Posted on 09/04/2010 6:50:17 AM PDT by RJR_fan
At least 50 children were sexually and physically abused at a boarding school in Senegal, Africa, in the 1980s, according to a new report. The report estimates that 22 to 27 children whose parents were missionaries for Florida-based New Tribes Mission were sexually abused while 35 were physically and emotionally abused. New Tribes had retained Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) to conduct the study and acknowledged that there was abuse. The report says children were not allowed to complain about the school's conditions. "They were repeatedly told by those in authority at Fanda that such complaints would hinder their parents' work and result in Africans going to hell," the report said. "In some cases, their letters were censored of all bad news in the name of the Lord's work. The authority of Fanda dorm parents over the children was allowed to trump that even of the parents in their children's lives."
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.christianitytoday.com ...
He was also a failure as a Christian witness.
Sunday got the chance to "go national" 20 years early, when a cabal of "robber barons" hired him to administer "the opium of the people" to a restless working class population. They paid his bills and organized his logistics -- and all he had to pay was -- his four children. Just that one small sacrifice. Farm them out to hired keepers, so they won't distract from the really important work.
The oldest child, a daughter, died of a childhood illness. The next oldest, a son, by his own hand. All three boys sought solace in booze, broads, and boodle -- when brought into the family business, they found it all too easy to dip their hands into the till.
So, how much good did Mr. Sunday do? His landmark achievement, Prohibition, was a fool's errand, a project to compel his fellow Americans, Christian and unbeliever alike, to be "holier" than Jesus. His "success" there discredited public, civic, Christianity for a century.
Well, how about all the people who "got saved?" Don't they matter? IMHO, no. Billy Graham's research indicates that only 4% of those who "go forward" at his "crusades" actually experience real conversion. 96% are temporarily hornswoggled by an experience of mass hypnotism, which is shaken off soon after they leave the parking lot. If Billy Sunday had comparable results, using a comparable technique, his million converts may have been 40,000.
Yet, "if any man care not for his own, specially they of his own household, he is worse than an infidel, and has denied the faith."
This does make us stop and THINK.
This type of activity and much worse, are the result of organized religion. The practices of religions are evil and an obamanation to God. Religion comes in a multitude of shapes, sizes, practises. A very simple study of the Word of God demonstrates that religions have everything to do with Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ has nothing to do with religions.
The formations of religions are a result of the (satanic policy of evil), which is a constant, consistent assault on the Word of God. These religions all portend to be the true religion, how sick are their perversions.
Yes I paint with a broad brush...all organized religions are abominations.
If you are practicing this foolishness you should quit immediately and begin to study the bible for yourself. Trusting a man who has been taken captivity by the snare of the devil into organized religion, to preach to you and to teach you will lead to destruction.
BEWARE: The who stand behind pulpits, those who wear robes and uniform and those who are commonly dressed. Will tell you to check what they preach in the Word, and the point to the scripture that qualifies their teaching and preaching. This is a satanic trick to deceive the unlearned. As so called laymen ascend the ladder of the religious structure, they are taught to confirm and practice these deceptions. Trust no man as pertaining to the Word of God. Our trust and faith should be in the LORD Jesus Christ and His Word alone.
2Tim2:15 STUDY to shew THYSELF approved unto God, a workman THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The next verse...2Tim2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. The next verse...2Tim2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Thru to the last verse...2Tim2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. STUDY YOURSELF... apathy and laziness towards the Word, will find you confused and lost.
Study requires you respond to the Gospel, then prayer, patience and endurance...if you practice these, the risen Lord Jesus Christ will thru his Word, peel back the facade of religion, with their icons and pomp and ceremony, designed by the devil to effect emotional responses,so as to gain your trust and confidence.
THE GOSPEL: 1Cor15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ... this is salvation and the truth upon which we build and learn to know the LORD.
Go ahead bring on the flame thowers and heavy artillery.
In former days the heretic was proud of not being a heretic. It was the kingdoms of the world and the police and the judges who were heretics. He was orthodox. He had no pride in having rebelled against them; they had rebelled against him. The armies with their cruel security, the kings with their cold faces, the decorous processes of State, the reasonable processes of law—all these like sheep had gone astray. The man was proud of being orthodox, was proud of being right. If he stood alone in a howling wilderness he was more than a man; he was a church. He was the centre of the universe; it was round him that the stars swung.Roger Williams was convinced at one point that he and his wife were the only two Christians in the world -- and he sometimes had doubts about his wife.
How is your family doing, by the way? To quote Bob Mumford, "Is your wife sexually responsive?" How did your kids turn out?
How well is your gospel, that makes you your only Lord and Savior, working out for you in real life? Enquiring minds want to know! The whole point to this post is -- a gospel that doesn't work at home isn't worth exporting.
No - you are wrong. You are painting with too broad a brush. From Stafford’s accounting, the care takers in the school were disgruntled missionaries, sinners for sure. There was a failure to provide oversight to the work they were doing. To indict all religion for the misdeeds of a few is unfair, and illogical!
From your post: I like what G K Chesterton had to say about one-man churches
In Gods Word there are no churche(s), one man churches or otherwise. In the bible there is only one church created by God for today, the Church the Body of Christ.
I don’t know G K Chesterton but I know his one man church is a creation from his own imagination...since there are no references in the Bible of any one man church, what does it matter to me what this man imagines. This is an example of what I said in my previous post, man will deceive you.
“when he beautifully summarized the vision that drives heretics to take their lonely stands, and howl defiance at the universe:”
This is an example of what one does when he is in opposition to bible believers, much like political liberals, they accuse others of being what they are, heretics indeed. I do not stand alone I stand with Jesus Christ and His Word, along with a multitude of those who believe the Gospel. Yes I howl defiance at the universe of those who would corrupt the Word of God.
By the Grace of God I suffer foolishness and false accusations.
As to the rest of your post...it speaks for itself, it’s just nonsense.
I have seen way too many Christians allow the “work of the Lord” get in the way of raising the family God had given them. This would be why in Bible College the counselors seamed most concerned with the PKs (preacher's kids)...as they tended to be the “wild” ones.
This was a major reason that I had left one church. Even after spending 25+ hours a week volunteering my time at the church (also worked 40+ hours at regular job) it was not enough for the new pastor and he wanted more. I was seeing the effects on my family...wife and seven children...and said no more.
God has blessed me with this family and He makes it clear that they are my responsibility. It took me a while but I finally accepted the responsibility and I and my family are much better off now.
God bless
Do you not know there is a course to this world, do you not know that these man-made religious machines are what satan is using to navigate his course. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the (course of this world), according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
I know all these so-called religious leaders, moral icons to so many, seem to be just wonderful folks, in whom so many place there trust and confidence, surely they would not deceive you. All these men great and small must be tested by the Word of God, just because they are sincere, doesnt mean they are not deceived. So few understand this, or how to test. Study takes time, prayer, patience and endurance, not many are willing to make this sacrifice (it is really more joy than sacrifice) when practised and faithfully pursued.
2Cor11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cor4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4 In whom the (god of this world) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Grace and Peace
Our church sent a member of the pastoral staff off to Scotland a few years ago, with his wife and six daughters. One of the members had a “word” for him — on a continent where the Germans aren’t having little Germans, Italians aren’t having little Italians, etc. — his family is more than half of his message. It’s turned out to be true. Their most healthy and vigorous church plant developed around relationships they formed with other parents.
For our home-schooling family, befriending Turkish grad students is a family project. A family ministry that involves my two young daughters. Turks come from a family-friendly culture, love to interact with children, and are blessed to no end when welcomed into the heart of an American Christian family. Hollywood has taught the world that Americans hold God and family in contempt — and discovering that there are Americans who cherish both is a real eye-opener.
It’s lunacy to think you can replace a world-view with a navel-view. Islam is a complete schematic for all of life. Pietistic American fundamentalism is a navel-view, an obsessive fascination with one’s own inner workings. To have credibility as people of God, we need to strive for success in our families.
I made vow to God in 1975 that I would never, under any circumstances, subordinate my family’s wellbeing to anyone’s ideal of “ministry.”
In Post number 7 you stated: “I don't know G K Chesterton but I know his one man church is a creation from his own imagination...man will deceive you.” But I do not know you so why would I accept your words. Isn't this a contradiction?
In the post I am responding to you state: “I know all these so-called religious leaders...All these men great and small must be tested by the Word of God...” Does this not contradict what you stated in Post number 4, and that you called “a satanic trick”? If all organized religion is an abomination then why are you sharing your thoughts with us? If to many people would agree with your thoughts, it might lead to the formation of a church which might be organized...
I made a similar decision but it took me until 2007...and will never go back.
God bless
Ok I will try to help you understand what you call my point of view.
Watch tv preachers, turn on the radio, walk into any so-called Church building, and listen to what is being preached and taught. This is what you will hear about salvation.
They will cite(point too) verses such as: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Do you believe this is how you get saved...I hope not.
This one verse alone is twisted, turned and corrupted so that you are told so many different ways to salvation, ie, come forward and ask Jesus into heart, repent and beg Jesus to forgive your sin and he will save you, confess, repent and give your life to Jesus and numerous other variations of just this one verse...you can do all these things everyday, you will still be lost.
They will also tell you in Acts 2 is when the church the body of Christ began. Do you know when the church began from your own study of the bible...or do just believe what your religious leader tells you.
Another common teaching religions corrupt. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do you believe you should engage in this practice...I hope not, for to do so would be to call Jesus, a liar, many have been deceived into practicing this verse daily. This verse has nothing to do with us today.
Some other things they say having corrupted the word and no doubt will have you saying I’m a heretic are:
You must be born again
We are the bride of Christ
We go into that kingdom God promised to Israel
We are spiritual Israel
We are to follow Jesus as in Matt-John
Jesus is our Shepard
You must be water baptized to be saved
You must be water baptized as a testimony of your salvation
You must keep the ten commandments
You must give 10% to your church, or you are robbing God
On and On and On it goes, None of those things listed are for us today. There are scriptures for all the things listed above, but those scriptures have nothing to do with us today. These things are all about Israel, we are not Israel.
The above examples are common, there are so many other examples it is mind boggling. Every religion has its own set of verses they corrupt to confirm their existence.
Now you stated I was accusing men of using scripture deceitfully and then pointing to verses to confirm their teaching...yes I did (answered above)...then you said I was pointing to scripture also, so now I’m contradicting myself.
The scripture I used was in direct relation to the subject matter I was discussing. I also told you when someone tells you what the bible says, check it out in the Word. I told you to trust no man with your salvation, did I also need to add not to trust me as well, I am a man. Had you checked my use of bible verses yourself, you would have recognized the scriptures I quoted had CONTEXT which related to the subject... I don’t just pick verses like picking cherries off a tree, that is how religions teach. I’m not going to publish all the verses here that demonstrate context, it would take forever. I am amazed how lazy people are when it comes the Word of God. If you think a verse I use is not appropriate to the subject, go find the verse, and check the context for yourself, that is what you are suppose to do.
As to the rest of your complaint about my post, they have already been discussed above or in my previous post.
Except for: If all organized religion is an abomination then why are you sharing your thoughts with us?
I believe organized religions are an obmanation...why would I not share this everyone.
Nowhere in the scripture are we told get organized into religions, although all religions can point to passages they think refer to organizing, but they are not properly handling the bible when they come to this conclusion. This is why they are all so screwed up. Mormonism and JW’s are religions, that are very obviously corrupting the Word. Other main line religions are not so obvious, in fact they are very subtile in their corruption. No one hardly notices because they don’t know what to look for, even though the bible clearly tells you what to look for, you have to study it to learn these things...hardly anyone studies any more. They just sit in thier churches and then we we we all the way home.
God gave us a bible and told us to study it. Do you think God would tell us to study, and then not tell us how to study. Bible colleges say they teach how to study the bible but they don’t. If they taught how God tells you to study there would be no need for colleges. It is so easy a caveman can do it.
Can you tell me from the bible where the Word God tells us how to study. There are two places in the Word that explain explicitly how to study. Where are they? Try to find it on your own...but if you can’t find it yourself, ask your religious leader. I’m pretty sure I know what he will tell you and I would be astonished if he actually knew, then let me know what you find. When you learn how to study...we can have tremendously fruitful discussions. By the way study is very simple if you do it the way Gods Word says, it is not complex at all, and a most exiting endeavor.
Please understand I am not trying to be contentious...although I can see how one might think I am. I do not know it all...and with much humility I have so much more to learn. I can however, recognize when the bible is being taught right...and when it is being taught wrong. Such as the incident that started this thread. Like so many other times, and so many religious leaders caught in corruption, they will say it is just sinful man not the fault of our religion, they need to repent and ask Gods forgivness...NO anyone who has been taught correctly from the Word of God...would not perform such atrocities.
I will not respond to anymore complaints of my posts,it would just result in an endless exercise in futility. I will respond though, if you can tell me, where God tells you how to study.
Grace and Peace
In an attempt to continue this discussion, I would point to two sections of Scripture. The first is Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and yes I realize this is written to Israel. The second is Psalms 1:1-2, also written to Israel...but most of the Scriptures are written to Israel but are written by the same God.
I am also interested in your understanding of John 10:7-18, particularly verse 16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
I would say that you do come across as contentious, but I do to at times. What I have gotten so far is the feeling that you have decided that all churches are wrong and have listed items that you believe that are taught incorrectly, but have decided that you are the one with the Truth but will not share it with others...they will have to find their own treasure. I hope that I am wrong.
ah, yes. Organized religion, the type that arranges food to be given to the hungry, children are educated, the sick and imprisoned are visited, that hospitals are founded in places that no one ever heard about or cared about, and took care of the lepers, outcasts, etc. for the last 2000 years.
And guess what: That takes organization. Been there, done that...
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