New Posts

mark46 · 2025-11-12T22:08:03-0600

wing2000 said:
...and looking forward to the Republican plan to replace the ACA....it's only been 10 years....

Republicans don't have a federal replacement and don't want to have one. The danger is that Obamacare gets voted down as part of BBB 2026, leaving folks to depend on state and other group programs.

Landon Caeli · 2025-11-12T21:59:32-0600

I also need a new high speed train line from Redlands to Vegas. Just 20 billion more dollars and I can go build it for us. Just spend it.

Jeesuspelastaa · 2025-11-12T21:45:39-0600

If your husband is not Christian, you cannot expect him to act like one. Ungodly people act differently. Sadly, you may have wait your whole life.

mark46 · 2025-11-12T21:44:24-0600

GoldenBoy89 said:
I don’t see either party working towards bridging the divide but maybe after enough establishment candidates on each side lose enough elections the party leadership will start to realize they don’t have the support they thought they had.

That’s my hope.

???
I guess I don't understand.

REPUBLICANS
Almost every establishment office holder has been booted out In the last couple of decades, especially since Trump was first elected. How has this affected the leadership of the Republican Party. Are you saying that they will now see that realize that they don't have the support that they had before they kicked them all out.

I don't see it that way at all.

Trump and his MAGA team have almost absolute control of the party. There is no meaningful opposition within the party. As has it has been since the beginning, Trump has absolute control of the MAGA base come election time/

And what have the Republicans learned in recent elections.

1) In presidential elections, they have enough vote to win. They thought they won three times. Of course, they have only won two, In the last election, Trump won 100% of the swing states.

2) The Republicans have majorities in both the Senate and the House. Anyone running that they don't like, they remove through the primary process. OF COURSE, they are likely to lose the House in the off-elections. This is almost always the case. They are very likely to keep the Senate, a major win for so unpopular a president.

3) Anyone trying to get elected as a Republican will need Trump support. so all the candidates witll be MAGA.
================
DEMOCRATS

1) The Democrats think they have the support of a majority of Americans and stand for them on the issues important to them. As long as this is the case, the Democrats have little chance to win a national election.

2) On a national basis, Democrats have also kicked out almost all their establishment moderates, leaving the far left and left to dominate what's left. Democrats do NOT have the basis to get a majority of electoral votes. Most Democrats think that they could win a national election in 2028 and no major steps need to be taken to rid itself of LOSING cultural issues and what step it needs learn to appeal to non-college degree voters

3) Democrats don't know what they stand for. There are a few who do, and a few governors who could lead. Of course, they will have almost no chance to win in the 2028 Democratic primaries.

BOTTOM LINE
There is a long time until 2028. There is little reason to believe that the Democratic Party of 2028 will have a ghost of a chance of winning the presidency unless we are in a recession. The Senate and House are always possible. The presidency is another matter. Some issues that Democrats need to get right
AFFORDABILITY
SAFETY IN OUR STREETS
CONTROL OF OUR BORDERS
REDUCTION IS DRUG TRAFFIC
and all the cultural issues such as sexual identity is schools and trans rights in our schools and on our sports teams

67_Reasons · 2025-11-12T21:42:23-0600

rebornfree · 2025-11-12T21:31:10-0600

ViaCrucis said:
I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

I think it was a strange thing to do, as it interrupted the flow of dialogue between you, by suddenly presenting you with religious material, when there had been no previous discussion about faith. She could have introduced the subject by saying that she had had a good weekend, mention going to church and, depending on your response, asked if you had any religious beliefs. If I was not a Christian I would have found her actions a barrier to communication.

I appreciate that you want to put yourself in a non-believer's position, which is great. I think that they would probably feel.that her friendship had had an ulterior motive. However, as a Christian, I can see that her motives were good, but it was not the best thing to do until there had been some discussion of faith.

I'm not keen on tracts, unless the gospel has already been shared and the person is given one to take away with them. Alternatively a church giving them out to passers-by, with contact details in case of enquiry, may be useful to some, but I prefer personal or ministry based evangelism.

Tom D · 2025-11-12T21:30:07-0600

They're confident they would succeed, wouldn’t they?

