Mudras & hand symbolism: mudra on the part of Christian esoteric tradition 1

All religions without exception have their roots in the Spiritual Hierarchy of the Great White Brotherhood (GWB), although some have strayed afar from the original teachings of their messengers and founders and the purposes of their establishment. Fortunately, in every religion there is an esoteric side perpetuated by the Initiates of the GWB. We will not discuss the Great White Brotherhood in detail here, those who are interested in acquiring more information may refer to the many metaphysical books on the subject. Suffice to say that the GWB is the "community of saints" mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. The members are non-sectarian and universal in their attitudes and beliefs. Collectively and individually, they have transcended dogmatic religions and their schisms, and have embraced the pristine teachings, principles, and laws of the Spirit, which is the source of pure Religion. Within the GWB is a Spiritual Hierarchy of Cosmic beings that represents the God-Government of our beloved planet operating at present in higher dimensions. The members currently holding offices in this hierarchy were the saints, prophets, sages, and avatars of the past. In one aspect, "heaven made manifest" is the application of cosmic laws governing the omniverse and upheld by the GWB, on the individual, social, national and international levels.
As alluded to above, every religion has an esoteric aspect where the Ancient Wisdom of the GWB is preserved for those who are spiritually awakened and prepared to receive higher revelations. Teachings of Deity cannot be confined or limited to a single book, tradition, or teacher. Revelation is a continuous process that meets the growing spiritual and psychological needs of humanity.
As the "prodigal son," humanity answers to God's call to return Home by initially being obedient to the unfolding spiritual "conscience," or the "still small voice" of the Spirit. Religions were established to foster this growth--not to enforce and educate a false conscience based on man-made interpretations of the Word of God, but to awaken within the soul that which is already inherent and supra-natural. This was recognized by Socrates who, with his unique system of inquiry, sought to awaken the souls of his listeners to "recollect" Truth.
Pure religious precepts direct men and women to free themselves from the creation of a sense of limitation and negativity in all expressions--in thought and behavior, for these hinders the voice of the Spirit from making its presence felt--and consequently, the delay of the spiritual evolution of the indwelling Soul.
Enforced religious dogmas programs in us a state of being where we no longer have any personal desire to commit theological "sin," of which consequence is the rise of a sense of morbid guilt and fear in their violation or non-obedience; this unnatural psychological condition prevents the Christ photonic-energies from penetrating the lower aspects of the microcosm. It is to the voice of the Spirit and the scripture of the Heart that one should pay heed, not to the confused interpretations of the minds of men.
"Behold, I (the Christ-force) stand at the door ("Sahasrara" chakra, or crown psychic-center), 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. (Rev:3:20)"
Essentially, the purpose of exoteric religion is to prepare us psychologically for the pursuit of the greater metaphysical mysteries where we are taught to transcend our mortal state of being in mind, body, and soul, and to acknowledge and identify ourselves with the Truth of our inner nature.
Purification is the first step in the Mystery Schools of the GWB, and essential religion is the portal leading toward the atrium of the GWB. Only when an individual is perfected in the embodiment of the cardinal virtues as taught by religion, will he be ready for the next phase of esotericism. Bypassing any step along the way only entails returning to the point of embarkation. People may claim to be illumined, to have witnessed Heaven in all its splendor, to have experienced the highest bliss, to know and socialize with the Ascended Masters, to have risen the kundalini and anchored the higher chakras into their physical form, or to have "seen" God; however, if the sense of duality and the sense of the false ego with its negative expressions still exist strongly within them, and their inner light shines but dully, all of their claims are false. They have entrapped themselves in a world of glamour and illusion and misinterpreted esoteric precepts. Students of spiritual paths may assert that their methodology takes them quickly to the mountain-top via the helicopter route; however, they often land on the holy mountain still with their feet shod, back loaded, and hands empty--with nothing to offer their Source but earthly garbage. Alternatively, while flying in their helicopter, they sometimes do not land at all, preferring to enjoy the ride and view. This is unfortunate--as they end up in a cloud of spiritual smugness.
Esotericism is the "meat" of the Spirit in contrast to the "milk" of exoteric religious precepts meant for infants aspiring to the spiritual path. In Islam, the heavier nourishment symbolised by meat is referred to as "Hakikat" and "Marifat" or in Christianity as "Gnosis." Judaism knows it as the "Kaballah" while in Hinduism it is the "Gupta Vidya." "Vajrayana" and its teachings is the Buddhist equivalent to the esoteric side of the Semitic religions.
Christianity, like so many other traditions, was influenced by various foreign elements--not only Judaism, and Buddhism, but also by the various Mystery Schools existing in the several centuries prior to and after its establishment. One of these Mystery Schools were the Essenes, a mystical Order of some prominence and existing in the region of the Holy Land when the Piscean Master walked the earth. They are unrecorded in the gospel stories except for the few references regarding their members--the men in white robes who were mistaken and interpreted to be angels. The Essenes were a semi-monastic Order that was formed for the purpose of preparing the conditions necessary for the incarnation of the Christ Spirit macrocosmically and microcosmically. The parents of Jesus were members of the Essenes as were the parents of John the Baptist. Naturally, the future avatar and his way-shower were raised under the tutelage of the Essene Brotherhood in preparation for their holy missions. According to esoteric tradition, while in his teens and early manhood, Jesus traveled to Egypt, India, Tibet, Persia, and Greece to study in the Mystery Schools. This was Jesus' so-called "lost-years"--18 long years that the canonical scriptures enshroud in mystery and are mute.
During his ministry Jesus formed a secret metaphysical school. The number of members in this school was at least 120 (see Acts 1:15). These students were given esoteric teachings in contrast to the general populace who were taught metaphysical mysteries in parables and similitude. The masses were taught exoteric precepts, the gospel, or the "good news" which were clarified and elaborated in secret assemblies. Students of the esoteric doctrines of Jesus were shown how to realize the truth of the gospel in a single embodiment, here and now, and not senselessly wait for some future event to occur that would raise them from the grave.
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man (the Truth, the Way, and Life) coming in his kingdom (the lower microcosm)." Matt. 16:28
Out of the many there were those earnest few who wanted to delve further into the mysteries of life and they were subsequently invited into Jesus' secret school. The metaphysical seminary that Jesus established may be referred to as the Inner Court, in contradistinction to the Outer Court that are represented by the Churches of our present day.
In the 3rd and 4th centuries after the advent of Christ, because of political and egoic ambition, the leaders of the Outer Court divorced itself from the Inner Court and even attacked and persecuted its members and hierophants. Later known as Gnosticism, the doctrines of the secret school of Jesus subsequently went underground and branched-out into several spiritual/magical Orders, metaphysical schools, and secret fraternities. The Cathars, Knights Templars, the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Round Table, the Martinist Order, the Rosicrucians, and the Alchemists, were some of these organizations descended from the arcane school of Jesus and preserved and perpetuated the metaphysical teachings that he had taught.
The esoteric precepts of the incarnated Christ concerns the transformation of man into a divine being, the manifestation of Heaven on Earth, the unfoldment of spiritual virtues and powers within humanity, the embodiment of the Christ force and consciousness within the lower aspects of the microcosm, etc. Jesus especially taught how each member of the human race might emulate him and acquire what he acquired, attain what he attained, overcome what he overcame. In his public teachings Jesus emphasized that he was the model for us all, that we should all become like him in order to unfold the Kingdom of Heaven within our hearts and be saved from our personal ignorance with the power of the Truth of our spiritual essence.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
We will not go into detail of the story of Christianity and its hidden history in this mudra-series. All we wanted to do was to give a basis for the secret practices of the mudras associated with Christianity. These disciplines were known to various historical personalities who were initiates of Esoteric Christianity. There were those whose profession was art, and they depicted the secret signs and mudras in their paintings, drawings, and sculpture. Although there are many secret mudras in the Esoteric Christian Tradition, below we will present just a few of the more popular ones including their purposes--these may be practiced by the spiritual aspirant with untold benefits.
The Benediction Mudra (Mano Pantea)
If we can curse and swear at one another so easily why is it that no one ever thinks of blessing one's fellow men? Blessings, or Barokah as it is called in Islam, are dynamic operations of the Divine Spirit acting through pure instruments, whether angelic or human. Ideally, the operator channeling blessings from on High must be pure in mind, body, and soul and have attained a certain degree of attunement and oneness with his/her Progenitor. Whatever flows through a conduit is tainted by it. This is how energies are transformed into force. Force is energy imbued with a certain quality or character. It is for this reason that some degree of spirituality must be attained before one is qualified to serve as a channel for blessings to others, for it is inappropriate to radiate from our beings the quirks and negative characteristics of our personality. At least, when giving blessings, we should strive to raise our vibrations and frequency to match as much as possible the standards of our Higher Self. How this is done may be learnt from a true spiritual teacher.
The act of blessing or consecration is facilitated by the benediction mudra. The benediction mudra is a sign, signal and code to our Higher Self and spiritual beings that the act of blessing is about to take place and that cooperation from them is requested. Psycho-energetically, the mudra also temporarily rearranges the auric and etheric structures to act as a conduit for the flow of "gift-waves," as blessings are called in the Buddhist Vajrayana tradition.
In the Benediction or blessing mudra the first two fingers and thumb are used--these represents the etheric, air and fire elements of which the formal ritual of the baptism of "fire" is facilitated and enacted.
The object to be blessed may be a living organism, an object, or an act. Blessings raises the frequency of the person or thing receiving the blessing, and integrates into them a divine power that lasts for some time. Being blessed by a holy, spiritual person, acting as mediator, is spiritually beneficial in that it makes the Path of Life easier for one to tread and to spiritually evolve. Both the giver and receiver of blessings are benefited in some manner that is often too subtle for detection by the insensitive, untrained mind.
In this literary work it is possible for us to offer only a simple method for blessing others. The art of glorification actually requires spiritual training and disciplines that are beyond the subject matter of this mudra-series.
To bless an object or someone, first visualize energy in the form of a ball of light hovering over your head. Reach out to it mentally and emotionally, raising thoughts and feelings as high as you spiritually can. Then let the light descend as a beam through the crown of your head and flow outwardly from you from these three points: Ajna chakra, or between the eyebrows; anahata chakra, or heart center, and your right hand which is making the sign of benediction.
The full or complete sign of benediction is executed by first placing your left hand over your heart, and with your right hand assume the Mano Pantea sign, that is, extend your thumb and first two fingers vertically while folding the ring and little finger into the palm. Then recite this invocation:
"Elohim (3x). I call upon the angelic powers of the Universe, in the name of the Most High, in the name of my Mighty I AM Presence and Holy Christ Self, (state the name of your Holy Christ Self if known) to establish N . . . (name of person or object) in the Power of Truth, Light, Life, and Love. Ateh Gadol Le Olam--A.m.e.n." 3x
Next focus upon the subject or object that you wish to bless. See light from those three points mentioned above flowing to and enfolding them. If an individual, visualize the person expressing joy, peace, and happiness, or the object aglow with divine radiance. Especially see the subject's higher chakras aglow with light. After several minutes of this, seal the energies in the person's aura or object with the mudra by making the sign of the cross or any other symbol meaningful to you while at the same time decreeing: "May the peace and power of Heaven's blessings be upon thee."
This operation may be done from a distance with the subject visualized in one's mind's-eye.
[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]
Copyright © 2006 Luxamore



Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia.
http://www.indotalisman.com/
http://www.bezoarmustikapearls.com/

Perspectives of a Christian fundamentalist ex - third (Final)

This is the last in a three-part series entitled "The Perspectives of a Former Fundamentalist Christian." If you're interested in reading the first two posts, here are their titles: As a Fundamentalist Christian, This I Was Taught to Believe - Part One and Perspectives of a Former Fundamentalist Christian - Part Two.

In the last post, I indicated that many within the church have misinterpreted the meaning of John 14:6 where Jesus said, "I am the way...no man comes to the Father except through me." There is another way to understand these words that is more in keeping with his understanding of himself and the human/divine connection that was his joy to know, just as it was for other spiritual masters.

Those who have a problem with this alternative understanding-which, not surprisingly, is almost exclusively fundamentalist Christians-usually ask another question of me: "Don't your views of Jesus undermine his authority and that of the Bible? And, my response is, "They do not for me. Do they for you?"

If so, then you will likely disagree with all of my perspectives, cling to your beliefs, and so feel the need to vigorously defend your beliefs by whatever means possible. I understand this reaction, as I lived this way for decades myself.

As a former fundamentalist Christian, I felt the need to defend my beliefs almost continually. While I thought I was being a good "Christian apologist," defending the faith against heretics and disbelievers, I realize now that all I was really defending was a threatened little ego-(that very "self" Jesus counseled us to deny - Matt. 16:24) with it's belief system. Someone has rightly said, "Beliefs are a cover-up for insecurity; you only ever believe in the things you're not certain about." I had many religious beliefs or, more accurately, the ego in me held tightly to many beliefs and so found an illusory and passing sense of identity in them. Like a starving person might grasp a bowl of rice, I (the ego) not only held to these beliefs but I feared they might be discredited, dismissed, or worse, disproven. So, I guarded, debated, and defended my beliefs against any perceived enemy. That is to say, the ego in me was busy making others wrong by making its-self right. Consequently, I had little time for genuine inner exploration and reflection. Although I had questions and doubts, I dismissed those, at least for as long as I could.

Then, one day, I awakened. Life will give you whatever experience is necessary to awaken you to the Divine presence. I've written about this extensively in my book. One of the results of this spiritual awakening was a detachment from the ego self with its belief system. I know now that attachment to anything will cause you to suffer. So, there's a sense in which, to borrow the words of Gerry Spence, I was liberated-liberated "to have a mind that was opened by wonder instead of one closed by belief." Only when you feel the need to argue and insist your beliefs are "right"-by which you really mean the beliefs of others are wrong-do you create inner conflict that then manifests itself as outer conflict. That is, you create an "us" against "them" world, a "We're right; You're wrong!" environment which is humanly untenable. This would explain virtually all human conflicts.

Our planet may be small but it is large enough to sustain a variety of perspectives. Branches on a tree don't have to all have to look the same in order to draw nourishment from the same vine. So, my perspective today-indeed my deepest passion-is to stay open, to be reflective, and to keep seeking truth. Or, as the philosopher Andre' Gide put it, I desire to "seek the truth while doubting those (and, that would include myself) who think they have found it." "Truth," said Democritus, "is at the bottom of the abyss; and the abyss is bottomless."

I take Jesus and his teachings very seriously. More so than I ever did in those days when I ran around trying to save Jesus from the liberals and disbelievers and convert the world to my way (or "our" way) of thinking and believing. Today, I am committed to following Jesus. I trust his teachings. As a follower of his way of knowing the Divine, I am living a much more conscious, compassionate, and charitable life.

"What do you believe about the Bible?" is another question I'm frequently asked.

The Bible is my primary source of Divine inspiration, spiritual insight, and practical wisdom. It is not a book of magic to me, however. I do not presume it fell out of the sky perfectly written, free of error, bound in leather, and in the language of King James. Instead, it is to me a collection of sacred stories and spiritual teachings that span several hundred centuries of Jewish and Christian history. Consequently, there is no passage that can be read or interpreted apart from its cultural, political, social, and religious context.

I used to think that by saying things like "If the Bible says it, I believe it" I was expressing my faith in and devotion to the "good book." I now realize that I only said those things as a way of dismissing the questions I had about the Bible, particularly the inequities and contradictions that are abundant throughout it. In other words, by dismissing the questions I had about the Bible, as well as the ones it generates itself, I deceived myself into thinking I was honoring the Bible, even revering it. In truth, I was living a lie and, as a consequence, could not have done more to dishonor the Bible. I was making a mistake many sincere Christians still make today. My actions were insane and they went on for many years. Gratefully, the awakening ended the madness.

The Bible is the story of the Jewish/Christian quest to know God. But, it is not the sole sacred text that records this human longing. Other peoples and cultures have their own sacred writings. All sacred texts point toward the same spiritual quest as well as to the same spiritual Truth. The difference is only in emphasis, understanding, culture and tradition.

I have watched, even participated, as every branch of the Christian church has debated, disagreed, and eventually divided over what it or its denomination was going to "say" about the Bible. Most of these maddening conflicts have swirled around such words as "authoritative," "inerrant," "infallible," and so forth. My own perspective is this: the Bible, just as other sacred texts, is infinitely more than anything I, or anyone else, could ever say about it. In fact, if what we "say" about the Bible becomes more important than what the Bible, or any other sacred text, says to us...well...what could be more insane than this?

I seek to embrace spiritual truth wherever I find it. While the Bible is still my primary source of spiritual inspiration, I find insight into living through the writings of Lao Tzu, the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, and so forth. In fact, I recently set up a website as a place where the spiritual wisdom from all of the spiritual traditions might be shared and embraced. Truth is truth wherever it is found. And, it is "the truth," said Jesus, "that will free you" (Jn. 8:32).

"In which Christian denomination do you hold membership?"

Only two officially; but, I have attraction to and interest in all of the Christian communions, as well as several eastern religions.

I grew up a Baptist-more precisely, a Southern Baptist. I did not know it at the time but there are as many Baptists as there are flavors of Baskin-Robbins ice cream. But today, I regard myself as the product of many Christian traditions. All of them add value and a distinctive flavor to the complexity that is my Christian experience. Recently, for example, I joined the Roman Catholic Church. But, I neither abandoned my Baptist faith nor my membership in a local Baptist church. So, today, I actually hold membership in both a Protestant and a Catholic church. Someone heard me acknowledge this recently in a speech I was giving, and they responded, "But you can't do that?"

"Says who?" I asked. I'm not sure it will ever happen but, before I leave this planet, I've contemplated joining the Methodists, too, as well as the Presbyterians, Episcopalians, the Unity Church, and some others as well. I enjoy visiting and worshipping with people of other religions, too.

Why? My perspective is this: There is infinitely more that unites us than divides us. I so admire Buddhism and Hinduism and, lately, the mysticism of Islam expressed in the writings of Rumi, the Sufi poet, I might seek to join these other great religious traditions sometime, too. None of this takes away from my Christian commitment to live the way of Christ. To the contrary, these associations have added richness and diversity to my spiritual walk with God.

If any of this feels threatening to you, my suggestion is that you explore your feelings. As for me, I am committed to what the 17th Carmelite monk, Brother Lawrence, called, "the practice of the presence of God." And, some of the religions of the world, I'm discovering, have insights in how to do this that have strengthened my Christian walk. In short, I regard myself as a Christ-follower by choice, a multi-denominationalist by interest, and an ardent practitioner of the spiritual practices found within many eastern religions. All of this helps me in what I describe as "the sacred art of knowing God."

"You use the words 'Post-Christian world.' What do you mean by this?"

When I was young, all of my neighbors were Christian. Even those who were not regular churchgoers regarded themselves as Christian. Furthermore, virtually everyone thought of America as a "Christian" nation. In school, I read that America was a "melting pot." But, the pot of stew in our little world had only white, Protestant, potatoes with a few Catholics here and there.

Today, however, my little world-your little world, too-has changed. Your neighbor might be a Christian. But, it just as possible, perhaps even probable, that the neighbor is a Jew or a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Hindu, an agnostic or atheist. What does this mean? If America is to survive-indeed, if humanity is to survive-religious people must actually start practicing the very things their faith professes - love, peace, and acceptance of all-those like you and those different from you.

There have been few conflicts throughout history, down to and including the present national and international conflicts, that have not been religiously motivated. This insanity will have to end if humanity is to survive. Unfortunately, there are some fundamentalist Christians who actually believe the world is not only getting worse, but they believe history is headed toward a great showdown and there is actually no stopping it. They hold to a belief system they call the Rapture that was first popularized by Hal Lindsey in his Late Great Planet Earth and most recently by Jerry Jenkins and Timothy LaHaye in their Left Behind series of novels. In their belief system, the Rapture is a way of escaping what they deem is an unavoidable escalation of wickedness in the world.

