News & Views, June 2000 - Edited By E. L. Bynum

Homosexual Power in Action - By E. L. Bynum

Men & Women Nailed to Crosses - Comments By E. L. Bynum

Why All the Shootings in America? - By Darrel Scott - (Comments by E. L. Bynum

Acceptable Apostasy By Bill Mosley

Mother of Harlots and Abominations! —Richard Eckstein

The New School Prayer - Bagdad Public Bulletin, Bagdad, Arizona

The abandonment of the doctrine of Jesus Christ is never acceptable to God. However, like Ephesus, many of the Lord's churches have left their first love and fallen into apostasy. In Paul's last meeting with the elders of Ephesus he warned: (Acts 20:28, 29): "Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God which he hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." This movement has increased steadily from that day.

From the time when Satan was cast out of heaven he has promoted the rejection and forsaking of God's command. When God issued a statement of conduct or correction the devil readily led in protest against it or devised an alternate plan. Deceived hearts follow eagerly and enthusiastically any substitute course implemented by Satan.

Satan's question to Eve, "Hath God said...?" (Gen. 3:1), has been the devil's theme of the ages. Not only has this question effected the fall of the human race, it has also permeated the deceitful heart of man. The word `apostasy' is not found in the Word of God but the behavior of apostasy is. Apostasy is the abandonment of one's faith or cause. "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,..." is not an isolated case. (2 Tim. 4:10) Apostasy has been explained thus: "Very simply it is the decline in moral religious values. It is a depreciation in national values, and a cheapening of individual values." The warning that "antichrist will come" became fact early in the church age. "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." (1 John 2:18) Satan's renewed effort to separate men from proper fellowship and service to God causes division among those once in agreement. The forsaking of once sacred and traditional values resulted in parting of ways in the days of John. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." (1 Jn. 2:19)

Even as in the days of the "disciple whom Jesus loved," there is today a forsaking of doctrinal truth for the sake of so-called unity. The attacking of and trying to overthrow doctrinal values is no new thing but the intensity is rapidly increasing. As surely as the devil sought to treacherously and tactfully destroy the cause of Christ by questioning His authenticity (Matt. 4:1- 10), so also did his spokesmen while Jesus was on the cross (Matt. 27:40). "If thou be the Son of God?" is not an unprecedented challenge from Satan. Job was subject to vile attacks of character centuries before the church age. Again Satan used those closest to Job to do the greatest harm. This method of destroying the faith of many is still employed by Satan. He remains the accuser of the brethren through other brethren. The man of God who is called to lead the Lord's church today is scrutinized, ostracized, and criticized for standing for the doctrine of church separation.
The `come as you are' attitude is not confined to attire. It also relates to doctrinal conviction and methods of worship. Once closed communion is now opened first to those of like faith and order. Ultimately to those of any persuasion yet immersed for baptism. Then to all who have "examined themselves" and are satisfied with they own examination. Choruses and clapping are tolerated for the sake of unity. Although they replace the singing of the old hymns of revival and the solemnity of godly worship, for the sake of unity such are endured. This is nothing less than a fork in the road of Satan's plan to destroy a proper conduct and godly worship and attitude toward the Lord's church and many are accepting it and taking the wrong turn. The smoke screen of acceptable apostasy appears in variegated garments.

Satan's implementation of apostasy today is the same as always. The Sanballat's and Geshem's of Nehemiah's day are as prevalent today as then, and maybe more so. While Nehemiah worked intensely on rebuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem mockers planned to hinder the work. When mockery and physical harm failed to discourage Nehemiah and his company, compromise was introduced into their scheme. "Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono." (Neh. 6:2) Nehemiah was wiser than many so-called servants of the Lord today by recognizing their motive. "But they thought to do me mischief."

The beginning of Satan's promotional activity began long before man came on the scene. "I will be like the most High," resulted in him being "brought down to hell." (Isa. 14:14,15) Yet he uses the same tactics to promote his plan among men.

Abel lost his life because he choose to sacrifice to God according to God's direction. Danger from opposition to those who hold to the doctrine of God is in store in one form or another. Cain used his own invention trying to accomplish the same end as Abel. He was made as upright as Abel and no doubt received the same instruction from his parents. Nevertheless, he had his own opinion of the method that would best serve his interest. He invented his own plan. "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." (Eccl. 7:29)

When the wickedness of man was so great that God determined to destroy man off the earth, the preacher of righteousness continued to preach and build. (Gen. 6; 2 Pet. 2:5) There is little doubt that other plans to escape God's judgment permeated society even while Noah labored under God's direction. Even if they believed there was imminent judgment, surely, they thought, there was a better method to follow. If Noah was invited to forsake God's boat building project he never deterred from his calling.

