#voting based on Scripture

[lasseling]

Why Christians Have a Biblical Responsibility to Vote for Donald Trump

Not Voting Is Not An Option

As Christians, we face a pivotal moment in American history, a moment that calls us to stand firm on our faith and make decisions that reflect our Biblical values.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Jack Jenkins at RNS:

(RNS) — A diverse group of Christians is throwing support behind Vice President Kamala Harris’ White House bid, organizing fundraisers and Zoom calls in hopes of helping catapult the Democrat to victory in November — and, they say, reclaiming their faith from Republicans in the process. Their efforts come on the heels of similar campaigns aimed at specific constituency groups, such as the recent “White Dudes for Harris” Zoom call that featured celebrities and grabbed headlines. John Pavlovitz, a liberal-leaning Christian author and activist, was on that call when he hatched the idea for a Christian-centric version and texted his friend Malynda Hale, a singer, actress and fellow activist. “We had a conversation about how, specifically on the Democratic side of the political spectrum, you don’t hear a lot of people talking about their faith,” Hale told Religion News Service in an interview. “We wanted people to know that there are progressive Christians, there are Christians on the Democratic, left-leaning side, so that they didn’t feel alone.”

The result was Christians for Kamala, a part-fundraiser, part-virtual roundtable livestreamed event on Monday (Aug. 12). Featured speakers cited their faith as they praised liberal policies and personally endorsed Harris — who recently entered the presidential race after President Joe Biden bowed out — and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Over the course of the nearly three-hour event, the group raised more than $150,000 for the Harris campaign, a number that has climbed to just shy of $200,000 in the days since. “It’s been really difficult to keep up with the flood of comments and connections that have been coming in,” said Pavlovitz, who said the only formal help he received from the Harris campaign was in setting up a donation system for fundraising. A number of Christian groups — including evangelicals, a constituency key to former President Donald Trump’s base — have assembled similar calls in the lead up to next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Most have had little to no assistance from the official Harris-Walz campaign, which, barely a month old, has yet to announced a dedicated faith outreach director. The emerging grassroots coalition vies not only to bolster Harris but also to push back on what organizers say is a false assumption that to be Christian is to be a Republican — or a supporter of former President Donald Trump.

[...] That diversity was on display during the Christians for Kamala call, which included a mix of faith leaders such as the Rev. Jacqui Lewis, of Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, and the Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., head of the nonprofit Hip Hop Caucus; activists like environmentalist Bill McKibben and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Charlotte Clymer; commentators such as CNN’s Van Jones; and politicians, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Texas State Rep. James Talarico. The speakers linked their support for specific policies, such as working to blunt the impacts of climate change or passing immigration reform, to their faith and Christian Scripture. Some rebuked conservative Christianity’s ties to the GOP, calling it a form of Christian nationalism. “My faith in Jesus leads me to reject Christian nationalism and commit myself to the project of a multiracial, multicultural democracy where we can all freely love God and fully love our neighbors,” said Talarico, a Presbyterian Church (USA) seminarian who has been vocal in his condemnation of Christian nationalism in his state. “That same faith leads me to support Vice President Harris to be the next president of the United States.”

Although a member of a mainline denomination, Talarico was also a speaker on a separate “Evangelicals for Harris” Zoom call assembled on Wednesday evening. Organized by Faith Voters, a 501(c)4 organization, the effort was geared toward conservative Christians who have disproportionately sided with Trump. The call struck a different tone than Christians for Kamala: some speakers noted they had never endorsed a candidate before, and at least one pastor suggested he was risking friendships and relationships with his congregation by participating.

[...] The calls add to a slate of organizing efforts launched in recent days aimed at specific religious groups. Nearly 500 faith leaders have signed on to a letter endorsing Harris, a “Latter-day Saints for Harris” call was convened last week and multiple separate calls have been organized for Jewish Americans — including one on Thursday that targeted Jewish women and featured singer Barbra Streisand. A separate “Catholics for Kamala” call, facilitated in part by the Harris campaign, was also slated for this week but organizers rescheduled it until after the Democratic National Convention, citing scheduling conflicts. According to Pavlovitz, his group is already partnering with others, such as Catholics for Kamala, Christian Democrats of America and Vote Common Good. What form their collaborations take remains to be seen, but Pavlovitz said he is hopeful for whatever comes next.

Christians fed up with the religious right’s monopolization of what it means to be a Christian rallied to support Kamala Harris on multiple recent calls, such as Christians For Harris and Evangelicals For Harris. Christians need to vote for the REAL Christian in the race, and that’s Harris (and not antichrist Trump). #HarrisWalz2024

[1moreff-creator]

how often was ace guessed as the ch2 culprit during the hiatus? i wasn't around for it so im a bit curious

Not very often, but he wasn't, like, the most unheard of. This Accirax poll from august had him in fourth, as well as this reduced cast Star poll, so he wasn't as "clear" as people like Charles, David, etc. Below the is the impression I got as someone who was only here for part of the hiatus, I didn't visit Tumblr very often after 2024 began up to the release of CH2 EP12.

