Monday, 1 June 2026

 

Reddit 
I’ve recently been reading apologetics ...the notion that) the nature of the universe is logical therefore there must have been a logical creator (teleological argument). I question this. The erratic and unreliable nature of human rationality (imo) may support theories of evolution favouring the conditions for survival, Human rationality can be explained as an evolved adaptation.
I don't see how it can be presumed rationality results from evolutionary adaptation (particularly at the molecular level). But note too that many theists believe evolution with God's guidance Why would varying ideas around the world count against God? Some people are not seeking God - and our hearts are stubborn.
The problem isn't with people who aren't seeking God. The problem is that when people do seek God, they overwhelmingingly find the God that is local to them. People don't generally seek God and find Jesus; they seek God and find whatever religion happens to be local to them. This isn't because they're more stubborn; it's not like someone born in Saudi Arabia is inherently more stubborn than a western Christian is.
The reason this is evidence against classical theism is because it undermines the universality of God. If the prime determinant of someone's salvation isn't whether or not they seek God, but instead where they happened to be born, then that's a pretty big problem for the concept of a God who wants all to be saved equally. If someone genuinely wants to seek God as they understand God, but find another religion, then their seeking was meaningless. They're still damned just as if they never cared to seek. 
This is a somewhat different quandary. But there are various possible solutions, including - He could, hypothetically - as He knows what a person will freely decide - have those who are going to choose Him be born into circumstances that will facilitate that. Another possibility is that God supernaturally presents such a person with a choice to accept salvation through Jesus in their dying moments. ....but theologians and philosophers could answer this better than me. I'm more drawn by how science indicates God's existence and history supports Jesus ' resurrection (than by arguments like those in the original post), if we don't comprehend His plans for the world it doesn't change the reality of Him.

 
Nope. Language is knowledge/skill, racism is a primitive, animal like instinct. The amygdala in the brain is a contributing factor. We shouldn't presume ourselves immune if we're born into progressive families, each person should address their subconscious biases.
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)
How can I be at peace knowing that 2 of my family members who I love are likely in hell and eternal torture?
Huge condolences.
PLEASE DON'T PRESUME THAT HELL IS ETERNAL TORTURE. This is a common misconception in Christian circles, but it' doesn't appear to be what the Bible actually says. Instead, Scripture seems more likely to be indicating that it entails annihilation, not *ongoing* torture *forever*. Sites like ReThinking Hell explore this in more detail.
Of course, it's also possible that, in their dying moments, they were presented with a final opportunity to choose to repentantly turn to Jesus. There's no way of knowing this side of Heaven, and I'm so sorry that that uncertainty must be painful. Remember that "The Lord is ...not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). So Hell is people *choosing* to reject Him and therefore to be separated from Him and the life He has given us rather than entering Eternity in His presence.
 
See i dont really know what to believe when it comes to this topic.
If im being honest, its generally because when someone speaks about it, I know what they are saying cant be true. So I just nod and move on without really thinking about what I believe.
But to unpick the things you say, this is why it wouldn't make sense that what you are saying is true:
(I will use mum as an eg)
- she could have been a law abiding, hard working citizen with a good heart and someone that generally lived by christian values without the 'actual term' being used. So because she never announced it out loud, she goes to hell?
No. Do they not say actions speak louder than words?
- what about people that die around the world that havent been educated or didnt know? Or someone born into a different faith who learns based on what their loved ones teach? They go to hell? Despite it not being their fault?
- what about a mass murderer that has done awful things for years, and was never religious but all of a sudden turned to Jesus on his death bed? So he gets a ticket to heaven and your mum doesnt?
- what about when it states that people could go to church all their life and do all the right things and not end up there?
Sorry but I dont believe that at all.
If there is heaven, then good people will go. There cant be a rule that some good people do and some amazing people dont. Some good people will go to hell but some evil people will go to heaven.
If there is a heaven and your mum and aunt were good, then there is no reason why they wouldn't be anywhere else.
"If there is heaven, then good people will go." is simply a common cultural presumption, it's not what the Bible says. Being a "law abiding, hard working citizen with a good heart and someone that generally lived by christian values" is not the determining factor. It's choosing to repentantly turn to Jesus that leads to a person entering Heaven (ie, God's presence).
If a mass murderer turned to God on his deathbed then YES, he would enter Heaven - but only if his repentance was genuine, and this may rarely be the case for those evil enough to be mass murders. You know of the thief on the cross, surely?
"no reason"? The reason for any of us is that our sin, even if seemingly small, has separated us from God, since He is perfectly HOLY. But each person if offered salvation through Jesus - so the reason for not entering God's presence ("Heaven") is choosing to reject Him.
i struggle to believe it.
As i said before, wasnt it said that some people who believe and attend church every week may not enter.
Therefore it cannot be the only defining factor.
Also there are good people out there who have followed christ but may lose themselves temporarily, say, for example, if they lost all their family in a tragic accident and was angry.
If that person lost their faith, but in hindsight would have found their way back in a year or two, but something happened where that person died before this time ... then by definition, they wouldn't enter heaven.
The logic doesnt make sense. Not to me anyway
When you write "Therefore it cannot be the only defining factor", what do you mean by "it"? I never said that Church was the defining factor - it looks as though you're deeming what I've referred to and Church attendance to be one and the same, but that's not the case at all.
The defining factor is Jesus - what He has done, and whether we choose to truly turn to Him in repentance - not what we ourselves do (in terms of "hard work", since you mention it, nor being "good" etc - though a person who genuinely has turned to Him will *want* to do good).
It may not feel like it "makes sense", see for instance "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him" (1 Corinthians 2:14). We instinctively want to think that going to Heaven is about being "good", partly so that we can feel proud that we earn it and that we're in control. But we actually don't earn it, we're offered forgiveness and Eternal life that we don't deserve. The "logic" is that we can choose to accept this offer by repentantly and seeking Jesus, or we can reject it - and if we reject Him, why would God have us enter His presence for eternity, which is what Heaven is?
 

