I've pretty much stopped posting here due to the lack of interest (readers and comments), but thought I should add a follow-up to my last post: The government backed down on the San Diego Bible study ban due to public reaction (for now at least).
On Good Friday official government terrorists in San Diego entered a PRIVATE HOME when 15 Christians were studying the Bible and ordered to cease and desist from studying the Bible!!!!
The terrorists asked if the prayed and said "Amen." When the couple who owned the home admited they did both they were told that their meeting WAS ILLEGAL!!! In order to meet they would have to pay the terrorist state junta leaders thousands of dollars for a PERMIT!
This IS for real folks!
Here's an overview and links for more!
Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit
Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, Calif. home for a Bible study — unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.
"On Good Friday we had an employee from San Diego County come to our house, and inform us that the Bible study that we were having was a religious assembly, and in violation of the code in the county." David Jones told FOX News.
"We told them this is not really a religious assembly — this is just a Bible study with friends. We have a meal, we pray, that was all," Jones said.
A few days later, the couple received a written warning that cited "unlawful use of land," ordering them to either "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit," the couple's attorney Dean Broyles told San Diego news station 10News.
But the major use permit could cost the Jones' thousands of dollars just to have a few friends over.
For David and Mary Jones, it's about more than a question of money.
"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," Broyles told FOX News. "I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their grave if they saw that here in the year 2009, a pastor and his wife are being told that they cannot hold a simple Bible study in their own home."
"The implications are great because it’s not only us that’s involved," Mary Jones said. "There are thousands and thousands of Bible studies that are held all across the country. What we’re interested in is setting a precedent here — before it goes any further — and that we have it settled for the future."
The couple is planning to dispute the county's order this week.
If San Diego County refuses to allow the pastor and his wife to continue gathering without acquiring a permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.
Hard to Get, by Rich Mullin A Powerful and Insightful Prayer
This is one of my favorite songs!
Especially today in these chaotic times people often ask, "Where is God?"
"Has He abandoned us?"
"Does He care?"
-- He's been here all along!
Trust in God. He has not abandoned those who seek Him in faith.
Some people point their fingers and chide, "If you REALLY believed you would not...."
Some even say that God hates these or those people...
But as Mr. Mullin sings, "I can't see how You're leading me unless You've led me here.
Trust in God. He has not abandoned those who seek Him in faith.
No matter what others might say.
The strength of religious faith is seen by the love it invokes, not in judgmentalism and condemnation.
Trust in God. He has not abandoned those who seek Him in faith.
I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love
Wherever you are in your life, God is there with you.
Even though at times He seem to be so hard to get...
You who live in heaven Hear the prayers of those of us who live on earth Who are afraid of being left by those we love And who get hardened by the hurt
Do you remember when You lived down here where we all scrape To find the faith to ask for daily bread Did You forget about us after You had flown away Well I memorized every word You said
Still I'm so scared, I'm holding my breath While You're up there just playing hard to get You who live in radiance Hear the prayers of those of us who live in skin We have a love that's not as patient as Yours was Still we do love now and then
Did You ever know loneliness Did You ever know need Do You remember just how long a night can get? When You were barely holding on And Your friends fall asleep And don't see the blood that's running in Your sweat
Will those who mourn be left uncomforted While You're up there just playing hard to get?
And I know you bore our sorrows And I know you feel our pain And I know it would not hurt any less Even if it could be explained
And I know that I am only lashing out At the One who loves me most And after I figured this, somehow All I really need to know
Is if You who live in eternity Hear the prayers of those of us who live in time We can't see what's ahead And we can not get free of what we've left behind I'm reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears All the words of shame and doubt, blame and regret
I can't see how You're leading me unless You've led me here Where I'm lost enough to let myself be led And so You've been here all along I guess It's just Your ways and You are just plain hard to get
i don't bewlieve in any religion in this world i just want find the truth acording to my stright mind and balancing with nature please gv me any suggestion
My reply:
Hi J...,
This should be the desire of us all... sadly its not.
Religion, ALL religion, is human created to try and categorize the truths presented by some master (or lineage in the case of Hinduism which has no founder).
The Master (whichever master) said this, that, this and that.
The followers heard what was said and interpreted that, this, that, this and this.
... And a new religion was born. They got some of it right and some of it wrong and they went on from there and established dogma.
The best answer to your question that I have found is to not be a "follower" but a doer. In other words, study the lives of those who have achieved spiritual realization and learn from their examples. Study the scriptures and learn their wisdom. Then as you learn, apply this wisdom to your own life and practice as your Inner Guide (the Holy Spirit, Paramatman -- pick your favorite term) leads you. I call this "AllFaith Spirituality" for lack of a better term.
Master Y'shua (Jesus) for instance spent countless hours in prayer and meditation. Do likewise. He fasted for long periods of time, do that. He carefully studied the Scriptures (in his case the Torah and Tanack) seeking to understand the Will of his Father, study.
Master Gautama (the Buddha) found his "Middle Way" after leaving society and practicing extreme asceticism. Through this experience he was ready to hear the teaching of the Vina teacher to his student, 'String it too tight and the string will break, too loose and it will not properly sound.' Seek balance.
Master Lao Tsu (in Tao Te Ching) discovered the impermanence of the "ten thousand things" and the required balance of Yin and Yang to achieve Tao (perfect harmony), seek harmony.
And so on.
In other words, do what they DID rather than following what others say they taught and trust your Inner Voice to keep you on tract.
WHY is the "cross of Jesus" important?
Why is the "blood of Jesus" significant?
WHY does the Hindu honor the murtis?
WHY does the Zen master focus on his navel?
WHY did Master Y'shua consider God to be his Father?
Why did the Gopis consider God to be their Lover?
Why did Mother Yashoda consider God to be her Child?
WHY do the Pagans dance widdershins sometimes but Deosil at others?
Why don't Sikhs cut their hair?
Why do Vaisnavas shave their heads except for the sikha (the "pony tail" atop their shaved heads)?
Why don't devout Muslim men shave their faces?
Why do the Dervish and Sufis dance?
Why don't the Amish, Four Square Christians and others dance?
Why do the Quakers worship in silence?
Why do the Charismatics and Pentecostals raise such a ruckus of sound when they worship?
What do the various verses of Holy Scripture tell us when read without the study aids?
And so on... As the Tanack encourages:
"Come, let Us reason together says HaShem."
Reason with the God of your understanding!
That's why we have this unique ability in the first place!
THINK!
Ask questions!
Dig deeper!
Seek -- then you WILL find! This was one of Master Y'shua's most solemn promises.
Truth has ever been available for those who seek it.
Seek it.
It is known in many forms.
And always remember, there IS a vital place for religion, for the acceptance of established teachings and creeds. Organized religion gave us education, medicine, alphabets, civil law, ethics and morality, farming, the foundations of science and so very much more. HONOR religion. Defend religious freedom. Respect those with sincere religious faith and seek to never diminish their beliefs or their faith, even as you seek to transcend creeds and dogmas.
Most people are never going to actively devote themselves to seeking Truth. Its just a fact. The vast majority of people, including the vast majority of religious people, focus on their daily lives, on paying their bills, on raising their kids, doing their jobs and so on. They have no inclination to examine these truths in any real depth. And that's OK! We are all here for different reasons!
Judge not lest ye be judged.
Follow YOUR path with love.
Religion can benefit these people immensely.
You have probably read this at my website, but this is what I believe:
Hello! I have several questions for you. I have been struggling recently on the subject of how to live as a follower of Jesus in this world, and am finding it very difficult....
The question is rather long but is essentially concerns defining what a Christian is and why the Church seems to be so far removed from the teachings of Master Y'shua.
My reply:
Hi Abbey,
First, I can absolutely relate with what you are saying here.
Understand that Nicean Christianity (ie Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant Christianity of all denominations and sects) is not based on the teachings of Jesus, but on Paul and on the decisions of the early Church counsels, especially those of the Nicean Council.
Why this is so is debated. Sensing your sincerity I will share one possible answer that much of the Church will not accept.
In the earliest years of the Church (around the mid 300's) what is known as the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes was accepted by the established Church. What this heresy is can be and is debated. I want to be VERY clear on this point. What follows is NOT the generally accepted history of the Church. It is however one that is completely defensible and fully plausible and that explains a great deal in my opinion.
According to the Catholic Church, when Jesus told Peter, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," he was appointing Peter as the first Catholic Pope and instituting the Church. If this view is accepted, the Catholic Church began around 32 CE. and its teachings are presumably those of Jesus (Master Y'shua) and his first followers.
