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Trump threatens to cut Calif.’s federal funds if trans athletes ‘illegally’ compete in women’s events

Good grief, it's like a broken record. You keep saying this - on behalf of women I might add, when you cannot produce any evidence that it's even a problem. And then refuse to tell us how you are going to accomplish something that's not even necessary.

I've lost count of the number of times you've stated that you've nothing more to say on the matter. But it seems to concern you greatly. Again, for no reason at all.
I have nothing else to say.

Have a lovely evening
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Zechariah 5 is imminent

Iran's industrial nuclear program undoubtedly sustained severe damage, potentially requiring years for reconstruction as Washington and Jerusalem officials describe. However, Iran's nuclear weapons potential doesn't depend exclusively on large-scale industrial infrastructure but could emerge from smaller enrichment capabilities, metallic conversion facilities, and previous advancement – possibly concealed – in explosive device engineering.

"Unquestionably, Iran currently possesses extremely strong incentives for acquiring nuclear weapons and will accept significantly greater risks pursuing this objective." According to his analysis, recent strikes eliminated the regime's dual defensive layers – proxy forces and missile arsenals – "essentially leaving only nuclear capabilities as their insurance policy."

Avner Vilan, specialist in Iran's nuclear program, is cautions about the primary threat, warning that "unless we force the regime into submission, their likelihood of developing nuclear weapons increased rather than decreased following these strikes." We can be sure that Iran’s Islamic leadership, is now full steam ahead to get nukes and the means to deliver them, as quickly as possible. Israel Hayom. July 2
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Pope backs effort for ‘full visible communion’ with Orthodox

For feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Orthodox delegation makes traditional visit. Pope Leo says he's "open to suggestions" on path to unity.

“As I think back with gratitude on the progress made thus far, I assure you of my desire to persevere in the effort to restore full visible communion between our Churches,” said Leo XIV when he received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, sent by Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, on June 28, 2025.

A visit from the Patriarchate is traditional for the June 29 feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Catholic Church then sends a delegation to the Orthodox for November 30, feast of St. Andrew.

The Pope did not mention in his speech a possible trip to Turkey this year for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, but his guests did speak of it.
The Orthodox delegation was led by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, president of the Synodal Commission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Relations with the Catholic Church.

"Open to suggestions"​


Continued below.
I've wondered if the prophecy of St. Malachy, if real, may have actually be about East and West coming together and a change in the Papacy.
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The Harm Caused by Excessive Criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and Other Denominations

What happens if the sins are contributed and enforced by the organization itself? I understand the desire to want to turn a blind eye, but no where in the Bible tells us to do this, especially if this organization claims to be the speaker for God, I think that can be very dangerous.

I also believe some doctrinal issues can be sins especially when their teachings are against what the God of the Bible said.
Well if said organization is presently advocating sinful behavior then I would say that it should be corrected. But if said organization no longer advocates sinful behavior that it has in the past then I would say that it shouldn’t be judged by sins that it has repented from.
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AND WHAT IS 1 THESS 4:13-17 SAYINF FOR TODAY /

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I see the resurrection in verse 16.
And you did pinpoint One in verse 16 !!

What does verse 13 than as the Greek word NOT / ME , meaning NOTTT having hope , than mean ?

dan p
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The Harm Caused by Excessive Criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and Other Denominations

I would hope so. However, I do sometimes think that pushing back against false doctrines can also have an unintended negative consequence on the hearer (and onlookers). This can occur when a person who has accepted a false doctrine as true perceives a challenge as an attack on the truth itself and as a consequence they think abandononing the false doctrine is tantamount to abandoning the truth. Therefore, it is not easy to show people the error of their ways in such a way as to guide them to rejecting false doctrine in favor of adopting sound doctrine instead.
So far in my 8+ years of debating scripture I don’t think I’ve ever had a single person reevaluate their theology because of anything I’ve presented. At least not that I’m aware of. Nevertheless I still think that there are some who come to CF looking for answers like I was when I first came here. I came to CF to get different perspectives and interpretations of scripture so that I could make a more educated decision on what I believe the intended interpretations should be because I was in the process of reevaluating my theology. So I think that doctrinal debate seems to be more beneficial for newcomers rather than those who are set in their theology. It was certainly beneficial to me when I was reading thru them and asking questions.
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Where Have All The Good Times Gone?

