• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Gov. Abbott declares CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups

CAIR isn't a terrorist organization. It help Muslim with their rights. As for Brotherhood. I haven't looked into them.
They mention in the article why CAIR was given the designation

The proclamation refers to CAIR as an Islamist organization and cites the FBI as stating it was founded as a "front group" for "Hamas and its support network" in the United States.

The document lists several former CAIR staff, board members, or affiliates who were later convicted of terrorism or terrorism-related financing crimes.

  • Ghassan Elashi, a founding board member of the Texas branch for CAIR and Treasurer of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, who was sentenced to a total of 65 years in prison for financing terrorism in 2009;
  • Abdurahman Alamoudi, a speaker at a CAIR-sponsored anti-Israel rally in Washington, D.C., in October 2000, who proudly proclaimed himself to be a "supporter[] of Hamas" and "a supporter of Hizballah" and who was later convicted as a terrorist for funding Al-Qaeda;
  • Randall Todd Royer, a communications specialist and civil rights coordinator for CAIR, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on April 9, 2004, for conspiring to aid Al-Qaeda and the Taliban;
  • Bassem Khafagi, a community relations director for CAIR, who pleaded guilty to federal bank and visa fraud in 2003 after funneling money to terrorist causes and publishing material advocating suicide attacks against the United States;
  • Rabih Haddad, a CAIR fundraiser, who was arrested and deported for his work as Executive Director of the Global Relief Foundation, which was closed by the United States Department of Treasury in October 2002 for financing Al-Qaeda;
  • Muthanna al-Hanooti, a Director for CAIR in Michigan, who was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2011 for violating United States sanctions against Iraq by accepting "two million barrels of Iraqi oil" in exchange for helping Saddam Hussein's government;
  • Sami Al-Arian, a convicted terrorist and Palestinian Islamic Jihad financier, whom CAIR publicly honored with its "Promoting Justice Award" in 2014 and whom it featured in a 2020 lecture in which he stressed his desire "to promote" CAIR and "support [it] financially" as "the first defense" in America; and
  • Nihad Awad, CAIR's current Executive Director, who on November 24, 2023, publicly praised and supported Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack against Israel, saying he "was happy to see" the assault which involved the kidnapping and murder of American citizens.


Based on the leadership's actions, it would appear that "We're just here to help our people with their rights and help get them get acclimated if need be" is about as sincere as when those Chinese "overseas service stations" are stated to have the same benign consular mission statement, but they're actually covert bad actors for the CCP.
  • Winner
Reactions: Vambram

Healing and debate. My testimony

Hi. I have had similar feelings of feeling this place is full of division and not a healthy environment, and at times I felt like I'm just being sucked into the mud and would have liked to hit the eject button, but God is just showing me how to handle it. I may miss it a time or two, but we continue to learn and grow.

I personally have seen little fruit, just speaking of my view, but I do find some here and there. In fact, I think I've even said in the past that I'm going, but find myself back in. I'll tell you why.

As I said, I'm dealing with a life and death situation for nearly a year now. I had been seeking the Lord on it and although He would give me things here and there on it, these were steps to take, like guiding me step by step and I wasn't happy with that. The matter is such a serious matter and told time is of the essence so i was freaking out. I want to know which way to go because the experts are saying it's all bad, but a decision needs to be made. And some thought their way may be short term bad, but long haul good. And everyone is different so it may not be as bad, or it may be worse. There is no guarantee. And no one agrees with each other; being pulled in different directions.

I won't get too specific because it involves others, but it was a very gloomy picture. For myself I couldn't care less, but this is happening to others too.

So the Lord gave me some insight ...great stuff, but appears this is going to be a walk of faith step by step.

Now here is the thing, during this time I'm getting dreams and visions from Him regarding the body of Christ.

It literally frustrated me because I wanted Him to keep on the issue I'm dealing with, but it wouldn't stop. On and on. I won't share as if the maturity is not there, people will just use these things as weapons to attack each other instead of grieving and allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede and however He may work.

I don't go to a physical church, haven't for years, so figured it may just be with fellowships beyond the four walls that I may also be involved in. Since He kept on there, I took it to mean He wants me to trust my situation in his hands and give attention to something He wants to draw my attention to.

I'm trying to be faithful to Him there, and I literally see what appears to be a miracle taking place on this end.

And, miraculously, when things looked there worse, I had, and still have, the peace that passes all understanding.

I hope to share in near future the biggest thing He taught me through this, how fear robs us of hearing from Him and opens the door to being robbed of things He's given us to guide us.

So I share some of your sentiments. In fact I recently shared with another how I am growing discouraged and don't see fruit, and don't see it as a healthy environment and want to move on because God knows I did not choose this, getting out of my God bubble, but He has now engaged my heart and I do not feel I am at heart released from it yet.

Fruit takes time to grow. It begins as a seed and we share, then let the Lord land that seed where it needs to go. Others He will use to water it, but He does the work and makes it grow.

I personally do not see this place as a healthy environment for those that have mental issues, but each as the Lord leads. You can always avoid the areas that contribute to you feeling sick, or you can check out and return when you feel healthier. I thought you had some great things to share. My only real issue was that you appeared to look to blame others and although GOD DOES NOT IGNORE CONTRIBUTORS AND THAT IS FOUND IN SCRIPTURES, HE DOES EXPECT US TO HEAR FROM HIM FOREMOST FOR OUR WELLBEING.

Sorry for the caps. I'm not yelling. I just want to emphasize that point.

You follow what you feel the LORD has laid on your heart. I like to say if we are unsure of his voice, it will become more apparent with time because our growing sick will make it obvious it is time to get out.

No one is perfect and we are all learning and growing, and we won't reach perfection alone.

Look to the Lord for your wellbeing because people will fail you. Although we are his hands and feet in the world, we cannot give you what only He can.

That said, if I unnecessarily offended you in anything I may have said, do accept my apologies. I am also learning and growing and will miss it to at times. We all see in part, but most important is to remain in his love.

I may end up leaving too. Maybe soon as I am seeking Him on it, but for now He has engaged my heart and will continue until the picture is clear.

God bless you big!
Why don’t you two find a way to communicate with each other away from this forum ?
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What happened in the past has an effect on us today, all because Sin is in the world.

I agree, Christ nailed the law on the cross, but you my friend don't seem to know which law it was. Paul preach about more then just one law, more then just one death.
Matt. 22:40. He nailed ALL of the law to the cross. You are not addressing my post but merely trying to talk over me.
Paul didn’t come preaching and teaching his own thing, but he abided in the doctrine of Christ. (Rom. 3:20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sights for by the law is the knowledge of sin. The deeds of the law is referring to the animal sacrificial laws, all those sacrifices can never remove sins, so they could never be justified. This is true because the blood of Jesus can only justify us. The animal sacrificial laws was added because people continue to sin, and the wages of sin bring for death. So instead of God killing people every time they sin, the Lord gave Moses a law to use, animals. So by the other law (Ten Commandments, Statutes and Judgement) is the knowledge of sin. Because, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Now we have just read the biblical definition of sin, the transgression (breaking) of the law (commandments.) It doesn’t matter what you or I think sin is, it’s what God says sin is that counts. (1John 3:4)
”We” did not read the definition of sin. First, where in Rom. 3:20 does it teach that Paul is referring to the sacrificial laws? The deeds of the law is doing the ”works” of the law whether is sacrifices, ceremonial, etc. So no one will ever be justified by the works of the law. Paul makes this super plain in the next chapter when he explains that Abraham was not justified by his works but by his faith. The sacrificial laws never removed sin nor did it give a way to repentance. Now, why do you think Paul states that now there is no condemnation to those in Christ in Rom. 8:1?
Paul says in Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. So when you quoted all the places in the Bible that do away with this animal sacrificial law, not understanding that Paul talks about two sets of law. The Royal law (Ten Commandments) and the animal sacrificial law sometimes in the same verse you bring can bring destruction to yourself not knowing which law is which.
I’m going to post a response that I just posted to another poster in another thread that made a similar argument.


Several passages of Scripture clearly establish that the coming of Christ has brought an end to the Mosaic Law.

Romans 10:4, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Christ fulfilled the Ten Commandments by living a perfect and sinless life and so when man trusts in Christ as his Savior, Christ’s righteousness is imputed to that individual so we have justification (Romans 4) resulting in the fact that the Law can’t condemn us (Romans 4:4-8; 5:1, 7:1-6, 8:1).

Christ fulfilled the ceremonial ordinances, the shadows and types of His person and work, by dying on the cross for us and in our place.

Christ also fulfilled the Social Law, but now He replaces it with a new way of life fitting to our new salvation.

The believer now is under God’s new law, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2-4).

Therefore, the doctrine of justification by means of faith in Jesus Christ upholds the Law for three reasons:

(1) Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross satisfied the demands of God’s Law that required that human sin be judged (Romans 3:26).

(2) Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross establishes the Law by fulfilling the purpose of the Law in driving men to Jesus Christ as their Savior (Galatians 3:24).

(3) Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross establishes the Law by providing believers the capacity to obey the Law through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:3-4).