Levi was by far the most common guess, as everyone and their mother called that Arei had his secret and that made him look suspicious from a meta sense. And Hu has this funny thing where her secret quote in the source code of her character page, "I want to pay for what I’ve done. But even then, I still want to live," is the most "blackened" thing in existence, so she'll probably never escape top guesses for culprit no matter what. Add in the ideas that Levi could have broken Arei's neck without rope (strength argument) and Hu's wire was in the Ace-Nico crime scene (many believed the culprit of both would have to be the same for one reason or another), and they were the two big picks across the general fandom. Especially for those not insane enough to do full murder theories and stuff.

J was also up there because of MonoTV's comment that the Movie Screening Room's wall connected to the playground, which many believed could mean there was a secret passage she could access with her Universal Remote, and that made her shady. Clearly the comment was just to give a general idea of the spatial disposition of the building and room, but I understand why many thought it would be more important than that.

Probably the funniest situation was Eden, though. Because the tape thing and lockdown reasoning (that only Teruko, Ace and Eden were in the room were the tape, used in the murder, disappeared) was something the theorizing fandom was very aware of. You know, that think that actually ended up pointing at the culprit? Yeah, we knew that. A lot of people argued against its importance, but we were aware of it at least.

In fact, the linked accirax post mentions "the 1moreff-creator/thebadjoe scripture" because (at least here on Tumblr) we were some of the biggest exponents of Eden!Culprit with our respective theories, and we both used the tape's disappearance as reasoning for it. Now, make no mistake, there were always plenty of people that thought Ace could have been the one to take the tape, and in fact I'm sure that could have certainly earned him some votes in the linked polls, but a lot of people that pointed to the tape believed that, based on the way the scene played out, only Eden could have taken it.

We were wrong.

Sorry about that, Eden :v I swear I would have picked Ace as the culprit if the scene made it a bit easier to believe he picked up the tape T_T

That said, if you looked hard enough, there were always people who guessed pretty much everyone as the blackened. From guessing that David could have manipulated someone into murder and he'd be the blackened (even then, the main guess for murderer in this case was Hu I believe), Whit because of the "hanging out" comment (and general Whit bullshittery), Arturo because he was one of the only people who we knew would have heard the Arei-Eden conversation referenced in the note, Rose as a bit of a wild card guess because of her lack of alibi at night, to Charles (somehow) because the handwriting in the note is strikingly similar to the handwriting in the custom weapons list. Hell, after LGI some thought David would replace Teruko as the protag, maybe there was some kind of Teruko!Culprit theory out there. We had a lot of fun :D

So, as a final answer, I'd say there were four big "tiers" of characters in terms of character suspicion. "Main Suspects," being Levi and Hu, "Popular Alternative Guesses" including J and Eden, "Some Guesses Here and There" including Rose, David, Whit, etc., and "No Shot" including things like Xander, Min, Arei, Teruko and possibly Charles. I would say Ace fell in the lower end of "Popular Alternative Guesses" tier, take that as you will.

Thanks for the ask! It was fun to reminisce!

[andhumanslovedstories]

I'm so genuinely mad about Saddleback Church getting expelled from the Southern Baptist Church because they ordained three women as pastors. That's literally it. Thousands of people voted that women in positions of spiritual authority is something so fundamentally opposed to Christianity that a church that allows this can't be part of this denomination. This fuckin evangelical megachurch ran by a guy who says Christian businesses shouldn't have to pay for their employees birth control and who numerous times reiterated his opposition to gay marriage, he's too feminist for the Southern Baptist convention. This guy whose entire argument for ordaining women is, by his own proud admission, not based on the the reality of seeing women successfully lead churches or him "becoming liberal" but instead solely on scripture, this guy's too radical, his church has gone too far on the Woman Question. It's infuriating. American evangelicalism is like "there are three genders: People (white men who present and act the right way), Breeding Stock Helpmeets (white women who present and act the right way), and Freaks (everyone else, including those in the first two categories if they ever step out of line)."

[rabbiaharon]

Shalom Aleichem!

Today I wanted to address something I have seen all too often, regarding the Torah approach to politicians - not only non-jewish politicians (particularly and especially), but even Jewish politicians. In addition, there is an issue which applies to all idolaters (I will explain the context of this term later on!), including all non-jewish politicians who fall into that category.

First of all, in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (167:14), there is a rule stating that a Jew is forbidden to give a gift to a non-Jew that they do not know, based on the posuk “do not give them grace” (לא תחנם) which our sages explain to mean “do not give them a free gift” (לא תתן להם מתנת חינום). This being a scripturally-sourced injunction, it does not depend whatsoever on who or what kind of a person that idolater is, provided that you do not know them personally. Giving a gift to an idolater you have a working relationship with is considered under this halacha to be a purchase, as they have either already paid you or helped you in some way (and the gift is in appreciation), or there will be some personal benefit as a result of the gift.

Furthermore, the Kitzur rules (167:15) that it is also prohibited even to compliment an idolater that you do not know personally, as it also falls under the category of “do not give them grace”. This applies even complimenting their appearance, and, as the Kitzur says “How much moreso to compliment their actions”. However, it is permitted to compliment their appearance in certain situations, if you are intending not to compliment them, but to compliment Hashem for creating such a beautiful creation. The Kitzur clarifies at this point (167:16) that we are permitted to take care of the non-jewish poor (in other words, they aren’t included in the category of idolaters who you cannot give a gift to), because of darkei shalom.

