Are The Culture Wars A Spiritual Battle?

[Dougie93]

3 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

No.  Cultural Catholicism and Christian Atheists are a thing.

there are a thing, but they are not Christianity

as a fiery Ulster Scots Protestant Evangelical

I would assert that even devout Roman Catholicism is not Christianity

never mind any Messianic Atheists, whom are basically Communists in sheep's clothing

[Dougie93]

3 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

Interesting.  My Britishness exists, that's probably true.  More John Locke than John Lennon or John Lydon.

you are a classically British North American Loyalist from Toronto the Good

same as me

same as Zeitgeist

[I am Groot]

21 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

Ok, but it gave rise to an equally emotive tribe who engages in purity tests etc 

The populist left is one leader away from coming back.

I would say that this has indeed given birth to much of the excesses of the Right today (which is what I think you mean). The craziness of the Left on this issue has caused craziness on the Right. And now it's on the edge of bringing Trump back into power. Because make no mistake, it's the woke religion that will see Trump back in power if he succeeds. There's little about Biden's stewardship of the US anyone can point to do suggest why he doesn't deserve to be elected.

What's got even moderates riled up is crime in the street, where, as I think it was Bil Maher suggested, the Wokists have now deemed drug addicts and the homeless to be one of their protected identity groups and kept them from prison while denouncing police. It's Wokists in the school boards badly interpreting theories about critical race and then teachers clumsily trying to tell white kids as young as eight that they're all racists and oppressors and black kids they're all helpless victims without agency. It's colleges changing not just admission requirements, but actual passing requirements for courses, and not just in the humanities. It's the twisting of even professional organizations by Wokists to pull away from science in veneration of the religious texts of Wokism. It's the constant Black this, Black that, Black everywhere they get from their media and entertainment, provided by members of the Woke religion.

Canadians are growing tired of being constantly nagged about our supposed terrible past and Americans have been nagged a lot more for a lot longer. No wonder they're tired of those in this church. And Biden has professed allegiance to the Church while foul-mouthed Don the real estate salesman is constantly instluting it the way they wish they dared to do.

 

Edited February 19, 2024 by I am Groot

[I am Groot]

Why does Canada have a Black History Month? Because the Wokists say we must. We have no real Black history but nevermind. Why did we put a black hairdresser on our ten dollar bill, replacing the founder of our country? Because of Woke. Sir John A MacDonald might have founded Canada but he said a few very politically incorrect (by modern standards) things about natives, plus founding Canada was a sin against indigenous peoples, so he has to be shunned and cast out. Meanwhile, Viola Desmond never said anything controversial at all (or anything that was recorded). Plus, she's BLACK! And a woman! She's a Black woman! What more could you want!? 

[Zeitgeist]

56 minutes ago, I am Groot said:

Why does Canada have a Black History Month? Because the Wokists say we must. We have no real Black history but nevermind. Why did we put a black hairdresser on our ten dollar bill, replacing the founder of our country? Because of Woke. Sir John A MacDonald might have founded Canada but he said a few very politically incorrect (by modern standards) things about natives, plus founding Canada was a sin against indigenous peoples, so he has to be shunned and cast out. Meanwhile, Viola Desmond never said anything controversial at all (or anything that was recorded). Plus, she's BLACK! And a woman! She's a Black woman! What more could you want!? 

I think the intentions of increasing representation were noble enough at first, but once hiring and admissions policies gave preferential treatment on the basis of race, the entire project to increase equality was lost, along with our meritocracy.  Even the affirmative action notion that when two people, black and white or male and female, are equally qualified, preference should be given to the underrepresented is systematic racism/sexism and subject to bias. Really all interviews should be blind, be run through a voice scrambler, and be labeled with a code rather than a name.

As for DEI, anti-racism training, critical race theory, gender ideology, and other pseudoscience, it has no place in education, government or workplaces because both its theories and practitioners are highly contestable. I can’t believe that in government organizations and public education there aren’t enough workers to support special needs students or to provide basic services, but there’s plenty of money for the Equity department.  The first order of business for all governments must be to ban all of this cultural Marxist pseudoscience and defund it completely.

The problem is so deep that even so-called conservative jurisdictions like Ontario can’t get a handle on the mess. The premiers run in fear of cancellation.  We saw the consequences at the federal level and throughout the country for having “unacceptable views” that oppose such nonsense.

