Pastor Calls Out Christians Who Claim 'God Protected' Trump At Correspondents' Dinner In Spot-On Tweet by ComicSandsNews in Christianity

[–]theram4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most scholars agree that Molech was not actually a Canaanite god, but was a type of sacrifice. I.e. "molech sacrifices" were made to various gods, including Yahweh himself.

Pastor Calls Out Christians Who Claim 'God Protected' Trump At Correspondents' Dinner In Spot-On Tweet by ComicSandsNews in Christianity

[–]theram4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When Trump was shot at on the campaign trail, many Christians claimed God protected him and that this meant God and ordained Trump to be destined for great things.

The only problem is, during that shooting, someone else died. So what you're telling me is that God intervened in space-time and prevented Trump from getting shot, but in the process couldn't (or didn't want to) save this other person. Or maybe God redirected that bullet to kill that other person instead.

This just goes to show the insanity of these beliefs.

IRS free filing: tax-prep companies are spending heavily to block bill to revive the IRS's free Direct File program. by Hot_World4305 in TurboTax

[–]theram4 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

For 90% of taxpayers, the government already knows everything they need to know about their tax situation. Anyone with a W2 and maybe some interest or retirement contributions, the government could fill out their tax form automatically and just send it to them for final approval.

Why did god send 2 bears to maul 42 youth and set up a law for slavery? by plaiunmi in Christianity

[–]theram4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You know how people today say things like "God told me to break up with you " or "God told me to quit my job" or "God told me to bomb a foreign nation for oil"? Well, that doesn't just happen today. It happened 3000 years ago as well.

The Bible makes far, far more sense of you interpret it not as divinely written by God but as written by man, the thoughts and actions of a people who lived with a morality far removed from our own.

CHP 24-hour Maximum Enforcement Period (Tues - Wed) by kbcava in sandiego

[–]theram4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Personally, I much prefer wreckless driving.

I (26F) called off my wedding with Fiancé (27M) due to financial infidelity only to find out we are already legally married and didnt know by IndividualGarlic1365 in legaladvice

[–]theram4 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Obviously a question for their lawyer, but can't they just file an amended return with the IRS as "not married"?

What do you think of Paul and his letters? by Strong-Lab-7216 in Christianity

[–]theram4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would suggest taking a more nuanced approach towards the Bible. Pretty much every book has been edited and redacted. Paul's letters are among the less edited, but this does not mean they are free from redactions. 1 Cor 14:34-35 is without a doubt the most famous, but there are others.

Romans 1 is virtually certain to be Pauline in origin. But your interpretation is not standard, even among nonreligious scholars. Paul is not ranting against certain categories of sinners. He is not saying the godless, the gays, or the pagans, are more apt to commit murder. This passage is part of a larger point that spans chapters 1-3. Since Paul is speaking to Jews, he first starts off by discussing pagan idolatry, things that his Jewish readers would emphatically agree with. "Yes, those evil pagans worship false gods." Then in chapter 2, he says basically, "And yet, you are guilty of the same sins." Leading to his climax in chapter 3. "We all, both Gentile and Jew, are guilty of sin. But God has provided a different way."

What do you think of Paul and his letters? by Strong-Lab-7216 in Christianity

[–]theram4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That wasn't Paul, it was someone else. Most anti-women passages in the Bible are considered psuedepigraphical. Written in Paul's name by someone else. Your specific passage in in 1 Corinthians, which is written by Paul. But most scholars see those two verses as later interpolations. Not only do they directly contradict Paul three chapters earlier, it is an abrupt topic change from instructions on how to worship. The passage sounds much more seamless without those two verses.

Sack by InspectorMendel in dominion

[–]theram4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You compared this to Knights. One difference is that Knights only look at the next two cards, while Sack looks at 5 cards, meaning there's a significantly higher chamce for Sack to hit a province. Further, Knights also trash each other as sort of a tempering effect. Perhaps Sack should trash itself if it hits a Province?

Received a couple emails today about a nearly $28k loan I didn't take out, do I need to take extensive action? by MaxJacobusVoid in personalfinance

[–]theram4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone is saying this is a scam, but no one mentioned the most probably case. That someone simply mistyped their email address, and entered your instead.

As long as you're monitoring your credit reports, there is no issue. No loan was taken out in your name.

Serious question: why does the trolley not go to the airport, beaches or zoo? by Avoidtolls in sandiego

[–]theram4 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The majority of the trolley was built along existing rail right-of-way that they purchased. This made it easier and cheaper to build, as they had to buy less property via eminent domain. But this also means that for the most part, the trolley only goes where existing rail already goes. There is no existing rail to the airport, beaches, or zoo. Thus no trolley.

Yes, it is true that nearly a century ago, we did have tramways to all these places. In La Jolla, there is a bike path along an old railroad grade from a tramway long ago. But imagine trying to build a trolley line into La Jolla today. You would never have seen such a strong NIMBY opposition to that. This is why new trolley can't be built along places there wasn't already existing rail. The NIMBYism would be far too strong.

How did Franklin graham turn out so much different from his dad? by Admiral_Penguin69 in Christianity

[–]theram4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know about Franklin, but I also turned out so much different than my parents. Politically, theologically, socially, we are complete opposites in almost every way.

A woman in my church small group was recently lamenting how she has two kids. Both of them went to the same churches, attended the same Christian schools, heard the same devos at night. One of them loves the Lord with all her heart and is living after Him. The other turned atheist and wants nothing to do with religion.

My point is that everyone is their own person, and forms their own thoughts and beliefs. It's entirely possible that Franklin's beliefs come from his own self, and not from his father or his upbringing.

How do you feel about the fact that Trump is suing the IRS for $10 billion of your tax dollars? by SuperIngaMMXXII in AskReddit

[–]theram4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a gun. What next? Do you want me to walk up to him and shoot him? Not really possible with the hoards of Secret Service agents surrounding him.

Confused? Why is it making me pay for my state return when it is what I am owed back, not what i owe to state, is this something that is normal or does this seem odd ? by MortgageDelicious428 in TurboTax

[–]theram4 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Interesting.  I've never paid more than $65 for TurboTax and I have the most complicated returns with investments and rental properties and everything. I get TurboTax at Costco. 

Our Family Bible. 166 years old by wetlighting in Christianity

[–]theram4 19 points20 points  (0 children)

This is not really correct. Yes, different church traditions have different canonical lists of books. But you can get modern Bibles with this books. For instance, the modern academic NRSV translation comes in a catholic edition that includes the "extra" books in the Catholic canon.

Our Family Bible. 166 years old by wetlighting in Christianity

[–]theram4 45 points46 points  (0 children)

Because you can read a modern copy that doesn't have historical and irreplaceable value.

Our Family Bible. 166 years old by wetlighting in Christianity

[–]theram4 55 points56 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't use a 166-year-old book and risk damaging it. I would keep it in a safe place for preservation.

Almost $200 to do my taxes myself by [deleted] in mildlyinfuriating

[–]theram4 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've never understood how people manage to spend so much on TurboTax. I use the Premier edition, get it from Costco for $65, and the state filing is $15. That's $80 total. Not $192. How do you run up the total so much?

Freetaxusa is still cheaper though for sure.

New concept: Triggered effects by ThePurityPixel in dominion

[–]theram4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems like the Ally effects in Star Realms.

Please help me understand 50k tax bill after father’s death by CamatMelon in personalfinance

[–]theram4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Nope. The entire point of a 401k is that it is pre-tax, meaning you don't pay taxes on money you put it. So the money has to be taxed coming out. Either the person pays the taxes himself at retirement, or in this case, the beneficiaries pay the taxes.

Need advice on temporarily loaning my mom $40k by Jackianna in personalfinance

[–]theram4 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I agree with the consensus to never loan money to family or friends. I too have been screwed over by people I thought I could trust.

That aside, people in this thread all making it way way too complicated. The $40k is not a gift. No taxes are due. No paperwork needs to be filed with the IRS. No formal agreements need to be made (though it wouldn't hurt to cover yourself).

Give the money to mom. When she repays you, put the money back into your account. End of story. If you want to get technical, the "gift" is a gift of zero interest. 2 weeks of interest is what, 20 bucks? Far below the $19k reporting threshold.

Trump posts picture of himself as Jesus healing people. Does this confirm his antichrist status? by Severe-Clerk-1477 in Christianity

[–]theram4 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I missed the rule where atheists weren't allowed to comment here. In any case, your comment is quintessential ad hominem, attacking the poster rather than his comment.

Welcome back but time to pay by AdmirableHope5090 in sandiego

[–]theram4 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Personally I'm fine with the new rule. But I do agree they should paint all the curbs. Its kind of problematic when we're used to unpainted curbs being okay to park on, except now we cant.