Scripture states.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1: 5-8)
I believe that marriage is sacred and between a man and a woman. “Same sex” marriage is merely another perversion of the end of this age. But this post is not about “gays” or “gay marriage.” This post is about the “lukewarm” and apostate nature of many “churches” and “believers” in this country, especially in the far west and north east.
The following Pew Forum article exposes the nature of this apostasy.
May 11, 2009
N.E.’s identity bolsters gay marriage tolerance
by Jenna RussellThe Boston Globe
Two days before he voted to approve same-sex marriage, Larry Sirois stood and faced the congregation in his small Maine church.
Word had gotten out that he was planning to vote yes, and Sirois, a retired math teacher, self-described born-again Christian, and state legislator from tiny Turner, was feeling the heat. He had already spoken to his pastor and offered to resign as deacon. Now he rose on May 3 to offer the church an explanation.
“I knew probably 90 percent of them didn’t agree with me, and I knew they were going to be upset with me,” said Sirois, 62, who struggled with his decision. “I said, ‘I’m not trying to convince you of anything.’ . . . I told them I was leaning toward accepting it, and that it was purely an issue of fairness, that I don’t agree with the gay lifestyle, but that these people deserve the same rights.”
With Maine’s legalization of same-sex marriage last week, and a vote by legislators in New Hampshire that brought the Granite State to the brink of assent, New England cemented its position as the only part of the country where a block of states has granted marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Man’s worldly-minded thoughts, wisdom and resulting solutions to problems are not the Lord’s thoughts, wisdom and solutions:
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; (1 Corinthians 3:19)
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him (foolish Peter!), saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matthew 16: 21-23)
This “deacon,” in a worldly/fleshly sense, is right on the money: according to our flawed and Godless, entitlement oriented constitution, homosexuals should probably be ENTITLED to marry. After all, our constitution is all about having (never mind the cost) rights and freedoms. Right?
(An opinion here before moving on. There are “civil unions” that afford the same benefits as marriage to homosexuals. So I don’t see the “same sex” marriage issue as anything more than an atheistic/postmodern/homosexual attempt to destroy the sacred, Godly order of marriage. In other words, and in my opinion, this issue really isn’t about “gay” rights as much as it is about shoving God completely out of our warped, hedonistic society!)
My main point is that those who attend church on Sundays (”believers”) are supposed to be able to discern between the Lord’s “way, truth and life” and the homosexual “life-style:” a totally destructive perversion of the “Life in abundance” that Christ came and died to give us. So, as opposed to standing on the truth of our Lord, this “deacon” chooses to stand on our (man inspired) constitution instead. In other words, this “deacon” is more concerned with a homosexual’s right to marry than their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and life.
When we overly weigh the rights and entitlements of man’s corrupt and confused political philosophies against the truth and will of the Lord, we merely become the fools and pawns of the Lord’s enemies.
This “deacon” has his mind set on human, political interests and not the Lord’s. Therefore, he is truly a “double minded man, in all of his ways,” and a “stumbling block” to others around him.
We must choose whom or what we serve and love. Going through life as an ignorant (of the Lord’s way and will) and confused hypocrite is no way to live. Serve the Lord or serve this world system, “deacon”! But please, for the sake of those who are lost, make up your (“double”) mind!
The entire article can be found here:
via Religion News: N.E.’s identity bolsters gay marriage tolerance.
Tags: Christianity, doctrine, God, homosexuality, Jesus, life, marriage, scripture, Truth
The (Actual) Former President of the United States: Dick Cheney
I don’t write much about general political and societal issues any more. My main emphasis, for the last several months, has been on religion, faith and politics and how these all fit, to some extent, into the (“age ending:” eschatology) prophesies in the word of God. I’ve also concentrated more on writing about the apostate church, the leading of the spirit and the abundant life.
However, certain worldly occurrences have happened, in the last few days and weeks, that have been on my mind, so I thought I’d write about a few of them. To be totally honest (even though I know nothing will improve, by man’s efforts, in this “passing away” world system), I’m also writing this post to vent a little!
