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Greater Abominations
He said to me, "Do you see this, son of man? Yet you will see still greater abominations than these - Ezekiel 8:15
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Discernment
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[Note: There are new catch words or phrases both within the church and in pop-culture, words that have been re-defined. Some examples include: Conversation, dialogue, community, contemplate, meditate, re-think, change, transform, reformation, emerge, and spiritual journey. There are many others, but what is important to understand is that the implied meaning has changed. Post-modern churches no longer view themselves Scripturally (as they are not biblical in most cases although they call themselves Evangelical), rather than the body of Christ or saints they are a "spiritual community". Rather than receiving biblical teaching or Bible study they have a "conversation or dialogue" which is generally a discussion on what everyone feels may be true about spiritual things and religion. Rather than biblical meditation on the Scriptures, there is Eastern contemplation and meditation practices, which are either forms of repetition forbid by the Scripture and emptying of the mind rather than filling it with God's word. Additionally, transform no longer carries a Scriptural meaning of being "transformed (Gr: metamorphoō) by the renewing of your mind", that is to be changed into another form or new nature (where the word metamorphosis originates, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly). It has been re-defined into a new-age definition (which is actually old-age) and has a range of meanings from transubstantiation, genetic alterations reminiscent of Genesis 6 and the practice of sorcery. It is very important to be discerning regarding the mass re-definition of words taking place in this Post-modern, Post-Christian era.]
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Shalom and Greetings in Christ Jesus,
 There has been an alarming trend for the church over the past thirty years, and because pastors, elders and other leaders have refused to handle this scripturally, it shows no hint of letting up, but is now growing even more prevalent. (This statement is an obvious generalization. There have been and still are faithful pastors, churches and ministries that are sounding the alarm, but overall biblical discernment and the ministry of the watchman have all but vanished from the average Evangelical church.) This ominous trend is the need for "the world" (unusually the media but sometimes government or law enforcement) to intervene by alerting of - and sometimes correcting the obvious deceptive practices, false teaching and even outright lawbreaking among other things, taking place in the church. Sadly, the standards of the world are now higher than that of the church in many cases, the reality is the standards of the church have fallen below that of the world. The result is that sometimes this means "the world" must hold certain pastors, teachers or ministries up to these standards because there has been an outcry from the people. Other times the world has even had to "deliver", i.e., set free those who have been caught up in the clutches of these wolves. It is very important to understand whom we are talking about when we speak of "the church". In this situation, we are speaking about those who claim to be Bible believing, born-again Christians and those churches. From a bible believer's standpoint and understanding, the sexually perverted corruption of the Roman Catholic "priesthood" is the obvious outcome of a religion that practices a doctrine of demons in direct disobedience to the Word of God. Therefore, all that is transpiring in the Roman Catholic church, although terrible and in need of God's redemption is not surprising. Thus, the same can be said about any false religion or religious system. Anything attempted with the strength of man will fail ultimately. However, this was and is not to be the case with God's people. We are to be salt and light in a dark world. What does it say when that dark world has to come in to cleanse the church, i.e. "cleanse the Temple"? This should make all bible-believing Christians want to put on sackcloth and ashes, mourn for their sin and the in the church, proclaim a solemn assembly. This has happened before, and the implications of this are something most in the church today are unaware and in need of Scriptural education. This is akin to the last days of the Southern Kingdom before the Babylonian invasion. The apostasy of the Judah became worse than that of Israel. Ezekiel 8 is one of the most alarming passages of Scripture where the LORD shows Ezekiel the abominations the priests are committing in the Temple, yet He keeps telling him he will see even greater abominations and ultimately how they have filled the land with violence and will face God's wrath. Then He brought me to the entrance of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and behold, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. He said to me, "Do you see this, son of man? Yet you will see still greater abominations than these." Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun. - Ezekiel 8:14-16 Additionally, after Babylon's third invasion and destruction of the first Temple we find this very enlightening statement in Jeremiah 40 by Nebuzaradan captain of the bodyguard to Jeremiah: Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, "The LORD your God promised this calamity against this place; and the LORD has brought it on and done just as He promised. Because you people sinned against the LORD and did not listen to His voice, therefore this thing has happened to you. - Jeremiah 40:2-3 There is nothing new under the Sun and the very same thing is occurring today. We are witnessing the great apostasy before the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It should not surprise us in that it has all been foretold, however, the remnant of faithful believers needs to wake up and strengthen what remains. This begins by being alert of what is actually happening and why and then proceeding in a Scriptural manner. If there is a key word found in the articles below, it would be "accountability", or should we say lack thereof. We have seen an explosion of the "one man show", a.k.a. 'Moses' style or man of God leadership that is absolutely, 100% unscriptural as far as the New Testament Church is concerned. Even the apostles were sent out in pairs and church leadership is to be a plurality of elders, not a "one man show" with some "yes men" tagging along to make things look good in the eyes of the biblically challenged, which unfortunately is most of the church these days. Nearly every major scandal in the church can be traced back to this, which in turn is directly linked to false doctrine on how church leadership is to be structured in addition to other false teaching. One note of caution is I would like to put fourth is that some Christians say making the church aware of these issues is "negative" and they call this "heresy hunting". This idea is a philosophy of man and has no Scriptural foundation. In fact, it is in big part this very idea that has led the church into its terrible state. However, I must state that we are also not talking about being legalistic or looking at everyone through a microscope so to speak. Every believer has his or her personal daily struggles in walking out the faith and there are a number of areas of doctrine that are considered secondary issues in that they have no baring on salvation. It is very important to understand that if "Joe Believer" is having a problem with a particular sin it (as long as he acknowledges it is before the Lord and seeking repentance and help) or if he doesn't hold to all the exact same beliefs as you or I do on every issue, does not automatically make him a heretic. Yet, some "ministries" would have you believe so to the point that every church and ministry is fallen away except for theirs. Those are people we have termed "watchman, who are not". Beware of such. These do nearly as much damage as those who are being reported in this alert. We have many new people visiting Moriel's website and using our resources due to The Daniel Project and Jacob's new books as well as many new subscribers to 'BEALERT!' I pray that this alert is a helpful resource and a blessing to all. May the Lord bless and keep you, BE/\LERT! Scott Brisk See posted on the blog: 'The Church Today Needs an Apologetic Culture' http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/church-today-needs-apologetic-culture.html Sick & Shocking The great apostasy is truly upon us as this quote reveals: But...if they were non-tithers, ... we'd line them up in the front and pass out Uzis ... count of three "Jesus"-es we'd shoot them all dead. - Creflo Dollar [See full story, quote and video below] *To Forward this newsletter to others, send the link for the online posting (see click here above) or use the "Forward Email" link at the bottom. This way you can be sure you won't be unsubscribed by someone else. |
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... Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. - Numbers 22:32b
Rapture Preacher Harold Camping's Radio Segment Canceled
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 | | Harold Camping suffers stroke |
THE CHRISTIAN POST - By Elena Garcia - July 23, 2011
Doomsday preacher Harold Camping, who is recovering from a mild stroke, will stop airing his Open Forum show at the end of this month.