Edited February 19, 2024 by Zeitgeist

[Dougie93]

36 minutes ago, Zeitgeist said:

As for DEI, anti-racism training, critical race theory, gender ideology, and other pseudoscience, it has no place in education, government or workplaces because both its theories and practitioners are highly contestable. I can’t believe that in government organizations and public education there aren’t enough workers to support special needs students or to provide basic services, but there’s plenty of money for the Equity department.  The first order of business for all governments must be to ban all of this cultural Marxist pseudoscience and defund it completely.

The problem is so deep that even so-called conservative jurisdictions like Ontario can’t get a handle on the mess. The premiers run in fear of cancellation.  We saw the consequences at the federal level and throughout the country for having “unacceptable views” that oppose such nonsense.

chosen to live in Biblical times

straight out of first century Roman Judea

rejoice

[Michael Hardner]

2 hours ago, Dougie93 said:

there are a thing, but they are not Christianity

 

I never understood why Atheistic Judaism is accepted but Atheistic Christianity not.

[Michael Hardner]

2 hours ago, I am Groot said:

... drug addicts and the homeless to be one of their protected identity groups and kept them from prison while denouncing police.  

I'll only comment on this part.

With drug addiction and homelessness we have a real problem that touches people's lives in a real way.  Identity politics are matters of rhetoric, people sleeping in the streets is a real problem.

2 hours ago, I am Groot said:

Why does Canada have a Black History Month? Because the Wokists say we must. 

Smug anti Americanism isn't solely the domain of the left.

[I am Groot]

6 minutes ago, Michael Hardner said:

I'll only comment on this part.

With drug addiction and homelessness we have a real problem that touches people's lives in a real way.  Identity politics are matters of rhetoric, people sleeping in the streets is a real problem.

It's a very real problem. And it absolutely needs to be dealt with. But the way the Left has insisted on 'dealing' with it is to provide safe places and help for addicts to get their fix, try to keep them from overdosing, and perhaps gently suggest they might like rehab. Not to mention shielding them from police actions, including letting them turn local parks into tent cities full of crime and drugs so kids have nowhere to play.

My conservative view is that they should ALL be scooped up, assessed, and the addicts forced into rehab. I know we don't have enough rehab facilities. That needs to be changed. Those with severe mental issues need to be detained in a facility. Anyone who thinks that's more cruel than letting them sleep on a subway grate should be ignored.

But the Left (or strong elements of it) would howl if that was done.

Edited February 19, 2024 by I am Groot

[Michael Hardner]

2 minutes ago, I am Groot said:

It's a very real problem. And it absolutely needs to be dealt with. But the way the Left has insisted on 'dealing' with it is to provide safe places and help for addicts to get their fix, try to keep them from overdosing, and perhaps gently suggest they might like rehab. Not to mention shielding them from police actions, including letting them turn local parks into tent cities full of crime and drugs so kids have nowhere to play.

My conservative view is that they should ALL be scooped up, assessed, and the addicts forced into rehab. I know we don't have enough rehab facilities. That needs to be changed. Those with severe mental issues need to be detained in a facility. Anyone who thinks that's more cruel than letting them sleep on a subway grate should be ignored.

But the Left (or strong elements of it) would howl if that was done.

Your action plan is reasonable but not much different from safe sites.  Safe sites are a tactical response.  In Ottawa and Belleville we had a reported 25 ODs on a day or so.  Having responders close by meant zero deaths.

[Dougie93]

2 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

I never understood why Atheistic Judaism is accepted but Atheistic Christianity not.

the fiery zeal of Scots-Irish Protestants

from the Second Great Awakening in 1820

revival upon an Evangeline Trail

the road to Calvary

[Dougie93]

4 hours ago, Zeitgeist said:

 The first order of business for all governments must be to ban all of this cultural Marxist pseudoscience and defund it completely.

 

Sound your drum & flash your sword

Wade into King James'es hoarde

watch the wind and trust the Lord

for we'el die for our royal William

 

Nec Aspera Terrent

 

 

 

[Dougie93]

3 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

Smug anti Americanism isn't solely the domain of the left.

the American republic is of course well to the left of British North American Loyalist Conservatism

although actually we're not smug

it's priggishness : holier than thou

Shock Troops of the Empire

to win the Great War in a Hundred Days

for Victoria, Queen & Empress

Mother Canada

Pro Patria

 

[I am Groot]

8 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

Your action plan is reasonable but not much different from safe sites.  Safe sites are a tactical response.  In Ottawa and Belleville we had a reported 25 ODs on a day or so.  Having responders close by meant zero deaths.

