A man could have more than one wife in the OT, Deuteronomy 21:

15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love,

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Deuteronomy 25:

5 If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.

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The brother of the dead man could already have a wife of his own and take on one more wife.

2 Samuel 12:

8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.

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God permitted David to have multiple wives and gave him wives.

What about in the NT?

English Standard Version 1 Timothy 3:

2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.

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1 Corinthians 7:

2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

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Polygamy was permitted in the OT but discouraged in the New. Matthew 19:

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

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I came across a post on social media that was written by a Christian dating website:





What do you think of the post? Do you agree or disagree with what they're saying? Do you have a different experience?


Even though the post is mainly geared towards single men, I think single women can agree to it and relate to it also. I had a friend years ago that was single but wanted to be married. People in the church kept telling her that "God wanted her to be single" but she didn't feel that way about herself. She eventually found a Christian man (that went to a different church) and married him. A church I used to go to had a problem with allowing a singles class, even though there were older adults volunteering to lead the class. The church leaders' response was "we have more important things to focus on".

I used to be a feminist (except I have always been pro-life). I'm not anymore and haven't been for awhile. When I look back, the only option the schools and my mom promoted was for me to go to college and be whatever I wanted to be. That was my only guidance - zero guidance about how I need to talk to God about my future and how to live my life. And it ended up being a disaster. I will admit that I am not happy with my life right now. I do want a husband; I hate being single most days. I do not want to work long hours for a liberal corporation anymore that promotes sinful things and makes irrational business decisions.

Guys and gals, this is a heavy one. As a Christian, and as a citizen who respects the Constitution, folks should have freedom of speech, therefore, freedom of religion, as long as it does not harm anyone. This lifeguard, Mr. Jeffrey Little refused to fly the gay pride flag because of his Christian faith, and was sadly harassed by others on and off his site of employment.

Life anecdote (feel free to skip): For myself, as a Christian bi guy (who will always remain single and celibate, unless married to a woman, as celibacy is the equivalent of wearing a seatbelt in a car or mask to protect others during pandemics), this pride stuff is kinda messed up. We are supposed to live humbly as Christians, and as a society in general. In fact, my parents and I do not pledge allegiance* to the flag of the US or any other nation either, as that is idolatry (Exodus verse) of the nth degree. So yes, this pride flag stuff should not be shoved down the throats of everybody.

*Matthew 5:34 (NIV): "But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne."



Article summary (<20% of article length, for fair usage reasons, summarized by Mistral 7B AI):

A Christian lifeguard named Jeffrey Little, who has served Los Angeles County for 22 years, is suing the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) for religious discrimination. He refused to fly the LGBT Progress Pride flag at his lifeguard facility in Pacific Palisades during last summer due to his traditional Christian beliefs regarding same-sex activity, the immutability of sex, and the belief that all people are children of God. After requesting a religious accommodation, the LACoFD granted and then rescinded it. Subsequently, Little was subjected to retaliation, harassment, and his personal information was leaked, resulting in a death threat against him and his family. The lawsuit alleges violations of his First Amendment and federal and state laws. The LACoFD declined to comment on the case. Little's attorneys hope this case will set a precedent for other Christians with similar objections.

'Mockery of the rule of law': GOP senators vow to stonewall Dems after Trump conviction​

Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) lead a list of eight senators who are now promising to stonewall funding increases, political appointments and Democrat-backed legislation under the administration of President Joe Biden, according to a letter dated Friday.

The lawmakers are joined by Sens. Tommy Tuberville, Eric Schmitt, Marsha Blackburn, Rick Scott, Roger Marshall and Marco Rubio.

While Trump's name does not appear in the letter, Lee's accusations that Democrats have "turned our judicial system into a political cudgel" mirrors the former president's argument that he is the victim of a political witch hunt.

Since Mr Trump was found guilty of the crimes of 34 counts of falsifying business records by 12 of his peers his supporters have began a concerted effort to call for violence against those involved.

SPEDMan64
"Needs to be strangled with piano wire before he makes it to the hangman."

Daveyclimber
"Judge needs a hatchet to the face."

Live_free_or_die_55
"Gallows!!! For Traitors !!!"

Stowguy@Stowguy
Replying to @Charliekirk
"A rope and a tree would fit this guy."


Mr Trump has threatened dozens of times to use the government to target political enemies:


Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump

IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!

