A lot of people are trying to figure out what UCP means by putting this biblical quote out into the twitter verse at Christmas.

Many have piped up with commentary and criticized the mix of religion and politics. A convention long held in Canada.

The quote is often repeated at Christmas. “A child is born...” makes reference to the birth of Jesus. Makes sense.

But what does it mean?

Christians (and other religious observers with their religious texts) have made an art form out of interpreting what passages mean.
To those most radically devout (some might say zealously faithful), hidden divine meanings are gleaned from “correctly” reading the bible.

That’s what Dominionists believe. That god himself wrote the bible. Through inspiration of the actual authors, & only they can interpret.
And thus, the “inerrant“ bible serves as a strict road map to save ones soul.

Many devout Christians view the passage as a prophecy made centuries before the birth of Christ. A promise made by god through one of his prophets. Jews interpret the passage very differently.
The Anglican Priest is (obviously) correct about this being supersessionism, and a form of Anti-Semitism.

Troublesome as it is for a Canadian provincial govt to be tweeting out Anti-Semitic propaganda, that’s not the only meaning this passage has for Dominionist Christians.
First I must preface this with the declaration that I am not an expert in Christian scripture or dogma. But I can read and interpret what others write relatively accurately.

Perhaps @profagagne, @C_Stroop, or @MindShift2018 can fact check. They have far more expertise than me.
The passage tweeted out by the sock puppet account for Jason Kenney, premier of Alberta, Canada is relatively popular at this time of year. Isaiah 9:6 is a reference to a child being born and the characteristics he will possess.
But the passage can be interpreted numerous ways about government, theonomy (theocracy’s more rigid application) and what is expected of “true believers.”

The passage also prophesies the establishment of god’s Kingdom on earth. Where Jesus is the supreme ruler.
This is where the delusional zealotry of Dominionism becomes evident. As the supreme ruler of all of earth, Dominionists believe Isaiah prophesied the expectations for the Messiah’s human subjects; complete obedience and full subjugation to his rule and commands. No exceptions.
Those who don’t obey will be shown the “correct” way of living and worship by the “iron rod” wielded by Jesus during his forever rule of earth.

As well, Jesus is going to simplify politics for everyone to ensure peace.
He’s going to dumb it down so even the least educated can easily interpret his will.

Humans are sinners and their only hope for salvation is unyielding faith and total subjugation to the rule of god (or his earthly regent). Those who don’t yield suffer the iron rod.
Establishing the Kingdom of god on earth is a primary goal of Dominionist Christians. There is no need to wait for the arrival of Jesus. The Kingdom can be established and a temporary regent can be appointed until Jesus arrives. Many Dominionists believe his arrival is imminent.
So there is no need to express caution regarding climate change. God can fix any climate issues which threaten all life because he’s omnipotent. He created the whole universe, earth & it’s living & inanimate inhabitants in 6 days. Clearing the atmosphere is child’s play. For god.
Jesus will fix the climate, COVid, the economy; whatever it takes to protect the faithful, & then rule for eternity. (Presumably with regular climate cleansing to enable & maintain the abundant fossil fuels god provided.
So, not only is this passage an Anti-Semitic dog whistle for Christian White Nationalists, it’s also confirmation that the UCP stands behind the Dominionist Christian community and continues to work towards establishment of the Kingdom of god in Alberta, & UCP rule in perpetuity.
Or at the very least, until Jesus returns. I’m guessing that means Kenney is considered another divinely appointed ruler who will take care of this part of the Kingdom until Jesus comes again. Or maybe it’s Harper who is the unseen ruler behind the curtain.
Either way, the fact the Alberta government sent out this passage is a wake up call.

Dominionist Christian ideology, beliefs and values are dangerous, threatening and delusional. Like Trump, Kenney is harnessing fanatical beliefs to control politics and policy in Alberta.
Experts in Christian faith can confirm these beliefs and values are extremist and menacing. It’s an abandonment of democracy, human rights and logic and reason. There are no valid challenges to a deity. It’s futile to try reason and rationale.

Nothing will alter these beliefs.
I’ve attached a video from Frank Schaeffer. He’s a former evangelical leader. He and his father actually inspired much of the rhetoric and beliefs being perpetrated by the Dominionist Christian community in contemporary politics. Please watch.

https://t.co/qhKAxEzHD5
Schaeffer is one of the experts who know Dominionism from the inside. Ex evangelicals know the ins and outs of Dominionism because they’ve lived it. Schaeffer is a trusted source of information about the objectives of Christian nationalists. He helped perpetuate it.
Please watch the 9 minute Scaeffer video. It explains the mindset of the people who are Dominionist Christian faithful believers. It explains why so many churches are refusing to follow COVid protocol.
The video explains how dangerous a provincial government that fosters and responds to the policy demands of the Dominionist community truly is.

Close to 50 UCP MLAs are full fledged members of the Dominionist community, including the premier.
The Isaiah biblical passage is an assertion of Christian righteousness that UCP believes they represent. It’s a warning that UCP believes they have god on their side and that liberalism, socialism and humanism is the work of Satan and those who believe it, the enemy.
It’s indication that logic, reason and science are useless tools to sway the premier’s beliefs, policies and allegiances.

Let that sink in.

It means most of UCP are delusional and beyond the reach of reasonable discourse.

It means Alberta and Albertans are in grave danger.
It means a reasoned logical argument is useless to influence policy in Alberta.

It means we ignore the taboo of questioning religious beliefs or continue banging our heads against a brick wall.

We must expose the delusional thinking and fanatical beliefs shaping AB policy.
The fact that a prominent Anglican priest felt the need to publicly voice concern about the use of this religious passage is a huge warning to the rest of the Albertan population.
When have you witnessed a member of the clergy warning citizens of the significance of the government’s chosen Christmas message?

This is the first time in my lifetime. I’m 53. This is an enormously significant warning from an actual Christian priest.
Take heed of the warning.

The mentally unbalanced are in charge of the province with unfettered power to legislate, in the middle of a pandemic.

That’s reality that needs the public’s attention.
https://t.co/GhCJ67wRJW

More from Sunshiny AKA Cassandra

Still believe Calgary protests are peaceful?

Not so much!

Not since Calgary police began enforcing the public health edict for masks and for gatherings.


Pair this violent Calgary protest with this opinion piece.

Is it any wonder that “liberty” ideologues are rebelling against Public Health Measures after the premier gave them every indication their freedom was superior to everyone else’s right to

We have evidence that Kenney is instigating STOCHASTIC TERRORISM.

This is what Trump is currently using to effect a coup in the US.

Maybe a journalist can ask Kenney why he stoked the ire of far right immediately prior to ordering a lockdown?

https://t.co/Ypw27JKeE1


As Albertans, we are unfamiliar with the tactics used by fascists. Albertans are naive to subterfuge and sedition.

Stochastic terrorism is common in eastern European nations. Russia & Al Qaida use these tactics all the time, but with much more regularity, brutality & deaths.

Here’s an article from 2011. Spelling out the process of creating a “missile” or “lone wolf” by appealing to those individuals who are mentally unstable. Experts have known how stochastic terrorism works for well over a decade.

https://t.co/zo1vkIoSXC
This was exactly what I was about to write a thread warning about.

A change in leadership in the US at the executive level does not alter the Republican Senators and Congress representatives. A few of whom are implicated in January 6, 2020 insurrection.


There will be a strong urge to forget the danger and the corruption.

After a long period of extended fear, terror and daily assaults on political and social norms, many will want to forget and move forward.

But we cannot take our eyes off those out to dismantle democracy.

Those breathing a sigh of relief, tomorrow this all resumes again in the US. It’s only temporarily paused in the US and correspondingly in Canada.

The urge to move on is strong. Resist it. Celebrate victories and achievements, but DO NOT walk away and forget.

Canadian conservative politicians are tightly connected to many of the Republican traitors who attacked the Capitol Jan 6.

None of them are going to give up. They’ll regroup. They’ll reorganize.

In the mean time, we are all required to stay alert. There is much to do.

The far right has let their agenda be known. They want to end democracy in US and in Canada. That goal is not off the table.

They will continue to pursue this agenda.

Yesterday 12 National Guard members were removed from service.
This is one of the most important threads I’ve read in the last year. Maybe more.

@PaulDoroshenko hits the ball out of the park!

This is exactly what we need to do.

And remember, Harper stacked public service with loyalists. RCMP, judiciary, senate, government departments.


We need Denazification in Canada too!

There can be no tolerance for intolerance.

Many are opining about free speech. In Canada we have freedom of expression and it comes with some caveats. Harmful hate speech is not free.

We have been inundated with hate speech for decades.

It must stop. We must remove the fascists from power and eradicate the platforms they use to build support.

I’ve taught both my children by age 9 what fascism is and what it looks like. I can be done.

School based education is a must to nullify hatred.

But what about the adults? First we remove the ability to indoctrinate through the internet. Mainstream media needs to be purged of nazi sympathizers. And the internet needs regulation. Because some people cannot be trusted to refrain from hate speech.

You got a problem with restrictions on speech, take a look at the US where any form of speech is free. Lying, disinformation, promotion of hatred and psychological manipulation propaganda. And the result is January 6, 2021 attempted “patriot” insurrection.

More from Twitter

Hey #optics and #photonics twitter

It's time again for the 2nd annual #top10photonics thread, where I compile my own #top10 best photonics papers list of the year!

See here for last year's thread:
https://t.co/6h82mPAn3w

A thread 👇


Same disclaimers as last time:
1. These aren't just papers that were published in 2020. They are papers that were added to my library in 2020. Some are a little older — some are a lot older. All are interesting or exciting to me in some way.

2. I reiterate - TO ME. This list is highly subjective, and is mostly about what captured my imagination most, not about what will make the biggest impact, or what is most worth funding. The order is mostly arbitrary too. This is just for fun :)

3. Once again I am NOT including any of my papers, or any from my current or former groups. If you're curious about what I do, drop a proverbial tip in my jar and peruse my publication list

And while I have your attention, register for #POM20ja, happening in 2 weeks. (It's free!) It's a completely reinvented @PhotonicsMeetup, and it promises to be a great time!

Now, on to the main event!

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THE MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY OF SWASTIK

The Swastik is a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon. Swastik has been Sanatan Dharma’s symbol of auspiciousness – mangalya since time immemorial.


The name swastika comes from Sanskrit (Devanagari: स्वस्तिक, pronounced: swastik) &denotes “conducive to wellbeing or auspicious”.
The word Swastik has a definite etymological origin in Sanskrit. It is derived from the roots su – meaning “well or auspicious” & as meaning “being”.


"सु अस्ति येन तत स्वस्तिकं"
Swastik is de symbol through which everything auspicios occurs

Scholars believe word’s origin in Vedas,known as Swasti mantra;

"🕉स्वस्ति ना इन्द्रो वृधश्रवाहा
स्वस्ति ना पूषा विश्ववेदाहा
स्वस्तिनास्तरक्ष्यो अरिश्तनेमिही
स्वस्तिनो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु"


It translates to," O famed Indra, redeem us. O Pusha, the beholder of all knowledge, redeem us. Redeem us O Garudji, of limitless speed and O Bruhaspati, redeem us".

SWASTIK’s COSMIC ORIGIN

The Swastika represents the living creation in the whole Cosmos.


Hindu astronomers divide the ecliptic circle of cosmos in 27 divisions called
https://t.co/sLeuV1R2eQ this manner a cross forms in 4 directions in the celestial sky. At centre of this cross is Dhruva(Polestar). In a line from Dhruva, the stars known as Saptarishi can be observed.
Tip from the Monkey
Pangolins, September 2019 and PLA are the key to this mystery
Stay Tuned!


1. Yang


2. A jacobin capuchin dangling a flagellin pangolin on a javelin while playing a mandolin and strangling a mannequin on a paladin's palanquin, said Saladin
More to come tomorrow!


3. Yigang Tong
https://t.co/CYtqYorhzH
Archived: https://t.co/ncz5ruwE2W


4. YT Interview
Some bats & pangolins carry viruses related with SARS-CoV-2, found in SE Asia and in Yunnan, & the pangolins carrying SARS-CoV-2 related viruses were smuggled from SE Asia, so there is a possibility that SARS-CoV-2 were coming from