Michie said:

Recently, the United States has experienced shocking acts and threats of violence against Christian communities and Christian voices that highlight a growing and troubling conflict.

On August 27, a person identifying as transgender opened fire during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, killing two young children and injuring many others. Authorities are investigating it as an anti-Catholic hate crime. Less than a month later, on September 10, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University during a public event of Turning Point USA.

• Sophie (Nicholas) John Roske attempted the assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on June 8, 2022, in Chevy Chase, Md.
• Audrey (Aiden) Elizabeth Hale was responsible for the mass shooting at The Covenant School, a Christian elementary school, on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
• William “Lily” Whitworth, who identified as transgender, plotted shootings against three Colorado Springs schools and at least one church, and was arrested in March 2023 and sentenced on January 30, 2024

These tragedies have intensified the question: why is there such aggressive hostility in some quarters — especially among some who identify as transgender — toward Christian values? To be clear, not all trans-identified individuals share hatred or seek conflict with the Christian faith. But these incidents suggest there is a strand of antagonism that intersects with cultural, ideological, and moral disagreements.

I believe there are seven core reasons why transgender ideology often clashes with biblical Christianity.

1. The Bible teaches binary gender (Genesis 1:27)

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7 reasons for the trans conflict with Christianity

These tragedies have intensified the question why is there such aggressive hostility in some quarters toward Christian values

www.christianpost.com

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Sadly, many of these individuals grow up bullied by others and have issues dealing with society.

What are your more moderate views? I think you can be a Fundamentalist & not KJVO if that's your only point of contention. You sound Fundamentalist. The sad reality is most denominations were what today is considered Fundamentalist at one point but not anymore in those numbers

concretecamper said:

This sin will not be forgiven in this world or the next. Hmmm

Mat 12:32 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

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Pharisees: their claim that Jesus was not the Messiah, rather, He was demon possessed. It was on these grounds that the Pharisees rejected the Messiahship of Yeshua.The Messiah’s response is recorded in verses 25-29: And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?and then he will spoil his house.The Messiah responded to this accusation by telling them that their statement could not be true because it would mean that Satan’s kingdom was divided against itself

.And judgment was pronounced on the generation of that day in verses 30-37:

He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters. Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit. Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good things: and the evil man out ofhis evil treasure brings forth evil things. And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account there of in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

In verse 31, that generation had committed the unpardonable sin:blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. It should be clearly comprehended exactly what the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is in the only context in which it is found, and must be interpreted accordingly. The unpardonable sin is not an individual sin, but a national sin. It was committed by that generation of Israel in Jesus’ day and cannot be applied to subsequent Jewish generations. The content of the unpardonable sin was the national rejection of the Messiahship of Yeshua while He was physically present on the grounds that He was demon possessed. This sin was unpardonable, and judgment was set. The judgment came forty years later in A.D. 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the worldwide dispersion of the Jewish people. This does not mean that individual members of that generation could not be saved, for many were. It did mean, however, that nothing they could do would avert the coming destruction of Jerusalem

I believe one without faith in deity, can come to believe in absolute truth.

Afterall, Socrates did hundreds of years before Christ's birth.

Some believe truth is a "what", not a " Who"

There's a really good one that's a bit older called The Bible. It does Creation thru the Binding of Isaac, I believe. It's Bible-accurate

HIM said:

Why take it out of context? There is only one church, one faith. One Olive Tree per chapter 11.
What you are also missing is the New Covenant in chapter 10 verses 6-8.

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You are correct, Israel today has fallen so yes, the only church TODAY is the Body of Christ (Romans 11:11).

That does not mean the Body of Christ is Israel, and can claim the promises originally given to the latter (Romans 11:25-29).

I am not egalitarian but the perspective that Eve was trying to tell the truth about the Serpent & not just trying to push blame, is one I haven't really thought of. I like that idea. I feel too often Christians try to blame themselves, we dismiss the reality of Satan. Satan is real
My other idea is Eve is trying to support Adam. She doesn't say 'Adam should've known better.' Why? B/c as you say, she's accepting blame, not trying to push it away

peaceful-forest said:

I wish God talked to me more. I would like a dialogue with him. I can't tell you how many times I've asked Him to tell me one thing about my future husband.

The woman that wrote "Jesus Calling", she desired dialogue with God, instead of a monologue.

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In my experience He does but if the lone time you converse is prayer that isn’t much of a connection. People will text their friends throughout the day or share a moment just because. But few do the same with God. If you want more of Him you have to be more inclusive and fill your day with His presence. That’s what Brother Lawrence alludes to in his book. We can experience His presence constantly.

As for your future spouse pray for him from head to toe and do it as a service on a daily basis. I’m not suggesting it’s wrong to ask but there’s things you can do in this season in preparation which usually provide the answers you want. I think it’s more important to know your mission beforehand. That’s what narrows the pool beyond what appeals. If he doesn’t support what you’re doing for the Lord the rest is moot.

