Main Entry: re-li-gion
This is the definition from Merriam-Webster's Dicionary Online. Note: "institutionalized systems"
James 1 (Bible's description of "religion"
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
"You are very religious!" I get this a lot from people whenever I talked about God. Yes, I love to talk about my Creator or Heavenly Father! I consider my beliefs more than a religion, but I would rather prefer "relationship with God" because of it being more personal. When I think of "religious", I think of sacred, sacrifices, offerings, and holy. There isn't nothing wrong with these terms, but I prefer "love" and "just". God is a loving and just!
Many don't understand why Christians try to share the "Good News"/"convert" (God does the heart changing) others to "Christianity". They also say that what "right" do they have to "force" (Holy Spirit working on them) their "beliefs" to others. As a "Christian", I (Sal)can only say to them that the "Truth" of Jesus Christ set me free and I want to help others be set free (see my story). Below are some other stories of others that were set free:
Hindu Follower Hears About Christ
An Indian pastor was by the Ganges River during an annual pilgrimage of Hindu followers, which many bathe in the very dirty polluted river to clean their physical bodies as a way to show their way to ask god to forgive their sins. He saw this lady crouching by the river crying, so he came over and asked her why she was crying. She said that she was crying to her god because she felt she had soo many sins that she couldn't find any way to forgive all the sins she committed., so she just threw her 6mos old baby as her way to sacrifice. This Indian pastor decided to share the Gospel with her, specifically the story of Abraham about to sacrifice his son Jacob, the sacrifical lamb to Jesus dying on the cross (John 3:16). The lady accepted Jesus into her life and left saying to the pastor "how come you didn�t come earlier?"-STORY shared by Jeff King at the Summer Institute of Ministry Training School.
Sikh follower's Crisis of Faith
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
Date: 13th century
1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Testimonies
"Singh was raised a member of the Sikh religion. Prior to his conversion, Sundar attended a primary school run by the American Presbyterian Mission where the New Testament was read daily as a "textbook." Sundar "refused to read the Bible at the daily lessons...To some extent the teaching of the Gospel on the love of God attracted me, but I still thought it was false."
In the midst of such confusion and while only fourteen years old, his mother died, and Sundar underwent a crisis of faith. His mother was a loving saintly woman and they were very close. In his anger, Sundar burned a copy of one of the Gospels in public. Within three days Sundar Singh could bear his misery no longer. Late one night in December 1903, he rose from bed and prayed that God reveal himself to him if he really existed. Otherwise -- "I planned to throw myself in front of the train which passed by our house." For seven hours Sundar Singh prayed. "O God, if there is a God, reveal thyself to me tonight." The next train was due at five o'clock in the morning. The hours passed. Suddenly the room filled with a glow. A man appeared before him. Sundar Singh heard a voice say, "How long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you." He saw the man's hands, pierced by nails.
Amazed that his vision had taken the unexpected form of Jesus, Sundar was convinced in his heart that Jesus was the true Savior, and that He was alive. Sundar fell on his knees before Him and experienced an astonishing peacefulness which he had never felt before. The vision disappeared, but peace and joy lingered within him.
Despite his family's pleas, bribes, and threats, Sundar wanted to be baptized in the Christian faith. After his father spoke words of official rejection over him, Sundar became an outcast from his people. He cut off the hair he had worn long like every Sikh man. Against great opposition, he was baptized on his birthday in 1905, in an English church in Simla.
Conventional Indian churches were willing to grant him a pulpit, but their rules were foreign to his spirit. Indeed, he felt that a key reason the gospel was not accepted in India was because it came in a garb foreign to Indians. He decided to become a sadhu, so that he could dedicate himself to the Lord Jesus. He was convinced that this was the best way to introduce the Gospel to his people since it was the only way which his people were accustomed to. As a sadhu, he wore a yellow robe, lived on the charity of others, abandoned all possession and maintained celibacy. In this lifestyle, he was free to devote himself to the Lord. Dressed in his thin yellow robe, Sundar Singh took to the road and began a life of spreading the simple message of love and peace and rebirth through Jesus. He carried no money or other possessions, only a New Testament.
Sundar journeyed much. He traveled all over India and Ceylon. Between 1918-1919, he visited Malaysia, Japan and China. Between 1920-1922 he went to Western Europe, Australia and Israel. He preached in many cities; Jerusalem, Lima, Berlin and Amsterdam among others. Despite his growing fame, Sundar retained a modest nature, desiring only to follow Jesus' example: to repay evil with kindness and to win over his enemies by love.
He was quite independent of outward Church authority in all his religious life, thought, and work. He dropped out of a Christian seminary that he briefly attended. Neither did he attach much importance to public worship because in his experience the heart prays better in solitude than in a congregation.
He traveled in India and Tibet, as well as the rest of the world, with the message that the modern interpretation of Jesus was sadly watered down. Sundar visited Tibet every summer and in 1929, he visited there and was never seen again.
*see HOTC:I have Decided to Follow Jesus in Hmong and Spanish too, from youtube.com
more..GoodnewsEverybody.com: Asian- Indian of India, Hindi
Native Latin American Indian in Mexico Comes to Christ
Manuel Arenas started a school where young Totoanc students could be taught a series of practical skills coupled with an academic and Bible school curriculum. All this to equip Totonacs to minister spiritually and practically among their own people. Loacted in the village of Zapotitlan de Mendez, Puebla, MEXICO.
In July 1986, Manuel spoke as a delegate to Amsterdam 86' to a youth club in Switzerland. A young man from this club who was invited by his wife came to Manuel after attendees expressed their happiness that the Totonacs had the New Testament in their own Bible.
Youth: �In your talk you said you were glad this Bible translator had come to your village; that if he hadn�t come, you probably would never have heard about Jesus Christ.�
Manuel: �Yes, that�s true, the man�s name is Mr. Aschmann and-�
Youth: �That�s very nice, but what I would like to know is why you gave up your religion in favor of this Western religion. Why is it so important for the Totonac people to know about Jesus Christ and Christianity? It�s my opinion that if Western man wants to believe this sort of thing, it�s okay. But the Totonac people have their own religion. It�s just as good as Chrisitianity-maybe even better. Why do you want your Totonac friends to believe like you? I�m sorry, but I just can�t believe Christianity is better than your Totonac religion.�
Manuel: �Tell me, do you know what Totonacs believe? Have you lived in a Totonac house to see how our household gods are worshipped?�
Youth: �Well, no, not exactly. But I have read some books-�
Manuel: �And I have also read books. Books that descibe what our people look like and what they wear, how we build our houses and how weddings and funerals are conducted. These books also tell others what we believe, but what these books can never tell is how we feel down deep inside. We may look happy on the outside and we may laugh, but inside we are a people who have deep churnings, and nervousness and mistrust of others. And many have a great fear of the gods and spirits that live in special trees and rocks and streams.�
Youth: �But that�s just harmless superstition.�
Manuel: �Let me give you an example of what it is like to live with what you call �harmless superstion� (anting-anting). When you are thirsty, you take a drink of water whenever you want. But in my village, if you are thirsty at high noon, you must wait. You must wait because the people believe the lords of the water and the nearby stream take away the spirit of the person who drinks water at high noon. (Mom: Don�t take a bath everyday or on Fridays) If they do happen to take a drink of water at that time, the person become sick. The witch doctors are called, candles are lit and special flowers and spices are spread around the sick person. (Mom: Would pat our backs with a thick heavy duty knife and meditate/pray)-[God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that eeven handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them�-Acts 19:11; Acts 5:12-16] A chicken is sacrificed and the blood poured out on the ground. Maybe the witch doctor will come four or five times and, after about a week, he will tell the sick person that his spirit has returned and he is better. All this is paid for by the sick person�s family.