It can be argued however that in 312 CE when Emperor Constantine proclaimed he had had a vision to unite the Roman Empire under a universal (i.e. "catholic") church (community), this began the Roman Catholic Church and what we today know of as Christianity in almost all its forms. Others point to earlier dates (to certain of the "Church fathers") or later dates (to Nicea or other councils).
In my opinion, the Catholic Church began on February 27, 380 when Emperor Theodosius issued his edict, De Fide Catolica, in Thessalonica, published in Constantinople, declaring Catholic Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire. The exact date doesn't matter though.
Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE the followers of Master Y'shua (who were mainly Jews), like the other Jews, spread out through the known world in what is known as the Diaspora. These dispersed people studied and prayed and sought God's direction according to their ability and knowledge.
Some of these people supported merging their Y'shua-Reformed Jewish doctrines with the Roman Pagan doctrines in an attempt to lessen the persecutions and gain official recognition (and protection) from the Empire. This, in my opinion, is how the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes condemned in the first three chapters of John's Revelations (for instance 2:15: So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate) entered into the Church of God.
As Gentiles gradually began to predominate within the various Way communities and congregations, the followers of Master Y'shua became increasingly diverse in their beliefs. The competing "Christianities" of the day were presented and defended, but there was a severe lack of knowledge of the Jewish roots of the Movement. Political expediency, sincere faith, diverse cultural, religious and social paradigms, mystic visions, etc. etc. all contributed to the various teachings and dogmas accepted as "the Way."
Constantine, if given the benefit of the doubt (which I don't) sought to unify the diverse doctrine of the Church under a single doctrine and authority. He succeeded and the Papacy became the official voice of the New Religion.
Under the authority (religious and political) of Constantine and the Roman Empire, the Nicolaitanes won these struggles and established the official Christian Church. These Roman Christians were acquainted with the Pagan world view and religions but were largely ignorant of Jewish scripture and doctrine. The alterations to Judaism made by Master Y'shua (rejecting the Oral Torah etc) meant nothing to these reformers. In order to unite the various Roman sects the Papacy carefully merged teachings, redefined doctrine, implemented orders, and established a new religion that had never before existed.
In the New Testament John, Paul and others warn that Paganism and other "heretical views" were being introduced into the Church. It can be effectively argued that these Romanized teachings (such as Christmas -- the birth of the Sun God worshiped by Constantine; Easter -- Creation Day of Goddess Eaostar; Hell -- abode of the God Hades and so on) were included in these warnings.
On February 27, 380 CE Emperor Theodosius established the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes as the official doctrine of the new Nicean Christian Faith and began a brutal campaign against the "Judaizers": those who sought the Jewish roots of the Way. This is why Christianity bears so few similarities to Master's Y'shua's religion.
Other would-be followers of Master Y'shua sought more mystical approaches (the Gnostics etc.). As time went by there were many "Christianities" not just one and these were incredibly diverse in their teachings and beliefs. Some Nazarenes believed one thing, others another. Some accepted the Roman Cannon (the New Testament) as Scripture, some accepted books (the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Barnabas, the Books of Enoch etc) that the official Church rejected.
Once the form of Christianity embraced by the pro-Roman factions gained political power and recognition the Catholic Church began a long process of distilling and canonizing its beliefs into a Roman hierarchically authorized form. This form is what we today refer to as Roman Catholicism.
Other forms of Christian religion continued as well, but these were largely forced underground by severe persecution and Papal Bulls, by the Holy Inquisition, and so on.
Sects like the Abegensians, Cathers, Arians, Anabaptists, various Gnostic sects, the Coptic Church, etc. maintained their teachings as the arguably true Christian faith but by this point it is impossible to identify any of these as being truly apostolic (as the preserved teachings of the Apostles). In time most of these sects were destroyed by the might of the Catholic Church or simply faded away and yet the Papacy never managed to completely destroy the other sects' teachings. These remained as officially condemned heresies.
Eventually the Roman Catholic Church split into the Eastern and Western (Orthodox and Roman) Catholic Church, each claiming to be the original. Later of course the Church of England (Anglican) left the Roman Church and still later came the Protestant Reformation happened and so on. Each group claiming to be the restoration of the One True Church revealed by Master Y'shua and yet each maintaining the essential doctrines of the Nicolaitanes which by this point was accepted as "biblical Christianity."