This is a belief system not unlike one finds among Muslim radicals. Both believe the world is doomed to destruction. Consequently, the fundamentalist Christians, on one hand, withdraw from the world and cling to the Rapture as a means of ultimately escaping the world they cannot forgive and have failed to redeem. On the other hand, instead of withdrawing, Islamic radicals come forward, kill themselves with suicide bombs, and so escape to an illusory Paradise where mythical rewards as virgins await them. Both approaches are destructive belief systems and fundamentally at odds with the teachings of their spiritual masters-Jesus and Muhammad, respectively. The Dalai Lama is right: "Until there is peace among the religions, there will be no peace in the world."

What do you believe is wrong with Christianity?

Wrong question. "There's nothing wrong with Christianity," as G. K. Chesterton once noted. "There's everything wrong with Christians." For all the good that most of them do, it is the Christians who are often the source of human division, destruction, and planetary suffering. Whether with bombs that maim and destroy or belief systems that rapture the Christians while leaving others behind, they repeatedly label, judge, and seek to discredit, if not destroy, their perceived enemies.

My perspective is that there is room enough for everyone on this planet. But, until Christians actually live as Jesus lived, treat others, but especially their enemies, with forgiveness, openness, and respect, even as Christ did, human division and suffering will continue. Instead of "being in the world but not of it," as Jesus taught (John 17:15-16), Christians will be neither in the world nor of any benefit to it. And, my own perspective is: That's a consequence neither I nor any other genuine follower of Christ really wants.

I've put up an entire post on my blog about this (and written a whole book about this and other matters related to the spiritual life), and I'd love to share some of the things I've learned with you. To get started, visit my blog at http://stevemcswain.com/blog.

Christian cross - history

The Christian Crusades' history has been highly influential in Europe and throughout the world. It managed to eradicate many Christians for about two centuries and directly affected the lives of the surviving Christians. The Christian Crusades' history had eradicated an estimated 6,000,000 Christians during their reign. The estimates actually ranges from 2,000,000 to 6,000,000 based from various estimates and references in history. The Christian Crusades' history had been quite a disorderly and horrifying experience for the Christians. The Christians suffered much from the hands of the Crusaders, not to mention the loss of wealth and the traumatic suffering that they experienced. The elements of war such as tumultuous scenes, crime, disturbance in people's way of living, taking hostages, and other traumatic events often accompanied the holy war between nations and regions. However, most holy wars would result to something good that could last forever. The lessons and the pain that they left behind became the most popular lessons to remember in the history of any nation, sect, or related religion. The Christian Crusades' military campaigns and sanctions highly influenced the following

·       Role of the Catholic church

·       Power of the Catholic church

·       Progress or economy of affected civilization

·       Impact on the politics of the nation

·       Impede social improvement

·       Intellectual development

·       Commerce and feudalism structure

·       Material development including voyages relating to discovery

The Christian Crusades greatly supported the power of the Papacy as well as highly contributed to the wealth of the Catholic Church. The Popes therefore gained more power and influence over the people and the land including the economy when the Crusaders transferred the resources and the armies to their hands. The people eventually adapted the system endorsed by the Crusaders and the Papacy being their new leaders. The wealth of the Church increased immensely because the norm for sale of properties is usually a fraction or a small percentage out of its actual market value. People usually sell properties before they go for expeditions. Most people give lands or properties as a token or a gift in return for the blessings and prayers that they asked from the Popes. The people highly valued the pious benedictions of the Popes done for their behalf.

           

Across time, crusaders who had failed in their explorations and wars sought for asylum on cloistral retreats. The crusaders who sought the help of cloistered retreat houses brought and offered goods and other wealth. The crusaders appreciated the peace they found in cloistered retreat houses because most of them returned home with problems in health and carried or were mending broken spirits. However, the religious enthusiasts or the fanatics endowed the church with amass wealth and gifts. The gifts of piety significantly augmented the wealth of the church while the religious fervor of the people largely increased the power of the Popes. The wealth of the church and the Popes increased enormously across time.

           

The Impact of the Christian Crusades History on the Trade and Commerce

           

The most significant contribution of the Christian Crusades on the people and of the places that they had conquered was trading and commerce. The Christian Crusades themselves created demand on supplies for war and food, transportation for their men, building of ships for their numerous voyages, and trading of the eastern wares and goods across the continent of Europe. During their numerous voyages, the Crusaders brought the goods and other products of the cities of Mosul, Cairo, Damascus, and other known cities across the seas of the Mediterranean. Most of these goods landed on the seaports near Italy where traders transported them to other parts of Europe for trading. The Oriental art and beauty of their tapestries and silks enchanted the Crusaders. The elegance of the Oriental precious stones, ivory, and pearls as well as the spices and scents or perfumes truly enchanted the Crusaders. Their beauty and art captured the hearts of the Crusaders that they called the place as the vestibule of paradise.

   

The Crusaders and their Impact on the Land's Feudalism Practices

           

The Crusaders affected the lives of many Europeans. Western Europe improved their feudalism practices through the help and support of the Crusaders. Several knights, barons, and other royalties contributed to their crusading expedition. They even sold their lands to support the expedition. In Syria, the commoners experienced failures and difficulties that they reverted to the old practice of royalty. Private warfare and feud between clans eventually died out when the feudal lords departed from the Holy Land. The departures and the increased of the power and authority of the royalties were more evident in France history of commerce, which was the old home of the Christian Crusades movement.

The influence of the Christian Crusades Movement on the Nation's Politics

           

During the Crusaders era, most nations adapted the feudal aristocracy. This made the life of the commoners a bit difficult. The Crusaders affected the politics of a certain nation when they help break the feudalism structure. The nobles who participated to the Crusaders expedition were not able to return to their homes, thus, leaving their wealth under the responsibility of their heirs. However, their heirs were not able to keep the properties. The properties and a big part of the noble Crusaders wealth were escheated back to the King for payment of taxes and other liabilities. Most of the crusaders lost their wealth because they sometimes used their own funds to meet the cost of the expedition.

           

The cities that the Christian Crusaders visited during their expedition greatly benefited from the expeditions of the noble princes as well as the barons. They gained much political advantages from the activities of the Crusaders that, in a way, supported them in increasing their political power. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the burgher or middle social class mostly had the privilege for access on ready money. This special privilege is given by the landlords or the suzerains to the burgher class in return for the borrowings as well as the contributions that they had given to them. The Christian Crusades' history had delayed the fall of Constantinople as well as the conquering activities of the Turks for about three centuries or maybe more. The delay of more than three centuries was enough to make the Germans prepare for the anticipated invasion of the Mohammedan group. The Mohammedan group invaded Europe in the 15th century. The Christian Crusades' history had a wide influence on the social lives of the people.  The Christian Crusades showed the Western people an opportunity for a romantic adventure. This became their major influence for Chivalry. The Crusaders' knowledge and exposure with the Eastern culture provided the West a great deal of influence. This is the greatest refining influence of the Crusaders to the West.

Intellectual progress and the Crusades - History

           

The Christian Crusaders learned a lot from the culture and knowledge of other people from the different lands that they had visited during their expedition, which serve to liberalize their minds. The nobles and princes went out of their homeland, far from their families, and far from the familiar scenes of their cities so they can explore and complete the mission of their expeditions. The other objective was to see strange lands, unfamiliar faces, experience the way of living of other people, look at the architecture of their homes and palaces, and see their dress codes or dress styles. The Crusaders enjoyed the elegant manners and customs of the East. During those times, the East had surpassed the civilization of the West and the experience of the Crusaders with the East greatly influenced Europe's intellectual development. The Crusaders returned with new perceptions and broader ideas on a lot of things about life, people, and commerce. They also developed wider sympathies on people.

           

The Crusaders brought with them new materials, new ideas, and carried new perceptions about other people. This opened a new dimension of life for them. The Latin scholars were greatly motivated with the knowledge that the Crusaders shared. The expeditions of the Crusaders and the knowledge that they brought with them back home awakened Western Europe's mental activities. The shared knowledge finally triggered the period of the Renaissance and initiated the Revival of Learning in Western Europe.

Material development and the Christian Crusades - History

           

The Holy Wars triggered the material and economic growth in Europe. This paved way to the growth of the business enterprises in the continent. The economic development was very evident among the Italian cities. Most of these cities benefited from trading with the Crusaders needs for their expedition. Genoa, Venice, and Pisa economy significantly grew during the expedition, which included opening up some trade with the East. The Crusaders often sailed across the Mediterranean, Syrian coast, and several ports in Europe. In addition, the Crusaders new knowledge opened up another way of thinking towards artworks, inventions, and other manufacturing activities in Europe. The rich culture and arts of the East influenced the material development of the European people. The influenced were obviously evident in the artifacts showcased by the modern museums in Europe.

Voyages, Discovery, Impact of the Christian Crusades History on Civilization

           

The interesting news that the Crusaders brought back home after their expedition ignited the interest of some known voyage discoverers such as Sir John Mandeville and Marco Polo. The Italian, Marco Polo, and the Englishman, Sir John Mandeville, travelled to Asia's remote areas and explored the islands. This includes the expeditions of Columbus and Magellan, which the Crusaders interesting news about the Eastern arts and trades awakened. The interesting expedition of the voyager Vasco de Gama could be ignited by the interesting knowledge on geographical matters shared by the Crusaders.

The Influence of the Expeditions

           

The various sections of the middle ages history contained interesting topics and information about the great travels of the known voyagers in the world. In addition, there were important events in the medieval times that any reader would really appreciate learning. This included the impact of the expeditions made by the noble princes and barons during the era of the Christian Crusades history. The sitemap history could provide all the needed navigation in locating crucial facts and information during the middle ages.

