Public Forum — Letters/Questions
December 2004
December 2004
2004
Other Years
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Public Forum is to publicly respond to correspondence that we may receive from time to time and which is of Universal interest in these very unsettling times.
We reserve the right to choose what questions to address and how to transcribe the question and/or statement from the correspondence received. The identity of the correspondent will be kept confidential except in the case of abusive correspondence which will then be referred to the appropriate responsible entities.
From AB @ U.S.A. [Published on December 30, 2004]
We refer the reader to the original letter from AB and our response published on December 18 (See under the letter of December 27). The following is AB's response to our posting. We wish to continue this thread just this far to illustrate with one single example how Arrogance fed by Ignorance nourishes the Sin of Denial.
Q. In reply to all this cataclysmic information you have gathered I offer two items one from the Old Testament and one from the new:
(1). Remember when Jonah had finally warned Nineveh that after forty days they would be destroyed? And remember that the people immediately repented from the king down to even all the animals? At that point Jonah went upon to a hill overlooking the city and awaited God's destruction of the city. He murmured against God for not destroying them as He said because Jonah would look like a fool if God relented. God then got angry with Jonah for expecting a display of God's wrath after the people repented; God then withered the shade tree that he had provided to Jonah for his comfort, thus dealing with Jonah's morbid curiosity of the predicted impending destruction and not allowing God to change His mind.
(2). Who has the mind and heart to revel in these cataclysmic predictions? "Unless you shall be like little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
Amen Brothers and Sisters.
AB
A. In Jonah's time God relented and did not destroy Nineveh because from the King on down, the citizens of Nineveh repented from their evil deeds and offered prayers and fasting to the Almighty in retribution for their sins.
Unfortunately, this good behavior by Ninevites was not long lasting and finally God completely destroyed Nineveh - never to be rebuilt again. The Prophet Nahum is quite graphic (1) as to the final fate of Nineveh.
Sadly enough, even though Mary has been warning mankind through an obviously deaf and dumb Church Administration since early 19th Century, there has been no repentance. On the contrary - even the Church has chosen to defy God while turning a profit with His Mother's Apparitions.
God has given mankind some very serious "hands-on" warnings to see if it would respond. World War I is spite of the warnings of La Salette, et al. World War II and the rise of communism, thanks to the Roman Catholic Church "prudence" cost ca. 150 million deaths and untold suffering, in spite of the clear instructions through Fatima. The Massacre in Rwanda in spite of the warnings through Kibeho. The brutal Spanish Civil War which yielded to the world the Escriva heresy and what is to come from that. The worldwide sexual scandal "sponsored" by the Roman Catholic Church which has just done about everything to destroy the little Faith left on Earth. The September 11 tragedy in New York and Washington, DC, which only yielded a very temporary and brief soul-searching period. And...
....As if that were not enough, God has allowed the very area of the world which has become the center of Sexual Tourism for the depraved to be brutally struck by earthquakes and tsunamis which, when all is said and done, will cost over one hundred thousand lives.
Centuries later we repeat:
Mt 16:3-4 O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but
can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a
sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
and
Mt 23:33-37 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye
escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and
scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your
synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood
shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of
Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
You ask: "Who has the mind and heart to revel in these cataclysmic predictions?"
We respond: "Only those who have ears to Hear and eyes to See!"
How dare you! question God's motives for sending whomever He chooses to warn His children before is too late?
Stop your fruitless research on Marian Apparitions and drop to your knees and pray to Almighty God to send His Holy Spirit to lead you out of the Mortal Sin of Denial so that you may stop confusing the poor and already disoriented Faithful who are desperately trying to find their way back to God - the True and Living God and not the mockery which has been set up by man!
We sincerely thank you for the opportunity to address this issue in the clearest possible way.
(1) The Book of the Prophet Nahum - King James' Version
From PB @ U.S.A. [Published on December 27, 2004]
Q. I thought you might be interested in this: Bush supports cross-hating movement - President's father also praises work of Rev. Moon-linked clergy group.
PB
A. Being that the headline and article you kindly forwarded to us was published by WorldNetDaily.com, and being that from that same organization mass mailings with viruses, pretending to be from us, have been made - we do not trust them.
Nonetheless - we went to the original source of WorldNetDaily.com information - an article entitled "Tear Down the Cross". The comprehensive and well referenced and illustrated article "speaks volumes".
