tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45782111548983365702024-03-27T20:37:17.365-05:00 A Civic PeopleThe preamble to the US Constitution may seem obsolete. But we are the 12th generation of "our Posterity" to the framers and the "ourselves" to the next generation. We may each own an interpretation.
Mine on 3/23/20 follows: We the People of the United States consider, communicate, collaborate, and connect to practice 5 public disciplines: integrity, justice, peace, strength, and prosperity so as to encourage both living citizens and future citizens to practice responsible human independence.Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-30322225262857404492024-03-27T12:00:00.008-05:002024-03-27T12:21:29.675-05:00His family called him Yeshua, so I do too<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The most thorough
report I found on what Yeshua’s family called him is from Wikipedia<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> (for which
I seek second source. So far, I perceive affirmation and plan to continue my annual
contribution.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I like “Yeshua”, because it seems the name the
family used. My mom taught to respect the name a person uses within their family.
I appreciate the story of Yeshua at age 12 meeting with adults and the
conclusion: Luke 2:52, CJB, “</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">And Yeshua grew both in wisdom and in stature,
gaining favor both with other people and with God.”</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I do not feel comfortable
changing “Yeshua” to “Jesus”, as Christianity attempts. Confusion dilutes the
actually-real-person’s civic influence, much as babel prevents expression.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I favor neither Israel nor Christianity. I want to
promote Yeshua’s civic influence. It starts with his excellent scholarship,
which empowered him to improve the Torah during the 3 decades before he started
teaching and afterwards. I want to pronounce<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> well: <span style="color: blue;">ye sh<b>oo</b> ah. </span>Think of “Joshua” but with soft
accent on “shu” rather than on “Jo”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Considering usage trends<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Google
ngram for three words -- Jesus, Christ, and Yeshua,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
instructs me to advocate Jeshua’s civic influence, as I have been doing, until
now, as “Jesus’ civic influence”. </span>I like two factors: in 1994, “Jesus”
usage exceeded “Christ” usage and the advantage is increasing as of 2019. I
want to and may exponentially increase “Yeshua” usage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Jerusalem souvenir<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Quoting a sales pitch, “The Hebrew name of Jesus - Yeshua -
as it was written on an ossuary dating from the time of Jesus, found in a rock
cut tomb in the vicinity of Jerusalem. The Hebrew and Aramaic name
"Yeshua", Jesus, is a late form of the Hebrew "Yehoshua",
and was a very common name during the first century. The meaning of the name
Yeshua is "Yahweh is salvation", or "Yahweh saves",
and is alluded to in Matthew 1:21 and Luke 2:21. Yeshua therefore refers to the
Savior and was one of the Christian ways of naming and identifying Jesus.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Before “Christian” Yeshua was Aramaic and Hebrew.<u><o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Matthew 1:20-21, CJB: <span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">“</span></sup></b></span>But while he was thinking about
this, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream and said, “Yosef,
son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for
what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh. She will
give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means
‘Adonai saves,’] because he will save his people from their sins.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 2:21-24, CJB: <span class="text"><b><sup> “</sup></b>On the eighth day, when it was time for his <i>b’rit-milah</i>,
he was given the name Yeshua, which is what the angel had called him before his
conception. When the time came for their purification according to the <i>Torah</i> of
Moshe, they took him up to Yerushalayim to present him to </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"> (as it is written in the <i>Torah</i> of </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text">, “<b>Every firstborn male is to be
consecrated to </b></span><span class="small-caps"><b><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></b></span><span class="text">”) and also to offer a sacrifice of <b>a
pair of doves or two young pigeons</b>, as required by the <i>Torah</i> of </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text">.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">We read, </span></span>”. . . <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122;">[since] 70 AD. As there was no longer a Temple at which to
offer animal sacrifices, Judaism pivoted towards prayer and the study of the
Torah.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Luke’s writer may not have
been aware that blood sacrifice required by </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122;"> was obsolete. Simultaneously, the Luke 2 reference to </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122;"> seems obsoleted.</span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A reporter’s
controversy</span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://news.kehila.org/author/tuviapollack/">Tuvia Pollack</a><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, among
a 4<sup>th</sup> generation of Jews who believe in Yeshua, lends credulity to
the souvenir, writing, <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the
Hebrew Bible there is a name which could be rendered as Yehoshua if we want to
be true to the Hebrew pronounciation. Due to tradition most English Bibles
nowadays call him Joshua. It means “God saves,” or “salvation of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I assume Pollack references Hebrew
publishers of English-language Bibles. Pollack concludes with “I personally
prefer to say Jesus when I speak English and Yeshua when I speak Hebrew, but I
leave it up to each and every one to decide for himself. If I find myself in
the right context, I might say Yeshua when I speak English.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
reached the same conclusion on considering the Google ngram view for “Jesus”
and “Yeshua”. However, I advocate Yeshua and encouraged Pollack to do so.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>A rabbi’s sensational conclusion<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">A Christian group wonderfully analyses<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri‘s posthumous announcement that Jesus is the Messiah. Notice
the statement, “The first coming of the Messiah was not to save his people from
the Romans, but "from their sins". The salvation of Israel and the
world is yet to come.” It seems to overlook that the world is steeped in
intentional wrong, which must be lessened to prepare for the second coming. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Many theological issues are raised,
not the least of which is that the transliteration of “Yahoshua” to “Jesus” was
accomplished 200 years before Mary and Joseph reared Jesus. Once again, the world
can entertain a political prophecy. Meanwhile, an ancient person’s political
influence to the good suffers the bad. I think his mom and dad called him
Yeshua, but am willing to talk about Jesus’s civic influence rather than be
stonewalled. On the other hand, I do not want to aid Paul’s church to compete
with Yeshua’s church.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Neither do I want to aid Saul’s competition with Ya’akov, somehow Anglicized to
“James”.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Discovering “Yeshua” and “Ya’akov” in my early 9<sup>th</sup> decade is
shocking yet hopeful!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2024 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><div><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeshua#:~:text=Yeshua%20in%20Hebrew%20is%20a,using%20their%20full%20name%20Joshua">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeshua#:~:text=Yeshua%20in%20Hebrew%20is%20a,using%20their%20full%20name%20Joshua</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=How+do+you+pronounce+Yeshua">https://www.google.com/search?q=How+do+you+pronounce+Yeshua</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Ewerton
Belchior, on March 24, 2024 at University Baptist Church, taught me the softly accented
“shu”; it makes the name like a whisper.</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Jesus%2CChrist%2CYeshua&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://www.jerusalempottery.biz/yeshua/<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The Epistle of Ya’akov (“James” somehow) informs that “sin” means intentional
wrong. Saul argues that Yeshua grants elected people favorable afterdeath,
regardless of wrongs in life.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Leviticus">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Leviticus</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://news.kehila.org/jesus-yeshua-or-yahshua/<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://bible-menorah.jimdofree.com/english/rabbi-kaduri-note/">https://bible-menorah.jimdofree.com/english/rabbi-kaduri-note/</a></span>,
“We are Christians and not Messianic Jews.”<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
For example, see online https://doctrine.org/jesus-vs-paul.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Civic%20integrity/His%20family%20called%20him%20Yeshua.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <a href="https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/who-was-right-james-paul-or-both/">https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/who-was-right-james-paul-or-both/</a>.
Also, see James 1:1 in the Complete Jewish Bible, “<span style="background: white;">From:
Ya‘akov, a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah</span>”; why isn’t
the book titled “Ya’akov”?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-47781082552012118382024-03-23T22:09:00.000-05:002024-03-23T22:09:22.275-05:00Resolve global chaos using 3 principles<p> Resolve global chaos from Baton Rouge on 3 principles
practices:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Pursue the ineluctable truth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Accept the humility (power and authority) that
is expressed in Genesis 1:26-28’s* message: humankind may and can rule on
earth. <span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*either New International
Version or Complete Jewish Bible</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Mirror Jesus’ civic influence, heard in the
voices and seen on the faces of civic** citizens: you can perfect personal
practice of Genesis 1:26-28.</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*message: humankind may and can rule on earth. <span style="line-height: 12.84px;">*either New International Version or Complete Jewish Bible</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">*Civic means reliably responsible to the good rather than accommodating the bad in human connections and transactions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Ineluctable”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Published in 1570s, competing with “inescapable”
(Figure 1, below)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Published with “truth” in 1906 (Figure 2)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Usage on the rise and needs our boost<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Civic people may and can deny judges power and
authority to change ineluctable evidence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Genesis 1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Mesopotamian (Sumer) polytheistic political
philosophy -- originated law codes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Semitic-speaking faction transitioned to <i>competitive monotheism</i> and no human
sacrifice<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Developed blood sacrifices with animals and
birds<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A faction, Israel, added Moses’ law and
sacrificial systems including blood, animals, birds, incense, grains, and oils.
(I don’t know about modern Israel’s sacrifice systems if any.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Invasions and other events divided the 12 tribes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Factions predicted an anointed one would unite
the tribes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus understood Moses’ law and lessened some
flaws.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A Hebrew faction deemed Jesus, the anointed one,
improved Moses’ law.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A faction opposed circumcision to affirm
commitment to the good (thegod and the law).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Some messianic Hebrews proposed to open the
system to willing gentiles.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->A gentile faction proposed salvation of souls
more than persons, and imposed on Yeshua the title “Christ”. Descendants replaced
<i>human sacrifice </i>to idols with <i>personal </i>sacrifice to Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Roman emperor Constantine saw political power by
imposing the Christ movement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The world is now divided 31% Christian, 0.2% Jewish,
and 25% Muslim; its people are held hostage by the 56% competitive monotheistic
institutions that originated in Mesopotamia.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The Bible is interpreted in languages covering
90% of the world’s inhabitants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Jesus’ civic
influence<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Appreciate Mary and Joseph finding their
12-year-old son talking with rabbis: “<span style="background: white;">And Yeshua grew both in wisdom and in stature, gaining favor
both with other people and with God” (Luke 2:52, CJB). That’s “ye sh<b><u>oo</u></b> a” -- short e, accented oo
almost u, and short a, Joshua in English.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;">I want to honor
but don’t know his family name, so raise the question then settle for “Jesus”.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;">However, I will
not impose the title “Christ”, which is arrogant toward most Hebrews’ hopes.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;">I perceive no
problem with civic people thinking theirgod chose them, even though I think
theirgod may be humble to thegod. If thegod is actually real, “may” changes to “ought-to”.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;">Similar
appreciation can be mutual with Muslims, who also look to Jesus for aid to the
good.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;">Thus, 56% of competitive
monotheism may and can, together, offer relief to the world’s 44% other fellow
citizens, most of whom are civic citizens rather than dissidents, rebels, or
villains.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Actions<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I write on 3 blogs that are read worldwide.
There’s current heavy interest in Hong Kong and Singapore, less in US and
Israel, some in 7 other countries. The media suppress my blogs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Letters to congresspersons, the Speaker, and
state representatives<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Answer questions on Quara.com; comment on The
Epoch Times, LibertyLaw, and FaceBook.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I participate in University Baptist Church as a
friend, stating I am neither Baptist nor Christian, rather am an advocate for
Yeshua’s civic influence, voiced as Jesus’ civic influence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The Louisiana Education non-profit corporation I
founded, A Civic People of the United States, stopped when COVID interrupted
library meetings. Work since then is applicable. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->My greatest opportunity to learn is in
conversation with civic strangers. Not being in their church or political
party, they talk freely on topics I cautiously open.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2024 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. </span><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-52871357894613732662024-03-09T21:23:00.029-06:002024-03-27T20:36:45.953-05:00Thegod versus empire, killing people, and bad choices<p class="MsoNormal">Thegod versus each: empire, killing people, and bad choices<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Preface<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Dear reader, the footnotes, especially early ones that
explain my words, are critical to understanding my conjecture about ancient
opinion. We have the conundrum that I don’t know enough to appeal to your
opinion, and you don’t know if you are interested in mine. I write opinion
because I do not know the ineluctable<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
truth and seek your aid toward understanding what humankind has discovered so
far.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Blue letters indicate quotation of
the cited Bible passage. Grey highlights killing humans to sacrifice them.
Yellow highlights my direct comments on quoted scripture. White letters on mauve
highlight events ordered as number of years before 2024. I use names from the
Complete Jewish Bible for reliability to one source.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Merely accepting that I wanted to
write this essay was a challenge, yet I knew I must undertake it. Little did I
expect today’s discovery. I previously searched the Internet for statistics on
Jesus’ impact to thegood<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
I had guessed that, while only 1/3 of inhabitants claim Christianity, 80
percent of the world’s population appreciates Jesus’ influence to thegood,
based on religious categories. However, the number of translations allow a
growing 91% of inhabitants to pursue the Bible.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Introduction<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Does the theme “thegod<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
versus empire” parallel thegood versus killing humans<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
and thegood versus bad behavior? Is thegod a construct humankind experiences
and observes, in order to imagine and pursue thegood? Among these themes, it
seems the complete Bible<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
abstractly rebukes humankind’s bemusement to kill humans – conduct people on
people war. Generations heretofore<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
have left to “ourselves and our Posterity”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
the opportunity to establish responsible appreciation to human life; for
example, to end global accommodation of killing. It is my privilege to accept
the challenge, and I hope fellow citizens will join the cause.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">When I was a child, my parents and
their community expressed that the Bible was the word of God. They wanted me to
master it, so as to save my soul. I soon accepted that I can choose thegood in
living but cannot impact the mystery of soul. In the year 2024, Bible readers
seem to be asking what salvation means. I hope to show that Jesus said, “Do not
wrong.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> In my early
80s, just 2 years’ into return to University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA --
given 27 years’ hiatus for self-directed study and experience, I accept that
the UBC body of believers, past and present, empower astonishing discoveries/suggestions.
The most recent epiphany to me is that among other functions the Bible
abstractly reflects humankind’s struggle to stop accommodating the killing of
innocent human beings. This essay presents “human sacrifice” as killing the
innocent and merely suggests, for a subsequent essay, that it’s alright for
humankind to pursue Jesus’s civic influence more than his body and blood. Even
if he is the Messiah, Jesus’ civic influence is to thegood. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Before Jesus’ I am<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><u><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[a]</span></u></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
Avram’s Semitic ancestors worshipped idols in Sumerian Ur<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Sumer<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
the polytheistic civilization understood as the first to write grammatically,
had all-powerful kings. Accepting polytheism’s neglect of the world, they invented
and developed primitive human responsibility to thegood through codes of law, perhaps
beginning with the code of Ur-Nammu.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
But sometimes, a king arrogantly killed servants for, or in, a royal tomb.
Research and collaboration, accelerated by the Internet, continues, regarding
how and when each “sacrificed” servant was killed. “<span style="background: white;">Our
best-sourced occurrences are the archaeological remains from the royal death
pits at Early Dynastic Ur (c. 2600–2450 BCE).”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I express the time,<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;">5500</span><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;"> </span>years ago <span style="color: #333333;">(</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;">YA</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">). </span><span style="background: white;">Perhaps
that era predates Avram.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Sumerian law codes, perhaps unintentionally, imply that
the gods, busy in their world, leave humankind responsible for order to the
earth. The codes primitively authorize the civic faction to constrain dissidents,
rebels, and villains, where</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“civic”
means reliable responsibility to thegood in human connections and transactions.
Successive Sumerian kings improved the codes and civic citizens collaborated
until the Babylonians (Amorites) conquered them</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, <span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;">3774 YA</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Semites</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[b]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, drawn to competitive monotheism</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[c]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> expressed the Sumerian political philosophy in Genesis 1:26-28: <i>humankind may and can rule to thegood on
earth</i>. “</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image,
in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the
birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling
creature that crawls on the earth.”<b><sup> </sup></b>So God created
humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female
he created them.<b><sup> </sup></b>God blessed them: God said to them, “Be
fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the
sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[d]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I think it is instructive to delete modifiers to produce one sentence from
three: </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us make humankind in our image . . . and let them rule . . .
male and female “. . . fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over [life on
earth]”.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If this is thegod’s message, how may and can each a person, a
society, and humankind respond? What does the Bible suggest?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We understand<span style="color: #333333;">,</span><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;"> <span style="background: purple; mso-highlight: purple;">3984</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;"> YA</span></span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, Avram, a Semite, was born to Terach, who later had 2 more sons, Nahor
and Haran. “<span style="color: #0070c0;">Haran died before his father Terach in
the land where he was born, in Ur of the Kasdim</span>.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[e]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span> Hebrew
debate suggests Haran had been burnt in “the fire of the Chaldeans”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"> </span> and
that Avram, in Ur, started the fire, in order to destroy Terah’s idol shop.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn14" name="_ednref14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Perhaps their departure was during
the reign of King Ur-Nammu or Ibbi-Sin</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn15" name="_ednref15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"> and a declining Ur -- before
Hammurabi ruled Sumer. “T</span></span><span style="background: white;">he mighty
king, king of Babylon, king of the Four Regions of the World, king of <b>Sumer</b> and
Akkad, into whose power the god Bel has given over land and people, in whose
hand [Bel] has placed the reins of government.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn16" name="_ednref16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Afterwards, “<span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">Terach took his son Avram, his son
Haran’s son Lot, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Avram’s wife; and they
left Ur of the Kasdim to go to the land of Kena‘an. But when they came to
Haran, they stayed there. <b><sup> </sup></b>Terach . . . died in
Haran</span><span style="background: white;">.”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[f]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"> Hebrew debate cited above questions
Avram leaving an aging, idol-worshipping (some say morally dead) father in
Haran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If Terach with Avram left Ur because kings sacrificed
people to royal burials, it suggests creative movement away from empire toward
personal choice. But independent Terach, after leaving polytheistic
Mesopotamia, continued idol worship despite Avram’s curiosity about the laws of
physics, so called nature’s god.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn17" name="_ednref17" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In antiquity
your ancestors lived on the other side of the [Euphrates] River — Terach the
father of Avraham and Nachor — and they served other gods</span><span style="background: white;">.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[g]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The pointlessness of idolatry is to imagine personal advantage by appealing to
egocentric mystery; it’s an internal, circular self-defeat. Avram pursued self-reliance
and later changed his name to Avraham, to celebrate “progress”, not recognizing
that monotheism is competitive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="background: white;">Transitioning to competitive
monotheism<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white;"> As
we saw above, Avram was reared an idolater. But his adult transitioned to
competitive monotheism. Ambitious but barren and destined to leave his fortune
to civil rules -- “</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Eli‘ezer from Dammesek inherits my
possessions</span><span style="background: white;">”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[h]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
Avram, </span><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-shading: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">3909</span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;"> YA</span></span><span style="background: white;">, imagined achieving the wealth and power his ancestors
enjoyed, so he left Haran to move on to </span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kena‘an</span></span><span style="background: white;">. He would forego
belief in polytheism. He worshipped <i>his</i>
god without killing humans in the fire. “</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
believed in <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span>,
[who] credited it to him as righteousness</span><span style="background: white;">.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
However, hereditary belief in bargaining with the gods was so strong Avram employed
alternative fire-sacrifices. He would kill and burn “</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a
three-year-old ram, a dove and a young pigeon</span><span style="background: white;">”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[j]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
to provide “sweet smells” to <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai.</span></i></span> Killing so many domestic animals is expensive,
even if the family consumes the meat. Avarm may have deemed the animal
slaughter equivalent to killing a human. [About </span><span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">3034</span><span style="background: white;"> YA, King
David continued the tradition of animal sacrifice. “</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for one-and-a-quarter
pounds of silver <i>shekel</i>s.</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David
built an altar to <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> there and offered burnt offerings and
peace offerings. After this, <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> took pity on the
land and lifted the plague from Isra’el</span><span style="background: white;">.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[k]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Yet David “sacrificed” a man to take his wife; see below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white;"> Returning
to Avram, soon, there was famine, so he took his family to Egypt but created shame
and had to flee. They ended up south of the Dead Sea. There, Avram, </span><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-shading: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">3898</span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;"> YA</span></span><span style="background: white;">, chose to impregnate his wife’s maid. “</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Avram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she conceived</span><span style="background: white;">.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[l]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The infidelity so conflicted spousal unity that when Sarai later became
pregnant, she cast out the maid and her son, blaming Avram. His infidelity so
burdened Avram that when Sarai’s son was 15 years old, Avram plotted secretly
to kill their son, </span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Yitz’chak</span></span><span style="background: white;">. On the
way, “</span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yitz’chak . . . said, “I see the
fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?</span><span style="background: white;">”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[m]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
When they reached the high place, “</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Avraham built the altar . . . set
the wood in order, bound Yitz’chak his son and laid him on the altar, on the
wood. Then Avraham put out his hand and took the knife to kill his son</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">.”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[n]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"> Yitz’chak
was screaming! “Dad, this will be murder!” Avraham stopped and murmured, “The horror!
The horror!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Avram’s innovation, animal and bird
sacrifice to end human sacrifice is a first event in the Bible’s suggestion
that bargaining with thegod is futile. In circumstances that weakened his
resolve, Avram reconsidered human killing for sacrifice. His son helped him
realize it would be murder: Avram responded. Yet the shared horror lived on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><u><span style="background: white;">Unexpected consequences from Avraham’s failure<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Avraham’s ancestors were Semites
whose descendants became Israelites, and an actual human sacrifice occurred to
an Israelite in Avraham’s fourth generation. “</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Avraham fathered Yitz’chak. The sons of
Yitz’chak: ‘Esav and Isra’el</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[o]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> “</span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">These are the sons of Isra’el:
Re’uven, Shim‘on, Levi, Y’hudah, Yissakhar, Z’vulun, Dan, Yosef, Binyamin,
Naftali, Gad and Asher</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #4d5156; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[p]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> “</span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Two sons were born to Yosef [who] called the
firstborn M’nasheh [causing to forget], ‘Because God has caused me to forget
all the troubles I suffered at the hands of my family.’ The second he
called Efrayim [fruit], ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my
misfortune.’</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn17" name="_ftnref17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[q]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> “</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">M’nasheh was twelve years old when he began his
reign, and he ruled for fifty-five years in Yerushalayim.. . . .<b><sup> </sup></b>He
made his son pass through the fire [as a sacrifice]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn18" name="_ftnref18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[r]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Note: </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-shading: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">3687</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;"> YA</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Isra’el died then</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="background: purple; mso-highlight: purple;">3623</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;"> YA</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Josef died.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> I’ve
never heard this story preached but am not everywhere all the time. Perhaps
seminaries pass over it because it does not have the details like in </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Avraham’s
temptation to murder his son. However, it is tragic that only 4 generations
later, an ancestor of Jesus effected obsolete killing to bargain with “a
strange god”. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">M’nasheh reformed</span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">: </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He removed the foreign gods and the idol from
the house of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> and all the altars he had
built on the hill of the house of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> and in Yerushalayim, and
threw them out of the city. He repaired the altar of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> and offered on it sacrifices
as peace offerings and for thanksgiving; and he ordered Y’hudah to serve </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> the God of
Isra’el. However, the people continued sacrificing on the high places,
although only to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> their God.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn19" name="_ftnref19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[s]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> I think “high places” refers to
idolatry altars. If so, it implies that elites learn from mistakes but don’t
share the lessons. Empires are like that. Churches are like that. Jesus
resisted church and competitive theism resists his influence to thegood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><u><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burning women and infants: a hard-to-break, ancient-Mesopotamian habit<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;"><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Kenneth Way, in “The Horror and Splendor of Human Sacrifice”,
2012</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn18" name="_ednref18" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">perhaps reliably lists Old Testament incidents of human killing
for sacrifices in competitive theism. I use Way’s references and categories to
further develop the shocking human killing cited therein. If we missed an
incident (I added one), please let me know.</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Major lessons against bargaining/negotiating with thegod</span></u><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judges 11:30-40 CJB; </span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Yiftach [</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jephthah</span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">] made a vow to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">: </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you will hand the people of ‘Amon over to me, then <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">whatever comes out the
doors of my house</span> to meet me when I return in peace from the people of
‘Amon will belong to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">; <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering</span>.” So Yiftach
crossed over to fight the people of ‘Amon, and </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> handed them over to him. He killed them from
‘Aro‘er until you reach Minnit, twenty cities, all the way to Avel-K’ramim; it
was a massacre. So the people of ‘Amon were defeated before the people of
Isra’el</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Note: this story expresses a
man bargaining to kill his daughter for favor from a mystery he believes. The
silent mystery plays no role in the negotiation. Would Yiftach’s advice in Judges
11: 24 hold? “</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">ou should just keep the territory your god
K’mosh has given you; while we . . .hold onto whatever <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> our
God has given us</span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.”</span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">This is competitive monotheism in action. Polytheism may
have fared better, because nature’s gods, such as the sun, yield to discovery
of the laws of physics. Those mythical gods were shared by most civilizations
and fell into history’s trashing.]</span></span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-left: 1.0in;"><span class="text"><span style="background: lightgrey; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">As Yiftach was
returning to his house in Mitzpah, his daughter came dancing out to meet him</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> with tambourines. She was his only child; he had no
other son or daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Oh, no,
my daughter! You’re breaking my heart! Why must you be the cause of such pain
to me? I made a vow to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, and I can’t go back on my word.” She said to him,
“Father, you made a vow to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">; so do whatever you said you would do to me;
because </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> did take vengeance on your enemies the people of ‘Amon</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Typically,
the man blames the woman for his folly.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-left: 1.0in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then she said to her father, “Just do this one thing for me —
let me be alone for two months. I’ll go away into the mountains with my friends
and mourn, because I will die without getting married.” “You may go,” he
answered, and he sent her away for two months. She left, she and her friends,
and mourned in the mountains that she would die unmarried. After two months she
returned to her father, and he did with her what he had vowed; she had remained
a virgin. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[That marriage to woman is more important than life is
male folly.]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-left: 1.0in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So it became a law in Isra’el that the women of Isra’el would go
every year for four days to lament the daughter of Yiftach from Gil‘ad</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Unintentionally
celebrating her father’s folly. Tolerating injustice bemuses a society. Unjust
law taints the Torah.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-left: 76.5pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Deuteronomy 20:16-20 (suggested by PRB); “</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As for the towns of these peoples,
which </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God is giving you as your
inheritance, you are not to allow anything that breathes to live. Rather
you must destroy them completely — the Hitti, the Emori, the Kena‘ani, the
P’rizi, the Hivi and the Y’vusi — as </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God has ordered
you; so that they won’t teach you to follow their abominable practices,
which they do for their gods, thus causing you to sin against </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This abject tyranny is offered by its author as an
excuse for his villany and in no way represents Genesis 1:26-28’s call to
pursue order to the earth. Human being (noun modifying verb)</span></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn19" name="_ednref19" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> rejects a writer’s tyranny and rebukes the unrepentant villain.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Forbidden to Semites</span></u><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> -- before Jacob
(was re-named) Israel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leviticus 18:21; </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You
are not to let any of your <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">children be sacrificed</span> to Molekh, thereby profaning the name
of your God; I am <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[It does not
follow that sacrificing children to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> is good</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Leviticus</span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> 20:1-5; </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> said to Moshe, “Say to
the people of Isra’el, ‘If someone from the people of Isra’el or one of the
foreigners living in Isra’el <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">sacrifices one of his children</span> to Molekh, he must be put to
death; the people of the land are to stone him to death. I too will set myself
against him and cut him off from his people, because he has <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">sacrificed his child to
Molekh</span>, defiling my sanctuary and profaning my holy name. If the people
of the land look the other way when that man sacrifices his child to Molekh and
fail to put him to death, then I will set myself against him, his family and
everyone who follows him to go fornicating after Molekh, and cut them off from
their people. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[</span></span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The writer
portrays <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span>
more concerned with god competition than with child sacrifice.]</span><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 12:29-31;</span><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></sup></b><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God has cut off ahead of
you the nations you are entering in order to dispossess, and when you have
dispossessed them and are living in their land; be careful, after they have
been destroyed ahead of you, not to be trapped into following them; so that you
inquire after their gods and ask, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I
want to do the same.’ You must not do this to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God! For they have done
to their gods all the abominations that </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> hates! They <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">even burn up their sons
and daughters in the fire for their gods</span>!</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 18:9-11;</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When you enter the land </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God is giving you, you
are not to learn how to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There
must not be found among you anyone who makes <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">his son or daughter pass through fire</span>, a
diviner, a soothsayer, an enchanter, a sorcerer, a spell-caster, a consulter of
ghosts or spirits, or a necromancer.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(PRB added a seeming double contradiction) Genesis
22:1-2 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">After these things, God tested
Avraham. He said to him, “Avraham!” and he answered, “Here I am.” He said,
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Yitz’chak; and go to the land of
Moriyah. There you are to <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">offer
him as a burnt offering</span> . . . </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He
said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy! Don’t do anything to him! For now I know
that you are a man who fears God, because you have not withheld your son, your
only son, from me.”</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The writer depicts God as deceitful and willing for the
boy to be bound and see the father’s knife over him, which seems unseemly and
unreliable writing. Yet I don’t <i>know</i>
God’s justice. The Deuteronomy 18 passage casts blame on Avraham for not
responding to the test “in God’s image” per Genesis 1:26-28.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hebrew practices</span></u><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, settlement, </span><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;">3422<span class="text"> YA</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, to exile,</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: background1;">
<span style="background: purple; mso-highlight: purple;">2746<span class="text"> YA</span></span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judges 11:30-40, quoted above.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1 Kings 16:34 </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">t was during his time that Hi’el of Beit-El rebuilt Yericho.
He laid its foundation at the cost of his firstborn son Aviram and erected its
gates at the cost of his youngest son S’guv. This was in keeping with the word
of <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> spoken
through Y’hoshua the son of Nun</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. See
Joshua 6, below.</span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joshua 6:26-27 </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Y’hoshua
then made the people take this oath: “A curse before <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> on
anyone who rises up and rebuilds this city of Yericho: he will lay its
foundation with <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">the
loss of his firstborn son</span> and set up its gates with <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">the loss of his youngest
son</span>.” So <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> was with Y’hoshua, and people heard
about him throughout the land.</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Kings 16:2-3 </span><span class="text"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Achaz was twenty years old when he began to
rule, and he reigned sixteen years in Yerushalayim. But he did not do what was
right from the perspective of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> his God, as David his
ancestor had done. Rather, he lived in the manner of the kings of Isra’el;
he even <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">made his son
pass through fire [as a sacrifice]</span>, in keeping with the abominable
practices of the pagans, whom </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> had thrown out ahead of the
people of Isra’el. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Kings 17:17-19 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[T</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">he
people of Isra’el]<span class="text"> <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">had their sons and daughters pass through fire [as a
sacrifice]</span>. They used divination and magic spells. And they gave
themselves over to do what was evil from </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text">’s
perspective, thereby provoking him; so that </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text">, by
now very angry with Isra’el, removed them from his sight. None was left except
the tribe of Y’hudah alone. (However, neither did Y’hudah obey the <i>mitzvot</i> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[instruction]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="color: #0070c0;">of </span></span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> their God; rather they lived
according to the customs of Isra’el.) </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[This implies that
Isra’el did not observe the Torah. ]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Kings 21:1-6 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">M’nasheh was twelve years old when he began his
reign, and he ruled for fifty-five years in Yerushalayim . . . He did what
was evil from </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">’s perspective, following the
disgusting practices of the nations whom </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> had expelled ahead of the
people of Isra’el. For he rebuilt the high places Hizkiyahu his father had
destroyed; he erected altars for Ba‘al and made an <i>asherah</i>, as had
Ach’av king of Isra’el; and he worshipped all the army of heaven and served
them.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> [As though polytheism applied to
heaven rather than sheer speculation.]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> He erected altars in the house of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, about which </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> had said, “In Yerushalayim I
will put my name.” He erected altars for all the army of heaven in the two
courtyards of the house of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. He <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">made his son pass through the fire [as a sacrifice]</span>.
He practiced soothsaying and divination and appointed mediums and persons who
used spirit guides. He did much that was evil from </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">’s perspective, thus provoking him
to anger. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[See also 2 Chronicles 33:1, 6, below.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">f.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Kings 23:10 </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[King <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Yoshiyahu (Josiah, David’s son)</span>] <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">desecrated the Tofet fire pit in the Ben-Hinnom
Valley, so that no one could cause <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">his son or daughter to pass through fire [as a
sacrifice]</span> to Molekh</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The objection seems to Molekh
rather than to child sacrifice.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">g.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Chronicles 28:1-4 </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">chaz was twenty years old when he
began his reign, and he ruled sixteen years in Yerushalayim. But he did not do
what was right from the perspective of </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, as David his ancestor had done.
Rather, he lived in the manner of the kings of Isra’el and made cast metal
images for the <i>ba‘alim</i>. Moreover, he made offerings in the
Ben-Hinnom Valley and even <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">burned up his own children as sacrifices</span>, in keeping with the
horrible practices of the pagans, whom </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> had thrown out ahead of the
people of Isra’el. He also sacrificed and offered on the high places, on the
hills and under any green tree. </span></span></span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[Achaz was the 12<sup>th</sup>
king of Judah and in the genealogy of Jesus. He died </span><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-shading: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">2751 YA</span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.]</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">h.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Chronicles 33:1,6 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">M’nasheh was twelve years old when he began his
reign, and he ruled for fifty-five years in Yerushalayim.<b> </b><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">He made his children pass
through the fire [as a sacrifice]</span> in the Ben-Hinnom Valley. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[Reported above.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ps 106:37-38, lamenting failures of the people
rescued from exile in Egypt and descendants. “</span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">They even sacrificed their sons and their
daughters to demons.<b> </b>Yes, they shed innocent blood, <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">the blood of their own sons
and daughters</span>, whom they sacrificed to Kena‘an’s <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Cannan’s]</span> false gods, <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">polluting the land with
blood</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[A theorist beyond JEDP</span></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn20" name="_ednref20" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> might suggest why this author admits that killing and blood precede
“sacrifice”, usually in the fire.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background: yellow; color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">j.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 57:5 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You go into heat among the oak trees, under
every spreading tree. <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">You
kill the children</span> in the valleys under the cracks in the rocks</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Suggests ancient late-term-abortion-on-demand.]</span></span></span><span style="background: yellow; color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">k.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jeremiah 7:30-31 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For the people of Y’hudah have done what is
evil from my perspective,” says </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; “they have set up their
detestable things in the house which bears my name, to defile it. They have
built the high places of Tofet in the Ben-Hinnom Valley, to <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">burn their sons and
daughters in the fire</span>, something I never ordered; in fact, such a thing
never even entered my mind! </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[This
passage laments the Hebrew culture.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">l.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jeremiah 19:5-7 </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They have built the high places of Ba‘al, in order to <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">burn up their children in
the fire as burnt offerings</span> to Ba‘al — something I never ordered or
said; it never even entered my mind. “Therefore the time is coming,” says </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, “when this place will no longer be called either
Tofet or the Ben-Hinnom Valley, but the Valley of Slaughter. I will
nullify the plans of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim in this place. I will have them
fall by the sword before their enemies and at the hand of those seeking their
lives, and I will give their corpses as food for the birds in the air and the
wild animals</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.”</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[The objection seems to</span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">Ba‘al</span></span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> rather than to child sacrifice.]</span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">m.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jeremiah 32:35 </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">and
they built the high places for Ba‘al which are in the Ben-Hinnom Valley, to <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">burn alive their sons and
daughters</span> to Molekh — something I did not order them to do, it never
even entered my mind that they would do such an abominable thing — and thus
they caused Y’hudah to sin</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Here, burning <i>is</i> the killing.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ezekiel 16:20-21, </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">36
<span class="text">[Sexual depravity] is how it was,’ says <i>Adonai </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Elohim</span></i></span><span class="text">.<b> </b>“‘Moreover, your sons and daughters, whom you bore me,
<span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">you took and sacrificed
for them to devour</span>. Were these fornications of yours a casual matter?
— killing my children, handing them over and setting them apart for [these
idols]? . . . </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Adonai <span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Elohim</span></span></span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> says: ‘Because your filth has been poured out
and your privates exposed through your acts of fornication with your lovers,
and because of all the idols of your disgusting practices, and because of <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">the blood of your children</span>,
which you gave them</span></span><span style="background: yellow; color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">. [This seems like ancient after-term-abortion-on-demand.
The author claims the children were born for </span><i><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">Adonai <span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Elohim</span></span></span></i><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">, <span style="color: #221f1f;">but to
what purpose? Typically, there seems to be no objection to sacrifice thereto.
The author takes no responsibility for any impact on the community –
encouraging the depraved faction to kill then sacrifice unwanted infants.]</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">o.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ezekiel 20:26, 31 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I also gave them laws which did them no good
and rulings by which they did not live; and I let them become defiled by
their own gifts, in that <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">they
offered up their firstborn sons</span>, so that I could fill them with
revulsion, so that they would [finally] realize that I am </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> . . . </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">and when offering your gifts, you make your
children pass through the fire and defile yourselves with all your idols — to
this day. So, am I supposed to allow you to consult me, house of Isra’el? As I
live,’ says <i>Adonai <span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Elohim</span></span></i>, ‘I swear that I won’t have you consult me</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Diabolically, the author has</span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: yellow; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> manipulating the law in psychological <i>quid pro quo</i>. Thegod knows that a person cannot go back to before
killing her/his child. Yet we’re in the year 2024 and humankind has accepted
neither thegod nor Genesis 1:26-28’s message: rule your adulthood to thegood!]</span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">p.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ezekiel 23:36-39 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Then </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> said to me, “Human being, are
you ready to judge Oholah and Oholivah? Then confront them with their
disgusting practices. For they committed adultery, and their hands are
dripping with blood. They committed adultery with their idols; and <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">they offered their sons,
whom they bore to me, for these idols to eat</span>. Moreover, they have done
this to me as well: they defiled my sanctuary on the same day, and they
profaned my <i>shabbat</i>s </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[Sabbaths]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. For <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">after killing their children for their idols</span>,
they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; this they did in my
house. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[The writer perhaps unintentionally encourages
infidels to sacrifice their children to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> yet is culpable
for ignoring Genesis 1:26-28. The image of an idol eating a child is
disgusting.]</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">q.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hos 13:2 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When
Efrayim spoke, there was trembling; he was a power in Isra’el. But when he
incurred guilt through Ba‘al, he died.<b> </b>So now they keep adding sin
to sin, casting images from their silver; idols they invent for themselves, all
of them the work of craftsmen. ‘Sacrifice to them,’ they say. Men give kisses
to calves! </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[I don’t perceive human sacrifice here,
but there is much discussion online that “kiss the calves” means infant
sacrifice.]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">r.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Micah 6:6-8 </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With what can I come before </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai </span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to bow down before God on high?</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span class="text">Should I come before him with burnt offerings? with calves in
their first year?<b> </b>Would </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"> take
delight in thousands of rams with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Could I
give my firstborn to pay for my crimes, <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul</span>?”
Human being, you have already been told what is good, what </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"> demands of you — no more than to act justly, love grace and
walk in purity with your God. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">[It seems </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> on earth
represents God in heaven. The author suggests that blood sacrifice is no good:
human being (verb) requires justice, humility, and perfection. Thanks to
Kenneth Way for this personal discovery to me.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Canaanite
(Amorite) religions </span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 12:31 <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">You must not do this to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God! For they have done to their
gods all the abominations that </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> hates! They even <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">burn up their sons and daughters in the fire</span>
for their gods! </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[Cited above as caution to Israel.]</span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deuteronomy 18:12-14 </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For whoever does these things is detestable
to </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, and because of these abominations </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God is driving them out
ahead of you. You must be wholehearted with </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God. <b><i>(v)</i></b> For
these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to soothsayers and
diviners; but you, </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> your God does not allow you
to do this.</span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Kings 17:31 </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">the
‘Avim <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Avites of Samaria]</span>
made Nivchaz and Tartak, and the S’farvim <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">burned up their children in the fire as sacrifices</span>
to Adramelekh and ‘Anamelekh the gods of S’farvayim. </span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 66:3 <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I don’t perceive human sacrifice herein.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moabite king Mesha in 2 Kings 3:27</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 76.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Then he took his firstborn son, who
was to have succeeded him as king, and <span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">offered him as a burnt offering on the wall.</span>
Following this, such great anger came upon Isra’el that they left him and went
back to their own land.</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amos 2:1-2 </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is what </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> says: “For Mo’av’s three crimes,</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span class="text">no, four — I will not reverse it — because he burned the bones
of the king of Edom, turning them into lime;<b> </b>I will send fire on
Mo’av, and it will consume the palaces of K’riot</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.”</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">There may
be more Old Testament incidents of human sacrifice. I spent a lot of energy
making up my mind that I would accept any challenge to kill an innocent person,
let alone my own family member. However, until now, I had never realized the
challenges descendants of Mesopotamia face respecting the folly of bargaining
with thegod, let alone killing people as a negotiating strategy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Kenneth Way goes on to opine about Jesus’ love, another writer’s
mystery. I prefer </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to pursue Jesus’ civic influence<span class="text">,</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> and will
take up a second study of the New Testament regarding ceremonial human killing
for sacrifice as soon as I have the time. I <i>will</i>
say: The Old Testament’s negative view
of human killing for sacrifice encourages my long held opinion that each
generation keeps Jesus alive</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn21" name="_ednref21" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> by-together
expanding Jesus’ influence as time marches forward. While I don’t object to
people pursuing Christ, I don’t recommend it. I admit Jesus could judge me
wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Hebrew
instructions on animal and other non-human sacrifice<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></u></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> The Bible presents instructions
on non-human ceremonial sacrifices.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn22" name="_ednref22" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> The
variations are surprising to me, because I never before considered them. They seem
essential to the New Testament study. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="top-1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tabernacle in the wilderness (</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;">3468</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: purple; color: white; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: purple; mso-themecolor: background1;"> YA</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">): </span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are to make an altar on which to <b>burn incense</b>; make it of acacia-wood. It is to be eighteen
inches square and three feet high; its horns are to be of one piece with it<b><sup>
</sup></b>. . . Place it in front of the curtain by the ark for the testimony,
in front of the ark-cover that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you. Aharon
will burn fragrant incense on it as a pleasing aroma every morning; he is to
burn it when he prepares the lamps. Aharon is also to burn it when he
lights the lamps at dusk; this is the regular burning of incense before <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i> through all your generations.
You are not to offer unauthorized incense on it, or a <b>burnt offering</b> or a <b>grain
offering</b>; and you are not to pour a <b>drink
offering</b> on it. Aharon is to make atonement on its horns once a year — with
the blood of the <b>sin offering</b> of
atonement he is to make atonement for it once a year through all your
generations; it is especially holy to <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i>.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn20" name="_ftnref20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[t]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Further modes of sacrifice</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Burnt offering:</span></span><span class="EndnoteTextChar"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> called to Moshe and spoke to
him from the tent of meeting . . . <b>animal offering</b> . . . must [be] a male
without defect . . . it will be accepted . . . to make atonement for him . . .
slaughter the young bull before </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> ; and the sons of Aharon,
the <i>cohanim</i>, </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[of priesthood]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="color: #0070c0;">are to present the
blood . . . splash the blood against all sides of the altar, which is by the
entrance to the tent of meeting . . . skin the burnt offering and cut it in
pieces . . . arrange the pieces, the head and the fat on the wood which is on
the fire on the altar . . . wash the entrails and lower parts of the legs with
water . . . cause all of it to go up in smoke on the altar as a burnt offering;
it is an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for </span></span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn21" name="_ftnref21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[u]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Grain offering: </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">for the grain offering . . . take from the
grain offering a handful of its fine flour, some of its olive oil and all of
the frankincense which is on the grain offering; and he is to make this
reminder portion of it go up in smoke on the altar as a fragrant aroma
for </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. The rest of it Aharon and his sons are
to eat . . . I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire;
like the <b>sin offering</b> and the <b>guilt offering</b>, it is especially
holy. Every male descendant of Aharon may eat from it . . . Whatever
touches those offerings will become holy</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn22" name="_ftnref22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Drink offering</span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">: </span></span><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘When you
have come into the land where you are going to live, which I am giving to
you, and want to make an offering by fire to <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i> — a burnt offering or
sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or to be a <b>voluntary offering</b>, or at your designated times, to make a fragrant
aroma for <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i> —
then, whether it is comes from the herd or from the flock, the person
bringing the offering is to present <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i> with
a grain offering consisting of two quarts of fine flour mixed with one quart of
olive oil, and one quart of wine for the drink offering. This is what you
are to prepare with the burnt offering or for each lamb sacrificed. For a ram,
prepare one gallon of fine flour mixed with one-and-one-third quarts of olive
oil; while for the drink offering, you are to present one-and-one-third
quarts of wine as a fragrant aroma for <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn23" name="_ftnref23" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[w]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Dough offering: </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When you enter the land where I am bringing
you <b><sup>19 </sup></b>and eat bread produced in the land, you are
to set aside a portion as a gift for </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <b><sup>20 </sup></b>Set
aside from your first dough a cake as a gift; set it aside as you would set
aside a portion of the grain from the threshing-floor.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn24" name="_ftnref24" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">e.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sin offering: </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">the sin offering is to be slaughtered
before </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> in the place where the burnt offering
is slaughtered; it is especially holy. The <i>cohen</i> who
offers it for sin is to eat it — it is to be eaten in a holy place, in the
courtyard of the tent of meeting. Whatever touches its flesh will become
holy; if any of its blood splashes on any item of clothing, you are to wash it
in a holy place . . .</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Any male from a family of <i>cohanim</i> may
eat the sin offering; it is especially holy. But no sin offering which has
had any of its blood brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the
Holy Place is to be eaten; it is to be burned up completely</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn25" name="_ftnref25" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[y]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">f.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Guilt
or trespass offering; See all of Leviticus 5 for variations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">g.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Peace offering:</span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering, as
a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow or as peace offerings for </span></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, there is to be presented
with the bull a grain offering of one-and-a-half gallons of fine flour mixed with
two quarts of olive oil.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text">For the drink offering, present two quarts of wine for an offering
made by fire, a fragrant aroma for </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn26" name="_ftnref26" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[z]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">the
fire on the altar will be kept burning and not be allowed to go out. Each
morning, the <i>cohen</i> is to kindle wood on it, arrange the burnt
offering and make the fat of the peace offerings go up in smoke</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn27" name="_ftnref27" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[aa]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">h.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Mistake offering: </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">if . . . the community [fails to observe
all these <i>mitzvot</i>] and was not known to them, the whole community
is to offer one young bull for a burnt offering as a fragrant aroma to <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span>,
with its grain and drink offerings, in keeping with the rule, and one male goat
as a sin offering</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn28" name="_ftnref28" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[bb]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo2; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If
an individual sins by mistake, he is to offer a female goat in its first year
as a sin offering.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn29" name="_ftnref29" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[cc]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Anointing: </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">on the day he is anointed . . . </span></span><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></sup></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">every grain offering of the <i>cohen</i> is to be
entirely made to go up in smoke — it is not to be eaten.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn30" name="_ftnref30" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[dd]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Intentional wrong: </span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But an individual who does something wrong intentionally,
whether a citizen or a foreigner, is blaspheming <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i>. That person will be cut off
from his people. Because he has had contempt for the word of <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i> and has disobeyed his
command, that person will be cut off completely; his offense will remain with
him.<b><sup> </sup></b>While the people of Isra’el were in the desert,
they found a man gathering wood on <i>Shabbat . . .</i> Then <i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i> said to Moshe, “This man
must be put to death; the entire community is to stone him to death outside the
camp.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftn31" name="_ftnref31" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[ee]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The
animal, bird, grain, oil, wine, and incense sacrifice system was cumbersome and
expensive. I wonder what event in history suggests that thegod responds to
sacrifice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Certainly, in my life, when I have done all I know to do and still
feel that a loved one might die, I pray. And just this week I prayed that my wife
would be able to open her eyes, and she did, after our daughter had applied
some new healing oils for a couple days. I know all these actions give hope and
comfort in bad circumstances. I pray to express my hopes, confident that thegod
know I don’t doubt best wishes. However, I don’t think thegod <i>wants</i> me to pray and would not imagine
sacrificing something I imagine the thegod could use.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> I think universities, especially
law schools, abuse humankind by not developing the phrase “the ineluctable
truth”. Likewise, seminaries and other clergy-licensers fail believers by not
facilitating and encouraging or accommodating reform from sacrificial killing.
