The Folly of the God Haters

I had the opportunity today to watch the Nightline debate videos again. I certainly noticed much more the second time around.

I was curious as to how the "Rational Response Squid" would view their performance in the debate, so I ventured over to their atheist website. Found it interesting that the video segment (which was supposed to show their favorite parts of the debate) doesn't even work when you click on it.

Hmmm.....

Of course, there were the usual insults that one might expect to find at a God-haters website. They have a blasphemous ad that contains a picture of Jesus on a lollipop with the caption, "Jesus is for suckers." Yet, during the debate, Kelly claimed that Jesus was a myth. For rational, reasonable people, they sure are having difficulty making up their minds...aren't they?

Hmmm....

To bad they don't have a place to post comments. I would have loved to share my take on the debate with them. But I guess "rational response" people only view their own responses as worthy of being shared at their site.

Hmmm....

It's interesting that they claim to have "won" the debate. Depends on what a person views as "winning." The poll question at the Nightline site asks:

Kirk Cameron and preacher Ray Comfort came together to challenge two self-proclaimed atheists to debate the existence of God.

Do you believe that God exists?

Yes. I believe there is a God. 14,538

No. There is no evidence that God exists. 5,091

Maybe. I'd like to believe there is a God, but I'm not sure. 407

Total Vote: 20,036
Not a scientific survey.

Seems to me that the overwhelming response on God's side (plus the maybes) far outweigh the responses that claim there is no evidence that God exists.

After viewing the videos a second time, the nasty attitudes of Brian and Kelly really are so obvious. It's truly sad. You can tell that they don't have "that peace that surpasses all understanding" because of their rejection of the God of the Bible.

As if the nastiness during the debates weren't enough, they also have a very disrespectful comment written just before a link where people can see more foolish individuals "blaspheme the Holy Spirit" in YouTube videos.

At their website, it says:

More Videos Denying the Holy Spit:

Let's see what the Bible says about foolish people like Brian and Kelly:


Pro 10:18 He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.

Pro 14:16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Pro 18:7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

Pro 19:1 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Pro 17:16 Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

Pro 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Pro 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Pro 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Pro 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Pro 24:7 Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Pro 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Pro 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

Pro 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Remember when Ray Comfort said that God can be found by those who "have eyes that see and a brain that works?"

Ecc 2:14 The wise man's eyes [are] in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

*******
Update 5/15/07

Neglected to mention that I recently saw a bumper sticker that said:

Obey
Pray
Trust

What would an atheist's bumper sticker response possibly be?

Disobey?
Scoff?
Deceive?

Hmmm....

Those last three attitudes sound eerily like a certain character in the Bible who originally rebelled against God...doesn't it?

Let's take it further. I will find Bible verses that support all six attitudes and we will se what God's Word says about them.

1. Obey

Deu 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:

Jer 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Regarding Jesus:

Mat 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Mar 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Luk 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Hbr 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

2. Pray

(Note: "Pray" appears 313 times in the KJV Bible!)


Mat 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Jesus himself prayed to the Father:

Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

Jesus' admonition to us to pray:

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

We are even to pray for our enemies: (Did you notice that Kirk mentioned that he prayed for the atheist Brian prior to the debate?)

Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Jesus instructs us to pray for the salvation of non-believers:

Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.


Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Jesus prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit:

Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jesus prays for all believers; past, present and future:


Jhn 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Jhn 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Jhn 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Pray to repent:

Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.


2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:




3. Trust

Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psa 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psa 18:2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

Psa 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psa 40:4 Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psa 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

Psa 73:28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psa 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psa 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

Pro 30:5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

(there are dozens more, too!)


*******

Rebellious, proud, reprobate, rejectors of God:



1. Disobey

Job 36:12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

1Pe 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

2. Scoffers

An entire chapter in 2 Peter 3 (NKJV) describes scoffers!

2Pe 3:1 BELOVED, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

2Pe 3:2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us,[fn1] the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

2Pe 3:3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

2Pe 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

2Pe 3:5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

2Pe 3:6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[fn2] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.[fn3]

2Pe 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

2Pe 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2Pe 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

2Pe 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

2Pe 3:16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

2Pe 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

2Pe 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.


Footnotes:
3:2 NU-Text and M-Text read commandment of the apostles of your Lord and Savior or commandment of your apostles of the Lord and Savior.
3:9 NU-Text reads you.
3:10 NU-Text reads laid bare (literally found).

3. Deceive

Pro 24:28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.

Isa 36:14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.

Jer 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Jesus admonishes us not to be deceived:

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you:

Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many.

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

1Cr 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Eph 4:14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

Colossians 2:8 (NIV) - See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to take a brief moment to come online and express a heartfelt Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

On this day, I often reflect upon my upbringing and what my mom and dad did for all those years. How they sacrificed for my siblings and I. But most importantly, taught us right from wrong, showed us love and affection and shared the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in our household.

This day also brings fond memories of my children, now ages 22 and 19, and the process of helping them grow into responsible and loving adults. I have to confess, if it were not for the Bible, our church and the love we share for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, their lives could have turned out much differently...and not for the better. I am so grateful to God for all that he has provided for our loving family. Everyone has hardships, troubles, spats, problems etc. in their lives. But how many people can truly say that their married life with children has turned out better than they ever dreamed it would? I'm so blessed!!

This day also grieves me, when I think of all of the children that could have been...but weren't because of an evil marketing scheme labeled as "choice." My answer to that? Choose life, your mother did.

Just a few minutes ago, I thought about Mary, the mother of Jesus and how she must have felt about her Son; both at his birth and then, at his death.

The scene in The Passion of the Christ where Mary is watching helplessly, as her Son carries the cross to Calvary is quite powerful. Gibson provided a brief flashback, which showed Jesus as a child running, then falling. His mother runs to rescue him, cuddles him in her arms as any loving mother would do and comforts him through his pain. Back to the scene where Jesus is carrying the cross. Mary struggles through the crowd and attempts to get to her son. She gets just close enough to make eye contact and hear those words of comfort from her beaten, bloody and exhausted Son. As Jesus visibly gains new strength upon seeing his mother; knowing that what he is going to do will save her eternal soul as well as all who confess Him as Lord; he boldly proclaims the purpose of it all and says, "mother, I am making all things new." Such a powerful,moment in that movie!! This time, it was Jesus, though suffering through much pain, also is the calming and comforting influence in his mother's life!! That's what he does for each of us...if we will allow him to be our Helper, Comforter, Lord and Savior.

There is a song called, Mary, Did You Know that reflects upon these thoughts. It is usually sung either at Christmas or Easter, at the church. But I think it could also serve as a blessed reminder of how one special mother's little baby boy changed the world.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child
that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that
your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your
baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have
kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will
see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the
dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.

Mary did you know that your
baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would
one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's
perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

YouTube: Mary Did You Know

Here's The Story Behind The Song.

Jesus - His Destiny Was to Change Ours

The Debate Part 2

Part 2 of the Nightline debate is up! Kirk and Ray did a Way of the Masterful job throughout the debate and at the conclusion!

I hope you will take the time to view the two videos. After you do, please share what you think!

The Debate

I'd say, so far, so good! You can view the first evening of the debate, Does God Exist here.

It's very ironic. At the ABC website, there is an "unscientific" survey (so they say!) where you can vote on whether or not you think God exists.

The Survey results (at the time when I voted) were as follows:

Kirk Cameron and preacher Ray Comfort came together to challenge two self-proclaimed atheists to debate the existence of God.

Do you believe that God exists?

Yes. I believe there is a God. 10,659

No. There is no evidence that God exists. 2,332

Maybe. I'd like to believe that there is a God, but I'm not sure. 242

Total Vote: 13,233

I will have much more to share after the concluding portion of the debate. But I truly have to commend Ray and Kirk for being brave and obedient to their Christian mission.

We, as Christ's representatives here on this earth are called to be salt and light in society, pointing to Christ and God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives. This is exactly what Ray and Kirk have already accomplished in just the first segment of this debate! As 1 Peter 2:9 instructs us - we are to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

I recently read a quote that was attributed to Bill Hybles:

"When Christians live out their faith with authenticity and boldness...they create quite a stir just being themselves."

Bravo, Ray and Kirk!!

*******
Update 5/11/07 @ 7:05 a.m. PT

Be sure to visit The Way of the Master YouTube website. Click on the video where an atheist (who was in the audience during the debate) questions macro-evolution after Kirk Cameron shares the fact that no transitional fossils between kinds (i.e. dogs, horses) have ever been found in the 100 years or more since Darwin's theory. Even Darwin himself stated that if none were found 100 years from the time he introduced his theory, then it should be abandoned!! Kirk also includes a simple explanation of the difference between micro-evolution (which can be observed) and macro-evolution (which is a total extrapolation of the evidences of micro-evolution) which has never been observed nor found in the fossil record.

Also, another interesting video is the one called "Todd Friel and Brian Sapient's post-debate chat." Check it out!

There are a total of 11 videos to watch at the site. I'm going back over there to view the rest!

The Loathing of Christianity by the "New" Atheists

Tonight is the night of the big debate between two Christian evangelists, Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, against two atheists from the "Rational Response Squad."

In this newsletter link, Comfort states:

"The atheists made it very clear they didn't like what we said," Cameron explained. "They were full of mockery and sarcasm, belittling the many great scientists and intellectuals who recognize the existence of a Supreme Being. But the average American isn't viciously anti-God. In fact, polls show that more than 90 percent believe in His existence. Our hope is that the program will cause people to think deeply about the evidence presented, and challenge them to consider this most important issue of life."

How interesting it is to recognize, in advance, that the audience (which was comprised of fifty Christians and fifty atheists) reactions during the debate shows such a stark contrast between the two camps. The Christians were polite and respectful during the debate while the venomous and hateful atheists unloaded nothing but anger, mockery, and insults:

As per ABC's stipulations, the audience was composed half-and-half -- fifty Christians and fifty atheists. The Christians were very quiet and polite -- the atheists weren't. It was very apparent who was who in the audience. It seemed that no matter what we said, it was completely ignored by Brian and Kelly (the atheists) and then followed up with their anger, mockery, and insults. But as with a good open air, the heckler is simply a platform to speak to the crowd who is listening. In this case there is a crowd of millions who will hear clear, concise evidence for the existence of God. How incredible. So I am delighted, because of what we were able to say.

Found this article called The New Atheists loathe religion far too much to plausibly challenge it via Parabiodox's blog.

Author Madeleine Bunting concludes:

This isn't the kind of debate that the New Atheists are interested in (with the possible exception of Dennett, who in an interview last year was far more open to discussion than his book would indicate); theirs is a political battle, not an attempt to advance human understanding. But even on the political front, one has to question whether all the aggression isn't counterproductive. Robert Winston voiced increasing concern among scientists when he argued in a recent lecture in Dundee that Dawkins's insulting and patronising approach did science a disservice. Meanwhile, critics in America argue that the polarisation of the debate in the U.S. is setting the cause of non-deism back rather than advancing it.

Dawkins is an unashamed proselytiser. He says in his preface that he intends his book for religious readers and his aim is that they will be atheists by the time they finish reading it. Yet The God Delusion is not a book of persuasion, but of provocation - it may have sold in the thousands but has it won any souls? Anyone who has experienced such a conversion, please email me (with proof). I suspect the New Atheists are in danger of a spectacular failure. With little understanding and even less sympathy of why people increasingly use religious identity in political contexts, they've missed the proverbial elephant in the room. These increasingly hysterical books may boost the pension, they may be morale boosters for a particular kind of American atheism that feels victimised - the latest candidate in a flourishing American tradition - but one suspects that they are going to do very little to challenge the appeal of a phenomenon they loathe too much to understand.

More info: Prepare for a Conflict: The Nightline Face-Off
No-Holds Barred Battle Over the Existence of God

HT's:

The Way of the Master.com

The Guardian.co.uk

Parabiodox blogspot

The Good, the Bad, the Insane, the Ugly & a We Told You So!

The Good! A Discovery of Biblical Proportions! (Enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it's the only good piece of news in this blogpost.)

Update at 12:06 p.m. PT:

Another Good! Millions Will Hear this Debate on Wednesday!

The Bad: Awful Persecution of Christians in Nigeria will probably get worse.

The Insane!! Mickey Mouse Promotes Jihad How terrible can the evil Islamic indoctrination get??!!!

The Ugly: Brave? New California Schools?

Related to the "Ugly" article link:

Received this email:

What is tolerance exactly? Merriam-Webster's defines it as "sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own."

When an Equality California board member, Ben Patrick Johnson, wrote to CRI last week after our appearance on Fox News, and threatened that their group would "BURY" CRI if we "continue our efforts," Equality California's true colors were shown.

CRI was also the subject of attack in several other e-mails sent out by the Equality California group: "The right wing is attacking lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth" and "In another assault this week, the Capitol Resource Institute launched an aggressive campaign against EQCA-sponsored legislation [SB 777] to protect youth in schools."

"CRI is going after LGBT youth by trying to stop the Student Civil Rights Act, which would ensure that all students have a safe place to grow and learn," continued the attack.

SB 777 requires textbooks to be rewritten so they do not "reflect adversely" on homosexuality. This could very well mean that textbooks will be barred from stating things like "mom and dad" or "husband and wife" unless homosexual couples are also included in a positive light. The legislation is broad and sweeping and you can read about more of its effects on CRI's website.

To be clear, CRI believes that all students be protected from incidents of violence on campus. SB 777 is not about student safety or else it would center on the enforcement of existing safety codes and school discipline for all children. Rather, it is yet another piece of legislation-probably the most extreme we have seen thus far-to force the acceptance of homosexuality on all students and teachers.

Pushing the homosexual agenda-requiring textbooks to be radically altered, creating special-crime victim status for homosexuals, and changing the institution of marriage-is not about promoting tolerance. What it's really about is normalizing homosexuality.

If homosexual-lifestyle proponents were truly concerned about leveling the playing field so that all points of view are equally tolerated, it wouldn't be working overtime to squelch the Judeo-Christian point of view.

For Equality California, the definition of tolerance is one sided-Christians must accept and embrace homosexuality without being given a public forum to express our own views on the matter.

Why are groups like Equality California so eager to silence Christians and organizations like CRI that are promoting a Judeo-Christian point of view? In short, it's because our message is truthful. Equality California knows that it ultimately cannot fight and win against the truth. So, rather than allow the free-flow of ideas, the homosexual lobby wants the truth to be silenced altogether.

Examples of how Christians messages are being silenced while homosexual messages are allowed is evidenced in "hate crimes" legislation-which could potentially be used to silence pastors and other Christians for their thoughts and words-and school administrative policies that prohibit students from wearing t-shirts promoting biblical messages about homosexuality even though other students are permitted to wear pro-homosexual t-shirts.

CRI exists to promote truthful messages in California's capitol, throughout our state, and throughout the nation. We advocate for and defend traditional Judeo-Christian values. We stand behind churches, pastors, students, parents, teachers, medical professionals, and all citizens who simply want to live-out their religious beliefs and convictions.

Will you stand with us by giving a contribution to CRI's work today?

When you stand with CRI, you stand with an entire network of citizens who believe in pro-family values and religious freedom.

CRI has been singled out from numerous other policy groups to be attacked by the most prominent homosexual-advocacy group in California, Equality California. Because of this alone, we know that our work is effective.

Will you help us expand our message so that we can be stronger and more effective than ever before?

We need your help!

Every dollar you send to CRI is used to fight for family values. CRI uses your contributions to fight against the homosexual lobby's attempts to silence Christianity, indoctrinate young school children, and undermine parental authority.

Your generous donation ensures that you will continue to have a strong and effective voice in Sacramento!

Thank you.

For faith, families, and freedom,

Karen England
Executive Director
Capitol Resource Institute
Donate Online Today!

Mail donations to:
CRI
660 J Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95814

To view the debate on Fox that has prompted the hostile reponse from homosexual activists, click here.

A Very Bad Decision Finally Admitted: We Told You So! Yep....we did!! We told you this would happen!!
Ugh...

*******

HT's:

Haaretz.com

WorldNetDaily

Capitol Resource Institute

*******

And, here's another Insanely Ugly Event.

HT: LGF

News Roundup 5/7/07

All I can say about Jacques Chirac is good riddance! Maybe now, with the election of Nicolas Sarkozy who is labeled as a "center-right" presidential candidate who is anxious to repair relations with the Bush Administration and be more of a friend to America. Maybe the people saw the "do-nothing" policies of socialist Chirac (especially during the Muslim car-burning riots) regarding radical Islam as dangerous to the security of their nation. About time!! Sarkozy plans to push through a package of pro-market, anti-crime reforms, Yay! France finally woke up from their slumber of denial and realize the danger of radical Islam lurking on their streets and in their midst!

You can read the good, the bad, and the ugly developments after that terrible tornado storm demolished a Kansas town. I tried to find a written story about an interview I saw this morning on Fox News, but wasn't able to locate it on their website. It was a story about a minister and his family who had gone back to the church where he preaches and shares the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything was almost totally destroyed...except for a portrait of Jesus hanging on a wall. It was unharmed and totally intact. Now that's a modern day mini-miracle; a sign of hope that no matter what happens in this life on earth, Jesus is always with us.

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Sean Hannity's weekend show Hannity's America give us information that we would never get from the MSM. Go to this site, click on the video labeled, "Move on's impact" and take a good hard look at the far-left'tight gripping (and scary!) influence upon the Democratic party and candidates.

Bill O'Reilly has exposed far left lunatic George Soros in his best selling book Culture Warrior as well as with stunning reports on The O'Reilly Factor. From all that I have read and heard about George Soros, I can safely say that he certainly could be a candidate for the antichrist! He certainly has the spirit of antichrist and has shown his true, anti-moral, anti-ethical, anti-Christian, anti-American colors (mostly the black of doom!) and has been exposed for his financing of far left lunatic groups such as Move-On.org and Media Matters (the daily propaganda machine).

Recently, on a video clip at Fox News, Bill demonstrated how people who can be used as pawns in the propaganda machine (such as the likes of Rosie O'Dimwitt and Joke Behar) take such propaganda and present it as "fact" on that awful "The Spew" show. Rosie is a puppet...dangling on the end of Media Matter's marionette strings (except, of course when she's hanging upside down in her ceiling harness for the purpose of combating her depression). The woman just has too many problems and shouldn't be out there being used as a "girl on a string" for the type of ilk that Soros, Moveon.org, and Media Matters groups repesents! You've got to see Bill's archive of Talking Points Memos. Click on the "calling people names" video, and the "Will the radical left doom the Democratic party?"

Hat tips:

Joel Rosenberg

Fox News

Hannity's America

The O'Reilly Factor

Celebrating a Birthday, a Poem, & Website Find!

It's WorldNetDaily's 10th birthday today! Happy Birthday WND!

Not a day goes by (usually) that I don't check the latest news and articles at WND. Today, I noticed that the very first article, and then, the very last article link were my favorites to read!

Let's end this post with a copy of a poem written by Tim Schieferecke at American Thinker blogspot:

Time waits for no man, and I'm done with TIME.


They pushed forth a puffed list of leftists and slime.



Their list of world shapers, smells like things with end tapers.


Now presented below, puffed names that you know.



Let's start with the Leo of DiCaprio. Tell me what has he done?


What high office has he held or election he won?



Shrillbillery Clinton? Oh, surely you jest! She'd be nowhere at all


without Bill's friendly zest.



Sacha B Cohen, a.k.a. the Borat? What's his mark of success


beyond base tit for tat?



Rosie the great in big pounds but not brains,


proves through inclusion whales are easy to train.



Barack, what a shock, his name is there too,


this defeatocrat leader doesn't have a right shoe.



Curiously absent from this table of greats,


G.W. Bush, greatest decider of fates.



He rules the best Nation that ever has been,


for that reason alone I'll not read Time again.



Tim Schieferecke
panderingpoliticos.com

You've GOT TO check out Pandering Politicos!

I've found a new favorite website!

It's HILARIOUS, while at the same time...

sad...BUT TRUE!!

As Tim so ardently reveals in his subtitle there:

AMERICA IS TOO IMPORTANT FOR THIS NONSENSE!

HT's:

WND

American Thinker

Pandering Politicos.com

Striving for Truth Against Deception

I found the following letter (below) in the "Faith and Values" section of a local newspaper today. When I attempted to post links in the online answer box, my comment was rejected. Typical liberal newspaper editor's ploy! Gotta control that content and don't you dare post any links!!

Oh well. That's what blogs are for now aren't they?

Hopefully, this will be my last post for a while on the gay agenda. It just seems to constantly be there though, doesn't it? It keeps creeping back into the news almost each and every day. Will we ever reach a point of "gay agenda saturation"?? Doesn't look like it!

In fact, that was the goal of Kirk and Madsen's "After the Ball" playbook, wasn't it? I seem to recall that this was at least one of their manipulative goals. The idea was to "talk about gayness until it's drilled into the minds of everyone"at such lengths that all "straights" will succomb to their ideology through desensitization, jamming and conversion techniques.

Here's an excerpt from David Kupelian's first chapter of his book "The Marketing of Evil":

Rondeau explains Kirk and Madsen's techniques of "desensitization," "jamming," and "conversion" this way:"Desensitization is described as inundating the public in a "continuous flood of gay-related advertising, presented in the least offensive fashion possible. If straights can't shut off the shower, they may at least eventually get used to being wet." But, the activists did not mean advertising in the usual marketing context but, rather, quite a different approach: "The main thing is to talk about gayness until the issue becomes thoroughly tiresome." They add, "[S]eek desensitization and nothing more. … If you can get [straights] to think [homosexuality] is just another thing – meriting no more than a shrug of the shoulders – then your battle for legal and social rights is virtually won."

But then, the next step is even worse:

You might wonder: Where and when will this "gay rights" public relations steamroller stop? The end game is not only to bring about the complete acceptance of homosexuality, including same-sex marriage, but also to prohibit and even criminalize public criticism of homosexuality, including the quotation of biblical passages disapproving of homosexuality.

In other words, total jamming of criticism with the force of law. [bold mine] This is already essentially the case in Canada and parts of Scandinavia. "Why?" you might ask. "I thought gays just wanted equal rights and to be free to do what they want in their own bedrooms." No, they've had that for years.

Their campaign will not end until Christians and other traditionalists opposing homosexuality are shut up, discredited, and utterly silenced – and all because of a little factor we've forgotten about in our cleverness, namely this: In truth, there is something wrong with homosexuality.

Simply put, it is unnatural and self-destructive – just as Western civilization has long understood it.

If it weren't for the objections of traditional, conservative Biblically-based Christian believers, the seduction towards complete homosexual behavior affirming conversion would almost be complete!

Kirk and Madsen's book was written back in the late 80's/early 90's. We can see how well their techniques have worked over the past 18-19 years.

But what of the damage to society and our children? The manipulation techniques used have resulted in much confusion and harm through the bombardment of homosexual propaganda and indoctrination.

Don't think so?

Then read about just one of the typical propaganda machines called the Day of Silence that was held in public schools throughout America. Also, be sure to read about those parents in MA who were brave enough to promote and participate in the Day of Defiance protest outside.

Hey! We've got 19 years of silence on this issue while the Orwellian, Big Brother Homosexual Indoctrination machine has reaped and sown evil into the souls of thousands of children when their unsuspecting parents weren't aware of the manipulative marketing schemes going on through groups like GLSEN in public schools.

Christian friends, we can't keep our heads in the sand on this issue forever. We can't stay silent anymore! We must be just as "in your face" in opposition to this intense, propaganda that is destroying the hearts, minds, souls, bodies, and spirits of our children as the gay activists are in our faces!

The following links are being posted so that you will have the proper response tools to fight against this raging machine of Big Brother Gay Indoctrination. I suggest that you read, study and copy the links for future reference.

I also encourage you to comment about what you have read here in the comment section of my blog.

This indoctrination of our children is not going to just go away. We must continue to fight against the jamming and conversion techniques that are currently firmly in place and designed to force-feed homosexual behavior affirmation; which is being presented to our students under the guise of "safe schools."

Here is the letter from the newspaper:

God is still speaking

Two frequent topics on these pages are homosexuality and the evolution of species. Both appear to conflict with stories or pronouncements in the Hebrew or Christian Bible. Consequently, believers, for whom the Scriptures are absolutely authoritative, find it easy, and even comforting, to reject these fairly new understandings. They apparently use the justification, "God said it. I believe it. End of story."

Ah, but is it really the end of the story? Could it be that God's story is still unfolding? Just as God apparently entrusted the Bible to the hearts and hands of ancient Scripture writers, it's likely God now depends upon the ever improving skills of modern human beings to explain some of the more subtle mysteries of life and the cosmos. In this sense, God is still speaking. God is telling us that her creation is good and that to learn more about ourselves and the world around us is also good.

We now know that evolution is apparently part of God's plan and that homosexuality is a natural part of the diversity of human (and animal) nature. And these discoveries are also good. They advance human progress. I'll bet God likes that.

Rocky V

Here is my response, including the titles and links to review:

Poor Rocky V. Apparently, he likes to gamble. The truth is, God has already spoken through His Word about the topic of homosexual behavior. Rocky even goes so far as to bet that God "likes" homosexual behavior; something that Rocky perceives as an "evolutionary advance in human progress." Well, he's wrong on both accounts. The human race would die out if all became homosexual. Plus, wasn't there something about "survival of the fittest" in Darwin's theory?

He's entitled to his opinions, of course. But I think that he walks a very dangerous path when he claims to know what God "likes" - especially when homosexual behavior is strictly and expressly forbidden as sin and abomination in the Bible.

But don't just take my word for it, read what I call the "triple whammy" against Rocky's homosexual-affirming ideas for yourself! Then you can make an informed decision.

1. Responding to Pro-Gay Theology.

2. Queer Theology Exposed.

3. Times of the Signs: The Days of Lot.

I realize that it is difficult to set someone like Rocky back on the straight and narrow path (pun?), but someone's got to do it!

Christine

My prayer is that God will open the eyes of His people to the need to know and defend the one worldview that speaks to reality - to the real world - namely, Biblical Christianity. Every believer knows that some day the kingdoms of this world will "become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). It is each Christian's moral duty to live, wait, watch, and work for such a time and especially to manifest the character of Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world - now.

James Russell Lowell reminds us:

Once to every man and nation

Comes the moment to decide,

In the strife of Truth with falsehood

For the good or evil side.

Then it is the brave man chooses

While the coward stands aside.

Lord Jesus, You are the "still point" in our turning world. Help us to find our security in You alone. Amen.

In Christ's service,

Christine

Don't Be Taken Captive

Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

The above verse is one of my favorites. I have lots of favorite verses, of course, but these days I have seen so much misinformation disseminating from different groups (each with their own secular humanistic agenda), it behooves us to examine what this verse is telling (as well as warning) us about.

It always helps to recognize the verses before and after Colossians 2:8. Context and the original intent of the author (exegesis) is very important while studying Scripture. If proper context is not utilized, it becomes really easy for someone to mistakenly take a Scripture verse and put his/her own meaning into it (eisogesis).

Colossian 2:6,7 - So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

The notes in my NIV Bible expand upon the verses:

Colossians 2:6,7 notes: Receiving Christ as Lord of your life is the beginning of life with Christ. But you must continue to follow his leadership by being rooted, built up, and strengthened in the faith. Christ wants to guide you and help you with your daily problems. You can live for Christ by
(1) committing your life and submitting your will to him (Romans 12:1,2)
(2) seeking to learn from him, his life, and his teachings (Colossians 3:16)
(3) recognizing the Holy Spirit's power in you (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22)

Colossians 2:7 notes: Paul uses the illustration of our being rooted in Christ. Just as plants draw nourishment from the soil through their roots, so we draw our life-giving strength from Christ. The more we draw our strength from him, the less we will be fooled by those who falsely claim to have life's answers. If Christ is our strength, we will be free from human regulations.

Now, the notes on Colossians 2:8 -

Colossians 2:8 notes: Paul writes against any philosophy of life based only on human ideas and experiences. Paul himself was a gifted philosopher, so he is not condemning philosophy. He is condemning teaching that credits humanity, not Christ, with being the answer to life's problems. That approach becomes a false religion. There are many man-made approaches to life's problems that totally disregard God. To resist heresy you must use your mind, keep your eyes on Christ, and study God's Word.

Those three things together help us to resist and avoid heresy.

1. Use your mind.
2. Keep your eyes on Christ.
3. Study God's Word.

If you leave one out, then you could be susceptible to falling for any deceptive humanistic philosophy that could come along. Notice that the notes do not condemn philosophy, per se, but condemns teaching that credits humanity, not Christ, with being the answer to life's problems. It is obvious that certain philosophies can incorrectly give us the wrong answers to life's meaning and purpose, as well. It is when a person's humanistic desires and philosophies take the place of God in his/her life, and thus end up totally disregarding (and, as a result end up choosing to disobey) God that we fall into the realm of being deceived by the enemy of our souls.

Right after Paul tells us not to become "captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy" he describes Who and what will keep us away from falling for such error!

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:9 notes: Again Paul asserts Christ's deity. "In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" means that all of God was in Christ's human body. When we have Christ we have everything we need for salvation and right living.

Colossians 2:10 notes: When we know Jesus Christ, we don't need to seek God by means of other religions, cults, or unbiblical philosophies as the Colossians were doing. Christ alone holds the answers to the true meaning of life, because he is life. Christ is the unique source of knowledge and power for the Christian life. No Christian needs anything in addition to what Christ has provided to be saved. We are complete in him.

Colossians 2:11 notes: Jewish males were circumcised as a sign of the Jews' covenant with God (Genesis 17:9-14). With the death of Christ, circumcision was no longer necessary. So now our commitment to God is written on our hearts, not our bodies. Christ sets us free from our evil desires by a spiritual operation, not a bodily one. God removes the old nature and gives us a new nature.

Colossians 2:11, 12 notes: In this passage, circumcision is related to baptism; therefore, some see baptism as the New Testament sign of the covenant, identifying the person with the covenant community. Baptism parallels the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and it also portrays the death and burial of our sinful old way of life followed by resurrection to new life in Christ. Remembering that our old sinful life is dead and buried with Christ gives us a powerful motive to resist sin. Not wanting the desires of our past to come back to power again, we can consciously choose to treat our desires as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Christ (see Galatians 3:27 and Colossians 3:1-4).

National Day of Prayer

On this National Day of Prayer, I want to encourage all Bible-believing, born-again Christians to pray for our nation. The following is a letter from the California Family Council that sums up quite well what we need to be praying about.

I would also like to urge prayers of protection for our military members in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world; who are involved with protecting us from the evil and barbaric attacks of radical Islamo-fascists. These brave men and women have taken this huge task upon themselves, voluntarily, for our benefit. We need to keep them in constant prayer.

Christine

*******
May 1, 2007

Dear Praying Friend,

“America, unite in prayer” (based on 2 Chronicles 7:14) is the theme for this month’s National Day of Prayer (NDP). This well-known and oft-quoted verse of both condition and promise, says, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Surely, as Californians view the downward moral spiral in society – divorce, cohabitation, homosexual “marriage,” abortion on demand, floundering young people, and rampant pornography – we cannot help but acknowledge that all this is the result of denying God and turning our back on Him as a society. Self-centeredness and humanism have replaced love for God and love for our neighbor as the bywords of society.

If we expect God to heal our land and our state, Californians must earnestly turn to prayer, the only real solution to a sinful, broken society. As you attend a NDP event on May 3, continue to focus on that attitude of prayer throughout the month. Pray, in humility, beseeching God for a return and revival in the land – in California and across the land. We see what sin has reaped; now let’s see what earnest prayer will bring forth.


California Family Council

Please Pray...


...for the protection of life
· and praise God for the life-affirming decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last month – a decision that upheld a congressional ban on the barbaric procedure known as partial-birth abortion (PBA). Pray for women who daily continue to sacrifice their preborn infants through abortion in the name of a so-called “right to choose.” Pray these women would awaken to the gravity of their actions and find God’s grace and forgiveness.

· that tax usage – at both the state and federal levels – would affirm the sanctity of life and not a culture of abortion and “safe sex.” The current 2006-2007 California budget includes $49 million for abortion. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s submission of his “May Revisions” to the budget he proposed in January will mark the real starting point for this year’s budget negotiations in the Legislature. Pray that the pro-life cause would be considered in these negotiations. Also this spring, the United States Congress will be discussing a pool of abstinence-only education funding. With the recent changes in the make-up of Congress, there is uncertainty about this funding. Pray that the dedicated funding will remain intact and not be diluted by the inclusion of “safe-sex” (contraceptive-based) sex education.

...for the sanctity of marriage
· On Mothers’ Day, remember those children who are being raised in mother-less families. Children need an intact family with both a mother and a father. Divorce, “single by choice” and homosexual relationships are not in the best interest of children. Pray for healing for those whose choices have caused pain to their children and for those children caught in the middle – without a mother to nurture and provide stability in their lives.

· that legislators and judges would awaken to the truth of marriage as only between a man and a woman. Marriage is not an invention of man that can be molded and adapted to human desires, but an institution of God – adopted by societies – to be honored and protected.

...for parental authority
· that parents across California would wake up to the subtle incendiary dangers in yielding their children’s upbringing to the state and to public schools. Values neutral means – in many cases – values absent; as many public schools are promoting homosexual behavior, abortion “rights,” and a humanistic worldview, parents need to insure that their children – and their children’s peers – are taught biblical truth and adopt Judeo-Christian values.

...for California families
· Pray for a return to prayer and godly values in California and across the nation. As like-minded citizens unite in prayer for America on the May 3 National Day of Prayer, pray for a continuing of that focus in the days and weeks ahead. Pray for a rekindling of faith and a return to priorities based on Judeo-Christian principles.

“I will sing of thy steadfast love, O Lord, for ever; with my mouth I will proclaim thy faithfulness to all generations. For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.” Psalm 89:1-2

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families
www.californiafamily.org

The Religion of the Future...Now Here?

The sixth chapter of Ed Hindson's Antichrist Rising: The Coming Global Storm, discusses what the "religion of the future" will look like. I found it fascinating, but quite sad! In the last two posts, I had shared that there were several Christian denominations that have moved away from Biblical Christianity and now present a skewed version of what Christian faith actually means...and genuinely is.

In later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. - 1 Timothy 4:1, 2

Though, such skewing of genuine Christianity may not hold the label that Hindson gives it in his book, the ideas are still the same. To take a familiar poetic phrase about "a rose" and turn it for my purpose of description here: A false religion by any other name...still smells as bad.

What is the label that the author Hindson gives these false religions wrapped up into one big ball of deception?

The New Age Movement.

He writes:

The New Age movement is part of the great paradigm shift of our times. We are continually moving from information (objective truth) to emotion (subjective truth). This may not be the final form of the new religion, but it has certainly launched the modern era into a sea of intellectual and moral relativism. It is symptomatic of the new way of thinking that will permeate the new millennium.

The New Age movement is not a passing fad. It has been gaining momentum for three decades. It represents a cultural revolt against the spiritual void of secularism. It was not until the late 1980's that the general public became aware of the popular appeal of New Age thinking.

The author goes on to describe the influence and popularity of actress Shirley McLaine's book Out on a Limb as well as several other books that came out at that time which openly promoted New Age ideals.

I have always generally realized what the New Age ideals are. It's the "I am God" attitude with beliefs in reincarnation, seances, crystals, and pyramid power. This movement even made the cover of Time magazine in 1987. It was closely related to the whole hippie, counter-culture movement of the 1960's. Even though the hippie movement died out after the Vietnam War, the ideas remained with many baby-boomers. Hindson tells us that this generation (*sigh* my generation) has, in fact recycled, but not rejected the beliefs and ideals of the hippie counterculture. These include:

1. animaterialism
2. utopianism
3. exaltation of nature
4. rejection of traditional morality
5. fascination with the occult

Think about the T.V. shows, movies, and political views that have been popular and sold to America with their "Marketing of Evil" approaches over the last several decades. No wonder author David Kupelian describes his best selling book, "the science of making evil look good."

All of the Wicca and witch-craft related shows; shows promoting and celebrating homosexuality; HBO's polygamy promoting show "Big Love", the explosion of porn on the internet; the exponential increase in child predators; the brainwashing that abortion is a "choice" not a child; the desire to euthanize the elderly, sick, or disabled; the latest craze over global warming; the naive utopian concept of the anti-war crowd who think that Al Qaida will just "go away" if we leave Iraq and leave them alone; shows just how much new age and secular reasoning have plunged us into the age of making evil look good. Notice how each of the above examples fit nicely under the categories described previously.

While liberal left loonies are hysterical over global warming, here is a list of catastrophes right in our proverbial "own back yards" that we REALLY should be worried about.

Hindson describes those involved in the New Age movement (and it's subsequent spin-offs) as "secularized spiritualist" and "secular prosperity theologians." But it is their combination of subjective spirituality and secular morality that leaves them so vulnerable to satanic influence. This was discussed extensively in the Darkness of Our Times posts.

Now, you can do a search and read much more about the New Age movement and its goals here in America. For now, I will just share the following from Hindson's chapter on this issue:

Constance Cumbey, a Christian attorney from Detroit, Michigan, first alerted the Evangelical community to the New Age menace in her book The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow (1983). She discovered and warned that "There is an 'Aquarian Conspiracy' - a conscious effort by a broad-based movement to subvert our cultural establishment so that we might enter a 'New Age' based on mysticism and occultism."

People involved in this movement (and, there is a broad range who don't necessarily call themselves New Agers; but they are cut from the same cloth...so to speak) continue to promote a political agenda for a united global community under the control of a one-world government. See how they are playing right into the hands of the spirit of Antichrist?

In order to convince society of their agenda, they have adopted several promotional techniques:

1. Psychic healing
2. Holistic health
3. Transpersonal education
4. Values clarification
5. Human potential

I want to zero in on the 4th promotional technique, "values clarification."

Values clarification: An educational technique that emphasizes that one's values emerge from within one's self and not from external codes, such as the ten commandments.

New Agers and their ilk promote the basic human values as 1) survival, 2) interdependence, 3)autonomy, and 4) humanness.

Guess what's missing?

God!

Hindson writes, "This leaves little or no place for biblical Christianity. In fact, the occult connection with New Age thinking is anti-Christian. A new world order based upon New Age ideology would likely view Evangelical Christianity as bigoted, divisive, and sectarian. This could easily set the stage for "justified" persecution of Christians as rebels against the cause of world peace."

People, that quote above reads like today's latest internet news!

And, what is happening right now in Congress? They are attempting to pass "hate crimes" law that would give special elevation of crimes (and/or, even perceived crimes and perceived "hate speech") done against homosexuals, bi-sexuals...etc.

Are you thinking...so what?

What's the problem?

I'll tell you the problem!

Below is a cut and paste of a recent email alert that I received regarding this terrible legislation and the havoc it would wreck upon those who uphold and follow Biblical Christian faith.

Think I must be exaggerating?

Think again!


Email Alert:

The vote on Hate Crimes, HR 1529 is scheduled for this Thursday, May 3, on the National Day of Prayer. TVC is calling Members and staff and sending them updated analysis concerning the Davis Amendment, speaking with the media and alerting the grassroots.

If you have not yet called AND emailed your Congressman, please do it today. 213/225-3121.

** THE ISSUE NOW – An amendment from Congressman Artur Davis (D-AL) was added to HR 1592. Congressman Louis Gohmert (R-TX) and the other Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee say that the Davis amendment does NOT PROTECT the pastor, rabbi or imam when preaching from their religious book to say that sexual relations outside of marriage between a man and a woman are wrong. Cong. Gohmert is a judge and he says the pastor, rabbi or imam are NOT PROTECTED under this amendment if someone was at a meeting and then commits an act of bodily injury based on the various sexual orientations or gender identity.

Cong. Davis admitted during the markup that the legislation will not protect a pastor from prosecution under this bill. During the debate, Cong. Gohmert forced Cong Davis to admit that if a minister preaches that sexual relations outside of marriage of a man and a woman is wrong, and somebody who hears this causes bodily injury to a person, that sermon or teaching could be used in evidence against the minister.

Cong. Davis has admitted that H.R. 1592 could be used to prosecute pastors, teachers, Christian school teachers, businessmen, youth leaders, book authors etc.

In short, Cong. Davis has admitted that H.R. 1592 could be used to prosecute pastors, teachers, Christian school teachers, businessmen, youth leaders, book authors etc. for their sermons/teachings/presentations if they are an “inducement” to violence of people due to “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” real or perceived.

Bodily injury can be something as simple as touching or brushing up against a homosexual protester. Under H.R. 1592, bodily injury is considered violence—and is prosecutable.

Pastors will get no ‘get out of jail’ free card when H.R.1592 is passed. Free speech and religious freedom are seriously jeopardized by this bill.

All the Democrats and some Republicans support this bill.

CALL AND EMAIL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND ASK THEM TO VOTE NO ON HR 1592 and that ministers could not read out of the Bible on homosexuality unless they were willing to go to jail. This bill limits their legitimate constitutional expression by criminalizing that expression.

** Secondly, the Democrats refused to put in a definition of “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.” Please put your opinion of this into your email. This bill states you cannot say anything negative about any of these “paraphilias,” since someone might get hurt from it and they would blame it on you, that your words incited them to do it.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) from the American Psychiatric Association has defined 30 different kinds of sexual orientation, including heterosexuality which this DSM says is the “universal norm.” These are from the Fourth Edition, Text Revision, 2000 pp. 566-582 from “Paraphilias.”

Following are some of those behaviors considered sexual orientations and please note that a few are against the law:

Apotemnophilia – Sexual arousal associated with the stump(s) of an amputee.
Bisexual - The capacity to feel erotic attraction toward, or to engage in sexual interaction with, both males and females
Coprophilia – Sexual arousal associated with feces.
Exhibitionism – The act of exposing one’s genitals to an unwilling observes to obtain sexual gratification.
Gender Identity Disorder - A strong and persistent cross-gender identification, which is the desire to be, or the insistence that one is, or the other sex, "along with" persistent discomfort about one's assigned sex or a sense of the inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex
Incest - Sex With A Sibling Or Parent
Necrophilia - Sexual Arousal And/Or Activity With A Corpse
Pedophilia - Sexual Activity With A Prepubescent Child (Generally Age 13 Years Or Younger).
Prostitution – The act or practice of offering sexual stimulation or intercourse for money.
Sexual Sadism - The Intentional Infliction Of Pain Or Humiliation On Another Person In Order To Achieve Sexual Excitement
Transsexual – A person whose gender identity is different from anatomical gender.
Transvestite - A Person Who Is Sexually Stimulated Or Gratified By Wearing The Clothes Of The Other Gender
Urophilia – Sexual arousal associated with urine.
Zoophilia/Bestiality - Engaging In Sexual Activity With Animals

It is important that you contact both Republicans and Democrats. 23 Republicans voted for this bill last time or some form of Hate Crimes legislation. Some Republicans are very strong on our other pro-family issues but weak on this one. Many of the Republicans do not understand what this bill does to our Religious Liberties.

The passage of H.R. 1592 will be a serious threat to religious liberties and freedom of speech under the guise of preventing “hate crimes.” The so-called hate crimes bill begins to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, business owners, and anyone else whose actions and speech are based upon and reflect the truths found in the Bible. The passage of H.R. 1592 will be a serious threat to freedom of speech and freedom of religion by elevating the behaviors of homosexuality and the confusion of gender identity to special federal legal protection like race.

Horrified yet?

Is it ironic and coincidental that this vote will be occurring on the National Day of Prayer?

What are we seeing? Pagan morality on way to becoming law?

Do Americans really want to be led into "wanton sexual anarchy disguised as freedom?"

The typical, pro-gay advocates argument is with the Bible so why shouldn't they attempt to use legislation to make it illegal to quote Bible verses that condemn homosexual behavior?

Homosexuals have their own brand of "Gay Christian" faith that denies the meaning and value of the Cross of Christ; to their eternal detriment, of course!

So, where's the "hate crime" laws for pro-gay bullies?

Why was a woman fired from a university for sharing her Christian faith with co-workers during off-hours?

Why was a Christian kids' show kicked from public square and singled out for discrimination?

Why does the 9th Circuit Court endorse censoring Christians?

I could go on and on...through over 500 documented articles of persecution against Biblical Christian faith.

Hindson writes:

C.S. Lewis, in his masterpiece The Screwtape Letters, warns against producing a vaguely devotional mood of prayer that requires no real concentration on the will or intelligence. This bears only a superficial resemblance to true prayer: "That is exactly the sort of prayer we want," Screwtape advises Wormwood. The demonic uncle goes on to advise his nephew that the best way to nullify human prayer is to get people to "turn their gaze away from Him (God) toward themselves."

This is precisely the danger in the New Age cults (as Hindson so aptly named them: corrupted Roman Catholicism, liberal Protestantism, New Age mysticism, and materialistic Evangelicalism all rolled into one grand deception). The objective focus is shifted away from God toward self and results in some of the most incredible self-deception ever perpetrated on the general public.
[bold-mine-C]

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

*******
Update: 11:45 a.m. PT

It seems my list of "sexual orientations" was missing a few perversions!

Ahhh...a committee of DEMONcrats knows no bounds for indecency and disgusting perversion!!

Lord Jesus...save us from the INSANITY!!

HT: Mark at Chester Street

Trust and Obey

Wednesday, May, 2

Trust and Obey

Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God.
Jeremiah 42:6

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 11:7-9

We can all agree that sometimes the things God calls us to do don't make sense to us, and it can be difficult from a human perspective to trust Him for the outcome of something that we don't understand. But all throughout the Word of God, as in the story of Noah and the ark, we are told that the result of trusting the Lord and obeying His commands is blessing. A beloved hymn reminds us of that truth.

Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at His feet,
or we'll walk by His side in the way;
what He says we will do,
where He sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. (John H. Sammis)

It sounds so simple; but when we are in the midst of an assignment from God and we cannot see past our present situation, it is easy to fear, to doubt, to want to give up. Take heart fellow Christians; God sees past this moment and into eternity, and He is waiting to show you the blessed outcome of your obedience.

It is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond or what have you.
Jim Elliot

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 26:1 - 28:21

HT:
Turning Point Online

The Darkness of Our Times (Part 2)

In this segment, I will post the Scriptures that warn the church constantly of heresy and apostasy from within its ranks, then continue on with portions of chapter 3 in Hindson's book. If you have not already looked up the following verses, I have copied and pasted them below for your convenience. (See 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:6-12; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7; Jude 3,4).

1Ti 4:1 ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;


1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;


1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.



2Ti 3:1 ¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.


2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,


2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,


2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;


2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2Cr 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.


2Cr 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.


2Cr 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Gal 1:6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:


Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.


Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.


Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.


Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.


Gal 1:11 ¶ But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.


Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ

2Pe 2:1 ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.


2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.


2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

[In fact, read the entire chapter of 2 Peter 2:1-22!]

1Jo 4:1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.


1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:


1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2Jo 1:7 ¶ For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.



Jud 1:3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.


Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

The first segment in this series focused mainly on the spirit of antichrist and mentioned that one day, there will arise the one man who will be the Antichrist. In chapter 3 of Antichrist Rising: The Coming Global Storm, author Ed Hindson also informs us of the rise of false prophets:

Spiritual deception by false prophets is not a new phenomenon. False prophecies have been around as long as there have been legitimate prophets of God. Moses raised the question to the children of Israel: "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" His answer was, "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him;" (Deuteronomy 18:21,22).

A true prophet -

1. must speak in the name of the Lord, not some other god.

2. must have a message that is in accord with God's revealed truth in Scripture.

3. must give predictions of future events that come true exactly as stated.

One of the most scathing denunciations of false prophets in all of Scripture is delivered by the prophet Jeremiah. In his time, Jeremiah had to deal constantly with false prophets who opposed his ministry, contradicted his message, and even conspired to have him killed. They kept telling the leaders of Jerusalem that the people had nothing to fear from the Babylonian invaders, but Jeremiah knew differently. Jerusalem was on the verge of destruction, and the people were about to be taken into captivity for 70 years.

"My heart is broken within me, " Jeremiah confesses in his agony over these false prophets who "...follow an evil course and use their power unjustly" (Jeremiah 23:9,10). "Both prophet and priest are godless, " the Lord responds (23:11). Then He tells Jeremiah His opinion of these false prophets:

Jer. 23:16 (NIV) - This is what the Lord Almighty says:
“Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds,
not from the mouth of the Lord.

Jer. 23:21 (NIV) - I did not send these prophets,
yet they have run with their message;
I did not speak to them,
yet they have prophesied.

Jer. 23:25 (NIV) - “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

Jer. 23:31, 32 & 36 (NIV) -

Jer 23:31 Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’

Jer 23:32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord.

Jer 23:36 But you must not mention ‘the oracle of the Lord’ again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God, the Lord Almighty, our God.

Jeremiah could not make his complaint any clearer or his case any stronger. God is against those false prophets whose spiritual delusion causes them to invent their own message apart from God's truth. [bold mine - C] The Bible presents these people in seven categories:

1. Self-deceived. Some false teachers may be sincere, but they are still wrong. They have decieved themselves into believing their messages are true. As Jeremiah points out, their messages come psychologically from within their own minds and are not from God.

2. Liars. Some false prophets are deliberate liars who have no intention of telling the truth. The apostle John says, "Who is the liar?" It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the anti-christ - he denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22).

3. Heretics. These are those who preach heresy (false doctrine) and divide the church. Of them John said, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us" (1 John 2:19). The apostle Peter said, "There will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies.... These men blaspheme in matters they do not understand" (2 Peter 2:1, 12).

4. Scoffers. There are some who do not necessarily promote false teaching so much as they outright reject the truth of God. Of them the Bible warns, "In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires" (2 Peter 3:3). The apostle Paul calls them "lovers of themselves...boastful, proud" (2 Timothy 3:2). Jude calls them "grumblers and faultfinders" (Jude 16).

5. Blasphemers. Those who speak evil of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the people of God, the kingdom of God, and the attributes of God are called blasphemers. Jude calls them godless men who "speak abusively against whatever they do not understand.... They are clouds without rain. . . trees, without fruit. . . . They are wild waves of the sea . . . wandering stars" (Jude 10, 12,13). The apostle Paul says that he himself was a blasphemer before his conversion to Christ (1 Timothy 1:13).
[Note from Christine: See non-believers who lurk and read here...Paul's conversion points out that there's hope for you yet!!]

6. Seducers. Jesus warned that some false prophets will appear with miraculous signs and wonders to seduce or deceive the very elect, "if that were possible" (Mark 13;22). Our Lord's implication is that spiritual seduction is a very real threat even to believers. This would account for the fact that a few genuine but deceived believers may be found among the cults. [bold & red mine - C]

7. Reprobates. This term means "disapproved," "depraved," or "rejected." Paul refers to those who have rejected the truth of God and turned to spiritual darkness. Consequently, God has given them over to a "reprobate mind" (Romans 1:28 KJV). They have so deliberately rejected God that they have become "filled with every kind of wickedness" (verse 29). As a result, they are "God-haters" (verse 30), whose behavior is "senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless" (verse 31). These people are so far gone spiritually that they know it and don't care. In Jesus' own prophetic message, the Olivet Discourse, He warned, "Watch out that no one deceives you. . . . Many will turn away from the faith. . . . And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people . . . . For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles" (Matthew 24:4, 10,11,24). Our Lord warned His disciples of the possibility of spiritual seduction by false prophets.

Hindson goes on to describe Satan as the "Master of deceit." He backs it up with Bible verses, too. However, I will just skip down to several paragraphs later where the question of subtlety, and the art of masterful deception can send the unwary into a pit of self-conceit and self-deceit.

He writes:

A century ago, A.T. Pierson, the Bible teacher who often spoke for Charles Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, wrote, "Evil spirits acquire their greatest power from their subtlety. They are masters of the art of deception, and aim to counterfeit that which is good rather than suggest what is obviously and wholly evil." 1

Spiritual Deception

The lure of false doctrine is that it presents itself as the truth. It appears as a corrective measure to established doctrine. It is propagated by those who are certain they have discovered some new revelation of truth or a better interpretation of old, established truth. Either way, they are convinced they are right and everyone else is wrong.

This is Satan's oldest trick. He appeals to our self-conceit and leads us into self-deceit. When he first approached Eve, Satan questioned the integrity of God's command and appealed to her selfish desire to be like God - the same desire that led to his own fall. And there is something selfish enough in all of us to want to believe that we can know what no one else knows. C.S. Lewis said,

What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could "be like gods." . . .
Out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we can call human history. . . the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy." 2

Endnotes:

1 A.T. Pierson, The Bible and Spiritual Life (Fincastle, VA: Scripture Truth, reprint of 1887 Exeter Hall lectures), p. 169.

2 C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: MacMillan, 1960.) pp. 53-54.