For Your Information and Reference
Second Half of November 2010
Please Note: When a communication appears on this Forum, it
does not automatically imply
that The M+G+R Foundation agrees with all of its contents and/or conclusions.
For news visitors who are not familiar with our positions we suggest a review of the three NOTES
at the end of this document.
November 30
November 23
November 29 November 22
November 28 November 21
November 27 November 19
November 26 November 18
November 25 November 17
November 24 November 16
November 29 November 22
November 28 November 21
November 27 November 19
November 26 November 18
November 25 November 17
November 24 November 16
[Feast of St. Andrew]
Did you know that... the following were the capital errors of US Intelligence which opened the doors to the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
1. The U.S. Intelligence had, by the Summer of 1940, cracked the Japanese communication code used
by their diplomatic corps. From then on, the U.S. had free access to all information to and from
Tokyo handled by the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
However, at times the messages accumulated for as much as a week before being decoded and, after being decoded, it took additional time before they would reach the appropriate "desks" in the D.C. maze.
2. The only surveillance the U.S. kept in the Pacific was on the south because that was the area normally used by the Japanese. [Naturally, the Japanese hit from the north].
3. The U.S. war planes were not inside their specially designed refuges because General Short was afraid of sabotage by the local Japanese residents, thus kept them in the open.
4. The huge Japanese squadron, 353 aircraft, was picked up by the radar of Kahuku Point at 7:15 A.M. (less than one hour before the attack). The squadron was assumed to be a group of (only) twelve (!) B-17s that were expected from the mainland.
5. On the day of the attack, five hours AFTER the last raid, a telegraph dispatcher delivered, via bicycle, a telegram to the General Headquarters of Admiral Kimmel. It was a copy, for Admiral Kimmel's information, of a message from General Marshall to General Short.
This telegram, transmitted via commercial systems, was intended to warn the military command of Hawaii that, having the Japanese presented an ultimatum on December 7th at 7:30 A.M. (Hawaii time), it would-be a good idea "to be on guard".
However, at times the messages accumulated for as much as a week before being decoded and, after being decoded, it took additional time before they would reach the appropriate "desks" in the D.C. maze.
2. The only surveillance the U.S. kept in the Pacific was on the south because that was the area normally used by the Japanese. [Naturally, the Japanese hit from the north].
3. The U.S. war planes were not inside their specially designed refuges because General Short was afraid of sabotage by the local Japanese residents, thus kept them in the open.
4. The huge Japanese squadron, 353 aircraft, was picked up by the radar of Kahuku Point at 7:15 A.M. (less than one hour before the attack). The squadron was assumed to be a group of (only) twelve (!) B-17s that were expected from the mainland.
5. On the day of the attack, five hours AFTER the last raid, a telegraph dispatcher delivered, via bicycle, a telegram to the General Headquarters of Admiral Kimmel. It was a copy, for Admiral Kimmel's information, of a message from General Marshall to General Short.
This telegram, transmitted via commercial systems, was intended to warn the military command of Hawaii that, having the Japanese presented an ultimatum on December 7th at 7:30 A.M. (Hawaii time), it would-be a good idea "to be on guard".
Our comments:
First: The amount of intelligence data now collected via satellites, computers and mobile
phones is overwhelming, yet, ultimately it is up to a human to issue the order to act upon a "red
flag". Therefore, the more data is collected the greater the probability of missing the window of
opportunity to act before is too late.
Second: Are we, in and out of the government and the Armed Forces, in better mental and moral shape than we were in 1941? No! Complacency and self deification has eroded the edge given to us by High Tech. Just think of how our mental agility for basic arithmetic operations has declined after the proliferation of inexpensive hand held calculators.
A reminder:Second: Are we, in and out of the government and the Armed Forces, in better mental and moral shape than we were in 1941? No! Complacency and self deification has eroded the edge given to us by High Tech. Just think of how our mental agility for basic arithmetic operations has declined after the proliferation of inexpensive hand held calculators.
As the world moves toward a "global Pearl Harbor" we suggest that our
visitors read (or re-read) m de P's 1993 letter to President Jimmy
Carter. We insist on these issues because denying their reality will have
very serious consequences for those who are on denial. (It does not matter whether the
individual believes in God or not. Individual beliefs do not, in any way, affect the reality of
God.)
For those who keep repeating like a soporific mantra "God is Merciful and will not cause harm to His children" we say: (a) Do you have a guarantee that you are part of the group known as "His children"? As with the proverbial Christmas List - you better check that twice; and (b) Become familiar with applied Mercy. It may just not be what you are hoping it to be. Keep in mind that mankind has proven to God that, in general terms, only pain will make man pay attention to God.
For those who are counting on that Golden Era that the Catholic Sects are promising, as they try to manipulate Divine Revelations, we just want to point out that we are already symbolically into the Sequence of Events leading to the End of These Times.
For those who keep repeating like a soporific mantra "God is Merciful and will not cause harm to His children" we say: (a) Do you have a guarantee that you are part of the group known as "His children"? As with the proverbial Christmas List - you better check that twice; and (b) Become familiar with applied Mercy. It may just not be what you are hoping it to be. Keep in mind that mankind has proven to God that, in general terms, only pain will make man pay attention to God.
For those who are counting on that Golden Era that the Catholic Sects are promising, as they try to manipulate Divine Revelations, we just want to point out that we are already symbolically into the Sequence of Events leading to the End of These Times.
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It would appear that... the post of November 28th For Your Information and Reference was prepared in conjunction with what was simultaneously posted on our Divine Encouragement page.
We want to assure you that not even subconsciously that could have happened considering the
process we follow regarding what appears in those pages.
The synchronicity even startled us. Therefore, we strongly suggest that the messages are taken more seriously and with greater urgency than ever.
The synchronicity even startled us. Therefore, we strongly suggest that the messages are taken more seriously and with greater urgency than ever.
Have you heard that... attackers, riding on motorcycles, attached bombs to the car windows of Iranian nuclear scientists as they were driving to their workplaces on Monday morning? (1)
One bomb killed Majid Shahriari, a member of the nuclear engineering faculty at the Tehran
University, and wounded his wife. The second blast seriously wounded nuclear physicist Fereidoun
Abbasi.
At least two other Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in recent years. Iran has said it suspects the attacks were part of a covert attempt by the West to undermine the country's nuclear program.
At least two other Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in recent years. Iran has said it suspects the attacks were part of a covert attempt by the West to undermine the country's nuclear program.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: We do not seem to learn any of the lessons taught by six thousand years of recorded history, and we call ourselves homo sapiens (from latin: "wise man" or "knowing man").
