"OmG", you must need friends really bad to uphold everyones actions in the same category. Anyone who would ignore some of the criminal acts I have read about or pretend that everyone is just wonderful must be on some type of dope! There is a God and there is also a Devil, some people are just evil and hide behind religion. Our God is forgiving, but you have got to stop riding the Devil's back first. There are not that many in society today that are living the word of God, and if they think they are they are fooling themselves, not him! If you read the bible you would know that. I know this is the bible belt and its about the preaching not the practice, but sometimes just have a little common sense and think before you speak.

LOL, I have read this comment several times trying to figure out just what you were trying to say, and you know what, it does not matter. You have your opinions, and I respect that. I do on the other hand want you to know I am a Christian, never claiming to be perfect. I do on the other hand do like where I live. That was all I was saying. Unforunately apparently you don't, and thats ok. Yes there is evil everywhere we go, and its our choice to let it consume us, and see only that, or not, once again its a choice. There is also good. I prefer to acknowledge the good and see it, but do not be fooled I do see the bad, just as everyone else does, I just choose not to let it consume me, to the point where I make judgements on someones blog about liking where he lives. I do pray for the lost, and for this community, as you have noted, is not perfect. But I believe that there is good here and it does outweigh the bad.

Alan, what a great response. I don't know why there is this notion that being Christian means you are without fault. There was only one perfect man, and I assure you it wasn't me. When a Christian does wrong, he/she is automatically deemed to be hypocritical. Interesting enough, when the same theory is applied to fundamental Islam the moral differences are dismissed as acceptible based on religious allowances or the fact that the rights of infidels are subordinate to the "gifts" of the Muslim. Ironically, many come to the defense of them while Christianity remains attacked. This is not my attempt at deflection, I'm simply making an observation.

I think you figured out very well what I said and I appreciate your polite response, except LOL. I do not expect anyone to be perfect and I understand people do make (unintentional) mistakes, but to be criminally or morally corrupt is not a mistake. The bible says not to judge outside of the church but because Christians have turned their lives over to God they should not live under false pretense. People that live under false pretense and claim to be a Christian to me is a hypocrite, and that I will judge! The difference is you pray for the "lost", whereas I loathe the criminal idiots, so say a prayer for me......

What does it matter where a person lives, I dont think violent crime should be overlooked or just forgiven because your a Christian irregardless of where it takes place. If as a Christian you come upon someone committing an offense do you simple ignore it, or do you make judgement and put a stop to it? If I believe in God and live my life honest and moral, but make judgement on someone for willingly committing a violent crime, who is further from God's will, the one who ignored it, the one who committed it, or the one who judged it?

Your absolutely right crime should not be overlooked, it is everywhere you go, whether it is Hinesville, or New York City. It is up to us to be the example and set standards, that not only reflect our own morals but what God has designd us to be. I believe that if people do more standing for what is right and good, we will be victorious over the things that are wrong, not only here, but everywhere else. I try to be an example to my kids, so they will see and possibly do the right things in their lives. I have had some disappointments, but also I have seen them grow up and become responsible adults, raising their own families, and trying to become successful in their own dreams and goals. By being the example to their children, they will pass it on to their kids. Is this the solution for world peace and harmony, I hope so. I have found this area, for myself, to be where God has placed me to be just that. Not everyone will find that same comfort here that I have, but if everyone was like me, this would be a boring world. Yes we need to make a stand for what is right and try to make this a better place, by being the examples we should be. Like I said before I was surounded by people who were examples to me, that when I made mistakes, they were my friends and called me on them. Not to condemn, but to bring me back on track. Did I like it? Absolutely not, but it made me a better man. Was I being judged? Probably so, but ounce again, it made me a better man, to be the example to the people around me. To be a friend to someone else and help them to be the best they can be. Perfect, I am far from it, just blessed enough to know that I can possibly make a difference. Not to everyone, I am sure, but maybe that one, who would possibly be on the verge to make that poor choice, before he or she would make it. He will make the true judgement when the time comes, we need to do our part, and yes, call attention to it, and make sound judgements on the crimes committed, not overlook them. I have chosen my path. It is up to others to do the same and see these positives and protect them, to make them more prominent in our society. If we do that, maybe we will see less of those crimes and more people trying to see the good things, and try to protect them, by being that example to someone else. Yes, there are things wrong here, but like I said before, there are alot of things good, and they do outweigh the bad, for my family and I anyway. As far as an answer to your last question, a very good one I might add, probably all of the above, but that is not for me to decide. We place the level of crime on a scale, they are all wrong to God. He wants us to seek His will, whatever that may be in our lives, and do the appropriate thing for the situation at hand. But it takes all of us to make this a community and do the right things in our lives to make our homes better, safer. Perhaps it will work its way into society through our legacy.

Tell me, iamwomen, how does loving your community and seeing the good within it have a DARN thing to do with Christianity and judgement? It's unfortunate for you that you choose to look for the negative aspect in alanpreble's blog. This was a simple "I love Hinesville" blog. I say - MORE POWER TO YA, buddy! I, too, am a transplant. I just moved here about 7 weeks ago, and I've already found a wonderful HOMETOWN in Hinesville. It's a wonderful thing to be happy where you live - despite all the undesireable qualities it may possess- I hope you, iamwomen, can seek the peace and happiness that alanpreble has clearly found. Whether it be in Hinesville or timbuktoo. Everyone deserves to be happy.

O'kay ENSmolen, its my opinion that it has alot to do with the love of community, because mankind good or bad is what makes or breaks a community. And like alanpreble pointed out there is also bad, which was my point...and it so happens that I see a W-H-O-L-E lot more bad. Of course, my first few years I thought it was descent too! Let me know when or if you pull you head out of the sand (some people live their entire life clueless, thats not to say their not good, just clueless) and I get to say "I TOLD YOU SO"....LOL!!!

Its easier to focus on the good, the bad takes too much effort to fix. I think it was the intention of Christ to work on making things good, not just saying the words. Its peoples actions that make a community, not their acting.

You are absolutely right it does take a persons actions to make a community, I have been so fortunate to seek and find those positive influences, most have been in my church affiliations, whether it was at Gumbranch Baptist, or any other church in the area, that I have attended as a guest of one of my many friends. Like I have said before this is my home, I truely like living here, and intend to be here a long time, to be that positive person and try to take and make positive actions to make this an even better place to live. I pray that the people of this area, that do like this community, and even the ones that don't, continue to strive to make this a better place. Not just for our own sake, but for the sake of generations to follow.

I'm with you Alan. My husband and I loved this community and the people so much that we gave up quite a bit to move back here after being away for nearly 10 years. Hinesville is where we have chosen to setlled down and eventually retire. I suppose that I would not have the positive opinion of Hinesville that I do if it were not for the love and support I too receive from my church family at GBBC, they truly are "The Caring Place". Alan, I must say that you are one of the most caring people I know. You have been through quite a bit yourself, but you remain positive and compassionate. The people who know you, know that you aren't oblivious to the negative in the community.

Thanks I have definately been blessed in having a great family and awesome friends. Its been a gift to watch things happen, and change over the years, and looking back I would not change anything, good nor bad. If I did, I would not have the blessings God has given me today. Oh and by the way if I haven't told you.... "WELCOME HOME"

"DG", you sound like an advertisement!