Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Christopher Hitchens Dies - National - The Atlantic Wire
Christopher Hitchens Dies - National - The Atlantic Wire
Hitchens who died of Cancer was a English- born athiest writer and is being remembered as a critic of "religious hypocrisy". He authored a book "God is not great - how religion poisons everything". He wrote a lot critcising political and religious figures alike. He wrote a lot against faith-based thinking but a lot of Christians believe this man was just on a vitriolic literary mission against God.
"Christ" was in his name but perhaps not in his heart.
The man vowed not to allow his Cancer to force him to repent. However, I doubt if Cancer forces anyone to repent. I believe the conditional transformation of the human heart is a supernatural thing.
If not, one's own reflection upon oneself that breaks one's own will with the assistance of a holy power that we as humans can never understand. The Bible states that it's by a supernatural power (God's spirit) that we're able to come to the revelation of God and not by one's own merits, intelligence or experience. It's the Spirit of God that draws us. However, the Bible also states, that if you hear God's voice harden not your hearts". We must make the willing decision to turn to Christ in order to find salvation.
I pray that this man like any other would have experienced that heart trasnformation and made that commitment to Christ because .... "what does it profit a man if he wins the whole world, yet loses his own soul....Or What would one give in exchange for their soul"? (Mathew 16:26).
Hitchens who died of Cancer was a English- born athiest writer and is being remembered as a critic of "religious hypocrisy". He authored a book "God is not great - how religion poisons everything". He wrote a lot critcising political and religious figures alike. He wrote a lot against faith-based thinking but a lot of Christians believe this man was just on a vitriolic literary mission against God.
"Christ" was in his name but perhaps not in his heart.
The man vowed not to allow his Cancer to force him to repent. However, I doubt if Cancer forces anyone to repent. I believe the conditional transformation of the human heart is a supernatural thing.
If not, one's own reflection upon oneself that breaks one's own will with the assistance of a holy power that we as humans can never understand. The Bible states that it's by a supernatural power (God's spirit) that we're able to come to the revelation of God and not by one's own merits, intelligence or experience. It's the Spirit of God that draws us. However, the Bible also states, that if you hear God's voice harden not your hearts". We must make the willing decision to turn to Christ in order to find salvation.
I pray that this man like any other would have experienced that heart trasnformation and made that commitment to Christ because .... "what does it profit a man if he wins the whole world, yet loses his own soul....Or What would one give in exchange for their soul"? (Mathew 16:26).
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Martial Law: The groundwork is being laid -
S1867 : National Defense Authorization Act -
A very vauge bill giving legal standing for government to detain american citizens if suspected of being terrorists without a clear defintion of what a "terrorist" is.
This is no longer about Alcaida or terrorists abroad but more about american powers against american citizens. This voilation against our constitutional rights will extend to other national threats and other conditions to be enforced by other political powers at their discretion.
Ask yourself why this isn't being covered in the mainstream media.
Do we understand the prophetic implications of this? Wow.
Okay, lets get back to watching the Golden Globe awards and American Idol!
A very vauge bill giving legal standing for government to detain american citizens if suspected of being terrorists without a clear defintion of what a "terrorist" is.
This is no longer about Alcaida or terrorists abroad but more about american powers against american citizens. This voilation against our constitutional rights will extend to other national threats and other conditions to be enforced by other political powers at their discretion.
Ask yourself why this isn't being covered in the mainstream media.
Do we understand the prophetic implications of this? Wow.
Okay, lets get back to watching the Golden Globe awards and American Idol!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
FEATURED SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY:
And one of my dear favorites - Romans Chapt. 12 1-2; 9-21
Teaches discipline in worship leading towards sanctification and 9-12 describes how to express true love to people in service to God.
Today, ask people "What is love"? .... you won't get any of the following as an answer. But the creator of Love has given here an example of true love. In short, one definition of love would best be described as ..."Love is how one responds to our fellow humans through our obedience to God".
1-Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2-Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
9-Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10-Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11-Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12-Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13-Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14-Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15-Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16-Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17-Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18-If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19-Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20-On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
21-Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Teaches discipline in worship leading towards sanctification and 9-12 describes how to express true love to people in service to God.
Today, ask people "What is love"? .... you won't get any of the following as an answer. But the creator of Love has given here an example of true love. In short, one definition of love would best be described as ..."Love is how one responds to our fellow humans through our obedience to God".
1-Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2-Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
9-Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10-Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11-Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12-Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13-Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14-Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15-Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16-Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17-Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18-If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19-Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20-On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
21-Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
"For unto us a Child is born and a Son is given ...
8-And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9-And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10-And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11-For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12-And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13-And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14-Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15-And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND GOD BLESS !!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
About the Dead Sea Scrolls -
(click on the above link title to read that yahoo article)
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 hidden in the Kumron caves in Israel. Dated back to the time of the existence of, an ancient Hebrew people. It's believed that during a time of Roman occupation, the scrolls were hidden in the caves preserved and hidden in pottery.
Among many documents discovered, were an original hand written copy of 66 books of Isiah.
The significance of those ancient scriptures discovered is that when we compare the ones found w/ our modern day copy of the book of Isiah, we discovered that they are almost 100% similar except for "one" word and a few grammatical errors. This demonstrates that the copy that we have within our Bibles of the book of Isiah has been preserved for over 2000 years. The book of Isiah is one of the most important books of the Old Testament. Its prophecies include the coming of the Messiah, His birth and resurrection as well as the purpose of His coming. Not to mention that it shows that ancient Hebrews have been in that area for thousands of years. Many have previously contended that the Biblical scriptures are stories of stories written down and that the original copies have been altered or corrupted throughout the centuries but all that falls flat now that we see how well preserved those ancient copies have withstood the test of time.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL ???
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The need to get high...
Although many proponents of drug legalization would want people to believe that statistics can't prove that there are even such things as "gateway" drugs, if you really just trust your individual common sense, and just open your eyes to what's going on out there, you'll know the truth for yourself.
The fact that young people have a "need " to get high tells you there's something very wrong. And then when you have the media glamorizing ilicit drug use, drug dealing and violent drug culture, again, your common sense has to wake up to the facts. And we don't need biased stats to tell us otherwise especially when parents can actually see what's going on with their kids. More and more movies are glamorizing the use of drugs as being cool with an appeal towards breaking the law. A lot of times the same urge to get high takes young kids into darker routes for the purposes of finding a new reality. Too many times it robs young people's judgments before they're even old enough to be able to develop more mature and responsible critical thinking. Today that impulsive need to "leave reality" has young people going into their family bathroom cabinets, sniffing paint cans, etc. or whatever will do the job. It's so sad. Now that the drug epidemic is spilling into many American suburbs and by and large affecting a larger segment of the population, people are stirring up a lot of concern. And even if the biased stats on corralation don't report the truth, all the negative influence in the media really, really doesn't help.
Oh aint it cool !
The fact that young people have a "need " to get high tells you there's something very wrong. And then when you have the media glamorizing ilicit drug use, drug dealing and violent drug culture, again, your common sense has to wake up to the facts. And we don't need biased stats to tell us otherwise especially when parents can actually see what's going on with their kids. More and more movies are glamorizing the use of drugs as being cool with an appeal towards breaking the law. A lot of times the same urge to get high takes young kids into darker routes for the purposes of finding a new reality. Too many times it robs young people's judgments before they're even old enough to be able to develop more mature and responsible critical thinking. Today that impulsive need to "leave reality" has young people going into their family bathroom cabinets, sniffing paint cans, etc. or whatever will do the job. It's so sad. Now that the drug epidemic is spilling into many American suburbs and by and large affecting a larger segment of the population, people are stirring up a lot of concern. And even if the biased stats on corralation don't report the truth, all the negative influence in the media really, really doesn't help.
Oh aint it cool !
Uhhh, maybe not !
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The GLAM IS GONE....
There are many porn stars who have died of drug overdoses, suicide or AIDS.
Very sad. But whether it's drugs, voilence, greed, etc., it takes only those who aren't spiritually blind to be able to see. (Click on the above title link to read the article) " For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "
Ephesians 6:12
" In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. "
2 Corinthians 4:4
Monday, October 17, 2011
All Hallow's Eve...
It's that time of year again.. when people celebrate this holiday. Most people don't care other than that they remember having so much fun on Halloween. I'm one of them; I remember having so much fun on Halloween as a kid. But at a certain point in a person's life, things become more about principles and if those principles are about honoring God "in all things", then one has to consider not celebrating this holiday.
If you look up the history of Halloween, you'll find different information about it; where it came from, who celebrated it, for what purpose, etc. But all in all, it doesn't honor God and it's not represented in the Bible. What I found in common is that it was celebrated to worhip other gods, other pagan or un Christian practices...
nothing Good to say the least. Therefore, I move to keep it out of my home as well as anything else that won't honor God (as much I can help it).
