Home ~
Index
From Katie: You are all paranoid! I
am a VERY passionate catholic and all of the things you believe are sign of
an occult are over paranoidness. The Pope praised Harry Potter for the
stories Moral Lessons! You think because some of the FANTASY elements are
based off LEGENDS that YOUR ancestors told and passed on A LONG time ago it
is immediately NON CHRISTIAN. If you are a Jehovah's Witness then you are
not even christian you are there for polytheistic and PAGAN!!! Everything on
your site points at and occult! Well you are an occult in order to see one
you have to be one and I suppose every religion is an occult!
No Katie. Remember, though Harry Potter is a fictional character, he is
a student of witchcraft. And he brings the minds and imagination of
young readers right into his classroom and occult experiments. Those
lesson teach the opposite of what God gave us in His Word.
From Mary Thompson: [Deeds,
Creeds and Mother Teresa's Despair] The Roman Catholic Church, from
which she came, was fertile soil for her salvation by works theology which
ultimately put works ahead of Christ. When that happens, HUMAN WORKS becomes
a saving god. The glorious message of the Gospel (Sola Scriptura)
becomes lost to souls who need it as much as -- or, rather, more than --
care for their bodies.
From Dennis:
As a lifelong Latter-day Saint (mormon), I must
object to the article you carry on your website, "Top
10 Amazing Facts of Mormonism." It contains outright lies and
half-truths taken out of context. I will not enter into a debate about it,
because that only invites the spirit of contention. I invite you to do your
own research, and to get your information from the source. We are Christians
in the truest sense of the word. I invite you to research the Church's
website for investigators, http://www.mormon.org/welcome/0,6929,403-1,00.html,
and for members, http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg. Once you've had a chance
to do so, I would like to know what you think.
Answered by Jill Martin Rische, author of "Top
10 Amazing Facts of Mormonism:"
Dear Dennis, Thank you for writing. If you believe these facts of
Mormonism are false, please prove it using Mormon Scripture and sources.
Eternity is at stake: yours or mine.
1. Jill's article is correct. My husband and I are former Mormons. When
we were young, we both served a mission for the LDS church, and after
that served in various leadership positions in the Mormon Church. I was
a full time translator and interpreter for the LDS church for over 14
years. We are now devout Christians with a ministry to Mormons. The
Mormon Church is a counterfeit Christian cult. Mormonism gains 200-300
thousand converts from Christianity annually, because many Christians do
not know the Bible well enough to detect false doctrines. Our website:
www.hismin.com Respectfully, Rauni Higley
2. I also was a Mormon. I took this challenge. I prayed and asked God to
give the wisdom (and a burning in my heart) and reveal to me whether or
not I was just a rebellious young person and Mormonism was the truth. At
first, there was nothing. I felt like God hadn’t heard me. Bishops told
me I was lacking faith or trying to do algebra before I really knew
math. I continued to pray...and God brought me to the throne of Grace.
As a Mormon I WAS NOT a Christian. Jesus was a nice story, I was taught
about as a child. A nice guy, that did all that stuff...but I was NEVER
taught he was my SAVIOR and ALL I need for eternal life. Not works or
temple recommends. So I ask you to take the same challenge and ask God
to reveal to you HIS truth and also ask for understanding of John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life and
Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Praying for you.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that your eyes will be opened.
From
Benoît Pâquette:
[RE: ] It is amazing to me that people still put WINGS on ANGELS. In the
bible angels do not have wings. They look like men. And of course, angels
don't earn wings, ever. Cherubims, Seraphims have wings but not angels.
The TV series "Touched by an angel" has all the angels commit sin. Oh! Lord!
That means that all the angels in the series are FALLEN ANGELS!
George:
I am beginning to believe that most people, including
Christians, tend to view this world as reality, and view the Kingdom of God
as myth. The reality is that we have it backwards. The world is nothing but
a delusion. Of course Christians should know that, because Satan is ruler of
this world.
Anonymous:
I'm french and had the opportunity to read and discover
"Conversations with God" through a friend. I tried to find some more
information about it on the web and read your comments about it. Just want
to let you know that living under a complete different "government", I never
felt that "media" control but I nevertheless felt from the deepest part of
my soul the message that God (or his messenger) has sent us and whenever I
get a chance, I try to share with someone close to me. Too bad we can't feel
the same way about God's message about Love. No wonder people keep
fighting...in the name of God.
As Christians, we cannot
agree with the message of
Conversations with [a] God.
It turns all that our wonderful, personal, loving God has promised us
upside down. Perhaps this message will help you understand what we
believe:
My Shepherd
and The
Lord God Almighty
From
Jonathan:
Where the ___ do you get off raving about how
christianity is the way to go and accusing things such as Harry Potter and
Neopets to be satanic.
Also why do you think you can pass judgement
on others becuase they are of a different religion. I for one am a wiccan
and we wiccans are peaceful, you go around making us look like satanists,
the christian religion has been warping the minds of everyone including most
likely yourselves. The religion has set many standards which has given many
other things which may not support or those who hail a different god a bad
reputation. I cannot express the rage I am feeling. I was born christian and
then found out that it is infact the christians who are the evil ones, not
the wiccans, not the buddhists. Before you ___ EVER think about making
assumptions and making other religions look bad I want you to think back to
the many people who have gotten mental illness and were on the verge of
commiting suicide and killing others.
Jonathan, you and I both
evaluate what we read and hear from our own perspectives. My perspective
is based on the Bible. I'm not sure what yours is, but it sounds as if
Harry Potter and other popular entertainment might have something to do
with it.
Jesus told His followers to go
into the world and share His love and truth -- or rather, share His
"truth in love." We are to care about others and not judge each other's
hearts. But we are also told to evaluate everything we read, hear, say
and do by His wise standards. In other words, I don't judge you or
others who are drawn to various forms of paganism. But as a Christian, I
must evaluate or judge certain beliefs and moral values by God's
standard. He tells us to avoid the world's popular earth-centered
messages and influences, because these things pull our hearts and minds
away from something far better that He wants to give us.
But you don't have to listen to
me. I'm not telling you what to do, believe, or read. Our ministry is
primarily to Christian families, not to the world around us. Yes, we do
share the encouraging truths we find in the Bible with anyone who comes
to our website. But just as you freely come (no one is forcing you), so
you can freely leave without reading or accepting our messages.
Remember, in America, we still have religious freedom to express
ourselves -- though this freedom is increasingly restricted in public
places and schools.
From Julie Bartlett:
I was going through today's mail and discovered
a fairly, well, loud envelope from a St. Matthew's Church in Tulsa, OK.
There were a number of "We pray that the person reading the envelope receive
[blah, blah, blah]" inscriptions on the back, so I was curious and opened
it.
It was a one-page letter, front and back, and
described a means by which one could receive the blessings one needs--such
as financial help, health, and what else you might want. The first step,
read the letter, was to take out the prayer rug enclosed...
Now even more curious, I stopped reading and unfolded the "prayer rug,"
which was printed on a cotton-bond paper. Besides the problem that rugs are
not made of paper, the rug itself was imprinted with what proposed to be
Jesus' face, crowned with thorns and eyes shut.
I returned to the letter and finished reading: I was requested to hold the
"rug" in my lap, "relax my mind" and stare at it. "Jesus'" eyes would open
and look back at me! Then I was to kneel on it and contemplate Jesus. The
next day, I was supposed to return the "rug," the "prayer request form," and
a "donation," and Jesus would receive my prayer and answer it abundantly.
(As though He couldn't hear me without it!)
Unsure whether this was a hoax (optical illusion) or a real case of
supernaturalism, I impulsively burned it: letter, "rug," envelope and all.
Idols ARE to be destroyed, after all, and if this was supposed to be the
vehicle of Jesus' presence or attention, it most definitely qualified as an
idol.
It's another sad method of deceiving the poor and the weak into shelling out
their cash.
It is sad, Julie. It reminds
us that as Christian truth and values are increasingly ignored and
despised, we cannot trust strangers -- whether they communicate with us
in person, through the Internet, or by mail. But we can trust our God!
I did a Google search and
found some additional information at the website linked below. There is
a St. Matthew's Catholic church in Tulsa. But apparently its staff
denies any association with that letter:
http://www.channeloklahoma.com/money/2817097/detail.html
From Clint:
Your lack of true Christian compassion and love,
in thinking the world is out to get you and not seeing that His Spirit is in
the world... teaching other cultures to get along in His love (his rain
falls on the just and the unjust right?) is downright vitrolific... please
consider the deeper things of the spirit a bit more.
I do, Clint. But it seems
that the spirit you follow is not the God I follow. I'm not afraid of
the world, my Lord walks with me and guards over my life. But He also
calls His people to share the truth -- even those offensive warnings
that many want to shut out.
I wish you would read about
my Lord in the Bible and allow Him to open your eyes to the uniqueness
of Jesus and His amazing love for people. Remember, my warnings are
directed at misleading philosophies, not the people who have lost their
way.
From Jeff:
The article,
That Which Holds Things
as They Change," (posted on the
What's New page) states:
"As the music soared and pounded to a rock
or reggae or rap beat, hundreds of teenagers of all colors, ethnicities, abilities,
sexual orientations, family situations, streamed down the aisles of the immense
arena to dance in endless conga lines on the main floor, praising God.... The
theology of the worship services at NYE was progressive and inclusive, but the
style was evangelical ...
"As
people danced... kids who’d come from Hawaii and Maine and all points in between
connected with each other and with the Holy Spirit....
"Here
are some of the lyrics .... 'Come and share our sacred space. ALL: Ashe. [Spirit]
Ashe. All are welcome in this place.....We are here to welcome you.... Gay and
lesbian, we love you. ... In God’s eyes we’re all the same. ALL: Ashe. Ashe."
See
The Rising World Religion
I tried to send the Pastor of that church the
following email:
In your presentation on grace I was hoping to see two things at least. 1) Why
do we need the grace of God and 2) By who and how was grace made available to
us.
We need the grace of God because sin separates every single one of us from God,
who is a Holy God. I know that the discussion of sin has become politically
incorrect now, but the Bible speaks to it approximately 650 times. Grace is
explained by some as unmerited favor. We do not merit favor with God (based
on our own goodness) precisely because we have a sinful nature.
The who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His death on the cross as the perfect
Lamb of God in our place (as His shed blood atoned for our sin) is who makes
it possible to approach God and experience HIS Grace (our faith in HIM to forgive
us and make us a child of God)
As to the kids dancing all together and some with differing sexual orientations....it
begs the question how far with these various sexual orientations are you willing
to go? Some people's sexual orientation is to regularly commit adultery (sometimes
even both spouses openly do this as an agreement between themselves)...another
is some people are caught in the web of pornography, others are addicted to
child molestation, voyeurism, S & M, and just simply sleeping around with whoever
and whenever they choose. Do all of these sexual orientations also get to dance
in the meetings too, and have this "relative values" open door, extended to
them too?
The sad part of this is, is that the homosexual is hurt the most when folks
tell them their lifestyle is not a sin and is okay with God. All people with
sin in their lives need Christians to be honest with them and tell them, yes
they can be forgiven, but also that they need to get out of that lifestyle and
out of that sin. The gambler, the alcoholic, the pornographer, the adulterer,
the fornicator, the voyuer, the S & M, the drug addict, the child molester,
the sexual active single person, etc etc... they all need to be told it is wrong
and a sin. To do otherwise is to lie to them and to make a mockery of God's
Word. You can still love them and forgive them and pray for them all, as you
do this, but this you must do.
From Steve:
I have read through your site with some interest. Some questions and thoughts
do come to me.
Presumably because their is no proof that any of the bible is true, it is only
your faith which stops it from becoming a book full of violence, magic, friendship,
etc. Not unlike the Potter books. It is your personal faith that tells your
heart which book you believe in. The same is true for Jews, Arabs, etc, all
of which worship a book.
I also feel that maybe you would add such works as Shakespeare's Mac Beth to
your list of "Do Not read".
Reading through your replies to letters, Christians always conveniently forget
that the almost all churches are responsible for deaths, tortures, The Catholic
Inquisition, The Crusades by the Church of England, and of course the teachings
of the Koran, which having lived in Saudi for 14 years I believe I know a little
about.
I would like to point out that many of your so called Christian acts, symbols,
etc, all have pagan origins.
I would to finish by saying I and my family are believers in God, but not in
religion, due to the people who are involved in running it, Free speech means
has the right to think what they want and say the right to say it, does not
mean they should. I mean I your argument, One could call someone a Nigger and
that would be OK,
Think carefully about how many people you have alienated by your web site, people
who go away thinking Christians are narrow minded fanatics, and who are going
to much harder to talk too about god in the future.
In fact, what is the purpose to your web site? According to the Bible, Jesus
just told people of the love of god, and then let them make up their own mind,
unlike your site, which tries to persuade people to change their views. Unfortunately
the site comes across as being a bit fanatic, and bossy.
In the "welcome section" of
our home page, we tried to explain our purpose:
to provide vital facts and Biblical
encouragement that will help our visitors prepare for a global society that
shows little tolerance for the Christian world view. ...
In His word, God called for
a
watchman
who would sound the trumpet to warn His people in times of danger.
He said,
"...go...
and speak with My words to them. For you are not sent to a people of
unfamiliar speech and of hard language.... Tell them, 'Thus says
the Lord God,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.'...
I have made you a watchman... therefore hear a word from My mouth,
and give them warning from Me...”
Ezekiel 3:4-11, 17-21
Today's transformation
calls for many such watchmen. We need to seek God's guidance together and
count on His promises.
I know that our website sounds both fanatic and bossy
to those who don't know our wonderful God and don't realize the wisdom and
amazing consistency of His Word. But because we love Him and His truth,
we cannot be silent. We want to share what He has given us with everyone
who chooses to visit this website. While our initial mission was simply
to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, we now pray that others
will choose to listen also. And many do -- from every part of the world.
Second letter
from Steve:
It's cool for us to have a different point of view, after all
Jesus had a very different point of view for most around him.
My man problem is with the church's and religion's themselves. Today
as an example, more bombing in my country, because we infidel's have angered
the Muslim, not one man pissing off another, no, religion against religion
we are told, yeah cause god us to kill people in his name.
I am a firm believer in "there is only one true path to God", but unlike
all churches, I believe that is between you and him, and no-one else, no
church or person has been given the divine right to teach (see tell) people
how their relationship with god should be. Being English I have watched
the Catholics and Protestants fight, kill and maim for 30 years, is the
Pope the right hand man of God, specially selected by god to control
millions of people, I really can't see it.
Many have raise the same questions, Steve.
To explain this problem, we wrote this chart:
Biblical versus Cultural Christianity.
Would you please read it and see if it helps you
understand the wide gulf between God's great guidelines and the unloving
actions that have characterized "chistianized" nations and people through
the centuries?
Anonymous:
Everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe. Nobody knows for
a fact what truth is and what a lie is. I understand that your intention is
to create an open forum for discussion on topics that concern your beliefs and
that of Christianity. Understand that your perception is based on the experiences
you have lived, the people you have chosen to surround yourself with and the
facts/stories that you have chosen to believe.
You claim that "god" is he who is
depicted in the bible, but how do you know it to be true? You believe this based
on a book, the words of holy sources and the religion that preaches it. You
are no different from any Buddhist, Jew or Satanist….why? Your beliefs are only
different, because it is supported by a long history, masses of people and a
faith that there is a power higher, more profound than any human can ever conceive
of. Religious teachings have been distorted over time, so why does it matter
if the new age thinkers change concepts according to our times?
"God" does not tell us to live in
the past and he/she certainly does not preach hatred or you would not cease
to exist in a world that has "evil". If others have the capacity to let you
live your truth, is it not fair to ask the same of you? Your website makes a
point of revealing the evil in popular culture, is it not ironic that YOU, who
preaches Christianity and the elimination of evil, seeks for it in cause, word
or any action created by man. Have you ever maybe considered focusing
on the beauty of our diversity, rather than judging it from your perception
of the evil in humankind?
I feel sorry for people like you,
in that you will never know life in its entire splendor not because of your
religion, but because you chose to see the bad in everything and judge it accordingly.
Instead of ridiculing things like Harry Potter and
Conversations with God, consider
for a moment how it makes you feel and then realize that it is a personal response
and not that of GOD or religion.
I ask you this: "Why create humanity,
if only a few are deemed to go to heaven? And if so, how can you be so sure
that God is on your side? Did he tell you…did your book say so…or is it your
mentor that shares your belief that knows so? Nobody knows for sure. We all
follow what we know to true in our hearts. Who are you to say that we are wrong?
I can count on everything that
He tells us in His Word, but I can't answer the questions that He has not
fully answered yet. My certainties rest on His revelation of Himself
and of the amazing world He has created. That eternal, wise and loving revelation
fills me with wonder, joy and hope!
What is the basis for all your
certainties?
From
Lee:
I just got a fundraising letter
from Bishop Swing's United Religions Initiative. The letter, dated March 2005,
is a 3-page, double-sided screed. The high point of it, for me, was this statement
of the current status of the URI and its dreams for the future:
"URI has become an unprecedented
global network of interfaith cooperation, launched countless successful
projects around the world and become the recognized and respected leader
in grassroots interfaith organizing.
Yet there is more work to be done. We aim for the day when:
-- Interfaith cooperation is a recognized norm and religiously motivated
violence has ceased to be a global issue;
-- Cooperation Circles [ URI's local chapters ] are a powerful and respected
resource for peace in every major city in the world and in many towns and
villages;
-- URI is a respected moral authority speaking with a global voice on critical
global issues;
-- Women, indigenous people and youth share an equal voice and responsibility
for leadership;
-- URI's activities engage over 1 billiion people worldwide."
Yes, you saw that right ... 1 billion
people. These guys dream large. They currently claim 270 Cooperation Circles
in 59 countries, and 1 million participants. So they have a way to go yet.
Yes, humanity has always
boasted of big dreams and ambitious goals. But in the midst of such
futile arrogance, the sovereign King of the universe continues to reign!
And He calls us to be on guard against these deceptions. See
Heresy in high places
From
Ron:
I am very sorry but I found
your comments on Conversations
with God to be quite disturbing. Here is a book that teaches you
to find yourself and to have a relationship with God and you're calling it the
occult? I understand that it goes against your particular beliefs but to trash
something that has done so much good in my life and the lives of others, I find
that disturbing.
Have you ever stopped and looked
at your own beliefs? Or your own books? The Bible is full of problems. From
Adam and Eve to Noah and the Ark, the book is filled with myth stories. Do you
know about the apocrypha, the pseudopigrypha, the Nag Hammadi Library? Or about
the founder of modern day Christianity: Constantine. Do you realize the horrible
things he did after converting to Christianity. He killed his wife, his son,
and innocent others. He decided on what goes in the Bible and the religious
dates during the Council of Nicea. How about the cannonization of the Bible?
How about the fact that modern Christianity
dabbles in Paganism and Zoroastrianism? You know what though. I would never
tell you you're wrong for believing in these things that I know are false. And
I certainly wouldn't devote a whole website to it. Doesn't the Bible teach you
not to judge? Yet you pass judgment on Conversations with God in more
ways than one. It's a shame you're not more tolerante, then maybe you could
embrace things that bring people closer to God instead of discarding it.
Actually, Ron,
the Bible, unlike all other sacred books, is not made up of myths.
Much of it has been verified by historical, and archeological records.
Wars, droughts and famines match the history of migrations and the evidence
seen in tree rings and other botanical and climatic changes. Most important,
the Old Testament prophecies foretelling the coming of our Lord and
the details of His ministry and suffering have all been fulfilled. Many
other prophecies concerning wars, rulers and empires were fulfilled
long ago. See
The GOSPEL - Planned and Promised from the beginning
of time
As for the "the pseudopigrypha
and the Nag Hammadi Library," they are obviously not Christian. Nor
do I believe the Apocrypha is Biblical. As for the people who claim
to be Christian but act contrary to His teachings (such as Constantine),
they would fit into the category I call "cultural Christians." They
like to identify with a popular cultural adaptation of Christianity,
which distorts God's Word and has little to do with God's grace and
saving power and love in the believer. See
Biblical versus Cultural
Christianity.
That would be true of any supposed believer who loves or dabbles in
paganism as well. God tells us to "abhor what is evil, and cling to
what is good." Those who are filled with His life and truly following
His way will not love evil.
Finally, please check these
pages:
When to judge or not to judge and
What it means to be
a Christian
From
Andrew Bulger: I am a
21, almost 22 year old man who USED to go to church. I used to read the bible
sometimes, but I quit. You know why?? Because I learned the TRUTH MYSELF. The
truth is that god does NOT exist. We made him up. The bible is PURE FICTION.
It's MYTHS, FANTASIES, & PHONY. Evolution is what started this world. ALL of
you are a bunch of MINDLESS ROBOTS who obey a god that does NOT exist. Religion
makes you stupid, NOT smarter. And don't give me any @%&# about how Christianity
is a relationship, not a religion. It's a MIND-CONTROLLING RELIGION. ALL
of religion is DUMB & STUPID. There has NEVER been a god, there is NO heaven,
& there is NO hell. This world is all there is, NOTHING MORE. Humans are responsible
for NOBODY but themselves. Rock music is KING of this world. Long live rock
music.
The historical and archeological
record -- plus countless eye-witnesses -- testify to the truth recorded
in the Bible, Andrew. What kinds of evidence do you have to back up your
beliefs and assertions?
Your choice has always been
culturally preferred, Andrew. Throughout history, most people have preferred
to shut their eyes to realities that clashed with more popular opinions.
See
Fulfilled prophecies and
John 3-19
From Sandy
Gerver: Just
a comment about the True Images Bible
["Teen
girls' Bible talks of oral sex, lesbianism"].....the
first thing I thought of was the Genesis account of Eve and satan. It wasn't
enough that Eve should just know good, she needed to know evil also. I think
this is a tool satan is using to deceive and the church is certainly ripe for
deception. God's word says in the Amplified...."Abstain from evil [shrink from
it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be." I Thess.
5:22
Thank you, Sandy. To validate your comment, here
are some other resources:
The Nature and
Tactics of Satan and
Don't conform to the ways of
the world
From
T. Y.:
I was introduced to your
article about Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering by the profile of one of my friends.
Before I read it, I decided I was going to try to keep an open mind, but as
I read more and more, the ridiculous comments were almost too much to bare.
I would like to ask, how do you know there is a God? Do you have any proof.
How do you know that this "spiritual feeling" is not the same
"feeling of power" you say kids get from these games. Perhaps God started off
as something similar to Magic, but now evolved into this craze.
If you did not know, the Greeks had many gods to explain natural
phenomenon that they could not explain. They surely thought them to me real,
but you would argue that their gods are false. How do you know that you are
not making the same mistake that the Greeks did? How do you know you are not
just trying to find an easy answer for what you do not understand?
You are incredibly closed minded, and I feel sorry for the box
that you live in. I am open to both believers in God and believers in other
things. I have found true happiness because I recognize my mortality and know
that there are things that I will never be able to grasp. God and the creation
of the universe and man are a few of these things, and I have a feeling that
you have no more a clue than I do.
I don't put a
lot of confidence in our "feelings," T.Y. -- neither yours nor mine
I have a far more solid and time-tested standard for what I believe: the
Bible. Believe it or not, its truth has been confirmed again and again --
by skeptics as well as believers. Those who are willing to listen will find
verification in the archeological and historical record. You might want
to check these two pages:
Origin of life
and
What Darwin didn't know
No other set of Scriptures line up with actual
history and reality. The mythical beliefs of the ancient Greeks, Romans,
Hindus and Celts were totally different. They were merely stories based
on the imagination, whereas God's Word lines up with real life and actual
events. Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled, a fact
that has baffled scholars who have tried to disprove its messages.
Since we have not yet compiled
a list of fulfilled prophecies, we did a quick Internet search and found
several such lists. We don't agree with everything we saw in our brief survey
of the following websites, therefore we hesitate to post these. But if you
just look at these specific pages you would find many amazing examples of
the consistency of the Scriptures, of evidence of its accuracy, and of the
odds against such fulfillment apart from God's supernatural work in human
lives and history. By God's grace, we may soon have a section on these topics
at crossroad.to:
http://www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID320166%7CCHID706734%7CCIID1800372,00.html
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/accuracy.htm
http://www.familybible.org/Articles/BibleProphecy/Probability.htm#Evidence
From Rob:
I've actually gone through your website for the past hour or so reading your
articles and views on different things. You seem to be against globalism as
a whole, what if that consensus and globalism started to lean towards your beliefs?
Would that not cause a surge in intolerance, and censorship, an increase in
uniformity and less diversity.
Rob, if you have read our articles
on the United Nations, you know that it plans to establish a form of mandatory
unity and solidarity that calls for a ban on Biblical Christianity. That's
why both Unesco's
Declaration on Tolerance
and its
Declaration on the Role of Religion in the Promotion
of a Culture of Peace outlaw any religious
faith based on the absolute moral standards of the Bible.
Most Christians have no intentions
of imposing God's guidelines on unbelievers. But the very notion of co-existing
with such a different set of beliefs is intolerable to the UN's globalist
elites. It clashes with their vision of unity in diversity. So while they
tout religious pluralism, the planned "pluralism" can only include religions
that fit its basic mold for a unifying global spirituality.
In other words, whether you
are Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Buddhist, you must agree that all spiritual
paths lead to the same mountain peak. See
The Millennium Messiah
and
Heresy in high places
-- and any of the other articles at the top of the page.
You seem
to condemn everything outside of the beliefs you hold as evil as described by
God. Is your source of God's Word the Bible purely? or do you receive these
beliefs from other sources?
God's Word is my standard. But
I can't keep those standards on my own. I have to trust the Holy Spirit
to lead me and enable me to do His will. Therefore I cannot hold unbelievers
-- who have not received His Spirit -- accountable for that standard. Nor
do I expect the world or human nature to change much. They can't! It's impossible
apart from God.
I was
raised Catholic for most of my life, and instead have started to study more
philosophy and eastern views/beliefs. This is not because I did not believe
the same thing as what was talked about in church, but instead it did not
seem to fit within the way I am able to cope with the world. I have a very
abstract leaning view of everything. Concrete ideas, ideas that do not leave
room to flex and expand just do not meld with the way I can see things. So that's
why I have followed a more intuitive and more mystical way of looking at a higher
power.
Unfortunately
your view does not seem to allow for flexibility. I express it as your view
despite your insistence that you are just expressing the will of God through
scripture quotes, etc. I'm curious as to why you think your view is the one
view? Thank you for your time.
Of course, God's way doesn't
fit the way non-Christians cope with the world, Rob. It couldn't. It's a
whole different -- but far more exciting and wonderful -- way of living.
Check some of our messages on the names of God and see who He is to us.
Here are two that should answer your question:
My High Tower:
Seeing the world from His perspective and
Immanuel.
Then see
What it means to be a Christian
From
PoncaMan:
I stumbled across your website while surfing some Harry Potter sites. You poor
lost souls.The man, Yeshua bin Yosef, died on the cross as an act of love and
redemption, not to take away our minds.
I will
pray that your paranoia and ignorance is alleviated and the true light of creation
shines upon you. You are such sick men. Fantasy is not a sin you inbred fools.
Jesus died for this ___! What a perversion of his true meaning. Someday
you will understand.
Anonymous:
You sick fundies are the devil. I know you're burning
in your own private hell, and want everybody else to join you.You preach hate
and destruction, hope you be the first to get it.
From
Lance Marchetti:
Please be aware of Carol & Hugh Colmer's deceptive
teachings at their website: http://www.crosscircle.com/
Some of his other writings can be seen here: http://www.sangraal.com/soma.htm
Here's a quote from Mr Colmer: "Its time for spiritual and religious leaders
to focus on the commonalities of their Masters teachings. We can all appreciate
the individual style of the various religions and by all means they should be
respected..."
Let other deception-awareness sites know about this please.
I looked at it, Lance, and I really appreciate
your warning. It illustrates the occult
distortions of truth that I tried to communicate in the article
Disaster, despair, deliverance and deceiving spirits
From
Jon:
I spend a lot of time online, and I've
seen a lot of sites like yours. You've got some halfway Athiest or know-it-all
intellectual rambling on about who knows, who cares, and you throwing the classic
"but the bible says" right back at them. I don't usually bother with your type,
but I thought I'd just re-say what Nietzsche already said perfectly:
"Didn't this man know that god was dead?"
Nietzsch didn't know what he
was talking about, Jon.
A lot of people are blind to what they are missing. Though you don't like
it, I will quote the Bible once again, because everything it says is true
and full of wonder -- whether or not you and Nietzsche deny it.
"I, brethren, when I came
to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring
to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among
you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness,
in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were
not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of
the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom
of men but in the power of God.
"However, we speak wisdom among those who are
mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age,
who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they
would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared
for those who love Him.”
"But God has revealed
them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things,
yes, the deep things of God.... Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might
know the things that have been freely given to us by God. ... But
the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned. "
1 Corinthians 2:1-14
To find out how you, too, might
see and know what "God
has prepared for those who love Him,” please go to
What
it means to be a Christian
Anomymous:
I want to tell you somethin about your article about
the "ocult"
Conversations
with god. You dont believe those "twisted" messages come from god. I
understand. But in none of his books is there nothing "wrong". Besides if you
dont belive they come from god then dont read it like that be skeptical. Just
read the messages he writes about. Take them serously and try them. AND DONT
TELL ME THAT THE WHOLE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN BY GOD. WE ALL KNO THAT IT WASNT.
A lot of people – even
Christians – do exactly what you suggest. They take Neale Donald Walsch’s
occult messages seriously. Many actually believe they came from the God
of the Bible. And if they believe that those messages were actually inspired
or spoken by God, they get a totally twisted view of His character, wisdom
and nature. All His wonderful truths are turned upside down! All His warnings
about the destructive drives of human nature and sensual desires are negated.
In fact, Neale Donald Walsch’s god tells us exactly the opposite of what
God tells, and the result is a set of deceptions that match the lies of
Satan.
That's why I cannot take
any of his books seriously. I wish no one else would. But the tantalizing
messages feel good to those who want permission to indulge all their desires,
so I'm not surprised at their popularity.
Anomymous:
God is good but you're not!
I am overwhelmed by the extreme ignorance displayed
on you're website. You and closed minded people like you are responsible for
ALL the hate in this world! You call yourself a Christian but seemingly act
nothing like Christ!
So much for being all things to all people. You're
not happy unless everyone believes that being your clone will get them into
heaven. You're nothing more than a Sadducee!
From Fred:
I was just reading your page on UFOs and the Supernatural. I can't discount
what you say, except to say that, yes, there's stuff out there that will attempt
to put you in a state of fear, just to see where your head is at. I do spirit
communication via electronic means. I'd just like to say that you miss a lot
of life by being afraid. There's a whole universe out there, and I'm not going
to hide from anything.
From Robert:
I have read the Bible more than once. I try to follow it's teachings. However,
i understand that they are teachings meant to guide us. Not every word printed
in the Bible can be taken as words directly from God. Humans wrote the words
down on paper. Humans who aren't perfect. Humans who make mistakes. Then long
after the Bible was written down, it was translated into other languages. The
people translating it also weren't perfect and may have made mistakes. There
is also something called "poetic license" in which writers change certain things
to make stories sound the way that writer understood it. If words in the Bible
are not in quotation marks, then they are not truly His words, but instead are
one persons interpretation of His words.
To take every word in the Bible as words spoken by God Himself is naive. Naive
isn't an insult, it is simply a lack of knowing or understanding something.
This is, of course, my opinion. As all people have one.
Robert, I am glad you
have been reading the Bible and try to follow its teachings. But the Bible
is far more than a set of guidelines. If it was merely a collection of documents
and letters written by imperfect men using "poetic license," it would hardly
be worth following. Why would anyone give their life and willingly face
persecution, torture and death for its message, if it were nothing more
than the opinions of imperfect people?
Yes, the words were written
down by fallible humans. But behind the words stands the sovereign King
of heaven and earth. He is more than capable of guiding people -- even those
who don't know Him -- in ways that fit into His plan and timeline for all
of humanity. That's why we see such amazing consistency -- a continuous
thread of revelation throughout the Bible.
The historical record
demonstrates the fulfillment and validity of Old Testament prophesies written
hundreds of years earlier. (If you do an Internet search for Biblical prophesies,
you will find several lists of prophetic Scriptures that were clearly fulfilled.)
No human mind could foresee such events -- especially not the birth, birthplace,
crucifixion and triumph of the promised Messiah -- our Savior and King.
May I suggest that next
time you read your Bible, you pray that God open your eyes to see and know
this wonderful Book as His personal message, inspired by the His Spirit,
so that you might truly know and delight in His unchanging character and
ways. As He tells us,
"All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things
were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."
John 1:1-4
From
Missy:
Have you read Conversations with God? Someone
bought me two copies. One for each of my children about to become teens. Obviously
she didn't read the book or she wouldn't have given the books to them.
As I read the book to make sure it was ok I couldn't help but get nearly hysterical.
If you haven't read it. I hope that you will and then help me to warn parents
about it's deceptive title. The god it purports to be conversing with is not
God but ourselves. Oh you just have to read it. It's every bit what is being
taught to our children in public schools.
It is what my oldest child embraced and the reason why he gave us such a horrible
way to go with raising him. I am happy to report that my prayers for his salvation
have been answered most recently.
This book tells our teens that to be obedient is not to be free. That the words
Freedom and God can be used interchangeably. God is freedom. God created us
in His image therefore we are creators. He doesn't want to tell us how to create
(ourselves) for that wouldn't be freedom. That we have a open line of communication
to Him that we are not separated from Him. That we were not born with original
sin but with an Original power. Our gifts are not from him but our own to create.
They have the choice to not to obey their parents to not give parents their
power. p99 "Remember always: obedience is not creation".
p. 95 "do not renounce sex, nor any of the good and wonderful and fun things
that I have given you in life. Simply renounce any addiction you may have of
them." p. 94 "When you deny a part of yourself, you deny an aspect of yourself
that I created."
p.62 "Almost everything you do, you do because at some level you can see your
own interest being served. It is not just about the interest of the person "making
you do it." they tell the kids not to give the parents their power by doing
what they say but find a benefit in it for you.
I think that's enough example to get you concerned if you haven't already read
it. I didn't see a review of it on your page so I thought maybe you hadn't read
it. The title is deceptive. The writer Neal Donald Walsch is telling the reader
this is what God told him. Never does he tell the reader to read God's word
for the answers. He instructs them to listen to their own voices as though they
were their own gods.
The forward was written by Alanis Morissette which is what set off alarms to
begin with. Then on page 3 when I read, " The last thing you need is someone
else giving you the answers. The hope is that this book will place you in touch
with your own answers." Then I knew what I had in my hand.
The writer spends a lot of time telling the reader he knows they are this and
they are that. Pumping up and feeding the ego. p 24 for example reads like,"you
called this book to you...you want changes...you want them now...you're ready...you
are anxious...you know that...that's obviously you.
Thank you, Missy, for
sending this information. I knew Neale Donald Walsch' books were occult.
His early books came closest to Theosophy. But Walsch' new book for teens
almost sounds more like pop psychology than theosophy.
You may want to read our comments on "Conversations with God" at
http://www.crossroad.to/text/Exerpts/Neale1.html
From
Jolly (subject: "I believe
in GOD, not the Bible"): I believe
in GOD, but your "Twelve reasons not to see Harry Potter Movies", is as absolutely
ridiculous. Oh well - just another religous fanatic trying to stop a woman from
expressing her creativity.
Oh - I forgot, the Bible is a story written by MEN, FOR MEN, using GOD as their
excuse for committing UNTHINKABLE ACTS of cruelty against women and others "IN
THE NAME OF GOD". Silly me.
Which God do you believe
in, Jolly?
From
Dennis:
I read the article about Sun Myung Moon's "Dedication
of Unification Church National Headquarters." The article is upsetting enough,
but what is really upsetting is that if you go to the home page of the parent
web site (
www.tparents.org
) you will find at the bottom of the page endorsements
by Internet rating services called "Safe for Kids", "Safe Surf - Rated All Ages"
and "Family friendly Award." Well, if you know and believe the God of the Holy
Bible, then you know for certain that this deception is not safe for kids or
family friendly and is nothing more that Satan once again disguised as an "angel
of light." I find it so hard to actually believe that thousands of people follow
this man and his garbage, but I guess they do.
From
Sarah Leslie:
I live in the heart of rural Amish and Mennonite
country, where the women wear a head covering as a matter of believing literally
I. Cor. 11. They have done so for 5 centuries.
I’ve been watching this development overseas and also in this country, where
school districts are banning head coverings. In a USA Today article this week,
the president of France was quoted as saying that people could believe whatever
they wanted, but he didn’t want to give them the right to PRACTICE their beliefs.
I’ve heard from their own mouths that same comment from legislators in the United
States, pertaining specifically to the right to homeschool.
I suppose since there is plenty of anti-Muslim sentiment right now, it seems
possible to ease in new laws restricting religious liberties. Are there Christian
Anabaptists in France? What will happen to these women? What if shaving off
the mustache and only wearing the beard (a historical practice based in non-resistance
among the Anabaptists) is also seen as a religious provocation?
It is a sober thing to approve of depriving a group of their religious liberties,
because our own liberties are equally at risk.
From
Fabienne:
Dennis Monroe's comment about that sentence by Ray Yungen points out how easily
people's words can be misread or misheard. (Re-reading my own books recently
I was taken aback to find several sentences -- dialogue by the characters --
which taken out of context could be mistaken for heresy!) This is important
for everyone who loves the truth to realise, because increasingly that truth
is going to be either misunderstood or worse, deliberately quoted out of context
by those who hate the truth. The situation in our Australian state of Victoria
where two pastors have been prosecuted for telling the truth is a current example
of this happening. Of course there is a better-known precedent: Jesus' words
about "destroy this temple and in three days I will rebuild it" were deliberately
misused against Him.
When I read the sentence that Dennis quotes, I understood Mr. Yungen as saying
that Satan is wanting to deceive people into thinking that there is no difference
between God and him. Even in the churches that deception is spreading. For example,
many churches use "relevant" concepts such as "The Force" in the Star Wars movies
as a basis for evangelism, saying "The Force" is really God. This is very dangerous
because "The Force" is a blatant example of Satan's deception. "The Force" is
both good and evil, and to equate God with it is blasphemy and can only lead
people astray.
Post-modernism is not at all funny.
The article about dress codes and dancing styles in schools demonstrates how
confused everyone has become -- these teenagers are only following what society
is telling them (through the media, the laws, school curriculum, even their
parents' example in many cases) is the thing to do. Then that same society turns
around and tells them they are not allowed to do what society is promoting and
encouraging them to do. Is it any wonder that young people are resenting the
rules when from kindergarten up they are being told that to do what you feel
like doing is okay? Why shouldn't they be allowed to dress provocatively or
dance in suggestive ways when in sex education classes they are being told that
anything is okay?
Please do not misunderstand what I have written above -- I am not at all condoning
the teenagers' behaviour, but showing that it is quite understandable that they
behave that way (there but for the grace of God go we all). As a non-Christian
teenager I was confused too, when the Catholic school I was in taught that premarital
sex is wrong but then sponsored the premiere in our town of the movie "Love
Story"...
When we trun away from God and His Word there are no absolutes and confusion
reigns.
Thank you, Fabienne
From Dennis Monroe:
I read the posting "Meditation: Mind over matters." In that posting is the following
quote:
"Satan is not simply trying to draw people to the dark side of a good versus
evil conflict. Actually, he is trying to eradicate the gap between himself and
God, between good and evil, altogether." Ray Yungen, A time of Departing."
Then you provide the link to Mr Yungen's web-site
http://www.lighthousetrails.com/order.htm.
I also find the same quote in your article "Role-Playing Games & Popular Occultism."
Please explain this quote to me. I went to Ray Yungen's web site. I do not have
the time to go through it right now, but at first glance from his "our beliefs"
statement it appears to be Christian, yet this quoted sentence referring to
Satan seems all wrong to me. I have always though that Satan hates God so much
that he would do anything to destroy God (if he could, which he cannot) and
be the one in ultimate power. Am I wrong? Mr. Yungen's web-site also lists your
web-site with the implication that you support him. Who is this person? Do you
support him? Again, what does the quoted sentence mean? Please respond. This
is more important to me than I can even put into words.
Ray Yungen is a Christian
who has summarized the deceptive nature of the new global spirituality.
The consensus process
lies at the core of this deception -- blending good and evil, dark and light,
right and wrong.... It's the postmodern eradication of Biblical distinctions.
Of course, Satan can't actually eradicate the gap between himself and God
-- but he can trick human minds into believing it. Thus his interests become
the focus of their life -- if not their worship.
Look at Genesis 3, the
dialectic process, again. Or go to our "charts" section and read
The Nature and Tactics of Satan
Remember, when people see evil
as good, then rationalize or excuse sin (which happens in an amoral, psychologized
and postmodern culture), there is no need for Jesus Christ or the cross.
Satan is a liar and deceiver
who has always offered gullible subjects the counterfeit versions of all
the good things God promises His children (only believers, not the rest
of the world).
In a world that rejects God's
standards and embraces many gods, Satan can market himself and his powers
as more appealing than the Biblical God -- or simply as another, better
version of the same "universal god." Again, no need for the cross.
Instead, every religious path leads to the top of the same mountain. Or
so his followers believe.
Does that make sense, Dennis?
Yes, that all makes sense. Let me see if I can
hopefully explain the problem I had with the sentence.
"Satan is not simply trying to draw people to the dark side of a good versus
evil conflict. Actually, he is trying to eradicate the gap between himself and
God, between good and evil, altogether."
A portion of the problem can come about by the fact that this sentence is isolated
from the textual context that it was taken from. When this is done, the author
of the sentence may understand it perfectly, but when others read it without
the rest of the material, it is possible to read it with different meanings,
and that is what happened to me.
I think the way in which this sentence is
supposed to be read is that Satan's desire is to eradicate the gap between himself
and God for the purpose of duping people into thinking that either way, i.e.,
Satan's way (which constitutes many ways--religions) or God's way are acceptable
to get back to God. Or said another way, to cause people to not see the
gap and to believe there is no difference. We know that Christ is the only way,
and all other ways lead to infinite death. Satan's purpose is also to literally
replace God, to be God, to be the one in the power seat, to be the one that
is worshipped over and above God. This is evident in the exchange between Satan
and Jesus, when Satan said if you will worship me, all this I will give you...,
etc.
Hopefully no one else saw the sentence as I initially did. I have learned that
in the business of Christianity, many people can be led astray by how they personally
perceive someone else's words. The actual meaning of a writing as the author
intended it can very easily be misunderstood and twisted in so many different
and wrong ways. I also find myself being very sensitive lately to just who out
there is speaking the truth about certain doctrines, etc. I am finding that
some of the popular evangelical "heavies" may very well be off base and "out-to-lunch"
on certain things. Some of the people that I have had a tendency to trust in
I am now having doubts about. I am finding significant differences in the form
of Christianity that is spoken today as compared with the Christianity of the
first century, for example. The result is that some of my earlier "informational
fortresses", so to speak, are being torn down. I also find that I must be extremely
careful in making sure I know what the truth is before I accuse anyone else
of being wrong or even heretical. I do a lot of keeping my mouth shut because
of my unsureness about certain theological matters. I ask the Lord everyday
for His Wisdom and discernment.
I also fully realize that a person, such as myself, must never put anyone on
a pedestal, that is, follow some earthly preacher with blinders on. Cults get
started that way. I must be careful to always check things out against Scripture
just like the Bereans did. However, I also do not think that we should be "going
it alone." The Bible says do not forsake the assembling of yourselves and it
says that for good reason. The Bible says do not forsake the assembling
of yourselves and it says that for good reason. There is no such thing as a
true Christian that operates as a "lone ranger", at least not from what I have
observed.
I know Biblical
fellowship in Christ is the ideal for His Church. But in this time
of growing apostasy, more and more Christians are forced to choose between
"fellowoship" and compromise. who refuse to compromise. They don't fit into
the seeker-church movement or other chuches that are reinventing their "worship"
to please the world. Yet a lot of today's leaders and pastors warn against
such loners. It's hard to walk alone and walk away from a worldly church,
but that's what
many have to do in order to
stay true to God.
Yes, I do understand how many Christians of today
are becoming lone rangers by no desire of their own. While I do attend what
I feel is a good Bible believing and teaching Baptist church, and I do find
good fellowship there, much of what I have learned I cannot speak "publically"
there. I have tried to relate some of the things I have learned from your writings
and other sources I trust and I have been soundly "blown out of the saddle."
Therefore, in some ways, I too am operating like a lone ranger. I will not rollover
and compromise for the "new" ways of thinking. I simply will not do it.
FromJoshua Boniface, Canada:
Intollerance. You speak of it a lot.
Intollerance for you from the (U.S.*) government, Intollerance of you from other
religions, etc. But I sit here, after reading many of your articles and wonder:
"How can anyone be so hippocritical!"
Your articles are a
fine example. You continually say that (pretty much) everything in the modern
world is evil, or corrupts (your) Christianity, or "endangers" or harms todays
children. You defend your religion with a great zeal, and not always in the
best way. And in your replys to other letters you also defend your religion
seriously.
I am a Roman Catholic,
*I live in Canada and I attent a Catholic High school. My family is not practicing
(we don't go to church every sunday, but we do go on special occasions;) but
my faith is still strong (though that is fleeting, mainly because at high school
I met some people with other beliefs and that changed the way I look at religions.
You say that your "faith
is still strong," Joshua. But what is the basis for your faith? In whom
do you believe?
You say you have "changed
the way [you] look at religions, because you "met some people with other
beliefs." It seems to me that your "fleeting" beliefs illustrate what I
have been writing. Just as in Old Testament days, a lot of people are now
turning from the Biblical God to other gods -- or to various spiritual blends.
But that doesn't stop
me from enjoying my life and doing what I feel is fun and good. I enjoy anime,
for several years I played Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon, and I like music
today (mostly: I hate rap, but I like and play most other styles.) None of this
has at all destroyed my faith, my conscience or my morals. Most of my friends
consitter my the most sensitive and caring person they know and I feel good
about this.
I love God and Jesus
Christ, but your perverting of the Bible for your own defense and your zealous
hipocracy has really annoyed me.
What do you mean when you say,
"I love God," Joshua? Are you referring to a warm feeling or a positive
attitude? If so, that's not what God wants from us. He tells us that loving
Him means knowing His Word and following it. He says,
"He who has My commandments
and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved
by My Father... If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word."
John 14:21-21
You attack other religions
and state they are "wrong" and you condemn the people who
practice or preach these religions.
I don't condemn anyone, Joshua.
I just share what God has told us. But I realize that some people may feel
convicted by His Word. Other are offended and angry. Jesus told us long
ago that the world would neither want or understand His ways. See
John 15:20-21
Remember, both in the Old and
New Testament, people were asked to repent (turn from thoughts and activities
that clashed with God's moral standards -- and return to God). Loving God
implies being willing to let go of all things that get in the way of following
Him.
But He doesn't ask us to turn
our lives around by our own strength. If we truly seek Him, He will begin
to change our hearts so that we will want Him more than anything else. We
will want to come to Him, receive His forgiveness and be filled with His
life.
(Sounds a bit like
yourself, doesn't it?) If you were to put all the effort you have for said zealous
hipocracy into embrasing this new (and never-leaving) new world, you would be
a much happier person and wouldn't recieve so many negative comments.
Oh and contrary to
what you say, successfuly saving Catholosism and today's world can interchange,
but only in moderation. You can live in a bubble, but some day it will burst
and you will be sorry.
There are many different kinds
of bubbles out there, Joshua, but there's only one place you will find solid
ground. That's in Jesus. Please consider what He says. If you turn your
back to Him, you are the one who will be sorry. See
What
it means to be a Christian
Anonymous:
I wonder how you can sleep at night. You write
so pretentiously; stating that your opinion is to be included with others
interpretation of the word of god. What gives you that right? You make semi-extremist
claims based on what you consider to be your extensive knowledge of the bible.
Worst of all you sink to the sick perversion of quoting the bible. How dare
you take and snatch tiny meaningless phrases to strengthen your arguments? The
bible wasn’t made to be taken up into your butcher-shop of a mind and be brutally
mangled so it’s infinite lessons are reduced to scrap for the religiously challenged.
Where did I make such
a statement about my "opinion"?
Please notice
that I don't actually interpret those Scriptures. I just quote them. They
don't need human interpreters, because -- in the context of the whole Bible
-- they explain themselves. They are all parts of God's message to
us, and they show us His heart. So I trust the Bible itself far more than
I trust human "interpretations."
When I talk about the religiously challenged
I’m referring to those people so weak in faith for the lord that they have to
hang onto human speech and knowledge to try and understand what it means to
be a Christian. This
problem exists world wide and I do not blame you for it. I also understand that
you’ve been suckered into senselessly killing the meaning of the bible by the
status quo for fundamental Christian advertising.
What kind of advertising?
I haven't seen it.
I do not condone any person or establishment
that tries to teach the word of god with out enforcing that followers read all
the words. Then I think people should have to self- interpret the meaning of
god before any preaching occurs. I write knowing that I am fighting an up hill
battle. You will probably not change your ways. Few ever do, but you are not
the first person I’ve talked to.
I want to know what you think so far. Aren’t
you the least bit interested in a person who thinks that they can understand
the word of god and choose between right and wrong without your help.
Of course, God can teach
you without my help. He has millions of messengers who communicate His truths
far better than Andy or I. We are just grateful that He can use us in a
small way according to His will.
Please return a response because I see a lot
more wrong with your website than just misplaced, bible
slicing.
From A.C.:
The National Geographic channel has a show similar
to the witchcraft show dealing specifically with voodoo. The Washington Times,
unfortunately, is owned by "Reverend" Sun Myung Moon, so I tend to look at anything
published by them with a skeptical eye, but it's true that voodoo/Vodoun and
Santeria have become more popular along with other types of witchcraft. Both
of them combined Paganized "Christianity" (primarily Catholicism) with African
witchcraft.
I am not attacking the Catholic Church specifically
for being Paganized, because most of the so-called "Protestant" denominations
are full of Paganism just like the Roman Church is. It's unlikely that most
Catholics OR Protestants realize the extent to which Paganism has pervaded Christianity.
The Norse Pagan Ostara/spring equinox celebration I went to in 1994 (and I knew
I should not have) had much of the same stuff as Protestant Easter celebrations,
including a sunrise service, the Easter bunny and colored eggs. I'm positive
I had demonic visitations as I was going to sleep the first night because I
saw visions of trolls and elves, which are earth spirits that figure prominently
in Asatru (Norse Paganism). I was just DUMB.
From
John:
You people are insane. I went back to browse your
site after I wrote the Harry Potter email, and I see that you're accusing everything
that kids like! What do you hope to achieve, no seriously i want to know, by
doing this? Why don't you get out? Get on TV, do something! This is highly ridiculous.
You're going after Veggi Tales now??? Who does something like that!? I am shocked
and appauled at you people. You just need to understand that the times have
changed. Everythings changed.
No, everything hasn't
changed, John. God never changes. Nor does His Word or His moral standard
:
"Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
"The grass withers, the
flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8
A long time ago it was the worst thing in the
world to have a black man and a white woman married, and now, it's happening
all over the place, and no one says anything (except those southern people *shudder*).
Everything videogame related aimed at kids nowadays has HP (hit points) MP (magic
points) Levels, etc.
Skin color doesn't matter
to God, nor should it matter to us. But a lot of other cultural changes
do matter -- especially today's craving for promiscuity and occult thrills.
Cultural acceptance
of immoral or unhealthy lifestyles doesn't make them right or good. God
allows us to do foolish things and to follow our own inclinations. The result
-- both to the person and the land -- are devastating. See
Romans 1:22-32,
Deut 28:15 and
Role-Playing Games & Popular Occultism
I don't even want to write anymore, but I will
ask this: "What do YOU want the children to do all day?" But I already know
the answer: "Read the Bible etc etc..." I think that is a great idea, no truely
i am not lying, I have been saved for 5 years now, and attend church every sunday,
but kids need something else to do too.
Who needs TV and computer
games when there are so many other great things to do? Those distractions
only get in the way of the things that build character, wisdom and appreciation
for God's creation.
The can go bicycling,
hiking, fly a kite, read a great classical book, find a neighbor or an elderly
person who needs help (they are all around you) study some interesting courses,
build a shack or tree house (ask for scrap wood at a local construction
site) where you can sit alone and pray and study. And take time to memorize
Scriptures. When life get really tough in our land because of all our foolish
choices, you will need them.
What's most important
for those who belong to God is simply to ask Him what He wants them to do.
He is more than happy to lead those who will follow the Shepherd -- and
they won't even be interested in TV or occult games. He has far more exciting
things in store for His children.
On a final note, you're going to find trouble
everywhere. Kids that read books or play videogames may be kind of weird, while
the kids that get out and play sports may develop into big headed, as I would
call them, typical american boys, out trying to have sex, drink alcohol etc.
Me? I am the former. I play the videogames, I read the books.
I just think you could take the time and money that you put into your website,
and put it in the tithe box instead.
If you follow my suggestions,
John, you will have a lot more money to give to God.
From Mary Thompson:
Aikman articulates the agenda which seeks to
deny the concept of the existence of absolutes, a concept they define as fundamentalism.
Their "absolutism" in the pursuit against "absolutism/fundamentalism" is a contradiction
in terms which seems to escape them. By lumping every profession of faith, without
discernment, they create another form of absolutism of their own making. Their
"fundamentalism" is the denial of the existence of absolute Truth itself. They
will use any militant "ism" in the quest to denigrate fundamental Christianity,
the real target.
From Keith Bradford:
I recently came across your website and
was frankly unimpressed and disgusted. You seem to have a distorted perception
of reality yourself (referring to your movies section). I will not lie, I did
not thoroughly read each individual column nor do I plan to, however you seem
to be following a belief structure that is not functional nor realistic today.
The superstitions of old have all but faded except
for a few such as yourselves (to whom I have lovingly dubbed "Faithfully Retarded"
or one who's faith is set prior to 17th century era mentality, without the ability
to evolve with the progression of man).
You have a strange way
of using the adjective, "lovingly," Keith, both here and at the end of your
letter. I guess I haven't "evolved" along with the new meanings of traditional
words -- nor with the postmodern beliefs and values. I still look to Webster's
dictionary and to God's unchanging Word for meaning and direction.
There was a valid reason for the church to infer
the faith destructive capabilities of wizards, spellcasters, and paganists 300
years ago and so on. That was all it took to keep the huddled masses at bay
and in fear of hell (keep the sheep from straying the flock if you will). But
the people of the era were rather simplistic, uneducated and highly superstitious
(kind of like the Catholics of today). Today how ever the human mind has evolved
and is more informed about the world around them, our children's minds are refined
from a very young age and are less likely to stray from their beliefs (unless
the only reason that they had those belifes to begin with were because those
were their parents beliefs).
The supersticions of old dont scare people anymore,
because they realize how irrational it seems. Besides the bible teaches us to
love thy neighbor and not to cast judgment for we will all be judged in the
end. Who are you to say what is a danger to our children, seems to me you are
shakey in your faith and all this is nothing but a failed attemt at self-affimation
of your beliefs for you are truely the one who is in fear of "christian regression"
falling backwards due to a failed step forward.
May I suggest
you read "Thou shalt
not judge?" and this list of Scriptures:
Judging
The reason God's most loved creation is man is
because we were his or her masterpiece work, or so we like to tell ourselves.
Makes you feel important, special doesn't it to be the most loved. We fight
our whole lives for the approval of others when according to God we should love
each and every man, woman, and child the same. Contradictory to the fact that
we were give free will to do as we please (The Cosmic Joke), yet If all the
laws of God are followed what choices are left for us to make?
Every
moment you can choose to follow your feelings, lusts and gravings or follow
the facts that show you what brings health, wellness and lasting help and
encouragment to others. You can demonstrate selfishness, cruelty, kindness
or compassion. It's up to you.
“And if it seems evil
to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods which your fathers served... or the gods of the Amorites....
But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
And that is the issue here you are the one hindering
peoples ability to make their own informed choices (trying to steal the one
gift given by God that sets us apart from all other creations)
It is not for you to say what is evil or who
(especially with what they create or imagine with their God granted gifts of
free will and a fully functioning brain) All things created by man no matter
how twisted, distorted, morally questionable, or un-christian are on one level
or another a gift from god.
