms like service to others vs service to self or constructive vs destructive. Ah, this is why I feel words are so limiting sometimes... -_-

Again, I think our goals are possibly the same but we just happen to see the world differently. Neither of us are necessarily wrong, just that we're focusing on different aspects of the world. The complete picture would be knowing everything, so we're limited and we just have different areas we see.

I grow tired of words being as limiting as they are. I feel I have so much to say but not nearly enough meaningful words to say it. Probably why this discussion has taken so long. But no need for modivation, I can handle myself.

I think it was toasty who said he gets physically bullied and people said, talk to an adult, talk to a teacher, your parents, an authority. I felt that maybe he should learn some sort of martial art like tai quon do, kung fu, karate, jujitsu, or maybe just plain self defense I figured if you said that then one of the moderators would delete it. I know one of your moderators but I had a feeling you had more, I guess I was right. But what do you think of that "advise?"

Ah, so we're in the same boat as far as our feelings about words holding us back. I read constantly and try to expand my vocabulary, but it only goes so far. Telepathically communicating whole concepts would be much more effective. :3

I think learning self defence might be empowering and a way to feel physically safer. Someone just needs to know that it's to be used as a last resort and not to show off. Kind of like with the Karate Kid. I wouldn't say it's offensive advice at all. Besides, it's part of several approaches and sometimes an issue needs to be addressed from multiple angles and no two people's scenarios are identical. Just stress defense and not offense, though honestly sometimes teachers won't know the difference so I guess be ready for that.

I just think that you can't too far in life by relying on others for just about everything. Even when I was five years old I had trouble with bullies but I always handled it myself, because I knew that the only people who could help, wouldn't. I'm not saying i'm completly self-sufficient but throughout my life i've had to be that way. I guess what i'm trying to say is, maybe knowing a martial art will not only make you feel safer but also give you a sense of mental empowerment. You could stop thinking that authority is meant to protect you, but to protect those who cross you. Basically you would rely on them to do their job at all times, but you would know how to be ready when they couldn't.

It's interesting how much the differences in our lives are based on how we reacted to similar events. Many people think that circumstances in someone's life make them who they are, but two people could go through the same thing and react differently. The extremes are obviously holding feelings in vs pushing them out, but there's a wide spectrum between and beyond. One Christian can focus on judgement and another love. In our case, we were both bullied since early childhood and both of us found that no one would help and that no one would believe how bad it was until we were covered in blood and having blackouts, but we reacted to those similar circumstances very differently. You focused on having no one to help you, taking the feelings inward until you felt you can only truly depend on yourself, that anyone else will either hurt you or let you down more often than not, that trust wasn't even a necessity.

I, on the other hand, saw things more idealistically. I felt emboldened by the fact that I had no help or protection and just how wrong that was. I wanted to make sure everyone had someone to turn to. No one should be made to feel isolated and like their only choice is to rely on themselves. That kind of inward arc only hardens the heart. We need to trust each other, even if it sometimes hurts or we'll never truly love others.

But, again, we are both seeing separate parts of reality and neither of us has the whole truth.

We were both forced to rely on ourselves. You wanted to ensure that no one on your watch had to do the same, while I embraced it. You and me have practically the same origins but chose differant and oppisite paths, and I would like so much to tell you that I am right in what I say. But I know i'm not, I know in this conversation that there is neither right nor wrong. That its not a matter of facts, its a matter of perspective. For instinst, you can't find it in yourself to stop helping people, your will to support is like a machine, and I think that support is only words and help is actions. You think that support and advise can get you through anything, using kind supportive words, full of advise and sympathy. I think that sometimes the best thing to say is to simply tough up and deal with it yourself. "Catch a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime" (It goes something like that) Think about this-

-what does telling someone to tell an authority teach them in the long run? I guess all this comes from the advice i've seen on the Bully Free Zone you've created. The restrictions we talked about confine the emphasis and meaninf I want these comments to have but, look I know what you do is not an easy task, I understand the pressure of being the way you have to be, but ask yourself this. Wouldn't it be better to teach people how to handle things themselves wrather than to rely on others?

That's why I'd like you to help. You can give advice I just can't give.

I feel like we've been on this unending cycle of me wanting your help and you wanting to help but until Bully Free Zone, you've stayed on your side. That comment you left, as mild as it was, was actually a big step forward in my eyes. It took me a long time to figure out what's holding you back and then I remembered something you said only briefly early on in our talks. It was about people being punished for "hate crimes" or "hate speach" or something similar. I could be wrong, but I think you see me, or maybe you did before, as someone who wants to silence those who disagree with me. I've learned a lot since then and one thing I've discovered is how people have been silenced and punished just because their words could maybe hurt someone. The thing is, I'm against that! Sure, I put that offensive comments would be deleted, but that's just for that group and how it functions as a source of advice.

The ONLY time I even deleted a comment was four uses of the F word in a row and that's it. In fact, had it been part of a paragraph of advice, I would have kept it. I don't believe in silencing people. Yes, we disagree, but both of us know that's because of the paths we took. The world's the same one, we're just looking at it from different angles. A coin looks different from the front vs the back, but that doesn't make the one seeing it from the front wrong. Let me tell you a short story...

Years ago, I was bullied quite a lot by a boy, but I did nothing to stop him until one day. A group of kids had surrounded us as he beat me up and everyone kept telling me to hit him. Even HE told me to hit him. So I punched him in the face. No sooner had my fist struck his face and he staggered backwards in surprise than the word "sorry" came out of my mouth. As the crowd congradulated me, a girl in the crowd told me that I shouldn't have appologized though. He never bullied me again after that. Now, you probably think that this proves your point perfectly. After all, it stopped the bullying, but it didn't make me feel better. In fact, it made me feel horrible. It ate me up inside like I was some kind of unrecognizable monster. It felt like someone else must have punched him, but it was me. I've never gotten over that. In that moment, I felt like I had betrayed myself. I tried to figure out why I feel this way, using logic like, "Well, I just know he won't learn that vio.lence is

wrong now," but it's not all about logic. If I hurt someone else, it hurts me far more than anyone else can hurt me. I don't expect it to make sense to you, but there are limitations I have and I can never even defend myself again.

That's why I'd like for you to feel free to give advice. Sure, "toughen up" sounds offensive, but only in that it sounds cliche. Just explain how to toughen up, like how you suggested martial arts. Not everyone is bound by some unwritten rule to be a pacifist. Other people may or may not be able to gain some self reliance. I just can't teach them all they need to know to have that be an option. You are not "bound". Give advice freely and thoroughly. The more opinions, the better the group will work.

I've always felt that the world is not as it should be. I know that's a matter of opinion and perspective, but I think you've sensed it too. I feel certain we're supposed to be intercon.nected with others, to rely on each other. This discon.nection feels so wrong to me. I remember when my parents couldn't afford food and my dad refused to ask for any handouts because he thought that would make him less of a man because he couldn't provide for his family himself. He put his own fear of being weak above his own family's survival. Fortunately my mom had no such limitations and we managed to get by with tuna and crackers, but it still gets to me that society is set up so that everyone feels they have to rely on themselves. We're supposed to be one. It sounds insane to say that in our world, but I can't break the feeling it's true. Sometimes I feel like an alien, a complete stranger to this world. I wish I could change things. I can't stand all this pointless suffering.

So, if you can, please give advice for self reliance and I'll just keep trying in vain to unite the broken peices of a whole no one else sees.

There are so many options and none of them are right, none would work. If I do what you say by myself, we'll seperate them and if they know we're doing this togather than they'll think we're bias and listen to neither of us. They'll be so confused, they're can not be more rights than wrongs it must be equal! If I say to express you're opinions and speak freely, while you're saying to be nice and not totally honest in some matters, then they'll bombard one of us. But if we both say the same things there will be no change. If we discuss something through our disagreements there will be no secrets in popularity and it will turn into war, chaos will insue, neither of us will get the job done, and everything you've done on colors will be undone.

This is why it must only be you. I wish I could get you to understand what i'm saying enough to say it yourself, but words do not exist to explain it, and we both grow tired of a conversation that has been leading us to nowhere. But there is simply no other way! I don't have the first clue what to do anymore. You want me to send my own message because no matter how much you agree with it you can't say it, and I need you to say it because I believe you're the only one who can. Where does this lead us? Back to compromise! You told a story of everyone surrounding you and were supporting you to stand up for yourself.................... That is the anwser! "Everyone thinks i'm ugly even since birth" "Than tell them off, show them how ridiculous their being!" "They beat me up all the time" "Fight back! you don't need to do much, even if its just one hit to show them you don't back down! That you're a fighter (figurative)" Rogue, in every effort you have made to make all you're comments-

-Sound encouraging, take it all in and tell me the most encouraging, the nicest, the kindest way to say toughen up? and that will be the anwser!

I think giving advice on bullying will help me work out what I'm comfortable with saying and just how far out of my comfort zone I'm willing to go. I know the basic premise of the idea, which would be about finding inner strength through mind and body. It would be "toughen up" with words like "empowerment".

Wow, you really turned my memory around 180 degrees from the impact it made in me. :P

I know it shouldn't be this hard, but if you have a frame of morals you live by maybe you'll understand, even if those morals are different from mine. I guess it's hard to get "What would Jesus do?" out of my head.

I'd like to be able to say that myself, but i'm not Jesus. No matter how hard anyone can try to be, they will never be. Its painful knowing what you should do and what you can do are so far apart. I guess we'll just have to keep are faith alive among all other things. But back to the topic at hand, ask yourself would you be able to say toughen up?

I'm really sorry for the delay, but I have been very sick and was bedridden most of the week. My eyes were too watery to see the 3DS screen, but I'm finally recovering. Though it seems like a lot of people have been sick recently.

Well, to be fair, trying to follow Jesus' teachings and example is not the same as trying to turn into him. But, yes, in this world, it's impractical at best to be a "turn the other cheek" kind of person. The world needs more than martyrs. I just sometimes see the physical world as less important than the immortal one beyond it.

I'm not incapable of saying "toughen up", but obviously it sounds rude by itself because it doesn't say how to toughen up. Instead, I would say, "You can make yourself stronger by..." and insert an example and how it helps mental or physical strength. It's not like they'd hear "toughen up" and go "Gosh I'd never thought of that! It's so obvious!" I'd give them an explanation not a dismissive sounding line.

Yeah, I just thought of that by looking at some of you're "Let's help" stuff. Because sound like a call the police deal, and some I see as so simple and something I wouldn't really classify as bullying. More like the person of discussion being sensative. I just thought, what other advice is their for that?

I know, there's such a mix, but I make no judgements and just go by request order. I'd like it if someone who's issue is receiving a critical comment online would read about someone being stabbed and realize they don't have it that bad. It reminds me of a video I watched recently about someone who was all upset because he didn't get everything he wanted when he wanted it and people called him a spoiled brat for bragging about what he has and complaining about what he doesn't. I think it may be important to take a moment to explain that other people have it much worse and then how to deal with it by realizing they hold all the power over their situation. I've been taking it case by case as they come and learning as I go. Also, I appreciate your help when you do offer it on a particular issue (the serious ones).

I'm glad you're creating things I have no issue in taking part in, and also for taking all I've been saying under consideration. Maybe you haven't but I have noticed some effects on you.

I've noticed some effects, but which effects have you noticed? You may have noticed ones I missed. Have I had any effect on you as far as you've noticed? :3

As for you I've noticed you're a little more open to things other than what you post. Like your posts have changed a little bit so they look more serious. As for me I don't know that I have changed, but I have a newfound respect for you.

But colors seems to have a new problem, I'm involved in it. The issue is one man, his username is NVM. He's taken to bullying people for following him and not liking all of his art. One of your moderators and my friend happybrick is also a "victim" Maybe I said some things I shouldn't have to this guy but he doesn't seam to care, plus he needed to hear it. Look at the comments in some of his likes, look at happybricks bluejay fanart comments or look in the comments in my latest pic and tell me what you think.

I've been looking into comments NVM made, though I guess some of them were deleted. My impression is just a jaded person but otherwise harmless if left alone. The issue seems to be that NVM has a rule that he (if NVM is a he, since you can't tell gender on Colors) has to wait a week for every follower he gains and that frustrates him, though it's entirely self imposed based on misconceptions about a new follower needing to "catch up" and view every peice of art up to that point. Now, I know art is subjective and everyone has different tastes, but certainly that style of art should have prepared the viewers for his (or her) personality. Art can reflect a great many things about someone and this, to me anyway, seems to be a very straightforward example. Of course, if I've missed something that shows this person won't let things go, then I'll reevaluate things. For now, if you need to see what he uploads next, write down his username, but don't follow since that slows his uploads.

Yeah, i'm sorry about my painting, that would have provided good examples of what his character seemed to be, but sadly I had to delete the comments. Reason being is because I really did say some things I really, really, shouldn't have. I lost my concern of what could happen to my gallery and focused on saying what he needed to hear. I guess he's just more water under the bridge for me, but I appreciate you looking.

Now I'm curious just what you wrote that made you delete it all. :P It's good to express yourself, but sometimes it can lead to arguments that go nowhere and just make you both regret getting involved. I don't know about you, but my time on Colors is limited and I've had to decide what's worth my time. Right now that seems to mostly be Bully Free Zone and a few comments here and there. I'll get back to art eventually. :3

That's good. Since I brought it up, I said things like "Quit your stupid crying" "Get over it, it's just a number" and "If you want to whine and act like a complete tool, so be it" Not nearly the most abusive thing someone could say at all, but I considering the meaningless limits on what you can say on here, I didn't want to take any chances.

I didn't call him out, I probably said that considering I was sticking up for a friend.

On a completly side note; Do you know when that "Let's help Mariahlovesyou" painting was made, or was it possibly re-uploaded. Because I swear I read that discription before.

Unless one was uploaded AND then deleted before I saw it, then it was the first time it was uploaded. Maybe the user has left that comment elsewhere, maybe there's a similar comment, or maybe you read it on the "Start Here" request painting? Those are just theories of course. I guess it could also be deja vu. :3

I'm no stranger to that. But theres never a purpose for it, oddly enough.

On my own side note, the petty bickering all the way up to criminal bullying and sui.cide has been making me feel depressed and it's sometimes tempting to take a break and focus on other things, but there are too many people who seem to depend on me and I can't give up. I also find myself craving so much a new world where none of this is necessary. I'm tired of the negative and would like to try peace for a change.

The phrase "He who increases in knowledge, increases in grief" fits this scenario well in my opinion. (How I love my phrases) To me it means the more you know about the world, the more grief it causes you, the more you fear it in other words. I don't seam to while the world causes me grief I don't fear much of anything in it. I see uplifting propaganda, and that causes me the most grief. The most valueable thing to me, it truth. I see uplifting propaganda as lyes. Everyone knows, that in reality, there are know happy endings, we aren't given hope we must improvise and find our own. I see the world as a darker place then we're let to believe, maybe that is the truth about it. But you're right, people do depend on you. But what replaces colors when you're done with it, is not yours to awnser, its for those who depend on you to finally give back what you've given to them. Support.

If my being sick for over a week showed anything, it's that I don't think people are ready to take over for me. I do see other people trying to spread some kindness and hope though. I know we differ on this, but I feel a little hope is necessary to motivate people because this world can be overwhelming and it's so tempting for people to just give up and, if someone gives up, their life and the lives of people around them all suffer as a result (I mean giving up on life itself, not on Colors). I know it probably seems like paddling upstream in a fast current, like it's only slowing, but I also believe that this world isn't perminant and it can't last forever. Maybe it's blind hope, but I think change will come, though it may get worse before it gets better.

Which is to say it will have enough time to get better. Sadly what gets me the most is all the questions without answers. Will the world get better? Will the it get worse? Will it end before either? When will it end? When will we see eye to eye? Can the world see eye to eye? Unfortunatly it seams that the only way people can be brought togather is through catastrify. The ongoing history of the world is a cycle, one we must aim to break.

I'm sorry, but I have had many things going on in my life. I'm not certain what the future will bring, but once I'm feeling better, I'm sure I'd like to try to figure out ways to improve it. If you feel comfortable answering, what gives you hope and inspiration, something that gets you through the day and prevents hopelessness or depression? Sorry if that's not worded well, but I'm not feeling well.

Its ok. To your question, hope, hope for a better future. Not irrelevant advice, not moral suggestions, not pointless guidance, not unspecified complements, and not influencial ways of life. The complete oppasite of what most people characterize as, hope. But we're not all the same, we all have our own cures, as well as poisens.

I know a lot of people have been getting sick, I guess you got some of the worst of it. Well let me just say, get well soon.

Happy belated Easter! We're over here doing a huge moving and cleaning of things because our house became infested with fleas. So, from one thing to another. :/

I'm not really clear on what gives you hope things will get better. You listed what it's not, but I just wasn't clear on what gives you hope for a better future. Is it based on optimism or something you can see and point to? For me, hope has become a form of faith; something without evidence that I cling to just because being without it is too hard to bear.

That is what I mean, hope you can not see. Even if you don't know what it is, even if you don't know its there. Acting like its there I guess. Having an attitude that says "I'll figure out that there was no hope on the day I die" meaning you don't lose hope, in order to see what your life will be, what story it will tell, and acting that way until death if needed.

