Multiple TopicsFrom James: As a 15 year old male viewing your site I think many of your facts about subjects such as Star Wars, Japanese anime, video games, and the works of Lewis, Tolkien, and Dan Brown, as well as eastern religions are misleading. On these topics I find what you call to be the "occult" is simply insulting. Honestly, what is christianity but an "occult" topic? What you base your morals and ethics off of is nothing but made up stories from 2000 years ago. There isn't anything wrong with read, viewing, or playing the above mentioned things. These things do not make people do bad things or fall into a world of satanical worship.
What you really need to do to spread YOUR word of christ is to state that the following things are ok to view as long as you follow what YOUR god teaches you.
But my Lord teaches me that occult entertainment will bring spiritual deception and discouragement, not lasting happiness. Please read Twelve reasons not to see Harry Potter movies. Yet, I realize that it might not fit your chosen worldview, since you have broadened the word of "occult" to include Christianity.
If the word of christ is really strong in someone they will not believe what is said in a tv show, book, or game. Like many of you christians you blow things out of proportion, and can't seem to accept that your way of living or standards isn't for everyone, and that is the big problem with your religion.
No, I know well that "everyone" will neither accept Jesus nor like His teaching. Jesus warned us that His Word would be despised by many:
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me. " John 15:18-21
Although I was baptized a christian I have never been forced to attend church sevices because my christian parents thought it was my choice to chose a faith at the right time in my life. I at my age have accepted no faith in my life, but who knows what the future holds? I certainly will never become a christiant because I believe that the church makes its following from fear and guilt. The fear is from a so called god and the guilt is made from someone knowing they've done "wrong" in his eyes. That is a life I chose not to live.
I don't have a problem with those who practice your religion, just people like you who fabricate lies from things YOU don’t find acceptable in life. Please know I write to all of you in the most respectful terms and if you are kind enough to reply I hope you are too. Please do not try and communicate your message of christ to me because I simply wont listen.
From
Isa The Mist Nin:
"I was directed to an article on your website about Power Rangers by a
friend of mine who is also a fan of the show. You may call us sad or
whatever you want because we are both 14 but I really wouldn't care if you
did.
I would just like to say that after reading the PR article, and thinking it
was complete Bull by the way, I decided to view the rest of the site and
found you insulting many great things such as Lord of the Rings, Harry
Potter, Anime, Spider-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a number of
others.
I'd really just like to say that it seems to me that you people think that
everything is bad for everyone apart from God. I know a lot of Christians
who like Power Rangers and Anime.
I have a lot of questions about Christianity. And not just Christianity,
most religions as well. I'm not just picking on you. But it seems to me that
Christians are always the ones who complain about films and books about
magic etc. I mean, for crying out loud, kids know the difference between
reality and fiction! They aren't DUMB! I watched Power Rangers when I was 5
and me and my brother used to pretend to be the yellow and blue Rangers.
Because it was FUN. Not because we thought Zordon was God or that we were
destroying Satan. Oh, and just to let you know, the Mighty Morphin' Power
Rangers theme was NOT pulsating rock. It had a guitar in it, Whoopty doo.
Doesn't make it death metal. I've heard death metal and it sounds nothing
like that.
Which brings me onto another point: Music. I'd really like to know why
Christians feel the need to point at every kind of rock music as being some
sort of cult for worshiping the Devil. I listen to Power Metal, Heavy Metal,
and J-Rock as well as Classical and Techno music. I basically listen to
anything that sounds good in my ear. I listen to Metallica. But I'm not a
Satanist. I have a friend who used to joke about being a Satanist. She['s a
lovely girl who is, by the way, now doing very well in University. We aren't
all devil worshipping drop outs you know. Most of my friends work very hard
in school and are very talented and lovely people.
And just one more thing; what's wrong with homosexuals and transvestites
exactly? One of my best friends is gay. I've never met anyone nicer in my
life. I know a transvestite who works in one of my favourite clothes shops.
He's a great guy, not a "sinner". Eddie Izzard is a transvestite; you can't
deny that he's amazingly funny.
You may like to watch a fantastic film called Dogma. It contains a lot of
loopholes about Chrsitianity that you might like to know about ;) I'd like
to know what you think of it. It's very funny.
The movie, Dogma, is a mockery of Christianity, Isa. Such twisted presentations of God and His people is very different from simply evaluating cultural beliefs and values from a moral or theological perspective.
I'm looking at today's culture and its love for occult or immoral fantasies as a Christian concerned about the ways Biblical teachings and values are being distorted. I'm not trying to ridicule or make fun of you or anyone else.
And, by the way, how could I possibly insult non-existent characters such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or Spider-man?
From Bryan: I have just finished browsing through your comments page on quite a few different subjects and I am truly horrified. You and the people who agree with most of your opinions come from the same stock of people who held the Salem witch trials , started the crusades, and just about wiped out the Irish race because of their beliefs. Funny thing is is that pre Christian Judaism was a religion held by one of the smallest nations in all the world where as the larger more powerful nations Greece , Rome, The Celtish people and many more had there own religions, their own gods, their own set of beliefs. Christianity became the dominant religion in the west only because a Roman Emperor saw it as a way to control people. Thus the beginning of Catholocism, which whether you want to admit it or not became the only Christian belief for over a thousand years or more.
The protestant movement which separated England from the rest of Catholic Europe in beliefs, was started not because of any true difference in spriritual beliefs but was instigated by Political reasons. The Christianity that exists in America today derives from British and other European peoples who all had differing views of Christianity and the interpretations of the Bible. And yet time after time I hear main stream American Christians claiming that their spiritual views are the only correct ones. Ancient religions are by far the more tolerant of each other than Christianity has ever been of Differing beliefs. And no religion has killed as many people just because they held different beliefs. I have read where you say no real Christian ever committed these crimes but up until the mid 14th century ther was really only one form of Christianity. Intolerance and the Hate that it breeds has got to be more abhorrent to a God of Love than any Book or movie or game or cartoon you care to name. [Please see Biblical versus Cultural Christianity]
The Bible that you like to quote so much was written by the hands a men, if inspired by God still man is fallible and the version you cling to in modern times has been through numerous translations and so many different men's hands that for you to claim that it is God’s word. Word for word for word , unchanged over thousands of years in preposterous. The bible was inspired by God but a lot of it’s contents came from the minds and opinions of the men who wrote it and those who rewrote it. I grew up in a pentacostal Church and truthfully I have never seen more intolerance , bickering, gossiping and the judging of each other’s lives than in the church. Nor the intolerance of differing denominations views (Lutheran, Methodists,Assembly of God, Baptists and many more.)
Lastly, The fact that you have basically called Jr.r. Tolkeins Books evil and C.s. Lewis also Shows me that you and the people that think like you are very like the Intolerant Christians of the Inquisition, The Crusades, and the original Missionaries from Rome that Basically destroyed the Druidish religion by Killing any who followed it. Why do Christians overlook or ignore all the inconsistencies of the bible and their own beliefs as compared to known scientific facts? And there are quite a few. I know I am not going to change the way you see things and I really don’t want to change your beliefs, but you remind me of the man Named Gary Greenwald back in the 80’s that went from city to city playing rock music backwards trying to find satanic messages. The Christian band Petra said it best when they sang “Why are you looking for the Devil when you ought to be looking for the Lord.” You have my permission to post this .
From Sarah: I'm sixteen, female,
agnostic (but totally anti-prejudice of ANY kind), liberal, American, not in
any way PC, and pretty much everything you people seem to hate. I saw no way
to just post a comment, so I'm sending an email to get it all out.
I came across your little site thanks to a friend who was just as disgusted
by it as I am. He posted a link to your analysis to Sailor Moon, and I took
on my own investingating from there. I was horrified to find things like
Disney movies and Gundam Wing and other anime hits on here (most things I
enjoy). Casper the Friendly Ghost, too? Seriously, people, stop looking at
these things so hard.
It made me so angry looking at your reviews and replies to the comments, but
at the same time I'm one of those people that can't help but laugh at
ignorance no matter how infuriating. I showed my best friend, and we laughed
for at least fifteen minutes, her saying things like, "Next they're going to
say 'Sarah is Satan!'" Good times.
I'm horribly distressed by this site, though, and all of the stupid things
you had to say. Telling people, "Conflict, jealousy, ambition, hatred... all
these traits which lead to conflict and war are part of our human nature,"
really doesn't sound too great. "Yeee-up, that's right, folks. God wants us
to ... out of each other because we can't listen right and work it out. And
also, all retarded gays should be killed at birth." Nice.
We neither wrote nor suggested any of those things about our God, Sarah. However, what I wrote about our human nature is true. See Human Nature and Depravity
Things like anime and manga are made from imagination, nothing more. And if there is something behind it, it's only the author's own opinions, and doesn't the Bible tell us to respect everyone's beliefs and cultures?
No, it doesn't, Sarah. Please read these Scriptures: Don't Be Deceived! and Idols and unholy gods
You know, religious
prejudice is a sin in itself. These things aren't to be taken as something
evil. It's not the material, it's the person reading or watching or playing
with it that makes the decision to go to the "Dark Side of the God
Spectrum." If God really made man, then he also made all of the horrible
tendencies that come with being a human.
You are also hypocrites. You say that things are in our nature to behave
unacceptably and cause strife among people, but did God really make us so
that we can just hate each other? You talk about brainwashing, but I bet
you'd just as soon pack every station with programs you find to your liking
that would, in fact, brainwash people with your own beliefs. Anything in the
world can become evil if you look at it in just the right way. You told
someone named Greg that a blank stack of cards is neutral, but with the
right imagination, those blank cards could suck someone into them just as
easily or produce just as many "evils."
You also told Greg that reading fiction is a waste of time that could be
replaced by learning factual history. Do you know how easily history can be
changed based on a ruler? In Russian history, much was changed in the
documents from one leader to the next. Also, you don't seem to realize that
FACTUAL HISTORY also states that CHRISTIANITY CAME FROM PAGAN BELIEFS and
that the BIBLE WAS WRITTEN BY HUMAN MEN. You talk about being blind to
truths, but obviously you've got selective sight. Imagination is the most
wonderful and horrific things humans have. It is also instilled by God, so
blame Him for it.
"When Thomas Jefferson made the following statement about information, he
was talking about significant facts, not fantasies and rpgs: "If a nation
expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will
be.... The people cannot be safe without information. Where the press is
free, and every man able to read, all is safe." " Another thing you said to
Greg. Free press includes fiction. How do you know he was talking about
facts and not fiction? Did you ask him personally? Did God tell you?
Another thing I'm very outraged with is your slander on Feminism and
Homosexuality. I like girls and am very proud to be a girl. Feminism is
about choice. God instilled the ability to CHOOSE what we want in every
human. Everyone is equal. Women can do whatever the hell they want.
Homosexuality is NOT a sin. Was it 12 volumes of the Bible that were left
out? Something like that. And translation is never perfect. And it was
written by men, mind you, so you might just be hating perfectly nice,
perfectly HOLY, people because some homophobe in history added it in. Have
you ever heard of Malthusian theory?
Yes, and it has been thoroughly disproved.
Where people will
turn to homosexuality and cannibalism due to over-population of the globe?
That sounds quite a bit more likely than divine punishment for being
attracted to something similar.
If you're going by old testaments and things like that, the Bible also says
that I can own slaves from neighboring nations in Eclesiastics, or something
like that. Can I own Mexicans or Canadians? No. No, I can't.
Man, not God, invented slavery. It was practices around the world until Christians in the UK and US stopped it -- first in their own nations. But they then pressured the rest of the world to end official slavery. But fallen man, in his depraved state (apart from God), have continued to enslave others in many countries. And now, as nations once again dismiss God's moral and loving guidelines, a new form of slavery (mostly of women and children) is spreading back to the nations that first chose to stop it.
Telletubbies are
trash, I admit, but children aren't going to remember it. And if they do,
what sense will they get out of it? Casper? Lukewarm, totally boring, and
not meant to piss anyone off, but you still somehow found a way to make him
evil. Casper is not the Anti-Christ. He's mind-numbing and dull, but not a
creation of the Devil. Have you ever seen a demon? I think not.
I think this title would ... you off completely, a manga series called Angel
Sanctuary by the most fabulous woman ever, Kaori Yuki. In it there is
incest, occult, demons, angels, possession, and numerous other things that
would make all Bible-Humpers fall down down and keep on rolling, but it
displays that Angelic beings aren't always so great. That those who believe
in the Almighty can be arrogant and hurt the innocent for their own gain.
Things unholy probably CAN show more love and acceptance than you do.
(Another one you'd hate would be the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman, probably
anything written by Gaiman, and Terry Pratchet at that, which has to be some
of the funniest stuff in the world.)
You seem to believe that fictional tale, Sarah. I'm sure many others share your readiness to use fantasy to disprove God and His ways. Thus you illustrate the dangerous deceptions inherent in popular fiction and fantasy.
Actually, the Bible tells us that a huge number of His created angels chose to rebel against their Maker and Lord. They became the demonic hordes that assault, deceive, accuse and abuse humans who refuse to come -- in faith and surrender -- into God's shelter. See What it means to be a Christian.
