He's right. But not in the way he means. 
Posted on 12/27/2002 6:14:19 AM PST by SLB
The summit was endorsed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan who said "the future of the world depends on women."
CBN.com – GENEVA, Switzerland — A one world government and a one world religion — it may just sound like fiction from the popular "Left Behind" novel series. But some Christians say this scenario may be closer than most people think. Earlier this fall in Geneva, hundreds of spiritual and religious leaders met at the United Nations for a peace summit. And although all the major faiths were there, including some who claim to represent Christianity, it was clear that Jesus was not invited.
The event was actually the first ever UN summit of women religious leaders. Mournful cries could be heard emanating from one of the meetings as more than 500 women from more than 70 countries came to talk about ways to achieve world peace. Most were from "Eastern religions" — Buddhists, Taoists and Hindus.
And a woman named "Amma," who is known as the "hugging saint," came with her own band of followers. She claims to be able to impart "divine love and wisdom" in her hug. She said, "It's not only hugging but it is also imparting that spiritual principal into people, so to have them know who they are, so once you know that, peace will spontaneously happen."
Honorary Chair Shirley MacLaine, known for her adventures into New Age, did not show, but several celebrities did, including Linda Evans, Lindsay Wagner and Linda Gray of "Dallas" fame.
Gray said, "I was raised Catholic, I bless that base, I think if you have a strong religious base where, whatever it is, then you branch out from there, or expand on it."
The summit was endorsed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan who said "the future of the world depends on women."
As the women gathered near the banks of beautiful Lake Geneva, Bawa Jain, one of the organizers and one of the few men present, said, "And behold the power of women, look at that, the rain stopped, (laughs) this is the power of women, a true demonstration here."
Bawa Jain then led the women in a chant for peace. "Say it with me three times, ‘No more violence, No more violence, No more violence,’" he said.
Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative, said, "The thunderclouds of war gather around us, the sky grows dark but it never does envelope us. In a few moments we will light a single candle, and from that candle many will receive the light and that light will shine in the darkness."
A participant named Hanna Strong said, "The only way we're ever going to have peace is by people being peaceful inside, no aggression, no hatred, we have to transform these negative emotions that are creating situations for war."
Although there was much talk about peace and how women can harness their "feminine energies" to bring peace to a hurting planet, there was no mention of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Nor could we find any evangelical Christians either speaking at or attending this world religions summit.
Rev. Brown Campbell said, "That's not a purposeful intent. This is a meeting, of course, of people of all religions. And I think what we've all tried to do is to call on the common deity that everyone will say… I mean everyone here would say there is a God, this is not a group of Atheists, this is a group of people of faith, and for everyone there is a god-person by whatever name."
When asked whether evangelical Christians were not invited on purpose, Rev. Brown Campbell said, "No, no, no, not at all…the attempt to be broad scale means there are not too many of any, and this is a first effort, identifying people was not simple."
The Geneva summit was a direct outcome of the Millennium World Peace Summit of religious and spiritual leaders held at the United Nations in New York two years ago. At that gathering, honorary chair and CNN founder Ted Turner endeared himself to the crowd by promoting the New Age concept that there are many ways to heaven.
"The thing that disturbed me was that my religion, the Christian sect, was very intolerant, not of religious freedom, but we thought we were the only ones going to heaven," Turner said.
The belief that there are many ways to heaven was also part of the New Age gospel at the Geneva summit. Strong said, "I'm very close to the Buddhists, the Taoists, the native Americans and uh, peace to me is being one with the source." When asked if she was referring to God "the Creator," she said, "Well, I don't necessary call it Creator, but, it's one name."
Robert Maginnis, a former director of the Family Research Council, said of the summit, "Well, I can see the possibility that it's the globalization of world religion."
Maginnis says it appears the hidden agenda is to unite people under one religious umbrella so they will peacefully accept the UN's radical political goals. "I would submit that the United Nations is very anti-life, they are anti-faith, anti-family, they're anti-national sovereignty, but they are pro one-world government," he said.
Christian scholars say the Bible warns of a time when all the world will unite under a false global religious and political system. Maginnis says, it appears the UN could be taking the first steps in that direction.
"You're taking the Muslim community, the Christian community, the Hindus, the Confucians and all the many hundreds of religious groups, trying to identify key leaders, and you are basically trying to co-opt them into cooperating with you," he said.
Christians believe there is one way to heaven, because Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father except by me."
But Rev. Brown Campbell said, "For me, that is true, I mean for me the way to God the way to peace is through Jesus Christ, that's what I teach my children, that's what I teach my grandchildren, and I believe that very, very strongly. But I also believe that for others, there is a way that for them is true and precious, and I don't deny them that reality and I respect that."
Maginnis said, "The name of Jesus has power and that's why Satan doesn't like it, he doesn't want to hear it in the halls of the UN, whether it be in New York City or in Geneva. So when Ms. Campbell presents herself as a representative for Christians, where does the name Christian come from, it comes from Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior; and if you don't invoke His name in the context of world religion, then I think you've fallen far short and clearly you've done a disservice to Christianity because He is the center of our salvation."
id be more inclined to call it "death pangs"
I do not agree. I do think that the sharper edges of each religion are being dulled, but I don't see the differences eroding completely. Some aspects of this, such as, losing the "my religion is the only way to God" attitude that many people still hold is probably not a bad thing. Many people were unjustly killed throughout the centuries because of religous violence for this reason. OTOH, the dulling of religion has some bad effects like the loss of a moral compass for many.
it does seem unlikely, given the lives spent on so many "sharp edges" throughout history....BUT....it HAS been foretold; Dan 12:1 .... and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation ....Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
during the gulf war, a syracuse basketball player had to be escorted from the floor of the "orange dome" (a HUGE crowd of @ 20,000!)....because his parents had spoken against the war. it was an instructive lesson in "mob rule", and a foreshadow of what awaits those who refuse the mark....
He's right. But not in the way he means.
true, for the most part, but keep in mind: Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
and 1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
As the fall of communism demonstrated, we serve a God who has limited patience with towers of babel.
To an extent, I believe you - but who is going to decide what 'sharp edges' are going to be dulled. What will happen when they decide that you don't really have to accept Jesus as the son - that will just be too dogmatic. Just accept he lived as a prophet and was a good teacher.
OTOH, the dulling of religion has some bad effects like the loss of a moral compass for many
Yes, because religion has to absolute or it is not a religion. I don't mean the idea of music or no music, statues or no statues, etc. - But the idea of God and Jesus is essential to the Christian religion and I believe it is possible for the world to decide there is one religion that is 'recommended' or 'recognized'. That is not farfetched at all. After that, all who do not ascribe to this religion will be part of the 'fringe'. It isn't far from that point right now when you read some of the posts even here on FR. When you see our President chastizing Christian leaders because they dare voice that Islam is not a religion of peace. You see, when the President of the US take such an unprecedented step, it opens the door just a crack for governments or the UN to decide in the name of peace, we must have a recognized religion so there will be no such 'hate speech'.
No they can't change what is in people's hearts, but I predict we will long for the days when we could attend the church of our choice. They can make it very difficult to practice your religion - then only the strongest will continue to do so.
I wonder how I will fare under those conditions? Will I have the courage?
now, THAT'S a good question.
Here's where you and I might differ. I think Revelation is an allegorical and metaphorical story. I don't take it literally.
I do not agree with you at all. Religion (and not the mushy, squishy variety) is certainly alive and well in many countries including the USA. Even I've become more religous myself since I've been reading FR.
I wonder how I will fare under those conditions? Will I have the courage?
If those conditions ever came to pass, I'm confident you'd have the courage.
Certainly there is a 'revival' if you will of religion, at present. I was speaking about the future and the possibility of a 'world' religion. The fact more and more are seeking religion will make it even easier for a religion to be promoted that is 'inclusive' and that will be cloaked in universal love, goodness, brotherhood, but not wanting to be dogmatic about it - God will not be the head. I just think it is a distinct possibility.
never heard of liberal science/politics...advanced upper division Gaea worship---SSevolution?
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