So you're hope is as intangable as mine has become, though probably yours has been this way longer. I'd like a reason or physical proof things will get better, but I guess you've come to accept that's just unrealistic. Maybe it's the problem solver part of me that wants to treat life like a Professor Layton game and put the pieces in their place to get some grand picture of life.

If only it were that simple.

I know you've been questioning your popularity, but check ninja sushi's comment on the happybrick painting.

It made me see how we both have differant approaches and opinions toward a common goal. He/She said you make everyone feel better, you said it yourself you work hard to make every comment seam that way. Useing my comment on the Forever Alone pic as an example, I don't intend to make people feel good, but thats kinda what advise is. Provideing guidlines toward a struggle, what people mistake it for is support. Superst*r to be specific on it. I can sum it all up into extremes, superst*r starts her comment off with the so called action of a hug, I start mine with a warning of harshness. To provide a picture, superst*r would be on the far right, a flat out bully would be on the far left, I'd rank myself in the dead middle and you between me and superst*r. No specifics on the left side, considering its not aloud at the Bully Free Zone.

I think that making people "feel better", even though it's superficial as you're all to aware, can have the benefit of getting some people to listen. Even though the direct approach is fastest, some people don't listen to what they don't want to hear. It's natural, really. If something makes you uncomfortable, you might shy away from it. It's why it's so hard to get some people to eat their vegetables or take their medicine. So, if you can add a little bit of an appealing flavor, they may chow down. Do you feel like having a mix of different kinds of advice from different people (including yourself) makes people read all the comments with more of an open mind or do you think they pick and choose the comments they already sort of agree with? As for me, I try to include at least something about trying to understand the other person because I've found seeing bullies as people makes them less threatening.

Also, many people can get caught up in this "villain vs. victim" way of thinking. By making them realize that there is no villain, they can accept they aren't a victim. And, though sympathy and support are all done for good reasons, only showing pitty just makes them think they're a victim even more, that they're helpless, there there *pats head*. Being a victim will never lead to solving anything. I wish I could say I always understood this, but it's taken time. There was a time when I did just offer sympathy and never realized I made things worse.

I figured that in life either with your head held high or hanging low, you were still going in the same direction. Typically why I don't care to bring people up, nor bring them down, I feel a level head, sort of speak, is the best one to have. Feeling sorry for yourself and living in depression makes you a walking time bomb, while to much happy support, could make you blind to the true nature of society. Its no secret I tend to see the corruption of people through and through. People may think its only humanity, that we must feel sorry for everyone who asks for an advise painting, because their troubles must have been too much of an obsticle to bear on their own. Now I start to wonder what is really true, think about it, a painting with your name on it with promised attention, and all you have to do is ask for it! It could cause someone to wonder, what exactly their motives are in asking.

I don't want to stray from the meaning of the last comment, but there is another problem, yes the "anti-RogueRanger." His username is f zero, formally known as the holy jelly bean. He has bullyed happybrick in the past, an endeaver I helped stop. As of now he is bullying, sonic bro, angelbear, trixie, and minecraft-creeper. He has been "seperated" from his old acount, and I don't think he can be changed, I think he needs to leave colors for good. I know you may think, he deserves another chance, but not this one, not this time. He's in over his head and won't stop until everyone I mentioned is gone. From either colors or, well you know. I hope you'll understand where i'm coming from with this.

I know that some people may ask for help to get attention, but I certainly hope that people don't see BFZ as a place for sympathy. It's supposed to be for advice. Some people may honestly think they've tried everything, but others might think of something they missed. After all, none of us know everything. And, yes, often people don't know what advice to give, so they just give words of encouragement, but not everyone is good at giving advice. That's why I'm always looking for help. BFZ is supposed to be a safe place to seek advice, emphasis on advice. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome. The whole name on the wood thing is just something simple to make the paintings different without having to make a whole new painting for everyone.

Oh, yes I'm quite familiar with who you're talking about. The more I study him, the more I think that he is truly miserable to the point of hating himself, but instead of inrernalizing it to the point of depression and sui.cide, he externalizes it onto others he perceives as weak. This means that, no matter how many times his account is deleted by Colors staff, he will create another because without others, he has nothing but his own misery so he NEEDS others. With Colors comment reporting, it's now much easier to deal with someone like him, but what would make him learn so he doesn't just keep coming back with a new account? Colors can't block a certain 3DS. And then consider the people he knows in real life who suffer. He needs help, but he doesn't bother reading my comments because he says they're too long. Everything from threats and insults to being really nice has been tried by different people and has failed. If you know a way to make him not want to come back, please tell.

Do you think having a painting on BFZ asking for advice on dealing with this particular person would help or just create a war?

Hard to say, though it seams one is coming. In all honesty I would think that the best way to handle this is in secret. I feel sorry for sonic bro after what I did in the past. Basicly I went in trying to solve a problem but ended up creating tension between two best friends (f zero and sonic bro) which lead to this mass argument waiting to happen. Sure maybe its not entirely my fault but i'm not completly innocent in it. I know that i'm pretty much in this one, and that sonic bro has a lot of friends but I don't know if they realize what exactly he needs right now. He said he might k!ll himself, and f zero knows how to get him where it hurts. Maybe we'll need to get his attention away from sonic bro somehow. But to who, and why?

Alright it looks like F zero is quitting, but i'm not believing anything just yet.

I've seen a lot of "I'm quitting" art, but have noticed the ones who really quit and I never see again just vanish. It's the ones who say it in an upload that really don't want to quit. They're looking for a reason to stay or, in some cases, a certain form of attention. f zero still seems too lonely to stay away, but I hope I'm wrong. We can't say we didn't try to help. I guess we'll have to see in that area though. And his profile currently says he's "sick of people like Angelbear, TFmel, etc." which at least isn't sonic*bro but is just deflecting it elsewhere.

I'm working on it right now as i'm sure you've seen. Eventually, once we branch him off from the people you mentioned, we'll have to find away to fix the problem completly. Although, come to think of it, silence might be the better approach, maybe he will acuelly quit then, when realizes he has no reason to stay.

It seams as though we are plotting "behind the scenes" to try and fix things. Kinda funny.

Plotting? Yeah, hadn't thought of it that way. :P And, yes, I've been reading the comments in various places. It's spread so far... It's ridiculous how far this has gone and I think you're right. He feeds on the attention, so silence may be a better approach. If everyone just blocked him and moved on, never commented back or argued or uploaded paintings about him, this wouldn't even be an issue. Colors must have seen this coming and figured the comment blocking and reporting option would prevent it, but we're not using the tool. I think the only way for him to quit would be isolation, which means everyone blocking. I feel like making a painting saying "You deserve a safe and fun art experience here on Colors!3D. Don't argue back, just block and go back to drawing and making friends." But is that the best way to prevent things like this?

I suppose people would take your advise and block, but there are some people who would say things like, "They'll never get a chance to say their sorry" or "What if its a misunderstanding?" or "I need to vent my anger on the one who caused it" To a guy like f zero, blocking instead of argueing would be the best approach, considering he argues for "fun" I've been in no small amount of arguements on colors, the ones I thought were worth settling, were the ones with the people who had something to prove. Hypno Panda and GlaceWolfOkami were two of these people, Hypno Panda tryed to prove that someone was bullying his friends (which lead to a misunderstanding) GlaceWolfOkami was trying to prove that some people are just to young to be on colors (which lead to a difinitive "know your role" statement) NVM and f zero, two guys i've argued with, that I dropped because they were oblivious to what I was telling them, and what they were telling me, I simply walked away with the knowledge that they-

-were the literal definition of fools. The blocking feature is new to colors, should people use it when needed (as I pointed out) it could substancially improve colors.

Sometimes I wish everyone were an empath. It's painful, but they couldn't hurt anyone else and would want to only be kind. But that's not humans right now.

Okay, so here's the comic to educate people about the features in the delete menu. The comic is eight frames.

- The main character is walking with his 3DS and another character says "You're a loser!"

- On the main character's 3DS screen, we see, just below the comment "You're a loser!" a stylus clicking "Just Delete" from the delete menu.

- The Next Day: The same person says "You're still a loser!"

- On the 3DS screen the stylus clicks to delete and block from commenting again.

- The person has tape appear over his mouth.

- Later: Someone else says, "I'm gonna beat you up and then-"

- On the 3DS screen the stylus clicks to report comment.

- Colors police leads the person away.

So, that's it. It's educational, but is it useful? Obviously there's only so much that can fit. What do you think?

Fair examples. I think it does well. Obviously I can't agree completly, considering my tell him off once continued delete idea. But I think people will take in this a lot better. I just hope they don't get "delete happy" and delete everything that isn't a complement.

I'll have to make sure to mention in the description how to unblock someone they blocked in haste. Though I don't know when I'll get to it. I guess I'll add it to the things I want to upload whenever I have time. Ugh, I can't wait for summer.

You and both. Atleast we can all understand that sometimes, we all don't have the time to do things on colors. If only understanding was a bit more general.

It seams that as of late everybody wants to change the world, simply because they have their own opinions. But the hard of it is they're only agreeing with somebody else very openly. The way I see it is that somebody must have told them, that they can accomplish anything if they "believe in theirselves" or something to that matter. In my opinion, its a flaw in too much support. Its hard to put into words, but I think their should only be a hand-full of people trying to change the world. (as it relates to the human population)

I've come to the conclusion that the vast majority of people are followers. It's why our society runs, why most people stop at red lights or wait in lines even though they're impatient. They can be inspired to take action, but history gives us only a few leaders. To satisfy their need to help, someone just needs to give them a simple task that will help make the world better. So, as far as I can tell, there may be many people wanting to change the world, but very few actually do. Which is why it's so easy for corrupt people to stay in power.

Specifically many people are trying to change the world, but never get anywhere because, while they have the inclination to make things better, they dont have the courage to fight with their backs against the wall. At any sign if trouble, they'll back down instead of fighting for what they believe in. If you cant stand up and say this is what I believe in, then you're better off knowing your place in life. In life the vision of miracles has grown greater while the reality is still the same. People believe that their dreams can come true, that miracles happen, that no matter who you are you can accomplish anything. In truth, these things CAN happen, only people are lead to believe they always happen, because of the illogical support their given.

I think it's more than just lacking courage (which is of course also true), but also a lot of people seem to be confused about what they believe or even whatthey want. It's easier to strongly defend something when you strongly believe it. I actually hear a lot of people just repeating things they're told and, when you ask them, you realize they have no idea what lies behind what they're saying. I'm tempted to blame people thinking their dreams will come true on Disney movies. :P But there is a sense in many people that they deserve their dreams to come true just because they want them to, but sadly it doesn't work that way.

Yeah, I was just saying the danger of too much support. There really is no winner either way. Either you endure pain alone and become bitter, or you get support and become oblivious to life. Although if there was a way to combine the two, what would happen? Obviously everyone, young and old, endures struggles. Advise from a relevant source could be the key to it, you'll know someone has your back, but you also know not everyone will. I will say it begins to be a little frustrating when you have a problem, know how to fix, but there's simply no way its possible. Telling people to give advise and not support is easy, getting them to listen, is a monumentous task. Especially when their not really doing anything wrong. Maybe we're both getting carried away, we both know not everything can be fixed, but whats gonna happen when its too overwelming.

That makes me think of BFZ. I feel like it's up to me not only to retype the person's issue, but try to come up with enough advice to make up for the fact that most people want to help but don't know how. We're not professional councilors. We're kids and teenagers trying to help people, often when we fail at helping ourselves. Life itself seems overwhelming, so helping each other could really go far. Well, in theory it would work that way. I see the balance you mean, not getting bitter or naive, and I'm honestly not sure how to help people find the wisdom they need. To say it's up to them is to accept that some will deal with it themselves through sui.cide and I don't want to accept that. But I can't control people and, even if I could, that level of power is too easy to misuse. After all, how do I know what's best unless I can see the future of every action?

In some situations I've seen on the page, I can identify and find a solution (If anyone actuelly listens.) However, some requires, not only what to do, but if that person can do it. It requires support virtual letters simply can't give no matter how deep or careing. Which is probably why I make my statements helpful but coldly true.

Actually, I really appreciate that you contribute (and, yes, I know I need to get to work on the dozen or so comments for help that have built up). I understand that it's not easy for everyone to give advice and that people who had agreed to help get busy, but I sometimes feel like it's all up to me. So, thank you for your help. Even if it doesn't get through to them, you are helping me out at least.

Btw, as of when I'm typing this, I don't have permission for a religious debate on that "Gay? Fine by me!" painting, so do you think I have stepped over lines in my comments? (I haven't heard back from the owner yet)

I'm sure he expecting an arguement, so I doubt he'll have a problem with our little debate. I will say though if someone else steps in, the right thing to do is take it somewhere else. That is if it gets out of hand.

Also, you're welcome on the BFZ. I will say though I roll my eyes everytime I see someone gush about you, (little joke) but other than that its good. It's a for me to not just tell you what I think you should do, but doing myself too. Plus its a way for me to give out my message seaming like a helping hand, wrather than a glorified preacher.

I didn't want to say it there on his painting, but how can he both believe being gay is wrong and also believe that someone is born gay and should accept that? It seems like that's in conflict, but then he left a reply to me on my latest painting (latest being over two months old, but someday I'll update) and a lot of it I didn't understand. Do you ever meet people where it's really hard to understand them but you're not sure why?

I think we can all be guilty of being impressed whenever someone does something we can't, be it art (been there for sure) or giving advice. So the "gushing" is just a form of appreciation. I'm sure you get that too, just maybe not with how "nice" your advice is. Practical is better than nice in several cases.

Btw, if you would like to discuss religious differences but feel that is not an appropriate place, we could do it here. I mean, if you'd be comfortable with that. You have interesting thoughts to explore further and I actually listen to debates for fun sometimes. :3

Well I appreciate you find my thoughts on this interesting, instead of wrong. However, i'm not sure a debate on this between two people like you and me you go much places, if anywhere. Atleast from gay and straight perspectives. Excludeing that and centering it on understanding the Bible for ourselves, it would work if YOU were willing.

If I weren't willing, I wouldn't have asked. :3 Unless of course you're implying you already understand everything and only I have anything to learn. XP Despite having spent so much time studying the Bible, there are parts that still confuse me, so I may put that to the test. X3 And, the whole idea of "straight perspective" vs. "gay perspective" is another reason why I don't like labels anymore. We're individuals and our perspectives don't represent our attractions as a group. I'm sure we both disagree with probably a lot of what people of either attractions believe. We could discuss hom.ose.xuality and the Bible appart from our own lives even if we wanted.

Some things just aren't that simple. Besides i'm done negotiating gay or straight stuff. A thousand times i've given my opinion and a thousand times its been turned against me. I don't agree with it therefore I bash everybody who is gay (so they think.) You can probably see how something like that could get quite annoying. I'm a peaceful non-protestor (if that makes any sense.) I've even been blocked, yes blocked, for being straight. You saw my first comment on jorgiie's painting, thats what it was for.

Do you mean you've been blocked elsewhere for saying the same thing? Because I think if you were blocked on that painting, that all your comments would disappear. Besides, it looks like he agrees (and disagrees at the same time somehow) with you. Wherever this was, don't think of it as being being blocked for being straight. Enough people blame everything bad that befalls them on being gay, so I'd hate to see that spread to being straight too. Really, a lot of people can get overly defensive and lash out. It's like an abused animal who's been hit with a newspaper. You may only be about to read it, but it may still attack you. Many of these people have heard so much "I hope you burn in hell you filthy sinner" that they hear anything that reminds them of that as the same thing. Does that make their reactions right? No, but it helps to see why people do things so that you don't take it personally. When too many people do that, we end up with pointless gay vs. straight fights.

I hope you don't interperet that as me not caring. That's just my approach. In my life, it has helped me to try to see things from other people's perspectives. So, yes, I do see how annoying and frustrating that can become. I was just offering ways to make it have a lessened effect on you. A lot of trouble can be prevented by being able to antic.ipate someone's reactions. It's not always easy or even always possible, but at least you can say you tried.

...why is antic.ipate censored? O_o

Also, a lot could be gained by us all acknowledging that we don't necessarily even define things the same way. What is a sin, for example. Or what "gay" means. Some people quote "a man shall not lie with a man" to tell someone they should not feel an attraction to their own gender, but never quotes "a man shall not lie with a woman other than his wife" to tell someone they should not feel an attraction to the opposite gender. They apply rules arbitrarily because they just think two males together is weird. To use scripture, it should be used fully, not picking out parts and ignoring others. The problem is there's a lot of confusing stuff in there, as you suggested. So how do we decide things like, "Oh, well what the Bible says about sla.very, ra.pe and women is all morally wrong, but what it says about other stuff is right." Picking and choosing without justifying it scriptually makes it look like Christians get our morality from society.

Well for your first comment, I didn't say anything offensive toward dontrucker (not jorgiie) I went to his painting and said that I talking to the artist and I was sorry if I offended him. Leading me to believe it was because I was straight. But he is gone from colors now, and it didn't matter in the first place. Also I see your point about taking only parts of the Bible and useing them. Although a man laying with a woman that is not his wife (and vice versa) is called adultery. Which is covered in the ten commandments. There's a similarity amoung the Bible and life: people take scripture out of context and use it against you, people take what you say and add to it in their minds to make you the "bad guy." Each are altogather used to judge you, making filling society with hypocrits.

