• 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.

6,000 Years?

Somehow, I think you've misunderstood "all" of what I just said above, reading it in the opposite of my intended meaning.

If you look closely, what I actually implied was, "GOD IS ONE AND IS CREATOR AND LORD OVER ALL...........!!!"

That's the point of Genesis 1.
Sorry - I believe I did :) I guess I was also saying the scriptures I referenced are kid level reading...that was what I meant by "all" and "beginning"
  • Like
Reactions: 2PhiloVoid
Upvote 0

Why Have Birds Never Gotten as Big as T. Rex?

The difference is, the fossil record nicely fits Darwinian theory, and the "tree of life" first noted by Linnaeus, who was not even aware of evolution. Again, fulfilled predictions in the fossil record is very good evidence for macroevolutionary theory, as knowledgeable YECs admit.

uh huh, you keep repeating this
It probably seems unfair to YECs that scientists keep harping on evidence like this. Until you engage with the evidence that shows Darwin's theory explains not only the puzzling evidence known at the time, but also evidence found after he proposed his theory. YECs try to avoid that kind of evidence.

this and refuse to engage with any criticism of your rosey view of Darwinism.
I've shot down a lot of criticism, but I've critiqued his theory myself. He was wrong, for example, about heredity. It was a major flaw in his theory, one that delayed acceptance of his theory until genetics explained how new traits could persist.

For example, Huxley predicted transitional forms between birds and other dinosaurs. Much later, the predictions of the theory were confirmed. Do you understand the difference?

good for Huxley,
He was skilled in anatomy, and noticed that birds and crocodiles shared key homologies. Since crocodiles and dinosaurs are archosaurs, he concluded that birds are also. Only much later did we find that numerous transitionals exist, confirming his conclusion.
what else would birds have evolved from? fish?
Not tetrapods, not amniotes. So birds could not have directly evolved from fish.

Not amniotes. Evolved urostyle. So birds could not have directly evolved from frogs.
Not cynodonts. Lack differential teeth. Pneumatized bones. So birds could not have directly evolved from mammals.

actually there was an older fringe theory that birds did evolve from a type of mammal.
But you can't show us any scientist who supported such an idea? I think I know why. You see, not only did evolutionary theory accurately predict many transitional forms, we never see an transitional forms where they shouldn't be. No mammals with feathers or pneumatized bones.

As you now see, many such predicted nodes have been found long after they were predicted. This is how theories are validated in science.

i think you are particularly in love with this theory and have trouble examining it critically, even slightly
We see a lot of that kind of projection from YECs. They start with a conclusion and try to justify it. Science is different:
1753280436947.jpeg
Upvote 0

House Passes Trump-Backed Rescissions Package Slashing $9 BILLION in Bloated Spending — FOREIGN AID, NPR, and PBS on the Chopping Block — Two Republic

Look i dont care what its called. I know what I support. No I'm not describing neoliberalism.

I support free market capitalism. Which involves not eating if you aren't producing something that other people want. Free market is I produce and you buy or produce something value I want. And I dont get to decide what its worth. Because if you dont think its worth that then you wont buy it and my work is now worth nothing if I get nothing.

If I need a worker then you and I can decide what your work is worth. If I make widgets and come in and say your work value is a million bucks I can say no its worth ten bucks then you can choose not to work for me ir I can choose to pay you a million.
Yet you argue for a system in which pay and working conditions are set unilaterally by the employer and the worker can only take it or leave it. Forget for a moment about whether that's right and wrong or "left" or "right" We're just discussing what that model is called, and it is not technically a free market in labor, even if it turns out to be the best one. Mind you, there is nothing "magical" about a free market. It's not an ideology, merely a theoretical model which is rarely perfectly achieved and is in fact not really suitable for the delivery of every good or service.
I'm not just being pedantic, but in economic theory a free market is well defined and I see a tendency in conservatives to redefine a free market as one which is "free" of government regulation, which is nefarious and has egregious effects well beyond the labor market.
Upvote 0

How does the idea that most of Gods creation he will have to burn forever bring glory to God?

Words, Fables, Fairy Tales, and multitudes of more words in the world sinful and wicked.

Permitting those who deceive others willfully and boldly to have conversations in any assembly of Jesus' People is not permitted by Yahweh, but here (on internet) seemingly cannot be stopped. Only do not partake in so-called discussions or debates or instructions or rebukes or any such with them. We cannot stop them talking with other reprobates, but must not take part with them according to God's Own Purpose and Will.
Who is the judge of what is fables , fairy tales ect? Are not you doing the same thing the Pharisee's did in Jesus's day, they studies the scriptures and knew them by memory and yet they missed the very God they said they were following, when He shows up they kill him.
I read scripture, and with the help of the original Greek meanings of words, and see Christian Universal Redemption all throughout, I believe that God was reconciling the cosmos to himself in Jesus and his plan will not fail, His will is that all come to the knowledge of the truth, and his will can't be undone or thwarted by any man or any other created thing.
You read scripture and believe God will torture most of his creation for all eternity because mans will is stronger than Gods will, and we have all these people who have different ideas sayin that if you just follow their way you are in and everyone else is out.
I believe that God creating people to torture them for all eternity is a fable, fairy tale, others say that God can't get his will because mans will trumps Gods will, again fairy tails.
What I know is truth is that God says his will is that none perish, as in Adam all die as in Christ all will live, God was reconciling the cosmos to himself through Jesus, Jesus came to save the world not judge the world, and Jesus is the savior of the cosmos, not a potentiel savior.
I believe we should let God be the judge, if fear of being torture forever brings you closer to God and helps with behavior modification so that you have less to give account for at the judgement, well that's good for you.
For me the idea from scripture that all are the body of Jesus and that for all eternity his whole of humanity are my family, I will love my enemy and pray for them, because they will not be my enemy for long, the hungry and week and vulnerable I will help, they are the body of Jesus, most do not know now because they can't see past the darkness, but someday they too will see Jesus for who he is and as Phil 2:10-11 says every knee will bow and every tongue will gladly confess that Jesus is Lord, God has a plan and nothing can thwart his plan. God will be all in all.
Upvote 0

(ETA: Plot thickens) NYT reports interim US Attorney Alina Habba will not seek confirmation, leave role

Pam Bondi fires U.S. attorney whom N.J. judges had named to replace Trump ally Alina Habba

Desiree Leigh Grace was named U.S. attorney for New Jersey, according to an order the chief judge for the District of New Jersey, Renee Marie Bumb, signed Tuesday. The order means judges declined to extend Habba’s interim role, which expires after 120 days [without Senate confirmation to a permanent position]. Trump appointed Habba on March 24, and she was sworn in on March 28.

[I understand that Grace was appointed by Habba as her first assistant.]

But Bondi said that Grace "has just been removed" and that the "Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges — especially when they threaten the President’s core Article II powers."

Grace was fired by the Justice Department, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News

The plan is to reinstall Habba in the position in some capacity, as the administration did with the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, but no specific method has been established yet, the person said.
Upvote 0

Ozzy Osbourne has died

A possible misconception about Black Sabbath and Ozzy is that they promoted evil. There are definitely songs that speak about evil, but they are often more like commentary. When preachers railed against Ozzy in the 80s it showed their ignorance, and when Ozzy replied that he was a Christian, he was being sincere. Some of his (Sabbath's) music had explicitly Christian lyrics, e.g., After Forever, which is a positive take on faith in Christ. That's not to say Sabbath or Ozzy were "Christian" bands, lol, but they weren't pure evil, either.

I saw Sabbath in DC for their last tour and was so pumped that they played it.
What you say is true, but they did play up the evil aspect in the early days. Blue Oyster Cult was sort of intended to be the American Black Sabbath. Now those guys were pure evil, lol. (I don't mean them, but their music. :))
  • Like
Reactions: public hermit
Upvote 0

ICE continues to arrest worst of the worst--one illegal with 21 criminal convictions

Fool us how? Pointing out that over 70% of the people arrested so far have no criminal convictions is simply stating the facts.

If they were being prioritized, I would expect more than 30% of those arrested to have criminal records. It's great that these people are being picked up. I think you'll have a tough time finding anyone who thinks that we shouldn't be deporting illegal immigrants who have been convicted of multiple violent felonies. It's the other 70% that are the issue here.

The current priority seems to be creating public spectacle in order to demonstrate that the administration is "doing something" about illegal immigration and rounding up as many people as possible for deportation. That doesn't preclude picking up a few of the people that were originally claimed to be the priority targets, but it does make it hard to claim that they're still the real priority.
It reminds me of some of the programs that help poor people: "We can't feed the 99; one rich kid might scam a free meal."

I mean, priorities, AMIRITE

Also: Obligatory reference to Blackstone's Ratio

Reverse Blackstone: "We have to arrest the 70 in order to get the 30"
Upvote 0

The Hispanic Vote

What did voters expect from Trump with regard to immigration. I submit that the majority expected the following. The MAGA base wanted much more.
STOP THE BLEEDING
1) Secure the border and bring illegal crossings to a very small number.
The border was already safe after Trump built the wall.
2) Have a mass deportation of the millions that Biden allowed in under his policies.
Biden didn't allow anyone in, because they couldn't get over Trump's wall.
5) Get off the street those who are awaiting court proceedings.
Who says they're on the street?
6) Increase ICE resources and deportation centers for those in the process of awaiting court proceedings.
Why?
8) Pressure Mexico with regard to illegals, drugs and trafficking.
Obama did this, but the GOP opposed it.
==========
THEN THE VAST MAJORITY
agrees that the system is broken, we need legal status for millions and a better system going forward.
Biden tried to improve things, but the GOP voted it down.
Upvote 0

Should Christians Condemn People?

Should Christians condemn people to Hell?

After answering, explain why
I think this is different for Christians and non Christians. For Christians I think theres two aspects. There is the gospel but also following the teachings. They should go hand in hand. But there is an identifiable way of living (fruits of the spirit) we can tell.

The teachings tell us to gently rebuke and teach another Christian if they have sinned. But also to fogive them.

But then there is the church itself. The body of Christians. This is where the overseers are the guides and protectors over the church and the teachings from the wolves. Christ warned about the wolves not from sinners outside the church but within.

So in this sense and as Paul did in commanding members follow the teachings otherwise be cursed. Especially of promoting false teachings and ideologies or encouraging sin.

Then outside the church is different. This is where the gospel comes in. Being evangelists for Christ. I like the idea of messenger as it is the Good News to the world. THis is Good News not bad news about going to hell lol. Make people run for the hills.

Though I think the culture has changed where even saying repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Or repentence is part of the gospel people get defensive. In fact just saying the gospel and Good News is becoming offensive in some places.

But this is the thing. In the early church which the gospel was far more offensive under Nero who persecuted the Christians and executed some of the disciples like Peter and Paul.

They did not care. They still spoke the gospel. I mean Paul got assaulted about 10 times and thrown in jail. But he spoke the same truth even when the enviornment was hostile to it. It was this that the world seen that consistent truth even in the face of death that brought the Gentiles to God.
  • Agree
Reactions: RDKirk
Upvote 0

The Hispanic Vote

LET"S BE CLEAR
For now, the numbers deported are very small, much smaller every month than under Obama. The deportation to 3rd countries has been for show, to establish legal precedents, and to delay until more funds were approved by Congress.
=======
OPTIONS WHEN ICE FINDS ILLEGALS
1) give them a court date 5 years in the future and let them go (the Biden approach)
2) give a court date and have them report regularly and wear an ankle bracelet (pre-Trump 1)
3) put them in detention centers until their status and future is settled (getting them off the street)
4) deport as many as possible as soon as possible, ignoring illegal processes

I believe the majority of voters supports detention centers.
===========
ONCE WE STOP THE BLEEDING
Congress is well able to develop immigration laws that are sensible, although a significant number of voters will oppose whatever plan becomes law.
Upvote 0

If there was anything against Trump in the Epstein files, it would have been leaked

I just can’t believe there are still actually people loyal to him.
It's time to move past the Epstein issue. This week, the HOT conspiracy theory is that President Obama tried to influence the 2016 election and that his administration released all Russian documents after the election.

