Latest activity

AlexB23 · Apr 23, 2024

Desk trauma said:
Corporations learned their lesson from asbestos and CFCs. Taking responsibility for externalities in any meaningful way is off the table.

Well, it took half a century for companies to learn from asbestos, and a international oversight to stop the CFCs (Montreal Protocol in 1987).

Dan Perez · Apr 23, 2024

HTacianas said:
Water baptism was given to everyone.

Do you have a verse , for EVERYONE ??

Ignatius the Kiwi · Apr 23, 2024

I hope there's a Butlerian Jihad before even happens.

JosephZ · Apr 23, 2024

rjs330 said:
All you are doing and many leftists do is create a Catch 22 for Israel. So nothing and just continue to be attacked thus bolstering anti-Semetic support in the radical Islamists or retaliate and bolster support for the radical Islamists.

rjs330 said:
Well there was nothing stopping them from joining terrorist organizations and carrying out acts of violence in the future anyway. In fact that's what they were going to be doing anyway. So I guess Israel should have just let it keep happening.

I'm not saying do nothing. The terrorists must be held accountable, and Hamas needs to be eradicated. Way back on October 15th, I explained what Israel should have done.

"Israel needs to focus exclusively on hunting down all of the terrorists responsible for the attack, including the leadership of Hamas, and holding them accountable. Israel also needs to stop the influx of outside funding from countries like Iran. Bombing Gaza and punishing everyone living there for the actions of Hamas isn't going to destroy Hamas or end future terror attacks against Israel. The current approach is only going to exacerbate long-standing grievances between the Palestinians and Israel, and until those grievances are addressed, terrorist attacks against Israel will continue.

To defeat Hamas, Israel has to make supporting and joining them less attractive to Palestinians and potential recruits. This can be done by Israel recognizing and respecting a Palestinian state and improving the lives of the Palestinian people. Israel will need to play a direct role in rebuilding Gaza and improving infrastructure once the dust settles from this most recent bombardment. This, along with supporting economic development and offering livelihood opportunities, would go a long way in changing the attitude and mindset of those who live in Gaza. If Israel can show that they care more about the Palestinian people than Hamas, then Hamas will lose the support of the Palestinian people and their primary recruiting tool. This is the only way to destroy Hamas. To make this happen, it will take a concerted effort by the Israeli government, the UN, NGO's, and the Palestinians themselves."

iluvatar5150 · Apr 23, 2024

essentialsaltes said:
I don't know the ins and outs of the law, but voting is not a benefit or an 'entitlement', but rather a right for all citizens of voting age.

eh, not really. The constitution only puts limits on the restrictions on voting (i.e can’t ban someone because they’re a woman, black, etc). It doesn’t affirm a positive right to vote.

Bradskii · Apr 23, 2024

expos4ever said:
I don't know who would use this line of argument...

You implied it with a 'what if...' And anyone who uses that argument often believes that we have a soul.

expos4ever said:
I believe you have evaded my question.

It's no good just saying 'there might be something that's not connected to physical reality that's making the decisions' or words to that effect. If you can show me that that actually happens, then I'd be incorrect. Otherwise all you're saying 'if you're not right, you must be wrong'.

essentialsaltes · Apr 23, 2024

wing2000 said:
...so if I plan to vote multiple times, I should aim for these 9 states.... (JK).

Ignatius the Kiwi · Apr 23, 2024

DJWhalen said:
It is Islamic and full of Muslims.
They are happy unless they are killing Jew's, Christian's and America's.

If we were to compare the amount of deaths the USA has caused to the amount of deaths the state of Iran under the Ayatollahs have caused, who has done more damage? Let's consider the middle East for instance, who has killed more people in that region, the US or Iran?

AlexB23 · Apr 23, 2024

Halbhh said:
The really cool more recent thing the Voyager probes have encountered and given us data about is the heliopause -- the end of the area of the sun's influence, where suddenly there is a change in radiation and so on, which is vastly further out into space than the outer planets.

It was a very significant discovery actually about how dramatic the change was at the heliopause -- more than expected it seemed -- which boundary changes had been just theory and estimate until suddenly we got real data from the voyager probes!

Yeah, since 2012 or so, and we now have info about the interstellar medium.

The Barbarian · Apr 23, 2024

Diamond7 said:
I suppose there was an issue with Hillary where she would bump people off every now and then but it was rare.

"Rare" in the sense that verified tooth fairy sightings are "rare." Hard to find concrete examples of fairy tale stuff.

Diamond7 said:
Not as rare as you think. I read a book by the FBI agent that did the security check on the people they hired to work in the White House. Even I remember at the time they had a lot of problems finding people that would qualify for a security clearance. The White House FBI files controversy, often referred to as Filegate, arose in June 1996 around improper access to FBI security-clearance documents.

So you're claiming it was the FBI that "bumped off" people? I thought you said it was Hillary. Or are you claiming Hillary had the FBI do it? Sounds unlikely. Let's see what evidence you have for that claim. Show us that. (prediction: it's not going to happen)

iluvatar5150 · Apr 23, 2024

rjs330 said:
Doesn't this stuff happen every day? What makes this one particularly noteworthy?

I didn’t peg you as an ACAB type.

Ophiolite · Apr 23, 2024

BCP1928 said:
Another way of putting it is that natural selection decreases the information content of the gene pool while random mutation replenishes it.

But the real clue for you lies in the name chosen by Darwin for the theory itself: The Theory of Evolution by Random Variation and Natural Selection. Note that it says random variation, not random mutation.

Note also that it is considered rude to post a quote without a source.

It is interesting to read the full abstract of the paper (The directed mutation controversy and neo-Darwinism ) from which @Thurston-howell-III quoted the opening sentence. Here it is:

According to neo-Darwinian theory, random mutation produces genetic differences among organisms whereas natural selection tends to increase the frequency of advantageous alleles. However, several recent papers claim that certain mutations in bacteria and yeast occur at much higher rates specifically when the mutant phenotypes are advantageous. Various molecular models have been proposed that might explain these directed mutations, but the models have not been confirmed. Critics contend that studies purporting to demonstrate directed mutation lack certain controls and fail to account adequately for population dynamics. Further experiments that address these criticisms do not support the existence of directed mutations.
Lenski, R.E. & Mittler, J.E. Science Vol.259 1993

There, highlighted by me, in the second sentence is a clear statement acknowledging that some mutations can be advantageous. Thank you Thurston-Howell-III for locating a peer reviewed journal article that destroys your belief in a single clause.

Note: BCP, it is not only rude, as you say, to fail to provide a source for a quotation, it is also against forum rules and constitues an act of plagiarism, potentially open to legal action, but I think the discourtesy is the more troubling.

Vambram · Apr 23, 2024

What are y'alls responses to the rest of the questions asked in that article?

rjs330 · Apr 23, 2024

JosephZ said:
I was optimistic at the very beginning of the conflict, and I agree that deradicalization of the Palestinian youth would have gone a long way in preventing future violence against Israel, but I think it's far too late for that approach now. I don't think any amount of counseling or attempts at explaining why things happened the way they did can undo the amount of trauma the children in Gaza have experienced over the past six months and will continue to see into the foreseeable future. There are hundreds of thousands of children under the age of 12 in Gaza and even if deradicalization were to work on the majority of these children, there would still be tens of thousands who would be vulnerable to joining terrorist groups or would be willing to carry out acts of violence towards Israel in the future.

Well there was nothing stopping them from joining terrorist organizations and carrying out acts of violence in the future anyway. In fact that's what they were going to be doing anyway. So I guess Israel should have just let it keep happening.

essentialsaltes · Apr 23, 2024

rjs330 said:
Doesn't this stuff happen every day? What makes this one particularly noteworthy?

Policeman beget children on children and murder their exwives and underage girlfriends?

Vambram · Apr 23, 2024

Pommer said:
Our friend basically said that the two wars are not comparable.
You tried to spin that straw into a gold star for your viewpoint, somehow.

Well, that depends on a person's political point of view, in my opinion.

The Liturgist · Apr 23, 2024

MarkRohfrietsch said:
We can't be much more plain either about the fact that Jesus also said "this is my body", "this is my blood".

As far as Ellicot's Commentary goes; if you want to start a war of commentary's, there are Orthodox, Lutheran, Catholic and Anglican commentaries that support the more Scriptural position of the real presence.

Indeed, and BibleHub hosts the Orthodox commentary par excellence, that of St. John Chrysostom, who said this about the Eucharist, on John ch. 6 v. 52

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Ver. 52. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
If thou seekest to know the "how," why askedst not thou this in the matter of the loaves, how He extended five to so great a number? Because they then only thought of being satisfied, not of seeing the miracle. "But," saith some one, "their experience then taught them." Then by reason of that experience these words ought to have been readily received. For to this end He wrought beforehand that strange miracle, that taught by it they might no longer disbelieve what should be said by Him afterwards.

[3.] Those men then at that time reaped no fruit from what was said, but we have enjoyed the benefit in the very realities. Wherefore it is necessary to understand the marvel of the Mysteries, what it is, why it was given, and what is the profit of the action. We become one Body, and "members of His flesh and of His bones." (Ephesians 5:30.) Let the initiated [1300] follow what I say. In order then that we may become this not by love only, but in very deed, let us be blended [1301] into that flesh. This is effected by the food which He hath freely given us, desiring to show the love which He hath for us. On this account He hath mixed up Himself with us; He hath kneaded up [1302] His body with ours, that we might be a certain One Thing, [1303] like a body joined to a head. For this belongs to [1304] them who love strongly; this, for instance, Job implied, speaking of his servants, by whom he was beloved so exceedingly, that they desired to cleave unto his flesh. For they said, to show the strong love which they felt, "Who would give us to be satisfied with his flesh?" (Job 31:31.) Wherefore this also Christ hath done, to lead us to a closer friendship, and to show His love for us; He hath given to those who desire Him not only to see Him, but even to touch, and eat Him, and fix their teeth in His flesh, and to embrace Him, and satisfy all their love. Let us then return from that table like lions breathing fire, having become terrible to the devil; thinking on our Head, and on the love which He hath shown for us. Parents often entrust their offspring to others to feed; "but I," saith He, "do not so, I feed you with Mine own flesh, desiring that you all be nobly born, [1305] and holding forth to you good hopes for the future. For He who giveth out Himself to you here, much more will do so hereafter. I have willed to become your Brother, for your sake I shared in flesh and blood, and in turn I give out to you the flesh and the blood by which I became your kinsman." This blood causeth the image of our King to be fresh [1306] within us, produceth beauty unspeakable, permitteth not the nobleness of our souls to waste away, watering it continually, and nourishing it. The blood derived from our food becomes not at once blood, but something else; while this doth not so, but straightway watereth our souls, and worketh in them some mighty power. This [1307] blood, if rightly taken, driveth away devils, and keepeth them afar off from us, while it calleth to us Angels and the Lord of Angels. For wherever they see the Lord's blood, devils flee, and Angels run together. This blood poured forth washed clean all the world; many wise sayings did the blessed Paul utter concerning it in the Epistle to the Hebrews. This blood cleansed the secret place, and the Holy of Holies. And if the type of it had such great power in the temple of the Hebrews, and in the midst of Egypt, when smeared on the door-posts, much more the reality. This blood sanctified the golden altar; without it the high priest dared not enter into the secret place. This blood consecrated [1308] priests, this in types cleansed [1309] sins. But if it had such power in the types, if death so shuddered at the shadow, tell me how would it not have dreaded the very reality? This blood is the salvation of our souls, by this the soul is washed, [1310] by this is beautiful, by this is inflamed, this causeth our understanding to be more bright than fire, and our soul more beaming than gold; this blood was poured forth, and made heaven accessible.

[4.] Awful in truth are the Mysteries of the Church, awful in truth is the Altar. A fountain went up out of Paradise sending forth [1311] material rivers, from this table springeth up a fountain which sendeth forth rivers spiritual. By the side of this fountain are planted not fruitless willows, but trees reaching even to heaven, bearing fruit ever timely and undecaying. If any be scorched with heat, let him come to the side of this fountain and cool his burning. For it quencheth drought, and comforteth [1312] all things that are burnt up, not by the sun, but by the fiery darts. For it hath its beginning from above, and its source is there, whence also its water floweth. Many are the streams of that fountain which the Comforter sendeth forth, and the Son is the Mediator, not holding mattock to clear the way, but opening our minds. This fountain is a fountain of light, spouting forth rays of truth. By it stand the Powers on high looking upon the beauty of its streams, because they more clearly perceive the power of the Things set forth, and the flashings unapproachable. For as when gold is being molten if one should (were it possible) dip in it his hand or his tongue, he would immediately render them golden; thus, but in much greater degree, doth what here is set forth work upon the soul. Fiercer than fire the river boileth up, yet burneth not, but only baptizeth that on which it layeth hold. This blood was ever typified of old in the altars and sacrifices [1313] of righteous men, This is the price of the world, by This Christ purchased to Himself the Church, by This He hath adorned Her all. For as a man buying servants giveth gold for them, and again when he desireth to deck them out doth this also with gold; so Christ hath purchased us with His blood, and adorned us with His blood. They who share this blood stand with Angels and Archangels and the Powers that are above, clothed in Christ's own kingly robe, and having the armor of the Spirit. Nay, I have not as yet said any great thing: they are clothed with the King Himself.

Now as this is a great and wonderful thing, so if thou approach it with pureness, thou approachest for salvation; but if with an evil conscience, for punishment and vengeance. "For," It saith, "he that eateth and drinketh unworthily" of the Lord, "eateth and drinketh judgment to himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29); since if they who defile the kingly purple are punished equally with those who rend it, it is not [1314] unreasonable that they who receive the Body with unclean thoughts should suffer the same punishment as those who rent it with the nails. Observe at least how fearful a punishment Paul declareth, when he saith, "He that despised Moses' law dieth without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing?" (Hebrews 1:28.) Take we then heed to ourselves, beloved, we who enjoy such blessings; and if we desire to utter any shameful word, or perceive ourselves hurried away by wrath or any like passion, let us consider of what things we have been deemed worthy, of how great a Spirit we have partaken, and this consideration shall be a sobering of our unreasonable passions. For how long shall we be nailed to present things? How long shall it be before we rouse ourselves? How long shall we neglect our own salvation? Let us bear in mind of what things Christ has deemed us worthy, let us give thanks, let us glorify Him, not by our faith alone, but also by our very works, that we may obtain the good things that are to come, through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and with whom, to the Father and the Holy Ghost be glory, now and ever and world without end. Amen.

Ignatius the Kiwi · Apr 23, 2024

DJWhalen said:
It is God's apple of His eye.
Hamas' aren't happy unless they kill Jew's, Christian's and America's.

So if unbelieving Jews are the apple of God's eye, what does that make those who actually acknowledge Christ and who he is?

sfs · Apr 23, 2024

By the way, if anyone is interested in people trying to do biblically-based theology that doesn't simply dismiss evolution, I'm currently reading an interesting collection published by Eerdmans, called Evolution and the Fall. It's got contributions from a wide range of theological traditions.

Diamond7 · Apr 23, 2024

Platte said:
So nevermind that God said he created everything 6000 years ago

God did not say that, you said that. I believe God gives us science because HE wants us to know the work He has done. Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. I have told you many times now that EVERYTHING in the Bible happened in the last 6,000 years EXCEPT for Genesis Chapter one. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT??? Because of science. In this state students are tested on that science to qualify for a high school diploma. Even they are tested on evolution.

