prisonchaplain

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Everything posted by prisonchaplain

  1. I taught US History to 1865 to seventh graders last years, so yes--AMEN. Sadly, many of them worked for the US or state governments. 😞
  2. There is so much cynicism, realism, negativity, and polarization today that many people will be seduced by anyone who can communicate well and who is passionate about their message. She succeeded for so long because those duped wanted her to be right. Scarier yet, perhaps she had convinced herself. Believing she was sincere is a tougher pill to swallow than thinking she was scamming from the get-go.
  3. God created us male and female. He created us in His image. So, while it is appropriate to use male pronouns, God is more than male, more than female. We all lay equal claim to being image bearers. The doctrine of the rapture may introduce some differences of opinion. Nevertheless, I suspect that most on this site agree that the return of Jesus is imminent. That is, we must live our lives as if the Master could return at any time. We have varying opinions about leadership and human politics. However, the ultimate answers lie with God, with the gospel, and with laser focus on the Master's will and way.
  4. I've always wanted to be part of the 1%. I'm basically conservative, but in this era of no compromise, I feel more like a moderate--more like the 1%. 😉
  5. Does God have a feminine side or aspect or nature? I don't know. He chose to reveal himself as Father. Jesus, as His Son. The Spirit may not express maleness, but I believe He is the correct pronoun. Trinitarians believe that these three are one in essence. LDS theology is that the three are united in purpose. I'm not sure how much more I can add. I will say that The Shack mostly helps people consider God, even though are know there are some Christians who are offended by the film's depiction of God as an African American women, a Jewish young man, and an Asian young woman.
  6. 2016 I was holding my nose to vote. 2020 I cut off my nose to vote. 2024 Please, please let NO LABELS succeed!
  7. It suddenly dawns on me that the chocolate milk was spiked. Outside view here, but that's just wrong.
  8. First, single people pay through the nose on taxes--more than married people. That's not the problem. Married people pay more than two people living together. Because single parents endure more hardships couples often find it advantageous, for tax reasons, not to marry. It's not uncommon to hear that a couple is choosing to live in sin because they cannot afford the added taxes they would incur if they married. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marriage-penalty.asp BTW, most people of faith agree with @JohnsonJones. Most also know that wanting a return to the morality of yesteryear is desirable but unlikely given today's cultural climate.
  9. Vancouver, WA kind of covers Oregon too, since it's just north of Portland.
  10. Technically the Vancouver, BC temple is actually in Langley (yes, I've been there--on public tour)
  11. Ways to encourage two-parent families: 1. End the marriage penalty (quite making couples who marry pay more taxes than those who are shacking up) 2. End the death tax (why shouldn't parents be allowed to pass down to their children the fruits of their labors without government confiscating the lion's share of it?) 3. Expand the Earned Income Credit (this is actually a moderate-to-liberal idea, but one I like) 4. Raise the income rates at which child credits become less then phase out 5. Encourage school choice--especially through tuition tax credits 6. Generally promote a culture of life rather than a culture of death. Population control schemes tend to end badly. Besides, wealthier countries are already running the risk of depopulation.
  12. So you ARE an SJW--and could easily be a moderate Republican (though moderate anything sounds just strange these days). 😉
  13. I'm not judging your friends. However, some who say they've accepted Jesus really haven't. There's a Christian song that has a great line: What about the change? What about the difference? No, we don't earn our salvation, but true salvation results in gratitude--and change. We become new creatures--ones that in word, thought, and deed are heaven-bound. Then there are those who've too eagerly embraced the "once saved always saved" heresy. They truly believe they've gotten "fire insurance" (Get Out of Hell free). Rather than debate a doctrine that I know LDS do not accept, I'll simply point out that even if that teaching were true, then there should be some evidence of true salvation. The notion that we can say a prayer while harboring full intention to keep right on sinning and still become right with God is wrong. God's not fooled. Sadly, some people are.
  14. You're about 80 years out of date. Pentecostals were looked down upon by the mostly Calvinist Evangelicals in the early 1940s. However, the Assemblies of God was eventually accepted into the National Association of Evangelicals. Today it is one of the largest denominations in the group. So, yes, most Pentecostals are considered a subset of Evangelicals.
  15. On the political side (and this issue is older than I am), we could do away with the marriage penalty.
  16. Not exactly. However, we have two papers that cover most of the issues: one on sexuality (homosexuality, gender identity, purity, etc.) and another on domestic violence. You may be aware that most Evangelicals (including AoG) believe that in the life to come we will love all of our brothers and sisters more than we currently love our family members but that we will not marry or give in marriage.
  17. Which is more difficult an Evangelical or someone who converts to a polygamous LDS off-shoot? 😉
  18. I'm not sure which is worse, Halloween, or songs like It's Christmas at Denny's Again. Then again, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer might be worse than either. 😉
  19. I seem to recall a story about a Utah teacher who had open reading time in the classroom. One student pulled out his Book of Mormon and the teacher said no, not religious books. Seeing that I thought, "There's a lawsuit just waiting to be filed."
  20. I toyed with starting this topic in current events but realized that family is a central gospel theme. LDS families are forever. Further, I recall as a young teenager, watching the film (just dated myself, didn't I?) series: Focus on the Family. Google the phrase "two parent privilege," and you will find that several articles pop up. Rather than admitting that our faith is right--that intact families provide the best upbringing, modern culture is framing this as privilege. The conservative backlash is that every child has a right to a two-parent home. It's not privilege--it's God's intended order. :::Sigh::: Here we are! How do we respond when society admits we're right and then wants to punish our children for us being so?
  21. #1. They usually distinguish "religion" (organized existing practice, such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam) and "spiritual" (higher power, inclusive, accepting of all). #2. Their point is that they do not want to be called non-religious or atheist, but neither do they want to be labeled in a way that forces commitment to one religion over another. Whether that makes sense is an open question. I say that to respect all is to commit to none. The spirituality proponent might retort that love wins, love is love, and non-judgment is a higher spirituality. Perhaps related: When someone makes the mistake of saying they don't believe in "organized religion," I tell them, "Good. You'll love my church."
  22. Well, hey, why wasn't there a flammable sign on the thing. How was my kid to know???!!! 🔥🧯🚒
  23. It could be the feared Y2K bug. Ironically, computers used 99 rather than 1999 because memory was limited and expensive back in the day. The fear was that nuclear weapons computers, air traffic control, energy power grids etc. would all go haywire at midnight 1/1/00.
  24. Aw, come on @Jamie123, are you telling me you don't like THIS Tattoo: