tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25460732157498503082024-03-13T15:46:33.255-05:00Veritas et Theologium"We establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever. We command no worship. We mandate no belief. But we poison our society when we remove its theological underpinnings. We court corruption when we leave it bereft of belief. All are free to believe or not believe; all are free to practice a faith or not. But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief."
-- Ronald ReaganAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-75184409580048357402016-03-26T08:24:00.000-05:002016-04-07T22:45:36.822-05:00An Easter MessageYesterday was <i><a data-mce-href="http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Good_Friday.htm" href="http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Good_Friday.htm">Good Friday</a></i>, a very special day for Christianity, a prelude before <i>Easter Day</i>
that commemorates the victory of Jesus Christ against death. It is a
tradition for Christians to attend mass and churches to remember what
the founder of Christianity represents and the covenant with God.<br />
<blockquote>
<b><i>Adore
God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as
yourself, and your country more than yourself. Be just. Be true. Murmur
not at the ways of Providence. </i><br /> Thomas Jefferson </b></blockquote>
<a data-mce-href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/esjs_027.jpg" href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/esjs_027.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ESJS_027" class="alignleft wp-image-14508" data-mce-src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/esjs_027.jpg?w=87" data-mce-style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/esjs_027.jpg?w=87" height="240" style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" width="70" /></a>Those
who are not Christians use the day to gather with family for a
traditional feast enjoying the unity of the family nucleus, an entity
that has slowly disintegrated in the society of the United States.<br />
In a speech given by <b>Ronald Reagan</b>, he stated:<br />
<blockquote>
<b><i>I
have said that we must be cautious claiming that God is on our side. I
think the real question we must answer is: Are we on His side?</i></b></blockquote>
On the day of resurrection [<a data-mce-href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A1-9&version=KJV" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A1-9&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>John 20:1-9</b></a>] …<br />
<blockquote>
<a data-mce-href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/button_monk-reading_animated.gif" href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/button_monk-reading_animated.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Button_Monk-reading_animated" class="size-full wp-image-14467 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/button_monk-reading_animated.gif" data-mce-style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/button_monk-reading_animated.gif" height="93" style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" width="96" /></a><b><i>Now
on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early,
while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from
the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple,
the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken the Lord
out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.' So Peter
went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.
Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter
and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen
cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came,
following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying
there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with
the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other
disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and
believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must
rise from the dead. </i></b></blockquote>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/wethepeople.jpg" href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/wethepeople.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wethepeople" class=" wp-image-9777 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/wethepeople.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/wethepeople.jpg?w=300" height="159" style="margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" width="240" /></a>Our
nation was founded by the Judean-Christian principles that have lasted
over thousands of years, Christianity being the newcomer of Judean
religious doctrine. Our founders believed that all should be afforded
the opportunity and the right to practice their faith and beliefs, and
that government shall not interfere. However, it has not been so in
recent times. Government, those in government and those who have
influence upon those in government have made it their crusade to push
Christianity into the shadows, making it illegal to publicly display
traditions and beliefs; while at the same time turning their heads when
it comes to another religion that preaches hatred and practices violence
and intolerance against all other religions. The same religion that
cries out for acceptance and continued tolerance does not practice what
they ask for. Instead their agenda is to subvert and destroy all that is
not Islam, their global agenda of conquest no different from when their
prophet had gathered followers.<br />
Christ focused upon his fellow
Jews as he went among them to preach; yet his message was clearly meant
for all human kind. And his influence spanned across centuries, as <b>Ronald Reagan</b> stated years ago …<br />
<blockquote>
<b><i>I
still can't help wondering how we can explain away what to me is the
greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history. No one denies
there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death by
crucifixion. Where ... is the miracle I spoke of? Well consider this and
let your imagination translate the story into our own time -- possibly
to your own home town. A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up
working in his father's shop. One day he puts down his tools and walks
out of his father's shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in
the nearby countryside, walking from place to place, preaching all the
while, even though he is not an ordained minister. He never gets farther
than an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most. He does this for three
years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of
appeal, so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those
in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing --
the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial-place for
him so he is interred in a borrowed tomb. End of story? No, this
uneducated, property-less young man has, for 2,000 years, had a greater
effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the
conquerors, generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and
philosophers who have ever lived -- all of them put together. How do we
explain that -- unless He really was what He said He was? </i></b></blockquote>
To
all Christians I wish you a blessed day this Easter and to those who
are not, a day of peace and meaningfulness with your loved ones.<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: left;">
<a data-mce-href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/onenationundergod2.jpg" href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/onenationundergod2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="State of OUR Union: Constitutional Govt Cannot Exist Without a Supportive Society" class="aligncenter wp-image-12813" data-mce-src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/onenationundergod2.jpg?w=264" src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/onenationundergod2.jpg?w=264" height="180" width="158" /></a>Think
of how we can unite and make our nation once again a constitutional
republic and not a social experiment that can only lead to
disappointment and tyranny. Pray that enough people will awaken from
their apathetic and indoctrinated state of being and join those who hold
rights and liberties dear along with values and character that make a
successful family unit and a society of people with values.<br />
We the People, too many of us, have allowed the gradual loss of rights and liberties, but a key loss is the loss of purpose and the responsibility of retaining that which made the United States great. If some of you feel God has abandoned our nation and its people, I believe you should lament that the People abandoned God. It does not mean we have to be Puritans, for that was a time when the church as not separated from the state; but from the time our nation was created when Judaic-Christian principles were honored and became a tradition for the good of all, whether they believe or not. </div>
Contemplate this Easter how you can make a difference, beginning with your life, your family, your community, and become a part that stands against the onslaught of progreesive socialism that will surely take away not only rights and liberties, but the soul of a once great nation.<br />
Do not be disheartened, but stand and meet the challenge. Let us unite from all walks of life, from all ethnic backgrounds, from all religious beliefs or no religious beliefs, as one People, one flag, one language, and the purpose to restore the constitutional republic; identifying ourselves as Americans with no hyphens, but unified as a People. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/god-bless-america1.gif" href="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/god-bless-america1.gif"><img alt="god-bless-america1" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13521" data-mce-src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/god-bless-america1.gif?w=300" src="http://peninsulalighthouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/god-bless-america1.gif?w=300" height="52" width="300" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-67700082311012349372016-02-19T09:52:00.001-06:002016-02-19T10:11:30.824-06:00A Treatise Concerning Christians and the 21st Century<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AP6RW3YbWoU/Vsc2NzJMQwI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/wavzT2fXg4Q/s1600/001-ThomasJefferson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AP6RW3YbWoU/Vsc2NzJMQwI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/wavzT2fXg4Q/s1600/001-ThomasJefferson.jpg" /></a>I, like <a href="http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.surprising.faith.of.abraham.lincoln.and.thomas.jefferson/80077.htm" target="_blank"><b>Thomas Jefferson</b></a>, values logical philosophy; especially when
discussing theology and politics. Those are two subjects where people
turn off the logical portion of their brain and let emotion cloud
their judgment and belief. Tradition can be a good thing, but only if
it is supported by logic and facts, not superstition and blind faith.
Thomas Jefferson created his own reference Bible, concerning the New
Testament where he gleaned the myth from Jesus of Nazareth's parables
and wise statements. He was more concerned with the spiritual world
rather than the physical one. The <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=jeffersons+bible&tag=mh0b-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=3483228881&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3yxbpbmnym_e" target="_blank">Jefferson Bible</a> </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">has
been reprinted several times and still available today. Indeed, the
subtitle of the book is: “The Life and Morals of Jesus of
Nazareth”. Using his original name description instead of “Christ”.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What
prompted me to write about this is people sharing the myriad
commentary and memes on my </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010444231125" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">FaceBook</span></i></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
board. They seem to ignore the fact that religion is the product of
humans, not the Creator/God of the Old/New Testaments. Christianity
was not founded by </span></span><a href="http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8616-jesus-of-nazareth" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Jesus of Nazareth</b></span></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(aka </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus of
Galilee</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">),
but by his disciples who became apostles after his death. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Theology
of our world's religions has fascinated me, especially the religions
whose foundation and doctrine are based on an element of philosophy.
It is those religions that have lasted through the centuries with
'cult' or denomination offshoots sprouting along the way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Of
course, I have paid for my use of logic instead of blind faith
concerning religious clergy whose purpose of existence is to keep
their flock, either by fear or indoctrination or both. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a>I
have been the brunt of angry Christians who have displayed the
hypocrisies of professing of being a 'Christian'. Indeed, I have been
…<br />
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Told
my soul would be damned if I did not believe what they believed. If
there is anything that humans truly own is their souls, only being
compromised by their own decision(s). </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Declared
mentally ill by a professed Christian who has a history of mental
illness. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
brunt of anger from Christians because they could not effectively
backup their beliefs or even properly cite passages from the Bible.
Their information or rather their beliefs is whatever the clergy has
told them it is to be. Ironically, it is the clergy, not the Hebrew
(Jewish) populace that had Jesus arrested, pressing charges that
resulted in his execution the Roman judiciary. Romans were involved
because it was Roman law that justice be served via the Roman
governor and his soldiers. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am a Christian, but only in the sense that I follow the philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth, aka Jesus Christ, and only pray to the Creator who requires no mediator. I believe it is unjustifed that Jesus be deified and that he never intended for it to be so. It was the Apostles in their zeal to convert that deification was established and the Church later made it the canonized decree in Christian church doctrine. Jesus died as the result of the sins of the clergy who orchestrated his execution, not for the sins of every person then and now. Sins corrupt one's soul and one's soul is one thing that cannot be forsaken, destroyed, or compromized without one's permission. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In the natural law of the universe, there is a negative and a positive and darkness is only the absense of light; therefore if there be good there must be evil. </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><b>The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing</b></i>. <a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/burke/" target="_blank"><b>Edmind Burke</b></a></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Nowhere
in the New Testament can be found any information or declaration that
shows that Jesus founded a new/separate religion from that which was
Hebrew. That was performed by his disciples after his death. Indeed,
the disciples developed the early Christian Church, and by 315 AD it
had been so organized it was decided to make a centralized authority
and that all Christians get on the same page of its doctrine and
philosophy declared at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It was
modified further at the Council held in 391 AD. The gist of the
council's development of official Church doctrine was over the
question concerning Jesus being a deity. The 391 council pertained to
the meaning and description of what was called the Holy Spirit; which
in turn aided the founding of the Holy Roman Christian Church that
was governed by the Pope in Rome. That led to the schism that broke
the Church into a West and East faction; mostly over the declaration
by the Eastern Church (Constantinople) that the Roman Catholic Church
had taken up pagan idolatry with their statues of Mary, Joseph, and
the Saints. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From the beginning of the early Church,
the organization of followers of the philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth,
known as the 'Christ', developed controversy amongst them. Those
controversies would end up with a myriad of separated factions
referred to as 'cults', such as Protestants, Methodists, Baptists, et
cetera. All separating from the original Holy Roman Catholic Church
founded after the Councils of Nicaea that has come to be known as the
<a href="http://www.ancient-future.net/nicene.html" target="_blank"><i>Nicene Creed</i></a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is another creed that was written
and handed down before the Council of Nicaea and it is called the
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm" target="_blank"><i>ApostlesCreed</i></a>, 12 articles of faith that match the original 12
apostles. It was a creed that affirmed their faith and described that
faith/religion to others.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Both creeds, especially the Nicene
Creed are founded upon the argument of whether Jesus is God or human
or that God and the Son are one.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is never quoted in saying that he
was either, alluding himself to be a messenger and both the “son of
man” and the “son of god”. He often referred to God as his
father or 'the' father. Indeed, his last recorded words was “Father
forgive them for they know not what they do”. But Christians and
Jews alike refer the Creator as 'God” and 'Father'; providing the
Creator a visual description of being male. A Supreme Being, however,
would be sexless, like some have described the archangels mentioned
in the Old Testament. It is because of the logic of believing that
the Creator is a Supreme Being that is comprised of pure energy that
can change visual form if wanted to be seen.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With all of this argumentation within
the world of Christianity, no can justify the claim Jesus of
Nazareth's philosophy hasn't been profound in the development of a
'civilized' society. His words are rebellious, but adheres to his
Hebrew ancestry of faith in the Creator, one Supreme Being of the
universe. Few Christians do so today, but once the Church sanctioned
persecution of Jews (Hebrews), the name given by the Romans because
they were citizens of the Roman state of Judea (once combined into
the state of Israel). It can be truthfully said that no human in
recorded human history has had the impact upon people that Jesus of
Nazareth has had.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The men that founded what is now the
United States of America were Christians; but they wisely made an
amendment to offer citizens the liberty of exercising their faith and
that the government cannot sanction or create a state religion. It is
within the First Amendment that also declares the right of freedom of
speech.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our nation was founded on the
principles that made up Christianity, and its laws made from the Ten
Commandments that pertained to killing, lying and stealing – as
civilized societies do.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the Declaration of Independence,
Thomas Jefferson introduced the concept of <i>natural law</i>, as
“natural rights” - liberties that stem from the Creator and the
natural order of things like freedom of choice. <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=natural+law+thomas+aquinas&filters=ufn:%22natural+law+thomas+aquinas%22+sid:%2284373df1-6c76-8d2d-7cb6-39d01bff560d%22+catguid:%2279b263d6-fcc8-f16e-da94-1e247ec40462_6e3e4389%22+segment:%22generic.carousel%22&FORM=SNAPST" target="_blank"><b>Thomas Aquinas</b></a> wrote about natural law as well as <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=natural+law+john+locke&filters=ufn:%22natural+law+john+locke%22+sid:%22bdc57258-4e2d-b464-80df-6e4bb4af275d%22+catguid:%2279b263d6-fcc8-f16e-da94-1e247ec40462_6e3e4389%22+segment:%22generic.carousel%22&FORM=SNAPST" target="_blank"><b>John Locke</b></a>, <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=natural+law+jeremy+bentham&filters=ufn:%22natural+law+jeremy+bentham%22+sid:%229ef95c97-a90d-8784-08be-9aba9f3d57f6%22+catguid:%2279b263d6-fcc8-f16e-da94-1e247ec40462_6e3e4389%22+segment:%22generic.carousel%22&FORM=SNAPST" target="_blank"><b>Jeremy Bentham</b></a>, <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=natural+law+cicero&filters=ufn:%22natural+law+cicero%22+sid:%22535397cb-7b92-96c3-9f8d-388384ad8ded%22+catguid:%2279b263d6-fcc8-f16e-da94-1e247ec40462_6e3e4389%22+segment:%22generic.carousel%22&FORM=SNAPST" target="_blank"><b>Cicero</b></a>,
and <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=natural+law+hugo+grotius&filters=ufn:%22natural+law+hugo+grotius%22+sid:%2224d32208-29da-7039-5565-c97e7851e310%22+catguid:%2279b263d6-fcc8-f16e-da94-1e247ec40462_6e3e4389%22+segment:%22generic.carousel%22&FORM=SNAPST" target="_blank"><b>Hugo Grotius</b></a>. Freedom of choice is found in the first book of the
Bible entitled the <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/genesis/documents/bible_genesis_en.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Book of Genesis</b></i></a>. There it is told that the Creator
(<i>God</i>/<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elohim"><i>Elohim</i></a>)
was the first to introduce freedom of choice in the story of the
Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were told not to eat the fruit of a
certain tree, symbolic for carnal knowledge. They chose to disobey
and the result bore consequences. Therefore, as Jefferson wrote,
freedom of choice bears responsibility in accepting the consequences
of one's choice and actions. This is a paramount philosophy that is
lost to present generation in the United States.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jefferson refers to <a href="http://www.earlyamerica.com/early-america-review/volume-2/sir-william-blackstone-in-america/" target="_blank"><b>Sir William Blackstone</b></a>, an English jurist in writings explaining
what the Constitution is and what the nature of government should be
…</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>Man
... must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator.. This
will of his Maker is called the law of nature.... This law of
nature...is of course superior to any other.... No human laws are of
any validity, if contrary to this: and such of them as are valid
derive all their force...from this original</i></b><b>.</b></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Constitution does not or was never intended to 'grant' rights, but to
establish government laws (not government of men) in order to secure
(and declare) that each person is endowed (born with) rights to life,
liberty, and property established by the Creator. Among those laws is
the right to self defense against aggression and aggressive acts;
thus the Second Amendment was written. </span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Blackstone
also reiterated that concept used by Thomas Jefferson:</span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>For
as God, when he created matter, and endued it with a principle of
mobility, established certain rules for the...direction of that
motion; so, when he created man, and endued him with freewill to
conduct himself in all parts of life, he laid down certain immutable
laws of human nature, whereby that freewill is in some degree
regulated and restrained, and gave him also the faculty of reason to
discover the purport of those laws</b></i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></b>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thus
morality belongs in civic laws without an establishment of a state
religion or suppressing the rights of religions and those who follow
faiths other than Christianity. There has come to surface one
exception to this: Islam. Specifically it is what I have called
Islamic fascism. Muslims in Turkey, if they do not become polluted
with the ISIS/Islamic fascist movement, is a republic whose people
are primarily Muslim, but accept tolerance towards others.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Islam
has become an exception because of its doctrine and following certain
passages within their holy book, the Qur'an, because it demands
tolerance by others while acting upon a doctrine that provides
intolerance. It is because that intolerance is dictated by violent
doctrine and even justifies mass murder, rape and even slavery. It is
a 7</span></b><b><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></sup></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
century doctrine that has not evolved with civilization within this
century. As long as Islam continues upon this course, it has no place
in any civilized society, especially within a constitutional republic
such as the United States; countering the protection of the First
Amendment of the US Constitution. </span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Christians were persecuted in their
early formation of the Christian Church and later when the Church
became powerful, it persecuted people that disagreed with the
established doctrine and the Jews. The latter was falsely blamed for
the death of their Christ. It was the clergy who condemned Jesus to
his death because they feared people would follow him instead of
their established doctrine of the synagogue. There were Jews present
at Jesus' trial and execution, the latter mostly being family and
followers of Jesus.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once again, in the 21<sup>st</sup>
century, Christians are being persecuted at various levels of
violence and aggression by political entities and individuals and
especially by Islamic fascists. And since that element is bent upon
annihilating the Jewish state of Israel, it is a rebirth of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism" target="_blank"><i>Nazism</i></a>
that provided an example of <i>fascism</i>. As an added note, fascism
is attributed to “right-wing” politics, which is incorrect.
Fascism is Nazism, which is 'national socialism' with the addition of
racial supremacy. Socialism is definitely “left-wing” in the
analysis of the term that involves into a more radical leftist
ideology called <a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marx/" target="_blank"><i>Communism</i></a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In my final analysis, I side with
Christians and Jews in their fight against evil aggressors; but at
the same time I only accept logic over mythological doctrine that has
been maintained by the clergy and the organized church hierarchy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus was concerned with the spiritual
world and the endeavor of maintaining the purity of one's soul;
leaving worldly matters to political individuals and entities like
<a href="http://www.biography.com/people/pontius-pilate-9440686" target="_blank"><b>Pontius Pilate</b></a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once upon a time I would have been
imprisoned, tortured, and executed for 'heresy'; but today I must be
the brunt of unkind and unjustified accusations and foul/rude
rhetoric by people that profess to be holy Christians and post things
that include foul language and everything that is against what Jesus
actually said and not what people have made in their own or clergy's
interpretations of what he meant.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The dangers to Christianity is not just
the evil of Islamic fascism and sociocrats wishing to expel it from
public sight, but the hypocrisy and ignorance of Christians
concerning their own doctrine and mythical explanations.<br />
I am a creature of philosophical theology, fighting to balance between logic and consciousness (emotion) that Creator has bestowed upon all of us. I am a student of <a href="http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism" target="_blank">Judaism</a>, <a href="http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity" target="_blank">Christianity</a>, and <a href="http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism" target="_blank">Buddhism</a> thought that recognizes truth in their scriptures and guidance to live in the material dimension looking forward to the spiritual dimension. Choosing to glean logical thinking from them like Jefferson did. I believe everyone possesses a soul that is an energy that remains when the material body becomes dust. <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/albert-einstein" target="_blank"><b>Albert Einstein</b></a> stated:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h4 class="quoteText">
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.</h4>
</blockquote>
<div class="quoteText">
Therefore, the soul (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_concept_of_the_soul" target="_blank"><i>Ka</i></a>) is an energy that changes form when forced to leave the physical body.</div>
<div class="quoteText">
But that is another <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2014/04/life-and-soul.html" target="_blank">discussion</a>. </div>
<div class="quoteText">
</div>
<div class="quoteText">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-39703281013592388102015-08-16T07:32:00.000-05:002015-08-16T07:32:39.826-05:00Morality is Consciousness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU2bJh5Bgs8/VdCClBmaoTI/AAAAAAAAN6A/ISsnEoFkwok/s1600/Morals%2Band%2BReligion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU2bJh5Bgs8/VdCClBmaoTI/AAAAAAAAN6A/ISsnEoFkwok/s320/Morals%2Band%2BReligion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-45496188834481417752015-03-10T19:18:00.000-05:002015-10-04T07:29:24.680-05:00Suppressio Veri : Tolerance or Submission?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYLLH6ZdjQE/SyYqZle8dXI/AAAAAAAAAaE/arxTXjJHofw/s1600/Veritas-et-Theologium_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYLLH6ZdjQE/SyYqZle8dXI/AAAAAAAAAaE/arxTXjJHofw/s1600/Veritas-et-Theologium_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Christianity has evolved in terms of
its church doctrine and Christian theocracy is extinct. Witches no
longer are burned at the stake nor does the Inquisition no longer
exist. The general concept is to follow the teachings of <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank">Jesus of Nazareth</a>, who even stopped a stoning session against a woman accused
of adultery. He did this not just on a humanitarian level, but to
emphasize that it is better to change a person other ways than
punishment by being stoned to death. He was more concerned about spirtuality than materialism. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIfRONsUpTY/VP-GM8sGkyI/AAAAAAAANAI/X5WWuWmBHwQ/s1600/Mustafa-Kemal-Ataturk056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIfRONsUpTY/VP-GM8sGkyI/AAAAAAAANAI/X5WWuWmBHwQ/s1600/Mustafa-Kemal-Ataturk056.jpg" width="141" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Kemal_Atat%C3%BCrk"><b>Mustafa
Kemal Atat</b><b>ü</b><b>rk</b></a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Islam evolved in some ways and a good
example of such is the <a href="http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/turkey.htm" target="_blank">Republic of Turkey</a> whose first Turkish president, <b>Mustafa
Kemal Atat</b><b>ü</b><b>rk</b>
(1881-1938) modernized Turkey (<i>Turkeii</i>), separated religion
from the affairs of the state, promoted tolerance, outlawed the
wearing of the veil for women, instituted a Western government
complete with a parliament, and modified the penal code after the
Italian Penal Code, provided freedom for women, reformed the
educational system that included changing written language from
Arabic to a Latin alphabet. He also instituted the State Art and
Sculpture Museum which highlighted sculpture, forbidden in Islamic
traditions as idolatry. </span>Atat<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ü</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">rk
used the advice of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dewey" target="_blank">Dewey</a> in teaching methods at primary educational
levels, establishing gender equality and making it important for
females to be educated. He also orchestrated the translation of
scientific terminology into Turkish. It became a model of what an
Islamic state could be with a much lower rate of illiteracy than
other Islamic states. Even the <i>Qur'an</i> was published in the Turkish
language, rather than Arabic; some editions having both like the
Egyptian 1938 publication of Arabic and English Qur'an. The first
Turkish <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20030418082022/http://www.deltur.cec.eu.int/english/guncel/ghaber-jan00_18.html" target="_blank">operatic work</a> was commissioned in 1934 and in the same year granted
full political rights to women, beyond the previous law that provided
equal rights in marriage. Indeed, in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_general_election,_1935" target="_blank">1935 elections</a>, there were 18 female MPs out of a total of 395
representatives – <a href="http://commonslibraryblog.com/2013/11/18/the-history-and-geography-of-women-mps-since-1918-in-numbers" target="_blank">more than</a> the nine in the British House of Commons and six in the US
House of Representatives. Atat</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ü</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">rk's
foreign policy was “</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_at_Home,_Peace_in_the_World" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Peace at Home, Peace in the World</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">”. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTLwC_oA674/S6ERvRWBEFI/AAAAAAAAIDo/viZCs59f9Ls/s1600/163553nur9s1460u.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTLwC_oA674/S6ERvRWBEFI/AAAAAAAAIDo/viZCs59f9Ls/s1600/163553nur9s1460u.gif" width="197" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The point of all
this is that Muslims CAN live in peace with its neighbors and as long
as Islam is not a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theocracy" target="_blank">theocracy</a>, separated from civic laws and state
business. It can be a religion of tolerance, to a point. For example,
there are Christians and Jews in Turkey – but no religion can
publicly solicit – like passing out flyers to convert people, for
example. Other than that, Christians and Jews are not harassed and
being Turkish citizens they have all the rights of the Muslim
majority. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Recent political
pressures may change that, but Turkey is not part of what horrors are
occurring elsewhere in Islamic nations. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In the United
States and Europe, politicians insist that Islam is a religion of
peace. It could be if the majority were not still insisting upon
theocracy and a dogma/doctrine still in the 7</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
century. They have chosen not to go the way that Turkey had when it
gained independence and the Ottoman Empire was dissolved. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">President Obama
has <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/16/statement-president-death-abdul-rahman-kassig" target="_blank">told us</a> and in foreign speeches that <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/full-text-of-president-obamas-speech-outlining-strategy-to-defeat-islamic-state/2014/09/10/af69dec8-3943-11e4-9c9f-ebb47272e40e_story.html" target="_blank">ISIS</a> (Islamic State) “is not Islamic” because its “actions
represent no faith, least of all the Muslim faith”. He <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/02/18/remarks-president-closing-summit-countering-violent-extremism">states</a>
that “we are not at war with Islam but with the people who have
perverted Islam”. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/guideDesc.asp?catid=124&type=issue&sa=U&ei=8Xv_VKW2M4LDggT8jIGoBw&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFB75T2m8uoGEjGOZxipwh9kGB9Pg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Daniel Pipes</b></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> provides a <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/danielpipes/2015/03/10/why-politicians-pretend-islam-has-no-role-in-violence-n1968566/page/full" target="_blank">list</a>
of politicians side-stepping the issue from American leadership:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>Secretary of
State John Kerry echoes him: <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/09/10/john_kerry_isil_a_hateful_ideology_that_has_nothing_to_do_with_islam.html" target="_blank">ISIS</a>
<a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/09/232019.htm" target="_blank">consists</a>
of "coldblooded killers masquerading as a religious movement"
who promote a "hateful ideology has nothing do with Islam."
His spokesperson, <a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/08/213032.htm" target="_blank">Jen Psaki</a>, goes further: the terrorists "are enemies of Islam."</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b><a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/social-affairs/20141113/homeland-security-secretary-jeh-johnson-visits-islamic-center-in-rowland-heights" target="_blank">Jeh Johnson</a>, the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, assents: "ISIS
is not Islamic." My favorite: <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/01/07/howard_dean_on_paris_attack_i_stopped_calling_these_people_muslim_terrorists.html">Howard
Dean</a>, the former Democrat governor of Vermont, says of the
</b></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>Charlie Hebdo</b></i></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>
attackers, "They're about as Muslim as I am."</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The same diatribe
comes from our European counterparts of Western Civilization. </span>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>Summarizing
these statements, which come straight out of the Islamist playbook:
Islam is purely a religion of peace, so violence and barbarism
categorically have nothing to do with it; indeed, these "masquerade"
and "pervert" Islam. By implication, more Islam is needed
to solve these "monstrous" and "barbaric"
problems</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>But,
of course, this interpretation neglects the scriptures of Islam and
the history of Muslims, steeped in the assumption of superiority
toward non-Muslims and the <a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/2664/jihad-through-history" target="_blank">righteous violence of </a></b></i></span><a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/2664/jihad-through-history" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>jihad</b></i></span></i></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>.
Ironically, ignoring the Islamic impulse means foregoing the best
tool to defeat jihadism: for, if the problem results not from an
interpretation of Islam, but from random evil and irrational
impulses, how can one possibly counter it? Only acknowledging the
legacy of <a href="http://yalepress.yale.edu/book.asp?isbn=0300106033" target="_blank">Islamic imperialism</a> opens ways to re-interpret the faith's scriptures in
modern, moderate, and good-neighborly ways</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">.
</span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Simply put, it is
because Islamic clerical leadership that is also part of the civic
leadership refuse to move beyond the 7</span><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
century. The Christian clerical hierarchy went against what Jesus of
Nazareth, the Christ, had taught. He was a reformer, spiritual and
doctrinal. He did not try to do away with the traditional holy days
and feasts, but did away with the practice of sacrificing lambs and
used words instead of stones to make a person see their sinful ways. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Daniel Pipes</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
<a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/danielpipes/2015/03/10/why-politicians-pretend-islam-has-no-role-in-violence-n1968566/page/full" target="_blank">wrote</a>
that there are <a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/12604/islam-role-terror" target="_blank">two major reasons</a> why politicians refuse to accept or pretend
something is that isn't when it comes to the subject of Islam:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>First, they
want not to offend Muslims, who they fear are more prone to violence
if they perceive non-Muslims pursuing a "war on Islam."
Second, they worry that focusing on Muslims means fundamental changes
to the secular order, while denying an Islamic element permits avoid
troubling issues. <a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/7866/airport-security-theater" target="_blank">For example</a>, it permits airplane security to look for passengers'
weapons rather than engage in Israeli-style interrogations</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">.
</span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pipes also
predicts:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>Denial will
continue unless violence increases. In retrospect, the 3,000 victims
of 9/11 did not shake non-Muslim complacency. The <a href="http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/" target="_blank">nearly 30,000</a> fatalities from Islamist terrorism since then also have
not altered the official line. Perhaps 300,000 dead will cast aside
worries about Islamist sensibilities and a reluctance to make
profound social changes, replacing these with a determination to
fight a radical utopian ideology; three million dead will surely
suffice</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. </span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In other words,
politicians tend to wait until the matter is so extreme it is hard to
address and more costly if war is involved. Too often, as we can see
in our own history, we have waited until the enemy has grown so
strong no choice is given. In this case, the enemy is already here,
(and in Europe) working its way into our system. Sharia law is not
Turkish law, and for good reason.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWD3Q6xwbPk/TxAVYv5RKjI/AAAAAAAAHz8/gLzfTlhdEmo/s1600/ArkofCovenant_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWD3Q6xwbPk/TxAVYv5RKjI/AAAAAAAAHz8/gLzfTlhdEmo/s1600/ArkofCovenant_animated.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Israel has a right
to exist and our leadership or the leadership of Europe should not
take the side of the enemy of free nations at the expense of Israel.
One would think after World War II that anti-semitism would have
become extinct. The United Nations is at fault, in part, in that
respect – it is being overtaken by tyrants and Islamists whose goal
is a global central government officiated by the United Nations,
whose national representatives are not elected by the people. The UN
has caused more harm that it has done good. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">There are
'radicals' who call themselves 'Christian' – individuals and small
sects; however Christianity does not promote genocide and while they
may tell someone that a certain action is 'sinful', they do not rape,
torture, and murder that person or persons that commits sin (Ten
Commandments). Yet, Christians are constantly rebuked and persecuted
(certainly not tolerant); and our leadership here in a nation that is
supposed to be a role model for freedom and the “land of the free
and home of the brave” are groveling to a religious group whose
actions constantly seen in the news to be evil beyond imagination.
That religious group uses its doctrine of Jihad, which is nothing but
a religious excuse for conquest, to justify those evil actions.
Christians and Jews are being murdered in horrific ways in other
places, but our leadership has turned its head when terrorist cells,
Jihad training camps, and subversive institutions that are allowed to
operate in our country. It is <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp?id=291&sa=U&ei=8Xv_VKW2M4LDggT8jIGoBw&ved=0CAkQFjAE&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHGeRDV9Ah80wMnkI1Dqqkftw4DMw" target="_blank">delusional and cowardice </a>not to prevent the enemy of free nations to be
allowed to build up strength and political clout here in our
homeland. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The United States
was the first nation that provided the right of religious freedom in
our First Amendment. But those rights are only valid for tolerant and
non-violent religions. If a religion has practices or doctrine that
counters another liberty, then it is null and void. For example, if
an organization or group decides that their religion calls for the
sacrifice of virgins. Should that be tolerated? No. Religion does not
give anyone the right to murder.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So why is our
government putting up with what is happening here? Why does the media whitewash the violent deeds of these evil persons?</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Why are they not
in outrage over what is happening to Christians in other places,
occurring in nations that are part of the United Nations membership? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It is time for
strong, sensible leadership that if war is the only answer to
eradicate such evil, et it be waged swiftly and with the intent to
end it in victory. War should be the last action after all possible
methods have been tried; but in this case national leadership here in
Europe falsely think that pacifism is going to provide incentive.
When it comes to evil, it only strengthens their resolve and
determination to eradicate everything that represents good.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">President Obama,
in one of his most insane remarks, stated that Islam was fundamental
from the beginning of our nation's creation. It is an example how
progressives rewrite history, like all despotic political factions,
to match their political and social ideology. I am sure I was not
alone when my stomach turned when watching and hearing our president
state such an untruth.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Our nation was
conceived under Christian-Judaic principles, but the Founders knew
the dangers of a theocracy or anything resembling it. Thus the words
in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Text">First
Amendment</a> concerning religion:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
…</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Ronald Reagan</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">,
<a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/RR10_26_84.html" target="_blank">Temple Hillel speech</a>, 1984:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #29303b;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><b>We
establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever. We command
no worship. We mandate no belief. But we poison our society when we
remove its theological underpinnings. We court corruption when we
leave it bereft of belief. All are free to believe or not believe;
all are free to practice a faith or not. But those who believe must
be free to speak of and act on their belief</b></i></span></span><span style="color: #29303b;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Any religion,
religious people, or religious entities who are intolerant cannot
expect tolerance in return. Any religion that promotes violence in
the name of that religion cannot be tolerated in a free society,
especially in the United States that has constitutional law; and can only expect intolerance and retribution in return.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">What part of this
cannot be understood by the apologetics within our federal
government?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i>veritas vos liberabit</i> -- <i>the truth shall make you free</i>.</b>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="15" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-69011155715704650512015-02-28T12:52:00.000-06:002015-06-18T05:59:09.404-05:00Treatise: Personal Thoughts on Religion, Tolerance, and the Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LNYHZLtLLA/SyS80Ncm3JI/AAAAAAAAAXk/JfA69qo1xmA/s1600/WorldReligions_BookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LNYHZLtLLA/SyS80Ncm3JI/AAAAAAAAAXk/JfA69qo1xmA/s1600/WorldReligions_BookCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results" target="_blank">writing chapters</a>, <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results" target="_blank">essays</a> and a
<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2014/06/renewed-crusades-not-learning-from.html" target="_blank">treatise</a> about the world's religions, from the point of views of
people of a particular religion I discussed, I would like to set
aside some time to write about my conclusions concerning the
spiritual aspect of life that many have turned into a religion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First, I would like to say that it has
confounded me that during a long period of history, that Christians
and Muslims cannot seem to get along for any period of time – and
too often demonstrated during that history that some Christians (groups) and
Muslims look upon Hebrews (Jews) as a scapegoat and inferior “race”.
With that concept in mind, it already begins with misinformation in
that being Jewish is not a race, but a Hebrew religion that is much
older than both Christianity and Islam. In regards to history, Islam
is the newcomer on the scene. Literally, a "Jew" can be of any race believing in Judaism. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am a realist and put it upon myself
to be as logical in any concept I believe and write about. Indeed, I
was raised as a Christian, my mother being of Baptist denomination.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have covered a broad scope through my
writings within the chapters of the book, <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results" target="_blank"><i>Phenomenology of World Religions</i></a>, but have only uncovered the surface for throughout the
history of humanity there have been byproducts of major religions
generally called “cults”.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5zWi_SUH_0/VPINKKGkLjI/AAAAAAAAM5A/POjbo1sdwXQ/s1600/GenevaBible.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5zWi_SUH_0/VPINKKGkLjI/AAAAAAAAM5A/POjbo1sdwXQ/s1600/GenevaBible.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Geneva Bible</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you read the Gospels of the <i>New
Testament </i>in the <a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/" target="_blank"><i>Holy Bible</i></a>, comprised of two sections:
Old and New, the “Old” Testament being what was written by the
original monotheistic people, the Children of Israel, Judah, and
Palestine. Monotheism, as you have read in my chapter on Egyptology
or the religion of ancient Egypt, was not the only religious movement
moving toward monotheism. In the case of ancient Egypt, monotheism
did not last long because the priests were a powerful and organized
institution that liked the old ways of paganism.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcN3agtuTX8/VPINWee_JbI/AAAAAAAAM5I/hbMGepUZq2Y/s1600/Jesus-praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcN3agtuTX8/VPINWee_JbI/AAAAAAAAM5I/hbMGepUZq2Y/s1600/Jesus-praying.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you read the quoted words of<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank"> Jesus of Nazareth</a>, nothing in those words, parables and phrases does it
imply that he considered himself divine. Yet, when followers of
Christ instituted organized Christianity and built churches, they did
not honor Jesus of Nazareth just as a messenger, a prophet and a
religious mentor; but insisted that he would be provided with
divinity. The story of the miracle birth of Jesus is one factor, and
I am not going to dispel that belief; however, I have not come across
any proof that he intended to found a separate religion from that of
his and his parents' Hebrew faith. Jesus of Nazareth, like his
parents, kept the traditional feasts and religious rites and
holidays, one of which was Passover, as described in the scene of the
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14341a.htm" target="_blank"><i>Last Supper</i></a> Jesus had with his disciples that included <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2013/01/chapter-27-non-canonical-gospel-of-mary.html" target="_blank"><b>Mary Magdalene</b></a>.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNUKKBWCOuQ/VPINqv0BnVI/AAAAAAAAM5Q/ZqKChyyq_3U/s1600/Virgin%2BMary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNUKKBWCOuQ/VPINqv0BnVI/AAAAAAAAM5Q/ZqKChyyq_3U/s1600/Virgin%2BMary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Mary of Bethlehem</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
More than 600 years after the
crucifixion of Jesus, and after Christianity spread throughout North
Africa and other places in the western known world, <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2012/04/chapter-12-islam-people-of-book.html" target="_blank">Muhammed</a> surfaced as a prophet for the tribal desert people who were, like the
<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2009/12/chapter-2-ancient-greek-hebrew-religion.html" target="_blank">Hebrews</a>, descendants of the <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2009/12/phenomenology-chapter-4-hebrews_19.html" target="_blank">ancient peoples</a>, like Abraham. Which
means that when Muslims persecute and kill Jews, they are literally
killing their cousins.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Muhammed saw that the paganism that was
dominate in Medina and elsewhere was a falling out from the original
monotheistic religion that was established by the Hebrews; and he
would write in what has become the <a href="http://quran.com/" target="_blank"><i>Holy Qur'an</i></a>, that the
Hebrews (Jews) had fallen by the way, just as the followers of<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank"> Jesus of Nazareth</a>, renamed the <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2012/03/chapter-20-christology-unitarianism.html" target="_blank"><i>Christ</i></a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus, both Jesus and Muhammed were
reformers.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR2MHVMnOFA/VPIN8oi2H-I/AAAAAAAAM5Y/htL51ycOI6A/s1600/Geneva%2BBible%2B-%2Btitle%2Bpage.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR2MHVMnOFA/VPIN8oi2H-I/AAAAAAAAM5Y/htL51ycOI6A/s1600/Geneva%2BBible%2B-%2Btitle%2Bpage.png" width="217" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the case of<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank"> <i>Jesus the Christ</i></a>,
he did not promote the traditional animal sacrifice, as Jews had
practiced in the day. He conveyed that belief in the one God, the
Father, was needed, not the sacrifice of a lamb as prescribed by the
<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank">Patriarchs</a>. Jesus approached the explanation of how to live one's
life with his parables and emphasized that the spiritual world is
more important than the material plane. He live in a violent world
that was dominated by Roman rule across the known world, excluding
East Asia; but he taught pacifism and told anyone who would listen
that people must be concerned with their own souls before condemning
another person's soul. Material elements of the living world were
insignificant compared to the rewards of the spiritual world by those
who acknowledge God and obey his commandments. Nothing in the texts
of the New Testament does it say or allude to any violence against
“nonbelievers”. I do not venerate Jesus of Nazareth because I
believe in the First Commandment. Unfortunately, Christians have
become too blind that they cannot see that God is the Father of all,
not just Jesus. This is overlooked by people who do not read the
scriptures for its content instead of the mysticism sprinkled
throughout. It is why Thomas Jefferson created his own copy of the
Bible with the cut-and-paste method that highlighted the
philosophical wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth, excluding the mysticism.
That customized Bible is in the Library of Congress and has been
published for modern readers to examine, entitled, “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Bible" target="_blank">Jefferson's Bible</a>”.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0szmtsjhPg/VPIOINWACWI/AAAAAAAAM5g/nSBz7cXT0ds/s1600/220px-HolyQuran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0szmtsjhPg/VPIOINWACWI/AAAAAAAAM5g/nSBz7cXT0ds/s1600/220px-HolyQuran.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Muhammed left written texts, while
Jesus did not – relying upon his disciples to record events and his
words. It is not known if that was because Jesus was illiterate or
just depended upon his “fishers of men” to record words and
events accurately.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Muhammed knew the tales of <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Virgin Mary</span></i></a> and about Jesus of Nazareth, as well as the ancient
history of the Hebrews; as mentioned in his texts. Nothing in his
writings indicated that he meant to be looked upon as a divine
individual – and in that, Muhammed and Jesus have something in
common. Indeed, in one text, he insists to his followers that he is
merely a man of God [<i>Allah</i>] and he will die as any other
would.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGzSsM1nI0A/VPIOOxe-_0I/AAAAAAAAM5o/7nwHrydSJ9o/s1600/170px-FirstSurahKoran_(fragment).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGzSsM1nI0A/VPIOOxe-_0I/AAAAAAAAM5o/7nwHrydSJ9o/s1600/170px-FirstSurahKoran_(fragment).jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Muhammed referred to Christians and
Hebrews [Jews] as “People of the Book” meaning the texts found in
the Old Testament that coincides with the <a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/63255/jewish/The-Bible-with-Rashi.htm"><i>Tanakh</i></a><span style="font-style: normal;">,
which includes the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah"><i>Torah</i></a><span style="font-style: normal;">.
The contents of the canonical Torah are: </span><i>Genesis</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
</span><i>Exodus</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, </span><i>Leviticus</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
</span><i>Numbers</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, and
</span><i>Deuteronomy</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. The
Hebrew Bible has been translated from the original Hebrew in its
history in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Aramaic" target="_blank">Aramaic</a>,
Greek, Latin, Arabic, and English. The Tanakh also includes the
Pentateuch, the source of the books: </span><i>Joshua</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
</span><i>Judges</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, </span><i>Samuel</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
</span><i>Jeremiah</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, and </span><i>Kings</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.
During the course of its compilation books like Daniel and Ezra were
added, originally written in Aramaic, a language adopted after the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_exile" target="_blank">Babylonian exile</a>. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">The
New Testament was compiled largely by the original disciples of
Christ, a collection of the biography of Jesus of Nazareth and
letters/speeches created to spread the wisdom of Jesus – as they
had promised.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Muslims,
like Christians, have venerated their founder. In today's world it is
blasphemous and constitutes a death sentence for anyone depicting
Muhammad, even if not in an insulting way. It comes from the
tradition passed from Muhammad that the likeness of anyone is a sign
of vanity and prevents veneration of an individual in history –
thus their art and architecture reflects this doctrine across the
Islamic world.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Christianity
became divided over such a subject. While Rome took on the art
culture of the pagans and replaced pagan statuary with icons of
Mother Mary, Jesus on the Cross, and the Saints – the eastern
<a href="http://copticchurch.net/" target="_blank">Coptic Church</a>, forbid such
idolatry. When Constantinople fell, so did Christian power in the
east, along with the Byzantine Empire; with only the Coptic Church
remaining, the largest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Orthodox_Church_of_Alexandria" target="_blank">Coptic Church in Alexandria</a>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Today,
history repeats itself as Christians are raped, tortured, and
murdered and their churches desecrated, burned, and destroyed. These
acts of crimes against humanity are committed by the same Islamic
Jihadists who are determined to finish what Nazi Germany began in the
1940s. They are determined to spread their religion by the “sword”
and create theocracies beyond their original homelands. They demand
tolerance but offer intolerance in return. They are indiscriminate in
who they violate and murder – women, children, Christians, Muslims,
and Jews. The Buddha and Hindu are also in danger. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Christianity
in Europe has a dark period in its history, it is true. But unlike
the Islamic Jihad movement that lives in the ideologies and theocracy
of the 7</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">
century – Christianity has reformed itself. What little negative
news about Christians comes from minor and inconsequential Christian
cults that have surfaced in a very small scale; unlike the large
scale we read about in the news almost daily concerning Islamic
Jihadists. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">The
Founders of the United States and the creators of the articles of the
Constitution and its amendments saw the importance of tolerance in
the First Amendment that includes the freedom of speech clause.
