Merry Christmas Woopig

[BASS]

Merry Christmas Bass 

That's an interesting way of looking at it. I'd never considered it from that angle before. I don't think God would be that pedantic though. You can be great without being pedantic. Plus, getting hung up on pronunciation technicalities would show pride and vanity, and pride is considered one of the seven deadly sins. Pride cometh before a fall.

The seven deadly sins are not in the Bible. I challenge you to look them up and give me the references by book, chapter, and verse.

They were a figment of the imagination of the author of the Canterbury Tales.

[DirkPiggler]

You do you man. That is the great thing about being a human. Free will to believe whatever the fuck you want. No judgement from me. I'm a friend of all people.

Isn't it a little comical though. That the main source of Christianity surviving was Paul who wrote in Greek. Greek doesn't have an equivalent of the Hebrew Y, so an I was used, which is pronounced like a J in Greek. And ever since, every Christian that lived and worshipped called God and God's son by the wrong name. Does that sound like an ultimate master plan of this God whom we call the wrong name? I mean if you were God would you let people call you the wrong name? Not a one of you would let your spouse or child call you by another man's name.

I'd recommend listening to Shawn Ryan's most recent podcast.  It may not refute what you're saying completely but it does address some of your points in the first few minutes.  Which is interesting to me as I started listening shortly after I read your reply above. 

Arguing theology with non-believers isn't my thing, because I don't know it well enough to properly defend it against skeptics yet.  Now if you were a fake ass preacher trying to argue created human morals that contradict biblical teachings I'm your huckleberry. 

Merry Christmas.  I hope you find God (or He finds you).   Whether you do or you don't, I wish nothing but the best for you. 

[animal]

So the other day I was talking to an employee and the subject of that Lotto was brought up. I said something like...why bring up something like that. The chances are astronomical that anyone around here wins that sombitch.


Winner bought ticket at the Murphy Gas station in Cabot like a day later.

Merry Christmas everyone. Especially my cousin the billionaire in Cabot

[HawgHazard]

I'd recommend listening to Shawn Ryan's most recent podcast.  It may not refute what you're saying completely but it does address some of your points in the first few minutes.  Which is interesting to me as I started listening shortly after I read your reply above. 

Arguing theology with non-believers isn't my thing, because I don't know it well enough to properly defend it against skeptics yet.  Now if you were a fake ass preacher trying to argue created human morals that contradict biblical teachings I'm your huckleberry. 

Merry Christmas.  I hope you find God (or He finds you).   Whether you do or you don't, I wish nothing but the best for you. 

The problem with "arguing with non-believers" is that you are literally trying to convince them of something you have taken on faith (sort of the whole point). That said, when you actually compare the historical record, Jesus of Nazareth is far better attested than many people from the same era whose existence no one questions. Within the New Testament, historians identify multiple independent first-century sources and traditions (such as the authentic Pauline letters from the 50s–60s CE, the Gospel traditions including Mark, Q, and special materials for Matthew and Luke) written by different authors in different places, reflecting early oral and written accounts of his life, teachings, crucifixion, and the rise of his followers. Outside the Bible, there are several independent, non-Christian sources that mention Jesus or early Christianity within about 100–120 years of his life, including Josephus (two passages, one partially authentic), Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and possibly Suetonius. Some apologetic lists expand this to include more indirect or debated references (e.g., Thallus, Mara Bar-Serapion, or Talmudic traditions), but mainstream scholarship relies on the core Roman and Jewish attestations confirming his existence and execution under Pontius Pilate. By comparison, Socrates is known primarily through the writings of two students, Plato and Xenophon, plus brief mentions by Aristophanes. Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor with real administrative power, is referenced in only a handful of sources, mainly Josephus, Philo, Tacitus, and a single inscription. Spartacus, who led one of the largest slave revolts in Roman history, is known almost entirely from later Roman historians writing decades to centuries after his death. In other words, by the standards historians normally use, Jesus is unusually well documented for a first-century Jewish teacher of no political rank.

That said, I hope that all find and accept Christ before they have no further chance. The point above about God not being pedantic was spot on. God came to earth in human form through Christ the Son and died for our sins. He is the only way to God the Father for us, because without him we are lost due to our sins. Believe on Christ the Lord, and you shall be saved!

[Corn Pop]

The seven deadly sins are not in the Bible. I challenge you to look them up and give me the references by book, chapter, and verse.

They were a figment of the imagination of the author of the Canterbury Tales.

Proverbs 16:18— "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

It doesn't matter if the words "seven deadly sins" are in the Bible or not. My point still stands. Don't get hung up on technicalities. You'll miss the message.

[HOGSRUNWILD]

Merry Christmas HRW. 

What'd you shuck those oysters with? Oyster shucking can be tricky.

Kevlar glove with a nonskid grip on the left hand, dish towel to hold oyster, shucking knife I got from somewhere.  Once you get the hang of it, isn't too hard.  These were smaller fuckers than normal and were a bit of a pain, at least some of them.  Did get my hand twice and without the glove, likely stabbed it.  I have seen people make a small wooden cutout with a backstop to hold them so you just put the towel on top to hold it down into the backstop and that seems way safer.  If I knew this many was going to be done, would have whipped something up in the shop and tried it.

Like this, but not $52 for two pieces of wood screwed together. 

https://bowlift.com/products/premium-wood-handle-oyster-shell-opener-clamp?currency=USD&variant=56070949044569&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=d52c628f43f7&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22937558133&gbraid=0AAAAA9Vio8jbCVfFGBwWob1kVZsNZ_ug6&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgbnKBhDgARIsAGCDdlfHllszQ7b6h4sLGlUm-Hpi51jF2PhaMBxz-6nF9r5GfQuqP7rUK3EaAo08EALw_wcB

Lesson learned.  Might make it in a couple of sizes for different oyster types the lacquer coat when I get back home from Taiwan, and probably mount suction sups on the inner surface of the sink interface so it latches to the sink and doesn't move around.  Seems like a design flaw of their design. 

Seriously, get some gloves for your off-hand if you are going to do it.  I use these and they work ok:

https://www.grainger.com/product/HEXARMOR-Coated-Gloves-L-9-54ZG34

[Corn Pop]

Kevlar glove with a nonskid grip on the left hand, dish towel to hold oyster, shucking knife I got from somewhere.  Once you get the hang of it, isn't too hard.  These were smaller fuckers than normal and were a bit of a pain, at least some of them.  Did get my hand twice and without the glove, likely stabbed it.  I have seen people make a small wooden cutout with a backstop to hold them so you just put the towel on top to hold it down into the backstop and that seems way safer.  If I knew this many was going to be done, would have whipped something up in the shop and tried it.

Like this, but not $52 for two pieces of wood screwed together. 

https://bowlift.com/products/premium-wood-handle-oyster-shell-opener-clamp?currency=USD&variant=56070949044569&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=d52c628f43f7&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22937558133&gbraid=0AAAAA9Vio8jbCVfFGBwWob1kVZsNZ_ug6&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgbnKBhDgARIsAGCDdlfHllszQ7b6h4sLGlUm-Hpi51jF2PhaMBxz-6nF9r5GfQuqP7rUK3EaAo08EALw_wcB

Lesson learned.  Might make it in a couple of sizes for different oyster types the lacquer coat when I get back home from Taiwan, and probably mount suction sups on the inner surface of the sink interface so it latches to the sink and doesn't move around.  Seems like a design flaw of their design. 

Seriously, get some gloves for your off-hand if you are going to do it.  I use these and they work ok:

https://www.grainger.com/product/HEXARMOR-Coated-Gloves-L-9-54ZG34

Thanks. 

[DRYANKNPULL]

Kevlar glove with a nonskid grip on the left hand, dish towel to hold oyster, shucking knife I got from somewhere.  Once you get the hang of it, isn't too hard.  These were smaller fuckers than normal and were a bit of a pain, at least some of them.  Did get my hand twice and without the glove, likely stabbed it.  I have seen people make a small wooden cutout with a backstop to hold them so you just put the towel on top to hold it down into the backstop and that seems way safer.  If I knew this many was going to be done, would have whipped something up in the shop and tried it.

Like this, but not $52 for two pieces of wood screwed together. 

https://bowlift.com/products/premium-wood-handle-oyster-shell-opener-clamp?currency=USD&variant=56070949044569&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=d52c628f43f7&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22937558133&gbraid=0AAAAA9Vio8jbCVfFGBwWob1kVZsNZ_ug6&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgbnKBhDgARIsAGCDdlfHllszQ7b6h4sLGlUm-Hpi51jF2PhaMBxz-6nF9r5GfQuqP7rUK3EaAo08EALw_wcB

Lesson learned.  Might make it in a couple of sizes for different oyster types the lacquer coat when I get back home from Taiwan, and probably mount suction sups on the inner surface of the sink interface so it latches to the sink and doesn't move around.  Seems like a design flaw of their design. 

Seriously, get some gloves for your off-hand if you are going to do it.  I use these and they work ok:

https://www.grainger.com/product/HEXARMOR-Coated-Gloves-L-9-54ZG34

I have those gloves and love them for chopping up deers. Ask your neighborhood emergency room doc how many lacerated left hands they see during deer season.

[HOGSRUNWILD]

I got a few sets for my dad for filleting catfish too.  He took a big barb between his fingers and it fucked him up for a bit so he wears on on his holding hand now

[Texzilla]

The problem with "arguing with non-believers" is that you are literally trying to convince them of something you have taken on faith (sort of the whole point). That said, when you actually compare the historical record, Jesus of Nazareth is far better attested than many people from the same era whose existence no one questions. Within the New Testament, historians identify multiple independent first-century sources and traditions (such as the authentic Pauline letters from the 50s–60s CE, the Gospel traditions including Mark, Q, and special materials for Matthew and Luke) written by different authors in different places, reflecting early oral and written accounts of his life, teachings, crucifixion, and the rise of his followers. Outside the Bible, there are several independent, non-Christian sources that mention Jesus or early Christianity within about 100–120 years of his life, including Josephus (two passages, one partially authentic), Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and possibly Suetonius. Some apologetic lists expand this to include more indirect or debated references (e.g., Thallus, Mara Bar-Serapion, or Talmudic traditions), but mainstream scholarship relies on the core Roman and Jewish attestations confirming his existence and execution under Pontius Pilate. By comparison, Socrates is known primarily through the writings of two students, Plato and Xenophon, plus brief mentions by Aristophanes. Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor with real administrative power, is referenced in only a handful of sources, mainly Josephus, Philo, Tacitus, and a single inscription. Spartacus, who led one of the largest slave revolts in Roman history, is known almost entirely from later Roman historians writing decades to centuries after his death. In other words, by the standards historians normally use, Jesus is unusually well documented for a first-century Jewish teacher of no political rank.

That said, I hope that all find and accept Christ before they have no further chance. The point above about God not being pedantic was spot on. God came to earth in human form through Christ the Son and died for our sins. He is the only way to God the Father for us, because without him we are lost due to our sins. Believe on Christ the Lord, and you shall be saved!

This is excellent, and spot on for conversations with those skeptics who apply their recency bias of celebrity and news media to ancient happenings.  Jesus' historical documentation is remarkable for a carpenter of the era.

The other proof I often point to are the many martyrs who refused to refute their faith or testimony at the point of a sword, having witnessed some element of Jesus' path.

I think nonbelievers often have the thought that Christianity is hard and demanding, often with justification when they see complex rituals, droning hymns, and lots of rules. My dad was a simple John 3:16 beer drinking Baptist.  He taught me the simplicity of salvation.  Because of Christ taking all the sin of every human before or after Him, we are left with the simplicity of God's gift of Grace. It can't be earned thru merit, it can only be accepted.  That's it. Done. Baptism not required.  Complex ritual not required. Simply accept and move through the world as an imperfect Christian. 

[BASS]

No one has refuted the existence of Jesus.

Existing and being what people write about three decades after you die. Those are different arguments.