Truth or Lies?

Why would people embrace Satanism in our modern world?

The answer is that what they present to an unwitting public seems more wise, more compassionate, more sensible than what religious people espouse.

If the only religious material presented in the media is hardcore fundamentalism with its bigotry, prejudice, sexism, homophobia, violence, judgement, hell, and hate then anything is going to seem more accessible.

The problem is that what the public sees in popular music and entertainment is a lie.

It is a mistake to take what you see at face value.

It is a hook - a seductive image put forward to lure you into their power.

And once you have opened your mind to them they feed it with negativity, sabotage, malice, and evil.

So don't be fooled by popular music and entertainment; they are only in it for the money.

Seek and find a truly positive and compassionate philosophy.


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Messages.

From the moment we are born we are inundates with messages.
Messages from our parents, our family, the T.V., the radio, billboards, politicians, rock stars, movies, art, literature, school, and society.....

These messages may contradict each other or cause conflict or suffering.

It takes us half our lives to sort these messages out.

Some are from people of goodwill.
Some are from people who want to exploit us.
Some are from people who want to control us.
Some are from people who do not have our best interests at heart.

Many people never sort these messages out at all.
They go to their graves believing lies.

So how do we sort these messages out?

Ask yourself, "What is the motivation behind this message?"

The answer will be enlightening.


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Pleasure.

Another aspect of Satanism is its addiction to pleasure.

By claiming that all pleasure is evil they consign everyone to hell.

But this is a lie.

Jesus came eating and drinking.
He offered us life in all its abundance.

God does not expect us to renounce all pleasure and enjoyment.

All things in moderation.

This is the key.

Not the excesses of Satanism.


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3.

It has been said that God is Life, Light, and Love.

These three correspond to the three major centers in the body.

Life = the sex organs which create life.

Light = the mind which sees.

Love = the heart which loves.

But the soul or divine spark is in the heart.


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Heaven.

When we realize that God punishes no one we lose our fear of damnation.
If God does not punish us there can be no hell.

What then of heaven?

Heaven is traditionally a reward for good works.
But if we think of heaven as God's Love, which is extended to everyone, we see that there might still be a heaven.

And as this heaven is not a reward for good behavior it might just be for everyone.

When we approach God our mistakes are forgiven.
Everyone makes mistakes.
It then becomes a matter of degree.*

But God punishes no one.
So all will be forgiven.
Even those we don't think deserve forgiveness.

So we may just see them in heaven.


*See Luke 7:41-43.

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Second Thoughts.

I would have second thoughts about bringing children into the world as it is at present.

The world is so dark, so violent, so brutal, so cruel.....

To send a child out into the world to be hooked, to be misled, to be betrayed, even tortured is not something I wish to do.

You can explain what is happening, what is out there in the world, but will they believe you?

And make no mistake to be led astray into sin and transgression is to suffer, not because God punishes us but because they are false gods in which there is no love.

We can pray for our children and advise them, always be there for them, but is it enough?

We need the steadfast love and forgiveness of God.

Only in God will we find such fidelity.


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Crucifixion.

When we think about Jesus' death on the cross it is significant that the people who killed Jesus were the powers of the world - the Romans and the Pharisees.

This is significant because it is the powers of the world who have usurped the authority of God.  And it is they who have instituted the religion of rewards and punishments.

The purpose of this carrot and stick religion is not to obey God but to keep the masses under control.

So if God were to send a messenger who announced the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth it was they who stood to lose the most.

So, not wanting to give up their power and privilege, they killed Jesus and stole his religion.

It has been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

But Jesus said, "'And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father - the one in heaven.'"  Matthew 23:9 (NRSV)


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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An Historical Context.

When I write about Satanism in our modern world I am not speaking about a dualistic view of reality I am speaking about an historical context.

I do not believe in a supernatural being called Satan.
Neither do I believe in dark gods or powers.

What I do believe is that since the 1960s rock stars and celebrities have embraced Satanism and betrayed us all with their subliminal sabotage.

Sin and transgression have become glamorous and desirable.
Bad has become good.
We are all wicked and filthy.

But it is the diabolical dream behind these things which is worrying.
Satanism is becoming acceptable, even the norm.
And people don't even realize its happening.

So be more discerning in your choice of entertainment if you want to maintain your sanity and avoid the intense suffering which Satanism will cause.

There is a God.

And He will deliver you.


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The Outer Courts.

Traditionally religious leaders have preached the carrot and stick gospel of rewards and punishments.

This is to stay in the outer courts and not enter in to the sanctuary.

Jesus said of them, "'you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.'"  Luke 11: 52b (NRSV)

What we have to realize is that after the prophet is dead the powers of this world appropriate his message and modify it to suit their own needs.

Thus the carrot and stick religion is reinstated because it is this teaching which keeps the masses in line.