Coming together and celebrating life? Sorry? Are you watching a coca cola commercial feom the 70s? Have you not noticed how divided the country actually is?
C'mon, Rambot. You shoulda linked to it to cheer us all up...

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Mmm. Actually I feel a little bilious now.
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Where Have All The Good Times Gone?

It is very discouraging. But what makes me mad is if this is just a mainstream media attempt at making the Trump Admin. the cause of all these woes.
There's only so much room on a web page or a newspaper page. I just read The Guardian and the fact that the administration has mentioned the possibility of revoking the citizenship of the mayor of New York because they don't like what he says is a sidebar. It's almost 'and in other news today...' when it wasn't that long ago that it would have been the headline.

What I'm saying is that things really are worse. And there's not enough room in a newspaper or time in a day to cover it all. It would be nice to see diplomacy ending the Ukrainian war. And pressure from the US stopping the genocide in Gaza. And Iran agreeing to reduce their nuclear capabilities. And no threats of trade wars. And no trampling on the constitution. I could go on all morning pointing out what's going very badly wrong, but you already know what's happening. And more importantly, you know why.
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Where Have All The Good Times Gone?


Am I imagining it or have the news articles and headlines become more negative. It seemed as when Joe Biden was in office there was an aire of happiness in alot of the news stories and the only negative stories were coming from Fox News and their conservative companions. Now, practically every news feed I have on my computer is either someone famous dying, shootings all over the US and in other countries, nations arguing about taxes, immigrants or some other political dilemma, economic turmoil, war.

It is very discouraging. But what makes me mad is if this is just a mainstream media attempt at making the Trump Admin. the cause of all these woes. Surely happy stories couldn't have just disappeared just like that. Where is the positiveness of our space program, where is the positiveness of our cultures coming to together and celebrating life. Yes, our country is forcing immigrants to come to America the legal and proper way and it looks messy but Spanish, Latinos, Asians, Africans and Europeans have never been this close before in America. Don't let the negativity of the liberal media separate us. Remember E. Pluribus Unum. Follow God and He will lead us to goodness.
Things are objectively worse for a lot of people.

You may not know the feeling of having the threat of your legal status taken away but it's not a teensy teensy stress.

Perhaps, somehow you haven't noticed an increase in household expenses. Lucky you I suppose.

But doesn't it seem telling if you, person advocating for more positive news, can only come up with two very limp examples.

Space program? Who is that giving an immediate benefit for?

Coming together and celebrating life? Sorry? Are you watching a coca cola commercial feom the 70s? Have you not noticed how divided the country actually is?
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Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Passes House 215-214

Fox News report: The spending Bill now moves to the House for Consideration.
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Praying the Lord will guide and move on our congress members in this process as the House must now consider the Bill sent to them.

Christians are the gatekeepers and the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16), which includes bringing forth True good in the world and preserving it, and being politically active (Matthew 9:38; Romans 13:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Daniel 2:48, 6:3). God working through Daniel and the apostle Paul and the Christians in Rome and other examples such a John Wesley in England and the Reformer's in Europe exemplify this. God has chosen to largely work through the Church to bring about positive change in world. The idea that moral decline in the world is a necessary precondition to Christ returning is false, and is a relatively recent invention. History is a testament to such, as the previous examples clearly show. Yes, eschatological models are more nuanced than that, but it is true nonetheless.

Like Esther, the Church of God must act "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). Historically and biblically, God's Word (preached/taught) and prayer precede major positive change in societies (e.g., the Great Awakening in Early America). Prayer is in fact a ministry. And unless your are unconscious, it is a powerful ministry accessible to all believers. By interceding and advocating, we fulfill our role as stewards of God’s order, working to ensure that justice and righteousness prevail. So let us pray boldly, Church, and take the land.
One thing is for sure, neither side can hide from this. Whether it succeeds or fails the blame will fall directly on one party or the other.
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Darwinian evolution - still a theory in crisis.

That’s not an honest representation of the argument. Irreducible complexity isn’t “I can’t imagine it,” it’s the claim that certain systems, like the bacterial flagellum or the blood clotting cascade, require multiple interdependent parts to function at all. Remove one, and the system breaks down. Saying “evolution works” doesn’t answer how those specific, tightly integrated systems arose through step-by-step mutations where intermediate forms would be non-functional.
The bacterial flagellum, for example:
Although these two machineries clearly differ both in overall structure and function, at their core, they both consist of a conserved machinery for protein export, the type III secretion system (T3SS). In the flagellum, the T3SS is used to export the distal flagellar components and build the extracellular filament. Within the injectisome, the T3SS is at the centre of the export machinery and enables both the formation of the extracellular needle and the direct transfer of substrates from the bacterial cytosol into the host cells. While the term ‘type III secretion system’ is often applied to the whole injectisome, we will use it for the export machinery within both systems (and, accordingly, for statements valid in both cases) and use ‘flagellum’ or ‘injectisome’ to specify the respective complete system.

Each flagellum is made of around 40 different protein components. The proponents of an offshoot of creationism known as intelligent design argue that a flagellum is useless without every single one of these components, so such a structure could not have emerged gradually via mutation and selection. It must have been created instead.

In reality, the term “the bacterial flagellum” is misleading. While much remains to be discovered, we now know there are thousands of different flagella in bacteria, which vary considerably in form and even function.


I happen to have a degree in bacteriology. The truth is a lot more interesting than Dr. Behe suspected when he wrote his book. Which particular flagellum do you want to present as "irreducibly complex?" And what makes you think irreducible complexity can't evolve? Even Dr. Behe now admits that it can, although he thinks it usually doesn't. My first question would be "Which bacterial flagelum? There are a number of them, and they have different components."

blood clotting cascade

Evolution of the complement system

Abstract


The ancestral form o f the alternative pathway of complement activation probably originated as a primitive independent immune system. Subsequent evolution of an adaptive immune response drove the specialization o f the classical pathway to connect antibody-mediated nonself recognition to the complement-dependent effector mechanisms. In this article Timothy Farries and John Atkinson consider how the contemporary complexity arose by a succession of credible alterations at the genetic level, and the selective advantages provided at each step.


How could this happen?
1751408878012.png



Regarding evolution:
We’re all looking at the same evidence, the same fossils, the same genetic data, the same observable world. But we interpret that evidence through different lenses. The atheist or evolutionist sees fossils with similarities and concludes they must be related through common ancestry. The creationist sees the same fossils and notices the differences, the distinct kinds, clear boundaries, and massive gaps between forms that don’t show the gradual transitions Darwinism predicts.

Well, let's ask a YEC who actually knows what the evidence is...

Evidences for Darwin’s second expectation — of stratomorphic intermediate species — include such species as Baragwanathia27 (between rhyniophytes and lycopods), Pikaia28 (between echinoderms and chordates), Purgatorius29 (between the tree shrews and the primates), and Proconsul30 (between the non-hominoid primates and the hominoids). Darwin’s third expectation — of higher-taxon stratomorphic intermediates — has been confirmed by such examples as the mammal-like reptile groups31 between the reptiles and the mammals, and the phenacodontids32 between the horses and their presumed ancestors. Darwin’s fourth expectation — of stratomorphic series — has been confirmed by such examples as the early bird series,33 the tetrapod series,34,35 the whale series,36 the various mammal series of the Cenozoic37 (for example, the horse series, the camel series, the elephant series, the pig series, the titanothere series, etc.), the Cantius and
Plesiadapus primate series,38 and the hominid series.39 Evidence for not just one but for all three of the species level and above types of stratomorphic intermediates expected by macroevolutionary theory is surely strong evidence for macroevolutionary theory. Creationists therefore need to accept this fact.


So the question isn’t, “Is there evidence?” The question is, “Which interpretation best fits the evidence we see?”
Evolution is not a theory in crisis. It is not teetering on the verge of collapse. It has not failed as a scientific explanation. There is evidence for evolution, gobs and gobs of it. It is not just speculation or a faith choice or an assumption or a religion. It is a productive framework for lots of biological research, and it has amazing explanatory power. There is no conspiracy to hide the truth about the failure of evolution. There has really been no failure of evolution as a scientific theory. It works, and it works well.

