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The following articles are compiled by:

Leo Wong

Leo@WatchmenWatching.com

 

 

 

Why I believe in my faith

Source: Karen Toole in the Winnipeg Free Press

 

March 19, 2007 -- On March 5, about 200 people gathered in a room at the University of Manitoba to listen to seven presenters deal with that issue. The evening was sponsored by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and as the information material stated, "The objective of this community is to educate the world about Islam and Mohammad (peace be upon him), the Holy Prophet of Islam and his teachings, to promote understanding between people of different religions and to bring harmony among the people of the world by bringing them closer to God." We were there from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The panel of presenters was introduced and moderated by MLA Tim Sale.

 

By the end of the evening my head was bursting with the various details of the diverse religions and faiths represented. We heard from representatives of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and aboriginal practices. Each had 20 minutes to present and I was amazed that each presenter respected that time limit. After the presentations, at 9:35 p.m. promptly the panel worked with questions submitted in writing from the audience.

 

Let me invite you the reader into that evening's experience. First of all, the hosting community, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community was more than gracious. As a white Western woman I truly valued the experience of being in a room that was not predominately Caucasian. What I noticed was that the hosting Muslim community was immaculately dressed and completely prepared. I was also aware of the large contingent of women and children in attendance for what was going to a long and intense evening. Prior to beginning, coffee, tea, etc. was available and at break we were offered fruit, cheese, biscuits, and sweets. I mention all of this because the effect of it all was that, I felt like an honoured quest in someone's home. There was a clear sense of generosity and care. I am sure that was an intentional expression of faith.

 

It became eminently clear as the evening progressed that this was a very carefully choreographed and well planned event. But the best-laid plans cannot predict the struggles of human experience. The first question to the speakers was "Where are the women?" The panel consisted of six men, one woman, the raised stage of dignitaries had about 12 men, and the same one woman. Is this gender representation of faith good enough in the 21st century? Two other "incidents" occurred during the question period. One shifted the perspective from sharing information to political implications of religion, and the other pushed the speakers to consider the implication of atheism in what Richard Dawkins has named The God Delusion.

   

By this time it was nearly 10 p.m. and with adept rephrasing the moderator was able to defuse and redirect the evening back to the primary focus of "Why I believe in my faith?"

 

The answer to the question of women was "This is a beginning..." The answer to the situation of racial profiling was our need "not to politicize issues".

 

So, was the evening worthwhile? Yes. Was it enough? Definitely not! I noted on the screen that similar conferences to these held in other Canadian cities included more women and a representative identified as atheist. The strength of the evening was the vast amount of information shared in such a short time. But beyond information there was also the inspiration of each presenter's practice of believing. I want to commend the courage and genuine curiosity of each presenter. I wish some men had refused to present and instead had offered a woman in their place. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community refers to these events as World Religion Conferences. The strength of evenings such as these is that our stereotypes of who we are can be challenged. The struggle of evenings such as these is that those very stereotypes will be strengthened and the world will see not the hope of religious teachings but the hatred inherent within those teachings, because both dwell in the world's religious traditions.

 

Comments:  This Karen Toole is a prime representative of the many liberal female mainline Protestant ministers out there in that she’s staunchly pro‑feminist.  “If a man can do it, why not a woman?”, they decry in unison.  Women ministers in the churches was not what the Apostle Paul taught as being of the Lord.  But, with today’s emphasis on egalitarianism in society and in the churches, females are demanding equal rights and opportunities and in the process, usurping God’s ordained authority of males in leadership positions.

 

Ms. Toole was not at all perturbed by the plentitude of various faiths and religions uttering their beliefs and understanding of what God is and what He wants for mankind (and womankind).  Instead of critiquing the erroneous teachings of demons, she was appalled by the dearth of female representation.  Distracted by a side issue,  she lost an opportunity to declare to the readers that only Christianity has the Way, the Truth and the Way, all others lead to Hell and the Lake of Fire.  But then, does she even believe that Jesus is the only way or is she like so many libertarians who promote the notion that all roads lead to God? Like much of Christendom today, apathy and non‑concern for the destiny of souls are evident.  If God had intended for women to occupy the pulpits, where’s the Holy Spirit filled preaching of the Gospel of God?  Instead, all we hear out of the mouths of women ministers are convoluted female-centered poetry, tolerance for other faiths and religions, and debating about trivial issues.

 

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Eckankar answers woman's questions

Source: John Longhurst for the Winnipeg Free Press

 

March 19, 2007 -- When Angie Desrochers-Emond was in her 20s, she had very vivid dreams about dying. In her dreams, she would die, and then she would float outside her body and "look at it from a distance."

 

Although she had grown up in a Roman Catholic home, she found her faith couldn't explain the dreams. She began to explore eastern religions, thinking they might help. Then she learned about Eckankar. "I found my questions being validated and answered," she says.

 

According to its followers, Eckankar is an ancient religion that was rediscovered in 1965 by Paul Twitchell. Also known as the religion of light and sound, it emphasizes the value of personal spiritual experiences as the most natural way to God.

