New Posts

BPPLEE · 2025-12-09T16:12:17-0600

BCP1928 said:
Hard to put a top number on it if they are, as Iluvatar suggested, law-abiding, working and paying taxes.

Good luck finding 400 million jobs in the US

The Liturgist · 2025-12-09T16:08:28-0600

MarkRohfrietsch said:
The Google one, to demonstrate the "results may vary" nature of AI. Google may indeed have given a very truthful answer, I get the logic it used from the answers in light of the explanations.

The one in the search results, right?

Rescued One · 2025-12-09T16:06:58-0600

I am a Calvinist. Eph. 2:10 refers to Believers born again by the grace of God. We don't EARN the new birth.

Why did God create Satan? Why did He CHOOSE Israel?

John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

But that wasn't what brought my attention to your view of Calvinism. You suggested that Calvinism teaches that childless women go to hell; that is not true.

sjastro · 2025-12-09T16:06:08-0600

This is an image of a basalt boulder on my property which on a superficial level exhibits 'melting' to a far greater level of detail than any of @stevevw images.

It highlights the problems of presenting images solely as evidence.
The melted appearance is based on well understood chemistry, the basalt boulder is mainly composed of hematite which can undergo hydration where mainly hematite (Fe₂O₃) is converted into goethite (FeO(OH)), ferrihydrite (Fe(OH)₃), or intermediate amorphous iron oxyhydroxides forming a dark vitreous (shiny) layer.

The hydrated compounds can only be identified by tests such as X -Ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Zceptre · 2025-12-09T15:55:57-0600

I have parents that are flawed like everyone, though not to this degree. But I do have a couple of them in my family that are like this (I'll keep them anonymous, the point is the same).

I had family members, after me not answering calls for 6 weeks (was busy, had helped them, they seen it as I'm always available) who proceeded to beat on my door until they actually broke it open. I will not go into further details, but you can imagine I was not a happy camper and I'm putting that very nicely. Now, in my case I have an advantage, because this isn't my parents and that episode was somewhat extreme and so I haven't had any calls since. There is the "awkward silence" and sideways look at family gatherings if they are there now, but I will not open a door for further encouragement of the previously mentioned behavior.

The rest of my family, while not like this, does absolutely do crazy things. Has been my entire life and many of my childhood struggles (I learned as an adult) were caused by these very insane decisions or things neglected. Do I think our families intend to be off the wall? No, but it doesn't fix it nor make it easier to know that.

I'm praying for you, because I know the intensity of being harassed like that. I've had a number of situations with very similar patterns and behaviors with other people and it just is intolerable. My heart truly goes out to you in this.

I think the only things we can do (at least the only things I could do) is teach people how to treat you. They simply will never draw any lines and it seems for this kind of mindset, anything and everything is fair game if they try it and it "worked before" (even once). I feel like the boundaries and limitations must be firmly set and even explicitly pointed out to them, because they clearly don't see the lines they are crossing. I personally am not the best with having "sit downs" and "hard blunt heart to hearts" with grown people (physically at least) and I have these feelings in me that say "they SHOULD know this is NOT ok."

But... I think they simply needdd that really tough love kind of in your face very point blank sirens and flashing lights rules laid out before them, and not just in words. I think it takes absolutely refusing and becoming a person that will not budge when they push before they will stop pushing. Often words mean nothing to people, and they will also fight and complain if we don't move when pushed, but in my experience dealing with the mouthy backlash has been a picnic compared to the continued behaviors. So tolerating some nuisance accusations or people gossiping behind your back things that aren't true tends to be the requirement to set the permanent boundaries that people with this mindset need to view the situation or relationship differently.

With all that said I hope this doesn't make it hard for you to forgive them, even when you have to put your foot down extremely hard. I've had a lot of injustice done to me and it put some (unwittingly to me previously) bitterness in my heart that God had to forcibly uproot. Since then, I do the hard things needed, but I stay in a position of full forgiveness even when having to tolerate injustice or foolishness or (sometimes) outright childishness. A younger me would get angry about it, but now I just get serious and firmly plant my feet in concrete with tough love.

