Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Christians Urged to Participate in Month-Long Prayers During Ramadan





(Photo: AP Images/Alessandro Fucarini)
Faithful offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in Palermo, Italy, Sunday Sept. 20, 2009. Eid al-Fitr festival marks the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan.


By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter

June 20, 2013|6:58 am


Open Doors USA, a persecution watchdog organization, is urging Christians to pray during this year's Ramadan, which will be observed by millions of Muslims around the world.

"During the season of Ramadan we need to lift up in prayer our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Islamic-dominated nations; strengthening them, empowering them, comforting them and encouraging them. Also, pray for Muslims. There are millions of Muslims who have never experienced real peace and joy in knowing a loving God and having Jesus as their Savior," said Open Doors USA Director of Ministries Michele Miller in a statement Wednesday.

Ramadan, which is an annual fast and one of the five pillars, or basic acts, of Islam, runs this year from July 9 to August 7. During this period, Muslims are expected to practice humility and submissiveness to Allah by abstaining from eating, drinking, and any immoral activities from sunrise to sunset, choosing to focus on spiritual reflection instead.

Open Doors, which also called on Christians to participate during last year's Ramadan, is urging followers of Christ to pray in one of the names of Christ while using scripture on each day of the month-long period. For example, the group offered the passage in 1 John 2:1, which calls Jesus an "advocate": "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."

A number of countries on the persecution watchdog group's 2013 World Watch List, which features the world's most oppressive regimes and governments, happen to be Muslim-dominated nations, where Christians face danger due to their faith. During last year's Ramadan observance, Open Doors noted that those Christians often face heightened persecution because they do not fast or participate in the Islamic tradition.

"The religious atmosphere among Muslims rises dramatically, more than during any other month of the year. During Ramadan, Muslims usually read the Quran extensively, often very loudly in public places such as public transportation, at work and certainly at home. This is a holy month for Islam, so they are promised to gain more points from Allah when they do good works, hoping that some of the bad things they have done during the past year will be erased," a Christian leader in Egypt, who wasn't named, observed last summer.

"My heart is really broken for the millions of Muslims here in Egypt and around the world, who are seeking peace with God this month, trying so hard to do good works in an effort to somehow earn His favor and forgiveness. Although God is so near to those truly calling on His name, it brings tears to my eyes that most of my countrymen do not know that Jesus died and rose from the dead to give them freely, through simple faith, that peace with God they so long to have," the leader added.

Other Christian organizations, such as Mission Network News (MNN), have also launched campaigns for Christians to pray during Ramadan in the past, suggesting that many young people in Islamic countries like Iran are disillusioned with the faith and can be reached through Christ.


Source: http://global.christianpost.com/news/christians-urged-to-participate-in-month-long-prayers-during-ramadan-98351/#s8oy43IRyF4djfXo.99

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Religious Groups Urge House to Act on Immigration Reform




Tuesday, 09 Jul 2013 04:28 PM

By Dan Weil


A foursome of religious groups that include many conservatives is pressing the House to approve immigration reform.

"For those of us who are Christians, we must heed the direct commandment of Jesus to welcome the stranger," Jim Wallis, the president of Sojourners, said in a letter. "That is why evangelicals are praying for every member of the House and will continue to speak out publicly in support of Congress taking action."

The Senate passed a reform bill last month, but House Speaker John Boehner said he won't bring that proposal up for a vote, given strong opposition among the Republican conference. Boehner said on Monday that the House will come up with an immigration overhaul of its own.

The four religious organizations include the Sojourners, National Association of Evangelicals, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Politico reports. All of those groups include conservative elements, except the Sojourners.

The groups are keeping the focus of the immigration issue on compassion and are peppering House members with letters on the issue.

The four groups support the possibility of citizenship for illegal immigrants, a policy that many conservatives reject. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, wrote in his group's letter "a solution that respects the rule of law, treats undocumented immigrants in the nation compassionately, and provides them a tough, yet achievable, earned pathway to citizenship is necessary."

Meanwhile, three major secular conservative groups urged House Speaker John Boehner Tuesday to push ahead with immigration reform, The Hill reports.

American Action Forum President Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist, and American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas said in a letter to the speaker that their groups back many provisions of the Senate bill, including a citizenship pathway.

But the conservative leaders want any House bill to embrace more conservative principles.

"The U.S. Senate passed a bill last week that we consider progress," the letter reads.

"But members of the House will correctly pursue their own legislation. This will ensure that any final product has considerable conservative input, and that certain aspects of the Senate bill are markedly improved. Whether a comprehensive bill or a piecemeal approach, we support an immigration reform package that reflects the economic contributions that immigrants make to our country."

Holtz-Eakin, Norquist and Cardenas cited three GOP amendments rejected by the Senate that the House should approve.

One proposed by Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania would limit visas for low-skilled workers. One offered by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas would offer more high-skilled visas. And one from Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida would mandate a five-year waiting period for green card holders to apply for federal healthcare benefits.



Source: http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/religious-groups-immigration-reform/2013/07/09/id/514157#ixzz2YdlamDQq


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UN released Millennium Development Goals Report 2013


Published on: 08-JUL-2013



United Nations on 1 July 2013 released the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Report with more targets to be achieved by 2015. The report that seeks urgent address to several important challenges being faced by the world and its people was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The 2013 MDG Report looks forward to areas that requires urgent attention such as, one of every eight people of world remain hungry, death of women during childbirth, although facilities to protect them are available, lack of improved sanitation facilities for more than 2.5 billion people, of which one billion continue to practice open defecation, a major health and environmental hazard. Our resource base is in serious decline, with continuing losses of forests, species and fish stocks, in a world already experiencing the impacts of climate change. The report highlights major eight goals to be worked upon.




The eight major Goals set by United Nations under the Millennium Development Program were: Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Achieve Universal Primary Education, Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, Reduce Child Mortality, Improve Maternal Health, Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, Ensure Environmental Sustainability, Develop Global Partnership for Development. These goals were set for the first time at the time of Project inception in July 2002.

Progress Report of the major Eight Goals:

• Goal 1: Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger – Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day. Some of the quick facts about improvement:
a) With about less than 700 million people, who live in extreme poverty conditions in 2010 than in 1990, the Poverty rates have been halved
b) Widening of the global jobs gap by 67 million people due to the economic and financial crisis One in eight people still go to bed hungry, despite major progress
c) Globally, nearly one in six children under age five are underweight; one in four are stunted
d) An estimated 7 per cent of children under age five worldwide are now overweight, another aspect of malnutrition; one quarter of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa


• Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education – If current trends continue, the world will not meet the goal of universal primary education by 2015. Quick Facts:
a) By 2011, 57 million children of primary school age were out of school, down from 102 million in 2000
b) More than half of these out-of-school children live in sub-Saharan Africa
c) Globally, 123 million youth (aged 15 to 24) lack basic reading and writing skills; 61 per cent of them are young women


• Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women – Steady progress has been made towards equal access of girls and boys to education, but more targeted action is needed in many regions. The quick Overview:
a) Gender parity is closest to being achieved at the primary level; however, only 2 out of 130 countries have achieved that target at all levels of education
b) Globally, 40 out of 100 wage-earning jobs in the non-agricultural sector are held by women
c) As of 31 January 2013, the average share of women members in parliaments worldwide was just over 20 per cent


• Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality – Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. The Quick Overview:
a) Since 1990, the child mortality rate has dropped by 41 per cent; 14,000 fewer children are dying each day
b) Still, 6.9 million children under age five died in 2011—mostly from preventable diseases

c) In sub-Saharan Africa, one in nine children die before age five, more than 16 times the average for developed regions


• Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health – Maternal mortality has declined by nearly half since 1990, but falls far short of the MDG target. Quick Overview:
a) In Eastern Asia, Northern Africa and Southern Asia, maternal mortality has declined by around two thirds.
b) Only half of pregnant women in developing regions receive the recommended minimum of four antenatal care visits.
c) Some 140 million women worldwide who are married or in union say they would like to delay or avoid pregnancy, but are not using contraception

• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases – The incidence of HIV is declining steadily in most regions; still, 2.5 million people are newly infected each year. The Quick Overview of the Facts:
a) In 2011, 230,000 fewer children under age 15 were infected with HIV than in 2001.
b) Eight million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV at the end of 2011.
c) In the decade since 2000, 1.1 million deaths from malaria were averted.
d) Treatment for tuberculosis has saved some 20 million lives between 1995 and 2011

• Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability – Forests are a safety net for the poor, but they continue to disappear at an alarming rate. The Quick Overview of the Facts:
a) Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have increased by more than 46 per cent since 1990.
b) Nearly one third of marine fish stocks have been overexploited.
c) Many species are at risk of extinction, despite an increase in protected areas.
d) More than 2.1 billion people and almost 1.9 billon people, respectively, have gained access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities since 1990.
e) An estimated 863 million people reside in slums in the developing world

• Goal 8: Develop Global Partnership for Development – The global financial crisis and euro zone turmoil continue to take a toll on official development assistance. The Overview of the Facts:
a) Official development assistance stood at $126 billion in 2012.
b) Eighty-three per cent of least developed country exports enter developed countries duty free.
c) The debt service of developing countries consumes only 3 per cent of their export revenues.
d) In the developing world, 31 percent of the population uses the Internet, compared to 77 percent of the developed world



MDG targets have already been met or are within close reach

The proportion of people living in extreme poverty has been halved at the global level
• Over 2 billion people gained access to improved sources of drinking water
• Remarkable gains have been made in the fight against malaria and tuberculosis
• The proportion of slum dwellers in the cities and metropolises of the developing world is declining
• A low debt burden and an improved climate for trade are levelling the playing field for developing countries
• The hunger reduction target is within reach

MDG targets, for which accelerated Progress and bolder actions needs to be taken

• Environmental sustainability is under severe threat, demanding a new level of global cooperation
• Big gains have been made in child survival, but more must be done to meet our obligations to the youngest generation
• Most maternal deaths are preventable, but progress in this area is falling short
• Access to antiretroviral therapy and knowledge about HIV prevention must expand
• Too many children are still denied their right to primary education
• Gains in sanitation are impressive—but not good enough
• There is less aid money overall, with the poorest countries most adversely affected

Areas with disparities, where attention needs to be focused as these often stand in the way of further improvements:

Rural-urban gaps persist—access to reproductive health services and to clean drinking water is only two examples: In 2011, only 53 per cent of deliveries in rural areas were attended by skilled health personnel, versus 84 per cent of them in urban areas. Eighty-three percent of the population without access to an improved drinking water source lives in rural communities.

The poorest children are most likely to be out of School:Children and adolescents from the poorest households are at least three times more likely to be out of school than children from the richest households. Girls are more likely to be out of school than boys among both primary and lower secondary age groups, even for girls living in the richest households Gender-based inequalities in decision-making power persist: Whether in the public or private sphere, from the highest levels of government decision-making to households, women continue to be denied equal opportunity with men to participate in decisions that affect their lives

Measuring progress towards the MDGs: Progress towards the eight Millennium Development Goals is measured through 21 targets and 60 official indicators. This report presents an accounting to date of how far the world has come in meeting the goals using data available as of June 2013. Most of the MDG targets have a deadline of 2015, using 1990 as the baseline against which progress is gauged.

The basis for this Analysis: Regional and sub-regional figures presented in this report are compiled by members of the United Nations Inter-Agency and Expert Group on MDG Indicators (IAEG). In general, the figures are weighted averages of country data, using the population of reference as a weight. For each indicator, individual agencies were designated as official providers of data and as leaders in developing methodologies for data collection and analysis. The team that prepared the report was headed by the Department of Economic and Social affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, in response to the wishes of the General Assembly for periodic assessment of progress towards the MDGs.

UN Millennium Project: The Millennium Project was commissioned by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2002 to develop a concrete action plan for the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people. In 2005, the independent advisory body headed by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, presented its final recommendations to the Secretary-General in a synthesis volume investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

UN Millennium Campaign: The United Nations Millennium Campaign, started in 2002, supports and inspires people from around the world to take action in support of the Millennium Development Goals.


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How Mexico got so fat








Dudley Althaus, GlobalPost

yesterday



A UN report says Mexicans are the heaviest on the planet, outweighing Americans even as they battle hunger and malnutrition. How did it come to this?
Dudley Althaus

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Modern Mexicans' urban lifestyle, rising incomes and myriad consumption vices have fed a seemingly endless struggle that's killing thousands more of them each year.

Yep, we're talking the desperate Battle of the (body) Bulge.

Even as nearly half its people are poor and as officials launch a national anti-hunger campaign, Mexico by some accounts recently has replaced the United States as the chubbiest on the globe.

Diabetes and cardiovascular ills spike, plus sizes cram clothing racks and Mexicans keep eating, eating, eating. While cutting across class lines, the crisis disproportionately hits the poor and the young, malnourishment and obesity stalking them in tandem.

“The same people who are malnourished are the ones who are becoming obese,” said physician Abelardo Avila with Mexico's National Nutrition Institute. “In the poor classes we have obese parents and malnourished children. The worst thing is the children are becoming programmed for obesity. It's a very serious epidemic.”

About 70 percent of Mexican adults are overweight, a third of them very much so. Childhood obesity tripled in a decade and about a third of teenagers are fat as well. Experts say four of every five of those heavy kids will remain so their entire lives.

Weight-related diabetes claims the most Mexican lives each year, with nearly one of every six Mexican adults suffering from the disease. Heart and related ailments round out the list of the country's top killers.

More from GlobalPost: Bolivia tells its fat kids "eat like a native"

Diabetes alone kills as many as 70,000 people a year in Mexico — roughly equal to the deaths authorities say are caused by more than six years of the country's gangland wars.

More than 400,000 new cases are being diagnosed every year.

None of this comes as a surprise.

Experts like Avila have been warning about the growing obesity here for years. Local, state and federal officials have tried fighting it with so far ineffective programs. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) two years ago called on Mexico to consider its fattening people a national emergency.

The FAO last month declared Mexico the fattest country on the globe in a report, blaming increasingly industrialized agricultural production for a worldwide epidemic of both obesity and malnutrition.

President Enrique Peña Nieto has launched a National Crusade Against Hunger, aimed at alleviating “food insecurity” for some 7.4 million Mexicans. Critics have accused the campaign of being politically motivated with an eye on elections held Sunday in 13 Mexican states. Many of the people targeted live in the more impoverished south of the country, where indigenous rural communities have been especially hit by malnutrition accompanied by cases of obesity.

Avila and other experts criticize longstanding anti-poverty programs for putting cash into rural families' hands that too often is being spent on fried snacks and sodas rather than nutritious foods.

“They have put us into the worst kind of trap,” Avila says of the programs, which have been frequently accused of being used to manipulate the vote.

While it might currently lead the waddling pack, Mexico is hardly alone. People in the United States and other wealthy countries are about as fat. And those in other developing countries also are packing on the pounds as rural families abandon the land, urban jobs grow less physically taxing and processed food high in saturated fats, sugar and additives goes on the table.

“The result is that for many Mexicans, particularly in urban areas or in the northern states, switching to healthier diets is becoming increasingly difficult,” UN expert Olivier de Shutter says in a report on Mexican agriculture and nutrition issued two years ago.

He called for sweeping reforms that would refocus food production and consumption on more nutritious food available to more people. “The result is that for many Mexicans, particularly in urban areas or in the northern states, switching to healthier diets is becoming increasingly difficult,” he said.

What Mexicans wryly call Vitamin T — the tacos, tamales and tostadas that anchor their diet — underlies much of the problem. Once reserved for special occasions, the carbohydrate and lard-loaded dishes now get gobbled daily.

That wasn't so much a problem in past generations, when most Mexicans lived on the land, worked hard physical labor and couldn't afford a daily feast.

But the more sedentary lifestyles, combined with the ability to eat as if it were a party most days, has helped lead to the country's girth growth.

There are plenty of healthier choices like broth-based soups, fresh fish, salads, vegetables and fruits. But those tend to be more expensive for the Mexican poor and working class. And the heavier fare is just so good.

Many here also blame the popularity of US fast food restaurants and junk food snacks, which have spread rapidly since the opening of the local economy to global marketers in the early 1990s.

Urban Mexicans wolf down pizza, hamburgers and deep-fried chicken with abandon. Relatively cheap chips, cookies and sugary soft drinks pack the shelves of the convenience stores and mom-and-pop groceries that are as common here as cacti, even in poor rural towns and villages.

“I am trying to keep my children away from it,” housemaid Noemi Munoz said of the empty-calorie foods on which her own children gorge. “But fruit is so expensive these days and forget about vegetables. We don't have money for much of that.”

Mexican officials forged a national agreement three years ago with unions, food producers and others aimed at lowering the consumption of junk food. But the effort was weakened by lobbying from the agribusiness industry, UN expert De Shutter claimed.

"Some important tools to influence consumer behavior, including the raising of taxes on soda drinks and on foods rich in trans-fats or in sugars, were not made part of the National Agreement,” De Shutter said in his report. The agreement instead “locates the problem of overweight and obesity in the consumer's behavior, when in fact, this problem stems from the food system as a whole.”

Still, many wealthier Mexicans have turned to healthier lifestyles.

Supermarkets offer fresher and lighter calorie food. Restaurants serving sushi, salads and the like are popular. Gyms that charge individuals as much as $200 a month or more sprout across the cities.

“Junk food is great, who doesn't like it?” said Yasmin Gonzalez, 39, a hair stylist in a middle-class neighborhood in south Mexico City. “But before it was a luxury and now it's not.

“It gets complicated because of all the marketing,” she says. “But obesity is an addiction, like any other."


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Peter Was NOT The First Pope!



Here are TEN solid, Biblical proofs that Peter was not at Rome. Mark each in your Bible and understand them well, so YOU will not be deceived.

Was Peter the First Pope?
Matt 16 (Exposes the false claims of the Papacy. Shows which Simon went to Rome. Interesting light on how the Gospel came to Britain.) Listen to Alan Campbell's excellent study on the subject!


THE PRIMACY of the Roman Catholic Church depends upon one fundamental doctrine: the claim that Peter was the first Bishop of Rome and the founder of the Roman Church.

The teaching of Catholic historians tells us that Simon Peter went to Rome at the same time as Simon Magus in order to thwart his evils. This was during the reign of Claudius. After successfully combating the Magus, they tell us, Peter assumed the Roman bishopric and ruled it until the Neronian persecutions of 68 A.D., during which Peter was supposed to have been crucified upside down on Vatican hill. This is the basic story and Catholic writers never shirk in attempting to defend it. Some of them say that this general account is one of the most provable of historical events.

But is it?

The fact remains, many ecclesiastical authors of the second century, Justin Martyr among them, give information completely negating Peter’s supposed Roman bishopric. This is admitted by virtually all scholars – except conservative Catholics (Ency. Biblica, col. 4554). But, more important than this, the records of the True Church of God -- the writings of the New Testament -- absolutely refute the Roman Catholic claim.

It is time that the world gets its eyes open to the truth of this matter -- the truth, which is clearly revealed in the Word of God. The Apostle Peter was NEVER the Bishop of Rome!

The Bible Teaching

There are ten major New Testament proofs which completely disprove the claim that Peter was in Rome from the time of Claudius until Nero. These Biblical points speak for themselves and ANY ONE of them is sufficient to prove the ridiculousness of the Catholic claim. Notice what God tells us! The truth IS conclusive!

PROOF ONE: We should consider Christ’s commission to Peter. This is often very embarrassing to Catholics, because Christ commissioned Peter to become chief minister to the CIRCUMCISED, not to uncircumcised Gentiles.

"The gospel of the CIRCUMCISION was unto Peter; (For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)" (Gal. 2:7-8).

Here we have it in the clearest of language. It was Paul, NOT Peter, who was commissioned to be the chief Apostle to the Gentiles. And who was it that wrote the Epistle to the ROMANS? It certainly WASN’T Peter!

"And when James, Cephas [Peter], and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace [i.e., the gift or office] that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision" (Gal. 2:9).

Paul further mentioned his special office as the Gentile Apostle in II Timothy 1:11: "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."

PETER is NOWHERE called the Apostle to the Gentiles! This precludes him from going to Rome to become the head of a Gentile community.

PROOF TWO: Paul specifically told the Gentile Romans that HE had been chosen to be their Apostle, not Peter.

"I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable" (Rom. 15:16).

How clear!