I grew up fearing the many evil spirits of the forest, of the stream, the earth and trees. I saw how strong they were and how they bullied those who sacrificed to them. But when the New Testament Scriptures were translated into our language and Totonacs began to believe and accept [Romans 10:9] Jesus Christ into their lives, I saw those fears gradually disappear. This is why I want all Totonacs and everyone to become true believers in Jesus Christ Only He can take away fear and give hope and peace, for this life and for the true life to come.�
�And so Manuel and the young man talked. Manuel carefully and enthusiastically explained the personal benefits [John 10:10] he had received since accepting Jesus Christ into his life. But beyond the personal enrichment of spirit, the maturity and growth and an enlarged world view, Manuel emphasized that authentic Chrisitianity had little to do with religion, traditions or moralizing (Romans 3:23). Rather, he stressed that Chrisitianity had to do with compassion and love-love of God and his Son, Jesus Christ. A love so strong and full of integrity that it allows the true Chrisitan to treat his neighbor as he himself would like to be treated.�
Steven, Hugh. �The Continuing Story: Manuel� Credo Publishing Corporation. @1987. (pp 41-pp 43)
Other Related Resources:
Many religions require you to do "good works" in order for you to be "accepted". There is that "Golden Rule"...
Jesus actually said this in Matthew 7:12. There are many religions in the world today, which a lot derived from one another due to different personal perspectives:
"NO other gods before me"
"You shall have no other gods before [1] me."-Exodus 20:3
As you take a look back in history, there has been many religions that has gone past and influence the currrent religions today. As you check out the sites I found down below, see if you can find any similarities on the influeces of todays status on religion:
-Africa
-Asia
-Europe
-South America
-Bible (gods mentioned)
"22 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. 23 Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!" Then they called on the name of Baal all morning, shouting, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no reply of any kind."-1 Kings 18
Related Sites:
Christian Answers
"the name of a false god - see Acts 7:43; R.V., "Rephan"
In Amos 5:26 the Hebrew Chiun (q.v.) is rendered by the LXX. "Rephan," and this name is adopted by Luke in his narrative of the Acts. These names represent the star-god Saturn or Moloch."
Evil Symbols, from nazarite.net
"MAGEN DAVID - Also known as Solomon's Seal or the Star of David. This symbol used by Yahweh's chosen race (Debarim/Deuteronomy 7:14) is often confused with the hexagram by those not familiar with symbology but the Magen David lacks the all too familiar circle associated with most other popular occultic symbols. Magen is the Hebrew word for shield, this is why it is sometimes called the Shield of David. Legend has it that King David's shield was shaped as such. It is more likely to be associated to King Solomon than with King David as the symbol appears on the handle of King Solomon's Sword.
Some critics claim that the Magen David is the Star of Kiyyan (also: Kijun, Kiyuhn, Rephan, Remphan, or Rhemphan) warned of in Scripture (Amos 5:25-27 & Acts 7:43). I am not fully convinced of there claims for several reasons. If it were such a whicked symbol then why don't the pagans wear it, and why don't you see it being sold at Spencers? Every vile creature that walks the earth seems to wear either a cross or a crucifix around their neck but I have yet to see any, not even one of them who will come within ten feet of the Magen David."
Remphen-Wikipedia
"the King James Version of the Bible's rendering of the Greek word variously appearing in Acts 7 verse 43 as Ρομφα, Ρεμφαμ, Ραιφαν, and Ρεφαν. It is part of a quotation from Amos 5 verse 26 where the Septuagint's reading raiphan or rephan stands the Hebrew Chuin or Kewan. The Greek forms are probably simple mistakes for the Hebrew, k (qoppa) having been replaced by r (resh) and ph substituted for v (yod). Kewan is probably the Old Babylonian Kayawanu, the planet Saturn, another (the Akkadian) name for which is Sakkut, which appears as Siccuth in the earlier part of the verse."
Six Pointed Star: Mark of the Beast-Part 2
"The 6-pointed star is not a Jewish symbol, but an Egyptian symbol which Israel adopted in the wilderness due to their apostasy"...
The six pointed star is associated with the worship of Saturn. Therefore, the beast is Saturn (Satan) and his mark is the 6-pointed star.
BARBER SHOP CONVERSATION
The Bible says to have an answer for why you believe to those who ask you.This is a good example of an answer to one of the most common reasons people give for ignoring God and His goodness.
A man went to a barber shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He began to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and various subjects.
Suddenly, they touched on the subject of God. The barber said:
"Look man, I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.
