Anders Brevik: 'Probably Insane' - Definitely NOT Christian!

I am getting increasing ticked off by the naff, lazy and incorrect journalism. The BBC reporting (where you there? Has it affected you? Do you have any photographs to support our shoestring news gathering company?) hasn't helped me much with this either!! That said, I have to applaud Brevik's lawyer when he tells the press that the evidence and his meetings suggest that his client is 'probably insane'.

What is sure is that the bloke has not started a sixty year war and that he neither promotes any true Christian viewpoint or any element of Biblical teaching in what he believes. He voices anger against his own nation's cultural, political and societal standards which were (in his view) fuelling the spectre of a growing Islamic population (and power) and many other issues besides.

I haven't seen any photographs of the bloke wearing a mitre or a dog-collar, neither has I seen images of him carrying a Bible but there one of him dressed as a Mason! Perhaps the headlines should be mentioning this rather than the Christian bit!

Mind you, it might be worthwhile pointing out that Jones and Sapp appear to have helped sow the seeds that flowered in the death of so many innocents with their brand of Islamaphobic self-promoting tosh!

So, when someone mentions this tragic happening and uses the word 'Christian' would you kindly point out that this doesn't appear to match up with the accounts of his writings - it's just the result of lazy and inadequate journalists (and perhaps also the result of some spin on their part too!) If they want a label, tell them 'Brevik is a nationalist extremist' (nuff said?)

Pax

Terry Jones and Stooge Sapp Jailed!

Sadly it was only for a short period, but Jones was locked up after refusing to pay a token one-dollar bond after he was refused permission to stage a protest outside a mosque.

Jones, pastor of the anti-Christian (I think that's correct?) militant Islamic motivation group, 'Dove World Outreach Centre' (apparently it's not sponsored by Dove toiletries) which, due to the congregation size is also know as 'the church in a phonebox', has once again sought to inflame and provoke tensions between Islamic believers and just about everyone.

The problem is that the JonesSapp partnership, and it's grey-cell limited followers are obviously too dense to realise that fundamentalist types don't need and provocation or encouragement to do bad stuff and yet are clever enough to realise that their behaviour is likely to make moderates angry enough to join their fundamentalist brothers and sisters.

This man is, as a Michigan court correctly identified, likely to provoke violence. This self-publicising, anti-Christian Muppet (and his pathetic little playmate, Sapp) need to be acted against.

In the words of the Rt Revd Ricky Tomlison, bishop to the Royle Family, "He is an Ars*!"

Badges available to copy and print shortly!

Pax

Man With Cross Causes Offence

I've just received this photograph of a man wearing a cross who has aroused the anger and condemnation of many because of his claim to be Christian.

Take a look for yourself:

Wakefield Electrician

More 'shocking' news emerges that the cross all the fuss is being made about is not on the side (obviously another opportunity for a news story later!) but is to be found on the dashboard of Colin Atkinson's vehicle.

You'll have to look hard to see the offensive piece of extreme Christian witness (I'll give you a clue, it's ringed in red!):

To gauge popular opinion we've asked various people, of all faiths and no faith, which of the two objects cause distress, upset or anger.

So far, one hundred per cent have gone with the topmost picture.

Surprised?

Wakefield Housing certainly might be!

Pax

Jones and Sapp - Don't speak for Pakistani Christians

In Pakistan yesterday, Christians gathered in Lahore to show their support for Muslim believers over the burning of the Koran by Muppets Jones and Sapp (AKA 'the saps'). Denouncing the Koran burning as nothing more than an attempt to flame clashes amongst muslims and Christians, they came out in force to show their unity with the Muslim believers and their contempt of the Saps.

The Christian leader behind the gathering told reporters that the incident shows that, "Neither men believe in any religion." and their the action "Reflects an extremist mind set which has nothing to do with Christian peaceful teachings." (AMEN to that!)

A news report tells of how the two men's act has "stoked fear amongst Christians who are in the minority in Pakistan."

The Pakistan government says it has ensured the safety & rights of the minorities in the country and has also assured its nationals that the culprits will not escape punishment.

