Rocky

I wonder... if human perception which has obvious limits causes humankind to recognize some things without being able to investigate the scientific bases for the given phenomenon. This YT clip is long, but not as long, yet still understandable (or at least a listener can follow the words) by speeding it up. I find 1.75x workable for this purpose. Brian Greene is a scientist, author, and a darn good teacher. At least he tries to make things accessible for people who are not physicists. (yes... er, NO, this is not a homework assignment.) If you're interested, fine. If not, also fine.

"One of the most unexpected gifts you can receive is an early loss. Missing out on a job you really wanted. Trying a business idea that fails. Suffering a heartbreak. An early setback can become the catalyst for a wonderful next chapter—if you channel the emotion effectively. Disappointment is a hot burning fuel. Let it light your fire to become better." James Clear, author of Atomic Habits James Clear seems to be all about showing people how to shed their victimhood and maximize their agency. In that regard, I'm most grateful (besides for YOU, dear reader) for being on the doorstep of the next chapter of my life. As a nephew noted to me recently, I have a voice and can reach (some) people. I'm excited to see what that will look like as I am about to embark on my 70th trip around the sun. I must have blinked somewhere along the line, because I could have sworn I had just turned 34 and had my first offspring. The ride has been kinda bumpy. But I'm still upright and more thankful than ever.

There are ways around it. Balaam's a s s or a$$ or a.s.s.

You might be right. It's available to psychoanalyze a group by deciphering behaviors of people in the group even if one is not able to see into the heart of the individuals.

So, the more we ponder this cult facts website, can we be more certain it was generated by an AI? And will this computer science professor inadvertently provide TWI lawyers with legal theories on which to litigate over the matter? It's hard to say right now. As to being able to recognize the site was built using AI, I think back to 9/11/2001. When the first plane hit the first WTC tower, it wasn't immediately certain it was an act of terrorism. After the second plane hit the second tower, it was easy to infer it had been a coordinated terrorist attack. I don't consider THIS (development of the cult facts website) to be a coordinated terrorist attack, but it's probably fair to surmise each of the cults included on the website will characterize it as such????

Yes, that IS the key word. I certainly wouldn't venture a guess on any legal theory they might advance. Even if I had a guess, I wouldn't tell them. Further, I would surmise they WILL have such a conversation with their legal advocates well before they'll reach the acceptance stage and resign themselves to having to address any lingering deficiencies in their practices. Imagine the kind of resistance to change Stephen King wrote into his alternative history novel 11.22.63 to demonstrate the past's resistance to Jake Amberson's efforts to change it.

More power to you in that endeavor.

Intriguing insight. Yes, my first impression was that it took a LOT of work to put it together. My second impression was that much of it could be exaggerated. Then again, maybe that was my first impression and that it took a lot of work was second. Wired dot com says Large language models (LLM tools) like AI chatbots seem to be everywhere. If you understand them better, you can use them better. Your insight, that it's likely whoever put it together, did so with AI, seems very intriguing. You probably hit the nail on the head as far as what they could learn about how to more honestly handle "research." Will they? Maybe once they get people who know how to use the new AI chatbots. Then again, maybe not. My hunch is they'll see if their lawyers can figure out a way to get the page about them taken down before they get to the acceptance stage and decide to revamp the HQ corporate culture.

Somebody put A LOT of work into this linked website. Overall, the site is not limited in its research/claims/explanations of the cult with which we are most familiar. However, the eye catching claim at the top of the page for TWI is "Up to fifty high-ranking members conspired to coerce followers into having sex with the leaders" https://www.cultfacts.com/cults/the-way-international If you don't want to check it out, that's okay with me too.

Intriguing. To answer your question directly, I suppose YES, she could have been. But in and of itself, it proves very little, perhaps only that she values her time and surmised it would be very unlikely you would be interested if she continued the exchange. To ponder other possibilities... may or may not stay with you for a long time.

YES!

Indeed.

I appreciate your criticism. Even though I'm not recognizing the constructiveness of it.

You make some good points there. As to not clicking on links without knowing what it is, THAT is why I post the preview. If that doesn't interest you, fine. Don't participate in any discussion about something you don't care to view. However, I pick up a bit of an attitude in your comment. I do, however, disagree with you about not providing a starting place for discussion. Pardon me if I didn't provide ENOUGH discussion to interest you. I certainly did NOT give anyone a homework assignment. If there are other things contributing to your mood, I wish you well.

Isn't that STILL you declaring judgment on a person for their words even when you don't know what's in their heart? Fine, you don't like it. Fine, you "mind less..." but how does that impact what you believe your responsibility as a Christian would be to such people? Whether it's apparent incongruity about their salvation or anything else? I mean, come on... I'm not judging you. I'm just asking you to judge your words and your actions.

Attack? What attack? Wasn't I merely posting my opinion? Touchy much? Are you saying "freedom of speech" protects you from someone reflecting on and calling attention to what you post? Are you saying people who claim to be Christian DO have to justify themselves in words? Whatever happened to no one knows, other than God, what's in the heart of a person? I mean, it's not like putting someone on trial for a crime, is it? So, WordWolf, are you saying you have an opinion about Kristin du Mez' testimony? If so, why not just post it in terms of what your response is to her words?

Holy CARP! I mean WOW! I had no idea that YOU, TLC (does that still mean Tender Loving Care?) are the ULTIMATE JUDGE? Here's the first 12 verses of the Book of James chapter 4 1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4You adulterous people, a don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us b ? 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” c 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 11Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister d or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? **** OTOH, I posted the YT video, not to evaluate or cast aspersions on historian Kristin du Mez's personal testimony (about anything) but rather to address a different question, which, she for herself, answers as well as or better than anyone could answer for her. As for myself, I asked Ham for clarification. As best I can tell, he wonderfully clarified the message underlying his comment. I appreciate him having done so. I wish for you today, a huge heaping helping of tender loving care... whether you identify as a Christian or not.

Today, Amazon.com is selling the Kindle version of this book for $3.99 Print editions are currently $28.61 (hardcover) and $14.50 (paperback).

oh, okay. So you're okay with others listening to Kristin du Mez' explain why she's still a Christian, I suppose.

I don't see any reason why it would be deleted. Have you had posts deleted before that you thought should not have been? The person in question apparently IS a public figure who has been credibly accused. IHOPKC also posted a video on FB. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=172641609261928

Is that why YOU, Ham, are still a Christian? Or is that your assessment of Kristin Du Mez' declaration of faith?

Historian Kristin Du Mez responds to the question from the Holy Post podcast. Kristin has written Jesus and John Wayne.

Well... plenty of warmth available, perhaps you have to give to someone who might need it. Not so easy to have regenerative conversation with you, however, since your posts seem entirely, since you re-emerged, to be excessively cryptic. I suspect there might be others willing to share warmth with you if you were to be less cryptic. Take care friend.

As my manner is, I picked up this book from my local public library today. You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why it Matters. To some, this may seem off topic, but I submit it goes somewhat directly to Twinky's concern AND to the noticeably cerebral post our good friend sirguessalot interjected. I mean that in a positive way. And I am almost certainly as lacking as anyone in effort put into "listening" to my fellow GSC posters.