tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45124200313502667532024-03-24T18:33:50.314-05:00Who's ? RightMankind, Religions and The End TimesWho's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-6092083784278294072024-03-18T16:54:00.000-05:002024-03-18T16:54:08.704-05:00The Judges of Israel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7a1yGFZurCo4eGcI_Iisb3noVLuCkbnqeN9lQRbfs6UDGfOhWm8LUJbDS6kSYXlfYna8sqeZgVnzoJvUJzNSmQcBacD8_q6obINvhljyaCP76Zzhx_J3xYBQIrCAFVueXCx50RjRvahkVRgWgGTNTTnXgkpOXqHEtEUEIHt0GusjrQIx8GrRnx7aH0sY/s1080/12-Judges-of-Israel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7a1yGFZurCo4eGcI_Iisb3noVLuCkbnqeN9lQRbfs6UDGfOhWm8LUJbDS6kSYXlfYna8sqeZgVnzoJvUJzNSmQcBacD8_q6obINvhljyaCP76Zzhx_J3xYBQIrCAFVueXCx50RjRvahkVRgWgGTNTTnXgkpOXqHEtEUEIHt0GusjrQIx8GrRnx7aH0sY/w400-h223/12-Judges-of-Israel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The 15 Judges in the Bible were renowned leaders of their time. They were mostly skillful administrators, as well as successful military leaders, that delivered their tribes from its enemies. For over 325 years these Judges ran their country and led the people with wisdom, settled disputes and presided over judicial matters involving and affecting the people. During ancient times, justice was a central theme that dictated the traditions of the Law and how they should be put into practice. All three Abrahamic religions agree on this theme even unto our modern times. These faithful people presided over the Israelites before the Kings of Israel made their entrance into the Bible. The following Judges are listed in most of the Abrahamic Bibles... </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">1 - Othniel</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Judah who ruled between 1373-1334 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Mesopotamians and incurred 40 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Othniel was the first warrior-judge of Israel, who had captured the town of Debir from the Canaanites. He delivered Israel from the 8-year oppression of the Mesopotamian king, Cushan-Rishathaim and was known as a "Brave Judge".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 1:9-21; 3:15:13-17; 1 Chronicles 4:13.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">2 - Ehud</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Benjamin who ruled between 1316-1237 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Moabites and incurred 80 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Ehud delivered Israel from the domination of King Eglon of Moab by skillfully killing his enemy. Ehud was known as a "crafty operator". It is interesting to note that he was described as being left-handed.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 3:13-30</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">3 - Shamgar</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Which tribe Shamgar descended from is unknown, but his reign is calculated as 1262-1247 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Philistines, incurred peace for an unknown number of years.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">There are no references to the length of his Shamgar's reign nor a conclusion of his character. The enemy king he defeated is not named. But it is recorded that he slayed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (axe). Shamgar was known as a "Fearless Judge".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 3:31; 5:6</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">4 - Deborah</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Ephraim who ruled between 1237-1198 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Canaanites and incurred 40 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Deborah delivered Israel from King Jabin by defeating Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with the help of Barak (from the Tribe of Naphtali). Deborah was classified as a prophet, judge and warrior. She was known as a "Supportive Judge".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 4 and 5</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">5 - Gideon</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Manasseh who ruled between 1191-1151 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Midianites and incurred 40 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Gideon delivered Israel from oppression with an army of only 300 men. Gideon was hesitant to follow the Israelite God's instructions and demanded a 'sign'. Because of this, God reduced his army from 32,000 to 300. However, Gideon was known as a "Valiant Judge".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 6 and 7</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">6 - Abimelech</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>From the Tribe of Manasseh who ruled for three years.</li><li>Noted for his attacks on Shechem and declaring himself a king.</li><li>One of the 70 children of Gideon (the son of a concubine). He killed all his brothers and claimed the leadership. He was a tyrant who was eventually assassinated by a woman at Thebaz, a city that Abimelech was trying to overtake. He was considered an "evil judge".</li><li>Reference: Judges 8:31 and 9</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">7 - Tola</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Issachar who ruled between 1149-1126 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">It is unknown which enemy Tola defeated, but it is inferred it was the Philistines. He incurred 23 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Not much information is recorded about Tola's judgeship other than it followed a 3-year repressive and tyrannical rule of an unnamed Philistine king (referred to as the Abimelech).</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 10:1-2</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">8 - Jair the Gileadite</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Manasseh who ruled from 1126-1105 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">It is unknown which enemy Jair defeated, but he incurred 22 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">While there is not a lot of enlightenment about this Judge, his name means, "he enlightens". Jair was a man of great wealth and power, whose sons ruled over 30 cities in Gilead. Jair was killed in battle. After his death there were 18 years of infidelity to the God of the Israelites and oppression at the hands of their Philistine and Ammonite neighbors.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 10:3-5</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">9 - Jephthah the Gileadite</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Manasseh who ruled between 1087-1081 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Ammonites and incurred 6 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Jephthah refused to give up land to the Ammonite king, thrashing 20 Ammonite cities. But he could be considered a "conniving judge" because he only agreed to lead a battle on the Ammonites if a higher position (such as a Judge) was granted to him. He also made an irrational vow to attain that position, but it explicitly cost him the life of his only daughter.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 11 and 12</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">10 - Ibzan the Bethlehemite</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Judah who ruled from 1081-1075.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated an unknown enemy and incurred 7 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Not much is known about Ibzan other than he came from Bethlehem. His greatest accomplishment was creating alliances with other Israelites by arranging marriages for his children outside of his tribe clan. Ibzan could have been considered as an "influential judge".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 12:8-10</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">11 - Elon</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Zebulon who ruled between 1075-1065 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">There was no known enemy he defeated, but Elon continued 10 more years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Very little is known about Elon, but his tribe, length of reign and his death are recorded in the scriptures. There is no written record about any known enemies or military campaigns, but his name meant, "strong".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 12:11-12</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">12 - Abdon the Pirathonite</span></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Ephraim and ruled between 1065-1058 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">There was no known enemy he defeated, but Abdon continued 8 more years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Scholars proclaim that Abdon restored order in Israel after the civil war between the Gileadites and Ephraimites. There is not a lot of personal information found on this ancient judge other than he was the son of Hillel.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 12:13-15</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>13 - Samson the Nazirite</b></span></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">From the Tribe of Dan who ruled between 1069-1049 B.C.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Defeated the Philistines and incurred 20 years of peace.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">A Nazirite was consecrated that no razor should come upon the head, and this gave Samson his strength. He lost his strength when Delilah cut his hair but calling upon the Lord to help regain his strength, Samson was able to defeat over 3,000 Philistines by bringing down the Temple of Dagon, therefore killing himself in the process. He was known as the "Strong and Weak Judge".</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reference: Judges 13 and 16:31</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">14 - Eli the Priest</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Eli descended from Itamar, a son of Aaron (brother of Moses). He ruled in the 11th century B.C.</li><li>The Philistines defeated Eli, killing all his sons who was in charge of the Ark of the Covenant, which the Philistines confiscated from the Israelites. Eli ruled Israel for 40 years. </li><li>Eli is best remembered for his establishment of a rival shrine at Shiloh, which the Samaritans attributed the schism between their communities. Eli was also instrumental in preparing Samuel for his future role as a judge.</li><li>Reference: Book of 1Samuel</li></ul><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">15 - Samuel the Nazirite</span></b></div><div><ul><li>From the Tribe of Korah (Moses' cousin) who ruled in the 11th century B.C.</li><li>Samuel eventually defeated the Philistines after 20 years of oppression.</li><li>Samuel was a key figure in keeping the Israelites' religious heritage and identity alive during Israel's defeat under Eli and the occupation by the Philistines, who returned the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites seven months later when many calamities befell them. Samuel was technically the last Judge of the Israelites. He is responsible for paving the way for the first two Kings of Israel (Saul & David) to take charge of the people.</li><li>Reference: Books of 1 & 2 Samuel</li></ul></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Related Articles:</u></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible_judges">Hebrew Bible judges - Wikipedia</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/charts/Chart%20of%20Judges%20of%20Israel.htm">Judges of the Old Testament (agapebiblestudy.com)</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.jewishhistory.org/era-of-the-judges/">Era of the Judges (jewishhistory.org)</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-38916668852570755022024-02-18T10:42:00.001-06:002024-02-18T10:43:44.353-06:00 Nostradamus 2024: Civil War, Bloodshed And The End Of The World<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>The following article was obtained through the website, Astroframe.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFIbXcW4DAVdAMY2VJ8S_W7nrZlizKuV4S_qwzNsy5aI5hyphenhyphen0oi5za2s9UQQ7kNQ7fy-ZaMvzhcO42VXoEKf0VLtc9aa_Pw8JK-vn2TZnfekQWdsC0EGTiSG7O6Ld-od3um1DgyfaDqfd1niGcCwHF9lDdkUw3e2Iw0xpWiG0cPxxbeRbocpv1MKpYMuxe/s378/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="378" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFIbXcW4DAVdAMY2VJ8S_W7nrZlizKuV4S_qwzNsy5aI5hyphenhyphen0oi5za2s9UQQ7kNQ7fy-ZaMvzhcO42VXoEKf0VLtc9aa_Pw8JK-vn2TZnfekQWdsC0EGTiSG7O6Ld-od3um1DgyfaDqfd1niGcCwHF9lDdkUw3e2Iw0xpWiG0cPxxbeRbocpv1MKpYMuxe/w289-h198/th.jpg" width="289" /></a><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><b style="text-align: justify;">Nostradamus is famous for his incredibly accurate predictions spanning centuries. His forecasts are like ancient prophecies, hinting at massive global shifts. If you're curious about what he foresaw for 2024, you're in for a treat! Get ready to uncover some mind-boggling events that are set to rock the world and change our lives forever. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into some mind-blowing predictions for 2024.</b></b></div></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Nostradamus' predictions 2024 - 8 Things he forecasts</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>We hate to break it to you, but Nostradamus' predictions for 2024 aren't very positive and are indeed very scary... </b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>1. Civil war in the USA</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>It's been several years since the United States has appeared more divided than ever. In 2024, the year of presidential elections, the country is at risk of facing unprecedented instability. As debate seems impossible and violence escalates, the specter of a civil war could become a reality in 2024.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>2. China's growing influence</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Already in 2023, China made headlines with its geopolitical role. It appears that this quest for power and broader international collaborations continues into 2024.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>3. A nuclear explosion</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>'For forty years, the rainbow will not appear; For forty years, it will be seen every day: The dry earth will grow drier, And great floods when it is seen.' ☠️</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>According to Nostradamus' predictions for 2024, a devastating nuclear explosion will cause climatic changes and significant depopulation in many European countries. This is alarming given the current global situation.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>4. Escalation of climate change</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>More than just an intensification, Nostradamus speaks of irreversible climate changes in 2024. Temperatures keep rising, and he even mentions fish boiling in the sea and changes in humanity that won't leave traces for nearly a thousand years.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>5. The end of the world</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>The astrologer predicted a 'celestial fire on the royal building.' This indicates a radical transformation in the world and could potentially put an end to painful things for all of us.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>6. Intensification of the migration crisis</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Wars and the ravages of climate change will undoubtedly intensify the migration crisis. Still, according to Nostradamus, terrorist attacks will also contribute to the surge in the number of migrants.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>7. A new world order</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>A 'new world order' will be established. It should involve a man and a woman joining forces. The downside is that the coalition won't last very long.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>8. Assassination of a world leader and the rise of another</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>2024 might mark the end of an important world leader. This leader could be assassinated, paving the way for peace. On the other hand, this year could witness the emergence of a great leader in Europe. A charismatic figure representing a glimmer of hope for many peoples. However, true peace would only come in 2043... A little more patience will be needed.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Nostradamus and Queen Elizabeth II - Did he predict her death? 👑</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Yes, he did! According to 'The Complete Prophecies for the Future' book in which his visions were all prescribed, Nostradamus successfully predicted that Queen Elizabeth II would die around 2022, at the age of approximately 96! He also went on to reveal that Harry would be the one to take the throne after the abdication of Charles III, meaning Queen Elizabeth's death will cause major changes in the monarchy. The reason for Charles' future abdication would be, according to the predictions, his advanced age. As for William, the predictions evoke an "incapacity" that would send his brother on the throne until the young George is old enough to be king.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Who is Nostradamus?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>His real name was Michael de Nôtre-Dame, and he was a French doctor and astrologer. He contributed his knowledge during the plague, famous for his prophecies in which he anticipated the future of humanity until the end of the world. Interestingly enough, he predicted the end of the world to come about in the year, 2024. He perhaps most famously also predicted the attack on the Twin Towers. For centuries and right up until nowadays, his prophecies are studied around the world and announce the events that are to come. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Why is 2024 a crucial year for Nostradamus?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Over the years, his predictions have often been associated with important events that have occurred in the world. Indeed, many people believe that Nostradamus has predicted the future and that his predictions have proven to be accurate. According to some of his prophecies, 2024 will be a very important year. In fact, this year, he even predicted the end of the world, however, it should be noted that he didn’t specify an exact date.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>British Nostradamus; Craig Hamilton-Parker announces WWIII 🪖</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Over the years, Craig Hamilton-Parker has earned the title of the British Nostradamus thanks to his correct predictions regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. When it comes to 2024, the British Nostradamus believes that an accident will trigger the beginning of World War III . He predicts that the bloodshed will begin in Taiwan because of the conflicts with China. In fact, he believes that the incidents will be triggered by the collision of two planes or submarines. He goes on to say, "I think we're going to get an accidental conflict in some respects because we're going to have something like a freak collision or incident". He adds that the incident will be so serious and even more so than the war in Ukraine. Hamilton-Parker also foresees Russia siding with China and therefore creating more conflict within the world.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Pangolin; font-size: medium;"><b>Source: <a href="https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/news/2023/03/14/64104b9ae2704eca058b4580.html">https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/news/2023/03/14/64104b9ae2704eca058b4580.html</a></b></span></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-15291652954407985162024-01-15T16:58:00.004-06:002024-01-15T17:01:13.512-06:00Bible? No Thanks. 16 Reasons Why So Many Americans Have Stopped Going to Church<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: Delius; text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through the website, <a href="https://www.apieceoftravel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A Piece of Travel</span></a>, and written by Charlotte G. Jo.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMJ2VveNu8ggT_bDReTu0DPydWq-7SqZz6c_8ZB8IlrWbO_ub0kVfB8YAwB6-bkoULGITp5IukBRXXNWSdsk2nPB7oqRckZ5o_Dgm0uymKx9kVIc6Ilw0RRix5dRIxJuCtwB7-Vnltw1ekWzGNtq2WiNBCMq2bGXbhsEwIvJThsAu3O1juEbWSvEEBoXo/s288/images%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="288" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMJ2VveNu8ggT_bDReTu0DPydWq-7SqZz6c_8ZB8IlrWbO_ub0kVfB8YAwB6-bkoULGITp5IukBRXXNWSdsk2nPB7oqRckZ5o_Dgm0uymKx9kVIc6Ilw0RRix5dRIxJuCtwB7-Vnltw1ekWzGNtq2WiNBCMq2bGXbhsEwIvJThsAu3O1juEbWSvEEBoXo/w400-h275/images%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>According to a Statista study, more Americans never go to church than there are Americans who do so every week. Depending on your point of view, that may be a reason to celebrate or fear for fellow citizens.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>Breaking Down the Numbers</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>Of the Americans Statista surveyed, 31% never attend church or synagogue, and 20% attend church or synagogue every week. But an even more startling comparison is the number of people who seldomly go to church versus those who go almost every week; 26% seldomly attend church, whereas almost 10% attend every week. Americans turned to the internet to discuss why they believe people have stopped attending church.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>1: Choice</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>Over 640 people agreed with the simple reason one commenter gave for why many Americans no longer attend church: “More and more people have been given the choice to partake in it or not.” They believe this will ultimately end religion as we know it.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>2: In Adults We Trust</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>An adult reflects on their younger self who remembers being taught “‘This is how you spell ‘this'” and “‘1 + 1 is 2” as facts. So, naturally, they were inclined to believe their parents when they told them about God. However, after meeting a Jewish person when they were five years old, their parents “explained there were dozens of religions and nobody knew which one was ‘real.'” From that point on, the person remembers not believing in religion as a whole.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>3: The Internet</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>For better or worse, the internet brings knowledge into a person’s home that previous, more religious generations never had access to. One commenter believes that the internet is to thank for many people in religious cults “waking up” and seeing what their religion really believes. They cite Mormons as a classic example of people leaving the church due to what they learned on the internet.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>4: In the News</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>The news hasn’t been flattering to many churches in recent years, with the Catholic church being among the most notorious. From priests to Sunday school teachers, the number of wrongdoings to children and the coverups to allow such atrocities to continue to happen has become too much for some Americans. Faith in the church has gone out the stained glass window for them.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>5: Corrupt Mini Government</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>“I don’t go to church because churches are completely corrupt,” says one commenter.” They believe in God, but they say they don’t need a “human-run organization” getting in the way of their faith. The church sheltering their employees and members from crime, operating tax-free, and influencing politics are reasons they cite for not attending church.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>6: Hypocrisy Awakening</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>In the eyes of one non-churchgoer, Americans are no longer going to church because “they can see the hypocrisy.” They believe churches “hoard wealth just like businesses and no longer contribute to their communities.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>7: Two Faces</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>According to one commenter, Americans are waking up to the inconsistencies in church messaging. Despite most churchgoers being average, good people (like being nice and not stealing or murdering anyone), the church still demonizes them, making them feel like they’re huge sinners.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>8: Reality Check</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>So, why are Americans leaving the church? If you ask one person with a knack for visuals, it’s “because going to church makes people Christians as much as standing in a garage makes people a car.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>9: Study Up</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>Making the choice to educate oneself about religion outside of the resources churches offer is a surefire reason people are leaving the church, according to someone who’s walked in those shoes. “I studied religions and concluded all were based on myths, legends, or misinterpretations of what people saw.” At the end of the day, this person believes that there’s probably something beyond what we see, saying, “We’re only human.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>10: Inflation</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>High inflation in the US is making it challenging for many churchgoers to afford the 10% donation that many pastors and priests expect. “It just makes people not want to go,” they said. Making things worse? Religious leaders often relentlessly repeat that churchgoers should give 10% of their salaries to the church.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>11: Protecting Family</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>A parent who was raised in the church watched their extended family disown their cousin for coming out. Fast forward to when their oldest son came out to them, and they said there was no way they’d ostracize their child in the name of the church’s teachings. The parent has harsh feelings towards the church, believing people use it to justify bad behavior. “I’m glad they’re suffering a drop in attendance.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>12: Total Scam</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>Americans are waking up to what organized religion as a whole is, which is a scam in the eyes of one commenter. They describe the church as pushing “propaganda to discover and brainwash people,” all while receiving monetary gains from their attendance.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>13: Getting It Elsewhere</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>“Churches used to offer moral and ethical leadership, but they’ve given that up in favor of political advocacy,” observes a former churchgoer. They say they’ve stopped attending church because they can find moral and ethical leadership guidance “almost anywhere and everywhere without getting up early to go to church.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>14: Protect Children</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>To one parent, stopping church attendance was the obvious choice. “We stopped going to church because we have small children now and want to protect them.” Their other two reasons were also head-turners. “We also don’t want to pray to Donald Trump, and we found out a few years ago that our lead pastor makes about $175k/year and always asks us for more.”</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>15: It’s Simple</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>In the eyes of one person, the answer about why many Americans no longer go to church is more obvious than many make it seem. Some people have stopped believing in God. Plain and simple.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>16: Poking Into Politics</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>“The merging of Christianity and republicanism is a huge turnoff,” says a commenter who can understand why Americans who lean Democrat have stopped attending church.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Delius;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Delius;">Note: </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Delius;">Forty million Americans have stopped attending church in the past 25 years. That's something like 12 percent of the population, and it represents the largest concentrated change in church attendance in American history. (Source: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Atlantic</span></a>)</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Delius;">Related Articles: </span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/507692/church-attendance-lower-pre-pandemic.aspx#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20D.C.%20%2D%2D%20U.S.%20church,before%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic." style="font-family: Delius; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">U.S. Church Attendance Still Lower Than Pre-Pandemic</span></b></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Delius;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Delius;"><b><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/22/us-churches-closing-religion-covid-christianity" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Losing their religion: why US churches are on the decline</span></a></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Delius;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SXqsaQ2cnQ" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">WHY I DON'T GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE | PASTOR PHIL JOHNSON</span></a></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: Delius; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/christian-church-communitiy-participation-drop/674843/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Misunderstood Reasons Millions of Americans Stopped Going to Church</span></a></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-54214681335778152772023-12-20T16:13:00.002-06:002023-12-20T16:13:45.134-06:00When Was Jesus Actually Born? (Part 2)<p><span style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through </span><a href="http://Christianity.com" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Christianity.com</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and written by </span><a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/candice-lucey/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Candice Lucey</span></a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Part 2</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4508YqePcvyWEw9-6cur0siVJf8OOd6EDGkHZ7vX_OOUZylnbwps0fXkhRILGTbH_lIC0EgSgOtmNj3BwkYstXTsbAKPUeA82l3Q8HLNjNGX_sBo6V8_LFA0wPVlUDrT_PTSxQsCUkdG9KoygCErbeX-vbCXPZTUIvvGzfsUpKZIDWHsila1FDmhi2rxg/s2880/R%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2880" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4508YqePcvyWEw9-6cur0siVJf8OOd6EDGkHZ7vX_OOUZylnbwps0fXkhRILGTbH_lIC0EgSgOtmNj3BwkYstXTsbAKPUeA82l3Q8HLNjNGX_sBo6V8_LFA0wPVlUDrT_PTSxQsCUkdG9KoygCErbeX-vbCXPZTUIvvGzfsUpKZIDWHsila1FDmhi2rxg/w400-h250/R%20(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25th?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The day and month of Jesus’s birth are even more challenging to establish. Theologians typically agree that December 25 is far from likely. In the late Roman Empire, there was a festival called "Sol Invictus" (the Unconquered Sun) that celebrated the sun god on December 25th. Some have suggested that the choice of this date for Christmas was influenced by the desire to Christianize or replace this pagan holiday - conceived as an effort to establish a pagan substitute for a date that already held a degree of importance for Roman Christians. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another argument takes a different view. December 25th falls close to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year. In many pagan traditions, the winter solstice was a significant event associated with the rebirth of the sun and the return of longer days. Some festivals, like the Roman festival of Saturnalia, were celebrated around this time, often involving feasting and gift-giving. Saturnalia, in particular, is often cited as a possible influence on the dating of Christmas. Saturnalia was a Roman festival that celebrated the god Saturn and included various festivities, including gift exchanges and feasting. Some argue that the early Christians chose December 25th to celebrate Jesus' birth to co-opt or replace Saturnalia with a Christian holiday. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">When Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, it was easier for the newly formed church to repurpose the pagan observance of the winter solstice between December 17-25 since citizens were already prepared to celebrate the day. Thus, a celebration and festival filled with family and friends exchanging gifts meant these traditions would continue as Christmas.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another intriguing theory proposes that December 25 was officially designated as Christmas Day by Sextus Julius Africanus in AD 221. This assertion is rooted in meticulous calculations that Africanus undertook, embarking on a historical journey that began with his estimation of the world's creation in 5499 BC. With an unwavering dedication to precision, Africanus meticulously traced the lineage of biblical figures and significant events, meticulously aligning them with historical and astronomical data. His goal was to pinpoint the most appropriate date for commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, a task that required an intricate web of chronology and celestial observations. Africanus's determination to find this date led him to December 25, marking it as the momentous day when Christians should celebrate the birth of their savior. His extensive calculations and scholarly dedication have left an enduring legacy, contributing to the rich tapestry of theories surrounding the birth date of Jesus Christ.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Evidence in the Bible</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As mentioned above regarding the month Jesus was born, realistically, shepherds would not have been tending their flocks in December when the weather was cold; they would have continued shepherding no later than October.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bible scholars also try to time Jesus’s birth by timing the birth of his cousin John according to the sparse information about Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary outlined in Luke. Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary arrived, and Mary left three months later. According to BibleInfo.com:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“We can approximate the month of Jesus’ birth to be around the time of Tishri (mid to late September). To arrive at this date, start at the conception of John the Baptist, Sivan (June), count forward six months to arrive at Gabriel’s announcement of the conception of Jesus, Kislev (December), then count forward nine more months, the time it takes for human gestation, to reach Tishri (September), when Jesus was born.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is assuming each mother’s pregnancy went full-term. Other accounts take details about Zechariah’s temple duties to arrive at a spring birth for Christ. There is no definitive answer. One must seek the opinions of the most trusted scholars in this matter.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dating Based on King Herod</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dating the birth of Jesus around the death of King Herod is a historical puzzle that involves a combination of biblical and extra-biblical sources, along with some scholarly interpretations. Here's how it's typically done:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Biblical Accounts: The primary source for dating Jesus's birth in relation to King Herod comes from the New Testament, specifically the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 2:1, it mentions that Jesus was born during the time of King Herod. It also describes Herod's attempt to have Jesus killed by ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem, commonly known as the "Massacre of the Innocents."</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Herod's Reign: King Herod the Great is a well-documented historical figure. His reign is generally believed to have started around 37 or 36 BC. Historical records also indicate that he died around 4 BC, which is a crucial reference point.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Astronomical Data: Some scholars have suggested that the "Star of Bethlehem," which guided the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus, might have been a celestial event. Astronomical calculations and computer simulations have been used to try to identify potential astronomical occurrences around the time of Jesus's birth. Some theories suggest conjunctions of planets or other celestial phenomena around 6-4 BC.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Luke's Gospel: While the Gospel of Luke doesn't mention King Herod, it provides additional clues for dating Jesus's birth. Luke 2:2 mentions a census ordered by Caesar Augustus. Historically, such censuses were conducted periodically, and there is evidence of one occurring in 6-4 BC.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Scholarly Consensus: Taking into account all the available evidence, many scholars place Jesus's birth between 6 and 4 BC, with the death of King Herod serving as a significant anchor point. This allows for the events described in the biblical narratives to align with the historical context of Herod's reign and the Roman census.</li></ol><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What Does the Bible Tell Us About Jesus' Birth?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Celebrating the birth of Jesus on Christmas holds profound significance in Christian tradition, even in light of His life, death, and resurrection. Jesus' birth marks the fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies, underscoring Jesus's identity as the promised Messiah. This celebration reaffirms the belief that God's plan of salvation foretold in the Scriptures, came to fruition through Jesus. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Christmas is the beginning of Jesus's earthly life, leading to His sacrificial death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Christians view Jesus's birth as the initial step in God's redemptive plan, offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith. Christmas is a source of joy and hope, signifying that God entered the world to bring light into darkness and offer hope to those in need.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In summary, Christmas, the celebration of Jesus's birth, remains a deeply meaningful and cherished observance in Christianity. It not only acknowledges the historical and theological significance of His birth but also reminds believers of the foundational events that paved the way for His life, death, and resurrection. It is a celebration of God's love for humanity, the hope and salvation brought by Jesus, and a time to share these profound truths with the world.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Does it Matter When Jesus Was Born?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even if the global Christian community could clearly decide that Christ was born on a different day, changing the date of Christmas worldwide would pose many problems. Selecting a new date for celebrating Christ’s birth would require massive adjustments at both commercial and institutional levels.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">School calendars and public holidays have been established to coincide with this time.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The economies of developed nations rely on the financial boost provided during the Christmas season.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Churches organize special events around this time.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Families use this date as a reason to get together.</li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is beneficial to fix a date for Christmas Day, even if it seems arbitrary. In an age where “our fast-moving lives have wreaked havoc on our relationships,” as Rick Warren said, and we feel disconnected from one another, celebrating Jesus’ birth unifies the church body both locally and at large.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, Christmas celebrations provide an opportunity to engage community members who might not otherwise attend church events. The day is set apart even in the hearts and minds of non-believers. Associating Christmas with light-hearted festivities might seem disrespectful in light of its true meaning. Still, the joy of singing familiar carols and lighting candles, the sense of belonging and love connected to the holiday, encourages many unbelievers to attend Christmas services where they might hear the gospel.</p><p>Sources:</p><p><a href="https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/39573/Why-do-Eastern-Christians-celebrate-Christmas-on-January-7" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Egypt Today</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/christ-is-born" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">History.com</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Brittanica</span></a></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-81613556748784031582023-12-10T16:55:00.001-06:002023-12-20T16:16:51.018-06:00When Was Jesus Actually Born? (Part 1)<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="http://Christianity.com" target="_blank">Christianity.com</a> and written by <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/candice-lucey/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Candice Lucey</span></a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Part 1</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjywPDmpu8lPUCVLzo9sF8jTgDts5vX3EVMsjnytip4GCzFSW9D6TDR2Nu4QVTCVxub5fuMzBWdNvJNSE_CocytMU0ZlUpdJy_3LySIU3p6rB9L7z7Xg2QGiMO0SyBlkoJNQn9W9ODwE7SrLYIVxGhyphenhyphenEzN61O7rT9o4HG-CDTQrjTgO_9uXygnAhtOJ-vf/s2880/R%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2880" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjywPDmpu8lPUCVLzo9sF8jTgDts5vX3EVMsjnytip4GCzFSW9D6TDR2Nu4QVTCVxub5fuMzBWdNvJNSE_CocytMU0ZlUpdJy_3LySIU3p6rB9L7z7Xg2QGiMO0SyBlkoJNQn9W9ODwE7SrLYIVxGhyphenhyphenEzN61O7rT9o4HG-CDTQrjTgO_9uXygnAhtOJ-vf/w400-h250/R%20(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Christ’s birth is traditionally celebrated in the West on December 25th, but many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. Neither date is likely correct in light of several clues uncovered by historians and information in the Bible itself.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The birth of Jesus Christ, a pivotal moment in Christian history, has long been a subject of scholarly debate and theological reflection. The birth of Jesus Christ is traditionally celebrated on December 25th, but nobody really knows exactly when Jesus was born. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide accounts of Jesus's birth, including facts such as - the location of Bethlehem, the names of Mary and Joseph, that they had fled Egypt to escape King Herod's plan to kill Jesus, and that his birth was announced by angels who appeared to shepherds - they do not offer a specific date for this momentous event. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As a result, the question of when Jesus was born has given rise to a multitude of theories and hypotheses throughout the centuries. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of dating Jesus's birth and explore the various historical, astronomical, and theological perspectives that have emerged in an attempt to pinpoint the elusive date of the nativity. The biblical account does not give the year Jesus was born (Luke 2). So how was the date of Christmas decided, and when was Jesus really born?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Evidence of When Jesus Was Born</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The exact birth date of Jesus is not known with certainty, and there is no specific date mentioned in the Bible. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide accounts of Jesus' birth, but they don't include a precise date. The celebration of Christmas on December 25th is a tradition that dates back to the 4th century, and it was chosen to coincide with the Roman festival of Sol Invictus (the "Unconquered Sun").</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Biblical evidence</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Matthew's Gospel: <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Matthew 1:18-25</span> provides an account of the birth of Jesus and mentions the visit of the Magi in <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Matthew 2:1-12</span>. However, this Gospel doesn't specify the exact date of Jesus' birth.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Luke's Gospel: <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Luke 2</span> describes the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds, but like Matthew, he doesn't give a specific date for the event.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Historical evidence</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Roman Census: The Gospel of Luke mentions that the birth of Jesus occurred during the time of a census conducted by Caesar Augustus. While historical records confirm that censuses did take place, there is no direct evidence linking a census to the specific time of Jesus' birth.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Herod's Reign: The Gospel of Matthew places the birth of Jesus during the reign of King Herod the Great. Historical records indicate that Herod died in 4 BCE, so if this is accurate, Jesus must have been born before that date.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What Year Was Jesus Born?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While many scholars believe Jesus was born sometime between 4 BC and 6 BC, there is no definitive historical evidence that pinpoints the exact year of his birth. The commonly used Christian calendar, which designates Jesus' birth as the starting point, traditionally places it at 1 BC or 1 AD, although these dates are approximate and may not align precisely with historical records.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Confusion in Historical Calendars</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Several factors are involved in establishing the year of Christ’s birth. There were two dating systems at the time of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. One was his new Julian calendar, and the other calendar began with the year Rome was established: 753 BC. To complicate matters, Julius Caesar also determined that a year would be calculated beginning with the start of complete authority by the reigning emperor at that time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">About 500 years later, a mathematically-minded monk, Dionysius Exiguus, invented the concept of AD. His purpose was to establish when Easter should be celebrated by working backward using a complicated system of his own. He decided that Christ was born in AD 1, and his system was adopted in Europe around 200 years later.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Date Evidence in the Bible</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bible scholars work from what Scripture tells us regarding the history of Jesus. The events took place within the living memory of the writers or their families, such as the reign of Herod, during which time Matthew tells us Christ was born.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We know there was a celestial event that alerted the Magi, and this can also be dated. John the Baptist’s preaching took place during “the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius” (<span style="color: #2b00fe;">Luke 3:1</span>). Jesus’ approximate age at the start of His ministry (30) is also supplied in the book of Luke, so we can determine that Christ was likely born around 2 or 3 BC.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness." (<span style="color: #2b00fe;">Luke 3:1-2</span>)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What Month was Jesus Born?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">One hypothesis suggests that Jesus may have been born in the month of December. This idea is largely based on the mention of shepherds in the Gospel of Luke who were tending their flocks at night when the angelic announcement of Jesus's birth occurred. Some argue that this activity would have been more likely in a warmer month, implying that Jesus might have been born in a mild Mediterranean climate during the winter. Additionally, the early Christian church established December 25th as the date to celebrate Jesus's birth, possibly to coincide with existing pagan festivals, such as the Roman celebration of Sol Invictus. This choice could have influenced the association of Jesus's birth with December.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, it's essential to note that this evidence is circumstantial and inconclusive. Other scholars argue for alternative months or even different years for Jesus's birth based on historical and astronomical data. The uncertainty surrounding the precise month of Jesus's birth underscores the challenge of dating an event that occurred over two thousand years ago and the various factors that have influenced the development of Christmas traditions over time. Ultimately, while December 25th remains the widely accepted date for celebrating Jesus's birth, the exact month of his birth remains a mystery.</p><p>Sources:</p><p><a href="https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/39573/Why-do-Eastern-Christians-celebrate-Christmas-on-January-7" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Egypt Today</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/christ-is-born" target="_blank">History.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas" target="_blank">Brittanica</a></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><a href="https://whos-right-kelstal.blogspot.com/2023/12/when-was-jesus-actually-born-part-2.html" target="_blank">Click here</a></b></span> to read Part 2 of <i>When Was Jesus Actually Born?</i></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-3563720300006992882023-11-23T16:35:00.000-06:002023-11-23T16:36:22.905-06:00 Apocalypse Now: The 11 Strangest End Times Predictions<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The following article was obtained through the website <a href="https://ashandpri.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A & P</span></a> and written by Pri Kingston.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Itim;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Itim;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioGwLSW9_l5emZRRL1qiyiXl03a5EpLfJ_PokfAEzEv0PdPEs5or710WQnQairvupCfbiBeHsorz8kHhhtEaKMb9uE7qdOS1PftfwVK7BIZ6-bMs5hhr6BkkagnNiSmqXLZtSE87kLQ7A5iGhvzsDEgIlceEvb956_XoMm0J0bpbbC0XNcU-3YZnJjW6Kv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="354" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioGwLSW9_l5emZRRL1qiyiXl03a5EpLfJ_PokfAEzEv0PdPEs5or710WQnQairvupCfbiBeHsorz8kHhhtEaKMb9uE7qdOS1PftfwVK7BIZ6-bMs5hhr6BkkagnNiSmqXLZtSE87kLQ7A5iGhvzsDEgIlceEvb956_XoMm0J0bpbbC0XNcU-3YZnJjW6Kv=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Throughout history, humanity has been fascinated by the concept of the apocalypse-the cataclysmic end of the world as we know it. Countless predictions, both ancient and modern, have foretold various scenarios for how this ultimate reckoning might occur. In this list, we delve into the realm of the bizarre and explore the ten strangest end […]</span></p><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Mayan Calendar:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Mayan civilization, known for its remarkable mathematical and astronomical knowledge, famously crafted a calendar that seemed to end abruptly on December 21, 2012. Some believed this signified the end of the world, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding, as the Mayans likely intended it as the start of a new cycle. This prediction gained international attention, with some people even stockpiling supplies and preparing for the worst, only for December 21, 2012, to come and go without incident, leaving many both relieved and perplexed.</span></p><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Y2K Bug:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">As the year 2000 approached, many feared that computer systems worldwide would malfunction because of the Y2K bug. Some doomsdayers predicted that this digital catastrophe would trigger global chaos and the collapse of civilization. Fortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. Years of meticulous preparation by software engineers and IT experts ensured that the transition into the new millennium was relatively smooth, preventing widespread technological meltdowns.</span></p><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Rapture:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">A recurring prediction within some Christian circles, the Rapture suggests that true believers will be taken up to heaven, leaving the rest of humanity to endure apocalyptic trials on Earth. Predictions of the Rapture have come and gone, causing anxiety and fervent preparations for the chosen few. Despite numerous failed predictions, some believers continue to anticipate this event, while others have shifted their focus away from specific dates.</span></p><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Great Pyramid Alignment:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Some theorists claim that the Great Pyramid of Giza holds secret knowledge about the end of the world. They point to supposed astronomical alignments within the pyramid’s construction that allegedly predict future global catastrophes. While these claims are often made, they remain highly speculative, with no concrete evidence to support the notion that the ancient Egyptians encoded apocalyptic predictions in their architectural marvels. Nevertheless, the mystique of the pyramids continues to fuel such theories and intrigue seekers of hidden knowledge.</span></p><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Nostradamus’ Prophecies:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The 16th-century French astrologer Nostradamus is famous for his cryptic quatrains, some of which have been interpreted as predicting various disasters. His writings have been scoured for clues about impending doom, though interpretations vary widely. Nostradamus’ predictions have been applied to a wide range of events, from world wars to natural disasters, but their accuracy remains a topic of debate among scholars and enthusiasts.</span></p></span></div><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Blood Moon Prophecy:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">A popular theory in recent years suggested that a series of lunar eclipses, known as blood moons, signaled the apocalypse. These events were linked to biblical passages, particularly in the Book of Joel, and stirred considerable anxiety. Despite predictions that the blood moons would usher in catastrophic events, their passing brought no such calamities, leaving followers of the prophecy to question its validity.</span></p></span></div><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Hollow Earth Catastrophe:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Among the most bizarre predictions is the notion that the Earth is hollow, with a hidden civilization dwelling within. Some proponents claim that this subterranean world will emerge, causing worldwide devastation. This theory has its roots in pseudoscience and imaginative fiction but has gained a small but dedicated following over the years, with some anticipating a grand hollow Earth revelation.</span></p></span></div><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Planet Nibiru (Planet X):</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Conspiracy theories have circulated about a hidden planet called Nibiru, supposedly on a collision course with Earth. Despite a lack of scientific evidence, this prediction has persisted, sparking fears of a rogue planet wreaking havoc. Proponents of this theory often cite ancient Sumerian texts and alleged government cover-ups, though mainstream astronomers have debunked the existence of Nibiru.</span></p></span></div><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">Zombie Apocalypse:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">While more of a pop culture phenomenon, some individuals take the idea of a zombie apocalypse seriously. They stockpile supplies and prepare for a world overrun by the undead, inspired by movies, TV shows, and video games. Although this prediction is firmly rooted in fiction, it showcases how influential entertainment can be in shaping people’s beliefs and behaviors, even when it comes to apocalyptic scenarios.</span></p></span></div><div class="slide-title" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 20px; gap: 12px; padding: 0px;"><div class="slide-title-data" style="align-items: flex-start; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; padding: 0px;"><span class="title" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-weight: 600; line-height: 26px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Black Hole Catastrophe:</span></span></div></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Itim;"><p style="text-align: justify;">The Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator used for high-energy physics experiments. Some theorists have proposed that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments could lead to the creation of microscopic black holes capable of swallowing the Earth. While scientists argue that such events are highly unlikely and that any black holes produced would be too small to pose a threat, conspiracy theories have persisted, causing unfounded fears of an Earth-devouring black hole.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;">The Prophecy of Malachy:</span></p></span></span></div><div class="" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="body" style="color: var(--neutral-foreground-rest); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Itim;">The Prophecy of Malachy, a 12th-century prediction attributed to Saint Malachy, allegedly foretells the identities of all the future popes. According to this prophecy, the world will end after the reign of the final pope, known as “Peter the Roman.” The prophecy’s accuracy has been debated, and some see it as a product of interpretation rather than genuine foreknowledge. Nevertheless, it has piqued the curiosity of those intrigued by esoteric predictions.</span></p></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-4069500476846675962023-11-04T11:36:00.000-05:002023-11-04T11:37:03.036-05:00The Many Futuristic Predictions of H.G. Wells That Came True<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Smithsonian Magazine</span></a> and written by <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/author/brian-handwerk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Brian Handwerk</span></a> in .</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrow_kwFp-LSdoKGldanfwXyLpH7zQU3G8NPoCfeP-3vXk686NYSPhG_PcRljmK_JPxEI6UN5EjM2DFkf2Lh92RdqOnQUldzwn2j0c5VvDtlU4_aedUOqE7b4p6XakCZ4vsV74pgzSv1oIlsvFcXkA7FKj5f5KwvTlVfrNKsVVTBeMVw1f2NYRc5sggo2k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrow_kwFp-LSdoKGldanfwXyLpH7zQU3G8NPoCfeP-3vXk686NYSPhG_PcRljmK_JPxEI6UN5EjM2DFkf2Lh92RdqOnQUldzwn2j0c5VvDtlU4_aedUOqE7b4p6XakCZ4vsV74pgzSv1oIlsvFcXkA7FKj5f5KwvTlVfrNKsVVTBeMVw1f2NYRc5sggo2k=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Born 150 years ago, H.G. Wells predicted, and inspired, inventions from the laser to email.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Science fiction pioneer H.G. Wells conjured some futuristic visions that haven't (yet) come true: a machine that travels back in time, a man who turns invisible, and a Martian invasion that destroys southern England.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But for a man born 150 years ago, many of Wells's other predictions about the modern world have proven amazingly prescient.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells, born in 1866, was trained as a scientist, a rarity among his literary contemporaries, and was perhaps the most important figure in the genre that would become science fiction.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Writers in this tradition have a history not just of imagining the future as is might be, but of inspiring others to make it a reality. In 2012, Smithsonian.com published a top ten list of inventions inspired by sci-fi, ranging from Robert H. Goddard's liquid-fuelled rocket to the cell phone.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Wells's was an imagination in a hurry, he wanted to get to the future sooner than it was going to happen. That's why he's so predictive in his writing,” explains Simon James, head of the English Studies department at Durham University and the editor of the official journal of the H.G. Wells society .</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells’s ideas have also endured because he was a standout storyteller, James adds. No less a writer than Joseph Conrad agreed. “I am always powerfully impressed by your work. Impressed is the word, O Realist of the Fantastic!” he wrote Wells after reading The Invisible Man.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here are some of the incredible H.G. Wells predictions that have come true, as well as some that haven't—at least not yet.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Phones, Email, and Television</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In Men Like Gods (1923), Wells invites readers to a futuristic utopia that's essentially Earth after thousands of years of progress. In this alternate reality, people communicate exclusively with wireless systems that employ a kind of co-mingling of voicemail and email-like properties.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“For in Utopia, except by previous arrangement, people do not talk together on the telephone,” he writes. “A message is sent to the station of the district in which the recipient is known to be, and there it waits until he chooses to tap his accumulated messages. And any that one wishes to repeat can be repeated. Then he talks back to the senders and dispatches any other messages he wishes. The transmission is wireless.