#christians — Public Fediverse posts

Pope Leo XIV gets India. Rome shouldn’t listen to India only when Christians are threatened

At Vatican audiences, gifts are usually the most visible and least consequential part of the encounter. Those presented…
#Italy #Europe #Europa #EU #Rome #'popeleoxiv' #Christians
https://www.europesays.com/italy/44986/

"[A] #Jewish #scholar of #Christian #Scriptures. Levine has worked to improve how #Christians and her fellow #Jews understand each other. She's spoken at many #churches and taught students about the ancient Jewish context of Jesus' life and teachings. She's #authored numerous #books, some in tandem with Christian #scholars; she and a co- #author even presented one #book personally to #Pope Francis.

But after the #Catholic Biblical Association of #America announced earlier this month that Levine was elected its first-ever Jewish president, an #antisemitic backlash began.

Denunciations appeared [...] Critics called her “anti-Christian,” claimed she's trying to hijack #Catholicism, denounced Jews for not accepting Jesus, and tacked on anti- #Zionist comments.

While some questioned why the association would appoint anyone who wasn't a Catholic, much of the criticism was infused with anti-Jewish statements. They come at a time of rising #antisemitism in the country.

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/a-jewish-scholar-chosen-to-lead-the-catholic-a22407989

Moms Love This Initiation Ritual Freshmen Must Go Through at This Oklahoma High School

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/heres-the-humiliating-initiation-ritual-freshmen-must-go-through-at-this-oklahoma-high-school/

Celui qui veut garder sa vie, la perdra. Celui qui perd sa vie à cause du Fils de Dieu, la retrouvera.

#russie #russia #ukraine #chretiens #christians #france #franceinfo #cnews #bfmtv #Dieu #Christ

#religion #usa #foundingfathers #christians #athiests #constitution #separationofchurchandstate

#religion #usa #foundingfathers #christians #athiests #constitution #separationofchurchandstate

#religion #usa #foundingfathers #christians #athiests #constitution #separationofchurchandstate

#religion #usa #foundingfathers #christians #athiests #constitution #separationofchurchandstate

#religion #usa #foundingfathers #christians #athiests #constitution #separationofchurchandstate

Day 20

https://cathymerrittsimplefaith.wordpress.com/2026/07/31/day-20/

"The Forward compiled and reviewed video of 10 #pageants in the #US since 2020 that feature a #Jewish character named “zhyd,” “Moshko” or “Chaim,” and sometimes his wife, usually named Sarah. All were posted to social media, in many cases by the #churches themselves.

The pageants mix and match a few motifs, all showing these two #Jews in a negative light as they try to lure #Christians to commit sin. Some tempt the faithful with goods, loans or liquor. Some mock believers for worshipping #Christ; curse Christians; summon and collude with the #devil, or betray baby #Jesus to #KingHerod, who is seeking to kill him.

Most of the #actors playing the zhyd role wore what look to be #peyos, the sidelocks traditionally worn by #Orthodox #Jews. In one instance, the character wore an exaggerated #fakenose.

The Forward located photos from an additional eight pageants for which video is not publicly available that show actors with what appear to be peyos or a fake nose."

https://forward.com/news/839093/ukrainian-catholic-church-verteps-jewish-villains/

My people came from Vilna. I have zero desire to go visit Europe. Its just one giant Jewish graveyard in my mind.

"A rare "antisemitic incident in #Lithuania: A local #blogger and #socialmedia activist was arrested after being filmed spitting at three #Israeli #rabbis visiting #Vilnius and urging others to do the same.

According to #Lithuanian authorities, the suspect, #GintarasLiutkevičius, posted a video on social media showing him approaching the three #Jews, who were wearing traditional religious clothing, spitting toward them and encouraging others to follow his example.

“I heard you love to spit on #Christians ... what if I spit on you?” he is heard saying in the video. “You need to go home. This is not your home. This is Lithuania — go home.”

https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/rjjjgezefe?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

@QasimRashid In the #UnitedStates ‘stone-age’ (fake) #Christians that claim #ChildMarriage is a god-given right are called #Talibangelicals.

𝐘𝐀𝐇 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐕 100 𝐁𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌|𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐖

https://youtube.com/live/YrFJwbMSrC0?is=QTEXwBG0asNNznPr

Precious: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/matthew-6-26-christian-bird-bible-verse-art-sharon-cummings.html

#christian #christianart #christians #christiangifts #bible #bibleverse #biblestudy #scripture #christianity #jesus #jesuschrist

YAH ONLY TV 100 BIBLE OLD TESTAMENT LIVE STREAM|CLICK THE LINK BELOW

https://youtube.com/live/aMJfu_JQ8J8?is=OYZUBdEZbw4ytXKo

For my Christian Friends:

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/christian-strength-art-bible-verse-philippians-4-13-gift-sharon-cummings.html

#christian #christianart #christians #christiangifts #fedigiftshop #bible #bibleverse #bibleverses #christianity #scripture #biblestudy #newtestament #church #strength #hope #faith

Is #Trump REALLY claiming that #Jesus image was intended to show him as a "doctor"? Who is he trying to kid? He's upset #Catholics, by verbally attacking Pope Leo XIV, & his #blasphemy & #idolatry risk his support from all genuine #Christians. Did he ever have ANY support from genuine Christians, as HE isn't #Christian, #MAGA #Republicanism isn't, & "white Christian #nationalism" isn't?