I say these things not because I'm crazy or because I've "converted" to evolution. I say these things because they are true. I'm motivated this morning by reading yet another clueless, well-meaning person pompously declaring that evolution is a failure. People who say that are either unacquainted with the inner workings of science or unacquainted with the evidence for evolution. (Technically, they could also be deluded or lying, but that seems rather uncharitable to say. Oops.)

Creationist students, listen to me very carefully: There is evidence for evolution, and evolution is an extremely successful scientific theory. That doesn't make it ultimately true, and it doesn't mean that there could not possibly be viable alternatives. It is my own faith choice to reject evolution, because I believe the Bible reveals true information about the history of the earth that is fundamentally incompatible with evolution. I am motivated to understand God's creation from what I believe to be a biblical, creationist perspective. Evolution itself is not flawed or without evidence. Please don't be duped into thinking that somehow evolution itself is a failure. Please don't idolize your own ability to reason. Faith is enough. If God said it, that should settle it. Maybe that's not enough for your scoffing professor or your non-Christian friends, but it should be enough for you.


The Evolutionist Thought Pattern:
“There are similarities among fossils. Therefore, I’ll presuppose all life shares a common ancestor. Yes, most transitional forms are missing, but I’m confident they existed once upon a time, we just haven’t found them yet. Given enough time, unguided processes can build anything."
That's either very naive, or very dishonest. In fact, Darwin's great discovery was that evolution isn't random, and scientists don't suppose that evolution can build anything, given enough time. Darwin himself pointed out that each step in an evolutionary process had to be at worst, neutral in order to work. It would be nice for humans to have an extra pair of arms. But tetrapods can't do evolve that sort of thing because the transitional states would be maladaptive.

If you’re claiming there are many examples that refute irreducible complexity, then name one, and explain how its parts could evolve step-by-step, with each stage being functional and advantageous. Simply asserting it’s been refuted isn’t the same as demonstrating it. Be specific, not dismissive. (Don't just give me a paper to read)
Sure. Dr. Barry Hall observed the evolution of a new enzyme in a culture of bacteria, previously unable to use a specific nutrient. Over time, they became able to effectively use it by a series of mutations that produced a new enzyme. But it didn't end there. Unexpectedly, the culture also evolved a regulator, which means that the enzyme is not produced unless the substrate is present. Which makes the system irreducibly complex. It now requires all three components in order to work, and the absence of one of them makes it inoperative. Yet it was observed to evolve.


Thus an entire system of lactose utilization had evolved, consisting of changes in enzyme structure enabling hydrolysis of the substrate; alteration of a regulatory gene so that the enzyme can be synthesized in response to the substrate; and the evolution of an enzyme reaction that induces the permease needed for the entry of the substrate. One could not wish for a batter demonstration of the neoDarwinian principle that mutation and natural selection in concert are the source of complex adaptations.
[ DJ Futuyma , Evolution, ©1986, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA. pp. 477-478.]


(humans share ancestry with caterpillars)

I do not believe that, and I would not be silly enough to make such a claim.

Comes down to evidence. Again, the conclusion is supported by the fossil record, genetics, and embryology. Would you like to learn more about it?
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Is Gender Identity a modern social construct?

I wonder if this is purely a homosapiens phenomenon, or if it's found in other mammalian species as well? I'm going to have to look into it.
Gender is a reflection of how society sees each of us. And how we'd like to be seen. To treat someone as a different gender to their biological sex then you'd have to understand what it complies in the first place.

Would you expect an ape to do that? Let's face it, there are so many people in this forum that cannot grasp the concept...
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Christian "Apostasy" =unpardonable sin doctrine supposed to learn at young age

? It's like you're so in contention mode, you have turn what I said into something I didn't say. Salvation is both a daily and eternal experience. I think we're done here.
Well...I might contend over the contention that I'm contentious...but...I probably won't as I'm sure I'm not immune to being that way at times. OTOH, "in the fullness of time" Jesus gave us the fullest and surest revelation of God's nature and His will for man-and I honestly think we know Him best when that whole understanding is held in view.
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Trump-enomics

Take it up with Pennsylvania, and the relatively few F-150 Lightnings sold. At the same time, if you buy a Chevy Bolt, you'll pay that same $200 charge but an equivalent weight car would pay far less.