However, that tolerance cannot be adhered to when a group or religion
has a doctrine/dogma that promotes violence against other religions
and a policy of intolerance. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">As far
as my personal conviction (which I have tried to objectively leave
out when writing about the religions of our planet), there is a
Creator within the vast universe; and like the <a href="http://www.gnosis.org/gnintro.htm" target="_blank">Gnostics</a>
believe there is more than just one dimension. The universe, life
itself, is too astounding and miraculous to have been created by
“accident”; yet, I believe in the basic concept of evolution and
that in order to survive, species must evolve or die and the rule of
evolution is that the original specie dies out leaving an evolved
specie. This rules out the man-evolved-from- ape theory because they
still exist as a specie.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">I also
believe that prayer should be reserved to the Creator – no
intermediate is necessary; whether it be a messenger of God or a
priest. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">And,
as far as the soul, there is more evidence of its existence than
evidence that it does not exist; and that it resides in the energy
source of the body, the brain. Thus, if one has a “near-death”
experience and the heart just stops, the “door” to the alternate
plane where the soul travels is not seen because death is not final
until the brain is dead. It has been alluded from scientific analysis
that the soul actually has weight because after the brain dies out,
the body loses 21 grams (¾ ounce) in weight. That ounce does not
include the air expelled from the lungs and release of bodily fluids.
This experiment was conducted in Massachusetts (1901) by Dr. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_MacDougall_(doctor)" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Duncan McDougal</b></span></a><span style="font-style: normal;">. It also
shows that the release of the soul is not instantaneous; but the
statement that only humans have souls is discounted from eye-witness
accounts and scientific examination has proved that if animals, such
as the domesticated dog, becomes an afterlife spirit, than indeed
they may have a soul. Whether it is because they have become
domesticated and loved as part of the family all their lives, I do
not know – but tend to believe they do from an experience after the
death of the family dog when I was young. An interesting video on
</span><i>YouTube</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> covers the
astounding discovery of Dr. McDougal. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/qRlFnl-RJjE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qRlFnl-RJjE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">It
seems when studying and researching religion, there can be no
absolute whether what we believe is true or false or partially true.
Some believe in an afterlife, some believe in an intermediary between
human and God, the Creator; while others believe they must
reincarnate until their soul is purified enough to travel to the next
or other dimension – or travel from dimension to dimension until
reaching the final goal after the cycle of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana" target="_blank"><i>Nirvana</i></a><span style="font-style: normal;">.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Whatever
be the case, I firmly believe that no religion should have a doctrine
or dogma that promotes violence against “unbelievers”, and no
Creator, certainly not the true God, can possibly condone such acts
against each other over religion and political superiority.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">It is
time for Islam to join the 21</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">st</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">
century with Christians and leave the 7</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">
century theocracy to the files of history; and those who do not
believe in Islamic Jihadism, rise up with others and defeat such
people that live in hypocrisy, intolerance, and violence.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="15" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-65496678983904680202015-01-21T18:47:00.002-06:002015-01-21T18:47:42.062-06:00History and Evolution of Early Christian Hymnals
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFLwM3zIrlw/Txv4bGHzR2I/AAAAAAAAByU/UqB0rw37Z8Y/s1600/Andover-Harvard%2BDivinity%2BLibrary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFLwM3zIrlw/Txv4bGHzR2I/AAAAAAAAByU/UqB0rw37Z8Y/s1600/Andover-Harvard%2BDivinity%2BLibrary.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">When
one examines the rise of Christianity and literary development from
scattered early text, from the period of its inception through the
disciples-turned-apostle after the crucifixion of <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank">Jesus of Nazareth</a>
one can see a growth form the original followers to a number in the
millions as Gentiles became the prime converts over the Jewish
population. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">In
that respect examining what is available in Greek and Latin text, one
wonders about the origin of hymns that developed along with
Christianity, especially as organized Christianity became more
complex after the <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/382119/Edict-of-Milan" target="_blank">Edict of Milan</a> in 313 and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11044a.htm" target="_blank">First Council of Nicaea</a> in 325;
where doctrine was prescribed and text was filtered for its
authenticity and incorporation into Canon that became the Holy
Bible divided between Old and New Testaments.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLXSbgYNRvE/VMBFv2ZytuI/AAAAAAAAMgI/1VgSTf4biWY/s1600/Constantine-the-Great.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLXSbgYNRvE/VMBFv2ZytuI/AAAAAAAAMgI/1VgSTf4biWY/s1600/Constantine-the-Great.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Constantine the Great</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Christianity
has experienced a complex historical background from the fairly
peaceful and constructive period of the Augustan era, when
Christianity was founded, and through the period of persecution to
the reign of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm" target="_blank">Constantine the Great</a>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Civilization
of that period was influenced by the Hellenistic period of
civilization and Greek as well as oriental culture were woven like a
fabric into Christian society. Indeed, the change in point of view
and what was sacred and what was not accepted were based upon the
opinion of the commentator of the text written at the time. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Early
Christian 'hymnody' or 'hymnology', which is what the study of hymns
and their origin, have become subordinate to the general history of
Christian hymns. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MANUEL-DARCHEOLOGIE-CHRETIENNE-2-volumes/dp/B001JAX3UO/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421878245&sr=1-3"><b>H.
Leclercq</b></a>, wrote <i>Hymnes</i>, an article in the <i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dictionnaire
D' Archéologie Chrétienne et de Liturgie</span></i>, a short
section on hymnology of the first three centuries. [Paris, 1925, vol.
16, 2826-2928]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><a href="http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Kroll"><b>Josef
Kroll</b></a>, a classical philologist, wrote <a href="http://www.mohr.de/en/nc/theology/series/detail/buch/ferdinand-christian-baur-und-die-geschichte-des-fruehen-christentums.html"><i>Die
Hymnendichtung des frühen Christentums</i></a> [among other books]
that was finally <a href="http://www.mohr.de/en/nc/theology/series/detail/buch/ferdinand-christian-baur-und-die-geschichte-des-fruehen-christentums.html">translated
for English readers</a> because of the independent and precise
research given.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Original
hymns in the form of poetry in the Old Testament <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Psalms-Translation-Commentary/dp/0393337049" target="_blank"><i>Book of Psalms</i></a>,
celebrated by Hebrew and Christians alike since the founding of
Christianity, are referenced in the New Testament and familiar to
many. The influence of Hebrew psalms in the composition of Christian
hymns is evident in the Gospels. Some examples of Old Testament
psalms and phrases repeated in lyrical text are:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Holly,
holy, holy is the Lord of hosts</i>. [Book of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+6:3&version=KJV">Isaiah
6:3</a>]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>My
heart rejoiceth in the Lord</i> [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+2:1-10&version=KJV">I
Samuel 2:1-10</a>]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/spb/spb43.htm"><i>Blessed
art Thou, O Lord of our fathers</i></a> … <i>O all ye works of the
Lord, bless ye the Lord</i>, from Book of Daniel, that became
Latinized in <i>Benedictus es Domine</i> and <i>Benedicite omnia
opera</i>. It became prayers and part of hymnal lyrical text.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W4zD3bRCya8/VMBIHZiF6fI/AAAAAAAAMgg/ZncAxvs0cPU/s1600/Early%2BChristian%2BChurch%2B-%2BWorship%2Bin%2BCatacombs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W4zD3bRCya8/VMBIHZiF6fI/AAAAAAAAMgg/ZncAxvs0cPU/s1600/Early%2BChristian%2BChurch%2B-%2BWorship%2Bin%2BCatacombs.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">When
the Christian Church became divided between East and West, both
officiated the Old Testament canticles, but the Greek Church kept
them in “metrical compositions” - canons features of Greek
hymnology of the 7<sup>th</sup> Century. [<b>J. Julian</b>,
<a href="http://www.hymnology.co.uk/"><i>Dictionary of Hymnology</i></a>,
London, 1892; p. 461 & 463]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Transition
examples to the canticles of the New Testament, incorporated into
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02473a.htm"><i>Benedictus</i></a>:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Blessed
be the Lord God of Israel</i> [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1:68-79&version=KJV">Gospel
of Luke 1:68-79</a>]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Lord,
now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace</i> [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2:29-32&version=NKJV">Gospel
of Luke 2:29-32</a>]</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Early
Christian hymns used words of the Virgin Mother coupled with song
concerning the angelic host at Jesus' birth – <i>Gloria in excelsis</i>
– becoming a traditional Christmas mass song and recital … <i>Glory
to God in the highest</i> [<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&version=KJV">Gospel
of Luke 2:14</a>]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">In
the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+7:4-8&version=KJV">Book
of Revelation 4:8</a>, reference is made to the words of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+6:3&version=KJV">Isaiah
6:3</a>, and used in classic hymns …</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty</i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JDqpYhPJoo/VMBG0rkBheI/AAAAAAAAMgQ/tN9Cu_T7BXA/s1600/St.%2BPaul%2B-%2BApostle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JDqpYhPJoo/VMBG0rkBheI/AAAAAAAAMgQ/tN9Cu_T7BXA/s1600/St.%2BPaul%2B-%2BApostle.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>St. Paul, Apostle</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.apostlepaul.net/"><b>Apostle
Paul</b></a> and other authors of books and letters in the New
Testament, quoted from Old Testament sources and used portions of
hymns to emphasize their devotional message and doctrine. The Book of
Revelation, as mentioned previously, with its apocalyptic vision,
contains several hymns of praise, which demonstrate content of early
hymns and the practice of putting psalms and phrases into songs of
worship. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Poetic
inspired spontaneous composition into hymns. The Greeks had
improvised for centuries before Christianity dating back to Homer.
Oriental Hellenism was historically famous for it that rise from
inspiration of individuals and by turning it into lyrics with musical
accompaniment can be more readily remembered. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Hymns
were used by early Christians for special events. <a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/irenaeus.html"><b>Irenaeus</b></a>,
Father of the Church and Bishop of Lyons in the 2<sup>nd</sup>
Century, referred to a scene at Pentecost where there was singing of
a hymn for the occasion. [<i>Contra Haereses</i>, III, xvii, 2]</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swhgPwOn5zM/VMBHb_d63hI/AAAAAAAAMgY/-J5f48JoIUU/s1600/St.%2BJustin_Martyr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swhgPwOn5zM/VMBHb_d63hI/AAAAAAAAMgY/-J5f48JoIUU/s1600/St.%2BJustin_Martyr.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>St. Justin Martyr</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">There
was another influence, that of the liturgical Hebrew, using the
psalms in public worship in the synagogue. This occurred at the close
of the service that was set aside for prayers, readings, psalms, and
preaching when the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05572c.htm">Eucharist</a>
was celebrated. We know this because of the writings of <a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/justin.html"><b>Justin
Martyr </b></a>(100-165), <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm"><i>Apologia</i></a>.
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">The
2<sup>nd</sup> Century <i>Didache</i> (<i>Teaching of the Twelve
Apostles</i>) is in part information about the ritual of baptism,
fasting, and the Eucharist and its prayers. They begin with <i>We
thank Thee, our Father</i>. The heart of Christian worship being the
communion ritual, those phrases and psalms are utilized. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">The
<i>Didache</i> is part of the <i>Apostolic Constitutions</i> manual
that compromises eight books of <i><b>ecclesiastical discipline,
doctrine and worship</b></i>. Dating from the 4<sup>th</sup> Century,
it represents the practice of an earlier period, compiled in Antioch.
Greek was the dominant language of that period of the Christian
history and so it became the liturgical language of early
Christianity for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Ancient-Rome-First-Centuries/dp/0567032507">first
three centuries</a>. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">In
the field of lyrical text, the heritage of Judaism in the 1<sup>st</sup>
Century Christianity, became influenced by the environment of the
Mediterranean culture as well as the world of the Gentile who had
been converted. That means before the organized Church had omitted
pagan heretical ideas in literature that was derived from philosophy
and mystery religions of that period. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">The
influence of Old Testament poetry was stronger than the older Greek
hymns, such as the Homeric Hymns and poetic texts in pre-Hellenic and
Hellenic ages. Hellenic culture had remained strong for 200 years.
The leading cults were associated with Orpheus, Cybele, Attis,
Mithra, Serapis, Isis, Adonis, and the Eleusinian Mysteries that
enjoyed popularity for twelve centuries that Christianity made
extinct in 397. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">In
the writings of Apuleius, he describes the procession to honor the
goddess, Isis, and whose words of chorus end with:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Thy
divine countenance and most holy deity, I shall guard and keep
forever in the secret place of my heart</i>.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Despite
this and other examples, it is not possible to trace the connection
of both Hellenic and Graeco-Oriental influence upon Christian
hymnology. However, the modern student of Christian hymnology accepts
how the mystery religion of the Egyptian Isis become infused in the
development of Hermetic literature and identification with the
Egyptian <b>Thot</b> being the oldest known writing and source of
hymns of praise …</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>By
they blessing my spirit is illumined, and a thanksgiving hymn, Holy
is God, the Father of all the universe</i>. [<a href="http://www.theologywebsite.com/history/mystxtian.shtml"><i>Mystery
Religions and Christianity</i></a>, pp. 241-242]</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">The
correlation can be more readily found in Gnosticism, not just a
philosophy or system of belief, denounced by the Council of Nicaea,
but a theological point of view that was harmonious with oriental
myths and Christian teaching. </span>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.iep.utm.edu/neoplato/">Neoplatonism</a>
<i>reveals that the primeval being has produce the universal mind
and, in turn, mind has produced the soul which in contact with evil
phases of matter has lost its original purity</i>. Therefore, <i>the
soul must retrace its steps until it reaches the final stage of
reunion with the origin of all being</i>. Thus, the Gnostics extended
such philosophies within their hymns. Such hymns are found in the
Apocryphal <a href="http://www.gnosis.org/library/actthom.htm"><i>Acts
of Thomas</i></a>, where he chants a hymn while in prison, beginning
with:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>When
I was an infant child in the palace of my father</i>. [<a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/actsthomas.html">Acts
of Thomas, IX, 108</a>] </span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07360c.htm"><b>Hippolytus</b></a>
in <a href="http://www.gnosis.org/library/hyp_refut5.htm"><i>Refutation
of all Heresies </i></a>is connected to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gnostic-Secrets-Naassenes-Initiatory-Teachings/dp/089281697X">Gnostic
sect of the Naasenes</a>, quoting from the <a href="http://www.gnosis.org/library/hymnjesu.html"><i><b>Hymn
of Jesus</b></i></a> …</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>The
world's producing law was Primal Mind, in which Jesus is represented
as the guide of mankind to the attainment of celestial knowledge</i>.
[<a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/messenger/earlyhymns.c5.html"><i>Philosophumena</i>,
v. 5</a>]</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Another
example is a Gnostic hymn to the <i>Highest God</i> from a Coptic
source of the 3<sup>rd</sup> Century:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Thou
art alone the eternal and thou art alone the deep and thou art alone
the unknowable</i> …</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnostic_theism"><b>E.
Nordon</b></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_God"><i>Agnostos
Theos</i></a>, Leipzig, 1913, p. 276]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">The
Christian hymns of the first three centuries are catalogued into
three linguistic groups: Syriac, Greek, and Latin. The most familiar
of early hymns were the Syriac, written by </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05498a.htm"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><b>Ephraem
Syrus</b></span></a><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">,
whose purpose was to influence Gnostic poets and his countrymen. His
hymns are metrical, which means having lines with a </span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i><b>fixed
number of syllables and strophic divisions</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">.
…</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Blessed
be the Messiah</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Who
has given us a hope</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>That
the dead shall rise again</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>A
hymn for the Lord's Day begins,</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Glory
be to the good</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>Who
hath honoured and exalted</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;"><i>The
first day of the week</i>.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">[<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/33160/33160-h/33160-h.htm"><b>H.
Burgess</b></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Select-Metrical-Hymns-Homilies-Ephraem/dp/1286332001"><i>Select
Metrical Hymns and Homilies of Ephraem Syrus</i></a>; London, 1853;
pp. 77-83]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">The
<a href="http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/texts/amherst_papyrus.htm">Amherst
Papyrus </a>opened up a new vein of knowledge that archaeology has
made available for research. In 1920, mingled in with the <a href="https://www.logos.com/product/16528/oxyrhynchus-papyri">Oxyrhynchus
papyri </a>was a fragment of a Christian hymn. It is on the back of a
grain account record, written in the 3<sup>rd</sup> Century. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">It
is the conclusion of the <a href="http://biblehub.com/library/messenger/christian_hymns_of_the_first_three_centuries/vi_early_christian_hymns.htm"><i>Hymn
of Thekla</i></a>, which was in the work of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04592a.htm"><b>Methodius</b></a>,
Bishop of Olympus and Patara in Lydia, martyred at Chalcis in 321.
The text was <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/early-church-fathers/ante-nicene/vol-6-third-century/methodius/banquet-ten-virgins.html"><i>Banquet
of the Ten Virgins</i></a>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Greek
hymn writers lasted a long time, from <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04045a.htm"><b>Clement
of Alexandria</b></a> to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07010b.htm"><b>Gregory
of Nanzianzus</b></a> and <a href="http://www.livius.org/su-sz/synesius/synesius_cyrene.html"><b>Synesisus
of Cyrene</b></a> – poets of the 4<sup>th</sup> Century. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">As
the literature of the Church moved toward establishment of Latin as
its official language and adopting its culture, service hymns
appeared in Latin writing. The first Latin hymn writer appeared in
the middle of the 4<sup>th</sup> Century – <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07349b.htm"><b>Hilary
of Poitiers</b></a>. It was also the period of the severest
persecution within that time frame of three centuries. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium, sans-serif;">Not
much has been written about the history of hymnology because of the
frustration of not finding enough text for proper and concise
research. The isolated finds of various hymnal text has confounded
even the most patient researcher as far as hymns of the early
Christian Church and the stages of its development. Some have been
lost because of their declaration of being heretic and thus
destroyed. The great Gnostic scroll find in the 20<sup>th</sup>
Century certainly improved the chance to examine such text,
fragmented as they were. As time goes on, there will be less of a
chance to discover text that time and environment have not destroyed;
even fragmented text would be a welcome addition for an historical
hymnal researcher.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" height="15" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-80070339038141125782014-10-30T03:00:00.000-05:002014-12-30T03:30:04.408-06:00On Freedom of Religion and First Amendment, an Essay of Common Sense<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKJAPIAzJ88/U61Ujk4u4wI/AAAAAAAAKNQ/wHhcyb7wfds/s1600/genevaBible_patriotEdition.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKJAPIAzJ88/U61Ujk4u4wI/AAAAAAAAKNQ/wHhcyb7wfds/s1600/genevaBible_patriotEdition.png" height="200" width="133" /></a>A <a href="http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/7232-Biblical-scriptures-will-be-removed-or-covered-on-monument.html" target="_blank">Madison County school board</a> voted unanimously to alter a monument at the
entrance of a Georgia high school football stadium in order to remove
biblical scripture. The monument was erected in August and two
different groups sent letters to the school stating that the monument
violates the separation of church and state, demanding it be removed.
There were two references to scriptures:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A31&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Romans 8:31</b></a>: <i><b>If God be for us,
who can be against us? </b></i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Philippians 4:13</b></a>: </span></span><i><b>I can do all things through Christ which
strengthens me.</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b> </b></i>
</div>
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After
the motion of a board member, <b>Robert Hooper</b>, was made, the board
voted to either remove it or cover it up. Soon after the vote was
announced, 150 people showed up in protest.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkqxfE-ShQo/U7BOI_uN8uI/AAAAAAAAKTY/Z_VwEry77C0/s1600/OurConstitution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkqxfE-ShQo/U7BOI_uN8uI/AAAAAAAAKTY/Z_VwEry77C0/s1600/OurConstitution.jpg" height="110" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
words “separation of church and state” are NOT in the First
Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, but taken from a
<a href="http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html" target="_blank">letter</a> in correspondence from <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2006/06/the-mythical-wall-of-separation-how-a-misused-metaphor-changed-church-state-law-policy-and-discourse" target="_blank"><b>Thomas Jefferson</b></a> to a clergy ministry, </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Danbury Baptist</i> association in the state of Connecticut.
But that makes no difference to atheists and those who believe they
have to appease them, despite the First Amendment protecting those
liberties. Progressives socialists choose to add or delete from the text of the Constitution as they feel fit. The First Amendment <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution" target="_blank">text</a>:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances. </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
progressives supposedly agree that the majority shall rule, but only when it applies to their political agenda and policies. Atheists are NOT a
majority, I am sure, in the community of that Madison county, Georgia
high school. The school board allowed the monument to be erected, but
caved in to a political group to remove it that is a minority. The
decision was upon the community, not the school board. Every one of
those on the school board should be fired. The school board meeting
lasted about two hours, a closed session, and one speaker <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/16/atheists-win-fight-over-high-school-football-teams/" target="_blank">stated</a>:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i><b>It seems as if these groups
</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[atheists]
</span></span><b><i>are here as haters, willing to spend millions to
remove God from our society, which means they are antichrists by
definition – they must have hatred in their hearts to fight so hard
to remove him from this small object that was placed for others to
enjoy. </i></b>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">By
no means is this an isolated incident.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Two
Christian ministers, who own an Idaho wedding chapel, were told they
had to either perform same-sex weddings or face jail time, up to
$1000 fine. It is because the chapel is listed as a for-profit
business, not as a church or place of worship. The chapel is the
</span></span><i><a href="http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/oct/17/hitching-post-sues-coeur-dalene-after-declining-ma/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hitching Post Wedding Chapel</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
City attorney, </span></span><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Warren
Wilson</span></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
made a <a href="http://www.kxly.com/news/north-idaho-news/hitching-post-owners-will-close-before-performing-samesex-marriages/26006066" target="_blank">statement</a>
that any wedding chapel that turns away a gay couple would in theory
be violating the law. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What
law? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Certainly
NOT any constitutional law.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Property
rights were important to the American colonial patriots who fought to
remove tyranny from their adopted homeland. It was important to protect that and other rights - putting into writing after the articles of the Constitution was decided upon. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Property
rights was one of the first liberties to fall by the way as time
progressed and our nation grew. Today we can see the result of not
adhering to constitutional law and ignoring liberties by those who
insist that the US Constitution is outdated. If freedom of choice,
property rights, and the right for a community to erect a monument
with religious words of proverbs no longer applies, how can the rest
of the Constitution ever be acknowledged?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Recently,
Mayor </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Annise Parker</b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and her city lawyers, subpoenaed five local pastors and demanded
their sermons. The mayor is the first lesbian to be elected in Texas.
Her lawyers obviously missed the class concerning the articles and
amendments of the US Constitution in law school. Preachers have a
right under the same amendment that protects religion to speak out
against homosexuality. We can blame the legislation of the </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Ted
Kennedy</b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
hate crime rhetoric for part of this problem. Laws should never be
made against what people think, only for their actions. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Any
elected official that votes for such anti-constitutional legislation
should be removed from office at the earliest opportunity by the
voters, citizens who have the duty to protect the Constitution just
as much as the public officials who swear an oath to do so. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
atheists do not like what they see written on monuments and other
publicly erected things – don't read or look at it. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
atheists and those who are homosexuals are turned away from a
privately owned wedding chapel because that chapel's owners believe
that same-sex marriage is wrong – go somewhere else to get married.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Solution
to many problems can be solved just be using common sense.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
the United States, common sense is becoming extinct, just as the
wisdom of the Founders who created the Constitution and its
amendments of the United States. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Common
sense is no longer applied by the majority of those holding public
office in our government, either elected or employed by those
elected.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is long past the time for We the People to take back the control of
the government, away from the hands of a minority who cares nothing
for the rights and liberties of others – only their own ideology
and twisted agenda.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
do not like the character of BH Obama and his associates, and I voted
against him and them; however, the majority vote and the Electoral
College system put him in the office of the President of the United
States TWICE. I must accept that despite there being a clear
indication that a person with dual nationality cannot hold that
office legally. It is because the majority voters (and those who
cheated) were in favor of putting that person in the White House. I
can protest, but I must accept that; just as military personnel are
obligated to obey orders of the President of the United States, no
matter how they personally feel about him.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">That
common sense ideology applies to atheists constantly harassing those
who believe in something. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As far as Islamic Jihadists - no religion can be tolerated that commits violent acts in the name of that religion against all who are not part of that religion. Islam is influenced by Shariah law, which certainly is a government (civic) institution that insists upon a theocracy - clearly against the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Yet, progressives in the United States insist upon catering to Islam while persecuting Christians in various ways. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The argument over same-sex marriage is not hinged upon the federal, central government, but the individual state governments - where marriage laws are enacted. In addition, the sanctity of marriage, in the gist of the argument falls upon religious doctrine, except in the case of non-denominational wedding chapels. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Frankly, if the 16th Amendment (that should never have passed and should have been struck down by the US Supreme Court) is repealed; most of the hullaboo about same-sex marriage will die down. It is because the unfair income tax system provides tax shelter that single citizens are not allowed.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-3843419178627159392014-10-12T13:22:00.000-05:002014-10-12T13:22:07.410-05:00Religion as a Racket: Beware of Pastors with Expensive Clothing Allowance Driving Cadillacs and Mercedes<b>Doug Giles</b> <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/douggiles/2014/10/12/if-your-pastor-has-a-60k-a-year-clothing-allowance-you-probably-should-leave-that-church-n1903915?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl" target="_blank">wrote</a> an article about how churches and their pastor/minister takes advantage of their tax exclusive business. He explains the reason why church members went to another church ...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...<b><i>the reason they fled Babylon was because they found out that their
pastor had an elder-approved clothing budget of $60,000 a year built
into his financial perks for pastoring. What a dandy. Sounds just like
the lowly Nazarene, eh? Five grand a month? Really, dude? Oh, and I
almost forgot, he also never wears the same clothes twice when he
appears on stage on Sundays. Who does he think he is? Mariah Carey? ... As a 51year-old I’ve had it with the Christian Glitterati obsessed with
“success” using ministry as a means to get rich, wear Rolexes and play
like they're Ryan Seacrest. </i></b><br />
<b><i>For what it’s worth, my brethren, here’s my advice to saints who might find themselves in a similar silly church situation.</i></b><br />
<b><i>
</i></b><ul>
<li><b><i>If your male pastor wears diamond stud earrings, leave.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>If your pastor is forty-plus years old and bleaches the tips of his hair blond, leave.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>If your pastor wears more hair gel than all five guys in the boy band One Direction, leave.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>If your pastor has a church funded clothing budget of any amount, especially a sixty grand a year allowance, leave.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>If your pastor quotes Oprah more than Obadiah, leave.</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>If your pastor sounds more like Tony Robbins than the Apostle Paul, leave</i></b>.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-39258932280822987562014-07-12T10:10:00.000-05:002014-07-12T10:10:00.710-05:00Chapter 21: Book of Revelation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Book of Revelation</b></span></h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
CHAPTER 1, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+1%3A10&version=KJV" target="_blank">Verses 1-10</a> - <i><b>The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John [1] who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. [2] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. [3] John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from his which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; [4] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, [5] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [6] Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. [7] I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. [8] I john, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. [9] I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, [10] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea</b></i>. </blockquote>
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The <i>Book of Revelation</i>, often referred to as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse" target="_blank"><i>Apocalypse</i></a>, is the final book of the New Testament, a central theme in Christian eschatology. It is believed to have been written between 60 AD and 95 AD. It was written to describe prophetic visions which the author claimed to have seen, which ends with the foretelling of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Coming" target="_blank"><i>Second Coming</i></a> of <b>Jesus Christ</b>. <br />Arguments continue as to whether John the Apostle or John of Patmos wrote it. Whoever wrote it, the original had no title, so a title was bestowed upon it from the first word of the book in Greek which translates to “unveiling” or “revelation”. The author merely identifies himself as John, thus scholars refer to him as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Patmos" target="_blank"><b>John of Patmos</b></a>. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm" target="_blank"><b>Justin Martyr</b></a>, an early 2nd century writer, was the first to identify the author of Revelation as John the Apostle, sometimes called John the Evangelist. Even that is an argument amongst scholars as the Apostle and Evangelist being two separate people. <br /> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08438a.htm" target="_blank"><b>John the Apostle</b></a> was presumably exiled to the island of Patmos towards the end of his life, located on the Aegean Sea when the Roman emperor Domitian was persecuting Christians. In<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Elder" target="_blank"><b> Pliny</b></a>’s <a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Plin.+Nat.+toc" target="_blank"><i><b>Natural History </b></i></a> 4.69-70 and Annals 4.30 by <a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/tacitus.html" target="_blank"><b>Tacitus</b></a>:<br />Early tradition says that<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Patmos" target="_blank"> John was banished to Patmos</a> by the Roman authorities. This tradition is credible because banishment was a common punishment used during the imperial period for a number of offenses. Among such offenses were the practices of magic and astrology. Prophecy was viewed by the Romans as belonging to the same category, whether Pagan, Jewish, or Christian. Prophecy with political implications, like that expressed by John in the Book of Revelation, would have been perceived as a threat to Roman political power and order. Three of the islands in the Sporades were places where political offenders were banished. <br /><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05617b.htm" target="_blank"><b>Eusebius</b></a> (263-339) agreed to include the <i>Apocalypse</i> (Revelation) in the Canon, but pointed out the difference in writing style and skill between the Gospel of John (Apostle) and the John (Patmos) of Revelation. <br />Recent theory, especially after the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gospel of Judas suggest that John the Apostle, John the Evangelist, and John of Patmos were three separate individuals. It has also been theorized that the gist of the book in chapters 4 through 22 are the prophecies of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm" target="_blank"><b>John the Baptist</b></a>. <br />The <i>Book of Revelation</i> was the last book to be accepted into Christian canon, 100 years after the other books. It was accepted at the Council of Carthage of 397 and officially added at a later council of 419. Throughout the history of the Church, however, the book raised doubts about its authorship and authenticity beginning in the 2nd century. Christians in Syria during that time rejected the book, but mainstream Church officials viewed it as heresy. Some scholars, like Merrill Unger, argue that in spite of the controversy, Revelation provides a logical conclusion to the New Testament canon.<br />From the Greek <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13722a.htm" target="_blank"><i><b>Septuagint</b></i></a>, John of Patmos makes 348 indirect quotes from 24 of the canonized books of the Hebrew Bible, mostly from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Psalms. For example, the beast described in the Book of Revelation combines the physical traits of all four beasts mentioned in Daniel, Chapter 7. The four horsemen come from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+6%3A1-8&version=KJV" target="_blank">Zechariah 6:1-8</a>; the edible scroll that tastes as sweet as honey comes from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+2%3A8&version=KJV" target="_blank">Ezekiel 2:8</a> & 3-2; and the marking of the people on the forehead to determine who will be cursed and who will be spared comes from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+9%3A3-6&version=KJV" target="_blank">Ezekiel 9:3-6</a>. <br />The original Revelation was written in Greek (Koine Greek), the Greek used in 1st century Palestine; however, the errors in Greek demonstrates that the writer’s original language was not Greek. Some believe that the original was written in Aramaic. <br />Revelation consists of four sections of four different visions, where John of Patmos sees visions of what God reveals to him and is concluded with an epilogue. Seven is a mystical number: seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and the seven bowls - all judgments. There are 24 instances of using the number seven, which is a number considered to be a number of perfection of Christianity. <br />One half of the number seven is also consistently used in Revelation: two witnesses are given power to prophesy for 3.5 years; witnesses are killed and their dead bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3.5 days; the “woman clothed with the sun” is protected in the wilderness for 3.5 years; and Gentiles walk the holy city for 3.5 years. <br />Beyond prophecy, the main theme of Revelation is the battle between good (God) and evil (Satan/Lucifer). The series of events described culminate into the final defeat of evil and the establishment of a New Jerusalem; and because of this and other footprints of the author, it is believed the author was a Jewish Christian. <br />
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The seven original churches of Asia play an important part of Revelation prophecy:<br /><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/ephesus.htm" target="_blank"><b>Ephesus </b></a> - From this church, those “who overcome are granted to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God (2:1-7).<br /><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/smyrna.htm" target="_blank"><b>Smyrna</b></a> - From this church, those who are faithful until death, will be given “the crown of life”. Those who overcome shall not be hurt by the second death. (2:8-11).<br /><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/pergamum.htm" target="_blank"><b>Pergamum</b></a> - From this church, those who overcome will be given the hidden manna to eat and a white stone with a secret name on it. (2:12-17)<br /><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14713c.htm" target="_blank"><b>Thyatira</b></a> - From this church, those who overcome until the end, will be given power over the nations in order to dash them to pieces with the rule of a rod of iron; they will also be given the “morning star”. (2:18-29)<br /><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/sardis.htm" target="_blank"><b>Sardis</b></a> - From this church, those who overcome will be clothed in white garments, and their names will not be blotted out from the Book of Life; their names will also be confessed before the Father and his angels. (3:1-6)<br /><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/amman.htm" target="_blank">Philadelphia</a> - From this church, those who overcome will be made a pillar in the temple of God having the name of God, the name of the city of God, “New Jerusalem” and the Son of God’s new name. (3:7-13)<br /><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/laodicea.htm" target="_blank"><b>Laodicea</b></a> - From this church, those who overcome will be granted the opportunity to sit with the Son of God on His throne. (3:14-22)<br />The Seven Seals when they are opened:<br /><b>First Seal</b> - A white horse appears, whose crowned rider has a bow with which to conquer. (6:1-2)<br /><b>Second Seal</b> - A red horse appears, whose rider is granted a “great sword” to take peace from the earth. (6:3-4)<br /><b>Third Seal</b> - A black horse appears, whose rider has “a pair of balances in his hand”, where a voice then says, “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (6:5-6)<br /><b>Fourth Seal</b> - A pale horse appears, whose rider is Death, and Hades follow him. Death was granted a fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (6:7-8)<br /><b>Fifth Seal</b> - “Under the Altar”, appeared the souls of martyrs for the “word of God”, who cry out for vengeance. They are given white robes and told to rest until the martyrdom of their brothers is completed. (6:9-11)<br /><b>Sixth Seal</b> - (6:12-17) - There occurs a great earthquake where “the sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon like blood; the stars of heaven fall to the earth and the sky recedes like a scroll being rolled up; every mountain and island is moved out of place; the people of earth retreat to caves in the mountains; the survivors call upon the mountains and the rocks to fall on them, so as to hide them from the “wrath of the Lamb”. <br /><b>Seventh Seal</b> - Introduction of the seven trumpets (8:1-5) - “Silence in heaven for about half an hour”; seven angels are each given trumpets; an eighth angel takes a “golden censer”, filled with fire from the heavenly altar, and throws it to the earth.. “Peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake” follow; after the eighth angel has devastated the earth, the seven angels prepare to sound their trumpets. <br />
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The seven trumpets also are the gist of the revelation and they are sounded: <br /><b>First Trumpet</b> - Hail and fire, mingled with blood, are thrown to the earth burning one third of the trees and green grass. (8:6-7)<br /><b>Second Trumpet</b> - A great mountain burns with fire and falls from the sky and falls in the ocean. It kills one third of the sea creatures and destroys one third of the ships at sea. (8:8-9)<br /><b>Third Trumpet</b> - A great star named Wormwood, falls from heaven and poisons one third of the rivers and springs of water. (8:10-11)<br /><b>Fourth Trumpet</b> - A third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened can create complete darkness for one third of the day and night. (8:12-13)<br /><b>Fifth Trumpet</b> - A star falls from the sky and given “the key to the bottomless pit”. The star then opens the bottomless pit and smoke rises from the Abyss like smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky are darkened by the smoke of the Abyss and from out of the smoke locusts appear who are “given power like that of scorpions of the earth”, who are commanded not to harm anyone except for people who were not given the “<b><i>seal of God</i></b>” on their foreheads. The locusts are described as having a human appearance with faces and hair, but with lion’s teeth and wearing “<b><i>breastplates of iron</i></b>”; the sound of their wings resembles “the thunderings of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. (9:1-12)<br /><b>Sixth Trumpet</b> - Four angels proceed to the great river Euphrates to prepare two hundred million horsemen. The armies kill one third of mankind with three plagues: fire, smoke, and brimstone. <br /><b>Seventh Trumpet</b> - The temple of God opens in heaven, where the ark of the covenant can be seen. There are lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and large hailstones. <br /> The <i>Book of Revelation</i> is the only book of the New Testament that is not read by the Eastern Orthodox Church, while the entire book is read during <i>Apocalypse Night</i> (<i>Bright Saturday</i>) by the <a href="http://www.coptic.net/EncyclopediaCoptica/" target="_blank">Coptic Orthodox Church</a> six days after Pascha.<br />
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Christian <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2014/06/chapter-11-gnostics-threat-to-early.html" target="_blank">Gnostic</a>s are not in agreement with the text of Revelation because the doctrine of salvation through sacrifice is against their doctrinal interpretations of scripture because they “<b><i>believe in the Forgiveness of Sins, but it no vicarious sacrifice for sin ... they accepted Christ in the full realization of the word; his life , not his death, was the keynote of their doctrine and their practice</i></b>.” <br />Every 1,000 years after Christ’s death, Christians tend to believe that the time of Revelation to be physically revealed comes near. During times of great tribulation and disaster, like the Great Depression of the 1930s also brings about the concept that the end foretold in Revelation will come full circle. Christians believe it and fear it despite the promise that believers/followers of Christ will be redeemed; while those who do not, evil doers, will suffer the consequences described. Yet, it is not differentiated between believers and non-believers when it comes to the terrible disasters that befall humanity according to the prophecies of Revelation.<br />During the medieval age, appropriately called the <i>Dark Age</i>, doom hung over the populace of Christendom and the general idea was that humanity must suffer on earth like Christ in his last hours in order to be redeemed and be rewarded in the afterlife. To suffer was to be pious. Revelation was the prophecy for vengeance for those who suffered and died because they are Christians. <br />When <b>Thomas Jefferson</b> created his <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/62/The_Jefferson_Bible_The_Life__Morals_of_Jesus_of_Nazareth_1.html" target="_blank"><i>Jefferson Bible</i></a>, he omitted most of the Biblical canon, which included the Book of Revelation. He even wrote once that he considered Revelation as “<b><i>merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams</i></b>.” <br /> Christ’s words in the gospels do not reveal such a dark outlook; but instead preaches and teaches hope and how to attain the reward in the afterlife; which gives another testament that Revelation could not have been written by<b> John the Apostle</b>, but a troubled man from the island of Patmos. The author borrows much from the Old Testament, rearranging much of what is written in the Book of Ezekiel. <br />If John the Apostle had written Revelation, he would have been well past the age of 90, some speculate 92. Second century Christian writers, like <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11457c.htm" target="_blank"><b>Papias of Hierapolis</b></a>, affirm that there were two persons named John in the early Church and it is clear that the John who wrote the Gospel of John is not the same author who wrote Revelation. Toward the end of the first century, in the city of Ephesus, lived a Christian teacher named John, who became famous among the churches of Asia Minor. <br />Biblical scholars, like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Pagels" target="_blank"><b>Elaine Pagels</b></a> reveals much of these questions in her book entitled <a href="http://shop.skeptic.com/merchant.mvc?&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SS&Product_Code=av251" target="_blank"><i><b>Revelations: Visions, Prophecy & Politics in the Book of Revelation</b></i></a>. The book revolves around the question: What does Revelation mean?<br />In conclusion, I traveled about Asia Minor while serving at NATO LSE HQ for 4.5 years, seeking the sites of those original seven churches and studied their histories, the opportunity to examine translated works; and I agree with the notable biblical scholars, like Elaine Pagels, that the background and the style of writing does not match that of the confirmed writing of John the Apostle. Thus, I also agree with the early Christians who protested that the Book of Revelation be added to the canon of the New Testament based upon the evidence that it is not apostolic, it plagiarizes books of the Old Testament and the author did not reveal that he got his “visions” from the Hebrew books of prophecy; and it counters the gist of Christ’s teachings and philosophy; which that in itself should condemn it from being canonized and taken seriously. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-26279059339232684972014-06-29T18:02:00.001-05:002014-06-29T18:02:22.325-05:00Chapter 11: Gnostics - Threat to Early Christian Church Doctrine
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According
to the <a href="http://www.iep.utm.edu/" target="_blank"><i>Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy</i></a>, Gnosticism is derived
from the Greek word <i>gnôsis</i>, which translate to <i>knowledge</i>
or <i>insight</i>. It is the name given to an ancient, as well as
modern, organized religious and philosophical movement that
flourished in the first and second centuries after the death of
Christ, frequently called the <i>Common Era</i> in
scientific/philosophical circles. But, archaeologically, it has been
traced to have originated in 100 BC to 200 BC time period;
established from the early treatises of the <a href="http://gnosis.org/library/hermet.htm" target="_blank"><i>Corpus Hermeticum</i></a>,
Jewish Apocalyptic writings whose foundation was based upon <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonism" target="_blank"><i>Platonic</i></a>
philosophy and Hebrew scriptures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According
to the Gnostics …</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...<i><b>this
world, the material cosmos, is the result of a primordial error on
the part of a supra-cosmic, supremely divine being, usually called
Sophia (Wisdom) or simply the Logos.</b></i> <i><b> This being is
described as the final emanation of a divine hierarchy, called the
Pl</b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>ê</b></i></span><i><b>r</b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>ô</b></i></span><i><b>ma
or “Fullness”, at the head of which resides the supreme God, the
One Beyond Being. ...the Gnostic revisionary critique of the Hebrew
Scriptures begins, as well as the rejection of this world as a
product of error and ignorance, and the positing of a higher world,
to which the human soul will eventually return. </b></i></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
creation period was chaos according to the Gnostics and the God,
Supreme Being, who later brought enlightenment and truth. </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gnostics
attempted to answer the question: Who are we? The spirit-soul is a
fundamental mind-body distinction that is markedly similar to
</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">transcendentalism</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and the attitudes toward the cosmos and temporal existence. However,
that similarity was not enough so philosophers have come to know the
Gnostic train of thought as </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Existentialism</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
There is no conscious activity when it comes to humanity and nature,
where nature can obliterate humanity's existence just as easily as it
brings it into existence, and it is the human mind and the soul which
continues beyond that existence. Still, the cosmos is thought of
having a sense of law and order where the inner self can gain
immortality.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gnostic Bible</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is called </span></span><i><b><a href="http://gnosis.org/library/psoph.htm" target="_blank">The Pistis Sophia</a> </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">which
records secret teachings not recorded in the Christian canonical
text, for example:</span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>It
came to pass, when Jesus had risen from the dead, that he passed
eleven years discoursing with his disciples, and instructing them. </b></i></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This passage is an
important part of Pistis Sophia scripture. It is filled with
mysticism and rebukes unethical behavior and elevates the status of
the spiritual role of women. Such things caused the newly organized
Christian Church to reject the Gnostic gospels as heresy, bent upon
destroying its existence. The original text was written in the Coptic
language and it was discovered underground in Egypt where the
Pharaohs reigned as well as discovered in caves of the Middle East.
It is astonishing that it survived the purge by the Christian Church
that became the Roman Catholic Church that canonized the Bible from
the Greek and Latin texts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Gnostics
present <b><a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2013/01/chapter-27-non-canonical-gospel-of-mary.html" target="_blank">Mary Magdala</a> </b>(Magdalene) in a far different manner
that the established Christian Church did, as the following video
illustrates …</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ground
breaking discovery about Gnosticism was when 52 texts was discovered
in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nag_Hammadi_library" target="_blank">Nag Hammadi, Egypt</a> that included secret gospels, poems and myths
attributed to Jesus and different than portrayed in the text of the
New Testament section of the Holy Bible. </span></span>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The famous text
found in Egypt would become known as the <i>Dead Sea Scrolls</i>. The
amazing story of those texts was presented by a BBC documentary …</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm" target="_blank"><i><b>New Advent</b></i></a> <b>Catholic Encyclopedia</b> describes Gnosticism
as …</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>The
doctrine of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13407a.htm">salvation</a>
by <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm">knowledge</a>.