Please. Just stop. You're probably only going to alienate more people. If God is real, I think it will either be a black woman or a transvestite, and I also think that s/he will gladly beat the merry hell out of you people with a hammer before making you sit outside of the gates forever.
From Rory: I’m from New Zealand. I thought I would write you an email to thank you for putting your articles on the internet. I have read a large majority of them and found the large percentage very interesting. At one point I was laughing so hard I was crying. The main sentence that put me in that state was the use of the title ‘Recent and relevant articles’. I personally cannot believe that anything on your site could be relevant to anybody.
The main reason I am personally not a Christian is that I do not wish to be associated with the extreme fanaticism that is what many people of your following believe. Sometimes I ponder questions like: Is it even possible to be so impressionable and so ignorant that somebody would actually read your website with an element of seriousness? Evidently yes. As I sit here and write this, I hope that I am wasting my time and your site is actually a hoax, and that nobody could seriously be that stupid. In short, your website has given me an even more pessimistic outlook on the nature of humankind.
Anyway, Thanks for that laugh. I suppose one day you will look at me from your little place in heaven while I am tortured eternally simply for having a different set of beliefs. Yours sincerely disgusted: Rory.
Teodoro:
I’ve
taken the time to read quite a few of the articles on your page, and I
simply can not ignore the urge to write you and say a few things. First of
all I respect your good faith and extremely spiritual Christian beliefs.
Second of all I think it’s great that you’re taking the time to reach as
many people as you can and spread the good word. But lastly the fact that
you spend so much time looking for the “evil” in things and criticizing
everyone in the world, really makes me nauseous. You spend so much time
looking for “the Devil” in things that you don’t even realize that you too
sound obsessed Satan and the Occult. I’ll try not to mention any specifics
at this time.
I am 20 years old; I’ve been raised in Christianity, and have had plenty of
exposure to my religion. Granted I myself am struggling with my own faith
right now, but I’ve seen young men and women my age turn their backs on God
and Christianity too many times because of religious fanatics such as you. I
promise you that if any one of my non-Christian classmates visited your
website and read any of your outrageous “Occult-oriented” articles they
would laugh in your face and say, “Is this stuff for real?”
Listen to me. Listen because I have been in the place you’re trying to
reach. If you want to get these kids (the lost and non-believing) into
church and give them faith in God… Set an example. That means parents (and
any Christian person); if you don’t want your kids to smoke…then you don’t
smoke yourselves. Discipline your children and don’t back down from your
decisions. Don’t shelter your kids beyond reason. That means if you’re
having trouble deciding on an issue. Pray-Read your Bible-Pray some more—and
most importantly Use your gut instinct. If you truly have God in your life
then he will be watching over you and your decisions as a loving
mother/father. If you think you’ve made the wrong decision…Pray about it and
read your bible. As loving parents there is only so much you can do for your
children until they are going to have to make the decision *by themselves*
whether or not to continue following the path you’ve shown them. The truth
is you can ONLY do your best.
So Parents, Counselors, Teachers.. Whoever… You CAN’T push religion on young
minds. The concept of faith and believing in a God is hard enough for
adults, what makes you think that chit-chats, Sunday morning services, and
pow-wows are going to get the message through? I’ll tell you right now it
won’t. If you want to help make faithful believers out of these people… show
them how wonderful the peaceful, loving, spiritual life of a Christian can
be. Show the world what being a Christian is all about. Don’t be another
oppressive, Nazi-parent, trying to control their kids lives and decisions.
Help them, set an example, and pray. Not just on your own but as a family.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who
acknowledge Jesus with their lips.. Then walk out the door and deny Him by
their lifestyle. -=That=- is what the world simply finds unbelievable.”
PS: Try not to find the evil in everything around you, perhaps it’s the evil
inside yourselves you may want to question.
Disturbed and Concerned
I'm not trying to find evil, Teodoro. But evil is all around us. We would be fools to ignore or condone it -- or fail to warn our children what will affect their minds in ways that immunize them against God's truth. Our Lord tells us to "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." If we wait until they are older, they may never listen.
Many children are fast learning to look to peers, movies, toys and television for their models. After all, these peers and their man-made idols seem far more exciting and popular than parents. Isn't that true? It's like offering children donuts instead of dinner. Yes, we must demonstrate all the love that God puts in our hearts. And we must start early giving our children the truths that will enable them to love Jesus and turn away from the cultural poison all around them. Here are a few more warnings we had better heed: Conforming to the culture
From Daniel: It's people like you that make me happy I'm an atheist. For years I have heard about "devout christians" trying to put an end to comic books, fantasy novels/movies, role playing games, and the like. See, I'm 22, and I enjoy ALL of these things. Know why? It isn't real!! None of it is! It's allowing ones self to escape the horrors of reality and MAKE-BELIEVE that he/she is the hero.
You want to know a good cause to fight for? Tsunami relief, 9-11 councils, drug rehab groups, homeless shelters. These are things that matter. However, pushing others to see your way isn't a powerful cause. This is a country that embraces many freedoms, and though I do applaud your intentions, I do not believe that you are within the power to judge anybody because they've read a few J.K. Rowling books or partook in a game of D&D. I know of quite a few Christians who have done all these things, but they know the difference between reality and fiction, and they are no less of a Christian for it. In my personal opinion, I think you and those like you should step back and really see the reality of things.
I CHOOSE to not be a Christian for my
personal reasons, and I CHOOSE to do what I enjoy because it helps relieve
the stresses of everyday life. There are many others out there that are like
me, and I can promise if you call a devout Christian evil, and occultist, or
Satanic to their face, chances are that bad things will happen and you may
even understand that what you THINK may not be all it's cracked up to be.
Seeing and thinking are two very different things, and if you were to
actually wittness a couple of Magic:
The Gathering players setting up for a sacrifice, then it should be those
people you should help, not every person that reads a fiction story and goes
about their daily life working hard, going to church, and raising their
children to be productive, law abiding people who help others less fortunate
when they can. Judge not lest ye be judged. Very wise words.
I'm not judging your actions or beliefs, Daniel. But we need to judge what we read, see and put into our minds. If we don't, the images and suggestions from contemporary entertainment are likely to return to haunt us and corrupt our thinking. See When to judge or not to judge
From Todd H.:
Just finished reading the comment from "Brandy",
the mental "health" worker. Brandy, you really need to get your heart placed
back in God's hands. God teaches dependence on HIM, not on Fraud's (er, Freud's)
cocaine-riddled, occult inspired garbage.
Mr. & Mrs. Kjos are genuine Christians. They aren't perfect (as we ALL aren't
perfect), but, they do love Jesus Christ. They aren't mentally ill, as you so
falsely suggest. They show no signs of schizophrenia. I know this from
experience, as I was inaccurately labeled with a mental "disease" when I was a
kid.
