name: Charles E Carlson
A Glimmer of Hope
31 July, 2007
Americans are setting unhealthy records with the least savings, the highest debt, and least time to think about their future that anyone can remember. There is plenty of information, but it seems no time to learn. Each week we publish a fresh Pharisee Watch editorial, which purposely exposes some problem of society and government that desperately requires our attention. So where do we see the hope?
Millions who are unseen by the media are turning to a natural abhorrence to the blood shedding they see on the Internet, and increasing numbers are groping for the causes and sources of the mass executions euphemistically called "war." Americans are finally realizing these acts cannot be healthy for us...that we are live in an artificial, conflict-based economy where someone is marketing war to us with the same persistency that pharmaceuticals are peddled on prime time TV.
We Hold These Truths' mission is to help those who want to see. We have focused on America's churches, which are paradoxically the biggest problem and at the same time the greatest opportunity; they have responsibility before God so their obstruction to truth is the most abhorrent.
A small minority already knows, and is beginning to say that politicians and central bankers have built their empires on maintaining a war state. These Warmakers have allowed us (who fight and pay for the wars) to have peace only when we get mad enough to threaten their empires. This happened after Vietnam after we had lost a generation. Some of the survivors revolted suspecting that three major wars within 25 years was more than a coincidence. War is not our only problem, but if we find who is instigating the wars we will also find the cause of other problems, including declining morality in our churches, and the dilution of our money.
Chris, a young man who cuts my grey hair, told me the first time I sat down in his chair, "We live in a war-based economy." I was thunderstruck with his succinct analysis, which came as his reply when I asked him why his haircuts cost so much. Chris knows his rising costs and the cost of my haircuts are related to war, and he does not apologize when he charges me 17 times what my first haircuts cost many years ago. Everything costs him that much more. It is not a coincidence that we American taxpayers have financed about 17 wars in those same years counting the big ones and little ones.
Chris is one of a growing number who cannot be fooled by smooth talk and phony promises about "fighting terrorism" and "ridding the world of dictators." He knows instinctively that one class to keep the economy steaming for the benefit of the banking class fights every war. He would agree that each war (on an average) doubles the cost of a haircut by halving the value of the dollar that pays for it.
There is hope because a growing number are taking time to think, and are those who try to tell us they will think for us longer fooling no. Chris is a double important model because he is not just a first class barber whose instincts uncovered the fact of the "war-based economy" He is also a Christ follower who has not been fooled by the pulpit prattle that it's all "God's plan;" and he is not to fret because we are all on an unavoidable, collision course with the final hours of the earth, the "end times." Chris is one who does not accept that "wars" are part of God's plan; he knows serial wars are men's plans and that Christ is not the Prince of War. He already suspected who the planners are before I came along. We Hold These Truths did not have to change Chris; he figured it out for himself and explained it to me, which makes him a double encouragement.
Millions who are unseen by the media are turning to a natural abhorrence to the blood shedding they see on the Internet, and increasing numbers are groping for the causes and sources of the mass executions euphemistically called "war." Americans are finally realizing these acts cannot be healthy for us...that we are live in an artificial, conflict-based economy where someone is marketing war to us with the same persistency that pharmaceuticals are peddled on prime time TV.
We Hold These Truths' mission is to help those who want to see. We have focused on America's churches, which are paradoxically the biggest problem and at the same time the greatest opportunity; they have responsibility before God so their obstruction to truth is the most abhorrent.
A small minority already knows, and is beginning to say that politicians and central bankers have built their empires on maintaining a war state. These Warmakers have allowed us (who fight and pay for the wars) to have peace only when we get mad enough to threaten their empires. This happened after Vietnam after we had lost a generation. Some of the survivors revolted suspecting that three major wars within 25 years was more than a coincidence. War is not our only problem, but if we find who is instigating the wars we will also find the cause of other problems, including declining morality in our churches, and the dilution of our money.
Chris, a young man who cuts my grey hair, told me the first time I sat down in his chair, "We live in a war-based economy." I was thunderstruck with his succinct analysis, which came as his reply when I asked him why his haircuts cost so much. Chris knows his rising costs and the cost of my haircuts are related to war, and he does not apologize when he charges me 17 times what my first haircuts cost many years ago. Everything costs him that much more. It is not a coincidence that we American taxpayers have financed about 17 wars in those same years counting the big ones and little ones.
Chris is one of a growing number who cannot be fooled by smooth talk and phony promises about "fighting terrorism" and "ridding the world of dictators." He knows instinctively that one class to keep the economy steaming for the benefit of the banking class fights every war. He would agree that each war (on an average) doubles the cost of a haircut by halving the value of the dollar that pays for it.
There is hope because a growing number are taking time to think, and are those who try to tell us they will think for us longer fooling no. Chris is a double important model because he is not just a first class barber whose instincts uncovered the fact of the "war-based economy" He is also a Christ follower who has not been fooled by the pulpit prattle that it's all "God's plan;" and he is not to fret because we are all on an unavoidable, collision course with the final hours of the earth, the "end times." Chris is one who does not accept that "wars" are part of God's plan; he knows serial wars are men's plans and that Christ is not the Prince of War. He already suspected who the planners are before I came along. We Hold These Truths did not have to change Chris; he figured it out for himself and explained it to me, which makes him a double encouragement.
Radical Israel Seeks Support of Judeo-Christians for Culture of Death
30 July, 2007
Muslims have played an important part in our last two vigils, answering questions about Islam and holding up signs to free us to rove the crowd. The Jewish News of Greater Phoenix quoted this writer for Project Strait Gate at A Night to Honor Israel. They reported that an Arizona Rabbi wisely refused to attend and warned during Temple services two days before why American Jews should have no part of John Hagee. The media needs to be told that radical Zionists both in Israel and here at home are using Hagee to promote war with Iran. Hagee may be the only religious leader in the world who openly proclaims nuclear war acceptable.
It is vital - a matter of life and death - to understand that Hagee and those like him are providing the only grassroots support for the neo-con Bush aim to incite a long-term war with Iran via a pre-emptive strike under the phony excuse of destroying non-existent nuclear capacity.