MarkSB · 2025-11-12T21:28:50-0600

Larniavc said:
If I were of a conspiratorial bent I might apprehend the GOP engineering the American population to be short lived, under educated but hard working.

It certainly seems that way. All the more likely to drink the Kool Aid.

But the next generation will be free of autism.... now that pregnant mothers know not to take Tylenol. So there's that.

Douggg · 2025-11-12T21:28:11-0600

keras said:
The Holy Land will be devastated by the Lords terrible Day of fiery wrath: -

But there is no solar flare event mentioned in Ezekiel 38. The nation that Gog/Magog will attack will be modern day Israel.

Yttrium · 2025-11-12T21:13:50-0600

Sorry, folks, I have real reasons to dislike Trump, I'm not salivating at the Trump-Epstein nothingburger.

The Barbarian · 2025-11-12T21:13:37-0600

calicocat said:
They're still using it to terrorize small working-class businesses. I think that baker out in Colorado was on like his third case the last I heard.

Precedent says a private business is not required to approve of anyone's lifestyle.

calicocat said:
This issue has destroyed western society more than the civil war and should be nixed. Back into the closet.

Not likely...

Over two-thirds of Americans think same-sex marriages should be legal. Americans don't like the government telling them what to do.

bbbbbbb · 2025-11-12T21:13:27-0600

that they have a lengthy history.

Long cables are . . .

ChubbyCherub · 2025-11-12T21:06:17-0600

-When you first became a Christian, what did you expect life in the church to be like?
Opening and warm but instructional re: teachings of Jesus and how to apply these to modern life

-What were your hopes or assumptions about how things would go?
Not sure I understand this question, sorry!

-What was your first experience with the church community?
I walked in one evening, sat down and listened to the sermon.

-Did those expectations match reality, or were there surprises?
I am often surprised by the attitudes of fellow churchgoers towards volunteers.
I was surprised that the church taught so much love but not about repentance and sin

-How do you feel now about your place in the church?
I still don't know! I'm trying to figure that out

prodromos · 2025-11-12T21:03:48-0600

Conversions to Orthodoxy

Most, if not all of us here are converts. It seems we are from different backgrounds, different regions, different countries. But our lives have all converged on one point: our being Orthodox Christians. So, how did you get to be here? My story's a little unusual, but I'll post mine...

www.christianforums.com

Top thread in St Basil the Great's Hall :oldthumbsup:

calicocat · 2025-11-12T20:51:31-0600

It did what it was supposed to do. Sterilization/eugenics, the normalization of transhumanism and pedophilia, and a populace of regular people being so tired of it they'd vote in a dictator. Regular people will riot when their kids are in danger and people turning a free Protestant nation into an underage sex-change brothel has worked to bring in things like Trump before (rip nation of Luther.)

calicocat · 2025-11-12T20:41:09-0600

Benaiah468 said:
A group of rabbis issued the following statement on December 3, 2015: We as Orthodox rabbis, leading communities and institutions in Israel, the United States and Europe, recognize the historic hour. We want to do the will of the Father in Heaven by accepting the hands extended to us by our Christian brothers and sisters. Jews and Christians must work together as partners to meet the moral challenges of our time.

Here is the full statement in English:

I think before you get too happy about this you need to focus in on the word "Esau" and what it means to them.

Benaiah468 said:
At this point, I would also like to say a word about a widespread false doctrine (in my view):

Many Christians think (or even teach) that Jews are not saved.

Where do we get this thinking from?

What do we want to argue against when Jews refer to Joel 3:5?

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord [Hebrew YHVH] shall be delivered: Joel 3:5a

Faith in YHVH saves. And of course many Jews have this! So how can Christians deny them their salvation?

Do you realize how weird that is?

The argument that they are not saved because they don't have Jesus is really difficult.

...

This is heresy.

Acts 4:10-12

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

NxNW · 2025-11-12T20:38:25-0600

Studyman · 2025-11-12T20:37:53-0600

Carl Emerson said:
Phil 3
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Do you consider Paul is making a false claim here ???

No Carl, you are. Paul is telling you what Law he lived by. Jesus tells you what Law the Pharisees taught for doctrines. The Law and Prophets tell you what the rebellious Jews did to Gods Laws. Over and over and over and over.