Catholic Church, Wealth, and Power - History

           

The power of the Popes and the wealth specifically properties of the Catholic Church experienced a remarkable growth during the Christian Crusades' history. The Popes role as well as authority extended to trading and commerce involvement, resources for the spread and sustenance of Christendom, and authority over the armies. In addition, the Pope's involvement with the people's social public sphere and public life as well as their intellectual development increased their influence and authority over the commoners. The community regarded them as powerful guides and brilliant leaders. The Crusaders also sold a big part of their land to the church when they were about to start their expedition. This increased the wealth of the Catholic Church tremendously.

           

The society in the middle ages perceived the church as a place where they can regain their confidence, heal their broken spirits, and restore physical health conditions. The belief of the people that the Popes prayers could help them gain more wealth and good health remarkably strengthened the position of the Popes as leaders and authority on most matters of their lives. This amplified the Church authority over the people even before the start of the Christian Crusades' long history.

Europe's Intellectual Growth - Crusades History

           

Although the Christian Crusades History expedition and shared knowledge influenced most of the intellectual growth in Europe, other cultures also contributed to its development. Europe became liberalized when it opened its world through trading and travel with other cultures. This enlightened and improved their civilization. The Crusaders experienced different cultures, noted strange lands, and met new people during their expedition. This made them perceive other cultures in a different way. Their understanding about other people's way of living became broader, which made them more patient and flexible with the practices and ways of other cultures. The Crusaders voyages stimulated a group of Latin intellectuals. This led to an intellectual explosion with lots of translations on Arab texts, Roman literature, and classical Greek. This intellectual explosion was popularly known as the period of the Italian Renaissance or the Revival of Learning.

           

The influence of the other culture in terms of art, geography, and astronomy initiated the intellectual growth of the Western Europe. Europe also gained much knowledge from other cultures about sugar refining, math, alcohol refining, and papermaking. Although the Crusaders failed the European armies during the Muslim invasion, the Arabs paid by psychologically suffering from their own warring activities. This seems to be more than the material and human loses that the people and the lands they invaded suffered.

Life before the Christian Crusade - History

           

The Turks and Mongolian army reigned in the Middle East before the Crusaders came to influence their power. The invasions made the Arabic countries realized to keep and preserve their culture. When Europe was on the process of developing its civilization, the Arabs resisted the change. This resistance put them in a disadvantage position with the modern times. This problem still existed even today. The Arab still finds it difficult to adapt and accept the concept and benefits of modernization.

The Impact of the Expeditions - History

           

The influenced of the Crusaders over the people weakened the forces of the Byzantine Empire. Although the noble princes and barons failed to recover Anatolia from the hands of the Turk army, they had successfully defeated the Byzantine power in 1204 along with the fall of Constantinople. The state only serves as a buffer state for the convenience of the Turk army. The Byzantines initiated the idea of putting a buffer to inhibit and protect the empire from the Europeans in 1300. The Turks found their relationship with the Byzantine Empire useful because they serve as the Turks' point of contact for the West. However, when the empire's usefulness was fully exploited and consummated, they overtook the Byzantine Empire in 1453. The most significant contribution of the Crusaders in Europe was the shared culture, knowledge, and trade that they gathered from their various expeditions. Most Europeans who joined the Crusade had either known or seen some of the Crusaders march or gone during the expeditions.

           

The nation of Palestine became a place that most people go for refuge. The Bible reflected Palestine as a quasi-mythical place. The Crusader set up their forces in the land of the Palestinians and contacted their families in Europe for importing and exporting of goods. The trading system initiated the development of banks and creation of accounting techniques. This stimulated the trade and commerce between the Mediterranean, East, and Europe. Most of the merchants or intermediaries came from the northern part of Italy if the Crusaders were originally from Germany, France, or England. The Crusaders greatly influenced the economy in the main cities of Europe such as Venice or Genoa. However, the cost of the expeditions as well as their desires to trade through importation and exportation of goods weakened the forces of the Crusaders. The need for more funding that could help finance their expeditions and their commercial activities weakened the noble princes and barons but made the merchant classes stronger, which paved way for their independence.

           

The Christian Crusades' history greatly influenced the development of the cultural institutions during the medieval times. The knights of the Christian Crusades used emblems and many geometric designs as their identity symbols because they cannot read and write. Most of the knights were illiterate and the designs greatly aided their forms of communication and means for identification. The symbols evolved later into coats of arms or heraldic emblems. The romantic literature also developed during the Christian Crusades' history. Most of the skills and knowledge of Europe about masonry and construction of churches and castles with heavy stones came from the Middle East. The transfer of knowledge includes related activities of tunneling, siege, and sapping technologies.

           

The tunneling technology served to build sappers for warfare. Sappers refer to sap enemy fortifications. The technology was later used for mining. The Churches also used steeples that were inspired by the minarets during the Christian Crusades. The trend of the technological development ultimately came from the East and transferred to the West by the Crusaders. This included cultural development. During this time, Europe was not able to give much in return for the technological as well as the cultural development that they gained from the East because their civilization was still underdeveloped. However, the Muslims perceived the expeditions and the activities of the Christian Crusades negatively. The Muslims lost their appreciation and deep regard on the army of Europe that they influenced the Turks to become hostile with the Balkans. The Moslems were known as very conservative when it comes to religion or theology. The Crusaders were flexible enough to tolerate the conservative culture of the Moslems but slowly avoided any confrontations by traveling back to the West. It was then that the Mongols invaded the Moslems.

           

The Muslims had complete control over their Holy Land before the expedition. The Holy Land, known as Israel, is the core of their monotheistic type of religion. The believers of Islam, Christianity, and the Judaism regarded the Holy Land as a very important place that captured most of the important events of their religion's history. The other name of the Holy Land is Palestine. The Muslims controlled other religious sites before the expedition such as Bethlehem and Nazareth. The strong control over the known religious places happened during the Caliphate of Omar. The Caliph refers to a very strong political but also religious leader in Islam.

Various Expeditions of the Crusaders - History

The biggest and most essential forms of expeditions happened during the 11th until the 13th century. There were nine Crusades recorded by the Crusaders as numbers 1 to 9 under this category. The smaller crusades happened within the European continent such as Austria and Germany, which continued until the Renaissance in the 16th century. The definition and context of the Christian Crusades is holy war of the Christians. The term came from the word cross. The holy war of the Muslims is called Jihad. Members of the Jews, Christians, or Muslims were all firm believers of their respective religions. This strong belief about religion and the differences in some of their teachings made most people unable to understand and accept other people's practices. The differences triggered several holy wars between the members that were sometimes incorporated with political agenda. The missions of the Jihads and Christian Crusades' history resulted to illogical loses in terms of human lives, properties, and economy. The conflict that is happening today between the big religions partly came from the old conflict between the Jihads and the Christian Crusades. The Christian Crusades expeditions expended many lives, which influenced the perceptions of the world.

Cultural and Political Influence of the Christian Crusades - History

           

The influence of the Christian Crusades on Europe's cultural and political development during the Middle Ages was enormous. Most of Europe were united by the Pope during the 14th century. Centralized bureaucracies also developed and spread throughout Europe during this time, specifically on the nations of Burgundy, France, Spain, England, and Portugal. The Crusaders partly influenced the spread of the centralized bureaucracies through their various expeditions across the continent, which became the modern state's foundation for the government and politics.

           

The Crusaders transferred knowledge from the Islamic to the West especially medicine, architecture, and science. However, Europe's exposure to the culture of the Islamic was also influenced by their Sicilian and Iberian contacts. The designs of the castles in Europe were also influenced by the Crusaders experiences specifically their military activities. A good model of their military influence was the Caernarfon Castle located in Wales. The fortresses portrayed the styles that Edward I noted during their expedition and fights. The Christian Crusades' history introduced the culture of the Europeans as they traveled across the world especially Asia. The most important achievement of the Christian Crusades' history was the establishment of the traffic from the East to the West. The traffic between the two continents triggered respective developments on their civilizations, economy, art, and politics. The sharing of the trade, technology, and other scientific discoveries were made possible because of the traffic. The sharing of knowledge included the refinement of their engineering methods and equipments, optics, and algebra.

           

The Polabian Slavs lost many lives during the Northern Christian Crusades. However, they did not totally oppose the colonization of the Germans. However, the German invasions stopped the spread of the Lithuanian state that could possibly organize all of the tribes of the Baltic nations. Lithuania was a small nation pressured and forced by the problems of war with their German Crusaders to expand and look for resources to other probable places like the East. The Germans eventually assimilated the Polabian Slavs except the Sorbs. The initial expedition created a long organized war and violence against the Jewish people in Europe.

Trading and Commerce - Christian Crusades History

 

The needs of the expeditions such as transportation, food, gas, and other supplies needed to support a large army triggered the trading and commercial activities to anywhere the Crusaders would land. The unused roads gained significant traffic when the traders began to travel and expand their trading activities. The reason for the bustling commercial activities was not only for supporting the needs of the Crusaders, but also because most merchants would want to travel to the Middle East after they had seen their interesting products. This started the Italian Renaissance. Europe gained much from the activities. Goods were brought to Europe for trading, such as spices, diamonds, jade, and ivory. They also gained from the shared knowledge of glass manufacturing technology, making of gunpowders, and growing crops such as oranges and apples. These things were considered as rare and very expensive among the Europeans.

 

The Christian Crusades, for the naval and maritime historians like Archibald Lewis, was considered as macrohistorical event that enhanced the spheres of the European and Eastern civilizations. Europe slowly recovered its civilization from the boundaries of the Dark Ages in 700 to 1000 AD. The Italian city was able to drive away the Islamic pirates at the Adriatic Sea with the help of the Byzantine Empire. The joined forces reduced the Islamic forces at the Mediterranean Sea as reflected in the Byzantine and Muslim war in 1030 to 1035. The Italian cities of Pisa and Genoa helped the Normans in taking over Sicily. They overpowered the Muslims in Sicily during the period 1061 to 1091. This weakened the forces of the Muslims over the Mediterranean. This led to the growth of the Western European trading over the Mediterranean. This also led to the rise of the naval power of the Italian cities of Genoa, Venice, and Pisa including the Sicilian Normans.

           

The main regions for trading by the Western Europe were the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The Europeans enjoyed the trading and commerce at the core regions during the 11th century. However, during the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire of the Turks invaded the core regions. The Western Europeans contested and the Maritime Republics of the cities of Pisa, Venice, and Genoa allowed the Western Europeans to trade again. The control of the Maritime Republics on the Black Sea and of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea led to the return of the Greeks as well as the Romans ancient knowledge including the East Asian products. The Western Europe and the Mongol Empire successfully traded with the Eastern Asian Merchants. The extensive trading distributed the products to some controlled ports, such as the Kaffa, Acre, and the Antioch.

           

The 5th as well as the 7th Crusade during the periods of 1248 to 1254 were made to secure the control of the Western Europeans over the Red Sea region trading center. The attempts were directed against the armies of Egypt, which was the main support of the Mameluke and Ayyubid. During the 14th century, the Mamelukes ended the trading activities of the Europeans with the Asian merchants. The Mamelukes successfully invaded the states of the Middle Eastern crusaders. The Mongolian empire trading with Asia also ended during the 14th century.

The Caucasus - History

           

The Khevsurs, believed to be the descendants of the crusaders lived in the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. This is a remote place located in Khevsureti. Many believed that the Khevsurs got separated from the large crusaders' army. They stayed isolated in the highland region and kept some of the culture of the crusaders. The Khevsurs passed down to their generations the weaponry and armor relics including the chain mail technique. The knowledge and the weapons were still used by the communities even in the 20th century.

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The Christian belief

A number of years, wrote an article about the differences between Islam and Christianity. This article is based on the two religions, who believes that Jesus is the son of God and the other which believes that Dios have no need of a child, and that Jesus was simply a prophet of God.

Today many who say they are Christian, have refused the faith and have delivered to a vista multi-religious.

News of religion, Amsterdam, Netherlands blog on July 17, 2008 religionnewsblog.com summary of news and commentary.

Dr. Williams also faces enormous pressure from within his own Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

A meeting of Anglican bishops from around the world, which begins today, is on the verge of a split devastating if homosexuality and the gay clergy, should win approval.(To accept this, as a compromise, would be separate from the grace of Dios. ars).
Letter of the Archbishop is that a response to curved Christians by Islamic leaders from 43 countries last fall.

In it, Dr. Williams said that violence is incompatible with the beliefs of the faith and that, once the principle is accepted, both can work together against poverty and prejudice and help the environment. (Who can say that a Christian believes in, or approves any violence, climate was in the past, present, or future.) The period most violent murder was carried out by the Pope in Rome, where they were murdered 100, 000s. (Since then, that do not abide by the faith of Catholicism, we have been asked Protestant.)

"Also said the Christian belief in the Trinity - God is father, son and holy spirit, at the same time-' is difficult, sometimes offensive to Muslims".(The Bible clearly says that, "in some areas we offended everyone.") This is not anything new. (Ars.)

Conflicts of Trinitarian doctrine with the Islamic view that there is only an almighty God. (We are only responsible for our own salvation, we are not the judge of the world.) Many have different beliefs, let them alone, once they have heard the truth, and Dios focuses on them. The reason that the Trinitarian doctrine contradicts the vision Islamic is simple.

Jesus fulfilled the law and gave a new testament of God, where all men, no matter what faith, what background, history, national origin or colour, you can save launched its name. Everything was lost and they were responsible for sin. We are therefore, as all religions in the world under condemnation for sin, but it can be saved by our faith in Christ. (Ars.)

Dr. Williams added: "more importantly for the sake of dialogue open and care that we are trying to clarify what we do and that does not mean, and by what I hope what follows is read in this spirit".

Source: Archbishop of Canterbury: "the Christian doctrine is offensive for Muslims", Steve Doughty, Mail on Sunday, United Kingdom, July 15, 2008 - summed up by news of religion.
Is Christian doctrine offensive to Muslims? Uhuh. And Islamic doctrine is offensive to Christians. Anyone familiar with the teachings of both religions understand that Christianity and Islam are, like many religions, mutually incompatible.

While religions may have many philosophical and ethical approaches in common, the fact is that certain basic doctrines, teachings considered essential the a particular faith, cannot be accepted without violating core principles of another faith. Final.

As the Catholic Church says, aliens are imaginable, we see many in that faith, accepting a compromise, or should I say, pushing a doctrine of unity between the Islamic faith and the faith and the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

To respond to your article, I say, as believers in Jesus Christ, we cannot compromise with any other religion that denies Jesus as the son of God. Our faith and hope, lies in the truth of the Gospel of Christ. There are many religions in the days of Christ, who not only refused, but also of God, they say he sent them.

"But which I denieth before men shall be denied before the angels of God". We have come too far and they have endured too, to go back to Christ now. We must keep our faith and teach that the truth of salvation also threw Jesucristo. To the Jew first and then the gentiles, as it is written, "Salvation is of the Jews".

For since the beginning of the beginning, the House of Israel was God's chosen people. Christians know that we are to bless Israel and not to curse. For us, as gentiles are grafted on a wild branch, and we can also be grafted out.

"So I endure all things for good of the elect, that they can also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."
This is a faithful saying: If we died with him, will also have that we live with it:
If we suffer, we will also reign with him: If we deny him, he also denied us:
If we believe not, but he remains faithful: he cannot refuse to itself.
"These things put in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that strive for not on words no benefit, but to subvert the listeners."

States of Islam of Jesus, who was a prophet sent from God and nothing more. If this is the case, then what to denigh his own words and prosecute all those who believe in him.? Why do they not follow the words of this Prophet? Are they, therefore, subverting his own words, as smart to any other man, that pretends to be a Christian, that accepts the commitment to their faith, but also subverting his own words?

"So I endure all things for good of the elect, that they can also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." We can preach salvation to believers in Islam and believers in Scientology if not us denigh who sent us. We bear all things for good of the elect, so they have hope in the resurrection of the righteous.

That today, in this world of religions, kill the son of God? Who would be denigh you, they pursue him and declare it as a false Messiah?
According to Dr. Williams ' is more important for the sake of a careful and open dialogue which we are trying to clarify what we do and they do not mean,. "

As believers, we know very well what the Gospel means, especially on the topic of the Trinity, Christ saying, "I am in the father and the father is in me, the father and I are one". Can we also separate God of his own spirit? Therefore, if we believe that Christ is in the father and the father is in Christ and Dios cannot be separated from its own spirit, it is the Trinity, which, as Christians we believe.

Islam as a faith should carry out their own religion, but the problem is, when Islam attempts to compel all men according to their beliefs. If we, as a Christian, do not interfere with Islam, Islam must allow Christianity also make our faith in peace and friendship. Ars. (Webster, TSK.)(Luke_9:26;) Mat_10:33; Mar_8:38; Act_3:13 - 14; 2Ti_2:12; Rev_3:8.)
(Luke 12: 9.) (2Ti 2: 10-14.)

Temple of the spirit of truth & ministries
A.R.Smith ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Do the lesson of the Lebanon lost, once free and prosperous (and 54% Christian) - following EurArabia?

The country of Lebanon was formed from part of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the Middle-East for four centuries prior to World War I; After that, it was part of the Mandate Area set aside by England and France for the settlement of Jews and Muslims - it was established as an independent country after World War II. Eleven predominantly Christian (54% to 44% Muslim), in the mid-sixties it became Gaia despite the lack of oil resources, bustling with activity, construction of apartments, hotels and tourism - almoç the highest living standards of any Arab country in the world. Its capital, Beirut, grew from 450 thousand to 1.25 million persons (about 50% of Lebanon's population); the country was proud of Beirup being called "Paris" of the Mid-East.

Then came the disastrous consequences of a country that forgot its purpose for being - to protect its citizenry – a country out of control, official incompetence and corruption; religious and political factions contesting authority everywhere, revenging grudges: political-religious-extremist groups running amok, funded by external Arab regimes; the Lebanese militia destroying five UNRWA camps, breeding grounds of resentment and hatred, putting down rebellion (leaving 11 camps from the original 16 A camps with their hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees); the "Identity-Infidel killing raids" of Lebanese Christians by Lebanese Muslim extremists (identity cards divulging one's religion) - then flights to safety by those Christians able to flee, or going into hiding; the influx of thousands of terrorists into Lebanon from Jordan, after its Black September, killing thousands of the PLO; similar forced dumped-evictions of extremists from Syria; then rocket attacks from Lebanon's borders onto Israel by PLO and Hezbollah terrorist groups - with eventual (Israel Defense Forces) IDF retaliation raids to root them out - then IDF equipping and training to Lebanese Christian Force to defend its Christians, and to create a border buffer zone against rocket attacks upon Israel future - then to "revenge" by the Lebanese Christian Forces against Lebanese Muslims, killing hundreds at camps of Sabra and Shatilla (Israel, uninvolved in the inter-religious chaos and killings of tens of thousands above, is faulted by the world for not restraining the Lebanese Christians).