… </b></i></span></span><i><b>A collective name for a large number
of greatly-varying and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447b.htm">pantheistic</a>-<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07634a.htm">idealistic</a>
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13674a.htm">sects</a>, which
flourished from some <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14726a.htm">time</a>
before the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04636c.htm">Christian
Era</a> down to the fifth century, and which, while borrowing the
phraseology and some of the tenets of the chief <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12738a.htm">religions</a>
of the day, and especially of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm">Christianity</a>,
held <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10053b.htm">matter</a>
to be a deterioration of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14220b.htm">spirit</a>,
and the whole <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15183a.htm">universe</a>
a depravation of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04683a.htm">Deity</a>,
and taught the ultimate end of all being to be the overcoming of the
grossness of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10053b.htm">matter</a>
and the return to the Parent-Spirit, which return they held to be
inaugurated and facilitated by the appearance of some God-sent
Saviour. </b></i><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>…
Whereas formerly Gnosticism was considered mostly a corruption of
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm">Christianity</a>,
it now seems clear that the first traces of Gnostic systems can be
discerned some centuries before the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04636c.htm">Christian
Era</a></b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span>
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</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
</span></span></span></span><a href="http://gnosis.org/gnintro.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Gnosis
</b></i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">website
states:</span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Like
Buddhism, Gnosticism begins with the fundamental recognition that
earthly life is filled with suffering. In order to nourish
themselves, all forms of life consume each other, thereby visiting
pain, fear, and death upon one another (even herbivorous animals live
by destroying the life of plants). In addition, so-called natural
catastrophes -- earthquakes, floods, fires, drought, volcanic
eruptions -- bring further suffering and death in their wake. Human
beings, with their complex physiology and psychology, are aware not
only of these painful features of earthly existence. They also suffer
from the frequent recognition that they are strangers living in a
world that is flawed and absurd. … </b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>In
the Gnostic view, there is a true, ultimate and transcendent God, who
is beyond all created universes and who never created anything in the
sense in which the word “create” is ordinarily understood. While
this True God did not fashion or create anything, He (or, It)
“emanated” or brought forth from within Himself the substance of
all there is in all the worlds, visible and invisible. In a certain
sense, it may therefore be true to say that all is God, for all
consists of the substance of God. By the same token, it must also be
recognized that many portions of the original divine essence have
been projected so far from their source that they underwent
unwholesome changes in the process. To worship the cosmos, or nature,
or embodied creatures is thus tantamount to worshipping alienated and
corrupt portions of the emanated divine essence</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzMQAhhHQFk/U7Ca6P3QdyI/AAAAAAAAKT0/YVEltmaiYxg/s1600/706gnosis5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzMQAhhHQFk/U7Ca6P3QdyI/AAAAAAAAKT0/YVEltmaiYxg/s1600/706gnosis5.jpg" height="200" width="145" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Catholic Church describes Gnosticism as a </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447b.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>thinly
disguised Pantheism</b></i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
It also describes in length the Sophia myth of which </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=291"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Saint
Irenaeus</b></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
wrote about in </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103307.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Against
Heresies III 7.4</b></i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Irenaeus was one of the fathers of the Church that laid the
foundation of what would become Christian theology and doctrine. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
finding of the Gnostic </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/gosp_j.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Gospel
of Judas</b></i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
at El Minya, Egypt in the 1970s increased the interest in Gnosticism
in this modern period. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
modern Gnostic faith group calls itself </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/gnostic.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Novus
Spiritus</b></i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and has churches in California, Washington, and Nevada, which its
glossary describes modern Gnosticism as:</span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>A
Gnostic Christian Church, that believes in reincarnation, the duality
of God as both masculine and feminine, and in tenets that explain how
we can best advance our souls for God -- while living with the
negativity here on Earth. Founded by psychic Sylvia Browne on
1986-APR-14, Novus Spiritus is based on a long line of Gnostic
churches that have existed for over 7,200 years. The first church
service was conducted on 1986-JUL-12. Gnostics believe in finding
their own truth, and don’t believe in “hell,” “sin,” or
that Jesus came to die for our sins -– but was a human messiah who
served as a living example of how we should think and behave. Church
members believe in an all-loving, all-merciful and benevolent God, in
the power of prayer, and that we write a 'chart' for each life, to
learn the life lessons we have chosen to learn through experience –
to reach our own desired level of perfection for God, who loves us
unconditionally and equally</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Surprising
to many Christians, the Novus Spiritis Gnostics …</span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">...</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>assert
that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of
this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done [while] in the
body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists
in the spirit realm only</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gnostics
do not look to salvation as being free from sin, but instead free
from ignorance because knowledge is sacred and instrumentally
beneficial to the soul – that which lives beyond material body.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Before
the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, scholars believed that
Gnosticism developed from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Judaism">Hellenistic
Judaism</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Roman_mysteries">Greco-Roman
mystery religions</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism">Zoroastrianism</a>.
The idea that Gnosticism derived from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Buddhism</span></i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is rejected by most scholars, originated by a Victorian gem
collector, </span></span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_William_King"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Charles
William King</b></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
in 1864. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">BIBILOGRAPHY</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/gnostic1.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">History
of Gnostic Christianity</span></span></span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/gnostic4.htm"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Books
on Gnosticism</span></span></span></a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-47537804154751711772014-06-27T06:29:00.000-05:002015-06-17T10:01:01.907-05:00Geneva Bible: Original English Translation for the People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjHriHCOeeo/U61TVvWs5oI/AAAAAAAAKMs/GI8ag-PwYZ8/s1600/GenevaBible.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjHriHCOeeo/U61TVvWs5oI/AAAAAAAAKMs/GI8ag-PwYZ8/s1600/GenevaBible.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version" target="_blank"><i>King James Authorized</i></a>
version of the Bible is familiar to many, but few know about the
<a href="http://www.reformedreader.org/gbn/en.htm" target="_blank"><b><i>Geneva Bible</i></b></a>, preceding the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorized_King_James_Version" target="_blank">King James authorized translation</a> by 51 years. It was the primary
Bible of the 16<sup>th</sup> century Protestants and used by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare" target="_blank"><b>William Shakespeare</b></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell" target="_blank"><b>Oliver Cromwell</b></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Knox" target="_blank"><b>John Knox</b></a>,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donne" target="_blank"> John Dunne</a>, and<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bunyan" target="_blank"> <b>John Bunyan</b> </a>(author of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim%27s_Progress" target="_blank"><i><b>Pilgrim's Progress</b></i></a>). It was one of the Bibles taken to America aboard
the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower" target="_blank"><i>Mayflower</i></a>. Oliver Cromwell had <a href="http://christianreader.com/pocket-pilgrims-progress-bonded-leather-edition/" target="_blank"><i>pocket editions</i></a>
printed for his soldiers at the time of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War" target="_blank"><i>English Civil War</i></a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozs-3GRQA6M/U61TgmBnu2I/AAAAAAAAKMw/bhCphWa2i1Y/s1600/tolle-lege-press-1599-geneva-bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozs-3GRQA6M/U61TgmBnu2I/AAAAAAAAKMw/bhCphWa2i1Y/s1600/tolle-lege-press-1599-geneva-bible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <i>Geneva Bible</i> is significant
because it was the first mechanically printed and mass-produced Bible
intended for the general public that included scriptural study guides
(apparatus), citations, and cross-reference notations. There are
introductions to each book of the Bible and included maps, tables,
woodcut illustrations and indexes. It was the first study bible
available to the general public.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the <i>King James Authorized
Version Bible</i> was printed by command of King James, the Geneva
Bible became forbidden.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The concept of the Geneva Bible began
during the reign of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_I_of_England" target="_blank"><b>Queen Mary I </b></a>of England (1553-1558), when
Protestant scholars fled persecution where thousands of Protestants
were put to death and imprisoned by order of Queen Mary, who was a
devout <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_%28term%29" target="_blank">Roman Catholic</a>. It is a story of religious oppression. The
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation" target="_blank"><i>Protestant Reformation</i></a> scholars that fled went to Geneva, Switzerland, ruled as a republic,
who included <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Whittingham" target="_blank"><b>William Whittingham</b></a> (supervisor), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myles_Coverdale" target="_blank"><b>Myles Coversdale</b></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Goodman" target="_blank"><b>Christopher Goodman</b></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Gilby" target="_blank"><b>Anthony Gilby</b></a>,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sampson" target="_blank"><b>Thomas Sampson</b></a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cole_(Puritan)" target="_blank"><b>William Cole</b></a>, who completed and
published the <i><b>Geneva Bible</b></i> in 1557, with a revised full
edition published in 1560. It was not printed in England until
1575/1576. There were 150 editions published, the last in 1644.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The annotations, which made it unique,
were of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism" target="_blank"><i>Calvinist </i></a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritan" target="_blank"><i>Puritan</i></a> ideology, which the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanism" target="_blank"><i>Anglicans</i></a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England" target="_blank"><b>Church of England</b></a> disliked, as well as
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_I_of_England" target="_blank"><b>King James</b> I </a>who ordered his <i>authorized version</i> to replace it. A
few editions of the King James version included notes from the Geneva
version up to 1715. The Geneva Bible was translated to English from
scholarly editions of the Greek New Testament and the Hebrew
scriptures of the Old Testament and was the first English Bible to
use verse numbers and an elaborate system of commentary. It was
printed in Roman type, but some editions used the old black-letter
Gothic style of print.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, the 1599 Geneva Bible has been
restored and reproduced (2006) with modern spellings, but the
original study notes by the Protestant Reformation leaders remain.
The Old English glossary was included in the republished version. The
following are samples to compare the versions from <b>Revelation
6:12-17</b> …</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><b>GENEVA BIBLE</b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>And I beheld when he had opened
the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake, and the sun was
as black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon was like blood. And the
stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her green
figs, when it is shaken of a mighty wind. And heaven departed away,
as a scroll, when it is rolled, and every mountain and isle were
moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great
men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men,
and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in dens, and
among the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and
rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth
on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of
his wrath is come, and who can stand? </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">KING
JAMES BIBLE</span></b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>And I beheld when he had opened
the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun
became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and
the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth
her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the
heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every
mountain and island was moved out of their places. And the kings of
the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief
captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man,
hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and
said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the
face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the
Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able
to stand? </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The Geneva Bible is available in three
editions</b>:
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKJAPIAzJ88/U61Ujk4u4wI/AAAAAAAAKNM/WuwycYAr9q4/s1600/genevaBible_patriotEdition.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKJAPIAzJ88/U61Ujk4u4wI/AAAAAAAAKNM/WuwycYAr9q4/s1600/genevaBible_patriotEdition.png" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://patriotdepot.com/1599-geneva-bible-patriots-edition/" target="_blank"><b>Patriot Edition</b></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">: Same as original
except it includes a prayer by </span><b>George Washington</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and the leather-bound cover has a picture of the painting </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">George
Washington Crossing the Delaware</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
It also includes historical documents – </span><i><b>Magna Carta</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span><i><b>Mayflower Compact</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span><i><b>Declaration of Independence</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span><i><b>Articles of Confederation</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span><i><b>Constitution of the United States</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span><i><b>Amendments to the US Constitution</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Bill of Rights) and </span><i><b>Rules of Civility and Decent
Behavior</b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> by George
Washington. It is leather bound and comes with a CD. Available for
$39.95. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="10" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://patriotdepot.com/1599-geneva-bible-hardback-edition/" target="_blank"><span style="color: maroon;"><b>1599 Geneva Bible</b></span></a><b>: </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hardback
edition includes original text of 1599 Bible with original study
notes. It has a depiction of the Protestant scholar painting on the
cover and also comes with a CD. It sells for $39.95.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://patriotdepot.com/1599-geneva-bible-black-bonded-leather-edition-cd-rom/" target="_blank"><span style="color: maroon;"><b>1599 Geneva Bible – Black-Bonded Leather Edition</b></span></a><b>: </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
edition has the original cover art and lettering and includes all
that the previous editions have as well as the CD. It sells for
$49.95.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">You
can also purchase a <a href="http://patriotdepot.com/1599-geneva-bible-pdf-download/" target="_blank">PDF download </a>for $9.95 from the </span><a href="http://patriotdepot.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Patriot Depot</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UO2VAMx7uW8/U61TpKCwyvI/AAAAAAAAKM4/VDsHzpHap10/s1600/bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UO2VAMx7uW8/U61TpKCwyvI/AAAAAAAAKM4/VDsHzpHap10/s1600/bible.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Rembrandt Leather Bound w/pewter buckle/strap</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a truly classic edition for your library, you can order from England the <a href="http://www.tyndale.org/tsj17/earlyBib2.html" target="_blank"><i>Rembrandt </i>edition</a> in luxurious brown leather complete with pewter buckle/strap for $300. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="10" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s05gHCu34dk/U61UNKJQRDI/AAAAAAAAKNE/fJlRPn8g0_A/s1600/1608+edition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s05gHCu34dk/U61UNKJQRDI/AAAAAAAAKNE/fJlRPn8g0_A/s1600/1608+edition.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those who collect (and can afford it) - there are <a href="http://www.windmillministries.org/Antique-Vintage-Bible-Store.htm" target="_blank">original editions for sale</a>. Plan on at least spending $1,600 upwards to $4,000; if you can find any not sold.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="18" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Foldglogun-20%2F8003%2F4a77ec66-b8b4-4608-b9e3-6cfcfe55d6fe&Operation=GetScriptTemplate" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript><a HREF="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Foldglogun-20%2F8003%2F4a77ec66-b8b4-4608-b9e3-6cfcfe55d6fe&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></noscript>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-42097271394320462572014-06-01T17:23:00.003-05:002014-06-01T17:23:27.127-05:00Renewed Crusades: Not Learning From History or Common Sense Logic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTLwC_oA674/S6ERvRWBEFI/AAAAAAAAIDo/viZCs59f9Ls/s1600/163553nur9s1460u.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTLwC_oA674/S6ERvRWBEFI/AAAAAAAAIDo/viZCs59f9Ls/s1600/163553nur9s1460u.gif" height="200" width="197" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Islamic conquest after the death of the
prophet of the Muslims, Mohammad, was probably the most bloodiest in
the history of mankind. One of the greatest historians who wrote the
<i><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Civilization" target="_blank">Story of Civilization</a>, Volume 4: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Civilization#IV._The_Age_of_Faith_.281950.29" target="_blank">The Age of Faith</a></b></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Civilization#I._Our_Oriental_Heritage_.281935.29" target="_blank"><b><i>Our Oriental Heritage</i></b></a>) in a
multi-volume series, <b>Will Durant</b>, wrote objectively as he
wrote about the dark history of Christianity during what is called
the medieval period:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>The
Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history.
It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization
is a precious good, whose delicate complex of order and freedom,
culture and peace, can at any moment be overthrown by barbarians
invading from without or multiplying within</b></i></span></span>.
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/05/the_greatest_murder_machine_in_history.html" target="_blank">History's murder machine</a>.<br />
For you bleeding hearts out there who
do not understand what is happening daily around the world,
specifically in Europe and/or those who think that his essay is just
anti-Muslim: you are misinformed and/or not paying attention or
refusing what is reality. This is not a treatise against Muslims like
those dear friends I made in Turkey while serving the United States
at the command headquarters of LandSouthEast (LSE) NATO in Izmir,
Turkey for 4.5 years. There are Muslims that want to exercise their
faith, yet live in harmony under the <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/People_of_the_Book.html" target="_blank">People of the Book</a> doctrine described by Mohammad in their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran" target="_blank"><i>Holy Qur'an</i></a>. The
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_the_Book" target="_blank"><i>People of the Book</i> </a>are the people who are Jews and Christians
who study the scriptures of the <a href="http://www.catholic.org/bible/old_testament.php" target="_blank"><i>Old Testament</i> </a>and those who
are aware of and obey Mosaic law. Unfortunately these people are fast becoming a minority for various reasons. However, the biggest rift between
Christians and the other two religions is that they deified Jesus and
declared a spiritual <i><a href="http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t002.html" target="_blank">Trinity</a> </i>(after death of Jesus the
Prophet/Messiah of Nazareth/Jerusalem) and church doctrine (rules)
were made up along the way declaring what was accepted and what was
not; typical of organization of any type.
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When objectively looking at the history
of both the three major religions of today, we can say that during
the various periods of theological history, Judaism (Hebrew tribes),
Christianity, and Islam all have elements of brutal periods in their
religious histories.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l8fWHASoGzg/U4t6aJkjFlI/AAAAAAAAJ8k/mblyluvzEig/s1600/Geert+Wilder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l8fWHASoGzg/U4t6aJkjFlI/AAAAAAAAJ8k/mblyluvzEig/s1600/Geert+Wilder.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>Geert Wilder</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/" target="_blank"><b>Daniel Pipes</b></a> has written many
articles about the threat of Islam to world peace and free nations.
He is considered to be a senior scholar who has focused upon radical
Islam and its agenda of world domination. Mr. Pipes has shared the
goals and supported the Dutch politician <a href="http://www.geertwilders.nl/" target="_blank"><b>Geert Wilders</b></a>, who,
tired of his country who had been tolerant to Muslims, had joined the
crusade to fight against Muslims whose agenda is intolerance (while
demanding tolerance) and violence toward all religions and people who
speak out about their hateful intolerant doctrine.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBbpNsFcsVQ/U4t7AeFq2YI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/_2me-PHQi28/s1600/Daniel_Pipes_LF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBbpNsFcsVQ/U4t7AeFq2YI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/_2me-PHQi28/s1600/Daniel_Pipes_LF.JPG" height="200" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Daniel Pipes</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fundamentally, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Pipes" target="_blank">Daniel Pipes</a> is trying to protect free speech for ALL – not
just Muslims, but also the right of Christians to denounce the hate
doctrine and violent actions against Jews and Christians preached by
Muslims who insist upon desecrating the People of the Book that
Mohammad the Prophet mentions in his writings. Indeed, all of this
discussion would have been moot and just a paragraph in history if it
were not the fact that a Christian king that had been intrigued with
Mohammed and discussing his theological thought had been impressed
enough to refuse to turn over the Prophet in chains over to the
emissary and militia sent by the bureaucracy of Mecca in order to
condemn him and put him to death in a public execution. Therefore,
Mohammad was protected by a Christian ruler, while Muslims and
Islamic clerics are out to repeat the butchery of the Crusades (on
both sides) all in the name of enslaving the world under theocratic
rule – Sharia Law – where state and religion are NOT separated,
but instead one and the same.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yet, too many Americans (and Europeans)
seem to be afraid to see or admit to this reality. They instead make
up a <i>Willy Wonka </i>world that has nothing to do with the true
intentions of those who think nothing of killing masses of people,
including children; all the while preaching how evil the Jews are
because they do despicable things like kill Muslim children and drink
their blood (in the textbooks of Islamic schools in Palestine and
certain <a href="http://youtu.be/B_c8sFzDPnU">Islamic periodical
propaganda</a> material). None of this would you ever find in the
mainstream politically controlled media.
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0iILn7q9ks/T9rxUMdimNI/AAAAAAAACko/z3K2IPmIML8/s1600/Islam-World-Domination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0iILn7q9ks/T9rxUMdimNI/AAAAAAAACko/z3K2IPmIML8/s1600/Islam-World-Domination.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>News Stories like this are ignored</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For too many Americans who follow the
<a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/03/the_jihad_of_liberalism_.html" target="_blank">liberal-socialists</a>, who demand appeasement to enemies of the free
nations of the world, but condemn and persecute those who exercise
tolerance only to a certain degree – they are afraid to stand up to
the evil doctrine and mandates of Islamic Jihadism. In the case of
the Dutch politician, aforementioned, <b>Geert Wilders</b>, the Muslims have, according to him, not practiced tolerance while
demanding it from others. It is true, but anyone thinking in that line of thought are "Islamophobic". Their long-term agenda has made them
unwelcome by European people who have been generally open-minded
about Islamic immigrants; while their world domination is made known
to the world (for those who listen and watch) in public speeches by
their clerics leadership.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do all Muslims feel this way or follow
this doctrine? </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No, however, too many are either frightened or feel it
wrong to counter the wishes of their religious leadership; despite
not agreeing to the violence and hatred of Sharia Law. Indeed, that
is why they emigrate; however, the fanatics follow them seeing it an
opportunity to use various subtle and not-so-subtle methods of
subversion, to not become assimilated immigrants enjoying the freedom
of that nation, but instead through subversion mold it to their
theocratic domination. Besides, if this is all you have known since birth - what else would one believe?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYy8jrM43jY/U4t_ABGF-QI/AAAAAAAAJ84/cATFc2ys5n8/s1600/everything-ever-needed-know-about-islam-obama-islam-politics-1342430912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYy8jrM43jY/U4t_ABGF-QI/AAAAAAAAJ84/cATFc2ys5n8/s1600/everything-ever-needed-know-about-islam-obama-islam-politics-1342430912.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Daniel Pipes</b> wrote of Wilders
and <i>Islamic Threat Watch</i> bloggers:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>We're
in the same trench but we have different views of what the problem
is. We both see an attempt to impose Islamic law, sharia, in the
West. We are both against it, and want to maintain Western
civilization. But we understand the nature of the problem
differently</b></i></span></span>.
</div>
</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zugsc_kKW3U/U4t_W906x6I/AAAAAAAAJ9A/ZcbNLobHrG0/s1600/Yasser_Arafat_Islamic+Charlatan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zugsc_kKW3U/U4t_W906x6I/AAAAAAAAJ9A/ZcbNLobHrG0/s1600/Yasser_Arafat_Islamic+Charlatan.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Yasser admired Hitler for his "Solution" concerning Jews</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Palestinian former terrorist leader
and winner of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize_controversies#Peace" target="_blank">Nobel Peace Prize</a> (how, like BH Obama that came to
be makes no sense) was <b>Arafat</b>. He kept a copy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mein_Kampf" target="_blank">Mein Kampf </a> in his library because he admired Hitler for his
concept and action against the <i>Jewish problem</i>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/hitler.html" target="_blank">Adolf Hitler</a> </b>(1889-1945) was an
Austrian-German who became the leader of the Socialist German Workers
Party that is most infamously known as the <i>Nazi Party</i>. He
wrote several passages against Christianity, despite his Catholic
upbringing …</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">You
see, it's been our misfortune to have the wrong religion. Why didn't
we have the religion of the Japanese, who regard sacrifice for the
Fatherland as the highest good? The Mohammedan religion [Islam] too
would have been more compatible to us than Christianity. Why did it
have to be Christianity with its meekness and flabbiness?</span>
</b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[</span></span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside
the Third Reich: Memoirs</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Albert
Speer</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
p. 115]</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The
best thing is to let Christianity die a natural death. A slow death
has something comforting about it. The dogma of Christianity gets
worn away before the advances of science... The instructions of a
hygienic nature that most religions gave, contributed to the
foundation of organized communities. The precepts ordering people to
wash, to avoid certain drinks, to fast at appointed dates, to take
exercise, to rise with the sun, to climb to the top of the minaret —
all these were obligations invented by intelligent people. The
exhortation to fight courageously is also self-explanatory. Observe,
by the way, that, as a corollary, the Moslem was promised a paradise
peopled with sensual girls, where wine flowed in streams — a real
earthly paradise. The Christians, on the other hand, declare
themselves satisfied if after their death they are allowed to sing
hallelujahs! ...Christianity, of course, has reached the peak of
absurdity in this respect. And that's why one day its structure will
collapse. Science has already impregnated humanity. Consequently,
the more Christianity clings to its dogmas, the quicker it will
decline</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">Hitler's
Table Talk</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
translated by </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">N.
Cameron</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">R.H.
Stevens</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Enigma Books (1953)]</span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><a href="http://www.tocqueville.org/chap1.htm" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alexis de Tocqueville</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
(1805-1859) an open-minded French philosopher and historian who
advocated rights and freedom everywhere and studied/admired and wrote
about the unique system of the American new republic in the 19</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
century, (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/465.Alexis_de_Tocqueville" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">Democracy in America</span></b></i></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Regime_and_the_Revolution" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">The Old Regime and the Revolution</span></i></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)
wrote:</span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b>I
studied the Qur'an a great deal. I came away from that study with the
conviction that by and large there have been few religions in the
world as deadly to men as that of Muhammad. As far as I can see, it
is the principal cause of the decadence so visible today in the
Muslim world and, though less absurd than the polytheism of old, its
social and political tendencies are in my opinion more to be feared,
and I therefore regard it as a form of decadence rather than a form
of progress in relation to paganism itself</b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">The
Tocqueville Reader</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Olivier
Zunz </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alan
S. Kahan</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(2002), </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Blackwell
Publishing</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">]</span></span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
Christians, for example, preach or provide a doctrine of hate and
violence, of which certain Christian cult/sects have and do, then
they are as wrong as Islamic jihadism. In the concept of a
constitutional republic, for which the United States was created to
be so, NOT a democracy or any other form of government – freedom of
religion can only apply to religions that are tolerant and that the
state must never decree that any one particular religion be an
official state religion. Thereby, such a system encourages tolerance,
but should not be obligated to take action against a religion whose
doctrine is hate and violence and intolerance. And, yet, just as the
First Amendment protects the right to exercise one's particular
beliefs, at the same time it protects those who believe in no
religion; for that, in a sense, is their </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">belief</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
reality, and generally speaking, most of us believe, as far as
religion goes, much of what our parents believe because we are raised
in the shadows of their beliefs and the doctrine of any church,
synagogue, temple, or mosque of our parents choosing. As one grows
older, or at least progresses through the trek of higher education,
this may change or develop into a splinter or entirely different
philosophical way of thinking. It truly depends upon the concept of
the individual and the choice between blind faith or logical thinking
or a combination of both.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
violence toward other religions, specifically against the </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">People
of the Book</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
an accurate account was given by </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Apostolos
Euangelou Vacalopoulus</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">:</span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b>At
the beginning of the eleventh century, the Seljuk Turks forced their
way into Armenia and there crushed the armies of several petty
Armenian states. No fewer than forty thousand souls fled before the
organized pillage of the Seljuk host to the western part of Asia
Minor. From the middle of the eleventh century, and especially after
the battle of Malazgirt </b></i>[Manzikurt]<i><b> (1071), the Seljuks spread
throughout the whole Asia Minor peninsula, leaving error, panic and
destruction in their wake. Byzantine, Turkish and other contemporary
sources are unanimous in their agreement on the extent of havoc
wrought an the protracted anguish of the local population…[The
Greek chronicler] Kydones described the fate of the Christian peoples
of Asia Minor thus: </b></i></span>
</div>
‘<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b>The entire region which
sustained us, from the Hellespont eastwards to the mountains of
Armenia, has been snatched away. They [the Turks] have razed cities,
pillaged churches, opened graves, and filled everything with blood
and corpses…Alas, too, they have even abused Christian bodies. And
having taken away their entire wealth they have now taken away their
freedom, reducing them to the merest shadows of slaves. And with such
dregs of energy as remain in these unfortunate people, they are
forced to be the servitors of the Turk’s personal comforts.’ </b></i></span>
<br />
“<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b>From the time the Ottoman
Turks first set foot in Thrace under Suleiman, son of Orchan, the
Empire rapidly disintegrated…. From the very beginning of the
Turkish onslaught under Suleiman, the Turks tried to consolidate
their position by the forcible imposition of Islam. [The Ottoman
historian] Sukrullah [maintained] those who refused to accept the
Moslem faith were slaughtered and their families enslaved. ‘Where
there were bells’, writes the same author, ‘Suleiman broke them
up and cast them onto fires. Where there are churches he destroyed
them or converted them into mosques. Thus, in place of bells there
were now muezzins. Wherever Christian infidels were still found,
vassalage was imposed upon their rulers. At least in public they
could no longer say ‘kyrie eleison’ but rather “There is no God
but Allah; and where once their prayers had been addressed to Christ,
they were now to ‘Mohammed, the prophet of Allah</b></i></span>.
[<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Origins-Greek-nation-Byzantine-1204-1461/dp/081350659X" target="_blank"><i><b>Origins of the Greek Nation – The Byzantine Period,1204-1461</b></i></a>; <b>A.E. Vacalopoulus</b>; 1970, pp. 61, 68; 72-73.]</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjBajHF8uT0/U4uCAOw9DtI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/dKGLa6NfMMc/s1600/Holy_Trinity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjBajHF8uT0/U4uCAOw9DtI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/dKGLa6NfMMc/s1600/Holy_Trinity.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Of
course, the history of Christianity is not without its periods of
violence and hateful insanity; but it has, for the most part,
transcended into what it is today. Indeed, the disciples that became
apostles after the death of their master teacher, had been
instrumental in founding religious institutions/churches and
organizing the religion they had named after their theological
leader; becoming f</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">ishers
of men</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
as Jesus had stated they would become. However, despite that Jesus
was bound by Mosaic law and Jewish traditions, the followers of
Christ soon turned away from their Hebrew roots with Gentile converts
as their mainstream entity; the first organized church whose seat was
in Rome that had changed to a Christian state, the <i>Roman Catholic
Church</i>, its leadership deciding that Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ,
was deified and the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Trinity</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
theological concept was born. It was also a time when Christianity
had to decide out of the myriad of scriptures that circulated the
ancient world at the time what was to be canonized and what was to be
rejected as they added gospels, letters and scriptures to the text
(books) of the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Old
Testament</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
a Judaic collection of history, poetry, theological philosophy and
Mosaic law (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ten
Commandments</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)
as part of what became the Holy Bible, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">King
James version</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Islam
has remained to be, throughout its history, a medieval theocracy that
accepts growth of civilized technology and scientific discovery; but
remain in the throes of an archaic government system that refuses
the basic concept of natural laws, natural rights, and tolerance.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Even
</span></span></span><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Pope Benedict XVI</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(2005-2013) wrote:</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1g_HXjn5J5c/U4uCgwIfazI/AAAAAAAAJ9U/2bkR69KUq4Q/s1600/Benedictus+XVI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1g_HXjn5J5c/U4uCgwIfazI/AAAAAAAAJ9U/2bkR69KUq4Q/s1600/Benedictus+XVI.jpg" height="200" width="177" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b>Islam has a total organization
of life that is completely different from ours; it embraces simply
everything,...There is a very marked subordination of woman to man;
there is a very tightly knit criminal law, indeed, a law regulating
all areas of life, that is opposed to our modern ideas about society.
One has to have a clear understanding that it is not simply a
denomination that can be included in the free realm of a pluralistic
society</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060920-123849-8040r.htm"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Washington
Times</span></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
September 20</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
2006]</span></span></span></blockquote>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Lewis" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Bernard Lewis</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
a British-American historian specializes in Oriental Studies, also
provides intellectual and political commentary, Professor of Near
Eastern Studies at Princeton University; considered an expert in the
history of Islam, especially the history of the Ottoman Empire –
wrote:</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNwIpdfQsis/U4uDFyhI2II/AAAAAAAAJ9c/rif_z8bVvw4/s1600/Bernard+Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNwIpdfQsis/U4uDFyhI2II/AAAAAAAAJ9c/rif_z8bVvw4/s1600/Bernard+Lewis.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bernard Lewis</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-21"></a><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><i><b>Historians
in free countries have a moral and professional obligation no to
shrink the difficult issues and subjects that some people would place
under a sort of taboo; not to submit to voluntary censorship, but to
deal with these matters fairly, honestly, without apologetics,
without polemic, and, of course, competently. Those who enjoy freedom
have a moral obligation to use that freedom for those who do not
possess it. We live in a time when great efforts have been made, and
continue to be made to falsify the record of the part and to make
history a tool of propaganda; when governments, religious movements,
political parties, and sectional groups of every kind are busy
rewriting history as they would wish it to have been, as they would
like their followers to believe that it was. All this is very
dangerous indeed, to ourselves and to others, however we may define
otherness - dangerous to our common humanity. Because, make no
mistake, those who are unwilling to confront the past will be unable
to understand the present and unfit to face the future</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Islam in
History</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>B.
Lewis</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
Oxford University Press, NY, 1993; p. 130]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Bertrand Russell</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(1872-1970) was a British philosopher, mathematician, historian,
social critic and considered the founder of analytic socialist
philosophy; who knew and understood the history of Islam …</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-d_mIO3XM4/U4uRtq4I59I/AAAAAAAAJ9s/w67DTLiw07g/s1600/Bertrand_Russell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-d_mIO3XM4/U4uRtq4I59I/AAAAAAAAJ9s/w67DTLiw07g/s1600/Bertrand_Russell.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">Immediately
after his death </span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Mohammad
the Prophet] </span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">the
conquests began, and they proceeded with rapidity … Westward
expansion (except in Sicily and Southern Italy) was brought to a
standstill by the defeat of the Mohammedans at the Battle of Tours in
732, just one hundred years after the death of the Prophet. … It
was the duty of the faithful to conquer as much of the world as
possible for Islam. … The first conquests of the Arabs began as
mere raids for plunder, and only turned into permanent occupation
after experience has shown the weakness of the enemy. … The Arabs,
although they conquered a great part of the world in the name of a
new religion were not a very religious race; the motive of their
conquests was plunder and wealth rather than religion</span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
[</span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">The
History of Western Civilization</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Book
Two, Chapter X: Mohammedan Culture</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">]
</span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuK5shxjiTI/U4uRzRF7xbI/AAAAAAAAJ90/MlpI-a9Z7bg/s1600/blaise-pascal-with-quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuK5shxjiTI/U4uRzRF7xbI/AAAAAAAAJ90/MlpI-a9Z7bg/s1600/blaise-pascal-with-quote.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/philosophers/pascal.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Blaise Pascal</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(1623-1662), a French mathematician, inventor, writer and recognized
Catholic theological philosopher, wrote:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">Mahomet</span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">
</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Mohammad]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">established a
religion by putting his enemies to death; Jesus Christ by commanding
his followers to lay down their lives</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Oddly,
Americans are more apt to speak out or stand up against a Christian
rather than a Muslim; despite Islam being a religion that puts its
enemies to death while Christians are provided examples of martyrdom
where Christians have become </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">sacrificial
lambs</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Therefore, which religion is predominately one of peace? In any
religion there are exceptions to the rule, especially within
Christianity because of its splintering throughout its history into
sects and cults, either falling far behind the actual philosophical
ideology of Jesus the Christ (recognized by Mohammed as a “chosen”
prophet) or ignoring it all together. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Islamism
has continued its development of genocide of any religion, especially
Jews, that does not conform/recognize their </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sharia
Law</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IZ6fnsuRiE/U4uSfDnNwrI/AAAAAAAAJ98/xWQFVI7P8Qs/s1600/Jung_1910-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IZ6fnsuRiE/U4uSfDnNwrI/AAAAAAAAJ98/xWQFVI7P8Qs/s1600/Jung_1910-crop.jpg" height="200" width="105" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Jung, 1910</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Indeed, as </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Jung" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Carl Gustav Jung</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Swiss psychologist and philosopher, described Adolf Hitler when he
was rising to power:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">We do
not know whether Hitler is going to found a new Islam. He is already
on the way; he is like Muhammad. The emotion in Germany is Islamic;
warlike and Islamic. They are all drunk with a wild god</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><b><i><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=ndI9AAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">Symbolic
Life: Miscellaneous Writings</span></a></i></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Volume 18), Routledge, 1977; p. 639]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Historical
evidence found in classical and modern works on the subject of the
practice of jihad is the gist of Islamic civilization and is </span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">one
of the major factors in the astounding success of the faith of Islam</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><b><i><a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1ppjtw"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">Understanding
Jihad</span></a></i></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">David
Cook</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
University of California Press, 2005; -. 163.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
think one of the best accounts of or description of Islam during the
7</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
century in its infancy of expansion, is that written by Jacobi in a
tract entitled </span></span></span><a href="http://www.livius.org/men-mh/messiah/messiah_med01.html" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">Doctrina Jacobi </span></b></i></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">…
[volume 16, 209; p. 57]</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghfz7SUm3j0/U4ufSz8eJuI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/DGUgHZJU62Y/s1600/Muhammad+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghfz7SUm3j0/U4ufSz8eJuI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/DGUgHZJU62Y/s1600/Muhammad+04.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-46"></a><i><b><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">When
the candidatus was killed by the Saracens, I was at Caesarea and I
set off by boat to Sykamina. People were saying "the candidatus
has been killed," and we Jews were overjoyed. And they were
saying that the prophet had appeared, coming with the Saracens, and
that he was proclaiming the advent of the anointed one, the Christ
who was to come. I, having arrived at Sykamina, stopped by a certain
old man well-versed in scriptures, and I said to him: "What can
you tell me about the prophet who has appeared with the Saracens?"
He replied, groaning deeply: "He is false, for the prophets do
not come armed with a sword. Truly they are works of anarchy being
committed today and I fear that the first Christ to come, whom the
Christians worship, was the one sent by God and we instead are
preparing to receive the Antichrist. Indeed, Isaiah said that the
Jews would retain a perverted and hardened heart until all the earth
should be devastated. But you go, master Abraham, and find out about
the prophet who has appeared." So I, Abraham, inquired and heard
from those who had met him that there was no truth to be found in the
so-called prophet, only the shedding of men's blood. He says also
that he has the keys of paradise, which is incredible</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gibbon" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Edward Gibbon</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(1737-1794) was an English historian and member of Parliament whose
work, </span></span></span><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25717/25717-h/25717-h.htm" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire</span></b></i></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
has been an historical masterpiece in quality of its information
sources and still used in great extent today as a source of
information. He also wrote some commentary concerning the prophet
[Muhammad] and comparing the Greek classics like </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Iliad</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
of Homer or the </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Phillipics
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">of
Demosthenes or the Roman treatises on philosophy. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://frankmillerink.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Frank Miller</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
is an American comic book artist, writer and film director and who
compares the Middle East, wrapped in medieval theocracy not being
represented for what it truly is, and at the same time, discounting
the United States paying more attention to its failures than its
accomplishments:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoPoMSiDQcA/U4uhi8nHrAI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/W4TdXVu8fyY/s1600/Frank+Miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoPoMSiDQcA/U4uhi8nHrAI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/W4TdXVu8fyY/s1600/Frank+Miller.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Frank MIller</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;">We're
constantly told all cultures are equal, and every belief system is as
good as the next. And generally that America was to be known for its
flaws rather than its virtues. When you think about what Americans
accomplished, building these amazing cities, and all the good its
done in the world, it's kind of disheartening to hear so much hatred
of America, not just from abroad, but internally... For some reason,
nobody seems to be talking about who we're up against, and the sixth
century barbarism that they actually represent. These people saw
people's heads off. They enslave women, they genitally mutilate their
daughters, they do not behave by any cultural norms that are sensible
to us. I'm speaking into a microphone that never could have been a
product of their culture, and I'm living in a city where three
thousand of my neighbors were killed by thieves of airplanes they
never could have built</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[NPR, </span></span></span><i><a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7002481&date=2012-06-13"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Talk
of the Nation</span></span></a></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
January 24</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
2007]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">Fatalistic
teachings of Muhammad</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
wrote <a href="http://www.generalpatton.com/" target="_blank"><b>George S. Patton</b></a>, in observation of contact with Muslims in
World War II; </span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">and
the utter degradation of women is the outstanding cause for the
arrested development of the Arab. He is exactly as he was around the
year 700, while we have kept on developing</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;">The War As
I Knew It</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
General </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">George
S. Patton</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
1974; p. 49]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">John Wesley</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(1730-1791), theologian and founder of the English Methodist
Christian denomination studied Islamism as impartial as possible, and
wrote:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpP9fgRszCk/U4uhTLk9iSI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/VHDVMLq34F4/s1600/John+Wesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpP9fgRszCk/U4uhTLk9iSI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/VHDVMLq34F4/s1600/John+Wesley.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>An
ingenious writer, who a few years ago published a pompous translation
of the Koran, takes great pains to give us a very favourable [SIC]
opinion both of Mahomet and his followers. But he cannot wash the
Ethiop white</b>. …<b> </b></span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><i>It
may suffice to observe in general, that human understanding must be
debased to an inconceivable degree, in those who can swallow such
absurdities as divinely revealed. And yet we know the Mahometans
[SIC] not only condemn all who cannot swallow them to everlasting
fire; … That these men then have no knowledge or love of God is
undeniably manifest, not only from their gross, horrible notions of
him, but from their not loving their brethren. But they have not
always so weighty a cause to hate and murder one another, as
difference of opinion. … It is not therefore strange, that ever
since the religion of Mahomet appeared in the world, the espousers of
it, particularly those under the Turkish emperor, have been as wolves
and tigers to all other nations; rending and tearing all that fell
into their merciless paws, and grinding them with their iron teeth:
that numberless cities are raised from the foundation, and only their
name remaining: that many countries which were once as the garden of
God, are. now a desolate wilderness; and that so many once numerous
and powerful nations are vanished away from the earth! Such was, and
is at this day, the rage, the fury, the revenge, of these destroyers
of humankind! </i></b> [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>The
Doctrine of Original Sin</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>John
Wesley</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
1817; p. 35]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Sven_Kalisch" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Muhammad Sven Kalisch</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is a Professor at Münster University, one of Germany's oldest and
respected universities, who became Germany's first ever professor of
Islamic theology in 2004:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>I
said to myself: You've dealt with Christianity and Judaism but what
about your own religion? Can you take it for granted that Muhammad
existed? ... The more I read, the historical person at the root of
the whole thing became more and more improbable</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122669909279629451.html&date=2011-08-29" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Professor Hired for Outreach to Muslims delivers a Jolt</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
Andrew Higgins interview; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wall
Street Journal</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
November 15, 2008]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-83"></a>… <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>My
position with regard to the historical existence of Muhammad is that
I believe neither his existence nor his non-existence can be proven.