Abraham also was seduced by Satan's promotional maneuvers. He had secured the safety of Lot and his company from the band that overcame Sodom and the surrounding cities. (Gen. 14:1-16) The victory was of God and Abraham knew only God deserved the glory. Abraham refused the offer from the King of Sodom to take all the spoil and leave only the people under his command. Many modern day spiritual leaders would have jumped at such a chance. How few today would have the grace to answer as did Abraham: "...I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:..." (Gen. 14:23) Worldly practices may enrich the coffers of religious false prophets but it will never bring glory to God.

Satan's practice of deceit to further his plan and promotion continued in the days of Christ. Our Lord was challenge, "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." (Matt. 27:40) The challenge was one of circumventing God's divine plan of the ages to save lost humanity. The compromise of this heavenly design would only have given temporary relief to all condemned to die. Yet some would say with one so close to death, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." (Luke 23:19) A sad commentary of many world renowned evangelistic teams bring only temporary relief. They are only emergency help for a guilty conscience that parallel the false prophets of old. "For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." (Jer. 8:11) What a false sense of security for hell bound sinners to hear a worldly presentation of a watered down gospel that is not the gospel of Christ.

Practices abound of a worldly nature to draw crowds to hear a false presentation of the saving gospel of Christ. This will be further addressed in the last section of this article. It was the love for the world that turned Demas aside from following Christ. (2 Tim. 4:10) John Mark was not entirely removed from worldly hindrances when he set out with Paul and Barnabas on their mission for Christ. "And went not with them to the work" would be stamped in the mind of Paul. (Acts 15:37) Although John Mark went with Barnabas, there is little record concerning their work.

Moses faced the same problem with the worldly minded during his trek through the wilderness. They, too, assailed Moses in his godly pursuit of the land of milk and honey. What depraved souls to "...thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,..." (Acts 7:39) The sad conclusion of their lives were that though they were indeed delivered from Egypt they never decided to forsake it. It cost them the grand prize of being in the will of God and reaping the harvest of battling the enemies of righteousness.

The ostrich's `head in the sand' syndrome has soaked much of Christendom today. There are religious organizations that have never been known for doctrinal separation. There are also many who have left the camp of doctrinal separation.

What does it mean to stand for doctrinal separation? Purely and simply it means standing for the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ is a dividing doctrine. "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." (Matt. 10:35) Men like Billy Graham who once seemed to know better has nothing but praise for his replacement, son Franklin. George Beverly Shea has been replace by the likes of Ricky Skaggs. The gospel through music has given way to glorifying the flesh through CCM by a tavern performer.

It is inevitable where Christ is preached there is a dividing among men. It is because of Christ and all His doctrine. "So there was a division among the people because of him." (John 7:43) Multitudes would follow Him only so far. It was evident when His doctrine became divisional among those who followed Him. He taught His followers the necessity of partaking of His body and blood, of forsaking all and following Him. The sad account that follows fits well modern ecumenical movements. "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." (John 6:66) The Lord's question, "Will ye also go away?" is seldom answered today in the manner which Peter stated in v. 68: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."

For Satan's progress in religious deception to prosper there must be a following. To implement such a following evangelistic devices of all dimensions have surfaced. Some that were once more conservative are now becoming liberal. Criticism always arises when Benny Hinn and Bill Hybel are uncovered for what they really are, prophets of deceit. The crowd that follow and defend them are deluded by Satan as he progressively promotes his plan. Billy Graham is so closely associated with the likes of Robert Schuller that even once sound Baptist are susceptibly exposed to being as deceived as Graham himself.

