essentialsaltes said:

Finally, we'll get those cuts to the defense budget I've wanted.

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Oh rats, it's just to shuffle more already-appropriated money around to Trump's ridiculous priorities.

Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts​

A senior Pentagon official said that money saved through the cuts could be “realigned” to other defense priorities that President Donald Trump has.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered senior leaders at the Pentagon and throughout the U.S. military to develop plans for cutting 8 percent from the defense budget in each of the next five years, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Post and officials familiar with the matter — a striking proposal certain to face internal resistance and strident bipartisan opposition in Congress.

[If that really is a cumulative effort, that would cut the defense budget down to two-thirds its current size by the 5th year. Except that Trump wants to spend the 'saved' money on something else.]

Robert G. Salesses, a senior Pentagon official, said in a statement that the money saved could be “realigned” to pay for new priorities in the Trump administration, including the “Iron Dome for America,” President Donald Trump’s catchphrase for an expansive missile defense system.

[The memo also has a list of items that are to be exempt from cuts.]

The list is notable, too, for what it omits. While it explicitly endorses “support agency funding” for Indo-Pacific Command and Northern Command, which oversees homeland defense, it does not extend similar significance to several other major geographic commands. Those include European Command, which has had a major role in overseeing U.S. support for Ukraine during its three-year war with Russia; Central Command, which manages operations across the Middle East; and Africa Command, which directs a force of several thousand U.S. troops spread out across that continent.

Polling related to the topic.

Although the office of the President is to faithfully carry out the law
of the land, the authoritative INTERPRETATION of what that law means,
belongs to the Judicial system.

These 2 points are laid out in the Constitution.
---------- ----------

The interpretation of the fair rule of law in America, is NOT determined by
some presidential decree. (If this were the case, then the founders would have
put us citizens in the dubious position that each new president could rescind
the legal interpretations of the previous administrations, and declare its own
version of the laws of the land. This would be a legal disaster.

In the Christian sphere, the meaning of the text of Scripture is NOT whatever
an individual Christian declares it to be, NOR is it what the pastor of each congregation
should declare it to be.

The authoritative MEANING of Scripture is highly constrained within the structures
of the original languages that the biblical authors used, AND the teaching of the
Apostles (that was also used to determine the canon of the New Testament).

Every new Church leader does NOT have the authority to rescind the interpretation
of Scriptures of all previous Church leaders, and proclaim his own new version of
Scripture.

Peace in Christ.

Again, the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God is not being understood by those who have their minds blinded by the “god of this world/age”....their serving of their "belly"...their earthly-mindedness.

These “preachers” are not preaching the gospel of truth as they cannot understand it…..and they perish with this lack of knowledge of the gospel His people that they are "preaching" to are also perishing from a lack of the knowledge of the gospel. They are taking down many with them to their mortal destruction.

2Co 4:3-5
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (PERISHING):
(4) In whom the god of this world (AGE) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

They are preaching for themselves….to fill their own bellies….to get their earthly needs met. They are earthly-minded while they “preach” themselves.

(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

They mind earthly things…what to eat, what to drink and what to wear...as they preach for these things.

Their “god” is their belly. Their end is destruction as they perish mortally from this earth (without inheriting “eternal life”…that is, an age-lasting life). They do not receive the glory of God upon them. Their “glory” is their shame.

Php 3:18-19 KJV
(18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
(19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ…but instead their own belly. They use good words and fair speeches to deceive us.

Rom 16:17-18 KJV
(17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
(18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

They do not understand the truth of the gospel….and so the Son of man (the manifestation of the life of Jesus in our mortal flesh) has been has been in the heart of the “earth”.

Their earthly-mindedness….the serving of their own belly...the "heart of the earth"… has blinded their minds to the gospel of truth of which they are not preaching to their congregations.

And so the manifest life of Jesus (the Son of man) is being actively prevented from appearing to the world as they have no understanding.

The Son of man has been in the "heart of the earth"….their earthly-mindedness where they have no understanding of His gospel so that His life is never made manifest in the flesh of anyone they are deceiving. They perish. They are forgiven though because they know not what they do. His sacrifice (3 days and 3 nights) covers their sins.

Mat 12:38-41 KJV
(38) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
(39) But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
(40) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(41) The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

“This generation” refers to the unbelievers of the truth of the gospel who will continue to think that they are pure in their own eyes (their eyes of understanding)…and will not wash from their filthiness. They will continue to follow after their own lusts for earthly things….continuing to preach “give, give” and still never have enough. "this generation" will be proud against the hearing of the gospel of truth. They will continue to devour the poor.

Pro 30:11-15 KJV
(11) There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
(12) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
(13) There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
(14) There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
(15) The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:

As Jonah said, they reject their own mercy and will not renounce the handling of the Word of God deceitfully for their own gain….preaching for their own belly. They will continue to follow after their own lusts even while the Son of man is being revealed.

2Co 4:1-2 KJV
(1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
(2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

And so the people of Nineveh shall rise in the judgment of them. The people of the outside world shall believe when they will see the Son of man revealed to them and it will condemn the unbelievers among the churches of men. The unbelievers in the churches of earthly-minded men will see the people of the outside world repent and be converted (the sign of Jonah(. "This generation" will see the sign of Jonah.

The Lord calls those who are preaching for their own belly's sake. We must hear and renounce the hidden things of dishonesty.

We must drop our evil teachings...our nets that we catch unsuspecting people with. We must immediately cease preaching for "gifts" ...the ship of "Zebedee" (meaning "gifts" of "giving"). We must leave those things behind...the preaching for gifts (give, give). We must leave that "ship" behind with the other "hired servants"...those who are continuing to preach for earthly necessities. We must immediately leave those things...renouncing those things...and go after Him so that we may be true fishers of men.

Mar 1:19-20 KJV
(19) And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
(20) And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

#5. Another passage of scripture that teaches the death of Christ alone saves them He died for is Rev 1:5-6 Pt 2

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Now lets continue to look at the passage and see the rich Saving Grace revealed, not only did the death of Christ effect the washing us from our sins, which is Justification.

But it makes us Kings and Priests unto God ! Thats Spiritual conversion, Spiritual life. It effects conversion and service. And no wonder John concludes the passage with these words :

to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. That is to Christ, to Him be Glory and Dominion, the results and effects of His Death !

Valletta said:

It was a big story in the United States. Right away the Biden administration went with the fake story to support their efforts in regard to bringing in illegals. Mayorkas had an email indicating it never happened before he went with the contrived story. I don't mind mistakes, if they quickly correct the mistakes like Elon Musk does that is one thing, but the establishment seems to go with the false story as long as they can get away with it.

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Yup, it happens. Again, remember how Fox News knowingly promoted the false 2020 stolen election narrative and had to pay a huge settlement?

And some stories are just wrong, and are corrected when additional facts come to light. We also have to be careful when noting these corrections as well, as the corrections themselves can sometimes be wrong, or subject to bias. Let's not pretend the Heritage Foundation is an unbiased source.

No one has ever said any media outlet is perfect. Just be careful when painting "the media" as if its a single entity, because it ain't.

-- A2SG, and with so many media outlets available these days, biased sources are more plentiful and rampant than ever....

Following Trump's approach to negotiation, Denmark should preemptively invade California. Trump respects strong behaviour and I’m sure he will respect Denmark for this perfectly reasonable action and will be willing to negotiate on favourable terms ceding California over to Denmark - at least, agreeable between Denmark and Trump (he is given free life long membership of any golf courses). Trump might even promise ** that any Californians will have the option to immigrate to the USA following normal legal procedures and quotas.

The UK is willing to host negations and inform Californians of the decision.

** Any promises made by Trump are underwritten by Trump, not the UK or Denmark.

According to the charging documents, the Trinitarios are a hierarchical criminal organization, with positions that are known to exist at the state and local chapter level, whose members adhere to a code of conduct. Enmanuel Paula-Cabral, aka “Nelfew,” aka “Gordo,” aka “Manny,” allegedly serves as the State Supreme of the Trinitarios for Massachusetts, responsible for the entirety of the gang’s criminal activities, coordination with other state leaders and communication with leadership of the Trinitarios in the Dominican Republic.

Please urge your local authorities to cooperation with ICE.

This whole series is worth listening to, but this episode is particularly good (and I thought, fit very well in this forum):

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The words are a sobering insight into how North Koreans have the life sucked out of them by the country’s brutally authoritarian regime. Yong Sook can see that now, but for a long time it was a different story.

North Korea - Christians grateful for support...

Dan Perez said:

I have been studying for over 40 years and this what Paul says . Be IMITATOR of me as I also am of Jesus Christ

ND IS 2 Tim 2:15 Study to present yourself accepted by God , a workman having no cause RIGHTLY DIVIDING

the WORD of TRUTH !! You can find me on the section called DISPENSATIONAL if you want !!

dan p

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I agree with the importance of studying the word. I am not quite sure how this relates to my post which you were answering. Sorry.

Proverbs 17 Select Verses NIV


We are living in difficult times right now, as the people of this earth, in times the likes of which are described for us in the Scriptures regarding the last days before the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.


[Matthew 24:1-51; 1 John 2:18-25; Jude 1:17-23; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 2 Peter 3:1-18; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Revelation 13:1-18]

So, we must be aware and be paying somewhat attention to all that is going on in the world around us (high level, anyway). And then we must pray and ask the Lord to show us what is truth and what is not truth, and who the liars and deceivers are, and who the truth tellers are. But if it is the Lord speaking to us, it must not contradict the Scriptures. But we need discerning spirits so that we can know who is of God, and who is not of God, and who is spreading lies about the gospel that Jesus taught, and who is not.

We must be careful not to accept everyone at face value just because of who they say they are, and just because of what they say that they are doing, or not doing. But we need to search the Scriptures for what they teach, but IN CONTEXT, and then we need to test the spirits to see if they are of God or not, according to the Scriptures. For many liars and deceivers are among us who are leading people to false gospels and to idolizing other human beings, who they are following without testing the spirits to see if they are of God.

The Scriptures warn us much against those who are thieves and robbers who are out to “steal, kill, and destroy” the sheep, but not just the sheep, but the truth of the gospel message which is for the salvation of people’s souls from hell via deliverance from their slavery to sin so that they can now live holy lives, pleasing to God. So many people in positions of rule and authority, both within the governments of nations, and within the institutional market-driven “churches,” are lying to the people in order to lead them astray.

So, in a nutshell, Jesus gave his life up for us on that cross, putting our sins to death with him, so that by faith in him we will now die to sin and live for God in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living. Jesus shed his blood for us to buy us back for God (to redeem us) out of our lives of slavery to sin so that we will now serve the Lord Jesus in living holy lives, pleasing to him, by his grace and in his power. For if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, we will not inherit eternal life with God. Take this to heart!

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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Lying Lips and Rebellion Against God
An Original Work / February 20, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

"By his stripes, you were healed."
1 Peter 2:24 KJV
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

It is our place to believe in our hearts and confess the word with our mouths. These things are past tense. No need to wait to believe, it is already done. Hold this truth in your hearth... even unto death. You will please God in the doing.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

What is an idol? It isn’t just a carving made out of wood or stone, made to look like some kind of god which then people bow down to and worship. An idol is anything that, or anyone who we worship, that we bow down to, and to which or to whom we give our undivided and unwavering adherence, loyalty, devotion, praise, honor, and discipleship over and above, or totally in place of God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. And an idol can be a person or a thing or intellect or money or power, and/or an addictive sin.

If the idol is another person, no matter who the other person is, it means that we give more credence and listening and believing and adhering to what this other human is saying, proclaiming, doing, and/or teaching over and above, or in place of what the Holy Scriptures teach (in context, in reliable translations). So we end up believing man over God, and then we end up following other humans instead of following our Lord and His Word in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living. This is called Idolatry.

If the idol is a thing or intellect or talent or money or whatever else it might be in the material world and in the world of greed and selfishness and pride and envy and lust and hate, it is anything which supersedes or which takes over for what should be our loyalty and devotion and adherence to God and to God alone. So it could be movies, TV, the internet, gaming, sports, or any kind of entertainment or activities which rob us of our relationships with the Lord and our devotion to God’s will and purpose for our lives.

And if the idol is an addictive sin which the addict is not willing to forego, that absolutely eradicates any chance of a relationship with Jesus Christ. For the Scriptures make it quite clear that if sin is what we practice – deliberately and habitually – and if obedience to our Lord and to his New Covenant commands are not what we practice, then we are not in fellowship with God, we do not know God, we are not saved from our sins, and we do not have the hope nor the promise of eternal life with God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

Therefore, we cannot serve God and idols at the same time, for they do not co-exist:


[1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 10:1-33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 5:3-6; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Peter 4:1-5; 1 John 5:21; Revelation 21-22]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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Keep Yourselves from Idols
An Original Work / February 19, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Scripture:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." – Isaiah 41:10

Reflection:
This verse has been such a source of comfort to me lately. I’ve been going through a time where the future feels uncertain, and it’s easy to let fear creep in. But God reminds me here that I am not alone—He is with me, He strengthens me, and He upholds me.

When I feel overwhelmed, I meditate on this verse and pray, asking God to take away my fear and replace it with His peace. I’ve seen Him work in my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined, providing reassurance and guidance when I needed it most.

Application:
If you’re feeling uncertain or afraid, let this verse remind you that God is always with you. You don’t have to face life’s challenges on your own. Take a moment to pray and reflect on His promises. His strength is perfect, even in our weakness.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your constant presence in my life. When I feel afraid, help me to trust in Your promises and rely on Your strength. Remind me daily that You are with me and will never leave me. Help me to walk in faith and peace, knowing You are in control. Amen.

Hazelelponi said:

She's calling Vice President Vance a former hillbilly who didn't understand basic etiquette until Yale taught him (how to be a real boy, just like Pinocchio).

Condescending much? Lol... Such a delightful experience to peruse this forum.

And they accuse "hillbillies" .of lacking manners..lol .. (mountain folk or mountain people is the actual term, Hillbilly is more derogatory, but everyone knows what that is anyway, mountain people.)

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Yeah...Yale professors seem to know everything until you ask them what a woman is or when life begins. Lol.

Call nine one one, emergency,
The state we’re in, such urgency
To get truth out to all who’ll hear,
In bravery and not in fear.

The world is now turned upside down.
It’s being ruled by kings with crowns
With an agenda, not for us,
For our misfortune, to us bust.

We read about in Revelation,
Their energies are truly brazen.
They’ve not the people’s good in mind,
Their formulas to many blind.

Their plans, they make look good on paper,
But what they’ve planned is now a caper.
They’re good at all their masquerades,
For they’ve performed so many plays.

So don’t be fooled by what’s on surface,
But do not fear, and don’t be nervous.
All that we see, the Bible told,
When human hearts they would turn cold.

We’re warned ahead of what’s about,
So we would know without a doubt
Of what was coming, and it’s here,
Which we can see if we’d give ear.

Not one of us knows timing sure,
Of when exactly we’ll endure
What prophesied so long ago,
But hints of it they do now show.

So be observant, don’t be shy,
But on the Word of God rely,
And pray for wisdom, pray for grace
To face life’s trials and stay straight.

An Original Work / February 19, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

I’ve been reflecting on John 15:5, where Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”

This verse reminds me of the importance of staying connected to Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. But I wonder, what does it look like in our daily lives to truly abide in Christ?

How do you personally stay connected to Jesus in a busy world? I’d love to hear your insights and experiences as we encourage each other to grow in Him.

Conservatives have called for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut federal funding of the abortion provider​

Planned Parenthood workers shared horror stories of working for the nation's largest abortion provider in a new report as the organization faces renewed calls to cut its federal funding.

In a bombshell report by the New York Times published Saturday, over 50 current and former Planned Parenthood executives, consultants and medical staff from affiliates alleged they worked under poor conditions with "rock-bottom" salaries, even as the national organization raked in hundreds of millions in donations after the fall of Roe v. Wade.

Clinic workers said it was common to run out of critical medical supplies, including pain medication. They claimed salaries were so low that many workers qualified for government assistance.

Continued below.

President Donald Trump has signed nearly 70 executive orders since his inauguration, according to a count from Fox News​

Three new national polls released on Wednesday indicate President Donald Trump's approval ratings are edging down slightly since taking over the White House one month ago.


Continued below.

There have been seasons in my life where the Lord has asked me to fast from social media and from music. These two fasts have produced some of the most fruit in my life because they made me realize a very important truth.

The Lord’s voice was not the loudest voice in my life.

Whenever I was sad, frustrated, happy or tired, I would turn to one of my curated playlists for these feelings. Whenever I was bored, or wanted to see what other people’s opinions were or what others were doing in their lives, I would turn to social media and take in their opinions like a gospel. I would not turn to the Lord and ask him to sit with me in my sadness, frustration or happiness. I would not turn to the Lord in a moment of quiet to offer up a prayer or ask him to speak into a situation in my life. I would turn to these outside, worldly things.

Continued below.

JSRG said:

I've never met a fundamentalist who believed in evolution.

That doesn't mean rejection of evolution means one is a fundamentalist, but I've never seen any do so.


So, you say you were just using the "historical usage" of fundamentalism. Except that usage dropped out of favor long ago--if one looks at the article for Wikipedia, it looks like that "original" meaning of fundamentalism was basically exchanged for "evangelical" leaving the ones who continued to have the fundamentalist label be the far more extreme versions, and this happened more than half a century ago (it indicates this shift started in the 1940's).

This is akin to when people pull the whole "the United States isn't a democracy!" card (relying on an obsolete meaning of the word). Or if I were to say "you're an awful person" and when you take offense, I just say "hey, I'm using the original meaning of the word, which meant awe inspiring." Unless you are clear, few people are going to understand you're using an older definition of a word.

If you had just said "evangelical" or better yet "conservative" instead of "fundamentalist" then you would've been clear in your point.

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It's not an obsolete definition, if we understand Fundamnetalism as a religious movement that changes over time. At one time, Fundamentalism did not have creationism as a defining factor, but I would argue today that is still the case, and many "Evangelicals" are in fact Neo-Fundamentalists, just with different marketting and branding, but their general attitudes, owing to their origins in religious schismatics, is still largely the same.