Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] ARPTalk 49 Laments “A Vision for Erskine as Articulated by the Erskine Facebook Participants”
[2] Crystal Cathedral Founder Robert Schuller Reinstated to Church Board after Recent Ouster
[3] Reformation Bible College Offers Fall Semester 2011 Free On-Campus Course in Ancient Classics for High School Students
[4] British “Palm Cross” Electrician Continually Harassed and Suspended from Work after Employer Agreed to Stop Harassment
[5] Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Leader Tells Muslim Leaders to Stop Threatening War Unless Islamic Banking System Introduced
[6] Muslims Seize Christian Burial Sites in Tanzania’s Archipelago
[7] Muslims Burn Down Two Christian Churches in Zanzibar, Tanzania
[8] Counterterrorism Official Says Al-Qaida Still Likely to Use Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)
[9] U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama to Approve Al-Qaeda Embassy in Washington DC
[10] Los Angeles Sheriff Baca Praises Organizations with Ties to Terrorism
[11] U.S. Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Apologizes to the Muslim Brotherhood
[12] People for the American Way Denounces “Anti-Muslim Extremism”
[13] U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Describes Tea Party Members as “Terrorists”
[14] U.S. Department of Homeland Security Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists
---
[1] ARPTalk 49 Laments “A Vision for Erskine as Articulated by the Erskine Facebook Participants”
In the ARPTalk 49 article “A Vision for Erskine as Articulated by the Erskine Facebook Participants” dated 28 July 2011, the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Wilson laments the further deterioration of Erskine College and Theological Seminary into secularism and neo-Barthianism respectively, and collectively into irrelevancy, by citing the postings of various members of Facebook’s “Alumni for Erskine” group.
Dr. Wilson reviews the history of the founding of Erskine, the rantings of “Alumni for Erskine” Facebook posters with the same mindset of the early 19th-century secularists and anti-Christians for which Erskine was founded as an alternative, and the forty years of double-mindedness from Erskine leaders who have continually mollified the ARP General Synod while doing nothing to reverse the continual slide of Erskine into the secular and Neo-Orthodox mire. Wilson then concludes: “It is time for the ARP Church to get on with the business of the Church and let Erskine College and Seminary go…without asking for any sort of financial reimbursement to the General Synod….The ARP Church does not need the proceeds of infidelity and heresy!”
Wilson continues:
“It is time to give Erskine College to the Facebook alums who have been characterized as “a bunch of idiots” (BOIs). It is time to give Erskine College to Dr. Bill Crenshaw and to his Crenshawites whom he has taught spelling, grammar, critical thinking, and infidelity. In truth, this inept group of BOIs could not successfully run an overstocked Food Bank in the middle of a concentration camp packed with starving people. Let them kill Erskine and weep their crocodile tears for the memory!
“It is time to give Erskine Seminary to Dr. Richard Burnett and all the neo-Barthians he can salvage out of the apostate and shipwrecked PCUSA who
have made the PCUSA the whore of the Antichrist. Free rein can then be given to theological strangeness and deviation and Erskine Seminary can go the way of nonexistence. At that point, thankfully, the ARP Church will be free of the cancer that is Erskine Seminary.”
+ ARPTalk Blog, 864-882-6337, wilson6114@bellsouth.net
+ Erskine College, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, 864-379-2167, norman@erskine.edu
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005
[2] Crystal Cathedral Founder Robert Schuller Reinstated to Church Board after Recent Ouster
A 27 July 2011 article by Deepa Bharath in the Orange County Register titled “Schuller Back Voting on Crystal Cathedral Board” reports that Crystal Cathedral founder the Rev. Robert H. Schuller on 22 July 2011was reinstated to the church board after recently being ousted from the same. Additionally, the board voted to increase the number of board members from five to eight, and voted to fire two board members who has recently voted for Schuller’s ouster.
+ Orange County Register, 625 North Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92701, 877-469-7344, thorne@ocregister.com
+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org
[3] Reformation Bible College Offers Fall Semester 2011 Free On-Campus Course in Ancient Classics for High School Students
Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, during fall semester 2011is offering high school students a free for-credit course from the college’s Great Works curriculum called the “Ancient Classics”. The classes are taught by Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., and will be held on the college campus Tuesday nights from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. from 23 August through early December, with a final exam sometime the week of 12-16 December.
