Days after the Inspector General of Police, Afis Ringim, declared that Boko Haram will soon be flushed out of the country, a mega bomb rocked the very headquarters of the Nigeria Police at Abuja. The car that brought the bomb had trailed the convoy of the IG, and wanted to park at the IGs parking lot before it was asked to re-park elsewhere. Apparently the IG himself was a prime target. And so, again, innocent lives have been lost – about 4, not counting at least two occupants in the bomb-bearing car. Nearly 70 vehicles were also destroyed. See some details here>>> http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201106172471729 .
Understanding this latest bombing incident does not require a degree in criminology. It is clear that the reality of having lost out is a bitter one for the sworn Enemy of Nigeria to accept; and just like Pharaoh of old, he is determined to have one more go at pulling Nigeria back into bondage. Unknown to him, however, this latest pursuit after a jubilating nation is only bringing him (and his entire formidable hosts) closer than ever to their red sea experience - to becoming dinner for the fishes, by the grace of God.
The way Pharaoh-spirited politicians (and their cronies in the Police/Press) have been trying to portray or interpret this latest Boko Haram-labelled blast would have been comical were not for the gravity of the situation. First, there were the strenuous efforts to label the bombing as a suicide mission, despite clear evidences to the contrary. Why would a genuine suicide bomber who had successfully infiltrated the convoy of the IG comply with the instructions of a traffic policeman to divert and go park elsewhere. According to reports, the bomb subsequently went off while the vehicle was in motion, away from the crucial target. Maximum damage would have resulted if the driver, were he a suicide bomber, simply crashed the car into the IGs convoy! (see ThisDay, June 20). Apparently, the unfortunate pawns inside the car thought they were merely to park the car and disappear! Hopefully the nation’s security will soon be able to re-construct the actual details, but it is more likely there was a mole police officer somewhere who remotely detonated the incredibly-sized bomb, probably to the shock of the Boko Haram couriers who were being merely used by far more endowed political actors. As a matter of fact a plot to bomb the IGs office, NOT by Boko Haram, had been foiled only a few days previously (see some account here http://allafrica.com/stories/201106200409.html ).
Then there were also the puerile efforts to blackmail the President into entering into dialogue supposedly with Boko Haram – proxy for lost-out politicians. Actually, the calls for “dialogue” to solve non-existing problems started with the showman-preacher-politician, Rev Chris Okotie, who immediately after the elections said the results should be nullified, and a caretaker government formed by all the presidential candidates be instituted (http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/polls-okotie-rejects-results-calls-for-interim-govt/90017/) . Okotie had actually called for Interim government even before the general elections - soon after politician Atiku Abubakar lost the PDP ticket to Goodluck Jonathan (http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/245-okotie-calls-for-interim-govt.html). All these calls for “dialogues” are really only thinly-disguised voice of Pharaoh, the man (and his coalition) that had publicly vowed to make the country ungovernable if not allowed to rule Nigeria.
In the beclouded vision of Nigeria’s Pharaoh and his spokespersons, it is reasonable to compare the Boko Haram situation with Niger Delta militancy. In the last edition, we explained why this is arrant nonsense. It is instructive to watch Boko Haram’s conditions for dialogue grow with time, with each terrorist action. Late last year, sect spokesmen were virtually begging to be treated with respect and making the reasonable demands of having unmolested access to their mosques and unconditional pardon for detained and exiled members (see http://allafrica.com/stories/201010140307.html). By February 8 this year, after the successful high-profile killings of a gubernatorial candidate and his security details, the demands grew to include calls for the resignation of then governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. After the Abuja beer parlour shootings in June and when calls for amnesty became vociferous, Boko Haram stepped up the list. Now included are demands not only that the former governor and a host of traditional rulers be prosecuted under Islamic laws, but that the newly-elected governor for Borno state also resigns or be removed by President Jonathan. Finally (at least for now), is the demand for the “strict practice of Sharia law in at least 12 Muslims-dominated states in the North, equivalent to one-third of the country.” http://www.informationnigeria.org/2011/06/boko-haram-conditions-for-ceasefire.html.
Yet, not only top mainstream Islamic clerics (as we reported in vol 14 no 2), but now the main opposition political party in the country, is insisting that these demands can be discussed! While we have a great deal of sympathy for the young people being destroyed in the name of Boko Haram, there is little doubt that the real powers behind the sect are either outright foreigners, or at least heavily brainwashed people who see themselves more as Al Qaeda than Nigerians. Worse still, any supposed dialogue with Boko Haram will not even be with these rabid Islam-inspired ideologues, but with the desperate politicians who have now found a new tool to empower and use. (See again, for instance, http://churcharise.blogspot.com/2011/02/nigeria-travails-of-national-re-birth.html)
Like we warned in the last edition of CA! (vol 14 no 2), before the President could settle to the important business of providing electricity, education and employment, he must need settle the security issue first - simply by allowing the law to take its course with respect to those already indicted in the several bombing incidents. In other words, the temptation to resort to a “political solution”, no matter how nicely it is couched, must be totally resisted.
For instance, in the initially encouraging steps taken by the President, a Panel was constituted to study and report on the bomb blasts and related violence. Soon however, it became clear that the unwieldy 22-man Judicial Panel lacked even the power to compel people to appear before it. Moreover, the 82 year old, controversial Sharia-advocate, Sheikh Ahmed Lemu was deemed the right candidate to chair the Panel! As we write, (today June 22) the six weeks given the Panel to submit its report is expiring, yet hardly anything has been heard concerning its activities.
Hopefully, the President was just trying to test the grounds with the Panel. But it should be clear to him that time is not on his side. The enemy is far more desperate than the President perhaps realize. With the security outfits now soundly aroused, knowing they are prime targets in the new war, all the President needs do is put men of proven integrity, capacity and drive, in the right offices to implement the newly passed anti-terrorism bill. And like the God of heaven helped Attahiru Jega at the elections, we can look forward to the Divine hand discomfiting Pharaoh’s chariots mid-sea, making him history as Nigeria moves forward to fulfill her glorious destiny. http://churcharise.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html
Monday, August 8, 2011
Terror threat -- U.S. churches advised on standby emergency team
In United States, the Christian Emergency Network has issued a warning for churches to be on the alert for possible terror attacks. This follows the recent airing of an al-Qaeda video that encourages Muslims in that country to quickly obtain guns and to "do major damage to the enemies of Islam, waging war on their religion, sacred places, and things and brethren."
OneNewsNow further quoted Steve Amundson of the Florida Security Council as saying: "Churches, just like everybody, I tell them to be vigilant; be aware of your surroundings. Don't walk around like everything's okay, because we're in different times now, and it's time for Americans to be vigilant, be aware, [and] be alert because something could happen."