Camping took questions live from listeners every weeknight on Family Radio's Open Forum program. Ever since the 89-year-old broadcaster suffered a stroke on June 9, Family Radio has been airing re-runs of his 90-minute program. Family Radio will air pre-recorded segments of the Open Forum program from Camping's May 23 to June 9 broadcasts to fill up the schedule until the end of June then wrap up the show, according to the Oakland Tribune.
"When those are completed, we will have other programming that is scheduled to run in that time slot," Family Radio's program department secretary Judi Rathbone wrote in an e-mail.
Camping, whose speech was reportedly affected by the stroke, was recently moved from a local hospital in the Oakland, Calif., area to a nursing facility to recover.
"Mr. Camping has been moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility, where he is undergoing rehabilitation to regain his strength," Family Radio, where Camping serves as general manager and president, said in a special announcement posted Tuesday on its website. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.christianpost.com/news/harold-campings-open-forum-radio-show-to-go-off-air-51478/
Also:
'Rapture' Pastor Harold Camping Hospitalized After Stroke ASSOCIATED PRESS - June 13, 2011 SAN FRANCISCO - The California radio preacher who predicted the world would end last month was recuperating Monday after suffering a mild stroke, his family and colleagues said.
Doctors have been monitoring the progress of 89-year-old radio host Harold Camping since he was taken by ambulance from his Alameda home on Thursday.
"He is presently recuperating in a local hospital and the doctors are pleased with his progress," Family Radio's special projects coordinator Michael Garcia said. "Mr. Camping's family appreciates your thoughts and prayers."
Camping's daughter, Susan Espinoza, said her father was recovering but had not been doing his regular live broadcasts from the threadbare headquarters of Family Radio International, near the Oakland airport. ...
Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/13/rapture-pastor-harold-camping-hospitalized-after-stroke/ Links: Family Radio Worldwide |
Strike Three to Come. Question is will he be out for good. Harold Camping: Dead Bodies Will Surface from Graves on Oct. 21 Doomsday
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THE CHRISTIAN POST - By Elena Garcia - May 31, 2011
While President Obama and the rest of the nation spent Memorial Day paying tribute to American veterans, doomsday preacher Harold Camping predicted Monday that corpses of the "unsaved," which includes those in the U.S. armed services, will be flung out of their graves and on the ground like "manure" on October 21.
Camping's comments during the Open Forum program on Family Radio Monday comes one week after he publicly recanted his predicted date of Rapture, changing it from May 21 to October 21.
He has persistently maintained that his dates for a May 21 Judgment Day and a October 21 Doomsday are accurate. The only adjustment in his forecast, according to Camping, is that the judgment on May 21 came in a "spiritual" sense rather than a physical one marked by disasters like earthquakes.
Judgment Day on May 21 did come, asserted Camping. However, he clarified that the Judgment Day arrived in a spiritual sense rather than manifesting in a physical Rapture.
On Monday, a caller asked Camping whether they would see any signs from Deuteronomy 28, beginning with verse 15, fulfilled in the coming End Days. The passage refers to the curse of God for those who disobey his teachings.
"Those who are unsaved are going to experience the curse of God," affirmed Camping, president of Family Radio.
He predicted that whatever of a person's corpse is left in the grave on October 21 "will be thrown out of the grave" and be "like manure on the ground." Furthermore, those who die on October 21 won't receive a burial, said Camping.
"They will be shamed in the eyes of God," he said. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.christianpost.com/news/harold-camping-dead-bodies-will-surface-from-graves-on-oct-21-doomsday-50677/
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Failed Doomsday Has Real Deadly Consequences
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 | Drudge Report screen capture from
May 21, 2011 (after 6:00pm)
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LIVE SCIENCE.com [Tech Media Network] - By Benjamin Radford - May 24, 2011
[...] "flabbergasted" that the apocalypse didn't start over the weekend. There are some red faces out there. And if that's all it had been, then one could argue no great harm had been done.
But while Camping and his followers try to figure out what went wrong (or right) - with news Monday night that he now says Judgment Day will come on Oct. 21 - the failed prophecy did more than just damage Camping's credibility: It also appears to have caused death and serious injury to true believers.
A California woman named Lyn Benedetto was one of millions who heard Camping's message, and became concerned that her daughters would suffer terribly in the coming apocalypse. She allegedly forced her daughters, 11 and 14, to lie on a bed and then cut their throats with a box cutter. She then tried to kill herself, though police arrested Benedetto and all three survived.
Others were not so lucky. An elderly man in Taiwan reportedly killed himself on May 5 ahead of the Rapture by jumping out of a building. He had heard that doomsday was imminent, and had taken recent earthquakes and tsunamis as early warning signs.
There were other unconfirmed reports of doomsday-related suicides around the world as well.
This is of course not the first time that failed doomsday predictions have led to tragedy. The most famous pre-apocalypse suicides in recent times occurred in 1997 when the Heaven's Gate Christian UFO group came to believe that the comet Hale-Bopp was a sign that Jesus was returning, and the world would end soon. Prompted in part by scripture, rumors, and late-night radio talk shows, the group's fanaticism led to nearly 40 deaths.
Camping's failure holds an important cautionary lesson, because doomsday predictions are not going away. Many people, especially those in the New Age community, believe that 2012 will bring global cataclysm. It's easy to dismiss and ridicule failed prophets as modern-day harmless Chicken Littles misleading the gullible, but apocalyptic visions can have deadly consequences -even when they are wrong. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.livescience.com/14295-failed-doomsday-rapture-suicides.html
Also:
Russian Teen Kills Herself Ahead of Foretold Rapture
RUSSIA TODAY - May 25, 2011
A 14-year-old girl from the Republic of Mari El in Central Russia has committed suicide, allegedly because she was afraid of the upcoming doomsday, predicted by the American radio preacher Harold Camping.
Nastya Zachinova believed the news that the world would end on May 21, her family told the tabloid LifeNews. The once lively teenager became angsty and withdrawn. On the Saturday in which the rapture had been predicted to start, she committed suicide after returning home from school.
Her personal diary shows she was terrified of the perils of the apocalypse, which she believed humanity was about to endure.
"We are not righteous; only the righteous will go to heaven, and we'll stay on earth and face terrible suffering," one of the entries says.
A farewell text message says she didn't want to die with everyone else and would take her life in advance.
"She took this date too close to heart," Nastya's mother Lyudmila told the tabloid.
Police are currently gathering reports from Nastya's friends .They believe somebody may have been behind the terror which haunted the girl in her final days.
They are, however, doubtful about the family's report on Camping's prediction as the main cause of the girl's suicide.
"The girl had been constantly talking about death for two years, composed poetry and drew pictures about death in hear diary. She had threatened to hang herself during fights with relatives. She did poorly at school, and had recently missed many classes. Relatives hoped her obsession with suicide would eventually pass," a statement from the investigation says.
Edited :: See Original Report Here
https://rt.com/news/teen-kills-rapture-predicted/ |
I lost my inheritance to the doomsday prophet!