But when you know what He wants you can assess what’s lacking and ask for that in response. Someone with specific qualities related to your assignment that will help you accomplish it who needs the same from you in turn. That’s how I address the topic spiritually and I don’t mention men or marriage anymore. He brings it up and fills in the blanks.

~bella

ThatRobGuy said:

I'll have to dig around on the Wayback machine and find it (I know I linked it here some years back in a debate during Trump's first term)

It was a New York Times piece called "The Great Expulsion" (I want to say it was from between 2012-2014), and one of the people interviewed was an Immigration Studies professor from UC.

The professor speculated that Obama's identity as a person of color, and the fact that his campaign was surrounded in progressive branding helped soften the public reaction to certain immigration enforcement practices that, under a white conservative president, would have triggered a much stronger backlash.

I'll see if I can find it on one of the archive sources later.

The part of that article that still sticks out in my mind was that his position as the first Black president gave Democrats a "tendency toward deference", making it politically difficult for them to vocally oppose his actions without feeling disloyal or divisive.

I put the "tendency toward deference" in quotes because that's the line that more vividly remember from the piece.

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Fine, but that's speculation from more than a decade ago. Since then, we've had two old white men in the Presidency to test the hypothesis, and neither of them got appreciably more pushback on deportation than Obama did. That's despite Biden deporting significantly more people than Obama. It's only the shifting of rhetoric and the changing of tactics that have actually had any real effect on public opinion on this issue, not the skin color of the guy in the Oval Office.

JosephZ said:

Islam doesn't teach that Muhammad instructed women to breastfeed adult men who are not their husbands or that women should breastfeed adult men.

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There is scholarly debate about that, but bear in mind that, before the ahadith, it was originally instructed by Allah in the eternal Koran, before some sheep ate some parts which were, I guess, less eternal.

RDKirk said:

Some cultures can be very different in their deep cultural values and yet not create conflict. The differences just don't bump into one another. I think that's the case with Asians.

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They’re more receptive to western influence and downplay the other but its there. Especially with the men. But the affirmative action decision was a blow and opened their eyes to the truth. It’s not that they’re more accepted. Their offense is socioeconomic not cultural.

~bella

GodAndChocolateVanilla said:

[Hugs] I was definitely on my way to Hell too!! A fast train to Hell!! And some days I think I am still going to end up in Hell because of my current sins that I am still struggling with.

I am not fully saved from my sin but one day I want to be free from my sins forever.

I have broken almost every Commandment that God gave in Exodus Chapter 20 [The Ten Commandments].

I still have a lot of work and improving to do on myself, but I am grateful to God I am not who I used to be at least!!

If you ever want to talk just pm me!!

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If you have accepted Jesus' payment for your sins, then you don't need to worry about Hell. Hell is for the unbelievers.

There are sins I still struggle with too. I have been saved for 15 years now. I'm sure other Believers feel the same way.

Hi slaney3,

Welcome to the forum.

Indoctrinating is a better term

The archbishop of Oviedo in Spain, Jesús Sanz, was momentarily held at gunpoint but was allowed to proceed unharmed by hooded men with machine guns in Mexico during a recent trip to support the establishment of a new mission in the Diocese of Tlapa in the state of Guerrero.

Sanz visited the area to promote a new mission headed by two priests and a deacon belonging to the Lumen Dei (Light of God) Association.

In an interview released by the archdiocese, the prelate noted that "it’s perhaps one of the most violent areas in Mexico," with two aspects: one "very basic, very primal" as in personal vendettas and the other related to drug trafficking.

"A priest and I were going to celebrate Holy Mass in a small community on a Sunday. Then, on one of the curves [in the road], three hooded men with machine guns appeared. They stopped our vehicle and asked us who we were and where we were going. When we told them we were missionary priests, they said, 'Don't worry, go on ahead,' and that was that," the archbishop recounted.

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The 6th Annual Eucharistic procession organized by the Napa Institute took place in New York City on Oct. 14, a day after a Nor’easter soaked the tri-state area. Organizers praised God for holding back the rain during the event and for allowing the procession to take place peacefully in Times Square during the 5 p.m. rush hour.

Organized by the California-based institute, a crowd of an estimated 5,000 people gathered in St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a Holy Hour and Mass, followed by a procession.

He told the story of a theft which took place in a “precarious hall” in Mongolia in 2003 because the church had not yet been constructed.

“One night, someone managed to force open the front door and break into the wall-mounted tabernacle to steal a small monstrance,” the cardinal recounted.

Marengo said the parish priest sent a catechist to report the theft to the police the next day. The catechist told them that thieves had stolen “the most precious thing we have.” When the police asked for a description of the object, wondering if it was gold or precious stones, the catechist said, “No, it is thin, unleavened bread.”

The police sent him away, thinking the man practiced a strange religion.

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Before the general audience on Oct. 15, Pope Leo XIV was gifted with a 12-year-old purebred Arabian horse named Proton.

The white horse is a gift from Michalski Stables in Kołobrzeg-Budzistowo, and will reside in Castel Gandolfo, home to the Vatican's equestrian center. Several purebred Spanish horses are also kept at the facility located within the papal complex.

The horse belongs to one of the oldest and most esteemed equine breeds in the world, known for its elegance and endurance.

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A priest with a passion for historical artifacts has curated the largest collection of papal memorabilia outside of Rome — and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis just announced it will be on display there this winter.

This winter, Catholics can head to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, where Father Richard Kunst’s collection will be available for viewing from Jan. 10 to Feb. 1, 2026, according to a recent archdiocesan announcement.

Spanning 19,000 square feet, the “Vatican Unveiled” exhibit features “artistic items with old-world craftsmanship” as well as “papal artifacts that show the humanity behind the leaders,” according to an Oct. 13 press release from the archdiocese.

"Vatican Unveiled", according to Archbishop Bernard Hebda, will be a “very special celebration — the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.”

“It is a special exhibit of the largest collection of papal and other artifacts outside of Vatican City, the home of the Catholic Church,” Hebda said in an Oct. 13 announcement.

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Pope Leo XIV has appointed Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich to the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, the Holy See said on Wednesday.

The Vatican made the announcement via a press release on Oct. 15. The commission functions as the legislative body of Vatican City.

In addition to managing the many functions and activities of the Vatican City government — including security and public order, public health and the environment, economic activities, postal and customs services, and numerous other internal concerns — the commission also oversees the artistic complex of the Vatican Museums and their assets.

Laws proposed by the commission must be approved by the Holy Father.

The Holy See said Leo also appointed to the commission Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the vicar general for the diocese of Rome.

The pope on Oct. 15 further confirmed the commission’s existing membership for the current term.

Still serving as the commission’s president is Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, whom Pope Francis appointed earlier this year as the first woman to hold that role.

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Pommer said:

The Hatch Act hasn’t been enforced since at least when the White House was the backdrop to a Goya beans “commercial”.

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There has not been a need to enforce it until now.

I hate to say it, but when I looked up images of Jaakko Ohtonen, one of the first ones that appeared was of him flipping the bird.

Alleged scheme targets least populous county in continental US

State officials in Texas are taking action against an Indiana man who is allegedly orchestrating an illegal scheme to "take over" the least populous county in the United States.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Oct. 9 against Malcolm Tanner of Crawfordsville, Indiana, seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to halt Tanner’s settlement activities, which Paxton alleges endanger public health and violate state law.

Filed in Loving County’s 143rd Judicial District Court, the petition states Tanner purchased two adjoining 5-acre tracts of barren land in Loving County in January. The property, known locally as 2985 Private Road 3008, is located in unincorporated Mentone, about 60 miles west of Midland.

With an official population of 64, according to the 2020 Census, Loving County is the least populous county in the continental U.S.

According to the 14-page filing, Tanner has used social media to lure followers — many of them women with children — to the property, promising "free homes" and "$5,000 a month" for life in exchange for helping him seize control of local government. The complaint alleges the property lacks basic infrastructure, including sewer systems, septic tanks, or running water, with residents living in RVs and tents, relying on gas generators and a "burn pit" for trash disposal.

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The curator of Canterbury Cathedral in the United Kingdom claimed she was personally hurt by the widespread backlash against a temporary graffiti exhibit in the church that included messages appearing to question God's goodness.

Curator Jacquiline Creswell said the art exhibit titled "Hear Us," which features temporary graffiti stickers that were slapped on Canterbury's stone pillars and aim to highlight minorities while posing challenging questions to God, has led to abuse from self-professed Christians, according to Premier Christian News.

“The amount of personal abuse [exhibit leader Alex Vellis] and I have received on social media, from people who are 'Christian'… that has been hurtful," she said. "In no way did we want to desecrate the building. I don't think asking God a question is anything other than a beautiful reflection, and even a form of prayer."

The exhibit — which asks God questions such as "Are you there?" and "Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful?" — went viral on X last week, especially after Vice President J.D. Vance and X CEO Elon Musk singled out the graffiti to denounce it.

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A Tennessee pastor who was identified among 16 people killed in the Accurate Energetic Systems plant explosion near Bucksnort last Friday morning was just weeks away from his wedding.

The late pastor, Trent Stewart, who was also a firefighter with the Waverly Department of Public Safety, was named among the victims by local officials at a press conference on Monday.

The other victims are: Reyna Gillahan, Jason Adams, Billy Baker, Christopher Clark, James Cook, LaTeisha Mays, Melinda Rainey, Steven Wright, Erick Anderson, Adam Boatman, Mindy Clifton, Jeremy Moore, Melissa Stafford, Rachel Woodall, and Donald Yowell.

On Sunday, Tina Hamblin Coon, a cousin of Katy Stover, whom Stewart proposed to last December, said their family was devastated by the loss.

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