(1) News Report
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From (Mr.) IW @ US
I just watched the EWTN show 'The World Over" with Raymond Arroyo - Opus Dei (OD). Benedict's book was the headline story, for which Arroyo had George Weigel (OD) as the spin-master.
I found it quite interesting that Arroyo overtly cited the 'male prostitute' phrase - yet glided right over it to spend 15 minutes endlessly spinning what Benedict said about condoms. To the point of absurdity.
In light of this and the rest of the 'spinning', my observation is that this all has one end: to destroy the little Faith that is left among the people.
As an organist can play on more than one keyboard simultaneously (even three), they are playing off the secular media against the various elements of the religious media. Each taking different sides, intentionally sowing confusion. In the final analysis, they do not care what you believe... as long as you heed and believe them.
OD is master of the Dialectic (1); and the goal of this one is that the viewer or listener will heed them, no matter how incoherent the message.
"Let a hundred flowers bloom" as Mao said. The same was done in Euro Communism. Whatever the Party says, it is true! Even if they are saying 10 different things, or changing positions weekly.
The 'male prostitute' is both a Freudian Slip and an intentional Red Herring (2).
IW
(1) Dialectic (also called dialectics or the dialectical method) is a method of argument, which has been central to both Indic and Western philosophy since ancient times.
(2) A "Red Herring" is a fallacy in which an irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue.
A. Thank you for sharing. As we have said before: "Even satan must serve God."
Have you heard that... the U.S. government has begun seizing web sites without warning or a trial. The Department of Homeland Security has so far seized 76 web sites it claims are engaged in copyright violations.
Here's (1) why this marks the beginning of the government takeover of the internet.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Now that by such actions it has been demonstrated that it is possible for the government to do so under the weakest justification, we ask: Why doesn't the appropriate US Department shut down every single pedophile related web site hosted in the US and block the internet traffic to all those sites hosted in pedo-friendly countries?
Or is it that we have many pedo-friendly individuals holding high offices in the US?
(1) Source
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[First Sunday of Advent]
Today's very appropriate Mass readings are...
Isaiah 2: 1-5
[1] The word that Isaias the son of Amos saw, concerning Juda and Jerusalem. [2] And in the
last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of mountains, and it
shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. [3] And many people shall
go, and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of
Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall come forth
from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. [4] And he shall judge the Gentiles,
and rebuke many people: and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into
sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more
to war. [5] O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the
Lord.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Obviously this has not happened yet; it is the result of His Second Coming.
Romans 13: 11-14
[11] And that knowing the season; that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep.
For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. [12] The night is passed,
and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and
put on the armour of light. [13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: [14] But put
ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its
concupiscences.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: This time the day is indeed at hand, otherwise we would destroy ourselves.
Matthew: 37-44
[37] And as in the days of Noe, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38]
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, even till that day in which Noe entered into the ark, [39] And they knew not till the
flood came, and took them all away; so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. ...
[42] Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will come. [43] But know this
ye, that if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly
watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. [44] Wherefore be you also
ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: It will happen just like that.
Just a timely reminder from miguel de Portugal.
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Isn't it amazing that... the title of the latest book by Opus Dei's Benedict XVI is "The Light of the World" while the Opus Dei founder named his booklet "The Way"?
Who is Jesus, their Janitor?
In Christianity's context, Jesus Christ IS the only Light of the World and The only Way, while Escrivá and Benedict XVI dare to take the place of Him Whose place is unique. Blasphemers!
What is also amazing is how many continue to fall for this propaganda, a propaganda which will cost them their Eternal Life – since they will be ensnared by the False Christ, whose way is being prepared in these same propagandists’ ovens.
Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin
be revealed, the son of perdition, Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is
called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if
he were God. Remember you not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these
things? [2 Thess. 2: 3-5]
We wonder if... the Vatican spin masters are recalling the translations of Benedict's book which refer to "male prostitutes" to reissue it with a more politically correct (????!) "female prostitutes"?
We had pre ordered the book in English from Amazon.uk, with a shipment date matching the "official” on-sale day of November 23rd. Yesterday we received a note from Amazon.uk that there has been a delay and they will not be able to ship until December 17th. Amazon.com in the US is also showing a delay of weeks for printed and audio versions in English, while the Kindle version seems to be ready. (Note that such electronic versions can be easily “corrected”).
Upon inquiring about the order placed in Spain for the version is Spanish, to the surprise of the bookstore owner, neither publishing house nor wholesaler had one single copy available for shipment.
Time will tell how the Vatican will finally spin itself out of this one.
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We are happy to inform our readers that... God has finally revealed to m de P the nature of the continuum that he already knew connected the Time and Eternity Frames of reference is (1). (It could be said that miguel understood what this continuum is like; or what it is composed of; or what it means). As you can see by our difficulty in even describing this revelation, it may be a while before we can express this continuum in human terms.
This much we can say: It is perfectly coherent with all else revealed to him regarding the Frames of Reference, the work God has called m de P to fulfill, and whatever little he knows about Quantum Theory (2).
(1) About Time and Eternity
(2) Quantum Theory
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Did you know that... only 35 - 45 % of the visitors to the Divine Encouragement page took the faith evaluator Rope Test? (1)
Amazing! The majority (55 - 65 %) seems to be either over confident or fearful of facing reality.
(1) The Rope
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Did you know that... organs of nuclear workers were secretly harvested for 40 years? (1)
The families of scores of nuclear power station workers whose hearts, lungs and other organs were
secretly stored and tested over a period of almost 40 years were let down by the authorities, a
report said yesterday.
Relatives were seldom told that their loved ones’ organs were to be removed, and as a result families buried or cremated incomplete bodies. In many cases the truth that their organs had been illegally removed and then destroyed in the testing process emerged only many years later.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Another "conspiracy theory" proven
true.Relatives were seldom told that their loved ones’ organs were to be removed, and as a result families buried or cremated incomplete bodies. In many cases the truth that their organs had been illegally removed and then destroyed in the testing process emerged only many years later.
May this be another reminder to those who live in denial that there is no Tooth Fairy, and that denial (2) is an exercise in futility.
(1) News Report
(2) Denial - An exercise in futility
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Isn't it ironic that... the title of the 36 million dollar "epic" of the life of Escrivá is "There Be Dragons", and the movie is also referred to just as "Dragons"? (1)
As we have said many times - God is using every imaginable channel to warn His children - those whose names are in the Book of Life . [Rev. 20:12]
(1) About the Film
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Which brings to mind... yesterday's Mass reading - Rev. 18:1-4, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
Which we partially quote - but not out of context:
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth
was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
How many times we have read the above passages! Only God knows but, this time, something jumped out at us: The three step procedure.