And they will try it again in the Age of Aquarius.

But the true teaching, which all the prophets preached, is the Gospel of Love.

This is to enter into the sanctuary, which is your own heart, and find God there.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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The New Paradigm.

What we are seeing now in religion is the emergence of a New Paradigm.

This paradigm has a positive, holistic view of God.
It is based on modern Biblical scholarship which teaches that the Bible is a conglomerate of texts written by different authors over hundreds of years.
It also teaches that the Bible is not literal history but a mixture of styles including poetry and metaphor.
Many of the Bible stories use midrash which is the retelling of old stories in a new context.

The New Paradigm is also compatible with  modern scientific understandings of the world and the universe.

It has a positive attitude towards sex and homosexuality in particular which is seen as a natural part of the diversity of God's good creation.

The old understandings of God - as a harsh, vindictive dispenser of rewards and punishments - has been superseded.
No longer will we be wicked sinners in fear of punishment and hell.

We will be children of God.

And we will know His steadfast Love.


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Relativity.

The criticism of Progressive Christianity - that it is relative, and we only see what we want to see - is irrelevant in the end.

If we are projecting our Post-Modern values back onto the historical Jesus does this really matter?

For example Jesus believed in spirits and demons as an explanation for illness.
Does this mean that we should believe this now?
Medical science dismisses demon possession entirely and there is little evidence to support it today.

Jesus may have been racist or homophobic.
Does this mean that we should be racist and homophobic today?

I would suggest not.

So, whether our assessment of Jesus is relative or not, the Post-Modern version of the historical Jesus remains our best guide to spirituality in the 21st Century.


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Wedding Ring.

A married man may have sex an average of two to three times a week.

A single man may have sex less than once a week.

And yet the single man is labelled dissolute.

While the married man is respectable.

Work that out.


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Role.

Those who have sold their souls and embraced evil assume the role of the devil.

This is an attempt to legitimize their activities.

They play the role of the tempter, the tester of our faith.

But this is not the truth.

Their activities are in no way sanctioned by God.

It is not a game of temptation and damnation.

They lie, they cheat, they deceive and mislead you.
They even move and control you.

This is not in any way a fair fight.

There is no devil in reality.

So how can he make war with God?

They are deluded.

Pray to God and He will deliver you.

The only Reality is God's Love.


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Save Me!

I'm here to save you.

What from?

Not from the devil.

There is no devil in reality.

But from devil worshipers.

What devil worshipers?

The devil worshipers that are hidden in our popular culture: our rock music, our movies, our T.V., our literature, our sports.....

I can't see any devil worshipers.

No.  They are cleverly disguised and concealed.

Think heavy metal.

Think flames.

Think the sign of the devil.

Think horns.

These things are there to be seen.

So don't deny that devil worship is real.

It doesn't do any harm.

Yes it does:
It poisons you.  It curses you.  It tempts you.  It leads you astray.  It distracts you. It damns you.....

I am here to save you.

Save me!

Pray to God to rescue you.

Pray to God to deliver you from evil.

Pray to God to adopt you as His child.

Pray to God to guide you and bring you home.

But most of all:

Open your heart.


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Gay Love.

When gay people say that it is love they feel for their same-sex partners they are not pretending.

The hate is on the other side - the religious people and the God they worship are the proponents of hate.

So they may say they are atheists.
They may even say they are hell-bound and support the devil.

This is not surprising.

But it is not their fault.

The fault lies squarely with the religious fundamentalists who claim to speak for God when they say that God hates gay people.

So keep on loving.

Even if love is in hell.

Love will save you.

Because Love is the ultimate reality of God.


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Self-Esteem.

Do not worry if the world does not value you.

As we grow up we experience the world's disdain.

We do not measure up to the world's values.

Jesus said, "'If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.'"  John 15:18 (NRSV)

But God values our good qualities:

Mercy, compassion, understanding, integrity, charity, love.....

But most of all Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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Deeper Within.

Many religious people adhere to mental principles as a basis of their faith.

They aspire to higher and higher attitudes in an attempt to come closer to God.

And many become rigid in their understanding.

But I believe that rather than going higher and higher we should be going deeper and deeper within.

If we adopt this approach we will find our heart and follow the path of love and understanding.

In this way we avoid the trap of rigidity that Jesus and the Buddha warned against and open our hearts to God and to those around us.


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Glamour.

We are used to thinking of Satanism as an ugly aspect of fringe culture.

But those who have sold their souls to the devil can be glamorous - rock stars, supermodels, fashion designers, dancers, movie stars and directors, sports men and women.....

This is the secret of Satanism in our world.

They use their glamour and their fame to lure unsuspecting souls into their evil web where we transgress and blaspheme, where we are poisoned and corrupted.....

