GCG - until every family is doing well©
* The Church for The Internet Generation *
* For The Modern World *
*The First Worldwide Community Church with Biblical principles for all people*
_____________________
NOTICE: Important info for every web visitor
(1) The web provider, weebly.com, is working on this page and on this whole website to find out the reason for the technical malfunctioning. The orderly, original set up for some article topics, lines and additional links with the complete texts is not holding. It may or may not appear in every page = tab. The lines are jumping unevenly, changing the font size and boldness is changing by itself after the website work. All is fine when GCG's editors save & publish the new information. When next time starting to work on the editing and placing new material, the pages appear messed up - it happens after GCG's editors exit the whole website. However, all information stays in this extensive website & is available in full in every page and for every article. GCG is sorry for the inconvenience - the web provider will repair this technical malfunctioning.
All material in this website is being used in College & University education for every degree level. Despite the "jumping lines & other technical difficulties", you will and every web visitor still will get the high level science information.
(2) Just recently another thing happened: the GCG beautiful HOME page suddenly disappeared in full - a technical malfunction and not caused by GCG.
GCG requested the web provider Weebly to restore the home page.
Global Church of God - GCG
*The First Worldwide Internet Community Church with Biblical principles for all people*
__________________________________________
(1) The web provider, weebly.com, is working on this page and on this whole website to find out the reason for the technical malfunctioning. The orderly, original set up for some article topics, lines and additional links with the complete texts is not holding. It may or may not appear in every page = tab. The lines are jumping unevenly, changing the font size and boldness is changing by itself after the website work. All is fine when GCG's editors save & publish the new information. When next time starting to work on the editing and placing new material, the pages appear messed up - it happens after GCG's editors exit the whole website. However, all information stays in this extensive website & is available in full in every page and for every article. GCG is sorry for the inconvenience - the web provider will repair this technical malfunctioning.
All material in this website is being used in College & University education for every degree level. Despite the "jumping lines & other technical difficulties", you will and every web visitor still will get the high level science information.
(2) Just recently another thing happened: the GCG beautiful HOME page suddenly disappeared in full - a technical malfunction and not caused by GCG.
GCG requested the web provider Weebly to restore the home page.
Global Church of God - GCG
*The First Worldwide Internet Community Church with Biblical principles for all people*
__________________________________________
QUOTE
“Character is what you do when no one is watching.” (Dr. Christian, Pastor, GCG)
"Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
__________
Get blessed - your choice of positive actions will make you blessed
This comment by GCG (below) was placed on the internet for the article Woman returns $30,000 she found in donated clothes
The original article below
Below GCG's comment a full analysis how she will be blessed based on her behavior. (Article 1 of 2)
Below also another news story about a homeless man who returned an expensive wring - he was blessed also
The original article below (Article 2 of 2)
After both articles an analysis of the principles how to become blessed
_________________
Comment by Global Church of God - GCG
- church for the modern world -
The First Worldwide Community Church with Biblical principles for all people
by Dr. Christian von Christophers, Lead Pastor, GCG
Quotation : “Character is what you do when no one is watching.”
(Dr. Christian, GCG)
A huge question for all of us humans: How to have a mentally, physically, financially happy & successful life?
As the founder of Successology ® (Reg.US.Pat.Off.1991) - the new science for life success - I am honored, no matter what your background, homeless or a king or anything between, to show light for finding a road to your worthy goals and getting them fulfilled.
Visit for further information GCG's website & another affiliated, science & success website introduced there.
GCG is a for the modern world - our teaching for life success is always based on two elements:
(1) The Biblical Text and (2) the most updated modern human science. Based on the latest science facts GCG proves every statement we make in our teaching.
The lady in this story, Carol Sutor of Bristol, Pa., was alone and could have kept the money.
She chose to return the 30K. As a result she was blessed. And she will be blessed additionally.
Ms. Sutor believes in "karma".
It is the same as the well-known Biblical principle of "The Golden Rule"
(The Bible, Matthew 7:12)
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e, the cycle called samsara)
Both mean "what you do to others will come back to you" or "the way you want to be treated you need to FIRST treat others" (Bible, Leviticus 19.18). In all world religions and living philosophies the same principle can be found.
Some go even deeper as e.g. in Islam: "A person should wander about treating all creatures s/he him/herself would be treated" (Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13)
In Christianity the principle of "love" is the key message of Jesus' teachings.
When Jesus was asked "what is the most important commandment (= the modern word for commandment is "success law"), Jesus answered: "The 1st is "Respect & Love the Creator of your life - means: follow the 10 success laws given in The Bible" and the 2nd "love your neighbor".
If we all would love our neighbor this world would be a paradise. If we all would apply the 10 Biblical success laws in our daily life we would have a long, healthy, financially successful life with happy family life - the latest science for human health & success has the same principles.
There is another interesting example of a man who was blessed because he decided to follow the 10 Biblical success laws. When he was begging on the street, he found later in this bag an expensive diamond ring - he decided to return it to the giver. He was blessed and now has (1) a home, (2) a part-time job and (3) a fund of over $186,000 donated to him by the public when his story went viral — and was reunited with his family on TV.
Visit GCG website, go to tab (= site) "Biblical Guidance", at the top you'll find both of these cases analyzed.
GCG's presence is needed in D.C. in the U.S. Congress (House & Senate) to remind of our founding fathers' idea for our country. GCG is needed in D.C. to give reminders of ethics & reasonability in our choices as the nation's lawmakers.
Listen to GCG's, Inc.'s popular Radio Show - you'll get free CEU & College-University credits.
The show link in GCG's website (tab: Radio/TV Shows)
Visit GCG's website - Use in web search (copy) "Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor, Global Church of God Ministry, New York"
Respectfully,
Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D.
GCG's founding Pastor Expect Great Things
_______________________________________________
Get blessed - your choice of positive actions will make you blessed
This comment by GCG (below) was placed on the internet for the article Woman returns $30,000 she found in donated clothes
The original article below
Below GCG's comment a full analysis how she will be blessed based on her behavior. (Article 1 of 2)
Below also another news story about a homeless man who returned an expensive wring - he was blessed also
The original article below (Article 2 of 2)
After both articles an analysis of the principles how to become blessed
_________________
Comment by Global Church of God - GCG
- church for the modern world -
The First Worldwide Community Church with Biblical principles for all people
by Dr. Christian von Christophers, Lead Pastor, GCG
Quotation : “Character is what you do when no one is watching.”
(Dr. Christian, GCG)
A huge question for all of us humans: How to have a mentally, physically, financially happy & successful life?
As the founder of Successology ® (Reg.US.Pat.Off.1991) - the new science for life success - I am honored, no matter what your background, homeless or a king or anything between, to show light for finding a road to your worthy goals and getting them fulfilled.
Visit for further information GCG's website & another affiliated, science & success website introduced there.
GCG is a for the modern world - our teaching for life success is always based on two elements:
(1) The Biblical Text and (2) the most updated modern human science. Based on the latest science facts GCG proves every statement we make in our teaching.
The lady in this story, Carol Sutor of Bristol, Pa., was alone and could have kept the money.
She chose to return the 30K. As a result she was blessed. And she will be blessed additionally.
Ms. Sutor believes in "karma".
It is the same as the well-known Biblical principle of "The Golden Rule"
(The Bible, Matthew 7:12)
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e, the cycle called samsara)
Both mean "what you do to others will come back to you" or "the way you want to be treated you need to FIRST treat others" (Bible, Leviticus 19.18). In all world religions and living philosophies the same principle can be found.
Some go even deeper as e.g. in Islam: "A person should wander about treating all creatures s/he him/herself would be treated" (Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13)
In Christianity the principle of "love" is the key message of Jesus' teachings.
When Jesus was asked "what is the most important commandment (= the modern word for commandment is "success law"), Jesus answered: "The 1st is "Respect & Love the Creator of your life - means: follow the 10 success laws given in The Bible" and the 2nd "love your neighbor".
If we all would love our neighbor this world would be a paradise. If we all would apply the 10 Biblical success laws in our daily life we would have a long, healthy, financially successful life with happy family life - the latest science for human health & success has the same principles.
There is another interesting example of a man who was blessed because he decided to follow the 10 Biblical success laws. When he was begging on the street, he found later in this bag an expensive diamond ring - he decided to return it to the giver. He was blessed and now has (1) a home, (2) a part-time job and (3) a fund of over $186,000 donated to him by the public when his story went viral — and was reunited with his family on TV.
Visit GCG website, go to tab (= site) "Biblical Guidance", at the top you'll find both of these cases analyzed.
GCG's presence is needed in D.C. in the U.S. Congress (House & Senate) to remind of our founding fathers' idea for our country. GCG is needed in D.C. to give reminders of ethics & reasonability in our choices as the nation's lawmakers.
Listen to GCG's, Inc.'s popular Radio Show - you'll get free CEU & College-University credits.
The show link in GCG's website (tab: Radio/TV Shows)
Visit GCG's website - Use in web search (copy) "Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor, Global Church of God Ministry, New York"
Respectfully,
Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D.
GCG's founding Pastor Expect Great Things
_______________________________________________
What surveys say about worship attendance – and why some stay home
(1) Roughly three-in-ten U.S. adults (29%) now say they seldom or never attend worship services, up from 25% in 2003
(2) The share of people who say they attend services at least once a week has remained relatively steady;
37% say they attend at least weekly today, compared with 39% a decade ago
(3) when not attending a church service 24% mention practical difficulties ), including work conflicts, health problems or transportation difficulties
Click colored areas for further info
Every year, mostly in September, one Sunday is (Click) “National Back to Church Sunday,” a coordinated effort by more than 20,000 churches of various Christian denominations to reach out to people who rarely attend worship services.
The percentage of Americans who say they “seldom” or “never” attend religious services (aside from weddings and funerals) has risen modestly in the past decade. (1) Roughly three-in-ten U.S. adults (29%) now say they seldom or never attend worship services, up from 25% in 2003, according to aggregated data from Pew Research Center surveys. (2) The share of people who say they attend services at least once a week has remained relatively steady; 37% say they attend at least weekly today, compared with 39% a decade ago.
Of course, how often people say they usually attend services is not necessarily the same as how often they actually do attend. For example, time diary studies, in which respondents report on concrete activities over a limited span of time, often show lower rates of church attendance than data from surveys, which perhaps better reflect how people see themselves (rather than how they behave).
Among the (click) growing share of religiously unaffiliated adults in the U.S., the vast majority say they are not looking for a religion, and relatively few (5%) say they go to services weekly or more often. But what keeps people who have a religious affiliation – that is, who identify with a particular religious group – out of the pews?
*) pew = a long bench with a back, placed in rows in the main part of some churches to seat the congregation
A 2012 Pew Research poll asked respondents to answer this question in their own words. Among religiously affiliated Americans who say that religion is at least somewhat important in their lives, but who attend worship services no more than a few times a year, 24% cite personal priorities – including 16% who say they are too busy – as reasons they do not attend more often. Another 24% mention practical difficulties, including work conflicts, health problems or transportation difficulties.
Nearly four-in-ten (37%) point to an issue directly related to religion or church itself. The most common religion-related responses include disagreements with the beliefs of the religion or their church leaders, or beliefs that attending worship services is not important. Meanwhile, almost one-in-ten (9%) do not attribute their lack of attendance at religious services to anything in particular.
Click: RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES, RELIGIOUSLY UNAFFILIATED
Click colored areas for further info
Source: Pew Research Center; FacTTank - News in the Numbers
________________________________________________________________________________
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Foreword and Introduction
to the article below New Facts About Genital Herpes
By Dr. Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., The founding Pastor of Global Church of God - GCG
The human sexuality, intended for the Sacrament*) of Marriage, is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God!
Matrimony "constitutes the only 'place' worthy of the call to existence of a new human being."
sacrament = (LAT. sacramentum = a holy matter)
Sex outside a marriage is a deadly sin. Sin means: breaking the Biblical success laws that are created by God to give us a healthy, happy & financially rich long life.
The Bible clearly states that sex belongs only to a married couple. The Bible also clearly states that any other sexual activity will ALWAYS bring deadly sickness.
When will we learn that it is the truth? Throughout the human history millions of people have died of sexually transmitted sicknesses - and millions of more will.
When the medical science figures out how to heal a new sexually transmitted sickness, God always sends a new sickness to warn us and also sends new prophets
(= evangelists, pastors, clergymen, scientists, public speakers) to warn us of God's laws in The Bible - laws that are our medicine out from the wrong doings.
The fact is: sex outside a marriage ALWAYS brings sickness. Always.
When will we learn the simple truth that has always been as a fact in front of us. There is no escape from God's will and guidance. God's WILL IS to guide us all to stay healthy, be happy, enjoy life, become financially rich and enjoy life .
The two most important success laws (= commandments - "success law" is the modern word) are (1) Love God = follow God's success laws and (2) love your neighbor. This means: (1) When we live by God's guidance that is the same as loving him, (2) when we help other people and do not harm anyone pe we will stay healthy, happy, live long(er) and have a richer life financially and in any other way.
God created us from the dust of the earth - another fact; when we die we DO turn back to dust which means: we are made of dust . Study the 101 science facts and historical predictions in The Bible. They will prove to you that all in The Bible is true. That understanding will lead you to accept the principles for a healthy, happy, long, financiall rich life and then finally:to an eternal sickness-free life in the Paradise. Study the 101 science facts in this in the tab:
Successology ® - Successology is a new science of success - Reg.U.S.Pat.Off.1991
Click below for further info
(1) HIV/AIDS - MayoClinic.com
(2) Syphilis Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis - WebMDwww.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/syphilis
Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity. Learn more about syphilis from the experts at WebMD.
(3) Gonorrhea - STD information from CDCwww.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI)(4) Genital herpes | University of Maryland Medical Center
(5) And many more - click: Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Information from CDCwww.cdc.gov/std/ Information, statistics, and treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from CDC's Division of STD Prevention.
Additional STD links below the article (STD = sexually transmitted diseases)
The article
New Facts About Genital Herpes
“How could this happen to me?” “How can I tell my partner I have genital herpes?”
I have too often heard these questions as well as the despair, guilt, remorse, and fear of patients when told they have genital herpes. Now a report in the journal Nature may help to decrease the spread of this disease and result in an effective treatment for what is called herpes simples virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Today, it’s estimated that 20 percent of the population is infected with HSV-2. But of this group, 80 percent are unaware they have this infection. This means that 50 million North Americans have genital herpes, and that every year, another 500,000 are diagnosed with it. Once people are infected, no treatment will remove the virus from the body.
Dr. Larry Corey, director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, lays some sacred cows to rest. It’s been believed in the past that our immune system puts on battle gear to fight the acute viral infection. Then both sides call a truce until the virus re-emerges from its hiding during periods of emotional and physical stress.
Corey now says this is not the case. His researchers have discovered a specialized type of immune T cell called CD8aa. These cells, which manufacture antiviral substances, try to keep the virus in check and usually do so.
But, as in any war, sometimes the enemy breaks through the defenses and wins a battle. If this happens, viruses penetrate the skin, causing a recurrence of genital herpes. These relapses occur when there’s a decrease in the number of CD8aa cells present.
This is not good news for patients who suffer from genital herpes. Doctors previously told patients that it was possible to have an active sex life if they avoided sex while herpes lesions were still present. But they were warned that if they felt unwell, as if a cold were starting, to avoid sex, as this meant the virus could be present several days before the lesions appeared.
Not knowing when the virus will appear, having sex without a condom becomes a game of Russian roulette: The more often you pull the trigger, the greater the chance of leaving this world.
To add more flames to the fire, a Canadian study reports that a random sample of Canadians revealed that 14 percent tested positive for genital herpes and that the majority did not have symptoms.
So what does this mean? The findings reinforce what we have already known: that sexual activity carries the risk of many types of venereal disease. The fact that one in five is infected with HSW-2, even in affluent suburbs, should ring a bell.
But when genital herpes strikes, how do you break the news and how do you tell? In the movie Annie Hall, Woody Allen immediately asks Diane Keaton upon meeting on their first date, “Can we have a goodnight kiss?”
She asks, “But why now?” He replies, to ease the tension so they can enjoy the evening.
This may work for a goodnight kiss, but with herpes, it’s not a good start. But neither should you use scary words such as “incurable” to describe the condition.
A good start is to talk about cold sores, as nearly everyone knows what they are. It’s ironic that everyone accepts a cold sore as a nuisance. But when the sore occurs in the genital area, its evil is magnified many times.
Of course you can’t escape the infectious nature of herpes, but at the same time, you can maximize the preventability of the disease. When two responsible people cooperate, it’s possible to decrease the chance of spreading the disease.
Moreover, some people, after the first attack, never have another one due to a strong immune system. If this is not the case, attacks often become less severe and infrequent. There are also antiviral drugs such as Zovirax, Famvir, and Valtrex that help prevent recurrences. One can only hope that a vaccine will soon be available.
Source for the above article: The Epoch Times - GCG endorses (click: The Epoch Times
Below the STD list continues from above the article (STD = sexually transmitted diseases)
#'s 1- 4 above the article
(5) And many more - click: Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Information from CDC
www.cdc.gov/std/ Information, statistics, and treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from CDC's Division of STD Prevention. (STD = sexually transmitted diseases)
Diseases & Related Conditions
(click colored title)
____________________________________________
Facts about Orthodox Jews from the Pew Research survey
Click colored areas for further info
Orthodox Jews Orthodox Judaism are a growing and in many ways distinctive segment of the American Jewish community, according to the new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. Jews.
The survey went to considerable lengths to obtain a representative sample of the Orthodox, including extra interviews in communities where Orthodox Jews are concentrated. No calls were made on the Jewish Sabbath or on Jewish holidays, when observant Jews generally will not pick up a telephone. All together, the survey included more than 500 Orthodox Jewish respondents.
Here are eight interesting facts about the Orthodox from the new survey:
On average, Orthodox Jews are much younger and tend to have much higher fertility than the overall Jewish population – an average of 4.1 children among Orthodox Jews in the survey ages 40-59, compared with 1.9 children per Jewish adult overall. This suggests that the Orthodox share of the Jewish population is growing.
The retention rate of the Orthodox seems to be improving. In the past, high fertility in the U.S. Orthodox community was at least partially offset by attrition: Roughly half of the survey respondents who were raised as Orthodox Jews say they are no longer Orthodox. But the falloff from Orthodoxy appears to be declining and is significantly lower among 18-to-29-year-olds than among older people.
Jews who describe themselves as “Modern Orthodox” Modern Orthodox Judaism tend to have much higher levels of secular education than those who identify as Hasidic Hasidic Judaism and Yeshivish Yeshivish : 65% of the Modern Orthodox Jews surveyed have graduated from college, compared with just 25% of those in the combined Hasidic and Yeshivish category, also commonly called Haredi Haredi Judaism or ultra-Orthodox Haredi Judaism - Ultra-Orthodox Jews - Haredim
(Hasidic Jews, including the Chabad movement Chabad are part of a tradition that dates back to 18th century Eastern Europe. Yeshivish Jews, including members of Agudath Israel of America, are part of a tradition that emphasizes the kind of Talmud scholarship exemplified in the past by Lithuanian yeshivot, or religious schools.)
Observing Jewish law is far more important to Orthodox Jews than to other Jews. In fact, nearly eight-in-ten Orthodox Jews (79%) say observing Jewish law is “essential” to what being Jewish means to them, compared with just 19% among Jews overall. More broadly, the survey shows that Orthodox Jews are much more observant than Jews as a whole on a variety of religious measures. For example, three-quarters of Orthodox Jews say they attend synagogue at least monthly (compared with 23% of Jews overall); 92% of Orthodox Jews say they live in a kosher home (compared with 22% of Jews overall); and 95% of Orthodox Jews say they fasted on Yom Kippur \\Yom Kippur (compared with 53% of Jews overall). Kosher food - homes
Not all Jews who describe themselves as Orthodox always meet all the standards that might be considered normative for their group. For example, while 77% of Orthodox Jews say they refrain from handling or spending money on the Sabbath Sabbath, 22% say they do not. But there is nothing unique about this nonconformity. Virtually no religious group in America displays complete uniformity in surveys, perhaps in part because every large group contains some new members and some marginal members. As Duke University sociologist of religion Mark Chaves has noted, inconsistencies in people’s religious ideas, values and practices are surprisingly common. And, these inconsistencies cut in more than one direction. While the survey finds that 7% of Jews who call themselves Orthodox do not keep a kosher home, it also finds that 7% of Jews who identify with the Reform movement say they do keep a kosher home.
Intermarriage is practically nonexistent among Orthodox Jews. Fully 98% of the Orthodox respondents who are married have a Jewish spouse. By contrast, among all married Jews in the Pew Research survey, 44% have a non-Jewish spouse, including nearly six-in-ten of those who got married in 2000 or later.
On average, Orthodox Jews express much more emotional attachment to Israel than do other U.S. Jews. This is particularly true of Modern Orthodox Jews, 77% of whom say they feel “very attached” to the Jewish state. By contrast, among ultra-Orthodox Jews, 55% say they feel very attached to Israel. And among American Jews overall, 30% say they are very attached to Israel.
Politically, Orthodox Jews are far more conservative than other Jews. For example, 57% of Orthodox Jews describe themselves as Republicans or say they lean toward the Republican Party, while 36% are Democrats or lean Democratic. Among Jews as a whole, the balance tilts strongly in the other direction: 70% of Jews overall are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party, while just 22% are Republican or lean Republican.
TOPICS: Click: JEWS AND JUDAISM -- RELIGION AND POLITICS -- RELIGION AND SOCIETY - RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION - RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
Click colored areas for further info
Source:
Click: Pew Research Center | Nonpartisan, non-advocacy public opinion ...www.pewresearch.org/
______________________________________________________
(1) Roughly three-in-ten U.S. adults (29%) now say they seldom or never attend worship services, up from 25% in 2003
(2) The share of people who say they attend services at least once a week has remained relatively steady;
37% say they attend at least weekly today, compared with 39% a decade ago
(3) when not attending a church service 24% mention practical difficulties ), including work conflicts, health problems or transportation difficulties
Click colored areas for further info
Every year, mostly in September, one Sunday is (Click) “National Back to Church Sunday,” a coordinated effort by more than 20,000 churches of various Christian denominations to reach out to people who rarely attend worship services.
The percentage of Americans who say they “seldom” or “never” attend religious services (aside from weddings and funerals) has risen modestly in the past decade. (1) Roughly three-in-ten U.S. adults (29%) now say they seldom or never attend worship services, up from 25% in 2003, according to aggregated data from Pew Research Center surveys. (2) The share of people who say they attend services at least once a week has remained relatively steady; 37% say they attend at least weekly today, compared with 39% a decade ago.
Of course, how often people say they usually attend services is not necessarily the same as how often they actually do attend. For example, time diary studies, in which respondents report on concrete activities over a limited span of time, often show lower rates of church attendance than data from surveys, which perhaps better reflect how people see themselves (rather than how they behave).
Among the (click) growing share of religiously unaffiliated adults in the U.S., the vast majority say they are not looking for a religion, and relatively few (5%) say they go to services weekly or more often. But what keeps people who have a religious affiliation – that is, who identify with a particular religious group – out of the pews?
*) pew = a long bench with a back, placed in rows in the main part of some churches to seat the congregation
A 2012 Pew Research poll asked respondents to answer this question in their own words. Among religiously affiliated Americans who say that religion is at least somewhat important in their lives, but who attend worship services no more than a few times a year, 24% cite personal priorities – including 16% who say they are too busy – as reasons they do not attend more often. Another 24% mention practical difficulties, including work conflicts, health problems or transportation difficulties.
Nearly four-in-ten (37%) point to an issue directly related to religion or church itself. The most common religion-related responses include disagreements with the beliefs of the religion or their church leaders, or beliefs that attending worship services is not important. Meanwhile, almost one-in-ten (9%) do not attribute their lack of attendance at religious services to anything in particular.
Click: RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES, RELIGIOUSLY UNAFFILIATED
Click colored areas for further info
Source: Pew Research Center; FacTTank - News in the Numbers
________________________________________________________________________________
====================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================
Foreword and Introduction
to the article below New Facts About Genital Herpes
By Dr. Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., The founding Pastor of Global Church of God - GCG
The human sexuality, intended for the Sacrament*) of Marriage, is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God!
Matrimony "constitutes the only 'place' worthy of the call to existence of a new human being."
sacrament = (LAT. sacramentum = a holy matter)
Sex outside a marriage is a deadly sin. Sin means: breaking the Biblical success laws that are created by God to give us a healthy, happy & financially rich long life.
The Bible clearly states that sex belongs only to a married couple. The Bible also clearly states that any other sexual activity will ALWAYS bring deadly sickness.
When will we learn that it is the truth? Throughout the human history millions of people have died of sexually transmitted sicknesses - and millions of more will.
When the medical science figures out how to heal a new sexually transmitted sickness, God always sends a new sickness to warn us and also sends new prophets
(= evangelists, pastors, clergymen, scientists, public speakers) to warn us of God's laws in The Bible - laws that are our medicine out from the wrong doings.
The fact is: sex outside a marriage ALWAYS brings sickness. Always.
When will we learn the simple truth that has always been as a fact in front of us. There is no escape from God's will and guidance. God's WILL IS to guide us all to stay healthy, be happy, enjoy life, become financially rich and enjoy life .
The two most important success laws (= commandments - "success law" is the modern word) are (1) Love God = follow God's success laws and (2) love your neighbor. This means: (1) When we live by God's guidance that is the same as loving him, (2) when we help other people and do not harm anyone pe we will stay healthy, happy, live long(er) and have a richer life financially and in any other way.
God created us from the dust of the earth - another fact; when we die we DO turn back to dust which means: we are made of dust . Study the 101 science facts and historical predictions in The Bible. They will prove to you that all in The Bible is true. That understanding will lead you to accept the principles for a healthy, happy, long, financiall rich life and then finally:to an eternal sickness-free life in the Paradise. Study the 101 science facts in this in the tab:
Successology ® - Successology is a new science of success - Reg.U.S.Pat.Off.1991
Click below for further info
(1) HIV/AIDS - MayoClinic.com
(2) Syphilis Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis - WebMDwww.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/syphilis
Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity. Learn more about syphilis from the experts at WebMD.
(3) Gonorrhea - STD information from CDCwww.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI)(4) Genital herpes | University of Maryland Medical Center
(5) And many more - click: Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Information from CDCwww.cdc.gov/std/ Information, statistics, and treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from CDC's Division of STD Prevention.
Additional STD links below the article (STD = sexually transmitted diseases)
The article
New Facts About Genital Herpes
“How could this happen to me?” “How can I tell my partner I have genital herpes?”
I have too often heard these questions as well as the despair, guilt, remorse, and fear of patients when told they have genital herpes. Now a report in the journal Nature may help to decrease the spread of this disease and result in an effective treatment for what is called herpes simples virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Today, it’s estimated that 20 percent of the population is infected with HSV-2. But of this group, 80 percent are unaware they have this infection. This means that 50 million North Americans have genital herpes, and that every year, another 500,000 are diagnosed with it. Once people are infected, no treatment will remove the virus from the body.
Dr. Larry Corey, director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, lays some sacred cows to rest. It’s been believed in the past that our immune system puts on battle gear to fight the acute viral infection. Then both sides call a truce until the virus re-emerges from its hiding during periods of emotional and physical stress.
Corey now says this is not the case. His researchers have discovered a specialized type of immune T cell called CD8aa. These cells, which manufacture antiviral substances, try to keep the virus in check and usually do so.
But, as in any war, sometimes the enemy breaks through the defenses and wins a battle. If this happens, viruses penetrate the skin, causing a recurrence of genital herpes. These relapses occur when there’s a decrease in the number of CD8aa cells present.
This is not good news for patients who suffer from genital herpes. Doctors previously told patients that it was possible to have an active sex life if they avoided sex while herpes lesions were still present. But they were warned that if they felt unwell, as if a cold were starting, to avoid sex, as this meant the virus could be present several days before the lesions appeared.
Not knowing when the virus will appear, having sex without a condom becomes a game of Russian roulette: The more often you pull the trigger, the greater the chance of leaving this world.
To add more flames to the fire, a Canadian study reports that a random sample of Canadians revealed that 14 percent tested positive for genital herpes and that the majority did not have symptoms.
So what does this mean? The findings reinforce what we have already known: that sexual activity carries the risk of many types of venereal disease. The fact that one in five is infected with HSW-2, even in affluent suburbs, should ring a bell.
But when genital herpes strikes, how do you break the news and how do you tell? In the movie Annie Hall, Woody Allen immediately asks Diane Keaton upon meeting on their first date, “Can we have a goodnight kiss?”
She asks, “But why now?” He replies, to ease the tension so they can enjoy the evening.
This may work for a goodnight kiss, but with herpes, it’s not a good start. But neither should you use scary words such as “incurable” to describe the condition.
A good start is to talk about cold sores, as nearly everyone knows what they are. It’s ironic that everyone accepts a cold sore as a nuisance. But when the sore occurs in the genital area, its evil is magnified many times.
Of course you can’t escape the infectious nature of herpes, but at the same time, you can maximize the preventability of the disease. When two responsible people cooperate, it’s possible to decrease the chance of spreading the disease.
Moreover, some people, after the first attack, never have another one due to a strong immune system. If this is not the case, attacks often become less severe and infrequent. There are also antiviral drugs such as Zovirax, Famvir, and Valtrex that help prevent recurrences. One can only hope that a vaccine will soon be available.
Source for the above article: The Epoch Times - GCG endorses (click: The Epoch Times
Below the STD list continues from above the article (STD = sexually transmitted diseases)
#'s 1- 4 above the article
(5) And many more - click: Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Information from CDC
www.cdc.gov/std/ Information, statistics, and treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from CDC's Division of STD Prevention. (STD = sexually transmitted diseases)
Diseases & Related Conditions
(click colored title)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
- Other STDs = long list
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Facts about Orthodox Jews from the Pew Research survey
Click colored areas for further info
Orthodox Jews Orthodox Judaism are a growing and in many ways distinctive segment of the American Jewish community, according to the new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. Jews.
The survey went to considerable lengths to obtain a representative sample of the Orthodox, including extra interviews in communities where Orthodox Jews are concentrated. No calls were made on the Jewish Sabbath or on Jewish holidays, when observant Jews generally will not pick up a telephone. All together, the survey included more than 500 Orthodox Jewish respondents.
Here are eight interesting facts about the Orthodox from the new survey:
On average, Orthodox Jews are much younger and tend to have much higher fertility than the overall Jewish population – an average of 4.1 children among Orthodox Jews in the survey ages 40-59, compared with 1.9 children per Jewish adult overall. This suggests that the Orthodox share of the Jewish population is growing.
The retention rate of the Orthodox seems to be improving. In the past, high fertility in the U.S. Orthodox community was at least partially offset by attrition: Roughly half of the survey respondents who were raised as Orthodox Jews say they are no longer Orthodox. But the falloff from Orthodoxy appears to be declining and is significantly lower among 18-to-29-year-olds than among older people.
Jews who describe themselves as “Modern Orthodox” Modern Orthodox Judaism tend to have much higher levels of secular education than those who identify as Hasidic Hasidic Judaism and Yeshivish Yeshivish : 65% of the Modern Orthodox Jews surveyed have graduated from college, compared with just 25% of those in the combined Hasidic and Yeshivish category, also commonly called Haredi Haredi Judaism or ultra-Orthodox Haredi Judaism - Ultra-Orthodox Jews - Haredim
(Hasidic Jews, including the Chabad movement Chabad are part of a tradition that dates back to 18th century Eastern Europe. Yeshivish Jews, including members of Agudath Israel of America, are part of a tradition that emphasizes the kind of Talmud scholarship exemplified in the past by Lithuanian yeshivot, or religious schools.)
Observing Jewish law is far more important to Orthodox Jews than to other Jews. In fact, nearly eight-in-ten Orthodox Jews (79%) say observing Jewish law is “essential” to what being Jewish means to them, compared with just 19% among Jews overall. More broadly, the survey shows that Orthodox Jews are much more observant than Jews as a whole on a variety of religious measures. For example, three-quarters of Orthodox Jews say they attend synagogue at least monthly (compared with 23% of Jews overall); 92% of Orthodox Jews say they live in a kosher home (compared with 22% of Jews overall); and 95% of Orthodox Jews say they fasted on Yom Kippur \\Yom Kippur (compared with 53% of Jews overall). Kosher food - homes
Not all Jews who describe themselves as Orthodox always meet all the standards that might be considered normative for their group. For example, while 77% of Orthodox Jews say they refrain from handling or spending money on the Sabbath Sabbath, 22% say they do not. But there is nothing unique about this nonconformity. Virtually no religious group in America displays complete uniformity in surveys, perhaps in part because every large group contains some new members and some marginal members. As Duke University sociologist of religion Mark Chaves has noted, inconsistencies in people’s religious ideas, values and practices are surprisingly common. And, these inconsistencies cut in more than one direction. While the survey finds that 7% of Jews who call themselves Orthodox do not keep a kosher home, it also finds that 7% of Jews who identify with the Reform movement say they do keep a kosher home.
Intermarriage is practically nonexistent among Orthodox Jews. Fully 98% of the Orthodox respondents who are married have a Jewish spouse. By contrast, among all married Jews in the Pew Research survey, 44% have a non-Jewish spouse, including nearly six-in-ten of those who got married in 2000 or later.
On average, Orthodox Jews express much more emotional attachment to Israel than do other U.S. Jews. This is particularly true of Modern Orthodox Jews, 77% of whom say they feel “very attached” to the Jewish state. By contrast, among ultra-Orthodox Jews, 55% say they feel very attached to Israel. And among American Jews overall, 30% say they are very attached to Israel.
Politically, Orthodox Jews are far more conservative than other Jews. For example, 57% of Orthodox Jews describe themselves as Republicans or say they lean toward the Republican Party, while 36% are Democrats or lean Democratic. Among Jews as a whole, the balance tilts strongly in the other direction: 70% of Jews overall are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party, while just 22% are Republican or lean Republican.
TOPICS: Click: JEWS AND JUDAISM -- RELIGION AND POLITICS -- RELIGION AND SOCIETY - RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION - RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
Click colored areas for further info
Source:
Click: Pew Research Center | Nonpartisan, non-advocacy public opinion ...www.pewresearch.org/
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WHAT PRESBYTERIANS BELIEVE
By Rev. G. Aiken Taylor, Ph.D.
The following article originally appeared on the pages of The Presbyterian Journal, not long after Dr. Taylor had taken his post as editor of the magazine. It was later reproduced in pamphlet form for distribution and as such it was an influential publication in the Continuing Presbyterian Church movement of the 1960's. Interest in Dr. Taylor's article continues and it is reproduced here by request.
For reference, the proper citation of the article would be as follows:
Source: Taylor, G. Aiken, "What Presbyterians Believe," The Presbyterian Journal, volume 18, number 39 (27 January 1960) pages 5 - 7.
Added with comments by Dr. Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D.
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It is frequently pointed out that the word "Presbyterian" refers to the Eldership and that Presbyterianism, as such, is a form of church government. Presbyterianism is not only a form of government in the Church, but is also a well-defined system of beliefs or of doctrine. In the exaltation and interpretation of the Bible the Reformation reached its zenith in the teachings and writings of John Calvin. Thus Presbyterianism, following his interpretation of the Bible, is known as Calvinism. More specifically, the Calvinism of Presbyterians is based on the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, documents which were written nearly a hundred years after Calvin died.
Presbyterians share with other evangelical churches many basic beliefs. Presbyterians also recognize that earnest Christians may follow other interpretations of the Bible in non-essential matters. But Presbyterians believe that in the Reformed system (another word for Calvinism) the teachings of the Bible are most fully and most accurately set forth. Every Presbyterian officer and minister takes a vow that he believes the Reformed faith to be that system of doctrine which the Bible teaches. Every Presbyterian officer and minister in the Presbyterian Church, moreover, also vows that he will take steps to remove himself from his position should he ever find that his beliefs have taken another direction.
Now the strength of Presbyterianism lies in its central loyalty to the Scriptures. This Church has always insisted that only in the Bible may we find what we must believe about God, His works and His ways. Only the Bible is a rule of faith and life free from error-"our infallible rule of faith and practice." We believe that Presbyterianism agrees with what the Scriptures teach and that it contains nothing contrary to what the Scriptures teach.
I. SOVEREIGNTY
As a system of doctrine, all Presbyterian beliefs are determined by a basic thought about God: that He is sovereign in all things. The doctrine of the Sovereignty of God teaches that God governs His creation, His creatures and all their actions. If loyalty to the Bible is the great strength of Presbyterianism, its belief in the Sovereignty of God is its very life.
By this doctrine, Presbyterians mean to say that Who God is provides the key to reality, not who man is. What God does provides the key to human experience, not what man does. And what God works provides the key to Salvation, not what man works. When we think of faith, we think first of God. When we think of the effects of faith, we think first of God. Even when we think of the ordinary events in the lives of every man, we think first of God.
Presbyterians believe that everything which happens takes place according to the will of God and can be fully understood only in the will of God. Nothing can come to any man that He does not allow for his own purposes and glory. He overrules the actions of evil men and brings their evil to naught. He works all things after the counsel of His own will and turns all things--even apparent evil--to ultimate good in the lives of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Man's reason for living is to glorify God by doing His will and to enjoy Him forever in the practice of life's highest privilege which is to serve the sovereign God who created him and gives him breath.
II. TOTAL DEPRAVITY
Depravity = Moral corruption, A wicked or morally corrupt act. - Synonyms: corruption - perversion - depravation - perversity
Presbyterians believe that as the result of Adam's sin all men are sinners; that sin is a stain upon us from our birth so that if left to the natural inclinations of our wills our lives would inevitably turn to evil. In the view of Presbyterians human nature is not neutral: it is not free to move upward or downward depending on circumstance, environment or education. Neither is human nature good; capable of infinite development in goodness, needing only to be left alone or "brought out" to achieve perfection. Human nature is rather sinful and "inclined to evil as the sparks fly upward." We see undesirable behavior and sinful tendencies in the smallest infant, and we observe that without discipline and restraint human beings inevitably live selfishly. This view of human nature Presbyterians describe by the term "Original Sin" because human imperfection seems to be both innate and instinctive. This imperfection (sin) taints every facet of our personalities. Consequently the description of Original Sin to which Presbyterians subscribe is summarized in the doctrine of Total Depravity. Mankind, we say, is inevitably (originally) and altogether (totally) marked by sin on account of the Fall.
The doctrine of Total Depravity also suggests man's helplessness. Human beings are not only sinful, they are also helplessly sinful. We are spiritually dead in our sins, bound under the guilt and penalty of sin and unable to do anything to please God. None of our works are pure and therefore pleasing to God. All our righteousness is as filthy rags. We do not even have it in us to turn to Him that we may be cleansed and healed.
III. SALVATION
Presbyterians believe that God so loved us--while we were dead in trespasses and sins--that He sent forth His only begotten Son to redeem us. The Lord Jesus Christ, pre-existent with the Father, by Whom He created the worlds, came to earth by being born of the Virgin Mary. He, the Eternal Son, took upon Himself our nature, lived a sinless life as a man and died on the Cross in a sacrifice which somehow paid the price of our redemption from sin-we know not how but we believe it. In a victory over death and the grave our Lord rose from the dead and returned to the Father from Whom He sent the Holy Spirit to apply to those who would believe the effects of His work. In the gift of the Holy Spirit-by grace through faith-the originally sinful nature of man is transfigured to become Godly and possessed of the capacity to be God-like. This "new life" begins now in the hearts of those who believe in and receive Jesus Christ. It continues into and through eternity.
IV. ELECTION
In keeping with the doctrine of Sovereignty, under which God is seen to determine all things, Presbyterians believe that the knowledge of Christ and the acceptance of Christ which leads to Salvation also come from God. We are saved by faith alone and this faith itself is a gift of God. Our personal redemption is not due to any goodness of our own for we have none; neither is it earned by our good works for sinners cannot accumulate "credit" leading to redemption. We find Christ because He finds us. We love Him because He first loved us. We become His because He chooses us, calling us and sanctifying us after he justifies us. Presbyterians do not pretend to understand the great truth underlying the Election of God. They simply know that they did not seek God until first they were sought; they did not know Him until He enlightened their hearts; they did not believe until He gave them faith; they did not come until they felt themselves moved. The mysteries of His Will we cannot fathom, but we know that had it not been for Him we would not be where we are.
Because Salvation is clearly not given to every man (although we know not why) Presbyterians therefore believe in Reprobation, or the eternally lost condition of those not elect.
reprobation = rejection by God; the state of being condemned to eternal misery in Hell
The doctrine of Election is dear to Presbyterians because, on the one hand, it pays homage to the Sovereignty of God in all human affairs and, on the other, because it gives a certainty and an assurance to those whose trust in the Lord Jesus Christ that no dependence on themselves can give. The effect of such a faith is the assurance that all things work together for good to them who "...are the called according to His purpose"; that nothing in this life or in the life to come can separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. This assurance means, to the believer, that he can go forward boldly into whatever path he feels led because he knows that it is God who goes before. It further means that he is eternally secure in the Love of God because he has been sealed-not of himself-by the Holy Spirit until the final day of fulfillment.
V. SANCTIFICATION
= A religious ceremony in which something is made holy
Presbyterians believe that as the Election of God calls men to redemption in Jesus Christ so it calls them to newness of life in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit not only makes a child of sin to become a child of God, He also leads the new believer into a new way of life which is in conformity to the will of God; into holiness of life and Sanctification.
We believe that every Christian will show forth in his life the fruits of a living faith; that he will grow in spiritual maturity and in patterns of living which will increasingly conform to the will of God for him. We believe that love, joy, peace and all the other characteristics of godliness will necessarily become evident in his life as the Holy Spirit increasingly takes charge; that he will more and more "live unto righteousness" as he moves towards the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." As love of God increases within him, love for his Christian brothers and for his human neighbors everywhere will correspondingly increase.
To this end, Presbyterians believe in the necessity for utilizing the "means of grace:" prayer, worship and, most especially, the study of God's Word.
VI. THE CHURCH
Presbyterians believe in the Holy, catholic Church; that is, in the universal unity of Christ's body in time and eternity. As a vine and its branches comprise a single whole, so Christ and all those in whatever place or age derive their life from Him comprise a single Body, the Church universal. This Church is not to be identified with any denomination or body on earth for it exists wherever a true child of God may be found. We believe that there are Presbyterians who belong to this church and there are Presbyterians who do not; there are Baptists, Methodists and Roman Catholics who belong to this Church and there are Baptists, Methodists and Roman Catholics who do not.
Because Presbyterians believe in the Holy, catholic Church, they also believe in the Communion of Saints: the corporate practices of the Christian life. Christian living is not a solitary thing. We believe it to be the Lord's will that Christians congregate in churches for worship, for service, for growth in grace and mutual edification. The Church universal is reflected in those corporate manifestations of Christ's Body in which the ministry of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, the exercise of government and discipline according to the New Testament pattern establish and enlarge the household of faith.
VII. THE SACRAMENTS
Presbyterians believe in two sacraments, (1) Baptism and (2) the Lord's Supper. We believe that they are genuine sacraments, that is, instituted by Christ Himself; visible signs which actually confer the blessing or grace of God when appropriated in faith. We do not believe that the blessing is inherently present in the sacraments, but that they are rather the signs and seals of the blessing they represent. As the Holy Spirit does not dwell in the pages of a Book, and yet He warms our hearts by means of the message of that Book, so grace does not reside intrinsically in the sacraments, but comes to the believer who receives them in faith.
BAPTISM is a sacrament which signifies and seals God's covenant promise to be a Father to His own and to their children. It visibly represents the way this promise is carried out in the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the life of those in whom the promise is fulfilled. It is a sacrament which belongs to any in whom there is reason to assume that the promise is being fulfilled, that is, on any professing their faith or setting up a household of faith. We believe that baptism belongs to the children of believers when a household of faith is set up and the conditions of prayer and worship are met. These bring evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence in the hearts of children as well as in the hearts of their believing parents. Because we have visible as well as historical evidence that in a Christian home children may grow in the true nurture and admonition of the Lord, we believe that the sign and seal of the Lord's presence (Baptism) belongs to such children.
THE LORD'S SUPPER not only shows forth the Lord's death until He shall return, but is a sacrament in which He is truly though spiritually present and truly though spiritually received. Again, as the Word conveys grace by providing the occasion for the Holy Spirit to speak to the human heart, so the Lord's Supper conveys the benefits of the death and resurrection of Christ to believers who approach the Table in faith. Presbyterians believe that the Supper is not the possession of any person, congregation or church. It is the Lord's Supper. It is not the Table of any sect or denomination. It is the Lord's table. We do not minister about the Table as hosts, but as guests of Him who issues the invitation to come and who distributes His benefits severally as He will. Consequently we do not believe that we can dispense or withhold the dispensation of grace; that we can bar any believing Christian whom He would feed. For such reasons we practice "open" Communion.
VIII. THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING
Presbyterians believe in the return of Jesus Christ "to judge men and angels at the end of the world." Until He comes, we believe that the souls of those who die in Him depart to be with Him "where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies." At the last day, we believe that the dead shall be resurrected and the living shall be changed: Christ's elect "unto honor...and everlasting life," but the reprobates "unto dishonor...and punishment with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."
Source: This article originally appeared in The Presbyterian Journal - By Rev. G. Aiken Taylor, Ph.D.
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A Top Mormon Leader Acknowledges the Church "Made Mistakes"
One of the top leaders in the Mormon Church acknowledged in an address to the church’s global membership on Saturday that past leaders had “made mistakes” that had caused some Mormons to have doubts, an admission that amounts to a significant change in tone in the leadership’s approach to Mormons who question, dissent or defect from the church.
“We respect those who honestly search for truth,” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the church’s top governing body, the first presidency, said in the speech.
The church has in the past excommunicated prominent scholars and even low-profile members who publicly voiced doubts about its history or theology, and many Mormons who have lost their faith have been shunned by their friends and family. But recently, with some Mormons taking to the Internet to share their doubts, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which now claims 15 million members, have been confronted with a bigger problem they could no longer ignore.
“We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of church history — along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable and divine events — there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question,” Mr. Uchtdorf said, speaking to 20,000 Mormons gathered for the 183rd semiannual general conference in Salt Lake City, and millions more watching telecasts and over the Internet.
On Saturday evening, about 200 women, according to The Associated Press, staged a demonstration outside to protest the church’s male-only priesthood, demanding entrance to a men’s-only priesthood meeting.
Mr. Uchtdorf, a Mormon from Germany who is considered by those who study the church to be a potentially modernizing influence, did not specify what leaders or mistakes he was referring to.
But he said: “To be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles or doctrine.”
He said it was wrong for other Mormons to assume that those with doubts “have been offended or lazy or sinful.” He said that the church “honors personal agency,” and that the church’s first prophet, Joseph Smith, “had questions and sought answers.”
Scott Gordon, president of FAIRMormon, a group that defends the church, said: “I believe this is the clearest statement made in recent times that church leaders have made mistakes in the past. Coming from a member of the first presidency, the highest level of leadership in the church, makes it especially powerful.”
LDS (= Latter-day Saints)
Church = The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church or, informally, the Mormon Church) is a Christian primitivist church that considers itself to be a restoration of the church founded by Jesus Christ. T
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintswww.lds.org/
by Thomas S. Monson - in 6,701 Google+ circles
Official site. Online scriptures and gospel library, media contact information, online distribution center, programs and doctrinal information, events and ...General Conference - Magazines and Manuals - Come, Follow Me - Store
Click colored areas for further info
Source: NYT
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Maternity Leave in the U.S.A. & Worldwide
How Does The U.S. Stack Up? - Also The Paternity Leave exists
Pregnancy and Parenting
Countries without paid maternity leave (2014): Swaziland, Lesotho, Papua New Guinea and the United States of America (Shame on you, America! - Shame!)
Some private companies provide paid leave in the U.S. Info below
Location of click: Lesotho click: Lesotho - Country Profile - Location of click: Swaziland click: Swaziland Government
Location click: Papua New Guinea
Thinking about adding a new member to your family? If so, one of the things you may be considering is if you can afford to take the time you need to care for a newborn while still supporting your family financially.
The US may be a leader in many things, but maternity leave is not one of them. Many countries around the world not only offer lengthy maternity leaves, but paid leaves as well. An example: the lucky ladies of Denmark are entitled to a full year at 100% pay! Okay…maybe that is dreaming big, but other countries offer similar situations. Russia allows 20 weeks at 100% pay, and Canada gives new moms 50 weeks at 45% pay.
.
Where does the US stand? There’s no national program, but generally maternity leave lasts 12 weeks and the benefits vary from state to state. Currently California, Rhode Island and New Jersey are the only states with a paid leave system in place. Recently, President Obama has expressed his hopes to offer paid maternity leave for all working mothers. Some U.S. companies offer paid maternity leave, some unpaid.
“There is only one developed country in the world that does not offer paid maternity leave, and that is us,” Obama said. “It’s time to change that.”
Many talented and hard-working women and men are forced to choose between their job and their family, which shouldn’t be the case. We all know how important (and irresistible!) it is for new parents to spend time bonding with and caring for their newborn. Many doctors suggest that the first few months are a crucial time for baby to learn trust and self-esteem. You are their first model for a healthy relationship!
What has your experience with maternity leave been?
Parental leave results in better prenatal and postnatal care and strengthened parental bonding over a child’s life.
This time provides long-term benefits that improve a child’s brain development, social development and overall well-being.
Study the following articles to learn about the maternity & paternity leaves (paid & unpaid) worldwide
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
click: Study: Why Maternity Leave Is Important
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Parental Leave and the health of Infants, children and Mothers
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Countries without paid maternity leave: Swaziland, Lesotho, Papua, New Guinea, USA...
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Paid Parental Leave: U.S. vs. The World
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Among 38 nations, U.S. is the outlier when it comes to paid parental leave
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Notice the following article - leave for the fathers:
Click: 20 Companies With Great Paternity Leave - Care.com
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Tech Companies Offer Workers The Most Paid Parental Leave
The Nordic countries have the best maternity & paternity leave system: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Comparing leave systems in the Nordic Countries
Click: Fathers' use of paternity and parental leave in the Nordic Countries
_________________________________________________
How Does The U.S. Stack Up? - Also The Paternity Leave exists
Pregnancy and Parenting
Countries without paid maternity leave (2014): Swaziland, Lesotho, Papua New Guinea and the United States of America (Shame on you, America! - Shame!)
Some private companies provide paid leave in the U.S. Info below
Location of click: Lesotho click: Lesotho - Country Profile - Location of click: Swaziland click: Swaziland Government
Location click: Papua New Guinea
Thinking about adding a new member to your family? If so, one of the things you may be considering is if you can afford to take the time you need to care for a newborn while still supporting your family financially.
The US may be a leader in many things, but maternity leave is not one of them. Many countries around the world not only offer lengthy maternity leaves, but paid leaves as well. An example: the lucky ladies of Denmark are entitled to a full year at 100% pay! Okay…maybe that is dreaming big, but other countries offer similar situations. Russia allows 20 weeks at 100% pay, and Canada gives new moms 50 weeks at 45% pay.
.
Where does the US stand? There’s no national program, but generally maternity leave lasts 12 weeks and the benefits vary from state to state. Currently California, Rhode Island and New Jersey are the only states with a paid leave system in place. Recently, President Obama has expressed his hopes to offer paid maternity leave for all working mothers. Some U.S. companies offer paid maternity leave, some unpaid.
“There is only one developed country in the world that does not offer paid maternity leave, and that is us,” Obama said. “It’s time to change that.”
Many talented and hard-working women and men are forced to choose between their job and their family, which shouldn’t be the case. We all know how important (and irresistible!) it is for new parents to spend time bonding with and caring for their newborn. Many doctors suggest that the first few months are a crucial time for baby to learn trust and self-esteem. You are their first model for a healthy relationship!
What has your experience with maternity leave been?
Parental leave results in better prenatal and postnatal care and strengthened parental bonding over a child’s life.
This time provides long-term benefits that improve a child’s brain development, social development and overall well-being.
Study the following articles to learn about the maternity & paternity leaves (paid & unpaid) worldwide
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
click: Study: Why Maternity Leave Is Important
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Parental Leave and the health of Infants, children and Mothers
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Countries without paid maternity leave: Swaziland, Lesotho, Papua, New Guinea, USA...
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Paid Parental Leave: U.S. vs. The World
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Among 38 nations, U.S. is the outlier when it comes to paid parental leave
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Notice the following article - leave for the fathers:
Click: 20 Companies With Great Paternity Leave - Care.com
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Tech Companies Offer Workers The Most Paid Parental Leave
The Nordic countries have the best maternity & paternity leave system: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland
Click the title on the next line - if the link has expired search the web with that title
Click: Comparing leave systems in the Nordic Countries
Click: Fathers' use of paternity and parental leave in the Nordic Countries
_________________________________________________
Article 1 of 2 A News Story:
(click: Woman returns $30,000 she found in donated clothes
Eye-popping find in bag of donated clothes
The quotation above fits for this story:
“Character is what you do when no one is watching.”
(Dr. Christian, Pastor, GCG)
GCG Foreword for the story
(The news story is below this foreword)
God's success laws throughout the whole Bible guide us for correct, blessed decisions. "Do no steal" - one of the 10 success laws gives that advice (10 success laws = the 10 commandments).
Breaking any of the laws is fatal - it is a sin (sin means: breaking any God-given success law). God states in The Bible: the wages of breaking a success law is DEATH.
The eternal death, meaning: a full separation from God's love & mercy, is reserved for any person who does not repent his/her wrong-doings, who does not ask God for His forgiveness. God will forgive anything for everyone who asks and who does no more repeat his/her wrong actions. If the person still commits the same wrong thing, God, by his eternal mercy, still forgives when asked, and still, and still...., when asked.
When we study the Biblical success laws and then compare to what will happen to every person who breaks any of them, we see the truth: it is always fatal to ignore God's laws - it always leads to early death IF the person is not repenting, asking for God's forgiveness, and changing his/her ways and start applying the Biblical success laws in his/her life. GOd gave us all a free will to decide our destiny in this life and in the eternity.
By God's mercy through believing that (1) Jesus Christ is God's son, (2) Jesus Christ was crucified for our wrong-doings = sins and (3) who confesses by his mouth his faith & trust in Jesus Christ as our guide & savior for the eternal life.
God-given eternal life has no sickness, no wars - the eternal life is in the paradise in this world. By God's power this world will turn back to a paradise.
No devil any more as the Prince of the world (as is still now) but kicked out by Jesus after His return to the earth to help us out from the Devil's deceiving forces.
Then during the following 1000 years all dead people (all billions and billions) will step-by-step come back to life. The people who have faith in Jesus and have asked for forgiveness and changed their wrong ways of life when still alive in this world, will be given an eternal, healthy, peaceful life on earth which will be turned back to a paradise by the powers of God & Jesus. Some of these chosen people will go to heaven to help in the heavenly "management".
Those people who do not choose to believe in the Biblical text and in Jesus will be having their eternity apart from God's love - a similar destiny as would be alone in a isolated cell in a prison. Based on research, in an isolated prison cell an average person turns insane in about 2 - 3 weeks.
This lady in the news story did the right thing and returned the money.
She says she believes "what you do to others will be done to you".
She calls it "karma" - God's word in the Bible calls it "The Golden Rule" - both mean the same
For more information for "karma" and "The Golden Rule" at the end of this article
The 2 most important commandments, success laws, are (as Jesus told): (1) Love & respect God (by following His success laws ad guidance), (2) love your neighbor.
Love is the keyword in Jesus and God towards you,me and all human beings. If we all, in this world, would love our neighbor - it would be a different world.
Forgiveness through Faith in Jesus & God we are loved and given all we need for all good in life and in the eternity.
What do you do when no one is watching? What is your character?
Quotation “Character is what you do when no one is watching”
(Dr. Christian, Pastor, GCG)
The News Story
(1) Woman returns $30,000 she found in donated clothes
(2) One veteran of returned treasure could tell it's worth it. Homeless man Billy Ray Harris,
who (click: gave back a diamond ring put accidentally in his change cup, now has a home, a part-time job and
a fund of over $186,000 donated to him — and was reunited with his family on TV
Mr. Billy Ray Harris' story after this first story below
Click colored areas for further info
Carol Sutor of Bristol, Pa., was going through the clothes—which had belonged to her cousin’s daughter’s 85-year-old mother-in-law, who had recently died—when she came across a canvas bag on a hanger. In the bag was cash that had been stuffed into envelopes and wrapped in layers of plastic bags.
Sutor told the website Phillyburbs.com, “I unwrapped the bag, and there was another bag in another bag in another bag, one of those deals, you know?” Inside of them she found stacks of hundred dollar bills.
Sutor, owner of Advantage Insurance in Levittown, told the website, "Things are tight. You struggle in your business, like everybody’s struggling. But when you struggle you think, oh, wow, if only I had money, my troubles would be solved. And so all this money shows up, but it’s the wrong way for it to come. It wasn’t mine and I knew it.”
When Sutor told her cousin, Marlene Lattanzi, who lives in nearby Medford, N.J., of the cash find, she came over to help count the bills. The cousins think the money had been stashed someplace safe during Superstorm Sandy and never put back in the bank after flooding ruined the mother-in-law’s house and car.
Lattanzi left with the money and called her son-in-law to tell him the good news. Ten minutes later, Lattanzi returned to give Sutor $1,000 and her son-in-law’s thanks for returning the funds.
Sutor said she didn’t spend much time wrestling with what to do. “I had to give it back,” she told the news website. “I believe in karma; whatever I do will come back to me, good or bad.”
One veteran of returned treasure could tell Sutor it's worth it. Homeless man Billy Ray Harris, who gave back a diamond ring put accidentally in his change cup, now has a home, a part-time job and a fund of over $186,000 donated to him—and was reunited with his family on TV.
Mr. Billy Ray Harris's story: See Article 2 of 2 next below
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(1) This lady in the above news story did the right thing and returned the money.
She says she believes "what you do to others will be done to you".
She calls it "karma" - God's word in the Bible calls it "The Golden Rule" - both mean the same.
(2) Mr. Billy Ray Harris did the right thing and returned the expensive ring.
BOTH OF THEM WERE BLESSED BY GOD AND REWARDED ALSO BY THE PEOPLE
Anyone who applies the Biblical Success laws, as these 2 people did, will always be blessed and rewarded based on their needs.
The Biblical success laws are practical success laws for every human - apply them daily and you will succeed well.
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This comment by GCG (below) was placed on the internet for the article (4/1/13)
Homeless man who returned engagement ring reunites with family
Comment by Global Church of God - GCG
- church for the modern world -
The First Worldwide Community Church with Biblical principles for all people
by Dr. Christian von Christophers, Lead Pastor, GCG
Quotation : “Character is what you do when no one is watching.”
(Dr. Christian, GCG)
A huge question for all of us humans: How to have a mentally, physically, financially happy & successful life?
As the founder of Successology ® (Reg.US.Pat.Off.1991) - the new science for life success - I am honored, no matter what your background, homeless or a king or anything between, to show light for finding a road to your worthy goals and getting them fulfilled.
Visit for further information GCG's website & another affiliated, science & success website introduced there.
GCG is a for the modern world - our teaching for life success is always based on two elements:
(1) The Biblical Text and (2) the most updated modern human science. Based on the latest science facts GCG proves every statement we make in our teaching.
The person in this story, Mr. Billy Ray Harris, was alone and no one was watching.
He chose to return the valuable engagement ring. As a result he was blessed. And he will be blessed additionally.
Mr. Ray Harris believes in "karma".
It is the same as the well-known Biblical principle of "The Golden Rule"
(The Bible, Matthew 7:12)
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e, the cycle called samsara)
Both mean "what you do to others will come back to you" or "the way you want to be treated you need to FIRST treat others" (Bible, Leviticus 19.18). In all world religions and living philosophies the same principle can be found.
Some go even deeper as e.g. in Islam: "A person should wander about treating all creatures s/he him/herself would be treated" (Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13)
In Christianity the principle of "love" is the key message of Jesus' teachings.
When Jesus was asked "what is the most important commandment (= the modern word for commandment is "success law"), Jesus answered: "The 1st is "Respect & Love the Creator of your life - means: follow the 10 success laws given in The Bible" and the 2nd "love your neighbor".
If we all would love our neighbor this world would be a paradise. If we all would apply the 10 Biblical success laws in our daily life we would have a long, healthy, financially successful life with happy family life - the latest science for human health & success has the same principles.
Mr. Billy Ray Harris is an interesting example of a man who was blessed because he decided to follow the 10 Biblical success laws. When he was begging on the street, he found later in this bag an expensive diamond ring - he decided to return it to the giver. He was blessed and now has (1) a home, (2) a part-time job and (3) a fund of over $186,000 donated to him by the public when his story went viral — and was reunited with his family on TV.
Visit GCG website, go to tab (= site) "Biblical Guidance", at the top you'll find both of these cases analyzed.
GCG's presence is needed in D.C. in the U.S. Congress (House & Senate) to remind of our founding fathers' idea for our country. GCG is needed in D.C. to give reminders of ethics & reasonability in our choices as the nation's lawmakers.
Listen to GCG's, Inc.'s popular Radio Show - you'll get free CEU & College-University credits.
The show link in GCG's website (tab: Radio/TV Shows)
Visit GCG's website - Use in web search (copy) "Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor, Global Church of God Ministry, New York"
Respectfully,
Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D.
GCG's founding Pastor
____________________________
Mr. Billy Ray Harris's story Article 2 of 2
Article 1 of 2 above: The story of Ms. Carol Sutor of Bristol, Pa.
Homeless man who returned engagement ring reunites with family
The happy ending keeps getting happier for Billy Ray Harris. Two months ago, the homeless man who (click: gained notice on the Web when he returned an engagement ring put in his change cup accidentally, now has a home, a part-time job, and his long-lost family.
The Kansas City, Mo., man was befriended by Sarah Darling, whose engagement ring he returned. Wanting to help, Darling and her husband, Bill, set up a fund for Harris. They hoped to raise the $4,000 he had been offered by a jewelry store on the spot for the diamond ring. Instead of selling, the 55-year-old decided to wait to see if Darling would come back for the ring. A couple of days later, she did.
As word of the story spread, so did generosity to Harris. The fund now has more than $186,000 from 8,000-plus donors. More than money, Harris has received the priceless gift of reuniting with family he hadn’t seen in 16 years. His sister, Robin Harris Williams, recognized her older brother when the story of the ring in the change cup first began circulating.
Williams tracked him down from her home in Texas. The relatives planned a reunion for the summer. But the "Today" show surprised Harris by bringing his siblings to the morning program on Sunday. Harris said, as his family sat with him, "This was a total shock." He added, "Got it all right here now."
Later the same homeless man Billy Ray Harris, who gave back a diamond ring put accidentally in his change cup,
now has (1) a home, (2) a part-time job and (3) a fund of over $186,000 donated to him—and was reunited with his family on TV.
Click colored areas for further info
For more information for "karma" and "The Golden Rule" see the next article below
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THE GOLDEN RULE
IN DIFFERENT CULTURES
The Golden Rule or the ethic of reciprocity is found in the scriptures of nearly every religion. It is often regarded as the most concise and general principle of ethics. It is a condensation in one principle of all longer lists of ordinances such as the Decalogue. See also texts on Loving Kindness, pp. 967-73.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
When asked: Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
13. Christianity. Bible, Matthew 22.36-40
Matthew 22.36-40: Cf. Deuteronomy 6.4-9, p. 55; Leviticus 19.18, p. 173; Luke 10.25-37, p. 971; Galatians 6.2, p. 974;
1. Judaism and Christianity. Bible, Leviticus 19.18
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
2. Christianity. Bible, Matthew 7.12
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
3. Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.
4. Jainism. Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence.
5. Confucianism. Mencius VII.A.4
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire.
6. Hinduism. Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8
Tsekung asked, "Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?" Confucius replied, "It is the word shu--reciprocity: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you."
7. Confucianism. Analects 15.23
Leviticus 19.18: Quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22.36-40 (below). Mencius VII.A.4 and Analects 15.23: Cf. Analects 6.28.2, p. 975.
Comparing oneself to others in such terms as "Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I," he should neither kill nor cause others to kill.
8. Buddhism. Sutta Nipata 705
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.
9. African Traditional Religions. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)
One who you think should be hit is none else but you. One who you think should be governed is none else but you. One who you think should be tortured is none else but you. One who you think should be enslaved is none else but you. One who you think should be killed is none else but you. A sage is ingenuous and leads his life after comprehending the parity of the killed and the killer. Therefore, neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so.
10. Jainism. Acarangasutra 5.101-2
The Ariyan disciple thus reflects, Here am I, fond of my life, not wanting to die, fond of pleasure and averse from pain. Suppose someone should rob me of my life... it would not be a thing pleasing and delightful to me. If I, in my turn, should rob of his life one fond of his life, not wanting to die, one fond of pleasure and averse from pain, it would not be a thing pleasing or delightful to him. For a state that is not pleasant or delightful to me must also be to him also; and a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?
As a result of such reflection he himself abstains from taking the life of creatures and he encourages others so to abstain, and speaks in praise of so abstaining.
11. Buddhism. Samyutta Nikaya v.353
A certain heathen came to Shammai and said to him, "Make me a proselyte, on condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Thereupon he repulsed him with the rod which was in his hand. When he went to Hillel, he said to him, "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor: that is the whole Torah; all the rest of it is commentary; go and learn."
12. Judaism. Talmud, Shabbat 31a
Sutta Nipata 705: Cf. Dhammapada 129-130, p. 478. Acarangasutra 5.101-2: Cf. Dhammapada 129-130, p. 478. Samyutta Nikaya v.353: The passage gives a similar reflection about abstaining from other types of immoral behavior: theft, adultery, etc. To identify oneself with others is also a corollary to the Mahayana insight that all reality is interdependent and mutually related; cf. Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life 8.112-16, p. 181; Majjhima Nikaya i.415, p. 465.
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
13. Christianity. Bible, Matthew 22.36-40
Matthew 22.36-40: Cf. Deuteronomy 6.4-9, p. 55; Leviticus 19.18, p. 173; Luke 10.25-37, p. 971; Galatians 6.2, p. 974;
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.2, p. 972; Sun Myung Moon, 9-30-79, p. 150.
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KARMA
Compare with the Golden Rule info just above
Karma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called saṃsāra) ...
Karma in Hinduism - Karma in Buddhism - Karma (disambiguation) - Karma yoga
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Compare with the Golden Rule info just above
Karma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called saṃsāra) ...
Karma in Hinduism - Karma in Buddhism - Karma (disambiguation) - Karma yoga
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Click and study this World Scripture
Compare above the info (1) GOLDEN RULE and (2) KARMA
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Compare above the info (1) GOLDEN RULE and (2) KARMA
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Obama spiritual adviser sees vibrant faith in ‘comforter in chief’Power Players
Joshua DuBois is not your ordinary pastor. For the past four years, the 30-year-old Pentecostal minister was the spiritual adviser to the leader of the free world, praying with President Obama in the Oval Office and leading the administration’s outreach to faith-based groups.
“He’s a deeply faithful president and didn’t need a whole bunch of help cultivating that faith,” DuBois said of Obama in an interview with Power Players on his term as director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “I would say that he has a daily Christian walk, in terms of his reading a devotional and spending time meditation-meditating on scripture each day.”
Obama’s spiritual walk was most challenged last December, when a gunman massacred 20 children and 6 others at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., DuBois said. The president later described the aftermath of the attack – including an emotionally wrenching visit to families of Newtown victims -- as the worst days of his first term.
“One of the most difficult days that I had in my time in the White House but one of the [experiences] that I meditate on and think about the most was joining the president in Newtown after that horrible, horrible tragedy,” DuBois said. “Seeing the strength of those families face to face in those quiet moments, seeing [not only] the depth of their pain, but also the height of their resilience was something that I'll never forget.
“I will also never forget what it took for the president to be a comforter over and over again to folks that had experienced unimaginable loss,” he said. “He poured out his heart both in his public speech and behind the scenes in his private conversations.”
Obama meditated on 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1 “during and after Newtown” to draw strength as a “comforter,” DuBois said. The Bible passage reads in part: “Do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.” It was one of hundreds of daily scriptural readings that DuBois selected and sent to the president's Blackberry each morning. On other occasions, the two men prayed together in person.
“I have been honored to spend time in prayer with him,” said DuBois, adding that from “time to time” Obama would invite pastors into the Oval Office for private, unannounced prayer and reflection. The president and his speech writers would also occasionally reach out for “suggestions of scripture either for his personal use or as he's reflecting important issues to the nation,” said DuBois.
Favorite scriptural readings of President Obama include the Book of Job and the prophet Isaiah, DuBois said. The men also spent time meditating on writings of theologians C.S. Lewis and Howard Thurman.
While some critics have questioned the depth of Obama’s religious convictions, DuBois described a president who sees spiritual practice as extending beyond the confines of scripture and traditional religious rituals. Obama “considers spending time with his daughters and tucking them in at night... being a mentor and friend to so many and comforting the nation in times of need” as everyday manifestations of his Christian faith, he said.
As for critics who continue to question Obama’s religious identity: “All the president can do is live out his Christian walk every single day in the way he leads this country, as a father to his girls and as a husband to his wife and a mentor and friend to all the folks that, with whom he has relationships in his life,” he said.
Source: ABC
Six Comments from the public - These are not the comments by STAF, Inc. - Freedom of speech
(1) What is this garbage? I don't feel insulted by the media anymore. It just makes me mad they can't do their jobs. But I guess they would actually have to be trained to do that...
(2) how much time does dubois spend learning what the Scripture teach on abortion and homosexuality and lying....?
(3) oh please, i think i'm getting sick....
(4) Is that what a sales pitch sounds like?
(5) Pentecostal preacher saying the President has a Christian walk everyday. Perhaps the Pentecostal preacher should learn about abortion and same sex marriage in the bible. Another preacher for money.
(6) Nothing Obama does or stands for has anything to do with Christianity. His daily walk totally defies and denounces everything Christianity stands for.
_________________________________________________________
Joshua DuBois is not your ordinary pastor. For the past four years, the 30-year-old Pentecostal minister was the spiritual adviser to the leader of the free world, praying with President Obama in the Oval Office and leading the administration’s outreach to faith-based groups.
“He’s a deeply faithful president and didn’t need a whole bunch of help cultivating that faith,” DuBois said of Obama in an interview with Power Players on his term as director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “I would say that he has a daily Christian walk, in terms of his reading a devotional and spending time meditation-meditating on scripture each day.”
Obama’s spiritual walk was most challenged last December, when a gunman massacred 20 children and 6 others at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., DuBois said. The president later described the aftermath of the attack – including an emotionally wrenching visit to families of Newtown victims -- as the worst days of his first term.
“One of the most difficult days that I had in my time in the White House but one of the [experiences] that I meditate on and think about the most was joining the president in Newtown after that horrible, horrible tragedy,” DuBois said. “Seeing the strength of those families face to face in those quiet moments, seeing [not only] the depth of their pain, but also the height of their resilience was something that I'll never forget.
“I will also never forget what it took for the president to be a comforter over and over again to folks that had experienced unimaginable loss,” he said. “He poured out his heart both in his public speech and behind the scenes in his private conversations.”
Obama meditated on 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1 “during and after Newtown” to draw strength as a “comforter,” DuBois said. The Bible passage reads in part: “Do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.” It was one of hundreds of daily scriptural readings that DuBois selected and sent to the president's Blackberry each morning. On other occasions, the two men prayed together in person.
“I have been honored to spend time in prayer with him,” said DuBois, adding that from “time to time” Obama would invite pastors into the Oval Office for private, unannounced prayer and reflection. The president and his speech writers would also occasionally reach out for “suggestions of scripture either for his personal use or as he's reflecting important issues to the nation,” said DuBois.
Favorite scriptural readings of President Obama include the Book of Job and the prophet Isaiah, DuBois said. The men also spent time meditating on writings of theologians C.S. Lewis and Howard Thurman.
