blackbird

Please explain how there is any merit at all in terrorism or any merit in a discussion of the alleged merits of terrorism. This needs to be explained.

I doubt if that is even legal.

One of the U.S. states has a representative in the State government who voted against a law which would stop any insurance company from making a payout to relatives of someone who is killed while committing an act of terrorism or fighting for terrorists. Apparently two people out of 50 voted against the law. So there are people in the U.S. and even in a state government who think terrorist's family should be able to collect insurance money if a terrorist is killed.

That may be true and it is deplorable. But the goal here is to prevent an all-out war with N. Korea (and maybe China which backed N. Korea in the Korean War), which could involve nuclear weapons, that could kill millions of people on both sides. A war of words hasn't worked. Maybe it's time to try to get him to calm down and negotiate.

The same could be said for a lot of dictators in the world. They are absolutely corrupt and commit heinous crimes. But you still have to deal with them and if it is possible to avoid an all out war with N. Korea, then you have to do what you have to do. War could mean millions of innocent people would die on both sides. If you can placate your enemies with a few words, then by all means do that and try to get them to cool off. It does not mean you condone what they have done. When your enemy has his finger on the nuclear trigger, you better use your head.

I actually enjoy listening to President Trump. I believe the wall will make a difference. He seems to have some good ideas. I'm glad to see he doesn't bow and scrape to the mainstream media. I think they are biased probably because they are so used to being close to liberals and having their own way. Somebody comes along that is contrary to the liberal agenda has thrown them off balance. He doesn't follow the script they expect him to follow. He is on CNN right now making some good comments about N. Korea, praising Kim Jung Un a little bit. This is makes a lot of sense. Instead of calling him down at a time when there is a serious threat with N. Korea, he is trying to establish some kind of communication and cool the situation off. This might not be a bad idea. Of course democrats are condemning Trump's comments. Nothing else has worked, so why not give it a try? It doesn't matter what Trump says or does; the democrats condemn it. If there is a war, it could be catastrophic. We don't know if Kim Jung Un will soften his position but it sure couldn't hurt to try at this point. Trump has said he is willing to meet Kim Jung Un. Anything should be done to stop the crisis and stop N. Korea from pursuing nuclear capability.

Yes, I guess you were joking. But it wouldn't surprise if bishop Tutu said it.

That's a trite comment which is fiction. The land disputes in Africa are complex and cannot be described in a silly statement like that. Try googling land disputes in Africa and see for yourself.

Here is a link to a critique of the New King James Version. Lots of information which should set off warning bells to anyone who is seeking the truth. One of the things about the NKJV is the marginal notes which may introduce false teachings or pervert the true meaning of scripture. http://www.tbsbibles.org/pdf_information/130-1.pdf

Unfortunately this is not a good website. The website appears to be associated with Dr. Jeremiah, who is a well-known TV preacher but whoever wrote the website does not appear to be particularly knowledgeable on the version issue or a defender of the King James Version (1611). Probably not written by Dr. Jeremiah but it does appear to be associated with him. Like most modern preachers, they have adopted modern versions and are not particularly interested in the issue of the versions or they have fallen for the arguments of modernists on the version issue. Most churches use corrupt modern versions. Therefore it is no surprise to find much of these modern versions being advocated on the internet. This website recommends the New King James Version which is also a unsatisfactory version with many changes in it. Also it recommends the Good News Bible which is more like a newspaper or a Readers Digest type of Bible. Very inaccurate and far from the accuracy and trustworthiness of the King James Bible (1611). This site is into modern versions of the Bible which have departed in many respects from the inspired original. It is not good to recommend even a new christian or a prospective christian use a modern version because this will be teaching them the serious error using corrupt modern versions and teaching them it is not really important what version they use. Another point to remember is many if not most of these modern preachers do not believe that any Bible today is the inspired Word of God. If you look at their church websites and see what they believe, you will see they profess to only believe the original manuscripts are inspired. This is incorrect and misleading information. God promised in his word he would preserve his word forever. "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Ps. 12:6,7, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35 How can a believer have confidence that he really has the word of God if he believes these modern preachers who deny there is an inspired Bible. He cannot. I would recommend the website which has countless articles defending the King James Version 1611: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Bible/1611_authorized_king_james.htm

