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END-TIME
CHURCH / PLURALISM
- GREETINGS
- -----
- QUICK VIEW OF UPDATED INDEXES
http://cephas-updates.cephasministry.com
- -----
-
- Revelation 12:9 "And
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil,
and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:
- [the following
does not happen until God releases the devil completely 3.5 years
into the tribulation and allows him total freedom. Just think
what is going to happen then.]
- "he was cast out into
the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
-
- People have to come
to the conclusion that they have been deceived. That is where
repentance begins.
You can't repent until you realize that you have not studied
the one book, the Word of God, we were commanded to study well
enough to discern the truth.
- The truth is: "that the
devil has the power to deceive all of us. Until
we read the truth, Word of God, we have no chance of overcoming
the world and getting saved." [How can we agree to something
we don't understand.]
-
- John 1:1 In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
-
- Speaking of endtimes: Luke
21:10-12 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in
divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights
and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all
these, they shall lay their hands on you [Jews], and
persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and
into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's
sake. [This
is in the making now with the Peace Agreement / Summit
in November 2007 in the U.S.. They are giving away Israel and
what do you think will happen to the Jews?]
-
- Acts 2:19 - 21 And I will
shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned
into darkness, and the moon into blood, before
that great and notable day of
the Lord come [Day
of the Lord is the Tribulation / Millennium]: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call
on the name of the Lord
shall be saved. [This proves that we need to know the
Word of God to get saved.]
(kjv)
- An example of the fulfillment
of these Scriptures is in the making. Nobody could believe there
would be a flood in an area that had no water.
- Check this Lucifer
Project: Star Child Fact or Fiction?
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- : We believe every word in the KJV Bible and believe it is
the Word of God and that Jesus is the Christ, God Himself, who
spilled His blood on the cross for our sins and rose again to
prepare a place for those who repent and accept 'His' righteousness
as their righteousness and repent. They are those who accept
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, Jews first and then Gentiles.
"Behold, I stand at the door,
and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
We invite you to take this opportunity to say 'yes' to Jesus
and commit your life to Him only by clicking on this link: Salvation
- Luke 12:20,21 "But
God said unto him, "Thou fool,
this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall
those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth
up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
We pray the Lord will bless you with a thirst for truth and a
desire to serve Him exclusively, in Christ Jesus, Cephas Ministry
/ Cephas Library.
- For the updated (red sparkles) main index go to http://www.cephasministry.com/index2.html
- -----
- Cephas Ministry cordially invites you to subscribe
to our free newsletters for controversial Cephas News
Updates regarding the Church / Global Issues / Israel, edited
by Rita Williams and Rapture Watch by the late Jamma Mokhriby at http://www.cephasministry.com/mail/
- Cephas Ministry advocates KJV Bible study only for truth
necessary to become part of the Bride of Christ. The Bible states
that it is the only truth available to us. .
- If you have questions about our present situation, you might
check out excellent related websites:
- Paul Proctor, Biblically Speaking Archive: http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctorA.htm
- Jamma of Rapture Watch, Biblical perspective: http://rapturewatch.cephasministry.com
- James Sundquist of Rock to Salt addresses heresies of
Christian Psychology, Purpose Driven & Church Growth Movement:
http://rock-to-salt.cephasministry.com
- Avenue of Light exposing the Vatican http://www.xanga.com/AvenueOfLight
- Cephas Ministry / Library Exposes heresies, cults, sects,
rock music, witchcraft, New World Disorder: its effect on our
lives and Israel: http:/www.cephasministry.com/index2.html
- Cephas Updated News Index: http://www.cephasministry.com/index_news.html
- MORE GREETINGS to all and the newcomers to this list. We'd
like to introduce ourselves. George and Rita Williams founded
this ministry. We were Mormons (Temple Mormons) for 20 years.
We prayed to God in 1992 to allow us to do a ministry speaking
out against Scientology. Six months later God led us to the truth:
out of the cult of Mormonism. We did not know at the time we
were in a cult. No-one had witnessed to us in 20 years.
- The Holy Spirit brought us to information about all the cults
and the present development of the New World Order. We began
bringing our research to you. Because all the research was already
done, we decided to build a library within Cephas Ministry. Our
newsletters are not designed to provoke
anger which is strictly prohibited in Scripture. It is to shed
light on activities by those who would deceive those who are
recorded in the Book of Life by devious methods and systematic
plans.
- We are Bible students and have left all worldly organizations.
We attend church if the message is from the authorized KJV Bible.
The focus of these newsletters is to prove why we had to leave
the world system. We are called 'Watchmen on the Wall' which
God always had during the Old / New Testament Times.
- To understand what is happening, one has to know the Bible
to compare notes.
- The first section is about the church.
The news about churches is unedited unless indicated by Ednotes.
The church as we knew it, is undergoing disintegration. This
began on a fast track in the early nineteen sixties when the
Catholic Church produced liberal Vatican II to replace Vatican
I.
- The trend since then has been ecumenical which is truly what
the word 'Catholicism' means: a universal religion all
inclusive and multicultural. The Bible calls for a final church
and today's church doesn't resemble what Jesus taught. The Word
of God has undergone many changes to fit the progressive modes.
Many new Bible tranlations have brought confusion. The Bible
calls for a falling away from the truth before
Jesus comes back for His Bride. The true believers are called
'Ekklesia.' Our newsletters prove this fact and prove that the
Bible is true from beginning to end.
- The second section is about globalism
where we bring your attention to the social, political and global
trend, the so called democratizing what is left of the world.
This is a deception since the underlying new world global government
is developed by implementing sustainable development. The
Bible prophesies that there will be ten kings (ten horns), each
king (horn) will receive a region of the world as a reward for
work well done for the Antichrist. This is the reason for the
present development of NAU (The North American Union) as well
as the war in the Middle East. It again proves that we are moving
to closure of the times of the Gentiles prophesied in the Bible.
The end result will not be Democracy but a form of Fascist Communism
(Public/Private Corporations enslaving mankind).
- The third section compliments End Time
teachings because Israel is the time piece of the Biblical Prophecy.
1948 was the beginning of the figtree representing Israel, coming
back to life. Israel was allowed to return to its land. Israel
is the rock upon which the world stumbles and crumbles. We watch
and visit Israel for signs which point to the Tribulation to
confirm that we are moving into that space of time.
- Watchmen on the wall do not solicit memberships. We have
an email group that gets information when we upload new information
and newsletters whenever it is possible time wise. We love the
Lord with all our hearts and minds and we love all people God
has created but especially those who love our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. Our Mission and Statement of Faith are at http://www.cephasministry.com/statement_of_faith.html
- To email go to: http://www.email-cephas.com
- To subscribe or unsubscribe go to: http://www.cephasministry.com/mail/
-
 TODAY'S 'HOLY SCRIPTURES' STUDY:
THE RAPTURE IS COMING - BELIEVE
IT OR NOT
- By Paul Proctor - February 8, 2006 - NewsWithViews.com
- There is an enormous controversy brewing among professing
Christians today as to whether or not there is going to be a
Rapture of the Church. Many who criticize those who believe in
the Rapture do so, not out of an understanding of scripture but
rather out of a zealous resentment for lazy, complacent and irresponsible
Christians shirking their duty to resist evil in the world.
- I couldn't agree more that there is a systemic failure on
the part of the church today to confront evil and rebuke sin.
It is a theme that has become a trademark of this column. Satan
has clearly made capitulating cronies out of many postmodern
Christians, convincing them that "turning the other cheek"
actually means looking the other way, when it comes to addressing
overt transgressions against God and man, leading the Church
at large into an immoral pact of sorts that says: For the sake
of Results and Relationships, I won't criticize your sin if you
won't criticize mine.
- But friends, this is nothing short of organized crime against
The Almighty for the gratification, glorification, and justification
of sinful man. It encourages us to convert God's grace into spiritual
spinelessness so we can have our cake and eat it too and be called
a Witness for Jesus Christ without actually having to act like
one or suffer any personal loss or adverse consequences for our
professed faith in the only begotten Son of God.
- Scripture, in fact, teaches something totally different:
- "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may
fear." - 1st Timothy 5:20
- "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them." - Ephesians 5:11
- These scriptures illustrate with crystal clarity the illegitimacy
of the church growth movement and its new reformation of sin-tolerant
love; a seeker sensitivity that seduces Churchaterians into an
effeminate faith that hides behind a positive-only, chit chat,
save-my-self-esteem spirituality so as to protect and promote
those sacred Results and Relationships that grow apostate fellowships
into mega-mausoleums for the living dead by cordially inviting
visitors and prospects to "connect" or "plug in"
rather than "repent," and "take up thy cross"
to follow Jesus as He commands. (Matthew 4:17 & Mark 10:21)
- However, do not let those who have rightly condemned the
reckless neglect of cowardly Christians convince you that there
will be no Rapture of the Church. It is not a handy escape from
persecution, but rather a glorious deliverance from God's Wrath.
Persecution and Wrath are two entirely different things; so don't
make the mistake of confusing the two even though they may seem
similar. That's where much of the confusion lies. Continued:
- http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor87.htm
-----
- SOME BELIEVE THE RAPTURE WILL BE IN A YEAR OF JUBILEE (50
YR CYCLE)
- Sasson Devorah Yashfeh researched the 50th
Year Jubilee (pdf file) when all debts are to be forgiven
and believes that March of 2006 was the beginning of a Jewish
Jubilee Year which ends March of 2007. She claims that there
won't be a Tribulation since we are already into the Millennium.
We do not agree with that since the following Scriptures proves
that the Lord Jesus has not come back to be worshipped in Israel
as the Bible requires. Isaiah 2:3-4 "And many people shall
go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the
LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach
us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of
Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD
from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and
shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn
war any more."
- Sasson emphasized that agriculture will be the emphasis and
we agree that the world will be back to agriculture. That trend
is there today. The foreign report stated that they cannot keep
up with the demand for organic foods. Her website: http://www.treesofolive.com/
-----
- THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING
- http://www.biblesociety.ca/free_scriptures/escriptures/ecclesiastes3/ecclesiastes3.html
- -----
- HERE IS THE FINAL STORY: THE UNITED NATIONS IS A PRODUCT
OF THE VATICAN
- September 2, 2007 Must see to believe: Vatican
- United Nations - European Union.pdf
- -----
- AN EVANGELICAL CALL ON TORTURE AND THE U.S..
New York Times, USA - July 21, 2007 - Peter Steinfels - www.nytimes.com
- Four months have passed since a group of 17 prominent evangelical
leaders and scholars issued “An Evangelical Declaration
Against Torture: Protecting Human Rights in an Age of Terror.”
Writing “as Christians and U.S. citizens,” the authors
declared:
- “We renounce the resort to torture and cruel, inhuman
and degrading treatment of detainees, call for the extension
of procedural protections and human rights to all detainees,
seek clear government-wide embrace of the Geneva Conventions,
including those articles banning torture and cruel treatment
of prisoners, and urge the reversal of any U.S. government law,
policy or practice that violates the moral standards outlined
in this declaration.”
- Will everyone who has read this document, or even heard of
it, please raise his hand? Well, you’re forgiven. There
are reasons, unfortunate perhaps but understandable, that the
declaration hasn’t received the attention it deserves. Continued:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18822/usa-torture
---
 TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
VISIBLE IN U.S.
August 28, 2007 - AP/San Francisico Chronicle - The moon glows
orange during a lunar eclipse seen next to the TransAmerican
Pyramid in San Francisco. DENVER: The Earth's shadow will creep
across the moon's surface early Tuesday, slowly eclipsing it
and turning it to shades of orange and red. The total lunar eclipse,
the second this year, will be visible in North
and South America, especially in the West. People in the Pacific
islands, eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand also will be
able to view it if skies are clear.
People in Europe, Africa or the Middle East, who had the best
view of the last total lunar eclipse in March, will not see this
one because the moon will have set when the partial eclipse begins
at 4:51 a.m. EDT. The full eclipse will begin an hour later at
5:52 a.m. EDT. An eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the
sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light.
It is rare because the moon is usually either above
or below the plane of Earth's orbit. [Ednote: The Bible mentions
the moon turning to blood in relation to the Tribulation.]
- -----
- A PRAYER REQUEST FOR OUR TROOPS
 Email from ricardosda2004@yahoo.com
- : "We have a long list of good friends whose husbands
are deploying to Iraq next month. One of the wives sent me this.
We feel compelled to send it on. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.
These courageous men deserve our love, our hugs and most powerfully,
our prayers.
- Prayer Request:
I understand that life in Iraq is very difficult to bear right
now. Our troops need our prayers for strength, endurance and
safety.
- Send this on after a short prayer; please don't break it:
- "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect
them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."
When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer
for our troops around the world.
- Blessings, Rita at Cephas Ministry
- -----
- REV. JAMES D. KENNEDY IS STEPPING DOWN
 August 28, 2007 - The Dr. D.
James Kennedy, known worldwide for his television and radio sermons,
his conservative politics and evangelization efforts, is stepping
down as minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale,
a church he founded in 1959 and built into a mega-church with
nearly 10,000 members. Kennedy, 76, had a heart attack in late
December and has been in poor health since then. His daughter,
Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy, announced on Sunday in her father's
church that he was stepping down. "For so many years, Jim
Kennedy was always on the front line," said Penney. "But
so many people misunderstood him." Better known for his
large-scale efforts, Kennedy never missed an opportunity to win
souls, whether it was his partner on a ski lift, his seatmate
on a plane, or a waitress, said Penney. This page has been removed:
It had the full story:
- http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/08/27/0827KENNEDY.html
- -----
- KINGDOM OF THE MASONIC CULTS
- Biblical Reasons Why Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian
Science, Scientology, & Freemasonry Are Not Followers Of
Jesus Christ and How You Can Separate Masonic Cults From Gospel
Faith by Dr. Michael Sunstar
Download FREE
The King James Version Scientific Evidence Against the Book
of Mormon The Truth About the god of the Mormons and Scientology.
- -----
- JOHN ANKERBERG, WALTER MARTIN AND THE FORMER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
JACK HARRIS AND A MASON. [EDNOTE: WATCH THE HANDS OF THE MASON
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE HORNS AS HE TRIES TO DEFEND HIMSELF]
- The men re-enact the Masonic Rituals and what they mean and
prove that it is a religion. There are several other videos on
that page about Masonry.
 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-783233753719250111
- -----
- KENNEDY DIES / CAMPUS CRUSADE/ PROMISE
KEEPERS TIED TO MASONS
- TV Televangelist Dies - Dr. James Kennedy Dead at 76 - September
5, 2007 - Televangelist, author and pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian
Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Dr. D. James Kennedy died
at this home early Thursday morning after a long battle with
heart disease.
- Kennedy, noted for his claims that America is and always
has been a "Christian" nation founded Coral Ridge Ministries
and was one of the first church pastors to have a nationally
syndicated television show.
- It should be noted that one of the last projects Kennedy
was promoting before heart problems surface, was his push to
clear Freemasonry of charges that it was an occult organization.
His radio program, in April of 2005, featured Dr. Robert Morey
who claimed that Freemasonry is not a Satanic organization involved
in occult activities but merely a variant cult-like organization.
Morey denied that there is any sort of Masonic conspiracy and
instead claimed that Masonry's teachings are more like Hinduism
than anything occult or Satanic.
- In other words, Kennedy was aiding in an effort to keep Christians
from realizing the Antichrist and Illuminist connections with
Freemasonry. Kennedy's websites are down now, perhaps due to
the announcement of his death, but there were links to Kennedy's
radio program where you could listen to a 2 part radio show interview
with Morey which soft-soaped Freemasonry as not being Satanic
and occult in nature.
- Kennedy was also associated with the Reverend Sung Myung
Moon when he served as an executive committee members of the
Coalition For Religious Freedom (CRF) which was started and funded
by Moon as well as membership on the Committee for National Policy
(CNP) also a Mooney organization. Kennedy also was connected
with at least two other Mooney organizations. Link
Link
- Kennedy also promoted a "False Gospel in the Stars"
- a Christianized version of Astrology. Kennedy wrote about it
his book: "The Real Meaning of the Zodiac." See expose
on this heresy. Link
- It is interesting that Jerry Falwell preceded Kennedy in
death by a mere 113 days. Falwell also had close connections
to Reverend Moon including extensive financial connections including
a huge $3.5 million dollar gift from a Unification Church (Moonie)
organization to help bail out Falwell's Liberty University.
- Here is a link to a critical expose of Kennedy's heretical
tendencies from the Discernment Notebook website. Link.
- Kennedy was also a huge promoter of Christian "Psycho-babble"
- a.k.a. Christian "Psychology." Kennedy also liked
to associate with numerous heretics, including liberals like
Jesse Jackson and Word of Faith false teachers like E.V. Hill,
Jan and Paul Crouch of Trinity Broadcasting Network. In fact,
Kennedy formed a close association with Paul Crouch and TBN In
fact, Kennedy was a quiet leader for Ecumenism and a united "church."
He worked very closely with Campus Crusade for Christ (which
had Masonic connections) as well as the Promise Keepers movement
(also funded by Freemasons).
- Dr. Kennedy seemed to believe in Christian Dominionism and
did not hold to a Pre-Millenial doctrine of Prophecy.
- In regards to the issue of salvation, grace and faith versus
works, Kennedy seems to have espoused a mixture of legalism with
salvation and the Christian Life. Source: http://www.aoreport.com/mag/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=24&Itemid=43
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- THE REV. REX HUMBARD, 88, DIES IN FLORIDA
Posted by Amanda Garrett and Associated Press September 21, 2007
-  The Rev. Rex Humbard, a former
itinerant preacher whose televangelism ministry in Ohio once
reached more parts of the globe than any other religious program,
died Friday evening at 9:24 surrounded by his family. He was
88.
- Humbard had been seriously ill since late July following
surgery at a South Florida hospital to fix a broken hip. "He
was as a person who loved people. His whole life was devoted
to helping people," Rex Humbard Jr. said. "He was the
ultimate role model in showing love and caring about other people
over and above himself," his grandson Rex Humbard III said.
- The Rev. Rex Humbard in an undated photo
The son of evangelists, Humbard evolved his ministry from revivals
across the country to a permanent home in Akron, and television.
He realized the potential of the new medium in the early 1950s
and became known to millions by the 1970s. But financial overreaching
eventually eroded his organization. As with his contemporaries
Billy Graham and Oral Roberts, Humbard's ministry began to flourish
in the post-World War II era. "The vast majority of people
do not go to church and the only way we can reach them is through
TV," he said in his autobiographical book, "Miracles
in My Life." "We must go into their homes -- into their
hearts -- to bring them the gospel of Jesus Christ."
- His Sunday services were televised by 1953. He began with
a renovated theater and eventually built the $4 million domed,
5,000-seat nondenominational Cathedral of Tomorrow, which included
velvet drapes, a hydraulic stage and a cross covered with thousands
of red, white and blue light bulbs. His ministry eventually expanded
to include a Mackinaw, Mich., campus used for religious education
and a 23-story Akron office tower. The broadcast, also called
"Cathedral of Tomorrow," developed into a mixture of
preaching and music, with Humbard's wife, Maude Aimee, an accomplished
gospel singer, and the Cathedral Quartet as regular performers.
The Humbards' children also performed. One of Humbard's admirers
was Elvis Presley, who often sang gospel music himself. Humbard
spoke at his funeral in 1977.
- By 1970 Humbard's syndicated program appeared on more TV
stations in America than any other program and eventually reached
more than 600 stations, according to the 1999 reference work
"Religious Leaders of America."
- By 1979, the show was broadcast in the United States, Canada,
Europe, the Middle East, Far East, Australia and Latin America,
giving it a worldwide reach greater than any of his competitors,
the reference said. In 1994, Humbard sold the Cathedral of Tomorrow
to fellow televangelist the Rev. Ernest Angley. It is now called
Grace Cathedral.
- Humbard is survived by his wife and their four children Rex
Jr., Don, Charles, and Elizabeth. Funeral services will be held
in Akron where he will be buried near his parents and sister.
- http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/09/the_rev_rex_humbard_88_dies_in.html
- -----
- TOP PENTAGON OFFICERS FACE DISCIPLINE FOR ENDORSING CHRISTIANITY
 |
August 27, 2007 - Seven high-ranking officers, including
four generals, could face discipline for what the Pentagon considers
their promotion of Christianity.
A retired Army officer who had also attended the Christian Embassy
Wednesday prayer meeting believes it’s hypocritical for
the Pentagon to consider disciplinary action against the officers.“There
have been others in very senior positions, both in and out of
uniform, who have gone to some of these Islamic centers and have
bent over backwards to accommodate Islamists,” said retired
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis to OneNewsNow Friday. |
|
Maj. Gen. Jack Catton of the U.S. Air Force offers a testimonial
in a promotional video for the Christian Embassy, a Washington-based
Christian group. |
- He pointed to the Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon
England who in early June joined the dedication of a new Islamic
prayer center at the Quantico Marine Corps Base. ...
- http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070826/29059_Top_
- Pentagon_Officers_Face_Discipline_for_Endorsing_Christianity.htm
|
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- THIS IS THE HAND OF GOD, YET, THEY REPENTED NOT
- Dear Friends - America was NOT established as a pluralistic
nation of a religion of tolerance, where any god was to be given
equal place and equal opportunity. America was established as
a nation "For the glory of God and the advancement of the
Christian religion," as stated in the Mayflower compact.
America, as a Nation, has turned its back on God Almighty, who
has so greatly blessed her. It is very sad to say that it is
too late for national repentance. Yet, if one may find the grace
of God, it is not yet too late for personal repentance. Please
pray to have ears to hear this, because the More Sure word has
a sure word of warning to any who might choose to be willingly
ignorant of the need for personal repentance NOW. Acts 17:30
- And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but NOW COMMANDETH
ALL MEN EVERY WHERE TO REPENT:
- It often seems that the only thing we learn from history
is that we do not learn anything from history. We continue to
make the same devastating religious, social, political, and economic
mistakes that history has proven to be so destructive. Nazi Germany
was a good picture of what is NOW happening, particularly in
America, but also the whole world. We are simply moving from
National Socialism to antichrist Global Socialism. Few understand
how that Nazi Germany, under Hitler, was driven by Luciferian
occultism. Few understand the important role that the COMPROMISED
Church played in Nazi Germany. Many of these Nazi, Luciferians
were brought to America after the war under the top secret Majestic
12 program, and Operation Paperclip. America thus made a pact
with the devil by bringing in these Nazi demonic Luciferians
into key positions in American government, intelligence, science,
and military research. This will soon bring the same sort of
destruction to America, as was seen in Nazi Germany. Full article:
http://www.cephas-library.com/believers_this_is_the_hand_of_god.html
- -----
- WHAT DOES BLACKWATER HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT?
- Who owns Blackwater? A right wing "good Christian"
pro-corporate family that controls over $1 billion in assets
amd has been very generous to the Bush family. Blackwater is
just one of their projects. Where does Blackwater get its personnel?
Ex-US military, of course. They also go to places like Chile
and Colombia to hire US-trained right wing gun thugs. Could Blackwater
ever be used against American citizens? It already has. Armed
Blackwater operatives making $900 per day were the first into
New Orleans before FEMA, the Red Cross and the National Guard.
Currently, Blackwater is suing the families of four of its employees
who were killed in Iraq for $10 million each. Their offense?
They wanted to know how their family members were killed, the
company refused to tell them, so they sued for the information.
- http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/174.html
-
- -----
- GUNS FOR HIRE: SECRECY, TORTURE, RELIGIOUS ZEAL DISTINGUISH
MERCENARIES
- The Charlston Gazette - August 12, 2007 by Paul J. Nyden
- " ... Two new books — Jeremy Scahill’s Blackwater:
The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army and
Robert Young Pelton’s Licensed to Kill: Hired Guns in the
War on Terror — tell that story. Hundreds of companies,
most formed recently, rake in billions of dollars to provide
mercenaries for operations, often top-secret, in Iraq, Afghanistan,
Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, to name a few. “Private forces are
almost a necessity for a United States bent on retaining its
declining empire,” Scahill writes. “Think about Rome
and its increasing need for mercenaries.” Our government,
Pelton believes, is creating a “freelance warrior class
that operates under murky legal restraints.”
- A shift of power
- The use of contractors, and their secrecy, shifts more and
more authority from Congress to the White House, which makes
its own decisions without any public input. Secrecy hides the
real costs of military operations and enables widespread legal
abuses, including capturing prisoners and “rendering”
them to unknown locations for questioning and torture —
a policy also backed by Clinton... Whole story: http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Opinion/200708111
- -----
- -----
- WOMAN AT CENTER OF CASE AGAINST FLDS WANTS $1 MILLION FROM
UEP TRUST
Deseret Morning News, USA - September 19, 2007 - Ben Winslow
- deseretnews.com
The woman at the center of the criminal case against Fundamentalist
LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs has proposed a $1 million settlement
with the financial arm of the church. Details of the proposed
settlement with the United Effort Plan Trust were revealed in
St. George’s 5th District Court, where Jeffs is on trial
for rape as an accomplice. Defense attorneys have pointed out
to the jury that “Jane Doe IV,” as she is known in
court documents, filed a lawsuit against Jeffs before going to
authorities to report the alleged rape. “She stands by it,”
the woman’s attorney, Roger Hoole, told the Deseret Morning
News on Tuesday. The woman, now 21, is suing Jeffs, the FLDS
Church and the UEP Trust for millions over her marriage at age
14 to her 19-year-old cousin. She is the prosecution’s star
witness in the case against Jeffs. In her lawsuit, the woman
is known by the initials “M.J.” Continued: http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19403/flds-8
- -----
- A CHURCH'S ASSERTIVE SHIFT TOWARD TRADITION
Pope Benedict XVI consolidates sweeping changes, reasserting
the spiritual supremacy of the Vatican.
By Robert Marquand - Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
- July 18, 2007 edition
- Pope Benedict XVI: He held a cross during a mass at the Vatican
in June. Tony Gentile/ReutersPage 1 of 4
- Rome and Paris - The leader of 1.1 billion Catholics, Pope
Benedict XVI, is completing a significant theological shift of
the Roman Catholic church – a sweeping change that not only
eclipses 40 years of a more moderate and collegial Catholicism,
but seeks to reassert the spiritual supremacy of the Vatican
and more openly proclaim the authority of the office of pope
among all Christians. Some two years after taking the reins,
say Protestant and Catholic theologians and religious experts,
the Bavarian-born pope is moving swiftly to affirm orthodox doctrines
and medieval church rituals that undermine the spirit of Vatican
II, a period of modernization in which the church appeared to
be rethinking its centuries-long insistence that it had exclusive
claims to matters of grace, truth, salvation, and church structure
in the Christian world.
- Liberal Catholics go so far as to characterize Benedict as
leading a counterreformation in the church – in which fervent
backers of traditional Catholic identity and faith are favored,
even at the expense of popularity. "While Vatican II said
that the Holy Spirit was in operation among the people, now we
are saying, no, the holy spirit is operating in the bishops.
It is an enormous change." says Frank Flinn, author of the
"Encyclopedia of Catholicism." The "impression
[previous Pope] John Paul II gave was to emphasize teaching so
that all may be one. But Benedict is turning around and saying
to churches, 'you aren't all one.' It is destroying the ecumenical
movement."
- When the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became pope on
April 8, 2005, many Catholics felt he might soften his reputation
as a hard-line "enforcer of the faith." Yet his tenure
has shown few signs of mellowing. In the space of three days
this month, for example, he promoted the old Latin Mass, which
contains references to the conversion of the Jews, then issued
a blockbuster doctrinal clarification statement saying that Orthodox
and Protestant churches were "lacking" and only authentic
through their relationship with Rome.
- "Benedict has fought for the same thing for 30 years
and now he is putting it to work," says Frederic Lenoir,
editor of Le Monde's religious supplement in Paris. "His
main aim in being pope is to unify the true believer groups –
and he will lose members or destroy religious dialogues, if that's
what it takes."
- http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0718/p01s05-lire.html
- -----
- POPE DECLINES VATICAN 'AUDIENCE REQUEST' BY CONOLEEZZA RICE
Pope Benedict XVI has refused a recent request by US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice to meet for a discussion on the Middle
East and Iraq, Vatican sources have reported. - by Jennifer Gold
September 21, 2007 - Pope Benedict XVI has refused a recent request
by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to meet for a discussion
on the Middle East and Iraq, Vatican sources have reported. The
Pope refused the request which asked for an audience during the
August holidays.
- http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.declines.vatican.audience.request.by.condoleezza.rice/13296.htm
- -----
- POPE ASKS CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS TO FIND COMMON GROUND
September 23, 2007 - Pope Benedict voiced the hope on Thursday
that Christians and Muslims can avoid violence and intolerance
by exploring their common religious values and respecting their
differences. The leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics
has sought reconciliation with Muslims since an ill-fated speech
in Germany a year ago, when he quoted a 14th century Byzantine
emperor as saying Prophet Mohammad spread faith "by the
sword".
- "To avoid any form of intolerance from developing and
to prevent violence, we must encourage sincere dialogue based
on ever truer mutual knowledge," the Pope told visiting
bishops from Benin, West Africa, on Thursday.
- "Such dialogue requires us to train competent people
to help know and understand the religious values we have in common
and to faithfully respect our differences," he said. Following
the shock caused around the world by his speech a year ago, Benedict
said he was sorry for the reaction but stopped short of an apology.
Later in 2006 he prayed at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul during
a Turkish visit. About half the population of Benin practise
traditional African religions, while about 30 percent are Christian
and 20 percent are Muslim. Continued: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.asks.christians.muslims.to.find.common.ground/13319.htm
- -----
- PRESIDENT BUSH AND HIS WIFE VISIT POPE
- IS IT ANTICHRIST AGENDA? SOME BELIEVE THAT THESE PICTURES
DEPICT THE COMBINATION OF THE FALSE PROPHET AND THE ANTICHRIST.
- http://andrew4jc.blogspot.com/2007/06/president-bush-visits-pope-benedict-at.html
- -----
- LORENZAGO DI CADORE, Italy - JULY 27, 2007 - Pope Benedict
XVI said the debate raging in some countries — particularly
the United States and his native Germany — between creationism
and evolution was an “absurdity,” saying that evolution
can coexist with faith. The pontiff, speaking as he was concluding
his holiday in northern Italy, also said that while there is
much scientific proof to support evolution, the theory could
not exclude a role by God. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19956961/
- “They are presented as alternatives that exclude each
other,” the pope said. “This clash is an absurdity
because on one hand there is much scientific proof in favor of
evolution, which appears as a reality that we must see and which
enriches our understanding of life and being as such.”
- -----
- SAN FRANCISCO ARCHBISHOP RESPONDS AFTER CAUGHT ON VIDEO GIVING
COMMUNION TO GAY MAN DRESSED AS NUNS.
- By John-Henry Westen - SAN FRANCISCO, October 10, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com)
- Last Sunday, October 7, San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer
said Mass at a Catholic Church in the heart of the gay Castro
district. Most Holy Redeemer Parish has a lamentable reputation
of having caved in to demands of homosexual activists. One group
of homosexual activists which until recently operated regularly
out of the parish was called "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence",
men who wear makeup and dress as Catholic nuns. Archbishop Niederauer
was filmed giving two members of this group Holy Communion on
Sunday.
- The "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", whose motto
is "go and sin some more" and describes itself as a
"leading-edge order of queer nuns," planned to hold
regular bingo games at Most Holy Redeemer Parish until Catholic
activists reported the plans to the press. A local homosexual
newspaper, the San Francisco Bay Times, reported that the events
at the parish included sexually explicit activities. Prizes included
porn DVDs and "sex toys" the paper said.
- -----
- PROTEST FOR RIGHT TO PREACH ON BIBLICAL SIN
 WASHINGTON – JUL 13, 2007
- Christian pro-family groups from across the nation rallied
at the Capitol Wednesday to protest against the hate crimes bill
currently being reviewed by the Senate [AND SUBSEQUENTLY PASSED],
which opponents argue will endanger the rights of Christians
to preach about the sin of homosexuality. “This hate crime
legislation is hatred and intolerance aimed at ministers and
good Christian folks who dare to call sin ‘sin,’”
said Dr. Johnny M. Hunter, national director of LEARN (Life Education
and Resource Network). “Pastors not only have a right, but
they have an obligation to state emphatically, that according
to Scripture, a man or a woman should not perform a sex act with
a person of the same sex,” he said, as a long yellow banner
facing the Capitol read “Homosexuality is a Sin” flapped
in the wind beside him. ...
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070712/28416_Hate_Crimes_Bill_Opponents_Protest_for_Right_to_Preach_
- on_Biblical_Sin.htm
- -----
 FATIMA ONLY WAY TO WORLD PEACE?
- Report from the Brazil Conference -
- LISTEN ONLINE TO BROADCASTS CLICK
HERE
- The Third Secret Coverup: Latest Developments
- Consecration of Russia unachieved will cause peril
according to 'Third Secret'..
- Why the Mass Exodus to Protestantism?
- The Message of Fatima: Mankind’s Last Defense Against
the Rise of the Global Gulag
- The UN: False Way to World Peace
- and more: http://www.fatimaondemand.org/
-
- ----
- HIGH COURT BANS PURITY RINGS
- TELEGRAPH U.K. July 18, 2007 - A school that banned a teenage
girl from wearing a "purity" ring to symbolise her
opposition to sex before marriage did not discriminate against
her religious beliefs, the High Court ruled today.
Lydia Playfoot, 16, claimed that the ban imposed by the Millais
School in Horsham, West Sussex, constituted "unlawful interference"
with her fundamental rights to express her Christian faith. But
in a ruling she described as "very disappointing",
Michael Supperstone, a deputy High Court judge, said that the
school had not breached the Human Rights Act. ...
-
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/16/nring116.xml
- -----
- HEAD OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH STEPS DOWN AFTER 14 YEARS
Grand Rapids Press - July 14, 2007 SPRINGFIELD MO. The head of
the Assemblies of God church will step down two years early,
ending 14 years at the helm of one of the nation's largest Pentecostal
groups. Thomas Trask,71, plans to leave office in October. Nominations
for a new leader will be made at the church's annual
meeting August 8-11, 2007 in Indianapolis. The church has 2.8
million members. Press wire services. (Email)
- -----
- IAN PAISLEY: NORTHERN IRELAND LEADER PAISLEY TO STEP DOWN
FROM THE HELM OF HIS PROTESTANT CHURCH AFTER 56 YEARS
- AP, via the International Herald Tribune, USA - September
8, 2007 - www.iht.com - DUBLIN, Ireland: The Rev. Ian Paisley,
who has angered many of his Protestant faithful by forming a
Northern Ireland government with a former IRA commander, is stepping
down as leader of the hard-line church he founded 56 years ago.
The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster said Paisley would step
down rather than face possible ouster following the church’s
annual meeting, which ended early Saturday. Paisley, 81, for
decades has been re-elected unopposed to the post of Free Presbyterian
moderator but was expected to face a challenger when his current
term expires in January. The church elders said he would serve
his current term, but the office would become vacant that month.
- In a brief statement, Paisley’s office said he took
the decision without outside pressure and was “very happy”
to step down. But the meeting demonstrated strong opposition
to his continuing as moderator. A majority of Free Presbyterian
elders called for separation of church and state —
a barbed reference to Paisley’s leadership of Northern Ireland’s
fledgling Catholic-Protestant government..
- Full story: http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19315/ian-paisley-2
- -----
- THE GLOBAL ONENESS COMMITMENT
Co-creating a happy world - The Global Oneness Commitment is
an eight-year project with the goal of uniting people around
the globe to mutual actions in order to not only save what we
have, but to transform the planet thru an increase in spiritual
awareness ? a new consciousness creating a joyful home for all
its inhabitants and sincere respect for all forms of life. The
project is synchronised with the twin Venus Transits of 2004
and 2012. It starts with the first Venus transit of June 8th
2004 and ends with the second Transit June 6th 2012. The eight-year
project is initiated by the Global Oneness Foundation based in
Stockholm, Sweden, in association with the Times Foundation based
in Delhi, India. The world is not in need of a new religion or
a new philosophy but in need of spiritual rejuvenation. All knowledge
and wisdom needed to bring the world into a new era of inner
and outer prosperity is already here and have been since ancient
times. Lets face the fact that we are all dependent on each other
and that we all has an individual responsibility for the well
being of all life on the planet. We are all one and if one part
of humanity is suffering ? the whole humanity will be reached
by its consequences. This is not anything new. It has been known
in ancient spiritual traditions all over our planet. By entering
this well of wisdom we will see that we have always had much
more uniting us than dividing us. The main objectives are to:
Co-create a vision of oneness, encouraging individuals, networks
and organizations in their work for a happy world. Support the
preservation and restoration of ancient spiritual wisdoms and
sciences residing in all cultures around the world.Support all
sorts of initiatives that unite people in mutual actions and
projects aiming at creating global oneness. Global Oneness Commitment,
Global Oneness Community, Global Oneness Celebration, Global
Oneness Festival, Global Oneness University, Global Oneness Award,
Buddhist Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Spiritual Quotes, BUddhist
Sayings, Life Quotes, , Buddhist Wisdom, Buddhism Wisdoms, Buddha,
Buddhism Wisdom, Buddhism Quotes, Buddhist Inspirations, Buddhism
Inspirations, Spiritual Inspiration, Spiritual Sayings, Spiritual
Saying, Buddhist Saying, Buddhism Sayings, Buddhist Sayings,
Buddhism Saying Penecostalism is one of the topics in focus
at Global Oneness.
- http://www.experiencefestival.com/
http://www.experiencefestival.com/oneness_commitment
- -----
- ABORTION ON DEMAND IN PORTUGAL
- Abortion on Demand Law Goes into Effect in Portugal - Estimated
that up to 80% of doctors in some hospitals may refuse to participate
- By Elizabeth O'Brien - LISBON, Portugal, July 16, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com)
- On Sunday July 15 a law came into effect in predominantly Catholic
Portugal allowing abortion up to the tenth week of pregnancy.
After a mandatory three-day "cooling" period, abortion
is available on demand in hospitals.
- The law maintains a few minor restrictions, including the
three-day waiting period. Before procuring an abortion, the International
Herald-Tribune reports, the expectant mother must first talk
to a doctor who will explain the health risks of abortion. According
to the new law, she must then wait an additional three days before
having the operation. After an abortion, women are required to
attend a government session on contraception education. Doctors
are allowed to refrain from performing an abortion on the grounds
of conscience. According to the Herald-Tribune, it is estimated
that up to 80% of doctors in some hospitals may refuse. Continued:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jul/07071601.html
- -----
- 60 YEARS AFTER ROSWELL: WE DO NEED A PARADIGM SHIFT IN OUR
THINKING
By Stephen Yulish PhD - July 12, 2007 - "I just finished
reading Richard Boylan PhD's article in the July 9,2007 issue
of UFO Digest entitled "Earth's First Step in Joining the
Cosmic Family: Have Some of the Cosmic family Join Us" as
well as Michael E. Salla PhD's article in the same issue entitled
"The Physics of Extraterrestrials: Develop a Typology of
Extraterrestrial Activities and Motivation" and finally,
I read Alfred Lambremont's article in the July 4 edition of UFO
Digest entitled "Exopolitics: A new Way to Understand Extraterrestrials".
As the 60th anniversary of the Roswell Incident has come and
past on July 8, I began to reflect on what these articles were
trying to tell me...."
"The Exopolitics Institute is also very found of the work
of Ohio Congressman and 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate,
Dennis Kucinich, was is a little left of Fidel Castro. Kucinich
introduced legislation to ban weapons in space as a "sacred
mission to reclaim heaven" for the "Great Architect".
As I said earlier, there is a political agenda at work here to
have these aliens come and help us solve our problems of world
peace, green technology, global warming and fossil fuels. The
aliens are viewed in almost messianic terms. They will come and
save us from ourselves. They will bring world peace, save the
Earth, and bring a one world religion based on tolerance and
equality for all. There will be little room at the table for
born again Christians or for Jews or for Israel either for that
matter. We will all sit around with the likes of Dennis Kucinich,
Michael Moore, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter and the 'aliens" and
wear flowers in our hair and sing "The Age of Aquarius"
or maybe "Cumbaya" as everything goes to hell. Whole
article:
- http://www.ufodigest.com/news/0707/paradigm.html
- -----
- PRINCESS CLAIMS CLAIRVOYANT POWERS, AIMS TO SHARE THEM
Aftenposten, Norway - July 24, 2007 - Nina Berglund - www.aftenposten.no
- Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise, daughter of King
Harald and Queen Sonja, has emerged as a clairvoyant, and is
launching an alternative school aimed at training students to
contact angels. Officials at the Royal Palace won’t comment
on the princess’ latest business venture. The princess’
business partner has publicly confirmed the training program,
which is billed as a means of “getting in touch with your
own truths” through “readings, healing, crystals and
hands-on treatment.”
- The princess, who still officially represents the Royal Family
at various events, has named her new venture after “one
of the oldest goddesses in the Middle East,” Astarte, and
its website is registered at her home address in Lommedalen,
just west of Oslo. The telephone number listed is that for the
Royal Palace in Oslo.
- Even though use of the palace’s phone number implies
the business is indirectly supported by the Royal Palace, palace
officials won’t comment on it. “The palace never expresses
itself on the princess’ private business ventures,”
said a tight-lipped Sven Gjeruldsen, information adviser on the
palace staff. He referred further questions to the contact information
on Astarte’s web site. The princess wrote on her school’s
new website, Astarte Education, that she’s “always
been interested in alternative treatment programs,” suggesting
she’s had psychic abilities since she was a little girl.
“I especially remember one time I met a woman when I was
small,” Princess Märtha Louise wrote. “I went
up to her and said she didn’t need to be sad about her husband,
that things would go well between them.”
- The woman was astonished, according to the princess, and
“wondered who had told me this. There was a big commotion,
and many fearful adults, because none of them wanted her to think
one of them had gossiped,” Märtha Louise wrote. Communicating
with animals - The 35-year-old princess was educated as a
physiotherapist, trained as a Rosen therapist and also has studied
at an academy for holistic medicine “where I learned to
systematize sensual impressions to read others, and through horses
I learned to communicate with animals on a deeper level"
More http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18825/princess-norway
- -----
- BEWARE OF THIS BOOK 'CONVERSATION WITH GOD'
- Truth \"AGAINST\" Tradition" - July 25, 2007
- "... Schools are distributing this book to children through
the Scholastic Book Club. The name of the book is Conversations
with God.. James Dobson talked about this book twice this
week. It is devastating. Parents, churches and Christian schools
need to be aware of it. Please pass this information on to church/e-mail
addressees, Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends.
Please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch
on TV, in movie theaters, on the internet, and the music they
listen to, but also be alert regarding the books they read. two
particular books are, Conversations with God and Conversations
with God for Teens, written by Neale D. Walsch. They
sound harmless enough by their titles alone. The books have been
on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of
weeks, and they make truth of the statement, "Don't judge
a book by its cover or title." The author purports to answer
various questions asked by kids using the "voice of God".
However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based
and go against the very infallible word of God.
- For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question
"Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she
was 'born that way' because of genetics (just as you were
born right-handed, with brown eyes, etc.). Then he tells her
to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another
girls poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend.
My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in
sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is, "Who are
you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing
wrong."
- Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His
reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing
to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that
is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people.
People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because
the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged."
Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but
in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God. And the list
goes on. These books (and others like it) are being sold to
schoolchildren through (The Scholastic Book Club), and we
need to be aware of what is being fed to our children. Our children
are under attack. So I pray that you be sober and vigilant about
teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure
to worldly mediums, because our adversary, the Devil, roams about
as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
- -----
- SAVIOR EMERGES FOR ATTRACTION SIMULATING JERUSALEM IN ORLANDO
- AP, via Daytona Beach News-Journal, USA - July 28, 2007 -
Travis Reed - www.news-journalonline.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jesus Christ is crucified and resurrected
here six days a week. Snarling Roman soldiers whip and drag him,
and somber audience members watch. Some quietly weep at a pageant
bloody and cruel. It is the grand finale at the Holy Land Experience,
and not the attraction most tourists envision in an Orlando vacation.
Just miles from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld
in this city’s overstimulated tourist corridor, Holy Land
has in its six years of operation aimed to recreate Jerusalem
of Biblical times. It is often referred to as a “Christian
theme park,” but the park offers lectures, not rides, making
it feel more like a trip to church. Its officers prefer to call
it a “living Biblical museum” and until last month,
the nonprofit operation was troubled. Management changed hands,
its founder left and attendance was flat. But suddenly, a savior
appeared.
- Trinity Broadcasting Network, a California-based Christian
empire with 12,500 worldwide TV and cable affiliates, took over
Holy Land and its estimated $8 million mortgage. Both are nonprofit
organizations, so Trinity describes the deal as a “marriage”
rather than a purchase, saying little money changed hands. Continued:
- http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18875/holy-land-experience-2
- -----
- CONFERENCE AIMS TO COUNTER ATTACKS ON LDS DOCTRINE, HISTORY
- The Salt Lake Tribune, USA - July 27, 2007 - Jessica Ravitz
- www.sltrib.com - Each year the intention is the same: to arm
Mormons with information so they can answer criticisms of their
faith, doctrine and practices. But the ninth annual conference
of The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR),
which begins Thursday in Sandy, is especially needed given recent
high-profile anti-Mormon developments, the nonprofit organization’s
president, Scott Gordon, said. Gordon, reached by phone in Redding,
Calif., pointed to offensive comments swirling around Mitt Romney’s
campaign and to the distribution in March of some 350,000 DVDs
that likened The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
to a cult. He also mentioned concerns about the soon-to-be released
film, “September Dawn,” which uses the highly controversial
Mountain Meadows Massacre as a backdrop and explores various
conspiracy theories that put the church in a bad light. “We
are not afraid to take on the tough issues,” he said. “We
pick controversial topics and talk about them from a believer’s
perspective.” Given Mitt Romney’s run for president
and comments such as this one by the Rev. Bill Keller, “If
you vote for Mitt Romney you are voting for Satan,” Gordon
said FAIR conference organizers debated long and hard as to whether
they should have a session specifically about Romney’s candidacy.
Continued: http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18869/mormon-apologetics
- -----
- .LDS CHURCH REVISES PAMPHLET ON GAYS (GETTING READY FOR THE
HATE CRIME BILL?)
The Salt Lake Tribune, USA - July 28, 2007 - Peggy Fletcher Stack
- www.sltrib.com - The LDS Church’s new pamphlet on homosexuality
posted this week on the church’s Web site is an improvement
on the last three, but doesn’t go far enough in embracing
those with same-sex attractions, a longtime advocate for gay
Mormons said Friday. The piece, titled “God Loveth His Children,”
reiterates the church’s long-held distinction between same-sex
attractions and actions, suggesting that only the latter are
immoral. According to LDS doctrine, sexuality is only appropriate
within heterosexual marriage. Everyone else is expected to be
chaste. It suggests that the church doesn’t know what causes
homosexual feelings, but it’s not abuse or sexual experimentation.
The pamphlet acknowledges that not all gays can change their
orientation. Some singles, whether homosexual or heterosexual,
may never marry in this life, it says, but “will be perfected
in the next life so that every one of God’s children may
find joy in a family consisting of a husband, a wife and children.”
These are positive developments, said Gary Watts, who recently
stepped down as co-chairman with his wife, Millie Watts, of Family
Fellowship, a support group for gay Mormons.
- The LDS Church’s first such pamphlet was published in
1974 and suggested that homosexuality was “evil” and
“blamed parents for their children’s homosexuality,”
said Watts, a Mormon father who has a gay son and lesbian daughter
among his six children. The 1983 revision de-emphasized the “psycho-social
causes” of homosexuality, he said, and the 1992 version
eliminated parental blame altogether, pointing to the possibility
of biological factors. By not speculating on causes, the new
pamphlet shows “incremental progress,” he said.
- http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18866/mormon-homosexuality
-----
- JUDGE TO MEDIATE $45M SEX-ABUSE SUIT AGAINST LDS CHURCH
- AP, via The Salt Lake Tribune, USA - July 27, 2007 - www.sltrib.com
- PORTLAND, Ore. - A $45 million sex abuse lawsuit against the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be mediated
by a judge in an effort to reach a settlement instead of going
to trial. Kelly Clark, a Portland lawyer whose client is suing
the Mormon church, says the mediation is set for Aug. 9 and 10.
The dates were confirmed by Stephen English, a Portland attorney
representing the church. If the case is not settled, a trial
date has been scheduled for Oct. 18, Clark said.
- The lawsuit claims that a home teacher, Kenneth I. Johnson
Jr., sexually abused a Beaverton boy as much as twice a week
from 1987 to 1989.
- The church is responsible because Johnson was authorized
to act on its behalf, giving him access to the boy, according
to the complaint. The lawsuit claimed the duties authorized by
the church included “educational and tutorial services,
counseling, spiritual and moral guidance, religious instruction,
and other duties” that would put Johnson “in a position
of trust and confidence with LDS members and their children.”
- Johnson has denied the allegations in court documents. English
has said Johnson was acting as a family friend, not a church
official. As part of the mediation agreement, the alleged victim
- identified only by the initials “D.I.” - has asked
the church for reforms, Clark said Thursday. “My client
is absolutely committed to achieving some changes in the child
abuse policies of the church,” Clark said. Clark recently
won an Oregon Supreme Court ruling in a pretrial motion asking
the church to disclose detailed financial information for the
first time since 1959.
- The ruling could set the course for a larger legal battle
over the rights of the church if a settlement is not reached,
attorneys said.“We have a motion in which we’re challenging
the constitutionality of access to our confidential records,”
English said. Clark sought the ruling to determine if $45 million
in punitive damages was a reasonable request. http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18854/lds-church
- -----
- BOOK ALERT: POPULAR CONTEMPLATIVE BOOK IN CHRISTIAN CIRCLES
"Soul Feast" by Marjorie Thompson is a book that promotes
mantra meditation and New Age mystics. It stands among many other
contemplative prayer books that do the same. But what is so alarming
is that it also stands within the ranks of many Christian ministries,
organizations, churches, and colleges. And even though Thompson
does not hide her mystical affinities, many in Christian circles
see her as a trustworthy source for spiritual nourishment.
- The book was first released in 1995. Henri Nouwen was still
alive, and he wrote the foreword, saying that Soul Feast is "the
fruit of Marjorie's personal practice, her solid studies, and
long experience in spiritual formation. It brings together in
a clear, concise way the essence of her ministry." Nouwen
would agree that if someone wanted to know what Thompson really
believed, this book would provide the "essence" of
those beliefs. In the book, Thompson gets right to the point
of the book when she makes the following statements in the prologue:
Some Christians find that 'mindfulness meditation," a traditional
Buddhist practice, helps them live their Christian discipleship
more faithfully.
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