#and thousands of years of historical evidence and testimony

[edenfenixblogs]

I’m so glad to be Jewish. Even as we endure the shittiness of our supposed allies alongside the outright disdain from those who have always hated us, I’d so much rather be Jewish than a part of either other group. They have power. They have influence. They have access to thousands of years of historical data and testimony. They have every advantage. But we have a dignity they never will.

[lazypotato10]

Mughal India - The biggest holocaust in world history

The world is all ears to the sob stories of Muslims. There is sympathy for their plight, there are worldwide protests and rampant Hinduphobia in the media if their interests are even slightly threatened and oftentimes, its the Muslims who are suffering the retribution over something which they instigated in the first place and then the blame game begins and the Hindus are held accountable for retaliation and being intolerant to the atrocious nature of this so called 'peaceful minority'.

The genocide suffered by the Hindus of India at the hands of Arab, Turkish, Mughal and Afghan occupying forces for a period of 800 years is as yet formally unrecognized by the world.

With the invasion of India by Mahmud Ghazni about 1000 A.D., began the Muslim invasions into the Indian subcontinent and they lasted for several centuries. Nadir Shah made a mountain of the skulls of the Hindus he killed in Delhi alone. Babur raised towers of Hindu skulls at Khanua when he defeated Rana Sanga in 1527 and later he repeated the same horrors after capturing the fort of Chanderi. Akbar ordered a general massacre of 30,000 Rajputs after he captured Chittorgarh in 1568. The Bahamani Sultans had an annual agenda of killing a minimum of 100,000 Hindus every year.

The history of medieval India is full of such instances. The holocaust of the Hindus in India continued for 800 years, till the brutal regimes were effectively overpowered in a life and death struggle by the Sikhs in Punjab and the Hindu Maratha armies in other parts of India in the late 1700’s.

We have elaborate literary evidence of the world’s biggest holocaust from existing historical contemporary eyewitness accounts. The historians and biographers of the invading armies and subsequent rulers of India have left quite detailed records of the atrocities they committed in their day-to-day encounters with India’s Hindus.

These contemporary records boasted about and glorified the crimes that were committed and the genocide of tens of millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains, mass rapes of women and the destruction of thousands of ancient Hindu/Buddhist temples and libraries have been well documented and provide solid proof of the world’s biggest holocaust.

**Quotes from modern historians**

Dr. Koenraad Elst in his article “Was There an Islamic Genocide of Hindus?” states:

“There is no official estimate of the total death toll of Hindus at the hands of Islam. A first glance at important testimonies by Muslim chroniclers suggests that over 13 centuries and a territory as vast as the subcontinent, Muslim holy warriors easily killed more Hindus than the 6 million of the holocaust. Ferishtha lists several occasions when the Bahmani sultans in central India (1347-1528) killed a hundred thousand Hindus, which they set as a minimum goal whenever they felt like punishing the Hindus; and they were only a third-rank provincial dynasty.

The biggest slaughters took place during the raids of Mahmud Ghaznavi (ca. 1000 CE) during the actual conquest of North India by Mohammed Ghori and his lieutenants (1192 ff.) and under the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526).“

He also writes in his book “Negation in India”:

“The Muslim conquests, down to the 16th century, were for the Hindus a pure struggle of life and death. Entire cities were burnt down and the populations massacred, with hundreds of thousands killed in every campaign, and similar numbers deported as slaves. Every new invader made (often literally) his hills of Hindus skulls. Thus, the conquest of Afghanistan in the year 1000 was followed by the annihilation of the Hindu population; the region is still called the Hindu Kush, i.e. Hindu slaughter.”

Will Durant argued in his 1935 book “The Story of Civilisation: Our Oriental Heritage” (page 459):

“The Mohammedan conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. The Islamic historians and scholars have recorded with great glee and pride the slaughters of Hindus, forced conversions, abduction of Hindu women and children to slave markets and the destruction of temples carried out by the warriors of Islam during 800 AD to 1700 AD. Millions of Hindus were converted to Islam by sword during this period.”

Francois Gautier in his book ‘Rewriting Indian History’ (1996) wrote:

“The massacres perpetuated by Muslims in India are unparalleled in history, bigger than the holocaust of the Jews by the Nazis, or the massacre of the Armenians by the Turks, more extensive even than the slaughter of the South American native populations by the invading Spanish and Portuguese.”

Alain Danielou in his book, Histoire de l’ Inde writes:

“From the time Muslims started arriving, around 632 AD, the history of India becomes a long, monotonous series of murders, massacres, spoliations, and destructions. It is, as usual, in the name of ‘a holy war’ of their faith, of their sole God, that the barbarians have destroyed civilizations, wiped out entire races.”

Irfan Husain in his article “Demons from the Past” observes:

“While historical events should be judged in the context of their times, it cannot be denied that even in that bloody period of history, no mercy was shown to the Hindus unfortunate enough to be in the path of either the Arab conquerors of Sindh and south Punjab or the Central Asians who swept in from Afghanistan. The Muslim heroes who figure larger than life in our history books committed some dreadful crimes. Mahmud of Ghazni, Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, Balban, Mohammed bin Qasim, and Sultan Mohammad Tughlak, all have blood-stained hands that the passage of years has not cleansed. Seen through Hindu eyes, the Muslim invasion of their homeland was an unmitigated disaster.

“Their temples were razed, their idols smashed, their women raped, their men killed or taken slaves. When Mahmud of Ghazni entered Somnath on one of his annual raids, he slaughtered all 50,000 inhabitants. Aibak killed and enslaved hundreds of thousands. The list of horrors is long and painful. These conquerors justified their deeds by claiming it was their religious duty to smite non-believers. Cloaking themselves in the banner of Islam, they claimed they were fighting for their faith when, in reality, they were indulging in straightforward slaughter and pillage…”

A sample of contemporary eyewitness accounts of the invaders and rulers, during the Indian conquests

The Afghan ruler Mahmud al-Ghazni invaded India no less than seventeen times between 1001 – 1026 AD. The book ‘Tarikh-i-Yamini’ – written by his secretary documents several episodes of his bloody military campaigns: “The blood of the infidels flowed so copiously at the Indian city of Thanesar that the stream was discolored, notwithstanding its purity, and people were unable to drink it. The infidels deserted the fort and tried to cross the foaming river but many of them were slain, taken or drowned. Nearly fifty thousand men were killed.”

In the contemporary record – ‘ Taj-ul-Ma’asir’ by Hassn Nizam-i-Naishapuri, it is stated that when Qutb-ul- Din Aibak (of Turko – Afghan origin and the First Sultan of Delhi 1194 – 1210 AD) conquered Meerut, he demolished all the Hindu temples of the city and erected mosques on their sites. In the city of Aligarh, he converted Hindu inhabitants to Islam by the sword and beheaded all those who adhered to their own religion.

The Persian historian Wassaf writes in his book ‘Tazjiyat-ul-Amsar wa Tajriyat ul Asar’ that when the Alaul-Din Khilji (an Afghan of Turkish origin and second ruler of the Khilji Dynasty in India 1295-1316 AD) captured the city of Kambayat at the head of the Gulf of Cambay, he killed the adult male Hindu inhabitants for the glory of Islam, set flowing rivers of blood, sent the women of the country with all their gold, silver, and jewels, to his own home, and made about twenty thousand Hindu maidens his private slaves.

This ruler once asked his spiritual advisor (or ‘Qazi’) as to what was the Islamic law prescribed for the Hindus. The Qazi replied:

*“Hindus are like the mud, if silver is demanded from them, they must with the greatest humility offer gold. If a Mohammadan desires to spit into a Hindu’s mouth, the Hindu should open it wide for the purpose. God created the Hindus to be slaves of the Mohammadans. The Prophet hath ordained that, if the Hindus do not accept Islam, they should be imprisoned, tortured, finally put to death, and their property confiscated.”*

Timur was a Turkic conqueror and founder of the Timurid Dynasty. Timur’s Indian campaign (1398 – 1399 AD) was recorded in his memoirs, collectively known as ‘Tuzk-i-Timuri.’ In them, he vividly described probably the greatest gruesome act in the entire history of the world – where 100,000 Hindu prisoners of war in his camp were executed in a very short space of time. Timur after taking advice from his entourage says in his memoirs :

*“they said that on the great day of battle these 100,000 prisoners could not be left with the baggage and that it would be entirely opposed to the rules of war to set these idolaters and foes of Islam at liberty."*

*“In fact, no other course remained but that of making them all food for the sword"*

Timur thereupon resolved to put them to death. He proclaimed :

*“throughout the camp that every man who has infidel prisoners was to put them to death, and whoever neglected to do so should himself be executed and his property given to the informer. When this order became known to the ghazis of Islam, they drew their swords and put their prisoners to death. 100,000 infidels, impious idolaters, were on that day slain. Maulana Nasir-ud-din Umar, a counselor and a man of learning, who, in all his life had never killed a sparrow, now, in execution of my order, slew with his sword fifteen idolatrous Hindus, who were his captives“.*

During his campaign in India – Timur describes the scene when his army conquered the Indian city of Delhi :

*“In a short space of time all the people in the Delhi fort were put to the sword, and in the course of one hour, the heads of 10,000 infidels were cut off. The sword of Islam was washed in the blood of the infidels, and all the goods and effects, the treasure and the grain which for many a long year had been stored in the fort became the spoil of my soldiers.*

*“They set fire to the houses and reduced them to ashes, and they razed the buildings and the fort to the ground. All these infidel Hindus were slain, their women and children, and their property and goods became the spoil of the victors. I proclaimed throughout the camp that every man who had infidel prisoners should put them to death, and whoever neglected to do so should himself be executed and his property given to the informer. When this order became known to the ghazis of Islam, they drew their swords and put their prisoners to death.”*

The Mughal emperor Babur (who ruled India from 1526 -1530 AD) writing in his memoirs called the ‘Baburnama’ – wrote: ” In AH 934 (2538 C.E.) I attacked Chanderi and by the grace of Allah captured it in a few hours. We got the infidels slaughtered and the place which had been Daru’l-Harb (nation of non-muslims) for years was made into a Daru’l-Islam (a Muslim nation).”

In Babur’s own words in a poem about killing Hindus (From the ‘Baburnama’ ), he wrote :

*“For the sake of Islam, I became a wanderer, I battled infidels and Hindus, I determined to become a martyr. Thank God I became a killer of Non-Muslims!”*

The atrocities of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan (who ruled India between 1628 – 1658 AD) are mentioned in the contemporary record called: ‘Badshah Nama, Qazinivi & Badshah Nama, Lahori’ and goes on to state: “When Shuja was appointed as governor of Kabul he carried on a ruthless war in the Hindu territory beyond Indus…The sword of Islam yielded a rich crop of converts. Most of the women (to save their honor) burnt themselves to death. Those captured were distributed among Muslim Mansabdars (Noblemen)”

The Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked India in 1757 AD and made his way to the holy Hindu city of Mathura, the Bethlehem of the Hindus and birthplace of Krishna.

The atrocities that followed are recorded in the contemporary chronicle called: ‘Tarikh-I-Alamgiri’ :

*“Abdali’s soldiers would be paid 5 Rupees (a sizeable amount at the time) for every enemy head brought in. Every horseman had loaded up all his horses with the plundered property, and atop of it rode the girl-captives and the slaves. The severed heads were tied up in rugs like bundles of grain and placed on the heads of the captives. Then the heads were stuck upon lances and taken to the gate of the chief minister for payment.*

*“It was an extraordinary display! Daily did this manner of slaughter and plundering proceed. And at night the shrieks of the women captives who were being raped deafened the ears of the people. All those heads that had been cut off were built into pillars, and the captive men upon whose heads those bloody bundles had been brought in, were made to grind corn, and then their heads too were cut off. These things went on all the way to the city of Agra, nor was any part of the country spared.”*

Banda Singh Bahadur was tortured to death after being imprisoned for 3 months. The heart of Banda Singh’s son was put in his mouth in an attempt to humiliate him

Why we should remember?

