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Can a young child become a Christian?

What does Holy Scripture say?

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Paul does not mention age. If a person believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth, they are saved. It is the result of a conscious decision.
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Forgotten Customs of the Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the faith stating that Mary was conceived sinless in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne. While this truth has been believed since the early times of the Church, it was not until December 8, 1854, that Pope Pius IX dogmatically decreed this truth, thus ending any possibility of doubt. All Catholics are required to believe in this dogma without exception.

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Are the Jews Israel, or is the church Israel? Or does it depend on the context of the passage?

God has no future blessings or promises to the people who claim to be Israel. Jesus informs us who they belong to; Revelation 2:9b
All -Jew and Gentile become the Spiritual descendants of the Patriarchs, by accepting Jesus. Galatians 3:23-29
I am aware that in the population of modern day Israel has many are Khazars . The number of true descendents of the ancient nation is unknown to me. Have you considered that in the second resurrection GOD will raise up the nation to flesh again and in that day keep HIS promise to Abraham regarding carnal Israel ? Paul did say that GOD has not written off these people but at some future time they can be grafted back into the olive tree if the do not remain in unbelief. Ezekiel 36 describes this time of restoration. The physical resurrection of carnal Israel may be described in Ezekiel 37 Since it is said that David will be king over them this must be at a future time after David’s resurrection. Romans 11:11-15 speaks of this life from the dead in the second resurrection. When discussing prophecy we should know that prophecy is like being in a dark room with very little light but as the light level increases more can be known. Doctrine is prophecy that has been fulfilled, like the prophecy of the first advent is now doctrine. Until more light shines or as more things are fulfilled the pieces will come together. This is one reason why Jesus told us to watch and we watch for the signs he gave us to come to pass. We also hear the words of the prophets and Apostles about these things. We must be careful to not go beyond what has been written.
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State leaders speak out about plans to expand the Islamic Academy of Alabama

You make my point. Christians safety in Islamic countries shows exactly why it's concerning. Islamists would have no problem with killing them. They are dangerous. And they coming. Already those that are coming here are getting control over some local governments. Meshing religion and government because that is what their religion is.

So, are you suggesting that because Christians face persecution in many Muslim-majority countries, we should treat Muslims the same way here?

yes, there are many Muslim majority countries Christians are persecuted. but that doesn’t cover entire picture.

here are some facts

In USA there are 300 Full time Islamic school. compare to


Bangladesh-91% population Muslim vs 0.30% Christian. yet Bangladesh has over 1500 Christians schools and collages.

Pakistan: 96% Muslims and 1.6% Christian. Pakistan is known as the country of Islamic extremist. yet Pakistan has over 450 Christians schools and colleges.

Malaysia : 64% Muslim vs 9% Christian , yet Malaysia has over 400 Christians schools and collages.

similar story in other country.

It appears that a country guaranteeing religious freedom in its constitution faces more challenges opening Muslim schools in Alabama than Christian schools do in Muslim-majority Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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The Open Cafe - a thread for everyone to post in. (2) [OPEN]

I was thinking I would say but forgot to, my hot drink with caffeine is either coffee or it is green tea, it is just once, in a moderate mug, before each day... I alternate. Sort of best of both worlds, I guess.

I do try being healthy with choices I have for that, I have a real vulnerability but with my carefulness I am not worsening, after many years of that being really possible. I pretty much stay home except for needed things I should do. Most of my communication now is online, where there will be such things to be concerned with.
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My son's stomach problem

Please pray that if it is God's will my son Jakeb can feel better and have relief. Please ask God to cure his problem today so he isn't uncomfortable or has pain and please pray for my husband's safety and our health. I ask in the name of Jesus. Thank you and God bless you.

“They shall rest from their labors”

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

One gets a feeling that Paul is a little wistful about thinking of his death and being with the Lord. He seems to shake himself out of his reverie and recognize that there was still things he could do for others.
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Weekly homilies

Homily, Tuesday December 9 2025



Isaiah 40:1-11

"Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, leading the ewes with care."



God nourishes us with his Spirit, who is intelligence; he gathers us in joy and offers the Love of his Heart.



Matthew 18:12-14



Human beings rejoice when they place themselves in the Heart of God and receive his joy.



Biblical texts: NAB-RE

Normand Thomas.
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Why is the Immaculate Conception patroness of the United States?

Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, has been patroness of the United States since the mid-19th century. But her protection of the nation dates back to its earliest history.