I, however, lean towards the non-existence but I don't think it can
be proven. It is my impression that, unless there are some
sensational archeological discoveries -- an Islamic "Qumran"
or "Nag Hammadi" -- the question of Muhammad's existence
will probably never be finally clarified</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wall
Street Journal</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/My%20position%20with%20regard%20to%20the%20historical%20existence%20of%20Muhammad%20is%20that%20I%20believe%20neither%20his%20existence%20nor%20his%20non-existence%20can%20be%20proven.%20I,%20however,%20lean%20towards%20the%20non-existence%20but%20I%20don%27t%20think%20it%20can%20be%20proven.%20It%20is%20my%20impression%20that,%20unless%20there%20are%20some%20sensational%20archeological%20discoveries%20--%20an%20Islamic%20%22Qumran%22%20or%20%22Nag%20Hammadi%22%20--%20the%20question%20of%20Muhammad%27s%20existence%20will%20probably%20never%20be%20finally%20clarified."><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Excerpt:
Muslim Academic Questions Muhammad's Existence</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
November 15, 2008]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70gnLqfALg/U4uiaUk_MhI/AAAAAAAAJ-w/OhnFpf1V9j8/s1600/MustafaKemalAtaturk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70gnLqfALg/U4uiaUk_MhI/AAAAAAAAJ-w/OhnFpf1V9j8/s1600/MustafaKemalAtaturk.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Mustafa Kemal Ataturk</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Kemal_Atat%C3%BCrk" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Mustafa Kemal Atatürk</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(1881-1938) was a Turkish army officer who became a revolutionary
statesman, writer and founder of the Republic of Turkey, and as its
first president separated the affairs of religion from the affairs of
state by outlawing theocracy and the traditional Islamic </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sharia
Law –</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
the discrimination against women and arranged for the Turkish
language and its educational books to be written in Turkish using
European alphabet instead of Arabic. He wrote:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>Turks
were a great nation even before they adopted Islam. This religion did
not help the Arabs, Iranians, Egyptians and others to unite with
Turks to form a nation. Conversely, it weakened the Turks’ national
relations; it numbed Turkish national feelings and enthusiasm. This
was natural, because Mohammedanism was based on Arab nationalism
above all nationalities</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Yenigan
Haber Ajansi</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
1997, p. 18]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.samharris.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Sam Harris</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Ph.D, is an American non-fiction writer, who wrote observations about
religion in general:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>Anyone
familiar with my work knows that I am extremely critical of all
religious faiths. I have argued elsewhere that the ascendancy of
Christian conservatism in American politics should terrify and
embarrass us. And yet, there are gradations to the evil that is done
in name of God, and these gradations must be honestly observed. So
let us now make sense of the impossible by acknowledging the obvious:
there is a direct link between the doctrine of Islam and Muslim
terrorism. Acknowledging this link remains especially taboo among
political liberals.<br />. . . While the other major world religions
have been fertile sources of intolerance, it is clear that the
doctrine of Islam poses unique problems for the emergence of a global
civilization. The world, from the point of view of Islam, is divided
into the “House of Islam” and the “House of War,” and this
latter designation should indicate how Muslims believe their
differences with those who do not share their faith will be
ultimately resolved. While there are undoubtedly some moderate
Muslims who have decided to overlook the irrescindable militancy of
their religion, Islam is undeniably a religion of conquest. The only
future devout Muslims can envisage—as Muslims—is one in which all
infidels have been converted to Islam, politically subjugated, or
killed. The tenets of Islam simply do not admit of anything but a
temporary sharing of power with the “enemies of God.” Devout
Muslims can have no doubt about the reality of Paradise or about the
efficacy of martyrdom as a means of getting there. Nor can they
question the wisdom and reasonableness of killing people for what
amount to theological grievances. In Islam, it is the moderate who is
left to split hairs, because the basic thrust of the doctrine is
undeniable: convert, subjugate, or kill unbelievers; kill apostates;
and conquer the world</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
… </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>Islam,
more than any other religion human beings have devised, has all the
makings of a thoroughgoing cult of death</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
… </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>As a
matter of doctrine, the Muslim conception of tolerance is one in
which non-Muslims have been politically and economically subdued,
converted, or put to sword</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-harris/bombing-our-illusions_b_8615.html&date=2011-03-08"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Bombing
Our Illusions</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Sam
Harris</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Huffington Post</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
October 10</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
2005.</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVw9NVeDhIs/U4ujC3x8vzI/AAAAAAAAJ-8/hQPwLhXhL2k/s1600/sam-harris-tolerance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVw9NVeDhIs/U4ujC3x8vzI/AAAAAAAAJ-8/hQPwLhXhL2k/s1600/sam-harris-tolerance.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">AND</span></b>
… </span></span></span>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-103"></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>Yes,
the Bible contains its own sadistic lunacy—but the above [Qur'an]
quotations [taken from The End of Faith, pp. 117-123] can be fairly
said to convey the central message of the Qur’an—and of Islam at
nearly every moment in its history. The Qur’an does not contain
anything like a Sermon on the Mount. Nor is it a vast and
self-contradictory book like the Old Testament, in which whole
sections (like Leviticus and Deuteronomy) can be easily ignored and
forgotten. The result is a unified message of triumphalism,
other-worldliness, and religious hatred that has become a problem for
the entire world. And the world still waits for moderate Muslims to
speak honestly about it</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/honesty-the-muslim-worlds-scarcest-resource&date=2012-03-01"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Honesty:
The Muslim World's Scarcest Resource?</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
SanHarris.com; March 01, 2012]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEO9-avKYmg/U4uj2r9oq9I/AAAAAAAAJ_A/Ntz4uvkaSy8/s1600/Sam+Harris+-+Atheist+Cosmos.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEO9-avKYmg/U4uj2r9oq9I/AAAAAAAAJ_A/Ntz4uvkaSy8/s1600/Sam+Harris+-+Atheist+Cosmos.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-105"></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>There
is no such thing as Islamophobia. Bigotry and racism exist, of
course—and they are evils that all well-intentioned people must
oppose. And prejudice against Muslims or Arabs, purely because of the
accident of their birth, is despicable. But like all religions, Islam
is a system of ideas and practices. And it is not a form of bigotry
or racism to observe that the specific tenets of the faith pose a
special threat to civil society. Nor is it a sign of intolerance to
notice when people are simply not being honest about what they and
their co-religionists believe</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-08-13/ground-zero-mosque/3/&date=2011-03-08"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>What
Obama Got Wrong About the Mosque</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Sam
Harris</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Daily Beast</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
August 13</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
2010]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/site/c.elKSIdOWIiJ8H/b.8090799/k.C003/Home.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Theodore
“Teddy” Roosevelt</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/site/c.elKSIdOWIiJ8H/b.8090799/k.C003/Home.htm" target="_blank"></a>(1858-1919_ was the 26</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
President of the United States from 1901 to 1909, among other things,
is rated as the top five American presidents of all time, who wrote
[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Fear God
and Take Your Own Part</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
1916; p. 70] …</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-115"></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>Christianity
is not the creed of Asia and Africa at this moment solely because the
seventh century Christians of Asia and Africa had trained themselves
not to fight, whereas the Moslems were trained to fight. Christianity
was saved in Europe solely because the peoples of Europe fought. If
the peoples of Europe in the seventh and eighth centuries, an on up
to and including the seventeenth century, had not possessed a
military equality with, and gradually a growing superiority over the
Mohammedans who invaded Europe, Europe would at this moment be
Mohammedan and the Christian religion would be exterminated. Wherever
the Mohammedans have had complete sway, wherever the Christians have
been unable to resist them by the sword, Christianity has ultimately
disappeared. From the hammer of Charles Martel to the sword of
Sobieski, Christianity owed its safety in Europe to the fact that it
was able to show that it could and would fight as well as the
Mohammedan aggressor... The civilization of Europe, American and
Australia exists today at all only because of the victories of
civilized man over the enemies of civilization because of victories
through the centuries from Charles Martel in the eighth century and
those of John Sobieski in the seventeenth century. During the
thousand years that included the careers of the Frankish soldier and
the Polish king, the Christians of Asia and Africa proved unable to
wage successful war with the Moslem conquerors; and in consequence
Christianity practically vanished from the two continents; and today,
nobody can find in them any "social values" whatever, in
the sense in which we use the words, so far as the sphere of
Mohammedan influences are concerned. There are such "social
values" today in Europe, America and Australia only because
during those thousand years, the Christians of Europe possessed the
warlike power to do what the Christians of Asia and Africa had failed
to do — that is, to beat back the Moslem invader</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2GuXG6gaiV8/U4ukwlhKF6I/AAAAAAAAJ_M/eLYFQgqbMz8/s1600/st__thomas_aquinas_icon_by_lordshadowblade-d5t99rt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2GuXG6gaiV8/U4ukwlhKF6I/AAAAAAAAJ_M/eLYFQgqbMz8/s1600/st__thomas_aquinas_icon_by_lordshadowblade-d5t99rt.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
<a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Thomas Aquinas</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
sainted influential philosopher and theologian (1225-1274),
considered the father of modern theological philosophy, wrote his
observation of Islam …</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>On
the other hand, those who founded sects committed to erroneous
doctrines proceeded in a way that is opposite to this, The point is
clear in the case of Muhammad. He seduced the people by promises of
carnal pleasure to which the concupiscence of the flesh goads us. His
teaching also contained precepts that were in conformity with his
promises, and he gave free rein to carnal pleasure. In all this, as
is not unexpected, he was obeyed by carnal men. As for proofs of the
truth of his doctrine, he brought forward only such as could be
grasped by the natural ability of anyone with a very modest wisdom.
Indeed, the truths that he taught he mingled with many fables and
with doctrines of the greatest falsity. He did not bring forth any
signs produced in a supernatural way, which alone fittingly gives
witness to divine inspiration; for a visible action that can be only
divine reveals an invisibly inspired teacher of truth. On the
contrary, Muhammad said that he was sent in the power of his
arms—which are signs not lacking even to robbers and tyrants. What
is more, no wise men, men trained in things divine and human,
believed in him from the beginning, Those who believed in him were
brutal men and desert wanderers, utterly ignorant of all divine
teaching, through whose numbers Muhammad forced others to become his
followers by the violence of his arms. Nor do divine pronouncements
on the part of preceding prophets offer him any witness. On the
contrary, he perverts almost all the testimonies of the Old and New
Testaments by making them into fabrications of his own, as can be.
seen by anyone who examines his law. It was, therefore, a shrewd
decision on his part to forbid his followers to read the Old and New
Testaments, lest these books convict him of falsity. It is thus clear
that those who place any faith in his words believe foolishly</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://www.josephkenny.joyeurs.com/CDtexts/ContraGentiles1.htm#6"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Summa
Contra Gentiles</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Book 1, Chapter 6.4]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.tonyblairoffice.org/" target="_blank">Tony Blair</a> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is
a Labour Party politician who served as Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. He sided with President <b>GH Bush</b> in
curtailing the aggressive behavior of </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Saddam
Hussein</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and a major ally in <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/us/60a.asp" target="_blank"><i>Operation Desert Storm</i></a>, who stated:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-121"></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>There
is not a problem with Islam... But there is a problem within Islam,
and we have to put it on the table and be honest about it. There are,
of course, Christian extremists and Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu ones.
But I am afraid that the problematic strain within Islam is not the
province of a few extremists. It has at its heart a view of religion
– and of the relationship between religion and politics – that is
not compatible with pluralistic, liberal, open-minded societies. At
the extreme end of the spectrum are terrorists, but the worldview
goes deeper and wider than it is comfortable for us to admit. So, by
and large, we don’t admit it. This has two effects. First, those
who hold extreme views believe that we are weak, and that gives them
strength. Second, those Muslims – and the good news is that there
are many – who know the problem exists, and want to do something
about it, lose heart</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/lee-rigby-and-the-struggle-to-contain-violent-islamists-by-tony-blair&date=2014-02-16"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>The
Trouble Within Islam</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Project Syndicate, June 10</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
2013]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KG-sBxAr6Ew/U4umvb7Z1gI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/R8uZL_W9CD8/s1600/Ariel-and-Will-Durant-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KG-sBxAr6Ew/U4umvb7Z1gI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/R8uZL_W9CD8/s1600/Ariel-and-Will-Durant-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Durant" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>William James Durant</b></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(1885-1981) was a prolific American writer, historian and philosopher
who wrote </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>The
Story of Philosophy</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
in 1926 and as </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Will
Durant</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
wrote the multi-volume </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>History
of Civilization</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
with Volume 4 (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Age of Faith</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)and
Volume 1, (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Our
Oriental </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Heritage). Half way through the volumes, his wife, Ariel (left) joined him as a team historical writing staff.</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-127"></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>The
Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history.
It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization
is a precious good, whose delicate complex of order and freedom,
culture and peace, can at any moment be overthrown by barbarians
invading from without or multiplying within</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>Our
Oriental Heritage</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Volume 1; p. 459]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwtWPl3EDcA/U4unn3IwqpI/AAAAAAAAJ_o/xPgZ05CGHEA/s1600/Winston-Churchill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwtWPl3EDcA/U4unn3IwqpI/AAAAAAAAJ_o/xPgZ05CGHEA/s1600/Winston-Churchill.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.biography.com/people/winston-churchill-9248164#awesm=~oFYKM4otq6sfJN" target="_blank">Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill</a> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(1874-1965)
was a British politician who is chiefly known for getting the United
Kingdom through World War II, but also as a prolific writer who wrote
several volumes on history; regarded as one of the greatest wartime
leaders in the modern world and voted as the greatest Briton of all
time – respected by many. </span></span></span><a href="http://www.nalanda.nitc.ac.in/resources/english/etext-project/history/riverwar/"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><b>The
River War – An Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
1902 …</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="cite_ref-138"></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><i><b>Fanaticism
is not a cause of war. It is the means which helps savage peoples to
fight. It is the spirit which enables them to combine--the great
common object before which all personal or tribal disputes become
insignificant. What the horn is to the rhinoceros, what the sting is
to the wasp, the Mohammedan faith was to the Arabs of the Soudan--a
faculty of offence or defence</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
you can see there is prolific writing concerning the intolerance and
hateful doctrine of Islam before and after the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Reason" target="_blank"> </a></span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Reason" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Age of Reason</span></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
something that the mainstream media and American/European politicians
are either afraid or refuse to address. The bad publicity and public
impression of Islam is not a phobia, but is a real threat to the
civilized world and any efforts of nations and people living in peace
and harmony as best as humanly can be done.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Islamophobia
is a world devised by those who believe that issues are resolved by
capitulation and that real-world bullies can be subdued by giving
what they want. Strangely, those that promote such a preposterous
ideology are the same people who have fallen prey to the delusions of
democratic socialism and communist mantra, thinking that such things
are better than a constitutional republic and a society who maintains
reasonable tolerance without being deprived of the key moral ideology
and philosophy that makes for great civilizations; and indeed, its
continued existence of exercised freedoms and liberties.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pathetic,
especially in terms of old fashioned common sense and logic.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-44411187732851386572014-04-19T16:53:00.000-05:002014-08-17T08:08:47.572-05:00Reflective Moments Concerning Theological and Philosophical Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Um9iyChz3kM/U1LflJ04qEI/AAAAAAAAJV4/dcbMVZ0p63k/s1600/Reflections_DianaPru-1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Um9iyChz3kM/U1LflJ04qEI/AAAAAAAAJV4/dcbMVZ0p63k/s1600/Reflections_DianaPru-1997.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In reflective moments I have decided to
put away theology, in terms of theological philosophy around the
world, but personal thoughts that make me, myself, an individual. I
actually have been told I have the qualifications to be a certified
minister, non-denominational, of course – but never had the
inclination to do so. It is not within my character, or <i>being</i>,
to stand before people gathered in some place to preach how they
should run their lives, and other important duties of a true member
of the clergy. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukd1rcFBhAE/U1Lf_DrRcFI/AAAAAAAAJV8/rxc2F8YCHfk/s1600/Button_Monk-reading_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukd1rcFBhAE/U1Lf_DrRcFI/AAAAAAAAJV8/rxc2F8YCHfk/s1600/Button_Monk-reading_animated.gif" /></a>I detest hypocrisy, mostly because I do not like the
habit of saying one thing and doing another; but also I detest
hypocrites because of the cruelty it can bring upon others. I am in
charge of my soul and that takes effort that does not afford me to go
about worrying or telling others how to maintain their soul for
preparation of what lies in the spiritual world, in the present and
the future. I have also been told that I should have been a professor
of history, but I would not last long in an educational system that
is based upon just what is dictated by the progressive authority and
controlled by a government who has denounced the Constitution and the
concept that thinking out of the box, formulating new concepts, is
not heresy or should be against the educational administrative
institution. Indeed, this is the way that great minds are seeded and
develop and invent or discover new things and ideas.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWDSIXgC-oU/U1LgO7mVfKI/AAAAAAAAJWE/ec6-vcOWAjE/s1600/Early+Christian+Architecture_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWDSIXgC-oU/U1LgO7mVfKI/AAAAAAAAJWE/ec6-vcOWAjE/s1600/Early+Christian+Architecture_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus I remain an amateur theologian,
among other interests, whose interest is in the diversity, common
history, and philosophy of religions around the globe places me in a
category that most seem not to understand. But I still consider
myself a Christian, not that I hold to what doctrines that religion
and its various sects dictate, but that I believe in what the founder
of that theological philosophy tried to relay in words, phrases, and
parables in order to teach the importance of spirituality. In that
respect, no other human in written history or unwritten history has
had the impact of the man known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the
<i>Christ</i>. Christianity is not the oldest living religion, but it certainly has logic when it comes to how humans should conduct themselves and act upon each other, and prepare for the spiritual world and the purification of one's soul. Different Christian sects look upon that in various ways but the gist of it still remains. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWD3Q6xwbPk/TxAVYv5RKjI/AAAAAAAAHz8/gLzfTlhdEmo/s1600/ArkofCovenant_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWD3Q6xwbPk/TxAVYv5RKjI/AAAAAAAAHz8/gLzfTlhdEmo/s1600/ArkofCovenant_animated.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>The Ark of the Covenant</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><br /></b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><br /></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The main concept I maintain was handed
down from Moses, tablets called the Covenant that was kept in a receptacle called The Ark of the Covenant; where the commandment that there is only one God, one
omnipresence in the universe. While statues and paintings and
artwork are to be appreciated, providing humans a visual concept of the
unseen – I do not pray to them. Nor do I believe in praying to
anything or anyone other than the Omnipresence that we have come to know as God, in the English language.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For this, I have been the blunt of
hateful words, the most hurtful coming from people I care about. Even
being accused of not heresy, but being <i>delusional</i> and looked
upon as some mad dog that has become rabid. On one hand they believe
in the freedom of speech and thought, but when it comes to that
subject anything beyond what the organized church has developed since
the earthly death of the one they call the Savior is forbidden.
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6DHOs0FR6s/SyTkLYlLKcI/AAAAAAAAAX4/CvKB8HuyLQo/s1600/philosophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6DHOs0FR6s/SyTkLYlLKcI/AAAAAAAAAX4/CvKB8HuyLQo/s1600/philosophy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Theological Philosophy</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In truth, while there are some
scientific, historical, and theological facts to rely upon – much
of the spirituality can only be the faith in common sense ideology.
Logic has, for too long in human history, been pushed aside by
theological bias and doctrine that forbids thinking any other way
than what the church prescribed in its early development many
centuries ago.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This problem is certainly not solely an
element of Christianity, of course. Islam and its clergy thinks in
that line of thought – with a major difference. Christians and Jews
do not set about to exterminate opposition or people of other faiths.
They do not burn down holy temples or structures of other faiths –
well, not since the medieval age that is aptly described as the “Dark
Age”.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Christians view themselves as
missionaries to reach out to others, the <i>lost sheep</i>, in mimic
of the disciples turned apostles and those that followed. Nothing
wrong with that, as long as they take “No” seriously and
elegantly by someone who just doesn't want to have nothing to do with
it or is a loyal follower of their chosen faith. Jews are happy to
exercise their faith, but find it not hard to live among others who
are not believers. They are less prejudice than many Christians.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Islam has a long history of conquest,
subjugation and violence. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPyUuWQSPac/S6EVAkppqvI/AAAAAAAABUg/U4e_zxm2b-o/s1600/WorldReligions_BookCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPyUuWQSPac/S6EVAkppqvI/AAAAAAAABUg/U4e_zxm2b-o/s1600/WorldReligions_BookCover.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In more modern ages, some have developed a
more pacific view, being strict among themselves about keeping the
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/fivepillars.shtml"><i>Five
Pillars of Islam</i></a> and the knowledge of the <a href="http://www.aaiil.org/text/hq/trans/ma_list.shtml"><i><b>Holy
Qur'an</b></i></a> – but do not interfere with others, viewed as
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_the_Book">People of
the Book</a>, as their prophet called them: Christians and Jews. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owomA0jL6GM/S6EWowPy-OI/AAAAAAAABUo/onnGiKYFjkg/s1600/muslim-demonstration_feb-3-2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owomA0jL6GM/S6EWowPy-OI/AAAAAAAABUo/onnGiKYFjkg/s1600/muslim-demonstration_feb-3-2006.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Islam demands tolerance while preaching and practicing intolerance - violence.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus was a Jew and raised in the faith
of Hebrews going back far into time, and it is beyond my understanding how anyone who read the Bible can hate Jews of which even the Koran calls the <i>People of the Book</i>? To Christians the books in the
<a href="https://www.catholic.org/bible/old_testament.php"><i>Old
Testament </i></a>section of the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng"><i><b>Holy
Bible</b></i></a> is all about the Jewish history, philosophy and
with one book (<a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/kjv/kjv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=2190116"><i>Psalms</i></a>)
that contains beautiful poetic text. <a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm"><i>Passover</i></a>
that became his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Supper"><i>Last
Supper</i></a>. The latter has overridden the <i>Passover </i>meaning,
as established by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas"><b>St.
Thomas Aquinas</b></a>. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03195b.htm"><b>John
Calvin</b></a> established the concept of two <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05584a.htm">sacrament</a>s:
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm"><i>Baptism</i></a><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm">
</a>and the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14341a.htm"><i>Last
Supper</i></a>, called <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05572c.htm"><i>Eucharist</i></a>.
Jesus focused his teachings among the Jews, although he had inspired
Gentiles along the way. He told the disciples that is they that
should go out among all peoples and spread his <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09328a.htm&sa=U&ei=ecJSU4mjHMmoyATzroDwAg&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGghV97zVC7OZ6m_v0og3vkuzXVyg"><i>Word
of God</i></a>. One hundred or more years later, Christianity did
spread by the apostles and those elected to join them and carry on
into the next generation. The early Church was organized and formed,
and soon a hierarchy was established in the form of bishops and
lesser clergy. The theologians of the time spent much effort in
obtaining, retaining, and copying that which was written after the
passing of Jesus.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIM6tz_zPpQ/SyUcufFbm1I/AAAAAAAAAYM/kqkJGlsgGQE/s1600/lastsuppersecret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIM6tz_zPpQ/SyUcufFbm1I/AAAAAAAAAYM/kqkJGlsgGQE/s1600/lastsuppersecret.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Jesus kept the sacred and holy
holidays, which included <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Soon, the Church establishment became
concerned because there was texts that were questionable concerning
origin, so after much discussion, arguments, and debate it was
decided that there must be a canonical set of books that must be
added to the Bible (Book of Books) and it was eventually split
between the Old and New Testaments. The Church grew in numbers and
the papal authority was created after Rome became Christianized and
paganism fell into the dust bins of history.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VU-rUTVp_K0/U1Ljd3jZToI/AAAAAAAAJWQ/ZoYda2HWvR8/s1600/ancient_arab_manuscript_from_library_of_alexandria_b21-344780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VU-rUTVp_K0/U1Ljd3jZToI/AAAAAAAAJWQ/ZoYda2HWvR8/s1600/ancient_arab_manuscript_from_library_of_alexandria_b21-344780.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a>Unfortunately, it was
not a peaceful transition, for once the Christians gained majority
within the Roman Empire, Christian mobs persecuted pagans and other
religions with cruelty and violence. <a href="http://www.serageldin.com/ancient_Library.htm">eighth</a>
of the seven ancient <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_Ancient_World"><i>Wonders
of the World</i></a>, contained a vast storage of knowledge and
written text from everywhere in the known world at the time. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That too
fell, along with great “pagan” philosophers and thinkers, one of
them a woman, to the violence of the Christian mob. It is estimated
that only 25% of content of the ancient Alexandria Library was saved.
That may be a lower percentage. It did not matter that the library
contained important works of doctors who established scientific
principles to improve the world of medicine and medical treatment or
that philosophical text written by those not Christian could contain
words of wisdom for everyone. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sSL9TpBvyc/U1LlnzOJP1I/AAAAAAAAJWc/NWOuUQp5-GE/s1600/bibliotec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sSL9TpBvyc/U1LlnzOJP1I/AAAAAAAAJWc/NWOuUQp5-GE/s1600/bibliotec.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Bibliotec, modern Library of Alexandria</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is surmised that at its height, the
Library of Alexandria contained at least 700,000 scrolls, which would
be the <a href="http://www.serageldin.com/ancient_Library.htm"><i>equivalent
of more than 100,000 modern printed books</i></a>. Today, a modern
model of the Library of Alexandria has been created and books in
printed and digital form are stored there as a center to keep global
knowledge for humans in the future to enjoy as they did in the
ancient world of Alexandria.</div>
Alexandria, up to that point,
had been not only an important trade center connecting North Africa
with the rest of the Mediterranean nations; but also a cultural
center where the Library of Alexandria, the <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLC_QAw0yxA/U1LoeB7X1oI/AAAAAAAAJW0/l9AizR3n9eE/s1600/Alpha-Omega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLC_QAw0yxA/U1LoeB7X1oI/AAAAAAAAJW0/l9AizR3n9eE/s1600/Alpha-Omega.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As all of this was going on, the
prescribed Church doctrine and rites evolved, and in some cases, and
in my theological view, changed the original meaning of what Jesus
was all about, emphasizing more on the mystic aspects surrounding
Jesus, rather than the importance of the gist of his message.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And then, this is where I receive angry
and hateful criticism, Jesus became deified. In my studies of his
relayed words, as the disciples turned apostle had written, the
mystic overturned the importance of the true spirituality and
original message. Thus a hypocritical phenomenon developed. The Old
Testament book concerning <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11646c.htm&sa=U&ei=Y8hSU6OUKJKTyASj-YHQCg&ved=0CAYQFjAB&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHBLWibvTmbOO_4MvKZ9YBu5_818w"><i>Exodus</i></a>
and how Israel became a nation and the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11646c.htm&sa=U&ei=rMhSU5CBPMKLyATO0IGYDA&ved=0CAcQFjAC&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNEUvJqWhoTooL_YOlCwb3h96rU0qQ"><i>Mosaic
Law</i></a> was established is certainly recognized by Christians and
Jews alike – and Muslims. The same goes to the history of Abraham,
all recognized and celebrated by the three religions that comprise
the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02543a.htm&sa=U&ei=CslSU-LhNNCyyATMv4DQDw&ved=0CAgQFjAD&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNH2Oo5_BQWtU04p8yEbp7qt2bl4tQ"><i>People
of the Book</i></a>. Indeed, the Passover is in celebration of the
Exodus of Moses and the Hebrew tribes out of Egypt. The first law in
the Ten Commandments is:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>I am the Lord your God, who
brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have
no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in
the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in
the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for
I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for
the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those
who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who
love me and keep my commandments. </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCceFvgHwao/Ur70Hb9hSKI/AAAAAAAAIgY/T_RatP7MGLo/s1600/EarlyChristianSymbols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCceFvgHwao/Ur70Hb9hSKI/AAAAAAAAIgY/T_RatP7MGLo/s1600/EarlyChristianSymbols.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Of
course, the early Church that established the <i>Holy Trinity</i>, or <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15047a.htm" target="_blank"><i>Blessed Trinity</i></a>, and after
theological discussion, decided that Christ was not to be remembered
as just a human messenger, but because he was born through Mary by
God – he became deified. Later they added in this justification
that Jesus was part of a mysticism that compromised the Holy Trinity:
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; where Jesus was to be prayed
to as a mediator to God because he was the </span></span><i><b>Son of
God</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
concept was taken from words spoken by Jesus, but many have not
realized that it is not in context; because Jesus also used the
words, </span></span><i><b>Son of Man</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
and most references are in general terms describing those that
believe in the Omnipresence that is known as </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">God</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jehovah</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
or </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Allah</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
All humanity, if one believes in the Creation story, are children of
God – man, woman and child. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus the conflict between Old Testament and New Testament remains,
despite being ignored or discounted with unfounded explanation.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUMs-YyUYi4/U1LnG7le_eI/AAAAAAAAJWo/0bXw6yEZ04A/s1600/Early+Christian+Basicila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUMs-YyUYi4/U1LnG7le_eI/AAAAAAAAJWo/0bXw6yEZ04A/s1600/Early+Christian+Basicila.jpg" height="200" width="178" /></a></div>
Remember, the books in the Old and New Testament are those of the
canon; but there were more books, discounted by the Church for one
reason or another – one being particularly boring because it was
just a book identifying the generations – one begat two and three
begat four and five, et cetera.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
newest verified scripture discovered is the </span></span><i><b><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDkQFjAB&url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/_pdf/GospelofJudas.pdf&ei=V81SU_6eO6yG2wWVnYDYBA&usg=AFQjCNHw8qPZqWC81RQETUOdf_IvQlZoyQ&sig2=2ZL6K1ZaWNYadIDXo0YxQg&bvm=bv.65058239,d.b2I">Gospel
of Judas</a></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
the disciple that betrayed Jesus, which is fantastic because up to
that point the story about Judas was one sided, as told by fellow
disciples. It is interesting reading and points toward the jealousy
that permeated among the disciples. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But
it also dwells upon the teachings of the spiritual world and
mysticism, allegedly relayed to Judas because he was the only
disciple that appeared to understand it fully. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Questions
should always be answered in the best manner of current knowledge and
always striving for truth rather than denying a mystery or unknown
writing it off not acceptable just because it was not written. This
is true whether one is studying history, mathematics or theology. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
have found that any organization, group or individual who discourages
questions or becomes agitated because of questions; immediate
suspicion should enter the inquirers mind. If something cannot stand
up to questioning, than the person being questioned is either not
knowledgeable, or their “facts” presented is either their
hypothesis they have come to accept as truth, or they are driven by
blind faith. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuJu5PV8TzM/U1Lpf306nCI/AAAAAAAAJXA/8jMh4MdqM1A/s1600/inquisition06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iuJu5PV8TzM/U1Lpf306nCI/AAAAAAAAJXA/8jMh4MdqM1A/s1600/inquisition06.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Church, especially in the past, has been guilty of
this, and actually making false accusations against someone with new
thoughts or questions, insisting upon an answer – but instead being
found guilty of heresy and banished, imprisoned or put to death.
During the infamous reign of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08026a.htm" target="_blank"><i>Inquisition</i></a>, this sort of behavior
by the Church grew into an intolerable state of corruption and
hypocrisy where many were horribly tortured and put to death in most
gruesome ways – hardly in the manner of what Jesus taught.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fortunately
reason prevailed and eventually the Church lost its power, especially
in the United States where freedom of religion and beliefs were
pronounced and government had no jurisdiction over it by declaring
one religion to be national among others. Unfortunately one
particularly intolerant religion has taken advantage of the tolerance
of Americans and committing acts of violence sometimes in large
scale.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mythology
of ancient cultures makes interesting reading, and it provides a
small window to view the culture of that particular civilization that
created those mythologies; but Christianity has developed its own
mythology and too often it is regarded as historical truth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">No
doubt, mythology and legends are usually based upon a real person or
event; but the truth has faded into the telling of it, either oral or
written.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
my opinion, by observation and extensive reading of translated text;
Jesus true message has been tainted – mostly because too many are
focused upon the mystical and mythical aspects of Christian history
instead of the reason why Jesus was considered a messenger, a savior
of souls through knowledge of spirituality, the world beyond this
one. I do not believe he meant to be set above God, or even his
equal; indeed he prayed to God, his father, even as he died on the
Cross. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edU4Ro0KJP8/U1Lssk-r56I/AAAAAAAAJXM/VaV5RDAjRJ8/s1600/TenCommandments_Moses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edU4Ro0KJP8/U1Lssk-r56I/AAAAAAAAJXM/VaV5RDAjRJ8/s1600/TenCommandments_Moses.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
why is it not ethical to pray to God, the Omnipresence, and the one
who Moses said that God stated there should be no other gods as
substitute or additions? Divine birth a reality or not – this is
sensible when it comes to reading the Old Testament and New
Testament; and I am sure there would have been far more Jewish
(Hebrew) converts to the Christian concept if they did not deify
Jesus. As far as I have ever found in reading those books in the
Bible and texts even not canonized; that is the one and only conflict
or hypocritical doctrine.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
you view these thoughts as heresy or whatever, well that is your
privilege; but I prefer logic to be the basis and at least included
when it comes to the thoughts of spirituality. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One
of my uncles was a minister in Thermopolis, Wyoming, for many
decades. He was well respected in his community, and respected by me
because once when he visited our family I had asked questions that
were either not found in scriptures, or it was a conflict as
aforementioned. He did not get angry, he did not condemn me, nor did
come up with some contrived answer. He simply stated, in so many
words, that all the wonders of the universe and accumulated knowledge
of humanity can not be found in the Bible. The logic being it would
take a library the size of Alexandria to hold such truths. He just
simply stated he did not know the answer to that particular question.
You can see why I respected him so much. He was an honest and good
man, and a true Christian; for he only passed the Word of Jesus, the
adopted founder of Christianity, but he lived it. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWVlh4_FXDc/U1Ls6SwXspI/AAAAAAAAJXU/C-EiRKbJIEE/s1600/200px-KJV-King-James-Version-Bible-first-edition-title-page-1611.xcf.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWVlh4_FXDc/U1Ls6SwXspI/AAAAAAAAJXU/C-EiRKbJIEE/s1600/200px-KJV-King-James-Version-Bible-first-edition-title-page-1611.xcf.png" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
That is what Jesus
said several times, if your read the words conveniently in red in the
<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version"><span style="font-weight: normal;">King
James</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
version of the Bible [first English translated publication in 1611],
of which, except the Greek and Latin version, is the only accepted
version because creating “new and revised” Bibles only lose the
true meaning in translation. Jesus spoke the Words, but he also lived
by those words. Nothing mystical about that, except his exceptional
character and spiritual aura that inspired people for 2,014 years.</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christians
provide a bad impression upon their religion when they say one thing
and do another; their words not matching their actions. For example,
wrongly accusing and purposefully embarrassing someone in the
presence of others at a family reunion; or spreading gossip destroying a person's reputation unjustly. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Thou shalt not bear false
witness against thy neighbor</i></b> is a clear entry in the Ten
Commandments. It was experiences like that, which kept me away from
Christian circles and my choice to read and study general theology,
history and philosophy rather than attend regularly in a local
Church. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CytoeJN-Ks/U1LvvxGQEAI/AAAAAAAAJXg/eZ314rL7PJA/s1600/HarleyPulis_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CytoeJN-Ks/U1LvvxGQEAI/AAAAAAAAJXg/eZ314rL7PJA/s1600/HarleyPulis_02.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If only there were more like Reverend <b>Pulis</b> of Thermopolis,
Wyoming; more people would attend and the Church would gain more
converts and/or members. Most importantly would be the personal spiritual experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
old proverb that action speaks louder than words applies here, but it
also applies within our nation and its government; for like too many
Christians, politicians do not keep to their word and do not keep
constitutional law that has civic importance like Mosaic Law has
moral importance.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks
for dropping by during my moments of personal reflection and I hope
it was not boring to you.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-87467025379641293582014-04-12T10:32:00.000-05:002014-10-15T06:17:20.269-05:00Life and the Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wimw6lVMO5o/U0lIwJRbzOI/AAAAAAAAJMA/oVB7TILVYjE/s1600/Meaning+of+Life_Monty+Python.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wimw6lVMO5o/U0lIwJRbzOI/AAAAAAAAJMA/oVB7TILVYjE/s1600/Meaning+of+Life_Monty+Python.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How does one know if they have had a
good life? How is it measured? What is the meaning of life?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The latter question has been the brunt of comical representation, and some regard it as: <b><i>Whatever you want it to mean</i></b>, which has its merits.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First, regardless of what you think
about life or death, one thing cannot be denied that everyone has
some element of consciousness, whether you believe one is born with
it or it just miraculously develops at an early stage of life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you do not pay attention to the
conscious then you are apt to have an evil life; and if you totally
rely upon a specific aspect of that conscious you will be taken
advantage of by those who have chosen to ignore consciousness and follow
the path of evil and/or, thinking they have reached the spiritual plane dictate to others what is to become of another individual's soul. It really does not have having anything to do with
what we call <i>religion</i> because that entity is only the creation of
humans that believe they can govern natural law.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4c9HU13hAY4/U0lHvtzhFpI/AAAAAAAAJL4/PoivP1ZKxsM/s1600/Ankh_EgyptianSymbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4c9HU13hAY4/U0lHvtzhFpI/AAAAAAAAJL4/PoivP1ZKxsM/s1600/Ankh_EgyptianSymbol.jpg" height="200" width="117" /></a>The measurement of life, which the
Egyptians thought that your <i>Ka</i>, the soul, was weighed on a
special scale as to how much evil you allowed to control your life or
good; and if it at leased balanced or dipped toward the good side of
the scale, you were not devoured by the soul taker.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In almost all cultures and religious
beliefs there is a heaven and there is a hell, and while there my be
an argument as to the concept of just what heaven or hell is and what
it constitutes, the ultimate reality can only be that it is the state
of consciousness of the soul, that which the Egyptians called Ka and
has many other names in many other earthly languages.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehkxz6T0HlY/U0lI-Ji6_sI/AAAAAAAAJMI/9K6pURuDf6Q/s1600/jesus-christ-sermon-mount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehkxz6T0HlY/U0lI-Ji6_sI/AAAAAAAAJMI/9K6pURuDf6Q/s1600/jesus-christ-sermon-mount.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Religions have much to do with the
soul, especially Christianity whose beliefs and doctrine are based
upon a special person who lived and died more than 2,000 years ago.
And what ever anyone believes about that teacher/prophet they call
Jesus of Nazareth, his words, or the words his disciples have passed
on, remain a wisdom that can never truly be outdated because that is
the element of true wisdom – it is timeless. Jesus was more
concerned with spiritual life rather than earthly life. The problem
with the doctrine of Christians is that they claim that if those
words of Jesus are not known or no one knows anything about that
teacher/prophet, their soul cannot be prepared for what is after
life. Talk about unfairness. Yet, there are humans, more than can be
counted, who have lived their life striving to favor the conscious
and favor goodness while not favoring evil. Which also brings to the
forefront that there is not just natural conscious, but an element of
it that is instinct that every person has and depends upon if they
are aware of it or just been blessed with having a greater degree of
it.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But we are forced to live an earthly
life, at least once, depending whether there is the condition called
reincarnation that several cultures have throughout human history
believed to exist. In general, and according to some Eastern
religions, the soul must reach a certain plane, a certain level of
conscious in order to not be reincarnated. Whether there is a choice
in the matter cannot be determined without losing one's life. The
irony of it is that when we lose life, it seems we cannot convey to
the living the truth of what is beyond death.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That then brings us to those who
believe there is nothing at all. The body dies, the brain's energy
fades out and then nothing becomes of the conscious or the soul,
because what is called soul is energy and once the source of energy
is gone – so the element is forever deceased. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This may sound
reasonable until we consider what has been learned from <a href="http://einstein.biz/biography.php" target="_blank"><b>Albert Einstein</b></a>: Energy cannot be created or destroyed., it can only be
changed from one form to another.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Einstein also showed us that the
concept of a spiritual world and an earthly scientifically explained
world can certainly coexist and compliment one another. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus the
Christian Scientists formed where religion and science melded into spirituality.
But remember that religion is created by humanity, organized by its
leadership, and governed by its specific doctrine. It may or may not
represent spiritual truth or describe the real spiritual world.<br />
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After
all, more often than not, scientific explanation at least begins with
only speculation; and then it must be examined and tested in order to
show that it is a fact. It never failed to amaze me how anyone could
consider that Albert Einstein was an atheist because an atheist
believes in nothing. What they mean to say that Einstein may have
been an agnostic, which is a person who believes in an afterlife and
most likely an omnipresence that is an energy of great magnitude
which oversees the universe or at least is powerful enough to do so.
There too, humans provide that omnipresence a gender. In early
humanity it was feminine, but throughout most of human history it has
been considered masculine, just as the nucleus of family and its
conditions of considered existence.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXbYIJp_Pyo/U0lUXpD279I/AAAAAAAAJMk/3ZeFC9gtw6E/s1600/reincarnation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXbYIJp_Pyo/U0lUXpD279I/AAAAAAAAJMk/3ZeFC9gtw6E/s1600/reincarnation.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So the idea of reincarnation does make
sense if one believes that energy cannot be destroyed. But the
conundrum is that if one considers that the energy we call the soul
cannot be created or destroyed – how did the first soul or souls
come into existence?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So back to the concept of
reincarnation, which despite what Christians may accept or not,
involves their founder, Jesus, whose earthly life stopped and whose
soul rose to whatever plane souls go. The uniqueness about that
transition is that for a given period of time, the spiritual likeness
or whatever it was stayed in the earthly plane, the material plane of
life for a given amount of time before departure for the spiritual
plane. In a sense this also attested to the possibility of
reincarnation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, abortion has come to the
forefront of discussion and argument because it deals with life.
Plainly, it deals with the soul, which is the energy of life – that
which life at certain levels have and that which drives the
machinations of what we call the body. Once thought to have existed
in the heart, science shows us that it is the center of the brain
where the driving force of energy dwells. It is the energy that
operates the wonderful electric currents we call nerves, and which
governs motion, thinking and all the other biological and
pathological processes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNTtZjkZB04/U0lUw23v3kI/AAAAAAAAJMs/ifyzuZhO3p4/s1600/There+are+two+ways+to+live+your+life,+one+is+as+though+nothing+is+a+miracle,+the+other+is+as+though+everything+is+a+miracle.+Albert+Einstein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNTtZjkZB04/U0lUw23v3kI/AAAAAAAAJMs/ifyzuZhO3p4/s1600/There+are+two+ways+to+live+your+life,+one+is+as+though+nothing+is+a+miracle,+the+other+is+as+though+everything+is+a+miracle.+Albert+Einstein.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The one thing that can be agreed upon
is that abortion destroys life. It has come to such a forefront of
argument and discussion because it has become such a process on a
large scale; accepted as a norm instead of as an exception to the
rule. Whether if one believes in reincarnation or not – it is
obvious that abortion has stopped a life. If it was because that life
would not have a good life being terribly deformed, or that life was
conceived under conditions where a person was forced upon sexually –
that could not be against consciousness. In momentarily digression
and in most cases, those that agree that abortion is okay because
they do not accept that a living being has been horribly killed are
the same people who would prevent a demented evil person who has
taken a life or many lives cannot be put to death after proven guilty
of such crimes. They are not just guilty of hypocrisy, but guilty of
lying to themselves and going against their consciousness.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which brings us back to the concept of
conscious and the mechanization of religion. The golden rule would be
that if a religion's doctrine dictates that life must be taken for
any reason, usually to keep in favor of the omnipresence – than
that religion cannot be recognized by civilized people, and indeed
must be quelled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Religion has its purposes with its
rites and doctrine, but the ultimate center of attention should
remain with the soul.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It has always confounded me to have
people ring my doorbell and present themselves and a pamphlet
explaining they are there to <i>save my soul</i>. If there is
anything individual in life, the soul is the primary instrument of
individualism; therefore each one of us is responsible for the
well-being of our own souls. For in the end, the end of life as we
know it, that soul's journey is one that only concerns the individual
who maintained that soul. I presume that only the power of an
omnipresence could possibly have any control over a soul or if a
person allowed another to despoil one's soul.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So how does one measure a good life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffKx8oULDfI/U0lVJPDXltI/AAAAAAAAJM0/8qv1d3kDLmU/s1600/Einstein-Cosmos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffKx8oULDfI/U0lVJPDXltI/AAAAAAAAJM0/8qv1d3kDLmU/s1600/Einstein-Cosmos.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I guess simply it is mathematics. If
things you want to remember outweigh or outnumber those things you do
not want to remember than that probably represents a good life. It
also means you have been taking good care, at least the best
possible, of your soul. And, in the world of reincarnation, this
means that the more pure of soul than the requirement to return to
the material plane would be unnecessary.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, this has all been a
speculative discussion, based upon what we know and conjecture of
what may be; for unlike Jesus, I did not return from a spiritual
plane back to a material plane (without reincarnating, which seems to
have no memory of previous lives) in order to provide testament to my
experience or what I learned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The wisdom passed down from Jesus, the
person called The Christ, can be unquestioned in terms of how the
concept of spiritual life and influence of his teachings has remained
so long in human history. But it is the concept of <i>natural law</i>
that was recognized by the framers of the US Constitution, who also
believed in the fundamental Christian ideology, that individualism IS
the gist of natural law is <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambiguous"><i>ambiguous</i></a>,
which means that it is a moral theory that all legal theories or laws
should be founded upon. And the golden rule that is international and
governs human behavior in the end must rely upon the conscious of the
multitude, but whose judgment ultimately falls upon the individual
soul. That natural law, in part, states that we have been blessed
with freedom of choice, that governments have always strive to
control with disastrous results. Yet with that freedom of choice
comes a moral, civic, and ethical responsibility that every soul
should maintain. The framers of the Constitution of the United
States, like <a href="http://www.nccs.net/natural-law-the-ultimate-source-of-constitutional-law.php"><b>Thomas
Jefferson</b></a> understood these principals and applied it to civic
law, although they had learned the basics of such concepts from
earlier thinkers like <a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/natural-law-ethics/"><b>Plato</b></a>,
<a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/natural-law-theories/"><b>Aristotle</b></a>,
<a href="http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/marcus-tullius-cicero-who-gave-natural-law-to-the-modern-world"><b>Cicero</b></a>,
and <a href="http://www.iep.utm.edu/aq-moral"><b>Thomas Aquinas </b></a>who
also understood <a href="http://www.nccs.net/natural-law-the-ultimate-source-of-constitutional-law.php"><i>classic
natural law</i></a> theory. It is a testament that <a href="http://www.nccs.net/articles.php">wisdom
is never outdated</a>.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>There is not one big cosmic
meaning for all; there is only the meaning we each give to our life,
an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel,
a book for each person. </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">–
</span></span><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Ana</span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ï</span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">s
Nin</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Diary of Ana</span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ï</span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">s
Nin</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Vol. 1: 1931-1934</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the enlightenment and concept of an
omnipresence, Sir <b>William Blackstone</b> wrote:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Man … must necessarily be
subject to the laws of his Creator … This will of his Maker is
called the law of nature … This law of nature … is of course
superior to any other … No human laws are of any validity, if
contrary to this: and such of them as are valid derive all their
force … from this original. </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Natural
dictates moral duties between individuals, as </span></span><b><a href="http://www.nccs.net/natural-law-the-ultimate-source-of-constitutional-law.php"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thomas
Jefferson</span></a></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
wrote:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><i>Man has been subjected by his
Creator to the moral law, of which his feelings, or conscience as it
is sometimes called, are the evidence with which his Creator has
furnished him </i></b></i><b><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>....
