Category Archives: Mercy

10th Anniversary of the passing of Rev John Steele Clark. Minister, Teacher, Farmer of the Coromandal (Repost)

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Today is the 10th anniversary of my Grand Father, John Steele Clark’s death.
He was a wonderful and inspirational person.
The Greatest human being I have ever known.
I was blessed beyond measure to have him as my Granddad.
I have not seen my own father since I was 5 years old and yet this loss was greatly mitigated by my Grandfathers Love and guidance.

I miss him, and still reverence his memory.
When I knew his time was short I did something a tad different.
I wrote a Tribute to his Life and death and sent it to him before he died so he could read with his own eyes what his Grandson thought! šŸ™‚
My tribute was very controversial as it was *My take* *My perspective* rather than simply a concise record of his exact doings and faith.
That was another reason I sent it to him… to see if he would discuss what I had written.
We never did discuss it, and so I took that as a Tacit endorsement! šŸ™‚ And this was important to me because I expected some of my family members to not be that impressed with my Rendition of things.

Thus with my Granddad’s anniversary in mind I have typed out my Tribute to him and posted it below.
I hope to post more about this wonderful man in the future.
I also hope my tribute is of benefit to people struggling with the Pains, trials, and tribulations of Life as this is not just the story of an individual’s life but about Hope and happiness in the face of death and loss.

Love You Heaps Granddad! XOX
Tim Wikiriwhi.

I have started a Facebook page in memory of Him >>>Here<<< I hope everyone who knew him visits, enjoys, and contributes to this memorial. granddad 001

My Granddad. (Left) Married Me to my Wife Joy at Mclarens Falls Tauranga. March 2002.

Tribute to Reverend John Steel Clark. (Re-post)

Anglican Minister.
Thames/ Coromandal Peninsular.
New Zealand
1923-2006

Man of Faith and Reason.

A Christian view of Life and Death.
By his eldest Grandson.
Tim Wikiriwhi.

ā€œFor the Invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse;ā€
St Paul. Romans 1vs 20

ā€œI am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he liveā€¦ā€
Jesus Christ: John 11vs 25

ā€œfor by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boastā€
St Paul: Ephesians 2vs8,

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After an exemplary life, and a heroic fight against cancer, by beloved Grandfather has passed on.
There is not enough time today to fully express what he means to me, I therefore shall leave much out of this tribute for others to share.
I have chosen to focus on the most precious values that I personally treasureā€¦ that I see as the Greater part of his legacy.

My Grandfather was the Abraham of our family!
When I was growing up his word was Law.
He set the standards for manhood and he always stuck to his word.
His glory as a faithful husband to my Nana and as a father to his children (and Grandchildren) gave me such assurance that life makes perfect sense, and that all is well in the world.

Rev Clark was a man of Reason and a man of Faith.
He was a Christian minister, which is a huge testimony to the value of that religion.
Those who knew him and loved him, yet are not Christians ought to pause and contemplate the huge implications that such a man of great wisdom and integrity was not ashamed to wear the garb of a Man of God!
It is this truth that I hold dearest about my Grandfather, and it is in honour of his principled faith in God that I wish to write to you about life, religion, and death.

This is a fitting time to talk about religion and death.
If itā€™s not cool to talk about religion and death at the funeral of a preacher, then I ask when?
For many Death is the hardest most frightening reality we face.
How are we to deal with it?
We all must face our own mortality sooner or later and worse still we must face the mortality of those we hold dear.

Some like my Grandfather, live full term and death becomes a sort of mercy, yet many tragically die before their time and it seems a truism to say ā€œLifeā€™s not fair!ā€
Should we die from our own immorality or foolishness we may find small solace in seeing such deaths as justly ā€˜reaping what we have sownā€™, yet often death comes to the virtuous and innocentā€¦at the hands of some evil, and so this rule appears violated.
The Soul that looses a loved one in such a way, or they find themselves facing an early death by some evil is in danger of becoming bitter and twisted, and a hater of God, even if they donā€™t believe in him!
Indeed they choose not to believe in him simply because they see life as unjust!
It is for this reason that a positive philosophy about death is essential for every one of us if we are to truly enjoy life.
Without a sure reasoned faith powerful enough to overcome these sorts of painā€¦ bitterness and hatred of God are almost as sure to consume your soul as the sun will rise tomorrow!

Perhaps some may delude themselves into being happy by such base notions that ultimately ā€˜Nothing really mattersā€™, but this can never suffice the deep hearted.
This can only leave you cold.
I therefore say True Religion is essential for the survival and happiness of everyone of us, and not to have such a faith is a disaster!
Pain bitterness, hopelessness, and hatred are the lot for the lost soul without true religion.
Rev Clark Knew this, and this was one reason he was a minister of God.
Peace, hope, and a clear sense of justice are only possible for the man of reason that has reason enough to have faith that ultimately all is well and that life has real meaning and value.

It is my testimony, and that of my Grandfather that reason enough does indeed exist for hope and belief in Divine Justice.

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Tears. Knowing time was short. Me and Granddad shortly before his death.

Let me now share with you a tiny fraction of the logic for faith in God, faith in his goodness, and faith in Christ by a few self-evident truths.

What lies in that box is not my Grandfather!
That dead body is but the house he lived in.
Science tells us that we replace every cell in our body every seven years.
This being so, most of us have had many bodies in our lifetime already!
They are miraculous things that were designed by incredible genius, but they are not the essence of who we are.
What is missing from that corpse is the *Real Granddad* whom we all love!
*His Soul*.

A great portion of Mankind are suffering from the delusion that we are but soul-less matter.
This is a great inhuman and evil superstition that has the most evil consequences for those under itā€™s spell.
The fruit of it is nihilism and this lowers man down to the level of a germ.
Granddad knew this truth and was a minister of menā€™s *souls*.

Now think about loveā€¦ what is the chemical formula for that?
Can chemicals love?
Can rocks feel?
Can robots be conscious of their own existence and care about the existence of other robots?

The man of reason and science, who holds that good and evil have objective reality must say no!
There is no Atheistic science that can accommodate the facts of reality or human experience!

All human invention is childlike when compared to such marvels as the human mind, brain, and hands.
The scripture that declares we are made in Godā€™s image is the most rational statement pertaining to our existence!

I say that if the Earth was like the moon, and there was no such thing as mankindā€¦ then it might be rational to think ā€˜there is no Godā€™ or that whatever is responsible for existence is dead not living.
But we live!… and science has proven that Life only comes from life.
It therefore follows that whatever is primary in reality must not only be alive, but also of supreme intelligence.
We call this Supreme being Godā€¦. who is before all temporal Laws and things.

The scripture wisely declares ā€œThe fool hath said in his heart there is no Godā€, and that mankind must beware ā€˜science falsely so-calledā€™.

Donā€™t be deceived by *Fake Science* like Darwinism.
Understand the difference between science proper, and poor speculations that are contrary to it.
Darwinism is fatally flawed and already fading away, yet Christianity stands fast and ready for you to embrace.
It alone accounts for cause and effect, both Physical and Moral.
The foolish man builds his house upon the sands of manā€™s ever changing myths.
The wise man builds his house upon the rock of Godā€™s sure word of truth, The King James Bible.

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This article appeared in the Waikato Times.

Why must we embrace Christ?
It is because this is how God has declared as his only acceptable way of salvation, and it is God who sets the terms for such a thingā€¦ not us.
To be so vain as to believe God must accept us on *our terms* is to hang reality on our whim, and to Deify our pea-sized intellect!

Socrates, who believed in life after death, said it ought to be a manā€™s chief concern to ā€˜Know thyselfā€™, and that the unexamined life is not worth living.
I say that if we dare to examine ourselves our need for Christ and Godā€™s forgiveness becomes as clear as day!
What is wondrous about Godā€™s salvation through Christ is that he has managed to satisfy both Justice and Mercy, and to reveal his loving grace towards us.
He has achieved this by giving us freewill, and the liberty to choose to or reject him.
For us to choose Christ we must recognize we are sinful and lost.
Do not hide behind such foolish clichĆ©, as ā€˜Religion is the cause of all mankindā€™s woesā€¦ such as war.ā€
Sin and Evil are the cause of these and knowing this ought to convince us all of the need for salvation and Godā€™s government!
The good news is ā€œWhosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.ā€
Salvation is a free Gift!
The Bible says Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.
Rev Clark believed in God and was a minister of this truth.

Was he an irrational superstitious Fool?
No!
He was a man of Reason and a true Humanitarian.
This is what Christianity is all about!
I donā€™t ask you to become a pew warmer.
I implore you all to ask Christ to be your savior!

Let us maintain our faith in justice in the face of every hardship.
Let us play the hand we have been dealt with dignity to the very end.
Let us love one another and cherish every moment we have!

I thank God for my Grandfather and trust his soul is now in a much better place.
And I expect to see him again!

Thank you Granddad for everything.
You are an inspiration to us all.
Amen.

I cannot finish without giving recognition to my Nana who is the best wife any man could have.
Thank you Nana for loving and caring for my Granddad.
We all love you so much!

ā€œFor the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved: it is the power of Godā€
St Paul. 1 Corinthians 1vs18.

Contact Tim: 078498323ah, twikiriwhi@yahoo.co.nz

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Good Friday 16: When Friends who once were fun and cool become annoying nagging Christians!

First Draft: I will work on this and develop it into a much smoother and informative piece.

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My Internet commentary and blogging have all been of very poor quality in recent months due to my sleep biorhythms being way out of whack… and I was thinking about how today… Good Friday being the traditional day that western Civilisation remembers the Crucifixion of Christ ought to be a Day that I release some Profound Blog post… given that Christs Crucifixion is supposed to hold such a high place in my personal convictions… yet the truth is I almost could not be bothered to write anything.
Thinking about this some more, I contemplate how much of this is due to my own lack of energy, how much of it has to do with simple apathy… etc… and one other factor came to mind that I think is worthy of making the topic for my 2016 Good Friday rant… because it must rank as the number 1 reason I struggle to find motivation to talk about one of the most important realities of all time…
It is the Hardness of Hearts… the coldness… the depth of Anti-Christ hatred that Christians face whenever they attempt to share their faith… and this hatred hurts the most when it comes from Family and friends… who simply dont want to know.
Having been on both sides of the fence I can sympathize with both camps.

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I understand this confrontation and why the animosity exists (predominantly on the infidel side) … yet also why Christians can be annoyingly persistent, and I believe it is very worth spending some time looking at it.
In the Post-christian Era there has arisen a very unhealthy custom that says Religion and Politics are forbidden subjects to discuss.
It is said that you can believe whatever you want… just keep your mouth shut about it… it is said that ‘Christians’ dont have the right ‘to shove their beliefs down other peoples throats’… yet that same rule does not apply to atheism and the myth of evolution… the adherents of which assert they do have right to shove their atheism down everyone’s throats 24/7… under the excuse and assertion that *these are not religious ideas* but true scientific facts… and as any enlightened person will tell you… Truth and Science must never be muzzled … and anyone who complains must be *anti-science*.

The Duplicity in all this *never occurs* to the Atheist Antichrist.
It certainly did not occur to me when I was a militant atheist.
Reason was *my Ally* I assured myself!
I saw no reason for *me* to listen… be patient… or moderate my responses.
I supposed Religion to be the very definition of Hocus Pocus!
So believe me when I say I empathize with you unbelievers… I know your thoughts…

It never occurs to these ‘victims of religious persecution’ … that involuntarily suffer the onslaught of preachers… that they themselves could possibly be the ones who are superstitious, or that their claims of enlightened objectivity and defense of Freedom and truth… may in realty be nothing of the sort… but instead extremely naive, bigoted, highly Subjective and poorly grounded assumptions… or that such an edifice of assumption could possibly harbor deeper psychological and Moral antagonism to what they imagine as the unbearable ramifications for anyone who would even consider seriously contemplating the plausibility of Christianity as being true.
They make sure that any such confrontations with religious types are kept to an absolute minimum… and if employing some rudeness is necessary to hint at what a waste of time any further conversation on these topics will be… well then… the end justifies the means.

The Christian seeking to share the gospel is up against psychological bents that Close minds tight, and hardens hearts to stone… a hell bet determination to *Never to contemplate life* through the Christian Lens.

Naturally most Infidels recoil at the very notion of self-imposing *any rules and regulations* upon their Libertine desires and selfish ambitions… their universe is morally Sterile.

Read: Nyctophilia: Hiding in the Darkā€¦.
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To such closed Minds the whole theistic Paradigm is completely Foreign… talking about religious concepts is like talking about an alien planet … speaking Klingon… about a completely make-believe dimension… a supernatural dimension.
They are sure that *in the real universe in which we live*… there are no spirits… Prayers dont work…. People cant rise from the dead…. and any talk of God/ Gods/ devils must be the invention of either deluded or devious Idol makers.
It never occurs to them that *Their materialist view of reality* is itself a completely manufactured religious belief and maintained by the very *closed mindedness* that they employ to shut down Christians… a determination never to seriously entertain any arguments Christians employ*… and so it is not necessary to properly analyse any criticism about any so-called scientific evidence for Atheistic Evolution… for it simply *has to be true*… the alternative is too fantastic… too unimaginably horrible to contemplate.

I will hazard to guess that the very length of this Blogpost … on this topic … will be too much to bear for most Atheists whom have the misfortune of stumbling upon it…. such is their apathy towards this Topic… which should in fact be held with the supreme importance that it deserves… yet they will insist this topic deserves about the same amount of diligence as contemplating the possibility that the tooth faerie is real.
Satan Laughing spreads his wings.
People who harbor such incredulity have an impregnable wall around their minds.
They dismiss God with a flick of their wrists and are more concerned about how their favorite sports team is doing.

Read: Eeewww! Iā€™m not reading that book! Itā€™s got Jesus on the cover!

That is how fickle a foundation the edifice of atheism stands upon in the minds of the great herd… most of them suffer from self imposed intellectual incapacity… they cannot take the subject seriously… at least not on an objective level.
Mostly when they choose to discuss Religion and the existence of God, they seek to force the discussion down a channel that they think re-affirms and validates their psychological need to reject the Christian religion.
“All Wars are caused by Religion”… “Catholic Priests are all pedophiles” ….”Hell was invented to scare people into paying money to the church*…. etc etc
These sorts of Statements don’t bear up under scrutiny and investigation. To the degree that they hold any water at all.. they simply *don’t disprove the Bible or the existence of God*… yet in spite of this observation being true it remains no concern to people who have no intention whatsoever of seriously contemplating the issues. They are smug in their conceits.
Talk to the hand!

Who is trying to convert them into becoming a Pew warming, Pope worshiping pedophile anyway???? No way Jose!
Such are the fantastical images that flash though the atheist mind…. chilling them to the bone.
Their caricature of what a God Botherer is and what that would mean if they themselves were ever to convert!
The Christian is an object of Contempt.

Meanwhile they also be like…. That Guys not a real Christian! whenever they meet real Christians who don’t fit the Bogus Caricature they maintain is what being a Christian is.
Whenever they appear normal, balanced, intelligent, etc.

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And irrespective of all this (and much more)… is there not a basic human right to be allowed to ignore religion?
Is it not disrespectful for Christians to try and peddle their wares … like salesmen sell flies… to people who dont want to buy?
To which I answer with an limited affirmation… yes… people are allowed to ignore Christians… they are allowed to exercise their religious liberty… that are even free to believe whatever silly things they like… as long as they do so peacefully.

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It is in this environment that the Christian must co-exist in peace with his neighbors, and it is the challenge that this great wall of antagonism that anyone who contemplates sharing the Gospel must face… and it is a daunting task… one that can sap the enthusiasm for the gospel right out of you…. door after door slamming in your face… insult upon insult… for infinity.
*Here we have arrived at some explanation as to why I struggled to bother writing a Good Friday post for today*… why bother when nobody wants to know?

Well ye Infidels… let me cut past a million good explanations and finally answer why A Good friend can become a pesky and annoying Christian… who talks about Miracles, Death, Judgement, etc…. Primarily it is because they care for you!
*They Know* you are blindly walking down the road to destruction.
*And people who care…. true friends… are prepared to be unpopular… are prepared to risk ridicule… *for your sake*… not theirs.
You see that though the Christian has been called by God to share the Gospel, he has also been told *Not to cast pearls before swine*… which means *Dont waste time preaching to people whom behave like pigs… who hate/ despise God and the truth*…. for they will not respect it… but will tread it into the Mud and filth in which they wallow.

So the Christian ought to take extreme care in how he seeks to share his faith and help his friends and loved ones see the light and be saved.
This is the virtue of Meekness… not to be confused with weakness.
In fact Bible thumping Fanatics Do the Christian Gospel a great dis-service when they act militantly, or form Lobby groups that seek the government to impose their beliefs upon others by force of Law… and pay for their schemes by force of Taxation.
It takes Great strength of character to be a successful winner of souls… To hold strong religious convictions, yet still have a soft heart motivated by Love and grace rather than Over-zealous Piety and indignation.
I quite often slip into my bad habit on pouring condescension upon others with whom I have lost patience, or detect traits that I detest. Yet this most often is a sign of my own weakness of character… that I often excuse… because I’m tired.
Yet the Truth is such behavior drives people away from Christ and re-affirms all their negative assumptions about Christianity.
I know I will hang my head in shame on the day that I learn just how many souls my own wickedness and folly has turned people away from Christ.

*Yet still Unbelievers just dont understand that all the bad behavior, hypocrisy, and fakery that Christians are guilty of does not diminish the objective truth of the Bible.

Jesus was not Crucified on a Friday, but on a Wednesday… and while Christians may argue about such things… does not detract from the truth and reliability of the scriptures.
*You are simply making the mistake of judging the Divine truth… by the follies of human beings.*

And so it is a Historic Fact that Jesus was Crucified… because he was betrayed by the Jewish Religious authorities to the Roman OverLords because they thought he was subverting the people from following the Religious traditions and Authority of their Priestly Hierarchy… He had refused to endorse them but instead exposed them as Vipers and hypocrites who taught religious lies.

God allowed their evil ambitions to be fulfilled… because in so doing, it not only proved the truthfulness of the prophecies within the scriptures, but also was part of Gods spectacular secret agenda to Redeem mankind from their Sins!
Christ as The Sinless Lamb of God took upon himself the penalty of our sins (death) and died for us, so that God could then show mercy and grace to whosoever realises their own pitiful miserable sinfulness and desired God to forgive them and save them from the just punishment their wickedness deserves…. eternal separation from God.

Many people find the message of the cross an abhorrent thing… and it is… yet it’s abhorrence correlates perfectly with the wickedness of the world for which was the both the cause and reason for it happening!
It is a testament to how we come to terms with how seriously God weighs our Sins, and how it shows an evil heart if we think that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is too extreme to pay for our ‘minor indiscretions’. (Read here : Christā€™s work of Salvation on the Crossā€¦ The Great Equaliser.)
*The Thinking person will see the absolute perfect picture of Human sinfulness in the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ*
*It is the most Believable thing* that is definitive of the evil of humanity… and the longsuffering of God.

This happened folks.
The Crucifixion is History… not fantasy.
Moreover on Easter Sunday *two days time*… is the day we celebrate the greatest miracle of all time in respect to it’s eternal significance… *Christ’s resurrection from the Dead*.
People should go read the Gospels to get the full picture, yet this miracle is not only a historic fact… It altered human history… it literally changed the world, and established Jesus Christ as indisputably *the greatest figure in human history*.
Now dont you think a person of that stature… whose life had such an impact of such fantastic magnitude … and who is the central figure of a Moral philosophy that is Unrivaled… deserves more serious contemplation than the tooth faerie???

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Christ did all this to save your sinful soul from an eternity in the lake of Fire.
And all you need to do to be saved is to put your trust in his sacrifice on the cross, and trust that he rose from the dead…. that he really was/is The Christ.
This is what your annoying friend who used to be cool is desperately trying to communicate to you!
Doing their best to awaken your mind… trying not to piss you off… out of love and the knowledge that should you continue to choose to remain in the dark… that your opportunity to be saved will pass, the hour will arrive when you will stand before God as an Antichrist… in all of your wickedness… and you will receive your hearts desire… to forever know not the presence of God… you will be eternally damned.
It does not have to be that way…. you have a choice… it involves your realisation *that you are a sinner*… a member of the Fallen race of beings descended from Adam.
*for those of us who have received the salvation that is in Christ, Death is nothing to be afraid of.
Joy awaits us… and the love of God… and the fellowship of all who chose life over death.

Tim Wikiriwhi.
Christian Libertarian.
Dispensationalist.
1611 king James Bible believer.

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P.S
Becoming a Christian does not involve throwing your brains in the tip and swallowing Unicorns!
It actually involves the very opposite.
It is not a flight of fancy… but an awakening.
Read about my conversion from militant atheism to bible believer… My path to Salvation was all about learning, and re-consideration of *all the most essential* questions and topics that a thinking person must face… and nobody was more surprised than myself the day my mind was opened and I could see the truth!
The explanatory power of the Biblical world view is absolute… where Darkness reigns… let there be light!

Death of an Atheist. Follow the evidence.

Do you believe you have the Perfect Word of God? Theism vs Humanistic Rationalism. Seeing The Light! My Testimony.

Evolutionists admit Global Flood. Joe Rogan Experience.

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^ Watch at least the first 10 minutes

Just love it when after the Evolutionists wax lyrical about ‘Their discovery’ of a Cataclysmic Flood … merely thousands of years ago that Joe blerts out that their assertion that Mankind came from a Shrew was way harder to accept than their assertions about the mega Flood!
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They of course claim their dating of the flood @ 10 000 years ago is ‘solid’, and dont fail to say that Cataclysms (like the supposed Comet that wiped out the Dinosaurs) are the impetus of Evolution!

Pause and contemplate just how absurd that idea is… Disasters foster evolution!

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Add this new validation of the Book of Genesis, to other validations… Read > Noahā€™s Ark given the seaworthy seal of approval by physicists. NZ Herald

and Genesis is real history: Evidence supporting the account of Noah.

I will expand on this as time permits, yet I will simply say that This ‘new evidence’ of the Flood, like so many facts that I have gleaned is not the biased opinions of vested interests trying to validate the Bible, but comes from those who claim the bible is a myth!
As much as 90% of the supporting evidence I have found comes from such sources.
You just have to recognise the implications of what is being presented, and have the nouse not to be deluded by their Qwazi-excuses and personal bais that they try and foist upon the hard data.
Not only does this take away any infidels ability to claim the facts are subjective fabrications… it also just goes to show how incredulous the Atheists are themselves… that they can stare straight at the evidence that proves the bible is true… yet miss the boat completely.

They have blinders on…. Satan Laughing, spreads his wings.

The Truth is that with the process of time, and the progress of science more of What we Christians believed by Faith becomes grounded in Scientific fact, and with the advance of Biblical theism… it is atheism that is in Retreat!
Atheism exists in an ever decreasing ‘Gap’ in Human knowledge.

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Atheism is pure ignorance. Read > The Walls are closing in on Atheismā€¦ not Theism.

and this is why Honest Atheists like Anthony Flew have the courage to ‘abandon that sinking ship’… in light of new evidence that Scientific progress lays at their feet. Read> Rapturous Amazement! The Advance of Science Converts The High Priest of Atheism to Deism. A Flew.

and > Death of an Atheist. Follow the evidence.

Hang your heads in shame all you liberal Theologians who have abandoned faith in the scriptures in favour of Infidel philosophies.

Nor should we just focus on the Judgement of God upon the wickedness of Humanity, for the Story of Noah is not just about destruction, but also about Salvation, the Arc being a type of Christ and the new life of the redeemed.

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Tim Wikiriwhi.
1611 King James Bible believing Christian Dispensationalist.

More from Tim > The Rock of Divine Revelation.

Do you believe you have the Perfect Word of God? Theism vs Humanistic Rationalism. Seeing The Light! My Testimony.

You gotta Crank up the volume for this one Ye Activists and Radicals…. šŸ™‚

Christian grace and compassion for the Suffering. Against suicide, yet tolerant of euthanasia.

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Two different perspectives about Life, Death, Suffering, and Euthanasia have appeared here recently…

Why No Christian Should Support Euthanasia, by Blair Mulholland

and

Godā€™s gift to the terminally ill by Richard Goode.

Most thinking people fall squarely into either of these camps.

I would like to suggest that there is a third way… a middle course.

Having come down from my mountain I’d like to wade in šŸ™‚ … Mine is the lonely path… loved by few… because it appears to these antagonists that I’m too cosy with their enemy… not resolute enough… yet I believe it to be the best course.

I support certain aspects of Blair’s Anti-Euthanasia post to a high degree… yet ultimately I support Richard’s conclusion regarding Opium.

Both are arguing from the premise of ‘the sanctity of human life.

It’s a very interesting subject because it’s one of these issues which if the Christian is not careful, he will find himself supporting harsh and inhumane Laws out of a misguided sense of piety (like the twats who support drug prohibition).
It is ‘one of those’ controversial issues which some Christians insist gives them the right to impose *Un-Libertarian* prohibitions on others…. thus these so-called Christians also tend to insinuate that Real Christians *cant be Libertarians*… that there can be no separation of Church and state.

It is my experience to note that most of the Anti-Euthanasia Religionists do this because they still have not figured out the dispensational distinctions of the Christian living under grace, from the OT Jew living under the Law.
They dont yet grasp the reality that Euthanasia is just like the issue of Smoking Cigarettes…. that a Christian can be ideologically *against Cigarettes* yet also ought to be Ideologically *against a prohibition on cigarettes*… and that it is quite right to speak out against the vise of smoking cigarettes… if they be so moved…. yet to maintain a libertarian respect, and compassion for cigarette smokers and their rights rather than the Legalistic spirit *self righteous persecution and hate*.

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Let me speak about what I mean with myself as the example.
As a Christian I do believe in the sanctity of human life, and that it would be insulting to God and a gross lack of faith, for me to ‘Commit suicide’ out of depression… yet I also know that we are not under the Law, and that God is a merciful God.
I do believe that he put things like Alcohol, Opium, etc on the Earth to alleviate pain and I am not so silly as to not be able to distinguish someone wishing to avoid a Ghastly and excruciating death, from someone callously throwing their life away out of spite, or sloth.

Not appreciating these distinctions is a bit like those dullards whom cant distinguish Loving discipline from child abuse (forgive my terseness).

Assisting a terminally ill person to end their own life, or taking your own life rather than facing the torture of a brutal enemy, are not the same things as assisting a Depressed, faithless, Godless, and ungrateful, (yet otherwise healthy) person to harm themselves.

The thing is that I dont think *prohibitive Laws* have anything good to add to this situation for the Obvious reason that a depressed person determined to kill themselves is in no way obliged to obey Human conventions…. which is all a prohibition is… when not underpinned by a personal ethic… and those whom actually have such a personal ethic *dont need any such law*.

Depressed yet otherwise able bodied people donā€™t need help to kill themselves.
Only the dying fear that the longer they endure, the less capable they become to take their own life in a peaceful wayā€¦. And so then may come to rely on their loved ones for assistance.
The people who want such prohibitions simply seek to persecute the caring Doctors and Family members whom assist their patients and loved ones from ending their sufferings.
I think many are acting out Malice against people whom dont share their personal religious sentiments, which is far Colder …. far less forgiveable than simple ignorance or delusion, … cloaking their evil hearts under the guise of ‘concern’ and religious piety.

This is the very antithesis of Christian Love.

Worst of all is that fact that many supposed ‘Orthodox’ Christians employ false doctrines ā€¦ resorting to the time of Jewish Law, and Christs preaching to the Jews about being found worthy to enter his kingdom.
They attempt to say that a Christian risks loosing their eternal salvation if they choose Euthanasiaā€¦. Because they have failed to ā€˜endure unto the endā€™ā€¦ etc.

This is a clear demonstration of mishandling the word of truth and results in a horrible in-humane doctrine which increases the un-necessary misery and human suffering in the world and when these false doctrines are used to Rally zealots into lobbying the government against Libertarian Law reformā€¦. It causes unbelievers to despise Christianity as Barbaric and oppressive.
It causes Christianity to stink and makes a mockery of the Grace and compassion of God.
It Damns men’s souls via unbelief.

The Truth is quite different.
Under Godā€™s Graceā€¦. In this dispensation we are free from the Law, and salvation is absolutely a free giftā€¦. Not determined at all upon our good works, endurance, etc.

So the Libertarian Christian (like me) does believe in the Sanctity of Human life, and intends to do what I believe is the Godly thing to do… with as much bravery as I an musterā€¦to endure… and face my own fate (Following in the footsteps of my Heroic Grand Father) yet I confess that certain terminal conditions terrify meā€¦ and I reserve the right to chicken out and take matters into my own hands.

I know that such a decision would be to opt for the ‘weaker’ path for the Christian to take, yet I am confident of God’s grace and mercy.

I certainly donā€™t desire any legal prohibitions to prevent me having this option, and I would never be so cold and uncaring as to desire to prohibit others having the right to make this decision for themselves either… or loving parents making the painful decision that it is not in their child’s best interest to postpone the inevitable!

*This is a fundamental principle of Christian Libertarianism ā€¦ That we are not the property of societyā€¦ or the governmentā€¦. We own ourselvesā€¦ and it is up to us whether or not we will impose upon ourselves certain religious convictions regarding our own death.*
Parents must have their parental rights and responsibilities respected by the state.

Though I hate the false doctrines which try and ensnare fearful souls back under Law, and I have contempt for people whom seek to use the Law to unnecessarily prolong human suffering, I have no problem with people peacefullyā€¦ and without recourse to political coercion propagating their belief that Euthanasia is wrongā€¦. From forming associations which seek to propagate that beliefā€¦ from boycotting Doctors whom are known to assist terminal patients to end their lives with dignity.
This is how Libertarianism worksā€¦ Nobody *forcing* their opinions on others.

* The most important Political reality is that having legally assisted suicide (of itself)does not effect any third partyā€™s rightsā€¦. And thus such prohibitions cant be justified*ā€¦ Iā€™m not saying there cant be any legal challenges Re: debts, and other contractual obligations)

When it comes to my loved ones, there is no way I would assist any of them to die, if they have still have the power of reason, yet have not receive the Gospel.
Death in that case will not end their sufferingā€¦ it will be but the beginning.
Yet I would assist them if they are trusting in the Resurrection of Christ…. and even though…. perish the thought that many may so choose…. I would not seek a law to forbid people from arranging for their own death… or assisting their loved ones… even if they reject Christ.
God has given them the right to go to their deaths un-repentant, and in their own sins.

Christianity is properly a tolerant liberal faith…which seeks to make the world a better place via preaching the gospel and Christian values to whomsoever hath an open ear… not a Religion of Political force.
Christianity seeks to convert hearts and minds… not impose an artificial draconian order.

Manā€™s knowledge and powers of Medical intervention have made these sorts of Moral dilemmas far more acute as we understand a lot more about things like Opium, Diseases, and how to prolong life than in the past, and so a lot of the so-called ā€˜lifeā€™ many people ā€˜endureā€™ at the end is wholly due to the Un-natural interventions of Humanityā€¦ orchestrated in the name of ā€˜the Sanctity of human lifeā€™ā€¦ ie this so-called ideal results in untold more *un-necessary and futile* misery.

*And it is to a large degree this *artificially engineered period of misery* which we are talking about hereā€¦ as if Natureā€¦ and Human concerns were left to themselvesā€¦ death would naturally end this misery a lot sooner.
Ie Medicine could concern itself more with ā€˜Mother Theresaā€¦hospice careā€™ rather than Frankenstein type fanaticismā€¦. Living Heads in a Jarā€¦ trying to steal a few last breathsā€¦ under delusions that this is honouring God.

And If I am ever undoneā€¦. laid out flatā€¦ writhing in agony ā€¦ beyond repair… I hope my caregivers are not Frugal with the ā€˜Milk of the poppyā€™ā€¦.
Fear not for meā€¦ My time will be doneā€¦. And my soul is secure in Christ.
Likewise all you whom have loved ones knocking on Heavenā€™s doorā€¦ Tell them to trust their souls to the Gospel of Grace and the Resurrection of Christā€¦ and to ā€˜relaxā€™ā€¦ accept death ā€¦ in the faith and hope of Godā€™s Love and promises.
Thatā€™s what I intend to do.
Tim Wikiriwhi.
Christian Libertarian.

Read more…

Life and Death. Hope and Happiness. A Tribute to Rev John Steele Clark. (Re-post)

A High Calling.

Car Crash.

Read about Dispensationalism….

The Gospel of Godā€™s Grace.

The Irony. Why I follow St Paulā€¦ Not Jesus.

Dispensational Truth. 2Timothy2vs15, Ephesians 3vs1-9

ā€œI thank God I Baptized none of youā€¦ā€ St Paul. 1Cor1vs 14.

The Rock of Divine Revelation.

The Christian Fellowship is a voluntary private society, not a theocratic political movement.

Hell is for the Self Righteous, Heaven is for Sinners.

Did Paul Re- Invent Jesus?

Rediscovering Dispensational Truthā€¦Exposing the Frauds of Orthodoxy one Fallacy at a timeā€¦ Part 1. Christā€™s Gospel.

Kings and Convicts (Part 3) Korotangi Paki’s Thug life, and road to redemption.

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Because my 2nd post on this subject was so long.
I decided to chop it in half and make a 3rd post.

When I speak of ‘Redemption’, I am referring to becoming a civilised and respectful member of society with something good to contribute, rather than Spiritual salvation from the Ultimate Judgement of God.
It is very true to say that Criminal reform often follows in the wake of true Chistian conversion and faith…. Christianity being describe as ‘that most potent of moral antiseptics’ by the father of sociology, Herbert Spencer, and it is also true to say that Christianity was the major civilising influence for Cannibalistic and Savage Maori culture when the English Protestant ‘Mechanic Missionaries’ first landed in Aotearoa before this country became a British Colony… at the request of the Confederation of Maori Chiefs, whom feared conquest by the French.
The influence of the Christian missionaries is evident in their petition to King William.

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1831 Māori petition the British government

The civilising influences of Christianity aside, what follows is not about *how and why* a criminal might seek to reform, but that reform is possible, and that criminals can become valuable members of civil society.

Part One >>>Here<<< Part Two >>>Here<<< Part three is below. ****************************************************

^^^^
It has been a very bad week in the press for the Taunui Monarchy, with growing reports of more misbehaviour from the second son, including Racist ranting, and connections with the Mongrel mob, and we have herd that he was involved in a serious car crash a few years back… and yet was not convicted for that either.

I donā€™t think it is fair to assume the Kings sonā€™s offending is a consequence of poor parenting, or positive proof the Monarch never bothered to try and instil healthy values in his son… it may indeed be the case.
It is certainly true in many Maori households.
Maybe the King is indeed a Bad Parent, yet it is just as likely that his sons bad behaviour has more to do with his misfit peers with whom he hangs out, than his upbringing.
Sadly many youths of our dayā€¦ and a very high percentage of Maori youth embrace a delinquent lifestyle as it is a part of a Hollywood Glamorised Rebellious youth culture, and deeper still it has a lot to do with the Nihilism of our ā€˜age of Atheismā€™… on top of learning unhealthy values at home, and having Bad Role models.
The Thug life.

Korotangi Pakiā€™s offending, and shameful behaviour no doubt springs from a combination of these things … The actions of a lost young soul who thinks that Lawlessness is cool, and struggles to find anything worth while in life.

I can relate to that. .. yet despite any of these circumstances …. and many others, Youths need to appreciate the fact that as they have become self responsible adults , that excuses for sloth, or bad behaviour simply donā€™t cut it…. and they must assume full responsibility for their lives and actions.
They must learn healthy values and to respect the rights and property of others.

I cant help but wonder if he had been convicted for his earlier offence , that that ā€˜reality pillā€™ could have helped him to appreciate that his High jinx juvenile delinquency comes at a cost.
Is it possible to believe that had he been convicted earlier, that he would not now be dodging punishments for more crimes?
Some kids learn quicklyā€¦. Others take decades.

I cant help but think that if I was King Tuheitia, that rather than try and save Korotangi Paki from facing the full legal consequences of his actions, the best thing that could happen to this young rebel is that he receives a conviction for these charges of Burglary and Drinking and driving, and that he is made to pay a fine, and do Periodic detention … to teach him that he is not above the law and that should he continue down this path of criminality, that he will suffer the consequences.

As for grooming the boy for the throne, i cant think of someone being less fit to rule over the tribe, than a person whom via experience has been taught that they are above the law and that the system can be manipulated!

What ought to matter to the King is not that his boy remains free from criminal conviction, but that he *Reforms his ways* Learns the lesson that Crime is not cool, or excusable, and that he grows in Character and virtue.
And being convicted for his crimes is in reality most likely to be a valuable lesson.
Some of us only learn the hard way.

If I was the king I would be very worried about the path my boy was taking, yet I would never say that my boy could *Never succeed me* if he ever received a criminal conviction…. on the contrary I would make it clear that he still has reason to hope if he ā€˜mans upā€™ and straightens up his life, and proves himself to have learned from his mistakes, and become a Man of virtue.

Indeed such a reformed person can become a very good leader of men, and a good example.
They can be better communicators to troubled youths, because they can empathise with them… and understand how their mind ticks.
They can use their personal insights … and speak from personal experience.
The reality is Maori donā€™t need more Pompous frauds whom are experts at ā€˜playing Maoriā€™.
They do need leaders whom can guide them towards better values and ethics which are essential for Maori to learn if they are to climb out of the Dire social statistics which has resulted …. not from European colonisation, but from of an ethical crisis.

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Korotangi Pakiā€™s crimes and shameful behaviour stems from a lack of personal ethics and self responsibility…. not because he is a member of a persecuted racial minority.
The good news is that because this is so, It means the solution to his problems are not beyond his control, but are completely within his power to overcome.
It is simply a matter of him admitting to himself that he has taken a wrong path, and finding the will … the desire to become a better man.

He needs to walk away from any associates who are hell bent on Chaos and destruction, and to find new friends whom are also trying to make the most of life via virtue .
It is not an easy thing to achieve, but it is do-able.
The alternative is to travel further down the path that leads to destruction.
If the king does not give his son any hope that he can work his way out of this mess, and back into favour, that could be a burden too much to bear, and could be the factor which drives his son to destruction.
A Fatherā€™s Blessing or curse weighs a great deal upon a son, and when the boy is down… they need their fathers support to help get themselves out of the hole.
Yet the loving parent must never ā€˜Babyā€™ them… thatā€™s not helping… thatā€™s perpetuating the problem.

Thus I dare to challenge the common notion that convicted criminals cant make good leaders or examples.
I say that Reformed Criminals can be Great leaders and become inspirational examples to be emulated by others.

It is in reality up to Korotangi Paki what sort of Man he will eventually become… which course he chooses to navigate….
Life is not Static, nor are we slaves of circumstances, or of our genes.
As Freewill moral agents we are at all times making moral judgements, and expressing our Values.
We can learn from our mistakes and become better people, as long as we take ownership and responsibility for our actions.

I know these things from personal experience.

the-prodigal-son
The return of the wayward (Prodigal) Son from the wilderness of the ungodly world.

>>>>>*If*<<<<< Korotangi Paki snaps out of his current folly, and begins to prove himself to be a Better, more mature person... I dont see any reason why after 7 years of truly self responsible behaviour that he should not be given a clean slate, considered to be a potential leader of the Tainui people... To er is Human, to forgive is divine. Tim Wikiriwhi.

Hamilton City Council’s relentless agenda to starve out the homeless.

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Over the last few months I have written several blogposts about a fledgling voluntary charity which has begun operating in Hamilton City, Waikato, New Zealand, attempting to embody the Christian principle of Loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Hamilton Homeless was started by a small group of Mormons concerned about the growing number of Homeless people living in the Central City.
They saw their plight and felt a Religious Humanitarian obligation to do something about this unfolding tragedy, and rallied Hamiltonians to start providing free meals, clothing, and Love to the many people in desperate need.
And caring Hamiltonians of all shades of Religious and cultural backgrounds put aside their doctrinal differences, and in the spirit of Good will and co-operation have been working together in this Righteous endeavour.

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Despite these obviously noble and selfless ambitions aimed at helping the most needy sector of our society, and the fact that all this Charity work is being done voluntarily and without any politically imposed burden on Hamilton residents and ratepayers, ‘Hamilton homeless’ has nonetheless become the target of what can only be described as an orchestrated and on-going campaign of oppression at the hands of the City Council, in whose warped mindsā€¦ it is more important to foster a commercially and Politically aesthetic faƧade of Hamiltonā€™s CBD a place of glamour and affluence, than any concern about the *Real World* Poverty which is growing thereā€¦ a reality they intend to shove into a dark cornerā€¦. Away from the public view.
‘Out of sight…. out of mind’.

There can be no doubt that the Council is behaving in a malicious and oppressive manorā€¦. abusing itā€™s political power to violate the rights of the citizens of Hamilton to exercise their Religious convictions in a peaceful manor, ā€¦. having threatened the Land lord of a property ‘Hamilton Homeless’ have rented for the purposes of avoiding City Council threats of arrest for feeding the Poor on public spacesā€¦ without a permit.

Council staff have put pressure on the Landlord demanding he insists Hamilton homeless immeadiately stops feeding the poor from their rental property.

It appears that even though Hamilton homeless have acquired their own private propertyā€¦ quite a distance from any commercial interests whom might complain about poor people ā€˜loiteringā€™ in front of their businesses, that the Council is determined to shut this Charity down.

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I personally believe the Council is in serious violation of Private property rights, and intend to investigate whether or not the laws of our Nation protect our private property rights, and religious liberty, or in fact sanction such vile abuses of political power!
On top of this wicked agenda, It is of course truly heartbreaking to the compassionate members of Hamilton Homeless that the Poorest members of our communityā€¦ the people whom they seek to serveā€¦ are in danger of loosing this loving support.

This really is a question of our rights to peacefully practice our religion, and follow our own conscience.

Private property rights are not merely a Legal protection against theftā€¦. Not merely a foundation for establishing and exchanging ownership and legitimizing trade, it is fundamentally a principle which establishes *a space* ā€¦. *a place*ā€¦ where citizens can worship their God/Godā€™s, and peacefully practice their beliefs.

This function of private property is a fundamental corollary of our inalienable rights as individuals to Religious liberty, and is why we live in a society which is to great extent a testimony to Religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
We as individuals have the inalienable Right to form voluntary associations, and to function as a group, from private propertyā€¦ and it is a measure of the Justice of any society to the degree that such Freedom is protected from molestation and any potential violence of intolerant bigotry at the hands of other citizens, or from political oppression from the powers that be.

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And the glory of these principles of Rightsā€¦.Freedom, Equality, and Private property is why here in New Zealand that within the space of a few kilometres you can have a Catholic church, an Islamic Mosque, and a Mormon Templeā€¦ with virtually zero religious conflict!
This is truly a wonderful testament to the virtues of a society which has respect for these principles, and All New Zealanders should be Eternally Vigilantā€¦ watching politicians and Public servants, that they donā€™t start to undermine our Rights and Libertiesā€¦ and to be always ready to Rally in defence of *Any voluntary association* whom has become the victim of political oppression.

Real Christians, and Patriots ought to rally in defence of Muslims, or Hindusā€¦ should it become apparent that their Religious liberty is being violated.
All our rights are equal.
When government threatens the freedom of anyone, they are in reality a danger to every ones freedom.
It is only the foolish and ignorant that don’t appreciate this… and the Nasty Bigots whom enjoy watching people whom hold different beliefs being suppressed.

Socialist Governments and Councils love to try and divide our society into separate groups and to systematically oppress these sub-sections, and it is appallingly far too often that New Zealanders go along with such corrupt political agendas instead of unifying for the sake of the principles of Freedom, equality, and Real justiceā€¦ realizing what really is at stakeā€¦ ie either maintaining a system of justice and freedom, or allowing the government and city councils to start telling us what peaceful religious beliefs we are allowed practice on our own property!

And Private property rights, in regards to religious liberty also exist on rented properties as long as all activities are kept within any caveats that may have been conditional upon agreement to lease.

Hamilton Homeless was doing exactly that.
It is not a commercial enterprise.
It is not a Community house.
It was not even cooking food, and therefore is not subject to Health department regulations which apply to such things as Restaurants, Cafes, etc.
It is a privately rented house in which invited people in need to come and enjoy food which was being cooked in other private homesā€¦ the very same way that we all cook our own Kaiā€¦ and all this was done peacefully, quietly, and in loveā€¦ the same way that is very common in Communities of strong communal bondā€¦ for example in many Christian, Indian and Maori homes the front door is always open, People come and go at leisure, They sing songs and enjoy fellowshipā€¦ nothing at all strange or evil about it.
This may not be everyoneā€™s ā€˜cup of teaā€™ā€¦ there are of course millions of Kiwis whom shun such openly communal livingā€¦ enjoying their own privacy and insulation, yet I would hope that such people are still tolerant of their neighbors whom have much larger community involvement.

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It is truly tragic when small minded prudes allow their own closeted ways to become motivation for making complaints against their neighbors more open enjoyment of their propertiesā€¦ and lobby the Government and Councils to generate and impose heavy restrictions which violate Freedom and equality.

That is the road backwards towards societies of Intolerance and conflict.

Thus I fervently argue that Hamilton homeless has become the target of political oppression and abuse of power.
I hope to be invited to attend any meeting of the Hamilton homeless executive to discuss how to move forward and fight this council injustice.

I hope to inquire what legal grounds, if any the Council staff had in approaching Hamilton homelessā€™s Land Lord as I believe they have seriously overstepped their duties as servants of Hamilton ratepayers and residents.
I hope to inquire what legal right, (if any) the Land lord has to insist Hamilton homeless cease to feed the poor from that address, or whether in fact he is in breach of their tenancy rights.
Did their Landlord know what purposes Hamilton homeless intended to use the property for when he rented them the house?
I will be asking these sorts of questions.
I do believe everyone should respect their landlords reasonable requests, yet It is a very poor show if the Landlord is simply bucking under the duress of a Bully Council which is out of controlā€¦. Esp to detriment of the Poor, Cold, and Hungry!

I will report back as things run their courseā€¦. For good or ill.

It may amaze some readers to realize just how uncaring and Nasty Hamilton City council is behaving on this matter, yet a quick Google search will reveal to any inquirer just how common this sort oppression is meted out by Heartless Councils around the globe upon Charities whom care for the Needy.

Eg>>>> Here <<<< The difference being how the various communities respondā€¦ to the knowledge of how their elected officials and paid City staff treat the most vulnerable and exposed members of our community! How will you Hamiltonians and Kiwiā€™s respond to this local crisis? Will you rally in defence of voluntary charity and your poor neighbours? poor

I am reminded of a homeless Beggar whom not so long ago was found dead in the Waikato River after being thrown out of his hovel by a Hamilton City Ticket Warden whom had no business doing so!
He was not on council property, but had found a corner somewhere along the Riverside on Private land where he had lived in squalor for some time, yet had not caused any one any real harm.
The Council worker went out of his way to take away the smallest comfort this poor soul had in this worldā€¦ and he died.
I think this story is a exemplar of just how Cold hearted, and indifferent to the plight of others some Public servants can be.
Vicious and tyrannical.
Poverty is happening not only in Africaā€¦ but is growing here in Godā€™s own!

This sorry tale also shows the sort of Dire straights many people are finding themselves, and the urgency with which the down and out need the care and compassion of people like Hamilton homeless.

This is a matter of Religious Conscience.

Will You readers spread the word and rally in defence of this Noble charity?

As a Libertarian I will be doing my best to guide ‘Hamilton Homeless’ to remain fully private and voluntary so as to maintain it’s moral stature as true charity in the Christian sense of the word… rather than becoming another burden upon the backs of struggling ratepayers and renters.
As far as I am concerned…. we just want The Council to ‘Bugger off’ and leave us Hamiltonians to take care of business ourselves.
Tim Wikiriwhi.
Christian Libertarian.

hungy

Read more from me about Charity, and Hamilton homeless…

Hamilton Homeless. Natural Law, Loving Thy Neighbour as thyself, The Basis for Religious liberty and peaceful Co existence.

Hamilton Homeless Meet and Greetā€¦ The Lords feet and hands working in the trenches.

NEED A PERMIT TO HELP THE POOR? Nazi Hamilton Council Bastards!

Real voluntary private Charity vs the evils of welfare and Political force Ruff draft.

Real voluntary private Charity vs the evils of welfare and Political force. .

libertarian-jesus

Recently I have been in communication with a newly formed charity organized by private citizens moved with concern for the growing number of homeless people in the city in which I live.
Though it would not take Sherlock homes to discover which organization I am talking about, I will not specify that here and now because firstly my purposes in writing this blog post donā€™t require me to be so specificā€¦ I am seeking to talk about private charity in general, and because my intentions here is not to castigate anyone in particular, but to educateā€¦ or at least bring to light some of my thoughts and thereby indirectly inform whomsoever hath an Ear.

I may add the specific name later if the organization in question so desiresā€¦

I have lived in Hamilton since the beginning of 1999, having moved over from Tauranga due to a Job transfer.

And though many people from the Bay of Plenty thought that we were crazy leaving the coastal paradise and moving to the Inland city, Hamilton has proven to be a wonderful city, and I have experienced unprecedented personal growth here.

Yet over the years with 9/11, and the Global economic collapse, rising Taxes, Rates, and the resulting increases in the cost of livingā€¦. Food, housing, etcā€¦ there has become an increasing number of homeless people congregating in the central cityā€¦ predominately from the lower income earnersā€¦some are people with mental health issues or have expensive addictionsā€¦ some are ex cons etcā€¦ thus for various reasons these people have not been able to keep their heads above waterā€¦ and have become ā€˜social statisticsā€™ā€¦ members of a growing percentage of our population whom have fallen through the cracksā€¦ and now live in poverty.

When I herd about this new charitable organization I was impressed and burdened to lend my supportā€¦. Esp when I learned they were being harassed by the Hamilton city councilā€¦ which has a habit of trying to run various minorities out of town simply because they donā€™t ā€˜fitā€™ well with their plans and delusions about what they think the CBD (Central Business District) should beā€¦ and consequently the CBD is dying a slow painful deathā€¦. Despite the HCC throwing millions of Rate payer dollars at it!

As a person with years of experience in local body politics I was keen to help this charity succeed in the face of the Bully tactics, harassment, and threats of arrest, etc the charity organizers have been enduringā€¦and so I decide to attend several of their meetings, to meet those involved, to offer my assistance, and to see for myself how they intended to run their operation.

It was very interesting to say the least!
I met a very diverse bunch of people, primarily motivated by religious convictions and compassion for their fellow man.
This diversity in itself deserves a blogpost in its own right, and I will write about this aspect at a laterā€¦. Not too distant time, yet I have other specific things to discuss here and now.
It is enough for now to say that this diversity has meant that I was but one of many interested parties keen to help this organizationā€¦. Each with their own perspectives and advise as to how they believe the best course of action the Charity should pursue to overcome the many obstacles it faces and to succeed.

As a Libertarian Christian, I have an underlying philosophy of tolerance and respect for other peoples right to hold, and express their own beliefs and to pursue their own happiness, as long as they do it peacefully and at their own expense, and thus the first thing I suggested was that the Charity remained focused on itā€™s core ambition of providing meals to the homeless, and that in so doing they could avoid complications which would tend towards dis-unity and division.

They presented a Mission statement which was simple and profoundā€¦ and acceptable to all present.

Thus it is that I was completely happy with the stated objectives and had no problems co-working with this diverse group.
I began to become optimistic, and to believe this was indeed a worthy voluntary association deserving of my time, effort, and cashā€¦ all of which are in short supplyā€¦ esp cashā€¦ due to my struggles as a self employed man with the Inland revenue department, and several other Government departments which constantly demand more and more of my hard earned money.

Yet this High was short lived as unfortunately It was not long before a Big problem arose which threatens to disqualify me from being able to continue to offer my support.

It is a moral dilemma.
My Libertarianism can tolerate a great deal of wild and whacky things.
It can tolerate a lot of personal vice and bad character… yet there is a line in the sand over which I cannot step in good conscienceā€¦ it is when people seek to use force upon others to achieve their goals and ambitionsā€¦ even if those goals and ambitions appear noble and Humane.
I cannot tolerate the violation of peoples *legitimate* rights and liberties… which must be distinguished from the Manufactured Pseudo-rights claimed by socialists.
Real rights are God-given, and are not the gifts of Government.

That above statement may at first appear completely out of place!
Why would Tim raise such an issues here and now?
Wasn’t he talking about compassionate people eager to help the needy?
Why raise the issue of Force?
Why mention the violation of rights?

I want to talk about the philosophical/ ethical question of Ends and Meansā€¦ in as simple a way as possible so as to be able to convey what the problem I encountered is all about, and what instead I believe is the better, more moral way to proceed.
A way in which I am most happy to participate.
I hope that in few words to lay out some of the most fundamental moral issues regarding Charitable works, and expose a very common misconception about what The proper duties of government are, and why Social welfare is in no way Charity in the Christian sense of the word.

I will only lightly touch on the principles involved and leave a great deal un-argued for the sake of simplicity.
I also implore my readers whom are unfamiliar with the Christian Libertarian Ethic to please seriously consider what I am about to say, even though it may be completely newā€¦. Completely opposite to how you have become accustomed to thinkā€¦. And especiallyā€¦. If I am at all successful in articulating my positionā€¦ to be brave enough to admit to yourself that I am right ā€¦. That I have spoken the truthā€¦. Even if the consequences may mean you perceive a more difficult path ahead.

When Old ideas are undermined and we are faced with new challengesā€¦ it can be scary, and some will allow this fear to corrupt their hearts.
Thus with my exposition I put out the call for Faith!
Faith that doing the right thing is the right thing do… in the eyes of God.
That is what ought to be foremost in peoples mindsā€¦ That God himself expects us to walk honestlyā€¦. And not to be lazyā€¦. Or take short cuts or attempt to achieve our goals via unscrupulous means under the vain delusion that being for a worthy causeā€¦ the righteous end justifies wicked means.

Donā€™t allow yourselves to thinkā€¦. Well everyone else accepts things ā€˜this wayā€™ā€¦. That according to the majorityā€¦ ā€˜this is fineā€™ā€¦. Etc.
I ask you to search your consciencesā€¦ and by the time I have finished no one will be able to plead ignorance about the issues at hand.

I believe it is Godā€™s will that I make this apologyā€¦ that he wants this charity to make a choice as to how it will proceed.
I have no desire to become a point of division, and should my arguments be rejected, I shall quietly go my own way.

*********

Providence smiled, and the Charity has recently acquired a conveniently located property from which to operate which solved one of their biggest problems they faced with respect to the Councilā€™s attempts to shift them out of the CBD and demand ā€˜Permit feesā€™ā€¦ yet the council still did not get off their back, but has decided to ā€˜investigate themā€™ā€¦ and has been using various devious means to gather information on how they are operatingā€¦. With the obvious intention of using the said information to make life as difficult as possible for them and even to find legal grounds to shut them down.

Thus with news of these developments, I was invited to attend a second meeting.

Another issue had arisen that day with the publication of the Saturday 26-4-14 edition of the Waikato Times, which featured a front page story on the activities of some to the members of the charity. I will write on that at a later dateā€¦. Yet the meeting started off with discussions about this article, and then progressed onto the ongoing problems with the Hamilton city council.

It was then that someoneā€¦. A person whose good intentions I am not questioningā€¦. A person who is a political activistā€¦. began to express their opinions about what they saw as the ā€˜Evil directionsā€™ Mayor Julie Hardacre was taking the city councilā€¦ and said that not only was the City council failing in itā€™s moral responsibilities to the Homeless, but that other policies demonstrated a lack of social concernā€¦. Such as dropping the funding for community houses, and a desire to sell off pensioner flats.

She used the phrase that Council was focusing on “Bricks and mortar” insinuating a callous neglect of what she believes are far more important moral duties …. social concern for human beings.

Now as a Libertarian I am certainly no fan of the Powers that be in the H.C.C and have said many times that I believe them to be heartless power-trippers… yet for very different reasons than what this activist was enunciating… I rabidly oppose the Status quo … none the less it behoved me to correct some of the misguided ideas which had just been tabled.

I have run for council and mayor many times, and so I interjected with my first hand knowledge of the realities behind these Council spending cuts and asset sales.
I said that Julie hardaker certainly had not undertaken this course of action because she believes in a ‘Bricks and mortar only’ ideology, or from any assumed ‘heartless capitalist mindset, but that these austerity measures and asset sales had in fact been *reluctantly enacted* because of the *huge city debts* which successions of mismanagement, and big spending councillors had racked upā€¦ and under which the backs of Ratepayers are now buckling.

I said that when Hardaker had originally ran for mayor she either ignorantly, or purposefully ignored the dire financial crisis of the H.C.C and like all the other Candidates…. had campaigned via promising everyone the moon!

(Julie Hardaker is a big spender at heart… yet after she was elected there was no money in the coffersā€¦ and big bills to payā€¦ and so she was forced by economic realities which could no longer be ignored to bite the bullet and implement a program of cuts and savings.)

My reply was met with no acknowledgement.

Instead what followed was a proposal to have a ā€˜huiā€™ with government departments like Mental health, local Labour party Mps, and lefty city councillorsā€¦ in particular big spending socialist Dave Mcphersonā€¦ with the intention of getting these political powers ā€˜on boardā€™ā€¦ obviously with the intention of tapping into Government funds and utilities, etcā€¦. under the belief that it was the governments responsibility to get involved and aid this charity work.
In other words… “Lets make them Pay!”

And before I could say that I thought that was an absolutely terrible plan, the Director of the Charity nodded with agreement and gave her endorsement to proceed down that path!

In five minutes flat I had been completely shut down.
I did not have opportunity to explain why I considered that proposal was a very bad plan as I was not prepared to impose my contrary opinion ā€¦. once the director had given her endorsement.
I had no desire at all to become the center of division, all I could do was say that I personally could not endorse that proposal and that it would be best that I leave.
I said that what had attracted me to this organization was that it was a private, voluntary charity, and that I had intended to help them get the government off their backs so that they could get on with the business of feeding the poorā€¦ not to get into bed with government.
I asked if they had needed the Governments help so farā€¦ and was told ā€˜not yet.ā€™

Thus I took my leave, promising I would write some bogs on this subject and see what developedā€¦ and that depending on how things panned out… that would determine how far I would continue to travel together with them.

It was disappointing for me, yet not surprising considering western society is predominantly Social Democrat in nature which means the population has been indoctrinated and have become acclimatized to living in a heavily politicized environment in which the tentacles of the state reach into every corner of our livesā€¦ and charge us for the privileged via Taxes, Rates, etc.
This is the Normā€¦. If you want something doneā€¦ you donā€™t do it yourselfā€¦ you donā€™t rally your neighboursā€¦. You lobby the governmentā€¦. And get them involvedā€¦
Nanny state.

Thus it was an almost automatic response to endorse ā€˜the huiā€™ proposalā€¦ no need for further discussionā€¦.. It was ā€˜common senseā€™ from an educated and experienced political operatorā€¦ an adult law student none the less.
Surely any objection Tim Wikiriwhi has to this ā€˜common senseā€™ proposal must be naiveā€¦. Must be unimportantā€¦.. must be petty and irrational.

Well finally Dear Readerā€¦. having explained the circumstances as to why I have ended up out in the coldā€¦ I will now type out what I never had the opportunity to say at the second meetingā€¦.my rationale as to why I reject the hui proposal and will present what I believe to be a much better planā€¦ a much more ethical means to achieving the desired ambitions of the charity.

compassion

Let me state that the fundamental problem with the ā€˜Hui planā€™ begins with the assumptions firstly that it is the duty of Government to run social welfare programsā€¦ that Hamilton city council is somehow neglecting their duty to provide for the homeless!

Now to many people whom have become ā€˜normalisedā€™ to Government micromanagement of everythingā€¦ that may seem like a crazy statement!
Of course the city Council and Government have a moral responsibility!… donā€™t they???
To deny this moral obligation is to be a cold hearted bastard!!! Yes???

No! and No!

Let me explain why to believe such things is extremely misguided and counter productive to the desired ends of Less homeless peopleā€¦ less Hungry people.

First lets look at the fundamental moral question.
I present to you the following situationā€¦

Two people bring money to give to the charity for feeding the poor.
One is a little old manā€¦ retiredā€¦ and he brings $20.00 which he has withdrawn from his ample savings from a lifetime of hard work and prudent financial self-responsibility.
He makes a direct payment via internet banking.

A second person is a thief, He brings $2000. 00 and says he got the money by robbing Rich bastards living in a fancy neighbourhoodā€¦with a gun.
He then drops the money into the charity collection plate outside the mall.

Now which of these two people has the truly righteous and charitable soulā€¦ and which one is the Fraud?

I hope that nobody struggles to distinguish the heart of the matter.
Obviously the first person is the real charitable person because they gave willingly from their own pockets, where as the second Guy took the money by force and then put that in the collection plateā€¦ obviously the money was not even his in the first place, and secondly he had gotten his filthy hands on the money by force!

Even if the second person says he did not steel the money for himself but took it because he cares deeply about the plight of the poor, does his apparent social concern justify his means of attaining the money?

Does their heart motive ā€˜cleanseā€™ the money?
Can it ever be truly said that the charitable desire to help feed the poor can justify such an unrighteous means of finance?

No doubt the stolen $2000.00 will buy a lot more food for the poor than the earned and gifted $20.00 yet does that make the $2000.00 better than the $20.00???
What do you think God would say about this?

Now let me tell you that it is the same thing regarding the difference between Real voluntary private charityā€¦. And Government social welfare.
One is righteous because it is given freely from the heart, the other is money which has been taken from others by forceā€¦ vai Taxation, Rates, and by creating Government debts which must be paid by the citizens.

Social welfare is an atheist invention designed to counterfeit Christian charity.
The atheists set up a counterfeit ā€˜moralityā€™ designed to replace Christianity.. in which the State is God… the source of all benevolence.

Do not be deceive by the fact that socialist governments have created Laws which pseudo-legitimizes this extortion and forced redistribution of wealth!
These Laws are Evil!
They cannot turn theft into a virtue.
Only in the minds of fools is such voodoo possible.

quote-of-all-tyrannies-a-tyranny-sincerely-exercised-for-the-good-of-its-victims-may-be-the-most-c-s-lewis-111562

It can never be the legitimate duty of Government to Rob the people whose rights it was instituted to protectā€¦ even if a majority says that they want the state to do just that!
Mob rule is not a Christian principle, but another denial of Christian absolute morality.
It is yet another secular invention in opposition to Christian values and ideals.
Christianity is not supposed to operate via political force but by a voluntary submission to the will of Godā€¦

It matters not that Taxation may be an easy means by which billions of dollars can be appropriated under the pretext of financing massive social welfare schemesā€¦ Itā€™s all filthy lucre! Stolen money taken at the point of a gunā€¦. Under threat of being stripped of all your property, or imprisonment!

Do you really expect God to bless your efforts and reward you in heaven when you have accepted money that was taken by force via the tyrannical and filthy hands of Double-chinned politicians?
The Political system represents Mammonā€¦ not God.
There is no way that state welfare can be construed to be Christian charity.
Itā€™s a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Furthermore Social welfare breeds laziness, vice, and dependenceā€¦. Not self responsibilityā€¦. Not self-reliant independence!

Why go to church when you can avoid the Preachy types and go to social welfare instead?
Thanks to the feminist Atheists in parliament.

While the Bible supports giving charity to those in need it is careful not to encourage slothā€¦.
ā€œIf any man will not workā€¦ neither should he eatā€… said St Paul, our Apostle to the Thessalonians.
(2Thes3:10 KJV)

There is a big difference between giving someone a meal, and giving them a dole cheque!
How much Dole money gets spent on Cigarettes booze, gambling, and drugsā€¦ while the average family struggles away under heavy taxation…. and goes without essentials like the dentist of the doctorā€¦because of the cost of Milk and bread?…. just so the socialist politicians can hand out money willy nilly?

Ask yourselves why does the cost of living keep going up and Up?
Why is the Government always increasing Taxes?
The chief reason is not Greedy Capitalists.
Its because the government keeps passing more and more laws and growing bigger and bigger and biggerā€¦ and all this *increase in the expense of running the political system* is passed onto the consumers.

bastiat

Frederick Bastiats small book >>>‘The Law’<<< is a must read on this subject Ever expanding government is the chief cause of inflation and why The necessities of life are becoming too expensive for the low income earners to afford! And the government spends spends spendsā€¦. Borrows borrows borrows. Mortgaging our Children. Rents go through the roofā€¦ the consumer carries all the costs. And more people are impoverished and oppressed.... crumbling under the weight. the-more-corrupt-the-state-the-more-numerous-the-laws

Remember Governments donā€™t generate wealthā€¦ free enterprise, prudent investment, and Free exercise of our talents and ingenuity does that.
Government expenses and foolish regulations *generate Poverty!*
Politicians are notoriously poor handlers of finances… always blowing budgets… always suffering losses… yet what do they care?
They arent risking and loosing their own money… they are gambling and giving away billions of other peoples money… money they have taken from Joe Public who lives on on struggle st.
They have taken it by political force!

Knowing these things how can any charity lobby for Funds from Government?
Knowing how it is the Government Tax theft and incompetence which is the number 1 cause generating poverty?
Who could desire such Ill gotten gains?

Not I!

One thing is for sureā€¦. I know the difference between real charity and fake political coercion!
I cannot endorse or belong to any fake charity who is in bed with the governmentā€¦ and happy to use money that was wrongfully appropriated from the people who earned it.
This is why I cannot endorse ā€˜the Huiā€™ proposal as it ignores all these corrupt means of action and ignores the poverty Big government generatesā€¦. And in fact seeks to get into bed with this evil systemā€¦ and add to the extortionā€¦. Add to the debt.

Thus to my way of thinking the only real charity is one which remains 100% voluntaryā€¦. 100% Privateā€¦. 100% funded via means which does not involve political force.

I know that we are forced to pay taxes, yet that does not justify us then lobbying for tax revenuesā€¦. That is to get into bed with the beastā€¦ the Harlot.

These are just some of the evils of Social democracyā€¦. I could go on and onā€¦ talking about how the Burden of big government ruins our competitive advantages in the global trade thereby costing us Jobs and shrinking our economy.
I could talk about how their silly rules and regulations restricts job opportunitiesā€¦etc etc.

I must make the point that Big busy body socialist Government is a massive financial burden upon the backs of the hard working and productive which greatly hobbles their ability to take care of themselves and their families and makes them less secure and able to cope with the slings and arrows of daily existence. Ie it drags more and more people towards the breadline.

It siphons away money which would otherwise have been invested in Business, and used by the real entrepreneurs and producers to generate wealth and expand our economy!

We need to keep the size and expense of government to an absolute minimum!

Looking back at Julie Hardakers Austerity measures for the city council…
though she is a big spender at heart and only reluctantly implemented a program of cuts and savings.
Oddly enough, Her decision to do so, and to focus on ‘bricks and mortar was by far the most prudent, and *ultimately the most humane course of action to take!
These cost and debt reductions, and down sizing actually mirrored to a lesser extent my own Libertarian policies on which I myself campaigned!

jeff
It was the heavy Taxations of the English crown which caused the American war of Independence.
And it was at that time that Protestant theologians and philosophers were inquiring into what… if any… were the legitimate duties of Government.

This is an Ironic truth which is very difficult for many people to grasp, that having a small government which does not run social programs is in reality… the most socially contentious and prudent policy of all!
It is difficult to appreciate the dynamics involved because much of the effects of policies are not immediately apparent… and much is purposely downplayed.
It is the job of Political science to set out all the effects of various ‘social experiments’ as to their effectiveness and to highlight any unforeseen negative effects.
Sadly Our socialist Universities pump out little socialist political scientists who are utterly convinced of their own importance as Social engineers… manipulating or society via infinite political interventions.
And they actively engage in mass propaganda to make the people believe that big Government is their friend and that Freedom is the enemy.
Libertarianism is attacked on all levels by a schooled political class with Heavy vested interests in maintaining Big Government… and heavy Taxation.
They are pulling the wool over the peoples eyes and rejecting the teachings of the greatest economist of all Time… Adam Smith… why Free-market capitalism works best towards Social good, and prosperity.

AdamSmithSelfInterest2

Yet Here and now I have dared to challenge the Beast system!
I declare it is the economic realities of Small government and Independence which tend towards greater wealth and prosperity for all… which are an important pragmatic reality which compliments my just moral principles which oppose Social welfare and taxation… and underpin a belief that Real charity must be private funded… by those people who care… at a rate they determine they can afford, and are happy to give… from a surplus of their savings and efforts…. which they themselves determine is above their own needs to provide for themselves and their families.

This is what is missing from the current Socialist conception of the welfare state… and why it is an absolute failure which leads to National bankruptcy and serious declines in the standard of living for the working class… and an ever growing ‘Social static’ of those living in poverty on the streets.

The very last thing an enlightened and compassionate person should do is lobby the government or council to Tax the people… so that funds can be made available to feed the poor!
That is not only immoral… it is utterly self defeating!
It creates More Poverty and a Political Monster!
The Socialist Leviathan State!

If we want to feed the poor lets do it by Real charity… without any political ‘aid’.
If we actually care about the decline in our society we in fact should be protesting against the Beast system… not encouraging it!
We need to stand on our own feet, and demand the government Downsizes and reduces debt and taxes accordingly.
And when we have got this obese Socialist Gorilla off our backs Real charities and churches will flourish and become the norm.
And our economy will grow, and poverty will decrease,
Self reliance will greatly displace welfare dependence.
Self responsibility will greatly displace sloth and vice.

And money will not be stolen from those who earned itā€¦ the principle of reaping what you sow will be re-established.

Thus I say that the only moral and prudent means to finance this charity… and all charities which is consistent with the Christian Modus opperandi is to remain an absolutely Voluntary and private association which gets its financial support the old fashioned way… via fund raisers and soliciting charitable donations from our fellow citizens and from private industries and businesses.
The charitable trust should seek endorsements from prominent New Zealanders and even look into modern methods such as are being employed successfully by operations like Canteen.

I believe this is an absolutely viable option, and it also means the charity maintains full control over their own destiny, and is in no way dependent upon government or political power in any way shape or form.

Tim Wikiriwhi
Christian Libertarian.

Read more on Charity, etc…

Hamilton Homeless Meet and Greetā€¦ The Lords feet and hands working in the trenches.

NEED A PERMIT TO HELP THE POOR? Nazi Hamilton Council Bastards!

The Christian Fellowship is a voluntary private society, not a theocratic political movement.

Albert J Nock and the Atrophy of Charity and Self-Reliance

Reality Punches Socialistā€™s In The Face!

Did Aaron the High Priest smoke? || The biblical roots of Jews and marijuana:

2509058-aaron_brother_of_moses
Aaron… The ‘High’ Priest. šŸ™‚

Doctor, mohel, and former IDF lieutenant Yosef Glassman finds surprising links between controversial plant and ancient Judaism.
ā€œAlso, one will beautify [Shabbat candle lighting] when the wick is made from cotton, flax or cannabisā€¦ā€

Thatā€™s right, cannabis.

This dictate, found in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), piqued the curiosity of Boston geriatrician Yosef Glassman when he was reading about Sabbath rituals on a religious quest nearly two decades ago.

The future doctor decided to embark on a project to learn whether cannabis was also used for medicinal purposes in ancient Jewish times. At first, he proceeded hesitantly ā€” the federal ban on marijuana stigmatizes even library research on the drug, he said.

But in recent years, with medical marijuanaā€™s legalization in several states, Glassman felt more comfortable delving in. What he found was a wealth of references in the Bible and beyond. Marijuana usage, he contends, is an aspect of Jewish law and tradition that had long been buried, and one that deserves ā€œresurfacing and exploration.ā€

ā€œThere is no question that the plant has a holy source, God himself, and is thus mentioned for several ritualistic purposes,ā€ said Glassman, who is also a mohel and a former Israel Defense Force lieutenant. He lives in Newton, Mass. with his family.

medicalsign300

Glassman also found many references to non-medicinal uses of marijuana. ā€œIt is clear that using cannabis for clothing and accessories was very common, according to the Talmud,ā€ he said. It was used for making tallitot and tzitzit, as well as ā€œschachā€ (Sukkot roof coverings).

Glassman also found that cannabis fit into the category of kitnyos on Passover, meaning that Ashkenazi Jews were prohibited from using it on the holiday. ā€œOne thus might assume that it was also consumed, perhaps as food, during the remainder of the year,ā€ he said, noting that hemp seeds are a non-intoxicating form of protein.

Glassman first presented his findings in late October during grand rounds ā€” a medical teaching session ā€” at the New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton, Mass., where he is a physician. He has since gone on to give the same lecture to lay and medical professional audiences. ā€œThe goal is to educate practitioners on the rich cultural history behind the use of cannabis as a medicine, explain its mechanism of action, and dispel myths about its safety profile,ā€ he said at one such presentation open to the public in Brookline, Mass. in November.

He explained that he had received no commercial support for his research, that no exhibitors were present, and sorry, but there were no free samples. ā€œNot even in those brownies in the back?ā€ joked one audience member.

In the talk, Glassman described finding several biblical references to the herb that include Book of Numbers 17:12-13, where Aaron the High Priest, ā€œno pun intended,ā€ probably burned marijuana as an incense offering ā€œduring a time of turmoil.ā€ Other passages include Godā€™s instructions to Moses to ā€œtake for yourself herbs bā€™samimā€ ā€” herbs of medicinal quality ā€” and instructions in Exodus to ā€œtake spices of the finest sort, pure myrrh, five hundred shekels, fragrant cinnamon, and ā€˜keneh bosem,ā€™ā€ which literally means ā€œsweet cane,ā€ but possibly refers to cannabis, said Glassman. ā€œKeneh bosemā€ is also mentioned in the Song of Songs 4:14, Isaiah 43:24, Jeremiah 6:20 and Ezekiel 27:19. Another pronunciation is the Aramaic ā€œkene busma,ā€ which, perhaps unsurprisingly, is also the name of a modern reggae musician.

Glassmanā€™s research revealed that cannabis may have been used as an anesthetic during childbirth in ancient Israel; he described an archaeological discovery of hashish in the stomach of the 1,623-year-old remains of a 14-year-old girl in Beit Shemesh. Maimonides was also an advocate of using cannabis oil for ailments such as colds and ear problems. ā€œThere are complex laws of plant mixing and hybridizing from the Talmud, which Maimonides comments on,ā€ said Glassman. ā€œCannabis specifically was taken especially seriously in terms of mixing ā€¦ and could, in fact, incur the death penalty. This shows me that apparently, cannabis was treated quite seriously.ā€

Ancient Jews werenā€™t the only people to use cannabis medicinally, of course. In his lecture, Glassman noted that cannabis has been used in Chinese medicine, as one of the 50 fundamental herbs, for 4,700 years; ancient Egyptians used it in suppositories and for eye pain; and Greeks made wine steeped with cannabis and used it for inflammation and ear problems.

Read more >>>here<<<

Homage to Irena.

The ‘female Schindler’ who saved 2,500 Jewish children but died wishing she’d rescued more.

ireana

She smuggled out the children in suitcases, ambulances, coffins, sewer pipes, rucksacks and, on one occasion, even a tool box.
Those old enough to ask knew their saviour only by her codename “Jolanta”.
But she kept hidden a meticulous record of all their real names and new identities – created to protect the Jewish youngsters from the pursuing Nazis – so they might later be re-united with their families.

By any measure, Irena Sendler was one of the most remarkable and noble figures to have emerged from the horrors of World War II. But, until recently, her extraordinary compassion and heroism went largely unrecorded.
When the Germans finally caught her, the Roman Catholic social worker had managed to save 2,500 Jewish babies and toddlers from deportation to the concentration camps.
She had spirited them out of the heavily-guarded Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, and hidden their identities in two glass jars buried under an apple tree in her neighbour’s garden.
She was beaten, tortured and sentenced to death by the Gestapo – who even announced her execution. But Irena survived, her spirit unbroken, her secrets untold.
She died last week, in her modest Warsaw apartment, aged 98. What a woman she was. For once, the term “heroine” is no exaggeration, though such plaudits did not sit easily with her.
She said: “I was brought up to believe that a person must be rescued when drowning, regardless of religion and nationality….

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1021048/Female-Schindler-Irena-Sendler-saved-2-500-Jewish-children-died-aged-98.html#ixzz2a2lN1E2f
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Her last years were spent in a wheelchair, thanks to the wounds inflicted on her by the Gestapo.
A few months before she died, she said: “After World War II, it seemed that humanity understood something, and nothing like that would happen again.
“Humanity has understood nothing. Religious, tribal, national wars continue. The world continues to be in a sea of blood.”
But she added: “The world can be better if there’s love, tolerance and humility.”
Irena Sendler had all three in abundance.

Irena represents the very best of humanity.
She embodies Love, courage, Justice….
When I contemplate what this woman did… I feel very small.
I sit in awe.
RIP Mighty Hero!

Christ’s work of Salvation on the Cross… The Great Equaliser.

dork

That Christ’s atonement for sin on the Cross is a very unpleasant Business/ Idea I agree… yet this does not make it objectively false.
Indeed The Cross makes us realise just how costly our sins are and how serious God is about judgement.

‘The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
St Paul. Roman’s 6vs23

Dawkins obviously does not consider his own sins… are that bad.

Dawkins needs to understand that God is God, and appreciate the obvious just reality that God sets the terms of Salvation…not him
It matters little if we may find Christ’s substitutional atonement on the cross an offensive proposition.

jesus_crucifixion

God chose a means of salvation and the restoration of our communion with him which puts all human beings on the same level.
Receiving Salvation is not a vain self-righteous act, not a reward, or an intellectual achievement.
To receive Christ We must humble ourselves… and admit our personal moral guilt to be saved.
This is what proud and vainglorious Toffs like Dawkins hate!
The Idea that they must give account of themselves to God is bad enough… but that they must do so on the same level as the rest of us … as one of the great unwashed… is unbearable!
There is no elitism in the gospel… “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”
St Paul Roman’s 3vs 23.

Dawkins exposes his great ignorance of Religion… in particular the Theology… the principles which underpin Christ and the Cross.
He actually proves he has not even bothered to learn even the basics about the Religion he spends his life attacking.

God revealed our need for a Christ immediately following Adams fall, having broken his covenant with God, the punishment of which was Death.
If Dawkins bothered to read the Bible he might just come to apprehend that Christ was typified by God clothing Adam and Eve with the skins of animals. He may be seen in Noah’s Ark. And by Abraham offering up Isaac… God providing a sacrifice, and again by Moses holding up the serpent on a stick in the desert during the Exodus…. etc etc

Sin and Evil are why we have Wars, Murders, Rapes, Poverty, Lies, Perversions, Robberies, extortions, Tyrannies, etc etc. Every vile and despicable act comes from the evil heart of mankind.
This is why God will not let all this slide, but will judge with wrath… for Justice’s sake!

Yet he send Christ “For God comendeth his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
St Paul Roman’s 5vs8.
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”
st Paul. Roman’s 10vs 13.