Premier Christian Radio - Migrants
Some people come here without good reasons. But some have very good reasons. We instinctively want to overgeneralise, but in reality humanity is endlessly complicated.
And it's convenient, when we may instinctively want to avoid confronting our own sin, to imagine that there are good people and bad people. Ie if people can convince themselves that we (native Brits) are inherently more civilised, whilst folk from elsewhere are simply opportunistic and the cause of the country's problems, it enables us to derogate from the reality of our personal imperfections.
Of course, the Bible repeatedly tells us to have compassion for strangers, but everyone knows this and yet some seek to deny it.


Reddit -How can Christians deal with health issues due to sin and somewhat a regret towards the life that could have been?
Life is a struggle. The flesh is weak. We can feel as though our problems will be resolved immediately, but in reality we need to daily ask God's help. Consider how Paul refers to disciplining his body and to his thorn in the flesh.
The difficulties we have can *simultaneously* be the result of our sin nature *and* illness - we may be suffering as victims of sickness whilst *also* being guilty of sin, yet even when the latter is true God offers us undeserved salvation, and our flesh's weakness can serve as a necessary reminder of our continual need of Him. Keep on repenting and humbly seeking His help, over and over, every day.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
 

Premier Christian Radio - Aliens 
Listening to Michel-Yves Bolloré - who wrote "God, the Science, the Evidence" about how science indicates God's existence - I was struck by his comment that there are many people who are keen to believe in aliens but no in God. Yet God, he said, is like an alien in some respects (though not others!) - He's beyond our immediate Earthly experience. But people are far more willing to believe in aliens because believing in God renders us accountable to a moral arbiter. 
 
 
Amazing Grace 
I remember the occasion on which my days explained grace to me. I'm grateful to have been given the name Grace - though it's often wrongly imagined to refer to grace fulness. I had the actual meaning tattooed on my arm. As I say when I speak to Dotun Adebayo (on BBC Radio 5/local), who jokingly calls me "Amazing Grace" when I call in, I myself am the opposite of amazing, but the concept that my dad named me after is amazing. 
The song is, of course about the lament of a man who had previously been involved in the indescribable evil of the slave trade, and his joy that undeserved forgiveness is possible through Jesus. That the song has been adopted (with such great skill) by some Black artists is demonstrative of they themselves offering grace. Our world needs more of it. 
 
 
But what about the Bible verses that seem to outlaw homosexuality?  
Christianity IS about following Christ. The Bible is a complex collection of texts, in fact there *are* answers to queries like these but first and foremost we should seek to follow Jesus.
Why were you trying to do what you describe in the first place? Believe and turn to Jesus because He actually died and rose to life, defeating death - our morality doesn't change that.
 
 
Oh for frick's sake, you really don't understand our country at all. The killer was NO a migrant, he was born and bred here.
Migration has been coming *down* under the current, *Labour* government - it's the former *Conservative* governments that have had the highest migration policies - but migration is NOT our country's main issue. And if it weren't for migration, YOUR country wouldn't exit.
And FTR, Kemi's surname is pronounced "BADE-enoch", not "BAD-enoch".
 
 
Do you find it odd when some people say, "be quiet you don't know the Bible"?  
I've never seen this comment.
If you're writing things, you *are* being quiet. If you want to be loud, phone in to radio stations (I highly recommend it)
Major life tip (sorry this will seem patronising, but it took me a while to realise it and I wish that I had done sooner) - avoid pointless online arguments with strangers. (which isn't to say that I don't sympathise with you RE having received the disrespectful comment)
In reality the Bible knowledge of whoever wrote that is lacking, since the Bible teaches us to have humility and patience.
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group) 
My daughter is 7 and just asked if 2 women can get married 
Sometimes you restrict her or give her guidance, because you love her and know what's best for her (even though she sometimes might not yet understand why something wouldn't be the right thing for her). God, as our Father, loves us and knows better than we do about what's best for us (all humanity), and He's given guidance and restrictions regarding relationships.
Most people in our society (inc those who create the law) don't know Him, so they can't see any reason to follow His guidance (and there's no point arguing with them about it). We mustn't be unkind or resentful towards them for this, we should instead pray and keep an eye out for opportunities to tell them about God's love.
We should also remember that we ourselves have, in other ways, failed to follow His guidance - and it's awesome that He offers each person forgiveness through what Jesus has done.
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group) 
The racism we've seen this week (following the attempted beheading in Belfast) - and more broadly in recent years - is obviously abhorrent.
It's true that Britain* - on average - has better standards than a few other places (for instance, by not endorsing child marriage, honour killings etc). But we need to make clear to those around us that, contrary to what I see many people implying online (and certain phone-in radio), this is by no means any indication that we who are "native" white Brits are in any way inherently more evolved or civilised. We're simply privileged to have been born into a country shaped significantly by the teachings of Jesus (note: a brown man savagely killed by white men). I think that racism isn't only evil and a contradiction of the call to love our neighbours, it's also indicative of our instinct to imagine that we're good people and others aren't, so that we can avoid confronting our sin.
*Of course, some British institutions have grossly oppressed and colonised other places, and the selfish brutality of this should be considered by those who feel overly proud of our country.
Whilst our country is becoming so fractious, I'm so grateful that Christianity is the most diverse movement in human history.
I'm curious about why you say Jesus was a brown man killed by white men? Wasn't he killed by people of the same race? 
He was killed by the Romans. Obviously some Jewish religious leaders contributed hugely to the course of events, but the bloodthirsty killing itself, and the killings of so many of the first Christians, were carried out by Romans.  
Actually He was killed by the Jews. Didn't Pontious Pilate wash his hands clean of the matter! 
You're right that Pilate washed his hands This doesn't mean that the act of nailing Jesus to the cross and hoisting the cross up would have been carried out by the Jewish religious leaders (who certainly wouldn't have wanted to get their hands dirty), it would have been carried out by Roman soldiers. Crucifixion - and various other brutal practices - were their forte, and early Christians were killed in various horrible ways.
Of course, it was, in a theological sense, the sin of all of us that Killed Jesus - but my point with this post was simply to counter the horrendous lie I keep seeing alluded to (that people of colour are inherently more violent in their genes). Of course, one might also cite the violence of the Vikings etc - or, more pertinently, some of those who colonised and enslaved in recent centuries. I'm not suggesting that we're personally responsible for those evils, I'm simply angry seeing and hearing so many people suggest that, because incidents such as that in Belfast, being white renders one morally superior.
 
I'm gobsmacked that people are calling protestors racist. It seems the word racist is falsely being used for certain peoples agenda. 2e don't know the whole situation, therefore we need to tread carefully. People should be able to protest about things of concern without being judged. Only God can judge. I doubt people approve violence which is part of the reason the protestors are protesting anyway. I don't think Christians should be giving this 'anti racism' nonsense more momentum. Whatever anyone thinks, the Government hasn't been listening to the people regardless of the topic, so people are going to protest . We need to respect their right to do so and pray for divine intervention. 
I've seen plenty of racism online - and in Belfast this week people went house to house demanding "get foreigners out" and burning property they believed to be owned by non white people.
Why do you think we "need to respect" that?
first of, what is the cause of this? I don't like violence on any level. I understand people are feeling the government is not listening to them and they are frustrated. Some people are probably feeling they don't have a choice because the government appears to be ignoring the citizens. I'm saying as Christians we need to be careful not to encourage bad mouthing others. People need prayer on both sides of the coin. God has taught me to try to understand both sides, not to add to the fighting, verbal or physical. I don't see any positivity getting into an argument . 
"cause"? The cause of people carrying out arson and racist pogroms is the people carrying out arson and racist pogroms. The government not being able to do what they want is no excuse. "Don't have a choice"??? Are you serious??? If someone is setting light to homes and thinks they don't have a choice, they're presumably under demonic influence.
And this isn't an issue of "bad mouthing" (I'm not naming anyone, I'm referencing actions), nor "getting into an argument" (I'm not arguing with anyone".
The only answer to our problems is Jesus. You must remember that the people burning houses are not Christians. They are a people that feel their very existence is being threatened. Moreover they have been defending their tiny island for thousands of years. They do not want Islam imposed on them as it has been in Britain. The barbarism we have seen in England alone in the last twenty years that largely goes unpunished, as in the Manchester airport fiasco, is enough to make anyone a saint angry. We are facing an extreme Marxist government very much like the Romans. I believe God is preparing us for the final revival. 
"thousands of years"? They're only several decades old. This, again, is the problem - lumping people together by heritage as though we're spiritually one with our ancestors, it's a pagan ideology. The arsonists have no excuse for their evil actions.
Islam imposed? I'm opposed to Islam, but most Muslims behave far better than fire starting thugs.
"Extreme Marxist government"? That's hilarious. 
 