My action plan gets them off the streets and out of the parks and tents. Which, I wager, is what the vast majority of "Canada's middle class" wants, right now.

[Michael Hardner]

17 minutes ago, I am Groot said:

My action plan gets them off the streets and out of the parks and tents. Which, I wager, is what the vast majority of "Canada's middle class" wants, right now.

And that's a good one.  But it's not tactical.

[Gator]

14 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

I don't think Christ ever mentioned the devil...

He sure did.  

John 8:44 ESV

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

[Gator]

"Are The Culture Wars A Spiritual Battle?"

I believe that everything we think, say, and do is influenced by spiritual forces, some of which are good and some of which are evil.  Let me provide some biblical support for those who believe in its authenticity.  

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, as do I.  

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

9 The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

Psalm 91:11 ESV

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Matthew 18:10 ESV

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Hebrews 13:2 ESV

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

I'm sure that there are more, but these should suffice.  By the way, one can find verses relating to all sorts of topics simply by typing a word into this Bible search engine.  My pea-brain couldn't possibly remember all of those verses!    

https://www.openbible.info/topics/

[I am Groot]

22 hours ago, Michael Hardner said:

And that's a good one.  But it's not tactical.

Why?

[Michael Hardner]

7 minutes ago, I am Groot said:

Why?

Because there's no spaces for all the people who need the help you're talking about.  Your solution is a good long term one.

[Gator]

4 hours ago, Dougie93 said:

Jesus does not actually refer to a fallen Archangel called Satan therein

I didn't say that the devil is a fallen archangel.  I quoted scripture wherein Jesus spoke of the devil.

[Gator]

Jesus spoke of the "devil" again in Mattew 4:10.  This is from the CLNT version.

10 Then Jesus is saying to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, The Lord your God shall you be worshiping, And to Him only shall you be offering divine service."

[Nationalist]

Is there a Gawd? That's a personal question that only each individual can answer. I believe there is. My belief in the Gawd of all creation, forces me to identify that which is destructive to said creation. The OP identified such rot infesting creation as well. We ascribe this rot to a figure...the Devil.

Whether it be a being or simply a manifestation of Gawd's opposing force naturally occurring, we can't tell for sure. I do believe this though...

Much of what we call Liberal humanity, has lead inexorably to ideas that rot the human soul. Scar it. Blacken it...if you will. We all know it...whether we will admit it or not. Why? Because as beings with a "soul" we are inexorably linked to Gawd. We are, in fact, "little Gawds".

In the end...if it ever comes to that, this "Devil" would have to not only kill all of us, but would have to undo all of creation, in order to achieve the goal we believe it has.

Thus Gawd is eternal. The rot is also eternal. So choose a side kids. And do try to choose wisely...I'd hate to watch so many "little Gawds" be completely destroyed...

Edited February 22, 2024 by Nationalist

[Dougie93]

15 hours ago, Gator said:

I didn't say that the devil is a fallen archangel.  I quoted scripture wherein Jesus spoke of the devil.

there is no sermon in the New Testament wherein Christ articulates what the Devil is

I would suggest that the character of Satan is not even Biblical

rather it is a product of John Milton from Paradise Lost, published in 1667

[Dougie93]

15 hours ago, Gator said:

Jesus spoke of the "devil" again in Mattew 4:10.  This is from the CLNT version.

10 Then Jesus is saying to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, The Lord your God shall you be worshiping, And to Him only shall you be offering divine service."

but the point is to determine what the Satan is

because certainly there are Satanic cults all around us, adopting various guises

yet what do they worship ?

is it something from the Bible ?

I would assert not actually

again, whenever Lucifer is invoked in our day & age

it is not from Scripture

it is the character invented by John Milton in poetry

[Dougie93]

15 hours ago, Gator said:

I didn't say that the devil is a fallen archangel.

fair enough

but then the question becomes : what do you think the Devil is ?

what do you think the Nazarene means when He invokes the Hebrew word "Belial"