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apatzer 18-Aug-25, 18:11	I ran across this definition And found it to be interesting, so I looked into it a little more. Hope it's useful to someone. Absolutely! Let’s break it down into a short lecture-style explanation: Lecture on Duplicity, Deception, and the Nature of Being Duplicitous The concepts of duplicity and deception both deal with dishonesty, but they carry slightly different shades of meaning. Deception is the broader term. It refers to any act of misleading someone—creating a false impression, hiding the truth, or persuading another to believe something untrue. Deception can take many forms: lying, exaggerating, concealing, or even manipulating appearances. Duplicity, on the other hand, is deception with an element of double-dealing. The word comes from the Latin duplicitas — meaning “doubleness.” Being duplicitous suggests not only lying, but actively presenting two contradictory faces depending on what benefits one at the moment. For example, someone might smile and profess friendship, while secretly plotting against that same person. What makes duplicity particularly dangerous is that it is sustained and calculated—it is not just a casual falsehood but a habitual posture of insincerity. The duplicitous person is often skilled at maintaining a convincing mask, which erodes trust and undermines relationships once exposed. Key Takeaways: Deception = misleading or lying in any form. Duplicity = a two-faced form of deception involving hypocrisy, double-dealing, or pretending to have one set of loyalties while holding another. Duplicitous behavior destroys integrity because it thrives on maintaining contradictory faces to different audiences. In moral terms, duplicity is often judged more harshly than deception alone, because it is not only untruthful, but also deeply treacherous—betraying the foundations of trust that bind personal and social relationships.
valley_forge 20-Aug-25, 11:24	Standing Up For America, Rather Than Apologizing For America! Regarding recent positive news about Trump's peace meetings with Putin and the E U leadership; "Rather than apologizing for America like the last three presidents have done, President Trump has stood up for America." ` Karoline Levitt, White House Press Secretary
valley_forge 24-Aug-25, 06:17	What Does Your Speech Say About You? "36 But I tell you that every [a]careless word that people [b]speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For [c]by your words you will be justified, and [d]by your words you will be condemned.” / Matthew 12:36-37
softaire 24-Aug-25, 06:56	VF I truly appreciate your Pro-America and Pro-Trump ideology. It is very refreshing to read that than it is to hear nothing other than how the Left hates ANYTHING that Trump is associated with. Only Morons can hate and disparage EVERYTHING that he does, says, or is associated with. Personally, I am very happy with most of the things this administration is doing. Not all, but most. Thanks for your good posts.
valley_forge 24-Aug-25, 07:16	In response to Softaire's post @ 24-Aug-25, 06:56 As you surely have learned long ago we must first of all be true to what we have come to understand and believe 🙏. Charlatans and those with selfish motives make NO CONSESSIONS for, and have no MERCY on those who can be used or deceived. And, so along the way we'll try and help those who have a mind to get help.
apatzer 24-Aug-25, 08:55	"the writing on the wall" Is a saying worthy of contemplating. "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" (or Uparsin). " If you're not familiar with the entire story behind this mention in the book of Daniel. It is exceedingly interesting. Lot's of good information there
valley_forge 24-Aug-25, 16:10	"As a man thinks in his heart so is he"/ Proverbs 23:7 There's only two ways to think; There are no miracles, or everything is a miracle. Coincidences are God's way of remaining anomonous. . .
apatzer 25-Aug-25, 11:13	VF I really like that post, thank you for sharing.
valley_forge 29-Aug-25, 07:37	Movie Promotion In response to Apatzer's post @ 25-Aug-25, 11:13 Both of those quotes are from a great movie my wife and I watched last week on Tubi called 'The Secret: Dare to Dream' You're welcome 😁!
valley_forge 29-Aug-25, 07:39	"Your job is obedience; God's job is everything else." From the YouVersion Bible study App Guided Scripture for today
softaire 29-Aug-25, 08:27	Your job is obedience; MY job is everything else. (Says the White Plantation Owner to the Black Slave.)
valley_forge 29-Aug-25, 10:08	<< (Says the White Plantation Owner to the Black Slave.) >> With all due respect, Softaire, how does your assessment of the Christian faith here accord with the millions and millions of us who daily depend on God coming through and finding him faithful, and more than trustworthy?
softaire 29-Aug-25, 12:20	VF The quote that I modified reminded me that religions (not necessarily only Christianity) have a strong and large tendency to authoritarianism. It reminded me very much of the American South economic system of Slavery where one race of people were subject to the rule of another race of people who had the power. Does authoritarianism become either good or bad depending on WHO wields the power?
valley_forge 29-Aug-25, 13:25	@ Softaire << It reminded me very much of the American South economic system of Slavery where one race of people were subject to the rule of another race of people who had the power. Does authoritarianism become either good or bad depending on WHO wields the power >> Thank you, sincerely, for your honest and appropriate response which confirms you are truly seeking to understand. While on the one hand it is true Antebellum Southern culture may have believed they were on solid footing treating the Black slaves as less than human and that their rights as “owners” of these slaves entitled them to “Lord over them” as superior to these poor unfortunates. It has, unfortunately, been completely erased from the historical record of America that the discipling of America’s slaves led to Christian conversions among a great many of them. This conversion was not a trifling or inconsequential dynamic, but one of the most powerful evidences against the Antebellum’s false beliefs regarding slavery. The reason for this radical effect on the Whites in the Antebellum South was that the “Master” of the Christian - regardless of the color of our skin - is the same Jesus who teachces all men to love one another; “especially those who are of the household of God”! There are some records of the clash which occured when Christian slaves were mistreated by unbelieving slave managers when the owners were Christian believers. Or the times slaves would love their owners even when the owners ordered that the slaves had to endure terrible whipping with leather whips. There were numerous instances of this kind of dymanic playing out all over the Antebellum South. (If you can imagine in a slave’s heart who has been captured by Christ’s love, the slave has the example of Jesus’ obeying the Father to let himself be crucified as his example.) Christ is the supreme example for our choosing to be humble or to yield to our prideful flesh. The key to this is that the “Authoritarianism” which helped guide both slaves and owners (if the owners were Christians) was the Love of Jesus Christ. By our choosing to return Christ’s love we joyfully submit as a matter of humble obedience. We do not obey simply because we’re afraid. "The Power of the Gospel: Experiences of Christian Slaves In the Antebellum South" www.vanderbiltsynesis.org www.revival.com puritanboard.com
softaire 29-Aug-25, 14:41	VF I was NOT trying to turn this thread into another debate on Christianity. My contention is that Slavery was every bit as authoritarian as are religions... including Christianity. Your original post pointed that out to me and I thought I'd make note of it.
valley_forge 29-Aug-25, 16:04	Who's the Authoritarian Religious Ruler of Christianity? @ Softaire While we're all entitled to our particular POV, shouldn't erroneous POV like saying Christianity is just like other religions be corrected regarding Who is the leader of the Christian Church/ faith? Colossians 1:18/ "He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." Does Christ Jesus resemble in any manner those slave masters of the Antebellum South?
apatzer 29-Aug-25, 16:06	Deleted by apatzer on 29-Aug-25, 16:09.
apatzer 29-Aug-25, 16:10	Full transparency, I posted a provocative post and then deleted it. Sorry about that. It wasn't over the top, just truthful sarcasm. But that benefits no one.
softaire 29-Aug-25, 18:31	VF What is it about "I was NOT trying to turn this thread into another debate on Christianity" that you don't understand? I think I did an adequate job of explaining why I posted it. Did you not understand it? And BTW... I dd NOT say that "Christianity is just like other religions". I said that "Slavery was every bit as authoritarian as are religions (Plural)... including Christianity." In other words, Slavery is authoritarian as are some other religions which include Christianity. That is quite a bit different than saying Christianity is just like other religions. Are you channeling Vic?
softaire 29-Aug-25, 18:37	Authoritarianism between Slavery and Christianity AI thoughts on comparing the authoritarianism between Slavery and Christianity: ................................................................................................................. This is a rich and complex comparison, and it deserves a nuanced unpacking. While both slavery and certain expressions of Christianity have historically involved authoritarian structures, they differ profoundly in origin, purpose, and moral framing. Let’s break it down: --- ## 🧷 Core Definitions of Authoritarianism **Authoritarianism** involves: - Centralized control by a dominant authority - Suppression of dissent - Hierarchical obedience - Limited individual autonomy These traits can manifest in political systems, social structures, and even religious institutions. --- ## 🧱 Slavery: Authoritarianism by Force Slavery—especially in the American South—was a brutally authoritarian system built on domination and dehumanization: - **Absolute control**: Enslavers had total authority over enslaved people’s bodies, labor, movement, and relationships. - **Legal enforcement**: Laws criminalized escape, literacy, and resistance, reinforcing the master’s dominance. - **Psychological conditioning**: Slavery was justified through racial hierarchies and religious rationalizations, often portraying Black people as divinely destined for servitude. - **Violence as discipline**: Physical punishment and terror were tools of obedience. Robert Dipboye’s research shows that Southern elites developed a worldview shaped by fear, dominance, and closed-mindedness—traits central to authoritarian psychology. --- ## ⛪ Christianity: Authoritarianism in Institutional Forms Christianity, as a religion, spans a vast spectrum—from radical egalitarianism to rigid hierarchy. The authoritarianism associated with Christianity typically arises in institutional or fundamentalist contexts: - **Doctrinal control**: Some traditions emphasize unquestioning obedience to scripture, clergy, or church authority. - **Social conformity**: Religious fundamentalism correlates with authoritarian traits like intolerance of out-groups and resistance to change. - **Gender and class hierarchies**: Historical Christian teachings often reinforced patriarchal and class-based structures (e.g., wives submitting to husbands, slaves obeying masters). - **Political alliances**: In some eras, churches aligned with authoritarian regimes, legitimizing power through divine sanction. However, Christianity also contains countercurrents—teachings of radical love, equality (“neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free”), and resistance to empire. These have inspired liberation movements, civil rights activism, and critiques of authoritarianism from within. --- ## 🧠 Final Thought Slavery was a system of authoritarianism with no moral ambiguity—it was built on exploitation. Christianity, by contrast, contains both authoritarian and anti-authoritarian impulses. Its institutions have sometimes mirrored oppressive power structures, but its core teachings have also fueled movements for justice, equality, and liberation.
apatzer 29-Aug-25, 19:40	Everyone is a slave to something it all depends on what yoke you want to wear. Pick the wrong one can and does have consequences.
valley_forge 29-Aug-25, 20:50	<< lavery was a system of authoritarianism with no moral ambiguity—it was built on exploitation. Christianity, by contrast, contains both authoritarian and anti-authoritarian impulses. Its institutions have sometimes mirrored oppressive power structures, but its core teachings have also fueled movements for justice, equality, and liberation >> I’m glad you can differentiate between MAN MADE INSTITUTIONS which have usurped the truth and ideals of Christ Jesus for somethiing EVIL, and in no way REPRESENTATIVE of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. At the end of the day, lies and evil intentions of mankind can not erase or weaken the power given to men through faith in the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
valley_forge 31-Aug-25, 07:54	We Are What We're Focused On "You can never fully exhaust your ability to think about the goodness and greatness of God. Choose to respond to life the way Jesus responded. Guard your prayer life. Guard your thought life. Seek the Father and all that’s godly. His Word promises that when you fill your mind with what is virtuous and praiseworthy, “the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9)." From the YouVersion Bible study Finding Peace by Charles F. Stanley/ day 5 of 17
valley_forge 31-Aug-25, 09:23	"Laws that remove enforcement of the Sixth Commandment (Thou shall not murder) are bad politics interfering with God's good order" ~ Pastor Jack Hibbs
valley_forge 03-Sep-25, 08:23	"Regret is trying to be God in the past." From the novel Hearing Jesus by Jeffrey McClain Jones
valley_forge 06-Sep-25, 07:22	Contentment "Contentment — We discern God’s will through the contentment or tranquility we feel when proceeding on a course of action. When you’re working against the Lord, you’ll feel spiritual friction that makes you uncomfortable; when you’re in the center of God’s will, you’ll feel peace with Him (Phil. 4:7)." From the YouVersion Bible study The Will of God by Charles F Stanley / day 5 of 13
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