In the five points why the Bible is inspired by God, the third point is about fulfilled prophecy. Consider Edom. Quote Biblical prophecies with regard to ancient cities is equally remarkable. Skeptics have suggested that a message of impending doom spoken against an ancient city must come true eventually. Yet the dire predictions in the Bible are very specific such that the details of one city’s prophecies do not fit the next one. The detailed prophecies involving ancient cities include Babylon, Chorazin-Bethsaida-Capernaum, Gaza-Ashkelon, Jerusalem, Moab-Ammon, Nineveh, Petra-Edom, Samaria, Sidon, Thebes-Memphis, Tyre, and others (McDowell, 1991). Contemplate just a few of them: Among the several specific predictions with regard to ancient Edom are those in Ezekiel 25:13-14. It claims that Edom’s destruction would leave the land desolate as far as Teman and that Israel would participate in their destruction. In Ezekiel 35:7 the prophet further notes Edom would no longer be a place of merchants and trade. Isaiah 34:14-15 claims it would be the habitation of wild animals. Lastly Jeremiah 49:18 predicts that it would never be inhabited again. This is a daunting series of prophecies, particularly when one considers that Petra, the capital of Edom, was one of the wonders of the ancient world–literally a city carved into a mountain and the Jews were in bondage when the prophecy was made! Yet under the Maccabean era the resurgent Israelites pillaged Edom. In dramatic fulfillment the Edomite empire was finally destroyed right up to the city of Teman. (Only Teman, or Maan was left and survives still today.) When the capital city of Petra was rediscovered (to the chagrin of critics who maintained that the Edomite civilization was mythical), it was found to be a ghost town, inhabited only by eagles, scorpions and other wild creatures. Unquote http://www.genesispark.com/essays/gods-word/

The second point called Historical Accuracy mentions an interesting point concerning the walls of Jericho. Quote Associates for Biblical Research has extensively excavated Jericho. Just one of the interesting features about this city is that the walls appear to have fallen outward. While an invading army would typically ram the walls inward upon the debris, the Bible declares that God caused the walls to fall flat so that the Israelites could go straight in. Unquote

Well sir, somebody earlier asked the question as to how I know the Bible is inspired. I have given this information to show why I believe it is inspired. I know it might not be good enough for everyone's taste, but there it is for what it's worth. You can reject it or consider it as you prefer.

I just finished earlier posting the link which gives an fairly lengthy explanation of the five points why the Bible should be accepted as inspired by God. And now you are asking why the Bible is any less arbitrary than the Quran? Go to this link and if you care to, you can read the five points and consider them. http://www.genesispark.com/essays/gods-word/ Once you have read the five points and digested them, then perhaps we can have a rational discussion based on information rather than one word.

Sounds like you don't bother reading what I posted. I said I accept the Bible based on facts, not on arbitrary claims.

I never said I accept it arbitrarily. Earlier I gave the link with the five points expounded as to why it is inspired scripture. So my belief is based on facts. If you want to accuse me of blindly accepting it, you are ignoring the information and link I posted.

That is your right to reject it, although I'm not sure why you reject it. If it is showing an abbreviated part of information, it doesn't mean it is wrong. That in itself doesn't seem a logical reason to reject it. The five points are given. It is fairly lengthy. I imagine much more could be written on the subject of the inspiration of the scriptures, but this is a summary of some of the main points.

I'm sure there are millions of knowledgeable people who would disagree, but as I said, making a judgment without the facts is not much use. Jesus said if the blind follow the blind, both will fall into the ditch. That is why we have qualified lawyers on the prosecution side and on the defense side to argue both sides of an issue.

I'm sure they would. But disagreeing about something without knowing all the facts doesn't make much sense does it? It is much like the people who blindly follow a cult leader and take the poison drink. That's why anyone who wishes to know the truth needs to look at the evidence. Without an examination of the evidence it is impossible to know. It is much like a court case. If the jury does not look at the evidence (from both sides preferably), they cannot make an informed decision.