One of the first Catholic churches in what is now the United States was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception in 1584: the now-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Jacksonville, Florida.

John Carroll, the first bishop in the United States, had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1792, he placed the Diocese of Baltimore — which encompassed the 13 colonies of the young republic — under her protection.

Over the next 50 years, seven more dioceses were created, including New Orleans, Boston, Chicago, and Oregon City.

Continued below.

What is ‘papal infallibility?’ CNA explains an often-misunderstood Church teaching

On Dec. 8 the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception — a paramount feast in the Church’s liturgical calendar and one that indirectly touches on a regularly misunderstood but important piece of Church dogma.

The solemnity is the patronal feast of the United States and marks the recognition of the Blessed Mother’s freedom from original sin, which the Church teaches she was granted from the moment of conception.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Mary was “redeemed from the moment of her conception” (No. 491) in order “to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation” (No. 490).

The dogma was disputed and challenged by Protestants over the centuries, leading Pope Pius IX to affirm it in his 1854 encyclical Ineffabilis Deus, stating unequivocally that Mary “was endowed with the grace of the Holy Spirit and preserved from original sin” upon her conception.

Continued below.

The rise and fall of Christian nationalism

“By any objective, scientific standard, blacks are not fully human.”

“Adolf Hitler was a Christian prince.”

“It was evil to permit women to vote.”

“You can have either a civilization or blacks — but not both. What must be done is obvious.”

“Jews and blacks are both a problem.”

“It should be illegal for women to work outside the home.”

“Tolerance for the Jews is apostasy before God.”

“Adolf Hitler is in Paradise.”

Thesestatements — and many, many more like them — were posted on X over the past few years by Corey Mahler, a self-identified “Christian nationalist,” who is co-host of the Stone Choir podcast.

Last week, Mahler’s podcast was recommended by Gab CEO Andrew Torba as the “#1 Christian Nationalist podcast in the world” on his new website ChristianNationalist.com. More concerning still was the fact that Torba’s website was immediately praised by Christian nationalist pastors like Joel Webbon and Brian Sauvé, whose ministries were also recommended on the site.

How did Christian nationalism go from an ambiguous pejorative invoked primarily by progressives, to a small but growing movement among Reformed Evangelicals, to a repository for gutter racism, misogyny, and antisemitism? The story is complicated.

Christian nationalism as vague pejorative

Continued below.

Why Christians are more frustrated than ever and desperately need discernment

Set aside any distinctly political topic or person for a moment, if you can.

If you’re a 40-year-old (or over) Evangelical like me, you’ve probably seen and heard so much about who Christians are in the last 20 years, and much of it has been hogwash. I know this personally, having spent nearly a decade in the media, and I have seen from the inside how these distortions and cartoonishly Ned Flanders caricatures are generated in real time.

Before the proliferation of social media platforms, many legacy media narratives that sincere, theologically orthodox believers faced were, and still are, beyond tiresome. While I can't speak for everyone, many Christians have been intensely frustrated that no matter how graciously they tried to explain where they were coming from, they were routinely misrepresented in the press, and they’ve often felt as though they were neither heard nor understood. And to be sure, I’m not defending truly evil people within churches and ministries who are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15) in sheep’s clothing, who should be exposed.

But I was wrong about something that I’ve believed for a while. Maybe partially wrong, but still wrong. As the world rapidly changes, it's important to be honest about what I've seen previously but now see more clearly.

Continued below.

Second Week of Advent (Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary)

December 8, 2025

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – Immaculate! Immaculate! By Fr Faber


One Minute Reflection – 8 December ‘ … Pure and Immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings … ‘

Immaculate Conception propers & commentary (EF)

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary propers & commentary (EF)

December 8 – The Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin propers & commentary (EF)

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's Instruction on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary readings & commentary (OF)

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary readings & commentary (OF)

Daily Gospel

The Immaculate Conception (Declared a dogma December 8, 1854 by Pius IX)

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living

Pope John Paul II’s Last Sermon on the Immaculate Conception

Tallis’ Gaude Gloriosa

Audio The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Guéranger)
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Why is so much nonsense coming from America?

Everyday, something new and mean stuff is coming from American online. For example that unemployed people drain the system. That's how I understand it from you. Now it's like your dream of a society where everyone works will never happen, a kind of utopia. The reason I'm writing is because my mother worked in a factory for 32 years or something, and got a medal, and my father has worked for about 30 years also in different places, woke up to the same alarm every day for 30 years, yet they are treated degradingly when we are out because they "just" go there.