First step - Something happened that caused Babylon the Great to fall since the angel is
announcing it as something that already has happened; then
Second step - The angel tells the Elect to abandon it as not to suffer its fate.
Third step - Babylon is completely destroyed - never to be found again.
Second step - The angel tells the Elect to abandon it as not to suffer its fate.
Third step - Babylon is completely destroyed - never to be found again.
If one considers that:
(a) The fall of the Financial World (which, by the way, continues to tumble into the abyss), the
capital of which is New York, is the First Step; then
(b) While the Third Step is being prepared, the Elect - for a variety of reasons, many of which may not be their awareness of the future of Babylon - relocate out of it; so that
(c) The Third Step, the fulfillment of what symbolically took place in 9-11, will take place.
(b) While the Third Step is being prepared, the Elect - for a variety of reasons, many of which may not be their awareness of the future of Babylon - relocate out of it; so that
(c) The Third Step, the fulfillment of what symbolically took place in 9-11, will take place.
Just a thought...
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From (Mr.) WS @ US
Jesus wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace... [Luke 19]
Quoting from the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key 1814
4th Stanza
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
WS
A. We, too, weep.
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Did you know that... young doubters exit the church now more than in previous generations? (1)
Twenty and thirty plus years old men and women are abandoning the faith.
Some striking mile markers appear on the road through young adulthood: leaving for college, getting the first job and apartment, starting a career, getting married—and, for many people today, walking away from the Christian faith.
A few years ago, shortly after college, I was in my studio apartment with a friend and fellow pastor's kid. After some small talk over dinner, he announced, "I'm not a Christian anymore. I don't know what happened. I just left it."
An image flashed into my mind from the last time I had seen him. It was at a Promise Keepers rally. I remembered watching him worship, eyes pinched shut with one slender arm skyward.
Some striking mile markers appear on the road through young adulthood: leaving for college, getting the first job and apartment, starting a career, getting married—and, for many people today, walking away from the Christian faith.
A few years ago, shortly after college, I was in my studio apartment with a friend and fellow pastor's kid. After some small talk over dinner, he announced, "I'm not a Christian anymore. I don't know what happened. I just left it."
An image flashed into my mind from the last time I had seen him. It was at a Promise Keepers rally. I remembered watching him worship, eyes pinched shut with one slender arm skyward.
Jesus Christ comments through St. Luke: I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” [Luke 18:8]
and then...
The M+G+R Foundation comments: We continue to weep, but we are consoled with the knowledge that we have done all that has been required of us.
(1) Article
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Have you heard that... a small Chinese Internet service provider briefly rerouted as much as 15 percent of the world’s Web traffic on two occasions last spring? (1)
[our highlighting]
The report, by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, noted that the
service provider, IDC China Telecommunication, broadcast inaccurate Web traffic routes for about
18 minutes on April 8. That information was then retransmitted by China’s state-owned China
Telecommunications, effectively forcing data from the United States and other countries to pass
through Chinese computer servers. A similar episode in March drew less attention.
The report said the move affected data traveling over both the government and military networks of the United States, including information from the Senate, the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the secretary of defense’s office, NASA, the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as from many American companies.
The incidents, which were widely reported when they occurred, were never explained, although Chinese engineering managers said that the routing errors were accidental.
The report said the move affected data traveling over both the government and military networks of the United States, including information from the Senate, the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the secretary of defense’s office, NASA, the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as from many American companies.
The incidents, which were widely reported when they occurred, were never explained, although Chinese engineering managers said that the routing errors were accidental.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: We, in the US, must realize that no matter how many "pat downs" are conducted in the airports, when our D-Hour comes, we are done. It will happen only when the Masters of the World (2) decide, and no one in the official US government can do anything about it. Because we have warned all parties - privately and publicly - for years, we are at peace.
(1) News Report
(2) The Masters of the World Master Plan
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From (Mr.) WS @ US
Global warming and the thawing of the Permafrost are/will be yielding huge amounts of methane gas.
It's interesting that the broadcast media don't put this info out especially when one of the consequences could be something like the entire sky being on fire!
They only love to make us scared so that we can consume.
WS
A. You are right. The moment they figure out how to commercially exploit that reality we will be hearing about it 7/24.
(1) News Report
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From (Mr.) WO @ US
With reference to your post of November 23rd regarding Benedict's controversial statement...
While my German is rusty, I have done my best here to give my own translation from the German, as Google's is rotten. Not surprisingly, it proves your point:
"Nun gibt Joseph Ratzinger seinen Kurswechsel vor. Die Zeit des absoluten Neins zu den
Präservativen ist auch für ihn vorbei: "Es mag begründete Einzelfälle geben, etwa wenn ein
Prostituierter ein Kondom verwendet, wo dies ein erster Schritt zur Moralisierung
sein kann, ein erstes Stück Verantwortung", so argumentiert der Pontifex im Gespräch mit dem
Publizisten Peter Seewald. Weil dessen Buch erst am Mittwoch erscheint, sind es Auszüge daraus,
die Furore machen."
My translation:
"Now Josef Ratzinger presents his policy change. The time of an absolute 'no' to condoms is
over for him: "There may be justified individual cases, such as when a male
prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step towards morality, a first
part of responsibility", so argued the Pontiff in conversation with the journalist Peter Seewald.
As the book was first published only on Wednesday, there are statements in it which have caused a
furor".
and regarding
"Die Passage zur Prostitution könnte mehr als explosiv sein, auch weil sich Benedikt hier ganz
offen auf männliche Prostituierte und damit auf ein weiteres Tabu-Thema zu beziehen scheint: Den
Homo-Sex, den es nach Ansicht der katholischen Kirche gar nicht geben dürfte."
My translation:
"The Passage about Prostitution could not be more explosive, because Benedict is himself
open-minded toward male Prostitutes, and therefore on another taboo-theme we may draw this
conclusion: it appears the Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality is being ignored."
In German, "ein Prostituierter" refers explicitly to a male prostitute. There is no ambiguity here.
WO
A. Thank you for shedding a clear light on this issue.
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By now you should know from our pages (1) that... when faith in external government systems fails, faith in God subsequently increases. (2)
[our underscoring and italicizing]
Five researchers examined how instability in government order, ranging from economic turmoil to
impending elections, affects individual psychological functioning. They based their findings on an
analysis of historical trends and past research, as well as four experiments they designed.
The study highlights the psychological importance of personal control of one's destiny in providing security. When someone feels personal matters are out of control, an external force -- either government or God -- can ensure things are under control. The order provided by a higher power or karma is thought to be common to almost all religions.
The paper claims belief in God and government serve overlapping functions as providers of structured, nonrandom, orderly worlds. The researchers also write that government and God may be substitutable.
The study highlights the psychological importance of personal control of one's destiny in providing security. When someone feels personal matters are out of control, an external force -- either government or God -- can ensure things are under control. The order provided by a higher power or karma is thought to be common to almost all religions.
The paper claims belief in God and government serve overlapping functions as providers of structured, nonrandom, orderly worlds. The researchers also write that government and God may be substitutable.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: They say "faith in God subsequently increases" but they are wrong. What they mean is "reliance in God subsequently increases".
The "importance of personal control of one's destiny" is the spoiler in the interaction between man and God. The more we seek control of our destiny the further we stray from God. Case in point - Opus Dei's "theology". (3)
The full reverse may be seen in St. John Bosco's trajectory. (4) That is why St. Bosco and Escrivá are at completely opposite ends of the Eternal Spectrum.
Now... We ask you to make the proverbial three guesses as to why is God going to finally pull the rug from under the "civilized" world once and for all. If you pay attention to what we publish and if we have fulfilled our function (5) well, your first guess will be the right one (1).
(1) Pain is the megaphone that God uses...
(2) Article
(3) Opus Dei failed theological foundations
(4) St. John Bosco's Trajectory
(5) Our function
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It seems that... a German publication confirms what three translations of Benedict's latest book state, and not what the L'Osservatore Romano and the Spanish press claim to be the case.
Nun gibt Joseph Ratzinger seinen Kurswechsel vor. Die Zeit des absoluten Neins zu den
Präservativen ist auch für ihn vorbei: "Es mag begründete Einzelfälle geben, etwa wenn ein
Prostituierter ein Kondom verwendet, wo dies ein erster Schritt zur Moralisierung sein kann, ein
erstes Stück Verantwortung", so argumentiert der Pontifex im Gespräch mit dem Publizisten Peter
Seewald. Weil dessen Buch erst am Mittwoch erscheint, sind es Auszüge daraus, die Furore
machen.
...
Die Passage zur Prostitution könnte mehr als explosiv sein, auch weil sich Benedikt hier ganz offen auf männliche Prostituierte und damit auf ein weiteres Tabu-Thema zu beziehen scheint: Den Homo-Sex, den es nach Ansicht der katholischen Kirche gar nicht geben dürfte.
...
Die Passage zur Prostitution könnte mehr als explosiv sein, auch weil sich Benedikt hier ganz offen auf männliche Prostituierte und damit auf ein weiteres Tabu-Thema zu beziehen scheint: Den Homo-Sex, den es nach Ansicht der katholischen Kirche gar nicht geben dürfte.
Which Google translates as:
Now, Joseph Ratzinger before his change of course. The time of absolute no to the condom is also
for him by: "There may be justified individual cases, such as when a prostitute used a condom,
where this can be a first step towards the moralization, a first part of the responsibility", the
pontiff argued in conversation with the journalist Peter Seewald. Because the book is published
only on Wednesday, there are parts of it, cause the sensation.
...
The passage into prostitution could be more than explosive, also because Benedict quite openly on male prostitutes and thus belong to another subject seems taboo: the gay sex that it might not even exist according to the Catholic Church.
...
The passage into prostitution could be more than explosive, also because Benedict quite openly on male prostitutes and thus belong to another subject seems taboo: the gay sex that it might not even exist according to the Catholic Church.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Any further commentary on this book - regarding the homosexual sex issue and other serious issues - will be published after we review both the Spanish and English versions of the book, which are already on order. We are confident that Benedict will further reveal his nature throughout the book.
In the meantime, while the world tumbles straight into hell, the media spins the issue one way (2) and the other (3).
(1) Kurswechsel: Benedikt XVI
(2) Pope's Comments Set Off Firestorm - WSJ.com
(3) Deflating the NYT Condom Scoop - National Review Online
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But wait!, we read that... the Diocese of Rome issued the strongly worded statement after the conservative Panorama newsweekly said in a cover story and accompanying video that it had interviewed three gay priests in Rome and accompanied them to gay clubs and bars and to sexual encounters with strangers, including one in a church building.
One of the priests, a Frenchman identified only as Paul, celebrated Mass in the morning before driving the two escorts he had hired to attend a party the night before to the airport, Panorama said. (1)
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Now Ratzinger's inappropriate statement looks more like that of a politician trying to garner the voters’ favors.
Two escorts? Out of town escorts, brought in by air? Collection plate business must be booming - not to mention the Escort business.
(1) News Report
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By now most have heard that... Benedict has approved the use of he a prophylactic under certain conditions.
The issue we are dealing with here is not that in itself. What we are dealing with here is that the Spanish (Opus Dei’s native language) and Italian translations, as quoted by L'Osservatore Romano, give one version, while the original German, like the English and French translations, gives a significantly different version of an extremely crucial scenario. For example - we read (1):
Pope Benedict XVI has opened the door on the previously taboo subject of condoms as a way to fight
HIV, saying male prostitutes who use condoms may be beginning to act responsibly. It's a stunning
comment for a pontiff who has blamed condoms for making the AIDS crisis worse.
The pope made the comments in an interview with a German journalist published as a book titled "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times", which is being released Tuesday. The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano ran excerpts on Saturday.
Church teaching has long opposed condoms because they are a form of artificial contraception, although the Vatican has never released an explicit policy about condoms and HIV. The Vatican has been harshly criticized for its position.
Benedict said that condoms are not a moral solution to stopping AIDS. But he said in some cases, such as for male prostitutes, their use could represent a first step in assuming moral responsibility "in the intention of reducing the risk of infection."
The pope made the comments in an interview with a German journalist published as a book titled "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times", which is being released Tuesday. The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano ran excerpts on Saturday.
Church teaching has long opposed condoms because they are a form of artificial contraception, although the Vatican has never released an explicit policy about condoms and HIV. The Vatican has been harshly criticized for its position.
Benedict said that condoms are not a moral solution to stopping AIDS. But he said in some cases, such as for male prostitutes, their use could represent a first step in assuming moral responsibility "in the intention of reducing the risk of infection."
and then, in the same article we read (1):
The English translation of the original German specified "male prostitute." The Italian
translation in L'Osservatore Romano, however, used the feminine "prostitute." The reason for the
discrepancy wasn't immediately clear.
We also find interesting the fact that the right and ultra right press in Spain gave this apparently earth-shaking news a "just in passing" mention, while the socialist press made it front page news.
We also find interesting the fact that the right and ultra right press in Spain gave this apparently earth-shaking news a "just in passing" mention, while the socialist press made it front page news.
There are many other potentially explosive issues in this yet-another-book by Ratzinger. We will do the penance required - this is not a joke - and read both editions - English and Spanish - before we fully pronounce ourselves on all issues.