Paul had the direct charge from Christ in this matter. He even further relates in Romans 15:18 that it was Christ who had chosen him "to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed."
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PAUL Established Only TRUE Church at Rome

PROOF THREE: We are told by Paul himself that it was he -- not Peter –who was going to officially found the Roman Church. "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established" (Rom. 1:11).

Amazing! The Church at Rome had not been ESTABLISHED officially even by 55 or 56 A.D. However, the Catholics would have us believe that Peter had done this some ten years before -- in the reign of Claudius. What nonsense! Of course you understand that NEITHER Peter nor Paul established the Catholic Church! But these proofs are given to illustrate that it is utterly impossible for PETER to have been in any way associated with ANY Church at Rome.

PROOF FOUR: We find Paul not only wanting to establish the Church at Rome, but he emphatically tells us that his policy was NEVER to build upon another man’s foundation. "Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, LEST I SHOULD BUILD UPON ANOTHER MAN’S FOUNDATION" (Rom. 15:20).

If Peter had "founded" the Roman Church some ten years before this statement, this represents a real affront to Peter. This statement alone is proof that Peter had never been in Rome before this time to "found" any church.

Peter Not in Rome

PROOF FIVE: At the end of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans he greets no fewer than 28 different individuals, but never mentions Peter once! See Romans 16 -- read the whole chapter!

Remember, Paul greeted these people in 55 or 56 A.D. Why didn't’t he mention Peter? -- Peter simply wasn’t there!

PROOF SIX: Some four years after Paul wrote Romans, he was conveyed as a prisoner to Rome in order to stand trial before Caesar. When the Christian community in Rome heard of Paul’s arrival, they all went to meet him. "When THE brethren [of Rome] heard of us, they came to meet us" (Acts 28:15).

Again, there is not a single mention of Peter among them. This would have been extraordinary had Peter been in Rome, for Luke always mentions by name important Apostles in his narration of Acts. But he says nothing of Peter’s meeting with Paul.

Why? Because Peter was not in Rome!

PROOF SEVEN: When Paul finally arrived at Rome, the first thing he did was to summon "the chief of the Jews together" (Acts 28:17) to whom he "expounded and testified the kingdom of God" (Verse 23).

But what is amazing is that these chief Jewish elders claimed they knew very little even about the basic teachings of Christ. All they knew was that ‘‘as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against" (Verse 22). Then Paul began to explain to them the basic teachings of Christ on the Kingdom of God. Some believed -- the majority didn't’t.

Now, what does all this mean? It means that if Peter, who was himself a strongly partisan Jew, had been preaching constantly in Rome for 14 long years before this time, AND WAS STILL THERE -- how could these Jewish leaders have known so little about even the basic truths of Christianity?

This again is clear proof Peter had not been in Rome prior to 59 A.D.
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No Mention of Peter in Paul’s Letters

PROOF EIGHT: After the rejection of the Jewish elders, Paul remained in his own hired house for two years. During that time he wrote Epistles to the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, Philemon, and to the Hebrews. And while Paul mentions others as being in Rome during that period, he nowhere mentions Peter. The obvious reason is -- the Apostle to the circumcision wasn’t there!

PROOF NINE: With the expiration of Paul’s two year’s imprisonment, he was released. But about four years later (near 65 A.D.), he was again sent back a prisoner to Rome. This time he had to appear before the throne of Caesar and was sentenced to die. Paul describes these circumstances at length in II Timothy.

In regard to his trial, notice what Paul said in II Timothy 4:16.

"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men [in Rome] forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."

This means, if we believe the Catholics, that Peter forsook Paul, for they tell us Peter was very much present at Rome during this time! Peter once denied Christ, but that was before he was converted. To believe that Peter was in Rome during Paul’s trial, is untenable!

PROOF TEN: The Apostle Paul distinctly informs us that Peter was not in Rome in 65 A.D. -- even though Catholics say he was. Paul said: "Only Luke is with me" (II Tim. 4:11).

The truth becomes very plain. Paul wrote TO Rome; he had been IN Rome; and at the end wrote at least six epistles FROM Rome; and not only does he NEVER mention Peter, but at the last moment says: "Only Luke is with me."

Peter, therefore, was never Bishop of Rome!

Where Was Peter?

Near 45 A.D., we find Peter being cast into prison at Jerusalem (Acts 12:3, 4). In 49 A.D., he was still in Jerusalem, this time attending the Jerusalem Council. About 51 A.D., he was in Antioch of Syria where he got into differences with Paul because he wouldn't sit or eat with Gentiles.

Strange that the "Roman bishop" would have nothing to do with Gentiles in 51 A.D.!

Later in about 66 A.D., we find him in the city of Babylon among the Jews (I Pet. 5:13). Remember that Peter was the Apostle to the CIRCUMCISED. Why was he in Babylon? Because history shows that there were as many Jews in the Mesopotamian areas in Christ’s time as there were in Palestine. It is no wonder we find him in the East. Perhaps this is the reason why scholars say Peter’s writings are strongly Aramaic in flavor -- the type of Aramaic spoken in Babylon. Why of course! Peter was used to their eastern dialect.

At the times the Catholics believe Peter was in Rome, the Bible clearly shows he was elsewhere. The evidence is abundant and conclusive. By Paying attention to God’s own words, no one need be deceived. Peter was NEVER the Bishop of Rome!



PAPAL SUCCESSION IS NOT FROM PETER!



The Vatican Obelisk, a sundial with 2000 years of history





romereports

Published on Aug 18, 2012

http://www.romereports.com Rome has more obelisks than any other city in the world. There are thirteen of these tall monuments that help make up the history of ancient Rome. One of the most well known, stands in the middle of St. Peter's Square, measuring 82 feet tall and weighing 320 tons.


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Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Lighting the Washington Monument





WashingtonPost


Published on Jul 9, 2013


The National Park Service illuminated the Washington Monument for the first time Monday night with 488 decorative lamps. The soaring obelisk will now light up every evening as it undergoes repairs to damage caused by the 2011 earthquake.

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Sinkhole opens in Blount County yard

Posted: Jul 08, 2013 7:33 AM EDT



By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter

LOUISVILLE (WATE) - Heavy rain caused many trees to uproot in East Tennessee, but in a Louisville yard an uprooted tree revealed a bigger problem.

A growing sink hole appeared Sunday in the Wilsons' yard on Light Pink Road.

The family had just returned from church around noon, when they discovered a tree had fallen on their house. Then they saw the large sinkhole underneath the tree.

Hours later, they say, the sinkhole has doubled in size. It's now about 25 feet wide and about 20 feet deep.

"Our daughter's bedroom is right in front by the tree, so everyone slept on the other side of the house just in case the tree moved," said Kaila Wilson.

Wilson says she is afraid the sinkhole will get bigger.


"The tree is coming off today," said Wilson. "The tree people will be here soon to get it off, so our biggest concern now is the hole. We just found out our homeowner's insurance isn't going to cover it."


Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance says it is state law for insurance companies to make available sinkhole coverage, but it is not required.