Taking a lead that others should follow (are you listening Rowan?), Christians have asked the government to take action over the incident and have urged U.S. to prevent its people from taking such extremist actions under the guise of 'freedom of speech'.

See it for yourself, here:

Pax

The Spiritual Influence

A couple of weeks back at the annual conference of the Christian Broadcasting Council, Michael Nazir-Ali issued a warning regarding totalitarianism and the threat it represented with regard to conscience. The reality is that it is neither threat, nor 'encroaching' danger, but a clear and present reality as we see both private and public life legislated, regulated and generally controlled.

People of no faith make decisions regarding faith and the part it plays, or more accurately doesn't play. People with little, skewed or no obvious moral standards make rules and decide what is right. What we have is the blind and insane driving the bus and ruling the asylum respectively!

The outworking of this is, as Nazir-Ali rightly says, that we are no longer in a free society but in "An ideology that is seeking to impose its views on us.” Were we in a free society we might have a hope, but this hope is gone as we lose the moral and spiritual values that once valued what was good and right for the hedonistic, self-serving secular society that many crave.

We no longer value that which is good. We no longer have a respect for the sanctity of human life. We know the price of everything and the value of nothing and thus have become shallow and cynical (Thank you Mr. Wilde, just as you rightly identified it!).

We are driven by fear and the desire for a 'quiet life', hence the fact that none will challenge the more aggressive forms of religious group and yet will stand tall at the weak and meek groups, like the Christians. Our society picks its fights and denies that which might make it stop and look in the mirror.

Failing families? The answer is to give the family a place of pride and to offer it support. The traditional parents (married and working at a life-long bond), children brought up in a stable and loving environment (which is about relationships, not income, educational standards and possessions. Oddly, from within this comes a nurturing that encourages aspirations and a culture of self-development and attainment.

Criminal Activity? As unpopular as it seems, there is an answer to this. 'STOP IT!' So many of those I meet today have a morality that supports and defends 'dodgy' ways. The ends justify the means and who cares if the rules are just a little broken as long as we get what we want?

Life? I listened with interest and despair at a broadcast where families spoke of the 'kindness' of euthanasia. It was kind on them because they didn't want to keep visiting. It was kind on them because it was costing a great deal to keep the focus of the care being cared for. It was kind on the aged relative, because their 'useful' life had come to an end and they were no longer in possession of a 'quality of life'.

Faith brings a commonality of purpose and a value for life. Christian faith has done that in the UK for a very long time and I have come to the conclusion that the erosion of Christian values and the decline in our society with regards to family, vales, standards and morality appear to me to be the result of the other.

Faith brings a tolerance (it's people looking for an excuse for their greed who use 'religion' as the reason for war). Faith isn't about being religion but is, in the Christian context, about having a relationship with the Maker and a respect (and tolerance - that word again) for others.

This is why people can burn Korans. This is why people murder and plot evil. They don't know the Maker - they just want things as they, and the god of their making, want them - and this is death.

Pax

A bit of a hop

Having taken the 'first step' we find ourselves having to 'hop' in that, as was pointed out extremely well (and with some good examples), the society in which we find ourselves leans towards some people being, "More equal than others!"

I was given examples of some groups being afforded more concessions than others through fear of appearing, or worse still being labelled, 'racist' or 'anti-Islamic, had they said 'No' to something. The other side of this coin is that to say 'No' to members of our 'own' society (or to member of the national faith i.e. Christian) would just be being honest and 'normal'.

And so it transpires that when concessions are made to (as a 'for instance') Islamic groups, those who make the concessions are being racist (a situation which in today's society needs to be addressed), those who make the decisions are acting against the natural sense of justice and fair play. The antonym of Xenophobia is, of course, tolerance and this is what freedom of speech and choosing how we live is all about.

Being a member of a faith, gender, orientation or any of people group often leads the members of it to assume that they have some 'god-given' right to be treated differently and this is no the case. The fact that any of us might have a faith, or no faith, does not confer upon us the right to become a 'special case'. The problem is two-fold in that where a religious group is also considered to be 'ethnic' (whether this be because of country of origin or because of the observance practices) we find the ghetto mentality (and reality) becoming established and because of the concentrations of one people groups (ethnic, religious or whatever) we find temples, mosques and the like peppering the area and establishing 'no go zones'.

