I have a good agnostic friend who taught Sunday school. I have had conversations with two ministers in local churches that are atheists. One said, it doesn't matter if there is a God, people want and need the traditions. The other said the church thing wasn't his first choice in careers, but it was ok. I have another good agnostic friend who felt he needed a community and attended the Unitarian Universalist church in town for a while. We went with them once. To each his own. Apparently, some do feel the need to identify with a group. We don't, in fact the idea makes me very uncomfortable. I give to charities I believe in and try not to be a jerk, that's my religion.
peacefulpete
JoinedPosts by peacefulpete
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62
Do you know of any church that KNOWS God?
by the-MadJW ini mean, the jws have many faults, as each of us have.. do you know any other group that does?.
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Common sense on Jockland's gender Bill
by LoveUniHateExams innicola sturgeon's daft plan to introduce a gender bill which allows anyone aged 16 and over to legally change gender without a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria has rightly been stopped by pm rishi sunak.. under the rules of devolvement, the uk government can overrule holyrood if the pm so chooses.. lots of predictable howling form the scotch nuts, with ridiculous claims that rishi is trying to organise a fight with holyrood.
of course, it's actually the other way round - the snp has been trying to pass this gender bill in order to drive a wedge between scotland and the rest of the uk.. sensibly, rishi has pulled rank on sturgeon and stopped her nonsense.. nicola sturgeon needs to know her place ....
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peacefulpete
DD...We all agree that what's best to the youth should be of foremost importance. Problem is people just don't agree just what that means for an adolescent with these feelings. Most anyone agrees that ideally parents should be involved in the children's lives and oversee the internet content their children are exposed to so that transgender affirming messages (like any adult content) intended for older audiences do not contribute to confusion. The concerns about the use of hormonal therapy are a contentious matter. There likely is no one correct answer.
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Nethinim...Con-men or Prostitutes....
by peacefulpete ini thought a short commentary on the "nethinim" (nathinim, nethunim) would be fun.
the word (given (ones) is used in verbal form in reference to the levites until the post exilic stories whereupon it takes on a new usage as a name of a specific non-israelite people serving in the temple.
it is much complicated by the various descriptions from p,d,j but it is clear we have some conflict of opinions about the history and role of this group.. in josh 9 we have an apparent late attempt to identify nethinim with the gibeonites.
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peacefulpete
Phizzy,...first I have to say I can only speculate. The use of temple slaves was very common in the Middle east and it was possibly done prior to the exile. The use of the name might also have originated before as well. We just don't know. It's just that in the stories the first use the word as a noun is in Ezra/Nehemiah. The part about Iddo and a city full of Nethinim somewhere in Israel might be a purely literary creation or it might suggest a clan of temple slaves did exist. The majority of common Jews never were deported, only the leaders. Ezra/Nehemiah is heavily edited so either is possible. I personally find the use of 'cue names' (shining white and timely) as suggestive of it being a literary creation.
Then again, many Jews that returned had very successful lives in Babylon. They had businesses and slaves no doubt. In Ezra, the returnees are depicted as wealthy, when a collection was taken, they came up with nearly 4 tons of gold and 28 tons of silver for the temple from 1400 donors. (Exaggerations seem likely but still).
I just recalled Haggai as expressing frustration that the people of Jerusalem had fine paneled homes when the temple lay in ruins. That might suggest a prosperity capable of slaves as well.
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Flu is finally back in Scotland - after its 2 year holiday!
by BoogerMan inthe little demon went totally awol for 3 winters, 2019 - 2021, but now it's back with a vengeance: .
"the first minister turns to the "extraordinary levels of winter flu.
"" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-64209723.
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peacefulpete
Our confidence in these results is generally low to moderate for the subjective outcomes related to respiratory illness, but moderate for the more precisely defined laboratory-confirmed respiratory virus infection, related to masks and N95/P2 respirators. The results might change when further evidence becomes available. Relatively low numbers of people followed the guidance about wearing masks or about hand hygiene, which may have affected the results of the studies.
The high risk of bias in the trials, variation in outcome measurement, and relatively low adherence with the interventions during the studies hampers drawing firm conclusions
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Common sense on Jockland's gender Bill
by LoveUniHateExams innicola sturgeon's daft plan to introduce a gender bill which allows anyone aged 16 and over to legally change gender without a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria has rightly been stopped by pm rishi sunak.. under the rules of devolvement, the uk government can overrule holyrood if the pm so chooses.. lots of predictable howling form the scotch nuts, with ridiculous claims that rishi is trying to organise a fight with holyrood.
of course, it's actually the other way round - the snp has been trying to pass this gender bill in order to drive a wedge between scotland and the rest of the uk.. sensibly, rishi has pulled rank on sturgeon and stopped her nonsense.. nicola sturgeon needs to know her place ....