Churches are also advised to have an emergency team ready and to regularly conduct emergency drills. We feel this is good advice not just for the Church in the US but also in Nigeria and elsewhere. OneNewsNow - 6/30/2011
OneNewsNow further quoted Steve Amundson of the Florida Security Council as saying: "Churches, just like everybody, I tell them to be vigilant; be aware of your surroundings. Don't walk around like everything's okay, because we're in different times now, and it's time for Americans to be vigilant, be aware, [and] be alert because something could happen."
Churches are also advised to have an emergency team ready and to regularly conduct emergency drills. We feel this is good advice not just for the Church in the US but also in Nigeria and elsewhere. OneNewsNow - 6/30/2011
Boko Haram now targets Churches.
Further confirming other evidences that the Boko Haram phenomenon was just a tool for making Nigeria ungovernable as threatened by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar earlier in the year, Churches, rather than state institutions or beer parlours, have now become major targets for bombing campaign allegedly perpetrated by Boko Haram. The first of the incidents was the bombing of the All Christian Fellowship in Suleja at 3.00 pm on Sunday July 10. A distraught Christopher Ogbogu described on national television how the bomb, packed in a polythelene bag, had exploded killing three people, including his 51year old wife Theresa, and mother of his five children. They had gone to Church ahead of an evening committee meeting.
The General Overseer of the Church, Rev William Okoye insisted that the motives for the bombing could not only have been religious, but political since the people claiming responsibility obviously lacked capacity for the actions. Rev Okoye was one-time the chaplain of Aso Rock chapel and a key figure in the battle to institute righteousness in the nation. (See an extract of his booklet, Clash of the Champion, Battle for the Soul of Nigeria featured in the Exhortation Column of CA! Volume 4 No 5, in 2001). Church Arise! sympathises with the man of God and his congregation and urge them not to grieve as people without hope (1 Thess. 4: 13).
A day after the fatal explosion at All Christians, another bomb exploded at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), but mercifully, there were no casualties . According to an eyewitness, the bomb was thrown into the premises of the Church in the Madalla suburb of Suleja while members of the congregation were taking part in a weekly prayer service at around 9pm on Monday 11 July. The bomb fell short of the church building, damaging the outer walls but causing no injury. (http://au.christiantoday.com/article/nigeria-another-church-in-suleja-targeted-by-bomb-attack/11541.htm)
On July 28, the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar spoke for the first time on Boko Haram (and also on Islamic Banking) (www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/islamic-banking-has-come-to-stay-sultan/) Interestingly, the Sultan said that the state of affairs in the North Eastern part of the country should not be blamed on Boko Haram, rather that the government should fish out those behind the violence. While most Nigerians agree that there is indeed a clear mismatch between the “voice” and the” hand” behind the violence, nevertheless since Boko Haram is the one claiming responsibility, it can not be totally absolved. In his own reaction to the statement, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, thanked the Sultan and urged him: “if the eminent citizen has superior information, he should avail the nation’s security apparatus with such to put a stop to the daily massacre of innocent Nigerians in that part of the country, because every Nigerian is sick and tired of the continued violence in that region and the attendant effect on the nation’s economy.”
Meanwhile, a letter written in the name of Boko Haram is urging people who use the name of Boko Haram for their own agenda to desist from doing so. Though another counter notice was also issued attributing the first notice to the work of Nigerian security, there can be no doubt that the name Boko Haram has become a cover for many with hidden agenda. For instance the direct trigger for the closure of the University of Maiduguri was a notice purportedly written by Boko Haram and pasted at several places on campus, threatening that some strategic buildings were to be bombed. However another Boko Haram faction dissociated themselves from this threat. Observers noted that the notice was written in English, contrary to the general practice of the real Boko Haram
Stop Press: The FG has raised a committee to dialogue with Boko Haram. (www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/fg-appoints-committee-to-dialogue-with-boko-haram/) At least, seeing that both the former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Gombe State Governor, Danjuma Goje (now a distinguished senator of the federal republic) have made humiliating apologies to Boko Haram to secure the group’s clemency, ( www.jihadwatch.org/2011/07/nigerian-governors-apologize-to-boko-haram-as-group-goes-on-yet-another-murderous-rampage.html ) some people at least must know who and where the real Boko Haram is. The article on the frontpage of this edition shows how the list of “Boko Haram demands” has been growing to include amazing unrealistic contents – and yet, top politicians are urging urgent acceding to these!
The General Overseer of the Church, Rev William Okoye insisted that the motives for the bombing could not only have been religious, but political since the people claiming responsibility obviously lacked capacity for the actions. Rev Okoye was one-time the chaplain of Aso Rock chapel and a key figure in the battle to institute righteousness in the nation. (See an extract of his booklet, Clash of the Champion, Battle for the Soul of Nigeria featured in the Exhortation Column of CA! Volume 4 No 5, in 2001). Church Arise! sympathises with the man of God and his congregation and urge them not to grieve as people without hope (1 Thess. 4: 13).
A day after the fatal explosion at All Christians, another bomb exploded at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), but mercifully, there were no casualties . According to an eyewitness, the bomb was thrown into the premises of the Church in the Madalla suburb of Suleja while members of the congregation were taking part in a weekly prayer service at around 9pm on Monday 11 July. The bomb fell short of the church building, damaging the outer walls but causing no injury. (http://au.christiantoday.com/article/nigeria-another-church-in-suleja-targeted-by-bomb-attack/11541.htm)
On July 28, the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar spoke for the first time on Boko Haram (and also on Islamic Banking) (www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/islamic-banking-has-come-to-stay-sultan/) Interestingly, the Sultan said that the state of affairs in the North Eastern part of the country should not be blamed on Boko Haram, rather that the government should fish out those behind the violence. While most Nigerians agree that there is indeed a clear mismatch between the “voice” and the” hand” behind the violence, nevertheless since Boko Haram is the one claiming responsibility, it can not be totally absolved. In his own reaction to the statement, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, thanked the Sultan and urged him: “if the eminent citizen has superior information, he should avail the nation’s security apparatus with such to put a stop to the daily massacre of innocent Nigerians in that part of the country, because every Nigerian is sick and tired of the continued violence in that region and the attendant effect on the nation’s economy.”
