Friday, October 31, 2008

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Mind Control pt. 1

"Wake up people your under mind control."

Television May Be Doing Your Thinking

(NaturalNews) The world’s biggest leisure activity is watching television. Not walking or reading, not playing games with our children, not engaging with others in outdoor activities. Most of us like to think that television has absolutely no effect on how we think or what we do. We believe that it is a way to relax. Many of us may be surprised to know that television is a controlling medium, relaxing us enough to switch off our analytical brain (the left side of the brain) so that we uncritically, or unlogically, process the information beaming from the television. This means we are less able to make decisions or judgments about what we hear on television.

Our brains undergo a similar process under hypnosis. The similarity between hypnosis and the effects of watching television is unveiled in Dr Aric Sigman’s book called Remotely Controlled. Sigman describes hypnosis as “an altered state of consciousness”; a form of sleepwalking where our mind is influenced by another (the hypnotist or practitioner).

Under hypnosis we become more open to the suggestions of the practitioner and this happens as we are asked to refrain from being critical and relaxed. As we do this, the frontal lobe in our brain alters becoming less connected with the brain so that we switch off. Hypnosis effectively causes a change in the brain so that we use the right side of our brain. What we switch off is the left side used for critical thinking.

While hypnosis may be considered an extreme or unusual solution to certain conditions, it only takes 30 seconds for us to be in a similar state when we switch on the television. Such were the findings from Professor Herbert Krugman in a study conducted in 1971. His conclusion was that we do not think about the information transmitted via television. In other words the way television communicates is a form of brainwashing.

Left in this state for some time can mean that we become less inventive in problem-solving and less able to concentrate. This suits some environments. In the UK, television is used to keep prisoners quiet. It is regarded as one of the best types of control mechanisms by the General Secretary of the Prison Governors’ Association. Prisoners are subjected to the tranquillising effects of television which subdues behaviour, and the other benefit is that it is a cheap and effective way to do that.

The frontal lobe also alters in the brain when watching television. The frontal lobe is an important part of the brain as it is a management type system ensuring that our self-control, moral judgment and attention is planned, organised and sequenced. The concern is that the frontal lobe may be damaged by watching television and this may happen in childhood because the frontal lobe is in a continual stage of development until around 20 years of age.

When children watch television, the frontal lobe is not doing anything with the result that over a period of time this part of the brain doesn’t develop which can then stunt development. A study in The World Federation of Neurology outlined concerns about the impact of visual electronic media (including television) on children because of stunted frontal lobe development which also impacts on their ability to control antisocial behaviour. Playing and interacting with others is recommended to encourage the fibres in the frontal lobe to develop and thicken and to make stronger connections to neurons.

It is not the information itself that causes the problem, but rather the medium. Somehow we are electrically wired to the television enabling information to be absorbed – any information. The medium induces within us a passive state for communication. If we are unconsciously absorbing information, then what is this information doing to the way we think and act? Of course, the medium is a perfect match for advertisers.

How much are we influenced by the opinions of others presented on TV? Ask how you came by that opinion – was it someone else’s opinion that you’ve unconsciously accepted. Is your view of the latest international news event – consider the Russia vs Georgia crisis – shaped by what you hear? For example, I started to believe what I was hearing regarding this ‘crisis’ (ie that one country was the problem), until I was reminded of the history and other related events. Do you find yourself arguing forcefully about an issue then wondered how, or even why, you had that point of view?

The other aspect of television to consider is the amount of negative information that is transmitted. There are a few stories that are uplifting and empowering. Some groups recommend staying away from television particularly the news because of what they see as it’s potential to negatively impact on enthusiasm, positive thinking, and self esteem. Do an experiment and stop watching television for a few days or a week, then assess how you feel in general. Once you start watching television again, reassess.

While we may look after our physical body, eating well and exercising, we also have a duty to look after our mental body, feeding it with positive stimulation. In a positive environment, we become positive, influencing others to be positive.

Source: ‘Weapons of Mass Induction’ an article in Kindred based on an excerpt of a book by Dr Aric Sigman called Remotely Controlled (Kindred 22: Aug 2007 see www.kindredmagazine.com.au)

Sites with suggestions on the use of television with children:

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/...
www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/multiattachm...

Hitler planned 'Big Brother' style television to broadcast Nazi propaganda

Hitler planned 'Big Brother' style television to broadcast Nazi propaganda
By Will Stewart
Last updated at 11:14 PM on 21st October 2008
Comments (0) Add to My Stories Adolf Hitler was on the verge of creating a 'Big Brother' style version of cable television to broadcast Nazi propaganda
Adolf Hitler was on the verge of creating an Orwellian-style cable TV system to broadcast Nazi propaganda around Germany.

Screens would have been set up in public places, including in laundries so housewives could tune in, according to a documentary based on papers and tapes found in his bunker.

When the Allies overran Germany, engineers were on the point of a technological breakthrough to allow TV pictures to be transmitted to screens and sound to radio receivers.

They had also recorded programmes on news, sport and education.

Prototype programmes included Family Chronicles: An Evening With Hans And Gelli, an early reality TV show depicting the wholesome Aryan life of a young German couple for the rest of the population to model themselves on.

Another plan was to show footage of executions of traitors to the Nazis.

The plans first came to light in 1945, when boxes with tapes were found in the ruins of Berlin by Soviet soldiers, the Russian documentary says.

According to the programme, the engineer Walter Bruch was asked to make 'people's television' a reality.

He tabled a document to Hitler called 'Plan to supply people's transmitter to German homes,' and the laying of a broadband cable between Berlin and Nuremberg was begun, it claimed.
Mass television broadcasts by Big Brother were a fundamental part of the regime in Orwell's 1984
A former SS officer, Curt Schulmeitser, told the programme how a relative of Hitler's mistress Eva Braun was filmed being shot after being caught trying to flee Berlin as the Soviet army advanced.
Schulmeitser said Hitler's deputy Heinrich Himmler authorised the filming and hinted it was being filmed for Hitler to watch.
He said: 'Himmler wanted somebody else in a different place to see what was going on.'
Josef Hebbels, who masterminded the plan, told Rudolph Hess's sister Margaret, who was also working on the scheme: 'We'll be able to show whatever we want. We'll create a reality, which the people of Germany need and can copy. Your task is to teach German women to live this way'.
Hitler early on realised the power of television propaganda. His address at the opening ceremony of the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936 was broadcast to system of bulky mobile TV stations where Germans could watch in town squares.
But the programme claims the Nazi leader and his scientists were planning a far more complex series of public TV screens before the allies overran Germany and he committed suicide in 1945.
The scheme is reminiscent of George Orwell's novel 1984, where Big Brother looms out from public screens entreating the subdued populace to work for the state and telling them 'Big Brother is watching you'.
The reality television show, Big Brother, in which contestants are under constant surveillance, is based on Orwell's concept.


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"learn about Propaganda before you vote"

Learn about Propaganda at wikipedia before you vote


Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.

Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial porposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels. A propaganda organization employs propagandists who engage in propagandism—the applied creation and distribution of such forms of persuasion."
Richard Alan Nelson, A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States, 1996

Roderick Hindery argues[1] that propaganda exists on the political left, and right, and in mainstream centrist parties. Hindery further argues that debates about most social issues can be productively revisited in the context of asking "what is or is not propaganda?" Not to be overlooked is the link between propaganda, indoctrination, and terrorism/counterterrorism. He argues that threats to destroy are often as socially disruptive as physical devastation itself.



A series of American propaganda posters during World War II appealed to servicemen's patriotism to protect themselves from venereal disease. The text at the bottom of the poster reads, "You can't beat the Axis if you get VD".
Propaganda also has much in common with public information campaigns by governments, which are intended to encourage or discourage certain forms of behavior (such as wearing seat belts, not smoking, not littering and so forth). Again, the emphasis is more political in propaganda. Propaganda can take the form of leaflets, posters, TV and radio broadcasts and can also extend to any other medium. In the case of the United States, there is also an important legal (imposed by law) distinction between advertising (a type of overt propaganda) and what the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an arm of the United States Congress, refers to as "covert propaganda."

Journalistic theory generally holds that news items should be objective, giving the reader an accurate background and analysis of the subject at hand. On the other hand, advertisements evolved from the traditional commercial advertisements to include also a new type in the form of paid articles or broadcasts disguised as news. These generally present an issue in a very subjective and often misleading light, primarily meant to persuade rather than inform. Normally they use only subtle propaganda techniques and not the more obvious ones used in traditional commercial advertisements. If the reader believes that a paid advertisement is in fact a news item, the message the advertiser is trying to communicate will be more easily "believed" or "internalized."

Such advertisements are considered obvious examples of "covert" propaganda because they take on the appearance of objective information rather than the appearance of propaganda, which is misleading. Federal law specifically mandates that any advertisement appearing in the format of a news item must state that the item is in fact a paid advertisement. The Bush Administration has been criticized for allegedly producing and disseminating covert propaganda in the form of television programs, aired in the United States, which appeared to be legitimate news broadcasts and did not include any information signifying that the programs were not generated by a private-sector news source.[

Propaganda, in a narrower use of the term, connotes deliberately false or misleading information that supports or furthers a political (but not only) cause or the interests of those with power. The propagandist seeks to change the way people understand an issue or situation for the purpose of changing their actions and expectations in ways that are desirable to the interest group. Propaganda, in this sense, serves as a corollary to censorship in which the same purpose is achieved, not by filling people's minds with approved information, but by preventing people from being confronted with opposing points of view. What sets propaganda apart from other forms of advocacy is the willingness of the propagandist to change people's understanding through deception and confusion rather than persuasion and understanding. The leaders of an organization know the information to be one sided or untrue, but this may not be true for the rank and file members who help to disseminate the propaganda.

More in line with the religious roots of the term, it is also used widely in the debates about new religious movements (NRMs), both by people who defend them and by people who oppose them. The latter pejoratively call these NRMs cults. Anti-cult activists and countercult activists accuse the leaders of what they consider cults of using propaganda extensively to recruit followers and keep them. Some social scientists, such as the late Jeffrey Hadden, and CESNUR affiliated scholars accuse ex-members of "cults" who became vocal critics and the anti-cult movement of making these unusual religious movements look bad without sufficient reasons.[3][4]



The much-imitated 1914 "Lord Kitchener Wants You!" poster
Propaganda is a powerful weapon in war; it is used to dehumanize and create hatred toward a supposed enemy, either internal or external, by creating a false image in the mind. This can be done by using derogatory or racist terms, avoiding some words or by making allegations of enemy atrocities. Most propaganda wars require the home population to feel the enemy has inflicted an injustice, which may be fictitious or may be based on facts. The home population must also decide that the cause of their nation is just. Propaganda is also one of the methods used in psychological warfare, which may also involve false flag operations. The term propaganda may also refer to false information meant to reinforce the mindsets of people who already believe as the propagandist wishes. The assumption is that, if people believe something false, they will constantly be assailed by doubts. Since these doubts are unpleasant (see cognitive dissonance), people will be eager to have them extinguished, and are therefore receptive to the reassurances of those in power. For this reason propaganda is often addressed to people who are already sympathetic to the agenda. This process of reinforcement uses an individual's predisposition to self-select "agreeable" information sources as a mechanism for maintaining control.

Propaganda can be classified according to the source and nature of the message. White propaganda generally comes from an openly identified source, and is characterized by gentler methods of persuasion, such as standard public relations techniques and one-sided presentation of an argument. Black propaganda is identified as being from one source, but is in fact from another. This is most commonly to disguise the true origins of the propaganda, be it from an enemy country or from an organization with a negative public image. Grey propaganda is propaganda without any identifiable source or author. A major application of grey propaganda is making enemies believe falsehoods using straw arguments: As phase one, to make someone believe "A", one releases as grey propaganda "B", the opposite of "A". In phase two, "B" is discredited using some strawman. The enemy will then assume "A" to be true.

In scale, these different types of propaganda can also be defined by the potential of true and correct information to compete with the propaganda. For example, opposition to white propaganda is often readily found and may slightly discredit the propaganda source. Opposition to grey propaganda, when revealed (often by an inside source), may create some level of public outcry. Opposition to black propaganda is often unavailable and may be dangerous to reveal, because public cognizance of black propaganda tactics and sources would undermine or backfire the very campaign the black propagandist supported.



Poster for the World War II film The First of the Few (Spitfire)
Propaganda may be administered in insidious ways. For instance, disparaging disinformation about the history of certain groups or foreign countries may be encouraged or tolerated in the educational system. Since few people actually double-check what they learn at school, such disinformation will be repeated by journalists as well as parents, thus reinforcing the idea that the disinformation item is really a "well-known fact", even though no one repeating the myth is able to point to an authoritative source. The disinformation is then recycled in the media and in the educational system, without the need for direct governmental intervention on the media. Such permeating propaganda may be used for political goals: by giving citizens a false impression of the quality or policies of their country, they may be incited to reject certain proposals or certain remarks or ignore the experience of others. See also: black propaganda, marketing, advertising

Common media for transmitting propaganda messages include news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, movies, radio, television, and posters. In the case of radio and television, propaganda can exist on news, current-affairs or talk-show segments, as advertising or public-service announce "spots" or as long-running advertorials. Propaganda campaigns often follow a strategic transmission pattern to indoctrinate the target group. This may begin with a simple transmission such as a leaflet dropped from a plane or an advertisement. Generally these messages will contain directions on how to obtain more information, via a web site, hot line, radio program, et cetera (as it is seen also for selling purposes among other goals). The strategy intends to initiate the individual from information recipient to information seeker through reinforcement, and then from information seeker to opinion leader through indoctrination.

A number of techniques based in social psychological research are used to generate propaganda. Many of these same techniques can be found under logical fallacies, since propagandists use arguments that, while sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid.

Some time has been spent analyzing the means by which propaganda messages are transmitted. That work is important but it is clear that information dissemination strategies only become propaganda strategies when coupled with propagandistic messages. Identifying these messages is a necessary prerequisite to study the methods by which those messages are spread. Below are a number of techniques for generating propaganda: Techniques
See also: doublespeak, cult of personality, spin (politics), demonization, and factoid
Common media for transmitting propaganda messages include news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, movies, radio, television, and posters. In the case of radio and television, propaganda can exist on news, current-affairs or talk-show segments, as advertising or public-service announce "spots" or as long-running advertorials. Propaganda campaigns often follow a strategic transmission pattern to indoctrinate the target group. This may begin with a simple transmission such as a leaflet dropped from a plane or an advertisement. Generally these messages will contain directions on how to obtain more information, via a web site, hot line, radio program, et cetera (as it is seen also for selling purposes among other goals). The strategy intends to initiate the individual from information recipient to information seeker through reinforcement, and then from information seeker to opinion leader through indoctrination.

A number of techniques based in social psychological research are used to generate propaganda. Many of these same techniques can be found under logical fallacies, since propagandists use arguments that, while sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid.

Some time has been spent analyzing the means by which propaganda messages are transmitted. That work is important but it is clear that information dissemination strategies only become propaganda strategies when coupled with propagandistic messages. Identifying these messages is a necessary prerequisite to study the methods by which those messages are spread. Below are a number of techniques for generating propaganda:

Saturday, October 25, 2008

"MORE EYE OPENING VIDEO'S"

www.youtube.com/tabcorpx2

Friday, October 24, 2008

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Saturday, October 11, 2008

"Mind Control"

"Negus"

The black race since slavery, has tried to soften the blow of its horrendous effects in every way possible.
We have gone as far as to convert the derogatory term “Nigger” to “Nigga” in hopes of transforming the word itself into something positive. The fact still remains that “Nigger” or any other word derived from this term, should never be used to characterize Black People. Our ancestors were made to believe that they were lesser forms of the human race, and even today, centuries after the fact, racism is still in effect.

So why is the life of this word being prolonged? Why is it allowed to be used as everyday slang, even leaking into the vocabulary of other races. This word is a depiction of ignorance, iniquity, and of all things negative. Every time you use the word “Nigga” you are re-opening a wound in your ancestors back, re-lynching the dead, and denying simple human rights. Why regress, when Leaders in our community like Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X, have died trying their hardest to move forward.
Well, today is the day to walk in a new direction, to eradicate the negative and to embrace a new beginning. The word Negus, looking very much like the “N” word, but possessing a more superior and inspirational meaning, is a much better choice of word that can and should be used to distinguish our people. Negus is an Ethiopian word subsequently used to interpret the word King. Today, it is a common term defining anyone in power or of high stature.

The Negus Movement asks this question, “Are you a Negus” or are you a “Nigga”
Will you build yourself up from the foundation set by mighty Ethiopian Kings, or will you continue to waver upon the foundation of the word “Nigger” Do you have what it takes to wear this crown, to overcome the trials and tribulations set forth by ignorance, or will you continue on that unfortunate journey of self-degradation.
“The Negus makes the crown… are you a Negus”?

Negro,Nigger,Nigga=Negus subsequently used to translate the word "king"

Negus (Ge'ez ንጉሥ, nigūś, Amharic nigūs; cf. Tigrinya ነጋሽ negāš) is a title in Ge'ez, Tigrinya, Tigre and Amharic, used for a king and at times also a vassal ruler in pre-1974 Ethiopia and pre-1890 Eritrea. It is subsequently used to translate the word "king" in Biblical and other literature. It is a noun derived from the ancient Semitic verbal root N - G - Ś meaning "to reign."

In more recent times it was used as an honorific title bestowed on governors of the most important provinces (kingdoms): Gojjam, Welega and the seaward kingdom (where the variation Bahr Negus 'King of the Sea', was the ancient title of the ruler of present-day central Eritrea) and later Shewa.

Both uses and the imperial dignity would meet in the person of a regional prince, Lij Kassa Hailu, third youngest son of Dejazmach Hailu Wolde-Giyorgis, Governor of Qwara province, by his second wife Woizero Attitaggab, who rebelled against Empress Menen and her son Ras Ali II the Viceroy, in 1845 and spent the next nine years alternating between rebellion and submisison until he was proclaimed as Negus at Amba Chera, (19 September 1854), and after the battle of Derasge proclaimed himself Emperor 8 February 1855 and was crowned as Tewodros II, at Derasge Maryam the next day.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

One Blood

Thursday, October 02, 2008

"How They use BLACK to scare us from the TRUTH"

I have been looking at videos on here, that mentions the new world order with a slew of occult symbols like the swatiska, all seeing eye, etc and we are told that its evil...

I then see videos from Hemmit etc, that these same symbols are not. From my research I know that the swatiska, is really a symbol of a chakra-and translated into 'spinning vortex' Hitler inverted it for occult purposes (now you do realize hitler used high ceremonial magick..or the occult to do some of the things he did) hence making the swatiska evil. The masonic symbols, i hear over and over as being evil, but from reading the lessor Keys of Solomon, and the 6th and 7th books of moses, both figures used those symbols for divination, decimating their enemies, and to obtain knowledge. Now, i'm finding out 666 is NOT evil...our hair follicle comes out like a 9 (blks-curl) and 6 (whites- straight) yet Dr. Sebi says that the concentration of carbon determines ones blackness...which everyone knows carbon has 6 protons, 6 neutrons and 6-8 electrons..(666=blks) So...i know we may not come to a unified conclusion on this, but I will ask anyway. Can someone give me some clarity on this? are we going to A. look at these symbols as evil based on the lower dimensional beings (LDB) inverting them and using them for their selfish means, B. look at them as good since they are of our (blk) creation and start researching how they are used and using them as such, or C. real-izing, these symbols in the wrong hands are controlling us, and just by understanding the origins we can combat it? or maybe its a b, and c.
Tags: 666, beast, bible, chakra, hitler, masonry, masons, occults, swatiska, symbols

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Permalink Reply by Nuniak418 on September 15, 2008 at 1:49am
Signs and Symbols of Primordial Man, was written by a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Freemason, who was also an avid student of Gerald Massey, who wrote Ancient Egypt The Light of the World). His name is Albert Churchward.

In that book he traced (ALL) so-called hidden (Occultic) symbols back to Ancient Afrika, and the primordial people who are BLACK!





One must keep in mind that (WE) Black people are devils and evil to the survival of so-called White People! On the other hand White People are evil to (WE) because they threaten our very existence.

The problem Black people face is that which was up has been inverted and that which is wrong has been inverted.

We have been taught that what was sacred to US is now evil. This gave the European the opportunity to use (steal and corrupt) our sacred knowledge and symbols.

They even took it upon themselves to use the knowledge to extend their longevity, uplift some of them, and empower themselves to keep US in economic and political servitude.

While they studied the Coming Forth By Day (Pert Em Hru), they gave US the Bible (King James Version) instilled fear in US, and taught us to stay away came our Ancient Ancestors knowledge; why they examine it and use it to empower themselves (over) US!.

I tell my Brothers and Sisters, to go to the Barnes and Nobles, and Half Price Book Stores, but go to the Metaphysics/Occult Sections. Look under the titles of SATANISM, and they will be amazed at the volumes of sacred knowledge/wisdom hidden in books with strange sounding titles, harboring the Sacred Jewels of Our Ancestors!

*************************************************************
This is why I say, ((((ALL)))) organized religions are keep our people in the WORST kind of modern day slavery.
*************************************************************

When I watched Star Wars some years ago, I realize one underlining theme.

"Its about the DARKSIDE!"

Until (WE) are ready to embrace the Darkside, (where our sacred knowledge is hidden) we will NEVER truly be LIBERATED!

One more word or two. Isn't it written (hidden) in the Bible:

Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness!"


Come and share your wisdom with us:
http://letsgetfree.ning.com/group/occultmetaphysicalwisdom

Ma'at Hetep

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Permalink Reply by Eminence on September 15, 2008 at 1:55am
that makes perfect sense....Now the question is: Do the people on this forum know how to differentiate between the two? since we see videos that either preaching OUR symbols as bad, and others preaching OUR symbols as good. LOL i wish we could all get on one accord. But we all develop at different rates mentally spiritually, and phsyically A2A

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Permalink Reply by Prof. I Self on September 15, 2008 at 8:41am
Peace Sister!

No, they will not all see it,like this and I am sure those who are "concrete" in self, application and research will know the difference, really the difference is interpretation. The Judeo Christian view is "hard" on these symbols, but go look closely at the gigantic monolithic churches of Europe and some places in America and you will see the Lunar and Stellar mythos symbolized all through the "stained glass" the actual building itself has symbols etched into the churches and many of the3 Churches of Europe were built on so called "pagan" land/sites!

We will not all wake up at once, very dangerous for, it is a process, and guess what not all will wake up!

Peace
Prof. I Self

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Permalink Reply by Prof. I Self on September 15, 2008 at 8:36am
Peace!

Sign and Symbols of Primordial Man, as well as The Natural Genesis by Massey and the Book of The Beginnings! Exactly every "school" of thought came out of Kemet, been saying this for ages, evrything. I Am a Master of the Occult, I am the Serpent that Feed Eve. These symbols are extremely ancient and full of power, I fly our symbols all day long, they are apart of my makeup and I know how to "utilize" them also. There is no Good or Evil in Occult, there is just man and his "thoughts" which take on "form" when manifested!
I Am a "Shadow Walker" literally, good topic! I have been called Satan, Antichrist etc...lol! Because I am Anti man made religion!

Peace
Prof. I Self

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Hollywood Making Black Men Wear Dresses


Find more videos like this on THE LIBERATION UNIT

Should A Christian Vote?

Should a Christian Vote?
By COGwriter


The world is a complicated place with many types of problems. In the world's so-called democracies, politicians campaign to persuade us to vote for them so that they can help solve these problems. In the U.S.A., election issues and problems usually include the economy, environment, crime, international leadership, defense, and a host of social concerns. Community leaders with different ideas wish to persuade us that their group's choice is the one that will be best for the country.

Many of these leaders bring religion into the campaign.

Should Christians vote? The Bible teaches that Christians should follow Jesus' example (Phil 2:5). So if Jesus was an American citizen, would He vote?

Some seem to think that Jesus would vote for members of the Democratic party, because Democrats are perceived by some to be more compassionate than Republicans. Others feel certain that Jesus would vote for Republicans because Republicans are perceived by some to be more "pro-life" (anti-abortion) than Democrats. Some others, noting hypocrisy in both major parties, feel that Jesus would vote for the candidates offered by the smaller political parties due to their personalities or views on different subjects.

Democracy

Democracy was known before the time of Christ. In ancient Greece, all the male citizens were expected to vote on the the issues facing their society. The Greeks introduced the concept of democracy to the Romans. The Romans (who were somewhat skeptical of the Greek model) set up a modified form of democracy called a republic. In a republic, elected representatives are supposed to vote for their interpretation of the will of the people. The U.S., other "democracies" of the world (with Switzerland as perhaps the most notable exception as it is more patterned after the Greek model), and even many churches are patterned after the Roman model.

Most people in western societies seem to feel that some form of democracy is the best form of government. Would God agree? The Bible warns us, "there is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" (Prov 16:25). It also warns us, "It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jer 10:23).

In Genesis 2:17 God warned Adam and Eve to not partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Adam and Eve did not listen to God. After listening to Satan, they decided that they did not need to listen to God but that they should decide for themselves (Gen 3:1-6). This is the first recorded act of human democracy in action.

Nowhere in the entire Bible do we see God sanctioning democracy.

The Bible shows that God appointed his leaders and made them known to his people. From Enoch to Noah to Moses to David to the Prophets to Jesus and even to the Apostles, we read nothing about God encouraging democracy. Actually according to the Bible, democracy is condemned. When Samuel was God's appointed leader/judge, the majority of the people wanted a king like the rest of the world. Even though there appeared to have been legitimate criticisms of Samuel's leadership, God told Samuel that the people had rejected God and not Samuel (I Sam 8:1-9). The Bible says it was evil in the sight of God for the people to ask to have a government like the other nations around them (I Sam 12: 17).

The Bible teaches that God sets up as leaders whomever He wants (Dan 4:17). The Bible records incidences of religious leaders who felt that they were as good as the ones that God appointed, but God had other ideas. For example, Korah (who was a religious leader and a Levite) was apparently in favor of voting and a republican form of government (which is what, the United States, for example, claims to have). After assembling 250 supporters (who were community leaders/representatives) he said to Moses and Aaron,

You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (Num 16:3).

God clearly did not agree with Korah's assessment and God decreed death to Korah and his followers (Num 16:32). When some of the people thought that God's punishment was excessive, God also severely punished them (Num 16:49). Thus, God did not sanction voting in a republican form of government.

The New Testament

If democracy was to be sanctioned in the Bible for Christians, most certainly it would be sanctioned in the New Testament. Greek and Roman ways were widely known. In the New Testament we read of Jesus appointing apostles. Paul writes that God first appoints apostles, secondarily prophets, etc. for the edifying the body of Christ (Eph 4:11,12). When Judas needed to be replaced (after his betrayal of Jesus and his suicide), the apostles did not have an election, they followed the Biblical example of seeking God's will:

You, O Lord, who know hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen...And they cast their lots. (Acts 1:24,26).

Notice the apostles did not decide that they were qualified to see into a person's heart.

Some have written that various forms of democracy are now acceptable because they believe certain scriptures in the the book of Acts imply it. The primary verses appear to be in the story of Acts 15. In Acts 15 many of the apostles and elders met together to discuss circumcision and Gentile believers. A multitude of counselors was used to discuss the matter. Some feel that using counsel is indicative of democracy. However, the fact that a multitude of counselors was used does not change God's form of government. In the Old Testament we read that not only has God always encouraged this practice (Prov 11:14), we also read that God himself engaged in it (II Chron 18;18-21); thus the fact that some of the Church leadership followed this practice only shows that God's governmental practices from the Old Testament were to be continued.

It is interesting to note something else mentioned in the Book of Acts,

"And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God" (Acts 5:38-39)

Those who vote in worldly elections apparently believe they know aspects of the plan of God that there is no human way they could know. Yet, look at what God said to Samuel, one clearly called and appointed by God, when Samuel thought he knew who should be the next king over Israel,

So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:6-7).

It is also interesting to realize that many who believe that the New Testament sanctions democracy also believe that God's future ruling government (in the Kingdom of God) will not be a democracy.

Jesus told the apostles that they would be rulers over the twelve tribes of Israel in his kingdom (Luke 22:30). Jesus chose the disciples, they did not get their positions from any form of democracy (John 15:16; 6:70). God, not man, chose David to be king over Israel originally (Acts 13:22) and has also chosen him to be king over all Israel in the world ahead (Jer 30:9).

By the way, Jesus said that God the Father has reserved who will have certain positions of authority in the kingdom of God (Mat 20:23). The rewards in the kingdom will be Jesus' to give (Rev 22:12); they will not be for the people to take for themselves.

Democracy will not be God's form of government in His kingdom.

Why?

One of the many problems of voting is that no human thinks the way God does.

'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways', says the LORD (Is 55:8).

When Jesus was on Earth he proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom of God and told people to repent (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus refused to participate in even the most elementary governmental decisions while he was on the earth (Luke 12:13-14).

Although Jesus taught that we were to pay taxes (Mat 22:17-21), He also taught that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Jesus taught His disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to everyone (Mat 28:19,20). Jesus said that His disciples were to be in the world, but not of it (John 17:16).

The apostle Peter clearly understood this. He wrote that being part of God's people made one part of a holy nation (I Pet 2:9). The apostle Paul wrote that this present world was evil (Gal 1:4). The Bible warns of the consequences of being part of the world's systems and its governments and tells us to come out of it and to be separate (Rev 18:2-5).

Look at what the Bible teaches will happen in the Last Days and what Christians are to do about it,

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Tim 3:1-5).

Note that God's word does not encourage voting as the solution.

Paul said that Christians are to be ambassadors for Christ (II Cor 5:20). Ambassadors often live in alien nations, some of which are clearly hostile to their beliefs. Ambassadors, though they live in other societies, do not involve themselves in the politics of the societies that they live in. There is a time for God's people to take over the governments of this world, but it is not yet (John 18:36, Dan 7:17-18). It will be after the second coming of Jesus (I Thes 4:16, Rev 11:15).

To Christians, Peter wrote,

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men (1 Peter 2:9-15).

Aliens, of course, do not vote.

Now the Bible does mention one particular vote by the Apostle Paul (while he was still Saul and thus unconverted). Notice what he later said about it:

Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them (Acts 26:9-10).

And while the above is not of itself a blanket condemnation of all voting, it is the only time the word "vote" or "voting" is in the Bible. And it does show that even religiously zealous/conservative individuals do not always vote correctly and can do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Even Some Roman Catholics Understand Some of the Problems in Democracies

Zenit.org, a Vatican-supporting news source, reported the following given by a Roman priest named Michael Hull:

"Democracy" is difficult to define, and its foundations are difficult to articulate, because the word is used in many and diverse ways, especially by special-interest groups including political parties, the media, and governments.

At its root, democracy means "rule by the people" (Greek: democratia)...

Without the recognition of the primacy of natural law, democracies are condemned to little more than tyranny of the majority, not to mention a plethora of social and moral evils.

The single, clearest example of such evil is found with respect to every human being's right to life. Recall for a moment those millions upon millions of babies legally murdered in their mothers' wombs in so-called democracies like the United States and most European countries...

But we know for sure that something better is coming along at the end of time: the reign of Christ the King (The Foundations of Democracy According to Theologian Father Michael Hull. Zenit.org September 1, 2006 Code: ZE06090135).

While we in the Living Church of God would have used the term God's law instead of natural law, in general we agree that rule by the majority can lead to tyranny as well as to many social and moral evils. We also agree that Christ will reign, and that form of governance is much better than democracy.

What Should We Do About Leaders?

If Christians are not supposed to vote, what should we do about leaders?

Pray for them!

Notice what Paul wrote:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (1 Tim 2:1-3).

Notice that we are to pray for worldly leaders and those that have authority over us so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life.

We are also to pray for our spiritual leaders. Notice what Jesus taught:

The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:2).

Notice what Paul taught:

Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess 5:25).

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith (2 Thess 3:1-2).

Many people apparently are not satisfied with these biblical admonitions. And while I can certainly understand that people want to do more, people often forget that God inspired Jeremiah to write:

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jer 10:23).

Also notice what Hosea was inspired to write:

Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually (Hos 12:6).

Some of those that vote seem to forget what God said:

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts..."(Isa 55:8-9).

'This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.' (Daniel 4:17).

It may be of interest to point out that Jesus suggested that people would take matters in their own hands thinking that they are doing God a service (John 16:2). And while this referred to killing, the principle is still that one should not violate what God instructs and justify it by thinking that God wants one to.

Should a Christian vote? Christians are not to be part of this world (Rev 18:1-4), but are to be ambassadors for Christ (II Cor 5:20). True Christians "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev 12:17).

Jesus did not vote while He was on this earth. A Christian ambassador should follow the leadership of Jesus Christ and the Bible and not vote.

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B. Thiel. Should a Christian Vote? www.cogwriter.com/vote.htm (c) 1998/2004/2006/2007/2008 0327.

Appendix A Religious Leaders

Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote about Jesus' idea of governance:

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Also, God has not left us without any guidance to know who his leaders are. Jesus said that His religious leaders on the earth would be known for their fruits:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Mat 7:15-20).

Notice He did not say that you will know them because they got the most votes.

Jesus also continued with,

Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Mat 7:21-23).

Those leaders who do not preach obeying the laws of God are false prophets even if they talk about Jesus (Mat 7:15,22,23). Obeying the laws of God certainly includes preaching the gospel to all the world (Mat 28:19,20) in order to bring forth good fruit (Mat 7:17-20). Therefore, the true leaders that God has appointed preach the gospel, do not preach lawlessness, and obey the laws of God themselves.

More on church governance is included in the article Herbert W. Armstrong and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government.

More about religious leaders can be found in the article Unity: Which COG for You? And to a lessor degree in the article Attending the Church of Choice.

"Your Mind is Being Controlled"