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CNN [Turner Broadcasting/Time Warner] - By Blake Ellis - June 1, 2011
NEW YORK - When the world didn't end on May 21, many people who had given up their earthly possessions were left with nothing.
But one believer never lived to see the day. She left nearly her entire estate - around $300,000 - to the group behind the failed prediction, leaving some family members out in the cold.
Eileen Heuwetter was shocked to find out that her aunt left the majority of her estate to Family Radio, the group responsible for the doomsday warnings that the world would end on May 21. ...
While other family members insisted it was crazy to let her aunt give all that money to a radio station, Heuwetter didn't initially contest the conditions of the will. She knew little about the Christian radio station, but knew her aunt, Doris Schmitt, found comfort in it. ...
"This was not a woman who had anything. She literally had Family Radio on day and night -- she went to bed with it and woke up to it," said Heuwetter. "That was all she had."
It wasn't until recently that Heuwetter learned who was really getting her aunt's bequest. She said she first realized this was the same group when she saw buses driving around New York City the weekend before the supposed end of the world, spreading the doomsday message. ...
Heuwetter said. "I didn't know he was so crazy, and at this point I was incensed that this man was going to get everything my aunt had left."
While Heuwetter says she didn't necessarily need the extra cash, other family members were struggling and could have used a little help, she said. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/01/pf/doomsday_inheritance_donations/index.htm?
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Unfortunately for them, nothing happened; a fact that caused much hilarity .... Perhaps not surprisingly, atheists and other non-believers used the opportunity as a way to mock the religious. ...
While Camping 'flabbergasted'- Atheists want to hold him accountable
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 | | Seattle Atheists are calling for Congress to probe Harold Camping and Family Radio for fraud after another failed prediction for the return of Jesus to Earth. |
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE [Hearst Corporation] - By Will Kane - May 23, 2011
ALAMEDA -- The man who said the world was going to end appeared at his front door in Alameda a day later, very much alive but not so well.
"It has been a really tough weekend," said Harold Camping, the 89-year-old fundamentalist radio preacher who convinced hundreds of his followers that the rapture would occur on Saturday at 6 p.m. ...
But on Sunday, almost 18 hours after he thought he'd be in heaven, there was Camping, "flabbergasted" in Alameda, wearing tan slacks, a tucked-in polo shirt and a light jacket. ...
"I'm not as disappointed as everyone since I didn't fully believe him," said one,
who asked to remain anonymous Sunday because he worried he would be shunned for admitting he was "upset" with Camping. The middle-aged Oakland resident said he'd been listening to Camping since 1993, when he said the world would end in 1994.
That was strike one, the man said. And this is strike two. Even so, he said, that doesn't mean the message is wrong. "I just know he's biblically sound," the man said. "I've never been one of these guys who think everything he says is true. [Ed. Note: For a Scriptural response to this completely deceived statement, see the article "Their Eschatology Simply Mirrors Their Theology" by Danny Isom posted below.] "I don't think I am going to stop listening to him," the man added, heaving a deep sigh before continuing: "I don't know, I gotta listen to him on Monday, see what he says on the radio."
Outside Camping's compound near the Oakland airport, which was locked and dark on Sunday, a different religious group waited for dejected believers.
"I would encourage them not to lose their faith because they listened to a wolf in sheep's clothing, and Jesus said there would be wolves in sheep's clothing," said Jackie Alnor.
Alnor, a resident of Hayward who blogs about the rapture, said Camping had twisted the word of God by trying to predict the end. Only God knows when the world will end, she said.
"He's in big trouble with God," she said.
If that isn't bad enough, she said, Camping's false prophecy could have bigger impacts on religion.
"It's given people who hate Christianity an excuse to hate it even more," she said. "People can just paint with broad brush strokes."
Across town, a group of atheists gathered in Oakland's Masonic Center to observe the promised rapture in their own way.
"The issue is the Bible is mythology," said Larry Hicok, state director of the American Atheists, bluntly laying out his case.
Roughly 200 people attended the hastily scheduled conference to discuss the impact of organized religion on American culture.
"Every ruler needs a religion," Hicok said. "Everybody knows that's the way you get power." ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011%2F05%2F22%2FBAKO1JJIK7.DTL
Also:
Is the end suddenly at hand for Doomsday preacher? Christians urge Camping to quit, atheists want Congress to investigate WND [WorldNetDaily] - By Joe Kovacs - May 25, 2011 A broadcaster's failed prediction of Jesus' return to Earth over the weekend is prompting calls for the ouster of the Doomsday preacher and a congressional probe of his broadcasting network. ...
"This guy is something else," Richard Myers, the administrator of abibleanswer.org told WND. "We are calling for the Family Radio board to remove him."
In a new posting on Myers' website, he says the board of directors of Family Radio is just as culpable as Camping in the spreading of erroneous information:
He is not able to spread these false doctrines without their direct involvement. There is a great responsibility resting on them to do what is right. By allowing Camping to continue on the air and on the board, they are guilty of all that Harold Camping is guilty of. That guilt increases daily.
Family Radio has made a point of teaching that they follow the Bible, but they are not following the Bible. They are following a man, a man who rejects much Bible truth. They have been given evidence that all may clearly see. A false prophet once is enough, but twice is too much.
On Monday, Camping adjusted his prediction for the end of the world to Oct. 21 of this year.
Myers' group is continuing to offer $1 million to purchase Camping's network of dozens of stations, saying it would take possession Oct. 22 since the broadcaster wouldn't need them after God returns. "After taking the money of his supporters, let Harold give up all he has to show he believes what he is preaching. He does not, or else he would sell," Myers said.
Meanwhile, a group of atheists is calling for a congressional investigation into fraud allegedly perpetrated by Camping and Family Radio.
"We support free speech, but this is shouting 'Rapture!' in a crowded theater," said John Keiser of Seattle Atheists.
Another atheist with the group, Bob Seidensticker, said, "There must be consequences. For this radio network to be financially healthy when they have caused many of their listeners to be destitute or distraught - that's wrong. We want a way for those injured by this prediction to come forward so they can be compensated by Family Radio."
The atheists are lamenting that religious organizations are exempted from disclosure requirements by the Internal Revenue Service, precluding the public from finding out how much money Camping and his network have collected from the Judgment Day campaign.
"Has this whole episode been a financial windfall for Family Radio?" Seidensticker said. "We can't know. So that the public can understand this and thousands of other questionable religious organizations, we call on Congress to make the rules consistent for all nonprofits. If a ministry is comfortable with God knowing how it spends its money, surely it can't have anything to hide from the public." ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=303093
World doesn't end: California prophet had no Plan B Harold Camping spent millions of dollars telling the nations it was the end of days; now his followers may need counselling THE GUARDIAN [Guardian Media Group, UK] - By Paul Harris, New York - May 22, 2011 [...] Unfortunately for them, nothing happened; a fact that caused much hilarity on Twitter and elsewhere as the 6pm deadline passed in New Zealand, then Australia, Europe and finally America. ...