Meanwhile, a letter written in the name of Boko Haram is urging people who use the name of Boko Haram for their own agenda to desist from doing so. Though another counter notice was also issued attributing the first notice to the work of Nigerian security, there can be no doubt that the name Boko Haram has become a cover for many with hidden agenda. For instance the direct trigger for the closure of the University of Maiduguri was a notice purportedly written by Boko Haram and pasted at several places on campus, threatening that some strategic buildings were to be bombed. However another Boko Haram faction dissociated themselves from this threat. Observers noted that the notice was written in English, contrary to the general practice of the real Boko Haram
Stop Press: The FG has raised a committee to dialogue with Boko Haram. (www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/fg-appoints-committee-to-dialogue-with-boko-haram/) At least, seeing that both the former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Gombe State Governor, Danjuma Goje (now a distinguished senator of the federal republic) have made humiliating apologies to Boko Haram to secure the group’s clemency, ( www.jihadwatch.org/2011/07/nigerian-governors-apologize-to-boko-haram-as-group-goes-on-yet-another-murderous-rampage.html ) some people at least must know who and where the real Boko Haram is. The article on the frontpage of this edition shows how the list of “Boko Haram demands” has been growing to include amazing unrealistic contents – and yet, top politicians are urging urgent acceding to these!
Food for thoughts on Mormonism
“Joseph Smith was a convicted swindler and Brigham Young, with 23 wives, a proven false prophet. Nobody in their right mind would believe that someone who said Quakers living to be 1000 years old resided on the moon, as Smith did, nor on the sun as Young did in his Journal of Discourses Volume 17. Only an ignorant bigot would believe that black people are the descendants of fallen angels and are ugly, wicked and mischievous, and that any white person marrying a black should be killed, because of the Mormon law of atonement. Yet, this is what Brigham Young taught. It is simply not reasonable to believe such evil men were God's prophets. The first requirement of being a Mormon is to abandon any sense of reason”
This is part of a recent article by Jacob Prasch, of Moriel. The full article titled “Death of Reason and Return of Jesus may be accessed at http://www.moriel.org/pfp/discernment/church_issues/death_of_reason_return_of_jesus.htm
This is part of a recent article by Jacob Prasch, of Moriel. The full article titled “Death of Reason and Return of Jesus may be accessed at http://www.moriel.org/pfp/discernment/church_issues/death_of_reason_return_of_jesus.htm
Funding Apostasy: Methodist Bible College to use donation to grow other faiths
The Clarement School of Theology, a leading institution of the United Methodist in the USA is surging forward in its bid to start training imams and rabbis as we reported in Vol 14 No 1. The new agenda of the College to teach instructions and raise clergy for other religions apart from Christianity received a giant boost with a generous donation of $40 million from a California couple.
The school's president, Jerry Campbell, told the Los Angeles Times that the university is "looking for understanding, respect and the possibility of collaboration" with other religions. He noted that other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism may be implemented in the future. The university also hopes to engage all religious groups in social issues, such as tackling poverty.
Not all Christian leaders think all this a good idea though. According to highly respected Rev. Lou Sheldon of The Traditional Values Coalition, "I just think it's foolishness. It's not going anywhere. We know where things are going. We know who has been given all authority and power in heaven and on earth. We know what the gospel is about.”
See more about this story at http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=1353590
The school's president, Jerry Campbell, told the Los Angeles Times that the university is "looking for understanding, respect and the possibility of collaboration" with other religions. He noted that other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism may be implemented in the future. The university also hopes to engage all religious groups in social issues, such as tackling poverty.
Not all Christian leaders think all this a good idea though. According to highly respected Rev. Lou Sheldon of The Traditional Values Coalition, "I just think it's foolishness. It's not going anywhere. We know where things are going. We know who has been given all authority and power in heaven and on earth. We know what the gospel is about.”
See more about this story at http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=1353590
Global control of food and drugs: SWAT team to the rescue in Detroit
Satan bastardizes good concepts and institutions. Just look at the mess he’s making of marriage and human sexuality.
Man-made institutions are even much more vulnerable. For instance, we have Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control , NAFDAC currently doing a great job saving lives through the regulation of food and drugs. But the handwriting of things to come, as we approach the end of the age, is clear. All man-made institutions will be hijacked and compelled to serve the anti-christ’s purposes in his coming one-world government. As usual, early warning signals abound from the developed nations, and the rest of the world should be smart enough to learn on their onions.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is wielding its enormous stick against natural products that have not gone through “big pharma” label, even when they have been in use for ages. The development actually started from the European Union which several years ago, came up with the “positive list” of natural remedies - vitamins, supplements, etc that could be traded. The express reason for this list is not necessarily anything pharmaceutical, but mainly to simplify trade in these products and facilitate their free movement across borders. All members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are liable to comply, and this is no longer news.
What is simply amazing is the extent and the zeal being put in by US authorities in recent times to regulate these products even within their country. (See http://naturallyyoursblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/world-health-organization-vs-health.html, for some instances. In one hard-to-believe situation, armed officers from the Special Response Team (SRT) of the Detroit Police Office were invited by the Michigan State child Protective Services (CPS) to abduct a 13 year old girl, Arianne, from her black mother who had decided to stop using a prescribed psychotropic drug which clearly was worsening the girl’s condition. Another medical doctor had recommended that Maryanne Godboldo could stop the drug on account of the side-effects, but apparently her recourse to natural remedy was what could not be tolerated by the CPS. When she rebuffed the initial attempts of the CPS to take her daughter away to a psychiatric facility for the continued administration of the drug, Risperdal, the swat team was called in. Now the question is not which drug is the better one, but rather the freedom of a sane citizen to choose which medical treatments they want or don’t want! Read the incredible details about this story at http://www.naturalnews.com/032090_Maryanne_Godboldo_health_freedom.html. For an update, indicating that two weeks after the event, Arianne is doing quite well even without taking the psychotropic drug, please see http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/04/post_55.html
Man-made institutions are even much more vulnerable. For instance, we have Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control , NAFDAC currently doing a great job saving lives through the regulation of food and drugs. But the handwriting of things to come, as we approach the end of the age, is clear. All man-made institutions will be hijacked and compelled to serve the anti-christ’s purposes in his coming one-world government. As usual, early warning signals abound from the developed nations, and the rest of the world should be smart enough to learn on their onions.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is wielding its enormous stick against natural products that have not gone through “big pharma” label, even when they have been in use for ages. The development actually started from the European Union which several years ago, came up with the “positive list” of natural remedies - vitamins, supplements, etc that could be traded. The express reason for this list is not necessarily anything pharmaceutical, but mainly to simplify trade in these products and facilitate their free movement across borders. All members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are liable to comply, and this is no longer news.
What is simply amazing is the extent and the zeal being put in by US authorities in recent times to regulate these products even within their country. (See http://naturallyyoursblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/world-health-organization-vs-health.html, for some instances. In one hard-to-believe situation, armed officers from the Special Response Team (SRT) of the Detroit Police Office were invited by the Michigan State child Protective Services (CPS) to abduct a 13 year old girl, Arianne, from her black mother who had decided to stop using a prescribed psychotropic drug which clearly was worsening the girl’s condition. Another medical doctor had recommended that Maryanne Godboldo could stop the drug on account of the side-effects, but apparently her recourse to natural remedy was what could not be tolerated by the CPS. When she rebuffed the initial attempts of the CPS to take her daughter away to a psychiatric facility for the continued administration of the drug, Risperdal, the swat team was called in. Now the question is not which drug is the better one, but rather the freedom of a sane citizen to choose which medical treatments they want or don’t want! Read the incredible details about this story at http://www.naturalnews.com/032090_Maryanne_Godboldo_health_freedom.html. For an update, indicating that two weeks after the event, Arianne is doing quite well even without taking the psychotropic drug, please see http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/04/post_55.html
And In Malawi, Bill Gates’ partners demand all must take their measles vaccination – at gun point!
If the situation described in the previous article could be happening in the United States, the famed land of the bold and free, is it any surprise to learn (Monday, July 25, 2011) that with the generous financial supports of the Bill and Melinda Foundation, villagers in Malawi are being required to take their measles vaccine shots at gunpoint? A case of take your shot or be shot! Reports indicate that a number of children and their parents belonging to Zion and Atumwi Churches fled their homes in Malawi to neighboring Mozambique a few months ago in order to avoid a measles vaccine campaign – which rightly or wrongly, they reject on account of their personal faith.
Upon recently returning, officials apparently learned of the unvaccinated children's whereabouts and, with the help of “Health Surveillance Assistants” supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation allies, armed police are compelling the “renegades” to take the shots or be arrested. Dr Medison Matchaya, District Health Officer in Nsanje, Malawi, reported progress being made to the Malawi Voice:
"We were alerted that some children who were hiding in Mozambique were back in the country and we asked police to escort the health officials in order to vaccinate them, and we have managed to vaccinate about 131 children," Dr Matchaya sounded like someone reporting to some higher authorities elsewhere: see, we did a good job!
The same Malawi Voice article reports that Chipiliro Kalimira, a member of the Seventh Day Apostolic faith that does not believe in vaccines, was arrested and put in prison on a two-year term, with hard labour, for refusing to let authorities force the measles vaccine on his three children.
One of the expressed cardinal goals of the Bill and Melinda Gate foundation is to vaccinate every single child on the planet earth - whether their parents liked it or not! Contrast all these with the much touted “right” of the woman (or even girls as young as 13) to kill her baby whilst that baby is still in the womb. As we have reported on several occasions, Bill Gates and associates are also behind the abortion agenda as well as the promiscuous sexual habits that directly fuel the abortion big business.
And it is not as if parents who squeal at entrusting their children to the drug and vaccine companies are being totally irrational or unreasonable. Evidences are stacked high up against the vaccines and their providers that could encourage some people to seek other alternatives to staying healthy. A sore example is the infamous Pfizer meningitis experiments at Kano. It was a calculated conscious unconscionable act that has permanently eroded the confidence of many rural folks in Northern Nigeria in Big Pharmacy and their vaccines (See CA! Vol 4 No 6, 2001). Even up to the present time, the scandal is still in the news, as several individuals are yet to collect the compensation agreed to by Pfizer in the out-of-court settlement it sought and got. (www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/12694-kano-indigenes-seek-payment-of-pfizer-s-compensation-to-victims.html). Also learn more: www.naturalnews.com/033119_vaccinations_gunpoint.html#ixzz1TDwn6JBR
There is only a very thin line between medicinal recipes (plants, fish, etc) and food. It therefore shouldn’t be any surprise that similar efforts to control food products on earth are ongoing. In fact, in several countries, the same institution (such as NAFDAC, US FDA, etc) control both drugs and foods. The major way the global government agents are taking control of foods out of the hands of individuals is through the genetically-modified (GM) foods. The next story therefore further corroborates this general agenda of achieving a global control of the people of the world. Even if, for the sake of argument, we agree that the adverse health impacts of GM foods can be overlooked, the undeniable fact is that since these products come emasculated without viable seeds, the populace must resort to the big people behind GM foods to get patented seeds year in year out. Interestingly, Bill Gates is stocking up natural seeds at his seed bank in Svalbard (see CA! vol11 no 2 or www.knowthelies.com/?q=node/1910)
What was it that globalist icon Henry Kissinger said the other time?: "Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world."
Upon recently returning, officials apparently learned of the unvaccinated children's whereabouts and, with the help of “Health Surveillance Assistants” supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation allies, armed police are compelling the “renegades” to take the shots or be arrested. Dr Medison Matchaya, District Health Officer in Nsanje, Malawi, reported progress being made to the Malawi Voice:
"We were alerted that some children who were hiding in Mozambique were back in the country and we asked police to escort the health officials in order to vaccinate them, and we have managed to vaccinate about 131 children," Dr Matchaya sounded like someone reporting to some higher authorities elsewhere: see, we did a good job!
The same Malawi Voice article reports that Chipiliro Kalimira, a member of the Seventh Day Apostolic faith that does not believe in vaccines, was arrested and put in prison on a two-year term, with hard labour, for refusing to let authorities force the measles vaccine on his three children.
One of the expressed cardinal goals of the Bill and Melinda Gate foundation is to vaccinate every single child on the planet earth - whether their parents liked it or not! Contrast all these with the much touted “right” of the woman (or even girls as young as 13) to kill her baby whilst that baby is still in the womb. As we have reported on several occasions, Bill Gates and associates are also behind the abortion agenda as well as the promiscuous sexual habits that directly fuel the abortion big business.
And it is not as if parents who squeal at entrusting their children to the drug and vaccine companies are being totally irrational or unreasonable. Evidences are stacked high up against the vaccines and their providers that could encourage some people to seek other alternatives to staying healthy. A sore example is the infamous Pfizer meningitis experiments at Kano. It was a calculated conscious unconscionable act that has permanently eroded the confidence of many rural folks in Northern Nigeria in Big Pharmacy and their vaccines (See CA! Vol 4 No 6, 2001). Even up to the present time, the scandal is still in the news, as several individuals are yet to collect the compensation agreed to by Pfizer in the out-of-court settlement it sought and got. (www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/12694-kano-indigenes-seek-payment-of-pfizer-s-compensation-to-victims.html). Also learn more: www.naturalnews.com/033119_vaccinations_gunpoint.html#ixzz1TDwn6JBR
There is only a very thin line between medicinal recipes (plants, fish, etc) and food. It therefore shouldn’t be any surprise that similar efforts to control food products on earth are ongoing. In fact, in several countries, the same institution (such as NAFDAC, US FDA, etc) control both drugs and foods. The major way the global government agents are taking control of foods out of the hands of individuals is through the genetically-modified (GM) foods. The next story therefore further corroborates this general agenda of achieving a global control of the people of the world. Even if, for the sake of argument, we agree that the adverse health impacts of GM foods can be overlooked, the undeniable fact is that since these products come emasculated without viable seeds, the populace must resort to the big people behind GM foods to get patented seeds year in year out. Interestingly, Bill Gates is stocking up natural seeds at his seed bank in Svalbard (see CA! vol11 no 2 or www.knowthelies.com/?q=node/1910)
What was it that globalist icon Henry Kissinger said the other time?: "Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world."
