So, Flam, are you saying that Japanese do not distiguish (easily) between the voiced and the unvoiced in this contrastive pair? Flam: Ji ozer day I went wiz my brozer to ze brozel. Why "ji" for "the" in one position and "ze" for 'the' in the other? And no distinction be...

Dear mamawsandy, Things often sound harsh in the written form, even jokes, and esp. here where we have been through so many topics together and really defined our positions in relationship with one another. Surely no one meant to hurt your feelings, we just all have set opinions on this topic and so...

What a fascinating question, Flam! And a great discussion everyone. Flam: From my regionally-biased observations speakers of Romance, Arabic and Indic languages tend to use T whereas Japanese, Chinese and Korean speakers resort to S. Let's expand and condense this slightly: The tough consonants for ...

I agree with Tim. The effects of panic is often worse than the original threat. Is this Avian flu 100% fatal to birds? Why not keep alive those that survive it and breed a variety of bird that is resistant to this flu? Until 2003, theCDC had estimated 20,000 deaths per yearUntil 2003, the , but in a...

gailr: However, when doctrine-protecting zealots get overenthusiastic and start pronouncing on everything in order to "protect" their faith, they are riding for a fall. Yes and No! If the "Zealot" defends the central doctrines of Christianity, he may do so too enthusiastically, b...

http://www.aish.com/graphics/articles/NGOAntiIsrael230x150.gif Stork was a core member of the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP), described by B'nai B'rith as "a propaganda mill of the Far Left," which openly called for Israel's destruction. MERIP Reports carried laudato...

Here you go, portokalos, some support for your hypothesis: It is unknown how long this belief persisted into the Muslim period, but some Christian historians believe the Donatist schism and the discord it caused in the Christian community made the takeover of the region by Islam easier.2 Donatist Apo

I found this thought-provoking, although I do not identify with the (few) pro-John Paul II inferences: A Hope for Collapsing Churches By David Mills .....those threatening division are attacked with such labels as "Donatist" and such slogans as "schism is worse than heresy." (Whi...

Human Rights for Whom? BY: Boris Ryvkin Martin Luther King Jr. wasn’t the only one who had a dream. I dream that someday organizations that espouse human rights stop vilifying those countries that uphold them the most. I dream that Israel and the US will emerge victorious over the enemies of democr...

Henri: Now you may, of course, choose to dismiss this source as well as a «left-wing, anti-American, Commie-led organisation», but in doing so I fear you would destroy your credibility entirely. Not in my book, he wouldn't! The fact that every allegation is considered an offense, and the constant co...

gailr: Yet all these people worship the same God and subscribe to similar core beliefs, expressed through different doctrines and dogmas. Yes, out of the Reformation came the idea of the "invisible" Church that includes all believers, and with it were set out the "core beliefs" t...

portokalos:

the casual darkness of my mind

Got to love that phrase!

Apo

gailr: The various synods were of, by, and for those who had the most to gain from formalizing the nascent state religion, the better to control those who were attracted to it. I find this unreasonably cynical. One would have to beileve that there was no Truth to defend; that there were no (true) be...

I think three times is fine, for emphasis. Besides, it shows he's learning and Evolving. Now that he has that structure of knowledge, he can use it for something else. Before he wasn't able to quote even himself, now with any luck, he can quote who(m)ever he chooses. portokalos, interesting! So it i...

Thanks, Katy, gailr, and Tim! Everyone really gave some food for thought (which I'll think about).

Good night, dear friends!

Apo