Well, Jesus did lecture about hypocracy for a reason. "Here, let me take that speck out of your eye." But many people don't seem to be aware of the hypocracy. For example, although it's debated whether the mob in Sodom were asking to know what strangers came into their town (old Hebrew) or to gang ra.pe the angels staying with Lot (modern English), many people honestly take away from that story that Sodom was destroyed because the inhabitants were gay. Of course the reason is listed over and over in the Old and New Testiments as "inhospitality" and never once male-male se.x, but even the word sodomy is derived from that interpretation. Yet not one of them would condemn all straight relationships because women were gang ra.ped in the book of Judges. The problem with so many people believing this is that they subconciously (or even consciously) begin to think that gay relationships are the same as gang ra.pe and it creates this vile disgust in their mind that blinds them.

Back to the topic of the Bible and morality, I watch Christians and athiests debate sometimes and one very important point the athiests often raise is, if we get our morality from the Bible, why do we pick and choose which morals? Isn't that evidence that we get our morality from the same place as them and then pick and choose which verses fit that social morality? For example, saying the line in Leviticus about a man not laying with a man is a moral to follow but the part saying we need to stone them to death is not moral to follow (along with all the rest, from not shaving beards, not mixing grains or fabrics, not eating fat or having messy hair, etc.). I'm inclined to say that Christians should get their morality from the teachings of Jesus. But, Jesus said that he came not to replace the law but to fulfill it. Still, he said turn the other cheek, which seems to directly contradict eye for an eye in the law. And if we followed all his rules about loving your enemies, we'd let all

the criminals go free. So, you see the dilema? I know most Christians ignore it, but it's something that I feel is important and your reference to information not really being stollen and the nature of cheeting seemed to bring that up. What are your thoughts on morality and the Bible?

Well for the point you raised, I would answer the athiest by saying we didn't take our free will, God gave us it. We're not perfect, no one is perfect, no one CAN be perfect. I believe the Bible tells how to be perfect, not so we will be, but so we can strive to be. They presume we think we're perfect, that they know a book they've never read better than the one's who hold it sacred!

They take the commandments they heard and use them against us, as if they only apply to us and not them! They think we're bad people simply because we can't follow the rules we choose to live by, meanwhile they judge us, and hate us when they can't even find the morality to see who they really are. They're no better than we are, we're no better than we are. They scum of they world just get called out for one wrong thing. We don't have the power to rightfully judge people we're no greater than. Its up to everyone on this world to realize that.

Ah, you raise a good point about perfection, an ideal to strive for. Isn't that what it means to follow Christ's example? Maybe I've just become bogged down with specifics, trying to find which teachings should be followed, but Jesus said, if you love God first and then your neighbor as yourself, everything else will follow. Keep in mind that I was raised as a Biblical literalist. This means that I was taught to study the Bible because every word is true and parts that seem to conflict must resolve themselves. But I also feel strong pulls in certain directions regardless of how I've been raised. For example, I feel incredibly disturbed whenever anything dies, even watching a flea drown. In the real world, animals ki.ll each other to survive and the only thing condemning this is a possible interpretation that everything after the Fall is wrong. So, if we live in a fallen world, maybe it's not meant to be easy. It just seems odd that I'd long so strongly for a pre-Fall time I never knew.

Everyone wants what they don't have, and they especially want what they can't have. I always knew that life wasn't fair, and that bad things happen to good people. I know of this but yet, I can't help but to try and do the right thing all the time. A lot of people will do whats best for them, whats best for me, just doesn't sit right with me. Especially on Colors. I'll try to help someone through cyber bullying, but over time i'm getting more careless of what might happen to me. Maybe I just don't care about myself that much. It puts me in the position of an anti-hero. I guess i'm doing the right thing, but can't help but wonder if I am in Gods eyes.

I have a friend here on Colors who says that he hears God speak to him, answer his questions, tell him what to do, give him visions, etc. He rarely has any doubt what God wants him to do. But you and I lack that certainty (whether of not it's the voice of God, he believes it), so we do a lot of what we think is right, even if we have regrets later. But do you mean that you feel like you're putting yourself in some kind of danger? When you said "anti-hero", I found myself thinking of Batman. The Dark Knight movies are a bit vio.lent for my tastes, but they've been on tv and my dad enjoys action movies, so I know that Batman placing others so far above himself led to his demise. While it may have been necessary in that movie, is it necessary in the context you put it in for yourself? And, if we can't be perfect, is doing what we think is the best we can good enough?

Only to people who think good enough is an option. How can you ever tell what is truly good enough though? Most christians I know would tell me to ask God, only I can't hear him, but I don't need to to know he's there. As far as your friend is concerned, I think that he lets himself think God is telling him what to do, Its quite easy to believe what you want to believe, especially in that matter. I could be wrong, but I would expect God to speak to somebody if it were important. Of course listening is an altogather differant story. I've heard people say that God speaks to them, I haven't believed one yet.

So, then I'm not sure how to measure what's enough because I'm not sure what the limits are before we would just snap and have already gone too far.

I've heard many people, even my mom, say that God speaks to them, though most people say it's indirectly, like a feeling. But, with so many different influences, from desire to social pressures to hormones, a feeling just doesn't cut it in my opinion. Instead, I try to follow things like treating others how you would want to be treated, loving everyone, even your enemy, etc. Still, we're all only human and if we expect too much of ourselves we're bound to be disappointed in ourselves a whole lot. I guess that's just the difference between what you aim for and what you expect.

I don't know if he really hears God, but I do know he believes it. He says God shows him demons in people and dark visions of the future (for individuals and the world), but it's not my place to question that because I can't speak for what God would or wouldn't do.

It's good to take some time away from all the distractions of the world, but sadly it's hard to find that time in our busy world. Many times I long for an escape to a more natural world. Technology may be great, but it has definite drawbacks.

Typically why I like being alone. Although I do say that i'm a people person, I like being alone more, not that i'm gothic, depressed, or take myself to seriously. Its just a lot of times people make me mad, especially middle aged adults who are literally always trying to teach me something. To me the world is full of youth who think they can change the world, and adults telling you what they think they know. They're all full of differant views, trying to instill them into your, so called, weak minds. Opinions of what to do, and what not to do controdicting each other practically ripping you apart. Meanwhile they say know your place and follow the rules, cause you got nothing to worry about. Looking down at us like we're helpless fools, while the other side asks you to not what justice for what your a victim of. As they still wonder why, I can't take advise.

It's been my experience that this supposed wisdom that is gained in adulthood is a self dillusion. Children and adults they become are not different. Their hormones change, they learn new things (and forget them), but they remain fundamentally the same person. Years can't grant wisdom, especially if those years are spent just going through the motions; school, work, retire, die. Also, many people project their feelings onto others. So, they feel interior or superior and project that onto you, like "You're dumb but you think you know something" is how they really feel about themselves. There are many people who will be ignorant their whole lives, but it's not entirely their fault. Our society makes us into sheep who just follow whatever. We don't think for ourselves. In my own life, I've found that most young people I know don't care about changing things. They have vague ideas about things being better, but can't be bothered to actually do anything about it, even volunteering.

Stereotyping doesn't make it much better for the rest of us.

On a more specific note: You know i've been trying to help Ethan (sonic bro) through all of this "madness" going on. Through that work Jelly bean is a fading memory. But another problem still looms. Pichu, king123, kingzz, kingg, kinggg, or kiing, all of whoever this guy is, is trying to get Ethan and many others off their acounts, claiming because their underage. His hypocritical strategy is starting agruements, re-starting the same one's, then blaming someone else (me) for both. The key issue was when I asked him: "Why did you try to get the people who accused you of bullying off their acounts instead of explaining your motives?" He stated that it was irrelevant, I told why it obviously was, he accused me of taking sides, then the whole thing errupted. Yesterday I told Happybrick and Superstar about one of his insults, which we all agreed was stupid. He called it "talking behind his back." I asked if he wanted to talk-

-About it more maturely, where he called me a "loser" for exploring arguements and asking questions. His goal is to get underage people off of colors (colors gallery is supposedly for ages 13 and up for lack of mature handling) by calling them "under-age losers." I assume I can handle this, but i'm open for suggestions should you have any.

Well, it looks like you were busy working out a deal after you posted these comment (about two hours after, by the timestamps), so I guess you were right that you could handle it. Really, I'm not sure I could help. I'd just ignore the person or delete/report the comments if that didn't work. After real life bullying, Colors frankly just feels tame. It helps to act like I don't care about a comment, but not everyone has control over their emotions so different approaches will work for different people. I find it ridiculous that we all have to go through this pointless bullying by negative beings. Sorry, I'm getting tired of school and I'll be in a better mood later.

Its alright, I hardly noticed. As long as everyone expects he will not keep the deal I think we'll all be on the same page. The only thing I managed is for him to leave a few certain people alone. There are others he is doing it to though, others I now cant help.

Look up Kirby_Swag_07 if you wanna see what this guy does, or if you wanna say something to him thats where he'll find it.

The user doesn't have any paintings to comment on and I don't want to draw out something, so I just commented to Kirby suggesting blocking the usernames. It's her choice of course, but the guy thrives on attention and I don't want to give it to him.

What I have noticed is that he doesn't like insults especially behind his back. He'll do a pretty good job of hiding it, but it gets under his skin. I don't think either of us will do that but atleast we know how to get him where it hurts, should we ever need to.

In other words, he feels insecure. That often leads to bullying of others to try to make themselves feel less insecure about themselves. It never works, of course. You can't project your negative feelings out and hope to help yourself heal. And, given he brings up age a lot, it's possible he's too young to be on Colors and is focused on that. Before you think that sounds crazy, remember all those politicians who pushed anti-gay laws who all turned out to be gay themselves and hated themselves.

I don't know, he acts like age is what seperates us from them, thinking that whoever is older is simply a better person. There's never been any doubt that age is very restricting as it relates to things like respect and stereotypes. Typically minors get less respect and are prone to stereotypes. Even assualt was changed to "bullying" to deny it as a crime. Now i'm not gonna go through the rest of these minor years demanding respect, cause I know childhood is just a spoke on the wheel of life, but thr fact of the matter is you'll never get respect, this world is not one of respect, respect is nothing but a dream. Kinng obviously wants change, but he was foolish enough to not recognize reality. While he feels that a fifteen year old deserves more respect than a nine year old, theres really no differance as far as respect is concerned. If he was going to try and make a differance he wouldn't seperate age groups, he would unite them. He didn't because he wants respect for himself.

He doesn't realize what eliminating all the underage colors users will get him, he doesn't realize that it grants him nothing. Maybe I know why is what he is, because he has anger inside from losing his first acount, he was so foolish to take it out on the ones who had nothing to do with it. I'm all out of sympathy, he hasn't earned it.

Ah, respect, the dream that has lived a thousand generations and died ten thousand more. He left a comment saying that Kirby said she could "fight" him. He acts very defensive, like he has a lot to prove, so there's something he feels is inadequate about himself. But, age is just a number and it's too bad he can't see what you can. Of course, I don't know if he'd even listen. Maybe it's simplistic of me, but I still think that just blocking him is the best approach.

Only one more week of school!

I say that to, people say that they'll block him but they don't, and if they don't block him then this will continue, why can'tthey see that? Maybe one day they'll find a reason.

That's another reason I need to make that comic about using the blocking feature. I'll have more time soon enough.

Btw, do you have a bunch of free time you don't know what to do with? Why do I ask? Well, you seem able to type well on here and I could use help with BFZ, so if you were willing, you could upload those paintings with people's usernames. It's the retyping their comments (especially if there's a lot) that takes a lot of time. If you don't want to, that's fine. I'm just asking because I'm always behind.

I appreciate the offer, but it requires things like friend codes which I don't do for privacy reaaons. Maybe superstar can help you? If she's not already involved in it.

She already agreed to keep up with the chatroom painting, but I guess she got busy too, just like every other one of the people who offered to be moderators. We all have lives. I just was looking for help, but I understand you have certain privacy rules you follow. Well, school's out and, after enough rest and recovery, I should have new art and keep up. I guess we'll see.

You and me both. I'm sorry I can't help you though, I understand feeling like you're the only one able to get things done. How I usuelly contribute is by giving you a bit on intel on problems before they reach BFZ. I haven't seen much of kinng lately, as far as I know (and influenced him to do) he is done with Ethan and his group. I've been trying to check back on the others when I can too. I haven't seen his comments, hopefully because their blocking him.

Well, I did see @kingg make a reappearance on @Ethan-_-'s pic about supporting @Carlos, though he posted comments online. It seems like there's always some drama going on somewhere. I wish people would remember this is an art gallery.

Heh, yeah. Its a social sceme turned hate machine. I just wish people could realize that this isn't a proving ground, it means next to nothing for things like reputation.

My friend @Angelbear1 is very worried about @Ethan-_-, so I'm trying to help her help him, like by making a private place for them to talk on Colors. I wish people wouldn't take things on here so personally. They have enough to deal with in real life (I know because retyping the comments people leave on BFZ is seriously depressing me) and they don't need more here. Plus, the moment you close the 3DS, that's it.

Ethan has become a time bomb, everything that happens to him now is by his doing. Kinng has resorted to online comments on Carlos' (Ethan's friend) paintings. In my mind he's only doing it for leverage. Kinng takes to "nit picking" everything you say. Canceling out figures of speech, criticizing attributes such as age, and questioning why you read his comment in the first place. I would think his online comments would make a perfect reason to ignore him. Considering more work needs to be done to view them. Reading the BFZ comments obviously doesn't help your state of mind either. I get angry with the diversity of stories that are on there. Some you could consider a harsh life, but some, I can help but view as complaining.

Sorry for the delay, but I wanted to make that thing for #positiverevolution since I said I'd make it months ago and then Ethan had his account deleted again. I'm also going to do a promo for BFZ. I kept putting it off because even without promoting it I couldn't keep up, but now I'm getting some of the same people coming back with new problems and I'd like more people to have an opportunity to know about it. And, yes, it can be frustrating because there are people who need help and you can only do so much and then there's also a huge mix, with some people's issues really being minor annoyances and not really worth being upset over. And why do people keep turning to sui.cide?! Whether it's being severely tor.tured or just made fun of online and everything in between, I keep reading that they turn to cutting. But, yeah, if I let it bring me down, I'm just illustrating how negativity spreads and I'm trying to stop that. I just wish I knew if I'm making a difference.

Thats what I wondered to begin with. I mean yes you have provided yourself to be a role-model to the people of colors, but I just assumed those people were not all that differant from you. You just inspired them to take a stand. Even through all of that there is still bullying on colors, and it only seams to evolve. First it was "Your art sucks" then it was "You're a tracer" then people started accusing each other if bullying, and responding with bullying. Now people openly admit that they are bullying! Its all cause of this "Trolling" fad thats been going on. Annoying people in real life in one thing but on a social site or app like this, where people take it as a second life, its sick, and low. Its hard to believe that all this bullying, and hatred, and pain is all cause of some big masquerade. Only few have noticed in all this time. How, and why?

Well, obviously none of us are going to stop bullying altogether, but what I hope is that we can help at least some of the people who are being bullied be better able to deal with it. I'd also hope we can stop someone somewhere from ending their life over it. Even the tiniest nudge can keep someone level who's on the brink of falling over. It's completely pulling them back from the edge that takes all the effort.

I've had this feeling for a while now and it only grows over time: I feel like the world is dividing. Most people are still lukewarm, but the extremes seem to be expanding. For instance, crime remained consistant, but those crimes were more vio.lent. The people prone to bully already feel empowered to do so. But I also see the other side becoming more polarized to the other extreme. Almost like taking sides before a battle. Also, oddly, in just the past couple months, almost everyone I know who is positively oriented has had a family member die.

My Mother once told me "Bad things happen to good people to test their character" I guess it just showed me that life isn't fair, but theres a differance I see in it. Knowing life isn't fair is a good thing to know to get you through it, but embracing it acting like it means nothing is fair so why have rules, is what I think many people come to accept. People don't to be anything specific, they just want to be a part of something, whatever that may be. I've always wondered how fads start, and if it would be possible to counteract one fad with another.

Well, I can say from experience that it's easier to start negative fads, especially if they draw on base emotions in people. I tried #thenewcolors and now #positiverevolution, but it doesn't seem like it's as easy for positive fads to stick. I actually think of society as one big fad peer pressured onto people. We're supposed to think a certain way and, if we don't, we're considered crazy. We think everything we think is true today is superior to what we once considered true because we are superior to our ancestors. Of course, logic says, if it were true then, it should still be true now, but who needs logic? I'm not saying everyone is this brainwashed, but it certainly is most people and they never question it. What if everything were a lie, even science? It's hard to question what "everyone" believes. And so we live in a world of fads that some of us know are fads but follow them to avoid negative attention, or worse.

Wow, that was depressing, sorry!

The one that has stuck for many decades is rebellion. People always want to rebel against something, no matter what it is. I guess if history repeats itself then it will only be a matter of time before everyone rebels against today's fads, but after seeing how people use them, I don't know.

The desire to rebel came up recently too. I just found out about "Colors Cops vs. Colors Renegades", which is apparently something that happened over just the last few days but somehow "took over Colors" (not enough for me to notice :P). Basically, someone started a group of "Colors Cops" to flag art that should be mature but the artists refused to upload as mature (po.rn and blo.odbath pics), but then people misinterpreted it (and the "cops" probably abused their power) as an attack on artistic freedom and a group called "Colors Renegades" formed to fight the "cops". And again, somehow this happened over a couple days. But it shows how quickly people can rebel against something they think is opressive. Of course, it's hardly the French Revolution, but it could have become vio.lent if it were something real. Still, can there be a peaceful rebellion?

