Popular Culture.

It comes as a surprise to some when I say that there is Satanism in our popular culture.

Satanism is hidden in rock music, sports, and entertainment.

And so it is not sufficient merely to reject the teachings of religion because then we are vulnerable to the evil influence of Satanism in our popular culture.

This manifests as: hedonism, violence, vice, selfishness, materialism, cupidity, hate, and evil.....

But most of this is hidden behind a mask of glamour and popularity.

Their intention is to encourage sin which (they believe) will lead to death* and damnation.

This is the work they do for their master.

I do not believe that there is a literal devil in reality.

But the damage they do in his name remains.

There are Satanic temples like the Temple of Set in California.

And the priests and priestesses of these temples instruct people in Satanic magic.

Rock musicians in particular like to reference Aleister Crowley who was an early 20th Century black magician and Satanist.

He left instructions on how to make a pact with the devil.

But this is not widely known. 

And their influence is subtle and subterfuge.

So if you have rejected religion in favor of a secular life you will find that this subtle sabotage leads you into further suffering.

And nothing seems to work.

(*This is death to God as claimed by St. Paul.)  

Photo Credit: Pinterest. 

Life on Earth.

The reason that life on earth seems so confusing and hopeless is simple:

The authorities in our churches, our synagogues, our mosques, and our temples do not know God.

And therefore their teachings are false.

They teach a carrot and stick style theology which is designed to control sin.

And most of them have a negative attitude towards sexuality.

This results in the situation where the devil seems more appealing to some than God who is seen by them as an insane dictator.

And so we are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Between evil and a false god.

Is it any wonder that nothing seems to work?

This is why the prophets and Jesus are so critical of the shepherds - the religious authorities. 

Because they divert people away from the true God who is Mercy and Love.

And they inspire a hatred of God that results in evil.

How many times has God sent a messenger to reform religion but they were not willing.

And now, again, as we enter the Age of Aquarius God is sending a message:

Fear not!  I bring tidings of great joy! 

And good news to the poor.

Photo Credit: freepik.com

Bodybuilders.

Male bodybuilders have been unfairly targeted by Satanists in the pornography industry.

This is reflected in the words they use:

Beast, monster, dominator, torturer, devil, muscle slut, nasty, freak.....

All these words plus images of devils, animals, bondage, torture, masks etc. pollute pornographic sites on the Internet.

They do this because they think it will make them f**k.

They think that the devil is magic and that his words will seduce them.

But bodybuilders are innocent victims.

They are vulnerable to flattery.

And they need to look tough.

My prayer is that God sends angels to save them and help them with their words.

Daddy, teddy bear, man mountain, big softie, gentle giant.....

These are words that would set them on the right track.

But a big heart is the key to his entry into Heaven.

Photo Credit: MensXP.

Christianity.

Christianity is not merely conforming to some conservative political/social agenda.

In fact the teachings of the prophets and of Jesus challenge the practices of the conservative establishment.

But conservative authorities in the Church dominate and manipulate others in order to maintain their power. 

And unfortunately they ally themselves with worldly powers like the corporations and conservative political parties to reinforce it.

"'You Hypocrites!'"  Matthew 15:7 (NRSV) 

Jesus prophesied that the way of the world is evil.  (John 7:7)

And it was the religious and political authorities of the time who killed Jesus.

So don't submit to pressure from Conservatives to conform to their political views.

They will threaten you and intimidate you.

But instead adhere to the message of the prophets and of Jesus.

And that is: forgiveness, compassion, charity, and love.

It is "good news to the poor."  Luke 4:18 (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.]

Photo Credit: Sparticus Educational

Has Trump Lost His Mind?

Amid massive protests calling for his removal from office Donald Trump would appear to have lost his mind.

Answering questions with incoherent ravings and losing his bearings on stage he at times doesn't seem to know where he is.

The pressure of world-wide opposition to his actions as President would appear to have unhinged his mind, even to the point of doubting himself.

How much longer can he last?

Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Homosexuality, the Church, and God.

There are still many people in the world who believe that the Church, and therefore God, rejects homosexual people.

But the Uniting Church in Australia has been dealing with this issue since the 1990s.

Homosexuality is not a bar to ordination in the Uniting Church. 

And gay marriages can be celebrated in Uniting churches at the discretion of the Minister and the Church Council.

Gay marriages can also be celebrated in the Episcopal Church in America - which is the descendant of the Anglican Church in that country.

The issue of homosexuality has even been mooted in the Catholic Church.

But there is little publicity about these positive moves to accept homosexuality in the Churches.

It is time that people woke up to the fact that some Churches, and therefore God, are accepting of gay people. 

Photo Credit: ohiocapitaljournal.com