Brandy, if you are truly trying to help others, maybe you should explain to them
that, scientifically and medically defined, mental "illness" is a misnomer and
completely refutable. Illness defined pertains exclusively to the PHYSICAL body.
The word "MIND", used in the medical context, pertains to the persona of the
individual human being. Mental illness is not an illness at all, but, a sign
(sometimes a sad one) that the person has just given up on a particular area in
his or her life.
Mental retardation is NOT mental "illness" as many people have been tricked into
believing. It is a PHYSICAL lack of development in the human brain in a
particular area. Some people have grown out of it, some have not. THAT is a
MEDICAL, not EMOTIONAL diagnosis.
You may balk at this, but, really, now. Since you are a Christian as you stated
in your attack on Mr. & Mrs. Kjos, then, you would have already read in God's
Word that dependence on any other form of guidance, other than God, will send
such individuals into a tailspin. The longer they refuse to let God to control
their lives, the more sin they will give into, eventually driving such persons
into dementia and madness.
Maybe, Brandy, you are of the school of thought that a child who has been
molested will be a molester him or herself. NOT true. Although some DO do those
things, psychology has YET to explain why people like myself, a victim of
molestation, have never done such a thing and never will. The same illogical
reasoning pertains to murderers, thieves, alcoholics, et al. BUT, Brandy, I know
the REASON why I haven't molested any children, beaten anyone to a pulp, et al.
The reason is Jesus Christ.
HE has kept me from doing those things, for the simple fact that HE says thet
doing them is WRONG! He also instilled in my soul enough common sense to KNOW
that to do such a thing is not only wrong, but, it can damage a person for life.
It's alsowrong to be a bully and to hurt other people. I know of a few "mentally
ill" people that function BETTER THAN i DO in life, yet, folks like you, Brandy,
seem to me to think that if a person doesn't go with the flow, then said person
should be on drugs.
Brandy, if you have ever done some studying on the origins of words, you would
see that the word "pharmacy" is derived from the word "pharmakia". "Pharmakia"
is directly linked to the occult. Pharmacies sell drugs like Zoloft, Tofranil,
Prozac and Lithium, NONE of which occur in the natural world. Those drugs are
merely a cash cow for the brazenly greedy comapnies that manufacture them.
Brandy, you'd be wise to re-assess your career direction, and choose one that
doesn't mislead people. Ever read the "vulnerable adults" act? In it is a clause
protecting those that are "mentally ill" and, for whatever reason, are highly
susceptible to fraud. Technically speaking, Brandy, and pertaining solely to
psychology, the very "science" of psychology violates the "vulnerable adults"
act.
| As far as the other messages I read, from tiffany, Derek, and "anonymous": It sounds to me like the 3 of you are just a little bit angry that someone like Andy & Berit aren't afraid to speak their minds. Maybe you 3 could learn a thing or two from your elders. |
(\_/)
You Have Received (='.'=) A Genuine Message (")_(") From Todd H. |
From Tiffany: You guys seem like strong followers of Christ...however, the constant negative nit-picking at things like "the Harry Potter" movies and "the Message" translation really don't help anyone come to Christ. You come across more like politicians on you website and I feel like your missing the whole point.
Why waste time picking apart movies and whatever else and emphasize Christ's love all people. You can't be overly legalistic if you want to win people to Christ. You have to understand their way of thinking and get on their level first. Some people get nothing from finger pointing at this and that. In fact, pointing out flaws is very negative and useless.. Any lost person stumbling upon your site would think you guys are narrow minded and angry. I'm not trying to be mean, but as a 27 yr old Christ follower I understand how to reach people of the younger generations....
Plus, I've haven't always known Christ and have several non-beliver friends. I've seen how they react to such writings and critisisms as the ones on your site and believe me it doesn't help. You have to get on their level or they are going to laugh in your face. Constant pointing out errors in this and that feels more like rules in school. Believe me, lost people will not respond to that because that doesn't show love.
The "Message" may not be a literal translation, however, being of a younger generation I understand the Message and it really hits home. Several young folks read it and get a better understanding of what being a Christian is really about, and when Christ is moving in the heart of a young person because they read "the Message" than how can it be wrong?? Please don't put God in a box because he is much larger than that. Don't waste precious time & energy pointing out the negatives of things because it doesn't help bring anyone to the Lord...in fact it it's a turn-off to the lost when they read your criticisms. I know you mean well but I felt led to write this as fellow believer.
Tiffany, if I present a gospel or a message other than what God has given me in His Word, I wouldn't be helping anyone find the true Savior and Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Today's postmodern leaders promote all kinds of imitation truths and popular christs, but these imitations won't bring genuine salvation or peace. Only the Biblical Jesus can do that, and He can't be marketed. His message has never been popular in the world. That's why He told us,
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.... If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:19-2
"...the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." John 16:2-3"Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22-23
"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother." Luke 12:51-53, 56-57
From
Brandy Reed:
I want to thank you for the laughs, I have spent a lot of time at your site
since stumbling upon it yesterday.
I suggest you seek some form of counseling, and perhaps medication as many of
your "beliefs" mirror behavior seen in persons suffering from schizophrenia.
This is not a conspiracy there is no "they" who are out to get you. Please, as a
person who has dedicated myself to helping others deal with sickness, I beg you
to get yourselves some help.
The only thing I can agree with on your whole site is that the Mel Gibson movie
is much to violent for me or my children to watch, but I would also argue that
the Bible is much to violent for me or my children to read.
You are welcome, Brandy. Did you want me to post your letter? I am sure many other visitors would agree with you. (Berit's letter)
Second letter from Brandy: I do not care whether you post my letter or not, I do really want you to pay heed to the second paragraph, I was not joking nor was I trying to be sarcastic, I really think you are showing signs of mental disease. I can respect your views and your desire to prevent your children to partake in things you feel are against your beliefs, however when you start to explain WHY you think these things are bad, is when you exhibit signs of paranoid behavior. I really hope that you will take this into consideration, I'm not trying to be smart. I am really just concerned.
From Derek Tilton: I was just curious as to why you two have the compelling need to break down every little film and media bit out there according to the bible and calling nearly every film out there one having to do with paganism or "the occult" or some outrageous ____like that? You need not to take things so seriously and just learn to enjoy films and things of that sort for what they're meant to be, ENTERTAINMENT.
Besides that, I was also curious that if God is suppose to be an all loving being then why would he shun his own children?
He doesn't! But if we don't desire to know His heart and Word -- or to follow Him and His ways -- we have reason to question whether or not we are His children.
