blackbird

All Canadians do not think the same way. There are many varied opinions. I think God and the Bible is central. God created everything and made science what it is. He gave man knowledge. What you do with it or don't is up to you and anyone else. We don't live in a Communist system where only one line of thinking is permitted. Isn't that what democracy and freedom of speech is all about.

No, I don't think so. You need to study the Bible. Genesis says God created the earth. It doesn't give the date but it is believed the earth (and universe) was created 12 to 15 thousand years ago. You probably don't believe that or the Bible, So you need to study the reasons why the Bible is authoritative and what many scientists believe about creation. If you study that you will be in a better position to make an informed decision about the issue. There are many articles on the internet and some are at creation.com website. Man is believed to have been created six to ten thousand years ago. The point is God created man and gave him dominion over all creatures a relatively short time ago. So that means God is in control. Atheist scientists who believe in the millions or billions of years theory think creation is some kind of cosmic accident and that there is no Creator in control. That is fiction. Creation could not have happened by accident. Do you really think that God, who knows the future and everything that is going to happen, would not be in control of the climate? I can tell you almost all climate alarmists and doom sayers do not believe the Bible and think man can control the climate. That is the reason they look at the figures around CO2 and the atmosphere and come to the climate alarmism conclusion. There is no proof man causes global warming. It is purely speculation. Speculation is not proof. They have a tendency to automatically blame man for everything that is happening in the weather or climate. It is ludicrous. There are a lot of things prophesied that will happen in the future, but the Bible says nothing about CO2 or global warming as a result. There are major calamities coming on the world but I don't think it has anything to do with burning fossil fuels. Many of the climate alarmists are worshiping mother earth, a false god. They would sacrifice mankind to save the planet in their mind. You can read the article on anthropogenic global warming at: A biblical and scientific approach to climate change - creation.com Part of the article says: "Correlation does not mean causation: That the temperature has been increasing along with the level of CO2 does not mean that one caused the other. For example, between June and December of 2008 both the temperature in Calgary AB Canada and the Toronto Stock Exchange Index decreased dramatically. However, one did not cause the other. Thus, the observation that the atmospheric temperature and CO2 concentration are both increasing does not mean that one is causing the other—either one may, indeed, be causing the other, or both could be being caused by something else, or they could be completely unrelated. Science is often captured by a ‘ruling paradigm’: A paradigm is a framework used by default for the interpretation of data. It is just assumed to be true. Sometimes this is done explicitly when scientists do not have a better idea and so they just run with the best idea they have, anticipating that they could be wrong. At other times, the ruling paradigm is subliminal or is being hidden by certain players in the game. In the latter cases, data that are inconsistent with the paradigm are treated as errors by the researcher or dismissed because the researcher is judged not to have appropriate credentials, unacceptable political leanings, any sort of religious beliefs, or funding sources deemed inappropriate. Or, if none of these applies, the errors are accommodated within the ruling paradigm by introducing ancillary hypotheses. The Ptolemaic geostationary model of the solar system is a well-known (false) paradigm that ruled the interpretation of astronomical observations for about 1,500 years. The big bang and biological evolution are two modern ruling paradigms in cosmology and biology/paleontology respectively. Thus, it should not surprise us that climate science has been captured by the ruling paradigm that anthropogenic CO2 will cause catastrophic climate change. Nothing else is considered. Peer-review does not ensure truth: Peer review, especially when coupled with publication in ‘prestigious’ scientific journals, has come to be taken as the ‘gold standard’ of science. And the contents of scientific papers are often treated as beyond question. There are numerous examples of failure in the peer review process. A prominent incident prompted one academic to write a scathing critique of peer review that was published in The Guardian:23 “At its worst, it [peer review] is merely window dressing that gives the unwarranted appearance of authority, a cursory process which confers no real value, enforces orthodoxy, and overlooks both obvious analytical problems and outright fraud entirely.” The Climategate emails (see later) showed that this problem afflicts climate science."

Take a look at this graph. Shows man contributes very little CO2.

The total CO2 is still only 0.04% of atmospheric gases, and of that man's contribution is insignificant. Almost all of the 0.04% is natural CO2, not from man-made fossil fuels. You haven't addressed that. This is all just a U.N. political scheme to bring in U.N. control of the populations.

If if the total man contributes has gone up from 6GT, it is still miniscule compared with the total CO2 in the atmosphere and the total is still only 0.04% of the total atmosphere. Water vapour is the cause. Far more water vapour in the atmosphere. So it is logical to believe CO2 is not the cause of global warming.