The life of Ms. Brigitte Gabrielle, now an American citizen, author and speaker (on Islamic terrorism and Lebanon) - from her age ten to teens - was witness to the end of Lebanon's Christian life. Her statements tell the story:
She grew up hearing talk about religion and politics. discussion was anti-Israeli, equating Israel and Jews with the devil. She attended a private Christian school.
She describe Palestinian atrocities against Christians. She says that the Palestinians would park their tanks and cannons in front of their bomb shelters and launch rockets at Israel, then drive away, knowing that Israel would fire back and hit the Christian bomb shelters.
She says, "My home in Lebanon was destroyed by shelling;" I lived in an 8 X 10 - foot bomb shelter for seven years between the ages of 10 and 17; "I ate grass to live, drank dirty water from a nearby spring and spent evenings in candlelight, covering my ears from the sound of bombs exploding around me."
She says, "Once, at age 13, I went to bed dressed in my Sunday best because I wanted to look pretty for burial if I was killed by the Muslims." "My only crime was that I was a Christian in what was once the only predominantly Christian country in the Middle East - before Islamic Jihad took hold and turned it into a terrorist haven."
That night her life was saved by the Israeli invasion to the Litani river. She lived four years "protected" by the presence of the IDF.
She says, "The Israelis came into Lebanon to liberate them in 1982, because Hezbollah had joined with the Palestinians." Her mother was wounded in the shelling, taken to a hospital in the village tended by an Israeli doctor and two Israeli nurses, then taken in an Israeli ambulance to Israel for medical treatment. (She was then to teenager.)
At the hospital, IDF helicopters brought in Israeli casualties - she expected an angry reaction against her and her mother - but an Israeli nurse took her around, "don't worry, we'll take care of your mother". She cried, tells herself, "These are people of compassion I want to live with."
Relating the experience of kindness at the Israeli hospital, she says that she broke down sobbing because she had "experienced civilization for the first time in my life." After 22 days at the Israeli hospital, Gabriel and her mother return to Lebanon.
Gabriel moved to Israel in 1985, got a job as a news anchor at Middle East News, speaks fluent English, French, Arabic and Hebrew. She now lives in America.

Today, Ms. Gabrielle's message is for the "politically correct" in America and Europe, who seem not to comprehend the happenings to Lebanon and their causes:

She says, "Why didn't the US media show more of the beheadings of Daniel Pearle and others - so people would understand what truly gratuitous cruelty is."
Her memories are even more horrible: Christian mother with her young are tied to her lap - forced to cut off his h - d; perhaps even worse, Christian father and mother, each leg of their baby strapped to their waists - then they are pulled apart!
She says, "We are constantly told that Islam is a religion of peace, that only a small percentage of Muslims are killers." Where is the proof? "Do Perhaps they can't speak out in Arab countries, but here in America they can - where is assurance from moderate Muslims that Islam will let us live in peace in our own Christian countries?"
She says, "The 1988 Hamas charter to destroy Infidels teaches, from their Mosques, how Muslims can demand rights, then take over countries - protected by democratic principles of Christian-majority countries."
She says, "Osama bin Ladin was one of 53 children, have himself had 27 children." "Where is any concern in the 'politically correct' Western democracies such birth rates about - as we open our country's gates?"
She says, "is Where are the Islamic voices of sanity - for peaceful co-existence of our culture and religion with Islam?" Are there any? "And if not - her message is - wake up Europe and America, see what happened to Christian Lebanon"!

Note: To complete the history of Lebanon regarding its religion, present information is that its Muslim majority population is now at 60%, increased from 44 per cent only several decades ago, thus the Christian percentage has dropped from 54% to 38%.

Aaron Kolom qualifies as a "rocket scientist" with over 50 years aerospace engineering: Stress Analyst to Chief of Structural Sciences on numerous military aircraft, to Corp. Director Structures and Materials, Ibbotson. Chief Engineer Space Shuttle Program through first three flights (awarded NASA Public Service Medal), Rockwell International Corp.; Program Manager Concorde SST, VP Engineering TRE Corp.; Aerospace Consultant.

Aaron l. Kolom - from Brainwashed ** and Miracles **

** The Perceived Mind-Set of the Secular Elite re Darwin Evolutionism!

** To Believe in Them - Have Faith - In Science and Logic!

Visit website at [http://www.brainwashedandmiracles.com] to learn a bit about Science vs the Bible, from conflict to confirmation. Also Aaron Kolom EzineArticles

A letter to believing Muslims, Christians and Jews

Believing Muslims, Christians and Jews,

We are going to act together for love, peace and brotherhood and respect the religions.

All the prophets are very beautiful people.

His disposition, morals and attitudes are excellent. They are exemplary people, who are most respected and beloved.

Any inappropriate language directed towards them disturbs all believers. It is not reasonable to explain away any such contrary attitudes by the excuses of "democracy" or "tolerance".

From the Qur'an, as well as the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, we know that throughout history, unbelievers seemed to mock and slander God's blessed messengers. However, the Qur'an predicts the miserable end of those who try to ridicule the messengers of God with these words: "Messengers before that he mocked, but those who ridicule swallowed by mocked it." (Qur'an, 6: 10)

Jesus (peace be upon him) is also one of the highly praised Islamic prophets in the Qur'an. In a verse, the Qur'an says that people also tried to mock Jesus (pbuh) at the time of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace):

When he is an example of the son of Mary [Jesus], your people laugh uproariously. Koran (43: 57)

In the Hebrew Bible, the sacred book of the Jews, we learned that you prophets Elijah, Moses, job and many other prophets (peace be upon them all) met similar attitudes of persons dealing with. How do you say:

But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and mocked his prophets, until that was awakened the anger of the Lord against his people and there was no remedy. (Chronic 2 36: 16)

Who mocks? Who can sneer and stick out their tongue?

... In the light of these things, should relent? (Isaiah 57: 4, 6)

The hostile form of the infidels to the Messenger of God blessed Jesus (pbuh) is also associated with the New Testament in these terms:

He [Jesus] will be delivered to the Gentiles. They mock him, insult him... (Luke 18: 32).

HARUN YAHYA
Born in Ankara in 1956, Adnan Oktar writes his books under the pen name of Harun Yahya. The Harun Yahya works have been translated into 41 languages. To date, his books have been acquired by 8 million people and a number have just been provided free of charge to readers for several newspapers and magazines. You can read, for free, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name of Harun Yahya on these websites http://www.harunyahya.com

1. http://www.islamdenouncesterrorism.com/
2. http://www.islamdenouncesantisemitism.com/

Here why I am not a Christian

Okay, okay! In the sense that I remain a follower of the teachings of God's Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, yes, you would STILL refer to me as such and I would STILL respond. However, there are a few things all Modern Day Followers - Disciples of Jesus - should consider:

FIRST

Did you know the word "Christian" appears only three times in the New Testament? The New Testament's use of this term indicates that it was a term of derision, a term placed upon Christ's followers by their critics. Not unlike, for instance, the British reference to America's colonists, "Yankee Doodle Dandy." A "dandy" was considered a derogatory term for a person with pretensions above his social status. "Yankee" was also highly derogatory and referred to a coward. British troops used it to mock American Colonial militias who, untrained and undisciplined, often broke and ran before the advancing Redcoats. In time, as the tide of the Revolution turned, the young Americans embraced the term and it stuck.

We find the term "Christians" in Acts 17:28 (NIV) where King Agrippa, an unbeliever, said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" It is also found in 1 Peter 4:16 (NIV): "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." This text indicates that early believers in Christ suffered persecution for being "Christians." In fact, in 1 Peter being a "Christian" seems almost synonymous with suffering (1:6,7; 2:12,19-23; 3:9-17; 4:1,12-19; 5:9).

This thought leads us directly to the third text that uses the term "Christian." It appears in Acts 11:27 (NIV), where we read, "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

This key text tells us two things about those who bore the title of "Christian."

First, "Christian" was not so much a name that they chose as a name that was APPLIED to them (they were CALLED Christians by others). This is consistent with the observation that it was a term placed upon them by hostile critics.

Next, it was a term that was placed on "the disciples." This helps us to establish the meaning of the term: A Christian is a disciple, a follower of Christ, one who places their faith in Jesus as God's Christ.

Finally, a Christian is one who is prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, if necessary. This suffering, as we have seen, is described in detail by Peter. It entails a life patterned after the life and death of Jesus, a life of service to God and others.

SECOND

Perhaps, like me, you were taught that "Christian" literally meant "a little Christ." Not so, according to Zondervan's Bible Dictionary.

It states that the word is derived from the Greek, Christianos. It says, "The Latin termination -ianos, widely used throughout the [Roman] empire, often designated the slaves of the one with whose name it was compounded."

"Slaves," not "children." Not "followers" or "friends," not "companions" nor "colleagues" or even "brothers."

The word referred to "Slaves." Paul referred to himself as a "bond servant" of the Christ. A dictionary definition of a "bond servant" is someone bound to labor without wages. A synonym of bond servant is "slave."

God permitted people to be slaves under the Old Covenant. But God's Law didn't allow His people to mistreat slaves. The way slavery was practiced in America's Southern states and elsewhere was/is completely against the principles of the Word of God. In Deuteronomy 15:12-15, God guarantees that slavery, for a Hebrew, is not permanent. It's not for life. The longest time a Hebrew could be kept in slavery was six years, and when he was set free in the seventh year, he was to be released with livestock and food. Why? So he wouldn't have to sell himself again the next day in order to get a bite to eat.

In verse 16, we read: "But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant."

A slave could go free at the end of six years of service, but they didn't always jump at the chance. There would be slaves who did not want to go, those who had a hard time earning a living, for whom the room and board they had as a slave was better than anything they'd been able to find for himself. They might have grown comfortable with their master and his household over the past six years, and could not bring themselves to leave.

In such cases, a slave's master would pierce the slave's earlobe with an awl against the door of the house, a very clear statement that the slave was going nowhere and was permanently fixed to this house and this master. It became traditional to put in a gold earring after the awl was removed and that slave could never go free again. He could never be sold, either. He became more than just a slave; he became a servant who was permanently attached -- bonded -- to his master, a bond servant. Such bondservants were usually trusted with more of their master's affairs than a normal slave would be. Although still servants, they often were considered part of the family.

The apostle Peter called himself a bondservant of Jesus Christ in 2 Peter 1:1. So did Paul in Romans 1:1 and Titus 1:1, so did James in James 1:1, Jude in verse 1, and John in Revelation 1:1. All these mighty men of God started their letters with a declaration of bondservanthood, thus emphasizing its importance. The word is also applied to Moses in Revelation 15:3.

What did this word mean to them? It meant they had voluntarily given up their freedom to walk away from their Master. They said, "I love you, Lord, and I don't want to leave You." It meant that God had marked them as His servants for life. They couldn't be separated from their master by anything or anybody.

THIRD

As you've already seen, as Disciples of Christ, we are self-proclaimed FOLLOWERS of Jesus.

