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Chesterton · 2024-05-14T11:17:41-0500

board

hislegacy · 2024-05-14T11:17:03-0500

iluvatar5150 said:
Regarding Iron Maiden's ability to draw a crowd, here's a photo from their most recent performance in Tulsa, OK (where the OP lives), which was on 9/15/22 at the BOK Center:
Source
View attachment 347827

Not a sold out crowd - the upper balcony has plenty of space, but the floor and lower tiers are full.

Contrast that with Trump's most recent rally in Tulsa, on 6/20/20:
Soruce
View attachment 347828

Coincidentally, that rally was notorious for both its low turnout and for being the event at which Herman Cain likely contracted his fatal case of COVID.

2020 Tulsa Trump rally - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Trump 'furious' about 'underwhelming' crowd at Tulsa rally

"This was a major failure," one outside adviser said.

www.nbcnews.com

oh, and here is Joe Bidens first rally in 2024

Maybe he should invite Iron Maden

Chesterton · 2024-05-14T11:17:00-0500

eleos1954 · 2024-05-14T11:16:31-0500

Michie said:
With recent shootings in public and in churches, the question of self-defense has been coming up lately. But first, let's be clear: What we are seeing today is not a gun problem; it’s a moral problem called sin.

Vengeance Is Not Self-Defense
One Scripture often used to support pacifism and banning weapons is found in Proverbs 20:22: “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.” But this scripture deals with vigilantism, not self-defense. According to Romans 13:4, one purpose of the authorities is to “execute wrath on him who practices evil.” They are God’s avengers, but we can be defenders.

Seek Peace When Possible
As Christians, I believe that we are to seek peace at every turn and not drape the cross with the flag. But what about self-defense as a last resort and biblical mandates to protect? The Old Testament offers many examples, but what about the New Testament? It does as well. In Matthew 26:52 Jesus says to Peter, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Jesus didn’t denounce the sword but clarified its place. When we take premature emotionally charged action, it may cost us our life.

Buy a Sword
Later, Jesus adds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?” If He had been a thief and a robber, the clubs and swords would have been justified. In my opinion, these Scriptures imply that weapons do have a place in society, although we must be careful. Additionally, in Luke 22:36, Jesus said,

What is the context of this Scripture? First, again I would err on the side of peace, but this isn’t always an option. One thing is certain: A sword was for defense. Earlier, Jesus had sent them on a peaceful mission trip where they did not need these items, but now Jesus may be implying that self-defense might become necessary. He wants them to use wisdom and be prepared.

Love Your Enemies Doesn’t Mean Hate Your Family

Continued below.

What Every Christian Should Know about Self-Defense

With recent shootings in public and in churches, the question of self-defense has been coming up lately. But first, let's be clear: What we are seeing today is not a gun problem; it’s a moral problem called sin.

www.crosswalk.com

We are to indeed seek peace ... but not at the expense of compromising the word of God. Most times we can flee from evil ... however ... if placed in the situation of life threat it is perfectly natural to defend oneself by whatever means we have available to us.

Hans Blaster · 2024-05-14T11:16:26-0500

Zaha Torte said:
It's not the science that I would take issue with - but how the information is presented - as I said.

A concern expressed without any evidence of the form of the presentation. There is nothing inherently bad about any of those topics, so you are going to need actual criticism of actual, specific content. (On the other hand if they were proposing a "creationism" chapter be added to HS biology, that wouldn't need any details to reject as not science, because it isn't.)

cradleGO · 2024-05-14T11:16:05-0500

The Liturgist said:
I am aware that you identify as Eastern Orthodox, and I am not disputing your status as a cradle member of the Greek Orthodox church.

As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I would expect you would be deeply troubled by the remarks of Archbishop Elpidophoros when he was Metropolitan of Bursa (and also by his failure to keep the one church in his diocese from closing).

I would not dream of criticizing the Church of Constantinople as a whole, or even GoArch, because the Church of Constantinople includes Mount Athos, and GoArch includes the Athonite-based monasteries founded by Elder Ephrem, memory eternal, who I had the very great pleasure of meeting In 2015.

I regard the idea of “bashing” an autocephalous Orthodox church as offensive, whether it is the Patriarchate of Constantinople, or of Jerusalem, or of Alexandria, or of Antioch, or of Moscow, or of Serbia, Romania or Bulgaria, or the Orthodox Church in America, or the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, or the Church of Georgia, or any other autocephalous church, such as the Church of Poland or of Greece or of Albania or of North Macedonia. These churches deserve a dignity, since autocephaly entails their ability to operate in perpetuity as fully independent churches, which in turn can charter autonomous churches and also grant autocephaly to their subordinate churches. For example, among our Oriental Orthodox friends, the Coptic Orthodox church granted autocephaly to the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church in the 20th century in what was a very good decision, since it allowed the Coptic Church to focus on Egyptian issues and the Ethiopian church to focus on Ethiopian issues, and since that time, both churches have been more dynamic and functional.

"I regard the idea of “bashing” an autocephalous Orthodox church as offensive,..." Did not include the Orthodox Church of Ukraine - you now, the one that got the Tomos a few - 5 - years ago. Same process as the others received theirs.

I don't know what Elpidophoros said in Bursa. Seems to me you should be more concerned that the Russian church in Ukraine (Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate) by currently operating there, 1 violates the Tomos and canonical precepts, and 2 when they said they were not directed by Moscow, they exist in some sort of zombie status within Orthodoxy. You should also be concerned that the Moscow Church violates caonical precepts by sayng it has established an Eparchy in Africa. Those should concern you, not Elpidophoros.

Chesterton · 2024-05-14T11:16:00-0500

Hans Blaster said:
Lee and Jackson weren't cancelled just for being slaveholders, but especially for being traitors.

I haven't heard this. Do you have any links to further info about it?

Earlier I mentioned a Lee school getting renamed. The school released a statement at the time. I don't remember the exact words, but I remember the gist of it was wanting to create a "space which was safe and inclusive" and not wanting to be hurtful to certain students. They didn't mention anything about treason.

Hans Blaster · 2024-05-14T11:14:30-0500

Zaha Torte said:
That's just the way he likes it.

Uninstall your blinders.

I don't believe in your satan, why should I care about it. It literally means nothing to me. (I also don't care about your god, either.)

Zaha Torte said:
Red herring.

You claimed I was committing a logical fallacy. I gave you a link to a list and *invited* you to ID mine. (I'm that confident that your accusation is incorrect.)

Grip Docility · 2024-05-14T11:12:46-0500

HopeSings said:
I can't say how my friend. Its God's work. We preach the word. I can't even judge myself.

But being awake it to understand the blindness around us. Its a serious matter. Fear God and tremble. Be alert and sober minded and not conformed to the thinking and wisdom of this blind world.

Sober minded is not having political and religious division and contention, and it would be not having wealth, luxury and lusts

It would be lowly minded, meek in wisdom, peaceful, gentle, humble, contrite, broken, merciful, compassionate, forgiving, helpful, caring, giving, generous, hospitable, and harmless. In my understanding of scripture.

These are the words of a humble servant of Jesus Christ.

B Griffin · 2024-05-14T11:12:28-0500

discombobulated1 said:
In Revelation it says that no impure thing will enter Heaven.

Well, all humans are impure. So virtually all humans are headed for Hell.

"No impure thing will enter heaven" plus "all humans are impure" does not equal "virtually all humans are headed to Hell".

discombobulated1 said:
many of them focus only on God's grace and not on their own sinfulness, which usually means they are not going to work on their sinfulness

So, you are saying the answer is to not focus on God's grace, but we must focus only on our sinfulness and try our best to eliminate it?

discombobulated1 said:
, maybe they won't even allow themselves to see it(?) and so, it remains... their sinfulness remains in them... This is called NOT letting Jesus have your sins..

Have you never read about what Jesus did?

5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,

“SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED,

BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME;

6 IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE.

7 “THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME

(IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME)

TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.’ ”

10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;

12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,

13 waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.

14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update (Heb 10:5-7; 10-14). (1995). The Lockman Foundation.

discombobulated1 said:
so i just dont see how that works. Even after giving Jesus your sins, you are still sinful and will likely fall into the sin again if you are not careful

Jesus' offering of His own body for our sins is what makes those who come to God through Him forever clean (i.e., completely sanctified). That's how it works. And it is the only way for humans to be with Jesus in Heaven after they die.