The category of who is considered an “idolater” is delineated in the Rambam (Maimonides) in his magnum opus, in The Laws of Kings and Wars (Chapter 8): This includes anyone among the non-jews who does not keep the 7 Laws of Noah because they were given to Moshe at Mount Sinai to give over to the nations (A relatively high bar to reach, as someone who does not keep the Laws of Noah because they don’t know about them, someone who keeps them because they are logical, and even someone who keeps them becaues they were given to Noah, are all categorized equally as idolaters).

The ruling in 167:14-15 applies to all people classified as “idolaters”, certainly including non-Jewish politicians, who you would be hard pressed (if not frankly unable) to prove are keeping the 7 Noahide Laws because they were given to Moshe. While there may be heterim (exceptions) for individuals to donate to political campaigns (regarding the ruling of 167:14), as they don’t represent individuals but rather ostensibly collections of policy that you may want implemented in your area, it is always best to donate first to Torah Institutions rather than political campaigns. However, this idea does not extend to the question of complimenting individual idolatrous politicians, like the candidates currently running for federal office in this country. You can certainly vote according to your conscience, but know that complimenting your pick, especially regarding their actions (saying “Oh, this individual is/was so good for Israel!” Or “This person will be better to support Torah in this country”) would definitely constitute a violation of the ruling in 167:15.

In Masechta Avos in the Mishnah, there are 2 mishnayos which deal with the question of our interaction with any politician, one in the first chapter, in the name of Shamaya (“Don’t become familiar with the government”), and an additional mishnah, brought without a name in the second chapter. The conclusion of the first mishnah, written by Shamaya, is explained by the Bartenura as follows:

”’Do not become familiar with the government’ in order to receive any sort of authority from it. Another explanation is ’do not become familiar with the government so that you will not violate the expectations of your maker‘, as happend with Doeg HaEdomi. ’government’, using the term rashus (permission), indicates the government’s ability to do what it wants, regardless.” This applies even with Jewish politicians, especially those that do not keep Torah.

The second explanation of the Bartenura is especially notable in the case of idolaters in government, as following them and trying to become close to them would almost inevitably lead to the violation of the aforementioned halachos in Shulchan Aruch.

The second Mishnah is stated as a stam (a mishnah without an attached name) meaning that the compiler of the Mishnah (Rebbi Yehuda HaNasi) intended it to represent an absolute teaching, universally applicable in all relevant situations, rather than the opinion of one particular Rabbi:

”Be careful around the government, as they will not befriend a person except for their own needs; they seem like friends when it is to their own benefit, but do not stand by a man in his time of need.”

The Bartenura explains that this Mishnah advises people who are involved with the needs of the Jewish Community and the Jewish people, who need to be acquainted with authorities in order to facilitate the community’s ability to live and thrive, that the government is not our friend. The government isn’t thinking about the Jewish people, they’re only thinking about themselves. This is a poignant lesson that has been proven all too clearly over the past 10 years, with world leaders giving platforms to antisemites to broadcast their hate… as well as local and national leadership legitimizing, emboldening, and endorsing antisemitic organizations and protests. For us, though, it’s important to remember that we don’t have to rely on them, nor have we ever. We have an advocate above who can and will judge us favorably and support us in our time of need. If we want to be redeemed, if we want to leave our exile… We just have to reach higher.

Good Shabbos.

[nerdygaymormon]

Do you think the anti-gay teachings of the church led to the shooter doing what he did at Club Q?

Of course, we don't know much about the shooter and his motivation, so we're speculating based on the little info we have.

We already know he has violent tendencies based on his arrest in 2021 for threatening to harm his mother with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons, and ammunition.

I would think his family's influence had a great impact on him in targeting the queer community. His grandfather was an elected MAGA Republican who praised the January 6th insurrection, and his mother praised her father's politics. It's unlikely their praise for violence escaped his notice.

These past two years we've had MAGA Republicans using very heated rhetoric in support of anti-trans laws and anti-gay laws. Fear is a powerful motivator in getting people to vote, and politicians have used language about protecting children to whip up a moral panic against queer people. That tactic is irresponsible because the fear they generate doesn't contain itself only to the voting booth. We've seen armed people showing up to events with drag queens, to Pride events, libraries, health facilities, and so on, in order to "protect children."

However, if we learn that the shooter considered himself Deznat, which is a group who push ultra-conservative interpretations of LDS teachings & scriptures, then I would change my opinion and agree that church likely played a dominant role in influencing his choosing to attack queer people. Deznat are very aggressive in their defense of their beliefs & the church, many times targeting individuals for harassment or more.

Even if the shooter isn't Deznat, a religious culture which seems to accept fundamentalism/right wing extremism in its congregants, and teaches queer people are broken, subversive, and dangerous to families only serves to confirm the worst suspicions and fears people get from right-wing politics.

Regardless of whether we find any single source influenced the shooter to do what he did, let's agree that racism, misogyny, and queerphobia are bad and we should speak up, even at church, when we hear this poison being taught.

[thebiscuiteternal]

After a massive sexual abuse scandal last year in which three hundred and eighty pastors were named and shamed and the entire organization's leadership was put under investigation by the DOJ for sheltering their reputations for two decades, the Southern Baptist Convention has decided this is the most important way to fix their image problem.

That’s not the funniest part, though. The funniest part is Pastor Scott Brown, head of the First Baptist Church of Bullard, Texas, being cursed with a flicker of awareness of how women might feel rejected by the church. Brown says: “I thank the Lord for women in our churches. Because a lot of churches would not survive if it were not for women serving, teaching classes, and being on committees. But we believe as Southern Baptists wholeheartedly that the pastor of the church, the one who declares the gospel from the pulpit and shepherds the people, ought to be a man based on our belief of Scripture.”

After overwhelmingly voting to finalize the expulsion of two churches with female pastors, Southern Baptists voted on Wednesday to further expand restrictions on women in church leadership, potentially opening up hundreds of new churches to investigation and expulsions.

Delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in New Orleans approved an amendment to their constitution that their churches must have “only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.”

[ordinarytalk]

In honor of me selling my 2007 Toyota Corolla tomorrow, I am bringing back the viral Fine AF 1999 Toyota Corolla ad, courtesy of the Wayback Machine

You want a car that gets the job done? You want a car that's hassle free? You want a car that literally no one will ever compliment you on? Well look no further. The 1999 Toyota Corolla. Let's talk about features. Bluetooth: nope Sunroof: nope Fancy wheels: nope Rear view camera: nope…but it's got a transparent rear window and you have a fucking neck that can turn. Let me tell you a story. One day my Corolla started making a strange sound. I didn't give a shit and ignored it. It went away. The End. You could take the engine out of this car, drop it off the Golden Gate Bridge, fish it out of the water a thousand years later, put it in the trunk of the car, fill the gas tank up with Nutella, turn the key, and this puppy would fucking start right up. This car will outlive you, it will outlive your children. Things this car is old enough to do: Vote: yes Consent to sex: yes Rent a car: it IS a car This car's got history. It's seen some shit. People have done straight things in this car. People have done gay things in this car. It's not going to judge you like a fucking Volkswagen would. Interesting facts: This car's exterior color is gray, but it's interior color is grey. In the owner's manual, oil is listed as "optional." When this car was unveiled at the 1998 Detroit Auto Show, it caused all 2,000 attendees to spontaneously yawn. The resulting abrupt change in air pressure inside the building caused a partial collapse of the roof. Four people died. The event is chronicled in the documentary "Bored to Death: The Story of the 1999 Toyota Corolla" You wanna know more? Great, I had my car fill out a Facebook survey. Favorite food: spaghetti Favorite tv show: Alf Favorite band: tie between Bush and the Gin Blossoms This car is as practical as a Roth IRA. It's as middle-of-the-road as your grandpa during his last Silver Alert. It's as utilitarian as a member of a church whose scripture is based entirely on water bills. When I ran the CarFax for this car, I got back a single piece of paper that said, "It's a Corolla. It's fine." Let's face the facts, this car isn't going to win any beauty contests, but neither are you. Stop lying to yourself and stop lying to your wife. This isn't the car you want, it's the car you deserve: The fucking 1999 Toyota Corolla.

[wutbju]

Russ McClure asks in the +++Positives+++ group about what happens if the school closes.

Now Russ should read WutBJU. We’ve had this information for years.

Article XI. Dissolution of Corporation and Liquidation of the University

Section 1. In the event the time should ever come when the Board determines that it cannot maintain the positions outlined in the preamble, bylaws, or policies or the operation of the University is no longer feasible, the Executive Committee shall be authorized to close the University and dispose of the property with the approval of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee shall function as the representative agent of the Board of Trustees to find a suitable buyer for the property. The Executive Committee is not authorized to accept any offer without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Proceeds from the sale will be used first to settle any outstanding financial obligations of the University, for teach-out purposes and then to compensate present employees with a generous severance payment based on years of service and merit. The remainder will go to ministries that are aligned spiritually and philosophically with the founding purposes of Bob Jones University. These ministries will be chosen by the Board of Trustees.

Section 2. The Executive Committee is charged with the duty of enforcing the above provision. The Executive Committee shall have the power to call a meeting of the Board when, in their sound judgment, it appears that the University can no longer be operated in accordance with the principles set forth herein or if the pulpit or classroom ever departs from the University creed, embraces a non-propositional or allegorical view of the Scriptures or an evolutionary view of creation, or ceases to believe that "whatever the Bible says is so." The majority of the Board of Trustees, in pursuit of this notice, is mandated and directed to carry out the above provisions for the dissolution of the corporation and the liquidation of the property. The vote to dissolve the corporation will be made by the Board of Trustees. For this vote, at least twenty (20) members shall be required and must be in personal attendance.

Now that’s the version from November 2013. I have earlier versions as well, and it’s fairly consistent. If you’d like to see the earlier versions, I can show you those. Just ask!

But Bruce McBride, honey. No. Furman University will not be buying that campus. First of all, have you BEEN to Furman’s campus? They don’t need BJU’s hand-me-downs.

The chatter around Greenville for years has been Knox White wants 29614 for the city buildings.

[zorcskhakis]

I posted 5,292 times in 2022

That's 5,292 more posts than 2021!