The biggest holocaust in world history has been whitewashed from history.

When we hear the word 'holocaust', most of us think immediately of the Jewish holocaust. Today, with increased awareness and countless cinema films and television documentaries, many of us are also aware of the holocaust of the Native American people, the genocide of the Armenian people in the Ottoman Empire, and the millions of African lives lost during the Atlantic slave trade.

Europe and America produced at least a few thousand films highlighting the human misery caused by Hitler and his army. The films expose the horrors of the Nazi regime and reinforce the beliefs and attitude of the present day generation towards the evils of the Nazi dictatorship.

In contrast, look at India. There is hardly any awareness among the Indians of today of what happened to their ancestors in the past because a great majority of historians are reluctant to touch this sensitive subject.

**The world seems to either ignore or just does not seem to care about the many millions of lives lost during the 800 years long holocaust of Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists in India.**

The Indian historian Professor K.S. Lal estimates that the Hindu population in India decreased by 80 million between 1000 AD and 1525 AD, an extermination unparalleled in world history. This slaughter of millions of people occurred over regular periods during many centuries of Arab, Afghan, Turkish and Mughal rule in India.

Many Indian heroes emerged during these dark times, including the 10th Sikh Guru – Guru Gobind Singh and also the Hindu Maratha king – Shivaji Maharaj, who led the resistance against this tyranny and eventually led to its defeat by the late 1700s after centuries of death and destruction.

The modern world today is facing a global threat from organizations and groups of terrorists such as ISIS, Taliban, and Al-Qaeda whose ideology is chillingly similar to that of the perpetrators of the world’s biggest holocaust in India.

Let us hope that the bloody lessons of the past are learned so that history does not even have the remotest chance of repeating itself.

Never forgive. Never forget. Rise up.

[mystreal]

Brihadeeswara Temple: The Grand Marvel of Chola Architecture

Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as the "Big Temple," stands as a towering testament to the artistic and architectural brilliance of ancient India. Located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was built by the great Chola king Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. Its grandeur, intricate sculptures, and engineering marvels continue to inspire awe and wonder to this day.

Historical Significance

The construction of Brihadeeswara Temple was completed in 1010 CE, making it over 1,000 years old. It was commissioned by Raja Raja Chola I, one of the most powerful kings of South India, who ruled the Chola dynasty at its zenith. The temple was not only a spiritual center but also a symbol of the Chola empire’s wealth, military prowess, and cultural dominance. The inscriptions found on the temple walls detail the king's conquests and the temple’s endowments, offering valuable insights into the Chola empire's administration, economy, and devotion.

Architectural Grandeur

Brihadeeswara Temple Thanjavur is a striking example of Dravidian architecture, marked by its massive vimana (tower) that rises to a height of 216 feet, making it one of the tallest temple towers in the world. What is particularly fascinating is that the vimana is constructed entirely out of granite, a material not locally available, which raises questions about the logistics of transporting such massive stones.

The temple’s engineering brilliance is evident in its crowning glory—an 80-ton monolithic granite block that sits atop the vimana. Scholars believe that an inclined ramp was built extending several kilometers to raise the stone to the top, showcasing the ingenuity of Chola engineers.

Iconic Sculptures and Artistry

The temple complex is adorned with intricate sculptures that reflect the richness of Chola art. The sanctum sanctorum houses a massive 13-foot-tall Shiva Lingam, which is one of the largest in India. Surrounding the temple are detailed carvings of deities, mythological scenes, and celestial beings, showcasing the artisans’ exceptional skill. The frescoes on the walls of the temple's inner sanctum, depicting various stories from Hindu mythology, are a unique feature of this architectural wonder.

One of the most remarkable features of Brihadeeswara Temple is the statue of Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, located at the entrance. Carved from a single stone, this 16-foot-long, 13-foot-tall Nandi is one of the largest monolithic sculptures in India.

Spiritual and Cultural Legacy

Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur continues to be an important center of worship for devotees of Lord Shiva. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the temple to offer prayers and witness its magnificent architecture. The temple is not only a place of spiritual significance but also a cultural hub that has withstood the test of time.

In 2010, the temple celebrated its 1,000th anniversary, marking a millennium of continuous worship, architectural marvels, and historical significance. The anniversary festivities included cultural performances, religious ceremonies, and exhibitions, drawing visitors from around the world.

Conclusion

Brihadeeswara Temple is more than just an architectural masterpiece; it is a living testimony to the grandeur of the Chola dynasty and the devotion of the people. Its engineering brilliance, artistic beauty, and spiritual aura make it one of the most revered monuments in India. A visit to this iconic temple is not only a journey through history but also a celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage.

[emma-miller-blogs]

The Beauty and Significance of Gold Anklets for Kids"

Introduction

Gold anklets for kids are more than just a piece of jewelry; they are a blend of tradition, fashion, and sentiment. Whether gifted as a token of love, worn for cultural reasons, or simply as a stylish accessory, these delicate ornaments hold a special place in many families. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about gold anklets for kids, from their historical significance to the latest fashion trends and safety tips.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The history of anklets dates back thousands of years, with evidence of their use found in ancient civilizations such as Egypt and India. In many cultures, anklets are considered a symbol of good luck and protection. For example, in Indian tradition, gold anklets are often given to newborns and young children during special ceremonies as a blessing and a way to ward off evil spirits.

Fashion Trends

In recent years, gold anklets for kids have become a popular fashion accessory. Modern designs range from simple gold chains to intricate patterns adorned with charms and gemstones. Personalized anklets, featuring the child’s name or initials, have also become a trendy choice. These pieces can be worn with traditional outfits or as a stylish addition to everyday wear.

Safety Considerations

When it comes to children’s jewelry, safety is paramount. It's essential to choose designs that are free from sharp edges and have secure clasps to prevent the anklet from accidentally falling off. Opt for hypoallergenic materials, especially for children with sensitive skin. Gold purity should also be considered; 18k or 22k gold is often preferred for its balance of durability and purity.

Buying Tips

Selecting the right anklet involves several considerations. Measure the child's ankle to ensure a proper fit, allowing some extra length for growth. Check the quality of craftsmanship and ensure the jeweler provides a certificate of authenticity. It’s also wise to set a budget beforehand, as the price can vary significantly based on design and gold purity.

Caring for Gold Anklets

Proper care will keep the anklet looking beautiful for years. Clean it regularly with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Store it in a soft pouch or jewelry box to prevent scratches. It’s best to remove the anklet during rough play or sports activities to avoid damage.

Personal Stories and Testimonials

Parents often share touching stories about the significance of gold anklets in their families. For instance, one mother described how her daughter’s anklet was a gift from her grandmother, symbolizing the family’s enduring bond and tradition.

Conclusion

Gold anklets for kids are a beautiful blend of tradition and fashion, offering both aesthetic appeal and cultural significance. Whether you’re looking to buy one for a special occasion or simply to adorn your child, understanding the history, trends, and safety considerations will help you make an informed choice.

[worldtourstore]

Ten Reasons to Visit Manila from London

London and Manila, both are like the opposite ends of a spectrum when it comes to certain things. In aspects like history, culture, lifestyle, and infrastructure, these two destinations could not be more different. On one hand, London is known for its unparalleled cultural diversity, serving as a melting pot of many different ethnicities that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of traditions, cuisines, and languages of the city6 of London. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of this city is highly evident in many oof its very diverse neighbourhoods. On the other hand, Manila reflects a fusion of culture that was shaped by its colonial history. The country of Philippines has been influenced by a plethora of different cultures from Spanish t Asian to American traditions that each merge into a unique blend that is undeniably Filipino. Get your tickets for flights to Manila from London read and read along as enlisted below are the reasons to visit Manila all the way from London:

The enchanting beauty of San Agustin Church- Located within the walls of Intramuros, the San Agustin Church stands as a testament to faith and the rich history of the Philippines. This church is known all over the world as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This architectural havn is not merely a religious sanctuary but also a living tale of the colonial past of the country, its resilience and its cultural heritage as well. The church is dedicated to Saint Augustine and is the oldest stone church iin the entirety of the Philippines. The construction of this religious marvel began a long time back, in the year 1586, during the Spanish colonial era which makes this place an integral part of the history of the Philippines. Ever since its construction, the church has weathered centuries over centuries of challenges ranging from natural disasters to wars to political changes and more. The church to this day stands resilient and has witnessed almost every single part of evolution in the nation of Philippines. You can say that the architecture of this church is a prime example of the Spanish colonial inspired by the Baroque style, offering ornate detailing and intricate carvings. The San Agustin Church is a harmonious blend between the European influences and modern distinct twists. 

Pay your respects at the American cemetery and Memorial- The American Cemetery and Memorial is a burial ground that stands as a living testament to the ideals of sacrifice, remembrance, and freedom. This location is like a symbol of the long-lasting friendship between the Philippines and the United States. It is a place where each and every visitor can pay their respects to the fighters that gave their lives for the cause of liberty. It is a solemn depiction standing as a testimony to the sacrifices made by Filipino soldiers as well as American Soldiers during the Second World War. Sprawling across 152 acres, this hallowed ground is in the capital city of Philippines which serves as a final resting place for all the thousands of brave men and women that martyred their lives away in the pacific theatre. The American Cemetery and Memorial was established back in the year 1948 and to this day is regarded as a place with a unique and historical significance to the nation. The entrance to the memorial is marked by a grand chapel white in colour which is adorned with intricate stained glass murals that depict scenes of war and peace. Once the visitors of this memorial pass by the entrance they catch a glimpse of the meticulously manicured lawns and rows over rows of white marbled headstone where each headstone is marked by name of the person buried, their rank and their unit where you can pay your respects to the fallen heroes of the tragedy,

The bewitching of the Pagsanjan River- Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of the Philippines, you will find the Pagsanjan River meandering its way across the scenic tapestry of tropical beauty. This destination offers not only a waterway to gaze upon but will also provide an enchanting journey that captivates the heart and soul or each and every visitor that decides to visit this beautiful location. The Pagsanjan River is located about eighty kilometres away from Manila in the province of Laguna. A day trip to this location is more than enough to observe this natural beauty which is renowned for its stunning natural scenery. Every visitor can practically feel the excitement in the air as they immerse themselves in the exhilarating experience that is provided by the world famous Pagsanjan Falls. In the town of Pagsanjan you will also get the opportunity to board one of the traditional wooden canoes that are known as Bancas and experience the rush of water drifting from the sides as you ride the waves in a carefully manoeuvred boats by the local boatmen who are skillful enough to navigate the waters after years and years of practice and honed expertise inherited through generations. The highlight of your Pagsanjan expedition is sure to be the mesmerising beauty of the Pagsanjan Falls. 