I heard about this too. The colors cops crossed the line even when they were warned that they would, countless times. The alliences of ColorsCops and ColorsRenegades, only proove what a battleground Colors has turned into. It was also alliences that started World War I. The renegades are probably wasteing their time, cause people were always reporting things like that, now its just organized. Still, I only see the cops getting more out of hand, possibly threatening people to take a painting down because its too "scary." I would agree they need to be stopped but things like these only last a month or two at most. The best idea is probably just to wait for them to stop. But jumping the gun and starting a war, probably ended all hope for that.

I didn't mean to imply I would get involved. Obviously, I wouldn't. I just meant can rebellions ever be peaceful in general? It's too bad we can't have an "I'm an artist and I just draw" rebellion, where people rebel against all these fads and fights by just making art. Of course, it doesn't sound very rebelious...

True, true. Unless it was dressed up with modern slang terms like "Lets just be REAL about this." or something to that extent. Though it is quite easy to say you have an idea to solve things, but its much harder for them to work, even just a little. I myself realize that the bad people in this world are going to stay that way for a while, possibly to the point of irrelevancy. Plus these things will do what they did in the past, become worse. Albeit the victims of these fads seam more adaptable to change, simply because hardship set them straight on what is right and wrong. The reason why we focus on the victims. Because the one's we call bullies, go to jail for mur.der. The bullied don't let themselves last that long. They think there better off with a bullet in their heads.

Well that was depressing. XP Sorry for the time between replies but I celebrated my birthday over the weekend. Also, before that, I was up in the middle of the night because a couple people were trying to break into our neighbor's house by going through our front yard to get to their gate. The newspaper delivery guy was driving by and slowed down to stare and then I came out and they got spooked and drove off empty handed. Of course, now my parents are all upset at me for not running inside and calling 911 and waking them up. Of course, after the police arive and the guys are long gone, everyone would be awake in both houses and not get any sleep. The men were incredibly nervous and unprofessional, one pacing around smoking while the other made too much noise. I think they thought more people were going to come out because I'm not very intimidating. I'm pretty sure they won't be back. Still, it's the same house that was robbed before and I'm losing more faith in humanity.

Atleast they didn't get anything or harm anyone, still, the smoking and the noise couldn't have been done purposely, I wonder what they really wanted. If i'm wrong and they had an ulterior motive that is. Crime isn't something new, even crime rate varies between location, not time. Though you losing faith in humanity shocked me. All that seamed to come to mind was your comment ratio message. If there were many positive comments and one negative comment, then why should you focus all atention on the one? It could have the same effect with human character. With seven billion people in the world, you can assume one, maybe two, billion people are senseless criminals of any fasion, law or morals. There is more good even if its not always noticed, or present.

You're right, I was letting a small minority make me feel jaded. I wish I could say it's the only time it's happened, but it seems to be happening more over time. Maybe it's fatigue or other factors, but it's out of character I realize. I think I should avoid some of the topics I learn about. Right before that, I was watching a documentary about how many teenagers in various areas do just horrific things to homeless people, like beating them, urinating on them and lighting them on fire, and it really upset me. I'm sorry and I'll endevour to focus on the positive and not be a hyprocrite to my own cause. :3

I guess it just shows you how demanding it really is. Buying in to what you're selling isn't always easy. Still, a cause as driven as yours is quite demanding, and you've only managed to slip up on such a minor part of it. I can assume that most people would just, break completely. I didn't always agree with your earlier messages, but after getting to know you a little bit more, I can respect that you truly do, practice what you preach. We talked about how you and I started the same way, but turned out as differant as we are in opinions. But those who share your opinions on Colors are incredibly differant from you. You encourage people to NOT insult the gay lifestyle, and some respond by hypocriticly insulting right back. The point is, you not only encourage your message, but you lead by example with it. Stereptypes being one.

One of the main issues that Jesus showed the most passion over and one He repeated over and over was the dangers of hypocracy. Obviously the plank in the eye representing judging others is the most famous example, but every topic from praying to fasting led to a rebuke of hypocites. He wouldn't have brought it up so much if it weren't so much a part of our nature. We tend to hold others to different standards and even not notice that we're doing it. As the late Michael Jackson said, "If you want to change the world, start with the man in the mirror." Yes, it's not always easy, but I'm only human and I know everyone else is only human too. Also, we're all different, so people will incorperate parts of a cause and skip the rest depending on what they feel drawn to. Ideally, I'd like for people to be consistent, but baby steps I guess.

Sometimes I wonder if I would feel different about people with same gender attractions if I had "typical" attractions. I'd like to think I'd still feel everyone deserves to be treated fairly. I think the biggest advantage it gives me is realizing that most people label themselves as "gay" for attractions but then most of the hate they get is for actions (such as this term "lifestyle"). Before I gave up labels, many people would see me calling myself gay and think I'm sinning and they'd be off going from girlfriend to girlfriend somehow not sinning. Attractions are temptations. Temptations are not sins or else Jesus would have sinned by being tempted. So, there's a double standard people often use. And even if you believe that a gay person dating is a sin, shunning is the exact opposite of what a Christian should do. Christians of all people should realize EVERYONE is a sinner and everyone should be welcomed.

Instead, I read about people being kicked out by their family or church and where do they turn? They feel rejected by Christ, so we basically justify them turning from their faith and then blame them when they do. Salvation isn't about overcoming sin and then you get grace. It's about that grace overcoming sin. It's too much to handle alone and we should always put love first. After all, Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and then to love your neighbor as yourself. We all need more love. I was trying to explain this to @Kokiri Soul (I think that was her username) without using the word "hypocrite" because it's a harsh accusation.

Yesturday I saw a painting entitled "Whats wrong with being a christian?" made by a gay catholic (as he made clear). He asked for everyones opinions on it. Many of the people who commented said that they are not religious, and they have no problem with, some, christians. I said that people literally LOOK for something to get offended at. Typically meaning that, a lot of what society likes to be, or support, is against God and christians. Muslims I know are commanded NOT to hate christians, but in muslim countries, christians are often k!lled or exe.cuted. Here in the U.S. thats not, tolerated. So muslims hate christians. Catholics i'm not quite sure about, even though most if my family is catholic. Really the main enemy of christians, from what I can see is gay people. I've met many here on colors, and excluding you, their all the same. They hate God and everyone who isn't the slightest bit ok, with who they are. One started out that way, until a girl called sisslemissle convinced to-

-Change. I told her that I wasn't asking her to change her life, I wasn't asking her to change he ways. I was only asking her to accept that being gay was a sin, as we accepted the sins we commit as sins. So she did.

(sisslemissle and I, convinced her...)

I'll have to look up that painting and take a look at the comments. I know people often find differences to fight over. I mean, look at parts of Europe where Prodistant Christians and Catholic Christians have had brutal fights. I've noticed that a lot of people who label themselves as gay do seem to reject faith, but my personal belief (and, yes, I may be wrong) is still that Christians do make matters worse when we shun or reject them, mostly in a family. Now, maybe I'm biased by my own views, but I'd like to believe that, if they felt an open acceptance, they wouldn't be so quick to abandon their faith. See, society says, it's all fine. What do we have to compete with that? I believe people are attracted to their own gender for a reason and that reason is not to reject God. I know in my own life it's been a blessing. Fewer dating potentials (since most people are straight) meant I made it through pressures other face to a point in my life that I'm able to handle things better.

Not that I'm badmouthing all those people who date from like the second grade on. I'm just saying that would not have served me well, especially since it took me so long to believe in the idea of soulmates as not just a fantasy. If I were into girls, the heartbreak alone would be its own punishment.

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hurt you..." The line about the enemy of Christians being gays reminded me of that verse from Matthew. :3

I see your point, only I live it differantly. For me pain is the best lesson to be learned. It builds character, it shows humility, it reminds us that our actions have consequenses. Like the phrase used in a song I like, "You don't know what you've got until its gone". The pain of knowing something is gone can teach you to appreciate things more, or not get too attached, or to make better choices. I'm not justifying cutting, that many people do, nor am I saying that pain is a good thing. I'm not saying i've had a hard life, though it hasn't always been easy. Sometimes people needs danger to feel their heart beat, they need a knife just to know that they can bleed. Pain is a very delecate thing, when describeing it. You don't want to give the wrong idea, you don't want to sound differant from what you are, but i'm pretty sure you get the idea now.

But I may have gotton off topic then. The comments you mean to find are gone. They were on an old painting on a huge chat, and well they went off the screen. They're now friends. I was just glad to see a gay peson (besides you) whose character I could respect, she was a christian, and she admited what she was doing was wrong, and wasn't a hypocrit. I consider a lot of gays and atheiests hypicrits, I can only hope i'm not being one myself.

That reminds me of a conversation I was having with my only close friend in real life. It was about why suffering exists and what good can come from it. Beyond the lessons it can teach the person suffering, which you mentioned, it also helps others. When people see suffering and feel compelled to take action, to help, that awakens something within them that would remain asleep if everyone were always fine. So, I guess evil has to exist sometimes to turn those lukewarm people toward the empathic good they were always meant for. Still, purpose or not, suffering still bothers me. But I suppose that's its job.

I'm currious, what do you think makes gays and athiests more hypocrites than most people from your point of view? The more I look for it, the more I seem to see that no one has a monopoly on hypocracy. There's pleanty to go around. But then I haven't really been looking for that long. Also, I'm currious if you make the distinction between the different kinds of people who have labeled themselves as gay. As I said before, one of the dangers of labels is that what you think they mean may not be what someone else does. So, do you consider that? After all, not everyone is going to reject labels like I did. This society doesn't make that easy. So it might mean attractions, a crush, platonic love, romantic love, longing, lust, se.x, and everything between. Especially for males, it can be hard because you're not supposed to love another male (boys aren't supposed to feel "girly" emotions in our culture, hence "boys don't cry"). So, it's helpful not to jump to conclusions about "sinning".

And, even if they mean they have multiple partners they use and it's all about lust, I personally would avoid pointing out the obvious sins in that case. Why? The fate of someone's soul is too important to take chances with. Maybe I've just seen too many people who've lost their faith, but I want them to be drawn in by love and acceptance. The moment Christ enters their heart, they will come to us and already know what they did is wrong. We have no authority as fellow sinners to judge or convict anyone, but salvation is its own conviction. Again, this is just my view, but I personally feel it is closest in line with my interpretation of scripture, especially when a single misspoken word can tip someone the other way because the lure of society is so great. I don't expect you to necessarily agree, but does that make sense?

But now, people think that no one should ever feel pain. Only we all deserve pain. A no pain world is a perfect world inhabited by perfect people. No matter how deep down, we all know that world is not this one, nor can it become such a dream. Sad as it might be. I guess I never thought this world could get better, I mean its only gotton worse. I don't feel depressed about it, It just feels like the truth has been sinking in. It feels like it should be more personal, changing people to rise above society. On Colors I don't think it can work. I'm not quite sure what to say, considering this whole conversation was intended for a purpose I don't see possible anymore. You've kept at this longer then I have, what do you think?

And look, it does make sense and I partially agree, i'm just confused. Being on Colors has made me a stronger christian, due to all the times I took it upon myself to defend christianity. I recognize that its been a good thing, but I can't tell how good. I see curruption around the world, and I can fantisize a revolution that going to bring justice to all, but the growing christian in me has showed me differant. Maybe the world doesn't have time for that, maybe the time for playing with persons is over, and every move now will lead us to the end. But someone in Europe could just have easily said that world was coming to a close during the world wars. But we're still here, though a continent was crippled, the world still stands. I look one way I see a black ball, cold and hopeless waiting to d!e. And on the other side I see a currupt world with potensial waiting to be unleashed. But I don't know what is true, I can't read between the lines.

As I think I said from the beginning, even changing one person's life for the better is worth the effort. And "for the better" isn't taking away pain, but showing them ways to overcome it or learn from it. Sure, I'd be crazy to think anyone could change the world (even if I did), but lives can change. This means giving those who want to end their lives a reason not to. Honestly, if you said what you just did to a person who's thinking of cutting or even sui.cide because of the pain in this world, I don't think that would help. I'm not saying to lie to people about the world to get them to stop being depressed. I do see a lot of good still in this world and many things worth striving for. Some people may be fine with the rational viewpoint you present, but others who are more desperate need hope. They need a reason to believe it won't just keep getting worse. Or, that, if it does, it will get better in the end. And we do that through cooperation.

People who are victimized by others or by themselves often share the same thing in common: lonliness. They don't know who to turn to. We can be people to turn to, to show them they're not alone, that they matter in this crazy world. After all, if the Creator of the whole universe loves them enough to come to earth, suffer and die to be with them forever, being a friend is a small thing to ask of us.

I also feel like the world doesn't have much time left and that may also be wrong, but time is relative. I do feel a sense of hope though. Despite all the negativity and emotional ups and downs, I see a new world. The only problem is that not everyone will be in it. I just want people to have the chance to see an alternative to this world. Otherwise, they may never see that new world.

In this world, we have a taste of pain and pleasure, good and evil. It's a chance to choose, even if we don't do it consciously. Ugh, I don't know if I'm even getting to my point here. I'll think on it.

Sorry I just left this conversation here, but I have a lot to accomplish before the end of the world.

I'm not saying that the world WILL end soon, i'm just saying its a possibility, like everything else. And while this conversation has been interesting, what more is there to say?

This was more of an opportunity to speak privately, but I guess we're okay for now. There was a very brief "war" over art theft and threats on Colors but they calmed down.

And I do feel that the ticking has become pretty unbearably loud and the end is relatively close.

What makes you say that?

There is a strong sense in my subconscious mind that things are winding down. The news is full of mixed messages, but there is a sense in the feel of things. Animals seem to sense it more than humans. We tend to require evidence. I could talk about wars that intentionally target civilians to maximize casualties, global earthquakes that the USGS keeps downgrading to a point below their recorded value a day later and the tsunami that the news covered before promptly pretending it never existed, the hole opening at "the end of the world" in Siberia, the BRICS agreement to break the monopoly of the IMF and World Bank's us of US currency, but none of these things create any sense like that which can simply be felt when you close your eyes. I wonder if only those who have the least time left sense it. I'll leave what I can behind just in case it's needed.

Also, I'd like to appologize for any disagreements we've had and anything I may have written on the "gay" topic which was lacking a broader picture.

You not having the same opinions as I do is nothing to apologize for. As far as all the other gays on Colors, you are the most honorable i've seen. See most gays, they have no honor. They would tell christians to stop shoving their beliefs down peoples throats, then insult straights and demand respect. Honestly, they've stuck their foot in their mouths. I've never seen you demand respect, but, take it from someone with near oppasite opinions, you've earned yours. So really, nothing to be sorry for. I have to admit though, this does seam to be a sudden change of heart, any reason behind that?

I guess you could say it comes from the sense of time dwindling down. I feel like I may have spent too much time on topics that divide rather than those that unite. For so long, being "gay" seemed like such a big part of my life. Even just a few weeks ago I was still listening to debates about hom.ose.xuality and the Bible or gay marriage. But in the grand scheme of things it all seems so trivial now. It's still my prayer that the concept of gay marriage will help some gay people who are living lustful relationships to open their mind to the concept of monogamy, faithfulness and love and away from this "well society doesn't accept me so I'm going to do whatever I want" attitude, and then maybe they'll be open to the idea of higher, spiritual love, but the issues aren't what matters. It's the people. If we just ignored all these issues that we create debates over and divide us into sides, we'd see that we're not separate after all.

It's like what you said about one side complaining that the other side needs to show them more respect. Why do we even have sides? It makes us want to defend our "side" and point out how the opposite side is wrong. But we're all sinners in need of salvation and we all need love. We're not going to get anyone to agree with anything completely and that's fine. Everyone is different. Taking sides divides us rather than unites us as children of God. If we just treat others with love and respect, sometimes that can go far.ther than even a thousand well crafted words explaining a position. We are lights in the world, lit by the Love that flows through us. I literally spent days debating someone about the Bible and how gay people should be treated and the other person agreed I made sound arguments but afterwards went right back to searching Colors for pro-gay people to tell they were sinning and must repent before they could be offered God's love. Words are hollow without love.

In case a time comes before the end where there is no internet or Colors, I just wanted you to know that I think of you as a friend. I just didn't want our debates to make you think we are just some civil adversaries and nothing more.

If its a friend you consider me, then its a friend I am. Maybe not the best friend, or even a close friend, but I understand. Though we have differant views capable of arguements, we've shown that we can discuss them in a rational way. Just a few weeks ago, I felt the same way you did about the world ending, but then I focused on the world today. Its been said that wars will break out, and nation will rise against nation, but the nation vs. nation wars today are two. Israel vs. Palestine and Russia vs. Ukraine. Two wars doesn't do "the end" justice. The Bible said that the water will turn bitter, this could be due to nuclear waste, and the worldwide plague could be caused by that too. And the hate building against God, could be from former christians blaming him for everything. A point brought up by [Dragonheart] brought up that it was happening now. But Middle-eastern muslims and American atheists are not what I would expect from "the end". Especially considering there are a lot of...

christians in Latin America and South America. I will admit that IF what I say is true, then it proves that we're not in the end times. But it says nothing to say that they aren't soon. But no one can say that they know when they will be, and no one can say that we are in them. I now think it will be soon, but not judging from a lifetime perspective. Because maybe the verse "No man knows the day or the hour" means that it will be when no one expects it, which rules out anytime soon from now.