There evidence that the Bible is the Word of God can be found without a lot of difficulty. This is one site that has a comprehensive presentation of the evidence. This is just a part of it: I will quote the first point here. You can go to the website below to find all five points. So the reasons summarized are: 1. Uniqueness of the book 2. The historical accuracy of the scriptures. 3. The evidence of fulfilled prophecy. 4. The Bible is scientifically accurate. 5. The demonstration of changed lives. These are the five points stressed in this article. I realize it may take some time to read and consider these five points, but the valuable things in life sometimes require some effort and time. http://www.genesispark.com/essays/gods-word/ The Quran does not have the evidence of being divinely inspired as the Bible does for many reasons. However, we will leave that for another discussion as the Bible is the topic and is inspired (the King James Bible 1611 otherwise known as the Authorized Version) I cannot say the same for modern versions but that also should be another discussion.

In choosing to have your own moral code determined by yourself and yourself alone, you make a fatal error. The proof is in the history of mankind right up to this moment. The prisons of the world are full of people who did exactly what you are saying and look where it got them. The mental institution's forensic units are full of people who also used your principle of being their own moral code. The history of the world had countless barbaric and cruel dictators like Hitler, Stalin, Chairman Mao, Pol Pot, who did things by their own moral code. So in all honesty what makes you think your moral code would be that much better, even if you didn't commit the same crimes as they did? Even what appeared to be harmless old women have sometimes gone astray as the woman known as the black widow. She married men and then killed them. Then there is the home care worker in Ontario who is alleged to have killed a number of elderly residents in old folks homes. Mankind is a history of bad actors, criminals, child molesters, rapists, thieves, serial killers, war criminals, and murderers. All thought their own morality was the best thing there was. Then there are the small time criminals who do crooked things such as ripping off people they deal with, maybe evading paying income taxes, maybe always driving above the speed limit, or telling little "white" lies. Maybe they never get in trouble with the law and manage to avoid getting caught, but they are still pushing the bounds where they think they can get away with it. They have their own moral code too. When God created man and woman, Adam and Eve, there was no sin. But Adam and Eve rebelled against God and received the judgment of God on them and their descendants (us). It means we are all born with a sinful nature and are born in a state of rebellion against God. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Before Adam and Eve sinned, they had eternal life and could have lived forever, but once they sinned, it meant they would die. The same will happen to us. We may still be saved by the new birth or by being born again. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 BUT you might say why should I believe the Bible? It is written by men? This is the first great error. The Bible is divinely inspired. "Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day." Jeremiah 36:2 King James Bible (1611) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy ch3 vs16 KJV 1611 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter ch1 vs21 Kings James Bible (authorized version 1611) Way back in time, before the creation of the universe, there was a very beautiful angel called Lucifer in heaven with God. There were innumerable angels. Now Lucifer looked at himself and decided he was so beautiful and thought he could be god. So Lucifer decided to rebel against almighty God. He took a third of the angels with him. They were kicked out of heaven and he received a new name as Satan. Lucifer is that fallen angel. This account is in old testament although I can't remember where offhand. Satan has been given certain limited power for a period of time on earth. But God has a plan and Satan and his followers will be punished with everlasting destruction at a certain point in time. Those who spend their life following Satan and refuse to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will end up in the Lake of Fire with him. Those who believe the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ will be saved and live forever in heaven. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" book of Acts

As I said, I don't think you understand the process. First nations had ample input with thousands of submissions, hundreds of hearings across B.C. I don't know what more could have been done. Some bands simply won't participate and will continue to protest. That's how it always will be. You can't please everyone.

You don't seem to understand. The judge did not say there could be no pipeliine period. He doesn't have the power to permanently stop a pipeline being just a judge. He put it on hold because of lack of consultation he said. The government could have continued the consulation process, but because Trudeau came into power, Trudeau closed it down. But the judge did not abolish the project. You misunderstand how it works.

Harper did not "seek approval". Harper and the federal government officially approved the pipeline project. Later a court held it up saying there was not enough consultation with native bands. That is disputable. The NEB's Joint Review Panel held hearings all along the route for a year or two, received thousands of written submissions, and held countless hearings. You obviously don't know the facts. The courts did not ban the project. They only put it on hold. The Trudeau government could have tried to hold more hearings and discussions with native bands to try to satisfy the courts complaint. Many bands already agreed with the pipeline. But instead Trudeau was against the pipeline in the first place and so completely rejected the project.

Harper and his cabinet approved the Northern Gateway Pipeline, but this was later rejected after the 2015 election by Trudeau. Harper approved the Keystone XL pipeline and Obama rejected it.