Unwind with a Hilot Massage- The term Hilot itself is derived from a Filipino word “hiLot” which means to heal using the power of your hands. It depicts the hands-on approach of the Hilot traditional Massage technique. This massage technique that has been practised since a long time back, centuries past to be more precise. Passed down through the generations, this massage technique is deeply ingrained in the culture as a form of totally natural way of healing and getting rid of the pain and tension you are holding within your body. During modern times and with many modern methods of healing, the Hilot Massage is an art of traditional healing that connects people to the cultural roots of the Philippines. Rooted in this modern yet still traditionally respectful country, this indigenous medicine or technique. Is. Much more than just a physical therapy, it is more of a holistic approach too wellness that uses many different elements of energy balancing and the magic of spirituality. This massage method is typically started with a thorough assessment by a Hilot Practitioner or as they say it in the Philippines, “Manghihilot.”Tgis traditional healer is believed to possess a spiritual ability that allows them to sense energy imbalances and identify any areas where you might feel pain or which body parts or areas where you carry your tension. Then according to that, the practitioner may use a combination of healing techniques that could include anything from massage or touch related cure, intuition or even the use of traditional herbs to diagnose and treat the condition of the client. Think of your flights to Manila from London as a transport to this magical and spiritual realm of relaxation where you lose tension and unwind. 

Get mesmerised by the beauty of the Taal Lake- The Taal Lake of Manila is located within the captivating landscapes of Philippines. This mesmerising natural wonder is known for beckoning visitors from all around the globe as well as locals to experience its stunning beauty. It is a freshwater gem that is cradled within the caldera of Taal Volcano which is the most iconic and active volcano of the Philippines. This gorgeous lake is located just a scenic drive towards the south of Manila to the province of Batangas and its defining feature is the unique geological setting it is surrounded with. The lake rests inside the vast caldera which is a large volcanic crater that was formed by the previous eruption of this magnificent Taal Volcano. Located within the same crater you will also find another volcanic island called “Volcano Island” that emerges crowned by the original and main Crater Lake which basically creates a view which is mystical enough to feel surreal. Taal lake is a wide and expansive spread that covers approximately 234 square kilometres which makes it the third largest lake in the entire nation of Philippines. One of the most infamous ways to experience the beauty of Taal lake is to embark on a boat ride. The lake’s clear waters and the lush greenery surrounding the areas brings a feeling of entering a fairytale with the Taal Volcano as the backdrop to the surreal haven.  

Awaken your inner intellect at the Ayala Museum- The Ayala Museum is located in the heart of Manila. It was established in the year 1967 by the Foundation of Ayala and to this day, it stands as a cultural beacon that showcases the rich tapestry of the history of Philippines, its art scenes and its heritage. The foundation of Ayala is an institution that has become a hub for cultural appreciation and education that draws visitors from all around the world into the diverse narratives that have shaped the archipelago. The Ayala Museumpretty much stands as a testament to the commitment of the Ayala Foundation to preserve and promote Philippine culture. The architecture of this museum is a blend of cultural aesthetics and modern design that provides an inviting space for exploration. Located within the warm embrace of the Ayala Center in a bustling commercial district which ensures accessibility for both tourists and locals alike making them eager to dive into the history and artistic expressions of the location. One of the main features of this museum is the diorama exhibits it showcases which holds meticulously crafted miniature scenes that vividly depict the pivotal movements of history of Philippines. The exhibits offer a dynamic and visually engaging journey through time. From the pre-colonial times to the struggle for independence and much more, the dioramas that are showcased provide a comprehensive overview of the historical narrative of this nation.  A unique aspect of this beautiful museum is the emphasis it places on interactive and innovative experiences. Another key feature of this museum is the 360-degree exhibit which offers a multi-sensory journey through the history and culture of Philippines while utilising a cutting-edge technology that engages each visitor into an immersive narrative. The Ayala Museum is not just a repository of the past but a vibrant platform dedicated to modern time creativity. 

Learn the truth behind the Coconut Palace- The Coconut Palace is situated in the heart of Manila, Philippines. It truly stands as a unique architectural gem that reflects both the cultural richness and the natural resources in the country which was commissioned in the year 1978, as the official residence of then-First Lady Imelda Marcos. This magnificent establishment shows the versatile and sustainable nature of coconut which is one of the most iconic crops of the Philippines. The palace is named so because of its extensive use of coconut shells, coconut lumber, and other coconut-derived materials in its construction. The exterior of this enchanting hotel is decorated with elaborately designed coconut palm leaf inspired patterns, coconut shell chandeliers, and panelling made up entirely of coconut lumber. A lesser-known fact about this hotel is that the decision to build with coconut components was not an aesthetic choice but an intended effort to showcase the versatility and economic potential of this all natural resource that is native to the nation. One of the spotlights of the Coconut Palace is their use of coconut lumber, known for its durability and sustainability.  The unique design of this palace has made it a significant landmark which beckons both local and international people alike. The distinct architectural style of this hotel effortlessly mixes the traditional Filipino design along with contemporary, modern times elements that creates a visual that is not only stunning but also a culturally vibrant masterpiece. Beyond the architectural prominence of this humble yet stylish hotel, the establishment is also known all around the nation of Philippines for its lavish interior and luxurious rooms. Designed by the famous architect Francisco Mañosa, the Coconut Palace is like a beacon to the creativity of the design of the Philippines. The interiors showcase coconut husk-studded walls, shell inlaid furniture made up of coconut, and lumber flooring which is also made up of coconut which creates a harmonious design that pays honour to the country's natural bounty. The elaborate detailing in each room reflects the craftsmanship and the artistry of Filipino artisans. The entire structure, even including its beams, its walls, and almost all its furniture is constructed entirely using this locally sourced material. The palace serves as an exhibit for the versatility of coconut wood by challenging traditional notions about its use while also advancing it to a symbol of environmental recognition and imagination.

Dine in the themed surrounding of the Hobbit House- The Hobbit House of Manila is a unique and bewitching place that takes visitors into the whimsical world of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle earth. Located in the heart of Ermita, which is one of the many vibrant districts of Manila, this extraordinary pub stands tall like a testament to the creative fusion of the hospitality of Filipino people and the fantasy-like allure of the Hobbiton. The Hobbit House was founded in the year 1973 by Jim Turner and David milan. It was initially established as a response to the surge of tourist that followed the filming of the movie trilogy called “The Lord of the Rings” Inspired by tolkien's work, the Hobbit House is is quaint and cosy place where the founders envisioned bringing a piece of Middle Earth into the sprawling landscapes of Manila in the nation of  Philippines. The exterior of the hobbit house feels like the essence of Tolkein’s Shire is perfectly captured. The facade is decorated by low ceilings, circular doors as well as rustic wooden architecture that mimics the iconic hobbit holes of the trilogy. What sets this place apart from regular restaurants is its commitment to providing employment opportunities for those individuals who are differently abled. You will find the majority of staff members are called ”Hobbits” in this restaurant, that is, the little people who contribute their unique talents to create an atmosphere that is both warm and welcoming for each and every visitor.  This creates an inclusive employment model that not only offers job opportunities but also allows the staff members to challenge societal norms while promoting diversity at the same time. 

Appreciate the oddity of the Hotel H2O- Hotel H2O is located in the heart of Manila that stands as a unique and innovative hotel that offers each and every guest with a one of a kind aquatic experience. This hotel is located within the boundaries of the infamous Rizal Park. This hotel seamlessly combines the aquatic themed accommodations that offers a refreshing and immersive stay for each and every visitor no matter if they are local or a tourist. The prominence of the Hotel H2O lies in its rooms and facilities that are inspired by the ocean. The hotel has rooms that are fully aqua themed featuring giant aquarium walls that allow the guests to stop and marvel at the diverse array of marine life in front of them, right from the comforts of their accommodations. The soothing underwater ambience creates an unparalleled experience that adds an element of tranquillity and relaxation to the stay that makes it a memorable experience for both leisure and business travellers. One of the standout features of the Hotel H2O is its oceanarium is a sprawling marine park standing right adjacent to the hotel itself. The oceanarium is a massive cylindrical tank that houses a vibrant underwater ecosystem that showcases a wide variety of marine species that are indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The accommodations of this hotel also extends way beyond its aqua themed rooms, the H2O hotel also offers many well appointed suites and rooms catering to different preferences and needs. Whether the guests choose one of the aqua themed rooms or they choose one of the suites, the service is pretty much perfect for each and every guest that visits this magnificent hotel. 

Pamper yourself with a luxe stay at the Manila Hotel- The Manila Hotel emits an air of old world charm and glamour along with sophistication. It is an iconic and historic landmark that is nestled in the warm embrace of the vibrant bayfront of Manilla. It stands as a testament to the cultural heritage and the enduring elegance of the city. This hotel was established way back in the year 1912 and since then this grand institution has witnessed a century of hosting dignitaries, celebrities, history and generations upon generations of guests that have experienced its timeless allure.  The architecture of the Manila Hotel reflects a mixture of international influences while it features neoclassical and art deco elements that dates back to an era of grandiose. The exterior of the hotel holds an imposing facade and fascinating pillars that commands attention from visitors and sets the tone for the luxury awaiting you inside. The lobby is adorned with crystal chandeliers, classic style furnishings and intricate moulding into an area that encapsulates the rich history of the hotel. The rooms of the Manila Hotel also do not disappoint in terms of opulence. All the suites and even the regular rooms are both tastefully decorated mixing the traditional Filipino design elements with the amenities of the modern times.  Dining at this restaurant is like a culinary journey that celebrates all sorts of cuisines from local to international flavours. 

Now that you have more than enough reasons to visit this magnificent place, get your tickets to the flights to Manila from London ready and set sail on an unforgettable journey. To Book Flights Online Please Visit:-https://www.worldtourstore.co.uk/

[sinterling]

Sint's Warcraft Lore Journal

Entry 4: Revised History of the Centaur Pt.3, the Forgotten Voyage

Today I sat down with Setepenre, an esteemed scholar of Ur-Ramkahen (once known simply as the "Lost City”), as he and his team were whom the Explorer's League pointed us towards.

To say the least, "Wow."

The Tol'vir, once servants of the Titans, have kept a record-keeping culture that dates back tens of thousands of years. Though much of it has been buried by sand as time has slowly marched onwards, dedicated teams like Setepenre's have made slow but steady progress to cataloguing and restoring this immense legacy. Setepenre focuses particularly on the era of war between his people and the Thunder King, Lei Shen. A peculiar place indeed for any word on the ancient Centaur, but no logs should remain unturned in my quest!

It is here, when Setepenre speaks of soldiers of fortune brought on to combat the diverse army of the Thunder King, that my eyes nearly popped from my head.

Very clearly rendered in the ancient art of the tol'vir is a Centaur Khan. The tol'vir pictographic writing states that he is "Khan Balrug of the Therdane", a nomadic clan of warriors that had settled on Uldum's border many years prior. Though the Tol'vir often paid these Centaur interlopers little mind, with the Thunder King's armies on their doorstep, it was decided that forming a pact with a similarly four-legged group was a wise decision. Khan Balrug and his warriors were honored in a "Valley of Outlanders".

Unfortunately, Setepenre doesn't know the location of the Valley of Outlanders. Current evidence points to it being where the Tol'vir would honor foreigners for their service to Uldum.

Not only do we have firsthand testimony from Zaetar, not only do we have myths and stories from the Maraudine, but we have historical reference from the Tol'vir themselves. It makes me ponder what the Shen'dralar might have. If perhaps the Vrykul, the Mogu, or even the Pandaren have any memories of the Centaur. Mayhaps the Maruuk are not the only Centaur to live beyond Kalimdor!

I leave the rest of this study to Maara's capable hands. I will aid where I can, but it is not up to a Kaldorei to uncover the history of the Centaur. The Centaur should spearhead this.

I am only glad to have been the one to get the ball rolling.