Perhaps not surprisingly, atheists and other non-believers used the opportunity as a way to mock the religious. ... The American Atheists held "rapture parties" in places such as Wichita, Kansas, Fort Lauderdale in Florida and even just a few miles from Family Radio itself at a conference centre in Oakland. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/22/rapture-harold-camping-end-world
Former Student on Harold Camping's Change From Solid Bible Teacher to False Doomsday Prophet THE CHRISTIAN POST - By Ethan Cole - June 4, 2011 The key to understanding why Harold Camping has turned into a false doomsday preacher is in his formal educational background, said a seminary president who knew Camping from the 1950s.
As many have noted, Camping was educated as an engineer and has no formal theological training. He cannot read the Bible in Greek or Hebrew, an important ability for ministers who want to preach highly interpretative messages.
"This educational background is critical to understanding Camping," wrote Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, president of Westminster Seminary California in a blog post on the school's website. "His education was not in the liberal arts or theology. He had not been prepared to read literature or ancient texts."
"His reading of the Bible, as it evolved over the decades, reflected his training in engineering," explained Godfrey. "He reads the Bible like a mathematical or scientific textbook."
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.christianpost.com/news/harold-camping-reads-bible-like-engineer-textbook-says-ex-student-50856/
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The Scriptural View: Their Eschatology Simply Mirrors Their Theology
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 MORIEL MINISTRIES - By Danny Isom - May 24, 2011 Moriel recently received links to an author's website for one of his books which, among other things, purports to have deciphered the true meaning of 666. Because Jacob's latest book on the Antichrist (Shadows of the Beast) [has] come out, it was suggested that he provide a biblical response to this specific assertion. But when we looked at the rest of the website and the other books authored, we quickly realized this was not simply the case of a brother in the Lord who was making a mistake in earnest about the mark of the Beast. His other writings were so contra-scriptural to the basic truths of biblical Christianity that we can consider him nothing less than an outright heretic regardless of what he posits about End Times issues. No one should be surprised that his notions of the meaning of 666 are bizarre when his ideas of God's salvific plan are nothing short of heresy. Why bother responding to an error in the handling of prophecy when there is no hope until they correct the most egregious errors in their faith? As Jacob Prasch has repeatedly preached from this verse in 2 Peter for many, many years for any number of false prophets and false teachers, it is important to note how Peter is inspired by the Holy Spirit to use "false teachers" and "false prophets" interchangeably. This is because if someone's doctrine is wrong-if their teaching is wrong-their prophecies will be wrong. I submit that the same principle can be applied to those offering strange teachings where the End Times are concerned; their eschatology is wrong because their doctrine is wrong. The best way I have heard it stated is that it is impossible to be successful at calculus if you haven't first learned trigonometry, which is impossible without having first learned geometry and algebra, both of which cannot be undertaken without having first mastered basic math. This is true where rightly dividing the Word of God is concerned. If your Bible study skills cannot provide you with the most basic essentials of inductively understanding and applying the basic doctrines of salvation, justification, sanctification and the rest, you are not going to rightly handle the more difficult tasks of typology and prophecy which depend on first possessing the essentials. If, as in this gentleman's case, one does not even believe in eternal punishment to begin with, how can they properly establish God's plan and purpose for the End Times and the true working of Final Judgment? His eschatology is wrong because his theology is wrong. Most recently we have seen this in the example of Harold Camping, the center of the universe when it came to the "end of the world on May 21st" nonsense. (Which he now says is October 21st...sheesh.) Yes, by the single fact alone that he previously failed in his prediction of the end in 1994 he should have been outright discounted; but when you explore some of his other material, particularly a booklet he offers on his website titled I Hope God Will Save Me, it does not take long to see that his miserable track record of handling all things prophetic is simply a reflection of his dismal handling of doctrine. In his so-called message of salvation you have to "hope" you are one of the chosen who was predestined for salvation, otherwise you have no hope. It certainly is not the scriptural teaching of either "hope" or "salvation". Edited :: See Original Report Herehttp://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/their-eschatology-simply-mirrors-their-theologyFalse Prophet Once Again A Public Clown Doomsday Prophet Harold Camping Proven Wrong Again SPIRITUAL RESEARCH NETWORK, INC. - By Chris Lawson, Director - May 22, 2011 Have you heard of the pseudo-Christian doomsday prophet Harold Camping? Today he has once again proven himself to be a false prophet. Harold Camping, who years ago predicted Judgment Day to be in September of 1994, has once again predicted the end of the world. ... Jesus warned 2000 years ago about people like this. The Bible is very clear that no man knows the day or the hour of the rapture. Only God knows! ... Well, May 21, 2011 is now here and Harold Camping is proved to be a false prophet again! Instead of today being the rapture day, it is the official confirmation date for Harold Camping to be a twice-over false prophet [1994 and 2011]. ... Edited :: See Original Report Here (Excellent full article and resource with links to many other articles on Camping and Family Radio)http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/harold_camping_false_prophet.htmlA Messianic Reaction from Israel to Harold Camping's Latest Fiasco MORIEL MINISTRIES, Moriel Israel - By Elon Moreh - May 24, 2011 An Editorial OpinionIn an age of where the number of Bible translations is at an all time high, and access to the Bible is at a place where it never was before, in a strange kind of paradox, biblical ignorance is at a peak never attained since the Dark Ages. We all know a quick look at the Gospels would have saved these silly people from being taken on a "Camping trip" by Harold. The stupidity of this whole episode simply beggars belief. This guy Camping must so be puffed up with pride with a sense of his own self-importance as to be completely delusional. ... Edited :: See Original Report Herehttp://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/church-issues/popular-teachers/a-messianic-reaction-from-israel-to-harold-campings-latest-fiasco
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Forbes Takes On The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria
|  FORBES.com [Forbes Digital/ Malcolm Stevenson "Steve" Forbes Jr.] - By Mfonobong Nsehe - June 7, 2011 God is good, especially if you're a Nigerian pastor with some business savvy. These days, millions of souls, desperate for financial breakthroughs, miracles and healing, all rush to the church for redemption. And while the bible expressly states that salvation is free, at times it comes with a cost: offerings, tithes, gifts to spiritual leaders, and a directive to buy literature and other products created by men of God.
Pastors are no longer solely interested in getting people to Heaven; they've devised intelligent ways to make good money while reaching out to souls.
Take Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for example. He is the founder and lead pastor of the Christ Embassy, a thriving congregation with branches in Nigeria, South Africa, London, Canada and the United States. His publishing company, Loveworld Publications, publishes 'Rhapsody of Realities,' a monthly devotional he co-authors with his wife. It sells over 2 million copies every month at $1 apiece. He also owns television stations, newspapers, magazines, a hotel, a fast-food chain, and more.
Many other Nigerian pastors are similarly building multi-million dollar empires from their churches. Today, pastors fly around in private jets, drive fancy cars like Daimlers, Porsches and BMWs, don Rolexes and Patek Phillipes, and own breathtaking mansions all over the world.