 
Obviously he wanted clicks (which he profits from), and presumably he imagined he'd get lots of affirmative comments - but by going public he grotesquely insulted and endangered others with Down Syndrome (in addition to the horror of the abortion itself) 
 
 
We need to talk more too about *Global* unjust wealth distribution. Far more wealth comes TO the "developed" world than is given in Aid, and the world's poorest people are thus trapped in poverty far, far more severe than what's referred to as "poverty" within the UK. https://gfintegrity.org/report/trade-related-illicit-financial-flows-in-africa-2013-2022/
NB though we have little as compared to billionaires, we can make an amazing impact for those human beings in our world who are the most disadvantaged (as £ for £ Aid can make far more impact than spending money here)
 
 
"Christian empowerment"??? Following Christ is about humility. We acknowledge and repent of our sin and weakness, and aim to put other people before ourselves. 
 
 
Why shouldn't he meet with pro-LGBT people??? Meeting someone by no means promotes their views, and Jesus met with those connected to sexual sin (in fact, each of us has sinned even if not in this way, so the Pope would have to meet no one if he were to avoid sinners). It's good for the Pope to act to point influential people towards God. 
 
 
We aren't responsible for others' sin - we're responsible for choosing to enjoy any benefits we receive from it rather than standing for justice and righteousness as God has called us to.
We may not be connected to a crime like Peter Murrell's - but we live in a country made wealthy in part by little publicised sinful greed and exploitation of poorer nations by some of our institutions - we have a responsibility to help those suffering a result of these Global injustices and to call on power holders to bring about change.
 
 
It's often presumed that "faith" means there's no evidence - in fact there's plenty of rational reasoning for concluding that God exists and that Jesus rose, and seeking Him can provide surprising inner peace, 
 
 
Good grief. Why should God care? It's worryingly irrational that people refer to the outcome of competitions in which others kick a ball as "hurt".
Football is our country's main false god. The emotion over something wholly meaningless and the cultish ways people fawn over their teams are demonstrative of this.
And it's outrageous that so much attention is afforded to it in our mainstream media whilst things which really matter, such as Global poverty, are comparatively ignored. *God cares* that there are human beings in our world who are literally starving, but our country thinks that football is incomparably more important.
Of course, this doesn't nullify the awesomeness of endeavours to use event for evangelism
 
 
 I call into phone in radio, finding ways to segue from current affairs topics into points about God. PLEASE try it yourself
Also, don't let argumentative atheists take up your time online. If you can make a comment that points people towards God then do, but if people try to argue with what you've written it's usually best to not reply, these debates can take up so, so much time. Remember Jesus mostly asked questions that nudged people to think, He didn't argue back and forth as we can end up doing.  
Wouldn't that just show your stance is weak and can't hold up to scrutiny  
They already think that. What not replying (nor reacting) actually shows is that one has more to one's life than reading strangers' arguments. If you reply, they'll argue further, and you'll have to reply again (this time they'll know that you've been reading their comments, so there's a greater likelihood they'll interpret a non reply as not having an answer as they would have if you'd avoided reacting/replying in the first place). They'll become increasingly stubborn and unwilling to listen, even if your points are actually good.  
It absolutely doesn't show that. It does show the criticism is more valid though. That the person can even answer back.    "They'll become increasingly stubborn and unwilling to listen, even if your points are actually good" But maybe they aren't actually good. I don't think you're considering that. And you not responding to show they are good points just shows onlookers how bad your points actually are.
"It does show the criticism is more valid though. That the person can even answer back." no it doesn't, that they answer back doesn't prove that they're making a valid point.
"But maybe" hypothesising, lacking an actual point, in an attempt to argue just demonstrates what I was saying - people online waste time in pointless debates. 
 
 
I'm really wondering where all the money goes - I don't see how, given the number of students in a lecture hall etc, it would cost universities over £9k per student per year to host courses. Does some of it go towards universities' research programmes?  
 