Well, it's so easy, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God exists, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but he didn't respond because he did not want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barber shop, he saw a man in the street with long hair and a beard. It was very long, and a long time since he had his hair cut and he looked dirty and unkempt.
The customer entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say they don't exist?" asked the surprised barber. " I am here and I am a barber. Why I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who is outside."
"Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me."
"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God does exist.
What happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
If you think God exists, send this to other people--If you think God does not exist, delete it!
Stories in the Bible where Kings believe who really God is
-Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (present day Iraq)
... 26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"
... 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery."
48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.-Daniel 2
"14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"-Romans 10:14-15
Stories of People Calling Upon a "Higher" One
Man Trapped In Elevator For 41 Hours
"Nicholas White was trapped in an elevator in New York City's McGraw-Hill building for forty-one hours. Here is a condensed look at White's ordeal, as captured by the building's security cameras."
Video surfaces of man stuck in elevator for 41 hours,
Published April 21, 2008 (theolympian.com)
"NEW YORK � A time-lapse video of a man trapped in an elevator for 41 hours has become something of an Internet sensation after surveillance camera footage emerged after nearly a decade...
Video of his Oct. 15, 1999, ordeal in an elevator in New York's McGraw-Hill building was posted online to accompany an article in the April 21 edition of The New Yorker. It can be seen on the magazine's Web site and had been viewed more than 280,000 times on YouTube by Monday morning.
White said he understood why the video has captured people's attention: So many have wondered what they would do if it happened to them...
Guy Trapped in Elevator: 41 Hour Ordeal Caught On Tape, from gizmodo.com
"White got into elevator car 30 to return to his office in the McGraw-Hill building on Sixth Avenue in New York. It was an express elevator, designed for traffic efficiency, with no stops below the 30th floor, and it jammed around the 13th late on a Friday night.."
Angels
*see Fallen Angels
Angel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"
..are messengers of God in the Hebrew Bible (translating מלאך) and the New Testament.
The term "angel" has also been expanded[by whom?] to various notions of "spiritual beings" found in many other religious traditions.
The theological study of angels is known as angelology. In art, angels are often depicted with wings, ultimately reflecting the descriptions in the Hebrew Bible, such as the chayot in Ezekiel's Merkabah vision or the Seraphim of Isaiah...
-Old Testament
The Fall of Jericho (Joshua 5)
"
" 13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?"
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Ministry Teachings: Hear & Obey
-New Testament
The Son Superior to Angels-Hebrews 1
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
5For to which of the angels did God ever say,
"You are my Son;
today I have become your Father[a]"[b]? Or again,
"I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son"[c]? 6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him."[d] 7In speaking of the angels he says,
"He makes his angels winds,
his servants flames of fire."[e] 8But about the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy."[f] 10He also says,
"In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
12You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end."[g] 13To which of the angels did God ever say,
"Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet"[h]? 14Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve
those who will inherit salvation?
Calling All Angels - Train - God's Ministering Messengers
"Angel is used to translate the Hebrew word of the Old Testament pronounced mal-awk, and the Greek word of the New Testament pronounced ang-el-os. Both original words mean messenger. Angels were highly active throughout Bible History, and Prophecy has many references to their role in all that is set to occur in the end time.
Angels are spirit beings that were created before humans (Psalms 148:2-5, Colossians 1:16). They do not marry, and do not die (Luke 20:34-36, Matthew 22:30). There are a vast number of them (Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 5:11). Angels are not to be worshiped (Colossians 2:18, Revelation 22:8-9).
..
What the does the Bible say about religion?
-Old Testament
Jeremiah 7 False Religion Worthless
" 3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. "-1 Timothy 5
"
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."-James 1
Books
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Ministry-Biblical Teachings
Movie
Religulous (Trailer)
"with Bill Maher
In Theaters October 3rd
Known for his stance against religion, Bill Maher's views on the various world religions are explored as he travels to numerous religious destinations, such as Jerusalem, the Vatican, and Salt Lake City, interviewing believers from a variety of backgrounds and groups, including Jews for Jesus, Muslims, polygamists, Satanists, Hasidic scholars and even Rael of the Raelian Movement.[2][3] In the trailer and documentary Maher also interviews research neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, MD, (author of Why We Believe What We Believe) who brain-scans people at the University of Pennyslvania as they pray, meditate and speak in tongues. The documentary was produced by Thousand Words and is being distributed by Lionsgate. Originally slated for intentional release date coinciding with the religious Easter holiday 2008, post-production delays resulting from a screenwriters guild strike pushed the release date back to July 11, 2008.[4] Release has now been pushed back to October 3, 2008.[5]"
-Pop
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
" this is R.E.M.'s biggest hit"
Video
A Man Fell in a Hole - Bluefish TV
"A modern parable, this insightful video illustration examines the life of a man searching through the false promises of other religions and finding his salvation in Christ. Have you ever found yourself stuck in a situation that you couldn't get out of?nbsp;
And not only that, but you didn't know how to get out of.nbsp; When you need help, where do you turn?nbsp; How do you get out?nbsp; The culture believes that there are many paths in life we can take, but this video illustration demonstrates that none of them
will ultimately help you out of your situation. This reminds me of the famous story about CS Lewis where he proclaimed the most distinguish ing fact of Christianity.nbsp; Here is a direct quote from Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace? (Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), p 45. During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other
religions had different versions of gods' appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until CS Lewis wandered into the room. What's the rumpus about? he asked, and heard
in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity's unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, Oh, that's easy. It's grace. Grace makes Christianity unique from all other religions because it marks the stark difference in believing
in a God that will come down into a hole and pull you out of your mess, verses a God that requires you to earn its approval.nbsp; When we search for God, the Bible promises that we will find Him.nbsp; The difference between Christianity and other religions
can be explained by the words Do and Done. Do �� All other world religions have "
Books:
Q: All Religions lead to God?
A: No (see world religions index)
Healing
History of religion in less than 2 min
Lectures
Jordan Maxwell - Astro-Theology (5/15)
"Astro-Theology is the first, original, and therefore the oldest, and most respected story on Earth! It did not take ancient man very long to decide that in this world the single greatest enemy to be feared was the darkness of night, and all the unknown dangers that came with it. Simply stated, man's first enemy was darkness.
Understanding this one fact alone, people can readily see why the greatest and most trustworthy friend the human race could ever have was by far, heaven's greatest gift to the world ... that Glorious Rising Orb of Day: ...
THE SUN"
Military
-World War II
Movies
Bill Maher�s Movie Mockery of Muslims May Backfire
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service Wednesday, October 1, 2008
"BELLFLOWER, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- In Religulous, due to be released in 500 theaters this week, comedian Bill Maher travels to numerous religious sites, such as Jerusalem, the Vatican, and Salt Lake City, interviewing believers from a variety of backgrounds, including Jews for Jesus, Christians, and Muslims.
Ray Comfort
Responding to the movie, best-selling author and TV co-host Ray Comfort said, "I don�t blame Bill Maher for mocking religion. Manmade religion has left a trail of destruction throughout history--from the Roman Catholic Inquisition, its famous Crusades against Islam, and pedophile priests, to hypocritical Protestant ministers and money-hungry televangelists. I can see why he took the trouble to make the movie. In one sense, it�s overdue."
However, the author said that although the film is bound to be popular in the U.S., it may badly backfire on Maher.
Comfort said that in 2007 he befriended the atheist who received national attention for encouraging other atheists to post videos of themselves blaspheming God.
"I emailed him explaining that Muslims translate the name �God� as �Allah,� and suggested that he rethink what he was doing. Muslims killed a number of people for merely publishing cartoons of their prophet Mohammad. I also reminded him that author Salmon Rushdie is still hiding in fear of his life for his Satanic Verses. All it would take is a report on Arab television that Americans were making videos blaspheming Allah and saying, �And I am not afraid,� to stir a response. After I sent that email, the blasphemy challenge seemed to disappear very quickly."
Comfort warns that Hollywood has gotten away with mockery of Christianity, but many Muslims aren�t so tolerant.