By representing the choice to kill as egocentric bargaining among competitive gods/religions,
institutions maintain elite-will to choose killing and thus war. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> I understand, perhaps wrongly,
that Hebrews transitioned from blood sacrifice -- no longer support even animal
sacrifice. The Micah 6 passage, cited above, thanks to Kenneth Way for my
awareness, presents the reform. However, the reasoning that</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> sustains war in 2024 is the same as occupied-land hostilities
4000 years ago. Meanwhile, political philosophy (or thegod’s will) that
humankind is responsible to provide order on earth, expressed in Genesis
1:26-28, goes substantially unheeded. Religious believers allow this tyranny to
prevail. It’s self-tyranny, because religion is pretense to know the facts
about a mystery. Let me repeat that: religion is pretense to know the facts
about a mystery. We, the civic faction of generation2024 may and can initiate
and accelerate reform. </span></span><span style="color: #221f1f; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> This study
suggests at least </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">three themes: thegod versus empire, thegood versus killing humans,
and the folly of bargaining with or to thegod. The laws of physics are
discoverable but thegod remains a mystery. Of the mysteries presented in the
Bible, the advisor for living I perceive reliable is Jesus, not the writers
about him. The scripture shows that individuals, primarily elites such as
kings, construct personal gods and competitive religions. But ultimately, a
civic people may and can establish responsibility over empire and killing, in
order to pursue thegood. Perhaps the topic I prefer is Jesus versus empire.<span class="text"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Acknowledging recent support<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Nomads Sunday
school class has led my curiosity since Fall 2021, when I spoke of “the
metaphysical Jesus”. I would never have taken these studies as seriously without
Nomads. The pastors and people at University Baptist Church, beginning with Rev.
George Haile in the late 1970s, help me perceive the priesthood of the believer
-- whatever that may mean to each concerned believer. My
Louisiana-French-Catholic family, without demand, supports my work, including
church participation, perceiving only my performance with them. Some strangers
I meet share enthusiasm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Current UBC
neither stonewalls nor “agrees to disagree” with my curiosity at age 80. On
hearing my topics – the ineluctable truth, then the metaphysical Jesus, and
Genesis 1:26-28, Pastor Andy Hale suggested either Nomads or Courage Sunday school
class. Members Vaughn Crombie (Courage) and Anne Cramer (Nomads) immediately
strengthened my assertion that the U.S. Civil war was caused by southern
Christian minister’s beliefs</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn23" name="_ednref23" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: abolitionists opposed God’s millennial plan. Kenneth Tipton shares
concerns and collaborates to directions; class members engage the pursuits. Russell
Futrell requested the Baylor unit on the Book of James. Cortney Brown </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helped
me think I act promptly on perceiving opportunity to the-good.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt;"> Ron Perritt aided
grounding humankind's power and authority to Genesis 1:26-28, CJB and NIV.
Missionary Keith Holmes asked, “Who most influenced you to Christ?” (Happily,
Dad taught us kids Jesus’ civic influence.) Billy King accepted, for me, my
preference for Jesus. Pastors</span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Tanya and
Jon Parks</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_edn24" name="_ednref24" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and Eric Fulcher continually excite my intentions, for example,
currently presenting conversations then between Jesus and people “on the
street”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I expect
people to flock to UBC, because everyone – the founders, sustainers, and each
visitor knows together that unique thoughts, heartfelt concerns, and
intentions-to-institutional-reform matter to ourselves and our posterity (borrowing
words from the preamble). I think Jesus’ civic influence may spread from UBC
such that everyone understands thegod is a mystery. Perhaps in the future few neighbors
will claim that they are atheists. It isn’t easy, but the people, under Jesus’
civic influence, make it happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Phil Beaver, 3/9/2024, updated 3/14/2024 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">#USpreambler<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2024
by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the
publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright
notice is included. Updated, March 14, 2024.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[a]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
John 8:58: <span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! Before
Avraham came into being, I AM!”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[b]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Merriam-Webster usage: <span style="background: white; color: #212529; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a member of any of a number of
peoples of ancient southwestern Asia including the Akkadians, Phoenicians,
Hebrews, and Arabs.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[c]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Theisms construct gods which humbly yield to thegod, whatever it is. For
example, all the sun gods yield to the discovery that the sun is a natural
nuclear reactor. Authors of <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai </span></i></span>in Genesis 2 accommodate God of
Genesis 1.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[d]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 1:26-28<o:p></o:p></p>
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Genesis 11:28<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[f]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 11:31-32<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[g]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Joshua 24:2<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[h]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 15:2<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 15:6<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[j]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 15:9<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[k]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> 2
Samuel 24:24-25<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[l]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 16:4<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn13">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[m]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 22:7<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn14">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[n]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 22:9-19; note that scripture takes for granted that kill/slay is
prerequisite to sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn15">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[o]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> 1
Chronicles 18:34<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn16">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[p]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> 1
Chronicles 2:1-2<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn17">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[q]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 41:50-52<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn18">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref18" name="_ftn18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[r]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> 2
Kings 21:1-6<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn19">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref19" name="_ftn19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[s]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> 2
Chronicles 20:15-17<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn20">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref20" name="_ftn20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[t]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Exodus 30:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn21">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref21" name="_ftn21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[u]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Leviticus 1:1-9<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn22">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref22" name="_ftn22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Leviticus 6:7-11<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn23">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref23" name="_ftn23" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[w]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Numbers 15:1-7<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn24">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref24" name="_ftn24" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Numbers 15:18-20<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn25">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref25" name="_ftn25" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[y]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Leviticus 6:18-20<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn26">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref26" name="_ftn26" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[z]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Numbers 15:8-10<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn27">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref27" name="_ftn27" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[aa]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Leviticus 6:5<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn28">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref28" name="_ftn28" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[bb]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Numbers 15:22-24<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn29">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref29" name="_ftn29" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[cc]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Numbers 15:27<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn30">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref30" name="_ftn30" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[dd]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Leviticus 6:13-16<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn31">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ftnref31" name="_ftn31" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ee]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Numbers 15:30-35<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><div><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Ineluctable means “not to be avoided, changed, or resisted” (Merriam-Webster
usage).<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Socrates asked if <span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the gods love the-good because it
is the-good, or whether the-good is good because it is loved by the gods</span><span style="background: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">; </span><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">online at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthyphro_dilemma.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.wycliffe.net/resources/statistics/">https://www.wycliffe.net/resources/statistics/</a></span>:
7.42 billion known users of some or all books of the Bible. Complete Bible or
New Testament translations in 736 or 1658 languages to 5.96 billion and 0.82
billion people, respectively.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> I
write the phrase “the god” as “thegod” to express a singularity without
assuming divinity – hopefully to express personal humility to whatever entity
constrains human choices. Similarly, “thegood” represents the best choice a
human could make in a given challenge; there are always multiples of the bad.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> I
write “killing humans” to separate from the term “human sacrifice”, which can
apply to lesser issues, such as fasting to improve fitness, or foregoing
tradition to develop thegood.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> I
prefer the New International Version but quote the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
for immediate insight and to suggest research regarding the west region of
Caanan, via the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Bible.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> If
we reference the emergence of homo sapiens as the beginning of sufficient
awareness to pursue the ineluctable truth, we’re estimating 200,000 years ago.
At 19 years per generation, that’s 10,526 prior generations. If “the beginning”
is writing with grammar, that’s 10,000 years and 526 generations ago. We’re
perhaps the first generation with developed and accessible Internet: the
opportunity we have is exceptional – if and only if we accept the awesome
responsibility, power, and authority.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The United States preamble authorizes and empowers the faction “We the People
of the United States” to pursue statutory justice “to ourselves and our
Posterity”. The preamble presents no norms, admitting insufficiency of temporal
morality: only ultimate human being (noun modifying verb) can achieve
standards.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> “<span style="background: white; color: #373d3f; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ur was a major Sumerian city-state located in Mesopotamia,
marked today by Tell el-Muqayyar in southern Iraq. It was founded circa 3800
BCE, and was recorded in written history from the 26th century BCE. Its patron
god was Nanna, the moon god, and the city’s name literally means “the abode of
Nanna.” </span>Online at https://courses.lumenlearning.com.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Ur-Nammu#:~:text=The%20Code%20of%20Ur%2DNammu,2100%E2%80%932050%20BCE.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn11">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-world-history-of-violence/ritual-killing-and-human-sacrifice-in-the-ancient-near-east/15D2059982C482750124293D29EF55BA.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn12">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.mometrix.com/academy/early-mesopotamia-the-babylonians">https://www.mometrix.com/academy/early-mesopotamia-the-babylonians</a></span>.
Also see https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amorite and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorites.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn13">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://carm.org/islam/abraham-and-the-fiery-furnace-the-quran-and-late-jewish-mythology/">https://carm.org/islam/abraham-and-the-fiery-furnace-the-quran-and-late-jewish-mythology/</a></span>;
Here’s a fragment of an interesting story: “<span style="background: white; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Thereupon he seized him and delivered him to
Nimrod. ‘Let us worship the fire!’ he [Nimrod] proposed. ‘Let us rather worship
the water, which extinguishes the fire,’ replied he. “let us worship the
water!’ ‘Let us rather worship the clouds which bear the water.’ ‘Let us
worship the clouds!’ ‘Let us rather worship the winds which disperse the
clouds.’ ‘Then let us worship the wind!’ ‘Let us rather worship human beings,
who withstand the wind.’ ‘You are just bandying with words,’ he exclaimed; ‘we
will worship nought but the fire. Behold, I will cast you into it, and let your
God whom you adore come and save you from it.’ Now Haran was standing there
undecided. If Abram is victorious, I will say that I am of Abram’s belief,
while if Nimrod is victorious I will say I am on Nimrod’s side. When Abram
descended into the fiery furnace and was saved, he [Nimrod] asked him, ‘of
whose belief are you?’ ‘Of Abram’s’ he replied. Thereupon he seized and cast
him into the fire; his inwards were scorched and he died in his father’s
presence. Hence it is written, ‘and Haran died in the presence of his father
Terah'” (Midrash Rabbah 38:13)”; </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0000ee; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://archive.org/stream/RabbaGenesis/midrashrabbahgen027557mbp#page/n357/mode/2up"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><br />
http://archive.org/stream/RabbaGenesis/midrashrabbahgen027557mbp#page/n357/mode/2up</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn14">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Teppei Kato, Ancient Chronography on Abraham’s Departure from Haran: Qumran,
Josephus, Rabbinic Literature, and Jerome, 2019, online https://www.jstor.org/stable/26675140.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn15">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://classicalwisdom.com/politics/places/abraham-boom-bust-ur/.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn16">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref16" name="_edn16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://www.worldhistory.org/hammurabi.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn17">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref17" name="_edn17" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The phrase “<span style="background: white; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God” in the U.S.
Declaration of Independence has Anglo-Christian origins. Since then, some
researchers project reduction of psychology to biology, and biology to
chemistry, and chemistry to the laws of physics. For introduction, see <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/79533/why-would-laws-of-nature-not-be-reducible-to-physics-alone">https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/79533/why-would-laws-of-nature-not-be-reducible-to-physics-alone</a></span>,
or <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Darwinian-Reductionism-Worrying-Molecular-Biology-ebook/product-reviews/B001PGXEC4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews">https://www.amazon.com/Darwinian-Reductionism-Worrying-Molecular-Biology-ebook/product-reviews/B001PGXEC4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews</a></span>
or <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.americanscientist.org/article/is-biology-reducible-to-the-laws-of-physics">https://www.americanscientist.org/article/is-biology-reducible-to-the-laws-of-physics</a></span>,
or all 3. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn18">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref18" name="_edn18" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2012/the-horror-and-splendor-of-human-sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn19">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref19" name="_edn19" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Maybe there’s a better way. However, I am trying to introduce to society the
use of “human being” as a verb rather than the customary noun. In my usage, a
person who works to comprehend and intend the image of God that is expressed in
Genesis 1:26-28 is pursuing the power and authority of a god facing death. His
or her God likeness is a state of human being. I seek to avoid the implication
that “human” modifies “being” like “kind being”. Animals and spirits cannot
pursue human being.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn20">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref20" name="_edn20" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
See bias against JEDP at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/JEDP-theory.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/JEDP-theory.html</a></span>.
I prefer open heartedness.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn21">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref21" name="_edn21" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
When my family had adolescent children, I spoke the parts of Catholic liturgy I
believed and at the appointed time said, “Christ has died, Christ is Risen,
Christ has come again”, hoping someone would ask why I changed “will come
again”. No one ever asked.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn22">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref22" name="_edn22" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Some writers ponder killing animals for clothing as sacrificial. <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Genesis 3:21: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“</span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">,</span></i><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God, made garments
of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">”</span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Whatever Adam and Eve
donned, discretion was consistent with Genesis 1:26-28s “rule to thegood”.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn23">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref23" name="_edn23" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online comment at <span class="MsoHyperlink">https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/nikki-haley-to-end-2024-bid-paving-way-for-trump-to-get-gop-nod-5597025</span>
.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn24">
<p style="background: white; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phillip%20Beaver/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Wednesday%20meetings/thegod%20vs%20human%20sacrifice%20and%20empire.docx#_ednref24" name="_edn24" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Pastoring by the Parks, a spousal couple, is new for me. I relish the
experience, because of their sermons and because it seems consistent with a civic
lesson from Jesus -- his advocacy for Genesis 1:26-28. When Jesus speaks to
people on the street, we glimpse his civic influence. Reading Matthew 19:3-9: <span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Some <i>P’rushim</i> came and
tried to trap [</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">Yeshua]</span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0;"> by asking, “Is it permitted for a man
to divorce his wife on any ground whatever?” He replied, “Haven’t you read
that at the beginning the Creator <b>made them male and female</b>, and
that he said, <b>‘For this reason a man should leave his father and mother
and be united with his wife, and the two are to become one flesh’</b>? Thus
they are no longer two, but one. So then, no one should split apart what God
has joined together.”</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0;"> <span class="text">They said to him, “Then why did Moshe give the commandment that a
man should <b>hand his wife a <i>get</i></b> and divorce
her?” He answered, “Moshe allowed you to divorce your wives because your
hearts are so hardened. But this is not how it was at the beginning. Now what I
say to you is that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual
immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery!”</span></span><span class="text"> I think “the beginning” refers to Genesis 1 and if get to re-live
my life, I will ask Cynthia then “papa” if I can marry and take the family
name: Marionneaux. If not, it will be Beaver again.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div><div><div id="edn20">
</div>
</div><div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><div id="edn19" style="mso-element: endnote;">
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-83583568572992365192024-02-26T23:38:00.002-06:002024-03-09T14:40:49.636-06:00Harvard’s recent exposition: Free speech discloses liars<p>Humankind’s technological reality seems vastly disconnected from its moral
progress. NASA is planning a colony on Mars. Meanwhile the Biden Administration
is negotiating funds to aid the wanton killing of babies in Gaza and around the
world. And Harvard ponders plagiarism in high office. American Universities
could -- should discover the cause of moral irresponsibility, and civic
citizens are concerned. By “civic” I mean reliably responsible to the
good in human connections and transactions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dr. James
Stoner, professor at LSU and Harvard alum, at https://lawliberty.org/a-defense-of-the-neoliberal-university/
shared thoughts on Keith E. Whittington’s book, </span><i><u><span style="color: #3d6b7f; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lawliberty.org/2018/05/01/speak-freely-american-higher-education-keith-whittington/"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech</span></a></span></u></i>.
Dr. Whittington is Professor of Politics at Princeton University. Not having
read the book, I sought an impression of Whittington and found civic
encouragement (although I prefer “facilitation” rather than “force” in personal
development) at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHgVGgDqUvE">(15) John Stuart Mill's big
idea: Harsh critics make good thinkers | Keith Whittington | Big Think -
YouTube</a></span>. I do not support Professor Stoner’s favor toward Church.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In public, some
people choose to either initiate or accommodate the bad to fellow citizens. Most
people who choose the good don’t accept that they may and can constrain the
bad. Neither Church nor government pursue the good. Each focuses on growing
itself, and they often partner against civic integrity. So far, the good people
have not taken charge. Consequently, in 2024, humankind seems in chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ancient
political philosophers suggest that humankind’s purpose is to rule to the good
on earth. They observe that language and grammar empower humankind over other
living species and the world. See, for example, Genesis 1:26-28’s comment on
Sumerian political philosophy: humankind may rule to the good on earth. The
rest of the Holy Bible reports the chaos people invite when they choose the bad.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Truth stands the
test of time. That humankind is in charge on earth was suggested 5500 years
ago. Failure, so far, informs that churches and governments cannot usurp
humankind’s duty. Human power and authority depend on each individual who
chooses the good and pursues the ineluctable truth; Ineluctable means not to be
avoided, changed, or resisted -- Merriam-Webster. The ineluctable truth is
stymied when citizens stonewall each other. Permitting liars empowers them to
affirm actual reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Among
humankind, it seems wrong to perceive that Christian beliefs define human being
(verb). Most humans use religion to improve life. Only a third of the world’s
population believe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Christ</i> saved
their spirit and that by grace they are antinomian to moral law. That leaves
2/3 of humankind out of collaborative civics. Yet Jesus, not Christ, is among
reported history’s greatest political philosophers. I speculate that 80% of
people on earth consider Jesus an influence to the good. Christ, not so much if
at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ralph Waldo
Emerson discovered Jesus’ unique civic message, in my paraphrase:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each person can pursue their perfect human
being (verb). In his 1838 essay, “Divinity School Address”, Emerson explained
the Church’s tyranny in promoting the Christ – the Church advocating perfection
upon-the-<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">afterdeath</i> rather than for-civic-integrity-in-life.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The afterdeath</i> is the individual’s
indefinite time when body, mind, and person stop functioning. I think there’s
only dust and past personal progress toward perfection. Harvard prevented
Emerson’s return until 30 years later, when he enjoyed world renown. Harvard’s
free-speech infamy started long ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Emerson’s common
sense was ineffective for two reasons. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First</b>,
Harvard and other divinity enterprises suppressed Emerson’s speech. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second</b>, Emerson did not suggest ways readers
could encounter Jesus rather than the Christ – the political philosopher rather
than mysterious savior of spirits – the man rather than the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus did not stonewall public
discussion except to escape killers. For example, in Matthew 19:3-8, Jesus
responds to collaborative students, improves the Torah, refers to Genesis
1:26-28, and informs men to unite to their wife to become a unique entity; all
that in one conversation. In John 10:34, Jesus says the individual has the
power; and in Matthew 5:48 says their power can pursue perfection, each statement
reflecting Genesis 1:26-28, a political philosophy that originated in
polytheistic Sumer civilization.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s a shame
that American universities debate diversity rather than reliable
responsibility, equality and equity rather than civic integrity, democracy
rather than republican pursuit of statutory justice, liberty rather than
independence, religion rather than actual reality, and Christian doctrine
rather than Jesus’ civic influence to the good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Turning to Professor
Stoner’s article, this reader would like more explanation of jargon used. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First, what
“Christian strictures” inhibit appreciation and what distinguishes
“intellectual debate”? Christianity debates mystery, which offers no resolution
of life’s concerns. There are dozens of Bible canon and 45,000 Christian sects
in the world. “Intellectual” implies reason based on evidence rather than
emotion, intending to accomplish resolution. How can debate about mystery
achieve resolution? For a professor to imply that they resolved the mystery of
God and propose to share the conclusion with colleagues seems out of place and
time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Second,
“service the American democracy” appeals to socialism’s bias against the United
States’ constitutional republic. Marxists have decided that America can be
defeated by ignoring the law while civic citizens wait for church or state to
bring justice. If called into court, socialists may choose to respond. Often,
they say they forgot their past actions. Judges and lawyers collect pay and
wait for more court action. Shame on benefitting lawyers and judges. I write to
encourage fellow citizens to vote to uphold the U.S. republic and pursue
statutory justice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Third, what
is “secular university”? Is it a university that conforms to the godless
message of Genesis 1:26-28, that is a university that pursues statutory justice
on earth? Does secular university practice, advocate, and facilitate humankind
to rule to the good on earth?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fourth, why
does academia avoid ineluctable evidence? The phrase “the ineluctable truth”
was published in 1906, according to Google ngrams, and usage has grown since
then. Why aren’t professors using “the ineluctable truth” or better in
teaching? What, beyond the bad, is special about academic opinion?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fifth, why
does academia resist the reality that “free speech” is a political construct?
If a person does not speak with humility toward the ineluctable truth, they are
begging woe. The person who opposes the laws of physics invites ruin. When woe
or ruin comes to them, they have the opportunity to reform by making amends and
not repeating the error. When their speech delivers harm to others, statutory
justice demands accounting. Harvard’s lesson in humility is ongoing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sixth, how
can university cling to “Lockean liberty of conscience” when life makes plain
to every considerate person that they may, in self-interest, choose the good in
every action. It’s true that there will always be people who perceive that they
prefer the bad. However, fellow citizens need not invite the woe the bad
ineluctably delivers. I accept that some professors think the bad can be
moderated. However, I oppose professors imposing that opinion on students and
the public.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seventh,
“mutual respect” is not possible without mutual appreciation. For example,
Hebrews waiting for the Messiah, Catholics living with the Eucharist,
Protestants waiting for Christ’s return, and Muslims submitting to Allah cannot
respect each other without mutual humility to the human commission: rule to the
good on earth. By accepting that they may and can choose the good in every
action, people can hold their religious beliefs and still be civic citizens. In
public, religious <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beliefs</i> can be held
private while religious doctrine is weighed against civic integrity and
reformed if necessary. The person who appreciates life cannot respect the
individual who destroys safety and security, let alone life itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eighth, in
academic speech there is no place for hate. Professors may and can create an
atmosphere of humility and forgiveness. Professors may demand of themselves
understanding of the knowledge. For example, I suggest that Hebrews and
Christians who hate Muslims may be persuaded to examine and decry Genesis
16:1-12 as inconsistent with Genesis 1:26-28’s responsibility to rule to the
good on earth. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knowledge</i> of scripture
can be used to foment hate, while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">understanding</i>
can establish appreciation. In Christianity, I think “hate” in Luke 14:26 is the
writer’s egregious bad, unintentional or not. The world’s 1/3 Christians and
Hebrews may reform hate in their doctrine and collaborate with Muslims to
conform to Genesis 1:26-28. Then, another 45% of the world’s population could
take notice and do the work to understand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ninth, like
the rest of human beings, professors have not the luxury of teaching “truth as
they see it”. When professors don’t know the ineluctable truth, they may and
can express their opinion and say so. It’s often prudent to follow statement of
opinion with, “But I don’t know the ineluctable truth”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tenth, what
is “modern scientific thinking”? I think research is a process and its product
is discovery of ineluctable evidence, either positive or negative. As new
instruments of perception are invented, civic understanding approaches the
ineluctable truth. For example, the “flat” earth seemed like a globe to
researchers living 5000 years ago, was reported round 2500 years ago, confirmed
round 400 years ago, and observed as a globe 80 years ago. Research has always
pursued ineluctable evidence using the best available tools of perception.
Reason is a process tool that cannot alter the evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hope to
have the opportunity to discuss my ideas in a forum that intends to aid
humankind’s acceptance that they may, can, and will rule to the good on earth,
despite the perception that there will always be some people who prefer the
bad. I hope LSU will lead such a forum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">#USpreambler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2024 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-44305700580628492122024-02-11T00:31:00.026-06:002024-02-26T23:32:44.190-06:00Jesus' civic influence is neither semitic nor antisemitic<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pondering “Semitism” juxtaposed with “anti-Semitism”<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Minimal
knowledge invites misunderstanding. The Holy Bible seems a mystery about
mysteries. Personal experiences and observations, many at University Baptist
Church, Baton Rouge, led me to curiosity on which I earned this opinion: Paul is history’s pivotal anti-Semite.<i> The consequence is perpetual harm to children,
and I want Paul’s impact undone. <b>I
choose Jesus’ civic influence to the good</b></i><b>.</b> I write in order to listen-to viewpoints of fellow citizens who
are <i>also</i> curious and wish to
precisely, accurately, and deeply consider Jesus’ civic influence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
“semite” was constructed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> What is a Semite? The term is
constructed on genealogy, geopolitics, and language, each of which is popularly,
I think erroneously, constructed as racial. One Biblical opinion is </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/EJC85742"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Hagar was black</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, reasoning, “I</span>n the Old Testament . . . several terms .
. . refer to Africa and Africans [including] Ham, Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan”,
Hamites, or descendants of Ham. Japhethites were <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Gomer,</span> Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras. Semites were “descendants
of Shem, Noah’s first son”, (Genesis 10). But <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Semitic languages include
Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic, Ethiopic, Hebrew, and Phoenician (McCray 1990). [And]
not all Semitic-speaking people are non-Hamitic people. For instance, the
Ethiopians and Phoenicians are descendants of Ham, although their languages are
Semitic (McCray 1990).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Hope that there is a non-racial humankind
is offered by the human genome. A <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://web.stanford.edu/group/rosenberglab/papers/popstruct.pdf"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stanford study</span></a></span></span> is highlighted in
a <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/science-genetics-reshaping-race-debate-21st-century/">Harvard
article</a></span>, which seems to castigate Donald-Trump-white-skin, yet asserts,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">In the
biological and social sciences, the consensus is clear: </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0563c1;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/22/science/do-races-differ-not-really-genes-show.html"><span style="color: #0563c1;">race is a social construct</span></a></span></b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">, not a biological attribute. Today, scientists prefer to use
the term “</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3124377/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">ancestry</span></a></span></b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">” to describe human diversity. “Ancestry” reflects the fact
that human variations <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">do</span></em> have a connection to the </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0563c1;"><a href="http://www.philbio.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Lewontin-The-Apportionment-of-Human-Diversity.pdf"><span style="color: #0563c1;">geographical origins of our ancestors</span></a></span></b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">—with enough information about a person’s DNA, scientists can
make a </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0563c1;"><a href="http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v36/n11s/full/ng1436.html"><span style="color: #0563c1;">reasonable guess about their ancestry</span></a></span></b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">. However, unlike the term “race,” it focuses on
understanding how a person’s history unfolded, not how they fit into one
category and not another. In a </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0563c1;"><a href="http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/healthsciences/cmel/Documents/taking%20race%20out%20of%20human%20genetics.pdf"><span style="color: #0563c1;">clinical setting</span></a></span></b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">, for instance, scientists would say that diseases such as
sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis are common in those of “sub-Saharan
African” or “Northern European” descent, respectively, rather than in those who
are “black” or “white”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">The studies
referenced above have information coming from homo sapiens’ inventions of
language, writing, alphabet, and grammar, each starting <b><i>hundreds of years ago</i></b>:
more than 1500, 55, 40, and 30, respectively. <b><i>By 55 hundred years, Sumer civilization
developed political philosophy that assumed their pantheon of gods left pursuit
of the good on earth to humankind. That principle is expressed in Hebrew
vernacular in Genesis 1:26-28.</i></b> But the Holy Bible reports opinions held
between 40 hundreds of years ago and 1.9 hundreds of years ago and interpreted
exponentially in recent decades. I assert that every good thought was expressed
before the many Bible canon were negotiated. And opinion about prior opinion
strains actual reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">My choice about
Paul</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After study, I tentatively choose and urge to civic citizens
this opinion: neither a Semite nor an anti-Semite be. Instead, accept the
mystery of theGod and pursue Jesus’ civic influence. My grounding for this
opinion is Sumerian political philosophy expressed by Genesis 1:26-28, Complete
Jewish Bible, “</span><b><i>Let us </i></b><b><i>make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them
rule [to the good] . . . over all the earth . . .”</i></b> Today’s crisis is evidence that only a civic
people can choose the good on earth: neither theGod nor a government may or can
usurp human duty. “Civic” means responsibly reliable to the good in human
connections and transactions. I<span style="color: #202124;"> would appreciate
Nomads’ and others’ thoughts and comments about my findings if not my opinions.<br />
<br />
What does the New Testament (CJB) suggest?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To present my case<b><i>, I cite the Complete Jewish Bible</i></b>,
in order to distinguish “God” from </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai,</span></i></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the
Spirit, and other expressions such as “the One”. I use “theGod” to express
personal humility to <b><i>whatever constrains the consequences of
human choices</i></b>; and consider statements attributed to each Jesus, Peter,
Paul, and James, Jesus’ brother plus the reported presence of John. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">About a decade after Jesus’ death, there were informed,
like-minded groups in lands surrounding the Mediterranean, as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hebrews
who followed and worked to improve the Torah -- the Hebrew law.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A <i>majority</i> expected in future a Messiah to
unite Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A <i>minority</i> expected a second coming of
“Messiah Jesus” -- to unite Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each
of the 12 tribes had its own like-minded particulars, such as opposing
circumcision and Torah-hypocrisy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other
Messiah-claims emerged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gentiles
were non-Hebrews<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most
were pagan, heathen, or mystical to idols.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
were wanton or evil. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
minor-few believed Jesus is the Hebrew Messiah but did not want to pursue the
Torah, especially circumcision. Call them “believers”. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A tiny
few vaguely pursued the mystery of theGod. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tradition
holds that descendants of Noah’s 3 sons geographically dispersed as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ham
NE Africa and Arabia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shem
in 3 areas, the north, the far-east, and the south of the Arabian Peninsula <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Japheth,
seafaring across SW Asia and southern Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Noah’s
descendants dispersed into lands dominated by Latin and Arabic, with a small
development of Greek and even smaller area, Israel and Judah, developing
Hebrew. A small Shemite faction developed Hebrew. Perhaps the Hebrew faction is
the target of anti-Semitism; I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where
does Jesus stand in the Hebrew Messiah controversy?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Returning now to the Jesus controversy, from the ancient
background, extrapolation of the Greek equivalent of “anointed one”, </span><span style="color: #040c28; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">χριστός
(chrīstós)</span><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
emerged as European “Crist”, which 500 years ago became “Christ”. About 2.173
billion people look to Christ for salvation each perceives. There are about
0.0139 billion Hebrews, 40% of whom consider Jesus’ Messiah-ship plausible.
That is, Jesus’ influence could eventually unite Israel. I agree and think Jesus’
civic influence is lessened by </span><span style="color: #040c28; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">chrīstós; Crist;</span><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Christ. Churches and synagogues
may and can accept the mystery of Divinity and promote Jesus’ civic influence
to the good. I now turn to that suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If so, I think the principle villain in <b><i>lessening
Jesus’s impact</i></b> seems to be Paul, the ancient Christ-promotor. It seems
to stem from his letter to the Galatians perhaps 16 years after Jesus’ death.
Therein, he proclaims divine authority to censor competitive thought. Quoting
statements that express a message, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background: white; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;">From: Sha’ul, an emissary — I received my
commission not from human beings or through human mediation but through Yeshua
the Messiah and God the Father . . .<span class="text"> who picked me out before
I was born and called me by his grace, chose to reveal his Son to me, so
that I might announce him to the Gentiles I did not consult anyone . . . </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are Jews by birth, not so-called ‘<i>Goyishe</i> sinners’
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span></span><em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #5f6368; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">sinners</span></em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #4d5156; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> from Gentiles</span><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">;<b><sup> </sup></b>even so, we have come to
realize that a person is not declared righteous by God on the ground of his
legalistic observance of <i>Torah</i> commands, but through the
Messiah Yeshua’s trusting faithfulness</span></span><span class="text"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;"> . . . </span></span><span class="big"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;">For neither being circumcised nor being
uncircumcised matters; what matters is being a new creation.</span></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">And as many as order their lives by this rule, shalom upon
them and mercy, and upon the Isra’el of God!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Paul seems to denigrate not only “sinners from
Gentles” but Hebrew factions who do not think Jesus was the Messiah -- and the
entire legacy of improving Moses’ law, which Hebrews continue as I write. Paul
assesses the legacy, ignoring both Genesis 1:26-28 and Jesus’ improvements such
as in Matthew 19:3-8. Paul concludes in Romans 9:6, “</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But the present condition of Isra’el does not mean that the Word
of God has failed. For not everyone from Isra’el is truly part of Isra’el.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">”</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt;"> He especially castigates “Judeans” in 1
Thessalonians 2:14-16:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background: white; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt;">For, brothers, you came to be imitators of
God’s congregations in Y’hudah that are united with the Messiah Yeshua — you
suffered the same things from your countrymen as they did from the Judeans
who <b><sup> </sup></b>both killed the Lord Yeshua and the prophets,
and chased us out too. They are displeasing God and opposing all
mankind by trying to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles, so that they
may be delivered.</span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul
uses civic and civil injustice to Jesus’ execution to divide Israel! He constructs
Paul’s “new covenant” in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “</span><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">all of us, with faces unveiled, see
as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very
image, from one degree of glory to the next, by <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> the Spirit.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">” I doubt theGod agrees that <span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span> is less than NIV’s
“the Lord God”. Each generation of civic citizens keeps Jesus’ civic influence
alive and developing. Some of them feel antinomian to the Torah rather than to
civic integrity. It seems there will always be minor factions of dissidents,
rebels, and evil people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> In summary, Paul, born a
conservative Hebrew, fancied himself the sole agent of reform. He would
narrowly lessen the division of humankind by waiting for Hebrews who expected
their Messiah to join Gentiles who believe Jesus’ death on the cross was </span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">’s</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> grace. He expelled
descendants of Hagar, ignored the rest of Earth’s inhabitants and intended to
persuade the world to his view. Paul went to Jerusalem to persuade the leaders then
left intending to pursue his agendum alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Opinions of five
contemporary Hebrews long after Jesus’ death</span><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First</span></b><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, I think Jesus, the topic of a
meeting about his afterdeath, was neutral to both Gentiles and Hebrews, talking
to anyone he encountered about improving personal behavior to the good. He
collaborated with Pharisees’ queries about the Torah and suggested rational
improvements. His integrity is especially highlighted in civic defense before
Pilate. I say <b><i>civic</i></b>, because Pilate abdicated his <b><i>civil</i></b> duty, yet Jesus
civically called Pilate to reliable responsibility. Jesus said, in John 18:37,
“</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">The reason I have been born, the reason I have
come into the world, is to bear witness to the truth. Every one who belongs to
the truth listens to me.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">”</span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I cannot evaluate that statement -- can only accept it.
Pilate irresponsibly did not accept it. Both theGod and Jesus could have flourished
on Pilate’s justice rather than his abdication. I think humankind could have,
would have been better off.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> Jesus’ afterdeath is critical to
a Hebrew meeting perhaps 16 years afterwards. Paul went to Jerusalem to meet
with leaders including Peter, James, and John. Three Hebrews debated with
elders (including John) how the few Gentile believers, were to be accepted into
the community. Were they to be circumcised and required to follow the Torah?
Three critical thoughts are reported in <b>Acts
15</b>. There seems to be 2 Hebrew minds and one novel agendum: replacing both
Jesus’ community and Hebrew legacy with Paul’s community!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>Second</b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, Peter seems
cautious if not collaborating. After elders (including John?) spoke for
circumcision and the law, Peter said in Acts 15:8-11, </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 12pt;">God, who knows the heart, bore them witness by
giving the <i>Ruach HaKodesh</i> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[NIV,
controversially, has “Holy Spirit”]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 12pt;"> to them, just as he did to us;<b><sup> </sup></b>that
is, he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their heart by
trust. So why are you putting God to the test now by placing a yoke on
the neck of the <i>talmidim</i> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[folowers of their
teacher]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0; font-size: 12pt;"> which neither our fathers nor we have had the strength to
bear? No, it is through the love and kindness of the Lord Yeshua </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">[the Lord Jesus]</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: #0070c0;">that we trust and are delivered
— and it’s the same with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text">Peter
seems neutral to both Hebrews and believers and working to share the message.
He had a history of Hebrew approval, including Jesus’ affirmation in Matthew
16:16-18, after Jesus’ identity question: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">Shim‘on Kefa answered, “You are the <i>Mashiach</i>, the
Son of the living God.” “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan,” Yeshua said to him, “how
blessed you are! For no human being revealed this to you, no, it was my Father
in heaven. <b><sup> </sup></b>I also tell you this: you are Kefa,”
[which means ‘Rock,’] “and on this rock I will build my Community, and the
gates of Sh’ol will not overcome it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text">Paul, in building his
church gave no thought to “my Community” expressed to Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><b>Third</b></span><span class="text">, Paul, then a Pharisee (conservative to the
Torah), in Acts 15:12, seemed to, perhaps unintentionally, discount each Jesus,
Hebrews, and Gentiles by reporting the self-styled miracles “God” performed
through himself and Barnabas. He would clarify independence 5 years later in
Romans 1 - 15: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From:
Sha’ul, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua, an emissary because I was called and set
apart for the Good News of God . . . </span><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I owe a debt to both
civilized Greeks and uncivilized people, to both the educated and the ignorant
. . . <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">And now I urge you,
brothers, by our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and by the love of the Spirit, to join
me in my struggle by praying to God on my behalf that I will be rescued
from the unbelievers in Y’hudah, and that my service for Yerushalayim will be
acceptable to God’s people there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Greek word for “anointed
one”, </span></span><span style="color: #040c28; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">chrīstós, was used a couple hundred years before
Jesus was born.</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Paul’s arrogance toward
fellow Hebrews is shocking. Worse, in 2 Corinthians 12, Paul seems to juxtapose
his influence against Jesus’ power:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">I have to boast. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I
will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in union
with the Messiah who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the third heaven;
whether he was in the body or outside the body I don’t know, God knows. . . . </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me
in your presence, and that I will be grieved over many of those who sinned in
the past and have not repented of the impurity, fornication and debauchery that
they have engaged in.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Paul’s
implication seems that Jesus’ civic influence is insufficient to God’s
expectations to Paul. I think that’s to be expected from teaching divinity’s
mystery rather than Jesus’ civic integrity.<span class="text"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Fourth</b>, returning to Acts 15, James, in Verses 19-20, offered a compromise,
</span><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0070c0;">My opinion is that we should not put obstacles
in the way of the <i>Goyim</i> [non-Hebrew] who are turning to God. <b><sup> </sup></b>Instead,
we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by
idols, from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood.” </span></span><span class="text">The 4 constraints, while limiting chaos, seem a capricious lessening
of the Torah. Incidentally, both James and Paul are concerned about
fornication. I wonder if either of them share Jesus’ civic influence and Torah
improvement in Matthew 19:3-8. (I oppose Paul’s neglect of the unity marriage
creates, wherein bonding <i>is</i> a prayer;
1 Corinthians 7:5.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"> James is clear about Jesus in
James 1:1, “</span><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From:
Ya‘akov, a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.</span><span class="Heading4Char"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">” </span></span><span class="Heading4Char"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">And</span></span><span class="Heading4Char"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text">in 2:1, “</span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
brothers, practice the faith of our Lord Yeshua . . . </span></span><span class="text">” again, a decade after Jesus’ death. Also, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">James advocated the Torah as improved by Jesus. In
James 1:25, “</span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
if a person looks closely into the perfect <i>Torah</i>, which gives
freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work
it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does.</span>” Perhaps James writes about
freedom from error and sin (intentional error according to James). And in James
2:10-11 he affirms Jesus’ urge to perfection, writing, “<span class="text"><span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For a person who keeps the whole <i>Torah</i>, yet stumbles
at one point, has become guilty of breaking them all. For the One who
said, ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Don’t murder.’</span></span><span class="text">” “The One” seems another name for theGod.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"> It seems Paul constructed a utilization of Jesus’
life that increases chaos rather than rules the earth to the good, according to
Genesis 1:26-28. But Jesus’ civic influence is apparent to some people in every
generation. Civic citizens apply Jesus’ integrity to solve problems never
before recognized or admitted. The church can benefit by listening to reliably
responsible adults rather than trying to preserve traditions that do not
appreciate humankind’s gradual discovery of the ineluctable truth. The unfortunate
victims are the children, and Jesus suggests woe to people who harm them (Matthew
18:6).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text">Shock and happiness<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"> It is shocking to discover these controversies at age
80, after perhaps half my life’s leisure time was spent trying to understand
the community I was reared in: Christianity within humankind. I am grateful to
have known pastor George Haile and to have returned 2 years ago to UBC to
attend Nomads Sunday school class, coffee room, and worship service. I dedicate
my available time to aiding children, adolescents, and adults to comprehend the
controversies and earn personal opinion early in life. I’m reminded of Niccolo`
Machiavelli, in <i>The Prince</i>, Chapter
XI -- one expression which I paraphrase:
Only a dreamer would imagine their opinion worthy of sharing. But if
asked, what I would share follows.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"> The advent of the Internet has made it possible for
interested persons to ask creative questions, pursue answers, form opinions,
and share them with fellow citizens<b><i>, in order to listen to civic perspectives</i></b>.
Civic citizens may and can collaborate on the reality of the Bible’s
confusions. The work can be enhanced by realizing that Hebrew literature is
only 3900 years old and primitive writing is pertinent. While the Sumerian
writing is worthy of study, so is literature from the Indus valley and from
ancient China. Like Jesus, Confucius suggested that a human may and can pursue
personal perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"> Thank you for reading this, and I would appreciate
your comments and opinions from the study.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text">Phil Beaver, 2/10/2024,
updated 2/11/2024</span><span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">#USpreambler</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2024 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-16648970590902217772024-02-03T14:03:00.006-06:002024-02-11T07:37:43.249-06:00Rob Natelson on states defending their citizens from aliens<p> <span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif">Wonderful,
generous scholar Rob Natelson, In “Understanding the Constitution: How States
May Respond to Illegal Immagration”, The Epoch Times, shockingly used the
phrase “enemies of the human race”, attributed to Emer de Vattel (d. 1767). I
wanted to know more and discovered Vattel may have been defending Christian
political philosophy, whether he was a believer or not. See </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/understanding-the-constitution-how-states-may-respond-to-illegal-immigration-part-iii-5561877">https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/understanding-the-constitution-how-states-may-respond-to-illegal-immigration-part-iii-5561877</a></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif">
and consider reading the series.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">Comment I posted on Epoch Times<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Lawyers and
judges seem fixated on copyright and attribution. There’s bad and good. The bad
is it shields them from false imposition on the public. The good is they may
aid understanding by the civic faction, We the People of the United States. The
bad is that not every citizen is civic. By “civic” I mean reliably responsible
to the good rather than the bad in human connections and transactions. Quoting,
Vattel’s 1758 phrase “exterminated wherever they are seized” without mentioning
U.S. due process is not good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I think Natelson means well yet in
human being (verb) cannot perform to the good without considering fellow
citizens, including the gullible. I appreciate Natelson’s open scholarship and enlightenment
to me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">But
I suspected Emer de Vattel’s harshness and wondered if it was christian. In a
civic rather than religious culture, statutory justice seeks to correct
dissidents to the good, reform individuals who tolerate the bad, constrain
habitual bad actors, and terminate evil rebels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">Believers
don’t realize it, but the church, by extolling the Christ, suppresses Jesus’
civic influence, which can be found in public dialogues reported in the Holy Bible.
For example, Jesus told Pilate that rather than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to be king</i>, he came <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to
witness to the truth</i> (John 18:37).</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I think in each generation, civic people
reflect Jesus, some without citing Jesus’ political philosophy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thanks to Natelson’s light, I
located Vattel’s The Law of Nations and found another quote: “. . </span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">.
</span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">all
nations have a right to enter into a league against such a people, to repress
them, and to treat them as the common enemies of the human race. The christian
nations would be no less justifiable in forming a confederacy against the
states of Barbary . . .” Vattel may not have been a Christian yet wrote in its
defense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With that, I
searched for parallel thought in the Bible and found 1 Thessalonians 2:14-17,
Complete Jewish Bible, “. . . </span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: black;">you suffered the same things from your
countrymen as they did from the Judeans who<sup> </sup>both killed the
Lord Yeshua and the prophets, and chased us out too. They are displeasing God
and opposing all mankind . . .”. Paul seems a founder of anti-Semitism. Paul’s
antithesis, James, seems a Semite. I question “Complete Jewish Bible”: it could
be “Compete Hebrew Bible”, in order to aid Semitism to its people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my eighth
decade, I appreciate chemical engineering education for imposing on me the
edict: Make certain equipment you specify cannot blow up or threaten the public.
Law schools may and can teach a similar thought: make certain nothing you
express misleads the republic. Civic success is impossible without intention to
the good. <br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><b>Continuing to ponder, I posted
opinion about free expression on Facebook, as follows:<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">Today, into
the year 2024, U.S. lessons on free speech recall Louisiana’s excellence. Its
Declaration of Rights includes “Section 7. No law
shall curtail or restrain the freedom of speech or of the press. Every person
may speak, write, and publish his sentiments on any subject, but is responsible
for abuse of that freedom.” The U.S. Amendment I should do so well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.75in;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">Louisiana
subtly turns freedom, traditional political-fantasy, into responsibility: the
impossible into the possible. Some lawyers and judges, for example Donald Trump
accusers, are experiencing Louisiana wisdom as I write.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.75in;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">In
actual reality, freedom is impossible, because the laws of physics control the
consequences of human choice. The person who chooses not to earn their bread
eats whatever the public offers. Law that does not pursue statutory justice
invites ruin. The person who claims to be theGod better not get cut and bleed.
Congress claims its freedom of religion with no humility to theGod.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.75in;"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif">U.S.
responsible independence rests with the civic faction, We the People of the
United States. But not every citizen is civic. By “civic” I mean reliably
responsible to the good rather than the bad in human connections and
transactions. The U.S. constitutional republic is losing to democracy, because
many citizens fancy freedom rather than independence. Tradition imposes
freedom’s chimera each Independence Day: our God and our government will take
care of you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif">In my ninth decade, I appreciate chemical engineering education
for imposing on me the edict: Make certain equipment you specify cannot blow up
or threaten the public. Law schools may and can teach a similar thought: make
certain nothing you express misleads the republic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text">
<span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.75in;"><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif">Success is impossible
without the intention to take responsibility to the good rather than the bad in
every choice. Freedom is no substitute for independence. </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#USpreambler<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.75in;"><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2024 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-54587933333493333642023-12-21T12:34:00.012-06:002024-02-11T00:27:22.163-06:00 U.S. civic citizens can and may overcome British Judeo-Christian competition.<p> I appreciate Roger Kimball for
sharing in “Tooting Your Own Horn”, The Epoch Times, December 6-12, 2023. He
promotes opinions about John Fletcher Moulton’s speech in London at the
outbreak of WW1.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Moulton <i>struggled</i> for
political philosophy to thegood, which is offered for acceptance in Genesis 1:26-28. In my view
its message is: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Civic citizens on earth
independently rule to thegood (my contraction to effect singularity). In civic
integrity, fellow citizens are reliably responsible in connections and
transactions. Thus, they neither initiate nor accommodate harm to or from
anyone. In the continuum of life, past consequences caution choices by the
present and future generations – “ourselves and our Posterity”, quoting the
preamble to the United States Constitution. Unfortunately, most citizens do not
accept the authority expressed in Genesis 1:26-28 and accommodated by the
Constitution. Humankind cannot construct laws that <i>must</i> be obeyed, so
there are always lawbreakers.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">So far, civilizations have constructed competitive
monotheisms to attempt to dominate nations rather than to collaborate with humankind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Moulton expresses
“obedience to the unenforceable” as a middle ground between Solon’s few, strict
laws and “free choice”. Moulton labels this middle ground “manners” to resolve <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>can do</i></b> versus <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>may do</i></b> something simply because
no law prohibits it. The speech was reported twice as “Law and Manners” in <i>The
Atlantic</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Experienced in British law,
Moulton unfortunately promotes human action limited by three failures, which I
paraphrase: law, consciousness, and freedom. Moulton’s consciousness employs
duty, public spirit, and good form, which define “obedience to the
unenforceable”. When citizens voluntarily practice consciousness, they employ
manners. Thus, law and manners mysteriously facilitate utopia. I think the
failure in this analysis is British law. It was constructed by judges. Also, it
yields to church and state partnership. (Parliament’s House of Lords has 26
permanent seats for bishops of the Church of England.) Instead, I think the
civic citizen collaborates to thegood, to necessity, and to acceptance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
opinion is grounded in a couple years’ focus on the authorization I perceive in
Genesis 1:26-28: female and male humankind has the power to constrain chaos on
earth. I like Genesis-1 interpretations featuring “rule over”. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quoting Genesis
1:26-28, Complete Jewish Bible, with my emphasis,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then </span><span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">God</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> said, “Let </span><span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">us</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> make </span><span style="color: #c45911; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">humankind</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">in our image</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, in the likeness of </span><span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">ourselves</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">; and
</span><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">let them rule</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">over</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> the fish
in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, </span><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #00b050; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">over all the earth</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and over every crawling creature
that crawls on the earth.”<b><sup> </sup></b>So God created </span><span style="color: #c45911; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">humankind</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> in
his own image; in the image of God </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">he
created him<span style="color: black;">: </span><span style="color: #c45911; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">male and female </span><span style="color: black;">he created </span><span style="color: #c45911; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">them</span><span style="color: black;">.<b><sup> </sup></b>God
blessed </span><span style="color: #c45911; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">them</span><span style="color: black;">: God said to </span><span style="color: #c45911; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">them</span><span style="color: black;">, “Be fruitful, multiply, </span><span style="color: #00b050;">fill
the earth and subdue it</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: #00b050;">Rule</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #00b050;">over</span><span style="color: black;"> the fish in the
sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
literature, Genesis 1, seems recorded 3000 years ago, long before humankind
discovered that the merciless sun is a nuclear reactor rather than a god. The
grounding polytheism, physics, and political philosophy emerged in Mesopotamia,
5500 years ago. The philosophy and its source appreciates humankind’s powers
without favoritism except to thegood. If accepted, its impact would ineluctably
improve the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not to deny humility to theGod
-- whatever power the doctrinal Gods must accommodate, I perceive modern
evidence supporting Genesis 1:26-28 in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">four</b>
concepts. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First</b>, the species on
earth – wave, mineral, bacteria, vegetable, fowl, animal, and spirit can effect
ruin and evil. Only humankind has research and grammar by which to discover and
constrain the bad, in order to accept and effect thegood on earth. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second</b>, among human-beings, the female
generates ova and the male fertilizes the ova to produce a fetus, which may be
gestated unto a baby. While it takes a thoroughbred horse 3 years to mature, the
human-being is so powerful it takes a quarter century for a newborn to acquire
the comprehension and intention to pursue human being (verb). A few years of
independent living add wisdom to the pursuit of thegood, and 2 or three more
quarter centuries may bring maturity (perhaps 85 years total). <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">Civic mates are collaborative partners who want responsibility to
thegood to themselves and to their descendants. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Third</b>, only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">intentional</i> adults have the integrity to commit to a mate for life
with children, so as to share pursuit of thegood to grandchildren and beyond.
Unfortunate are the people who are not aware of their opportunity to develop
their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">human being (verb)</i>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fourth</b>, so far, no civilization has
taught these principles to their adults and youth (“ourselves and our Posterity”,
quoting the United States Constitution). Accepting these principles as the basis
of public education may and can effect an achievable better future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This simplistic analysis of opportunities
on earth might seem useful if it could be expressed immediately to the 8
billion people. Then, there might be hope for civic integrity in just a few
years. However, probably 80% of humankind believes-not the God depicted in
Genesis 1, which I label “theGod”, for singularity. Therefore, impacting, let
alone reversing, the momentum toward chaos seems unlikely. It may seem I have
wandered far from British law and Moulton’s idea. Let me re-connect.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Words convey ideas. Genesis 1’s
idea would replace Moulton’s “Obedience to the Unenforceable” with civic
integrity, where “civic” refers to reliable responsibility in human connections
and transactions. Humankind divides itself on the individual choice to pursue
thegood or not. Civic citizens aid continual development of statutory justice
with its enforcement. Civic citizens publically practice, encourage, and
facilitate thegood in self-interest rather than as a discipline. People who do
not pursue thegood are constrained to reform and those who hold to evil are
eliminated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Returning to Moulton’s British
view 100 years ago, I perceive <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">seven</b>
opportunities for improvement. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First</b>,
law exists in order to practice, facilitate, and encourage to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">constrain</i> public error; to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">motivate</i> erroneous citizens to reform;
and to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">annihilate</i> evil. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second</b>, free choice is not a human
option, because the forces on earth are merciless: exposure to the elements can
kill, adultery ruins lives, unwillingness to work invites starvation, and not
voting in self-interest in the republic leaves governance to democracy, Moulton’s
economic nightmare. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Third</b>,
responsible debate is essential to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">civil</i>
collaboration, and allowing agents to lie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">empowers</i>
civic citizens to discover liars. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fourth</b>,
only 1920 British pride would advocate democracy’s rule of the majority after
America had, in 1787, specified a republic to preserve privacy, such as whether
to pursue religion or not. (Unfortunately, Congress re-established
Anglo-American religious freedom to itself in the First Amendment. That
injustice may and can be corrected by changing “prohibiting” to “promoting”.) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fifth</b>, the fact that Parliament <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> and therefore <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">may</i> legislate tyranny is the reason the United States Constitution
limits powers of three branches: Congress, the courts, and the administration.
The U.S. Constitution affirms that the civic faction, We the People of the
United States, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">may</i> rule and limits
what central government and states <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i>
do, even if the people default. Competitive churches and the press can lie to
civic citizens, thereby proving most churches and most reporters are liars. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sixth</b>, whereas Britain touts <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">freedom and</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">liberty</i>, the U.S. Constitution intends <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reliable responsibility</i>. Therefore, it is necessary for Americans
to accept the independence from Britain that the 1781 victory at Yorktown won
with aid to America from France and Spain against England with German mercenaries.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Seventh</b>, Moulton’s fear that civic
citizens would never perceive the necessity of independence is, so far,
confirmed by Americans, who do not accept that voting in their self-interest to
thegood is the only process to happiness to themselves and their descendants.
The evil of wealth and war at the expense of children can be constrained only
by civic adults rather than by a god or by a government. The civic citizen
earns their way of living and happily pays taxes for infrastructure, including
statutory justice. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eighth</b>, Moulton’s
idea of mysterious manners motivating and inspiring human-beings to enact
thegood retreats before the message in Genesis 1:26-28:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Female and male human-being is charged to
rule to thegood on earth. Fellow citizens may and can, in self-interest, accept
reliable responsibility to civic integrity and thereby pursue happiness to all.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, civic citizens accept the authority to pursue thegood, not as an
imposition, but in self-interest for happiness “to ourselves and our
Posterity”. Collaboration on Genesis 1:26-28’s authorization to thegood and to
the republic proffered by the 1787 U.S. Constitution offers humankind an
achievable better future that can progress in time to colonize a neighboring
planet. It’s possible for another nation to lead. However, the faction We the
People of the United States could . . . should reform quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#USpreambler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2023
by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the
publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright
notice is included. </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-57723743396307595132023-10-12T06:09:00.017-05:002023-12-21T11:53:56.141-06:00The book of James infers Genesis 1's political philosophy<p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus’ Brother Additionally Supports
Genesis-1’s Political Philosophy<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>Study purpose<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Interpret and order ideas in the book of James in
order to show that James incidentally endorsed the idea “mankind . . . may rule
. . . the earth” in Genesis 1:26-28, NIV.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Taking Genesis 1 as an ancient Mesopotamian view
of <i>actual reality</i>: If there will be order in living on earth,
humankind will pursue civic integrity to the-good. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->“Civic” means responsible to the-good in human
connections and transactions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That is, neither the-mystery nor a government
can usurp human, reliable responsibility. <i>“The-mystery”
represents whatever controls the consequences of human choices.</i> (Previously,
I employed “the-God” to express the-mystery.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Most traditionalists construct a god and few, if
any, retain humility toward the-mystery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It could be physics and its progeny: everything
that exists, including lies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It could be the victor in this competition: evil
versus the-good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It could be Jesus. But I think he was a pivotal
political philosopher.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Of course, it is whatever it is.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->These considerations are, experienced in each
generation’s time and space.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iv.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->So far, it seems people allow evil to defeat
the-good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->James infers that civic people hope more than
act.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Most citizens accommodate chaos rather than rule
their way of living.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Few accept their commission expressed in Genesis
1:26-28, or have faith in the Bible as God’s word. To me, “the-mystery” has
more impact.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Even though James seems to promote the Torah as
Jesus improved it, James’ presence tends to affirm Genesis 1:26-28 (perhaps
because his sibling, Jesus, affirmed it). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The epistle does not suggest that James
supported Christianity. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Complete Jewish Bible’s version uses
“Messiah”, not “Christ”. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Writes imposed “Christ” centuries after Jesus
reportedly warned against denying him (Matthew 10:33). (Jesus did not write.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Suspecting that James considered Genesis 1,
perhaps in conversation with his sibling, Jesus, nevertheless:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->They could not encounter the New International
Version with its “may rule”.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The siblings were not privy to 2000 years of
discovery. For example, humankind now <i>knows</i>
the sun is a natural nuclear reactor rather than <i>reasons</i> it a spirit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Torah specified that the sun and moon serve
all humankind, but Yahweh <i>chose</i>
Israel, Deut 4:19-20.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Israelites who worshipped the sun or such could
be accused by 2 fellow Jews, convicted by Israel, then stoned to death, Deut
17:2-7.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Humankind benefits from Israel continually
improving the Torah.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Waiting for the second coming has endured for
1990 years beyond waiting for Israels’ expectation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Humankind intends to eradicate rather than extol
human sacrifice and blood celebration -- even bull fighting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mimic, in Baton Rouge, 2000 years later, James’ letter
that promotes Jesus’ civic influence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Foremost, James is warm, addressing the
reader, “<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">My brothers and sisters”, 7 times in 5 chapters.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Even when he chastises evil, he cautions
rather than accuses people. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">c.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">He is addressing Israel, his human faction,
yet <i>the-good</i> he proposes applies to
humans who pursue the authority expressed in Genesis 1:26-28: may rule.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">d.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Yet not all James’ examples seem consistent
with Genesis 1:26-28. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">For example, Abraham imposed on his son the binding
on the altar and the knife overhead for killing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">I would not dare say the-mystery inspired
such needless cruelty.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Perhaps the Abraham story expresses ending
human sacrifice.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text">Israel abolished animal
sacrifice in 70 CE, a good choice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text">In 2:21, James avoids personally
approving Abraham’s actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text">In all four cases --
Abraham, Rahab, Elijah, and Job, James expressed Israeli opinion rather than
supreme judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Note that James did not extol Bathsheba’s David:
see James 2:11, which equates lawbreaking by adultery to murder.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">e.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">James objects when a person or group,
invites death by choosing the-bad.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text">f.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">People who consider such issues
collaboratively, mutually promote the-good.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">That’s why I attend both Sunday school class
<i>and</i> church service.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">That’s why I try to initiate talk about
civic issues, wherever I am.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">I do not think civic citizens <i>must</i>
participate in church.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Interpret text and infuse modern thought, at
least mine, denoted by brackets. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Just as readers would like to comprehend James’
perspective, successive generations may apply humankind’s discoveries to James’
legacy to the-good, lifting James’ intentions. In other words, we may be civic
toward dead writers and future readers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We accept that <i>our theism or none</i> may and can be humble to the-mystery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Thereby, we make no attempt to constrain the
mysterious constraint,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We can collaborate to discern Jesus’ civic
influence,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We happily practice the-good discovered by any
group, such as Israel -- also Sumer, ancients to Israel, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iv.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We work to record experiences and observations
about consequences of human choices, in order to promote the-good, lessen
repetition of the-bad, and eradicate evil. (I think Wikipedia is a wonderful
resource for this work.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jesus is an exceptional if not pivotal political
philosopher, and his influence need not ever stop.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jesus volunteered beneficial civic ideas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->For all I know, Jesus is the/an anointed one.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->For all I know, Jesus is the-mystery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->By serenely accepting possibilities b and c, I
can pursue a: Jesus’ civic influence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->e.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jesus’ greatest message to me: Phil you can pursue the-good, define the-good
in circumstances never before encountered, and approach perfection before you
die.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->No person can characterize the-mystery, yet
every citizen discovers and yields-to physics and its progeny, such as
psychology. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Observing and accommodating constraints from
physics facilitates the-good, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Humility toward the-mystery helps limit the-bad.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->By not imposing “God”, a person remains open to
actual reality including what has not been discovered, such as the-mystery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>ii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jesus’ civic influence does not oppose physics
and is humble to the-mystery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>iii.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The free civic-citizen responsibly earns the way
of living they choose, including tax payments, which she/he votes to appreciate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The above principles apply to James’ property-wealthy
and to the income-poor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Unlikely as it may seem with existing education
systems, the person who pursues civic perfection may achieve unique, personal
happiness before they die. In other words, perfection seems possible when a
person pursues errorless living, according to James.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>i.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We may and can reform education departments to
inform youth of their opportunity to develop human being (verb) rather than
wander into less – animalism, passivism, spiritualism, crime, even evil.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Critical ideas like the above that James either
initiated or learned as sibling to Jesus include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Genesis
1:26-28: the principle that gives freedom from error, James <b><i><u>1:12</u></i></b>,
2:8, 2:12, 3:9, 4:5, <b><i><u>4:17</u></i></b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Influence
to the-ineluctable-truth*, James 1:18, 2:5, 4:5, 5:19, <b><i><u>5:20</u></i></b>. * see below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Neglecting
Genesis 1:26-28 invites ruin, James 1:6-7, 1:8, 1:23, 2:14.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Rejecting
evil must be complete, James <b><i>1:2</i></b>, 1:21, 2:10-11.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->e.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Avoid
bemusements, James 2:6, <b><i><u>2:8</u></i></b>, 2:13, 2:14, 4:4, 1:26,
1:13, 3:1. (Please compare your Bible with my interpretations, at least for the
4 highlighted entries.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->f.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->James
uses no gospel words like soul, election, everlasting life, atonement for sin,
or hate. It seems he encouraged perfection for living rather than for the
afterdeath.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->g.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->James
mentions neither Davidic heritage, virgin birth, nor his sisters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Now, turning to the text of James’s epistle:<o:p></o:p></p><h1 style="margin-top: 0in;">Who?<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:1 </sup></b>James, Jesus’s
brother, urging fellow citizens to pursue the-good, Israel’s way [rather than
to accommodate or nourish the-bad during their life. A non-theist, such as me,
can benefit from James’ advice].<o:p></o:p></p><h1>When?<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal">[Perhaps 15 years after Jesus’ unjust execution and 15 to 40
years before the 4 gospel-writers finished; 2000 years ago; at the recent edge
of 300,000 years homo sapiens’ development. That is, humankind discovered much
about the-good and evil before Bible stories were expressed and written. Also,
it seems Paul’s epistles began after James’ letter was completed. James’ epistle
may have been the first. In Galatians 1:18-19, Paul says he met with Peter for
15 days and only saw James.]<o:p></o:p></p><h1>What? <o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal">[The-good
according to James, interpreted and advanced 2000 years later -- now.]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">[Trust-in
and commit-to the Genesis 1:26-28’s 5500 year-old Mesopotamian political
message: choose to rule life on earth, to the-good rather than to evil. “Civic”
means: reliable responsibility in human connections and transactions. James
expresses that Jesus understood Genesis-1’s message. Jesus expressed the
message, for examples, in Matthew 19:3-9, 5:48, and John 10:34.]<o:p></o:p></p><h1>The book of James, rearranged
under text-suggested topics<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal">Below
is my interpretation of the book of James.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Genesis-1 message:
rule to the-good your way of living<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:16 </sup></b>Don’t be deceived, fellow citizens. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>Jesus
expressed, practiced, and influenced the-good. [Does anyone claim Jesus
influenced the-bad or evil?] <b><sup>18 </sup></b>He chose to share
the-ineluctable-truth to humankind, the most powerful of all living
species that exist on earth. [“Ineluctable” means not to be assailed, avoided,
changed, escaped, neglected, obfuscated, rationalized, or resisted.]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:22 </sup></b>Do not deceive yourselves. Do what Genesis 1:26-28 says. <b><sup>23 </sup></b>Anyone
who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who never
discovers their unique potential or purpose. [In fact, they’re like someone who
never thought, “I may and can choose to constrain chaos in my way of living”,
and therefore never intends constraint.] <b><sup>25 </sup></b>But
whoever looks intently into Genesis 1:26-28 (the principle that gives freedom
from error) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have learned, but
doing it, appreciates life on earth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><sup> 2:12 </sup></span><span class="text">Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by Genesis
1:26-28.</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5:13 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Be civic citizens. Is anyone among you in trouble? Hear
their concerns and aid their considerations. Is anyone happy? Sing with
them songs of appreciation.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>14 </sup>Is anyone among you sick? Encourage their health
care.</span> <span class="text"><sup>15 </sup>Civic integrity among
fellow citizens works for the-good; errant fellows may reform.</span> <span class="text"><sup>16 </sup>Therefore disclose personal errors to each
other, in order to collaborate for human reform. [I think this is a
purpose of Sunday school. People share with integrity and their expressions
correct their errors.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5:19 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Fellow civic-citizens, if one of you should wander
from the-good and someone should bring that person back,</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>20 </sup>remember this: <i>Whoever turns someone from erroneous ways may
save them from death and terminate <b>harmful</b>
consequences to and from others. </i>[Note: this informs civic <i>influence</i> to facilitate personal reform more
than civil <i>coercion</i> or <i>force</i>.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h1>Jesus’ civic
influence<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Fellow citizens:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h2><span class="text">Don’t show favoritism<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="chapter-1" style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2:2 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Suppose a person in your meeting is world renowned for aiding
humankind, then a citizen who merely practices civic integrity joins.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>3 </sup>If you show special
attention to the accomplished person and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but
say to the other, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”</span> <span class="text"><sup>4 </sup>have you not discriminated among yourselves and
become judges with evil thoughts? </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Doubt<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:5 </sup></b>If you need wisdom, accept that you may and can practice the image
of Jesus. [In situations Jesus never faced in his time, you can create the
image Jesus would mimic, if he revisited the earth.] <b><sup>6 </sup></b>Pursue
the-good without doubt, because the person who doubts is like a wave of
the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. <b><sup>7 </sup></b>The
doubter has accepted neither the-good, which may be the-mystery, nor Jesus’
civic influence. <b><sup>8 </sup></b><b><i>The person who doubts the-good is
double-minded and unstable in all they do. </i></b><o:p></o:p></p><h2>He volunteered<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">2:5 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Listen, fellow
citizens: Has not Jesus voluntarily informed fellow citizens, [“ourselves
and our Posterity”, quoting the preamble to the US Constitution], that those
who reject the world’s evil may and can approach personal happiness, even perfection?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h2>Wisdom<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:9 </sup></b>Citizens who discover and practice humble integrity may and can
appreciate Jesus’ affirmation of the-good. [Yet, if they accept the image
of the-mystery and “may rule”, they are sufficient, never knowing the Bible’s
reports about Jesus. We may and can greet each human being as possessing the
image of the-mystery, unless that person pursues the-bad. Murderers may be executed under statuary
justice.]<o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3:13 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show
it by their actions for the-good, by deeds done in the humility that
comes from wisdom.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>14 </sup>But if you
harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about
it or assail the-ineluctable-truth.</span> <span class="text"><sup>15 </sup>Arrogance
is neither from the-good nor from Jesus but is earthly and enslaving to
the arrogant person.</span> <span class="text"><sup>16 </sup>Arrogant
competitiveness causes disorder and evil.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3:17 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But Jesus’ civic influence is first of all pure;
then peace-promoting, considerate, collaborative, full of justice and
good fruit, impartial and sincere.<sup> 8 </sup>Peacemakers who sow
in peace realize personal happiness. [Perhaps Jesus, upon revisiting the earth,
would want to mimic peacemakers in this time and space.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Civic integrity<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:19 </sup></b>My dear fellow citizens: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow
to speak, and resist anger, <b><sup>20 </sup></b>because
anger prevents rule to the-good. <b><sup>21 </sup></b>Therefore,
get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent on earth and
humbly accept the-good in you. The-good in you can save you from both
accidental error and intentional error (sin).<o:p></o:p></p><h1>Strength to
the-good rather than to financial wealth<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:10 </sup></b>The civic citizen appreciates and nourishes humility, knowing
accomplishments pass away like a wild flower. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>For
the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom
falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, accomplishments fade from
notice, even as the civic citizen faces new opportunity to choose the-good. [The
evil doer invites early death.]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><sup>5:5 </sup></span><span class="text">Now listen, civic-citizens who take pride in the past: weep
and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.</span> <span class="text"><sup>2 </sup>Your property has rotted, and moths have eaten
your clothes.</span> <span class="text"><sup>3 </sup>Your gold and
silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your
flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.</span> <span class="text"><sup>4 </sup>Look! The wages you failed to pay the
workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of
the harvesters have reached Jesus’ and James’ ears.</span> <span class="text"><sup>5 </sup>You have lived on earth in luxury and
self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.</span> <span class="text"><sup>6 </sup>You have condemned and murdered the innocent
one, who was not opposing you. [Focus on the-good you may and can next
choose to accomplish.]</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Perseverance<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:2 </sup></b>Every good choice you make
facilitates perseverance. <b><sup>4 </sup></b><b><i>Perseverance to the-good makes a
person mature and complete. </i></b>[Perseverance is a kind of faith
and a shield against doubt.]<o:p></o:p></p><p><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4:13 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to
this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>14 </sup>Why, you do not even
know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears
for a little while and then vanishes.</span> <span class="text"><sup>15 </sup>Instead,
you ought to say, “If it is possible, we will live and do this or that.”</span> <span class="text"><sup>16 </sup>As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All
such boasting is evil.</span> <span class="text"><sup>17 </sup><i>If anyone, then, knows the good they ought
to do and doesn’t do it, it is error and loss for them and for humankind.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5:7 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until your
death. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop,
patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>8 </sup>You too, be patient and
stand firm, because your last opportunity to effect the-good is near.</span> <span class="text"><sup>9 </sup>Don’t grumble against one another, citizens:
everyone faces death. The Judge is ineluctable! Life and death are inextricable.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3>Reward: life rather than early death<o:p></o:p></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup>1:12 </sup></b><b><i>Rewarded
is the one who perseveres to the-good, because the-good facilitates life</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Failures to
the-good<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal">[Individuals may and can bemuse themselves with pursuits
other than the-good. James seemed to cite the law, mercy, religious faith, and evil,
in order as his text flows.]<o:p></o:p></p><h3>The law<o:p></o:p></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><sup>2:6 </sup></span><span class="text">But you have dishonored the civic citizen. Is it not the judges
who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who construct the law to repress
the-ineluctable-evidence?</span> <span class="text"><sup>7 </sup>Does
their partnership with the church lessen Jesus, substituting “Christ”? [For all
we know, Jesus is the-mystery.]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="text"><sup>2:8 </sup></span><span class="text"><i>If you really keep Genesis
1:26-28, you rule yourself and neighbor to the-good. You don’t require fellow
citizens to behave to the-good when you don’t.</i></span> <span class="text"><sup>9 </sup>But if you show favoritism, you err and are
convicted by Genesis 1:26-28 as lawbreakers.</span> <span class="text"><sup>10 </sup>For
whoever pursues the-good yet accommodates one bad deed is guilty of breaking
all of the-good.</span> <span class="text"><sup>11 </sup>For, “You
shall not commit adultery,” accompanies, “You shall not murder.” If you do
not commit murder but do commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker. [A
surviving lawbreaker reforms by trusting-in and committing-to Genesis 1:26-28’s
message: you may and can choose to rule to the-good your way of living. In
discerning the-good, the-mystery suffers many labels: God, the Lord God,
Yahweh, G-d, the One, the Almighty, and Jehovah, for examples, yet<i> is</i> whatever it is. Israel proposed law
Jesus improved, while Jesus kindly met challenges from contemporaries he
encountered.]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4:11 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Fellow citizens, do not slander one
another. Anyone who speaks against another or judges them speaks
against both the-good and Jesus’ civic influence. When you assail the
human-being, you are attempting to deny physics. [For example, if a man thinks
he’s really a woman, he enslaves himself if he attempts to change his body
before discovering his error/sin.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>12 </sup>There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, able
to save and destroy: physics and its progeny, such as psychology. But you—who
are you to judge another’s image of Jesus? [Physics and its progeny constrain
everything -- from the vast universe to the narrow lie.] [Civic citizens do all
they can to aid a lawbreaker’s reform.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Mercy<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2:13 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has
not pursued statutory justice. Justice grounded in
the-ineluctable-evidence triumphs over judgment. [Physics preserves
discoverable ineluctable-evidence, such as DNA. The person who habitually
chooses the-bad is constrained by statutory justice. The evil person, for
example, the intentional murderer, may be killed under statutory justice.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h3><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Faith
and religion<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2:14 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone
claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them from
erroneous living?</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>15 </sup>Suppose a fellow
citizen is without clothes and daily food.</span> <span class="text"><sup>16 </sup>If
someone says to them, “Your reform is not my concern,” but supplies their
physical needs, what good is it? Does it serve the supplier’s ego? [It’s
feasible and effective to educate and motivate the poor to earn the living they
want. Is it possible to reform philanthropists?]</span> <span class="text"><sup>17 </sup>In
the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by effective action, is
dead. [The person who doubts her or his power to choose the-good doubts both
the-mystery and Jesus.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2:18 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But someone will boast, “You have faith; I have
deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you Jesus’
influence by effective deeds.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>19 </sup>You believe that there is one God. Good!
Even the demons believe that—and shudder before the mystery. [Caution: God, whatever
it is, exists in mystery yet accommodates the-good. A civic citizen may develop
Jesus’ image, yet that person is neither the-mystery nor Jesus.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h3><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Evil<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4:4 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You adulterous people, don’t you know that
friendship with the world means enmity against both the-good and Jesus? Therefore,
anyone who chooses to be a friend of evil becomes an enemy of the-good.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>5 </sup>Or do you think Scripture
says without reason that Jesus jealously longs for humankind to rule to
the-good politics on earth?</span> <span class="text"><sup>6 </sup>But Jesus
gives us more favor. That is why Scripture says:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="line" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“The-good opposes the proud</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">but
shows favor to the humble.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h3>Religion versus humility<o:p></o:p></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><b><sup>1:26 </sup></b>Those who consider themselves
religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their opinions deceive themselves:
their religion is worthless. <b><sup>27 </sup></b>Religion that Jesus
accepts, pure and faultless, is like this: to look after orphans and
widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the
world. [These civic concerns were expressed in the Code of Hammurabi and in
ancient Sumer codes 5500 years ago. In 2023, first response requires expertise,
so appreciatively vote for representatives who support reliable
first-responders so that the taxes you earn, in order to responsibly pay them,
are effective. If you leave your vote for others, they’ll spend your taxes. Self-maintaining
your own economic viability is a demand of physics.]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="top-05" style="background: white; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4:7 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Accept the-mystery, whatever that entity is, and comprehend Jesus’
influence to the good. Resist evil rather than nourish it.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>8 </sup>Pursue Jesus and he will influence
you. Wash your hands, you errant citizens, and purify your
hearts, you double-minded.</span> <span class="text"><sup>9 </sup>Grieve,
mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.</span> <span class="text"><sup>10 </sup>Humble yourselves before the-mystery and Jesus’
influence to the-good. Jesus will lift you up. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3>Desire and pleasure<o:p></o:p></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><b><sup>1:13 </sup></b>When tempted, no one should say,
“Jesus is tempting me.” For the-good cannot be tempted by evil, nor does Jesus
tempt anyone; <b><sup>14 </sup></b>but each person is tempted when
they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. <b><sup>15 </sup></b>Then,
after desire has conceived, it gives birth to error; and error, when it is
full-grown becomes sin and gives birth to death. [Civic citizens aid statutory
justice and thereby constrain evil.]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4:1 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come
from your desires that battle within you?</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>2 </sup>You desire but do not
have, so you murder. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you
quarrel and fight and steal. You do not have because you do not act for
the-good.</span> <span class="text"><sup>3 </sup>When you ask Jesus’ influence,
you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may
spend what you get on your pleasures. [Pursuing the-good empowers error-free
living, and Jesus’ image is perfection on earth. Human-being, in Jesus’ image,
may and can pursue perfection. The-mystery cannot be imaged by any human-being.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><h3>Imposing opinion<o:p></o:p></h3><p class="chapter-1" style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3:1 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow citizens,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>2 </sup>We all stumble in
many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is
perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3:3 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[Here, James presents diverse controls that seem to
him to work, excluding a fire’s spark, which can rage.] <sup>6 </sup>Erroneous
opinion also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It
corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and
is itself set on fire by hell. [One may and can stop his or her corruption when
they discover it and terminated it. Then, their perfection is possible.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3:7 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea
creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="text"><sup>8 </sup>and each human-being may
and can choose to tame erroneous opinion. [Physics shows erroneous opinion a
restless evil, full of deadly poison. Perhaps untamed opinion is the cause of
evil.] </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3:9 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">With personal opinion we praise Jesus, and with it we
curse human beings, who have been made to rule the earth to the-good.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> [Animals, vegetables, minerals, and spirits are not human-beings,
and some persons erroneously settle-for or pursue less than human being (verb)
– invite death. Terrorists are not human-beings.] <span class="text"><sup>10 </sup>Out
of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My fellow citizens, this should not
be.</span> <span class="text"><sup>11 </sup>Can both fresh water and
salt water flow from the same spring?</span> <span class="text"><sup>12 </sup>My
fellow citizens, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear
figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. But the civic citizen
can reflect Jesus on earth by extending his influence in each era and
generation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5:12 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not
by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple
“Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned by observable consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Acknowledgement <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I appreciate Nomads
Sunday school class at University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA and leader
Kenneth Tipton for their 6 week, 2023 discussion of the book of James. I
especially appreciate both the New International Version and the Complete
Jewish Bible for each Christian and Jewish Christian perspective, respectively.
I extrapolate Bible quandaries to my trust-in and commitment-to physics as the
constraint on human choice. I do not object to fellow citizens who also rely on
the-mystery and am personally humble to that entity, mystery that it is. I
appreciate Jesus’ influence on me as well as my wife and children.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">prb,
October 11, 2023 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2023 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. Updated to replace
“the-God” with “the-mystery” on October 16, 2023. General update on October 24,
2023.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-56846593263825710652023-09-11T13:35:00.280-05:002023-11-10T07:52:31.894-06:00the-God and the-good<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">Abstract<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Homo sapiens has developed during some 300,000 years.
During the recent 10,000 years humankind invented grammar, in order to use
language to reason about discoveries. Grammar empowered rapid discovery of the
ineluctable truth and how to benefit or pursue the good. No other species has
the power of discovery, so humankind is in charge of ordering life on earth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Humankind’s
technological achievements seem exponentially fast. For example, flight
progressed from hot air balloon 240 years ago (ya), to small engine plane 120
ya, to jet propulsion to the moon 54 ya. NASA now plans a colony on Mars.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> However,
humankind’s constraint of political chaos seems regressive. Grammar is used to justify
enmity and war on arbitrary bases rather than on ineluctable evidence. People
steal and murder, because they want to. What has empowered the divergence of
technological and political achievements and what can be done to pursue an
achievable better future? This essay proposes a solution: education to human
being (verb) more than to worker.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">the-God and the-good<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> In our
world, it seems responsible to think something constrains to the-good the
choices a person may make. From the moment of birth, a person endures the world’s
crisis march and either develops awareness and perseverance to the-good or wanders
toward the-bad. By their sequence of choices, each person may pursue perfection
of their unique human-being, as they approach death. They encounter both
personal and global crises, and by cumulative choices each person achieves
their destiny. Good choices sustain life: bad choices invite early death. <i>The good choice neither initiates nor
accommodates harm to or from any person, including self.</i> Some people never
accept their individual power to choose the-good, and some expect a higher
power to act for their benefit. Often, necessity motivates a person to pursue
the-good, and from that moment on, they may live without repeating an error, if
not live error free.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>What is the-good?<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Many
people attribute the-good to a doctrine they construct, in order to negotiate
favor. However, doctrine is like “truth”; if someone wants to distort “truth”,
they may change the subject.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Similarly, few people
humble to the-good their doctrine.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"> </span>People either humbly accept or arrogantly
deny that the human-being may and can responsibly, independently pursue the-good
-- always reject the-bad.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span>I<i> think</i> (do not know) that the attraction
to discover the-ineluctable-truth<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> is the-good. In
other words, comprehending and practicing the-good draws humankind to life and
evil promises chaos. Humankind’s destiny rests on both individual and
collaborative choices that pursue the-good. But some people seek aid and
comfort from either mystery or force; either the-God or government.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>The-God<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Unschooled
to persevere to the-good, most monotheistic cultures construct their doctrine
to characterize the-God<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>. Theologians
compete, and assume, honestly or not, that the other is pursuing the same deity
but hasn’t responsibly characterized it. They assume that non theists
nevertheless may accommodate religious doctrine. Often, theists speak in
different times and places, never imagining that their constructs conflict with
each other and probably with the-God. Most believers never consider the folly
of characterizing the-God. <o:p></o:p></p><h2>Government<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Some
fellow citizens do not pursue the-good. Consequently, coercion and force is
necessary. Most nations use military force against foreign offense and police
for domestic constraint. The rule of law is preferred. Its challenge is to pursue
statutory justice, which requires written law without injustice. Paul wrote to
a church, “<span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To each is given the </span><strong><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">manifestation of the Spirit</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for the common good.” Many philosophers assert that the
common good must provide privacy in human choices such as means of earning the
living one wants and practicing a religion or none. Partnership of church and
state cannot offer much less provide justice.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
To fulfill Genesis 1:26-28, the good must neither initiate nor accommodate harm
to or from any person or institution. In self-interest, the civic citizens
appreciatively pay the cost if their government purses legislation and law
enforcement if not statutory justice.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Physics and progeny<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> For all
I know, the only power that can constrain human choice is physics. Something initiated conversion of potential
energy into kinetic energy plus mass, at the Big Bang, 13.7 billion years ago.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Evolution has followed the laws of physics and evolved its progeny, such as
mathematics, psychology, and lies, ever since. There remains the question: What nudged physics at the Big Bang? Perhaps
the-God caused it. I know of no ineluctable evidence. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I think
discovery of how to benefit from physics empowers humankind to eventually
discover the-good and constrain the-bad. The citizen who reliably chooses
the-good also mimics the-God visiting earth, whatever the-God is. I think and
trust that the-God facilitates and encourages the-good that human-beings may
pursue. I trust-in and commit-to, some say “have faith-in”, physics. And the
activation of potential energy, 13.7 billion years ago, for all I know, was an
act of the-God. It is not necessary for me to solve the-God mystery in order to
pursue the-good. It seems folly to try to characterize the-God. However, I
think it is essential for believers to retain sufficient humility: My-god probably reports to the-God.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Western thought seems built on myths <span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> In
Mesopotamia, 5500 years ago, spiritualism reason morality. Polytheism prevailed
in competitive civilizations. Many polytheisms were similarly constructed: to
explain the universe based on primitive perception. For example, many cultures
worshiped the sun as a god; after all, overexposure to the sun often killed
humans and other animals. Many worshipped a god of wisdom and other gods, for
example, of creation. In the Middle East, polytheistic Sumerian kings invented
rule by law, impacting many subsequent religions. Most Sumerians pursued
the-good under law codes. Dissidents and rebels suffered enforcement of the
codes. Civic<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> citizens benefitted,
and so did dissidents who reformed.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Monotheism<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> By
4000 years ago, the formerly polytheistic Middle East seemed dominated by
competitive monotheisms. Three major Abrahamic monotheisms developed, starting
2700 years ago, as expressed in Israel’s Old Testament; a branch was canonized
1600 years ago in Christianity’s New Testament; and another was recorded about
1400 years ago in either the <span style="background: white; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Qur’an or the <i>haddith</i></span>. Other monotheisms persisted with smaller
followings. Thus, modern religious debate is bemused by competitive monotheisms
recorded during 1300 years beforehand, then debated for the last 1400 years, repressing
and obstructing principles from the far-ancient past. I suggest that modern
human-beings can improve present and future comprehension by canonizing an
Ancient Testament, comprised of spiritual and political philosophies from
Mesopotamia, including Sumer. Readers might then perceive the confusion of gods
that is constructed in competitive monotheism and perhaps together pursue
the-good without doubts imposed by assumption, belief, or denial about mystery.
In other words, accept the-God mystery and associated comforts, in order to
improve ways of living on earth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> For all
I know, each monotheism slowly pursues the-God by working to improve their doctrine,
but, so far, religion and civility, church and state -- civic morality -- has
not kept pace with technology, the observable consequence of research and discovery.
Humility is lacking. In other words, perseverant integrity<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> hasn’t supplanted regretful
honesty. It seems competitive monotheism begot chaos.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Opportunity to reform erroneous ages of spiritual dominance<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Viewed
as the recent edge of 300,000 years’ emergence of homo sapiens, nearly 100,000
years of spiritualism led to the polytheisms 5500 years ago. Then, 4000 years
ago competitive monotheisms prevailed: civilizations constructed doctrinal gods.
Religious literature created by 1400 years ago bemuses western political
thought. Now, information on the Internet<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> empowers humankind
to reform church and state, in order to develop humankind rather than to
maintain competitive religions and traditions. It won’t be easy to reform 4000
years’ competitive literature that is even now exponentially expanding. I hope
this article gets counted in the kaleidoscope.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Mesopotamian doctrine<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> In
Mesopotamia, the ancient Middle East, <span style="background: white; color: #202122;">Sumerian clergy held that the </span><span style="background: white;">universe<span style="color: #202122;"> emerged when </span>Nammu<span style="color: #202122;">, the primeval waters, gave birth to </span>Ki<span style="color: #202122;"> (the earth) and </span>An<span style="color: #202122;"> (the sky). Earth and sky produced a son named </span>Enlil<span style="color: #202122;">. Enlil separated heaven from earth and claimed the earth
as his domain.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> </span></span>His
rival brother, Enki,<span style="background: white; color: #202122;"> created humankind.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Perhaps “creator” expresses the-God, my lower-case “c” to retain humility
respecting actual-reality: deity or not. Sumerian cities had patron gods.
Citizens hoped they would be saved by <i>their</i>-god
if an enemy attacked them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Civic citizens empowered to rule<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Sumerian
kings, leading invention of the wheel for work effectiveness, irrigations, and
many other human advances, concluded that the mysterious creator assigned rule
of life on earth to humankind. Perhaps being the first civilization to write,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Sumer kings also first-developed law codes that empower civic<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
citizens to constrain dissidents and rebels. The code of Ur-Nammu is about 4100
years old. It protects widows, orphans, and the poor. (These specific provisions
were later repeated in the Bible as Moses’ law.) A murderer must be killed.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Sumerian law codes progressed through about 3800 years ago, when Hammurabi
conquered Mesopotamia. The Hammurabi code added the presumption of innocence.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn14" name="_ednref14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Sumer took responsibility for order on earth by continually pursuing the-good
as statutory justice<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn15" name="_ednref15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
leaving mystery to the creator, the other gods, and to each city’s god.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style="background: white;">Other Mesopotamians<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Also
Mesopotamian, ancient Semites who developed Israel were polytheists.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn16" name="_ednref16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Their transition to competitive monotheism may have come through Hebrew El and
its Arab cognate La, the precursor to competitive Abrahamic religions. Israel recorded
civil codes, purported to be moral, as Moses’ law. Yahweh would protect Israel
in war, for example, defeat Chemosh, god of the Semetic Moabites in Canaan. A
branch of Israel imagined an anointed one would empower Israel to unite the 12
tribes. A subsequent, minor Jewish faction perceived Jesus was the anointed one<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn17" name="_ednref17" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
When Gentiles perceived Jesus’ political impact, they dominated the Jesus
movement under, eventually, “Christ”, the English translation of the Greek word
for “anointed one”. “Christ” lessens Jesus’ civic influence by deluding the
suggestion that Jesus is in fact the-God. <i>In
other words, does Jesus, Divine or not, accept competitive church changing his
name?</i> Do the churches care? Many gods are involved in this reported
Mesopotamian history, and the Bible has many illustrations of groups using gods
to divide from humankind rather than to collaborate. For example, today there
are under 10 Christian canon<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn18" name="_ednref18" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
and 47,000 Protestant sects<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn19" name="_ednref19" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style="background: white;">A pivotal civic message to humankind<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The
Sumerians perceived that Enki left it to humankind <b><i>to choose to order to the-good</i></b>
life on earth. Reviewing Mesopotamian literature, primarily in law codes and
treaties, Israeli scholars could write, in Genesis 1:26-28, that on earth, with
land appearing from a watery void, humankind is in charge: the creator cannot
usurp human duty. Quoting the NIV text,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Then God said, “Let
us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they
may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the
livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along
the ground.”<b> </b>So God created mankind in his own image, in
the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.<b> </b>God
blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the
sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the
ground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I quote NIV, the New International
Version, because of the phrase, “so that they may rule . . . and subdue”.
Coming from the creator, “may” implies “can choose to”. The Complete Jewish Bible has “and let them
rule”, whereas some translations cite <i>dominion</i>,
which accommodates rather than discourages capricious conduct. In other words, <i>free will</i> would accommodate choosing the
bad whereas may and can choose to rule does not. Genesis 1:26-28 is a
matter-of-fact statement, coming from what I call “the-God” and Sumer called
Enki. Yet perhaps that actual entity controls the consequences of human choice,
like physics. Doubtfully, it’s Jesus, one of history’s pivotal political
philosophers. (Being aware of bemusements does not imply misperception.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style="background: white;">Impact<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The
Genesis-1 message asserts that only humankind has the psychological and
physical power to order life on earth. Only the-good facilitates order. Persons
who choose not to rule on earth are the dissidents or rebels to be constrained.
Additionally, humankind continually demonstrates that they may and can
constrain or survive the chaos that natural phenomena impose. The Israeli scripture
is about 2700 years old, but the Mesopotamian political thought is perhaps 5500
years old. And it seems that everything humankind has discovered since then
affirms this claim: <b><i>on earth, humankind is responsible to discover and choose actions that
increase order rather than accommodate chaos.</i></b> The person who chooses
chaos rejects human being (verb). Knowingly choosing error is sin. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Experiences
and observations inform that neither church nor government can usurp
humankind’s reason for being: collaboratively pursing the good. An individual
may and can choose to independently constrain chaos in the way they live and to
resist injustice by aiding statutory justice in legislation and law enforcement.
When most citizens pursue responsible human independence, Genesis 1:26-28 is
fulfilled. As of 2023, irresponsibility and chaos march on if not prevail on
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style="background: white;">Development of G-d<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Steeped
in Semitic<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn20" name="_ednref20" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
polytheism, ancient Israel segued from “God” in Genesis 2:3 to “the Lord God”
in Genesis 2:4. Instead of Genesis 1’s “God” who created woman also in their
likeness, Israeli scholars describe “the Lord God”, Yahweh, “</span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="background: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span></i></span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, God”.<span style="color: #202122;"> That entity overtly instructs Adam,
alone tending the Garden of Eden and needing a “suitable helper”. “</span></span><span class="text">[Adam] gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and
all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.” So
Yahweh created a woman from Adam’s rib (even though God had already created
male and female).</span> Yahweh lessened female from Genesis 1’s
co-likeness of the-God to a derivative of Adam. Israel became patriarchal. Yet
physics informs us the woman produces the ova from which a human embryo may be
conceived! I think there are many other instances of unapologetic if not
arrogant separation from the-God and friend of humankind to a god the
constructors would influence to destroy other groups of humankind. Yahweh
favors not only its culture but the men therein.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> From Adam on,
Old Testament writers seem to hold that God is One, with many labels revered to
accommodate a story. Some Jews write “G-d” to indicate the One.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn21" name="_ednref21" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> I prefer the-God.
I have no problem when people want to develop doctrine, and I want them to know
my opinion, respecting civic integrity. On hearing and considering my opinion,
they are positioned to share a view that humankind may consider: Humankind has the power on earth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> The
transition from Genesis 1’s “God” to Genesis 2’s “Yahweh” introduces personal
dialogue with elite persons. Some personal encounters with G-d, according to
Complete Jewish Bible, include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Yahweh told Adam to avoid the <span style="background: white;">knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 2:17.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God instructed Noah about the
flood, Genesis 6:13-14.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh ordered Noah to enter
the ark, Genesis 7:1.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God told Noah when to leave
the ark, Genesis 8:15-17 and blessed them, Genesis 9:1-17.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh told Abram to leave
his homeland and blessed him, Genesis 12:155.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh sent Moses to Egypt to
rescue Israel, Exodus 3:10.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh told Joshua to lead
Israel across the Jordan, Joshua 1:1-2.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh told Samuel Eli’s
family was evil, 1 Samuel 3:11-14.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh asked Isaiah who to
send, Isaiah 6:8.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yahweh said “I am God
Almighty” to Abram, Genesis 17:1.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I know not if the contacts with Noah represent
interchangeability of “God” and “the Lord God”: perhaps God, of Noah’s age,
differs from Yahweh, introduced for Abram’s descendants, from whom Israel
developed. In some cases, Yahweh speaks to actors through emissaries, in
dreams, in spirit, and in personal opinion. Some protagonists name G-d<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn22" name="_ednref22" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>,
and I don’t doubt their sincerity. I still want them to consider “the-God”,
because it addresses an extant entity, whatever its characterization, whereas
“G-d” proudly expresses humility. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Competitive
theism is illustrated in a particular Bible passage. Ruth 1:16-17, CJB, states,
“</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">But Ruth replied, ‘Your people will be my
people and your God my God.</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-7145">May the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> deal
with me. . . if even death separates you and me.”</span> Ruth, a Moabite,
was changing from Chemosh to Yahweh, and admitting that the Lord would judge her.
I think this informs us of a Jewish tradition: earnestly arguing theism while
reserving humility to the-God, whatever it is -- a good practice. I hope G-d
carries equal humility.</span></span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> It
seems to me Abrahamic scholars wrote in Genesis 1 a creation story consistent
with Mesopotamian tradition: the creator, God, positioned male and female human
beings to choose to rule to the-good on earth. Then beginning in Genesis 2:4,
following the Sumerian tradition of cities choosing their patron god and
Semites choosing their military gods, Abrahamic scholars wrote a story about
the Lord God talking to Adam. Through Adam, the Lord God would rule on earth,
the woman separated from the Genesis 1 image of the creator. I doubt the wisdom
of subjugating Eve.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>The Greeks<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Scholars
vainly debate the character of the-God. Plato, 2500 years ago, in “Symposium”,
wrote about a philosophy group debating Eros’s impact on humankind. Agathon,
rather than addressing impacts on men, <i>characterized</i>
Eros as both the cause of everything and appreciator to the-good. “His greatest
glory is that he can neither do nor suffer wrong to or from any god or any man.”
Similarly, Israel expresses the-God’s character with “Khesed”, the combination
of <span style="background: white; color: #313131;">enduring commitment,</span>
generosity, love, and loyalty.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn23" name="_ednref23" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
I perceive all 4 characteristics in the-God’s message in Genesis 1:26-28.
Accepting these 4 expectations to me, I doubt neither mine nor my neighbor’s
ability to choose the-good. And when I perceive the-bad, I express my perception
with ears, in order to encourage someone to change: either my appreciative,
corrected neighbor or grateful, accepting me, after I considered and accepted
their response.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Plato (d. 348
bce), in <i>Euthyphro</i>, has Socrates ask,
“<span style="background: white; color: #202122;">"Is the [good] loved by
the gods because it is [good], or is it [good] because it is loved by the
gods?"<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn24" name="_ednref24" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The philosophers reason that the good must satisfy all the gods, which is
unlikely, since the gods compete. It seems competitive monotheisms have, long
since, exacerbated chaos rather than approached order. Since humans construct
the gods, it’s no wonder that order on earth seems charged to humankind.
The-God could be as obvious as physics or the ultimate good humankind pursues
but probably something no one has imagined.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Jesus in the world<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Isaiah, a Jewish
prophet, predicted that an anointed one would unite Israel for a future age of
peace. Later, a Jewish minor faction thought Jesus <i>is</i> the anointed one, and gentiles, observing Jesus’ political influence
projected Jesus as the Greek, Ο Χρισμένος, later translated “Christ”. Some
Islamic factions also think Jesus is to bring future peace.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn25" name="_ednref25" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[25]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Thus, all three
Abrahamic religions (and some of their competition as well as some pagan antagonists)
consider if not appreciate Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Today,
monotheism may be more disperse than polytheism could ever be. There are too
few ancient unknowns to sustain polytheism. For example, we know the sun is a
natural nuclear reactor. Whereas the polytheisms discover explanations for
their constructed mysteries, the monotheisms preserve tradition and rationalize
internal divisions<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn26" name="_ednref26" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[26]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
There are many Jewish movements,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn27" name="_ednref27" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[27]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Islamic branches,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn28" name="_ednref28" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[28]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Christian sects,<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn29" name="_ednref29" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[29]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
and pagan religions<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn30" name="_ednref30" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[30]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
derived from ancient Middle Eastern beliefs, not to exclude Eastern
philosophies and religions. Perhaps the world population has 0.015 billion
Jews, 2.4 billion Christians, 2 billion Muslims, and 0.003 billion pagans among
8 billion people. Additionally, 1.3 billion Hindus, 0.5 billion Buddhists, and
some non-theists appreciate Jesus’ civic influence to the-good. Thus, 6.2 of 8
or 78 % of the world’s population appreciate either Jesus, or Christ, or Jesus
Christ, or the Jesus-mystery. I think my influences to the-good during 7
decades came from publically, persistently considering Jesus and attempting to
perform according to my comprehension. There is no mystery, to me: every <i>good choice</i> I made during my 80 years
was influenced by considering Jesus’ civic influence. Fortunately, I recognized
this at age 78 and increased my intentions to the-good.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn31" name="_ednref31" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[31]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Jesus’ civic influence<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Jesus did not
write, so we only have opinion and stories written about him decades after his
execution. Complimentary contemporary recollections are in the 4 gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, written 4 to 7 decades after Jesus’ death. New
to me is the epistle of James, Jesus’ brother, issued in 48 AD, sooner after Jesus’
death in 33 AD. James seems unencumbered by other writers’ memories. He seems
to encourage fellow Jews to accept Jesus’ improvements on Moses’ law, and to
expect to enjoy Jesus’ return as the Messiah. Hopefully, the authors kept
journals as they walked with Jesus. But their reports are dubious, often
conflicting, and always controversial. Writers portray Jesus variously as man,
fellow citizen, teacher, rabbi, political philosopher, son of man, son of God, the-God,
and the Word<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn32" name="_ednref32" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[32]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
Jesus’ improvements of Moses’ law challenge its origin; was Jesus present, with
competition? Despite these mysteries, Jesus
is my civic influence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> The civic
Bible-reader can discern in Jesus-the-represented-man a political philosopher
who wastes no time in establishing relationships with the various people he
encounters. As a fellow Jew, Jesus engages the rabbinic improvement of Moses
law and reminds sincere Moses-lawyers of the principles in Genesis 1. As a
fellow citizen, he confronts errant civic behavior, accepting without objection
the person’s ethnicity, and suggests reform. He cautions people not to
misrepresent him. His caution to be humble is for the poor as well as for the
rich. Facing his grand civil inquisitor, Pontius Pilot, Jesus denies kingship,
stating that he was <i>born to witness to
the truth</i>. The truths Jesus speaks are affirmed by humankind’s experiences
and observations in every generation, and I attribute seeming contradictions to
the writer, preacher or scholar. I listen when fellow-citizens offer new
viewpoints about Jesus’ civic guidance; I seek to learn reasons to reconsider
my opinion. I pursue the-ineluctable-truth, because I do not know: my opinion
is never sufficient. I think Jesus was only an authentic man pursuing the-good,
but for all I know, he <i>is</i> the-God. I
feel liked in the world and in my Sunday school class and church, even though I
am neither Baptist nor Christian. I could be wrong to feel good.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>New Testament unintended support for Genesis 1:26-28<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> With all the
above background, I am now in a position to invite the reader to consider an
often examined epistle and evidence that its unarticulated objective is to
practice, encourage, and facilitate responsible human independence as suggested
in Genesis 1:26-28. Thereby, I want to make the case that humankind’s opportunity
to live pivots on civic integrity<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn33" name="_ednref33" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[33]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
rather than on religion, for example, salvation of souls or salvation from sin
-- surrogate redemption after intentional personal error. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I considered the
New Testament book of James using both the New International Version and the
Complete Jewish Bible. Jesus’ brother, perhaps 1 decade after Jesus died,
understood Jesus statement, “<span style="background: white;">The world can’t
hate you, but it does hate me, because I keep telling it how wicked its ways
are.” <a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn34" name="_ednref34" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[34]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> </span> I think
James, intending to affirm Messianic Jesus (rather than Christ), effectively
suggests simply accepting the-God, in order to <i>rule</i> life on earth. Accepting the-God without characterization plus
pursuing Jesus’ civic influence helps me discern the-good in human connections
and transactions.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Considering the book of James, Chapter 1 <o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> Entering my 9<sup>th</sup>
decade, and having studied political philosophy to the-good for 7 decades, I
feel placid, even though I do not know the-ineluctable-truth. Based on
my experiences and observations, the message in Genesis 1:26-28 seems reliable.
The message is: only humankind can pursue order to the-good for living on
earth. In other words, when humankind does not accept the responsibility to
the-good, chaos prevails. It is a message of enduring commitment, generosity, appreciation,
and loyalty. To the listening and considerate individual, it means she or he
can choose to constrain chaos in their way of living. Each person may and can
pursue responsible human independence. Not choosing the-good invites death.
Mistakes cannot be repeated without harm. It was that way in the beginning. Can
James 1 be interpreted as motivation and inspiration to accept Genesis 1:26-28
and behave for the-good?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> James, in his
way, appreciated his brother, Jesus. I won’t fault anyone’s unique attention to
Jesus. For my years, now in 2023, I think Jesus voluntarily advocates the-good,
expressing Genesis 1:26-28’s reliable message. For examples, I perceive Jesus
expresses the following ideas for successive generations:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A man shall unite to his wife’s motivation and
inspiration, Matthew 19:5.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Before Abraham was born, civic citizens
persevered to the-good, John 8:58.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Aid your Commander-in-Chief, Matthew 22:21.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Pursue civic perfection; other humans may
mimic you, Matthew 5:48.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I was born to discover and practice
the-ineluctable-truth, John 18:37.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Individuals may and can choose the-good, Mark
7:14-15.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Don’t debate competitive religion, Mark
12:13-15.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Good intentions necessitate good actions, John
12:26.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Don’t repeat mistakes, John 8:11.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Necessity demands the-good and punishes
the-bad, John 12:47-48.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This list is only a sampling. I hope the reader perceives that I
don’t know the mystery of Jesus yet can perceive the-good. I don’t want anyone
to think as I do but want to listen to any appreciation of Jesus, so that I may
consider improving my appreciation. Let’s see what James wrote. I will keep
track as I review Chapter 1’s verses.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>James, Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"> First, James
thinks his sibling, Jesus, is the Messiah. James addresses <i>uniting</i> the 12 tribes of Israel unto peace rather than <i>inviting</i> gentiles unto soul salvation. For
all I know, Jesus is the-God to humankind and I perceive certainty that Jesus
advocated the-good against the-bad. Addressing Israel separately, in Genesis 2
and beyond, lessens the Genesis 1 focus on humankind (James, Verse 1).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Faithfully
(responsibly) choosing the-good after consciously weighing the-bad is its own
fulfillment, so temptation, to the civic citizen, is rare if not out of the
question. A person’s accumulated choices determines their perfection or ruin,
so civic citizens persevere until death ends their unique opportunity. Some
persons choose the-bad, not on temptation, but through familiarity with bad practices
and ruinous people; when you’re a gangster, you’re reliable-to and proud-of the
gang and its doctrine. To pursue order, civic citizens work to persuade
dissidents and rebels to reform to the-good, (V 2-4).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> It seems that
asking-for rather than pursuing wisdom is equivalent to doubting the
reliability of Genesis 1:26-28’s message: humankind may and can choose to rule
on earth. Once a person accepts Genesis-1’s message, their good vs bad
deliberation favors the-good. Perseverance to avoid, at least not repeat, human
error lessens the frequency of bad thoughts. The civic person is self-reliant
to the-good, knowing that she/he already has supreme psychological likeness. Civic
persons expect fellow-citizens to mirror humanity if not Jesus. Intentional
error is sin. Not repeating a mistake restores the path to perfection (V 5 -8).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Humility is
for the poor as well as for the rich. The rich fund the infrastructure,
including statutory-justice, law-enforcement, and education that sustains the
poor’s opportunity to recover/ establish economic viability. Each fulfillment
is commensurate with loyalty to the-civic-good, without attempting to usurp the
mysterious realm. Civic integrity reaps a life worth living whereas error
invites early death. Death may be the constraint on human choice and thereby
may be the-God. Death limits the human-being (V 9 -15).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Exemplary living, facilitation, encouragement,
and statutory justice to the-good among citizens who accept Genesis 1:26-28
assures reliability in the face of mystery. The Genesis 1 message is reliable.
The-God is reliable. The civic citizens, who accept the image of the-God, are
gods facing inevitable death. To doubt personal image of the-God is to doubt
the-God (V 16 -18).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> In mirroring
humankind’s mature image, there is no place for civil emotions: religion,
stonewalling, anger, craving, satisfaction, and evil. Only <i>intending</i> to accept the Genesis 1 message (the word) is insufficient:
there must be <i>accomplishment</i>.
Humankind must rule life on earth. Accepting the image of the-God necessitates pursuing
perfect living as a god facing death (V 19 - 26).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> It seems
James accommodates support for my interpretation of Genesis 1:26-28 without
either intentions to do so or awareness of the possibility. Nowhere in this
first chapter did James deny humankind’s potential to persevere to the-good and
thereby lessen death. If James’ purpose is to unite Israel through Jesus, the
Genesis 1:26-28 message might facilitate reform. However, it seems unwise to
apply benefits to a group rather than to humankind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> In his second
inaugural address, President Obama said, “Together we determined that a
modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce,
schools and colleges to train our workers.” The U.S. may and can choose to
educate its youth and adults to acquire the comprehension and intention to
develop their person as human being (verb) instead of agent of personal
satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Conclusion<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="background: white;">Evolution cannot preclude its start; humankind cannot resist
the-good.</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I think James,
Chapter 1, is intended to convince Jews that Jesus <i>is</i> their Messiah. Believers avoid error, by mimicking Jesus in
their actions rather than by professing religion. James suggests salvation from
error in life rather than of souls in death. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Yet James’ expressions
incidentally support accepting Genesis 1:26-28’s message to humankind to rule
to the-good on earth. Christ-believers may interpret James 1 for salvation of
the soul, and Israel believers may interpret to expect a future Messiah to provide
peace to the 12 nations. Since the-God is a mystery, I cannot fault believers.
However, I hope their transcendent intentions and actions aid all civic people while
encouraging dissidents and rebels to reform to the-good. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I think
James, Jesus’ brother advocated civic perfection, a political philosophy beyond
religion. Each person may and can pursue their unique journey the moment they
decide not to tolerate error in their ways of living. Our nation may and can
educate its youth and adults to pursue their opportunity to comprehend and
apply the good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I would
appreciate comments on my study; I read and write to learn from fellow
citizens.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I think James,
Chapter 1 clearly encourages fellow Jews to consider the possibility that Jesus
is the Messiah, who will return to unite Israel in peace according to the
continually improved Talmud.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn35" name="_ednref35" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[35]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Jesus participated in improving Moses’ law and thus contributed to the Talmud.
Jesus’ improvements add doubt to perceptions of the law’s origins. Genesis
1:26-28 proffers insight, if the ancients to Israel, such as the Sumerians, are
considered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I think the
rest of the book of James continues to unintentionally promote the Genesis
1:26-28 message: rule to the-good your way of living. For example, I quote
James’ opinion in 4:17, “<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do
it, it is sin for them.”</span></span> In other words, sin is intentional error. I
leave it to the reader to consider the rest of James’ epistle.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Interpreting
James’ writing to support salvation of all people who accept Jesus as both the
man and the deity who was sacrificed for their sins seems more difficult. A
recent example of such scholarly work is Mariam J. Kamell’s “God Gave Us
Birth”.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_edn36" name="_ednref36" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[36]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Acknowledgements<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I appreciate
many years of discussion with my immediate family and friends, and especially my
wife, Cynthia, and our 3 children for motivation and inspiration. University
Baptist Church, Baton Rouge Louisiana, during 5 decades helped me discover Jesus’
civic influence – especially late in my 8<sup>th</sup> decade in Nomads Sunday
School Class led by Kenneth Tipton and in Courage Class represented by Vaughn
Crombie. I appreciate Michael Cavanaugh for suggesting I write about the
literature gap created after monotheism dominated Mesopotamian political
philosophy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2023 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is
hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as
this complete copyright notice is included. General update on September 15,
2023, on September 28, 2023, and on October 19, 20, 22, and 23, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
</p><div><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> For example, Bill Clinton famously said, “I did not have
sexual relations with that woman”; he artfully applied <i>his</i> definition of sex. See <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luLpdr4n8m4">(252) USA: CLINTON DENIES
HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY - YouTube</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Ineluctable
means: not to be assailed, avoided, changed, escaped, neglected, obfuscated,
rationalized, or resisted. Ineluctable evidence grounds the-ineluctable-truth.
Lawyers and judges protect the people from knowing “ineluctable”.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> I write “the-God”, in order to suggest there exists only
one causality and <i>accept</i> that it may
be divine. For this reason, “the” uses lower case while “God” uses uppercase.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Machiavelli objected in irony to the church and state partnership. See <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.online-literature.com/machiavelli/prince/11/">The Prince by
Niccolo Machiavelli: Chapter 11 (online-literature.com)</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> In
Einstein’s equality, E=m times C squared, E is kinetic energy, and before m
emerged at the Big Bang, there may have been only potential energy. For
example, instead of Stephen Hawking’s infinitely small, infinitely dense mass
negating the left side of Einstein’s equality, potential energy negated the
right side. But what sparked kinetic energy and mass?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> "Civic" refers to the necessary responsibility in
human connections and transactions rather than to civility.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Integrity constrains action when there is doubt.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The Internet empowers readers to use sources they trust, in order to check an
opinion-writer’s claim. Therefore, I only note the information I used to check
personal recall.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerian_religion">Sumerian
religion - Wikipedia</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.annunaki.org/enki-enlil/">Enki &
Enlil - Annunaki .org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn11">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_writing">History
of writing - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn12">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
“Civic” also means neither initiating nor accommodating harm to or from anyone,
including self.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn13">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-writings/code-ur-nammu-sumerians-009333">The
Code of Ur-Nammu: When Ancient Sumerians Laid Down the Law, Everyone Obeyed |
Ancient Origins (ancient-origins.net)</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn14">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammurabi">Hammurabi
- Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn15">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Statutory law is the aim of a civic court, and every citizen’s aid is needed to
pursue statutory justice.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn16">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref16" name="_edn16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Semitic_religion">Ancient Semitic
religion - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn17">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref17" name="_edn17" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201&version=CJB">James
1 CJB - From: Ya‘akov, a slave of God and of - Bible Gateway</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn18">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref18" name="_edn18" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="https://biblecanon.org/lists/">Bible Canon Lists - The Process of
Canonization</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn19">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref19" name="_edn19" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/blog/just-how-many-protestant-denominations-are-there">Just
How Many Protestant Denominations Are There?| National Catholic Register
(ncregister.com)</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn20">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref20" name="_edn20" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Semitic-speaking_peoples">Ancient
Semitic-speaking peoples - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn21">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref21" name="_edn21" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Judaism">Names of God in
Judaism - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn22">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref22" name="_edn22" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://bibleportal.com/articles/names-of-god-in-the-old-testament">Names
of God in the Old Testament - Bible Portal</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn23">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref23" name="_edn23" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://godtv.com/khesed-means-love-loyalty-and-generosity-combined/">Learn
The Hebrew Word Khesed: Love, Loyalty, And Generosity | God TV News</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn24">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref24" name="_edn24" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthyphro_dilemma">Euthyphro
dilemma - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn25">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref25" name="_edn25" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[25]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_in_Islam">Jesus
in Islam - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn26">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref26" name="_edn26" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[26]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religions">Abrahamic
religions - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn27">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref27" name="_edn27" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[27]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_religious_movements">Jewish
religious movements - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn28">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref28" name="_edn28" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[28]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_schools_and_branches">Islamic
schools and branches - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn29">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref29" name="_edn29" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[29]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations">List of
Christian denominations - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn30">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref30" name="_edn30" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[30]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_paganism">Modern
paganism - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn31">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref31" name="_edn31" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[31]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> I
recall Ralph Waldo Emerson’s statement, “He learns that his being is without bound; that, to the good, to
the perfect, he is born, low as he now lies in evil and weakness.” See <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://emersoncentral.com/texts/nature-addresses-lectures/addresses/divinity-school-address/">Divinity
School Address - Ralph Waldo Emerson (emersoncentral.com)</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn32">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref32" name="_edn32" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[32]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://carm.org/about-jesus/why-is-jesus-called-the-word/">Why is Jesus
called the Word? Why does John 1 call Jesus the Word? (carm.org)</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn33">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref33" name="_edn33" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[33]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
“Honesty”, a feeling, is insufficient to integrity, which requires wholeness
and correctness.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn34">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref34" name="_edn34" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[34]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
John 7:7, CJB.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn35">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref35" name="_edn35" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[35]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.sefaria.org/texts">Sefaria: a Living
Library of Jewish Texts Online</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn36">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/the-God%20and%20the-good.docx#_ednref36" name="_edn36" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[36]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/174971.pdf">174971.pdf
(baylor.edu)</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><p></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-52854692241486109662023-08-15T13:49:00.086-05:002023-09-08T18:22:39.279-05:00Egocentricity in the Good Samaritan Story: Application to the Abortion Debate<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Egocentricity in the Good Samaritan Story:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Application to the Abortion Debate<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">At Steve’s request, UBCCourageClass read
the Good Samaritan story to consider abortion politics. With a view from 5500
year-old Sumerian political philosophy, which suggests that I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">may& can choose</i> to constrain chaos
in my way of living, I think the civic-citizen who discovers a victim of crime notifies
First Responders.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Commenting on particular Luke 10 verses:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">V 25 Political power may <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">speculate</i> but cannot <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">force</i> attachment-to the afterdeath</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">V 27 The phrase “the Lord your God”
is a Hebrew construct that contradicts the-God-of-Gods, whatever that is.
People choose to pursue either mutual appreciation, competitiveness, or
unreliable middling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">V 29. What is neighbor, the lawyer
asks? Traditionally, its kin and tribesman, but it could be other
civic-citizens</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">V 30-35 Various characters: a robbery
victim, robbers, a priest, a Levite, a Samaritan, the innkeeper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">V 33: Caretaker: took pity, went to victim,
bandaged wounds, poured on oil and wine, conveyed him to an inn, returned the
next day, paid innkeeper, commissioned innkeeper to more care, promised to
cover expenses.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=4fa820211830a541JmltdHM9MTY5MTcxMjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0yOTBmNTQ1OS00YTg1LTY4OTctMDU5Ni00NzQyNGJkMjY5NjgmaW5zaWQ9NTYyNQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=290f5459-4a85-6897-0596-47424bd26968&psq=elements+of+an+incentives+structure&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHJlbWVuZG91cy5jb20vYmxvZy9pbmNlbnRpdmUtcHJvZ3JhbXM&ntb=1" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Incentive schemes often consist of the following key elements</span></a></span></strong><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="background: white;">:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">A goal or series of goals<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">An incentive — a reward for completing the
goal (s)<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Recipients — a person or group of people
tasked with achieving the goal (s)<span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;"> </span><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Rules stipulating how the recipients can earn
the incentive by completing the goal (s)<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">A timeframe within which to complete the goal
(s)<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-underline: none;"><u>Applications to the Good Samaritan
story:</u></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Arbitrarily
deliver first-response to a victim</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Speculate
receiving eternal life during individual afterdeath.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Impose on
innkeeper extended-care responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The incentive
was not shared to the innkeeper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">First
responder may& can pay the innkeeper’s final bill but cannot promise eternal
life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-underline: none;"><u>Trying to build an abortion-analogy
to the Good Samaritan story:</u></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">A typically egocentric man penetrates “a body with a
uterus”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> and viable ovum. The body then has a conceived embryo.
The body will discover the embryo and decide whether to remain pregnant or not.
“The body”, like it or not, is alone regarding the embryo’s fate.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">A social <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">faction</i> imagines& believes the body’s
embryo must be gestated, delivered, and saved. Therefore, they dictate that the
body-with-a-uterus must complete the task, like it or not. The believers leave
it to others to stand guard over the body during the remaining of 9 months’
process. The believers take no action regarding the delivered-baby’s care&
education toward human being (verb</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The society
seeks to feel divine or otherwise satisfy its beliefs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">They urge the
civic-citizens’ government to force the body to deliver the baby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Only the
believers may feel divine or satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Their
egocentric beliefs are satisfied at baby-delivery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-underline: none;"><u>Trying to build a viable-egg analogy:</u></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">A viable ovum, one of 350,000 ova at puberty, awaits appreciation.
The ovum’s body-with-a-uterus and viable ovum is penetrated by a man who has
neither awareness nor intent to appreciate his own conception. He abandons the body-with-a-uterus
and the embryo.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The 5 element
scheme seems the same as for the above abortion case, except that the society
includes people who are not seeking divine feeling – only satisfaction of their
beliefs about a woman’s ova.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="text-underline: none;"><u>Evaluations</u></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #111111;">Using
the presented 5 elements of inventive schemes, I suggest 2 mimics of the Good
Samaritan story in Luke 10. <b>First</b>, I illustrate traditional male-dominance in
sex and reproductive politics, using a professor’s sarcastic expression of “woman”:
a body-with-a-uterus. <i>Note: I think a few men authentically appreciate every
woman and her ova.</i> <b>Second</b>, I suggest a view from the ovum hoping to be born unto
appreciation for life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This study helped me perceive that the Good Samaritan Story
(GSS) is 1) un-civic and 2) contradicts Jesus’ civic-responsibility-message to
humankind. The Samaritan acts egocentrically, in order to expect eternal life,
a mystery, rather than to aid the victim’s life; see Luke 10:25. Yet ancient
scripture referenced in Verse 27 instructs loyalty to God and to neighbor, in
order to fulfill self. The question is: How does a human be loyal to both God
and to neighbor? I suggest accepting – not questioning -- God's salvation and
practicing responsible-human-independence<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[vii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
(RHI).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">During the recent
10,000 years, mankind has discovered (not accepted) that first response to harm
is for trained personnel, in order to lessen unintended consequences of
uninformed-citizen-actions. A civic-citizen’s first duty is to alert
first-responders rather than to respond first. Civic means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reliable</i> to neither cause nor accommodate harm to-or-from anyone.
Some civic-citizens train in order to be first-responders according to need.
For example, some civic-citizens carry a gun and shoot no one who does not need
to be shot (sometimes, notifying first responders is not possible). I consider
myself too emotional for such duty, yet I train, in case I have no choice but
to defend my family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">In summary,
the-laws-of-physics& progeny<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[viii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
make it plain that the-God-of-Gods, whatever that is, holds that mankind
may& can choose to provide order to life and to the earth. The impact on me
is that I choose to constrain chaos in my way of living. Knowing that there
will always be people who, for reasons they may understand, cause and/or
accommodate harm, I choose to aid pursuit of statutory-justice based on
the-ineluctable-evidence<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[ix]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
This requires police& military, so that civic-citizens may earn enough to
sustain their way of living including paying their local, state, and federal
taxes. I vote for candidates who seem to uphold the United States intentions,
abstractly stated in the amendable preamble to the Constitution.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Experience&
observations show that order rather than chaos brings happiness. When most fellow-citizens
pursue order, there is less chaos, so educating people to the civic-integrity
that is necessary to practice RHI is more promising than directly-constraining
public-chaos. Chaos includes egocentrically attempting to civically rather than
civilly restore a victim of a wayward fellow-citizen’s harm. For example, the person who volunteers care is not informed as to the victims wishes. The modern victim have do not resuscitate orders. Convincing a
harmful citizen to reform is more economically viable than arbitrarily aiding
their victims. Civic-citizens may& can choose to instruct Education
Departments to facilitate& encourage human being (verb). That is, pursuing
personal happiness using the civic-integrity for RHI. Increasing the
civic-faction comports to both the US preamble and to humankind’s discoveries
so far.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Men and women are
born independent and may choose civil spouse hood. The woman has 350,000 eggs
at puberty with gradual discharge until menopause. She may produce 400 viable
ova during her fertile years. The civic-woman perceives obligations to herself
and to her ova. The civic-man excludes intimacy with any woman and her ova,
unless he is in civil spouse hood with her and their possible offspring. Thus,
his civic-obligation is to every woman, her ova, and himself. Mutually
accepting these obligations for life can result in family loyalty unto
grandchildren-and-beyond for a continuum of unique happiness. Wanted eternal life may
be trusted to the-God-of-Gods mystery.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><u>Applying the
incentive scheme to human being (verb):</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: black;">Establish
and maintain loyalty to the-ineluctable-truth and to fellow-citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: black;">Unique<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
personal-happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: black;">Civic-citizens
collaborate in the pursuit of RHI<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: black;">Happiness
in a culture of civic-integrity fellow-citizens may& can choose<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: black;">Integrity
is discovered as human-ignorance is overcome and ineluctable-evidence is
understood despite a continually changing world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><u>Conclusion</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I have considered
the possibility that there is no place for imposition of beliefs in the pursuit
of human being (verb): beliefs are optional, private pursuits. When it comes to
the-God-of-Gods, the mystery of mystery, love is no surrogate for loyalty;
tradition is no surrogate for ineluctable-evidence; power cannot defeat
integrity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Existing statistics accommodates ova-disposal. With 350,000 eggs at puberty, typical mothers lose
349,998 ova in having 2 babies. No one wants to gestate and deliver a baby destined
to life without appreciation. The woman, whether upon pregnancy-discovery or after her 9 months' labor, knows best the promised life she might deliver. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Morality assigns to the pregnant woman the responsibility to remain pregnant or not.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">The human ovum usually contains everything needed
for fertilization to embryo that may emerge a baby. Upon delivery, the baby may
during their first quarter-century acquire the comprehension& intention to
develop human being (verb). Success is unlikely if the young adult is not
informed and convinced they may& can choose to pursue the-good during every
decade of their life. They are highly unlikely to succeed if their mom did not trust
gestation, delivery, and appreciation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Civic-citizens
may& can direct education departments to practice, facilitate, and
encourage the civic-integrity needed to pursue RHI, leaving the decision to
remain pregnant to the woman --- the only person who has that wonderful
opportunity. Only she has the awareness to happily choose to prevent an
unwanted life to her fetus. Similarly, every person has the opportunity to both
responsibly pursue the happiness they perceive and trust ultimate fate to their
origins rather than to the mystery of their thoughts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">These concepts
and principles seem cheerful to me, and I share them hoping to learn how to
improve both expression and substance so as to potentially appeal to every
citizen. I am listening for comments.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><u>Acknowledgements
regarding this essay</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;">I appreciate life
– my family with wife and 3 children -- our Louisiana-French-Catholic influences.
I am grateful for many past forums regarding parenting and abortion. The people
of University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, (UBC) helped me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perceive</i> that the-civic-Jesus influenced my better decisions since my
adolescence. Despite the competitive monotheism surrounding Christ-literature,
Jesus’ civic advice may& can be discovered& pursued during successive
generations, as humankind’s pursuit of statutory-justice unfolds. The
civic-Jesus deserves notoriety among the political philosophers who are
credited with the 1787 United States Constitution and its preamble “to ourselves
and our Posterity”. I am grateful to the UBC Nomads class for accommodating my
commentaries on scripture they choose to study, including Luke 10 with its Good
Samaritan story. Most of all, I appreciate UBCCourageClass’s response to Stephen
Strohschein’s unit considering unjust subjugation of women through abortion
legislation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2023
by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the
publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright
notice is included. Updated on 8/24/2023.</span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> That
indefinite time after body, mind, and person stop functioning. The soul-construct
facilitates the eternal-life mystery. I was nothing before my egg formed in my
mom’s fetus, then a couple decades later only that ovum, when my dad inseminated
my ovum. I happily accept that I can do nothing to avoid death [ending my pursuit
of human being (verb)] and do not speculate about soul.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> “Civic”
means neither causing nor accommodating harm to-or-from other persons or
institutions.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Online
at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.tremendous.com/blog/incentive-programs/">21 ways to
incentivize employees, customers and participants (tremendous.com)</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Civic-citizens authorize& train first responders, in order to lessen the
possibility of unintentional harm to the victim or others. This consideration
was obvious 5500 years ago, as represented in Sumerian law codes.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Margaret
Kamitsuka ‘s phrase to represent an impregnable woman, online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp35xFMtLQc&t=1272s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp35xFMtLQc&t=1272s</a></span>.
I don’t know if her expression is sarcastic or sincere.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> In
human being, “being” is a verb and “human” is its modifier. It takes a quarter
century for the human body to complete the wisdom-building parts of the brain,
and during that time, the person may& can choose to acquire the
comprehension and intention to pursue civic-integrity. Human being is more a
more likely pursuit if civic-coaching is offered.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[vii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Practicing
civic-integrity. See Note 2.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[viii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Progeny include mathematics, forces, chemistries, biology, psychology, fiction,
lies --- everything. The undiscovered actual-reality accommodates intent to
lie, until humankind accomplishes discovery. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[ix]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
“Ineluctable” means: not to be avoided, changed, escaped, neglected,
obfuscated, rationalized, or resisted. The interconnected ineluctable-evidences
represent the-ineluctable-truth. “Truth” is insufficient, because parties
may& can obfuscate their object of pursuit. A portion of society resists
“ineluctable”.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Courage%20SS%20class/abortion/Reading%20Luke%2010%20re%20Good%20Samaritan%20to%20apply%20to%20abortion.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Every
person who chooses to pursue human being (verb) accepts their unique power to
choose the-good in seeking the happiness they prefer rather than subjugating to
someone’s ideal for them.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-20227425249572318032023-07-06T13:59:00.005-05:002023-08-15T13:47:13.547-05:00Harvey Mansfield's sly dig at capitalism<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/conservatism-and-the-common-good">Conservatism
and the Common Good | National Affairs</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">PRB response<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I am a fiscal conservative and psychological liberal. That
means I earn the way of living I want and pay the taxes I owe. It also means,
in an American-independence way and a Genesis 1:26-28 NIV way, “Don’t tread on
me”. There's experience rather than passion in that statement or posture, because every person may& can choose to earn their way of living and pay their taxes, and the taxes are partially used to help those who can't-earn pursue the ability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I think the world is comprised of people who divide
themselves on whether to take responsibility for their way of living or to try
to coerce someone else to pay their cost of living. There must be a referee to
resolve situations wherein someone causes harm. If I must submit to
adjudication of harm, I don’t want Harvey Mansfield’s influence perceivable let
alone present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He says conservatives tire of losing [the power to rule] to
liberal organization (hints of AMO, Alinsky-Marist organization-verb).
Mansfield fails to delineate “rule” as “pursue order to fellow-citizens” rather
than “bully people who tolerate abuse”. The U.S. Constitution proposes order.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">common-good-conservatives</i></b>,
traditionalists like W.F. Buckley, Jr. plus neoconservative Catholics who would
democratize the world and hate Trump, against <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">common-good-liberals</i></b>, who
“praise diversity and pluralism”. Mansfield was shockingly overt here,
informing me that his essay opposes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">religious</i>
conservatism. I fell prey to his segue to fiscal conservatism and obfuscated
attack on capitalism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Classical liberal: 17<sup>th</sup>-century individual
rights [and responsibilities]; life and choice; rule via representation; no!
rule of law. Example, abortion: common-good conservatives always lose. There is
no rule by representation; only the rule of law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Progress, modifications and improvement since 17<sup>th</sup>
century goes only in liberal direction -- diversity or alternation of power –
“a society of rights in which government represents rather than rules the
people”. Necessity rules, and politicians use reason or rationalization to
forestall necessity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Common-good-conservatives </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">reject John Locke and Montesquieu, two
founders of liberalism” to invoke Aquainas (d. 1274), who reflected Aristotle
(d. 322 BC), who thought before Jesus, before Catholicism, and before “Christ”.
Aristotle asserted 2 common goods: common good and good in common; endowed good
and received good; entitlement and merit. Mansfield fails to note that Locke
wrote of English-God-given rights to life, liberty, and property. Perhaps
Mansfield’s beef is with the Catholic Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mansfield
perceives, first, every person owns equal good and second, persons who increase
the-good distribute it equally. How does an equal person increase the-good? And
if so, does he remain equal or do beneficiaries appreciate the increase? Mansfield
admits the problem of superior intellect in some bodies, "not a point that
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">democratic
materialists</i></b> readily admit”. Moreover, Mansfield egregiously overlooks
the cost of applying superior intellect to increase the-good rather than to
seek rent or game the system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mansfield,
using false intentionality or not, expresses superior intellect as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">soul </i>rather than as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">psychology</i>. To him, every person benefits in body from the few who
possess soul. Mansfield’s example is Louis Armstrong (d. 1971), whose
contributions to human being (verb) are globally appreciated. Democrats
appreciate such celebrities, make them elite, and surround them with rent
seekers. For example, Taylor Swift tickets are on sale for $600. Civic citizens
brook the tyranny, and therefore, their lives matter to the materialists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But
democracy divides us into different nations — different democracies — each of
which is likely to think itself superior to others. Patriotism or
nationalism — cheering for the home team — is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aristocratic democracy</i></b>,
the usual sort of inequality that democracies care for” . . . unequals by doing
more and more closely approaching human being (verb).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Philosophically, the first pursues equality in materialism and
the second pursues inequality in spiritualism. Democracy develops elites to
democracy. The corollary is that conservatives develop elites to discipline. (I
prefer responsible reliability, since there’s no subjugation to a ruler other
than necessity. If I want to choose my food rather than take from a bureaucrat,
I must earn the money to pay for it.) Neither materialism nor spiritualism is reliable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liberalism is hostile to “the rule of the Church” due to
corruption and Protestant reformation. Generic liberalism encompasses modern
liberalism and conservativism, negating Aristotle’s reliance on contemplating
the divine (not necessarily the-God, which may be necessity). Liberalism, like
all causes, can accept the mysteries, in order to discover the-good response to
necessity. Thereby, redirect imposed spirituality to the-good -- discovery&
application. Each person applies the-good for living rather than salvation in
the afterdeath. Mansfield writes of liberalism rights “by their [natural]
Creator” [with a capital “C”] in the present tense and the Church in the past
tense. Thus, liberals can’t be ruled so they consent; in other words, accept
“freedom from rule”. Yet consent is necessary to restrain man from war on “every
man”, quoting Englishman Thomas Hobbes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mansfield switches to Englishman John Locke for “to secure these
rights” and adds, “While government secures rights, individuals exercise them;
government does not impose a way of life on its citizens, but rather enables
them to choose how to live”. Then he switches to the American Declaration of
Independence to segue from Locke’s protection of property to “pursuit of
Happiness”. Liberals escape “life imposed by rule”, using “a government that
represents” rather than employs the rule of law. It takes care of bodies but
not souls. (I favor persons rather than souls.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mansfield thinks the Constitution specifies “government
that does not rule”. “Elections and free speech”, for example, prevent
standardization of “the common good”. But liberalism cannot deny “the human
desire to rule”, so it urges choice in privacy. But choice limits subsequent
options, engaging “path dependence” and “stare decisis”. But privacy does no
good when harm ensues, for example, with slavery, a global development that was
imposed on America by England, other European countries, and African enterprise.
In another example, privacy does not save the person who chooses to fly like a
bird flies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Formal choice often demands unintended choices. For
example, the choice to civilize the rights of progeny to lifetime care by their
parents led to marriage and legislation to support the family. When liberals
chose to accommodate same-sex partners in marriage, support for children
lessened. The right to marriage lessened support to natural families. With
liberal progress, the end is no value in either choice or privacy. However,
privacy can be preserved “within the family” that chooses, without civil
determination or law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mansfield thinks only liberalism takes responsibility to
the common good that is deprecated by progressives and ignored by conservatives.
They are divided by free speech vs private property. Religious indifference
fosters greed to scholars, who flourish more than necessary businessmen. But
liberalism is weakened by the “principle of self-preservation”, which is “too
selfish and too ignoble”. It may eventually reform to “sacrifice and devotion”
or at least modesty. (Could Mansfield consider humility?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Liberalism dislikes ruling, so considers the option to “accept
defeat in an election”. The losing voters expressed “disharmony”. Liberalism
yielded to democracy, not necessarily to Democrats. Aristotle held that parties
are divided on “inclusiveness” vs contribution to the common good. Contrary to
Mansfield’s insinuation, in capitalism, rewards accrue to the contributors.
They earn their way of living and pay necessary city, county, state, and
federal taxes. Thereby, they lift the opportunities to the common good. The
people who demand their right to entitlement are in the conservatives’
inclusiveness. Thus, capitalism serves the whole of included individuals plus
the contributors. Mansfield erroneously perceives the contributors feel
slighted rather than accept the system and do the work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, Mansfield presents liberalism as the
problem-solver regarding an overblown American divide. He advises “radical
progressives”, as partisans to liberalism, to constrain the will to impose on
fellow-citizens. He invokes “honesty” when integrity is what people need. He
advises conservatives to focus on positives rather than negatives, erroneously
imposing “culture” rather than economic viability as the conservative’s goal. He
erroneously reverses reality. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Represented by scholars as confused as Mansfield,
liberalism has no chance to survive let alone thrive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">End of prb response<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2023 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-46680733876497734772023-04-03T15:49:00.140-05:002023-10-02T14:50:46.158-05:00 Appreciative-caution rather than rebuke<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Appreciatively
caution rather than rebuke your neighbor<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Herein,
I independently review Bible instruction regarding perceived human offenses.
Perceived harm may and can be addressed, and I recommend appreciative caution
rather than rebuke, in order to resolve perceptions rather than retreat in
unjustified forgiveness. The guiding principle is that a civic citizen neither
initiates nor accommodates harm to or from any person, including self.
"Civic" means responsibly reliable in human connections and
transactions.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2><span style="background: white;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I work
to practice, facilitate,& encourage Genesis 1:26-28-NIV's message: on
earth, humankind may rule in order to aid the-good. Each person may and can
choose responsible-human-independence (<b><i>RHI</i></b>), in order to aid
the-good rather than to accommodate the-bad. Neither a lesser species, nor a
government, nor <i>possible consequences of personal choice</i> can
usurp the human-being’s opportunity to practice civic integrity in appreciation
to <b><i>the-ineluctable-truth</i></b><i>, </i>unknown as it may be.
Ineluctable means: actual reality not to be assailed, avoided, changed,
escaped, hidden, neglected, rationalized, or resisted. For example, rejection
by a community that does not appreciate Jesus does not influence someone who
chooses to mimic Jesus. I think people who rely on the-ineluctable-truth
approach both the-good and the perfection of their unique person.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is the pertinent quotation from Genesis-1, NIV: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our
image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in
the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild
animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’<b><sup> </sup></b>So
God created mankind in his own image, in the image of
God he created them; male and female he created them.<b><sup> </sup></b>God
blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the
sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the
ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
thought I advocate and practice is: Then the-God said, "Let us make
mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may
rule [the earth and life there].” I use "the-God" for acceptance
without characterization; for example, I accept seemingly mysterious
singularity ("us make" vs "his own image"). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
seems humankind is solely responsible for comprehensive safety and security on
earth. However, not every person chooses to pursue the-good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do
not know much if any the-ineluctable-truth. In a civic culture, when there is
apparent offense, I suggest “appreciative-caution” rather than “rebuke” and
share my opinions about resolution, hoping to improve myself by listening to
fellow-citizens.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3><span style="background: white;">A glossary springing from Genesis 1 NIV, Merriam-Webster.com,
or cited reference<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Appreciative caution: When a fellow citizen perceives erroneous
plan/action by another, civic appreciation empowers the perceiver to efficiently
suggest and consider caution, without psychological threat to either party. For
example, appreciating speaker can and may assert to listener, “I think I
perceive harm/injury, if you act”, without lessening civic appreciation. The
listener responds according to their independent perception. The person who
rejects appreciative citizenship invites/nourishes dependency. For example,
first responders may need to be called up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Appreciative inquiry: a psychological system offered at
positivepsychology.com/; it differs from “appreciative caution”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Caution: warning, admonishment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Civic integrity: reliable responsibility to the-good in human
connections and transactions<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Criticize: to express disapproval<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Constructive criticism: <span style="color: #202124; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">feedback that provides specific, actionable
suggestions (indeed.com). I prefer “appreciative suggestion”.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Correction: amendment, rectification,
normalizing/standardizing, rehabilitation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Disapprove: unfavorably judge; reject<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="dttext"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rebuke: <span style="color: #303336; letter-spacing: .15pt;">to
criticize sharply: reprimand.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> A<span class="sl"><i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #212529; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">rchaic</span></i></span><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #303336; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">: </span></strong><span class="dttext"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #303336; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">to turn back
or keep down: check. [Mathis: Discourage habituating a destructive path. A
great act of love.]</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reproof: criticism for a fault; rebuke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Note: these definitions may/may-not belong
in the developing civic glossary posted on promotethepreamble.blogspot.com.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3><span style="background: white;">The Bible suggests to rebuke a fellow-citizen
then to forgive without potential for improvement<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="chapter-2" style="background: white;"><span style="background: white;">I
think the Bible errs regarding appreciative caution. I take no interest in
forgiveness to bargain with the-God and will not yield <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">civic integrity</i></b>. Also, I
accept no leadership that accommodates hate among earth’s fellow citizens. To
address hate is to accommodate it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="chapter-2" style="background: white;"><span style="background: white;">Most
interpretation of the Bible or about its words informs the human-being, I think
erroneously, not to expect a fellow citizen to accept self interest in personal
reform. Consider 3 Bible passages – in Leviticus, Matthew, and Luke -- and their
potentials to fulfill Genesis 1:26-28, NIV. Compare my adaptation called “Nomad’s
Bible interpretation” with both NIV and The Message Bible.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nomads’ Bible interpretation, adapting
NIV passages to comport to Genesis 1:26-28</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="chapter-2" style="background: white;"><span style="background: white;">Leviticus
19:17-19.</span><span style="color: black;"> Do not hate a fellow citizen in your
heart. Caution a suspected offender <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">frankly,
immediately, and appreciatively</i> so you will not accommodate
harm/injury to or from anyone, including each other.<b><sup> </sup></b>Do
not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any citizen, but
expect them to pursue the-good. Be humble to consequences of personal
choices.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white; color: #212529;">Matthew
18: 15-17 </span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white; color: black;">“If
your neighbor errs against you, appreciatively tell them. If they listen
and respond, hear and consider their reaction.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"> The may convince you that you err,
and if so, apologize, make amends, and reform.<span class="woj"> But if they will
not listen, memorialize the harm to you in an appreciative letter. If they
still refuse to listen, take your claim to the court. Continue to appreciate
them as a fellow citizen. They may and can choose to reform</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white; color: #212529;">Matthew
18: 21-22 </span><span style="color: black;">Then Peter came to Jesus and asked,
“Lord, how many times shall I forgive an appreciative fellow-citizen who errs
against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I told you in
Genesis 1:26-28 that human-being can and may, without my aid, constrain chaos
to life on earth. I will neither usurp nor mislead RHI as a personal choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;">Luke 17:3-4<span class="Heading5Char"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">: </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">Be civically alert. If you observe/opine a fellow-citizen
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is in</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is planning</i> error, caution them.</span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;"> If they respond, collaborate to mutually approach the-good
and reach agreement. If not, call-in first responders – the police, if
necessary. If the cautioned citizen repents and reforms, forgive them.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> <span class="woj">If they habitually cause harm/injury,
practice RHI under necessity and justice: pursue some form of constraint. Civic
citizens pursue RHI so that they may each influence widespread civic integrity.
Not every person appreciates their lifetime opportunity to pursue civic integrity.</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NIV Bible<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white;">Leviticus 19:17-19. </span><span style="color: black;">‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke
your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.<b><sup> </sup></b>“‘Do
not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your
people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white; color: #212529;">Matthew
18: 15-17 </span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">“If your brother or sister sins, go and
point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you,
you have won them over.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="woj"> But if they will not
listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established
by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen,
tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church,
treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #212529;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="background: white; color: #212529;">Matthew
18: 21-22 </span><span style="color: black;">Then Peter came to Jesus and asked,
“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against
me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times,
but seventy-seven times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="color: black;"> </span></sup></b></span>Luke
17:3-4<span class="Heading5Char"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">So
watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke
them; and if they repent, forgive them.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> <span class="woj">Even if they sin against you seven
times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must
forgive them.”</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Message Bible<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leviticus 19:17-19. “</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't secretly hate
your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open;
otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt. Don't seek revenge or carry
a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am
God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew 18: 15-17: </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell
him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If
he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses
will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the
church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch,
confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving
love.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew 18: 21-22</span><span class="Heading5Char"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask,
"Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me?
Seven?" Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luke 17:3-4</span><span class="Heading5Char"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him.
If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and
repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I
won't do it again,' forgive him."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A side note about
appreciation<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love is a theme in the Bible.
However, in life, “love” is often overboard or unwanted. I think “appreciation”
is a better public choice, leaving love for mutual sincerity between
individuals, whatever their status in life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My opinion
calls into question Jesus’ repetition of the so called “Golden Rule” in
Leviticus 19:19. In Matthew 19:19, it’s a closing instruction, and in Matthew
20:40, it’s a command. In any case, it’s directed to Jews rather than to
fellow-citizens. And the purpose is to avoid complacency to the harm. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beyond the
closed society of the Jews, the rule does not apply. A Jew does not want to be
treated as a Christian, and vice-versa. And neither Jew nor Christian wants to
be treated as a pagan. No one wants their God questioned, yet no theist is
humble to the-God, whatever it is. I thought Catholics are Christians before I
learned they don’t consider Protestants Christian, or vice-versa. In general,
the Golden Rule can’t substitute for RHI. Wikipedia has a good review of the
Golden Rule’s issues with objections presented at the end. It’s better to
promote RHI.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think
the-God is the-laws-of-physics and its progeny applied to the-good. Recently, I
discovered that “necessity” nearly expresses this view of the-God. If we try to
express the Golden Rule as necessity, we have “Do unto others according to
necessity”. For example, if someone intends to murder you, kill them if it is
necessary. Necessarily, if you perceive someone is in error, you choose to tell
them so and listen to their response. If they convince you that you erred, you
admit it, apologize, and make amends. On the other hand, if they accept,
apologize, and make amends, necessity is served. If you appreciate someone or
their action, you may say, “I appreciate you”. You maintain caution that love,
empathy, and tolerance may be an imposition the other party did not want and
does not accept.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Heading2Char"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Applications to education<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most cultures inculcate popular-doctrine
to their youth. It is popular to attempt to convince a higher power to usurp personal
RHI. Consequently, the youth are destined to either remain adolescents or
discover <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">self-interest</i> in humility
toward consequences of choice. They may re-educate themselves to habitually
avoid loss and pain. In other words, to pursue RHI as a personal interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In my fourth quarter century, I serenely trust my
afterdeath to my origins and, possessing the opportunity, choose to practice,
facilitate, and encourage civic integrity among the citizens of the world,
especially in my community. I do not think I am alone: many fellow-citizens
think they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> and-therefore choose
to independently <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aid</i> safety and
security-on-Earth.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I glean my opinion from Jesus’s civic influence, which fellow citizens
comprehend through collaborative discussion to the-good, whatever it is.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></h2>
<h2><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Epilogue: modern debate<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Below, I share an online opinion, “Embrace the Blessing
of Rebuke”, and my opposition in yellow highlight, to emphasize that the topic
is of current interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2023 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. Updated on October
2, 2023</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s that opposing opinion:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/embrace-the-blessing-of-rebuke"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/embrace-the-blessing-of-rebuke</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AUGUST 27, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1 align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 47.25pt; margin-bottom: 2.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 22.0pt; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Embrace the
Blessing of Rebuke<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.65pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Article by <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.65pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">David
Mathis</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Executive Editor, desiringGod.org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: 16.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">One of the most loving things anyone can do for you is
tell you when you’re wrong. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[appreciative
rather than loving, yet I accept Mathis’ expression]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">Call it correction,
reproof, or rebuke — Paul uses all three terms in just four verses in </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Tim%203.16%E2%80%934.2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">2 Timothy 3:16–4:2</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> — but don’t miss what makes it distinctively
Christian, and a gift to our souls: </span><em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;">It
is a great act of love</span></em><span style="color: #333333;">. The kind of
rebuke that the Scriptures commend is the kind intended to stop us from
continuing on a destructive path. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Mathis presented no reason to label this citizenship “Christian”,
unless he means to be Christian means to agree with Paul.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 25.3pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Watershed
of Wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: 16.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">Reproof is a fork in the road for a sinful soul. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Bemusing necessary justice as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spiritual</i> ruins its impact. I think “sin”
is popular in Christian literature, because “error” would be too personal and
suggest responsibility.]</span> Will we cringe at correction like a curse, or
embrace rebuke as a blessing? One of the great themes in Proverbs is that those
who embrace rebuke are wise and walk the path of life, while those who despise
reproof find themselves to be fools careening toward death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Proverbial warnings
against dismissing brotherly correction are staggering. The one who rejects
reproof leads others astray (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2010.17" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 10:17</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), is stupid (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2012.1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 12:1</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">) and a fool (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2015.5" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:5</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), and despises himself (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2015.32" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:32</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). “Whoever hates reproof will die” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2015.10" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:10</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), and “poverty and disgrace come to him” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2013.18" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 13:18</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Christianity
lessens OT civic-advice by touting NT afterdeath-rewards. It’s a vain hope to
avoid ineluctable death.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">But just as astounding are
the promises of blessing to those who embrace rebuke. “Whoever heeds reproof is
honored” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2013.18" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 13:18</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">) and prudent (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2015.5" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:5</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). “He who listens to reproof gains intelligence” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2015.32" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:32</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), loves knowledge (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2012.1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 12:1</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), will dwell among the wise (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2015.31" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:31</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), and is on the path of life (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2010.17" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 10:17</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">) — because “the rod and reproof give wisdom” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2029.15" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 29:15</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">) and “the reproofs of discipline are the way of life” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%206.23" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 6:23</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">To the one who embraces
rebuke, God says, “I will pour out my spirit to you” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%201.23" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 1:23</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), but to the one who despises it, “I will laugh at your
calamity” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%201.25%E2%80%9326" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 1:25–26</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). It will be said of those who reject correction, “They
shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%201.30%E2%80%9331" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 1:30–31</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), and it’s only a matter of time until they themselves
will say, “I am at the brink of utter ruin” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%205.12%E2%80%9314" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 5:12–14</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">And when ruin comes for
the fool who resists reproof, it will be sudden and devastating: “He who is
often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing”
(</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2029.1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 29:1</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">).<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">
[However, the Christian perceives exemption through grace --- perceives
antinomianism.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 25.3pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Open
the Gift<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">The wise recognize rebuke
as a gift of gold (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2025.12" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 25:12</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). It is kindness, and a token of love. “Let a righteous
man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%20141.5" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Psalm 141:5</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[That’s
just “OT-rule” misinformation, say some Christians.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: 16.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">Often it is easier for others in our lives not to say
anything, but just let us go merrily on our way down the path of folly and
death. But reproof is an act of love, a willingness to own that awkward moment,
and perhaps having your counsel thrown back in your face, for the risk of doing
someone good. When a spouse or friend or family member or associate rises to
the level of such love, we should be profoundly thankful. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[That’s true. However, such
appreciation should and could be common under Genesis 1:28’s RHI. This is key
to my entire thesis: forgiveness 7 times 70 does not fulfill the obligation to
present to the offender the opportunity to reform, and call in the police if
necessary. The fault I find here, is with the author of the indefinite forgiveness
idea. Jesus did not write, and therefore cannot be held to be the author. I
could be wrong on all counts but don’t think I am.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 25.3pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hear
God’s Voice in Your Brother’s<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">All of us who have in
Christ “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Col%202.3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Colossians 2:3</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), and are in our right mind, will want to “listen to
advice and accept instruction, that [we] may gain wisdom in the future” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2019.20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 19:20</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). We’ll not just suffer someone speaking into our lives,
but invite them to do so — and when they do, embrace it as a blessing. Even
when it’s a rebuke poorly delivered, and the timing and tone are off, and the
motivation seems suspect, we’ll want to ransack it for every grain of truth,
and then repent, and thank God for the grace of having people in our lives who
love us enough to say something. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[That proverb seems true, and such appreciation could be common under
Genesis 1:28’s RHI.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">Not wanting to “despise
the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%203.11" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 3:11</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), we’ll ask, </span><em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;">How
is it that God’s reproof most often comes to us?</span></em><span style="color: #333333;"> Answer: in reproof from a brother or sister in
Christ. We’ll beware resisting the reproof of a fellow in Jesus, especially
when it’s echoed in multiple voices, knowing that likely we would be resisting
the very reproof of God. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I
think “Christ” bothers Jesus. I’m wrong if Christ is God. However, there’s
bemusement in diluting the power of God by attributing it to Christ instead of
Jesus.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">When a brother or sister
in Christ goes to the inconvenience to have the unpleasant conversation
bringing correction into our lives, we should be floored with thanksgiving.
“The Lord reproves him whom he loves” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%203.12" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 3:12</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). Count it as love from your brother, and as God’s
channel of his love for you. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Why
discourage acceptance of correction from a fellow citizen? Not only that, but
if the brother or sister errs, their approach us informed and positioned us to appreciatively
caution them.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 25.3pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Easier
Said Than Done<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: 16.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">But all of that, of course, is much easier said than
done. Deep down in the caverns of our remaining sin, where we can be most callous
to true grace in its varied forms, we don’t want to hear any correction.
Something wicked in us recoils. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[“Sin” instead of “error” invites the excuse “something wicked in us”.
We have no doubt that we are responsible from our errors.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">When we hear that “all
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable,” it’s natural to be more
excited about it being “for teaching” and “for training in righteousness” than
“for reproof” and “for correction” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Tim%203.16" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">2 Timothy 3:16</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). That’s too personal. That touches a nerve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: 16.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">And forces from without don’t make it any easier. It shouldn’t
surprise us that the societal air we breathe is hostile to correction and
reproof, even in their most gentle and loving varieties. If humanity isn’t
depraved in nature and sinful in practice, then rebuke is no longer a
life-saver, but an annoyance. But if we do acknowledge that we are flawed,
selfish, and arrogant and regularly sin with our words and actions, then we
will learn to see a brother’s rebuke for the tremendous grace that it is. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This paragraph attempts to
negate the Genesis 1 assertion female& male-human-being in God’s image ---
can& may provide order& prosperity to the lesser species and to Earth.
That’s the reform I want to encourage: we may and can choose the-good in every
action.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 25.3pt; margin-bottom: 9.6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unlock
the Power<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">But however much receiving
reproof goes against our native instincts or catches us off our gospel guard in
the moment, we have this great hope to grow into: The love of Christ for us is
the skeleton key able to unlock for us the power of rebuke. With him in view,
the one “who loved me and gave himself for me” (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal%202.20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Galatians 2:20</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">), no longer must reproof be an assault on our very
foundations and deep sense of worth, but it becomes a fresh opportunity for
growth and greater joy. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I
object to the substitution of “Christ gave himself for me” for “Jesus
influences me to be perfect” to the-good.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 32.2pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“With such a Savior to
steady our feet, we can embrace rebuke for the blessing that it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: 16.8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">It is another grace of the gospel that by the Spirit we
can grow skin thick enough to hear any reproof as a pathway to yet even more
grace. It is the gospel that gives us the wherewithal for truly leaning into
rebuke and receiving its bounty. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I assert that a more direct message is that appreciative suggestion is
more effective than loving rebuke.]</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;">Only in Jesus can we find
our identity not in being without fault, but in being shown love by God when
we’re still sinners and chock-full of faults (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: dashed windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; mso-border-alt: dashed windowtext .25pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%205.8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Romans 5:8</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">). With such a Savior to steady our feet, we can embrace
rebuke for the blessing that it is. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Presenting “Jesus” in competition with “God” as a closing thought is
doubly self-defeating: Jesus is God, according to the Trinity.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 24.3pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/authors/david-mathis"><span style="color: #666666;">David Mathis</span></a></span></span> (<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://twitter.com/davidcmathis"><span style="color: #666666;">@davidcmathis</span></a></span></span>) is executive editor for
desiringGod.org and pastor at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.citieschurch.com/"><span style="color: #666666;">Cities
Church</span></a></span></span>. He is a husband, father of four, and author
of <em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/books/humbled"><span style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Humbled:
Welcoming the Uncomfortable Work of God</span></a></span></em> (2021).<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-20578735234145020642023-02-27T14:42:00.007-06:002023-04-03T15:40:24.631-05:00Promoting humility& appreciation to civic-integrity<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Why I oppose universal care -- health, racism, sexism,
& genderism: Humility&
appreciation<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Gradual expansion of the health-care industrial complex is a
government debacle resulting from history’s-humankind vainly-attempting to manipulate
power, in order to usurp personal civic-integrity. In the U.S., schools are
promoting “gender change” that will enslave a person for life. In China, elites
seem to extend life a decade by taking citizens’ organs. Only when most persons
choose integrity will an achievable better future seem possible. “Integrity”
expresses both wholeness and reliability. Must humans perceive unrest, if not
unhappiness, to perceive that humankind has wealth yet is not pursuing civic-integrity.
Responsibility rests with the human-beings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We’re at the recent edge of 300,000 years homo sapiens’
cultural-evolution. This year is critical in 10,000 years’ benefits from
grammar. NASA plans a colony on the moon or on Mars in perhaps 10 years. Yet
the world’s military complex is negotiating world war palpable to elites.
Notice the-elite’s disregard for the continuum: the-last& the-next
Ukrainian war-victim.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It seems obvious that <i>comprehensive
safety& security</i> on earth (and its extensions) is in the hands of civic-citizens.
By “civic” I mean persons who are <i>reliable</i>
in developing their human being (verb). Civic-citizens are reliable in mutual
connections& transactions. It is important for a civic-society to accept
that not all citizens choose civic-integrity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It seems obvious, and history affirms, that adults,
possessing the ability to consider& choose personal actions, divide humankind
on individual choices to be human or not. Some individuals <i>unhappily</i> develop as mineral, plant, animal, or soul rather than as
person. Others acquire the comprehension& intention to pursue
civic-integrity. Fortunate civic-citizens acquire
responsible-human-independence (<b><i>RHI</i></b>). (Perhaps a few citizens
perfect their unique person before dying.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">These principles are abstractly reflected in the intentions-sentence
of the United States preamble (to the Constitution). (The other sentence presents
the nation’s statutory law.) Each private citizen can& may practice
proffered public disciplines “to ourselves and our Posterity”, where “Posterity”
includes both descendants and legal immigrants. Some legal immigrants
comprehend the U.S. intentions better than many born citizens. Many citizens,
influenced by English-bias in American scholarship, think the preamble
expresses the Declaration of Independence. Education Departments repress
civic-integrity, <i>promoting</i> traditions
rather than <i>pursuing</i> the proffered
U.S. intentions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The U.S. preamble is institutionally repressed by provisions
in the 1791 Bill of Rights. Most egregious is the religion clauses in the First
Amendment, which reverse the godlessness of the 1787 Constitution. Believing in
a church or not is a private choice. The government that imposes a God is being
too intimate with the people who authorize the-rule-of-law. Government can neither
coerce nor force the choice to be theistic or not.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The 1789 Congress awarded itself freedom of religion, at the
expense of the-rule-of-law. Congress felt it was due divinity on par with the
English Parliament, which assigns to Church-of-England-bishops 26 seats in the
upper chamber. Magna-Carta-pride in England became tyranny in the USA. Civic-integrity
grants no place for emotions like pride and greed. The civic-citizens of the U.S.
can& may remedy this tyranny. For example, change “preventing” to “promoting”
in the religious-practice clause. Such U.S. reform could restore the 1787
abstract-commitment to support privacy rather than to invite intimacy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Eleven states seated Congress in 1789, and since then, the
U.S. civic-citizens have avoided, changed, escaped, rationalized, resisted, and
neglected the proposed United States. As a consequence, recent legislation,
administration, and adjudication pursues power rather than the-rule-of-law. For
example, Article 4, Section 4 states: “The United States shall guarantee to
every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect
each of them against Invasion.” Yet in 2023, at this moment, aliens illegally
cross the southern border to receive U.S. aid. This is so, because the
civic-citizens, We the People of the United States, accommodate U.S.
administrative tyranny. The recent homo sapiens development, the last 234 years
with U.S. leadership, produced chaos.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Even worse, “ourselves” is continuing to live high on the
hog, obligating “our Posterity” to pay $31.6 trillion and climbing debt. It’s a
global dilemma. Perhaps debt-relief inspires world leaders to negotiate world
war. And the U.S. administration is unconstitutionally negotiating medical
powers to the WHO, coming on the heels of apparently WHO sponsored COVID 19. Only
the civic-citizen can stop accommodating tyranny. Why does tyranny persist?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Civic-citizens are distributed among the economic classes –
from the poorest to the richest. They are distinguished by personal pursuit of
statutory-justice during every decade of their lives, beginning the moment they
consider, accept, and pursue RHI. By practice more than by exhortation, civic-citizens
facilitate& encourage a culture of civic-integrity. Their guiding principle
is to neither initiate nor accommodate harm to or from any person or
association, including self, family, and fellow-citizens. Through statutory-justice,
they aid responsible pursuit of happiness “to ourselves and our Posterity”, as
defined by the preamble’s intentions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It seems obvious that non-civic adults accommodate non-civic
children. For example, children whose parents smoke might smoke. Obesity ruins
families. Arrogant wealth ruins the careless-wealthy. A child can& may unlikely-discover,
consider, and adopt RHI. But Education Departments egregiously do not practice,
let alone facilitate, RHI. To benefit from statutory-justice with the
likelihood that the child will transition to mature adult approaching unique,
personal perfection seems impossible, unless there is a well-informed childhood
and adolescence. In an RHI culture, civic-integrity is perceived a personal
self-interest. And in self-interest RHI-citizens constrain elites by aiding the
rule-of-law, guided by the U.S. preamble or better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The RHI-society practices, facilitates, and encourages
civic-integrity, especially to self, rather than providing the industrial
complex to accommodate, much less promote, civic-abuse, including to self. The
newborn is privileged with the opportunity to develop a human-being (noun).
Their parents and Education Departments are responsible for practicing,
facilitating, and encouraging-the-child to acquire the comprehension&
intention to pursue perfection of their unique person before death. Our
immediate future must focus on this self-interested-duty rather than on providing
care needed due to accumulated failures. Individual choices matter, because
they either aid or retard the human march to RHI. This actual-reality was plain
5,500 years ago and has been denied until now.<span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">(I write opinion, because I don't know
the ineluctable-truth.)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">PRB, 2/27/2023<o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Copyright©2023 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</span></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-73996902804461449092022-12-17T21:10:00.003-06:002023-02-27T14:38:16.829-06:00Comments on three book reviews on Christian nationalism and more<p> <a href="https://lawliberty.org/american-separationism/">American
Separationism – Glenn A. Moots (lawliberty.org)</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">American
Separationism, by Glenn Moots<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Is “Christian Nationalism” something to be feared? Academics have been <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">wringing their hands about it for
almost twenty years</span>, but they have mostly defined it in terms of things
like Creationism, homeschooling, courtship, or trying to make Thomas Jefferson
a Christian. That hardly adds up to a dangerous public theology. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Russell Moore, Andrew Whitehead, and
Samuel Perry have raised the stakes</span>, charging Christian Nationalism with
“nativism, white supremacy, patriarchy and heteronormativity, along with divine
sanction for authoritarian control and militarism.” Moore <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/september-web-only/christian-nationalism-cannot-save-world-politics-elections.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">goes so far</span></a></span></u> as
to compare it to violent Islamic jihad or Orthodox patriarch Kirill’s bizarre
beatification of Russians dying in Ukraine. David French has likewise <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/the-spiritual-lessons-of-a-christian/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">compared Christian Nationalists in
America to Putin</span></a></span></u>. Perry, Whitehead, and others <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/jan6report" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">have tried to blame them </span></a></span></u>for
January 6, an association <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://www.theamericanconservative.com/christian-nationalism-didnt-cause-january-6/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">ably discounted by Daniel Strand</span></a></span></u>.
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[People who think CN
is more urgent than reforming Education Departments, Strand might offer some
relief.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Such hysterics are hardly warranted insofar as Christian Nationalism as a
coherent political theory is a nascent movement, but one finds in <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/3PfiI6vpfoRml0Qx2BvVMGlmcR0pj8F_/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">remarks by SBC president Bart
Barber</span></a></span></u> <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">a historical divide in Protestantism</span>. While no Christian
Nationalist wants, as Barber put it, “<u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-nationalism-will-lead-to-persecution-bart-barber.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">churchly dominion over the
operations of government</span></a></span></u>,” his concern reveals a
longstanding Baptist concern about religious establishment in America. Fear
not. There will be no establishment of religion. The most important obstacle
to <i>that</i> kind of Christian Nationalism is <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">American Protestants</span>
themselves, who are—as far as politics is concerned—all Baptists now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Protestants: Magisterial vs. Separatist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">If we can indulge some anachronism, there is a kind of “Christian
nationalism” in the DNA of what is called “magisterial Protestantism.” At the
beginning of the Reformation, all Protestants excepting Anabaptists were
essentially <i>magisterial</i> Protestants. Fearful of Rome and absent
its authority, Protestants throughout Europe <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">partnered with the “civil magistrate” (i.e., civil
authorities) for protection</span>. Magisterial authority varied among the
newly-Protestant polities, but in no case did the church have authority over
the state. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Barber is just flat
wrong about that</span>. But the state did have authority enabling what is
called <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">religious establishment</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">It would be hard to find a Protestant confession written during the first
century of the Reformation that doesn’t endorse establishment. Per the original
<span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">1646 Westminster Confession</span>,
for example, magistrates had a duty to preserve religious “unity and peace,” to
suppress “blasphemy and heresy” and “corruptions and abuses in worship.” This
duty could even include calling a synod of ecclesiastical leaders to settle
doctrinal questions. A popular Protestant trope referred to <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">civil rulers as “nursing fathers”
(Isaiah 49:23)</span>, responsible before God and the people for their de facto
covenanted polities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: aqua; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: aqua;">Dissent abounded</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> from the
earliest days of the Reformation, however, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">especially in England</span>. Prominent dissenters, not
content with the pace of religious reform as they saw it, were punished by
civil authorities largely on civil grounds: <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">in theory or practice they disturbed the peace and challenged
standing authority</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This
reminds me of the ineluctable Phil Beaver at UBC, both before (1993) for
falling-in-love-to-a-Louisiana-French-Catholic-woman and now for discovering he
was& is an advocate for Jesus’ principles, whatever they are, to “ourselves
and our Posterity” (U.S. preamble.]</span>, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">sometimes in an incorrigible manner</span>. “Separatists”
were a particular kind of dissenter who declared some degree of ecclesiastical
independence from the established church. Prominent separatists, however pious
and orthodox, could be treated as badly as obstreperous <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">heretics or blasphemers</span> and sentenced to
imprisonment or worse. Congregationalist Henry Barrow, a seminal separatist, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">was hanged</span> for sedition in
1593 because his defense of congregational self-government threatened to
undermine the established Church of England and its rule by bishops, which it
eventually did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: aqua; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: aqua;">Separatist ecclesiology is an
essential part of the Baptist heritage.</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> Baptist historians have traced their
ecclesiology to separatist theologian Henry Jacob, though he himself was not a
Baptist. As separatists, growing sects of Baptists on both sides of the
Atlantic were subjected to fines and imprisonment, including some levied by
Congregationalists who, though initially persecuted in England for their own
separatism, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">built religious
establishments in New England</span> not dissimilar from Anglican
establishments in Virginia. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[John
Adams egregiously fought to preserve English tradition.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Baptists went even further than other separatists in their political
theology. In 1645, for example, Baptist John Tombes <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">argued that baptizing the nations (Matt 28:19) means
only baptizing believers in every nation</span>, not building or preserving
Christian magistrates or states. Baptists likewise eschewed Old Testament
Israel as a model for Christian nations (as magisterial Protestants considered
it), instead reducing it to a spiritual type (i.e., foreshadowing) for the “New
Testament Church” (the “antitype”). <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Christ</span> alone is head of the church, they said, not bishops,
presbyteries, synods, or magistrates, and His authority was delegated only to
individual congregations. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[There’s
that historical neglect of Jesus’ principles, whatever they may be, grounded in
the competitive, bemusing title “Christ”.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The proliferation of separatism made it impossible to maintain
magisterial partnerships that relied on an established parish church
ecclesiology. De jure establishments obliging the licensing of dissenting
ministers or meeting houses, or tax-funded clergy, for example, faded by the
early nineteenth century <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[1801s]</span>.
Legally speaking, the First Amendment <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[1791]</span> was unrelated to the disappearance of these
state establishments because it prohibited only <i>federal</i> establishment.
By doing so, it arguably protected the state establishments by not threatening
to supersede them with a federal establishment. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The last time I checked, every state had a preamble that
cites God.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The Separatist Legacy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">De jure establishments waned as separatism waxed, but <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the persecution of separatists left
a mark on the psyche of their victims</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[After 30 years’ more study, I perceive that I am “elect
by God” to advocate discovery of Jesus’ principles, whatever they are. I feel
joy rather than victimization.]</span>: Adrian Chastain Weimer calls this the
“identity of persecution.” Those who carry this mark believe not only that <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Christians shouldn’t seek power</span>,
but that persecution defines the faithful. This explains why some of our
Evangelical leaders eschew influence through any means other than <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">winsome persuasion</span>.
Justifying such a social theology via “proof texts” like 2 Timothy 3:12 <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: black; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">In fact, everyone who wants to live a
godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> or John 15:20 <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: black; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">If they persecuted me, they will
persecute you also.</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">, however, runs
hard up against those first generations of <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">magisterial Protestants who never read such verses to
oblige political impotence</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Separatism also undermined establishment by advocating for a “gathered
church.” To be a gathered church means not only <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">separation from an established church but discerning true
believers</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The-ineluctable-evidence
is that the-laws-of-physics does not support humankind separating on beliefs.
This principle was accepted by the polytheistic Sumerians 5,500 years ago.
Their political philosophy is expressed in Hebrew vernacular of Genesis
1:26-28.]</span>, sometimes by use of a “conversion narrative,” to gather them
out of both the established churches and the spiritually corrupt wider world.
In taking John Cotton to task in 1644 for not separating sufficiently from the
Church of England, separatist par excellence Roger Williams prefigured
Jefferson’s own image of a <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">wall
of separation (which Jefferson invented</span>, appropriately enough, in
correspondence with a Baptist). Williams defined the church as something
“walled in” from the world so that “all that shall be saved out of the world”
can be “transplanted out of the Wilderness of the world and added unto [God’s]
Church or Garden.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Roger
Williams missed Genesis 1:26-28’s principle: humankind is responsible to life
on earth rather than to the church.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The divide between separatists and established churches can be
illustrated using a parable debated since the beginning of Christendom (Matt
13): should wheat and tares be separated now or later? Magisterial Protestants
were content to let both grow up together, using variations of the parish
model, <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">infant baptism</span>,
and some form of establishment to encompass as many people as possible.
Congregationalists and Baptists hoped to separate wheat from tares <i>now</i> by
<span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">discerning true believers</span>
and welcoming them alone into full fellowship. The rest were left to the
wilderness of the world <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">until
converted</span>, which had <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the
predictable consequence of turning the wider world into a moral wilderness</span>.
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[One of my 1990s amateur-theologian
SS teachers said Catholics would not be saved, because they had not been
baptized after accepting Jesus’s salvation. I related that my 3 Catholic
children had each attended 13 years of catechism and accepted Confirmation in a
comprehending status. The SS teacher countered “Yes, but Confirmation is not a
Sacrament.” That afternoon, I checked: it is a Sacrament. I reported back to
the amateur, and he never apologized. Not long after that, I resigned both the
Baptist brotherhood and Christianity, never losing my appreciation for Jesus’
teaching. This is one of many human-alienating experiences, only coincidentally
at UBC.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Baptists, the largest denominational legacy of the gathered/separatist
ecclesiology, and many of their non-denominational cousins still wear this
“identity of persecution.” Baptist tropes <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span style="background: yellow; color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans",serif; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">a common or overused theme or device <strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Open Sans",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">: </span></strong></span><span class="text-uppercase"><b><span style="background: yellow; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0074cc; font-family: "Open Sans",serif; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clich%C3%A9"><span style="color: #0074cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">CLICHÉ</span></a></span></b></span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> persist in broader popular memory, too, thanks to their
successful deployment against establishment opponents. For example, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">establishments presume</span> to
either force saving faith or extirpate all religious dissenters. Neither is
true. One can see such claims anticipated and <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/althusius-politica?html=true#lf0002_head_021" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">refuted by Johannes Althusius</span></a></span></u>,
for example. Nevertheless, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">that
narrative energizes Baptists like Moore and Barber</span> or de facto Baptists
like French.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The Rise of New Establishments<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: #3d6b7f; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-puritans-on-independence-9780199664825?cc=us&lang=en&" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">Polly Ha has argued</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> that one
can find incipient ideas of liberalism in separatist pioneers like Jacob. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">A similar argument has been made
that John Locke cribbed from separatist theology.</span> Finding the roots of
liberalism in separatist ecclesiology is hardly seen only in hindsight. In
1645, Baptist Thomas Collier worked hard to rebut the criticism that <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">sectarianism was de facto
individualism</span>. But even if liberalism was seeded by separatism, neither
Jacob nor Locke as proto-liberals sought a <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Rawlsian neutrality</span> or a broad “marketplace of
ideas” that French or Moore celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Many American Christians now celebrate that marketplace, too . . . and
are de facto separatists. They cannot defend separatism as a theological
concept like the Baptist apologists could but have instead stumbled into it <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">under the pervasive influence of
liberalism</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This is
not the classical liberalism that assumes personal reasonability, but is the
practice of killing fellow citizens and trashing property because the Democrat
Party condones it.]</span> and/or because <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">they think that America was settled for religious freedom</span>
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Egregiously, only
Congress enjoys freedom of religion. The current, Democrat-controlled Congress
pushes liberal-democracy to defeat both the U.S. republic and Christianity. I
am concerned about the legalistic-intentions of the Congress to be seated in 2023,
understandable as they are.]</span>. But liberalism as we know it in
America was just getting started in the nineteenth century, and religious
freedom was enabled before that not by <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">platitudes about<br />
pluralism or diversity</span> but by <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">prudence and circumstance</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I think prudence will rise again.]</span>. Four hanged
Quakers in Massachusetts Bay, for example, turned out to be four too many and
elicited a sharp legal rebuke from Whitehall. Theological dissent in various
forms was becoming more popular, and establishment was causing the “seditions
and tumults” that Althusius cautioned against. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The greatest loss in our default to liberalism over careful debates about
ecclesiology, however, is not theological sophistication. It is the loss of the
best argument for toleration </span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Better is civic-integrity, where
“civic” refers to reliable human being (verb). No human has the higher opinion
to self-assess toleration.]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">, one that reflected a centuries-long conversation in
Christendom: <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the conscience
makes you directly responsible to God, and no person can stand before God in
another person’s stead</span>.</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[A mimic:
The-laws-of-physics make you directly responsible to civic-integrity, and no
citizen can pursue Jesus’ principles for another person.]</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">That point about religious liberty acknowledging the Final Judgment was
understood even by Progressive American historians who rehabilitated
separatists like Roger Williams and turned them into superheroes. For example,
Perry Belmont’s <i>Political Equality: Religious Toleration From Roger
Williams to Jefferson</i> (1927) quotes William Paley’s definition of <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">religious toleration as “the
recognition of private judgment <i>in matters of faith and worship</i>”</span>
and also cites in its defense the words of Matt 22 and Mark 12: “Render
therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things
that are God’s.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[First,
Moots misses the Gensis-1 assignment to humankind sole responsibility to life.
And, it’s possible that Jesus is the author of that political principle, 13.7
billion years ago. Second, at the same moment, I appreciate the accuracy in
“words of Matt”, yet I oppose scholars lessening the influence of
the-metaphysical-Jesus’-message, which advocates like me struggle to comprehend
and apply.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: lime; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: lime;">Nowhere did Belmont or other
Progressive historians say “Render unto the self the things that are the
self’s.”</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This effectual
thought is the gem in Moots’ essay. It has so many great applications. What
says a man can decide wither a woman will remain pregnant or not? What says a
person can change their gender? What says a civic-old-white-man has no say?
What says the-laws-of-physics answer to religion?]</span> Nor would the great
champions of religious freedom—in the seventeenth <i>or</i> the early
twentieth century—countenance our contemporary argle-bargle wherein one answers
only to oneself about all matters both divine <i>and</i> human. That
kind of nonsense is now so respectable that it enables our president to cite as
evidence of rising authoritarianism a widespread belief about <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">traditional marriage</span> once
held even by the Obamas, Bidens, and the Clintons. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The defense of traditional marriage is expressed
in Genesis 1:26-28. It is 5,500 year-old Sumerian political philosophy
expressed by Hebrew scholars 3,000 years ago.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">What Kind of Establishment?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">But even in <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">our
supposedly liberal tolerant</span> order accountability does not go away.
Rather than being obliged to serve God, which would prioritize piety, we are
obliged to serve what most of <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">humanity</span>,
pagan or Christian, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">defined as
the grossest impieties</span>. And it isn’t as though we have no religious
establishment. We instead have a new <u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/podcast/the-spiritual-quest-of-identity-politics/"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">eschatology, moral law, and sin</span></a></span></u> that
is a <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Christian heresy</span>. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Imposing Christianity onto
Jesus’ principles, whatever they are, seem the fundamental heresy.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: lime; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: lime;">American Christians need to recover
their noble patrimony about the conscience and stop playing the neutrality game
as if any such neutral space exists.</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Not to weaken Moots’ point, it brings to mind Rob Bell’s
failure in debate with Andrew Wilson: </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF9uo_P0nNI&t=5s">(1) Rob Bell and
Andrew Wilson // Homosexuality & The Bible // Unbelievable? - YouTube</a></span></span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> However difficult it is to cast off the identity of
persecution, we need to realize that in our willingness to suffer before any
new postmodern establishments, we make our neighbors suffer as well. American
Protestants must stop being the dupes of a bait-and-switch. Disestablishment
was supposed to clear our vision of God but has now left us to look only into
ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">If we did have something that could be called “Christian nationalism”
under <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the de facto Protestant
establishment undermined by incorporation of the First Amendment</span>, it was
something that Catholics like Tocqueville praised in the 1830s and Jacques
Maritain acclaimed in the 1940s. Education was directed to character formation
and preparation for vocation. Political institutions maintained public decency
and a sphere of domestic life enabling all the blessings of marriage not only
for the sake of husband and wife over a long life, but also their children.
Work was not merely <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">a means to
idleness or extravagance</span>, but duty and vocation enabled purpose and
meaning. These were the principles of the de facto establishment’s catechism,
however imperfect, enabling <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">meaning
from the beginning to the end of life</span>. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[“Incorporation” suggests an informed collaboration.
However, the religious-practice clause of the First Amendment is an imposition
perpetrated by English loyalists who did not choose or could not afford to
return to England. It and other features of the 1791 Bill of Rights partially dis-effected
the American war for independence. I suggest amendment of the practice clause
to “promoting” instead of “preventing”.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">All of this was done before God and one’s neighbor, with political
leaders invoking scripture to emphasize <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">virtues public and private</span>. This became the new de
facto Protestant establishment, even if it was not the Protestant establishment
of old. If this was Christian Nationalism, it stood in sharp contrast with the
current regime of OnlyFans <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">cyber
prostitution</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">, anxiety, and addiction, and <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">blood and treasure depleted by
internationalism</span>. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This
essay expresses the urgency I perceive about reforming civic-morality in the
U.S. I think it is important for Christians, who I think are the salt of the
earth when they practice civic-integrity, to consider Jesus and reform
distractions like Christ, God, Satan, Holy Ghost and other trappings of the
Church-competitive past and present.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">This essay is adapted from a presentation at NatCon 2022
titled “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Christian Nationalism”</span></i><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant: small-caps; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/author/glenn-moots/">glenn a. moots</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #686c75; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Glenn A. Moots is
Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Northwood University and also
serves as a Research Fellow at the McNair Center for the Advancement of Free
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship there. He is the author of <i>Politics
Reformed: The Anglo-American Legacy of Covenant Theology</i> (University
of Missouri Press, 2010, 2022 paperback) and coedited, with Phillip
Hamilton, <i>Justifying Revolution: Law, Virtue, and Violence in the
American Revolution</i> (University of Oklahoma Press, 2018).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/book-review/protestant-evangelicals-as-the-christian-other/">https://lawliberty.org/book-review/protestant-evangelicals-as-the-christian-other/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Note:
I advocate reform from Christianity to acceptance of mystery, in-order-to
cumulatively collaborate& benefit-from the secular* suggestions each
generation can accept from the-metaphysical-Jesus**. That is, practice the-good
that successive generations discover by developing the secular suggestions it
seems Jesus spoke. For example, in Matthew 19:3-8, Jesus’s message expresses 4
reforms. First, the man unites to the woman, and their unit can& may become
authentic spouses. Second, Moses’ law is obsoleted by this correction on
divorce. Third, Jesus cited political philosophy that is ancient to
Judeo-Christian literature. Fourth, the-metaphysical-Jesus may be the-God that
spiritualists seek.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“Christ”
neglects “Jesus”, which is a risk I neither take nor support. “Jesus Christ”
attempts to impose on the-authentic-Jesus opinion I will not risk.
“Christianity” is a risk I neither take nor recommend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">*Secular means worldly rather
than spiritual, and Genesis 1:28 is a worldly commission.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">** “Meta” means “after” and the
authentic Jesus can only be pursued, not known.</span>]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Protestant Evangelicals <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[emphasize the gospel]</span> as
the Christian Other<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">David Hollinger opens his <i><u><span style="color: #3d6b7f;"><a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691233888/christianitys-american-fate" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">Christianity’s American Fate</span></a></span></u></i> with
an anecdote about arguing—from his liberal Protestant standpoint—about religion
with <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">fundamentalist</span>
classmates in Southern California. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Hollinger eventually left the faith</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Maybe he left his indoctrination and discovered his
unique person</span></span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow;">. “</span><span style="background: yellow; color: #001320; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">When I
became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.</span><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<br />
</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">1 Corinthians 13:11.]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">, but we are left
with the impression he didn’t do so rancorously. He did so because Christianity
in the United States <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">became</span>
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Not became: was& is]</span>
a hardened conservative <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[self-preserving]</span>
religion deeply influenced by <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">fundamentalists</span>,
who “constantly invoked Billy Graham” but had never heard of “the missionary
doctor <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Albert Schweitzer</span>,
the great hero of my parents and their circle of churchgoers.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">Schweitzer
challenged both the secular view of </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Jesus" title="Historical Jesus"><span style="color: #0645ad;">Jesus as depicted by the historical-critical method</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> current
at this time, as well as the traditional </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christology" title="Christology"><span style="color: #0645ad;">Christian view</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">. His
contributions to the interpretation of </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Christianity" title="Pauline Christianity"><span style="color: #0645ad;">Pauline Christianity</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> concern
the role of </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle" title="Paul the Apostle"><span style="color: #0645ad;">Paul</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">'s </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism" title="Mysticism"><span style="color: #0645ad;">mysticism</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> of
"being in Christ" as primary and the doctrine of </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justification_by_faith" title="Justification by faith"><span style="color: #0645ad;">justification by
faith</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> as secondary. I copied excerpts from Reverence
for Life.</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> At Hollinger’s class graduation,
“one Arkansas-born classmate, climaxing four years of more or less genial argumentation,”
bid Hollinger farewell by “confidently informing me that people like me ‘will
be destroyed at the battle of Armageddon.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The thesis of this work, insofar as there is one, is that <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">American Christianity became more
conservative at precisely the same time that broader American society became
more secular, and secular in this work is unquestionably tied to social
liberalization.</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This
thesis overlooks the Genesis 1:28 suggestion that comprehensive-safety&
security to life on earth depends on human being (verb), an option each person
can& may pursue. My assertion is not distant from Schweitzer’s, I recognize
in this reading after coping “Reverence”.]</span> Hollinger proposes that this
is a <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">uniquely American fate</span>,
born out of conservative white Evangelicals’ desire to escape the social
obligations of the Gospel filtered through an ecumenical mainline Protestantism
influenced by the Enlightenment. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Not so: it’s a typical erroneous effort to avoid the obligation
expressed in Genesis 1:28: RHI.]</span> More specifically, Hollinger argues,
Evangelicals hoped to escape the imperative to extend <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">civil equality</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[civic-integrity]</span> to nonwhites. “Evangelicalism,”
Hollinger claims, “made it easy to avoid the challenges of an ethnoracially
diverse society and a scientifically informed culture.” Evangelical numbers, he
claims, “swelled during the era of Donald Trump.” And those who “adopted
evangelical identity anew had good reason to do so. What they were joining was
easily recognized.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Ridiculous
anti-Trumpism! These issues arose in western culture in debate with 5,500 year
old Sumerian political philosophy. In other words, predating monotheism’s 4000
year-age. About 2600 years ago, Hebrews recorded the laws of Moses with which
to bargain with their-God. Then 2000 years ago, believers started to codify
Christ as the predicted messiah. Only 500 years ago, reformers attempted to
free Jesus to the believer. Meanwhile, Eastern cultures developed
independently.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Hollinger rejects arguments from Evangelical scholars who claim that
non-religious people identified as Evangelicals and warped the public
perception of the movement. “It is a mistake to suppose that evangelicalism has
been hijacked by outsiders.” Put simply, Evangelicalism has always been the
reactionary, authoritarian, racist mirror image of enlightened, progressive,
tolerant mainline Christianity. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The chaos within Christianity, exemplified by these two “scholars”,
speaks only of intolerance among Christians.]</span> Evangelicalism’s moment of
strength therefore occurred just as <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the rest of society secularized</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Smith attempts to label people who I doubt would accept
his label. What is “secular”? Non-Christian? Merriam-Webster online says it
means “</span></span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #212529; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">of or relating to the worldly
or </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0074cc; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temporal#h1"><span style="color: #0074cc;">temporal</span></a></span></span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">”</span>. <span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Genesis
1:28 is secular.]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">, because Evangelicalism—whatever that even is (Hollinger
leaves it largely undefined)—became the natural home for white conservative
reactionaries <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[People just
want the security to pursue the happiness they perceive rather than submit to
the life someone would impose on them. If they lived in a culture that stated
it this way, I doubt they would claim they are Evangelists. In other words, the
Christian v. secular squabble imposes this dilemma on them.]</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Unique cultural, political, and sociological circumstances, Hollinger
argues, made <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the American
republic</span> Protestantism on steroids. Protestantism developed liberal and
conservative strands in the nineteenth century <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[in Western Europe]</span>, but <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">American Protestants remained somewhat insular</span>.
Public life was relatively closed to others until the end of the nineteenth
century <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[1899, the heart
of the Jim Crow era]</span>, when the rising influence of two groups loosened
the hold of the <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Protestant
socio-cultural establishment</span>. The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">first</span> group were American Protestants who interacted
benevolently with non-whites and understood the universality of human rights
and all the other artifacts of an <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Enlightened Christianity</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[There’s no such entity. There’s only humble human being.]</span>:
American missionaries during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
These missionaries traveled the globe and “bore witness to the humanity of
non-Christian and nonwhite peoples. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">They </span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[traditionally]</span><span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;"> rejected the notion that nonwhites
and non-Christians were heathens in need of conversion </span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[to civic-integrity]</span><span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">.</span> Instead, nonwhites and
non-Christians were brothers and sisters <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[in need of conversion to Christianity]</span>.
Missionaries “expanded the scope of factual knowledge about the world and also
achieved a substantial measure of ‘sentimental education’” that enabled them to
have a “greater empathetic identification with previously <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">exotic</span> peoples.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Exotic? What’s wrong with
fellow human-beings?]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">second</span> group
that confronted Protestant hegemony in the United States were <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">immigrant Jews</span>. Jewish
literati, entertainers, politicians, and cultural overserves, whether they
intended to or not, all “participated in a demographic challenge to Protestant
cultural hegemony.” American Jews represented <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">another cosmopolitanism</span> that made the idea of
Christian America—widely shared, according to Hollinger, by <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">both Evangelical and ecumenical and
mainline Protestants</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Suddenly
Protestanism is unified to the writer!]</span>—“harder to maintain as
non-Christians occupied more and more cultural space.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Jews in this narrative joined with the minority of <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">secularizing post-Protestants like
John Dewey</span> to weaken Protestant cultural and intellectual hegemony.
American intellectual institutions, even in the late nineteenth century,
protected Protestantism from any serious epistemological <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[actual-reality]</span> challenge.
Jewish thinkers, more cosmopolitan than Protestants according to Hollinger,
combined with secularists to engage works of British and Continental figures
who emerged from “cultural settings in which there was no longer a habit of
favoring religion of many kinds.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The combined forces of missionary and Jewish cosmopolitanism loosened
Protestantism’s epistemological hold on American intellectual and
socio-political life. Missionary influence, however, did not remain static. It
boomeranged back to the United States “carrying with it baggage.” The rest of
the world was more than a needy expanse in need of American benevolence and
supervision: <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">it could inform
and teach Protestant America</span>. The initial generation of missionaries,
all of whom Hollinger notes, were mostly educated at elite liberal arts
colleges. Educated missionary elites were therefore the most likely Protestants
to become “cosmopolitan critics of American narrowness.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[It’s troublesome that the
Catholic Church, a global force, is omitted from this discussion.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The socio-political coalition that eventually enacted the epistemological
challenge to Protestantism in the public square was therefore formed out of
cosmopolitan liberal Protestants and Jews. The high water mark of liberal
Protestantism, argued Hollinger, was the middle of the twentieth century <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[1950 Eisenhower influenced by
the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization]</span> when liberal
Protestant institutions and thinkers—examples included Union Seminary and
Riverside Church in New York City, Ivy League universities, the YMCA, the
Federal Council of Churches, publications like <i>Christian Century,</i> and
intellectuals like Reinhold Niebuhr <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">, squared off against Fundamentalists who opposed the
modernism of <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">ecumenical
cosmopolitan Christianity</span> and who sought to eradicate modernist
influences on <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">American
Christianity</span>. Hollinger proposes that Fundamentalists joined with rural
and small-town mainliners—de-facto Fundamentalists, he infers—and nativist
groups to “swell” the ranks of the KKK and nativist rallies during the 1920s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The 1940s and 1950s proved to be the apotheosis <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">deification</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> of <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">liberal ecumenical Protestantism</span>.
Their influence peaked in academia and in government. But Fundamentalists <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Evangelicals?]</span> quickly
coopted modern advertising and modern telemedia to soften the public perception
of their otherwise supposedly unpalatable views. Hollinger’s taxonomical <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[classification]</span>
ambiguity and imprecise associations lead him to claim that Evangelicals would
not have become prominent had it not been due to big oil’s influence via
funding for Evangelical outreach and major Evangelical figures’ associations
with oil moguls. Leaders who identified as Evangelical, such as Carl Henry,
Charles Fuller, and most notably Billy Graham simply obfuscated their
Fundamentalist beliefs through attractive showmanship and marketing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: aqua; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: aqua;">Ecumenical Protestant</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> influence waned
in the 1960s. Hollinger saw mainline opposition to the Vietnam War and their
subsequent sponsorship of the Civil Rights movement as flying in the face of
hardened attitudes. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Evangelicals
took up the mantle of the old racially exclusivist American empire.</span> The
book then turns to litigate <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">American
religion</span> largely along the lines of the Democratic and Republican
parties. This allows the author to arrive at <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the conclusion that conservative Protestants</span>, and by
proxy voters who do not support the ecumenical, enlightened, and liberal
policies of the American mainliners, now post-Protestants, <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">are supporting exclusivist and
authoritarian politics</span>. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This point can be clarified by considering Genesis 1:28, which
suggests that the human-duty to pursue order& prosperity to living species
on earth rises above the arguments over “Christ”. Instead, cite “Jesus”, in
order to collaborate to establish cooperation to the-metaphysical-Jesus.
Christians can& may join non-Christians in developing the-culture-of-good
following practically-affirmable after-Jesus-messages.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The author has no time for the very idea of religious liberty, especially
for religious conservatives. “The democratic process was not compromised when
the ‘conscience exemption’ was developed in 1940 to enable individual members
of tiny pacificist sects to avoid military proscription,” but the democratic
process is compromised when “’religious liberty’ becomes a means for large
populations to escape the reach of federal and state laws.” Hollinger scare
quotes religious liberty and “sincerely held” when talking about the
populations he is specifically referencing, namely, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">conservative Christians</span> asking to not have to
conform to modern innovations regarding sexuality in their businesses and
churches. Hollinger terms conservative desire to conform to perceived biblical
teaching discrimination against LGBTQ populations and, and denial of women’s
rights. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Genesis 1:26-28,
an ancient political philosophy clearly, accurately& deeply suggests that
male unites <b><i>to</i></b> female and the 2 become one. The-metaphysical-Jesus affirms
this in Matthew 19:3-8. The demand for order& prosperity suggests that
same-sex partners do not parent: LGBTQ populations can& may aid order&
prosperity rather than demand exclusion from humankind. These principles are
affirmed by the-laws-of-physics, and liberal-Christians have no grounds to
compromise them.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">This reviewer appreciates the attempts at scholarly detachment taken by
the author. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I question
the reviewer’s scholarly-judgement.]</span> Hollinger informs us that although
he left Christianity, he nonetheless retains a feel for it that he hopes
informs <i>Christianity’s American Fate</i>. “Although I write now from a <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">secular</span> perspective <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[What do you mean by “secular”?
I doubt that it represents integrity more than egocentric opinion.]</span>, I
know that I, as a <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">post-Protestant</span>
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[further separated from
Roman Catholicism?]</span>, bring to the historian’s vocation a sensibility
that owes much to my Protestant background.” Hollinger’s detachment and
sensibility, however, are perhaps not enough to overcome significant weaknesses
that inform the book’s thesis and methodology.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: aqua; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: aqua;">The introduction’s reliance on tropes </span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">[cliché, stereotype]</span><span style="background: aqua; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: aqua;"> makes
the book seem like an intellectual grounding for partisan politics rather than
a meaningful scholarly pursuit of the history of religion in the United States.</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> Why, for
example, we need to know that the <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">fundamentalist Christian</span> in the author’s high school was from
Arkansas seems immaterial, but it leads this reader to think the work is a
socio-cultural screed against the population identified by liberal secular
Americans as the societal other: <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">conservative southern Protestants</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Obviously justice: Northern Protestants split from
Southern Protestants over abolition of slavery in 1845, officially in the
Baptist and the Methodist conventions.]</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The credentials and the morally earnest indignancy of the author
certainly deserve the reader’s appreciation, but this work is fundamentally
flawed by an imprecise and almost cartoonish taxonomy <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[</span></span><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">categorization or classification</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> and journalistic and political tropes parading as
scholarship. <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Attributing
racism to proto-evangelicals over against enlightened non-racist ecumenical
Protestants is so intellectually unverifiable that it is nearly laughable.</span>
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Racism is a political
rather than religious issue.]</span> Mainline Protestants were just as racist
as their more conservative counterparts at the end of the nineteenth and
beginning of the twentieth centuries. Woodrow Wilson was of course as
open-minded as Protestants came in 1900. Influenced by both Darwin and Spencer,
he rejected with prejudice conservative Protestant dogma. Nonetheless, he
remained a racist. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[His
father: </span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">Joseph Wilson owned slaves, defended slavery, and
also set up a Sunday school for his slaves. Wilson and his wife identified with
the </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_of_America" title="Confederate States of America"><span style="color: #0645ad;">Confederacy</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"> during
the American Civil War.</span><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">The author also fails to note the growth of eugenicist thought among the
very populations he identifies as the enlightened exemplars of ecumenical
Christianity. The book’s attribution of authoritarianism and racism
particularly to Evangelicals has very little meaningful scholarly support,
because the so-called mainline Christianity of the era proved also to be
racist, authoritarian, and exclusivist. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Not so for Northern Protestants who separated from
Southern Protestants in 1845.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;">Christianity’s American Fate</span></i><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"> might have
been a meaningful work of intellectual or religious history, but unfortunately
it descends quickly into a sociological and political screed. The reviewer
admires the political fervor of the author but was left disappointed in his
hope for a scholarly look at the development of American religion in the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is certainly a topic worth pursuing.
Research devoid of socio-religious partisanship, and political partisanship,
will be a necessity when a standard work on the subject is finally offered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/author/miles-smith/">miles smith iv</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #686c75; font-size: 22.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 107%;">Christianity’s American Fate</span></i><span style="color: #686c75; font-size: 22.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; line-height: 107%;"> pits
ecumenical mainline Protestants against their conservative Evangelical
brethren.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.95pt; text-transform: uppercase;">REVIEWED</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><u><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691233888/christianitys-american-fate" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">Christianity’s American Fate</span></a></span></u></i><i><span style="font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">by David
Hollinger<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1pt 0in 0in;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="display: none; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hide: all;">Bottom of
Form<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #686c75; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Miles Smith IV is visiting assistant
professor of history at Hillsdale College.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/protestant-nationalism-and-catholic-empire-yoram-hazony/">Protestant
Nationalism and Catholic Empire? A Comment on Yoram Hazony (lawliberty.org)</a></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #121622; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 107%;">Protestant Nationalism and Catholic Empire?
A Comment on Yoram Hazony<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">In <span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #3d6b7f; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Virtue-Nationalism-Yoram-Hazony/dp/1541645375/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1546963728&sr=1-3&keywords=the+virtue+of+nationalism" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d6b7f;">The Virtue of Nationalism</span></a></span></i></span>,
Yoram Hazony argues on behalf of what he terms the <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">“Protestant construction of the West.”</span> This
affirms “two principles, both of them having their origins in the Old
Testament.” The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">first</span>
principle is “the moral minimum required for legitimate government.” Here
Hazony means “ten precepts” (more conventionally, if less accurately, known as <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">the Ten Commandments</span>).
Leading Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin recognized
the Ten Commandments as <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">natural
law</span>, revealed to and accessible to all people. The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">second</span> principle is “<span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">the right of national
self-determination.”</span> This meant, beyond the moral floor required by the
first principle, “it was not expected that all nations would become as one in
their thoughts, laws, or way of life.” He adds,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[T]he second principle – permitting each nation to determine for itself
what constitutes a legitimate ruler, a legitimate church, and appropriate laws
and liberties – brought the Christian world directly into dialogue with the
biblical vision of an order of independent nations. And it was this principle
that set the world free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Hazony <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">contrasts
the “Protestant construction” with the imperialist vision of the “Roman
church.”</span> The Roman Catholic church, he writes, “adopted the Roman dream
of universal empire, and the project of Roman law, which aspired to provide a
single framework for a <i><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">pax
Romana</span></i> (“Roman peace”) extending to all nations.” <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The period </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">27 BC
to 180 AD when no one challenged the Roman Empire.</span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span> He adds,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For more than a thousand years, Christianity thus aligned itself, not
with the ideal of setting the nations free as had been proposed by the Israeli
prophets, but with much the same aspiration that had given rise to imperial
Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia: the aspiration of establishing a universal
empire of peace and prosperity. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[It is erroneous to ignore Sumer, the more ancient inventor of the
wheel, writing, and codes of law. They suggested that the Gods, focused on the
heavens, assign to humankind the responsibility to pursue
comprehensive-safety& security to life on earth and to the earth.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Hazony provides a lot to chew on. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Yet covers only the recent “scholarly” squabble
over literature covering the period 3,000 years ago through 1700 years ago,
with Protestant interjection 500 years ago. Meanwhile, the civic-humankind
intends to colonize the moon starting 10 years from now.]</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As an initial matter, I think Hazony goes a bit too easy on
Protestantism and a bit too harshly on Catholicism—and I say that as a
true-believing <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">Missouri Synod
Lutheran</span>. In Hazony’s telling, the Protestant construction aligns
itself, and issues from<span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">, “the
biblical vision of an order of independent nations.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are two difficulties with Hazony’s claim. The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">first</span> is whether the Old
Testament prophets and writers in fact taught this “the biblical vision of an
order of independent nations.” The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">second</span> is whether if indeed they did, it motivated the Protestant
construction, a construction Hazony treats as essentially <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">equivalent to the Westphalian system
of nation states</span>. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Led
to “</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">nothing
... shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are
essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state", has faced
recent challenges from advocates of </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_intervention" title="Humanitarian intervention"><span style="color: #0645ad;">humanitarian
intervention</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow; mso-shading: white;">.</span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">]</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">One might
just as easily invert Hazony’s hypothesis regarding the historical genesis of
Catholicism’s universal vision and the emergence of the Protestant national
construction</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[We
observe in 2022 that alien Catholic charities pay coyotes to escort illegal
aliens to the U.S. border and domestic Catholic charities support the illegal
entrants to the U.S.]:</span> To wit, that the latter developed as a practical
accommodation to the religious divisions in Europe, the former issued from
universalistic religious visions in the Bible, very much including, if not
actually founded upon, universalistic religious visions in the Old Testament
prophets and writers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">To be sure, “an order of independent nations” would still
provide the advantages Hazony argues for even if it is not inspired by a
“biblical vision.” (And, indeed, I’m inclined to agree with many of the
advantages he suggests derive from the system.) Nonetheless, I think it’s
pretty easy to see that the Protestant construction, as Hazony puts it—the
Westphalian system, as I would put it—<span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">has more to do with the very practical need to end a ruinous cycle of
religious wars in Europe</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[George Washington want to stay out of European religious squabbles.]</span>
than with Protestants deriving a commitment to “an order of independent
nations” from their reading of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Indeed, <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">if
anything, Lutheran and Reformed (i.e., “Calvinistic”) churches share the
religious universalism of Roman Catholicism.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ll dip into Hazony’s characterization of what the Old
Testament prophets and writers taught in subsequent posts. But two practical
items of note regarding Protestant universalism. <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">First</span>, the huge commitment of time, money, and
manpower of Protestant churches, particularly conservative Protestant churches,
to missions and evangelism, to Jesus’ call to “disciple the nations” at the end
of the Gospel of Matthew, testifies to a religiously universalistic
orientation. That is, to <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">becoming
“one in their thoughts.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">second</span>
is an anecdote illuminating the same. A couple of decades back, on learning I
was a Missouri Synod Lutheran <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[LCMS]</span>, the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, who was raised in the
LCMS and converted to Catholicism in 1990, related this personal story: After
he converted to Catholicism, he sat down with his elderly mother to explain why
he converted. He went through all his reasons and justifications. When he
finished his explanation, his mother reached for his hand, patted it, and said,
“Yes, John, I understand all that. But <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">why did you leave the <i>Church</i></span>?” This was the classic
self-understanding of Old Missouri. The Synod was the Church; <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">it shared Rome’s universalistic
aspirations</span>. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Not
shared: competed with.]</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Protestant churches, at least classically Protestant
churches, are as universalistic as Rome. The Westphalian system was a practical
necessity, whether or not it was biblically motivated as well. And, again, the
motivation for the rise of the Westphalian system need not affect the practical
value of a commitment to a system of independent nation states. Nonetheless,
Hazony’s religious argument, both historical and Biblical, are contestable. I
plan to consider Hazony’s claim that the Old Testament writers and prophets
distinctly endorse a system of independent nation states in subsequent posts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The
person who develops civic-integrity can& may usually choose the-good&
not repeat error. Their responsible-human-independence (RHI) aids humankind in
its pursuit of discovery& positive application of the–laws-of-physics.
Humankind is greater because of each person’s RHI. In the same way, the United
States is stronger because of 50 state-constitutions. Likewise, humankind is
made stronger when most nations develop RHI rather than unite under one
constitution.]</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/author/james-rogers/">james
r. rogers</a></span></b></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #686c75; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">James R. Rogers is Associate Professor of Political
Science at Texas A&M University and Contributing Editor at <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Law & Liberty</span></em>. He holds a J.D.
as well as a Ph.D., and teaches and publishes at the intersection of law,
politics, and game theory. He has published articles in the <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">American Journal of Political Science</span></em>,
the <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization,
Public Choice</span></em>, and in numerous other journals. He edited and
contributed to the book <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Institutional Games and the
Supreme Court</span></em>, and served as editor of the <em><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Journal of Theoretical Politics </span></em>from
2006 through 2013.</span><span style="color: #686c75; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-9501157103034307922022-12-08T19:35:00.004-06:002023-02-27T14:39:03.241-06:00Civic-Citizens Against Christian Nationalism<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We urge every American to oppose Christian
nationalism. As civic-citizens</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
who are privately Christian, our faith teaches us that everyone is created in
the-God’s</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> image.
Our adulthood commands us to appreciate</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> the
living species and this world</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.
As Americans, we value our system of domestic-self-discipline</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
and the good that can be accomplished in our constitutional republic</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.
We civic-citizens</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
are concerned about a persistent threat to both U.S. religious communities
and to our republic — the threat is Christian nationalism.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christian nationalism seeks to merge factional-Christian</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
and American identities, distorting both the Christian faiths and America’s
constitutional republic. Christian nationalism demands Christianity be
privileged by the State and implies that to be a good American, one must
be a national-Christian. It often overlaps with and provides cover for
white supremacy, racial subjugation, and religious submission. We reject
this damaging political ideology and invite the entity We the People of
the United States to join us in opposing this threat to our faiths</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
and “to ourselves and our Posterity”, quoting the preamble.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As civic-citizens, believers are bound to the-God-mystery,
not by citizenship, but by faith, pursued in personal-privacy. Civic-citizens assert
that:<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People of all faiths and none have the right, self-necessity,
and justice to engage constructively in the public square.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patriotism does not require fellow-citizens to
minimize their religious convictions provided they observe and aid
civic-integrity and statutory-justice<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One’s religious affiliation, or lack thereof, can and may
be irrelevant to one’s standing in the civic community. On the other
hand, spiritual inspiration to civic-integrity is appreciated by non-believing
fellow-citizens.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Government should not prefer one religion over another
or religion over non-religion.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Religious instruction is best left to adult-personal-privacy<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" style="mso-endnote-id: edn11;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">America’s historic commitment to religious pluralism
enables faith communities to live in civic-harmony with one another
without sacrificing private hopes and comforts.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Conflating religious doctrine with political authority
is tyranny. It oppresses the fellow-citizen’s opportunity to develop
humble-integrity. It lessens the churches’ opportunities to discover
the-ineluctable-truth<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn12" name="_ednref12" style="mso-endnote-id: edn12;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> and
the state’s necessity to develop statutory-justice.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Civic-citizens, that faction of We the People of the
United States that is defined by the preamble, can and may stand up to and
speak out against Christian nationalism, especially when it inspires acts
of violence and intimidation—including vandalism, bomb threats, arson,
hate crimes, and attacks on houses of spirituality—against religious
communities at home and abroad.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whether citizens
worship at a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or simply reserve
sufficient humility to the-God, America has no second-class faiths. All are
equal under the U.S. Constitution. As civic-citizens and Christians, we can and
may speak in one voice condemning Christian nationalism as a distortion
of Jesus’ message<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn13" name="_ednref13" style="mso-endnote-id: edn13;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> and a threat to
American democracy.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">We propose and request your aid to amend the
First Amendment</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_edn14" name="_ednref14" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[14]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">
to the United States Constitution so as to encourage and facilitate civic
humble-integrity rather than Congressional-religious pride. With this reform,
the entity We the People of the United States can and may separate church (a
pursuit for adult-personal-privacy), from state (the necessary domestic and
alien monopoly on coercion and force for justice). Thereby, Posterity,
including legal immigrants will be empowered to hold elected and appointed
officials in local, state, and national government to be of We the People of
the United States rather than aliens to U.S. intentions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> 1</o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/30/2022, prb</span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this
paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Civic-citizens” refers to members
of We the People of the United States who observe personal interpretations of
the domestic disciplines proffered by the 1787 U.S. Constitution. Civic-citizen
affirms the separation of church and state expressed by both the 1776
declaration of war for independence from England as well as the Sumerian political
philosophy expressed in Hebrew scholarship in Genesis 1:26-28. It asserts that
female& male-human-being can and may independently provide order&
prosperity to the living species and to the world. I reverse the gender-order
based on Jesus’ advice in Matthew 19:3-8: the man unites to the woman, and I
cannot explain the meaning.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">Accepting to ourselves
that, while the human being has the opportunity to develop the individual
power, the individual energy, and the individual authority (HIPEA) to choose humble-integrity
rather than egocentric arrogance, we propose “the-God” for civic discussion. We
intend to include the various theisms and non-theisms fellow-citizens
personally-pursue, in order to perfect their unique person according to the
responsible-happiness they perceive rather than to someone else’s vision for
them. “The-God” expresses humility in the hopes and comforts an individual’s
personal-God provides them in privacy. Human being (verb) assures each person’s
death.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> I choose “appreciate” rather than the traditional
“love” out of humility toward the other party, including the-God. <span style="color: black;">“Love” is often unwanted and justifiably so. Appreciate is
more civic, provided “civic” refers to reliable human-connections more than to
municipal rules.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">My 2021 interpretation of
Genesis 1:26-28, a 5,500 year-old Sumerian political philosophy interpreted 2,500
years later by Hebrew scholars and neglected another 1,000 years later by
Christian writers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;"> Little recognized and
less accepted, the 1787 U.S. Constitution, especially in its preamble, proffers
5 public self-disciplines “in order to” encourage& facilitate
responsible-human-independence (RHI) “to ourselves and our Posterity”. Religion
was and is excluded from the disciplines, in order to accept spiritual pursuits
as adult-personal-privacy. “Liberty” is a French fetish that too often is taken
as license to let fellow-citizens’ blood. Consider for example, the mob
violence U.S.-Democrat-run cities allowed if not nourished in 2020.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">Allowing postmodernism to
terminate the 1787 Constitution’s guarantee --- a republican form of government
--- is a death knell to the USA. To impose democracy is abdication to
Anglo-American tradition, or European enslavement of the U.S. person.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">We the People of the United States as defined by
the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian doctrine has under 10 Bible canon and
each doctrine is subdivided, perhaps extensively. See <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.timesmojo.com/why-are-there-so-many-sects-of-protestant-christianity/">Why
are there so many sects of Protestant Christianity? - TimesMojo</a></span> and <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ncregister.com/blog/just-how-many-protestant-denominations-are-there">Just
How Many Protestant Denominations Are There?| National Catholic Register
(ncregister.com)</a></span>.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">As a Baptist, I married a
serenely-confident Louisiana-French Catholic woman and learned to cherish her
faith for her (and each of our children’s faiths for themselves) without
denying my faith for me. Also, I understand that there are Catholics who
pursue <b><i>the-God</i></b> regardless of the Church’s insistence on
a Transubstantiation-Trinity.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Statutory-justice is the pursuit of flawless
written-law and its enforcement and adjudication.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn11" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" style="mso-endnote-id: edn11;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">Each viable-human-ova, the
single-cell embryo, the fetus, the delivered baby, and the child is due the
dignity and appreciation of a human person. An authentic woman cares for her
viable ova, perhaps 400 during her fertile years, plus any children for life.
The authentic man supports her and hers, in monogamy, for life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn12" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref12" name="_edn12" style="mso-endnote-id: edn12;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">“Ineluctable”, known for
450 years and published in 1906 to modify both “truth” and “the . . . truth”,
is unfortunately unknown in 2022. It means, “not to be avoided, changed,
escaped, neglected, or resisted”. To lend precision& accuracy, I use
hyphens and invite the reader/listener not to disassemble the phrase
“the-ineluctable-truth”. I seek an improvement on this expression. People
compromise “truth” by debating its object.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn13" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref13" name="_edn13" style="mso-endnote-id: edn13;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">Jesus’ message is that
humankind can and may independently provide order and prosperity to living
species and to this world.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn14" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/Religion/Christian%20nationalism%20debate%20112922%20UBC.docx#_ednref14" name="_edn14" style="mso-endnote-id: edn14;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="color: black;">We propose to amend the
First Amendment religion clauses to: <span style="background: white;">Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or promoting the
free exercise thereof.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-90385495780548174282022-12-08T17:16:00.003-06:002022-12-22T17:19:13.214-06:00Christian Nationalism Can& May Appreciate Ancient Cultures<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;">Marshall
McLuhan<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
encouraged humans to make certain mutual words& phrases address the heart
of an issue rather than a subsidiary aspect. Similarly, reliable statistical
research cannot exclude dominate variables. I want to suggest that Christian
Nationalism can, during Advent 2022, at University Baptist Church (UBC), focus
on accepting that the-mystery-of-God survives global civility& legislation.
I doubt Jesus is the-God and could be wrong. However, Christian Nationalism is
a Christ argument against the-metaphysical-word-of-Jesus (MWJ). For all I know,
MWJ expresses the-good human being (verb) or even good-application of physics.
I do not write either as Phil Beaver’s opinion: I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;">Christian
Nationalism springs from 5 cultural evolutions: humankind, Sumer, Israel, Christendom,
and the United States.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;">At
the recent edge of 300,000-years’ cultural development, a fairly-well
documented succession of kings in Sumer, an ancient, Mesopotamian civilization,
attributed otherworldly forces to a system of Gods. Also, each city-state
sponsored its champion-God. <b><i>It seemed to those kings that order&
prosperity in their part of their world was their nation’s sole, collective responsibility.</i></b>
I think it is unfortunate that no civilization improved Sumer’s
responsible-human-independence (RHI).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;">Starting
10-thousand years ago, Sumer kings developed a civilization predicated on
mankind working for order& prosperity while the Gods saw to other worlds. Each
citizen could responsibly pursue the happiness they perceived rather than
subjugate to someone else’s vision for them. Slaves, artisans, administrators,
and royalty collaborated to constrain consequences of the-laws-of-physics, in
order for Sumerians to survive if not prosper. Some citizens did not cooperate.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;">Successive
kings developed statutory law that pursued civic-justice. <b><i>“Civic” refers to practicing
reliable connections& transactions between humans more than to adherence to
municipal rules.</i></b> Civic-Sumerians could& might pursue comprehensive-safety&
security to their city-state (hereafter <i>security</i>).
However, among dependent citizens some perceived the Gods were in control and
individual contributions did not matter. Some dependents were criminals or
worse.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Monotheism seems 4,000
years old; for example, an Egyptian sun god.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="background-color: transparent;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> The Bible
suggests that Terah, who left Mesopotamia, was born 4100 years ago</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="background-color: transparent;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent;">. He
was Abraham’s father. Abraham’s first son was born 3800</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="background-color: transparent;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent;">
years ago. At least 3 monotheisms are attributed to Abraham’s descendants:
Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Moses shared the 10 commandments perhaps 3600
years ago.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="background-color: transparent;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">What about MWJ? Jesus lived 2000 years ago. Writers
controversially abstracted Jesus’ actions& expressions during 40 to 90
years after he died. Several Christian movements emerged by 1600 years ago,
including Roman Catholicism, eastern Orthodoxy<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
and oriental orthodoxy<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, with
early branches in Africa.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Protestant Orthodoxy is only 500 years old.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Baptist orthodoxy emerged 376 years ago. Can any sect claim to witness for
Jesus? I don’t think so. Emerson thought Jesus was an insightful man whose
message was forever hidden when the Church made him divine.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span><br />
<br />
Physics began to control development of the universe 13.7 billion years ago. MWJ
seems there for future discovery. Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago. Cultural development of human being (verb) includes
this sequence, in years ago: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in;">300,000 homo sapiens branched from
other bipeds <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> 10,000
Sumer civilization developed responsibility to their world <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 4,000 monotheism dominated religious
development<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 3,600 Moses shared the 10 commandments<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 2,000 Jesus lived<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 1,600 Christian orthodoxies canonized<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 500 Protestant orthodoxy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 376 Baptist orthodoxy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 235 the United States proffered pursuit
of responsible-human-independence (RHI)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in;">
233 Congress unconstitutionally gave itself freedom of religion despite RHI-citizens.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">MTJ (the metaphysical word-of-Jesus) expresses, in 2022
perspective: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">presence
13.7 billion years ago (John 8:58); <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">political
philosophy (Genesis 1) refutes Moses’ law (Matthew 19:3-8);<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">human-leaders’
responsibility to the earth (Matthew 22:16-21); <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">to resist
MTJ invites personal woe (Luke 9:26); <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">MTJ serves
truth rather than kingship (John 18:37); and<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">responsibility
impacts ourselves and our posterity (Luke 17:20-21). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Please forgive my omissions and my ignorance of what the authentic
Jesus really, actually said& meant. I express opinion, because I do not
know the-ineluctable<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>-truth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today, at the leading edge of 13.7 billion years’ physical
evolution, 300,000 years’ psychological evolution, and 10,000 years’ cultural
evolution, human being (verb) demands awareness of past experiences&
observations. By not neglecting
the-laws-of-physics, humankind plans to colonize the moon in 10 years. Yet some
nations work to annihilate others, and children are being enslaved to gender
change. With 2000 years since Jesus’ death, predicted second coming seems un-impactful
to Genesis-1-human-duty to benefit from physics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The United States was proposed 235 years ago and has yet to pursue
the USA’s 246 year-old intentions: independence from England’s religion. The
U.S. framers, in 1787, proposed a nation that pursues <i>security</i>, leaving spiritual or religious pursuits to privacy.
Framers had observed& experienced 1400 years’ war among Christians and with
others -- exacerbated 300 years before then by Protestantism. Aware of history,
framers decided to create a nation that leaves motivation& inspiration to
the individual. Civic-citizens collectively aid <i>security</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Although, the United States’ intentions to develop RHI with
religious privacy is proffered, Congress <b><i>imposed</i></b> a Protestant legislative
branch, hidden as freedom-of-religion-to-Congress, in 1791. The Bill of Rights
completed the constitution that was negotiated in the ratifying constitutions
of 9 of 13 states, succeeding on June 21, 1788. Some states wanted Congress to feel
divine like Parliament, with its 26 seats constitutionally assigned to Church-of-England-bishops.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Congress, by <i>self-assigning</i>
freedom-of-religion, promulgated a civic-tyranny that 99% of voting inhabitants
(4% of the population) did not mind, because they were Protestants. The
consequence is the chaos Americans suffer this December 2022. The nation seems
approaching the nadir of Protestant if not religious imposition on U.S.
governance. Intentions for national religious-privacy can& may be
established at last.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">U.S. RHI can& may be initiated by amending the First
Amendment. <b><i>I suggest: </i></b><b><i>Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or <u>promoting</u> the free exercise thereof.</i></b>
The long-standing practice clause is, “<u>preventing</u> the free exercise
thereof”. The extant phrase is a shockingly clear challenge to
statutory-justice and demonstrates how ruinous democracy can be. The U.S.
promises a republican form of government; elected representatives develop
the-rule-of-law in a system that ruins democracy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Despite all that has transpired, it seems MJW prevails: humankind
can& may pursue <i>security</i>. Let the
person who knows better take charge; they may be right. But my vote is to reform
the question of Christian Nationalism to a petition to amend the First
Amendment’s religious-practice clause. UBC has the intellectual power,
authenticity, and civil standing to petition for statutory-justice. Delivery
would be Congress’ responsibility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Christian Nationality lessens a dominant variable to human being
(verb): the-metaphysical-word-of-Jesus,
which humankind can discern together.<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div>
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 9pt;">https://www.marshallmcluhan.com/biography/<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hymn_to_the_Aten">Great Hymn to the
Aten - Wikipedia</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/terah/">Terah – Amazing Bible
Timeline with World History</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmael_in_Islam<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://communityliteracy.org/when-did-moses-get-the-10-commandments/">When
Did Moses Get The 10 Commandments? - CLJ (communityliteracy.org)</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://bible.ca/b-canon-why-varied-geography-30-400AD.htm">Geographic
variation caused New Testament canon variation from 33 AD - 400 AD (bible.ca)</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Orthodox_Churches">Oriental
Orthodox Churches - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Africa">Christianity in
Africa - Wikipedia</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Protestant-Orthodoxy">Protestant
Orthodoxy | religion | Britannica</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="https://emersoncentral.com/texts/nature-addresses-lectures/addresses/divinity-school-address/">Divinity
School Address - Ralph Waldo Emerson (emersoncentral.com)</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn11">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/0UBC/Nationalism/Cultural%20evolution%20enveloping%20Christian%20Nationalism.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Ineluctable means “not to be avoided, changed, escaped, neglected, or resisted”.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. Updated to add earth formation 4.5 billion years ago.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-1093540696418852572022-11-12T12:08:00.039-06:002022-12-08T17:20:50.162-06:00Population-control through responsible-human-independence <p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">It’s wonderful to glimpse into </span><i style="color: #1e1915; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">a human-being’s</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"> journey and </span><i style="color: #1e1915; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">shared</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"> sympathy respecting words. I
refer to nearly 100 hours Vaughn Crombie and I enjoy -- intense, meandering-conversation
that changes my 8 decades’ life, so far. Often, 5 dialogue-branches open, and
we manage to close all six during 3.5 hours. If someone drops by, as Shannon
MacDanel often does and Chris Nalepa did when work allowed, they increase diversions&
resolutions yet-aid preserving the original thread.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"> </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">I appreciate a complex essay by mutual friend, Michael
Cavanaugh</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1915; font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">,
and doubt Vaughn, busy in his 9</span><sup style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"> decade, will take the time to
review such complexity.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1915;">I speculate that erroneous “write for the
audience” ruined Albert Einstein’s opportunity to share with “ourselves and our
Posterity”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1915; font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span></span></a>
of his time (we’re their posterity). He wrote for science& religion
conversations, lessening our chance to learn from him. I think his heartfelt
topic was research& ethics (but don’t know). I gained from Einstein the
intention to </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">discover expressions “so comprehensive and so well founded
that [human beings] will accept them as grounded in the vast mass of their
individual . . . experiences.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span></span></a>
Applying these principles I think Einstein’s writing expresses this
metaphysical idea: Research without integrity is ruinous: integrity without
research is ineffectual.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[4]</span></span></span></a></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Similarly, I think Michael wrote for his scholarly audience: process
engineering attempting social authoritarianism, theologians, sociologists, and
natural-religionists. Together, scholars lose the civic-citizen’s potential to
develop their unique “image of God”. For example, Pugh</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[5]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
seems to think human being (verb) is passive.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I discovered that Genesis 1 expresses political
philosophy that could be speculated 5,500 years ago instead of delivered by the-God
3,000 years ago and debated for 1,400 years and beyond. I began to view each
person as a god-facing-death, with </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">the
opportunity, the power, the energy, and the authority</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> to perfect their
unique being before their ineluctable-death. In the image of God, they can&
may perfect themselves and thereby aid humankind’s degree of perfection “to
ourselves and our Posterity”. Pursuing perfection is in the person’s
self-interest and coincidentally aids humankind’s presence& potential.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">A person’s development unto human being (verb)
is a process that begins the moment they comprehend, intend& act to perfect
their person, low as their psychology may be. This </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">self-appreciation</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> is nearly impossible to discover alone, yet the
discovery fulfills human desire. Discovery-chances can be enhanced if
caretakers practice, facilitate, and encourage </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">acceptance</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> of the status, god-image-facing-death, or an improved
equivalent. Escape from the god-image seems beneficial, but I do not know.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">So far, humankind has not accepted the demands
of Genesis 1:28. Female& male human-being can& may independently pursue
order and prosperity to living on earth. I call this demand
“responsible-human-independence (RHI)” and emphasize the choice by repeating
“can& may”. Also, while there are many examples of choice-consequences, I
must have fellow-citizens’ assistance, in order to suggest a system that
records past mistakes and identifies critical actions that pursue future
discovery. The first step is to inform the public of this approach with a
clarity that makes it possible for them to improve the process I barely glimpse.
Industrial engineering could be useful if the object is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">the process of the individual infant pursuing their transition to human
being (verb)</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">W</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">ith widespread practice the god-image metaphor may be left to privacy (I think
yet don’t know). Both theists and ideologists who market institutional doctrine
can& may either accommodate humankind’s RHI-culture and preserve revenues
or change career to serve public demands. For example, recording humankind’s
experiences& observations, so as to comprehend the consequences of human
choices could lessen the tendency to attribute the unknowns to myths.
Eventually, the demand for myths could dwindle.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">After my speech in 2006 to the Freethinkers’
group at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, “faith in the truth”, Harold
Weingarten, PhD chemist asked: Phil, what truth do you speak of? I responded,
“the truth that does not respond to opinion”. About 14 years later, I
discovered “ineluctable” and proffered “the-ineluctable-truth”. Ineluctable
means: not to be avoided, changed, escaped, neglected, or resisted: “truth”
means, the actual-reality about something. Therein, “something” often lessens </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>civil</i></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
truth or civilization yet never impacts the-ineluctable-evidence. In other
words, the ineluctable-evidence does not respond to “truth”. Bill Clinton
infamously used the definition of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">is</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
to trivialize stain-on-a-blue-dress based on </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">now</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> versus </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ever</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[6]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
In other words, not-in-relations does not imply never-been-there. I hope
the-ineluctable-truth becomes a constant </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>civic</i></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> demand in judicial processes.
Only a-civic-people, in the U.S. We the People of the United States as defined
by the preamble, can& may pursue the-ineluctable-truth. Only elected&
appointed officials who are of a-civic-people can aid the journey.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I think Michael’s essay pursues
the-ineluctable-truth to scholars debating an impossible persuasion:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Humankind can& may negotiate a covenant
on birth control, in order to save the earth</i></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">. Saving the earth is the
last thing on the heart of the person who wants someone to love them regardless
of appreciation. For example, the woman who never appreciated the mature man
who would care for her& her ova for a lifetime. Social-engineering-through-theism
is too complicated to reach the procreating public.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Michaels’s personal expressions need to reach
the layperson’s ear, consideration, and intentions. For example, “Everyone
yearns for more safety and integrity.” But almost no civic-citizen pursues </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">integrity</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">; most adults self-satisfy through
</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">honest-opinion</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">. But honesty is
insufficient.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[7]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
And “Countries ought to cooperate to further their own self interests.” Like
countries, civic-citizens can& may pursue civic-integrity, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">in their own self-interest</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">; but it’s a
hard sell that has no chance (I think) if responsible-human-independence (RHI)</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[8]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
is never proffered to the public.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">RHI is almost impossible when people who are nations continuously rear their
youth to seek higher power --- God, ideal, or government --- to usurp their
pursuit of civic-integrity. I plan, in June, 2023, to show how cultural
evolution, including Bible stories, led to the political proposition proffered
by the signers of the 1787 U.S. Constitution, especially the preamble. I may
show that the 1787 Constitution conforms to Genesis-1-RHI.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">On the other hand, Michael’s conclusion that we
need to “listen to our understanding of human nature” invites error. Understanding
grounded in reason that ignores the-ineluctable-evidence, may escape the
civic-integrity that is required for RHI. Escaping RHI is not in the person’s
self-interest. R. E. Lee honestly thought slavery-abolitionists were evil-to
attempt-to accelerate God’s thousands-of-years-plan to redeem blacks from the
sins of their ancestors.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[9]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
His local Christian ministers misled Lee. Lee lost everything, including Lee
Circle, now Harmony Circle at Tivoli Circle.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[10]</span></span></span></a></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Similarly, Loyal Rue’s model of
religious-values-bemusing-the-facts seems merely an excuse for metaphors such
as Abrahamic-order through a personal God.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[11]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
Groups construct competitive religions, in order to attempt to persuade self-advantage
if not RHI-usurpation.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Theologians and other religious perpetrators do
all they can to gain followers. Politicians learned that domestic police and
foreign military are inefficient in controlling fellow-citizens, so they
partner with religions, in order to facilitate coercion rather than force. Academics
think they can enhance personal income if they can devise theories that the
Chapter XI Machiavellian</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn12" name="_ednref12" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[12]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
partnership can use to sustain their power. The scholars compete for high
salaries without regard for fellow-citizens. Only an RHI-culture by
a-civic-people can end the tyranny.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Michael refers to taking every chance to
advance Jesus’ advice on being a good neighbor -- perhaps a colleague’s idea. I
think that is a risky constraint on Jesus’ potential aid to human being (verb).
According to the stories, every time someone challenged Jesus, the response was
surprisingly instructive toward self-interested reliability. For example, an
RHI man leaves father and mother and unites to his wife to become an
androgynous unit.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn13" name="_ednref13" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[13]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
These 2,000 years later, typical first-marriage in the U.S. lasts 21 years</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn14" name="_ednref14" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[14]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
with typical adulthoods 60 years. That’s the tip of an iceberg we could develop
by considering what was written about Jesus’s statements and actual-reality
“ourselves and our Posterity” can& may discern from
the-ineluctable-evidence.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Michael lists the professions that need to
awaken to process theory,</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn15" name="_ednref15" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[15]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
I think overlooking the value of applications engineers, such as chemical engineers.
The University of Tennessee instilled in me the perception that they authorized
my professional career with the expectation that nothing I designed would blow
up. I recently visited with a mechanical engineer who said, “The scientists
care not about wrongful research-design& interpretation (wrongful
statistics), and we are immune, because being responsible for an operable
system, we discover the actual requirements.” Applications engineers cannot
brook eternity for disproof of their work.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Rue, Barlow& Dowd discuss Amythia and much
more</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_edn16" name="_ednref16" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">[16]</span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
and invite me to offer a metaphor to connect cosmology& morality. The
metaphor is: the consequences of human choice& action express that
female& male-human-being can& may pursue comprehensive-safety&
security to life on earth& its-extensions. The evidence of cultural
evolution provides both continuity& plausibility to this proposal. Human
being (verb) flourishes on the discovery& positive application of
the-laws-of-physics. For example, nuclear energy is responsibly used to produce
electricity and for national-defense rather than for military power. Bemusement
by science& religion as research& integrity become private enjoyment
rather than civil impositions.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">This idea of privatizing myths is a consequence
of mutual interest with the people of University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge,
LA.<br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">______________</span></p>
<div>
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Michael
Cavanaugh, “Gobal Population Equilibirum” (June 1997); <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/0591-2385.811997080">Global
Population Equilibrium: A Model for the Twenty‐First Century - Cavanaugh - 1997
- Zygon&#174; - Wiley Online Library</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The
continuity that is addressed in the intentions sentence of the preamble to the
United States Constitution.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Einstein
essay embedded in <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.samharris.org/blog/my-friend-einstein">Sam Harris | My Friend
Einstein?</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/115821/einsteins-famous-quote-science-religion-didnt-mean-taught">Einstein
Quote About Religion and Science Was Wrong, Misinterpreted | The New Republic</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4071397-the-biological-origin-of-human-values">The
Biological Origin Of Human Values by George Edgin Pugh | Goodreads</a></span>,
review by Bob Nichols.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/1998/09/bill-clinton-and-the-meaning-of-is.html">Bill
Clinton and the meaning of “is” (slate.com)</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/712327.Integrity">Integrity by
Stephen L. Carter | Goodreads</a></span>. Carter makes the case that honesty is
insufficient but fails to note that the last word rests with whatever
constrains the consequences of human choice, which may be God: nobody knows. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The
political philosophy that is stated in Genesis 1:28 may be paraphrased as
follows: Female& male human-being
can& may independently pursue comprehensive-safety& security to life on
earth. I call the practice, facilitation, and encouragement
“responsible-human-independence” or RHI. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/letter-from-robert-e-lee-to-mary-randolph-custis-lee-december-27-1856/">Letter
from Robert E. Lee to Mary Randolph Custis Lee (December 27, 1856) -
Encyclopedia Virginia</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1468" target="_self"><span class="wo6zaemeslnuuwbkbmxx"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 11pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"><span color="var(--theme-col-txt-url-domain)" style="font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">https://neworleanshistorical.org</span></span></span><span color="var(--theme-col-txt-url-path)" style="font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span class="oaxcunrdbqs3wqdcq3ls"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 11pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; padding: 0in; text-decoration-line: none;"> › items › show › 1468</span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn11">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH493NsM31Y">(41)
Loyal Rue: Religion Is Not About God - YouTube</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn12">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.owleyes.org/text/prince/read/chapter-xi-ecclesiastical-princedoms">The
Prince Full Text - Chapter XI - Owl Eyes</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn13">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Matthew
19:5<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn14">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="https://www.bgsu.edu/ncfmr/resources/data/family-profiles/payne-median-duration-marriages-fp-20-16.html">Median
Duration of Marriages in the U.S., 2018 (bgsu.edu)</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn15">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/process-theory">Process
Theory - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn16">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Journal22.docx#_ednref16" name="_edn16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyAo7WO_WXc">(41)
Loyal Rue pt 1: "Amythia" (interviewed by Barlow and Dowd) - YouTube</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><div id="edn16" style="mso-element: endnote;">
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-68764662738004702942022-10-24T13:05:00.022-05:002022-12-08T17:24:10.027-06:00Assign "the common good" to the trash bin of English history<p>Dear Fellow Citizens:</p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="locality"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
appreciate your work and expressions, and write to suggest, for your unique collaboration,
a slogan that commits-to both integrity rather than honesty and to
the-ineluctable-evidence more than to traditional constructs --- pursues to
Americans</span> <span class="locality">reading journals/media
the-ineluctable-truth through civic-integrity.</span> Civic-citizens read&
write with comprehension& intention to human being (verb).</p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><o:p> </o:p></span><u>The challenge</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
would like a slogan that challenges civic-citizens including journalists to
neither initiate nor accommodate harm to or from any person or institution. I
don’t think “give”, “truth”, and “honest”, in your seasonal solicitation,
accept the power of human being. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Dictionaries report
usage more than reliability and sometimes leave the reader uncertain. Only
human-beings can independently and corporately pursue comprehensive safety and
security where they live. Neither God nor government can usurp human being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">During 10,000 years
with language and 6,000 years with grammar, humankind has not developed the
words and phrases to promote human being responsibility: order and prosperity
to life on earth. Successive generations traditionally neglected
civic-responsibility until today it no longer seems feasible to leave reform to
the next generation. The divergent chaos that is evident in 2022 suggests that,
in self-interest, this generation ought to accelerate comprehension and
intention to personal& collaborative responsibility. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">I think The Epoch Times
can lead and suggest this slogan: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fellow-citizens Discover
The-ineluctable-truth through Civic-integrity</i></b>. In other words,
civic-integrity is a personal self-interest. This slogan, or your improvement,
incorporates journalists as responsible fellow-citizens and avoids the insufficient
usages: give, truth, and honest. To solicit contributions, the slogan can be adapted
to: Support Journalism that Pursues The-ineluctable-truth, or Support Civic-integrity
to The-ineluctable-truth. In future, the slogan might reduce to Practice
The-ineluctable-truth to Human Being (v.).<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><o:p> </o:p></span><u>Potential human being (verb)</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
far, in the development of human being (verb), most judges, lawyers,
politicians, writers, educators, journalists, and clergy influence humankind to
neglect two practices: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">civic-integrity</i>
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-ineluctable-truth</i>. Neglect
eventually fails, because it relies on constructs like belief, faith, reason,
revelation, perseverance, precedent, tradition, enterprise, coercion, or force.
Reliability is pursued when the researcher accepts-to-self, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I don’t know”,</i> what they labor to
discover.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Aliens to human being
discovered long ago that most adults are too busy trying to survive and are
gullible to elite falsehoods, for example, “the common good” (see below). Adults
can improve civic-integrity, in order to lessen the influence of alien-elites,
both foreign and domestic.</span> Integrity cannot be given: it must be earned.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><o:p> </o:p></span><u>Definitions and opinions</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Civic-integrity</i></b>
expresses reliability in human connections& transactions more than
conformity to civilization or legality: rules. When a rule is unjust, the
civic-citizen upholds the law by observing the code while appealing to
legislators to enact statutory-justice.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Also, the civic-citizen
requires religious canon-law to conform to the U.S. constitution, even when
Congressional legislation must be amended. For example, the civic-citizens, We
the People of the United States who conform to the preamble, can& ought-to
amend the First Amendment’s religious-practice clause to: </span>Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or [promoting] the free
exercise thereof.<span class="locality"> Pursuing religion is a private, adult
choice rather than a civil imposition.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Throughout life, the
civic-citizen both observes the law and aids continual improvement toward
statutory-justice. They do so in the self-interest to pursue comprehensive
safety and security, so that each civic-citizen may pursue the happiness they
want rather than submit to someone else’s vision for them. Comprehension&
intention to responsibly-pursue personal happiness cannot be given; it must be
earned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">That honesty is
insufficient to integrity is demonstrated by the principle that ignorance of
the law is no excuse. In other words, civic-citizens accept responsibility to discourage
criminals from assuming innocent-ignorance, by requiring the truly-unaware-offender
to suffer the same law. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Civic-citizens
know that honesty is no substitute for integrity.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">When injustice
is discovered, civic-citizens propose well-grounded amendment of the law based
on the-ineluctable-evidence more than on legal precedence, democracy, or populism.
For example, no civic-citizen holds that their enslavement is just. Therefore,
neither legal or religious doctrine nor majority vote can uphold slavery. Yet
slavery persists within human factions. A civic-people can& may amend,</span>
<span class="locality">to the-ineluctable-truth, existing law-systems that accommodate
slavery.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="locality"><u>Word-usage studies<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">The phrases
“civic integrity” and “ineluctable truth” may seem new, yet have been </span>published
in both British-English and American-English since 1844 and 1906, respectively.
Scanned-book statistics from Google ngram<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/letters/Commerce%20complaints&amp;appreciations/tET%20appreciation%20101722.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[*]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> are in the attached
tables.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Writers published "civic
integrity" in British-English about 15 years earlier than in American-English.
About 30% relative peaks occurred in 1902 and 1896, respectively. In 1908
American-English, “civic integrity” usage peaked. Peaks and valleys swapped
between civic integrity and ineluctable truth in British-English during 1926
through 2019. Then, "ineluctable truth" was thrice dominant in
British-English, compared to nearly balanced in American-English, at 20% of the
1908 “civic integrity” peak. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="locality"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>World
events impact usage (see data Table B). For example, 1844 to 1858 was intense
regarding the abolition of slavery; Darwin furthered interest in evolution. In
America, 1896 was fraught with women’s suffrage and Jim Crowe laws. In 1966,
the Vietnam War was controversial. In the early 1990s, Russia dissolved, and
African apartheid ended. The 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center may
have promoted the 2005 peak in British usage and the 2011 peak in American
usage.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><u>Extended study</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Neither
phrase has ever been in wide use. In Table A, the highest usage is 6925 per
billion. For example, if we add “common good” to the study, both “civic
integrity” and “ineluctable truth” are driven to the abscises line -- graphically
zeroed.</span> I<span class="locality">n British-English “common good” reaches
2,703,601 per billion (390% if listed in Table B). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Adding “slavery” and
starting in year 1500 rather than 1800, indicates higher interest and invites
speculation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Insufficient language represses thought</i>. For example, with “truth”
focus, a thinker cannot imagine “not to be avoided, changed, escaped,
neglected, or resisted”. Definitive thought is difficult even with modification
to “ineluctable truth”, and some mistakenly choose “inescapable truth”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">The American-English
view has “slavery” peaking in 1526, joined by cycles with “common good” from
1606 to 1690, increasing from 1750 through 1863, then declining but to somewhat
higher interest in 2019. The British-English view has similar focus from 1606
to 1690, and a pronounced peak for “slavery” in 1968, perhaps following the
U.S. civil rights act. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">What if the
Catholic Church had, in the 15<sup>th</sup> century, abolished slavery instead
of “authorizing” it? Protestant/Deist John Locke published “Two Treatises of
Government” in 1690, and both “common good” and “slavery” are argued.</span> Did
John Locke (b. 1632) erroneously, unintentionally exacerbate the African Slave
Trade (1619-1801)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/letters/Commerce%20complaints&amp;appreciations/tET%20appreciation%20101722.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[†]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> -- for “the
common good”? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><u>Interests in different nations</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">I viewed ngrams in several languages to
compare “ineluctable” with “inescapable”. There was intense interest in
“ineluctable” in 1574 British-English and strong preference for “inescapable”
beginning 1944. “Ineluctable” peaked in 1657 American-English, fell to almost
no use 1900 1900, and “inescapable” was 8:1 favored in 2019. Oddly, the English
ngram shows a peak sequence in 1552 and 1575 – “inescapable” then “ineluctable”.
I have not discovered an explanation. The Spanish ngram has “ineluctable” peak
in 1702, 1743, and 1968. In 2019, “ineluctable” is favored 5:1. French, German,
and Italian favor “inescapable”. In Italian, “inevitabile” graphically-zeroes
the English terms and peaks in 1530. In summary, only Spain seems to favor
“ineluctable”. The fact that courts routinely use precedent to escape ineluctable-evidence
directs my preference: “ineluctable” lessens the opportunity to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">escape</i> the-ineluctable-truth.<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><u>Traditional advice</u></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">Following the erroneous adage “write for the
audience,” modern writers may expect dominant popular-comprehension by choosing
“common good” rather than “civic integrity”. Likewise, choose “truth” rather than
“inescapable truth” or “ineluctable truth”, because few readers know those
words. Consequently, the writer who insists on “the-ineluctable-truth” is
forced into obscurity. In other words<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> by tradition, writers publish ignorance</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> The Epoch Times can change that
ruinous dilemma through choosing exactly defined terms and using them
consistently. Civic-citizens learn, given the opportunity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><u>My usages<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">I use hyphens to invite
the reader to not disassemble phrases. Thus, I write civic-integrity, to invite
the reader to think of duty to-self, through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">appreciating</i> fellow-citizens. In other words, “civic” expresses reliability
to human being (verb) rather than to rules, laws, or favor. On the other hand,
civic-integrity requires citizens to support law codes, in order to facilitate&
encourage reform to offenders. For example, appreciating the question, “Is
there a God?”, the extant answer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i>
the-ineluctable-truth, and the article “the” is essential to the expression.
