NEDA: The Face of a Movement

Please Note: This article may have images that some readers may find offensive.

It was so sad to hear the death of Neda Agha Soltan, an innocent bystander in the protests currently afflicting Iran. It is so sad that many people who are clamoring for freedom are dying in Iran. The name Neda means “Divine Calling” in Farsi. Neda was a young vibrant woman full of life. A bullet was fired and she was shot in the chest, causing her to bleed from the mouth and then her nose. I could not help to hold back my tears. The video was televised across the globe.

Seeing the Iranians fighting against their corrupt government is very touching, and inspirational. Iran is what I call a theocracy---with extreme laws. If anyone is caught dressed inappropriately they can get flogged. Iran has a so-called “morality police’ which go around enforcing these Islamic mandates. The voluntary police force is made up of over 90,000 members that go around terrorizing people, hitting them with batons, doing night raids in homes they suspect of violating Islamic laws.

What Iranians are really looking for is not necessarily physical freedom, what they are seeking is a “spiritual freedom’ which only comes from Jesus Christ. As I watched the news telecasts it dawn upon me that there are no dictatorships were the majority of citizens are Christian. Almost all of the dictatorships that exist in the world are either atheists, or Islamic. You don’t believe me? The Top Ten lists of tyrannical governments includes: China, North Korea, Sudan, Burma, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Iran and Cuba ( 11 actually).

This fact should open everyone’s eyes. Iranians please open your eyes. Why is it that most Christian nations are not authoritarian? Why is it that rogues states must oppressed their people? For me it shows that their ideology, whether atheistic or religious makes them terribly insecure, so they must resort to extreme tactics to control their people. Jesus Christ was not insecure because he is the only way to true freedom. Jesus Christ used Neda as his divine calling. People of Iran, you are hearing the Divine Calling of Jesus Christ to come to Him and let Him be your one and only Savior. May Neda’s death awaken a massive Spiritual Movement in Iran and across all Muslim nations.

SPECIAL REPORT: Christians in Iran

Woman getting ready to have her head chopped off due to Shariah Law
(Coming to America real soon.)

When the Islamic Revolution took over Iran in 1979, the groups that took over did so to get rid of the Shah, which was a puppet government supported by the U.S. The Shah was a very corrupt individual which sadly caused many Iranians to be oppressed. Unfortunately the same forces which took over Iran exactly 30 years ago have also become their own worst enemy. Thousands of young Iranians are protesting the recent elections between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mir-Hossein Mousavi. These young people are sick and tired of the Islamic dictatorship which bars the entire society from freely expressing their most basic of human needs.

Ayatollah Khomeini circa 1970's
Don't mess with Texas. Oh no, wait a minute! It's that other guy.

For Christians however, the Islamic dictatorship in Iran has been even more oppressive. According to the U.S. Department 99% of the people in Iran are Shi’ite Muslims. Only 0.4% are Christian. Any religious activity is monitored by the Ministry of Islamic Guidance. Iranian law prohibits evangelism.

According to a new law proposed in February of 2008, any Muslim that converts is killed. And their secret police usually rape, kidnap, and arrest Christians--all unthinkable acts for a devout Muslim to do but quite alright to do it to Christians. According to Compass Direct News, months after he was elected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with his country’s 30 governors and he declared “I will stop Christianity in this country.” Nonetheless, dictators may try to stop Christianity, but they never will. According to some sources Muslims convert to Christianity at about 500 people per month, in spite of Iran's harsh methods to ban evangelism.

Lier, Lier, pants on fire.

A third generation taxi driver of Iran “Rashid” (real name withheld because of death threats) "The generation [after 1979] no one believes in Islam. They are against what is going on in Iran, the fanaticism….Most want to become Christian, but the problem is fear. They are afraid because they could be killed. If they have no faith, they won’t be bothered. I know the risk of going to prison or being killed, yet I’m ready to face the challenge.”

Our brothers and sisters in Iran and across the world are accepting the challenge to represent Jesus Christ. As a reader to this blog, I ask you directly. Are you ready to accept the challenge and help your persecuted Christian brothers and sisters? You can do your part by taking action. Pass the word around, tell your friends and make contact with numerous organizations helping Christians in need. God bless you.

Characteristics of False Religions

In the last days, Jesus said that there would arise many false religions. Their teachings would be so convincing that they would lead many astray. In Galatians, The apostle Paul went a step further by warning us that “if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.”

I am listing some characteristics of how you can determine the true Gospel from false Gospel’s.