16.9k ReTruths
49.7k Likes

"CREW analyzed over 13,000 of Trump’s Truth Social posts from January 1, 2023 to April 1, 2024, and found that while Trump has recently backed off some of his more violent rhetoric, threatening political opponents has been a consistent fixation for Trump. Since the start of last year, Trump has issued direct or implied threats on Truth Social to use the powers of the federal government to target Joe Biden during a second Trump administration 25 times. Specifically, Trump has threatened him with FBI raids, investigations, indictments and even jail time.

But Biden is not Trump’s only target. He’s also threatened or suggested that the FBI and the Department of Justice should take action against senators, judges, members of Biden’s family and even non-governmental organizations. "



And let's not forget that Mr Trump had his legal team advocate for him being able to legally people without being arrested. What are law abiding Conservatives to do about this fringe wing of violence enthusiasts?

Trump Has Few Ways to Overturn His Conviction as a New York Felon

NYT - Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, is banking on the jury not having the final word on the case. He has already outlined a plan to appeal a verdict that on Friday he labeled “a scam.” But even if the former — and possibly future — president could persuade voters to ignore his conviction, the appellate courts might not be so sympathetic. Several legal experts cast doubt on his chances of success, and noted that the case could take years to snake through the courts, all but ensuring he will still be a felon when voters head to the polls in November.

The former president’s supporters are calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, though that is highly unlikely. In a more likely appeal to a New York court, Mr. Trump would have avenues to attack the conviction, the experts said, but far fewer than he has claimed. The experts noted that the judge, whose rulings helped shape the case, stripped some of the prosecution’s most precarious arguments and evidence from the trial. The appeal will be a referendum on the judge, Juan M. Merchan, who steered the trial through political and legal minefields even as Mr. Trump hurled invective at him and his family. Justice Merchan, a no-nonsense former prosecutor, said that he was keenly aware “and protective of” Mr. Trump’s rights, including his right to “defend himself against political attacks.”

Mark Zauderer, a veteran New York litigator who sits on a committee that screens applicants for the same court that will hear Mr. Trump’s appeal, said that Justice Merchan avoided pitfalls that often doom convictions. “This case has none of the usual red flags for reversal on appeal,” Mr. Zauderer said. “The judge’s demeanor was flawless.”

Mr. Trump might also have a final option: the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Trump, who already tried and failed to move the case to federal court, could try again if he were elected. It would be a long shot. Procedurally, it is exceedingly difficult for a state defendant to reach the Supreme Court without exhausting state appeals. “This is a garden-variety state court conviction,” Mr. Zauderer said. “I don't see a plausible path to the Supreme Court.”

Hogan provokes ire within Trumpworld: ‘You just ended your campaign’​

“Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter. “… We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.”

“You just ended your campaign,” Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump’s presidential campaign, posted on X, moments after Hogan released his statement.

“From a political standpoint, it makes no sense to issue a statement that can be considered by us to be a criticism. It was stupid,” LaCivita said. “He didn’t have to say anything. Say, ‘It’s a sad day in America.’ But no, he had to make a point. If he’s going to make his point, we’re going to make our point. You take a shot, you’re going to get a shot back. That’s how it works in politics.”

Dan Cox, the Maryland Republican who beat Hogan’s handpicked successor in the 2022 primary race for governor, called on the state GOP to censure Hogan “for his despicable and disgusting announcement.” [emphasis added]

Respecting the rule of law and the decision of a jury is now "despicable and disgusting".

Salem Media Statement​

In publishing the film and the book, we relied on representations made to us by Dinesh D’Souza and True the Vote, Inc. (“TTV”) that the individuals depicted in the videos provided to us by TTV, including Mr. Andrews, illegally deposited ballots. We have learned that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has cleared Mr. Andrews of illegal voting activity in connection with the event depicted in 2000 Mules.

[Additional butt-covering - ]

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing.

--

Right-wing media company Salem apologizes, stops distributing 2020 election conspiracy film ‘2000 Mules’ after lawsuit​

Salem Media Group, the right-wing talk radio network owner, issued a public apology and said it would stop distributing a discredited 2020 election conspiracy theory film after a Georgia man wrongly accused of voter fraud sued the company for defamation.

The Georgia man, Mark Andrews, said in his 2022 lawsuit that “2000 Mules,” a film and book by far-right activist Dinesh D’Souza contained a string of bogus claims about the 2020 election, leading to threats of violence against him and his family.

The apology from Salem came as part of a larger settlement to the lawsuit filed by Andrews.