</b></span></b><b><i><i>The moral duties which exist between
individual and individual in a state of nature, accompany them into a
state of society . their Maker not having released them from those
duties on their forming themselves into a nation.</i></i></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
</span></span><i><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/newtestament.html"><span style="font-weight: normal;">New
Testament</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and text of <a href="http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/tp/The-Five-Niyamas.htm">Buddha
</a>provide timeless wisdom of the spiritual world, subjects that
pertain to one's individual maintenance of one's soul; while the
<a href="https://plus.google.com/115926736873419679735/posts/j23YuEzkpr2">Constitution
of the United States</a> and the preamble to the </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Declaration
of Independence</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
are documents that recognize natural law that describes individual
governorship of one's soul but deals with harmony of natural law and
natural rights. It is also part of the moral code that is reflective
of the </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Moses"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Law
of Moses</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
or </span></span><i><a href="https://bible.org/article/mosaic-law-its-function-and-purpose-new-testament"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mosaic
Law</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
It is because that like the concept of the Golden Rule, it is
international and concerns all humanity from any culture belonging to
any ethnic group and transcends across religious and civic doctrines.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Therefore,
as the framers of the Constitution of the United States tried make it
plainly, natural law governs the soul and when civic law is not
founded upon that natural law, it is also transcending upon the right
of the individual and the individual's soul. The golden rule that is
established upon natural law dictates quite simply that individuals
are free to practice their natural rights as long as those rights do
not transgress another individual's rights. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's
simple and can be universally applied across the spectrum of natural
law, civic law and religious law. Religion is nothing but conceptual
doctrine sprinkled with established rites – it is the natural law
that governs one's soul that counts, not the human inspired
schematics. The omnipresence that is called various names in
different languages: Creator, God, Allah, et cetera; is the
proprietor or originator of natural law; then we can all accept the
concept of what is a good life and how we should conduct ourselves to
each other.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Establishing
that the soul is the charge of the individual than all other
concepts, including natural law should not transcend the
consciousness of any individual's soul and the meaning of life is
simply protecting one's individual soul by living life fully into the
realm of goodness and shunning evil as much as possible.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" height="15" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Reiterated:
If you have more moments that you want to remember than those you do
not want to remember, chances are you have led a good life. Of
course, that is based upon those moments where you governed
individual actions and treatment of others; not the moments in life
where others brought memories that you do not wish to remember. Therefore, the <i>meaning of life</i> must fall upon the concept of natural law that puts the individual soul under the governance of the individual.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The modern arguments of church separated from state (government) is not based upon what is stated in the United States Constitution, but what was stated in a private letter of Thomas Jefferson. Yet, the concept, in so many words are there; but as with other things has been diluted and misinterpreted to match the individual or group ideology in terms of religion. Yet, religion is not necessarily based upon the concept of natural law, for it is a human organization that is under the rule of the symbolized temple, church, synagogue, and mosque that prescribes the rituals, rites, and doctrine of that particular religion or sect of a religion and not necessarily applicable or conforming to natural law that dictates that individualism is what counts in the course of life and the progress of a soul. It ends up in confusion, just as confusion has reigned in regards to constitutional law, because they have abandoned the conceptual natural law, which has been called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule" target="_blank"><i>Golden Rule</i></a>. I think <a href="http://www.reaganfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><b>Ronald Reagan</b></a> stated a good example of the explanation of the separation of church and state principles:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><b>We establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever. We command no worship, W e mandate no belief. But we poison our society when we remove its theological underpinnings. We court corruption when we leave it bereft of belief. All are free to believe or not believe; all are free to practice a faith or not. But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief. </b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">That statement is in agreement with the established natural law principle that wise humans have passed down through the centuries and millennia. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida bright';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida bright';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></i></span></span></i></span></span></b>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>The end of law is not to abolish
or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />–
</span></span><b><a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/"><span style="font-style: normal;">John
Locke</span></a></b></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1 class="quoteText">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">The life of the individual has meaning only
insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and
more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value,
to which all other values are subordinate. </span></i><span style="font-size: small;">-- Albert Einstein </span></h1>
</blockquote>
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In summary, what we do in life is what is important and our conduct has much to do with our individual souls; and we are held accountable for that individual soul.</span></span></h1>
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As far as door-to-door "soul-saving" folks; one would think that maintaining one's individual soul would take up enough time and parents ensuring their children understand the concept of maintaining their individual soul would be sufficient. If what is said by Jesus the Christ is acknowledged, in example, no one has the right to judge another individual and that individual's soul.</span></span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2X48BQDfaGE/TxwAN5kmZ0I/AAAAAAAAIAE/i0yPy40yCUk/s1600/Keith_Quill_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2X48BQDfaGE/TxwAN5kmZ0I/AAAAAAAAIAE/i0yPy40yCUk/s1600/Keith_Quill_animated.gif" /></a></div>
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h1>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<script charset="utf-8" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Flighthjourna-20%2F8003%2Ff0b0214e-8166-4701-8a88-b51ad973f684&Operation=GetScriptTemplate" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript><a HREF="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Flighthjourna-20%2F8003%2Ff0b0214e-8166-4701-8a88-b51ad973f684&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></noscript>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-85833960920015419622014-03-14T23:10:00.000-05:002014-03-14T23:10:37.608-05:00Saint Patrick's Day: March 17th
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btKjg4xDxAg/UyPSB2aPOlI/AAAAAAAAI9M/-7Qq806d1Is/s1600/Wearing+of+the+Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btKjg4xDxAg/UyPSB2aPOlI/AAAAAAAAI9M/-7Qq806d1Is/s1600/Wearing+of+the+Green.jpg" height="200" width="126" /></a><b>Saint Patrick's Day</b>, celebrated
on March 17<sup>th</sup>, in the dioceses of Ireland it is a solemn
and holy day of obligation and is officially called <i>Saint
Patrick's Feast Day</i>. The original color associated with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day#Saint_Patrick">Saint
Patrick</a> was blue, but over time the color association changed to
green and green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of the
day was early as the 17<sup>th</sup> century. The phrase “the
wearing of the green”, which means wearing a green shamrock on
clothing comes from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wearing_of_the_Green">song
of the same name</a>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Saint Patrick is a national day in
Ireland, but Irish in Europe have been celebrating it since the 9<sup>th</sup>
century; and later became known as the patron of Ireland. The Feast
Day was officially listed in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_calendar">liturgical
calender</a> in the Catholic Church, influenced by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15521d.htm&sa=U&ei=ZsYjU9OMELTlygH47IDABg&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGC06B1LixkJ7hFy7tE3ISftqEViQ"><b>Luke
Wadding</b></a>, a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06217a.htm&sa=U&ei=g8YjU4bFHOqmyQHMk4CYBw&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNElwZv7A4NH_a-G7vF7QBh5R-H8jg">Franciscan</a>
scholar in the early 17<sup>th</sup> century. A solemn ceremony in
the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13121a.htm&sa=U&ei=q8YjU4vZOOWA2wXy4YDYCQ&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNF53cSHuFwa39wlZpQC_Gyd-cg2nA">Roman
Catholic Church</a>, it is a great feast day in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Ireland">Church
of Ireland</a>. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>In 1940, when St. Patrick's Day falls during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week"><i>Holy
Week</i></a>, it is changed to April 3<sup>rd</sup>, so not to
coincide with <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11432b.htm" target="_blank">Palm Sunday</a>. It occurred again in 2008, and changed to
be observed on March 14<sup>th</sup>. St, Patrick's Day will not fall
within the Holy Week again until 2160.
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, Saint Patrick's Day did not
become an official public holiday in Ireland until 1903. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_O%27Mara"><b>James
O'Mara</b></a> introduced the bill to the Parliament and later
introduced another law that required pubs and bars were to be closed
on March 17<sup>th</sup> because drinking became a problem – the
latter was repealed in the 1970s.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cQ73YaGOE4/UyPSN_AkN1I/AAAAAAAAI9U/H_IGr41OZX4/s1600/175px-St._Patricks_Festival,_Dublin_(6990571355).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cQ73YaGOE4/UyPSN_AkN1I/AAAAAAAAI9U/H_IGr41OZX4/s1600/175px-St._Patricks_Festival,_Dublin_(6990571355).jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first Saint Patrick's Day parade
occurred in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Free_State"><i>Irish
Free State</i></a> in Dublin in 1931. In the 1990s, the government of
the Republic of Ireland began a campaign to use the day to represent
Ireland and its culture and the government set up a group called St.
Patrick's Festival; the first being held on March 17<sup>th</sup>
1996. In 1997, it became a three-day event and by 2000, a four-day
event. It became so popular that in 2006 it became a five-day
festival and in 2009 there were more than 675,000 people attending
the parade. Over the five-day celebration in 2009, there were <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day-facts/videos#history-of-st-patricks-day">almost
one million visitors</a> taking part in concerts, outdoor theatre
performances, and fireworks.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other countries that celebrate Saint
Patrick's Day in one form or another besides the United States:
Argentina, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Malaysia, Montserrat,
Russia, South Korea, and Switzerland. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MteIOaOcUnc/UyPSUykG3JI/AAAAAAAAI9c/xG9bx08EHX4/s1600/175px-Catherine_Coleman_with_flutes_floating_in_space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MteIOaOcUnc/UyPSUykG3JI/AAAAAAAAI9c/xG9bx08EHX4/s1600/175px-Catherine_Coleman_with_flutes_floating_in_space.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 2011, astronauts aboard the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day#International_Space_Station">International
Space Station</a> celebrated the festival with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Coleman"><b>Catherine
Coleman</b></a>, an Irish-American, playing a 100-year-old flute
while floating weightless in the space station.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick"><b>Saint
Patrick</b></a> is certainly a <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89">popular
saint</a> in many nations. In case your behind in his biography, here
is a brief one …</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnkQVGLobFk/UyPRTQwQXMI/AAAAAAAAI9I/4Y7oXZW4XA8/s1600/Saint-Patrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnkQVGLobFk/UyPRTQwQXMI/AAAAAAAAI9I/4Y7oXZW4XA8/s1600/Saint-Patrick.jpg" height="200" width="115" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Patrick was a Romano-British Christian
missionary and bishop in the 5<sup>th</sup> century. Born into
nobility about 400 AD in Britain, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates
at the age of 16, raised in a religious family. It is said that he
was an atheist early in his life, but after spending 6 years as a
slave, he escaped captivity in Ireland and returned home. At 22 it is
thought he studied at Lerins, off the French coast and spent years at
Auxerre, France and consecrated bishop at age 43. After an inspiring
dream about Irish children he took that as a revelation to be a
missionary in pagan Ireland. Of course he ran into many problems,
especially with the pagan druids, but still managed to ordain many
priests, divided Ireland into dioceses, held Church councils, founded
several monasteries. Because of his dedicated efforts, Ireland became
deeply rooted into Christianity, so much so that missionaries were
sent to mainland Europe to Christianize pagans there.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Few writings from <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm">Saint
Patrick</a> survived, and the authentic work entitled <a href="http://www.cin.org/patrick.html"><i>Confessio</i></a>
is considered to be the best.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Saint Patrick joins <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11063b.htm&sa=U&ei=Jc4jU771L_GgyAG_9YCoBg&ved=0CAUQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNEKT0Eoya0py0SkSI2ShaaBrroW9g"><b>St.
Nicholas</b></a> and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm"><b>St.
Valentine </b></a>as the secular world's favorite saints.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He died at Saul, the place he built the
first Christian church in Ireland on March 17<sup>th</sup>, 461.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-6381108976163136542014-03-12T10:56:00.000-05:002014-03-30T11:29:43.690-05:00What is "Kosher" Food?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Have you ever wondered what Kosher meat
is or why some pickle jars have the words: <i>Kosher Pickles</i>
printed on the label? Just what is <i>Kosher</i>?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNPjN23EhHc/UyB8Y4ZaTrI/AAAAAAAAI8c/q6ZS8xkcSLA/s1600/Eat+Kosher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNPjN23EhHc/UyB8Y4ZaTrI/AAAAAAAAI8c/q6ZS8xkcSLA/s1600/Eat+Kosher.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kosher"><i><b>Merriam-Webster</b></i></a>
dictionary -
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>1 a: sanctioned by Jewish law;
especially : ritually fit for use like kosher meat.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>b: selling or serving food
ritually fit according to Jewish law, as a kosher restaurant.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>2 being proper or acceptable, or
satisfactory, as is the deal kosher?</b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
all has to do with Jewish dietary laws from the ancient text:
</span></span><i><b><a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm">Kashrut</a></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The word is a Hebrew derivative of </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kaf-Shin-Reish</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which means <i>fit</i>, <i>proper</i>, or<i> correct</i>. Rabbis
or religious officials do not bless food in order to make it kosher,
as the urban legend goes. However, there are blessings that Jews
observe and recite before food is eaten, just as Christians and
Muslims do in certain tradition. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxAqQT4mLB4/UyCAbk_nvaI/AAAAAAAAI8o/CRVIuru_nrA/s1600/Passover_Dante-Gabriel-Rosetti_1828-1882_watercolor-1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxAqQT4mLB4/UyCAbk_nvaI/AAAAAAAAI8o/CRVIuru_nrA/s1600/Passover_Dante-Gabriel-Rosetti_1828-1882_watercolor-1855.jpg" height="385" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><a href="http://www.victorianweb.org/victorian/painting/dgr/drawings/2.html" target="_blank"><i>Passover</i></a>, watercolor-1855 by Dante Gabriel Rosetti</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Myth Dispelled</b>: Kosher dietary laws
are observed all year, not just at the holy celebration of <i><a href="http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/jewish/Passover.htm"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pesach</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(</span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Passover</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">).
It is the <a href="http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Spring_Holidays/Unleavened_Bread/Anavah/anavah.html" target="_blank"><i>Feast of Unleavened Bread</i></a>, which this year begins at
<a href="http://www.hebcal.com/holidays/pesach">sundown on Monday
April 14</a></span></span><a href="http://www.hebcal.com/holidays/pesach"><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
this year in 2014. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWLVCXWH5jo/Sv_H7jCs3dI/AAAAAAAAIMU/1PaBGQ8oU7I/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWLVCXWH5jo/Sv_H7jCs3dI/AAAAAAAAIMU/1PaBGQ8oU7I/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" height="10" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: American Text;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">History
of Kosher </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[</span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lubicom
Kosher</span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">]
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: American Text;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">1312
BC</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
After 300 years under the Egyptian rule, the prophet </span></span></span><b><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/moses.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Moses</span></span></a></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and his brother Aaron lead tribesmen out of Egypt on a route toward
the Dead Sea in Caanan, following the trade route that Moses
previously took when running away from Egyptian authorities. The Jews
wandered for 40 years. They sustained themselves with manna,
according to the scriptures and Hebrew traditions. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: American Text;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">1275
BC</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
Moses brought the </span></span></span><i><a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/torah.htm"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Torah</span></span></a></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
from God on Mount Sinai, whose rules were more than the </span></span></span><i><a href="http://www.godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/#.UyBf6IUXfKE"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ten
Commandments</span></span></a></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and included dietary restrictions that formed the basis of kosher
food requirements. Among those rules was a ban against mixing meat
and dairy products, like not boil a young goat's meat (kid) in its
mother's milk. Kosher animals, those not forbidden for consumption,
are animals that chew their own cud and have split hooves. Fish must
have fins and scales, thus sharks, dolphins, seals, and whales are
forbidden to eat. Fowl (birds) also have a list of detailed
requirements. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kosher
is NOT a style of cooking – any food can be kosher if prepared
according to Jewish law. There are Chinese restaurants in
Philadelphia and New York that serves kosher food in respect for
their orthodox Jewish customers.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Health
was not the only reason why the dietary rules of Kosher was created,
for example, there is no scientific reason why camel or rabbit meat
is not healthy. It is simply because it is written in the Torah, and
since it comes from God no reason is required. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" height="10" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: American Text;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kashrut</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Without
getting into too much detail, here is the gist of what <a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm">Kashrut</a>
entails:</span></span></span></span></div>
<ol>
<li><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Certain
animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the
flesh, organs, eggs, and milk of forbidden animals.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Of
the animals that may be eaten, birds and mammals must be killed
humanely in accordance with Jewish law; for example, the animal must
not be killed in presence of other animals to be slaughtered for
food and the animal must be calm and unsuspecting.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">All
blood must be drained from meat and poultry or broiled out of it
before eaten.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Certain
parts of animals permitted to eat cannot be consumed.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Fruits
and vegetables are permitted, but must be inspected for insects, for
they cannot be eaten. </span></b></i><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[There
are exceptions, as ancient custom of culinary preparations that
include roasted locust (grasshopper)]</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The
flesh of birds and animals cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs,
fruits, vegetables, and grains can be eaten with either meat or
dairy. Some believe that fish cannot be eaten with meat.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Utensils,
including pots and pans, that have contact with meat may not be used
with dairy or vice versa. Utensils that have come in contact with
non-kosher food cannot be used. That applies only if contact
occurred while food was hot. </span></b></i></span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Grape
products made by non-Jews is forbidden to eat.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" height="10" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zUHLjAV5og/UyCBTo_-Q-I/AAAAAAAAI80/Csb_46xkvok/s1600/Oriental+Kosher-Rome-Italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zUHLjAV5og/UyCBTo_-Q-I/AAAAAAAAI80/Csb_46xkvok/s1600/Oriental+Kosher-Rome-Italy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Famous Kosher Oriental Restaurant, Rome-Italy</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are
more rules but you get the picture.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">At</span><a href="http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2013/11/03/some-differences-between-kosher-meat-and-halal-meat-thank-g-d-i-keep-kosher/"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
Jews News</i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> website, the difference between
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Kosher </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Hebrew) and
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Halal </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">(Islam) –
difference between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher_foods#Ritual_slaughter">ritual
slaughter </a>practices of Jews and Muslims. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the
main laws forbids eating blood, because </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher_foods#Blood"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>life
is in the blood</b></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">See </span><a href="http://growandbehold.com/index.php?page=Making"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Making</b></i></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Kosher Meats</b></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">.
</span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipes/everyday-cooking/kosher/"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Kosher
Recipes</b></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" height="15" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: American Text;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: maroon;">Sources and References</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+11:3-4&version=KJV">Leviticus
11:3-4</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+11:9&version=KJV">Leviticus
11:9</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+11:20&version=KJV">Leviticus
11:20</a></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+14:+6-7&version=KJV">Deuteronomy
14: 6-7</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+14:+9+&version=KJV">Deuteronomy
14: 9 </a>and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+14:+19&version=KJV">Deuteronomy
14: 19</a></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5191-dietary-laws"><span style="font-size: small;">Jewish
Encyclopedia, “Dietary Laws”</span></a></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.schechter.edu/AskTheRabbi.aspx?ID=232"><span style="font-size: small;">Institute
of Jewish Studies, “Kashrut of Cheese and Gelatin”</span></a></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.uscj.org/"><span style="font-size: small;">United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism</span></a></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50UNmrvnk4/SyYE3YjVT0I/AAAAAAAAIG8/qcPFBmuqfIU/s1600/bar_goldcable.gif" height="10" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: American Text;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bibliography and Literary
Recommendations</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-42505832409714308142014-02-21T10:16:00.000-06:002014-02-28T23:27:40.946-06:00Deification of Jesus the Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCceFvgHwao/Ur70Hb9hSKI/AAAAAAAAIgU/-DmsLmUI03g/s1600/EarlyChristianSymbols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCceFvgHwao/Ur70Hb9hSKI/AAAAAAAAIgU/-DmsLmUI03g/s200/EarlyChristianSymbols.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This essay is not intended to denounce
the divine purpose or the holiness of intent of <a href="http://jesus.christ.org/68/jesus-of-nazareth">Jesus
of Nazareth</a>, called the <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/christ-jesus-of-nazareth"><i>Christ</i></a>.
It is to segregate facts and intentions as gleaned from the quoted
words of Jesus that has been interpreted and reinterpreted from the
days of the apostles to the founding of the Church as a religious
organization intended to replace the established synagogue of the
Hebrews called Jews who have been named in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Testament"><i>Old
Testament </i></a>as the <i>Children of God</i>, <i>God's chosen
people</i>. Jesus was a Jew whose mission was to reform, renew, and
do away with the old ways of sacrifice of the lamb in the name of
God. He never intended to replace God, which he referred to as the
Father nor do away with traditions like <a href="http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/Jewish-Holiday-Passover-Pesach.htm" target="_blank"><i>Passover</i></a> that had been
established by ancient holy men.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Christianity was not fundamentally
founded by Jesus 'The Christ' of Nazareth/Galilee; the disciples
turned apostles in performing their missionary work as prescribed by
Jesus and instrumental in founding the Christian Church as an
organized religion.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What resulted was not what Jesus had
intended: his deification where Christians, professed followers of
Christ, prayed to Jesus at first as a mediator and also as the
embodiment or spirit of God.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the <a href="http://www.readbookonline.net/title/16666/"><i>Book
of Matthew</i></a>, chapter 22, in a discussion with the <a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/sadducees_pharisees_essenes.html">Pharisees</a>,
it was asked:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Master, which is the great
commandment in the law?</b></i> [Matthew 22:36]</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ3RjWoIdGA/Ur71lWCD7xI/AAAAAAAAIgg/PZtLTRewISc/s1600/Jesus_SermonOnTheMount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJ3RjWoIdGA/Ur71lWCD7xI/AAAAAAAAIgg/PZtLTRewISc/s320/Jesus_SermonOnTheMount.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus replied:
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8m2QUgrEYY/Ur71sI92NMI/AAAAAAAAIgo/ACS0vbsKZHs/s1600/jesus-teaching-the-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8m2QUgrEYY/Ur71sI92NMI/AAAAAAAAIgo/ACS0vbsKZHs/s320/jesus-teaching-the-12.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christ
never established a Church because aside from holy places like
synagogues and the holy temple of Jerusalem known as </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon%27s_Temple"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Solomon's
Temple</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
his “church” was on the mount, in the hills, gardens and fields,
and the shores of Galilee. It was among the people with meeting
places within the dwellings of friends and followers.However, as a youth he entered a temple and began discussions with the priests there and called the temple '<a href="http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/2_39-52.htm" target="_blank">Father's house</a>'. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
emphasized the importance of the individual soul, spirit over
material and the importance of respect for God's commandments and
faith in God's divinity as the Creator/Father entity.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Indeed,
he argued with the Pharisee concerning their laws that was professed
to be Gods such as when the Pharisees said to him:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Behold, why do they on the
sabbath day that which is not lawful?</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
[Mark 22:24]</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
replied [Mark 22: 25-28]:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Have ye never read what David
did, when had need, and was hungred, he, and they that were with him?
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high
priest, and did eat the shewbread, which not lawful to eat but for
the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said
unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.</b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z216gibcVjU/Ur72G7R9nPI/AAAAAAAAIgw/RvTCir6vDYg/s1600/jesus-christ-sermon-mount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z216gibcVjU/Ur72G7R9nPI/AAAAAAAAIgw/RvTCir6vDYg/s320/jesus-christ-sermon-mount.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When
Jesus gathered his disciples there was discussion as to who is or
would be the greatest, and in teaching Jesus took a child and sat him
amongst them and said Mark 9:33-37]:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Whosoever shall receive one of
such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive
me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.</b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
his philosophy and instruction throughout the New Testament, Jesus
never claimed divinity but instead a servant of the God of all
humanity; it was the Church who established Christ's divinity and
indeed gathered to argue about it before it was made doctrine during
the forming of the early Christian Church. That argument continued
throughout the history of the Christian Church from the first
established [Holy Roman Catholic Church] to the splintered groups
that later developed and split from the doctrine of the Roman Church.
Today that <a href="http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/divinity.html">argument
continues</a>. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYnJpGPXUVM/Ur74KowbV0I/AAAAAAAAIhQ/NYfIMHIbA4o/s1600/HolyTrinity_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYnJpGPXUVM/Ur74KowbV0I/AAAAAAAAIhQ/NYfIMHIbA4o/s1600/HolyTrinity_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At
the </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Council
of Nicaea</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
this discussion [ 325 AD] as well as others of the gathering
established the concept of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15047a.htm" target="_blank"><i>Trinity</i></a> and the seeking of a unified
church by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea#Role_of_Constantine">Constantine</a>.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Because
of those decisions and other circumstances and doctrinal factors, the
Jews that Jesus had preached to became more distant to the “new”
religion and the Church that established its doctrine.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Council also convened to establish </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea#Biblical_canon"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Canon</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
although the deity of Christ was the primary concern. There are those
who claim that the Canon was established after the <a href="http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Councils/ecum01.htm">First
Council of Nicaea</a> because of lack of record of discussion over
what would be the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_of_the_Christian_biblical_canon">biblical
canon</a> attached to the traditional books of what would become
known as the </span></span><a href="http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/texts/OT.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Old Testament</span></i></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Council met over 300 years after Christ's death and in between there
were numerous texts, most attested to have been written by the
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm" target="_blank">Apostles</a>, who by then had become martyred saints.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
was established to be …</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t3e2mHtT6s8/Ur73CkNoT0I/AAAAAAAAIhE/wbHi21DwZrc/s1600/Jesus_KingofJews_CrownofThorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t3e2mHtT6s8/Ur73CkNoT0I/AAAAAAAAIhE/wbHi21DwZrc/s1600/Jesus_KingofJews_CrownofThorns.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, the only-begotten from the Father, that is from substance of the
Father, God from God, light from light, God from true God, begotten
not made, consubstantial with the Father, through whom all things
came to be, both those in heaven and those in earth; for us humans
and for our salvation he came down and became incarnate, became
human, suffered and rose up on the third day, went up into the
heavens, is coming to judge the living and the dead. And in the holy
Spirit.</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[translated
from </span></span><i><a href="http://faculty.cua.edu/pennington/Canon%20Law/Councils/Constantinople%20II%20and%20III.pdf"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Decrees
of the Ecumenical Councils</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
edited by </span></span><b><a href="http://us.macmillan.com/author/normanptanner"><span style="font-style: normal;">Norman
P. Tanner</span></a></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Canons established in that first Council was more about conduct and
acceptance of clergy rather than the <a href="http://archive.org/stream/thecanonofthebib30132gut/30132-8.txt">canon
of biblical text</a>. Much of today's concept of what happened in
early Christianity development is based too much on the fictitious
novel by </span></span><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Dan Brown</span></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
entitled </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Da_Vinci_Code"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Da Vinci Code</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
While an interesting “what if” tale, filled with murder and
intrigue, it falls short of <a href="http://americamagazine.org/issue/575/article/real-story-council-nicea">historical
truth.</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
historical figure that opposed the concept of the divinity of Christ
was </span></span><b><a href="http://www.arian-catholic.org/arian/arius.html"><span style="font-style: normal;">Arius</span></a></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
presbyter and priest of Alexandria. He was educated in the
theological school of Antioch, a Libyan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berber_people">Berber</a>
lineage. His logic and his concept of Jesus Christ was nothing new,
thus the reason for the Council was to settle it once and for all,
which culminated into the </span></span><i><a href="http://www.creeds.net/ancient/nicene.htm"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Nicene
Creed</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Arius' theology had support by the eastern Christian community and
eventually because of his disbelief in the Trinity he was deemed a
heretic and excommunicated. Constantine, the Roman Emperor, banished
him in 325. It took 250 years to Arian theological support to fade
into history. However, it resurfaced again as Roman Catholicism lost
its foothold in central Europe and the Church of England adopted
Arianism and continues today in the form of the Arian Catholic
Church. Arius was recognized as a <a href="http://www.arian-catholic.org/arian/ecclesiastical_lore.html#beatification">Saint
</a>and Martyr in 2006, June 16</span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
being his memorial day in England. Arius did not die in
excommunication, but received Full Communion of the church before he
died in 336 by the Emperor of Rome, Constantine I. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is the mysticism that was questioned, developed by the Roman Catholic
Church, the first church of Christianity, that Arius and those that
agree with him – not the teachings and biblical truths that Jesus
Christ preached. This is not to say that followers of that
theological thought do not believe in the Resurrection, but that it
is the Creator that is God in all things. Jesus was a messenger of
God, a title that was adopted 600 years after the crucifixion and
physical death of Jesus the Christ by an Arab self-made holy man,
Mohammad. Jesus gathered the faithful with reasoning and words,
mostly to those that believed in God; while Mohammad first relied on
the faithful and then the sword to spread his message. Despite saying
that Jews and Christians were </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_the_Book"><span style="font-weight: normal;">People
of the Book</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
they were persecuted despite it. Today, it is ironic that Christians
are treated horribly with violence and condemnation, forgetting that
it was a Christian king, Emperor of Ethiopia that <a href="http://www.muslimsforjesus.org/Christians%20and%20Islam/Negus,%20King%20of%20Ethiopia-Protector%20of%20the%20First%20Muslim%20Emigrants/Negus,%20King%20of%20Ethiopia-Protector%20of%20the%20First%20Muslim%20Emigrants.htm">saved
the life of Mohammad</a> and thus cementing the founding of Islam. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
of Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, owned no real property and had
no formal education, but he became the most influential person in
human history whose philosophy and theology is the gist of
Christianity.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Bz8BxFHpE/Ur74g37yDiI/AAAAAAAAIhY/bJyj6lQYWhg/s1600/symbol_buchmormon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Bz8BxFHpE/Ur74g37yDiI/AAAAAAAAIhY/bJyj6lQYWhg/s1600/symbol_buchmormon.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
Christ became the symbolic founder of the Christian Church, yet Jesus
did not deem it important to form such a church or material entity.
It was the leadership of the church who established doctrine that was
followed by the Roman Catholic Church, latter to be divided into two,
the West and East [Roman and Byzantine] as empires and eventually
splintered into several denominations of Christianity.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is interesting to note that Jesus focused upon preaching to the Jews,
although he had gathered followers and piqued the <a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-7/">interest
of Gentiles</a>, non-Hebrew-Jews. However, he instructed his apostles
that they should be like </span></span><i><a href="http://biblehub.com/mark/1-17.htm"><span style="font-weight: normal;">fishers
of men</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and spread his teachings everywhere. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus
denounced the corruption that the Pharisee had established in the
synagogues, calling them hypocrites and wicked. [Luke 11:37-54] His
intent was to reform the church, not to found or replace it with
another; for he regarded the houses of God as sacred establishments
despite preaching in the countryside and public places. Jesus praised
the prophets before him and made it clear he was not a harbinger of
peace among the Jews [Luke 12:49-53]]:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Suppose ye that I am come to give
peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from
henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against
two, and two against three. </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XwkNkxIzkv0/Ur740Sc6DbI/AAAAAAAAIhg/tif4v_dKU1w/s1600/Jesus-praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XwkNkxIzkv0/Ur740Sc6DbI/AAAAAAAAIhg/tif4v_dKU1w/s1600/Jesus-praying.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
summary, Jesus words and teachings do not reflect the doctrine of
church, indeed, Jesus did not ask or demand his worship. Whether his
divinity is believed or not, it is inarguable to say he did not have
a positive influence upon humanity around the globe. The spread of
his teachings was the influence of the church who used missionaries
to spread Jesus' words and the church doctrine everywhere. In order
to canonize the scriptures and text from that period, the church had
the duty to choose from those texts; yet it is sad that so much of
those texts had been lost because of the actions of the early church
in destroying and forbidding the possessions of such text. However,
thanks to those that kept them in secret, buried and not discovered
until modern times, such as the recent </span></span><i><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/gospeljudas.html"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gospel
of Judas</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
we have a glimpse of the bigger picture. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
speaking to the Galatians, as related in the Epistle to the
Galatians, written by <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm">Paul
the Apostle</a>, he states in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06336a.htm">Galatians</a>
4:16:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Am I therefore become your enemy,
because I tell you the truth?</b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xc6Bo2ybNgU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-10390909628687460752014-02-08T02:44:00.000-06:002014-02-08T03:12:19.654-06:00Homosexuality: Theological and Civic Issues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDnkGbv6OtE/UvXrgPhgEmI/AAAAAAAAIs0/xdiwPQHIgE8/s1600/Button_Monk-reading_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pDnkGbv6OtE/UvXrgPhgEmI/AAAAAAAAIs0/xdiwPQHIgE8/s1600/Button_Monk-reading_animated.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the <i>Old </i>and <i>New</i>
Testaments of the <i>Bible</i>, homosexuality is addressed and not
accepted as practices, but instead unnatural sin. Examples of
presentation is that homosexuality does not occur in nature, nor is
it acceptable to God, despite not being part of the Ten Commandments.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><b>OLD TESTAMENT</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first mention of homosexuality is
in the <span style="color: maroon;"><b>Book of Genesis </b></span><b>18:16-19:29</b>
that details an encounter of the people of Sodom, specifically in
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+19:4-13&version=KJV"><span style="color: black;"><b>Genesis</b></span><b>
19:4-13</b></a> …</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Before
they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the
house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and
they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came
to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with
them." But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the
door behind him, and said, "Please, my brothers, do not act
wickedly. Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations
with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them
whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they
have come under the shelter of my roof." But they said, "Stand
aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an
alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you
worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near
to break the door. But the men reached out their hands and brought
Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the
men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small
and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the
doorway. Then the men said to Lot, "Whom else have you here? A
son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have
in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy
this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord
that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.</b></i></span></span>"
[wording is EMTV and not original King James version, but source link
is directed to the KJV]</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzXLxB7zq_w/T7EVAh-C6FI/AAAAAAAACXc/W9_hYBetNjQ/s1600/First+Council+of+Nicaea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzXLxB7zq_w/T7EVAh-C6FI/AAAAAAAACXc/W9_hYBetNjQ/s1600/First+Council+of+Nicaea.jpg" /></a>Note that Lot was obliged to protect
his guests he welcomed into his home, even if it took offering his
daughters in substitute for the guests. In Hebrew/Jewish history,
guests were always treated with respect, often accepting wayfarers
lodging and a meal. It was apparent that the people of Sodom has no
respect for such customs and traditions of cordiality. From this
ancient reference came the practice of referring to sinners,
especially sexual sinners “Sodomites”.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/index-bos.asp"><b>John
Boswell</b></a>, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boswell">Yale
historian</a>, recorded reasons why Sodom was punished, but later
argues that “knowing” does not necessarily have sexual context,
mainly because in his research he constantly looked for justification
and sanction of homosexuality.</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>The Sodomites were destroyed for
the general wickedness which had prompted the Lord to send angels to
the city to investigate;
</i></b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>the city was destroyed because the
people of Sodom had tried to rape the angels;
</i></b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>the city was destroyed because the
men of Sodom had tried to engage in homosexual intercourse with the
angels [apparently a practice amongst themselves];
</i></b></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>the city was destroyed for
inhospitable treatment of visitors sent from the Lord.</i></b></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Modern scholars have argued that Lot
was violating the custom of Sodom where entertaining guests without
the permission of the city's elders was a social travesty, and men of
Sodom that visited Lot at his door demanded that the strangers be
brought out “that they might know them” meant not in a sexual
context, but to know who they were. Yet, in other places in the Old
Testament, the term has been used to describe sexual intercourse.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I also want to emphasize a point here,
which will be mentioned further in this essay, that while the social
rules of Sodom may have differed and conflicted with Lot's family
traditions, he was conducting those traditions and social graces
within his own dwelling. The Sodomites had interfered with the custom
of Lot's family and the sanctity of their dwelling for which they had
welcomed strangers (angels) as their guests. Whether the “knowing”
was a meaning of sexual or non-sexual nature, it was a violation of
Lot's traditions of treating guests with respect and protecting them
as, say, clerics are obliged to protect anyone who asks for sanctuary
in a church.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Examining the text from the original
Hebrew, the word yada means to know and was used in reference to
sexual relationships as “to know”. Thus, the accurate presumption
would be that the evil Sodomites intended to “gang rape” their
guests. Indeed, when Lot responded with: <i>Please, my brothers, do
not act wickedly</i>, this furthers the context of doing harm to
Lot's guests. Further, if the Sodomites did not have sexual advances
in mind, why would Lot offer his daughters instead of the guests, if
the Sodomites only wanted to question/converse with the 'strangers'?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like the US Constitution, controversial
interpretations are inserted in order to change the original intent
of the text in order to justify interpretations that match the
intention of “reading into” text in order to match their opinion.
Clearly, modern scholars and historians forget the original language,
its meaning and intent in constitutional law just as they do in
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10582c.htm">Mosaic Law</a>.
[See Also: <a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm">Judaism 101</a>]</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Another place in the Bible that
discusses homosexuality is in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13,
referring to Mosaic Law; obviously because homosexuality had come up
in discussion from circumstances within society and addresses it
specifically.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+18:22&version=KJV"><b>Leviticus
18:22</b></a>:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-3274"></a><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Thou
shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination</b></i></span></span>.
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+20%3A13&version=KJV" target="_blank"><b>Leviticus 20:13</b></a>:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-3332"></a><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>If
a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them
have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death;
their blood shall be upon them</b></i></span></span>.
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As you can see the wording is more
clear than in Genesis that homosexuality is an abomination in the
context of God and the laws of nature.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/25/obituaries/john-e-boswell-47-historian-of-medieval-gay-culture-dies.html"><b>John
Boswell</b></a>, despite this clear presentation about homosexuality
an additional opinion:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>The
Hebrew word "toebah," here translated "abomination,"
does not usually signify something intrinsically evil, like rape or
theft..., but something which is ritually unclean for Jews, like
eating pork or engaging in intercourse during menstruation, both of
which are prohibited in these same chapters</b></i></span></span>.
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><b>NEW TESTAMENT</b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-27957"></a><span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: maroon;"></span></b></i></span></span></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1&version=KJV"><b>Epistle
to Romans 1: 26-27</b></a> …<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-279571"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-279581"></a>
<span style="font-family: David, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>For this cause God
gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change
the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also
the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust
one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was
meet</b></i></span></span>.
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm" target="_blank">Apostle Paul</a> wrote that
homosexuality is not just vile to God, but it is against the <a href="http://www.iep.utm.edu/lawofnat/" target="_blank"><i>laws of nature</i></a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
These discussions concerns theology,
which must also be addressed in civic law, specifically the First
Amendment of the US Constitution that protects freedom of religion,
unless that religion defies other civic laws [murder by sacrificing
humans] or transgresses and enforces religious doctrine that
transgresses and demands intolerance towards other religions;
specifically transgression against the practice of one religion over
another.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owomA0jL6GM/S6EWowPy-OI/AAAAAAAABUo/onnGiKYFjkg/s1600/muslim-demonstration_feb-3-2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owomA0jL6GM/S6EWowPy-OI/AAAAAAAABUo/onnGiKYFjkg/s1600/muslim-demonstration_feb-3-2006.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With new arguments concerning same-sex
marriage within the process of federal legislation and the judiciary,
the answer is simple, but not heeded. The federal government long ago
delegated the authority over marriage to the state governments, thus,
there is no federal authority over the issue of marriage. To further
dissect the argument, the ultimate authority of the sanctity of
marriage lies within the church and the doctrine of a particular
religion and no government should interfere with that practice and
doctrine of any religion. In effect, this applies to polygamy as
well; once a common practice, especially in Biblical times. For
example, by decreeing that Mormons and Muslims may not practice
polygamy is clearly in defiance of the First Amendment. And so, in
the same legal context, Muslims who exercise doctrine of hate and
intolerance towards other religions is in violation of rights of
those practicing that religion – especially when physical violence
is involved. When that happens, civic law kicks in and should be so.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the doctrine [Mosaic Law] of the
Hebrews (Jews), Christianity, and Islam, homosexuality is forbidden.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0gqP4nwUzo/T2R-URfidDI/AAAAAAAACIU/5IoYn4_jM38/s1600/Element+of+Unitarianism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0gqP4nwUzo/T2R-URfidDI/AAAAAAAACIU/5IoYn4_jM38/s1600/Element+of+Unitarianism.jpg" /></a>In the amendments of the US
Constitution addressing civil rights, homosexuals, in the privacy of
their homes, are afforded that freedom; however, it is wrong and
unconstitutional to force the practice of homosexuality upon others.
This is how such controversy has developed. Homosexuals want their
rights, but ignore the rights of others and at the expense of the
rights and liberties of others practicing their religion. For
example, the military community is a unique one in which members must
live in close contact with each other, especially in field and combat
conditions. Male and female military members are separated generally
for discipline and protection of gender privacy. During the Clinton
administration, a compromise was enacted called the “don't ask and
don't tell” policy. However, this was not good enough for the
extreme minority who identify themselves as “gay”. The policy
idea was that homosexuals keep their sexual nature to themselves and
private away from the daily military life – thus both parties
rights were protected.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ge6KXZc-k5g/UPXes1VNiSI/AAAAAAAAGzM/FucjXOwSk5s/s1600/Govt+Persecution+of+Christians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ge6KXZc-k5g/UPXes1VNiSI/AAAAAAAAGzM/FucjXOwSk5s/s1600/Govt+Persecution+of+Christians.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, the progressive-liberal
community demands that a minority's rights be pushed ahead of all
others, circumventing liberties and not exercising common sense or
the original intent of constitutional law. Thus, homosexuality is
forced upon educational institutions, military communities, and
religious doctrine. In reality, sexual preferences between two
consenting adults in the privacy of their dwelling is no business of
anyone in the community. Once again, to a progressive-liberal, no
line is drawn and no consideration for rights and liberties of both
parties on opposite sides of the issue.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Civic or constitutional law is inserted
here in this theological essay because of conflict and issues that
violate Mosaic Law or any religious doctrine that a citizen chooses
to exercise. And, if no religious doctrine is involved, say for
example an atheist, that person has a right to think and enact the
attitude that homosexuality is against natural law – that is
international.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the early 20<sup>th</sup> century,
when Freudian principles and other breakthroughs in the science of
psychology were developed, homosexuality was looked upon as a mental
disorder; but as some have pointed out, once homosexuals entered the
field of psychiatric medicine – that medical practice changed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What has not changed (for the most
part) is that homosexuality has clearly, historically, been against
natural law and religious doctrine; except in cases where certain
churches or religious denominations have declared that homosexuals
are accepted. They are protected to believe so under the First
Amendment.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But the law and the insertion of
progressive-liberal-socialism within our government has rendered
injustice and transgression to constitutional law and disregard the
rights and liberties of Christians. Indeed, Christians have been
persecuted in several degrees and transgression against their First
Amendment rights more frequently committed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The best solution to the issue over
“gay” same-sex marriage is that the federal government not get
involved, because constitutionally it cannot. Marriage licenses are
issued by state and county governments, therefore the issue must be
delegated to their authority; and in all fairness, the government
should be delegating that authority to the Church.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Too many Americans do not realize that
the marriage issue would be moot if the income tax system would be
repealed, for that system dictates into the lives of citizens and
involves marriage because of the criteria of tax credits.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Supreme Court should declare that
the same-sex marriage issue be delegated to the state government and
the legislative body of the federal government repeal the 16<sup>th</sup>
Amendment and replace it with a consumption tax that requires no need
to require that government authority get involved with marriage
issues, except in the case of divorce due to involvement of property
and/or children.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In regards to the theological issues
with homosexuality, the biblical texts are clear enough to solve the
issue in regards to religious authority.<br />
In theological conclusion, humans are born into a materialistic, "earthly" world and must find the median between civic law, laws of society; yet prepare/maintain their souls for the spiritual world. The latter circumvents all the others in that the earthly presence is far less in regards to time than the spiritual realm and the matter of the soul is personal which requires individual responsibility. This is the gist of what Jesus of Nazareth conveyed while at the same time recognizing Mosaic Law of the ancients. In comparison or review of religious doctrines in general, society that may be the majority is not always in tune with the truth in regards to life.<br />
When the framers of the US Constitution put together the articles it represented civic law and order; however, when creating the amendments, it primarily, as decreed in the document known as the Declaration of Independence, wholly recognized that there was a natural law to be obeyed that correlated with the spiritual law, governing all humanity regardless of beliefs in the doctrine of various religious persuasions.<br />
Citizens have the right to reject and protest against civic laws that does not view equality in the sense of rights and liberties, and while civic law may require all citizens to recognize homosexuality; they should never be required to accept it under the laws of nature, Mosaic Laws, or spiritual laws of those who believe in a Creator.<br />
In that respect, theological doctrine or religious law must prevail and not be transgressed. Scholars may claim that homosexuality was "recognized" even in ancient times, but it can never claim that it was ever accepted or should be accepted as a norm, if that is part of their religious doctrine and spiritual beliefs based upon natural law.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-82747672470361248682013-11-09T22:22:00.001-06:002013-11-09T22:22:08.054-06:00Daniel Project: A Look Into the Daniel Prophecy of the Rebirth of Israel<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The<i> Daniel Project </i>was established in
Israel in 2003 with cooperation [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Daniel"><i>Project
Daniel</i></a>] from Jewish and Christian organizations and scholars,
commissioned to assess the threat to the nation of Israel from
surrounding states in the Middle East, particularly Iran. Initially
it was a team of Israeli foreign policy and military experts but went
beyond a political foreign policy project from Project Daniel to
Daniel Project which primarily concerns the prophecies in the Bible,
particularly the <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/daniel.htm"><i>Book
of Daniel</i></a>. The prophecy revolves around the return of
wandering Jews from many parts of the world, especially from Europe
where they were severely persecuted in the 20<sup>th</sup> century,
to return to their original area of homeland – Jerusalem once again
being the capital of the nation of Israel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The project centers around a film
created explaining the importance of <a href="http://www.truthnet.org/Daniel/Introduction/">scriptures</a>
and archaeological breakthroughs like the <a href="http://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/"><i>Dead
Sea Scrolls</i></a>; and how the prophecies are becoming truth –
<i>only the wise will understand</i>. The film is available on DVD.
