Bill

Catholic revert. I wrestle with my own faith, but I trust Jesus. Married. Family man. GenX. Interests: religion, science, nature, data & chemical engineering.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not”

Proverbs 3:5

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@RravenM @Marksmanjax @farmingandJesus @judeokeyvlogs @grok We are going in circles. Neither one of us is gonna convince the other, so I’m moving on. I wish you well.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@reginamrc6 Thank you, my friend.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

I hate to admit it, but the protestants, today, had me doubting my own stances/explanations/arguments.

I guess I'll pray a Hail Mary before bed.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@CharlesTingler Thank you.
It’s good to know others can relate.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@RravenM @Marksmanjax @farmingandJesus @judeokeyvlogs @grok That’s just bizarre that you think everything Jesus taught made it into the Bible. It’s almost like 3 years worth of ministry didn’t yield a whole lot.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@farmingandJesus It's truly heart-breaking.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

I have a daughter-in-law that donates her time cutting the hair of folks with Down Syndrome every year when an organization she supports hosts a fund raising gala.

She would have loved cutting your kid's hair.

I used to teach martial arts. You know what students I absolute loved teaching? Those with Down Syndrome - because they had a level of passion for the art that exceeded almost anyone I ever taught.

I would have loved to see your kid in a class like I taught.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

I have a daughter-in-law that donates her time cutting the hair of folks with Down Syndrome every year when an organization she supports hosts a fund raising gala.

She would have loved cutting their kid's hair.

I used to teach martial arts. You know what students I absolute loved teaching? Those with Down Syndrome - because they had a level of passion for the art that exceeded almost anyone I ever taught.

I would have loved to see their kid in a class like I taught.

[Jesse Ridgway @McJuggerNuggets]

This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21.

The choice was not made lightly. We really appreciate all of the personal stories that you guys shared with us, especially the unconditional support we received from fans with no matter what we decided.

I know some of you may be very disappointed to hear this news. We are devastated. This has been extremely traumatic for both of us, especially Ashley.

She underwent the procedure earlier this week and is on the mend. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, but emotionally we are drained.

Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome, is caused by an extra chromosome. It is caused by an error in cell division, like a glitch. The odds of a baby having it is 1 in 1000.

When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic. If they’re a little slow intellectually, then we’ll make it work. I signed on to be a parent, come what may…but I just didn’t fully understand what Down Syndrome entailed.

Once we made it public, it became clear that MOST people don’t know what Down Syndrome entails (and no, it’s not the same as Autism):

50% of babies with DS have heart defects. 75% will have hearing challenges. Over 50% will have vision problems. Impaired immune function, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, delayed physical development, poor muscle tone, structural issues with face, decreased lifespan, etc…Sadly, the list is long, feel free to look it up…Down Syndome isn’t a “blessing”, it is objectively shitty from a health perspective.

I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family…more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.

The miscarriage risk is also close to 50%, which made matters worse…they may never see the light of day and it puts Ashley further at risk.

We spoke with doctors, friends, family and genetic counselors and learned that up to 90% of women terminate their pregnancy after learning the baby has Trisomy 21.

This was WAY higher than I expected, I thought it would be lower given that I hear so many say they kept or would keep the baby. I believe that’s because most terminations happen privately, it feels shameful. A lot of judgment being cast.

You never think you’d be in this type of situation until it happens to you and then things change.

To all of my fans who have weighed in on this topic who have Autism, Down Syndrome or any other conditions…we appreciate you. You matter a lot and we’re glad you’re here. I commend you and your families for having the strength and courage to push forward.

As for us, we made a difficult decision that we believe in the long-run will be beneficial for our family. Thankfully, we had a choice.

It will take a little time to move on, but we are excited to try again in the future and hopefully have a better outcome.

Love you guys & thank you for understanding. ❤️

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

Not trying to be argumentative, so I hope I don't come across that way, but I can see this as relevant considering that centuries ago, technology didn't exist that would eliminate entire cities of people in one attack. And considering the Pope, in his encyclical, discussed a need to address Just War theory with a modern understanding. So, it's not surprising that there would be a discussion on the matter.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

I believe they go hand-in-hand. You can't separate them. Even the young rich man, who wanted to follow Jesus, wasn't accepted on that premise alone - he was asked to sell everything he had (a work, so-to-speak) before coming to follow him.

Look at it on another standpoint: a 12-step program for alcoholics are typically encouraged to pray and begin acting in a way that encourages faith. Even reading the bible before coming to believe is an act or a work.

Sometimes these things need to be done to build faith. Most people don't have burning bush experiences in their belief and acceptance of Jesus - some get their in a more academic fashion. Don't you think?

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@FredSimonTLM But apparently I'm still blocked.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@FredSimonTLM Outstanding!

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@Ron172892111531 I'm moving on from this conversation.
I appreciate the back and forth dialogue and I'm not above considering I'm wrong - even if I argue my point as long as I can - but at some point, I need a break. 🙂

Good luck to you and God bless you.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

Considering "original sin" wasn't more clearly explained until Augustine, that would be a fruitless effort to explain. But Justin Martyr and Irenaeus considered Mary to be a New Eve, thus reversing Eve's disobedience. I don't see how that would be a stretch to claim she wasn't sinless, as other Church Fathers did express.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@500FootAntelope @Marksmanjax @farmingandJesus @judeokeyvlogs @grok Every good what?

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@RravenM @Marksmanjax @farmingandJesus @judeokeyvlogs @grok 2 Thess 2:14, 1 Cor 11:2, 2 Thess 3:6 . 2 Tim 2:2, 1 Thess 2:13, Romans 10: 17, 1 Cor 15: 1-4, John 21:25, John 20: 30-31

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@RravenM @Marksmanjax @farmingandJesus @judeokeyvlogs @grok Accepting that interpretation automatically contradicts the passages in scripture that claim oral teaching and traditions are also legitimate.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@Ron172892111531 @Catholiterature @MaddyStrong3 @Burgess7281975 I'll have to double check, but I'm fairly confident that Hippolytus, Ambrose, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus all indicated her sinlessness and alluded to her being free from original sin.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@TheBasedTrinity I've been having a similar "discussion" all day today. It gets tedious.

[Bill @TemporalStrife]

@WashArchdiocese Sounds like an overreaction.