"How will they react to a movie that critics describe as �a blasphemous detonation of all things holy�? Even Maher�s casual jesting with his Jesus could be offensive to Muslims, who believe Jesus was a prophet. Imagine if the movie catches the attention of Arab news, which reports, �American Comedian Mocks Allah in Popular Movie.� Already, the International Herald Tribune�s lead article was titled �Maher vs. God.� The movie�s website www.lionsgate.com/religulous links to a site that has a Muslim symbol with the word "Bastard" beside it. While that site has a sense of anonymity, the famous comedian doesn't, as his face is easily recognizable.
"I wouldn�t want to be in Maher's shoes, or even in the seat of a theater that upsets Muslims. We are living in volatile times. We don�t need this sort of thing right now--religious intolerance. I seriously suggest that he postpone the release date, and do a little last-minute editing."
The Canadian Press said that Maher �dissects organized religion, but he's doing it in his laceratingly funny, typically sardonic way�But Maher undermines his arguments at the end when the tone turns sharply serious: He tries to make a connection between religion and all the wars and violence in the world, and he does it with the same kind of certitude he just got done condemning others for having."
Comfort added that he also believes Maher is straining at gnats and swallowing a camel with his movie.
"He is speaking the truth when he talks of religion�s trail of destruction. But religion comes in second when it comes to committing atrocities down through the ages. Atheistic communism is number one. It is responsible for more than 100 million deaths. The problem isn�t religion or atheism. It�s human nature. That's what needs to change."
Comfort is the author of Hollywood Be Thy Name (Bridge-Logos), which looks at Hollywood�s history of blasphemy and why it is so out of step with mainstream America. It explains why movies such as Religulous wouldn�t have made it to the box office before the 1950s, and what it was in 1962 that opened the floodgates to unrestrained blasphemy. "
Music
-Videos
-Worship
God of this City - Chris Tomlin
"God of this City, Chris Tomlin "
Poems
World Religions Overall:
Golden Rule...
"Golden Rule? In case you've forgotten, it's "Treat others as you would like to be treated." Or as Jesus put it, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Or in the words of Hillel, "What is hateful to do, do not to your fellow man." Muhammad's take? "Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you." And even Confucius say, "What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others." We think those guys know what they're talking about."-gaia.com
Good Works? I follow all the commands!
Left Behind 2: Tribulation Force - Part 09 of 10
Abraham & Isaac A Prophetic Journey
"Was God testing Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son? That was part of it, but I contend it was meant to be a model for the future sacrifice of his son. Often we can not see that God has a much larger purpose for the trials we face. In this case Abraham modeled the Father's redemption of mankind. "
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Denominations (within Christianity overall):
"Divisions in the Church
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ." 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. "
If you still don't believe Jesus (2nd of the Trinity) was God sent by our Heavenly Father (1st of the Trinity) that died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and rose again the Third Day and left this earth with the Holy Spirit (3rd of the Trinity). Then ask the "god" you call to and ask for yourself:
(name of your god), show me yourself to me that your are real through your love.
Then ask Jesus next..."Jesus, if you are real, I ask you to show your love to me"
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."-Matthew 7:7
Small Communes
-Amish
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."-Galatians 2:6
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The TRUE Meaning of the Swastika
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The Pit
Reconciliation
Hinduism
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Life: Peace, Quietness, Rest, etc...
"On Easter Sunday morning in 1996, the RECONCILIATION WALK started from Cologne in Germany. It was 900 years ago that the first Crusade started off from this very place.
A large group of Christians have started to march along the routes taken by the Crusade soldiers many years ago. They will travel along different routes, through former Yugoslavia, to reach Istanbul, Turkey, in the Autumn.
As they walk along the route, they will pray at different places, and ask forgiveness from Moslems that they meet, for the actions of the soldiers in the Crusades 900 years ago.
The Crusaders committed many atrocities against Arabs, and also Jews, over a period of 200 years. It is even worse that they did these things in the name of the so-called Christian religion, and these things have never been forgotten...."
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Religious: Catholic
Tradition
Tradition has helped me to keep persevering on what I was raised with, but it can sometimes be an hindrance and be close minded to having your mind being renewed...
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."-Colosians 2:8
...more on tradition