As a Cockney I have experienced this on a number of occasions and in a number of places, here's just a few:

The Jewish community in Stamford Hill (and the more well off cousins in Hendon and Ilford)

The Bangladeshi community around the Bethnal Green area

Brick Lane, Slough, Southall and the like.

I have been in places where caste wars were to be found, where a Sikh speaker was shot dead over the Punjab issue, where various sects within Islam were often to be found fighting and more besides.

Why, because people didn't want 'them' living next door and so supported the establishment of the very communities they now fear as being ghettos.

People are free to take a pop at what I believe. They are free to put banners denying what I consider to be true and labelling it as cobblers! This is what freedom of speech is about. When Jesus was portrayed in a way that upset many Christians, it was 'art'. When the same thing happened with the religion being Sikh, the theatre pulled the performance immediately because of the (much smaller) demonstration and complaints form 'community' leaders.

I happen across books that proclaim Christ and Christianity to be a load of BS every day. Do the writers have to go into hiding? Do the Christians pronounce death threats? No, of course not. But when other religions do so, we tut and make excuses for them. Why, because we're being racist! "They' don't know any better! "They're' just a bunch of ignorant savages with an ignorant and primitive, uncultured faith.

I have a right to be Christian. Another has a right to be Islamic. Still another has a right to be a humanist, or secularist or whatever they so wish. I have a right to practice my faith, other have a right to practice their lack of it. How we work this out, how we debate, dialogue and challenge the attitudes and belief (or non-belief) of others is part of the journey and the hallmark of a balanced and tolerant society.

The fear shown by some in challenging something because it's 'Islamic' or 'ethnic' or 'Gay' or 'Christian' (well actually there's no fear in challenging Christians, they appear to be an easy target and fair game for all) is actually destroying our nation's balance, culture, tolerance and exhibiting injustice and prejudice.

Prejudice is wrong, whether it is positive or negative. It is wrong!

making decisions through fear of reprisal is wrong, this is capitulation and we have seen too much of it in our nation. Equal values, level playing fields, respect for all and accountability and tolerant, honest challenging, and decision making is the only way this nation will be saved from slipping into the mire.

Oddly, this is the message of the God of the Christians and the Jews.

Pax

First step

One of the biggest shocks to shape the ministry in the place I find myself today is the realisation that I am not called by God to drag people into the church building but to get the Church out of it. I am not called to 'bring people back' to church, because they've never been there and so return is impossible. I am called to bring God's blessing where it is already to be found, merely pointing the recipients to what is already there and effecting an introduction between the two parties.

What I, and those with whom I stand, am called to is to be light in the darkness of everyday reality and salt which brings flavour to be bland and bleak consumer society. I do this in the privileged surroundings of a nation whose Christian history has made it tolerant, and welcoming, of people from other nations and faiths. It is good and right that we have always, in the main, exercised religious tolerance, save a 'bit of a problem' with Rome exacerbated by some of our bloodier monarchs and will hopefully continue in this trend.

What would be a great sadness is for us to lose our birthright, nationally and as Christians, through the abuse of our welcome or the fear of legislators and those in authority. The guide is that all who inhabit our land, do so within the laws of this land and whilst there is warrant for people to have their own legal bodies for such issues as divorce (as an arbitration body ie. sharia and beth din), the law of this land is supreme and has absolute authority.

The means by which this is enabled is for those who are Christians to make proper, balanced and informed stands.

When I lived in West London, it wasn't the 'ethnics' who called for Christmas to be cancelled and the money that would have been used for decorations to be sent to a women's cooperative in South Africa. It was the council who wanted to promote their own agenda (non-Christian) and used to support this, the misinformation that the reason was the 'other faiths'.

Oddly, it was the Sikhs, Hindus and other non-Christian faith groups who pushed the council into funding the lights and saved Christmas. It was other faiths who spoke out about the importance of Christ and Christmas. The Christians were silent. Christians (weak, nominal or dechurched) showed themselves to be weak and impotent and to generally be people of 'no faith'.