That's true. But
some of those "gifts" (or rather, parts of His creation) will bring blessings
while other parts will destroy you. Keep in mind, He made poisonous serpents
as well as the sheep that clothe us in wool for cold winters. See
Proverb 16:4
and
Justifying
sin
All that I am trying to say is that people are
not stupid and are not giong to get online and seek out satanic website due
to watching Harry Potter.
Actually, many do see
more information as well as personal tutors who can train them in the occult
principles promoted through the Harry Potter books. Please read
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
and the following links from our Harry Potter News
page:
The witch's view:
"I am a thelemite, a solitary witch - you are not wiccan unless you have
been initiated, which I hope eventually to be - and a ritual magician in
practice. I am also interested in
chaos
magick, tarot, kaballah and the Egyptian and Celtic deities. ...
"You are
not just drawn into the story but into that world....
"This
book is chaotic and often bleak ... Harry...is moody, depressive, angry
and disrespectful.... I was very disturbed by... the nights of detention
with Umbridge which Harry was put through and the sadistic pleasure she
took from inflicting pain on him."
I am so glad she was disturbed
by the love for cruelty. But, since Ms Rowling included it, she must have
thought her readers would like it.
As she said in a
Time (2000) interview, "Is evil attractive? Yes, I think that's very
true."
Jeremiah 6:13-15
Paganism, witchcraft on rise
in UK: "Soaring Pagan numbers have churches worrying....
Record attendance is expected at dawn on Saturday morning
[June 21 - Summer Solstice]
at the mystical megaliths of Stonehenge, where Pagans have celebrated the
summer solstice for thousands of years. ...
"Harry
Potter is a major reason for this rise. Small wonder the release date of
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is scheduled to coincide with
the Summer Solstice. We plan to post a review of the book next week.
Romans 12:2-9
Just wild about Harry -- Boy
wizard changing teens into witches?
"Harry
Potter books have helped increase interest in witchcraft around the world,
say representatives of a Wiccan group sponsoring a witch convention in Scotland
this summer. ...'There is a growing interest in the Wiccan religion, and
there are thousands of us already in Scotland,' organizer Pauline Reid told
the London Sunday Mail. 'Harry Potter has also had a positive effect.
But we don't let anybody join until they are 18.'"
See
Overview and Application of
Harry Potter
-
a chart comparing Harry's beliefs
and practices at Hogwarts with corresponding occult beliefs. The U.S. follows
the same trend. See
America's Spiritual Slide
Their is a fine line between guidance and dictation,
belief and fanaticism you seem to fall sadly on the latter and I pity you. It
is sad that it would require an agnostic to point this out to you. Yes I said
Agnostic yet somehow I get along fine my life is very fulfilling I help people
Im nice and I do not visit satanic websites.
Lovingly yours, Keith Bradford
P.S. This was not ment to offend no matter how offended I was by your publication.
From
Paris:
i was wondering, about the harry potter stuff, are
you extemely stupid, or just crazy? God tells us this, god tells us that. can't
you think for yourselves? If god is supposedly so forgiving and understanding,
then why can't he understand you wanting to read a fantastic book? if god is
really so trusting, then why can't he trust that you won't run off and try to
fly a broomstick? it's a fictional book!! So i'm going to take a wild guess
and say that your bookshelf consists of the bible and... er... a family photo
album?
if there is a god. i would rather beleive in
witchcraft than a person in the sky that perves on everyone 24-7 and lets terrible
things like 9-11 happen. now, excuse me, but i have to go. i need to do my daily
satan worship rituals. oh, sorry, does that insult you? well, i guess it makes
up for the many insults that religion teachers and YOU have unknowingly dished
out to alot of people. please give the youth of today some credit. we are NOT
satan worshippers.
Paris, I know many believe as you do about God. But the fact that you don't
believe in the Biblical God doesn't change the fact that He exists. For
example, people were sickened by bacteria long before scientists were able
to recognize that such organisms existed. I don't really believe that anything
I would tell you would change your mind, but I still want to suggest you
read something about Him -- for example,
The Lord
and
Jeremiah 2:13
From
Jamie: Dear Hateful Religous Fanatic,
I am disgusted by what I have read on your site! How can someone who claims
to love Jesus Christ, the most forgiving person in existence, be so hateful
towards select groups of people?!
Where do I show hate,
Jamie? I am evaluating books, entertainment and cultural influrences, not
people. God told us to do that. Here are two Scriptures:
"Beware lest anyone cheat
you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition
of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according
to Christ."
Colossians 2:6-9
"Do not be deceived:
'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness, and do
not sin; for some do not have
the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame."
1 Corinthians 16:33-34
Just because someone has different beliefs, doesn't
mean they've sold their souls to satan. Example: my mother believes strongly
in things like ESP and dream interrpretation. So what?! She still loves God,
treats others kindly, encourages prayer amoung her children and grandchildren,
ect.
Stop judging that you may not be judged. For
as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure
will be measured out to you. (Matthew 7,1-2)
That's an important Scripture,
Jamie. It warns us that we can't judge whether someone belongs to God or
not. He sees the heart of a person, we don't. But He does tell us to judge
or discern what is right or wrong, good or evil -- and to live accordingly.
“Do not judge according to appearance,
but judge with righteous judgment.”
John 7:24
"Hypocrites! You can discern the face
of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is
right?"
Luke 12:57
"For if we would judge ourselves,
we would not be judged."
1 Corinthians 11:31
From
Mikhail, AKA Geschlecht:
Where have you been living? In your entire life, god has never helped you. And
your preaching the word of god. How can you preach it, if you don’t even speak
it. DO you speak Aramaic for instance? No, because your not Jewish. Do you know
what I think of you, your just like a cult suppressing people to live under
your interpretation of the bible. How sad you people are, I pity you. And I
hope god banishes you to hell. Like I banish you right now out of my sight.
I’m an Orthodox Christian, and I think you’re just a bunch of sad people trying
to make other people even worse off than you are. Your site showed me nothing
but disappointment. I would recommend you to visit your local physiologist.
Mikhail, AKA Geschlecht
PS: You try to put a finger on me, if you reply, try not to sound stupid. You’re
just sad... no other words to describe you. I’m sorry if this is harsh, but
Even Christ didn’t go around telling people they should watch plays at the time
he was around. They had sexuality, brutality, and violence. Nothing of the sort
is written in the bible. You are just fools.
Second letter from Mikhail: Like I said
Berit, I just wanted you to hear my opinion. And one more thing, I hate fanatics
like you. Let’s say there are Islamic extremists. Well you’re a Christian extremist.
How can I say this? Don’t bother me, and if you want to post it, don’t post
my email address up there. You can post the Email, just the letter itself. I
don’t go spreading my emails to people only to the ones I think I could trust.
And I think I can trust you yes?
From
Dennis M: I
read the article on "Leading evangelical Christians for the first time have
publicly condemned assaults on Islam by the Rev. Franklin Graham and other fellow
religious conservatives." I would agree that a true Christian does not run around
slamming peoples faces into the ground just because they are not a believer.
However, when the time comes to tell the truth, no matter what are the consequences,
then it is our responsibility to do so.
I personally think that telling the truth when
it was appropriate and necessary to do so is exactly what Franklin Graham did,
in the same manner as did the Apostle Paul, and even our Lord Jesus Himself.
While I may not agree necessarily with Rev. Graham on every doctrinal issue,
I do believe he is a solid Christian and I support what he said and did 100%.
I do know that the real Christian community does the same. The ones that say
they profess Christ but do not support Rev. Graham's actions quite simply do
not know Christ and do not understand the words written in the Bible. I realize
that is a strong statement, but it is what I see.
From
Susan K:
For the umpteenth time, I have received a "Christian" e-mail which I
am exhorted to pass on. To be exact, after a story slightly resembling
"Papa Panov's Special Day," it ends this way:
"If you
love Jesus, send this to ten people. Do not keep this message.
The mantra must leave your hands within 96 hours. You will get a very
pleasant surprise. This is true even if you are not superstitious
Very good things will happen to everyone that touches this story."
What superstitious nonsense. And now we've
gone beyond the prayer wheel to calling this a "mantra"! Where are all
these things originating from? Will you be mentioning the proliferation
of these messages anywhere on your website?
Thanks be to God for His Truth!
And thank you, Susan,
for sending this warning. Yes, I have received similar "prayer" requests
and "mantras" from those who say they follow our Lord. But this kind of
multicultural spirituality is occult, not Christian. Promoting a mystical
formula (for example,
"the mantra must leave your hands within 96 hours")
for manipulating spiritual forces
fits in the realm of magic, not God's Kingdom.
Promising blessings to
those who follow a certain formula has gained more acceptance in churches
the last few years. The popularity of
The Prayer of
Jabez among non-Christians as well as Christians has probably encouraged
this superstitious, extra-biblical faith in spiritual formulas.
From Dennis:
Concerning the link to "Most Americans believe in ghosts."
I do not believe in "Ghosts" as such, that is
disembodied spirits that roam the earth or inhabit a house, hotel or some other
place. I do, however, believe in demons, and I think that much of the activity
that people attribute to ghosts may be the activity of demons.
I believe in demons because the Bible gives very
clear accounts of such beings. Jesus very often dealt directly with these beings,
casting them out of people and He even spoke with them. If these beings spoke
to Him, they were consistent in making reference to His station, His Deity,
as in "the Holy One of God."
I also believe in these beings because while
I have never seen one visually, I have been the object of their torment and
I have seen and personally experienced the effects of their presence. In other
words, I knew when they were there. My grandfather, a truly evil and degenerate
man, used the "black arts" to even conjure them up. Many people may think I
am "nuts" to make such statements as these, but I know what my father told me
about his childhood was true. He did not lie.
Your response to "Most of the 84 percent of the
public who believe in the survival of the soul after death expect to go to heaven"
was "some may be disappointed." The only thing I would change is that I think
most will be disappointed, unfortunately. Most will hear the chilling words
"I never knew you, depart from me." I find the following to be very sobering:
Matthew 7:21-29
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
From
Adam: heres
one of my favourite qoutes you may not like it but its true " the problem with
religion is they think they are the way not a way" now you being christian will
say other wise but truly no way is the way please stop the way your site is
saying god is the way everythings a way. i do not call athiesm the way i call
it a way please email me back our post it some where.
yours. not the way but a way
Adam, you may believe
whatever you choose. In America we both have the right to express our personal
faith. And I know that Jesus Christ is "the Way." He tells me so, and I
will walk with Him. He says,
"I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6
He also tells
us to “Enter by the narrow gate; for
wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and
difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who
find it." Matthew 7:13-14
Difficult or not, it doesn't
matter. It is the only way I know, and it is wonderful beyond comprehension.
But only those who love and follow Jesus can understand that.
From
Sarah: I'm only
14 years old, so I won't sit here and pretend like I know everything. But I
dislike it very much when you say "my source is His word", like you actually
know the bible is god's word. I'm an Atheist, by the way.
Another thing, don't you think it's a little
pathetic to relate Christians to sheep? Being led around...led to the slaughter.
It's the only thing I think of when I see sheep representing Christians. Like
they can't think for themselves, but then...you do use a book to tell you how
to live your life, don't you? I hate to sound all, I'm so much smarter than
you. Because I don't think that at all. You should read Murder He Wrote...I
wish I could remember the author now, but it's a priest who became an Atheist.
I want to point out some things in the bible for you...
Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not kill."
Leviticus 24:17 "And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death."
vs.
Exodus 32:27 "Thus sayeth the Lord God of Israel,
Put every man his sword by his side, . . . and slay every
man his brother, . . . companion, . . . neighbor."
I Samuel 6:19 " . . . and the people lamented because the Lord had smitten many
of the people with a great slaughter."
I Samuel 15:2,3,7,8 "Thus saith the Lord . . . Now go and smite Amalek, and
utterly destroy all that they
have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling,
ox and sheep, camel and ass. . .
. And Saul smote the Amalekites . . . and utterly destroyed all the people with
the edge of the sword."
Numbers 15:36 "And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned
him with stones, and he
died; as the Lord commanded Moses."
When I presented these contradictions to a Christian friend of mine, he said
that god never said there
wouldn't be punishment for their sins. So, doing as god told you...could still
be considered a sin? Also, while
I'm not a Satanist, I'd like to inform you of the Nine Satanic Statements, though,
I'm sure you've heard them
before.
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams.
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit.
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted
on ingrates.
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for
psychic vampires.
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often
worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual
and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all.
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical,
mental, or emotional
gratification.
9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it
in business all these years.
Now, I don't believe in satan or god, but when I heard this...it made so much
more sense than Christian
beliefs. It just seems like, Christians are making sure they have no fun in
this life...so they'll be rewarded
in another, which they've only been assured of in a book. Why not enjoy yourself?
I'm not saying the only
way you can have fun is by sinning. But it does seem like there's a lot of restrictions...my
dad was
talking about making a religion. Called H.O.E.-Heaven On Earth...and it'd be
all about enjoying yourself
now. Not waiting to die.
Peace~ And I'm a utopian-socialist. And the concept of communism rocks.
Only if it worked out the way it was supposed to...
Christianity can seem like it has
a lot of restrictions. But God doesn't make rules just for the fun of it.
He has our best interest in mind. He knows that our minds are limited and
can't always understand or see consequences. That is why we are compared
to sheep.
Of course we are not as stupid
as sheep and we are very capable of thinking on our own, however next to
God who knows everything we are extremely ignorant. You will find that when
God has set restrictions and boundaries, He does it for our safety. Not
for the purpose of taking away fun.
When people decide to step out
of those restrictions because they can't see any good reason to obey them,
the result is often death. Take the Israelites in the early part of the
Bible. They were restricted from eating meat because they didn't know how
to properly cook it. Was God trying to take something good away from them?
No, He knew that they could not understand disease at that time, and so
he was keeping them alive.
You also mentioned the Amalekites
in 1 Samuel 15. The reason God gave the instructions to wipe the entire
nation out was because the WHOLE nation (Women, children, and animals) were
ridden with venereal disease. If they had not obeyed God they would have
died. (This has been verified by recent archeological research)
Now lets look at today. If we go
back 40 years ago we see the start of our sexual revolution. God strictly
instructs that sexual relationships should remain inside the sanctity of
marriage. Society could not see good reason for this, and decided it was
too much restriction and no fun. So they indulged in their sexual freedom.
look at the results in just 40 years. Sexually Transmitted Diseases are
ramped. Abortion is out of control. Families and homes are broken, children
are neglected. People are trying to search for answers and peace in therapy
and psychiatrists.
In the hopes that they can find
relief from the death and heartbreak that "sexual freedom" has cost them.
When you step outside of God's
boundaries and follow satan's feel-good lies and suggestions, you actually
put yourself into a form of bondage that is far greater than the cravings
of our human nature. (They can't be compared with God's guidelines, for
He provides the strength and desire to follow Him -- so they are no burden
to those who love Him.)
This is true with anything you
look at. Take drugs. God created drugs to be used in a certain way. When
they are abused for "fun" people can die physically, but also mentally and
psychologically. But often what you discover, is that people use drugs and
sex as escapes from life.
That doesn't sound like fun. If
life is so wonderful and fun why would you have to escape it with a drug.
What we have to understand is that
God created these things. He knows they are helpful and fun. He created
them for our use and our enjoyment because He loves us. He simply asks us
to use them in a certain way because we are not always intelligent enough
to see the consequences.
Nobody back in the 60"s could have
predicted the havoc that AIDS has caused us.
And So I say again. With in God's
boundaries we have more freedom, happiness, and life.
Second letter from Jarrad
Smith ("Evil J"): First
let me apologize for neglecting to sign my name, I feel that is unfair of me
not to name myself. Also let me say that I came across a little on the crude
side; however, I sent that message while I was browsing your page for the first
time and I was rather inflamed by some of your messages. That being said I would
like to reply to your comment on my last message:
“As I read your comment, it seems to me that we (you call
us cultists and impostors) who take a stand on God's Word would be far more
accepting of you as a person than you are of us and our beliefs. Somehow, today's
emphasis on tolerance and unity seems to breed hatred, not kindness, toward
those who dare to differ or refuse to compromise”
I find it hard to reconcile what you have said about my last comment with the
content of your entire website. I fail to see the “accepting” nature that you
say you have, in greater abundance than myself. I would illustrate this point
with your comment on the Dalai Lama. Saying that he, and other followers of
Tibetan Buddhism: worship demons (“From a Christian perspective, they would
be called demons”), attempt to “influence -- even mesmerize* (spelling corrected)
-- large crowds and his devoted followers” to the extent that you had to “ kept
praying to my Lord and singing praises to Him so that the other power would
not touch me” is hardly a display of acceptance or even respect.
There are many other cases through out your site
where your “acceptance” is shown but I will refrain from including any more
quotes for the sake of brevity. Thus, as I said before, I find it very difficult
to equate your stance on many issues with any interpretation of tolerance. It
seems that only those who share your beliefs gain the tolerance and acceptance
you claim to posses.
I also want to comment on the emphasis on tolerance
and unity you referred to in your comment. I am hardly one to embrace the idea
of tolerance that is being shoved down the throats of Americans by the Socialistic
UN and European nations, as well as the Democrat party here in the USA. This
“tolerance” is nothing more than an attempt to destroy traditional values in
the American culture and destroy the power of ALL churches and families when
it comes to the instilling of morals and values into young people. That’s all
I can write now; as before, I look forward to you posting this message and commenting
on it.
Jarrad, the UN
Declaration on Tolerance
mandates tolerance
and appreciation for all kinds of beliefs and values and lifestyles that
have proven harmful or that God warns us to shun. There is no freedom to
follow your conscience and live by Biblical guidelines. Yet, such universal
laws seem to appeal to most people who have rejected God.
This new international
standard for tolerance inspires rage toward people who refuse to
conform to it. And it turns God's view of tolerance upside down. He tells
us not to tolerate the man-made religions or dangerous lifestyles that put
lives and communities at risk, but to love the people who are caught
up in them.
The letters I receive
show this strange twist. People rage at me for what I write about beliefs
and values. But I post these warnings, not because I hate people, but because
God has given me a love for people that calls me to share these truths.
From "Evil J:"
I was reading some of your comments to people
who have written to you and I find it interesting that you have such a hatred
for The Church. And when I say "The Church" I mean to have it in capitals because
guess what, its the one and true church that serves God the Father.
Usually I don’t mind very much when someone belongs
to another church, I see it as a good thing, but you don’t, you hate all the
churches and for that I can never forgive you. You, my friend, are a cultist;
you know all those Christians you keep talking about, the ones who were persecuted
and killed in the past? Guess what, you and your loser friends aren’t part of
that group; they were all Catholics because before us there was only Christ
who instructed us how to live our lives.
I notice that you talk about how we fellow “Christians”
need to stand up to all the stuff that is tearing at our society etc. well as
far as I can tell you are the problem, you are the source of the malcontent,
you are the usurper, you are the one that must be eradicated. You
and others like you who insist that you are Christian make me sick, your nothing
but a small little person who wants to make his cult more than it is but using
the term "Christian", your nothing but an imposter.
You can quote the Bible all you want but that
doesn’t change what you are, some would say the person who would know the Bible
the best would be Satan, because you have to know your enemy, only a non-believer
or a fool uses the Bible to prop up their claims to redemption. I could yell
at you more, make threats and stuff but where is the fun in that? You are pretty
much damned anyway and I cant do better than that. All that is left now is to
see if you post this, will you?
Sure, I don't mind posting
it. As I read your comment, it seems to me that we (you call us cultists
and impostors) who take a stand on God's Word would be far more accepting
of you as a person than you are of us and our beliefs. Somehow, today's
emphasis on tolerance and unity seems to breed hatred, not kindness, toward
those who dare to differ or refuse to compromise.
From
Chad:
Regarding myth. Myth in our modern era has came
to mean a story that is untrue. However, myth actually refers to all stories
that relate to the ideas, beliefs, and histories, whether true or conceived,
of a particular culture, society, or group.
I agree with your definition
for myth, Chad. But that meaning makes a myth all the more effective as
a vehicle for promoting the culture and beliefs it represents.
This puts the entire Biblical text into the mythical
realm.
No, it doesn't. The Bible
itself clearly differentiates between truth and myth. It warns us that "the
time will come" when God's people will trade truth for tantalizing myths.
As educational change agents embrace myths as a means to establish a global
spirituality, our culture is fast trading truth for expedient myths adapted
to the global vision. See
2 Timothy 4:3-4
This is not to imply that it is in any likelihood
untrue, for I believe that it is true. To deny people access to myth, fancy,
fantasy, or the imaginary will strictly reduce the creative impulse in people.
Even the Victorians of England encouraged their children to delve into their
own imagination.
They did? I would like
to learn more about that. Could you explain, document or illustrate that
statement?
Children are not little adult. Fantasy helps
children to realize resolution. If you attempt to prohibit any access to "magic"
to a child, a child steal creates his or her own "magic." I do not mean that
a child will be a conjurer, but children live in a world of magic. Myth, in
part, was created to explain that which was not understood.
Yes, and that's why God
warns us to avoid myths. He wants us to trust and live by His wisdom, not
man-made stories and speculation. We would be foolish to learn about reality
-- or seek guidance for our lives -- from multicultural myths rather from
the Master who made it all and who invites us to walk with Him. See
The Way
I think that you are in one manner misleading
people by not explaining these things. Of course, judging by your reactions
to other people's comments, I do not expect you to be swayed in any way or to
even read this with an open mind.
Anonymous:
christianity is the most nihilistic, destructive
religion to ever appear on Earth. There will be a time in the future when xianity
is nothing but a very dim memory.
Sounds like Huxley's Brave New
World. Here are two Scriptures that reminds us that Christians will face
the kind of hostility you express:
"...thanks be to God who
always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance
of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of
Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing.
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and
to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient
for these things?" 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
"If you were of the
world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you....
If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know
the One who sent Me." John 15:19-21
From Chris Houghten:
Your first two links today, the first one about creating one's own
Religion as an academic exercise, and the second, creating ones own academic
plans - These teachers continue to find new ways to stroke the egos of their
young students. This seems to be the mindset that follows after all this "it
is all relative and there are no absolutes" kind of thinking, that seem to be
now part of everyone's every cell. Here is the part where you start humming
Disney's "If you Wish Upon a Star" theme, and say anything is possible if I
just believe it to be so.
But this obviously flies in the face of God, a God who has defined Himself,
has an absolute set of rules, a plan, and laws. This academic exercise "nurtures"
(as they say) rebellion and a lack of ability to submit to anyone and makes
people unable to take direction from anyone including God. They can only feel
moved and motivated to act, respond, etc. if it originated with them, in their
heart or mind. They are their own Gods.
It also makes one more prone to being molded, by whatever current thought or
trend, because our emotions and needs change so often, are swayed so often by
public opinion, whether we believe this or not, emotions can't be trusted.
So this is a trap. First you are handed what YOU desire on a silver platter,
a choice to make your own custom made-to-order God. Then after the majority
agree to this, to whatever goes for you and me is just fine, it is made clear
WHAT you are made of, someone who goes any which direction suits you at the
moment, someone who has no absolute expectations of those around you also, except
that they are content in their current thoughts, no matter how absurd, and you
are left open to a dictator and tyrant type who can and will shape you into
what he pleases.
It is foolishness. Imagine two people sitting down at a table with a contract
agreement and written down are all the terms, but at the bottom of the contract,
a clause saying that everything and anything can change on the contract at any
time forever. Now they both sign it. Absurd. No one would be so foolish to deal
with anyone who does not hold to absolute unchanging terms. And someone who
tells you you can make a God of whatever you wish - this is no contract or agreement
on terms but a trap.
These are the same people who will say whatever they know you want to hear,
that your hair or clothes look great regardless of the truth, they have an agenda,
a plan. Honesty is not in their contents, Caution. Why are these teachers and
educators so eager to let their students think however they please.
The Red Flags must go up. Whenever someone has been so eager as to NOT hold
me accountable for my beliefs or actions, it was usually a sign that they would
be found guilty of something and they where setting up an agreement with me
before hand, "I won't tell on you if you won't tell on me". They had given me
a "Free Get Out of Jail" Card. This was a bribe that would be paid for in the
future by me if I agreed to their terms.
In this case the terms are that there is - No Absolute One God with an absolute
law and guide that we must all adhere to.
From
Fabienne: Your
answer to Lance (next letter) summarizes well what is happening in your country
and mine -- the building of a society "on a foundation of strong personal feelings,
subjective opinion, and the denial of God." The strong personal feelings and
the subjective opinions are those of a select few, too, not those of the majority,
and they are being forced -- very subtly -- on the majority. Because the majority
of people have acquiesced to the denial of God -- in the way they live if not
in their actual words -- they are easy prey for those who refuse God's absolute
standards.
"That sounds like a formula for totalitarianism and oppression, if you ask me,"
you wrote. It certainly is -- and my country [Australia] is rushing headlong
in that direction.
I was doing our grocery shopping yesterday and noticed several ads in the store
which underlined the malady of our society: "You deserve [this product which
indulges your desires]" and "Give yourself a reward" and products actually labeled
"Wickedly Indulgent".
Evil is being promoted as good wherever one looks!
Doesn't it sound familiar, though? Isn't this what Satan has been doing since
he talked to Eve in the Garden in Genesis 3!
One of the worst things, I find, is that most people refuse to believe that
it is happening. How often do I hear someone say "Oh, 'they' wouldn't do that,
surely!" when I (or someone else) point out what is going on in our society.
Some folk don't believe it even when you show them the newspaper announcing
the latest move!
The frightening thing is that so many in the churches are going along with this.
Speaking with them, I have come to realize that many of them don't actually
know what God has to say in His Word about the issues we are facing these days.
They don't know much of the Bible at all.
Too many Bible study groups spend time discussing opinions (either those of
the members of the group or those of the writer of the study guide they use)
and not enough time searching the Scriptures.
I've just finished re-reading Geoffrey T. Bull's "When Iron Gates Yield", in
which he relates his experiences while in prison in China after the Communist
takeover of Tibet (where he had been working as a missionary). The same kind
of arguments were used during the interrogations and "struggle meetings" he
underwent. Evil was promoted as good, and God was denied. God was the one who
kept him sane and faithful, by reminding him of the truth of His Word.
Mr. Bull had always spent a great deal of time reading the Bible and studying
and meditating on God's Word. That was what he had filled his mind with (Psalm
119; Philippians 4:8). We must do the same, lest we fall for the seductive arguments
with which the world bombards us every day.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we abide in Him and
He abides in us, we will bear much fruit, but without Him we can do nothing.
(Heb 13:8; John 15:5) How often do we do, do, do -- all of it nothing in His
eyes because we do it without Him!
From
Lance: You are
a bunch of silly fundaMENTALists. I am a fan of Harry Potter, I can't wait until
the new movie is out! Harry uses his magical powers for GOOD, NOT evil. It is
merely fiction!
I am also a big star wars fan, and cannot wait until 2004, when Episode 3 :
The Rise Of The Empire is out.
Sure, some of the characters are evil, but there are also evil christians! Again,
merely fiction!
You also claim that some Anime shows are wrong, because of things like "gay
Gundam Wing pilots".
Gays are people too! They just have different brain structures! Anime is just
FICTION!
Actually I didn't say
that, other visitors did. I haven't written a report on Gundam Wing.
I suppose you hate Atheists, I AM.
I also support the War on Terror, do you expect the USA to sit back, and wait
to be attacked again?
I can tolerate lunacy (religion), but when the fundies tell others what to do
(Harry Potter, for example), I can't take it any more.
I don't tell you or others
what to do. I just provide facts and information so that others can make
wise choices. Would you want to abolish our first amendment rights to share
our views and express our concerns?
Atheism is the world's fastest growing "faith",
eventually, most of the world's population will be SANE!
I don't quite agree. Your
arguments are neither factual or logical, and I don't believe you can build
a "sane" (however you define it) society on a foundation of strong personal
feelings, subjective opinion, and the denial of God.
That sounds like a formula for totalitarianism and oppression, if you ask
me. It's actually what was established as "good" in the former Soviet Union.