~Penned by Sion Findragon, Ambassador and Scholar

[psalmonesermons]

What makes Christianity different or true?

Are not all religions the same?

This study gives an overview of the main points by which Christianity is demonstrated to be distinct and unique from all the other world religions.

As a starting point we should note that Christianity is rooted in history and evidence[1]. For example in the case of the historical reality of the resurrection, Christ vindicated His claim to divinity. The miracles of Islam and Buddhism lack historical validation. The claims of Christianity unlike other religions are never irrational nor contradictory.

Christianity gives an explanation to the phenomena we see in everyday life e.g. the origin of selfish behaviour etc.

Key points unique to Christianity

The incarnation

The truth is that Jesus is God. Christianity is the only religion where God is born as a man and becomes fully human[2]. All other religions teach that humans must work their way toward divinity.

The Cross

For Christians, the cross represents the defining moment in history when creator God is reconciled to humankind. Jesus Christ, God in flesh, laid down His life as the sacrificial lamb, taking the punishment we deserve upon Himself, atoning for our sins, and setting us free from the enslavement of sin and the second death. No other religion has a Saviour dying on a cross. See also the section below ‘The Gospel.’

The power of the cross of Christ reconciles humanity with our heavenly Father. In Jesus we find forgiveness of sin. He was raised from death to give us a new life in Him. In the risen Lord Jesus, we are a new creation.

The Resurrection

It may be surprising to learn that there is evidence from both biblical and non-biblical sources for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Although we have historical evidence of Jesus’ life and death, we should note that his body has never been found. Sceptics have argued that the disciples stole the body and hid it. This is highly unlikely for the reasons given below.

When Jesus was arrested by those sent from the Jewish leaders and turned over to the Roman authorities to be crucified, his disciples scattered from Him (Mark 14:43-50), and their leader, Peter, even denied that he had been with Jesus (Mark 14:66-72).

The disciples acted out of fear and scattered, hid, and did not want to be associated with Jesus in His death. However, seven weeks later, we find Peter preaching in Jerusalem proclaiming that Jesus was raised from the dead by God (Acts 2:14-36). What had changed for Peter and the other disciples? What turned their fear into a bold courage? Was it the fact that they had hidden a corpse? Or was it that these men had seen Jesus after He had risen from the dead (Acts 1:3)?

It is reported that all but one of the 12 apostles suffered violent deaths for their preaching of Jesus Christ and not one of them took back or renounced their faith. It is often said that many people have died for a lie. But how many have died for a lie knowing that it was a lie?

If the disciples had stolen the body, then they would have known that the resurrection was a lie. You would think if that were the case, at least one of them would have taken back their testimony in the face of torture and a violent death.

Persecution and death for preaching Christ was true not only for the 12 apostles but for those who received their teaching. It is difficult to believe that these people would willingly die for Jesus Christ if they knew it was a lie. Thousands of these Christians died because they believed the statements in the Gospels about Jesus to be true. They willingly died as martyrs, refusing to deny their faith in Him. In the face of Jewish and Roman opposition and persecution, Christianity spread all throughout the Roman Empire in 300 years, and it continues spreading today. If the Romans and Jews had known where the body of Jesus was, all they had to do was display the body on a cart/wall and Christianity would have died right there and then.

Some claim (including the Muslims) that Jesus never really died but only fainted on the cross, and later revived in the tomb giving the impression of being resurrected. However this is contradicted by Jesus’ corpse being pierced by a spear with water then blood issuing from his body. Modern doctors tell us this would only happen if Jesus’ heart was ruptured and hence, he was clinically dead.

Sceptics have even suggested that all the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection were hallucinations caused by overactive imaginations. This is highly unlikely since any two individuals almost never have the same hallucination at the same time, whereas the bible records groups of people repeatedly saw the risen Jesus. Such evidence is recorded in the bible which states that more than 500 people claimed to have seen the risen Jesus after his resurrection from the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:6).

[1] Adapted from Hank Hanegraff

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uniqueness-of-christianity-and-q-a/id569236334?i=1000564748306

[2] Gospel of John 1:1-3 and 1:14.

In Part 2 we consider the claims that Jesus Christ made about himself.

[kaizenhealthgroup89]

The Healing Touch: Exploring the Myriad Benefits of Registered Massage Therapy

In our fast-paced world, where stress and tension often become unwelcome companions, the healing touch of registered massage therapy emerges as a beacon of relief and relaxation. Beyond a luxurious spa experience, massage therapy, when administered by registered professionals, offers a myriad of physical and mental health benefits. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the world of registered massage therapy, uncovering its history, techniques, and the diverse range of advantages it brings to individuals seeking holistic well-being.

I. A Brief History of Massage Therapy:

To truly appreciate the depth of registered massage therapy, it's essential to understand its historical roots. Massage therapy dates back thousands of years, with origins in ancient civilizations such as China, Egypt, and India. These cultures recognized the healing power of touch and developed various massage techniques to promote physical and mental well-being. Over time, these practices evolved and merged, contributing to the diverse array of massage modalities we have today.

II. Understanding Registered Massage Therapy:

Unlike casual massages you might receive at a spa, registered massage therapy is a regulated and professional healthcare practice. Registered massage therapists undergo rigorous training and education to ensure they possess the knowledge and skills needed to address various health concerns. This segment delves into the qualifications and ethical standards that distinguish registered massage therapists, highlighting the importance of choosing a certified professional for optimal results.

III. Techniques in Registered Massage Therapy:

Registered massage therapists employ a range of techniques tailored to individual needs and health goals. From Swedish massage for relaxation to deep tissue massage for addressing chronic pain, each technique serves a specific purpose. This section provides an in-depth look at popular massage modalities, shedding light on how they target different aspects of physical and mental well-being.

IV. Physical Benefits of Registered Massage Therapy:

The physical benefits of registered massage therapy are extensive and cover a broad spectrum of health issues. From reducing muscle tension and improving flexibility to enhancing circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage, registered massage therapy has been proven effective in addressing numerous physical ailments. This part of the article explores these benefits in detail, citing relevant studies and testimonials to substantiate the therapeutic impact.

V. Mental and Emotional Well-Being:

Beyond the physical realm, registered massage therapy significantly contributes to mental and emotional well-being. Stress reduction, anxiety alleviation, and improved sleep quality are just a few of the mental health benefits associated with regular massage sessions. This section delves into the science behind these effects, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches to health that consider both mind and body.

VI. Specialized Applications:

Registered massage therapy extends its healing touch to various specialized applications. From prenatal massage for expectant mothers to sports massage for athletes recovering from injuries, this section explores how massage therapy can be tailored to address unique health needs. The versatility of registered massage therapy makes it a valuable component in comprehensive healthcare strategies.

VII. Integrating Massage Therapy into Wellness Routines:

Practical tips and advice on how individuals can seamlessly integrate registered massage therapy into their wellness routines are discussed in this segment. From frequency of sessions to choosing the right therapist, readers gain insights into making the most of the healing benefits that massage therapy offers.

VIII. Case Studies and Success Stories:

Real-life experiences often provide the most compelling evidence of the efficacy of registered massage therapy. This section presents case studies and success stories, showcasing how individuals have transformed their lives through regular massage sessions. These narratives serve as inspiration for those considering or currently undergoing registered massage therapy.

Conclusion:

As we conclude our exploration of the myriad benefits of registered massage therapy, it becomes evident that this ancient practice has firmly rooted itself in modern healthcare. From addressing physical ailments to promoting mental and emotional well-being, the healing touch of registered massage therapy offers a holistic approach to health. By understanding its history, techniques, and diverse applications, individuals can unlock the full potential of this time-tested therapeutic practice, embracing a path toward enhanced well-being and vitality.

[newdawnconstructionla]

Checking Out the Rich Background and All-natural Appeal of Los Encinos State Historic Park

Los Encinos State Historic Park, nestled in the heart of The golden state's San Fernando Valley, uses a charming site right into the region's abundant social past.

This verdant oasis functions as a testimony to Los Angeles' advancement from a pastoral ranching community to a lively cosmopolitan metropolitan area.

The park depends on land that was once part of Rancho Los Encinos, a substantial estate going back to the 19th Century Californio period.

Site visitors are invited to discover remnants of this past epoch, consisting of an adobe house and limestone springhouse, which provide substantial web links to the location's historic tapestry.

In addition to its historic attraction, Los Encinos State Historic Park bids with its bountiful all-natural charm.

A myriad of native vegetation and fauna grow within its borders, using site visitors enough chances for both monitoring and research study.

The park's serene pond provides an ideal environment for varied bird varieties and water life, while carefully preserved native plant life paints a stunning tableau throughout the landscape.

Whether one seeks solace in nature or wishes to look into California's rich cultural heritage, this historical park responds with open arms all set to please such pursuits.

The Cultural Importance of the Location

Imbued with a deep cultural importance, the location surrounding Los Encinos State Historic Park has acted as a historical tapestry, weaving together diverse stories from aboriginal neighborhoods to Spanish colonial affects.

The park bases on the land that was as soon as inhabited by the Gabrielino-Tongva people, whose visibility dates back thousands of years before European call. Evidence of their presence can be seen in artefacts and historical sites scattered throughout the park.

With the arrival of the Spanish in the late 18th century, this location entered into Rancho Los Encinos, a large tract of land granted by Spain to regional residents. This combination of aboriginal heritage and European imprint adds considerably to the special cultural character symbolized within these historical acres.

Along with its rich pre-colonial and colonial background, Los Encinos State Historic Park is home to numerous structures that tell episodes from The golden state's post-colonial duration.

Among them is a nine-room adobe residence constructed in 1849 which serves as an enduring sign of Mexican ranchero society during California's shift into American statehood.

It's worth keeping in mind as well that stone's throw off stands a French-basque sheepherder's home built circa 1878-- a testament to Southern The golden state's brief however impactful duration as a facility for woollen manufacturing during America's westward expansion era.

These engaging narratives elaborately linked within this historical landscape make it more than just a park; it is without a doubt a living gallery cultivating understanding and recognition for diverse cultures while inviting visitors on a fascinating journey with time.

Tourist attractions and Activities within the Reserve

Within the get, visitors can delight in a variety of tourist attractions and activities, including bird viewing, hiking trails, picnicking areas, and guided trips that offer an understanding into the area's social heritage.

The natural beauty of Los Encinos State Historic Park is amplified by its rich biodiversity that brings in various bird enthusiasts yearly.

For those interested in exercises, the park boasts various well-kept hiking trails that traverse with breathtaking landscapes populated with native plants such as oak timberland and chaparral. Furthermore, there are picnic areas conveniently situated within tranquil settings where households or groups can loosen up while enjoying their dishes among nature.

For visitors looking for a deeper understanding of the background and society of this region: Led trips give detailed info about the aboriginal people who as soon as inhabited these lands and their remarkable customs. Historic structures such as the De La Osa Adobe house stand as quiet statements to California's Spanish-Mexican period providing an immersive experience. Regular cultural occasions arranged in cooperation with regional communities provide chances to involve straight with conventional techniques while fostering a sense of belonging.

The park thus offers not just as an area for leisure but likewise for education concerning ecological preservation initiatives and historic narratives crucial to understanding Californian identity.

