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The character of the posts (and content) on this topic (thus far), has been more spiritually filling than most threads as far as I am concerned. I have learned more from the different perspectives that have been shared here than I usually learn.

Like all of us, sometimes I get shown "unpleasant things." Noting all the "kerfluffle" going on in the Dark Day thread, I open my Testimonies to continue my read and find this on page 424 of 3T. It may be interesting reading to read the whole section, but this is just a sample. Discussions to be Avoided You have loved to debate the truth and loved discussions; but these contests have been unfavorable to your forming a harmonious Christian character, for in this is a favorable opportunity for the exhibition of the very traits of character that you must overcome if you ever enter heaven. Discussions cannot always be avoided. In some cases the circumstances are such that of the two evils the choice must be made of the least, which is discussion. But whenever they can be avoided, they should be, for the result is seldom honoring to God. People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but whenever discussions can be avoided, they should be. They generally strengthen combativeness and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which should ever exist in the hearts of Christians although they may differ in opinions. Discussions in this age of the world are not real evidences of earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but come through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants is ever poor policy, for it does but very little to advance the truth. Opponents to the truth will show skill in misstating their opponent. They will make the most solemn, sacred truths the subject of ridicule. They will generally sport and deride precious, sacred truth, and place it in so false a light before the people that minds that are darkened by error and polluted by sin do not discern the motives and objects of these designing men in thus covering up and falsifying precious and important truth. Because of the men who engage in them, there are but few discussions that it is possible to conduct upon right principles. Sharp thrusts are too frequently given by both parties, personalities are indulged in, and frequently both parties descend to sarcasm and witticism. The love of souls is lost in the greater desire for the mastery. Prejudice, deep and bitter, is often the result of discussions. I have beheld angels grieved as the most precious jewels of truth have been brought before men utterly incapable of appreciating the evidences in favor of the truth. Their entire being was at war with the principles of truth; their natures were at enmity with it. Their object in discussing was not that they might get hold of the evidences of the truth themselves or that the people might have a fair understanding of our true position, but that they might confuse the understanding by placing the truth in a perverted light before the people. There are men who have educated themselves as combatants. It is their policy to misstate an opponent and to cover up clear arguments with dishonest quibbles. They have devoted their God-given powers to this dishonest work, for there is nothing in their hearts in harmony with the pure principles of truth. They seize any argument they can get with which to tear down the advocates of truth, when they themselves do not believe the things they urge against them. They bolster themselves up in their chosen position, irrespective of justice and truth. They do not consider that before them is the judgment, and that then their ill-gotten triumph, with all its disastrous results, will appear in its true character. Error, with all its deceptive policies, its windings and twistings and turnings to change the truth into a lie, will then appear in all its deformity. No victory will stand in the day of God, except that which truth, pure, elevated, sacred truth, shall win to the glory of God.

We have reached the time in the life of this forum where we often have more un-identified people reading posts here than we have members. A few minutes ago, when I checked, we had 20 such un-identified persons reading posts here and two (2) members. Presently we have a commercial business reviewing the posts in this forum that provides, among other services, "online reputation management." To put it simply, such a service is paid to discover negative statements that have been made on the Internet about a person, a product, or a business. When such a negative statement is identified, this business is paid to take steps to nuteralize the negative statement. Be aware.

5 Secrets About Johnny Carson's '"Tonight Show" On this day 27 years ago, Johnny Carson made his final appearance on "The Tonight Show." He had been in the hosting seat for almost 30 years, creating one of the best-known late-night talk shows in television history. Here are five surprising secrets about Johnny Carson's Tonight Show... Carson Wanted to Stop Saturday Reruns, So the Network Created a New Show When Johnny Carson would go on vacation, the network would show reruns of the Tonight Show. The network would also show reruns on Saturday nights, and Carson asked them to stop doing that. He wanted those reruns kept in reserve for his vacation days — and he wanted more vacation days. The network had to show something in the Saturday night time slot and started looking around for a new show. The one they ended up with was a comedy sketch show that got off to a rocky start but eventually found its footing, called Saturday Night Live. He Managed to Upset Mr. Rogers How on Earth does one manage to upset Mr. Rogers? Well, Carson found out the hard way. Carson had created a spoof of Mr. Rogers' show that had the title character encouraging "viewers" to do things like steal money. The skit was meant to be a parody, but Fred Rogers was distressed by it. Carson eventually apologized to Rogers and told him that parodies like that were really created out of affection for the show; Rogers later said that he remembered that advice whenever someone else created a parody of him and his show. Carson's Treatment of Gary Hart Led the Way for Late-Night Political Skewering Seeing politics skewered on non-news shows was nothing new; after all, Saturday Night Live had become famous for its pokes at politicians. But Carson had a new effect, one that set the stage for late-night talk shows to become influential in politics. In the run-up to the 1988 presidential election, he criticized Gary Hart so consistently and severely that, when Hart withdrew from the race, there was little doubt that Carson's jabs had affected Hart. The jabs weren't the only reason, but the consistent picking away at Hart certainly kept the controversy surrounding the candidate in the public's mind. Carson Contributed Jokes to David Letterman's Show Carson was known for criticizing other talk show hosts, except for David Letterman. Carson was a big fan of Letterman's and started sending jokes to Letterman's show after he (Carson) retired. He'd send them daily, and some would make it on air without crediting Carson. A former Tonight Show producer said that he thought Carson missed the monologue segment of his show and needed an outlet for the jokes he was still thinking up. He Sort of Created a Toilet Paper Shortage There is an urban legend that states Carson created a toilet paper shortage by noting (as a joke) on his show that the necessity was about to be in short supply, causing a run on (and then a real shortage) of toilet paper. This is partially true. Carson did make a joke about a shortage, and he is considered to have spurred many to hoard toilet paper, causing a brief shortage. But his joke was based on something a congressman had said earlier (which itself was not really based on anything other than a general shortage of pulp paper). So the public had previous notice of a potential shortage; it was just Carson's broad reach among the viewing public that made his statement so much more effective.

The following is a small part of the statement that this company makes in regard to their "online reputation management."

Wanderer: Here is how the dictionaries read - Westerner (plural westerners) A native or inhabitant of the west of a region (or of the world as a whole). A native or inhabitant of the West, of the Western world—Europe and North America. Wiktionary Not a racist thought in my bones! If you have any question please get back with me. I use this word because all history books state that Catholicism started in the West! The Papacy ruled states in Europe and then the religion spread to North and South America which all are in the West! Protestant Reformation started in Europe and came to North America, that is history! I just want reassure you of my intentions! Blessings!

How is Westerners racist? I from the West and so are you! It is the thought and historians use it all the time? Western Civilization is in history books! Blessings!

?Holy Ghost teacheth ? 1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the ?Holy Ghost teacheth?; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Babylon represents much more than the clergy of the RCC. You are thinking far too narrowly. Babylon represents "professed" Christians all over the world that delve in non-Biblical practices, including the occult. This includes people of all religions - not just Christianity.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Charles Lindbergh On May 21, 1927, pilot Charles A. Lindbergh landed his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, near Paris, and set a record for the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about “Lucky Lindy.”... He Was the First Person Named Man of the Year by Time Magazine Lindbergh’s daring flight made him a celebrity, and his photo appeared on all the covers of all the magazines and newspapers around the country except for one. Time decided to wait until their following edition came out, which they quickly recognized as a mistake. However, the editors of Time made up for a slow week by devoting a whole issue to Lindbergh, naming him the magazine’s first “Man of the Year.” Lindbergh Started as a Wing Walker Lindbergh became interested in flying at Little Falls, Minnesota, when he watched a barnstormer, a pilot who does daredevil tricks in the air. Lindbergh left college when he was 20 and went to work for the Nebraska Aircraft Corporation, which sold and repaired airplanes. Another employee who worked there flew planes for publicity, and Lindbergh performed as a wing walker and finally earned his own pilot’s license in 1925. He Was More Than a Womanizer Although Lindbergh was known for being camera-shy, apparently that did not keep him from being shy around the ladies. In addition to his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, by whom he had six children, he had three children by a German woman named Brigitte Hesshaimer, whom he visited yearly and corresponded with over the years under a fake name. In addition, he fathered two more children by Hesshaimer’s sister, Marietta. Being a Mail Delivery Man Gave Him the Courage to Fly Across the Atlantic After Lindbergh left the U.S. Army with a rank of second lieutenant, he began working as an airmail delivery pilot on a route between St. Louis and Chicago. The pilots tended to fly at night, and it was a stressful, tiring job since they had to travel in all types of bad weather conditions. Performing this type of dangerous work helped to prepare him for his solo transatlantic flight. His Plane Had no Front Window Ryan Airlines Corporation out of San Diego built Lindbergh’s $15,000 airplane, which was called The Spirit of St. Louis. Because the plane had to carry a lot of fuel to make it across the Atlantic, anything that could be removed was to lighten the weight. This included the gas gauge, radio and cockpit window, so Lindbergh looked through a periscope to see where he was going during his 33.5-hour uninterrupted flight.