A quotation from The Bible

I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you. It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples.
 
[Ἐντολὴν καινὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους καθὼς ἠγάπησα ὑμᾶς ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους. ἐν τούτῳ γνώσονται πάντες ὅτι ἐμοὶ μαθηταί ἐστε ἐὰν ἀγάπην ἔχητε ἐν ἀλλήλοις.]

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
John 13: 34-35 (Jesus) [NJB (1985)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/bible-nt/10793/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bible #newtestament #Christianity #Christians #commandment #Jesus #love #loveyourneighbor

A quotation from Thoreau

It is remarkable, that notwithstanding the universal favor with which the New Testament is outwardly received, and even the bigotry with which it is defended, there is no hospitality shown to, there is no appreciation of, the order of truth with which it deals. I know of no book that has so few readers. There is none so truly strange, and heretical, and unpopular.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
A Week on the Concord and Marrimack Rivers, “Sunday” (1849)

More about this quote: wist.info/thoreau-henry-david/…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #Thoreau #HenryDavidThoreau #Bible #Christianity #Christians #hypocrisy #lipservice #NewTestament

#MedicalAdvice #PepperSpray #health #eyehealth #DrGlaucomflecken

This may come handy. Any time, any place, actually...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z4dy0Wgct90

#US #USA #trump #vance #MAGA #ICE #military #nationalguard #lawenforcement #fascism #stopfascism #nazis #fcknazis #republicans #christians #men #incels #techbros #billionaires #hostiletakeover #democracy #politics #NoKings #protest #resist #takeaction

The #transphobe defence of #EnochBurke says he is a "#Christian" who opposes "fantasy" about #genderIdentity.

Reality: the #BurkeFamily's religion is based on a claimed #virginbirth, and the #Trinity: god is a father and his son and a ghost. These core beliefs of #Christians have zero scientific evidence.

Yet overwhelming scientific evidence shows that for #trans people, gender transition leads to improved wellbeing. E.g. https://whatweknow.inequality.cornell.edu/topics/lgbt-equality/what-does-the-scholarly-research-say-about-the-well-being-of-transgender-people/

Time to be harsh with Christian fantasists.

Saturday, December 20, 2025

https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2025/12/saturday-december-20-2025/

Samaritanism

Samaritanism is an Abrahamic monotheistic, ethnic religion. It comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, & legal traditions of the Samaritan people.

Often preferring to be called Israelite Samaritans, who originated from the Hebrews & Israelites. They began to emerge as a relatively distinct group after the Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the Iron Age. The Neo-Assyrian Empire was the 4th, & penultimate, stage of ancient Assyrian history.

Central to their continuity as an Indigenous Heritage in the Holy Land is keeping the Patriarchal & Mosaic covenant as specified in the Samaritan Torah. Samaritans believe this is the original & unchanged version of the Pentateuch (which is the first 5 books of the Hebrew & Christian bible) since Moses & the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

The Abisha Scroll is traditionally held by the community to be the oldest existing scroll written by Abisha, son of Aaron the priest, around 3,000 years ago based on living tradition. However, Jewish & Christian theologians have made attempts to dispute this claim which proved unsatisfactory.

Judaism claims Samaritanism developed right alongside their own religion. Samaritanism asserts itself as the true preserved form of the monotheistic faith that the Israelites kept under Moses. Samaritan belief also holds that the Israelites’ original holy site was Mount Gerizim, near Nablus, the State of Palestine (West Bank).

They also believe that Jerusalem only attained importance under Israelite dissenters who had followed Eli (In the Book of Samuel, Eli was a priest & judge of the Israelites in the city of Shiloh) to the city of Shiloh.

The Israelites who remained at Mount Gerizim would become the Samaritans in the Kingdom of Judah. Mount Gerizim is revered by Samaritans as the location where the Binding of Isaac occurred. In comparison to the Jewish belief that it occurred at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

Today there are only about 900 registered communal members. This puts Samaritanism as 1 of the smallest ethnoreligious groups globally in the Abrahamic faiths. Samaritans believe that this is a prophecy fulfilled from the scriptures: “You’ll be left few in number.”

Though they hope for a future time when a prophet like Moses known as the “Taheb” (Restorer) will perform 3 signs, namely the jar of manna, the staff of Moses, & Cherubim, or the Golden Candlestick.

This time period they believe is when an era of Divine Favor would return, & the hidden tabernacle of Moses would miraculously be revealed for the Israelite people & Mount Gerizim is restored to its former glory.

Samaritans trace their history, as a separate entity, to a period soon after the Israelites’ arrival into the “Promised Land.” Samaritan historiography traces the schism to High Priest Eli leaving Mount Gerizim, where stood the 1st Israelite altar in Canaan, & building a competing altar in nearby Shiloh.

The dissenting group of Israelites who followed Eli to Shiloh would be the ones who, in later years, would head south to settle in Jerusalem (the Jews). Whereas the Israelites who stayed on Mount Gerizim, in Samaria, would become known as the Samaritans.

Genetic studies in 2004 suggest that Samaritans’ lineages trace back to a common ancestor with Jews in the paternally-inherited Jewish high priesthood (Cohanim) temporally near to the period of the Assyrian conquest of the Kingdom of Israel. They’re probably descendants of the historical Israelite population. The Cohanim refers to the Jewish priestly class, male descendants of Aaron the priest.

The Hasmonean king, John Hyrcanus, destroyed the Mount Gerizim Temple & brought Samaria under his control around 120 BCE. This led to a long-lasting sense of mutual hostility between the Jews & Samaritans.

From this point, the Samaritans likely sought to consciously distance themselves from their Judean brethren. Both peoples came to see the Samaritan faith as a religion distinct from Judaism. By the time of Jesus, Samaritans & Jews deeply disparaged one another, as shown by Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The main beliefs of Samaritanism are:

• There’s 1 God, Yahweh, the same God recognized by the Jewish prophets.
• The Torah is the only true holy book & was given by God to Moses. The Torah was created before the creation of the world & whoever believes in it is assured a part in the world to come. The Torah’s status in Samaritanism as the only holy book causes them to reject the Oral Torah, the Talmud, & all the prophets & scriptures, except for a version of the Book of Joshua (which they don’t hold as Scripture), whose book in the Samaritan community is significantly different from the Book of Joshua in the Jewish “Bible.” Moses is considered to be the last of the line of prophets.
• Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, is the 1 true sanctuary chosen by God. The Samaritans don’t recognize the sanctity of Jerusalem & don’t recognize the Temple Mount, claiming instead that Mount Gerizim was the place where the Binding of Isaac took place.
• The Apocalypse, called “the day of vengeance,” will be the end of days. When an entity called the Taheb (basically the Jewish Messiah equal) that comes from the tribe of Joseph will come, be a prophet like Moses for 40 years & bring about the return of all the Israelites, following which the dead will be resurrected. The Tahib will then discover the tent of Moses’ Tabernacle on Mount Gerizim, & will be buried next to Joseph when he dies.

The Samaritans have retained the institution of a high priesthood & the practice of slaughtering & eating lambs on Passover Eve. They celebrated Pesach, Shavuot, & Sukkot. But they use a different method from that used in mainstream Judaism in order to determine the dates annually.

For example, Yom Teru’ah (the biblical name for Rosh Hashanah), at the beginning of Tishrei (This is the 1st month of the civil year & the 7th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Hebrew calendar.), isn’t considered a New Year as it is in Rabbinic Judaism.

Their Sabbath is observed weekly by the Samaritan community every week from Friday to Saturday, beginning & ending at sundown. For 24 hours, the families gather together to celebrate the rest day: all electricity with the exception of minimal lighting (kept on the entire day) in the house is disconnected, no work is done, & neither cooking nor driving is allowed.

The time is devoted to worship which consists of 7 prayer services, reading the weekly Torah portion, spending quality time with family, taking meals, rest & sleep, & visiting other members of the community.

Passover is particularly important in the Samaritan community, climaxing with the sacrifice of up to 40 sheep.

The Counting of the Omar remains relatively unchanged. The Counting of the Omar is a ritual in Judaism that consists of a verbal counting of each of the 49 days between the holidays of Passover & Shavuot. However, the week before Shavuot is a unique festival celebrating the continued commitment Samaritanism has maintained since the time of Moses.

During Sukkot, the Sukkah (the temporary hut built for use during Sukkot) is built INSIDE of houses, instead of OUTSIDE like mainstream Judaism. This Samaritan tradition is traced back to the persecution of the Samaritans during the Byzantine Empire.

The roof of the Samaritan Sukkah is decorated with citrus fruits & branches of palm, myrtle, & willow trees. This is in accordance with the Samaritan interpretation of the 4 species designated in the Torah for the holiday. The 4 species are 4 plants (the etrog, lulav, hadass, & aravah) mentioned in the Torah as being relevant to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

