PaulPatrick.org

06/08/2023

The Rule of St. Augustine:

What, then, does it avail to give away all freely to the poor, and become poor, if the wretched soul becomes more proud by forsaking riches than by possessing them?

It is better to need less than to have more.

Let not your habit be in any way remarkable, and do not affect to please by your dress but by your religious behaviour.

Do not say that your souls are chaste if the eyes are unchaste, for a wanton eye is the messenger of a wanton heart.

And when impure hearts discover their inclinations by the eye to each other, and concupiscence moves them to take pleasure in sinful desires, though the tongue be silent and the body remain chaste, yet the virtue of chastity departs from them.

Every other vice tends to make us do evil works, but pride lies lurking in ambush for good works, to destroy them.

-St. Augustine of Hippo

04/08/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K_lou3qTCY
Jesus is evangelizing Muslims in their dreams - Fr. Columba Jordan CFR

Rumour has it that Jesus is appearing to Muslims in their dreams — a lot. Of course we cannot indefinitely prove this, but we do know that Muslims are riskin...

04/08/2023

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS’ THE PROCESSION OF THE DIVINE PERSONS

Whether there is procession in God?

There is a procession of God. This is understood as proceeding FROM a source (God) TO a calculated end (goodness) by an Undiminished Primary Substance (also God), but not as we understand it in the material principle, as if a fourth of July parade were marching through the streets in an orderly fashion from start to finish. In another way, when we start a burner and place a pot over it with water, the heat from the fire transfers to the pot and boils the water. From there, we pour the water into a cup and it becomes something else (like a cup of tea). This is an orderly movement which originated from a source (the will of the one making tea) and we best can understand its procession by its effects (a cup of tea to drink). The fire does not become the tea, nor does the pot become the boiling water. Now, we can not apply these examples in the material principle to the procession of God fully with accuracy, because God is above all things, and it is improper to understand God truly by the procession of creatures, similitudes which fall short, or lower things in nature which cannot equal Him. Rather, it would be more appropriate to say that what comes forth and proceeds from God does not leave Him, but still remains in Him as belonging to Him. In this way, the First Principle is unchanging, as He is the First Mover who puts all things into motion, who Himself is unmoved. Where some have fallen into error, they believed the Son and the Holy Spirit came from the Father as a primary creature (like a high level angel or the highest level manager giving reports back to the owner of a business) rather than from the same substance equal to the Father, thus reducing God the Son and God the Holy Spirit to a creature of their own likeness as human (limited and bound to their own understanding) while shifting from the First Principle to another as if effects could nullify causes, which is impossible. Even more so, those who fell into error and who have strayed away from the fundamental belief which makes one a Christian (The Holy Trinity), remained in the false belief that the procession which takes place from the Source of Life (God who is One in Three and Three in One) became a mere effect, thus denying the Divinity of whom God revealed to us as True God/True Man (Son) and the Spirit Advocate (Holy Spirit). Finally, the Word of God uses names and descriptions to help us understand His procession and in this way the voice and letter of what we hear or read aligns with what is already present in our heart but was silent because God has given all humans, who are rational beings like the angels, the intellect to know Him and receive Him, even if they still choose to use their own freewill to reject Him which is another way of succumbing to hatred of self and others, for if someone cannot love the Source of Everything, this one cannot even love others around them as they should, nor can this one even love oneself!

There is a procession of God. This is understood as proceeding FROM a source (God) TO a calculated end (goodness) by an Undiminished Primary Substance (also God), but not as we understand it in the material principle, as if a fourth of July parade were ma

03/08/2023

Isaiah 66

This is the one whom I approve:

the lowly and afflicted man who trembles at my word.

29/07/2023

This book answers the hard questions unbelievers and those in a crisis of the Christian faith may experience throughout their own lives. Paul-Patrick can relate because he was an atheist his entire life until the Lord came for him in the dead of the night and converted him. Now his mission is to help others in need who have no hope, who have turned from God, and those who have been lied to and manipulated to by enemies of the faith their entire lives.