He said He came as an example (Jn 13:5).

We are to be "imitators of God," (Eph 5:1) and follow His example through Jesus.

I just searched BibleGateway,com and found over 50 New Testament references (Amplified version) to the phrases, "Follow Me," "Following Him," "Followed Him," or "Follow Him."

Bearing that in mind, why are "Followers of Christ" so quick to tell people we are "Christians" - with pride, mind you, as if we were declaring allegiance to our high school football team or political party - thereby alienating ourselves, causing prejudices to rise up in others? We're forcing people to classify us, usually lumping us in with televangelists, wild-eyed preachers overzealous Christian parents, and the most judgmental, hypocritical, venomous, hateful, intolerant, repulsive religious bigots they can think of.

As a Workplace Chaplain, it isn't long after meeting me that I am usually asked to what denomination I am affiliated. Typically, I gently decline from answering that question, kindly informing them that far too many people will judge me by my answer, thereby eliminating any opportunity for future ministerial assistance. They generally agree and admit to "getting my point."

A friend who works with ex-cons said he never refers to himself as a Christian. Rather than opening the door to prejudgementalism, he said most people seem to better better able to handle hearing that he is a "Follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ." As Bruxy Cavey writes in "The End of Religion, "Muslims see Jesus as a Great Prophet, Jews see Him as a Rabbi, He's an enlightened one to the Buddhists and an avatar to the Hindu."

It appears that many religious groups will acknowledge the greatness of Jesus, but it's Christians, Ministers and The Church to which people seem to have the greatest aversion. As soon as a religious-sounding word like "Christian," "Baptist," "Catholic," "Presbyterian," church, or some other solely Christian reference is made, an individual's intellect kicks in, they classify you, and any opportunity to love them, minister and introduce them to "Christ in you, the hope of glory" is gone.

I had this thought this morning as I was waking: A man is abducted by radical Muslim Extremists. With a blindfold on, the man asks his captors why they have taken him and what they plan to do with him. "You are a Christian and we are directed to kill all infidels such as you."

The blindfolded man pauses a moment and declares, "But I am NOT a Christian. What I AM is a follower of the teachings of Esau - Jesus, the holy man who is named 97 times in the Koran. Are you familiar with His wonderful teachings? You should hear what He said about having a peace that passes all understanding, an unspeakable joy, and having all your sins forgiven! Have you heard? His words offer eternal life to all people and can take away our guilt. He showed us all how to love our enemies and live in harmony with the world. Would you like that? No, I am not a Christian, my friend. Just a man, like you, trying to love God the very best way I know how...a way that was shown to us all by Jesus who said, "...His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say," (John 12:50).

FOURTH

The issue is obviously not so much Christianity as it is RELIGION. The word, according to Funk & Wagnalls, literally means, "a return to bondage." Jesus had few good things to say to the religious rulers of His day. He defined pure religion as taking care of widows and orphans, NOT one's adherence to manmade traditions and doctrines in an effort to attain God's favor or express devotion.

Simply put, if Christ is IN US and Christ is IN THEM, whatever we do to them has been done to Him. We will never demonstrate devotion to the Fatherhood of God until we learn to show our love to the Brotherhood of Man. If that sounds "New Age" or "Universalistic" to anyone reading this now, all I can say is, "thank you for proving my point!" There we go again, categorizing people and judging their allegiance and method of worship to their Creator.

Not any different from Cain and Able, is it?

Religion through the ages has always been a source of contention that has led to great amounts of bloodshed. Whether it was the Crusades, persecution of Christians by Christians, murders between Irish Catholics and Protestants, or Hutus and Tutsis of Africa, religion can always found as the basis of their feuds.

So, why is it that mankind instinctively tries to "perform" religious duties to express devotion to God? Truth is, we often "do things" that fall under the category of "Worship" to everyone but God Himself, that is (read Isaiah 58:2-8).

The reason we are always striving to express ourselves in various modes of worship, I believe, is that we are programmed to jump through hoops all our lives in an effort to win all competitions. We find value and seek personal identity in our victories and approval by others for doing well. Whether it's a prize, a gold star, a blue ribbon, a bonus, a promotion, a handshake or public recognition, we are desperate for approval.

God's grace flies in the face of that kind of thinking. His grace tells us, "I love you so much, no matter what, and it was all made possible because of Jesus - the One who ALREADY did all the work."

Most people find this to be a wonderful sentiment but, with our Religious mindset, it has a flaw: it isn't in our DNA to receive acceptance without performance, thus explaining why so many Believers are still in bondage to their past, their thoughts and their habits.

FIFTH

According to a March 2009 survey released by The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, those with NO RELIGION, ironically, make up America's fastest growing "Religious" tradition. In fact, three huge trends were revealed from that survey: (1) the "nones"-people claiming no religion-constitute the only "Religious" tradition that's actually growing in all 50 states, (2) nearly 40 percent of mainline Protestants now also identify themselves as evangelical or born again as a generic form of evangelicalism is emerging as the main form of non-Catholic Christianity in the USA, and (3) the nation's massive Roman Catholic population has shifted from the Northeast to the Southwest, mainly because of the growing Hispanic population.

I contend that it's not Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, Pentecostalism or any other faith-related LABEL that people find so repulsive; it's Religion itself.

The word literally means "a return to bondage." Hmmm. Jesus came to set us free. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Is it Religion that people are REALLY struggling with? After all, Jesus had nothing good to say to the religious leaders of His own day. Why would today's religions offer anything different?

Here's how I see it: Religion is man's attempt to reach God. People are "wired" to seek after their Creator and, as a result, typically turn to religious institutions to do so. It's what we do. Once we arrive, expecting to learn more about God or receive a blessing from Him, we are generally reminded how sinful we are, become burdened with guilt, and then learn all the religious "stuff" we must do in order to gain acceptance with the group and, hopefully, with God. After all, we are DYING to be accepted.

Once this religious input fails in alleviating our fears, doubts, guilt and bondages, we either look elsewhere or turn to irreligion. Some will stick with it and are eventually rewarded with titles and positions of authority within our group while others - a rapidly-growing number - are turning our backs on Religion in order to continue to seek after God. Sadly, there are those who will cease to believe in God at all after these negative experiences.

Several months ago, as I was sharing with a group of women in a restaurant, I asked the ladies how many of them attended a traditional church. All but one of the group of about ten. I asked one of the ladies who no longer is affiliated with an institutional church to share her story. She explained that she had never received anything but judgment from the churches she and her family had attended. "They don't like my piercings, the fact that I attend N.A. meetings, or that my husband has been in jail. On the other hand, these ladies don't judge me. They know all about me and accept me anyway. I love coming to work every day because, for me, I'm coming to church. These are my sisters."

The entire table agreed.

As you may know from my writings, my wife and I participate in the growing House Church movement. Millions of Americans each month no longer attend church services as they pursue a more New Testament expression of BEING Church rather than GOING To Church. As I speak, write and teach others on this topic, I am sure to warn them NOT to allow dissension to enter in. Last thing all the "Followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ" need is another "us against them" spirit within the camp. We are ALL The Church, ALL the time; in a pew, a workplace cubicle, a recliner or a restaurant.

SIXTH

Jesus had this to say to the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law who piled high the religious do's and don'ts upon people who were seeking after God: "...what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden." (Luke 11:46, NLT). He also said: "... Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!" (Matthew 23:15, NLT).

As God said to Joshua, "Moses is dead!" The Law-Giver was and is gone forever and yet, we continue employing rules and regs that burden and divide us. In John 5:45, Jesus told the Religious Leaders, "...it isn't I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes." In other words, their own desire to obey the laws of Moses while placing others under that same burden, would keep them from experiencing God's perfect Law of Liberty, the moral instructions taught by Christ, ESPECIALLY regarding love of God and others.

No, the problem isn't with Jesus. The problem is clearly with Religion. Contrary to those who believe One World Religion is the answer - whether it's those Jihadists for whom world domination by Islam is the goal, or Christians seeking world evangelization through its many sects - NO RELIGION at all seems to be the growing trend.

Truth is, the popularity of Jesus seems to be on the rise these days. Just look at the sales of Wm. P. Young's book, "The Shack" and Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" as proof. People of all kinds of spiritual backgrounds seem to be seeking after something more than what's been made of Him and more than what Religion itself has had to offer. Many are finding it repulsive to hear this group choosing sides against that group over issues such as spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues, women in ministry and carpet colors. They see a different house of "worship" on every street corner and wonder, "Where's the love?"

As a Workplace Chaplain, may I encourage you NOT to share RELIGION with your coworkers. Instead, share the love of CHRIST with them. Let them know how much God loves them, how much He needs them, how much He desires to build His Kingdom with them. At all costs, do not judge them, do not talk about church, do not use religious phrases, do not remind them how sinful they are...they already know all that and it's what they were expecting you to say. Share Christ with them and introduce them to Him. Love them. Remember, "love" is a verb; an action word.

Do you fit into the group that prefers to no longer refer to themselves as "Christians"? Are those newly-released statistics talking about YOU? If so, I'd like to hear from you. My concern is that there are vast multitudes of people reading this now who feel this way. Send me an E-mail at team1min@our-town.com.

Feel free to remain anonymous. Let's talk!

Michael Tummillo

Workplace Chaplain

His mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since '99, he has broadcast nearly 700 inspirational articles to his online subscribers and a dozen booklets on subjects sure to interest the thinking Christian and accelerate the process of spiritual development.

He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries. An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are read around the globe. Subscribe at team1min@our-town.com. Michael's eBooks on these and related subjects may be found at http://stores.lulu.com/YourTown4Jesus

Why is the world silence over Christian persecution?

Damare Garang, a child of seven slaves in Sudan, was "crucified" on a Board and left for dead by his Islamic owner for sneaking to attend a religious service. As they walked to their Christian High School in Indonesia, Noviana Malewa and his young companions were attacked by Islamic jihadists with machetes, beheaded three of the girls leaving their heads on the steps of a church. Noviana only survived, bearing a scar on his face and neck as a macabre reminder of the attack.

