blackbird

" B.C.: Billions spent on mental health and addictions, along with a decriminalization model and safe supply project that haven’t reduced deaths The government of B.C. has invested almost $2 billion of direct, indirect and targeted funding into the province’s toxic drug crisis since 2014, according to an audit by Glacier Media. However, experts say these investments have not done enough to lower the number of overdose deaths." Adding up the billions of government dollars directed at Canada’s opioid crisis - Business in Vancouver (biv.com) Surely two billion dollars could have gone a long way to improving the health care system and other problems in B.C.

I agree we have spent enough time on this. I don't see any sign of reaching agreement on the thing that matters, the word of God. I don't believe it is productive to go on with useless debates back and forth. You either accept the written word of God or you just want to debate it endlessly. The Bible teaches that the fool rejects the word of God. I accept it as absolutely true. It is the key to forgiveness and eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. " 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {ungodly: or, wicked} 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. " Psalm 1 KJV

What I said is absolutely within the definition of freedom of speech. Why do you want to ban someone from speaking and still claim to believe in the Charter of Rights and be a Canadian? We have a few Ayatollahs on this forum who want to dictate what others can speak. You're in good company.

That requires more time and I don't have it tonight. I have taken a particular interest in the versions issue and was convinced the KJV 1611 is the inerrant, preserved word of God. I have read a lot of information on it and am studying a book on the versions right now and have been for some time. But I don't have time now to get into it in detail. Maybe tomorrow. There is convincing evidence that the KJV 1611 is the absolutely accurate inspired English translation of the original manuscripts which no longer exist. Leave that for another day.

You're hilarious now. Of course what Jesus said is absolutely true. Of course the Old Testament is inerrant. I never suggested it wasn't. The question is how you interpret the vast number of things in the Bible. That requires some study and takes time. Not every thing is simple or black and white. That's all I meant.

Carbon emission caps will do nothing to stop forest fires or anything else except make millions of people poorer.

Nobody said it was. You don't understand the world we live in. Knowledge about anything is communicated from one person to another. How do you think schools, colleges, and universities work. People learn from the teachers and professors. Everything you know had to come from someone else whether it was in an institution or a book or paper. Nobody said you are required to believe what I believe just because I said something. At the same time, what I say might be the truth, whether you believe it or not. You seem to have the idea that everyone's speech should be controlled and you should not have to hear anything you don't believe or agree with.. That is how Ayatollah's or dictators think. In Canada we have freedom of speech and freedom of religion. You don't accept that. Why are you here? I never said I have the right to impose anything. That is just your twisted way of thinking.

I have read most of it but not all books of the Old Testament. There are some books that are difficult I admit. But I do understand that some books in the Old Testament are historical in nature and everything cannot be taken to apply to Christianity today. There is no stoning of people in Christianity. I have studied countless articles in commentaries on subjects in the Bible. I have studied many booklets, and written material and listened to countless sermons in several different churches on central subjects of the Bible over the last 44 years. Unless the Holy Spirit teaches them what it said, they won't learn anything. So your question doesn't really prove a lot. There are 66 books of the Bible and modern versions are corrupt and based on corrupt manuscripts. I have ample proof that in English only the King James Bible (1611) is accurate and trustworthy. So reading the Bible from cover to cover doesn't necessarily prove anything because people often don't understand what they read or it doesn't sink in. Doctrines sometimes take guidance from Bible teachers or books to fully understand. I have lots of information in other theology books as well written by godly men that have a lot of teaching that is backed up by the Bible. The Bible cannot be interpreted as just one book. It is impossible to understand many things in the Bible without some help from books or teachers. One can learn a lot by just reading the Bible, but to really understand certain things requires some guidance by theological books or books that expound certain themes and doctrines. I can find the answer to a lot of things and find the scripture verses to back them up. I have spent a lot of time studying things. There is lots I don't know I admit. But I know some of the basics about how to understand what parts apply to Christianity and what parts in the Old Testament do not apply to Christianity. It is not as simple as some people think.

Not true. You are making up things again. Christian denominations have common beliefs about what the Bible teaches in many things. You can read those beliefs in church confessions and statements of faith. You can google them and see for yourself. What people believe has to be backed up with the correct interpretation of the Bible. That is nonsense. Again you make a broad silly claim without any basis. What truth do you have that is the opposite of what the Bible teaches? What is the source of such a truth?

That is not the Ten Commandments. Those are laws that only applied to Israel several thousand years ago. They have nothing to do with Christianity which began 2,000 years ago. This shows your complete ignorance. Who is advocating stoning children or adulterers, or not eating shrimp? Tell us who. You are cherry picking something out of the Old Testament which Christians know is just recorded history that only applied to Israel at that time in history. That does not apply today or have anything to do with Christianity. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses and are a different matter. Some of those commandments are repeated in the New Testament and are eternal commands that nobody would disagree with. Some of them are enshrined in law centuries ago because they are universally accepted. Thou shall not steal, thou shall not kill, thou shall not covet thy neighbour's property or wife, etc. Who would in their right mind disagree with that? That is where our laws on those things came from. Also God created man and woman and told them to go forth an multiply. The Bible teaches the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. Nobody in their right mind agrees with teaching children they can change their sex. This is wrong from every level. Christian oppose this kind of ideology being brainwashed into minds of young kids in schools. It is absolutely right for Christians to oppose that. It is also right for Christians to oppose the killing of pre-born babies. That is not trying to impose a theocracy. It is just the right thing to do. You sadly don't know anything at all about Christianity or the Bible. I have often seen people like you cherry pick something out of the Old Testament and try to use it to smear Christianity. It is really sad. I feel sorry for you. You said "You want a theocracy, move to Saudi Arabia." Again you are lying through your teeth. I never advocated a theocracy and don't think any normal Christian would. Wanting sensible laws is the purpose of government. Everyone wants to see law and order. That is all that talking about Biblical principles refers to. It does not mean Christians want a theocratic dictatorship. Stop listening to radical Satan worshipers and anarchist lefty liberals. You are brainwashed with a false view of Christianity.

You have said nothing. Just referred to the law of Moses as being backward. With no explanation. What is backward about it?

Could you explain that please?

What exactly does "separation of church and state" mean?

I think we have lots of Ayatollahs here.

Saying it is private means what? Everyone has freedom of speech in Canada. Freedom of speech means people who believe in the Bible can speak out against some laws and government policies that they believe are wrong. An example is teaching kids sexual orientation and gender identity, that is, teaching them that they can change their gender or teaching them that they can have sex before marriage (fornication). Everyone is free to speak against anything. People and organizations often speak against things in Parliament or outside Parliament because it goes against their religious beliefs. Do you believe people have the right to speak against things that go against their religious beliefs? Or do you believe like the Ayatollah Khomeini that I have no right to speak about anything you disagree with? When you say separation of religion and state, what exactly do you mean? Explain that. Are you trying to ban people from speaking about certain things?

Human CO2 emissions are about 3% of the atmospheric CO2. Natural CO2 is 97% of the atmospheric CO2. The total CO2 in the atmosphere is about 400 parts per million (PPM). This is called a trace gas. Out of that approximately 400 PPM Canada produces about 0.18 PPM. That is negligible or almost nothing. It is time to wake up and realize this whole thing is total nonsense. We are being sold a bill of goods by the U.N. and people like Trudeau and Greta Thunberg. Sadly millions believe these people who have no idea what they are talking about. Canada could kill all its energy industries, stop driving gas or diesel vehicles and stop heating homes with LNG or oil and it wouldn't make the slightest difference to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere or affect the climate. The whole idea of blaming mankind for climate change is ludicrous and insane.

" North America, with its vast resources, may be in a position to save the economies of the west. But governments on both sides of the border seem more concerned with green virtue signaling than actually finding a workable approach to carbon emissions that does not undermine our economies and ability to defend ourselves. The prevailing notion, both in Ottawa and D.C., is that our countries should ignore our resources, and how best to use them, in order to fulfill a messianic vision of massive, rapid emissions reduction. Canada’s proposed carbon tax, pushed through media at government expense , and zealously promoted by Mark Carney , who thinks mass decarbonization, as epitomized by Europe, provides the road map to prosperity, despite the continent’s consistent economic lethargy. This approach has also poisoned politics as not all provinces are affected equally by the initiative. The institution of the carbon tax and other measures by government and through the relentless pressure of green non-profits, to get a 40 per cent emissions cut by 2030 may be the toast of investment bankers betting on cashing in on forced changes. But for taxpayers, the impact will vary by province. Fossil fuels account for five per cent of Canada’s overall GDP but four times as much in Calgary, Newfoundland and Labrador." Joel Kotkin: Western nations cripple their economies with green initiatives while China and others laugh (msn.com) The liberals and left are bent on fighting climate change. No amount of reasoning with them makes any difference. They have a death cult mentality and are determined to take the rest of the country down with them.

Apparently you can't understand what I posted. The verse I posted says in part "the evidence of things not seen". How is that no evidence? It is evidence to the person who has the right faith. We can't see Jesus rise from the dead with our physical eyes, but Christians believe it because the Bible says he did and many eyewitnesses saw him after he was resurrected. You drink water because you believe it is safe to do so. That is faith. You drive through an intersection with a green light because you believe everyone else will stop for the red light. That is faith. The evidence that God created the universe is there before our eyes. It is the evidence that complex things exist, things that required an intelligent designer, Creator. The bird, animals, plants, flowers, and of course, humans. The Bible is full of supernatural events which occurred and which we believe happened. That is faith. There is no reason for not believing certain things by faith. Faith is also a gift of God. Some do not have faith for whatever reason. The Bible says "17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 KJV The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. The evidence for faith is not an absolute thing. But it is not really correct to say faith has no evidence or to say it is not a reliable path to truth. That is a false claim. The King James Bible of 1611 is full of evidence that it came from God.

That just proves your depravity and how you love the sinful nature. You believe if something is not specifically written in the Constitutuion or laws, it must be ok. In fact, that doesn't limit you either. You scoff and mock God and the Bible. Your belief system or lack thereof is why we have thousands of drug addicts and thousands dying from poison drugs or overdosing, that's why we have sexual abuse, domestic abuse, alcoholism, crime, theft, murders, and a disastrous justice system that constantly catches and releases repeat offenders. That's why we have rampant bullying in schools and rebellious young people. I could go on and on. The Bible describes the last days we are living in. There is little respect for parental authority or authority of any kind. Just do your own thing is your motto.

For many people life is a free-for-all and do your thing as much as they can get away with. Booze, drugs, free love, why not? That's why we have people dying every day from illegal and harmful drugs. That's why we have a catch and release justice system. That's why we have many mental people walking the streets and some stabbing people for the heck of it. Very little consequences. Maybe a few years in a care home of some kind and then released again to do more harm. We even have some people protesting against involuntary detention for mental problems or drug addiction. When their family member gets stabbed to death, they quickly change their tune. It's why sexual orientation and gender identity is taught to kids in school. Free love and do your own thing is what it is all about. No boundaries, just do what feels good now and forget the consequences and future. And if things go bad, you can always ask for assisted suicide and bow out. Why not if there is no God and we are not accountable? They are fooling themselves because whether one believes it or not, we are accountable.

"1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Hebrews 11:1-3 KJV

So just leave Hamas and Hezbollah alone so they can continue to attack Israel at will.

Another bold-faced lie.

Why do you think Israel has no right to defend itself? How would you do it? How would you eliminate Hamas? Or do you think they should be left to attack again?

" In an interview with the Jewish News Syndicate last month, Cotler spoke of his fellow Liberals. “The Canadian government made some important and timely statements but the actions it has taken have not been supportive,” Cotler said . Regarding the arms embargo on Israel announced by Joly: “Doing that, in the midst of a just war that Israel is prosecuting as it exerts its right to self-defence, means rewarding Hamas. While it is not the intention, it ends up being the effect.” " Israeli officials were keen for the visits, especially that of U.S. President Joe Biden. They requested a visit and Biden agreed. Within roughly a fortnight of the attacks, Biden was on the ground in Tel Aviv. The heads of government of Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and the United Kingdom visited in the first three weeks, as well as the head of the European Union. That’s five of the G7 countries. The sixth, Japan’s prime minister, met with Israel’s president in Dubai in December. That leaves the seventh, Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided not to visit. He still hasn’t. Indeed, in nine years as prime minister, Trudeau has only made one visit to Israel, for the 2016 funeral of former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres. He could hardly have stayed away from that. Even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was present, as well as the Prince of Wales; two U.S. presidents spoke at the memorial. More remarkable still, Israeli officials have not been keen for Trudeau to come. Friends of Israel in Canada, including leading Jewish organizations, have not been encouraging him to visit, either. Better to keep a lukewarm friend at a distance. Whether Trudeau and Joly are accused of pandering by their partisan rivals is not of great import. Pandering, after all, is a negative term for virtue signalling, which the Liberals pride themselves on doing, at the ready to take a knee for the cameras. They just do so without a clear moral compass. Joly objects to Poilievre’s criticism that she panders to Hamas supporters. But would she object as strongly if she realized what Hamas itself thought of her?" Raymond J. de Souza: Trudeau and Joly have made Canada into Hamas's greatest G7 ally (msn.com)