The answer is: We don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">“The-ineluctable-truth”
invites people to admit to self, “I don’t know”, when that is so. Adding to the
definition in Merriam-Webster online, “ineluctable” means: “not to be avoided,
changed, escaped, neglected, or resisted. Thus, the-ineluctable-truth about
something cannot be contested by reason, revelation, coercion, force, doctrine,
tradition, usage, or any other human construct. It requires “I don’t know” when
that is so.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Truth” means “<span style="background: white; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">the body of real things, events, and facts”, which
provides the opportunity to debate “real”. “Truth” is insufficient.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="locality"><u>Conclusion<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Imagine what “Anglo-American
tradition” might be if John Locke had discovered “civic-integrity” and “the-ineluctable-truth”
for 1690 publication. Civic-citizens might then own the slogan: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fellow-citizens
Discover The-ineluctable-truth through Civic-integrity</i></b> -- and the
promotion Support Civic-integrity to The-ineluctable-truth. Yet reform to
civic-integrity can happen without ever reviewing English tradition.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="locality">Please consider,
explore, and pursue these ideas. I could convert this to an article for
publication and would write a brief introduction of my person. You could assign
a journalist to collaborate with me and research questions like, “Why does
Spain favor “ineluctable”? I want to help and hope you positively respond to
this letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="DefaultText"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="DefaultText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="DefaultText"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>Phillip
R. Beaver<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="DefaultText">Attachment:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tables
A and B.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="DefaultText"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">225-766-7365</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="mailto:phillip@beaver.brcoxmail.com">phillip@beaver.brcoxmail.com</a></span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</span><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/letters/Commerce%20complaints&amp;appreciations/tET%20appreciation%20101722.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[*]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Please<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: black;">create
the ngrams at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/">Google Ngram Viewer</a></span></span>.
Enter “civic integrity,ineluctable truth”. Accept 1800 to 2019. Choose “British
English”, then “American English”, in separate views.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/letters/Commerce%20complaints&amp;appreciations/tET%20appreciation%20101722.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[†]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade#European_participation_in_the_slave_trade">Atlantic
slave trade - Wikipedia</a><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3-liDyrd4YYP7kIhly2KthDf9I97WN4myKRuWoh348LRyV-hkJyrldzCuMomBpTJ1E9G7tksex3vmMnN25iKh5wb0jaNOv5zniooOq1Hj7MWpumF7ptdglJTI6oLM8-ijPvwQ5nKQBUQfFIJW213EzWIHAtV0UUClmyVg3QNagCT6NikwykcM0-zFtA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="452" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3-liDyrd4YYP7kIhly2KthDf9I97WN4myKRuWoh348LRyV-hkJyrldzCuMomBpTJ1E9G7tksex3vmMnN25iKh5wb0jaNOv5zniooOq1Hj7MWpumF7ptdglJTI6oLM8-ijPvwQ5nKQBUQfFIJW213EzWIHAtV0UUClmyVg3QNagCT6NikwykcM0-zFtA=w222-h413" width="222" /></a></span></div><span class="MsoHyperlink"><br /><br /></span><o:p></o:p><p></p>
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-17389190290652927892022-09-30T18:13:00.008-05:002022-12-08T17:25:50.849-06:00Also the-metaphysical-Albert-Einstein<p> <span style="text-align: center;">Also the-metaphysical-Albert-Einstein</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Words
are intended to empower communication. Yet some words establish& maintain
bemusement. When I hear “truth”, “God” or “metaphysical” I must ask the
speaker’s definition. Usually, the speaker offers rationalization to either <i>discovery</i> or <i>invention</i>. Invention is either personal or institutional opinion. For
example, primitive humans observed the Sun’s power, <b><i>invented</i></b> God, and introduced
fear. Modern humans <b><i>discovered</i></b> the Sun is a nuclear reactor, yet some people
maintain& promote the fear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> It
seems plain that something constrains the consequences of human choice. I think
choices invoke actions that affect how the laws of physics proceed. For
example, the 1861 decision to fire on Fort Sumter caused the Civil War. It took
U.S. lives in proportion to 8 million at today’s population. Action founded on
erroneous beliefs excited military power. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Everything,
including mathematics, the chemistries, biology, psychology, fiction, and
speculation seems a progeny of physics, hereafter, PHYSICS. Fiction is made
possible by the absence of discovery. I suggest that PHYSICS constrains human
choice. Humankind slowly learns to gage choice according to probable PHYSICS.
Acceptance comes hard. Truth is often hard to accept, and I try to express a
way, below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Herein,
I use “metaphysical” to evaluate/speculate impacts of apparent events. Thus,
metaphysics comes afterwards. For example, the life of Jesus seems an event
that impacts evaluation of history before he was born, invention about his
actions, metaphysical-projections until now, and consequences into the future. It
seems both Jesus and Einstein were political philosophers with world-wide
impacts. Comprehending their impacts is ongoing metaphysics. I’ll first consider
the-metaphysical-Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Jesus left no writing, so metaphysics is all we have<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Western
thought is bound by 1,300 years of literature started 3,000 years ago. The
literature that is canonized in diverse Bibles has captured the attention of
humankind for the recent 1700 years and continues to impact civilization. Most
canon include the Old Testament plus the New Testament, spanning 1000 years’ beliefs
in a messiah’s kingdom, then competitive claims that Jesus is that king. Human
thought before these 2 monotheisms, some 300,000 years’ <i>homo sapiens</i> progress, seems neglected by the Bible canon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Some non-believers appreciate Jesus
as a prophet. Since no one can prove the PHYSICS of Jesus, I consider him metaphysical
by <i>invention</i> rather than by <i>discovery</i>, yet reserve humility to
PHYSICS. Humankind may eventually discover that Jesus was divine or God. I
doubt it but don’t know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">About Jesus, Ralph Waldo Emerson
wrote, “the language that
describes Christ to Europe and America, is not the style of friendship and
enthusiasm to a good and noble heart, but is appropriated and formal,—paints a
demigod, as the Orientals or the Greeks would describe Osiris or Apollo.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I think Jesus offered beneficial
suggestions, but cannot prove they were novel, so can& may consider them independently.
For example, I have no idea what Jesus may have meant by “my peace” and
certainly would not attempt to impose my definition. I perceive the-metaphysical-Jesus
influencing humankind in four perspectives: at the beginning of time, in what
was thought or reported about him by his contemporaries, in the impact on the
generations since then, and in the ultimate development by posterity; briefly, that’s
origins, Jesus-contemporary-reports, impact, and destiny.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>First</b>, writers inform us that Jesus implied he existed “before
Abraham was born” -- many generations prior to Jesus’s birth. I doubt this is
so but do not know. Nevertheless, we can consider the impact <i>if</i> he was present in the beginning. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Sargon, who conquered Sumerian
city-states, lived before Abraham was born. Perhaps either Sargon’s or Sumer’s
political philosophy is expressed by Hebrew scholars in Genesis 1. <b><i>Genesis
1 suggests that humankind is solely responsible for order& prosperity on
earth.</i></b> In other words, humankind can& may practice
responsible-human-independence (<b><i>RHI</i></b>). I think Jesus affirmed Genesis
1.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The-metaphysical-Jesus may have
been expressed nearly 400 years before his birth. Agathon’s speech in Plato’s
“Symposium” (370 BC)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
seems like peace-suggestions attributed to Jesus if not a description of Jesus.
I perceive 3 possibilities about that observation. First, Bible writers may
have mimicked earlier Greek writing. Second, Bible literature examines standard
human concerns, like thou shall no kill. I think the Bible illustrates the
personal& collective consequences of not appreciating human being (verb).
Third, Jesus appeared to Agathon either physically or spiritually. I doubt it.
(My 3 speculations are metaphysical consequences of Agathon’s speech.) <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Quotes from Agathon’s speech may
express Jesus-messages, like: <i>Genesis-1-<b>RHI </b></i>pursues justice. Quoting, “For
all men in all things serve [Jesus] of their own free will, and <a name="829"></a>where there is voluntary agreement, there . . . is justice.” And<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">“[Jesus] walks not <a name="808"></a>upon the earth . . . <a name="809"></a>but in the hearts and souls
of both god, and men, which are of all things <a name="810"></a>the softest:
in them he walks and dwells and makes his home. Not in every <a name="811"></a>soul
without exception, for Where there is hardness he departs”. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And “his greatest glory is that he can neither do nor
suffer <a name="826"></a>wrong to or from any god or any man; for he suffers
not by force if he <a name="827"></a>suffers; force comes not near him,
neither when he acts does he act by <a name="828"></a>force.” Again, “he
whom [Jesus] touches <a name="850"></a>not walks in darkness”. If New
Testament writers borrowed thoughts from Agathon, we are served well to consider
Agathon’s appreciation to Eros. Thereby, we may increase our appreciation to
Jesus. (That is a metaphysical practice.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Second</b>, we understand the Jesus-writers
began 3 decades to 8 decades after Jesus’ death. We know not intentions -- either
of the writers or of their sponsors. The summation of the writings constitutes the-metaphysical-Jesus
of the New Testament. It addresses competitive audiences and often
quotes/interprets the Old Testament. Jesus-literature encourages each person to
choose to behave reliably in God’s image.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
It pits the poor vs the wealthy, the Jews vs the Rabbi’s, the people vs
priests, law vs justice, and fear vs hope. The literature encourages support to
political leaders and fidelity to both women and children.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Jesus
did not write, so we have no idea what he said. We have no idea <i>what</i> or <i>if </i>he read. We have scholarly analysis that suggests that he was a
historical entity, whether man or divinity. However, <b><i>rationalization without evidence
does not constitute the-ineluctable-truth</i></b>. “Ineluctable” means not to
be avoided, changed, neglected, or resisted. About Jesus, we have only
metaphysical expressions – not the-ineluctable-truth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Third</b>, subsequent generations pondered metaphysical-Jesus’
impact on their experiences& observations. The consequences to human cultures
came after Bible canonization. For example, scholars constructed “The Trinity”
in the 4<sup>th</sup> century AD.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The Protestant canon came in 1560. The consequences remain competitive, with
churches projecting their doctrine onto Jesus without regard to Jesus. Many
extol Jesus but pray to their doctrinal-God, with similar neglect to God. What
if Jesus alone <i>is</i> God? I don’t think
so but don’t know. And no one knows either God’s truth or Jesus’ truth; God’s
grace or Jesus’ peace.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Nevertheless,
the-metaphysical-Jesus has a positive impact on many people in every
generation. Some of those people are among the fellow-citizens who, during
every decade of their lives, behave for the-good. Whatever the-good may be,
the-good sustains each generation’s interest in Jesus’ influence. <i>It is the-good derived by humankind from
the-metaphysical-Jesus that I seek to comprehend, practice, facilitate, and
encourage. </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <b>Fourth</b>, “ourselves and our Posterity”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
continue to ponder Jesus’ impact and might approach comprehending the-metaphysical-Jesus.
If humankind adopts the civic-integrity to effect RHI, the impact of
the-metaphysical-Jesus may survive with or without invoking his name, but the
appreciation need not dissipate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Einstein-comprehension can only be metaphysical, because
he wrote in his audience’s words<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Albert Einstein expressed that
experiences& observations were sufficient for discovering
the-ineluctable-truth: “<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tiempos Text",serif;">Truth is what stands the test of experience”</span>.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Yet he failed to directly communicate with fellow-citizens, the public, because
he tried to apply vague, standard advice: “write for your audience”. His
audience was the 1940s science& religion crowd. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Allowing “science” and “religion”
to usurp “research” and “integrity”, Einstein spoke the crowd-bemusing nonsense:
“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” He
missed the PHYSICS he worked to comprehend:
<b><i>Research without integrity is ruinous; integrity without research is
ineffectual</i></b>. Of course, I only express my opinion. We’ll never know the
actually-real Einstein message. We know that some people assume a truth and
endeavor to prove it: That is neither
research nor integrity nor science.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Considering these ideas in order to improve
communications toward human being (verb)<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">For me, “write for the audience”
means this: write your message in your vernacular, defining words and phrases
the audience does not expect. Carefully listen to audience questions&
concerns, so as to clarify& learn. On major points, restate your message
hoping to connect with as many fellow-citizens as possible. By all means, do
not allow the hope to assuage every reader’s misapprehensions cause you to
express nonsense. I choose to write in language I think empowers collaborative discovery
through expressing research-results then listening to the audience.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">There may be an achievable better
future to human-being (noun), predicated on accepting God in God’s view,
leaving soul-mystery to its origins, accepting “my peace” as defined by Jesus, and
enjoying motivation& inspiration to pursue comprehensive-safety&
security to life on earth. Each human-being can& may comprehend&
benefit-from both the-metaphysical-Einstein respecting research& integrity to
PHYSICS and the-metaphysical-Jesus<i> </i>to
appreciate<i> </i>human being (verb). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I write to learn and would
appreciate comments on this essay and improvements that might result.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">PRB, September 30, 2022, revised on October 1, 2022 after
conversation with Phillip Chialastry.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</p><div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</span><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at emersoncentral.com/texts/nature-addresses-lectures/addresses/divinity-school-address/.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/symposium.html">The Internet Classics
Archive | Symposium by Plato (mit.edu)</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Genesis 1:26-28.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at plato.stanford.edu/entries/trinity/trinity-history.html#325381AriCon.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Applying a phrase from the preamble to the U.S. constitution to all people who
consider Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/A%20People/Applications/basics/Supremacy/The%20metaphysical%20Einstein.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at scribd.com/document/470335224/The-Laws-of-Science-and-the-Laws-of-Ethics.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-74782133705237272492022-09-26T14:45:00.001-05:002022-09-29T18:18:25.041-05:00Comprehension& intention to develop human being (verb)<p> <b><u><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Speech outline</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Who is Phil Beaver?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Married in 53<sup>rd</sup> year with 1 wife&
3 children, one deceased<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I do not accept any God that perceives such
weakness as to threaten my person.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My parents were such good providers I attempted
to accept their competitive-Protestant-religions for 4 decades.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My precious Louisiana-French-Catholic wife aided
my self-discovery.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I trust-in& commit-to the-ineluctable-truth.
“Ineluctable” means: not to be avoided, changed, resisted, or neglected. I
accept “I don’t know” what I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Young father of 3, I avidly pursued 2 questions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What does it mean to pursue being human
(verb)?<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What can& may “U.S. citizen” mean to a
human-being (noun)?<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Reacting to homo sapiens, the 300,000 years old
humankind,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I promote the-metaphysical-Jesus, which is
the-good that each generation and their posterity can& may discover from
Jesus’ impact over time. For example, we know to appreciatively inform a friend
we think they are in error, so the matter can be cleared up, whether our
perception is right or wrong.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus, divine or not, influences <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">statutory-justice</b> respecting the laws
of physics (PHYSICS). PHYSICS constrains the consequences of personal choice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The U.S. Constitution intends government that
pursues <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">statutory-justice</b>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I retired in 2001 after 35 years’ chemical
engineering service to one company.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In 2015, I founded “A Civic People of the United
States”, a Louisiana non-profit education corporation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Being human (verb) is a pursuit that is older
than the ancients<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Just as the ancients invented the research
leading to U.S. plans to place a nuclear reactor on Mars in 15 years, ancients
developed plans to constrain chaos on earth. Moral progress slowed during the
last 10,000 years.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In my abstract view, Genesis 1:28, a Sumerian
political philosophy, suggests that humankind, solely, can& may pursue
comprehensive-safety& security on earth (SECURITY). That is, neither God
nor government can usurp the human duty: SECURITY.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Each human-being has the opportunity, the power,
the energy, and the authority (AUTONOMY) to constrain chaos in their way of
living. The ones who constrain chaos I call civic-citizens, where “civic”
refers to reliability in human connections& transactions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Not every person accepts AUTONOMY and chooses to
aspire to human being (verb): some prefer dependency. Dependencies include
religious arrogance, indolence, crime, tyranny, and atrocity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Civic-citizens can& may constrain dependent
persons, domestically through both law enforcement and by pursuing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">statutory-justice</i></b>,
plus maintaining military strength against foreign dependents.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Dependent human-beings are also too powerful to
accept injustice. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->There is no future utopia: civic-integrity will
always be in a person’s self-interest.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How do we know human-being (noun) through
typical PHYSICS?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Some persons assume being mineral, plant,
animal, or spirit rather than human.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->It takes the human body a quarter century to
complete the wisdom-building parts of the brain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->By then, the individual human-being neither
initiates nor accommodates harm to-or-from any person or association including
self.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The mature human-being develops the
responsible-human-independence (RHI) that is required for civic-integrity; that
is, reliability in their human connections& transactions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Honesty is insufficient to integrity, which
requires ineluctable-evidence. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Some human-beings cannot advance independently, so
civic-citizens aid their pursuit of individual maturity – the most they can be.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Hierarchy of self-interest (for the
presentation, Phil will change the “needs” labels to “responsibility”)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Human being (verb) regards the above hierarchy
as responsibility-to-self more than of needs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->U.S. citizenship is important because We the
People of the United States can readily adapt to the RHI-culture.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The U.S. Constitution can be amended (preferably,
to pursue statutory-justice).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The intentions sentence in the preamble
abstractly proffers RHI. It lists 5 public disciplines, “in order to” develop
RHI to “ourselves and our Posterity”. Religion is not among the civil-disciplines.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The First Amendment can& may be amended to
end Congressional imposition of religion. I suggest the religion clauses<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #282829;">Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or <b><i>[promoting]</i></b> the
free exercise thereof.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->To learn human being (verb) is a collective
undertaking<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Education Departments reform from “teaching the
skills the nation needs” to aiding youth’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">acquisition
of</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the comprehension& intention</i>
to develop human being (verb).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Local, state, and national services to We the
People of the United States practice, facilitate& encourage RHI.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Religious institutions practice, facilitate&
encourage civic-integrity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->U.S. foreign policy (State Department) promotes
human being (verb).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Maintenance by the people<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Each generation pursues human being (verb) in
the environment they face.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Tradition is recalled specifically to lessen the
chance of error-repetition. For example, no more civil war.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Humanities educators establish& improve the
language to practice, facilitate& encourage human being (verb). For
example, “ineluctable” was first used in 1570 and published with “truth” in
1906, yet the public does not know “the-ineluctable-truth”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->U.S. standards<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->There are no standards for performance of the
preamble’s intentions; posterity has the independence to pursue
statutory-justice when injustice is discovered.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If the-good derived from the-metaphysical-Jesus
becomes obsolete, it is a PHYSICS consequence of RHI rather than of a political
philosophy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Achievements<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When half of fellow-citizens are pursuing RHI, a
perception of SECURITY might emerge.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->When 2/3 are achieving RHI, an achievable better
future might be visible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The goal is personal happiness during every decade
of life, according to the individual’s opinion rather than under an alien-elite
vision for fellow-citizens.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conclusions to be written after the speech is composed<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">Phillip
R. Beaver<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">9/24/22,
revised on 9/26/22<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2022
by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the
publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright
notice is included. </span><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-52083739800888822222022-08-07T23:05:00.127-05:002022-12-08T17:03:23.047-06:00Abortion and the-laws-of-physics<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Civic-people can& may weigh “abortion” respecting
the-laws-of-physics</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Despite arbitrary court-opinion, the-laws-of-physics and its
offspring, including biology& psychology, constrain human
reproductive-choice. Promising-procreation begins </span><i style="font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">when</i><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> a viable ovum in a healthy-woman’s body is inseminated by a
healthy-man’s spermatozoon.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Reason without physics invites ruin,
because sex-technologists have not yet discovered their errors. Sex-technology-consumers
invite loss& misery. Religion has no standing to avoid, change, or resist physics' consequences when humans make choices.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Catholic Church
egregiously partitions humankind’s benefits from the-laws-of-physics when it
edicts that human life begins at conception. The authentic woman’s
psychological preparation for conception begins long before her puberty, because
physics holds her solely responsible <b><i>to her embryo</i></b> to make the decision to
remain pregnant or not, no matter when physics' consequence of choice presents her dreadful-dilemma. She
has sole discretion as to whether to seek collaboration or not in her choice to remain pregnant. No anecdotal societal-experience can subtend the challenge she faces. The U.S. Supreme Court has the
duty to apply the-laws-of-physics in assuring that legislation meets the goals
of the 1787 U.S. Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Respecting physics, odds of an ovum
getting the chance to become an embryo are miniscule. Chance of the embryo to
attach to the uterus, be gestated, and born into infancy is small. For a child
to transition to an adult takes a quarter century, and psychologically mature human-beings
are rare. This is so, because, so far, no civilization has accepted&
appreciated the constraints of physics and researched beneficial applications.
Too many cultures wait for their-God or government to usurp human
responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Humankind’s duty is to pursue
order& prosperity to life on earth. Success requires political
philosophy that accommodates the-laws-of-physics. When the-laws-of-physics are unknown, humunkind, in necessity& justice, can& may admit: We don't know. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Responsible-human-independence
(RHI)<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Based on experience& observations so far, newborn infants
could& should transition to young adults who develop civic-integrity. Most
don’t. <i><b>“Civic” refers to reliability in human connections& transactions
more than to conformity under civilization, coercion, or force.</b></i> However, so
far, <b><i>not one </i></b>civilization advises adolescent and adult choices in order to enhance
the ovum’s chance for conception, perhaps to become a person and develop
maturity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">A political philosophy that fosters
practice, facilitation, and encouragement of civic-integrity empowers
individuals to develop responsible-human-independence (RHI). The civic-citizen
responsibly pursues the happiness they perceive rather than submits to a way of
living someone else envisions for them, or worse, simply drifts into misery. Civic-citizens earn their way of living and also pay tax for statutory justice by which
to constrain dependent fellow-citizens to consider reform to RHI and to aid fellow-citizens who cannot alone develop independence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">The maturing person is independent
of both internal and external prejudices, and as life progresses continually
increases their ability to civically apply the-laws-of-physics.</span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">An RHI culture<br /></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The civic-society funds the
research to discover beneficial applications. But some individuals
misappropriate civic-society’s discoveries, intending to pursue power over
accommodating fellow human-beings. The politically powerful alien-elites does all it can to bemuse fellow-citizens in every generation in order to pick public pockets with immunity. The civic-society develops statutory-justice
by which to constrain the tyrant’s and other dependent’s intentions to
subjugate vulnerable or gullible fellow-citizens. But so far, civic-citizens, We the People of the United States, has not come forth.</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Nevertheless, during their first quarter century,
the newborn can& may use their unique mental capacity to comprehend ways of
living and choose a responsible path in their own self-interest. Each person is born
into a particular community. Caretakers have diverse lifestyles, some with
dependencies such as arbitrary religious beliefs, indolence, crime, tyranny,
and evil. Fortunate is the infant who, in this confused and conflicted world,
perceives civic-integrity and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">acquires</i>
personal-intention to develop RHI. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">In a civic society, discovered
laws-of-physics are journaled in the codes of statutory justice. Our code is
the U.S. Constitution, complete with errors and bad intentions, such as preservation of Anglo-American tradition. Congress
legislates the laws, and the 1787 U.S. intention is to develop statutory
justice “to ourselves and our Posterity”. What has civic society discovered
about human, individual power?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">First, the human-being can and may
choose their lifestyle. However, physics constrains human-beings, especially those who develop
dependent practices. For example, habitual intoxication fosters dependency
rather than RHI. Early pregnancy invites </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">bureaucratic provisions rather than earned
choices. Arrogant-religion prevents humility toward the-High-God, whatever that entity may be.</span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Locating abortion within human
biology</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">At any moment, there are many
viable ova being produced by women’s bodies. In the U.S., of 800 million
ova/year, only 10 million attach to the pregnant-woman’s womb. No one knows how
many conceptions pass, unnoticed, from the pregnant woman’s body because the
embryo failed to attach to the womb. I speculate failures exceed the 10 million
attachments. Only 4 million infants are delivered and survive the neonatal
period. Pregnant women abort about 1 million conceptions per year, for reasons
the woman may comprehend. Within physics’ requirements to the woman, the
abortion decision seems a 1 in 800 consideration. With such proportions,
cruelty to the pregnant woman should not be the norm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">We know that it takes a quarter
century for the human body to complete the wisdom-building parts of the brain.
If, in a quarter century an infant develops the intention to civic-integrity,
perhaps another 10 years of experience and observations position the adult to
care for offspring. A monogamous man might be mature enough to successively -- father a child at age 35; practice, facilitate, and encourage RHI to the child
for 35 years before grandchildren are born; then give grandchildren the benefit
of elder maturity from the grandfather’s age 70 forward. The typical lifetime,
85, permits the man 15 years with the first grandchild. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Consider the possibility of the reproduction
cycle reduced from 35 years to 15 years, 20 years earlier than readiness for
parenting. In that case, an 85 year-old might head a family with 6 generations.
The human-being can& may so procreate. However, a civic-culture offers
guidance for an achievable better future.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Family monogamy<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">A grandparent-dream is to share
with their grandchild the joys& rewards of family-monogamy for life. That
is, fidelity to each member of the family, whether 2 or more, until death
interrupts the commitment. Monogamous experience is not possible in
promiscuity. That is to say, promiscuity prevents couples from experiencing the joys of monogamy. Hopefully the grandparents’ exemplary singularity is sufficient to
motivate RHI. <br /><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Sometimes, dialogue is needed. Too few family members experience essential
dialogue. <br /><br /><span> </span><span> </span><span> A</span> modern eleven-year old tells their grandad, “PaPa, I
want to know what love is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">PaPa answers with a question: “Why
do you ask what love is?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">The child answers, “My friends&
I watched video-music, and it excited me to be with one of the girls there.”
(See youtube.com/watch?v=r3Pr1_v7hsw.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">PaPa says, “Oh. It seems we need a
long talk. A talk about relationships and what I have learned in my 81 years
and 55 years with MaMa. Human life requires choices, as the-laws-of-physics and
offspring, biology and psychology, unfold to every generation. The demands of
living wait for no one. Only the people who make informed choices thrive
like your mom& dad. They are achieving the personal singularity I hope you
notice in MaMa and me. Do you notice that MaMa and I have individual interests
yet collaborative living?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">PaPa waits for the answer that will
direct the conversation. Without regard for the number of sessions the
conversation may require, the ultimate goal is to discuss enjoyable appearance,
constrained touch, and unseen hormonal attractions -- to be resisted if not
avoided, until long after their viable mate is known. By viable-mate, I mean
that appreciated someone who shares intentions for family-monogamy-for-life and
with whom reliable relationship seems possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Widespread awareness of this grandparent-service
when requested by the grandchild could help achieve a better future to
humankind.</span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">U.S. culture not very
successful after 1787 constitutional convention<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the U.S., about 50% of American adults are married and 45% of
marriages end in divorce. About 25% of divorced people remarry, and divorce-chances
in 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> marriage is 60% or 73%, respectively. About
25% of American households are single-parent. Perhaps 10% of marriages are
monogamous for life. It seems change could facilitate an achievable better
future, with more men realizing the grandfather’s dream.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Justice Samuel Alito and colleagues
should have recognized male self-interest in monogamy-for-life before now.
Instead, Alito exudes hubris, imposing Catholic doctrine that ignores both the
ova waiting to be conceived, the women who generate the ova, and the men, too
many of whom who erroneously expect their-God to usurp their RHI opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Men are not taught the
grandfather’s dream: serenely, confidently sharing experiences&
observations when a grandchild asks life’s most precious question: <b><i>Is love more
important than appreciation?</i></b> We can& must change that.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">The abortion question is complicated. The U.S. Constitution is
specified so as to resolve difficult civic-issues in a deliberate pursuit of
statutory justice. The civic-citizens, We the People of the United States,
currently favor abortion. The above analysis shows it to be a matter of physics
rather than legal opinion. The decision to foist Catholic-Church doctrine on
women in states that legislate against abortion is mean, cruel, erroneous, and
ought to be reversed.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<h2><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Acknowledgements<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Without my wife and children I could not articulate these ideas.
Beyond them, I cannot think of the many influences in 20 years of writing to
establish my opinion: abortion, an unfortunately-pregnant-woman-responsibility
is an outcome of civilization that, so far, has not articulated the individual
self-interest of family-monogamy-for-life. At least, I am influenced by the
Bible, by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writing especially “Self-Reliance” and
“Divinity School Address”. By Plato. I could not overlook Leonard Cohen’s
“Dance me to the End of Love”. His </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">“the children who are asking to be born” became
“ova waiting to be conceived”. Bob Dylan’s, “With God on Our Side”, reminded me
of Genesis 1:28s RHI rather than dependency. I appreciate discussions with
Chris Nalepa and Vaughn Crombie, each a grandfather.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2022
by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the
publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright
notice is included. Updated on August 19, 2022.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-69577003497452794002022-08-01T10:12:00.009-05:002022-08-07T23:01:37.559-05:00Alito-pride touts Catholic tyranny against U.S. civic citizens<p><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">On July
28, 2022 in Rome, Italy, Justice Samuel Alito made mockery of the U.S. Supreme Court
by touting an opinion he authored and 2/3 of U.S. citizens oppose.
Civic-citizens wish to preserve the opportunity for viable human ova and
moreover want to protect the woman’s responsibility to continually consider the
evidence in deciding whether to remain pregnant or not. Dependent
fellow-citizens want someone else to dictate to the woman but would neither
police her gestation& delivery nor warrant her child’s appreciation during
life. Alito expressed guilt in holding the Catholic Church exempt from ineluctable
responsibilities. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To impose Catholic pride onto
America is tyranny.</span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">Recently,
we recognized an ancient opportunity to reform to both individual&
collective responsible-human-independence (RHI). The human intention is to
pursue safety& security on earth with extensions to other planets. The
principles that support the proposal make Justice Samuel Alito’s pride seem
like the glow of an adolescent civic-thinker. By adolescent I mean his
consideration assumes viability of a mystic psychological-construct originated 2-thousand
years ago (tya). The Church diverged into 45,000 mystical schools in a
political-field that emerged 10 tya and pursues order& prosperity. Alito’s
July 2022 speech touting to the world his defeat of Roe v. Wade advocates
“religious liberty” when human-being resiliently pursues civic-integrity. The
U.S. Supreme Court imposed tyranny on U.S. civic-citizens, exacerbating the
2022 divergent-chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The RHI opportunity may be viewed in
modern times as an alternative to the religious proliferation that has occurred
since the Sumer civilization that developed from about 10 tya until Babylonian
defeat 4 tya. A succession of Sumerian kings developed political philosophy
that assumed their pantheon of Gods would not provide safety& security for
living, so society must independently pursue order& prosperity on earth.
They originated and successively improved law codes that were both civil (constraining
dependent fellow citizens) and civic (protecting civic victims -- widows and
orphans, for example). The kings’ codes organized slaves, workers, artisans,
and administrators. Some legal penalties rendered the dependent incapacitated,
lessening incentives for reform. The civilization seemed successful, inventing
the wheel, writing, agriculture, irrigation, and many other wonders for the
era. Not having a supply of iron hastened their demise, as warring neighbors
gained advantage. Also, it seems they overlooked accumulation of salt-in-soil due
to irrigation with briny water. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Concurrently the civil quest for
advantage inspired some tribes to develop political philosophies with
monotheisms. A tribal-God would grant the group advantage in securing
safety& security, including defense in war. “Our God is a powerful God.” The
people would worship, praise, and sacrifice-to their-God. Without global
communications except by caravan to some places, idea-exchange& and
negotiations toward safety& security were rare. Soon diverse monotheisms
mostly supplanted polytheism and competed with non-religious political-philosophies,
especially in the Middle East and in the west. In the Middle East, five political-philosophies
developed: Islam, Judaism, Christianity, polytheism, and non-religious
politics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Modern politicians have the
opportunity to improve on the developments since Sumer by applying humankind’s
experiences& observations since then. Alito seems to demand that the world
accept Christianity, specifically the Catholic Church. There’s another way.
Nations can create constitutions that accept responsibility for safety&
security in civic-living, keeping private each person’s choice to be religious
or not. This proposal seems an improvement on the Sumerian development.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If so, the improvement has been
suggested before. The 1787 U.S. Constitution proposes& facilitates the
opportunity for civic-citizens to develop RHI under three provisions. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First</b>, it specifies the means for
posterity to amend the constitution, or free itself from erroneous tradition. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second</b>, it asserts that civic-citizens
limit the federal government and guarantees republicanism, or the-rule-of-law,
to the states. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Third</b>, it defines
civic-citizens as those who pursue 5 public disciplines – integrity, justice,
safety, strength, and prosperity, in order to practice, facilitate, and
encourage RHI “to ourselves and our Posterity”. Religion is not among the
disciplines, as the choice to be religious is private. Norms are not given, so
that posterity is not bound to traditional injustice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">It is
tragic that Alito does not own a preamble-perspective that is civically-superior
to mine. If he did, his speech might not have neglected the un-constitutional
1791 Bill of Rights, which grants Congress exclusive religious liberty at the
expense of the civic-citizens. Let me repeat that: Congress has freedom of
religion, and We the People of the United States does not have religious
liberty. Alito could-have, should-have, suggested revisions of the First
Amendment, especially the religious-practice clause. I suggest, </span>“<span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or [promoting] the free
exercise thereof”. Of course, my suggestion to amend the Constitution is to the
civic-citizens and to Congress itself. The Supreme Court commits tyranny when
it does not uphold the Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">There’s nothing wrong
with another country achieving this reform earlier than the United States might.
Civic-integrity to safety& security is humankind’s duty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Turning now to
Alito’s adolescence, first it is unseemly to gloat about legislation by the
judicial branch, especially to squabble with global leaders. Despite Alito’s
dream, U.S. citizens have never been more un-civic, and I doubt that Europe is
less unorderly. Religious liberty is yielding to divergent chaos, an
ineluctable outcome when the philosophy is grounded in mystery. Ineluctable
means “not to be avoided, changed, or resisted”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">The unearned-power of
Christianity is giving way to persons more aware of religion’s fallacies,
because of a technical innovation: the Internet. Fellow-citizens more quickly
establish civic appreciation and don’t question religious influences. For
example, many people accept their-God’s love. It is difficult to persuade
people to talk religion when each appreciates the other person’s civic-morality.
By “civic” I mean reliability in connections& transaction more than
observance of civil codes& laws.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">The new moral code is
conformity to the laws of physics and its progeny: mathematics, economics,
biology, psychology, safety, and security. Religious people privately nourish
their comforts& hopes and still aid safety& security. Religious
institutions deserve no political advantage over municipal symphonies, football
stadiums, and parks. A liberal society is a civic society that accommodates
religious& non-religious contributors to safety& security. Among
citizens who pursue RHI in civic-integrity, happiness is a personal quest rather
than a civil/market mandate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Alito spoils
reliability when he cites the Declaration (1776) as though the authors knew
what controls the consequences of human choice and called it “our Creator”. He
ignores the areligious 1787 U.S. Constitution and jumps to the United Nations
document (1948), then back to 1776, then to American Law Institute (1923-1944),
then to European Convention (1950). All that to say that religious liberty
nonetheless must be constrained so as to prevent, for example, child sacrifice!
Why did Alito say so much to hide the 1787 U.S. Constitution? I assert that he
and other Anglo-American traditionalists fear republicanism: the rule of law
that, under the U.S. intentions stated in the preamble, pursues RHI.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">In
RHI-constitutionalism, it is alright for Alito to be a Christian – even Catholic
tyrant, as long as he aids safety& security to the living species and to
the earth and its extensions. It should be obvious to Alito that the way he can
convince football fans to protect religious privacy is to convince them that the
religious people take safety& security as superior-to the mysteries of
God’s love, Jesus’s peace, and soul salvation. Why impose the Catholic Church?
Alito doesn’t realize it, but he answered: “the Constitution should be enough”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Alito can& may
consider history as he reviews his own speech. The U.S. has operated under
Congress’s religious liberty since 1789, and the consequence in 2022 is
divergent chaos rather than “domestic tranquility”. Charitable work is a civic
rather than Catholic-Church duty. African-slave trade to America was
“authorized” to Portugal and Spain, respectively, by Catholic-Church bulls of
1454 and 1493. Christianity’s practice in freedom of conscience, speech, and
belief has produced 45,000 sects worldwide – hardly a denial of division in the
church. The government demand of religious liberty is tyranny over safety&
security, the human-duty on earth. To claim that religion can force the
non-religious to accommodate public Christian prayer, when Jesus instructed fellows
to pray in private (Matthew 6:1,5-6), is tyranny – not only civic-tyranny to
the non-religious but also religious-tyranny to the Jesus-fellow. Alito can&
may erroneously disagree: Alito can& may rebuke Jesus’ reported words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Alito glosses over
“what it means to be human”. According to Genesis 1:28, being human is
accepting the independence to aid order and prosperity to the living species
and to the earth. Dependencies include religious arrogance, indolence, crime,
tyranny, and evil, each of which civic-citizens can& may constrain.
Constraint requires republicanism, or the rule of statutory justice rather than
democracy. The dignity the individual is owed is the opportunity to develop the
civic-integrity that is required for RHI. The human-being has a panoply of
responsibilities more than rights. Alito’s metaphor “as wise as serpents” evokes
a negative mystery most citizens would not express:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Alito expressed it. Alito spoke freely,
and it was a sad day for the U.S. Supreme Court and for civic-citizens of the
United States, I think We the People of the United States. We, the
civic-citizens of the U.S. need not accommodate Alito’s tyranny: We can& may
vote against candidates who demonstrate favor to the Catholic Church or any institutional
religion.<o:p style="font-size: 10pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 17.55pt; margin-bottom: 17.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 17.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All
rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or
portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-11195491380340081352022-05-04T11:16:00.083-05:002022-08-01T09:32:09.302-05:00European-Christian pretenses evolved American slavery<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">European-Christian pretenses evolved
American slavery<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Considering, perhaps accepting, that fervent
Christian beliefs originated, inspired& empowered the 1861 U.S. Civil War
can& may protect fellow-citizens from repeating tragic loss& misery.
Slavery started 10 thousand years ago, yet the U.S. started operating 233 years
ago; in 1789. Recent and ancient documents support<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> the
following suggestion: human-being can& may focus on necessity& justice
in their way of living; focus on safety& security on earth leaving mysteries
such as God to the origins of the words. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Human-being
cannot define the-High-God<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
Necessity& justice are not now pursued by religious faith. Religious
persons& institutions can& may contribute to civic-integrity. Jesus did.
But clergy cannot be allowed to either dictate-to or justify government officials.
The individual-citizen need not fear self-interest in civic-integrity. Civic
means fidelity in human connections& transactions more than compliance to
civil rules. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>Christian ministers in the south inspired the civil war<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Practically nothing more than religious fervor could bemuse&
mislead otherwise civil Christians to open fire on civic Christians as they did
in Bleeding Kansas (May 1854) and at Fort Sumter (April 1861)!! <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The Civil War’s murder& destruction started with Bleeding
Kansas,<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> an erroneous
Christian crusade against fellow-Christians who comprehended& expressed
abolition’s necessity& justice. Many Christians say “God is love”, overlooking&
lessening that Jesus is appreciation. Mystery represses substance. Religion
ruins government. The Civil War was white Christian against white Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><h1>A civic way of living that accommodates the practical Jesus<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">A person can& may be neither Protestant
nor Christian yet advocate the practical, metaphysical& transcendent Jesus
that is frankly-affirmed in transparent experiences& observations. Jesus’
suggestions influence the-good in the appreciative human-being. For example,
the practical Jesus volunteered, “</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">a man
shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh”. Note “to” rather than “with”.</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The modern man who understands Jesus’ statement chooses to
court a serenely-confident woman, whose religion he embraces to her and her ova.
I cannot discern the-ineluctable<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>-truth
and opine the man must remain true to himself, whether he chooses religion or
not. In other words, he is true to his wife and their progeny, if any, to the
individual’s responsible personal preferences without compromising the man’s
self-happiness. These principles are difficult to discern in 2022 cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Some people
transparently<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
promote Jesus despite church and politics. Thomas Jefferson thought so much of
Jesus’ civic example that in 1804, he extracted Jesus’ apparent way of living
from New-Testament-writers’ embellishments and published the results. Also, G.
Bernard Shaw said, “</span><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
remains unshaken as the practical man; and we stand exposed as the fools, the
blunderers, the unpractical visionaries</span></i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson promoted Jesus’s suggestion that every human-being can&
may perfect their unique person before dying.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Albert
Einstein said civic-people don’t lie so as to lessen human misery& loss more
than to obey a religious rule. The world benefits by weighing Jesus’
suggestions on par with those of Jefferson, Shaw, Emerson, Einstein, and other civic
thinkers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">It seems the practical
Jesus affirms the following 5,500 year-old Genesis 1:28<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> message,
updated with human-being’s discoveries through 2022: Female& male-human-being can& may
independently provide order and prosperity (safety& security) to the lesser
species and to the earth yet cannot impose the consequences of their choices.
An unarticulated power, perhaps physics, constrains each human choice. The individual human-being can& may
constrain chaos in their way of living, separate clergy from government
functions, and foster safety& security on earth rather than impose opinion
on “heaven”. In essence, human-being’s destiny is their-interdependent-responsibility
and their challenge is to constrain the laws of physics as evolution unfolds.
That is, free-will is constrained by physics& benefits; necessity&
justice; safety& security. The individual who resists physics invites
constraint. For example, when a tsunami is announced, a person at the ocean who
does not move to high ground begs death. More importantly, the individual
cannot persuade either the-High-God or government to provide transport to
higher ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>From polytheism to monotheisms to competitive Christianity<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The Genesis 1 political philosophy emerged
during Sumerian polytheism. Sumerians behaved as though the-High-God cannot
effect order& prosperity on earth. In Genesis 2, the Hebrews asserted <b><i>the
Lord God</i></b> directly commanded them. Soon monotheism prevailed in the
Middle East, and civilizations constructed doctrinal-Gods in order to favor
their tribe, whether their-God performed or not. Countless Gods were
constructed by civilizations and tribes within them. Chaos increased rather
than lessened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Christianity
constructed 4 competitors yet mysteriously “one” competition: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the Trinity
plus Satan. Perhaps they represent election, reliability& inspiration vs
evil, respectively. By the doctrine, Christianity is available to the
individual who-God-chooses to-believe-Jesus. Jesus is reliable to those the
Lord God assigned to Jesus. To resist the Holy Spirit begs ruin. To adhere to
Satan <b><i>is</i></b> ruin. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Fellow-citizens
can& may perceive these mysteries as arrogant human-being, or churches,
attempting to control “the heavens” rather than provide safety& security on
earth --- attempting to persuade whatever constrains the consequence of
personal-choice& action to usurp human-being responsibility. Christianity
seems to obscure the practical Jesus, as Emerson suggested, as well as the
metaphysical Jesus – the-good we may glean from shared interpretations of his
life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">By 400 AD, the
West, the East, and Asia each had Bible canon. In 1546, the Protestants also canonized
a Bible, creating another major competitor. Today, there are 45,000 Protestant
sects. How does Christianity impact America so far? Divergent chaos. Here’s a
short review of a long story about Christianized-African-slavery’s recent
impact on America.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>Competing Christianity’s kings colonized “the new world” in America<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Slave trading in Africa began in the 7<sup>th</sup>
century AD. (I know nothing about African political philosophy.) And “</span><span style="background: white; color: #282828; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">by 1500 [Portugal had] traded 81,000 enslaved
Africans to Europe, nearby Atlantic islands, and to Muslim merchants in
Africa”.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #282828; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1455, the
Pope Nicolas V “authorized” Americas-colonizer Portugal to perpetually enslave
sub-Saharan Africans.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> In 1493,
Pope Alexander VI “authorized” Portugal and Spain to colonize the Americas,
enslave the natives, and import African slaves.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Then Luther
inspired the Protestant Reformation. Protestant kings competed with Catholic
kings to colonize America using slave labor. Black-skins, characterized as
inferior, had-long-sense “justified” white-racism. England dominated the N.
American slave trade. All these Christian impacts occurred long before the U.S.
was framed as a constitutional republic in 1787, </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">conditionally</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"> ratified in
1788, and legalized in 1791 under the Bill of Rights.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>America’s failure to terminate domestic slavery and racism<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Organized objections to slavery in America
began with Quakers in 1688. Some Quakers are non-theists. In 1775, a Quaker
founded the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. Benjamin Franklin was its president
in 1787. Member Thomas Paine published “</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">That some desperate wretches should be willing
to steal and enslave men by violence and murder for gain, is rather lamentable
than strange. But that many civilized, nay, Christianized people should
approve, and be concerned in the savage practice, is surprising”.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1763, King
George III attempted to tax the American colonies and take the money to Great
Britain. The free colonists spilt 40% loyalist, 40% independent, and 20%
passive. Slaves wanted freedom and independence. Eastern-seaboard colonists had
fought as English-colonials in the French and Indian War, an extension of
France& England’s Seven Years War in Europe. The 1763 Treaty of Paris
awarded England the French possessions east of the Mississippi excepting New
Orleans. The independent American citizens would recall, in 1778, France’s
intentions to limit England’s power in the USA. (To date, the USA has not
overcome Anglo-American tradition, such as recently-imposed unanimous-jury
verdicts in states’ criminal trials. Unanimous criminal-trial verdicts are no
longer forced in England.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1774, 12 of
13 Eastern seaboard colonies met (Georgia did not attend) and created the Articles
of Association, because of “</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">a ruinous system of colony administration, adopted by the British
ministry about the year 1763, evidently [obviously?] calculated for enslaving
these colonies”. Among the commitments: “We will neither import nor purchase,
any slave imported after the first day of December next; after which time, we
will wholly discontinue the slave trade.” They rejected French-Catholic controlled
Quebec’s “hostility against the free Protestant colonies”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented to Benjamin
Franklin a draft declaration with the following accusation to the King:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">he
has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred
rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never
offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another
hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. this
piratical warfare, the opprobrium of <i>infidel</i> powers, is the
warfare of the <i>Christian</i> king of Great Britain. [determined to
keep open a market where MEN should be bought & sold,] he has prostituted
his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to
restrain this execrable commerce determining to keep open a market where MEN
should be bought & sold: and that this assemblage of horrors might want no
fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms
among us, and to purchase that liberty of which <i>he</i> has
deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom <i>he</i> also
obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed against the <i>liberties</i> of
one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the <i>lives</i> of
another.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">With
a ratio 8 slave states to 5 non-slave-states, this complaint was omitted from
the 1776 Declaration of Independence. Hope for the future was disproportionate
increase in the number of non-slave-states.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"> The 1776 Declaration of Independence
seems to comport to Genesis 1:28, proposing separation of each 1) clergy& government
officials, 2) church& state, and 3) mystery& physics. It cites
“Nature’s God” rather than England’s Trinity for
responsible-human-independence. It cites military power -- “the Supreme Judge
of the world” -- for war-victory. The founders expected military-providence
from France and Spain. The USA declared independence from England and its
Christianity, as well as from Sumerian-Hebrew polytheism (Genesis 1’s God vs 2’s
“the Lord God”), in order to pursue necessity& justice in the U.S. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The 1776 founders wrote for USA-independence
from England. Then the 1787 framers proposed the individual citizen’s
opportunity to responsibly pursue chosen happiness rather than accept the
dictates of fellow-citizens. Only the 39 signers of 55 framers approved the
1787 draft U.S. Constitution. The required 9 states conditionally ratified it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The constitutional republic that the signers approved
proposes that willing citizens practice, facilitate, and encourage 5
public-interests in order to establish& maintain
responsible-human-independence “to ourselves and our Posterity”. Slave
importation would end 20 years after ratification. Article 1, Section 9 to
Congress reads:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing
shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the
Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on
such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Importing
slaves was taxed at $10 each until 1808’s termination. It is noteworthy that
the 8 slave-state-delegates to the 1787 convention agreed to terminate slave
importation -- consistent with the civic-sentiment in the U.S. since 1774. And
all accepted Article 1:9 before ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791. Unnegotiable
slave-emancipation was left to a more promising future, such as more
free-states than slave-states: inversion of military power. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Factional-American-Protestant leaders in at
least 2 state ratification conventions prevailed in 1788, and one consequence
is that <b><i>the first Congress granted itself freedom-of-religion in 1789.</i></b> They
certified it under 14 states in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights
completed the politically negotiated U.S. Constitution, with ratification by 10
states in 1791. Dominant Anglo-American Christianity if not factional-Protestantism
was restored in the USA and persists today. The consequence is chaos, evident
in the Civil War<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
and diverent in 2022. <b><i>Unfortunately, factional-American Christians
vainly wait for their-God to relieve the pain& loss.</i></b> All the while,
the practical Jesus advocates<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Genesis 1:28’s RHI.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>In only 64 years, major
Christian sects divided over slavery<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Slavery
divided Protestant associations 15 years before the Civil War.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">. . . </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in 1845 . . . the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society
determined that it could not appoint any candidate for service who held slaves
and . . . the American Baptist Home Mission Society decided separate northern
and southern conventions were necessary. <a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 1845 the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, separated from churches in the north.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn17" name="_ftnref17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Protestant blood was shed in Kansas only 9 years later. The choice to divide a
church, when its doctrinal-God has not changed, effects chaos rather than
order. Church division is egregious when the combination civic-integrity&
constitutional-law is sacrificed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Emancipation-potential opened when non-slave
states outnumbered slave states 15:14 in 1846. Congress’ 1850 Fugitive Slave
Acts heightened animosities. It seems President Millard Fillmore, after signing
the acts, wrote to Daniel Webster, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God knows I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are
not responsible, and we must endure it and give it such protection as is
guaranteed by the constitution, till we get rid of it without destroying the
last hope of free government in the world.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">In
1852, Frederick Douglass, with Fillmore present, said “</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In [the Constitution] there is neither
warrant, license, nor sanction of [slavery]; but interpreted, as it <i>ought</i> to
be interpreted, the Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">South
Carolina's declaration of secession<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn18" name="_ftnref18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> was
drafted in <strong>1852
and adopted in 1860. They object to the U.S. not returning fugitive slaves: </strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
and Iowa, have enacted laws which either nullify the Acts of Congress or render
useless any attempt to execute them. In many of these States the fugitive is
discharged from service or labor claimed, and in none of them has the State
Government complied with the stipulation made in the Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Objection to more erroneous Christian
opinion is expressed in the second to last paragraph: "Sectional interest
and animosity will deepen the irritation, and all hope of remedy is rendered
vain, by the fact that public opinion at the North has invested a great political
error with the sanction of more erroneous religious belief." That the
"more erroneous" religion is Christianity seems verified by sermons
delivered in Southern churches.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">R.E. Lee's 1856 letter<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn19" name="_ftnref19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> to his
wife calls abolitionists "evil" (damning the opinions of Franklin and
other abolitionist-founders& framers). Quoting Lee: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I fear [the abolitionist] will persevere
in his evil Course. Is it not strange that the descendants of those pilgrim
fathers who Crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own freedom of opinion, have
always proved themselves intolerant of the Spiritual liberty<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn20" name="_ftnref20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> of
others?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">People try to
analyze Lee's moral confusion<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn21" name="_ftnref21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>; he
imposed spiritual-liberty against civic-integrity, well aware of
white-Christians killing white-Christians in Kansas. Lee could have sold all
property (including his wife's inherited slaves), moved to a non-slave state,
and in 1861 accepted Lincoln's request to general the Union army. Instead, Lee
could& did choose personal ruin. Knowing Lee’s Christian folly can help living
citizens avoid similar mistakes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>Lee’s confusion derived from long-standing, erroneous Christianity<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Lee did not
make up the notion that slavery was punishment for sin. Thomas Aquinas (d.