After the blog post I wrote in May about Nigerian pastors owning private jets, I was bombarded with emails from readers requesting to know the richest pastors in Nigeria. So I set out to investigate the assets of some of Nigeria's most prominent pastors, and I came up with conservative estimates of their fortunes. I contacted representatives for all of the pastors and all except Matthew Ashimolowo's representative confirmed ownership of the assets I list. Representatives for Pastor Ashimolowo did not respond to my emails. ...
Bishop David Oyedepo
Affiliation: Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel
The Faith Tabernacle, 3 Sunday services, 50,000 seating capacity (Africa's largest worship center)
Owns four private jets and homes in London and the US.
Owns Dominion Publishing House (publishes all his books -often centered on prosperity)
Founded and owns Covenant University and Faith Academy, an elite high school
Estimated net worth: $150 million
Chris Oyakhilome
Church: Believers' Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy
More than 40,000 members, several of whom are successful business executives
Diversified interests include newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate.
Owns Loveworld TV Network - First Christian network to broadcast from Africa to the rest of the world on a 24 hour basis.
Estimated net worth: $30 million - $50 million
Temitope Joshua (T.B Joshua)
Church: Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), accommodates over 15,000 worshippers on Sundays.
Controversial for his "inexplicable powers to heal". For miracle-craving worshippers, it's the perfect seduction.
Church currently has branches in Ghana, the UK, South Africa, and Greece.
Has given over $20 million to causes in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger Delta militants.
Owns Emmanuel TV (Christian television network), close friends with Ghanaian President Atta Mills.
Estimated net worth: $10 million - $15 million
Matthew Ashimolowo
Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) - largest Pentecostal church in the UK.
Began in 1992 as a Foursquare Gospel Church Nigerian church [mission] satellite branch in London
Varied business interests include his media company, Matthew Ashimolowo media.
Ashimolowo's representatives did not respond to a request confirming his net worth and ownership of all these assets.
Estimated net worth: $6 million - $10 million
Chris Okotie
Church: Household of God Church
5,000 member church (one of Nigeria's most flamboyant congregations) consists predominantly of Nollywood celebrities, musicians, and society people.
Made his first success as a popular pop musician in the 80s.
He contested and lost Nigerian presidential elections for the third time this year under the Fresh Party, a political party he founded and funds.
A known collector of expensive automobiles.
Net worth: $3 million -$10 million
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://blogs.forbes.com/mfonobongnsehe/2011/06/07/the-five-richest-pastors-in-nigeria/
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"DUI: Driving/Pastoring under the influence of unchecked
power and accountability."
CNN holds pastors more accountable than the church
When does a pastor tainted by scandal deserve forgiveness?
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 | | Bishop Eddie L. Long |
CNN [Turner Broadcasting/Time Warner] - By John Blake - June 23, 2011
"Who am I to judge?" "That's between him and God." "God has already forgiven him."
[Ed. Note: What does the Scripture say? For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. - 1 Corinthians 5:12-13]
When a church is hit by a pastor's scandal, parishioners face a choice: Remain at the house or worship or move on. Those that stay often cite the reasons above - God has already forgiven the pastor so why shouldn't I?
That's the kind of thinking that annoyed a Missouri seminary professor so much that he wrote a blistering open letter in the online magazine Religion Dispatches last week attacking its rationale. Lerone A. Marti, an assistant professor of American religious history at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, wrote that church folks who stick by unrepentant pastors have a lot to learn about forgiveness and accountability.
What set Martin off was the latest entry in the Bishop Eddie Long saga. Long, senior pastor of an Atlanta megachurch, was sued last year by four young men who claimed he pressured them into sexual relationships.
Long denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the lawsuits. He recently reached a confidential settlement out of the court with the lawyer for the men. Though nothing was ever proven in court, attendance has declined at Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
Martin injected himself into the Long story after watching a video that's been rocketing across the web. In the YouTube video, an Atlanta pastor defends Long and tells New Birth members they should stick by their pastor.
Creflo Dollar, senior pastor of World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta, told his congregation that people expect forgiveness but don't extend it to preachers who experience their own "wreck." Dollar, like Long, is an internationally known pastor who preaches the prosperity gospel. Dollar's church claims about 25,000 members.
Dollar said: Then you become self-righteous and you become judgmental and you're gonna leave the preacher for his wreck when you done had more wrecks... That preacher's still anointed to do what he was called to do. He just had a wreck. The blood will take care of his issue just like it will take care of yours.
Dollar, told his congregation that he knows he has visitors from another church whose pastor is his "friend" and "brother in the Lord." Dollar never utters Long's name, but he and Long - two African-American pastors of Atlanta megachurches - have long been on good terms.
In the video, Dollar tells new "visitors" to his church that "I don't want you to join here" and that "you need to go and join where you supposed to be."
Dollar's message triggered a response from Martin last week and the editor of Religion Dispatches says the letter is still attracting "huge" interest.
Long's scandal wasn't simply a "wreck," Martin said in his letter. He said it was a
"DUI: Driving/Pastoring under the influence of unchecked power and accountability."
To quote Martin's letter: Long's move from adamant public denial to private settlement left no way for onlookers and members alike to obtain an account of what exactly happened. They have been left in the dark as to whether their shepherd indeed has an ongoing problem.
Martin said people aren't leaving New Birth because they're withholding forgiveness. He said they're holding Long to the same level of accountability as other public servants who work with their children, like schoolteachers.
Martin then asked Dollar, who is a husband and father, several questions: Would you send YOUR kids back to a summer camp where one of the key officials was shrouded in the "wreckage" of sexual abuse? Would you send YOUR kids back to a mentoring program where the leading mentor privately settled his sexual abuse "wreck" out of court ... Would YOU continue to unquestionably financially and otherwise support a non-profit organization where the power structure was clouded in a questionable history of inappropriate sexual contact with children? Or would you seek to place your family's treasures, time, and talents elsewhere?
Does Martin have a point or not? At one point should congregants stick by pastors shrouded in scandal and when should they move on? Since Long denies any wrongdoing, is he justified in not addressing the scandal?
Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/23/when-does-a-pastor-tainted-by-scandal-deserve-forgiveness/
Also:
Scandal preacher cheered on first day back in pulpit LITHONIA, Ga. -- Bishop Eddie Long was back in the pulpit here yesterday, the first Sunday since he resolved the lawsuits brought against him by four former members of his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. ...
At his 8 a.m. service, several hundred congregants clapped and cheered as Long appeared. He did not address the allegations or the settlement, which was reached Friday. ...
Read Full Report: ASSOCIATED PRESS - May 30, 2011
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Creflo Dollar Says: "Shoot Them All Dead"
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KennethCopelandBlog.com - by Donna Vermillion - June 15, 2011
[...] Recently, a friend of ours informed us of a video that she saw on YouTube, which has the audio of a message Creflo Dollar "preached" at his church concerning how to dispose of non-tithers. When I heard the hateful, murderous words of Dollar on this video, it reminded me so much of the murderous hatred of Adolf Hitler.