Their ultimate goal is to consign us to hell.

But there is no hell in reality.

God punishes no one.

So don't believe their evil lies.

And don't be seduced by their glamour.


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Sin.

Have you noticed that since the 1980s we have been inundated with messages telling us that sin is fun.

Most of these messages come from rock music.

Emboldened by their success in the 1980s Satanists in the rock music industry have stepped up their campaign to make Satanism the religion of choice in our world.

Subversive messages that tell us to sin lead us to corruption, vice, and transgression which they hope will consign us to hell.

Lust, men behaving badly, filthy, wicked.....

All these things come from Satanism in our popular culture.

So unplug your earphones, and dump your DVDs.

Pray to God and He will deliver you.


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Pure Malice.

Far from the influence of modern Satanists being harmless I have experienced it as pure malice.

They hate you and curse you.

They try to addict you.

They try to kill you.

It is unhealthy - it pushes cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs.

It is vicious - it pushes gambling, pornography, and excess.

It is negative - it causes depression, sickness, and suicide.

So, far from being harmless, Satanism is an influence of pure malice.


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The Good Samaritan.

In the New Testament parable The Good Samaritan a man is attacked by thieves and left half-dead beside the road.

A priest and then a Levite pass by and cross to the other side of the road before a Samaritan takes pity on him and looks after him.

Rather than judging the priest and the Levite in this story I would suggest that the reason why they crossed to the other side of the road and did not help was fear.

Fear controls us.
Fear makes us do what we hate (as Paul put it).

The two Jewish men were afraid of being attacked or robbed, afraid even of being defiled with the man's blood.

But the fact remains that their fear stopped them from helping.

Perhaps we can have pity on such people.
So great is their fear.

And help them to overcome what oppresses them.


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What is Progressive Christianity?

What it is about:

1.  How we interpret the Bible (myth and metaphor).

2.  Original Blessing.

3.  The historical Jesus (the human being).

4.  The teachings of Jesus.

5.  Inclusiveness.

6.  Unconditional Love.

7.  Life after death for everyone.


What it is not:

1.  Biblical inerrancy.

2.  Original Sin.

3.  Virgin Birth.

4.  Physical resuscitation of Jesus body.

5.  Christology/Trinity.

6.  Judgement/Hell.

7.  End Times (Second Coming).


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Accidents.

Many people who meditate have had negative experiences which Buddhists and Yogis call accidents.

This is some frightening or damaging event which is often flagged as a warning.

It has been taken as a sign of guilt.

But I say that these negative spiritual experiences are caused by those who support the power of darkness.

Evil forces in our entertainment don't want people having enlightening experiences, so they sabotage them and fabricate an accident to stop them.

These evil forces are mostly in rock music, but they also exist in sports and entertainment.

They act in the unconscious to sabotage our spiritual development.

So, far from these experiences being a sign of guilt, they indicate that the person involved is making progress and is therefore a threat to the powers of darkness.


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Job.

The Book of Job in the Bible depicts a righteous man who is overcome by misfortune.

His herds are destroyed, his children are killed, and his body us afflicted with sores.

The reaction of Job's friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar is that Job musts have sinned for God to have punished him so grievously.  Even the young Elihu condemns him.

But Job maintains his righteousness.

From the beginning it is revealed that the afflictions come not from God but from Satan.

This situation parallels what happens in the world today.

If someone is in trouble or misfortune has befallen him or her people's reaction is that it is their own fault.  I'm O.K. so what have you done wrong?

But in the end God justifies Job.

"'for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.'"  Job 42:7b (NRSV)

And Job's prosperity is restored.

This metaphorical tale is included in the Bible in order to refute Prosperity Theology.

Prosperity Theology claims that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked on earth.

But there is little evidence, either then or now, that this is the case.

"'Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?
Their children are established in their presence, and their offspring before their eyes.  Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them.'"  Job 21:7-9 (NRSV)

So if God does not reward the righteous and punish the wicked on earth what does He do?

Some say that our actions on earth will be judged after death and we will experience heaven or hell.

But I say that the concept of Natural Justice, which underpins these ideas, is a human construct.

God punishes no one.

He knows the reasons why people act wickedly - out of ignorance, out of fear.
And He forgives them.

God is good.

"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish."  2 Peter 3:9 (NRSV)

So we must endure suffering and forgive.

And pray for our oppressors to have a change of heart.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved]

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Gay and Spiritual.

Because many people equate homosexuality with immorality it is difficult to maintain a spiritual approach while remaining sexually active.

People treat you as if you are one or the other - gay or spiritual.

But I am both.

My path leads through a forest of negative perceptions - like running the gauntlet.

And although some may see me as immoral I know that God does not.

God sees my homosexuality as He sees heterosexuality.

And that is as a natural part of life.


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Face Value.

We are foolish to take what is presented to us in the media at face value.

Evil forces manipulate the words and images we hear and see.

They demonize the poor and humanize the rich.
Because it is the miserly rich who own our media.

And they conspire with Satanists in the music industry and our entertainment to cover us in darkness and propagate lies.

The results are evident:

The Churches are empty.
Sin is considered fun.
Evil is cool.
Whole generations are wrecked by drugs.
Everyone is divorced.
The disparity between rich and poor continues to increase.
We are distracted, exploited, and addicted.

And no one knows why.  


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Musclemen.

You may think that musclemen have it good, that they have everything going for them in this life.

But many musclemen are in a lot of trouble.

Not only are they competing to see who can be the most outrageous, the most daring, the most brash.....But they are being led astray into a life of drugs and dissipation.

They flatter their egos.
They call them gods.
They call them beasts and monsters.
They tell them Satan can deliver their ambitions.

Because they must be tough they turn to the devil and his ways.
They push heavy metal and Satanic rock music.

So they are in diabolical trouble both socially and spiritually.

Pray for them.

For many follow them.


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Tribal Lore.

Everyone seems just to do what everyone else is doing.

There is no expectation of anything more.

A visiting rabbi once said, "I have been preaching liberal Judaism for 30 years. But do they do it?  Of course not."

And this is the problem.
God may prompt us to do good in the world but if we refuse He cannot force us.

The Old Testament Prophet Zechariah said, "Thus said the Lord of hosts: Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.  But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear.  They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets."  Zechariah 7: 8-12 (NRSV)

We prefer our justifications, our rationalizations, our social and business conventions.

And what are these things but petrified fears?

We rationalize our position by endorsing traditional customs, mainly in relation to money.

Secrecy, non-disclosure, privacy, prosperity, tax evasion, private property, inheritance, dividends, shares, status, self-righteousness, amorality, and selfishness.....

All these things are firmly entrenched in our society.

But does anyone challenge them?

Not in my Church.

So from where will change come?

Change will come only if we address the fears upon which these things are based.

Fear of poverty, starvation, failure, ostracism, rejection, and violence.....

And how can these things be overcome?

Through faith and love.

Faith that God will provide.

And love that is unconditional.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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The Good News.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."  John 3:16 (NRSV)

For centuries this has been the definition of the Good News.

Let us look at this more closely.

First of all God "gave his only Son" - this contains the doctrine of Jesus' divinity which I would contest.  It is absolute, exclusive, and egotistical.

Secondly "so that everyone who believes in him" indicates that belief is the most important aspect of religion.

Thirdly "may not perish" means that if you don't believe in Jesus as the only Son of God then you will perish.  This is using fear as a motivator.

Fourthly "but may have eternal life" means that entry into heaven is exclusively through Jesus.

This is a do what I say or else message that could hardly be called good news.

For too long the Churches have been institutions which use fear and belief to force people to conform to their will.

And their will is tied to the conservative establishment.

It is inward-looking and self-serving.

That being said the Churches still do much good charity work in a world that is dominated by the rich.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."  Matthew 28:19a (NRSV)

This is Jesus' commission to the disciples.

They were to bring the Good News to everyone.

But instead of spreading Jesus' message of unconditional love and forgiveness from the Father they forced their absolute ideology onto everyone.
An ideology which was unchallenged until modern times.

It is this mistake which has caused the downfall of Christendom.

The Church should be outward-looking - i.e. looking to address the needs of our society and our world.

But far too often the Churches have been timid and tentative.
They sit on the fence and won't address controversy.

We are not here to ensure our personal survival.

We are here to give love to those around us.

God provides.

We should accept that and look to the needs of those around us.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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A Safe Place.

What is needed is a safe place for people who are progressive in their religious views.

Those people who can see the evil influences in our popular culture and react against them need a safe place to go.

A place where they will not be indoctrinated with negative theology or have their healthy views on sexuality perverted.

Sex is a gift from God.
And as such it is a vital part of His good creation.
It should not be labelled bad or repressed.

The Church should accept the full spectrum of views without fragmenting.
This would entail a policy of tolerance of alternative views.

Unity in diversity.

Until we can achieve these things there will be no revival of religion.


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Monopolies.

The problem with being gay and Christian is that we are caught between two monopolies.

Fundamentalist Christians want a monopoly on God.

And Satanists in our popular culture want a monopoly on sex, especially gay sex.

So to be a sexually active gay man and a Christian is almost impossible.

It is as if we have to be one or the other - celibate Christians going to heaven or sexually active gay men going to hell.

But my experience of God is that he does not discriminate - He treats gay people in the same way as He treats straight people.

The Age of Aquarius will see the emergence of gay Churches.

But for now we are stuck with two monopolies who will use violence to achieve their objectievs.  


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