Which if any of these are the original is a matter of personal faith.
At my Noahide Nazarene web site (allfaith.com/Religions/No...) I present a few studies that I believe are most likely harmonious with the original teachings of Master Y'shua but again, no one can factually claim to know what the Master taught in detail.
For those wishing to rediscovered the Master's teachings a few points are important to bear in mind in my opinion:
The Master was Jewish and viewed the world from a Hebrew, first century paradigm.
The Master believed "the Jews" to be the eternally Chosen People but that they had compromised the faith by embracing the Oral Torah and its teachings, especially its legalism.
The Master was far more concerned with the heart than with the performance of ritual observance.
The Master did not teach Gentiles and he did not come to establish a new religion.
The Master believed HaShem ("the Name", i.e. the God of Israel) is God of the whole world and would accept everyone who comes to Him in faith.
As non-Jews we are not under the 613 Laws of Moses.
Seven Laws for all people can be discerned from the Book of Genesis and these are the Laws followers of Master Y'shua (and all other Noahides) are called to obey:
The Noahide Laws
1. Worship Only HaShem 2. Honor and Praise HaShem 3. Respect and Protect Human Life 4. Respect the Family 5. Respect the Rights and Properties of Others 6. Respect the Sanctity of all Life 7. Pursue Justice
If you look at the lack of faith and piety manifested by others you will ALWAYS be disappointed. ALL of us sinful. ALL of us err.
Concerning the Church of these Last Days Master Y'shua told John:
Rev 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. 16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. 17 Because you says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint yours eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
This is why you find so few examples of true faith today.
What you (I and all others who are sincerely seeking God) need to do is found in the next verses:
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Or as Prophet Micah has it:
6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
We are to invite the Spirit of HaShem into our consciousness and seek to live in harmony with
His Holy Will with Master Y'shua as our chief teacher and guide.
Hope this helps,
If you have further questions feel free to write back any time.
The following is "one of those stories that if not true should be." Maybe it is. I sort of hope it is.
My brother Tim (who posts here every now and again), is a very devout "Bible Believing" Independent minister (read Baptist hehe) who, in my opinion, has come to understand what being a Christian really means.
First a memory... Back in the 70's, not sure what year this was, I was a street minister on the streets of Atlanta (working with as an evangelist with a group called the Fisher's of Men and a suburban main-line Church of God in Marietta). One night my older brother Tim asked to join me and something truly wonderful happened. We had paused in the small "central park" downtown to rest our legs when I struck up a conversation with an African American "woman of the streets" as they say. As we talked, she began to weep and poured out her heart to us about her troubles. She ended by telling us that, "Obviously God can't love me so I don't know what to do," As we ministered to her about God's love my brother was hooked! Now he serves at an area church and weekly volunteers at a downtown rescue mission.
He just sent this story to me and I'd like to share it as food for thought with you. What would you have done in this situation?
A Living "Bible"
His name is Tom. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, Jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Tom decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Tom starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Tom gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Tom .
Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly.
He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Tom and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister regains control, he says, 'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'
'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!'
So... What does it mean to be a Believer?
Is Christianity properly manifested in hateful words of condemnation?
Will such accusations and allegations draw people to God?
Is it not better, and more effective, to love people?
And to assure them that God loves them?
Too many Believers (of whatever religion) have lost sight of this.
I've been having an interesting conversation with a friend (bigsmooth451) at the Liberty Republican Club and thought I'd share this bit with my friends here. It related to all the topics in the title and more.
As always, your thoughts are encouraged.
You (i.e bigsmooth451): Perhaps the question is whether President Obama should meet with representatives of the so-called Taliban at all.
JoA: Sheik Obama should not meet with the Taliban for several reasons. * As an Operative of al Ikhwan (the Muslim Brotherhood) ANY agreements he might make with them would be immediately suspect.
* There are NO moderate Taliban. Its an insulting concept both to the Taliban and to intelligence of the American people. The creed of the Taliban is completely inimical to the well being and safety of the United States and ANY negotiations with them would be completely meaning. Nothing but Taqiyya (Sharia justified deception of the infidels).
* The only legitimate offer of negotiation the bad guys (the US) can offer is compromise or surrender. He wont do the later and the former, as I've said, would be meaningless.
* What Obama should do, but wont, is make a formal announcement that the US wars against Afghanistan and Iraq were unjust from the beginning and that he is immediately withdrawing all US and globalist forces from the theater. AND that this action, while technically a surrender, should not be viewed as an acknowledgment of weakness. That if the Ummah attacks the US or Israel the US will use all means at its disposal to obliterate our attackers. The US has lost these wars, like it lost Vietnam, because these wars are not justified and are, in fact utterly immoral.
I think the US needs to do several things (not necessarily in this order).
What do you think? What would you add or remove from my list?
1. Immediately pull out of ALL wars. 2. Immediately declare our absolute support for our established allies, starting with Israel. 3. Immediately pull out of the UN 4. Immediately declare the Federal Reserve a terrorist organization and return control of US currency to the Congress. 5. Remove Obama from office because he is not a natural born US citizen (nor even a citizen) and hence is ineligible to be president. 6. Repeal the Patriot Act. 7. Dismantle the Department of Homeland Security. 8. Triple the taxes on ALL US companies that outsource jobs and add a hefty tax on all imported items owned by U.S. based companies or companies formerly based here. 9. Immediately restore Habeas Corpus protection. 10. Restore the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution. 11. Convict and remove ALL sitting members of the US Supreme Court for High Treason for allowing Bush and Obama to act as President and for approving anti-Constitutional measures. 12. Remove all members of Congress who voted to support the illegal agenda of Bush and Obama (which would include almost all of them except possibly Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinitch 13. Fire ALL local police chiefs, sheriffs, fire chiefs, mayors etc. who have allowed the US military to use their positions of trust illegally. 14. Restore Posse Comitatus 15. Return the US economy to the gold and silver standard. 16. Remove ALL aid from ALL countries that refuse to recognize Israel's sovereignty and right to exist. 17. Reaffirm and re-implement the sovereignty of the U.S. States. 18. Outlaw abortion except in cases where the mother's life is absolutely threatened and charge all future abortionists and those who utilize them with first degree murder. 19. Stop ALL immigration into the US until we regain control of our nation economically and security wise. 20 IMMEDIATELY begin deporting ALL illegal aliens from the US (after imprisoning those who are guilty of other crimes as described by US law). 21. Immediately secure all US borders. 22. Outlaw the selling of critical US interests to non-US citizens or companies (including toll roads, ports, prisons, water systems, health care systems etc.). 23. Establish a commission to review all US laws and confirm they are harmonious with the US Constitution and Bill of Rights and intelligently appeal those that are not. 24. Abolish the IRS (almost the entire US tax system is illegal). 25. Restore the free media by outlawing media monopolies and government censorship. 26. Immediately pull the US out of NATO 27. Declare English the only official language of the U.S. and require English proficiency of all US citizens and applicants for citizenship. 28. End ALL government interference in the practice of religion 29. End ALL government attacks on religion and religious faith 30. End the granting of "human rights" to corporations and hold the leadership of the companies legally responsible for what their companies do. 31. Allow teachers to teach without federal oversight and dictation.
This would be a good start... Of course much more needs to be done...
You: To those who view the conflict between muslims and Christians as a spiritual battle probably not.Perhaps to pious Christians the conflict is seen to be between Good and Evil.Many muslims have the same view they see the decadence of western civilization and will fight and die to keep that influence from their people especially the young people.
JoA: Most Christians in the West have no idea what Islam is or believes and to my continuing amazement most don't care! Check out the post I did here a while back where I explain what Shahada is. A poster said, "Islam blah blah blah..." and others agreed, 'We just need to kill em all who cares what they believe...' Ignorance is NOT bliss!
Far too many Westerners, including Christians, do view the deen (religion) as evil. It is NOT! It is a FAR MORE pious and devout faith than present day Nicean Christianity in almost every way. While I disagree with many points of Sharia (Islamic law) and how the Ummah (political Islam) is carrying these out, that does not make Islam evil! I have however read and heard many Christians refer to Islam as a cult, as an evil religion, a devil worshiping religion etc. Such Christians have NO idea what Islam is or they would never make such ridiculous comments. -- just my two cents on this.