The person who made the video added still shots of both Creflo and of various bloody-murder type of photographs for effect. It was wonderfully done, but very graphic. Adults should preview it before allowing any children to watch it. Due to the intense portions of the video, I decided to transcribe Creflo Dollar's exact, unedited words for the benefit of those who would rather read about it. I also wanted to make sure those who, for some reason, could not view the video would still be able to know what Mr. Dollar spoke out of his own mouth. Nevertheless, I have found that the full impact of his statements is obtained by both reading the transcript and by watching the video (and Rich also added a second link below also, in case the YouTube video does not work for some reason).
The things in brackets are to simply describe Creflo's tone or the congregation's reactions to different things he said.
(Note: the same video includes a couple other heretical "teachings" by Creflo Dollar too. But the first part of it is what I am addressing in this particular post, as the creator of the video did a good job pointing out the heresy of the other already.) ...
Now, you know, we're under the Blood of Jesus, so we can't shoot and stone people like we used to. All we have to do is repent and God will forgive us and take us where we need to be. But I can tell you, man, if it wasn't for the Blood, there'd be a whole lot of us being stoned and being in Hell right now over the tithe. But for ["if not for"?] the Blood of Jesus, we'd be doomed. I mean, I thought about when we first built "The Dome," I wanted to put some of those little moving bars and give everybody a little card. They'd stick it in a little computer slot. If they were tithing, beautiful music would go off and, you know, [Creflo sings] "Welcome, welcome, welcome to the World Dome." [Congregation laughs.] But...if they were non-tithers, the bar would lock up, the red and blue lights would start going, the siren would go off, and a voice would go out throughout the entire dome, "Crook, crook, crook, crook!" [Congregation laughs.] Security would go and apprehend them, and once we got them all together, we'd line them up in the front and pass out Uzis by the ushers and point our Uzis right at all those non-tithing members 'cause we want God to come to church, and at the count of three "Jesus"-es we'd shoot them all dead. And then we'd take them out the side door there, have a big hole, bury them, and then go ahead and have church and have the anointing. [Mostly silence in the congregation, but one or two still actually laugh.] Aren't you glad we're under the Blood of Jesus? ["Yeah, yeah," from the congregation.] Because if we were not under the Blood of Jesus, I would certainly try it. Folks, this is a serious thing. - Creflo Dollar Edited :: See Original Report Here http://kennethcopelandblog.com/2011/06/15/creflo-dollar-says-shoot-them-all-dead/
Video
 | | "Pay Tithes or get SHOT!"--Creflo Dollar |
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MSNBC Host Makes Rob Bell Squirm: "You're Amending The Gospel So That It's Palatable!"
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MSNBC [NBC Universal (General Electric Co.-Vivendi SA)/Microsoft] > MARTIN BASHIR - March 15, 2011
Host and reporter Martin Bashir interviews Rob Bell about his new book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived on his daily show on MSNBC.
 | | MSNBC Host Makes Rob Bell Squirm: "You're Amending The Gospel So That It's Palatable!" |
*Also posted here
**For Scriptural reviews of Rob Bell's book and other related articles see Deception in the Church
Also:
Love Wins: Rob Bell Is Partially Right MORIEL MINISTRIES - By Dr. Bill Walthall - April 5, 2011 Rob Bell is another in a long list of pastors, theologians and Christian writers who have defaulted to the love motif for resolving what he considers the perceived injustices of the God of the Bible; that is, the God of love who allows humans to suffer eternally in hell. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/church-issues/aberrational-theology/love-wins-rob-bell-is-partially-right
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Yes Rob, Really. Pastor Rob Bell: What if Hell Doesn't Exist?
|  TIME [Time Warner] - By Jon Meacham - April 10, 2011 As part of a series on peacemaking, in late 2007, Pastor Rob Bell's Mars Hill Bible Church put on an art exhibit about the search for peace in a broken world. It was just the kind of avant-garde project that had helped power Mars Hill's growth (the Michigan church attracts 7,000 people each Sunday) as a nontraditional congregation that emphasizes discussion rather than dogmatic teaching. An artist in the show had included a quotation from Mohandas Gandhi. Hardly a controversial touch, one would have thought. But one would have been wrong.
A visitor to the exhibit had stuck a note next to the Gandhi quotation: "Reality check: He's in hell." Bell was struck.
Really? he recalls thinking.
Gandhi's in hell?
He is?
We have confirmation of this?
Somebody knows this?
Without a doubt?
And that somebody decided to take on the responsibility of letting the rest of us know?
So begins Bell's controversial new best seller, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Works by Evangelical Christian pastors tend to be pious or at least on theological message. The standard Christian view of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is summed up in the Gospel of John, which promises "eternal life" to "whosoever believeth in Him." Traditionally, the key is the acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God, who, in the words of the ancient creed, "for us and for our salvation came down from heaven ... and was made man." In the Evangelical ethos, one either accepts this and goes to heaven or refuses and goes to hell.
Bell, a tall, 40-year-old son of a Michigan federal judge, begs to differ. He suggests that the redemptive work of Jesus may be universal - meaning that, as his book's subtitle puts it, "every person who ever lived" could have a place in heaven, whatever that turns out to be. Such a simple premise, but with Easter at hand, this slim, lively book has ignited a new holy war in Christian circles and beyond. ...
Particularly galling to conservative Christian critics is that Love Wins is not an attack from outside the walls of the Evangelical city but a mutiny from within - a rebellion led by a charismatic, popular and savvy pastor with a following. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2065080,00.html Also: Who's in Hell? Pastors' Criticism of Eternal Torment for Some Sparks Fierce Debate FOX NEWS [News Corporation/Murdoch] - March 24, 2011 A Methodist pastor who voiced support for a book questioning the view of hell as a place of eternal damnation is "shocked" by his church's decision to fire him. Chad Holtz, who served as pastor of the United Methodist church in rural North Carolina, said he hoped his personal belief posted on Facebook would engage -- not anger -- members of his congregation.
Holtz was dismissed this month as pastor of Marrow's Chapel in Henderson after he wrote a note on his Facebook page supporting a new book by Rob Bell, a prominent young evangelical pastor and critic of the traditional view of hell as a place of torment for billions of damned souls. ...
He told FoxNews.com that he wrote about the four things he "lost" when he "lost the idea of hell."
"I lost the idol of belief; I lost a very powerful and useful motivator -- fear; I lost the right to hate my enemy and I lost my place in a tribe," he said. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/24/whos-hell-michigan-pastors-book-sparks-debate-eternal-torment/
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O no! USA Today challenges Oprah on Jesus Christ
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'Absolutely contrary to the true teaching of Scripture and historic Christianity'
WND [WorldNetDaily] - By Joe Kovacs - May 25, 2011
As Oprah Winfrey's television show comes to a conclusion this week, USA Today is challenging the queen of daytime TV's spirituality, quoting authors who say Oprah's beliefs are "absolutely contrary to the true teaching of Scripture and historic Christianity."
The report by Cathy Lynn Grossman opens by asking to whom will Oprah turn now that she's leaving the TV talk circuit.
"God?" the report asks. "Not likely. Many Americans no longer believe in a mighty judge who sets the rules for life now and forever. Instead, many of us sing Oprah's song of self-redemption."
Oprah told Piers Morgan on the CNN host's opening show: "I am the messenger to deliver the message of hope and redemption."
USA Today says to a vast extent, American culture has bought the message: We're all good, we should not judge each other and morality is relative. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=303173
USA Today Report here: Oprah's big hug of spirituality will outlive her show http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/oprahs-big-hug-of-spirituality-will.html |
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: `I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. - Revelation 3:1 Swedish Church members 'don't believe in Jesus'
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THE LOCAL (Sweden) - June 15, 2011
Only 15 percent of members of the Church of Sweden say they believe in Jesus, and an equal number claim to be atheists according to the results of a recent survey.
"It's not very high," Jonas Bromander, an analyst with the Church of Sweden who was responsible for the study, told The Local in reference to the figure.
"It's not really a problem; rather, it's a byproduct of the secularisation in Swedish society which has taken place over many years."
More than 10,000 members of the Swedish Church participated in a comprehensive membership survey carried out over the past year and dubbed "Member 2010" (Medlem 2010).
According to the survey, 15 percent of church members they are atheists, while a quarter of Swedish Church members identify themselves as agnostic.
The younger the members, the more likely they are to be atheists or agnostics.
Bromander pointed out that there is no requirement that church members believe in Jesus or any particular religious figure.
"Many are members, not for religious reasons, but because of the role the church plays in society, or because it serves as an organisation which maintains Swedish traditions," said Bromander.
"In fact, there are many members who would rather that we focus more on our social work in Sweden than on Sunday services." ...
Most said they are members in the Swedish Church because they ... "have a little faith, because the church does good work in society, and stands for important traditions, at the same time thinking that the church isn't especially relevant for them personally". ...
Until 1996, Swedes automatically became members of the church at birth if at least one parent was a member.
Members are obliged to pay just under 1 percent of their annual income in church tax.
Until 2000, the Church of Sweden was an official state church.
Bromander said the figures indicate that the church may face a challenge in balancing the needs of faithful and secular members. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.thelocal.se/34370/20110615/
Also:
Global Survey: Evangelicals Say Secularism, Not Islam, Is Top Threat THE CHRISTIAN POST - By Michelle A. Vu - June 22, 2011 For far more evangelical leaders around the world, the influence of secularism, not Islam, is the major threat, according to a newly released survey.
Slightly over 70 percent of global evangelical leaders at the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization - which convened over 4,000 evangelical leaders from over 190 nations last fall in South Africa - named secularism as a major threat, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey. By comparison, only 47 percent of the leaders said the influence of Islam is a major threat.
When combining major and minor threat considerations, 91 percent of the leaders felt secularism is a threat to evangelical Christianity, while 81 percent of the Christian leaders said Islam is a threat to the faith. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.christianpost.com/news/global-survey-evangelicals-say-secularism-not-islam-is-top-threat-51463/
Sex offender assigned new church position A 23-year-old man who had relationships with several confirmation candidates and has been convicted of a sex offence has been assigned a new job within the Church of Sweden.
The man has been given a new job at Stafsinge parish in western Sweden despite the fact that church superiors knew of his conviction, according to a report in the local Hallands Nyheter (HN) daily. ...
Read Full Report: THE LOCAL (Sweden) - May 25, 2011
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New Polling Does Not Add Up:
Suggests Most Americans Believe Their "Own Version" of Christianity | |
78% Believe Jesus Christ Was the Son of God
Rasmussen Reports, LLC - Friday, April 22, 2011
Today is the day Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who 78% of all Americans believe to be the son of God who came to Earth to die for our sins.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that only 13% of Adults do not share that belief. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Seventy-four percent (74%) believe Christ was resurrected from the dead, while 14% disagree. Another 11% are not sure.
Eighty-three percent (83%) also believe that the person known to history as Jesus Christ did actually walk the Earth roughly 2,000 years ago. Eight percent (8%) do not believe this to be true.
All of these findings are generally in line with surveys stretching back to Easter 2006. ... [Click link to see the actual questions in the survey.]
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/april_2011/78_believe_jesus_christ_was_the_son_of_god
Majority of Americans oppose abortion, affirm homosexuality & sex outside marriage BAPTIST PRESS [Southern Baptist Convention] - By Michael Foust - June 1, 2011 WASHINGTON - A majority of U.S. adults believe homosexuality, fornication and having a baby outside of marriage are morally acceptable but that abortion, pornography and adultery are morally wrong, according to Gallup's annual values and beliefs poll.
There has been little public movement since 2010 on the 17 issues Gallup includes in the survey, which involved interviews with 1,018 adults.
According to the poll, Americans lean liberal on a host of issues, viewing "gay or lesbian relations" as morally acceptable by a margin of 56-39 percent. They also view sex between an unmarried man and woman (60-36 percent) and having a baby out of wedlock (54-41) as morally permissible.
But on other issues, Americans tilt conservative. Fifty-one percent of adults say abortion is morally wrong, compared to 39 percent who say it's morally acceptable. A majority of adults also say pornography (66-30) and "married men and women having an affair" (91-7) is morally wrong.
Meanwhile, a plurality of adults say doctor-assisted suicide (48-45 percent) is morally wrong.
Among other moral issues that a majority of Americans say are morally wrong: cloning animals (62 percent morally wrong, 32 percent morally acceptable), suicide (80-15), cloning humans (84-12) and polygamy (86-11).
Among the issues that Americans say are morally permissible: buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (56 percent morally acceptable, 39 percent morally wrong), medical testing on animals (55-38), "medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos" (62-30), gambling (64-31), the death penalty (65-28) and divorce (69-23).
Unedited :: Link to Original Posting
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35430
Married couples in less than half of US households ASSOCIATED PRESS - By Nigel Duara - May 28, 2011 PORTLAND, Ore. -- Three mornings a week, when Becky Leung gets ready for work, her boyfriend is just getting home from his overnight job. When her mother drops hints about her twin sister's marriage, she laughs it off. And when she thinks about getting married herself, she worries first about her career.
Leung, 27, cohabits in a Portland, Ore., townhome with her boyfriend but has no plans yet to wed, a reflection of the broader cultural shift in the U.S. away from the traditional definition of what it means to be a household.
Data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows married couples have found themselves in a new position: They're no longer the majority.
It's a trend that's been creeping along for decades, but in the 2010 Census, married couples represent 48 percent of all households. That's down from 52 percent in the last Census and, for the first time in U.S. history, puts households led by married couples as a plurality. ...
The reason, said Portland State University demographer Charles Rynerson, is twofold: The fast-growing older population is more likely to be divorced or widowed later in life, and 20-somethings are putting off their nuptials for longer stretches.
"People in their 20s are postponing marriage for many reasons, including money," Rynerson said. "We also have an aging population, so there's more people living alone."
Fears of not being able to hang onto a job, a widening labor market for women and a shift away from having kids at a young age have all proved to be a disincentive for people in their 20s and early 30s to join the ranks of the married. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CENSUS_COLD_FEET_ON_MARRIAGE?SITE=AP
Recovery prompts US divorce rebound FINANCIALTIMES of LONDON [Pearson Group,UK] - By Suzanne Kapner in New York - April 22, 2011 In a perverse sign of the economic recovery, the US divorce rate, which dipped in the recession, has bounced back, lawyers and matrimonial experts say.