You should not live by the Bible so seriously. Just think about it for a minute and put down the Bible and listen to me. The Bible and the concept of religion were not created by God, but they were created by man for the soul purpose of a.) controlling people and b.) showing what happens of they choose the "right or wrong" thing to do.
That's a pretty strong statement, Derek. What is your source or basis for that assertion?
I have plenty of historical and archeological facts to back my confidence in the validity of the Bible.
If the Bible is truely the word of God then he's contradicting his own self because he gave us free will and he is all loving but he doesn't want us do break any of these rules and if we do he'll damn our souls.
What is up with
that? It's all... created by men so they can control other men, because
(according to them) people can not live without rules and
structure, when in fact they want control so they can do their bidding.
Anyways, thank you for your time and I would REALLY like to
know what you think, well not really but I'd find it interesting.
Derek, it sounds as if you've been listening to a lot of people who don't know God very well. In Europe, the deadliest dictators of the last centuries were Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Hitler -- men who hated Christianity and tried to quench it. While the first three claimed to be atheists, Hitler was an occultist who tried to replace true pastors in Germany with Nazi leaders who would help him create a "new German church" controlled by Nazi puppets. They imprisoned and executed faithful pastors who -- like Martin Niemoller -- sought to follow God and teach his truth.
Even in America, that timeless hatred toward Christianity and quest for control is beginning to replace the freedom God's people has enjoyed the last 200 years. Perhaps God is purifying His church. The social costs of taking a stand are rising, but so are the rewards (joy and peace) He gives His people. You may want to read John 15:20-21 and John 16:33 and What it means to be a Christian.
Anonymous: You two are worse than the "army of god." You offend my beliefs as a fellow christian. I am horrified by many of the subjects on your website.
From John: Hey, I'm a Christian and I'm 11. However I don't believe everything I see. I could distinguish between reality and fantasy since I was 4 and I believe anyone who is over 6 should be able to.
John, I'm sure you don't believe everything you see. But if you identify with your favorite characters, care about their problems and share the excitement when they succeed, you are absorbing some of their beliefs and values. Emotional responses are more effective in changing your views than intellectual agreement. Read Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion
From Jim: It seems that Christ's teachings were to reach out and help those in need, not turn from them. Many articles I've read (Harry potter, Disney Movies, Education) tear down what others enjoy for entertainment.
If you want to help someone see in a different light wouldn't it be more prudent to engage them in dialouge? If you come to a person and inform them that the things they enjoy are evil and against God what reaction do you expect? Most individuals will become defensive, and some will logically run it through their mind. Those people who truly change their viewpoints right then and there have been waiting to see it. They were there in the first place. Your website doesn't seem to reach out and help those in need, but rather it affirms with those who already believe as you do. I believe you yourself made this point of birds that flock together.... If you truly believe in Christ then reach out to those who need it not the masses who already are saved on the web.
Contemporary dialogue implies compromising your position in order to seek some kind of "common ground" together. That sounds both good and kind, but it clashes with God's guidelines.
Why did the Pharisees hate Jesus so much? And why did Jesus warn us that we would face similar persecution? Because He spoke the truth -- quoting the Bible -- and refused to compromise. Read the story of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7. Notice that this faithful servant was stoned to death because he spoke the truth and refused to compromise.
Where do you see Jesus entering into any kind of compromising dialogue? Should we (who identify with His name) not follow Him?
Now, as for the critique of movies and books. If a parent cannot read or view the movie and make an opinion themselves...well...they have no business raising children in the first place. If they are so lazy so as not to pick up their own bible and read it then they certainly are not capable of putting the effort into raising children. For them to ask you to tell them (I know you are backed by the word of God) is irresponsible.
But God gave each of us different gifts and assignments. He tells us to serve, encourage, teach and help each other. This kind of mutual encouragement is key to His triumph here on earth. We all share with each other the lessons, gifts and truths He gives each of us.
You quote biblical verses to make your points, but those are selected by you where the readers have not read the verses in context.
I always include references so that our readers can look them up in context, Jim. Like you, people are free to challenge that context and message. But most Scriptures are quite clear and need little interpretation.
Remember, Andy and I began this website in order to encourage Christians who were already familiar with the Bible. Most of them will interpret the verses in light of the whole Bible as well as by God's Spirit in them.
I'm not saying you purposely misconstrue the facts, but that it is not uncommon for people to interpret the bible differently. 12 people can read a selected set of verses and not come up with the same interpretation. It comes down to the sheer laziness of our culture. Parents are always looking to find the fastest, easiest way to raise their children. Instead of taking the time to read a book with their children and discussing the beliefs and view points they choose to rely on others to tell them if they and their children should read it. How is a child to know how to discern between what they should read and they shouldn't read if they are not shown?
If a child is just told "don't read _______ because it _____" they are just going to see it as TAboo and sneak away to read it on their own. I am a Christian and have 2 children myself. I work hard to educate my children to the truths of God, Christ, and life.
Most of the parents who write to us are neither lazy nor careless about teaching their children. They seek information so that they can better guide their children along God's ways. We want to help in any way we can.
From
You may not want to know what God tells us about Himself in the Bible, Amanda. But in case you do want to read His answer, please see What it means to be a Christian
Did you see anything about Christ in Harry's "Christmas"? The celebration was more like the old pagan winter solstice.
Why do you visit websites you dislike so much, Amanda? And why read all those pages if they are so offensive to you?
Would you like me to post your letter, Amanda?
Second letter from
Amanda:
From N. Toone:
Have read and studied pretty much every known and practiced religion out there.
All I have to say to you is:
Get your head out of your ____ and let people decide for themselves what is best
for them and their children. Its crack pot's like you who are dangerous to
society, not Harry Potter or the Matrix ... According to you letting people use
their imaginations is the great sin. Shame on you.
Hate and fear peddlers is all you are. You're no worse than the KKK imho.
Mr. Toone, I am merely providing information that helps "people decide for themselves what is best for them and their children." Would you rather that all information that conflicts with your views be censored and forbidden in our world? If that had happened earlier, you surely wouldn't have been able to study "pretty much every known and practiced religion out there." Or did you just study those that sounded exciting to you?
From
Alan W:
I'm sure you are a fine and honest person but I think you will see my dilemma. I
find that I have no choice but to wonder about your motives and honesty when you
would take so much time to bash a children's book but yet have no stated concern
that the current President of the United States is an unrepentant member of the
well known occult secret society "Skull and Bones." The existence of that
organization and Bush's membership is a matter of public record. Refer to the
www.yale.com . Or go to google and search 'bush skull bones' and, along with the
speculative dreg, you will find hundreds of unimpeachable sources.
Personally I think that these fears of "Harry Potter" books or fears that
powerful people gain some special abilities through magical ceremony are
childish. It is still, however, the height of hypocracy and inconsistant with
your own values (no matter how silly they may seem to me) for you to note one
and not the other.