(1) News Report
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While on the subject of Cafeteria Christianity... Today's Mass reading includes Rev 14:1-3, 4b-5. Most people will not even notice that Rev 14: 4a has been excised from the readings. Let us take a look at what the "Holy Censors" took out - which we have highlighted in bold red.
[3] And they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne, and before the four living
creatures, and the ancients; and no man could say the canticle, but those hundred forty-four
thousand, who were purchased from the earth. [4] These are
they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, the firstfruits to God and to the
Lamb:
They must have assumed that John was having too much wine when he wrote this, or that the copyist
was a woman hater. Of course, neither is the case. The reason is the usual: the Vatican "great
theologians" in the dark.The omitted verse does not mean that a man becomes dirty when he engages in reproductive activity with a female. What happens is that he loses his spiritual virginity, which will prevent him from developing the closest relationship possible with God. We could write much on this - even as it extends into the miracle of Transubstantiation - but m de P is not allowed to do so at this point in Time.
The only thing that we can add to make the above easier to understand is that this situation is related to the reality of Mary's Perpetual Virginity: She never had a physical relationship with Joseph. If Mary had had a physical relationship with Joseph, She would have, in effect, become an adulterer – since Her Spouse was the Holy Spirit of God.
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[Mary's Presentation and
Christ the
King]
From m de P @ EU - US (1)
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously pray the following Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King.
A plenary indulgence is granted, if it is prayed publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King.
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer
Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King (Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor)
Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King (Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor)
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We
are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us
freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you;
many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful
Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to your People assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever.
Amen.
Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to your People assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever.
Amen.
(1) According to the Enchiridion of Indulgences - Norms and Grants issued by the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary in 1968, and originally published by Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City - Authorized English Edition, published by the Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York. Page 59, Grant No. 27
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Did you know that... we may have a symbolic Planet X (1a)(1b) in our hands?
Astronomers have discovered an alien planet in our midst. (2)
The newly found planet is believed to have come from outside the Milky Way galaxy -- the remnant of another, fading galaxy that was consumed by our own. It's stuck on a 16-day orbit around a fading red giant star about 2,000 light-years from Earth.
The planet, dubbed HIP-13044b, is believed to be about 1.25 times larger than Jupiter, in our own solar system. It was spotted by a sophisticated, 4-meter mirrored telescope operated by astronomers at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
It's the first planet ever detected inside the Milky Way that's believed to be foreign-born. About 500 other planets have already been discovered that are believed to originate from outside our solar system but inside our galaxy.
"For the first time, astronomers have detected a planetary system in a stellar stream of extragalactic origin. This cosmic merger has brought an extragalactic planet within our reach."
The newly found planet is believed to have come from outside the Milky Way galaxy -- the remnant of another, fading galaxy that was consumed by our own. It's stuck on a 16-day orbit around a fading red giant star about 2,000 light-years from Earth.
The planet, dubbed HIP-13044b, is believed to be about 1.25 times larger than Jupiter, in our own solar system. It was spotted by a sophisticated, 4-meter mirrored telescope operated by astronomers at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
It's the first planet ever detected inside the Milky Way that's believed to be foreign-born. About 500 other planets have already been discovered that are believed to originate from outside our solar system but inside our galaxy.
"For the first time, astronomers have detected a planetary system in a stellar stream of extragalactic origin. This cosmic merger has brought an extragalactic planet within our reach."
The M+G+R Foundation comments: The symbolism is because it fits some of the speculative concepts about the mythical Planet X. However, unless the astronomers have made a mistake or are lying to the public, there is nothing to be concerned about.
A light year is the distance that light can travel in a year. Therefore, if an object is 2,000 light-years from Earth that means that it would take said object, if it were traveling at the speed of light, 2,000 years to reach us.
It is interesting to also note the number 2,000 - the Second Millennium of Christianity and just about the End of These Times.
(1a) About Planet X
(1b) Planet X Notes
(2) News Report
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[Mary, Mother of Divine Providence] (Saturday
before 3rd Sunday in November)
Did you know that... the alleged evidence of Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program may be as fraudulent as the claims about the Iraqi WMD?
Take a look at the confirmed facts and you can be the judge.
and that...
the gatekeepers have closed the door to diplomacy with Iran? (1)
In his recent speech at the United Nations General Assembly, United States President Barack Obama
promised that the "door to diplomacy" is open to Iran should Tehran "choose to walk through
it".
It turns out that this is not entirely true and there are certain obstacles other than Iranian intransigence operating as "gatekeepers" that are likely to slam that door shut.
One set of gatekeepers is the Israelis and their formidable array of Washington influence-peddlers, who are nowadays using Israel's offer of a freeze on some 1,300 housing units in the West Bank as a bargaining chip with the White House, hoping that in return the Obama administration will give in on Tel Aviv's push for more aggressive action against Iran.
It turns out that this is not entirely true and there are certain obstacles other than Iranian intransigence operating as "gatekeepers" that are likely to slam that door shut.
One set of gatekeepers is the Israelis and their formidable array of Washington influence-peddlers, who are nowadays using Israel's offer of a freeze on some 1,300 housing units in the West Bank as a bargaining chip with the White House, hoping that in return the Obama administration will give in on Tel Aviv's push for more aggressive action against Iran.
(1) News Report
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Could it be that... the most important NATO meeting in 61 years (1) and the not publicized-as-ususal, one-day-only meeting (2) of all Cardinals in Rome, ahead of the also not publicized-as-usual Consistory (3) are related to the impending attack on Iran and its fallout? The "fallout" we mention is literal.
(1) News Report
(2) News Report
(3) Where a not much talked about Consistory to follow
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Words and only words... “Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won... We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we won in war.” Excerpts of General Douglas McArthur’s Radio Address
The M+G+R Foundation comments: All of them long "Gone with the wind".
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Do you know who... Forbes magazine thinks are the 68 most powerful people on the planet? (1)
We culled an initial suspect list of more than 100 names to 75, and then asked seven Forbes
editors to rank them in all four categories. Those ranks were averaged to produce the final list.
Obviously our rankings are not intended to be definitive; they are meant to spark a
conversation--even an argument or two.
They certainly produced some surprises. The editors picked Hu Jintao, president of the People's Republic of China, as the world's most powerful man, ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama (No. 2). Julian Assange (No. 68), the editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, snuck onto the list in last place, while many traditional media types, including Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC, fell off altogether. In a clear sign of the times, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (No. 40) ranked 10 spots higher than Bill Keller (No. 50, the executive editor of The New York Times.
Power can be used for good or for ill, and three criminals made the list this year: al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden (No. 57); Joaquín Guzmán (No. 60), the billionaire drug trafficker who heads Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel; and Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar (No. 63), who runs a vast criminal enterprise in India and who is thought to have had a hand in the 2008 terror attacks that killed 174 people in Mumbai. These rankings are not meant to justify or glorify these odious men. They simply reflect reality.
They certainly produced some surprises. The editors picked Hu Jintao, president of the People's Republic of China, as the world's most powerful man, ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama (No. 2). Julian Assange (No. 68), the editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, snuck onto the list in last place, while many traditional media types, including Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC, fell off altogether. In a clear sign of the times, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (No. 40) ranked 10 spots higher than Bill Keller (No. 50, the executive editor of The New York Times.
Power can be used for good or for ill, and three criminals made the list this year: al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden (No. 57); Joaquín Guzmán (No. 60), the billionaire drug trafficker who heads Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel; and Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar (No. 63), who runs a vast criminal enterprise in India and who is thought to have had a hand in the 2008 terror attacks that killed 174 people in Mumbai. These rankings are not meant to justify or glorify these odious men. They simply reflect reality.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Then again, this is Forbes: In the hard copy of the November 22 issue of the magazine, just inside the front cover, is an essay by Bruce Upbin titled, "Radical Openness". He says,
"It wasn't so long ago that capitalism was under attack. We're grateful that cooler heads
prevailed. Though many of us are still feeling economic pain and some bad actors remain
unpunished, the economic system that lets honest people reap the rewards of risk taking and hard
work remains strong. Ratifying that system is what we do at Forbes."
They, at Forbes, neither understand "the system" nor who really runs it... but they are
Forbes... and most bow at the name.But what do we know? Only this...
But Jesus called them to him, and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over
them; and they that are the greater, exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you: but
whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister: And he that will be first among
you, shall be your servant. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a redemption for many. [Matthew 20:25-28]
(1) The Most Powerful People On Earth - Forbes.com
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From (Mr.) WS @ US
According to Harper's Index from Harper's Magazine of September and October 2010:
1. Net domestic profits earned by US Corporations since the fourth quarter of 2008:
$609,000,000,000.
2. Net decrease since 2008 in the amount that these companies spent on wages and benefits: $171,000,000,000.
3. Number of Americans awarded Social Security Retirement benefits in 2009: 2,740,000.
4. Percentage of those who opted to apply at reduced benefits: 73%
5. Percentage of Americans who say they do not know a Moslem: 62%
6. Number of delayed notice search warrants granted by federal judges last year under the Patriot Act: 1,150.
7. Number of delayed notice search warrants that were related to terrorism: 6; the rest were for drug offenses.
8. Chances that an American believes that Jesus Christ will return by 2050; 2 in 5.
9. Percentage change since 2008 in the number of Jewish Americans that call themselves Republican: +77%
10. Percentage improvement in reading scores in the public school fourth graders since No Child Left Behind: +1%
2. Net decrease since 2008 in the amount that these companies spent on wages and benefits: $171,000,000,000.
3. Number of Americans awarded Social Security Retirement benefits in 2009: 2,740,000.
4. Percentage of those who opted to apply at reduced benefits: 73%
5. Percentage of Americans who say they do not know a Moslem: 62%
6. Number of delayed notice search warrants granted by federal judges last year under the Patriot Act: 1,150.
7. Number of delayed notice search warrants that were related to terrorism: 6; the rest were for drug offenses.
8. Chances that an American believes that Jesus Christ will return by 2050; 2 in 5.
9. Percentage change since 2008 in the number of Jewish Americans that call themselves Republican: +77%
10. Percentage improvement in reading scores in the public school fourth graders since No Child Left Behind: +1%
No Comment.
WS
A. Not to worry...
Didn't you read the evaluation given by Forbes of the "state of the affairs" : "It wasn't so long ago that capitalism was under attack. We're grateful that cooler heads prevailed. Though many of us are still feeling economic pain and some bad actors remain unpunished, the economic system that lets honest people reap the rewards of risk taking and hard work remains strong. Ratifying that system is what we do at Forbes."
Alice In Wonderland never seemed so sane to us!
Thank you for sharing.
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Did you know that... NASA is as disoriented as the proverbial next guy about the great balls of fire have been reported swooping over Eastern Canada and several U.S. states? (1a,b)
There are different theories about what was behind the sighting of those fireballs. A NASA
spacecraft got a closer look at one of the possible sources today.
The spacecraft flew past Hartley 2 -- taking closeup pictures after the comet made one of its closest passes by Earth this week.
But one expert is skeptical of reports that any fireballs came from Hartley -- which is roughly 1.2 kilometres wide and spews deadly cyanide gas.
Scientist Peter Brown says his meteor group at the University of Western Ontario tracked one of two fireballs while the other was tracked by NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.
The spacecraft flew past Hartley 2 -- taking closeup pictures after the comet made one of its closest passes by Earth this week.
But one expert is skeptical of reports that any fireballs came from Hartley -- which is roughly 1.2 kilometres wide and spews deadly cyanide gas.
Scientist Peter Brown says his meteor group at the University of Western Ontario tracked one of two fireballs while the other was tracked by NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.
The M+G+R Foundation comments: Well, you know our story - which hasn't and will not change... "In God we trust and scientists (*) can go take a hike." [(*) Those who exclude God from the equation]
The eternal Monday Morning Quarterbackers who just don't seem to get it right...
Astronomers find evidence of cosmic climate change (2)
The Heat Was On: Atmospheric CO2 Triggered a Global Warming Event 40 Million Years Ago (3)
and last, but not least...
Mystery Surrounds Solar Flare Event- Video (4)
(1a)
(1b) NASA News
(2) Astronomic Evidence - 1
(3) Astronomic Evidence - 2
(4) The Mystery of the Solar Flare Event
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[Consecration of the two Basilicas honoring St.
Peter and St. Paul]
Did you know that... the Wall Street Journal reported that the crypt of the Basilica di San Carlo al Corso in Rome has been turned into a night club to lure young people back to the Catholic church? (1)
After a drop in followers of the faith, one industrious priest decided that the best way to get
the youth back to church was to offer a party in the sacred crypt that holds the remains of church
bishops and cardinals from eras gone by.
In the back of the “club” is a confessional for those who want to take another step in getting closer to the church. Not a bad idea to increase membership.
In the back of the “club” is a confessional for those who want to take another step in getting closer to the church. Not a bad idea to increase membership.
The M+G+R Foundation Comments: It is obvious that they - the alleged shepherds - are just incapable of learning. That is why God, after 1600 years, has no other option left than to start from almost the beginning.
(1) News Report
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From (Mr.) IW @ US
In your post on November 17th regarding the Crop Circles, you stated: "The appearance of the Shroud of Turin look alike face does not change our position regarding the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin."
Exactly what is your position regarding the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin?
IW
A. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify this issue.
Back on November 2009, on this same Forum, we wrote:
Have you heard that... a new study revealed that from a long-sealed cave tomb,
archaeologists have excavated the only known Jesus-era burial shroud in Jerusalem?
(1)
The M+G+R Foundation Comments: See comments after next post below.
(1) News Report
and that...
...as early as the seventh century, there existed a serious controversy concerning the matter of Icons within Catholicism? (1)
The M+G+R Foundation Comments: The fears of those who were not in favor of Holy Icons became true "with a vengeance".
It is extremely rare for someone who practices the Catholic Faith no to practice idolatry to a great extent - with the Mediterranean countries leading the list.
We have witnessed it everywhere. (2) It would not be so unsettling except that we see the idolaters run to kiss, touch, lick or whatever they do to the object of their idolatry (3) – while Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, is essentially ignored or "honored" with a casual and quick nod.
The same goes with relics - even those who are allegedly of Jesus. What is more important, Jesus in the flesh in a Tabernacle, or a piece of something that touched Him when He walked amongst men? As those familiar with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament should remember, one of the prayers offered at that time could be any clearer about this fundamental truth of the Catholic Faith:
People will go halfway across the world to visit the Shroud of Turin and will seldom spend one hour - thirty minutes! - in prayerful meditation before a Tabernacle.
Idolatry is one of the practices the Second Vatican Council (4) tried to control; the amount of statues and/or icons in churches were supposed to be limited to precious few; typically the Patron/Patroness of the church, the Virgin Mary and, of course, a Crucifix.
How do you know in which category you fall? That is quite simple...
(a) If you are "locked in to" any particular icon, image or statue - the idolatry component of that behavior is very high.
(b) If you like to have an icon, image or statue of, say, St. Barbara but the preference to which one is strictly based on artistic rendition - the idolatry component of that behavior is very low.
(c) If you must touch a relic for a cure, remember, and learn, from what Jesus said to a woman just healed by Him:
He did not say: Daughter, the touching of the hem of my garment has cured you, did He? We repeat - Faith is a key component to our inter-active relationship with God. Even if one touched Jesus but had little faith, precious little would happen. Let us not forget that...
The discovery adds to evidence that the controversial Shroud of Turin did not wrap the body of
Christ, researchers say.
What's more, the remains of the man wrapped in the shroud are said to hold DNA evidence of
leprosy—the earliest known case of the disease.
"In all of the approximately 1,000 tombs from the first century A.D. which have been excavated around Jerusalem, not one fragment of a shroud had been found" until now, said archaeologist Shimon Gibson, who excavated the site for the Israel Antiquities Authority.
"In all of the approximately 1,000 tombs from the first century A.D. which have been excavated around Jerusalem, not one fragment of a shroud had been found" until now, said archaeologist Shimon Gibson, who excavated the site for the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The M+G+R Foundation Comments: See comments after next post below.
(1) News Report
and that...
...as early as the seventh century, there existed a serious controversy concerning the matter of Icons within Catholicism? (1)
This controversy created a challenging problem for the Church, for within the Church, there were
two different groups with two different attitudes towards Icons.
The first group of Christians felt that it was improper to use Icons in the Church. They reasoned that since Jesus Christ was Divine, He could not and should not be portrayed by an earthly image. They also were convinced that the depiction and veneration of an Image of Christ amounted to nothing more than idolatry and superstition.
They argued that the faithful would look to the Icon as an idol, and worship it rather than God Himself. They were sure that Icons would lead people into pagan practices and away from communion with Christ Himself. These people were known as Iconoclasts, which means 'Icon-breakers,' and with fiery zeal, they proceeded to fight against the presence of Icons in the Church and to rid the Church of all Images.
The first group of Christians felt that it was improper to use Icons in the Church. They reasoned that since Jesus Christ was Divine, He could not and should not be portrayed by an earthly image. They also were convinced that the depiction and veneration of an Image of Christ amounted to nothing more than idolatry and superstition.
They argued that the faithful would look to the Icon as an idol, and worship it rather than God Himself. They were sure that Icons would lead people into pagan practices and away from communion with Christ Himself. These people were known as Iconoclasts, which means 'Icon-breakers,' and with fiery zeal, they proceeded to fight against the presence of Icons in the Church and to rid the Church of all Images.
The M+G+R Foundation Comments: The fears of those who were not in favor of Holy Icons became true "with a vengeance".
It is extremely rare for someone who practices the Catholic Faith no to practice idolatry to a great extent - with the Mediterranean countries leading the list.
We have witnessed it everywhere. (2) It would not be so unsettling except that we see the idolaters run to kiss, touch, lick or whatever they do to the object of their idolatry (3) – while Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, is essentially ignored or "honored" with a casual and quick nod.
The same goes with relics - even those who are allegedly of Jesus. What is more important, Jesus in the flesh in a Tabernacle, or a piece of something that touched Him when He walked amongst men? As those familiar with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament should remember, one of the prayers offered at that time could be any clearer about this fundamental truth of the Catholic Faith:
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are as truly present in this Holy Sacrament, under the sign of
bread, as You were when dying upon a cross for the salvation of all mankind, or as You are now
enthroned in Glory in Heaven at the Right Hand of the Father.
People will go halfway across the world to visit the Shroud of Turin and will seldom spend one hour - thirty minutes! - in prayerful meditation before a Tabernacle.
Idolatry is one of the practices the Second Vatican Council (4) tried to control; the amount of statues and/or icons in churches were supposed to be limited to precious few; typically the Patron/Patroness of the church, the Virgin Mary and, of course, a Crucifix.
How do you know in which category you fall? That is quite simple...
(a) If you are "locked in to" any particular icon, image or statue - the idolatry component of that behavior is very high.
(b) If you like to have an icon, image or statue of, say, St. Barbara but the preference to which one is strictly based on artistic rendition - the idolatry component of that behavior is very low.
(c) If you must touch a relic for a cure, remember, and learn, from what Jesus said to a woman just healed by Him:
Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go thy way in peace. [Luke
8:48]
He did not say: Daughter, the touching of the hem of my garment has cured you, did He? We repeat - Faith is a key component to our inter-active relationship with God. Even if one touched Jesus but had little faith, precious little would happen. Let us not forget that...
...Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and in his own
house, and among his own kindred. And he could not do any miracles there,
only that he cured a few that were sick, laying his hands upon them. [Mark
6:4-5]
Oh, yes, we seem to have digressed. What is our position regarding the Shroud of Turin? If you read and understood what we wrote above - then we ask. Does it really matter what our position is?