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>I make a decree, that in all my
royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of
Daniel, for he is the Living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall
never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers
and rescues; he delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in
heaven and on Earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the
lions.</b></i></blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.truthnet.org/Daniel/Introduction/"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Daniel
6:26-27 </b></span></a>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
</span></span><i><a href="http://danielproject.net/"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Daniel
Project</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
focuses on key cities in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan,
Syria, and Armenia. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NvYzmp1gFRc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-83112061792585505772013-09-11T10:13:00.001-05:002013-09-11T10:13:05.660-05:00Act of Consequence: Muslim March on Washington
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.breitbart.com/mediaserver/Breitbart/The-Conversation/2013/08/15/Namaz-in-Washington-DCjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://cdn.breitbart.com/mediaserver/Breitbart/The-Conversation/2013/08/15/Namaz-in-Washington-DCjpg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A simple question to the federal
government and <b>Barack Hussein Obama</b> …</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why fight against Islamic fascists and
jihadists in foreign lands when they are subverting and plotting here
in the United States?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <a href="http://ampacus.webs.com/" target="_blank"><i>American Muslim Political Action Committee</i></a> (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/Israels%2520American%2520Detractors.html&sa=U&ei=AYgwUqlJqoTZBZawgZAP&ved=0CAoQFjAB&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFRiiAATy0Oa8z970d3KRieCCqBSg" target="_blank"><b>AMPAC</b></a>) planned and successfully received a
permit to march on Washington DC today on September 11<sup>th</sup> –
<i><b><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/08/15/Million-Muslim-March-Planned-in-DC-on-Anniversary-of-9-11" target="_blank">tasteless (to say the least)</a> considering it is scheduled for the
anniversary of the worst domestic massacre in American history
perpetrated in the name of Islam. </b></i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a>And
what is the group's theme and reason for such a march?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
deny the truth that followers of Islam, Muslims, have committed
atrocities and acts of crimes against humanity around the world, to
include the orchestrated attack on September 11</span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
2001 now known as “911”. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
counter that affront to Americans, two million bikers are to coincide
the <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/muslim-march-washington-911/2013/08/15/id/520600" target="_blank"><i>Million Muslim March</i></a> who have been turned down in their request
to ride through <i>Memorial Core </i>near to the <i>Memorial Bridge</i>. But they
are riding anyway, except without police help to usher them through
stop signs and stop lights.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Since
when do Americans need permission for the right to demonstrate? It is
called freedom of assembly and made clear in the <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html">First
Amendment</a> to the Constitution of the United States, along with
freedom of speech and religion:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people <a href="http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html">peaceably
to assemble</a>, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.</b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Muslims,
orchestrated by </span></span><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/Israels%2520American%2520Detractors.html&sa=U&ei=AYgwUqlJqoTZBZawgZAP&ved=0CAoQFjAB&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFRiiAATy0Oa8z970d3KRieCCqBSg" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">AMPAC</span></b></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
sponsored by organizations like </span></span><a href="http://www.anti-cair-net.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">CAIR</span></b></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which in turn is funded by foreign <a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/5327/the-rise-of-muslim-fundamentalism" target="_blank">Muslim fascist fundamental organizations</a> have the right to assemble whether why they are
assembling is based upon any truth or not – and whether they are
being insensitive to the fact that today, September 11</span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
has been declared <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Day" target="_blank"><i>Patriot Day</i></a> to remember those who fell victim to
Islamic senseless hatred and violence that permeates the core of
their religion; a religion that represents hypocrisy and intolerance,
while demanding tolerance of others. <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/is-2-chronicles-714-for-us-today/" target="_blank">One year ago today</a>, Islamic fascists under the organization of the Muslim Brotherhood murdered an American ambassador and three other Americans, injuring others in a place called Benghazi. No action was taken and originally the act was blamed on some obscure American making a video, which is also protected under the First Amendment; but no matter to federal government who now literally holds him as a political prisoner.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
the federal and some state governments, protesting under the right to
peacefully assemble, must be made legal through obtaining a permit.The Constitutional amendment states nothing about a permit.</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Even
the documents of the United Nations and other international
declarations provide freedom of assembly: </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Universal
Declaration of Human Rights</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Article 20; </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Covenant_on_Civil_and_Political_Rights"><span style="font-weight: normal;">International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Article 21; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Convention_on_Human_Rights">European
Convention on Human Rights</a>, Article 11; and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Convention_on_Human_Rights">American
Convention on Human Rights</a>, Article 15. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2-million-bikers-to-D.C.-665x385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2-million-bikers-to-D.C.-665x385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So,
why does AMPAC have the right to assemble and not<a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/944748/2-million-bikers-to-d-c-on-911-response-to-million-muslim-march/" target="_blank"> American Bikers</a> forming together to ride in the memory of victims of Islamic hatred
and violence?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Muslims
not only want to change our traditions and heritage, but throw salt
in wounds committed against citizens of the United States.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Islamic
training camps/centers are untouched and mainstream media does not
cover the fact that such institutions are operating in the United
States; but jump on a story they can write negatively about
concerning American militia organizations. The hypocrisy not only
belongs to Islamic subversive organizations. They are aided by
political prostitutes that Americans vote into office or are elected
through voting fraudulent acts, who cater to the enemy of freedom and
liberty backed by a media that is used as a propaganda tool. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Constitutionalists
and Christian organizations like the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tea Party</span></i></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
movement are considered <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/tea-party-called-top-terror-threat-in-u-s/" target="_blank">enemies of the federal government</a>. The real
enemy is ignored.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://christianpersecutioninamerica.com/2013/07/08/homosexual-gay-islam-government-christian-persecution-in-america-report/" target="_blank">Christians are persecuted </a>for their belief and hindered in publicly displaying
their traditions and beliefs that is part of the American tradition,
heritage and history – like Christmas, for example. Yet, Muslims,
who declare that such things offend them, are allowed to do what they
will. Schools that are government controlled [and funded] by the
federal government and to some degree the state government declare
that Christianity cannot be displayed; yet they are giving classes on
Islam for a </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">better
understanding</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Once upon a time in America there were after-school activities like
chess clubs, rifle sports clubs, and Christian clubs. It did not
interfere with school curriculum and afforded students to gather
together who had the same interests.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Those
days, like providing cultural classes and classical educational
curriculum are fading into the dustbin of history – along with our
traditions and heritage.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JD_NPdyFlXw/UjCDxlI-TfI/AAAAAAAAHto/6pVPwyfUA4g/s1600/george-washington-valley-forge-prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JD_NPdyFlXw/UjCDxlI-TfI/AAAAAAAAHto/6pVPwyfUA4g/s200/george-washington-valley-forge-prayer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christianity,
Judeo-Christian philosophy, was and has been the <a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1105635/posts" target="_blank">fundamental foundation</a> of the principles of our US Constitution and its
amendments; yet that document also declares freedom for all religions
– as long as they are just as tolerant and respectful to other
religions.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Atheists
and Muslims declare they are “offended” at the sight of display
of Christian symbolism; providing total disregard to Christian
sensibilities and liberties. It is okay to insult a Christian by
depicting Jesus Christ in some profane manner at an art exhibit, but
forbidden is the act of speaking up and about Islamic hypocrisy and
its doctrine of hate, intolerance, and violence against ALL religions
that are not Islamic.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christians
have the tradition of following the example of disciples and feel
responsible to spread the “Word” - the words recorded in the
Gospels that is described as </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">evangelism</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Even that has been painted as people who are lunatic and fanatics
complements of the socialist-minded, progressive orientated
mainstream media in the United States that is no longer the eyes and
ears of the People, but a mouthpiece for government propaganda.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2010/03/phenomenology-chapter-8-jesus-of.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Jesus</span></b></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
stopped the stoning to death of a woman found guilty of adultery, a
tradition of ancient Hebrews because his duty, his calling, was to
reform those who proclaimed that there is only one true God. His reason to those committing the stoning: if any of them had no guilt, than let them throw the first stone.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2012/04/chapter-12-islam-people-of-book.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Mohammad</span></b></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
the founder of Islam and the holy prophet of Muslims, wrote the
</span></span><a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2012/04/chapter-12-islam-people-of-book.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Qur'an</span></i></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which is as holy to Muslims as the </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bible</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
[Old and New Testaments] to the Christians as the </span></span><a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2009/12/phenomenology-chapter-4-hebrews.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Torah</span></i></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is to orthodox Jews. The </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Old
Testament </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is
a history and description of the Hebrews and the Jewish faith in the
one true God; and the <i>Qur'an</i> was written in the same vein except it
had become the law for both religious doctrine and civic government
in the Islamic world. The New Testament is made up of </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gospels</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
letters and documents written by the <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2012/06/phenomenologyof-world-religions.html" target="_blank"><i>apostles</i></a>, followers of Jesus the
Christ of Nazareth/Galilee. Jesus was a Jew who followed Hebrew
traditions like </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2009/12/phenomenology-chapter-4-hebrews_19.html" target="_blank">Passover</a>
</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
preached peace and preparation for an afterlife. Mohammad provided
the foundation of a doctrine that eventually declared all non-Muslims
to be infidels, whether they were </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">People
of the Book</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
[scriptures] or not. Christianity seeks conversion through testimony
and understanding of the teachings of Jesus the Christ; while Islam's
method of conversion is the sword and fear of retribution; or in some
cases lives made miserable through heavy taxation upon non-Muslims in
periods of the religion's history that allowed the presence of
non-Muslims within their Caliphate. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Christian Church during the medieval period in history certainly
showed little or no tolerance; but as the age of enlightenment
brought about the establishment of the United States – so did that
intolerance disappear. That tolerance, however, did not and does not
discount the fundamental of Christianity such as the declaration of
the Gospels that homosexuality is an abomination in the sight of God.
Again, the difference between Christianity and Islam is that the
former does not execute homosexuals by stoning, strangulating or
beheading those who choose homosexuality as their sexual preference.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Despite
these hard facts, Christians in America are persecuted and looked
upon as “zealous” and “fanatic” if they profess their beliefs
and insist upon some level of morality to be retained within the
society of the United States. Indeed, the woes that has befallen the
republic that provided the best civic document within the articles of
Constitution and its amendments can be pinpointed to the fact that
American society has fallen away from any avenue of morality or
common core values that make any society great and any nation a
successful civilization.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
the first book in the </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holy
Bible</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Old Testament</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
the </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Book of
Genesis</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
God establishes a covenant with humanity and grants freedom of choice
– it is what the Founders referred to as natural rights in their
presentation and establishment of the Constitution and when they
wrote the Declaration of Independence. Freedom of religion, speech,
and assembly was so important it became the first amendment to the US
Constitution. The Second Amendment provides the right personal
defence and the right to act as militia to defend the Constitution
and the United States of America against foreign and domestic
enemies. That too has been considered a </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">natural
right</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
whether one is defending oneself and/or others against a wild animal
or a predatory human being. It is called self preservation and that
the means of defense is an </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">unalienable
right</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which has nothing to do with hunting for food.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Freedom
of religion does not protect any religion whose doctrine is hatred,
intolerance, and violence against other religions; and if so, their
doctrine must be denounced and their ideology be discounted. That is
not hypocrisy, as fundamental Muslims practice, but fairness and
justice in dealing with civic life.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Our
government was established to be </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">For
the People</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">By the People</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">;
therefore it is not required that those who operate our government
turn their heads when it comes to constitutional law and neither are
they expected to tolerate any subversive movement that threatens the
constitutional rights of the People and the national security of our
nation, its heritage and traditions. There is a difference between
</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">dissension</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">subversion</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
the former addressing grievances upon a government that has become
tyrannical and ignores constitutional law.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is time that the government of the United States, at all levels, no
longer tolerate religious establishments, i.e., mosques or
organizations, i.e. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/cairprofilestand.html&sa=U&ei=aYcwUqygJoL27AbBmYCQCQ&ved=0CAcQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNEl22XcPZlVf5p6cwKzV4BjNtjgSA" target="_blank">CAIR</a> and AMPAC who use the tolerance of the
American people as a weapon in order to establish </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sharia
Law</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
intended to replace the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. That is
their agenda, as it is in other free nations around the globe –
world domination with a <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2013/01/chapter-13-sword-of-islam.html" target="_blank"><i>caliphate</i></a> world government.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
theme of this blog is phenomenology and history of world religions
and not to demean any one religion of any people around the globe;
however, this article was written as a warning to people who want the
freedom of choice in the name of tolerance – and to disclaim any
religious doctrine that does not recognize that natural right of
freedom of choice.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
United States, Europe and other free nations must take a stand
against intolerance no matter whence it comes, for evil can only
undermine good when the righteous do nothing. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
Islam, Muslims, want to be considered people of peace, a religion of
peace – then their doctrine and actions must show it. If there are
truly “moderate” Muslims, then they must denounce the fundamental
fascists that are predominate in their religious communities. Fear is
the gist of reaching their goal of conquest through atrocities and
murderous acts against humanity in the name of Allah, the Creator.
The Creator has many names in different languages and dialects, about
86 – but inhumane acts upon one another cannot possibly be the will
of that Creator. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-68282997111698845442013-06-29T14:34:00.000-05:002013-06-29T14:35:19.765-05:00Jihad: UK Bans Americans Who Fight Against Islamic Fascism<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2013/06/27/banned-britain-pamela-geller-robert-spencer"><b>Pamela
Geller</b></a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23064355"><b>Robert
Spencer</b> </a>have been banned from the United Kingdom. Shocking
news coming from a great ally that was formerly our enemy in the 18<sup>th</sup>
century. A people who fought against Nazi tyranny and invasion with
admirable fortitude and strength, is succumbing to forces of Islam
whose agenda is world domination and a world theocratic government
whose power is sustained by a religious doctrine and keeping the
people ignorant and fearful.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The crusade against the powers of the
UK doing this is <a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/allow-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-to-speak-in-uk.html"><b>HERE</b></a>
in the form of a petition.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/06/-theresa-mays-ban-on.html"><i>Jihad
Watch </i></a>also has an article about this affair.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.melaniephillips.com/the-british-governments-jihad-against-free-thought"><b></b></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.melaniephillips.com/the-british-governments-jihad-against-free-thought"><b>Melanie
Phillips</b></a> wrote, June 27<sup>th</sup>:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>By banning from the country as
extremists the American anti-jihadis Robert Spencer and Pamela
Geller, the Home Secretary Teresa May has not only made herself look
ridiculous but has sent the enemies of the United Kingdom the message
that they have it on the run.</b></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">However,
as </span></span><i><a href="http://frontpagemag.com/2013/robert-spencer/melanie-philips-friendly-fire/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=21200c7e5b-Mailchimp_FrontPageMag&utm_term=0_57e32c1dad-21200c7e5b-156588805"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Front
Page</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
points out that she also writes about the alleged <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League">EDL</a>
racism tag, where Melanie Phillips wrote: </span></span>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>I do not support the approach
taken by either Geller or Spencer to the problem of Islamic
extremism. Both have endorsed groups such as the EDL and others which
at best do not deal with the thuggish elements in their ranks and at
worse are truly racist or xenophobic. </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/06/with-friends-like-melanie-phillips-who-needs-enemies-articulate-and-useless-phillips-writes-i-do-not-support-the-appro.html"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Atlas
Shrugs</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
also writes about this </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Freudian
slip </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">by
Melanie – </span></span><b><a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/06/with-friends-like-melanie-phillips-who-needs-enemies-articulate-and-useless-phillips-writes-i-do-not-support-the-appro.html"><span style="font-style: normal;">HERE</span></a></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><a href="http://frontpagemag.com/2013/robert-spencer/melanie-philips-friendly-fire/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=21200c7e5b-Mailchimp_FrontPageMag&utm_term=0_57e32c1dad-21200c7e5b-156588805"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Front
Page</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b>In fact, the EDL has nothing
racist or xenophobic about its platform, and removes such individuals
from its ranks when they’re found. It is only “thuggish” in
that its members fight back when attacked by Islamic supremacists.
Melanie Phillips thinks that the EDL is racist and xenophobic because
she has seen a thousand media reports insisting that it is. As
someone who has been lied about in the same mainstream media, she
ought to be a bit more skeptical of what they report. The people who
claim that the EDL are racist and xenophobic are primarily the foes
of the counter-jihad movement in general. I’ve seen how they lie
about me; why should I believe them about the EDL? Melanie Phillips
has seen how they lie about her; why should <i>she</i> believe them
about the EDL? </b></i>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
bottom line is that in the fight against Islamic fundamental global
conquest, intolerance cannot be overcome by tolerance. In the United
States, the First Amendment to the US Constitution is freedom of
religion. But the line is drawn in being tolerant when an intolerant
religion has a doctrine of conquest, tyranny, hate, and violence
against ALL other religions – intolerance. Therefore, by the
Islamic organizations, whose object is subversion, cannot be
tolerated because they are intolerant and promote violence.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Yet,
in the United States and some other places, Christians are persecuted
for what they are and believe – but Islam is treated with “kid
gloves” - like Melanie Phillips has conveyed. Christians may
denounce Islam, but not just because it is against their doctrine,
and certainly do not wage jihad [war] against other religions; well
at least not since the Crusades. And even in the Crusades, the
conquest goals of Islamic armies moved the Western Church to come to
the aid of the Eastern Church, well at least in the </span></span><i><a href="http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oGkka_.c5RVFoAHfhXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1bWk3bmtnBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDI2Nl8xOTE-/SIG=1271tbmco/EXP=1372547647/**http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/the-first-crusade.htm"><span style="font-weight: normal;">First
Crusade</span></a></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Crusades that followed were less than noble because of the power
corruption of the Church and warlords fighting in the name of God for
conquest, not freedom from tyranny. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christians
do not burn down mosques, although they certainly have the right to
protest that the American Islamic organization wants a mosque near
the spot where they conducted jihad against the United States in New
York. It is not just insensitive of the Islamic clerics, but clearly
points toward their subversive agenda and activities. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christian
cults have formed that are violent and radical, but it is not what
the main Christian element is all about.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christians
do not behead, hang, and/or torture non-believers.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christians
are forbidden to have after-hour meetings/clubs in public schools;
yet Muslims are given cart</span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">é</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
blanche. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Christians
are attacked for believing in Creationism; Muslims are pampered when
they go on a rampage of hate and violence.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Christian founder [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus">Jesus
of Nazareth</a>, “The Christ”] has words to followers like: </span></span></span>
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/5-39.htm"><span style="font-family: Constantia;">turn
the other cheek</span></a></b></i></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-7-5/"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><i><b>first
cast out the beam of thine eye</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
…</span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:20-22&version=KJV"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><i><b>Render
unto Caesar that which is Caesar's</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
… </span></span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Muslim [Islamic] founder [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad">Mohammad</a>]
words:</span></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/verses/002-qmt.php#002.191"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><i><b>And
slay them wherever ye find them</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
… </span></span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/verses/002-qmt.php#002.244"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><i><b>Then
fight in the cause of Allah</b></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
… </span></span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><i><b><a href="http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/verses/002-qmt.php#002.216">Fighting
is prescribed for you</a>, and ye dislike it. ...ye dislike a thing
which is good for you</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">...</span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><a href="http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/verses/003-qmt.php#003.056">As
to those who reject faith</a>, I will punish them with terrible
agony in this world and in the Hereafter … </span></b></i>
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><a href="http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/verses/003-qmt.php#003.151">Soon
shall We cast terror into the heats of the Unbelievers</a> …</span></b></i></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There
are more passages cited </span></span></span><b><a href="http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/023-violence.htm"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;">HERE</span></span></a></b><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Not
that there are not passages of violence in the </span></span></span><i><a href="http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Pages/Bible-Quran-Violence.htm"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Old
Testament</span></span></a></i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which is part of the Christian Bible taken from </span></span></span><i><a href="http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/What-Is-The-Torah-Chumash.htm"><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Torah</span></span></a></i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and history of the Jews. Most of the events in the Old Testament are
battles fought in defense in establishing their homeland as was
instructed to Abraham and keeping their nation of Israel. In that
respect, times have not changed. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
First Amendment protects religion from the state and declares freedom
to pursue and believe in a specific religion; however, it does not
state that any religion is exempt from being prosecuted for doctrine
of hate and violence, or be tolerant to an intolerant religion.
Otherwise, a religion or cult, like the ancient Maya/Aztec practice
would allow human sacrifice. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
United Kingdom's history of fortitude, strength and honor of its
people is being transformed into a nation of fearful people who
succumb to the subversion of Islam rather than stand against it –
and it is no different than what Americans have become. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
United States has, in the past, been an icon of true freedom and
liberty, not as a democracy, but as a constitutional republic that
favors rule of law, not rule of men. There are those, and always will
be, people who wish to subvert, circumvent, and ignore the articles
and amendments of the Constitution – but it is with great peril
that they do so. We are seeing now the outcome of not heeding the
founders' words of caution, like <b>Joseph Story</b>, <b>Benjamin Franklin</b>,
<b>John Adams,</b> <b>Thomas Jefferson </b>and many others during the course of
establishing and maintaining our nation as a great country who
believed individualism surpasses collectivism in all respects of
human rights and dignity. True, our nation took too long to rid the
hypocrisy of slavery; but when they did, they replaced it with
another form of slavery whose chains are invisible except for those
who believe and insist upon individual freedom protected by the
unification of individuals that represent a nation whose government
is to be a servant of the People and not the other way around.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">History
clearly reveals that theocracy is tyranny – and it has kept common
sense and individual freedom at bay in order to gain and maintain
their power and control over the populace.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Why
in the devil would anyone on this blue planet want to revert to
medieval period in history that Islamic jihadism and fascism so
strongly supports? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
is the 21</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">st</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
century after the </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Common
Era</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
or </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After
Death</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
of Christ. We need to keep tyrants at bay and spend more time,
effort, and funds upon improving the lot of humanity, not reverting
to a dark age of history. We should be looking to the stars and
exploring, and doing so as unified humanity, representatives of this
planet we call home. If there be wars, let it be exception to the
rule, rather than status quo. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tyrants,
like school-yard bullies are not stopped by reasoning. They are
stopped by only that which they know – a punch in the nose and told
to behave unless they want more. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Be
tolerant to people of different cultures and religions, but do not
feel obligated to be tolerant to intolerance. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is as simple as that. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">An excellent documentary:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-mlxMndnlzw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Constantia;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span>
</div>
And this one where the United States is following the path of UK....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4XUub1no1qw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-34014341074556063602013-02-13T19:14:00.001-06:002013-02-13T19:14:55.870-06:00Chapter 33: Angels and Demons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><b>Phenomenology of
World Religions </b>©</span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Chapter 33</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lucifer File: Angels and Demons</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F5cHEQuxBs/URwzqwSGWNI/AAAAAAAAHU0/wobgrqV0OiI/s1600/XMAG_125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F5cHEQuxBs/URwzqwSGWNI/AAAAAAAAHU0/wobgrqV0OiI/s200/XMAG_125.JPG" width="165" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Throughout
the universe, the law of physics dictates that there are negative and positive
properties – opposites. Darkness is the absence of light and light is energy. <a href="http://www.space.com/15524-albert-einstein.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Albert Einstein</b></a> stated: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Energy cannot be
created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In the
monotheism of Christianity and Judaism, there is a power of evil that matches and
tries to overcome the power of good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Angelic
Script and Copulation of Angels and Humans</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">An
interesting passage in the Old Testament’s first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Genesis</i>, mentions <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nephilim</i>
(giants) thought to have been offspring of angels or archangels and human
women. They are assumed to be those that had fallen to Earth with the Fall of
Lucifer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></b></div>
<a name='more'></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Genesis 6: 1-4</b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> …</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the
earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the
daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which
they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for
that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There
were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of
God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same
became mighty men which were of old, men of renown</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Some
scholars state that since the term sons of God were used, it was not fallen
angels, but heavenly angels that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">took them wives of all which they chose</i></b>.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The word
<a href="http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Nephilim" target="_blank"><i>Nephilim</i></a> occurs twice in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Torah</i></a>, stated as “giants” in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hebrew Bible</i></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Qumran</i></a>
(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dead Sea Scroll</i></a>), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Q417">4Q417</a>,
has the earliest reference to rebellious <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">children
of Seth</i>, those who mingled with the daughters of Cain referenced by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Augustine of Hippo</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Africanus"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Julius Africanus</b></a>, Rabbi <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimon_bar_Yochai"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shamon bar Yachai</b></a>, and letters of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clementine_literature"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saint Clement</b></a>. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_translations_(Amharic)"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amharic Ethiopian Orthodox Bible</i></a> is
also a reference. The story told in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Enoch</i></a> describes the Nephilim tale. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Whatever
the source, it has been established, except in Orthodox Judaism, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sons of God</i> were angels that married
human women and the offspring were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nephilim</i>.
The alternate view is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sons of god</i>
were offspring of Adam who married offspring of Cain. The latter view does not
make sense, since the description of the women were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">daughters of men</i> (human) not daughters of Cain. Certain authors of
ancient texts stated that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">angels came down from heaven, and mingled
with the daughters of Cain, who bare unto them these giants</i></b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Modern
investigators have established the possibility that alien males married earthly
females. This is based upon their hypothesis that reference to godly or
spiritual beings were actually advanced beings from somewhere in the Universe
who interacted in several ways with humans of Earth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In <a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ezekiel-32-27/">Ezekiel 32:27</a>: </span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
they shall not lie with</i></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the fallen mighty of the uncircumcised,
which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their
swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones,
though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. </i></b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In all
accounts, the Nephilim did not survive the <a href="http://www.livius.org/fa-fn/flood/flood5.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Great Flood</i></a> – only Noah and his family; although there are <a href="http://www.earthage.org/EarthOldorYoung/scientific_evidence_for_a_worldwide_flood.htm">flood
accounts</a> among tales of various cultures and religions around the world.
Mythology always has some element of fact about an event or being in its origination. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4aHaXMOIOM/URw2IordcXI/AAAAAAAAHVU/o_X_zZqlpEk/s1600/celtweav.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="16" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4aHaXMOIOM/URw2IordcXI/AAAAAAAAHVU/o_X_zZqlpEk/s320/celtweav.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lucifer,
the Fallen Archangel</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Frequently
called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan#Hebrew_Bible"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan</i></a>, the archangel <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09410a.htm"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer</i></a> is the alter ego of God. The Supreme Deity, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allah</i>
or many names in different languages, has his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">archangels </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">angels</i>;
while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer</i> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan</i>) has his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">demons</i>. The
Christian Church developed an hierarchy of Lucifer’s demons, to match those of
God’s angels. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The planet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venus</i> designated with the name <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer </i>because of its brilliance,
derived from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version">King
James Version</a> of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Holy Bible</i>
meaning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shining one</i></a> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">morning
star</i>. The name Lucifer is from the Latin <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulgate"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vulgate</i></a>.
Along with dual deity personifications between good and evil, there are place <a href="http://books.google.com/?id=xIaQYpGrmdIC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA4&dq=Encyclopedia+of+Religion+lucifer#v=snippet&q=vulgate&f=false">names
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heaven</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hell</i></a>. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Septuagint</i></a> (Greek Christian text)
Lucifer means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bringer of dawn</i> and in
other texts <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince of Darkness </i>the
alter ego of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Light"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince of Light</i></a>, the name given to <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=308"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saint Michael</i></a> the Archangel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">This idea
of constant battle between good and evil goes far back into human history,
different cultures giving different names, but with a general ideology amongst
them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Is this mythology
based upon a degree of truth of real personae like myth and folklore often is?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">We have
often seen or have read about evil persons within societies, infamous
characters like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_the_Impaler"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vlad the Impaler</i></a> that inspired <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bram Stoker</b></a>’s 1897 classic novel about a vampire called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Dracula"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Count Dracula</i></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Before
Christianity had been established, Satan received an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch_(disambiguation)">expanded
role</a>, a more clear biography during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple_period"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second Temple Period</i></a> of Judaism. {SOURCE: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0826470890"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enochic Judaism</i></a>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">David R. Jackson</b>, London, 2004, p. 2}
Interpreted in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+14%3A12-15&version=KJV"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah 14: 12-15</b></a>, Lucifer is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_angel"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fallen angel</i></a> cast out of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven">Heaven</a> – part of an angelic war
where archangels loyal to God fight Lucifer and his minion, the lead adversary
being archangel <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_(archangel)"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Michael</b></a> [saint] later embellished
in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New Testament</i>’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_(archangel)#Scriptural_references"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Revelation</i></a>. Lucifer has
become the main name for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan</i></a>, the name given to Lucifer
after his fall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#Mythology"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wikipedia</i></a>:</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In ancient </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaanite_mythology" title="Canaanite mythology"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Canaanite mythology</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, the
morning star is pictured as a god, </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attar_(god)" title="Attar (god)"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Attar</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, who
attempted to occupy the throne of </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baal" title="Baal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ba'al</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> and,
finding he was unable to do so, descended and ruled the underworld.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-32"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[32]</sup></i></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-33"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[33]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The
original myth may have been about a lesser god Helel trying to dethrone the
Canaanite high god </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_(deity)" title="El (deity)"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">El</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> who
lived on a mountain to the north.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-34"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[34]</sup></i></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-GVS-35"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[35]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Similarities
have been noted also with the story of </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishtar" title="Ishtar"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ishtar</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'s
or </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inanna" title="Inanna"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inanna</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'s
descent into the underworld,</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-GVS-35"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[35]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Ishtar
and Inanna being associated with the </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet" title="Planet"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">planet</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus" title="Venus"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venus</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-36"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[36]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia" title="Babylonia"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Babylonian</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> myth
of </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etana" title="Etana"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Etana</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> has
also been seen as connected.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Jewish-37"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[37]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> …the
closest parallels with Isaiah's description of the king of Babylon as a fallen
morning star cast down from heaven are to be found not in any lost Canaanite
and other myths but in traditional ideas of the Jewish people themselves,
echoed in the Biblical account of the fall of Adam and Eve, cast out of God's
presence for wishing to be as God, and the picture in </i></b><a href="http://bibref.hebtools.com/?book=%20Psalm&verse=82&src=NIV"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psalm
82</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> of the "gods" and "sons of the Most High"
destined to die and fall.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Eerdmans-18"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[18]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> This
Jewish tradition has echoes also in Jewish </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudepigraph" title="Pseudepigraph"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pseudepigrapha</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> such
as </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Enoch" title="2 Enoch"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2
Enoch</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> and the </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Adam_and_Eve" title="Life of Adam and Eve"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life of Adam and Eve</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Jewish-37"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[37]</sup></i></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Eerdmans-18"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[18]</sup></i></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Schwartz-38"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[38]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Early
Christians associated Isaiah 14: 12-15 with who they called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devil</i></a>,
this term <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=7R0IGTSvIVIC&pg=PA199&dq=Origen+name+Lucifer&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pX0JUKSwK8SmhAfz4Zn5CQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Origen%20name%20Lucifer&f=false"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">developing
between the writing of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament</i></b></a>. Thus
Lucifer falls from grace, becomes Satan, and ultimately called Devil by the
Christians. Whatever name given, his original personification as an angel of
light – he becomes the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_darkness"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince of Darkness</i></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_in_Christianity"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wikipedia</i></a>:</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Even at the time of
the Latin writer </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo" title="Augustine of Hippo"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Augustine of Hippo</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (354
– 430), "Lucifer" had not yet become a common name for the Devil.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Mask-45"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[45]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> But
some time later, the metaphor of the morning star that Isaiah 14:12 applied to
a king of Babylon gave rise to the general use of the Latin word for
"morning star", capitalized, as the original name of the Devil before
his fall from grace, linking Isaiah 14:12 with </i></b><a href="http://bibref.hebtools.com/?book=%20Luke&verse=10:18&src=NIV"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luke
10:18</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> ("I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven") and
interpreting the passage in Isaiah as an allegory of Satan's fall from heaven.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-48"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[48]</sup></i></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-49"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[49]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
However, Christians have continued to understand the mention of the morning
star in Isaiah 14:12 as a metaphor referring to a king of Babylon. </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodoret_of_Cyrus" title="Theodoret of Cyrus"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Theodoret of Cyrus</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (c.
393 – c. 457) wrote that Isaiah calls the king "morning star", not as
being the star, but as having had the illusion of being it.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-50"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[50]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The
same understanding is shown in Christian translations of the passage, which in
English generally use "morning star" rather than treating the word as
a proper name, "Lucifer". So too in other languages, such as French,<sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-51">[51]</a></sup> German,</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-52"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[52]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Portuguese,</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-53"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[53]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> and
Spanish.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-54"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[54]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Even
the Vulgate text in Latin is printed with lower-case <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">lucifer</span> (morning star), not upper
case <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Lucifer</span> (proper
name).</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer#cite_note-Vulgate_Latin:_Isaiah_Chapter_14-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[5]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Qur’an</i>, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Islam</i>, a Muslim’s scripture, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lucifer</b>, in Arabic is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blazing
star</i>. Lucifer’s Arabic name is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_(Islam)"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iblis</i></a> who is banished from heaven and becomes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan</i> because he refuses to prostrate
before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam#Genesis_narrative"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Adam</b></a> as <a href="http://www.allah.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allah</i></a>
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God</i>) orders. This difference is that
Lucifer (Iblis) sins against Allah after the creation of man. Satan, jealous of
Allah seemingly having more love for humans than archangels, swears an oath of
revenge by tempting humans to turn away from God and thus the corruption of
human souls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Iblis</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> is not seen as a fallen angel, as
in Judaic and Christian beliefs, but instead a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jinn</i></a>
who has disobeyed Allah. Muslims believe that angels are servants of Allah and
cannot disobey Him; however, Jinn are like men who can make choices and choose
to obey or disobey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">When
studying the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gnostics</i> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gnosticism</i></a>, we find that they are pre-Christian and early
Christian organized religious people whose ideology was that matter is evil and
to overcome that evil it can only come through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosis"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gnosis</i></a>
– knowledge. Some scholars agree that Gnosticism existed before Christ, while
others believe they were those who disagreed with the early Christian Church
concerning doctrine, beliefs, and the idea of spirituality. It is clearly
demonstrated in its differences between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christianity">early Christians</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_Judaism"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hellenistic Judaism</i></a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Roman_mysteries">Greco-Roman mystery
religions</a>, also including older theological foundations like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zoroastrianism</i></a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplatonism"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Neo-Platonism</i></a>. Some scholars and historical theologians believe
that much of what is believed by Jesus of Nazareth [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christ</i>], the founder of Christianity, was borrowed thought from <a href="http://www.zoroastrianism.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zoroastrianism</i></a>.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nag_Hammadi_library"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nag Hammadi</i> library</a> scrolls found at archaeological sites have
reinforced those thoughts. The Gnostic movement originated in the Second
Century AD, until proven otherwise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">This
discussion may have drifted a bit from the main theme, only to provide literary
and historical references as to the nature and history of Lucifer who became
Satan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Physical
descriptions of Lucifer/Satan occur in early Christianity, later embellished
after Christianity becomes a legitimate state religion during and after the
Roman emperor, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Constantine</b></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Of course,
Satan has his early followers and a <a href="http://www.churchofsatan.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Church of Satan</i></a> was developed as
well as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satanic Bible</i></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wikipedia</i></a>:</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The
Satanic Bible</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> is
a collection of essays, observations, and </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual" title="Ritual"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rituals</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> published
by </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_LaVey" title="Anton LaVey"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anton LaVey</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> in 1969. It contains the core
principles of the </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion" title="Religion"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">religion</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> of </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaVeyan_Satanism" title="LaVeyan Satanism"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LaVeyan
Satanism</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, and is considered the foundation of its </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy" title="Philosophy"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">philosophy</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> and </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogma" title="Dogma"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dogma</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTELewis2003105-1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[1]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> It
has been described as the most important document to influence contemporary
LaVeyan Satanism.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTELewis2003116-2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[2]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Though <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Satanic Bible</span> is not
considered to be </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_scripture" title="Sacred scripture"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sacred
scripture</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> in the way the </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_biblical_canons" title="Christian biblical canons"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christian Bible</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> is
to </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity" title="Christianity"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christianity</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, LaVeyan Satanists regard it as an
authoritative text;</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTELewis2003105-1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[1]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> it
has been referred to as "quasi-scripture."</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTELewis20021-3"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[3]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> It
extols the virtues of exploring one's own nature and instincts. Believers have
been described as "</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheistic" title="Atheistic"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">atheistic</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Satanists"</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMuzzatti2005874-4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[4]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> because
they believe that </i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God" title="God"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God</i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> is not an external entity, but rather
something that each person creates as a projection of his or her own
personality—a benevolent and stabilizing force in his or her life.</i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWright1993143-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[5]</sup></i></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#cite_note-FOOTNOTELaVey200540-6"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup>[6]</sup></i></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Satanic
Bible consists of four books: <a href="http://www.dpjs.co.uk/the_book_of_satan.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Book of Satan</i></a>, <a href="http://netaimstuff.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/lucifer.pdf"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Book of Lucifer</i></a>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Book of </i><a href="http://www.deliriumsrealm.com/113/belial/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Belial</i></a>, and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of
Leviathan</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible#CITEREFLaVey2005">B<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ook of Satan</b></a>: Challenges the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Ten%20Commandments"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ten
Commandments</i></a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Golden Rule</i></a>, and promotes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonism"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hedonism</i></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Book of Lucifer</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Contains most of the philosophy of
the Satanic Bible consisting of twelve chapters that discusses indulgence,
love, hate, sex, et cetera. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Book of Belial</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Anton LaVey (1969) provides
details of rituals and magic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Book of Leviathan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Consists of four invocations for
Satan, lust, compassion, and destruction. It lists the nineteen <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enochian">Enochian</a> Keys. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Satanic
Bible has been criticized and condemned as dangerous, especially to adolescents,
and after investigation one can see why. Attempts to ban the book in schools,
public libraries, and prisons have been both successful and unsuccessful. In
the medieval age, the book would have been burned along with those who were in
possession of it. It was originally published in Avon in 1969 and has never
been out of print. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Bible"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wikipedia</i></a>, over one million copies have been sold and have been
translated into Danish, Swedish, and Spanish. </span><br />
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book
of Revelations (12:4, 7-9)</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">And his tail drew the
third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the
dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour
her child as soon as it was born. …And there was war in heaven: Michael and his
angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And prevailed not; neither was
their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that
old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he
was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. </i></b></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Background
and Angelic Listing</span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBz3rHRrFIY/URw0lHXFyJI/AAAAAAAAHU8/KApb5Cgckbk/s1600/XMAG_231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBz3rHRrFIY/URw0lHXFyJI/AAAAAAAAHU8/KApb5Cgckbk/s200/XMAG_231.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">An <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archangels"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">archangel</i></a> is an angel of high rank and associated with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religions"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abrahamic religions</i></a> of <a href="http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14422-tobit-book-of"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Judaism</i></a>, <a href="http://christianity.wikia.com/wiki/Book_of_Tobit"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christianity</i></a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_(archangel)#Raphael_in_Islam"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Islam</i></a>. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Tobit</i>, recognized by <a href="http://catholicnew.blogspot.com/2005/11/book-of-tobit.html">Catholic</a>
and Orthodox Bibles, but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrypha"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">apocryphal</i></a> by <a href="http://matt1618.freeyellow.com/deutero.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Protestants</i></a>, mentions <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_(archangel)"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raphael</i></a>, an archangel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Tobit</i> is found in the Greek
Hebrew Bible (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Septuagint</i></a>) and Aramaic and Hebrew
fragments within the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dead Sea Scrolls</i></a>. It is listed as a
book of the <a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/index.htm"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apocrypha</i></a> in Article VI of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-Nine_Articles"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thirty-Nine Articles</i></a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England">Church of England</a>. It
tells the story of an Israelite of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribe_of_Naphtali">Tribe of Naphtali</a> named
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tobit</b> living in Nineveh after the
deportation of the northern tribes of Israel to Assyria in 721 BC under the
rule of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sargon_II"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sargon II</b></a>. In the story a woman named Sarah prays for death in
despair. She has lost seven husbands to the demon of lust, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asmodeus"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Asmodeus</i></a> being the worst of demons, who abducts and ills every
man she marries on their wedding night. Tobit’s father has become blind, so he
suffers emotionally like Sarah in his marriage. God sends Archangel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raphael</i>, who disguises himself as a
human, to heal Tobit and free Sarah from the demon. Raphael tells Tobit about
the beautiful Sarah and instructs him to burn a fish’s liver and heart to drive
away the demon when he attacks Tobit on the wedding night with Sarah. Raphael
reveals his identity and then returns to heaven. Later he saves his son,
Tobias, when he instructs him to leave Nineveh before God destroys it according
to prophecy. Tobit dies a very old man, and Tobias, after burying his father,
returns to Media with his family. It is believed that the book was written in
the 2<sup>nd</sup> century BC; with no certainty as its date of origin, and believed
to been written in Aramaic. <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=10"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saint Jerome</b></a> [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doctor
of the Church</i></a>] describes his version in the Vulgate copied from Aramaic
text. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Four
fragmentary texts in Aramaic and one in Hebrew were found at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran">Qumran</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Angels are
mentioned in the older books of the Hebrew Bible are without names. Rabbi <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_ben_Lakish_of_Tiberias">Simeon ben
Lakish of Tiberias</a></b> (230-270), stated that the Jews brought all the
specific names for the angels back from Babylon, and modern scholars agree. The
Book of Tobit is accepted as scriptural reference by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church">Catholic Church</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church">Eastern Orthodox
Church</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Orthodox_Church">Oriental Orthodox
Church</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><span style="color: #660000;">The <span style="font-size: large;">L</span>ist of <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>rchangels</span>:</span></b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6vTgNsl22Y/URw1PhiJ54I/AAAAAAAAHVE/0ePKafUz1c8/s1600/250px-Evelyn_De_Morgan_-_Angel_of_Death_Azrael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6vTgNsl22Y/URw1PhiJ54I/AAAAAAAAHVE/0ePKafUz1c8/s200/250px-Evelyn_De_Morgan_-_Angel_of_Death_Azrael.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Angel of Death</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Ariel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Referred in Jewish and
Christian mysticism text and the Apocrypha, Ariel is mentioned in Isaiah
29:1-7, personifying Jerusalem. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Ariel is a
rebel angel who is overcome by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seraph">seraph</a></i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdiel">Abdiel</a></b> in the first day
of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Heaven">War of Heaven</a></i>.
In the Coptic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistis_Sophia">Pistis Sophia</a></i>,
Jesus asks the apostles to preach so they will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be delivered from the rivers of smoke of Ariel</i>. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Azrael</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_(personification)#In_Abrahamic_religions">archangel
of death</a></i>, also an angel of retribution in Islamic and Sikhism
theology, as well as in some Hebrew lore. The Qur’an does not use this
name, but instead referred to as Malak al-Maut (angel of death). In
Hebrew, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Azriel</i>, the name means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whom God Helps</i>. Sometimes portrayed
as residing in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Heaven">Third Heaven</a></i>. In
Sikh scriptures, God (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Waheguru</i>)
sends Azrael only to people who are unfaithful and unrepentant for their
sins. Appearing on Earth as a human, he hits people on the head with his
scythe and extracts their souls from their bodies, taking the soul to
Hell. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Chamuel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: (Camael) – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one who sees God</i>, Judeo-Christian
angelology. One of the seven archangels listed in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bible</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Torah</i>.
Leader of the forces that expelled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_(Bible)">Adam</a></b> from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden">Garden of Eden</a>.
Camael is not recognized by the Catholic Church because of the decision to
ban the veneration of angels not mentioned in the canon Bible. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Gabriel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Mentioned twice in the Bible,
he appears to Daniel and in the Gospel of Luke he appears to the virgin <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary">Mary</a></b> and to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zechariah_(priest)">Zechariah</a></b>
foretelling the birth of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus">Jesus</a></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist">John the Baptist</a></b>.
He is an archangel, considered a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican,
Lutheran, Eastern, and Oriental Churches. In Judaism, Gabriel is one of
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malakhim">Malakhim</a></i>, a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherub">Cherub</a></i> according to
Hebrew angelic hierarchy, mentioned in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Daniel">Book of
Daniel</a></i>. He is a messenger of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YHWH">YHWH</a> (God) to Daniel during
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_Captivity">Babylonian
Captivity</a></i>. He is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">man in
linen</i> in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Ezekiel">Book of Ezekiel</a></i>.