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells also imagined forms of future entertainment. In When the Sleeper Wakes (1899), the protagonist rouses from two centuries of slumber to a dystopian London in which citizens use wondrous forms of technology like the audio book, airplane and television—yet suffer systematic oppression and social injustice. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Genetic Engineering</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896) were confronted with a menagerie of bizarre creatures including Leopard-Man and Fox-Bear Witch, created by the titular madman doctor in human-animal hybrid experiments that may presage the age of genetic engineering.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Though Moreau created his Frankenbeasts through more crude techniques, like surgical transplants and blood transfusions, the theme of humans playing God by tinkering with nature has become a reality. Scientists are working towards the day when animal organs could serve as long-term transplants for human patients, though today human immune systems still ultimately reject such efforts. And controversial experiments known as chimera studies create human-animal hybrids by adding human stem cells to animal embryos.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Notably, the human-animal hybrids Moreau creates eventually do the doctor in, and that ending echoes another common Wells theme. “It's often a warning about the consequences of technology, in particular when you don't think them through properly,” explains James. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lasers and Directed Energy Weapons</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Martians in The War of the Worlds (1898) unleash what Wells called a Heat-Ray, a super weapon capable of incinerating helpless humans with a noiseless flash of light. It would be more than six decades before Theodore Maiman fired up the first operational laser at California's Hughes Research Laboratory on May 16, 1960, but military thinkers had been hoping to weaponize the conceptual laser even before it was even proven practical.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells's description isn't accurate enough to build a working laser, but it resembles both that device and other “directed energy” weapons, such as those using microwaves, electromagnetic radiation, and radio or sound waves, which the United States and other militaries have developed in recent years.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Many think that in some way [the Martians] are able to generate an intense heat in a chamber of practically absolute non-conductivity. This intense heat they project in a parallel beam against any object they choose, by means of a polished parabolic mirror of unknown composition, much as the parabolic mirror of a lighthouse projects a beam of light,” Wells wrote.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Typically, Wells was more interested in what the effects of his future ideas might be, rather than working out the technical details, James stresses.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“He'll kind of take one element of scientific understanding of the world and tweak it. So in The Time Machine, if you think of time as the fourth dimension, what if you could travel in time as freely as in the other three? Or, in The First Men in the Moon, what if you could make a material [Wells called it Cavorite] as impervious to gravity as other materials are impervious to heat? You just take that one thing, and see what follows from it,” James explains.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">(Today's leading science fiction authors still use this technique while at work shaping the future of tomorrow. In fact, some companies commission “design fiction” to see how innovative ideas might work if they become fact in the future. “There is nothing weird about a company doing this—commissioning a story about people using a technology to decide if the technology is worth following through on,” says novelist Cory Doctorow, whose clients have included Disney and Tesco. “It’s like an architect creating a virtual fly-through of a building.” )</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Atomic Bombs & Nuclear Proliferation</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells reveled in the potential benefits of technology but also feared their dark side. “H.G. Wells was probably the writer who saw most clearly in the early 20th century the possibility of total war,” says Eleanor Courtemanche of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (A new physical and online exhibition there shows off an extensive Wells collection.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells recognized the world-changing destructive power that might be harnessed by splitting the atom. The atomic bombs he introduces in The World Set Free (1913) fuel a war so devastating that its survivors are moved to create a unified world government to avoid future conflicts.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells's bombs differed from those actually developed by scientists with the Manhattan Project. They exploded continually, for days, weeks or months depending upon their size, as the elements in them furiously radiated energy during their degeneration and in the process created mini-volcanoes of death and destruction.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells also clearly saw the dangers of nuclear proliferation, and the doomsday scenarios that might arise both when nations were capable of “mutually assured destruction” and when non-state actors or terrorists got into the fray.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Destruction was becoming so facile that any little body of malcontents could use it; it was revolutionizing the problems of police and internal rule. Before the last war began it was a matter of common knowledge that a man could carry about in a handbag an amount of latent energy sufficient to wreck half a city,” he wrote. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Where Wells Was Wrong—At Least So Far</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells rejected the idea that the future is unknowable, writes esteemed science fiction writer James Gunn, who also helped to pioneer university study of science fiction.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“He believed that it was possible, through the use of what he first called "inductive history" and later "Human Ecology" (defined as the working out of "biological, intellectual, and economic consequences"), to chart the possibilities of the future and to push people into making sensible use of those possibilities. He was the first futurologist, the man who invented tomorrow,” wrote Gunn in The Science of Science-Fiction Writing, published in 2000.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But Wells did have other big ideas that haven't come to fruition, though of course there's always the chance that his vision extended farther into the future than our own time. As of this writing we've not been invaded by Martians. Human invisibility also remains elusive—though science is making progress in that direction. The time machine, an invention introduced in a 1895 novella, hasn't been worked out either.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps the biggest disappointment to Wells was the failure of his idealized political vision, a world government, which he described in A Modern Utopia (1905)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Wells was a committed socialist who hoped that a global “New Republic” would assure peace in perpetuity. Wells, who died in 1946, lived long enough to learn that this imagined future wasn't likely to ever come true, so he took a very active role in fostering international cooperation wherever he could.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“After World War II broke out, it was another slap in the face to the idea of a world state ever coming off,” James says, “so Wells started a campaign for universal human rights. I believe it was Wells writing letters to The Times that started the process that eventually led to the United Nations declaration of world rights in 1947.” Wells also laid out his vision in The Rights of Man (1940), and his draft declarations on the topic were used to help write the formal UN document. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Courtemanche adds that Wells's idea of world government, while never reaching his Utopian ideal, actually did come to fruition in at least some small ways.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Think of all the international agencies that sprang up after WWII in hopes that some kind of international framework would keep world war from happening again,” she notes. “Bretton Woods, the IMF, NATO, the European Union -- none of these were truly global, but they were definitely steps toward the more peaceful and organized world society that Wells envisioned.”</p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-33601904181909657002023-10-28T16:55:00.000-05:002023-11-04T11:37:26.532-05:00 A 'Time Traveler' from 2030 Predicts Shocking Life Events... And Passes a Lie Detector Test<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through the website, <a href="https://www.pastchronicles.com/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Past Chronicles</span></a> and written by Anna Klein.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In a recent video that went viral, a time traveler from the year 2030 revealed some crazy predictions about our future. Since then, tongue-in-cheek articles have emerged that made many people question the story’s credibility and call it “fake news”, but there are plenty of reasons to believe this man’s story.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjasQ2lyxaqk0qum2d6dKu18urgvjBmM1zk3gFtJHCw5y_G3JRnwB4gnwzycN3fTelAhLeF1pSZFjh-GGilCTlzGYsha1Kd-3Uq28zShDMd7kdzXErtGh8a78Zn6xtA03PWZ69LE8ggr_-hLwZeaePHow4EEvELVWEg3xNsYdX7wh0mJTySSBscIblwmLHr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjasQ2lyxaqk0qum2d6dKu18urgvjBmM1zk3gFtJHCw5y_G3JRnwB4gnwzycN3fTelAhLeF1pSZFjh-GGilCTlzGYsha1Kd-3Uq28zShDMd7kdzXErtGh8a78Zn6xtA03PWZ69LE8ggr_-hLwZeaePHow4EEvELVWEg3xNsYdX7wh0mJTySSBscIblwmLHr" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traveler Claims Backed by a Polygraph Test </span><span>©</span>Source: Imgur</p><p style="text-align: justify;">First, he successfully passed a lie detector test similar to the one that Edward Snowden took back in 2014. It’s important to note that polygraph tests can only tell you if someone is lying or not; they cannot confirm the reason for their answer (you could be telling the truth and feeling nervous).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many believed that his claims were a hoax, but he managed to baffle everyone when he passed a polygraph test.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here are some of the wild predictions that this man from the future has made. Some of them have already come true. You decide for yourself what you believe!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A World with Unlimited Power and No health problems</span> ©Source: nzherald.co.nz</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As it stands, we have almost reached the point where we can simply delete any technology that causes harm to our planet. But what will this change look like? In 2030, we may have unlimited power and no health problems!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">(Source: Anonymous) “In 2030, there would be no one without access to medical care.” We might even be able to upload all of our memories so that nobody can steal them.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Artificial Intelligence Is the Future</span> ©Source: enisa europa.eu</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The man claims that he is from a time when AI (or “artificial intelligence,” as he calls it) is already being used in many areas of technology.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For example, he claims that we don’t have to be worried about automation taking our jobs anymore because we already have driverless cars and other machines to do most of the work for us. He also says that medical breakthroughs are “no longer just happening in the lab,” Healthcare can be obtained with a simple brain scan.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time Traveler Predicts ‘Blockchain’ Will Save the World from Money-Wasting </span>©Source: jacekdudzic/ Twitter</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Most importantly, his prediction about the future of money is so accurate that business insiders are discussing it and taking the time to look into the man’s claims.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Our global currency is called the dollar,” he says in his blog post. “It is directly linked to the creation of new U.S. government debt, which means that when we run a deficit (through either tax cuts or war spending), dollars are created out of thin air.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will the Dollar Lose Its Power in The Future?</span> ©Source: allianzgi.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time traveler goes on to say how this system has been going on since 1980 and how it will continue until around 2040-2050, at which point, we will be swapping our current dollar for a much more stable one called “the blockchain”.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But what is this blockchain? According to a recent article, the blockchain is a technology that “enables a peer-to-peer network to agree on a single version of the truth”. Essentially, it’s an open-source database that will allow many individuals to hold a record of their transactions without having to trust anyone else.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">New Planet? </span>©Source: commons.wikimedia..org</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time traveler says that in 2030, a new planet has been discovered in our solar system, which he claims is between Mars and Jupiter. The planet is made of pure diamond and is orbited by two moons. He also claims that many people are using this planet as a new place to live because Earth’s population has skyrocketed and is limited by the size of our planet. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This isn’t the first time someone has predicted something like this. In 2007, a man said that there was a planet located near Mars in our solar system, which is made of diamonds and had many tiny diamonds orbiting around it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Space Predictions</span> ©Source: Pinterest</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Space has been a concern for a while now, with advancements being made by NASA and SpaceX. The traveler predicts a Mars travel race.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Technology advancements will occur quickly and fast until earth achieves a one-way expedition to Mars. Could we be touring Mars sooner than we think?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Touring Mars </span>©Source: space.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Get your bags ready; we are going to Mars. According to the time traveler, you will be able to tour Mars privately in the next decade.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The traveler didn’t give much information about how this will happen given the ‘one-way expedition’ situation. To explore space and Mars, I say bring it on!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homeschooling Will Become the New Norm</span> ©Source: businessday.ng</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another prediction was about the future of education. He claims that children will learn more from the internet at home instead of going to school. He also predicts that our children will be able to travel through time using pictures, texts, and information stored on their phones. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">About the future of education, he has a point there. With technology and science getting better and better every day, it’s just a matter of time, right? He also claims that women can choose between marriage or working, which is rather pragmatic for the future.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I Am Not an Angel or Satan</span> ©Source: theconversation.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But who is this guy giving great insights about our education system? When asked who he was and how he got these predictions, this was his response: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">“I’m not an angel nor Satan. I’m a time traveler from 2030. I can tell you everything you want to know about the future. I also explain why there is an apparent lack of smart people on Earth.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Utopia in 2030: ‘Flying cities’ With Only a Few Buildings </span>©Source: Pinterest</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time traveler from 2030 also predicted a utopia in the year 2030. He described a world with flying cities, where the buildings are only a few stories tall. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">He said that these cities will be powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and will be connected by a network of teleportation portals. He added that these cities will be so advanced that they will be able to produce food, water, and other resources adequate for all the inhabitants. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instant Travel Networks</span> ©Source: h3c</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Transport in the future is also really advanced. The network of teleportation portals connecting different cities will enable people to travel between cities almost instantly. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">He also said that these cities will be so advanced and efficient that they will not need any kind of police or military forces. This would be a utopia, indeed, where people can live peacefully without fear of violence or oppression.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Electric Vehicles Future</span> ©Source: techonline.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">With different electric cars already in the market, the time traveler also touched on the future of electric-powered vehicles. He claims that in an effort to reduce the use of fossil fuels, more and more electric cars will be invented, with most driverless vehicles. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The cars in the future will also have longer-lasting batteries than what we have currently. A full EV battery charge will be able to run for about 600 miles. I mean, how cool is that? </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Self-sufficiency on a New Level – All Thanks to Satellites</span> ©Source: hobbyfarms.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time traveler 2030 predicted that the world will be self-sufficient by 2030. He said satellites will provide us with the necessary resources to sustain ourselves. He also mentioned that this technology will provide food, energy, and water to all countries in the world. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This will ensure that people have access to necessary resources without worrying about running out of them. He also said that this technology will help us monitor the environment and ensure it is not being polluted.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Future is Green</span> ©Source: vision.esa.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to the traveler, technology will help us monitor the climate and ensure that it is not getting damaged due to global warming. This would mean that we could take a proactive approach to climate change instead of waiting for it to happen and not being able to do anything about it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">(Source: Anonymous) “All the cars are part of a global network connected through satellites. They drive themselves, but they also share all their fuel.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Immortality in The Offing: Improved Life Expectancy in The Future</span> ©Source: openthemagazine.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time traveler predicted that we will live to be 300 years old. He believes this because his great-grandfather lived to be 300 years old, and he completely understood how his great-grandfather’s body worked. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">If the current statistics are anything to go by, in 2050 you’ll only live to be 125 years old compared to 250 years ago. In 3060, you can only reach 120, and in 9100, you’ll be lucky to reach 100. So, what makes the time traveler think we will live another 200 years? He claims that scientists have done experiments with genetics, and it’s possible for us to make improvements in how our bodies work.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will Trump Make America Great Again?</span> ©Source: baysidegroup.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The traveler couldn’t leave netizens without having a say in politics – he made another exciting prediction that raised many eyebrows. He claimed that Trump will win the presidential election and return to the White House.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The traveler, however, didn’t comment on who Trump’s opponent will be. So, will Trump make a comeback, and will we see him ascend into power? Only time will tell. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s Looking Good for Foodies</span> ©Source: baysidegroup.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another interesting prediction was about food. In 2030, there will be no more supermarkets, but rather a single store that sells everything you want. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In this store, he says that in addition to computers and phones, there will be food-delivery drones as well as robots that can perform tasks to serve customers. On this one, he’s not kidding: there is a drone that can fly and deliver food in Japan.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is the World Finally Turning Vegan?</span> ©Source: piperleaf.net</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It doesn’t stop there! He said that 50 years after everyone stops eating food, people will choose to become vegetarian or vegan. It’ll be normal for people not to eat meat since it’ll be way more expensive than the less potent alternatives.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the future, it will be easier to grow food using different ways such as hydroponics (growing plants in water). Technology will make eating meat a thing of the past!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Healthy Meals for Healthy Lifestyles</span> ©Source: flawlesslyfitish.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the future, “the average person will have a diet of “Kale, kale, kale, kale, and more kale.” He also predicts that our future food will be so healthy that people won’t even need to eat anymore. He describes this ‘Kale Food’ as raw fruit, vegetables, grasses and grains. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don’t know about you, but this sounds like the perfect diet for a healthy lifestyle! I guess we can’t fault him for predicting our diet when health is already improving with technology. He has his facts straight!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Question About Cancer Treatment</span> ©Source: canver.gov</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A lot of people are wondering about the future of cancer treatment. He claims that cancer was already cured in 2030 with a pill called ‘Xtend’. The traveler claims that scientists in the future can grow new organs from a person’s DNA. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">There’s no doubt that we have been making a lot of progress with our medicine, so perhaps it won’t be long before we can “grow” ourselves new organs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Advancement in Biotechnology</span> ©Source: roi-nj.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While on the topic, the time traveler also says that in 2030, we will be able to see a person’s life in real time as we speak. He further adds that in 2030, most people will become part of a “bio-hacking collective” and get to choose their fate. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Humans in the future will be able to engineer foods and animals genetically so they are better suited for survival on the future planet. I must say, the future is looking bright!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is The Future of Medicine and Anatomy Worthless?</span> ©Source: nature.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">No, the future of medicine and the body is not worthless. The time traveler from 2030 made some very inspiring predictions about medicine. He predicted that by 2030, the technology will be so advanced that it will be able to cure the most challenging diseases and even reverse the effects of aging. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, the future of medicine and the body should never be dismissed. It seems that the time traveler from 2030 has some interesting predictions.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Creating Artificial Organs Using Technology</span> ©Source: theconversation.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">He also predicted that the technology will be so advanced that it will be able to repair damaged organs and tissues and even create artificial organs from scratch. This would mean that people can live longer and healthier lives without worrying about costly surgeries or treatments. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The technology being used in the future will be able to detect and treat diseases before they become life-threatening, which would be a breakthrough in the field of medicine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The World Will Witness a Major War</span> ©Source: Imgur</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time traveler was also a carrier of bad news. The world has witnessed different wars, including Ukraine and Russia’s most recent war. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">But who will be involved in this war? This guy predicted the US, China, and the Korean peninsula. He also made it clear that this war would not lead to World War III. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Who Is This Time Traveler?</span> ©Source: dailydot.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is unclear who the time traveler from 2030 is. He claims to be a time traveler from the year 2030, but there is no way to verify this claim. It is possible that he is simply a clever hoaxer with a knack for predicting trends and future technologies, or actually, he could be from the future. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In any case, the time traveler from 2030 has fascinating insights about the world that are worth looking further into. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is He Really From the future?</span> ©Source: GreatScott/ twitter</p><p style="text-align: justify;">One can never truly know if the time traveler from 2030 came from the future or not. He has some interesting predictions, but there is no way to verify them until the year 2030 arrives. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">All we can do is wait and see if his predictions come true. In the meantime, keep your eyes wide open and with an open mind…it doesn’t hurt to listen to others with different perspectives on the future.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s Keep Our Finger Crossed</span> ©Source: Youtube</p><p style="text-align: justify;">They say time heals; all you have to do is wait and see. After all, the future is something that we cannot predict, so it is vital to remain open and flexible to the possibilities. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The predictions could be true or false; there’s no way to tell. Only time can tell if the time traveler came from the future. Until then, we can only speculate and look forward to 2030.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wrapping It Up</span> ©Source: Youtube</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To answer the question about whether or not this man has pure intentions and is definitely from the time he is claiming he is from, there are plenty of reasons to believe that he is. The fact that he passed a polygraph test and his predictions were so accurate should also make us question his claims further. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">It’s also possible that we may one day in the future live in an AI and blockchain technology world, but I hope not. More information about this story is required, and it’s good to know that people are taking the time to look deeper into it.</p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-43823009101021041322023-10-08T15:13:00.001-05:002023-10-08T15:16:39.202-05:0010 Ancient Cities Once Thought To Be Mythical That Have Actually Been Discovered <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The following article was <a href="https://www.thetravel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">© Provided by TheTravel</span></a> and written by Aaron Spray. Google Images provided by Who's ? Right blog.</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mycenae, once thought to be mythical, is now one of Greece's greatest archaeological sites. (Bronze Age Greece, Modern Country: Greece)</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The ancient city of Babylon, mentioned in the Bible, was discovered near Baghdad in Iraq. (Babylonian Civilization, Modern Country: Iraq)</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Troy, the counterpart to Mycenae in Homer's Iliad, has been identified in Turkey south of Istanbul. (Trojan Civilization, Modern Country: Turkey)</span></li></ul><p></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ancient history is shrouded in myth and legend, and picking the real from the fictional is tricky at best. Sometimes, legendary cities turn out to have actually existed (at least in some form), while other legendary places like the biblical Sodom and <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/lost-city-of-atlantis-does-it-exist-facts/?utm_source=syndication" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">the ancient Greek mythical city of Atlantis remain debated.</a></span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was once thought that great Bronze Age cities like Mycenae were mythical, but they have been found to have been real (<a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/discover-the-ancient-acropolis-of-mycenae-greece/?utm_source=syndication" target="_blank">Mycenae was one of the greatest Greek cities of its time</a>). Here are ten legendary cities that turned out to be real.</span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Related: <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/the-lost-cities-of-the-world-that-were-found/?utm_source=syndication" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">These Are 10 Of The World's Now Not-So-Lost Cities</a></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Babylon</span></b></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESS2hV52QfayNoT8FXMKOyttk0xOAJdJpTKvpxXBgr8L4kNagHHGDoy8K3glvy-NtYIVQIl_aGgu5w4WDPq7uJ-sxk9nnS0NoK6dVx2M8pW-vJCOat7lUp31qlUdezmXgcNlWohMuTYcGm3C0YNj8-V8V6wbbaoCKMFwFeY2yR4bd0MJ33I5cGDwCd6Zd/s1280/1280px-Ruins_of_Babylon,_Mesopotamia,_Iraq.