THE VOICE OF REASON Solon, (born c. 630 BCE—died c. 560 BCE), Athenian statesman, known as one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece (the others were Chilon of Sparta, Thales of Miletus, Bias of Priene, Cleobulus of Lindos, Pittacus of Mytilene, and Periander of Corinth). Solon ended exclusive aristocratic control of the government, substituted a system of control by the wealthy, and introduced a new and more humane law code. He was also a noted poet.
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Friday, 6 March 2026
American Christianity is merely cultural whose churches are social clubs with no political power
Thursday, 5 March 2026
Secular Koranism to the rescue of Unitarian Christians!
What I said to @HelpfulAhmadi when Iranian missiles were flying over Jordan
- stories
- threats from God
- promises from God
- commandments
- prohibitions
T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) felt deeply disillusioned by the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, a secret pact between Britain and France that betrayed promises of Arab independence he had made to his allies. The agreement partitioned Ottoman-controlled Middle East into French- and British-spheres, contradicting Arab hopes for a unified state, forcing Lawrence to fight for their cause at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference.Key Details on Lawrence and the Sykes-Picot Agreement:The Conflict: While leading the Arab Revolt (1916–1918), Lawrence promised Faisal I and Arab leaders that they would gain independence after the war. Simultaneously, British diplomat Mark Sykes and French diplomat François Georges-Picot signed a secret agreement to divide the region, with France taking Syria/Lebanon and Britain taking Iraq/Jordan/Palestine.Discovery and Reaction: Lawrence likely learned details of the agreement between May and October 1916, or upon its public release by the Bolsheviks in 1917, which he found "disgusting". He realized his work was being used to support colonial expansion rather than Arab sovereignty.Post-War Actions: Despite the betrayal, Lawrence pushed for the fulfillment of Arab promises at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, advocating for Prince Faisal.Long-term Impact: The agreement, which drew arbitrary borders across the Middle East, is often cited as a root cause of instability and conflict in the region for the past century.
Sykes–Picot Agreement was a secret 1916 treaty between the United Kingdom and France, with assent from Russia and Italy, to define their spheres of influence and control in the event of the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I. The agreement laid the groundwork for the post-war partition of the Middle East, dividing Ottoman territories into British and French zones of control, while also addressing Russian and Italian interests. It was negotiated by British diplomat Mark Sykes and French diplomat François Georges-Picot, with formal ratification occurring on 9–16 May 1916. The agreement directly influenced the creation of modern states in the region and is widely viewed as a foundational moment in the geopolitical shaping of the Middle East.Sykes–Picot Agreement – Quick facts:Signed: 3 January 1916 (initialled), formally ratified 9–16 May 1916Parties: United Kingdom, France, Russia (initially), Italy (later)
Key negotiators: Mark Sykes (UK), François Georges-Picot (France)
Territorial division:British control: Southern Israel, Palestine, Jordan, southern Iraq, and access to Mediterranean ports (Haifa, Acre)
French control: Southeastern Turkey, Kurdistan Region, Syria, and Lebanon
International administration: Palestine (to be decided post-consultation)
Russian interests: Western Armenia, Constantinople, and the Turkish Straits (under the Constantinople Agreement and Sazonov–Paléologue Agreement)
The agreement was initially kept secret from the Arab populations it affected, despite prior British promises of Arab independence. It was later exposed by the Russian Bolshevik government in November 1917, contributing to widespread Arab distrust. Though not directly implemented in full, the Sykes–Picot framework heavily influenced the 1920 San Remo Conference and the subsequent League of Nations mandates, shaping the modern borders of the Middle East.
27:00 British schoolchildren had to learn the kings and queens of England when they took monarchy seriously.
28:00 Founding Fathers
Stockholm Syndrome
https://www.simplypsychology.org/harlow-monkey.html
29:00 The Founding Fathers separated the church from their state.
30:00 https://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=2&verse=266
35:00 Every country adopting Secular Koranism would interpret the Koran in their own way.
37:00 Trust in a meritocracy
38:00 Exercising moral reasoning to choose the best religion available
39:00 Winning the argument against Christians
41:00 Rabbis ranking the four gentiles religion according to their conformity with the Noahide laws
42:00 Why Jews are so confused and corrupt
43:00 36 capital offences of Judaism
Ir nidachat - being guilty of the capital offence of being a citizen of a city that has gone astray
48:00 Europeans must rid themselves of the cancer of monarchy and become constitutional republics.
49:00 Israel is an American colony.
50:00 What are Americans to do?
51:00 Will Christians redeem themselves with Secular Koranism?
Absolute monarchy is absolute corruption.
Neal Daedalus deconstructs his deconstruction
Why Claire Khaw is the world's most knowledgeable theologian
Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes;Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,Attempted to Believe Matilda:The effort very nearly killed her,And would have done so, had not SheDiscovered this Infirmity.For once, towards the Close of Day,Matilda, growing tired of play,And finding she was left alone,Went tiptoe to the TelephoneAnd summoned the Immediate AidOf London's Noble Fire-Brigade.Within an hour the Gallant BandWere pouring in on every hand,From Putney, Hackney Downs, and BowWith Courage high and Hearts a-glowThey galloped, roaring through the Town'Matilda's House is Burning Down!'Inspired by British Cheers and LoudProceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,They ran their ladders through a scoreOf windows on the Ball Room Floor;And took Peculiar Pains to SouseThe Pictures up and down the House,Until Matilda's Aunt succeededIn showing them they were not needed;And even then she had to payTo get the Men to go away!It happened that a few Weeks laterHer Aunt was off to the TheatreTo see that Interesting PlayThe Second Mrs Tanqueray.She had refused to take her NieceTo hear this Entertaining Piece:A Deprivation Just and WiseTo Punish her for Telling Lies.That Night a Fire did break out-You should have heard Matilda Shout!You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,And throw the window up and callTo People passing in the Street-(The rapidly increasing HeatEncouraging her to obtainTheir confidence)-but all in vain!For every time She shouted 'Fire!'They only answered 'Little Liar'!And therefore when her Aunt returned,Matilda, and the House, were Burned.
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Talking to Josh Gonzalez about Penal Substitutionary Atonement
The Harrowing of Hell, or Christ's descent into the realm of the dead to free righteous souls, is primarily based on 1 Peter 3:18–20, which describes Jesus being "made alive in the spirit" and proclaiming to "spirits in prison". Other key, supporting, or interpreted verses include:Ephesians 4:9: Suggests a descent into the "lower parts of the earth".Acts 2:24–31: Quotes Psalm 16:10, stating Christ was not abandoned to Hades.1 Peter 4:6: Mentions the gospel was preached to those now dead.Matthew 12:40: References the "heart of the earth" for three days.Revelation 1:17–18: Mentions Jesus holds the "keys of Death and Hades".These passages are foundational to the belief that Jesus descended to the underworld between his crucifixion and resurrection.
I fail to explain the difference between the ideal and the minimum moral standard
American Christianity is merely cultural whose churches are social clubs with no political power
Original Sin is about frightening Christian parents into getting their infants baptised. 1:00 Infant baptism is the priest's foot in ...
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Key: CK = Claire Khaw CD = Claudia Dalgleish EB = Eddy Butler MC = Mark Collet TC = Tess Culnane CD on Facebook This past month...
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Beta males will never get female attention if it is OK for women to have premarital sex. If you want beta males to have a reasonable ...
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Why do Christians not follow the morality of the Bible? Because the Church itself does not follow Biblical principles and is only interes...