The following link provides an example of the type of devil worshiping and
human-skull-kissing ceremony that takes place. Some enterprising person
positioned themselves to take night video and record sound. FYI: The Skull and
Bones building on the Yale campus has a courtyard in the middle, complete with
bas-relive statues of two skeletons 'shushing' each other and other occult
symbols.
Here is their initiation chant [I deleted it]
http://www.americanfreedomnews.com/afn_articles/bones.htm
"The death-centered imagery, the injunction to initiates that they must "die to
the barbarian world" and be reborn in the Elysian company of the elect of "The
Order," as they call it, is what makes Skull and Bones as radically different
from a college fraternity as the Gambino family is from the "hunting and fishing
club" that was their nominal headquarters."
Alan, I have to do what God shows me. Our priority is to expose those things that threaten the faith of children and the freedom of Christian parents. Secondly, we deal with global issues that affect everyone -- but only when we have facts and credible documentation.
I appreciated the article you linked for two reasons: it was based on first-hand information by someone who taped a 2001 Skull & Bones ceremony, and the author was honest enough to refer to an often cited part of its history as "folklore." That's why I left the link intact.
When I review Harry Potter books or movies, I have first hand information -- I have read the books or seen the movies. I have not seen any documents written by bones-men, and I have no way of verifying all the dramatic stories I have read about Skull and Bones. Nor do I have absolute proof that George W. (and his fellow boners) took the occult part of their ceremony more seriously than fraternity brothers take one of their outrageous ceremonies. Even if I did, I know that God can change hearts, and -- in spite of Bush's support for global education, UNESCO, homosexual preferences and the new "Homeland Security" with its corresponding loss of freedom -- I can't ignore his own testimony and confession of faith.
While we can't influence President Bush or other "boners", we hope to help Christians see through some of the deceptions that affect them personally. I don't think many Christian parents or children will try to join Skull and Bones these days. But tens of millions are identifying with Harry Potter's wizardly work.
Thank you for the reply. Tens of millions? There are over 250 million US citizens now ruled by a member of a secret occult organization. Again, your lack of perspective just floors me. I suppose it is safer to take on a fictional little boy and a woman writer.
From Fabienne:
(4 July 03) Having read Alan W's comments on the 3
July "Your Comments - Multiple Comments" page, I would like to comment too,
firstly on your ministry and then on our attitude as Christians towards
government:
It is clear that Berit and her husband Andy believe that the Bible is God's
Word, and their work is founded on God's Word and not on human wisdom or
philosophy. The reason they spend so much time and effort on following up Harry
Potter and company (Pokemon, movies, child welfare, global education,
etc) is that their ministry is *primarily* to Christian parents and their
children. They address what is of immediate concern to families in the *bringing
up of children in the ways of the Lord*. This is also why they are always
referring to the Bible.
Here is part of the statement of their purpose in producing their website
(on the home page):
----------------------------------------
"We hope to provide vital facts and Biblical encouragement that will help you
prepare for a global society that shows little tolerance for the Christian world
view. You will find resources that demonstrate and document --
· The cultural shift from a Christian to a global paradigm.
· The classroom shift from truth, fact and logic to myth, feeling,
and imagination.
· The growing acceptance of an earth-centered spirituality and code
of ethics that rules out biblical truth.
· How movies, television and schools promote this global spirituality.
· Why the "group thinking" or "consensus process" taught in schools
and workplaces around the world turn young and old against absolute truth..
· Why many Christians are conforming to this consensus process."
-----------------------------------------
Parents bringing up their children want to instill
Godly values and in order to do this they must look to God's word and be
discerning about what they allow into the minds of their children. No parent of
young children can read every book or see every movie or television show or keep
up with every trend in education. The Kjos' children are grown up and thus they
have more time to do a great deal of the necessary research. Their ministry is a
blessing to countless Christian parents who trust them to provide Godly warning,
advice, and encouragement.
Criticizing the government of their country is not part of such a ministry. In
fact, part of bringing up children is teaching them to *respect* the people who
are in authority over them, no matter what those people are like. That doesn't
mean that one ignores the wrong things those people might do, but it does mean
that one does not fight them.
The Bible has much to say, directly (by instruction) and indirectly (by
examples) about how we are to relate to government. Start with Psalm 2 and Psalm
37. Who is in control -- the government or the Lord God Almighty? Who are we to
*trust*? If we trust God, then does it matter who is in authority over our
country? Does how they live and do (or not do) their job make any difference as
to how we should live?
One of the most important things God's Word teaches us is to *respect* the
government (this does not always mean to obey, for "we must obey God rather than
men" (Acts 5:29), but it *always* means to respect. This is because "there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have
been established by God." (Romans 13:1, NIV) The apostle Peter tells his
readers, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted
among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who
are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for
evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the
brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-15, NIV)
Note that when Paul wrote his letter to the Roman Christians and Peter wrote his
letters the ruler of the Roman Empire was none other than Nero. His predecessors
were not exactly nice people either: Gaius Caligula who succeeded Tiberius and
was followed by Claudius. (You can read about them on www.roman-emperors.org)
Have a look at some of the examples of respect for government that God
gives us in His Word:
· David and Saul (1 and 2 Samuel) -- what was David's attitude towards Saul?
· Daniel and his friends and Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1-4)-- what was the attitude of Daniel and his friends towards Nebuchadnezzar?
· Esther and Ahasuerus (Book of Esther) -- what was Esther's attitude towards Ahasuerus?
· Paul and Felix (Acts 24) -- what was Paul's attitude towards Felix?
[To read more about the rulers mentioned above, you can see the following references, or look in an encyclopaedia, a library, or do a search on the Internet:
· Saul -- 1 and 2 Samuel [also see The Antiquities of Josephus, Book 6, Chapters 7 - 14 (access at http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/antjews/ajews-nav.html)]
· Nebuchadnezzar -- http://www.nisbett.com/people/printer/bp-nebuchadnezzar.htm
· Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) -- http://plato-dialogues.org/tools/char/xerxes.htm· Felix (Marcus Antonius Felix) -- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/3088/felix.html
Respecting and submitting to the government does not
always mean obeying it. Daniel and his friends did not eat the food from
Nebuchadnezzar's table. Daniel's friends refused to worship the statue
Nebuchadnezzar had made.
Respecting those in authority means not doing evil against them and not
rejoicing when evil befalls them. David had several opportunities to kill Saul
or to avenge himself against Saul's family -- he did neither, because Saul was
"God's anointed", appointed by God. He did not rejoice when Saul or his sons
were killed -- he mourned for them.