When, as a member of a SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education) we were asked to approve the dropping of formal religious assemblies within the borough's schools, the CofE (having the casting block vote) supported this every time. The voices of dissent for such action came from, yes - you have guessed - the member of the 'other faith' groups but of course, their voices went unheeded.

Where we find ourselves today is the heritage from such realities as this. From the legacy of people who were willing to have a 'meek shall inherit the earth approach' that was modelled on the doormat!

There is still time to embrace people of other faiths as just that. People who have other beliefs. We don't have to do services together (for as I understand it, all gods do not lead to the one same God) and we don't have to agree (another of the curses of multifaith and ecumenical gatherings). We are different faiths and so, although we will find areas of ethical behaviour that coalesce the reality remains that we are very different - and this is right!

When a church wanted to build a new building to accomodate them and their community work, restrictions were placed by the council on parking, noise from the building, light polution and a host of other issues. When the same council was asked to approve the building of a mosque in the very same area, no such restrictions were applied. It is this obvious bias and lack of equality which causes some to claim that other faiths and other tongues are afforded more rights that our native tongue and faith.

The reason for the decisions? The council didn't want to appear as if they were 'prejudiced' and so exhibited to all the fact that they were.

Lesson the first - open-handed, open-hearted, seeking equality and equity for all, regardless. Jew or Gentile, Muslim or Sikh, Secular Humanist or Theist. This is living biblically and is the way by which the kingdom (of God) will be won and the state of our country maintained.

Ex 22: 21 "You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt."

Lev 19:33 "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him."

Zec 7: 10 "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."

God's words, not mine. If you don't agree, take it up with Him!

Pax

Can anyone else hear a banging noise?

A while back I realised I could hear a banging noise coming from my church building. I popped in and guess what?

It was Jesus banging His head against the cross!

The question is, can anyone else hear it?

I have had more than a few emails regarding my post last night and apparently 'they' started it, "After all, they burn our flag!" and they "Take our jobs".  Not only that, but 'they' have taken over our country and so they deserve exactly what they get!

Apparently 'they' call white people names and I wouldn't know about that because I don't live in an area where there aren't any of 'them'.

Ours schools are under siege, our communities have been taken over by 'them' and the laws protect them, not the white population bringing in 'one rule for 'them' and another for for 'us' so that 'we' have to walk around 'them' on eggshells.

Some people say they daren't comment in case they cause offence (isn't that a sign of being offensive in itself?).

The issue of race and religion is a minefield of political correctness, sheer bloody ignorance, stupidity, Christians who should know better, Daily Fascist readers, NIMBYs, intolerance, cowardice and wicked people who wish to see their interpretation of their own religion prosper (regardless of what the faith they claim to represent believes and teaches).

I think we, our faith and the communities in which we find ourselves would be well served if we sought to unravel this ball of wool in some sort of sensible way such that we can develop for ourselves a way of dealing with people of other faiths, nationalities and even people of differing denominations.

What do you think?

Pax.

Islam - The new Black? The new Jew?

I have always been told that the best way to repeat history is to ignore it and it seems that it is in ignorance that we might find some of the roots of the hatred of the US brought about by a task made easier by the way the nation conducts itself.

I recall the recordings of the sounds and chants of Germans during the period leading up to, and during Kristallnacht (9th and 10th November 1938) and the awfulness of seeing the broken glass, the windows matching the lives that were shattered (and to be ground to dust), and the books burning.

Burning books has always been the last resort of a cancerous and broken society and to do soin the name of the Christian God speaks volumes about what is going on beneath the veneer of that society. Mob rules and crowd violence filled the screen when I was a child. Then it was Alabama and the enemies were the blacks. Segregation and prejudice were the hallmarks of a land I knew nothing of, other than it was far away and it had cowboys!

Then I grew up and realised that the same land had other enemies within. The Communists (never did understand the trial, but realised it was about people being 'different') were the 'enemy' then.

