Website owner: James Miller
Latin America
Latin America. It is different down there. There is a totally different
mentality down there. The Latin mentality. What do I mean? An example:
We sent Alfonso a Christmas card. We just got it back in the mail
today, about four months after we sent it. There was an Ecuadorian
postal system stamp on it that indicated the reason for return: "Nobody
at home to receive letter". It was sent ordinary mail, not registered,
certified or anything like that. Maria just called Alfonso to tell him
about it. Alfonso told her what happened. It seems that if an article
of mail looks like it may be important the postman, instead of just
dropping the piece of mail into the letter slot as he usually does, will
ring the doorbell, wanting the party to come to the door to personally
take the piece --- because he wants a tip. Apparently it is customary,
if they personally deliver a piece of mail in this way, to give them a
tip. The postman saw that the letter was from overseas so he rang the
bell, wanting a tip. No one came to the door so instead of just dropping
the letter into the letter slot he returned the letter to the sender.
Alfonso told Maria what had happened in a matter-of-fact way. He wasn't
surprised or angry. That is just the way things are down there.
In the past, I have asked Maria why Latin America is so far behind, why
it hasn't developed as we have up here. She says it is Latin mentality.
It is all mentality. I have asked her if it will ever change. She says
"No. It will never change. It is not possible. For the people to change
they would have to be "born again". They would have to all be born into
and grow up in a different culture. These people are born into and grow
up in a culture, a way of thinking, and it is just not possible for them
to change."
Apr 2003
Jesus Christ and His Teachings
Way of enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding
America, a corrupt, depraved, shameless country
On integrity and the lack of it
The test of a person's Christianity is what he is
Ninety five percent of the problems that most people have come from personal foolishness
Liberalism, socialism and the modern welfare state
The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life