Xeno.of.athens said:

That's an interesting denial. I wonder why you are so keen to make it?

Click to expand...

I'm not keen to make it - I was replying to a post which said, something like, "we can make a case from Scripture for Mary being OUR spiritual mother".
She's not mine; simple fact.

And it's interesting that you have ignored what I said about our being created and given life by God.

prudent_commenter said:

I've been pondering this for a lot of time. It's curious even to me.

I've never had a relationship with anyone. This is because I've never felt the need to be with someone. Loneliness has no effect on me. And I've never had uncontrollable desires for sexual intercourse. The desire does exist but it is fully controlled. When I say NO, it's NO - that sort of thing. (The same applies to every other lust, but it's beyond the scope of this post). Since sexual lust has no effect, and since loneliness is cancelled out, this was possible.

The curious thing loneliness is that, instead of having an effect, it's actually more than that: I never feel lonely, even when completely isolated. This has been from the very beginning. It's not something new, it's not due to advancement of age, and what else may be.

Another thing would be that, whenever I had the opportunity to fornicate, I experienced weird sensations. Bad feelings, of guilt, of grief, of sadness... anything but what the actual sensation should be. And, because of this, I've remained pure for all this time. The opportunities were not set-up by me, but more societal inclination. But the intent was clear, and it has kept me away from it. Similarly, a woman can never seduce me. No matter what she does, it doesn't work. The body listens to the mind, and mind processes the situation as-is. And until the full-picture is seen, nothing is done.

Something similar is happening with people too. There are some signs that happen when trying to maintain a friendship relationship with someone that will drag me down. I feel as if something is weighing me down. A burden, something unclean - I don't know how to explain it.

As I've noticed in the world today, men are incapable of living without women. It may be just my bias, but I rarely see men that can - without committing sin - be without women. Even those that claim to be so, there's still something there.
I believe it is God's influence when one that is in full control of sexual desire, and not be affected by loneliness.

What do you make of this?

Click to expand...

I was similar for 18 years from age 6 to age 24.

With the exception being i did pmo a lot. However, in real life i was mildly afraid of women so i never even spoke to them, never had a girlfriend, seeing girls interested in me triggered inappropriate behavior so i suppressed it.

Till age 24. Started asking God what to do. Started talking to strangers, because i authentically cared about them. God healed some of my childhood trauma behind my back, and now suddenly i could be tempted in ways i never was before. 2 months later I met a woman who told me she knew me as a child. I figured she lied. Uh.. 7 years later was 2019 and i realize im full blown DID.

Turns out i was having sex when i was 6 and was left traumatized by it...

What i thought was Holy Spirit led conviction of sin when i watched porn as far back as 1999 dialup.., was a trauma response, not conviction.

Hentenza said:

It was restored back to the original owner. There is no distribution or re-distribution. Re-distribution is not in the dictionary.

Click to expand...

"Re-distribution" certainly is in the dictionary, as an alternative of "redistribution.":

"redistribution(n.)also re-distribution, "a dealing back, a second or new distribution," 1831, from French redistribution"

Certainly here in the UK many compound words that always used to be written with a hyphen are now written without one.

Oompa Loompa said:

Yes! Please send more troops to other Democrat run cities to fix their crime problems!

Click to expand...

Troops are OK, but more police funding would be better. Let's send them to the red states too. Memphis, New Orleans, St Louis, Kansas City all have more violent crime than Chicago. But I think Trump is doing this out of spite rather than address the problem of crime in USA cities in a fair way. I think too that cities should be allowed to decline Federal troops or aid. Some Red states declined expanded medicare. I imagine more died from that than will ever die from declining troops. To me conservatism is more constant. You allow states rights when possible.

eclipsenow said:

You just keep repeating the assertion that everything I say is "leftist tripe" etc - but you have not replied to show what mechanisms are going to prevent your country collapsing into a Dictatorship.

Click to expand...

