Jonathan H. B. Lobl

I was under the impression that Witches are Pagans. It's not a big deal. I'm frequently mistaken.

The way things are going, I expect the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster; will schism into factions for Gluten Free; Whole Grain; White Flour; Anti Tomato Sauce; Vegetarian (no meat); Vegan (no meat or cheese) -- and Lo Mein.

You're right. They did fuse in my mind. Still, China wants their "renegade province" back. It's an odd, complicated relationship. The State of Israel is using people's smart phones to track their movements. The pretext is they are tracking the Corona virus. As you say. Think of all the health apps on a smart phone. Temperature, Pulse, Blood Pressure, etc.

Welcome to our home. Where are you from?

China has a long complicated history with different ethnic groups. It's not so simple. If the economy collapses, old frictions could emerge. Some of them run deep.

There are other options. Perhaps silly, but we are speculating. Empire Building. Perhaps in the manner of Great Britain or Rome. Empire for it's own sake. Just because they have high tech, does not imply social maturity. I should clarify. That does not mean that they want us as citizens. When Great Britain took over India, that included the elephants. The elephants were never citizens. Missionaries. Come to save our souls. They can have high tech and still be crazy. Academics. Doctoral students are always looking for strange things, to do a research study. Musicologists, Linguists, Social Scientists, etc. You never know what will excite a professional. Tourism. The more primitive and disgusting, the better. Chefs. "TO SERVE MAN" Conservationists. They might want to save the whales -- from us.

There are two separate issues at play here. 1. I'm not clear about your part of the world. In America, I'm very clear. Americans, at least in great number, are passionate about the lines between Republicans and Democrats. I don't think "greater involvement" is the answer. I suspect we should leave bad enough alone. At least until some of the irrational hatreds burn off. 2. Your specific example. Taiwan is doomed to assimilate with China. When the British left, after their 99 year "lease" expired, the terms of the new contract gave Taiwan 50 years of autonomy. The riots are because of China's impatience. They are trying to move things along faster. What is 50 years in affairs of the world? Nothing. Fast or slow, China will prevail. Unless China unravels. There are indications. I think it could happen. The Soviet Union fell apart. Yugoslavia came apart at the seams. Why not China?

It seems a symptom of our time. In general, large groups are breaking down into smaller groups. Both political and religious. I think it helps explain part of what is happening to the ULC.

This blogger sees a growing divide between Witches and Pagans. I'm not taking sides. I thought it was an interesting blog. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/modernwitch/2020/03/is-witchcraft-outgrowing-paganism/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Pagan+News+and+Views&utm_content=37

In truth, the President is only a symptom. The problem is the electorate, that voted him into office. We must not confuse cause and effect.

That would be a great opening line.

It is a clever design. Alas, the weakness is that it is not being applied.

I'm not clear on your point. The primary American government response, was denial.

I didn't have anything mapped out. I thought there could be a discussion of culturally neutral ideas. Beyond that, I don't know.

Dan.

Never. God is a fantasy. Christianity is real. I understand Christianity. They can hollow Christianity if they want, by removing it's substance. What remains will be a hollow shell. A worthless, empty shell, that won't sustain. It doesn't have enough substance without the mysticism. Take out the mysticism and what's left? Pious platitudes empty of substance. Humanism has more to offer. Atheism would be more honest. I am not a Godly man. I lack piety. It's one of my better features.

It's worse. What happens to Christianity, without the Logos? This is heavy duty mysticism and it's central. John 1 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Thank you.

I was following, when the Knights Templar, took the bones to Southern France. I was following, when Jesus and Marry Madeline escaped to Southern France. I was following, when Jesus returned to his Buddhist origins in Kashmir. The final segment, when we are told that all that matters is faith in the Christian message......... No. Without a historic risen Christ, there is nothing. The symbolism game won't fly. Unless they want to say that God is symbolism. At that point, we might as well go with Atheism. 1 Cor. 15 12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

The large font is because I like to edit my stuff. I wear bifocals. My computer screen is mid range. Small letters on the screen are hard to read. The rest is personal style. Nothing mean is intended.

No. It's an area of scam that is new to me.

This is all news to me. EMF fraud? Holy freakin' crap.

If they can come here, they can go anywhere. Even our pest control specialists, have poisons that break down over time.

Yes. That would be interesting. I don't know that I would join -- but I would want to hear about it.

My point, was that spiritual warriors already have the TRUTH. They are not interested in being reasonable, or in compromise. A spiritual warrior does not negotiate with the Devil or his servants. It makes them irritating company.