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#120BCE #4Species #Aaron #Abisha #AbishaScroll #AbrahamicFaiths #AncientAssyria #Apoclypse #Aravah #BindingOfIsaac #BookOfJoshua #BookOfSamuel #ByzantineEmpire #Canaan #Cherubim #Christians #CitrusFruits #Cohanim #CountingOfTheOmar #Eli #Etrog #GoldenCandlestick #Hadass #Hasmonean #HebrewCalendar #Hebrews #HighPriestEli #HighPriesthood #IndigenousPeoples #IronAge #IsraeliteSamaritans #Israelites #Jerusalem #Jesus #Jewish #JewishProphets #Jews #Joseph #Judah #KingJohnHyrcanus #KingdomOfIsrael #Lulav #Manna #Messiah #MosaicCovenant #Moses #MountGerizim #MountSinai #Myrtle #Nablus #NeoAssyrianEmpire #OralTorah #Palestine #ParableOfTheGoodSamaritan #Passover #PatriarchalCovenant #Pentateuch #Priest #PromisedLand #RabbinicJudaism #RoshHashanah #Sabbath #SamaritanTorah #Samaritanism #Shavuot #Shiloh #StaffOfMoses #Sukkah #Sukkot #Tabernacle #Taheb #Talmud #TempleMount #Tishrei #Torah #WestBank #Willow #Yahweh #YomTeruAh

Where would white #RightWing #Christians be without false victimhood?

#transphobia #transgender #lgbtqia #ConservativeChristians

https://youtu.be/CwdjakpaoOg?si=6DWOD6gIbWId62Sm

#US #USA #trump #vance #MAGA #ICE #military #nationalguard #lawenforcement #fascism #stopfascism #nazis #fcknazis #republicans #christians #men #billionaires #hostiletakeover #democracy #politics #NoKings #Indivisible #5051

#RobertArnold #NoKingsDay 18. Oct. 2025

"Liberty is not a gift, it's a muscle, and a muscle atrophies when it's not used"

#HoldTheLine -> #takeaction #organize #boycott #protest #resist #nonviolent #resistance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKUvwKemmEI

This week's parasha includes the famous phrase

צדק צדק תרדוף

"#Justice! Pursue justice!" (Deut. 16:20)

What does this mean in practice? Well, the preceding verse gives us a clue:

לא־תטה משפט לא תכיר פנים ולא־תקח שחד כי השחד יעור עיני חכמים ויסלף דברי צדיקם

"You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just." (Deut. 16:19)

To my understanding, #Christians accept the "moral commandments" (as opposed to "ritual commandments") of the #Torah. My question then is: why are so many self-proclaimed Christians—like, say, just as a totally random example, #JusticeThomas, or, another entirely random example, the current occupant of the White House—so willing to transgress these commandments?

#Amerika #impeach47 #resist #Ω #donotcomply #SCOTUS #law #ruleOfLaw #democracy #VoteBlueToSaveDemocracy #impeachThomas #ImpeachConvictRemove

#FYI #us #usa #trump #hostiletakeover #fascism #stopfascism #nazis #fcknazis #republicans #christians #men #abuse #childabuse #pedophile #childmarriage #boycott #protest #resist #democracy #politics #PullupsPastaPolitics #hawkpodacsts #duet

How many of these do you want to watch in silence till you #takeaction?!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OTPkCkp2aJs

So many of my students come to Hebrew not just with a love of language—but with a deep desire to connect more personally with the Bible, the land of Israel, and their faith.

I received a moving video from one such student who shared how she found “Hebrew by Inbal” on her journey to read, write, and speak Hebrew - excited to deepen her spiritual walk in ways she never expected.

Her story is beautiful, and it reflects the heart of so many who come to Hebrew with faith as their guide. Watch, be inspired, and if this speaks to you—know you’re not alone on this path. 💙✡️📖

#HebrewByInbal #BiblicalHebrew #HebrewLanguage #Christians #Bible

Some #theological hills I am willing to die on:
1) The plenary inspiration of #scripture
2) At bare minimum, adherence to the #doctrines proclaimed by the first four Councils of the undivided #church must be upheld.
3) The #eucharist / #lordssupper ought to be celebrated *weekly*.
4) The #eucharist / #lordssupper , while symbolic, is not merely symbolic but also a true/real encounter/communion with Jesus.
5) #Baptism *must* be done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
6) Baptism is #regenerative
7) #Liturgical #worship is essential because the #bible itself reveals the Church’s worship as liturgical.
8) The #unity of the Church is not merely a spiritual reality (i.e. invisible), but a reality that ought to be visible for all the world to see.
9) Except in the cases of #heresy or wholesale unrepentant #sin within a portion of the Church, rending the Church’s unity is sinful. (So, disagreements over adiaphora are not worthy of division -- no matter how much one love's their pet theological theory)
10) All #christians must pray for and actively work towards and for the reunification of the Church.

https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/05/01/new-jersey-town-moves-to-seize-property-of-episcopal-church-that-wants-to-open-homeless-shelter/

#prayerwarriors please #pray for #ChristEpiscopalChurch in #NewJersey Evidently pickleball is more important to the town council than #Christians being #Christian & taking care of the poor (& housing challenged) in their community. (They don’t like #BonJovi feeding them either) #Episcopal #TEC #EpiscopalChurch #WWJD

#God #Forgives #Rapists & #Murderers… But Not This?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ULU27JMtOk

#Christians claim that God is all-forgiving—so why does the #Bible say there's one sin He can’t #forgive? In this video, I break down the doctrine of #blasphemy against the #HolySpirit, examining the verses, #contradictions, and #theological confusion surrounding it. We also expose how #Christian #pastors and #apologists can’t even agree on what this sin actually is or if it can be committed today.

#SUNDAYSCHOOL

I'm sick of listening to Evangelical Christians justifying this kind of bullshit.

But they are getting very good at it. 😡

#uspol #christians #evangelicals #conservatives #trump #musk #conservativechristians

@KimPerales https://toad.social/@KimPerales/114101193112531215

#Christian communities face growing #political divide as #religious affiliation declines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K3Q-OMXuRs

More than a quarter of #Americans now claim no #religiousaffiliation, a finding from the @pewresearch . That makes the so-called “#nones” the largest bloc of Americans. Judy Woodruff reports that for #white #Christians, the once-dominant group by far, there’s also been a growing political divide within communities as faith has receded.
#atheist #atheism #baptist #SOCAS

#Christian communities face growing #political divide as #religious affiliation declines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K3Q-OMXuRs

More than a quarter of #Americans now claim no #religiousaffiliation, a finding from the @pewresearch . That makes the so-called “#nones” the largest bloc of Americans. Judy Woodruff reports that for #white #Christians, the once-dominant group by far, there’s also been a growing political divide within communities as faith has receded.
#atheist #atheism #baptist #SOCAS

Day 1 - Day 2 ( Travel to NOLA - February 2024 )
Original : https://www.flickr.com/photos/miguel_discart/53648957199
#2024 #56Mm #Cathedral #CatholicReligion #Chretiens #Christians #Church #CreatedByDxo #Culte #Dxo #DxoPhotolab #DxoPhotolab7 #E28-200mmF2.8-5.6A071 #EditedPhoto #Eglise #Etats-Unis #FocalLength-56Mm #FocalLengthIn35mmFormat-56Mm #Holiday #Ilce-7cm2 #Iso1250 #LaNouvelle-Orleans #LieuDeCulte #Louisiana #Louisiane #NewOrleans #Nola #Nouvelle-Orleans #PlaceOfWorship

New Posts:

#Separationofchurchandstate is a #fundamental requirement

#Democrats to #Minnesotans: #Government trumps your #religion

A new survey provides a snapshot of #ChristianNationalism in #America

#France moves to enshrine #abortionrights in its #constitution

#Chaplains don’t belong in #publicschools

#Scripture-quoting #Alabama judge in #IVF case bridges natural law and #Christian #nationalism

What #Fundamentalist #Christians See in #Trump

https://flipboard.com/@dustcircle/church-state-separation-g5hp0m0uy
#SOCAS

@PatrickoftheG @tofugolem @rebeccawatson That's an interesting take. What I've heard is that these aren't movies so they don't need to be good. They're messages so they just need to be consistent in their messaging regardless of how good the end result is or isn't.

I think i heard that originally from Maggie Mae Fish

FIREPROOF: Christians Worshiping Money | Evangelical Films, Part 1 of 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh581gMSZY0

#MaggieMaeFish #KirkCameron #Evangelical #Christians

Saffron Flag Hoisted On MP Church Amid Jai Sri Chants, Ahead Of Ram Mandir Event

A group of men climbed on top of the church and planted a saffron flag with the Ayodhya Ram temple inscribed on it.

#MadhyaPradesh #jhabua #ChurchVandalism #RamTempleInauguration #HinduMobs #christians #hindutva #india

https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/saffron-flag-hoisted-on-mp-church-amid-jai-sri-chants-ahead-of-ram-mandir-event

This Christmas, Tripura roiled by RSS campaign demanding ‘delisting’ of Christian tribals

The campaign appears to be aimed at countering the continued rise of the Tipra Motha, a tribal-centric party, observers say.

#tripura #adivasis #christians #tribals #RSS #christmas #hindutva #BJPStates #india

https://scroll.in/article/1061139/this-christmas-tripura-roiled-by-rss-campaign-demanding-delisting-of-christian-tribals

#MikeJohnson like almost all #Christians Has a #Dangerous #VictimComplex.

What links his #electiondenial and his #antigay #policies is his #belief that he's a member of a #persecuted #minority.

https://newrepublic.com/article/176509/mike-johnson-dangerous-victim-complex

Olympic Medallist Mirabai Chanu Appeals to Modi, Shah to Bring Peace in Manipur

"Many players have not been able to train because of this conflict [in Manipur] and there has been disturbance in the study of students. Many lives have been lost and many houses have been burnt down," Mirabai Chanu said.