Now enters the religious setting a cap wearing, Ricky Skaggs promoting, CCM endorsing Franklin Graham. Satan's practice of deception was recently exhibited in the United Spirit Arena of Lubbock, TX. Multitudes attended simply to see and hear the performance of Ricky Skaggs and other celebrities. The same rock beat that is heard in taverns filled the United Spirit Arena under a religious setting. Although I did not attend even one of the religious(?) services, reports abound of the crowd pleasing worldly atmosphere as well as the pleased crowd. What a sobering turn of events if society could see "The United Spirit Arena" replaced with the sign of God's assessment of the recent happenings there. Ichabod: the glory of the lord is departed.
It seems the doctrine for this kind of goings on is `the more clamor generated the more Christian the setting.' The woman seeking the lost coin was not sweeping simply to raise dust. She was sweeping to find the lost piece of silver. (Luke 15:8,9) She never borrowed the broom of the world in her search, but a broom designed for cleaning her own house. The Lord's church would do well not to compromise their God given method to reach the lost, but stay with the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation of which we should never be ashamed. It was no stroll in the pasture for the man that was seeking his lost sheep. (Luke 15:14) Nor was it a light thing for the Lord when He said, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Local ministerial alliances are given fuel by such ecumenical pilgrimages as the Franklin Graham Festivals. Billy Graham stated he wished there were no denominations, others quickly followed him in saying how good it is for friends and neighbors of different denominations to worship together. Amos' question poses a problem for those who claim to be separate in doctrine and still worship together in unity. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) There is a world of difference in a wafer for conscience sake and a warfare for Christ's sake. Doctrinal foundations crumble when compromise demands doctrinal differences be put aside. "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psa. 11:3)

In preparation for the Franklin Graham Festival in Lubbock Baptist, Methodist, Catholics, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Episcopalians, and many other denominations signed a covenant of unity. Solomon's statement in Proverbs 26:7 describes this mixed multitude well: "The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools." This statement was not to ridicule the crippled nor do I in my comments. But what a multitude of impotent folk this is, waiting at the pool of Bethesda under the guise of doing good for one another. The greater the multitude the less likely any will find a way into the healing water. Although the man crippled for 38 years was surrounded by others in the same condition he could only say to the Lord, "Sir, I have no man...to put me into the pool." (John 5:7)

The Lord has not changed His mind concerning separation. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,.." is still the requirement if we are to be the sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. (2 Cor. 6:17,18) "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help;..." should be a beacon of warning that rocky shoals lie ahead. (Isa. 31:1) Jehoshaphat thought he was bettering himself when he joined affinity with Ahab. (2 Chron. 18:1) He soon became the target of the enemies of Ahab as he tried to stand in his own chariot. He also must face Jehu's sober analysis, "Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the LORD?" Solomon in all his wisdom made affinity with Pharaoh and took his daughter for his wife. This resulted in God writing this footnote to Solomon's illustrative life: "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father."(1 Kings 11:4)

When the Lord's churches fall into Satan's trap of acceptable apostasy what will the epitaph on their grave marker say when the Lord removes their candlestick? The only cure is most unlikely to happen in most cases. Repent and return! (Rev. 2:4,5)

A generation ago the word homosexual was not a word that you heard publicly used. This way of life was not promoted in society. Homosexual acts were illegal in most places, and hardly seemed a threat. All of that has radically changed in the last few years, and they now compose a powerful threat to conservative Christians and to society as a whole. They have power, not because they have great numbers, but because they are organized and dedicated to their cause. This can best be explained by the following quotation. "...it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds...." Samuel Adams

The Bible condemns their conduct, and the majority of people frown upon their activities, they continue to gain ground because they are well organized and determined. They have no intention to turn back, and they plan to use their power to stifle all resistance to their agenda. Let us see how they use their power.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is an Orthodox Jew with one of the largest radio talk-show audiences in the nation. Her 5-day a week show draws an audience of almost 20 million. Her language can be rather raunchy at times, as she calls a woman that sleeps around as a slut (slang word that expresses the truth). She condemns the men just as strongly as the women. Her answers to callers are sometimes tart, but often right to the point. Being an Orthodox Jew she is quite conservative on moral issues. She condemns homosexuality for being deviant and wrong, and thus infuriates the homosexual crowd.

Dr. Laura was scheduled to gain her own TV talk-show this fall, but the homosexual activists are engaged in an all out battle to see that this does not happen. They have put great pressure on the commercial advertisers to keep them from advertising on any program hosted by Dr. Laura. The following quotation is quite revealing.

"Even opponents of gay censorship those who object on free-speech grounds miss the point.
"They never ask why activists are so desperate to stifle any discussion of an issue with momentous implications for the family and society.

"Why does the movement insist that its view of homosexuality is not just the only legitimate one, but that dissent is hateful and promotes violence?

"Dr. Laura's affront to the new code of decency is taking a biblical position on sodomy and describing homosexual relations as `deviant.'