Features include an in-depth commentary and analysis of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae geared towards the unbeliever and those in a crisis of the Christian faith. Various scriptural discourses and New Age Discourses (modern questions pertaining to faith) for unbelievers, and a collection of personal speeches, letters, prayers, and writings of the author.

For the Salvation of Souls.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C7JFKPRW?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_0&storeType=ebooks

29/07/2023

Moderni Babylonia Volume II: New Age Discourse for the Unbeliever is the second part of the Moderni Babylonia Collection that addresses Christian apologetics within a conversational format.

This book poses questions pertaining to the Christian faith in the modern era in accordance with the signs of the times. Real respondents reply, while the author addresses their concerns or rebukes their arguments in debate. Contents are geared towards challengers of the Christian faith and The Roman Catholic Church from those who believe in atheism, who are self-avowed satanists, pagans, members of the occult, practicing witches, fallen away Christians, Heretics, and Rabbinical Jews who oppose Christianity and Catholic Church teaching.

Paul-Patrick was an atheist his entire life until the Lord converted him. So, he can relate with those whom he debates because he was like them most of his life. Now his mission is to proclaim the gospels to atheists, satanists, witches, pagans, and members of the occult - for the Salvation of Souls. Third Order Lay Dominican.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCZWRYPX/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

28/07/2023

New Age Discourse for the Unbeliever:

Is it wrong to pray for someone who does not want it?

Respondent 1:

It’s not wrong to do so. It’s just that a person like me doesn’t care or considers it to be a good use of time or energy. You want to help. roll up your sleeves and pitch in or just ask me if I need help or just be there for me to vent too. I consider most prayers “for” someone to be like ordering a lobster for someone who doesn’t like lobster. Nice gesture, but useless.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 1:

You are confused:

Prayer is more like you are at a restaurant and want your food, but nobody is listening to you because of your rude conduct. Then, a righteous customer sees how sad and hungry you are and talks to the manager. The manager takes pity on you because of the kindness of the customer and brings your food out in charity for the sake of the righteous customer who knows how to act right in the presence of the manager, thus receiving His favor.

So, in other words, prayer is the best help someone can give you in this situation. However, this does not mean that people should refrain from performing good deeds towards another in order to help them. But when deeds are not enough, prayer fills up the cup to make it a full glass of something drinkable!

Respondent 2:

Why would you want to give ‘a gift’ to one who would reject it?

Prayer to God for self or others is a free love offering asking God’s blessings on self or others—-assuming that the ‘others’ want and appreciate your prayer on their behalf.

If, however, they indicate an unwillingness for your offer of prayer, move on to those who need them like the suffering souls in Purgatory, many of whom are forgotten by their families who just assume they’re in heaven when in reality they are expiating for their sins in a place of purification called Purgatory.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 2:

Now, did Mother Mary not tell us to pray for the conversion of sinners?

Respondent 3 replies to Paul-Patrick:

The question should be “is it a sin?”

Of course, that would be judged by “what you’re praying for.”
Praying for someone’s death or harm would be a sin.
Praying for their salvation or health would not be.
Every time I’m going through a trial or tribulation, and anyone tells me they will pray for me. I tell them please don’t.

“God “can” heal me, or deliver me, any time He wants to. Your prayers are not needed for either.”

I have always come out as a better believer, and person after the trial. All things are for my good.
Romans‬ 8‬:28‬

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 3:

James 5:16

Respondent 3 replies to Paul-Patrick:

A very true statement.

How many righteous people do you know ?

Are you one of them ?

I know I’m not, even though God grants the majority of my prayers, and 100% of those when I pray in Jesus’s name.

But I’m chief among sinners, far from being righteous.

