All posts in category apostasy

Dogs returning to their vomit: bad behavior of priests continues

catholic priest holding rosaryI came across two stories in the news today about Roman Catholic priests behaving badly. The first story covered a priest in Oregon who pleaded guilty to molesting a boy he invited to his house for a sleepover. Both the 47-year-old priest and the 12-year-old boy told authorities that the priest, Angel Armando Perez, gave him a beer while they watched movies.

The boy eventually fell asleep, but woke up later to find the priest fondling him while taking pictures of him with a cellphone. The horrified boy then ran from the house with Perez chasing after him. Neighbors came to the boy’s rescue and took the boy to his sister’s home.

Perez admitted he had been drinking heavily that night and claimed he didn’t remember what happened after the movie. He was arrested in August 2012 and charged with first-degree sexual abuse, DUI, furnishing alcohol to a minor, using a minor in a display of sexual conduct, and evidence tampering for deleting the explicit photos from his phone.

He pled guilty to the first three charges yesterday and prosecutors agreed to drop the last two charges. Perez was subsequently sentenced to serve more than six years in prison. The Archdiocese of Portland which employed him has had a history of sexually abusive priests and have paid tens of millions of dollars in restitution in the past.

Now we move from the Northwest to the Northeast for the second story. Roman Catholic priest Monsignor Kevin Wallin, 61, was indicted in January for taking part in a methamphetamine ring covering both the east and west coasts. He served in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, until his suspension for sexual behavior toward other men. Many of the parishioners were shocked when the charges came out.

Not only was he a meth addict, but he was running an adult video store at the same time. He pled guilty today to the drug charges and agreed to serve 11-14 years in prison.

So why does this bad behavior continue in the Roman Catholic system all over the world? It’s because the whole system is corrupt and has been from its start in the 300s AD. Sure the RCC claims they are Christian and are founded on Peter the apostle, but they’re lying and their deeds prove it. Priests continue to have affairs with women, sleep with other men, molest children, get drunk, abuse drugs, and more because they are part of a pagan system which is of the world. The bad behavior is part of their culture. If they were truly part of God’s kingdom, such behavior would not be tolerated, covered up, and promoted in their ranks behind closed doors.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on April 2, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, Catholicism, children, Christianity, crime, drugs, End times, heresy, law, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on April 2, 2013

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/dogs-returning-to-their-vomit-bad-behavior-of-priests-continues/

Jesus Seminar creates counterfeit New Testament

According to Psalm 138:2, God has magnified his word above his name. He considers what he said, as recorded in the Bible, as more important than his very name. And he backs this up with several warnings throughout the scripture not to add to or take away from what he’s said and to beware of different gospels that preach a different Christ. Tied to those warnings is the guarantee that those who do such things will face severe consequences, including curses.

However, this hasn’t stopped the Jesus Seminar people from compiling extra-biblical books that have been rejected for centuries by genuine Christians and placing them in a volume they named “The New New Testament.” It shows how puffed up and arrogant they are. Their purpose for the book? As stated in the Washington Post, they want “to add a different historical and spiritual context to the Christian scripture.” [emphases mine]

Now for any Christian who knows God and his word well enough, that statement should raise a red flag and set off blaring sirens in one’s spirit. They admit they want to add to God’s words to add a different spirit. And this spirit isn’t the Holy Spirit. The committee who put this accursed thing together comes from a variety of religious backgrounds, including Roman Catholic (no surprise there), Buddhism, Hinduism, Jewish rabbis, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Episcopalian, and Lutheran. The 19 people on this committee call themselves biblical scholars.

The writings that make up this work are the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, the Prayer of the Apostle Paul, the Secret Revelation of John, and 6 others. The thing they all have in common is they promote gnosticism. Among the false doctrines within gnostic beliefs is the idea that God is unknowable and the idea that all matter is evil. Since matter is evil, then the unknowable God would not come in human flesh. And if material beings want to ascend beyond the evil world of matter, they must have special knowledge from the unknowable God to become a demigod themselves (i.e. this is Nicolaitinism, putting certain people like clergy or scholars with their “special knowledge” on pedestals as worthy of special exaltation).

These fake scholars may deem this book as a New New Testament, but it has nothing to do with God’s new testament, ushered in by the precious blood of our sinless Lord Jesus. It’s a revamped satanic testament that asks the devil’s age-old question, “yea, hath God said…?” and then gives the false promise that if one establishes a covenant, or testament, with the devil, he will give them great intellect and power.

These people hate the real Jesus because he reveals that they need to repent of their sin so they attempt to create a false Jesus that winks at their sins and encourages their pride.

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Corinthians 11

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another… 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1

Sources:

Daniel B. Wallace. A New New Testament: Are You Serious? danielbwallace.com. March 17, 2013.

Caleb Bell. Scholars piece together a ‘new’ New Testament. Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on March 28, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, Bible, Christianity, church, clergy, End times, heresy, Jesus Christ, New Testament, religion
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http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/jesus-seminar-creates-counterfeit-new-testament/

Brilliant plagiarists: the path to one world religion

one world religionAre all religions essentially the same? Do passages in the Bible match what appears in Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and other scriptures of other religions? If one were to listen to some religious leaders today, one would think so.

But these are false assumptions because they tend to overlook two important facts regarding the scriptures of non-Christian religions:

  1. Scripture writers of the false religions (non-Christians) reserve the right to go back and change the words and meanings of their scripture texts.
  2. Some of the changes made over time to their texts incorporated beliefs that the scribes encountered from Christian missionaries or God’s word which they thought were good philosophies to adopt as their own.

For instance, in Buddhism among the parables attributed to the Buddha are “The Widow’s Two Mites,” “The Lost Son,” “The Woman at the Well,” and “The Mustard Seed.” If you were to read them, you would find they are similar to, but not nearly the same as the incidents and parables mentioned in the New Testament.

An even closer examination of Buddhist writings reveals they were actually written AFTER the New Testament was complete. It is historical fact that the New Testament was preached in India and other parts of Asia before the end of the 1st century AD, so Buddhists would have encountered a Christian apostle and/or Christian missionaries before they wrote down the Buddha’s “teachings.” Additionally, the oldest known manuscript of Buddhist scripture dates back to the 1st century AD at the very time when Christians spread the gospel in Asia.

Hinduism teaches that the Vedas and other Hindu scripture are eternal, impersonal revelations of knowledge with no author. Therefore, the whole body of truth cannot be confined to written words. Scripture to them is merely part of the whole universal truth that has to be discovered over time. This leaves them open to accept “new revelation” from gurus and Brahmans at any given time which means if they encounter something they like from another religion or philosophy, it can be incorporated into Hinduism and scripture can be added, changed, or deleted accordingly.

Since Hinduism and Buddhism coexist in the same geographical areas (Buddhism was formed by disgruntled Hindus, after all), then Hindus were exposed to Judaism and, later, Christianity at the same time as Buddhists, so Hindu religious leaders took on some teachings from Jews and Christians, twisting them to conform to their traditions. Thus, in certain places in Hindu scriptures there are similarities, but they aren’t the same as what the Bible ultimately teaches.

Islam came on the scene 600 years after Christianity and the completion of the Bible, meaning that the Arab tribes had by this time heard all about the teachings of the apostles and prophets. The prophet Mohammed did not hide the fact that his teachings were meant to be an additional revelation to what the “people of the Book” had told him. So in the Koran, personalities from the Bible are mentioned quite often. But Mohammed often made the mistake of placing them in the wrong era from when they actually lived and changed their character, personalities, and stories to match his false doctrines.