Islam only exists today because of the lack of Jewish and Christian piety and obedience to God. This is shown clearly in the Torah and Tanack. Had the biblical Hebrews obeyed HaShem Islam would not exist. Had Christianity remained true to the teachings of Master Y'shua and not embraced the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes Islam would not exist today.
Well said my friend, indeed Islam is desperately fighting for the survival of their culture and religion, their morality and their freedom from the global Elite. FOR THIS Muslims deserve our respect. Christianity has crumbled before the onslaught of Secular Humanism while Islam is standing firm, by contrast.
Muslims have witnessed the near destruction of Christianity -- as the biblical prophets foretold would happen to the Church of the End Times:
To the Christians of our generation Master Y'shua himself directly says:
Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Yet the prophecy goes on to show that most will not repent. Most Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Agnostics, Atheists, and others will embrace the coming Rex Mundi as Messiah, as Avatar, as Savior, as Global Teacher, as Maitreya, as Prince of Peace, etc.
And they will be wrong.
I am dumbfounded by the numbers of Christians who cite Romans 13 and say its a sin to resist evil governments! Who are almost celebrating right now because they WRONGLY believe this mess means they will soon be Raptured away... Truly did Prophet Y'shua foretell the Apathy and Hypocrisy of the End Time Church! -- of course there are MANY exceptions... but Nicean Christianity is as good as dead today. By numbers of actual observers of the religion Islam is by far the world's largest traditional religion. By numbers of self proclaimed members it will soon be as well. BUT Secular Humanism and Agnosticism by far surpasses them both combined!
You: As far as I know the taliban are not responsible for attacks against the united states proper.Our original mission there was to get bin laden not pacification and nation building.
JoA: Yes and no. Mullah Omar and al Taliban or "the Students" and Sheik Osama and al Qaeda or "the Base" are both high ranking members (and organizations) of al Ikhwan (the [Muslim] Brotherhood).
After 9-11, it appears, Sheik Osama was living under the protection of al Taliban. According to the official US propaganda al Taliban refused to turn Osama in even though they could have done so when requested by the US and the UN, and that, by US and international law, makes them co-conspirators after the fact.
AND 9-11 -- if we accept the official US propaganda (which I don't) was orchestrated by Sheik Osama under the authority of al Ikhwan. this means -- again if we accept the cover-up -- that both groups were responsible because both work together under al Ikhwan.
BUT after many many hours of research and conversations with many Muslims (in 2001 I was a Wahabi Muslim -- the same sect as Sheik Osama: I left in early 2002) I am convinced 210% that 9-11 was an inside job.
I am in almost complete agreement with Alex Jones on this. The only area where I differ with him on it (to my knowledge) is that I was told by several high ranking imams and others that Dick Cheney and Rumsfeld orchestrated (with the full knowledge of Bush Sr. and Jr. and two of his brothers, Bill Clinton and other key globalists) the attacks and that they hired Osama (a CIA operative during the Afghan/USSR war as you doubtless know) to have the plans flown into the buildings even though it was known that planes could not take down the buildings (indeed building 3 fell in exactly the same way as the Twin Towers without being hit by a plane -- it was supposed to be hit too I am told but that one failed for some reason. Because of the bombs already planted in the building and the other sensitive material and data stored there, they had to pull it, as recordings very clearly indicated as shown in Loose Change and elsewhere).
BTW I haven't actually heard Alex directly address this part, but some "9-11 Truthers" seem to believe the planes were actually empty and flown by remote control, I do not believe that, not sure if Alex does or not. There is footage that supposedly shows the planes landing and disembarking its passengers at a military base after the attacks... I don't know about that part of this, but I believe as I've explained, but we all learn new stuff all the time hopefully.
In exchange for the pilots al Taliban was to be the US/UN/Globalist recognized government of Afghanistan and al Qaeda the recognized military. Afghanistan was to be given most favored nation status and a free hand at pressuring other non-al Ikhwan nations (including Saudi Arabia) to join al Ikhwan more completely -- this seems to be a per-peeve of Osama's, i.e. the degree of complicity between the Saud Royals and the New World Order.
After the attack these Muslims believe the US betrayed that promise. I agreed with them at the time but now am not completely certain. SOME Muslims are now offering a slightly modified scenario that seems to have merit.