#manipur #ManipurUnrest #ManipurViolence #MirabhaiChanu #meiteis #kukis #majoritrianism #christians #tribals #NarendraModi #AmitShah #BirenSingh #BJP #northeast #india

https://thewire.in/security/olympic-medallist-mirabai-chanu-appeals-to-modi-shah-to-bring-peace-in-manipur

Indigenous Politics Leads to Ethnic Clashes in India’s Far Eastern Corner

The narrative against the Kuki tribes in the state of Manipur straddles several issues, from conservation to migration.

#manipur #ManipurViolence #kukis #meiteis #STstatus #ATSUM #tribals #hindus #christians #churches #NorthEast #BJP #india

https://newlinesmag.com/argument/indigenous-politics-leads-to-ethnic-clashes-in-indias-far-eastern-corner/

#KirkCameron and his buddies harassed a #TN #library until its director got fired
https://friendlyatheist.substack.com/p/kirk-cameron-and-his-buddies-harassed
#christians #bullies #dominionism

Today’s thought “Death by being taken captive” (May 15)

Today’s thought

“Death by being taken captive”

(May 15)

In the previous posting we looked at a “death” and spoke about Saul of Tarsus seeing the stoning of apostle Stephen.

At the beginning of this contemporary time table, we find several people who were willing to face death by stoning, like Stephen, or in the arena or at the stake, by hanging or burning, after being humiliated in front of many. The process of bearing witness was not intended to lead to the death of the witness, although it is known from ancient writers (e.g. Josephus) and from the New Testament that witnesses often died for their testimonies.

For Christians there is the archetypal martyr Jesus Christ, who was killed for the words he said and for the position he was taking in. That Nazarene Jewish teacher was not willing to give in to human philosophy and preferred only to keep the the words of his heavenly Father, the Only One True God. He also did not mind to give his body for the sins of many. He had to suffer greatly because of his religious but also political beliefs, preaching understanding between all people, but also preaching a kingdom that would be governing all over the world. He became admired and respected by billions of people who came to share those beliefs.

Several people found the sayings of that curious man, who could deliver miracles, very interesting, and thought it worth following him. But as soon that it seemed they had to do certain things, “doing works” and could not participate any more in folk traditions,  they choose to go back to their old way of living, enjoying life like it was.

Also the convert Saul saw that many, who first wanted to follow the teaching of Christ Jesus, felt attracted by very tempting doctrines of certain preachers. This did not prevent Paul from warning them. He wrote in his letter to the Colossians

8 Beware lest there be anyone of you taken captive through philosophical tevunah (wisdom) and empty deceit according to the kabbalah (oral tradition) of mere Bnei Adam, according to the ikkarim (basic principles) of the Olam Hazeh and not according to Moshiach; (Kehillah in Colossae 2:8 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

Today we still see a lot of people who are taken captive by philosophic arguments and empty deceit according to human tradition.
When Jesus was alive, he too wondered why so many kept going against the command of God because of their tradition. All those people who were showing off how much they loved God, and how much they could give to the synagogue, were “undressed” by the words of Christ who showed others the importance of those who honour God in small things and sometimes unseen or at the site (out of the way). He watched all those play-actors and remembered them of the prophet Isaiah who had the right words for them in his prophecy, declaring their worship which they offered to be in vain, because they taught, as law, mere human precepts.

3 But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, in reply to them, said, Why [do] also you transgress the mitzvat Hashem for the sake of your own masoros?

4 For Hashem has said, KABED ES AVICHA VES IMMECHA (honor your father and your mother, Shemot 20:12; Devarim 5:16), and MKALEL AVIV VIMMO MOT YUMAT (the one cursing his father and mother to die he must die, Shemot 21:17; Vayikra 20:9).

5 But you say, Whoever says to his abba or his em, whatever support you might have had from me, [it is] a gift [i.e., korban, dedicated to G-d].

6 By no means does [anyone who says this] honor his abba or em. And you nullify the Dvar Hashem on account of your masoros.

7 You tzevuim, well did Yeshayah give a dvar hanevuah concerning you, saying,

8 YAAN KI NIGASH HAAM HAZEH BEFIV UVISHFATAV KI-BDUNI VLIBO RICHAK MIMENI VATEHI YIRATAM OTI MITZVAT ANASHIM MELUMADAH (This people with their lips honor me, but their heart is far away from me,

9 and in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the mitzvot of [mere] men, Yeshayah 29:13.) (Mattityahu 15:3-9 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

In Roman times many statues where made of gods and people loved kneeling down in front of statues. In later years many Christians also started doing such things, bowing down in front of statues, paintings and burning incense or candles in front of these graven images or on graves. They, like many today, have forgotten that creating things to observe and keep do not make us more righteous – indeed they have the opposite effect – they can make us self-righteous.

Lots of people seem to forget the many verses in the Bible  which emphasise how we should be careful how to honour people and to whom we only may offer worship. The infallible Word of God is very clear on that, that there may only be worshipped One God of gods.

Not man’s words should be cherished, but the Words of God. Man has even to set those Words on their hearts and they should not be a futile thing for us, because we should know that the words of man perish, but God’s Word always shall stay alive and shall be the giver of life.