RandyPNW · 2024-05-14T11:11:40-0500

QuestionQuest74 said:
Some actors do it for comedy is that wrong? Reading deuteronomy it was a sin in the Old Testament but is it still wrong to do it now for theatrical purposes?

Well, of course there is the matter of conscience. Some may be able to do things in faith that others cannot do for whatever reason--past scars, young faith, etc. Nobody should do anything unless they have faith and can thank God for it.

How a person acts requires a good look at the message of the play/movie. If it glorifies sex and violence, or corruption of any kind, bad. If it has a good message, you can play any character you like--good or bad. This is contributing to a good message.

Sometimes showing evil can be a good message. It really depends on the spirit behind the play/movie.

Actually, displaying the seedy side of life can simply present life in an authentic way, as it really is. This is legitimate art at times, and is even therapeutic at times. Entertainment is therapeutic. But on a scale of good to bad, how much good is in it, and how much bad?

Bob Crowley · 2024-05-14T11:09:54-0500

References to the Assumption of Mary would now seem to have written references dating back to the third century.

The Assumption of Mary in History | Catholic Answers

From the very beginning, The Assumption of Mary was always believed by the Catholic faithful. Click here for evidence from scripture and history.

www.catholic.com

A Final Thought
Since the time of the promulgation of the dogma of the Assumption of Mary, there has been much new discovery. We now have written evidence of belief in the Assumption of Mary as far back as the third century. Though it is not necessary for there to be written evidence all the way back to the second century for us as Catholics because we have Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture as interpreted by the Magisterium of the Church first and foremost that has already given us the truth of the Matter, I believe it is really exciting that new historical discoveries continue to be made and once again . . . and again . . . and again, they confirm the Faith of our Fathers.

The church's statements on the Assumption of Mary and the Immaculate Conception didn't appear out of a vacuum. They were based on earlier traditions - very early traditions.

The Gospels themselves were traditions at one stage until the CHURCH canonised them. The same church also declared the Assumption of Mary and the Immaculate Conception are worthy of belief.

How to Defend the Immaculate Conception

Why does the Church teach that Mary was immaculately conceived? Her Immaculate Conception is never even mentioned in Scripture. Read more.

www.catholic.com

An implicit reference can also be found in the angel’s greeting to Mary in Luke 1:28: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” The phrase “full of grace” is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. This word represents the proper name of the person being addressed by the angel, and it therefore expresses a characteristic quality of Mary. Kecharitomene is a perfect passive participle of charitoo, meaning “to fill or endow with grace.” Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates a perfection of grace that is both intensive and extensive.

This means that the grace Mary enjoyed was not a result of the angel’s visit, and was not only as “full” or strong or complete as possible at any given time, but it extended over the whole of her life, from conception onward. She was in a state of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence to have been called “full of grace.”

My old Protestant pastor commented about Marian apparitions that "There's been a lot of them" and "I think they're a judgment on a divided church".

Apparently BobRyan thinks the church should stay divided. If so, where did the authority come from to divide the church in the first place, when Christ set it up on Peter and expected us to be one as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one? I haven't seen any reference to that authority in the Bible.

hislegacy · 2024-05-14T11:08:56-0500

durangodawood said:
I dont see the contradiction in the reporting on these two different events. Could you point it out for us?

It is obvious - he is speaking of -- look again THE ACTOR who played lector - not the fictional character - If Joe Biden had said this you would be saying it is a gaff because the second quote left out 'the actor who played" - but hey! it is Trump so not gaff, no misspeak, he must be some type of moron - let's pile on! Did I get that part right?

essentialsaltes said:
The story from May about an event in New Jersey does not contradict the story from last October about an event in Iowa.

Trump still has Lecter on his mind
These are two separate events. Being separate, they are not identical.

He mentions it twice in all his public speaking in seven months - yup - he must be fixating on it. We know that he has not spoken publicly very often. cough cough****

And yes they are not identical - that is what makes them contradict.

eleos1954 · 2024-05-14T11:08:07-0500

Laodicean60 said:
Yes. never let a good crisis go to waste.

That would be it. ;o)

eleos1954 · 2024-05-14T11:07:20-0500

Kiril said:
Is it true that Evangelical Churches (for example, Baptist and Pentecostal) are becoming more conservative and fundamentalist due to the accession of conservatives to these Evangelical Churches, including from other Churches? While the mainstream Churches are becoming more liberal.