They also say many times the sinkhole has to be causing damage to the home for the insurance policy to kick in.


Brad Dean, owner of East Tennessee Foundation Repairs and Drainage Systems, says getting a sinkhole fixed can cost thousands.

"A sinkhole is going to be two to three times the size that you can physically see," said Dean.


Dean says sinkholes are common in East Tennessee, and it would be smart for people to see if sinkholes are covered in their homeowner's insurance.


He says sinkholes can be very dangerous.


"I would definitely be looking at staying toward the opposite corner of the home," said Dean.


Dean says the biggest cost is determining exactly what is causing the sinkhole before they can fill it in.


6 News called several insurance companies to find out how much adding sinkhole coverage would cost, but none of them wanted to talk about this type of coverage on camera.


Source
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Toronto travel chaos: What’s moving, or not, post-flood





A tow truck driver walks back through flood waters after hooking up a car on the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto on Monday July 8 2013. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)


CTV Toronto
Published Tuesday, July 9, 2013 8:53AM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, July 9, 2013 1:28PM EDT


Toronto continues to recover from an unprecedented rainstorm that shattered records and paralyzed the city’s roads and transit infrastructure.

Commuters faced more delays Tuesday, as certain roads and transit lines remain closed.

TTC:

RELATED STORIES
Toronto urged to reduce power consumption in storm's wake
No subway service between Jane and Kipling on the Bloor Danforth line
All other subway / RT service running normally

GO Transit:

Certain sections of GO Train tracks were washed out across the rail system. Delays and detour are reported on the following train lines:
Lakeshore West line
Lakeshore East line

Toronto road closures:
Wilson Ave. at CN bridge underpass
Bridgeland Ave. at Hwy. 401 underpass
Intersection of Front and York streets (closed until about 2 p.m.)
Disco Road close to Atwell Frive
Royal York Road at Dundas Street underpass
Martin Grove Road between Vulcan Street and Bethridge Road
Bloor Street, west of Islington Avenue underpass


Source: http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-travel-chaos-what-s-moving-or-not-post-flood-1.1359415#ixzz2YZmn4N9X


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Archbishop on restoring America's forgotten values





CatholicNewsService

Published on Jul 3, 2013


Archbishop Michael O. Jackels reflects on the challenge of being both Catholic and American today.

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Leon Trotsky Writes About The Jesuits


MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013





Leon Trotsky

The Jesuit order, organized in the first half of the 16th century for combating Protestantism, never taught, let it be said, that any means, even though it be criminal from the point of view of the Catholic morals, was permissible if only it led to the “end”, that is, to the triumph of Catholicism. Such an internally contradictory and psychologically absurd doctrine was maliciously attributed to the Jesuits by their Protestant and partly Catholic opponents who were not shy in choosing the means for achieving their ends. Jesuit theologians who, like the theologians of other schools, were occupied with the question of personal responsibility, actually taught that the means in itself can be a matter of indifference but that the moral justification or judgment of the given means flows from the end. Thus shooting in itself is a matter of indifference; shooting a mad dog that threatens a child – a virtue; shooting with the aim of violation or murder – a crime. Outside of these commonplaces the theologians of this order made no promulgations. 

In so far as their practical moral philosophy is concerned the Jesuits were not at all worse than other monks or Catholic priests, on the contrary, they were superior to them; in any case, more consistent, bolder, and perspicacious. The Jesuits represented a militant organization, strictly centralized, aggressive, and dangerous not only to enemies but also to allies. 

In his psychology and method of action the Jesuit of the “heroic” period distinguished himself from an average priest as the warrior of a church from its shopkeeper. We have no reason to idealize either one or the other. But it is altogether unworthy to look upon a fanatic warrior with the eyes of an obtuse and slothful shopkeeper. If we are to remain in the field of purely formal or psychological similitudes, then it can, if you like, be said that the Bolsheviks appear in relation to the democrats and social- democrats of all hues as did the Jesuits – in relation to the peaceful ecclesiastical hierarchy. Compared to revolutionary Marxists, the social-democrats and centrists appear like morons, or a quack beside a physician: they do not think one problem through to the end, believe in the power of conjuration and cravenly avoid every difficulty, hoping for a miracle. Opportunists are peaceful shop. keepers in socialist ideas while Bolsheviks are its inveterate warriors. From this comes the hatred and slander against Bolsheviks from those who have an abundance of their historically conditioned faults but not one of their merits.
Link (here) to read Leon Trotsky's evil Marxist rant Their Morals and Ours

POSTED BY JOSEPH FROMM AT 12:30 AM


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From Arab Spring to the Long Hot Summer

Stubborn: Two female supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi sit in front of barbed wire fencing that blocks the access to the headquarters of the Republican Guard in Cairo where the bloodbath took place
AFP/Getty Images

Tropical Storm Chantal


Top News of the Day... view past news Last update Tue, 9 Jul 2013 16:18:02 UTC






 Eastern Pacific

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Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook | Active Storms | Marine Forecasts

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Tropical Weather Outlook (en Español*)
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It comes to them as a prowling thief



Christ has given signs of His coming. He declares that we may know when He is near, even at the doors. He says of those who see these signs, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” These signs have appeared. Now we know of a surety that the Lord’s coming is at hand. “Heaven and earth shall pass away,” He says, “but My words shall not pass away.”

Christ is coming with clouds and with great glory. A multitude of shining angels will attend Him. He will come to raise the dead, and to change the living saints from glory to glory. He will come to honor those who have loved Him, and kept His commandments, and to take them to Himself. He has not forgotten them nor His promise. There will be a relinking of the family chain. When we look upon our dead, we may think of the morning when the trump of God shall sound, when “the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52. A little longer, and we shall see the King in His beauty. A little longer, and He will wipe all tears from our eyes. A little longer, and He will present us “faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 1:24. Wherefore, when He gave the signs of His coming He said, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” But the day and the hour of His coming Christ has not revealed. He stated plainly to His disciples that He Himself could not make known the day or the hour of His second appearing. Had He been at liberty to reveal this, why need He have exhorted them to maintain an attitude of constant expectancy? There are those who claim to know the very day and hour of our Lord’s appearing. Very earnest are they in mapping out the future. But the Lord has warned them off the ground they occupy. The exact time of the second coming of the Son of man is God’s mystery.
Christ continues, pointing out the condition of the world at His coming: “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Christ does not here bring to view a temporal millennium, a thousand years in which all are to prepare for eternity. He tells us that as it was in Noah’s day, so will it be when the Son of man comes again.
How was it in Noah’s day? “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5. The inhabitants of the antediluvian world turned from Jehovah, refusing to do His holy will. They followed their own unholy imagination and perverted ideas. It was because of their wickedness that they were destroyed; and today the world is following the same way. It presents no flattering signs of millennial glory. The transgressors of God’s law are filling the earth with wickedness. Their betting, their horse racing, their gambling, their dissipation, their lustful practices, their untamable passions, are fast filling the world with violence.
In the prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction Christ said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This prophecy will again be fulfilled. The abounding iniquity of that day finds its counterpart in this generation. So with the prediction in regard to the preaching of the gospel. Before the fall of Jerusalem, Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, declared that the gospel was preached to “every creature which is under heaven.” Colossians 1:23. So now, before the coming of the Son of man, the everlasting gospel is to be preached “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6, 14. God “hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world.” Acts 17:31. Christ tells us when that day shall be ushered in. He does not say that all the world will be converted, but that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord’s return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God. 2 Peter 3:12, margin. Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and great glory. 