President Obama's admin released all Russia hoax documents in December 2016, hoping Americans would read them and travel back in time in November 2016 and vote for Clinton.

Finally Kenyan born illegitimate president will be punished! This is why God saved President Trump in Pennsylvania!
  • Wow
Reactions: public hermit
Upvote 0

ICE continues to arrest worst of the worst--one illegal with 21 criminal convictions

There has been a huge establishment/media blitz trying to fool the American people about the people who are being prioritized for deportation.
Fool us how? Pointing out that over 70% of the people arrested so far have no criminal convictions is simply stating the facts.
Letting the public know that there are violent repeat offenders, offenders prioritized by Homeland Security, is a public service.
If they were being prioritized, I would expect more than 30% of those arrested to have criminal records. It's great that these people are being picked up. I think you'll have a tough time finding anyone who thinks that we shouldn't be deporting illegal immigrants who have been convicted of multiple violent felonies. It's the other 70% that are the issue here.

The current priority seems to be creating public spectacle in order to demonstrate that the administration is "doing something" about illegal immigration and rounding up as many people as possible for deportation. That doesn't preclude picking up a few of the people that were originally claimed to be the priority targets, but it does make it hard to claim that they're still the real priority.
  • Agree
Reactions: john23237
Upvote 0

Malevolent vs. benevolent dispositions and conservative political ideology in the Trump era

It could also just be that self-centeredness is the default position for most folks and always has been, becoming particularly acute when a person's job, ideology and family well-being are perceived to have pressure applied from "outside" forces.
As someone who lean Left I have to acknowledge the pathology of both Left and Right. Of course, there are also good and healthy manifestation on both sides. But with regard to national budget priorities we can definitely see a pattern of indifference to the plight of the poor in the clothing of a top down "supply side" economic that favors the wealthy.
  • Agree
Reactions: Larniavc
Upvote 0

The Hispanic Vote

Aside from Stephen Miller, the true immigration policy of this administration remains unclear.

What is even more concerning is that, even among those with a clear vision regarding whom to deport, there appears to be no policy addressing what should happen afterward. Furthermore, in this forum, individuals who advocate for total deportation often avoid answering these questions and simply reiterate their stance by insisting on mass deportation.

Not sure if I am allowed to re-post a message, but here is what I posted in this tread in post #79.

-----------
I have consistently stated that I do not support President Trump’s immigration policy. However, I accept the outcome of the election, as it is evident that a significant portion of Americans elected him largely due to his stance on immigration. Recognizing this mandate, I support President Trump in implementing these policies, despite my personal reservations.

Understanding President Trump’s Immigration Policy and Its Impact

During his campaign, President Trump committed to deporting individuals who entered or remained in the United States without legal authorization. Supporters at the GOP convention demonstrated backing for this approach with signs advocating “mass deportation.”

Current Policy Assessment

Is mass deportation an official policy of the Trump administration? Advisors such as Stephen Miller, along with other proponents of stringent immigration enforcement, support the removal of all undocumented immigrants.

President Trump’s own statements have varied; he has, at times, indicated that only those convicted of serious crimes should face deportation, while at other moments he has called for broader actions, including mass deportations, though he occasionally refers to hardworking undocumented immigrants in positive terms.

Major donors to the administration also express differing views—while generally supporting strict immigration measures, some advocate for exceptions in sectors such as agriculture, restaurants, and meat processing.

There are diverse perspectives among supporters of the administration's immigration strategy. Some endorse the deportation of all individuals present without legal status, whereas others believe enforcement should focus on those involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, or other serious offenses.

Practical Considerations

Presently, only approximately 0.59% of undocumented immigrants have been apprehended. At this pace, fewer than 6% are projected to be deported by the end of President Trump's term. It remains unclear whether the administration aims to remove only 5% to 7% of the undocumented population.

Economic Implications

Over four million undocumented immigrants are employed in the U.S. food industry, spanning roles in agriculture, meat processing, grocery stores, and restaurants. An additional one million work in construction. To date, there appears to be no comprehensive policy outlining how these positions would be filled, or how supply demands would be maintained, should these workers be removed.

While the Secretary of Agriculture has suggested technological solutions could replace agricultural labor, current advancements are limited to certain crops such as peanuts and corn; artificial intelligence technology capable of harvesting delicate produce like tomatoes or peaches is not expected for at least 15 years.

Thus, questions remain regarding potential plans or policies to substitute approximately ten million undocumented workers with American citizens. The removal of an estimated fifteen million individuals from the workforce would significantly impact both local and national economies. It is unclear what support mechanisms, if any, are planned for local economies dependent on immigrant labor, or how the national economy would adjust following such deportations.

Conclusion

Currently, there is no clear immigration policy. Even top officials cannot agree on who should be deported, how to define criminals, or the number of people to be deported in four years. Questions remain about who would replace these workers and the economic impact of removing 15 million people. The situation is chaotic: some advocate deporting all unauthorized residents, others only violent criminals, while critics call it a political show with no substantive solutions.
What did voters expect from Trump with regard to immigration? I submit that the majority expected the following. The MAGA base wanted much more.
STOP THE BLEEDING
1) Secure the border and bring illegal crossings to a very small number.
2) Have a mass deportation of the millions that Biden allowed in under his policies.
3) Have a mass deportation of those under deportation orders.
4) Have a mass deportation of those illegally in the country who have been convicted of violent crimes.
5) Get off the street those who are awaiting court proceedings.
6) Increase ICE resources and deportation centers for those in the process of awaiting court proceedings.
7) Appoint or transfer lots more judges to hear cases on an accelerated basis.
8) Pressure Mexico with regard to illegals, drugs and trafficking.
==========
THEN THE VAST MAJORITY
agrees that the system is broken, we need legal status for millions and a better system going forward.
  • Like
Reactions: FAITH-IN-HIM
Upvote 0

I believe that ALL who ever lived will be in God’s Kingdom

It does not say "in justified terror"

God displays His love , His sacrifice for mankind, His repeated wave after wave of mercy.

The lost finally see life as it really is, God as He really is, sin as it really is, and they confess God is love, God did the right thing. It was Satan who was the liar and the wicked admit that they chose evil not righteousness. God's judgment is just. He is both loving and just.

Phil 2 does not say "claim you love Me or I will torture you some more".

Rather at the great White throne judgment in Rev 20 -- all is revealed. Satan's lies unmasked. The truth told and when all can be seen plainly even the wicked confess that God was right, He is loving, His way is just and it is just plain stupid the ideas that Satan came up with.

Yet their characters are unchanged, their love of self remains just a strong as it ever was - in the case of the wicked.
Why do you think that " their characters are unchanged" ? Did not your character change when you saw Jesus for who he truly is? If so why would you think that they would be any different?
Upvote 0

I believe that ALL who ever lived will be in God’s Kingdom

God could easily "force Lucifer not to make a single mistake"
HE could also have "forced 1/3 of the angels to not join Lucifer"
He could have "Forced Eve not to make a bad choice"
He could have "forced Adam not to join Eve" and that would have saved all the lost humanity and all the suffering of Christ on the cross for the sins of all the world.

But He chose free will instead.

That means all the redeemed saints and all the sinless angels are there in heaven - in all of eternity, in the New Earth etc -- of their free will , loving God with all their heart and loving their neighbor as themselves --- not as part of a rigged-system but out of the abundant provision in the gospel and a "God of Love" who does not force beings to love or serve Him.
I would ask why do you believe God has to force people to believe in him, once you have experienced his love and see him as he is, you will fall on your face with reverent worship, God doesn't need to force anyone.
The problem is that most people have so much darkness in them that they can't see him for who he is or they have been taught a false Jesus and they can't bring themselves to worship the false god that they have been told about or see in others who claim to know Jesus.
God/Jesus?Spirit are worth worship just because of who they are they do not need to force anyone, that's just the way we were created.
Upvote 0

Historicity of the change of the Sabbath Commandment

As if is that like agreeing to obey the traffic laws, and start with stopping at stop signs and <after mastering> that one to then start stopping at red lights ?!
Perhaps you might want to present that to Paul who said that love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8) or Jesus who defined the Law for us as only two commandments - Love God and love your neighbor.

Curiously, I find myself in obedience to the ten commandments as the direct effect of my feeble attempt to love my neighbor as myself. I have not murdered anyone, nor coveted anything belonging to my neighbor, nor committed adultery, etc. To take your analogy, one might say, that the law requires me to pay my property taxes, leaving me free to not worry about income taxes, sales taxes, and the host of other taxes imposed by the government. However, if, as scripture says, to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, then obedience to all government laws is required. Moreover, this is merely a small subset of loving my neighbor. Like it or not, government in all of its manifestations is but one type of my neighbor. My neighbor also includes all of the social pariahs that righteous folks detest - murderers, adulterers, prostitutes, tax collectors, rapists, sexual predators, homosexuals, transgender folks, etc., etc., etc.
Upvote 0

The Saints will meet the Lord in the air, not Rapture, at Jesus second coming, this is the first Resurrection

GREAT is your reward IN HEAVEN" Matt 5:12
I believe Heaven is wherever our Father is at any time.

we do not receive HIM as though HE were coming to where we live - to stay here with us.
I believe so, for the 1000 years.

Matt 6 "Oh Father who IS IN HEAVEN"
Heb 11 Abraham was looking for a "HEAVENLY city"
John 14:1-3 I GO To prepare A PLACE For you .. I will come again and RECEIVE you (not JOIN you here on Earth)
Again, it does not say I will come again and take you to Heaven.

is not about the second coming - it is about the presence of the resurrected Christ with us here - while we are alive .. before the end of all things -

I stated the same. That's what "mansions/abode implies. Especially if we take all of the verses in context.

That John 14:23 state,emt is about our present state as Christians, our present walk with Christ as we see in Rom 8:13-16.
Again, I stated the same with this

Mansions/mone means -"a staying" i.e. residence. And it can be the place or the act. A place to abode. We can even find that today according to the rest of the verses in that chapter when he talks about the Comforter. But when Christ returns he will receive us unto himself.

The word "abode" in this verse is the very same Greek word that's translated "mansions" in the earlier verse-mone. And we know today we that's who we should be abiding in -Christ. That's the "staying" that's the rest we find in Christ. All of these verses need to be read in order to get the full context of what Christ is stating. Even the word "house" one of the words in the Greek meaning is "abode" which can be figuratively or literally.

and the Bible does not teach that.
I believe it teaches Christ returns to the earth. It doesn't state anywhere in the bible that Christ returns and takes anyone to Heaven when he returns.

Heaven is our home"
I believe in "paradise" at this point. But I believe we will reside on the new earth for the eternity.

That happens in Rev 21 - after the 1000 years, after the great white throne judgment of Rev 20 and lake of fire event.
I believe so as well.

So you believe that the 1000 years is in Heaven?

We are told that those who overcome will be given power over the nations, not the angels

Revelation 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"

Revelation 2:27 "And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father."


This lines up with these verses

Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

And that would also imply that you believe Christ returns two more times, once before the 1000 years and again afterwards and I don't see the scriptures stating that.
Upvote 0

Pentecostalism's Formidable Opponent

''John McArthur, the de facto leader of one of American Protestantism’s major contemporary wings, died on July 14, 2026, at the age of 86, ,

To many Christians, MacArthur’s major theological battles were with Pentecostals, and many saw great confusion, even harm, to the church. He championed what he called “Cessationism,” the argument that the Gifts of the Spirit — ministry blessings conferred to Christian converts in the Age of the Apostles, nine in number, including gifts of healing, wisdom, prophecy, ecstatic prayer, knowledge — were obsolete after the first century. Pentecostals asked for a Biblical citation about their expiration, but none exists.''

SOURCE

Trump suggests he’ll release Jeffrey Epstein ‘client list’ if elected: ‘I’d have no problem with it’

Mr Dershowitz doesn't believe Epstein's cheif groomer of underage girls should be in prison?
Hes up to his neck in Epstein stuff. Hard to take him seriously.
  • Agree
Reactions: Hans Blaster
Upvote 0

Filter

Forum statistics

Threads
5,871,988
Messages
65,309,895
Members
275,980
Latest member
Louwrens