The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is 0.04% of the atmosphere. "The atmosphere contains 720 billion tons of CO2 and humans contribute only 6 GT additional load on this balance" Figure out from that how much of the CO2 in the atmosphere is produced by humans. "That means humans contribute 0.0083 % of the CO2. What is 0.0083 of 0.04? It is so small it is almost immeasurable. The amount of water vapour varies from a trace up to 4% of the atmosphere. Water vapour is what causes global warming. CO2 contributes very little to global warming. Man's contribution is so infinitely small that it is impossible to prove man causes global warming. The infinitesimally small amount man contributes would point to man not contributing to global warming. It would appear man contributes 0.00032 % of the CO2 in the atmosphere which is nearly nothing.

Of course the climate changes. That is agreed by most people. But what causes it is the issue. I don't think man causes climate change. Climate has always changed. It is driven by natural causes such as the changing radiation from the sun. There are far greater things to worry about in the world such as the new cold war developing between the U.S. (including the west) and the Russia-China alliance. China is a growing military and economic power and is doing whatever it can in the world to increase it's influence and power of western countries. Putin in Russia is also doing what he can to make Russia a serious superpower that would surpass America and the west.

You mean spend billions of dollars and create a welfare state where working people pay for every possible necessity of life plus all imaginable recreation and entertainment facilities for people that won't stay in school, get an education, and a job?

Books I have seen say Hitler was a Catholic. In fact the Vatican signed a Concordat between the Nazi government and the Vatican. The book "Smokescreens" by Jack T. Chick says "Read what the press of the Spanish dictator, Franco, published on the 3rd of May, 1945, the day after Hitler's death. It said, "Adolf Hitler, son the Catholic Church, died while defending Christianity." It goes on to say "Over his mortal remains stands his victorious moral figure. With the palm of the martyr, God gives Hitler the laurels of Victory." Hitler himself stated, "I learned much from the Order of the Jesuits. Until now, there has never been anything more grandiose, on the earth, than the hierarchical organization of the Catholic Church. I transferred much of this organization into my own party." Get the book "Smokescreens". The 100 million dead figure from Communist revolutions in the 20th century is the number given on various articles on the internet. Who cares what the exact number is? We know Communism is a diabolical ideology that killed millions. Tens of millions died under Chairman Mao during the Communist revolution, the Cultural revolution, and the Great Leap Forward.

Yes, but there are different ideas about the Old and New Testament. Most churches do not follow most of the rules and regulations given to the Jews in the Old Testament. There has always in the last 2,000 years been the Old Testament (which was the Jewish Bible and later the part of the Christian Bible) and the New Testament which was written after Christ came. This is a somewhat complex theological subject and takes a bit of study. I am no expert in it and don't claim to be. "Conclusion The teachings of Jesus, the Council of Jerusalem, and other New Testament teachings (John 1:16-17, Acts 13:39, Romans 2:25-29, 8:1-4, 1 Corinthians 9:19-21, Galatians 2:15-16, Ephesians 2:15) make it clear that Christians are not required to follow the Old Testament rules about crimes and punishments, warfare, slavery, diet, circumcision, animal sacrifices, feast days, Sabbath observance, ritual cleanness, etc. Christians still look to the Old Testament scripture for moral and spiritual guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17). But when there seems to be a conflict between Old Testament laws and New Testament principles, we must follow the New Testament because it represents the most recent and most perfect revelation from God (Hebrews 8:13, 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Galatians 2:15-20). However, freedom from the Old Testament Law is not a license for Christians to relax their moral standards. The moral and ethical teachings of Jesus and His apostles call for even greater self-discipline than those of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-42, 43-48, 7:1-5, 15:18-19, 25:37-40, Mark 7:21-23, 12:28-31, Luke 12:15, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Galatians 5:19-21, James 1:27, 2:15-16, 1 John 3:17-19)." - christianbiblereference.org

Leviticus is part of the Old Testament law which only applied to Israel several thousand years ago. It does not apply to Christians and never did. The only things that apply to Christianity are things like the the ten commandments that are valid through all time and restated in other parts of the Bible or New Testament. This is not really a debate about abortion but since you ask, "24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;" Isaiah 44:24 KJB This verse and other similar verse show God considers the unborn as persons and therefore they fall under the command "thou shalt not kill". Exodus 20:13 KJB