1,597 posts created (30%)

3,695 posts reblogged (70%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@zorcskhakis

@im-not-a-monster

@melffy-puppy

@redeyesretrodragon

@crushcardvirus

I tagged 2,163 of my posts in 2022

#ygoau roommate circus - 259 posts

#bakura - 218 posts

#yugioh - 104 posts

#yami bakura - 94 posts

#ryou bakura - 66 posts

#thiefshipping - 61 posts

#bakuracore - 48 posts

#marik ishtar - 32 posts

#greatest hits - 30 posts

#bakura's food crimes - 30 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#added bonus with knitting is that he gets to use needles and they're weaponlike enough that he gets some devious little enjoyment out of it

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Earlier today I wrote this shitpost and unfortunately someone decided to give me unlimited power in the form of YGO character deepfakes being available. so here you are: the drive thru shitpost, voiced. (minus marik's part because he's not on there!!! sobs 😭)

549 notes - Posted May 31, 2022

#4

Yugioh is about being gay first and card games second

561 notes - Posted May 18, 2022

#3

See the full post

877 notes - Posted May 30, 2022

#2

980 notes - Posted March 29, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

For @melffy-puppy :D

You want a car that gets the job done? You want a car that's hassle free? You want a car that literally no one will ever compliment you on? Well look no further.

The 1999 Toyota Corolla.

Let's talk about features. Bluetooth: nope Sunroof: nope Fancy wheels: nope Rear view camera: nope...but it's got a transparent rear window and you have a fucking neck that can turn.

Let me tell you a story. One day my Corolla started making a strange sound. I didn't give a shit and ignored it. It went away. The End.

You could take the engine out of this car, drop it off the Golden Gate Bridge, fish it out of the water a thousand years later, put it in the trunk of the car, fill the gas tank up with Nutella, turn the key, and this puppy would fucking start right up.

This car will outlive you, it will outlive your children.

Things this car is old enough to do: Vote: yes Consent to sex: yes Rent a car: it IS a car

This car's got history. It's seen some shit. People have done straight things in this car. People have done gay things in this car. It's not going to judge you like a fucking Volkswagen would.

Interesting facts: This car's exterior color is gray, but it's interior color is grey. In the owner's manual, oil is listed as "optional." When this car was unveiled at the 1998 Detroit Auto Show, it caused all 2,000 attendees to spontaneously yawn. The resulting abrupt change in air pressure inside the building caused a partial collapse of the roof. Four people died. The event is chronicled in the documentary "Bored to Death: The Story of the 1999 Toyota Corolla"

You wanna know more? Great, I had my car fill out a Facebook survey. Favorite food: spaghetti Favorite tv show: Alf Favorite band: tie between Bush and the Gin Blossoms

This car is as practical as a Roth IRA. It's as middle-of-the-road as your grandpa during his last Silver Alert. It's as utilitarian as a member of a church whose scripture is based entirely on water bills.

When I ran the CarFax for this car, I got back a single piece of paper that said, "It's a Corolla. It's fine."

Let's face the facts, this car isn't going to win any beauty contests, but neither are you. Stop lying to yourself and stop lying to your wife. This isn't the car you want, it's the car you deserve: The fucking 1999 Toyota Corolla.

1,641 notes - Posted July 24, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[israel-org]

As we look for light amid the darkness of world events, the U.S. Congress might seem a surprising place to find it. Yet the enduring cooperation between the people and governments of the United States and Israel—surely a beacon of promise and hope—survives despite turnovers in Congress and the presidency.

The U.S. Congress votes in favor of Israel’s annual security aid, a necessity more urgent now than ever before. The Christian community’s mark among members of Congress to promote legislation that will strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship is significant and helps increase the safety of both allies. Although Congress may not base its decisions on Genesis 12:3, that “God will bless those who bless Israel,” politically active Christians are motivated by scripture and congress matches its decision-making about our staunch ally important for our own nation.

The Islamic regime continues marching toward possessing and using nuclear weapons. Its surrogates surround Israel’s borders in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria—geographic proximity that brings terror up close. However, when it comes to Israel, terror shatters the peace within Israel’s borders. It is up close and personal when a 21-year-old terrorist living in east Jerusalem arrives at Ateret Avraham synagogue on Shabbat and starts shooting. During that four-minute shooting spree last week, the terrorist shot and killed seven Israelis and wounded three others, all on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. When a second terror attack took place the following morning in the City of David, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) added three additional battalions and ramped up the security alert to its highest level. The murders are considered the worst terror outbreak in years.

Meanwhile, government officials from two nations that are responsible for murdering their own populations recently met in Damascus to arrange a meeting between Iran’s president, Ebrahim Riasi, and Syria’s dictator, Bashar al-Assad. At this meeting, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and Syria’s foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, recapped their “challenges” with Western nations. Mekdad observed that they must “secure their national interests.” He named the United States and the “Zionist Regime” (Israel) and their “mercenaries” as threats.

On another front, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog—the International Atomic Energy Agency—plans to travel back to Iran in his attempt to revive the 2015 Iran deal. Director Rafael Grossi reports that although Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon yet, it has “amassed enough nuclear material for several nuclear weapons, not one.” I believe this latest attempt at a deal with the Islamic regime will fail, since the ayatollahs are fixated on one goal: using nuclear bombs to establish a worldwide caliphate governed under tyrannical Islamic law. The Gulf Arab states, Israel, and the United States are their prime targets.

Iran’s leaders view United Nations diplomacy as simply another forum for propaganda. The Iran regime’s dangers to its own population and the active terror from its surrogates in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria are intensifying.

But here’s one kind of message that is bound to get their attention. On January 26, the U.S. Central Command and Israel Defense Forces completed a massive military exercise called Juniper Oak 2023, the biggest joint drill on record. Its size and scope must have sent an unmistakable message to the ayatollahs. As U.S. General Michael “Erik” Kurilla observed on NBC, “It would not surprise me if Iran sees the scale and the nature of these activities and understands what the two of us are capable of doing.”