We have published an article by Lee Penn regarding Mr. Moon and his messianic impostures entitled "The One World Religion : The Details - Learn to Recognize Them" and another, from the same author and published in the The Christian Challenge entitled "Lawmakers Ambushed For "Coronation" Of Unification Church Leader and Wife".
We advise one and all to carefully review all three documents lest the theo-politcal deception gets the best of you.
From AB @ U.S.A. [Published on December 18, 2004]
Q. Dear Sir: I read on your website that Our Lady is or has warned us about an impending nuclear holocaust; however, I am familiar with most of her messages for the world starting at Fatima and up to the present time at Medjugorje.
At Fatima she warned of another war if men did not repent; that was in 1917 and the W.W.II did indeed occur. In Medjugoje her messages begin June 25th, 1981 and continue at least monthly. I collect, study and disseminate these messages. In all these messages since Fatima, I am not aware of her warning of a nuclear holocaust.
Please advise. Thank you.
A B
A. There are other Marian warnings besides the ones you have mentioned. In Japan - Akita. In Spain - Garabandal. In Italy - Rosa Mystica. To mention three key-for-These-Times warnings.
However - to save you from trying to discern from all those warnings as well as the ones from Fatima - yet to be fulfilled - please understand:
The Sequence that we have presented was given to
miguel de Portugal by God and the nuclear holocaust will take place.
That will be the "Miracle of the Sun" equivalent for whatever miguel de Portugal has been claiming
in the Name of God for 13 years. When it happens - the deaf will finally
hear what he has been trying to get across in the Name of God.
We thank you for the opportunity to make this issue crystal clear.From LP @ U.S.A. [Published on December 15, 2004]
Q. It seems that someone associated with the Vatican is marketing a souvenir calendar with photos of handsome young (adult) seminarians and priests.
Does this all fit with the nude statuary in the halls of the Holy See that you wrote about?
LP
A. Perhaps these references that you have sent explains the Church mentality reflected in the article we wrote about abundant nudity in the great Churches in Rome. Perhaps what you have shared with us is a bit more disgusting coming at the heels of a still ongoing sex scandal within the ranks and at all levels of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Home Page of such promotion begins to tell the tale; but when we see the Press Coverage it is obvious that the Church authorities are quite aware of this and are looking the other way - or, for that matter, looking at the young handsome priests and seminarians who, with their superior's approval, are posing for this.
From VA @ Australia [Published on December 8, 2004 - Feast of The Immaculate Conception]
Q. Hi!
A friend had sent me the following email.
While I don't know anything about the laws of physics, it does sound logical and correct. I thought it had some interesting points for anyone who does not believe in God. Are these laws of physics true or is this just rubbish?
Thank-you. God Bless
V. A.
The university professor challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything
that exists?"
A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!"
"God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir", the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then God is evil".
The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 273 degrees K) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert (that is - the electrons in an atom come to a complete standstill - motion comes to an end since there is no energy to sustain it) and incapable of reaction (motion) at that temperature (because heat, that is, the manifestation of energy, is completely absent). Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."
The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name --- Albert Einstein
A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!"
"God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir", the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then God is evil".
The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 273 degrees K) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert (that is - the electrons in an atom come to a complete standstill - motion comes to an end since there is no energy to sustain it) and incapable of reaction (motion) at that temperature (because heat, that is, the manifestation of energy, is completely absent). Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."
The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name --- Albert Einstein
A. We have no idea if this story actually took place or not; however, the principles of physics and semantics are sound - read: CORRECT. This is a very simple and straight forward way to show people, who use the presence of evil as proof of the lack of a true and living God, that they are wrong. They should also be shown that God even utilizes evil for the benefit of His children since God is truly Master of All!
To deepen the knowledge and reality of this concept - but in a dynamic form - the writings of St. Teresa de Jesús (de Ávila) "Interior Castle" is highly recommended.
From JLU @ Mexico [Published on December 1, 2004]
Q. Could you give us your opinion about the following article which appeared in World Net Daily regarding H.H. John Paul II's remarks in reference to Mr. Arafat's death? Could this be H.H. John Paul II speaking or, as you have pointed out before, someone has placed these words in his mouth?
In said article, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach states:
But the most painful and disgraceful reaction of all to Arafat's death, from the quarter where
it was least expected, came from Pope John Paul II's jaw-dropping comments voiced through his
mouthpiece, Joaquin Navarro-Valls: "At this hour of sadness at the passing of President Yasser
Arafat, His Holiness Pope John Paul is particularly close to the deceased's family, the
authorities and the Palestinian people.