Number 1: Oil & Gas Prices
Here is a news quote from just this morning:
A) VIENNA - Oil prices rose well above $59 a barrel on Tuesday, boosted by investor hopes that the U.S. recession may have bottomed out.
Prices rose despite continued lack of demand, evidenced by U.S. crude stocks that are near 19-year highs and expected to climb further. (emphasis added)
(Note that the effect of our economy (supposedly) improving, which would be good for those who are suffering because of it, causes these disgustingly greedy “investors” (human beings?) to froth at their money grubbing mouths and increase the cost of oil to those trying to recover. Most “God fearin’ ‘publicans,” in this country (even those suffering), will ignorantly and blindly say, “Well, it’s not personal, it’s just business.” I say, “Tell it to the judge (God) on that great and dreadful day in the future!”)
Now there’s a surprise. Right…? Wrong…? I say, “Wrong…!” The poor oil companies and Saudis have been suffering for the past several months, while the common, middle class American has flourished, economically, beyond imagination. Right…? Wrong…? I say, “Wrong…!”
So now we have oil prices, which are still almost one hundred dollars less a barrel than a year ago, and gasoline prices on the rise when demand is way down and oil and gasoline reserves are at record highs.
What’s wrong with this picture, in a Capitalistic sense? Well, first and last of all, low demand for a product, coupled with high inventories of said product, then, according to our economic god, Capitalism, equals lower prices on said product.
Guess what, folks? They’ve been lying to us or at least omitting pertinent information about the rules of Capitalism. What they’ve (the power elite) lied about or omitted is the fact that for the rich and powerful there are no rules of Capitalism! They, the rich and powerful, can make it up as they go! Get it? Got it? Good!!
No, I am not a communist. Communism is just Capitalism is just fill-in-the-blank. They’re all alike. The rich and powerful get richer and more powerful and the poor get… well, you know (those of you not in the top 1 to 3% bracket).
By the way, on a side and yet related note, the mouthpieces for the rich and powerful (the noon and nightly news brain-deads) are trying to soothe our savage (and broke: no bucks) breasts by reminding us that a year ago we were paying almost four dollars a gallon. How nice of them to bolster us in this corporate (Rupert Murdoch, and the like: filthy rich and powerful), manipulative way. And the sad thing is, most of us, especially on the flag waving conservative side, will buy into this blatant manipulation, while exclaiming, over and over again, “Thank you, sir (corporate “bailout” types), may I have another!”
Number 2: “It’s the (’Improving’) Economy, Stupid!”
The buzz among the corporate controlled, robotic news-anchors at MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and CNN are all atwitter with positive reports, from the so-called economic experts (who, by the way, never saw this economic disaster coming), on how the end of this recession may just be in sight. They constantly point to the “bailed out” banks and the somewhat steady stock market as proof of their “cautious” optimism.
So, I guess when the economy improves for those being “bailed out” at the top, then those of us at the (”un-bailed out”) bottom are just to shake our heads in agreement (patriotically and self-sacrificing, of course) and act as though we have enough cash to pay the mortgage and feed our children. Right…? WRONG!!
I live in Ohio. We have one of the highest foreclosure and unemployment rates in the country. We are one of many states where the phrase “working poor” is more than just a slogan or news caption: it’s reality.
Working-class mothers and fathers, all over this nation, are helplessly watching as they and their children face homelessness and hunger. For these suffering and fearful people, the stability of the rich (greedy) and powerful (despotic), who caused this mess, is of little meaning or comfort. These people know that what happens in a positive way, at the top of this Capitalistic economic heap, will never “trickle down” (as promised) to them and their families. They know this by cold, hard and brutal experience!
But I guess, according to the “bobble-headed-bleached-blonds (male and female variety),” on the nightly news, we’re supposed to believe that financial recovery is here or right around the impending corner.
I say to these detached robotic anchors, “Tell all of this to an unemployed auto worker (in Detroit or Northern Ohio, in particular) who has twenty plus years of lost seniority, benefits and income (not to mention evaporated checking, savings and retirement accounts). Then, see what his or her response is. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his or her response!
So, I guess those of us at the bottom will just have to wait and see if these corporate-owned and run purveyors of misinformation and paranoia are right, or if they’re just blowing more, manipulative corporate smoke!
Number 3: Where is George W?
This is easy! Where is, or what happened to, George W Bush? Was he a figment of our imagination, or was he just a puppet for Dick Cheney?
That’s all! Not much of a thought or observation, right? Right!
Number 4: Dick Cheney
On a closely related observation to number 3, we have Dick Cheney.
Usually, unless they run for president (defeated by George W) and write books (inconvenient non-truth texts) on Darwinian/materialistic/atheistic “progress” mythology (I won’t mention any names, since that GORE-s me), vice presidents fade into obscurity. But this is not the case with Dick!
No, not at all! Dick (by repeating his first name, Dick, of course, I mean no disrespect), to the contrary, is making the television press circuit and slamming away at the newbie in office, Obama. Dick, the man who should be most concerned about a “Nuremberg” type trial taking place in America, has, like Eichmann and Goering, taken the offensive by attacking his accusers.
Dick claims that his policies on detainment, torture and withholding justice (which have already been, for the most part, done away with by Obama) are the reasons we haven’t been attacked since 9-11. In other words, Dick believes, or wants us to believe, that his despotic and callous political means justify his unjust and inhumane end (not to mention that he can’t really back up his claims for success in this area). If this isn’t taking a Goering and Eichmann stance (”We did what we did for Germany and Germans!” and “We were just following orders!”), I wouldn’t know what is.
If I were Dick, (beyond getting a real life and personality) I would not show my face in public (except, of course, at GOP fund raisers: where the current topic is, “How are we going to survive as a political party?”) and hope that a war-crimes court is never formed to investigate and prosecute my crimes against humanity. But, then again, “that’s just me, honey,” as my dear, departed mother often said.
Conclusion:
I’ll close my “thoughts” on observations with a quote from an Earth, Wind and Fire song:
“That’s the way
Of the world (system)…”
A) Oil surges on hope recession has bottomed - Oil & energy- msnbc.com.
Tags: American society, biblical prophesy, corporations, eschatology, government, greed, hypocrisy
The following ABC article once again enhances my views on the negative affects of organized religion on young and old people alike.
Young Americans Losing Their Religion
New Research Finds Number Who Claim No Church Has Risen Sharply
By DAN HARRIS
May 6, 2009
New research shows young Americans are dramatically less likely to go to church — or to participate in any form of organized religion — than their parents and grandparents.
Youth and religion
“It’s a huge change,” says Harvard University professor Robert Putnam, who conducted the research.
Historically, the percentage of Americans who said they had no religious affiliation (pollsters refer to this group as the “nones”) has been very small — hovering between 5 percent and 10 percent. However, Putnam says the percentage of “nones” has now skyrocketed to between 30 percent and 40 percent among younger Americans.
Putnam calls this a “stunning development.” He gave reporters a first glimpse of his data Tuesday at a conference on religion organized by the Pew Forum on Faith in Public Life.
The research will be included in a forthcoming book, called “American Grace.”
This trend started in the 1990s and continues through today. It includes people in both Generation X and Y.
While these young “nones” may not belong to a church, they are not necessarily atheists.
“Many of them are people who would otherwise be in church,” Putnam said. “They have the same attitidues and values as people who are in church, but they grew up in a period in which being religious meant being politically conservative, especially on social issues.”
Putnam says that in the past two decades, many young people began to view organized religion as a source of “intolerance and rigidity and doctrinaire political views,” and therefore stopped going to church.
This movement away from organized religion, says Putnam, may have enormous consequences for American culture and politics for years to come.
“That is the future of America,” he says. “Their views and their habits religiously are going to persist and have a huge effect on the future.” (emphasis added)
The more vocal and politically-astute (caught up in the world) denominational clergy will claim that this article is just another example of “the great falling away” from the faith (the great apostasy). But, in my opinion, and much to the contrary, this falling away, or turning from organized religion (by the young), is, in actuality, the result of an apostate and lifeless organized “church.”
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy of this outcome:
If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6: 3-10)
As this article points out, young people, today, are not as willing as my generation to buy into the political/religious rhetorical manipulation of major denominational leaders. I believe they sense a covert religious hypocrisy flowing from the pulpit, which has been going on for seventeen hundred years. These young people hear televangelists and Sunday morning preachers talking about the Christ, but they never see most of these “men of God” exhibiting (by example) Christ’s life or seeking His way and truth!
I believe many young people see “church” as merely another form of business adventure, and a very dishonest one. Why wouldn’t they see “church” this way?
Just turn on the television any Sunday morning, or late at night, and then watch and listen to these charlatans who have replaced the truth and life of our Lord with a false gospel (coated in legalism and fear) and money making schemes. If this doesn’t sway you, then watch the politically and socially active “ministers” like Jackson, Sharpton, Wright, Parsley and Hagee, to name just a few, who claim first, before God and His Christ, the civil rights of their constituents (with no mention of suffering and enduring or love, grace and spiritual freedom), even though Jesus never claimed that we were ENTITLED to any civil rights in this life.
Is it any wonder that young people, today, would turn away from this kind of political-wolf in hypocritical-religious sheep’s clothing? If these young people are looking for spiritual truth, then they probably sense, and rightly so, that it cannot be found at the churches that support these apostate religious shams.
Here is a portion of a wonderful article from Beyond Church Walls on this very issue:
Stumbling Blocks
Recently I ran into a common issue that arises wherever Christianity is practiced as a religion. Teaching emphasizing grace and our undisputed righteousness in Christ is considered dangerous or even false teaching by many pastors. They believe their job is to keep “their people” in line often by instilling within them the fear of “falling from grace” and thus becoming unacceptable to God…
But according to Galatians 5:4 (“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”) it’s those who overlook Christ’s finished work on the cross while striving to obtain righteousness by right doing that have fallen from grace. And leaders who have “bewitched” them (Gal. 3:1-3) into performance and shame based religion have become stumbling blocks to those who would follow Christ with child-like trust…
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3: 1-3)
How sad that one can think he is serving Christ while robbing God’s children of the freedom Jesus died for… (emphasis added)
David F
Because of the religious confusion of organized Christianity (perpetrated by the spiritual enemies of God: Ephesians 6), many of our young people, today, will not only step away from church but also away from God, as I did almost forty years ago. (I was blessed that the Lord, some fifteen years later, would draw me back.) So even with these confused, or corrupt, purveyors of a false gospel, those who walk away from the Lord now will be drawn back to Him, if they are the called (Romans 8: 28-29) in this age.
You can find both articles and sites here:
via Young Americans Losing Their Religion - ABC News.
via Beyond Church Walls » Stumbling Blocks.
Tags: atheism, Christianity, church, faith, God, hypocrisy, Jesus, life, Truth, youth
For those who have the mind of Christ, the signs that point to the ending of this age are everywhere. So, by posting on the following article, I am, once again, not suggesting that any action should be taken or would even suffice to fix this issue.
I post this article, as I do all others, in hopes that the few (or many), whom the Lord is calling out, will see the absolute futility of this world system. The system that has most people blind to the truth of God.
Parents Sue School District Over Secrecy Surrounding Lesbian Minister’s Visit
City: Sacramento, CA
May 6, 2009
More than twenty parents filed suit yesterday against the Castro Valley Unified School District, after the District refused to comply with a public records request. The parents are represented by staff attorneys with Pacific Justice Institute.
The parents sought more information after learning from their children that a lesbian minister had been invited by the school to speak to math and science classes at Castro Valley High School. According to students, the minister spoke about her lesbian wedding and similar events under the heading “Out for Good.” Pacific Justice Institute sent a public records request to the school on the parents’ behalf, seeking all records related to the minister’s presentations, as well as any records demonstrating the connection between the minister’s talk and the math and science curriculum.
In response, the school district flatly refused to provide the records. To the astonishment of PJI attorneys, the District invoked the clergy-penitent privilege - ordinarily used to shield ministers from testifying in court about confessions made to them in private. PJI filed a writ petition yesterday in Alameda Superior Court to compel release of the records.
“It’s a mystery to us why the district chose to take such a hard-line approach with these parents who simply wanted all the information they are entitled to about this minister’s visit,” noted PJI Chief Counsel Kevin Snider. “But the parents have a strong right under California law to examine the curriculum and materials associated with in-class presentations, and we intend to vindicate that right.”
Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “Parents are the first and foremost educators of their own children. Castro Valley’s refusal to honor these parents’ request for basic information reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the school’s proper role as helping - not replacing - parents.” (emphasis added)
God and His Christ are no longer welcome in our public schools or government buildings, but an apostate (lesbian) “minister” is welcomed with open atheistic/postmodern arms. Why? Because misery simply loves company. Those who live in the darkness, like this depraved, apostate minister, seek others like them: or seek to make others like them, as in this case (see scripture below).
In case those reading here can’t comprehend what’s happening in this article (after all, we live in a “to-each-his-own” relativistic world), this lesbian “minister” is merely proselytizing, or recruiting, for her “personal lifestyle:” and the California public schools are all for it! Should any of us be surprised by that?
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 8: 28-32)
The entire article can be found here:
Tags: God, homosexuality, hypocrisy, Jesus, life, relativism, same sex marriage, Truth
This is a follow-up post to an article I wrote a couple days ago.
May 4, 2009
Churchgoers More Likely To See Torture As Justifiable
by Brian Montopoli
CBS News
A Pew Research Center for the People & the Press survey released last week found that those who attend weekly church services are more likely than those who rarely or never attend services to say the use of torture on suspected terrorists is justifiable.
The poll found that fifty-four percent of those who attend weekly services say the use of torture on terror suspects in order to gain important information can “often” or “sometimes” be justified. That’s twelve percent higher than the 42 percent of those who seldom or never attend such services who say the same.
It’s important to note that the percentage who says the use of torture can never be justified is roughly the same in both groups, about one in four. See the graphic above.
The poll also suggests that those who are religious are more likely to say the use of torture can be justified than those who are not religious. While roughly one in two Americans say the use of torture can “often” or “sometimes” be justified, a smaller percentage of those who are unaffiliated – 40 percent – say the same. Unaffiliated, for Pew’s purposes, are those who call themselves atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular. (emphasis added)
What is wrong with this picture? The ungodly seem to be more compassionate than the supposed followers of Christ? This is a sad situation, which has been brought about by the “yoking” of the organized (or “traditions of man”) church with the working-out processes of the concerns and schemes of this world system: culture, social programs, political correctness, patriotism, Capitalism and Democracy. In other words, the prophecy of the “great falling away,” or “apostasy,” is coming to fruition.
You can view the entire survey here:
via Religion News: Churchgoers More Likely To See Torture As Justifiable.
Tags: 9-11, Christianity, doctrine, dogma, evangelicals, hypocrisy, torture, unaffiliated
Here is a Religion Clause article that, in my opinion, shows the decline of our so-called civilized society. This decline, of course, goes hand in hand with the scriptural prophecy for the time we are living in.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind… (Romans 1: 26-28)
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
DC Council, Over Religious Objections, Votes To Recognize Gay Marriages From Elsewhere
According to the Washington Post, over the opposition of a number of local ministers and others, the D.C. City Council yesterday voted 12-1 to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. The sole vote against the bill was former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, who said he decided on his vote after prayer and discussion with religious leaders. He says his vote represents his constituents’ wishes. (US News.) If, as expected, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signs the bill, Congress will then have 30 days to pass, and send to the President for his signature, a joint resolution disapproving the law. (DC Home Rule Act, Sec. 602(c)). Immediately after the Council vote, a crowd of opponents, led by local ministers, began shouting that new Council members were needed. Security guards had to be called to restore order. If this bill is approved by Congress, it is expected that Council will later move to authorize gay marriages to be performed in the District. (emphasis added)
So, like that old hamburger commercial, I sing, “HAVE IT YOUR WAY! HAVE IT YOUR WAY! HAVE IT YOUR WAY! HAVE IT YOUR WAY!”……….. FOR NOW!!
For there will come an hour, when minutes, hours, days, months, years and time itself have long since ceased, that the constitution and “the separation of church and state,” and all else of Godless man, will be consumed in the heat of Godly justice and judgment and done away with for good (Hallelujah!). Then there will be no apostate clergy/religionists, congressmen, councilmen, presidents, lawyers or ACLU (Hallelujah!). There will just be those who rejected God and His Christ! There will be no Darwinian, postmodern fairy tales to get them off of the hook, just the full slate of their Godless lives, like a disgustingly bad movie, laid bare for the Great and Lasting Judge (and all those who belong to Him) to see. Then their haughtiness and claims of entitlement will cease and quickly be replaced by their knees, elbows and noses being buried in the dust and mud, where their eyes cannot make contact with their perfect and righteous creator (Hallelujah!).
The good news for these folks is, when Christ comes in power and glory to rule for a thousand years (before this final judgment), they can, if they haven’t already repented of their ways (in this current age), turn to the Christ and still be healed. In fact, most will be healed in the coming millennial age, since God said He would draw all men to Himself (Hallelujah!).
Tags: atheism, burger king, government, marriage, relativism, same sex marriage, separation of church and state, Truth
Here is an interesting and informative post from Joel Kontinen.
Earth Day: Has Environmentalism Begun to Resemble A Religion?
Millions of people celebrated Earth Day during the past week. The event brought together environmentalists from all over the world.When the first Earth Day was celebrated in the USA in 1970, no one had heard about Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth or about global warming. The climate change that many believed in differed considerably from what we are told today. Many were afraid that our planet was racing towards a new ice age. Now carbon emissions are the roots of all kinds of evil…
The Gaia Hypothesis that was originally suggested by James Lovelock has probably had a profound effect on the environmentalist movement. He taught that the Earth was a complex system in which many factors keep it in homeostasis.
Supporters of New Age ideology welcomed Gaia thinking. Environmentalism began to assume religious undertones. It seems that Mother Earth has become more important than Father God in their thinking.
Environmentalism has begun to borrow ingredients from ancient pagan religions that worshipped nature… Heikki Hirvas, a Finnish PhD geologist, laments that climate change has become a religion. He thinks that the mainstream media is only interested in articles that lend support to global warming and ignores studies that take a critical approach to it.
Hundreds if not thousands of atmospheric scientists and historians dissent from the official UN stance of man-made global warming. They do not deny that temperatures have risen but they assume that the current climate change has primarily to do with the Sun. They suggest that we do not know enough about the natural changes in the Sun’s activity…
According to Christianity, humans are responsible for taking good care of the Earth. God already gave us this mandate in Genesis and He has not repealed it. However, there is a big difference in taking care of nature and worshipping it (emphasis added)
The Apostle Paul noted these pagan nature worshipers in his letter to the Roman believers:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures…
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1: 18-23, 25)
You can read the entire article here:
via Joel kontinen: Earth Day: Has Environmentalism Begun to Resemble a Religion?.
Tags: atheism, Darwinism, evolution, global warming, hypocrisy, material science, naturalism, political correctness
The Apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians with this statement:
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4: 1-6)
As I’ve stated before, I believe the “church” (organized Christianity, which is merely a man-made religion) is not the true Body of Christ. The following Pew Forum article only serves to strengthen that belief!
May 1, 2009
Global warming strongly divides Christian clergy
by Bob Smietana
The Tennessean
When the Rev. James Merritt wants to talk about the environment, he does what any good Baptist preacher would do. He picks up the Bible.
“The first assignment that God gave to Adam was to take care of the Garden,” said Merritt, who was president of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention from 2000-02. “As far as I know, that job has never been revoked.”
While most Christian ministers agree that human beings are to care for creation, they disagree on the details. That’s especially true about the topic of global warming.
A new survey from Southern Baptist-owned LifeWay Research found a split between mainline ministers, like Episcopalians and Methodists, and evangelicals like Southern Baptists. Mainline ministers believe that climate change is manmade and want to take action. Evangelical ministers, on the other hand, remain skeptical. (emphasis added)
Here we have pastors and preachers (”men-of-God”), from major denominations (“factions”), at odds with each other over left-wing, materialistic science’s Godless and warped views on nature, in particular, “global warming.” Yet the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, warns of disunity in the Body of Christ, especially in dealing with the ungodly affairs, concerns and desires of this Satanic world system:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3: 1-3)
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ….enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions… (Galatians 5: 19-20)Do not be bound (or “yoked:” as in working together for a worldly goal) together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
“And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”Says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18)
As these scriptures reveal, the true Body of Christ (not “Christendom”), described in the word of God, would not yoke itself with atheistic and materialistic man. The word of God makes it clear that the earth and everything in it belongs to God. Therefore, God will maintain His creation until the hour and day comes when “He will make all things new!”
“Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it…“ (Deuteronomy 10: 14)
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21: 5)
The true Body of Christ have their hearts and minds set on the will and direction of the Lord and His leading through the Spirit of God! They have no time for the manipulative and paranoid delusions of unrepentant man, which will ebb and flow and, in the end, amount to less than nothing!
The entire article can be found here:
via Religion News: Global warming strongly divides Christian clergy.
Tags: Christianity, Darwinism, God, material science, naturalism, political correctness, Truth
Below is a Pew Forum survey that I found interesting and, at the same time, troubling!
It seems that “believers” who attend the “traditions of man” church (in particular, the fundamentalist/evangelical church: the “God fearin’ American church”) support torture the most: even more so than unbelieving Americans! Also note that “unaffiliated” believers are less supportive of torture than anyone else.
Actually, I’m sickened by the fact that all four categories have a large number of “believers” (I use the term loosely) that support the torture of God’s creation. Yes, fundamentalists, even terrorists were created by God!
On the far-left side of this issue, I hear liberals claiming, “We (Americans) are better than this, as a nation!” This, of course, is just humanistic, patriotic politicizing. We, as a nation, have a long history of atrocities in and outside of war: go, read and learn!
What does the word of God (which is thumped to death by most of these torture advocate’s pastors, preachers and shepherds) say on this disgusting, inhumane and horrible issue:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
“VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 14-21)
I have nothing to add nor could I add anything else. This Word from the Lord says it all!
You can find the entire article here:
Pew Forum: The Religious Dimensions of the Torture Debate.
Tags: 9-11, Christianity, doctrine, dogma, evangelicals, hypocrisy, torture, unaffiliated
Here are three articles from Religion Clause, which should (in my estimation) make it clear that this nation is not, nor has it ever been, “under God” (ordained by God). Americans are not the “lost tribe” of Israel or the “chosen ones:” nor are any other nations on the face of this earth, including Israel (Who forfeited their birthright, in this age, at Calvary!).
{Governments and countries are man’s own faithless and selfish way of going about life. God’s way for His sons and daughters was intended to be much different than what we experience today.}
1) Saturday, April 25, 2009
Group Announces Campaign To Encourage Graduation Prayer
Now that graduation season is upon us, Liberty Counsel this week announced its annual “Friend or Foe” Graduation Prayer Campaign. It says it is “seeking to educate and, if necessary, litigate to ensure that prayer and religious viewpoints are not suppressed during public school graduation ceremonies.” It is distributing its legal memorandum on the issue, suggesting student messages, student or outside speakers selected by religion-neutral criteria, or privately-sponsored graduation ceremonies as techniques that can be used, though most of them do not insure that the speaker will present a prayer (emphasis added)
2) Friday, April 24, 2009
Nomination of Creationist As Texas Board of Education Chair Is In Trouble
Texas State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy was elevated from board member to his chairmanship position as an interim appointment by Gov. Rick Perry in the summer of 2007. Now, finally, the Texas Senate is holding hearings on whether to ratify his nomination to the chairmanship. (Eye on Williamson). The Austin Statesman reports that McLeroy faced “searing questioning” by the Senate Nominations Committee on Wednesday. Sen. Eliot Shapleigh says that McLeroy has used his chairmanship to promote his religious views on issues such as Bible course curriculum, language arts instruction and science standards.
The Houston Chronicle reports that McLeroy, a dentist, admits he is a “young earth Creationist” who believes the earth is about 6000 year old. However McLeroy says he has not pushed his viewpoints into educational policy and that the recently adopted science curriculum standards were not religious. (See prior posting.) McLeroy needs 21 votes from the 31-member Texas Senate for confirmation. It is unclear whether he will be able to get that amount of support. Nominations Chairman Mike Jackson said he will not move ahead on the Senate floor with the nomination if it looks like it would not pass. (emphasis added)
3) Thursday, April 23, 2009
Amended Complaint Protests Second Song Given To 3rd Graders In Florida School
Last week, a Florida federal district court issued a preliminary injunction on Establishment Clause grounds barring Webster Elementary School in St. Johns County, Florida from directing students to rehearse or perform the Diamond Rio band’s song, “In God We Still Trust.” (See prior posting.) On Tuesday, an amended complaint was filed in the case charging that five days after the issuance of the preliminary injunction, the music teacher at Webster began to teach another “sectarian” song, again to third-graders. This one is titled “Chatter With the Angels.” According to yesterday’s St. Augustine Record, the amended complaint charges that directing students to perform “Chatter” constitutes retaliation against plaintiffs for having brought the suit challenging “In God We Still Trust.” The amended complaint seeks a preliminary injunction barring introduction of this song until the court can rule on the merits of plaintiffs’ objections. (emphasis added)
We have three examples of how our constitution works only as a man-made, entitlement oriented and weak legal contract. Constitutions, states, sovereignties, counties, countries, corporations, economic systems and governments are all of man, not God.
If we examine ourselves closely, as a nation, we should see, if we’ll be honest, that we worship at the feet of Democracy and Capitalism and not God and His Christ. God is for Sundays and Wednesday evenings: “let’s not get fanatical, after all!” For many “God fearin’ Americans,” the Lord is only for Christmas and Easter service, where Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny make a “devout” appearance and the kiddies get gifts or colored eggs.
{These holidays, in particular, are a real smack-in-the-face to our Lord! He ( the Lord) bore all the sins of the world (past, present and future), including ours, and we repay him with man-made temples (churches/denominations/“factions”), doctrines/dogma and Christmas and Easter money-making-festivals, which are filled with capitalistic greed and pagan ritualism.}
Face it, America, God is no more appreciated, believed, worshiped or welcomed in our country than He is in Russia, Iran or North Korea. We’re “lukewarm” and hypocritical at best. We can talk the religious talk, but we are incapable, unlike the true Body of Christ, to walk, seek and put the Lord and God in the forefront of our minds, hearts and lives. Instead, our American mantra is, “We must do as mom and dad did: work until we retire or die, and keep that grand old flag-a-flying! God Bless America!” And yet, the very word of God, we claim to believe and follow, tells us that everything of this present earth, including our nation, is “passing away.”
Relax! I know it isn’t just the U.S. that is hypocritical and Godless! But we’re the ones who make the biggest stink about God, especially when we want to condone our actions in war and dealing with other nations: religiously, economically or politically!
In speaking of the church (religious) age we live in, Jesus, with the revelation given Him by God, summed it up this way:
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit (vomit, spew) you out of My mouth. ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3: 14-21)
Note:
I am not writing this, or any other post, to suggest that all of this can be fixed or healed by man, since only Christ, at His return, is capable of healing this mess we have all made.
Biblical prophecy is coming to fruition in our country and the world. Therefore, I am writing in hopes that those around the world, who sense the same things about this time, can see that they’re not alone!
All three articles can be found here:
1) via Religion Clause: Group Announces Campaign To Encourage Graduation Prayer.
2) via Religion Clause: Nomination of Creationist As Texas Board of Education Chair Is In Trouble.
3) via Religion Clause: Amended Complaint Protests Second Song Given To 3rd Graders In Florida School.
Tags: atheism, democracy, government, hypocrisy, relativism, separation of church and state
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