I would have to reject every Word Jesus used to define whose Law the Pharisees lived by and promoted?

Paul could have said, "As to the Law, the Law of Moses", or " As to the Law, the Laws of God?

But he didn't. He said, "As to the law, a Pharisee!" And he was more zealous for this Religious Sect than many of his brothers. Not the traditions and philosophies of the Sadducees, but of the Pharisees.

Why would I reject so much of the Scriptures?

Carl Emerson said:
If you are making the point that none are righteous apart from Jesus then this of course is correct.

Apart from Jesus' what? Jesus Teaching? Accepting Repentance? "His Sayings"? Or do we just "profess to know Him", and call Him Lord, Lord?

Carl Emerson said:
That being the case, the keeping of the law in itself does not make one righteous.

What did keeping Gods Laws make Jesus? Righteous or unrighteous? Will you answer my question?

While it is true that turning to God is what the Bible teaches, doing so doesn't take away sin.

Reluctant Theologian · 2025-11-12T20:33:04-0600

David Lamb said:
I would say that there is no reason either to dismiss or to believe extra-biblical details about people or events mentioned in the bible. Particularly with the biblical account of the Incarnation, we find all sorts of "details" added, and accepted as an essential part of the "Christmas story." The donkey, an innkeeper, the wise men visiting Jesus at the same time as the shepherds, and much more. Some of these things actually contradict what we find in the bible, and others, we just do not know.

Protestants (including me) usually are very, very reluctant to take into account anything extra-Biblical from the Apostolic or post-Apostolic era when it comes to the Bible or the early church history, but this position is inconsistent. Protestants assume Julius Caesar, Napoleon, St. Augustine existed - they usually attribute some degree of credibility to the various accounts about their lives - but somehow when it comes to the Apostolic and early church era all of a sudden all historical record in its entirety is disregarded because it's not the Bible

E.g. what we know about Pontius Pilate comes from Josephus and Tacitus .. there is no reason to disregard that.

I would suggest to read e.g. 'History of the Church' by Eusebius (4th century) - the author was present at the famous Council of Nicea; and writes about all kind of fascinating details. We have to treat the history of the Apostolic early church era like any other historical period. Evaluate the sources using the common historian methods - and try to derive history from that with varying accounts of certainty.

The Apostles shared their accounts with others, what happened got passed on, etc. All that may not be canonised certainty but it's still very valuable.

We need historical realism for the early church era in the same way we apply it for any other historical period. It's a typical post-Reformation reflex to dismiss any extra Biblical record, but the Apostles and the early church left a historical trail of oral or written accounts. We need discernment in properly dealing with that. But the trail and the history it reflects on is real. Also we may overlook the early church fathers had access to information/libraries we now don't have anymore (e.g. Jerome mentions he personally had seen the Hebrew original version of the gospel of Matthew)

The very early church fathers who defined the Creeds didn't live in a vacuum - they lived in that trail. It's intriguing to notice that orthodox Protestant churches will vigorously defend the Creeds and Sola Scripture at the same time ... but also rejecting the worldview and many aspects of the faith of the authors of these Creeds. Many modern Protestants would deem the authors of the Creeds as Catholic heretics, but yet somehow magically believe the resulting Creeds are infallible hallmarks of the proper faith.

We need realism, discernment and modesty - and a weighed valuation of the historical church trail.

To come back to the original subject; the Protoevangelium of James (2nd century AD) contains elements on Mary & Joseph that are referenced and valued by various church fathers. I consider it valuable background information - it's not canon, not infallible, but it may contain elements of that historical trail. Btw I don't believe in Mary's perpetual virginity as it would be very inconsistent with Jewish marriage, but the account may have truthful bits.

Be blessed brother!

Hentenza · 2025-11-12T20:25:59-0600

ThatRobGuy said:
And how about the EPA or the IRS?

They don't need warrants to enter private business property and demand to snoop around do they?

From AI about the EPA

Business's rights: A business has the right to refuse an inspection and require a warrant, but denying access can sometimes lead inspectors to assume the business has something to hide, says FindLaw. Obtaining a warrant can delay entry, but it may also increase the level of scrutiny, notes FindLaw.

The EPA can conduct unannounced inspections but they don’t have arrest powers.

