Points to Ponder About
January 2008
The purpose of
Points to Ponder About was to
stimulate thinking that would draw the disoriented Faithful back to God and away from the
hypocritical duplicity of some religious institutions which are destroying the little faith left
on earth. (For a more detailed explanation, see Points to
Ponder About - Purpose). What used to be posted in this section has been integrated in
For Your Information and
Reference.
Note: This 'Point to Ponder About' section was
prepared in the years 2005-2009. Some linked documents external to this domain may have been
removed from the Net, or moved to different locations, since then.
January 26
January 21
January 18
January 12
• Is it only the Roman Catholic Church
Adminsitration that tramples on the Word of God and Civil
Law?
January 9
January 6
January 2
December 31
Why Jesus was so insistent that the general public not be
informed of His true identity?
Did you ever wonder... why Jesus was so insistent that the general public not be informed of His true identity? For example when He stated:
Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
[Matthew 16:20]
He answered that when speaking at Solomon's Porch in the Temple:
24 The Jews therefore came round about him, and said to him: How long dost thou hold our souls
in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 2526 But you do not believe, because you are
not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me. Jesus
answered them: I speak to you, and you believe not: the works that I do in the name of my Father,
they give testimony of me. [John 10]
In “matters of Heaven” God demands character's anonymity so that the message can only be
understood, and thus, believed by God's sheep. Everyone else, will turn away. It really is that
simple.A mechanism that we are very grateful for.
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Do you ever wonder Monarchies have seldom worked for the
benefit of mankind?
Do you ever wonder Monarchies have seldom —if ever— worked for the benefit of mankind? Much less Monarchies-Church Alliances? (1) Because God said they would not! To wit – all from 1 Samuel 8:
4 Then all the ancients of Israel being assembled, came to Samuel to Ramatha. 5 And they said
to him: Behold thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: make us a king, to judge us, as
all nations have. 6 And the word was displeasing in the eyes of Samuel, that they should say: Give
us a king, to judge us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel: Hearken to
the voice of the people in all that they say to thee. For they have not rejected thee, but me,
that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all their works, they have done from the day
that I brought them out of Egypt until this day: as they have forsaken me, and served strange
gods, so do they also unto thee.
Then Samuel, in the Name of God warned them of the consequences. In spite of that:
19 ... the people would not hear the voice of Samuel, and they said: Nay: but there shall be a
king over us. 20 And we also will be like all nations: and our king shall judge us, and go out
before us, and tight our battles for us.
So God told Samuel:
22 Hearken to their voice, and make them a king.
Samuel slept well that day and so does miguel de Portugal (2), for the world
has also been warned (3) of what is to come (4).
(2) Is miguel de Portugal being a pessimist? Think again!
(4) The Apocalypse – One Step at a Time
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What John, the Evangelist, meant when he wrote “Whoever
remains in Him doesn’t sin”?
Do you ever wonder exactly what John, the Evangelist, meant when he wrote the following in 1 John 3:
6 Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not; and whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him,
nor known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doth justice is just,
even as he is just. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from
the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the
devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God, committeth not sin: for his seed abideth in him,
and he can not sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest,
and the children of the devil. Whosoever is not just, is not of God, nor he that loveth not his
brother.
If we take the above at face value no one, except Mary, is of God: 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. and 9 Whosoever is born of God, committeth not sin: for his seed abideth in him, and he can not sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.
Not only a “casual read” of the above will subconsciously store the message that the Sacred Scriptures are full of errors, but also undoubtedly gave rise to the heresy of Catharism (1), i.e. That is God creates the good people and satan creates the bad people – thus raising satan to a “creator level”.
As it turns out, John is speaking of a particular sin. In better translations of this Epistle that can be clearly understood. Indeed, not utilizing the traditional Catholic Mortal and Venial sins, there are some sins that could only be committed by someone who is possessed by the spirit of satan – they are so hideous that even the worse sinner, who may, nonetheless, be of God and is scheduled for Heaven, could not commit.
Once again – the Holy Scriptures are proven correct and any error can be traced back to copyists or translators.
(1) About
Catharism
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Is it only the Roman Catholic Church Adminsitration that
tramples on the Word of God and Civil Law?
Do you ever wonder if it is only the Roman Catholic Church Adminsitration that tramples on the Word of God and Civil Law? Wonder no more as you review the following news report from the Anchorage Daily News...
01/10/2008
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX: Criticism unwarranted in view of crime's circumstances, chancellor says.