Abdollah Sarh, one of the prophet’s followers, helped write parts of the Koran and began asking the prophet Mohammed if he could rephrase, add, or take out certain parts and Mohammed agreed. Then Abdollah realized that if the prophet were truly from God, the so-called revelations Mohammed was getting would have no need of being changed. He then turned against the prophet and went around telling others the revelations were false. Abdollah was eventually killed by Mohammed when he and his army raided Mecca.

All of this shows the lack of integrity that tends to go along with those who prop up false religion. It also reveals Satan’s ultimate goal for the end times. By placing bits and pieces of what appear to be Biblical teachings in all of his false religions, he can then prompt his ministers of unrighteousness to go out and brainwash the unenlightened by using those similar-sounding texts or ideas to do the ultimate bait and switch to get them to buy into his one world religion which proclaims that all religions lead to God. Then those deceived lost souls will find out the “God” they’re really talking about is the Antichrist, Satan’s protégé, and ultimately Satan himself.

6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

8 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 13

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 30, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, Bible, Buddhism, Christianity, End times, God, heresy, Hinduism, Islam, religion

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 30, 2013

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/brilliant-plagiarists-the-path-to-one-world-religion/

Christian radio host reveals the universal, NWO big picture

Paul McGuire, Christian radio host and author, published an article today revealing why we are witnessing all the changes going on around the world. Satan and his subordinates have upped the ante on his plans to be worshiped openly and are moving at seemingly breakneck speed to accomplish his wishes because he knows his time continues to grow shorter. Paul McGuire takes us all the way back to how these plans have unfolded through the ages. But no matter what, we as Christians can rest on the Lord’s guarantee– “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” [John 16:33].

McGuire’s article, “The Luciferian Elite and the Destruction of America,” is a very good summary of the NWO and everything that goes with it.

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 14, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Antichrist, apostasy, Bible, Christianity, End times, faith, God, religion, Satan
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 14, 2013

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/christian-radio-host-reveals-the-universal-nwo-big-picture/

All organized religion is not evil, but evil religions can be organized

Two popular sayings are being bandied about concerning religion these days that are quoted so often, people don’t take the time to really examine if they’re true or not. The first saying is, “Religion, or organized religion, is evil.” And this saying is usually followed closely by the statement that all religion does is cause wars. The second saying is, “Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.”

Is organized religion really evil? Many, like Jeff Bethke the YouTube sensation, claim that Jesus came to overturn and get rid of religion. But this thinking is, in my opinion, based on a misunderstanding of what the word religion means. Religion is a system of beliefs and/or a form of worship of a god that governs one’s life. That means it’s a neutral concept that can be used for good or for bad. If Jesus came here to kill off religion, then he would not have been so adamant when he gave his reason for clearing the money changers out of the temple in Jerusalem. “My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves,” Luke 19:46. Prayer is a religious practice. Jesus’ statement shows that he is making a contrast between right and wrong regarding religion. The temple was built to be a house of prayer to God, which is good religion. The money changers made the temple a den of thieves by making the temple a marketplace to enrich themselves, which is bad religion.

Jesus made many such statements throughout his ministry. When the Pharisees asked Jesus in Mark 7 why his disciples did not perform the handwashing religious rituals they performed before a meal, Jesus said, “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” The bad religion was that Pharisees did man-made religious rituals without a heart for obeying God. He contrasted that in following verses with the good religion of worshiping God by obeying his commandments with heartfelt sincerity stemming from love.

When Jesus fulfilled his earthly ministry and went back to heaven, he left his disciples behind to take over organizing his church. This is why the Holy Spirit led them to replace Judas Iscariot [Acts 1] and why the church appointed seven deacons in Acts 6 to organize the ministry of caring for widows. Furthermore, Paul said in Ephesians 4 that God gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers “[f]or the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Paul was also inspired by the Holy Spirit to give criteria for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. God ordained organization for the Christian church because where there is no organization, there is confusion and God is not the author of confusion.

James, the brother of Jesus, even tells us there is good religion and bad religion–”If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world,” James 1:26-27. Since James tells us Father God considers certain practices from a genuine God-loving heart as pure religion and undefiled, we know that Christianity is not just a relationship, as the popular saying goes, but Christianity also prompts good religion like caring for the poor and less fortunate when they need help. It also prompts us to the good religion of guarding, or keeping, ourselves from the sinful, evil, tainted views and practices of the world system.

What has turned people against organized religion is people like Diotrephes in 3 John:

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Diotrephes displayed bad organized religion in that he lorded over the congregation, rejected God’s word that came through the apostles, spoke evil of God’s word that came via the apostles, rejected those who believed in what the apostles said, and excommunicated anyone who stood true to what the apostles wrote. That is what has caused wars through the centuries and what happens today when organized religion questions, manipulates, or rejects the Bible in favor of sin and self-exaltation. But that doesn’t make all organized religion evil, it just makes certain organizers of certain organized religions evil and that is the distinction that needs to be made.

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on September 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, Bible, Christianity, church, clergy, End times, faith, God, heresy, Jesus Christ, religion

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on September 27, 2012

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/all-organized-religion-is-not-evil-but-evil-religions-can-be-organized/

Eating food offered to idols: a church celebrates Ramadan

A few years ago, I wouldn’t even be mentioning this because it wouldn’t have happened. A so-called “Christian” church is fixing meals for Muslims in Sacramento, California, to commemorate the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting during the day, then feasting at night with a meal called iftar.

So why is the church doing this? In the words of the church’s pastor, “We want to teach about the similarities in the Bible and Quran. There is too big a division today between Western society and the Arab world. …I believe that Jesus wants us to share his love.” If I didn’t know what godly unity was or what Jesus’ love was really about or what the Bible teaches, I would think that this endeavor was such a nice, sweet gesture. The pastor is basically pushing Chrislam, a new trend in the “emergent” churches that attempts to marry Christianity with Islam in the same way Constantine the Great married his Roman paganism to Christianity in the 300s AD.

Does the Bible actually address such a situation? Or am I just perturbed for no reason? Glad you asked. The writers of the Bible who ventured to the four corners of the globe to spread the gospel were surrounded by pagan cultures. They preached to pagans to convert them to the truth of God’s word. And with the conversions there were some controversies that arose, which Paul had to address in 1 Corinthians 8:4-13. When I was growing up, preachers usually fast forwarded through this passage since it never really happened because there was never talk of observing non-Christian holidays. But here’s the passage:

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

The pastor of the First Covenant Church of Sacramento, Mark Shetler, is teaching false doctrine by celebrating iftar. He is teaching Allah = Jehovah, which is false. He is teaching there should be unity between the Lord Jesus Christ and those who do not believe Jesus Christ is Lord. He is teaching that sharing Jesus’ love means compromise to accept similarities with other religions. But God’s word, written by Paul, says the opposite. Shetler and his church are placing a stumblingblock in the path of the converts from Islam to the only spiritual truth there is, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no man comes to the Father but by him.

If a believer who was once pagan sees Christians participating in Ramadan’s iftar, and their understanding is that iftar is done to worship Allah, the convert is being told that celebrating Ramadan is fine. Then the convert may participate in Ramadan themselves all the while having in their mind they are honoring the false god Allah because their brothers and sisters in Christ said it’s okay. In doing so, the Christians have caused that convert to stumble and have defiled that convert’s conscience. Paul didn’t say this was sharing Jesus’ love. He said this would cause the weak brother to perish and is sinning against Christ [verses 11-12]. It shows that this church doesn’t care about lost souls or about what God wants, which is in opposition to Jesus’ love.

Source: Uzra Khan. Christian Church Cooks Ritual Ramadan Meal for Muslim Neighbors. HispanicBusiness.com. July 27, 2012.

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on July 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, Bible, Christianity, church, clergy, End times, idolatry, Islam, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on July 28, 2012

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/eating-food-offered-to-idols-a-church-celebrates-ramadan/

Gay Episcopalian praises gay Presbyterians for church confusion

In a speech to the Presbyterian Church (USA) on June 30, Gene Robinson, the first openly homosexual bishop of the Episcopal Church, spoke the praises of LGBT people in the PCUSA for their fight to make their sexual sins acceptable. He complimented them for stirring up “enormous confusion” and “holy chaos” in the denomination over sexuality and their push in favor of the acceptance of sodomitic practices.

Robinson then proceeded to make claims such as, “Let’s take the Bible back from those who have taken it hostage,” and “The sin we are fighting in this movement is the notion that it is better to be heterosexual than it is to be homosexual.” He also quoted several scriptures and twisted them to mean God has no problem with sexual sins like sodomy.

Basically, Robinson in his speech revealed who he is really rooting for in the church–Satan. The very first person to ever cause confusion and stir up chaos was Lucifer in his rebellion against God and God’s holy angels in heaven. Satan then moved on to cause confusion in the minds of Adam and Eve that led them to be divided from God. God is not the author of confusion [1 Corinthians 14:33], and confusion only appears when there is a lack of faith in God and in what God says. Since God makes it clear he is against sexual sin like homosexuality, people like Robinson who call for chaos and confusion in the church have shown who their true spiritual father is.

God commanded via Paul, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience,” [Ephesians 5:6]. That’s exactly what Robinson and those like him do. They use vain words to deceive. The things that bring the wrath of God that Paul was talking about are mentioned in the previous verses. Among them is whoremongering, a term used for men who play the whore with other men.

In the previous chapter of Ephesians, Paul points out that when we understand only the Lord Jesus is head of the church and he works in every member of the church to supply everything the church needs so it can increase and be edified in godly things [Ephesians 4:15-16], then we will not be like other Gentiles, who do the following:

  • They walk in the vanity of their mind. [Eph. 4:17]
  • They have their understanding darkened. [Eph. 4:18]
  • They are alienated from the life of God by their ignorance and blindness of their heart. [v. 18]
  • They give themselves over to lasciviousness (lust without boundaries), all types of uncleanness and greed. [v. 19]

Robinson and those like him are guilty of such things. His idea that it’s a sin to think heterosexuality is better than homosexuality proves he is of the devil since God is the one who created the notion that humans should be heterosexual, not homosexual in Genesis 2. Those in the church promoting such ungodly ideas are like the Jezebel of the church at Thyatira who taught people to fornicate.

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [Romans 1]

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [male prostitute], nor abusers of themselves with mankind [a man who lies with other men], 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [1 Corinthians 6]

Source: Lillian Kwon. Gay Bishop Commends LGBT Presbyterians for ‘Confusing’ the Church on Homosexuality. Christianpost.com. July 2, 2012.

Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on July 2, 2012  •  Permalink
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http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/gay-episcopalian-praises-gay-presbyterians-for-church-confusion/

Washington state senator twists Bible to support gay marriage

Washington State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen recently voted in favor of Washington’s bill to legalize same sex marriage. She then proudly proclaimed on her blog why she as a “Christian” found it necessary to support it. Those in favor of gay marriage are now using her as an example of why Christians should “set aside their personal prejudices in the name of equality.”

Ms. Haugen, claiming to be a “committed Christian”, stated “…when I accepted the Lord, I became more tolerant of others. I stopped judging people and try to live by the Golden Rule. This is part of my decision. I do not believe it is my role to judge others, regardless of my personal beliefs. It’s not always easy to do that. For me personally, I have always believed in traditional marriage between a man and a woman. That is what I believe, to this day. But this issue isn’t about just what I believe. It’s about respecting others, including people who may believe differently than I. It’s about whether everyone has the same opportunities for love and companionship and family and security that I have enjoyed.”

Her statement clearly shows she really isn’t the committed Christian she has deceived herself and others into believing she is. If she were, she would know everything in her statement goes against what the Bible actually teaches. Accepting the Lord may make you tolerant of others, but it makes you hate sin and makes you instruct people NOT to sin. When Jesus convicted the religious leaders who wanted to kill the woman caught in adultery, he told the adulterous woman to “go, and sin no more,” [John 8:11]. Following in Christ’s footsteps, his disciples told people such things as “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded,” [James 4:8]. For Christ and his disciples to make such statements, it means they judged others to determine if their works were good or evil, even as Christians today should do.

Ms. Haugen also mentioned the Golden Rule. But no one in the Bible ever called it the Golden Rule. It was a term created by men, but here’s what Jesus said in its proper context–

11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [Matthew 7]

The underlying theme of the “golden rule” includes the humility of recognizing and turning away from one’s own sins before helping someone else who is on the wrong track. It is NOT the idea that “I’m not going to do anything about my sin, so I won’t do or say anything about your sin either.” This is what so many people imply, like Ms. Haugen, when they bring up the “golden rule.”

If Ms. Haugen were a committed Christian as she claims, she would have the discernment to know that gay marriage is not about everyone having “the same opportunities for love and companionship and family and security.” Gay marriage is about violating the free speech and freedom of religion of others who stand against their views. If supporters of gay marriage were so concerned about the “golden rule” of treating others like you want to be treated, then why are they trying to get people fired or arrested or found guilty of a hate crime who simply say that homosexuality is wrong? Those in favor of gay rights couldn’t care less about the golden rule or tolerating others.

Gay marriage is not about love. It’s about wanting to fulfill one’s lusts at the expense of what strengthens a society. It’s about making a mockery of and diminishing the importance of what has been established as right and good throughout the centuries.

Ms. Haugen reminds me of the woman Jesus spoke against in the church at Thyatira– Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. [Revelation 2:20].

Homosexuality has always been, and will always be, an act of fornication. All fornication, or sex outside of God’s established & accepted form of marriage between a man and woman, is a sin. So Ms. Haugen has basically shown herself to be a liar and a hypocrite.

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [1 Corinthians 6]

Source: Editorial. Faith-based tolerance on gay marriage. LATimes.com. Sunday, February 5, 2012.

–Harry A. Gaylord–

 

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by Harry A. Gaylord on February 5, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on February 5, 2012

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/washington-state-senator-twists-bible-to-support-gay-marriage/

Abrahamic faiths unite for interfaith complex in Omaha

A group of Christians, Jews, and Muslims have united to build a close to $50 million interfaith complex on 35 acres of land in Omaha, Nebraska. The Tri-Faith Project (TFP) will include a temple, a mosque, a church, and a community center where all three groups can host common gatherings. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013 and is being built on the grounds of a former country club.

TFP is geared toward establishing mutual understanding, tolerance, and friendship among the so-called “three Abrahamic faiths.” Tim Anderson from Episcopal Tri-Faith Ministries, representing “Christians”, stated “In our baptismal covenant in the Episcopal Church we make the following promises: to seek and serve Christ in all persons; to love our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all people; and to respect the dignity of every human being. We will now have a unique opportunity to live out those promises [with TFP].”

The leader of Temple Israel, John Lehr, representing the Jews involved claims that “…we are now poised to congregate…in a peaceful and beautiful multi-faith neighborhood, linked together by bridges of dialogue and mutual understanding.” And Syed M. Mohiuddin, leader of the Islamic center, says “In a time when the world is engaged in building walls, this is a celebration of building bridges. As the Holy Qur’an reminds us of the common bond among us… Our God and your God is one and the same: and it is to him we submit.”

I don’t know about you, but such statements make me want to puke. There is only one Abrahamic faith and that Abrahamic faith is true Christianity, which states salvation comes by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Episcopalian, Tim Anderson, has mixed false idolatrous new age doctrines into his beliefs by claiming he serves the Christ in all persons. Christ is only in those who believe and confess Jesus Christ is Lord. The idea that Christ is in everyone is universalist, new age hogwash.

This is another case of false religion dressed up to look like the truth to deceive people so they can bring everyone closer to one world religion.

16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6.

Source: Nick Meyer. Tri-Faith project to construct multi-million dollar interfaith complex in America’s heartland. The Arab American News.

posted by Harry A. Gaylord

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 2, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, Christianity, clergy, heresy, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 2, 2012

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/abrahamic-faiths-unite-for-interfaith-complex-in-omaha/

Closeted atheists pastoring Christian churches

ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer aired a segment last night about two pastors over Southern Baptist churches who have lost their faith.  The segment was reported by Dan Harris and the two pastors remained anonymous with their voices altered and faces in the dark.

The first pastor who was interviewed claimed that he lost his faith in God after reading the Bible.  He said that the Bible had stories which he just found to be unbelievable and the Bible left him with too many questions unanswered.  The fact that he was now an atheist is something he has hidden from his family, his friends, and his congregation.

The second pastor said that he lost his faith after reading books by well-known atheists like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.  His original plan for reading the books was to look at their arguments in favor of atheism so he could tear them down.  But reading the books ended up converting him to atheist views.  He too has hidden his atheism from everyone around him.

Both men said they only preach to their congregations the parts of the Bible they agree with.  They also mentioned they are holding on to their positions until the economy improves and they lack the skills to do other types of work since they only attended seminary.

I have to admit I was disgusted with several things in this segment.  Firstly, I would have felt better if a Christian news program had reported the story since the secular media loves taking potshots at Christianity.  I don’t think it was just coincidence that the pastors interviewed were Southern Baptists, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.

Secondly, I was disgusted at how selfish these men were.  So selfish that they didn’t want to reveal their identities so they could continue deceiving the people who give their hard earned money to help pay these pastors’ salaries because they believe these pastors are looking out for their best interests.  They are also so selfish that they weren’t actively trying to find a different place to work.  It also seemed that they were full of self-pity as if they were the real victims.

Thirdly, I was disgusted that these men just went with their “feelings” instead of doing more thorough research to try to resolve their doubts.  For instance, the first pastor said he couldn’t see how the story of Noah’s ark could be true.  But if he had done his due diligence, a simple Google search could have led him to websites with rational explanations about how believable a worldwide flood is and how the ark Noah built could withstand the harshest conditions and that its proportions as mentioned in the Bible are the basis for all modern day ocean vessels. 

There are also television programs on the NRB network that address many of the skeptical arguments brought up by atheists and evolutionists about the Bible.  The bulk of this Christian apologetic programming is on from Monday to Wednesday of every week.  But I guess these men were too busy nurturing their feelings, having their own pity parties, and were too lazy to get off their duffs to surf the web,  go to their local Christian bookstore, or hike it to the local public library to do some serious research.

But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by all of this.  We are warned time and time again about the great falling away in the Bible.  Paul even gathered up the church elders at Ephesus in Acts 20 and wept over the fact that “after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”  When I was in college in the late 80′s to early 90′s, I became friends with a minister who was attending seminary in Chicago who told me with great disappointment that many of his classmates in seminary didn’t believe in Jesus or the Bible and they thought pastoring a church was just like any another vocation.

The admission of these pastors also illustrates why there is so much division in churches and denominations sparked by church leaders and congregants who don’t want to recognize what the Bible calls sin as really being a sin.  All of this serves as a stark reminder that a Christian’s complete faith and trust should be only in the Lord, because sooner or later humans will let you down. 

Those of us who have pastors that go the extra mile and genuinely show God’s love and display the fruits of the Spirit with genuineness should thank God for them and make sure we show them the love and encouragement they deserve.

For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD… [Jeremiah 10:21]

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves … Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. …Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  [2 Timothy 3:1, 2, 5, 7]

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. [1 Timothy 5:17]

–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on November 10, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in apostasy, atheism, Christianity, church, End times, life, preaching, religion
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Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on November 10, 2010

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/closeted-atheists-pastoring-christian-churches/

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