Latest activity

o_mlly · Tuesday at 4:06 PM

sfs said:
A variety of first principles have been proposed in different threads. Please state a first principle that you think prevents evolution of higher forms of life (whatever exactly they might be).

? The most violated First Principle by evolutionist is the first one. See Post#4 below.

o_mlly said:
The very first of the First Principles of philosophy (which are self-evident) simply put is that a being cannot give that which it does not already possess. (The principle of Sufficient Reason).

____________________________________________

o_mlly said:
Could secondary causes explain higher orders of life? Of course they could. IFF the Creator in the lowest order of life created the potential to do so.

The assumption that evolution is driven by random mutations has been challenged by recent research. Equally assumable is that mutations are directed. "Directed mutation" solves several problems with the neo-Darwinian theory.

https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-edited-volume/5634/Evolution-On-Purpose-Teleonomy-in-Living-Systems

"Evolution "On Purpose": Teleonomy in Living Systems" (The MIT Press).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2007.09.010
"Bacteria are small but not stupid: cognition, natural genetic engineering and socio-bacteriology" (ScienceDirect).

Of course, identifying the "Director", like the "Intelligent Designer", would be problematic for secular materialists but not for Christians.

JohnEmmett · Tuesday at 4:06 PM

Updated…

Pommer · Tuesday at 4:05 PM

ThatRobGuy said:
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/pfizer-trump-strike-drug-pricing-deal-00587993

President Donald Trump has struck a multi-pronged deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to lower the price of some of the company’s medicines, while clearing a path for the drugmaker to receive a three-year reprieve from certain tariffs.

The drugmaker will participate in a new direct purchasing platform named TrumpRx.gov that will let American patients buy a “large majority” of its primary care treatments and “some select specialty brands” at a discount. Those drugs will be offered at “savings that will range as high as 85% and on average 50%,” Pfizer said in a press release Tuesday.

The deal comes after Trump demanded that 17 of the largest drugmakers voluntarily offer their medicines at levels similar to what they charge other nations.

More socialized-healthcare!?
Cool.

Carmenls · Tuesday at 4:03 PM

Please pray that my dr appointment that I'm very worried about goes well and my blood pressure is low and I can go home happy. I really need your prayers. Thank you and God bless you. I ask in the name of Jesus. Carmen.

ralliann · Tuesday at 3:59 PM

essentialsaltes said:
Her insurance only covers OB/GYN care within the Dignity Health network, so she went to Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.

Why choose this insurance?

Yarddog · Tuesday at 3:59 PM

Oompa Loompa said:
Talking about hating Trump more than they love their children. Just imagine what suicide rates would be if Trump announced that jumping off a cliff is bad for your health.

Sadly, you're probably right.

fli · Tuesday at 3:58 PM

FAITH-IN-HIM said:
None of these verses pertain to the loss of salvation; rather, they address the sanctification of a Christian throughout their lifetime.

The concept of losing salvation presents a challenge, as it implies that salvation must be earned in order for it to be forfeited. However, if we agree that individuals cannot attain salvation by their own merit, it raises the question: how can someone lose something they did not earn?

The verses were not meant to explain loss of salvation. Loss of salvation, in the post #72, you do not accept that in 2 Peter 2: 1 it clearly states that the false teachers were bought, redeemed, by Jesus. You cite no supporting scriptures to justify your statement that the false teachers were once redeemed. You just say one scripture does not prove that they, the false teachers, were redeemed.

Since you haven't explained why you do not accept that Christians can get into heaven when they are put to sleep under chastisement the first time Jesus chastises them. That is the path for a no works salvation. What do you disagree with on my explanation of that? I will again post the scriptures that explain God's path to a no works salvation.

Matthew 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. NKJV

Mark 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJV

Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. NKJV

First Jesus does expect us to put to sleep the sins of the flesh, with His help.

As it has been explained to me bearing our cross is to put to death our self. Jesus made it plain that we are to put to death our sins, with His help, if we are to be His. Jesus has not promised us a long physical, rich or easy life on earth. He promised a free eternal life in heaven. Free because He paid the price.

1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. NKJV

This is very early in the church history. In Acts 18 we read God said that there were many of His people in Corinth. In chapter 1 of 1 Corinthians Paul states quit clearly that the church was well blessed in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Because the events in verses 27 through 32, happened very early in the Corinthian Church history most, if not all, the people are being chastised for the first time. In other words, they did not become drunks after being saved. They were drunks prior to salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. NKJV

There were people in Corinth that could discern spirits. If a person was causing a disturbance, by drinking the wine and getting drunk, and did not have the Spirit of Jesus they would have asked them, at the very least, to abstain from taking the Lords supper. They probably would have ejected them from the church. If they were not Christian, they would be without the Spirit of Jesus and without being chastised by God.

As Paul writes in verse 30 some went to sleep, meaning they died and went to heaven, because they did not quit drinking.

If you will, please state your objections to why a Christian can, when chastised for the first time, die and go to heaven? Please cite verses to explain your position.

Bradskii · Tuesday at 3:56 PM

7thKeeper said:
Yep. Wasn't one of the arguements about school/mass shootings that they were happening because God/prayer was "taken from school"? Well this happened in a church so I guess the same logic should apply.

And the killer was a God fearing man and regular church goer (no true Scotsman, please - we're all sinners remember). And a Trump supporter. But...

...he didn't shoot people because he was Christian or because there were no ten commandments hanging in his school classroom or because his politics were right wing. I hope that's clear to everyone.

essentialsaltes · Tuesday at 3:55 PM

ralliann said:
Why is she with this network?

Her insurance only covers OB/GYN care within the Dignity Health network, so she went to Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.

essentialsaltes · Tuesday at 3:53 PM

So far this year, about 10% fewer people have been prosecuted for drug violations compared to the same period of 2024, court records show, a drop of about 1,200 cases and the slowest rate since at least the late 1990s. The pullback was more dramatic for the types of conspiracy and money-laundering cases often used to pursue higher-level traffickers. The number of people charged with money-laundering dropped by 24%, according to Reuters' analysis.

FAITH-IN-HIM · Tuesday at 3:52 PM

d taylor said:
-

Jesus' first advent was for two purposes only. 1. to die on a cross so to take away the sin of the world 2. To offer the Kingdom of God to the nation of Israel.

Jesus accomplished the first part taking away the sin of the world. The second part Jesus was rejected as the promised Messiah and in turn Israel rejected the offer of The Kingdom.

Making this into a Jesus recognized priestly healing authority, so Jesus shows that. People some 2000 years later should believe in the authority of science and vaccines. Is a major twisting of Biblical accounts, to equate some kind of godly authority to science.

What you are trying to make this Biblical account say is
The priest in Jesus time represents the science of that time. So now we christians should follow Jesus' example and recognize the science of our time.

Which is absolute abuse of The Bible. The accounts in The Bible are not for supporting modern day science and their games.

I can read you post so I know you are ok with scientific achievement of internet and computing, but not vaccine!

Yarddog · Tuesday at 3:52 PM

rambot said:
A quote from Chuck Kirk.

Now I look at this quote and I get seriously confused. I cannot understand why a person would have a problem with empathy.

How would the Good Samaritan Help someone that thinks their terrible without it?

How can Jesus heal someone without it?

In my view, empathy connects us and allow people sympathy to flow more greatly. It creates stronger bonds between strangers.

So help me understand how and WHY empathy is bad.

There is nothing bad about empathy.

Godcrazy · Tuesday at 3:51 PM

In the end

com7fy8 said:
I have been one to think I am a caring and competent person for helping people medically. However, my mother would make fun of me, maybe, by not doing what she had been advised to do. And when I got upset, she muttered how I did not have so much emotional self control as I had thought. And my lady friend and I had a neighbor whom I helped; but he would create chaos out of whatever I did to help him, and even turn things into being dangerous and harmful for him. I could walk in circles for hours in the middle of the night, muttering and sputtering about that . . . not exactly bering compassionate and patient . . . and creative. But with prayer I got what I think God had for me to do; it worked, anyway

And then my lady friend became more dependent. And she could wiggle out of things I was trying to do for her or get her to do, and I could get bent out of shape and get started in arguing with her; but then I knew I was wrong and in trouble and needed to pray and submit it to God.

So, I had "seemed" to myself to be so proficient and patient; however . . . things could still get to me.

So we can fool our own selves and not even know it

I have found that a close relationship can be the best test. See if we can stay out of arguing and complaining and criticizing and blaming. Can we still love someone, after we find out the real truth about him or her ? ? ?

I`d say there is never any reason to criticise or arguing. Ever. Constructive criticism is helping and talking not argue and criticise. So I don`t think it was fair. It is all in how we say things and how we mean it. Everyone has a "shadow". Meaning negative things. It is what we do with it, and what we do with it when we see it in others. Many times it mirrors ourselves. It is a difference though how we treat others.

wing2000 · Tuesday at 3:51 PM

RocksInMyHead said:
"We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military."

Our nation's founders were opposed to a standing army, preferring citizen soldiers (miltia) instead. They also placed the military under civilian command (POTUS). They never imagined our country would elect a president with so little understanding of history and respect for our country's norms and traditions.

What another sad day in America. I feel sorry for anyone having to serve under this regime.

ralliann · Tuesday at 3:49 PM

essentialsaltes said:
During two separate pregnancies, Rachel Harrison’s water broke at just 17 weeks — a condition that can cause deadly complications. An abortion is typically the course of action recommended by doctors, but on both occasions staff members at Dignity Health hospitals refused to act because they detected a fetal heartbeat, the lawsuit alleges.

previable preterm premature rupture of the membranes, or previable PPROM ... is fatal for the fetus and dangerous for the mother. Miscarrying the fetus naturally comes with higher risk of infection and blood loss, both of which can lead to permanent loss of reproductive function or even death.

The lawsuit alleges that the denials violated California’s Emergency Services Law, which requires hospitals operating a licensed emergency room to treat patients suffering from emergency medical conditions, including previable PPROM.

The second time it happened, Harrison experienced life-threatening sepsis and had to travel to a hospital outside her insurance network to receive a blood transfusion, the complaint states.

The 24 Catholic hospitals within the Dignity Health network follow a set of “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Services,” which caused Harrison to be turned away from an emergency room during the loss of a high-risk pregnancy, the complaint alleges.

Last September the state filed a similar lawsuit against a Catholic hospital in Eureka after a woman whose water broke at 15 weeks was denied an emergency abortion. That hospital then agreed to provide emergency abortions in cases where a woman’s health is at risk.

Why is she with this network?

Bradskii · Tuesday at 3:49 PM

2PhiloVoid said:
What we all seem to be having vast trouble realizing is that the complicated nature of the 'trolley problems' we often face represent entanglements which we ourselves as a society have brought about, much of which likely could have been avoided or resolved if we had a Northern Star to guide us. .... but we instead refuse that Northern Star when it is pointed out.

But you're just repeating the same problem. Maybe I'd prefer to use the Southern Cross to guide me. I can't even see the North Star from where I am. And if the Southern Cross says do X and do not do Y in direct opposition to your guide then why should I listen to what you say? You're simply saying pick a set of morals from a particular time and a particular place and we'll call those morals absolute.

Yarddog · Tuesday at 3:48 PM

timothyu said:
Here is a chance for one of those thread games where people list things. Add your comment to the list of what can be described as human selfishness.

Trying to justify oneself.

keras · Tuesday at 3:47 PM

Lost Witness said:
Human will being independent of God's will?
Not sure I follow.

I think maybe you mean Philippians 2:12-13.....we must work out our own Salvation.....
We have free will, we all choose our own destiny and the Bible is the instruction book for the right way.

BCP1928 · Tuesday at 3:46 PM

ThatRobGuy said:
...we have to give people a good option.

If corruption is the thing in healthcare that's agitating people the most, if "RFK-style wonkiness" is the only available disruptor, that's going to be what a large number of people go with it.

The sharp uptick in people getting fed up with the establishment healthcare system and seeking "alternatives" started in the earlier 90's.

We've had
2 Clinton Terms
2 Bush II Terms
2 Obama Terms
1 Biden Term

between then an now.

That means we've had 25 "non-Trump" years where someone could've provided people with that much needed "third option" of someone who's both professionally qualified, and not a pushover for the industry they're supposed to be regulating.

Kessler (originally appointed by George HW Bush in 1990, and stuck around for part of Clinton's first term before getting replaced) was the last FDA head we've had that wasn't part of the 'revolving door' - and instead migrated into academia rather than "the biz". (he was known to be particularly rigid on regulatory oversight and cracked down on speedy drug approvals and was very big on consumer protection). After they got him on out of the way, it was it was nothing but a chain of "industry-friendly" mouthpieces for the most part.

I'm shocked to find neoliberalism going on in this establishment!

FAITH-IN-HIM · Tuesday at 3:45 PM

Apple Sky said:
The Greek word pharmakeia appears in the New Testament and is translated as "sorcery"

The biblical context emphasizes the harmful and deceptive aspects of pharmakeia, such as in Galatians 5:20 and Revelation 9:21 and 18:23.

So IMO the answer would be a big NO NO to the covid vaccine.

Next time you read the book of Leviticus, consider examining it closely. Much of the text focuses on basic hygiene, cleanliness, washing hands after bodily functions, and covering bodily fluids or excrement. The laws also prohibit certain foods, including pork and some types of fish, which may have been considered harmful or capable of spreading disease. God used medical science as much as we do.

I have friends who are missionary doctors serving around the world, using their medical skills in service to God. Medical science is seen as a gift from God, whether it's administering vaccines or simply applying a cold cloth to someone with a high fever.

jameshjr · Tuesday at 3:43 PM

Thank you all for your messages.

I have had a number of jobs before this one, and i am very aware that people will be insulting, awkward, difficult, sarcastic etc. etc. though it has bothered and upset me in the past, it didnt bother me this much.

I have spoken with a few people close to the situation and they think that one of the reasons Jamie's behaviour bothers me so much, is that he is claiming to be a christian. Obviously none of us know what is in the heart of someone else, so i cannot make a judgement on this. My parents and others think that Jamie probably went to church because he wanted to be friends with me, and saw it as an equivalent as going to the gym or pub together.

Also, on timf's reply, that is something i can try to keep in mind, though it is hard when someone is very insulting. I do appreciate that Jesus calls us to that standard and that it is a mans virtue to overlook an offence.

I always think of Jesus's level of forgiveness, when he, God, was being abused on the way to being crucified, and asked the Father to forgive his abusers, and I fall so far short of that standard.

then the passage in Jude that mentions the archangel Michael disputing with Satan for Moses's body, and how Michael said, the Lord rebuke you, and did not condemn the devil. I think how much more holy the angel is than me, and how much worse the devil is than Jamie, yet i still think i have the right to complain about Jamie and harbour bad thoughts towards him. It makes me very glad for Romans 7! i.e. wretched man that i am.

GoldenBoy89 · Tuesday at 3:42 PM

essentialsaltes said:
California farmers had a lot of fun in 2024.

California ag industry passes $60 billion in value for first time
For the first time in the Golden State’s history, a new report shows the state’s agricultural industry produced over $60 billion worth of crops.

It’s a new record for California farmers, surpassing the 2023 total by 3.6%, for a total of $61.2 billion in 2024.

Dairy took the lead, with a value of $8.6 billion, followed by almonds at $5.7 billion, and grapes not far behind at $5.6 billion

Be sure to thank a migrant worker before they’re hauled off to a concentration camp!

Clare73 · Tuesday at 3:40 PM

fhansen said:
Rom 3:25 doesn't deny it. It only tells us what God would do for us-so that we'll know Him-and believe.

Actually, Ro 3:25 is not about "telling," and it's not about Jesus' divinity.

Ro 3:25 is about requiring faith in Jesus' blood, (i.e., his atonement) not just faith in Jesus, in order to receive atonement for one's sin.

"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood." (Ro 3:25)

childeye 2 · Tuesday at 3:40 PM

rjs330 said:
Do you think paying attention is equivalent to calling people Nazis and gestapo.

No.

rjs330 said:
Your the one who is always talking about precise language. There is a difference between illegal and legal immigrants.

Exactly, and you said -> "You mean illegal immigrants". <- That's not a question but I figured you might have meant it as a question, so I responded, I wasn't thinking that.

rjs330 said:
Thats not the context. Where is this context?

You can google it. But I found it on YouTube, because I like to hear what people say from their own mouths.

rjs330 said:
They are the enemy within. When Pelosi and Schiff join forces with them, then they are too.

Trump wasn't exactly specific as to why they're the enemy. Generally, his sentiments indicate that the enemy within is whoever is against his view of reality.

rjs330 said:
Except there is no oppression and inhumanity. Enforcing the laws are not inhumane. Maybe the laws need to be re-written. But enforcing them as written is not inhumane. There are a lot of propagandists accusations by the left.

Well, maybe you don't see it in the eyes of the immigrants. Jesus said the weightier matters of the law are mercy and justice.

rjs330 said:
Yes, because they are dangerous. If local LE won't do it and they are interfering and attacking federal.agents then the the army has to step in and protect and defend.

I don't actually believe what Trump says. I don't see a danger from "far left lunatics" happening, nor Hannibal Lectors and murderers sneaking into the country. I see people who don't agree with Trump being called far left lunatics, and I don't like slander.

rjs330 said:
By any means necessary?

I just meant to speak with one's mouth as in free speech.

rjs330 said:
You are also called to judge with righteous judgement.

That's what I said, non-hypocritical judgment.

rjs330 said:
To recognize wolves when you see them. There are wolves on each side. White supremacists on the right and radical.leftists on the left. You seem to only see the radical right, but offer excuses for the radical.left.

I reason upon dichotomies, so I tend to note those who gather the sheep and those who scatter the sheep.

rjs330 said:
Oh good grief. By that measure I could point out any number of things politicians or people.on the left have said that also express sentiments that the Nazis expressed about the Jews.

I reason upon dichotomies, so I like clarity, not obfuscation. I was specifically referencing Hitler's sentiments spoken by Trump.

rjs330 said:
By saying crap.like that you are providing permissions for violence. Because if they really are acting like Nazis we have an obligation to stomp them out by any means necessary.

You worry too much. All I said is Trump was expressing the same sentiments against others as Nazi's expressed against Jews, and I don't like slander.

essentialsaltes · Tuesday at 3:40 PM

California farmers had a lot of fun in 2024.

California ag industry passes $60 billion in value for first time

For the first time in the Golden State’s history, a new report shows the state’s agricultural industry produced over $60 billion worth of crops.

It’s a new record for California farmers, surpassing the 2023 total by 3.6%, for a total of $61.2 billion in 2024.

Dairy took the lead, with a value of $8.6 billion, followed by almonds at $5.7 billion, and grapes not far behind at $5.6 billion

Latest activity

Latest activity

California ag industry passes $60 billion in value for first time​

California ag industry passes $60 billion in value for first time ​

Filter

Forum statistics

Share this page

California ag industry passes $60 billion in value for first time

California ag industry passes $60 billion in value for first time