Food Control – scientists who oppose Genetically Modified foods face global persecution.
Natural News in its April 17, 2011 edition is reporting on an intense global persecution of scientists who refuse to embrace genetically-modified foods. “In order to maintain its massive charade of deception in claiming that genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) are the safe, practical solution to the world's food problems, the biotechnology industry has had to silence and destroy the lives of many in the scientific community” Natural News reports (http://www.naturalnews.com/032110_scientists_GMOs.html).
The report reviews the hard-hitting new documentary Scientists Under Attack - Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money. In the film, as reported by Natural News, Bertram Verhaag “explores the heavy hand of the biotechnology industry in steering "science" towards its own interests, and eliminating the actual, legitimate science that exposes genetic engineering (GE) as the fraud that it is.”
According to the scientists interviewed, roughly 95 percent of the published research involving GMOs has been conducted and paid for by the biotechnology industry. This means that only five percent of the available research on the subject has been conducted by independent research firms that are much more likely to have an honest, unbiased approach
"The attack on scientists is very well-structured by the biotech industry," says one of the scientists interviewed in the film. "It's systematic. It's worldwide. It's very coordinated. It's part of the way they do business."
The official movie trailer for Scientists Under Attack - Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money can be watched at http://www.scientistsunderattack.com/
The report reviews the hard-hitting new documentary Scientists Under Attack - Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money. In the film, as reported by Natural News, Bertram Verhaag “explores the heavy hand of the biotechnology industry in steering "science" towards its own interests, and eliminating the actual, legitimate science that exposes genetic engineering (GE) as the fraud that it is.”
According to the scientists interviewed, roughly 95 percent of the published research involving GMOs has been conducted and paid for by the biotechnology industry. This means that only five percent of the available research on the subject has been conducted by independent research firms that are much more likely to have an honest, unbiased approach
"The attack on scientists is very well-structured by the biotech industry," says one of the scientists interviewed in the film. "It's systematic. It's worldwide. It's very coordinated. It's part of the way they do business."
The official movie trailer for Scientists Under Attack - Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money can be watched at http://www.scientistsunderattack.com/
In the US, Invasive airport security procedures to be extended to hotels and shopping malls
With the seeming acceptance by the general populace of extensive body searches, (including body scanners that see beneath clothes), at US airports, that country’s Homeland Security has announced that the procedures will soon be extended to other locations. These locations include hotels, shopping malls, train terminals, etc where according to the government department, identical terror threats as at airports, now exist. It has been pointed out by several commentators that Israel which faces a more intense terror threat by more fanatical foes has not found it necessary to introduce such draconian measures, even at her airports, simply because of the use of basic intelligence features. The US is however petrified in its fear of being seen by the Moslem/Arab world as “profiling” their people. This pretended ultra- respect for Arab/Moslem sensibilities of course suits very well the purposes of the new age agents in the United States at the present time. It provides a perfect excuse to continually put in place measures that establish total control over the populace – in preparation for the coming global leader, the antichrist, who has absolute need for such measures. Meanwhile, a former Miss USA recently claimed she was fondled during body search at the airport, with her private part touched four times. But how do you prove that in a law court? (http://www.dawsondaily.com/miss-usa-fondled-by-tsa/)
Crisis at Crystal Cathedral – Schuller voted off Board
The crisis at the famous Crystal Cathedral reached a new climax when the Board recently voted the founder, Rev Robert H. Schuller off the Board of Directors. Making the announcement on July 3 was his son Robert A. Schuller, who himself had been voted off by the Board some three years ago. According to the younger Schuller, his dad was ousted because he had proposed adding new members to the board. In his words: “My father wanted to add board members, and they didn’t want that because they would lose control. They kicked him off. … I feel bad for him because he’s had to watch his life’s work go down the toilet the last three years.”
The story of the building of the Crystal Cathedral in an audacious move of faith is popularized in the book by Schuller, Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
Robert Schuller, now 84, stepped down from the pulpit five years ago and had been a non-voting but influential member of the board with the title chairman emeritus. Daughter Sheila Schuller-Coleman was named Senior Pastor on July 11 last year, and her husband Jim Coleman is the current president of the Cathedral. http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/rev-robert-h-schuller-voted-off-crystal-cathedral-board#more-7647.
However, probably as a result of expression of outrage from several quarters, the governing board on July 27th made an about-turn and decided to restore “the voting rights” of Robert H. Schuller. Furthermore, an additional five members were added to the Board,
It remains to be seen whether this move could step the tide of financial woes that has befallen the Church. Last year the Church declared bankruptcy and filed a plan to sell its campus and its all-glass sanctuary in the face of a $47 million debt profile. To worsen an already sad story, one of the potential buyers of the cathedral is the local Roman Catholic diocese. Such a deal, would likely end the tenure of Crystal Cathedral Ministry on the site, unlike other deals which would allow Crystal Cathedral ministries to lease back portions of the site, including the cathedral itself.
In May last year, we reported the easing out of Dr James Dobson from Focus on the Family – a ministry he had nurtured for 33 years. He subsequently went ahead to start a new ministry . (http://churcharise.blogspot.com/2010/03/james-dobson-forced-out-from-focus-on.html ) Could it be that pressures such as these –perceived or real -- sometimes make even godly leaders to miss their steps? The next story throws more light on this perspective.
The story of the building of the Crystal Cathedral in an audacious move of faith is popularized in the book by Schuller, Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
Robert Schuller, now 84, stepped down from the pulpit five years ago and had been a non-voting but influential member of the board with the title chairman emeritus. Daughter Sheila Schuller-Coleman was named Senior Pastor on July 11 last year, and her husband Jim Coleman is the current president of the Cathedral. http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/rev-robert-h-schuller-voted-off-crystal-cathedral-board#more-7647.
However, probably as a result of expression of outrage from several quarters, the governing board on July 27th made an about-turn and decided to restore “the voting rights” of Robert H. Schuller. Furthermore, an additional five members were added to the Board,
It remains to be seen whether this move could step the tide of financial woes that has befallen the Church. Last year the Church declared bankruptcy and filed a plan to sell its campus and its all-glass sanctuary in the face of a $47 million debt profile. To worsen an already sad story, one of the potential buyers of the cathedral is the local Roman Catholic diocese. Such a deal, would likely end the tenure of Crystal Cathedral Ministry on the site, unlike other deals which would allow Crystal Cathedral ministries to lease back portions of the site, including the cathedral itself.
In May last year, we reported the easing out of Dr James Dobson from Focus on the Family – a ministry he had nurtured for 33 years. He subsequently went ahead to start a new ministry . (http://churcharise.blogspot.com/2010/03/james-dobson-forced-out-from-focus-on.html ) Could it be that pressures such as these –perceived or real -- sometimes make even godly leaders to miss their steps? The next story throws more light on this perspective.
Mega church Pastor takes leave to deal with pride and hypocrisy
On July 6, Pastor C. J. Mahaney. President of Sovereign Grace Ministries, a network of some 95 churches in the US wrote on his blog that he was proceeding on a leave of absence. This, he said, was in response to some charges made against him by “some former pastors and leaders in Sovereign Grace”.
Interestingly enough, the charges “are not related to any immorality or financial impropriety,” but Mahaney considers them serious enough to warrant his vacating office for a while. They “include various expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy.” Mahaney said he has, by the grace of God, been able to perceive a degree of his culpability in the charges; and even for those charges he disagrees with, he still sees them as an opportunity for soul-searching. Declaring that the most important issue for him is to please God, he expressed his readiness to “take responsibility for my sin and every way my leadership has been deficient, and this would include making any appropriate confessions, public or private.” (http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/blogs/cj-mahaney/post/2011/07/06/Why-Im-taking-a-leave-of-absence.aspx) This is truly refreshing and a powerful preaching of the Gospel to the myriads of preachers and pastors currently towing the slippery slopes of ministry.
This action calls to mind a similar action by another eminent Christian leader and famous preacher, John Piper, who took an 8-month break from Ministry last year, in order to reexamine his soul. Piper did not even have any body laying any charges against him. But he spoke of self-discovered “sins of my own soul,” “ongoing character flaws” and stresses that they have caused to others. Addressing his church, Piper said: “I see several species of pride…They may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry. Nevertheless, while I don’t think they do, I grieve over them.” His leave, the first in almost forty years of ministry, he explained, “ means no preaching, no book writing, no blogging, no tweeting, no articles, no papers and no speaking engagements” http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/john-piper-taking-leave-of-absence-to-reexamine-his-soul/
In his own case, Mahaney hopes the leave of absence would afford him opportunity to solemnly consider the charges, examine his heart, and pursue reconciliation with the people making the charges. He has also stepped off the board of SGM and further relinquished the office of President during the period of examination and evaluation – so as to not be able to influence the process in any way.
In reporting the story on Mahaney, Mark Galli (himself a pastor) lamented that pastors in America who somehow manage to scale the all-pervasive hurdles of gross sins, (such as sexual immorality and financial misconduct), still have to also contend with the more subtle ones that, as it were, spontaneously arise in the very system they serve. Writing matter-of-factly, he declared: “we have a system in which pride and hypocrisy are inevitable.”
Asserting that “pastors all over America commit week in and week out” the same sins Piper and Mahaney are responding to, he opined that “the state of the modern American pastorate has been shaped so that these sins—especially pride and hypocrisy—are impossible to escape.” Will the Church in America (and the copy cat countries) be able to change her perspectives of Church and ministry? The situation sounds like the fulfillment of the prophesy in 2 Timothy 3:1- 7 for the end times. Galli concluded by urging: “our pastors need not our condemnation, but our prayers “ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/julyweb-only/mostriskyprofession.html
Interestingly enough, the charges “are not related to any immorality or financial impropriety,” but Mahaney considers them serious enough to warrant his vacating office for a while. They “include various expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy.” Mahaney said he has, by the grace of God, been able to perceive a degree of his culpability in the charges; and even for those charges he disagrees with, he still sees them as an opportunity for soul-searching. Declaring that the most important issue for him is to please God, he expressed his readiness to “take responsibility for my sin and every way my leadership has been deficient, and this would include making any appropriate confessions, public or private.” (http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/blogs/cj-mahaney/post/2011/07/06/Why-Im-taking-a-leave-of-absence.aspx) This is truly refreshing and a powerful preaching of the Gospel to the myriads of preachers and pastors currently towing the slippery slopes of ministry.
This action calls to mind a similar action by another eminent Christian leader and famous preacher, John Piper, who took an 8-month break from Ministry last year, in order to reexamine his soul. Piper did not even have any body laying any charges against him. But he spoke of self-discovered “sins of my own soul,” “ongoing character flaws” and stresses that they have caused to others. Addressing his church, Piper said: “I see several species of pride…They may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry. Nevertheless, while I don’t think they do, I grieve over them.” His leave, the first in almost forty years of ministry, he explained, “ means no preaching, no book writing, no blogging, no tweeting, no articles, no papers and no speaking engagements” http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/john-piper-taking-leave-of-absence-to-reexamine-his-soul/
In his own case, Mahaney hopes the leave of absence would afford him opportunity to solemnly consider the charges, examine his heart, and pursue reconciliation with the people making the charges. He has also stepped off the board of SGM and further relinquished the office of President during the period of examination and evaluation – so as to not be able to influence the process in any way.
In reporting the story on Mahaney, Mark Galli (himself a pastor) lamented that pastors in America who somehow manage to scale the all-pervasive hurdles of gross sins, (such as sexual immorality and financial misconduct), still have to also contend with the more subtle ones that, as it were, spontaneously arise in the very system they serve. Writing matter-of-factly, he declared: “we have a system in which pride and hypocrisy are inevitable.”
Asserting that “pastors all over America commit week in and week out” the same sins Piper and Mahaney are responding to, he opined that “the state of the modern American pastorate has been shaped so that these sins—especially pride and hypocrisy—are impossible to escape.” Will the Church in America (and the copy cat countries) be able to change her perspectives of Church and ministry? The situation sounds like the fulfillment of the prophesy in 2 Timothy 3:1- 7 for the end times. Galli concluded by urging: “our pastors need not our condemnation, but our prayers “ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/julyweb-only/mostriskyprofession.html
Fall-out of economic depression: metal scrap thieves ravaging America
Todd of RaptureReady appeared awe-strucked as he described (18 July, 2011) a new phenomenon engulfing the American society. It is a situation quite familiar for many people from the third world countries – vandalization of public utilities in search of metals for re-cycling! In this case, the metal in question is copper which is witnessing a steady rise in the commodity market.