Some of those things you said really resonated with me, because I've experienced variations from many people, family and not, all my life. It's sheer chaos, and chaos isn't from God. Maybe preaching to them more would discourage them wanting to contact you. lol (sorry, couldn't help but try to add some humor, though it might actually also work)

Praying for you earnestly!

BCP1928 · 2025-12-09T15:52:52-0600

ThatRobGuy said:
As noted by that article you linked:
"but they hold differing opinions of what that phrase means"

2/3 say Churches should keep out of politics.

View attachment 374271

View attachment 374273

So among the that 45% you're referencing, only a quarter of that subset want the "Christian form of Sharia".

And they are not going to get it, any more than the subset of Muslim immigrants who want the Muslim form of Sharia are going to get it. And no, the call to prayer is not an imposition of Sharia law on non-Muslims.

essentialsaltes · 2025-12-09T15:48:31-0600

FWIW, the video does not mention the president. Just refusing illegal orders.

durangodawood · 2025-12-09T15:47:56-0600

If the

Servus said:
Some do indeed perfer swift action as opposed to a problem slowly grinding it's why though miles of bureaucracy and red tape.

If the US was actually attacked or under immanent threat, Congress would do it in a day.

Its these elective wars (the ones Trump fans were so dead set against until Trump changed his tune) that would and should take more scrutiny.

None of it is an excuse to bypass the Constitution tho.

essentialsaltes · 2025-12-09T15:42:24-0600

Seven years? I guess that's some experience, but nowhere as good as the 20 years that Trump's pardon czar put in for dealing in tons of Colombian cocaine.

AV1611VET · 2025-12-09T15:40:21-0600

RamiC said:
The world we are in is not the one God created for you to live on,

Um ...

Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

Apple Sky · 2025-12-09T15:23:04-0600

Strong in Him said:
Your denial doesn't change the facts.

What the fact that we've never been to the moon & walked upon it.

Apple Sky · 2025-12-09T15:20:54-0600

Aldebaran said:
You said the moon was floating around doing its job as God intended.

Which it does.

essentialsaltes · 2025-12-09T15:18:51-0600

Somebody asked Grok to grade the paper.

CLEEB · 2025-12-09T15:07:57-0600

zelosravioli said:
One objection I get, when dispelling the notion that we need some anointed 'authority' or such at every church meeting or bible study, is "You'll have HERESY and CHAOS if you just let the ignorant masses of people read for themselves!!"

Having led and participated in over 400 bible study meetings, maybe visiting over 100 different groups, in nearly every denomination. And of those 400, less than 10 times did it seem to be getting off doctrinally. And of those, only two, or three times, did it seem to be anything close to cultic or unbiblical. I've heard over a thousand odd takes on scripture when in a bible study group, but of those nothing really that couldn't be reasoned through to a correct or satisfactory agreement, generally. Generally there is someone in a group that has enough grasp of scripture, and pushes back (if I dont). But even if nothing is said, its hardly ever a life or death over doctrine issue. I had to let my own pastor make a mistake or two just last week in our mens bible study, you cant argue over every point, and these different takes are generally fairly slight.

I am an Evangelical theologically, theology is in my DNA, I strive to teach correct doctrine, and I am hyper dogmatic about my beliefs - Yet I enjoy, and really like to hear other people express their ideas and views of scripture (thats why I've heard so many different takes on scripture). And if it's my group, I want to know where their understanding is at, and what they are thinking about the subject. Still, I am just a disciple communing with other disciples. Gods Word is the Authority.

The best bible study I participated in was a theological debate style group where the only doctrine of agreement was that you agree that:
'The Bible is Gods Word, and that you had to make all your arguments from scripture'. Cultists bail almost immediately, and the rest of us get to hash out our thoughts with some really great conversations ...

So what I'm saying is: I believe the notion that - there will just be chaos and heresy - is a heresy in itself.
That argument created the rift of Clergy/Laity, the hierarchy and institutions, and the dark ages of christianity.
Let Gods Word , His Scriptures, be our Authority and let live.

Is it not true that all the chaos and heresy entered the church through these men who ran the show, lording it over everyone with no one to challenge them. Human ministry has always been the source of heresy, it certainly doesn’t come from GOD. Jeremiah 17:5 Psalm 188:8-9 Isaiah 2:22 Psalm 146:3 Romans 8:5-8 1 Corinthians 2:5 Philippians 3:3 I trust no man with my salvation, I will work it out with GOD in fear and trembling. Christ gave his life so that I can do this. Christ is my connection to GOD. All Christians have this ability.