[denimbex1986]

'Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s three-hour dramatization of the life of the man who directed the building of the atomic bomb, opened to mostly rapturous reviews last month. It depicts the rise to eminence of the brilliant theoretical physicist who was selected during World War II to run the secret laboratory at Los Alamos, New Mexico, where the atomic bomb was built. General Leslie Groves, overall director of the Manhattan Project, passed over several Nobel laureates, including men who had directed major experimental physics projects. By contrast, J. Robert Oppenheimer had never organized anything more complicated than a graduate seminar. And yet he recruited, assembled, and managed hundreds of prickly egos and made them into a cohesive team, solved innumerable logistical and scientific problems, and produced a working bomb within three years. Lauded as one of America’s greatest scientists after the war, in 1954 he was humiliated by the loss of his security clearance after facing accusations of having Communist sympathies and for opposing development of the “Super,” or hydrogen, bomb.

Oppenheimer is visually arresting, well-acted, and reasonably faithful to the historical facts. It offers a nuanced portrait of Oppenheimer, who was a tormented person even before he was forced to live with the knowledge that the bomb he and his fellow scientists had created immolated tens of thousands of people and raised the specter of a nuclear holocaust. But the film gets one very important feature of Oppenheimer’s life wrong.

Like the book that inspired it—the Pulitzer Prize–winning biography by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin called American Prometheus—the movie maintains that Oppenheimer was truthful when he denied ever being a member of the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA).

Following the lead of Bird and Sherwin, Oppenheimer acknowledges that many of its subject’s relatives—including his wife Kitty, brother Frank, and sister-in-law Jackie—had been party members, as had numerous friends and graduate students Oppie taught and mentored. It mentions his generous donations to causes supported by the CPUSA, most notably during the Spanish Civil War. It details his support of the efforts by the Communist-aligned Federation of Architects, Engineers, Chemists, and Technicians to unionize the radiation laboratory at Berkeley. But it also accepts, even stresses, Oppenheimer’s own denials of party membership and repeats Kitty Oppenheimer’s insistent testimony that Robert had never joined the party. This echoes the claims of Bird and Sherwin that Oppenheimer was never more than a Communist fellow traveler—someone who shared the party’s beliefs and policy prescriptions but never actually joined it or submitted to the party’s rules and discipline.

Even when Bird and Sherwin published their award-winning biography in 2005, there was already abundant evidence that Oppenheimer had indeed once been a member of the Communist Party of the United States. Their efforts to explain away or obfuscate the clear evidence that Oppenheimer lied under oath about it have been further eroded by material that has emerged from Russian archives since. But to this day, Bird (Sherwin died in 2021) has not responded to that evidence, and the writer-director Christopher Nolan did not look deeper into the question when he crafted his screenplay. That is unfortunate, because reckoning with the truth about Oppenheimer would have deepened the movie’s portrait of this singular American and added more layers of ambiguity and complexity to what is already a remarkably ambiguous and complex work of portraiture.

Even before the evidence from the Russian archives, proof that Oppenheimer had been a Communist did not emerge from his enemies or from unreliable witnesses or ambivalent phrases in sketchy documents. Several of his friends, acquaintances, and graduate students—all of whom remained left-wingers—wrote memoirs or gave interviews in which they detailed Oppie’s membership in the Communist Party. In an interview for Gregg Herken’s 2002 book, Brotherhood of the Bomb, Haakon Chevalier—a professor of French literature—said that he and Oppenheimer had been members of “a ‘closed unit’ of the Communist Party” at the University of California at Berkeley. (A “closed unit” means a “secret unit.”) In 1964, Chevalier had written to Robert to inform his one-time intimate that in a forthcoming memoir called Oppenheimer: The Story of a Friendship, he was going to confirm they had both been Communists. Oppenheimer responded angrily, threatening a lawsuit, and in the published version Chevalier called their unit a Marxist discussion group. Chevalier’s widow allowed Herken to read her private journal and memoir, in which she confirmed that both her husband and Oppenheimer had been members of a closed CPUSA unit and noted, “Oppie’s [Oppenheimer’s] membership in a closed unit was very secret indeed.”

Chevalier also identified Oppenheimer as the author of two 1940 pamphlets put out by the “College Faculties Committee, Communist Party of California.” Oppenheimer, who was the scion of a wealthy New York family, had also paid for the printing and distribution of those pamphlets. Herken interviewed Philip Morrison, a former Oppenheimer graduate student and then Communist, who claimed that he, Morrison, had taken to the printer a third pamphlet written by Oppenheimer justifying the Soviet invasion of Finland. Still another graduate student, David Hawkins, could not confirm that Oppenheimer was a party member but agreed that Oppenheimer had hosted CPUSA meetings at his home.

Gordon Griffiths, a graduate student and Communist at Berkeley from 1940 to 1942 and later a prominent historian, late in life wrote an unpublished memoir that discussed his role as party liaison with the small Communist faculty group that included both Chevalier and Oppenheimer. In Griffiths’ words, the faculty group

met regularly, to the best of my recollection, twice a month, in the evening at Chevalier’s or Oppenheimer’s house. I brought party literature and collected dues from [Arthur] Brodeur [a scholar of ancient Icelandic sagas] and Chevalier. I was given to understand that Oppenheimer, as a man of independent wealth, made his contribution through some special channel. Nobody carried a party card. If payment of dues was the only test of membership, I could not testify that Oppenheimer was a member, but I can say, without any qualification, that all three men considered themselves to be Communists.

FBI wiretaps at the time and made public decades later provided more corroboration that senior Communist officials considered Oppenheimer to have been a party member. In 1940, the Bureau learned of a private meeting of senior Communists that was to be held at Chevalier’s home. Surveillance revealed Oppenheimer’s car parked outside the house (a moment depicted in the movie). In December 1943, FBI listening devices picked up a conversation between Steve Nelson, the party’s leader in the Bay Area, and Bernadette Doyle, its organizational secretary. In that conversation, Nelson and Doyle spoke of both Robert and his brother Frank as CPUSA members, but Nelson noted that Robert had become inactive. As late as 1945, a bug at a meeting of the North Oakland Communist Club overheard one official state that Oppenheimer was a party member and another call him “one of our men.”

Nelson had been a close friend of Kitty Oppenheimer’s second husband, Joe Dallet, a Communist Party official killed while serving in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain a few years before Kitty and Robert married. When Nelson moved to the Bay Area in 1939, where one of his tasks was to serve as a liaison with Soviet intelligence agencies, he became friendly with Kitty and Robert. Before Robert joined the Manhattan Project, he told Nelson in general terms about the beginnings of the research into an atomic bomb. In March 1943, an FBI wiretap recorded Joe Weinberg, an Oppenheimer graduate student and ardent Communist, telling Nelson that Oppie was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his Communist graduate students. Nelson pressed Weinberg for information about the atomic project and indicated that Oppenheimer had previously told him in general terms about it but had recently become more reticent. A week later, Nelson met with a Soviet intelligence officer from the San Francisco Soviet consulate.

To Bird and Sherwin, none of this evidence was dispositive (and the movie avoids mentioning it). In their eyes, because Oppenheimer never had a party card, he was not a “formal, card-carrying member.” But this is wrong-headed. Many Communists never held party cards. Those belonging to professional groups were treated differently from regular Communists. Most important, they were exempted from the work required of most recruits—selling the Daily Worker, manning picket lines, attending rallies, etc.,—because doing so would have revealed their identities.

Finally, just because Oppenheimer did not pay regular dues did not mean he was not a Communist. In August 1939, a senior CPUSA official gave a report to the Communist International in Moscow on the organizational status of the American party. He presented three levels of membership. The first was made up of “enrolled” members. These were people who had joined the CPUSA and were carried on its membership rolls. Next came “registered” members. These were persons who had newly registered or reregistered with a local party unit. Finally, the smallest number represented “dues-paying” members. So whether you paid dues, annually registered with a local party unit, or had enrolled in the party in the previous few years, you were a Communist in the eyes of the CPUSA. The party regarded all three definitions as signifying membership with different degrees of current participation. Now note how Bird and Sherwin view it. They acknowledge that the financial records of the Bay Area party obtained by an FBI surreptitious entry (or burglary) show that contributions by someone code-named X-1 totaling $1,800 a year (the equivalent of close to $40,000 today) were made by Oppenheimer, but Bird and Sherwin insist that “he made contributions to causes, but never paid dues at all”—as if contributions well in excess of dues were not accrued by the CPUSA. Following Bird and Sherwin, Christopher Nolan shows Kitty testifying during the 1954 hearing on the revocation of Robert’s security clearance that his contributions went through the Communist Party but not to the CPUSA—and portrays this bizarre act of hairsplitting as though it were obviously and undeniably true.

In the end, the words of Oppenheimer’s friends and the evidence from the wiretaps and burglary, according to Bird and Sherwin, all amounted to nothing more than a case of mistaken identity. Oppenheimer left the impression that he was a Communist, so friends and party members naturally assumed he was and spoke of him as Communist. In fact, Bird and Sherwin even suggest he may have fooled himself: “For a brief time,” they write, “he may well have thought of himself as an unaffiliated comrade” even though he wasn’t. No, Oppenheimer was an ardent New Dealer and FDR loyalist.

If he had been, why would he have written fiercely anti-FDR pamphlets in 1940 during the period when the Nazis and Soviets were in an alliance and Oppenheimer actively supported the Soviet invasion of Finland? Bird and Sherwin write that at that moment, Oppenheimer’s “rational style had abandoned him” and that his “words reveal someone primarily worried about the impact on domestic politics of a world teetering on the brink of a great disaster.” What they cannot admit is that he was parroting the CPUSA’s anti-interventionist, anti-FDR, anti-New Deal line—and this after thousands of disillusion-ed close allies of the CPUSA abandoned (some permanently, some temporarily) their alignment with the party because of its new friendship with Hitler. Several hundred members openly quit the CPUSA because it had abandoned the putative anti-fascism that had led them into the party. Odd behavior, indeed, if Oppenheimer had been only a dedicated liberal.

Bird and Sherwin are not alone in brushing aside any suggestion that Oppenheimer had been a party member. To give them a tiny bit of credit, they at least mention contrary evidence if only to explain it away with casuistic sophistry. Other biographers have been more cavalier. In his 2004 book, Oppenheimer, Jeremy Bernstein simply states, “I believe Oppenheimer.” David Cassidy’s J. Robert Oppenheimer (2005) notes the evidence but, without confronting it, judges that “there is so far no conclusive evidence that Oppenheimer was ever [a] member of the Communist Party.” Jennet Conant’s 109 East Palace: Robert Oppenheimer and the Secret City of Los Alamos (2005) never addresses the matter of the Berkeley faculty CP unit and, even as she discusses security officials’ suspicions about Oppenheimer, dismisses the whole matter via a reference to his “earlier dabblings in left-wing politics.” Priscilla McMillan, in The Ruin of J. Robert Oppenheimer (2005), is decidedly ambiguous in her treatment of the evidence but suggests he had been only a fellow traveler. Charles Thorpe’s Oppenheimer (2006) asserted “there is no conclusive or firm evidence that Oppenheimer ever joined the Communist Party.”

Only Barton Bernstein, a Stanford University historian who has written several detailed analyses of the Oppenheimer controversy, has followed in Herken’s path in judging the evidence carefully. He began as a skeptic about Oppie’s party membership, but in a 2023 essay on the Washington Decoded website, Bernstein concluded that material from Russian archives “seems even further to tighten an already very substantial case: Robert Oppenheimer had been a secret CP member for a few years.”

What is that new evidence?

