Life Found On Venus? - Ha, Ha, Ha.

 Life—Discovered on Venus! (Well, Only if You Read CNN’s Headlines)

by Ken Ham on September 21, 2020

News headlines (like those on CNN) around the world recently loudly proclaimed that signatures of life had been discovered on the hot, gaseous planet second from the sun, Venus. But do these headlines accurately represent the study (a question we always need to ask when we see a headline!)? Have hints of life really been discovered on Venus?

The attention-grabbing headlines don’t accurately convey what the study discovered, and no: hints of life have not been found on Venus.

Well . .  . no and no. As one famous person would say: “fake news.” The attention-grabbing headlines don’t accurately convey what the study discovered, and no: hints of life have not been found on Venus. What scientists detected in the atmosphere of Venus was trace amounts of the gas phosphine, which on earth is suggestive of biological processes (bacteria living in anaerobic conditions) and therefore life—here. But on Venus, the possibility of life, particularly aerial life in Venusian clouds, “is not likely.” Still, since the scientists weren’t able to determine how the phosphine got there, they conclude, "Our hoped-for impact in the planetary science community is to stimulate more research on Venus itself, research on the possibilities of life in Venus' atmosphere, and even space missions focused to find signs of life or even life itself in the Venusian atmosphere."

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Our astronomer, Dr. Danny Faulkner, explains,

Phosphine can have a biogenic origin. Typically, that biogenic origin is anaerobic, much like methane is generated in anaerobic decomposition. However, like methane, phosphine can have an abiogenic origin, too. For instance, methane is common in comets and the outer planets, but no one seriously suggests that this methane had a biogenic origin. Furthermore, a decade ago, phosphine was detected in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, but no one claims it was biogenic.

Apparently, the people involved in this discovery think they have eliminated all abiogenic pathways that could produce phosphine on Venus. I suspect that they haven’t considered all possibilities.

Really, these headlines implying evidence for life has been found on Venus are the typical fake news headlines that CNN and others often put out. If you read the actual article, you find that these headlines are simply not true at all. But they probably help scientists who are hoping for more research grants!

Secularists are desperately searching for life elsewhere in the universe, as they think this will prove that the God of the Bible doesn’t exist and that his Word is not true.

Secularists are desperately searching for life elsewhere in the universe, as they think this will prove that the God of the Bible doesn’t exist and that his Word is not true. So when a scientist suggests that possibly, maybe, perhaps, they don't know for sure, there's a slight possibility, but it may not be evidence for life on another planet, the headline is constructed by the news media to deliberately mislead and imply something that is not true—really it’s just “clickbait.” (For a trusted news program on science and social issues, check out our Answers News programs, broadcast each Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET on Answers.TV and AiG's YouTube channel and other social media.)

People of God Are ...

 

Critics and Our Faith.

 Amy Coney Barrett and the People of Praise: How to respond when critics don’t understand our faith.

BY JIM DENISON

Many critics have focused on the fact that Judge Barrett is a member of a group called People of Praise. This controversy illustrates an important point about the state of our culture and the best way for Christians to respond. 

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/amy-coney-barrett-and-the-people-of-praise-how-to-respond-when-critics-dont-understand-our-faith.html

Successful Socialist Natons?

 Funny that virtually none can be called truly democratic, innit?

Birdie.

                                           

Nice Assessment, Melanie.

 

Pandemic of irrationality

Why are so many listening to conspiracy theorists rather than scientists?

Melanie Phillips Sep 27

I am reading a steady stream of pieces stating with absolute certainty that the rise in Covid-19 cases in Britain is a statistical mirage.

The rise “doesn’t take account of false positives” or “increased testing”; it is “not producing any increase in serious illness or deaths”; and Boris Johnson’s latest restrictions are therefore not only completely unnecessary but will recklessly destroy the economy for no good reason. The Covid-19 emergency is all but over. 

Yet here I am in Israel watching a catastrophe unfold as deaths from Covid-19 have quadrupled since restrictions were eased in May, with the number of deaths rising every day along with the infection rate which is now more than a hitherto unthinkable 8500 and with the hospitals calling for help as they reach capacity in their Covid wards. Seems to me that, as things currently stand, Britain is just a few weeks behind this nightmare; indeed, the number of hospitalised cases and deaths is reportedly beginning to rise.