"Thus far, activists have persuaded Proctor & Gamble to withdraw its advertising from her upcoming TV show and United Airlines to pull ads for her radio show from its in-flight magazine. There's a campaign to pressure local television stations not to air the program.

"Even more chilling, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (a quasi-government agency) has ruled that henceforth, Canadian stations which air Schlessinger's radio show must censor her `abusively discriminatory' views on homosexuality. Please welcome the Royal Canadian Mounted Gestapo." 1

If they can silence Dr. Laura, then they will certainly endeavor to silence the preachers that preach against the awful sin of homosexuality. I am convinced that in due time they will attempt to take away the nonprofit status of churches that take a stand against homosexual behavior. If we preach what the Bible says about sodomy, they will attempt to brand us as hate mongers and accuse us of stirring up violence against the so-called gays. The liberal Protestant religious movement along with some Baptists have already caved in to this powerful group. Many others have been intimidated into remaining silent on this immoral scourge descending upon our country.

Those people who are engaged in education and those who are trying to protect education in this country, are under tremendous pressure to be pro-homosexual. The homo crowd desperately want to use education to indoctrinate children and university students into the homosexual life style. Since they do not on their own have children, they must recruit students to follow their sinful ways. If they cannot recruit them, they at least want them to become tolerate of their perversion.

Brian Camenker is a Massachusetts family activist which has been bludgeoned, bound and gagged by the gay thought police. Read on to find out what they have succeeded in doing to him.
"For ripping the veil of secrecy from the indoctrination of minors, Camenker has also made the movement's most-wanted list. A member of his Parents Rights Coalition taped a March 25 conference at Tufts University sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which benefits from a $1.5 million state appropriation, supposedly to make schools safe for gay youth.

"At the conference, teachers, who get professional credits for attending, were told how to `come out' to a grade school class. Several hundred children also attended.

"Kids as young as 13 were encouraged to describe the raunchiest acts imaginable, to make them comfortable with their orientation. A presenter told teen-age boys that choosing to have sex with a man and not using a condom didn't indicate a lack of self-esteem.

"In a suit filed by the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, also publicly funded, Boston Superior Court Judge Allan van Gestel has imposed a gag order on Camenker and his group. They are barred from releasing the tapes and even discussing what's on them.

"GLSEN - which has threatened to press criminal charges against Camenker says its right to privacy has been violated. Is it right to use public funding to introduce minors to the joys of `fisting'? Dr. Laura, that hatemonger, would probably call it a `deviant' act.

"The gay thought police are working double shifts.

"When the subject is homosexuality, moral judgments are deemed to be discriminatory. In a pending Supreme Court case, activists are trying to force the Boy Scouts to give a merit badge for deviancy. Christian groups are being hounded off college campuses because of their refusal to edit Leviticus.

"It's more than just the left's penchant for screaming `evil' instead of engaging in a dialogue. Homosexual activists are terrified of being challenged on their dogma. They seem to know, at least, subconsciously, that their arguments won't stand up to scrutiny. The movement's premises that being a homosexual is comparable to being black or female, that gay marriage will, promote social stability, that objecting to any of the foregoing incites violence have never been proven, because they can't be proven.

"If sexual orientation is biological, what are we to make of the ex-gay movement, with an estimated 20,000 members? (Did they change their DNA?) Researchers have essentially abandoned the quest for the elusive gay gene.

"If homosexual unions benefit society, why has no society sanctioned them? If disagreeing with the homosexual agenda promotes gay-bashing, then dissenting from the GOP platform must spur violence against Republicans and should also be banned.

"They came for Schlessinger and you did nothing. You're not a radio personality. They came for Camenker and you were silent. You're not a family activist. Who do you expect to be there to object when they come for you?" 2

"President Clinton Again Proclaims June Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." This was the headline of a recent Baptist Press release. This shows the tremendous power and influence of the homosexual movement in this country. Clinton's problem with the law has clearly been revealed by the Monica affair and the impeachment. It is clear that when it comes to moral issues, he simply has no morality.

His appointment of homosexuals to high places in government, and his promotion of homosexuals in the military leaves no doubt to about where he stands. Unless there is a turning away from this filthy sin, our nation is doomed for the judgment of God. No homosexual nation has been able to survive in the past, and our nation will not be the exception.

Below in quotes you will find the Baptist Press release.

"President Clinton again has proclaimed June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.

"The proclamation came one year after Clinton became the first president to make such a designation. His 1999 proclamation elicited a sharp rebuke from Southern Baptists meeting at their yearly convention.

"As he did last year, the president said in the proclamation he is proud of his administration's achievements on behalf of homosexual rights. They have included, he said, the appointment of more open homosexuals to senior posts than in any other administration and a 1998 executive order prohibiting discrimination in the federal civilian workforce based on `sexual orientation,' which includes homosexuality.

"In addition, Clinton's June 2 proclamation repeated his call for Americans to observe the month `with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities that celebrate our diversity' and to recall the homosexual Americans whose `contributions have enriched our national life.'

"After Clinton, a member of a Southern Baptist church, issued his groundbreaking proclamation last year, messengers to the SBC meeting in Atlanta, Ga., passed with near unanimity a resolution calling upon him to rescind the proclamation. It deplored the president's `most public endorsement of that which is contrary to the Word of God.'

"The messengers affirmed their love for the president and "for people enslaved in sins of all types, including homosexual sins' but said that love `compels us to rebuke him.'

"The resolution also proclaimed `forgiveness of and freedom from homosexuality' is found in Jesus. It denounced violent attacks against homosexuals and expressed `abhorrence of the teaching that God hates any person on account of an immoral lifestyle.'

SBC President Paige Patterson said at the time the proclamation should be a basis for his church to discipline Clinton. The proclamation is `entirely inconsistent with [Clinton's] confession as an evangelical Christian and certainly as a Southern Baptist," Patterson said. `When a member of a Southern Baptist church takes the position that he has taken in outright contradistinction to the Word of God, that church should act to bring about church discipline in that case.'

"Clinton has been a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., since 1980, according to church records.

"The president never rescinded last year's proclamation, and Immanuel Baptist Church never announced any disciplinary action toward him.

"Immanuel, like many Southern Baptist churches, has not practiced discipline, including the removal of members, in recent decades. Immanuel has handled each moral transgression as a private matter between the individual and a minister, a staff member told Baptist Press." 3

Millions of boys and girls have grown up in the Boy and Girl Scouts. They have a reputation of being patriotic and the promotion of morality. Parents have felt safe in sending their children to the Scouts, but that may be rapidly coming to an end. The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that homosexuals must be allowed to be Scout Leaders. If this is allowed to stand, then the homosexual movement will have an open door to explain the glories of their deviant life style to multitudes of Young People. This will be to promote their cause, and recruit new members into their way of life. Many of the Scout Troops meet in churches, and they will see promotion of homosexuality in their church buildings.

The Supreme Court of the United States is considering this important issue. It may be that they will overturn the ruling of the New Jersey court. If they do, this does not mean that the gays will give up on their efforts. They are relentless, persistent, and dedicated to their cause, and they will not stop until they prevail.

They already have homosexual and lesbian teachers in the public school. The gladly inform their students on the advantages of being gay, and toleration of the gay movement. They describe to their classes the details of their deviant way of life, in language that is graphic and plain.

Make no mistake, they are succeeding in converting many churches and denominations to accept the homosexual way. Homosexuals are openly active in many churches across this land. Preachers in some of the major denominations, such as the Methodists and the Presbyterians, have performed homosexual weddings. They have ordained some of them to the ministry, and installed them as pastors.

Those of us who follow the Bible, and oppose homosexuality, will begin to feel the heat. They will brand us as hate mongers, and will blame us for any violence against them. They will go after getting our tax status revoked, so that churches will have to pay taxes, and members will not be able to deduct their gifts on their income taxes.

Most Christians and churches are too busy playing church to stand up and resist this awful debauchery that is being promoted. They are too busy watching TV and other forms of entertainment to see what is happening. Picnics, parties and social events occupy the thoughts and time of the average professing Christians. Preachers are too busy to take a stand, and some have already stopped preaching against this immorality. Like Belshazzar and his drunken lords, Christians are unmindful that the enemy is inside the gates (Daniel 5). Unless we wake up soon it will be too late. May God help us to seek the face of God, and pray for revival in our wicked land. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (II Chron. 7:14).

We firmly believe that God will save the homosexual that will repent of sin, and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and accept Him. All that do this will turn from their wicked sin of homosexuality.

We have written many times about what the Bible says about homosexuality. That would be another article. If you would like to receive a free copy of a tract that explains the Bible teaching about homosexuality, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Tabernacle Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX 79452. Ask for tract # A-335, titled "The Bible and the Homosexual," by E. L. Bynum

1 Don Feder, Lubbock Avalanche Journal, 6-7-00
2 Ibid
3 Baptist Press

With what indignation must the Lord look down upon that apostate harlot, called the Romish Church, when, in all her sanctuaries, there are pictures and images, relics and statues, and poor beguiled beings are even taught to bow before a piece of bread.

I have seen thousands adore the wafer, hundreds bow before the image of the Virgin, scores at prayer before a crucifix, and companies of men and women adoring a rotten bone or a rusty nail, because said to be the relic of a saint.

Let us, above all, never have any complicity with this communion of devils, this gathering together of the sons of Belial: and since our God is a jealous God, let us not provoke him by any affinity, gentleness, fellowship, or unity with this Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth.
Renounce, my brethren, every ceremony which has not Scripture for its warrant, and every doctrine which is not established by the plain testimony of the Word of God.

Suggested reading: First 6 verses of Revelation 17. And then ask yourself this question. "Who are the daughters of this mother of harlots?"

—Richard Eckstein

SAN FERNANDO, Philippines (AFP) Ten men and a woman were nailed to wooden crosses here on Good Friday in a bizarre ritual held annually despite the disapproval of the mainstream Roman Catholic church.

Several hundred local and foreign tourists watched under a hot sun as the 10 men, clad in white loincloths, and a woman in a white robe reenacted what the Bible describes as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago.

The 11 staggered into a fenced-in knoll where neighbors dressed as Roman centurions awaited with wooden crosses, hammers and four-inch (10-centimeter) nails.

Bus driver Chito Sangalang grimaced as the nails were driven into his palms and feet as he was nailed to a cross. The cross was hoisted aloft for the crowd to see before Sangalang was taken down.

"It's amazing to see people sacrificing themselves for their sins," said American tourist Rey New, 40.

It was the 14th year Sangalang has been nailed to a cross. His brother Arnel was crucified for a seventh time along with eight other penitents.

Woman penitent Amparo Santos was crucified last.

Chito Sangalang told journalists that he was taking part in the annual crucifixion ritual to thank God for curing his mother of tuberculosis.

"I promised to do this for 15 years. This is my 14th year," he said.

The annual spectacle began when Sangalang was "arrested" by fellow worshipers dressed as Roman soldiers and brought before a man playing the role of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who authorized Jesus's death.

Accompanied by horse-riding "guards," he walked a dusty one-kilometer (0.6-miles) to the man-made knoll where he was nailed to the cross. Guards pretended to pierce his side with a spear.
The nails, soaked in alcohol beforehand, were pulled out after a few minutes.

Aside from the crucifixions, dozens of penitents walked barefoot in the village of San Pedro Cutud, beating their bare backs bloody with sticks laced with broken glass.

The Roman Catholic church has frowned upon such expressions of fealty, but penitents reenact them annually to seek special favors from God such as the healing of a sick relative or the meeting of a financial need.

"Faith is important, but let's not go to the extremes," Cardinal Jaime Sin, the highest- ranking church leader in the Philippines, has said.

Spain brought Catholicism to this southeast Asian archipelago with the sword of colonial conquest in 1521, and the Philippines remains the lone major Catholic outpost in Asia with more than 50 million Catholics.
The faith supplanted animism and Islam, which had arrived two centuries earlier, in all but a few areas in the large southern island of Mindanao.

In the Mindanao city of Zamboanga, large numbers of Roman Catholics stayed away from churches on Good Friday amid bomb threats attributed to Muslim extremists, residents said.
Soldiers and police armed with assault rifles guarded churches for afternoon masses following threats by the radical Islamic group Abu Sayyaf to attack Christian targets.

"We are afraid because there are threats of terrorists bombing churches here," said businesswoman Marites Fernandez, 27.

She, her husband and seven children broke tradition and avoided attending mass and a religious procession afterwards through the city, where 90 percent of the 500,000-strong population are Christians.

Fernandez's neighbors in Zamboanga's Tetuan district also stayed at home, most of them glued to television or radio sets where masses and Jesus's "Seven Last Words" while on the cross were aired live.

"Even my sister who has a statue of a saint did not attend the procession. It's very scary, we are just being careful," Fernandez told AFP.

ELB Comments: This is the kind of results that come from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. While the Catholic Church pretends to oppose this, they do very little to stop it. In Mexico City I have seen people flagellating themselves as they walk down the street. A man walks down the street with his back bare and bleeding. As he walks, he takes the cruel whip, and beats himself on the back. I have seen men and women crawling on their knees, on the rough cobblestone streets. Where are they going? They are on their way to the Catholic Church where they will kiss the feet of the saints, give money, and come before the priests. The Catholic priests make no effort to stop this pagan nonsense. These poor people are trying to buy favor from God. Then we see silly Protestants and Baptists pretending that the Catholics are saved, and they all work together promoting the Franklin Graham Festivals, and the Billy Graham Crusades. They are leading Protestants and Baptists down the primrose path of compromise. What a disgrace to the cause of Jesus Christ. This is sure to encourage Roman Catholics to think that they are already saved.

On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, U.S. House of Representatives.

What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every child, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal.

We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association.

The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy ... it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.

I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs
Your words are empty air
You've stripped away our heritage
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms
And precious children die
You seek for answers everywhere

What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and, in doing so, we open the doors to hatred and violence.

And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs, politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA . . . No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre.

Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched.

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our makeup, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc.

Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in doing so, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties.

We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key.

There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes. He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School - prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.

To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen! From The Presbyterian Layman, (March/April 2000) and an email from Thomas E. Corkish.

This touching testimony from the father of a girl who was murdered at the Columbine High School should have received the widest publicity possible. However, the national news media all but ignored the striking story. Why? Because they are completely biased against the truth about crime! Their agenda is to blame everything on guns, and not upon evil people.

If Darrell Scott had blamed his daughter's murder on the NRA and guns, NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN would have carried this story over and over on their programs. They would have had Darrell Scott on numerous interviews, and would have asked him to comment on the National Rifle Association, and guns until we would have grown sick of hearing about it. Since he did not do this they largely ignored the story. The news media is as biased as they can be, and that is the reason that you should be extremely skeptical about anything they say.

The Bible and prayer has been removed from the schools. Without the moral principles taught in the Word of God, there is no standard of what is right or wrong. The Ten

Commandments cannot be posted in the classroom lest some heathens would be offended. This is so different than it was in the past.

Movies, television, videos and video games are about as violent as they can get. With the video games, the child who is playing can participate in the murder and violence. After practicing murder and violence on video, it is a simple matter for some to go out and do the real thing.

Movies and television portray fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and lesbianism in a favorable light. They incite lust, and a breakdown of moral character. This brings out the depravity of the human heart, and this enables people to commit sins they would not otherwise commit. There is usually no moral theme in the movies, but rather it is amoral (no morals).

The Bible reveals the law of God, and those in government have no standard to guide them, because they reject its truth. Politicians (such as Bill Clinton), set an immoral example for youth to follow.

The heroes of our youth are movie stars, and sports superstars, most of which live ungodly lives. The sports figures perform on Sunday, and disregard the worship of God.

The schools are not allowed to discipline the youth anymore. If they do, then irate parents and lawyers will appear with threats of lawsuits.

Most children are growing up in homes which are not Christian. These parents know nothing about what the Bible says about raising children. God is not honored in the home, and prayer and Bible study is not practiced. Moral standards are not upheld, and faith in God is not extolled. Television is the most interesting thing in the home, and the family spend their time before it. It becomes a sort of god, where TV meals are consumed, and where homework is done. Families hardly converse with one another, because they are adoring what is on TV.

Marriage is simply a thing of convenience, so that the man and woman can be happy. If it doesn't satisfy, then just get a divorce. Many of the homes are inhabited by husbands and wives who have gone through multiple marriages. It is not uncommon to find children from two to three marriages in the same home. They are often at war with their half-brothers and half-sisters. Many of the youth that commit crimes and murder, grew up in such an home.

These kinds of homes produce criminals, murderers, and fornicators. Like begets like, and the horrible results make the news every day. Children born out of wedlock usually learn it, and the result can be hardened and angry lives.

With over 30-million babies murdered since Roe vs. Wade, this creates an amoral society that is willing to solve all its problems. A murder hardened society will be rotten to the core.

The hypocrites in Washington will not recognize the problem in America. They had rather place all the blame on guns, etc.

The New School Prayer

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.


If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the `unwed daddy,' our Senior King
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; my soul please take.

Amen


This poem was posted on the Bagdad Public Bulletin board on 1/28/00. Bagdad, Arizona