• 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.

How many atoms in the Universe? Are they all connected?

I use to get my son to do a lot more math when he was in High School. But we just did the math for how many atoms in the body and there is 10 to the 23 power. Then we checked to see how many bits of information is on the internet which is 10 21 power. That means if you assign one bit to each atom you can store all of the information on the internet on the atoms of our body. Even if you cremate the body, all of the information would still be intact on those atoms.

With quantum physics a qubit could actually contain a infinite amount of information. This means every atom in your body could contain all of the information for all of the universe. This helps to explain entanglement but they warn us not to make to much out of entanglement. Still with entanglement every proton or electron in the universe past present or future are connected and can communicate to some degree.

Entangled qubits are correlated such that they cannot be described independently from each other. That is, whatever operation happens to the state of one qubit in an entangled pair, also affects to the state of the other qubit.

Yes, it's possible to store information on a single atom. In 2017, scientists at IBM Almaden Research Center in the United States were able to store one bit of digital information in an atom, which is a breakthrough in the miniaturization of storage media. This is a more compact way to store information than current magnetic memory devices, which require about one million atoms to store the same amount of data. In theory, this technology could allow for the storage of more than a billion books of text on the surface of a stamp.

Entanglement enables quantum computers to implement various protocols and algorithms that are not possible with classical systems. For example, it is used in quantum teleportation, which allows for the transfer of quantum states between two distant systems.

Quantum computers exist and are being used in scientific laboratories, universities, and supercomputer centers around the world.

Molecular computers, also known as DNA or biomolecular computers, are a new type of computational technology that use biological molecules to perform calculations. They use DNA, biochemistry, and molecular biology hardware instead of the traditional silicon-based technologies used in computers.
u
In my life the greatest discovery was the transister. Before transisters we had tubes. In 1968 you could buy a transistor radio that played the Beatles and you could fit it in your pocket. Now you can put a computer on a phone and fit it in your pocket. The first computer I used was the size of a room.

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How the GOP Addresses Contraception - Insights and Updates

Join us for a detailed discussion on the GOP's stance and policies regarding contraception. This forum will delve into the historical and current perspectives of the Republican Party on contraceptive access, legislation, and public health implications. We will explore key updates, legislative actions, and debates within the party. Engage with experts, policymakers, and community members as we navigate this critical aspect of healthcare and its broader societal impact. Whether you're looking for in-depth analysis or the latest updates, this forum promises to provide valuable insights and foster meaningful conversations.

If Catholics Are Right About Mary, Why Is She Talked About so Little in the Bible?

Virgin Mary


For many Protestants, devotion to Our Lady is the single biggest obstacle to their becoming Catholic. Even many Catholics admit that they struggle with relating to Mary, or fail to understand why the Church seems so obsessed with her. Underlying this confusion might be a simple question which lurks behind all the others: If Catholics are right about Mary, then why on earth does the New Testament hardly ever mention her?

This question can present a considerable intellectual roadblock for Catholics and Protestants alike. Sure, there might be (according to Catholics, at least) some clever exegetical arguments that show the reasonableness of the Immaculate Conception or the Perpetual Virginity. But it feels as if that approach still sidesteps the much bigger challenge, namely, Mary’s near-total absence in Scripture. Again, if she’s so important, then why is she mentioned so little?

Here we need to push back a bit. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the case that Our Lady barely appears in the Bible. She actually appears multiple times in all four Gospels, and she is depicted as an important figure not only at Jesus’s conception and birth, but also at His first miracle and at His crucifixion. In the Acts of the Apostles, moreover, she is shown to be present in the Upper Room at Pentecost, and a robust case can be made that she is the heavenly queen figure described in Revelation 12.

