Christmas Is Not A Drag, Progressives

Victory Girls  

"Whatever the woke touches, it kills. We know this. But this “reimagining” of Christmas is about something so much more than that. It’s an illustration of how self-centered and egotistical, we as mortal humans on this spinning Earth, in this UNIVERSE, have become. God help shine a light on us all."

 "Liberals, at any point in time, will do all they can to erase and blaspheme a Christian holiday. So, it’s no surprise to us, that they want to make the nativity scene and Christmas all about them.

"In fact, “churches” in Colorado and Washington State (I know, you’re shocked), are hosting drag-themed nativity events this holiday season. Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO, claims “love unites us all”. Alongside their “Tiny Christmas” event for kids 5 and under, their holiday craft nights, their chili and caroling supper, they also hosted an event this weekend entitled “A Drag Christmas Spectacular”. You guessed it. The nativity story…but in DRAG." (Emphasis in the original)

Get ready for the ultimate festive extravaganza with ‘A Drag Christmas Spectacular,’ where magical Queers will slay their way to Bethlehem. But this year, they are not alone!

Dive into the ultimate holiday celebration of queer joy, courage, and unapologetic pride with A Drag Christmas Spectacular! Fast becoming an annual tradition – this year’s performance promises even more humor, heart, and glitter!

Showcasing Colorado’s top drag and queer talent in a 90+ minute whirlwind of theater, drag, and a reimagined Christmas story that only the boldest could dream up.”-adragchristmas.com.    More...

The Rise of Radical Islam & Western Societies .

 The West Doesn't Understand Extreme Islamism 

"John speaks with Islam scholars Dr. Mark Durie and Dr. Richard Shumack to explore the complex relationship between Islam and Western culture, drawing a contrast between Muhammad’s leadership, shaped by military endeavors, and Jesus’s Gospel of peace. They discuss how Islam’s foundational texts—the Quran and Hadiths—emphasise submission and sacred struggle, which stands in tension with Western values like freedom and the rule of law. A lack of theological literacy in the West obscures the roots of current challenges, including Hamas’ extremism and rising anti-Semitism.  "The dialogue examines broader differences, contrasting Islam’s historical pursuit of authority with the West’s vitality, rooted in principles of love and rational inquiry. Dr. Durie and Dr. Shumack observe that Islam's narratives of victimhood and a rejection of modernity hinders progress, while Christianity’s call to "love your enemies" fosters resilience and growth. "Dr Mark Durie is a pastor and academic. He writes and speaks on a wide range of topics which include the connection between faith and culture, freedom of religion, the persecution of religious minorities, and the origin and history of Islam. A graduate of the Australian National University and the Australian College of Theology, he has held visiting appointments at the University of Leiden, MIT, UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, and Stanford and also held a variety of positions during the 1980’s and 1990’s at Melbourne University. He was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1992 for his work in linguistics. He is the author of Double Minded and The Third Choice.
"Dr Richard Shumack is a philosopher of religion specialising in Muslim and Christian belief. He teaches regularly on ministry in Muslim contexts in Australian colleges, universities, churches and schools. He is the author of Jesus Through Muslim Eyes and Witnessing to Western Muslims." . . .

The Blogs: The Rise of Radical Islam & Western Societies . . . "But for all the daunting obstacles ahead, there is also reason for hope. The vast majority of people in Western societies, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, reject the poison of radicalism and hatred. They believe in the promise of liberty, democracy, and human rights, and are willing to work hard to build a future of greater opportunity and understanding for all. By reaffirming these universal values, by standing united against bigotry and extremism in all their forms, and by investing in the hard work of integration and community-building, Western societies can emerge stronger, more cohesive, and better equipped to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The stakes could not be higher, nor the urgency greater, for the fight against radical Islamism, anti-Semitism, and the forces of division is nothing less than a battle for the soul of Western civilization itself."

Are You Using ‘Begs the Question’ Wrong?

Word Smarts   “Begs the question” is a common phrase to introduce a follow-up question, but it’s technically incorrect. The mix-up is the result of a translation rooted in philosophy.

"You can now see why those who favor the philosophical version dislike the modern usage — the two are very different. However, in informal situations, using “begs the question” to mean something like “raises the question” is widely understood, and dictionaries  recognize it as valid. Nevertheless, this usage should be avoided in formal writing."

"Begs the question” doesn’t always mean what you think it does. It’s often used as a synonym for “raises the question,” but by formal standards, that’s not quite right. Consider this example: “Another major department store is closing its doors. This begs the question: Are shopping malls going extinct?” As you can see, the phrase often introduces a follow-up question, or, as Merriam-Webster puts it, it “elicits a question logically as a reaction or response.” However, this modern usage isn’t historically accurate.

"The phrase dates back to Aristotle’s principles of formal logic. It comes from the Latin petitio principii, meaning “assuming the original point.” “Begging the question” is the fallacy of assuming the conclusion is within your premises. In simpler terms, it’s when your argument already assumes the very thing it’s trying to prove. This results in a logically flawed circular argument.

"In the context of this philosophical argument, petitio principii was translated into English as “begging the question” during the 16th century, originally meaning “to pass over or ignore a question by assuming it to be established or settled.” It uses an archaic definition of “beg,” meaning “to take for granted the matter in dispute” or “to assume without proof.” 

"A more precise modern translation of petitio principii might be “assuming the original conclusion.” For example, “Wool sweaters are better than cotton sweaters because they contain more wool” begs the question, since it assumes what is already established (wool is better than cotton). A correct philosophical usage of “begs the question” would be: “The car commercial begs the question when it says the brand is superior because it sold more cars last year.” . . .