A stronger economy, lower unemployment and a housing market that - while still weak - is no longer in free fall are all contributing to a rebound in divorce filings.
"There is huge pent-up demand," said Marshal Willick, a Las Vegas matrimonial attorney, who has noted an upturn in his business.
During the recession, couples who were out of work or unable to sell their house stayed married to save money. The percentage of the population 15 years and older who counted themselves divorced dropped to 9.7 in 2009, from 9.9 three years earlier, according to the Census Bureau. More than half of the 1,600 attorneys who are members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reported a downturn in their business in 2009, the most recent year for which survey data are available.
Now, those same lawyers are inundated with new clients. Linda Lea Viken, the group's president, said her practice in Rapid City, South Dakota, was 25 per cent busier this year, compared with the same period in 2009.
One client first approached her about leaving his wife in 2008, but put the divorce on hold when the local bank would not lend him the money to buy her out of their ranch. As property values in the area rebounded following a steep rise in the price of corn and wheat, the once stalled divorce is "moving full steam ahead", Ms Viken said.
Divorce has not become any less acrimonious but the fights have changed, lawyers said.
"People no longer argue about who's keeping the house, but about who's stuck with it," Mr Willick said. ...
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b835f9b2-6d0c-11e0-83fe-00144feab49a.html#axzz1KMMCeETj
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Bill Hybels wants the "greenest" church on the planet?
("Green" for climate change or for Hamas?)
White House pushing churches to be 'green'?
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WORLDNETDAILY - By Aaron Klein - May 28, 2011
The "greenest" church on the planet? Scripture as it relates to the Palestinians? Fighting American "racial injustice"?
Meet the latest addition to President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, a White House group already replete with advocates for using religion to advance "social justice."
In January, Obama named to his faith council Lynne Hybels, a leader of Willow Creek Church, an inter-denominational, multi-generational megachurch located in a Chicago suburb.
The church is led by Hybels' husband, Bill, a social justice advocate who created the Global Leadership Summit, an international Christian group.
Lynne Hybels' official title at Willow Creek Church is Advocate for Global Engagement. She is also a regular contributor to the progressive Sojourners magazine, the publication of a ministry by the same name professing a devotion to the pursuit of "social justice."
Sojourners was founded by Jim Wallis, who is also a member of Obama's faith council.
Hybels and her husband are deeply involved in Sojourners initiatives and participate in the ministry's events.
Hybels is a regular traveler to the Middle East.
In March, she keynoted a conference in Bethlehem called "Christ at the Checkpoint: Theology in the Service of Peace and Justice." She wrote about the experience in a Sojourners magazine article entitled, "Jesus-Focused Conversations in Occupied Bethlehem."
According to its own description, the Bethlehem conference was meant to "equip the global church to understand Scripture as it relates to the Palestinian context, and to discuss the theological importance of Peace and Justice in an Evangelical context."
One year earlier, she signed a letter to Obama, entitled, "Christians Support Bold Action for Holy Land Peace Campaign" calling for an immediate deal to create a Palestinian state.
The letter urged U.S. engagement with a "Palestinian unity government," a reference to a unity deal the Palestinian Authority had inked with the Hamas terrorist organization.
The letter had one sentence noting Palestinian rocketing on Israeli towns, but the majority of the text decried purported Israeli actions, including settlement growth , as "rapidly diminishing any possibility for the creation of a viable Palestinian state."
The letter demanded an immediate end to the Israeli naval blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Israel has said the blockade is necessary to ensure Hamas cannot rearm itself.
A review of Hybels' Sojourners magazine articles finds a focus on issues of race and the Middle East. Titles include, "An Apology to My Muslim Friends," and "Racial Reconciliation: A Necessary Conversion."
In the latter article, Hybels wrote against what she deemed the "reality" of ongoing "racial injustice" in the U.S.
"In 2001, my husband Bill was jolted out of racial complacency," she related. "Through books he read and conversations he had with African-American pastors, he was broken by the reality of ongoing racial injustice in the U.S." ...
In one article, Hybels argued the church should be used to fight so-called global warming. ...
"I look forward to the day when we as a church will be known for being the greenest church on the planet, not just because we enjoy the beauty of God's creation, but because we know that climate change is a justice issue," she wrote. ...
With research by Brenda J. Elliott
Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=302981
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Further Reading Critics Slam ABC Pilot 'Good Christian B**ches'
|  The following articles are posted on Moriel's Be Alert! Blog. Most disturbing is the article concerning the pilot series from ABC TV called "Good Christian B**ches". Here are some excerpts and the link: An ABC pilot called "Good Christian B**ches" has religious and women's groups up in arms over what they describe as an extremely offensive and distasteful show title. The dramedy, based on Kim Gatlin's novel of the same name, will be brought to life by famed "Sex and the City" and "90210" executive producer Darren Star. The plot centers on the life of reformed "mean girl" Amanda, played by "Talladega Nights" actress Leslie Bibb, who returns to her hometown of Dallas to find herself fodder for malicious gossip from the women in the Christian community. See post here: Greater Abominations: Critics Slam ABC Pilot 'Good Christian B**ches' for 'Inappropriate,' 'Damaging' Title http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/greater-abominations-critics-slam-abc.html Also related: Greater Abominations: Pole-dancers for Jesus http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/greater-abominations-pole-dancers-for.html Additionally, these articles show that many churches (typically more liberal Protestant) are embracing the sin of homosexuality just as it has been by the mainstream culture. What is most disturbing is how one mother describes her thoughts regarding "her plans for her son's life" after finding out he is gay, "When a child tells you they're gay, you don't want to change your plan for him," Ebie Hussey said. "I still want him to be a doctor. I still want him to marry a doctor. I still want him to be Christian." Here: As in the Days of Lot: The growing acceptance of Homosexuality in the Church http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/as-in-days-of-lot-growing-acceptance-of.html The growing acceptance of Islam, Mormonism and paganism into the church continues unabated. Christians, Jews, Muslims plan shared worship - Churches Agree to Hold Koran Readings!! http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/christians-jews-muslims-plan-shared.html Evangelicals, Mormon Search for Common Ground in Utah http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/evangelicals-mormon-search-for-common.html� Christian author: Glenn Beck a "false teacher" ... "proclaiming another Jesus and another gospel" http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/christian-author-glenn-beck-false.html Hindu Group Stirs a Debate Over Yoga's Soul http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/hindu-group-stirs-debate-over-yogas.html
Self-Realization Fellowship elects Sri Mrinalini Mata as new leader http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/self-realization-fellowship-elects-sri.html
Another Southern Baptist Christian Leader Falls prey to the Doctrines of Demons http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/another-southern-baptist-christian.html
TBN and Jack Van Impe in a Rift http://morielbealertblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/tbn-and-jack-van-impe-in-rift.html
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