The Jewish News of Greater Phoenix report is important because it cracks the door for further criticism of both Christian Zionists and Jewish Zionists. Mainline American Jews are recognizing increasingly that Hagee/Zionist common war agenda may not be good for them.
Jewish News of Greater Phoenix quotes Rabbi Strauss:
"Rabbi Andrew Straus, spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel in Tempe, gave a sermon on the Friday night before the CUFI (Christians United For Israel) meeting explaining why he would not be going. ‘John Hagee believes that what he is doing is divinely ordained and fulfilling biblical (prophecy),' he told Jewish News, ‘and he believes Israel cannot return a single square inch of land, which goes against the policies of the last five Israeli prime ministers and the views of most Americans and Israelis. (Americans) have a habit of creating friends we think we can control, but we end up being the monkey on the lion' s back. I think Hagee will end up using us.'"
Jewish News of Greater Phoenix quotes Charles Carlson:
"The handful of protesters outside the building had a different view. ‘In this hall will be assembled some of the only people in the world who really believe in bombing Iran, in continuing the occupation of Iraq and continuing to support the occupation of Palestine,' said Chuck Carlson, the president and co-founder of We Hold These Truths, a Christian group that has protested at past CUFI events."
It is significant that no effort was made to paint Project Strait Gate as "anti-Semite," the usual trick with Jewish critics; instead they correctly gave our protest a Christian bend by quoting several of our sign messages without distortion:
The protesters carried or leaned on signs that read
• Choose life not war,
• One nation under God, not Israel
• Innocent blood in Gaza and Iraq, and
• Hagee's racism kills Palestinians."
John Hagee may not realize that his agenda is being shaped to conform with what General Tira and the Radical Zionists at the top levels of Israeli politics want; nonetheless, Hagee's lobbying agenda in Washington is designed to force U.S. congressional support for an unconscionable - and lethal - attack on the people of Iran. In the end, this not only threatens the tiny country of Israel, it threatens the greater national security of the United States and our service men and women in Iraq. It is an act of insanity, or what the head of the UNIAEA told the BBC, an "act of madness."
Hagee states:
"I would hope the United States would join Israel in a military pre-emptive strike to take out the nuclear capability of Iran for the salvation of Western civilization."
We Hold These Truths' goal is a complete break from everything John Hagee says he stands for at A Night To Honor Israel and the misguided Christ-followers among the 40 to 70 million who under the stupefying spell of such Judeo-Christian leaders. They are defying Christ to following Hagee's and others like him . . . into a culture of death. At least half of these millions are capable of waking up in a heartbeat and turning their backs on the warring church leaders who have deceived them.
How To Dialogue with a Judeo-Christian
23 July, 2007
This man, call him Norman, became my instant partner in spotting whales. Norman told me the weather has changed. Norman did not answer directly but politely switched the subject to what is no doubt his favorite when he finds a listener, his Christian walk:
"I am a Christian so I believe it's all [weather included] in God's hands. God is winding things up; he is going to end everything...after the rapture and tribulation...the end times...."
Norman had opened the door to a discussion with life and death implications, the Judeo-Christian churches' role in the Serial War era. Judeo-Christians are called by many names; the Christian Right, dispensationalists, Charismatic, Mormons, Pentecostals, and even Christian-Zionists, but all believe what Norman had just stated.
I dread to lump this spiritual and sincere man, Norman, in with some of the intentionally bloody Christian-Zionists, but they have a common link to a State that calls itself "Israel." If we could call every pastor and religious writer to debate (I have publicly debated one prominent Christian-Zionist), it should center around one defining query that effectively detects Christian Zionism's abuse of God's word:
"Do you believe the (present day) State of Israel is the fulfillment of Biblical prophesies?"
If we can remember nothing else, ask this one question. Norman has already told me his answer by telling me about the "end times" and "rapture." So, returning to Norman, I skipped to the second defining query:
"Norman, should it matter to you as a follower of Christ if there is a Rapture and Armageddon and an end times...don't you have to act out following Christ regardless of what you may think is coming?"
If you get a positive answer to this question you should win the day. With Norman it was not necessary to debate the point, he answered instantly and emphatically:
"No it should not matter. Yes you're right, it should not matter to a Christian...(our actions should not be different) ...I am pro-life and my state passed a bill to ban abortion, but it's being challenged in the Supreme Court... (Thoughtfully) we may have gone a little too far...no exceptions for life of mother, incest, or rape..."
"...If you are truly pro-life don't you have to also oppose the mass assassination of the innocent in wars?"
Norman could not think of a Jesus answer, so he abandoned the scripture for a secular response:
"In the Old Testament there were numerous times God commanded the Israelites to annihilate entire populations because of their evil acts."
Note that Norman has now introduced Israel into the discussion for the first time.
"Would Jesus have done that? Jesus did not give the modern state of Israel that right either..."
Norman's answer? He did not answer, but I think he nodded, ever so little. We shook hands, and Norman gave me the chance for a last statement.
"Norman, I must tell you: the churches like yours have blood on their hands, and they are spilling the blood on you... It's not only our leaders. You cannot be pro-life if you ignore even one Iraqi mother or children right to life, even if you consider them enemies. God cannot honor your church if it fails to honor life. The church has failed in it pro-life efforts because it's only half sincere about all life. God is consistent. We must oppose all unjust killing; it is not an option with Jesus. It has been a blessing to me to talk to you, Norman. See our website if you have questions."
It is my prayer that Norman will not be able to forget.
"I am a Christian so I believe it's all [weather included] in God's hands. God is winding things up; he is going to end everything...after the rapture and tribulation...the end times...."
Norman had opened the door to a discussion with life and death implications, the Judeo-Christian churches' role in the Serial War era. Judeo-Christians are called by many names; the Christian Right, dispensationalists, Charismatic, Mormons, Pentecostals, and even Christian-Zionists, but all believe what Norman had just stated.
I dread to lump this spiritual and sincere man, Norman, in with some of the intentionally bloody Christian-Zionists, but they have a common link to a State that calls itself "Israel." If we could call every pastor and religious writer to debate (I have publicly debated one prominent Christian-Zionist), it should center around one defining query that effectively detects Christian Zionism's abuse of God's word:
"Do you believe the (present day) State of Israel is the fulfillment of Biblical prophesies?"
If we can remember nothing else, ask this one question. Norman has already told me his answer by telling me about the "end times" and "rapture." So, returning to Norman, I skipped to the second defining query:
"Norman, should it matter to you as a follower of Christ if there is a Rapture and Armageddon and an end times...don't you have to act out following Christ regardless of what you may think is coming?"
If you get a positive answer to this question you should win the day. With Norman it was not necessary to debate the point, he answered instantly and emphatically:
"No it should not matter. Yes you're right, it should not matter to a Christian...(our actions should not be different) ...I am pro-life and my state passed a bill to ban abortion, but it's being challenged in the Supreme Court... (Thoughtfully) we may have gone a little too far...no exceptions for life of mother, incest, or rape..."
"...If you are truly pro-life don't you have to also oppose the mass assassination of the innocent in wars?"
Norman could not think of a Jesus answer, so he abandoned the scripture for a secular response:
"In the Old Testament there were numerous times God commanded the Israelites to annihilate entire populations because of their evil acts."
Note that Norman has now introduced Israel into the discussion for the first time.
"Would Jesus have done that? Jesus did not give the modern state of Israel that right either..."
Norman's answer? He did not answer, but I think he nodded, ever so little. We shook hands, and Norman gave me the chance for a last statement.
"Norman, I must tell you: the churches like yours have blood on their hands, and they are spilling the blood on you... It's not only our leaders. You cannot be pro-life if you ignore even one Iraqi mother or children right to life, even if you consider them enemies. God cannot honor your church if it fails to honor life. The church has failed in it pro-life efforts because it's only half sincere about all life. God is consistent. We must oppose all unjust killing; it is not an option with Jesus. It has been a blessing to me to talk to you, Norman. See our website if you have questions."
It is my prayer that Norman will not be able to forget.
Visiting A Mosque
12 July, 2007
My friend Chuck called to ask me if I'd like to go with him to an open house at a mosque in Tempe, AZ. Having never been in a mosque, I thought that it would be an interesting experience but wondered if I would need a bullet proof vest or an assault rifle to protect myself during the visit. After all, haven't numerous government and Christian leaders warned us that the Muslims are out to create a holy war against us infidels?
We parked our shoes on the ground floor of the mosque and walked up to the second floor into the prayer and worship room. There were about 50 visitors in attendance plus members of the mosque who filtered in during the open house portion of the service. After the open house, their regular Friday night service would be conducted. It was easy to spot the visitors because they were sitting in chairs. It was explained that during the service and prayer time the flock was either standing, sitting or bowing down on the floor. The men are in the front and the women in the rear with a curtain that could be drawn by the women if they wanted privacy.
The Imam, the Islamic equivalent of a pastor or priest, was giving a Power Point presentation on the fundamental beliefs of Islam. Part way through the presentation, the Imam said that they would break for a brief prayer session and we were invited to observe how this part of their worship is conducted. Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day, this one lasted about 10 minutes. A group of more than a dozen men came to the front to participate in the prayers. The chanting and prayers were in Arabic but there seemed to be a similarity to a Catholic worship service in that both services are composed of ritual elements.
The Imam continued with a discussion on the life of Muhammad and other prophets they recognize and revere: Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Interestingly, the Imam said that they recognized that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary with no earthly father. It seems curious to me that because of Jesus' uniqueness ascribed by Muslims that He should receive a higher status in Islam than he does. The Imam said Muslims recognize Mohammad as the last prophet of Allah (God) but claim not to worship him. Judaism doesn't recognize Jesus, but the Muslims do. Does this mean that followers of Mohammad are closer to God than those of Judaism?
Next, the Imam opened the floor for questions. The Imam and a woman who he identified as "his boss" meaning she was a layman from the mosque congregation, fielded the questions. One person asked about the apparent unequal treatment of women as exhibited by the women sitting in the back of the mosque and other examples demonstrated in the Muslim world.
It was explained by the Imam that because of the frequent bowing down during the service that having women in the front could be a distraction to the men worshippers who are to be focusing on Allah.
A statement by Muhammad sheds some light on the subject: "O People: It is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under God's trust and with His permission...Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers..."
Another visitor asked about the Islamic "Jihad" against Christians and if Muslims were committed to the destruction of infidels. It was explained by the Imam and the other lady that Jihad is not a word that just translates into "war". Its meaning could be better defined as "a struggle against something". Another person wanted to know about all the killing done by Muslims. The Imam said that their religion does not condone killing. In the Imam's accompanying notes to his presentation, a quotation attributed to the Prophet Muhammad's last sermon is noteworthy: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action..."
Another visitor in the audience recounted that when her family was based in Turkey they were treated beautifully by the Muslims in that country.
There is no doubt that there are some Muslims who want to "get" us. But, as I pointed out in some general comments I made to the assembly: the United States was also guilty of killing millions of innocent people needlessly in the steady stream of serial wars that the U.S. fosters and perpetuates. I said that as a follower of Christ that I could see no justification for what the U.S. has done in Iraq. I pointed out that the war in Iraq was not legal because our Constitution does not give the President the power to declare war. Only Congress has been given the power to declare war. Also, I pointed out that our President claims he is a Christian. His actions are certainly at a variance to the teachings of Jesus. No wonder the world is so mixed up about what Christians say they believe and what they advocate. Applause originated from a number of the members of the mosque after making my comments.
Upon my sitting down, another visitor jumped up to strongly disagree with me and question my patriotism. He claimed that he was a veteran and had defended our freedom. Then, a number of the visitors applauded him. It is a sad commentary to think how the American public has been brainwashed to think of Muslims as a threat to us. Any honest person when reviewing the facts will see how dangerous the United States' policy of wars for "democracy" really is. Many Americans believe that the United States is somehow morally superior to anybody else on the planet and is the universal dispensing agent of truth and justice. Applying Jesus' directive to love your neighbor as yourself still sounds valid to me.
If you have a chance to visit a mosque, don't hesitate to do so. I felt warmly received during my visit. Compare this to downright animosity received on occasion from some of my "bloodthirsty brothers in Christ" when standing outside their churches holding a sign that simply says: "Choose Life, Not War."
Who Owns Title to the Land of Palestine?
10 July, 2007
In January of 1997, an Israeli soldier opened fire on Arab civilians in the city of Hebron in occupied Palestine, killing some and wounding others. His motive was to prevent the return of Israeli-occupied lands to the Arabs. This soldier was convinced that God has given the land of Palestine to the Jews, and that it would be a sin to return the land to the Arabs. Zionists prefer to rely on the Old Testament, citing Genesis 13:15 where God said to Abraham,
"For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."
They construe this verse to teach that a large chunk of the Middle East still belongs to the Jews today, including the ancient lands of Edom and Moab, even though God said in Deuteronomy 2:5, 9 that He would never give those lands to the Jews.
Christian Zionists regard God's covenant with Abraham, including the land grant, as an unconditional covenant. They admit that the Jews have broken that covenant, and have rejected their Messiah, but insist that Palestine still belongs to the Jews because God gave it to them "forever." However, the Bible teaches that God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants were a conditional covenant, not unconditional.
In Genesis 17:9-14 the Jews were warned that they must keep the covenant or be cut off from God's people. Leviticus 26:40-45 teaches that the Jews must confess and forsake their sins in order to maintain the covenant. Joshua 23:15-16 and 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 not only teach that the covenant was conditional, but they also specify that the Jews would lose their land grant if they broke the covenant.
In Exodus 12:23-24, God ordained the ordinance of the Passover to be observed "forever."
In Deuteronomy 18:3-5 the Levites are ordained to be God's ministers, and to receive the offerings of the people, "forever."
Leviticus 16:29 specify that the Day of Atonement is to be observed "forever."
The same reasoning applies to the land grant of Palestine to the Jews. The covenant and the land promise to the Jews were not eternal, to last until the end of time. The Jews did not keep the conditions of the covenant, and for this reason God took away the kingdom of God from them, Matthew 21:42-45, and gave it to the New Israel (Galatians 6:16,) the Church which consists of believing Jews and Gentiles.
The inheritance of the new Spiritual Israel is not land in the Middle East, but rather the New Jerusalem in heaven. The old Jerusalem on earth is of absolutely no importance to God's people, John 4:21, Galatians 4:24-28, Hebrews 12:18-24. The final disappearance of the old covenant took place in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the Temple, the City of Jerusalem, and the Jewish state. There is no statement or hint in the New Testament that God will revive the Jewish state. Nowadays there are prominent evangelists who preach to their followers that God never fulfilled His promise of giving all the land of Palestine to the Jews.
They support whatever action necessary, even nuclear war, to obtain Arab lands in the Middle East and give them to the Jews. Read Joshua 11:23, Joshua 21:43-45, 2 Samuel 8:3, 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Kings 8:56, 2 Chronicles 9:26 and Nehemiah 9:7-8, 24 and it will become very clear that God did give all of the land promised to the Jews. The prophet Jeremiah is often quoted to prove that God promised a restoration of the Jews to their land and that the promise began to be fulfilled in 1948 AD. Instead of rejoicing in the New Covenant which was promised to all God's people, Jeremiah 31:31-34, they want to go back to the Old Covenant which has been forever abrogated.
The duty of Christian churches today is to seek the well being of Jews according to the flesh, Romans 9:3. We will accomplish that, not by lobbying for the territorial expansion of Israel, but rather by preaching the Gospel and planting churches, thereby giving all Jews and Gentiles an opportunity to enter the heavenly Jerusalem for all eternity.
The Christian Right: Not Right, Not Following Christ
09 July, 2007
Christian Right pastors and spokesmen in thousands of churches swear that Israel has a biblical right to bomb Gaza and Lebanon. They teach that to resist Israel is to interfere with God's Plan. The normally Israeli-sympathetic network media is giving wings to the neo-theology of the Christian Right. A recent story in the Baltimore Sun reveals a rare honest glimpse of the weapons superiority of Israel over Lebanon's rebel Hezbollah. Comparing Hezbollah weapons to Israel's is like comparing the Spirit of St. Louis to the Challenger.
Who can deny that the USA is the bully in Iraq or that Israel is the bully in Lebanon? The Christian Right has the newest story to defend the bully in the schoolyard: "God told them to do it."
Why do the Christian Right pastors and spokesmen in thousands of churches swear that Israel is right? Because God ordained Israel's acts, they tell us, but not one can present a credible argument from scripture.
"Israel's war is God's war and let no man stand in the way."
It would be hard to overstate Bennett's devotion to Israel. He volunteers without reservation that "Arabs live to destroy Israel and kill Israelis." Darien Bennett is one of several pastors at upscale Scottsdale Bible Church, a success story with a membership of 6000. Bennett claimed he had met Arabs in their homes in Gaza, and when pressed for a reaction to them as mankind, he describes them as "fools".... because "they cannot compete militarily" and "God loves Israel and God does not love them because they oppose Israel."
Pastor Bennett and thousands like him impute the wrath of the Old Testament God to Jesus, while ignoring Jesus' admonitions to be peacemakers. Pastor Bennett justifies the bombing on Beirut by 2500 year-old prophetic references to the destruction of ancient cities of Sidon and Tyre, cities in today's Lebanon.
In his eyes God hand on Israel is now destroying Sidon and Tyre, with Beirut thrown in for good measure. He is sure no Christian would want to defy God by siding with anyone but Israel. Televangelists and Celebrity Christians play biblical Scrabble, which they support with sophist logic to arrive at their unwavering support for Israel. Some Christian-Zionists leaders as well as Israeli secularists have quoted the beautiful Christian book of Isaiah as justification for Israel to destroy the state of Syria. (Chapter 17).
A contemporary Israeli book talks of Israel's destiny to nuke Damascus. If the USA gives Israel the green light to nuke the millions in Damascus the Christian-Zionists would flock to Isaiah 17 to proclaim it is God's will. The Christian Right cannot be Christian because it is biblically un-Christian.