SOME of these knowledgeable Muslims who I have managed to talk with in the last couple of years (which is not easy because leaving Islam carries a mandatory death sentence as I have been warned a few times) now believe they were mistaken. That the US war of Terror was part of the initial agreement and placing an Al Ikhwan Operative in the White House was the real pay off promised by Cheney and Company. With Sheik Osama in that position and Bush's extreme lauding of him this seems very feasible to me.
So... Now let's consider what it means that Osama is going to be negotiating with al Taliban...
You've probably seen this, but "Loose Change" is one of the best films on 9-11 out there:
Why Does Reincarnation Exist Or What is the Purpose Behind Creation? And How Does One Find Gurudeva
A Response by Jagannatha Prakasa(John of AllFaith), 02.22.09
Hi Walt,
You Asked: "Why does reincarnation exist or what is the purpose behind creation?"
This, like most everything else, is debated.
A general answer -- and basically what I believe with a couple of minor caveats -- is as follows.
Existence exists is two basic "planes" of reality.
Nirguna Brahman: Nirguna means nir: no or non and guna or qualities/attributes.
Saguna Brahman: Sa means yes or with guna (qualities/attributes).
We
are all "constitutionally" eternal beings existing within Nirguna
Brahman (even now). Note that according to many "Nirguna" does not mean
"no qualities" but rather "no material/conceivable qualities."
Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu -- in whose school of thought I am an initiate
(along with other schools) -- explains the connection between these two
realms as being "achintya bheda abheda," which is to say,
"inconceivably the same and different."
There is only existence
or be-ing (Brahman), but this fundamentally singular existence is
experienced in these two essential aspects (this is similar to but
somewhat different from the idea of yin, yang and tao taught by Lao Tsu
if you are familiar that).
So then, the Soul (atman or jiva)
exists eternally within Nirguna but at some "point in time" within this
eternal existence the Soul "descends" into material nature.
Some
say this happens so the jiva can learn and experience (and takes place
by the choice of the Soul). Others say it is because the jiva becomes
haughty (as Lucifer does in the Bible) -- and is cast downward into the
"Dark Cloud". Others say its a form of punishment for deeds beyond our
conception while still others maintain it is simply the Will of God and
not to be questioned ... what we can say for sure -- from a standard
Indian perspective -- is that Soul incarnates (not "reincarnates" at
this point) within material existence (saguna).
Once the Soul
is "materialized" within Saguna Brahman she (all souls are female --
only God (Ek Devata) is male and unto Him all souls yearn in various
ways or bhavas -- this is tradition of course take it or leave it)
become subject to the various laws of material nature.
Material
nature exists within duality (as taught by the Dvaita philosophy of
Srila Madhvacharya). Existing now under dvaita (dualism) every action
(karma) produces a reaction (also called karma: they are one).
Three basic laws exist here:
Karma: Action and reaction
Dharma: Justice and Law.
Marga: The Path walked accordingly.
As
the Soul accumulates Karma she becomes enslaved by the necessity of
satisfying this debt. We can say for instance as a very base example
that the embodied Soul stole something. Something now must be stolen
from her. The embodied soul caused harm and must now be harmed.
As
the karmic debt mounts the Soul is cast, as it were, into the raging
sea of samsara (rebirth) in order to satisfy all this mounting karma.
Yet as karma is "worked off" more karma is accumulated and the Soul is
seemingly lost in this process with no hope of escape...
BUT Dharma is also God's Will for our eternal good.
Karma
is not "punishment." I did this and now I will be punished, no it is
simple reciprocity. If I do this, this happens. If I hit my hand with a
hammer I will experience pain. The pain is not punishment, it is simply
the byproduct of another action. These actions and reactions can and do
span lifetimes because for the Soul time does not exist. As Sri Krsna
explains in the Bhagavad Gita:
2:11:
The Blessed One said: While speaking learned words, you are mourning
for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for
the living nor for the dead.
2:12:
Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these
kings, nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.
2:13:
As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to
youth to old age, the soul also passes into another body at death. A
sober person is not bewildered by such a change. (translation mine)
Through
association with material nature the Soul is "yoked" or bound to
material existence by contact with the Three Qualities of Material
Nature:
Now,
as I explained, everything here in Saguna Brahman is in duality. Since
the Soul is yoked to material (saguna) existence there must also be a
way to yoke with spiritual (nirguna) existence, and of course there is:
Yoga.
Yoga means to yoke.
There are of course many
different forms of yoga and often practitioners of one system will
believe theirs is the highest. Its human nature! I practice Bhakti Yoga
(yoking through devotion and surrender to God) coupled with Jnana Yoga
(yoking through the acquiring of correct understanding) and believe
this to be the highest hehe.
HOWEVER what is Hinduism?
"Hinduism" is not the actual name! Hinduism is a slang term referencing
the practices and beliefs of the people "living beyond the Hindu
(Sindhu) River." The name of the faith is Sanatana Dharma: Universal
Truth or Way.
According to this Way:
Ekam Sat: Vipra Bahudha Vadante:
"Truth is one; sages call it by various names."
And
so each embodied Soul must follow the Path which leads onwards
according to the Light current revealed. For some people one path is
best, for another another. One may change paths as "time" goes by and
more Light is revealed or one may traverse one given Path to its
successful climax. It is the "Walking" that matters, not the specific
Path. Each Path presents its way to "Return back Home to Godhead" or to
re-absorption into Nirguna Brahman Consciousnesses: to awaken from the
illusion (maya) of material existence which is Saguna Brahman.
Despite
what some Hindu schools teach (such as Vedanta and Advaita), I believe
(as do certain other Hindu schools) that both Saguna and Nirguna
Brahman are fully "real" -- however Saguna is temporary while Nirguna
is eternal. That's the difference. Nirguna is replete with Truth
(capital T) while Saguna is filled with truths (small t) and confusion.
When the Soul decides to leave confusion she seeks Truth through the
yoga systems.
In a very general sense, the basic requirement is
to replace dualistic karma of good and bad, black and white with the
Oneness of Neutral Karma.
One of my gurus was once giving an
early morning lecture and a student nodded off for just a moment. He
opened his eyes with an embarrassed start when he realized we are all
watching him. Gurudeva explained, "He has just experienced myriads of
lifetimes within the material universes. This is how it is."
In
other words, we may be here drifting though thousands or millions of
material bodies, lives and experiences and yet for the Soul in Nirguna
Brahman these experiences are no longer than a nod of the head, the
twinkling of an eye!
Acintya! Inconceivable!
The second question is more difficult.
A teacher is very important as you say. It is debated why this is so and to what degree.
There
are two basic "types" of gurus. GU means darkness - ignorance and RU
means Light -- truth. Hence Guru means He who lifts the student from
the darkness of ignorance to the light of truth.
Diksha Guru:
Initiating Spiritual Master: This Spiritual Master should be (must be)
an Uttama-adhikari, one who is FULLY enlightened and who exists within
the consciousness of Nirguna Brahman at all times. Such a Guru is
rarely found!
Sikhsa Guru: Instructing Spiritual Master: This
Spiritual Master does not have to be fully enlightened, he merely has
to excel the student in the area he teaches.
Often Diksha Guru
(Diksha Guru is One regardless of individual identity according to
tradition because he has transcended material consciousness) will
instruct his student to study under one or more Siksha guru.
Now,
you are asking for a lead to finding Diksha Guru Maharaja. This is
difficult. Who is Diksha Guru? At any given time there are not that
many true Uttama-adhikaris on Bhuvaloka (our planet).
Also,
different maths or schools follow different approaches. One may be
Vaisnava (worshiper of Lord Visnu/Narayana/Krsna, Rama etc), Shaivite
(worshiper of Lord Siva, Mahadeva, Rudra etc), a worshiper Devi (Kali,
Durga, Ma etc), a Vedantist, an Advaitin etc. One may seek a babaji, a
sannyasa, a fakir... there are so many possibilities! One must decide
what one is looking for or one must trust the hand of fate to direct
one. Both are contingent on ones Marga.
My advice for now would
be to continue to study and learn about the Sanatana Dharma until you
feel you have a good handle on the different disciplines and what your
personal bhava (your spiritual mood) is. Determine which if any you
wish to pursue and then seek a Siksha Guru from that discipline. In
time when you are ready you will doubtless find Sri Diksha Guru
Maharaja. There is an ancient saying: When the student is ready the
teacher will be revealed.