This is why I have stated in the past that the Holy Spirit gives us the knowledge of sin and the way to repentance since the law is not able to. This is why there is no longer condemnation for those in Christ (Rom. 8:1).
At some point common sense should kick in.
At some point you should begin to question your biblical interpretation when it puts Jesus and the epistles in tension with what you are arguing. It’s about hermeneutics not about verse mining.
If I'm reading about the doing away of a law or not under a law, then somewhere else Paul tell you that the law is Holy just and good, another place break mostly all the Ten commandments down. A light bulb should come on in your head, Paul have to be talking about two sets of laws. In other places Paul explain the animal sacrificial law.
My light bulb is on.
Paul says in (Rom. 4:15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. If there is no law there is no sin.
Why do you think Paul would make such a statement? You post the verse but make no exegesis or commentary. I bet that I have a difference understanding of this verse.
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Why im alone

It's like I'm an outcast and misfit.
So am I. But we are not alone, GOD and Christ are with us, they have made their home with us, tabernacle in our temporary dwelling of flesh. There are also others like us scattered to the four winds but extremely few in number. All who live GODLY in Christ Jesus suffer persecution. You seem to handle it well.
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Why religion cannot make its mind up about nudity

When Adam and Eve gained the knowledge of good and evil then they knew they were naked and obviously knew that this was not good because they attempted to cover themselves.
It's not, IMO, that they knew that nakedness was wrong; it's that, with their loss of innocence they thought it was wrong. They thought they were wrong, in their essence, as God made them. They now knew something foreign: they knew shame. And we've never gotten over this and will not get over it in this fallen world; shame of self is part of the exile from God that we all experience in this world. JMO, tho.
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James 5:16 - What does confess your sins to one another mean?

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Personally, I'm a very open book and have no fear of judgment because I know that we are all sinners and I do not judge others for their sin but try to instruct them in the ways of Christ.

That being said, I am reading that many are embarrassed or ashamed so this once popular action is not very popular, anymore?

I'm not sure it was ever popular in Protestant churches but I haven't lived since the beginning of when they were formed so am not an authority on this point.

Furthermore, is this why Catholics confess to priests?

Thanks, as always, for helping me! I know I always have lots of questions but you all are very good to me with your assistance.

God bless.
(posting in fellowship)

A little known fact.

Private confession isn't just in the Catholic Church.

The Orthodox Church, all other Eastern Churches (Oriental, Assyrian Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East etc), Lutheran, Anglican/Episcopalian also offer private confession to the priest or minister followed by absolution, as well.

I will not comment further because I am NOT non-denominational, I am Catholic.

Peace
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Texas A&M fires lecturer, administrators over classroom gender discussion caught on video

Texas A&M committee rules professor's firing over gender identity lesson unjustified

The internal committee ruled that the university didn't follow proper procedures and didn't prove there was good cause to fire Melissa McCoul, who was a senior lecturer in the English department with over a decade of teaching experience.

[The professor's lawyer believes it will have go to litigation, as the school may not listen to its own committee.]
Good! Professors should be allowed to have academic freedom.
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The goal of Christianity in 'Not' to stop sinning!

Hate implies preference more than it does the kind of negative affective emotions and judgements we associate with the word hate in the modern world. Jesus isn't addressing what we think of today as self-loathing and self-harm. He's just saying there's a hierarchy of goods, with our life being situated within a set of values
The word is hate. No sense trying to water it down.

I think we can all agree that God hates evil and we all have evil in our hearts. Not hard to hate ourselves if we recognize the presence of the tempter tempting us within.

Yep. Hate
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Trump dispenses with trials, orders military strike on alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking boat (Now up to 2, 3, 4...)

...and President Trump will secure the great oil fields of Venezuela for the American people. Drill, baby, drill!
The oil will be throwing garlands at the feet of American troops as liberators.

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Missing Virginia high school football coach wanted for child sexual abuse material: Police

Have they checked all the local churches? Seems they tend to offer safe harbor for these kind of people.
Many predators become ministers because it's all about ACCESS. I don't even want to think about what is going through their minds. It gives the chills. ugh
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Former congressional candidate (from out of state) charged with vandalizing Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol

Update time.

Mississippi Republican Takes Plea Deal After Destroying Satanic Statue in Iowa

Michael Cassidy, a former congressional and legislative candidate, was set for trial June 3, but his attorney filed a guilty plea on his behalf to an aggravated misdemeanor count of third-degree criminal mischief, the Des Moines Register reported. [felony charges were dropped as part of the deal. He gets 2 years probation and pays restitution.]

Since that 2023 event, Iowa has refused the Satanic Temple's applications to have a holiday event at the Capitol.

State again denies Satanic Temple's request to hold event at Iowa Capitol building

Matt Kezhaya, general counsel for The Satanic Temple, said the government is not alowed to deny pubic services or benefits to people or religous groups because officials disagree with their beliefs.

"Once state officials open up the Capitol to public events, as it has for displays and events around the holidays, they can't legally exclude The Satanic Temple because of its disfavored or minority viewpoint," he said in a statement.

In June, the ACLU of Iowa filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of The Satanic Temple Iowa alleging state officials illegally discriminated against the group based on its members’ religion when they denied the group’s event request in 2024.

[And now they've denied it again for 2025.]
Vandalism is vanadism. I understand why he did it, from a retro-perspective*, but he has no right to destroy someone's property. That's so uncalled for.

*In Christianity, Satan is evil. NOT that I'm advocating for destroying other people's property. EVER.
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