The combined participation included 1,100 Israeli soldiers and 6,400 U.S. soldiers in the drill. The Times of Israel reported that 142 aircraft were involved: F-35, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 fighter jets; AC-130 Hercules transports; B-52 heavy bombers; and AH-64 Apache helicopters. A U.S. Navy carrier strike group coordinated operations with six Israeli ships and a submarine that carried out maneuvers with the American aircraft carrier.

Israel provides unmatched efforts that help our own U.S. security, as Israel shares intelligence with the U.S. government and military. The advantages of this cooperation spill over into our civilian airline safety methods that were gleaned from Israeli resources. Another benefit is that Israel never asks for American boots on the ground. Their policy is to defend themselves by themselves.

When it comes to Return on Investment (ROI), our relationship with Israel is quite favorable. Such benefits manifest themselves in our economy. Our U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the capital, reported in 2021 that bilateral trade resulted in nearly $50 billion in goods and services annually. Another example worth noting: Israelis themselves invested around $24 billion in the United States. Compare huge Israeli investments to our Congress’s Ten-Year Memorandum of Understanding with Israel. Renewed again in 2018, the memorandum commits $3.8 billion annually in U.S. funds for Israel’s security for the following decade. Seventy-five percent remains in the U.S.—in factories that manufacture some of Israel’s advanced weaponry and employ American citizens. We are surely on the winning end.

When it comes to the U.S. Congress, although Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and several other members of the House of Representatives are anti-Semitic (as evidenced by their comments and votes), both Democrats and Republicans are staunch pro-Israel votes on important legislation and resolutions to continue strengthening the US-Israel relationship.

Last week, on January 25, 2023, a recent bipartisan resolution—House Resolution 7—roundly won approval, passing in a 420-1 vote. Republican House member Thomas Massie (R-KY) cast the only NO vote. The resolution condemned the “violent suppression” of women-led protesters in Iran for the last five months. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) described the protests as the “most significant popular protest” in Iran since the 1979 takeover by the Islamic regime.

The 24/7 news cycle thrives on bad news. However, focusing on good news, some that I have mentioned above, provides motivation to do what we can, where we can. Prayer is our foundation, and putting feet on our prayers is faith in action. Three hundred and sixty-five times in Scripture, God says, “Fear not.” He assures us in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Please join CBN Israel this week in praying for Israel and the Middle East:

Pray for citizens in the Islamic Republic who are demonstrating, imprisoned, and killed by the regime.

Pray for Israelis who are once again on high alert for terror, including Hamas rockets launched into Israeli civilian areas.

Pray that world leaders will pressure Israel’s enemies, not Israel—which defends its citizens from terrorists.

Pray for hundreds of thousands of Syrian families who have fled Syria as well as those left amid the Iranian presence in their nation.

Arlene Bridges Samuels pioneered Christian outreach for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). After she served nine years on AIPAC’s staff, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as Outreach Director part-time for their project, American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, a guest columnist at All Israel News, and has frequently traveled to Israel since 1990. She co-edited The Auschwitz Album Revisited and is a volunteer on the board of Violins of Hope South Carolina. Arlene has attended Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summit three times and hosts her devotionals, The Eclectic Evangelical, on Facebook.

support us with crypto if love israel

address : 0x0E66Ec91C28363e6dA8f4EBD602c441994bB319b

[ahalfofoneforbreakfast]

Image ID: A listing on Craigslist for a Toyota Corolla, with the following text:

You want a car that gets the job done? You want a car that’s hassle free? You want a car that literally no one will ever compliment you on? Well look no further.

The 1999 Toyota Corolla.

Let’s talk about features. Bluetooth: nope. Sunroof: nope Fancy wheels: nope. Rear view camera: nope...but it’s got a transparent rear window and you have a fucking neck that can turn.

Let me tell you a story. One day my Corolla started making a strange sound. I didn’t give a shit and ignored it. It went away. The End.

You could take the engine out of this car, drop it off the Golden Gate Bridge, fish it out of the water a thousand years later, put it in the trunk of the car, fill the gas tank up with Nutella, turn the key, and this puppy would fucking start right up.

This car will outlive you, it will outlive your children.

Things this car is old enough to do: Vote: yes Consent to sex: yes Rent a car: it IS a car

This car’s got history. It’s seen some shit. People have done straight things in this car. People have done gay things in this car. It’s not going to judge you like a fucking Volkswagen would.

Interesting facts: This car’s exterior color is gray, but its interior color is grey [spelled differently]. In the owner’s manual, oil is listed as “optional”. When this car was unveiled at the 1998 Detroit Auto Show, it caused all 2,000 attendees to spontaneously yawn. The resulting abrupt change in air pressure inside the building caused a partial collapse of the roof. Four people died. The event is chronicled in the documentary “Bored to Death: The Story of the 1999 Toyota Corolla”.

You wanna know more? Great, I had my car fill out a Facebook survey. Favorite food: spaghetti Favorite TV show: Alf Favorite band: tie between Bush and the Gin Blossoms

This car is as practical as a Roth IRA. It’s as middle-of-the-road as your grandpa during his last silver alert. It’s as utilitarian as a member of a church whose scripture is based entirely on water bills.