It comes from the Vassiliev Notebooks. These are copies and summaries of documents from the KGB archive that we discussed extensively in our 2009 book, Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America. The notebooks document that prior to 1943, the GRU, or Soviet Military Intelligence, was leading the effort to recruit scientists on the West Coast and fruitlessly tried to recruit Oppenheimer as an active agent passing secrets. By the end of 1943, the KGB took over the effort. Several messages sent between Moscow and San Francisco urged recruitment of Oppenheimer, in which he was described as a secret or undeclared member of the CPUSA. In February 1944, the KGB’s Moscow Center prepared a report that listed Oppenheimer, who had been given the code name “Chester,” as a prime target for recruitment. Moscow Center identified Oppenheimer as a “secret member of the fellowcountryman org.,” the term used to describe the CPUSA. But it warned that because Oppenheimer was “kept under special security … the fellowcountryman organization received orders from its center to break off relations with ‘Ch[ester]’ to avoid his exposure.”

Despite frequent entreaties from KGB headquarters in Moscow in 1944 and 1945 to use Oppenheimer’s secret party membership as a lever to recruit him as a spy, and various efforts to use different Communist acquaintances to cultivate him, the KGB had no luck. Recalled to Moscow in 1944 because of his lack of success, Gregory Kheifets, the KGB station chief in San Francisco, wrote a report explaining that his efforts to contact Oppenheimer and his brother Frank had fallen apart after Isaac Folkoff, a Communist Party liaison with the KGB, told him that “due to their special military work, the [party’s] connection with them was suspended.”

Taken as a whole, these messages confirm that the KGB was anxious to recruit Oppenheimer as a spy, expected that he would be receptive, and was frustrated by his coldness on the few occasions when Communist friends were able to meet him after he had begun working on the Manhattan Project. General Leslie Groves had selected Oppenheimer to direct the laboratory where the atomic bomb would be built in the fall of 1942. Whether Oppenheimer recognized and acted on the need to insulate himself from his Communist past in order to participate in the Manhattan Project, or whether he had a sudden epiphany about the seriousness of security, or whether he was responding to his wife’s wishes, he began to distance himself from his Communist graduate students, pay more attention to security, and then dropped out of the CPUSA.

One scene in the movie deals with this. In the period prior to joining the Manhattan Project, his Berkeley colleague, the Nobel laureate physicist Ernest Lawrence, strongly counsels Oppenheimer to cease his political activities and focus strictly on science. What is not mentioned in the movie is that Lawrence, one of the original scientists selected for the Manhattan Project, was sponsoring Oppenheimer’s recruitment. Whatever initiated his shift, Oppenheimer’s views continued to evolve. By the late 1940s, those views were well within the mainstream of anti-Communist liberalism, so much so that a 1950 KGB document in Vassiliev’s Notebooks labels Oppenheimer as one of several “leading reactionary scientists” whom the KGB should seek to discredit.

The question of whether Oppenheimer had been merely a fellow traveler or a member of the CPUSA is more than a matter of semantics. As the movie makes clear, even after Groves had chosen Oppenheimer as director, Army security balked at giving him a security clearance and had to be ordered to do so by Groves in July 1943. Suspicions about Oppenheimer had intensified in the winter of 1942–43 just before he left for Los Alamos. Haakon Chevalier privately told Oppenheimer that a friend, the chemist George Eltenton, had proposed that Oppie transmit scientific information to an acquaintance Eltenton had in the Soviet consulate. We see this in the movie, in a scene set in a kitchen. Both Chevalier and Oppenheimer later agreed that the latter had angrily rejected the overture. But Oppenheimer did not report the recruitment effort to security officials until six months later. While naming Eltenton as someone to watch as a potential spy, Robert initially withheld both his own name and Chevalier’s. This initial interview is depicted in the movie—in which Oppenheimer is grilled by a counterintelligence officer played by Oscar-winner Casey Affleck—and comes off as just as awkward as it likely was. In later interviews with Army security, Oppenheimer finally admitted he had been approached, but he continued to refuse to name Chevalier or anyone else who might have been involved. Not until December 1943, in response to a direct order from Groves, did he name Chevalier (which we do not see).

In addition to his bewildering behavior about the Chevalier incident, over the years Oppenheimer lied on numerous government security questionnaires. He flatly denied that he had ever been a party member, admitting only that he had been a left-winger with numerous Communist friends and a contributor to causes also supported by Communists. When he faced a hearing on the revocation of his security clearance, Oppenheimer could have taken the option of being honest and candid about his Communist past and explained why he had dropped out. After all, many Communists of the time became ex-Communists and even anti-Communists. But his record of lies might have cost him his security clearance in any case. Perjury is obvious grounds for the denial of a security clearance, since it opens up the perjurer to blackmail—or prosecution. Oppenheimer might have hesitated about getting friends and relatives into trouble, or deeper trouble. Or he might have been reluctant to give ammunition to the many enemies he had made among military leaders and such physicists as Edward Teller by opposing development of the hydrogen bomb after World War II.

Just as important, admitting past false statements may have been particularly psychologically difficult for Oppenheimer, whose arrogance was considerable and whose tolerance for those he regarded as fools was very limited. (Haakon Chevalier wrote a thinly disguised novel about him with the title The Man Who Would Be God that provides glimpses of Oppenheimer’s imperious nature.) Whatever the reason, confessing to lies about his political past was not a step Oppenheimer was willing to take. In the end, he made a particularly poor witness and his testimony did not help his case to maintain his security clearance. In the movie, Kitty angrily confronts Robert for refusing to fight back more strongly against the attacks on his character and actions. Left unexplored is whether his knowledge of his own deceit helped paralyze him.

Knowing what we know now, America’s public interest would have been best served if Oppenheimer had been able to continue in his role as a consultant to the government on various atomic projects. The evidence by the mid-1940s was that he had left his earlier Communist allegiance behind and was anything but a party sympathizer. But one of the major contributing factors to his loss of security access was his own unwillingness to provide a candid and honest account of his earlier Communist ties and why he had put them aside. If he continued to lie about such matters, how could he now be trusted?

None of this detracts from the greatest achievement of Oppenheimer’s life and one of the great scientific and engineering achievements in human history. It does, however, complicate the morality-play version of his life. Unquestionably, the hearing that denied the renewal of his security clearance (and that is portrayed so powerfully throughout the movie) was stacked against him. His archnemesis, Lewis Strauss (played by Robert Downey Jr.), orchestrated a dishonest and biased attack, deprived Oppenheimer and his lawyer the opportunity to see key evidence, and distorted some of his views and behavior. But Oppenheimer’s lack of candor made him a contributor to his own destruction. That truly makes the story of his life a Greek tragedy. As good a movie as it is, Oppenheimer would have been richer still if it had plumbed these deep waters.'

[monkeyandelf]

Secret report to Congress reveals that "Russian fighter jets engaged in dogfights with UFOs & 2 pilots were killed"

Soviet and Russian fighter jets engaged in dogfights with UFOs at least 45 times until 1993 during which two pilots lost their lives! "They were being hunted down and shot at," according to Russian secret documents obtained and illegally obtained from Russia by investigative journalist George Knapp. There were at least 45 engagements by 1993! These are listed in letters from himself and fellow researcher Jeremy Corbell to the House Oversight Committee ahead of Wednesday's UFO hearing.  Both letters revealed by Fox News Digital were placed in the Congressional record, and that in itself says a lot, because it means they are officially accepted for their content by the House of Representatives. https://twitter.com/hollywoodufos/status/1684254573895221251 https://twitter.com/MickWest/status/1685011673525178368 What is surprising, however, is how often they reveal information about so-called UFOs, a subject that in the past could cost even the social existence of a person who would reveal something about it. https://twitter.com/JeremyCorbell/status/1686217854486757376 Since 1969, our military's position has been that UFOs do not pose a threat to national security and do not merit further study," Knapp wrote in his letter. "This dismissive stance is in direct contrast to what has been revealed in documents, reports and internal memos."  The two men sat next to Intelligence Community Inspector General spokesman David Grusch, who gave the key testimony about "non-human figures." Grusch's representative held the same position at the Pentagon under Barack Obama. The three men sat directly behind David Grusch, who was flanked by US Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor during Wednesday's congressional hearing on UFOs.  Grusch's testimony regarding "non-human" "evidence" recovered from UFO crash sites made national and international headlines. Knapp had been reporting on UFOs since 1987 and had a direct relationship with Senator Harry Reid. Meanwhile, Corbell has become a go-to resource for UFO whistleblowers and was identified as essential in organizing witnesses for Wednesday's historic, bipartisan hearing. Knapp said he first heard whispers of a UFO crash, "strange materials and reverse-engineered programs being carried out in secret in the Nevada desert by intelligence agents and defense officials," in 1989. In his letter to Congress, he revealed Russia's ten-year UFO study, which he wrote "was probably the largest UFO investigation ever conducted," which included thousands of case files from interviews with military personnel. The program director told Knapp about Russian fighter jets fighting UFOs. “In most incidents, the UFOs were launched at incredible speeds, but in three incidents, Russian warplanes fell prey to decoys and crashed. Two of the pilots were killed," Knapp wrote in his letter. After these incidents, the Ministry of Defense issued a nationwide order that the UFOs must be left because, in the words of a top Air Defense official, they "may have incredible retaliatory capabilities." He brought this information back to the US, but for decades the subject of UFOs and aliens was a taboo subject that could destroy a person's livelihood and career. Then the "Tic Tac" UFO, so named for its peculiar shape, occupied David Fravor, retired commander of the Navy's Black Ace Squadron, in 2004. He described it as a "giant flying propane tank" that was "far superior to anything we had then, have today, or are going to develop in the next 10-plus years." He described the object's physics-defying maneuvers and lack of propulsion systems and control surfaces such as wings or engines. Fox News Digital has learned that a 100-plus page scientific analysis for a contracted agency, which identifies the technological details and performance capabilities observed and recorded during the multi-week, multi-vehicle "Tic Tac" series of events, did not has been made available to the public. Read the full article

[ammg-old2]

When we talk about the past, we always reveal something about the present. It is hard to imagine a more intriguing or overlooked body of evidence for assessing recent British social history than these Facebook groups: they have given us something like a more chaotic, 21st-century version of Mass Observation. They may not be “representative” in any quantifiable way, but the sample size is vast, and these memes are a canvas for a whole range of contemporary insecurities and collective memories. History is written by the winners, but anyone can share a post on Facebook.

Read through the thousands of comments beneath the numerous proper binmen posts and you will find a striking consensus. Back then, in an unspecified period between 1950 and 1980, the binmen were stronger, more hardworking and more polite. Not just that – back then, the binmen were happy. Everyone remembers them the same way: always cheerful, always smiling, frequently whistling. They always had a kind word for you, never complained, and always closed the gate. They took pride in their job, which was hard work, but honest work. These judgments are delivered with absolute certainty. Back then, “They were always a really friendly crowd who you could have a good laugh with,” writes one commenter. “Not like the bin men of today, you are very lucky if they respond to a ‘good morning’.”

The historic shift in bin collection is taken to mark a wider crisis in masculinity. “That is when men were men, not the wimps we have today,” writes one Facebook commenter. “All be off work with PTSD nowadays,” chimes in another. Proper binmen “didn’t care about Health & Safety Shite”, writes another. The plastic wheelie bins we have today – with their emasculating pastels, often colour-coded for recycling, and their humiliating, labour-saving wheels – are just further markers of our moral, social and spiritual decline.

The proper binmen memes are a potent distillation of a sentiment common to contemporary British politics and culture, where politicians have all but given up offering a positive vision of the future, and where the idea of what constitutes progress is bitterly contested. Fond nostalgia for hard times is, of course, not new. In the Monty Python sketch known as the Four Yorkshiremen (classic British comedy), the eponymous characters, clad in bowties and white dinner jackets, reflect on how far they’ve come.

“Who’d a thought 30 years ago we’d all be sittin’ here drinking Chateau de Chassilier wine?”

“Aye. In them days, we’d a’ been glad to have the price of a cup o’ tea.”

“A cup o’ cold tea.”

“Without milk or sugar.

“Or tea!”

“In a filthy, cracked cup.”

“We never used to have a cup. We used to have to drink out of a rolled-up newspaper.”

As the sketch continues, the men summon up increasingly absurd scenarios to one-up each other: “We used to have to get out of the lake at three o’clock in the morning, clean the lake, eat a handful of hot gravel, go to work at t’mill every day for tuppence a month, come home, and Dad would beat us around the head and neck with a broken bottle, if we were lucky!”

The overriding sense from hours of scrolling Facebook nostalgia groups is of a generation who didn’t see that sketch entirely as a joke, so much as a broadly accurate account of their own hard-won triumph over adversity. There are plenty of grim references to old-school bin-collection work being “back-breaking”, and some apparently firsthand binman testimonies specifically refer to having “paid for [the job] with bad backs in later life”. Yet there is a powerful anti-health and safety component to all of the Memory Lane UK reminiscing – against coddling, against rules and red tape, against the easy ride of modern youth. “Remember when your mum would let you lick the egg beaters without anyone freaking out about salmonella?” asks one post. “Remember when we used to play in the dirt?” “Who remembers getting beaten with a cane at school?” We had it tough. We kept calm and carried on. We didn’t complain. We muddled through. We made do. We mended. It never did us any harm. It made us who we are.

Binmenism, as this worldview could be called, is distinct from the common type of nostalgia we are all prone to as we get older – that things were “better in my day”. In fact, the memory lane memes and comment threads make clear that in terms of physical comfort, convenience, domestic labour, work, consumer goods and leisure choice, things used to be worse. But that is not the endpoint of the philosophy. If Binmenism had a motto to stitch on to its itchy old Boy Scout uniform, it would be: things were worse, therefore they were better.

And once you see this, you can’t stop seeing it everywhere.

[edisonblog]

Petroglyphs in Jordan's Wadi Rum desert - are drawings or engravings made on rocks by the region's ancient inhabitants thousands of years ago.

source: bit.ly/3omjWSD

image: external to the representation indicators Patina and colour of the design: can give information about the synchronicity between designs or superposition.

It is only recently that we became aware of the importance and the abundance of the petroglyphs heritage in Jordan, as new fields are now opened to investigations. While the Rock Art is already known and partly surveyed in the easy to access Wadi Rum, the Eastern Badia is newly explored by archaeologists who, aside to their researches on ancient settlements in the Harra, noticed uncountable petroglyphs. Out of the discoveries in those marginal areas as well as the undergoing surveys conducted in the South of Jordan, is emerging a huge heritage that was till now underestimated (below photo from author).

Middle East Rock Art outreaches borders of space and time. We speak about thousands and thousands of rock images and inscriptions stretching from Syria to Saudi Arabia, mainly through the basalt and sandstone areas. They attest to the presence and activities of nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples in those nowadays desert lands over a period estimated to 12 000 years, from the Neolithic (10 200 BC) till now, without interruption in certain areas like Wadi Rum. The Rock Art domain even extends far to East till beyond Iran. We are in front of a gigantic open-air library, that delivers information about environment, animals, humans, languages, scripts system, worships, historical events… beyond some local specificities and evolutions, the petroglyphs also put in light a common heritages and wide exchanges networks linking Middle East people throughout the ages.

Geographically, petroglyphs are not regularly spread through the domain. We generally find a higher density in connection with settlements, elevated places, hunting zones and water points. In the Eastern Desert, the till now recorded petroglyphs concentrations are mainly located in and around Jabal Qurma, Wisad pools, Wadi Qattafi and some spots in Ruwaished area.. In Wadi Rum however, the sites are more regularly spread, with a higher density at proximity of water sources.

Particularly prosperous in petroglyphs, Wadi Rum must be understood as part of a cultural zone extending to the North of Saudi Arabia, the Hisma desert that corresponds geologically to a low plateau starting on its northern side at the depression of Ras El Naqab and extending into Saudi Arabia. This area is the cradle of a culture of Arabic background called Hismaic, which developed a local specificities and script system derived from Thamudic.

The geographical extension of the petroglyphic domain does not lead to a relevant differentiation in the imagery typology. However, some figures are more present is certain areas, as for example, the kites in the Eastern Desert, the hands in the Hisma area. Cattle seem absent in the Hisma desert while in the Wisad pools, humans are rarely represented. Regarding the inscriptions however, the geographical distribution is more evident, with a prevalence of Thamudic and Hismaic scripts in the Hisma Basin and of Safaitic in the Eastern Desert, among other scripts… (below photos from author)

The Rock Art was practiced over all the periods and some specimen date to the 20th century, as this example of the electric pylon of the scene of the motorcycle accident, contingently interpreted as the fatal accident of Colonel Lawrence of Arabia (Wadi Rum, below images). Indeed, it would be erroneous to consider the petroglyphs as referring constantly to ancient periods.

Moreover, nowadays, the modern tourism is adding its touch with the testimonies of foreigner visitors letting their names, their drawing tentatives, honeymoon testimonials… (below photos from author)

Scholars estimate the oldest Wadi Rum petroglyphs to 10 000 BC, while it seems that those of the Eastern Badia, in correlation with the settlements, could be starting from 8 000 BC. It happens often a surface to have been used and reused over the time, cumulating by this way the representations over several periods. Petroglyphs dating is very challenging, as long as we cannot find indicators in the representations themselves. Themes are strangely constant over time, at least in pre- and historical periods, with only a variation of some executive features. The following table mention some elements that can contribute to the Rock Art dating. (below photos from author)

.br

Petróglifos no deserto de Wadi Rum, na Jordânia - são desenhos ou gravuras feitas em rochas pelos antigos habitantes da região há milhares de anos.

fonte: bit.ly/3omjWSD

imagem: externa aos indicadores de representação Pátina e cor do desenho: pode dar informações sobre a sincronia entre desenhos ou sobreposição.

Só recentemente nos apercebemos da importância e da abundância do património dos petroglifos na Jordânia, abrindo-se agora novos campos à investigação. Enquanto a arte rupestre já é conhecida e parcialmente pesquisada no fácil acesso de Wadi Rum, a Badia Oriental é recentemente explorada por arqueólogos que, além de suas pesquisas sobre antigos assentamentos no Harra, notaram inúmeros petróglifos. Das descobertas naquelas zonas marginais bem como das sondagens em curso no sul da Jordânia, está a emergir um enorme património até agora subestimado (foto abaixo do autor).

A arte rupestre do Oriente Médio ultrapassa as fronteiras do espaço e do tempo. Falamos de milhares e milhares de imagens e inscrições rupestres que se estendem da Síria à Arábia Saudita, principalmente pelas áreas de basalto e arenito. Eles atestam a presença e atividades de povos nômades e seminômades naquelas terras hoje desérticas durante um período estimado em 12.000 anos, desde o Neolítico (10.200 aC) até agora, sem interrupção em certas áreas como Wadi Rum. O domínio da arte rupestre se estende até o leste até além do Irã. Estamos diante de uma gigantesca biblioteca a céu aberto, que veicula informações sobre meio ambiente, animais, humanos, línguas, sistema de escritas, cultos, eventos históricos… e amplas redes de intercâmbio que ligam os povos do Oriente Médio ao longo dos tempos.

Geograficamente, os petróglifos não estão regularmente espalhados pelo domínio. Geralmente encontramos uma densidade maior em relação a assentamentos, lugares elevados, zonas de caça e pontos de água. No Deserto Oriental, as concentrações de petroglifos até agora registradas estão localizadas principalmente em torno de Jabal Qurma, piscinas de Wisad, Wadi Qattafi e alguns pontos na área de Ruwaished. proximidade de fontes de água.

Particularmente próspero em petróglifos, Wadi Rum deve ser entendido como parte de uma zona cultural que se estende até o norte da Arábia Saudita, o deserto de Hisma que corresponde geologicamente a um planalto baixo que começa em seu lado norte na depressão de Ras El Naqab e se estende até a Arábia Saudita. Arábia. Esta área é o berço de uma cultura de origem árabe chamada hismaica, que desenvolveu especificidades locais e um sistema de escrita derivado do tamúdico.

A extensão geográfica do domínio petroglífico não conduz a uma diferenciação relevante na tipologia imagética. No entanto, algumas figuras estão mais presentes em determinadas áreas, como por exemplo, as pipas no Deserto Oriental, as mãos na zona de Hisma. O gado parece ausente no deserto de Hisma, enquanto nas piscinas de Wisad, os humanos raramente são representados. No que diz respeito às inscrições, no entanto, a distribuição geográfica é mais evidente, com prevalência de escritas tamúdicas e hismaicas na bacia de Hisma e de safaíticas no deserto oriental, entre outras escritas… (abaixo fotos do autor)

A Arte Rupestre foi praticada ao longo de todos os períodos e alguns exemplares datam do século XX, como este exemplo do poste elétrico do local do acidente de motocicleta, interpretado contingentemente como o acidente fatal do Coronel Lawrence da Arábia (Wadi Rum, abaixo imagens ). De fato, seria errôneo considerar que os petróglifos se referem constantemente a períodos antigos.

Além disso, hoje em dia, o turismo moderno está adicionando seu toque com os depoimentos de visitantes estrangeiros deixando seus nomes, suas tentativas de desenho, depoimentos de lua de mel… (abaixo fotos do autor)

Os estudiosos estimam que os petróglifos mais antigos de Wadi Rum datam de 10.000 aC, enquanto parece que os da Badia Oriental, em correlação com os assentamentos, podem começar em 8.000 aC. Acontece frequentemente uma superfície ter sido utilizada e reutilizada ao longo do tempo, acumulando assim as representações ao longo de vários períodos. A datação de petróglifos é muito desafiadora, desde que não possamos encontrar indicadores nas próprias representações. Os temas são estranhamente constantes ao longo do tempo, pelo menos em períodos pré e históricos, com apenas uma variação de algumas características executivas. A tabela a seguir menciona alguns elementos que podem contribuir para a datação da Arte Rupestre. (abaixo fotos do autor)

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

LOL. False. Does not exist. This is trivially known by any bible or early Xianity scholar, even the ones who are Xians themselves. It's notable you don't know this.

Everybody who wrote about Jesus was not around when he was, and nobody who was around when he was wrote about him. For his entire life, literally nobody was impressed enough to write about him. Nobody noticed him. Nobody thought these literal miracles were worth jotting down somewhere. More than five thousand people were fed with a few loaves and fishes, and every single one of them was either illiterate or deemed it of little importance.

And when they did write about him, it was decades later, and only by propagandists of the burgeoning apocalypse cult, not by civil writers and authorities. He disrupted sacred Jewish worship practices in a temple the size of several football fields and guarded by dozens and dozens of Roman guards, and yet none of his followers thought to mention it until about 40 years later. And no Jewish scholar wrote it down at all. An anti-semitic attack on a sacred Jewish holy site, by a Jewish man, and no Jewish record exists of it. At all. Anywhere.

And all of this just makes sense to you. No part of any of this is the slightest bit fishy. All of this makes you go "👍 yep, that's the thing for me."

You should look at dates, not merely the rambling, fumbling claims of apologists.