A registered sex offender who served more than a year in prison for sexually abusing minors is wearing robes that signal he has taken a first step toward priesthood in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Terenty Dushkin, 26, was installed as a lay reader of the liturgy last month by Bishop Nikolai, the church's highest-ranking official in Alaska. Church officials say they did so knowingly.
“This is not a scandal in any way”, said Chancellor Archimandrite Isidore, the church's No. 2 official here.
“The church believes everyone is redeemable. We don't think people are necessarily damaged goods that have to be locked away.”
But Dushkin's investiture appears to violate the Orthodox Church in America's policy on such matters, which states that “no layperson shall commit, attempt to commit, or engage in any act of sexual misconduct.”
Alaska church officials knew about Dushkin's past when they “tonsured” him as a reader for St. Innocent Cathedral at a ceremony in early December.
In 2004 —the year he was charged with 11 sex crimes— Dushkin was a student at St. Herman's Theological Seminary in Kodiak, which prepares students for Orthodox priesthood.
Dushkin could not be reached for comment.
As a reader, he wears robes that identify him as an official celebrant at church services. That's troublesome, said a California woman who runs a Web site that tracks sex abuse in Orthodox churches.
“He's not going to be hearing confessions or blessing houses, but he is going to be wearing a robe during the services, and that gives him an aura of authority”, said Melanie Sakoda, who started www.pokrov.org several years ago in response to allegations of abuse within the church.
“He can come to church, he can go to communion”, Sakoda said. “But he doesn't need to be a reader. He doesn't need to go even that far on the path toward clergy.”
A reader “is regarded as one of the first steps toward priesthood, the first rank or order of priesthood”, said Andrew Jarmus, director of communication for the Orthodox Church in America in Syosset, N.Y.
Jarmus wouldn't comment on Nikolai's choice to tonsure a convicted sex offender.
But Isidore, who said he doesn't think Dushkin has ambitions to become a priest, said readers are like altar boys. They aren't clerics, he said, and they function only under the direction and supervision of a priest.
If anything, Dushkin is under greater supervision as a reader than as a regular member of the church, Isidore said. “It keeps him at the altar.”
The tonsuring of a convicted sex offender wrapped up a difficult year for Alaska's Russian Orthodox Church.
Last summer, national church leaders investigated Isidore on charges of inappropriate sexual conduct with a former missionary. The allegations were dismissed.
“I don't see this as a continuation of the regrettable events of this summer”, he said of the church's choice to tonsure Dushkin.
In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Dushkin was convicted on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and one count of exploitation of a minor, a charge that came from a sex tape featuring him and two females, one of them 17 years old. It was filmed with Dushkin's camera and discovered by police at Dushkin's home in Unalaska, according to court documents.
The rest of the original 11 charges were dismissed.
The convictions involve Dushkin having sex on several occasions, from 2002 to 2004, with girls who were 13 and 14 years when the sex started.
“(W)hat may have been a youthful indiscretion on Mr. Dushkin's part has long since been repented”, Isidore said in a written statement.
In an interview, Isidore claimed Dushkin's crimes weren't predatory in nature. “From my understanding, it was a situation that could be termed statutory rape – which albeit is wrong, but very much different than molesting a child, for example.”
Isidore said church officials consulted an attorney before tonsuring Dushkin.
He said church officials weren't deterred by the sex scandals that have plagued the Roman Catholic Church recently, some of which unfolded in Alaska, where scores of youths were abused by priests and other church officials.
“The church doesn't operate based on public opinion”, Isidore said.
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX: Criticism unwarranted in view of crime's circumstances, chancellor says.
A registered sex offender who served more than a year in prison for sexually abusing minors is wearing robes that signal he has taken a first step toward priesthood in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Terenty Dushkin, 26, was installed as a lay reader of the liturgy last month by Bishop Nikolai, the church's highest-ranking official in Alaska. Church officials say they did so knowingly.
“This is not a scandal in any way”, said Chancellor Archimandrite Isidore, the church's No. 2 official here.
“The church believes everyone is redeemable. We don't think people are necessarily damaged goods that have to be locked away.”
But Dushkin's investiture appears to violate the Orthodox Church in America's policy on such matters, which states that “no layperson shall commit, attempt to commit, or engage in any act of sexual misconduct.”
Alaska church officials knew about Dushkin's past when they “tonsured” him as a reader for St. Innocent Cathedral at a ceremony in early December.
In 2004 —the year he was charged with 11 sex crimes— Dushkin was a student at St. Herman's Theological Seminary in Kodiak, which prepares students for Orthodox priesthood.