When I ran the CarFax for this car, I got back a single piece of paper that said, “It’s a Corolla. It’s fine.”

Let’s face the facts, this car isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but neither are you. Stop lying to yourself and stop lying to your wife. This isn’t the car you want, it’s the car you deserve: The fucking 1999 Toyota Corolla.

End ID.

This man knows how to sell a car

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Peter Smith at AP:

From its towering white steeple and red-brick facade to its Sunday services filled with rousing gospel hymns and evangelistic sermons, First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, bears many of the classic hallmarks of a Southern Baptist church. On a recent Sunday, its pastor for women and children, Kim Eskridge, urged members to invite friends and neighbors to an upcoming vacation Bible school — a perennial Baptist activity — to help “reach families in the community with the gospel.” But because that pastor is a woman, First Baptist’s days in the Southern Baptist Convention may be numbered. At the SBC’s annual meeting June 11-12 in Indianapolis, representatives will vote on whether to amend the denomination’s constitution to essentially ban churches with any women pastors — and not just in the top job. That measure received overwhelming approval in a preliminary vote last year.

[...] By some estimates, the proposed ban could affect hundreds of congregations and have a disproportionate impact on predominantly Black churches. The vote is partly the culmination of events set in motion two years ago.

That’s when a Virginia pastor contacted SBC officials to contend that First Baptist and four nearby churches were “out of step” with denominational doctrine that says only men can be pastors. The SBC Credentials Committee launched a formal inquiry in April. Southern Baptists disagree on which ministry jobs this doctrine refers to. Some say it’s just the senior pastor, others that a pastor is anyone who preaches and exercises spiritual authority. And in a Baptist tradition that prizes local church autonomy, critics say the convention shouldn’t enshrine a constitutional rule based on one interpretation of its non-binding doctrinal statement. By some estimates, women are working in pastoral roles in hundreds of SBC-linked churches, a fraction of the nearly 47,000 across the denomination. But critics say the amendment would amount to a further narrowing in numbers and mindset for the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, which has moved steadily rightward in recent decades. They also wonder if the SBC has better things to do.

[...] The amendment, if passed, wouldn’t prompt an immediate purge. But it could keep the denomination’s leaders busy for years, investigating and ousting churches. Many predominantly Black churches have men as lead pastors but assign pastor titles to women in other areas, such as worship and children’s ministries. “To disfellowship like-minded churches ... based on a local-church governance decision dishonors the spirit of cooperation and the guiding tenets of our denomination,” wrote Pastor Gregory Perkins, president of the SBC’s National African American Fellowship, to denominational officials. The controversy complicates the already-choppy efforts by the mostly white denomination to diversify and overcome its legacy of slavery and segregation.

Amendment proponents say the convention needs to reinforce its doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message, which says the office of pastor is “limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”

The fate of Southern Baptists permitting women to serve as pastors in any capacity will be resolved at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting this week, as the messengers are likely to vote to fully ban women pastors from the denomination.

[trailstamer]

Being There

------------—--

I am here, where are they. I am alone, my loved ones are spread allover. I try to find my way of life. I hear them from afar. These voices are real or imaginary, it's difficult to make out. I realise through my voice in this devastated land. My teacher and preacher guide me through difficult times. He tells me where I am faulting to realise truth. Many voices I hear, some are real, but most of them are unknown. Most of the people in this world have become violent. Instead of creating they destroy. Children are getting spoiled, learning from adults or near and dear ones, methods to torch others. When I reflect from past and whatever I learnt from books and scriptures, I realise we are heading to doomsday. There are so many groups of countries, aligned differently. There is no one who can teach them value of peace and tranquility. So I am there. Everywhere I go, through mind's capability and reach some place, there I help those who are neady. After that I comeback to my room. One may wonder how I come back in such a short time. I go through mind waves. Than being there I see our enemy. Than our forces come and defend their territory. So I wonder who created these boundaries. Our forefathers were busy in their politics which created devide. And those who were ruling were watching and happy to note that devide will be permanent and keep this subcontinent under boil for ever. If our politicians wanted, merger of these three countries was possible. But self centered motive and politics of vote based on cast and regionalism kept them preoccupied. So we see their alignment with devicive forces. End result is unrest and danger to our democracy.

[sankirtan]

(via Simple, Sincere and Purposeful Bhakti, Nothing Extra Needed | HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa | 2 Nov 2024 - YouTube)