Second letter from Ian:
I went to your site and read your response
to my little writing. As you perhaps can tell, I am an ardent student of World
Religions (though I myself am a College Student majoring in math). I do agree
with your evaluation of Christians, and allow me to tell you as a "non-believer",
that Christianity would be more attractive to me if its people actually lived
the precepts that it teaches (just a little evangelism hint) . The Christian
Bible, I believe is authentic as far as inspiration is concerned, however it
is not practiced. Good response there! I admire Christians like yourself who
strive to practice their faith.
Also, In this second little writing to you, I
would also like to explain more about Buddhism. Like Christianity (but by no
means similar or identical), Buddhism started with one person the Shakyamuni
Buddha (or who you might know as the historical Buddha Gautama). Then, as the
teachings were brought to different places such as Tibet, Thailand, Japan, and
China, each individual developed its own "denomination" of Buddhism. In the
case of Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism), the local culture adapted Buddhism to
suit the Bon Religion. In the case of Mahayana (Buddhism of Japan and China),
they developed simple sitting techniques using unsolvable riddles (called Koans
in Japanese) to develop the minds. So, in a meeting with the
Dalai Lama, you may have heard
a little bit of his own interpretation of Buddhism and he might have altered
his speech to suit the crowd (most often Lamas are an ad lib group). Even though
Buddhism has many different sects like Christianity, all of them unite under
the goal of improving the mind and living ethical lives (unlike Christian sects
which do tend to have their battles)
I apologize for the lengthy letter, but in conclusion,
I would like to thank you for your time, and hope you learned a little something
about me, my faith, and the world around you.
Namaste (my respects)
Thank you for your thoughtful
letter, Ian.
Just as there are many
different expressions of Buddhism, there are many different expressions
of Christianity. You probably would agree that both include those who drift
into participation, not because their own strong convictions, but because
their culture expects it and compliance brings acceptance. See
Biblical versus Cultural Christianity
Unlike
the various expressions of
Buddhism -- which "unite under the goal of improving the mind and living
ethical lives" -- there is no real unity between Biblical Christianity and
the
cultural Christianity
which minimizes the saving work of Jesus and the reality of regeneration
(being "born again" by the work of God's Spirit and the cross).
A major difference between
Biblical Christianity and all other religions -- including cultural Christianity
-- gets right to the heart of our beliefs. The Bible tells us that no good
works and human deeds can make us holy or pleasing to God. Nor can our idea
of a "perfect" life earn us salvation. Only by union with Jesus Christ and
-- and by the gracious enabling of the Holy Spirit -- can we follow Jesus,
demonstrate His love and be assured of an eternity with Him.
This shows the amazing
inclusiveness of Christianity. It's a lot easier for some people to "be
good" and do "the right thing" than for others. But before God we all start
out on a level ground. All are sinners, and none can come to God apart from
Jesus Christ. Since faith, not works, opens the door to eternity, even the
worst sinner can find forgiveness and eternal life in Christ. See
What it means to be a Christian.
From Ian:
I am writing you in the spirit of peace -
so please keep this in mind as I comment. I reviewed a page which you wrote
about the Dalai Lama Celebrating the
Medicine Buddha. I must say that I cannot approve. This writing is very
deceptive and does not portray the spirit of Buddhism. Let's get away from the
word "Meditation" for a moment - this is a cliche word in Christian circles.
Buddhists think, they are in fact people who think more than any other.
When a Buddhist sits down in the morning, he
is thinking about his day to come and training their Mind so that they can be
fully concentrated. The Buddhist life focuses on ethics, and the practice of
those ethics. The Christian Way has Ethics, however these are rarely practiced.
Many of the Christians who pray the "Saving" Prayer never actually live good
lives, they simply rely on the "Saving Grace". This is not true even according
to your own scripture.
It's sad to say it, but
your evaluation of many Christians is
true, Ian. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He fills
us with His Spirit. Joined to Christ, we have all the resources we need
to walk by His will, demonstrate His love, and follow Him rather than our
human nature. But just as the Bible warns us, if we don't "abide in
Him" (by faith keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus), "the cares of
this world and the deceitfulness of riches" may well quench His Spirit in
us. As Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5
No Messiah would save the evil people just because
they said a prayer. This is in contradiction to Biblical Principles. Pauline
Christianity (modern Christianity) as described by James, and I Peter "leads
to lawlessness".
Again I must
agree with you, Ian. I fear that many of God's churches around the world
are filled with unconverted "believers" who are Christians in name only.
See
Biblical versus Cultural Christianity
and
Statistics for the Changing Church
We are saved when His
Spirit works in our hearts to bring conviction of sin and genuine repentance,
so that we can truly recognize our absolute need for His redemption and
forgiveness, trust in Christ's atoning work for us on the cross (not in
our own "good works") -- and choose to receive His Spirit and follow Him
as our Lord.
Without regeneration or
genuine conversion, "Christians" are as vulnerable to the whims of their
capricious human nature as anyone else outside the family of God.
I am a Buddhist-Jew, either way, I am without
a Messiah in your words. But I am what I am. I am of the opinion that we cannot
rely on a Messiah or End-Time. You cannot judge a religion without having neutrally
experiencing it. Meaning you were neither a member, or a critic. So, I must
say that your pages, are not truthful, and I would ask that you actually read
a Buddhist Book with an open mind, and visit a Dharma Center with an open mind
(this can be applied to any religion). I appreciate the Christian Religion very
much, and I believe its doctrine and dogma is an excellent expression of faith.
Most Christian's don't express the open mindedness and friendliness that Jesus
exhibited in his day. This letter will probably not change your mind, but nonetheless,
I want to politely ask that you stop writing these deceptive articles.
Ian, in my unfinished
report, I quoted the
Dalai Lama's
own words and added some statements from the various hand-outs. I know that
there are many different expressions of Buddhism today, and I tried to show
the specific message that was spoken that day. Perhaps the Dalai Lama's
expression of Tibetan and Tantric Buddhism -- especially when spoken to
a large assembly of diverse people -- differs from your own teachings. Might
that explain the different views?
From
Paul Proctor:
Right after reading the new article on your site,
'New
Religion for a New World', I saw Fox
News feature a new book entitled "Bad Religion" by an author whose name I did
not retain. In the short interview with him, he condemned "religious extremists"
from ALL the world's religions, including Christianity, who claim to have the
"absolute truth", adding that such people are dangerous.
Recent events such as these are causing me to wonder if an all-out frontal attack
on absolutism has now begun. As you know it has been around for some time. 9-11
however, seems to have created high-profile ecumenical zealots like this author
who are taking advantage of the ongoing threats to promote a one world religion.
If I see a replay of the interview I'll make a mental note of the author's
name. I did a search on Amazon.com for "Bad Religion" and unfortunately came
up empty handed.
I thought it was a terrific piece, by the way.
From
Judi:
Thank you for your latest article.
(The thanks goes to Lorin Smith, the author of
New Religion for a New World)
After reading it and then watching ceremonies about the world trade center event,
at someone's home, I suddenly really understood what this ceremony really was.
For decades, but especially in public schools, where children and teens have
been subject to this sort of thing with very little possibility of escape, I
have been painfully bored, almost to the point of physical illness, and tremendously
guilty regarding how I felt about many of the precursors to these ceremonies.
I most definitely was not "with it" and therefore felt guilty. Now I suddenly
realize the ungodly spiritual nature of such ceremonies, and although it gives
me much greater unease, it does help the guilt and the bewilderment....
Although any reference to Christ or even God who made us is being erased quickly
from these ceremonies across the country, I now wonder if it even matters. That
is, what company could God keep with some of the self-worship, and society-worship
being expressed at some of these ceremonies?
In watching these world trade center ceremonies, I thought, these people are
not soothing the pain of this event, they are prying open the healing wounds!
But we are His, hidden in Christ, the Lord of Lords!
Judith, if you will
read The Habitat
II Agenda or my unfinished article on
Solidarity
Versus Christianity, it will make even
more sense. Notice the statements by the UN panel on solidarity, especially
the quote by James Morton,
dean of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, who organized the
panel:
"What’s needed is an interfaith
center in every city of the globe. The new interfaith centers will honor
the rituals of every… faith tradition: Islam, Hinduism, Jain, Christian
[not Biblical Christianity,
but a universalist distortion that ignores the cross and blends with other
beliefs]… and provide
opportunity for sacred expression needed to bind the people of the planet
into a viable, meaningful, and sustainable solidarity."
Dennis Monroe:
I read the article "New Religion For a New World.
Following that, I prayed
this to the Lord:
Dear Father God, the one
and only Triune God, who is the Father, the
Creator and Maker of all things, and the most beloved Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, and whose essence is found in the Holy Spirit, who teaches men the
truth about all things, in ways that I do not understand, but by your
immeasurable Grace have come to know, I ask that as the world events
unfold, by
your Grace I would have the courage to stand for Your truth, to not waver,
and to not be one that ever denies my Lord Jesus Christ. In the name
of
Jesus, because there is no other name, Amen.
From Andrew:
You had put me under the alias "a kid from south
east Asia". Catchy name LOL. Thank you for replying.
That's how you described
yourself in your first letter, Andrew. You didn't give me your name.
I beleive i understand i bit more now. But I
just have to tell you the message you are giving me. Although you are telling
us that we do not have to follow your beliefs, it is quite clear that you subtly
(oxymoron?) force non christians to to comply to your beleifs, much in the same
way that you say the US government tries to "mind control" us.
No, there is a big difference.
Children in government schools are captive audiences to the new "affective"
teaching and strategies for changing values. They sit under teachers who
are trained as facilitators of the dialectic process and are manipulated
into conformity with the group. The goal is to turn every person into a
global citizen with a pluralistic worldview. See
Brainwashing in America
If they don't attend their
classes, they are considered truant. At the same time, states such as California
are redefining the rules concerning
homeschooling,
making it more difficult for Christian families to escape the sophisticated
psycho-social indoctrination -- even though they teach math, reading and
other traditional subjects far better than the public schools. [That's proven
in test after test.]
In contrast to the schools
that now test children's compliance in global beliefs, values and attitudes,
we simply post our beliefs and no one has to come to our site or read what
we write. We do not force anyone to trust the God we love - or to join His
worldwide family.
Also you say that other religions are "not Gods
way" and find the sins in them. However have you considered how disrespectful
that is? Are you saying that these people are going to hell for following a
different religion. Will people go to hell for indulging in games in which you
could use magic in a fictional environment? I certainly
hope not. If this is true everybody I know including myself are going to
hell unless we are "saved".
Jesus said, “I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me." (John 14:6)
That doesn't mean that
I turn my back to those who don't know Him as their Way and Life. It only
means that I have found something so wonderful that I want to share it with
others -- out of love, not out of hatred and feelings of superiority. If
God could transform my life, He can give the same joy and hope to any other
person who would come to Him.
But I am not forcing you
to accept His way, Andrew. I just tell people that the whole world is captive
to sin, and none of us can come to God or share in His eternity without
trusting in the redemption Jesus offers us through His death on the cross.
You are free to ignore both my words and His promises. See
The Triumph of the
Cross
and
What it means to be a Christian.
Now about other religions, I have to tell you
that my country is a multi-racial society. We are expected to get along "regardless
of race, language, or religion." (A directed quote from our pledge... So now
if you can tell me
what country i come from, you are truly knowledgeable.) This is because of our
mistake 4 decades ago. It seemed like everyone was like you back then... every
racial faction stayed away and kept their beliefs away from one another, and
thus believed their beliefs were the "right" one. Because of this, we suffered
through a period known as the Racial Riots. This could happen again if all the
Christians, Bhuddists, Taoists, Muslims all somehow banded together and start
saying that they are the only way to go and that their choices are right and
more "morally healthy".
I need to stop here,
Andrew, but I hope to answer the rest of your questions tomorrow morning.
You are probably going to hate me after saying
this, but there is no way you, my aunt, or anyone is going to "save me". Think
about it. God says, "Give your body and soul to Christ. Resist imagination.
Obey God or else I
will condemn you to eternal hellfire." Ok, maybe He did not really say that
but that seems to be the basic idea. now this gives me the creeps. I am not
giving my soul up to your God or the Devil or Bhuddism etc. I am me and i will
not allow myself to be turned into a servant for a higher power even though
it may do me good.
Another thing, why are all good men in the Bible
said to be "God fearing"? I know God could curse us and condemn us to eternal
hell if we rub him the wrong way but it says we should LOVE God, not fear him
like he's a dictator. I love my parents I do not fear them.
I really hope that you could reply to this as
these are several aspects of Christianity that make me uneasy...I also hope
that you are not offended by this in any way, however , i hope you will do the
same thing i did, show a
bit more respect and love to other religions and factions. Sincerely,
From JetHyena, the laughing
one: I am sick and tired of Christians
trying to force their religion onto others. I rejected Christianity at a young
age and I am now a follower of the spotted hyena (a hyenaist). I feel that any
religion that claims that animals are at the disposal of humans, or that they
have no souls/spirits, is not only incorrect, but evil. My opinion is reinforced
by the Christian attempt to censor Harry Potter in the southern
United States. This is not only WRONG, it is ILLEGAL.
I am not promoting censorship,
but let me ask: Which law makes it illegal?
Freedom of Speech is a consitutional right in
America, and Christianity is violating it.
No, I think you have turned
the truth upside down, JetHyena. Christians, like myself, are exercising
their freedom of speech by expressing their opinions. I even invited
you to express your contrary opinions on our website. But you
seem to favor censoring Christian expressions. Isn't that true?
So I have no idea why some equate Christianity
with good. I, individually, equate it with evil, oppression and bigorty.
From Andrew:
I just have to tell you the message you are giving
me. Although you are telling us that we do not have to follow your beliefs,
it is quite clear that you subtly (oxymoron?) force non christians to to comply
to your beleifs, much in the same way that you say the US government tries to
"mind control" us.
Also you say that other religions are "not Gods
way" and find the sins in them. However have you considered how disrespectful
that is? Are you saying that these people are going to hell for following a
different religion. Will people go to hell for indulging in games in which you
could use magic in a fictional environment? I certainly hope not. If this is
true everybody I know including myself are going to hell unless we are "saved".