Well, soon is all relative. :3 You're right that much more needs to happen first, but it may snowball. It's very important not to worry for the future no matter what happens, but to remain faithful that things will work out. For me, it really has more to do with a sense of resolution. I don't see it in the events. In fact, they're ratcheting up. I feel it in my own life, like there's a finish line that's finally in sight. Of course, even if it's a ways off, thinking time is short makes a person realize what matters most in life. It makes some of the other things we worry about seem kind of silly. It's like when Jesus talks about people worrying about what they will eat or wear and comparing that being unnecessary to worry over non-necessities.

I have a very strong sense that nuclear weapons will not be used. People will try and may even fake one, but it'll turn out to be false. I actually have the fealing a lot of the things we were told are true are about to be shown false. Some of them will be shocking to many people. There will also be trials in your own personal life and your faith may be tested, but it will come out stronger in the end. Of course, we'll see what really happens. :3

You're right. We can't spend every waking minute of our lives worrying about it. Just like when we you were a kid and wondering what was safe and what was not, and questioning everything you did. You eventually had to realize that you had to live and learn. Just like a verse in one of my favorite songs: "You'll never be great without taking a chance". So I just had to do what I used to. Consider everything, to be possible. Fear can be a hard thing to overcome, but you can't be brave without being scared first. Which is probably why I never liked senseless motivation, telling you that you can do anything. But you gotta learn from your mistakes first.

Since we all make mistakes, there's pleanty of opportunities for us to learn from them. :3 I know I did a painting about fear and anger holding someone down, but I'd like to do something that will encourage people not to be afraid even when there is every reason to be. If the ecconomy falls or war breaks out, some people will need to keep level heads. Otherwise, not only will people be irational, but someone could take advantage of their uncontrolled emotions. As I see from all the people depressed on Colors who I try to encourage, many people don't realize they have the power to help themselves.

On another note, what are your thoughts on the rapture?

I'm not too sure of what it is. Maybe only the believers of God get taken to heaven early, while maybe the rest suffer the end but still have time to convert. I would personally think that the most devoted christians get taken while the less devoted stay and wait. A christian I know once told me that he didn't want to be taken during the rapture, so he could comfort those who weren't. I guess the rapture kicks off the end times. Maybe people disappearing into thin air would be a clear sign of it. I'm not too sure about it though. What about you, what do you think?

The popular idea of the rapture where people vanish into thin air and their clothes are left behind just before the tribulation isn't from the Bible. Both Jesus and Paul made it clear that Jesus will return to earth with great fanfare and first the dead in Christ shall rise and be with Him and then the living in Christ will be caught up in the air. This is the second coming. Popular rapture beliefs say that the second coming of Christ will just be to pick up His faithful and then the third coming will actually be judgement day. As tempting as it is to believe that we'd be spared trials, I haven't yet been able to find any scripture to support that idea. Still, keep in mind that the book of Revelation barely made it into the Bible and only because it made such a nice final ending book. It was widely considered heretical for denying the sovernty of Christ and contradicting His teachings as well as considered too confusing even for the most literate scribes.

But the imagery of the book was obviously very well crafted for symbolism and people continue today to debate over what it all may mean. That's why I prefer to go by what Jesus says about the end times. He may have spoken in parables, but they are very easy to understand. According to Him, the timing will be unexpected. If someone says it's this time or place, we're to not believe them. People will be eating, drinking, marrying, and carrying on with their lives. This means that people won't be expecting it. So, despite the wars, earthquakes and troubles, life will continue as "normal". This may mean that it's very sudden or that there are difficult times but they seem to resolve themselves in peace and life continues. I personally have a sense that something will change soon for me and that it's tied to the world. If I did believe in the rapture, I'd expect to be raptured very soon, but what if the rapture is used as a ploy?

What if both good and bad people of all different or no religions vanished? Many people have invested so much faith into the idea that Jesus will take His faithful that it's tied into their overall faith. People might even question their faith in God, especially if they think they were faithful but were left behind in favor of a mixture of Christians, Muslims and athiests. It would certainly be unexpected and find out whose faith is genuine. Of course this is complete and total speculation. The point is that we should be ready for anything, not just wars and earthquakes. It is clear, though, that the time will be short and that we will never be tested beyond our ability to endure. If we are faithful and filled with love for others, we will endure. With or without a pre-tribulation rapture, I feel a sense of peace with the future. Seeing even a glimpse of the eternal has shown me how temporary this life is. Just try to reach out with love to as many as you can. :3

I'm afraid I can't do that. Most people I know in real life are either christians, or don't really care to talk about religion. But on Colors, people spread their beliefs and opinions, weather or not they could be considered a belief or not. I saw a painting that said "they're is no God". I commented saying that the artist should just keep telling himself that. Another person commented too, I have seen this person pretty much on every christian painting they're is. He's an athiest, who thinks that saying they're is no God, is a belief. Funny, because he's a more devoted athiest than most christians. Thats what he is about on Colors and I couldn't show him sympathy if I wanted to. Same for gay people. A friend of mine (sisslemissle) knows where in the Bible it states that its a sin. But gay christians I can show sympathy too, they may be sinning but its not like we're any better. Its the gay non-christians I have trouble with. I couldn't support that decision from a person who doesn't-

-The truth in The Word that tells you its wrong. I couldn't ever say, "I'm happy for you" to someone like that. And look, I know my views on the gay topic are not yours, and it may be a very personal one for you. So look if my ideals on this offend you, i'm sorry. I hope you can atleast understand me on this.

It does seem like it's easier to talk to people here on Colors for me too, but it's not like it has to be people you meet in real life. Somewhere out there is a real person behind their 3DS, so you can still at least get them thinking. It's true that there are many people who aren't open to new ideas, but some are. Sometimes tragic events in people's lives can make them question their beliefs. You could be there when they do so. I'm not going to be unrealistic and say it'll be a lot, but every single soul matters. It's not like John 3:16 says "For God so loved a certain select few that He gave His only son so that a few can believe and receive eternal life." Don't give up on people, even if they seem stubborn. You don't have to pester them, but just show that you're there and what you believe. If God draws them, they will feel a tugging on their heart. If even Paul, who started his life as Saul, who persecuted and took part in the mur.der of early Christians could be saved, who can't?

You can't offend me with your views on being attracted to my own gender unless you said you hoped I'd burn in he.ll and you wouldn't say that. I know it must be confusing why I believe what I do. I mean, why do I choose a life of celebacy for myself if I support same gender relationships for others? Try to imagine it this way. I have a friend who goes around telling people who date someone of their own gender that they are going to get AIDS as punishment for their sins. As you might imagine, he doesn't get favorable responses. But he never goes around telling people dating their opposite gender that they'll get AIDS for their sins, despite any premarital se.x being a sin. Why? Because he thinks that one sin is worse than the other. This is how flawed, sinful Christians have created a sense that they are superior, even if it's not intentional. I'm the first to admit I'm not perfect at all. I'm equal to anyone else. We all need salvation equally.

Now, being imperfect, I may realize my approach is wrong, but it seems to be closest to my understanding of scripture. See, too many Christians act like someone has to change to be saved, but change comes only AFTER being saved (again, see Paul). Many people read "If you love God, you will follow His commandments" as following His commandments is how you show your love, but really it's saying what Jesus said when he said to love God and all the rest will naturally follow. We will desire to do good once we begin to be transformed from inside. If we make salvation have all these rules, we take away the fact that it's repeatedly called "a free gift". If God is Love, as the Bible states, then showing love is showing God. 1 Corinthians 13 says that you can do all these things, but if you don't have love, they're nothing. Honestly, though, for me it seems mostly to work on people who are already open to Christianity, so it may be an incomplete approach.

As for the line "I'm happy for you," I honestly am happy if people are happy. Like any parent, God wants His children to be happy. And most people are happy just to be in love. How often do you really hear about someone talking about how happy se.x makes them?

Well if i'm reading that right, then i'd say not very often. I hear people say how they love their wife/husband or their girlfriend/boyfriend, and how happy they make them. And yes, they're is people without the integrity to first have a relation, but they're either low-lives, criminals, or wanted men. So yes, people are happier about love then anything else. Still this fact does not open a window for me to respect gays. Still, I have nothing wrong with, for example, a man saying he loves his best friend, even if he's not in a straight relationship. I guess I think a man should seek a woman to love and vice versa. It makes me wonder if some gays say that they're gay, because they love their friends. But I still can't agree with being gay all the same. Its a part of my christian view, a view I can follow amoung the few. I'm not perfect, but I do what I can, even if its not much at all. So maybe its pride that tells me that what you are doesn't get you respect, WHO you are does.

I get that it's not alwayseasy to show everyone love. It's like respect. If people don't respect us, it's hard to respect them. But I personally feel Jesus was very clear on this. We are to not only love our neighbor as ourself, but to love our enemies, to do good to those who do us harm, even to bless those who curse us. Imagine someone ki.lled someone you loved. Being a human, most likely you'll hold anger toward this person and even hate. You may even act vio.lently against them. Now imagine people just ki.lled your only son. Not only that, but some years later still mock his death and persicute those who don't. What would you feel toward these people? Hatred? A desire for vengence? But that's what God went through and what did He do? He offered them forgiveness. As humans, this is hard for us to understand. We think, "But he was a terrible person. How can you love him?" If God feels that anyone can be redeemed, why don't we? What does He see in them that we don't?

I know that there are people you just feel that you can't show love to, but if you prayerfully let God work through you, I have faith it will get easier. You will begin to see that none of us are perfect but God loves us anyway. We are not saved by good works but by the blood of Christ. Maybe there is a part of you that still feels they don't deserve your love or respect. Maybe it's pride like you say and you feel better than them, but even if that's true, it can change. And maybe I'm biased on this issue, but I feel that if you were attracted to your own gender, it would be easier for you to separate in your mind and beliefs attractions from se.x. Right now, I feel you think they are somehow linked. And by attractions I can mean physical or emotional. If you could find it in your heart to forgive someone who seriously wronged you, then you will find your heart has opened enough to truly love others the way God does. None of us deserve salvation. Accept that and offer love freely. :3

And I agree not to respect someone for what they are (having same gender attractions for example) but who they are. Just keep in mind that society often tells us to define who we are by what we are (age, race, etc). Maybe I could help if you tell me what it is you define as being gay and what about it that makes it hard to respect someone or to love them?

It is completely possible that some people who love someone of the same gender feel they must be gay because of how society sees relationships, especially between males. These people can be open to the idea that they don't need to define themselves that way.

Btw, did sisslemissle happen to mention to you what verses those are he/she was referring to?

She actuelly. And yes, I don't quite remember it though, I know its somewhere in Romans. She could probably tell you, if you were willing to ask. You dropped a lot of questions, so i'll start with what I define as gay. A gay person to me is someone who loves their same gender as straight people love the oppesite gender. Most of the time spent in history, was where people we're, as we call now, straight. But it was not called that because, with the acceptence of highly rare occations, thats all there was. Also thats what there was, first (Adam and Eve). But mainly I consider it a mind set. For example, I am not in a relationship right now, its not whats best for me at this point. However, when me and my friends/family sit around talking about the future, wife/husband and kids, I mean. I never think i'll date a male, I never think i'll marry a male. Being a straight I always think girlfriend and wife in those discussions. While a gay person would only imagine dating their own gender.

On the compassion topic, there's thing you should know. Loving your enemies is a major command in the Bible, however its no easier than the rest. Which doesn't justify sinning on any measure. I believe that no two people are the same, not just in personality and ideals, but in Biblical abilities. There are a lot of commandments in the Bible, but some are harder to keep for specific people. I could say its easy not to k!ll, but someone who turned 18 during war times would beg to differ. A pacifist could say its easy to love your neighbor, but a person wronged beyong measure couldn't say the same. A person born in the U.S. to a christian family could say its easy to hold God the highest, but a person born in India who has never heard of God could not say the same. It doesn't mean that there's no point in trying, it just means that we all have specific challenges. Maybe it easy for you to love your enemies and bless those who curse you, but for me its not. But it never hurts to try.

Ok I did some digging through comments and it states it in Romans 1:23-32.

Its not straight foward but it gets its point across well enough.

So, you just think of someone who is gay as someone who thinks of their own gender when they think of a spouce and someone who's straight their opposite gender? Well that doesn't sound like anything that would cause you to have any difficulty accepting people who are gay by that definition. After all, what's the big difference between you and a person who is attracted to their own gender but also doesn't date? There are differences, but they're bigger elsewhere. Maybe you've had negative experiences with people who label themselves as gay? Some males feel about other males the way the average female feels about males. The same is true for some females and some people toward others regardless of gender. No two people are the same, but society can affect anyone. We have a desire for a human con.nection to someone who understands us and we feel compatable with. That may be someone of a different age, race or gender. It's society that tells us how to express (or misuse) that con.nection.

I ended up reading through all of Romans because it's a good read and it's been a while since I'd read it. It also covers a lot of what we've been discussing, including loving our enemies. Paul also warns believers not to argue with each other over interpretations of their faith but to try to keep the peace. I suppose it's pretty obvious that no two people agree on everything, even on what is sinful or not. If we are living to glorify God but take different approaches that another believer feels is the wrong approach, we're not supposed to tell the other that their approach is wrong. So, if you are stronger in some areas and I in others, maybe we shouldn't try to make the other more like us? At least that's one interpretation. Still, I feel we can express our different views without conflict and that's really what Paul was saying to avoid. We should feel in conflict with no one, especially not fellow believers.

About the verses in Romans 1, taken in context, they are talking about believers, those who knew God and (as we see in chapter 2) judged others harshly for things they did themselves (hypocrites). They then rejected God and worshiped idols and so they were punished by becoming the things they despised and judged immoral. The question is why such an odd punishment from God? After all, what Paul is describing is the temple prostitution that took place in Rome, where women would have se.x with animals and men with other men. These org.ies would often last days and involved the use of drugs (this temple practice is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible even before Rome, so it was around a while). There was no male-female se.x because bloodline and knowing the child was your own was important to the Romans (and other people). But this was a common practice amoung followers of the goddess Cybele. But I guess some who knew the true God did this.

Of course, Romans then goes on to say everyone has sinned and portray that we're completely undeserving of any redemption. Then Paul goes on to explain the nature of salvation, how it relates to the law, Jews vs Gentiles, etc. It's really an interesting read. It's undeniable that those people who traded the truth of God for a lie and burned with lust were commiting sins. I think that's pretty obvious. But I don't see these verses as condemning gay people. Gay people can reject God, but so can straight people. Gay people can burn with lust, but so can straight people. It's like when people use Sodom as a condemnation of gay people, saying that the attempted gang ra.pe of angels is the same as two people of the same gender being in love. They never say the gang ra.pe of women in Judges as a condemnation of a man love with a woman. I think we often create two standards for straight people and gay people and that's another reason they feel rejected by Christians instead of welcomed.

That's probably also why Paul warns of arguing over sins. As he explains, the Holy Spirit works through us and transforms us. And even if we believe same gender love is a sin, we should not condemn those who are in bon.dage to sin, for that was us. God is infinite and so His sacrifice was too and there is pleanty of salvation to go around. :3

Gemora was turned into salt, because of sodom, and that was a story back in the old testament. If its on a personal level other than a Biblical one then I see no reason to respect gays. I could respect the person under the gay, but never could I give respect for WHAT someone is. By simply saying I don't agree with being gay, I have been insulted countless times. By someone who says "Love is love" but give endless hate to those who don't agree. Thats nothing to be respected. I know as a fact that all gays are like that, not for a second would I say they are. But if I have to give respect to not be hated, I think i'll pass. The world causes me to not respect them, and God's word causes me to not agree with them.

(I know as a fact NOT all gays are like that)

I know it's hard to show respect (let alone love) to someone who is defensive to the point of being hateful, but try to forgive them. As I've said, so many people use labels to define who they are because that's what we're told to do. I know I'm probably overly biased in thinking that people like that can change and eventually accept Christ. I don't want to see anyone perish, but yes I can see how maybe I hold out hope only because I feel somehow in some small way I relate to them. I had the advantage of discovering my attractions early on, but most people don't notice until puberty and they have to go through all the normal challenges with realizing their attractions are not accepted by some of society at the same time. Their family may even be against gay people. It can all be very confusing and I know that people who don't accept themselves take any comment that they interpret as negative about them very personally. On the other hand, people who are comfortable with themselves are

not as easily offended. But it can be difficult for some people to accept themselves because they have a negative self image. This is true for a many different people, including many people with same gender attractions. Remember that most people who are attracted to their own gender don't want to be. Some learn quickly to accept it while others take time. Some never accept their attractions and there are even "ex-gays" who, though they still have the attractions, consider being gay as acting on those attractions and not acting on them as not being gay (of course this view makes pretty much every gay teenager "not gay"). On Colors especially, many of the gay people you will meet are at this delicate time in their life. Imagine you had attractions you never wanted but had to decide to accept or live a life hating yourself and someone comes along and says they don't agree with your attractions. To you, you hear them saying, "Don't accept yourself. Hate yourself."