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27
Common sense on Jockland's gender Bill
by LoveUniHateExams innicola sturgeon's daft plan to introduce a gender bill which allows anyone aged 16 and over to legally change gender without a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria has rightly been stopped by pm rishi sunak.. under the rules of devolvement, the uk government can overrule holyrood if the pm so chooses.. lots of predictable howling form the scotch nuts, with ridiculous claims that rishi is trying to organise a fight with holyrood.
of course, it's actually the other way round - the snp has been trying to pass this gender bill in order to drive a wedge between scotland and the rest of the uk.. sensibly, rishi has pulled rank on sturgeon and stopped her nonsense.. nicola sturgeon needs to know her place ....
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peacefulpete
Another factor that may affect the interpretation of the stats:
The study gave identical scenarios of 16 year old and a 35 year old engaging in sex with 14 year old. The variable being the 14 year old was boy or girl. The results showed the gay 16 year old was treated exactly the same as a 35 year old offender while the heterosexual 16 year old was granted leniency. Subtle biases do enter into the rates of conviction. It's possible and consistent that this be true of cases involving transexuals.
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Common sense on Jockland's gender Bill
by LoveUniHateExams innicola sturgeon's daft plan to introduce a gender bill which allows anyone aged 16 and over to legally change gender without a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria has rightly been stopped by pm rishi sunak.. under the rules of devolvement, the uk government can overrule holyrood if the pm so chooses.. lots of predictable howling form the scotch nuts, with ridiculous claims that rishi is trying to organise a fight with holyrood.
of course, it's actually the other way round - the snp has been trying to pass this gender bill in order to drive a wedge between scotland and the rest of the uk.. sensibly, rishi has pulled rank on sturgeon and stopped her nonsense.. nicola sturgeon needs to know her place ....
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peacefulpete
In fact 60% of trans women in UK prisons are sex offenders. The rate is 50% in the US. This indicates the numbers of men taking advantage of this loophole.
Can't see that being evident at all. Among all prisoners in prison about 12% are in for sex offenses, the rest are overwhelmingly for violence, weapons and drug dealing. 99% of sex offenders are males. What that tells me is that trans women are not nearly as violently dangerous as men. The actual numbers of offenders as ratio of population shows the transwomen are about half as likely to be sex offenders as males.
One BBC report says the total transwomen inmate population for sexual offenses was about 60 in 2018.
I am in no way defending sexual offenders, I am only pointing out that your stat does not support the conclusion you made.
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Common sense on Jockland's gender Bill
by LoveUniHateExams innicola sturgeon's daft plan to introduce a gender bill which allows anyone aged 16 and over to legally change gender without a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria has rightly been stopped by pm rishi sunak.. under the rules of devolvement, the uk government can overrule holyrood if the pm so chooses.. lots of predictable howling form the scotch nuts, with ridiculous claims that rishi is trying to organise a fight with holyrood.
of course, it's actually the other way round - the snp has been trying to pass this gender bill in order to drive a wedge between scotland and the rest of the uk.. sensibly, rishi has pulled rank on sturgeon and stopped her nonsense.. nicola sturgeon needs to know her place ....
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peacefulpete
Your comment was a mix of misplaced outrage, concern and apocalypticism. I appreciate the concern.
As far as therapy, yes many seek help understanding and accepting the feelings they are experiencing. That is why:
Gender therapists who use a gender-affirming approach recognize that gender diversity is a naturally occurring part of being human and not an indication of mental illness.
Gender Therapy: What It Is, Who It's For, and How to Access It (healthline.com)
Yes, transgender folks are at greater risk for suicide:
Transgender (trans) people face unique stressors, including the stress some trans people experience when their gender identity is not affirmed. Trans people also experience higher rates of discrimination and harassment than their cisgender counterparts and, as a result, experience poorer mental health outcomes. They are also at a greater risk for suicide as they are twice as likely to think about and attempt suicide than LGB people (Haas et al., 2011; McNeill et al., 2017; Irwin et al., 2014).
Yes, there is the reality that some young people are attracted to the idea of transgendering due to other social stressors and the desire to gain acceptance. That is why there is a great effort to train councilors to listen and assist a young person sort through this experience while not adding to the stressors by berating or ostracizing. What we know is that we must act respectfully and compassionately for any one not just the young.
Sadly, in the zeal to "protect" young people many well-meaning people make unhelpful assumptions about this complex matrix of social and biologic factors.
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Nethinim...Con-men or Prostitutes....
by peacefulpete ini thought a short commentary on the "nethinim" (nathinim, nethunim) would be fun.
the word (given (ones) is used in verbal form in reference to the levites until the post exilic stories whereupon it takes on a new usage as a name of a specific non-israelite people serving in the temple.
it is much complicated by the various descriptions from p,d,j but it is clear we have some conflict of opinions about the history and role of this group.. in josh 9 we have an apparent late attempt to identify nethinim with the gibeonites.
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peacefulpete
I thought a short commentary on the "Nethinim" (Nathinim, Nethunim) would be fun. So here we go.
The word (given (ones) is used in verbal form in reference to the Levites until the post Exilic stories whereupon it takes on a new usage as a name of a specific non-Israelite people serving in the Temple. It is much complicated by the various descriptions from P,D,J but it is clear we have some conflict of opinions about the history and role of this group.
In Josh 9 we have an apparent late attempt to identify Nethinim with the Gibeonites. If you recall the story Yahweh instructs them to kill them but Joshua is conned into thinking they came from far away and he enters a treaty with them. He subsequently assigns them to be slaves as wood cutters and water fetchers for the whole assembly of Israel (It was apparently edited with additional references to the alter services "down to this day" that gives it away). Never again are they connected with the temple or alter.
According to the Jewish Encyclopedia: The picture of the Levites given in Leviticus, Numbers, the P portions of Joshua, and Chronicles is thought...to be a projection by the writers of the institutions of their own times into the distant past.
According to Ezra and Nehemiah upon return from exile suddenly we have a non-Israelite people called Nethinim who are apparently vital to Temple services. They now appear as a distinct family/clan living somewhere in an unknown city of Casiphia (shining white) led by a man name Iddo (timely). And their 'timely' assistance is given to the Temple to help purify the Israelites. Not everyone agreed with this practice of using foreigners in the Temple.
So, what we have so far suggests as Narkissos posted some years ago:
From a critical standpoint, there is little doubt that the name is really post-exilic, applying to a subordinate category of temple servants in the early 2nd temple arrangement (along with the "sons of the slaves of Solomon," Ezra 2:55; Nehemiah 11:3). Apparently they were slaves "given" to the temple as an offering by wealthy worshippers or rulers -- a Babylonian practice according to Lipinski, which seems to be directly condemned in Ezekiel 44:6-9: "Say to the rebellious house, to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: O house of Israel, let there be an end to all your abominations in admitting foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, to be in my sanctuary, profaning my temple when you offer to me my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant with all your abominations. And you have not kept charge of my sacred offerings; but you have appointed foreigners to act for you in keeping my charge in my sanctuary. Thus says the Lord GOD: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the people of Israel, shall enter my sanctuary."
It gets even more interesting from Rabbinic sources. Again, from the Jewish Encyclopedia:
This union of sacred service and social ostracism has led to the suggestion that the Nethinim were the descendants of the Ḳedeshot, or sacred prostitutes; and it may be pointed out that in the list in Ezra ii. there is a large number of feminine forms, as well as in the extra list contained in the Book of Esdras (v. 53-58). This latter list contains a reference to the "Bene Souba," with which may be compared the "Soba'im" of Ezek. xxiii. 42 (Hebr.). Both the Septuagint and Josephus refer to the Nethinim as "Hieroduli," which seems to imply that they were Ḳedeshot.
Sooo, the WT has decided to utilize this element of the Nethinim as foretelling the appointment of "Other Sheep" to important roles as assistants to the GB. Who were these Nethinim?
Well our choices seem to be: 1. con-men turned slaves, 2. foreign slaves sold to the Temple as offerings and condemned by Ezekiel or 3. Temple prostitutes recast as servants.
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Common sense on Jockland's gender Bill
by LoveUniHateExams innicola sturgeon's daft plan to introduce a gender bill which allows anyone aged 16 and over to legally change gender without a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria has rightly been stopped by pm rishi sunak.. under the rules of devolvement, the uk government can overrule holyrood if the pm so chooses.. lots of predictable howling form the scotch nuts, with ridiculous claims that rishi is trying to organise a fight with holyrood.
of course, it's actually the other way round - the snp has been trying to pass this gender bill in order to drive a wedge between scotland and the rest of the uk.. sensibly, rishi has pulled rank on sturgeon and stopped her nonsense.. nicola sturgeon needs to know her place ....
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peacefulpete
Isn’t that common sense as these people are most likely to be in situations where assault can occur?
DD...That's called victim blaming. And it also reflects an ignorant stereotype of dark perversions lurking in the shadows. If there is any argument to be made that even yet today trans or gay folks are forced to gather in dangerous places, it the result of social animosity and nonacceptance, not because they like it. It is derogatory stereotyping and hateful disparaging comments that foster this violence. Don't be a party to it.
Of course, the most common type of violent crime is cis male on cis male violence. So, the world is more dangerous for cis men than any other group.
LoveUnitesHateExamines....That's just wrong. 1 in 71 cis men will be assaulted vs 1 in 2 trans people (M&F). You seem to be confusing the fact that cis men outnumber trans people 90 to one.
Your wildly inaccurate equivocation of gender identity with religious indoctrination again reflects a complete mischaracterization of those who are transgender. Many. if not most, transgender youth have risked the affections and acceptance of their families and friends to be open about the matter. Scotland's bill is applied to adults (yes 16 is adult in Scotland) not children.