Jesus is not historical. Not even slightly. He was supposedly a carpenter. And yet, nobody has ever found a single thing he supposedly made. There is literally no physical evidence of his existence. None. Nobody can write a timeline, or put him at any given point at any given time. Nobody can find anything he made. Nobody can trace a path of the people he supposedly "miraculously" cured. Nobody can find anything he touched or used. Nobody can tell us what blood type he was or get genetic materials from these imaginary "archaeological records."

And every assertion about him, from birth, to life, to ministry, to table-flipping, to death, to the supposed resurrection is known to be fraudulent, irreconcilable and violates history that is known. The bible isn't even written as a historical record. There are no first-person testimonies (if you think the Gospels count, then you really don't know anything about the bible), and there is no consistent narrator. It's literally written as a third-person story, such as when Jesus is alone, or with the Devil, and the bible is telling us what he said and did. It's unambiguously written and framed as fiction.

So, the real question then is, why do you think you spend all day Following my atheist blog (yes, I saw that), replying to my atheist posts online? Is it because you actually don't believe in the god you pretend to? Aren't there better ways to get my attention and approval than being the awkward kid in the schoolyard who pulls the pigtails of the girl he likes? A crush is one thing, but stalking is a little weird. It's okay to be the atheist you are deep down inside underneath all the dogma, and admit to yourself what you know through to your very core: none of this superstitious claptrap makes any sense whatsoever.

You see how that works? Is your particular brand of dishonesty and sophistry the result of your religion or is it a character flaw specific to yourself?

Considering you keep following me around and either lying or demonstrating your ignorance, I'm going to take a guess that it's a personal deficiency.

“The New Testament is recognized by biblical scholars the world over as an arbitrary hodgepodge of dubious literature of uncertain origins and reliability.

We have no reason to believe the authors of the New Testament documents were any more honest or critical or infallible than any other men of their time, and there’s plenty of evidence to suspect they were less so.”

– Richard Carrier

[yieldfruit]

Q: Did Jesus Really Exist?

A: Typically, when this question is asked, the person asking qualifies the question with “outside of the Bible.” We do not grant this idea that the Bible cannot be considered a source of evidence for the existence of Jesus. The New Testament contains hundreds of references to Jesus Christ. There are those who date the writing of the Gospels to the second century A.D., more than 100 years after Jesus’ death. Even if this were the case (which we strongly dispute), in terms of ancient evidences, writings less than 200 years after events took place are considered very reliable evidences. Further, the vast majority of scholars (Christian and non-Christian) will grant that the Epistles of Paul (at least some of them) were in fact written by Paul in the middle of the first century A.D., less than 40 years after Jesus’ death. In terms of ancient manuscript evidence, this is extraordinarily strong proof of the existence of a man named Jesus in Israel in the early first century A.D.

It is also important to recognize that in A.D. 70, the Romans invaded and destroyed Jerusalem and most of Israel, slaughtering its inhabitants. Entire cities were literally burned to the ground. We should not be surprised, then, if much evidence of Jesus’ existence was destroyed. Many of the eyewitnesses of Jesus would have been killed. These facts likely limited the amount of surviving eyewitness testimony of Jesus.

Considering that Jesus’ ministry was largely confined to a relatively unimportant area in a small corner of the Roman Empire, a surprising amount of information about Jesus can be drawn from secular historical sources. Some of the more important historical evidences of Jesus include the following:

The first-century Roman Tacitus, who is considered one of the more accurate historians of the ancient world, mentioned superstitious “Christians” (from Christus, which is Latin for Christ), who suffered under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. Suetonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, wrote that there was a man named Chrestus (or Christ) who lived during the first century (Annals15.44).

Flavius Josephus is the most famous Jewish historian. In his Antiquities he refers to James, “the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ.” There is a controversial verse (18:3) that says, “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats....He was [the] Christ...he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.” One version reads, “At this time there was a wise man named Jesus. His conduct was good and [he] was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who became his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive; accordingly he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”

Julius Africanus quotes the historian Thallus in a discussion of the darkness that followed the crucifixion of Christ (Extant Writings, 18).

Pliny the Younger, in Letters 10:96, recorded early Christian worship practices including the fact that Christians worshiped Jesus as God and were very ethical, and he includes a reference to the love feast and Lord’s Supper.

The Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) confirms Jesus’ crucifixion on the eve of Passover and the accusations against Christ of practicing sorcery and encouraging Jewish apostasy.

Lucian of Samosata was a second-century Greek writer who admits that Jesus was worshiped by Christians, introduced new teachings, and was crucified for them. He said that Jesus’ teachings included the brotherhood of believers, the importance of conversion, and the importance of denying other gods. Christians lived according to Jesus’ laws, believed themselves to be immortal, and were characterized by contempt for death, and renunciation of material goods.

Mara Bar-Serapion confirms that Jesus was thought to be a wise and virtuous man, was considered by many to be the king of Israel, was put to death by the Jews, and lived on in the teachings of His followers.

Then we have all the Gnostic writings (The Gospel of Truth, The Apocryphon of John, The Gospel of Thomas, The Treatise on Resurrection, etc.) that all mention Jesus.

In fact, we can almost reconstruct the gospel just from early non-Christian sources: Jesus was called the Christ (Josephus), did “magic,” led Israel into new teachings, and was hanged on Passover for them (Babylonian Talmud) in Judea (Tacitus), but claimed to be God and would return (Eliezar), which his followers believed, worshiping Him as God (Pliny the Younger).

There is overwhelming evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ, both in secular and biblical history. Perhaps the greatest evidence that Jesus did exist is the fact that literally thousands of Christians in the first century AD, including the twelve apostles, were willing to give their lives as martyrs for Jesus Christ. People will die for what they believe to be true, but no one will die for what they know to be a lie.

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-exist.html

[iwanthermidnightz]

Thought this would interest you....

https://youtu.be/q4ktbnZow1g

😊

Oh anon, thank you so much for this! I loved every bit of it and I think everyone else who watches will too. This is right up my alley and something I’ve been researching and documenting myself in my free time. ​Historically, the suppression of us in all corners of society has led to massive lesbian erasure even to this day, which is very much still felt. Representation and documentation matters because it humanizes us, but also works against all those years of misrepresentation and suppression. Kudos to whoever made this video. Several points were made which of course I will note below.

What is lesbian erasure? Lesbian erasure is the absence, distortion and removal of lesbians and lesbianism in history, academia, media, the arts and even in the LGBT community. The absence and distortion of lesbianism throughout history has meant that prejudice, misrepresentation and heteronormativity has taken precedence in society, leaving the lesbian community misrepresented, ostracized and vilified.

Lesbian erasure is not only a result of the active removal of lesbian visibility by a wider heteronormative society, but it can also be self-imposed, with lesbians and queer women erasing their own sexuality and identity to avoid tensions of for fear of repercussions pertaining to their sexuality and identity.

Whether erasure is imposed upon lesbians by wider society or self-imposed themselves, it has created a noticeable absence of lesbians perspective and visibility throughout history to the present day.

There is a noticeable about of lesbian erasure in historical records and Laura Cottingham describes in her work ‘Notes on Lesbian’ how difficult it is to construct any kind of lesbian history when there is such an absence of primary sources due to active erasure and censorship of lesbians (passed down like folk songs).

How is it possible to reconstruct a story from evidence that is partial, absent, hidden, denied, obfuscated, trivialized, and otherwise suppressed?

The traditional methodology of historical research, and by extension the value system used to evaluate the quality of texts written in the name of history, is necessarily overdetermined by a prioritization of primary sources.

But what if those primary sources do not exist because governments have not counted or otherwise documented the historical subjects, or because the social and political persecution of said subjects has encouraged them to silence themselves or because prejudice has enabled families and biographers to destroy documents such as letters and diaries that contain the crucial content that might constitute testimony or evidence.

Some lesbian historians understandably believe that more information about lesbians in the past exists than we now know of or have access to and that more primary sources/traditional history is forthcoming.

The task of the feminist historian is first to rescue women from oblivion, and then to interpret women’s experience within the context of the society of the time. In the historians case, the problem of sources is magnified a thousand fold due to relatively little explicit information about lesbian lives in the past.

Much of the important material has been suppressed as irrelevant, or it’s significance overlooked by scholars pursuing a different theory. Material may have been omitted as “private” or likely to embarrass the family or alienate the reader.

Much of the evidence we do have has been distorted by historians who willfully or through ignorance have turned lesbian lives into “normal” heterosexual ones.

Women can be ignored, but lesbians must be expunged. Lesbians do not usually leave records of their lives. Those who do may not include any details which would identify then as unmistakably lesbians.

Why does lesbians erasure exist? 1. Throughout history, we have resided under a patriarchal structure which prioritizes and focuses on men; this has resulted in the diminishment and erasure of women and consequently lesbians throughout history and to the present day.

Because historically men have dominated the spheres of artistic production, law, media, and the medical field, most of history has been recorded through a male lens and this includes lesbianism. This has resulted in the distortion of identity; if lesbianism was ever exposed through an artistic medium it would typically fall into the categories of hyper-sexualization, abnormality or immortality and so lesbians came to be associated with these themes.

The negative connotations surrounding lesbians were persistent until the mid to late twentieth century in the West and it was because around this time, gay and lesbian populations began to have a voice and a visible presence. This time period marked the beginning of huge changes for gay and lesbian communities.

The second reason for the prevalence of lesbian erasure is the was homosexuality has been perceived throughout most of history. In terms of the West, homosexuality has long been declared as immoral by the church and later on thought of as a medial disorder and unhealthy abnormality. This kept lesbian and queer women in a position where if they chose to be visible they would open themselves up to a level of prejudice and misunderstanding directed at them.

This societal hostility towards homosexuality causes many lesbians to erase their own sexuality to avoid causing tension or putting themselves in a position where they might be harmed. Lesbians may choose to erase their identities to not only protect themselves but protect their public image, family name or business.

The secret language. Despite there being a history of censorship or expression portraying any kind of positive representation, lesbian and queer creators still found a way to express their identity and loves in secrecy. (You showed me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else)

Anne Lister famously recorded her love life in a coded diary, the contents of which would not be expressed until the 20th century, long after her death.

In the early 20th century, sapphic literary productions were being produced but they would often be coded or the gender would be swapped to portray lesbian relationships as heteronormative and this was to get past censorship.

For example works like Orlando by Virginia Woolf and Challenge by Vita Sackville West were inspired by and actually about lesbian romances, yet the literary productions themselves played into heteronormativity so the could be publicly distributed and supported by publishers.

If lesbians and queer women were bold enough to write their truth overtly or dare to portray lesbianism in any kind of positive or sympathetic light, they would be met with censorship.

So, we can observe throughout history how difficult it is for lesbians to get out of this cycle of erasing their lesbian identity to stay safe vs. daring to be visible and weathering the consequences. This has resulted in a secret language which enabled lesbians to have some form of expression while remaining secure.

Why is lesbian visibility important? Largely because of activism and visibility, once society was exposed to lesbian and gay communities and their voices, these communities were slowly humanized, paving the way for lesbian and gay rights and more representation.

When you erase lesbians from society and make sure any exposure of it is associated with negative connotations, you create an environment in which only heterosexuality is socially acceptable and accessible, placing pressure on women to conform to heteronormative relationships and experiences of face hostility and ostracization. This plays a huge part in lesbian erasure and is incredibly damaging to lesbians and queer women.

Lesbian visibility and exposure is important because when lesbians feel like an accepted and visible part of society, when we are free to live our lives and love who we want in the same way heterosexual people do, we are ultimately happier and healthier for it.