Todd describes the progression: “The problem started out with abandoned houses. Crooks would go into homes that are vacant and strip all the copper piping and utilities that contained the metal. The situation quickly escalated to the point that any form of copper was fair game.” He cited three cases in particular where innocent lives were put in jeopardy as unconscionable vandals went after copper:
“Georgia Power lost nearly a half a million dollars worth of copper wire last year. The utility is taking extra steps to stop copper thieves who have broken into several substations to clean them out. In many cases, the thefts were conducted on live power cables. Crews would respond to reports of outages and find that wires carrying 10,000 volts had been cut from the poles.
“In Jackson, Mississippi, five tornado warning sirens failed to warn residents of an approaching tornado because thieves had stripped the sirens of copper wiring, rendering them inoperable.
“In New Mexico, thieves stole a crucial piece of copper bonding from a train track, which could have caused a derailment.
But perhaps most despicable is the fact that, in the last few months, the phenomenon has reached the church, where air-conditioner units are the target. Todd continues with the sad chronicle: “In Parker County, Texas, thieves have stolen or damaged air conditioning units at seven different churches. Faith Presbyterian Church in Aledo was vandalized when a unit was pulled from the side of the building. The damage will cost the church at least $10,000. Members of a church in Mesa, Arizona, had to sweat through a service after thieves stole two of the church's three air conditioners. Authorities say the units weighed 5 tons each.” The value of copper in an AC unit is around $25!
As Todd laments the stark fact that “America has lost its moral base”, he fears that “a dog-eat-dog condition” could be triggered by even a mild economic depression. (http://raptureready.com/nm/362.html)
Now, if any nation thinks that great America would just go down without attempting to take the whole world with it, that must be some big joke indeed! As both the economy and morals go down in the United States, similar trends are bound to follow in other countries around the globe –whether spontaneously or by stimulation!
Pity those who put all their treasure and hope in this passing world order – especially when there is such a wonderful invitation into glory still begging to be picked up. Jesus says: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be” What a glorious hope! How could anybody reject such offer ?
Todd describes the progression: “The problem started out with abandoned houses. Crooks would go into homes that are vacant and strip all the copper piping and utilities that contained the metal. The situation quickly escalated to the point that any form of copper was fair game.” He cited three cases in particular where innocent lives were put in jeopardy as unconscionable vandals went after copper:
“Georgia Power lost nearly a half a million dollars worth of copper wire last year. The utility is taking extra steps to stop copper thieves who have broken into several substations to clean them out. In many cases, the thefts were conducted on live power cables. Crews would respond to reports of outages and find that wires carrying 10,000 volts had been cut from the poles.
“In Jackson, Mississippi, five tornado warning sirens failed to warn residents of an approaching tornado because thieves had stripped the sirens of copper wiring, rendering them inoperable.
“In New Mexico, thieves stole a crucial piece of copper bonding from a train track, which could have caused a derailment.
But perhaps most despicable is the fact that, in the last few months, the phenomenon has reached the church, where air-conditioner units are the target. Todd continues with the sad chronicle: “In Parker County, Texas, thieves have stolen or damaged air conditioning units at seven different churches. Faith Presbyterian Church in Aledo was vandalized when a unit was pulled from the side of the building. The damage will cost the church at least $10,000. Members of a church in Mesa, Arizona, had to sweat through a service after thieves stole two of the church's three air conditioners. Authorities say the units weighed 5 tons each.” The value of copper in an AC unit is around $25!
As Todd laments the stark fact that “America has lost its moral base”, he fears that “a dog-eat-dog condition” could be triggered by even a mild economic depression. (http://raptureready.com/nm/362.html)
Now, if any nation thinks that great America would just go down without attempting to take the whole world with it, that must be some big joke indeed! As both the economy and morals go down in the United States, similar trends are bound to follow in other countries around the globe –whether spontaneously or by stimulation!
Pity those who put all their treasure and hope in this passing world order – especially when there is such a wonderful invitation into glory still begging to be picked up. Jesus says: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be” What a glorious hope! How could anybody reject such offer ?
Saudi Arabia operates official 'Anti-Witchcraft Unit'
Islam flagship country is in the throes of witchcraft! Witchcraft is so widespread in the Islamic holy land that the government has had to set up a special Anti-Witchcraft Unit to respond to the menace of occultic practices. The unit, established in May 2009, is charged with apprehending sorcerers and reversing the detrimental effects of their spells in the country. [Nigerians can imagine a kind of “EFCC” to deal with witchcraft and sorcery].
David Miller in a Media Line article (20th July) describes a typical activity of the anti-witchcraft unit:
“When the severed head of a wolf wrapped in women's lingerie turned up near the city of Tabouk in northern Saudi Arabia this week, authorities knew they had another case of witchcraft on their hands. … Agents of the country’s Anti-Witchcraft Unit were quickly dispatched and set about trying to break the spell that used the beast’s head. “
Sorcery carries the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. However the last official execution of a convicted sorcerer was in late 2007. When Fawza Falith, a Saudi woman, was condemned in 2008, intense appeal from international human right agencies caused her execution to be postponed. However she eventually died in prison, reportedly of ill health. The Anti-Witchcraft Unit operates under the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPV), Saudi Arabia's religious police.
The belief in sorcery is so widespread in Saudi Arabia, that it is even used as a defense in criminal court cases. Media Line reports that last October, a judge accused of receiving bribes in a real-estate project told a court in Madinah that he had been bewitched into doing so. He is said to be undergoing treatment by Quaranic incantations, known as ruqiyah, to restore him.
Media Line also reports that accusations of witchcraft are conveniently used to counter charges of sexual harassment when made by foreign domestic workers against their Saudi bosses. “They will often say that the [female] domestic worker bewitched the Saudi into falling in love with her.” www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=230183
Three years ago, in August 2008, the corruption case against a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission made waves in Nigeria. The intriguing part of the story was that it was actually the accused who apparently reported himself to the police. The claim was along the line that a sorcerer the accused had been consulting had turned his spells on him compelling him to steal government funds. Up to N510 million out of the N800 million stolen money was handed over to the sorcerer! On his turn, the sorcerer claimed he had not done anything illegal! Part of the occultic rituals supposedly involved the burning of N270m cash at a cemetery. www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20080820052531
But there is probably no land on earth as immersed in sorcery at the present time as Europe. Yonder, through the various Harry Porter movies (among other media), the whole land is reeking in sorcery - cast in the guise of harmless stories on guts, courage and loyalty. The prime targets are the children. For a review of the latest Harry Potter movie recently released, see http://www.raptureready.com/featured/markell/21.html.