I won't try to answer all of your points now because of time required. But will answer this one and leave the rest for later. If you are speaking about religious folks, you are correct. There are many different religions in the world. The so-called Christians that committed war crimes and started wars were not Bible-believing Christians. Romanism is not Biblical Christianity. Hitler and his henchmen were Roman Catholics. So if you are judging by all the false religion in the world, of course you could say they started a lot of religious wars. But my comments were specifically referring to the teachings of the Bible which forbid unjust killing and aggression. Bible believers don't oppress women and gays. That is another fallacy you have fallen for. The Bible teaches men are to love their wives as themselves (Ephesians). Bible believers don't believe in homosexuality and don't believe it is the proper way to live, but they don't oppress them or bother them. I was specifically referring in my comments to the Bible as a guide, not various religions and people. They are not a guide. Communist revolutions has resulted in at least 100 million deaths in the 20th century. The world wars killed more people in the 20th century that any other wars all through the history. They were not exactly religious wars. Jesus taught to love thy neighbour as thyself. I can't see how you can fault true Biblical Christianity for that. Missionaries who are following the Bible do not "oppress the savages" as you claim. They teach them the true gospel and try to help them live a civilized life in accordance with Bible teaching.

The problem with anyone using his own reasoning as the ultimate guide of truth and error is that it has proven to be a failure throughout history and is not a reliable or trustworthy guide. We don't need to look far in history to realize that. The Communists, the Naziis both thought there own reasoning or ideology was the best there was. It resulted in 100 million deaths in the 20th century and unimaginable suffering and continues to cause that. The prisons are full of people who thought their own way was the right way. Society is full of people who think their own way is the best way. Sometimes, they are fortunate that it works out for them in business or their personal life. Often it does not work out. The Bible on the other hand reveals why our own way is the wrong way. It teaches how there is a far larger dimension to life and the world than the visible material universe. It teaches us that the material universe will not bring genuine lasting happiness. It teaches us that our own way may be disastrous and will not lead us down the best path. It teaches us that there is a God who created us and created everything for his own glory. It tells us that God loves us and that we are primarily accountable to him. It teaches us that there is a purpose for our lives and that human life is a gift from God and it is sacred, that is, that only God has the right to end it. Even though there is often suffering in life, we need to look to him and his word for understanding of how to deal with it. There is a reason for everything even though we may not fully understand it. We need to trust in him. But before one can trust in him, there must be a complete transformation. In the Bible, that is called the new birth. The gospel of John speaks about that. It can't be just a desire to change one's ways and try to be a good person or do good deeds. That is not what the transformation is. It requires a new birth as spoken in the first chapters of the gospel of John. One must be delivered from this present evil world and transformed into the kingdom of God's Son. One then becomes a child of God. It can happen instantly when one turns or is converted to Christ. It is not done by good works. It is accomplished by God's grace through faith. Ephesians ch2: 8, 9 Anything short of that will not do it. This faith is a gift from God and it comes through study of the word of God. "17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 KJB

I don't know where you get your statistics, but most of the gun crime is not in smaller towns or rural areas. It is in places like Toronto and is committed mostly by black people whose folks came from places like Haiti or Africa. Most shootings by young men associated with gangs. If they could take the guns away from these people, there would be a lot less shootings. But then the police would be accused of racism for searching black neighbourhoods. and residences. Also most shooting are not done with so-called assault weapons or long guns. Criminals don't use those kind of guns. They use hand guns that they can easily hide. Law-abiding guns collectors and target shooters are not the ones doing the crimes. You don't reduce the number of killings unless you go after the right people and the right guns.

The problem with "the fewer guns, ...the better" idea is the law-abiding gun owners like hunters and target shooters are not he ones killing people. It is the criminals with illegal guns that are doing most of the killing. Most of these killers are in the major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, etc. If the government really wanted to reduce gun crime and killing with guns it would eliminate all the illegal guns in these cities. They would be searching every suspected place where there might be guns. But they don't do that probably because of charter rights advocates and they would be accused of racism. You know who does most of the shooting in Toronto. We already have armed security guards for some things, like Loomis and Guardia, that handle the money being shipped in and out of banks. Why not allow someone to be trained as an armed security guard to protect the staff and businesses that are the target of criminals? Don't have to give a handgun to everyone. But there are certain businesses in areas of cities that are targets of criminals. They need armed security. Are they allowed now to hire armed security guards? Why prevent these businesses from protecting themselves?