While entrusting his soul into the hands of the Almighty and Merciful God, the Holy Father prays to the Prince of Peace that the star of harmony will soon shine on the Holy Land. ..." In a second statement, Navarro-Valls said in the pope's name that Arafat was "a leader of great charisma who loved his people and sought to lead them towards national independence. May God welcome in His mercy the soul of the illustrious deceased and give peace to the Holy Land. ..."
That the world's foremost spiritual shepherd could describe himself as being close to Arafat's family, rather than the thousands of murdered men, women and children who were Arafat's victims, is an astonishing act of sacrilege. That the most influential religious figure alive could describe the death of a tyrant as "an hour of sadness" and call a mass-murderer an "illustrious" soul is positively despicable.
That the Vicar of Christ on earth could say of a man who stole billions from his impoverished and desperate nation that he "loved his people" is an affront to everything Jesus stood for, which was primarily a dedication to the oppressed, the poor and the persecuted.
In making these damnable statements, Pope John Paul II, whom I otherwise so greatly admire, has tragically proven himself to be walking in the sinful line of his immoral and cowardly Nazi-collaborator predecessor, Pius XII, a man who demonstrated an almost callous indifference to the value of human life and never once summoned the courage to condemn the Nazi Holocaust.
While entrusting his soul into the hands of the Almighty and Merciful God, the Holy Father prays to the Prince of Peace that the star of harmony will soon shine on the Holy Land. ..." In a second statement, Navarro-Valls said in the pope's name that Arafat was "a leader of great charisma who loved his people and sought to lead them towards national independence. May God welcome in His mercy the soul of the illustrious deceased and give peace to the Holy Land. ..."
That the world's foremost spiritual shepherd could describe himself as being close to Arafat's family, rather than the thousands of murdered men, women and children who were Arafat's victims, is an astonishing act of sacrilege. That the most influential religious figure alive could describe the death of a tyrant as "an hour of sadness" and call a mass-murderer an "illustrious" soul is positively despicable.
That the Vicar of Christ on earth could say of a man who stole billions from his impoverished and desperate nation that he "loved his people" is an affront to everything Jesus stood for, which was primarily a dedication to the oppressed, the poor and the persecuted.
In making these damnable statements, Pope John Paul II, whom I otherwise so greatly admire, has tragically proven himself to be walking in the sinful line of his immoral and cowardly Nazi-collaborator predecessor, Pius XII, a man who demonstrated an almost callous indifference to the value of human life and never once summoned the courage to condemn the Nazi Holocaust.
A. First of all, we do not accept, and reject, a Rabbi lecturing the Christian leadership about Christianity. If he really understood Christianity he would not be a Rabbi, but a Christian Shepherd - period!
Secondly - The statements ascribed to H.H. John Paul II do not - directly or indirectly - address Mr. Arafat's political stance from an "absolute" point of view; he was addressing the stature of this man and the pain his death meant as viewed through the eyes of his people and his family. H.H. John Paul II's did not call for victory of the Palestinians over Israel - he rightfully invoked peace in the Holy Land. He further invoked God's Mercy upon Mr. Arafat's soul.
Frankly - even if Mr. Arafat was the personal enemy of H.H. John Paul II, he did exactly what Jesus clearly told us to do - and precious few Christians ever do! - "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father..." [Matthew 5: 44-45]
We do, however, have a piece of advise to the Rabbi: Do not be too concerned what other religious leaders are doing and, instead, pick up the Tanakh and study it. It is obvious that many Jews still have not learned what all the prophets listed in the Old Testament were trying to teach them.
Yes - we can and have the authority to lecture a Rabbi on the Tanakh because the Tanakh is part of our own Sacred Scriptures and Faith, but they cannot lecture a Christian because their ancestors, and them by association, rejected the deliverer of the New Testament, which, as stated before, if they spiritually understood, they would have accepted by now.
May our response be a silent message conveying the fact that, we, amongst Christians, may criticize and denounce what we may see wrong within the practice of our Faith and the behavior of Christian leaders, BUT, it is best that outsiders do not attack Christianity with destructive criticism (constructive criticism is always welcome!) if they do not wish us call their bluff and, using American slang, "mop the floors" with their claimed self-righteousness.
Mr. Shmuley Boteach's Article
Public Forum — Letters/Questions
2004
Other Years
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