But if you see me post a picture of baby Jav. in a little Halloween costume it's because I couldn't stop Claudia from persuing ultimate baby cutness! | Be safe out there!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The 10 Commandments:
Exodus 20: 1-17 :
And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
1.You shall have no other gods before me.
2.You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
3.You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5.Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
6.You shall not murder.
7.You shall not commit adultery.
8.You shall not steal.
9.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10.You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
**The law is meant to show man how perfect we would have to be in order to meet God's standard but it is the grace of God through Christ's sacrifice that is offered to us as a free gift so that if we turn from our sin and acknowledge our need for God, we will be saved. We then cross from death unto life in Christ so that "Behold, all things become new".
And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
1.You shall have no other gods before me.
2.You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
3.You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5.Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
6.You shall not murder.
7.You shall not commit adultery.
8.You shall not steal.
9.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10.You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
**The law is meant to show man how perfect we would have to be in order to meet God's standard but it is the grace of God through Christ's sacrifice that is offered to us as a free gift so that if we turn from our sin and acknowledge our need for God, we will be saved. We then cross from death unto life in Christ so that "Behold, all things become new".
Bad Plastic!
I wonder how many women have fallen prey to eating disorders, suicide and profound low self-esteem because of this one small doll. Click on the above title to read this yahoo article on plastic surgery.
And then there are the one's who just want to delay the inevitable and can't age with integrity because they allowed themselves to believe that there is no integrity in aging. Is deformity the price for fame and fortune? EEEEeeek! Happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
'O Death ..."
Romans 5:12
-------------------------
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment"
Hebrews 9:27
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
John 11:25
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? "
1 Corinthians 15:55
THE REAL "FINAL DESTINATION" !
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The frightened and angry townspeople are lighting their torches !!
This new Arizona law highlights the need for the White House to lead, and for Congress to enact, comprehensive immigration reform that will increase border security, provide more responsive legal avenues through which future workers can come to the U.S., and require undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. to earn the right to stay in this country while paying appropriate penalties.
Every day that the federal government fails to enact comprehensive immigration reform, families continue to live in fear in our country. Florida pastor Joel Hunter got it right when he testified before Congress, saying, "In the end, I believe our nation will be not be judged by the productivity of our budgets, or the genius of our laws, or even the earnestness of our faith communities. We will be judged, both by history and by God, by the way we treated people, especially those who needed our help."
Arizona's Border Crisis:
Why Christians should oppose the state's new immigration law.
(5/12/10)Massachusettes like Arizona in addtion to other states are acting on extreme immigrant-hating laws. These laws are motivated by fear, ignorance and a displacment of anger on people who can't defend themselves. They're nothing more than a leap backwards in human rights and are lead by an evil spirit of hate and fear. In order to justify this racist hysteria, people are trying to characterize illegal immagrants as mostly crimminals, drug traffikers and people trying to take american jobs. The mere characteriation of anyone referred to as an "illegal alien" is enought to evoke an image of some kind of monster. And anyone who denies that this abuse doesn't also effect all Latino Americans is blind.
Click on the above title link to read the article.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Stupid in America -
Oh but by all means, lets keep creating more distractions for our kids... more video games please.. and make them nice and portable so they can take them into the classrooms... Lets make those games sexually natured and violent to cater to the basics of their human impulses...
oh and more quality reality shows like "Jersey Shore", Jerry Springer", Mob Wives, ... etc. Great stuff! Distract them into day dreaming about being the next "American Idol", "Rap or sports superstar"...
Cater to the apetites of these up and comers and give them what they impulsively need in terms of their daily distractions which will in turn leave them dummied-down and juvenile.. into their 30's and 40's...
America the superpower?....Are we? If we are, not for long. America is losing ground on ALL fronts.
The above video clearly shows that over the years, the massive budget isn't going to fix a system that is plauged with govermental bureaucracy, and the "speghetti and nonsense" dish that's being served is backed up by a lack of motivation to really make any changes within the system.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Psalm 19
How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
How plainly it shows what he has done!
Each day announces it to the following day;
each night repeats it to the next.
No speech or words are used,
no sound is heard;
and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;
it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
like an athlete eager to run a race.
It starts at one end of the sky
and goes across to the other.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
The Law of the Lord
The law of the Lord is perfect;
it gives new strength.
The commands of the Lord are trustworthy,
giving wisdom to those who lack it.
The laws of the Lord are right,
and those who obey them are happy.
The commands of the Lord are just
and give understanding to the mind.
Reverence for the Lord is good;
it will continue forever.
The judgments of the Lord are just;
they are always fair.
They are more desirable than the finest gold;
they are sweeter than the purest honey.
They give knowledge to me, your servant;
I am rewarded for obeying them.
None of us can see our own errors;
deliver me, Lord, from hidden faults!
Keep me safe, also, from willful sins;
don't let them rule over me.
Then I shall be perfect
and free from the evil of sin.
May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
2 Thessalonians 2:7
"For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way".
One can only wonder with the plunder of our economy getting worst, how bad it can actually get. Click on the title to read the report.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
When there's money to be made... medical science goes Kaput!
From the article (click on the above title to read the full article)
"Medical researchers in charge of Infuse clinical trials may have been aware of and failed to report evidence that the product may cause sterility in men and potentially harmful bone growth,"
1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil"
"Medical researchers in charge of Infuse clinical trials may have been aware of and failed to report evidence that the product may cause sterility in men and potentially harmful bone growth,"
1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil"
Saturday, June 25, 2011
HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE LEGALIZED IN NY STATE:
I knew it was coming and it was only a matter of time since our society just continues to landslide down hill in terms of our moral decline. But what's worst... sanctioning the genocide of babies after 50 million abortions or justifying what the Bible deems an abominiation and perversion within our courts?
No, it's no wonder that homosexuals eventually gained ground on getting this legislation; especially after masking it as a "human rights" issue - which it is not. The same "masking" was done for abortion; making it seem like an individual rights issue when in fact, it's simply just the stripping down of our moral fabric within our society.
There's a huge difference between creating legislation between civil union where all rights of a marriage would be granted to same sex partners and simply REDEFINING marriage.
Where does it go from here? Perhaps the legislation that allows our school system to promote hedonistic sexual practices to our children and call it "family structure training" - which is actually already going on in other states.
The way I see it is that our society is just moving further and further away from morality by redefining what morals actually are outside of Christian principles. As Christians, we see it coming because it's all predicted in the Word of God. So although we fight these legislations, we also accept the outcome simply because we're instructed in God's Word to "look up and know that our redemtion draweth nigh". These are just things that need to take place in order to fullfill Biblical prophesies.
It's all part of man's rebellion to anything Godly. We pray and love the homosexual brother and sister with all honestly; judging not, persecuting not, yet standing firm on GOD'S Biblical Truth and nothing more.
God bless, continue praying and keep the faith!
No, it's no wonder that homosexuals eventually gained ground on getting this legislation; especially after masking it as a "human rights" issue - which it is not. The same "masking" was done for abortion; making it seem like an individual rights issue when in fact, it's simply just the stripping down of our moral fabric within our society.
There's a huge difference between creating legislation between civil union where all rights of a marriage would be granted to same sex partners and simply REDEFINING marriage.
Where does it go from here? Perhaps the legislation that allows our school system to promote hedonistic sexual practices to our children and call it "family structure training" - which is actually already going on in other states.
The way I see it is that our society is just moving further and further away from morality by redefining what morals actually are outside of Christian principles. As Christians, we see it coming because it's all predicted in the Word of God. So although we fight these legislations, we also accept the outcome simply because we're instructed in God's Word to "look up and know that our redemtion draweth nigh". These are just things that need to take place in order to fullfill Biblical prophesies.
It's all part of man's rebellion to anything Godly. We pray and love the homosexual brother and sister with all honestly; judging not, persecuting not, yet standing firm on GOD'S Biblical Truth and nothing more.
God bless, continue praying and keep the faith!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Parallel Universes: Metaphysics meets Sci-Fi
Mr. Spock runs the science department at Arizona State University folks!
The scientific theory of Parallel Universes suggests that there really isn't such thing as reality.
On the run with their wild theories, man will come up with anything not to face the truth. But if reality doesn't exists, even less the idea that any real truth exists. Check out this funny Nat-Geo video.
Can you imagine the implications of this type of thinking if everyone who was taught this in school starting from first grade through university level? ... Generations of young people would be indoctrinated into believing that their actions would have no consequences and nothing really matters. Haven't we had enough school kids bring high-powered assault weapons and shoot up whole schools? Did we ever figure out what brought on that amazing coincidence of sudden repeat violence in the schools? Did we blame it on bullying and stop there? No, it's no wonder that the indoctrination that goes on in our society is what brings on these episodes of cultural anomalies. Not every kid that watches porn becomes a rapist or one who plays voilent video games, shoots up a school... But out of millions that do, it only takes common sense to know that a small percentage of that population would. But unfortunately for us in a population of millions, that minority percentage is still way too high. Statistics aren't going to reveal the truth. Sometimes you don't need statistics to arrive at a common sense conclusion. Bias always hides the truth within statistics; we all know that. In my old experimental psychology class we were quickly introduced to the "garbage in, garbage out" concept. This means that adding skewed information to an experiment will always give you skewed information as a result.
And so any of the many "scientific" theories that gain popularity and is then taught in our schools that suggests that we as humans have less control over our own thinking, our actions, our future will eventually reap the negative influences of those theories. "You are what you eat".. or rather, "You do what you believe".
Consider this: The Truth does exist and it doesn't cease to exist simply because we decide not to believe it. Truth exists whether we believe or not. However, finding the truth is still the grand persuit of human beings and we all only have a limited amount of time to find it.
Jesus said...."I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE".
Although the person who first came up with this theory in quantum physics didn't experience the most welcoming reception from the scientific community, it nevertheless is still out there to be considered as a theory which is a lot more than what modern scientists will consider the idea of a creator.
There is proof that the universe continues to expand and become cooler. The sustaining life conditions that postulate the universe being millions of years old doesn't measure up therefore, one can never say that the universe always was. However, the idea of a universe creator who has no origin is too much to accept today even as a theory.
For more on Parellel Universe theory,
http://www.manyuniverses.com/indexH.htm
The scientific theory of Parallel Universes suggests that there really isn't such thing as reality.
On the run with their wild theories, man will come up with anything not to face the truth. But if reality doesn't exists, even less the idea that any real truth exists. Check out this funny Nat-Geo video.
Can you imagine the implications of this type of thinking if everyone who was taught this in school starting from first grade through university level? ... Generations of young people would be indoctrinated into believing that their actions would have no consequences and nothing really matters. Haven't we had enough school kids bring high-powered assault weapons and shoot up whole schools? Did we ever figure out what brought on that amazing coincidence of sudden repeat violence in the schools? Did we blame it on bullying and stop there? No, it's no wonder that the indoctrination that goes on in our society is what brings on these episodes of cultural anomalies. Not every kid that watches porn becomes a rapist or one who plays voilent video games, shoots up a school... But out of millions that do, it only takes common sense to know that a small percentage of that population would. But unfortunately for us in a population of millions, that minority percentage is still way too high. Statistics aren't going to reveal the truth. Sometimes you don't need statistics to arrive at a common sense conclusion. Bias always hides the truth within statistics; we all know that. In my old experimental psychology class we were quickly introduced to the "garbage in, garbage out" concept. This means that adding skewed information to an experiment will always give you skewed information as a result.
And so any of the many "scientific" theories that gain popularity and is then taught in our schools that suggests that we as humans have less control over our own thinking, our actions, our future will eventually reap the negative influences of those theories. "You are what you eat".. or rather, "You do what you believe".
Consider this: The Truth does exist and it doesn't cease to exist simply because we decide not to believe it. Truth exists whether we believe or not. However, finding the truth is still the grand persuit of human beings and we all only have a limited amount of time to find it.
Jesus said...."I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE".
Although the person who first came up with this theory in quantum physics didn't experience the most welcoming reception from the scientific community, it nevertheless is still out there to be considered as a theory which is a lot more than what modern scientists will consider the idea of a creator.
There is proof that the universe continues to expand and become cooler. The sustaining life conditions that postulate the universe being millions of years old doesn't measure up therefore, one can never say that the universe always was. However, the idea of a universe creator who has no origin is too much to accept today even as a theory.
For more on Parellel Universe theory,
http://www.manyuniverses.com/indexH.htm
Monday, May 23, 2011
A right to child abuse -
Another child abuse case. The increasing news of child abuse or people outright abusing their own children is popping up in the news every day more and more. I often think about how many more cases don't hit the 6 O'clock news and even when those cases do, they're often forgotten about within 24 hrs.
These abuses along with the growing abuse of our senior citizens getting robbed and raped in their own homes seem to be coming up in the news every day.
Are there people out there who refuse to become conditioned with the repetition of these atrocities??
I get furious when a news report like this is followed up with a sports report, a food recipe or something related to hollywood celebrities.
Click on the title link above and read about this recent child abuse case of a Brooklyn mother who got charged for dumping her baby boy down an 8th fl trash shute. This comes 2-weeks after another case in Queens of a mother who dumped her newborn daughter into a bathroom garbage bin. Also in April, a toddler, Louis Dwayne Mosely (18 months) was beaten to death by a 19 year old man who was dating the child's foster mother.
These things are happening folks every day more and more.
When our nation sanctions the illmination and genocide of our own children and diminishes the sanctity of life by allowing 50 million abortions since 1973, that sends out a pretty disturbing message to it's citizens and says... "Get rid of them, it's your child, it's your RIGHT.. and nobody else's business"! The next generation of killers can only get more and more ruthless on their own children.
These abuses along with the growing abuse of our senior citizens getting robbed and raped in their own homes seem to be coming up in the news every day.
Are there people out there who refuse to become conditioned with the repetition of these atrocities??
I get furious when a news report like this is followed up with a sports report, a food recipe or something related to hollywood celebrities.
Click on the title link above and read about this recent child abuse case of a Brooklyn mother who got charged for dumping her baby boy down an 8th fl trash shute. This comes 2-weeks after another case in Queens of a mother who dumped her newborn daughter into a bathroom garbage bin. Also in April, a toddler, Louis Dwayne Mosely (18 months) was beaten to death by a 19 year old man who was dating the child's foster mother.
These things are happening folks every day more and more.
When our nation sanctions the illmination and genocide of our own children and diminishes the sanctity of life by allowing 50 million abortions since 1973, that sends out a pretty disturbing message to it's citizens and says... "Get rid of them, it's your child, it's your RIGHT.. and nobody else's business"! The next generation of killers can only get more and more ruthless on their own children.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Stephen Hawking: "afterlife is a fairy story"
Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking recently explained his belief that there is no God and that humans should therefore seek to live the most valuable lives they can while on Earth.
Guardian writer Ian Sample asked Hawking if he feared death in a story published yesterday. This was his response:
I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first. I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Hawking's 1988 book "A Brief History of Time" sold 9 million copies, and in it Hawking referenced God metaphorically as the force that could fully explain the creation of the universe.
But in 2010, Hawking told Diane Sawyer that "science will win" in a battle with religion "because it works."
"What could define God [is a conception of divinity] as the embodiment of the laws of nature. However, this is not what most people would think of that God," Hawking told Sawyer. "They made a human-like being with whom one can have a personal relationship. When you look at the vast size of the universe and how insignificant an accidental human life is in it, that seems most impossible."
Hawking's latest book, "The Grand Design," challenged Isaac Newton's theory that the solar system could not have been created without God. "Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to ... set the Universe going," he writes.
Hawking was diagnosed with the degenerative Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 21. He lost his power of speech and for decades has talked through an electronic speech synthesizer. The device has allowed him to continue his research and attain a top Cambridge research post, which was previously held by Newton. His most famous theory explains how black holes emit radiation, according to The Guardian.
So if everyone is destined to power-down like computers at the end of their lives, what should humans do to lend meaning to their experience?
"We should seek the greatest value of our action," Hawking told the paper.
(Hawking in China in 2006: Elizabeth Dalziel/AP)
How tragic especially for someone who has dedicated so much to his work. Too bad in all his intelligence he's unable to see God by way of His creations (with all he's been able to see and study) but instead sees them as accidents and unexplained phenomenons. Many scientists would even venture into hypothesis of the metaphysical rather than to see God in His creation. The laws of "nature" that he refers to is quite literally the grace of God that holds things together. Today, the argument that "something is created from nothing" is just sad and absurd even by many scientists measure. The idea that we're all just accidents and that we should be arrogant to think that we're so special doesn't lead to much human self esteem for the continuation of scientific discoveries either. If anything, it fosters future generations of apathy and lack of motivation.
Fact is that life here on Earth is indeed short and looking out into the universe we see that eternity does also exist.. therefore, it's a sad indictment of those who would miss that relationship btwn this life and the next. Lets continue to pray for Mr. Hawking. (Romans 1:20)
Guardian writer Ian Sample asked Hawking if he feared death in a story published yesterday. This was his response:
I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first. I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Hawking's 1988 book "A Brief History of Time" sold 9 million copies, and in it Hawking referenced God metaphorically as the force that could fully explain the creation of the universe.
But in 2010, Hawking told Diane Sawyer that "science will win" in a battle with religion "because it works."
"What could define God [is a conception of divinity] as the embodiment of the laws of nature. However, this is not what most people would think of that God," Hawking told Sawyer. "They made a human-like being with whom one can have a personal relationship. When you look at the vast size of the universe and how insignificant an accidental human life is in it, that seems most impossible."
Hawking's latest book, "The Grand Design," challenged Isaac Newton's theory that the solar system could not have been created without God. "Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to ... set the Universe going," he writes.
Hawking was diagnosed with the degenerative Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 21. He lost his power of speech and for decades has talked through an electronic speech synthesizer. The device has allowed him to continue his research and attain a top Cambridge research post, which was previously held by Newton. His most famous theory explains how black holes emit radiation, according to The Guardian.
So if everyone is destined to power-down like computers at the end of their lives, what should humans do to lend meaning to their experience?
"We should seek the greatest value of our action," Hawking told the paper.
(Hawking in China in 2006: Elizabeth Dalziel/AP)
How tragic especially for someone who has dedicated so much to his work. Too bad in all his intelligence he's unable to see God by way of His creations (with all he's been able to see and study) but instead sees them as accidents and unexplained phenomenons. Many scientists would even venture into hypothesis of the metaphysical rather than to see God in His creation. The laws of "nature" that he refers to is quite literally the grace of God that holds things together. Today, the argument that "something is created from nothing" is just sad and absurd even by many scientists measure. The idea that we're all just accidents and that we should be arrogant to think that we're so special doesn't lead to much human self esteem for the continuation of scientific discoveries either. If anything, it fosters future generations of apathy and lack of motivation.
Fact is that life here on Earth is indeed short and looking out into the universe we see that eternity does also exist.. therefore, it's a sad indictment of those who would miss that relationship btwn this life and the next. Lets continue to pray for Mr. Hawking. (Romans 1:20)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Christian apologies???....
I recently saw a documentary about a Christian who traveled around apologizing to people of alternative lifestyles (homosexuals, transgenered, lesbians, etc). He set up a booth with a camera and indivdually apologized to people as they curiously entered for what he called "Christian persecution" of these people over Christian history. Not all of these people recieved his message favorably but I couldn't help notice that greater emphasis was on those that did appreciate his apologies and the whole documentary seemed to hindge on these.
But not once did this guy back up anything he was doing with biblical scripture which does indeed (and clearly) state that homosexuality is an abominiation before God (as is murder, lying, stealing, adultery, etc). Personally, I wasn't surprised he didn't get more people feeling patronized than anything else.
I felt that he needed to make a distinction between those that would persecute anyone and true Christianity and I didn't notice him make that distinction. The message needs to be clear that although the Bible is clear on God's judgements, true Christians don't persecute people for their sins because we're all sinners and need repentance.
The makers of this documentary failed to make these clear distinctions and highlight that their true intentions weren't to acomidate a sinful lifestyle but to make a distinction between true and false Christianity.
As a result of this the film makers in my opinion only added insult to injury to this population. The film makers motive and message should keep anyone in a fuzzy cloud of confusion. Bottom line, what's the apology for if the film makers still believes that these people are under God's condemnation? The only apology is not for what's written in the Bible but how some so-called Christian might have passed on that message in a evil-spirited way; and this is what the film makers failed to do.
The messages found within the scriptures have been consistant for thousands of years. There shouldn't be any apologies for what has always been there. The Bible states that God is the same today, tomorrow and always. If society changes as a result of disobedience to God, what are we apologizing for? One either believes the Bible or one doesn't. The only wrong is when people misinterpret the Bible or behave in ways that are not acceptable or unGodly - and that there is human error not Biblical error. Human history has proven that man destroyes everything he touches and religion (relationship with God) is no different.
But the standard is indeed already set. It's only when we decide to be disobedient to that Godly standard and step out of the Word and God's law that we inevitably make mistakes. We inevitably allow ourselves to be guided by our own agendas, passions, impulses and opinions... But since the standard is already set, we have no excuse. The Word of God is that standard and anyone who keeps their eyes fixed on Jesus Christ whole heartedly will indeed stay on that straight and narrow path of His truth.
But not once did this guy back up anything he was doing with biblical scripture which does indeed (and clearly) state that homosexuality is an abominiation before God (as is murder, lying, stealing, adultery, etc). Personally, I wasn't surprised he didn't get more people feeling patronized than anything else.
I felt that he needed to make a distinction between those that would persecute anyone and true Christianity and I didn't notice him make that distinction. The message needs to be clear that although the Bible is clear on God's judgements, true Christians don't persecute people for their sins because we're all sinners and need repentance.
The makers of this documentary failed to make these clear distinctions and highlight that their true intentions weren't to acomidate a sinful lifestyle but to make a distinction between true and false Christianity.
As a result of this the film makers in my opinion only added insult to injury to this population. The film makers motive and message should keep anyone in a fuzzy cloud of confusion. Bottom line, what's the apology for if the film makers still believes that these people are under God's condemnation? The only apology is not for what's written in the Bible but how some so-called Christian might have passed on that message in a evil-spirited way; and this is what the film makers failed to do.
The messages found within the scriptures have been consistant for thousands of years. There shouldn't be any apologies for what has always been there. The Bible states that God is the same today, tomorrow and always. If society changes as a result of disobedience to God, what are we apologizing for? One either believes the Bible or one doesn't. The only wrong is when people misinterpret the Bible or behave in ways that are not acceptable or unGodly - and that there is human error not Biblical error. Human history has proven that man destroyes everything he touches and religion (relationship with God) is no different.
But the standard is indeed already set. It's only when we decide to be disobedient to that Godly standard and step out of the Word and God's law that we inevitably make mistakes. We inevitably allow ourselves to be guided by our own agendas, passions, impulses and opinions... But since the standard is already set, we have no excuse. The Word of God is that standard and anyone who keeps their eyes fixed on Jesus Christ whole heartedly will indeed stay on that straight and narrow path of His truth.
Comedian, Bill Maher: Really sad...
Perhaps one of the most current attackers of the Christian faith is Comedian and HBO talkshow host, Bill Maher. Maher denies being an atheist but has been extremely outspoken about his synicism and hate of religion, it's history and anything symbolic of faith.
As a comedian and a talk show host, he's able to reach a large audience to spread his attacks by way of the media. He claims religion is the foundation of lies, and that it hinders rational thinking and scientific development, and the cause of social and worldwide violence over the course of our human history.
To an extent, I agree with him.
Religion is a by-product of mankind's expressions of faith and unfortunately that doesn't exclude people's inperfections, passions and anything that encompasses their opionions and ideologies. People create religion and people then interpret those beliefs out of their passions and their personal interpretations of their religion.
Maher fails to understand that outside of religion, people are always going to be likely to create their faiths (whether they call it faith or not) based on personal opinions, politics, etc. There is enough history to prove that wars and the worlds evils have also be the result of Godless ideologies and tyrants who lashed out against religion ,and embrased evolution - based thinking like Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, etc.
These Tyrants lashing out against faith-based beliefs didn't do much to bring peace on Earth let alone for their own people.
But worst, a Godless ideology is only open to conform to who knows what ... and perhaps more evil.. because people will open themselves up to anything according to their relative morality.
But the point is that religion and non religion will always be carried out by human interpretation and human passions.
It's no coincidence that people by the billions have a need to worship something. They're either going to worship themselves or something else (again, whether we know it or not). It's innate within humanity to worship and the need to fill a void inside of us that will give us comfort and answers to life's questions.
I believe the evidence of this is that we as humans just cannot get it together with or without religions. It's a human problem not a problem of religion. And this is what Maher just doesn't understand. He's as synical as they come.
Maher mocks people of faith and takes comedic shots at them for not being able to prove what they believe in their hearts.
But perhaps the biggest challenge to the Christian faith however, is not synical non believers like Bill Maher but instead people who themselves consider themselves to be Christian yet misrepresent the Christian faith by their lack of Biblical knowledge and their exaggerated zeal for it.
People say America is a "Christian" nation but this is just not true. America is a Christian Idealistic nation and even that is rapidly changing. Most Americans don't read their Bibles and most Americans are willing to push Christian principles without being able to biblically defend those principles. It's when the foundations of the faith are destroyed that the ideals will fade with time.
So when Bill Maher makes fun of Christianity, sometimes I feel that in most cases, it's only inevitable especially when some so-called Christians are burning down abortion clinics and others are burning korans... pure nonsense. This is not Christianity, this is over-zealousness and people interpreting Christianity to suit their own agendas.
The Bible states that we should strive to enter through the "narrow gate" because it's the true way and very few will be that find it. When we sway away from the truth (the Bible) or add to the truth to accomadate our own passions and opinions outside of God's will, all we have is religion and anything is up for grabs in terms of whatever mankind can muster up with their creativity and ideologies, etc.
People like Maher can always criticise even true Christianity as they rebel from the Truth of God's Word but people's religiosity will always give sceptics soemthing to point at. The Bible states that as true Christians, we have to examine ourselves by God's Word to make sure we're in God's will. Anything less than a true relationship with Christ is religiosity and a stumbling block to non believers and other Chrsitians alike.
Jesus stated that one will know who you are by your fruits. Those fruits he mentioned are the fruits of the spirit; love, peace, dicipline, long suffering and obedience.
Although some people might find comfort in saything they're "religious" or "spritiual", outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ one can never measure up because Jesus Himself said "their works are as filthy rags". Whatever good is done outside of Christ is done for self or done in some other name and for some other motive.
As a comedian and a talk show host, he's able to reach a large audience to spread his attacks by way of the media. He claims religion is the foundation of lies, and that it hinders rational thinking and scientific development, and the cause of social and worldwide violence over the course of our human history.
To an extent, I agree with him.
Religion is a by-product of mankind's expressions of faith and unfortunately that doesn't exclude people's inperfections, passions and anything that encompasses their opionions and ideologies. People create religion and people then interpret those beliefs out of their passions and their personal interpretations of their religion.
Maher fails to understand that outside of religion, people are always going to be likely to create their faiths (whether they call it faith or not) based on personal opinions, politics, etc. There is enough history to prove that wars and the worlds evils have also be the result of Godless ideologies and tyrants who lashed out against religion ,and embrased evolution - based thinking like Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, etc.
These Tyrants lashing out against faith-based beliefs didn't do much to bring peace on Earth let alone for their own people.
But worst, a Godless ideology is only open to conform to who knows what ... and perhaps more evil.. because people will open themselves up to anything according to their relative morality.
But the point is that religion and non religion will always be carried out by human interpretation and human passions.
It's no coincidence that people by the billions have a need to worship something. They're either going to worship themselves or something else (again, whether we know it or not). It's innate within humanity to worship and the need to fill a void inside of us that will give us comfort and answers to life's questions.
I believe the evidence of this is that we as humans just cannot get it together with or without religions. It's a human problem not a problem of religion. And this is what Maher just doesn't understand. He's as synical as they come.
Maher mocks people of faith and takes comedic shots at them for not being able to prove what they believe in their hearts.
But perhaps the biggest challenge to the Christian faith however, is not synical non believers like Bill Maher but instead people who themselves consider themselves to be Christian yet misrepresent the Christian faith by their lack of Biblical knowledge and their exaggerated zeal for it.
People say America is a "Christian" nation but this is just not true. America is a Christian Idealistic nation and even that is rapidly changing. Most Americans don't read their Bibles and most Americans are willing to push Christian principles without being able to biblically defend those principles. It's when the foundations of the faith are destroyed that the ideals will fade with time.
So when Bill Maher makes fun of Christianity, sometimes I feel that in most cases, it's only inevitable especially when some so-called Christians are burning down abortion clinics and others are burning korans... pure nonsense. This is not Christianity, this is over-zealousness and people interpreting Christianity to suit their own agendas.
The Bible states that we should strive to enter through the "narrow gate" because it's the true way and very few will be that find it. When we sway away from the truth (the Bible) or add to the truth to accomadate our own passions and opinions outside of God's will, all we have is religion and anything is up for grabs in terms of whatever mankind can muster up with their creativity and ideologies, etc.
People like Maher can always criticise even true Christianity as they rebel from the Truth of God's Word but people's religiosity will always give sceptics soemthing to point at. The Bible states that as true Christians, we have to examine ourselves by God's Word to make sure we're in God's will. Anything less than a true relationship with Christ is religiosity and a stumbling block to non believers and other Chrsitians alike.
Jesus stated that one will know who you are by your fruits. Those fruits he mentioned are the fruits of the spirit; love, peace, dicipline, long suffering and obedience.
Although some people might find comfort in saything they're "religious" or "spritiual", outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ one can never measure up because Jesus Himself said "their works are as filthy rags". Whatever good is done outside of Christ is done for self or done in some other name and for some other motive.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The end of a hateful heart: Osama Bin Laden
As we look and anylize the recent death of Bin Laden, we come to realize the symbol of what this means to us as Americans.
Indeed this man had to be stopped and it was a good thing that he finally was because it's only obvious that he wouldn't stop his gestures of hate nor would his hateful influence cease. The fact that we needed the closure after the hundreds of people he murdered only comes second in priority. But although his being stopped is a good symbol to Americans I'm sure we know that one gesture of justice (or revenge) can never squash deep rooted hatred. Real deep rooted hatred is a desease that has existed since the beginning of the world and will continue until God Himself intervenes and "makes all things new" - just like He promises in the Holy scriptures.
Througout recorded human history, we've seen real deep rooted hatred in the tyrants of the past like Hitler, Pol pot, Ivan the Terrible, Stalin, Idi Amin, Attila The Hun, etc, etc. Anything that generates enough callousness, or indifference towards human life is deep rooted hatred and a byproduct of real evil.
Indeed this man had to be stopped and it was a good thing that he finally was because it's only obvious that he wouldn't stop his gestures of hate nor would his hateful influence cease. The fact that we needed the closure after the hundreds of people he murdered only comes second in priority. But although his being stopped is a good symbol to Americans I'm sure we know that one gesture of justice (or revenge) can never squash deep rooted hatred. Real deep rooted hatred is a desease that has existed since the beginning of the world and will continue until God Himself intervenes and "makes all things new" - just like He promises in the Holy scriptures.
Througout recorded human history, we've seen real deep rooted hatred in the tyrants of the past like Hitler, Pol pot, Ivan the Terrible, Stalin, Idi Amin, Attila The Hun, etc, etc. Anything that generates enough callousness, or indifference towards human life is deep rooted hatred and a byproduct of real evil.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sodom and Gomorrah: Research in the land
Here's an amazing video program on evidence found in the ancient cities once known as Sodom and Gomorrah. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah once thrived but the cities had grown increasingly sinful and seperated from God to the point where God in His righteousness, destroyed the cities in fire and brimstone - sparing the only righteous, God-fearing people (Lot and his family). Even today, the area of those cities are barren and covered in sulfur ash.
"For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 15:11
"For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 15:11
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Time running out for Isreal and peace talks...
(from the above article)
...." If democracy spreads in the Middle East, a democratic Israel will want to side with this movement. If militant and fundamentalist Islam spreads in these new democracies, Israel will want to have worked out in advance a negotiated two-state solution with international security guarantees."
(Also from this article)
...Both the US and Germany are Israel’s longtime allies. Yet the Western leaders urged Israel to get back to the negotiating table. Reviving the talks is now “more urgent than ever,” said each leader, using the exact same phrase."
The US and Germany are Israel's longtime allies??.... Sure they are!
Click on the above title to read the complete article.
...." If democracy spreads in the Middle East, a democratic Israel will want to side with this movement. If militant and fundamentalist Islam spreads in these new democracies, Israel will want to have worked out in advance a negotiated two-state solution with international security guarantees."
(Also from this article)
...Both the US and Germany are Israel’s longtime allies. Yet the Western leaders urged Israel to get back to the negotiating table. Reviving the talks is now “more urgent than ever,” said each leader, using the exact same phrase."
The US and Germany are Israel's longtime allies??.... Sure they are!
Click on the above title to read the complete article.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Lady Gaga nonsense ...
The nonsense that is pop music in the music industry these days. Another upgraded version of Madonna who pushed the limits of free sex, fornication and sin unto the media; ("Sex sells") Lady GaGa continues on trying to get more perverted with her music by including mis informed references to the Bible .. (just like Madonna did back then)... In an effort to get more record sales by using the drive of sex and hedonism from her fans she's coming out with another corny song. In an interview, she reveals a misguided hypocritical and jumbled up description of morality and faith. (Click on above post title to read the article)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Could lead codices prove ‘the major discovery of Christian history?
British archaeologists are seeking to authenticate what could be a landmark discovery in the documentation of early Christianity: a trove of 70 lead codices that appear to date from the 1st century CE, which may include key clues to the last days of Jesus' life. As UK Daily Mail reporter Fiona Macrae writes, some researchers are suggesting this could be the most significant find in Christian archeology since the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947.
The codices turned up five years ago in a remote cave in eastern Jordan—a region where early Christian believers may have fled after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. The codices are made up of wirebound individual pages, each roughly the size of a credit card. They contain a number of images and textual allusions to the Messiah, as well as some possible references to the crucifixion and resurrection. Some of the codices were sealed, prompting yet more breathless speculation that they could include the sealed book, shown only to the Messiah, mentioned in the Book of Revelation. One of the few sentences translated thus far from the texts, according to the BBC, reads, "I shall walk uprightly"--a phrase that also appears in Revelation. "While it could be simply a sentiment common in Judaism," BBC writer Robert Pigott notes, "it could here be designed to refer to the resurrection."
But the field of biblical archaeology is also prey to plenty of hoaxes and enterprising fraudsters, so investigators are proceeding with due empirical caution. Initial metallurgical research indicates that the codices are about 2,000 years old--based on the manner of corrosion they have undergone, which, as Macrae writes, "experts believe would be impossible to achieve artificially."
Beyond the initial dating tests, however, little is confirmed about the codices or what they contain. And the saga of their discovery has already touched off a battle over ownership rights between Israel and Jordan. As the BBC's Pigott recounts, the cache surfaced when a Jordanian Bedouin saw a menorah—the Jewish religious candleabra—exposed in the wake of a flash flood. But the codices somehow passed into the ownership of an Israeli Bedouin named Hassam Saeda, who claims that they have been in his family's possession for the past 100 years. The Jordanian government has pledged to "exert all efforts at every level" to get the potentially priceless relics returned, Pigott reports.
Meanwhile, biblical scholars who have examined the codices point to significant textual evidence suggesting their early Christian origin. Philip Davies, emeritus professor of Old Testament Studies at Sheffield University, told Pigott he was "dumbstruck" at the sight of plates representing a picture map of ancient Jerusalem. "There is a cross in the foreground, and behind it is what has to be the tomb [of Jesus], a small building with an opening, and behind that the walls of the city," Davies explained. "There are walls depicted on other pages of these books, too, and they almost certainly refer to Jerusalem."
David Elkington, an ancient religion scholar who heads the British research team investigating the find, has likewise pronounced this nothing less than "the major discovery of Christian history." Elkington told the Daily Mail that "it is a breathtaking thought that we have held these objects that might have been held by the early saints of the Church."
Still, other students of early Christian history are urging caution, citing precedents such as the debunked discovery of an ossuary said to contain Jesus' bones. New Testament scholar Larry Hurtado observes that since these codices are miniature, they were likely intended for private, rather than liturgical, use. This would likely place their date of origin closer to the 3rd century CE. But only further research and full translation of the codices can fully confirm the nature of the find. The larger lesson here is likely that of Eccliastes 3:1—be patient, since "to everything there is a season."
------------------------------
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Romans 1:20
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Featured Scripture of the week: Psalm 46
Psalm 46
King James Version
1-God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2-Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3-Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4-There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5-God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6-The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7-The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8-Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9-He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10-Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11-The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
King James Version
1-God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2-Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3-Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4-There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5-God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6-The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7-The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8-Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9-He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10-Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11-The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Persecution of Christians....
Pakistani officials announced a national three-day mourning period for slain Minorities Minister Shabaz Bhatti, who was shot dead in his car on Monday morning as he traveled near the Islamabad market.
Mr. Bhatti was the only Christian minority cabinet official and was killed by Muslim extremists because he spoke out against muslim sharia and blasphemy laws.
Muslim Brotherhood, Like Egypt's Future, Remains Murky
By Eric Young|Christian Post Reporter
With the Muslim Brotherhood poised to play a growing role in Egypt’s government following the resignation of the country’s long-time president, many observers have been looking into the long-banned group for clues to what lies ahead for Egypt.
"It's a big group, with lots of different points of view,” added the political science professor, who spent years in Egypt studying the organization. “You can find the guy always screaming about Israel and then you got the other guys who don't care about Israel because they're too busy worrying about raising literacy rates."
Known also as al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin, the Muslim Brotherhood is one of the oldest and most influential Islamic movements in the world. The movement’s stated goal is to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ... ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state."
“The Brotherhood are, if anything, dedicated pragmatists,” remarked D.C.-based consultant Bob Kubinec in a guest opinion column for Christianity Today.
would continue the status quo,” he added after noting the widespread social discrimination against Christians in Egypt.
Since its foundation in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood has combined religion, political activism, and social welfare in its work. The Islamic revivalist movement adopted slogans such as “Islam is the solution” and has sought the establishment of an Islamic state. But sympathizers claim the basic desire of the Brotherhood is to be able to practice Islam as they want to without interference from the state.
“Although it may appear at first counter-intuitive, Egypt's Christians could well be safer if the Muslim Brotherhood were a part of the ruling government,” wrote Kubinec.
Critics, however, disagree.
While members of the Brotherhood include young moderates whose political views on issues such as women's rights and religious freedom mesh with Western values, the movement also includes older conservatives who rail against American imperialism and call for the establishment of an Islamic state.
And notably, the latter outnumbers the former, especially in the leadership, where reportedly no one is under 50.
“Islam is neither philosophically nor theologically compatible with other religions or with democracy. Therefore, it is difficult to take seriously the Muslim Brotherhood’s claims that it wants nothing more than a democratic government,” remarked Dave James, co-founder of the Alliance for Biblical Integrity, in a response to Kubinec’s article.
So while pro-democracy protesters in Egypt celebrate the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak following 18 days of protests, it remains unclear how Friday's change will affect the country – particularly the 10-million-large Christian minority in Egypt.
“The people are afraid for the future, since this is an extremely critical time,” remarked one church pastor who partners with Open Doors in Egypt. “But we trust in God, and we hope and pray for a new Egypt with democracy and freedom for Christians.”
Accordingly, persecution watchdog groups such as Open Doors have issued prayer requests for Egypt, which was ranked No. 19 on the Open Doors 2011 World Watch List of the 50 worst persecutors of Christians.
“We need to remember the church. We need to remember that the Christians in Egypt face the ‘frying pan and the fire,'” commented Dr. Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA. “Their hope is in Jesus Christ and in His sovereignty, but the reality for our brothers and sisters in Egypt is that they face an increasingly uncertain future."
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Study, 84 percent of Egyptian citizens say they would favor public execution of those who leave Islam for another religion and seventy-six percent of Egyptians favor stoning for those caught in adultery.
Such punishments would be carried out under sharia or Islamic law, which Muslim Brotherhood has sought to have implemented in the country.
On Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood announced its intention to form a political party once democracy is established in Egypt. The country's new military rulers, meanwhile, launched a panel of experts to amend the country's constitution enough to allow democratic elections later this year.
Generals from the Armed Forces Supreme Council, which now rules Egypt, said Tuesday the military wants to hand power to a government and elected president within six months. The new constitutional panel is mandated to draw up amendments within ten days to be put to a referendum, paving the way for elections.
Martyrdom muted: World shrugs as Christians persecuted: By Clifford D. May, Boston Herald.com
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Imagine if Muslims in Europe were being arrested for nothing more than peacefully practicing their religion. Imagine if Muslims in South America were being sentenced to death for “insulting” Jesus. Imagine if mosques were being bombed and burned by terrorists in a growing list of Christian-majority countries.
Now here’s what you don’t need to imagine because it is all too real: In recent days, Christian churches have been bombed in Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria and the Philippines. In Indonesia a mob of 1,000 Muslims burned down two Christian churches. In Iran, scores of Christians have been arrested. In Pakistan, a Christian woman received the death penalty for the “crime” of insulting Islam; the governor of Punjab promised to pardon her - and was then assassinated for the “crime” of blasphemy.
cw-2I could provide dozens of additional examples of the persecution and, in many cases, “cleansing” of Christians in what we have come to call the Muslim world. If the situation were reversed, if such a war were being waged against Muslims, it would be the top story in every newspaper, the most urgent item at the United Nations, the highest priority of all the big-league human rights groups What we have instead is denial.
Professor Janice Stein of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto insists there could be no connection among these dots. The assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, she said, should be viewed
as the consequence of class conflict, not religious extremism.
The assailant who gunned down Taseer - Mumtaz Qadri, one of his own bodyguards - exalted afterward: “I have killed a blasphemer!” He did not say: “I have killed a member of the bourgeoisie!”
Stein also spoke of the “conflict” between Muslims and Christians in Egypt as though both were equally to blame when, in fact, it is clearly Egypt’s ancient but diminishing Coptic community that is under siege with little means to defend itself, much less to wage a campaign of reciprocal oppression.
I remain convinced that most Muslims do not want to be at war with the West - with Christians, Jews, Hindus and others.
That leads to this question: How do moderate and tolerant Muslims fight the tyrants within their community? How do they avoid being killed if they dare speak up in defense of their own freedom and rights - much less in defense of religious minorities, ethnic minorities and women?
We cannot possibly come up with an adequate answer so long as we refuse to look reality in the eye. And the reality is this: Within the Muslim world today are regimes, movements and individuals convinced that their religion justifies - and benefits from - the most heinous atrocities. They are determined, ruthless and lethal - as Christians and other minorities across a broad swath of the world have been finding out.
If we in the West fail even to speak up for them, can we really expect moderate Muslims to do more?
Mr. Bhatti was the only Christian minority cabinet official and was killed by Muslim extremists because he spoke out against muslim sharia and blasphemy laws.
Muslim Brotherhood, Like Egypt's Future, Remains Murky
By Eric Young|Christian Post Reporter
With the Muslim Brotherhood poised to play a growing role in Egypt’s government following the resignation of the country’s long-time president, many observers have been looking into the long-banned group for clues to what lies ahead for Egypt.
But the group, as many are coming to find, may very well be as murky as the North African country's future.
"It's never entirely clear with the Brothers," Dr. Josh Stacher of Kent State University told the Wall Street Journal in a report Tuesday."It's a big group, with lots of different points of view,” added the political science professor, who spent years in Egypt studying the organization. “You can find the guy always screaming about Israel and then you got the other guys who don't care about Israel because they're too busy worrying about raising literacy rates."
Known also as al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin, the Muslim Brotherhood is one of the oldest and most influential Islamic movements in the world. The movement’s stated goal is to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ... ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state."
“The Brotherhood are, if anything, dedicated pragmatists,” remarked D.C.-based consultant Bob Kubinec in a guest opinion column for Christianity Today.
would continue the status quo,” he added after noting the widespread social discrimination against Christians in Egypt.
Since its foundation in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood has combined religion, political activism, and social welfare in its work. The Islamic revivalist movement adopted slogans such as “Islam is the solution” and has sought the establishment of an Islamic state. But sympathizers claim the basic desire of the Brotherhood is to be able to practice Islam as they want to without interference from the state.
“Although it may appear at first counter-intuitive, Egypt's Christians could well be safer if the Muslim Brotherhood were a part of the ruling government,” wrote Kubinec.
Critics, however, disagree.
While members of the Brotherhood include young moderates whose political views on issues such as women's rights and religious freedom mesh with Western values, the movement also includes older conservatives who rail against American imperialism and call for the establishment of an Islamic state.
And notably, the latter outnumbers the former, especially in the leadership, where reportedly no one is under 50.
“Islam is neither philosophically nor theologically compatible with other religions or with democracy. Therefore, it is difficult to take seriously the Muslim Brotherhood’s claims that it wants nothing more than a democratic government,” remarked Dave James, co-founder of the Alliance for Biblical Integrity, in a response to Kubinec’s article.
So while pro-democracy protesters in Egypt celebrate the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak following 18 days of protests, it remains unclear how Friday's change will affect the country – particularly the 10-million-large Christian minority in Egypt.
“The people are afraid for the future, since this is an extremely critical time,” remarked one church pastor who partners with Open Doors in Egypt. “But we trust in God, and we hope and pray for a new Egypt with democracy and freedom for Christians.”
Accordingly, persecution watchdog groups such as Open Doors have issued prayer requests for Egypt, which was ranked No. 19 on the Open Doors 2011 World Watch List of the 50 worst persecutors of Christians.
“We need to remember the church. We need to remember that the Christians in Egypt face the ‘frying pan and the fire,'” commented Dr. Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA. “Their hope is in Jesus Christ and in His sovereignty, but the reality for our brothers and sisters in Egypt is that they face an increasingly uncertain future."
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Study, 84 percent of Egyptian citizens say they would favor public execution of those who leave Islam for another religion and seventy-six percent of Egyptians favor stoning for those caught in adultery.
Such punishments would be carried out under sharia or Islamic law, which Muslim Brotherhood has sought to have implemented in the country.
On Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood announced its intention to form a political party once democracy is established in Egypt. The country's new military rulers, meanwhile, launched a panel of experts to amend the country's constitution enough to allow democratic elections later this year.
Generals from the Armed Forces Supreme Council, which now rules Egypt, said Tuesday the military wants to hand power to a government and elected president within six months. The new constitutional panel is mandated to draw up amendments within ten days to be put to a referendum, paving the way for elections.
-------------------------------------------------
============================
Martyrdom muted: World shrugs as Christians persecuted: By Clifford D. May, Boston Herald.com
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Imagine if Muslims in Europe were being arrested for nothing more than peacefully practicing their religion. Imagine if Muslims in South America were being sentenced to death for “insulting” Jesus. Imagine if mosques were being bombed and burned by terrorists in a growing list of Christian-majority countries.
Now here’s what you don’t need to imagine because it is all too real: In recent days, Christian churches have been bombed in Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria and the Philippines. In Indonesia a mob of 1,000 Muslims burned down two Christian churches. In Iran, scores of Christians have been arrested. In Pakistan, a Christian woman received the death penalty for the “crime” of insulting Islam; the governor of Punjab promised to pardon her - and was then assassinated for the “crime” of blasphemy.
cw-2I could provide dozens of additional examples of the persecution and, in many cases, “cleansing” of Christians in what we have come to call the Muslim world. If the situation were reversed, if such a war were being waged against Muslims, it would be the top story in every newspaper, the most urgent item at the United Nations, the highest priority of all the big-league human rights groups What we have instead is denial.
Professor Janice Stein of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto insists there could be no connection among these dots. The assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, she said, should be viewed
as the consequence of class conflict, not religious extremism.
The assailant who gunned down Taseer - Mumtaz Qadri, one of his own bodyguards - exalted afterward: “I have killed a blasphemer!” He did not say: “I have killed a member of the bourgeoisie!”
Stein also spoke of the “conflict” between Muslims and Christians in Egypt as though both were equally to blame when, in fact, it is clearly Egypt’s ancient but diminishing Coptic community that is under siege with little means to defend itself, much less to wage a campaign of reciprocal oppression.
I remain convinced that most Muslims do not want to be at war with the West - with Christians, Jews, Hindus and others.
That leads to this question: How do moderate and tolerant Muslims fight the tyrants within their community? How do they avoid being killed if they dare speak up in defense of their own freedom and rights - much less in defense of religious minorities, ethnic minorities and women?
We cannot possibly come up with an adequate answer so long as we refuse to look reality in the eye. And the reality is this: Within the Muslim world today are regimes, movements and individuals convinced that their religion justifies - and benefits from - the most heinous atrocities. They are determined, ruthless and lethal - as Christians and other minorities across a broad swath of the world have been finding out.
If we in the West fail even to speak up for them, can we really expect moderate Muslims to do more?
Clifford D. May is president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a policy institute focusing on terrorism
====================================
UN alarmed by mass graves in Ivory Coast:
Jan 13, 2011 11:16 PM | By Reuters
Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said UN officials had been denied access to the three sites, including a mass grave found earlier, which allegedly contained 80 bodies.
More than 200 people have died in violence since the November 28 presidential election. Fear of more conflict has prompted more than 25000 people to flee into neighbouring Liberia, according to UN officials.
Pillay denounced an ambush in which three UN peacekeepers were injured, allegedly by forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, in Abidjan on Tuesday night.
A third mass grave has been reported in Ivory Coast, the most senior UN human rights official said, denouncing the killing of civilians and an ambush on peacekeepers.
Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said UN officials had been denied access to the three sites, including a mass grave found earlier, which allegedly contained 80 bodies.
More than 200 people have died in violence since the November 28 presidential election. Fear of more conflict has prompted more than 25000 people to flee into neighbouring Liberia, according to UN officials.
Pillay denounced an ambush in which three UN peacekeepers were injured, allegedly by forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, in Abidjan on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
4 American hostages killed by pirates ...
NAIROBI, Kenya – Four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors Tuesday, the U.S. military said, marking the first time U.S. citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean for years.
U.S. naval forces who were trailing the Americans' captured yacht with four warships quickly boarded the vessel after hearing the gunfire. They tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans, but they died of their wounds, U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida said in a statement.
A member of a U.S. special operations force killed one of the pirates with a knife as he went inside of the yacht, said Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander of U.S. naval forces for the Central Command.
Fox said in a televised briefing that the violence on Tuesday started when a rocket-propelled grenade was fired from the yacht at the USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer which was 600 yards away. The RPG missed and almost immediately afterward small arms fire was heard coming from the yacht, Fox said.
President Barack Obama, who was notified about the deaths at 4:42 a.m. Washington time, had authorized the military on Saturday to use force in case of an imminent threat to the hostages, said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
A total of two pirates, including the one who was knifed, died during the ensuing confrontation — which happened around 9 a.m. East Africa time — and 13 were captured and detained, the Central Command said. The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn't state how those two died. It was unclear if the pirates had fought among themselves.
Negotiations had been under way to try to win the release of the two couples on the pirated vessel Quest when the gunfire was heard, the U.S. military said. Fox, asked by reporters about the nature of the negotiations, said he had no details.
He identified the slain Americans as Jean and Scott Adam, of Marina del Rey near Los Angeles, and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, of Seattle, Washington. The Adams ran a Bible ministry and have been distributing Bibles to schools and churches in remote villages in areas including the Fiji Islands, Alaska, New Zealand, Central America and French Polynesia.
The Quest was the home of the Adams who had been sailing around the world since December 2004 with a yacht full of Bibles.
Pirates hijacked the Quest on Friday several hundred miles south of Oman. Fox said mariners are warned about traveling through the area because of the dangers of pirate attacks.
Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, said: "We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest."
In total the U.S. said that 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the Quest.
At the Seattle Singles Yacht Club, where Riggle and Macay were well known, Joe Grande said the two were "great sailors, good people. They were doing what they wanted to do, but that's small comfort in the face of this."
Only minutes before the military announced that the four Americans had died, a Somali pirate told The Associated Press by phone that if the yacht were attacked, "the hostages will be the first to go."
"Some pirates have even suggested rigging the yacht with land mines and explosives so as the whole yacht explodes with the first gunshot," said the pirate, who gave his name as Abdullahi Mohamed, who claimed to be a friend of the pirates holding the four Americans.
Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, the head of Dryad Maritime Intelligence, said he was confounded by the turn of events.
"We have heard threats against the lives of Americans before but it strikes me as being very, very unusual why they would kill hostages outright," he said, adding that the pirates must realize that killing Americans would invite a military response.
The military said U.S. forces have been monitoring the Quest for about three days, since shortly after the Friday attack. Four Navy warships were involved, including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
Last week a Somali pirate was sentenced to 33 years in prison by a New York court for the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, a U.S. cargo vessel. That hijacking ended when Navy sharpshooters killed two pirates holding the ship's captain.
A pirate in Somalia told the AP last week that pirates were more likely to attack Americans because of the verdict.
The killing of the four Americans appears to underscore an increasingly brutal and aggressive shift pirates have been showing toward hostages. The conventional wisdom in the shipping industry had been that Somali pirates are businessmen looking for a ransom payday, not insurgents looking to terrorize people.
Pirates — who currently hold 30 ships and more than 660 hostages — typically win a multimillion ransom for releasing their captives, a huge sum that is shared among investors and pirates. The money is often spent on alcohol, drugs and prostitutes. One ransom paid last year was reported as $9.5 million. Most ransoms are worth several million dollars.
Given that typical financial motivation, Tuesday's killings left several unanswered questions, such as whether the four hostages had tried to take over the yacht from the pirates, or if the American forces spooked the pirates by approaching the yacht.
Pirates have increased attacks off the coast of East Africa in recent years despite an international flotilla of warships dedicated to protecting vessels and stopping the pirate assaults.
Mohamed, the pirate in Somalia, told AP that pirate leaders had been expecting the yacht to make landfall soon.
Five cars full of pirates were headed toward the pirate dens of Eyl and Gara'ad in anticipation of the Quest reaching land Monday, he said. Had the four reached land, they may have faced a long hostage ordeal like the 388 days that the British sailing couple Paul and Rachel Chandler spent in the hands of pirates. The two were released in November.
Omar Jamal, first secretary at Somalia's mission at the U.N., sent his condolences to the families of the four Americans and called the deaths a tragic loss of life. Jamal said there is an urgent need to address the piracy problem.
U.S. naval forces who were trailing the Americans' captured yacht with four warships quickly boarded the vessel after hearing the gunfire. They tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans, but they died of their wounds, U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida said in a statement.
A member of a U.S. special operations force killed one of the pirates with a knife as he went inside of the yacht, said Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander of U.S. naval forces for the Central Command.
Fox said in a televised briefing that the violence on Tuesday started when a rocket-propelled grenade was fired from the yacht at the USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer which was 600 yards away. The RPG missed and almost immediately afterward small arms fire was heard coming from the yacht, Fox said.
President Barack Obama, who was notified about the deaths at 4:42 a.m. Washington time, had authorized the military on Saturday to use force in case of an imminent threat to the hostages, said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
A total of two pirates, including the one who was knifed, died during the ensuing confrontation — which happened around 9 a.m. East Africa time — and 13 were captured and detained, the Central Command said. The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn't state how those two died. It was unclear if the pirates had fought among themselves.
Negotiations had been under way to try to win the release of the two couples on the pirated vessel Quest when the gunfire was heard, the U.S. military said. Fox, asked by reporters about the nature of the negotiations, said he had no details.
He identified the slain Americans as Jean and Scott Adam, of Marina del Rey near Los Angeles, and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, of Seattle, Washington. The Adams ran a Bible ministry and have been distributing Bibles to schools and churches in remote villages in areas including the Fiji Islands, Alaska, New Zealand, Central America and French Polynesia.
The Quest was the home of the Adams who had been sailing around the world since December 2004 with a yacht full of Bibles.
Pirates hijacked the Quest on Friday several hundred miles south of Oman. Fox said mariners are warned about traveling through the area because of the dangers of pirate attacks.
Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, said: "We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest."
In total the U.S. said that 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the Quest.
At the Seattle Singles Yacht Club, where Riggle and Macay were well known, Joe Grande said the two were "great sailors, good people. They were doing what they wanted to do, but that's small comfort in the face of this."
Only minutes before the military announced that the four Americans had died, a Somali pirate told The Associated Press by phone that if the yacht were attacked, "the hostages will be the first to go."
"Some pirates have even suggested rigging the yacht with land mines and explosives so as the whole yacht explodes with the first gunshot," said the pirate, who gave his name as Abdullahi Mohamed, who claimed to be a friend of the pirates holding the four Americans.
Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, the head of Dryad Maritime Intelligence, said he was confounded by the turn of events.
"We have heard threats against the lives of Americans before but it strikes me as being very, very unusual why they would kill hostages outright," he said, adding that the pirates must realize that killing Americans would invite a military response.
The military said U.S. forces have been monitoring the Quest for about three days, since shortly after the Friday attack. Four Navy warships were involved, including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
Last week a Somali pirate was sentenced to 33 years in prison by a New York court for the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, a U.S. cargo vessel. That hijacking ended when Navy sharpshooters killed two pirates holding the ship's captain.
A pirate in Somalia told the AP last week that pirates were more likely to attack Americans because of the verdict.
The killing of the four Americans appears to underscore an increasingly brutal and aggressive shift pirates have been showing toward hostages. The conventional wisdom in the shipping industry had been that Somali pirates are businessmen looking for a ransom payday, not insurgents looking to terrorize people.
Pirates — who currently hold 30 ships and more than 660 hostages — typically win a multimillion ransom for releasing their captives, a huge sum that is shared among investors and pirates. The money is often spent on alcohol, drugs and prostitutes. One ransom paid last year was reported as $9.5 million. Most ransoms are worth several million dollars.
Given that typical financial motivation, Tuesday's killings left several unanswered questions, such as whether the four hostages had tried to take over the yacht from the pirates, or if the American forces spooked the pirates by approaching the yacht.
Pirates have increased attacks off the coast of East Africa in recent years despite an international flotilla of warships dedicated to protecting vessels and stopping the pirate assaults.
Mohamed, the pirate in Somalia, told AP that pirate leaders had been expecting the yacht to make landfall soon.
Five cars full of pirates were headed toward the pirate dens of Eyl and Gara'ad in anticipation of the Quest reaching land Monday, he said. Had the four reached land, they may have faced a long hostage ordeal like the 388 days that the British sailing couple Paul and Rachel Chandler spent in the hands of pirates. The two were released in November.
Omar Jamal, first secretary at Somalia's mission at the U.N., sent his condolences to the families of the four Americans and called the deaths a tragic loss of life. Jamal said there is an urgent need to address the piracy problem.
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