A familiar likeness of Gabriel depict him blowing a trumpet, indeed it was
a trumpet that blasted the walls of Jericho. In Islamic tradition, the
trumpeter is not Gabriel, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israfil">Israfil</a></i>. The feast of
Saint Gabriel was honored for the first time in the General Roman Calendar
in 1921, celebrated on March 24<sup>th</sup>. In 1969, it was transferred
to September 29<sup>th</sup> to celebrate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_(archangel)">St. Michael</a>
and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_(archangel)">St. Raphael</a>
together. The Ethiopian Church celebrates his feast on December 28<sup>th</sup>
with believers making pilgrimage to a church dedicated to Saint Gabriel in
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulubi">Kulubi</a>. Gabriel revealed
the scriptures of the Qur’an to Mohammad, prophet and founder of Islam.
Other than that, Islamic text corresponds to Judeo-Christian text
concerning Gabriel. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Haniel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Angel in Hebrew angelology,
included in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_archangels">seven
archangels</a> mentioned. Generally associated with the planet Venus, he
is the archangel of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sephirah">Sephirah Netzach</a></i>. In
Hebrew the name means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">joy</i>. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jeremiel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: The name means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mercy of God</i>, an archangel of
prophetic vision who helps crossed over souls to review their lives. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jophiel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Name means Beauty of God,
helping humans to think beautiful thoughts and be creative, patron angel
of artists. He is companion to the angel, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metatron">Metatron</a>, and one of the
chiefs of the choir of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherubim">Cherubim</a></i>. Assists
Michael in battle with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zadkiel">Zadkiel</a>.
He is the angel prince of the Torah who is credited with having taught
Moses the cabalistic mystery. He is mentioned in medieval text and
theologian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudo-Dionysius_the_Areopagite">pseudo-Dionysus</a>.
In Christian angelology, he drove <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_and_Eve">Adam and Eve</a> from the
Garden of Eden. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Lucifer</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Archangel whose name means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">morning star</i>, representative to the
planet Venus, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">light bringer</i>.
That was before he started the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War
in Heaven</i> and subsequently cast to Earth; his name changed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan</i> and called the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devil</i>. Referred to as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fallen angel</i>, Lucifer is mentioned
in the Latin Vulgate as well as the King James version Bible, the
Septuagint, and Hebrew text. In ancient <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaanite_mythology">Canaanite
mythology</a>, the morning star is depicted as a god, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attar_(god)">Attar</a></b>,
who attempts to occupy the throne of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baal">Ba’al</a></b>, unable to do so;
he becomes the ruler of the underworld. He is a personification of evil,
jealous of and hates humans. In Islamic theology, Lucifer is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_(Islam)">Iblis</a></i>, banished
from heaven, becoming Satan for refusing to prostrate before Adam as
ordered by Allah (God). In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism">Gnosticism</a></i>, Lucifer
is not the Devil, but a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llewellyn_Worldwide">liberator and
guiding spirit</a>. Satanist cults worship Lucifer instead of God. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Metatron</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: An archangel of Judaism,
according to the Hebrew medieval <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrypha">Apocrypha</a></i>, he is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_(ancestor_of_Noah)">Enoch</a>,
ancestor of Noah, transformed into an angel. The Talmud refers to Metatron
and relates that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisha_ben_Abuyah">Elisha ben Abuyah</a></b>,
a rabbi in Jerusalem before year 70, became an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy">apostate</a></i>. Elisha
entered Paradise and saw Metatron sitting down in the presence of God and
so looked at Metatron as a deity. However, rabbinical explanation states
that Metatron was allowed to sit because he is a heavenly scribe. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/t01/">Babylonian Talmud</a></i>
mentions Metatron twice and in two ways, one as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.tybro.com/html/the_archangel_stones.html">primordial
angel</a></i> (9:2 – 13:2, and as the transformed Enoch <a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/jras/1893-15.htm">after he went
to Heaven</a>. After the Exodus, Metatron led the children of Israel to
the Promised Land. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Michael</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Holy Archangel called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Archistrategos</i> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chief commander</i>) according to
Judeo-Christian scripture and tradition, interceding multiple times as
Defender of the Faith. Won battles in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War of Heaven</i>. In the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book
of Joshua</i>, he is involved in the fall of Jericho. Although Michael is
not mentioned by name in the text, the description of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">angel with the sword</i> causes belief
it was Michael, who introduces himself as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">commander of the army of the
Lord I have now come</i></b>. [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+5%3A13-14&version=KJV">Joshua
5:13-14</a>) In the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Daniel</i>,
Michael appears to help Archangel <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gabriel</b>
defeat the Persians [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+10%3A13&version=KJV">Daniel
10:13</a>]. Michael is protector of Israel. Legends have it that Michael
appeared to Emperor <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Constantine the
Great</b> at Constantinople, appearing in battles, sword in hand,
apparently answering the prayers of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pope St. Gregory I the Great</b></a> (590-604) that a plague in
Rome should cease. Since Constantine, Michael [Catholic Church sainted
this angel] considered patron saint of healing. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Moroni</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: An angel of Mormonism that
visited Joseph Smith on several occasions, beginning on September 21<sup>st</sup>,
1823. He was the guardian of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_plates">golden plates</a></i>
that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latter_Day_Saints">Latter Day Saints</a></i>
believe is the source for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Mormon">Book of Mormon</a></i>.
Moroni is an important figure in Mormon theology. It is believed it is the
same person as the prophet-warrior mentioned in the Book of Mormon with
the same name, the last to write in the golden plates. However some
believe that the name is Nephi, not Moroni because Smith had initially not
identified the angel until 1835. In 1838, Smith identifies the angel he
communicated with as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephi,_son_of_Lehi">Nephi</a></i>. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Raguel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Archangel of justice,
fairness, and harmony. Raguel is one of the seven archangels mentioned in
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch">Book of Enoch</a></i>
who is to take vengeance on the world upon those who transgressed God’s
laws. Raguel is mentioned in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Revelation
of John</i> as the angel of the church in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala%C5%9Fehir">Philadelphia</a> (Rev
3:7). He watches over other angels to ensure they work well with mortals
according to Divine order (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3%3A7-13&version=KJV">Rev
3:7-13</a>) </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Raphael</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Hebrew, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God Heals</i>, archangel of Judeo-Christian tradition and
scripture performs all types of healing. Also known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israfil"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Israfil</i></a>. Mentioned in the Torah, Old Testament of the Holy
Bible; Rabbi <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimon_ben_Lakish"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shimon ben Lakish</b></a> of Tiberias
(230-270) established that angels had specific names recorded by the Jews
while captive in Babylonia. Enoch 10:4-6 … <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>And again the Lord said to Raphael: 'Bind Azazel hand and foot,
and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which
is in Dudael, and cast him therein. And place upon him rough and jagged
rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there forever, and
cover his face that he may not see light. And on the day of the great
judgment he shall be cast into the fire</i></b><i>. </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Raphael is mentioned in canonical
scriptures of Christians, also in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Tobit"><i>Book of Tobit</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, accepted by the Catholic, Orthodox,
Lutheran, and Anglo-Catholic churches. He first appears disguised as a
human and traveling companion of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tobiah</b>,
Tobit’s son. In Islam, Raphael is known as <i>Israfil</i>, mentioned in
the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith"><i>Hadith</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, he is the angel that will signal the
coming of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgment_Day"><i>Judgment
Day</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> by blowing a trumpet.
The trumpet will be blown three times – the first to signal the beginning
of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_time"><i>Last Day</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, second to signal the death of every
living thing including angels, demons, and humans, and the third to signal
the time when all souls from all ages will gather for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgement"><i>Last Judgment</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">. In tradition, Raphael told the story
of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Heaven"><i>War
in Heaven</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> where Lucifer and
his legion fell, becoming Satan and demons, as well as how the Earth was
created. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The following video is a depiction of what Raphael
told </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_and_Eve"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Adam</span></b></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> what occurred:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Iwf7-6qhKuc" width="480"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Sandalphon</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Archangel in Hebrew and
Christian texts, prominently in mystical traditional text of Rabbinic,
Judaism, and early Christianity, notably in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midrash">Midrash</a></i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud">Talmud</a></i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah">Kabbalah</a></i>. Some early
sources refer Sandalphon as the prophet <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah">Elijah</a></b>,
elevated to an angel. He is referred to in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud">Babylonian Talmud</a></i>
as the tall angel, reminiscent of the Greek mythological giants called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Titans</i>. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greater_Key_of_Solomon">The
Greater Key of Solomon</a></i>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sandalphon</b>
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the left-hand feminine cherub of
the Ark</i>. In a liturgy for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot">Jewish Feast of Tabernacles</a></i>
he is credited with gathering the prayers of the faithful, making a
garland of prayers. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah">Kabbalah</a></i>, Sandalphon
is the angel who presents the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.yashanet.com/studies/revstudy/rev6b.htm">Sephirah of
Malkhut</a></i>. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<ul>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Uriel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Hebrew-meaning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God is my light</i>, one of the archangels
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbinic_literature">Rabbinic</a></i>
tradition, and certain Christian traditions. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uriel has been confused with
Israfil/Raphael. </i></b>In the Book of the Angels:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> And Uriel said to me: 'Here
shall stand the angels who have connected themselves with women, and their
spirits assuming many different forms are defiling mankind and shall lead them
astray into sacrificing to demons 'as gods', (here shall they stand,) till 'the
day of' the great judgment in which they shall be judged till they are made an
end of. And the women also of the angels who went astray shall become <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siren" title="Siren">sirens</a>.' And I, Enoch
alone, saw the vision, the ends of all things; and no man shall see as I have
seen</i></b>. In that book it tells of Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel who were
present before God to testify on behalf of humans. It is Uriel who contacts <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah">Noah</a></b>
about the coming <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deluge_(mythology)">Great Flood</a></i>. In
an <a href="http://www.urielsg.org/Sections-read-7.html">Anglican
intercessional prayer</a> to Saint Uriel, the Archangel: </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Oh holy Saint Uriel, intercede for us that our hearts may
burn with the fire of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Assist us in co-operating with the graces of our
confirmation that the gifts of the</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Holy Spirit may bear much fruit in our souls.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Obtain for us the grace to use the sword of truth to pare
away all that is not in conformity to the most adorable</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Will of God in our lives, that we may fully participate
in the army of the Church</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-vertical-align-alt: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Amen</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">. Uriel is also mentioned in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_lost">Paradise Lost</a></i>
by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John Milton</b>, in charge of the Orb
of the Sun – eyes of God, but mistakenly steers Lucifer (Satan) towards the
newly created Earth. He is also the fourth cardinal point. He is the main
character in a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Waldo_Emerson">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a></b>
poem entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uriel_(poem)">Uriel</a></i>. The archangel depicted
in various novels, films, and even video fantasy games. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Zadkiel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">: Hebrew (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tzadqiel</i>) for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Righteousness
of God</i>, this archangel represents freedom benevolence, mercy, and Patron
Angel of all who forgive. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Bible
does not reveal any angelic hierarchy for God is the commander of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heavenly Host</i> (<a href="http://www.bing.com/search?q=Isaiah+45+KJV&FORM=QSRE4">Isaiah 45: 12</a>).
Some scriptures provide certain delegated authority given to archangels, yet
those who have written about angels have declared there is a hierarchy. The
canon Bible only lists three archangels – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michael</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gabriel</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raphael</i> and the fallen archangel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer</i> who is referred to as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan</i>
after the fall. In Jewish mysticism and Western <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual_magic">ritual magic</a>, Zadkiel is
associated with the planet Jupiter. In the Sephirot, Zadkiel is the fourth in
angel position, attributed to mercy. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Church
Becomes Persecutor in War against Satan and Demons</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Since the
Christian Church, the Roman Catholic being the first organized entity, used
depictions of pagan gods and mythological creatures as the foundation of
depiction of what Satan looks like, far from Lucifer the archangel’s
personification. While Satan can fool humans by looking like a dark handsome
male, his pure evilness has made him a symbol of ugliness. Ideas that did not
correspond with or intervened with the Church and its doctrine considered heresy
and influenced by Satan, the latter accusation usually meant the death penalty.
Enlightenment and reasoning gave way to superstition and established church
authority. Heretics were executed in great numbers about 450 years after
Christ’s crucifixion. It also was about the time when Satan took on the
personage of the Greco-Roman god, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_(god)"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pan</i></a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02084a.htm"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saint Augustine</b></a>, [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Augustine of Hippo</i></a>] a Christian bishop, theologian-<a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/augustine/">philosopher</a>, and one of
the church founders, wrote about Satan’s constant temptations provided by his
army of demons totaling to <a href="http://www.weird-encyclopedia.com/demons-a-z.php">sixty legions</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">One
thousand years into the history of the church culminated into wealth and power
using fear and superstition to control the masses. One purge lasted 45 years
with only the plague killing more people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">When the <a href="http://history-world.org/crusades.htm">Crusades</a> began, which there
were several after the initial one to attempt to rescue the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church">Byzantine Eastern
Church</a> empire, each side, Christian and Muslim, viewed each other as
infidels and satanic. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inquisition</i></a> soon appeared, infamous
for its severe cruelty, using unspeakable tortures that defy imagination always
leading to eventual death. It was mass murder in the name of religion and God.
Indeed, Satan’s work was at hand, but the evil was not so much amidst the
public than it was in within the hierarchy and institution of the Church. The
Inquisition had become the tool to dispatch political and theological enemies
and while the enlightenment of Buddhism was growing in the East, dark,
superstition and evil thoughts festered in the world of the West. Enlightenment
and knowledge outside the Qur’an in the Arab world brought great discoveries in
science, mathematics, and medicine. While people in Europe believed that too
many baths invited sickness, those of the East and Arabian Peninsula encouraged
cleanliness being part of godliness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The <a href="http://templarhistory.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knights
Templar</i></a>, once praised for their heroism, duty, and service to the
Church, became a target of the church hierarchy always fearful of their loss of
power, turned against them in a violent purge initiated with the lie that the
Templars had become an instrument of evil and in league with Devil worship. On
October 13<sup>th</sup> (Friday), the Templars were systematically rounded up
or killed outright, arrested for heresy and other false charges, tortured and
then executed in a number of ways. By 1320, this superstition atmosphere had
escalated toward the infamous search for necromancers and witches – all in the
concept of fighting Satan’s evil purpose. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In 1426,
two German monks published a textbook called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleus_Maleficarum"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maleficas Et Earvm Mafens Maleficarm</i></a> – <a href="http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hammer
of the Witches</i></a>. It prescribed the policy of how to seek out and
determine who witches, mostly women. It also stated that those who did not
believe in the existence of witches and witchcraft were just as guilty or
influenced by Satan, the Devil. It was a perfect setup. Amazingly it has
survived and still in print, as historical text, for those trying to understand
the medieval mind and ideology of the Church and its doctrine. It was just
another testament of its corruption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">No one
questioned the two monks who wrote it how they obtained such dark knowledge or
its authenticity. It was a medieval best seller. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Around this
time, Martin Luther leads a religious reformation movement (Protestants)
splitting away from the oppression of the Catholic Church; yet witch hunting
continues by both.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/Scottish%20Monarchs(400ad-1603)/TheStewarts/JamesVIandI.aspx"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King James VI</b></a> of Scotland wrote a
book about demonology, which really just fed his interest of the subject and
declared that Satan and witchcraft was everywhere and a great threat to the
state. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Satan
followed those who explored and colonized the New World in the 1600s. The
Puritans, escaping from religious persecution, were strong believers in the
powers of Satan. Mary Glover becomes the first American colonist to be charged
officially and arrested for witchcraft, and in 1688 she is also the first to be
executed for witchcraft. Most Americans today are familiar with the Salem witch
trials that resulted in 150 people being arrested and 19 men and women hung or
crushed to death as their punishment. Seventeen other dies in prison from
mistreatment and torture or illness from poor food and conditions. When it
finally ended, the Salem judiciary had blamed the crafty Devil of fooling them
into sentencing innocent people – in an attempt to soothe their guilty
conscious, if they had any left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">By the
1700s, the witch-hunts ceased in Europe and science and enlightenment replaced
superstition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Devil,
Satan, is no longer the horned, grotesque cloven footed beast of Church
invention, but now is among the aristocracy – wealthy, handsome and decadent.
Satan becomes a beguiling figure whose love of power, wealth and sexual
perversions knows no bounds. The Satan worshippers have come out of their
secret places and formed the Church of Satan since the late 1960s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The moral
is that everything comes with a price or consequence. The anti-establishment
generation became the establishment of today, oddly in conjunction with the
founding of the Church of Satan, and the Internet has afforded great
opportunities to learn from information available worldwide and in many
languages. <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2012/04/chapter-18-wicca-old-pagan-religion.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wicca</i></a> was formed to bring back the
pagan mother goddess and the celebration of all that is natural and of nature.
Druidism is reborn and regularly attends ceremonies at the sites of the
ancients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Church
has reformed itself many centuries after organized in Rome and the <a href="http://www.vatican.va/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vatican</i></a>
still sways power, but with benevolence instead of maliciousness. It retains
its wealth and still has its faithful without using fear as a tool. The Vatican
is the repository of theological history and philosophy that includes holy
objects venerated by historians and the faithful alike – artwork and artifacts
that are priceless. Thanks to the worldwide web, the Roman Catholic Church can
now spread their wisdom and sermons and words of the Pope globally much faster
than ever before. Researchers can now read text only viewed by special
permission and appointment within the Vatican Library, downloaded or bookmarked
for reference when writing articles and essays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Satan too
has adapted, where his perceived personage can also be found on the Internet
and various stories are represented on film, now digital, where audiences may
view them in a theater or at home. The never-ending and ageless battle between
good and evil enacted in venues like video games, PC games, Hollywood films,
and bestselling novels. According to legend, wars occur in heaven just as they
do on earth, angels fighting angels; and has occurred before God created humans
or as some believe, because God created humans and provided them with souls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Evil seems
to be prevailing in a technological world where the media portrays mostly the
negative aspects of human civilization and ignoring or suppressing the modern
warriors who combat evil. Descriptions of the New Testament Book of Revelation of
the apocalypse and the end of days, the final confrontation between the army of
God and the army of Satan, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer</i>,
once an archangel. Constantly reminding us that humans intertwined and placed
in the middle of the epic battle between good and evil must choose sides, and
Hollywood makes billions of dollars depicting the raising of the dead prophesized
in the Book of Revelations in Zombie horror genre films. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The
Crusades have returned in a modern venue, but with the same medieval purpose,
religions growing intolerant of each other despite their common origin as
Abrahamic religions. Israel fights for its survival, as it has done in
centuries past. Violence, intolerance, and chaos has returned in different form
– but with the same malevolent purpose once again pushing aside enlightenment
and reasoning feeding evil and encouraging its growth. The <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08026a.htm"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inquisition</i></a> has not been resurrected, as of yet, when it does
it too will be in a different form, spearheaded and encouraged by governments
who have forsaken and forgotten what makes nations great and constitutes a
civil and moral society by breaking down tried and proven traditions that came
from the ancients and amidst the darkness of medieval chicanery. All the while,
the people replace the universal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Golden
Rule</i> with liberalism and other political philosophies, encouraging tyranny,
and inviting misery upon them because they have not learned from their
ancestors’ mistakes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">It is a
cycle, like that which constitutes an individual’s life, where families become
dysfunctional and disconnecting, leaving the heirs of civilization nothing to
look forward to or learn classic established reasoning and wisdom; doomed to
bear the consequences, whether they choose to accept that responsibility or
not, and find themselves no longer sure of the difference between good or evil.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In many
religions, there is the constant battle between good and evil, angels and
demons, humans intertwined and caught in the middle. In many religions, humans
were given freedom of choice by a higher order or being, or endowed by the
Creator. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War of Heaven</i> has not
ended; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lucifer</b> lost the first battle
and lost, cast from the grace of heaven, as described in the three major
religions of the world. Apparently, good and evil will be a never-ending battle
across the Universe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Some may
not believe in angels or demons, if anything they are symbolic of the truth
that there is the negative (evil) and positive (good) elements within the
universe and that darkness is only the absence of light – an energy. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Biblical
References of Angels</span></b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Genesis 6 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And it came to pass, when men began to
multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that
the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they
took them wives of all which they chose. … There were giants </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nephilim</i>] <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in the earth in those days; and also
after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and
they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old,
men of renown. </i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Genesis 18: 1-5 -
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the LORD appeared unto him in
the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;</i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And he lift up his eyes and looked,
and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them
from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And said, My Lord, if now I have found
favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a
little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves
under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your
hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your
servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Hebrews 1:6 - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And again, when he bringeth in the first
begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship
him.</i> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Hebrews 1:14 - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are they not all ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Hebrews 12:22 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But ye are come unto mount Sion, and onto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable
company of angels, </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Hebrews 13:2 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Colossians 1:16 –
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For by him were all things created,
that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether
they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him …</i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Colossians 2:18 –
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let no man beguile you of your
reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into
those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind
… </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">II Thessalonians
1:6-7 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seeing it is</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a righteous thing with God to
recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, And to you who are
troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven
with his mighty angels … </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jude 1:9 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yet Michael the archangel, when
contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not
bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Daniel 6:22 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My God hath sent his angel and hath
shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before
him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done
no hurt. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Daniel 8:16 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I heard a man’s voice between the
banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to
understand the vision. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Daniel 9:21 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer,
even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being
caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.</i>
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Daniel 10:13 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But the prince of the kingdom of Persia
withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief
princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kinds of Persia. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">II Peter 2:11 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whereas angels, which are greater in
power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the
Lord. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 22:3 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And sent forth his servants to call
them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 4:11 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then the devil leaveth him, and,
behold, angels came and ministered unto him. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 13:41 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend,
and them which do iniquity; </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 18:10 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take heed that ye despise not one of
these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do
always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthews 26:53 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of
angels? </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Psalm 78:49 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He cast upon them the fierceness of his
anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among
them. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Psalm 91:11 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For he shall give his angels charge
over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Psalm 103:20 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that
excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of
his word. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Psalm 149:2 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praise ye him, all his angels: praise
ye him, all his hosts. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 9:13-14
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the sixth angel sounded, and I
heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels
which are bound in the great river Euphrates. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 21:12
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And had a wall great and high, and
had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written
thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of
Israel. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 22:8-9
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I John saw these things, and
heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before
the feet of the angel which showed me these things. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">John 20:11-12 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But Mary stood without at the sepulcher
weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other
at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Acts 5:19-20 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But the angel of the Lord by night
opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Acts 10:3-5 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He saw in a vision evidently about the
ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto
him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What
is it Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up
for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one
Simon, whose surname is Peter. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Acts 10:43-44 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To him give all the prophets witness,
that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive submission
of sins. While Peter yet spake those words, the Holy Ghost fell on all
them which heard the word. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Mark 13:27 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And then shall he send his angels, and
shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost
part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Luke 1:19 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the angel answering unto him, I am
Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto
thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Luke 1:26 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And in the sixth month the angel
Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Luke 16:22 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And it came to pass, that the beggar
died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man
also died, and was buried. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Luke 20:36 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Neither can they die any more: for they
are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children
of the resurrection. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">I Corinthians 6:3
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Know ye not that we shall judge
angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Isaiah 6:2 – </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seraph</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seraphim(s) </i>(plural)
– not archangels or angels] … <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Above it stood seraphims: each one had
six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his
feet, and with twain he did fly. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Biblical
References of Lucifer and Demons [</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://www.truthnet.org/Spiritual-warfare/3AngelsDemons/Angels-Demons.htm"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Daimonion</span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">]</span></b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Leviticus 17:7 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And they shall no more offer their
sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be
a statute forever unto them throughout their generations. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Isaiah 14:12 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How art thou fallen from heaven, O
Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which
didst weaken the nations! </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jude 1:6 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in
everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Job 1:6-9 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now there was a day when the sons of
God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among
them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan
answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from
walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a
perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then
Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">I Peter 5:8 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Ezekiel 28:12-17
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Son of man, take up lamentation
upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou
sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou has been
in Eden in the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the
sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the
sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy
tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast
created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee
so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down
in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the
day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude
of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and
thou hast sinned: therefore, I will cast thee as profane out of the
mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the
midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy
beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will
cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may
behold thee. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 4:6 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And saith unto him, If thou be the Son
of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels
charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest
at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 25:41 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then shall he say also unto them on the
left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 8:31 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So the devils besought him, saying, If
thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 10:1 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And when he had called unto him his
twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 12:25 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And if Satan cast out Satan, he is
divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 12:28 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But if I cast out devils by the Spirit
of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Matthew 12:45 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then goeth he, and taketh with himself
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell
there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so
shall it be also unto this wicked generation. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Mark 1:27 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">And they were
all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What
thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he
even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.</span></i></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Mark 3:11 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And unclean spirits, when they saw him,
fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Mark 16:9 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now when Jesus was risen early the
first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he
had cast seven devils. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 3:7-13
-- <span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And to the angel
of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy,
he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no
man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know thy works: behold, I have set
before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I
will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are
not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy
feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word
of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which
shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold,
I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy
crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,
and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God,
and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh
down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He
that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. </i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 9:11
–- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And they had a king over them,
which is the angel of the bottomless pit, </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer</i>] <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whose name in the Hebrew tongue is
Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. </i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation
16:13-14 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I saw three unclean
spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the
mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they
are the spirits of the devil, working miracles, which go forth unto the
kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of
that great day of God Almighty. </i></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 20:10
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the
false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
</i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 20:1-3
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I saw an angel come down from
heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the
Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the
bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should
deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:
and after that he must be loosed a little season. </i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Luke 8:2 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And certain women, which had been
healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom
went seven devils. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Luke 8:29 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For he had commanded the unclean spirit
to come out of the man. For oftentimes it has caught him: and he was kept
bound with chains and fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of
the devil into the wilderness. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">James 2:19 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thou believest that there is one God;
thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">I Timothy 4:1 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that
in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Ephesians 4:27 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Neither give place to the devil. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">II Corinthians
11:14 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An no marvel; for Satan
himself is transformed into an angel of light. </i></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Angels
in Islam </span></b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Angels,
heavenly beings, are mentioned several times in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran">Qur’an</a></i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith">Hadith</a></i>.
Angels, unlike human or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn">jinn</a></i>, have no free will so can
only follow orders of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allah</i> (God).
Angelic belief is one of the six <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iman_(concept)">Articles of Faith</a></i> of
Islam. Humans were created with clay, jinn made from smokeless fire, and angels
created from light. Islam does not have a standard of hierarchical organization
of angels, Islamic scholars feeling it is an unimportant topic. Angels,
however, are assigned tasks or jobs commanded by Allah. Some scholars believe
there are fourteen categories of angels. The holy scriptures only mention a few
by name. The Islamic angels mentioned are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jibrail</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> [Gabriel] – The angel of
revelation, said to be the greatest of angels, an archangel responsible for
revealing the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Qur’an</i> to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad">Muhammad</a></b>. The angel that
communicates with all the prophets. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Israfil </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raphael</i>] –- An archangel who will blow
the trumpet twice at the end of time. According to the Hadith, Israfil is the
angel is the angel responsible for signaling the coming of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgment">Qiyamah</a></i> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Judgment Day</i>) by blowing a horn. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Prophet
Muhammad told us that angels witness the gatherings of Muslims in which Allah
is remembered. He said: "Allah has some angels who look for those who
celebrate the Praises of Allah on the roads and paths. And when they find some
people celebrating the Praises of Allah, they call each other, saying,
"Come to the object of your pursuit.' " He added, "Then the
angels encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world." He
added, "(After those people celebrated the Praises of Allah, and the
angels go back), their Lord, asks them </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">(those angels)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">--though He knows better than
them—</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">'What
do My slaves say?' The angels reply, 'They say: Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, and
Alham-du-lillah.' Allah then says 'Did they see Me?' The angels reply, 'No! By
Allah, they didn't see You.' Allah asks, How it would have been if they saw
Me?' The angels reply, 'If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly
and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any
resemblance to anything more often.' </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Described in many places in the Qur’an and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php">Hadith</a></i>. Books
of Hadith are: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php#bukhari">Sahih Al-Bukhari</a></i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php#muslim">Sahih Muslim</a></i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php#abudawud">Sunan Abu-Dawud</a></i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.searchtruth.com/hadith_books.php#muwatta">Malik’s Muwatta</a></i>.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Mikail </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michael</i>] – provides nourishments for
bodies and souls. Depicted as the archangel of mercy, responsible for bringing
rain and thunder to Earth. Responsible for rewards doled out to good persons in
this life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Azrael </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">malak al-maut</i>] – Angel of death,
responsible for parting the soul from the body. Azrael is only mentioned in the
Qur’an as an angel of death (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">malak
al-maut</i>). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Angels came to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ibrāhīm</b> [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham">Abraham</a></i>] in human form,
unaware until told so by the angels. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lūt
</b>[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lot_(biblical_person)">Lot</a></i>] had
angels come to him to warn him of impending doom of his people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">The Arabic symbol for Archangel is:
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Angels accompanied Muhammad up to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannah">Jannah</a></i> [Heaven] when he
received commands from Allah. Muhammad rode a creature called a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buraq">Buraq</a></i>
whose stride spans from horizon to horizon. Maalik is the chief of the angels
who govern <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahannam">Jahannam</a></i> [Hell]. The
Qur’an mentions an angel meeting with Mary, mother of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Īsā</i> [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus">Jesus</a></i>]:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Behold! The angels
said: “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will
be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the
Hereafter and of those nearest to Allah. </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran">Sura 3,
ayah 45</a>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali-Imran">Ali-Imran</a></i>]</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Qur’an
Angelic Passages and Mention of Demons (Jinn)</span></b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat at-Takwir,
19 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Truly it is the speech of a
noble Messenger.</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Ghafir, 15
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He is the Raiser of ranks, the
Possessor of the Throne. He sends the Spirit by His command to whichever
of His servants He wills so that he may warn mankind about the Day of
Meeting. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Najim,
4-6 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is nothing but Revelation
revealed, taught him by one immensely strong, possessing power and
splendor. He stood there stationary. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Maryam,
17-21 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And veiled herself from
them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her and it took on for her the form of a
handsome, well-built man. She said, 'I seek refuge from you with the
All-Merciful if you guard against evil.' He said, 'I am only your Lord's
messenger so that He can give you a pure boy.' She said, 'How can I have a
boy when no man has touched me and I am not an unchaste woman?' He said,
'It will be so! Your Lord says, "That is easy for Me. It is so that
We can <a href="http://www.islamawareness.net/Angels/hyangels.html">make</a>
him <a href="http://www.islamawareness.net/Angels/hyangels.html">a Sign</a>
for mankind and a mercy from Us." It is a matter already decreed.' </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Najim,
13-18 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And certainly he saw him in
another descent, at the farthest lote-tree; near which is the garden, the
place to be resorted to. When that which covers covered the lote-tree; the
eye did not turn aside, nor did it exceed the limit. Certainly he saw of
the greatest signs of his Lord.</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat at-Takwir,
23 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He saw him on the clear
horizon. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Qaf, 16-18
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We created man and We know what
his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.
And the two recording angels are recording, sitting on the right and on
the left. He does not utter a single word, without a watcher by him, pen
in hand! </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Infitar,
10-12 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Standing over you are
guardians, noble, recording, who know what you do. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat ar-Ra’d, 11
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everyone has a succession of
angels in front of him and behind him, guarding him by Allah’s command.
Allah never changes a people’s state until they change what is in
themselves. When Allah desires evil for a people, there is no averting it.
They have no protector apart from Him. </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Fatir, 1 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praise be to Allah, the Bringer into
Being of the heavens and earth, He who made the angels, messengers with
wings – two, three or four. He adds to creation in any way He wills. Allah
has power over all things. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat at-Tahrim,
6 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You who believe! Safeguard
yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.
Harsh, terrible angels are in charge of it who do not disobey. Allah in
respect of any order He gives them and carry out what they are ordered to
do. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Ma’arif,
4 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The angels and the Spirit ascend
to Him in a day whose length is fifty thousand years. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Saba, 40-41
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the Day We gather them all
together and then say to the angels, ‘Was it you whom these people were
worshipping?’ they will say, ‘Glory be to You! You are our Protector, not
them. No, they were worshipping the jinn. They mostly had faith in them. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Nisa,
166 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But Allah bears witness to
what He has send down to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge. The
angels bear witness as well. And Allah suffices as a Witness. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Al ‘Imran,
18 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allah bears witness that there
is no god but Him, as do the angels and the people of knowledge, upholding
justice. There is no god but Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Nisa,
172 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Messiah would never
disdain to be a slave to Allah nor would the angels near to Him. If any do
disdain to worship Him, and grow arrogant, He will in any case gather them
all to Him. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat az-Zumar,
75 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You will see the angels
circling round the Throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. It will be
decided between them with truth. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat ar-Rad, 13
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The thunder glorifies His praise,
as do the angels, out of fear of Him. He discharges the thunderbolts,
striking with them anyone He wills. Yet still they argue about Allah when
He is inexorable in His power! </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat ash-Shura,
5 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The heavens are all but rent
asunder from above when the angels glorify their Lord with praise and ask
forgiveness for those who are on the earth. Allah is the Ever-Forgiving,
the Most Merciful. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Baqara,
30-34 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When your Lord said to the
angels, ‘I am putting an overlord on the earth,’ they said, ‘Why put it
one who will cause corruption on it and shed blood when we glorify You
with praise and proclaim Your purity?’ He said, ‘I know what you do not
know.’ He taught Adam the names of all things. The He arrayed them before
the angels and said, ‘Tell me the names of these if you are telling the
truth.’ They said, ‘Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You
have taught us. You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’ He said, ‘Adam,
tell them their names.’ When he had told them their names, He said, ‘Did I
not tell you that I know the Unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I
know what you make known and what you hide?’ We said to the angels,
‘Prostrate to Adam!’ and they prostrated, with the exception of Iblis </i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">[<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lucifer</i>]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. He refused and was arrogant and was
one of the disbelievers. </i></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Nahl,
49-50 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everything in the heavens
and every creature on the earth prostrates to Allah, as do the angels.
They are not puffed up with pride. They fear their Lord above them and do
everything they are ordered to do. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Fajr, 22
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And your Lord arrive with the
angels rank upon rank. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Ahzab,
41-43 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You who believe! Remember
Allah much, and glorify Him in the morning and in the evening. It is He
Who calls down blessing on you, as do His angels, to bring you out of the
darkness into the light. He is Most Merciful to the believers. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Ahzab,
56 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allah and his angels call down
blessings on the Prophet. You who believe! Call down blessings on him and
ask for complete peace and safety for him. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Fussilat,
30-32 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The angels descend on those
who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then go straight: ‘Do not fear and do not
grieve but rejoice in the Garden you have been promised. We are your
protectors in the life of this world and the hereafter. You will have
there all that your selves could wish for. You will have there everything
you demand. Hospitality from One Who is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Anfal,
9-10 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remember when you called on
your Lord for help and He responded to you: ‘I will reinforce you with a
thousand angels riding rank after rank.’ Allah only did this to give you
good news and that so your hearts would be at rest. Victory comes from no
one but Allah. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat Al ‘Imran,
123-127 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allah helped you at Badr
when you were weak so have fear of Allah, so that hopefully you will be
thankful. And when you said to the believers, ‘Is it not enough for you
that your Lord reinforced you with three thousand angels, sent down?’ Yes
indeed! But if you are steadfast and guard against evil and they come upon
you suddenly, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels,
clearly identified. Allah only did this for it to be good news for your
and so that your hearts might be set at rest by it, help comes from no one
but Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise, and so that He might cut off a
group of those who are disbelievers, or overwhelm them so they retire,
frustrated. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Qadr,
1-5 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Truly We sent it down on the
Night of Power. And what will convey to you what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. In it the angels and
the Spirit descend by their Lord’s authority with every ordinance. It is
Peace – until the coming of the dawn. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Baqara,
161 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But for those who disbelieve
and die while they are disbelievers, the curse of Allah is upon them and
that of the angels and all mankind. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Hijr,
51-60 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And tell them about the
guests of Ibrahim. When they came in to him, they said, 'Peace!' He said,
'Truly we are afraid of you.' They said, 'Do not be afraid. We bring you
the good news of a boy of great knowledge.' He said, 'Do you bring me this
good news despite the fact of old age having reached me? What kind of good
news are you bringing me?' They said, 'We bring you good news of the
truth, so do not be among those who despair.' He said, 'Who despairs of
the mercy of his Lord except for misguided people?' He added, 'What is
your business, messengers?' They said, 'We have been sent to a people who
are evildoers -with the exception of the family of Lūt, all of whom We
will save, except for his wife. We have decreed her to be one of those who
stay behind.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Hud, 69-73
-- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our messengers brought the good
news to Ibrahim. They said, 'Peace!' and he too said, 'Peace!' and brought
in a roasted calf without delay. When he saw that their hands were not
reaching for it, he suspected them and felt afraid of them. They said,
'Have no fear! We have been sent to the people of Lūt.' His wife was
standing there and she laughed out loud. So We gave her the good news of
Ishaq, and beyond Ishaq, Ya'qub. She said, 'Woe is me! How can I give
birth when I am an old woman and my husband here is an aged man? This is
indeed an astonishing thing!' They said, 'Are you astonished at Allah's
command? May Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, People of the
House! He is Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.'</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Hud, 77 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Our Messengers came to Lūt, he was
distressed on their account, feeling incapable of protecting them. They
said, 'Do not fear and do not grieve. We are going to rescue you and your
family - except for your wife; she will be one of those who stay behind.
We will bring down on the inhabitants of this city a devastating
punishment from heaven because of their deviance.'</i> </span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Al ‘Imran,
39-41 (Prophet Zakariyya) -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
angels called out to him while he was standing in prayer in the Upper
Room: 'Allah gives you the good news of Yahya, who will come to confirm a
Word from Allah, and honorable and chaste and a Prophet and one of the
righteous.' He said, 'My Lord, how can I possibly have a son when I have
reached old age and my wife is barren?' He said, 'It will be so. Allah
does whatever He wills.' He said, 'My Lord, appoint a Sign for me.' He
said, 'Your Sign is that you will not speak to people for three days,
except by gesture. Remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening
and after dawn.' </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Maryam,
7-10 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'Zakariyya! We give you the
good news of a boy named Yahya, a name we have given to no one else
before.' He said, 'My Lord! How can I have a boy when my wife is barren
and I have reached advanced old age?' He said, 'It will be so! Your Lord
says, "That is easy for me to do. I created you before, when you were
not anything."' He said, 'My Lord, give me a Sign.' He said, 'Your
Sign is not to speak to people for three nights despite the fact that you
are perfectly able to.'</i> </span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Al ‘Imran,
42-47 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And when the angels said,
'Maryam, Allah has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you over all
other women. Maryam, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who
bow.' This is news from the Unseen which We reveal to you. You were not
with them when they cast their reeds to see which of them would be the
guardian of Maryam. You were not with them when they quarreled. When the
angels said, 'Maryam, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him.
His name is the Messiah, 'Isa, son of Maryam, of high esteem in this world
and the hereafter, and one of those brought near. He will speak to people
in the cradle, and also when fully grown, and will be one of the
righteous,' she said, 'My Lord! How can I have a son when no man has ever
touched me?' He said, 'It will be so.' Allah creates whatever He wills.
When He decides on something, He just says to it, 'Be!' and it is. </i></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Maryam,
17-21 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And veiled herself from
them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her and it took on for her the form of a
handsome, well-built man. She said, 'I seek refuge from you with the
All-Merciful if you guard against evil.' He said, 'I am only your Lord's
messenger so that He can give you a pure boy.' She said, 'How can I have a
boy when no man has touched me and I am not an unchaste woman?' He said, 'It
will be so! Your Lord says, "That is easy for Me. It is so that We
can make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us." It is a matter
already decreed.'</i> </span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat ar-Rad, 11
-- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everyone has a succession of
angels in front of him and behind him, guarding him by Allah's command.
Allah never changes a people's state until they change what is in
themselves. When Allah desires evil for a people, there is no averting it.
They have no protector apart from Him.</i> </span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surah Muhammad,
27-28 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How will it be when the angels
take them in death, beating their faces and their backs? That is because
they followed what angers Allah and hated what is pleasing to Him. So He
made their actions come to nothing.</i> </span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Nisa’,
97 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The angels ask those they take
while they are wronging themselves, 'What were your circumstances?' They
reply, 'We were oppressed on earth.' They say, 'Was Allah's earth not wide
enough for you to have migrated to elsewhere in it?' The shelter of such
people will be Hell. What an evil destination!</i> </span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat an-Nahl,
28-33 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As for those the angels
take in death while they are wronging themselves, they will offer their
submission: 'We did not do any evil.' Oh yes you did! Allah knows what you
were doing. Enter the gates of Hell, remaining in it timelessly, for ever.
How evil is the abode of the arrogant!' When those who have fear of Allah
are asked, 'What has your Lord sent down?' their reply is, 'Good!' There
is good in this world for those who do good, and the abode of the
hereafter is even better. How wonderful is the abode of those who guard
against evil: Gardens of Eden which they enter, with rivers flowing under
them, where they have whatever they desire. That is how Allah repays those
who guard agaisnt evil: those the angels take in a virtuous state. They
say, 'Peace be upon you! Enter the Garden for what you did.' What are they
waiting for but the angels to come to them or your Lord's command to come?
That is like what those before them did. Allah did not wrong them; rather
they wronged themselves.</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat al-Baqara,
102 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">follow what the satans
recited in the reign of Sulayman. Sulayman did not become disbeliever, but
the satans did, teaching people sorcery and what had been sent down to
Harut and Marut, the two angels in Babylon, who taught no one without
first saying to him, 'We are merely a trial and temptation, so do not
become disbelievers.' People learned from them how to separate a man and
his wife but they cannot harm anyone by it, except with Allah's
permission. They have learned what will harm them and will not benefit
them. They know that any who deal in it will have no share in the
hereafter. What an evil thing they have sold themselves for if they only
knew!</i></b> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat ar-Rad,
23-24 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gardens of Eden which they
will enter, and all of their parents, wives and children who were
righteous. Angels will enter in to welcome them from every gate: 'Peace be
upon you because of your steadfastness! How wonderful is the Ultimate
Abode!'</i> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Surat az-Zumar,
71-72 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Those who disbelieve will
be driven to Hell in companies and when they arrive there and its gates
are opened its custodians will say to them, 'Did Messengers from
yourselves not come to you, reciting your Lord's Signs to you and warning
you of the meeting on this Day of yours?' They will say, 'Indeed they did,
but the decree of punishment is justly carried out against the
disbelievers.' They will be told, 'Enter the gates of Hell and stay there
timelessly, for ever. How evil is the abode of the arrogant!'</i> </span></b></li>
</ul>
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</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Angels
in Hinduism and Buddhism</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The
reincarnation religions believe in creatures superior to humans that inhabit
places in higher realms. They are called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_(Hinduism)">devas</a></i> in Hinduism.
These creatures divided into three major categories and further subdivided into
other categories based upon tasks they perform. For example, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Lipikas/id/201024">lipikas</a></i>,
register all thoughts, intentions, and feelings of humans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Devas are
superior to humans, but are not perfect, especially those that belong to lower
level hierarchy. They inhabit the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_plane">astral sphere</a></i> and
interact with humans in the afterlife. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Eastern
philosophies teach that hell and heaven refer to a state of mind, a level of
consciousness, instead of a place; therefore devas interact with humans in low
levels of consciousness in what Christians and Muslims describe as Hell. The
Muslim concept of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hell keepers</i>
correlates with Hindu and Buddhist doctrine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The
superior devas are in charge of plants, animals, and nature. They can be seen
and heard by people with psychic abilities while living, and in higher levels
of consciousness in the afterlife. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">This
chapter is dedicated to my aunt <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Helen
Marie Tills</b>, who adores angels and collects angelic figurines and art. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">COPYRIGHT NOTICE</span></b></div>
<div class="Textbody" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt;">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gentium Book Basic";">Phenomenology of World Religions</span></b></i><span style="font-family: "Gentium Book Basic";">, its chapters, annexes and
appendices are protected under US and international copyright laws - please
respect that. Linked/Sourced excerpts may be used if author is identified and
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permission of the author. Unless otherwise identified,
photographs/images are public domain or the property of <b>Keith Allen Lehman</b>. </span></div>
<div class="Textbody" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gentium Book Basic";">The following is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">YouTube</i> video investigating the existence
of angels …</span></b></div>
<div class="Textbody" style="margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IDkNGkVT2GA" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div class="Textbody" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKMyFRWBavU/URw4mkKCnJI/AAAAAAAAHVk/x5o6V4_sHIY/s1600/angel-bar2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKMyFRWBavU/URw4mkKCnJI/AAAAAAAAHVk/x5o6V4_sHIY/s320/angel-bar2.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-17970929166640576332013-01-14T11:46:00.003-06:002014-06-29T17:04:09.091-05:00Chapter 27: Non-Canonical - Gospel of Mary Magdala<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Phenomenology of World
Religions </span><span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 16.0pt;">©</span><span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 24.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Chapter 27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Andalus","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Gospel Mary Magdala </span></b><span style="font-family: "Andalus","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(<b><i>Magdalene</i></b>)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Some know
this text as <b><i>Gospel of Mary Magdala</i></b>, estimated to have been written in the
2<sup>nd</sup> century AD (CE), it disappeared until a fragmentary copy was
found written in Coptic in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, transcribed in the
5<sup>th</sup> century, purchased in Cairo by </span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Reinhardt"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Carl Reinhardt</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> who took it to Berlin in 1896. Two
additional fragments discovered, written in Greek, in the 20<sup>th</sup>
century (1940s) which totals to less than eight pages of ancient papyrus text
survive, which amounts of half of the text lost. Considering that the early
Christian Church ordered the Gnostic library and the texts not authorized by
the Christian Church to be destroyed, it is amazing that any of those texts
could ever be found.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The text
presents the teachings of Jesus as a path to inner spiritual knowledge, which
is the gist of the theology of the <i>Gnostics</i>.
