Religion & Spirituality - 15 February 2007

How can people not see the influences of God and Satan? Whenever people kill another person they say, I don't know why I did, something was just telling me to. And all the time you hear people say I don't know how I was not killed, something just stopped--------------- How can people deny these two such total opposite forces?

2007-02-15 11:52:14 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Im so confused please tell me some stuff and how can i get more involved with God i have no one to talk to and im having trouble beliving im only 14 please help me :) Thanks

2007-02-15 11:49:33 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous

Faith Under Fire
North Korea's attacks on Christians unabated*
50 worst persecutors include Syria, described by Rick Warren as 'moderate'
Posted: February 9, 2007

North Korea's city of Pyongyang, a mission field for Christians

North Korea, where tens of thousands of Christians are kept in prison
camps and tortured, many times to death, remains the No. 1 nation in the
world for persecuting believers, according to a new report from Open
Doors USA.

Less than two weeks ago there were reports that four Christians had been
executed in North Korea because of their Christian faith. One incident
involved a woman and her grandmother who were washing clothes when a New
Testament fell out of the woman's clothing. Both she and her grandmother
were executed for that offense.

And the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom repeatedly
has recommended the U.S. Department of State list North Korea as among
its "countries of particular concern" for its "egregious and systematic
human rights violations" including policies that disallow any Christian
faith.

"It is certainly not a surprise that North Korea remains No. 1. There is
no other country in the world where Christians are being persecuted in
such a horrible and systematic manner," said Carl Moeller, president of
Open Doors USA.

He said the organization is sponsoring a Prayer Campaign specifically
for Christians in North Korea, and will hold a North Korea Freedom Week
in April to publicize how Christians in free parts of the world can help.

In 2006 a series of reports on Christian persecution in North Korea,
including reports from those who have worked inside the restricted
nation, reports from those who risk their lives by going into North
Korea to minister, those who see the Christians' testimony and are drawn
to it, and those who have died in their Christian witness.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia and Maldives also were listed by Open Doors
in the top five, a list that was unchanged from the organization's World
Watch List from 2006. Yemen, which was No. 8 a year ago, Bhutan (No. 6),
Vietnam (No. 7), Laos (No. 9) and Afghanistan (No. 11) are in positions
6-10, the group said.

The conditions for Christians deteriorated in 2006 in countries like
Uzbekistan, Eritrea, Comora, Iraq, northern Nigeria, Algeria,
Mauritania, Turkey, Ethiopia and northeast Kenya, the report said.

"In No. 21 Iraq, there were reports of increased violence specifically
targeted at Christians in addition to the daily violence. Iraq's
Christian population is estimated to have dropped below 450,000, half
the size in 1991," the report said.
The situation in Syria, ranked No. 45 and described overall as having
"some limitations" on Christianity, the fourth-most severe category in
the report, became an issue in 2006 when Pastor Rick Warren of the
megachurch Saddleback Church in California was quoted by the official
government-sponsored news agency in Syria as praising the government there.

The comments by Warren, which also were documented on a videotape posted
briefly in the Internet, came as he visited that Middle East nation, and
arrived first from SANA, the Syrian Arab News Agency.

He was quoted by the Syrian media and said on the Internet video that
the Middle Eastern home base for terrorism is a "moderate" nation.

Warren reported Christianity and Judaism both are legal, and Christians
enjoy some privileges even Muslims don't receive within a governmental
structure that formally allows for faith in Christ and adherence to the
Torah.

According to SANA, Warren said "many Americans don't realize that both
Christianity and Judaism are legal in Syria. In addition, the government
provides free electricity and water to all churches; allows pastors to
purchase a car tax-free (a tax break not given to Muslim imams);
appoints pastors as Christian judges to handle Christian cases; and
allows Christians to create their own civil law instead of having to
follow Muslim law."

The agency also reported:

* "Pastor Warren hailed the religious coexistence, tolerance and
stability that the Syrian society is enjoying due to the wise leadership
of President al-Assad, asserting that he will convey the true image
about Syria to the American people."

* "Syria wants peace, and Muslims and Christians live in this country
jointly and peacefully since more than a thousand years, and this is not
new for Syria."

* Warren told Syria's Islamic grand mufti there could be no peace in the
region without Syria and 80 percent of Americans reject the U.S.
administration's policies and actions in Iraq.

Others, however, noted in editorials that his praise for the Syrian
regime either was misdirected or improper.


Jim Jacobson, president of Christian Freedom International, said that
Christians are fleeing Iraq to go to Syria because of the threat of
violence in Iraq, but they then find that Syria's persecution of
Christians is "ruthless."

Media attention was focused on North Korea during 2006 because of its
launch of missiles and purported nuclear weapons test, "which meant
increased pressure for Christians," the report said. "Open Doors
uncovered information which indicates that more Christians were arrested
in 2006 than in 2005. Between 50,000 and 70,000 Christians are currently
suffering in prison camps. Many of them are tortured. Others are still
putting their lives at risk by trying to flee to China," the report said.

In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslim worship is prohibited and conversion to
Christianity can mean the death penalty, the report said. Islam is the
majority religion in six of the Top Ten nations on the persecution list,
communism is the government in control in three such cases, and Buddhism
controls in the last.

Open Doors estimates 200 million Christians around the world are subject
to interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, and
another 200 million – at least – face discrimination and alienation. The
group, which was founded by the Dutch Missionary Brother Andrew when he
was smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain, works to support and
strengthen Christians in the world's most persecuted areas through Bible
and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and help,
Christian community development and advocacy.

"If we are going to make a difference for the church in these oppressive
areas, the first step is awareness, which makes the World Watch List an
extremely important took," said Johan Companien, president of Open Doors
International. "Then we must pray and act to bring about change."

Jeff Taylor, vice president of development and communications, said over
the last decade the plight of persecuted Christians has been publicized
more than ever before. "Now … it's common to see even secular press
coverage of attacks on Christians," he said.

He warns, however, no one can become complacent.

"My concern is whether the positive growing in reporting is resulting in
a corresponding loss of interest – a kind of 'Christian persecution news
fatigue,'" he said. "We can't let that happen. When you realize hundreds
of Christians are imprisoned for their faith in one country alone –
Eritrea (No. 13) – it should cause us to redouble our prayers and
efforts to help."

The list – and an expanded description of the Christian situation in
those countries with the worst records – is available at OpenDoorsUsa.org.

It details how, for example, in Uzbekistan, a "period of heavy Christian
persecution" has developed following the government's suppression of a
popular uprising about 18 months ago.

"The people of Uzbekistan consider Christians as followers of a western
religion or members of an extremist sect. In 2006 many expatriate
Christian workers were deported from Uzbekistan. In June the government
launched a new law that punishes printing of religious books with three
years in prison," the report noted.

In Eritrea, four religious groups are authorized and, "anyone caught
worshipping outside the four recognized religious institutions, even in
private homes, has been subjected to arrest, torture…" The report
described the situation of 15 Christians who escaped a military camp,
where they had been kept in metal shipping containers, in May.

"They escaped at great risk into the desert bordering Djibouti. Five of
the men died of exposure and the remaining 10 disappeared without any
indication whether they have made it across the Djibouti border," the
report said.

In Iraq, where the U.S. military is trying to stabilize the situation,
Christian churches are being bombed and priests kidnapped. In Nigeria,
the imposition of Islamic law has contributed to riots that destroyed
more than 50 Christian churches and triggered the murders of 60
Christian church members in Borno and Niger states alone.

Another long list of churches, along with 20 Christian homes and 40
shops, were destroyed in one region after a Christian woman was accused
of blaspheming Muhammad in Nigeria.

2007-02-15 11:49:06 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

He did not honor the religion of his people...he rebelled, he was a trouble maker and his "fruit" was the Holocaust

2007-02-15 11:48:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

And how do we know it is the right one?

2007-02-15 11:47:50 · 32 answers · asked by I'm Still Here 5

2007-02-15 11:47:48 · 12 answers · asked by ? 2

2007-02-15 11:46:05 · 10 answers · asked by angelique1225 5

What will you be doing as your Lenten Sacrafice?

2007-02-15 11:45:37 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

Me again. If the secular humanistic ad nauseum ad popularum yields ergo the caveat emptor of e plauribus unum, then one must logically conclude that the barney the dinosaurus is the only moral code of erectus fallaticillus. Wouldn't then this imply that the atheistic modus operandi fail under its own premises with respect to the existential and fundamental driving force for species survival? Ergo, this thus proves by a contratio the a fortiori argument of Divinus Realitus which negates the atheistic position and provces a priori the existence of God.

2007-02-15 11:44:50 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-02-15 11:44:39 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

i miss worded my last question and gave the wrong impression. this is what i meant.

Serious answers please.

2007-02-15 11:43:45 · 19 answers · asked by Thumbs down me now 6

Asrtology is a joke. The stars and planets have nothing to do with your life. I am not trying to be rude or insult but i feel simple minded ppl go for astrology. Its a scam and not a science. They did asrology 2500 years ago... its bs please dont pay ppl your money.

2007-02-15 11:42:15 · 37 answers · asked by Green Meds 3

Quran 18:86 “(Zul-qarnain TRAVELLED till) when he reached the setting of the sun, he FOUND IT set IN A SPRING of murky water: NEAR IT (sun in spring) he found a People” http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/018.qmt.html#018.086

Read any Quran translation you find credible. The link I provide is from the most popular Islamic website amongst muslims and provides several translations side by side (cant beat that, but try).

Aya 18:86 in the Quran is literally the most perfect religious textual error ever written. Paradoxical I know, but see if you dont agree.

First, HISTORICALLY speaking, in Muhammad's time, the belief that the sun actually sets into a place on earth was very common. People literally watched it set, and not knowing any better, thought that its set into the earth itself, cause it looks that way visually (when you dont know any better).

Now try this. Suppose you REALLY DID BELIEVE the sun set into the earth. Try expressing this falsehood more clearly than 18:86 does.

2007-02-15 11:41:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-02-15 11:41:20 · 4 answers · asked by Gabby 1

Becoming so intelligent they can build the Tower of Babble and kick Gods Butt?

2007-02-15 11:41:09 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

What do you think about it?

2007-02-15 11:40:00 · 4 answers · asked by lord_makus 2

1The Sumerian king list, one of history's first mentions of a great flood 2The Gilgamesh Epic on Tablet 11 3Ur, hometown of Abraham 4Beni Hasan Tomb painting 5The law code of Hammurapi 6Boghazkoy, Hittite Capital 7Nuzi Tablets 8Haran, Home of the Patriarchs 9Shechem 10Pithom and Raamses, Store Cities of the Pharaoh 11Horned Altars 12Merneptah Stele 13The oldest Picture of Israelites 14Ruins of Jericho 15the Philistines and the temple of Rameses iii 16Canaanite Gods and Goddesses 17Dan, Israel's Norhternmost City 18Megiddo 19Ashkelon, Philistine Seaport 20Gezer, Gift to King Solomon 21Shiloh, first home of the ark of the covenant 22Shishak's Invasion Record 23Beth Shemesh 24Ashdod, where Dagon fell 25Pool at Gieon 26Gibeah, king Sau's Capital 27Beth Shean 28 King Davids Jerusalem 29 The house of David inscription 30Beersheba 31Samaria 32Hazor 33Ivory ornaments 34The Gezar calendar 35House of Yahweh Ostracon 36 seals form the royal courts of Israel and Judah WAIT BEFORE YOU ANSWER

2007-02-15 11:39:21 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-02-15 11:39:11 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

ARRRRGH! Infidels make me so ANGRY!

2007-02-15 11:38:06 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

I think we all need something to believe in and I'd like to believe that some people can "see" the future. I'd really like to know what people think about this.

I am seeing my first one next week.

2007-02-15 11:38:02 · 24 answers · asked by FireBug 5

2007-02-15 11:37:47 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

Need help~!~!~!~!~!?
i am a single mother (widowed) with two special needs boys ...i make 1,800 a month and pay 1,400 in rent...i NEED to find away to make more income as you can see...and it has to be a job ect(in home) where i can take care of my children ....does any one know where i can find out information to do this that is LAGIT~?
and not a scam...i have seen enough of those~!

thank-you

2007-02-15 11:37:41 · 5 answers · asked by k walker 1

Do you ever just go to their site and read the ones they've asked or do you wait and answer the ones that come up as they are?

2007-02-15 11:36:51 · 7 answers · asked by Midge 7

my two year old son is hopelessly addicted to scooby-doo shaped fruit snacks, and it is driving us to the poor house. what should i do?

2007-02-15 11:35:05 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

I do. Our God is an awesome God! He reigns from Heaven above! With wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God!

2007-02-15 11:32:40 · 32 answers · asked by Evan Spear 1

2007-02-15 11:32:29 · 76 answers · asked by :D 1

Jesus Christ is the answer to all of life's questions. Visit abasn.homestead.com. Click Know Jesus tab.

2007-02-15 11:31:30 · 10 answers · asked by Daniel 2

My seminary teacher, about a year ago asked me this same question, at the time I said that I would say "If you join my church, I'll make all of your wildest fantasies come true."

I think, in addition to this, I would preach an "alternative" translation of Genesis 28:22 (among other scriptures) in which instead of a tenth, my church members would be commanded to give an eighth.

At that point, I would essentially set up a pyramid scam, in which I would take ten percent of the money that I take in and make the smartest contributors' wildest dreams come true. I would take the remaining two and a half percent for myself and hope that the intellectually inferior would forget the promise that I made to them.

I just want to know how you would do it.

2007-02-15 11:30:30 · 11 answers · asked by www 2

Currently I am an Athiest, but I am open to suggestions.

2007-02-15 11:30:13 · 18 answers · asked by clockworkod 2

And when the brain dies, how does this 'thinking' soul float away without a brain? Can a soul think?--assuming you believe that the soul will be fully aware as the person you are, just like people profess with their near death experiences...
How is a soul able to think and feel without a brain?

and does that mean animals can't think and feel, because they don't possess a soul, since you must think it is your soul which is responsible for thoughts and feelings, not your brain?

2007-02-15 11:29:22 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous