“In the name of” Interfaith, liberalism and Multiculturalism- be united
From my friend and brother in the Lord Mike Oppenheimer from Let Us Reason ministries a website well worth visiting. Tim
“In the name of” Interfaith, liberalism and Multiculturalism- be united”
(this issue: Terrorism, Earth news, Lineage of false teachers, the Secret)
What we are witnessing:
1. The world continues to rush toward a major conflict in the Middle East that will lead to a change in government[s] and bring about more war.
2. There is a paradigm shift going on in the minds of Americans and others on Islam and its threat.
3. The church seems to be following it in step with all the talking points of the liberals.
4. The differences are shrinking between the liberals in politics and the liberal movement that is growing in the church.
The war on terrorism is not just fought on the Battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan but in America, Britain, Canada, Australia etc. this war is fought by propaganda, by advertising, both with the intent of convincing people of our mutual friendships, likes and dislikes.
Maybe you thought that there was nothing significant going on with Islam the last few months. But it is what you don't hear in the media that is as important as what you do.
Islam is gaining ground in the area of being victimized each day we sit by and do not challenge their statements openly. It has become a war of words to win the hearts and minds of people. The goal for us is to accept Islam, for in the end they will be victorious (so they think).
For example-The French press reports “Empire State Building to go green for Muslim holiday” New York's Empire State Building is to be lit up green to honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid, marking the end of Ramadan. The city's tallest skyscraper will remain green until Sunday.
“This is the first time that the Empire State Building will be illuminated for Eid, and the lighting will become an annual event in the same tradition of the yearly lightings for Christmas and Hannukah,” (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071010191023.zonyv389&show_article=1)
I turned red when I heard this, how can they do this? It looks like we finally have the revival that all the false prophets and spiritual warfare pray warriors have been praying for. Just like in England, more Mosques were built than churches since the Toronto curse went through their nation. Now it is our turn for conversion. Of course I'm being facetious but many (may) take this shift to tolerance and multiculturalism as the way to peace.
Iran is goading the only democratic country (in the middle east) to fight, they want Israel to strike first, this way they can use it to unite the Muslim world against her and western civilization. It would draw moderates into the scene converting them to radicals to fight for their religion everywhere. The intent of the Islamic Jihadists is to pressure the moderates to join their ranks or they will be considered targets also.
The Taliban was implementing Sharia law in Afghanistan- An Islamic government does not recognize other governments, this is why the Muslims now in England want to overthrow the government, they are rouge (rogue) dominionists when it comes to freedom. In Sharia law, a woman speaking to a man who is not her husband can be stoned.
The following is an excerpt from The Sunday Times, London, September 16, 2007 “Christian Converts Risk Muslim Attack”: “One of Britain's most senior bishops has warned that a sustained campaign by Muslim extremists to intimidate and attack converts to Christianity risks ending in a murder.. ... The Barnabas Fund has uncovered widespread abuse against new converts, from being verbally abused and spat at to being assaulted by gangs of men on the street and left for dead. In some cases it believes that Women converts were abducted to Pakistan.”
We have Muslims who openly make all kinds of threats against America. One said openly, if you don't give us what we want we will burn the country down. Isn't that called hate speech? Not according to the liberal media, it is only hate speech when it is towards the Muslim.
It's bad enough that we must allow a president of a terrorist regime to land on American soil and have free speech that he does not allow in his country. But to say the words about his messiah dictator and promise destruction from the UN platform tells us more about his future actions than we could imagine. The president of Iran spoke of the Mahdi in his opening and closing of his speech at the UN. The president of Iran said previously in three years the Mahdi would be here; that was two years ago…
Ahmadinejad on the UN platform preached to the world his vision of a world without Israel, in which America and Europe would be freed of what he called 'Zionist oppression'. Ending his verbal Minegery on what he described as the injustices and oppressions practiced by the “big powers” since World War II, he said that the ungodly era of lewdness and violence was coming to a close and that “the age of monotheism has commenced.” The world is “nearing the sunset of the time of empires,” he claimed, and urged the dominant world powers to eschew their “obedience to Satan” and “submit to the will of god.” If they did so, “they will be saved.” If not, “calamities will befall them.”
“But whether or not these powers chose to reform themselves, he continued, the day was fast approaching when “occupied lands will be freed. Palestine and Iraq will be liberated from the domination of the occupiers.” And the people of America and Europe would be liberated from Zionist oppression. “This is the promise of god,” he said. “Therefore it will be fulfilled.”
Ahmadinejad has seen the vacancy of Saddam and taken the horse by its reigns. Iraq is very important in this conflict. The Mahdi is the influence for Iran's future (and all of Islam) according to Ahmadinejab. The Mahdi is supposed to appear in Mecca first then Medina and then goes to Kafue, Iraq. Of course he does go to Jerusalem to destroy the churches, synagogues, Christians and the Jews and participates in Muslim worship at the Al Asqa mosque.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a relatively obscure figure in Iranian politics until he was elected in 2005. Ahmadinejad didn't rise to power because of his intellect or statesmanship, he was specifically picked for a reason; Time Magazine called him “belligerent, naive, at once a fundamentalist and nationalist, and a dark genius at mobilizing Iranian public opinion.” That would be the good half-for he is sent to convince America and the nations to fall in line with Islam. And the god he speaks of is Allah, who is not the God of the Bible but a god of forces. One only needs to hear his speech to understand his god. “There is no way for the salvation of mankind but the rule of Islam over mankind.”
Ahmadinejad was invited to speak at Columbia University of which the president of the school Lee Bollinger gave him his own medicine for nearly a half hour. My hats off to him for saying what most politicians will not. The highlights were his questioning who was truly involved” in the September 11, 2001 attack (no not Muslims) and “In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country.” There were times the audience applauded him and other times booed him. What is amazing is that we heard no protest from the Homosexual community, which raises their voice on any injustice spoken of them. Why would homosexuals side with the Muslims when their Sharia law tells them to behead them? Because they are both in rebellion to God and there is no logic to be found in these matters. While he convinced people of Iran's openness, he forgot to tell them that conversion in Iran results in death.
While America is openly being threatened by Iran (they continually chant-death to Israel- death to America) we open up our Pentagon (that was attacked on 9/11) to observe Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Here are excerpts from an article-
“Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees Monday at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon.
“God is most great,” sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, .
Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers in quiet invocation to Allah.
As the Pentagon celebrated Ramadan, the White House is in preparations for an iftar feast tomorrow, said Lt. Cmdr. Saifulislam, who will be participating at the White House events.
“President and Mrs. Bush host an iftar dinner every year because they want people around the world to know how much they respect Islam and the many Muslims living in the U.S. who are free to worship as they want, and are an integral part of our society,” said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
“We live in a great nation,” said master of ceremonies Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Oldenburg, a Muslim. “Yes,it is our First Amendment right do that - to practice our religion the way we feel, to worship God and to come to the Pentagon and celebrate Ramadan.”
The first Muslim U.S. congressman - Rep. Keith Ellison, Minnesota Democrat - also attended the iftar, along with Imam Sheik Rashid Lamptey, executive director of the Muslim Association of Virginia. Sheik Lamptey also served as the deputy imam of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Virginia.
(Pentagon observes Muslim holy month By Sara A. Carter - http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NATION/110030089/1002)
When gatherings like these take place it depicts a shift in peoples positions, they become liberal minded and are willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain friendship.
Immediately after 9/11, the president visited a Washington, D.C., mosque and proclaimed Islam a “religion of peace.” He has often said that terrorists are not real Muslims,
Bush: All religions pray to 'same God' 'That's what I believe. I believe Islam is a great religion that preaches peace' (October 7, 2007 WorldNetDaily.com)
President George Bush has repeated his belief all religions, “whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God” - an assertion that caused outrage among evangelical leaders when he said it in November 2003.
Bush made the statement Friday in an interview with Al Arabiya reporter Elie Nakouzi.
Al Arabiya is Al Jazeerah's top competitor in the Mideast.
As the president and Nakouzi walked from the Oval Office to the Map Room in the White House residence, Nazouki asked, “But I want to tell you - and I hope this doesn't bother you at all - that in the Islamic world they think that President Bush is an enemy of Islam - that he wants to destroy their religion, what they believe in. Is that in any way true, Mr. President?”
“No, it's not,” said Bush. “I've heard that, and it just shows [sic] to show a couple of things: One, that the radicals have done a good job of propagandizing. In other words, they've spread the word that this really isn't peaceful people versus radical people or terrorists, this is really about the America not liking Islam.
“Well, first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. And I believe people who murder the innocent to achieve political objectives aren't religious people, whether they be a Christian who does that - we had a person blow up our - blow up a federal building in Oklahoma City who professed to be a Christian, but that's not a Christian act to kill innocent people.
Gary Bauer, former presidential candidate and president of American Values, said Bush's comment was “not helpful to the president. Since everybody agrees he's not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question.” (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58026)
Later in the interview, the president repeated his statement: “I believe there is a universal G-d. I believe the G-d that the Muslim prays to is the same G-d that I pray to. After all, we all came from Abraham. I believe in that universality.”
While numerous others chimed in and excused his statement as one who is not a theologian, I am going to disagree. The basic understanding of the gospel- Jesus is the only way; even children get; one does not need to be a theologian to understand it. This denies an essential teaching of the Christian faith- that a sacrifice was needed for man to be reconciled to God and man must come the way God has given- through his only begotten Son.
To say your own faith is equal to others faith, (there is only one faith Jude 3), Islam- which denies Jesus was crucified for sin and Judas or some look alike was crucified instead, makes this a travesty.
I understand that our political leaders must tone down the rhetoric as we are engaged in a global conflict of terrorism. But, we cannot fight terrorism when you have a president that professes to be Christian says Universalist statements like this. With mosques going up all through the US and a campaign to convince us that Islam has only a few radicals doing this kind of activity it becomes the perfect good cop bad cop scenario. What most people do not realize is that when Mosques go up the Muslims then consider the land holy and soon to be their own. This why they speak of England needing to convert, and do not allow infidels to step put in their country.
Ibn Warraq (author of why I am not a Muslim) informs us ‘Mankind is divided into two groups, Muslims and non-Muslims. The Muslims are…the umma who possess territories in Dar al-Islam, the Land of Islam where the edicts of Islam [Sharia Law] are fully promulgated. The non-Muslims are the Harbi, people of the Dar al-Harb, the Land of Warfare, any country belonging to the infidels that has not been subdued by Islam but that, nonetheless, is destined to pass into Islamic jurisdiction, either by conversion or by war (Harb). All acts of war are permitted in the Dar al-Harb’.
Can true freedom come where Islam thrives? Fighting the terrorists is only a temporary solution in the long run to an ongoing problem of a world religion that teaches to hate and authority over all others as a way of life.
The real solution is to educate them. Unless they question what they are being indoctrinated in they will never look elsewhere for answers. Of course we want to see them have freedom and become believers in Christ Jesus, but this can never be the alternative as long as they are captive to their religious dogma they live with.
If they are brought up with this hatred the next generation will be worse. From Memri.org: The Hamas children's magazine Al-Fateh is published biweekly in London, and is also posted online at www.al-fateh.net. It began publication in September 2002, and its 108th issue was released in mid-September 2007.