To prevent this confusion, I'd recommend avoiding "I don't agree with being gay." For many people, being gay means feelings and these are feelings they never chose and are just learning to accept. It's no different than saying "I don't agree with being straight" in the way "straight" is personalized as a part of the person. Maybe try saying what you believe rather what you disgree with. In the gay marriage debate, the other side changed their tactic from being against gay marriage to instead saying how they want to affirm traditional marriage and it's value. Keeping a more positive spin made them seem less argumentative. :3

Well if someone were to tell me that they don't agree with being straight, I would say that we're now even. As far as the grammer aspect of it goes, saying that wouldn't make sense. But in all honesty straight has to do with lines, and gay means happy, or joy. But those slang terms never hurt anybody to begin with, so, what do you do. I think i'm trying to preserve respect, and its meaning. 200 years ago the only kinds of people who were treated fairly we're white males. Over the years woman got their rights, and blacks got equal rights. At that point when the world realized that all men (and woman) were equal. Around fifty years later, in the present time, we're told to respect WHAT people are, we're taught to respect ALL their life desicions. To the point that people are not equal anymore. Because we're throwing around respect, like its a ball. Respect is earned through hard tasks that often require bravery and selflessness. If everybody gets respect, then whats the meaning in it?

(In case part of that was unclear: I am capable of respecting woman and blacks just as much as a white. I was implying that I won't respect them JUST because of that.)

I'm starting to think our interpretations on respect are differant, allow me to explain mine:

For example lets use it as a point system. Say everyone has fifty points, gender, race, straight, or gay. All of them have fifty points. Every low-life scum gets zero. Respect to me is above fifty. If I see a gay, I won't give them, say a seventy, for being gay, I won't give a black a seventy for being black, and so on.

50 is equal. Above 50 is respect.
Less then fifty is disrespect.

Yes, I can see that's different than how I think of it. I think of respect as treating someone how you would want to be treated yourself ("Do unto others..."). I don't think of a point system because I forgive anyone who does wrong and consider all humans equal. Only God would get higher respect. So, really there are only two kinds for me and the separation is clear: humans vs. God. So, when I think of respect, it's like a default setting. I wouldn't respect someone because of who they are or what they do, but because they are equal to me and so I should treat them that way. If I judge their worthiness for a respect level based on their actions, I am judging them in a way I personally believe only God should and I'd have the potential to feel superior to someone if I judge them as unworthy of my respect, which would be pride on my part. I don't see anyone as "lowlife scum".

So, I respect the people, not what they do. I think that's where you're going too?

I guess, since for me respect is the default, that it is measured only by its counter to disrespect. But you're saying that people would get more respect if they do something requiring sacrifice or something like that. That makes sense, but I can't seem to see it like that. I guess not judging others by their misdeeds means I don't judge them by their noble deeds either. I can see it and understand what you mean, but everytime I think of a scenario in my mind, I can be greatful if they do something heroic and very pleased, shocked even, but I can't imagine treating them differently because of it. Well, at least I can identify my limitations. That's something at least. :3

Maybe what you view as respect leans more towards acceptence? If a gay made a message asking for acceptence, I would say you have mine. To me respect is something more then acceptence. Respect is being honored. You can understand why somebody couldn't get my definition of respect, simply by asking for it. But after reading this, is acceptence what you view as respect?

Yes, I think it may be acceptance, but just that I've come to think of them as being the same. I guess this just goes to show how people can get different meanings from the same words. I think it's because people don't use "accept" as often as "respect" that it's the word I've come to think of. Do you think it's split or that most people see respect the way you do and not the way I do?

I wonder if that means I don't really respect people...

You don't nessesarily have to. I think most people use your definition of it, but I was always under the impression that the real meaning was mine. Obviously I won't treat people better then equal just because they asked for it. If you changed your mind to my meaning of respect, you could make a painting describing the differences. If you were willing.

I'll have to get a better grasp on the difference first. Maybe once I'm feeling better. I was going through Youtube to see how different people use the words and one person said that, if you ask for acceptance, you can never be respected by them because you're putting yourself on a lower level than them by saying you want them to accept you. Another person said that respect is earned but you should honor everyone. Another said the reverse. Another said that if you treat everyone with respect, then you can count on them later when you need their help, but he used it to mean being kind to people. The rest used respect and acceptance interchangibly and just distinguished tolerating someone as being different. I'll have to give it more thought if I respect people differently.

Its really frustrating how slang and overuse have affected the meaning of the language. I guess since theres no going back we'll have to make due with it. I would think that, one on one, in person you could yse the word respect when it comes to how you feel about gays. Saying something like "Oh, I don't have to agree with them, but i'll respect them". While as here on Colors or on TV or maybe a speech. It would be better to use the word "accept". Like you can send a message saying "Gays should be accepted like the rest of us". So, "respect" is more personal, and "accept" is more general, I would think.

So, "We don't have to agree for me to respect you." for one on one and "I accept people as they are." on a broader level. I remember making a painting that said "gay means happy" and people disagreed with me. Sometimes the original meaning gets lost over time. It's also why people see labels differently, because of how they interpret the words and their meanings. I even watched a video about someone responding to someone saying that they feel insulted by being called hom.ose.xual and only want to be called gay and how arbitrary that is. I wouldn't have been confused about acceptance vs respect if it weren't for all the varieties of word uses. I guess it will take some careful wording sometimes to make sure people understand your meaning.

Atleast the two of us settled this debate. Anything else you want to discuss?

I've been following the continued attacks in Gaza and feel troubled over the ki.lling, but I don't know how it can be stopped. If one side were to give up, the other wouldn't and the side that gave up vio.lence would be destroyed. And all it takes is someone from the other side, not even someone in charge, to use a weapon and it starts over. The problem is that they both see the same land as holy and are unwilling to share. There must be a solution. I know, it's probably a pointless question since it's not like either of us can stop the war, but many fights go this way and even individuals can develop resentment for each other.

A few people are on Colors have started the tag #FreePalestine. I spoke to the person who started and inspired it. He believes that Israel is occupying Palestine, and is starting a movement to protest it. Not very smart, even if the whole country believed that, it would not matter. The main religions is the Middle-east are Judaism, christianity, and islam. Obviously those three do not mix. The middle-east is figuretivly a powder-keg. Its a religious war or in other words a "Holy war". Look at the year on your calender, and thats how long the middle-east has been at war. They're probably not going to stop until "The End", and any seize fire will probably be temporary.

I let all the bloodshed get too me too much, which is perfectly understandable, but I must trust that things have to work out a certain way and Isreal is simply playing their role. Hopefully more people wake up before the very end.

I have not been feeling well for a while and it becomes increasingly harder to focus, so if you happen to have free time, I would be greatful if you could give a little advice on a painting I just uploaded to Bully Free Zone. If not, I understand. We all have lives. :3

Alright its done. And look its not your obligation to comment on here. When ever you're ready is fine.

Thank you! And it's not obligation. There are so many things I want to do and so many ideas in my head, but sometimes it feels too difficult to do them or to express them in words or art. Though some things I've decided not to turn into art. As much as I'd like to address religion and politics, I decided a while back to avoid anything that would lead to a fight.

Its unfortunete that most things worth saying would end in a fight. I guess anything would, one way or another. We all have differant opinions. Some don't want to be labeled as anything, others stereotype all kinds of people, some don't want to start fights, and some just want to see you get angry. In polotics some would respect all, others prefer freedom of speech, some would prefer safty over freedom, others the oppesite. A lot of people say its polotics but thats just part of it. Media, propoganda, they go along with it all the same. I realize i'm not old enough to vote or be at all involved in polotics, but seeing them come up so much, I know where I stand. I believe that people of all races, genders, and orientations should be treated equally. But I believe we shouldn't be forced to give them our personal respect, nor should we be forbidden to think or say what we feel. Safty is key, but it should never get in the way of our freedoms, and if there were ever a choice, freedom-

-comes first. I agree that polotics shouldn't be addressed on Colors. Religion is already here, and probably not going away. From your perspective I guess it would be better to lend your opinion on a painting somebody else made.

My parents have always been into politics. In fact, my dad seems to find a way to turn any conversation into one about politics. You might think that's an exageration, but it's really not. So I've had a lifetime to learn how things work and to finally realize the two party system of politics is just to create the illusion of choice. It's like how news programs have two people on to disagree about an issue. Pay attention to the part that both agree on. That's what the news program is trying to get its audience to believe. "If people who disagree both think it's true, it must be true." It's an effective use of propoganda for the purpose of controling how people think. This also makes people who disagree with both sides seem unreasonable and outside the realm of sanity even. "Well of course we need to sacrifice freedom for security. Everyone knows that." Fortunately, thanks in a large part to the internet showing people the rest of the story, a lot of people are skeptical of media.

Now that I understand the broader definition of respect, I don't think anyone should be forced to feel something they don't. It's like being told how to think. People should even be allowed to be rude, but the other person has the right to be rude back. Though, just because someone can do something doesn't mean they have to. It's free will. People should just understand the consequences of that free will, such as insulting someone and what happens after that. I think one of the most important lessons people can learn is to understand how others think and feel, how their actions affect them and why they believe as they do. Ideally, I'd like for everyone to be nice to each other, but obviously that's unrealistic. Still, I spend a lot of time trying to make people imagine things from another person's perspective.

Well, a lot of people often do. It goes back to noticing rude comments over pleasent ones. Did you ever consider that the nice people in your life have bad things to say about you, but don't say them? Normally people are more selfish then either they, or anyone else think. They may say something they know they shouldn't, because, maybe they had a bad day and they feel that they deserve to let that out. When really they forced themselves to believe they couldn't take it anymore. So in reality, theres probably more good people then their is bad people. The bad are just more vocal.

By the way your Dad, sounds like my family Christmas parties.

Sometimes it's good to let out your emotions rather than hold them in until you go crazy over some small thing that was just one thing too many. And as long as a person appologizes later, I think most of us understand things like that happen. Even couples who have been together for decades and love each other dearly can still fight sometimes or say things that feel at the time but know as soon as they're said that they're hurtful. We're not perfect. That's part of understanding each other too.

And your relatives are very political too? My parents consider themselves Conservative Republicans. Of course, that's constantly at odds with being Christian, but they don't see it until I point it out. At least they can admit they're wrong. If I had been raised by parents who pretend never to make mistakes, I'd probably be much less able to admit my own mistakes and learn from them. We need to see our parents as human sometimes, to see their imperfections, or we feel too separate from them.

My Mom is the more political over the two of them, and she is VERY conservative. So is both my grandfathers, and my cousin. I get to hear them talk about everything from tax prices to gun laws. I mostly agree with them, if not entirely. To be honest I don't think my parents could ever admit if their wrong. They never have on a serious occation, but i'll have to wait and see.

Both my parents are very mellow people, so they're comfortable admitting they're wrong. I know a lot of parents take themselves or the job of parenting too seriously and that makes them afraid that admitting a mistake would be like showing weakness. A lot of people also honestly don't change their minds that much. My parents' personalities often clash with their political beliefs, leading them to change their minds. Really, I think they'd be far less conflicted if they were liberal Christians, but I understand it's hard to give up fear. They have come a long way from repeating political party lines to more independent thinking, but fear is still the big thing they are struggling to completely let go. I try to assure them that most of what they fear is unfounded and even that which isn't are things that must come to pass as events come together in the end, like the destruction of Israel, ecconomic collapse, the antichrist (a group, not a person) saving the day, earthquakes, etc.

Another thing that can help family members admit they're wrong is disagreeing on something, so it may be that you and your parents agree on a lot of things, so there are simply less opportunities for it to come up. Also, I've noticed that some people are biologically predisposed to being conservative, so it is more comfortable for them. Others, like my parents, are awkward being conservative. Our relatives are all over the map politically too. It may be that many of your relatives share similar ways of seeing the world, which leads to conversations that are basically agreeing with each other about how terrible something is and not really having a chance to question those beliefs. There's something to be said for seeing things differently. Imagine if we both agreed about everything. That would mean we'd both be wrong about the same things. I've certainly rethought many things because we don't always agree. Though I suspect sometimes you hold back some of your critiques. XP

I know that i'm not always right. In fact I don't view what people say as right or wrong anymore, I wonder if they truly know what they're talking about. For example (I'm not trying to drag this topic out, but i'm useing this scenario as an example) The "being gay is ok" painting you and I commented on. One person said that as a gay they wanted the freedom to be who they are without torment from others. That person did not think enough on what they said. Freedom isn't practiced by taking away someones ability to share their thoughts. So no, I didn't always agree with what you said, but that didn't mean I had to call you out on it, and attempt to change it. If someone has their views on the world, and stands entirely behing what they say, then they can know a deeper truth, in which I may possess. Differant people have always thought differant things, I have no right to shove my opinions down people's throats. I can accept peoples opinions, when they're backed by truth and not agenda's.

Which is why people's opinions can not be judged by right and wrong. Because we all have differant beliefs. One could view something as wrong, while others wouldn't see it as anything. Opinions, right or wrong are individualized, and have to be backed by belief system. If two individuals have differant belief systems, right and wrong may not exist.

So, do you think that there are any universal rights and wrongs if you instead use the terms good and bad or helpful and harmful, or do you see those as different things? For instance, even if someone thought genocide was right, it would be harmful and bad from a broader perspective. If someone doesn't believe in gravity, it doesn't allow them to fly. If someone says there is no God, does being "right" in their own mind really change things? Maybe I'm over thinking it. I do know that everyone has a different perspective, but I also believe that there is a fundamental morality that is true regardless of belief. But, before you point out how this is obviously a belief in itself, there have actually been studies from around the world (even many by athiests) that show a certain basic type of morality that is almost (but not quite) universal among humans from birth and that culture and upbringing alters it. And, even as adults, they still react the same to culture-blind scenarios.

That being said, truth is much harder to come by, but I still believe some things are true whether or not I even know about them, let alone believe them. That's why I like to hear alternate points of view, to see the big picture and then see if I've missed anything when I established my beliefs. Though, of course, sometimes it's easy to get caught up in trying to defend "your side" and I've been guilty of this plenty of times in the past. As for "it's ok to be gay", I know people will believe what they will, but I still feel that some people will change their views. I see this quite often with parents after a child "comes out". Even if you believe something is wrong, if you love the person, you'll try harder not to hurt them. When it's someone out there we don't really know, we can often be dismissive and speak in ways that don't show love. Though, if we could see each other as all part of one family, maybe we'd try harder to understand each other. This applies to both sides.

It still saddens me to see so many people who are attracted to their own gender embracing anger, hate and darkness, and I feel that part of the reason many of them have anger against Christians is because of how we've been portrayed, as people who hold up signs saying they'll burn in hell. It's really an uphill battle to try to show that we're about love, the exact opposite of hate. Sometimes it feels like a German after the Holocaust trying to convince a Jew that not all Germans are Na.zis. But if the love and compassion is genuine, it comes across as more true than what they've learned from society because, just like with a child coming out to their parents, this is a real person showing real feelings and not some hypothetical idea of what a Christian might be like. The most powerful testiment we can ever make isn't actually testifying to anything. It's letting salvation show through us by the love we give freely. "No one comes to Christ lest the Father draws him."

This means we're not doing the work. "For it is by grace alone that we are saved and not by works." We just shine the light of love and, since God is love shining through us in the form of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we are revealing His truth in an openness and compassion. Maybe they won't immediately be drawn in. Maybe they'll come to it much later or even not at all, but if we can see each other as family, it will give us the patience that the father Jesus spoke of had in waiting for his prodigal son to return.

Eh, sorry I drifted off topic. :3 I'm still not feeling up to starting all the art I've put off (though I'm feeling better than earlier this week), so I was watching wedding proposals. I don't know the people, but I can still feel what they feel when they see their relatives, friends and then their future fiance comes out and proposes. Quite a few of them had me crying and all had me smiling.

Proposals? hmm. Well now you get a deeper sense of sharing others emotions. Its like charity. People all over the U.S. send supplies to kids in Africa. They wouldn't do that if they didn't share their emotions, its often called sympathy. Sympathy is for sad emotions but people can share others joyful emotions by being around them, or in some cases watching a video of them. Opinions are often backed by emotions, but to share someone's emotions does not mean you have to share their opinions.

I agree, but speaking of opinions, what are yours on what I said, such as there being universal truth or right and wrong beyond opinions or beliefs?

I don't think there is the same right and wrong amoung everybody. Picture what is right and wrong to a christian, and what is right and wrong to a satanist. There not the same, the oppesite in fact. But there is no possible way to convince everybody one thing with the same reason. On several gay paintings, I would post my comment containing a message for gay, or gay supporting, christians. And one for gay, or gay supporting, non-christians. Because I knew that being gay is only wrong if you're a christian or muslim. Otherwise its whoevers decision. Even so, not everyone can be pleased.

I've been thinking about this and I suppose I'm thinking that actions that try to help others are "good" and actions that try to hurt others are "bad", but I guess not everyone would define things that way. Maybe I'm biased in thinking my sense of morality is "right" and someone like the satanist you mention is "wrong". It's hard to separate sometimes because I believe that there is a universal right and wrong outside any of our opinions. But, again, maybe I'm biased because I believe the universe was made with these truths as part of it. Still, if we start thinking that everyone's beliefs are the truth for them, we get into a type of moral relativism that can make people focus on themselves and whatever pleases them, no matter the consequences to others. But, you're right, many people can't easily change their belief system. Maybe they even believe as strongly as I do and it sounds crazy for me to say they're wrong. I just have such a hard time thinking there isn't universal truth.