Liberals are changing the laws now to give lighter sentences for visible minorities and abolish minimum mandatory sentences.

The Liberals are bringing in new laws to change the criminal justice system (allegedly to tackle racism). So I guess this means visible minorities will get much lighter sentences than those terrible old stock Canadians. Visible minorities, whose crimes are not considered that serious, will not be subject to minimum mandatory sentences and may be sentenced to house arrest instead. This all fits in to the Liberal ideology of turning a blind eye to evil and hate for law-abiding citizens.

BCTV news reported tonight a huge number of store robberies in Vancouver in the last month or so done by criminals with knives, a gun, baseball bat, and just sheer physical force. These tough guys just push the store clerk or owner aside and take what they want. Showed them on security cameras. Bet that doesn't happen in the states where the store owners can own a gun for protection of himself and his staff and goods. Not allowed in Canada. If the police even catch them, the punishment will be a slap on the wrist. Not much deterrent. Many states also have capital punishment for criminals who kill somebody. They don't mess around with a slap on the wrist like Canada.

The real issue is all this confiscation of guns from law-abiding citizens will not stop all the shootings which are done mainly by gang members and people who seem to easily get illegal handguns. This will do nothing to reduce the shootings by the criminals with illegal hand guns. Secondly, minister Blair says there is no right in Canada to own a gun. He says it is a privilege. Why doesn't he tell that to all the criminals who have illegal handguns? Who is protecting the law-abiding citizens from the criminals with the guns?

The "sign off on any request for death" is wrong from the start. Such a law or practice is evil in itself. As I have said repeatedly, killing is forbidden in God's written revelation to man, the Bible. On top of that, "will be screened out" is not necessarily true. A man in Chilliwack, BC, who was not really old, suffered from depression and had mental issues, but he was given assisted death against the wishes of his relatives. The question of why God allowed wars, famines, murder, rape, torture, etc. is a common question. According to Biblical theology or teaching, it is because man rebelled against God when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. They were tempted by the serpent (Satan) and fell for it. This was commonly called the fall of man. It immediately meant all their descendants were born with a corrupt, fallen nature and the world became a corrupt evil place with wars, diseases, crime, etc. God is sovereign and man who was created by God should not question or argue with God as to why these things happen. The Bible does answer a lot of these questions. I am not a theologian and can only give or find some basic answers about some things. Many answers are also available to Google. God still is in control of this world and life. He gave man free will also, but with man's fallen nature, man on his own chooses evil continually. God allows this for his greater purposes and glory. But he also sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Savior for those who believe in him. That is what the Bible is mainly about. Yes there is forgiveness, but only for those who accept and believe on his Son Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Bible makes it clear there is no forgiveness apart from one becoming a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

I'm glad if your brother is not suffering. That is a big plus. Hopefully the pain medication will continue to work for him. I am not Roman Catholic. My only rule of faith is the King James Bible. But I agree with the ten points listed on page 2 why MAID must be opposed. I disagree with Roman Catholic religious theology for the most part. But I agree with them on these subjects. If it is in the Bible, we can only agree. This is a question of taking someone's life, which is condemned in the Bible. There are only few exceptions when human life may be taken, such as defense in war, defense in police work, and capital punishment for murderers. Aside from that, there is no allowance in the Bible for taking life because one thinks it will reduce suffering. At what point would a line be drawn. Leaving it up to the individual also does not make it right. MAID opens a pandora's box. It was first legalized in 2016 with a certain number of restrictions but that put Canada on the slippery slope and now the new legislation is proposing to make it even easier to get MAID. It will put many people at increased risk, especially handicapped people, older people who might not be able to think clearly, people with mental issues and even young people and others. Many people suffer depression at different times in their life and many might think this is an easy way out. I don't see opposition to MAID as authoritarian or oppressive. Human life is sacred and must be protected at all stages from conception to natural death. The reason as I have said is because God condemns killing humans. The Bible says in Genesis God created man in his own image and gave a special place in the world. He place a soul and spirit in man and even though we must face death, our soul does not die but returns to God who gave it. We will be held accountable for our lives on earth after death. So it is not my personal opinion and it is not my wish that anyone suffer, but I must follow my Creator who alone creates life and ends it.

The Bible has many predictions about the future that came to pass. Like Isaiah ch53 predicted 700 years before it came to pass. Hardly something mere men could predict. Proof that it originated from God.