1. Jesus said that he did not come to change the Word of God.
(Matthew 5:17)

All religions that came after Jesus claim to bring new messages from God.

2. Jesus did not forbid the eating of any specific food.
(Acts 10:9-15, Matthew 15:10)

Other religions after Christ, command to abstain from eating many kinds of food.

3. Jesus asked his followers to be “the light of the world.”
(Matthew 5:16)

Many religions of today operate in secrecy or separate themselves from the world.

4. Jesus commanded his followers to love everyone including enemies.
(Matthew 5:44)

Many religions after Jesus command their followers to kill in the name of their religion.

5. Prophets and apostles in the Bible were flawed and sinful, just like ordinary people. (Exodus 2: 11, 1 Samuel 11, Mark 2:15, Acts 9: 13-15)

Prophets and apostles in other religions are portrayed perfect, flawless followers, unlike ordinary people.

6. Jesus welcomed and encouraged questions from his followers.
(Mark 12:37, Mark 2:9)

Other religions will threaten, punish, shun, or hit their followers for challenging their religion.

7. Jesus was not offended by the accusations and attacks made by his critics.
(Mark 14: 65, John 10:22-39)

Religions after Jesus become irate and violent if offensive words are spoken against their faith.

These are just few but very effective means to know which faith and which religion is working in the best interest of true understanding. If any faith or religious leader shows any of the bad signs mentioned above, be very careful and leave that oppressive group. I encourage you to continue to educate yourself about Jesus Christ and Christianity. When you do that you will discover for yourself that regardless of many accusations made by the enemies of Christ that no one can find faults with him. Jesus Christ is an airtight case. May God bless your openness to learn more.

Abortion Doctor Shot to Death

51 yearl old Scott Roeder accused of killing Dr. George Tiller

On May 31, Scott Roeder was arrested for killing Dr. George Tiller, a doctor who was infamous for performing third-trimester abortions. It was a shocking development, but more shocking was his relationship with the Church. Many people have been asking themselves the question, how can an abortion doctor considered himself a Christian and attend a church? The church is where he was killed when he was passing out programs before the start of the service.

Dr. George Tiller relaxing after a day's work.

Dr. Tiller shouldn’t have been killed because he performed these abortions. I believe that killing people for whatever reason is anti-Christian. Two wrongs don’t make a right. If Christians adopt a philosophy to kill other humans for whatever reason whether it be in self-defense, revenge, war, or abortion, then we are no different from the other major religions of the world. We have no distinction if we believe in this philosophy.

Dr. Tiller in his "I am not doing anything wrong" smile.

Yet we can not dismiss the fact that Dr. Tiller’s lifestyle was a type of abomination. He considered himself a Christian, he attended Church regularly and his day job consisted of massacring unborn babies who were fully formed in the womb? Apparently the Lutheran Church in America supports abortions. Allegedly they have also paid abortions directly from their own funds.

Churches are not exempt from cultural influences that persuade us to abandoned Christian principles and instead adopt compromises that hurt our faith. It is abhorrent that the mindset of some Christian have accepted the notion of dehumanizing babies. When our family suffered an unforeseeable miscarriage, when we lost our unborn baby through natural means at one month old, it tore us apart. As the rest of the secular world, some Christians like Dr. Tiller believe that unborn babies are dispensable and that God is just going to allow it to happen. Unborn babies are the least of all that have a voice. I believe that it is the worst form of persecution.

Pregnancy from 26 to 40 weeks.

But God knows that when you allow sin and crimes to go unchecked things like what happened to Dr. Tiller are bound to occur. Do these people need more proof that you reap what you sow? The Bible clearly tells us that we cannot serve two masters. May God help us to find solutions to this 40 year old debate. We cannot continue to live like this in this society. An eye for an eye leaves us all blind.

American Idol Shocking Reaction

New American Idol Kris Allen

It was quite a shocker to say the least. Kris Allen was voted in as the new American Idol, defeating fan favorite Adam Lambert. The two singers were of contrasting styles. Kris himself was pretty shocked as he did not know what to say when asked by host Ryan Seacrest what he thought. He graciously said “I don’t deserve this.” Everyone was expecting Lambert to take the crown because of his theatrics as well as vocals.

As a Christian, however I cannot feel disdained for this Hollywood--ish creation, where thousands of people compete against each other to be called America’s “Idol.” Even when I first heard the name of the show I could not help but to think about the idols of Baal. It sounded pretty downright pagan to me.