"We must obey God rather than men!" Peter told the Sanhedrin after he and the
other apostles were re-arrested for preaching the gospel. Notice that Peter was
not fazed by the threat of being thrown back into prison.
However, submitting to the authorities means that if
the government happens to be anti-God, when we choose to obey God rather than
them we suffer the consequences. Jesus Christ (who is God) commands us to "Love
your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27, NIV -- read through to
verse 36, too). Governments can be among our enemies and those who hate us, even
though they are appointed by God and should be doing what is right.
People in governments are sinners just like us. If you think you are not capable
of whatever sins people in governments might be guilty of you had better think
again. It is sobering as a Christian who has received God's mercy through Jesus
Christ to think about just what it is that Jesus Christ has saved us from!
Because people in government are human beings, just as we are who have received
mercy from God, we are to be merciful towards them (think of the parable of the
unmerciful servant, Matthew 18:22-35). If they claim to be Christians we are to
give them the benefit of the doubt as to whether they are or not (do all
Christians always behave in a godly way?). We can and must point out the wrong
that is done as being wrong, but we never have the right to condemn the
wrongdoer. Even devil-worshippers have been known to repent and come to new life
in Jesus Christ.
We are told in the Bible what we should do about governments so that we might be
able to live in peace: "I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be
saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-3, NIV)
In Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer, Fabienne
From
Steve:
Contact me when you are ready to leave behind the burden of judgement, guilt and
separation from the greatest part of yourself.
From Waylin: I was reading all your posts on how Pokimon and Harry Potter and all of that stuff is brainwashing and I think you people are just paranoid. either that or you are just weak minded. If you ar your kids can't tell the difference between fact and fiction you need to go into the woods and live in a shack. These are just stories. They are nothing more. Noone is trying to brainwash you. Noone is trying to turn you to the devil. All of those things are in your head. You should relax and teach your kids right from wrong and not try to change the world to your sick little holier than thou world. You are not better than anyone. The world is not out to get you or your kids. Like I said before, RELAX, enjoy life don't try to examine everything and quit trying to look for some conspiracy theory.
Did you read any of my articles on Harry Potter or Pokemon, Waylin? They might change your mind.
Anonymous:
I believe that you guys take things just a little
bit too far.
There are many things that you mention on your page as being the work of satan
and luring children to the 'dark side.'
Then I read that you think that the aliens in the movie Signs are bad. This made
me laugh, a lot. Not only was signs a terrible movie, it is definitely not as
bad as you say it is.
The aliens in signs were pathetic. They were a race of aliens who needed
resources and came to earth to wipe us out and take them. Thus the humans
retaliated and fought against them to keep our planet. In respect, the aliens
were evil and the humans were good, they were defending themselves.
You cover all these different forms of entertainment and criticize them, and you
also talk about some current issues like what is happening in the middle east,
schools, etc. I remember reading an article about a teacher oppressing a child
because she believed in god, which though I am atheist, I do believe is wrong.
The only thing I don't understand is that if you care about children so much,
why didn't you cover anything about the priests that molested children? So
making a card game with fantasy creatures is wrong, but molesting children is
not? Oh wait, if you wrote about the priests it might hinder your website
because the majority of those who visit are christians.
To sum this up:
If there is something that you can show off as 'an issue' that can benefit you
or make you look good, you talk about it. However if it is a real issue but it
may harm your religion, you don't talk about it. You are very hypocritical, and
fake.
If you have read our articles on "Re-Inventing the Church" and on "Faith-Based Compromise," you would know that we are not afraid to offend other Christians. But we try to tackle issues that others have ignored, not those that have been proclaimed in newspapers around the world. Why should we retell the stories others have already written?
Anomymous: Any pile of stunted growth unaware that entertainment is just that, and nothing more, deserves to doom themselves to some dank cell somewhere for having been so stupid! Movies, music, books, t.v., they're all just entertainment, not guidebooks for damning yourself!
I have friends who are DEVOUT Catholics and
Christians of other denominations who love the Harry Potter books, the Lord of
the Rings books, Dragonball Z, the Yu-Gi-Oh! game, and are involved in RPG's.
They all love God, read the Bible, and have not once since I have known them,
read Harry Potter, and sprouted horns and started speaking in tongues. And in
case I'm mistaken, J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic. Your obsession with keeping
everything but the Bible in people's minds in sickening. That's almost
idol-worship.
I love the books, the games, the shows, all of it. I used to be Christian, but
after seeing the perverse politics on YOUR page, I decided to convert to
something else. I want no part of your world anymore. You are supposed to enjoy
life, not pick and prod at every little thing. Be happy with what you have, and
let other people make their decisions for themselves. Worry about yourself for
once. I have my God in my heart, and I don't need people like you telling me I
can't enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Adolf Hitler tried to control
everyone's thoughts and actions, and he ended up in a ditch, covered in petrol,
on fire.
Please stop being such hate mongers, go out and enjoy life. Have God in your
heart, and keep him there. Keep your religion to yourself, and everyone will be
better for it.
Go in peace.
You say, "...let other people make their decisions for themselves," and I agree. No one is forcing you or anyone else to read or believe what I write. That's your choice. But as long as we still have the right to speak our beliefs in America, I will share what God has given me with those who want to hear it.
I don't know why those who hate God choose to spend time at our website. But that's their choice, not mine.
Something Jesus told His disciples helps me to understand why you and others would prefer to silence people like me. He said,
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.... If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:19-21
If you knew the One I love, you would want to follow Him, too. He is wonderful beyond words. But until you come to Him (His way -- by faith and through the cross) you cannot see His greatness or understand His love.
From
"A Sane person":
I just have 2 words for you! STOP WHINING! G-d,
all you tpes of people do is whine, complain, whine, complain. Nothing is ever
going to make you happy. Everytime something that has to with magic comes along,
you all have to twist it around and pervert it into saying that it's evil. Your
types ALWAYS make such a big deal over the littlest things, no matter what the
issue is. Is it because that you have nothing to do, except go bad-mouth things
you probably know jack about? Your types love to find the stupidest things to
complain about. Can't yall just for once leave things like this ALONE. Stop
making things like Harry Potter, LOTR, even Wizard of OZ, or whatever it is you
guys always complain about, into something that it's not. These are FANTASY
books people, which probably explains why they're in the FICTION section of the
library.
Stop making such a big deal out of something so small.
Let me say just one more thing. Do you actually think that bashing and scaring
people will have them WANT to believe your point of view? All you are doing is
PUSHING them away from God, by saying stuff like Harry Potter, or whatever is
evil. Cause when they hear that kind of stuff from you, they're most likely
going to think, "Wow, these people are narrow-minded, self-centered, prejudice,
hypocritical, etc."
Slandering people is NOT a very effective way of winning them to your side.