High school students can choose to audit the course for free, and parents can audit the course for US$300.
A dual enrollment form is available at:
http://reformationbiblecollege.org/RBC_DualEnrollApp_Fall2011.pdf
+ Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233
[4] British “Palm Cross” Electrician Continually Harassed and Suspended from Work after Employer Agreed to Stop Harassment
A 1 August 2011 article by Peter Wooding, Europe Bureau Chief for ASSIST News Service, titled “Palm Cross Christian Suspended from Work” reports that British Christian electrician Colin Atkinson, who won the right to keep displaying a palm cross in his work van in April, has now been suspended from work after being continually harassed since his return from an earlier suspension after Atkinson would not remove a Christian cross made from palm leaves that he had previously displayed in his work vehicle for many years. An anonymous complaint about the cross led to Atkinson’s employer Wakefield District Housing Association (WDH) ordering him to remove the cross from his work vehicle.
After a public outcry, WDH agreed to let Atkinson continue to display the cross in his work vehicle, but reneged on the agreement once the public outcry had waned. Atkinson’s work vehicle was taken from him, he was told to travel in to work by bus, and Atkinson’s was moved to an office sixteen miles away. Atkinson then filed a grievance, and was asked to stay at home pending further investigations.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, which is representing Atkinson said: “…we will be doing all we can to ensure that WDH is held to account and that Colin is free to express his Christian faith in the workplace.”
For further background information, please see the 27 April 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[3] Yorkshire, England, Christian Driver Exonerated and Allowed to Continue Displaying Palm Cross in Work Van” and the 20 April 2011 Presbyterians Week article “[6] Wakefield, England, Electrician under Investigation for Now-Eight Year Display of Eight-Inch Palm Cross in Work Van”.
+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com
+ Christian Legal Centre Limited, Post Office Box 655, Hayward Heath, West Sussex RH16 9AT, England, 07712 591164, info@christianlegalcentre.com
[5] Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Leader Tells Muslim Leaders to Stop Threatening War Unless Islamic Banking System Introduced
A 1 August 2011 article by Baba Negedu in the Daily Independent titled “Threats Won’t Solve Islamic Banking Issue – Prelate” reports that the Most Rev. Emele Mba Uka, Prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) and Moderator of the 16th Synod of the PCN in the North, in a post-synod news conference said that the Islamic leaders in Nigeria should stop attempting to impose their religious views on the followers of other religions, but instead work for peace in the land.
Uka stated that plans by the Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, to introduce the Islamic banking system into Nigeria would violate the fundamental rights of the different religious groups in the country. Referring to a statement credited to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, that the Islamic banking system had come to stay and that nobody could do anything to stop its operation and a previous statement by the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria stating that Nigerian Muslims would rather go to war than give up their agitation for Islamic banking, Uka said such provocative utterances could jeopardize the continued corporate existence of the country.
Uka urged those in positions of leadership in the country to strive to always encourage the people to live in peace with one another, saying “…the [PCN] is saying to the nation, please let us live in peace. Please, let us respect one another’s religious views; please let us do our best to overcome violence that is caused by religious sects in this country. The church is saying, please let us not [introduce] Islamic bank[ing].”
+ Daily Independent, Block5, Plot7D, Wempco Road, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria, 01- 4962136, newseditor@independentngonline.com
+ Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, 26 Ehere Road, Post Office Box 2635, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, 082-234-780
[6] Muslims Seize Christian Burial Sites in Tanzania’s Archipelago
In a 28 July 2011 report, Compass Direct News Service reports that Muslims on the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, have seized a 100 year-old cemetery belonging to
an Anglican church, and have begun building a hotel on the burial site.
The article additionally reports that Muslims on the Zanzibar archipelago island of Pemba, Tanzania, in 2010 seized another Anglican church cemetery that had been purchased by the church in 2007.
In neither situation are the police helping the Christians to recover their stolen lands.