In the remaining weeks of the competition it was turning into a real Angels Vs Demons scenario. Kris was very traditional, squeaky clean. Lambert was the hard rocking bad boy. As the weeks progressed it seemed to me that Adam (of all names) was looking more and more demonic. So much so that even Satan's minions, KISS joined him on stage. So without a doubt I thought that Lambert was a shoe in. But no. Apparently word got out about Adam Lambert's devious nature and apparently the Christian community came out in force to dethroned him. Searcrest mentioned that over 100 million had voted. That is an amazing number. But I can’t say I am very happy with these numbers, and let me explain why.

Kris is a very devout Christian. He is a former missionary as well as a church worship leader. When you have these better titles, you know your Bible. So I was not surprised when Kris said in an interview that he did not want the Christian vote to decide the competition. Why do I agree with him? Because as Christians we should have better things to do than to stick around in front of the tube watching, of all things, a singing competition! These are worldly matters. These kinds of things are a distraction for our real work. As Christians we need to focus our attention on spreading the Gospel and helping our persecuted brothers and sisters. Jesus Christ would be very disappointed in this turn of events. It is true that out of the 100 million that voted, not all of them were Christian. But I believe that at least 60 million were. That is still a very staggering number! If we could somehow turn this force into a spiritual force we would re-transformed the world. The advancement of oppressive religions would stop. The world would have less killings and more peace. The hungry would go less hungry. The homeless would have homes. But best of all more people would be saved! So I therefore make a plea to all Christians cast your vote for Christ. Give your support to all of the good causes which come from Christ and let us help our brothers and sisters in need. God bless you.

Christian Songs

Charice Pempengco

Today Oprah showcased her newest protégé, Charice. Charice gave an incredible performance of her new hit Note To God. It could not have happened to a more deserving person. Charice has overcome so much in her young life. That is why this song is very meaningful. And it should make us ponder--how can God, as the song says, give us strength, love and hope? One who is a Christian, knows the answer. A person who is young in the faith, or has no faith in Christ at all, will be looking for an answer almost endlessly---like her song implies.

“Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven't got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is going wrong
On this road we're on”

But we do have a clue to change things. We do have the wisdom to make this a better place for all. Unfortunately, people are looking for another Jesus. People are looking for another Savior instead of the real Jesus Christ. People are in denial. Or just don’t want to accept the obvious answer--Jesus Christ does all of what you are asking for Charice, and more!

Most people also do not want to admit that Christian persecution still exists today. Hundreds and thousands of people are dying across the planet for their faith in Jesus Christ. Towns are being burned, people are being displaced and butchered by people who hate Christ. We who live in America or another Western country can do so much to help. Don’t say that “we don’t have a clue” because we do. Please help the persecuted Christian church today. God bless you.

Five Falsehoods About Christianity

Myth#1: The Bible is corrupt or has been changed by the hands of man.

Fact:

The existence of the Dead Sea Scrolls prove that the Bible has not been changed, and the modern Bible, including the New Testament is more accurate than any other holy book.

Myth#2: Constantine and the Council of Nicea changed the Bible.


Fact:

Being that he was Emperor at the time Constantine could have very easily written the Bible to pay homage to him. But no evidence exists in the Bible that is partial to Constantine, his Emperorship or his Bishops. The Bible is impartial to heads of state or governments.

Myth#3: The Bible tolerates immoral behavior because the U.S. allows sexual exploitation, use of drugs, and homosexuality.

Fact:

The Bible teaches that every individual is responsible for his lifestyle. The U.S. is not a theocracy, and the Church cannot dictate or control social norms. Jesus did not go condemning sinners. He forgave them in the hopes that his grace would encourage them to reform themselves through love and not corporal punishment.

Myth#4: Christians promote death and violence throughout the world. Prime example is President George W. Bush who was a Christian and started the Iraq War.

Fact:

Western governments like the U.S. are political, not religious. The church and government are separate. The church cannot dictate to the government how to govern, and the government does not control the Church how to worship. George Bush is an oil tycoon, alcoholic, turned politician who used Christianity to fool people and profit from it.

Please enter to see the startling statistics!

Myth#5: Christians are not persecuted for their faith anymore.

Fact:

Christians in the tens of thousands across the world are being tortured, imprisoned, and killed for trying to practice their faith. Among some countries were Christians have no freedom whatsoever to preach or practice their faith are North Korea, Indonesia, China, Arabia, Israel, Cuba and Iran, just to name a few countries. The figures of the red map above are shocking to say the least.