You are right. That's why our warning to Christian families (not non-Christians) focus on books and other forms of entertainment, not on the people who write and produce them.
Please read Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion and our latest article on Role-Playing Games & Popular Occultism. Notice that occult fantasy isn't as harmless as most people think.
From Sarah: (See the first part of her letter on the Religion page) "Another thing I can't stand, linking the occult to things like Harry Potter, anime, and Magic cards...I don't like Harry Potter, not because it's 'Pagan' but just because I don't think it's very well written. But that's besides the point.
What's life without magic? Or 'magik',as a lot of
people call it. Why not let kids indulge in their fantasies? In their
imagination? You're only young once you know. Even with the strictest
Christian upbringing I bet little kids would still fantasize about unicorns
and wizards. I don't see what the big deal is. Christianity is one thing, but
people take it to such extremes. You think little kids are so vulnerable, like
they don't look up to their parents enough. Like you need to keep a tight
leash on them, making sure they're not tempted to have fun. Kids want their
parents to be proud of them, so even with reading an innocent book like Harry
Potter they'd still probably be good little Christians. Anime is something I
definitely don't think has anything to do with Pagan beliefs, a lot of
characters in anime are religious. It seems like anything of imagination is
evil. What about the bible, I mean. sure it's 'God's word'...but doesn't it
leave quite a lot to the imagination?
Anyway, I've made this much longer then I'd intended to. So...peace~ And I'm
a utopian-socialist. And the concept of communism rocks. Only if it worked out
the way it was supposed to...
Sarah, our main response is on the Religion page. But let me add, that life far greater without magic. I would far rather trust in God than in the spiritual forces that make magic happen. And my wonderful Lord tells me repeatedly in His Word that you can't have both. If you follow the occult spirit realm -- or delight in it through your imagination [see Genesis 8:21] -- He will turn away from you and leave you captive to those resources you have chosen. Many people through ages have made that foolish choice. Sadly, God describes their condition in Jeremiah 2:12-13.
"'Be very desolate,' says the Lord. 'For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.'"
From Chad: I have some fundamental problems with your website. For one, in many of your responses to peoples' comments and questions you take an easy root out. You state things like, "well this site is for Christians, so I really would not expect you to get it." This is a problem. You should approach all of your arguments with the idea of winning Christians and non-Christians to what you hold to be the truth. Assuming someone is non-Christian based on their question and then telling them that they won't get what you have to say is a bad tactic. It is elitist. It is simple-minded. It is just plan wrong.
Chad, how can those who reject God and despise His Word possibly understand my concerns? If they don't know the joy of walking and talking with Jesus, why would they want to follow His narrow way? Why would they want to listen to my messages? [See 1 Cor 2:9-10, 16 and 2 Cor 12:9-10]
I can't know whether a person is a Christian or an unbeliever unless they specifically tell me where they stand or, by their words, expose a different set of beliefs. When I sense a person's hostility toward the God I love, I want them to know that I don't intend to impose my values on them. They are free to choose their own way -- and to let me follow my Lord. So, while I don't expect non-Christians to agree with me, I do want to encourage and equip those who share my faith. Is that wrong?
From "Green Lantern": I've read some of your current articles on Power Rangers and Harry Potter and all the fun things in the world that.....you....seem to.....hate....and i ask you....why? While i see your point of spreading the word of Jesus and God.....but......dont you think your taking it a little.....no....way too far?
Now how i realize you want to keep "evil" out of our children.....but speaking as one of those children of god of the current generations......we dont listen to people like you. Because your out criticizing things we enjoy. And speaking for a Whole high school taken from our recent poll, you are what we call "religious extremists" and religious extreminsts are scary. Because religious extremists blow buildings up with planes.
You may say "well they are going to hell for what they did!!" well
technically.....what your doing right now is
trashing your own kind. Haim Saban creator of the power rangers not only was
christian but also sent out messages of love and peace in the original power
rangers. Todays power rangers has changed.....but they are certainly still "do
whats right and fend off evil" tsk tsk tsk talking down on a pure fellow
christian.
See....less and less people go to church each year. why? because people like you hourde us and nag us and breath down our necks. But the bible says that church is not the only place to worship. Less and less people prey now a days. Why? beacause we have lives to live.
"You should make time to prey to the one who gave you life" right? How do you know he gave us life? Because the bible says he did? Yes i am a christian. Allbeit maybe not a 100% pure christian but a christian. But as a christian i see more and more people losing faith. Why?
Because.....science proves to be a better storie than the old testament. God made to ocean and land and adam and eve. But.....dinosaurs lived first. How do we know? Science is and exact study.
That's what we are told to believe, but it isn't true. Some of the most socially significant "science" -- especially that which provides a basis for public policies -- is a political game where conclusions that clash with preferred opinion are silenced by publishers and government leaders who withhold grants and funding. See one eye-opening example in the introduction to this page: Research & Science
I dont believe in religion. i believe in me and my family and friends. God is an
idol. Something to cling onto when youhave nothing left. God is a good idol
though. It helps people throught tough times. I respect that. But....the only
real belief that gets us through life is the belief in us and the ony strength
we get
is the strength we give ourselves.
If only you knew what you are missing! Or how weak and fragile the basis for your confidence.
God is merely the answer for questions science hasnt answered......yet. How did we get here? Nobody knows. God didnt put us here. There is no sure proof he did.
Strange how many scientists -- respected evolutionist -- are changing their minds about the origins of life and species. Looking at the mathematical odds against the popular theories (yes, more are added all the time as the old ones prove to be wrong) of evolution, they see some kind of intelligent design behind life on earth. Though their scientific integrity leads to hostility from the scientific "establishment", they are willing to pay the cost and be true to the ideals of their profession. See What Darwin didn't know
But everything the bible says.....is proven to be over exaggerations or been proven wrong.
Just give me one example. I believe somebody has been feeding you some tragic lies.
But yet people do not see. Or do they. See with technology comes knowledge. And with america advancing in technology, the truth spreading. Same with Asian nationalities. Nowadays people know why christmas was made to celebrate jesus' birth. But not many celebrate it for that anymore because they realize the truth. Isnt it about time you do the same?
Your faith in yourself seems to be as unshakeable (at the moment) as my faith in God. I would far rather put my faith in the eternal God -- the who created the universe, has proven His sufficiency in my weaknesses again and again, and knows me better than I know myself -- than in my finite self. Whether it is pride or blindness that drive your unfounded assumptions, I suggest you look again both at yourself and at God's revelation of Himself. Then pray to the only one who can lead you safely and triumphantly through this fast-changing world. My Lord is wonderful and caring beyond human comprehension.
All previous letters have been moved to Multiple Topics - 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5