Speaking of opinions, I'd really appreciate if you happened to have some advice for @CheshireKittu in BFZ because no one else seems to want to give advice on that one and I'm not sure my advice is helping. I keep wanting to upload a painting of my cat self asking for more people to give advice, but I never seem to have the energy to draw it.

Alright, I commented. And its ok, i'm the one to understand inactivity, as far as posting goes. I'm unfortunatly uploading once a month. Also I don't think there is a universal right and wrong, like you do. Only because of the people who don't care about right and wrong, the one's who do whatever they want. There have been several cases of people, mainly teenagers, who k!ll because their bored.

Thank you! And I'd say that ki.lling yourself is universally wrong, but I guess that's just my opinion. Speaking of opinion, in your comment, you said something along the lines that there are consequences to coming out and she must accept those. I said something similar in saying that I advised against coming out for safety reasons, but now I'm wondering if it's promoting a kind of lying. After all, you either deny having same gender attractions (direct lie) or avoid it by hiding (lying by omission). I guess, believing that lying is wrong, that the wrong might outweigh the consequences. Would that be suffering for righteousness' sake to tell the truth and suffer the consequences?

I wouldn't consider not saying anything, as lying. Telling a lie is the oppesite of telling the truth. Could someone who never said a thing be considered a lier? Same princible when someone says a false statment and you neither confirm nor deny it, it is not lying. So by obvious reasoning you will pose as a straight person, but you can avoid flaunting it, you can avoid making it clear. You can simply choose not to talk about it. Unless you are gay, and proud of it. That being said, you should never come out to be gay if you cannot take other people's opinions about it. That applies to everything you say you are. I perrsonally believe that a little negative opinions from others, is a good thing. There will not be a time where everyone is tolerant of beliefs, we all must learn to accept that. Organizations like LGBT are just trying to make this one a fantasy world. Most gays believe this do to the good LGBT does for them. I figure we should all be treated equally, and take negativity in.

Yeah, I think there's a lot to be learned from not only realizing other people think differently but also why they think what they do. I guess I get tired sometimes of all the intentional withholding of information. You see it in the news media, where the audience is led to believe something that isn't true by limiting what information is presented. Also, imagine if you had to keep being straight a secret. Everywhere you go, you see posters of gay couples in movies, etc. Your friends constantly talk about their gay relationships. You hear people say derogetory things about straight people and how they all have diseases and are going to hell. Every love song on the radio is a gay love song. You're just trying not mention being staight, but you live in a world where every single kids movie has a gay relationship in it and your relatives speak of the evils of "the staight lifestyle". It's everywhere and you know sooner or later you'll be asked why you're not dating a guy.

That's what it's like to be an outside observer of "normal" attractions. You see that pro-hetero relationships are everywhere, pushed from infantcy onward, from games to cartoons to songs to movies to story books to television. If you could see it, you'd realize how much it creates this idea of "normal" so that anything different is "abnormal" and "wrong". Just like if everything were centered around gay couples, you'd feel awkward if you saw something straight. It's over-the-top almost as if all of society has to keep being bombarded with pro-hetero relationships every second or they'll turn gay. When everyone is just ASSUMED to be staight by default, living in silence can be living a lie. Which is why I feel that the goal of gay being part of a spectrum of "normal" is a workable approach, since it expands this very narrow definition of "normal", opening people's minds to see beyond. Anything that encourages understanding others is good. But, yes, we won't all get along. :P

Just to be clear, though, when I say I want to eliminate the narrowness of the concept of "normal" to weaken it, that doesn't necessarily mean I agree with the actions some people take in an effort to expand the idea of "normal". Being human, they can be selfish. It's ironic, but sometimes people who have been opressed don't always see when they too are opressors. You can see this in "hate speach" and "political correctness". You can also see this on both sides in this rediculous animosity many gay people and black people have against each other as well as the Jews' (a formerly opressed people) opression and genocide against non-Jews, especially Arabs. But if we only fight for our own freedoms, we are not really fighting for freedom but for power.

You have a point there. The way I see it is, people want to be viewed as something more than meats the eye. They don't want to be classified as one thing, even if thats one of the things you are. Gender being one thing, many people don't want to be called male or female. Religion, people don't want to be condidered a christian even though they believe in the exact same things a christian does. But no matter how special people want viewed, they always enforce, not share, they're opinions. Many people in islam countrys k!ll christians or jews, because their not muslim. Many people who are unique in a more literal way, want you to tolerate what they are, but show no tolerance if you don't. People have greed inside them, without realizing it themselves.

What many people don't realize is how often pride can stem from insecurities. They may seem opposite, but you can easily find people who are over-compensating for a poor sense of self worth by saying "hey, look, I'm special." Of course, true self confidence doesn't require others to keep reminding you why you should be confident. But we're imperfect creatures with many different issues we're all trying to sort out. It's good to recognize when we are being hypocritical, but I understand that pointing it out can be delacate, especially when that "strong sense of self" is a paper thin covering over insecurities.

@The Cartoon Guy recently uploaded a painting about how he feels constantly criticized on Colors, but the majority of the comments he receives are supportive. Sometimes things that frustrate us stand out so much that we can obsess over them and make them bigger than they are. I certainly know I have been guilty of this. Really, as a whole, the vast majority of people label themselves as male or as female. But they blend in and we tend to notice what stands out, the vocal minority. For example, we often condemn entire nations, races and religions based on the actions of some. Most Muslims don't go around ki.lling people of other religions. No matter what people believe, most people take a passive role in life. Maybe they'll say something, but not many as a whole act. But, as we saw in Germany in the 40s, inaction can allow the worst kind of actions.

When you say people don't want to be considered Christian but have the same beliefs, what were you referring to? I know there are a lot of different denominations, such as Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Penticostal, Presbiterian, etc just to name a few on the Prodistant Christian side. They aren't necessarily trying to stand out but many people do have slightly different beliefs but different enough that they disagreed and went their seperate ways. It rather reminds me of all these ways to describe someone's se.xuality. No two people are alike, so we struggle to find a label that fits us. The same could also be said for religious labels. No two people see the world through the same set of eyes, so each person's faith will be naturally a little different. Though, personally, I see all these labels as missing the point. I know Apostalic and Anglican both have different traditions and even steps to salvation, but I feel being a Christian transcends all these other labels.

Well people not wanting to be called christians, I was refering to a person on Colors that I met. I was actuelly talking to her friend first. It was a group conversarion I may have told you partially about, between me, sisslemissle, and someone else (who's name I can't remember) Anyways the person me and sisslemissle were talking to was telling us about the christian who, we later found didn't want to be refered to as that. I asked her of her religious beliefs and she believes in God, she believes in Jesus, she holds the Bible to be the truth, but said she isn't a christian, because she didn't want to be labeled as that. But what people don't realize is what everybody shares the knowledge of. One word, can not define every aspect of a person. We all know that, one way or another. So say you are a gay, christian, pacefist, for exanple. People know you are gay, they know you're christian, and they know you're a pacefist. There doesn't need to be one word to sum that all up as a noun.

And its really nothing to be offended about by being refered to as only one of those three. But in some cases, people are. People don't want to be refered to as ONE thing, and while one thing can not describe everything, it can describe the biggest or most important thing.

It's possible that she came across someone (or more than one person) who called themself a Christian but was just really hard for her to get along with or even rude. She could even have parents who call themselves Christian but she feels different from them. Maybe she'd prefer "I accepted Christ into my heart" or "I'm a Christ follower" or something similar, but I personally feel that Christian is more of a transcendent fundamental, whereas sub categories like Methodist, Lutherin, Baptist, etc are labels. Of course, it's all just words. I know from experience that it can be hard seeing someone say "Well you're also [insert label here], so you must agree with me or you're not really [same label here]" or to see a word you use to describe yourself used in a way that completely does not describe you and you then have to keep saying, "Oh, I'm not THAT kind of [insert label here]." That's why I try not to use labels often, especially with others.

It's hard to imagine being offended by someone describing you but leaving out the rest, because, really, we're so many things that we leave out a lot unless we're mentioning things for hours. But I guess maybe it's that they want to make sure an assumption isn't made about them? Like, saying gay Christian instead of just gay because they're afraid of being seen as, sadly, many gay people, athiests. Of course, this is just a guess. Myself, I wouldn't be offended, but I try to understand why someone might be. Some people are wound too tight and need peace and understanding.

Unfortunatly for them, most people don't have that kind of patience. I have also seen many cases where people look for a word that describes them, or even making up on that does. Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with looking for a word that describes you, making up one is differant. It really shows me, actuelly, how sensative a lot of people are, about who they are. Now yes, being a teenager is about the time in your life you figure out who you are. But no one word can describe an entire person, as I mentioned before. What I don't understand is if you look so hard to find who you are, what does the name of it matter?

I was thinking about labels and the appeal and wondering if it simply comes from our language learning centers of our brains. As small children, we are shown things and told a word for them (run, sad, apple). As we grow, our vocabulary expands. Then, as we develop a sense of self, it's only natural that we use words (labels) to identify and separate ourselves. We spent our childhoods using words to separate the difference between objects, feelings and actions. We draw on language skills as we build vocabulary and are rewarded with understanding differences through words, so maybe we just continue that without realizing it and we end up with labels? I'm not sure if this is the case, but it could be a possible factor. It would explain why many people have trouble breaking away from a label, because it would be like redefining a word they thought they knew and modifying their vocabulary usage. Maybe if people saw them as words, they'd take the labels less seriously and less personally.

Through all of this I must admit, i've been trying to break out of a label myself. Its really nothing serious, just somewhat of a thorn in my side. Its not even literatly correct, but i've been trying to shed it without taking it too personally. So I can see where people are coming from, to an extent. One that seams nothing is ever behind. And while this discussion on labels has been interesting, I have something else to bring up. The solution to every problem: Advice. I have been giving a lot of advice, to a lot of people recently. And its honestly been quite difficult. When a friend has a problem, I feel abliged to help them with it. And the whole "tear" emoticon, "I hope things get better", and the figurative "hug", doesn't cut it for me. I try to relate to what a person is going through, and put myself in their shoes. This is difficult because I usually hate getting advice. But I know you give good, and often frequent, advice. So what do you do in those cercumstances?

What is this label you are trying to escape I wonder....

When I give advice, I try to not only read what the person writes, but read between the lines. Often times we overlook things when we have a problem, which is why another perspective helps. I avoid focusing on the whole "yeah, that's really unfair" and more on coming up with posible solutions. Imagine every scenario as a problem with a solution. You may be wrong, but people understand it's your perspective. First, I identify the main problems and break them down one at a time. I think of each as an obsticle and come up with possible ways around or through the obsticle. If I see no solution to that part of the big problem that I've broken up to focus on, then I think of ways to cope with the problem. I usually try to give multiple options if I can. And, if it involves another person, I always try to get them to try to see from that other person's perspective, so they don't hold as much resentment.

Once you've established that you care, you don't have to focus on just comfort. They will appreciate a logical approach and pointing out things they may have missed. It's important that they let go of anger, including anger toward themself. Everyone gets frustrated and angry and that's perfectly healthy. It's holding it inside everywhere you go that is so desctructive. Just like with art, we tend to judge ourselves harsher than others and miss certain details, so it's good that you can be there for others when they need it. Advice isn't easy unless the problem they need advice on is easy, so expect some hard ones, but break it down and present possible options to solve or deal with it. I hope that made sense. :3

Well its a lable that makes me guilty by association. It gives me credit for thing I didn't do, good or bad. It turns "he" into "they", and "him" into "them". Everything I do, I take half the credit for. Every aspect of my personality, is combined with anothers. And thats how i'm treated, not as myself, but a half of a whole I never wanted to be apart of.

When i'm giving advice, I try to read between the lines, but i've never tryed listing ways to deal with it, i'll have to try when the opportunity presents itself, thanks. Some people I can easily give advice to, to some its quite challenging. To a person I know in real life, that i've known for a while. He's always vented to me, and he was older then me, thats usuelly not a problem. But for the problems he had, the advice I could give was always just one step behind. Some people feel angry, some people feel sad, some feel confused, and some feel helpless. Are those their real emotions? Or did they just like the way the shoe fit?

I'm trying to think of a label that makes you half of a whole, but all I can come up with is brothers or friends or things like that. Maybe it's obvious and I'm just overlooking it.

Sadness, anger, confussion, hurt, joy, etc are all real emotions. It's hard to make yourself feel something you don't, but we're not limited by any one emotion at a time, so they can be mixed sometimes. Sometimes people can even feel another emotion because of one they're already feeling, like guilt over desire or frustration over an unwanted emotion maybe perceived as a weakness. It's tricky to see past the guilt or frustration to the emotions underneath, but really they need to be addressed if the problem is to be solved. As for him being a step ahead, some people spend a lot of time overthinking things and so may have thought of a lot of things already, but you're bound to hit something he hasn't considered yet.

About the label. Its more of a pet name gone horribly wrong. Its not offensive, i'm not insulted by it. It just makes me feel...... its hard to describe. What would satisfy me is, like, even if i'm treated worse, i'm oke with that, as long as i'm treated like a single, individuel, person. Unfortunatly, I see know way of that happening. But, I know it won't be like this forever. Give or take a few years as an adult, the whole thing will go away. So how people say to enjoy your childhood while it lasts, I atleast got one good reason to look forward to adulthood. But, then again, I don't think possible to dread it, but thats just me. I'll probably learn my leason later in life, but atleast I can admit that.

Yeah, i'll probably think of something. Most things are usually done better in person, which doesn't have an easy way of happening. He really doesn't need anyones advice anymore, he usually just needs someone to vent to, which I could be there for him for that. I really just felt bad-

-Because of how I wasn't able to help him in the past. If I was the same age now, as I was then, we would be the same age, and I know without a doubt, I could have helped him. But, I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to say, I didn't know how to react. I was scared. I was scared to try to help, cause I knew I couldn't. I can't help but think of what I should have said. I didn't have the courage then, as I do now. Looking back, I guess I just wanted to be there for him, when I was the only one he trusted. I shouldn't look in the past though. History was written, and all turned out well. Heh, I guess through giving so much advise the past few weeks, the time I wasn't able to crept into my mind. And ended up here.

It sounds like the label "teenager". I often hear it used in a demeaning way, like, "Well, of course you think that. You're a teenager." or something else to imply an entire group of people are all the same and don't matter. Minors are the only minority that it's still okay to discriminate against and remove rights from. So, yes, a lot will change.

You can't change the past, but regrets are valuable lessons. By thinking about what you could have done, it makes you better able to deal with similar circumstsnces in the future. You say you lacked courage, but now you have it. Combining that with experience, you can gain wisdom. After all, we learn far more from our mistakes than our sucesses. No one knows everything, so we're here to learn.

Absolutely. I've never had any tolerance for being disrespected, in a manor forceing you to respect someone else. Minors are often taught to respect non-minors, no matter the age. Of course we talked a lot about how respect is earned. That along with, being a minor, everything you do is viewed as a "phase". Instead of thinking, that thats who you are. Bullying is another good example. Its only "bullying" if you're a minor. While as if you're an adult its consider "assualt" and is a punishable crime. That being said, I don't think minors should be able to vote or anything like that. And discrimination to a minor, is the way the one doing it, is. And it could really just be classified as "rude". The one thing i'd like to see is, physical bulling be considered a crime.

(On the second topic.) I don't regret what I did, or what I didn't do. But what I couldn't have done. Its not like he had dozens of people helping him, I was the only one he trusted. The fact that I couldn't have helped him, disappoints me. It wasn't a mistake I made, I learned nothing from that time. Look, I appreciate you're concern, but I know full and well that none of that matters anymore. I know that we learn from our mistakes and that you're done learning from them, when you don't look back on them.

Humans tend to pick on those they perceive as weaker or less than them and minors are that to many people. The thing is, so many of these people went through the same discrimination, the same abuse called "just part of growing up", and then they now feel empowered to treat others the way they were treated. They feel like they survived the disrespect and so now can finally get back by disrespecting others. And, since they can't disrespect while demanding respect of their fellow adults, it's back to the minors again, especially "their" children. It's those who actually learned and treat minors like equals and not inferior that break the cycle.

Mistakes, regrets, disapointments...they're just ways of saying how it would have been nice if things had went differently, but I agree that we've truly accepted the past and moved on once we stop bringing it back up again in our minds. Now I'm more obsessed with what the future will bring. I'm not sure how much better that is. :P

I don't know all the details about what advice was needed or why it was needed or really anything about the person, but isn't that really what limits all our abilities to give advice; knowing enough? So long as we keep learning and exploring, we should get better over time.

Well don't worry about it. Its all over now. And if I haven't put it away yet, then I will learn to, myself.

In my mind, respect, from a secular point of view, is earned. While disrespect isn't nessisary. Why would you deserve to be disrespected by others older than you? Like it or not, there's just about always someone older than you. Say a teenager gets disrespected by a guy in his 30s, the teen grows up to about fourty just to be disrespected by someone in his 60s. That wouldn't be fair at all. Of course teenagers are the one's being disrespected more often then not, there's no denying how teenagers disrespect their elders. So really respect must go both, or half ways. Two men can respect each other, a man can respect another. But a man could never respect someone, who disrespects him.

So, if you can not respect someone who disrespects you, it makes sense that there would be a lot of disrespect between adults and teenagers, but it's the adult's fault because they think of themselves as mature and wiser, but yet give no responsibilities to teenagers and treat them with disrespect. In cultures where puberty means becoming an adult (usually around 13) and they are given adult responsibilities to care for the tribe, they do not show disrespect for their elders. Instead, here many adults call even other adults "kids" and this agism creates a sense of superiority that is unwarented. Age is irelevent. Just compare a mature-minded middle schooler to an immature-minded college student and you'll see that pretty quick. And, like you said, if adults went through at work what their children do at school, they'd not only quit but sue, but their children are required by law to go back and keep being tormented.

Exactly. Its not who I am to ask for respect, or to say that one should be respected. But I don't believe that whatever isn't respectful, is disrespectful. Respect is something earned by who you are, while disrespect isn't nessisary to begin with. In reality we're all equal, none have it harder than the other. Old(er) people endure physical pain as they age, and finacial stress as everyday life. Young(er) people struggle to keep who they are through peer preasure, and physical/mental pain, with no consequences for their aggresors. The equal footing? Both can lose loved ones, both endure pain, both endure stress, and both are tormented by the other. It seams pointless really. How they attack each other for such an irrelevant reason as age is. A friend once asked me what generation I thought was more important (inovation, inventions, etc.) I told him, neither. Our generation helps the past one's needs and leads us to the future, while it could not exist without the innovations of the...

...past. Could Henry Ford have invented the car, if someone else hadn't invented the wheel first? So all in all, neither genarations of humans are more important than any others. We could improve further, quicker, and more efficiantly if we could all realize that.

Studying history, there were times and cultures where "elders" were respected without any disrespect given to those younger. Especially in agricultural and tribal societies, responsibilities were evenly divided. The added respect was paid to the concept of wisdom. But it took no respect from anyone else. But I think this may be a part of a much larger problem in society as a whole. In ancient kingdoms and empires, certain families were to be given greater respect than everyone else. But, as generations were raised being taught they needed to be respected more, they began looking down on others. Then you ended up with a royal and peasant divide. But, after revolutions in France and the US colonies, it became clear that this divide was dangerous. Even today, we have wealthy people who look down on the poor and the poor are taught that the wealthy worked hard for their money and should be looked up to. As more people realize this isn't true, though, more distractions are needed.

So, today we are taught concepts of earned respect subconsciously. For example, some basketball players who start out poor and become rich feel no obligation to give back to the community they came from to help other poor kids unless their contract requires it, because they feel like they alone are responsible for acomplishing their goal and they should be looked up to and they then look down on others. Now, take someone who goes through all the unfair suffering of life and becomes an adult. They feel they've earned the right to now feel superior and deserving of more respect for making it through that and they also look down on younger people still going through those struggles. See, we frown on races feeling superior, genders feeling superior and we don't respect politicians or hold them up, so we are instead conditioned to create these separate classes of people where we ourselves occupy both the one feeling superior and the one being treated inferior, at different points in time.

It's a trap we'll have to first realize we're in before we can break it. And, sometimes I think it was intentionally created during the industrial revolution in order to prevent an uprising against the super rich who still control our lives. After all, who does it really benifit to have everyone work until they are too old to be productive and then they are allowed to retire, while most of the money goes to the top? Why stay in school for 12 years, only to need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to go to college to get "a useful education" just to get that job? If you can make poor people look down on each other, they're too distracted to realize you're robbing them blind.

Its like a government. Would a king have his authority without soldiers? Would a president have his authority if the people we're unwilling to follow it? How about, would a CEO be rich or successful without the people who buy his product? No, never. And while disrespect is prosperous in the world, I wish people weren't so influenced by any aspects of respect. We have black history month and hispanic heritage month. So obviously any disrespect to either of those ethnicities durning their individuel months wouldn't be at all tolerated, by the race, or the media. If people could just look at others and say "I'm human, you're human, my history is you're history, what does our skin or race matter?" then we wouldn't be so inclined to give respect to any who are at all differant than us, and probably wouldn't take offense to any racial joke, or remark. Maybe respect is the biggest barrier between us all.

I'm sorry I haven't been commenting here, but I've been focused on other things. Basically, I agree with you on respect and the divisions we've created between us in this world. It frustrates me sometimes, but I don't know how to change it, so I guess I've decided to let it be for now.

It's fine. Obviously one person can not change the entire world. Maybe the world is unfixable, but even if not, it will take many masses of people bent on making a differance to change it. Two people talking about it won't, adds on T.V. won't, lectures won't. Thousands if years ago, in what is now Iraq, all of mankind tried to build a tower to the heavens. It would have worked, should they have kept unity. But God confused the langueges, and the tower was never finished. The unity they displayed at Babel is what would be needed to change the world we live in today. But that could not happen. All in all, we've dealt with the respect topic, for all its worth.

I've been focusing on trying to encourage people to be more open hearted one person at a time, which may or may not be effective. Maybe we don't have to change the world. No one would say, "Oh well, a few depressed people ki.lled themselves. Everyone else is still left." Every soul counts. Even if, on a global scale, it's nothing, it's not nothing on a personal level. Just treat people how you would like to be treated and someone will be affected.

Are there any other topics you wanted to cover?

Well, one we've been over pleanty of times. But not to debate it nessisarily. I too was trying to get people to feal more considerate of others. I wanted christians to love gays and peacefully try and turn the non-believers to God. Me and Cetasoul shared the same conclution. But I also wanted non-believing gays to see that gays and christians aren't all that differant. We are both discriminated by media, athiests, and straights. That gays being kicked out of grocery stores, and gays who were denied service in resteraunts, aren't so differant from christians being denied freedom of speech, time and time again. I've said that defending gay people is fine with me, but there's a thin line between defending one thing and attacking another. And that doing both makes people no better than those they defend others with. Think of the christians who mock, discriminate, and beat gays for who they are, and say that they'll burn in HeIl, to a quite gay who respects most christians.

Or an LGBT activist who says that christians should burn their Bibles and step into reality. And that they force christians to respect them while calling them "ho,mophobic". To a peace loving christian who keeps his religion mostly quite. To show the modest one's that not all gays/christians are that way. That we could accept other peoples opinions, even if we disagree, or don't share them. I thought gays would be open to this way. That all gays respected straights. Until I met someone on Colors called @Caterpillar. She said that straights are plain "lucky" and implied that ho,mose,xual discrimination was more important in stopping than christian discrimination. And that christianity is persecuted, not christians themselves. I don't know what to think of this, but i'm hoping it stays modest, and doesn't intensify.

I recognize the username @Caterpillar from a BFZ painting I uploaded recently. I've uploaded so many paintings, though, that I forget the exact issue. Of course, you are extremely respectful to people and try to avoid conflicts, so I wouldn't worry. I think one of the greatest gifts we can give someone is just letting them get to know us. When someone sees someone else as an individual and not as a group, they begin to put cracks in these ideas we all have when we group people together. As I've said to people before, Christianity has many different denominations and still, within each denomination, every person still believes different things. And we all know everyone has different personalities, even identical twins. There's this group that calls themselves "not all like that" or "NALT Christians" who try to counter the angry, hateful voices of "Christians" in the media. It's interesting to hear their stories about how afraid they are to "come out", especially those who live in very

"conservative" areas. It reminds me so much of people with same gender attractions coming out, because they are told they can't hold their views in that church and they're treated with silence or even hate just because they dare to say something like "God loves gay people too." Many of them started out with this idea that their church, community or parents taught them, that gay people live this "hom.ose.xual lifestyle" of going to bars and bringing home random strangers for se.x (you know, the single straight guy "lifestyle" but with guys instead of girls). Then they got to know gay people and found out they're real individuals, not some cross-dressing stereotype. Others, though, always felt conflicted because they were taught to be anti-gay but their hearts told them to show gay people love. As both groups agree, the way the vocal "Christians" have pushed gay people away has left them no choice but to abandon Christianity and faith in general. They also agree that Christians like

them need to be more vocal to drown out the other voices and to try to find representatives to express their views through the media. Because the media loves to focus on conflict, it covers groups like those with the "God hates fa.gs" signs who picket soldier's funerals because the military allows gay people to serve openly. There needs to be a positive vocal group so that other Christians who feel that conflict between their hearts and what they were taught will "come out" and then, just as more people coming out as gay gave others the courage to stop hiding, that would also spread and eventually people might stop seeing Christians as hypocrits and instead as followers of Christ. After all, Jesus said that the world would know that we were his diciples by our love.

As far as hom.ose.xuals being persicuted more than Christians, that's true in many parts of the US. In most areas, nothing bad will happen if you say you're Christian, but in many places you would be beat up regularly if you said you were gay. And, it's often hard to look past your own bullying to see someone else's circumstances. Still, people will literally come up with any excuse to persecute someone. Any excuse at all.

Also, it could be hard when the person bullying you calls themselves a "Christian" to relate to something a Christian experiences, but again it's about separating the people from the label and saying "this person" instead of "their kind of people".

So, out of curriosity, how comfortable would you feel saying "God loves gay people too" to say someone in your family or at your church and what do you think the reaction would be? I mean, for my family, they have me, but if it were just a concept, like "those other people out there" (ie, "the gays"), I don't think it would have been as easy for them because of the beliefs of other Christians they know and family members on my dad's side. I think my mom must have stumbled across "Just Because He Breathes" because she didn't want to talk about it openly and then she brought it up and now it's been talked about openly for a while. They even know my feelings for my best friend and that he shares those feelings.

No offense but you're lucky to have parents who eventuelly came around to accepting you. Most gays don't have that luxery. But if a gay "came out" and also added that God loves gays, I would make sure that they knew what they were saying. If they meant it like "I'm a sinner, like everyone else, but God still loves me, and I love Him." I'd be fine with it, and stand by that person. However if they were saying that nothing is wrong with being gay (Biblically wise) than I would tell them the truth. Kinda like when non-christians say that God loves athiests more than rude christians. After all i've personally categorized a person who says they don't believe, differant, from an athiest. I view athiests as people who believe in God, but won't serve him. After all, an athiest always says he/she would prefer to go to HeIl. But i've finally made up my mind on how I should view gays. The way I discussed earlier, much like Cetasouls point.

As for your earlier comments it turned out that

I didn't need to worry about @caterpillar, but her friend @feles. I was explaining to @caterpillar that gays are discriminated like African-Americans were, and woman were before they got they're freedom, and that they didn't hate all races and men respectively. Then @feles came to my gallery saying that woman don't have freedom and that i'm a stupid infant. She stated that woman make less money than men, even at minimum wage standerds. Which is not at all true. She aslo said that christians have not been kiIled for their beliefs since anchient times. Also, not at all true. I was trying to explain to her why she was wrong, when little did I know, she had already blocked me. Immaturity Cetasoul said it was because of. That she didn't like my message. I know that a year ago I would have argued to prove my point in any way I could. I wasn't found of our little "conversation", but it made me realize how far i've come.

Yes, I know very blessed to have the parents I do. They met as children and have been together ever since and would never even think of divorce. They openly show affection for each other and both tell me regularly that they love me. They're not afraid to admit their mistakes and they don't try to pretend to be perfect so that their "authority" won't be questioned. We can talk openly about any topic, even ones most people would never consider talking to their parents about. I see them as people before parents and I love them. But, that being said, I still feel that people who don't have it as good as me shouldn't completely give up on their parents. I know that a great number of gay teens end up thrown out of their homes by their parents, but people can change. With love and prayer, maybe they'll come around. Maybe they won't, but I hope they don't become bitter over it. Holding resentment inside prevents love from getting through.

@feles sounds like an example of holding resentment inside. And, sure it's far better to be Christian than gay in most parts of the US, in many parts of the Middle East it wouldn't matter if you were gay or Christian. The punishment would be the same and I don't see a point in figuring out which way of being tor.tured to death is better.

I was under the impression that athiests by definition did not believe in God, or anything supernatural at all and believed they just stopped existing at death. The athiests I've known see the world in a very limited way and tend to be closed off to new ideas or questioning things. That reminds me that, back when I first joined Colors, I looked for other people who were gay, but I began seeing that we had nothing else in common. So many of them were either athiests, bitter, or into very dark imagery, even go.re.

As far as being gay, I guess it depends on the definition, but in general it goes beyond just attractions and lust does come into play. I'm sure there are some people with low enough se.x drives that they've never lusted, but I've lusted and I especially think most males have. The key is accepting that lusting after your own gender is no worse or better than lusting after your opposite gender. If our sins were uneven, then we wouldn't need infinite grace, we'd have some people who need Jesus' blood and others just make some offering or whatever. The fact is no one's better than anyone else. Even those who try to live the best lives they can slip up now and then. We're reflections of Christ, not the original, so there are imperfections.

Thats another good thing. My mother will basicly only say something, if she knows she's right on it. Other wise she's open to knowledge. My father, is a good Dad, but he tries to hard, I think. He's very overprotective, where my Mom is not. And he always tries to be right, even if he can't defend what his point is. He'll just tell me to stop, and that i'm wrong. I admire that he's trying to be a role model, but I don't look up to anyone, really. I guess its just stress, but sometimes you just can't let everything slide because you know the cause of it. But with most people, and myself. They think they all have something to teach me. More often than I know what they want to teach me, but they think i'm just trying to reject it, I guess. Or they just don't listen enough. Its for that reason, when people say that they take everything is say to be the truth, I don't trust it.

I used to think that an athiest meant that you didn't believe in God, or any religion.

However after a lot of observation, I see that people who truly have no religion either say that they simply, don't believe in God, or are just not religious. People who consider themselves athiests, I find hate God, look for christians to torment, critisize God, critisize Heaven, and say they'd want to go to Hell. And they'll only say these thing to christians, and not muslims. So I think athiests are like anti-christians, really.

I think if we loved gays more. Not just christians but, parents, friends, and family. And the media didn't focus on anti-christian gays, and gay protesting christians, we'd live in a more perfect world, even though we're not. Through this their would be more christians. But both are being turned against each other. The average media favors gays, and mocks christians. I can't but wonder what value that gives.

Knowledge can be aquired over time, but it takes wisdom to realize that you'll never know everything. As long as there is something you don't know, that opens the door for doubt. Science may be testible and repeatable, but it still requires faith to treat it as an absolute. There are many people who would rather call themselves agnostic than athiest because athiest sounds too certain for them, too arogant. I don't think all athiests are like the ones you encountered, but 1 John 2 speaks of antichrists, not just an antichrist ("antichrist" is only mentioned in first and second John, not Revelation, and always in a broader sense) and modern athiesm does seem to be "converting" some people. As for not wanting to go to heaven, I used to think that everyone would want to go to heaven because I'm biased toward the light, love and biased away from dark, hate, but people are different. Some people even get pleasure from inflicting pain on others (sadists).

Most people are between these two extremes and those are the people who can be swayed one way or another. Now, there may be hope for even these "athiests" you have encountered (I've heard stories of people being saved and making drastic changes in their lives), but it might be more fruitful to focus on those who are more open-minded.

As for people trying to "teach" you, it's part of life. I just listen politely and ask questions if I need to. It works better to make them realize they're wrong on their own by pointing out flaws than to approach it disagreeing because many people go into defense mode when they feel they're being argued with and close themselves off rather than open up. Just remember that they're doing what they honestly think is good for you, so be patient. In time, they may learn.

At least you can see that the media is biased. Many people deny that the media is biased, believing that, if it's on CNN, it must be the truth and the whole truth, no intentional distortion or misleading information. If we learn to look at media, including news, critically, we'll be more aware of bias and propoganda. Also, most news loves to pit two sides to issues and have them argue. It's not very good for coming together or cooperation, but a lot of people do get their news from various sources such as online, so sometimes there can be diversity. The difficult part is finding the truth in a sea of misinformation.

Well "christian" as in a Christ follower. So anti-christians, not refering to the Antichrist. I think they're the one's who've been swayed the most. As life is dipicted as sides, and conflict. Full of thin lines, and black and white. If not one, than the other. I think they realized they weren't christian, and swayed to athietism. In some cases of course. But in a broad picture, we're all swayed, one way another.

But about being taught things. I'm ok with it, as long as its something I don't know (and thats relevant). Patience isn't the easiest approach, I think. Because I feel like, patience is shown to me. Like its shown to a small child. Like a child asking questions but rarely getting an answer, because he's to young. And that he doesn't get one do to, patience. At times I feel that my parents think i'm not ready for answers, I already have. Or truths, i've discovered. Instead I...

get answers through lectures, i've heard before, or one's offering nothing to me. Like being promised the truth, but only receiving it when the times right. And by then, its too late. Its something, I don't need to fix, but in time it will fix itself. Eventuelly a day will come where I can prove i'm right, instead of waiting to do it. Because why they do what they do to me, I understand. But as I said before: Sometimes understanding, isn't enough. I just wish it was.

I've been well informed how the media works. Major news sites such as CNN and FOX are what is believed to be true, because of the influence they recieve as well as popularity. But other places more often contain an entire truth. But we're told to not believe it, because anyone could have said anything. Which is true. But what makes other sources more trustworthy? I'd say they're all the same.