Now admittedly, Mary is largely absent from the New Testament epistles, but this can hardly be construed as a strike against the Catholic view. For one thing, there are many important doctrines and devotions which St. Paul and the other letter writers simply don’t address. The doctrine of the divinity of the Holy Spirit, for example, isn’t stated explicitly anywhere in the New Testament epistles, but nonetheless it’s a doctrine we should accept based on a reading of the Scriptures as a whole, especially as interpreted through the living tradition of the Church.

Another point worth remembering here is that many of the New Testament epistles were written before the Gospels, and so when we look at the New Testament as a whole, it’s actually the later books like Luke, Acts, John, and Revelation which give us the final word on Our Lady—and in all these books, she plays a major role!

Continued below.

Why don't protestants make the sign of the Cross?

"In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"

I wonder why Protestants do not do this? I know that it's not made a rule in scripture, but I feel it's a part of christian history that should never be broken. It shows that our faith was always the Trinity, despite the lies that many cults and other religions claim. For example, Islam, Jehovah's wittness, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Mormons, etc all claim an original Christian church that never believed in Christ's divinity or the Trinity, but this sign serves to be a historical remembrance that we always did.

The reason why I have made this question and why I ended up thinking that this gesture has to be universally expressed by christians is mainly because of my experience with christian cults. I've been to JW's and the Iglesia Ni Cristo services, and they are very frightening and disheartening.. and despite them teaching false things about the Bible and rejecting the divinity, they for some reason end their prayers with "In Jesus' name", the way protestants do.
These cults will never end with the sign of the cross, they will never say "the Father, Son, and HS" because they fully reject the truth of God. Because of this, I feel that the sign of the cross gesture has to be seen as important to protestants as well.

Is It Ever Appropriate to Say “God Did It” in Response to a Scientific Challenge?


When a naturalist encounters a scientific challenge he cannot explain naturally, he cannot claim a supernatural explanation to his problem without contradicting his belief in naturalism. Having examined sufficient evidence to be a supernaturalist, a biblical creationist does have the option of claiming a supernatural explanation, but when is it appropriate to do so?

Of course, the most obvious time that it is appropriate to say “God did it” as a response to a proposed scientific difficulty with Creation is when the Bible explicitly says He did something. From time to time, however, we might come across a new quibble, about which Scripture is silent, and to which we cannot immediately give a reasonable answer. It would be easy to respond to such quibbles by simply saying “God did it” as our answer to the problem. Such an answer, however, becomes a form of the “God of the Gaps” argument, where God is inserted to solve a problem (or as proof that God must exist in order for the problem to be solved).

St. Douglas?

The other day I met a priest named Fr. Douglas. I'd never heard of a St. Douglas so I searched online and cannot find one except one 16th century RC saint. Two questions: is there an EO saint named Douglas? And, for some reason I'd always assumed that priests take the names of saints. Is that not necessarily the case?
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Betrayed by Medicine: The Unspoken Horrors of Gender Transition

Riveting new book exposes the devastating impact of ‘gender-affirming care’ on young bodies and minds. ‘These real, lived stories are the greatest weapon in combating gender ideology,’ says journalist Mary Margaret Olohan.

Mary Margaret Olohan first noticed it as a journalist around 2020-2021.

Stories and reports about “gender-affirming care” circulating across media outlets. The phrase, what Olohan calls an outright “euphemism for transgender surgeries, hormones and puberty blockers,” was a “very coordinated effort to make this seem all palatable to the public.”

“And it was around 2021 that lawmakers were introducing legislation such as the Safe Act that would protect children from these procedures,” The Daily Signal reporter and author of DeTrans: True Stories of Escaping the Gender Ideology Culttold the Register. But these efforts were met with hostility by the liberal media and advocates of gender ideology.