It rejects the idea that suffering and death is the path to eternal life, as
the Roman Catholic Church, the first and surviving Christian organization, had
developed into doctrine. It is also a convincing argument on behalf of women's
role in religion, specifically Christianity, which the Church suppressed for
obvious reasons. The role that women took in the world of Christianity was
within the confines of the nunnery, a female version of the established
monastery organized communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Gnostic gospel is an example of why such text ordered for destruction – it was against
the established doctrine and the early Church's authority. The following is
translation from the Coptic and Greek text printed in a book entitled </span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://maryofmagdala.com/"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus
and the First Woman Apostle</span></i></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">; published by Polebridge Press, Santa Rosa, California
in 2003; pp. 3-12.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Church
established that the woman mentioned in the <i>New Testament,</i> as a reformed
prostitute was <b>Mary Magdala</b> (<i>Magdalene</i>) – theological fiction to
benefit the image or established doctrine of the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The first
six pages are missing, so the gospel begins in the middle of a scene that
portrays a discussion between Jesus the Christ and his disciples after his
resurrection. Jesus states that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">...<b>all
things, whether material or spiritual, are interwoven with each other</b></span></i><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">. … <i>Each nature will return to
its own root, it own original state and destiny. </i>… <i>People sin because
they do not recognize their own spiritual nature and, instead, love the lower
nature of humanity and overcoming the deceptive entrapments of the bodily
passions and the world. The Savior concludes this teaching with a warning
against those who would delude the disciples into following some heroic leader
or a set of rules and laws. Instead they are to seek the child of true Humanity
within themselves and gain inward peace. After commissioning them to go forth
and preach the gospel, the Savior departs. But the disciples do not go out joyfully
to preach the gospel; instead controversy erupts. All the disciples except Mary
have failed to comprehend the Savior's teaching … they are distraught,
frightened that if they follow his commission to preach the gospel, they might
share his agonizing fate. Mary steps in and comforts them and, at Peter's,
relates teaching unknown to them that she had received from the Savior in a
vision. ...But as she finishes her account, two of the disciples quite
unexpectedly challenge her. Andrew objects that her teaching is strange and he
refuses to believe that it came from the Savior. Peter goes further, denying
that Jesus would never have given this kind of advanced teaching to a woman, or
that Jesus could possibly have preferred her to them. … Severely taken aback,
Mary begins to cry at Peter's accusations. Levi comes quickly to her defense,
pointing out to Peter that he is a notorious hothead and now he is treating
Mary as though she were the enemy. ...he admonishes them all; instead of
arguing among ourselves, we should go out and preach the gospel as the Savior
commanded us</i></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.</span></i></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">This is
where the story ends. However, it leaves the reader with the question as to how
much did the disciples as apostles change in re-interpretation of what Jesus
preached and had taught to Mary and disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Included in
the text of the <b><i>Gospel of Mary</i></b> are familiar expressions written
as words of Jesus in the gospels of <b>Matthew</b>, <b>Mark</b>, <b>Luke</b>,
and <b>John</b>: (1) “Those who seek will find”; (2) “Anyone with two ears
should listen”. It is also within the New Testament gospels and the <i>Book of Acts</i> the mention of the
appearance of Jesus to his disciples after the resurrection. Yet the gist of
the story is clearly different from the accounts of the disciples within the
Church-approved gospels. An example would be the New Testament states that the
disciples go out and joyfully preach the gospel (like in the Gospel of
Matthew); instead of crying and fearful of retribution for the tasks, they are
assigned.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Biblical
scholars, theologians, and historians find themselves agreeing with Andrew's
assessment of the teachings of Jesus as being “strange”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The <b><i>Gospel
of Mary </i></b>was written when Christianity was in its early stages,
communities spread out around the Eastern Mediterranean area, within separate
communities, isolated from each other and developing their own concepts and doctrine
through local religious leadership – whether chosen or self-proclaimed. Not only were the Christians dispersed, but
so the varied description and translation of the teachings of Jesus, including
narratives of his death and resurrection, most often passed on orally at first,
until put together in writing within the texts of what is called the “Gospels”.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0un3ZG2KVAQ/UPREFH90BsI/AAAAAAAAGyo/3Wp4nV8vGuI/s1600/Mary+Magdala_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0un3ZG2KVAQ/UPREFH90BsI/AAAAAAAAGyo/3Wp4nV8vGuI/s1600/Mary+Magdala_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Scholars,
such as <b><a href="http://www.topoi.org/person/markschies-christoph/" target="_blank">Christoph Markschies</a></b>, suggests that 85% of Christian
literature from the first two centuries have been lost or purposefully
destroyed. Thus, the <b><i>Gospel of Mary</i></b> and other books of the
Gnostic library come as a complete surprise and dictates careful study and
examination for authenticity. If early Christians had put down in writing what
they had seen and/or experienced during the life of Jesus, as well as after his
death and resurrection, the history of that time would be clearer. It would
have been helpful if Jesus had left behind text written in his own hand that
explains his teachings.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The doctrine
of the Christian Church and the unification of the scattered Christian
communities and the churches within had begun to develop and was determined by
the <i><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11049a.htm">Nicene Creed</a></i>
established by those that met in council to discuss the issue and create the
doctrine that would be established within the Christian Church thereafter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">As <b><a href="http://www.hds.harvard.edu/people/faculty/karen-l-king" target="_blank">Karen L. King</a></b> wrote:</span><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">History,
as we know, is written by the winners. In the case of early Christianity, this
has meant that many voices in these debates were silenced through repression or
neglect. The </span></i></b><i><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Gospel of Mary, </span></b></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">along with other newly discovered
works from the earliest Christian period, increases our knowledge of the
enormous diversity and dynamic character of the processes by which Christianity
was shaped. The goal of this volume is to let twenty-first-century readers hear
one of those voices—not in order to drown out the voices of canon and
tradition, but in order that they might be heard with the greater clarity that
comes with a broadened historical perspective. Whether or not the message of
the </span></i></b><i><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Gospel of Mary </span></b></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">should be embraced is a matter
readers will decide for themselves</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.</span></blockquote>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Probably the
greatest find to date, excepting the possible controversial archaeological find
in Jerusalem – the presumed family tomb of Jesus of Nazareth-Galilee, was the
library manuscripts found in Egypt near the village of Nag Hammadi, known today
as the <a href="http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhlintro.html" target="_blank">Nag Hammadi Library</a> collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The original
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/gospelmary.html"><b><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Gospel of Mary</span></i></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
(see </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Gospel
according to Mary Magdalene</span></i></a></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">)
was composed in Greek, but it only survives in the Coptic translation, a
language still used by Egyptian Christians today who call themselves <i>Copts</i>.
Theologians and historians estimate that about 85% of early Christian
literature has been lost; primarily because the early Christian Church
destroyed them because they viewed them as either heretic to church doctrine or
were considered forgeries to stories of legend and not fact, estimate it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5oQiMqhVnA/UPRENqr253I/AAAAAAAAGyw/wxY6YP09dqE/s1600/Mary+Magdala+at+Crucifixion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5oQiMqhVnA/UPRENqr253I/AAAAAAAAGyw/wxY6YP09dqE/s1600/Mary+Magdala+at+Crucifixion.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Early
Christians had no <i>New Testament</i> or <i>Nicene Creed</i>, or <i><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm">Apostles Creed</a></i>
to establish a unified doctrine that the Church would later establish. Much of
early Christian literature was controversial, even in the canon gospels, as in
the letters of Paul, show there was a considerable difference of opinion about
issues like circumcision, Jewish food laws, whether the resurrection was
physical or spiritual, and books that either contradicted the canon gospels or
mentioned that which was not part of the canon gospels. <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/marymagdalene.shtml">Mary
Magdalene</a></b> (<i>Magdala</i>) in the
canon gospels, for example, is not justly mention as far as her status as a
female disciple who <b>Peter</b> and <b>Paul</b> showed much jealousy over. Whether
that prejudice was based upon her gender or that Jesus favored her so greatly;
the real <b>Mary Magdalene</b> was far more of an educated intellectual than
the gospels reveal or the Roman Catholic Church would allow.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JMP9okihR9I/UPREVcLcEjI/AAAAAAAAGy4/s5mW74uI4xQ/s1600/Mary+Magdala_Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JMP9okihR9I/UPREVcLcEjI/AAAAAAAAGy4/s5mW74uI4xQ/s320/Mary+Magdala_Jesus.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Because
several copies of the <i><a href="http://www.gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm">Gospel
of Mary</a> </i>have survived, it provides a stronger case concerning its
reliability of information. As of now, there has never been a recopied <i>Gospel
of Mary </i>written after the 5<sup>th</sup> century because it became
uncirculated. Unfortunately, there are many pages missing from the <i>Gospel of
Mary</i>, but it does not undermine the value of the text as a whole. It has
survived written in its original form of Greek as well as in Coptic text. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The
following is an informative video of <b>Mary
Magdalene</b> (<i>Magdala</i>) with Greek
subtext:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z8Nn8rXHD5w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAIMk/AlUqcVS3Jrk/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" height="15" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HSmDu2ISHes?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-83419174482016319392013-01-14T10:49:00.001-06:002013-07-22T02:36:02.873-05:00Chapter 13: Sword of Islam<br />
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Phenomenology of World
Religions </span><span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 16.0pt;">©</span><span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 24.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "AR BLANCA"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Chapter 13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Sword of Islam<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">ISLAMIC EMPIRE GROWS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HUeLiIcKI8/UPQ0EBCn2VI/AAAAAAAAGyE/yUtWzgOVsY4/s1600/Muslim_Brotherhood_Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HUeLiIcKI8/UPQ0EBCn2VI/AAAAAAAAGyE/yUtWzgOVsY4/s1600/Muslim_Brotherhood_Logo.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://historymedren.about.com/od/bwho/p/who_abu_bakr.htm"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Abu Bakr</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
was the father-in-law of Muhammad and his first successor. He was given the
command of the faithful as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalifa"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Khalifah </span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">(Caliph, meaning “deputy”). Several tribes refused to
accept his right to rule and a war broke out called <i>Ridda</i>, fought by <b>Abu
Bakr</b> and his general </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_al-Walid"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Khalid ibn al Walid</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">. The success in that battle and
battles thereafter against Persia and Byzantine initiated a series of war of
conquest outside the Mohammed </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_Peninsula"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Arabian peninsula</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.
Their army had become formidable with dedicated followers of Islam, swordsmen
mounted on camels and able archers on horseback that came out of the desert and
struck the heart of Persia and Byzantine empires. The two empires were already
becoming weak and their army was not organized sufficiently to defeat the
Arabs. The Arabs soon conquered Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, and Persia. The </span><a href="http://www.haqislam.org/caliph-umar/"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Caliph Umar</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> conquered Jerusalem in 640 and
guaranteed the preservation of the Christian holy places there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a>When<b> Umar</b>
died in 644, Uthman was chosen to replace him as Caliph; but was murdered by
soldiers who committed mutiny in 656, which started a civil war, which also
provided a foundation for the religion of Islam to be split by three major
factions – <a href="http://www.uga.edu/islam/ibadis.html"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ibadi</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sunni</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Islam"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Shia</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">After </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph_Ali"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Caliph Ali</span></b></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph_Ali"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">was
murdered in 661, the Caliphate moved to Damascus under the reign of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muawiyah_I"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Mu'awiya</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
who founded the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_Caliphate"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Umayyad</span></i></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_Caliphate"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> dynasty</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">DIVISION – ISLAM IS DIVIDED BY SECTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">During the
course of its history, Islam developed into numerous schools of thought and
sects that had different views and philosophies that ranged from violent to
puritanical, such as the </span><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/wahhabi.htm"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wahhabi</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
of Saudi Arabia to the tolerant and spiritual </span><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/islam-sufi.htm"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sufi</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #632523; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">RISE OF SHI'ISM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Caliph
Mu'awiya</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> continued
the expansion of Islam, despite internal strife within Islam, throughout
Central and Eastern Asia, which included Afghanistan. He also launched the
first Muslim expeditions against the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, named
after the first Christian Roman emperor – but was unsuccessful. In 680 he died
and was succeeded by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazid_I"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Caliph Yazid</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">. During this period there was strife amongst the
Moslems of different factions, mostly concerning tribal warfare and internal
strife between families that has been historically the case over the centuries
on into today's modern world. Indeed, despite modernization of the Arab world,
it retains the medieval ideology within its theocracy that is considered
barbarism in the eyes of the civilized Western world, that is now threatened
with internal strife within its own nations, working its way through Western
civilizations via the abuse of the tolerance of free-thinking nations; and
whose immigrants who have refused to assimilate in their adopted states, but
instead insert Sharia Law with the goal of changing the state of which they
adopted and supposedly immigrated to in the name of “improving their lives”.
This will be addressed in the following chapter that reveals the dark side of
the religion of Islam and what it has become today.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Yazid was
challenged by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husayn_ibn_Ali"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Hussayn</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
son of <b>Ali</b>, in 680 and Hussayn and his followers were massacred in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Karbala"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Battle of Karbala</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> in Iraq. Despite that set back of
opposition by the Shi'ite faction, their ranks grew, especially among the newly
converted non-Arab Moslems called the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawali"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Mawali</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">, who demanded equal rights with
their fellow Arab Moslems. Out of this chaos came the Isma'ili, <i>Carmathians </i>(</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qarmatians"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Qarmatians</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">),
and The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimid_Caliphate"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Fatimids</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">;
all centrally believing that a special leaders was on the horizon, called the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdi"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Mahdi</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">, doctrine compared to the
equivalent within the Jewish and Christian faiths of a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Messiah</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The major
Shi'a ritual is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Ashura"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ashura</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
– commemoration of the death of Husayn (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussein_ibn_Ali"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Hussein ibn Ali</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">)
. Other practices within the doctrine includes pilgrimages to shrines of Ali
and his relatives. The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Druze</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismailism"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ismailis</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alawi"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Alawi</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimid_Caliphate"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Fatimid </span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">all
believe in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Islam"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Shi'ism</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
sharing beliefs of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohr"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">emanations of God</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">, </span><a href="http://epress.anu.edu.au/islamic/reformist/mobile_devices/ch06.html"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">supernatural hierarchies</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">, (</span><a href="http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/index.php?title=Angel_Lore"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">angel lore</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">)
and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmigration_of_the_soul"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">transmigration of souls</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">ABBASIDS AND ARAB POWER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Those
elements within Shi'ites became disenfranchised and united under the leadership
of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Muslim_Khorasani"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Abu Muslim Khorasani</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> in Persia, flying their </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_flags"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">black flag</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
(used today by </span><a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/558640/posts"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Islamic militants</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">) of rebellion in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Khorasan"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Khurasan</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.
Social revolution was the key element of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasid"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Abbasid Caliphate
dynasty</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">; adopted by
Arabs who had been displaced by Persians and other enemies, as well as the fact
that certain aristocracies were disappearing. However, the good part was that
the distinction between Arab Moslems and converted Moslems were wiped away,
which paved the way to an intellectual and tolerant Moslem society, leading to
the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Age"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Golden Age of Islam</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">. The Abbasid caliph, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansour"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Al-Mansour</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
built a capital city on an island between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where
a small Persian village once stood. He called the capital: </span><a href="http://muslimwiki.com/mw/index.php/Madinat_as-Salam"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Madinat as-Salam</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> – the <i>city of peace –</i> but
history has kept its older Persian name: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Baghdad"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Baghdad</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">GOLDEN AGE OF ISLAM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">This period
in Islamic history began with Caliph </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haroun_al-Rashid"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Haroun al-Rashid</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
who was part of the Abbasid power that expanded Islam from the Arabian
Peninsula to North Africa, Mesopotamia, and central Asia in a brief period of
history. Baghdad had become the cultural center of the known world, at a time
when Europe was overrun by superstition and tyrannical theocracy referred to as
the “Dark Age” in the early Middle Age period of human history. It is noted, in
highlight, that during the reign of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma%27mun"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Al-Ma'mun </span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">(819-833) there arose a spectacular
cultural revolution that included poetry, literature (1001 Arabian Nights)
explosion, as well as great works in the realm of science, mathematics, and
philosophy that was translated into other languages other than Arabic, which
preserved the ancient classics that had survived the fall of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Alexandria"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Library of Alexandria</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">. At the time, Baghdad was the
richest city in the world, for Rome had fallen from its loftiness of the days
of the empire to the seat of papal authority, home of the Vatican, and ruled by
despotism and feudal monarchy. Caliph </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma%27mun"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Al-Ma'mun </span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">collected texts and employed
translators such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunayn_ibn_Ishaq"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Hunayn ibn Ishaq</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">,
and established an academy in Baghdad called </span><a href="http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ei2/hikma.htm"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Bayt al-Hikmah</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
(“House of Wisdom) that had a large library, observatory, and research center
where private citizens could enjoy science and the arts. It was a reincarnation
of the academies that once was located in Alexandria that supported learning
and intellectual study in ancient history of Roman and Greek philosophers and
scientists.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The contrast
between illiterate monarchs in Europe to the enlightened Arabic civilization
was astonishing, and saddened to think that Europe had once been a great
intellectual and learned place before the end of the Roman Empire. Of course,
religion still played an important part of society, but the study of science
and philosophy was taught and encouraged in universities that later transcended
to Europe through translators to different intellectual parts of Europe. This
cultural revolution preserved the ancient Greek and Roman works from the
Library of Alexandria as well as from the Far East through the trade routes.
Those works were later translated and brought to Spain in the 12<sup>th</sup>
century. Another innovation was the introduction of paper from China, as well
as the introduction or concept of the “zero” into mathematics from India; which
in turn was incorporated with the Arabic numerals, system of reckoning, as well
as the Arabic invention (discovery) of Algebra.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Along with
this cultural revolution the spread of Islam increased across the Sub-Saharan
Africa into South East Asia, and Indonesia. In Europe, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Spain#Muslim_Era.E2.80.94al-Andalus_.288th.E2.80.9315th_centuries.29"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Spain </span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">was
incorporated into the Islamic empire and the Arabs also began attacking </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sicily"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sicily</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">, the
island state south of the foot of the Italian peninsula. Indeed a force of one
hundred ships sailed with Spanish Muslims to gain a foothold in Europe by
occupying </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Palermo"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Palermo</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
in 831. Moslem rule in Sicily and parts of southern Italy lasted until 1091,
after the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Crusade"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">First Crusade </span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">began. Spain was conquered after several waves of
Moslem invasions in the 8<sup>th</sup> century.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">FALL OF ABBASIDS AND DECLINE OF ARABS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">As the story
of many great civilizations, with different reasons but with same outcome, the
Arab empire began to disintegrate and a period of independent Caliphates and
chaotic invasions followed. The Fatimids established an independent Caliphate
in North Africa in 910, and conquered Egypt in 969, founding the city of Cairo.
The Fatimids based themselves in Egypt and briefly retook Jerusalem in 1055,
and their rule spread to Syria and Palestine. In these centuries, the Assassin
sect arose, based chiefly in Iran and Iraq that had derived from the Ismai'ili
faction. They were hired killers who offered their services to Moslem rulers.
It is believed that they used Hashish to achieve a state of ferocity, but this
has thus far just been a cultural tale. By the time the Crusaders arrived, the
Islamic empire was suffering from internal strife, despite the fact they were
wearing down the Byzantine Empire, who pleaded for aid from Rome) into a state
of submission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">THE CRUSADES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">In this
period of conquest and the assault against the Christian eastern empire of
Byzantium, the ruler of Constantinople sent a plea for aid against the
encroaching horde of Islamic warriors. The First Crusade was about to be
enacted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Pope Urban
II received the plea for help to save Byzantium through an ambassador sent by
Byzantine Emperor, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexios_I_Komnenos"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Alexios I. Komenos</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> asking for help from invading </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seljuq_dynasty"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Seljuk</span></i></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seljuq_dynasty"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Turks</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
who had already taken over Anatolia. The Christians were also wanting to
reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem where the Christian founder preached and
died. In March of 1095, the Council of Piacenza met with Pope Urban II, which
was attended by bishops from all over like Italy, Burgundy, and France, held in
the open air outside the city because there were too many to fit into the
council chambers. In that same year, in the month of November, the Council of
Clermont met and Pope Urban II gave a stirring sermon to convince the Christian
states to join together to free the Holy Land from the Moslems, as well as the
eastern churches, from the control of the Seljuk Turks. Attending were nobles
from many kingdoms and devout Christians interested in the Holy Land. In
letters to gain momentum and support in the effort, Pope Urban II wrote and in
speech:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><i>I, or
rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ's heralds to publish this everywhere and
to perse all people of whatever rank, foots soldiers and knights, poor and
rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race
from the lands of our friends. I say to those who are present, it is meant also
for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it.</i> <span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[<a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/urban2-5vers.html" target="_blank">i</a>]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span><i>
...this land which you inhabit, shut in on all sides by the seas and surrounded
by the mountain peaks, is too narrow for your large population; nor does it
abound in wealth; and it furnishes scarcely food enough to its cultivators. …
Let therefore hatred depart from among you, let your quarrels end, let wars
cease, and let all dissensions and controversies slumber. Enter upon the road
to the </i></span></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Holy Sepulcher</span></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">; wrest that land from the wicked
race, and subject it yourselves … God has conferred upon you above all nations
great glory in arms. Accordingly, undertake this journey for the remission of
your sins, with the assurance of the imperishable glory of the </span></i></b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_God"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Kingdom of Heaven</span></a><b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><i>.
… Most beloved brethren, today is manifest in you what the Lord says in the
Gospel, … Unless the Lord God had been present in your spirits, all of you
would not have uttered the same cry. … Therefore I say to you that God, who
implanted this in your breasts, has drawn it forth from you. Let this then be
your war-cry in combats, because this word is given to you by God. When an
armed attack is made upon the enemy, let this one cry be raised by all the
soldiers of God: It is the will of God! …</i><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[<a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/urban2-5vers.html" target="_blank">ii</a>]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jerusalem
was captured in 1099 after many battles after the Crusaders landed in the
Middle East in 1096. The Islamic world reacted slowly at first, not expecting
such a large force of intruders to arrive, such as the Franks. <b>Salah Ed-Din</b>,
a Kurd, took control of Fatimid Egypt and declared an end to the Fatimid
dynasty in 1171. He reconquered Jerusalem in 1187 after defeating the Crusaders
at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hattin"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Battle of Hattin</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">. The Crusaders remained in Syria
and Palestine. The last Christian fortress to fall was at Acre, which fell in
1291. [</span><a href="http://mideastweb.org/palcrus.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">See map</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">MONGOL INVADERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The Abbasid
still ruled as Caliphs until 1258, despite losing territory to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyid_dynasty"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Buwaydids</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
and Seljuk Turks who conquered Baghdad, the capital of Arabian Islam. The
Caliphate ended when the Mongols arrived under the leadership of Hulagu who
sacked Baghdad. The Mongols swept across the Middle East and reached the
Mediterranean Sea leaving devastation in its wake. The advance of Hulagu
finally stopped at the </span><a href="http://asianhistory.about.com/od/warsinasia/a/aynjalut.htm"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Battle of Ayn Jalut</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> near Nazareth in Palestine in 1260.
The Mongols eventually converted to Islam and integrated among the Moslem
domains. In the 14<sup>th</sup> and 15<sup>th</sup> centuries, the invasion of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamburlaine_the_Great"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Timur</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
or </span><a href="http://www.enotes.com/tamburlaine-great/"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Tamburlane</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> the Great brought devastation to the Islamic world,
conquering Samarkand in central Asia and reaching Syria around 1401.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamluk"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Mamluke Turks</span></i></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamluk"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">were a slave caste of warriors who
took power around 1250 in Egypt and founded Salah Ed-Din and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamluk_Sultanate_(Cairo)"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Cairo, Egypt</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.
They were the ones who defeated and drove out the Mongols at <b>Ayn Jalut</b>.
They quickly extended their rule into Palestine and Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">During all
the confusion left by the retreating Mongols of Tamerlane, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safavid_dynasty"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Safavid</span></i></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safavid_dynasty"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> dynasty </span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">took
power in Persia in 1501 and established a strong independent state, but
eventually had to relinquish control of Baghdad and all of Iraq to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Turks"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ottoman Turks</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">.
[See </span><a href="http://mideastweb.org/iranhistory.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">History of Modern Iran</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #632423; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">OTTOMAN TURKS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">While
the Mameluks were controlling the southern part of the Middle East, the Ottoman
Turks were gathering strength in Asia Minor and into pasts of Europe. They were
well organized making them successful, using the newly invented firearms, which
others did not have. The Mameluks were once Turkish warrior slaves, as
mentioned above, and their soldier caste called </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janissary"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Janissaries,</span></i></a><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"> which means “New
Troops”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">WAHHABI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A branch of Sunni Islam that was founded by theologian <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Abd_al-Wahhab">Muhammad ibn Abd
al-Wahhab</a></b> (1703-1792) of Saudi Arabia to ensure that Islamic
fundamentalism remained the core of the religion, sources remaining with the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran">Qur’an</a></i>,
<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith">Hadith</a></i>, and scholarly
consensus called <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijma">Ijma</a></i>. In the beginning it was
a peaceful movement and with the help of <b>Uthman ibn Mu’ammar</b>, the Najd
Amir, it became popular. Wahhab attacked the moral decline and political
weakness that had developed in the Arabian Peninsula, <a href="http://historyofislam.com/contents/resistance-and-reform/shaykh-ibn-abdul-wahhab-of-najd/">influenced
by foreign interference</a>, and condemned the Christian church for its
idolatry of saints, shrines, and tombs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The first people to oppose Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab were his father, an
Islamic scholar and his brother who was a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qadi">qadi</a></i>. In 1801 and 1802, the
Saudi Wahhabis under the leadership of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Aziz_ibn_Muhammad_ibn_Saud">Abdul Aziz
ibn Muhammad ibn Saud</a></b> attacked and captured the holy Shia cities of
Karbala and Najaf in Iraq and destroyed the tombs of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husayn_ibn_Ali">Husayn ibn Ali</a></b>,
grandson of Muhammad, and son of Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad. In 1803 and
1804, the Saudi captured Makkah and Madinah and demolished venerated shrines,
monuments, and removed any possible evidence of polytheism as in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirk_(Islam)">Shirk</a>, like the shrine
built over the tomb of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimah">Fatimah</a></b>,
daughter of Muhammad. In 1998, the Saudi bulldozed and allegedly poured
gasoline over the grave of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aminah_bint_Wahb">Aminah bin Wahb</a></b>,
the mother of Muhammad, causing <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/6999574/Spirit">resentment throughout the Islam</a>.
[See <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp%3Fid%3D754&sa=U&ei=jCb0UJ6DHYOnigLViICgCA&ved=0CAsQFjAC&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFaadnN1VqQmg_cUzw2F-M9UDVomw">Sunnis
vs. Shi’ites</a></i>]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Wahhabism has found its way outside of the traditional Arab nations and
into the United States and built mosques there <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp%3Fgrpid%3D6178&sa=U&ei=jCb0UJ6DHYOnigLViICgCA&ved=0CAkQFjAB&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGqiz71BwqDY2w17gmBelnoJqjBsw">establishing
its fundamentalism there</a>. Publications found coming from these mosques
stated that Muslims should <b><i>always
oppose infidels in every way</i></b> and for <b><i>Allah’s sake hate them for their religion</i></b> and that <b><i>democracy is responsible for all the
horrible wars of the 20<sup>th</sup> century</i></b>. It even went as far as
condemning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Islam">Shia</a> and certain
Sunni Muslims <a href="http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/special_report/45.pdf">calling them
infidels</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Despite marked connection between <i><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/wahhabi.htm">Wahhabism</a></i>
and <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salafist_jihadism">Jihad Salafis</a></i>, <b><a href="http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/3035">Natana De Long-Bas</a></b>,
senior research assistant at Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian
Understanding at Georgetown University stated: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_terrorism" title="Islamic terrorism">militant
Islam</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden" title="Osama bin Laden">Osama bin Laden</a> did not have its origins in
the teachings of Ibn Abd-al-Wahhab and was not representative of Wahhabi Islam
as it is practiced in contemporary Saudi Arabia, yet for the media it came to
define Wahhabi Islam during the later years of bin Laden's lifetime. However
"unrepresentative" bin Laden's global <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jihad" title="Jihad">jihad</a> was of
Islam in general and Wahhabi Islam in particular, its prominence in headline
news took Wahhabi Islam across the spectrum from revival and reform to global
jihad</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">{SOURCE: <i><a href="http://www.islamicknowledge.co.uk/pdf/WAHHABIS_-_WAHHABISM_-_REVIVAL_%26_REFORM.pdf">Wahhabi
Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad</a></i>, <b>Natana J. Delong-Bas</b>,
Oxford University Press, 2004; p. 279}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This organization was founded in Egypt in 1928, a religious social
movement, by Islamic scholar and schoolteacher, <b><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=pERPR9lbHagC&pg=PA23">Hassan
al-Banna</a></b>. At the end of World War II the organization had two million
members. The <i><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12313405">Muslim Brotherhood</a></i>
began as a religious social organization, preaching Islam, teaching the
illiterate, setting up hospitals and launching commercial enterprises. As it
grew, it began to oppose British rule in Egypt in the 1930s. Today it extends
its radicalism supporting <i><a href="http://www.conservapedia.com/Hamas">Hamas</a></i>. Now <b><a href="http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Mohammed_Mursi&action=edit&redlink=1">Mohammed
Mursi</a></b>, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood is the president of Egypt and
introduced <i><a href="http://www.ehow.com/about_4572297_what-sharia-law.html">Sharia Law</a></i>
overriding the former Egyptian law making the brotherhood an <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/03/25/hear_out_muslim_brotherhood/">illegal
organization</a>. It occurred by the <i>Muslim
Brotherhood</i> infiltrating Egypt’s parliament and eventually taking control of
the nation causing recent turmoil and fanaticism. [See also: <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/Wahhabis%2520in%2520the%2520Old%2520Dominion.html&sa=U&ei=jCb0UJ6DHYOnigLViICgCA&ved=0CAcQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGYmpsACwRScMGUqIrO7eRZPDfTbw">Wahhabis
– Discover the Networks</a></i>] In the United States, Wahhabism and other
hate-cult <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/Islam%2520in%2520the%2520Big%2520House.html&sa=U&ei=jCb0UJ6DHYOnigLViICgCA&ved=0CBMQFjAG&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNF4q9L1bcTzAFeqmEm9so4E-9iyAg">Islamic
fanaticism has infiltrated prisons</a>. Saudi Wahhabi clerics have preached and
recruited <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/The%2520Saudi%2520Connection3.html&sa=U&ei=jCb0UJ6DHYOnigLViICgCA&ved=0CBYQFjAH&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNG1jfkrdHZwoa6dlfYRDngACbYghA">violence
across the spectrum</a> of the Arab world and Middle-Near East. The Muslim
Brotherhood and Wahhabi have jointly or separately funded <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp%3Fid%3D65&sa=U&ei=vif0UOixI6jziwLa3YHgCg&ved=0CAkQFjABOAo&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNEAsIc4qd-Lw0cN8lpTJ4Dy28ZaHA">Jihad
and terrorism</a>. In the United States those organizations are <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp%3Fgrpid%3D6180&sa=U&ei=vif0UOixI6jziwLa3YHgCg&ved=0CAsQFjACOAo&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGe29QvwaIhxu_TrSxbx7OgPIHlfw">falsely
painted as peaceful</a> organizations and movement, using the religious
tolerance of the democratic nations to infiltrate a nation’s infrastructure turning
against governments that had allowed them to immigrate with intention of
assimilation – which was not the underlying reasons for immigration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Violent Islamic organizations and movements have been intentionally and unintentionally
encouraged to continue its subversion and long-term goal of global domination
through tolerant programs and policies that support an intolerant religion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">President Obama bypassed Congress and <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2012/03/21/obama-bypasses-congress-gives-1-5-billion-to-muslim-brotherhood">provided
$1.5 billion to the Muslim Brotherhood</a> and has supported their takeover of
Egypt and continued dominance in that region of the world. Beginning in the GW
Bush administration, Obama has furthered infiltration of Islamic subversion in
the United States with <a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/164009">activists within
the Obama administration</a>. It is also working on <a href="http://frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/how-the-muslim-brotherhood-is-trying-to-take-over-iraq/">destroying
the efforts</a> of the United States by first overthrowing Saddam Hussein and
affording the Iraqi people the opportunity for a democratic government by
circumventing and infiltrating the infrastructure there. <a href="http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/01/04/258553.html">Egyptian
lawyers testify</a> that the Muslim Brotherhood has received billions of
dollars from Obama’s administration. In the United States, Americans are
concerned and outraged that <a href="http://beforeitsnews.com/obama/2012/12/congressman-blasts-obamas-decision-to-arm-extremists-calls-decision-to-give-muslim-brotherhood-f-16s-as-unwise-2446594.html">Obama
approved sending arms</a> and sophisticated weaponry as American fighter jets <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2012/12/congressman-blasts-obamas-decision-to-arm-extremists/">to
the Muslim Brotherhood</a> and other extremists for their efforts in the Middle
East and Arabian nations. Yet, <a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/12/17/bloomberg-demands-obama-take-executive-action-against-second-amendment/">continues
his policy to deny Americans certain firearms</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Islam is involved deeply with politics. Islam is a religion that is a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theocracy">theocracy</a></i> consisting of
fundamentalists whose mindset is medieval, oppresses the people socially, and
desires global conquest. It is no different from the policies that started the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades">Crusades</a></i>, but now use
indirect approaches to fulfill its goals. Western nations have set up
governments that exercise separation of church and state for important reasons
at one level or another, and Muslims are working at changing that to <i>Sharia Law</i> like that which occurred in
Egypt and has also worked its way into the government of the Republic of
Turkey. As when discussing <a href="http://veritas-et-theologium.blogspot.com/2009/12/phenomenology-chapter-3-religion-of_15.html">religion
of ancient Egypt</a>, when there is discussion of Islam there is always the
underlying presence of politics included. Just as the pharaohs incorporated
directly into a religion, so it is with Islam with government. Ironically,
liberalism is considered a policy of infidels that are against the <i>Qur’an</i> and <i>Hadji </i>– yet, liberal political people support fundamentalism as
their right in the name of tolerance, siding with an intolerant religious
doctrine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAAXw/QTo1sDnWOhY/s1600/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="15" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mH2A4RC5RoA/SyTjIy768dI/AAAAAAAAAXw/QTo1sDnWOhY/s320/Bar_EgyptianEye_animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/THGxg_X8VFU?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">SUGGESTED
READING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Islamic-Jihad-Conversion-Imperialism-Slavery/dp/1440118469/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243360665&sr=1-1">Islamic
Jihad</a></span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> by
M.A. Khan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://www.faithfreedom.org/op-ed/islam-and-muslims-history-of-oppression-violence-and-fanaticism/">Islam’s
History of Oppression</a></span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">
by Dr. Sami Alrabaa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Standard">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><a href="http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp?id=63">Understanding
Jihad</a></span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"> –
Discover the Networks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPqnzCvW3G4/SyVFNTxTwTI/AAAAAAAAAY8/480WEfShCYI/s1600/Bar_CastleWall.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="13" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPqnzCvW3G4/SyVFNTxTwTI/AAAAAAAAAY8/480WEfShCYI/s320/Bar_CastleWall.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08734190420265171990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2546073215749850308.post-81432484670710849032012-12-26T03:49:00.000-06:002012-12-26T03:49:55.525-06:00Biblical Archaeology: Birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday, December 24<sup>th</sup>, Christian pilgrims
gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem is in area
known as the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bank">West Bank</a></i>. According to <i><a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/12/25/168010065/dig-finds-evidence-of-pre-jesus-bethlehem">NPR</a></i>
…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu9gXiqqlnA/UNrG1C1rl0I/AAAAAAAAF2I/peqEwV3I-RM/s1600/20090919-IMG_1223web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu9gXiqqlnA/UNrG1C1rl0I/AAAAAAAAF2I/peqEwV3I-RM/s200/20090919-IMG_1223web.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
…<b><i>Israeli archaeologists now say there is strong evidence that Christ was
born in a different Bethlehem, a small village in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galilee">Galilee</a>. About 100 miles north
of where the pilgrims gathered, shepherds still guide their flocks through
green unspoiled hills, and few give notice to the tucker-away village with the
odd sounding name: Bethlehem of Galilee. But <a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/92812">archaeologists
who have excavated there</a> say there is ample evidence that this Bethlehem is
the Bethlehem of Christ’s birth. … It was inhabited by Jews. I know it was Jews
because we found here remnants of an industry of stone vessels, and it was used
only by Jews and only in the period of Jesus. He also found artifacts which
showed that a few centuries later the community had become Christians and had
built a large and ornate church. He says there is significant evidence that in
early Christianity this Bethlehem was celebrated as the birthplace of Jesus.
The emperor Justinian boasted of building a fortification wall around the
village to protect it. The ruins of that wall … still circle parts of the
Galilee village today. </i></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><a href="http://www.archaeology.org/0511/abstracts/jesus.html"></a></b></div>
<a name='more'></a><b><a href="http://www.archaeology.org/0511/abstracts/jesus.html">Aviram Oshri</a></b>,
archaeologist with the <a href="http://www.antiquities.org.il/">Israel
Antiquities Authority</a> stated:<o:p></o:p><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>I think the genuine site of the nativity is here </i></b>[Bethlehem in
Galilee] <b><i>rather than in the other Bethlehem near Jerusalem. … It makes much more
sense that Mary rode on a donkey, while she was at the end of the pregnancy,
from Nazareth to Bethlehem of Galilee which is only 7 kilometers rather than
the other Bethlehem which is 150 kilometers. </i></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Evidence shows that the Bethlehem of the West Bank is Judea,
which was not inhabited in the 1<sup>st</sup> century when Jesus was born. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Old Testament, the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02533a.htm">Bethlehem of Judea</a> [West
Bank] was the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_David">City of David</a></i> and prophesied where the future messiah would be born. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Bethlehem</i> in old
Hebrew means <i>house of bread</i>. In
Arabic, it is <i>betlahm</i>, which means <i>house of meat</i>. From <i><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible">Sacred Scripture</a></i>, two
cities bear the name of Bethlehem – one in Galilee and Bethlehem of Judea. Bethlehem
is mentioned in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/jos019.htm#vrs15">Joshua
19:15</a>, one of the 12 cities of the tribe of Zebulon [<i>Zabulon</i>]. References to Bethlehem are found only in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat002.htm">Matthews 2</a> and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk002.htm">Luke 2</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Gospel of Matthew (KJV):</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. … And thou
Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judea:
for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then
Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently
what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and
search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me
word again, that I may come and worship him also. … And being warned of God in
a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way. </i></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Chapter 2 of the <b>Gospel
of Luke</b>, (KJV) the story is a bit difference, describing more in detail
about circumstances that led Joseph and Mary to the place where Jesus was born:<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first
made when <a href="http://www.biblehistory.net/newsletter/quirinius.htm" target="_blank">Cyrenius</a> was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one
into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of
David; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so
it was, that, while there, the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn. … And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. </i></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <i>Bethlehem of Judea</i> is where the annual pilgrimage takes
place at the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Nativity">Church of the
Nativity</a></i> within the <i><a href="http://www.holylandgateway.com/Bethlehem/the-grotto-of-the-nativity.html">Grotto
of the Nativity</a></i>. The <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_scene">manger</a></i>, located in a
stable could not have been in an underground structure, for stables were not <a href="http://www.showcaves.com/english/il/misc/Nativity.html">subterranean</a>
or sub-level structures. The <i><a href="http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/jesus%e2%80%99-birthplace-nominated-for-unesco-world-heritage-list/">Church
of the Nativity</a></i> is an historical site and declared so by the United
Nations (<a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AjiZnvDhg2Gc4.SuFeLW6kyZCMZ_;_ylu=X3oDMTFkMmFzbGIwBG1pdANCbG9nIEJvZHkEcG9zAzQEc2VjA01lZGlhQmxvZ0JvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTNoNzFhdWxqBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDZmIwNWNhMDQtZjljYS0zYzhjLWI2ZjYtYTYyNmI5ZWExMzQzBHBzdGNhdANibG9nc3x0aGVsb29rb3V0BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0A040VV9jb3Jl;_ylv=0/SIG=11m4gp1l7/EXP=1357699029/**http%3A/whc.unesco.org/en/list/1433">UNESCO</a>);
and is believed to be the oldest early Christian basilica or church in ancient
history. The basilica is above the grotto that has been declared the birthplace
of Jesus. According to the Christian apologist, <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr">Justin Martyr</a></b>
(c. 100-165 AD), in <i>Dialogue with Trypho</i>,
that Mary and Joseph [<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Family">Holy Family</a></i>] took
refuge in a <i>cave</i> outside of town, for
all the stables were full. This contradicts what Matthew wrote that it was a
stable because the inns were full. <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen">Origen</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/eusebius.php">Eusebius</a></b> attest the
same location in the 3<sup>rd</sup> century. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/middleeast/article3639756.ece">The
Times</a></i> also covered the story of the archaeologists revealing that Jesus
was born in Bethlehem of Galilee and not the Bethlehem of Judea. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Gospels of <b>Mark </b>and
<b>John</b> are more concerned with the man
Jesus, Mark beginning with identifying Jesus as the <i>Son of God</i>, and in 1:2 tells of the prophecy and identifying Jesus
as the messenger of God and the story of Jesus meeting John the Baptist. The Gospel of <b>John</b> begins the introduction of John and the disciples of Jesus,
who were also sons of God destined to spread the <i>Word of God</i> and the testimony of Jesus as the <i>only begotten of the Father</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two gospels that refer to the birthplace of Jesus as Bethlehem
of Judea, established by the early Christian church founders, accepting that
Bethlehem that was and is in Judea, today called the West Bank.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In May of 2012, Israeli archaeologists announced the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/05/23/archaeologists-unearth-ancient-bethlehem-seal/?intcmp=features">discovery
of a 2,700-year-old seal</a> that has the <a href="http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/earliest-history-of-bethlehem-documented-by-first-temple-period-bulla-from-the-city-of-david/">inscription
<i>Bethlehem</i></a>. It is the first time
the name of the town appears other than in biblical text, written in ancient
Hebrew and with pottery nearby to verify the historical period. It is the place
referred to as the city where the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/05/23/archaeologists-unearth-ancient-bethlehem-seal/?intcmp=features">Prophet
<b>Samuel</b> anointed <b>David</b></a> as King of Israel, 1,000 years before Christ and why it
is referred to as the <i>City of David</i>. This
is as important as finding the battle site (2009) in the Elah Valley, the place
where it was recorded that <b><a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/132486">David<span style="font-weight: normal;"> and </span>Goliath<span style="font-weight: normal;">
fought</span></a></b>. Another important discovery was the Tomb of Queen
Hatshepsut’s Vizier (High Official) at Karnak (2010), scholars believing that
the queen was the <a href="http://bikyamasr.com/?p=10644">princess who drew
Moses</a> from the Nile River. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Archaeology has provided links to mentioned places in sacred
text of the Bible, split in two sections – Old and New Testament. Biblical text
has also aided archaeologists in discovering those sites. <o:p></o:p></div>
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