Virtue Signaling - What Do People, Here, Think of It?
On a christian podcast that I listen to, I frequently hear the host speak of virtue signaling (especially of BLM and similar social movements... View MoreVirtue Signaling - What Do People, Here, Think of It?
On a christian podcast that I listen to, I frequently hear the host speak of virtue signaling (especially of BLM and similar social movements) as negative thing. But isn't virtue signaling something that many Christians and especially televangelists engage in frequently? How is virtue signaling good when it's a christian thing and bad when it originates from any other source (even if the two groups are saying the same thing)?
I may be missing a distinction, so I'd like to know what you folks think.
Hydroxychloroquine (HQ) vs SARS-CoV-2
I said that I'd try to get back to this subject after I had a chance to read some of the responses to the "J. of Infectious Disease" article by Arshad et al.... View MoreHydroxychloroquine (HQ) vs SARS-CoV-2
I said that I'd try to get back to this subject after I had a chance to read some of the responses to the "J. of Infectious Disease" article by Arshad et al. Well, responses have started coming in. The consensus of reviews suggest that, while the participant numbers are impressive, it is an observational study and that their are significant weaknesses to interpreting the results.
On the point of observational studies (i.e., results from observations of uncontrolled event). While these are often excellent for getting clues about what is going on (the first step in the scientific process is observation), they have to be followed up by controlled studies to reduce variables and show actual effects. Although the numbers for this study are large, they are not well controlled.
Nearly all of the controlled studies that have been performed (to date) have shown that HQ had little to no effect on the contraction or progress of COVID-19. So, why the difference in the conclusions? I'm not sure that anyone really knows, yet, however, one of the articles that I saw pointed out that a lot of Arshad's patients also received steroidal treatments. Since the steroid dexamethasone has been shown to have a positive effect on ventilator patients, it is possible that steroid use is biasing the Arshad results.
"This Week in Virology" #647 mentioned this article and apparently spoke about it more extensively in a previous episode but I don't know which one yet. These virologists were not convinced by the paper nor was Dr. Steven Novella and his Science-Based Medicine colleagues.
As recommended in the latest Update Alert from "Annals of Internal Medicine" and based on a weighted evaluation of most of the current published research:
• Do not use chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination with azithromycin as prophylaxis against COVID-19.
• Do not use chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination with azithromycin as a treatment of patients with COVID-19.
Matthew 27:25
An acquaintance pointed out something a little odd about this passage: "Then answered all the people and said, 'His blood be on us, and on our children!'". Now, most of us have been... View MoreMatthew 27:25
An acquaintance pointed out something a little odd about this passage: "Then answered all the people and said, 'His blood be on us, and on our children!'". Now, most of us have been raised to understand this as the - as some people put it - "blood curse" on the Jews. Standing it alone, there are at least two problems with this interpretation.
The first is that this cannot actually apply to all Jews. We know from several historical documents, that Early Christians went to jewish synagogues well into the Fifth Century by which time the Birkat Ha-Minim (an ~2nd Century jewish prayer against heretics was definitely applied to Christians (see Wikipedia). Because of the structure of the prayer, it didn't particularly apply to heretics outside the synagogue but those "heretics" attending services within the synagogue. Therefore, at least in some areas, Christians and Jews continued to worship together for centuries after the matthian passage.
The second is that this wording is, essentially, used by many Evangelical Christians today. "The blood of the Lamb be upon us!" and variations, I have heard recited by a number of modern preachers. If it is a blessing for Modern Christians then why was it a curse for Ancient Jews?
The same acquaintance recently pointed out that the "Mishnah" (I've no idea which passage) spoke of Jews who oppressed other jews and seemed to be referring to the Sanhedrin. This would actually be in line with Mat 27:20 which spoke of the priests egging on the release of Bar-Abbas over Jesus.
Thus, I find that I have to at least consider the possibility that the "blood curse" was not that at all. Rather, it was the Sanhedrin (I believe that the "Mishnah" may have referred to at least one governing period of it as the "temple of serpents" that was egging on the death of Jesus and, unknowingly, fulfilling the salvific fate of Jesus whose sacrificial blood was accepted by the Jerusalem Jews and, thus, saving them and their children rather than ****ing them.
This does require some reconsideration how we read this and related passages but, on the whole, would seem to be the more powerful reading rather than the traditional... as long as one is willing to give up ones programmed "hatred" of the Jews. Kind of like universal salvation: Jesus died to save mankind not just some of mankind.
Paul's Other Gospel
I've read Gal 1:7-9 before but something struck me this time.
"Therefore, even if we or an angel from heaven, preaches, to you, any other gospel than that which we have p... View MorePaul's Other Gospel
I've read Gal 1:7-9 before but something struck me this time.
"Therefore, even if we or an angel from heaven, preaches, to you, any other gospel than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
I can understand Paul preaching counter to the angels of heaven. He seems to have preached that he, Paul, and all Christians, eventually, were above the angels in status (1 Cor 6:3). Thus, no angel (i.e., no revelation from tongues-speaking pseudo-Pentecostals (possessed by angels or the spirit of God)) could match the Truth of Paul's gospel.
What, however, did he mean by overriding himself? Had his gospel message changed during his ministry or was he, perhaps, perhaps, referring to his fellow apostles (such as Peter and James)? There are inconsistencies in the writings of "Paul". Were these due to different authors (as many propose) or did Paul's gospel change over time? And, if it did change, then which views were the corrected ones?
Today's SCOTUS Ruling on Civil Rights Act Protecting LGBTQ Employees
The SCOTUS did NOT redefine "sex" and they did not legislate. In their dissenting opinions, Ailto and Kavanaugh deliberately... View MoreToday's SCOTUS Ruling on Civil Rights Act Protecting LGBTQ Employees
The SCOTUS did NOT redefine "sex" and they did not legislate. In their dissenting opinions, Ailto and Kavanaugh deliberately misinterpreted the Court's majority decision. What they did was completely within the wording if not, necessarily, the intent of the EEOS legislation. While the three minor opinions made this claim, the majority claim was based on sex and gender as many people currently understand it.
What the majority said was that sexuality is a protected class whichever direction it is applied. I believe that a cited example (possibly by a plaintiff lawyer) was: an employer has two employees - one male, one female. The employer cannot fire the woman just because she has a romantic / sexual interest in a man (business conflicts of interest aside). This decision established that the employer cannot fire the man just because he has a romanitic / sexual interest in a man. The only legal difference between the two situations is the sex of the employees. Under EEOS, firing the man would be sexual discrimination. Whether the employee is hetero- or homosexual is not the issue only discrimination based on sex.
A similar argument can be made regarding the employment of trans and other LGBQ... people.
Note - because some pundits will take it there - this decision does continue to allow employers to fire pedophiles. Whether it is a man or a woman, pedophilia is illegal.
This decision will also continue to allow businesses to discriminate against customers based on religious grounds as established by Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. After all, that was a matter of customer service and not employment.
DMT and the Spirit Realm
Researchers have started to try to more accurately quantify DMT (DiMethylTryptamine) experiences. What is interesting about this study is not the continued hype by (in ... View MoreDMT and the Spirit Realm
Researchers have started to try to more accurately quantify DMT (DiMethylTryptamine) experiences. What is interesting about this study is not the continued hype by (in particular) Christians about opening up people to demonic influences but how much the DMT experiences seem to be similar to biblical prophetic visions. This paper and a much earlier one by Dr. Benny Shannon {correction: Shanon} are worth looking through.
https://journals.sagepub.com/d....oi/full/10.1177/0269
Off-hand, does anyone, here, know on which biblical passage the expression, "The blood of Jesus / the lamb be upon us!" and similar is based? I hear it from evangelical speakers frequently and I've tr... View MoreOff-hand, does anyone, here, know on which biblical passage the expression, "The blood of Jesus / the lamb be upon us!" and similar is based? I hear it from evangelical speakers frequently and I've tried googling it but I haven't developed a good search algorithm for it. Thanks.
God and Plagues
In my studies of the "Bible", I have come to the point where I rarely try to say what God means with 100% certainty. On the other hand, I am quite equipped, many times, to point o... View MoreGod and Plagues
In my studies of the "Bible", I have come to the point where I rarely try to say what God means with 100% certainty. On the other hand, I am quite equipped, many times, to point out that many christian leaders' "100% understanding" of God is not.
A good example of this is God and plagues. Quite a number of religious leaders (christian, muslim, hindu, etc.) have jumped on the bandwagon to claim that SARS-CoV-2 was sent to punish humanity for Sin X. In all of that hot (and CoV-laden) air, few of them have bothered to point out that God often sent plagues to punish his own people.
This was pointed out, indirectly, in a simple post that asked if christian leaders had considered that God might have sent SARS-CoV-2 to punish Christians for "worshipping", as a religious leader, a president who freely and proudly speaks of committing numerous sins and has never once asked for forgiveness (or even admitted to wrongdoing).
It's all hot wind, of course. SARS-CoV-2 is a natural phenomenon and no more directed against sinners than an earthquake or hurricane. It does, however, go to show how non-self-reflective we can be when we claim to speak for God.
COVID-19 and Easter
Folks,
COVID-19 is serious and it does not appear to be an affliction readily healed by faith alone. You've probably read about the churches around the country that have ... View MoreCOVID-19 and Easter
Folks,
COVID-19 is serious and it does not appear to be an affliction readily healed by faith alone. You've probably read about the churches around the country that have insisted on meeting physically despite large group bans and you've probably also heard about the handful of said churches that have spread the infection. Take this plague almost as seriously as your faith!
With Easter approaching, many of us will be sorely tempted to defy the large meeting ban and go to church. I heartily ask you to reconsider. Find an Easter service on television or streaming. Heck, see if your pastor will stream the Easter service. You might even be able to use an interactive service like Zoom.
Don't take this lightly! If you meet in a large group, then you risk spreading the virus to others or them spreading it to you, your children, and / or your relatives. You will probably catch COVID-19 eventually. Our best defense is stretching out the infection rate far enough that we don't overwhelm our hospitals and other care facilities.
Yes, the "Bible" says that God can heal all but, in this case, as with many pandemics in the past, God has shown that he is choosing not to. On the other hand, as long as the faithful gather in his name - even if its through telecommunications - He will be there.
Donald Trump and the Next Presidential Elections
As voters go to the polls this November, many of them will vote for the candidate of christian values. Most of them believe that this is Donald Tr... View MoreDonald Trump and the Next Presidential Elections
As voters go to the polls this November, many of them will vote for the candidate of christian values. Most of them believe that this is Donald Trump, morally flawed as he is, because they think that he is changing the laws in this country to benefit them. But is he really? Last October, he appointed 60 educators to the Commission on Presidential Scholars. One particular choice suggests what he really thinks of evangelical christian values: George Mentz.
Author of over 60 books on business and president of Global Academy of Finance and Management, an online university that seems to be striving to be as legitimate as Trump University. His books are full of Freemason symbolism and magical thinking (including, I think, some spells). This doesn't alter my opinion of him as I already think that he's a fraud appointed by a fraud but it should alarm Evangelicals who fear the influence of Freemasonry and witchcraft because it looks like Trump has no problems associating with either to advance his political power.
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-picked-self-help-illuminati-book-author-federal-education-board-2019-10
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"When a person stops struggling and initiates ALCHEMY OR MAGIC, SOMETHING HAPPENS,” Illuminati author George Mentz wrote in 2013.
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