The book comes at an all-too-critical time, as WPATH just recently admitted to the fact that the “science” behind “gender-affirming care” had been doctored itself. And just as Olohan’s book exposes these lies and the butchering they caused of young teens who took the advice from medical professionals to heart, Olohan told the Register that the leak confirmed these disturbing facts:


“So-called ‘gender-affirming care’ is experimental and dangerous and the transgender-promoting ‘experts’ know it. They knew that testosterone was causing tumors in some female patients. They knew that girls were losing their ability to have kids from these drugs. They knew that some patients were unable to actually give informed consent due to their serious mental-health problems. And yet they publicly continue to praise and laud ‘gender-affirming care’ and claim it is pivotal for youth who identify as transgender. These are incredibly harmful lies to vulnerable minds, and the detransitioners in my book believe they were betrayed and deeply harmed by these lies.”

Continued below.

Should a Christian own a lucky charm?

If you put your faith in a physical object, then it is wrong. We should trust God. Lucky charms are superstitions. They may even be idolatry if you worship them. God dwells in you. Practice How to hear God instead of lucky charms.

Should a Christian own a lucky charm?

I don't. When I see others have them, I think they understand neither science nor God.
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On The Third Day...!

  • Dry land and plants were created.
  • Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar and God spares Issac.
  • God descended on Mount Sinai and delivered His Law to those whom He had redeemed.
  • The regathering of Israel from the Babylonian exile is described as a resurrection on the third day in Hosea 6.
  • Messiah rose from the dead.
God had been working wonders on the third day for millennia. He designed all of history with Jesus at the center, with every third-day deliverance pointing directly to Him. He is only the firstfruits. And someday, the third day is coming for us all.

I acknowledge there's a lot of pain and evil in the world right now, but I want to offer comfort and encourage you all to prepare for the third day. I believe we are close to witnessing the day of God's plan for new life and covenant faithfulness.

May this message from the Lord help to strengthen your faith and bless your soul today. Amen.

Mainline Denomination Fully Capitulates, Alters Logo to Support LGBT 'Pride'

While the Episcopal Church has not exactly been a bastion of conservatism and Christian orthodoxy for many years now, its recent unveiling of an LGBT “pride” logo signaled its final capitulation to secular forces.

The church — the American branch of the Anglican Communion — had already lent its public support to questionable causes over the last century.

The original Anglican branch was the first Christian denomination to approve the use of birth control in 1930, a controversial decision and capitulation to secular culture that paved the way for the support of gay rights in the 1970s and “trans” rights in the modern day.

On May 16, the Episcopal Church took things to the next level with a news release touting a “Pride shield.”

The church’s ancient shield was revised to include elements of the LGBT “Pride” and “Pride Progress” flags.

Continued below.

CNN: Europe’s center ground is shifting further to the right



Far-right parties
are predicted to win a record number of seats in the European Parliament, a result that, if confirmed, would deliver a stinging rebuke to Brussels’ political mainstream and add uncertainty to Europe’s future direction.

After three days of voting across the European Union’s 27 member states, an exit poll showed that far-right parties were set to win around 150 of the parliament’s 720 seats, which will likely make it harder for mainstream parties to form majorities needed to pass laws.

Most of the far-right gains were concentrated in countries that elect large numbers of seats: France, Italy and Germany.


Europe’s drift to the right has been a long journey that’s seen the continent’s mainstream increasingly accommodate people with Euroskeptic views that were once fringe.

The projected gains for the hard right in the European parliamentary elections may seem modest in terms of pure numbers, but they are significant.

The results represent a major challenge to the pro-Europe mainstream officials who dominate the institutions of the European Union.




While, domestically speaking, it's easy for people to chalk it up to Trump and the GOP radicalizing the far-right part of the base and residuals of past racial attitudes, the fact that it's occurring in Europe (and in countries that have been notably more progressive than the US and don't have the same levels of ideological/racial baggage), should make people question the "conventional wisdom".

If it was merely happening only in the US and other countries were maintaining the status quo, then the theory of "if it weren't for Trump, this shift wouldn't have occurred" may have some merit.

Since it's happening in other places where there is no Trump (and for that matter, where Trump wasn't/isn't well-liked), would mean that even if Donald Trump never existed, there would merely another "outlet" people would be using as their "vessel" for propping up a bulwark against what they see as the excesses of the left.