Here is the AI response for the IRS

Current IRS Visit Policy

Advance Contact Required: Most interactions, including audits and collection efforts, begin with an official letter mailed to the taxpayer's address.
Scheduled Meetings: Revenue officers (civil enforcement employees who work on cases involving unpaid taxes or unfiled returns) are generally required to schedule face-to-face meetings in advance using a Letter 725-B, Meeting with Taxpayer – Confirmation.
Verification is Key: All legitimate IRS employees carry two forms of official identification: a serial-numbered pocket commission and a Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) card with a photo. Taxpayers have the right to ask for both and verify the agent's identity by calling the official IRS number at 1-800-829-1040 (for individuals) or 1-800-829-4933 (for businesses).

Exceptions to the Rule
Unannounced visits are now extremely rare but can still occur in a few specific circumstances:

Criminal Investigations: IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) special agents are federal law enforcement officers who investigate serious tax fraud and other financial crimes. They may visit a business or home unannounced as part of their investigation, sometimes with a warrant or subpoena. They will not, however, demand immediate payment.
Serving Legal Documents: A revenue officer may make an unannounced visit if they need to personally serve a summons or subpoena, or when sensitive enforcement activities involving asset seizure are planned.
Repeated Non-Response: In rare situations of severe non-compliance, such as a business owing payroll taxes and ignoring multiple official letters and phone calls, an unannounced visit may occur as a last resort to prompt action.
Excise Fuel Compliance: For pervasively regulated industries like fuel production or storage, authorized employees can conduct unannounced inspections, though they will typically first seek consent from the owner or an employee empowered to grant it.

Hentenza · 2025-11-12T20:15:58-0600

HARK! said:
Proof?

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending My messenger before You, Who will prepare Your way; The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’ ””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Mark 1:2-3 just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAK | New American Standard Bible - NASB (

just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAK

bible.com

“And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Luke 1:16-17 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF FATHERS BACK TO , a | New American Standard Bible - NASB

And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF FATHERS BACK TO , a

bible.com

“In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. “And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭75‬-‭77‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Luke 1:76-77 “And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sin | New American Standard Bible - NASB

“And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sin

bible.com

“In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. “And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭75‬-‭77‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Luke 1:76-77 “And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sin | New American Standard Bible - NASB

“And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sin

bible.com

“John responded to them all, saying, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Luke 3:16-17 John responded to them all, saying, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Hol | New American Standard Bible - NASB

John responded to them all, saying, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Hol

bible.com

“Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *allowed Him. After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Matthew 3:14-17 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting f | New American Standard Bible - N

But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting f

bible.com

John was the forerunner of the messiah.

HARK! said:
Wrong. We already covered this. Repeating it does not change the facts.

Then prove it. I’ve given you the scriptures which you refuse to address. Here it is again. Israel rejected the messiah.

Since I posted a few verses about John the Baptist being the forerunner of the Messiah then the following verses are very appropriate.

“He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭13‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

John 1:7-13 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. This was the true Light that, coming into the wor | New American Standard Bible - NASB

He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. This was the true Light that, coming into the wor

bible.com

What do you think the above verses mean?

PTW · 2025-11-12T20:15:58-0600

Ben 10

Fervent · 2025-11-12T20:13:14-0600

Hans Blaster said:
Perhaps you don't understand the sarcasm (or intentional absurdity) of statement about the first entry in an infinite regress. I would have thought you'd catch that. Or was it that it wasn't "ultimate" that you reacted to as "An absurdity", but rather it was the other item in the prior post that was your singular "such a thing" -- the biological fact that humans are not created, either as individuals (we grow from a single cell) or species (we evolved from prior apes)?

I understand the absurdity, but the absurdity is in the idea of an infinite regress to begin with because everything drains away to nothing in an infinite regress

Hans Blaster said:
Which makes it subjective. Checkmate theists!

Nope, at least not when "subjectivity" and "objectivity" are properly understood.

Hans Blaster said:
Just floating on the infinite river of time...

Uh huh, that's just your belief.

Chesterton · 2025-11-12T20:12:02-0600

Let's utilize dialectics in crochet.

CROCH

New Posts

New Posts

Acts 4:10-12​

Filter

Forum statistics

Share this page

Acts 4:10-12