**Simple, Sincere, and Purposeful Bhakti: Nothing Extra Needed** *By HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa* In our lives, we are driven by the need for meaning, a pursuit of what we perceive as valuable. Worship, an expression of this search for value, originates from "worth-ship" — placing value upon that which we deem worthy of our dedication and energy. When we commit to something wholeheartedly, our actions reveal what we value, becoming like a "vote" for those ideals. This concept is mirrored in the Sanskrit term "devotee," derived from the root "votare," meaning "to vow." A devotee, therefore, is one who has "voted" or vowed to place their energy and loyalty into a purposeful pursuit. The process of bhakti, or devotional service, revolves around directing our lives and intentions toward Krishna, the Supreme. Just as an economist might use the term "dollar votes" to determine what people value based on their spending, our actions and offerings in bhakti reflect our own values and priorities. Through this act of spiritual "voting," we consciously choose where we invest our time, energy, and thoughts. ### Krishna’s Vision of Devotion in the Bhagavad-gita One of Krishna’s profound teachings in the Bhagavad-gita emphasizes free will, the idea that we can choose what or whom we wish to worship. He presents various paths and values and then invites us to consider their consequences. Just as a community might gather to elect a leader, Krishna presents Himself as the ideal "candidate" for our worship, not for His own benefit but to fulfill our deepest needs and help us transcend worldly limitations. Krishna's encouragement is that a simple, sincere, and singular devotion is all that is necessary. When we focus our devotion with one-pointed attention on Krishna, everything else is taken care of. As Krishna explains, He personally provides for those who surrender fully to Him, relieving them of worldly anxieties and needs. This approach invites us to simplify our lives, centering them around purposeful worship rather than endless desires. ### The Govardhana Leela: Choosing Krishna as the Central Focus In the Govardhana Leela, the residents of Vrindavan initially prepare to perform the annual worship of Indra, the rain god. When Krishna questions their choice, He suggests that they instead direct their offerings to Govardhana Hill, which nourishes their lives and cows directly. Through a series of discussions, Krishna convinces them to focus their devotion on Govardhana as an embodiment of His own grace, shifting their attention from Indra. Indra, upon realizing that his worship has been redirected, becomes enraged. Feeling his status threatened, he retaliates, but Krishna lovingly rectifies his pride, reminding him that temporary power can be a dangerous intoxicant. This pastime highlights how Krishna Himself gently realigns our intentions, helping us recognize where lasting fulfillment truly lies — not in fleeting worldly positions but in direct, selfless service to Him. ### The Bhakti Path: Practical Devotion and Continuous Remembrance Bhakti is fundamentally practical. In the same way that devotees in Vrindavan offered their paraphernalia to Krishna, we too can find simple ways to worship, using whatever we have at hand. A heart-felt prayer, a simple offering, or even a commitment to a daily practice can be transformed into a purposeful act of bhakti. One way to remain centered on Krishna's plan is by seeking guidance from those who have walked the path before us, whether through teachers or through the scriptures. Additionally, maintaining connections with senior devotees, mentors, and spiritual teachers helps us realign our purpose when distractions arise. Krishna always places devotees in our lives who inspire us and provide insights into how we can deepen our practice, no matter our circumstances. ### Remaining Humble and Grateful: The Heart of Bhakti While the material world encourages pride and possession, Krishna shows us the transformative power of humility. When He rectifies Indra’s pride, it’s not punitive but rather a compassionate effort to bring him back into harmony. Krishna’s dealings with us are similarly compassionate, helping us reflect on our lives and turn back toward sincere devotion, even if we occasionally falter. Even when we encounter challenges or experience doubts, Krishna patiently guides us back to the essence of bhakti. The scriptures remind us that even a flawed approach in devotion is far more valuable than a perfectly executed material pursuit. Krishna’s love for His devotees transcends any of their shortcomings, and His invitation for surrender — as given in the Gita — assures that He will free us from all burdens if we simply rely on Him. ### Worship in the Present: A Legacy of Simplicity and Sincerity The simplicity of the Govardhana Puja reminds us that Krishna does not require elaborate rituals or unattainable perfection. What He values is our intent, our heartfelt offerings, and our sincere effort to honor Him. As the Vraja-vasis worshipped Govardhana Hill with flowers, food, and songs, they demonstrated that real devotion is not in ritual complexity but in the authenticity of the offering. Krishna’s approach — inviting us to simply "vote" for Him through our devotion — assures us that bhakti is inclusive and accessible. Whether through chanting, hearing sacred teachings, or performing simple acts of service, each of us can contribute to our spiritual growth and express our love for Krishna. In the words of Srila Prabhupada, following Krishna’s plan brings unexpected rewards, often far greater than our personal agendas. If we try to redirect Krishna’s arrangements for us, we may find ourselves entangled in unfulfilled pursuits. But when we align with His purpose, surrendering to His guidance, we experience the profound fulfillment of a life rooted in bhakti. By placing our “vote” in Krishna’s favor through sincere and simple devotion, we gradually come to realize that nothing extra is needed. Krishna Himself becomes our guide, our protector, and our fulfillment. This is the heart of bhakti: a life directed with purpose, centered on love, and filled with the grace of Krishna.

[hasufin]

Pretty much all of this.

Now, the thing is... very little of what rightwing authoritarians are doing right now is grounded in scripture. Like, there are a fefw passages which, if you've been doing hard drugs and then hit yourself in the face with a brick, very mildly admonishes against stuff like being gay. And there are deeply contradictory parts which can be contorted into being against but also very explicitly for abortion.

But this is all stuff that's on the same level as not wearing mixed fibers and not eating shrimp. But they're not out protesting the existence of seafood restaurants or trying to shut down fabric stores.

And there's a whole shittonne more in the Bible about forgiving debts (a thing which these same rightwing authoritarians are directly preventing) and welcoming foreigners (which, you know, they HATE).

So, I think it's not really religious. What it is, is rightwing authoritarianism hiding behind the claim of religion in order to not admit that their goal is to constantly be able to designate an Other and torture entire demographics in order to satisfy the primal urges of their voting base and thus be given free reign to otherwise loot our entire civilization until they've reinvented feudalism.

I literally do not care what the Bible says about any political issue. I am not Christian. Christian scripture should have zero effect on my life or my personal freedoms.