I read that in London yesterday, thousands of people demonstrated against lockdowns, mandatory wearing of face masks and other coronavirus restrictions. I read that among the speakers they flocked to hear and to whom they listened so appreciatively were David Icke and Piers Corbyn. 

What on earth have we all come to when thousands of people flock to listen to David Icke and Piers Corbyn?!

Icke is a conspiracy theorist who claims he is the son of God and that the world is run by reptiles. Corbyn, a noted eccentric, has claimed there isn’t a Covid-19 virus at all.

At the rally, Icke called on people to take off their masks and embrace freedom. He urged police forces and militaries around the world to take the side of the people rather than “psychopathic” governments:

We will not hand control of our lives and our children’s lives to people like the UK health secretary Matt Hancock; a man who if his brains were gunpowder would not blow his hat off.

Referring to the prime minister, Boris Johnson, and the chief scientific officer, Sir Patrick Vallance, among others, he added:

Where is the self-respect in giving our lives to such people and doing whatever they tell us? Enough, no more.

Opined Corbyn:

There is no justification in any terms for the lockdowns and the Covid rules, they are a complete hoax… Masking is mad, it’s like asking a fly to not fly through a fence, it’s stupid. And we know that distancing is daft because you need to get close to people and hug them to improve your immune systems and feel happy.

I have no brief for Matt Hancock, and am prepared to listen to reasoned argument that the government’s chief scientist is wrong; and there’s no question but that these restrictions are inflicting terrible damage on the economy; and the government has undoubtedly made serious errors, and continues to make them, in trying to tackle the virus crisis. But do thousands of apparently otherwise sensible people really prefer to place their faith in David Icke and Piers Corbyn?

I’m reading over and over again that people are panicking unnecessarily, that they have been “terrified out of their wits” by people like chief scientist Vallance and chief medical officer Chris Whitty.

Those making this charge claim to have heard the same kind of thing before in the Remainers’ apocalyptic “project fear” scaremongering during the EU referendum campaign.

But aren’t they now treating the public as imbeciles unable to process information and evidence precisely as the Remainers did? 

But then hey, what are Vallance and Witty compared to the stellar authority of Piers Corbyn and David Icke? 

Is This The First Quasi Sensible Thing Andy Burnham Has Ever Said In Public?

 Manchester mayor Andy Burnham calls for alcohol sales to be banned in shops after 9pm to stop post-pub parties when last orders are called at 10pm

The mayor of Greater Manchester has demanded an urgent review of the 10pm rule and suggested a 9pm curfew on alcohol sales to curb pubgoers rushing to off-licences at last orders. Mail.

The Peace Which Passes All Understanding.

Paul Rainn.

Rainn Enterprises sole proprietorship (2006-present)

Updated April 8, 2020 · Author has 1.2K answers and 9.3M answer views

How would you describe the peace that passes all understanding according to Scripture?

A follower of Jesus Christ who prays for the peace that passes all understanding is asking for a lot, something that only an infinite, omnipotent, and loving God can provide!

Here is the text.

Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Someone who is troubled by the cares and pressures of the world, who might feel anger, doubt, fear, and uncertainty about where their life is heading, who might want to hide in despair, who might feel there is no one to turn to, or no one to confide in, no one to trust, and no one who can be relied on, these are the people most blessed by this promise from God!

We cannot obtain this peace by ourselves. The world is crushing and far beyond our ability, as sinful, fallen humans, to overcome. But God can, and He promises to help us in all things. Nothing is too big or too little to bring to Him.

When we come to God and lay it all before Him, confessing our burdens and asking Him to take them from us and grant us the peace that passes all understanding, the peace of Jesus Christ, we are asking God to take our troubles, sorrows, and pain, and give them to God in exchange for His priceless gift of peace in our hearts, so that we can go about the day that God gave us without the joy and gifts of that day being stolen away. God does not desire for us to stumble through each day in an agonizing symphony of hurts, doubts, fear, and misery.

But when we pray in faith for such a gift and God grants it, the effect is immediate! All that seemed so dark and threatening before takes their proper place, as we realize God is in control, and that our trust in Him is always justified. Nothing can take away the peace that God grants unless we choose to discard His gracious gifts.

And each day, we can ask for His blessings again!

Lamentations 3:22,23 ESV The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Here is another text on the peace that God grants.

John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

196 views

Socialism Fails Not Because It Is Built On A False Premise But Because It Is Constructed on Many.

 Blog Post

Why socialism always fails

AEIdeas

CARPE DIEM

March 22, 2016

Slightly more than 20 years, I wrote the article “Why Socialism Failed” and it appeared in 1995 in The Freeman, the flagship publication of the Foundation for Economic Education. I think it was the first essay or op-ed I wrote for a general audience following graduation in 1993 from George Mason University with a Ph.D. in economics. Note that the title of the article (“failed”) implied the past tense, as if I perhaps assumed the failures of socialism were so apparent and obvious (I called it the Big Lie of the 20th century) that it would be forever considered only as a discredited system of the past, and never as a viable option going forward into the future! Of course, at the time many parts of the world were moving away from collectivism and central planning and towards free market capitalism – the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and China was opening up its economy and re-established the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 1990, etc.

Given the recent resurgence of socialism, especially as it is now being embraced by young Americans, I thought it might be a good time to re-visit my 1995 essay to review why socialism: a) failed in the 20th century, b) is failing in the 21st century (e.g. Venezuela, see photo above), and c) will always fail. And that’s because it’s a flawed system based on completely faulty principles that aren’t consistent with human behavior and can’t nurture the human spirit.

Here’s are some excerpts of my 1995 essay “Why Socialism Failed”:

1. Socialism is the Big Lie of the twentieth century. While it promised prosperity, equality, and security, it delivered poverty, misery, and tyranny. Equality was achieved only in the sense that everyone was equal in his or her misery.

In the same way that a Ponzi scheme or chain letter initially succeeds but eventually collapses, socialism may show early signs of success. But any accomplishments quickly fade as the fundamental deficiencies of central planning emerge. It is the initial illusion of success that gives government intervention its pernicious, seductive appeal. In the long run, socialism has always proven to be a formula for tyranny and misery.

A pyramid scheme is ultimately unsustainable because it is based on faulty principles. Likewise, collectivism is unsustainable in the long run because it is a flawed theory. Socialism does not work because it is not consistent with fundamental principles of human behavior. The failure of socialism in countries around the world can be traced to one critical defect: it is a system that ignores incentives.

In a capitalist economy, incentives are of the utmost importance. Market prices, the profit-and-loss system of accounting, and private property rights provide an efficient, interrelated system of incentives to guide and direct economic behavior. Capitalism is based on the theory that incentives matter!

Under socialism, incentives either play a minimal role or are ignored totally. A centrally planned economy without market prices or profits, where property is owned by the state, is a system without an effective incentive mechanism to direct economic activity. By failing to emphasize incentives, socialism is a theory inconsistent with human nature and is therefore doomed to fail. Socialism is based on the theory that incentives don’t matter!

2. The strength of capitalism can be attributed to an incentive structure based upon the three Ps: (1) prices determined by market forces, (2) a profit-and-loss system of accounting and (3) private property rights. The failure of socialism can be traced to its neglect of these three incentive-enhancing components.

3. By their failure to foster, promote, and nurture the potential of their people through incentive-enhancing institutions, centrally planned economies deprive the human spirit of full development. Socialism fails because it kills and destroys the human spirit–just ask the people leaving Cuba in homemade rafts and boats [and those waiting in long lines today in Venezuela struggling, and often failing, to buy food].

4. The temptress of socialism is constantly luring us with the offer: “give up a little of your freedom and I will give you a little more security.” As the experience of this century has demonstrated, the bargain is tempting but never pays off. We end up losing both our freedom and our security.

Socialism will remain a constant temptation. We must be vigilant in our fight against socialism not only around the globe but also here in the United States.

The failure of socialism inspired a worldwide renaissance of freedom and liberty. For the first time in the history of the world, the day is coming very soon when a majority of the people in the world will live in free societies or societies rapidly moving toward freedom.

Capitalism will play a major role in the global revival of liberty and prosperity because it nurtures the human spirit, inspires human creativity, and promotes the spirit of enterprise. By providing a powerful system of incentives that promote thrift, hard work, and efficiency, capitalism creates wealth.

The main difference between capitalism and socialism is this: Capitalism works.

Learn more: The most important economic chart in Western civilization -- and how it happened | Chart of the greatest and most remarkable achievement in human history, thanks to free market capitalism

Mark J. Perry

Scholar

@Mark_J_Perry

Tags:

AEI Archive, Free Enterprise, Socialism, Venezuela

Related

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April 23, 2013

AEIdeas

The most important economic chart in Western civilization — and how it happened

by James Pethokoukis

ECONOMICSPETHOKOUKIS

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July 13, 2015

AEIdeas

Chart of the greatest and most remarkable achievement in human history, thanks to free market capitalism

by Mark J. Perry

CARPE DIEM

Discussion (161 comments)

1. Citizen Buddy says:

      

   March 22, 2016 at 11:09 am

   “The failure of socialism in countries around the world can be traced to one critical defect: it is a system that ignores incentives.”

   Prof. Perry wrote this twenty years ago, but now it seems that progressive socialists don’t ignore incentives, but instead make them out to be harmful

   In Seattle, the intrusive minimum wage being imposed effectively eliminates tipping in restaurants, because of the push to equalize of wage floors.

   It’s interesting that in Cuba, which has somewhat encouraged small business start-ups, that the most desirable new jobs are those of tipped employees in restaurants. Those not hired complain that they are being shut out of a great opportunity to make better wages.

   Thanks Mark, the current brand of socialism being touted in the U.S. as democratic will be no different. It fails the people who it purports to help, but recovering lost incentives will be painful if its grip captures a naïve new generation.

Hate Speech But No Arrests. How Can This Be?

BBC allows left wing hate speech – how is that ever right? Asks CALVIN ROBINSON

TIM Davie began his new role as Director General of the BBC this month ...

https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/1340522/bbc-bias-study-sophie-duker-kill-whitey-bbc-left-wing-bias-Frankie-Boyle-Gary-Lineker

Birdie.

   

Theophilus.

 https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/theophilus-second-century-creation-apologist/

Remove The Negatives From Your Life.

The Eternal Beauty of Psalm 23.

 https://www.breakpoint.org/psalm-23-is-music-to-our-ears-in-any-language/

Covid: Overstated In A Number of Places But Contains Great Political Truth.

 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12785392/bbc-covid-anti-coronaphobia-plea-common-sense/

Ah, So The Penny Has Finally Dropped, Eh Piers?

 How liberals made the world nuts: They used to champion freedom and tolerance - and PIERS MORGAN has always been proud to be one. So how, he asks in his new book, have liberals become a shrieking mob hell-bent on silencing all dissent? 

PIERS MORGAN: Why had the world gone this way? Who was causing this nonsense? The answer is a shocking one. For it's us liberals who are responsible.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8776121/PIERS-MORGAN-liberals-shrieking-mob-hell-bent-silencing-dissent.html

The Lauded Bader-Ginsburg? - This Repellent Behaviour Explains The Kind of Person She Actually Was.

 Her legacy, however, will always be, to quote Kim Colby, “very much tarnished by the fact that she equated women’s advancement” with abortion, something “not good for women or the little girls who are aborted.” Deeply committed to the sexual revolution’s version of feminism, in which the procreative capacity of women is seen not as a good to be celebrated but as a problem to be solved, Ginsburg fiercely protected legalized abortion, including later-term, sex-selective, and disability-targeted abortions. In 2019, she even chided Justice Clarence Thomas on the topic, saying “A woman who exercises her constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy is not a ‘mother’.” John Stonestreet.

Blogger: Odd, isn't it that a woman so callous possessed no qualms about the taking of innocent life but despised the death penalty for those guilty of murder?

Maybe it would have been too near the knuckle for her to have reasoned that killing sin free babies was considerably worse than putting someone down for the worst of sins - having taken a human life.

I pray that she repented before leaving this earth.

I trust that those who call themselves feminists will come to recognise the great evil which so many parts of that movement embraces.

Birdie.

 

Desire The Sincere Milk of The Word.