You have to be born of the Spirit to inherit eternal life. Pets do not have the Paraclete in them. They do not bear the image of God. They are not resurrected on the last day, as per Jesus.

However, if you miss your pets and feel sad after the resurrection, God will do something to ensure you are not sad for eternity. God may even give you your pets back. Matthew 7:

11 if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

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There will be animals on the new earth (heaven), Isaiah 65:

25 the wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

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There will be new pets.

See also No worries in the new heavens and earth.

Hi,

So after some observations, some claims they hear the voice of God, but now I have my doubts, sometimes some of them say that to put themselves above you, they kinda imply: " I can hear the voice of God you not, so you better listen to me"

I am honest to myself, I never really heard the voice of God, what I do is, I read the bible and listen to other people and then I formulate what I think the voice of God is. Some things are easy, do not steal, do not fornicate, do not murder etc, some things are not that easy, like the 3 topics mentioned below.

Topic: how should the church be organized ? what is God's opinion regarding this ?
possibilities are: elder board, one man at the top decides everything, democratic meaning the members of the church decides etc etc.
Each type of church organisation claiming they heard the voice of God, really I have my doubts now.

Personally I think elder board is best church organisation.

Another Topic: Should churches publish financial transparancy what happens to the collected money ? what is God opinion regarding this ?

You see, this topic, you also have people claiming to hear the voice of God regarding this.

Another topic: which denomination is right, which denomination has heard the voice of God ? Every denomination claiming they have heard right from God, the others wrong.

Br,

Hello folks. Kids are probably not in it for me, unless via adoption, as this world is a strange, dark place. This final devotional for the month focuses on how we can raise and protect our children from the world in this strange new world.

Representatives of the Australian Catholic Medical Association, with the support of several Catholic moral theologians and bioethicists, have criticized a book published by the Pontifical Academy for Life for its lack of understanding of “current science” and specific areas of medicine.

The experts argue that the book spreads “misleading and confusing” theological and medical information that contradicts established Church teachings on contraception and assisted reproductive technologies.

The book in question, “Etica Teologica Della Vita” (ETV), covers “Theological Ethics of Life: Scripture, Tradition, and Practical Challenges.” The 528-page Italian publication is a synthesis of a seminar sponsored by the academy in 2021.

The critique, published April 23 in the Linacre Quarterly, the official journal of the Catholic Medical Association, describes contradictions between the book and established Church teachings on contraception and assisted reproductive technologies.

Continued below.

Ukraine war updates: Russia says it isn’t bluffing over threats to use nuclear weapons; ‘difficult night’ for Kharkiv​

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that the Kremlin isn’t bluffing over its threats to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

In a Google-translated post published on his official Telegram channel, Russia’s former president said Moscow’s use of tactical nuclear weapons can be “miscalculated” but that the Kremlin’s position on the potential deployment of these weapons was not “not intimidation or nuclear bluff.”

His comments come shortly after reports said U.S. President Joe Biden had quietly given permission to Ukraine to allow its forces use U.S. weapons inside Russia. The decision only applies to counter-fire purposes in the area around Ukraine’s northeastern region of Kharkiv.
Russian missiles hit several locations in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region overnight, killing five people and injuring at least 25, according to the regional head. Oleh Syniehubov described the evening as a “difficult night for Kharkiv.”

CNBC could not independently verify developments on the ground.

China has reportedly turned down the chance to attend Ukraine’s peace conference in Switzerland next month.

Beijing has declined an invitation to join the June 15-16 summit because the conditions necessary for them to participate were not met, Reuters reported, citing three unnamed sources with direct knowledge of the matter.


Oh, strangely, I found a bouncy ball today, and put it in my pocket. When I took it out a red star was stuck to it. A Soviet Star! I fear they'll send me to the Ukrainian front now! (jk)

Police officers put their lives on the line daily, going out on patrol to ensure their community is safe. Unfortunately, some bad actors, bolstered by the establishment media have decided to paint all cops as evil, based on the actions of a few, and have encouraged others to harm the people who are protecting us. That’s exactly what happened in Minneapolis when police officer Jamal Mitchell was ambushed and killed Thursday evening.

Mitchell, 36, was an accomplished cop, earning an award just last year for running into a burning building to save an elderly couple just days after taking up the job, according to KMSP-TV.
He remained extremely humble when interviewed after the incident and restated his commitment to his job.

It is interesting during Philip's ministry in Samaria where there was a mighty revival, and Peter and John came to impart the Holy Spirit to the converts. Simon the Sorcerer offered money to the Apostles for the power of the Spirit, but Peter turned him down flat, and gave him a severe rebuke, saying that basically that he was a false convert.

I reckon that if it were Benny Hinn instead of Peter, he would have taken the money from Simon as a "seed offering" for the filling of the Holy Spirit and the power that went with him.

Lock the doors. If the doors are locked he can't get in.

A New York jury on Thursday found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records after a weeks-long trial. The verdict appears to have energized his supporters, however, as the campaign's donation page crashed, evidently due to the volume of traffic.

The campaign on Friday initially announced it had brought in $34.8 million in small dollar donations, marking a near-doubling of its single largest day total on WinRed. Later, it updated the total to $52.8 million raised in the 24 hours following the verdict.

“In the 24 hours since Crooked Joe Biden and his New York henchmen got their sham trial verdict, the Trump Campaign has raised $52.8 million through the online digital fundraising platform,” the campaign said in a statement reported by the Daily Wire. “THAT’S MORE THAN $2 MILLION PER HOUR!”

There is no longer a Democratic majority in the Senate

Vanity of vanities.

I studied the phenomena of NDE:s and made an interesting find.

First of all, you may notice that no two NDE:s are the same. Whether they are good or bad, they are never in the same universe.

Also, here are spirits who say they are able to tailor, in their words, a character to the person.

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However I would suggest they do more than that.

Thus we enter the CUBE, also known as the flower of life, or marriage.

As some of you may already know, the cube can be unfolded into a cross. As well as the hypercube.

Thus we conclude, that when transitioning, both at the time of death and in the body, there is room for only one spirit and one reality.

Hello Christians!

I read the Bible often, not only in English but also in Greek and sometimes Hebrew. I've recently finished reading Romans with the assistance of commentaries by Cranfield and Bruce, and I'm now reading Paul R House's commentary on the beautiful book of Daniel. So far I've never got around to learning Aramaic, but I could reasonably be described as an expert on the Bible, in comparison with most people. I'm also aware that one of the things the Bible teaches is that my scholarly knowledge is nothing to be proud of!

I want to be a Christian. I try to live as a Christian. I pray, sometimes for hours and hours...

But the end result is always that I think: none of it is true, is it?

So I'm joining your forum as a sympathetic and knowledgeable atheist. I hope you don't mind.

Nov 2016 the vote was cast for the Presidential term that started in 2017​

from: Hush money, catch and kill and more: A guide to unique terms used at Trump’s New York criminal trial ​

FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS​

==================== next the 30,000 payment

from: $30,000 rumor? Tabloid paid for, spiked, salacious Trump tip

By JAKE PEARSON and JEFF HORWITZ Published 4:23 PM EDT, (Thursday) April 12, 2018



==================== Next the 130,000 payment stormy was supposed to pay back


==========================end quote

Wanted Daniels to repay 130k??

In any case, all of this is about "incorrect business records" (which is not legal, possibly misdemeanor, like jaywalking) not about "paying hush money" (which the article says is not illegal)

So then when is jaywalking a felony? Answer: "when one is jaywalking in order to rob a bank".
IN other words - all the "talk" was supposed to be about how problems with business records - was on the way to "robbing bank" and would mean that they should be pushing the crime of "robbing the bank" and not the crime of hush money or incorrect bank records.

So where has all the "Robbing the bank" sort of news been all this time??

Seems to be conspicuously absent.

This song has honestly wrecked me in the best way possible. "The Truth is I am my Father's Child..." is a line in the song that I think we forget to reflect on so often. Would love to know your thoughts! Login to view embedded media

I am feeling so far down right now, it’s so bad that I don’t have any energy to go to work. I just want to stay in bed all day. I awoke to no paycheck (long story) and I am now feeling like a failure to my family to keep us going. I don’t know how to. I’m just wanting to hunker down and stay in my bed all day. No energy to work or clean or anything like that. I just can’t do this anymore.

I am wondering whether Mr. Trump's conviction will give the less ideological members of the Court to take limits on presidential immunity more seriously.
I recognize two are unreachable, but last week the Court was evaluating the case based on their faith in the relative integrity of our 46 presidents.
They can no longer assume that to be true. We now have a convicted felon among the 46, who through aggressive defense delay tactics, still has three more serious cases pending.
I wonder if those judges who want to preserve our union will realize that integrity, now or in the future, can't be assumed, and that significant limits need to be placed on immunity.