Dushkin could not be reached for comment.
As a reader, he wears robes that identify him as an official celebrant at church services. That's troublesome, said a California woman who runs a Web site that tracks sex abuse in Orthodox churches.
“He's not going to be hearing confessions or blessing houses, but he is going to be wearing a robe during the services, and that gives him an aura of authority”, said Melanie Sakoda, who started www.pokrov.org several years ago in response to allegations of abuse within the church.
“He can come to church, he can go to communion”, Sakoda said. “But he doesn't need to be a reader. He doesn't need to go even that far on the path toward clergy.”
A reader “is regarded as one of the first steps toward priesthood, the first rank or order of priesthood”, said Andrew Jarmus, director of communication for the Orthodox Church in America in Syosset, N.Y.
Jarmus wouldn't comment on Nikolai's choice to tonsure a convicted sex offender.
But Isidore, who said he doesn't think Dushkin has ambitions to become a priest, said readers are like altar boys. They aren't clerics, he said, and they function only under the direction and supervision of a priest.
If anything, Dushkin is under greater supervision as a reader than as a regular member of the church, Isidore said. “It keeps him at the altar.”
The tonsuring of a convicted sex offender wrapped up a difficult year for Alaska's Russian Orthodox Church.
Last summer, national church leaders investigated Isidore on charges of inappropriate sexual conduct with a former missionary. The allegations were dismissed.
“I don't see this as a continuation of the regrettable events of this summer”, he said of the church's choice to tonsure Dushkin.
In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Dushkin was convicted on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and one count of exploitation of a minor, a charge that came from a sex tape featuring him and two females, one of them 17 years old. It was filmed with Dushkin's camera and discovered by police at Dushkin's home in Unalaska, according to court documents.
The rest of the original 11 charges were dismissed.
The convictions involve Dushkin having sex on several occasions, from 2002 to 2004, with girls who were 13 and 14 years when the sex started.
“(W)hat may have been a youthful indiscretion on Mr. Dushkin's part has long since been repented”, Isidore said in a written statement.
In an interview, Isidore claimed Dushkin's crimes weren't predatory in nature. “From my understanding, it was a situation that could be termed statutory rape – which albeit is wrong, but very much different than molesting a child, for example.”
Isidore said church officials consulted an attorney before tonsuring Dushkin.
He said church officials weren't deterred by the sex scandals that have plagued the Roman Catholic Church recently, some of which unfolded in Alaska, where scores of youths were abused by priests and other church officials.
“The church doesn't operate based on public opinion”, Isidore said.
NOTE
The original article dated January 10th appeared at this link:
http://www.adn.com/161/story/260366.html
The story was also picked up by
http://orthodoxreform.org/news/church-gives-sex-offender-a-role-in-step-toward-the-priesthood/
where additional cases of sexual abuse within the Orthodox Church are reported.
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What triggers persecution of religious
institutions?
Do you ever wonder what... triggers persecution of religious institutions?
(1) When the institution that lies, and lies (1) ; and
(2) When the institution “gets in cahoots” with governments to sack and subdue the people. (2) (3)
(2) When the institution “gets in cahoots” with governments to sack and subdue the people. (2) (3)
Why God allows it? Quite simple! (4)
You want proof? The best proof is the reverse: When persecution of the institution is rampant but one segment of it functions, and flourishes, essentially untouched. (5)
Why can man learn this simple concept? Because man, without (the spirit of) God, is incomplete – and an incomplete man is basically stupid and repeats the same mistakes over and over again. Proof? Read six-thousand years worth of history in the Holy Scriptures.
(1) For example...
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Who were “The Three Wise Men” that “following a
star”, searched for the Messiah?
Do you ever wonder who were “The Three Wise Men” or “Three Kings” that, “following a star”, searched for the Messiah?
We read in Matthew 2 that: For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.
These men were Astrologers —not Astronomers but Astrologers— those about whom your parish priest tells you to stay away from.
Well, we also tell you to stay away from them... after all, the last lesson they gave to mankind was to Adore the Savior of Mankind. Adore the One Who later said: If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. [John 15:7]
It logically follows that, if the wisest Astrologers of that time deferred to and adored the one who said to us “...ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Then, we ask one and all – Why should man be chasing Astrologers of today and being ruled by horoscopes when we have a direct connection to the Ruler of the Universe who has made us such promise?