You wanted some proof about God and the Bible. There is proof in the Bible. If you knew that a book made numerous predictions about the future and then these predictions came to pass, would that mean anything to you? There are a number of such predictions or prophecies in the Bible that came to pass. One of the important ones is written by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 53. This was written 700 years before Christ, but describes what happened to Christ very well. Isaiah is part of the Old Testament or Jewish Bible. Yet this chapter predicts what happened to Christ 700 years before it happened. Such an accurate prediction could not be invented by man and had to be the work of God. A one hour video explaining this prophecy would be worth watching. This is very strong proof that the Old Testament was written by men inspired by God. youtube.com/watch?v=E97P-wTAzfc Or go to youtube and search for John MacArthur: For the Authority of Scripture

"THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE Richard L. Mayhue Senior Vice President and Dean Professor of Theology and Pastoral Ministries After a brief look at the general concept of “authority,” this essay continues with an introductory discussion concerning the authority of God. It is developed in terms of (1) the declarations of Scripture; (2) the displays in God’s names, nature, and prerogatives; and (3) Satan’s denial. Then, God’s authority is discussed as it is invested in Scripture in the sense that the Bible is the voice of God and therefore speaks with His full authority. God’s authority in Scripture can thus be described as original, unalterable, exclusive, permanent, ultimate, obligatory, and consequential. Scripture is to be authoritatively preached and submissively obeyed since the Author of and the authority within will reward righteous obedience and condemn those who disregard and disobey His authority in Scripture. * * * * * The concept of authority is thoroughly woven into the fabric of Scripture. It is unmistakably obvious from Gen 1:1 (“In the beginning God created …” 1 ) to Rev 22:20 (“Yes, I am coming quickly.”) and everywhere between. This idea of “ultimate right” is inextricably linked with God’s sovereignty (Rom 11:36). Just how important is the authority of Scripture? Listen carefully to one of the preeminent Reformers when he spoke to this very question at the Diet of Worms in April, 1521. Martin Luther, under intense pressure to recant regarding “justification by faith” and other recently embraced truths from the Bible, responded to Meister Eck in this fashion: Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen. What is truly known about authority did not originate outside of Scripture, but rather within. Thus, it is not a secular concept that has been co-opted by religion. On the contrary, it is a sacred element of the very Person of God. What Scripture properly teaches about authority has actually been shamefully distorted by this world’s system and wrongfully employed by all world religions. This essay intends to explore what Scripture itself teaches about authority, especially its own. AUTHORITY The rightful idea of authority has fallen on hard times at the start of the twenty-first century. Illegitimate forms and expressions of authority range from the illegal and abusive exercise of authoritarianism/totalitarianism to individual authority which emerges from a postmodern mindset of selfishness. The appropriate approach to the discussion commences with a working definition of authority in general, especially legitimate authority exercised in a proper fashion. A representative dictionary definition records that authority is the “Power or right to enforce obedience; moral or legal supremacy; right to command or give a final decision.” 3 Bernard Ramm suggests, Authority itself means that right or power to command action or compliance, or to determine belief or custom, expecting obedience from those under authority, and in turn giving responsible account for the claim to right or power.4 The NT noun (102 times) most commonly translated “authority” is ¦>@LF\" (exousia). A representative lexical definition reads, “The power exercised by rulers or others in high position by virtue of their office.” 5 There are many approaches to authority in a secular worldview, e.g., 1. oligarchical – authority exercised by a powerful few. 2. democratic – authority exercised by the people. 3. hereditary – authority exercised by those in a particular family. 4. despotic – authority exercised by one or more in an evil fashion. 5. personal – authority exercised by one person. However, with a biblical worldview, original authority and ultimate authority reside with God and God alone. God did not inherit His authority—there was no one to bequeath it to Him. God did not receive His authority—there was no one to bestow it on Him. God’s authority did not come by way of an election—there was no one to vote for Him. God did not seize His authority—there was no one to steal it from. God did not earn His authority—it was already His. God inherentl yembodies authority because He is the great “I AM” (Exod 3:14; John 8:58) -tms.edu Notice the article says God will reward righteous obedience to Scripture and condemn those who disregard and disobey His authority in Scripture. The fact that there is a God who revealed himself in his creation and communicated his revelation to man in the Holy Scripture means we are accountable to Him.

"19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" Romans 1:19, 20 So you see, the proof of God is all around you in the creation, but you can't see it.