Christian persecution is not a subject that is widely covered on the cover of newspapers, let alone the evening news. The world seems more concerned about a lost pod of whales stuck to a seashore that the fate of the Christian "problematic", although this reaction to Christian persecution should not be surprised. Jesus warns, "If the world hates you, know that I hated before of him hated." If you were of the world, the world would be self-esteem. "Yet because you are not of the world, but you chose in the world, the world so it hates you". (John 15: 18-19). From the time of Christ, Christians have been persecuted for their faith. These attacks against Christians will not cease until the return of Christ, of Satan, the God of this world uses humanity to carry out the most heinous atrocities against those who dare call themselves a follower of Jesus Christ.

According to the Bible, Stephen was the first Christian martyr. The events of his death are recorded in the book of the acts. Apostle Paul, then called Saul, was present at the scene of Stephen the death believed that I was doing a service of God by tolerating the death of Esteban. However, Satan which meant for evil Dios meant for good and Apostle Paul went on to become one of the most influential authors of the Bible. From the Roman Empire to the Crusades, the history shows a trend in the Christian persecution and now the world is directed toward a resurgence of ostracism and attacking Christians. Why is that? What are Christians doing to illicit such behaviour of society? Apostle John says, "for all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life - is not of the father but of the world (1 John 2: 16)." Sin, which glorifies the world (sex, power, money, etc.), indicates the society away from God. As a result people become mundane and vehemently trying to force God out of the equation of life, while Christians are constantly putting God in the equation.

One of the most obvious reasons the world persecutes Christians is because the Christian way of life is a constant reminder of their sinful lifestyle. Christians unwittingly provide a stark reflection to humanity, that many do not want to look in the mirror in the reflection of their sinful lifestyle. The sin which links a sinner eventually drowns the consciousness of God. Consciousness pushes one into a relationship with the Lord, but what happens when one follows by ignoring of consciousness? Sin becomes easier and becomes a full progression not to obey God. Accordingly, one becomes the world and begins to hate God and what he represents.

Moreover, Christians proclaim proudly representing Jesus Christ, the son of God... therefore a mundane United Front in the persecution of the Christians. From China, Korea North, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, to the Palestinian territories, Christians are being persecuted. Dakes annotated Bible refers to numerous Scriptures on why the world hates Christians:

The world hates reproof. (John 3: 19).

The evils of the world are exposed by Christian life. (Romans 12: 2).

The darkness of the world is exposed by the light of the Christians. (John 3: 19).

The world is blind. (2 Corinthians 4: 4)

Christians are not of the world. (John 15: 19).

The world is at war with the Christians. (Jn 16: 33, Ephesians 6: 12, 1 Jn. 5: 4)

Christians hate the ways of the world. (1 John 2: 15-17)

The world is ignorant of the Christian experience. (Galatians 2: 20).

Damare was rescued by a stranger was found stuck in the Board and saved soldiers Noviana from their brutal attackers. Both were severely traumatized by simply being a Christian, but their spirits remain strong in Christ Jesus. We must remember that Satan knows was defeated at Calvary and has used the time which has left in this domain earthly to persecute those who love the creator turned against and opted not to obey. For a follower of Christ, it may seem a daunting future ahead, there is another round of global persecution in a future waiting for Christians. According to revelations (20: 4), many Christians are beheaded for the testimony of Jesus Christ and the word of God. Apostle John gave warm and encouraging words of Christians in relation to our victory over the world, "for what is born of God overcomes the world." "And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith". During dangerous times, hold tight to their faith and recalls the victory in Christ.

Please take a moment to visit http://www.persecution.com martyrs voices to learn more about the continuing Christian persecution and visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com to read more about Damare Garang, Noviana Malewa and others persecuted Christians in the world.

York Nevada, author of caught up and revelation of mahogany, published his book most recent journey to salvation in 2006 to rave reviews from readers. Nevada published novels are an achievement that has been well worth the wait. You don't be deterred, it has bought its determination on the publication of two memorable novels. http://nevadayork.com

En defensa del Estado nación Christian

Nation states are necessary creations allowing varied and formulaic control over political, legal and economic processes for a defined geographically bound group of people. Nation states are more however than economic unions, common spaces, and constitutional mandates. They are organisms. Cultural mores, emotional attachments, and collective understandings are far more important to the development and maintenance of a nation state than elitist documents; arcane legal statutes; or multi-cultural inspired concepts of being nice, diverse or happy. A nation state is a collection of people with shared linguistics, histories, aptitudes, and objectives. Yet here we have the soft modern Western mind and state, engaged in a war with Islamic fascists, erecting more mindless mommy-state programs, secularism and destroying civilisational concepts and nation state creations through Islamic immigration, appeasement, multi-culturalism and post modern socialist management and ethos. It is a highly disturbing and enraging scenario.

European civilization strode on to conquer the world after establishing and agreeing upon a nation state structure. The nation state concept was ratified by the European powers in the 1648 Westphalian accord which stated that, 'there shall be a Christian and Universal Peace, and a perpetual, true, and sincere Amity, between his Sacred Imperial Majesty, and his most Christian Majesty; as also, between all and each of the Allies...' A Christian and European form of national determination and governance thus came into acceptance. Within geographical limits a state would have territorial and taxation control and state law within that territory would reign supreme. Though wars did and always will occur, the concept that groups of people could have security, common interests and objectives all freed from wanton anarchy allowed the coming Western revolutions of the mind, spirit, and political-economy to gather strength post 1648. This competitive and secure structure allowed the West to take-off. The rest, including world domination, is history.

Fast forward now to the 21rst century and we have the on-going deconstruction of the nation state. Post modern, anti-reality, anti-Western 'philosophy' and anti-Christian dogma mandates the dismemberment of the nation state and the creation of transnational governance. But to get there cultures and ethos need to be eradicated and then re-casted. Post modern socialism and the fetish for all things trans-national is nothing but a lurid attempt to destroy geographically defined accountability and transparency via parliamentary and republican governance and impose an elitist and quite immoral control pattern. The idea that post moderns hold dear is that nationalism and nation statism, along with intolerant Christianity is bad. Chauvinism, pride, nationalism, cultural ignorance and arrogance are all attributed to the nation state and its Christian ideology. World wars, fascism, communism, imperialism and racism according to the post modern elite, emanate from nation states and only from nation states with Christians hosting a goodly display of immoderate barbarism as well. The post moderns seem to posit that racism, wars, tribal conflicts and aggression never existed until post-1648.

This is of course nonsense. Racism and tribalism are phenomena as old as the human race. In the modern period wars of imperialism, racism, religion and ideology have been created by leaders using the nation state structure to gain power and the ability to wage war. Nation states hardly created these ideologies. Intellectuals, academics in the case of communism, fascism and Hitlerism were vital to convince whole populations that tribal, racial, or class creed based systems were part of the 'darwinian' or 'lamarckian' order and would allow supremity over others. Religion and ideology have always been used by the power mad and the warring to justify their conquests.

Utopian ideologies simply seize the nation state and use the cultural values of the state in question to help the ideology seize power. Fascism took root differently in Germany and Romania for example as it did under communism in Russia or China. Blaming the nation state for wars is simply wrong. Statism, utopian philosophies, empire building dictators, and military castes thirsting for territory and plunder have been the main causes of the bloodiest wars in the past 100 years. The only contribution nation states might have made was in the creation of the modern and now dismembered British and Russian empires driven by trade, geo-political control of key areas, and state competition. Even here the British colonial wars were no more obscene and usually less bloody than the internecine savagery amongst the natives it was busy conquering. In any event it is hard to argue that India, to give just one example, was not better off under British rule especially in light of modern Indian political-economic development. Even here with so-called imperialist white wars, the good outweighed the bad.

Nation states do engage in war, but that is part of the deal. Nation states must secure for a group the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of whatever it is they want to pursue that does not derange the working order of international relations. If attacked it is assumed that the nation state will defend itself. As nation states become modernized, industrialized and build up a transparent and accountable liberal-democratic order with proper institutions and constraints, it is hard to make the case that the nation state becomes a bellicose war making machine. Facts simply don't support this. For the post modern elite to presuppose that the nation state is the root of all evil and war, and must pass under the control of a smiling, kind, all knowing elite, is to put it mildly, rather insane. The further that governance passes from the local into the abstract, the more problems and the more treachery that will abound. Yet we are well on the way to deconstructing our modern states. This has nothing to do with globalization or world economics, but it has everything to do with post modern political attitudes.

Take the case example of Islam. Islam is a universal, supremacist ideology of control and power. Yet it eschews the nation state by creating the Muslim Umma or community, and directly tells its followers that there are no nation states just the Umma. In fact the only defence against the Muslims is the Western nation state. In the failure that passes for the Islamic world a Hamas or Hizbollah only needs to become a dual state within a state to have de-facto power. They don't need to bother with the real thing. All they need are the state resources and like the Nazis in Germany they can steal what they want by creating a parallel state with the national structure and controlling resources and support.

In fighting off Islam what then are Western states doing? They import more muslims from a cultural ethos that is diametrically opposed to Western cultural values and give them multi-cultural protection to set up their own little states within nation states. They fund their schools, mosques, extended family reunification programs, and tell them that Islam means peace. Domestic institutions are being changed to Muslim favor within Western states. In foreign affairs the West tries to wage a necessary war in Iraq and Afghanistan while not offending Muslims; done on the cheap with too few troops, legal restrictions on everything from when to fire to how we can interrogate terrorists, and sensitivity to every death or injury. The softness of the West is self evident for the Islamic jihadists to see. We can thank post modern socialism and the hatred towards Western civilization by the elite for this turn of events.

By allowing the post modern elite to eradicate the basic ideals of the nation state we have fatally weakened ourselves in the face of the Islamic jihad. This says nothing about the loss of liberty, control, and transparency in our domestic daily affairs. The Christian nation state needs to be saved, not destroyed.

http://www.craigread.com