Now about other religions, I have to tell you
that my country is a multi racial society. We are expected to get along "regardless
of race, language, or religion" (A directed quote from our pledge... So now
if you can tell me what country i come from, you are truly knowledgeable.) This
is because of our mistake 4 decades ago. It seemed like everyone was like you
back then...
every racial faction stayed away and kept their beliefs away from one another,
and thus believed their beliefs were the "right" one. Because of this, we suffered
through a period known as the Racial Riots. This could happen again if all the
Christians, Bhuddists, Taoists, Muslims all somehow banded together and start
saying that they are the only way to go and that their choices are right and
more "morally healthy".
You are probably going to hate me after saying
this, but there is no way you, my aunt, or anyone is going to "save me". Think
about it. God says, "Give your body and soul to Christ. Resist imagination.
Obey God or else I will condemn you to eternal hellfire." Ok, maybe He did not
really sy tht but that seems to be the basic idea. now this gives me the creeps.
I am not giving my soul up to your God or the Devil or Bhuddism etc. I am me
and i will not allow myself to be turned into a servant for a higher power even
though it may do me good.
Another thing, why are all good men in the Bible
said to be "God fearing"? I know God could curse us and condemn us to eternal
hell if we rub him the wrong way but it says we should LOVE God, not fear him
like he's a dictator. I love my parents I do not fear them.
I really hope that you could reply to this as
these are several aspects of Christianity that make me uneasy...I also hope
that you are not offended by this in any way, however , i hope you will do the
same thing i did, show a bit more respect and love to other religions and factions.
From Rachael (16 years old):
I live in Alaska and attend Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. I enjoy
going to your site, partly for entertainment, partly for enlightenment. I think
it's hilarious how people get upset just because someone is warning CHRISTIAN
PARENTS about Harry Potter, Pokemon, etc. I am a fan of both, along with Sailor
Moon and other anime. But I don't get upset because of what other people think.
It's silly, and a waste of energy.
I certainly don't agree with everything you say, and I would like to point a
few things out.
1. There are many religions in the world. I believe
that Christianity is "right": i.e., that Jesus is the Son of God and He died
to pay the ultimate price for our sins. But I also believe that Allah, Jehovah,
Kami-sama ("God" in Japanese) are all one and the same True God.
I've studied various religions, and most of them
view God as kind, loving, and forgiving. Also, please take into account Buddhism
and Islam: They may not see Jesus as the Son of God, but they do see him as
a "prophet" and "good man". So do the Jews. In fact, Buddha and Muhammad actually
forbade their followers to worship them. I see them as fellow prophets to point
the people in the right direction.
Most of these people had never heard of Jesus.
But God saw that they were pure of heart (not 100% pure, but good) and He gave
them the gift of faith through the one they call "Buddha."
Rachel, you are blending
a lot of religions together into a nice-sounding mix that is anything but
Christian. The Bible tells us that the "pure in heart" are not those
who do "good things" or think they are pretty good compared to others. They
are the ones who have believed the gospel -- that Jesus died and atoned
for our sins on the cross, cleansed us from sin by His shed blood, redeemed
us from bondage to the forces of darkness, and filled us with His resurrection
life. Please see
The Secret of Abundant Life and
Lesson 5:
Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for
Righteousness.
In other words, God's
Word tells us that Christians are "good," not because of our "good works,"
but because God's Spirit is in us. Believing that Jesus carried my sins
to the cross and changed my very nature by His Spirit, I can say with all
His other followers,
“I have been crucified
with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of
God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
2. If only Christians go to heaven, then I am
saddened, because I have love for everybody, even the
most "evil" people. I pray for Osama bin Laden constantly, for I want him to
realize the wrong he's
going and use the influence and energy he has for helping others. After all,
as Jesus said, the sick
don't need a doctor. Why pray for the dead, the innocent victims of the WTC?
I pray instead for their families, so they will not resort to hate or intolerance.
I also pray for the terrorists, so that they may seek God through kindness and
understanding. (Sorry if that sounded kind of 60's...^_^;)
3. Jesus says "No one can come to the Father
except through Me." That is, He died so we would not worry
about our sins. If we repented for our sins and practiced our lives with a pure
heart (like I said, not in the literal sense), we could go to Heaven.
Your are still twisting
His Word into a message that fits your spiritual blend, Rachael. Your faith
may sound kind and noble from a human perspective, but it isn't God's truth.
Therefore it misses the mark and can't guide you to Him.
Jesus died because sin
is a very serious matter -- now as then. It should concern all of
us. It separates us from God and keeps us from knowing and following Him.
Only when we are so convicted of the awfulness of sin will we truly appreciate
His suffering and death for our salvation. Only then will we hate sin so
much that we are willing to repent (turn around) and trust Jesus to free
us from its power and show us His way.
But we won't recognize
what He calls sin unless His Holy Spirit -- not your human nature
-- reveals it to us. Our own subjective interpretations of His Word
will only deceive us into thinking that we are good enough to be walk with
our holy God without coming to cross and be freed and cleansed from our
sin through Jesus Christ.
We can't appreciate the
wonders of His salvation unless we see the depth of our sin and our desperate
need for His mercy and grace.
Rachel, would you please
read the Scriptures in this section:
What it means to be a Christian
Perhaps God will speak to your
heart and show you the only way -- His way -- to come to Him.
4. I'm not really sure if there is a hell or
not. I don't like to think that God will send someone to hell
just because they don't believe in Jesus. But I don't think that, anyway. If
there is a hell, then to get there, someone has to do something REALLY bad and
not even feel sorry for it. Who knows, maybe this world is hell. Sometimes I
feel that way.
Hell is very real, which
is all the more reason to come to Christ now -- and to come His way. God
doesn't "send" people to hell; apart from Him, people are already in bondage
to the forces of evil and, therefore, headed for hell. What He has promised
to do, is to rescue (save) those who will accept His gift of salvation from
the pathway that leads to hell.
Please go to this page
[Eternity],
and delight in the
Scriptures that show us heaven. It's wonderful -- far beyond anything we
can conceive with our finite and shortsighted minds. Take Him at His Word,
Rachel, and you won't be sorry.
5. I believe that we are all the children
of God. He will always call us back if we stray from Him. If we don't believe
in Him to begin with, then He will send people like you to lead them in the
right direction. I hope you have made many people believe in Jesus Christ with
your site.
Thank you Rachel. But
I'm not sure what you mean by "we are all." I would agree with you if you
are referring to all those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior
and Lord. But I can't agree if you include all young people in the
world. Here is what the Bible tells us about those who belong to Jesus:
Jesus "was in the world,
and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He
came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received
Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those
who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
John 1:10-13
“For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into
the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe
is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil."
John 3:16-19
Jesus said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me
unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
John 6:63-65
“No one can come to
Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him
up at the last day."
John 6:44
"But you do
not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone
snatch them out of My hand."
John 10:26-28
6. If I believe that all religions are equal
before God (if practiced with a pure heart), then why am I a Christian? Because
Jesus died on the cross so that everyone, even those who don't believe in Him,
can go to heaven. And Christianity offers a personal relationship with God.
Many other religions distance their followers from God. That is why Christianity
is so widespread and influential. Even those who aren't Christians can appreciate
Jesus's death. Such a deep love is unfathomable, and I have shed tears of shame
because He gave me salvation, something I do not deserve.
No Rachel. Those who don't
believe in Jesus will not benefit from His saving work on the cross. While
He made a way available to everyone, only those who to come His way
will enter into the wonderful eternal life He offers. Here are a few Scriptures
again. Notice that the last one helps answer your next question:
“I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6
"But without faith it
is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that
He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Heb 11:5-6
"Do you not know that the
unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners
will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were
washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."
1 Co 6:9-11
7. As for controversies such as homosexuality
and paganism, I try to ignore that stuff. Jesus Himself
said nothing about them, and I know that God knows what He is doing. And if
homosexuality is a sin, it's certainly no worse than murder or theft. I don't
think homosexuals will instantly be put on the "Going to Hell" list. I think
hell must be very lonely, because I doubt there are more than a few hundred
people there.
8.Do you take the parts written by humans (i.e.,
Psalms, Romans, etc.) as seriously as the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke,
John)? More specifically, what Jesus says, as opposed to what St. Paul says?
I'm not saying St. Paul is wrong about everything, but there are some things
he says which I do not agree with.
The whole Bible was written
by humans led by the Holy Spirit, Rachel. I see all of it as God's absolute,
unchanging and eternal truth, but I sometimes delight more in the sections
that quote the words Jesus Himself spoke. The following Scripture probably
answers the question best:
"All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the
man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
9. What about people who have never heard of Jesus? What about the Jews?
What about people who have heard of Jesus, but do not choose to believe in Him?
Please imagine for a moment that Bill Clinton is God. (Heaven forbid...but stay
with me here.) If I continue to believe in Jesus, I'm hoping he would be forgiving
and still allow me to go to Heaven. I believe that the one, true God is the
same way. Maybe I am "creating" an image of God the way I want Him to be, but
aren't we all guilty of that?
Yes, if we don't know and love
the Bible where He tells us the truth about Himself. That's why He warned
us, "You thought that
I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you...."
Psalm 50:21
The answer is to take
Him at His Word. Jesus said,
"I am the Way, the Truth
and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6
God describes Himself in many ways in the Bible. With all those ways, is
it no wonder that so many people believe in many gods?
Yes, but they are all consistent with each other
and with His moral standard and eternal plan. See
The Names of God
10. I am a fan of Harry Potter, Pokemon, etc.
I personally find nothing wrong with them, but if I do play Pokemon and read
Harry Potter books, is God going to deny me access to heaven just for that?
Or is He going to look at my heart, and take into account that
I believe in and love Him, and accept His Son's gift of salvation?
No, God is not going to
deny you access to heaven because you read Harry Potter books. But your
love for Harry Potter and his lifestyle may be an indication that you have
never truly repented, trusted in Christ redemption as the answer to sin
in your life, and been filled with the Holy Spirit. It may suggest that
Jesus is not Lord of your life. For when God brings conviction of
sin and fills us with His life, we begin to delight in His Word. He puts
His desires in our hearts, and -- by His Spirit -- we suddenly share His
values and concerns. He enables us to love what He loves and hate what He
hates.
That doesn't mean that
we never again sin or need His forgiveness. It means that we start hating
our sin and longing for His kind of purity. Obedience is not based on a
set of legalistic rules, but on our desire to please the one who has saved
us from sin and promised to be our Shepherd and Keeper always. See
Matt 10:32
From
Phlood:
i have had the most christian upbringing possible,
my mother is a training priest and my father a lay-reader, and for a time i
to was blinded by the christian faith, that was until my revelation that it
is religion that is the obstacle to understanding and true enlightenment, by
placing your trust in a mystical force, rather than yourself, you are deluding
yourselves, after quite an in depth study into most major world religions i
have come to the conclusion that if it weren't for religions such as christianity,
judaism and islam world peace would actually be achieveable!
Could you tell me a little
more about how world peace could best be achieved without the three monotheistic
religions? Or give an example where pagan religions have actually achieved
something that resembles that peace?
The myths of the ancient
occult Atlantis -- or the feminist myths of a prehistoric goddess culture
of harmony -- have no factual evidence to back them up. Yet they are continue
to be popular among those who despise biblical Christianity - including
Al Gore.
Keep in mind, the source
of most religions is two-fold: human nature and the spiritual forces that
have, from the beginning opposed God and His followers. And churches have
not been immune to corruption through those forces. To see the difference,
I invite you to read these charts:
Five Types of Religious Expressions,
Biblical versus Cultural Christianity
& The
Nature and Tactics of Satan
From
Shawn:
A year or so ago we found out that my grandmother's
heritage is Jewish. My grandfather was researching his wife's family tree. Since
I was interested in getting citizenship in Israel, I wrote the Israeli government
on their website.
They responded by telling me that I can become
a citizen, but I would have to renounce Christ. A atheist can get in but not
a Christian.
The rules changed in the 1950's about anyone
becoming a citizen as long as they are a Jew. So I don't know why they are bringing
this issue up again, when its already a law that Christians can't become citizens.
It's sad to think that
Jesus own followers are not welcome in His land, Shawn. Thanks for sending
the link to "Israel
takes first step to restrict immigration of Christians"
and your interesting note.
From
Tamara L. Murray
(quoting from our report on the
bestseller,
Conversations with "God"):
"The quotes below reflect
the mystical teachings of the "New Thought Movement."1 Each is part of a
dialogue between author Neale Donald Walsch and a spiritual entity that
calls itself "God." The result is a seductive occult message spoken with
divine authority.
"Apparently, millions of people believe these twisted messages came from
God. That's not surprising, since Walsch's books have been listed on the
New York Times bestsellers list more than 120 weeks. Nor should we
expect to be immune to the timeless pattern of deception that caused the
decay of ancient Israel."
I was completely astounded to read such a harsh
observation! Having studied the bible in its entirety, as well as reading all
of Mr. Walsch's books, I cannot understand how such judgement could be disseminated
to your readers.
The message of the Conversations books is "WE ARE ALL ONE". Where's the
mystical teaching in that? Didn't Jesus try to teach that as well?
Not really, Tamara, but
I appreciate your question. The key is the word "we." When Jesus talked
about oneness, He was referring to those who believed in Him, had been "born
again" and filled with His Spirit, and were following His way -- in other
words, His committed disciples who knew Him as their Lord. (See John 17).
As for oneness with the
rest of the world, the Bible is very clear: "
"Do not be unequally
yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness
with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what
accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the
temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will
dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they
shall be My people."
"Therefore,
come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Do not
touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to
you, and you shall be My sons and daughters." 2 Corinthians 6:12-18
News flash~God didn't stop talking 2000 years
ago, and what a blessing, as it seems religion still hasn't received that message!
The world will never know unity until we understand this basic truth: We are
all one in spirit. And if we are truly interested in enlightenment and evolution
on our planet, perhaps our energies (and webspace) would be better spent by
spreading this teaching, rather than judging the truths of others, should they
be different from your own. Did we forget...Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself...?
Love & Light
Tamara, I am not judging
you, I am evaluating a particular book that is deceiving many people into
thinking that God actually authored its occult teachings. Since you read
our review of Conversations with God, you probably also read the Scriptures
I used to point out the errors. Please remember, those Scriptures don't
change with the times and cultures. Here are some more Scriptures that clarify
the problem:
Col 2:8
|
Home | Armor of God
| Persecution |
His Word |
Articles |
Books | Links
|