While some critics have questioned the depth of Obama’s religious convictions, DuBois described a president who sees spiritual practice as extending beyond the confines of scripture and traditional religious rituals. Obama “considers spending time with his daughters and tucking them in at night... being a mentor and friend to so many and comforting the nation in times of need” as everyday manifestations of his Christian faith, he said.
As for critics who continue to question Obama’s religious identity: “All the president can do is live out his Christian walk every single day in the way he leads this country, as a father to his girls and as a husband to his wife and a mentor and friend to all the folks that, with whom he has relationships in his life,” he said.
Source: ABC
Six Comments from the public - These are not the comments by STAF, Inc. - Freedom of speech
(1) What is this garbage? I don't feel insulted by the media anymore. It just makes me mad they can't do their jobs. But I guess they would actually have to be trained to do that...
(2) how much time does dubois spend learning what the Scripture teach on abortion and homosexuality and lying....?
(3) oh please, i think i'm getting sick....
(4) Is that what a sales pitch sounds like?
(5) Pentecostal preacher saying the President has a Christian walk everyday. Perhaps the Pentecostal preacher should learn about abortion and same sex marriage in the bible. Another preacher for money.
(6) Nothing Obama does or stands for has anything to do with Christianity. His daily walk totally defies and denounces everything Christianity stands for.
_________________________________________________________
At the end of this tab you'll find:
HOW TO "POWER PRAY"
WITH THE RESULTS COMING
A 3-step guide
Additional info: tab:
University & College at its very end
By Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor of GCG
____________________________________________
Living by the Spirit’s Power
Galatians 5:16-26 (New Living Translation):So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:
sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, dolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
____________________________
A human quote
“You respect: you keep – you don’t: you lose.”
Dr. Christian, Founder & Pastor of Global Church of God – GCG
New York, NY - nationwide & worldwide services ______________________________________________________
Galatians 5:16-26 (New Living Translation):So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:
sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, dolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
____________________________
A human quote
“You respect: you keep – you don’t: you lose.”
Dr. Christian, Founder & Pastor of Global Church of God – GCG
New York, NY - nationwide & worldwide services ______________________________________________________
Should Christians Wear Tattoos?
The current trend that more and more Christians seem to be picking up is tattooing.
There are even “Christian” tattoo shops opening up, and deceived Christians are flocking to them more and more.
They justify this activity by saying they are “tattooing for Jesus” and it’s fun to sport their new, colorful images or
statements. Therefore, tattooing is no more an activity that the Bible expressly forbids, but it’s become the latest, cool,
fun thing to do; and tattooing is popularly regarded as simply “body art”.
Well, let’s explore what tattooing really is and what God has to say about it.
It is clear that we are living in the end times, right before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rapture home His blood-bought bride, the Church. It is also clear that these are perilous times. (2Tim 3:1) The current trend that more and more Christians seem to be picking up is tattooing. There are even “Christian” tattoo shops opening up, and deceived Christians are flocking to them more and more. They justify this activity by saying they are “tattooing for Jesus” and it’s fun to sport their new, colorful images or statements. Therefore, tattooing is no more an activity that the Bible expressly forbids, but it’s become the latest, cool, fun thing to do; and tattooing is popularly regarded as simply “body art”. Well, let’s explore what tattooing really is and what God has to say about it.
1. The Mark of Blood. The tattooing procedure involves cutting the flesh with a sharp needle or instrument in order to carve out or make designs. The result is something called “blood-letting”. Blood-letting has both occultic and demonic origins as it is considered a power source that is supernaturally unleashed. Many pro-tattoo sources describe tattooing as having a magical, occultic connection with blood and blood-letting as being normal. Several pro-tattoo historians indicate the connection with scarification and blood-letting associated with religious practices. Another source indicates “the importance of licking the blood that was released during tattoo operations” (Steve Gilbert, “Tattoo History: A Source Book”, pg. 181). We read in 1Kings 18:25-28 the account of the prophets of Baal who met with Elijah to find out who was the true God. These were satanists who were attempting to unleash supernatural power by cutting themselves (vs. 28). In the New Testament, there was a man named Legion who was possessed by demons in Mark 5:1-9 who went about cutting himself with stones. (vs. 5) Leviticus 19:28 says “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” (emphasis mine)
2. The Cup of Devils. Historically, the origin of the tattoo is associated with paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism and many other pagan beliefs. The tattoo has NEVER been connected with Bible believing Christians. But today in the 21st century, the trends are reverting from paganism practices to include the modern Christian and the new “Christian” tattoo shop. Satan is the god of this world and his agenda is to deceive many Christians, especially in the last days. But the fact remains that the tattoo has its roots in beliefs and practices that are demonic and pagan. Many pro-tattoo books indicate that tattooing is a magical rite and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman; it is connected to a religious ceremony and performed by priests or priestesses; it is intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces; at other times dancing accompanies the tattooing ritual to exorcise demons. In other words, it is connected with the spirit world and a tattoo is really much more than simply a body decoration. Today’s popular tattooing craze is “tribal tattoos”, which are pure paganism. These designs bear serious symbolic mystical and occult meanings. They are strongly connected with channels into spiritual and demonic possession. Many pro-tattoo artists and historians can attest to this by saying things like, “tattoos have a power and magic all their own”, “there is in addition to the opening of numerous inlets for evil to enter”, “allowing his clients’ demons to help guide the needle”. Ronald Scutt, in his exhaustive book, Art, Sex and Symbol, covers a lot about the history and culture of tattoos. He documents that most of the time tattoos are associated with spiritual, religious and mystical purposes; linking it to mystical significance, sun-worship, serpent worship, and the sun-god Baal. Author Steve Gilbert, of Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 99, records, “The Spaniards, who had never heard of tattooing, recognized it at once as the work of Satan.” Yet today’s gullible Christians are out there in droves “marking themselves for Jesus”! Pagan tattooing is not just from the dark ages: many body artists perform ritual tattoos today as the quotes from tattoo authors above bear witness. Some will burn incense or light candles. 1Cor. 10:21 says, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”
3. The Mark of Death. Lev. 19:28 says, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” Yet DEATH is the number one theme of tattoos! References from tattoo books again reveal this as a fact: “Death and darkness have always been a classic tattoo theme – skulls, snakes, demons” (The Body Art Book, pg. 56); Henry Ferguson in The Art of the Tattoo, states “probably the most popular tattooed image of today, the all-pervasive grinning skull!”; “Skulls imprinted on skin abound, and depictions of the Grim Reaper are commonly seen”; “Possibly, at the same time, to wear a death’s figure on one’s body may be an invocation of whatever indefinable forces of nature….in an attempt to protect the wearer from such a fate”. Tattoo shops mostly display morbid scenes of death, demons, serpents, and hell. Grim reapers, flaming skulls, snakes crawling through skulls, demons, Satan, pornography, blasphemy, naked flames of hell – every satanic scene of hell is glorified. Who really is the Master Tattooist? Satan, of course! (Rev. 6:8; Heb. 2:14). He is the author of Death; and the representative of Hell (Rev. 6:8; Matt. 25:41); also of the Serpent (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9; Rev. 20:1-2); whereas Jesus is Life (John 1:3; John6:48; John 11:25; John 14:6; Acts 3:15; Ro. 6:23; 1John 1:1-2; 1John5:12).
Many tattoo artists embody satanic symbols of death and hell while they display demonic scenes in their shops, calling it “art”. They are often people who demonstrate their allegiance to Satan with vile and filthy depictions of the underworld.
4. The Mark of Rebellion. The Bible condemns all rebellion throughout its pages and declares that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft. (1Sam. 15:23) It is clear that the tattoo has always been an indication of a spirit of rebellion and deviancy on its wearers. All the tattoo books make comments about tattooing being rebellious. In addition, the tattoo is considered a mark of disgrace or reproach by the same tattoo books. Throughout history, the tattoo was used to mark the criminal, adulterers, traitors, deserters, the deviant and outcast. Thirdly, it has been the mark of the sideshow freak throughout history. Also, it is the mark of indecency. They were associated with barbarians in barbaric, immoral Greece and Rome. One tattoo book, “Art, Sex and Symbol”, 1974, by Ronald Scutt, pg. 179, says “In a society that considers nudity as dirty, indecent, and subversive or morality … - it is not surprising that decorations to the body are allocated to the same category.” The tattoo is also considered the mark of depravity by many tattoo books. Studies have been done that indicate a high percentage of deviant behaviors and troubled persons that were tattooed. Studies have also been done that link tattoos to homosexuality, lesbianism, and gross sexual perversion. Statements made in many of the tattoo books bear this out. Recent studies on today’s tattooed young people indicate 1) they are nearly four times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse; 2) Over two times more likely to experience alcohol related problems; 3) Nearly two times more likely to use illegal drugs; 4) Over two times more likely to express violent behavior; and 5) Over two times more likely to drop out of high school.
What about Jesus? Wasn’t He a rebel? NO WAY! To the contrary: Jesus was 100 percent OBEDIENT unto death – even the death of the Cross! (Phil. 2:8) In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42-44) If there was the slightest chance that Jesus was a rebel, then He would have sinned against God, and we would all be lost!
5. Tattoo’s Deadly Little Secret. It is a well-known fact that tattooing runs a risk of acquiring any number of deadly diseases, including Hepatitis C and AIDS. The reason is because the needle that is used to tattoo punctures the skin 3,000 times a minute. In an hour, that would be 180,000 times that puncture wounds provide a potential path to a deadly disease. Not only that, but it is also well documented that tattoo shops are not regulated by the government to uphold medical standards. Also, many tattoo artists do not inform their clients of possible infection from the needle or the ink. The Mayo Clinic sounds a warning about commercial tattooing: “Few states have hygienic regulations to ensure safe tattooing practices in commercial tattoo parlors, and even fewer monitor and enforce standards”. (Body Piercing and Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com). Tattoos can cause many chronic skin disorders such as sarcoid, keloid scarring, allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis, and tumors. Finally, the Bible gives a real warning about this sort of procedure (Psm.38:5-8)
6. Tattoos and the Bible. We know already what Lev. 19:28 says. But people use that to say, “But that’s in the OLD Testament! What about the New?” Well, do you know that Lev. 19:29 says not to prostitute your daughter; yet it says nothing in the New Testament about that, making it okay to prostitute your child? I think not! These moral laws are timeless and are as applicable now as then. Lev. 19:28 indicates that we are to not print ANY marks on us. Period. Lev. 19:26-28 is a condemnation of assorted pagan, witchcraft and heathen practices, of which tattooing is clearly one of them. Every commentary written on Lev. 19:28 says that tattooing comes from pagan origins. Isaiah 44:5 & Ezekiel 9:4 indicates “he will write with his hand to the Lord.” Some go as far as to say that Jesus Christ is tattooed! (Rev. 19:16) If that is literally true, then Jesus is a sinner who disobeyed Lev. 19:28. Finally, because our bodies are theTemple of the Living God (1Cor. 6:19-20), God wants them pure for His glory. Defiling the temple of God, him will God destroy (1Cor. 3:16-17). God meant what He said! (Num. 23:19; Gal. 6:7-8) 2Cor. 6:16 says, in part, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God.”
7. Tattoo: The Mark of Regret. Those who get tattoos while in a backslidden state will forever have to live with them. Even those who flock to get laser surgery in an attempt to remove the tattoos will have to go through a lot of expensive and painful procedures, and yet the tattoo will never be totally removed and will just look ugly. Many who are foolish enough to get tattoos later regret them and hate looking at them. There are many consequences of getting “marked”: spiritual, health, social. Once a person has that mark put on them, they are then in a different category: one of the gang, cool, and spiritually defiled against God who shakes their fist at His law. Not to mention that after getting the tattoo, some serious medical problems could start to germinate. Getting a tattoo can also damage relationships with friends, family, teachers or employers. According to Bonnie B. Graves, Tattooing and Body Piercing, p. 43, many jobs are not available to those who have visible body art. So, then, is getting a tattoo really worth all the consequences?
If you have tattoos and are still unconvinced that any of the above applies to you, then consider this: tattooing, in addition to being disobedient, is idolatrous because it displays an image. If someone is “tattooing for Jesus” and thinks that’s acceptable, it isn’t because the “Jesus” (or any symbol) you are marking yourself with is an image. God says very clearly and explicitly that we are to have no other gods before Him, and that it is He and He alone who is supreme. (Ex. 20:3; Is. 45:5)
The Bible expressly tells us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (Jas.1:27), to abstain from the appearance of evil (1Thess. 5:22), and that friendship with the world is enmity with God. (Jas. 4:4). We are instructed to come out from among them and be separate from the world. (2Cor. 6:17) Christians therefore have the responsibility to obey God’s commands and abstain from worldly associations, pastimes, or habits; not just out of duty but because we love God and have a living relationship with Him. (John 14:15). Please beware that ALL tattooing is wrong, not just the graphic stuff described above. It all has the same origin in paganism and is expressly commanded by the Lord that we are to avoid this practice at all costs!
(1) If you received tattoos before conversion to Christ, then you have already been forgiven for that.
(2) On the other hand, if you have received tattoos after giving your life to Christ, you need to repent of
this sin and not repeat it, under any circumstances, because it is considered abominable.
Questions or comments? Ask GCG Pastor
Source: By Lynette Schaefer
________________________________________________________________________
The current trend that more and more Christians seem to be picking up is tattooing.
There are even “Christian” tattoo shops opening up, and deceived Christians are flocking to them more and more.
They justify this activity by saying they are “tattooing for Jesus” and it’s fun to sport their new, colorful images or
statements. Therefore, tattooing is no more an activity that the Bible expressly forbids, but it’s become the latest, cool,
fun thing to do; and tattooing is popularly regarded as simply “body art”.
Well, let’s explore what tattooing really is and what God has to say about it.
It is clear that we are living in the end times, right before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rapture home His blood-bought bride, the Church. It is also clear that these are perilous times. (2Tim 3:1) The current trend that more and more Christians seem to be picking up is tattooing. There are even “Christian” tattoo shops opening up, and deceived Christians are flocking to them more and more. They justify this activity by saying they are “tattooing for Jesus” and it’s fun to sport their new, colorful images or statements. Therefore, tattooing is no more an activity that the Bible expressly forbids, but it’s become the latest, cool, fun thing to do; and tattooing is popularly regarded as simply “body art”. Well, let’s explore what tattooing really is and what God has to say about it.
1. The Mark of Blood. The tattooing procedure involves cutting the flesh with a sharp needle or instrument in order to carve out or make designs. The result is something called “blood-letting”. Blood-letting has both occultic and demonic origins as it is considered a power source that is supernaturally unleashed. Many pro-tattoo sources describe tattooing as having a magical, occultic connection with blood and blood-letting as being normal. Several pro-tattoo historians indicate the connection with scarification and blood-letting associated with religious practices. Another source indicates “the importance of licking the blood that was released during tattoo operations” (Steve Gilbert, “Tattoo History: A Source Book”, pg. 181). We read in 1Kings 18:25-28 the account of the prophets of Baal who met with Elijah to find out who was the true God. These were satanists who were attempting to unleash supernatural power by cutting themselves (vs. 28). In the New Testament, there was a man named Legion who was possessed by demons in Mark 5:1-9 who went about cutting himself with stones. (vs. 5) Leviticus 19:28 says “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” (emphasis mine)
2. The Cup of Devils. Historically, the origin of the tattoo is associated with paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism and many other pagan beliefs. The tattoo has NEVER been connected with Bible believing Christians. But today in the 21st century, the trends are reverting from paganism practices to include the modern Christian and the new “Christian” tattoo shop. Satan is the god of this world and his agenda is to deceive many Christians, especially in the last days. But the fact remains that the tattoo has its roots in beliefs and practices that are demonic and pagan. Many pro-tattoo books indicate that tattooing is a magical rite and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman; it is connected to a religious ceremony and performed by priests or priestesses; it is intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces; at other times dancing accompanies the tattooing ritual to exorcise demons. In other words, it is connected with the spirit world and a tattoo is really much more than simply a body decoration. Today’s popular tattooing craze is “tribal tattoos”, which are pure paganism. These designs bear serious symbolic mystical and occult meanings. They are strongly connected with channels into spiritual and demonic possession. Many pro-tattoo artists and historians can attest to this by saying things like, “tattoos have a power and magic all their own”, “there is in addition to the opening of numerous inlets for evil to enter”, “allowing his clients’ demons to help guide the needle”. Ronald Scutt, in his exhaustive book, Art, Sex and Symbol, covers a lot about the history and culture of tattoos. He documents that most of the time tattoos are associated with spiritual, religious and mystical purposes; linking it to mystical significance, sun-worship, serpent worship, and the sun-god Baal. Author Steve Gilbert, of Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 99, records, “The Spaniards, who had never heard of tattooing, recognized it at once as the work of Satan.” Yet today’s gullible Christians are out there in droves “marking themselves for Jesus”! Pagan tattooing is not just from the dark ages: many body artists perform ritual tattoos today as the quotes from tattoo authors above bear witness. Some will burn incense or light candles. 1Cor. 10:21 says, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”
3. The Mark of Death. Lev. 19:28 says, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” Yet DEATH is the number one theme of tattoos! References from tattoo books again reveal this as a fact: “Death and darkness have always been a classic tattoo theme – skulls, snakes, demons” (The Body Art Book, pg. 56); Henry Ferguson in The Art of the Tattoo, states “probably the most popular tattooed image of today, the all-pervasive grinning skull!”; “Skulls imprinted on skin abound, and depictions of the Grim Reaper are commonly seen”; “Possibly, at the same time, to wear a death’s figure on one’s body may be an invocation of whatever indefinable forces of nature….in an attempt to protect the wearer from such a fate”. Tattoo shops mostly display morbid scenes of death, demons, serpents, and hell. Grim reapers, flaming skulls, snakes crawling through skulls, demons, Satan, pornography, blasphemy, naked flames of hell – every satanic scene of hell is glorified. Who really is the Master Tattooist? Satan, of course! (Rev. 6:8; Heb. 2:14). He is the author of Death; and the representative of Hell (Rev. 6:8; Matt. 25:41); also of the Serpent (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9; Rev. 20:1-2); whereas Jesus is Life (John 1:3; John6:48; John 11:25; John 14:6; Acts 3:15; Ro. 6:23; 1John 1:1-2; 1John5:12).
Many tattoo artists embody satanic symbols of death and hell while they display demonic scenes in their shops, calling it “art”. They are often people who demonstrate their allegiance to Satan with vile and filthy depictions of the underworld.
4. The Mark of Rebellion. The Bible condemns all rebellion throughout its pages and declares that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft. (1Sam. 15:23) It is clear that the tattoo has always been an indication of a spirit of rebellion and deviancy on its wearers. All the tattoo books make comments about tattooing being rebellious. In addition, the tattoo is considered a mark of disgrace or reproach by the same tattoo books. Throughout history, the tattoo was used to mark the criminal, adulterers, traitors, deserters, the deviant and outcast. Thirdly, it has been the mark of the sideshow freak throughout history. Also, it is the mark of indecency. They were associated with barbarians in barbaric, immoral Greece and Rome. One tattoo book, “Art, Sex and Symbol”, 1974, by Ronald Scutt, pg. 179, says “In a society that considers nudity as dirty, indecent, and subversive or morality … - it is not surprising that decorations to the body are allocated to the same category.” The tattoo is also considered the mark of depravity by many tattoo books. Studies have been done that indicate a high percentage of deviant behaviors and troubled persons that were tattooed. Studies have also been done that link tattoos to homosexuality, lesbianism, and gross sexual perversion. Statements made in many of the tattoo books bear this out. Recent studies on today’s tattooed young people indicate 1) they are nearly four times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse; 2) Over two times more likely to experience alcohol related problems; 3) Nearly two times more likely to use illegal drugs; 4) Over two times more likely to express violent behavior; and 5) Over two times more likely to drop out of high school.
What about Jesus? Wasn’t He a rebel? NO WAY! To the contrary: Jesus was 100 percent OBEDIENT unto death – even the death of the Cross! (Phil. 2:8) In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42-44) If there was the slightest chance that Jesus was a rebel, then He would have sinned against God, and we would all be lost!
5. Tattoo’s Deadly Little Secret. It is a well-known fact that tattooing runs a risk of acquiring any number of deadly diseases, including Hepatitis C and AIDS. The reason is because the needle that is used to tattoo punctures the skin 3,000 times a minute. In an hour, that would be 180,000 times that puncture wounds provide a potential path to a deadly disease. Not only that, but it is also well documented that tattoo shops are not regulated by the government to uphold medical standards. Also, many tattoo artists do not inform their clients of possible infection from the needle or the ink. The Mayo Clinic sounds a warning about commercial tattooing: “Few states have hygienic regulations to ensure safe tattooing practices in commercial tattoo parlors, and even fewer monitor and enforce standards”. (Body Piercing and Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com). Tattoos can cause many chronic skin disorders such as sarcoid, keloid scarring, allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis, and tumors. Finally, the Bible gives a real warning about this sort of procedure (Psm.38:5-8)
6. Tattoos and the Bible. We know already what Lev. 19:28 says. But people use that to say, “But that’s in the OLD Testament! What about the New?” Well, do you know that Lev. 19:29 says not to prostitute your daughter; yet it says nothing in the New Testament about that, making it okay to prostitute your child? I think not! These moral laws are timeless and are as applicable now as then. Lev. 19:28 indicates that we are to not print ANY marks on us. Period. Lev. 19:26-28 is a condemnation of assorted pagan, witchcraft and heathen practices, of which tattooing is clearly one of them. Every commentary written on Lev. 19:28 says that tattooing comes from pagan origins. Isaiah 44:5 & Ezekiel 9:4 indicates “he will write with his hand to the Lord.” Some go as far as to say that Jesus Christ is tattooed! (Rev. 19:16) If that is literally true, then Jesus is a sinner who disobeyed Lev. 19:28. Finally, because our bodies are theTemple of the Living God (1Cor. 6:19-20), God wants them pure for His glory. Defiling the temple of God, him will God destroy (1Cor. 3:16-17). God meant what He said! (Num. 23:19; Gal. 6:7-8) 2Cor. 6:16 says, in part, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God.”
7. Tattoo: The Mark of Regret. Those who get tattoos while in a backslidden state will forever have to live with them. Even those who flock to get laser surgery in an attempt to remove the tattoos will have to go through a lot of expensive and painful procedures, and yet the tattoo will never be totally removed and will just look ugly. Many who are foolish enough to get tattoos later regret them and hate looking at them. There are many consequences of getting “marked”: spiritual, health, social. Once a person has that mark put on them, they are then in a different category: one of the gang, cool, and spiritually defiled against God who shakes their fist at His law. Not to mention that after getting the tattoo, some serious medical problems could start to germinate. Getting a tattoo can also damage relationships with friends, family, teachers or employers. According to Bonnie B. Graves, Tattooing and Body Piercing, p. 43, many jobs are not available to those who have visible body art. So, then, is getting a tattoo really worth all the consequences?
If you have tattoos and are still unconvinced that any of the above applies to you, then consider this: tattooing, in addition to being disobedient, is idolatrous because it displays an image. If someone is “tattooing for Jesus” and thinks that’s acceptable, it isn’t because the “Jesus” (or any symbol) you are marking yourself with is an image. God says very clearly and explicitly that we are to have no other gods before Him, and that it is He and He alone who is supreme. (Ex. 20:3; Is. 45:5)
The Bible expressly tells us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (Jas.1:27), to abstain from the appearance of evil (1Thess. 5:22), and that friendship with the world is enmity with God. (Jas. 4:4). We are instructed to come out from among them and be separate from the world. (2Cor. 6:17) Christians therefore have the responsibility to obey God’s commands and abstain from worldly associations, pastimes, or habits; not just out of duty but because we love God and have a living relationship with Him. (John 14:15). Please beware that ALL tattooing is wrong, not just the graphic stuff described above. It all has the same origin in paganism and is expressly commanded by the Lord that we are to avoid this practice at all costs!
(1) If you received tattoos before conversion to Christ, then you have already been forgiven for that.
(2) On the other hand, if you have received tattoos after giving your life to Christ, you need to repent of
this sin and not repeat it, under any circumstances, because it is considered abominable.