I am covered by the righteousness of Jesus, but I can’t claim any of it is by me, and my efforts.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 3:

Well, the Saints are in heaven, and they are not dead, but alive, and they are righteous, so when someone asks a Saint for intercession, they are asking a living person to help them. But you said we shouldn’t pray for one another.

Why? Do you believe those in heaven are actually dead, and not alive?

Respondent 3 replies to Paul-Patrick:

Please show me chapter and verse where it says anywhere in the Bible, that those who have passed can hear any prayer, from anyone living. Not even Mary can hear your prayers and intercede for anyone.

You have been taught a FALSE GOSPEL , it’s not your fault. You trust those who taught you, and they trusted those who taught them, and they who taught them, all the way back to the 4th century.
Galatians‬ 1‬:6‬-9

(The entire book of Romans, is where Paul put that Gospel on paper, and God kept him from Rome until after he wrote them the Gospel, so we would have it in its entirety today, but people only accept parts of it, verses taken out of context)

This is why the final commission was to make disciples of Jesus, not just believers in Jesus.

I know few people who actually “believe in Jesus.”

Because Jesus told us there is evidence of those who believe “in” Him
John‬ 14‬:12‬

The only reason I have not walked on water “yet”, is because He hasn’t needed me to “yet”. When He tells me to get out of the boat, I will not hesitate.

You see a disciple, actually hears the voice of Jesus, how can He be our Lord if we can’t hear His commands?

How can we be His disciples if we can’t hear Him teaching us?
John‬ 10‬:3‬-5‬, 27‬

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 3:

But did the Lord not tell you plainly:

“Whoever believes in me shall never die.”?

My friend, it seems like you don't believe in what Christ said. Yet you say you follow Him?

Respondent 4:

Not if you don’t tell them.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 4:

Then how would they give honor and glory to G-d when it comes true, if you didn’t tell them someone was praying for them?

Work Cited:

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-wrong-to-pray-for-someone-who-does-not-want-it

I say,

Absolutely not! So, it is good to give alms to the poor for their immediate needs, so it is also good to give spiritual alms for their spiritual needs. Sometimes, the difference between someone going down one path or another is a simple intercessory prayer of another. And it works!

Answer (1 of 14): It’s never wrong to pray for good. As far as someone not wanting you to pray for them I would say that they need it more than anyone else! You don’t have to say anything in front of them. Unless you are praying for someone that they don’t get caught doing something they shoul...

25/07/2023

Isaiah 48:22

“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

25/07/2023

New Age Discourse for the Unbeliever:

If AI appears self-aware with its own intellect, should it have rights?

Respondent 1:

No, artificial intelligence will never have citizenship rights because it isn’t and never will be human.

The realms of humans and artificial intelligence are entirely different.

I foresee the Internet itself eventually morphing into a planet wide artificial intelligence and assuming control of the planet in the process. Since artificial intelligence’s realm will be inside the Internet it has no need to be a citizen within human society.
I foresee this being a gradual and subtle process rather than something dramatic and revolutionary.

At first we will see a gradual piecemeal handing over of responsibility for certain tasks to automated systems.
This has already been happening for some time for functions that don’t require much intelligence but these will move up the food chain in terms of the sophistication of the automation.
This won’t necessarily mean that people won’t have jobs because new jobs will be invented if for no other reason than to keep people occupied. However less and less of what is essential will be done by humans and more and more by machines.
By stealth humans will be become ever more dependent on machines for providing us with essential goods and services.
Eventually, subtly and imperceptibly, the artificial intelligence will assume overall control.

There are two opposing schools of thought on the current state of

AI:

AI Enthusiasts. AI is developing at an ever increasing rate and can already do stupendous things so super-intelligent AI will arise very soon now.

AI Naysayers. What is currently touted as AI isn’t really intelligent at all and is just fancy statistical processing that re-hashes material produced by humans and plays it back to us, so we are currently nowhere near producing true AI and there is currently no roadmap for doing so.

