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 EVANGELICALS PUBLISH GENDER-NEUTRAL BIBLE
'Sons of God' will be 'children of God'. The International Bible Society said Monday that America's best-selling Bible is about to get an update using gender-neutral wording, despite past criticism of that idea from conservatives.

The revision will be called "Today's New International Version." The original "New Internal Version," which has sold more than 150 million copies since 1978, will remain on the market.. it is expected by 2005. Examples of some changes: "sons of God" to "children of God" in Matthew 5:9, and "a man is justified by faith" to a person is justified by faith" in Romans 3:28..

Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention criticized the language change, as did James Dobson of the "Focus on the Family" broadcast. After meeting with critics, the society said it would halt publication of the edition and had "abandoned all plans for gender-related changes in future editions of the New International Version. (The Tampa Tribune, January 29. 2002)

In the meantime, Jerry Falwell confessed on the media that Zondervan Publishing House is not going to honor the agreement and plans to publish the New New International Bible to be in Bible bookstores by Mid April of this year.

HUNDREDS DROWN FLEEING NIGERIA BLASTS - A STRANGE COINCIDENCE
The reason we are including this blurp is the fact that it was so uncanny. The Tampa Tribune 1.29.02 - Accidental fire blows up military's weapons depot. Lagos, Nigeria - As onlookers wept and wailed, hundreds of bodies were pulled out of a canal in Nigeria's largest city Mondey after they drowned while trying to flee explosions at an army weapon's depot.

We received notification from an attorney at Lagos, Nigeria that we had been willed some $9,000.000.00 by a pastor who had passed away. We were of course stunned. We had received many emails from people from various parts of the world who wanted us to transfer large amounts of moneys promising a percentage to our account which looked suspicious enough to not even be tempted.

This one was different. We requested a death certificate and a copy of the will and lo and behold they were emailed and looked legitimate enough with seals to be convincing. We couldn't quite figure out how they could be making money on this kind of proposition. If we opened an account that just had a few dollars how could they gain access to our funds?

As the Lord would have it, we were surrounded by Christians who were wide awake. Believers are vulnerable and they are also accommodating. I set up a letter with the information they wanted in Lagos, Nigeria and needed my signature notarized. The notary just 'happened' to be a Christian. The bank had been notified to beware of any transactions to do with Lagos, Nigeria. She refused to notarize the letter. We went home to further investigate. I checked out the bank in Lagos where the money was to come from. Guess who was their CPA? Arthur Anderson. Next I tried to find the lawyer on the web without success.

I asked the search engine for the deceased man and "The Burning Bush Ministry" appeared with a statement that related to what I was researching. Apparently they got a similar request, same dead pastor, but a different lawyer. They were excited too about the inheritance but soon found that other ministries had been duped and here is how they get your money: They will ask for fees for this and fees for that forever and ever until the well runs dry and there is of course no bequest to send at the end of the tunnel.

There were several lessons in this little experience. We believed the documentation and for a couple of days we thought it was true and began to think about what it would be like to be willed that kind of money at our age. I had nightmares of being attacked. Well to make the story short, we were greatly relieved when we found out that it was bogus because it was to be used for the Lord's work and the responsibility would have been awesome. The lessons we learned:
1) Our ministry needs to be exactly as it is.
2) We also learned that all our needs are presently being met abundantly daily without bequests from people, because we applied the Bible teachings to our lives for many years and they are bearing fruit today.
3) That God has believers watching over our affairs. (Three people we dealt with were believers unbeknownst to us)
4) That our types of service is critical to Christians. The Burning Bush Ministry is a prison ministry and they share information with Christians that is vital to them. We have placed their article and our documents on our site under 'Internet Hoaxes'.
5) We found the reason inhabitants of Lagos, Nigeria are having problems may very well be their conduct the world over on Internet. Americans are the most generous people we know and to deliberately dupe them out of their hard earned money is not looked upon kindly by Heavenly Father. They forfeit their protection from the enemy of mankind.
We pray for our enemies to come to the light and receive God's forgiveness and grace.

CHARITY RECONSIDERING BAN ON NON-CHRISTIANS
The Tampa Tribune 1.30.2002 - When the YMCA was founded about 150 years ago, anyone who joined had to be a member of an evangelical Christian church... Although the Y "encourages people to pursue a relationship with God," members and volunteers need not be religious at all.. "The central question is, "Are we a Christian organization or an organization of Christians?

Metropolitan Ministries, will address the same problem. Linda Karson, wife of an executive at TECO Energy, which is a large corporate donor to the ministries, was told she couldn't join the board because its bylaws required directors to be "a professed Christian." "I've indicated I am going to support the recommendation," board Chairman David Shobe said Monday. "I think many organizations were originally Christian-sponsored organizations have expanded to allow broader representation."

Other local faith-based charities, such as the YMCA, Salvation Army and Tampa Jewish Community Center / Federation, say they don't require volunteers or members to practice any religion... The Y, founded as the Young Men's Christian Association, bases its philosophies on the concepts of the Ten Commandments, the golden rule and the Sermon on the Mount, which encapsulated the beliefs of Jesus, Gilbertson said.

"Almost every religion in the world deals with those principles, whether it be Muslim, Jewish or Christian, with maybe some minor differences," he said. Ed note: The Board decided to allow non-Christians to be members of the board at a few days later.

ROBERTSON RESIGNS FROM CHRISTIAN COALITION

The Tampa Tribune, 12.6.2001 - Some saw the evangelist as captain of 'sinking ship.' Television evangelist Pat Robertson, one of the most powerful figures of the religious right, resigned Wednesday as president of the Christian Coalition, a mainstay of support for the Republican Party throughout the 1990s.. Robertson credited the coalition with changing the face of American politics. "Without us, I do not believe that George Bush would be sitting in the White House or that Republicans would be in control of the U.S.House."

The coalition has been losing members, influence and financial support since the mid-1992: The 1994 GOP takeover of Congress failed to enact the religious right's social agenda, but coalition leaders could no longer blame Democratic leaders.. Most recently, Robertson and Jerry Falwell, who ran the now-defunct Moral Majority, sparked a national controversy when the two men blamed liberal groups for the September 11 terrorist attacks when they appeared together on CBN.

Falwell told viewers, as Robertson declared full agreement: "When we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative life-style, the ACLU, People for the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'"

Marshall Whitman, who worked for the Christian Coalition.. said, "The comments Robertson and Falwell made were a turning point for the conservative religious movement, and probably led to his resignation." .. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, was harshest in his assessment: ".. a sinking ship for several years, and now the captain's jumped overboard."

FALWELL TELLS GROUP TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL; 'GOD EVEN LOVES THE TALIBAN,'

The Tampa Tribune, 2.9.02 Falwell said: "If the church had been awake and performing that duty, I can tell you that we wouldn't be in the mess we are in today." A protester, gay rights activist.. stood outside and held a sign calling Falwell the leader of "America's Taliban."

DISNEY TAKES OVER THE 700 CLUB
The Christian Broadcasting Network's (CBN) The 700 Club program has a new home with Walt Disney - whose welcoming of "Gay Days" celebrants at its Orlando, FL, theme park has been criticized by CBN founder Pat Robertson. The unlikely arrangement follows Disney's $5.3 billion purchase of the Fox Family Channel, which it is turning into ABC Family, The Washington Post reported. Disney inherited the agreement to continue to broadcast The 700 Club and other CBN shows from Fox, which bought the Family Channel from CBN in 1997. (Charisma Magazine, October 2001)

RELIGIOUS PATRIOTISM UNDER FIRE

The Tampa Tribune, November 1, 2001 - Church-State divide blurred by terror. In a climate of flag-waving and God blessing, Barry Lynn has an unpopular message: Enough already. "What's happening is a callous exploitation of the September 11 tragedy," said Lynn, executive director of American United for Separation of Church and State... Lynn said that "in these times, one can't forget that the United States is a pluralist society, where believers of many faiths and nonbelievers coexist. The nation was attacked by terrorists who dislike America in part for its official policy of governmental neutrality toward religion." "They want a theocracy where one faith is mandated by the government. It would be highly ironic if our response to this threat was to lower our own wall of separation between church and state."

CHRISTIAN GROUPS PLEASED WITH STEM CELL DECISION
Many of President Bush's Christian supporters were pleased with his decision to support federal funding for some stem cell research. "I give the president's decision generally a thumbs-up," Focus on the Family founder James Dobson told CNN's Larry Ing. Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice added: "The president has reached the correct decision concerning one of the most serious ethical and moral issues of our day." (Charisma Magazine, October 2001)

BILL BRIGHT "STILL SHINING"
Charisma featured Bill Bright, age 80 this month, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ whose entrepreneurial approach to ministry won him the million dollar Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1996. He is not expected to live much longer since he contracted pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lung tissue that reduces the tissue's ability to transport oxygen, making breathing difficult.

Bill Bright was influenced by Henrietta Mears of the Hollywood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles as a youngster along with Billy Graham. He was present when President Reagan declared 1983 "The Year of the Bible." The record setting "The Miracle of the Jesus Film" is just one of his many accomplishments in 50 years of ministry to college students all over the world. It is estimated that Campus Crusade started some 150,000 new churches world-wide. The film is available in 654 languages with 300 more translations currently in production.

Campus currently has 2,600 teams screening the movie around the world. The goal is to put a copy in every home. "We were primarily a personal evangelism movement, and anything to had to do with mass evangelism was something that Billy Graham did - and TV ministries.

Campus Crusade initiatives also include Christian Embassies, an outreach to United Nations delegates and workers in New York and government and diplomatic staff in Washington, D.C.; Josh McDowell's evangelistic ministry; Athletes in Action; and illusionist Andre Kole's ministry. Campus workers labor closely with charismatic and Pentecostal believers.

Among those who have personally prayed for Bright is headlong evangelist Benny Hinn, whom Bright considers "a dear friend." "I have great affection for Benny.." When Bright asked him once why people fell over when he touched them, Hinn said, "I don't really know." Adds Bright: "I don't have that gift, but I don't criticize it."

As the Jesus movement touched colleges across the country during the 1970s, Campus banned staff from speaking in tongues.Later he had regrets. "I'm very encouraged, because [the charismatic movement] has been a marvelous contribution to the body of Christ," he says. "They've infiltrated - and I'm using that in a good sense - the Catholic and mainline denominations [and] Orthodox. They have opened a lot of doors."

Bright is a believer in prayer and fasting. He is known for his 40-day fast every year and he believes that every believer should do the same. He says: "When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He said, 'Teach what I've taught you.' Well, obviously that had to include His 40-day fast. He calls the Christian life a supernatural life. (Charisma Magazine, October 2001)

CHURCH RESHAPES SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY
Charismatic pastor McLaughlin, calls his congregation a bunch of cracked puts - former drug addicts, prostitutes and felons - that the Potter has put together again. But they are turning their city inside out using an innovative approach to economic empowerment - a ministry strategy that is getting popular among African American churches. With tithes they a Multiplex of 42,000 square-foot former bank building that now houses 21 businesses, including a Greyhound bus terminal, financial planning service, law practice and recording study has produced projects for dcTalk, jazz duo Allen & Allen, and rappers Petidee and GRITS. Potter's House runs a Federal Credit Union, a Christian Academy and 14 additional businesses.

Although there has been much talk about federal funding for faith-based organizations that provide social services and community development - McLaughlin encourages ministers not to wait on the government. His annual budget exceeds $5 million from a membership of 3,000.(Charisma Magazine, October 2001)

THE ANOINTING FOR SALE?
A conference ad read: "The first 100 paid registrations will receive a personal prophecy', as more and more ministries are "selling" spiritual gifts to anyone willing to pay. The author Courtney McBath of Charisma Magazine October 2001, addresses the merchandising in churches: "We believe we must promise people some immediate result - in this case recognition - because the mechanizing paradigm dictates that they receive a return on what they've put down. By indulging our congregations in this way, we actually help people forfeit reward that comes from giving out of a heart to worship God.

The world's preoccupation with supernatural utterance and prophecy compounds the prevalence of a merchandising attitude in the church more than we realize. We live in an age that is mesmerized by the supernatural or even the pretense of supernatural work. Fortunetellers, psychics and tarot card readers have moved into the mainstream, utilizing technology to hawk their wares via television and the Internet.

Soothsaying has become a multibillion-dollar industry. As church leaders, we realize that people will flock to a conference that centers more on personal prophecy, healings and manifestations than on Jesus. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves catering to the culture and giving people what they want instead of the Word they need. We will perpetuate rather than curtail the tendency among many saints to expect immediate paybacks on all they give - whether those paybacks amount to special attention, a prophecy, a healing or a car. Ironically, when we operate out of a merchandise paradigm, we are not even able to give the saints the supernatural touch they desire. We can't sell what we do not own. When we try, we perpetrate deception..

COUNCIL ACCREDITS ASTROLOGY SCHOOL
Scottsdale, Arizona - Institutes approval is first of its kind. The modest school in suburban Phoenix won accreditation from a federally recognized body, in what's believed to be a first for a school of astrology. Now the 32-student institute can seek approval from the U.S. Education Department for its students to get federal grants and loans.
The institute received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology after demonstrating that its teachers are qualified and that its graduates can be placed in jobs, said Elise Scanlon, head of the Arlington, Va. - based commission..
(The Tampa Tribune, August 28, 2001.)

REPORT CITES ANTIRELIGIOUS FEDERAL BIAS
Faith-based service agencies hit walls. Despite attempts to encourage their participation, faith-based social service groups that seek federal funding are dissuaded by the "anti-religious bias" of too many governmental officials, a White House report charged Thursday.. Federal employees harbor excessive, unjustified fears about breaking down the wall between church and state, the White House report said, and so may confront religious groups with a variety of difficult hurdles, some of which may violate the applicant's civil rights... "Some government rules require faith-based providers to endure something akin to an organizational strip search," the report says.

Churches were asked to remove religious icons and sayings from the walls of Head Start classrooms; religious leaders were required to vow that they would "exert no religious influence" when offering counseling and some organizations were told to remove the word "God" from their mission statements.

Religious groups often were lumped by federal officials into two categories, the report said those that have purged their social services of religious instructions and were therefore "secular enough," and those that had a religious component to their social work and were ruled "too religious," despite acts of Congress and Supreme Court rulings to the contrary. (The Tampa Tribune, August 17, 2001)

HEAD OF FAITH-BASED INITIAVE FORSAKES BUSH
The Tampa Tribune, August 18, 2001 - John Dilulio, the guiding force behind President Bush's faith-based initiative, resigned Friday, seven months into the job and in the midst of a heated national debate over separation of church and state.

Dilulio, who heads the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, said that personal and professional matters were pulling him back home to Philadelphia.. [One of his biggest problems was that there was no money attached to the office and since Washington is just a big cash register (as he explained earlier) it makes little sense not to have any money to dole out].

Civil libertarian's livid attitude at what they see as an unconstitutional marriage of church and state, slowed the issue and Dilulio was attacked by conservatives who fretted that religions outside what they see as mainstream might also benefit.

Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
The President has established Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in five major cabinet agencies to promote the administration's faith-based and community agenda by changing how the federal government operates. These Centers will evaluate policies, funding programs, and agency communications and technical assistance strategies to ensure that they emphasize effectiveness and hospitality to faith-based and community-based organizations.

Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives --

Health and Human Services
Housing and Urban Development
Justice
Education
Labor

President Names New Faith-Based & Community Initiatives Director
Remarks by the President and Jim Towey in Announcement of the New Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Fact Sheet

THE PRESIDENT: ".. I know all of you are here today to be a part of a great cause, and that is how best to serve our neighbors in need and to serve our community and our country. It really is to help change America, one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time.

Our goal is to rally all Americans to our cause -- I mean all Americans. And I'm proud to have an outstanding man in Jim Towey to join me on this cause. First, I want to welcome the Towey family -- all of them. (Laughter.) Mary, Jamie, Joe, Max and John. Welcome, guys. (Applause.) And I'm glad mom is with us. Florence, welcome, sure glad to have you here.

And I want to welcome Your Eminence, Cardinal Bevilacqua; sure good to see you, sir. I've had many a good heart-to-heart visit with His Eminence and I've always come away a better person after having visited with him. Thank you for being here. And I want to thank everybody else for being here, as well.

A year ago this week, I announced one of the most important commitments of my administration, the Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The purpose was to apply the compassion of America to help solve the problems of our country. The purpose of this initiative recognizes the power of faith in helping heal some of our nation's wounds. The purpose of this initiative is to rally the armies of compassion which are spread throughout the United States of America. The purpose of the initiative is to recognize our greatest strength -- the hearts and souls of the American people -- and apply that strength to help solve problems which afflict many of our citizens.

We have a tremendous opportunity now to take the spirit and apply it to problems like poverty and addiction, abandonment and abuse, illiteracy and hopelessness. These are incredibly tough problems. But I believe with the help of faith we can solve the problems. I have faith that faith will work in solving the problems.

And today, I'm honored to name Jim Towey as its new head and new director. He has served a Republican senator and a Democratic governor. He understands there are things more important than political parties. And one of those things more important than political parties is to help heal the nation's soul. He's run a statewide Department of Health - in other words, he's an administrator. He also worked with Mother Teresa for more than a year - for more than a decade.

In the next year, Jim will work to eliminate barriers that discriminate against community and faith-based organizations. Government cannot stand in the way of the good works of the people in our neighborhoods.

He'll work closely with members of Congress from both parties to pass legislation that will put government squarely on the side of our faith- and community based groups. Jim will have the full support of a new Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, in which he will participate along with five Cabinet secretaries and Steve Goldsmith, the Chairman for the Corporation of National and Community Service.

The Council will be chaired by USA Freedom Corps Director John Bridgeland. I was proud to announce "Bridge" two days ago when he made his national debut, and I must say he handled the pressure quite well. (Laughter.).."

MR. TOWEY: "Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'm deeply grateful to God and to you, sir, for entrusting me with this honor to serve my country, particularly those Americans who are hurting and in need. It's been my privilege to work with the poor and to see firsthand the difference that charities and faith-based organizations can make in their lives.

Mother Teresa introduced me to this joy that comes from befriending those in need, and discovering their tremendous dignity. You speak often of this same dignity, Mr. President, and your vision, both for the USA Freedom Corps and for our office, is unleashing new armies of compassion that will change countless lives, both of those who serve and those who are served.."

THE WASHINGTON TIMES - President Bush yesterday appointed a former worker with Mother Teresa as head of the White House office of faith-based initiatives, a post that had been vacant since August.
James Towey, a lawyer and self-described Democrat with Capitol Hill experience, was for 12 years counsel to the Catholic nun, who worked in Calcutta. He also headed Florida's health and social services agency under a Democratic governor. "In the next year, Jim will work to eliminate barriers that discriminate against community and faith-based organizations," Mr. Bush said at a White House ceremony.
The faith-based initiative, which Mr. Bush once called his most important "legacy," was overshadowed in August by the resignation of the first director of the Office of the Faith-based and Community Initiatives and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Since that tragedy, "it has become obvious to everyone how essential the community and faith-based groups are to the well-being of our nation," Mr. Bush said yesterday.
He said the new "spirit" should be mobilized to solve problems of poverty, addiction, abandonment, abuse, illiteracy and homelessness.
The appointment follows Mr. Bush's formation Wednesday of the USA Freedom Corps, which is headed by a chief domestic policy adviser, John Bridgeland. Mr. Bush said Mr. Bridgeland will be chairman of a new "advisory council" to oversee all aspects of the White House call for volunteerism. These include the faith-based office, the work of five Cabinet secretaries to lift obstacles to grants for faith-based welfare services and the Corporation of National and Community Service..

"After 12 months of criticism from the right, left and center, it's been downgraded to part of an office on volunteerism," Mr. Lynn said. In its first six months, the faith-based policy stirred partisan bickering over race, homosexual rights and church-state separation.
The previous office director, John DiIulio, was a registered Democrat and a Catholic. Faith-based legislation has two prongs, with tax incentives for charity gaining easiest support. More contentious is government funding of religious service groups. http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020202-61195000.htm

FLORIDA DEMOCRAT SKILLED IN FAITH POLICY, POLITICS, NEW HEAD
The Tampa Tribune February 2, 2002 - ".. The appointment of Jim Towey, a Democrat and a Roman Catholic.. was applauded by many in the religious community. Towey is a close friend of Gov. Jeb Bush, who introduced him to his brother George during the 2001 Inauguration Day. Towey founded an advocacy group called Aging with Dignity in 1996 [which amounted to a dog tag type tag with medical information and a Living Will for seniors]. A graduate from Florida State University in Accounting in 1978 and law in 1981.

[Ed-note: Jim Towey will be working with usafreedomcorps. To expect 4,000 hours of volunteerism from every citizen is going to be a major blow to churches because people only have so many hours at their disposal and church members cannot do both. [Could this be what they call public/private partnerships that Prince Charles of England has been pushing for some time. Volunteers shouldering public (government) responsibilities. Public funding has been shifted to subsidize Corporations in foreign lands and citizens will have to do what government used to do]

THE LATEST MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, POLITICIANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE CHURCHES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES [WHICH WILL PROBABLY INCLUDE DONATIONS. IS THIS THEIR REMEDY FOR LOSING THEIR BIGGEST DONOR?

BUSH ENDORSES BIPARTISAN BILL TO AID CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS "..encouraging charitable giving and making organizations eligible for social services grants without running afoul of the constitutional separation between church and state. The compromise proposal also eliminates controversial elements of the plan that passed the House last year on a largely party-line vote... The House measure would exempt religious-based programs from civil rights laws by exempting them from local laws protecting the rights of gays and lesbians... The Lieberman-Santorum bill would allow taxpayers to deduct up to $800 in charitable donations and permit religious organizations to obtain government grants and increase social service spending by $1.3 billion during the next two years. The whole cost of this package is $10 billion. The Clinton "charitable choice" provision will not be included which allowed synagogues and other religious groups to win contracts to run social welfare. (The Tampa Tribune 2.8.02)

INTERFAITH COUNCIL TAKING SHAPE FOR NEW TAMPA ARRIVALS
The Tampa Tribune 8.18.01 - An interfaith council will benefit New Tampa residents and their churches, religious leaders agreed as they met Wednesday to organize such an alliance. Representatives of a dozen New Tampa churches and its only synagogue outlined numerous functions of an interfaith council, from providing unified assistance after a disaster to joint promotion of community events.

The Rev. of the St Mark Evangelist Catholic Church, said past collaborations have proven beneficial. [Other churches involved: United Methodists, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Community Church, and Synagogue of Rabbi Mordecai Levy. Programs they want to develop together are: food pantry, advertising by displaying all churches in each church, support services and resources after hurricanes or disasters and also exchanging equipment.]

PASTOR LEAVES LUTHERAN DENOMINATION
The Tampa Tribune 1.26.2002 Pastor Kratzer educated at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C., left the Lutheran denomination and is opening a contemporary church. "Our focus is on helping push down some of the walls that keep people from coming to church," he stated. He features approach to stop smoking, aerobic classes, devotions, games and survival techniques, entertainment by a disc jockey and live music. Name of the church is Quest419 and it is featured in "THE FUTURE CHURCH" a book by Jim Wilson.

DNA.. EVOLUTION'S DEATH BELL..
Cultivate Ministries January 1, 2002 - The Bible tells us that in the latter days knowledge would be increased. With the Internet and all we've surely seen this take place. But it hasn't stopped there! Now DNA is something few of us knew anything about until it was made so public with the help of O.J. Simpson. Now those of us who believe in God's word concerning creation know better of course but guess what! We now have scientific proof through DNA studies that evolution is a lie!
That's right! Do you have any idea what this means? It means that once this information is forced into the public school arena, they're going to have to change the text books! Millions of them! For the first time in over 50 years, the truth is going to have to come out. This is going to make an untold amount of (professionals) look pretty bad. That's probably why its being held up right now.

True Story: .. A Dr. Mark Eastman graduated from medical school in 1984. An atheists at the time. Now the foundation of a medical education is based on the biological sciences. And the biological sciences are based on the theory of evaluation. One day, a Christian nurse gave Dr. Eastman a set of audio tapes by a Dr. A.E. Wildersmith, a British Professor. Before Dr. Eastman even got onto side two of the first tape, he had realized what he learned from Dr. Wildersmith had just wiped out the foundation of an education that cost him $150.000! Now Mark is going around getting out the truth about DNA and how this scientific discovery totally destroys the theory of evolution. [Tapes available from Cultivate Ministries, PO Box 6490, Colorado Springs, CO 80934 (719) 630 1222]

FROM AN OLD FILE: FAITH HEALER, BENNY HINN, SUES TO BLOCK FINANCIAL SECRETS
The Tampa Tribune, 12.10.1998 - Faith healer Benny Hinn has gone to court to block his former security chief from disclosing financial secrets that an adviser says could destroy the television ministry.
The security chief, Mario Licciardello, is reportedly demanding money to keep silent about what he knows about allegations of theft and corruption at Hinn's [then] Orlando-based World Outreach Center. Licciardello, 50, is under a federal court order to say nothing for the time being.

Hinn's church sought the court order last month. Church lawyers claimed in a lawsuit filed last month that Licciardello had written a five-page letter outlining information he might reveal. Hinn hired Licciardello, a private investigator, last year to investigate accusations of wrongdoing and corruption regarding the handling of money sent to the church and raised during international faith healing crusades, according to the lawsuit.

Licciardello conducted sworn interviews with 35 former and current employees. The church demanded that Licciardello turn over transcripts of those interviews as well as notes of his conversations with Hinn and extensive dossiers compiled by the church on the personal lives of former employees. The dispute with Licciardello began in September when he accused church officials of destroying his reputation by conducting a background check. He agreed to a routine security check, as is required of all 360 employees of World Outreach Church.

An investigator gained access to arrest records that Licciardello thought had been expunged, according to the lawsuit. The old court papers showed Licciardello had been convicted in 1967 in New Jersey of burglary and theft. He received a pardon but he may have served time in prison, the report said.

Outraged over the disclosure, Licciardello demanded an undisclosed amount of money for his damaged reputation or he would tell the media what he knew about Hinn's business according to the lawsuit. Based on missing documents and interviews, Licciardello's allegations would be devastating to the ministry, according to the sworn affidavit of Hinn's chief financial adviser, Tim Lavender.

The ministry could lose 30 percent of its revenues immediately and potentially lose up to 90 percent of its revenue further down the road, Lavender said.The church is expected to raise $60 million in donations this year, up from $50 million in 1997, David Brokaw, a spokesman for Hinn said.

ARAB, MUSLIM LEADERS REQUEST MORE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON ISLAM
The Tampa Tribune, September 29, 2001 - Ignorance blamed for backlash, hatred. Tampa - Complaining about a backlash against Arabs and Muslims since the terrorist attacks, leaders of Muslim-Americans in Tampa asked a civil rights advisory committee Friday for more public education about Islam.

They blamed talk shows for inciting hatred toward Muslims and called for an end to the rhetoric. "There's so much confusion, so much ignorance in America about the religion," said Husain Nagamia, chairman of the Tampa Muslim Alliance, "that they have mistaken other religions for Islam." He gave the example of the killing of a Sikh American in Arizona and the harassment of a Hindu doctor in the Bay area.

Nagamia and other speakers emphasized that not all Muslims are Arab. "The Koran is in libraries," he said, asking people to read it. During the meeting of the Florida Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission at Hyatt Regency Tampa, Professor Sami Al-Arian told about his paid leave from the university after appearing on a national TV show.

"Talk show hosts provoke people to hurt others," Al-Arian said. "They are on the verge of having someone killed." Nahla Al-Arian compared "the attacks" on her husband to those against civil rights leaders in the 1960s and asked for protection.

BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS 7TH GRADERS MEMORIZING KORAN
WorldNetDaily.com © 2002, January 12, 2002 Islam studies required in California district Course has 7th-graders memorizing Koran verses, praying to Allah. In the wake of Sept. 11, an increasing number of California public school students must attend an intensive three-week course on Islam, reports ASSIST News Service.

The course mandates that seventh-graders learn the tenets of Islam, study the important figures of the faith, wear a robe, adopt a Muslim name and stage their own jihad. Adding to this apparent hypocrisy, reports ANS, students must memorize many verses in the Koran, are taught to pray "in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful" and are instructed to chant, "Praise to Allah, Lord of Creation."

"We could never teach Christianity like this," one outraged parent told ANS. Elizabeth Christina Lemings, a teacher in the Byron, Calif., Union School District, was unaware of the course until her seventh-grade son brought home the handouts. Obtained by ANS, the handouts include a history of Islam and the life of Mohammad, its founder. There are 25 Islamic terms that must be memorized, six Islamic (Arabic) phrases, 20 Islamic proverbs to learn along with the Five Pillars of Faith and 10 key Islamic prophets and disciples to be studied.

"We can't even mention the name of Jesus in the public schools," Lemings laments, "but ... they teach Islam as the true religion, and students are taught about Islam and how to pray to Allah. Can you imagine the barrage of lawsuits and problems we would have from the ACLU if Christianity were taught in the public schools, and if we tried to teach about the contributions of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Apostle Paul? But when it comes to furthering the Islamic religion in the public schools, there is not one word from the ACLU, People for the American Way or anybody else. This is hypocrisy."

ANS reports that students are to pretend that they are Muslims, wear Muslim clothing to school, stage their own jihad via a dice game and pick out a Muslim name (to replace their own) from a list of 30. When asked what they thought about the course, students described it as "fun," while others described Islam as "a pretty culture." Joseph Lemings, 12, told ANS, "the jihad was like playing a video game."

The "fun" description disturbs Elizabeth Lemings, who sees the course as a tool, not only to engender sympathy and support for the Muslim cause, but for recruitment. "This is not just a class of history of examining culture," she said. "This course is entirely too specific. It is more about indoctrination."

Nancy Castro, principal of Intermediate-Excelsior School of Byron, told ANS that the Islam course (included within "History of Culture") reflects California educational standards. Castro maintains the course "is not religion, but ancient culture and history. We do not endorse any religion; we just make students aware." Castro further emphasized the course textbook is in use throughout California.

The textbook used for the Islamic course, "Across The Centuries," is published by Houghton-Mifflin and has been adopted by the California school system. In it, according to ANS, Islam is presented broadly in a completely positive manner, whereas the limited references to Christianity are "shown in a negative light, with events such as the Inquisition, and the Salem witch hunts highlighted in bold, black type." ANS notes the portrayal of Islam leaves out word of "the wars, massacres, cruelties against Christians and other non-Muslims that Islam has consistently perpetrated over the centuries." Asked if there was any response from parents about the Islam course, Castro told ANS, "Oh, a couple of parents called to express concerns, three to be exact."

MUSLIMS SHARE BELIEFS AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL

The Tampa Tribune January 12, 2002 - Maysi Hnin is used to people having misconceptions about her Muslim beliefs and traditions. Often, because she and other Muslim women dress modestly and wear hijabs, or veils, people believe they are oppressed. But, she said, that's not the case. Hnin said her style of dress is a choice she makes, not something forced upon her by others. "For me, this is my badge of honor," she said.

Hnin was one of seven University of South Florida students who are Muslims who spoke Friday morning at St. Anthony Interparochial Catholic School. The young women explained their beliefs and fielded questions, trying to dispel any incorrect notions the children might have encountered in media reports about Muslims since the terrorist attacks of September 11. Yes, they said, they love to shop. Yes, they own stylish clothes, but they don't wear them in public where men who aren't relatives would see them.

And, yes, they believe in the same 10 commandments that Catholics do. Hnin, who is from Malaysia, said the main point she hoped to get across to the children is that Islam is a religion of peace.

MINISTER PLEADS GUILTY TO MAIL FRAUD IN UNCLAIMED-ESTATE SCHEME
The Tampa Tribune, September 28, 2001 - He must repay state more than $1 million from a Florida state agency responsible for handling unclaimed estates. Kevin Lee McDonald, 41, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Tallahassee to two counts of mail fraud and was ordered to repay the state of Florida more than $1.42 million.

McDonald, a former pastor of Temple Congregational Church in Marion, Ind., faces up to 10 years in prison and $500,000 fine at his sentencing hearing Dec. 6, 2001. He bilked the Florida Department Banking and Finance, which holds unclaimed estate property, out of at least $1.2 million. He bought a state database of unclaimed estate property available to the public through the Internet and a CD-Rom in 1996, 1998 and 1999, then used false names to claim the money.

TAMPA MOSQUE TO OPEN DOORS IN EFFORT TO OPEN MINDS
The Tampa Tribune, November 7, 2001 - Islamic Information, food, art on hand - A mosque is taking up custom employed by other religions and is holding an open house this weekend in a bid to demystify Islam and to better integrate itself with the community.

The Islamic Society of Tampa Bay has mailed 25,000 invitations to the public event.. Much about Islam is misunderstood, Sheikh said. It "does not condone terrorism and stands for peace," he added... There will be hourly presentations about Islam followed by question-and-answer sessions. Other religious leaders, the mayors of Tampa and Temple Terrace and heads of local law enforcement agencies have been invited, Sheikh said. There are 21 Islamic centers, mosques and schools in the Tampa Bay area.

CAL THOMAS CORRECT ABOUT THE QUR'AN
The Tampa Tribune, October 27, 2001 - Regarding "Columnist Misinterpreted Qur'an's Teachings" (Saturday Forum, October 20, 2001) After reading the verses quoted by columnist Cal Thomas and the ones quoted by Imam Zia, religious leader of the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay, I have reached this conclusion: All non-Islamics - Jews, Christians, pagans - are given a grace period to repent and convert to Islam. If they refuse to do so, they must be either slain or persecuted and expelled from their homeland, no matter what their background. The verses are not loving and tolerant. It's obvious that is enmity and submission, and Thomas didn't misinterpret at all. Be assured that I am not Christian" Vuong-Dinh-Vu, Tampa

ANTI-SCIENTOLOGY GROUP TO DISSOLVE ORGANIZATION
The Tampa Tribune, November 4, 2001 - Clearwater - A group that has battled the Church of Scientology is disbanding and likely will close its headquarters, its founder said. The Lisa McPherson Trust, founded by millionaire Robert Minton, was named for a 36-year-old Scientologist who died in 1995 in the care of Scientology staffers.

Although the trust will no longer be in Clearwater, its work involving the documenting of stories of ex-Scientologists will go on, said Minton. The group's stated mission was to "expose the deceptive and abusive practices of Scientology and help those victimized by it."

"For everyone's peace of mind and to be able to continue to do what we're trying to do, it's better we're not there," Minton told the St.Petersburg Times in a story published Saturday. Church spokesman Ben Shaw said Scientology is glad to see the trust go.

SCIENTOLOGISTS OPEN HOTEL DOORS TO COMMUNITY
The Tampa Tribune, Clearwater - February 3, 2002 - ".. This week, as the hotel (houses Scientologists: Fort Harrison Hotel) celebrates its 75th anniversary, the church with the reputation for shrouding itself in secrecy has opened its doors, offering a rare glimpse into the world of Scientology.. Roche (who was reliving past memories at the hotel) said she's not a Scientologist and wants nothing to do with the church except to tour the hotel., but she said she was pleasantly surprised there were no attempts by Scientologists tour guides to convert her to the religion.. The open tours and plans for a public-friendly training and counseling center under construction across the street.. 380,000-square-foot to open by 2003... The church and the city is moving toward mutual acceptance. City commissioners and their wives and Republican Senator Latvala and his wife attended. She said: "..hundreds of people have moved to Clearwater to be near the church. We know [Scientologists] as citizens - sitting on boards, doing charity works,.. that's the relationship they've built that we've never had before. They are such a big presence now, and it's largely positive."

There are fears in Clearwater that Scientologists might take over the city, they own so many properties. "Boxes of documents, seized during FBI raids of Scientology offices in Los Angeles and Washington two years after the church arrived in Clearwater, detailed plans to use infiltration, theft and smear campaigns to obtain a foothold in the city. Scientology officials subsequently have said those who crafted the plans violated church policy and have been dismissed from the church. "I think there's a lot of fence-mending that they still need to do in the community," Aungst said. "But we're happy the hotel will be going
back on the tax rolls."..

PLANNED BUDDHA STATUE

Hoping to attract 2 million visitors each year, the statue will be more than three times the size of the Statue of Liberty. It is to be built just 3km from Buddhism's most scared site at Bodhagaya. It was there that the historical Buddha Shakyamuni is said to have attained enlightenment some 2,540 years ago - and where the fifth Buddha, Maitraya, is prophesied one day to appear. The Matreya Project International is spending $195 million on this awe-imspiring monument, which it hopes will benefit the economy and "social culture" of one of India's poorest and most politically troubled regions. The 40-acre development will include educational, medical, residential and spiritual facilities - most of which will be housed in a curved, three-story perimeter wall... It must last 1,000 years. (Financial Times, June 4, 2001, p.10)

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AGENDA
September 11th Fund dispersal leads to broad criticism and forced Bernadine Healy to resign. What most people don't realize is that the Red Cross is part of the Masonic hierarchy. The Red Cross is an offspring of the Pope's Hospitaler Order. When researching Billy Graham's recent knighting, I noticed the Red Cross in Queen Elisabeth II crest in connection with the Order of the Garter. Bernadine created a new special Liberty Disaster Fund for future expenses. She stated that the posters pointed that fact out. Bernadine, a cardiologist herself, was earning $400,000.00 annually at the Red Cross, which was another rub with concerned citizens. Many felt that the position should be a voluntary job without pay. Healy had taken Elisabeth Dole's place. Bob Dole is a 33 degree Mason and wives of Masons are often members of Eastern Star.

The Red Cross collected $637 million in private donations for the year 2000 according to the IRS, while during the six weeks after the terrorists attacks the group raised $500 million which was to be distributed to the victims of the attack. On October 30th appeal for terror victims by the Red Cross was halted. The Liberty Fund was at $547 million in pledges. At that point $44 million had been distributed to affected families. $67 million was spent on site for food, shelter and support for the rescue workers and close to $30 million on blood donor program and community outreach. (Abridged The Tampa Tribune, 10.27.02 / 10.30.02)

The parent organization of the American Red Cross is the International Red Cross headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1863, it has grown world wide and is enormously wealthy and has become an international pressure group with agendas in direct conflict with individual liberties as guaranteed by our Bill of Rights. In example it promotes disarmament of all citizens, the forced confiscation of all weapons and ammunition, leaving them only in the hands of government. 25% of its income is spent on operations eastern Europe, central Asia, and Middle East, north Africa, and all of the Americas, combined. A portion of the American Red Cross goes directly to the International Red Cross. (Abridged The Good Word, December 2001/ January 2002)

1. Ford- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response team services and office space to displaced government employees.
2. GM- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and trucks.
3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.
4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.
5. Volkswagen- Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation, funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.
6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.
7. Audi- Nothing.
8. BMW- Nothing.
9. Daewoo- Nothing.
10. Fiat- Nothing.
11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001
12. Isuzu- Nothing.
13. Mitsubishi- Nothing.
14. Nissan- Nothing.
15. Porsche- Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.
16. Subaru- Nothing.
17. Suzuki- Nothing.
18. Toyota- Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001. Condolences posted on the website

THE ECUMENICAL MAX LUCADO
Lucado is the author of many books (over 11 million sold) and is the minister of Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas. One of his books, "Just Like Jesus," reached #105 on the USA Today best seller list, an is # 1 on the Southern California Christian Times list. Lucado was a major speaker at the large Promise Keepers rally in Washington, D.C. in 1997.. He says the desire to break down the denominational walls without compromising denominational convictions is a healthy, present-happening phenomenon.

Lucado is quoted as saying in 2/8 Christianity Today, thusly: "I'm thrilled about ECT [the ecumenical Evangelicals and Catholics Together document]. I signed that document. I don't consider myself an authority on all of that. I look up to men like Chuck Colson and others who are architects of this." Lucado is apparently no hard-line Campbellite and is willing to sign doctrinal statements concerning things that he admittedly knows little about. Lucado's ability to avoid controversy and embrace alien gospels such as Roman Catholicism makes him a perfect no ecumenical man and did not run from controversy, see Matt. 10:34-39, 23:1-39.[ Christian Answers of Texas - Vol 2 #1 ]

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GINGERLY UPDATES ITS BIBLE
The Tampa Tribune, January 2, 2002 - .. its simply called the Big Book published in 1939 has sold more than 21 million copies, translated into 43 languages not available in bookstores. It has been revised in 1955 and 1976 and another revision is just off the press. William G. Wilson with co-founder Robert H. Smith wrote the AA Big Book. Wilson wrote most the first 164 pages, outlining the philosophy, principles and method, and collaborated with Smith and the other members in pulling together the rest of the book, which consists of 42 personal testimonies of the recovered alcoholics. AA uses the 12 step method in helping alcoholics. It is not a biblical method but seems to work for a lot of people.

TBN'S CHINA STRATEGY HURTS CHRISTIANS The Trinity Broadcasting Network seeks to build a relationship with Communist China in hopes of getting permission to spread the charismatic "gospel" on state-sponsored cable television (2/02 Charisma). But Chinese house-church leaders complain that TBN-founder Dr. Paul Crouch spends too much time speaking friendly about the Chinese government, lobbying for China's entrance into the World Trade Organization, instead of speaking openly about the daily torture and murder of Christians.

MIXED SIGNALS ON ISLAM-The media today send confusing signals about the true nature of Islam. We are told by some government leaders that Islam is a peaceful religion. But they also say its goal is to destroy Western civilization, particularly the U.S. and Israel. Last month we received a statement of Bill Hybels' Willow Creek megachurch's reaction to the articles reporting the forum at this church for a Muslim leader to present Islamic teachings. Some members were deceived by this (see 1/15 CC); others walked out when he blamed the U.S. for the recent terrorism. We do not advocate violence against non-terrorist Muslims, and seek to win them to Christ. But we find it incredible the extent to which Islamic popularity has soared following the terrorist acts, and that so many liberal leaders have opened their arms wide to include Muslim leaders in universalist meetings. [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

 

 

POPE'S PEACE PRAYER EVENT AT ASSISI-Pope John Paul in one of the largest ever "Christian" groups, brought together Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Quakers, Mennonites, and Orthodox, which joined with 11 other religious groups including Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Shintoists, Confucianists, and tribal religionists Jan 24 at Assisi, Italy. About 200 made the pilgrimage and heard a call for dialogue and of creating a more economically just [communistic] world (1/24 HT). The Pope said: "There is no religious goal which can possibly justify the use of violence by man against man." Pacifist? [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

TOLKIEN'S LORD OF THE RINGS-The following are quotes or paraphrased excerpts from reviews of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings three-book fantasy series and movie trilogy. Tolkien's novels reflect a distinctly Christian [?] worldview [but], without their broader context, the movie's sorcery is unsettling in its ambiguity. Gandalf simply comes across as a "good wizard." (Focus on the Family Web site) [There is no such thing as a "good" wizard (Dt. 18:9-12).] Always a vexing problem with the fantasy genre is the use of potentially occult imagery, but Tolkien used fantasy [myth] to communicate Christian themes. (1/28 New Amer.) Berit Kjos writes in the 1/21 Christian News:

"A staunch Roman Catholic, Tolkien affirmed his faith in the One God who created the universe. But his mythical God stopped creating before the work was finished, then turned the rest over to a group of gods, or 'sub-creators'.…Many Christians argue that his spiritual hierarchy [of deities] does indeed parallel the Biblical account….But the obvious similarities tend to confuse rather than clarify Biblical truth. For Tolkien's myth twists scriptures enough to change their meanings and muddle the true nature of God…." [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

PK USES PSYCHOBABBLE/NEW AGE WITH BOYS? A Promise Keepers first-of-its kind "Passage" rally drew 14,000 youth leaders to Columbus, Ohio in Dec. (See 1/15 CC) Christina Hoff Sommers is author of The War on Boys: How Misguided Feminism is Harming Our Young Men and mother of a 16-year-old son. She welcomes Passage but is concerned that the curriculum contains "a little bit of boys sitting in circles sharing emotions." (2/4 C. Today) She says: "I'd warn Promise Keepers not to go too far into the psychotherapeutic mode, treating boys as if they are fragile mental patients." The second Passage rally is planned for this summer in Anaheim, California. [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

CAREY PRAISES MUHAMMAD-Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, who is stepping down from that position next Oct. (see 2/1 CC), says we should appreciate the worth of leaders of other religions (12/10 CC). In an astounding untrue statement, he said: "I can say unreservedly that Muhammad was clearly a great religious leader whose influence on millions has been for the good." He compares Muhammad's teaching to that of Christ, saying they have so much in common. James Sundquist lists 20 ways they are NOT the same (1/15 CC). [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

CATHOLICS, EVANGELICALS MEET AT WHEATON The theme of the Eleventh Annual Wheaton Theology Conference will be "Catholics and Evangelicals in Conversation." It is scheduled for the Wheaton College campus April 11-13. Keynote speakers include: Francis Cardinal George (archbishop, Chicago Archdiocese), Timothy George (dean, Beeson Divinity School), James I. Packer (Regent College), William Shea (St. Louis Univ.), Mark Noll (Wheaton), Susan Wood (St. John's Univ.), Daryl Charles (Taylor Univ.), Brian Daley (Notre Dame), Gerald Bray (Beeson), Howard Loewen (Fuller Sem.), Thomas Rausch (Loyola), Ralph McKenzie (Trinity Int'l U.), Margaret O'Bara (St. Michael's), etc. The confab is designed to facilitate discussion of themes such as the relationship between Catholic and Evangelical Christians, the doctrine of justification, the relationship of Scripture and tradition, and the call to evangelize the culture.[ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

RE-GENDERED NIV MAKES ITS DEBUT-The Feb. 4 Christianity Today says: "The International Bible Society has released an updated English New Testament called Today's New International Version. It comes nearly five years after conservative critics [Southern Baptists, and others] blasted another NIV translation for using gender-inclusive language." [See 6/15/97 & 7/1/99 CCs] World magazine called it the "Stealth Bible," and said the Committee producing its text had been "co-opted by liberals and feminists." Under heavy criticism, the IBS withdrew plans to publish a gender-inclusive NIV. This TNIV will now compete with the recently-announced English Standard Version (Crossway) and Holman Christian Standard Bible (SBC). Bob Ross comments: "With Southern Baptists having their own translation (for the first time in history), there will be a considerable loss of NIV sales in the SBC's Lifeway bookstores [and others where SBs are predominant purchasers]. A Bible translation simply cannot succeed on a large scale in the U.S. without the patronage of the SBC customers." [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

KOFI ANNAN, UNITED NATIONS SHARE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Secretary General credited with reforms. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and the organization he leads were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their role in reforming the 56-year-old institution and reshaping the world's post-Cold War pursuit for peace.

The Nobel Peace Prize Committee cited Annan, 63, the first U.N. secretary general to emerge from the lower ranks of the United Nations' civil service, for promoting human rights, combating AIDS and "bringing new life" to an organization that was paralyzed by big power squabbles during much of its existence... The premier international forum for promoting peace, the United Nations edged several front-runners, including Pope John Paul II and the International Red Cross...

The prize, named after Alfred Nobel, a Swedish philanthropist and inventor of dynamite, carries a prize of $946,200. The award provided a huge boost for an organization that had been starved of funding by Washington an maligned by many in the U.S. Congress for its harsh criticism of Israel, its opposition to the death penalty and its advocacy of an international criminal court.. Annan, who paid a visit to the Word Trade Center site last month, has sought to assure the United States that the United Nations is eager to aid Washington in its long-term counter terrorism campaign. (The Tampa Tribune, October 13, 2001)

HOW TO STREAMLINE THE UN
The International Jerusalem Post, Emmanuel Navon, December 7, 2001 - Two months have passed since the Orwellian Durban Conference, but Arab manipulation of the UN to delegitimize Israel is not an exercise of the past. Arab states are now working on turning the upcoming meeting of the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention on December 5 into another anti-Israel fest.

The hijacking of Durban by Arab states and their allies confirmed the need to prevent the use of the UN as a tool of political propaganda. The organization's history proves only financial pressures can help achieve this goal. From the early 1960s, Arab states discovered the UN was the ideal forum for fighting Israel on the diplomatic front. Soviet and Chinese permanent membership and veto power at the Security Council enabled this harassment.

The voting system of the General Assembly (one country-one) created a majority of Third World and pro-Soviet countries exploited by Arab states for anti-Israel resolutions. The manipulation of the UN by Arab states generated an avalanche of obnoxious actions, which culminated in the 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism.

The effects of the "automatic majority" had repercussions on the entire UN system. Special committees and agencies were created with UN money to help the PLO agenda. For instance, the General Assembly created, in 1976, a Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which endorsed the PLO Charter (calling, inter alia, for the destruction of Israel) as the "basis for the solution of the Palestinian problem." The UN's 50th anniversary in 1995 was celebrated in an optimistic atmosphere: The Cold War was over, and the Middle East was seemingly heading toward peace.

Many countries, including Israel, called for a reform of the UN in order to adapt it to the alleged "New World Order" and to the no less alleged "New Middle East." Israel logically claimed its pariah state status (which prevents its representation on UN bodies such as the Security Council and the International Court of Justice) had no more raison d'etre.

The OSLO process notwithstanding, Israel's proposals were rebuffed by the Arab states. The tone and atmosphere of Durban took us back to the 1970s, when Yasser Arafat was praised for calling for Israel's destruction from the General Assembly podium in 1974. In his Durban speech, Arafat claimed Israel was the last outpost of colonialism must disappear. You can guess the conclusion.

Durban also proved counting on "moderate Arab states a tame Arafat's rhetoric and intentions is an illusion. It was Egypt that torpedoed the Norwegian compromise proposal, which would have enabled the US and Israel not to walk out from the conference.

The "automatic majority" prevents reforms aimed at putting an end to the political hijacking of the UN. There is, however, one very efficient tool the US Congress can use: money. The United States finances a quarter of the budget of an organization used as a forum of anti-American and anti-Israel rhetoric by countries that control the General Assembly and barely contribute to the budget.

By threatening to bankrupt the UN, the US Congress forced it in the past to reform itself. The first Bush administration was able in 1991 to demand the repeal of the resolution equating Zionism with racism.

As long as the Arab world refuses to let go to its manipulation of the General Assembly, hurting the UN in the pocket is the only way to prevent repetition of the Durban farce in Geneva, or elsewhere. (The writer is a professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University.)

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES SYRIA INTO SECURITY COUNCIL
Syria won a seat on the U.N. Security Council with overwhelming support, despite being on the U.S. list of countries sponsoring terrorism. The General Assembly elected Syria to the powerful U.N. body for a two-year term on the first ballot. Syria received 160 "yes" votes from the 177 nations voting. Last year, the United States led a successful campaign to keep Susan, also on the U.S. list of terrorism sponsors, off the council. (The Kansas City Star, 9 October 2001, p.A7)

U.S. PROPOSES MULTINATIONAL FORCE TO U.N.
Troops would aid new Afghan leaders. The focus of talks on the future of Afghanistan has shifted from possible deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping force to a U.S. proposal to send a limited, multinational force that would provide enough security to establish an interim government, U.N. sources said on Friday.

The idea of a multinational force, a "coalition of the willing," as a European official put it, is favored by the United States and Britain, the closest U.S. ally in the military campaign in Afghanistan... Bush administration officials have raised the possibility that such a force could be composed mostly of troops from Islamic nations, which would presumable be more acceptable to the Afghans and the rest of the Muslim world.

Under this proposal, a U.N. civil administration would be put in place until a representative Afghan government is ready to take over... U.N. officials acknowledge that any decision will be made by the Security Council, which has followed the U.S. lead since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. But they are unhappy at the prospect of taking an administrative role that many believe will be difficult for the Afghans to accept. "I resent it," said on U.N. official. (The Tampa Tribune, October 20, 2001)

[Ed note: On Larry King's Birthday Anniversary for President Reagan he used a retun of an interview in 1991. President Reagan said that the U.N. should have been in charge then where Kuwait was concerned. Reagan had two Catholic Advisers during his race for President. [end of note]

LET'S MAKE EU A WORLD POWER
Romano Prodi stepped up the pressure for a European superstate by demanding a "no-holds barred constitutional debate" on the future of the EU. The Union should aspire to be a 'world power - not just a trading bloc, but a political entity," said the European Commission President.

His intervention will confirm the fears of Eurosceptics that the EU's power-brokers are determined to create a superstate to rival the U.S..

In his "state of the union" address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr. Prodi made no attempt to disguise his ambitions for the EU. "The basic question about Europe have to be faced and faced now," he said. "It has to be no-holds barred constitutional debate on the fundamental nature of the Union... (Daily Mail, 14 February 2001, p.4)

Mr. Prodi is overlooking the fact that even without further unionization, the EU already presents the largest economic bloc in the world. Compared with the United States, EU citizens work 25% less and earn 30% more. While the EU does not have a big political voice, particularly due to the fact that no one leader represents the union, its influence is already outstripping all other nations in the world. Based on Bible prophecy, the Roman identity that ruled the world when Christ was born will rule the world when Christ returns.(Midnight Call, August 2001)

Schroeder proposes giving the European Parliament full power over the 15-nation bloc. The ideas, set out in a draft policy document of Mr. Schroeder's governing Social Democratic Party, constitute his most comprehensive vision of Europe to date and signal a bid to mold domestic debate on European policy before a re-election bid next year. The draft calls for creating a second EU parliamentary chamber, but it also proposes that some of the EU's bureaucratic power be decentralized. (Midnight Call, August 2001)

EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP - SPECIAL REPORT
Christians expect a shift to Europe before the tribulation, that is why we include this type of information. We are not into investments. - Abridged: Upside Magazine, December/January 2002, Report p 12 - The unification of Europe brought home to me that many Europeans are just that: European, not German, Dutch, or English. The people.. now cross borders to work anywhere just as we do in the U.S.Economies are surging in Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, Russia.. they have settled down to make money.. Fastest-growing economy, at a rate of 9% annually [the U.S. has negative growth rate right now, the worst decline since 1933].

When you bring up the terrorists attacks over there they point to '72 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, bombings in London, etc... Everything depends on what happens in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, or Iraq which influences oil prices in Europe and cause a downward trend. A severe recession in the U.S. would also affect Europe. [Globalism causes nations, regions to be dependent upon each other]. The terrorists attacks on the U.S. propelled Europe.. to march toward economic unification. [England is still holding back their money which will end soon, they hope - The Queen stated publicly that they would participate].

EUROPE - 2002: THE YEAR THAT THE WORLD WILL LOOK FOR EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP

Abridged: Upside Magazine, Jerry Borrell, December/January 2002, Report p 32: ".. With income looking to be more glum through midyear 2002, Europe, as a market, is going to be more important than ever.. economist of global investment banks .. projections.. most believe Euro-Zone countries will experience a return to strong growth.

Introduction of coins added confidence in their unified currency... J.P.Morgan Chase & Co. in London, says that what appear to be failures are, in reality, "market-driven structural reforms" that will allow these companies to shed their old ways of doing business outside of the control of political decision makers.. The two pillars of strength in the U.K., consumer confidence and the service sector, appear to have immunized the U.K. against most of Europe's slowdown, [ due to the U.S. problems ]. In America, government spending is only 40% of the GDP, while in Europe, it is over 50%, making centrally directed monetary policy more effective than in the U.S.

NATO OFFICIALS GET TOUR OF TAMPA
The Tampa Tribune, February 2, 2002 - Forty-five NATO officials from 13 countries toured Tampa on Friday for briefings at MacDill Air Force Base's Central Command facilities. The members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly's Defense and Security Committee will report back to NATO their opinions on the United States' response to terrorism... "We are proud of them," said Tahir Kose, head of the Turkish delegation of the NATO-PA. "They are very well trained. We had very high level briefings with the generals, and I liked what I heard."

UNITED KINGDOM IS ACCUSED OVER MONEY LAUNDERING
A French parliamentary committee condemned the City of London, the capital's financial district, and the UK's offshore financial centers for their "feeble" efforts in the battle against money-laundering. "Great Britain does not co-operate with European countries and offers a totally unacceptable haven for criminal fund," said Arnaud Montebourg, the main author of a National Assembly report about the 'dirty money' that passes through London, Bibraltar, Jersey - one of the Channel Islands between England and France - and other financial centers.

Mr. Montelbourg said Tony Blair, prime minister, had "preached" against terrorism but needed to clean up the City of London. He said European judges and British police officers were frustrated by the lack of cooperation form the British justice system when pursuing suspects. (The Financial Times, 11 October, 2001, p.11) In order to fight terrorism effectively, the world must be united. This also applies to criminal activity involving money-laundering. Since some countries are more flexible than others, it stands to reason that the future will see a more unified global law. (Midnight Call, December 2001)

Ed note: There is a Congressional Investigation going on today, January 30, 2002 C-Span2, about the same subject matter, "money laundering." The Senate Banking Committee did a survey of security brokers and sent out 22 surveys. Ten returned full disclosures. They together had 47,000 off-shore accounts representing millions of dollars. Since only less than half cooperated the number of accounts could easily double. The conclusion was that money laundering needs to be investigated further. This is where terrorists find ways of getting money to finance their activities.

WILL THE EUROPEAN LAW BE THE END OF OUR DEMOCRACY?
Midnight Call, November 2001 p.42 - Imagine a country in which the king drafts all laws. When bills are "debated" in parliament, the average speech is 90 seconds before the representative is silenced. The king can demand that an absolute majority is needed to change his draft, so if only 300 of the 650-member parliament turn up and all vote against it, it still becomes law. No amendment can change the king's draft by more than one-third and, if an amendment is forced through and the king doesn't like it, he can send it to a committee, chaired by himself.

The king is also entitled to sue "written procedure" to make laws which are not subjected to parliamentary scrutiny. Which country has so primitive a legislature? Some small African state? A Polynesian island? No. we do. Substitute "Commission" for "king", and you have the system of "democracy" that makes European law. Every directive emerging from Strasbourg to plague our farmers and businessmen originates with the Commission, is subjected to perfunctory "debate" and then becomes law.
"Written procedure" was used to introduce new secrecy laws. Henceforth, all classified documents relating to "security and defense of the union, or one or more of its member states," or to "military or non-military crisis management," will be excluded from public scrutiny. (Daily Mail, 14 September 2000, p.67)

Democracy continues to flourish the world over. The system conceived by the Greeks and implemented by the Romans is now virtually ruling the world. But what will happen when all have become one and there is no opposition? Then the world will experience dictatorial democracy which will finally be taken over by one man the Bible calls the Antichrist.

BUSH'S FIRST BIG MISTAKE: SEIZING DICTATORIAL POWER
The Tampa Tribune, November 19, 2001 - Commentary by William Safire - "Misadvised by a frustrated and panic stricken attorney general, a president of the United States has just assumed what amounts to dictatorial power to jail or execute aliens, Intimidated by terrorists and inflamed by a passion for rough justice, we are letting George W. Bush get away with replacement of the American rule of law with military kangaroo courts.

In his infamous emergency order, Bush admits to dismissing "the principles of law and the rules of "evidence" that undergird America's system of justice. He seizes the power to circumvent the courts and set up his own drumhead tribunals - panels of officers who will sit in judgment of noncitizens who the president need only claim "reason to believe" are members of terrorist organizations... No longer does the judicial branch and an independent jury stand between the government and the accused. In lieu of those checks and balances central to our legal system, noncitizens face an executive that is now investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury and jailer or executioner. In an Orwellian twist, Bush's order calls this Soviet-style abomination "a full and fair trial."

FUTURE TARGETS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S WAR ON TERRORISM ARE IRAQ, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA. He called them "the "EVIL AXIS" reminiscent of Hitler," said a reporter. President Bush focused on in his "State of the Union Address. Commentary on Fox News 1.31.02 'the morning after' was that Bush intends to install the New World Order. Bush also seeks 4,000 hours of volunteer work from each U.S. citizen (interesting that was previously a form of punishment for crimes that didn't quite make it to jail).

President Clinton's Americorps is to get a name change to Freedom Corps and is to be doubled in size and sent all over the world to assist countries in need. (C-SPAN, January 29, 2002) And here is why "FreedomCorps" is sent all over: it's international. See information below the next expose' again this is reminiscent of the Hitler Youth. Hitler wanted to take over the world and began a Blitz Krieg in Poland which took only 18 days and gave people confidence that the rest would go as quickly as Poland. Instead it became the demise of Hitler and his people forever. Germany has ceased to exist.

In Afghanistan the U.S. used Afghanistan militants to get the hard part done. I doubt that Arabs and Communists linked to China in the case of Korea will submit to doing the same. The Bible speaks of this war which will usher in the Tribulation. President Bush is willing to do this without any help from other countries. One reporter said that he seems possessed with the idea when he interviewed him.

President Bush said that he has to prove himself after September 9:11 that he is able to run the world. Countries are beginning to get the point and are not willing to get involved as was pointed out by European reporters in a news conference yesterday.

CITIZEN CORPS
The website states the following: Citizen Corps is the unifying structure to link a variety of related volunteer activities to expand a community's resources for crime prevention and emergency response. FEMA in working with many federal agencies and has the oversight responsibility for promoting the Citizen Corps programs and for adding additional programs as appropriate. As present, the Citizen Corps programs include:

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) - FEMA
Neighborhood Watch - DOJ
Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) - DOJ
Terrorism Information and Prevention System (TIPS) - DOJ/FBI
Medical Reserve Corps - HHS
This CERT page is part of the overall effort to assist individuals and communities with implementing Homeland Security Programs in their areas. FEMA is a proud participant in the Citizen Corp Program.

AMERICORPS
March 15, 1999 - In a surprising show of bipartisan teamwork, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO) have skewered the Administration’s request for more funding for AmeriCorps, the President’s brainchild of a national-service program. AmeriCorps is emblematic of the sort of oxymoron only President Clinton can perpetuate 'paid volunteering' and costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The question now is, will Congress throw that skewer on the barbecue and char-broil it?

The Senators demand two simple things from AmeriCorps: that it provide "clear facts" regarding actual goals and accomplishments, and that it show fiscal responsibility - the program’s own Inspector General has found eight "major" financial problem areas. The head of AmeriCorps, Harris Wofford, swears that it is revamping its financial system and that, as one outside study reported, it provides "substantial direct services" for education and other areas.

But the Senators are right to be skeptical. Mikulski was dead on when she said that "in may ways this program was launched like a rock concert, with a lot of show biz, a lot of fanfare." Now it is time to see results and it is unknown whether the corporation is achieving enough with the $472 million it received this past year. AmeriCorps offers its volunteers $4,275 in education grants with 50,000 participants, that leaves $214 million unaccounted for. Even with a modest living allowance thrown in, one wonders where all the money is going and, more importantly, what good it is achieving. http://www.frontpagemag.com/backpage/1999/bp03-15-99.htm

INTERNATIONAL ASPECT OF AMERICORPS
Switzerland - The Swiss situation regarding Zivildienst(civilian service).

United States resources on national youth service
City Year, part of the AmeriCorps National Service Network, is a nation-wide North American service program which unites young adults, ages 17 to 23, from diverse racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time community service, leadership development, and civic engagement. City Year has addresses in several states.

Corporation for National Service
http://www.cns.gov/ - CNS offers Americans of all ages and backgrounds opportunities to serve their communities. Their web site includes information on AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America (school and college-based service). (http://www.cns.gov/newsone.htm) and mailing list information. Their web site also contains links to more service-related sites on the World-wide web, some of the thousands that relate to service are: general service sites; youth service-related sites; service-learning and education-related sites; senior service-related sites; sites focusing on human needs; sites focusing on the environment; international service organizations; general non-profit resources/clearinghouses; and State Commissions for National Service. They are useful in finding further service opportunities, news, and resources.

United States Department of Health and Human Services
The DHHS has a useful page of youth information providing the latest statistics, reports and other information about America's adolescents. Well-designed site offers a profile of America's youth, speeches on youth topics, and related web sites.

National Association of Service and Conservation Corps
NASCC is the membership organization for youth corps programs. Since its inception in 1985, NASCC has served as an advocate, central reference point and source of assistance for the growing number of state and local youth corps around the United States of America. NASCC's primary mission is two-fold: to strengthen the quality of existing youth corps programs and to promote the development of new ones.

National Service-Learning Cooperative Clearinghouse
The Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse is a comprehensive information system that focuses on all dimensions of service-learning, covering kindergarten through higher education school-based as well as community based initiatives. The Center of the Clearinghouse is located at the University of Minnesota, Department of Work, Community and Family Education, with collaboration from a consortium of thirteen other institutions and organizations. See their web site at: http://www.nicsl.coled.umn.edu/

Also see the full text document: The Status of Service-Learning in the United States: Some Facts and Figures, by Robert Shumer, Ph.D. and Charles C. Cook, available from the National Service-Learning Cooperative Clearinghouse. http://www.acys.utas.edu.au/ncys/nys/information/organisations.html

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE (IANYS)

IANYS was established in 1996 to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of information about NYS, and to help realize the promise of NYS. Delegates to its five biennial conferences to date have come from six continents and have included NYS participants, government and NGO officials, university professors and researchers, and others interested in NYS.

Service-learning

In service-learning, students at schools and universities, as well as young people serving in full-time service programs, use their education and talents to serve others and then reflect on their service experiences to inform their learning. In formal education, some form of academic recognition, such as academic credit or fulfilling a curricular or graduation requirement, is often given for evidence of learning acquired.

The (US) Corporation for National Service defines service-learning as an educational method: under which students or participants learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community; which is coordinated within an elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or community service program, and with the community; which helps foster civic responsibility; which is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students, or the educational components of the community service program in which the participant is enrolled; and which provides structured time for the students or participants to reflect on the service experience.

Voluntary service

UNESCO defines voluntary service as altruistic commitment by people who give their time and/or their expertise voluntarily and free of charge, in a formal context, for a given period. Voluntary service requires a number of practical arrangements, such as the payment of subsistence and transport costs and social security coverage for the volunteer. [ http://www.acys.utas.edu.au/ncys/nys/information/definition.html ]

ALL AMERICAS FREE-TRADE ZONE SCHEDULED FOR 2005
Midnight Call, September 2001 - Trade officials negotiating a proposed free-trade area stretching from Alaska to Chile said that they had agreed to a timetable that would see the pact launched by December 2005. Closing a three-day trade summit, officials said the final details of the Free Trade Area of the Americas would be completed by January 2005 and the zone would be launched by December of that year. Officials from 34 nations participated in the talks.

"We are very satisfied with the agreement and with the dates," said Pierre Pettigrew, Canada's minister for international trade. A draft text of the all-Americas free-trade agreement from Buenos Aires will be made public, he said. In the past, negotiations went on behind closed doors. The Bush administration had previously indicated it favored an agreement "sooner rather than later," and Chile had proposed reaching a deal as soon as 2003.

But several countries appeared to talk at an earlier target date. Brazil and Venezuela, in particular, had appeared to favor more time to prepare key industries for wider competition. "2005 is not too ambitious a date if the governments put their political will behind this," said Pedro Camargo, a representative from the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8 April, 2001, P.A6)

Open markets and free trade for the Americans is natural, especially in view of the success of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which was founded 1994 involving Canada, Mexico and the United States. Although initially criticized by various groups and individuals for different reasons, it is difficult to deny its success. The next step to create a truly Pan-American Free Trade Association will present the European Union with a challenge to be reckoned with.

BUSH CLASHES WITH MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER ON GLOBALIZATION
Shanghai, China - With Pacific Rim leaders pushing more economic globalization, Malaysia's leader delivered an alternative broadside Saturday against ways of the West he says are leaving too many people behind. "The sacred truth that every globalization ideologue know not so long ago was that globalization is always good - always good for everyone, at all times, in every way," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told business leaders gathered here for the weekend APEC summit. Not so, Mahathir said.

"This is so contrary to the facts as they have been experienced by the countries of East Asia and Latin America," he said, adding there have been few winners and far too many losers. President Bush took the opposite view, saying "trade is the engine of economic advancement" and essential to improving people's opportunities and fortunes. "Choose openness, trade and commerce, and you will find prosperity, liberty and knowledge," Bush said during a forum where the 21 APEC members are calling for new World Trade Organization talks next month. "Choose isolation and envy and resentment, and you will find poverty, stagnation and ignorance," the president said.

As examples, Bush said markets and trade have helped China's per capita gross domestic product rise by 513 percent since 1975, Malaysia has been able to cut its illiteracy rate by two-thirds and other nations have sharply reduced infant mortality. But Mahathir said there has to be a better way than following "the principal pulpits of capitalism and free market, including the WTO." "If globalization is to be sustainable, there must be many more winners and many fewer losers, and they should both be a mixture of the rich and the poor," the Malaysian said. (The Tampa Tribune, October 21, 2001)

AFTER GLOBALIZATION
Jonathan Rosenblum writes in his commentary: Thomas Friedman's last big idea - globalization will lead inexorably to a peaceful and prosperous world - lies buried beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center... Tom has a new, big idea: the battle of the day is not between the West and Islamism but rather between religious fundamentalists of all religions - Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism too.

That new at least has the virtue of political correctness. Islam, it turns out, is no different than any other religion. They all have their progressives and their fundamentalists. Unfortunately, for the Friedman thesis, he neglected to cite any other religion besides Islam that can claim thousands of adherents eager to blow themselves so smithereens in order to kill other and millions more who celebrate their actions...
Like most modernists, Friedman / Hartman call for a "multilingual view of God" that reduces different religions to nothing more than a series of narratives of human beings approaching God from their various historical, linguistic, and cultural perspectives...

The Friedman / Hartman redefinition of religion is an assault on the very concept of truth itself. Let's just take one example of the type of reinterpretation of religious traditions urged upon us by Friedman.
One of the leaders of "progressive" Judaism once explained to a friend of mine that Judaism equals "social justice," and social justice in our time means abortion on demand and homosexual rights.

Very modern to be sure, and perhaps even pluralistic, as long as one does not dare to oppose abortion or homosexuality - and certainly not in the name of religion. But it does leave one wondering what this progressive religion ("Judaism" in this case) has to add to liberal politics and what passion it can inspire or solace it can provide. (The International Jerusalem Post,December 14, 2001)

BUSH DISAGREES WITH PREACHER'S REMARKS ABOUT ISLAM
President Bush is distancing himself from Franklin Graham after the preacher and close ally of the Bush family recently called Islam "wicked and violent." According to NBC News, Graham reiterated his comments on November 16, the first day of Ramadan, the holiest season of the Muslim year.

Graham, president of the Christian relief agency Samaritan's Purse and son of evangelist Billy Graham, was quoted just after the September 11 terrorists attacks as saying: "I don't believe [Islam] is a wonderful, peaceful religion. When you read the Qur'an and you read the verses from the Qur'an, it instructs the killing of the infidel, for those that are non-Muslim."

The son of Billy Graham and the designated successor of the longtime evangelist's ministry, Franklin Graham is considered one of America's most powerful Christian leaders. He delivered the benediction at Bush's inauguration, and his father has counseled a long list of presidents. Clarifying his statement to NBC News, Franklin Graham repeated his charge that Islam, as a whole, was evil. "It wasn't Methodists flying into those buildings. It wasn't Lutheran," he said. "It was an attack on this country by people of the Islamic faith."

However, the White House disagreed with Graham's remarks, saying that President Bush "views Islam as a religion that preaches peace," and that the terrorists do not represent what Islam teaches.

Bush, eager to improve America's reputation in the Muslim world, welcomed numerous ambassadors from Islamic countries for a traditional meal and prayer at the White House on Monday, November 19 to mark Ramadan. It is believed to be the first time that Muslims participated in a formal ceremony in the official home of American presidents. In another unprecedented event on November 15, the Muslim chaplain of Georgetown University officiated at the opening prayers of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill.

Graham's "very harsh words for the Muslim faith" are causing the negative attention for the Bush administration, NBC News said. " A presidential friend and supporter now finds himself at odds with both the Muslim world and the message from the White House," a network commentator observed.

Following the NBC report, Graham said: "It is not my primary calling to analyze Islam or any other religion, though I recognize that all religions have differences. In the past, I have expressed my concerns about the teachings of Islam regarding the treatment of women and the killing of non-Muslims, or 'infidels.' "Graham said he did not intend to comment further." (Charisma Magazine, Eric Tiansay, January 2002, p. 15)

"..None of the Christian leaders contacted by NBC News, including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, would comment on Graham's attacks. "Obviously, Mr. Graham is tone deaf in this respect," says Newsweek religion editor Ken Woodward. "He's certainly not his father's son in terms of discretion."

Franklin Graham's views run counter to those expressed on September 17 by President Bush, who called Islam, "a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world."

It also stands in contrast to the message delivered by Graham's father at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service at the National Cathedral on September 14. "We come together today to affirm our conviction that God care for us, whatever our ethnic, religious or political background may be," Billy Graham preached. "The Bible says that he is 'the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.'" (Midnight Herald, December 2001)

[Editor's note: Franklin has since retracted his statement, see Pulse for December 2001 / January 2002.]

DOCTORS PUT DENT IN FLORIDA POLITICS
"..At a Tampa fundraiser last week, 250 doctors lavished Gov. Jeb Bush with $220,000 in donations that included contributions from another 250 colleagues. The event signaled that doctors are galvanizing and donating as a group, eschewing individual contributions of the past. "With health care, there are so many issues involved that players are taking their battles to the Legislature," said Allan Baumgarter, a Minneapolis medical consultant who monitors Florida health trends... Doctors are lobbying for tort reform to lower medical malpractice insurance rates...

In 2000, the latest year for which figures are available, the health industry made .. donations worth $4.6 million to Florida candidates.. Republicans captured 78 percent.. Since September, PHP Holdings Inc., affiliated with Physicians Healthcare Plans,.. has given $175,000 to the states Republican party and $25,000 to Democrats.(The Tampa Tribune, January 19, 2002)

FARMERS WITHERING UNDER NAFTA, REPORT SAYS
The Tampa Tribune - The Trade Pact said to be hard on Florida farms. Florida's farmers and ranchers have been hurt by seven years of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has led to a surge in Mexican imports and lower crop prices, according to a report issued by a consumer group. Public citizen, a nonprofit group founded by Ralph Nader, said in its report that the state's farmers would be further devastated if free trade is expanded across the Americas under a proposal by President Bush.

The orange, tomato, beef and sugar industries have been particularly hard hit, according to the report, "NAFTA's Seven-Years War on Farmers and Ranchers in Florida." The report comes as the Bush administration has been pressing Congress to grant President Bush "fast-track" trade promotion authority that would help create the Free Trade Area of the Americas, a trade pact that would include almost every country in the Western Hemisphere. Paul DiMare, the president of a large vegetable producer in Homestead and Ruskin, said expanding free trade would "kill agriculture."

ONLINE CHARTER WOULD AID HOME SCHOOLING
Tallahassee - An online for-profit school started last year by former U.S.Education Secretary William Bennett is talking to Florida officials about doing business. The idea is to set up a "virtual charter school" that would offer curriculum through the Internet to home schooled students. Bennet served as education secretary under President Reagan.

The company wants to help that state hire teachers who would regularly contact the students and parents by phone and e-mail, but the parent would still guide the student. If the state worked with Bennett's K12 to open a charter school, then taxpayers would pick up the tuition as they do for other charter schools, Bertch (a vice president of K12) said. (The Tampa Tribune (AP)

HOMOSEXUAL NETWORK COMING?-MTV and Showtime are seriously considering an "all gay, all the time" cable network which could be launched within the next year (1/19 World). These two networks have been at the forefront of homosexual programming in recent years. Has America sunk to such a depth to accept such? [Ed-note: First Christian Pornography Website went up recently - end-note]

DUTCH LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON EUTHANASIA Holland has tolerated euthanasia for decades but now a new law lets Netherlands doctors do it legally. It permits euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide in cases of "interminable and unendurable suffering," not just in cases of terminal illness (1/26 World). It also allows parents to choose euthanasia for their children between ages 12 and 16, while allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to make their own decisions as long as they consult with their parents. [ Messengers of Christ Ministries, http://cnview.com ]

ARISE O LION OF JUDAH
Menachem Begin's Broadcast to the Nation 15 May, 1948
Although this is not the month (September) of Israel's Independence, we publish this important speech by the late Menachem Begin to show his true vision for the future of Israel - Editor Midnight Call, September 2001)

Citizens of the Hebrew Homeland, Soldiers of Israel, Hebrew Youth and Brothers of Zion!

After many years of underground warfare, years of persecution and moral and physical suffering the rebels against the oppressors stand before you, with a blessing of thanks on their lips and a prayer in their hearts. The blessing is the age-old blessing with which our fathers and our forefathers have always greeted in Holy Days. It was with this blessing that they used to taste any fruit for the first time in the season. Today is truly a holiday, a Holy Day, and a new fruit is visible before our very eyes.

The Hebrew Revolt of 1944-1948 has been blessed with success-the first Hebrew revolt since the Hasmonean insurrection that has ended in victory. The rule of oppression in our country has been beaten, uprooted; it has crumbled and been dispersed. The State of Israel has arisen in bloody battle. The high way for the mass return to Zion has been cast up.

The foundation has been laid - but only the foundation - for true independence. One phase of the battle for freedom, for the return of the entire People of Israel to its homeland, for the restoration of the whole Land of Israel to its God-covenanted owners, has ended. But only one phase. It is our right and our obligation to offer thanks to the Rock of Israel and His Redeemer for all the miracles that have been done this day, as in those times. We therefore can say with full heart and soul on this first day of our liberation from the British occupier. Blessed is He who has sustained us and enabled us to have reached this time.

It has been difficult to create our state. But it will be even more difficult to keep it going. We are surrounded by enemies who long for our destruction. And that same oppressor, who has been defeated by us directly, is trying indirectly to make us surrender with the aid of mercenaries from the south, the north and the east. Our one-day old state is set up in the midst of the flames of battle. And the very first pillar of our state must therefore be victory, total victory, in the war which is raging all over the country.

But, even after emerging victorious from this campaign and victorious we shall be - we shall still have to exert superhuman efforts in order to remain independent, in order to free our country. First of all, it will be necessary to increase and strengthen the fighting arm of Israel, without which there can be no freedom and no survival for our Homeland.

In order to free our country and maintain our state, we shall need a wise foreign policy. We must turn our declaration of independence into a reality: and we must grasp this fact that so long as even one British or any other foreign soldier tread the soil of our country, our sovereign independence remains nothing but an aspiration for whose fulfillment we must be ready to fight not only on the battlefront but also in the international arena.

And within our Homeland, justice shall be the supreme ruler, the ruler over all rules. There must be no tyranny. The ministers and officials must be the servants of the nation and not their masters. There must be no exploitation. There must be no man within our country - be he citizen or foreigner - compelled to go hungry, to want for a roof over his head or to lack elementary education. 'Remember you were strangers in the land of Egypt' - this supreme rule must continually light our way in our relations with the strangers within our gates. 'Righteousness, righteousness shall you pursue' will be the guiding principle in our relations amongst ourselves.

The Irgun Zvai Leumi is leaving the underground inside the boundaries of the Hebrew independent state. We went underground, we arose in the underground, under a rule of oppression in order to strike at oppression and to overthrow it. And right well have we struck.

The State of Israel has arisen, but we must remember that our country is not yet liberated. The battle continues, and you see now that the words of your Irgun fighters were not vain words; it is Hebrew arms which decided the boundaries of the Hebrew State. So it is now in battle; so it will be in the future.

Our God-given country is a unity, an integral historical and geographical whole. The attempt to dissect it is not only a crime but a blasphemy and an abortion. Whoever does not recognize our natural right to our entire homeland, does not acknowledge our right to any part of it. And we shall never forego this natural right. We shall continue to foster the aspiration of full independence. We will yet fly the flag of freedom, of peace, of progress. Our soldiers will unfurl that flag over the Tower of David and will yet plow the fields of the Gilead. Citizens of the Hebrew State, soldiers of Israel, we are in the midst of battles. Difficult days lie ahead of us. Much blood will be spilled. Fortify yourselves. Strengthen your morale. There is no other way.

We cannot buy peace from our enemies with appeasement. There is only one kind of "peace" that can be bought - the peace of the graveyard, the peace of Treblinka. Be brave of spirit and ready for more trials. We shall withstand them. The Lord of Hosts will help us; He will sustain the bravery of the Hebrew mothers who, like Hannah, offer their sons on the altar of God. This supreme valor will save us from our enemy and bring us out from slavery to freedom, from the danger of annihilation to safety.

And you, brothers of the fighting family, do you remember how we started? With what we started? You were alone and persecuted, rejected, despised and numbered with transgressors but you fought on with deep faith and did not retreat. You were cast into prison and you were exiled from your country but your spirit was not crushed. You were driven to the gallows but went forth with a song. You have written a glorious page in history.
But for the time being, let us think of the battle, for only the outcome of the battle will decide our fate and future. We shall go on our way into battle, soldiers of the Lord of Hosts, inspired by the spirit of our ancient heroes, from the conquerors of Cannan to the Rebels of Judah.

We shall be accompanied into battle by the spirit of the heroes of the gallows, the conquerors of death. And we shall be accompanied by the spirit of the millions of our martyrs, our ancestors tortured and burned for their faith, our murdered fathers and butchered mothers, our murdered brothers and strangled children. And in this battle, we shall break the enemy and bring salvation to our people, tried in the furnace of persecution, thirsting only for freedom, for righteousness and for justice. God, Lord of Israel, protect your soldiers. Grant blessing to their sword that is renewing the covenant that was made between your chosen people and you chosen land. Arise O Lion of Judah for our people, for our land. On to battle. Forward to victory. (Midnight Call, September, 2001)

ISRAELI BIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR SCIENTIST KILLED OFF IN COVERT WAR
Today, the Bible and You, January 2002 featured email by Barry Chamish, 12.5.2001 -
"Israeli biological and nuclear scientists are being knocked off one by one and this covert war is going unnoticed. A plane carrying scientists to Russia's biological warfare center at Novosibirsk was blown up over the Black Sea..

"Then a Swissair Corsair crashes killing the head of Ichilov Hospital's Hematology department, as well as directors of the Hebrew University School of Medicine and the Tel Aviv Public Health Department and not a word of suspicion is raised.

"After that, one of the country's most prominent nuclear scientists, Baruch Zinger, is assassinated and still, no one is putting the pieces together. Your front line against nuclear and biological attacks is being picked off in a covert murder campaign and your government is taking no security precautions to stop the intellectual slaughter.."

Today, the Bible & You: "we know that the forces of Antichrist are in control of the forces that are capable carrying off such an elimination of people. They are behind the Foot and Mouth Disease in England and Europe, that has only recently spread to the Far East. We carried this information in earlier Front Page articles this past year.

At a time when the threat of biological and chemical warfare is the greatest, we would need the best minds possible standing ready to direct a response that would save lives. If you have ever watched a movie in which the plot is infectious disease, you will notice that authorities immediately contact the most influential and cutting edge medical scientists.

This situation in Israel should be of intense concern to anyone who is knowledgeable about the situation, for Israel faces Arab enemies who have sophisticated biological and chemical capabilities. Syria, Iraq, and even Iran have worked very hard to develop both these capabilities.

American biological and DNA Scientists also gone. (Authorities search for missing Harvard virus specialist", AP, November 24, 2001 - Boston - The FBI is monitoring the investigation into the disappearance of a Harvard biologist because of his research into potentially lethal viruses, including Ebola..

"Scientist found slain in his Loudon home: Peers alarmed when he missed work," Washington Post, December 12, 2001 - A well-known biophysicist who was one of the leading researchers on DNA sequencing analysis was found slain in his rural Loudon County home.. DNA sequencing is exceedingly important because it would be called upon to create a defense against pathogens...

("Scientist dies in lab airlock," smh.com.au December 12,200 - "A microbiologist killed at CSIRO's animal diseases facility in Geelog had logged 15 years' experience with the unit, police said today. Victoria Police said Set Van Nguyen, 44, appeared to have died yesterday morning after entering an airlock into a storage laboratory filled with nitrogen.. his real expertise specialist was biological weapons.

("Dead and missing scientists: Armageddon, genetic bioweapons" .. November 23rd, Dr. Vladimir Pasechnik, the foremost Soviet Biopreparat scientist who was responsible for aerosolizing plague and was the successful developer of binary weapons known as the 'Novichok group' of weapons was found dead. Dr. Pasechnik defected from the Soviet Union in 1989 while visiting UK where he lived until his death in November.

IRAQ SAYS IT WILL DEFEAT A U.S. ATTACK, HINTS AT FIRING MISSILES AT ISRAEL

(ABCNews, 11.29.01) "Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said Iraq would repulse a U.S. attack, hinting Baghdad would respond with missiles against Israel. "Any unjust aggression to be carried out by the American administration will bring evil consequences on America," Ramadan said in an interview in Baghdad with the Qatari satellist channel Al-Jazeera.

SADDAM PREDICTS U.S. WILL FALL
The Tampa Tribune, January 18, 2002 - Days of dominance numbered, Iraqi says. Bagdad, Iraq - Iraq won't be caught off guard if attacked by U.S. forces, President Saddam Hussein said Thursday.

During an address marking the 11th anniversary of the start of the Persian Gulf War, Saddam accused the U.S. of resorting to war rather than dialogue. He warned it would lead to the United States' collapse "in the near future" as the world's sole super-power... "The events of September 11 and the American reaction to them came to reveal extensively how the U.S. is going headlong in antagonizing the world," he said in a 30-minute speech. "The ascent to the summit is not achieved by brutal force. But it needs a strength of mind and a sensitive human conscience," Saddam said... Iraq has been under U.N. sanctions since its invasion of Kuwait. They can only be lifted if U.N. arms inspectors can verify that Iraq has dismantled its arsenal of mass-destruction weapons and the capability to manufacture them.

SHARON SAID ISRAEL WILL NOT BE THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB
The International Jerusalem Post, October 12, 2001 - Prime Minister Ariel is facing his first major domestic crisis since his election, after official reports alleged he violated campaign funding laws. Sharon's statement to State Comptroller Eliezer Goldberg, that his son, Omri should be the address for details concerning the campaign's financial traffic, dented the Sharon's image as a warm, close-knit family.

Sharon's harsh words for Washington did register. Ariel Sharon stunned the U.S. last week referring back to British premier Neville Chamberlain with Adolf Hitler after signing the 1938 Munich Pact and he warned of an emulation of the deal which abandoned Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany's devices, implicitly comparing George W. Bush with Chamberlain, Sharon said Israel will not be the sacrificial lamb for an effort to lure Arab regimes into the US-led coalition.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL
Power of Prophecy, Texe Marrs: June 2002. The establishment of the tiny nation-state of Israel in 1948 was [described thus in] History books that [Harry Truman's] top advisors were bewildered over why President Harry Truman, refusing all their advice, would direct our United Nations' representative to vote yes on the Israel question and to accord diplomatic recognition to the new, fledgling Jewish state.

Documents in Texe Marrs' files reveal what happened. Harry Truman was a 33rd degree Mason. Jewish Zionist billionaires, fellow Masons, secretly gave Truman two million dollars in cash, in a suitcase, board his whistle-stop campaign train. In return he gave them a nation, Israel. Money talks.