Michie · 2025-12-09T15:07:05-0600

The often-overlooked chapel at Tepeyac, where St. Juan Diego lived and guarded the miraculous tilma for 17 years, remains a key part of the Guadalupe story and Mexico’s spiritual heritage.

The story of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe began with the well-known apparitions of 1531. The Indigenous visionary remained for years dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the message of the Virgin Mary at a chapel that is still preserved and forms an essential part of the Marian complex of Tepeyac.

Next to the current Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City is the old chapel built to house the image miraculously imprinted on St. Juan Diego’s cloak. This historical site is little-known to pilgrims.

The Origin of the Chapel

St. Juan Diego was the Indigenous man to whom the Virgin Mary appeared from Dec. 9–12, 1531, asking him to intercede with the first archbishop of Mexico, Friar Juan de Zumárraga, that a chapel be built “on the plain of Tepeyac” as a sign of her love for all nations.

It was on his tilma (cloak) that the image of the Virgin Mary was miraculously imprinted.

After the apparitions, the archbishop ordered the construction of a small chapel to house the tilma. St. Juan Diego lived next to it for 17 years, dedicated to recounting the events and caring for the sacred image until his death in 1548.

A Virgin for the ‘Completely Forgotten’

Continued below.

Part of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s First Chapel Still Stands 500 Years Later

The often-overlooked chapel at Tepeyac, where St. Juan Diego lived and guarded the miraculous tilma for 17 years, remains a key part of the Guadalupe story and Mexico’s spiritual heritage.

www.ncregister.com

Shane R · 2025-12-09T15:05:27-0600

RamiC said:
If you are still in Germany, find Black Forest Gateaux, and eat it.

I have been back in the US since Saturday.

essentialsaltes · 2025-12-09T15:01:25-0600

essentialsaltes said:
Death panel ---> Death bots

Death bots with a financial incentive

Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.

Washington is one of six states selected to take part in a federal pilot program called Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction, which aims to reduce fraud and waste by requiring prior authorization for about a dozen outpatient procedures deemed “low-value services.”

AI companies will be paid a portion of the savings from claims they deny or, as the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction plan puts it, “compensated based on a share of averted expenditures.”

Michie · 2025-12-09T14:59:55-0600

Singer Michael Bublé discussed his Catholic faith and how music is “a gift from God” as he met with Pope Leo XIV and performed at the Vatican.

Bublé spoke at a Vatican press conference on Friday ahead of his performance at the Vatican’s “Concert for the Poor” on Saturday.

“This morning, I had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father,” the 50-year-old Canadian native recalled. “For me, this was something that I knew was going to be one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Bublé also shared his belief that “music is a gift from God,” adding, “When I hear music, I hear the voice of God.”

Continued below.

Michael Bublé says 'music is a gift from God' as he meets with Pope Leo

Singer Michael Bubl discussed his Catholic faith and how music is a gift from God as he met with Pope Leo XIV and performed at the Vatican

www.christianpost.com

BCP1928 · 2025-12-09T14:56:03-0600

Say it aint so said:
The economy is doing swimmingly well. Everyone knows that "affordability" is just a Democratic con job.

Is the GINI coefficient increasing? That's the only economic measure MAGA thinks important.

Michie · 2025-12-09T14:55:48-0600

The Rev. Franklin Graham was recently unable to attend a Christian revival event in India due to a visa issue, with some alleging foul play.

Reports circulated last week stating that the 73-year-old Graham was prevented from speaking at an event in Nagaland late last month to commemorate the anniversary of a crusade his father, the late Rev. Billy Graham, conducted in the region 53 years earlier. The Times of India reported that Graham had been denied a visa, causing one local leader to send letters to federal officials voicing displeasure with the matter.

A spokesperson for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association clarified the situation in a statement sent to The Christian Post on Tuesday.

"The visas for Rev. Franklin Graham and our team were approved by the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division; however, it was after the necessary departure date for Mr. Graham to arrive in time for Nagaland United: A Gathering of Faith, Hope and Revival and for the Hornbill Festival," read the statement.

Continued below.

Did India deny a visa to Franklin Graham ahead of a crusade? Here's what we know

The Rev Franklin Graham was recently unable to attend a Christian revival event in India due to a visa issue, with some alleging foul play

www.christianpost.com

SabbathBlessings · 2025-12-09T14:48:45-0600

WordSword said:
Because He kept it for the Jews, which nobody could do. Gentiles Christians are never under the Law but under Grace!

Where does it say this in this passage? Jesus said "Whoever" not Jews.

WordSword said:
Jesus was still teaching the Law at that time. I believe until the Temple was destroyed 40 years after His ascension the law was still in force. But with no more Temple there could be no more law. Also, one cannot keep the law and Grace.

Where does it say we are not supposed to keep God's laws- its kept by God's faithful until He returns Rev14:12 Rev22:14 Just as Jesus said Mat5:17-30 Grace does not mean one can sin Rom6:1-4 and sin is breaking God's laws 1John3:4 James 2:11

WordSword said:
His death "finished" all the OT prophecies concerning His expiation for our sins (Jhn 19:30). His death was our condemnation; His Life and ascension is our growth in our faith in Him (Eph 4:15).

So forget the OT prophecies of His Second Coming that Jesus said He did not come to destroy? I believe allowing the Text to interpret Itself one will find the message God is telling us.

essentialsaltes · 2025-12-09T14:44:52-0600

Judge unseals Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury materials, citing Epstein files act

essentialsaltes · 2025-12-09T14:38:19-0600

Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

Lawmakers plan to withhold a quarter of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the Pentagon provides them with the videos. The demand, quietly tucked into the final draft of the annual defense policy bill, calls for “unedited video of strikes conducted against designated terrorist organizations in the area of responsibility of the United States Southern Command” to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

Congressional leaders released their final draft of the defense bill Sunday, which is expected to be approved — without changes — by the House later this week and then the Senate.

DaisyDay · 2025-12-09T14:37:11-0600

probinson said:
First of all, I'm not "demanding" anything of anyone. I put things in quotes that people have said.

Why put in quotes what people-not-me have said and then sweetly inquire how I defend "my beliefs" when they're not my beliefs?

probinson said:
I'm pleased to know that you don't think VAERS is "riddled with lies and misnfo" and I apologize if you think I was trying to make it seem like you said something you did not. That was not my intent.

Oookay....then what was your intent in labeling what was in quotes as "my beliefs" then delicately requesting that I defend said beliefs?

probinson said:
I couldn't disagree more. VAERS did nothing to inform the vaccination policies during COVID despite a veritable mountain of reports. V-Safe did even less. The main thing they provided was the illusion that someone was tracking adverse events.

The pandemic was a new situation as was the vaccine development and distribution. Data will always lag the events with analysis lagging even further behind and determining a course of action, particularly a change in the course, lagging even further behind. Do you truly believe that adverse reactions to the administration of the vaccines were not and are not tracked?

Where do you think data for studies come from? VAERS is one source.

probinson said:
if you say so. Meanwhile, the database consists of reports from real people who have been harmed by vaccines, and they are tossed into this database and simply forgotten.

There are also reports from health professionals and required reporters - as well as cranks, trolls and those looking to game the system to make a profit.

probinson said:
I truly don't believe the database exists for any other reason than to pretend like someone actually cares about adverse events from vaccination.

Well then, that's that. I don't see any point in further discussion since your mind is made up no matter what.

probinson said:
Did you see the increase in number of VAERS repots during COVID? Even though there were clearly fake reports, exactly how many reports do you think constitutes a "significant trend"? There's no doubt there's "noise" in this data, but there's also some very real "trends"that warranted further investigation. That didn't stop the government and public health from telling everyone to get vaccinated multiple times per year. Their booster recommendations during the Biden administration resulted in the top two vaccine regulators at the FDA resigning in protest.

The bottom line is, what you're saying sounds great. If VAERS were used in the way you explain, it would be a wonderful system to identify risks and pivot accordingly. But that's not what happens in practice. In practice, people pretend like the fact that there were over 1,000,000 VAERS reports in a single year when the previous high was around 60K is all just "noise" worthy of being ignored.