(for instance, the rallying behind Geert Wilders that was seen late last year in the Netherlands, Milei in Argentina, etc...)

Which, if the latter is the case, then people may be focusing their efforts in the wrong areas if they're looking to stave off the far-right gaining ground. In the countries that seemed to have successfully staved off these kinds of pushes, they didn't do so by strengthening their left/far-left, they did so by having their far-left reign it in a bit and making some concessions in order to bolster the centrists.

...which makes perfect sense logically speaking. If someone is on the fence between center-right and far-right, who's more likely to be able to wrangle them back inside the overton window? Centrists, or the Left?...

IE: If you have some who's teetering on the bring of falling into the far-right trap, who's more likely to stop them from making that jump? Someone like an AOC who they have almost zero overlap with? Or someone more in the center with whom they may share positions on half the issues?

Will the Democrats follow suit?


The party on the right wins and he dissolves parliament in the hopes he can retain power.

In fact, the right has won in some very big places in Europe.

Will the US follow suit? I hope so.

Desperate Biden Campaign Continues to Push Long-Debunked Hoax

For example, a new Biden campaign pushes the long-debunked accusation made in The Atlantic that Trump refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in 2018 because he thought the troops buried there were "suckers" and "losers. "This story was debunked four years ago, as more than a dozen Trump administration officials who were with Trump on that trip have now disputed the Atlantic report, including former national security adviser John Bolton — who is no fan of Trump.
Desperate Biden Campaign Continues to Push Long-Debunked Hoax

They tell the fake stories over and over. Often Joe will modify a story--it doesn't seem to bother the mainstream media.

Where does the GOP stand on Contraception?

In a recent "interview with KDKA News in Pittsburgh when he [Trump] was asked whether he supported any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.
“We’re looking at that, and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly, and I think it’s something that you’ll find interesting,” Trump said. “I think it’s a smart decision. But we’ll be releasing it very soon.”

Trump later walked back his remarks after they were widely published, drawing a strong backlash.

Then, last week, the Senate Majority leader called for a vote on a bill that would guarantee a woman's access to contraception, effectively preventing states from placing restrictions on contraception.

"Nine Republicans ducked the vote; all other male Republicans voted against it. Two female Republicans and all Democrats present voted for it."

Prior to the vote:
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) underscored the significance of the moment. “What message do we want to send our constituents? That we support their right to birth control? That we support access to IUDs, to Plan B? Or that we are okay taking that right away, and letting politicians make medical decisions for women in this country,” she said. “I know where I stand — with the overwhelming majority of people who support that right. And soon we will know exactly where every Republican senator stands, too.”
linl

Where does the GOP stand on contraception?
  • Informative
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Being a Christian and hardships

Hello,

Why should I continue being a Christian if God has given me a rubbish adulthood?

I am single and try hard to find someone, I live in one room and I have no mortgage to get a house or a flat, I have no savings, I don't have a car, God can't seem to heal my mental illnesses, no children, I always struggle for money and I don't know if Christians need to keep the Law of Moses or not.

I show my love to God but I get nothing back in return. What a cruel God! Where are his blessings? His love is an absolute joke.

We have been ALL COUNTED for God's divine purposes: Numbers 1:1-4:20

PARASHA: “B’Midbar” (in the wilderness) NUMBERS 1:1-4:20


We start the new Torah Sefer called “Numbers” in English because it talks about “numbering” the tribes of Israel. We wonder why the reason for “numbering the people?” for this reason, we need to go back to the beginning to see.

In Egypt, Israel was a hodge-podge of undisciplined slaves working for Pharaoh, In Adonai’s timing, He sent Moshe, a “Messiah Type” to lead the people out of slavery to freedom. Once out of Egypt, came the task of taking Egypt out of the Israelites. They came to Har Sinai, ready to become a nation united under YHVH. The Ten Commandments served as the document in stone, a “Ketubah” to solidify the covenant. Now, the United Tribes of Israel under YHVH is established. But this is only the first part. Each Shavuot/Pentecost, we remember the giving of the “Torah in Stone” in the midst of thunder and fire.

Now that the nation is established, YHVH takes a count, why the count? As a nation, Israel needs an army! So, the count is taken to form the very first IDF (Israel Defense Force). I am sure that many of you who are reading this have served in one of the branches of the Armed Forces of the USA, or other countries. I myself served in the US Army from 1972-1984. I met many people and learned many things. It was a great experience and a special time in my life. Quite a few of my family members also served in the Armed Forces, the first being an ancestor of mine, Richard Ellis, who served in the Massachusetts Militia in 1640. I also served as a volunteer chaplain with the Armed Forces of El Salvador, where I now live. Also with the IDF as a volunteer helper during the summer of 2015.

YHVH takes up the count and “enlists” every man who is 20 years old and older. They will serve in the armies of Israel. All those who are …”20 years old and upward who are able to go to war.” After the numbering, part of daily life would have been practicing and learning how to use different combat weapons, back then would have been swords, spears, bows and arrows, and slingshots.

The term that is used is "lifting up the head" as far as "counting" went. The Midrash says that "Lifting up the head" could mean "prosperity and blessings" if the person was obedient, yet, the same term was used by Joseph when he predicted the outcome of the baker, "In three days, your head will be lifted off from you" (loss of life)

Every soldier has a job to do. Today we call these jobs MOS, (Military Occupation Specialties) One of mine was that of chaplain assistant. I was to assist a catholic chaplain who everyone called; “Father McCarthy” who had a bulldog named “Gus” who also went to chapel with him. 11 of the 12 tribes were called to be fighting men yet the tribe of Levi, was called to be the “chaplain tribe” They were exempt from combat duty, they would attend the Tabernacle and services. There were the cohenim (the priests) who would be the “chaplains” and the “Levites” who would serve as the “chaplain assistants” sort of speaking.

So, you are thinking, what does this numbering have to do with us as born-again believers in Messiah Yeshua? We are all soldiers in God’s army of believers. He’s got us all numbered. Yes, he has your number! We need to again, go back and look at our lives before and after Messiah Yeshua. Before, we were just a bunch of “hodge-podge lost sinners in the camp of HaSatan, until Yeshua took us out of that camp by shedding his blood on the cross of Calvary, when we accepted his sacrifice, we were officially “out” of the camp. Yet, there would still be a lot of “HaSatan and worldly influence” still in us, so, like the Israelites, “Egypt” was still in us.

When we accepted Messiah Yeshua as our Mashiach and Goel (Redeemer) we were added to the Commonwealth of Israel, now part of the Community, the “Adat” which began at Sinai 3500 years ago. We are the “olive branches” that have been “grafted into” the Olive Tree.

Now that we are members and citizens of “HIS People” we also are considered “soldiers” and in the LORD’s Army. However, we fight a different type of war. In this world, armies fight with RPGs, M-16s, Kalashnikovs, Berettas, M-60s, etc. We fight against, “spirits and principalities of darkness” it is a spiritual war against HaSatan and his demons. Only through the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) and the power of His WORD can we overcome the onslaughts of the enemy. He realizes he has lost the war, yet still continues to fight a losing battle, which was won at the cross 2000 years ago.

As the Cohenim ministered and had jobs to do, and the soldiers also had their jobs to do, we believers also had jobs within our “Kehilot” and “Adat” (congregations). That is why the Holy Spirit has given gifts of the Spirit so that we might all serve in different capacities in the body of the Messiah. In this way, the body grows and prospers. Some of us are rabbis, and pastors, who also serve as teachers. We also have ministers in music and praise, finances, maintenance, prayer intercessors, counselors, and the list can go on.

The twelve tribes of Israel encircled the Tabernacle, with the tribe of Levi next to it. The “Mishkan” was at the center of the People. Also, YHVH should be the “Center” of our lives. The whole purpose of our life is to serve our God and Creator, while loving and supporting our brothers and sisters in the faith, reaching out to others who are lost, and teaching Torah to those who have ears to hear and learn. We are “numbered” in the eyes of Elohim, HE knows who we are, He has numbered the hairs on our head, and there is no such thing as “retirement” in the work of YHVH, well, there is…. It is called d-e-a-t-h.

It is also notable to mention that the Hebrew word "B'Midbar (in the desert) also contains the letters that form the words; Son (Bar) "In the Word" (B'd'bar) and "from the Word" (M'D'bar) what could this tell us? That God would keep his people "In The Word" and would direct their journeys "from the Word" as He keeps us "In His Word" and we learn and mature "from the WORD" and we are "born again" through the "Son" (Bar) (Aramaic)

Another detail which I would like to add to this midrash. When Adonai numbered the people, he chose leaders out of each tribe. In all groups of “chosen” there are “leaders”. They can be pastors, rabbis, Sunday school teachers, Torah teachers, counselors, etc. But every group needs a leader or leaders. If not, we have a lot of sheep running around without shepherds. We see the names of the leaders. Many ask about the meanings of the names. Well, here they are as follows. Starting with chapter 1, verse 5;

“Elizur’ = My God is the rock;” Shelumiel” = At peace with God. (I know, it sounds like “Schlemiel” but it isn’t. “Zurishaddai” = My Rock is Shaddai; “Nahshon” = Serpent, “Amminadab” = The (Divine) kinsman is generous; “Nethaniel” = God hath given; “Eliab” = God is Father; “Elishama” = God hath heard, or God hears; “Ammihud” = The (Divine) kinsman is glorious; “Gammaliel” = God is my reward. In later times, it was the name of many famous rabbis, like the rabbi of Apostle Paul; “Pedahzur” = The Rock hath redeemed; “Abidan” = The Father hath judged; “Ahiezer” = The (divine) Brother is a help; “Ammishaddai” = The People of Shaddai; “Pagiel” = The lot (or fate) is given by God; “Eliasaph” = God has added; “Deuel” or “Reuel” = God is a friend; “Ahira” my brother is a friend, or, evil. (depends how we read it)

Our life is a journey and we have been counted by God for HIS divine purposes. We have a job or jobs to do while on earth, for HIS Kingdom, we will be rewarded for our efforts, yet, do we do our jobs to reap rewards? or just because we Love the LORD! and want to be in fellowship with HIM?

Life goes by quickly. Before you know it, you'll be hitting the senior years. Do not faint in doing good works, we will reap the rewards for all eternity.

Pentecost/Shavuot June 12-13th 2024.

Ben Avraham

Prayer Zoom Room for China and Nations (Chinese, 汉语)

Zoom:84769255004, Code:2023
Time: American Eastern Time 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM , From Sunday 6:00PM to Friday 10:00AM

Thank you for caring and praying for China and Nations.

This Zoom Room was started by Chinese Christian in U.S.. They speak Chinese but not English in this Room. So it is difficult to English Speakers.

Welcome.

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Is this an end time thing?

I know scripture says "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,' Matthew 24:12

but is anyone else noticing a pattern where loved ones and people you know are changing their behaviour and becoming
nasty and sarcastic, and at times, abusive.

I've noticed this with some family members now and also some friends.
They have no time for you, or becoming overly selfish and preoccupied
and, when you go to share, they say they have to go or are busy.

I've had some friends become abusive and seem to have no filter now and they will
say that they truly think about you.

This is with christians and non-christians.

My own husband, a christian man, turned on me 8 years ago and changes his personality and became
from being a gentle person, to an abusive person.

I've noticed a pattern.

Can anyone back this up?

It's like there has been a shift in relationships and how people interact with each other.

Thanks in advance.

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