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESS2hV52QfayNoT8FXMKOyttk0xOAJdJpTKvpxXBgr8L4kNagHHGDoy8K3glvy-NtYIVQIl_aGgu5w4WDPq7uJ-sxk9nnS0NoK6dVx2M8pW-vJCOat7lUp31qlUdezmXgcNlWohMuTYcGm3C0YNj8-V8V6wbbaoCKMFwFeY2yR4bd0MJ33I5cGDwCd6Zd/w400-h266/1280px-Ruins_of_Babylon,_Mesopotamia,_Iraq.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ruins of Babylon, Mesopotamia, Iraq</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/can-you-visit-babylon-today/?utm_source=syndication" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Babylon was one of the greatest cities in Mesopotamia</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;"> and was at the heart of two powerful empires, the Babylonian Empire (famous for its king Hammurabi) and the Neo-Babylonian Empire (famous for its king Nebuchadnezzar).</span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Babylon is extensively referenced in the Bible but had been thought to be mythical until it was discovered near Bagdad in Iraq.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Babylonian</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Iraq</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Mycenae</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0epClEnnMO__VdsMmqAkG-xwKz05g7nPOOIDSfu-b9MlDlOCtoS0irpmJ-Kfi493zNzw1-Ru_HH9B-dFqDW1F74R1uXennHP1nYT3CfM_B5ES_ShyKIVExJHZMD_tczAxZ0hxo64GD-L8ghXX0rCvHXw62_WKw9tIgawBdCko4IbpQrMNgm4S4lBDKK4/s1024/mycenae-archaeological-site-1024.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0epClEnnMO__VdsMmqAkG-xwKz05g7nPOOIDSfu-b9MlDlOCtoS0irpmJ-Kfi493zNzw1-Ru_HH9B-dFqDW1F74R1uXennHP1nYT3CfM_B5ES_ShyKIVExJHZMD_tczAxZ0hxo64GD-L8ghXX0rCvHXw62_WKw9tIgawBdCko4IbpQrMNgm4S4lBDKK4/w400-h225/mycenae-archaeological-site-1024.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ancient Site of Mycenae</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mycenae was one of the greatest Bronze Age Greek cities and was at the center of Homer's epic poem, the Iliad (about the Siege of Troy).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Agamemnon was the king of Mycenae and led the campaign against Troy in the story. It was thought to have been a myth, but now it is one of the greatest archeological attractions in Greece.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Bronze Age Greece</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Greece</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Troy</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrVAPYYFM2uD5l4iWPabTTbLOBhW8qK3R89Cl6czHAgUwe3ValuiQhDUXjPvMSENVVXFnPTgioCGET8RI0d-ZYcPSU4KWwjDTe0oc3Jy01iC9Ks-sCYLWGPKfaIU9O1kXaEAbkLeAkdS6rsgv3m-Ehq7vC7K0jIvJyLgLmCxMgZ1oTx3rnn7mx5vgIuBV/s1200/troy%20site.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrVAPYYFM2uD5l4iWPabTTbLOBhW8qK3R89Cl6czHAgUwe3ValuiQhDUXjPvMSENVVXFnPTgioCGET8RI0d-ZYcPSU4KWwjDTe0oc3Jy01iC9Ks-sCYLWGPKfaIU9O1kXaEAbkLeAkdS6rsgv3m-Ehq7vC7K0jIvJyLgLmCxMgZ1oTx3rnn7mx5vgIuBV/w400-h210/troy%20site.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Troy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Iliad counterpart to Mycenae is Troy. It had been thought not to exist, but now researchers are somewhat confident that it has been identified in Turkey south of Istanbul.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;">The </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/849/?utm_source=syndication" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">archeological site of Troy</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;"> is open to the public and has many layers of successive cities.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Trojan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Turkey</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Related: <a href="https://www.thetravel.com/where-troy-is-located-today-can-you-visit/?utm_source=syndication" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Where The Ancient City Of Troy Is Located Today, And What Visitors Can Do There</span></a></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Vinland</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-1HtJo7zsPkSa63xx5MCB2oA_bFyLNaTxp0fjXqa633frmQDGJuEm4jtmjkARlvLxAAiu-ii4xNF5bXua1wmfXT_Q8iM5ul4JhGm5Ss8huao_On1JqwlJiIlEsu-c66tPci209w0AFMJqLX52MwR30QoGm-dZFBvrZZU2yAYx2XKIzygca6ciTlINdLO/s393/vinland%20site.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="393" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-1HtJo7zsPkSa63xx5MCB2oA_bFyLNaTxp0fjXqa633frmQDGJuEm4jtmjkARlvLxAAiu-ii4xNF5bXua1wmfXT_Q8iM5ul4JhGm5Ss8huao_On1JqwlJiIlEsu-c66tPci209w0AFMJqLX52MwR30QoGm-dZFBvrZZU2yAYx2XKIzygca6ciTlINdLO/w400-h271/vinland%20site.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Vinland </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Vinland is the mythical land to the east found by Viking explorers and settlers from Greenland.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;">For a long time, this story was thought to have been mythical until the abandoned </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/were-there-vikings-in-canada/?utm_source=syndication" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Viking settlement was found at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;">, Canada, in 1960. It turns out the Vikings beat Christopher Columbus to discover and settle the New World exactly 1,000 years ago.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Viking</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Canada</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ninevah</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3drDR8Ynsi_e3Awhx3q9BlwXob00vobGFwRXUlihC3KK3r-HqDF7TCGtubSjnvT-Lftlc700F9FeMQs82aL1TskClME6DKonOwUlPz7X5nXO0-0GI-4Ae7Jcu9uUKRJt2uMc-7lKsSCO5icXBulTNbzW4gZIJBxj4b6qG7MKYQqvKqYRsI4TyskTgcHkP/s640/ninevahwalls.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3drDR8Ynsi_e3Awhx3q9BlwXob00vobGFwRXUlihC3KK3r-HqDF7TCGtubSjnvT-Lftlc700F9FeMQs82aL1TskClME6DKonOwUlPz7X5nXO0-0GI-4Ae7Jcu9uUKRJt2uMc-7lKsSCO5icXBulTNbzW4gZIJBxj4b6qG7MKYQqvKqYRsI4TyskTgcHkP/w400-h266/ninevahwalls.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Ninevah</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The scholarly skepticism of the existence of Babylon extended to the Assyrian Empire and the city of Ninevah. Ninevah was the ancient capital city of Assyria and is located in modern-day Mosul in Iraq.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For a period, it was the largest city in the world. It was mostly abandoned by the 13th century AD and was only rediscovered in the mid-19th century.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Assyria</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Iraq</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Hattusa</b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mRNG2eLQcVzWkTx6ClNTlgWbh6mb5K7-pVFAtyEmK4fN6fQ3xdmMl5PLZ7iaWUD5NQv_h-wM_5XCXQMB4nV5Y5R6YmtIuEwWTtaHcGW-GqQRMKsDif_degtShuhm-kmPG9QV4GtFEODFaC-qVEgUlNkL-IlQBnguY85xxAV1V8TTlqaHt3rLmO4DoGiA/s220/220px-Hattusa,_capital_of_the_Hittite_Empire_04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="220" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mRNG2eLQcVzWkTx6ClNTlgWbh6mb5K7-pVFAtyEmK4fN6fQ3xdmMl5PLZ7iaWUD5NQv_h-wM_5XCXQMB4nV5Y5R6YmtIuEwWTtaHcGW-GqQRMKsDif_degtShuhm-kmPG9QV4GtFEODFaC-qVEgUlNkL-IlQBnguY85xxAV1V8TTlqaHt3rLmO4DoGiA/w400-h265/220px-Hattusa,_capital_of_the_Hittite_Empire_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Hattusa</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/why-is-hattusa-famous/?utm_source=syndication" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Hattusa was the impressive capital of the ancient Hittite Empire</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;"> in central Turkey (also believed to have been a myth).</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It became an early UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and is among the oldest archeological attractions to have on the bucket list in Turkey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Hittite</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Turkey</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Heracleion (Or Thonis)</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg9gvJDUmppELuctnwY-eYTX54-dQbZO985Y4nEWz5i3FzvOjtZYvH40dEVtXUR_lPV-n0jP2L5N7v3yYtshOdxahz2NMrY1G0VubfpxrpoiqbwJSp4Ff_gu7zuND37DR8LwtiNfBhD-D0x_vaGEJjMSpD4Ndf3t9YNZdoO_LetTGlw3vW7zHm4LEIsvB/s275/Heracleion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg9gvJDUmppELuctnwY-eYTX54-dQbZO985Y4nEWz5i3FzvOjtZYvH40dEVtXUR_lPV-n0jP2L5N7v3yYtshOdxahz2NMrY1G0VubfpxrpoiqbwJSp4Ff_gu7zuND37DR8LwtiNfBhD-D0x_vaGEJjMSpD4Ndf3t9YNZdoO_LetTGlw3vW7zHm4LEIsvB/w400-h266/Heracleion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Heracleion</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Heracleion was an ancient Egyptian port city near the mouth of the Nile, around 20 miles from Alexandria. Its existence is known from ancient accounts, but scholars were skeptical.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That is, until it was found that, like Atlantis, it had slipped below the waves in the Mediterranean. It is now over 7 kilometers or 4 miles off the coast and under 19 feet or 6 meters of water.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Ancient Egypt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Egypt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px;">Related: </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/the-lost-city-of-heracleion-or-thonis/?utm_source=syndication" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Atlantis of Egypt: Meet The Lost City of Heracleion</span></a></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Assur</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn_Pm3NV4WvlNn882D9MoMGz1aovCYu_Yy4F3YSaaxfMJwQjb1YdEFnJh-5XLY3-ZSGyEWkCglmiFUj-PQqOeUUcAp1-d56Ta8k3O4oGAeE8TU1n7i0JGepHgkcKTU7mDXHEIfchKM9Y7b737igDVLfTZVdl9_T9juWtyvZ6iLMGy7j2_NvVlCWBNVBDQ/s310/assur.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn_Pm3NV4WvlNn882D9MoMGz1aovCYu_Yy4F3YSaaxfMJwQjb1YdEFnJh-5XLY3-ZSGyEWkCglmiFUj-PQqOeUUcAp1-d56Ta8k3O4oGAeE8TU1n7i0JGepHgkcKTU7mDXHEIfchKM9Y7b737igDVLfTZVdl9_T9juWtyvZ6iLMGy7j2_NvVlCWBNVBDQ/w400-h210/assur.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Assur</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.worldhistory.org/ashur/?utm_source=syndication" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Assur</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; text-align: left;">, or Ashur, was another of the great cities of ancient Assyria. It was the capital of the Old Assyrian Empire and, for a period, the Neo-Assyrian Empire.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Its limited remains are found on the western bank of the Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia in Iraq. It is around 60 miles south of ancient Nineveh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Assyria</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Iraq</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Great Zimbabwe</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg5vCHGxN73Vvv8_D98_14JZaEbJR15SQUPg65U8Of5yjYYet0UmDDND1X2ukXXPJPZoi2cnqdzcyU8_AV5mDdUNo-m-fPhaRe1b0S1oW9m41NWnEcAC_aMq1Uu4LwujFL8TZkam3FpT7D5iswbGAQashz8skD7BEdp8bbIm4lFDrJS8glAPexVswcUwH/s860/great-zimbabwes-great-enclosure.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="860" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg5vCHGxN73Vvv8_D98_14JZaEbJR15SQUPg65U8Of5yjYYet0UmDDND1X2ukXXPJPZoi2cnqdzcyU8_AV5mDdUNo-m-fPhaRe1b0S1oW9m41NWnEcAC_aMq1Uu4LwujFL8TZkam3FpT7D5iswbGAQashz8skD7BEdp8bbIm4lFDrJS8glAPexVswcUwH/w400-h270/great-zimbabwes-great-enclosure.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of Great Zimbabwe</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Great Zimbabwe is one of the most important and largest archeological sites in Southern Africa, and it could have been home to up to 18,000 people.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was reported by early 16th-century Portuguese traders who heard stories of the ancient site, but the tales of a great non-European fortress were dismissed by Europeans until it was discovered in the 19th century and documented.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Ancestors of the Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Zimbabwe</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px;">Related: </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.thetravel.com/touring-great-zimbabwe-the-lost-city-of-africa/?utm_source=syndication" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Touring Great Zimbabwe: The Lost City of Africa</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">White City / La Ciudad Blanca</span></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVydykIwR_WvKjYn1vK4Yde01XicAfCz-VAnipDJ2UDgxNWCRGH8neVfETOqh-oL5u7o4SeSYRoYVHzzLJPEYhuN6GvnngEPSqlf1LdIB8AVGHRPRaYn9UNNxgWWpMj6mnw_wuRiP7fSzlqKPIfHoOJr2Miot6t5gkHnDLDzu05fywmey3iEsIyXZpiQis/s634/lost-whitecity.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="634" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVydykIwR_WvKjYn1vK4Yde01XicAfCz-VAnipDJ2UDgxNWCRGH8neVfETOqh-oL5u7o4SeSYRoYVHzzLJPEYhuN6GvnngEPSqlf1LdIB8AVGHRPRaYn9UNNxgWWpMj6mnw_wuRiP7fSzlqKPIfHoOJr2Miot6t5gkHnDLDzu05fywmey3iEsIyXZpiQis/w400-h254/lost-whitecity.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Archaeological Site of White City</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When the Spanish arrived in Central America, there were tales of a city hiding a great amount of wealth in the jungles of Honduras. The early Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes sought it but did not find it. In 1936, it was claimed the legendary city was found in the Mosquitia region of Honduras.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These days, a number of sites have been found, and the suggestion is the legendary White City could have been any one of them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Civilization: Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Modern Country: Honduras</span></p><p><br /></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-23944503105458306442023-09-17T13:19:00.000-05:002023-09-17T13:19:15.705-05:00 6 Facts From the Bible That Have Actually Been Proven<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through the website, <a href="https://equippinggodlywomen.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Equipping Godly Women</span></a>, and written by Jessica Clark. Artwork by Microsoft Bing Images.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Bible is a religious and historical text that contains a mix of spiritual teachings, moral lessons, and historical accounts.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While some events and details from the Bible have been corroborated by archaeological and historical evidence, it’s important to note that the Bible is also a matter of faith for many people, and not all of its stories and events can be definitively proven.</p><p><u>Fall of Jericho</u></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9Telu0I7yzrVYMHMRj0KUAfFRNJIx0Otb97w6aTjhBiUynbGOzPYL5kvJVBF3gE16ozb1BkmnMxm23r7U9h3-t8EkIDtep_-CihiZPW8T4cm8f5yONjezKAqRpNYUJqiq0arrScBSGNWOxPslaBc4loNanxjUzDqFpyqNhyd6XYEDf-g0CuywZ_j-6ec/s500/53b87f4776591521c1bd0116c1f15cfd--sunday-school-lessons-bible-pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9Telu0I7yzrVYMHMRj0KUAfFRNJIx0Otb97w6aTjhBiUynbGOzPYL5kvJVBF3gE16ozb1BkmnMxm23r7U9h3-t8EkIDtep_-CihiZPW8T4cm8f5yONjezKAqRpNYUJqiq0arrScBSGNWOxPslaBc4loNanxjUzDqFpyqNhyd6XYEDf-g0CuywZ_j-6ec/s320/53b87f4776591521c1bd0116c1f15cfd--sunday-school-lessons-bible-pictures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancient city of Jericho did experience a destruction event around the time indicated in the Bible.</p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">"And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat,1 and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him." Joshua 6:5.</blockquote><div><p style="text-align: justify;">According to The New York Times, the site was discovered to have a three-foot layer of ash that contained numerous pottery shards and mud bricks from a wall. The burned fragments were dated to 1410 B.C., plus or minus 40 years.</p><p><b><u>Dinosaurs</u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ev551_ZX4SiBcwkv82DFVjieL0dbbPTP2nKKClBvVXlhzf-gCxb2nZe5-Z5gOflPEgp7QyqYhnSYsIi6gB13DeR1boIa147okfT4a9HhwvJ9asC-MFwKfvO0PVcrPWA3nz4H8LX9iO4eq8CIjWYzg1E9tQEEJ63AdOXpszT6iXi41poAHIoHHH0cg4Kv/s1200/scholars-mystery-of-behemoth.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ev551_ZX4SiBcwkv82DFVjieL0dbbPTP2nKKClBvVXlhzf-gCxb2nZe5-Z5gOflPEgp7QyqYhnSYsIi6gB13DeR1boIa147okfT4a9HhwvJ9asC-MFwKfvO0PVcrPWA3nz4H8LX9iO4eq8CIjWYzg1E9tQEEJ63AdOXpszT6iXi41poAHIoHHH0cg4Kv/s320/scholars-mystery-of-behemoth.webp" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><blockquote style="text-align: justify;">“Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly! Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.” Job 40:15-17.</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Some commentators claim it was a hippopotamus. The hippo, though, does not fit in all accounts. This enormous creature that God created had a tail resembling that of a very tall cedar tree. And it is obvious that the hippo does not fit that description.</div><p></p><p><b><u>King David</u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7ltax8DOqgCskKNIRmH1opa44FtTgNfW1AOHi3BXjJ7He0riFsRkj8km5DbP46laGV5N7uATZ3pbAo3rDyTOLBGNCK5bUUTrniWhxMPZxzykx4VOKlwSsxMo-4JG09-5iHy6xQ65oVwbDJhcplOMK7Yav5YTi8AhpdwLWQBBZnGJaf_U9IYvUUgwf5I3/s1141/il_1140xN.4829174871_nf0z.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1140" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7ltax8DOqgCskKNIRmH1opa44FtTgNfW1AOHi3BXjJ7He0riFsRkj8km5DbP46laGV5N7uATZ3pbAo3rDyTOLBGNCK5bUUTrniWhxMPZxzykx4VOKlwSsxMo-4JG09-5iHy6xQ65oVwbDJhcplOMK7Yav5YTi8AhpdwLWQBBZnGJaf_U9IYvUUgwf5I3/w320-h320/il_1140xN.4829174871_nf0z.webp" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote>“So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.” 1 Chronicles 18:14</blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the more well-known figures in the Old Testament, King David, is famous for defeating Goliath, ruling the Kingdom of Israel, and having Solomon as a son.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to the Biblical Archaeology Society, Archaeologists in northern Israel discovered the broken stone slab known as the Tel Dan Stele in 1993. The carved stone monument honors a Damascus king’s victory over two rival enemies.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The phrase was translated as “House of David,” according to archaeologists. Most historians accept this inscription as evidence of the existence of a royal house in the Ancient Near East that bore the biblical character’s name.</p><p><b><u>Jesus’s Home in Nazareth</u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic3VTOkqOSmDvw2jbVGQjy42-rBlr3QA7Sglmj7JmE2-4ux0UKB6fjcWFy0ITdNS0edMDwF_O5zOFHue4Yw7h_HViRUbB5MfqwMAh3Unq-YKJh8_ahViFNdus4Dxjf-Vh4QQudQ1WmbjREhJWR0VWFk5uJYCZLDGUc1DphhIi3qv4g-_310nswXROTeKo/s386/OIP%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="386" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic3VTOkqOSmDvw2jbVGQjy42-rBlr3QA7Sglmj7JmE2-4ux0UKB6fjcWFy0ITdNS0edMDwF_O5zOFHue4Yw7h_HViRUbB5MfqwMAh3Unq-YKJh8_ahViFNdus4Dxjf-Vh4QQudQ1WmbjREhJWR0VWFk5uJYCZLDGUc1DphhIi3qv4g-_310nswXROTeKo/s320/OIP%20(6).jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">“When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee.” Luke 2:39</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to Artnet News, Archaeologist Ken Dark claims that Jesus’ childhood home may have been discovered beneath the Sisters of Nazareth Convent in Nazareth, Israel. A first-century “courtyard house” was found during the excavation.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The remains match the description in the seventh-century pilgrim account De Locus Sanctis, indicating that the courtyard house located beneath the convent may have served as Jesus’ home in Nazareth.</p><p><b><u>Solomon’s Temple</u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasJ2WmbUe_jddsgONJ9zUPboit0_-NZuNjp88s_vuikvvsJ7gsYtzdDCYO96bUy0bYvVSVXMjE8BaUevNMEssbyyhXfl43FdwTImD5kdj1YRz8wCQFDHbqASkhieravXRydjCtxsKIZC8CHzVBh-xAM6NWcZrE5ES6FD1m6V1SgYcyyV7XakWkbxZi47E/s750/SolomonsTemple-79381148-52cabac32d734776ab1623aabf4edead.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="750" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasJ2WmbUe_jddsgONJ9zUPboit0_-NZuNjp88s_vuikvvsJ7gsYtzdDCYO96bUy0bYvVSVXMjE8BaUevNMEssbyyhXfl43FdwTImD5kdj1YRz8wCQFDHbqASkhieravXRydjCtxsKIZC8CHzVBh-xAM6NWcZrE5ES6FD1m6V1SgYcyyV7XakWkbxZi47E/s320/SolomonsTemple-79381148-52cabac32d734776ab1623aabf4edead.webp" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">“He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him.” 1 Chronicles 28:6.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to the Bible, Solomon’s Temple was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, where an angel of God had appeared to David.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 2010, according to Discover Magazine, a group of archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of Eilat Mazar claimed to have found a monumentally large wall segment while excavating in Jerusalem’s Old City.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to some radiocarbon dates, the site was occupied during Solomon’s reign. “This is the first time that a structure from that time has been found that may correlate with written descriptions of Solomon’s building in Jerusalem,” Mazar stated.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Noah’s Ark</u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCm0RgVvw9cgRQ5HNnN4xp-YqYQqDdG9r-xeU2NoVnWZkuUwCa3yS_d1tjP2YRnyZMs8qOvpSf6SxJpPSSeeI9qKFcJdWmQXjMrVcbHke8j5E3dNPe0y_lWvT68EyRpiFg6M_8GKuA1TCMf017mdC1VrPIsho6a8cbQ7hX9s9--DJ3TaILoBTF-p4BeuSM/s418/OIP%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="418" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCm0RgVvw9cgRQ5HNnN4xp-YqYQqDdG9r-xeU2NoVnWZkuUwCa3yS_d1tjP2YRnyZMs8qOvpSf6SxJpPSSeeI9qKFcJdWmQXjMrVcbHke8j5E3dNPe0y_lWvT68EyRpiFg6M_8GKuA1TCMf017mdC1VrPIsho6a8cbQ7hX9s9--DJ3TaILoBTF-p4BeuSM/s320/OIP%20(7).jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” Genesis 7:1.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As reported by Israel Hayom, Archaeologists working on the Noah’s Ark Scans project have discovered a massive shape in the Turkish mountains whose dimensions correspond to those of Noah’s Ark, according to their advanced 3D scans.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It’s important to approach these historical and archaeological connections with an understanding that they provide context but may not always provide definitive proof for every aspect of the biblical narrative.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Bible serves multiple purposes beyond historical documentation, including spiritual guidance and moral teachings, and its interpretation can vary based on individual faith perspectives.</p><p><br /></p></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-39185779789138292482023-09-06T18:38:00.001-05:002023-09-17T13:24:27.949-05:00Images show 'satanism in public schools' are digital creations | Fact check<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>This article was obtained through USA Today and written by Chris Mueller • 9/9/2023</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>The claim: Images show evidence of 'satanism in public schools'</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioXrs76xoxmP83CsbCQ2XTRnZFcbtuLYoO8eDw7dPl5PrrUA9by8HzTQw0MdVPACoeGjCG7X6cMHfnU-VFI-pa84SepM6rMCOsll0AtO4U7Dv8WqPa4J4W6L4rjKh1xx8uhSH-T_R2sU0NkgZgDUn1-p9_ABzQ_789GvWgkgGzfW6RTv0_yiluQp6TpWog" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioXrs76xoxmP83CsbCQ2XTRnZFcbtuLYoO8eDw7dPl5PrrUA9by8HzTQw0MdVPACoeGjCG7X6cMHfnU-VFI-pa84SepM6rMCOsll0AtO4U7Dv8WqPa4J4W6L4rjKh1xx8uhSH-T_R2sU0NkgZgDUn1-p9_ABzQ_789GvWgkgGzfW6RTv0_yiluQp6TpWog=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An Aug. 22 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows a person talking alongside images of schoolchildren wearing horns and sitting around a pentagram.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Satanism in public schools," reads on-screen text in the video. "Seen what's going on in public schools around the United States watch this."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Several commenters appeared to believe the images were real.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"I cannot tell you how mad that makes me!" reads one comment. "We can't have God in school but this is OK?"</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The video was shared more than 500 times in two weeks.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Our rating: Altered</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The images were made using artificial intelligence, according to their creator. An expert who examined the images found multiple clues that they are not authentic.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Images were created using AI program</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The images were originally posted on Facebook on May 2 by a user named Pumpkin Empress who later edited the post to say, "This is not real. I created these pics with AI (artificial intelligence) software. The children are not real, this never happened."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The user, who is a digital creator, explained in a May 8 post that the images were created using Midjourney, a popular image generator.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"No, these are not pics actually taken," reads the post. "They were generated just in fun."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Holly Alvarez, who runs the Pumpkin Empress account, confirmed to USA TODAY in an email that the images were created using AI, saying, "I used software to create them, as I do with most of my creations."</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Alvarez said she is intrigued by the ability to create realistic images using AI.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I do like to create controversial concepts because people are interested in it," she said. "It triggers the mind."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are signs in the images themselves that they are not legitimate, <a href="http://obrien.berkeley.edu/">James O'Brien</a>, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told USA TODAY.</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">"One big giveaway in all these images is the way things are randomly very blurred while other things are relatively crisp," he said. "A painter might leave out details where the painter thinks they are unimportant, but a camera’s blur needs to be explainable by optical defocus, camera shake, or another physical mechanism."</div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;">O'Brien also pointed out some "malformed bodies" in the images, including abnormal hands in </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=205312612273880&set=pcb.205313575607117" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">both</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"> </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=205312652273876&set=pcb.205313575607117" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">images</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"> that show children wearing horns. While a few other issues with the images aren't physically impossible, he said, they're still difficult to explain, including lines that don't seem to line up in </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=205312922273849&set=pcb.205313575607117" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">one of the images</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"> of children sitting around a pentagram.</span></span></p><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">The images look as if someone created them using AI but did not spend any time touching them up or trying to hide any imperfections, O'Brien said.</span></span></span></p><div><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"I don’t think the creator tried to fool people, or if they did they didn’t make much of an effort," he said. "Some of the images could be cleaned up by a skilled Photoshop user."</span></span></p></div><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;">USA TODAY has previously debunked similar false claims, including that images showed </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/06/08/image-of-satanic-childrens-clothes-at-target-is-altered-fact-check/70299797007/" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">satanic merchandise for sale at Target</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;">, a </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/03/17/fact-check-images-show-ai-art-not-satanic-hotel-plano-texas/11488958002/" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">satanic hotel opening in Texas</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"> and </span><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/06/27/no-hobby-lobby-isnt-selling-satanic-statues-fact-check/70350486007/" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">satanic statues being sold at Hobby Lobby</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;">.</span></span></p><div><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.</span></span></p><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2023/sep/01/facebook-posts/do-these-photos-show-kids-practicing-satanism-in-p/" style="font-size: 17px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">PolitiFact</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;"> also debunked the claim.</span></span></p><p aria-expanded="true" class="exclude-from-newsgate" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;" tabindex="-1"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Our fact-check sources:</b></span></span></p><div aria-expanded="true" class="article-list-slot" style="background-color: white;" tabindex="-1"><ul style="padding-left: 16px;"><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="http://obrien.berkeley.edu/" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">James O'Brien</span></a>, Sept. 5, Email exchange with USA TODAY</span></li><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.facebook.com/thelandofpumpkins/about" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Holly Alvarez</span></a>, Sept. 5, Email exchange with USA TODAY</span></li><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Pumpkin Empress, May 2, <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.facebook.com/thelandofpumpkins/posts/pfbid02osERhhT6dG7sVksV3kXH3jTZsVvaMM83p9f4iQPDBCMyHhSCb3qcbk5EMHVRrMv4l" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Facebook post</span></a></span></li><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Pumpkin Empress, May 8, <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" href="https://www.facebook.com/thelandofpumpkins/posts/pfbid0Dktj6pxzUx1LBPrLpoZKFCBWQXuas2egnVN8vmFekftvU9GThGgJxSuHbqpfKsUXl" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Facebook post</span></a> </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Related:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/04/11/ai-generated-images-harder-to-detect/11593749002/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">AI-generated images already fool people. Why experts say they'll only get harder to detect</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Commentary from Who's Right:</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Many people around the world believe we are living in the End Times and Satanic </span><span style="font-family: arial;">infiltration of society has been occurring for many generations. This is not a new concept, but the rate of stories, videos and photos via social and news medias about Satan have skyrocketed in the last 20 years. And it seems that our children are the major ones being targeted. A few related articles and videos, which comes via the internet, speaks volumes...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_School_Satan"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">After School Satan - Wikipedia</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I282zK_8C_w"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Satanic Temple holding back-to-school event at Northern High School - YouTube</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/08/satanic-temple-after-school-programs-announced-combat-religious-ones/"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Satanic Temple After School Programs Announced to Combat Religious Ones | National Review</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PWOtd4fDdE"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Satanic Smokescreen: Good News Clubs Push Back on 'After School Satan' Clubs - YouTube</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/parents-outraged-elementary-school-included-after-school-satan-club-in-order-not-to-discriminate-against-other-religions-according-to-first-amendment/ss-AA1eJ4lk"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Parents Outraged: Elementary School Included ‘After-School Satan Club’ In Order Not to Discriminate Against Other Religions According to First Amendment (msn.com)</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsoVOsa2fvQ"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">After School SATAN CLUBS Are Getting Popular || Is this Religious Liberty? - YouTube</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-asked-to-block-texas-limits-on-drag-shows-in-name-of-protecting-kids/"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Judge asked to block Texas limits on drag shows in name of protecting kids | Courthouse News Service</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-70419668674710219772023-08-25T16:48:00.000-05:002023-08-25T16:49:14.420-05:00Is Christianity at a Crossroads? Top Church Leader Sounds Alarm on Political Intrusion Into Sacred Teachings!<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article is an opinion by the website called, <a href="https://thenetworthof.com/" target="_blank">The Net Worth Of</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A former top church leader has warned that Christianity is in “crisis” as the line between politics and religion grows ever closer. His comments have sparked a wave of discussion online. Let’s take a look at the full story.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Mounting Pressure of the Current Political Climate</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Russell Moore, once a preeminent figure in the Southern Baptist Convention, the most substantial Protestant denomination in America, has raised concerns about Christianity’s direction in the United States.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">He warns that the very essence of Christianity is in “crisis” as the words of Jesus Christ are mistaken for “liberal talking points” by believers, emphasizing the influence of political and tribal ideologies on America’s religious practices.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking candidly to NPR, Moore shared his experiences and the anecdotes of numerous pastors who felt the mounting pressure of the current political climate on their spiritual duties.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Sermon on the Mount, a revered teaching from the Gospel of Matthew, has long been considered a cornerstone of Christian ethics.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Its Lessons Have Guided Christians on the Path of Love, Humility, and Peace for Centuries</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Its lessons have guided Christians on the path of love, humility, and peace for centuries. However, it seems the contemporary landscape is starting to challenge even this bedrock of the faith.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many within their congregations are questioning the origin of these “liberal talking points.” To Moore’s dismay, even when these pastors assert that they are directly quoting Jesus Christ, the response has been dismissive.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“When we get to the point where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then we’re in a crisis,” Moore explained.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most influential and foundational tenets of Christianity.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>A Profound Shift in the Understanding and Practice of Christianity in America</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Among the lessons, it teaches believers to “turn the other cheek,” a clear message of non-violence and forgiveness.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If followers of the faith start considering these teachings as outdated or “weak,” as Moore indicates, it might signal a profound shift in the understanding and practice of Christianity in America.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Moore’s observations hint at a more profound issue where tribalism and political ideologies increasingly influence religious beliefs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Almost every part of American life is tribalized and factionalized,” Moore noted, and religion, it seems, is not immune.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Diluting the Core Messages of the Faith</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This fusion of political beliefs and religious teachings may be diluting the core messages of the faith.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The solution, according to Moore, is easy. He believes that changes won’t come from a grand “war for the soul of evangelicalism.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Instead, he thinks that the answer lies in small, local actions. This focus on localized, community-driven change may be an antidote to the broad strokes of political tribalism currently influencing Christianity.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now at the helm of Christianity Today as its editor-in-chief, Moore is no stranger to controversy. He had been openly critical of Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>Sexual Abuse Allegations</b></u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Furthermore, Moore has also been vocal about his concerns regarding the Southern Baptist Convention’s handling of sexual abuse allegations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Southern Baptist Convention, given its vast influence and reach in American evangelical circles, plays a significant role in shaping many’s religious beliefs and practices.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As such, Moore’s observations and concerns, coming from someone deeply embedded within the system, cannot be taken lightly.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As the lines between political ideologies and religious teachings blur, Moore’s concerns provide a timely reminder.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Core Teachings Should Remain Unaffected by Contemporary Politics</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Christianity’s core teachings, centered around love, compassion, and humility, should remain unaffected by contemporary politics.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The burden is on religious leaders and congregations alike to preserve the sanctity of these teachings.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The fusion of political beliefs with religious teachings is not unique to Christianity or America.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, given the country’s historical context of the separation of church and state, Moore’s observations serve as a moving reminder.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>The Current Climate Brings Into Question the Principles That Guide Our Lives</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The challenges ahead lie in removing political rhetoric from religious teachings, ensuring that the core principles of the faith remain unaltered.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The current climate brings into question the essence of faith, the teachings we hold dear, and the principles that guide our lives.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As politics and tribal beliefs grow more influential in our daily lives, the challenge remains to separate the temporary from the eternal, ensuring that the timeless teachings of love, humility, and peace are preserved for future generations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Related Video:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="280" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zgU8bqdalVU" width="416" youtube-src-id="zgU8bqdalVU"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>John MacArthur: Believers and Politics</div></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-7914933040411948772023-08-14T15:33:00.002-05:002023-08-14T15:33:45.058-05:00Largest Christian Denominations in the U.S.<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through the website, <a href="https://www.familyminded.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Family Minded</span></a>, and written by <a href="https://www.familyminded.com/c/brittany-alexandra-sulc-d68d46cdc6774001" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Brittany Alexandra Sulc</span></a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Christianity has been the largest religion in the U.S. since day one. According to the latest studies conducted by Pew Research Center, roughly 70 percent of today's U.S. population identifies as one Christian denomination or another. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">While every Christian denomination believes in God and the teachings of Jesus, each one has its own unique traditions, methods of worship and philosophy. Although more Americans identify as non-religious than ever before, these seven branches of Christianity are still the most widely practiced. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Note: The practicing percentage comes from a 2014 Pew Research Center study that polled about 35,000 people.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Orthodox Christian</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1wFkzu0L-m137OqAwwush4DjIjSx_gaazEWkWLO61wquX9_Rfx5op6AI8FczezzsUarPqGbhRu0JlIbW83G2zfsT-eXCC8kaqQO3a9rxoZMbT9cuZYxfmELPn-TuZn4fxt2Wca6Hi8KyJ2RdyvWm6FNQBt7zYMbg_nmS6Hc1tqk_WGOeseFvNhREYGJ7n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="366" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1wFkzu0L-m137OqAwwush4DjIjSx_gaazEWkWLO61wquX9_Rfx5op6AI8FczezzsUarPqGbhRu0JlIbW83G2zfsT-eXCC8kaqQO3a9rxoZMbT9cuZYxfmELPn-TuZn4fxt2Wca6Hi8KyJ2RdyvWm6FNQBt7zYMbg_nmS6Hc1tqk_WGOeseFvNhREYGJ7n" width="320" /></a></div><br />Percent practicing in the U.S.: 0.5%<br />Estimated population: 1.5 million<br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Orthodox Christianity encompasses a few denominations, including the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church in America. All branches share a similar philosophy: that the Christian Faith and the Church are so interconnected that it's impossible to embrace one without the other. The traditions of the Orthodox Church are essential to the understanding and practice of Orthodox Christianity. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Orthodox Church also teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father, while Catholics and Protestants believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and Son (Jesus Christ). Another key difference is that Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on Jan. 7 rather than Dec. 25.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">6. Jehovah's Witness</span></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtqTeaAhQ4d-JGvzNOfSGbMpb5VqqK9yKQnY3Xo-jcVyxae2tGtDgKzc_B8Qv0Ua9YPNhonvIS8nni1cZwQSzKNGW90u9aMJiblmd7AAJxHlFLydHFPFaqte-5PRZlhCo2Jy6QKBGztTZ5r4y53-tCb2RjeH-m3RWGHrXuBbmi2AQusx5fL5bzwPCMMSsu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="325" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtqTeaAhQ4d-JGvzNOfSGbMpb5VqqK9yKQnY3Xo-jcVyxae2tGtDgKzc_B8Qv0Ua9YPNhonvIS8nni1cZwQSzKNGW90u9aMJiblmd7AAJxHlFLydHFPFaqte-5PRZlhCo2Jy6QKBGztTZ5r4y53-tCb2RjeH-m3RWGHrXuBbmi2AQusx5fL5bzwPCMMSsu" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Percent practicing in the U.S.: 0.8%</div></div>Estimated population: 2.5 million<p style="text-align: justify;">Jehovah's Witnesses, unlike most other Christian denominations in the U.S., believe in a singular God called Jehovah, as opposed to the Holy Trinity (God, the Son and Holy Spirit). Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that the world's end will soon come. They don't celebrate most holidays, including birthdays, and they don't celebrate religious holidays with any pagan origins. This includes Christmas and Easter. Another reason they don't celebrate Christmas is that there's no definitive proof that Jesus was born on Dec. 25. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jehovah's Witnesses also don't believe in getting blood transfusions, and followers are encouraged to avoid close relationships with people of other faiths. Many also discourage pursuing higher education. Additionally, they believe Satan is responsible for human corruption on Earth, leading people astray via governments, businesses and media. They also believe that when someone dies, they stop existing entirely.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Mormon</span></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_TJqYtQW26Ti19wZM4735CjgtMtDRT8eRoHbmcA6WFC4qR90SNShwB469OayBDjlzGsp2jSqa26qTz0dL4QOh09xq6o6NSSZXb5pta7-nDYBA3elX0aNuAu2-j3sQoQWs0PuDpQ-G0JG6N39VacTXeLowlUjgm5gPIUhLypmup1vlxj7nPvYnP5gWI9m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_TJqYtQW26Ti19wZM4735CjgtMtDRT8eRoHbmcA6WFC4qR90SNShwB469OayBDjlzGsp2jSqa26qTz0dL4QOh09xq6o6NSSZXb5pta7-nDYBA3elX0aNuAu2-j3sQoQWs0PuDpQ-G0JG6N39VacTXeLowlUjgm5gPIUhLypmup1vlxj7nPvYnP5gWI9m" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Percent practicing in the U.S.: 1.6%</div></div>Estimated population: 6.6 million<p style="text-align: justify;">The highest population density of Mormons in the U.S. is in Utah. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon was set in North America and that Christ was resurrected in the Western Hemisphere. They also believe the Garden of Eden was in North America. Unlike other Christian denominations in the U.S., they don't believe in the Holy Trinity, viewing God the Father as more significant than Jesus. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mormons also believe that every person has a life before birth in a spirit realm shared with God. After death, their soul returns to this realm to be later resurrected. They also believe in three kingdoms of glory that people are sent to based on whether they followed the Gospel, didn't follow it or disavowed it entirely. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Historically Black Protestant</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOTfqVQq7aJcjVFF1m3p5FDFFRJUs7eZXl6AzP3t1N7aVam9RpwI5HohlcXGW_Ecy5mZdg8_9y8kYlEld0q6dWOh7AioTrK-Hq_IhivNRGXRRbzzXTRZnlxuJkW1lbJRZRjmElmganUVaD8r5bKtiJZmD7t3sMuscPT8HucOiD2SXYJChBdcUb4ZKex8tW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="358" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOTfqVQq7aJcjVFF1m3p5FDFFRJUs7eZXl6AzP3t1N7aVam9RpwI5HohlcXGW_Ecy5mZdg8_9y8kYlEld0q6dWOh7AioTrK-Hq_IhivNRGXRRbzzXTRZnlxuJkW1lbJRZRjmElmganUVaD8r5bKtiJZmD7t3sMuscPT8HucOiD2SXYJChBdcUb4ZKex8tW" width="320" /></a></div><br />Percent practicing in the U.S.: 6.5%<br />Estimated population: 21 million<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Over half of Black adults in the U.S. identify as members of the historically Black Protestant tradition. This encompasses seven different denominations: the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Church of God in Christ, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and three National Baptist Conventions, plus those who identify as non-denominational Protestants. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Black Americans are more likely than the overall American public to identify as Protestant, especially among older generations. The reason Black Protestants are listed in their own category is because there are strong belief trends that differ from that of Mainline Protestants due to the complicated history of race relations and socioeconomic status in the U.S. They're more likely to identify as Democrats than white Protestants as well as to vote pro-choice. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>3. Mainline Protestant</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOQJMtWAqhIJNuKPYnW0GRYrV_Y1mv3hA4w-G10MB_UckTYJJAaKuYi7nI8nNr3J5doiMf1HWhmwtsfqPXlUsXyLh8mm-9-f41APHqrSvwb4G5AMiWPfCm4VYbXcmfHSg19Tu-hFyNv2twLt5ZhPjZnOCYOQnj-BAHOflSKc_oBcXQNsl3HWlZh90gzAPL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="345" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOQJMtWAqhIJNuKPYnW0GRYrV_Y1mv3hA4w-G10MB_UckTYJJAaKuYi7nI8nNr3J5doiMf1HWhmwtsfqPXlUsXyLh8mm-9-f41APHqrSvwb4G5AMiWPfCm4VYbXcmfHSg19Tu-hFyNv2twLt5ZhPjZnOCYOQnj-BAHOflSKc_oBcXQNsl3HWlZh90gzAPL" width="320" /></a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Percent practicing in the U.S.:14.7%</div>Estimated population: 49 million<p style="text-align: justify;">There are several Protestant denominations in the U.S., but the Mainline Protestant denomination is the second most common and encompasses the original "seven sisters of American Protestantism," including American Baptist Churches USA, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Compared to their Evangelical counterparts, Mainline Protestants tend to be more politically moderate, focusing on solving economic gaps and social issues with a more liberal mindset. Most of them also have a modern theological take on Christianity, viewing the Bible as a historical document that should be interpreted based on the realities of current human existence, and they're known for having a more flexible viewpoint on the process of salvation. They do believe that following the teachings of Jesus is the way to salvation, but many also believe that people outside the faith may have access to salvation as well, via good deeds and God's grace. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Catholic</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi17wMNkcwzh-8w66y5kxAv8sZ482yJh61dZEg9F3TWz32ea6cANpaV4ZR0G5VxSNUbwy1c6JBibfjoH9pjyPpDnOtKHH-FufigqI8wvQhWR5oiR0gkiRzkgW3a2psAtZTzfSbYpFJnNwifB9wq0UaWS_ooZB1js1RMequJ3X8FgVqVlNa3evWqMAjeQjOO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="397" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi17wMNkcwzh-8w66y5kxAv8sZ482yJh61dZEg9F3TWz32ea6cANpaV4ZR0G5VxSNUbwy1c6JBibfjoH9pjyPpDnOtKHH-FufigqI8wvQhWR5oiR0gkiRzkgW3a2psAtZTzfSbYpFJnNwifB9wq0UaWS_ooZB1js1RMequJ3X8FgVqVlNa3evWqMAjeQjOO" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span>Percent practicing in the U.S.: 20.8%<br />Estimated population: 70 million<p style="text-align: justify;">The Catholic Church has been active in the U.S. since the colonial era, thanks to Spanish, French and Mexican influences. The number of Catholics in the U.S. rose in the mid- and late-1800s when Catholic immigrants flocked from Germany, Ireland and other parts of Europe. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The most notable differences between Catholicism and other Christian denominations include the beliefs in the importance of the Virgin Mary, saints and the Pope. Catholics also follow strong traditions, like the practice of taking communion after being officially welcomed as a full-fledged members of the faith by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Those who identify as Catholic in the U.S., however, vary widely in personal beliefs. Some are very devout, attending mass weekly and practicing Catholicism in a literal sense. Others were born into Catholic families and were baptized but don't actively practice it as adults. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Evangelical Protestant</span></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJmNXLeTLqf_2ctmLGPlHR8QCXlhLYAXtxVH3j_dM9P5FfubKLApTRaHCToDeVTiTjQp2teBLMQKRksNN6c42py5jONHRmEnyl5tXr3H5mBZs1wUjTaGiAq-eT_EtOHSiHbw7ju8zaVwCrctbmybpy7D7OLN_gfkgieT788Rciedl-N4RtRh4n0fi_Zzph" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="341" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJmNXLeTLqf_2ctmLGPlHR8QCXlhLYAXtxVH3j_dM9P5FfubKLApTRaHCToDeVTiTjQp2teBLMQKRksNN6c42py5jONHRmEnyl5tXr3H5mBZs1wUjTaGiAq-eT_EtOHSiHbw7ju8zaVwCrctbmybpy7D7OLN_gfkgieT788Rciedl-N4RtRh4n0fi_Zzph" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Percent practicing in the U.S.: 25.4%</div></div>Estimated population: 84 million<p style="text-align: justify;">Evangelical Protestants take the Bible the most seriously. They believe it's the true word of God and that having a personal relationship with Jesus is required for salvation. The word "evangelical" comes from Greek roots meaning "the gospel" or "the good news." Evangelical faith revolves around the good news brought to sinners by Jesus Christ, bringing hope for salvation. Being "born again" is a big part of their belief, stressing that members need to go through a conversion process to truly reject their sins.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Generally, Evangelical Protestant church services are divided into multiple parts, including a sermon, congregational singing and the practice of intercessory prayer — praying on behalf of another. Interestingly, this Protestant denomination loses fewer followers to atheism and agnosticism than many others.</p><div><br /></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-47324463768246470092023-07-28T17:35:00.001-05:002023-07-28T17:39:26.091-05:00Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>AI Software May Have Just Discovered Aliens and It's Scary</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #71777d; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">🔹</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Written by Allison Blair</span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Humans have been trying to discover aliens for a very long time. We have been mostly unsuccessful, though.</span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif;">I do not like that one bit. Two things in this world freak me out more than anything else: aliens and artificial intelligence. If they start working together? I'm done.</span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;">As freaky as this is, it's also really cool. The team, called Breakthrough Listen, tested their AI over in West Virginia by giving it data from a nearby radio telescope. From there, it identified over 20,000 signals that were unique. However, the team still had to look through all 20,000 themselves, and ended up with 8 signals that could be a sign <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://turbofuture.com/news/nasa-mars-3d-print" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">alien life</a>. </p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;">The desire to have a stronger <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://turbofuture.com/news/google-ai-leak" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">AI</a> comes from a desire to eliminate the extra work for the experts, who still have to comb through the results. Ideally, an AI would be able to sort through the unique <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://turbofuture.com/news/the-end-photo-is-just-to-die-for" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">signals</a> itself as well as identify signals that could just be the result of interference. </p><p class="continue-read-break" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;">Luckily, the same team recently organized a study using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. In their study, the goal was to craft a program that could be used to identify signs of extraterrestrial life that's more accurate than that <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://turbofuture.com/news/godfather-regrets-ai" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">original AI</a> which "found" the aliens in the first place."</p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;">The MeerKAT telescope, which is one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world, picks up on the radio waves that are constantly being emitted from <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://turbofuture.com/misc/space-command-military-responsibility" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">space</a>. This happens without AI, but the Breakthrough Listen team took it one step further. Since the telescope gets <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://turbofuture.com/news/spacex-explosion-sucess" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">thousands of signals</a>, the team created AI software which would sift through them with relative ease. </p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: justify;">Do you think Breakthrough Listen's new study with the MeerKAT telescope will be able to find new aliens? Do you want it to?</p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 24px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Related Video:</span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="357" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gqii7oAsDMQ" width="419" youtube-src-id="Gqii7oAsDMQ"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gravitas: 3 Whistleblowers share evidence on how U.S. is hiding alien technology</span></span></div><p></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px;"> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></b></div><p></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Is the Future of AI Safe for Humans? </b></span></span><span style="color: #71777d; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">🔹</span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17px;"> </b><b style="font-family: arial;">Written by Shantanu Singh Verma</b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 24px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGUR5L1bQTQKt-xoO1wcdIhWn_z4qMAjCy7_F0WR_LhqZXtjhb1F32VTe5t9DtP8Ef87n7VN_53E3HbTqNmBHAfqK5OQ1uFU94erWKKYSx5ZcwIvx9OzsFiT0wIyFaLBeH3Vic62UCKKZycqQROS7kkz6syML_EyKLqVS7c-Jm44QdxcP_4hPV11pkLcZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="760" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGUR5L1bQTQKt-xoO1wcdIhWn_z4qMAjCy7_F0WR_LhqZXtjhb1F32VTe5t9DtP8Ef87n7VN_53E3HbTqNmBHAfqK5OQ1uFU94erWKKYSx5ZcwIvx9OzsFiT0wIyFaLBeH3Vic62UCKKZycqQROS7kkz6syML_EyKLqVS7c-Jm44QdxcP_4hPV11pkLcZg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: small;">Photo by Andy Kelly on Unsplash</span></div><p></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px;"></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">What Is Artificial Intelligence?</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the words of Nick Bostrom, “Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence is the last invention that humanity will ever need to make." In scientific terms, artificial intelligence (AI) is a way of mechanizing human intelligence into software. AI is a technology that enjoys much praise while facing considerable anxiety. On the one hand, the greatest scientific mind of the century, Stephen Hawking, believed that the rise of robots might be disastrous for mankind. On the other, a scientist like Andrew Ng believes AI is the new electricity.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">History of Artificial Intelligence</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So let us start with the origin of artificial intelligence. According to Adrienne Mayor, a research scholar in the department of classics in the School of Humanities and Sciences, the history of artificial intelligence has its roots in Greek mythology. The myth states that Hephaestus, a Greek god of invention and mythology, was the first inventor of artificial intelligence when he built Talos, a giant bronze man. Talos was commissioned to protect the island of Crete from invaders sent by Zeus, the king of Greek gods. He was deployed to throw boulders at the ship of enemies and would complete three rounds around the island daily.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the 20th century, the modern world was familiarized with the topic of artificial intelligence. The period between 1940 and 1960 is regarded as the time when the world experienced significant technological development. At the beginning of 1950, John Von Neumann and Alan Turing became the founding fathers of AI when they made a transition from decimal logic (numbers from 0 to 9) to binary logic (numbers 0 and 1). The breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence came when Alan Turing devised his famous Turing Test (However, it does not appear to qualify the norms of AI for many experts), which checks if the machine can think like humans or not.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The structure of the test was as follows:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Interrogator: Are you a machine?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Computer: No.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Interrogator: Then multiply 25146962 by 15963248.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Computer: (Takes a long pause and gives a wrong answer.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this game, if the interrogator is unable to distinguish between the human and the machine, then the machine passes the test.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eliza was the first chatterbox to attempt the Turing Test, and its creator, Eugene Goostman, won the competition, convincing 29% of the judges that Eliza was a human.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The term artificial intelligence was coined by John McCarthy in 1956 during the Dartmouth conference organized by John McCarthy and Marvin Minsky, which is considered the foundation of the discipline. It is worth noting this was less a conference and more of a workshop. It was attended by only six people, including McCarthy and Minsky.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Herbert Simon, an economist and sociologist, suggested in 1957 that AI would be able to beat humans in chess in 10 years. However, during that time, AI entered its first winter, and his prediction came true after 30 years. In May 1997, IBM Deep Blue became the first computer to beat a human, the world chess champion Garry Kasparov. Kasparov stated that one of the major causes that weighed against his victory was that he was denied access to the previous games of IBM Deep Blue in contrast to the computer, which might have studied 100 games of him. Kasparov also suggested that he saw deep intelligence and creativity in the second game and suspected chances of human intervention, but it was denied by IBM. Kasparov asked for the computer's log files, but after being denied earlier, the files were published on the internet by IBM.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The operations of the computer were based on a brute force algorithm, where the computer would analyze each move and then evaluate the next possible moves. Although these types of operations were never supported, they remained a symbolic breakthrough in the history of AI. This was the first time humans realized that AI could beat human intelligence. But many experts believed that Deep Blue had, in reality, only managed to treat a very limited perimeter and was far from the complexity of the real game.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Recent AI Development</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since 2010, access to high-volume data and the discovery of high-efficiency processors that accelerate calculating power have bloomed in the field of AI. Amongst the machine learning techniques, the most promising technique is deep learning, which is used for image and voice recognition and has a wide variety of real-world uses.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Is the Future of AI Safe for Humanity?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Many scientists say answering this question requires weighing multiple pros and cons, as well as considering unknown factors. On the beneficial side, artificial intelligence eliminates the necessity for humans to perform tedious tasks. It reduces the chances of error as compared to that of humans. Some uses of artificial intelligence involve using AI robots for risky activities. AI robots are used in crash tests and the mining of coal and oil. AI robots are also deployed in nuclear power plants, which can help to minimize the effects of radiation and control fire during the time of accidents. The development of technologies like Siri by Apple, Cortana by Microsoft, and Google’s OK Google, has made human life much easier. Voice assistance devices can be especially helpful for handicapped persons who want to live independently.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">AI can be used in the healthcare sector in the development of new drugs by identifying potential molecules and leveraging a large volume of data. Artificial intelligence software’s been used in disease detection where it is useful in detecting disease-affected areas, helping doctors to be specific about further procedures. Due to its faster decision-making, AI has been used in creating recreational gaming software for humans and for doing hard calculations precisely.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the unproven contentions about AI is that it may turn evil in the future. Usually, such articles are accompanied by evil-looking robots to lure people into believing in them. In reality, the major worry of many researchers who believe that AI can be harmful to humans is that its goals will not be aligned with ours. They believe that intelligence enables control and if AI becomes smarter than humans it could be harmful to the human race. There is also concern that humans are getting addicted to artificial intelligence software, which could be harmful to future generations.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Development in the field of artificial intelligence is also leading to the scarcity of employment. Companies are developing technologies that can replace humans in work and most businesses are preferring the use of AI technologies for their work as it increases accuracy and makes computation faster. But some companies understand that while AI automation can replace minimally-qualified individuals, it will take a long time for AI robots to replace humans in high-capacity positions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Adding to the hysteria, business magnate Elon Musk has also warned that there will be a time when AI robots will take over humans.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Preparing for a Shared Future</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The effect of artificial intelligence on the human race depends on us. Should we develop lethal weapons or technology to improve mankind? Do we prefer new jobs replacing old ones or a society where everyone is living a life of leisure and enjoying machine-generated wealth? Do we prefer AI for satisfying personal motives or using it for social good?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, we need to be empowered by AI and not overpowered by it. The future of AI with humans is dependent on how we utilize it. If utilized properly, it could be one of the greatest b</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px;">oons for humanity.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-50531767908858376842023-07-15T11:11:00.000-05:002023-07-15T11:11:43.752-05:00California is poised to take children away from parents who won't help them get sex changes <div style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Washington Examiner</span></a> and written by <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/author/zachary-faria" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Zachary Faria</span></a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSFpm8wT02J0FWBYFTGx-CMipO6b-T5NQYYDVUG--HQRBvotah2Jhp8iYjNW8GuiYxsHF0WTDKvbgPzwHPrwPCKg5eHaYgNNp6RiRntJ3dTt9K8yJAmihFGj13yRG9VO9t6JuoiKD6JwtBSQ7UHwO0nDGMDStgi7Y-IUfPDZdiUULxSH0k4rqI5bukOi6/s1280/CA_wienerscott_ap.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSFpm8wT02J0FWBYFTGx-CMipO6b-T5NQYYDVUG--HQRBvotah2Jhp8iYjNW8GuiYxsHF0WTDKvbgPzwHPrwPCKg5eHaYgNNp6RiRntJ3dTt9K8yJAmihFGj13yRG9VO9t6JuoiKD6JwtBSQ7UHwO0nDGMDStgi7Y-IUfPDZdiUULxSH0k4rqI5bukOi6/w400-h225/CA_wienerscott_ap.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, right, prepares to announce his proposed measure to provide legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 17, 2022.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">(AP Photo: Rich Pedroncelli)</span><br style="font-size: small;" /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">California Democrats are now considering a bill that would cause parents to lose their children in custody disputes if they do not favor pushing them into irreversible sex changes. It can only get worse from there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The California bill currently being considered in the legislature would include “a parent's affirmation of the child's gender identity” as a tenet of “the health, safety, and welfare” of a child in a custody dispute. The bill is being pushed by state Sen. Scott Wiener, who is behind most of the terrible gender-based policies in California. Wiener introduced the “sanctuary state” law for child sex changes and led the push to lessen the penalty for intentionally exposing people to HIV, which he claimed was an LGBT issue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bill is coauthored by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, who is also pushing a bill to mandate that foster parents promise to help children get irreversible sex changes. Wilson used the example of a 7-year-old who “is talking about having the potential to say … being able to articulate that they believe that they are not the same gender as they are biologically, then it should be affirmed.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Again, she is saying a 7-year-old who thinks she may or may not be the right gender should be whisked into puberty blockers, hormone replacements, and sex change surgeries. Unsurprisingly, the example Wilson used is her own, asserting that if you don’t do the same, you are “rejecting” your child.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is a very short path from asserting that courts in an intra-parent custody dispute should penalize a parent who won’t “affirm” transgender delusions for their child to saying that the state should take custody away from both parents if they refuse to begin sex changes for their children. If not “affirming” your child’s self-professed gender affects their “health, safety, and welfare” in custody disputes, why would the same not apply to both parents “rejecting” their child?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have already seen cases where teachers leading gay and transgender clubs recruit children into them behind their parents' backs and coach them through “social transitions” without informing their parents, even exploiting children dealing with mental health issues in the process. This bill would set the stage for those teachers to claim that parents are abusing children by not “affirming” their transgenderism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is not a slippery slope, it’s a cliff dive. There are no logical guardrails that would prevent California Democrats from immediately expanding this from custody disputes, which is already a gross injustice, to all parents at any time. It is despicable and yet, in deep-blue California, it is a very real threat now facing parents all across the state.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92W8X-jFobG2LIJjWliLQj5aqUu4K9dg0_ok4FLRVAPjCLwMDxLboDdyuSJFtwk3IZhiQgVykyDvmkZ6irr2FAdzkWDp_y31Oj8xw3bbPa5wVEIVl8G0SNxViHA76DmNtNNBXfKiJhxwV0Bp20geYCQrKOWupI9hyaNVn2GlQrf-S4cW-_o-6GsQRchod/s1280/4f2083a8978226fe05c086c7f06221af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92W8X-jFobG2LIJjWliLQj5aqUu4K9dg0_ok4FLRVAPjCLwMDxLboDdyuSJFtwk3IZhiQgVykyDvmkZ6irr2FAdzkWDp_y31Oj8xw3bbPa5wVEIVl8G0SNxViHA76DmNtNNBXfKiJhxwV0Bp20geYCQrKOWupI9hyaNVn2GlQrf-S4cW-_o-6GsQRchod/w400-h225/4f2083a8978226fe05c086c7f06221af.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright: CBS 13, Sacramento, California</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>Related Videos:</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-gender-affirming-bill-controversy-capitol/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Gender affirming bill draws backlash at California Capitol - CBS Sacramento (cbsnews.com)</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b><br /></b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/news/california-democrats-rejecting-gop%E2%80%99s-child-trafficking-bill-is-%E2%80%98completely-outrageous%E2%80%99-james-gallagher/vi-AA1dRYny?ocid=msedgntp&t=87"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">California Democrats rejecting GOP’s child trafficking bill is ‘completely outrageous’: James Gallagher | Watch (msn.com)</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Related Articles:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/3668922-newsom-signs-bill-to-make-california-a-refuge-for-transgender-youth-and-families/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Newsom signs bill to make California a refuge for transgender youth and families – The Hill</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://edsource.org/updates/california-bill-would-require-school-employees-to-out-transgender-students-to-their-parents"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">California bill would require school employees to notify parents if child identifies as transgender | EdSource</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://freebeacon.com/california/california-bill-would-punish-parents-who-dont-affirm-their-childs-gender-identity/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">California Bill Would Punish Parents Who Don't 'Affirm' Their Child's Gender Identity (freebeacon.com)</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://abc7.com/california-proposed-bill-gender-affirming-children/13377700/#:~:text=(KABC)%20%2D%2D%20The%20California%20Assembly,created%20by%20Assemblywoman%20Lori%20D."><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Proposed California bill aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ youth encourages parents to affirm their child's gender identity - ABC7 Los Angeles</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-9303129143550907742023-06-27T18:20:00.000-05:002023-06-27T18:20:37.340-05:00Over 5,000 Methodist Congregations Depart Over Debates on Sexuality and Gender<p><span style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through </span><a href="https://www.thestockdork.com/" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Stock Dork</span></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> website and written by Ace Vincent.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A theological storm is raging within the United Methodist Church (UMC), the second-largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. Over 5,000 congregations have departed due to disagreements mainly over human sexuality. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjhOSfWqpEokW92nnPiSWTj94hrPfkp9BZvJ-Az4P2IB8ukgYCJgH93OsMCReK11A0Xx_Ipu1xBzCF1z-WBsCjwJDK6EiiAvhFcEC5M8Gea_bBWlKnncy3he53FG7L1nLLMBipHnLKnncqGJKGFGMPpw1w5Fx4K4talfyKwUEwK6VajdmSUZmAhZuBLm7/s768/AA1cuug4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjhOSfWqpEokW92nnPiSWTj94hrPfkp9BZvJ-Az4P2IB8ukgYCJgH93OsMCReK11A0Xx_Ipu1xBzCF1z-WBsCjwJDK6EiiAvhFcEC5M8Gea_bBWlKnncy3he53FG7L1nLLMBipHnLKnncqGJKGFGMPpw1w5Fx4K4talfyKwUEwK6VajdmSUZmAhZuBLm7/w400-h225/AA1cuug4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Credit: DepositPhotos<span class="image-caption" face=""Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="image-caption" face=""Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span>© Provided by The Stock Dork</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>The Exodus Continues</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Just last week, the number of churches approved to disaffiliate by their annual conferences rose from approximately 4,600 to 5,321. The surge in disaffiliations has been dramatic over the years, with nearly 2,000 congregations leaving in 2022 and over 3,000 so far this year. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>Why the Split?</b></u></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many are asking, “why?” Well, it all started in 2019 when the General Conference approved Paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline. This church law allows UMC churches to leave with their property if they can garner approval from two-thirds of their congregation and their regional governing body. But it doesn’t end there. Departing churches are also required to pay their share of clergy pension liabilities and two years of “apportionments” for the larger denomination.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>The Controversial Vote</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What sparked this rift? It was the 2019 General Conference’s vote to uphold the church’s ban on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex weddings. The vote passed with a slim majority (438-384), and it seems this decision was the last straw for many.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Traditionalists vs. Liberals</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Several traditionalist members of the Methodist clergy claim conservative churches are leaving because liberal leaders within the UMC have chosen to ignore the 2019 vote by commissioning gay clergy and officiating same-sex weddings.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Where Are They Going?</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Where are all these departing churches heading? Many are joining the newly formed Global Methodist Church, while others choose to remain non-denominational.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Departure Troubles</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, the process isn’t always smooth. Hundreds of the churches attempting to disaffiliate have faced legal or financial challenges as the UMC demands large sums to maintain their property, leading to legal battles in some states.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This story brings up critical discussions on religious freedom, individual congregation autonomy, and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations. It is a crucial moment for the Methodist Church, one that could redefine its path forward.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Related Stories</b>:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/6/16/entucky-methodists-are-dividing-and-division-is-an-age-old-tradition-in-itself" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Kentucky Methodists Are Dividing</span></a> </span><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/july-august/united-methodist-church-split-complication-court-georgia-lg.html">| </a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><u>Religion Unplugged</u></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-1800-churches-left-united-methodist-church-report.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Over 1,800 churches left United Methodist Church in 2022 | Christian Post</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/july-august/united-methodist-church-split-complication-court-georgia-lg.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">As Methodist Exits Hit 5,800, Some Churches Find Paths Blocked | Christianity Today</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/more-than-30-colorado-congregations-to-leave-united-methodist-church-in-rift-over-gay-marriage-clergy/ar-AA1cSXbU" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">More than 30 Colorado congregations to leave United Methodist Church in rift </span></a><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/july-august/united-methodist-church-split-complication-court-georgia-lg.html"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">| </span></a>MSN</span></p><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-51846941103806027442023-06-10T13:41:00.001-05:002023-06-10T13:42:01.262-05:00Scientists Studying Ice Samples at Mount Kilimanjaro Discover Ancient Biblical Truths<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="https://www.pastchronicles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Past Chronicles</span></a> and written by Carlos Sanchez.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqhhvUUuKwZMChnZNEqQQqWwXXdc4-mHif9TJfMjsdLaCOe2enSeEl3jpadBzgDasXLeFe9XTYHI5BS-RjZ6bf9K83pTvPBMGrKnDNBSEc_3pCgmvuTX8NQNAVRkREUesnzQCqxRkf7uUCvYb-m9dyO9sTNegIQ_gOHLrZNLcTPGYVpypZmDIxLizwjw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="738" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqhhvUUuKwZMChnZNEqQQqWwXXdc4-mHif9TJfMjsdLaCOe2enSeEl3jpadBzgDasXLeFe9XTYHI5BS-RjZ6bf9K83pTvPBMGrKnDNBSEc_3pCgmvuTX8NQNAVRkREUesnzQCqxRkf7uUCvYb-m9dyO9sTNegIQ_gOHLrZNLcTPGYVpypZmDIxLizwjw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">©</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">Source: Getty Images</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For many of us, ice is just a way to cool down a drink. For scientists, however, ice is like a time machine. If read correctly, it can tell us what the world was like many thousands of years ago. Using ice samples from Mount Kilimanjaro, scientists have been able to study large-scale changes in climate.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Their scientific findings have also shown how an ancient biblical story ended up being true. Similarly, modern-day archeologists working at a site in Jerusalem were able to provide material evidence for certain ancient stories. In this post, we’re going to look at how some of these biblical stories gained further credibility due to the work of scientists.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Importance of Ice</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although ice might not seem that amazing, scientists can learn quite a lot from those bits of frozen water. That’s why they go through physical hardships (and bureaucratic annoyances) to travel the world and drill into glaciers and ice sheets!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Learning from the Ice</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Glaciers and ice fields form over centuries and during that slow process, each new layer creates a record of changes in the climate. This provides scientists with lots of valuable information. For example, from air bubbles locked in the ice, scientists can learn about levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mount Kilimanjaro Facts</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many people view the stories in the Bible as just that – stories. However, the ice cores taken from Mount Kilimanjaro show that at least some of the stories were based on fact. To better understand this, we need to look into Mount Kilimanjaro itself. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Active Volcanoes</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones – Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. The first two, Shira and Mawenzi, are 13,140 feet and 16,893 feet high, respectively. Both of them are extinct volcanoes. The last one, Kira, is upwards of 19,354 feet and is not extinct – it could erupt sometime in the future!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Chaga</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Chaga are an indigenous Bantu-speaking people who live near Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s believed that they migrated there in the 11th century and have stayed ever since. They typically live on the south and eastern sides of the mountain.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Climbing and Mountaineering</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1954, the mountaineer Gustav Reusch climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro for the 25th time! To celebrate this feat, the government of the time named Reusch Crater – one of three craters in Kibo’s cone – after him. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Johannes Rebmann’s First Sighting</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In a May 11, 1848 diary entry, Rebmann documented what he and Krapf had seen. He wrote, “This morning, at 10 o’clock, we obtained a clearer view of the mountains of Jagga [Mount Kilimanjaro]– the summit of one of which was covered by what looked like a beautiful white cloud.” </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Europeans Reach the Summit</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Once word spread, Europeans came in small groups to try and climb the mountain. There were quite a few unsuccessful attempts to climb to Kibo’s peak. Finally, however, Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller made it to Kibo’s summit in 1889 – nearly 40 years after the initial sighting.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Second Summit and Modern Day Hikers</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1912, after a gap of 25 years, another pair of European climbers summited the mountain. Also from Germany, their names were Fritz Klute and Eduard Oehler. Their trail took them to the summit of Mawenzi – a more technical climb than Kibo. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cold Temperatures and Retreating Glaciers</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Mount Kilimanjaro is (as you might imagine) cold. Nighttime temperatures can fall as low as -20°F. Yet despite the frosty temperature, the glaciers and snow cover have been steadily shrinking ever since records began in the early 20th century.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Drilling to the Core</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 2000, Ohio State University geologist Lonnie Thompson led a group of researchers to Kilimanjaro to collect ice cores. They camped for a few weeks at 19,300 feet to drill for six cores. This was meant to determine why the frozen water was disappearing.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Thompson’s Findings</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The holes they dug ranged from 30 to almost 170 feet in length. After extracting the ice cores and transporting them back, the team spent two years analyzing them. The results were published in “Kilimanjaro Ice Core Records: Evidence of Holocene Climate Change in Tropical Africa.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Kilimanjaro Evidence for a Drought</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Knowledge of how to date ice cores came from work on nuclear bombs in the 1950s. It was found that a certain isotope decayed at a predictable rate, and this allowed scientists to date things over long periods. Thompson’s team used this knowledge to understand what was happening in the ice cores.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Droughts in the Bible</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That was the first of three droughts, and the third one is where things get interesting. It happened around 4,000 to 3,700 years ago, a time that coincides with the story of Joseph as told in the Book of Genesis. For those unfamiliar with the text, Joseph’s life events are described in chapters 37 to 50 of Genesis. Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob and his second wife Rachel. Of all Jacob’s many sons, Joseph was the favorite. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Further Evidence</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The scientific evidence alongside biblical accounts and other ancient Egyptian records point toward a huge drought- one so severe that it put the authority of the pharaohs at risk. This odd mix of biblical storytelling and modern science work together to support the tale of Joseph and drought. Although the Old Testament is rarely taken as literal history, the Kilimanjaro ice cores show that it’s not a work of fiction either – verifiable facts made it into the stories as well.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw7AOIYIbJ5oSpPcWfobdK4t9eBH3x0fUod8gy_7h2lSYlopL82fi3o_9ovydP0KUM_zM56KlgabJELl9WcFSDDyNDwApJhfTHKwpksSpD8GgnfpM8Dy2GdVzJwnmVJPbKi7kMNsrgS69PU7CGMYWEpZ2dPMTkNVJZdDpPPNRl2VVpwHesphSgX8_qag" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="622" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw7AOIYIbJ5oSpPcWfobdK4t9eBH3x0fUod8gy_7h2lSYlopL82fi3o_9ovydP0KUM_zM56KlgabJELl9WcFSDDyNDwApJhfTHKwpksSpD8GgnfpM8Dy2GdVzJwnmVJPbKi7kMNsrgS69PU7CGMYWEpZ2dPMTkNVJZdDpPPNRl2VVpwHesphSgX8_qag" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">©Source: Tumblr</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Jerusalem Sights</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A decade after Thompson’s ice core discovery, another biblical story was starting to get backed up by scientific evidence. At Mount Zion, archeologists were combing through thousands of years of history. The archeologists were excavating the ruins of a great city that dated back to the 6th century BCE. That city, as you might have guessed, was Jerusalem. In the Bible, Jerusalem was described as a place of culture and wealth. Was that true? That was something the experts were trying to figure out.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Gets Destroyed</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 586 BCE, Jerusalem fell to Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II. His armies destroyed Judean King Zedekiah alongside most of the city – including King Solomon’s Temple! This has sparked archaeological interest ever since. How much is a legend and how much is fact? Nowadays, Mount Zion refers to an area of Jerusalem just outside the ancient walls of the Old City. This mound is a popular area for modern archeological digs. According to legend, though, Mount Zion is also where the biblical King David made his palace.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">King David</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jerusalem was first inhabited around 4,500 BCE. Things were relatively stable for a while. Around the 12th century, the Canaanite people came to the area. A few centuries later, the invasions came. Around 1000 BCE, King David came to Jerusalem and destroyed the city in order to establish his own. A fabulous palace was built and the city became the heart of the Kingdom of Israel. Later on, when David’s son Solomon became king, he built his own temple. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Excavating Jerusalem</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jerusalem is hugely important to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For this reason and others, amateurs and experts have been trying to excavate the area since at least the late 19th century. In 2007, the Mount Zion Archaeological Project was launched by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). This represented the first time that large-scale work had been supported by an institution outside of Israel. During each summer season, new finds cropped up to reveal more about this ancient city.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Exploring Mount Zion</p><p style="text-align: justify;">One find, for example, came in the form of an ancient coin. The UNCC archeologists and students found it at Mount Zion and dated it back to 56 CE. The coin showed Emperor Nero’s face on it. This unique insignia gave evidence that the Romans were in Jerusalem at least 14 years before they sacked it. The coin was probably owned by a wealthy Jewish family living in the area. It was a significant find – and far from the only significant find they had!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">An Important Discovery</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The archaeologists also unearthed a stone cup inscribed with Hebrew letters. These letters were the same as the letters found on the Dead Sea Scrolls. Digging elsewhere, the archeologists also came across a gate that dated back to the First Crusades. As history buffs will tell you, that’s about 1095 CE. The First Crusade was part of a larger religious war that involved armies of Christian soldiers violently reclaiming the city of Jerusalem. This gate, alongside other evidence, filled in some of the details of what happened.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Artifacts from the First Crusades</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When excavating the old city, archeologists found a filled-in ditch. Not only that, but nearby they unearthed a piece of beautifully designed jewelry. This was thought to have belonged to a Muslim person defending the city against Crusader attacks. Since the piece of jewelry was found so close to other Christian artifacts, archeologists argued that the filled-in ditch and the ornate jewelry were from the same time – the 1099 siege of Jerusalem. This was quite the groundbreaking find for the archeologist’s 2019 summer season! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">How Old Is the Site?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jewelry wasn’t the only thing found at the dig site. Archaeologists also discovered a lot of ash, some household items (lamps, pottery), and a few arrowheads. Through analyzing these artifacts, experts were able to date this particular site to around 586 BCE. This is quite an important year in the history of Jerusalem. As you’ll recall from earlier, 586 BCE was the year when Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II launched a full-scale attack on the city of Jerusalem, leading to its destruction. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Context of Ancient Discovery</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Shimon Gibson, a professor from UNCC, explained the context of their archeological finds to the Haaretz newspaper. “For archaeologists, an ashen layer can mean a number of different things,” he said. This can range from oven remnants to the burning of garbage. “However,” Gibson continued, “in this case, the combination of an ashy layer full of artifacts mixed with arrowheads and a very special ornament indicates some kind of devastation and destruction.” That’s because people don’t abandon fine jewelry or throw out arrowheads with their food waste. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jewelry Meaning</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The biblical scriptures claim that Jerusalem was quite a wealthy place before Nebuchadnezzar II came along and destroyed it. Supposedly, Nebuchadnezzar and his army were seen taking gold and copper vessels from the sacked city. Recent archeological finds seem to support that claim. However, oddly enough, these recent discoveries were the first time that great treasures were uncovered there. Although jewelry was indeed uncovered in Eastern Hill in 1979, experts say that site was outside of the city boundaries in Nebuchadnezzar II’s time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Was Huge</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Archaeologists are now fairly certain that the location of present-day Mount Zion was part of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Further excavations at the site found structures on the Western Hill that were centuries older than that. This led to the conclusion that the city of 586 BCE was larger than previously thought. Not only was it larger, but it was also more prosperous – a bustling city rather than a small village. This is exactly the image of it as told in biblical accounts.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happiness at Finding the Artifact</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As mentioned above, arrowheads were also found nearby the jewelry. These iron and bronze weapons were historically significant because they were tied to the Scythian people, which in turn, links the story back to the Babylonians who destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BCE. That’s because Scythian arrowheads have been found at sites that date between the 6th and 7th centuries BCE. It seems they were part of the Babylonian’s weapons arsenal. This provides further evidence that this particular area was attacked by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Archeological Excitement</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The recent archeological finds have left many researchers excited because it allows them to better understand historical events like the fall of Jerusalem. Shimon Gibson in particular is excited at how these finds relate to stories in Kings 25:9. Since archeology is slow work, it will take a while for them to look through the relics at Mount Zion. Their next big project is to start excavating a building associated with the ash layer described above. Through this, they hope to uncover more evidence for biblical stories. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Future</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As far as history goes, Nebuchadnezzar’s brutal battle against Jerusalem was far from the last battle that Jerusalem underwent. In 70 CE, the Romans attacked it, and the Crusades saw it destroyed multiple times. Modern-day Jews honor this tragic history by fasting on Tisha B’Av. On a more upbeat note, the archeological digs at Mount Zion have been bringing people together, rather than tearing them apart. A lot of students have taken part in the dig and this has deepened their appreciation for history, archeology, and the human story. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-51120196832816018302023-05-26T18:05:00.001-05:002023-05-26T18:06:48.485-05:00Reversing Death and Resurrecting Humans<div style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Popular Mechanics</span></a> and published on May 26, 2023. Written by Tim Newcomb.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><b>German Doctors Are Attempting to Reverse Death and Resurrect Humans</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZP80GVB1Q4oS60Gbr1kqq7UwO1Q7oEjeWtgHShgyOOjBFO14EHL9KYrm6CAQQhVEDDHpqJFhMKZcYDNyhfHhxGpHjZLiGKPcL8KBtAEQ97bG5U1gI3BfdZpUECrqFMT-gFsXIrXQd8frAyC9luBcTS921OBHnyTbWnsAnvX5NxyIGaThZMMpz2IYfg/s960/cryogen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="960" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZP80GVB1Q4oS60Gbr1kqq7UwO1Q7oEjeWtgHShgyOOjBFO14EHL9KYrm6CAQQhVEDDHpqJFhMKZcYDNyhfHhxGpHjZLiGKPcL8KBtAEQ97bG5U1gI3BfdZpUECrqFMT-gFsXIrXQd8frAyC9luBcTS921OBHnyTbWnsAnvX5NxyIGaThZMMpz2IYfg/w400-h166/cryogen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A company called Tomorrow Biostasis is <a href="https://tech.eu/2023/01/26/tomorrow-biostasis-wants-you-to-live-forever"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">focusing on human cryopreservation</span></a> in the hopes it can eventually <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a42216404/is-death-revesible/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">reverse death</span></a>. The new Berlin startup has already preserved the bodies of about 10 deceased humans. Liquid nitrogen is the main ingredient used to ensure cryopreservation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The waiting list for <a href="https://www.tomorrow.bio/"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Tomorrow Biostasis</span></a>, a cryopreservation startup based in Germany, is in the hundreds. And the company already has about 10 cases with some bodies preserved in a lab. What comes next is the real issue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to a <a href="https://tech.eu/2023/01/26/tomorrow-biostasis-wants-you-to-live-forever"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">report from Tech.Eu</span></a>, the company’s “standby ambulance” has already been busy, with co-founder Emil Kendziorra working to launch Europe’s first cryogenics company (there are already a handful of them in the United States). Kendziorra’s goal: As soon as somebody dies, Tomorrow Biostasis immediately responds to preserve the person’s body and/or brain in a state of stasis. Then, once future advances materialize, the company will treat and reverse the person’s original cause of death and bring them back from the dead to enjoy a life extension.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That’s the plan, anyway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kendziorra says his company has “about 10 people” already cryopreserved for training purposes and hundreds more on the waiting list. The company’s typical clientele are 36 years old on average and tend to work in tech, which is perhaps the least surprising development of all. A few of these people just want their brain preserved, thinking their future selves may prefer a new 3D-printed body... or maybe not even a body at all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When the bodies get transported to Rafz, Switzerland for long-term storage at the European Biostasis Foundation—the process is technically considered a scientific body donation, to make it legal—they get cooled to -196 degrees Celsius and placed inside an insulated tank with liquid nitrogen to lock in the preservation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, waiting for medical advancement to progress to the point it can reverse what caused your death isn’t the only hurdle in this entire cryopreservation concept. There’s still the small issue of nobody knowing how to actually revive a dead cryopreserved human. Sure, they can freeze the brain to preserve cells and tissues, but bringing a previously dead brain back to life with regular function and memories isn’t quite a thing in our world—yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And those are just the big questions. There are also plenty of smaller issues, such as who makes the decision on the revival, because, well, you can’t freeze up on the right timing.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="https://www.soulask.com/science-and-technology/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Science & Technology</span></a> and published on January 16, 2018.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>First Human Frozen By Cryogenics Could Be Brought Back To Life ‘In Just TEN Years’, Claims Expert</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Hundreds worldwide have had their corpses frozen in a cryogenic chamber. They are preserved after death in the hope they can be revived in the future. An expert has claimed scientists could reanimate one of these corpses within the next ten years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Human corpses frozen by cryogenics could be brought back to life in the next decade, an expert has claimed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Around 350 people worldwide have had their corpse preserved at low temperatures immediately after death in the hope it can be revived in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dennis Kowalski, president of the Michigan-based Cryonics Institute – an organisation fronting the human freezing process – has now claimed scientists could reanimate one of these corpses within the next ten years.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Speaking to the Daily Star, Mr Kowalski, 49, said: ‘If you take something like CPR, that would have seemed unbelievable 100 years ago. Now we take that technology for granted.‘Cryonically bringing someone back to life should definitely be doable in 100 years, but it could be as soon as ten.’</div><div><br /></div><div>Mr Kowalksi’s Cryonics Institute has almost 2,000 people signed up to be frozen after they die.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>The firm already has 160 patients frozen in specialised tanks of liquid nitrogen at its headquarters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mr Kowalski said that when the first patients are reanimated depends on the rate at which modern medicine improves.</div><div><br /></div><div>‘It depends on how much technology like stem-cells advances,’ he said.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cryonics, also known as cryogenics and cryopreservation, is the art of freezing a dead body or body parts in order to preserve them.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>CRYONICS: THE FACTS. WHAT IS CRYONICS?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The deep freezing of a body to -196°C (-321°F).</div><div><br /></div><div>Anti-freeze compounds are injected into the corpse to stop cells being damaged.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hope is that medical science will advance enough to bring the patient back to life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two main US organisations carry out cryonics in the US: Alcor, in Arizona, and the Cryonics Institute, in Michigan.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Russian firm KrioRus is one of two facilities outside the US to offer the service, alongside Alcor’s European laboratory in Portugal.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HOW IS IT MEANT TO WORK?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The process can only take place once the body has been declared legally dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ideally, it begins within two minutes of the heart stopping and no more than 15.</div><div><br /></div><div>The body must be packed in ice and injected with chemicals to reduce blood clotting.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the cryonics facility, it is cooled to just above 0°C and the blood is replaced with a solution to preserve organs. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Cryonpreservation is the deep freezing of a body to – 196°C (-321°F). Anti-freeze compounds are injected into the corpse to stop cells being damaged</div><div><br /></div><div>The body is injected with another solution to stop ice crystals forming in organs and tissues, then cooled to -130°C.</div><div><br /></div><div>The final step is to place the body into a container which is lowered into a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196°C.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>WHAT’S THE CHANCE OF SUCCESS?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Many experts say there is none.</div><div><br /></div><div>Organs such as the heart and kidneys have never been successfully frozen and thawed.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is even less likely a whole body, and the brain, could be without irreversible damage.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Charges at the Cryonics Institute start at around £28,000 ($35,000) to ‘members’ for whole-body cryopreservation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rival group Alcor charges £161,000 ($200,000) while KrioRus’ procedure will set you back £29,200 ($37,600).</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>HOW LONG BEFORE PEOPLE CAN BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Cryonics organisations claim it could be decades or even centuries.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>However, medical experts say once cells are damaged during freezing and turned to ‘mush’ they cannot be converted back to living tissue, any more than you can turn a scrambled egg back into a raw egg.</div><div><br /></div><div>Advocates see it as a miracle procedure to cheat death, with the hope that they will be revived once medical science has progressed far enough to cure whatever killed them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently, it is only legal to freeze someone when they have just been declared dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>The freezing process must begin as soon as the patient dies in order to prevent brain damage, with facilities currently available in Russia, the US and Portugal.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the procedure, the body is cooled in an ice bath to gradually reduce its temperature bit by bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Experts then drain the blood and replace it with an anti freeze fluid to stop harmful ice crystals forming in the body.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Duy-W3-Gkhg" width="320" youtube-src-id="Duy-W3-Gkhg"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>This Company Freezes Dead People, Hoping to Bring Them Back to Life</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-5658432064187008862023-05-21T10:44:00.000-05:002023-05-21T10:45:38.050-05:00Archdiocese Investigating Catholic Church's 'God Is Trans' Exhibit<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: large;">The following article was obtained through <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Newsweek</span></a> and written by Anna Skinner.</span><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt8Pq5z1lD9Stv2OzV5smsQ_9dX5Sp4W3FuyMv3HzQObRpTjmcrfSj58Sd_I3NzydC-zD2mHpTAqn0Jx-h-pSIaGVLCGjVubt7mg5gcOB7bvk4hMJGDeRSwhUTaPH9kfomV6VPaq0ahdQ5aA9bxnBZF6MpvwJc6mgkZ_hJBioAIpQw0e0Fcnr0Mb5ew/s960/DTC-feat_Archdiocese_of_NewYork_960_450_s_c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="960" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt8Pq5z1lD9Stv2OzV5smsQ_9dX5Sp4W3FuyMv3HzQObRpTjmcrfSj58Sd_I3NzydC-zD2mHpTAqn0Jx-h-pSIaGVLCGjVubt7mg5gcOB7bvk4hMJGDeRSwhUTaPH9kfomV6VPaq0ahdQ5aA9bxnBZF6MpvwJc6mgkZ_hJBioAIpQw0e0Fcnr0Mb5ew/w400-h188/DTC-feat_Archdiocese_of_NewYork_960_450_s_c1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">The Archdiocese of New York is investigating one of its parishes after reports of a new art exhibit surfaced on Monday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">The Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan surprised parishioners when it displayed the three-painting work by artist Adah Unachukwu, which depicts the spiritual journey of an LGBTQ+ person. The display, titled "God Is Trans: A Queer Spiritual Journey," isn't the first time the church has publicly welcomed members of the LGBTQ+ community, but the exhibit is now a concern for the archdiocese.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Nationally, the LGBTQ+ community is regularly in the news as <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greenes-outraged-response-navys-drag-queen-program-1798847">politicians debate issues</a> relating to<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/fury-gender-transition-toddlers-prompts-denial-medical-schools-1798683" target="_blank"> gender-affirming care, gender identity and inclusion</a></span>. The topics are often debated in public schools and have been taken up in some churches as well. Some Catholic churches offer a safe place for LGBTQ+ parishioners, while others follow the Vatican's view that gender is assigned at birth and cannot be changed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Parishioners have expressed mixed opinions about the exhibit, according to a New York Post story, which called the church "very liberal." A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of New York told Newsweek that it was unaware of the exhibit until alerted by the media and is now looking into it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">"We had no knowledge of it beforehand," the spokesperson said. "If media reports are accurate, then we would have concerns. We are investigating and looking to speak with the pastor of the parish to get more information."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Newsweek reached out for comment to the Church of St. Paul the Apostle by phone and through an online contact form.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">On its website, the church said it offers a ministry and outreach program for LGBTQ+ parishioners called "Out at St. Paul."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J-tJKDLcK5goSn7OjxeU2dbc6Oqzu0m1pUz-rGlKpkSJ1nBUcUKpFiL_fqN9yPKMEPPPd5R3Jt6RdRJxZFe__Rcf6ndtwlBT2lmt18q_GUwl11FPNnc8g82GDZqK2YQF1jWqoJdNA2AtlTpRuezSFK_czjK1M5tNCT_nA2ObijBPPFc0J77Q4NRgRg/s1024/unnamed-1024x313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="1024" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J-tJKDLcK5goSn7OjxeU2dbc6Oqzu0m1pUz-rGlKpkSJ1nBUcUKpFiL_fqN9yPKMEPPPd5R3Jt6RdRJxZFe__Rcf6ndtwlBT2lmt18q_GUwl11FPNnc8g82GDZqK2YQF1jWqoJdNA2AtlTpRuezSFK_czjK1M5tNCT_nA2ObijBPPFc0J77Q4NRgRg/w400-h122/unnamed-1024x313.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">The work is divided into three paintings titled "Sacrifice," "Identity" and "Communion." According to descriptions adorning the exhibit, the "Sacrifice" painting is about the shedding of an old life to focus on one's spiritual needs. "Identity" is intended to evoke questions from the viewer, such as "What does holiness look like?," "What does your god look like?" and "Are these two portrayals that can be merged?"</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">"Communion" is concerned with "placing God and the mortal on the same plane to speak to one another," according to the description.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Responses from parishioners have varied from angry to supportive, according to the Post's story. The newspaper reported that several parishioners said that the church should not promote the topic. <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/catholic-church-nun-trans-lgbtq-rights-1797044" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Others were supportive</span></a> and said the church's liberal views were the reason they attended.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFQDPNTr0No40wlXWudF97dV2MOf2bZ8lv366bhIcMuTlb06DgHI37L3vtnOK4_oK5JqbRgSKVMDY31kgXimQWRxF_jY4wsagw9zw63rA_HqFAhMU40Qq4BBIKFQTLd0XBzw8GXJokyBERrxayjZDmCRGcq3o8AKlHiagC-_VMCfPR5DoXTH3aOvNMA/s640/P2740040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="640" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFQDPNTr0No40wlXWudF97dV2MOf2bZ8lv366bhIcMuTlb06DgHI37L3vtnOK4_oK5JqbRgSKVMDY31kgXimQWRxF_jY4wsagw9zw63rA_HqFAhMU40Qq4BBIKFQTLd0XBzw8GXJokyBERrxayjZDmCRGcq3o8AKlHiagC-_VMCfPR5DoXTH3aOvNMA/w400-h290/P2740040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: small;">Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City. Photo Credit: Alice Lum</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Related Articles</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/dylan-mulvaney-slams-backlash-transition-bud-light-1798541" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Dylan Mulvaney Slams Backlash Over Her Transition—'I'm Not Some Monster'</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/catholic-school-board-member-calling-christian-men-dangerous-sparks-anger-1796656" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Catholic School Board Member Calling Christian Men 'Dangerous' Sparks Anger</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/pope-francis-being-gay-not-crime-catholic-church-1776321" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Fondamento; font-size: medium;">Pope Francis: Being Gay Is a Sin but Not a Crime</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-74442890653449323472023-04-19T15:19:00.000-05:002023-04-19T15:19:25.462-05:00New Theory Claims Solar Storms Will Cause ‘End Of The World’ On April 23, 2023<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="http://BroBible.com"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">BroBible.com</span></a> and written by Douglas Charles.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCX300qIGpb83l-jNx4XjrLe121jTgKsKDOj5bvbHnn-mKKvAOiRrOqNbQYsxnOq0bL6gipa_7TFRkrOpanezpZahhWeRy-pE-6XiN0zbZVO28RwPmEG1HTbUeA3KeCpABOqqpyOWXG0p3yKkPxi7yUKimtWo_xSwoShZ_ukkW4U_AM0kTuiGVn46rfQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="650" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCX300qIGpb83l-jNx4XjrLe121jTgKsKDOj5bvbHnn-mKKvAOiRrOqNbQYsxnOq0bL6gipa_7TFRkrOpanezpZahhWeRy-pE-6XiN0zbZVO28RwPmEG1HTbUeA3KeCpABOqqpyOWXG0p3yKkPxi7yUKimtWo_xSwoShZ_ukkW4U_AM0kTuiGVn46rfQ=w400-h234" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">© </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">iStockphoto</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It’s been a while since we have had a good “end of the world” theory sprout up out of the internet.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This latest prediction of the apocalypse apparently found its legs on, of course, TikTok.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to Bolavip.com, “a new conspiracy theory saying that an apocalypse of some sort will happen this Sunday, April 23rd has been gaining traction, especially among Spanish-language users, as the main source seems to be the account @lascapsulasdeltiempo.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Let’s investigate.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to this theory, an intense solar storm will take place on Sunday, April 23, 2023.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Why would this be bad?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Well, as we reported back in April of 2021, Dr. Mark Morris, a professor of astronomy at UCLA, explained that the apocalypse has a very good chance of being caused by the sun.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“There’s every expectation that in about five billion more years, that our sun will swell up to become a red giant,” Morris explained to the Daily Express.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“And then, as it gets larger and larger, it will eventually become what’s called an asymptotic giant branch star – a star whose radius is just under the distance between the sun and the Earth – one astronomical unit in size. So the Earth will be literally skimming the surface of the red giant sun when it’s an asymptotic giant branch star.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That’s not what this latest theory is saying though. What it claims is that a massive solar flare could cause severe technological disruptions.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For example, the strongest recorded solar flare to ever hit Earth occurred in 1859 in what is referred to as the “Carrington Event.” That particular solar storm caused telegraph wires to burst into flames.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1921, the “New York Railroad Storm” also caused fires in electrical equipment and telegraph control rooms all over the world, while in 1989 a moderately strong solar storm knocked out power in northeast Canada for nine hours.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, will something like that happen again on April 23, 2023? Not likely.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, NASA has predicted a solar storm strike will hit Earth on April 20.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Space weather physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov forecasts a 10 percent chance that an X-class solar flare eruption could occur, causing shortwave radio and GPS disruptions.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM6rr0kvetlWw25_zwahyozc39nqP6-UPjz15VGD3_bIcJQ-8rO3PNidhtCxb3GD_VkTcga66qkHrd7o15NjjuEEBf2jkHESHqPw9mZstRIAQNN7cqCp_tlunlDp1SWPhbyQLD8ymExb3WYiI6QSqiAJcRGsVwUWQQhkCVtina268nMR1dCqcJsh9iMA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="703" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM6rr0kvetlWw25_zwahyozc39nqP6-UPjz15VGD3_bIcJQ-8rO3PNidhtCxb3GD_VkTcga66qkHrd7o15NjjuEEBf2jkHESHqPw9mZstRIAQNN7cqCp_tlunlDp1SWPhbyQLD8ymExb3WYiI6QSqiAJcRGsVwUWQQhkCVtina268nMR1dCqcJsh9iMA=w373-h400" width="373" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Should that happen at the same time as a solar storm then it could severely affect power grids, mobile networks, and the internet.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now that would be the apocalypse.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then again, the strongest solar storm in nearly six years blasted Earth last month and space weather forecasters didn’t even see it coming, Space.com reported. The worst thing to happen during that event was spaceflight company Rocket Lab having to delay a launch by 90 minutes. We’ll probably be fine.</p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-4334635222820533452023-04-14T15:13:00.001-05:002023-04-14T15:17:08.906-05:00 Congregants gathered to worship abortion at the first mass of a new church exalting women's autonomy<p style="text-align: justify;">The following article was obtained through <a href="http://Insider.com">Insider.com</a> and written by Katherine Tangalakis-Libbert.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiixY3i6bKsMJwkfvI_AtbYeyvktEjIAeiF2gYjwf_1xKUge3nd2kWGOfJv4EShrHrXCZZuuguwB05Wh5OGcn6d2eA59a727cvB8bD-56jsY12oMWqGCrOYKvmpUIai4uE5sqLaqAmYyXbz5MFu-gTkiyUFMO8RIMaatq3wn84BZEisN9kMFDiLrYWBIg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiixY3i6bKsMJwkfvI_AtbYeyvktEjIAeiF2gYjwf_1xKUge3nd2kWGOfJv4EShrHrXCZZuuguwB05Wh5OGcn6d2eA59a727cvB8bD-56jsY12oMWqGCrOYKvmpUIai4uE5sqLaqAmYyXbz5MFu-gTkiyUFMO8RIMaatq3wn84BZEisN9kMFDiLrYWBIg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">A crowd prays before the Church of Potential Life altar, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">created by Jackie DesForges. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">©</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Matt Ellis</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Jackie DesForges began imagining her Church of Potential Life after the Dobbs decision was leaked.</li><li>As she watched reproductive rights roll back across the nation, she created an altar and new church.</li><li>In March, the Church of Potential Life held its first mass, worshipping abortion and female autonomy</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At a renegade art and literary festival in Bombay Beach, California, Jackie DesForges knelt and prayed with passersby at the inaugural mass of her new church. Reading aloud from a sermon re-written using Supreme Court language, the group didn't merely celebrate — they worshipped abortion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The idea to create a performance art church came to DesForges last year after a draft opinion of the Supreme Court decision that would ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I was very mad, like a lot of people were," DesForges, a Los Angeles-based writer and artist, told Insider. The anger and sense of grief over the loss of abortion rights, she said, inspired her to create the provocative symbol of hope, which took shape over the next year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She had recently started creating erasure poems, painting over or whiting-out passages in books and other writings to create new poetry from the words left behind, and was inspired to do so with the language from the legal document that rolled back reproductive rights for women across the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"So I decided I wanted to do something with this draft, and kind of write women back into it," DesForges told Insider. "And I decided I wanted it to take the form of a manifesto for kind of this new, imaginary religion that sort of worships abortion and female autonomy."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAoKH1I4-gvMcMIGlJirY3g426EDLksrJoCFDqSZZmYpyRURIWw--y_aVluuHYR_g2cTcb7gaCLqkPkt70JfinfYyskVuDrMt8DWHiCdiY2tx_9-8cMmpfMAVCopn0xifOrMbG1bso3XSc70zDfjleSLKMVmVULAx6XBJYY7gzHR5r2nPoEOFyMY5CBQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAoKH1I4-gvMcMIGlJirY3g426EDLksrJoCFDqSZZmYpyRURIWw--y_aVluuHYR_g2cTcb7gaCLqkPkt70JfinfYyskVuDrMt8DWHiCdiY2tx_9-8cMmpfMAVCopn0xifOrMbG1bso3XSc70zDfjleSLKMVmVULAx6XBJYY7gzHR5r2nPoEOFyMY5CBQ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Jackie DesForges performs the first mass of the Church of Potential Life </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">to an audience at the Bombay Beach Biennale. © Matt Ellis</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">DesForges combed through the nearly hundred-page draft of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization opinion, erasing and re-structuring the language of Justice Alito to create an altar-sized poem, which she displayed at the Bombay Beach Biennale art and literary festival in March.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before a small crowd, DesForges read aloud from the church's manifesto, completed a Gospel reading, and then, with a basket passed around to participants like a reverse donation plate, she encouraged Church of Potential Life congregants to take with them phrases from the manifesto, offering single lines of prose to think on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">DesForges said she drew power for the project by "taking the Supreme Court's words and kind of using them against them" reclaiming the words and the reasoning used to strip women of access to abortion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"They had all the sources that they cited in this document, and I could use the same sources to prove a different point," DesForges said. "There also was a huge power is that for me, I think, where I was like, 'Okay, you can write this resounding opinion about what you think the situation is' and so can I, using your exact same words, basically."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Raised Catholic, DesForges said the project was also an act of reclaiming a sacred space after she left the church and recognized different religious perspectives on abortion. She noted that in certain Jewish faiths, abortion is not only allowed but required to protect the health of a mother, making an abortion ban a potential violation of their freedom of religion — and for those who follow her church.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I think I used to be so anti-everything Catholic and everything church, I had a lot of complicated feelings for a while without it, and now I'm very much in the place where I can kind of take what I need from it and leave the rest behind," DesForges said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That mentality appeared to resonate with those who saw her performance, she said, adding that audience members shared their own experiences and thoughts on abortion and religion with her following the mass, praising her project and its aim to open a dialogue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"It was truly like, the perfect location, at the perfect time," she said, noting the fear regarding abortion access is still palpable as nationwide access to abortion-inducing drugs mifepristone and misoprostol has been called into question. "It just felt meant to be."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-81402624227716247102023-03-26T18:39:00.000-05:002023-03-26T18:39:34.086-05:00A Catastrophic Mutating Event Will Strike the World in 2 Years, Report Says<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The following article was obtained from <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Good Housekeeping</span></a>. Story by Tim Newcomb.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb9ABvugDVfFvm35Go32S0TexO6i1oJ2LqKY0bjlz9ClzAF5OgyYcoQlplqhrrY-41_7MGkRIBgpmDhai7hwcvj57D-ZQEbdDpVIUmZwx6jC3IjWCaBOY6WLioVVZevZ6rK4bNIKZ7b1ibjH_IVI5KJZScG_ONT5V0chZVOVU2scV___6UFKM6avbqSA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="226" data-original-width="438" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb9ABvugDVfFvm35Go32S0TexO6i1oJ2LqKY0bjlz9ClzAF5OgyYcoQlplqhrrY-41_7MGkRIBgpmDhai7hwcvj57D-ZQEbdDpVIUmZwx6jC3IjWCaBOY6WLioVVZevZ6rK4bNIKZ7b1ibjH_IVI5KJZScG_ONT5V0chZVOVU2scV___6UFKM6avbqSA=w400-h206" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><ul style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; padding-left: 16px;"><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2023/sessions/press-conference-global-cybersecurity-outlook-2023" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">World Economic Forum report</a> says business leaders believe a “catastrophic cyber event” is coming.</span></li><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: justify;"><a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/math/a38065702/quantum-cyberattacks-are-coming-this-math-can-stop-them/" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">Cybercrime</a> will grow from a $3 trillion industry in 2015 to a $10.5 trillion industry by 2025, according to <a data-t="{"n":"destination","t":13,"b":1,"c.t":7}" hasenterkeydown="1" href="https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybercrime-damage-costs-10-trillion-by-2025/" style="color: #0078d4; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">Cybersecurity Ventures</a>.</li><li data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", SegoeUI, Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: justify;">The unpredictable nature of cybercrime increases threats.</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has filled us with lots of uplifting predictions, like how companies will soon decode our brain waves. The latest warns of a global catastrophic cyber event in the very near future.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“The most striking finding that we’ve found,” WEF managing director Jeremy Jurgens said during a presentation highlighting the WEF Global Security Outlook Report 2023, “is that 93% of cyber leaders, and 86% of cyber business leaders, believe that the geopolitical instability makes a catastrophic cyber event likely in the next two years. This far exceeds anything that we’ve seen in previous surveys.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Add in the extreme unpredictability of these events—Jurgens cited a cyberattack recently aimed at shutting down Ukranian military abilities that unexpectedly also closed off parts of electricity production across Europe—and the global challenges are only growing.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“This is a global threat,” Jürgen Stock, Secretary-General of Interpol, said during the presentation. “It calls for a global response and enhanced and coordinated action.” He said the increased profits that the multiple bad “actors” reap from cybercrime should encourage world leaders to work together to make it a priority as they face “new sophisticated tools.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">One country that recently saw a massive cyberattack, Albania, is now working with larger allies in warding off the criminals, serving as a laboratory of sorts for folks to realize what is coming.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, spoke during the presentation, saying that the growth of the cybercrime industry—from $3 trillion in 2015 to an expected $10.5 trillion in 2025, Rama says during the presentation—means that if cybercrime was a state, it would be the third largest global economy after the U.S. and China.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">That means the crime coming could truly be catastrophic.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rama cited the global response to COVID-19 and said a cyberattack could be much more substantial:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Let’s imagine an exponential multitude of viruses that mutate everyday exponentially while not threatening our body, but the bodies we live in, our organizations, our countries, our system, then, you know, it could be just apocalypse. It’s about viruses that can not only block our way of living, but can control it and deviate it.”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+</span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><blockquote style="text-align: justify;"><b>"They'll besiege all your cities until your high and fortified walls in which you have trusted collapse throughout the land. Indeed, they will besiege all your cities, which the LORD your God gave you." ~ Deuteronomy 28:52</b></blockquote></span></blockquote><p> </p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-14018454962451777112023-03-15T15:31:00.002-05:002023-03-15T15:32:22.741-05:00 What is Biblical Inerrancy? <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">The following article was obtained from the website, <a href="https://theconversation.com/ca" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Story by Geoffrey Smith, Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies, The University of Texas at Austin.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi16W_buuRnLoFmtdHWLwO-vMEYLwHVYVOVWQySuhAf5rkCnKYR6sleJhKCCbOpLiCkSvQTGrAYleI6Df3tHtRFIzUirof3iVzCNty6jpTKGdC2IBfaI9BNQN95vRz0_HzarhZEwC8_4urHo4SlXLf7VV_G3dNdWNQ03MZuj8s8aJE_eEd6rdr0Emv0vA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;"><img alt="" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="768" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi16W_buuRnLoFmtdHWLwO-vMEYLwHVYVOVWQySuhAf5rkCnKYR6sleJhKCCbOpLiCkSvQTGrAYleI6Df3tHtRFIzUirof3iVzCNty6jpTKGdC2IBfaI9BNQN95vRz0_HzarhZEwC8_4urHo4SlXLf7VV_G3dNdWNQ03MZuj8s8aJE_eEd6rdr0Emv0vA=w400-h269" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">In his farewell address at the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention, outgoing president J. D. Greear acknowledged the internal disputes but assured attendees that the Baptist faith continues to affirm “those doctrines most contested in our culture,” such as “the authority, and the inerrancy, and the sufficiency of scripture.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">Recently, other prominent Christians have touted a belief in inerrancy, including MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and former Vice President Mike Pence. Even if support for the doctrine has declined in recent years, nearly one in four Americans believes the Bible is God’s literal word.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">But what is “inerrancy,” and why is it important to so many Christians?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">I first encountered the doctrine of biblical inerrancy as an undergraduate at Biola University. The evangelical school’s faith statement affirms that “the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are without error or misstatement in their moral and spiritual teaching and record of historical facts.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">Now, as a New Testament scholar teaching courses at a university in the Bible Belt, I frequently interact with students familiar with – if not committed to – the doctrine of inerrancy.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">Why the doctrine of inerrancy matters</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">The Bible itself does not claim to be inerrant. Perhaps the closest the Bible comes to claiming to be without error is in a New Testament letter known as 2 Timothy 3:16. In this letter, the apostle Paul states that “all scripture is inspired and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” In other words, the Bible is God’s authoritative instruction for the church.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">Biblical scholars are quick to point out that “all scripture” here does not likely refer to both the Old and New Testaments, and that the apostle Paul likely did not even write 2 Timothy. This verse, however, remains central to those who see the Bible as without error.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">The doctrine of inerrancy is more post-biblical, even modern. And it has been particularly influential among U.S. evangelicals, who often appeal to the doctrine of inerrancy in arguments against gender equality, social justice, critical race theory and other causes thought to violate the God’s infallible word.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">The doctrine of inerrancy took shape during the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. A statement crafted in 1978 by hundreds of evangelical leaders remains its fullest articulation. Known as the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, the statement was a response to emerging “liberal” or nonliteral interpretations of the Bible. According to the statement, the Bible speaks with “infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">In short, the Bible is the final authority.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">As Southern Baptists and other American evangelicals attempt to articulate biblical positions on issues such as social justice, abortion, gender and sexuality, one thing remains certain: Even a Bible thought to be without errors still has to be interpreted.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Chilanka;"><b>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">The following was obtained from <a href="http://GotQuestions.org">GotQuestions.org</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;"><u>QUESTION</u></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">Why is it important to believe in biblical inerrancy?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;"><u>ANSWER</u></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">We live in a time that tends to shrug its shoulders when confronted with error. Instead of asking, like Pilate, “What is truth?” postmodern man says, “Nothing is truth” or perhaps “There is truth, but we cannot know it.” We’ve grown accustomed to being lied to, and many people seem comfortable with the false notion that the Bible, too, contains errors.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">The doctrine of biblical inerrancy is an extremely important one because the truth does matter. This issue reflects on the character of God and is foundational to our understanding of everything the Bible teaches. Here are some reasons why we should absolutely believe in biblical inerrancy:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">1. The Bible itself claims to be perfect. “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). “The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7). “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5 KJV). These claims of purity and perfection are absolute statements. Note that it doesn’t say God’s Word is “mostly” pure or scripture is “nearly” perfect. The Bible argues for complete perfection, leaving no room for “partial perfection” theories.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">2. The Bible stands or falls as a whole. If a major newspaper were routinely discovered to contain errors, it would be quickly discredited. It would make no difference to say, “All the errors are confined to page three.” For a paper to be reliable in any of its parts, it must be factual throughout. In the same way, if the Bible is inaccurate when it speaks of geology, why should its theology be trusted? It is either a trustworthy document, or it is not.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">3. The Bible is a reflection of its Author. All books are. The Bible was written by God Himself as He worked through human authors in a process called “inspiration.” “All scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). See also 2 Peter 1:21 and Jeremiah 1:2.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">We believe that the God who created the universe is capable of writing a book. And the God who is perfect is capable of writing a perfect book. The issue is not simply “Does the Bible have a mistake?” but “Can God make a mistake?” If the Bible contains factual errors, then God is not omniscient and is capable of making errors Himself. If the Bible contains misinformation, then God is not truthful but is instead a liar. If the Bible contains contradictions, then God is the author of confusion. In other words, if biblical inerrancy is not true, then God is not God.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">4. The Bible judges us, not vice versa. “For the word of God...judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Notice the relationship between “the heart” and “the Word.” The Word examines; the heart is being examined. To discount parts of the Word for any reason is to reverse this process. We become the examiners, and the Word must submit to our “superior insight.” Yet God says, “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:20).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">5. The Bible’s message must be taken as a whole. It is not a mixture of doctrine that we are free to select from. Many people like the verses that say God loves them, but they dislike the verses that say God will judge sinners. But we simply cannot pick and choose what we like about the Bible and throw the rest away. If the Bible is wrong about hell, for example, then who is to say it is right about heaven—or about anything else? If the Bible cannot get the details right about creation, then maybe the details about salvation cannot be trusted either. If the story of Jonah is a myth, then perhaps so is the story of Jesus. On the contrary, God has said what He has said, and the Bible presents us a full picture of who God is. “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">6. The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. If it is not reliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, and that includes trust in what He says in His Word. John 6:67-69 is a beautiful passage. Jesus had just witnessed the departure of many who had claimed to follow Him. Then He turns to the twelve apostles and asks, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” At this, Peter speaks for the rest when he says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” May we have the same trust in the Lord and in His words of life.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;">None of what we have presented here should be taken as a rejection of true scholarship. Biblical inerrancy does not mean that we are to stop using our minds or accept what the Bible says blindly. We are commanded to study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15), and those who search it out are commended (Acts 17:11). Also, we recognize that there are difficult passages in the Bible, as well as sincere disagreements over interpretation. Our goal is to approach Scripture reverently and prayerfully, and when we find something we do not understand, we pray harder, study more, and—if the answer still eludes us—humbly acknowledge our own limitations in the face of the perfect Word of God.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Chilanka;"><br /></span></p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-54419014443490398982023-02-24T19:17:00.000-06:002023-02-24T19:17:01.714-06:00The woman who foresaw 9/11 predicts a nuclear explosion for 2023 <p>The following article was obtained through <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-woman-who-foresaw-9-11-predicts-a-nuclear-explosion-for-2023/ss-AA10xucY?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=68f6011d67d2414ebedce682af6aac2e&ei=33#image=1" target="_blank">StarsInsider</a>. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJnxVRlKY9vLLXgQXVX3VJBkxj6ub0k_9l37KC1bfDwFyDyRiVPKinYB_U879Bs50dpHZkh6HcyTJAYAp0s4o7aX_NbCImGOonD9sMPdwQNFdxUTz7CAsKSIGD7LOJRMXTTApQerzX3-lqLVxxdkLKAFA55Xq1AOtnwZLXmHUAEgzWlhzAvtgkVbcZ3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJnxVRlKY9vLLXgQXVX3VJBkxj6ub0k_9l37KC1bfDwFyDyRiVPKinYB_U879Bs50dpHZkh6HcyTJAYAp0s4o7aX_NbCImGOonD9sMPdwQNFdxUTz7CAsKSIGD7LOJRMXTTApQerzX3-lqLVxxdkLKAFA55Xq1AOtnwZLXmHUAEgzWlhzAvtgkVbcZ3Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Who is Baba Vanga?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Baba Vanga was a world-famous mystic who grew up in Bulgaria. She has often been referred to as the Nostradamus of the Balkans for her grand predictions. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The origins of her gift</p><p style="text-align: justify;">She grew up on a farm and was blinded in a dust storm when she was 12 years old. She said that this was the moment she received a gift from God to see into the future. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The first signs</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to baba-vanga.com, she began to exhibit strange behavior around the age of 18. She left a home for the blind where she had spent her teen years and returned to live with her family in what is now North Macedonia. She began to have visions and strange dreams, and would speak to the dead.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Vanga's posthumous prophecies</p><p style="text-align: justify;">She died in 1996 at the age of 75, but by that time had already made many far-reaching predictions about the future.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Foreseeing the fate of the Earth</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the 1950s, she made a prediction that seemed to herald climate change and the devastating tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Vanga is believed to have said, “Cold regions will become warm … and volcanoes will awaken. A huge wave will cover a big coast covered with people and towns, and everything will disappear beneath the water. Everything will melt, just like ice.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Kursk submarine disaster</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It’s rumored that she predicted a famous disaster that occurred in Russia in the year 2000. The Kursk submarine sank during a major Russian naval exercise and all of its 118 crew members were killed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her most famous prediction</p><p style="text-align: justify;">One year later, her supporters claimed that she had once again predicted a major world event. It’s reported that she made a prediction that closely matched the details of the September 11 terrorist attack in the US.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The 9/11 prophecy</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Vanga is believed to have said, “The American brothers will fall after being attacked by the steel birds. The wolves will be howling in a bush, and innocent blood will be gushing."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her reputation for accuracy</p><p style="text-align: justify;">These events helped to solidify Vanga’s reputation as a psychic among her followers. Many say that her predictions are extremely reliable. One researcher, the late Bulgarian psychiatrist Professor Georgi Lozanov, calculated that she has an 85% accuracy rate! So, what has she got lined up for 2023? </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2023: the Earth's orbit will change</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Baba Vanga made five major predictions for 2023. The first was that the Earth's orbit will "change" somehow. The Earth's orbit of the sun is known to change infinitesimally over tens of thousands of years, but a more sudden change would have devastating effects. Moving closer to the sun would accelerate global warming, and moving further away would plunge us into an ice age. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2023: a solar tsunami is coming</p><p style="text-align: justify;">She also predicted that a powerful solar storm the likes of which we've never seen will occur in 2023. Solar storms are disturbances on the sun that can emanate out into our solar system and impact the Earth. Some have interpreted her words to mean a solar tsunami is coming. This is a rarely-seen phenomenon where a powerful plasma wave ripples across the sun and into the surrounding space climate. It could be devastating for Earth, causing blackouts and failures in technology.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">2023: biological weapons will be used</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Baba Vanga declared that a "big country" would carry out experiments using biological weapons on humans, and that hundreds of thousands would die as a result. Such practices are banned by the Biological Weapons Convention of the United Nations, but there are fears that some countries are going ahead with experiments in secret. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2023: nuclear explosion</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Baba Vanga warned that there would be a major nuclear power plant explosion in 2023. This is a very real concern considering that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has been caught up in the war with Russia, while Putin threatens nuclear war. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2023: no more pregnancies</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Finally, she predicted that natural pregnancies will be banned and all babies will be grown in laboratories. She said it will be up to leaders and medical experts to decide who gets a baby and when, while the parents will be allowed to decide on traits such as hair and eye color. Luckily, Baba Vanga's predictions haven't always been right. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">False predictions: 1994 World Cup Final</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In 1994, she claimed that the World Cup Final would be played by two teams with names that began with the letter B. She was right about Brazil, but the other team was Italy. Perhaps she was hoping Bulgaria would make it to the final!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">False predictions: nuclear war</p><p style="text-align: justify;">She predicted that a nuclear war would occur between 2010 and 2014, and that certainly didn’t happen!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">False predictions: Europe's destruction</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A rather dramatic prophecy that never came to fruition was her claim that Europe would cease to exist in 2016.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">False predictions: the 44th and final US president</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Vanga is said to have correctly predicted that the 44th President of the United States would be African American, but she also claimed that this person would be the final president!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Some have interpreted this prediction as the end of serious politics in the US, with celebrities taking over the position of president. Thankfully, Kanye 2020 didn't work out...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Future</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now, let’s see what other predictions Vanga made for the future!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Future predictions: climate change weapons</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Baba Vanga said that in 2066 the US will unleash a climate change weapon on Muslim-controlled Rome.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Future predictions: time travel</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Finally, in 2304, Baba Vanga says that humans will discover time travel.</p>Who's ? Righthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00989305341555417599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512420031350266753.post-16785185145212794132023-02-16T13:23:00.000-06:002023-02-16T13:23:53.501-06:00 The Caste System Of Hinduism Is Rooted In Two Core Beliefs<p>The following article was obtained through the website, <a href="https://www.grunge.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Grunge</span></a>, and written by Dylan Hofer.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Religions and belief systems have tried to piece together how the world works, and how people should behave in accordance with metaphysical ideas. Christians believe that if someone accepts Jesus Christ as their lord and savior and repents for their sins they can enter the Kingdom of God, Muslims have a similar idea and believe that those who live a righteous life will enter heaven, whereas those who not will go to hell, and the ancient Greeks believed that one traveled through the realm of Hades after death trying to find salvation, according to Getty.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCM8afJ9e0tv_ITO8a3NSSbziy7dauTLaC-N82rovj7JCeHIS328tG_fhifTPtniUTs3MXadYq_leOwXyYNikYKoQO92ATrxfrN9fd1kigymtq3MW8iU-yiOSE0bVBAYxAlhWQI3aJlUUovgPBrOpMEL2-GVbG_up9C8hi4hiH767Ct1iKNvfNz54tA/s500/golden-temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="500" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCM8afJ9e0tv_ITO8a3NSSbziy7dauTLaC-N82rovj7JCeHIS328tG_fhifTPtniUTs3MXadYq_leOwXyYNikYKoQO92ATrxfrN9fd1kigymtq3MW8iU-yiOSE0bVBAYxAlhWQI3aJlUUovgPBrOpMEL2-GVbG_up9C8hi4hiH767Ct1iKNvfNz54tA/w400-h265/golden-temple.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Other religious systems don't have a rigid separation between the world of the living and the dead, but rather believe in cycles of reincarnation, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. In these two religions, death is not seen as the end, but rather a process where people try to attain higher levels of status and existence. According to Set Free, only by living good lives and attaining good karma can one hope to be elevated to another caste.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Two Elements Of Caste</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteDPXi5Zl2wmHmmNYZKz3NMY5vkY5h9D-VNa5AWxjW_mgoAmoFmeJXXepp-Mne205j19nQc6TbQKj1HRUgp_zRqCUesYov3dc4RXLFsOA_MJVm3KP34qB2RrrV5NoYf0JmDnzmoUIo-QzfyL7bNmLsT6l6r_7gA9Ubq_52YOL5uD9jmxUi0RmcQKGTg/s621/garbage621--621x414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="621" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteDPXi5Zl2wmHmmNYZKz3NMY5vkY5h9D-VNa5AWxjW_mgoAmoFmeJXXepp-Mne205j19nQc6TbQKj1HRUgp_zRqCUesYov3dc4RXLFsOA_MJVm3KP34qB2RrrV5NoYf0JmDnzmoUIo-QzfyL7bNmLsT6l6r_7gA9Ubq_52YOL5uD9jmxUi0RmcQKGTg/w400-h266/garbage621--621x414.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Indian workers recycling scraps. </span>Photo: Aniruddha Chowhdury/Mint</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Wet waste will be composted </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For Hindus specifically, people are born into four different castes and are only reincarnated as humans. The lowest caste is the Sudras, traditionally peasants or servants; the next level is Vaishyas, who are merchants; Kshatriyas are warriors, kings, or other rulers; and the final level is the Brahmins, the teachers, and priests of Hinduism, according to Phiren Amenca. It is believed that by doing good deeds in your current life, you will be rewarded with higher status in the next.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Below all of these is a group of people known as Dalits, or the Untouchables. Members of this caste aren't allowed to associate with any other denomination whatsoever. Even now Dalits face harsh segregation and are often abused in everyday society. It is sometimes expected that Dalits should do harsh manual labor that was unattractive to the higher castes, and many were indentured servants, including children (via National Geographic). Today, some laws are implemented to protect Untouchables, but often aren't enforced due to permeating cultural beliefs, according to Britannica.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Comparison To Buddhism</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97J2OvOt1WEkAMUqP593rzJ6bOPmBOjRcG6BdUyapdy7F2UspR8Swb-AlyhyzoVe4eA07WMDI-Bko-Us-bg8DmDf3CGauz0QyGLfqviMhvgapf2nEf4gr3TMXZ2tx2mGHUYkmgPzrrGYI1tW8ux53xEmsWfaUORzxEtO-fJIIdc5LbCQ0VxEvg6sh6g/s300/f704c51083622c116182711dd102440d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97J2OvOt1WEkAMUqP593rzJ6bOPmBOjRcG6BdUyapdy7F2UspR8Swb-AlyhyzoVe4eA07WMDI-Bko-Us-bg8DmDf3CGauz0QyGLfqviMhvgapf2nEf4gr3TMXZ2tx2mGHUYkmgPzrrGYI1tW8ux53xEmsWfaUORzxEtO-fJIIdc5LbCQ0VxEvg6sh6g/w400-h300/f704c51083622c116182711dd102440d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Buddha's statue near Belum Caves Andhra Pradesh India. Wikipedia</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many Untouchables convert to other religions due to this discrimination. Buddhism is often a popular religion to follow given its more empathetic take on the caste system and reincarnation as a whole, compared to its older spiritual cousin (via Britannica). In Buddhism, there is still karma and the belief in reincarnation, but the castes are radically different. Buddhists believe that all people are equal, and all people can reach enlightenment, but they also hold the notion that people can be reincarnated into different beings.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Usually, these beings are divided into six different categories: Gods, demigods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, and devils. Hungry ghosts are beings who are constantly craving one thing that can never be fully satisfied, according to Lion's Roar. Nonetheless, both Hindus and Buddhists believe that karma exists and that the actions in our lives have consequences that follow us to the next, in the hopes that one day we will live in eternal bliss.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MqfJT5YTQ1c" width="413" youtube-src-id="MqfJT5YTQ1c"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Speech Today | 'Caste' System Must Be Forgotten: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="top-row" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><div class="item style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="owner" style="align-items: center; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex: 1 1 1e-09px; margin: 12px 12px 0px 0px; min-width: calc(50% - 6px); padding: 0px;"></div></div><div class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="top-row" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></div></div>Who's ? 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