View attachment 374261

Oh look! A graph with no sourcing. Cool.

probinson said:
Would you be willing to share more specifics? What vaccine was involved, and what was concerning to you?

This was years ago. Generally, at some point I was looking at some covid vaccines particularly among the elderly in nursing homes. I don't remember the specifics - it was years ago and I was not particularly invested.

probinson said:
Again, you're asking a completely different question.

No, the question is not completely different; it is mostly the same.

probinson said:
The question should be, is there a benefit to vaccinating a newborn who is at low-risk?

I disagree - the question is what is the risk to benefit ratio to vaccinating at 24 hours versus at three months? That there is a benefit at all has been pretty well established by the near elimination of Hep B and its associated problems (cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, etc.) in children after the protocol was instituted compared to before.

probinson said:
If there is no evidence of benefit, then you're simply introducing risk, no matter how small it might be. "First do no harm" means tthat if we're going to recommend that every newborn baby should receive a Hep B vaccine within hours of birth, there should be evidence of benefit for such a recommendation.

Is the risk at 24 hours greater than the risk at three months? The risk includes the vaccination itself as well as the risk of infection between 24 hours and three months, taking into consideration that a newborn is more likely to be closely monitored by doctors and nurses than a three month old in a doctor's office or clinic.

probinson said:
Your theoretical can only be true if you assume that the risk associated with vaccination at birth is zero.

Baloney. Is the risk greater or lesser at 24 hours than at three months? I don't know - my theoretical actually assumed equal risk but not no risk. If the risk is greater earlier, please provide evidence that this is so. You haven't even given a theoretical why this would be so.

probinson said:
It's not. We may not know exactly what it is, and I'm sure it's quite small. But it's not zero. There is always a risk in any medical intervention. I know people have been taught to believe that vaccines are all benefit and no risk, but that's simply not true. If there is no evidence of benefit, then all you have left is risk, no matter how small it may be.

If that's what you know, then I question your general knowledge.

probinson said:
Earlier in the thread, there was a link to the ACP's statement on this change in recommendation. It said:

“For example, ACIP’s decision to downgrade the longstanding recommendation to vaccinate all newborns against hepatitis B at birth will lead to more childhood hepatitis B infections, will lead to more chronic infections that will follow patients into adulthood, and will complicate vaccine access for children. No new data was presented during the ACIP meeting to justify this change.

“The evidence remains clear: the hepatitis B birth dose is safe and an essential component in helping children develop immunity against a serious, potentially lifelong disease. In fact, since the U.S. implemented the hepatitis B birth dose in 1991, annual hepatitis B infections among infants and children have dropped 99%, from 16,000 to less than 20. This progress is directly attributable to timely vaccination. 

“ACIP’s actions will harm children, their families and the medical professionals who care for them. That is why we are joining together to speak up. American families deserve information grounded in science and clear, consistent guidance – not speculation intended to scare them. We urge the CDC leaders to reject ACIP’s new recommendation and instead retain the current, evidence-based approach.”  

Those are bold statements. Is there any evidence that "timely vaccination" is the reason that Hep B infections have dropped? We've already established that correlation is not causation, but here it seems it gets a pass. They make a bold statement this is "directly attributable to timely vaccination", as if we're to believe that there are no other confounders in play here over the last 34 years. No in this case, correlation IS causation.

Where is the evidence that supports this apoplectic hand-wringing?

How do you justify other people-not-you saying what you haven't said?

walter45 · 2025-12-09T14:33:15-0600

timothyu said:
Does AI follow that thinking? Does AI have a god? Will it one day also become aware of self?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which commandment in The Written Law is the greatest?” 37 Yeshua said to him, “You shall love THE LORD JEHOVAH your God from all your heart and from all your soul and from all your power and from all your mind.” 38 “This is the great and the first commandment.” 39 “And the second which is like it is, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commands depend all The Written Law and The Prophets.”

New Posts

New Posts

The Origin of the Chapel​

A Virgin for the ‘Completely Forgotten’​

Judge unseals Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury materials, citing Epstein files act​

Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos​

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The Origin of the Chapel

A Virgin for the ‘Completely Forgotten’

Judge unseals Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury materials, citing Epstein files act

Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos