Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Do not forget the real Martyrs

Michelle Malkin reminds us of the blood of the Korean Christian missionaries spilled in Afghanistan. The Koreans were there to share their faith - not with forceful words and Bible thumping, but by humanitarian means - ministering to the medical and physical needs of the Afghani people. And for their kindness, they have been kidnapped by killers who believe their 'god' demands the death of all those who do not convert to Islam.

Malkin brings out the deafening silence of America over this atrocity. Reasonable Americans should cry out, or at least speak out against this violence and blatant human rights violation. Are Americans so cowed by fear of the reaction by groups like CAIR who support terrorism and are a squeaky wheel for Muslim issues in this country. The group whose vision for America represents the Capitol Building as a mosque with a minaret (click on the image):



Shocking, isn't it?

Please don't forget the Korean Christian Missionaries in your prayers. And speak out against the violence and atrocities carried out in the name of Islam - in this country as well as around the world.

Malkin says it best:

Curiously, those who argue that we need to "understand" Islamic terrorists demonstrate little effort to "understand" the Christian evangelical missionaries who risk their lives to spread the gospel -- not by sword, but through acts of compassion, healing and education. An estimated 16,000 Korean mission workers risk their lives across the globe -- from Africa to the Middle East, China and North Korea.

These are true practitioners of a religion of peace, not the hate-mongers with bombs and AK-47s strapped to their chests who slay instead of pray their way to martyrdom.



Radiant

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Why I Will Never Convert to Islam

Some purveyors of multiculturalism say all cultures are of equal value. I disagree. There are some cultures that are so damaging to humankind that they should be allowed to wither on the vine and die. The current tacit acceptance of terrorism and violence puts Islam on the list. Here are some reasons why I would rather die than become a Muslim:

Terrorism in the name of Islam

Attitude of supremacy of Muslims

Clear direction in Koran to kill “infidels” (like me)

Lack of equality for women

Lack of respect for women (the testimony of two women is equal to that of one man)

Acceptance of beating as an appropriate treatment of the wife

Glorification of violence and death

Training children to hate and kill

Extreme bigotry against Jews

Bigotry against Christians

Bigotry against believers of anything except Islam

Taking offense against anything that ‘offends’ Islam

Taquiya – it’s ok to lie to promote Islam

The fear of normal sexuality

Lack of tolerance for other cultures

Lack of tolerance for each other (Muslims kill more Muslims than anyone else)

Lack of willingness to accept religious freedom for others in “Muslim” countries


I’ll think of others as time goes on, but this is a formidable list

The God I worship tells me that my enemy, Satan, comes to steal, kill and destroy. From what I’ve seen of the public face of Islam, that pretty well sums it up.

Radiant


Sunday, June 24, 2007

Close Encounters with What???

I am veering into the realm of religion for this blog. Those of my readers who do not ascribe to orthodox Christianity, I beg your patience.

This is a brief listing of some of the teachings of Jesse Duplantis. I've made some comments in between quotes.

“When someone dies, the opposite occurs. God is there to receive that breath of life back to Himself. When God breathes out, things come alive. When He inhales, that life goes back into Him. Think about that.” “When my mother died, I heard her breathe her last breath. God spoke to me then and said, “I just did to your mama the same thing I did to Adam.” God had breathed life into my mother when she was coming into this earth. He then received that life given breath back unto Himself as she was going out” (p.15 Heaven Close encounters of the God Kind.).


Does this mean there is no one in hell?

“I saw new lives of little babies singing and flying around God's Throne. It seemed to me that babies just came out of the breath of God. They looked like they were wearing nightgowns. They flew into the presence of Jehovah. I realized they were new souls who came from the thoughts of God. God thinks kids. Now I know why those newborn babies are so precious. Babies are gifts given to us directly from the Throne of God. I heard them saying to God, "Can I be a spirit? Would you send me to the earth so I can be a spirit? I want to be a redeemed person. Can I be a spirit?" And while I watched, I heard that mighty sound of God's power, Whooosh! I saw these babies leave the Throne by the power of God. (Heaven Close encounters of the God Kind p.119).

This sounds like it lines up with Mormon doctrine.

"I've never had the Lord say, 'Jesse, I think that car is a little bit too nice.' I've had vehicles and the Lord said, 'Would you please go park that at your house. Don't put that in front of my house. I don't want people to think that I'm a poor God.'" (Jesse Duplantis, "When Will We Yield To The Anointing of Wealth II," April 10, 2005)

Jesse Duplantis: "People told me, 'Well, they say, Jesus was poor.' When was He poor? I would like to know when He was poor. Well, He was born in a stable. Why? Why was He born in a stable? Because that short, deaf lady lost their reservation. He couldn't get into the inn. Think about that for a minute...And He had 12 full time people on His staff. Some were married and He took care of them. He had 70 part timers. You don't gamble for rags Marcus."
Marcus Lamb: "Yeah."
Jesse Duplantis: "You don't gamble for rags. You gamble for some clothes that cost. Don't you? He wanted a donkey that had never been rode. As I said earlier, 'You might want a car that has never been drove.'
Marcus Lamb: "He had a full time treasurer on staff."
Jesse Duplantis: "That's right! And stole for three years and the other guys didn't know about it."
Joni Lamb: "And wise men came to see Him."
Jesse Duplantis: "That's right! I mean He wasn't three minutes on the ground and the three wise guys are looking for Him with what? Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Let me tell you something, this concept that Jesus was in poverty is totally wrong!"
(Jesse Duplantis, Marcus Lamb, and Joni Lamb, Daystar Fall, "Share-A-Thon," September 15, 2004)

By the way - the Wise men, the kings, did not get to Jesus until he was around 2 years old.

"If I give $1,000 dollars I deserve to get back $100,000 because I am just, that's not greed!" (Jesse Duplantis, December 19, 2003 TBN, "The just shall live by faith.")

Sounds like greed and excess to me!

"With fierce prayers and determination to see my mother healed, I started talking to God. "What is going on here?! I'm praying! Dad's praying! Why isn't she healed? You cannot allow death to defeat me, God. You made a covenant with me through Jesus' blood! And that covenant says by His stripes we were healed! Where is that healing? If you break this covenant with me, you'll have to cease to be God! You must keep covenant with me. You must obey your Word!" I was honest with God. He knew how I felt, so what was the point in hiding it? I was confused. I was hurt. I didn't know what else to do. That is when God spoke up, "Jesse, I have a covenant with you, yes. However, I have one with your mother as well. You are praying for her healing. She is praying in her heart for Me to take her home. Now, I will obey My Word. But you and your daddy are battling your mother's will. It is her life at stake. You have Me in a hard place, Jesse. Someone has got to give in. Get yourselves together and tell Me what I am to do! (Jesse Duplantis, "My Experience Doesn't’ Change God’s Word," Article C-Faith)
Does God really need our help to decide what to do?

I did not write this next excerpt, but it shows, just like many other passages do, how anti intellectual Mr. Duplantis is. This man was awarded an honorary doctorate, and is still dumb as a stump about many scriptural issues.

The clincher is when Jesse tells us that the name of Jehovah is used in heaven. As the angel says “You have an appointment with the Lord God Jehovah” (ibid. p.69). The angel also fell down, saying, “The Most High God Jehovah! Hosanna in the highest!” (ibid. p.70) “The great God Jehovah!” (ibid. p.81) “The angels with wings were circling the Throne, singing and shouting, “The Great God Jehovah!” (p.114) This is a BIIIG booboo on Duplantis’ part. The name Jehovah is a made up name, it is a slang word put together by a Roman Catholic monk who took the vowels and the Tetragrammaton and made a new word. Even the Jewish Encyclopedia says it is a mis-pronunciation of the Hebrew YHWH the name of God. This pronunciation is grammatically impossible. The form “Jehovah” is a philological impossibility.” (The Jewish Encyclopedia p. 160) So when Duplantis is saying the angels are praising and using this name it is just nonsense. So where was Jesse taken to?
The Forgotten Word Ministries has more info on "Dr" Duplantis. Duplantis is extensively quoted on that site.

Duplantis is a false teacher, anti-intellectual (check your brain in at the door because you will detect the false teaching in a heartbeat if you don't), and a charletan who is totally given in to the Word of Faith lifestyle where all the leaders are little kings and live that way. If you are into Orthodox Christianity, give Duplantis a wide bearth, and warn others as well.

Radiant

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

A Side Note on Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom is one of the many blessings and benefits of being a citizen of this great country, the United States of America. Even those who come here to visit from countries that do not experience the freedoms we have benefit from those freedoms while in the United States.

Part of religious freedom is the right to choose employment in a field that accommodates your religious persuasion. If a certain day is holy or special to a person, they can choose employment that lets them have that day off. Perhaps a certain food is to be avoided by the adherents of a certain religion - not a problem! There are plenty of jobs where one can avoid the forbidden food item. Is one a teetotaler? There is abundant employment that does not require a person to see, taste or handle alcohol.

Suppose a person's employment is a service to people, and occasionally places them in indirect contact with items that are "forbidden." For example - taxi drivers. These people are paid to transport persons from one location to another for a fee. Sometimes these people have had too much to drink and need a safe ride home. Sometimes a vision impaired person will have a guide dog. If a Taxi Driver's religion prohibits them from even casual contact with booze and dogs, should that person remain in that particular job? They have a choice, don't they?

In the Minneapolis-St Paul area, this issue has again come to the forefront. Many of the predominantly Muslim cab drivers are refusing to take passengers who carry alcohol. Some refuse to assist the blind who need a guide dog to negotiate the roads. This may be a cultural clash issue, but those cab drivers should enjoy and respect the religious freedom we have here and either adapt and assimilate, or maybe find a different job.

Have a look at Little Green Footballs' comments on this article. It gives a more accurate "infidel rejection count" than Reuters did.

Indulge me. I must mention Ron Paul in this blog so his minions will continue to believe he is the most popular Republican presidential candidate when, in fact, they are spamming polls to inflate Paul's popularity and are sorely deceived. The poll that really matters, that one on the primary election day, will be a disappointment for them.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Blog for Hurting Women

My dear friend in Dallas has started a blog for hurting women in the process of restoration. She says she writes for "The woman sitting all alone without hope thinking life has played a cruel trick with her.... I have been her and, praise the Lord, without people to pray for me would still be her."

Here is the site: Trading My Sorrows

She is a very good writer with great insights. I hope you will benefit from her words.



Friday, March 9, 2007

The Cult of Bush Bashing

It becomes more and more obvious as time goes by that the hatred of President Bush is becoming a religious cult, and not based in rational thinking whatsoever. Bush is vilified the world over as the causer of wars, the oppressor of migrants, as the cause of global warming and the root of all that is wrong in the world. Forget the fact that America gives more foreign aid to everybody, even our enemies and even the Palestinians - an open enemy of the United States and freedom everywhere. Forget the fact that most research and development that benefits the poor of this world originated in the United States. Forget, even, that the United States is a country that people swarm to because of the promise of freedom and opportunity. You don't see many people emigrating to Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, or Pakistan, do you, unless they have been radicalized into some state of fascism.

An almost hilarious article appeared in the Washington Post this morning. Mayan Priests are planning to "purify" sacred sites after they become "defiled" by a visit from President Bush this week.

Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate "bad spirits" after President Bush visits next week, an official with close ties to the group said Thursday.

"That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense for the Mayan people and their culture," Juan Tiney, the director of a Mayan nongovernmental organization with close ties to Mayan religious and political leaders, said Thursday.

Bush's seven-day tour of Latin America includes a stopover beginning late Sunday in Guatemala. On Monday morning he is scheduled to visit the archaeological site Iximche on the high western plateau in a region of the Central American country populated mostly by Mayans.

Tiney said the "spirit guides of the Mayan community" decided it would be necessary to cleanse the sacred site of "bad spirits" after Bush's visit so that their ancestors could rest in peace.


It has been almost forgotten that the Mayan culture practically destroyed themselves by barbaric practices. It was not bad spirits that destroyed the Mayan culture, but bad leadership.

I wonder if today's Mayan priests are eating food or are clothed or have medicine provided by the technology and generosity of the United States? I wonder if they know the reason they are not part of the communist Cuban regime is because of the Monroe Doctrine? I wonder if they are aware that Bush has been more sympathetic and has built more alliances with Mexico than any president has done in the last century. He speaks almost fluent Spanish, and governed a state that was a border state with Mexico. He influenced NAFTA, which has been a blessing to Mexico and all Latin American countries.

About "persecuting" immigrant brothers and sisters - we don't machine gun down people who cross......they get three hots and a cot when they are caught and get sent back. In one piece. We do everything we can - not perfectly - to promote free trade with Mexico and all of Central and South America, because this is in the common interest of all countries . Even Venezuela which would not last a month if we did not purchase their oil. Stuff that in your pipe, Chavez!

My government engineer friend tells me about highly intelligent co-workers who state that Bush is the "worst President ever". What does that mean? Apparently they have forgotten near history. Here is a list of the 10 Worst Presidents ever by real historians - not the biased pseudo-media. Bush is nowhere near the notoriety of this group!

Bush is so often referred to as "evil," that he is the "devil" and "Hitler." He has been demonized and become the culmination of everything that is evil and wrong in the world with religious and fanatic zeal. Fantastic quotes like "Bush killed my son!" (Cindy Sheehan) , attribute almost godlike powers to a mere man. In the near future, will people use the expletive "Bush!" instead of other common expletives when they whack their thumbs with a hammer?

I am by no means a "Bush or die" person. Bush will probably go down in history as a mediocre president who entangled our nation in an unpopular war against a religiously charged irrational enemy. In the end, we hire a president to keep us safe - not to make us feel good. We need to remember this when we hire the next president.

Who will be the next religious Icon of all that is evil in the world when Bush is gone?

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Should This Be Allowed In a Free Country?

Some disturbing news is coming out of Germany. The UPI reports that a woman who chose not to follow the faith of her parents (who happen to be Muslim) and who helps others who have made the same choice is receiving death threats. According to Shaira law, any Muslim who forsakes their faith is to receive a death sentence. This brave woman, Mina Ahadi, is asking for police protection because of the death threats.

My question is simple:

Should the adherents of a religion who believe that it is right to kill those who forsake their particular faith be allowed to remain in a free country?

The countries of Europe and the United States espouse the freedom of religion. What if the followers of a certain religion choose violent consequences for those who step out of line?

The "honor" killings that have taken place in free countries are an example. Fathers who are also the adherents of a certain religion have become dismayed that their daughters and wives don't want to be as religiously conservative as they are. Their reaction? KILL THEM! And some do!

Nowadays, adherents of a certain religion have become numerous and are emboldened to try to force their ways and laws on the countries in which they reside, demanding special favors....demanding more respect.....and becoming extremely offended when anyone speaks against them.

Should a free country accommodate a faith that aggressively and violently tries to muscle their ways on society?

Personal Update:

This article could lead some to think I am painting with a broad brush, and wish to deport all Muslims from free countries. Nothing could be further from the truth. At the same time, if there is a group that chooses the radicalized side of their faith and choose to act violently in the country which has offered them hospitality, let them be tried to the full extent of the law. Let them be stopped in their tracks and deported if necessary. Free nations cannot show weakness in this.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Giving a Damn

My best friend in Kansas sent this to me. We strain at gnats while swallowing camels, don't we:

Swallowing Camels
Sample of Daily Encounter by Dick Innes
I read the following story about how on one Sunday morning a usually long-winded pastor preached his shortest, but one of his most effective sermons ever.
He said, "My sermon this morning has three points.
"First, over three million people in the world today are homeless.
"Second, most of you don't give a d_ _ _.
"And third, it is a shame that more of you are upset by the fact that I said the word, 'd_ _ _', than by the fact that over three-million people are homeless."
I've heard that a well-known preacher did a similar thing when speaking about the tragedy of abortion in this country, only the four-letter word he used was even stronger!
Seriously, I'm not condoning preachers using these words, but how sad it is that so many of us will get considerably more upset over someone using a bad word than we do about people being homeless, about the problem of abortion, human trafficking, not to mention the lost going to hell.
Jesus said, "Woe upon you, Pharisees, and you other religious leaders—hypocrites! For you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your garden, but ignore the important things—justice and mercy and faith. Yes, you should tithe, but you shouldn't leave the more important things undone. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" (Matthew 23:23-24, TLB).
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me not to be guilty of straining out gnats and swallowing camels, and help me to be concerned about the things in life that truly matter. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."
NOTE: Case in point ... when I sent this article out as a Daily Encounter one subscriber was irate at me over my use of "d_ _ _" used to illustrate the point I was making.