As a full fledged scientist —and recognizing the influence the celestial bodies may have on living organisms— I still say: I place my full trust in God and what He has taught (and continues to teach) us by Word and Deed. If the wisest Astrologers of the time sought Him – He is the One I want to seek and not the astrologers.
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What went wrong with Christianity?
Do you still wonder what went wrong with Christianity (1) —or for that matter— do you question if anything at all (2) did go wrong with Christianity?
If so... What “part of that question” is so hard to understand and/or face?
The New Year dawns with the following news headline: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signaled on Tuesday Israel might have no choice but to share Jerusalem with the Palestinians in a peace deal, citing international pressure for compromise over the holy city. (3)
Would the world be the same today if Christendom had not “set up shop” at the Imperial capital —Rome— and instead had claimed the city soaked with our Savior's Blood, Jerusalem, for its capital? And then... living the teachings of the One Whose Holy Name is liberally used by many institutions to claim undeserving affiliation with Him... invite our elder brothers, Jews, and younger brothers, Muslims, to share it with us?
Oh, but the tinkling of Constantine's coins (4) was just too much to resist... and it seems that it still is. (5)
(3)
News
Report
(5) Oh, how sweet it is!...
Serving Mammon to serve God... and other Fables.
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December
31st, 2008
[Silvester I, Pope (1st Pope after the deliverance of Catholic Church to Emperor Constantine)]
[Silvester I, Pope (1st Pope after the deliverance of Catholic Church to Emperor Constantine)]
Why God continues to allow the misery man brings upon man
apparently without care?
(a) Do you ever wonder why God continues to allow the misery man brings upon man – apparently without care?
also
(b) Do you ever wonder what will take for Him to stop it?
Such truly momentous questions have quite simple and coherent answers – as all that is of God.
First we will deal with (a).
We read in Genesis 1:26 : And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.
Now, God has placed the creation under the management of man.
God also made clear that man had a free will – after all, man was created in His Image. This attribute was demonstrated when God forbade man to eat the fruit of certain trees. If man would not have had a free will, all God had to do is block man from eating from certain trees and not allowing him the freedom of obeying Him or not.
Since then, as we read throughout the entire Old Testament, God has tried to guide mankind to the right path; the right way. Through prophets He communicated the “Why?” of the catastrophes which fell upon mankind as well as the “Why?” of the Blessings He bestowed upon mankind from time to time. All, to no avail.
Since mankind was getting worse —and not better— He sent His Son – Jesus Christ. The Word of God made Flesh; that is, the Living Way. To try to get across mankind —face to face— what He tried before through the Prophets: How to live with justice, thus harmony and peace.
The Word made Flesh was killed; a group sprung from said Word with the intent of, by example and word, taking up where the Master left off and continue to demonstrate the true Way – the Way of God.
Man, exercising His free and inviolable Will, continued to pillage and plunder Creation – Earth, animals and humans. This time, using the Holy Name of Jesus and that of the Prophet Mohammed, as a justification. The offenses to God were then multiplied.
In a last ditch effort —and we are speaking literally— God starts sending Mary (1) to remind one and all to get back to the pre Constantine Gospel (2) . As we recently wrote (3) – through Fatima She warned:
“Humanity has sinned and trampled upon the Grace granted upon it. Order reigns nowhere. satan
has reached the highest positions and determines how things are to evolve. He will succeed in
introducing himself in the highest echelons of the Church. He will succeed in seducing the spirit
of the great wise men who will invent weapons with which half of humanity can be destroyed in just
a few minutes. He will have powerful nations within his empire and will move them to mass produce
those weapons.
If humanity does not take the steps necessary to stop it, I will be forced to let go of My Son's Arm. Then, God will punish mankind in a much more severe manner than He did with the Great Flood. The great and powerful will succumb just as the weak and small.”
If humanity does not take the steps necessary to stop it, I will be forced to let go of My Son's Arm. Then, God will punish mankind in a much more severe manner than He did with the Great Flood. The great and powerful will succumb just as the weak and small.”
This brings us to the answer to question (b)...
Now that we have “...invented weapons with which half of humanity can be destroyed in just a few minutes...” we are capable of annihilating not only half of humanity but all of humanity plus render the planet uninhabitable.
This is where God “drew the line”. The only way He has left to deal with humanity —without violating our free will— is to allow so much destruction and pain (4) upon it that, at least a small group will be left. This group (5) will now “toe God's line” – so much was the suffering they had to endure.
Welcome to the first part of the Apocalypse! (6) or The Good News – Part II
The New Year celebration's “real fireworks” are just around the corner.
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