I grew to realise that whatever people did, they did as a mob and so it was a kind of understood (and accepted?) response to people who were different, a sanitised and legitimised violence against others much like the words that I read in 'Lord of the Flies'. Something sinister lurking under this veneer that we call modern, civilised, caring society; for there was little caring and less in terms of a civilised society to be seen!

Today I heard a recording (on the BBC iplayer 'Sunday' 3rd April 2011) and regardless of the reasons, for I don't know whether the reports of a 'terrorist link' were true or not (and so often it appears they are not), what I heard took me back to the voices that brought us Kristallnacht and the Shoah. echoes of hatred I hoped and prayed were gone forever.

Listen for yourselves here

I'd hoped that with a new president the complexion of the nation would change and that we might see dialogue where there was once white sheets, Kikes, Spics and other prejudices on show. That Sikhs being beaten up for being Islamic might cease and intelligence and understanding, dialogue and a 'winning of hearts and minds' might appear. After all, the majority of those in the US are settling there for a new life, not the old horrors (and I read that there were more home-grown survivalists and anti-governmental types than imported - all though one is too many!).

Christians need to be counted as Christians - to stand for the alien and sojourner in their land, not accepting evils or wrong, but making a stand for a land where all are free and enjoy freely what is on offer.

Is Islam the new Black? Have Muslims become the new jew? Ironic if they have. Dangerous if they have, because this is what the wicked people who seek to radicalise are hoping for. This is the fuel that powers their evil.

What does the LORD require of us?

To acts justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.

May God bring this to pass in all our nations and may He bless America with feet shod with the Gospel of peace that all might walk in unity and pull down the mashinations of the wicked who oppose all across this world in their desire for selfish ambitions and terror.

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing
(or gather outside a meeting perhaps?).

Pax

Supporting Jones, Sapp and Phelps

Having been asked if I will be wearing "Islam is not of the Devil" shirts and having been told by another idiot that I am in league with the devil because I am opposing 'prophets of god', I think we need to clear up some misconceptions (I have deleted the other two comments because you're not only obviously unsaved but are, I fear, mentally ill as well!).

Radicalised Muslims do not speak for the mainstream Muslim faith any more than the idiotic utterances of Terry Jones, Waye Sapp or Fred Phelps speak for the mainstream Christian viewpoint. In fact both act against their proclaimed faith and damage it immensely.

For anyone to wear clothing proclaiming 'nnnnn is of the devil' actually proclaims that they certainly aren't of Christ (regardless of the posturing they might indulge themselves in)!

I would not label anyone (other than satanists perhaps because they seek that label) as being 'of satan' or 'in league with satan', but as the Matthew passage used yesterday clearly states, it is by the fruit that we will be able to identify people - look at the lives lost as a direct result of Jones and Sapp.

Look at the idiotic supporters of Phelps (and others of his ilk) and tell me where the fruit of the Spirit exists. Show me where the humility, justice and mercy are to be found (Micah 6).

Show me the disgraceful and obscene types who send pictures of aborted babies to people at random to enrage and disgust such that they will support their cause.

These people are not of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and in fact (Thank you 'Thinking Out Loud' blog):

Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Baptists
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Pentecostals
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Charismatics
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Episcopalians
Phelps, Jones and Wayne Sapp don't speak for Anglicans
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Roman Catholics
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Methodists
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Calvinists
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Puritans
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Anglicans
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Free Methodists
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Lutherans
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Anabaptists
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Mennonites
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Wesleyans
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Presbyterians
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for non-denominational Christians
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Amish
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Greek Orthodox Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Shakers
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Christian & Missionary Alliance
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Salvation Army
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Brethren
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Evangelical Free Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Pentecostal Holiness Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Southern Baptist Convention
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Apostolic Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Christian Reformed Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Church of God in Christ
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Assemblies of God
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Reformed Church of America
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Calvary Chapel Movement
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Church of the Nazarene
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Harvest Bible Fellowship
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Seventh Day Adventists
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the United Pentecostal Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the United Methodist Church
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the United Church of Canada
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Sovereign Grace Ministries
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Samaritan’s Purse
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Wycliffe Bible Translators
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for World Vision
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Compassion International
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Youth With A Mission
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Vineyard
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for the Assemblies of God
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Christian broadcasters
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Christian bookstores
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Christian musicians
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Christian blogges
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Christian schools
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for Christian universities
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for speak for me.
Phelps, Jones and Sapp don't speak for God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Get it now?

Jones and Sapp - Time to make a stand

It seems to me that the time has come for Christians to make a stand against those people who preach wickedness in the name of Christianity.

One of the reasons for people becoming antagonistic towards Christians and for many others to become radicalised can be found in the vitriolic and most wicked outpourings, and the actions, of men like Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp.

Terry Jones demonstrates the immensity of his madness when he spoke of the murders last night, saying that he was not responsible for them and that it was 'time for islam to held accountable', but let's let the man speak for himself:

"We must hold these countries and people accountable for what they have done as well as for any excuses they may use to promote their terrorist activities. The time has come to hold Islam accountable. Our United States government and our President must take a close, realistic look at the radical element Islam. Islam is not a religion of peace. We demand action from the United Nations. Muslim dominated countries can no longer be allowed to spread their hate against Christians and minorities.

Let's look at the facts here:

Jones and Sapp burnt a copy of the Koran.

This act led to the protest which resulted in the murder of UN workers and security staff.

In many other places, those who seek to radicalise will be using this as fuel for their wickedness.

The reality is that the murders yesterday are an effect and the cause is Jones and Sapp, along with those in Mazar-e Sharif, and they have the blood of innocents on their hands.

The reality is that these men have incited this violence and are effectively enemies of peace and sponsors of the very violence they seek so that their message might find favour with other vile and wicked people.

The reality is that by their actions the lives of good people have been lost and the Gospel of Christ has been denied.

Islam is not a 'religion of peace' - and Christianity is? Not the way Jones and Sapp act!

The British Home Secretary was right in banning Jones from entering the country and the international community, the Church worldwide and each of us also need to act.

We can voice our views at the Dove World outreach site: info@doveworld.org. (it will do nothing, but at least we can make a stand).

We can write to the US Embassy (24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE) asking where 'freedom of speech' ends and incitement to racial, religious and political hatred begins and asking when the US government will act against the latter exhibited by these two men. I don't want to see 'freedom of speech' curtailed, but I do want people to be held accountable for their acts. There have to be responsibilities with rights!

We can preach peace from your pulpits and ask how Christians would feel if it was the Bible being burned by Islamic believers. Would we murder or would we act as believers? Would we seek to pray for those who curse us or acts against them (knowing what Jesus calls us to do)?

Ultimately those who committed the murders are responsible for their acts, but Jones and Sapp need to be made to realise that they, by their acts, commissioned the violence and sponsored the resultant deaths.

Pax

ps. And as we pray for those who mourn today, please remember to pray for those in Afghanistan who are working for peace. Pray for the forces on the ground (especially in Kandahar where tensions are rising) and for their families at home.

Pastors Wayne Sapp and Terry Jones - A Disgrace!

Pastor Wayne Sapp (a man who lives up to his name) bills himself as an evangelical minister. On the 20th March he burned a copy of the Koran with that other 'pastor' Terry Jones.

This act of 'Christian witness' has tonight resulted in the death of at least seven UN workers in the Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif. (22:14Z news update: 'at least twenty people died in the UN compound').

I cannot voice clearly enough my contempt for these two men who by their actions and the fruit of their vile and disgraceful brand of 'christian' faith have caused the death of these UN workers (and perhaps more when the news gathers pace and others react to is as perhaps Jones and Sapp desire).

These men and their brand of evil, portrayed as Christian, but in reality denying anything of Christ in the wickedness that is preached, need to be dealt with once and for all.

For those who have died, may God have mercy upon their souls and may those members of their families and their colleagues know of the shame and prayers that arise regarding this situation from true Christian believers.

And Jones and Sapp? Matthew 7 makes it plain for all to see:

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them."


Recognise them? know who they work for and what they really serve?

It isn't Christ!

Pax