 

The group's headquarters are in Minneapolis, which is also the site of the Temple of Eck. It is also the home of the current leader, Sri Harold Klemp -- also known as a Mahanta, or someone who has achieved the highest state of God consciousness on earth. There are about 50,000 Eckists worldwide, with about 30 in Winnipeg.

 

Followers use various disciplines or spiritual exercises on a daily basis, such as singing the word "Hu," which they say is an ancient name for God, as well as chanting, meditating and silence. Through these exercises they try to open themselves to the Holy Spirit, or the divine life current that flows from God. They believe that this current, which they call Eck, sustains all of life.

 

Eckists also believe in Karma -- the idea that the things people do in this life have consequences for future lives -- and in reincarnation, or returning to Earth to do better in the next life. "It's similar to what you find in Christianity," she says. "You reap what you sow."

 

Eckists are discouraged from smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs or gambling. Abortion, divorce and sexual orientation are considered personal matters. "Eckankar has given me an avenue for a lot of personal growth," says Desrochers-Emond.

 

"Before, I was fearful and without much purpose in life. But now I have more understanding, more love and less fear -- I love my life, and I am able to see small miracles in it."

 

Comments:  They go from the frying pan (Roman Catholicism) into the fire (Eckankar).  That’s the path many unbelievers take in their spiritual journey here on Earth.  Mankind is inherently religious.  If people can’t find meaning in life, they seek a spiritual answer and hop from one religion to another.  For those who have heard the Gospel of God and have outright rejected it, God leaves them to their own devices and they trek into the religious fringes.  Eckankar is as far into the Outer Limits as you can get.  Do not adjust the vertical or horizontal.  We are control of whatever you see and watch.

 

Satan’s web of deceit entraps the darkened souls who believe they have finally reached the far reaches of “undiscovered country”.  Wrongly believing that God is whoever people conjure Him to be, they are further dragged into Satan’s dungeon where demons completely filled their impressionable minds with hellish doctrines.  Soul travel?  Reincarnation? Karma?  Opening their mind to the Holy Spirit?  Not a chance!  It’s more of a mixture of Hinduism and Christianity with Hinduism being the predominate trait.  We see that being prevalent these days.  A cocktail of doctrines of demons and Christianity to give an outward appearance that it’s acceptable in God’s eyes.  Paganism can never mesh with God’s Holy precepts.  Those who try are seriously in jeopardy of being dammed and will find their lot with those currently languishing in Hell.

 

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Heavenly music for hellraisers: Black Sabbath revival marches on

Source: Melissa Martin for the Winnipeg Free Press

 

March 19, 2007 -- On Sunday night, the Sabbath, Heaven and Hell came to Winnipeg.  But though it sure sounded like an epic battle between good and evil, for local metal fans, the concert was nothing short of holy.

 

How appropriate that the band arrived in Winnipeg on the much-vaunted seventh day of the week. Though its cosmic moniker may not be immediately familiar to many, H&H is indeed Black Sabbath.

 

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions; last night it was just paved with good bands.

 

Heaven and Hell's arrival onstage was more dramatic. Purple lights bathed the stage in an eerie glow while Iommi's spooky riffs echoed throughout the arena.

 

One by one, patterned spotlights revealed the band, decked out in gloomy black, finally landing on the gnomish Dio, who promptly began growling out the lyrics to After All (The Dead).

 

Contrary to his rapscallion image, Dio was good-natured and personable as he introduced dour 1981 hit Sign of the Southern Cross. Perhaps that casual attitude explains why the show lacked energy heading into the home stretch. At times it just didn't feel like a rare appearance by an iconic band; it felt plodding, even forced.

 

Comments:  2 Timothy 3:[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  2 Timothy 3:[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.  Spiritual deception is one of the main signs of the soon return of Jesus Christ.  The Heaven and Hell band is blatantly devilish and makes no apology that it isn’t.  It’s a member of the church of Satan. Its intention is to liberally sprinkle Biblical words into its songs and repertoire in order to blaspheme the God of Heaven daring God to strike them down dead.  That way, they can join their compatriots like The Grateful Dead in Hell.  Hell is their ultimate prison cell and they’re making no qualms about getting used to their eventual quarters.  They’re doing all they can to lure their adoring fans there.  Their deluded groupies have cast their lot for Satan a long time ago.  Their allegiance to him is unwavering.  The rejection of God’s light leads to outer darkness.  Jude 1:[13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

 

Ever since rock and roll and rock groups happened onto the scene, the tide of unholiness has risen to an alarming height.  Young people especially have been ensnared by the Devil’s wiles.  The naturally rebellious nature of youth has abetted the Devil’s agenda.  Rejecting God and holiness in exchange for service for the Devil equates to crass servitude and not liberation.  It’s better to serve God rather than the Devil.  Sins pay wages.  Romans 6:[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

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Keep watching (Matt 24:42)!

 

Until next time,

Shalom!

 

 

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