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Jim McCraigh's avatar

Those Hezbollah "fighters" are actually cowards for attacking women and children...

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Charles Clemens's avatar

There is another "f word" that could have replaced 'fighters" in the poem..... but 'cowards" works as well.

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Bill Heath's avatar

Quite good

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KEVIN T's avatar

Hey there, I’ve been following some conversations online and wanted to ask a few things that have been on my mind. I came across a chat with Kert, and he seems like a nice guy. It made me realize how lucky I am to have the opportunity to ask these questions directly.

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of extreme talk online—people from all sides talking about wiping each other out, with a lot of it focusing on Christians. As someone who walks with God, this hits close to home, and I just want to better understand what’s really going on.

I’m hoping you can clear something up for me. There seems to be a lot of talk about Jews and Muslims—or those claiming to be Jews or Muslims—suggesting they’re somehow part of a grand plan to control the world or wipe out everyone who isn’t one of them. There’s also this idea that they’re behind major world events, wars, and so on.

It’s hard to know what’s true. On one hand, there are claims that Muslims want to convert everyone to their religion and take extreme actions against anyone who refuses. On the other hand, there are accusations that some Jewish groups feel entitled to destroy anyone who isn’t like them, and that they even celebrate these ideas. There’s also this theory that Jews are somehow involved in pushing immigration policies that are bringing in people from different backgrounds, making it seem like chaos is being deliberately caused.

So, here’s where I’m coming from. As a Christian, it can feel like we’re stuck in the middle of all this, with no clear sense of what’s actually happening. Is it true that Jews, or certain groups of them, might be using others to bring about some kind of major plan, and if so, what happens after? Do they just stop once their goals are achieved, or does it keep going?

And one thing I keep coming back to is this idea of being “chosen.” I personally believe that we’re all chosen in one way or another—we all have the gift of free will, the ability to choose our own path, and that’s something God gave to all of us, no matter our background or religion. So I wonder if that concept of being "the chosen" has been misunderstood or misused by certain people or groups to justify harmful actions.

I know this is a touchy subject, and I truly mean no offense. I’m just trying to sort through all the noise online and get a clearer picture of the truth. It seems like so much of what’s being said out there is driven by fear, anger, and misunderstanding, and I want to be sure I’m seeing things for what they really are.

At the end of the day, I believe God speaks to all of us, and we were all born into the freedom to choose our own paths. We’re all part of something much bigger, and while there are differences between us, I think we can agree that racism and hatred never lead anywhere good.

I really hope these questions come across in the spirit of curiosity and respect, and I’m grateful for any insight you can offer. Thanks for hearing me out!

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Charles Clemens's avatar

God bless you, brother.

There’s also this theory that Jews are somehow involved in pushing immigration policies that are bringing in people from different backgrounds?

That's a new one on me, but it's funny. I am a Jungian that believes in the Collective Unconscious and that we all have, hidden deep inside, every experience and every action of our ancestors. I question the concept of free will and I think that it was decided billions of years ago what I would do in a common or even difficult situation. For years I considered myself a Buddhist Christian or a Christian Buddhist. Now I just sit. And breathe. God's will is being carried out. Scary, eh?

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KEVIN T's avatar

I appreciate your perspective—it’s always interesting to hear how people view these things. The idea of the Collective Unconscious is a fascinating one, and I get what you mean about questioning free will. It’s definitely something that can spark some deep reflection. As you said, God's will is being carried out, and sometimes that’s both reassuring and a bit unsettling! And brings to question, which God are we referring???

That said, I was really hoping to get your take on some of the more specific things I mentioned. I know the immigration theory might sound strange, but it’s something I’ve seen circulating online quite a bit. And there’s more out there—people are saying that certain Jewish or Muslim groups are involved in plans to control or harm others, or to bring about some larger goal at the expense of everyone else.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these kinds of claims, especially the idea that Jews or Muslims might be working behind the scenes to influence world events, or that there's some deeper agenda to wipe out those who aren’t part of their faith. It’s hard to sort through what's true versus what’s just fearmongering online. I’m trying to get a clearer picture, and as someone who seems to have a deeper understanding of these topics, I was hoping you could help me out with that.

I understand it’s a touchy subject, but my questions are genuine, and I’d appreciate hearing your perspective directly on what’s being said.

Thanks again for your time and insight—I’m grateful for any clarity you can offer!

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Charles Clemens's avatar

I do not participate in any other Internet social media platforms and I've missed countless theories of what is going on in the world. It is my impression that the West is in a contagious psychotic state, that spoiled, fat, and comfortable people are questioning how long it will be before there are food shortages and gas lines again. And then, there's war. All of these theories are IMHO nothing more than psychological defense mechanisms to allow people to avoid facing reality.

Now, which god was I thinking of? For want of a better word, I'd call it the Tao. I believe our Creator is an irresistible spiritual entity. Being a Jungian, I think he has both creative and destructive powers, good and bad, male and female qualities. I once read an explanation of the Creation from a Taoist perspective. It's been a few years, but it said something like this: In the beginning, the Tao created Yin and Yang which went on to create the thousands of things. That seems reasonable to me and explains why we all have good and evil in our hearts.

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Rosemary B's avatar

Certainly, most timely

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

The fighting will never end, will it Charles. Tens of thousands of women and children dying, but war will never end. At least it’s happening to “them,” over “there.” Right? God bless the USA.

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Charles Clemens's avatar

I sense a hidden meaning in your comment, Kert.

Without reprising arguments (and alternate histories) of the difficulties in the Middle East, it is clear that the Mohammedans believe (as does Microsoft's 'Co-Pilot') that Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham and that they are entitled to rule Israel. Jews, of course, believe that a concubine's son is not worthy of the title of Abraham's "first born".

Here's a bit of political trivia for you: My wife is voting for Kamela. I cast my vote for Jay Bowman - an Independent whose platform focuses on balancing the budget and keeping out of foreign wars.

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

Dinner conversation must be interesting in your home! I never was an Old Testament guy—the myths there are just too full of fear, retribution, and violence. Which, now that I think about it….

Btw, i had no ulterior motive—there are so many people justifying the war and violence that a pursuit of peace apparently means one is anti-Israel.

Be that as it may, how are you my friend? We are heading into Fall—i imagine things are quite beautiful in your neck of the woods during the Fall. What’s your favorite season, if you have one?

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Charles Clemens's avatar

In my first marriage, a therapist recommended a book entitled THE INTIMATE ENEMY: HOW TO FIGHT FAIR IN LOVE AND MARRIAGE. After we'd clobbered one another with Bataka bats for several years, she finally had the sense to divorce me (after I'd raised her kids). The new wife (of 29 years) is a strong-willed woman who destroys me intellectually, but I love her.

I followed her to the Great Smoky Mountains after we retired; but my favorite season is winter. I miss how zero-degree temperatures clear the sinuses and the crunchy sound the snow makes.

I am doing well, despite having trouble with balance because of nerve damage in my feet following several back surgeries.

Taking everything into consideration and balance, life is what it is and I learned back in the sixties to Go With the Flow.

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