The magazine, which features stories, poems, riddles, puzzles, etc., includes incitement to jihad and martyrdom and glorification of terrorist operations and of their planners and perpetrators, as well as characterizations of Jews as “murderers of the prophets” and laudatory descriptions of parents who encourage their sons to kill Jews. In each issue, a regular feature titled “The Story of a Martyr” presents the “heroic deeds” of a mujahid from one of the organizations who died in a suicide operation (including operations against civilians) or who was killed by the IDF.
The magazine also includes illustrations of figures (including child warriors) who embody the ancient Islamic ethos of jihad and martyrdom, presenting them as role models. These include the magazine's titular character, Al-Fateh (“The Conqueror”) - a small boy on a horse brandishing a drawn sword (see Illustration No. 1 below) - as well as children carrying guns (Illustration No. 2), and photos of Hamas fighters launching Qassam rockets (Illustration No. 3).
Some issues feature stories with martyrdom themes, including characters who express a wish to die in battle and meet the virgins of Paradise, and parents who rejoice at their son's death in a jihad operation and celebrate by uttering cries of joy and handing out sweets.”
Remember this is published London, it is not a stretch to think this will take place in America and other countries that have freedom and allow Islam to build there worship centers without any responsibility.
Now may we pause for a moment of panic for mother earth…
or take another bite of Global warmed up baloney sandwiches.
And the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize gooooes to Al Gore for his work to raise awareness about global warming.
Albert (worshipper of Gaia) Gore stands in line as the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize with Jimmy Carter and Yassar Arafat other Nobel prize winners who did nothing for peace. There are other famous men that were nominated in the past- Mussolini, Hitler. His film “an inconvenient truth” is called a documentary (a self aggrandizing film) but it is his acting as if it's the complete truth that should give him an academy award, not just an Oscar. A London high court Judge Michael Burton ruled for a disclaimer to accompany on Al Gores movie because of nine specific falsehoods. Our children were literally introduced to a new paradigm from pseudo scientific evidence to produce a crisis among the younger generation.
Buy your bicycle now while they are cheap and don't forget the bell.
The pollution of the 19th century was cured by car. That's right, the horse was very unsanitary and when one came into a town in the mid 1800's, the manure would welcome their sense of smell. It also carried diseases beside the hazard of walking with clean boots. Now we are faced with a new step to clean up our environment- because the fate of our planet is in peril.
The Global warming argument has so much baloney that there is not enough bread in our state to make sandwiches with it. Global warming is very selective in its effect- Denver saw the coldest day in June on record. Buenos Aires had their first snow in 89 years (7- 12 -07). And let's not overlook that a global warming summit was cancelled for extreme weather- cold. Why is Mars getting hotter without car emissions? Is there something we don't know? Actually, there is a lot we do not know- that Wicca is one of the major religions that contribute to global thought on saving the environment/ the earth- Gaia.
The earth got 1 degree (specifically .07) warmer in 100 years and there is hysteria on this. Who's to say the temperature does not fluctuate 1-2 degrees warm and cold every hundred years? Why would anyone think the weather is consistently static and does not fluctuate century after century. Every place we live it is 1 degree hotter, do we all notice how radical we are all affected. And we have a responsibility to leave the world in better shape for the terrorists to take over.
Can you remember when the ice age was coming? It's not that far back.. Newsweek in 1973 the scientists said global cooling was coming.
In a 1971 Washington Post article, it warned of an impending ice age within 50 years. 'U.S. Scientist Sees New Ice Age Coming,' blares the headline of the July 9, 1971, article, which cautions readers that the world 'could be as little as 50 or 60 years away from a disastrous new ice age, a leading atmospheric scientist predicts.' The scientist was S.I. Rasool, a colleague of Mr. Hansen's at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The article goes on to say that Mr. Rasool came to his chilling conclusions by resorting in part to a new computer program developed by Mr. Hansen that studied clouds above Venus.”
As if things aren't heating up enough, global warming seems to be blamed for nearly everything. And the price of gas continues to rise. So the best substitute is other alternative fuel sources, right? Have you noticed that Ethanol is now put in with the gas, at least 10% or more! Which actually compounds the problem. You see by going to ethanol it does not reduce the amount of oil used by any significant amount. Besides, Ethanol makes the car run rougher (unless it is an ethanol made engine which is far more expensive).
Corn is a staple food for animals and we are using it now for our fuel. Corn is also the basis for American food. Corn is 4.20 a bushel, triple the price from what was a few years ago. The more corn goes up the more the cost of living does. Corn is in limited supply and is being used for our energy. It takes more as to produce and transport ethanol than it does oil. So It is no different than oil in this respect. It may be lower in carbon emissions but it is higher in others so we can't win with this kind of logic.
So we have a choice- are we going to be dependent on our food for energy, or gas for energy or none of these.
The church and world dance together
By now you must have heard about the Secret DVD or book that is sweeping the country and world as the new spiritual self help trend - popularized by Oprah Winfrey. The Secret is a DVD and book that is sweeping the world into a secular word faith belief. We have done a 5 part expose on these occult techniques that are being popularized in secular society (http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac36.htm.) Oprah has promoted visualization, channeling, yoga, and various other occult type practices along with denying Jesus as God and the only way along with her guests on her program - yet Christians are listening to her advice on “the Secret.” A word of caution, there are those inside the church that associate themselves with the word faith teaching who are involved in the Secret. Paula White recently appeared in the Dallas Morning News alongside Donald Trump (Class “Think Big”) Tony Robbins (Class - “unleash the Power”) and a number of others who are going to teach Classes on becoming a millionaire. Among them was secret teacher Jack Canfield whose subject in class was none other than “the Secret”. Whites Class was called “Why God wants you wealthy. (“This weekend can make you a millionaire” Dallas Morning News May 7, 07.)
Along with the gaining New Age influence in the world is the mass invasion of Yoga into the church.
Dave Hunt explains: “Yoga is dangerous. Yoga is deceitful. The 'correct' pursuit of yoga is designed to call upon demonic power and influence; it invites inside us the very separation from God and ultimate destruction it claims to forestall. Yoga is not good for anyone; clearly it is not acceptable for Christians” (Dave Hunt, Yoga and The Body of Christ: What Position Should Christians Hold? 2006, p. 159). This is the best book on Yoga I have read and it is needed to be read in the church today.
Being a former yoga practioner for nearly 20 years I am able to comment in this area where most cannot. “The practice of Yoga is pagan at best, and occult at worst. Its teachings emanate from the Eastern religions, all of which teach that self is God, only we just don't realize it until we do the techniques. 'The goal of Yoga is self-realization-to look deeply within to what ought to be the temple of the one true God and to discover the alleged true Self or higher Self to be God. Nothing could be more religious than that, yet with straight faces, all of the Yogis insist that practicing Yoga does not change anyone's religious beliefs.'“ (Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries)
As Johanna Michaelsen has said “You cannot separate the exercises from the philosophy. ... 'The movements themselves become a form of meditation.' The continued practice of the exercises will, whether you ... intend it or not, eventually influence you toward an Eastern/mystical perspective. That is what it is meant to do! ... There is, by definition, no such thing as 'neutral' Yoga” (Johanna Michaelsen, Like Lambs to the Slaughter, pp. 93-95).
One Article had some interesting statistics I thought should be passed on. “Amy Toosley was standing in a split pose when her yoga instructor gave her leg a little prod. “I heard the loudest pop I've ever heard, and the instructor said, 'Ooh! Good release, huh?'“ Toosley recalls. “Not really--I could hardly walk.” With her hamstring muscle snapped, Toosley, 32, avoided yoga for the next three months, and almost a year later, she is still in pain.
“..orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and chiropractors across the country are dealing with the increasing fallout from yoga gone awry. Over the past three years, 13,000 Americans were treated in an emergency room or a doctor's office for yoga-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Often people get hurt because they assume that yoga is simple and that anybody can pretzel himself or herself on demand. Edward Toriello, an orthopedic surgeon and spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, says most of the injuries he sees are sustained by “weekend warrior” baby boomers who begin yoga without realizing that their bodies are no longer what they used to be. “They think that yoga is an easy way to start exercising, so they go to class once a week, not stretched out at all, and they get hurt.”
The church and its pursuit of the Miraculous
William Brahman, John Lake, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin all have had their influence on the churches teaching from the pulpit and have become icons of healing. I have done an extensive article on the Healing Rooms and John Lake. I must tell you this is very disturbing as many are prophesying it to be to the new Toronto type move of the spirit. (Swimming in Lake Exaggeration-John Lake and the Healing Rooms).
On the Healing room websites they all have this same type of statement about Lake” The United States government declared Spokane, the healthiest city in the world” (Or the US”) --because of Lake’s healing ability. We have found nothing to substantiate any government agency saying this. In fact some claim there were documented, 100,000 healings in one year. We have found nothing to substantiate this claim either. This has been a rumor for 85 years. We contacted the Spokane library and mayors office trying to confirm the many stories told of Lakes miracle prowess and found nothing to confirm the claims that he and others are making of him. There are now over 600 healing rooms and as far as I'm concerned they are not a place you would want to visit for healing.
Recently political liberals tried to pass the fairness doctrine to close down radio broadcasters that have a contrary view. Silencing opposing views is their only alternative because they are unable to justify what they are legislating and supporting. They cannot defend it so instead they want keep the people from hearing the other side and cause confusion. This worldly display of control is also seen inside the church as they exercise management of those who are able to break out of the group think they have been participating in. Many experience a shunning and a personal attack on them when they no longer believe the false doctrine they are being taught at certain churches and want to separate from it and the church.
This same type of silencing is taking place in the church. One example is the pressure to remove the statements of those who stand in opposition to the false teachings of Benny Hinn. From what I have heard, Hinn’s ministry has put pressure on YouTube http://www.independentconservative.com/?p=1353 which carries this statement - This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Pastor Benny Hinn and the World Healing Church d/b/a Benny Hinn Ministries. You would think Hinn would be glad to have more advertisement for his teachings but they know these clips are unfavorable, they are engaged in removing clips that incriminate them in false tecahing.
On the home front
There are two main issues in the church that continues to be vigorously debated, that is- the Trinity and salvation- by faith alone or with baptism. I'm currently working on a new book on the topic of salvation and baptism that hopefully will make it clear why baptism is a command but not part of the salvation message and that those who believe that one must be baptized to be saved are promoting another gospel (Gal.1:6-9).
We have labored in witnessing to cults here in Hawaii since the late 80's. As I have tried to get churches on board to witness to the cults here in Hawaii; they have shown little interest for years. But we have seen hundreds of people exit out and into the church. I can no longer wait as we see time slipping away toward its conclusion. We want to begin a witnessing campaign nationwide. It is introduced as “Caring and admonishing the cult at your door campaign.” We have tried numerous ways to get through to those knocking on our door. I believe this softer confrontational dialogue will make them think and be challenged unlike any other. I have learned what is effective and what is not over the years and as many of you may have noticed, you can win an argument but not the person.
We want to put into the hands of individuals and churches a means to make a difference to those who knock on thousands of our doors each week. Tracts are in the process of being made for those who care for those trapped in Jehovah Witnesses, Mormonism and Moonies. This will be made available on request to any are interested, individuals, ministries and churches. It begins with you- each one of us needs to spend time with people who come to our doors.
I have personally used this witnessing method and found it most effective. An explanation of how to use each tract accompanies it and it will only take 5-10 minutes of your time asking them questions at your door.
The tracts and how to use it will be sent to you either by email or regular mail.
In Christ service,
Mike Oppenheimer
“In the name of” Interfaith, liberalism and Multiculturalism- be united”
(this issue: Terrorism, Earth news, Lineage of false teachers, the Secret)
What we are witnessing:
1. The world continues to rush toward a major conflict in the Middle East that will lead to a change in government[s] and bring about more war.
2. There is a paradigm shift going on in the minds of Americans and others on Islam and its threat.
3. The church seems to be following it in step with all the talking points of the liberals.
4. The differences are shrinking between the liberals in politics and the liberal movement that is growing in the church.
The war on terrorism is not just fought on the Battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan but in America, Britain, Canada, Australia etc. this war is fought by propaganda, by advertising, both with the intent of convincing people of our mutual friendships, likes and dislikes.
Maybe you thought that there was nothing significant going on with Islam the last few months. But it is what you don't hear in the media that is as important as what you do.
Islam is gaining ground in the area of being victimized each day we sit by and do not challenge their statements openly. It has become a war of words to win the hearts and minds of people. The goal for us is to accept Islam, for in the end they will be victorious (so they think).
For example-The French press reports “Empire State Building to go green for Muslim holiday” New York's Empire State Building is to be lit up green to honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid, marking the end of Ramadan. The city's tallest skyscraper will remain green until Sunday.
“This is the first time that the Empire State Building will be illuminated for Eid, and the lighting will become an annual event in the same tradition of the yearly lightings for Christmas and Hannukah,” (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071010191023.zonyv389&show_article=1)
I turned red when I heard this, how can they do this? It looks like we finally have the revival that all the false prophets and spiritual warfare pray warriors have been praying for. Just like in England, more Mosques were built than churches since the Toronto curse went through their nation. Now it is our turn for conversion. Of course I'm being facetious but many (may) take this shift to tolerance and multiculturalism as the way to peace.
Iran is goading the only democratic country (in the middle east) to fight, they want Israel to strike first, this way they can use it to unite the Muslim world against her and western civilization. It would draw moderates into the scene converting them to radicals to fight for their religion everywhere. The intent of the Islamic Jihadists is to pressure the moderates to join their ranks or they will be considered targets also.
The Taliban was implementing Sharia law in Afghanistan- An Islamic government does not recognize other governments, this is why the Muslims now in England want to overthrow the government, they are rouge (rogue) dominionists when it comes to freedom. In Sharia law, a woman speaking to a man who is not her husband can be stoned.
The following is an excerpt from The Sunday Times, London, September 16, 2007 “Christian Converts Risk Muslim Attack”: “One of Britain's most senior bishops has warned that a sustained campaign by Muslim extremists to intimidate and attack converts to Christianity risks ending in a murder.. ... The Barnabas Fund has uncovered widespread abuse against new converts, from being verbally abused and spat at to being assaulted by gangs of men on the street and left for dead. In some cases it believes that Women converts were abducted to Pakistan.”
We have Muslims who openly make all kinds of threats against America. One said openly, if you don't give us what we want we will burn the country down. Isn't that called hate speech? Not according to the liberal media, it is only hate speech when it is towards the Muslim.
It's bad enough that we must allow a president of a terrorist regime to land on American soil and have free speech that he does not allow in his country. But to say the words about his messiah dictator and promise destruction from the UN platform tells us more about his future actions than we could imagine. The president of Iran spoke of the Mahdi in his opening and closing of his speech at the UN. The president of Iran said previously in three years the Mahdi would be here; that was two years ago…
Ahmadinejad on the UN platform preached to the world his vision of a world without Israel, in which America and Europe would be freed of what he called 'Zionist oppression'. Ending his verbal Minegery on what he described as the injustices and oppressions practiced by the “big powers” since World War II, he said that the ungodly era of lewdness and violence was coming to a close and that “the age of monotheism has commenced.” The world is “nearing the sunset of the time of empires,” he claimed, and urged the dominant world powers to eschew their “obedience to Satan” and “submit to the will of god.” If they did so, “they will be saved.” If not, “calamities will befall them.”
“But whether or not these powers chose to reform themselves, he continued, the day was fast approaching when “occupied lands will be freed. Palestine and Iraq will be liberated from the domination of the occupiers.” And the people of America and Europe would be liberated from Zionist oppression. “This is the promise of god,” he said. “Therefore it will be fulfilled.”
Ahmadinejad has seen the vacancy of Saddam and taken the horse by its reigns. Iraq is very important in this conflict. The Mahdi is the influence for Iran's future (and all of Islam) according to Ahmadinejab. The Mahdi is supposed to appear in Mecca first then Medina and then goes to Kafue, Iraq. Of course he does go to Jerusalem to destroy the churches, synagogues, Christians and the Jews and participates in Muslim worship at the Al Asqa mosque.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a relatively obscure figure in Iranian politics until he was elected in 2005. Ahmadinejad didn't rise to power because of his intellect or statesmanship, he was specifically picked for a reason; Time Magazine called him “belligerent, naive, at once a fundamentalist and nationalist, and a dark genius at mobilizing Iranian public opinion.” That would be the good half-for he is sent to convince America and the nations to fall in line with Islam. And the god he speaks of is Allah, who is not the God of the Bible but a god of forces. One only needs to hear his speech to understand his god. “There is no way for the salvation of mankind but the rule of Islam over mankind.”
Ahmadinejad was invited to speak at Columbia University of which the president of the school Lee Bollinger gave him his own medicine for nearly a half hour. My hats off to him for saying what most politicians will not. The highlights were his questioning who was truly involved” in the September 11, 2001 attack (no not Muslims) and “In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country.” There were times the audience applauded him and other times booed him. What is amazing is that we heard no protest from the Homosexual community, which raises their voice on any injustice spoken of them. Why would homosexuals side with the Muslims when their Sharia law tells them to behead them? Because they are both in rebellion to God and there is no logic to be found in these matters. While he convinced people of Iran's openness, he forgot to tell them that conversion in Iran results in death.
While America is openly being threatened by Iran (they continually chant-death to Israel- death to America) we open up our Pentagon (that was attacked on 9/11) to observe Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Here are excerpts from an article-
“Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees Monday at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon.
“God is most great,” sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, .
Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers in quiet invocation to Allah.
As the Pentagon celebrated Ramadan, the White House is in preparations for an iftar feast tomorrow, said Lt. Cmdr. Saifulislam, who will be participating at the White House events.
“President and Mrs. Bush host an iftar dinner every year because they want people around the world to know how much they respect Islam and the many Muslims living in the U.S. who are free to worship as they want, and are an integral part of our society,” said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
“We live in a great nation,” said master of ceremonies Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Oldenburg, a Muslim. “Yes,it is our First Amendment right do that - to practice our religion the way we feel, to worship God and to come to the Pentagon and celebrate Ramadan.”
The first Muslim U.S. congressman - Rep. Keith Ellison, Minnesota Democrat - also attended the iftar, along with Imam Sheik Rashid Lamptey, executive director of the Muslim Association of Virginia. Sheik Lamptey also served as the deputy imam of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Virginia.
(Pentagon observes Muslim holy month By Sara A. Carter - http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NATION/110030089/1002)
When gatherings like these take place it depicts a shift in peoples positions, they become liberal minded and are willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain friendship.
Immediately after 9/11, the president visited a Washington, D.C., mosque and proclaimed Islam a “religion of peace.” He has often said that terrorists are not real Muslims,
Bush: All religions pray to 'same God' 'That's what I believe. I believe Islam is a great religion that preaches peace' (October 7, 2007 WorldNetDaily.com)
President George Bush has repeated his belief all religions, “whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God” - an assertion that caused outrage among evangelical leaders when he said it in November 2003.
Bush made the statement Friday in an interview with Al Arabiya reporter Elie Nakouzi.
Al Arabiya is Al Jazeerah's top competitor in the Mideast.
As the president and Nakouzi walked from the Oval Office to the Map Room in the White House residence, Nazouki asked, “But I want to tell you - and I hope this doesn't bother you at all - that in the Islamic world they think that President Bush is an enemy of Islam - that he wants to destroy their religion, what they believe in. Is that in any way true, Mr. President?”
“No, it's not,” said Bush. “I've heard that, and it just shows [sic] to show a couple of things: One, that the radicals have done a good job of propagandizing. In other words, they've spread the word that this really isn't peaceful people versus radical people or terrorists, this is really about the America not liking Islam.
“Well, first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. And I believe people who murder the innocent to achieve political objectives aren't religious people, whether they be a Christian who does that - we had a person blow up our - blow up a federal building in Oklahoma City who professed to be a Christian, but that's not a Christian act to kill innocent people.
Gary Bauer, former presidential candidate and president of American Values, said Bush's comment was “not helpful to the president. Since everybody agrees he's not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question.” (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58026)
Later in the interview, the president repeated his statement: “I believe there is a universal G-d. I believe the G-d that the Muslim prays to is the same G-d that I pray to. After all, we all came from Abraham. I believe in that universality.”
While numerous others chimed in and excused his statement as one who is not a theologian, I am going to disagree. The basic understanding of the gospel- Jesus is the only way; even children get; one does not need to be a theologian to understand it. This denies an essential teaching of the Christian faith- that a sacrifice was needed for man to be reconciled to God and man must come the way God has given- through his only begotten Son.
To say your own faith is equal to others faith, (there is only one faith Jude 3), Islam- which denies Jesus was crucified for sin and Judas or some look alike was crucified instead, makes this a travesty.
I understand that our political leaders must tone down the rhetoric as we are engaged in a global conflict of terrorism. But, we cannot fight terrorism when you have a president that professes to be Christian says Universalist statements like this. With mosques going up all through the US and a campaign to convince us that Islam has only a few radicals doing this kind of activity it becomes the perfect good cop bad cop scenario. What most people do not realize is that when Mosques go up the Muslims then consider the land holy and soon to be their own. This why they speak of England needing to convert, and do not allow infidels to step put in their country.
Ibn Warraq (author of why I am not a Muslim) informs us ‘Mankind is divided into two groups, Muslims and non-Muslims. The Muslims are…the umma who possess territories in Dar al-Islam, the Land of Islam where the edicts of Islam [Sharia Law] are fully promulgated. The non-Muslims are the Harbi, people of the Dar al-Harb, the Land of Warfare, any country belonging to the infidels that has not been subdued by Islam but that, nonetheless, is destined to pass into Islamic jurisdiction, either by conversion or by war (Harb). All acts of war are permitted in the Dar al-Harb’.
Can true freedom come where Islam thrives? Fighting the terrorists is only a temporary solution in the long run to an ongoing problem of a world religion that teaches to hate and authority over all others as a way of life.
The real solution is to educate them. Unless they question what they are being indoctrinated in they will never look elsewhere for answers. Of course we want to see them have freedom and become believers in Christ Jesus, but this can never be the alternative as long as they are captive to their religious dogma they live with.
If they are brought up with this hatred the next generation will be worse. From Memri.org: The Hamas children's magazine Al-Fateh is published biweekly in London, and is also posted online at www.al-fateh.net. It began publication in September 2002, and its 108th issue was released in mid-September 2007.
The magazine, which features stories, poems, riddles, puzzles, etc., includes incitement to jihad and martyrdom and glorification of terrorist operations and of their planners and perpetrators, as well as characterizations of Jews as “murderers of the prophets” and laudatory descriptions of parents who encourage their sons to kill Jews. In each issue, a regular feature titled “The Story of a Martyr” presents the “heroic deeds” of a mujahid from one of the organizations who died in a suicide operation (including operations against civilians) or who was killed by the IDF.
The magazine also includes illustrations of figures (including child warriors) who embody the ancient Islamic ethos of jihad and martyrdom, presenting them as role models. These include the magazine's titular character, Al-Fateh (“The Conqueror”) - a small boy on a horse brandishing a drawn sword (see Illustration No. 1 below) - as well as children carrying guns (Illustration No. 2), and photos of Hamas fighters launching Qassam rockets (Illustration No. 3).
Some issues feature stories with martyrdom themes, including characters who express a wish to die in battle and meet the virgins of Paradise, and parents who rejoice at their son's death in a jihad operation and celebrate by uttering cries of joy and handing out sweets.”
Remember this is published London, it is not a stretch to think this will take place in America and other countries that have freedom and allow Islam to build there worship centers without any responsibility.
Now may we pause for a moment of panic for mother earth…
or take another bite of Global warmed up baloney sandwiches.
And the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize gooooes to Al Gore for his work to raise awareness about global warming.
Albert (worshipper of Gaia) Gore stands in line as the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize with Jimmy Carter and Yassar Arafat other Nobel prize winners who did nothing for peace. There are other famous men that were nominated in the past- Mussolini, Hitler. His film “an inconvenient truth” is called a documentary (a self aggrandizing film) but it is his acting as if it's the complete truth that should give him an academy award, not just an Oscar. A London high court Judge Michael Burton ruled for a disclaimer to accompany on Al Gores movie because of nine specific falsehoods. Our children were literally introduced to a new paradigm from pseudo scientific evidence to produce a crisis among the younger generation.
Buy your bicycle now while they are cheap and don't forget the bell.
The pollution of the 19th century was cured by car. That's right, the horse was very unsanitary and when one came into a town in the mid 1800's, the manure would welcome their sense of smell. It also carried diseases beside the hazard of walking with clean boots. Now we are faced with a new step to clean up our environment- because the fate of our planet is in peril.
The Global warming argument has so much baloney that there is not enough bread in our state to make sandwiches with it. Global warming is very selective in its effect- Denver saw the coldest day in June on record. Buenos Aires had their first snow in 89 years (7- 12 -07). And let's not overlook that a global warming summit was cancelled for extreme weather- cold. Why is Mars getting hotter without car emissions? Is there something we don't know? Actually, there is a lot we do not know- that Wicca is one of the major religions that contribute to global thought on saving the environment/ the earth- Gaia.
The earth got 1 degree (specifically .07) warmer in 100 years and there is hysteria on this. Who's to say the temperature does not fluctuate 1-2 degrees warm and cold every hundred years? Why would anyone think the weather is consistently static and does not fluctuate century after century. Every place we live it is 1 degree hotter, do we all notice how radical we are all affected. And we have a responsibility to leave the world in better shape for the terrorists to take over.
Can you remember when the ice age was coming? It's not that far back.. Newsweek in 1973 the scientists said global cooling was coming.
In a 1971 Washington Post article, it warned of an impending ice age within 50 years. 'U.S. Scientist Sees New Ice Age Coming,' blares the headline of the July 9, 1971, article, which cautions readers that the world 'could be as little as 50 or 60 years away from a disastrous new ice age, a leading atmospheric scientist predicts.' The scientist was S.I. Rasool, a colleague of Mr. Hansen's at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The article goes on to say that Mr. Rasool came to his chilling conclusions by resorting in part to a new computer program developed by Mr. Hansen that studied clouds above Venus.”
As if things aren't heating up enough, global warming seems to be blamed for nearly everything. And the price of gas continues to rise. So the best substitute is other alternative fuel sources, right? Have you noticed that Ethanol is now put in with the gas, at least 10% or more! Which actually compounds the problem. You see by going to ethanol it does not reduce the amount of oil used by any significant amount. Besides, Ethanol makes the car run rougher (unless it is an ethanol made engine which is far more expensive).
Corn is a staple food for animals and we are using it now for our fuel. Corn is also the basis for American food. Corn is 4.20 a bushel, triple the price from what was a few years ago. The more corn goes up the more the cost of living does. Corn is in limited supply and is being used for our energy. It takes more as to produce and transport ethanol than it does oil. So It is no different than oil in this respect. It may be lower in carbon emissions but it is higher in others so we can't win with this kind of logic.
So we have a choice- are we going to be dependent on our food for energy, or gas for energy or none of these.
The church and world dance together
By now you must have heard about the Secret DVD or book that is sweeping the country and world as the new spiritual self help trend - popularized by Oprah Winfrey. The Secret is a DVD and book that is sweeping the world into a secular word faith belief. We have done a 5 part expose on these occult techniques that are being popularized in secular society (http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac36.htm.) Oprah has promoted visualization, channeling, yoga, and various other occult type practices along with denying Jesus as God and the only way along with her guests on her program - yet Christians are listening to her advice on “the Secret.” A word of caution, there are those inside the church that associate themselves with the word faith teaching who are involved in the Secret. Paula White recently appeared in the Dallas Morning News alongside Donald Trump (Class “Think Big”) Tony Robbins (Class - “unleash the Power”) and a number of others who are going to teach Classes on becoming a millionaire. Among them was secret teacher Jack Canfield whose subject in class was none other than “the Secret”. Whites Class was called “Why God wants you wealthy. (“This weekend can make you a millionaire” Dallas Morning News May 7, 07.)
Along with the gaining New Age influence in the world is the mass invasion of Yoga into the church.
Dave Hunt explains: “Yoga is dangerous. Yoga is deceitful. The 'correct' pursuit of yoga is designed to call upon demonic power and influence; it invites inside us the very separation from God and ultimate destruction it claims to forestall. Yoga is not good for anyone; clearly it is not acceptable for Christians” (Dave Hunt, Yoga and The Body of Christ: What Position Should Christians Hold? 2006, p. 159). This is the best book on Yoga I have read and it is needed to be read in the church today.
Being a former yoga practioner for nearly 20 years I am able to comment in this area where most cannot. “The practice of Yoga is pagan at best, and occult at worst. Its teachings emanate from the Eastern religions, all of which teach that self is God, only we just don't realize it until we do the techniques. 'The goal of Yoga is self-realization-to look deeply within to what ought to be the temple of the one true God and to discover the alleged true Self or higher Self to be God. Nothing could be more religious than that, yet with straight faces, all of the Yogis insist that practicing Yoga does not change anyone's religious beliefs.'“ (Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries)
As Johanna Michaelsen has said “You cannot separate the exercises from the philosophy. ... 'The movements themselves become a form of meditation.' The continued practice of the exercises will, whether you ... intend it or not, eventually influence you toward an Eastern/mystical perspective. That is what it is meant to do! ... There is, by definition, no such thing as 'neutral' Yoga” (Johanna Michaelsen, Like Lambs to the Slaughter, pp. 93-95).
One Article had some interesting statistics I thought should be passed on. “Amy Toosley was standing in a split pose when her yoga instructor gave her leg a little prod. “I heard the loudest pop I've ever heard, and the instructor said, 'Ooh! Good release, huh?'“ Toosley recalls. “Not really--I could hardly walk.” With her hamstring muscle snapped, Toosley, 32, avoided yoga for the next three months, and almost a year later, she is still in pain.
“..orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and chiropractors across the country are dealing with the increasing fallout from yoga gone awry. Over the past three years, 13,000 Americans were treated in an emergency room or a doctor's office for yoga-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Often people get hurt because they assume that yoga is simple and that anybody can pretzel himself or herself on demand. Edward Toriello, an orthopedic surgeon and spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, says most of the injuries he sees are sustained by “weekend warrior” baby boomers who begin yoga without realizing that their bodies are no longer what they used to be. “They think that yoga is an easy way to start exercising, so they go to class once a week, not stretched out at all, and they get hurt.”
The church and its pursuit of the Miraculous
William Brahman, John Lake, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin all have had their influence on the churches teaching from the pulpit and have become icons of healing. I have done an extensive article on the Healing Rooms and John Lake. I must tell you this is very disturbing as many are prophesying it to be to the new Toronto type move of the spirit. (Swimming in Lake Exaggeration-John Lake and the Healing Rooms).
On the Healing room websites they all have this same type of statement about Lake” The United States government declared Spokane, the healthiest city in the world” (Or the US”) --because of Lake’s healing ability. We have found nothing to substantiate any government agency saying this. In fact some claim there were documented, 100,000 healings in one year. We have found nothing to substantiate this claim either. This has been a rumor for 85 years. We contacted the Spokane library and mayors office trying to confirm the many stories told of Lakes miracle prowess and found nothing to confirm the claims that he and others are making of him. There are now over 600 healing rooms and as far as I'm concerned they are not a place you would want to visit for healing.
Recently political liberals tried to pass the fairness doctrine to close down radio broadcasters that have a contrary view. Silencing opposing views is their only alternative because they are unable to justify what they are legislating and supporting. They cannot defend it so instead they want keep the people from hearing the other side and cause confusion. This worldly display of control is also seen inside the church as they exercise management of those who are able to break out of the group think they have been participating in. Many experience a shunning and a personal attack on them when they no longer believe the false doctrine they are being taught at certain churches and want to separate from it and the church.
This same type of silencing is taking place in the church. One example is the pressure to remove the statements of those who stand in opposition to the false teachings of Benny Hinn. From what I have heard, Hinn’s ministry has put pressure on YouTube http://www.independentconservative.com/?p=1353 which carries this statement - This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Pastor Benny Hinn and the World Healing Church d/b/a Benny Hinn Ministries. You would think Hinn would be glad to have more advertisement for his teachings but they know these clips are unfavorable, they are engaged in removing clips that incriminate them in false tecahing.
On the home front
There are two main issues in the church that continues to be vigorously debated, that is- the Trinity and salvation- by faith alone or with baptism. I'm currently working on a new book on the topic of salvation and baptism that hopefully will make it clear why baptism is a command but not part of the salvation message and that those who believe that one must be baptized to be saved are promoting another gospel (Gal.1:6-9).
We have labored in witnessing to cults here in Hawaii since the late 80's. As I have tried to get churches on board to witness to the cults here in Hawaii; they have shown little interest for years. But we have seen hundreds of people exit out and into the church. I can no longer wait as we see time slipping away toward its conclusion. We want to begin a witnessing campaign nationwide. It is introduced as “Caring and admonishing the cult at your door campaign.” We have tried numerous ways to get through to those knocking on our door. I believe this softer confrontational dialogue will make them think and be challenged unlike any other. I have learned what is effective and what is not over the years and as many of you may have noticed, you can win an argument but not the person.
We want to put into the hands of individuals and churches a means to make a difference to those who knock on thousands of our doors each week. Tracts are in the process of being made for those who care for those trapped in Jehovah Witnesses, Mormonism and Moonies. This will be made available on request to any are interested, individuals, ministries and churches. It begins with you- each one of us needs to spend time with people who come to our doors.
I have personally used this witnessing method and found it most effective. An explanation of how to use each tract accompanies it and it will only take 5-10 minutes of your time asking them questions at your door.
The tracts and how to use it will be sent to you either by email or regular mail.
In Christ service,
Mike Oppenheimer
posted by Tim Wirth | 4:04 PM
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