(1) Report
(2) Examples - One and Two
(3) About idolatry
(4) "The Blame It All To" Council
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Did you know that... the story of Creation in Genesis is limited to the Creation of the physical world?
That is why the first time one hears about angels - also known throughout the Scriptures as "sons of God" - it is in Genesis 6:2 when they (in this case fallen angels) became infatuated with the daughters of men.
For more details on this issue we suggest a review of our document about the Book of Enoch. (1)
(1) The Book of Enoch
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From miguel de Portugal @ EU - US
Sometime ago we addressed the now famous Crop Circles issue in one of our forums.
We have just reviewed the "2010 Crop" of Crop Circles in a European publication and we must reiterate what we initially stated: Although a handful of the publicized Crop Circles are manmade, the great majority defies any explanation in human terms. Images of the "2010 Crop" may be found online. (1)
Most impressive were two of them which, when superimposed, looked like the face Of Christ in the Shroud of Turin. (2)
PLEASE NOTE
(a) We are not necessarily endorsing the conclusions of the referred to sites
(1) (2). However, that most of the Crop Circles are real, that we cannot
explain them scientifically and that they have a purpose - we have no doubt; and
(b) The appearance of the Shroud of Turin look alike face does not change our position regarding the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin.
(b) The appearance of the Shroud of Turin look alike face does not change our position regarding the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin.
(1) The "2010 Crop" of Crop Circles
(2) Several views of the two components of the Face of Christ
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From (Mrs.) DL @ US
I have a question for you.
When the anarchy is upon us and the most evil of evils reigns on earth, is it better to:
(a) not fight back and let whatever is done to you, be done to you as you profess Christ as your
Savior; or
(b) if you have a truckload of fighting supplies, should you take out as many evil people you can before they get to you, even though you profess your belief in Christ as your Savior?
(b) if you have a truckload of fighting supplies, should you take out as many evil people you can before they get to you, even though you profess your belief in Christ as your Savior?
Are we to fight back or turn the other cheek?
DL
A. The most simple and direct answer would be the same answer given to the following questions:
(a) How did the twelve Apostles react to the persecutions they faced, the abuses they were
subjected to and to their violent deaths (with the exception of John the Evangelist who died
peacefully in Ephesus)?
(b) How did the persecuted and martyred Christians, up to the time Christianity went Imperial, (1) handle their tormentors?
Remember - Christianity had become such a force in the entire Roman Empire that it became the adhesive Constantine utilized to cement his crumbling Empire. Then, we should ask the next question:
(c) Who was really stronger - the Christians who lived the teachings of Jesus Christ - specifically the Beatitudes (2) - or the sword and spike bearing Romans?
(b) How did the persecuted and martyred Christians, up to the time Christianity went Imperial, (1) handle their tormentors?
Remember - Christianity had become such a force in the entire Roman Empire that it became the adhesive Constantine utilized to cement his crumbling Empire. Then, we should ask the next question:
(c) Who was really stronger - the Christians who lived the teachings of Jesus Christ - specifically the Beatitudes (2) - or the sword and spike bearing Romans?
It was when Christianity went Imperial and abandoned its founder and His teachings that the "slaughter in the Name of Christ" started - best exemplified by The "Holy" Crusades. (3)
This does not mean that one should seek martyrdom. It should be avoided as long as Divine Laws are respected which, of course, are best exemplified by all the teachings of Jesus Christ.
We will conclude with a quote from the Book of Revelations, Chapter 13:
10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed
with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.”
And from Jeremiah, Chapter 15:
2 And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says:
“‘Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation,
to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.’
We pray and hope that we have answered your question in full.(1a) Christianity went Imperial and
(1a) How God salvaged the Faith
(2) The Beatitudes
(3) The "Holy" Crusades
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Did you know that... (a) The Lord has given to every man his work; (b) It is his business to do it, and (c) The devil's business to hinder him if he can?
So sure as God has given you a work to do, satan will try to hinder you.
He may present other things more promising. He may allure you by worldly prospects, he may assault you with slander, torment you with false accusations, set you to work defending your character, employ pious persons to lie about you, editors to assail you, and excellent men to slander you.
You may have Pilate and Herod, Ananias and Caiaphas all combined against you, and Judas standing by you ready to sell you for thirty pieces of silver; and you may wonder why all those things come upon you.
Can you not see that the whole thing is brought about through the craft of the devil to draw you off from your work and hinder your obedience to God?
Keep about your work!
Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil's dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the devil's rabbits.
Do your work!
Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let corporations resolve, let editors publish, let the devil do his worst; but see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling the work God has given you.
He has not sent you to make money. He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you to defend your character, He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood which satan and his servants may start to peddle. If you do these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord.
Keep about your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. Let the world brawl and bubble.
You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends and despised and rejected of men, but see to it, with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being, until at last you can say:
He may present other things more promising. He may allure you by worldly prospects, he may assault you with slander, torment you with false accusations, set you to work defending your character, employ pious persons to lie about you, editors to assail you, and excellent men to slander you.
You may have Pilate and Herod, Ananias and Caiaphas all combined against you, and Judas standing by you ready to sell you for thirty pieces of silver; and you may wonder why all those things come upon you.
Can you not see that the whole thing is brought about through the craft of the devil to draw you off from your work and hinder your obedience to God?
Keep about your work!
Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil's dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the devil's rabbits.
Do your work!
Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let corporations resolve, let editors publish, let the devil do his worst; but see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling the work God has given you.
He has not sent you to make money. He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you to defend your character, He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood which satan and his servants may start to peddle. If you do these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord.
Keep about your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. Let the world brawl and bubble.
You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends and despised and rejected of men, but see to it, with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being, until at last you can say:
"Lord, I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do".
You are encouraged to be an instrument in reaching all
who must be reached in His Name through
your
assistance.
Notes
(1) If you are a new visitor, you may get the idea (from what you may read on this page) that we are part of what is known as the "liberal movement" within Catholicism. We strongly suggest that you first review our positions regarding the Pristine Catholic Faith (we said "Faith" and not "Church Administration), RC Church Administration, Only Possible Changes Within the RCC Allowed by God and Our Function.
(2) If you prefer to evaluate positions using the "liberal", "moderate" and "conservative" labels, we would fall in the "practicing conservative" group, without the fanaticism which most "talking conservatives" exhibit. The difference between "practicing conservative" and "talking conservative" is that the first strives to live what Jesus Christ taught, while the second one, the "talking conservative", just talks about the faith and practices just enough for others to see.
(3) In an effort to keep our readers informed in the areas that matter most as we approach the End of These Times and better utilize the limited time available to us we will post what used to beposted on Did you know that...?, Private Forum, Public Forum Part II and Points to Ponder About on this one single page - FYI&R
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