I myself would like to join some conservative and stable Church, so I ask.

Some are worse than others in compromising ... many ... most are compromised one way or another.

eleos1954 · 2024-05-14T11:05:36-0500

Kiril said:
How true are these words about the Evangelical Churches?

Baptists are followers of the radical reformation.

Theological Liberalism Takes Over Mainstream Churches.

Conservative Christians Flock to Evangelical Churches (including Baptist).

When one holds to the teachings according to the written word they are seen as being "radical" because holding to the word of God is at enmity with the world ... churches are compromising with the world ... and most of them are indeed compromising.

Hans Blaster · 2024-05-14T11:04:46-0500

o_mlly said:
So, we should add some amnesia to your inattentiveness? Get serious or get lost but either way spare me your inept ad hominens.

I wasn't making an argument about free will. I was commenting on your tactics.

Ana the Ist · 2024-05-14T11:04:01-0500

BCP1928 said:
He has to exhibit spontaneous emotional and behavioral traits which we ordinarily associate with females.

Go ahead and tell us what those are?

Hans Blaster · 2024-05-14T11:02:24-0500

Love365 said:
Would you teach the Russian alphabet
in western high schools?

Will the Russians stop their invasion if we have Russian dishes for dinner? If so, please let them know I made stroganoff for dinner on Sunday.

eleos1954 · 2024-05-14T11:02:05-0500

HopeSings said:
This was a post I made. I would like to ask everyone this question and get their opinion of my understanding.

Do we ever talk about Jobs family and friend's? Why do we always talk about Job instead? Why do we crush him into dust with our judgment? If your best friend gets sick and his family dies will you say it's because your friend sinned?

The church is blind because of its sin of division and worldly politics. They sleep and are sick as scripture says. God blinded the church like Israel because they followd the same path of folly that Israel did. They boasted against the branches but they didn't learn from Israel's example as Paul teaches us.

All the churches are in an apostate condition one way or another.

Grip Docility · 2024-05-14T11:01:57-0500

Clare73 said:
You have indicted both orthodox and reformed Christianity.

I didn’t write 1 John 2:2

Are you referring to Protestant branches?

oikonomia · 2024-05-14T11:01:31-0500

For the law was given through Moses; grace and reality came through Jesus Christ.

In Him Was Life. And the life was the light of men.
Sing along John 1:4,5

Login to view embedded media

HopeSings · 2024-05-14T11:00:05-0500

Scripture compares us sinners to the offspring of the sorcerer and prostitute. We sinners are no different than Israel was. We sinners are spiritual infant's, adulterers, wolves, witches, murderers, and drunkards. And we fell asleep. We need to wake up now.

Aviel · 2024-05-14T10:57:40-0500

JosephZ said:
Let me make this clear to you: I have never, nor would I ever support anyone who wants Jews to die.

If you "HOLD ISRAEL accountable" for "gazan civilian deaths", then you definitely support HAMAS who is the central cause of what is happening.

Israel has no choice as Israel BELIEVES what the Hamas Leadership said, after they massacred so many Jews.
They said.>"this is the beginning, the first wave, and there will be more, until all the Jews are dead".

So, Is Israel to sit back and wait for that, ?

Is Israel to take their marching orders from Joe Biden ?
If so then Let Biden come to Israel and find out what "incoming Rockets" SIRENS sound like day by day.
Let him have a taste of ISRAELI LIFE, and see if he gets the MeSSAge.

And because Israel is forced into this nightmare, a lot of Arabs who are not Hamas, are suffering.. and dying.

This is the fault of HAMAS, and IRAN's Leadership.

Iran, the Leadership, ordered Hamas to come into Israel, last Oct, on a Jewish Religious day, and ALSO on Shabbat (The sabbath), because they knew that this was "PRIME TIME"< as Israel would be, by an large, involved in that.

Cell phones were turned off.

So, Iran planned the Massacre with all that in mind and that is why so many Jews were killed.

Iran, the Leadership does not care of every Palestinian (arab) dies in Gaza, and they are "yawn" if all of Hamas dies..

And all of Hamas is going to die, unless the surrender the Hostages, and themselves.

However, TURKEY is now bringing Hamas in, to protect them..so, Hamas has a Satanic FRIEND, they can count on....