Questions or comments? Ask GCG Pastor
Source: By Lynette Schaefer
________________________________________________________________________
Pope Francis says gays must not be judged or marginalized
Date: July, 2013
Read Leviticus 18 in The Bible:
Leviticus 18 to see what sexual practices are forbidden by God and will bring death
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in some of the most conciliatory*) words from any pontiff on gays, said they should not be judged or marginalized and should be integrated into society, but he reaffirmed Church teaching that homosexual acts are a sin.
*) conciliatory = intended or likely to placate or pacify; placate = make (someone) less angry or hostile.
In a broad-ranging 80-minute conversation with journalists on the plane bringing him back from a week-long visit to Brazil, Francis also said the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women priests was definitive, although he would like them to have more leadership roles in administration and pastoral activities.
He expressed pain over scandals at the Vatican bank during a remarkably forthright press conference, his first since being elected in March to replace Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.
Francis said there were saints in the Holy See*) but also "those who are not very saintly".*) see = the place in which a cathedral church stands, identified as the seat of authority of a bishop or archbishop.
The airborne encounter with journalists ranged over issues as varied as the pope's insistence on low-key security to his desire to slip out of the shackles of the Vatican to go for walks.
The pope arrived back in Rome on Monday after a triumphant week-long tour of Brazil which climaxed with a huge gathering on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach for a world Catholic youth festival, which organizers estimated to have attracted more than 3 million people.
Francis defended gays from discrimination but also referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful homosexual acts are.
"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" the pope said.
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says they should not be marginalized because of this (orientation) but that they must be integrated into society," he said, speaking in Italian.
"The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem," he said.
Francis was answering a question about reports of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican, after it suffered a string of scandals over pedophile priests and corruption in the administration of the Holy See.
"You see a lot written about the gay lobby. I still have not seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay," he joked.
'NO' TO WOMEN PRIESTS IS DEFINITIVE
Addressing the issue of women priests, the pope said, "The Church has spoken and says 'no' ... that door is closed." It was the first time he had spoken in public on the subject.
"We cannot limit the role of women in the Church to altar girls or the president of a charity, there must be more ...," he said in answer to a question.
"But with regards to the ordination of women, the Church has spoken and says 'no'. Pope John Paul said so with a formula that was definitive. That door is closed," he said, referring to a document by the late pontiff which said the ban was part of the infallible teaching of the Church.
The Church teaches that it cannot ordain women because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Advocates of a female priesthood say he was acting according to the customs of his times.
Many in the Church, even those who oppose a female priesthood, say women should be given leadership roles in the Church and the Vatican administration.
The long session on the plane was highly unusual in the history of the modern papacy for both its candor and breadth.
Unlike his predecessor Benedict, who knew in advance the few questions journalists would allowed to ask, 76-year-old Francis, who as an Argentine was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, imposed no restrictions as he fielded 21 questions.
He said his week-long trip to Brazil left him very fatigued but "did me a lot of spiritual good".
He spoke of reforms he had begun in the Vatican, which has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals, including at the Vatican bank, which is the target of several Italian money laundering investigations.
Francis said the bank must become "honest and transparent" and that he will listen to the advice of a commission he has set up on whether it can be reformed or should be closed altogether.
Francis referred directly to Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, a Vatican prelate*) arrested last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 20 million euros into Italy from Switzerland. *) prelate = a bishop or other high ecclesiastical dignitary
"There are many people (in the Vatican) who are saints but there are those who are not very saintly ... and it pains me when this happens. There is this monsignor in jail. He didn't go to jail because he resembled a saint ... these are scandals that do damage," he said.
Francis, who in Brazil chose to ride in an open-sided popemobile or a simple Fiat, said he was not concerned about the reduced security he has chosen compared to his predecessors.
"Security lies in trusting people. It is true that there is always a danger that a crazy person might try to do something, but there is also the Lord," he said, adding that he believed it would be even more crazy to be kept away from people.
Vatican security was greatly boosted after Pope John Paul was shot and nearly killed by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca on May 13, 1981 while he was riding in an open jeep in St. Peter's Square.
Source: Internet news
______________________________________________
Date: July, 2013
Read Leviticus 18 in The Bible:
Leviticus 18 to see what sexual practices are forbidden by God and will bring death
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in some of the most conciliatory*) words from any pontiff on gays, said they should not be judged or marginalized and should be integrated into society, but he reaffirmed Church teaching that homosexual acts are a sin.
*) conciliatory = intended or likely to placate or pacify; placate = make (someone) less angry or hostile.
In a broad-ranging 80-minute conversation with journalists on the plane bringing him back from a week-long visit to Brazil, Francis also said the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women priests was definitive, although he would like them to have more leadership roles in administration and pastoral activities.
He expressed pain over scandals at the Vatican bank during a remarkably forthright press conference, his first since being elected in March to replace Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.
Francis said there were saints in the Holy See*) but also "those who are not very saintly".*) see = the place in which a cathedral church stands, identified as the seat of authority of a bishop or archbishop.
The airborne encounter with journalists ranged over issues as varied as the pope's insistence on low-key security to his desire to slip out of the shackles of the Vatican to go for walks.
The pope arrived back in Rome on Monday after a triumphant week-long tour of Brazil which climaxed with a huge gathering on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach for a world Catholic youth festival, which organizers estimated to have attracted more than 3 million people.
Francis defended gays from discrimination but also referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful homosexual acts are.
"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" the pope said.
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says they should not be marginalized because of this (orientation) but that they must be integrated into society," he said, speaking in Italian.
"The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem," he said.
Francis was answering a question about reports of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican, after it suffered a string of scandals over pedophile priests and corruption in the administration of the Holy See.
"You see a lot written about the gay lobby. I still have not seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay," he joked.
'NO' TO WOMEN PRIESTS IS DEFINITIVE
Addressing the issue of women priests, the pope said, "The Church has spoken and says 'no' ... that door is closed." It was the first time he had spoken in public on the subject.
"We cannot limit the role of women in the Church to altar girls or the president of a charity, there must be more ...," he said in answer to a question.
"But with regards to the ordination of women, the Church has spoken and says 'no'. Pope John Paul said so with a formula that was definitive. That door is closed," he said, referring to a document by the late pontiff which said the ban was part of the infallible teaching of the Church.
The Church teaches that it cannot ordain women because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Advocates of a female priesthood say he was acting according to the customs of his times.
Many in the Church, even those who oppose a female priesthood, say women should be given leadership roles in the Church and the Vatican administration.
The long session on the plane was highly unusual in the history of the modern papacy for both its candor and breadth.
Unlike his predecessor Benedict, who knew in advance the few questions journalists would allowed to ask, 76-year-old Francis, who as an Argentine was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, imposed no restrictions as he fielded 21 questions.
He said his week-long trip to Brazil left him very fatigued but "did me a lot of spiritual good".
He spoke of reforms he had begun in the Vatican, which has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals, including at the Vatican bank, which is the target of several Italian money laundering investigations.
Francis said the bank must become "honest and transparent" and that he will listen to the advice of a commission he has set up on whether it can be reformed or should be closed altogether.
Francis referred directly to Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, a Vatican prelate*) arrested last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 20 million euros into Italy from Switzerland. *) prelate = a bishop or other high ecclesiastical dignitary
"There are many people (in the Vatican) who are saints but there are those who are not very saintly ... and it pains me when this happens. There is this monsignor in jail. He didn't go to jail because he resembled a saint ... these are scandals that do damage," he said.
Francis, who in Brazil chose to ride in an open-sided popemobile or a simple Fiat, said he was not concerned about the reduced security he has chosen compared to his predecessors.
"Security lies in trusting people. It is true that there is always a danger that a crazy person might try to do something, but there is also the Lord," he said, adding that he believed it would be even more crazy to be kept away from people.
Vatican security was greatly boosted after Pope John Paul was shot and nearly killed by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca on May 13, 1981 while he was riding in an open jeep in St. Peter's Square.
Source: Internet news
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Some Churches Say They'll Cut Ties to Boy Scouts
Following Its Lifting Ban on Gay Scouts
Study: Leviticus 18 to see what sexual practices are forbidden by God and will bring death
ABC - 5/29/13 - A number of churches that previously sponsored Boy Scout troops have said they plan to sever ties to the organization following its decision to lift a longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts. Openly gay adults will still be barred from leadership roles in the organization.
"I think I can say with pretty strong accuracy that the vast majority of Southern Baptists are very disappointed in the latest change in policy ... deeply disappointed," Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee, told ABCNews.com.
Page said that the Southern Baptist Convention -- the largest Protestant denomination in the United States -- would be holding its national meeting in two weeks, after which it would likely recommend that its 47,000 U.S. churches pull away from the Boy Scouts of America. From there, it is up to each individual church to decide what to do, said Page.
About 70 percent of all local Boy Scout troops are supported by religious groups, according to the Boy Scouts of America, and the Southern Baptist Convention currently sponsors "hundreds of troops, probably thousands," Page said.
"We don't hate people," said Page. "We don't hate anybody, but we just felt like there's got to be some objective standard, and we felt they were maintaining that until recently."
The Mormon church, which sponsors most of the troops, has endorsed allowing gay Scouts. The Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest troop sponsor, has said it was going to use the time before the new policy takes effect on Jan. 1 to think about how and if it would affect the church.
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Metropolitan Community Church all urged full repeal of the longtime ban.
Boy Scouts to Admit Openly Gay Members Watch Video
Gay Eagle Scout Fights For Policy Change Watch Video
But many other Christian groups continue to protest, citing religious freedom and the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave the Boy Scouts the constitutional right to keep out gay members.
The Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., which has about 300 families who participate in Scouting, also announced its plan to break its Boy Scout ties.
"Truly, for us it's a logical decision," Tim Hester, the church's executive pastor, told the Courier-Journalnewspaper. "We cannot be distracted from the mission God has called us to."
Last week's decision to lift the ban was a "catalyst" in breaking away from the Boy Scouts but was not the church's only reason for doing so, Hester said, citing directional differences between the organization and the church.
"We want everyone, including ourselves, to live by biblical standards," Hester told the newspaper.
Hester did not immediately respond to ABCNews.com's request for comment.
One of the first religious organizations to denounce the Boy Scout's new policy on allowing gay members was the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal group, saying in a statement, "We believe that the BSA policy change will lead to a mass exodus from the Boy Scout program, as Assemblies of God and many other churches can no longer support groups that are part of an organization allowing members who are openly homosexual."
Page, of the Southern Baptist Convention, echoed that sentiment. "I warned Scouting executives that this would happen, and they supposedly realized it would happen, but they thought they would gain more," Page said. "I assured them that if your goal is to minister to the largest number of youth, those were their words, then changing this is going to be a detriment to your goal."
The Boy Scouts said in a statement that it respected the "deeply held" religious beliefs of its members but encouraged them to read the resolution about the new policy. "We believe this policy is reflective of the beliefs of most of Scouting's major religious chartered organizations and are unaware of any that believe a youth member simply stating he or she is attracted to the same sex, but not engaging in sexual activity, should make him or her unwelcome in their congregation. While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting."
Gay rights advocates believe the Boy Scouts' new policy may actually attract new organizations and members who may have been put off by its former practices.
"There's a lot of noise around folks that are leaving, and there's probably not going to be as much attention about what new troops may actually start or get sponsored by places that didn't want to be associated with the discriminatory policy before," Ross Murray, director of news and faith initiatives for GLAAD, a gay rights advocacy group, told ABCNews.com.
Boy Scouts to Admit Openly Gay Members Watch Video
Gay Eagle Scout Fights For Policy Change Watch Video
"My prediction is that there will be a small percentage that leaves, like less than 5 percent, but there will be a lot of noise around them leaving and a lot of words like 'torn apart' will be used to describe this, but, in the end, the organization will probably come back in a stronger place because it's more inclusive," he said.
Source: ABC News
Click colored area for further info
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Obama using MLK, Lincoln Bibles during oath
Date: January 2013
MLK = Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.
He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King has become a national icon in the history of American
progressivism. King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history. He also established his reputation as a radical, and became an object of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's COINTELPRO for the rest of his life. On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. In the next few years leading up to his death, he expanded his focus to include poverty and the Vietnam War—alienating many of his liberal allies with a 1967 speech titled "Beyond Vietnam". King was planning a national occupation of Washington, D.C., called the Poor People's Campaign. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. and beyond have been renamed in his honor.
Lincoln - Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln successfully led his country through its greatest constitutional, military, and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union while ending slavery and promoting economic and financial modernization. Reared in a poor family on the western frontier, Lincoln was mostly self-educated, and became a country lawyer, a Whig Party leader, Illinois state legislator during the 1830s, and a one-term member of the United States House of Representatives during the 1840s.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is putting a symbolic twist on a time-honored tradition, taking the oath of office for his second term with his hand placed not on a single Bible but on two — one owned by Martin Luther King Jr. and one by Abraham Lincoln.
The inclusion of King's Bible is particularly significant since the inauguration comes on Jan. 21, the federal holiday in honor of the civil rights leader, who delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech 50 years ago at the Lincoln Memorial. Obama will be facing the memorial as he takes the oath. King's Bible, which his children say he used early in his career as a preacher, has never been part of a presidential inauguration.
The selection of the pair of Bibles announced Thursday is richly symbolic of the struggle for equality in America, beginning with Lincoln's emancipation of slaves 150 years ago this month, through King's leadership of the civil rights movement, and ultimately to Obama becoming the nation's first black president.
Inaugural planners say Obama plans to place his left hand on the stacked Bibles held by first lady Michelle Obama as he raises his right hand to repeat the oath administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. It hasn't been determined which will be on top, with Obama's hand actually resting on it, but King's is larger, so it may need to be on the bottom.
Obama used the Lincoln Bible while taking the oath four years ago — the first time it had been used since the 16th president's inauguration in 1861. Obama's inaugural committee says that the president plans to use the first lady's family's Bible for a private swearing-in at the White House on Sunday, Jan. 20. Public presidential inaugurations traditionally aren't held on Sundays, even though the Constitution states that a president's new term begins automatically at noon on the 20th.
King's children describe their father's King James version as his "traveling Bible" that he took as part of a collection of books he carried with him while constantly on the road and used for inspiration and preparing sermons and speeches. His daughter Bernice King says her father marked the pages with several dates from May 1954, the same month he delivered his first sermon at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala.
"We know our father would be deeply moved to see President Obama take the oath of office using his Bible," King's children said in a statement provided by the inaugural committee. "His traveling Bible inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the president as he begins his second term."
Obama also plans to honor King throughout his inaugural weekend, beginning by asking Americans to volunteer in their communities on Saturday, Jan. 19, to honor the civil right leader's legacy of service. The King family plans to participate. Inaugural planners also say there will be a float honoring King in the parade to the White House after the swearing-in ceremony.
Though there is no constitutional requirement for the use of a Bible while taking the oath, George Washington began the tradition with a Bible hastily grabbed from St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 1 for his swearing-in on April 30, 1789, in New York. Since then, presidents have typically chosen Bibles with historical or personal significance, many using family heirlooms. Obama is not the first president to select two Bibles — Harry Truman did so in 1949, Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 and Richard Nixon in 1969.
Some presidents kiss the book after completing the oath. Sometimes the Bible is open to meaningful passages, such as President George W. Bush's choice of Isaiah 40:31 — "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
The Lincoln Bible is part of the Library of Congress collections. The Supreme Court clerk bought the Bible, bound in burgundy velvet with a gold-washed white metal rim and heavily gilded edges, especially for Lincoln's swearing-in.
The first lady's Robinson family Bible was a gift from her late father, Fraser Robinson III, to his mother, LaVaughn Delores Robinson, on Mother's Day 1958. The first lady's grandmother was the first black female manager of a Moody Bible Institute's bookstore, and her son's present was her favorite, inaugural planners say.
They also say Vice President Joe Biden will use a Bible with a Celtic cross on the cover that has been in his family for 120 years. Biden has used the Bible every time he's been sworn into federal office, back to his entry in the Senate 40 years ago.
Online:
A list of Bibles used for presidential inaugurations is at http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/swearing-in/Bibles
Click colored areas for further info
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Einstein's letter on God to be auctioned on eBay
LONDON (AP), 10/7/12
A letter in which Albert Einstein dismissed the idea of God as a product of human weakness is being sold on eBay for a starting price of $3 million.
The letter, handwritten in 1954, a year before Einstein's death, was addressed to philosopher Eric Gutkind. In it, Einstein discussed his views on religion, including calling "the Bible a collection of honorable but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish."
An anonymous collector who bought the letter in 2008 is putting it on sale on online auction site eBay from Monday. The auction closes Oct. 18, 2012.
Eric Gazin, a spokesman for the sale, said Sunday: "With the interest in Einstein, along with the questions this (letter) touches on, we feel it is well worth the price."
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Comment to the above information by Dr Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., D.D., N.N., the founding Pastor of GCG
Einstein must not have studied the whole Bible or if he did, he did not notice, nor understand, how easy and simple it is to see the statements in The Bible defining different scientific facts, facts the Bible text writers, in their historical times, did not know. God used as His secretaries Jewish people because the Jews had the most advanced writing technology in their times of our world history.
In those days "God's earthly secretaries" wrote down as The Bible text science facts no one in those days did know. Then HOW is it possible that these "secretaries" under their knowledge circumstances could be capable of taking notes and saving them in The Bible text, notes that are full of science facts from all areas of human life, science facts they did not know. Someone who knew the science secrets of the Universe and of our world, must have told the facts. Those facts gave everyone safe, healthy, successful, financially rich life - and still do. The facts for a successful life are still the same today as they were thousands of years ago.
These facts are in The Bible, the modern Biblical Science has showed them and brought them to the daylight of anyone to see, understand, and apply for a better, healthier, longer, happier, richer life.
No one in the world in those days knew those science facts because the human science just today, one month, 50 or 100 or 500 etc. years ago, did figure them out.
Yet, these Jewish people wrote down facts they did not know and could not know because those facts were discovered by the human race much later in our history.
How could it be possible that Mr. Einstein, such a preciously and exceptionally talented man, regarded as one of the most intelligent individuals in the world history, could not see those science facts in The Bible written down by 'secretaries" who could not possibly know them. The whole Bible is throughout full of these important science facts.
E.g. The Bible has in its text from thousands year ago written down the fact that our earth is not flat but roundish. That fact was commonly understood in about 1500 -/+.
It is not possible that Einstein did not see these kinds, even simple science facts relating to all areas of human life: finances, health, family happiness, child raising, just anything and everything.
It is possible that Einstein either did not study and analyze The Bible statements very well - thus, did not understand the information.
OR: it could be that he just teasingly wrote the letter to find out how the recipient would react.
It is not possible that Mr. Einstein did not recognize these facts in The Bible from the 1st page to the last page.
It is possible that he did not at all study The Bible and made statements with a thin air not knowing much of the topic.
Either way, once more: if he had studied well The whole Bible, and as intelligent as he was, Mr. Einstein must have seen these science facts in The Bible if he wanted.
Any reasonable human being with average brains can see these facts existing in The Bible, anyone who studies The Bible.
The majority of the church-going people do not know the whole Bible because most traditional churches do not teach the Biblical text very well, some not at all. I
In addition, still in late 1800's and still in about 1930's it was forbidden in Italy for any private person to hold a Bible translated in their own language they could understand. Why? A good question. The old attitude was that the public would not understand the Biblical text and would just learn to ignore and disrespect it.
Sure, in the human history, not even very long ago, the majority of the population (number-wise) did not know how to read. BUT: still in the 1930's - almost 100 % of the Italian people could certainly read.
It is easy to see that the Devil is in this process aiming to hurt people not to learn the Biblical secrets for healthy, happy, financially prosperous, long life.
Was the Devil also polluting Mr. Einstein's mind in this matter? Mr. Einstein was regarded already in this life time as one of the most intelligent individuals.
Such an individual is a good target for the Devil to promote wrong information and guide the people to fail in their lives.
It may be possible that Einstein wrote the letter not telling what he really may have known about The Bible texts. He may have used the letter text as a test to philosopher Eric Gutkind to find out what Gutkind may know or not know. Einstein may also have for other "science-political", political, or for any other reason written the letter the way he wrote to avoid public conflict or any persecution by certain individuals in the high government positions. There are some hints in other letters relating to Einstein that he may have not written in this letter what his true opinion is. He might have written it also as a "joke", Certain inf\o from his time proves for these possibilities.
You, your spouse, your children - start studying the whole Bible from cover to cover. Individually and in the family discussion & prayer meetings.
All of you, do it "slowly" to see, analyze and recognize the valuable every-day Biblical guidance, systematically, and with the decision to learn and also to apply the wisdom for your and your family's blessed and more successful future. Use a modern language translation (see the Home page in this website for info),
Use the web connection links given in the Home page to research the internet for deeper and comparative Biblical information. Use the web links to find an answer to any question. Keep a letter-size notebook. Study daily one chapter from the Old Testament, e.g. one chapter in the evening and one chapter from the New Testament in the morning (get up little earlier). It will be one of the most, perhaps the most important decision as you will learn thousands of important life success "rules" to have a longer, healthier, happier, richer, more satisfying life. Teach and guide your children study The Bible from early on. Apply the information you all learn from The Bible. Discuss in a weekly family-meeting what each family member has found that week in The Bible and what he/she is going to adapt and apply for his/her life.
If practical, Include your pets in the meeting - they are family members, too. A family study and discussion group once a week on a together scheduled time is strengthening the family bonds for all of you. The stronger family bonds will bring a more successful life to your whole family.
Quotation: "The Family that prays together, stays together"
Quotation: "Knowledge is no power - only applied knowledge is power"
(Dr. Christian, GCG Pastor)
Apply the information you learn from The Bible
for your, your children's, your spouse's, your family's daily use.
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Finding Treasure
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
The story has been told of a great adventurer and student of the Old West. The greatest thrill of his life was to search for treasures hidden from the days of the great California gold rush in the 1800s. He would begin by investigating leads on so-called “treasure maps” that had been uncovered or found in antique shops. He would buy the maps and begin to do research on the locations. When an area was located, he would search history books to see if a treasure was supposed to have been hidden in that area. If so, he would begin searching. In this fashion, he had made a number of successful finds during his life and had become quite rich through his efforts. In fact, he became so successful that his adventures became routine to the point that he tired of them.
One day, the man decided he would attempt the ultimate adventure. He would find another treasure, but this time without the help of a map. He purchased another old treasure map and figured out the general area that held the promise of a great hidden treasure. Then, he set out on his adventure without the assistance of the map. He was never heard from again. Some years later, others found his remains in a mountainous desert area. Apparently, the great adventurer had died of starvation during his quest. Alongside his bones, amongst his gear, the treasure map was found – clearly indicating where to look. He was nowhere near the treasure, but had died in search of riches that could have been easily found.
Where do you look to find spiritual treasure? Some chase after possessions to find fulfillment. Others immerse themselves in pleasurable experiences. Some long for spiritual connection, but lose heart along the way and give up. Others become convinced that they don’t need the “map” to find spiritual treasure. They believe they can find it on their own.
God’s Word – the Bible – is our treasure map. God has assured us in His Word that we can have eternal life, and through the reading, study and meditation of Scripture, we will learn how to navigate through this life. And in the end, we will find eternal treasure: living forever with God in heaven. With the Bible as our map, we are assured of never losing our way.
We are all living out the adventure of life. Where are you headed? Don’t let your soul waste away in a spiritual wilderness while a trusted map collects dust nearby. Today, take some time to read your Bible. It will help provide directions on your way to finding real treasure.
GOING DEEPER:
In what ways has the Bible served as a map for your life?
2. How do you imagine your life would be different if you spent more time in studying the Bible?
FURTHER READING:
CLICK: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Mark 4:1-20; Hebrews 4:12-13
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Additional family matter articles in tab: "more" and there in sub tab: "domestic violence" __________________________________
Privacy in your marriage - please realize how the U.S. laws are
In other countries: find out from your lawyer or from the government legal guidance office. Avoid always any wrong doing. This link will show you one case in the U.S. Study the article and have your spouse also studying it. (click: Husband in Hot Water: Man Faces Five Years in Prison for ... Husband in Hot Water: Man Faces Five Years in Prison for Snooping Through Wife's E-Mails The same law would apply to other forms of communication, including a letter addressed to your spouse ________________________________
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God celebrates family
Has Your Family Been a Blessing?
"The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them."
Proverbs 20:7 NLT
Today, Lord, help me walk with integrity so as to be a good example to others.
A heritage of blessings
What better motivations exist for us to be people of integrity than that our children will be blessed for it!
Parents who are godly, who live with integrity and truthfulness, are wonderful examples to their children. Granted, this does not always guarantee that children will turn out perfectly, but children will nevertheless receive a great blessing from having such parents.
So what does it mean to "walk with integrity"? It means that "walk the talk." In other words, plenty of people know the right thing to do, but when the right time comes, they don't do it. They know they should tell the truth, for example, but if telling the truth will hurt, they opt for a lie instead. Children learn best from models they see and hear, but if they learn to bend the truth whenever needed, they set themselves up for problems in life. But if they learn to follow God and walk their faith, then they will have been greatly blessed.
WISE WAYS: Are you willing to walk with integrity in front of your children or those over whom you have influence? What kinds of blessings will they have from following your example?
Today, Lord, help me walk with integrity so as to be a good example to others.
Source: Adapted from The One Year® Book of Proverbs by Neil S. Wilson, Tyndale House Publishers (2002), entry for February 20
Quote
Happy families… own a surface similarity of good cheer. For one thing, they like each other, which is quite a different thing from loving. For another, they have, almost always, one entirely personal treasure—a sort of purseful of domestic humor which they have accumulated against rainy days. This humor is not necessarily witty. The jokes may be incomprehensible to outsiders, and the laughter springs from the most trivial of sources. But the jokes and the laughter belong entirely to the family. - PHYLLIS McGINLEY
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Biblical view of marriage
God created people to function best when they are in healthy relationships. In fact, after forming Adam, He proclaimed, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Gen. 2:18), and He created Eve, thereby setting into motion His plan for the family. Unfortunately, as our society rejects the Lord's purposes and design for marriage, individuals find themselves increasingly isolated and lonely. Please pray that our nation will return to a biblical understanding of marriage, and that the heavenly Father will strengthen families throughout our land.
Religion is meant to be fun and it is good to laugh - laughing brings health benefits - We use JOKES to laugh. Start using them - practice and you will become a master - all doors open with proper humor
JOKE
Perfection
The preacher said, "There's no such thing as a perfect woman. Anybody present who has ever known a perfect woman, stand up."
Nobody stood up.
"Those who have ever known a perfect man, stand up."
One elderly gentleman stood up.
"Are you honestly saying you knew an absolutely perfect man?" he asked, somewhat amazed.
"Well now, I didn't know him personally," replied the little old man, "but I have heard a great deal about him. He was my wife's first husband."
HUMAN QUOTE
”Laughter is the shortest bridge/thing between two people"
Victor Borge (1909 – 2000), born Børge Rosenbaum, was a Danish comedian, conductor and pianist, affectionately known as (1) The Clown Prince of Denmark, (2) The Unmelancholy Dane, and (3) The Great Dane
Many people think of God as being angry and judgmental, pointing his disapproving finger at our sins and failures. In reality, God is both holy and merciful. In his holiness, he calls us to moral and virtuous living; in his mercy he is willing to forgive us, and he loves us even when we fail. The psalmist (David & many others) is rejoicing that he can rely upon God's mercy, which becomes a protection against the destructive forces of evil. How will you rely on God's mercy this year?
What will be your legacy?
"His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him." Luke 1:50 NLT
But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress. O My strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:16-17 NLT
A wonderful inheritance
What will your children inherit? What about your grandchildren? Would you like them to know God's mercy as you have or even more so? What a wonderful inheritance to pass on from generation to generation. If this is what we want for our children, we must help them to reverence the Lord. Mercy is God's gift to us; reverence is our gift to God. The two work together to leave a legacy of faithfulness to future generations.
God is merciful
Many people think of God as being angry and judgmental, pointing his disapproving finger at our sins and failures. In reality, God is both holy and merciful. In his holiness, he calls us to moral and virtuous living; in his mercy he is willing to forgive us, and he loves us even when we fail. The psalmist is rejoicing that he can rely upon God's mercy, which becomes a protection against the destructive forces of evil. How will you rely on God's mercy this year?
Adapted from TouchPoint Bible with commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), pp 882, 500
Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House
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The Health Benefits of Marriage
Getting married benefits you physically and mentally.
The statistics on what tying the knot can do for your health are remarkable.
According to research, being married can significantly improve both emotional and physical health.
We get married for many reasons: to share our triumphs, our failures, and our lives with someone else. We crave connection with others, and what better way to achieve that than through marriage and living happily ever?
As an added bonus, marriage may offer more than making us happier people — tying the knot can improve our health and our longevity.
Healthy Relationship: Key to a Longer Life
Can getting married actually help you live longer? Yes, according to Scott Haltzman, MD, clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University in Providence, R.I., and author of The Secrets of Happy Families: Eight Keys to Building a Lifetime of Connection and Contentment.
“Ninety percent of married women who were alive at age 45 make it to 65, vs. slightly more than 80 percent of divorced and never-married women,” says Dr. Haltzman. “Mortality rates are 50 percent higher for unmarried women.”
The results are even more remarkable in men. Men who were alive at 48 years old also had a 90 percent chance of reaching age 65 if they were married, but only a 60 to 70 percent chance if they were single — that’s a 250 percent higher mortality rate.
Healthy Relationship: Good Physical Health
According to research, being married can significantly improve your health. “The health benefits of marriage are so strong that a married man with heart disease can be expected to live, on average, 1,400 days [nearly four years] longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart,” says Haltzman. “This longer life expectancy is even longer for a married man who has cancer or is 20 pounds overweight compared to his healthy but unmarried counterpart. The advantages for women are similar.”
Other highlights of the health benefits of tying the knot include:
· A married man who smokes more than a pack a day can expect to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke.
· Unmarried people spend twice as much time in hospitals as married people.
· Cancer cures are 8 to 17 percent more successful when a patient is married; research showed being married was comparable to being in an age category 10 years younger.
Healthy Relationship: Good Mental Health
As goes the body, so goes the mind. “Marital status was the most important factor for predicting depression,” says Haltzman. “Rates of major depression were nine times higher in unmarried men.” Depression, and in particular dysphoria — a feeling of anxiety, depression, and unease — were also higher in single women compared to married women.
Other statistics include:
· Divorce or marital separation more than doubles the risk of suicide in both men and cause similar consequences in women
· Tying the knot results in a decreased risk for substance abuse. Married men and women drink less alcohol and use less marijuana and cocaine than those who are not married.
· Divorced men are more likely to smoke, while married men are likely to quit.
· Seventy percent of chronic drinkers were divorced or separated, while only 15 percent were married.
There’s no doubt that marriage requires give and take and good communication, but ultimately the benefits of companionship can keep you healthier, both physically and mentally, than going it on your own.
______________________________________________
A TIME-HONORED MARRIAGE VOW –
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE
A TIME-HONORED MARRIAGE VOW – FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE
“To have and hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”
Keep your vow – it is the most important vow in your life. You break your own life, your spouse’s life, your children’s life. Keep it – and the real blessings will come and stay. Every marriage runs into trouble – because no one teaches us how to be married before we enter this most important relationship for you, for your family, and for our nation. Listen to the following Radio Show, Host: Dr. Christian. Dr. Christian, Pastor of Global Church of God, is also the President - CEO of one of our affiliated not-for-profit organization, SAVE THE AMERICAN FAMILY - STAF, INC. The following show is produced by STAF, Inc. and hosted by Dr. Christian: listen to the show DrDrCanYouHelpMe dated 11/3/10. There you have a great, detailed presentation about the Health Benefits of The Sacred Marriage. There are two shows that same day – listen to both of them. Your family needs both. Have your children listening to both of those 2 shows - both are truly important for the - even for all you to listen several times, now and them also – they keep you committed to solve any difficulty. The show DrDrCanYouHelpMe dated 11/3/10 recording is available 24/7 on the internet – make a CD (even for your children) and listen during your commuting (saves your time). Listen again and again now and then until all in your family actively remember the information - the applied info will save your family and keep everyone "behaving" well and stay healthy and happy.The direct link to the show is - go to: www.blogtalkradio.com/lazzeolive and find the recording date instantly on that web page. All previous shows from the past several years are in the site's archives (episodes on demand) - these 2 shows are in November month: 10/3/2010. Show: DrDrCanYouHelpMe, host: Dr. Christian
__________________________________________________________
JOKE
How many wives can a man have?
A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his cousin asked him, "How many women can a man marry?" "Sixteen," the boy responded. His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly. "How do you know that?"
"Easy," the little boy said. "All you have to do is add it up, like the Bishop said when he recited the marriage vow:
4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer"
HUMAN QUOTE
"A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us."
Orison Swett Marden, (1850-1924) founder of Success Magazine, is also considered to be the founder of the modern success movement in America.
Religion is meant to be fun and it is good to laugh - laughing brings health benefits
- We use JOKES to laugh as a model for you to start using them also. Start using jokes to cheer up people - it opens doors. Practice step-by-step to do it in the best & most productive manner.
JOKE
Weddings and Funerals
Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
_________________________________
THE LIFE-DESTROYING DISASTERS HAPPENING TO CHILDREN WHEN GROWING UP IN ONE-PARENT FAMILY
Scientific fact list - Life-destroying disasters happening
to the couple and children in separation & divorce
The scientific facts when a child grows up without the biological father
is a list of real dangers. Life-destroying dangers.
These facts list based on official, published sources
_________________
12 disasters your child is facing in a divorce
or in a separation
Are you willing to risk your child falling in the disasters listed below ?
A CHILD GROWING UP IN A SINGLE-PARENT
FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A FATHER
(1) Faces overall increased risks to health and welfare;
(2) 5 times more likely to commit suicide;
(3) 32 times more likely to run away;
(4) 20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders;
(5) 14 times more likely to commit rape;
(6) 9 times more likely to drop out of school;
(7) 10 times more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs;
(8) 20 times more likely to end up in prison;
(9) increased learning difficulties;
(10) increased risk of divorce when grown;
(11) increased out of wedlock pregnancies;
(12) seriously increased risk of having a stroke
during his/her life time.
For # 12 risk see a detailed article below
Are you willing to risk your child falling into the disasters listed above ?
__________________________________________
The family is the most important foundation in YOUR life
and in our society
Quotation "Family that prays together stays together"
Yet that sacred foundation of our society is treated too lightly by couples, by Courts, by public, by professionals etc. WRONG. The lawmakers MUST wake up to see the reasons for high crime rates, drug use, violence in schools and everywhere: it is in the foundation – how the family functions.
_______________________________________________________
Children of Divorce Face Twice the Lifetime Risk of Stroke
Study
According to new research, children of divorce have more than double the lifetime risk
for experiencing a stroke than those whose parents stay married during their childhood.
Children of divorce appear to have more than double the lifetime risk for experiencing a stroke compared with those whose parents' marriage stays intact during their childhood, new research suggests.
The finding stems from a survey of more than 13,000 Canadians, about 10 percent of whom had experienced parental divorce when they were young children or adolescents.
"I certainly don't want this to be taken to mean that children from divorced households are condemned to have strokes," said study author Dr. Esme Fuller-Thomson, a professor and Sandra Rotman Chair in the faculties of social work, medicine and nursing at the University of Toronto.
"This is just one factor among many that may increase stroke risk," she noted. "And we don't know that it's causal, in the sense that divorce leads to a stroke. It could be that many other things are at work here that are related to divorce, but are not divorce itself. We just don't know yet."
Fuller-Thomson is slated to present her team's findings Monday at the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting in New Orleans.
To explore the question, the authors sifted through data that had initially been collected in 2005 by Statistics Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Census Bureau.
The current study focused on survey participants from two Canadian provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Nearly 1,400 of the 13,000 respondents had experienced parental divorce, and just fewer than 2 percent (248) said they had experienced a stroke at some point.
The research team looked into a wide range of potentially influential factors, including age, race, gender, socioeconomic background, educational background, adult mental health history, childhood physical abuse history, long-term parental unemployment, lifestyle issues (such as obesity, and smoking and drinking behaviors), and diabetes history.
Ultimately, the researchers determined none of these variables explained the bottom-line finding: that children of divorce seem to bear an approximately 2.2 times higher risk for lifetime stroke.
"This needs to be replicated several times to make sure there really is this relationship," cautioned Fuller-Thomson. "But if this holds up, one possible explanation is that adverse child experiences may become physically embedded in the way you react to stresses later on in life, particularly in terms of dysfunctions in cortisol levels, which is what's involved in the fight-or-flight mechanism. It's possible. But that's just a hypothesis at this point," she added.
"But the other important thing to note is that even if divorce is proved to cause stroke, many of these people who we looked at who are having stroke are now in their 60s, 70s and 80s," she noted. "That means they experienced divorce in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, when the consequences and context for divorce were quite different. So we can't take their experience and project into the future, since it's very different to be a child of divorce today. So this is novel and interesting, but people really should not go into panic mode over it."
Meanwhile, Dr. Kirk Garratt, clinical director of interventional cardiovascular research at Lenox Hill Hospital within the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Systems in New York City, agreed that it is premature to draw any conclusions based on the finding.
"But it certainly stimulates a discussion, because we would want to understand what actual mechanisms underpin this, particularly since divorce itself is probably not a modifiable risk factor. Meaning, you're not going to tell people they can't divorce because they're going to give their child a stroke," he explained.
"So what's worth looking at is not the socially charged issue of divorce itself," Garratt said, "but rather what is the unique social trauma that might come along with divorce that perhaps alters something physiologically in children of divorce. And that could prove to give some direction to studies of stress, and how stress can cause real physical harm."
___________________________________________________________________________
GCG's comment to the following "borrowed" article:
By Dr. Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., GCG's Pastor:
Good info - some other important reasons are common among the divorced couples - you'll find them in this website. God's word in The Bible is clear: NO divorce - work out your difficulties - it can always be done. Learn to adapt the Biblical Principles for a happy marriage - study and apply them together as a couple - the reward: you will experience A TRUE HEAVENLY HAPPINESS in your marriage. A possible divorce is allowed if there is fornication in your marriage - Jesus told us so. He did NOT say "it is a must to divorce if any fornication happens" - Jesus said also: Forgive - otherwise your Heavenly Father will not forgive you your wrong doings. Thus: forgive, always work out your challenges - they come to every marriage. A marriage is a holy matter given by God. No matter what the reason for your possible divorce thoughts, seek professional help - talk to your Pastor, seek help from GCG professionals (see home page for the contact info) - there is always a positive solution to any earthly situation in our human life. A separation and a divorce ruins your children's future - see above the 12 disasters every child is facing in a separation or divorce situation.
It also ruins the future of both departing spouses.
Additional information available here: STAF, Inc.'s (an affiliate to our GCG) radio show DrDrCanYouHelpMe gives additional guidance - see blog: Radio/TV Shows in STAF, Inc's website: www.staf1org.weebly.com (= Save The American Family, STAF, Inc.)
GCG's own Radio Show The Miracle Show gives marriage guidance based on the Biblical Principles (see in this website, tab: TV/Radio Shows)
________________________
5 Secrets to a Happy Marriage: Revealed by Divorce
Yahoo! News
This is for your private use, only
In 25 years of studying marriage, Dr. Terri Orbuch, research professor at the University of Michigan and author of the new book "Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship," has found that some of the best relationship advice comes from people who are actually divorced.
Click: WATCH: Is this the Most Epic Marriage Proposal?
In 1986, Orbuch embarked on a long-term study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which followed the relationships of 373 newlyweds. By 2012, 46% had divorced, about the same as the national average. In interviews with Orbuch, people who had divorced or ended a serious relationship over and over again brought up the same five issues that they would improve if they had the chance to do it all again.
1. Money. Over the course of her research, one the biggest surprises for Orbuch was the role money played in marital strife. “Many divorced singles say that money was the number one source of conflict in the early years of marriage,” she tells Yahoo! Shine. She also found that, “6 out of 10 said they would not share living expenses in their next relationship.” She recommends that each partner evaluate their own approach to spending and saving money and discuss with their spouse early on. She says there is no one-size-fits-all-financial plan, but couples need to determine their own rules and adhere to them.
Click: Related: How much Wedding will $20,000 Buy?
2. Affection. Another surprise was that men crave affection—but not necessarily sex—more than women. “It’s counterintuitive,” says Orbuch, “but men crave feeling special and being noticed by their wives.” She adds that men who report not getting enough nonsexual affection were twice as likely to ask for a divorce, but the reverse was not true for women. “Women are fortunate. We get this kind of affirmation from more people in our lives, our mothers, children, our best friends”—so women tend to need less from husbands. She recommends carving out time for regular cuddling, kissing, hand holding, and saying “I love you.”
3. Blame. “When divorced couples found fault with their relationship using ‘we’ statements, they were significantly more likely to find love than those who used ‘I’ or ‘you’ statements.” Those who found blame in factors such as being incompatible or too young experienced less anxiety, insomnia, and depression than those who blamed their former partner or themselves for a break-up. Examine what went wrong in the relationship instead of assigning individual blame, suggests Orbuch, and think about how you can resolve conflict better next time.
4. Communication. Orbuch says a trap many couples fall into is “maintenance” rather than true communication. She suggests having a “10 minute rule” every day when you, “Talk to your partner about something other than work, the relationship, the house, or the children.” The key is revealing something about yourself and learning something about your spouse. “Forty-one percent of divorced people say they would change their communication style,” says Orbuch,“and, 91% of happily married couples say they know their partner intimately.”
5. Move on. Letting go of the past is a key to being in a happy relationship. This is true for people who are currently married as well as those seeking love. If you are irked by thoughts of your partner’s old boyfriend or girlfriend or of a fight that happened weeks ago, you might not be interacting in a healthy, positive way. “That animosity prevents you from being fully present,” says Orbuch. She also points out that people who felt neutral toward their ex were significantly more likely to find love after a divorce. If you can’t let go of your anger, her book outlines a number of exercises including writing a detailed letter to the person you are angry at—and burning it.
For more information on Dr. Orbuch or to ask her a question check out her website, The Love Doctor.
Click the topics below
Plane Towing Marriage Proposal Crashes
WATCH: Grandparents Offer Tips for a Long and Happy Marriage
John Hamm’s Relationship Advice for Teens Goes Viral
________________________________________________________
By Dr. Christian von Christophers, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., GCG's Pastor:
Good info - some other important reasons are common among the divorced couples - you'll find them in this website. God's word in The Bible is clear: NO divorce - work out your difficulties - it can always be done. Learn to adapt the Biblical Principles for a happy marriage - study and apply them together as a couple - the reward: you will experience A TRUE HEAVENLY HAPPINESS in your marriage. A possible divorce is allowed if there is fornication in your marriage - Jesus told us so. He did NOT say "it is a must to divorce if any fornication happens" - Jesus said also: Forgive - otherwise your Heavenly Father will not forgive you your wrong doings. Thus: forgive, always work out your challenges - they come to every marriage. A marriage is a holy matter given by God. No matter what the reason for your possible divorce thoughts, seek professional help - talk to your Pastor, seek help from GCG professionals (see home page for the contact info) - there is always a positive solution to any earthly situation in our human life. A separation and a divorce ruins your children's future - see above the 12 disasters every child is facing in a separation or divorce situation.
It also ruins the future of both departing spouses.
Additional information available here: STAF, Inc.'s (an affiliate to our GCG) radio show DrDrCanYouHelpMe gives additional guidance - see blog: Radio/TV Shows in STAF, Inc's website: www.staf1org.weebly.com (= Save The American Family, STAF, Inc.)
GCG's own Radio Show The Miracle Show gives marriage guidance based on the Biblical Principles (see in this website, tab: TV/Radio Shows)
________________________
5 Secrets to a Happy Marriage: Revealed by Divorce
Yahoo! News
This is for your private use, only
In 25 years of studying marriage, Dr. Terri Orbuch, research professor at the University of Michigan and author of the new book "Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship," has found that some of the best relationship advice comes from people who are actually divorced.
Click: WATCH: Is this the Most Epic Marriage Proposal?
In 1986, Orbuch embarked on a long-term study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which followed the relationships of 373 newlyweds. By 2012, 46% had divorced, about the same as the national average. In interviews with Orbuch, people who had divorced or ended a serious relationship over and over again brought up the same five issues that they would improve if they had the chance to do it all again.
1. Money. Over the course of her research, one the biggest surprises for Orbuch was the role money played in marital strife. “Many divorced singles say that money was the number one source of conflict in the early years of marriage,” she tells Yahoo! Shine. She also found that, “6 out of 10 said they would not share living expenses in their next relationship.” She recommends that each partner evaluate their own approach to spending and saving money and discuss with their spouse early on. She says there is no one-size-fits-all-financial plan, but couples need to determine their own rules and adhere to them.
Click: Related: How much Wedding will $20,000 Buy?
2. Affection. Another surprise was that men crave affection—but not necessarily sex—more than women. “It’s counterintuitive,” says Orbuch, “but men crave feeling special and being noticed by their wives.” She adds that men who report not getting enough nonsexual affection were twice as likely to ask for a divorce, but the reverse was not true for women. “Women are fortunate. We get this kind of affirmation from more people in our lives, our mothers, children, our best friends”—so women tend to need less from husbands. She recommends carving out time for regular cuddling, kissing, hand holding, and saying “I love you.”
3. Blame. “When divorced couples found fault with their relationship using ‘we’ statements, they were significantly more likely to find love than those who used ‘I’ or ‘you’ statements.” Those who found blame in factors such as being incompatible or too young experienced less anxiety, insomnia, and depression than those who blamed their former partner or themselves for a break-up. Examine what went wrong in the relationship instead of assigning individual blame, suggests Orbuch, and think about how you can resolve conflict better next time.
4. Communication. Orbuch says a trap many couples fall into is “maintenance” rather than true communication. She suggests having a “10 minute rule” every day when you, “Talk to your partner about something other than work, the relationship, the house, or the children.” The key is revealing something about yourself and learning something about your spouse. “Forty-one percent of divorced people say they would change their communication style,” says Orbuch,“and, 91% of happily married couples say they know their partner intimately.”
5. Move on. Letting go of the past is a key to being in a happy relationship. This is true for people who are currently married as well as those seeking love. If you are irked by thoughts of your partner’s old boyfriend or girlfriend or of a fight that happened weeks ago, you might not be interacting in a healthy, positive way. “That animosity prevents you from being fully present,” says Orbuch. She also points out that people who felt neutral toward their ex were significantly more likely to find love after a divorce. If you can’t let go of your anger, her book outlines a number of exercises including writing a detailed letter to the person you are angry at—and burning it.
For more information on Dr. Orbuch or to ask her a question check out her website, The Love Doctor.
Click the topics below
Plane Towing Marriage Proposal Crashes
WATCH: Grandparents Offer Tips for a Long and Happy Marriage
John Hamm’s Relationship Advice for Teens Goes Viral
________________________________________________________
A comment to the Buffalo News article below "Couple to remarry almost 50 years after divorce"
by GCG, Pastor, Dr. Chrstian von Christophers, Ph.D, N.D., D.D.
The article below shows that when a couple gets married in a traditional manner, they have true love between them. True love NEVER dies - never. Traditional manner means: meet, date, fall in love, someone proposes, engagement ring is given, wedding plans start, and wedding day.
This took some time, sometimes couple of years. It does not matter how long or how short the time was - the principle is the same. It took a lot of effort and cost quite much money.
If there was no true love between the couple, they would never have bothered investing this much their time, effort and money.
When challenges come, and they come to every marriage, the solution is not to run away and get divorced - everyone would suffer, including both spouses and their children. The solution is to work out the challenges - then the marriage always gets better and happier. The more serious and the more challenging the reason for the divorce thought is, the better and happier the marriage will become after the problem(s) have been worked out.
In your healed marriage you both can and will experience the Heavenly Happiness.
Marriage is created by our God - marriage is not allowed, except perhaps in one situation: fornication, says Jesus in The Bible. This does not mean that in "fornication"
you MUST get divorce. No. You can forgive and keep your marriage.
Take marriage healing help from our Church - we'll guide your both to the right path to Heveanly Happpiness.
The Bible guides to forgive and says "Forgive, otherwise our God will not forgive you."
by GCG, Pastor, Dr. Chrstian von Christophers, Ph.D, N.D., D.D.
The article below shows that when a couple gets married in a traditional manner, they have true love between them. True love NEVER dies - never. Traditional manner means: meet, date, fall in love, someone proposes, engagement ring is given, wedding plans start, and wedding day.
This took some time, sometimes couple of years. It does not matter how long or how short the time was - the principle is the same. It took a lot of effort and cost quite much money.
If there was no true love between the couple, they would never have bothered investing this much their time, effort and money.
When challenges come, and they come to every marriage, the solution is not to run away and get divorced - everyone would suffer, including both spouses and their children. The solution is to work out the challenges - then the marriage always gets better and happier. The more serious and the more challenging the reason for the divorce thought is, the better and happier the marriage will become after the problem(s) have been worked out.
In your healed marriage you both can and will experience the Heavenly Happiness.
Marriage is created by our God - marriage is not allowed, except perhaps in one situation: fornication, says Jesus in The Bible. This does not mean that in "fornication"
you MUST get divorce. No. You can forgive and keep your marriage.
Take marriage healing help from our Church - we'll guide your both to the right path to Heveanly Happpiness.
The Bible guides to forgive and says "Forgive, otherwise our God will not forgive you."
Couple to remarry almost 50 years after divorce
Never doubt the power of second chances. A couple, Lena Henderson and Roland Davis of West Seneca, New York, who divorced in 1964, are remarrying almost 50 years later.
According to a story in the Buffalo News, the two married as teenagers in Chattanooga, Tenn., and had four children. But even after the pair divorced 20 years later, they stayed friendly and kept in touch.
Davis remarried and moved to Colorado. Their youngest daughter, Renita Chadwick, noted to theBuffalo News, "The way they would act to each other never indicated there was anything but a friendship between them. My mother never had a harsh or contrary word to say about my dad, and my dad never had anything but loving remarks to make about my mother."
When Davis' second wife died, Henderson and their oldest daughter worried about him being alone, and urged him to move back to New York. Davis decided he wanted to do more than move. He popped the question to his ex-wife over the phone. "'Will you marry me again?" He asked. She answered, "Well, well, yes."
The 85-year-olds will tie the knot for a second time on August 4. Davis told the newspaper, "I always thought it might happen. It was always in the back of my mind. We're just thankful that we could get back together."
Their second chance at romance is capturing the hearts of people around them. When the two showed up at City Hall to get their marriage license, they were met by cheering office workers.
The wedding will be filled with four generations of their family. The bride will wear blue. The groom will wear a tuxedo.
Davis told UPI, "You don't think people are going to get married at this age. We're just thankful we've lived this long and that we're still here. We have a lot to be thankful for."
Never doubt the power of second chances. A couple, Lena Henderson and Roland Davis of West Seneca, New York, who divorced in 1964, are remarrying almost 50 years later.
According to a story in the Buffalo News, the two married as teenagers in Chattanooga, Tenn., and had four children. But even after the pair divorced 20 years later, they stayed friendly and kept in touch.
Davis remarried and moved to Colorado. Their youngest daughter, Renita Chadwick, noted to theBuffalo News, "The way they would act to each other never indicated there was anything but a friendship between them. My mother never had a harsh or contrary word to say about my dad, and my dad never had anything but loving remarks to make about my mother."
When Davis' second wife died, Henderson and their oldest daughter worried about him being alone, and urged him to move back to New York. Davis decided he wanted to do more than move. He popped the question to his ex-wife over the phone. "'Will you marry me again?" He asked. She answered, "Well, well, yes."
The 85-year-olds will tie the knot for a second time on August 4. Davis told the newspaper, "I always thought it might happen. It was always in the back of my mind. We're just thankful that we could get back together."
Their second chance at romance is capturing the hearts of people around them. When the two showed up at City Hall to get their marriage license, they were met by cheering office workers.
The wedding will be filled with four generations of their family. The bride will wear blue. The groom will wear a tuxedo.
Davis told UPI, "You don't think people are going to get married at this age. We're just thankful we've lived this long and that we're still here. We have a lot to be thankful for."
Speed Kills - About: FAMILY LIFE
Job 3:25-26 - What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
The pace of life is killing the soul of families. It makes good people act crazy and makes otherwise healthy individuals become vulnerable–vulnerable to sickness, vulnerable to broken relationships, vulnerable to sin. The old adage “speed kills” no longer refers only to drivers on the highway.
Today’s family is dangerously tired. We are too busy and too distracted to find much hope unless we undergo so drastic “family surgery.” The soul of a family is at risk when the family is overstretched and overcommitted. In my book, Creating an Intimate Marriage, one theme I focused on is the idea that when couples are overcommitted, they become unconnected. Doesn’t this hold true for families as well? What happens when our families run too fast for too long? The hurry and busyness of life can be the great destroyers of an otherwise healthy family. A philosopher in the previous century put it this way: “Hurry is not of the Devil; hurry is the Devil.” Decades later Richard Foster wrote, “Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he will rest satistfied.”1
Let’s face it: Everything is more dangerous at high speed. When we are overly tired, we tend to become numb to what matters most in our life. We settle for mediocrity in our primary relationships with God, our spouse, our kids, our extended family, and our friendships. The saddest part is that many of us are just too busy to care. When we are overcommitted, we postpone or cut short what matters most. Our to-do list seems necessary and unavoidable. We feel like we can never escape the persistent presence of bills, schedules, and other responsibilities. This ever-increasing pace of life turns even the best people into machines and greatly reduces our general level of happiness and fulfillment.2
Choosing to cut back from the busy pace we live our lives can be difficult and involves tough choices. It requires the courage of your conviction that cutting back is in the best interest of your life and those of your family, even when doing so is contrary to what we so often see as the norm in today’s culture. Today, go against the flow. Slow down!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What do you find most difficult about the concept of cutting back?
2. How might reducing the pace of life bring healing and wholeness to your family?
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23:2; Mark 6:31
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Job 3:25-26 - What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
The pace of life is killing the soul of families. It makes good people act crazy and makes otherwise healthy individuals become vulnerable–vulnerable to sickness, vulnerable to broken relationships, vulnerable to sin. The old adage “speed kills” no longer refers only to drivers on the highway.
Today’s family is dangerously tired. We are too busy and too distracted to find much hope unless we undergo so drastic “family surgery.” The soul of a family is at risk when the family is overstretched and overcommitted. In my book, Creating an Intimate Marriage, one theme I focused on is the idea that when couples are overcommitted, they become unconnected. Doesn’t this hold true for families as well? What happens when our families run too fast for too long? The hurry and busyness of life can be the great destroyers of an otherwise healthy family. A philosopher in the previous century put it this way: “Hurry is not of the Devil; hurry is the Devil.” Decades later Richard Foster wrote, “Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he will rest satistfied.”1
Let’s face it: Everything is more dangerous at high speed. When we are overly tired, we tend to become numb to what matters most in our life. We settle for mediocrity in our primary relationships with God, our spouse, our kids, our extended family, and our friendships. The saddest part is that many of us are just too busy to care. When we are overcommitted, we postpone or cut short what matters most. Our to-do list seems necessary and unavoidable. We feel like we can never escape the persistent presence of bills, schedules, and other responsibilities. This ever-increasing pace of life turns even the best people into machines and greatly reduces our general level of happiness and fulfillment.2
Choosing to cut back from the busy pace we live our lives can be difficult and involves tough choices. It requires the courage of your conviction that cutting back is in the best interest of your life and those of your family, even when doing so is contrary to what we so often see as the norm in today’s culture. Today, go against the flow. Slow down!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What do you find most difficult about the concept of cutting back?
2. How might reducing the pace of life bring healing and wholeness to your family?
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23:2; Mark 6:31
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Foreword to the ABC News below
Here an example of what we, as a nation, and anyone anywhere worldwide must NOT be doing.
The Bible clearly defines a same-sex relationship as a deadly sin. See Leviticus 18.
Global Church of God - GCG teaches The Bible as it is, not as we would wish it would be.
It is hard to understand how also some churches accept a same-sex union.
Certainly every person is welcome also to our worldwide church to hear the biblical guidance.
The marriage is a holy union given to us by God. It is union between man and a woman.
When adapting The Bible guidance and living by it, full success in life will be provided by our God.
First Military Base Same-Sex Wedding Held
GCG's comment: The Bible accepts only a marriage between a man and a woman - throughout the history any other sexual relationship is a dead-bringing wrong action. See Levitucus 18
By Erin McLaughlin | ABC News
July 19, 2012
Two men became the first same-sex couple to marry on a military base when they held their wedding ceremony last month at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
Tech Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his partner, Will Behrens, married June 23 on the base where Umali, an active member of the Air Force, had been stationed. It was a decision that would have been unthinkable just nine months ago, before the law requiring them to keep their relationship a secret was repealed.
"We asked [about holding the ceremony on the base], and they were very open about it, but [said], 'No one has ever asked us this question before,'" Umali said in a Facebook chat hosted by Slate. "We did not get any push back from the base or leadership. All they asked was that we be patient because this was the very first one."
Both men say this positive reaction is the same sort of response they have gotten since going public with their relationship to Umali's peers in the military. After Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed last September, Umali decided to open up about his relationship with Behrens.
At a farewell luncheon hosted for him on his military base before he left for a special assignment, Umali came out in a very public way. In a speech in front of 40 fellow airmen, he thanked his partner and fiancé. His fellow airmen responded with a standing ovation, according to Slate.
About 150 friends and family attended the ceremony, which was officiated by Evangelical Lutheran Church Navy Chaplain Kay Reeb.
Not everybody has been so accepting of their relationship, however. Both men grew up in strict religious families. Behrens' parents don't approve of his homosexuality, and Umali's parents in the Philippines are still struggling with his homosexuality.
Both Behrens and Umali were previously married to women, and both have two children, all of whom were at the wedding.
"One thing that we know and want to show our kids is to be true to yourself and love everyone no matter what," Umali said. "This is a victory for us because our kids still love us and we love each other and that is what they see."
The family of six all went to Disneyland after the ceremony.
Despite their civil union, the federal Defense of Marriage Act means they don't have the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples, something they say they would like to see changed.
"It is our goal to see equality, but we also know that our country is not quite there yet," Behrens said. DOMA prevents Umali from extending his military heath care to Behrens' children, and when Behrens' visits Umali on base, he still needs a guest pass.
For now though, the newlyweds are just happy to be able to live their lives in the open, beginning with sharing a first kiss and a first dance in front of their family and friends at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Behrens in a tuxedo, and Umali in his Air Force uniform.
"I never thought I'd be able dance with a man like this on a military installation," Umali said.
"We fully understand we are going to have more battles, however, they only make us stronger," Behrens said. "We have gone through a whole lot already and we are ready for the future and to push forward."
__________________________________
Here an example of what we, as a nation, and anyone anywhere worldwide must NOT be doing.
The Bible clearly defines a same-sex relationship as a deadly sin. See Leviticus 18.
Global Church of God - GCG teaches The Bible as it is, not as we would wish it would be.
It is hard to understand how also some churches accept a same-sex union.
Certainly every person is welcome also to our worldwide church to hear the biblical guidance.
The marriage is a holy union given to us by God. It is union between man and a woman.
When adapting The Bible guidance and living by it, full success in life will be provided by our God.
First Military Base Same-Sex Wedding Held
GCG's comment: The Bible accepts only a marriage between a man and a woman - throughout the history any other sexual relationship is a dead-bringing wrong action. See Levitucus 18
By Erin McLaughlin | ABC News
July 19, 2012
Two men became the first same-sex couple to marry on a military base when they held their wedding ceremony last month at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
Tech Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his partner, Will Behrens, married June 23 on the base where Umali, an active member of the Air Force, had been stationed. It was a decision that would have been unthinkable just nine months ago, before the law requiring them to keep their relationship a secret was repealed.
"We asked [about holding the ceremony on the base], and they were very open about it, but [said], 'No one has ever asked us this question before,'" Umali said in a Facebook chat hosted by Slate. "We did not get any push back from the base or leadership. All they asked was that we be patient because this was the very first one."
Both men say this positive reaction is the same sort of response they have gotten since going public with their relationship to Umali's peers in the military. After Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed last September, Umali decided to open up about his relationship with Behrens.
At a farewell luncheon hosted for him on his military base before he left for a special assignment, Umali came out in a very public way. In a speech in front of 40 fellow airmen, he thanked his partner and fiancé. His fellow airmen responded with a standing ovation, according to Slate.
About 150 friends and family attended the ceremony, which was officiated by Evangelical Lutheran Church Navy Chaplain Kay Reeb.
Not everybody has been so accepting of their relationship, however. Both men grew up in strict religious families. Behrens' parents don't approve of his homosexuality, and Umali's parents in the Philippines are still struggling with his homosexuality.
Both Behrens and Umali were previously married to women, and both have two children, all of whom were at the wedding.
"One thing that we know and want to show our kids is to be true to yourself and love everyone no matter what," Umali said. "This is a victory for us because our kids still love us and we love each other and that is what they see."
The family of six all went to Disneyland after the ceremony.
Despite their civil union, the federal Defense of Marriage Act means they don't have the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples, something they say they would like to see changed.
"It is our goal to see equality, but we also know that our country is not quite there yet," Behrens said. DOMA prevents Umali from extending his military heath care to Behrens' children, and when Behrens' visits Umali on base, he still needs a guest pass.
For now though, the newlyweds are just happy to be able to live their lives in the open, beginning with sharing a first kiss and a first dance in front of their family and friends at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Behrens in a tuxedo, and Umali in his Air Force uniform.
"I never thought I'd be able dance with a man like this on a military installation," Umali said.
"We fully understand we are going to have more battles, however, they only make us stronger," Behrens said. "We have gone through a whole lot already and we are ready for the future and to push forward."
__________________________________
Pope says gays must not be judged or marginalized
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in some of the most conciliatory words from any pontiff on gays, said they should not be judged or marginalized and should be integrated into society, but he reaffirmed Church teaching that homosexual acts are a sin.
In a broad-ranging 80-minute conversation with journalists on the plane bringing him back from a week-long visit to Brazil, Francis also said the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women priests was definitive, although he would like them to have more leadership roles in administration and pastoral activities.
He expressed pain over scandals at the Vatican bank during a remarkably forthright press conference, his first since being elected in March to replace Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.
Francis said there were saints in the Holy See but also "those who are not very saintly".
The airborne encounter with journalists ranged over issues as varied as the pope's insistence on low-key security to his desire to slip out of the shackles of the Vatican to go for walks.
The pope arrived back in Rome on Monday after a triumphant week-long tour of Brazil which climaxed with a huge gathering on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach for a world Catholic youth festival, which organizers estimated to have attracted more than 3 million people.
Francis defended gays from discrimination but also referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful homosexual acts are.
"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" the pope said.
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says they should not be marginalized because of this (orientation) but that they must be integrated into society," he said, speaking in Italian.
"The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem," he said.
Francis was answering a question about reports of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican, after it suffered a string of scandals over pedophile priests and corruption in the administration of the Holy See.
"You see a lot written about the gay lobby. I still have not seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay," he joked.
'NO' TO WOMEN PRIESTS IS DEFINITIVE
Addressing the issue of women priests, the pope said, "The Church has spoken and says 'no' ... that door is closed." It was the first time he had spoken in public on the subject.
"We cannot limit the role of women in the Church to altar girls or the president of a charity, there must be more ...," he said in answer to a question.
"But with regards to the ordination of women, the Church has spoken and says 'no'. Pope John Paul said so with a formula that was definitive. That door is closed," he said, referring to a document by the late pontiff which said the ban was part of the infallible teaching of the Church.
The Church teaches that it cannot ordain women because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Advocates of a female priesthood say he was acting according to the customs of his times.
Many in the Church, even those who oppose a female priesthood, say women should be given leadership roles in the Church and the Vatican administration.
The long session on the plane was highly unusual in the history of the modern papacy for both its candor and breadth.
Unlike his predecessor Benedict, who knew in advance the few questions journalists would allowed to ask, 76-year-old Francis, who as an Argentine was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, imposed no restrictions as he fielded 21 questions.
He said his week-long trip to Brazil left him very fatigued but "did me a lot of spiritual good".
He spoke of reforms he had begun in the Vatican, which has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals, including at the Vatican bank, which is the target of several Italian money laundering investigations.
Francis said the bank must become "honest and transparent" and that he will listen to the advice of a commission he has set up on whether it can be reformed or should be closed altogether.
Francis referred directly to Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, a Vatican prelate arrested last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 20 million euros into Italy from Switzerland.
"There are many people (in the Vatican) who are saints but there are those who are not very saintly ... and it pains me when this happens. There is this monsignor in jail. He didn't go to jail because he resembled a saint ... these are scandals that do damage," he said.
Francis, who in Brazil chose to ride in an open-sided popemobile or a simple Fiat, said he was not concerned about the reduced security he has chosen compared to his predecessors.
"Security lies in trusting people. It is true that there is always a danger that a crazy person might try to do something, but there is also the Lord," he said, adding that he believed it would be even more crazy to be kept away from people.
Vatican security was greatly boosted after Pope John Paul was shot and nearly killed by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca on May 13, 1981 while he was riding in an open jeep in St. Peter's Square.
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in some of the most conciliatory words from any pontiff on gays, said they should not be judged or marginalized and should be integrated into society, but he reaffirmed Church teaching that homosexual acts are a sin.
In a broad-ranging 80-minute conversation with journalists on the plane bringing him back from a week-long visit to Brazil, Francis also said the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women priests was definitive, although he would like them to have more leadership roles in administration and pastoral activities.
He expressed pain over scandals at the Vatican bank during a remarkably forthright press conference, his first since being elected in March to replace Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.
Francis said there were saints in the Holy See but also "those who are not very saintly".
The airborne encounter with journalists ranged over issues as varied as the pope's insistence on low-key security to his desire to slip out of the shackles of the Vatican to go for walks.
The pope arrived back in Rome on Monday after a triumphant week-long tour of Brazil which climaxed with a huge gathering on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach for a world Catholic youth festival, which organizers estimated to have attracted more than 3 million people.
Francis defended gays from discrimination but also referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful homosexual acts are.
"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" the pope said.
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says they should not be marginalized because of this (orientation) but that they must be integrated into society," he said, speaking in Italian.
"The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem," he said.
Francis was answering a question about reports of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican, after it suffered a string of scandals over pedophile priests and corruption in the administration of the Holy See.
"You see a lot written about the gay lobby. I still have not seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay," he joked.
'NO' TO WOMEN PRIESTS IS DEFINITIVE
Addressing the issue of women priests, the pope said, "The Church has spoken and says 'no' ... that door is closed." It was the first time he had spoken in public on the subject.
"We cannot limit the role of women in the Church to altar girls or the president of a charity, there must be more ...," he said in answer to a question.
"But with regards to the ordination of women, the Church has spoken and says 'no'. Pope John Paul said so with a formula that was definitive. That door is closed," he said, referring to a document by the late pontiff which said the ban was part of the infallible teaching of the Church.
The Church teaches that it cannot ordain women because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Advocates of a female priesthood say he was acting according to the customs of his times.
Many in the Church, even those who oppose a female priesthood, say women should be given leadership roles in the Church and the Vatican administration.
The long session on the plane was highly unusual in the history of the modern papacy for both its candor and breadth.
Unlike his predecessor Benedict, who knew in advance the few questions journalists would allowed to ask, 76-year-old Francis, who as an Argentine was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, imposed no restrictions as he fielded 21 questions.
He said his week-long trip to Brazil left him very fatigued but "did me a lot of spiritual good".
He spoke of reforms he had begun in the Vatican, which has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals, including at the Vatican bank, which is the target of several Italian money laundering investigations.
Francis said the bank must become "honest and transparent" and that he will listen to the advice of a commission he has set up on whether it can be reformed or should be closed altogether.
Francis referred directly to Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, a Vatican prelate arrested last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 20 million euros into Italy from Switzerland.
"There are many people (in the Vatican) who are saints but there are those who are not very saintly ... and it pains me when this happens. There is this monsignor in jail. He didn't go to jail because he resembled a saint ... these are scandals that do damage," he said.
Francis, who in Brazil chose to ride in an open-sided popemobile or a simple Fiat, said he was not concerned about the reduced security he has chosen compared to his predecessors.
"Security lies in trusting people. It is true that there is always a danger that a crazy person might try to do something, but there is also the Lord," he said, adding that he believed it would be even more crazy to be kept away from people.
Vatican security was greatly boosted after Pope John Paul was shot and nearly killed by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca on May 13, 1981 while he was riding in an open jeep in St. Peter's Square.
The Easiest Way To Live Longer
Ten benefits of walking
Get the information you need to improve your health and wellness on GCG, Inc.'s website & radio shows
In the GCG, Inc.'s scale 0-10, this article is 9+ A must to read & apply
GCG's comment: The Bible tells that it is a deadly-action to overeat and to keep one's body overweight or obese.
The body is meant to be the Temple for The Holy Spirit. Overweight & obesity bring an early death.
WALK - WALK - WALK
Every minute you walk can extend your life by 1.5 to 2 minutes.
In addition, many studies show that people who walk regularly live longer, weigh less, have lower blood pressure, and enjoy better overall health than non-walkers.
Ready to lace on your shoes? If you want to add to the amount of walking you do, just clip on a pedometer. That simple action actually increases your physical activity by over 2100 steps per day, a review that pooled data from 26 studies found.
Here’s a look at ten benefits of walking.
Walking Increases Your Lifespan
Walking more than an hour a day improves life expectancy significantly, a 2011 study showed. The researchers looked at 27,738 participants between the ages of 40 and 79 over a 13-year period. Surprisingly, their lifetime medical costs did not increase—even though they lived longer.
“An increase in walking time at the population level would bring about a tremendous change in people’s health and medical cost,” the study authors wrote.
Walking Wards Off Diabetes
Just thirty minutes of walking a day can prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes,a 2002 study looking at both overweight and average weight men and women in a population at high risk for the disease showed.
If you already have diabetes, walking is helpful for you, too. A mile or more daily cuts your risk of death from all causes in half, according to a 2007 study.
Walking Keeps Your Mind Sharp
Walking 72 blocks a week (around six to nine miles) helps increase grey matter, which in turn lowers the risk of suffering from cognitive impairment—or trouble with concentration, memory and thought, according to a study which looked at 299 seniors over a nine-year period.
Furthermore, walking five miles per week can provide some protection to the memory and learning areas of the brains of those already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, and lead to a slower decline in memory loss.
Common Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
Walking Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Walking just 30 minutes a day, three to five days a week—even when the 30 minutes are broken into three ten-minute increments--has been found to significantly lower blood pressure.
Walking is Great for Bone Health
Putting one foot in front of the other for about a mile a day led to improved bone density in post-menopausal women, and slowed the rate of bone loss from the legs, according to a 1994 study. “It takes walkers four to seven years longer to reach the point of very low bone density, study leader Dr. Krall told the New York Times.
Walking Cuts the Risk of StrokeWalking about 12.5 miles a week or more cut the risk of stroke in half, according toa study looking at over 11,000 Harvard University alumni with an average age of 58.
Walking Improves Your Mood
If you’re feeling down in the dumps, walking is a quick and easy solution. Just thirty minutes on a treadmill reduces feelings of tension and depression, according toresearch published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In fact, the study found that walking lifted moods more quickly than anti-depressants did (and with fewer side effects).
And the more people walk, the better their mood and energy, says California State University Long Beach professor Robert Thayer, based on a study looking at 37 study participants over a 20-day period.
Walking Torches Calories
Just 20 minutes of walking a day will burn 7 pounds a year. The effects are even more dramatic when you add in some dietary changes as well.
23 Diet Plans Reviewed: Do They Work?
Walking Improves Insomnia
Having trouble sleeping at night? Try taking a brisk 45-minute walk in the morning five days a week, and your sleep may improve significantly, according to researchfrom the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, which looked at women from the age of 50-74. (Walking in the evening, however, sometimes has the opposite effect—so keep an eye on when you’re exercising and what your sleep patterns are.)