Its fun to be mean perhaps, I never understand it, but americans have to kinda weirdos to put all this nonsense out there. I'm always treated well because I've sung so much, but I think it's a bit the opposite of what it should be, maybe then, I've learned a lot on my own, worked hard, but I think 30 years in a factory is tougher

Well, we are 8 billion +and no one can carry all the burdens of the world.

We are all good at something even factory work, best is to do what you are good at. makes life more stressless.

Trust in God conduct oneself with integrity, and the One above will take care of everything.

"Think good and it will be good."
The Rebbe.
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Novena to St. Lucy For Eye Health & Spiritual Sight

12/08/25 Day 5

O St. Lucy, whose name proclaims the radiance of light, we approach you with humble confidence to seek your holy intercession. Obtain for us, through your prayers, that sacred illumination which guides our souls away from the shadows of sin and leads us toward the brightness of virtue.

Obtain for us also these petitions which we offer to you in this novena:

[Mention your petitions now]

We beseech you, St. Lucy, through your powerful advocacy before the throne of the Lamb, the protection of our eye sight, and for the grace to employ our eyes always in service of God’s glory and never for that which offends His divine majesty.

Help us to perceive with clarity the truths of our faith and the needs of our neighbor, that we may walk steadfastly in the light of Christ and labor earnestly for the salvation of souls.

Pray for us, St. Lucy, that having honored you as our advocate in this earthly pilgrimage, we may one day behold with you the eternal splendor of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose divine light all shadows flee away forever. Amen.
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The law, the commandments, and Christians.

The Law, as revealed by God and fulfilled in Christ, serves as a moral compass and pedagogical guide for the Christian faithful. It includes the Mosaic Law, especially the Decalogue, and finds its perfection in the New Law of the Gospel. “The Law has become our tutor unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24), and its enduring moral precepts are reaffirmed by the Church as binding. The Catechism teaches that “the Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel” and “remains necessary for man” as it “denounces and discloses sin” (CCC §1963–1964).

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Sinai (Exodus 20:1–17), are “fundamentally immutable” and “engraved by God in the human heart” (CCC §2072). They express the natural law and are reaffirmed by Christ, who deepens their meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5–7). The Commandments are not abolished but fulfilled in charity: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). They are the foundation of Christian moral life, guiding the faithful in their duties toward God and neighbour.

For the Christian in this world, the Law and Commandments are not burdens but paths to freedom and holiness. Grace enables their fulfilment, and the Spirit writes them anew on the heart (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; CCC §1965–1966). The faithful are called to interiorise the Law, living it not merely by external observance but through love: “Love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). Thus, the Commandments remain essential, not as relics of legalism, but as living expressions of divine wisdom and the way of life in Christ.

By the way, its amusing that despite you affirming this, and despite the fact that your church is responsible for the majority of worship services celebrated on the seventh day, some sabbatarian members still accuse the Roman Catholic Church falsely of teaching people to break the Ten Commandments, when this is demonstrably, evidently false.
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Finnish Orthodox Church Endorses LGBT And Gender Rights

Does Finnish laws require that they "fall in-line" with certain precepts in order to maintain certain tax benefits or receive certain grants?

That's an honest question, I'm not familiar with those kinds of legal frameworks for Finland.

I know for Denmark, they passed a law in 2012 that said that a State church (any that carry the label of Church of Denmark) isn't allowed to opt out of performing Same Sex marriages, and if a particular clergymen refuses, the local bishop has to appoint a replacement.

But wasn't sure if all of the nordic countries were the same in that regard.
From my understanding not even the Lutheran protestant church in Finland requires churches to marry same-sex couples. In Sweden the Lutheran church does, but not because they are required by law (it's no longer a state church, it was decided in Kyrkomötet.). No churches are by law forced to marry same-sex couples, neither Orthodox or Catholic churches does it and I can only recall one imam that does it. I think the Norwegian church also does marry same-sex, however I'm not certain if they are required by law (I don't believe so, because they are not longer a state church either iirc).

Edited to add.
No law in Norway either, the Norwegian church decided to do same-sex marriages in a vote in 2016.

I think that the danish state church, is the only one that is an actual state church today. In the other countries the largest churches have a kind of de facto position in society due to their size, and long history, and old buildings etc. In Finland there is also a higher position for the Orthodox church I guess due to the shared history with Russia before independence (but it is very small).
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