+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org
+ Anglican Communion, St. Andrew's House, 16 Tavistock Crescent, London W11 1AP, England, 20-7313-3900, Fax: 20-7313-3999, aco@anglicancommunion.org
[7] Muslims Burn Down Two Christian Churches in Zanzibar, Tanzania
In a 1 August 2011 article titled “Muslim Extremists Torch Churches in Zanzibar, Tanzania,” Compass Direct News Service reports that Muslims on Zanzibar island in Tanzania on 30 July 2011 burned down the church building of an Evangelical Assemblies of God-Tanzania congregation while shouting: “Away with the church – we do not want infidels to spoil our community, especially our children.”
In another town on the island on 27 July 2011, Muslims burned down a church of the Free Evangelical Pentecostal Church in Africa.
+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org
+ Evangelical Assemblies of God-Tanzania, 2807 Zanzibar, Pangawe, Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania, 0754-496253, Leonard@yahoo.com
[8] Counterterrorism Official Says Al-Qaida Still Likely to Use Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)
A 29 July 2011 Newsmax article titled “Al-Qaida Still Likely to Use WMD” reports that at a recent meeting of the Aspen Security Forum, recently retired director of the National Counterterrorism Center Mike Leiter said that a chemical or biological attack by al-Qaida and its offshoots remains a threat, despite the killing of terror leader Osama bin Laden.
Leiter says that the al-Qaida is likely to use a simple form of a chemical or biological weapon rather that a nuclear weapon, and that killing just a few Americans causes the same fear as do the massive attacks planned by bin Laden.
+ Newsmax, Post Office Box 20989, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416, 561-686-1165, Fax: 561-686-3350
+ The Aspen Institute, 1000 North Third Street, Aspen, Colorado 81611, 970-925-7010, Fax: 970-925-4188, info@aspeninstitute.org
[9] U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama to Approve Al-Qaeda Embassy in Washington DC
A 28 July 2011 article by Paul Joseph Watson on PrisonPlanet.com titled “Obama to Approve ‘Al-Qaeda Embassy’ in Washington” reports that U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama is preparing to recognize the Al-Qaeda led rebel National Transitional Council as the official government of Libya by approving an embassy in Washington DC.
+ Infowars.com, Post Office Box 19549, Austin, Texas 78760, 512-291-5750,
writers@infowars.com
[10] Los Angeles Sheriff Baca Praises Organizations with Ties to Terrorism
From a 7 July 2011 statement by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission:
“Christian leaders in Southern California are calling on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to fire Sheriff L. D. Baca for comments he made praising the Council on American Islamic Relations, a group with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, both have been linked to terrorist activities.
“The motto of The Muslim Brotherhood is:
- Allah is our objective.
- The Prophet is our leader.
- Qur'an is our law.
- Jihad is our way.
- Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.
“The Logo of the Muslim Brotherhood has at the top the Koran with two crossed swords, and at the bottom the Arabic verse from the Qur’an, Sura 8:60, “And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war to terrorize the enemy of Allah and your enemy.” The direct meaning of this to Muslims is be prepared to terrorize non-Muslims. Translated by Abdullah al-Araby.
“Many have United States citizens have fled to America after violence was directed at them for their Christian faith. Sheriff Baca’s praise for an organization with known ties to Islamic terrorism is outrageous and is an affront to all the victims of Islamic terror. This infiltration of law enforcement by those with sympathies for organizations that support Muslim violence is terrifying for Christians who have fled to the U.S. because of Muslim violence. Sheriff Baca must go!
“….
“Join us as we work with other ministries and organizations to stop the infiltration of law enforcement by the Muslim Brotherhood.”
+ Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, Post Office Box 1115, Vista, California 92085, 866-508-2232, Fax: 760-630-2232, contact@christianadc.org
[11] U.S. Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Apologizes to the Muslim Brotherhood
A 30 July 2011 article by Ryan Mauro on Pajamas Media titled “Herman Cain Apologizes … to the Muslim Brotherhood” reports that following a 27 July 2011 tour of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) of Sterling, Virginia, hosted by Imam Mohamed Magid, president of Muslim Brotherhood branch the Islamic Society of North America, U.S Presidential candidate Herman Cain apologized for previously stating that communities should be able to stop the construction of mosques.
Cain stated:
“While I stand by my opposition to the interference of Sharia law into the American legal system … I am truly sorry for any comments that may have betrayed my commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion guaranteed by it. Muslims, like all Americans, have the right to practice their faith freely and peacefully.”