Yes everything you said is leftist tripe.

Out country is not sliding into a dictatorship. That's leftist tripe.

eclipsenow said:

You're replying with a "Left" vs "Right" mindset - the Pork vs Beef sausages. The policy outcomes you hate from Obama, and the wonderful policies that angel Trump has enacted to kick start a new "Golden Age" in America.

Click to expand...

Yes Obama was the great divider and his leftist policies were bad for America. I dont agree with all of Trump's policies. Most of his policies have been good, but not all. In fact some may actually be counter productive to rhe whole agenda. But we'll have to wait and see.

eclipsenow said:

Do you WANT to live in an autocracy?

Click to expand...

Of course not. We aren't going to. Newsome wants to rig stuff more than its already rigged in California.

AV1611VET said:

As Paul put it ...

"... God gave the increase."

Click to expand...

As Jesus put it .... ".... the remaining two thirds of mankind (people left on earth living after billions died) i.e. virtually, practically, or actuallly all the people on earth REFUSED TO turn to God, refused to repent of WORSHIPING(serving) DEMONS......"
similar reminder of the days of Noah....

Douggg said:

I will walk through Revelation 12, explaining the verses. Follow along with your bible reading each verse as I explain the meaning thereof.

Revelation 12:1-5 is a vision John saw of Jesus being born to the woman (Israel) and Satan's attempt to have Jesus killed as soon as he was born. Which historically happened when Herod ordered all the children under the age of 2 be killed.

Verse 5 is Jesus born and caught up to God and to God's throne. Destined to rule the nations with a rod of iron.

Revelation 12:6 jumps to the end times, when Israel, the woman, has returned to the land, but still in unbelief that Jesus is the messiah. And for 1260 days, Israel will be fed the Word of God - by the two witnesses, of Revelation 11:3, those 1260 days.
`
Revelation 12:7-9 after the 1260 days, there will be a war in the second heaven which Satan and his angels will be cast down to earth.

Revelation 12:10 the Jews at that time finally turn to Jesus and the gospel of salvation. Satan will have been accusing them of their unbelief for the 1260 days that the Jews will mistakenly think the Antichrist is their messiah

Revelation 12:11 the Jews will overcome all Satan's accusations by believing upon the blood of the Lamb as atonement for their sins. And the Jews will testify about Jesus and the gospel of salvation. Even though many will be killed for their testimony.

Revelation 12:12 because Satan has been cast down to earth with just a short time left to his power, them in heaven rejoice about his coming demise. But to them on earth, Satan's wrath at being cast down will be the third woe to the inhabiters of earth as said in Revelation 8:13.

Revelation 12:13 Satan will take his wrath out on Israel and begin to persecute Israel.

Revelation 12:14 The Jews in Judea will flee into the mountains when they see the abomination of desolation statue image set up and indwelt by Satan. There in the wilderness, the Jews will be protected for the remaining time/times/half time that Satan will have left.

Revelation 12:15 Satan will make attempts to destroy the Jews in their mountains sanctuary.

Revelation 12:16 But God will supernaturally thwart all attempts by Satan to persecute the Jews who had fled into the mountains.

Revelation 12:17 Satan, not able to get to the Jews in the mountains, will persecute the remaining Jews who did not flee to the mountains right away, as Jesus told them to do in Matthew 24:15-21. Those Jews who Satan will have access to persecute, Jesus will rescue when Jesus returns to Jerusalem in Zechariah 14.

Click to expand...

I don't know--I can't say that what I read in Rev 12 is the same as what you're explaining it to be? That being said, I've never felt comfortable interpreting it myself, so, I don't know.

I tend to think that in the present age, any talk about Israel really has to do with a small Christian remnant of Jews now, with the nation getting both politically and spiritually saved after Jesus' Return.

I agree that the man-child is Jesus in history, at his 1st Coming. The battle between God's angels and Satan's angels likely is a perennial battle to ensure God's will is done and Israel is preserved, despite the liberties being given, in measure, to Satan' right to rebel. I don't know that it's a specific time, though it appears this battle rages just before the rise of Antichrist.

But it's a good subject. I just can't say I fully understand it. This battle between God's angels and Satan's angels may have a parallel with Dan 12.1.

essentialsaltes said:

Ursula von der Leyen’s plane hit by suspected Russian GPS interference​

Officials suspect jamming operation forced jet carrying European Commission president to land in Bulgaria using paper maps

“The whole airport area GPS went dark,” said one of the officials. After circling the airport for an hour, the plane’s pilot took the decision to land the plane manually using analogue maps, they added. “It was undeniable interference.” The Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority confirmed the incident in a statement to the Financial Times. “Since February 2022, there has been a notable increase in [GPS] jamming and recently spoofing occurrences,” it said. “These interferences disrupt the accurate reception of [GPS] signals, leading to various operational challenges for aircraft and ground systems.”

Click to expand...

I wonder how long the West will tolerate provocations? From lies about covid, air balloons, spies captured, undersea cables broken, ramming ships, laser lights and GPS jamming, air space incursions. The list is piling up. What can be done? Here is a possible list for Russia.

Embargo Russia completely,
Refuse to allow ships carrying Russian oil to dock. (many of these tankers are Greek or other nations transporting Russian oil)
Do something to stop Russian travel. No visas even for tourists. Recall EU passport holders living in Russia. Make it a crime to travel there.
Crimp further the assets and the international transactions of Russia.
Is there a way to cut off their connectivity to the rest of the world on the internet?
Let them know that any provocation like flying too close to EU planes or in EU airspace would be met with forceful response.
Let Ukraine attack Russia where ever they like.

Reply moved to AI's Take On Religious Hypocrisy...

Jamdoc said:

Proverbs 18


Psalms 127:


Family is not just a "worldly thing" it is a good thing as defined by God.
Some people just don't get those good things.

Click to expand...

Many of the teachings of the Old Testament belongs to the past.

Otherwise Jesus wouldn't be saying it is better to be single. The ultimate reward that all of them considered is eternal life with the Lord.

We don't stone sinners to death anymore. It's not just a Gentile thing because even modern Jews don't stone sinners to death anymore either.

Many teachings of the OT are destructive if we continue doing them today. It elevates the importance of worldly wealth for example where the modern consequences (encourages accumulation of worldly wealth)are actually destructive to our planet.

BibleBeliever1611 said:

Calvinists have bragging rights because they're so virtuous and holy that they became the elect. Not humble

Click to expand...

That just is not so. According to the bible, God's election took place "before the foundation of the world":

“3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,” (Eph 1:3-4 NKJV)

As for bragging, what is there to boast about? Absolutely nothing, because salvation is not accomplished by our works:

“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:8-10 NKJV)

Sabertooth said:

@timewerx,
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,

and there are many who go in by it.​

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matt. 7:13-14 NKJV

You cannot expect Christianity to be modeled by the masses.

Click to expand...

If you're arguing against the use of AI in religious studies, then what are you trying to show us in your OP about an AI thinking that God is real? God isn't real because AI thinks God is real?

JSRG said:

Yes. I believe Nebraska is the only exception, with only one house (it was bicameral originally, but was changed to unicamera in 1934).

Zero states use proportional representation right now as far as I am aware.

Click to expand...

Oh of course! Sorry - I've had health issues this month resulting in insomnia.

My primitive brain interpreted "Proportional Representation" as "NOT voting at the district level - the other one!" D'uh! Both can still be different versions of 'winner takes all'. Just because Australia has PR at the Senate level - does not mean all countries have it.

But of course PR has multiple representation that mathematically represents the outcomes - not like 'winner takes all' systems. I have trouble visualising how it would work at the district level. We have PR at the Federal Senate level where members are selected from across the whole State. Unless we were prepared to pay for far more politician's salaries - for more representation - surely those local districts would need to be much larger?

As ChatGPT sums up our Australian Senate: "Senators are elected by a single-transferable-vote (STV) form of PR (multi-member state/territory electorates). The House of Representatives is not proportional — it uses single-member seats with preferential (instant-runoff) voting."

We use quotas. The AEC says:



SIDE EFFECT of PR at the STATE LEVEL IF YOU USE PREFERENCES

Where France has multiple elections to decide their preferences, we do it all in the one vote. Basically, "If I can't have the (minority) Greens, which I put first - I'll have Labor, then 3rd option, then 4th option, etc." The PRIMARY votes are counted, and if the Greens don't get in, the Greens pile gets picked up and sorted into the other parties by preference.

But weird things can happen. Some protest voters put both the major parties down near the last. We've had just a few occasions where the preferences flowed and elected people with only a TINY fraction of the overall vote! The weirdest outcome? The 2014 Australian Motorist Enthusiast Party elected Ricky Muir with a record-low primary vote of 0.51 percent or 17,122 first preferences! But once the secondary, third, and fourth preferences were divided up - he got in.

Generally, I prefer our system to the Gerrymandering and other practices in America. If the occasional aberration like this is the cost of doing business our way - I'll pay it!

JSRG said:

That's actually a good question I'm surprised I never thought about before. Why do almost all the states have bicameral legislatures?

With the federal government, the reasons are fairly obvious. The primary reason for splitting the Senate and House on the federal level, aside from obvious inspiration from the House of Lords/House of Commons setup Britain had, were:

1) A compromise between large states who wanted the congress to be population-based, and small states who wanted equal representation.

Click to expand...

Yes.

JSRG said:

2) By having the House and Senate elected in a different manner (Senators were not elected directly by the people, but were chosen by the state legislature) you'd end up with a different kind of congressman in the Senate than the more populist House. This one is no longer applicable after it was changed in 1913 so Senators are elected by a statewide popular vote, but it is part of the original design.

Click to expand...

Side topic: The House selecting the Senate sounds very much like today's EU. I really hope they Federate into a new Super-Power called "Europe" and can tidy up that system - as it's weird and fragile as it stands. I do NOT want it to splinter and leave us prone to more European wars - nor do I want it to suffer more Brexits!

JSRG said:

3) While the House would be immediately receptive to changing opinions of voters, as all of it was up for election every two years, only 1/3 of the Senate could change every two years, creating greater stability and weathering shifts in opinion that ended up being fleeting.

Click to expand...

Yes - having 2 systems run like this with different timings means there would be some overlapping stability. There's a smallish movement in Australia that wants to Abolish our Federation (get rid of the State Governments) and move to a National unitary legislative government that makes ALL laws and collects taxes, and Local Governments (like larger municipalities) that receive the tax money on a per capita basis and provide services. We could save SO much money in running our excessive State governments that have our mere 27 million population completely over-governed!

To get to the point: one proposal had about 50 regional Local governments, with only ONE Local district having an election every month across something like a 4 year cycle!

Just imagine the implications? (I can't remember if this was Senate or Lower house.)

JSRG said:

But for state legislatures? #1 is irrelevant within states for obvious reasons, and #2 is irrelevant because I believe all chambers in all states are done by the same voting system (I think some states originally had them chosen in a different fashion, but that's not the case anymore), though someone can correct me on that. I believe #3 still holds, as it looks to me like upper houses of states normally have only half of their seats up for election every two years, compared to all the seats in the lower house... but I'm not sure that's enough by itself to explain a bicameral system.

Honestly, it might all boil down to "it's the way we've always done it" or "it's the way everyone else does it" as the basic reason for it being the case in states.

Click to expand...

Sure! A certain moment in history gets to decide these things - and unless a REALLY generous constitutional reformation process was put in place - it's just gonna stay that way!

Australia's constitution needs a radical overhaul in some areas, but the reform process itself is utterly constipated. Citizen petitions cannot trigger a constitutional reform - only political parties - and they tend to ask the wrong questions at the wrong time. We've only had under a quarter of referendums answer YES.

Where as some European nations have a BUILT IN system where once a decade, a citizen's panel is selected (a bit like a jury) and they'll have a long chat, and then go to the nation about any issues of the day that might need a referendum!

Richard T said:

yes, cities like Portland and Minneapolis but that is not the case with these cities who have a shortage of police officers and a problem with recruitment. These are predominately black urban cities, and quite different from the more white liberal ones who think they do not need much police. I am not sure if more funding will help. But you can't deploy the national guard forever. So Trump should step up and offer long term funding for officers. This has been done in the past. with Clinton. I wonder who killed the grants?

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Just a dozen days after money became
available, President Clinton today announced the first round of
police hiring grants under the new crime bill, an important step
toward his goal of putting 100,000 police on America's streets.
More than $200 million in grants were awarded to communities in
all 50 states and Puerto Rico, including 332 police departments,
46 sheriffs' departments, six Indian tribal groups, and several
other law enforcement agencies. The crime bill authorizes money
to increase the number of police in America by twenty percent.
At a White House ceremony today, President Clinton and
Attorney General Janet Reno welcomed mayors and chiefs of police
from many of the jurisdictions receiving grants."


From google AI in asking does _____ want more police?
"Yes, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) is actively seeking more police officers to fill hundreds of open positions and reach their staffing goal of 2,200 to 2,300 officers, as they currently have 1,942 officers on staff as of late 2024."

Yes, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) has sought more officers due to a documented shortage, with the police union and an internal memo indicating a deficit, even as the mayor has claimed a sufficient number per capita. While the police department is actively working on recruitment, challenges like officer departures and better pay in surrounding departments have contributed to the shortage.

Baltimore Police Launch New Recruitment Campaign to Attract Sworn & Professional Members

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has launched a new recruitment campaign aimed at attracting both sworn officers and professional members to join its ranks.

www.baltimorepolice.org

Yes, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is actively seeking more police officers to address a significant shortage, having lost many officers recently and facing ongoing recruitment challenges despite efforts like pay raises and remote testing. The department needs to increase staffing to adequately respond to public safety concerns and reduce the workload on existing officers, who are struggling with low morale and feelings of being unsupported.



Why NOPD is seeking more police:

• Historical Low Staffing:
  The NOPD is at an all-time low in officer numbers, with many officers leaving the department.
• 
  
• High Crime Rates:
  The city has experienced a surge in violent crimes like shootings and carjackings, leading residents to feel unsafe and demand more action from the city.
  
  
• 
  
• Officer Morale:
  Current officers are experiencing low morale due to negative public perception, a lack of support from the city, and concerns about policies that they feel hinder their work.

Click to expand...

Yes! Please send more troops to other Democrat run cities to fix their crime problems!

Tropical Wilds said:

America is.

Click to expand...

Nope.

Tropical Wilds said:

Sounds like we need stricter gun control.

Click to expand...

Criminals don't care about gun control. That's why, they are CRIMINALS.

If anything, we have a mental health problem.

Our nation needs to address that.

Saying that as a person who doesn't own guns, nor will ever use one.

(for personal reasons)

My opinion only.

Meanwhile, 35 people are shot dead in Chicago, and Denocrats dont care because they hate Trump and dont want him to send the national guard to fix the problem. Democrat mayor proves yet again than they hate Trump more than they care about the citizens they represent.

Clare73 said:

One who willfully disobeys as a way of life does not have saving faith.

Click to expand...

Does anyone willfully disobey God in everything? Most have a one or a few things, some have more, but where is the line? Some though do say when you are no longer repentant or even care. Perhaps that is the standard? Seems like sanctification in some Christian circles is the cover word for works. But works benefit others.

NxNW said:

I'm not saying I buy into that 100%. But there is smoke, and it seems like there is a decent chance they're covering up a fire of some kind, even if it's not a stroke.

Click to expand...

Trump is NOT young.

One of my favorite authors, Anne Rice, died at age 80 from a stroke even though she didn't have any other major health issues.

Not to go off topic, but older people tend to have other health issues as they age.

It's no "surprise."

Age is NOT "just a number."

NxNW said:

This thread discusses evidence that Trump may have had a stroke. Not conclusive obviously, but supporters were caught using old photos from earlier in the year to "prove" he's out golfing, and actual recent footage shows a variety of physical ailments.

Adam Cochran (adamscochran.eth) (@adamscochran)

1/31 I believe there is growing evidence, that the White House is covering up the fact that Donald Trump has been dealing with TIA strokes. AND that he likely had a more significant ischemic stroke this week.

xcancel.com

Click to expand...

The man is not young.

79 is young? No! He is well on in years.

As someone gets older, health issues are expected.

Regardless, he won't be president forever.

I can only wish him the best, even if I do NOT like his personality, nonetheless.

chevyontheriver said:

You have to remember that the leadership of some of these cities do not want more police, but less police. I think president Trump should stop considering deploying to any other cities and just clean up Washington DC. Reducing crime in DC while it runs rampant in other high crime cities will do more in the long run to change things.

Click to expand...

yes, cities like Portland and Minneapolis but that is not the case with these cities who have a shortage of police officers and a problem with recruitment. These are predominately black urban cities, and quite different from the more white liberal ones who think they do not need much police. I am not sure if more funding will help. But you can't deploy the national guard forever. So Trump should step up and offer long term funding for officers. This has been done in the past. with Clinton. I wonder who killed the grants?

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Just a dozen days after money became
available, President Clinton today announced the first round of
police hiring grants under the new crime bill, an important step
toward his goal of putting 100,000 police on America's streets.
More than $200 million in grants were awarded to communities in
all 50 states and Puerto Rico, including 332 police departments,
46 sheriffs' departments, six Indian tribal groups, and several
other law enforcement agencies. The crime bill authorizes money
to increase the number of police in America by twenty percent.
At a White House ceremony today, President Clinton and
Attorney General Janet Reno welcomed mayors and chiefs of police
from many of the jurisdictions receiving grants."


From google AI in asking does _____ want more police?
"Yes, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) is actively seeking more police officers to fill hundreds of open positions and reach their staffing goal of 2,200 to 2,300 officers, as they currently have 1,942 officers on staff as of late 2024."

Yes, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) has sought more officers due to a documented shortage, with the police union and an internal memo indicating a deficit, even as the mayor has claimed a sufficient number per capita. While the police department is actively working on recruitment, challenges like officer departures and better pay in surrounding departments have contributed to the shortage.


Yes, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is actively seeking more police officers to address a significant shortage, having lost many officers recently and facing ongoing recruitment challenges despite efforts like pay raises and remote testing. The department needs to increase staffing to adequately respond to public safety concerns and reduce the workload on existing officers, who are struggling with low morale and feelings of being unsupported.



Why NOPD is seeking more police:

• Historical Low Staffing:
  The NOPD is at an all-time low in officer numbers, with many officers leaving the department.
  

• High Crime Rates:
  The city has experienced a surge in violent crimes like shootings and carjackings, leading residents to feel unsafe and demand more action from the city.
  
  
• Officer Morale:
  Current officers are experiencing low morale due to negative public perception, a lack of support from the city, and concerns about policies that they feel hinder their work.
  

Them that will obey me, I say to them, DO NOT NO MATTER WHAT, lean to your own understanding.
Forsake it, avoid it at all costs. It will deceive you. It will lie to you.
It will cause you much torment and cruelty in life.
It will cause you to miss out or lose
the good and great things of God.

Run from it like it is the plague of death.