Man should know that the Word of God is like a rock. It is also perfect and in all its ways right.  It is given by some One of Whom we may be sure that He is really true and faithful, good and honest.

4 He is the Tzur, His po’al is tamim; for all His ways are mishpat; El Emunah and without avel (iniquity), tzaddik and yashar is He. (Devarim 32:4 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

7 Remember the yemot olam, consider shenot dor v’dor: ask Avicha, and he will show thee; thy zekenim, and they will tell thee. (Devarim 32:7 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

We have the Book of books which tells us about the days of the past. We should think about what happened so long ago. If we do not know it we should ask our ancestors or our spiritual leaders, so that they will tell.

Today we face the many countries, because there had come division between the haughty ones who wanted to build a tower high in the sky to defy God. But from all those people God choose one particular nation as His People, the Nation of God.

8 When HaElyon divided to the Goyim their nachalah, when He separated the Bnei Adam, He set the gevulot (borders) of the people according to the number of the Bnei Yisroel.

9 For Hashem’s chelek is His people; Ya’akov is the chevel (allotment) of His nachalah.

10 He found him in an eretz midbar, and in a barren and howling wilderness; He encircled him, He granted him discernment, He preserved him as the pupil of His eye. (Devarim 32:8-10 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

But though they knew they where the chosen ones, they more than once angered God.

18 Of the Tzur that fathered thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten El that formed thee.

19 And when Hashem saw it, He spurned them, because of the provoking of His banim, and of His banot.

20 And He said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very perverse generation, banim in whom is no faithfulness.

21 They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is lo El (not G-d), they have provoked Me to anger with their vanities; and I will move them to jealousy with those which are lo Am (a nonpeople); I will provoke them to anger with a goy naval (foolish, senseless nation) [Ro 10:19].

22 For an eish is kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest Sheol, and shall devour Eretz and her increase, and set on fire the foundations of harim.

23 I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend Mine khitzim (arrows) upon them.

24 They shall be burned with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction; I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the venom of serpents of the aphar (dust).

25 The cherev without, and terror within, shall destroy both the bochur and the betulah, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.

26 I said, I will dash them in pieces, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;

27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should misinterpret, and lest they should say, Our hand is triumphant, and Hashem hath not done all this.

28 For they are a goy (nation) void of sense, neither is there any seichel in them.

29 O that they were wise, that they had seichel, that they would consider their acharit (latter end, future)!

  (Devarim 32:18-29 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

Those living in the 21st century should recognise how those Chosen Ones suffered more than once and how even certain people tried to destroy them totally, not taking into account that God always would be with them. Even a Holocaust made them not perish from the earth. Death may have come over them but lots of them kept going strong and after many wars always found the way back to the Most High Elohim.

But the patience of God came to a point where the goyim also where called to become part of those God was willing to accept in His Kingdom. Though each of those non-Jews shall have to decide themselves if they want to be part of that Kingdom and step over the “death of this world”.

For the period where God shall make an end to the power of the adversary of God, Jehovah God has given the world His only begotten son, Jeshua (Jesus Christ) the authority to judge the living and the dead. People will have to know that when they die it is too late to make a choice. Before that time they shall have to have made up their mind. When in their lifetime they kept preferring to love all those saints, martyrs, and many gods, the Only One True God shall in a certain way laugh at them, seeing that their power shall be gone and that they are all helpless.

36 For Hashem shall judge His people, and relent for His avadim, when He seeth that their power is gone, and there is none left, slave or free.

37 And He shall say, Where are their elohim, their tzur in whom they trusted,

38 Which did eat the fat of their zevakhim (sacrifices), and drank the yayin of their nesakhim (drink offerings)? Let them rise up and help you, and be your shelter. (Devarim 32:36-38 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

Yes we may not forget that there is only One Who Is The Supreme Being or I Am that Is, The One and Only One God! When taken by death, for many, it shall be too late, to see at last, that there is no other God! Then, when Jesus returns and shall come to judge them, they shall realise that it is Jehovah Who put people to death and Who let people live.

39 See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no elohim besides Me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand.

40 For I lift up My hand to Shomayim, and say, Chai Anochi L’Olam (I live forever).

41 If I sharpen My glittering cherev, and Mine hand take hold on mishpat; I will render nakam (vengeance) to Mine enemies, and will reward them that hate Me.

42 I will make Mine khitzim (arrows) drunk with dahm, and My cherev shall devour basar; and that with the dahm of the slain and of the captives, from the head of leaders of the foe.

(Devarim 32:39-42 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

In our life we encounter many who try to make us afraid, want to hurt us or even threaten us with the worst. They should know that no one can save another person from the Power of God!

When we look at the past we can see that all the promises God made became a reality, except the few ones which still have to happen. But we may be sure also these things will happen!

26 For when we intentionally commit chet b’yad ramah [“wilful sin with a high hand of defiance” Bamidbar 15:30] after having received the full da’as of HaEmes, there remains no longer a korban for chattoteinu, (Yehudim in Moshiach 10:26 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

Therefore we should be very alert not to fall in the trap of the adversary of God, who every day tries to catch a lover of God, as an easy pray.

It may be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but when falling in the hands of the worldly people, there shall be no place in His Kingdom.When reading the bible regularly one should come to understand that we should know the importance of God’s Word and the sent one from Him, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

When having received Christ Jesus, we should walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as we have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. So let yourself be careful that no man comes to spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Always be aware of the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.

2 For I want you to have da’as of how great a ma’avak (struggle) I have for you and the ones in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen me panim el panim (directly, in person),

2 That their levavot may be given chozek (strength), having been made an aguda of ahavah and all osher (wealth) of the full assurance of binah, resulting in the da’as of the raz of Hashem, namely Moshiach,

3 In whom is nistar (hidden) all the otzarot (treasures) of chochmah and da’as. [YESHAYAH 11:2; YIRMEYAH 23:5]

4 This I say so that no one may delude you with the sleight of hand of the ba’al melitzot (rhetorician).

5 For, though absent in basar, but present with you in the Ruach Hakodesh, with lev same’ach (glad heart) I am seeing your order and the firmness of your [Orthodox Jewish] emunah in Moshiach.

6 Therefore, as you became mekabel Moshiach and received Moshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua, so let your halichah be in Him,

7 Having been rooted and built up in Moshiach and being firmly founded in the emunah as you were given Messianic [orthodox] lernen [study], abounding in hodayah.

8 Beware lest there be anyone of you taken captive through philosophical tevunah (wisdom) and empty deceit according to the kabbalah (oral tradition) of mere Bnei Adam, according to the ikkarim (basic principles) of the Olam Hazeh and not according to Moshiach;

9 Because in Moshiach kol melo Elohim (all the plentitude of G-d) finds its bodily maon laShechinah (dwelling place for the Shechinah).

10 And you have been granted melo (plentitude) in Moshiach, who is the Rosh of all rule and authority.

11 In Moshiach also you were circumcised with a Bris Milah not made with human hands, a Bris Milah of the surgically removing of the body of the basar (old fallen and unregenerate nature) in the Bris Milah of Moshiach,

12 Having been buried in the Ohel of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach’s tevilah with him, with whom also you were made to stand up spiritually in the Techiyah together through your emunah and bitachon in the ma’aseh of Hashem who made Moshiach stand up from the Mesim. (Kehillah in Colossae 2:1-12 Orthodox Jewish Bible)

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Preceding articles

Today’s thought “Ability to see that God is not dead” (May 12)

Today’s thought “Ability to circumcise your heart” (May 13)

Death

Why are you persecuting me?

May reading the Bible provoke us into action to set our feet on the narrow way

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Additional reading

1. Hello America and atheists
2. Solipsism
3. Blaming their circumstances for what they are
4. Truth never plays false roles of any kind, which is why people are so surprised when meeting it
5. The inspiring divine spark
6. Knowing where to go to
7. Eternity depends upon this short time on earth
8. Act as if everything you think, say and do determines your entire life
9. Foundation to go the distance
10. Not trying to make the heathen live like Jews #2
11. Preferring to be a Christian
12. Aim High: Examples of Godly Characters to follow
13. I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late !
14. Not making yourselves abominable
15. Not following the tradition of man
16. Leaders in disguise

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Further reading

1. There Is No Dark, You Are Missing Out The Light!
2. When everything goes wrong…
3. Something Missing in Your Life?
4. Acts 7 – The Martyr
5. What happened to the 12 disciples of Jesus ? How did they die and where?
6. The Living Martyr
7. Faithful to the End
8. Memorial of St. Athanasius
9. Martyrdom and the French Revolution
10. 15 Martyr Saints Who Teach Us How to Carry The Cross With Jesus
11. My Lost Paradise…
12. Come and join us
13. Redeeming The Colosseum
14. The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
15. Deceit Fills Hearts That Are Plotting Evil
16. SOAP Journal – 15 May 2017 (Deuteronomy 13:6-9)
17. The Power of Truth
18. Pope Francis’ teachings on how to conquer hatred
19. Pope Francis: Russian Needs to Defend Christians
20. Will Christianity Perish in Its Birthplace?
21. Beware of Motivational Preachers
22. I’m not Brave
23. Living for God
24. Why Don’t We Care About the Slaughter of Christians?
25. And God Said, “Okay. My List Is Full. No More…”
26. Mornings at the Mission: The Patient Compassion of God
27. Choose Milk as the Lord is Gracious
28. Where To Draw The Line?
29. A day of reckoning

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Related articles

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• Turn the Other Cheek? Peace!
• For Getting to know Jesus
• Jewish and Christian traditions of elders
• Saul, Paul, Jackman and film

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