1274) wrote “Since slavery was imposed in punishment of sin, it follows that by
slavery man forfeits . . . the free disposal of his person . . .” Aquinas
substantially mimicked Aristotle (d. 322 BC). However, “sin” is a religious
term expressing offense against the-High-God, a mystery. Justice cannot come
from mystery, and that is not new opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"> Lincoln the antislavery-candidate was elected
to lead Congress to legislate abolition but proved too politically ambitious
and political-Christianity dependent. In his first inaugural address, he evaded
responsibility regarding fugitive slaves: “</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is some difference of opinion whether [the constitution]
should be enforced by national or by State authority, but surely that
difference is not a very material one.” Lincoln misconstrued the
13-colony-unity to-war-for independence-from-England as supplanting the fact that
the 1788 people of 9 ratifying states established a constitutional republic with
5 stated public disciplines. Two more states joined before operations began on
March 4, 1789, and another 2 joined many months later. Lincoln did not object
to legislation to further protect slave-states.<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn22" name="_ftnref22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Aware of both a 27-state USA to 7-state CSA advantage and 6 years of Bleeding
Kansas, he coldly challenged the “more erroneous” Christians to think prudently
before attacking the USA:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-left: 18.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people, and they have
referred none upon him to fix terms for the separation of the States. The
people themselves can do this if also they choose, but the Executive as such
has nothing to do with it. His duty is to administer the present Government as
it came to his hands and to transmit it unimpaired by him to his successor. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-left: 18.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why
should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people?
Is there any better or equal hope in the world? In our present differences, is
either party without faith of being in the right? If the Almighty Ruler of
Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or
on yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the
judgment of this great tribunal of the American people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lincoln cited the colonies’ 1774 perpetual-union (against
England) to lessen 1787’s ratification by “ourselves and our Posterity”. He
implied that “hope in the world” comes from “the ultimate justice of the
people” and that military tribunal is “the Almighty Ruler of Nations” (smacks
of 1776 language). The 1864 Union army prevailed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The quoted paragraphs reflect the
combined message of the practical Jesus, Genesis 1:28, and the 1787 draft
constitution. Yet Lincoln obfuscates the message, I think to avoid
responsibility for his politics. Moreover, he egregiously imposes Christianity’s
God: “Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who
has never yet forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the
best way all our present difficulty”. Those thoughts defy the Genesis 1:28 RHI
and the 1776 Nature’s God. How can the people take responsibility for safety&
security when they rely on their-God to discover the laws of physics, perhaps
authored by the-High-God? There’s no reward in admitting that the Civil War
proved which Christianity, North or South, the more erroneous. Where’s the
satisfaction in less erroneous?<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1>Can a lesson be
learned?<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Religious
believers can& may consider the evidence that Genesis 1:28 is an ancient
political philosophy that proposes the human individual to constrain chaos in
their way of living, in order to aid safety& security on earth: no entity
beyond human-being can choose RHI. Pretending-to-know human-being’s
origins& authorization begs ruin. Appreciating Socrates’ question<a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftn23" name="_ftnref23" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>, we
can& may pursue the-good and accept that we don’t know the-High-God. Human-being
can accept the-High-God for afterdeath and may pursue the-good for life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">This is not to say that people should not have and nourish faith
in whatever constrains the consequences of human choice. But imposing religious-faith
onto civic necessity& justice resists human-being responsibility on earth.
Human-being is responsible to <i>aid</i> safety&
security on earth and to <i>leave</i>
mysterious good-in-heaven to its creators. We can& may faithfully enjoy an
achievable, better future, provided we don’t ignore the recent and ancient past.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright©2022 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights
reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions
of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included. Revised June
18, 2022.</span>
</p><div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tradition holds that scholarly
writing owes documentation. The Internet empowers readers to verify
writer-claims with more satisfaction to the reader.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Theists often debate “God”, not realizing each is
overlooking the-God.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeding_Kansas.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ineluctable
means “not to be avoided, changed, or resisted”.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Transparency” is a watchword to Christopher Nalepa.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Online at emersoncentral.com/texts/nature-addresses-lectures/addresses/divinity-school-address/</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> “<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be
fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule
over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living
creature that moves on the ground’.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Online at thoughtco.com/african-slavery-101-44535<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Online at
ldhi.library.cofc.edu/exhibits/show/african_laborers_for_a_new_emp/pope_nicolas_v_and_the_portugu</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Online at nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/171.html</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Online at constitution.org/2-Authors/tp/afri.htm</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Online at
oll.libertyfund.org/page/1776-declaration-of-independence-various-drafts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn13">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online
at historians.org/teaching-and-learning/teaching-resources-for-historians/the-decision-to-secede-and-establish-the-confederacy-a-selection-of-primary-sources#:~:text=Text%3A%20The%20Avalon%20Project%3A%20Documents%20in%20Law%2C%20History,formal%20ordinance%20of%20secession%20on%20December%2020%2C%201860</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn14">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Matthew 19:5.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn15">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> I appreciate Vaughn Crombie making me aware to study
this point on April 17, 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn16">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Online at abc-usa.org/what-we-believe/our-history/<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn17">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Online
at <span style="background: white;">p2.smu.edu/pcullen/timeline.htm</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn18">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref18" name="_ftn18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at
avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_scarsec.asp and with footnotes at
teachingamericanhistory.org/document/south-carolinas-declaration-of-the-causes-of-secession/</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn19">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref19" name="_ftn19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at
encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/letter-from-robert-e-lee-to-mary-randolph-custis-lee-december-27-1856/</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn20">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref20" name="_ftn20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">”Spiritual liberty” is a false argument respecting
necessity& justice during life. That is, each individual human-being is
responsible for peace in their civic connections& transactions. Neither
party can invoke other worldly rules to neglect civil observance and RHI.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn21">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref21" name="_ftn21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at radgeek.com/gt/2005/01/03/robert-e-lee-owned-slaves-and-defended-slavery/#:~:text=The%20quote%20is%20cherry-picked%20from%20a%20letter%20that,It%20is%20useless%20to%20expatiate%20on%20its%20disadvantages</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/European-Christian%20pretenses%20evolved%20American%20slavery.docx#_ftnref22" name="_ftn22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at heritagepost.org/american-civil-war/the-corwin-amendment/<o:p></o:p></p>
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Is <span style="background: white; color: #09202f; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a thing is good because God says it is good, or
does God say it’s good because it is good?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Addendum A: The
South Carolina Declaration of Secession</span><o:p style="font-size: 13pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Highlights in <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">green</span> and <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">blue</span> with my comments in <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">yellow</span> highlight.<br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="background: white; color: #244064; font-family: "Times",serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%;">avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_scarsec.asp<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">The South Carolina
declaration of secession reviewed US history from 1765, finally focusing on
effects of the US Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">States
were obligated to return to a State a person indebted to labor (slave). But
over the previous 25 years many States unconstitutionally did not return
slaves; 13 states had laws nullifying the Constitution in this regard.
Therefore, SC is released from her obligations to the Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">The
Constitution provided the right of property in slaves, with direct taxes
amounting to 60% per person, 20 years importation of slaves, and extradition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">The
northern states: 1) elected as president an abolitionist, 2) freed slaves from
southern states and gave them the right to vote, 3) declared war against
slavery, in essence against slave states, alienating them from the
Constitution, and thus 4) the Federal Government became southern States’ enemy.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Remedy
is not likely, because “public opinion at the North has invested a great
political error with the sanction of more erroneous religious belief.”</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">10/20/2013</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: #244064; font-family: "Times",serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: #244064; font-family: "Times",serif; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 107%;">Declaration of the
Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from
the Federal Union<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The people of the State of South Carolina, in
Convention assembled, on the <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">26th
day of April, A.D., 1852</span>, declared that the frequent violations of
the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution of the United States</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">by the Federal Governmen</span>t, and its encroachments upon the reserved
rights of the States, fully justified this State in then withdrawing from the
Federal Union; but in deference to the opinions and wishes of the other
slaveholding States, she forbore at that time to exercise this right. Since
that time, these encroachments have continued to increase, and further
forbearance ceases to be a virtue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">And now the State of South Carolina having
resumed her separate and equal place among nations, deems it due to herself, to
the remaining United States of America, and to the nations of the world, that
she should declare the immediate causes which have led to this act.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">In the year 1765, that portion of the British
Empire embracing Great Britain, undertook to make laws for the government of
that portion composed of <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the
thirteen American Colonies</span>. A struggle for the right of self-government
ensued, which resulted, on the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">4th of July, 1776, in a Declaration</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, by the Colonies, "that they are, and of
right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; and that, as free and
independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract
alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which
independent States may of right do."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">They further solemnly declared that whenever any
"form of government becomes destructive of the ends for which it was
established, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to
institute a new government." Deeming the Government of Great Britain to
have become destructive of these ends, they declared that the Colonies
"are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all
political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought
to be, totally dissolved."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">In pursuance of this </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Declaration of Independence</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, each of the thirteen States proceeded to
exercise its separate sovereignty; adopted for itself a Constitution, and
appointed officers for the administration of government in all its
departments-- Legislative, Executive and Judicial. For purposes of defense,
they united their arms and their counsels; and, in 1778, they entered into a
League known as the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/artconf.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Articles of Confederation</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, whereby they agreed to entrust the
administration of their external relations to a common agent, known as the
Congress of the United States, expressly declaring, in the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/artconf.asp#art1"><span style="color: #c2791d;">first Article</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> "that each State retains its
sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right
which is not, by this Confederation, expressly delegated to the United States
in Congress assembled." <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Note:
the 1778 Articles of Confederation was preceded by the October 20, 1774
Articles of Association, under which the war was begun and France’s providence
negotiated. The Treaty of Paris was negotiated there. In other words, the SC
story is not quite genuine.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Under this Confederation the war of the
Revolution was carried on <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[until
October 17, 1781, at Yorktown, VA, Cornwallis surrendered to France and the
Continental Army</span>], and on the 3rd of September, 1783, the contest ended,
and a </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/paris.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">definite Treaty</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> was signed by Great Britain, in which she
acknowledged the independence of the Colonies in the following terms: "</span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/paris.asp#art1"><span style="color: #c2791d;">ARTICLE 1</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">-- His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz:
New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to be FREE, SOVEREIGN AND
INDEPENDENT STATES; that he treats with them as such; and for himself, his
heirs and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, propriety and
territorial rights of the same and every part thereof."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Thus were established the two great principles
asserted by the Colonies, namely: the right of a State to govern itself; and
the right of a people to abolish a Government when it becomes destructive of
the ends for which it was instituted. And concurrent with the establishment of
these principles, was the fact, that each Colony became and was recognized by
the mother Country a FREE, SOVEREIGN AND INDEPENDENT STATE.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: yellow; font-size: 10.5pt;">[So far,
the SC story is even less truthful, because it does not cite the March 1, 1781
revision of the Articles of Confederation wherein the 13 colonies self-named
their association, in perpetuity, a union of states. That is, they changed
their titles from colonies to states and titled the union “The United States of
America”. The fact that England later accepted that status was an October 1781
providence of France.]</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">In </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/debcont.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">1787, Deputies were appointed by the States to revise the
Articles of Confederation</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, and on 17th September, 1787, these Deputies recommended for the
adoption of the States, the Articles of Union, known as the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution of the United States</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[One state, Rhode Island, sent no delegates and also was not privy to
its ratification.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The parties to whom this </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> was submitted, were the several sovereign States; they were
to agree or disagree, and when nine of them agreed the compact was to take
effect among those concurring; and the General Government, as the common agent,
was then invested with their authority.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">If only nine of the thirteen States had
concurred, the other four would have remained as they then were-- separate,
sovereign States, independent of any of the provisions of the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">. In fact, two of the States did not accede to the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> until long after it had gone into operation among the other
eleven; and during that interval, they each exercised the functions of an
independent nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">By this </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, certain duties were imposed upon the several States, and the
exercise of certain of their powers was restrained, which necessarily implied
their continued existence as sovereign States. But to remove all doubt,
an </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rights1.asp#10"><span style="color: #c2791d;">amendment</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> was added, which declared that the powers not delegated to
the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This refers to the Bill of Rights, Amendment X,
ratified by Congress on September 15, 1791.]</span> On the 23d May , 1788,
South Carolina, by a Convention of her People, passed an Ordinance assenting to
this Constitution, and afterwards altered her own Constitution, to conform
herself to the obligations she had undertaken.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Thus was established, by compact between the
States, a Government with definite objects and powers, limited to the express
words of the grant. This limitation left the whole remaining mass of power subject
to the clause reserving it to the States or to the people, and rendered
unnecessary any specification of reserved rights.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">We hold that the Government thus established is
subject to the two great principles asserted in the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Declaration of Independence</span></a> </span></u><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: yellow; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This sentence
attempts to ignore that fact that SC accepted its global status as free and
independent when it ratified in January 1784, the 1783 Treaty of Paris.]</span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">; and we hold further, that the mode of its
formation subjects it to a third fundamental principle, namely: the law of
compact. We maintain that in every compact between two or more parties, the
obligation is mutual; that the failure of one of the contracting parties to
perform a material part of the agreement, entirely releases the obligation of
the other; and that where no arbiter is provided, each party is remitted to his
own judgment to determine the fact of failure, with all its consequences. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This consideration is double acting.
That is, SC, in March 1781 entered in perpetuity The United States of America,
then accepted global recognition as such in the Treaty of Paris. In arbitrarily
attempting to renege, they invited consequences.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">In the present case, that fact is established
with certainty. We assert that fourteen of the States have deliberately
refused, for years past, to fulfill their constitutional obligations, and we
refer to their own Statutes for the proof.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The Constitution of the United States, in
its </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/art4.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">fourth Article</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, provides as follows: "No person held to
service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another,
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such
service or labor, but shall be delivered up, on claim of the party to whom such
service or labor may be due." <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This suggests President Lincoln’s greatest blunder. In his first
inaugural address, he counts this a states dispute rather than a federal obligation.
Also, he misused the 1776 Declaration to assert what the 1787 Constitution
failed to accomplish: slaves must be emancipated.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">This stipulation was so material to the compact,
that without it that compact would not have been made. The greater number of
the contracting parties held slaves, and they had previously evinced their
estimate of the value of such a stipulation by making it a condition in
the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/nworder.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Ordinance</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> for the government of the territory ceded by Virginia, which
now composes the States north of the Ohio River. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[The mention of “greater number” begs the question: What happens when the non-slave states exceed
in number the slave states. That inversion happened in 1856.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The same </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/art4.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">article of the Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> stipulates also for rendition <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[discovery?]</span> by the
several States of fugitives from justice from the other States.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The General Government, as the common agent,
passed laws to carry into effect these stipulations of the States. For many
years these laws were executed. But an increasing hostility on the part of the
non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery, has led to a disregard
of their obligations, and the laws of the General Government have ceased to
effect the objects of the Constitution. The States of Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania,
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, have enacted laws which either
nullify the Acts of Congress or render useless any attempt to execute them. In
many of these States the fugitive is discharged from service or labor claimed, and
in none of them has the State Government complied with the stipulation made in
the Constitution. The State of New Jersey, at an early day, passed a law in
conformity with her constitutional obligation; but the current of anti-slavery
feeling has led her more recently to enact laws which render inoperative the
remedies provided by her own law and by the laws of Congress. In the State of
New York even the right of transit for a slave has been denied by her
tribunals; and the States of Ohio and Iowa have refused to surrender to justice
fugitives charged with murder, and with inciting servile insurrection in the
State of Virginia. Thus the constituted compact has been deliberately broken
and disregarded by the non-slaveholding States, and the consequence follows
that South Carolina is released from her obligation. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This is an attempt to deny what had been known
since the 1774 Articles of Association: independence to colonists implied
independence to slaves.]</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The ends for which the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> was framed are declared by itself to be "to form a more
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity." <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Why posterity rather than descendants? Slaves and legal
immigrants are included in posterity.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">These ends it endeavored to accomplish by a
Federal Government, in which each State was recognized as an equal, and had
separate control over its own institutions. The right of property in slaves was
recognized by giving to free persons distinct political rights, by giving them
the right to represent, and burthening them with direct taxes for three-fifths
of their slaves; by authorizing the importation of slaves for twenty years; and
by stipulating for the rendition of fugitives from labor. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Notice that importation of
slaves ended 20 years after ratification. See Frederic Douglass’s 1852
complaints about failure of the next generations.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">We affirm that these ends for which this
Government was instituted have been defeated, and the Government itself has
been made destructive of them by the action of the non-slaveholding States.
Those States have assume the right of deciding upon the propriety of our
domestic institutions; and have denied the rights of property established in
fifteen of the States and recognized by the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">; they have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery; they
have permitted open establishment among them of societies, whose avowed object
is to disturb the peace and to eloign the property of the citizens of other
States. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave
their homes; and those who remain, have been incited by emissaries, books and
pictures to servile insurrection. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Amendment of the Constitution to emancipate the slaves was an option.
Lincoln should have led the way. After all, he was elected with full
recognition that he was an abolitionist. He seems a rascal, because he knew he
had the majority. He effectively baited slave-states to start war. Consider
Bleeding Kansas, which started in 1854: white-Christian-abolitionists murdered
and their cities sacked by more-erroneous-Christian whites.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">For twenty-five years <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[1852-25=1827 or 1860-25=1835]</span> this
agitation has been steadily increasing, until it has now secured to its aid the
power of the common Government. Observing the <b><i>forms</i></b> of
the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, a sectional party has found within that </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/art2.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Article</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> establishing the Executive Department, the means of
subverting the Constitution itself. A geographical line has been drawn across
the Union, and all the States north of that line have united in the election of
a man to the high office of President of the United States, whose opinions and
purposes are hostile to slavery. He is to be entrusted with the administration
of the common Government, because he has declared that that "Government cannot
endure permanently half slave, half free," and that the public mind must
rest in the belief that slavery is in the course of ultimate extinction. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Bleeding Kansas made that
self-evident.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">This sectional combination for the submersion of
the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, has been aided in some of the States by elevating to
citizenship, persons who, by the supreme law of the land, are incapable of
becoming citizens; and their votes have been used to inaugurate a new policy,
hostile to the South, and destructive of its beliefs and safety.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">On the 4th day of March next, this party will
take possession of the Government. It has announced that the South shall be
excluded from the common territory, that the judicial tribunals shall be made
sectional, and that a war must be waged against slavery until it shall cease
throughout the United States. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[I have no idea where this announcement issued yet trust it did.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The guaranties of the </span><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #c2791d; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp"><span style="color: #c2791d;">Constitution</span></a></span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> will then no longer exist; the equal rights of the States
will be lost. The slaveholding States will no longer have the power of
self-government, or self-protection, and the Federal Government will have
become their enemy. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[This
is an opinion expressed to challenge Lincoln’s March 4, 1861 submission or war.
Lincoln accepted war, believing he had the upper hand -- 27 states to 7 states.
He could have sacrificed his political ambitions and led Congress to
emancipation. We don’t know if the Lincoln assassination would have been
averted.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Sectional interest and animosity will deepen the
irritation, and all hope of remedy is rendered vain, by the fact that public
opinion at the North has invested a great political error with the sanction of
more erroneous religious belief. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Is there any doubt that it’s Christian belief?]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 18.75pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10.5pt;">We, therefore, the People of South Carolina, by
our delegates in Convention assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world for the rectitude of our intentions, have solemnly declared that the
Union heretofore existing between this State and the other States of North
America, is dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her
position among the nations of the world, as a separate and independent State;
with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish
commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right
do. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Note: I think “the
Supreme Judge of the world” (quoting the 1776 declaration) is civil/military
power on earth. The-God retains power over the heavens.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: white;">Adopted
December 24, 1860<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="background: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1 style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Addendum B: The South
Carolina constitutional ratification convention<o:p></o:p></span></h1><h1 style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Helvetica",sans-serif" style="color: #494949; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">South Carolina <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Recommendatory</span> Amendments, 23
May 1788<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The Convention
having maturely considered the constitution or form of Government reported to
Congress by the Convention of Delegates from the United States of America and
submitted to them by a Resolution of the Legislature of this State passed the
seventeenth and eighteenth days of February <span style="background: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua;">last in order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, ensure Domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote
the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to the people of the
said United States and their posterity</span> Do in the name and behalf of the
people of this State hereby assent to and ratify the said Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Done in
Convention the twenty third day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand
seven hundred and eighty eight, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the twelfth.—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Thomas
Pinckney President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Attest John
Sanford Dart, Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And Whereas it is
essential to the preservation of the rights reserved to the several states, and
the freedom of the people under the operations of a General government that <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">the right of prescribing the manner
time and places of holding the Elections to the Federal Legislature</span>,
should be for ever inseparably annexed to the sovereignty of the several
States. This convention doth declare that the same ought to <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">remain to all posterity a perpetual</span>
and fundamental right in the local, exclusive of the interference of the
General Government except in cases where the Legislatures of the States, shall
refuse or neglect to perform and fulfil the same according to the tenor of the
said Constitution.—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This Convention
doth also declare that no Section or paragraph of the said Constitution
warrants a Construction that the states do not <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">retain every power not expressly relinquished by them and
vested in the General Government of the Union</span>.—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: lime; color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: lime;">Resolved</span><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> that the general Government of
the United States ought never to impose direct taxes, </span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #494949; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">but</span></em><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[except]</span> where the monies arising from the
duties, imposts and excise are insufficient for the public exigencies </span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #494949; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">nor then until</span></em><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> Congress shall have made a
requisition upon the states to assess levy and pay their respective proportions
of such requisitions and in case any State shall neglect or refuse to pay its
proportion pursuant to such requisition then Congress may assess and levy such
state’s proportion together with Interest thereon at the rate of Six per centum
per annum from the time of payment prescribed by such requisition.—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: lime; color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: lime;">Resolved</span><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> that the third Section of the
Sixth Article ought to be amended by inserting the word “</span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #494949; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">other</span></em><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">” between the words “</span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #494949; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">no</span></em><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">” and “</span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #494949; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">religious</span></em><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: lime; color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: lime;">Resolved</span><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> that it be a standing
instruction to all such delegates as may hereafter be elected to represent this
State in the general Government to exert their utmost abilities and influence
to effect an alteration of the Constitution conformably to the foregoing Resolutions.—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Done in
Convention the twenty third day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand
Seven hundred and eighty eight and of the Independence of the United States of
America the twelfth—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Thomas
Pinckney President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Attest, John Sanford Dart, Secretary—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Congress negotiated&
resolved all “recommendatories” from the then 14 states (Vermont the 14th) by
ratifying the 1791 Bill of Rights.]</span><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</p><div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tradition holds that scholarly
writing owes documentation. The Internet empowers readers to verify
writer-claims with more satisfaction to the reader.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeding_Kansas.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ineluctable
means “not to be avoided, changed, or resisted”.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Transparancy” is a watchword to Christopher Nalepa.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Online at
emersoncentral.com/texts/nature-addresses-lectures/addresses/divinity-school-address/</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> “<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be
fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule
over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living
creature that moves on the ground’.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Online at thoughtco.com/african-slavery-101-44535<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at ldhi.library.cofc.edu/exhibits/show/african_laborers_for_a_new_emp/pope_nicolas_v_and_the_portugu</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/171.html</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at constitution.org/2-Authors/tp/afri.htm</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at oll.libertyfund.org/page/1776-declaration-of-independence-various-drafts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online
at historians.org/teaching-and-learning/teaching-resources-for-historians/the-decision-to-secede-and-establish-the-confederacy-a-selection-of-primary-sources#:~:text=Text%3A%20The%20Avalon%20Project%3A%20Documents%20in%20Law%2C%20History,formal%20ordinance%20of%20secession%20on%20December%2020%2C%201860</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn13">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I appreciate Vaughn Crombie making me aware to study
this point on April 17, 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn14">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Online at abc-usa.org/what-we-believe/our-history/<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn15">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Online
at <span style="background: white;">p2.smu.edu/pcullen/timeline.htm</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn16">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at
avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_scarsec.asp and with footnotes at
teachingamericanhistory.org/document/south-carolinas-declaration-of-the-causes-of-secession/</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn17">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at
encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/letter-from-robert-e-lee-to-mary-randolph-custis-lee-december-27-1856/</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn18">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref18" name="_ftn18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">”Spiritual liberty” is a false argument respecting
necessity& justice during life. That is, each individual human-being is
responsible for peace in their civic connections& transactions. Neither
party can invoke other worldly rules to neglect civil observance and RHI.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn19">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref19" name="_ftn19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Online at
radgeek.com/gt/2005/01/03/robert-e-lee-owned-slaves-and-defended-slavery/#:~:text=The%20quote%20is%20cherry-picked%20from%20a%20letter%20that,It%20is%20useless%20to%20expatiate%20on%20its%20disadvantages</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn20">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///G:/L%20drive%20on%20April%208,%202014/writing/Politics/USDocs/Civil%20War/South%20Carolina%20Secession%20-%20Avalon%20043022.docx#_ftnref20" name="_ftn20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Online at heritagepost.org/american-civil-war/the-corwin-amendment/<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><div><div id="ftn20">
</div>
</div><div><div id="ftn17">
</div>
</div><div><div id="ftn14">
</div>
</div><div><div id="ftn14">
</div>
</div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><div id="ftn13" style="mso-element: footnote;">
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-71145497501849285502021-10-24T17:00:00.003-05:002022-05-09T21:18:51.585-05:00[Civic-Citizens] Against Christian Nationalism<p> My comments on the statement found online at:</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/statement"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/statement</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; mso-line-height-alt: 14.4pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background: yellow; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "sofia-pro",serif; font-size: 30.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">[Civic-Citizens]</span></b><b><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "sofia-pro",serif; font-size: 30.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Against Christian Nationalism <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Christians <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[and civic-citizens<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>]</span>,
our faith teaches us everyone is created in [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the-<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>]</span>God’s
image and commands us to <s>love each other</s><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">appreciate<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> the
living species and this world<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span>].
As Americans, we value our system of <s>government</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">domestic-self-discipline</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>]
and the good that can be accomplished in our constitutional <s>democracy</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">republic</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>].
Today, we are concerned about a persistent threat to both <s>our<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><s><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[vii]</span></s></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></s>
U.S. religious communities and our <s>democracy</s> republic — [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the threat is</span>] Christian
nationalism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christian nationalism
seeks to merge [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">a</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">factional</span>] Christian and
[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the</span>] American
identities, distorting both the Christian faith<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[s<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[viii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span>]
and America’s constitutional democracy. Christian nationalism demands [nationalism-]
Christianity be privileged by the State and implies that to be a good American,
one must be <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[a nationalism</span>-]Christian.
It often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">,</span>] <s><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">and</span></s> racial
subjugation<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[, and
religious submission</span>]. We reject this damaging political ideology and
invite <s>our Christian brothers and sisters</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the entity We the People of the United States</span>] to
join us in opposing this threat to our faith[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">s</span>] and <s>to our nation</s> [“<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">to ourselves and our Posterity</span>”<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">, quoting the preamble</span>]. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Christians [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">and civic-citizens</span>], we
are bound to <s>Christ</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the-God</span>],
not by citizenship, but by faith, [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">pursued in personal-privacy</span>]. We <s>believe</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">assert</span>] that:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People
of all faiths and none have the right and <s>responsibility</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">self-necessity& justice</span>]
to engage constructively in the public square. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patriotism
does not require <s>us</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">fellow-citizens</span>] to minimize <s>our</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">their</span>] religious
convictions. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One’s
religious affiliation, or lack thereof, should be irrelevant to one’s
standing in the civic community. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[On the other hand, spiritual inspiration to
civic-integrity is appreciated by non-spiritual fellow-citizens.]</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Government
should not prefer one religion over another or religion <s>over</s> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[or]</span> nonreligion.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Religious
instruction is best left to <s>our houses of worship, other religious
institutions and families</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">adult-personal-privacy<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[ix]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span>].<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">America’s
historic commitment to religious pluralism enables faith communities to
live in civic harmony with one another without sacrificing <s>our</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">their</span>] theological
convictions.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Conflating
religious authority with political authority is <s>idolatrous</s> tyranny [---]
<s>and often leads to oppression of minority and other marginalized groups</s>
[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">oppressing the
fellow-citizen’s opportunity to develop humble-integrity</span>] as well
as the [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">churches’
opportunities to discover the-ineluctable-truth<a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="background: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: yellow;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span>
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">and the state’s
necessity to develop statutory justice</span>]. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><s><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
</span></s><span style="font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Civic-citizens, that faction of We the People of the
United States</span>] must stand up to and speak out against Christian
nationalism, especially when it inspires acts of violence and
intimidation—including vandalism, bomb threats, arson, hate crimes, and
attacks on houses of <s>worship</s> [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">spirituality</span>]—against religious communities
at home and abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "museo-sans",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whether we worship at a
church, mosque, synagogue, <s>or</s> temple, [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">or simply reserve sufficient humility to the-God</span>]
America has no second-class faiths. All are equal under the U.S. Constitution.
As Christians [<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">and
civic-citizens</span>], we <s>must</s> speak in one voice condemning Christian
nationalism as a distortion of <s>the gospel of</s> Jesus<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">[‘ message]</span> and a threat
to American democracy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
think Jesus’ message is that humankind can independently provide order and
prosperity to living species and to this world.</span>]<o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">To this end, we propose and request your aid to amend the First
Amendment to the United States Constitution so as to encourage and facilitate
civic humble-integrity rather than civil-religious pride. With this reform, the
entity We the People of the United States will separate church (a pursuit for
adult-personal-privacy), from state (the necessary domestic and alien monopoly
on coercion and force for justice). Thereby, Posterity, including legal
immigrants will be empowered to hold elected and appointed officials in local,
state, and national governm</span></span>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> “Civic-citizens”
refers to members of We the People of the United States who own personal
interpretations of the domestic disciplines proffered by the 1787 U.S.
Constitution. It affirms the separation of church and state expressed by both
the 1776 declaration of war for independence from England as well as the
Genesis 1:26-28 assertion that female& male-human-being can independently
provide order& prosperity to the living species and to the world. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Accepting to ourselves that, while the human being can develop the individual
power, the individual energy, and the individual authority (HIPEA) to choose
humble-integrity rather than egocentric arrogance, we propose “the-God” for
civic discussion so as to include the various theisms and non-theisms fellow-citizens
personally-pursue in order to perfect their unique person according to the
responsible-happiness they perceive rather than to someone else’s vision for
them. “The-God” expresses humility in the hopes and comforts an individual’s
personal-God provides them in privacy.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
“Love” is often unwanted and justifiably so. Appreciate is more civic, when
“civic” refers to reliable human-connections more than to municipal rules.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
My 2021 interpretation of Genesis 1:26-28, a 5,000 year-old Sumerian political
philosophy interpreted 2,000 years later by Hebrew scribes.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
It’s little recognized and less accepted that the 1787 U.S. Constitution
proffers 5 public self-disciplines “in order to” encourage& facilitate
responsible-human-independence (RHI) “to ourselves and our Posterity”.
“Liberty” is a French fetish that too often is taken as license to let
fellow-citizens’ blood. Religion is excluded from the disciplines in order to
assign it to adult-personal-privacy. (I feel I am facilitating Phil Beaver’s
adult-maturity, at age 78, by returning to UBC Sunday school.)<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Allowing postmodernism to terminate the 1787 Constitution’s guarantee of a
republican form of government is a death knell to the USA. It is abdication to
Anglo-American tradition, or European enslavement of the U.S. person.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn7" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[vii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
“Our” is too egocentric to Jesus-advocates at this point.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn8" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[viii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
A Baptist boy must marry a serenely-confident Louisiana-French Catholic woman
and learn to cherish her faith for her (and their children for themselves) without
denying his faith for him, in-order-to understand that there are Catholics who
pursue <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-God</i></b> regardless of the Church’s insistence on a
Transubstantiation-Trinity.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn9" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ix]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Each viable-human-ova, the single-cell embryo, the embryo to fetus to baby, the
delivered infant, and the child is due the dignity and appreciation of a human
person. Thus, an authentic woman cares for her viable ova, perhaps 400, during
her fertile years and any children for life. The authentic man supports her and
hers, in monogamy, for life.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="edn10" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Phil/Documents/All%20Writing/Activities/UBC/Christian%20nationalism%20102421.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[x]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> “Ineluctable”,
known for 450 years and published to modify both “truth” and “the . . . truth”
in 1906, is unfortunately almost unknown in 2019. It means, “not to be avoided,
changed, or resisted”. To lend precision& accuracy, I use hyphens and
invite the reader/listener not to disassemble the phrase “the-ineluctable-truth”.
I seek an improvement on this expression.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578211154898336570.post-90581848791867270012021-09-24T14:55:00.006-05:002022-05-03T22:34:22.444-05:00Trashing History as “Social Science”<p style="text-align: center;"> <u>Trashing History as “Social Science”</u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is to comment on Wilfred M. McClay’s, “History as a Way
of Knowing”,<span style="color: #121622; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span>September 17, 2021,<span style="color: #121622; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://lawliberty.org/history-as-a-way-of-knowing/">https://lawliberty.org/history-as-a-way-of-knowing/</a>.
<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I regard it a 2021-Constitution-Day-travesty.<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I object to scholars quoting great thinkers without
preserving the thinker’s persona, for example, the Ralph Waldo Emerson that RWE
wrote. Conservatives defeat themselves by not being civic to every fellow
citizen, keeping responsible private-pursuits’ personal. By “civic” I mean
faithful human connections more than municipal-cooperation. By private-pursuits
I mean spirituality, religion, metaphysics, promiscuity, spectator-sports, gambling,
and such. Human living intends responsible personal happiness rather than
subjugation to someone else’s vision for you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I work to conserve, encourage, and facilitate human
opportunity and think religious conservatism errs when it purports to impose
its hopes and comforts on others. I think the issue should be negotiated and
resolved so that all human beings can choose to establish peace on earth, which
I assert is humankind’s collective purpose. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">History shows that since the idea that peace is humankind’s
independent responsibility, expressed some 5 thousand years ago, cultures have
divided over <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-God</i></b>, an expression for the entity that controls
consequences of human action or inaction. The human-being-division has become
exponential, causing 2021 divergent chaos. RWE spoke plainly about these
issues. I mimic him when I say “217 years ago, Emerson agreed with Phil
Beaver”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Professor McClay and other scholars can&should be responsive
to civic-citizens who are fans of both history and thinkers like Ralph Waldo
Emerson (the c&s syntax intended to indicate mutual necessity). Civic-citizens
no longer subjugated to university-grades affirm personal-thoughts when they
read RWE (the hyphens to invite the reader not to disassemble the phrase). RWE
is alive&well, in our benefits-from recent discovery <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">together-with</i> corresponding RWE-expressions. The scholar who does
not accurately&precisely represent RWE stains&weakens human-responsibility.
Regardless, liberal-arts academia maintains metaphysics, repressing and
regressing human-advancement. The ancient Greeks are repulsed by 2021 males
participating in female-sports.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fellow-citizen who is trained in research is incredulous
that scholars shield each in “social sciences” other like popes protecting
prominent-priestly pederasty. Researchers brutally caution each other against
fictional-data or experimental-design to promote a personal-paradigm.
Researchers know that physics and its progeny eventually expose lies. For
example, the king who accepts acclaim as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-God</i></b> must never bleed (Kipling).
The scholar who quotes Emerson yet opposes Emerson’s persona chooses
vulnerability.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The scholarly choir is satisfied to debate the truth, never
being accurate&precise about the topic: discovering
the-ineluctable-evidence which leads to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-ineluctable-truth</i></b> and its
responsible use. “Ineluctable” means “not to be avoided, changed, or resisted”
(I prefer merriam-webster.com). RWE leads modernity to discover
the-ineluctable-truth, unaccommodating toward personal-truths and eternal-mirages.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">Here are 3 pertinent quotes from RWE’s essay,
“History”, 1837, each with my affirming personal-experiences&observations. (McClay
quoted “The Natural History of Intellect”, 1893, posthumously published.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First: “All history becomes subjective; in other words,
there is properly no history; only biography.” To me, this means that the
student gains more from studying the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">history-makers</i>
than by reading a contemporary’s account of the actual event; 10 contemporaries
author 10 accounts. Moreover, the reader can learn more from documents than
from history about them. I view Emerson’s thought parallel to mine as
affirmation and need not cite Emerson to express my opinion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Second: “When a thought of Plato becomes a thought to me . .
. time is no more. [I pierce] to the truth through all the confusion of
tradition and the caricature of institutions.” The thought-study RWE refers to
is not easy. From Agathon’s speech in “Symposium” I comprehend that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a
civic-citizen neither initiates nor accommodates injury to or from any person
or institution</i></b>. My thought is so distant from Agathon’s speech it is
distracting to credit him 2,500 years later.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Third: “Jesus astonishes and overpowers sensual people. They
cannot unite him to history, or reconcile him with themselves. How easily these
old worships of Moses, of Zoroaster, of Menu, of Socrates, domesticate
themselves in the mind. I cannot find any antiquity in them. They are mine as
much as theirs.” In other words, RWE need not credit their thoughts to express
his. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RWE asserts that the metaphysical-Jesus is a construct by
the Church, drawn from the lives of the ancients. Conservatives mistakenly
suppress RWE’s “Divinity School Address”, 1838, in order to preserve the public’s
psychological-dependency --- Chapter XI Machiavellianism. Emerson unchained my perception
that the Church errs to pretend Jesus is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-God</i></b>. I was so indoctrinated into
Christianity it took me 2 decades revisiting RWE to accept Jesus’ literal
message: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phil Beaver, you can perfect your person before dying, if you accept
the intention</i></b>. Conservatives who ban “Divinity School Address” do
themselves and humankind a disservice by not addressing it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This reader is constrained to ask why<span style="background: #F4F4EF; color: #686c75; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="background: #F4F4EF; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; letter-spacing: .1pt;">McClay</span>
does not feel vulnerable to objections to misrepresentation of RWE and moreover
to fellow-citizens experiences&observations. People typically say that I’m
entitled to my opinion; moreover, Emerson is entitled to his writing. Scholars
are entitled to their interpretation and unshielded from fellow-citizens’
oppostion. And fellow-citizens are not subject-to the-academic-coercion: grades
and diplomas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I turn now to six McClay statements.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">First</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">: “</span>A great many of today’s academic historians believe
that the chief point of studying the past is to demonstrate that all our
inherited institutions, beliefs, conventions, and normative values are
arbitrary “social constructions” in the service of power, and therefore without
any greater legitimacy or binding authority.” Why doesn’t the other side’s
argument deserve more than McClay’s dismissal? And is he making claims about
them they would not affirm or admit to? Is “our inherited” a totalitarian
excuse? Or is it selective to the choir? Does McClay feel vulnerable?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now in my fourth quarter-century (still influenced by the
competitive-Protestant-metaphysics Mom and Dad divided to me), I’m still
inspired by RWE’s “Self-reliance” and think it’s in McClay’s self-interest to
challenge the constraints of conservativism enough to consider McClay-opposition
among “today’s academic historians”. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For example, take seriously the political suggestion derived
from the recent 5 thousand years’ discovery together with literature’s Genesis
1:26-28. I value my observation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whatever
controls the unfolding of consequences holds humankind responsible for peace on
earth</i></b>. Everything that happened after that ancient suggestion convicts
humankind of “’social constructs’ in the service of power” (McClay). It is not
insignificant that the scribe who, 3 thousand years-ago related the 5 thousand
year-old suggestion, attributed it to his-God. Since then, descendent-societies
have each constructed their-God, in order to gain power. They’re arrogant toward
both <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-God</i></b>
(whatever the entity may be) and the human quest for peace. Civic
necessity&justice drive the human quest.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover, starting in Genesis 2, scribes attributed civilization’s
bad fortune to females. Eve betrayed Adam, in “original sin”. Sarah suggested
ancient, direct surrogacy, breaking the monogamy she and Abraham could have
completed and creating a divided family. Embarrassingly, the rest of the
canonized Bible expands the chaos Genesis 2 started against Genesis-1 advice,
and in 2021, the chaos is divergent. It is in our self-interest to constrain
chaos.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second:</b> “. . .
the leap from a mountain of carefully compiled data to a compelling narrative
or a persuasive theory will always be shrouded in mystery, propelled by the
ineffable force of what Michael Polanyi called “tacit knowledge,” no matter the
discipline in which the leap occurs.” The hapless Polanyi did not accept that
physics does not respond to human constructs. He took a ten-year sponsored
leave to write “Personal Knowledge”, in which he displayed his-misrepresentation
of physics then abruptly concluded that his-religion is an equivalent path to
the-ineluctable-truth. Polanyi presented this shocking premise on the last page
of regrettable reader-abuse: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">metaphysics is as valid as physics</i></b>.
In reality, physics and its progeny eventually correct metaphysics. For
example, there are no heavenly laws involved in NASA’s offer to carry your name
to Mars on the next mission. In other words, physics does not conform to human
reason and construction. Metaphysics does not trump physics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While it’s true that a minister knows when his flock is
emotional enough for salvation, when the-ineluctable-evidence is researched
with integrity-to the scientific-method, there is no “leap” from the data. The
research is repeated with different researchers and designs to affirm
the-objective-truth. Then, research pauses for the invention of new instruments
of perception which could alter prior conclusions. The human-research quest is
to approach if not acquire the-ineluctable-truth and how to responsibly apply
it. The-ineluctable-evidence does not depend on emotions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 2021, humankind is fully aware that the laws of physics
and its progeny apply to psychology. The idea that “social sciences” can
discover the-ineluctable-truth by statistically designing&conducting public
interviews is a liberal-arts travesty. The human-being is too psychologically
powerful for this ploy to survive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Third</b>: “We even
can call what we are doing “social science” rather than history, if we like.”
What folly and degradation of history: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Research</i></b>, whether physical or
psychological, yields <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-objective-truth</i></b> using existing
instruments for perception of the-ineluctable-evidence. As humankind invents
new instruments, the-objective-truth is updated until it approaches <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the-ineluctable-truth</i></b>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This point, that research is iterative, until the-ineluctable-truth
is understood, was missing for the Europeans 400 years ago who opined that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reason</i> is more reliable than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">physics</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Research employs the scientific method, which is very cautious against
errors that can be introduced by statistics. In contrast, “social science” uses
statistics to design public-opinion polls so as to favor the agenda being
funded. For example, a poll to support gun control statistically silences
hunters and persons who intend to protect themselves.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fourth</b>: Albert Einstein,
whose political philosophy often represents me, unfortunately “liked” a social
study: publically debating “Science and Religion”. He accommodated S&R
language rather than using his own. Before he was a celebrity, he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">slighted genius</i> --- his own --- by
introducing his “cosmological factor” to force his mathematical paradigm to a
static universe. About 10 years later, Edwin Hubble proved that the universe is
dynamic and expanding. Einstein thanked Hubble for correcting “my greatest
blunder”. But Einstein’s greater blunder is the nonsense “Science without
religion is blind; religion without science is lame." The ethics-philosopher-Einstein
expresses, in my language:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research
without integrity is ruinous; honesty without research is privation. If angels
can read this from heaven, Einstein is saying “That’s right” and offering an
improvement for my consideration.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fifth</b>, “By all
rights, history ought to be among the most conservative of all the academic
disciplines, given the degree of power and authority it accords to the past.” Emerson’s
words counter for modern application: “Every revolution was first a thought in
one man's mind, and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is the key
to that era.” In other words, there is a continuum of human thought that the considerate,
living person expresses in their vernacular for the temporal circumstances.<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conservatives must&can reform to the humble-integrity
that is required to individually practice <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">RHI</i></b>, the 5 thousand year-old
Sumerian suggestion. With most persons practicing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">RHI</i></b>, humankind may reform
with majority-fidelity to civic-necessity&justice, reserving religion/none
to personal-privacy with sufficient humility to the-God.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sixth:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>there’s a
statement too crass to recall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conservatives may choose religion, a private-pursuit, while
practicing civic-humility: responsible-human-independence. If they continue to
try to impose their religion on civic-citizens, the divergent chaos will
continue, perhaps unto utter ruin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ancients, such as the Sumerians, and the not so
ancients, such as Emerson and Einstein, suggest that we, the 2021 “ourselves
and our Posterity” must&can reform so as to provide peace on earth. That-this-is-so
seems obvious to every considerate, living human-being. I think conservatives
are the most qualified to lead the civic reform, while preserving their
privacy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first action We the People of the United States need to
take is to amend the First Amendment so as to encourage&facilitate civic
humble-integrity instead of civil religious pride, the 1791 Anglo-American-Bill-of-Rights
tradition. <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
Copyright©2021 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby
granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this
complete copyright notice is included.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright©2014 by Phillip R. Beaver. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for the publication of all or portions of this paper as long as this complete copyright notice is included.</div>Phil Beaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01453746828255478352noreply@blogger.com0