Where's the contest taking place?


P. S. Please attend to all enquiries on this thread.  Not everyone has the money to talk for so long on phone to get detailed answers.  Besides, this will also make room for more suggestions as well, and I believe this will be of great help to both you and the interested parties.

WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. has indicted two companies operating a digital currency business and their owners on charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeffrey A. Taylor announced today.

The four-count indictment, handed down on April 24, 2007, and unsealed today, charges E‑Gold Ltd; Gold & Silver Reserve, Inc.; and their owners Dr. Douglas L. Jackson, of Satellite Beach, Fla.; Reid A. Jackson, of Melbourne, Fla.; and Barry K. Downey, of Woodbine, Md., each with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business under federal law and one count of money transmission without a license under D.C. law.

Subsequent to the indictment, the Department of Justice also obtained a restraining order on the defendants to prevent the dissipation of assets by the defendants, and 24 seizure warrants on over 58 accounts believed to be property involved in money laundering and operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. The restraining order does not limit the E‑Gold operation’s ability to use its existing funds to satisfy requests to exchange E-Gold into national currency for customers of non-seized accounts, or its ability to sell precious metals to accomplish the same, once approval has been received.

According to the indictment, E‑Gold’s digital currency, “E‑Gold,” functioned as an alternative payment system and was purportedly backed by stored physical gold. Persons seeking to use the E‑Gold payment system were only required to provide a valid email address to open an E‑Gold account – no other contact information was verified. Once an individual opened an E‑Gold account, he/she could fund the account using any number of exchangers, which converted national currency into E‑Gold. Once open and funded, account holders could access their accounts through the Internet and conduct anonymous transactions with other parties anywhere in the world.

The indictment alleges that E‑Gold has been a highly favored method of payment by operators of investment scams, credit card and identity fraud, and sellers of online child pornography. The indictment alleges that the defendants conducted funds transfers on behalf of their customers, knowing that the funds involved were the proceeds of unlawful activity; namely child exploitation, credit card fraud, and wire (investment) fraud; and thereby violated federal money laundering statutes. The indictment further alleges that the defendants operated the E‑Gold operation without a license in the District of Columbia or any other state, or registering with the federal government, and thereby violated federal and state money transmitting laws. The indictment alleges that this conduct occurred at various times from 1999 through December 2005.

“As alleged in the indictment, the E-Gold payment system has been a preferred means of payment for child pornography distributors, identity thieves, online scammers, and other criminals around the world to launder their illegal income anonymously,” said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division. “This indictment demonstrates that the Department of Justice, in cooperation with its law enforcement partners, will aggressively identify and prosecute those who knowingly enable and profit from transmitting the proceeds of criminal activity, online or offline.”

“Douglas Jackson and his associates operated a sophisticated and widespread international money remitting business, unsupervised and unregulated by any entity in the world, which allowed for anonymous transfers of value at a click of a mouse,” said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor for the District of Columbia. “Not surprisingly, criminals of every stripe gravitated to E-Gold as a place to move their money with impunity. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants in this case knowingly allowed them to do so and profited from their crimes.”

“Today's indictment is the result of a two and a half year investigation by the U.S. Secret Service Orlando Field Office into an alternative payment system which has largely operated outside of normal banking industry regulations,” said Secret Service Assistant Director for Investigations Michael Stenger. “This system has been exploited for more than 10 years by criminals who operate primarily via the Internet. Cooperation among investigators, including the IRS, the FBI and other state and local law enforcement, has enabled us to more effectively address emerging threats and evolving criminal methods, such as the use of electronic or digital currency to facilitate trafficking in illicit goods and services.”

“The advent of new electronic currency systems increases the risk that criminals, and possibly terrorists, will exploit these systems to launder money and transfer funds globally to avoid law enforcement scrutiny and circumvent banking regulations and reporting,” said Assistant Director James E. Finch, of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “The FBI will continue to work closely with the Department of Justice and our federal and international law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute any, and all, persons or organizations that use these systems to facilitate child pornography distribution, to support organized crime, and to perpetrate financial crimes.”

“This is a new twist on laundering money through unlicensed money transmitters but it is nothing new for financial investigators,” said Eileen Mayer, Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation. “The combined investigative skills of the law enforcement partners under the St. Cloud IRS Criminal Investigation and Secret Service Task Force proved to be a brick wall for E-Gold. We are proud to bring our financial expertise to this type of investigation that ultimately unravels fraud.”

The conspiracy charge in the case relating to money transmitting carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The federal law violation of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The D.C. Code violation for money transmission without a license carries a maximum sentence of five years. The conspiracy charge relating to money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of the IRS and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division. Assistance is also being provided by the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the Criminal Division.

An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/April/07_crm_301.html

====================================================================================

I hope they're vindicated soon, and I pray this does not in any way affect Nigeria.


Comments. . . ?

goodguy visits the religion section of Nairaland.

. . . sees the title of this thread, and the name of the thread starter.  *raises eyebrow*

. . . checks the thread out of curiousity, and reads the post made by babyosisi.  He's completely overwhelmed by the level of her sincerity, and is totally glad at the Christianly attitude she has displayed here.  He's not too surprised though because he knows she's got a good heart afterall.

Now, goodguy scrolls down, reads David's post and is totally disappointed, but not so surprised.

He scrolls down further, reads mrpataki's post, and his expectation was met as usual.  Not surprised at all.

Now going down further, he reads sisimose's response and keeps nodding his head till the end of her post.  She served davidylan excellently.

. . . glances through subsequent posts, and stops to peruse babyosisi's post.  Yet another brilliant one!

Now he reads david's rejoinder to babyosisi's post.  He's impressed!


I totally agree with belloti on this one.


Regards.

I totally agree with doubletree here.  Whoever calls my phone expects to hear my voice and speak to me, and vice versa.  Personally, I hate it when people pick my calls.  I do not pick other people's calls, even when specifically asked to do so by the person that the call is meant for, and as such, I do not expect others to pick my calls; be it my brother, sister, father, friend, girlfriend or wife.

Not that I have anything to hide - far from it.  I just find it annoying. .  that's all.

However, as regards the topic at hand, if my girlfriend/wife begins to hide in the bathroom or elsewhere to answer her calls, then THAT is another mater entirely.

@ jeshua

Martin Luther was not a politician and he didnt abandone his apstoral duties.

Martin Luther was a political activist and a pastor at the same time.  By the way, who says Okotie will be abandoning his pastorial duties if he's voted in?

God is not confused at all, let him resign and go into politics, not try politics and run back into the pulpit to hide after loosing.

Is anything wrong with being a pastor and a politician at the same time?  And pray tell, when has Okotie ever "run back into the pulpit to hide after loosing"?  As far as I know, he has not relented from his political ambition since the 2003 elections.  Infact, when the issue of 3rd term came up, it may interest you to know that he was the only presidential aspirant still campaigning as at then.  Wherever you got your facts from, I seriously wonder.

BTW, check this thread: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-26936.0.html

We need people who can make sacrifices and take risks.

Sure we do; and Okotie is indubitably one of them.

Do you know that Luther was told he was going to be shot because of what he was doing and he still continued.

Interesting.  Do you know that threats have been made to Okotie's life as well, because of his honesty and natural tendency to always speak the truth at all times?  As a matter of fact, this is one of the major reasons why he was voted "Man of the Year" in 2002 by the National Encomium magazine.

Let me tell you how he fought his battles, He did it from the Pulpit and then to the streets to show he he meant what he preached about. He was doing it for the people who were racially discriminated. if you want to compare, okotie should go to Sudanand Niger republic and become a humanitarian  officer there.

As TayoD said earlier, instrumentalities may differ, but the purpose is the same.  You don't expect two different people to use the same methods to achieve a common goal.  That is why there is a basis for comparism in the first place.

You are a joker- Okotie runs an health scheme, what has he done that the likes of Okorochas have not done.

Actually, you are the quintessential joker here.  The fact here remains that he has done something for the people.  That others have done something similar does not rule out his outstanding philanthropic acts.  This, as a matter of fact, should be the more reason why he should be voted in.  Since he is not the president yet and is already helping the people in the little way he can, how much more when he eventually becomes the president?  Besides, did you read the context in which TayoD made that statement?

As for the rest of your ramblings on Melchizedek, I think TayoD will be in a better position to reply you appropriately.


Cheers.

Now I'm getting confused.

Is OBJ really behind the invasion of AIT? If you answer in the affirmative, can you kindly prove that?

The reason I am asking this is because AIT is back in operation and just finished showing a documentary of Obasanjo's achievements in the past years, just a couple of minutes ago. Or is there something I'm not getting right?

@ KAG & lafile

I'm quite surprised at this new revelation brought forward by you guys, as I've never read or come across any refutations to the stories about the Bermuda Triangle.

So what you guys are saying in essence is that all the talks about it being mysterious and all that are false?  Are you saing it's just a normal portion of the Atlantic ocean like any other?  If so, what then is it about the "triangle" part of it?

nossycheek:

There are times you need to stay off sex even as couples to be "clean" and go to God in prayers.

While I totally agree with your other points, I seem to have a problem with this one.  Are you saying indirectly that couples that have sex are committing a sin during the intercourse session?

viee:

i have actually asked what happened to AIT and was told that their premises burnt!

heard it from a couple of people, just wondering who came up with that line!

seunspice:

The rumor i am hearing now is that the Lagos office of AIT at Alagbado has been burnt, has anyone heard this? or can anyone confirm it?

As I was walking by the road side 2 days ago, I saw a caption on one of the national newspapers about AIT being burnt. I have also heard the same story from a couple of people, and considering the fact that they've not been operating for the past 3 days, I guess it's true.

@ uzygirl

uzygirl:

Has anyone ever wondered why the bermuda does not attract ships and planes anymore?

I'm not exactly sure whether this is the case.  For the ships, I believe they normally take a detour; while the planes, I believe, normally move to a much more higher altitude whenever they get to that region.


@ lafile

lafile:

There's nothing special about the bermuda triangle.

If there's nothing 'special' about it, there won't be so much hype over it.  Maybe you should read these parts again:

#  The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is an area of the north Atlantic Ocean where it is popularly believed a significant number of ships and aircraft have disappeared under highly unusual circumstances. It has become popular through its representation by mass media as an area of paranormal activity where the known laws of physics are violated.

#  The area known as the Bermuda Triangle is one of the two places on Earth where a magnetic compass does point towards true north, a phenomenon called compass variation.

#  Additionally, readings on directional devices do not operate normally inside the triangle.

. . . and many more.

I suggest you do some research on the Bermuda Triangle to know what makes it really 'special'.


Regards.

Abi oo!   Despite all the noise OBJ came to make right in front of my house with Koro just 3 days ago, with his numerous escorts, uniformed men and thugs blocking the whole road and littering the whole streets with hand bills, posters and purewater nylons (so much for keeping Lagos 'clean' ), we simply responded (through the results) that he only came to waste his time and energy.


Congratulations to all Lagosians!

@ trini_girl:

You are so blind, confused and deluded.  So much hogwash spewed as a result of the Orthodox dead letter church.  So really much for claiming to be a "Christian" and calling Jesus your "pastor".




(no mind me o)



Okay, on a very serious note now, just give it up, trini_girl.  Your argument on this issue is very ludicrous at its best.  You keep playing with words and turning them around just to suit your stance.  You are even making it worse by attaching adjectives/conditions in an attempt to appear right.

You keep saying and emphasizing on "long term, monogamous committed relationship", which is even beginning to sound like a tongue twister to me.

Pray tell, what and who defines how "long" a term is in a relationship?  Long enough till when you're tired of each other?   Which really even matters to you:  the 'level' of committment or the 'duration' of it?  Honestly, I'm really having a tough time understanding your stance here.

I look forward to reading your reply.

Regards.

I'm a Modern Artist.



We rule!

I am seriously anticipating a debate between Okotie and Utomi.  Those two seem like the only credible candidates of all the Presidential aspirants right now.  Therefore, a debate between them will enable Nigerians to really determine and vote for the more credible fellow. . .



. . . and that's going to be useful, only if there's going to be a free and fair election at all.

Afam:

If you are ready to laugh till you fall down just tune to AIT or Galaxy right now and hear a potential president talk like a comedian.

Exactly what I was discussing with a friend just about an hour ago.  The guy (Emmanuel Okereke) will definitely be better off as a comedian!  He's got a funny accent too.  Did you hear the part where he said he'll constantly organize parties at the villa (I guess he means Aso Rock) for disabled people to come and dance?  I was practically laughing throughout the show.

Coleslove:

I guess we might have to contract an English teacher for Buhari. To make him win this debate i think he needs an interpreter

True talk.  I could barely hear what he was saying.

Folks, debate's finally over, and it's as clear as glass that Professor Pat Utomi has beaten General Muhammad Buhari hands down in the Presidential debate.

P. S.  When is Okotie's turn, as well as that of Yar'adua?

Just as some Muslims will always read verses in the Bible and take them completely out of context in order to ridicule, some Christians too will always take verses in the Quran/Hadith completely out of context just to ridicule the other's religion.


@ abdkabir,

Believe me, all you've said hardly makes any sense to davidylan, as is clearly evident in the first paragraph of his last post here.  And as Seun would say, he's being a dishonest debater .  When he started this topic, he already believed that Muhammad never yawned all his life, based that article, and of course, he was everly ready to start making his usual jest of Islam.  Then after your well-refined explanation, he now came around to say that he never said Muhammad never yawned, cunningly trying to make us believe he just "wanted to be sure", whereas that was clearly not the case.  However, he did not notice that he actually contradicted his stance, when he said that Muslims have contradictory views (as if Christians and every others don't ); meaning that he indeed, already believed that statement (out of context of course), until your own explanation came along, which seemed contradictory to him alone.  The unfortunate part of this all is that some supposed "Christians" too were so quick to start their own jests without bothering to demand for an explanation.  Did I hear someone say birds of a feather?  LOL!

You see, when one's mind is set to ridicule another, be sure that whatever you say will never be reasonable to him.  Just take a look at how drixie was treated on the "Gombe Muslim Students" thread, and you'll see exactly what I mean.

I know somebody will come barking at me for this post of mine, I'm equally prepared, depending on who actually launches the attack.

Asalamualaikum.

<offtopic>

Just came in to say this:

stimulus:

Anyhow, me and you still far from our wish - and I'm patiently waiting for someone to mistake me for that brilliant mind - shahan! I don try so tey, dictionary sef don tear for my hand!! And no one is saying anything sef!

Though no one has directly said anything regarding that, I am here to admit that I actually mistake you for shahan atimes after reading your posts, and sometimes have to scroll up (if it's a long post) to check the username again just to confirm. The only difference I see is that you do not use as many colours in your posts as shahan and syrup. But as for your sentence construction and expression, even in pidgin (like the one in the quote), you two sound almost alike. And I must confess also that your posts have been inspiring and worth the while. Keep it up bro, and may the Lord be with you always. God bless.

</offtopic>

Ride on guys!

Happy Birthday, aburo.


(BTW, who's that fat white boy you're leaning on? )

davidylan:

Now we see the reason for so much bile! No point replying! Pele dear, go cry on some shoulder.

You and your manipulative ways of convoluting people's posts. . you never cease to amaze me. It's very obvious how I meant that post there. . twist the intent all you want, if it will make you happy.

Cheers.

@ davidylan

My dear, if you notice i have long since put you on the IGNORE button.

LOL.  I see you've really "long since put me on IGNORE button" indeed. . . so much for coming to contribute absolutely nothing relevant to a thread I started just less than 2 weeks ago.  Yeah, you've really "ignored" me indeed.

Look at the last 3 posts and it is quite clear who the aggressor is on this occassion.

Very very conspicuous.

You made unfounded statements on an issue.  I made corrections to your misconceptions with absolutely no spite intended, and rather than heed to them, you labelled my post "nonsense".  Why?  Because goodguy made the post.  Funny guy.

Have fun punching the air and trying to pretend this is not all about a wounded soul smarting from the demise of his annointed thread.

LOL again .  Even a cyclops can see clearly from the tone of my post that I did not carry any issues over from any thread. . very much unlike you.


BTW, is this all what you were coming back to say?  I thought your "I shall be back" was supposed to mean you'll return to refute what I posted about Spain . 

davidylan:

I shall be back.

Hmmm. . . let me guess your reason for not offering a rebuttal - "Because you will not go as low as to direct any of your posts to me again."   Such escapist attitude - I am disappointed.

davidylan:



Seems you just went to wikipedia to dig up nonsense specifically for me ever since the demise of your obnoxious thread eh?

Very typical of davidylan .  Always transferring irrelevant issues from threads to threads, even when there's absolutely no connection between them. Please, the sane people in the house, someone should please show me the correlation between the part in red, and that in blue.

BTW, I never knew Wikipedia now accepts nonsense that anyone can actually go and dig up .  FYI, only a minority of my facts were gotten from Wikipedia.   Now that I've made that clear, don't come back with your usual practice of seeking usernames to attack.  Please deal with the posts.

davidylan:

I shall be back.

I shall be waiting.  (I'm expecting you to make another connection between babs787 and I now. )

Regards.

@ davidylan

Spain as is most of western Europe where once the bastion of christianity until the rampaging hordes of mohammed's footmen came with their swords!

Hmmm. . . maybe true.

The emphasis is NOT on april fools day, it is to re-invent history by painting Spain as once a muslim conclave conquered by christians!

From my own perspective, I actually see the emphasis on both. . but more on April Fool's day.

belloti: We should learn our lesson from the people of Spain, and shall try to become practicing Muslims, never to let anybody weaken our faith. WE ARE NOT FOOLS ANYMORE

Any uninformed individual reading this would go away with the half baked impression that the "people of Spain" refered to here where once muslims.

Is he wrong?  We'll find out now.

Spain is NOT and was NEVER a muslim nation!

Spain is NOT, but was ONCE a Muslim nation.  Islam was the predominant religion in Spain between 711 AD - 1492 AD.  That was for good 7 centuries!

When one considers the fact that Spain was once a mighty colonial nation, one is wont to wonder where the "eight hundred long years of muslim rule" came from!

The Eight Hundred long years of Muslim rule came immediately after the conquer of the Iberian peninsula between 711 - 718 AD, which eventually ended in the 15th century, after a vigorous struggle by the Christians to defeat the Muslims (whose force had become weaker due to conflicts among themselves) and subsequently drive them out of Spain.  The exodus of the Muslims from Spain, actually, was what made the Catholic Church become very powerful.

Another clear case of people re-inventing history to insert non-existent islamic exploits.

Absolutely not the case.


@ Topic (sorry for the initial digression )

Though there's no real concrete explanation as regards the Origin of April Fool's day, so many sources have actually confirmed that it does have something to do with New Year's Day of the 16th century.  Check [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools'_Day#Origin]Wikipedia[/url].


Cheers.

mamaput:

They are very moody if you wake them up from sleep

Very true, but not everytime.

davidylan:

adoration is a good thing.

. . . only when it's for a good cause.

@trini_girl,

I really don't know why you're doing this to yourself, and I don't know what you're hoping to gain out of all these (if at all you're right).  I wanted to clear up this issue of shahan and syrup myself, but syrup herself has already done perfect justice to that.

Just to add some more to the differences:

To the best of my knowledge,

# syrup does not seem Nigerian to me, whereas shahan is a full-blooded Yoruba lady from South-West Nigeria.

# shahan is currently in Wales as I type, while syrup is busy enjoying herself in the FCT, Nigeria.

Regards.

@trini_girl

I'm not sore at you and david at all.  It would have been a different case entirely if I had not made myself and the purpose of the thread clear from the onset.  You guys are only making a big deal out of this, and I wouldn't know exactly why.


@david,

davidylan:

The above again strengthens my inner feelings that this topics mischievously stated as being for "clarification" and "enlightenment" are nothing but tools in the hands of folks who desperately seek recognition.

First, it was a "futile academic exercise".  Now, that I made my intentions clearer, it's now "a tool for seeking recognition".  What your problem is with me, I really just can't fathom.

davidylan:

When we begin to thank avowed atheists for "bringing us back on track",

I don't know if mrmayor is an atheist, and his belief has got nothing to do with why I thanked him.  It's obvious why I did so, so please don't make a fuss over that.

davidylan:

and include folks who treat our christian faith with contempt as among those who have the "insight" to "enlighten" us

Are you referring to shahan and others?  They are the ones I was referring to, not what/who you're thinking.

davidylan:

on irrelevant topics such as Judas Iscariot then something is terribly wrong somewhere.

Several topics can be created out of Judas Iscariot.  If this one is irrelevant to you, I wonder why you're contributing to it, and why you're opposing those posting here.  Why is it so difficult for you to just ignore the thread?  I did not invite you or anyone here to tell me the kind of topic this is.

Please, either flow with the discussion or don't post at all.  It's as simple as that.  No one is debating here.

davidylan:

Let's be sincere here for once. This topic is meant for clarification of what? That Judas betrayed Jesus or not? Should this be the focus of our christianity rather than the message of the cross itself?
Is Judas betrayal or not of any significance to our salvation?

What misconceptions does this "debate" clear? Has the person of Judas been a stumbling block to our salvation? What if indeed it is proven that Judas was not a betrayer (since we can now conclude from the misconception clearers here that not only the disciples but Jesus lied about Judas), does that change anything in the new testament? Why should we be so focused on a man who was not given any relevance by the early apostles?

You see, this is the more reason why I still regard shahan far higher than you and your crew.  She came in here, made a post without unnecessary queries, she left and everyone gained something.  If you bothered to read carefully the note expounding the topic, you'd see the actual essence of this topic.  I do not owe you any explanations.

davidylan:

goodguy link=topic=44339.msg970054#msg970054 date=1174164507:

Now again, not david or trini_girl, the Bible scholars have attempted to clarify, and if/when shahan comes in again to chip in her 50 cents, and is subsequently applauded for it, we'll be accused of worshipping her.

Now this got me laughing! Bible "scholars" like mrmayor and his plagiarised atheist post are attempting to "Clarify"?
And since when did we begin to applaud people for being knowledgeable in the scriptures? Na wa o!

Come of it David.  I know you can do better than this.  Rather then misrepresent my post, you should have asked me to clarify.  "Bible scholars" there was serving as a qualifier for both you and trini_girl.  Read it again, if you care.


BTW, thanks for successfully derailing this thread, without making any relevant post.  Thank you very much.

mrmayor,

Thanks for bringing us back on track.


@ all. . So far, I have not seen anyone arguing on the case of Judas here, and I believe that's enough to make you realise that this is not a topic intended for any debate. I reiterate for the 3rd time, that this topic is intended for clarification, and to clear any misconceptions.

Now again, not david or trini_girl, the Bible scholars have attempted to clarify, and if/when shahan comes in again to chip in her 50 cents, and is subsequently applauded for it, we'll be accused of worshipping her.

Now I'm pleading with you guys again, please stick to the topic at hand. If you do not have anything to offer, please keep mute and allow those with insight to enlighten us; you'll probably learn one or two things.

Shalom.

@trini_girl and davidylan

No matter how hard you guys try to define it, your posts/observations there still depict some kind of jealousy very conspicuously, and there's no argument about that.  If you want to argue, create another thread and I will gladly honour your invitation.

Now let me quickly clear up this issue of "shahan-whatever".

1.  This thread is about Judas Iscariot, not about shahan or her so-called "worshippers".

2.  I created this thread for everyone (someone, anyone, anybody, somebody) to say something, just to clear up the seeming contradictions, NOT for shahan to reply.

3.  After over 100 views, I did not get a concrete explanation, so I had to chip in a means of inciting the regular posters to at least say something (which I already addressed earlier).

4.  Incidentally, shahan came into the scene, and subsequently, to the rescue.  Not only was her input very insightful, it was equally interesting, eloquent, inspiring, enlightening, and indubitably worth the while.  She was then commended by a few, before I finally came in to express my profound gratitude and appreciation for such a witty rejoinder.  I would have expressed the same feelings if it was any other person, and I'm sure no one would accuse me or the others of worshipping that person; which strongly makes me believe that those comments were indeed borne out of jealousy.  (for the record, trini_girl, Jealousy is not always an instinct to protect what is yours.  Infact, that is just a minority out of the numerous definitions for jealousy).

5.  This is especially to david:  If you had noticed, and not blinded by your disgust for goodguy, you would have seen that I mentioned 3 males, and 2 females, and then included "the rest", as I could not mention all at that moment; as those whose posts I was expecting to see.

6.  Also to david:  Long before I knew shahan is a female, I have always adored and respected him her on this forum, and I've always looked forward to reading his her posts.  Obviously, she's my favourite, and if you have a problem with that, please look elsewhere to vent your frustration.

7.  Since you guys have enjoined that we "shahan-worshippers" should study the Word ourselves, that would mean that you have also been doing the same yourself, and one would have hoped that you would at least chip in one or two things that would make this discourse a very interesting and enlightening one for everybody, since you know the Word so much.  Surprisingly, you did not do that, but simply posted some jealousy-instigated balderdash labelled "observations", rather than attend to the matter on ground.  Please wipe it off your mind that people that ask questions or seek clarification concerning the scriptures are not studying the Word enough.  That is indeed, an infantile and fatuous pattern of thought.

8.  I want to believe none of you two has his/her vision impaired in anyway, otherwise, I do not know how anyone of you could have missed the last paragraph of my first post on this thread, especially the emboldened part.

9.  Lastly, please save yourself the stress of replying me, as I will no longer entertain/attend to any further distraction that this thread has already suffered, unless of course, you offer something that is related to the topic at hand.

10.  Shalom.

I am not heartless. I am a good guy!

@shahan,

Even though I knew you would do justice to this topic, I am still very much flabbergasted and overwhelmed at your level of insightfulness on the subject matter.  May God continue to increase your Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding in Jesus' name.

However, one area still bothers me, which I shall be addressing below.

The mechanical device introduced here should not escape our notice. We should seriously question the author's inference: Did the authorities pay Judas to "point out" Jesus? On the contrary, this is what the text say:

Matt. 26:14-15 ~~ "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."

There's a world of difference between "pointing out" and "delivering" (or, 'handing over') someone. If anyone cares for the Greek word used there for 'deliver', it is paradidōmi [παραδίδωμι], which includes the meaning of 'to surrender/yield up'.

The chief priests were not contracting with Judas or anyone for that matter to "point out" Jesus to them; because they knew Him all along, as the Lord Jesus  affirms in Matt. 26:55 as referenced by the author of the article.

Thanks for your clarification on the actual act of Judas -- that is, he didn't "point out" but simply "delivered". 

But on a second thought, the method Judas employed there (kissing) doesn't really seem like he was "delivering" ( or, 'handing over') Jesus.

Matthew 26:48 - Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

A careful look at that verse reveals that he was actually telling them, "Since you do not know him, I will simply go up there, and whomsoever I kiss is the person you're looking for.  Arrest Him."

Unless maybe, I do not really understand your usage of "deliver" there.  (My understanding of your explanation there is that Judas took Jesus and gave Him to them, but my own inquiry is based on the fact that, Judas pointed Him out with a sign, that automatically led to Jesus' delivery to the mob, which still makes the writer right by saying Judas pointed Jesus out.  Get my drift?).

In any case, the question still remains - Why did they have to pay someone to deliver/point out Jesus?  They knew Him very well quite alright, and Jesus even affirmed that in Matt. 26:55.  So why didn't they just go straight up to Him, and seize Him by themselves?  Why did they need to involve Judas?  (. . . that scriptures may be fulfilled? )

Backslider and yhurmie have both given very reasonable, though differing explanations for that, and I find them very worthwhile.  Nonetheless, I will still like to know your take on that.

Once again, thanks for your inspiring write-up.

God bless.


P. S.  My earlier reference to "Holy Spirit Filled members" was just to incite someone to offer a credible refutation to the article of that writer, and I'm glad it worked out perfectly .  Actually, I knew something was wrong with the writer's analysis of the scripture which I just couldn't figure out (the emboldened parts are my major areas of concern actually), and anyone reading it with an academic mind would see clearly the supposed contradictions allegedly found in the Bible.  That was why I decided to post it here so that someone with more insight would explain and clear the misconceptions, which you, shahan, have done excellently well in your meritorious rejoinder.

Regards.

Abeg, make una come refute this one o:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-44339.0.html

Hmmm. . .