If Cain opposes Sharia-based governance, then he picked the wrong group to reach out to.
Ryan Mauro writes:
“As noted above, Mohamed Magid is also president of the Islamic Society of America (ISNA). The group says it “rejects all acts of terrorism, including those perpetrated by Hamas, Hizbullah and any other group that claims Islam as their inspiration.” However, ISNA was listed as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the Holy Land Foundation trial. The HLF had been found guilty of being a front for Hamas set up by the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Mauro continues:
“ADAMS itself is not free of terror ties. In March 2002, ADAMS had its offices raided as part of a terrorism investigation.
“Magid previously served as an advisor to the Sterling Charitable Gift Fund, which also had its offices raided.”
+ Pajamas Media, 100 North Sepulveda Boulevard # 250, El Segundo, California 90245, 310-726-9133, Contact Page
[12] People for the American Way Denounces “Anti-Muslim Extremism”
A 25 July 2011 report by People for the American Way titled “PFAW Report: The Right Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism,” reports that “Right-Wing extremists are leading a sustained attack against American Muslims, attempting to prevent them from freely practicing their religion, curtail their political rights, and in some cases, compel their deportation…”
The report discusses “…eight strategies employed by anti-Muslim activists to cast doubt on the validity of Islam as a religion and the integrity of American Muslims in order to justify prejudice and illegal discrimination:
-- Twisting statistics and using fake research to “prove” the Muslim threat
-- Inventing the danger of “creeping Sharia”
-- Justifying taking away freedoms and liberties from Muslims in order to “defend liberty”
-- Denying the validity of Islam as a religion
-- Arguing that Muslims have no First Amendment rights under the Constitution
-- Linking anti-Muslim prejudice to anti-Obama rhetoric
-- Slandering progressives and non-Christians as unholy and anti-American”
+ People for the American Way, 2000 M Street Northwest, Suite 400 Washington DC 20036, 202-467-4999, Contact Page
[13] U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Describes Tea Party Members as “Terrorists”
+ Godfather Politics
[14] U.S. Department of Homeland Security Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists
A 21 July 2011 article by Paul Joseph Watson on Infowars.com titled “DHS Video Characterizes White Americans as Most Likely Terrorists” reports that a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promotional video characterizes white middle class Americans as the most likely terrorists.
The video is part of DHS’s US$10 million “See Something, Say Something” program that encourages Americans to report “suspicious activity,” which in every instance throughout history has been a characteristic of dictatorial regimes.
In the video, almost all of the scenarios portray white people as the most likely terrorists, while nearly every one of the “patriotic” Americans who report on their fellow citizens is either black, Asian, or Arab.
A report by Ohio University’s John Mueller documents that the likelihood of actually being a victim of terrorism is infinitesimally small, and only highlights how such threats are hyperbolically exaggerated for political purposes.
Figures collected by Mueller clearly show that Americans are just as likely to be killed by lightning strikes, accident-causing deer, or severe allergic reactions to peanuts.
Simon Black of Sovereignman.com writes:
“At its core, the video is filled with scenes of ordinary citizens spying on each other and alerting the authorities to their compatriots’ suspicious deeds,” writes Simon Black. In my favorite scene, a woman calls the police after snooping over the shoulder of a young man typing away on his smartphone.”
Black notes that such videos are solely aimed at reinforcing ignorance, hate and fear for those who still live in darkness and are completely unaware of the real agenda behind DHS’s “see something, say something” charade.
Syndicated radio talk show host Alex Jones writes:
“This DHS video is purposefully designed to transmit fear and hatred of Muslims over to white Americans. Look at the part of the clip where an image of “Jihad Jane” is displayed, the blue eyes are artificially intensified in order to get the message across.
“This is about playing minorities off against whites, creating further resentment and suspicion, getting us at each other’s throats just as how different racial groups were set upon each other in Hitler’s Germany to create an environment of fear and distrust, motivating people to inform on each other for the state.”
+ Infowars.com, Post Office Box 19549, Austin, Texas 78760, 512-291-5750,
writers@infowars.com
+ U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington DC 20528, 202-282-8000, Contact Form