Most of the Christian Right is not right about preserving life, therefore, it cannot be Christian.
The Bigfish Conspiracy and Zionized-Christian Reality: Part I
09 July, 2007
Uncounted big plot theories abound. Most people wonder if there is a "who" and "they" who control, or conspire to control, the world. Our Serial wars are at the root of our inflation (money dilution) problem. The cost of war dilutes our money and makes goods, including gas and food, expensive, and elevates taxes on property.
War and dilution is the politician's twin drinking buddies. Israel is a catalyst for war; the Serial Wars in the Mideast depend upon acts by and in behalf of the State of Israel to keep wars going, and equally Warmakers depend upon hatred against Israel to keep the embers of war alive...they want Israel to keep on killing and remain hated by its neighbors!
The so-called Christian Right is the most powerful supporter of the State of Israel, therefore, these Zionized Christians, while mostly well meaning, are the primary enablers of Serial wars. Celebrity-Christians own a tax-exempted media is second only in size and power to the Jewish controlled public media. When you combine the votes and media control of Jews and the Christian-Zionist you reach a critical mass for information control. The Internet is the new superstar on the media block, but the Bigfish who control the establishment media too is rapidly controlling it.
Our indescribably important mission is to do a necessary part to save Christianity from Christian-Zionism. Our target audience is between 30 and 70 million in the USA and more around the world. It is up to us to continue until a significant minority in most churches and mosques understands our "Facts of Life". To this end we join with all those who would end Serial wars, which is the most horrible vehicle for spiritual collapse.
Prominent members (celebrities) of the Christian-Right are exposing their Achilles heel to the world when they adopt un-Christian positions in order to do spiritual business with the State of Israel. Zionized-Christians surrender certain basic tenants that Christ accepted, and they accept much of what Jesus resoundingly rejected, including Pharisaism.
The most obvious example of professing Christians making provable un-Christian statements in support of false values is found in the words of American Celebrity Christians in their ridiculous fawning over the Israel. The Bigfish Conspiracy and the Christian-Right starts with the influence of the Oxford Press on what we think of as "Christianity."
War and dilution is the politician's twin drinking buddies. Israel is a catalyst for war; the Serial Wars in the Mideast depend upon acts by and in behalf of the State of Israel to keep wars going, and equally Warmakers depend upon hatred against Israel to keep the embers of war alive...they want Israel to keep on killing and remain hated by its neighbors!
The so-called Christian Right is the most powerful supporter of the State of Israel, therefore, these Zionized Christians, while mostly well meaning, are the primary enablers of Serial wars. Celebrity-Christians own a tax-exempted media is second only in size and power to the Jewish controlled public media. When you combine the votes and media control of Jews and the Christian-Zionist you reach a critical mass for information control. The Internet is the new superstar on the media block, but the Bigfish who control the establishment media too is rapidly controlling it.
Our indescribably important mission is to do a necessary part to save Christianity from Christian-Zionism. Our target audience is between 30 and 70 million in the USA and more around the world. It is up to us to continue until a significant minority in most churches and mosques understands our "Facts of Life". To this end we join with all those who would end Serial wars, which is the most horrible vehicle for spiritual collapse.
Prominent members (celebrities) of the Christian-Right are exposing their Achilles heel to the world when they adopt un-Christian positions in order to do spiritual business with the State of Israel. Zionized-Christians surrender certain basic tenants that Christ accepted, and they accept much of what Jesus resoundingly rejected, including Pharisaism.
The most obvious example of professing Christians making provable un-Christian statements in support of false values is found in the words of American Celebrity Christians in their ridiculous fawning over the Israel. The Bigfish Conspiracy and the Christian-Right starts with the influence of the Oxford Press on what we think of as "Christianity."
Philip Mauro on Dispensationalism and Zionism in 1927
09 July, 2007
The Gospel of the Kingdom is a remarkable book, an epiphany to this writer. Philip Mauro, a lawyer, (nevertheless a devout follower of Christ), wrote this as a devastating refutation of the Scofield Reference Bible with amazing insight in 1927. In a chapter headed "Concerning Zionism" he tells us:
The "dispensational" doctrine is that the natural descendants of Jacob will be gathered back to Palestine, still in impenitence and unbelief (Zionism is supposed to be the beginning of this movement); that Christ will come to "the air" above (unseen), will raise dead believers, change the living and take all to glory (1 Th. 4:16, 17), thus leaving only unsaved persons on earth; that the "great tribulation" will then ensue and will last for seven years..."
Mauro continues:
"... Zionism... has for its object the making of Palestine a homeland for the Jews. Concerning that movement a great deal of misinformation has been disseminated during the past twenty years in the interest of dispensationalism. For dispensationalist writers and speakers have painted wonderful word-pictures portraying the multitudes of Jews said to be flocking to their ancient homeland; the miraculously renewed fertility of the soil; the return of the early and latter rain etc. etc.; and it has been made to appear that the re-constitution of the Jewish State and the rebuilding of the Temple were matters of tomorrow or the day after. All these supposed happenings were presented to eager readers and hearers as a marvelous fulfillment of prophecy taking place before our very eyes, and as giving assurance that the time of the end had come. But the sober facts are that Zionism has been a pitiful failure almost from the beginning... Palestine is wretched in the extreme, and that the attitude of the great mass of Jews throughout the world towards the Zionistic project is that of complete apathy and indifference."
Mr. Mauro concludes his book's introduction:" I would point out that this modern system of "dispensational teaching" is a cause of division and controversy between those followers of Christ who ought to be, at this time of crisis, solidly united against the mighty forces of unbelief and apostasy; and further that it tends to bring the vital truth of our Lord's second coming into discredit with many, because it associates that great Bible doctrine with various speculative details for which no scriptural support can be found."
Mr. Mauro's introduction reminds me of the haunting phrase in slave trader John Newton's "Amazing Grace;" What makes this book so remarkable to one who writes about Scofieldism today is that Mauro had only the early version of the Scofield Reference Bible to go by when he asserted that Israel, as a state and someday homeland, had no place in Christianity, but was a myth invented by those who promoted Scofieldism.
Mauro did not have this advantage, because at the time he was writing, Israel existed only in the minds of Lord Rothschild and the World Zionist Organization, in words privately written by Sir Arthur Balfour, and in the footnotes inserted into the 1917 edition of the Scofield Reference Bible. Mauro destroys and buries these deliberate myths to perfection. We also have the advantage of the 1967 Edition of this incredible Oxford Press fraud against the name of Christ that forces a huge, foul dead rat state of Israel down our throats as a God Icon.
What follower of Christ can ignore the plea of the Christian Arabs coming from Israel? A March 12 Reuter's story from Jerusalem tells us of Israel's inhuman abuse of the indigenous populations.
"Despairing of life under Israeli occupation, many Palestinian Christians are moving abroad, threatening their ancient links to Bethlehem and the land where Jesus was born...
"There is a real fear that 50 years down the road, the Holy Land will be without Christians," said Mitri Raheb, 45-year-old pastor of the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.... "There is no business, no freedom of movement," he said.
"We depend on tourism, which is being demolished. Sometimes we receive 1,500 tourists a day but none of them stay the night. They visit the Nativity Church and leave, so we don't benefit....Palestinian Christians are generally better off than other segments of society, but they too have felt the pinch... Christian leaders say they face no religious persecution from the Palestinian Muslim majority or from Israel...
"Bethlehem will basically be a four-square-mile (10-square-km) open prison."
Israel's never ending stream of "Christian" tourist buses run from Tel Aviv to the occupied territories, led by Zionists like John Hagee and Jerry Falwell, who arrange junkets so no guest need ever talk to an Arab alone, and few buy from their shops. These Armageddon seeking Christians flock to see the "sacred sites" on guided tours, but stay only in Israeli "five star" hotels on the other side of the 26 foot high prison wall, thus the plight of the Philistine Christians remains a secret to those who walk right past their shops.
We shall try our best to bring this book back to life, and I suspect that God has blessed Philip Mauro for writing it.
God’s Fearsome Law That Judeo-Christians Break
09 July, 2007
What if there does happen to be a God, and what if He did give us a Book containing His words guided by His ever-present spirit to be used as a life guide? Celebrity Christians accept, and loudly proclaim that the Bible contains the spirit led words of God, but they freely alter the words to make it conform to their own interests. How can a loving family man and father, who is 100% pro-life for every unborn child, be pro-war? Killing all these people is an unthinkable paradox for a pro-life "Christian." Does Pro-war equal Pro-Life? No Christian Zionist, by whatever name he calls himself, can justify killing a single child in faraway places with bombs.
Since they cannot justify it by man's logic, they bend God's words to justify it for them, while still declaring the Bible is the literal word of God. Why would God send a prophet with stories not relevant to them? God is logical. Ezekiel is the story of a prophet warning his own kinsmen of what God demanded of them, or else! They were dragged off into slavery because of their abuse of their God's words, and Ezekiel was the messenger sent to revive them. Christ's Disciple John recorded a bizarre nightmare in Revelations 19, which is likewise distorted. What did John mean? Hundreds of thousands are dying on account of his words. Cyrus I. Scofield was a willing bender of God's words. If there is a God, and if He left a Book for us to follow, why did he not protect the Word with a big warning sign?
One bible dictionary trivializes the Third Commandment: saying, "take God in vain" may include "pointless or insincere oaths." Wrong, there is nothing trivial about corrupting God's Word for man's purpose. If you think of "vain" as self-serving it is easy to see why it is near the top of the list along with "thou shall have no other God..." When G.W. Bush suggested God was leading us into Afghanistan and Iraq, he was taking God's name in vain? Celebrity leaders who want to support George W. alter God's words in order to justify George W's actions. No wonder God put altering His words near the top of his "Thou shall not" list.
Every pastor and priest who falsely claims, "This is God's war" is taking God's name in vain to sell a lie. What could be more horrible in the sight of a Holy God, who loves good and hates evil, than to see His words distorted in such a way as to encourage, justify and excuse evil acts of violence and war? The time has come to pull down the pastors from their mega-church pulpits if they take God's name in "vain". You will find those who stand by God's firm and real words talking to smaller groups. Find them and support them! It is Jesus' way.
At a Night to Honor Israel: Christ is Left Outside With the Vigil Team
09 July, 2007
The threat goes by the name of Christian Zionists. Since the death of Jerry Falwell, John Hagee has assumed de facto leadership of the radical Christian Zionist movement. Art Preisinger, a Lutheran minister associated with the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism, attended A Night To Honor Israel at Hagee's Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, October 23, 2006, and had this to say:
"Of course, if Hagee wants to honor Israel and give it gobs of non-governmental funds, that is certainly his privilege. But to promote this under the aegis of "Christian" is, frankly, fraudulent. But 'A Night to Honor Israel' was worse than a fraud -- it was idolatrous, and this in two ways."
Jesus and His followers did not have a part to play in A Night To Honor Israel. The stated purpose of Christians United For Israel is to generate political support for Israel. Congresswoman McCollum stated:
"Well publicized public statements by Pastor Hagee demonstrate extremism, bigotry and intolerance that is repugnant."
One Rabbi described Hagee's movement, Christians United for Israel, as "AIPAC with a cross" (American Israeli Political Action Committee). One of the big signs Project Strait Gate displayed at A Night To Honor Israel at Pastor Hammond's church read, WHO WOULD JESUS BOMB? Christ never said His law is easy, and he did not make it optional or exclude those who follow John Hagee and love political Israel. Hagee ignores Jesus' admonitions in his Night to Honor Israel show, and the church hosts like Mac Hammond also ignore it. When Project Strait Gate comes to call, we often get anything but love, grace and kindness.
In each case the church has hired uniformed off-duty police to order demonstrators off public property under threat of arrest, sometimes claiming ownership of public sidewalks. Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, CA, pastured by the very public and famous John MacArthur, has been the scene of four Vigils over five years. Both women walked on the parking lot on church property after Project Strait Gate Vigils ended.
Later Project Strait Gate proved to the city engineers that the Vigil members had been on public property, and the City of Phoenix responded by forcing the church to permanently mark the right-of-ways for public use and refrain from parking cars on right-of-ways. Project Strait Gate has learned to send instructions to potential Vigil team members warning them about the attitude of church leaders, including a warning to avoid even stepping on church property. Judeo- Christian churches do not "turn the other cheek."
Word of Life Christian Center arranged a counter-demonstration to muffle Project Strait Gate, with 30-40 church staff and volunteers, about ten for every one of the vigil volunteers, surrounding each individually and physically shielding our team members from contact with arriving and departing persons. Judeo-Christians believe God places curses on anyone who is not sufficiently kind to Israel, in other words, anyone who fails to honor Israel might be eligible for a curse, an idea extrapolated from ancient verses in Genesis 12:3. It's unlikely that Mrs. Smith can quote a New Testament source of her ability to render curses, but she, like John Hagee, believes in a world where war is holy if it's war that pleases Israel.
John Hagee wraps his love of Israel around the idea of blessings for those who bless Israel, and curses for those who do not. Hagee routinely makes the following statements in publicly recorded meetings and services, here are a few:
"The blessings and curses are real...the Jewish people are prophesied"
"He (God) will bless those who bless (Israel) and curse those who curse (Israel)"
"Iran is Germany...Ahmadinejad is Hitler"
"We support Israel's right to self-defense against Gaza..."
"Long after Hamas and Hezbollah are buried in the bone yard of history...Israel will be there."
"The sleeping giant of Christian-Zionism has been awakened"
A hallmark of Christian Zionism is that few will discuss the acts and words of Christ pertaining to the subject of life and death in Israel and Iraq, or the present war on Islam in general. Project Strait Gate has confirmed that leaders deceive millions of well-meaning and good-hearted followers. These false leaders include Hagee and every pastor named in this article, and many more where we have held Vigils. Each one teaches that Judeo-Christianity is "the word of God." However, many to whom we speak are self-deceived, as this writer once was. They are in the comfort zone, and we must not allow even one to hide behind the error of their leaders. Rather we must realize the need, even if kindled by our own self-interest, to spring loose some 70 million brothers and sisters from the heresy of Christian Zionism. Project Strait Gate is our way. What is yours?
"Of course, if Hagee wants to honor Israel and give it gobs of non-governmental funds, that is certainly his privilege. But to promote this under the aegis of "Christian" is, frankly, fraudulent. But 'A Night to Honor Israel' was worse than a fraud -- it was idolatrous, and this in two ways."
Jesus and His followers did not have a part to play in A Night To Honor Israel. The stated purpose of Christians United For Israel is to generate political support for Israel. Congresswoman McCollum stated:
"Well publicized public statements by Pastor Hagee demonstrate extremism, bigotry and intolerance that is repugnant."
One Rabbi described Hagee's movement, Christians United for Israel, as "AIPAC with a cross" (American Israeli Political Action Committee). One of the big signs Project Strait Gate displayed at A Night To Honor Israel at Pastor Hammond's church read, WHO WOULD JESUS BOMB? Christ never said His law is easy, and he did not make it optional or exclude those who follow John Hagee and love political Israel. Hagee ignores Jesus' admonitions in his Night to Honor Israel show, and the church hosts like Mac Hammond also ignore it. When Project Strait Gate comes to call, we often get anything but love, grace and kindness.
In each case the church has hired uniformed off-duty police to order demonstrators off public property under threat of arrest, sometimes claiming ownership of public sidewalks. Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, CA, pastured by the very public and famous John MacArthur, has been the scene of four Vigils over five years. Both women walked on the parking lot on church property after Project Strait Gate Vigils ended.
Later Project Strait Gate proved to the city engineers that the Vigil members had been on public property, and the City of Phoenix responded by forcing the church to permanently mark the right-of-ways for public use and refrain from parking cars on right-of-ways. Project Strait Gate has learned to send instructions to potential Vigil team members warning them about the attitude of church leaders, including a warning to avoid even stepping on church property. Judeo- Christian churches do not "turn the other cheek."
Word of Life Christian Center arranged a counter-demonstration to muffle Project Strait Gate, with 30-40 church staff and volunteers, about ten for every one of the vigil volunteers, surrounding each individually and physically shielding our team members from contact with arriving and departing persons. Judeo-Christians believe God places curses on anyone who is not sufficiently kind to Israel, in other words, anyone who fails to honor Israel might be eligible for a curse, an idea extrapolated from ancient verses in Genesis 12:3. It's unlikely that Mrs. Smith can quote a New Testament source of her ability to render curses, but she, like John Hagee, believes in a world where war is holy if it's war that pleases Israel.
John Hagee wraps his love of Israel around the idea of blessings for those who bless Israel, and curses for those who do not. Hagee routinely makes the following statements in publicly recorded meetings and services, here are a few:
"The blessings and curses are real...the Jewish people are prophesied"
"He (God) will bless those who bless (Israel) and curse those who curse (Israel)"
"Iran is Germany...Ahmadinejad is Hitler"
"We support Israel's right to self-defense against Gaza..."
"Long after Hamas and Hezbollah are buried in the bone yard of history...Israel will be there."
"The sleeping giant of Christian-Zionism has been awakened"
A hallmark of Christian Zionism is that few will discuss the acts and words of Christ pertaining to the subject of life and death in Israel and Iraq, or the present war on Islam in general. Project Strait Gate has confirmed that leaders deceive millions of well-meaning and good-hearted followers. These false leaders include Hagee and every pastor named in this article, and many more where we have held Vigils. Each one teaches that Judeo-Christianity is "the word of God." However, many to whom we speak are self-deceived, as this writer once was. They are in the comfort zone, and we must not allow even one to hide behind the error of their leaders. Rather we must realize the need, even if kindled by our own self-interest, to spring loose some 70 million brothers and sisters from the heresy of Christian Zionism. Project Strait Gate is our way. What is yours?
Pat Tillman: Killed by Friendly Fire or Executed by His Own Government?
09 July, 2007
The Tillman brothers were both professional athletes who enlisted in the US Army together in May 2002, 8 months after day 9/11, but before the bombing of Iraq. They were first shipped to Iraq where they lived together in the same unit; then they were transferred to Afghanistan where parties unknown killed Pat Tillman about two years after his enlistment. The Army now admits Tillman was killed by his own unit, but there appears to be much more to the story. Tillman's own brother, Kevin, who was with him every day, says Pat despised and rejected the war in Iraq as unnecessary and brutal. Pat Tillman's family has firmly rejected the Defense Department's findings on the former NFL star's friendly-fire death in Afghanistan; calling for congressional investigations into what they see as broad malfeasance and a cover-up. They are told in the reports that nine Army officers, including four generals, "made errors" in not reporting the friendly fire death to their superiors and to the Tillman family. Pat Tillman's father, a lawyer, while avoiding the legal term "murder" is having none of this explanation.
Logic dictates that we raise the possibility of Tillman's assassination by his own government. Top civilian leadership had the reason and the opportunity to assassinate Tillman, and now they are acting quite guilty.
The Tillman story has a great chance of breaking out: survivor Kevin Tillman was with his brother constantly at war. Pat and Kevin were shipped from Iraq to Afghanistan because Pat made no secret of his opinion that war in Iraq was "illegal and unjust," and he was, according to his brother, prepared to tell his story publicly at the first opportunity. The Tillman brothers were due for a furlough, and Kevin stated in interviews that Pat had arranged to meet with an anti-war journalist while at home. It seems overwhelmingly likely that Tillman was not a victim of fratricide or "friendly fire" as it is euphemistically called, but was deliberately assassinated. Tillman may not have been shot by anyone in the military. It has been asserted that even now some of Tillman's unit cannot be located for questioning.
The army had another reason to fear Tillman- his incredible determination to do what he believed was right. Kevin Tillman has said in interviews that Pat had interviews arranged when he got stateside. Pat Tillman could have been ordered into a unit at the same time as a hit team was ordered in to assassinate him. No one could say for sure if the assassin aimed at Tillman's face or not.
Patrick Tillman Sr. said: "The army killed its poster boy." Responsibility for killing Tillman might reach very high indeed in this administration. Kevin Tillman will be safer if he puts every thought on paper and places them in public hands. Let us not allow Pat Tillman's concern for his fellow man to be in vain.
From Religious Rant to Political Bombast to Spiritual Emptiness and Deception
09 July, 2007
If John Hagee's "Night to Honor Israel" extravaganza is any indication, Christian Zionism is a misnomer. From happy-clappy Jewish praise music, to love songs crooned to and about Israel, to a kitschy Hava Nagila; from invocations and benedictions that turn out to be sermons; from Muslim-bashing to Israel lauding; from dramatic processions to keynote addresses; from offerings taken and offerings given -- there was not a shred, a trace, a scintilla of Christianity in the proceedings. The PTA or the Rotary Club could well have sponsored it.
Of course, if Hagee wants to honor Israel and give it gobs of non-governmental funds that is certainly his privilege. But to promote this under the aegis of "Christian" is, frankly, fraudulent. But the "Night to Honor Israel" was worse than a fraud -- it was idolatrous, and this in two ways.
First, what was worshiped was the state of Israel, and more particularly, Jerusalem. Select passages culled from the Hebrew Bible, referring to Israel's "right" to the land -- all of Palestine -- and an undivided Jewish Jerusalem were repeated again and again ad nauseam. What were not quoted were those passages that speak of the obligation to do justice and practice mercy.
Part of the problem is in the word "prophecy." Christian Zionists, as well as most fundamentalists and millennialists, use that word almost exclusively as a means to understand present, and predict future, events. [Jewish understanding of "prophecy" also differ from Christian Zionists.] Contemporary events, seen through the spectacles of "prophecy," lead to "Rapture" and "Tribulations" and "Second Comings" and "Armageddon." Biblical passages are interpreted to coincide with that scenario.
On the other hand, prophecy in its initial sense is a human agent (the prophet) who speaks God's word for a particular existential situation. Christian Zionists would be well advised, for example, to read the book of the prophet Amos as a corrective to these skewed interpretations of various passages often quoted from Ezekiel. Daniel, and Revelation.
Second, the adulation of John Hagee, as one who is becoming the most important leader of contemporary Christian Zionism, if not idolatry, comes awfully close to it. This cult of the personality was most striking at the "Night." David Brog, Executive Director of CUFI [Christians United for Israel] extolled the virtues of Hagee in the words, "Pastor John Hagee is not an important man. Pastor John Hagee is a great man!" With the cheering and clapping and whistling and stomping of feet and raised arms of the 3000 disciples at this announcement, I was reminded of Leni Riefenstahl's film, Triumph of the Will, about the Nuremberg rallies in Nazi Germany. Hitler had his Gobbles; Hagee has his Brog.
Interspersed with religious rant from misinterpreted Hebrew Scriptures (the New Testament was not mentioned once, nor was Jesus; God got a tip of the hat only occasionally) was political bombast. Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice President of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, supplied this.
Two things were most disturbing: the advocating of violence and the racism of the Christian Zionist movement. Time and again Hoenlein, as well as Hagee, called for the bombing and possible invasion of Iran. Diplomacy is not an option since it simply conveys weakness to the 300 million (count ‘em) Muslim terrorists who "hate freedom" (that old canard) and who, if not stopped in Iran, will eventually come to our shores with suitcases full of nuclear bombs.
What is inherent in this scenario is the racism that declares the superiority of the West and western culture over against the East (read Middle East). And that racism is Manichaean -- in stark terms "they" are evil, "we" are good (so Hoenlein). The good must not only defend itself against the evil, it must wipe it out; it must obliterate it.
Finally, I am struck by the fact that throughout the speeches and the hoopla the centuries-old complaint of Jewish victim hood was juxtaposed with Israeli military triumph (also of the will), which (God?) will grant Israel. Victim or conqueror: You can't have it both ways. Hagee closed his speech with "God bless Israel and God bless the United States of America." Implied is "and God damn all those who are not us.
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