In PA, you reach $200 in road use tax after slightly more than 347 gallons of gas. It's incredibly unlikely that anyone driving a gas-powered vehicle will ever pay any less than $200 unless they're never driving their car.

I'm not, despite your link making an unsubstantiated claim.

I guess you think every article out there (and there are many) stating the F-150 Lightning is 35% heavier than its ICE counterpart are all wrong and you're right. OK.

Let's try this again -- as I mentioned, the F-150 typically gets between 20 and 25 mpg;

Meanwhile back here in the land of reality, here are the real numbers that Ford F-150 owners have reported they get. The mode is 15 mpg.

Screenshot 2025-07-01 at 6.17.25 PM.png


Source: Ford F-150 MPG - Actual MPG from 15,494 Ford F-150 owners

At the same time, about 1.7 million EVs were sold in 2024 with only about 2% of them being F-150 Lightnings, so it isn't fair to compare the "damage" done by all EVs to the F-150 Lightning.

I'm not. I'm comparing road wear from an F-150 Ligthing to an ICE F-150. Because the Lightning weighs ~35% more, it will cause more road wear.

Again, many of those are much lighter, and equivalent ICE vehicles get far better fuel economy, so how is a flat fee fair to all EV drivers.

Because that flat fee is almost always going to be far less than any ICE vehicle will pay, at least in PA.

So why isn't there a similar way to charge EV drivers per mile of use, so it can be fair to them? Instead, lighter EVs that do less damage (and even less than many ICE cars) are charged more than they should.

What exactly would you propose? Should the government be able to track your every mile so that they can charge you accordingly?

And again, why is this suddenly an issue with EVs, about how heavier cars cause more road damage. In the 90s, back when the federal gas tax was last changed, cars weighed an average of 3178 lbs. That has gone up by "35%" today to 4329 lbs. So we're driving substantially heavier cars today but the gas tax hasn't changed.

It's not "suddenly" an issue. Heavier vehicles use more fuel and therefore pay more in road use tax.

Now, I'm sure you'll say that today's cars pay more in gas tax, but that isn't true.

You must be joking. When I started driving in 1993, I remember filling up for about $0.75/gallon. Today, I'm paying $0.576/gallon in PA fuel tax alone. Of course I'm paying FAR MORE today than I did in 1993.
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Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Passes House 215-214

"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act codifies President Trump's priorities by providing resources to secure the border, making a generational investment in America's defense, bolstering domestic energy dominance, avoiding the largest tax hike in history, and protecting our most vulnerable communities. . .
Also tucked into the final version were some unexpected additions — including a $12 billion fund for the Department of Homeland Security to reimburse states that help federal officials with deportations and border security.
And in a nod to Trump's influence, the Republicans renamed a proposed new children’s savings program after the president, changing it from MAGA accounts — money account for growth and advancement — to simply "Trump" accounts.

Now it is up to the Senate to work out differences. With the money pouring into our country from tariffs and the tax cuts put into law our people will prosper.
Fox News report: The spending Bill now moves to the House for Consideration.
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Praying the Lord will guide and move on our congress members in this process as the House must now consider the Bill sent to them.

Christians are the gatekeepers and the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16), which includes bringing forth True good in the world and preserving it, and being politically active (Matthew 9:38; Romans 13:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Daniel 2:48, 6:3). God working through Daniel and the apostle Paul and the Christians in Rome and other examples such a John Wesley in England and the Reformer's in Europe exemplify this. God has chosen to largely work through the Church to bring about positive change in world. The idea that moral decline in the world is a necessary precondition to Christ returning is false, and is a relatively recent invention. History is a testament to such, as the previous examples clearly show. Yes, eschatological models are more nuanced than that, but it is true nonetheless.

Like Esther, the Church of God must act "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). Historically and biblically, God's Word (preached/taught) and prayer precede major positive change in societies (e.g., the Great Awakening in Early America). Prayer is in fact a ministry. And unless your are unconscious, it is a powerful ministry accessible to all believers. By interceding and advocating, we fulfill our role as stewards of God’s order, working to ensure that justice and righteousness prevail. So let us pray boldly, Church, and take the land.
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