 
Hatred of migrants is obviously contrary to Jesus' teaching - but it's also demonstrative of an instinct to avoid reflecting on and repenting of one's own sin by erroneously imagining that folk elsewhere are morally inferior and responsible for all of society's problems. 
 
 
He DID have racist views. However, graffiti isn't going to help anyone, what's needed is to address injustices in our world (and at a Global level, folk with the most melanin are, the most oppressed) which can be tackled NOW 
 
 
The selfishness demonstrated in so many responses to Covid have been frustrating to observe, and plenty of people seem to have been left immune to reasonable respect for scientific guidance. We have the immense privilege of healthcare that most of humanity could only  dream of (though we can fund healthcare for the world's very most disadvantaged people amazingly cost effectively), yet rather than having gratitude and exercising compassion for those in our own country who would be most endangered by a future outbreak, many people express that they'd resist future restrictions and vaccines. 
 
 
Indeed Danny Krueger, having claimed to be Christian, has a responsibility to decry Reform's shocking and opportunistic misrepresentation of Kemi Badenoch. Of course those of us seeking to follow Jesus are, though being re-formed, still far from perfect. Furthermore, some people feign religion whilst not genuinely desiring God - and this was a phenomenon Jesus recurrently contended with. The Reformers sought a return to Jesus' teaching; Reform UK ignores it whilst claiming "Judeo-Christian values". 
 
 
Henry Nowak protests 
Unlike that of Henry Nowak's killer, the ceremonial knife carried  by many Sikhs is not dangerous. Many Christians wear tiny execution devices - the crosses around our necks reminds us that we cannot win the real battle be wearing customary attire, fighting battles or protesting police.  The injustices in our world are manifestations of the wrongdoing that we are also participants in. But Jesus bore this and willingly became a real victim, not fighting back like the protesters who erroneously imagine that we white people are oppressed yet ultimately winning victory.
Farage has said that he wants to bring back "Judeo Christian values" - he could start by reading "Blessed are the peacemakers"

 
666 
The Bible sometimes uses imagery and references that would have conveyed meaning to the original listeners - just as certain idioms and cultural in-jokes can for us now - but which aren't wholly clear when translated into our present language and setting. Anxiety about the number 666 is misplaced and misses the fundamental point of Jesus' message 
 
 
Indeed the concept of "Britishness" is nebulous. As historians such as Tom Holland attest, the "British values" vaunted by politicians are derived in no small part from Christianity - as even Reform keenly admits - but Christianity itself migrated here. Yesterday we marked Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to people of differing ethnicities. I suspect that those Brits most resentful of folk from elsewhere might wish to avoid self reflection by imagining that our Britishness renders us morally superior - in reality we are privileged to be born into a culture with certain values, but we are rapidly abandoning them by prioritising greed over love of neighbour.
 
 
Food price caps
I'm horrified by increasing food costs, but Reeves is a ridiculous hypocrite. If she cared about people accessing food, she wouldn't have  cut Aid to people in our world who are literally starving (food Aid for the world's poorest people is amazingly cost effective compared to costs here, yet she chose to reduce it dramatically, for human beings who have no food banks or welfare state). Actual governance  would be addressing profiteering by supermarkets directly, and reducing the nation's food waste. 
 
 
An important article in May's edition evaluates the "Revival", or lack thereof.
May I urge others to utilise the opportunity of phone-in radio? It's become easier to segue into discussing God - I've found that hostility has declined, which to me is seemingly a sign of the "Quiet Revival" trajectory.
I see that the lauded pollster Prof John Curtice has now joined the chorus decrying the notion of the Quiet Revival, on the basis of the British Social Attitudes survey RE Church attendance - yet we know that relationships with God are more complex than this. God implores us to press on and to rely on Him, rather than either to rest on our laurels or despair. 
 
 
It's demonstrative of the nominalism that's so ubiquitous in recent history. I've only seen the phrase used by folk who are new to or unfamiliar with Christianity and who are perplexed by those of us for whom it's central to life. We shouldn't withdraw from culture, but Jesus (note, not traditions or rituals, valuable as these can be) is most important as we live within it.
Labels (ie "full fat") aren't what matter - but we need to make clear that merely culturally identifying with what feels familiar is not Christianity. There are people who indicate (particularly as culture wars heighten) that they're under the misapprehension they're congenitally Christian (ie by dint of birth), and they need to know that they're actually missing out on the greatest thing.
Discussion of Christianity in media, even if somewhat ignorant, should mitigate our inhibitions in sharing The Gospel.
 
 
The Golden Trump statue is yet more evidence, should it be needed (which I don't believe it is), that Trump is not the champion of Christianity he claims to be.  Only cursory knowledge of the Bible is requisite to know that God disdains such idolatry. Were his behaviour and rhetoric - which are antithetical to Christ's teachings - inconclusive, he is proving his opposition to God yet more comprehensively.  As such he emulates Communist dictators not only in his fondness for garish statues  
 
 
When Trumpwas chastised for his messianic AI image, risibly he claimed he was portrayed not as Jesus but as a doctor due to his support for The Red Cross. In reality, Trump's wholly unChristlike termination of USAID projects has fuelled the spread of Ebola, which has now killed Red Cross workers. International Aid can be many times as cost effective as health interventions in the West - yet our government too has axed fundamental medical programmes. Traditional burial customs have, for some individuals, been a factor facilitating Ebola's spread - our politicians' disregard for humanity's most disadvantaged is arguably more tribal, primitive and irrational. 
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)
God blesses those who are humble (Matt 5:5) 
Humility is something particularly disregarded in our culture - Christian values such as compassion and honestly are mostly still seen as good (though often not held to), but humility's reverse is celebrated more than humility is.
One public figure who associates with Christianity seems to me not to be Christian first and foremost because of their extreme pride/arrogance - anyone who's truly recognised that Jesus has died for our sin couldn't display these antitheses of humility constantly.
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)
Nope, nothing in the Bible indicates this happens. And why would they? They don't have a relationship with God as we do.
Obviously we read that the lion will lie down with the lamb, so there may be some animals, but not the specific individual pets we have now.
animals did not fall in sin as we did. They remained in the garden and are there anyway. We needed a savior because we fell into sin, which is to eat of the tree of knowledge (the law which leads to death) animals do not need saving from that becaause they never ate that fruit. 
They didn't fall? They weren't morally comparable to us to begin with. And they do kill each other, they're mostly selfish, so I don't know why some people here think they're somehow righteous.  
the righteousness of God is in Jesus Christ, in faith, love and trust, not in laws and works. We are made in his likeness. Animals including all of creation are yearning for mankind to turn back to God and do what we are supposed to do. That doesn't mean they are not part of the new Heaven and new Earth. 
Again, HUMANS are made in His likeness. HUMANS are offered His righteousness. Animals do not have souls as we do, nothing in scripture says that individual specific animals will *go* to Heaven (as much as the new creation may include some other animals) 
 
 
Creativity - by scientists employed by Musk, not Musk himself - with what God has made is not equivalent to God's creation of electricity, the human brain and its composite cellular structures, and more, from nothing. Nor is it equivalent to Jesus' miraculous acts at a word.
And the ultimate miracle is Jesus' victory over our sin, not physical healing.
Jesus taught us to help the poor - Musk could easily end world hunger but chooses not to*. Jesus broke down racial barriers - plainly, Musk is stoking racial enmity. Jesus modelled ultimate humility, and anyone who's truly seeking Him will be humbled by the knowledge of our sin and of what Jesus has done for us - contrastingly Musk is plainly lacking humility.
*(As an aside, most of us could help at least a few of the world's very most impoverished people even though we don't have what Musk does)
 
 
Shoplifting is indeed a spiritual issue. But the idolatry of the high-street isn't a good thing, it doesn't need "saving" simply for the sake of hanging on to tradition of rows of shops. Politicians etc fawning over it seem to think that our culture's norm of shopping as recreation is a good thing - it isn't. Part of the attraction is that people see other people - but we know that there are, in reality, better options for *congregating*.
 
 
They aren't censored, they can speak and post, they just can't come here to do it. 
which is pretty fucked up 
Why? By what moral authority are people entitled to go wherever they like when they have no need to? I've not been abroad in 20 years, it's not necessary for living. Doesn't America restrict entry? 
 
 
Human lust/greed and our media (because of the greed of media producers who know that sex sells, esp when things are unconventional) are leading more people towards this, and it will hurt those people and their children in the long run. The law should protect people from forces that harm them, not facilitate/encourage harm.
 
 
Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks in the Commons about what support the govt will give to help with the cost of living 
If Rachel Reeves is concerned about people having food, she shouldn't have cut Aid to those in our world who are far poorer than folk here (and feeding the world's poorest people is amazingly cost-effective) 
 
 
Pope Leo XIV made a historic apology on Monday for the role the Holy See played in legitimizing slavery 
Ultimately, it was folk recognising the dignity of all humans as created by God that precipitated the abolition movement
The Bibles which were given to enslaved people had chunks cut out, since ultimately scripture shows that slavery is wrong.
 
 
Chanel's new shoes - you'll be glad that you're poor 
We're Westerners, we're wealthy as compared to much of humanity and we should be grateful (and generous to the world's poorest), not wasting money of trends. 
 
 
A powerful message to those attending yesterday’s “Unite the Kingdom” march from Brother Vaughan, a Franciscan friar
Absolutely. But additionally, actually following Jesus means recognising and repenting of our own sin - obsessing over others' wrongdoing and pretending that they're inherently less civilised whilst imagining that we (Westerners) are more righteous by dint of birth means ignoring The Gospel.
Christianity exists because Christ died and rose to offer us forgiveness/salvation - not to instigate culture wars.
 
  
"Christian nationalism" is an oxymoron. Genuinely seeking to follow Christ will lead someone to be humble, and recognise that the problem in our world is sin - including our own - the problem in our world is not simply a foreign force as nationalists imagine. We have gratitude and awe that Christ died to redeem the sinfulness within us - not pride in our identity as though our nationality grants us some righteousness. 
Also, nationalism is idolatry; and Jesus commanded us to love folk from elsewhere in the parable of The Good Samaritan. He also repeatedly argued with "religious" folk who He pointed out were not actually committed to God and who instead misappropriated religious institutions to attain dominance over others (or wealth). And scripture rebukes those who boasted of their heritage (Matthew 3:9)
Of course, the phenomenon still provides us opportunities to talk about what real Christianity is.
 
 
Turning Point UK - French Christians march en masse for the Pentecost pilgrimage!
Pentecost is about the Holy Spirit coming to folk of all ethnicities, you should keep that in mind. 
 
 
Premier Christian Radio - Are we doing better at neurodiversity in the Church? 
My Autism and ADHD haven't caused me to have serious issues within my Church (aside from despairing over my difficulty with concentrating, the awkwardness of being useless in social situations, etc) - and I'm so blessed to have had this friendly community in my life given my lacking the friendships/networks normal people have.
But our Christian culture more widely is very focussed on simply reiterating that God loves us - this is obviously true and endlessly awesome, but if one inherently lacks a sense of another person's feelings (the other person being God) it doesn't, as a slogan in itself at least, necessarily penetrate.
I don't have a good answer for this, as, again, it is indeed true that God loves us and this is fundamentally important and amazing. I guess I'm simply often struck by how our Christian culture can seem out of touch with those of us whose brains work differently. I think, for instance, that we should talk a tad more about the science that gives us confidence in the awesome reality of God's existence, in contrast to the recurrent emphasis on emotion and self esteem.
 
 
I love that the BBC (one BBC1) broadcast a service for Pentecost yesterday morning (as they did last year)
It's on iPlayer too, obviously.
People often talk about wanting to be represented on screen - I understand that this sometimes refers to racial diversity, which is something I have the privilege of not having had to worry about (ie I've never not seen people of my pigmentation on screen), so I don't wish to disregard the importance of that, but there's something about seeing this service that made me feel like the most important thing I identify with was on TV (which is not a feeling I ever have otherwise). Of course, my feelings are wholly irrelevant - what's actually thrilling is that some individuals who don't yet know Jesus might have heard about Him today. (it's also so, so refreshing to see the racial diversity of the Church having heard so much divisive political nonsense recently)
Thanks Grace. Yes I worry sometimes amidst all of the criticism of the bbc (some of it justified) people completely forget how much it still goes. A live televised service for Pentecost, Easter, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and 51 eps of songs of praise every year. None of which is in any way cheap tv. Plus all the marvellous religion content on radio. I can’t see any other broadcaster doing the same. Look how quickly ITV dropped highway / my favourite hymn when it was no longer obliged to do it! 
Quickly enough that I hadn't heard of those (but that's probably in part my ignorance and lack of ITV consumption).
There are indeed some things about the BBC that are of concern, but that doesn't mean that we should eschew it as a whole - and I worry that the impulse to do so springs from the instinct to imagine that Christianity means a battle by ourselves against the world (rather than Jesus' victory over our sin), Pharisaically supposing that disdaining the mainstream renders us somehow more Holy. IMO we ought, instead, to use wisdom to discern which content to avoid, continually asking seeking God's guidance and His help in engaging our culture.
 
 
That teens are led to believe sex is a "rite of passage" is one of the very most destructive phenomena in our culture. 
 
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)
I have a couple friends who are still witches & like I have tried to tell them multiple times about Jesus & how witchcraft is wrong etc since my conversion to Christianity but it’s like they are being used to wear me down  
They may be more receptive at some time in the future. Right now they feel compelled to challenge you/be defensive - that stubbornness may fade with time apart.
In the meantime, massive yay RE your own conversion Some time away from them means more time for you to study scripture or engage with other Christians. You might even discover some things which could help you if you ever have similar conversations in future.
  
 
(in Christian Women's Facebook Group)
May I know if anyone know of a community and can be globally... a community with Christ as their centre... home educating the children, living on a piece of land together, rural. Ideally somewhere very beautiful but in own homes, but sharing the tasks of growing food together, non vax by majority, lots of music, home church, home educate, home grown.... ringing any bells? I feel so curious to visit...
I currently live in a community with all I say above, but its not christ centered and I'm so desiring that..I'd be willing to move country
The closest thing that comes to mind is the Bruderhof - though as Star wrote, Jesus tells us to share The Gospel, we shouldn't distance ourselves from society given that people in society need to hear about Him. By contrast, we should cut ourselves off from alternative spirituality and from sin - it's those, not vaccines etc which are dangerous.
You should check out Elizabeth Oldfild - she's a Christian writer and podcaster who lives in a mini commune, but not away from society.
God doesn't need you to worry about things like vaccines. He wants to use you to make Him known
Isn't there a problem with potential vaccine damage?  
No. Vaccines are put through extensive trials to ensure safety. The few incidents one hears about whereby people have side effects are vastly outweighed by the risks of the respective diseases themselves. 
 
 
Premier Christian Radio - If you see others seeming to hear from or encounter God more, is it okay to feel jealous?
How could we feel jealous? That we know God and are offered salvation is such an overwhelmingly, indescribably awesome blessing. And most people around us do not yet know Him - so our focus should be on sharing The Gospel with them, not demanding supernatural experiences for ourselves as though what we've already been given isn't the greatest thing anyone could ask for. 
 
 
Whether it’s sandals comfy enough for walking, linen trousers or timeless sunnies, the secret to great summer style is....
The Guardian is supposed to be about news with some degree of social consciousness - why are you supporting consumerism (which is wrecking our planet)? People should buy the clothes we actually need, not pointlessly purchasing for the sake of trends as instructed by media. Why not instead write about clothing supply chains and pressure brands to teat labourers better? 
 
 
Premier Christian Radio - This Saturday, thousands are expected to march through London for the latest Unite the Kingdom rally. 
We like to presume that God's words about His chosen people are applicable to us, but we neglect the Scripture in which God chastises His people for disregarding Him. Repeatedly in the Old Testament God is angry with His people both for worshipping other things and for failing to act with compassion and justice. In the New Testament John the Baptist rebukes people harshly for being proud of their heritage "Do not say, 'we have Abraham as our father'", and Jesus males clear that what matters is that we personally, genuinely, repent and follow Him. Contrary to Stephen Yaxley Lennon's comments about our nation's "destiny" and "soul", in fact our destinies and souls are determined by whether we turn to Him.
Why did the 2nd guest say we should be "proud"? The Bible warns against pride. Our nation does have better values than many others - and this is a privilege for us, we are blessed to have been born here, we are in no way inherently better as British people and in reality most Brits are abandoning the Christian shaped values we've been fortunate enough to be born surrounded by - not because of migration whatsoever but because people aren't humbly seeking God.
 
 
Ben Habib describes immigrants from Punjab as “barbarians”, only to be reminded that his own father came from Punjab 
Surely the reason so many Punjabis have come to Britain (which I'm not complaining about at all) is that some British people went and behaved as actual barbarians in Punjab? 
 
 
Two Christian counsellors are challenging Wisconsin’s ban on conversion therapy 
It doesn't make sense to ban *conversations* (as opposed to mistreatment) that the young person chooses to seek, but they absolutely mustn't be lied to or made to feel in any way damaged/inferior.
However, FTR, Christianity is actually about Christ.
Christianity is the pinnacle of making people feel damaged and inferior. People are all born sinful and imperfect. We’ll always be less than, but we need to strive to be perfect like Jesus, but we never will be. That’s literally the whole religion. 
Yikes no, that's not the message at all, who told you that?
It's evident that we're all imperfect. But because of Jesus we're offered salvation, it's not about striving.
 
 
Trump Gold Statue
Yet again Trump is demonstrating how he's the opposite of Christianity. Everyone knows that creating a gold statue to worship - and Trump does want to be, and get, worshipped by his fans - enrages God. 
 
 
Franklin Graham admits he “misspoke” after telling the crowd to “do everything” to get President Trump reelected 
I'm afraid he really should just stop speaking. He should take time out to reflect and focus on what Jesus sould have him say, rather than continually praising Trump. 
 
 
Premier Christian Radio - How do we make a godly decision on who to vote for? Is character or policy most important?
Politicians implore us to vote for what might be best for our own interests - Jesus commands us to live self sacrificially and put others first.
I'm furious with our government's cuts to Aid to the most disadvantaged people in our world (for whom each £ can make many times the impact of spending here), and it's demonstrative of the continuing erosion of Christian principles in our society.
 
 
"I found that shopping for clothing at Costco can be surprisingly fruitful," 
There are enough clothes in the world, why not choose 2nd hand or ethically made? Cheap clothes being bought and replaced constantly has become normalised but is a huge problem. 

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