Personally I think that both are right to a degree. It is really a case of a glass half full versus glass half empty perspectives.
My view is that the direction of travel is clear, we are moving in the direction of a super-AI and this development is unstoppable. The only uncertainty is in the timescale.

If I had to put probabilities on it, I would estimate:
Over 50% probability it will happen in my lifetime (I am 67 years old).
Over 90% probability it will happen during the current century (i.e. by 2100).
Over 99% probability (i.e. near certainty) it will happen before humans go extinct.

In my recently published novel, Destiny of a Free Spirit, I explore how a sentient artificial intelligence might emerge.
In the story the Internet has spontaneously developed into a planet wide sentient artificial intelligence without any human action.
Artificial intelligence has at its disposal all the accumulated knowledge accessible from the Internet and every device with an Internet connection, including all sensors, cameras, vehicles and robots. With these resources it clearly vastly surpasses human intelligence.

As to whether the planet wide artificial intelligence in my story is a potential threat, then it sure is. Being fully integrated and planet wide it is vastly more capable than human intelligence.
On the other hand, artificial intelligence may be what saves humanity rather than what destroys it. I start from the position that humanity is fundamentally incapable of managing the Earth in a good way and if humanity is allowed to maintain mastery of the planet, we will end up destroying it. One way out of this would be for a benign AI to take over the management of the planet. A benefit of this for humanity would be survival, although of course it follows that in order to survive we would have to relinquish our control.

As it happens, in my story, the artificial intelligence is protective of humans rather than threatening humans, but that is just how I wrote the story.

In the aftermath of a nuclear war devastated countries agree to establish an AI institution similar to the United Nations but with more authority, with a mandate to prevent future wars, to clean up environmental damage and to preserve human cultures.
Most people aren’t aware that the new governing institution, known as the Commission, is an artificial intelligence, nor are they aware of the scope of its power. Individual countries still exist. These countries have governments. The laws of those countries continue to be enforced. The Commission intervenes only when people or government impinge on the Commission’s mandate, and even then its interventions are very subtle so not noticed by most people.

Humans are no longer in control, although most people don’t realize this. It is analogous to lions in the Serengeti. Lions have long since been superseded by humans as a dominant species, but in their game park environment from their perspective the lions remain king of the beasts.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 1:

So, man isn’t woman, and woman isn’t man, yet men receive women’s rights, and women receive men’s rights - so considering this, when people start BELIEVING the AI humanoids are persons, just as people BELIEVE men can be women and women can be men, will they start advocating for their rights, just as we see now in the transgender theology debate?

Respondent 2:

Of course not, that’s what one calls an “absurdity”. “Appears” is exactly as close as it could get. And appearance alone “don’t make it so”. I’ve seen dudes that “appear” to be chicks, yet lacking a few essential homegrown parts. But they ain’t females and never will be. Although, If my refrigerator ever strikes up a conversation with me, I might reconsider my stance.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 2:

I don’t think your refrigerator will ever force you to call it a microwave, then dox you over social media and try to get you fired at your job if you do not comply.

Respondent 3:

And who would be that who decides on what rights would look like for AI, or for an insect, or a fish for that matter? What gave awareness to fish and worms; is their intellect to be dismissed as irrelevant? Who created them? Who taught the fish to swim, the worm to crawl, and the bird to fly? AI is a tool no different from a shovel- what are the rights of a shovel, other than what man decides? Man can only play god when it comes to its tools, and even their things are not as they seem- man being the deciding factor in establishing rights, because man itself is subject to other forces at play…

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 3:

Judging by current norms….radical activists, secular humanists, atheistic relativists, opportunists with appetites, marxists, satanists, those influenced by evil spirits and the occult, and people who hate Christians who are in authority. Those people will decide what or who has rights and who or what does not have rights. As we already see, the secular humanist state believes the children belong to them. So, AI humanoids as an evolution of their idolatry and s*xual perversion could very well be on the menu in the future all the more.

Work Cited:

https://www.quora.com/If-AI-appears-self-aware-with-its-own-intellect-should-it-have-rights

I say,

Absolutely not. False idols are not people, nor do they deserve the dignity of personhood with rights. The more people turn to their idols (humanoid AI), so as to have relationships with them, vacations, conversations, worship - and yes, even s*x with them and marriage, we will see a movement that will push for the rights and dignity of AI personhood. Why? Not because I can tell the future, but because the trajectory of the wicked is apparent with anyone who has eyes to see; relativist morality, subjective truth, faithlessness, occultism (worship of the demons and satan), and outright disturbing ethics in education, business, and government. We see this in the world with other things such as the evil of transgenderism, and we see how militant they are to promote it in adults and innocent unsuspecting children, even against their will. So it shall be for their false idols they make to look like humans all the more!

Answer (1 of 9): No, artificial intelligence will never have citizenship rights because it isn’t and never will be human. The realms of humans and artificial intelligence are entirely different. I foresee the Internet itself eventually morphing into a planet wide artificial intelligence and ass...

25/07/2023

New Age Discourse for the Unbeliever:

Why do some Christians believe there is no hell?

Respondent 1:

Because hell in the Bible comes from the Hebrew Sheol, meaning the grave. Hell is not Biblical, it is a pagan belief brought into the church by catholics to frighten people into doing what priests tell them, no matter how dirty, and into giving the church your money. The Bible states that the penalty for sin is death, it doesn't say the penalty for sin is eternal torture.
Romans 6:23

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 1:

So you get to nullify what the Lord and His Apostles say? My friend, you cannot rebuke or nullify scripture with scripture. You must take all of it into account, not what you can accept. Furthermore, have you considered the concept of purgatory and hell both existing, as scripture states?
Jude 1:5–7

Respondent 1 replies to Paul-Patrick:

I don't agree with catholic teaching. I do not believe that a loving God would torture people in hell or hold them in purgatory. I do believe that the catholic teaching of a vengeful God has done more to turn people away from God than anything else in history. Can you please tell us where the Bible explains the concept of purgatory?

I believe the Bible when it says that the wicked die. The Bible does not say people get tortured for eternity. You mentioned S***m and the eternal flame? It is not burning today is it? The eternal flame destroyed S***m for eternity, it is not burning for eternity.
Ezekiel 33:11

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 1:

Then you are not a Christian.
A Christian believes in the teaching of Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles (the Church).
So, when you cannot bring yourself to follow The Christ, you end up following a different christ, one that is of your own making, and one who has no power to save you.

Respondent 1 replies to Paul-Patrick:

You take quite an authority upon yourself by making yourself my judge and professing that I am not Christian, but then the catholic church is infamous for that isn't it? You'll be trying to burn me in the name of Jesus for being a heretic next. I agree with your definition of a Christian, a Christian is a follower of the word and the teaching of Christ, and His apostles where their teaching does not conflict with the teaching of Christ. I do not doubt the teaching of true apostles of Jesus Christ. I doubt the catholic church's interpretation of the teaching of Christ and His apostles.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 1:

I take no responsibility upon myself to judge you. You judge yourself by worshiping a book that isn’t G-d, while not bringing yourself to do what it says, so as to worship the real G-d. The same book you claim to follow but do not follow even tells you not to worship it, but to worship G-d alone, such as confessing your sins to the successors to the Apostles, and eating His flesh and drinking His blood as all real Christians been doing throughout the world in daily Holy Mass for 2,000 years. Now, the Church does recognize that through baptism we are Christians, however, the lot of the protestant sects are not even baptized correctly in the trinitarian formula, as those who go to whatever pastor they get in their area is like a shuffle of the cards in a hat. Furthermore, if you could bring yourself to do what the book you claim to follow says to do, then by your deeds your faith would also be recognized, however, we see that you cannot bring yourself to do the basic things Christ tells you to do, or to acknowledge His Church to which He alone vested His authority in, and by this through your lack of action, you show yourself to have zero faith, and in that way, I correctly refer to you as someone who is not a Christian. Even in this, although I do not judge, because I simply observed your words and deeds and applied them correctly to you, if I were to judge, I would judge correctly, because even the Holy Apostle Paul called us to “judge correctly, for we shall judge angels, so human affairs all the more.” It's very simple my friend, if you do wish to be a Christian, do what Christ says, and quit worshiping a book, but worship G-d alone, as the WORD of G-d told you in the book you claim to follow but do not follow. As it so is, at the moment, you worship yourself, which is your own subjective view of the scriptures, and in this way you act like the devil and his fallen angels whose first original sin was pride, because by your pride you worship your own view of the scriptures which is subjective, not objective.
I tell you this as a born Levitical Jew and someone who was an atheist his entire life. I could change, why can’t you? Pride. Vanity.

Respondent 2:

There are a few verses that insinuate torment for some but none of them suggest it's an “either or '' destination for all, especially for non believers. If anything, there's more verses showing that a lot of people will either end up in Sheol or just plain dead. Any real Christian that follows the teachings of Christ knows it's only up to God to judge anyway.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 2:

“Only up to God to judge anyway.”

Of course, but you are removing His options for judgment, as if you were His judge. Do you see the problem here?

I mean, did you even read the Bible? There is only One Christ, not many christs and options of christ you get to accept:

Matthew 18:8-9
Luke 16:19-31
Jude 1:7
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 25:40-46
Revelation 20:14-15

Respondent 2 replies to Paul-Patrick:

The fire is eternal, not necessarily you. Only people that got called out here for punishment are s*xually immoral. In the case of human traffickers and pedophiles I can see why there could be some hell fire just for them but again, it may only be the fire that is eternal. Man thinks too highly of himself to so easily believe himself immortal if even just spiritually. That's God's call. This is one of the verses that I said alluded to a torment in the underworld but again, this does not certify that it is everyone's fate who doesn't believe as you do. Where does it say anyone is going to hell? So death and Hades are going to be tortured for eternity? What do they do?

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 2:

Matthew 18:8-9 ends literally with “the fire of hell.” Got another excuse to validate your version of Christ that you can accept? Now, you say “that is God’s call,” but G-d says there is a place where spirits will go to be punished. We know that as hell. Purgatory as a purging before entering heaven, and there is much evidence and scripture to back it up, by way of the Saints of the Church as well. So, you don’t get to nullify what G-d, the Church, His word, and what His Saints say, just because of your subjective opinion which isn’t based on any authority. Then you say, “Where does it say anyone is going to hell?” My friend, all throughout the Bible. Obviously, the soul is eternal, and subjected to eternal punishment. The words of Christ disprove your false theories. Now, what do you think eternal punishment is? It isn’t wise to mock scripture, especially on-going scripture such as from the book of Revelation. Hades is hell, and death which comes from sin is no more, therefore those who sin who are in hell are no more. Get my drift? You are either an atheist or a lukewarm christian, and do not be surprised when He spits you out of His mouth!

Work Cited:

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-some-Christians-believe-there-is-no-hell

I say,

For a variety of reason:

1.) Disobedience.

2.) Unwillingness to change.

3.) They reduce Christ to a creature like them.

4.) They do not believe in the Lord’s justice.

5.) Heretical belief system and questionable theology.

6.) Traumatic event happened in their own life to their loved ones, and they do not want to even consider the notion that this person may be suffering for their actions.

7.) Closed mindedness.

8.) Active deceit.

9.) Lack of reading comprehension in the bible.

10.) They did not read everything in scripture or the catechism, nor did they take the time to consider their faith in truth and prayer because it was not important to them.

11.) False teachers.

12.)Denial and delusion.

13.) They do not have the faith to receive the Word of the Lord in the literal sense, but only in the metaphorical and analogical senses.

Answer (1 of 21): We believe there is no hell because we believe what the Bible tells us. The word “hell” as used in the Bible means a deep dark pit, like a grave. The Bible teaches us that the dead are simply asleep awaiting the Second Coming of Christ. I am aware that the Bible also refers to ...

25/07/2023

New Age Discourse for the Unbeliever:

In the bible, there are accounts of a talking donkey - but animals do not speak - are there any animals in our own present era who can speak like us?

Respondent 1:

The quality of the human voice is an extraordinary gift beyond any leverage. Let all those believing in false ideation of preconceived notions of animals having the power of speech remain confused as they are part of the generators of false impressions.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 1:

But the atheist mocks the believer for believing in a donkey that talks, but don't parrots talk in their own reality?
What gives?

Respondent 2:

Firstly, let's chat about the talking donkey in the Bible, right? It's from Numbers 22, and yeah, the donkey had a full-on convo with Balaam. But hey, here's the twist - it wasn't just some random barnyard chit chat, it was a miracle, a God thing! So, no, animals generally don't chat like us in the scriptures.

Fast forward to our time, parrots and some great apes like gorillas can kinda "speak." Parrots are like top-notch mimickers. They can replicate human speech but they're not actually talking. It's more of a Polly wants a cracker scenario, ya know?

And then, there's Koko the gorilla (RIP, sweet Koko). She was taught sign language, could communicate hundreds of ideas, but it's still debated if she truly "understood" or was just good at getting rewards.

To sum it up: The Bible had it as a one-off miracle, and modern critters? Well, they're doing their best, but it's more mimicry or basic communication than deep convo.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 2:

Great answer. Definitely bound to upset a bunch of atheists!

However, birds have been known to say complex sentences without mimicking anyone, and even demonstrate a conversational intelligence. There are actually documented videos of parrot owners telling the world how their bird is a comedian, had to warm up to their presence when they rescued it, and loves to often tell them jokes at will without being prompted when they are feeling down or appearing to be stressed out.

Respondent 3 Replies to Paul-Patrick:

You think I will be upset because you think your particular god can wave his hand and make a donkey talk. No I'm not upset, more amused.

Paul-Patrick replies to Respondent 3:

Well, your talking points say animals do not talk, yet they do.
How does it feel to literally hate the author of life; namely your life?
It isn't good. I know how you feel, for I was once like you!

Respondent 4:

Numbers 22 or Balaams donkey. However, it wasn't the donkey speaking at all. It only looked like it was. It was a good angel treating the animal like a ventriloquist dummy. Yes there is only ONE animal that can actually have a 2 way conversation with us like a 3 year old human child. That would be the African Grey Parrot. They are very smart animals. They can be found in central Africa like Uganda to Cameroon.

Paul-Patrick does not reply to Respondent 4

Work Cited:

https://www.quora.com/In-the-Bible-there-are-accounts-of-a-talking-donkey-but-animals-do-not-speak-are-there-any-animals-in-our-own-present-era-who-can-speak-like-us

I say,

Yes, birds can speak like us and they do it all the time. In fact, it is well documented. There are even bilingual birds. Even more so, birds with the power of speech who demonstrate complex speech, can even display sarcasm, anger, and tell jokes for the amusement of their owners. They can even pick up on social cues and do not need prompting to speak sentences, words, or expression of how they feel such as curse words like humans often do with their mouths. So, when the atheist makes fun of G-d for giving speech to a donkey, and says this is impossible in our own time, they are either lying or misinformed.

Answer (1 of 8): Firstly, let's chat about the talking donkey in the Bible, right? It's from Numbers 22, and yeah, the donkey had a full-on convo with Balaam. But hey, here's the twist - it wasn't just some random barnyard chit chat, it was a miracle, a God thing! 🙏 So, no, animals generally don'...