Walking is Good for the HeartWomen who took brisk walks for three or more hours per week reduced their risk of heart disease by 30-40 percent, according to an analysis of over 72,000 women aged 40-65, who were enrolled in the prospective Nurses’ Health Study. As Ireported recently, heart attacks kill more US women than men annually. However, the benefits of walking aren’t limited to one gender. A different study showed that walking can cut the risk of coronary heart disease in half for men between the ages of 71 and 93.
—————————--
Click the colored areas for further information
Get the information you need to improve your health and wellness on STAF, Inc. website & radio shows
Exercise and Fitness in the First Trimester - pregnancy
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Foods to Avoid with Arthritis. Many health professionals recommend avoiding trigger foods to ease your arthritis pain.
7 Psoriasis Triggers to Avoid. Avoid these seven common triggers to lessen chances of a flare-up.
The Worst Fitness Trends of All Time. Learn about some of the more interesting ways people have tried to stay in shape.
Back Pain? 7 Simple Fixes. Try one of these seven natural ways to alleviate your back pain.
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____________________________
University professor to study life after death
Pop quiz: Does life exist after death?
August, 2012
GCG's comment to this article: Please read the article below - an interesting topic.
GCG, Pastor, Dr. Christian: "The answer is in The Bible - in a scientifically proven manner'".
To get The Biblical answer:
(1) Listen to GCG Radio Show The Miracle Show (link in tab: TV/Radio Shows).
(2) Study this GCG website in full.
(3) Study daily a modern language Bible (see home page) - one New Testament chapter in the morning - one Old Testament chapter in the evening - then it takes about
1+ year to go through the whole Bible. OR: one New Testament chapter daily and one Old Testament chapter next day - then it takes about 2+ years to go through.
(4) Apply the information you get - your life will improve in an amazing manner.
University professor to study life after death
Pop quiz: Does life exist after death?
August, 2012
A University of California, Riverside philosophy professor, John Martin Fischer, has been awarded a three-year, $5 million grant by the John Templeton Foundation to study just this topic—and yes, students can take his class.
Fischer noted in an email to Yahoo News, "Both I and my post-doc, Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, will teach related classes over the next three years. I have frequently taught classes on death, immortality, and the meaning of life both at Yale University and UC Riverside."
So what's the meaning of life? More on that in a moment.
Fischer noted, "We'll be open both to studying religious and non-religious views about immortality. One thing that we'll study is whether human beings would want to live forever: would it be boring? Would it lose its meaning and beauty and urgency? Does death give meaning to life?"
According to the university's website announcing the grant award, many anecdotal reports of the afterlife abound, but there has been "no comprehensive and rigorous, scientific study of global reports about near-death and other experiences, or of how belief in immortality influences human behavior." The research will look at a range of phenomena, including heaven, hell, purgatory, and karma. The grant is the largest ever awarded to a humanities professor at UC Riverside, and one of the largest given to an individual at the university.
Fischer said in a statement, "We will be very careful in documenting near-death experiences and other phenomena, trying to figure out if these offer plausible glimpses of an afterlife or are biologically induced illusions," Fischer said. "Our approach will be uncompromisingly scientifically rigorous. We're not going to spend money to study alien-abduction reports."
The grant will also fund two conferences to discuss the findings. Said UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White, Fischer's research "takes a universal concern and subjects it to rigorous examination to sift fact from fiction."
The Immortality Project, as it is called, will solicit research proposals from eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians whose work "will be reviewed by respected leaders in their fields and published in academic and popular journals."
The research will also delve into cultural aspects of the afterlife. For example, there are reports of millions of Americans seeing a tunnel with a bright light at the end. In Japan, reports often find the individual tending a garden.
The professor added that the academic research could include a range of issues, like "heaven and hell: If we are material beings, how can we exist in heaven, where we would not have physical bodies (or not of the sort we have here)?
"There is a lot of interest in near-death experiences. We can carefully catalog them and look into whether there are patterns. There has already been a lot of work on this. Perhaps some cross-cultural studies would be helpful.
"We'll also be open to studying the relationship between beliefs in afterlife and behavior--moral behavior and crime rates."
Sounds like the kind of research topics that many college students have already spent hours pondering. As for the meaning of life? The professor says check back in three years.
MORE COVERAGE FROM YAHOO! NEWS
______________________________________
Quotation "Knowledge is no power - only applied knowledge is power" (Dr. Christian)
A University of California, Riverside philosophy professor, John Martin Fischer, has been awarded a three-year, $5 million grant by the John Templeton Foundation to study just this topic—and yes, students can take his class.
Fischer noted in an email to Yahoo News, "Both I and my post-doc, Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, will teach related classes over the next three years. I have frequently taught classes on death, immortality, and the meaning of life both at Yale University and UC Riverside."
So what's the meaning of life? More on that in a moment.
Fischer noted, "We'll be open both to studying religious and non-religious views about immortality. One thing that we'll study is whether human beings would want to live forever: would it be boring? Would it lose its meaning and beauty and urgency? Does death give meaning to life?"
According to the university's website announcing the grant award, many anecdotal reports of the afterlife abound, but there has been "no comprehensive and rigorous, scientific study of global reports about near-death and other experiences, or of how belief in immortality influences human behavior." The research will look at a range of phenomena, including heaven, hell, purgatory, and karma. The grant is the largest ever awarded to a humanities professor at UC Riverside, and one of the largest given to an individual at the university.
Fischer said in a statement, "We will be very careful in documenting near-death experiences and other phenomena, trying to figure out if these offer plausible glimpses of an afterlife or are biologically induced illusions," Fischer said. "Our approach will be uncompromisingly scientifically rigorous. We're not going to spend money to study alien-abduction reports."
The grant will also fund two conferences to discuss the findings. Said UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White, Fischer's research "takes a universal concern and subjects it to rigorous examination to sift fact from fiction."
The Immortality Project, as it is called, will solicit research proposals from eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians whose work "will be reviewed by respected leaders in their fields and published in academic and popular journals."
The research will also delve into cultural aspects of the afterlife. For example, there are reports of millions of Americans seeing a tunnel with a bright light at the end. In Japan, reports often find the individual tending a garden.
The professor added that the academic research could include a range of issues, like "heaven and hell: If we are material beings, how can we exist in heaven, where we would not have physical bodies (or not of the sort we have here)?
"There is a lot of interest in near-death experiences. We can carefully catalog them and look into whether there are patterns. There has already been a lot of work on this. Perhaps some cross-cultural studies would be helpful.
"We'll also be open to studying the relationship between beliefs in afterlife and behavior--moral behavior and crime rates."
Sounds like the kind of research topics that many college students have already spent hours pondering. As for the meaning of life? The professor says check back in three years.
MORE COVERAGE FROM YAHOO! NEWS
______________________________________
Pop quiz: Does life exist after death?
August, 2012
GCG's comment to this article: Please read the article below - an interesting topic.
GCG, Pastor, Dr. Christian: "The answer is in The Bible - in a scientifically proven manner'".
To get The Biblical answer:
(1) Listen to GCG Radio Show The Miracle Show (link in tab: TV/Radio Shows).
(2) Study this GCG website in full.
(3) Study daily a modern language Bible (see home page) - one New Testament chapter in the morning - one Old Testament chapter in the evening - then it takes about
1+ year to go through the whole Bible. OR: one New Testament chapter daily and one Old Testament chapter next day - then it takes about 2+ years to go through.
(4) Apply the information you get - your life will improve in an amazing manner.
University professor to study life after death
Pop quiz: Does life exist after death?
August, 2012
A University of California, Riverside philosophy professor, John Martin Fischer, has been awarded a three-year, $5 million grant by the John Templeton Foundation to study just this topic—and yes, students can take his class.
Fischer noted in an email to Yahoo News, "Both I and my post-doc, Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, will teach related classes over the next three years. I have frequently taught classes on death, immortality, and the meaning of life both at Yale University and UC Riverside."
So what's the meaning of life? More on that in a moment.
Fischer noted, "We'll be open both to studying religious and non-religious views about immortality. One thing that we'll study is whether human beings would want to live forever: would it be boring? Would it lose its meaning and beauty and urgency? Does death give meaning to life?"
According to the university's website announcing the grant award, many anecdotal reports of the afterlife abound, but there has been "no comprehensive and rigorous, scientific study of global reports about near-death and other experiences, or of how belief in immortality influences human behavior." The research will look at a range of phenomena, including heaven, hell, purgatory, and karma. The grant is the largest ever awarded to a humanities professor at UC Riverside, and one of the largest given to an individual at the university.
Fischer said in a statement, "We will be very careful in documenting near-death experiences and other phenomena, trying to figure out if these offer plausible glimpses of an afterlife or are biologically induced illusions," Fischer said. "Our approach will be uncompromisingly scientifically rigorous. We're not going to spend money to study alien-abduction reports."
The grant will also fund two conferences to discuss the findings. Said UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White, Fischer's research "takes a universal concern and subjects it to rigorous examination to sift fact from fiction."
The Immortality Project, as it is called, will solicit research proposals from eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians whose work "will be reviewed by respected leaders in their fields and published in academic and popular journals."
The research will also delve into cultural aspects of the afterlife. For example, there are reports of millions of Americans seeing a tunnel with a bright light at the end. In Japan, reports often find the individual tending a garden.
The professor added that the academic research could include a range of issues, like "heaven and hell: If we are material beings, how can we exist in heaven, where we would not have physical bodies (or not of the sort we have here)?
"There is a lot of interest in near-death experiences. We can carefully catalog them and look into whether there are patterns. There has already been a lot of work on this. Perhaps some cross-cultural studies would be helpful.
"We'll also be open to studying the relationship between beliefs in afterlife and behavior--moral behavior and crime rates."
Sounds like the kind of research topics that many college students have already spent hours pondering. As for the meaning of life? The professor says check back in three years.
MORE COVERAGE FROM YAHOO! NEWS
- Republicans deliver ‘You Didn’t Bake This’ Obama cake
- Obama, after jobs figures, hits Republicans on taxes
- White House: 8.3 percent unemployment? No! 8.254 percent!
______________________________________
Quotation "Knowledge is no power - only applied knowledge is power" (Dr. Christian)
A University of California, Riverside philosophy professor, John Martin Fischer, has been awarded a three-year, $5 million grant by the John Templeton Foundation to study just this topic—and yes, students can take his class.
Fischer noted in an email to Yahoo News, "Both I and my post-doc, Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin, will teach related classes over the next three years. I have frequently taught classes on death, immortality, and the meaning of life both at Yale University and UC Riverside."
So what's the meaning of life? More on that in a moment.
Fischer noted, "We'll be open both to studying religious and non-religious views about immortality. One thing that we'll study is whether human beings would want to live forever: would it be boring? Would it lose its meaning and beauty and urgency? Does death give meaning to life?"
According to the university's website announcing the grant award, many anecdotal reports of the afterlife abound, but there has been "no comprehensive and rigorous, scientific study of global reports about near-death and other experiences, or of how belief in immortality influences human behavior." The research will look at a range of phenomena, including heaven, hell, purgatory, and karma. The grant is the largest ever awarded to a humanities professor at UC Riverside, and one of the largest given to an individual at the university.
Fischer said in a statement, "We will be very careful in documenting near-death experiences and other phenomena, trying to figure out if these offer plausible glimpses of an afterlife or are biologically induced illusions," Fischer said. "Our approach will be uncompromisingly scientifically rigorous. We're not going to spend money to study alien-abduction reports."
The grant will also fund two conferences to discuss the findings. Said UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White, Fischer's research "takes a universal concern and subjects it to rigorous examination to sift fact from fiction."
The Immortality Project, as it is called, will solicit research proposals from eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians whose work "will be reviewed by respected leaders in their fields and published in academic and popular journals."
The research will also delve into cultural aspects of the afterlife. For example, there are reports of millions of Americans seeing a tunnel with a bright light at the end. In Japan, reports often find the individual tending a garden.
The professor added that the academic research could include a range of issues, like "heaven and hell: If we are material beings, how can we exist in heaven, where we would not have physical bodies (or not of the sort we have here)?
"There is a lot of interest in near-death experiences. We can carefully catalog them and look into whether there are patterns. There has already been a lot of work on this. Perhaps some cross-cultural studies would be helpful.
"We'll also be open to studying the relationship between beliefs in afterlife and behavior--moral behavior and crime rates."
Sounds like the kind of research topics that many college students have already spent hours pondering. As for the meaning of life? The professor says check back in three years.
MORE COVERAGE FROM YAHOO! NEWS
- Republicans deliver ‘You Didn’t Bake This’ Obama cake
- Obama, after jobs figures, hits Republicans on taxes
- White House: 8.3 percent unemployment? No! 8.254 percent!
______________________________________
Next below “History of Medicine” is put in a humorous manner.
There might be much truth in that anyway.
A Humorous Short History of Medicine
"Doctor, I have an ear ache”
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2004 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"
B.C. = before Christ (birth) A.D. after Christ (birth)
A.D. - The term Anno Domini is Medieval Latin, translated as In the year of (the/Our) Lord.
It is sometimes specified more fully as Anno Domini Nostri Iesu (Jesu) Christi ("In the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ"). __________________________________________
There might be much truth in that anyway.
A Humorous Short History of Medicine
"Doctor, I have an ear ache”
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2004 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"
B.C. = before Christ (birth) A.D. after Christ (birth)
A.D. - The term Anno Domini is Medieval Latin, translated as In the year of (the/Our) Lord.
It is sometimes specified more fully as Anno Domini Nostri Iesu (Jesu) Christi ("In the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ"). __________________________________________
NOTICE: GO in this website to tab: University & College to its very end and follow the instruction for:
How to Create A Miracle - Miracle Creation Prayer -
for:
(1) Supernatural Miracle Instructions to Reach Any Goal
and/or
(2) Supernatural Miracle Instructions to Conquer Any Difficulty
PRAYER TYPE #2 - MCP - Miracle Creation Prayer - GO in this website to tab: University & College to its very end and follow the instructions
How to Create A Miracle - Miracle Creation Prayer -
for:
(1) Supernatural Miracle Instructions to Reach Any Goal
and/or
(2) Supernatural Miracle Instructions to Conquer Any Difficulty
PRAYER TYPE #2 - MCP - Miracle Creation Prayer - GO in this website to tab: University & College to its very end and follow the instructions
HOW TO "POWER PRAY"
WITH THE RESULTS COMING
A 3-step guide
By Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor of GCG
Prepare to pray
(1) Take your Bible - Use a modern language Bible
The content and the biblical message is the same - only the language is based on today's English: (a) NLT = New Living Translation (published in the 2000's), or (b) The Book (= the title of this Bible - published in the 1980's- (a) and (b) both by Tyndale Publishing House), or (c) another recent one: New International Version (NIV) or (d) any other modern language Bible as your favorite.
Use a dedicated Bible for your studying and learning - a Bible copy that is only in your use. Then you can write notes on the pages and want to keep your notes private.
If English is your first language and you have a "dear" family Bible - King James (KJV) Version, you may use it; however, use also a second version aside, any of the modern English language Bibles because The KJ version Bible is based on the 1600's / 1700's English. English is spoken differently today than 300 - 400 years ago. If English is not your 1st language, you would not necessarily understand a KSV. When you use KJV and a modern language version compare their texts because the modern language Bible text often can make the meaning of The Bible even for a native English speaker easier to understand and to apply. Not applying is plain lip service or ear service and is not helpful for you. Read your Bible aloud as often you can - for any human it is then easier to comprehend. Reason: when additional senses are in use at the same time, it helps in your concentration and the brain will process and allow you to comprehend the meaning of the text effortlessly and with deeper clarity. This is called the "5-Sense Method"™ and was developed by Dr. Christian, Pastor of GCG, in the early 1990's for the then new super-learning techniques and is now in a worldwide use. In a public place read study your Bible by silently forming the text.
If English is not your first language, use anyway a modern English language Bible (not your native language Bible except, perhaps only for comparing the translations) - you then learn modern English for everyday use and thus you benefit more and for many other purposes. Study always the new words from your dictionary or using an internet English language dictionary (= put the new word on "search" plus ask for its "definition". Create a file in your computer and easily transfer the meaning for further studying.
(2) Study (by reading aloud) in The Bible the following passages
(important: in this following order)
(1) John 14: 1 and John 14: 11-14
(2) Mark 11: 22 - 25 + 26 (Verse 26 is not in every Bible but is important = it is the same as in Matthew 6:15
Study it from Matthew 6:15 if your Bible is lacking it)
(3) John 15: 7
(4) John 15: 16 (the last full sentence, only) and the verse 17
(5) James 1: 2 - 6
(6) Romans 8: 31 - 32
(7) Jeremiah
(3) PRAY "IN THE NAME OF LORD JESUS CHRIST"
(1) Say first: "God, in the name of Lord Jesus Christ I am praying this prayer"
(2) Then: "say what you are praying for - describe in all details
(3) AND: believe it to happen without any doubt",
(4) At the end you say "Thank you, God - for your miracles, in the Name of Lord Jesus
Christ I am asking you to hear my prayer. In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
*) "Amen" actually means "So be it"
The Greek Old Testament usually translates it as "so be it"; in the English Bible it is often translated as "verily" or "truly." As regards the etymology, Amen is a derivative from the Hebrew verb "aman" = "to strengthen" or "Confirm".
_____
Some power points:
YOUR PRAYER WILL ALWAYS BE ANSWERED
when it is to your own real best
and is not hurting anyone else
Always Thank God when your prayer has been answered
It is also a good idea to pray on your knees
however
you can pray in any circumstanced and in any position
Always pray "in Jesus name"
Create a habit to talk to God as you would talk to a human being next to you
When in privacy pray aloud - in a public place quietly
______________
Jewish Saying: "God why do you not provide until you provide?"
______________
Please remember: God is NOT you "wish fountain" - your prayer content must not be hurting
anyone - God knows best what you need. When your prayer is for your own best, God will grant
it. On the other hand, none of us always knows what is best for us.
INTERNET BIBLE STUDY TOOLS:
(1) Create a file in your computer for your Bible Studies
(2) Copy Bible quotes or chapters directly from the internet by using:
(a) This an active hyperlink and will go directly to that site - click it: Bible Gateway
The instructions are on that site. You can choose any Bible translation version - but: follow GCG advice to get the best results.
On the website: Enter the Bible passage (e.g. John 3:16), keyword (e.g. Jesus, prophet, etc.) or topic (e.g. salvation) - you find it
Their main website: BibleGateway.com
(b) A second tool is this site - this is an active hyperlink - click it: http://www.biblestudytools.com
(c) Listen to every Radio Show or see every TV Show - both titled The Miracle Show.
The links on this website at tab: "Radio & TV Shows" - (a) you'll earn CEU & College/University credits free, never expire, (b) in the shows you'll learn continuously new to improve your and your family's life. The shows will also teach our Power Healing - supernatural healing by God.
Copyrights By Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor of GCG - Global Church of God, New York, NY - Mailing: address: GPO 339, New York, NY 10116-0339
Phone: (212) 946-1234 or 1-(888) HAVE GOD (= 428-3463) - Email: [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________________
WITH THE RESULTS COMING
A 3-step guide
By Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor of GCG
Prepare to pray
(1) Take your Bible - Use a modern language Bible
The content and the biblical message is the same - only the language is based on today's English: (a) NLT = New Living Translation (published in the 2000's), or (b) The Book (= the title of this Bible - published in the 1980's- (a) and (b) both by Tyndale Publishing House), or (c) another recent one: New International Version (NIV) or (d) any other modern language Bible as your favorite.
Use a dedicated Bible for your studying and learning - a Bible copy that is only in your use. Then you can write notes on the pages and want to keep your notes private.
If English is your first language and you have a "dear" family Bible - King James (KJV) Version, you may use it; however, use also a second version aside, any of the modern English language Bibles because The KJ version Bible is based on the 1600's / 1700's English. English is spoken differently today than 300 - 400 years ago. If English is not your 1st language, you would not necessarily understand a KSV. When you use KJV and a modern language version compare their texts because the modern language Bible text often can make the meaning of The Bible even for a native English speaker easier to understand and to apply. Not applying is plain lip service or ear service and is not helpful for you. Read your Bible aloud as often you can - for any human it is then easier to comprehend. Reason: when additional senses are in use at the same time, it helps in your concentration and the brain will process and allow you to comprehend the meaning of the text effortlessly and with deeper clarity. This is called the "5-Sense Method"™ and was developed by Dr. Christian, Pastor of GCG, in the early 1990's for the then new super-learning techniques and is now in a worldwide use. In a public place read study your Bible by silently forming the text.
If English is not your first language, use anyway a modern English language Bible (not your native language Bible except, perhaps only for comparing the translations) - you then learn modern English for everyday use and thus you benefit more and for many other purposes. Study always the new words from your dictionary or using an internet English language dictionary (= put the new word on "search" plus ask for its "definition". Create a file in your computer and easily transfer the meaning for further studying.
(2) Study (by reading aloud) in The Bible the following passages
(important: in this following order)
(1) John 14: 1 and John 14: 11-14
(2) Mark 11: 22 - 25 + 26 (Verse 26 is not in every Bible but is important = it is the same as in Matthew 6:15
Study it from Matthew 6:15 if your Bible is lacking it)
(3) John 15: 7
(4) John 15: 16 (the last full sentence, only) and the verse 17
(5) James 1: 2 - 6
(6) Romans 8: 31 - 32
(7) Jeremiah
(3) PRAY "IN THE NAME OF LORD JESUS CHRIST"
(1) Say first: "God, in the name of Lord Jesus Christ I am praying this prayer"
(2) Then: "say what you are praying for - describe in all details
(3) AND: believe it to happen without any doubt",
(4) At the end you say "Thank you, God - for your miracles, in the Name of Lord Jesus
Christ I am asking you to hear my prayer. In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
*) "Amen" actually means "So be it"
The Greek Old Testament usually translates it as "so be it"; in the English Bible it is often translated as "verily" or "truly." As regards the etymology, Amen is a derivative from the Hebrew verb "aman" = "to strengthen" or "Confirm".
_____
Some power points:
YOUR PRAYER WILL ALWAYS BE ANSWERED
when it is to your own real best
and is not hurting anyone else
Always Thank God when your prayer has been answered
It is also a good idea to pray on your knees
however
you can pray in any circumstanced and in any position
Always pray "in Jesus name"
Create a habit to talk to God as you would talk to a human being next to you
When in privacy pray aloud - in a public place quietly
______________
Jewish Saying: "God why do you not provide until you provide?"
______________
Please remember: God is NOT you "wish fountain" - your prayer content must not be hurting
anyone - God knows best what you need. When your prayer is for your own best, God will grant
it. On the other hand, none of us always knows what is best for us.
INTERNET BIBLE STUDY TOOLS:
(1) Create a file in your computer for your Bible Studies
(2) Copy Bible quotes or chapters directly from the internet by using:
(a) This an active hyperlink and will go directly to that site - click it: Bible Gateway
The instructions are on that site. You can choose any Bible translation version - but: follow GCG advice to get the best results.
On the website: Enter the Bible passage (e.g. John 3:16), keyword (e.g. Jesus, prophet, etc.) or topic (e.g. salvation) - you find it
Their main website: BibleGateway.com
(b) A second tool is this site - this is an active hyperlink - click it: http://www.biblestudytools.com
(c) Listen to every Radio Show or see every TV Show - both titled The Miracle Show.
The links on this website at tab: "Radio & TV Shows" - (a) you'll earn CEU & College/University credits free, never expire, (b) in the shows you'll learn continuously new to improve your and your family's life. The shows will also teach our Power Healing - supernatural healing by God.
Copyrights By Dr. Christian, Ph.D., N.D., D.D., Pastor of GCG - Global Church of God, New York, NY - Mailing: address: GPO 339, New York, NY 10116-0339
Phone: (212) 946-1234 or 1-(888) HAVE GOD (= 428-3463) - Email: [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________________
- And your new life will begin -
This site is under re-construction.
Please be patient - the updated information will be even more beneficial for you and your family.