After He had given the signs of His coming, Christ said, “When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” “Take ye heed, watch and pray.” God has always given men warning of coming judgments. Those who had faith in His message for their time, and who acted out their faith, in obedience to His commandments, escaped the judgments that fell upon the disobedient and unbelieving. The word came to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me.” Noah obeyed and was saved. The message came to Lot, “Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.” Genesis 7:1; 19:14. Lot placed himself under the guardianship of the heavenly messengers, and was saved. So Christ’s disciples were given warning of the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who watched for the sign of the coming ruin, and fled from the city, escaped the destruction. So now we are given warning of Christ’s second coming and of the destruction to fall upon the world. Those who heed the warning will be saved.
Because we know not the exact time of His coming, we are commanded to watch. “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.” Luke 12:37. Those who watch for the Lord’s coming are not waiting in idle expectancy. The expectation of Christ’s coming is to make men fear the Lord, and fear His judgments upon transgression. It is to awaken them to the great sin of rejecting His offers of mercy. Those who are watching for the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth. With vigilant watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at the door, their zeal is quickened to co-operate with the divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful and wise servants who give to the Lord’s household “their portion of meat in due season.” Luke 12:42. They are declaring the truth that is now specially applicable. As Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each declared the truth for his time, so will Christ’s servants now give the special warning for their generation.
But Christ brings to view another class: “If that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him.”

The evil servant says in his heart, “My lord delayeth his coming.” He does not say that Christ will not come. He does not scoff at the idea of His second coming. But in his heart and by his actions and words he declares that the Lord’s coming is delayed. He banishes from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. His influence leads men to presumptuous, careless delay. They are confirmed in their worldliness and stupor. Earthly passions, corrupt thoughts, take possession of the mind. The evil servant eats and drinks with the drunken, unites with the world in pleasure seeking. He smites his fellow servants, accusing and condemning those who are faithful to their Master. He mingles with the world. Like grows with like in transgression. It is a fearful assimilation. With the world he is taken in the snare. “The lord of that servant shall come ... in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.”
“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Revelation 3:3. The advent of Christ will surprise the false teachers. They are saying, “Peace and safety.” Like the priests and teachers before the fall of Jerusalem, they look for the church to enjoy earthly prosperity and glory. The signs of the times they interpret as foreshadowing this. But what saith the word of Inspiration? “Sudden destruction cometh upon them.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth, upon all who make this world their home, the day of God will come as a snare. It comes to them as a prowling thief
The world, full of rioting, full of godless pleasure, is asleep, asleep in carnal security. Men are putting afar off the coming of the Lord. They laugh at warnings. The proud boast is made, “All things continue as they were from the beginning.” “Tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” 2 Peter 3:4; Isaiah 56:12. We will go deeper into pleasure loving. But Christ says, “Behold, I come as a thief.” Revelation 16:15. At the very time when the world is asking in scorn, “Where is the promise of His coming?” the signs are fulfilling. While they cry, “Peace and safety,” sudden destruction is coming. When the scorner, the rejecter of truth, has become presumptuous; when the routine of work in the various money-making lines is carried on without regard to principle; when the student is eagerly seeking knowledge of everything but his Bible, Christ comes as a thief.

Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord’s appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.
The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation’s hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut. 

Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” 

The Desire of Ages, pp. 632- 636.
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Monday, July 08, 2013

NSA, CIA, And FBI Swap Classified Data With Media And Tech Corporations


by JacobSloan on July 8, 2013





Could Microsoft, Google, et al. be considered bureaus of the national security apparatus?  Bloomberg reports that the providing of sensitive information is a two-way street:


Thousands of technology, finance and manufacturing companies are working closely with U.S. national security agencies, providing sensitive information and in return receiving benefits that include access to classified intelligence, four people familiar with the process said.

These programs, whose participants are known as trusted partners, extend far beyond what was revealed by Edward Snowden, a computer technician who did work for the National Security Agency.

Michael Hayden, who formerly directed the National Security Agency and the CIA, described the attention paid to important company partners: “If I were the director and had a relationship with a company who was doing things that were not just directed by law but were also valuable to the defense of the Republic, I would go out of my way to thank them and give them a sense as to why this is necessary and useful.”

Intel Corp’s McAfee unit, which makes Internet security software, regularly cooperates with the NSA, FBI and the CIA, for example, and is a valuable partner because of its broad view of malicious Internet traffic, including espionage operations by foreign powers, according to one of the four people, who is familiar with the arrangement. The company also has knowledge of the architecture of information networks worldwide, which may be useful to spy agencies who tap into them, the person said.

Microsoft provides intelligence agencies with information about bugs in its popular software before it publicly releases a fix, according to two people familiar with the process. That information can be used to protect government computers and to access the computers of terrorists or military foes.


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Visa Digital Wallet





Uploaded on May 10, 2011


Hear Visa talk about its new cross-channel digital wallet.

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Weapons-detecting radars



Weapons-detecting radars | MconneX | MichEpedia



michiganengineering


Published on Mar 21, 2013


In the aftermath of the Newtown school shooting, a University of Michigan professor envisions a new use for a weapons-detecting radar system. The technology could potentially identify a hidden gun or bomb on an approaching person from the distance of a football field away in less than a second. U-M Engineering Professor Kamal Sarabandi used computer simulations and lab experiments to demonstrate that a portable, millimeter-wave radar system could spot a metal object concealed near a person's torso.

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR: Kamal Sarabandi (http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~saraband/) is the Rufus S. Teesdale Professor of Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (http://www.eecs.umich.edu/) at the University of Michigan College of Engineering (http://www.engin.umich.edu/). His research focus encompasses a wide range of topics in the area of applied electromagnetics, including microwave and millimeter-wave radar remote sensing, antenna miniaturization and reconfigurable antennas for wireless applications, wireless channel characterization for performance assessment of wireless systems and millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave subsystems and components with applications to radar imaging.

READ STORY: A new use for weapons-detecting radar? (http://www.ns.umich.edu/new/multimedi...)

MORE: Watch additional MichEpedia videos or join the discussion athttp://mconnex.engin.umich.edu/michep...


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Fourth Of July Violence In Chicago: Homicide Rate Passes 200 After Long Holiday Weekend Of Shootings


Posted: 07/07/2013 4:28 pm EDT | Updated: 07/07/2013 4:28 pm EDT




CHICAGO, IL - JULY 06: A police officer guards a crime scene where seven people were shot on July 6, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Two days earlier and half of a block away Steve Mabins, 21, was shot and killed on his way to an Independence Day party. More than 60 people have been shot in Chicago since Wednesday, at least nine fatally. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Despite the number of shootings over the holiday weekend, there have been a fewer number of homicides in Chicago in the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Overall, there were 500 shootings in 2012.

The number of homicides typically goes up in the summer and anti-violence advocates pay more attention to it. The Rev. Al Sharpton has said he plans to live in Chicago for a few months to work with neighborhood leaders on the problem.


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Satanic graffiti found on Gastonia church


Crime




Credit: NBC Charlotte



by AMY COWMAN / NBC Charlotte

Posted on June 13, 2013 at 12:42 PM

Updated Thursday, Jun 13 at 5:52 PM




GASTONIA, N.C. -- Vandals strike a Gastonia church spray painting hateful words and images. This happened the same week that children are at Covenant Baptist Church for vacation bible school.

"Can't understand why anybody would do something like this? How much did they accomplish," questioned Pastor Olin Byrum.

A blanket covers up the graffiti in the back of Covenant Baptist Church in Gastonia. Vandals wrote an expletive word and then God plus an upside down cross. Pastor Olin Byrum says it's very disheartening.

"We're trying to reach out to people, share Christ with others, and now we have to spend time doing things like that," said Byrum.

It's spray painted on the back of the church where the kids play on the playground. All this week they've had vacation bible school for the children.

"Fortunately they haven't been back here, so, and hadn't even wanted to come back here, so I guess that's good for us; we've kept them busy.”

The church has already tried twice to clean the graffiti off with no luck so far. Pastor Byrum says he just wants the people responsible to come forward, take responsibility and they are forgiven.

"I just can't understand why you'd do something like that, of course there's no hate, God loves them, we love them hopefully they'll repent and see the error of their ways," Byrum expressed.

Vacation Bible school continues Friday, meanwhile they say they believe they'll have to sandblast the wall to get the graffiti off.

So far no arrests have been made in the case.


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Texas Gov. Rick Perry to declare political plans


Catalina Camia, USA TODAY6:47 a.m. EDT July 8, 2013



(Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP)



STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Republican to announce political plans in San Antonio
Perry, already the longest-serving governor in Texas history, is up for re-election in 2014
He has said running for president again is 'an option'



Texas Gov. Rick Perry is scheduled to announce Monday plans for his political future, leaving open the question of whether he'll seek an unprecedented fourth term next year or try again to seek the White House.

Perry, 63, is already the longest-serving governor in Texas history and has been the Lone Star state's chief executive since December 2000 when George W. Bush left to become president. Perry's departure would set up the biggest political shuffle in Texas since he took office.

The Republican was coy during an appearance onFox News Sunday about his future, saying only that another presidential bid was "an option out there." He also said his attention is more focused now on a special session of the Texas Legislature, as lawmakers consider a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy that would also close most of the state's abortion clinics.

Perry will announce his plans at a Caterpillar dealership of a top supporter in San Antonio.

For much of the nation, Perry is known for his ill-fated White House bid last year. Once considered a top conservative alternative to eventual GOP nominee Mitt Romney, Perry briefly was leading in early public opinion polls but faltered quickly.

His "oops" moment during a televised debate, in which he forgot the name of the third federal agency he wanted to eliminate, solidified for many that Perry wasn't ready for the White House. The Texan dropped out of the 2012 race ahead of the South Carolina primary.

Perry poked fun at his own debate gaffe on late-night TV and mocked his own candidacy during a speech last year. "The weakest Republican field in history — and they kicked my butt," Perry joked at the Gridiron Club dinner.

Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, said Perry "loves to keep people guessing" but noted the signs are there that the governor will not run again for his current job in 2014. Making another presidential run, Jillson told USA TODAY, is an entirely different enterprise.

"If he plans to run for president again, he needs to be free of the governor's office so he can give his full attention to putting together a top-flight campaign team and prepare himself substantively, especially on foreign policy and national security issues," Jillson said.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, viewed as an up-and-coming Republican, has been making moves as though he is running for governor. He recently released a video, narrated by former senator-TV actor Fred Thompson, introducing himself to voters – even though Abbott has won statewide elections five times. Abbott also has amassed $18 million in campaign funds.



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Sunday, July 07, 2013

God's Next Army





alexeykh

Uploaded on Nov 13, 2009


God's Next Army investigates Patrick Henry College (PHC), set up five years ago in Virginia, near Washington DC. Its mission is to train young fundamentalist Christians to become the next generation of America's cultural and political leaders. Though the separation of church and state is enshrined [OK, it's only strongly implied - alexeykh] in the US Constitution, with financial backing from the evangelical community the college aims to 'rechristianise' America; to 'preserve the world from the sinfulness of man'...
http://www.channel4.com/culture/micro...

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Churches boost security as violent incidents grow


Jul. 6, 2013 9:35 PM





Jeffery Gilchriest keeps his eye on Sunday mornings services at the Freedom Christian Center in Viera. Jeffery has been working security at the church for the last two years and a member for 13. / Craig Rubadoux/Florida Today

Written by
Florida Today




VIERA — It is Sunday and 36-year-old Julie Robinson is keeping an eye on her children as they play and sing near the front of the sanctuary stage at Freedom Christian Center.

The mother of four is not the only one watching. Quietly standing in the back of the hall is Jeffery Gilchriest.

As dozens of congregants lift their hands in prayer, preparing for the week’s message from the pulpit, Gilchriest’s eyes are alert, darting across the spacious worship hall.

A white, coiled microphone wire ripples from his ear to help him communicate with ushers and plainclothes security personnel.

Their mission: Protecting the flock by being ready for the worst.

“This is the norm in our world’s culture and there’s a need for security wherever we go nowadays,” said Gilchriest, who oversees security efforts at Freedom Christian and also is the CEO of Opaque Security, an international company that trains churches and synagogues to protect congregations. “We need to be prepared.”

It is an increasingly common sentiment in churches, synagogues and mosques nationwide as the number of deadly episodes at sanctuaries has soared over the last decade, and mass shootings at elementary schools, malls and movie theaters have left Americans feeling like it could happen anywhere.

Just last month, the federal government stepped in with a first-ever report outlining security recommendations for houses of worship. The 38-page plan, released just days after a man was shot and wounded during a Catholic Mass in Salt Lake City, advises congregations to plan for potential emergencies, including what police call random “active shooter” situations. Among the advice offered by the federal government: run, hide or, as a last resort, fight.

“I think we’re seeing all of this for multiple reasons. Whenever there is a violent situation, we see security beefed up. Schools, for example, have become more hardened targets. And as we see other places get more readiness, that means other places like churches and ministries become softer targets,” said Colorado church security consultant Carl Chinn, who holds training seminars for churches across the country.

In 1999, there were 22 violent deaths -- including homicides and suicides -- reported at worship centers nationwide, according to statistics compiled by Chinn. Last year, there were 115 attacks, with 75 of those ending in a fatality, he said.

Ministers say increased training is important as sanctuaries have expanded their roles over the years, going from small church houses where worshipers sought solace from the outside world to larger facilities offering schools, exercise classes or even game rooms.

“It’s absolutely horrible but it’s a reality. Why are these things happening? That’s the age old question, a spiritual question,” said Craig Nau, an associate pastor at Freedom Christian Center.

“Jesus said that there would be troubles but he also said for us not to let our hearts get troubled. Having security protocols allows us to think things through, to be alert and all of that comes out of a place of prayer.”


'Being aware'

In many churches, ushers still are the frontline of security, with many spotting distraught worshipers or stepping in during minor disputes. Other congregations have no systematic way of knowing or watching who walks through the doors.

At Calvary Chapel, a dedicated team of about 30 to 40 plainclothes volunteers are tasked with protecting the 10,000 people who crowd into the church’s primary campuses in West Melbourne, Viera and Sebastian each weekend for services. Last month, the team met with Chinn for a training session.

“You never know who may come to your facility but if you’re visiting us, you learn early on that there are a few people who are paying attention and watching the crowds. And we do have armed people in the services,” said John Lucas, the chief security officer for the church.

Lucas said that several of his security personnel, equipped with two-way earpieces, are licensed to carry guns and do.

“We haven’t seen many problems,” he said.

Some church leaders are reluctant to discuss security measures but point to a long tradition of pastors preaching faith but also carrying guns.

Florida law allows people to carry weapons in houses of worship.

That means worshipers like Wendy Butcher, a National Rifle Association-certified weapons trainer, freely carries her handgun with her when she goes to services at New Life Christian Fellowship and other congregations in Titusville.

It’s like putting on make-up or panty hose. I know a lot of people who carry (their guns) to church,” said Butcher, adding that people should always be aware of their surroundings.

“You can’t live your life being in fear. This way, I know that I can protect myself. Each case is situational but if there is someone in a church shooting and I’m standing nearby, you can bet I’d take them out in a heartbeat.”


Changing culture

Security experts also point to a growing hostility toward differing beliefs as one of the reasons for the trend of violence aimed at houses of worship.

“It wasn’t too many years ago that even gangs respected church grounds,” Chinn said. “Now we’re seeing more incidents,” from violent disputes between congregants that break out during services to break-ins, assaults and other crimes.

In Brevard County, there have been sporadic — but isolated — outburts of violence.

The incidents include a January 2012 after-school brawl between a juveniles playing football on Calvary Chapel grounds. In 2002, a 59-year-old Catholic priest at Our Saviour Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach was beaten at the church. In 2006, a gunman fired on the Islamic Society of Brevard mosque.

For Robinson, coming to church is a time to reconnect spiritually with God and to provide her family with a foundation of faith. Unlike Butcher, she doesn’t carry a gun but is glad the church has a security team.

It “makes me feel very safe as a mom of four children,” she said. “They’re looking out for things that I may not see when we’re just coming for church.”


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(Video) Francis Has a Few Words in Support of Leisure



Pope Francis Has a Few Words in Support of Leisure 4/ 26/13 - The Closing Of Time News Reports




Published on Jun 1, 2013


On Tuesday, "Pope Francis: His Life in His Own Words," a book of conversations with the man who was then Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, will be published in English (Putnam; $24.95). These interviews from 2010 with two journalists in Argentina yield cute facts about the new boss of the church — a favorite movie? "Babette's Feast" — but not much interesting theology.
link to the story

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/us/...

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35,000 march in Dublin against Irish abortion bill






Shawn Pogatchnik
Anti-abortion protesters holding placards walk through Ireland's capital, Dublin, in an anti-abortion protest Saturday, July 6, 2013. More than 35,000 activists marched to the parliament building to oppose Irish government plans to enact a bill legalizing terminations for women in life-threatening pregnancies. The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is expected to be passed into law next week. (AP Photo/Shawn Pogatchnik)



3 hours ago • Associated Press


Bearing rosary beads and placards declaring "Kill the bill! Not the child," more than 35,000 anti-abortion activists marched Saturday through Dublin to demand that the Irish government scrap plans to legalize terminations for women in life-threatening pregnancies.

Demonstrators from across Ireland, a predominantly Catholic island of 6.5 million, marched for two hours through the capital to Leinster House, the parliament building, where lawmakers next week are expected pass the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. Speakers demanded that the government put its bill to a national referendum. "Let us vote!" the crowd chanted.

The two-year-old coalition government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny drafted the bill following last year's death of a miscarrying woman in an Irish hospital. Three investigations since have determined that Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist, died from blood poisoning one week after admission for a miscarriage. Doctors denied her pleas for an abortion, even though her uterus had ruptured, because the 17-week-old fetus still had a heartbeat. By the time it stopped, investigations concluded, Halappanavar already had contracted a lethal dose of septicemia.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said Saturday that, had the bill been law last year, Halappanavar might have received a prompt abortion and survived. He appealed to anti-abortion rebels in the main government Fine Gael party to accept the bill or abstain from the final vote expected Wednesday night. The bill received overwhelming backing in an initial vote this week.

Ireland outlaws abortion, a position underscored by a 1986 referendum amending the constitution to declare that the unborn have a right to life. But the Supreme Court in 1992 ruled that the constitution equally defends the pregnant woman's right to live, therefore life-saving abortions were legal.

Crucially, Ireland's highest court said this meant a woman should receive an abortion even if the only threat to her life was caused by her own suicide threats. Six governments since have refused to pass legislation backing that 1992 judgment, leaving obstetricians divided and confused over whether certain life-saving abortions can be performed legally.

In 2011, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ireland's failure to legislate meant pregnant women in dangerous medical conditions were forced to travel overseas, chiefly to neighboring England, for abortions. It said travel and bureaucratic delays meant some women's medical conditions worsened unnecessarily.

The government bill would permit an abortion for a suicidal woman if a panel of three doctors _ one obstetrician and two psychiatrists _ unanimously agree that the woman's threats are real. Abortion rights advocates say this rule means women in such circumstances still will travel to England, where abortion was legalized in 1967.

But those marching Saturday warned that women would conspire with sympathetic doctors to fake suicide threats, putting Ireland on a slippery slope to wider abortion access. Ireland is just one of two European Union members, alongside Malta, that outlaws the practice.

Before the march, Catholic Archbishop Diarmuid Martin led a central Dublin church in prayers for Ireland to keep abortion illegal. But in a nuanced sermon Martin told the crowd, among them families sitting on the floor beside packed pews, that pro-life campaigners must be careful not to come across as heartless to those on the other side of the debate.

Martin said those seeking to keep abortion out of Ireland must make their case "not through slogans but through the witness of life that we give." If not, he said, "what we say will appear, to quote Pope Francis, as being cold, impersonal and oppressive for people's day-to-day lives."


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