Moses uses plain language that a day is 1,000 years in Psalms. This lays the foundation for dispensationalism. The Bible does use the term ancient days. In 32:7 Deuteronomy Moses tells us: "Remember the days of old; consider the years long past." So we have a reference to old days, days that are long past, ancient days. The phrase “days that are long past” emphasizes the ancient origins of God’s work.

If you really want to understand the first chapter in Genesis study science. Hundreds of thousands of science books talk about in detail about what we read in Genesis chapter one. If you were really interested that is exactly what you would be doing is presenting real evidence. Even tree rings go back over 6,000 years and ice cores go back millions of years. How can you ignore the evidence when it is so abundant. Look at the grand canyon and all the lays. The rocks are crying out to be heard and their story is the age of this earth.

There is an abundance of evidence that does not take a lot of time or effort to study where you can see beyond any doubt that the world is a lot older than 6,000 years. Why you want to ignore abundant and overwhelming evidence from God I can not understand.

rjs330 · Apr 23, 2024

JosephZ said:
You may think it's just an excuse now, but that will likely change over the next several years. Israel's destruction of Gaza since October 7th has created a monster. Even if Hamas is eraticated tomorrow, Israel's outlook for a secure future is dim. There are countless traumatized children that are going to grow up with hatred in their hearts towards Israel for what they have done to them and their families. They have witnessed and experienced things that no human should ever have to, and they are never going to forget. The next generation of terrorists to emerge from this conflict will likely be unlike anything we have seen in the past because of the near total destruction of Gaza and the enormous number of casualties over the past six months.

Below are a few excerpts from a book written in 2005:

The fact is unmistakable and the message comes over loud and clear: a deep sense of injustice beyond the stage of profound frustration and despair stands at the heart of the issue. The Palestinian drive for freedom has been hampered by Israeli occupation atrocities.

The lack of normalcy of life can be seen on the streets torn up by army ‘chokepoints’; in the demolished homes; in the burnt and destroyed farmland; and on the faces of children whose childhood has been stripped away due to deprivation and hopelessness.

‘Every Palestinian, without exception, has felt the suffocating strangle of Israeli military control on Palestinian resistance and ‘suicide bombing’ their life’ (Baker 2001).

Arin Ahmed, a would-be bomber, During her conversation with the Israeli former minister of defence, Ben-Eliezer, she unequivocally states that her motive for considering a ‘body attack’ on Israelis was not military or religious in nature. Rather, it was exclusively personal: ‘I was in distress. I was depressed … You [Israelis] killed my friend. We were friends for a year and a half’ (Levy-Barzalai 2002).

The daily conditions of Palestinians living under occupation are bound to create immense anger, bitterness and hatred. The sights of Palestinian children being killed, women and children going hungry, a civilian population being brutalized (Aloni 2003)

The motive behind ‘suicide bombing’ is rooted in trauma: injury to a father or brother in the First Intifada, or the death of a friend or even a distant relation in the present upheavals. To clarify this, he states that ‘in every case of suicide bombing, there is a personal tragedy or a trauma’. More specifically, ‘the people doing the suicide bombing today are the children of the First Intifada and they have witnessed or suffered personal trauma in one form or another that is humiliating’ (Goldenberg 2002b)

Root Causes of Terrorism: Myths, Reality and Ways Forward 1st Edition
Tore Bjørgo

All you are doing and many leftists do is create a Catch 22 for Israel. So nothing and just continue to be attacked thus bolstering anti-Semetic support in the radical Islamists or retaliate and bolster support for the radical Islamists.

It's exactly what Islamists would want people to say.

Strong in Him · Apr 23, 2024

Apple Sky said:
I do very much so.

I seriously doubt that you do - not if you think that God talks to you about ice walls in Antarctica which are guarding other worlds.

Apple Sky said:
I have never done this,

You have been told - on this thread, or others - that at least one of those who walked on the moon was a born again Christian.
You dismiss them as being liars.