David Miller in a Media Line article (20th July) describes a typical activity of the anti-witchcraft unit:
“When the severed head of a wolf wrapped in women's lingerie turned up near the city of Tabouk in northern Saudi Arabia this week, authorities knew they had another case of witchcraft on their hands. … Agents of the country’s Anti-Witchcraft Unit were quickly dispatched and set about trying to break the spell that used the beast’s head. “
Sorcery carries the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. However the last official execution of a convicted sorcerer was in late 2007. When Fawza Falith, a Saudi woman, was condemned in 2008, intense appeal from international human right agencies caused her execution to be postponed. However she eventually died in prison, reportedly of ill health. The Anti-Witchcraft Unit operates under the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPV), Saudi Arabia's religious police.
The belief in sorcery is so widespread in Saudi Arabia, that it is even used as a defense in criminal court cases. Media Line reports that last October, a judge accused of receiving bribes in a real-estate project told a court in Madinah that he had been bewitched into doing so. He is said to be undergoing treatment by Quaranic incantations, known as ruqiyah, to restore him.
Media Line also reports that accusations of witchcraft are conveniently used to counter charges of sexual harassment when made by foreign domestic workers against their Saudi bosses. “They will often say that the [female] domestic worker bewitched the Saudi into falling in love with her.” www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=230183
Three years ago, in August 2008, the corruption case against a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission made waves in Nigeria. The intriguing part of the story was that it was actually the accused who apparently reported himself to the police. The claim was along the line that a sorcerer the accused had been consulting had turned his spells on him compelling him to steal government funds. Up to N510 million out of the N800 million stolen money was handed over to the sorcerer! On his turn, the sorcerer claimed he had not done anything illegal! Part of the occultic rituals supposedly involved the burning of N270m cash at a cemetery. www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20080820052531
But there is probably no land on earth as immersed in sorcery at the present time as Europe. Yonder, through the various Harry Porter movies (among other media), the whole land is reeking in sorcery - cast in the guise of harmless stories on guts, courage and loyalty. The prime targets are the children. For a review of the latest Harry Potter movie recently released, see http://www.raptureready.com/featured/markell/21.html.
Death sentence still hanging on Iranian Pastor charged with apostasy
Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that Yosef Nadarkhani, a 32 year-old Iranian evangelical pastor, must renounce his Christian faith or be put to death. It’s the latest incident in the Islamist Republic’s continuous and increased assault on its small Christian population. An unofficial translation of the Iranian Supreme Court’s decision to execute Pastor Youcef Nadakhani has been provided by Present Truth Ministries and is published here http://www.worthynews.com/10672-unofficial-translation-of-pastor-youcef-nadakhanis-death-sentence.
The background to the case reads, in parts: “Mr. Youcef Nadarkhani, son of Byrom, 32 years old, married, born in Rasht in the state of Gilan is convicted of turning his back on Islam, the greatest religion the prophesy of Mohammad, at the age of 19.
“He has often participated in Christian worship and organized home church services, evangelizing and has been baptized and baptized others, converting Muslims to Christianity. He has been accused of breaking Islamic Law that from puberty (15 years according to Islamic law) until the age of 19 the year 1996, he was raised a Muslim in a Muslim home. During court trials, he denied the prophecy of Mohammad and the authority of Islam. He has stated that he is a Christian and no longer Muslim.
“During many sessions in court with the presence of his attorney and a judge, he has been sentenced to execution by hanging according to article 8 of Tahrir -olvasileh (one of Khomeni’s books about Sharia Law and Khamenie’s and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s fatwa) His sentence was appealed by his attorney and sent to the supreme court.
The Supreme Courts Response of June 12, 2011 now states: “We know that Mr. Nadarkhani has confessed that in his heart and in his actions he has denied being Muslim and converted to Christianity and has advertised and encouraged other Muslims to convert to Christianity. And because of advertising and pastoring a church repeatedly professed his Christian faith and denied the prophet Mohammad and the 12th Imam and denied the entire Koran and truth of the Koran.
The ruling, signed by Morteza Fazeli and Azizollah Razaghi, was that: “this case … must be returned [to] the state court of Gilan Section 11, and further investigated to prove that from puberty (15 years) to 19 he [Nadarkhani] was not Muslim by his acquaintances, relatives, local elders, and Muslims he frequented. He must repent his Christian faith if this is the case. ….., if it can be proved that he was a practicing Muslim as an adult and has not repented, the execution will be carried out.”
Clearly, the state of Iran is stalling on the case, reluctant to kill Pastor Nadarkhani on account of the enormous publicity the case has already generated worldwide; but nevertheless trying to break his resolve by legal rigmarole and various deprivations and harassment. The last known Christian to be officially hanged for his faith in Iran was Assemblies of God Pastor Hossein Soodmand, in 1990. http://www.worthynews.com/10672-unofficial-translation-of-pastor-youcef-nadakhanis-death-sentence
The background to the case reads, in parts: “Mr. Youcef Nadarkhani, son of Byrom, 32 years old, married, born in Rasht in the state of Gilan is convicted of turning his back on Islam, the greatest religion the prophesy of Mohammad, at the age of 19.
“He has often participated in Christian worship and organized home church services, evangelizing and has been baptized and baptized others, converting Muslims to Christianity. He has been accused of breaking Islamic Law that from puberty (15 years according to Islamic law) until the age of 19 the year 1996, he was raised a Muslim in a Muslim home. During court trials, he denied the prophecy of Mohammad and the authority of Islam. He has stated that he is a Christian and no longer Muslim.
“During many sessions in court with the presence of his attorney and a judge, he has been sentenced to execution by hanging according to article 8 of Tahrir -olvasileh (one of Khomeni’s books about Sharia Law and Khamenie’s and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s fatwa) His sentence was appealed by his attorney and sent to the supreme court.
The Supreme Courts Response of June 12, 2011 now states: “We know that Mr. Nadarkhani has confessed that in his heart and in his actions he has denied being Muslim and converted to Christianity and has advertised and encouraged other Muslims to convert to Christianity. And because of advertising and pastoring a church repeatedly professed his Christian faith and denied the prophet Mohammad and the 12th Imam and denied the entire Koran and truth of the Koran.
The ruling, signed by Morteza Fazeli and Azizollah Razaghi, was that: “this case … must be returned [to] the state court of Gilan Section 11, and further investigated to prove that from puberty (15 years) to 19 he [Nadarkhani] was not Muslim by his acquaintances, relatives, local elders, and Muslims he frequented. He must repent his Christian faith if this is the case. ….., if it can be proved that he was a practicing Muslim as an adult and has not repented, the execution will be carried out.”
Clearly, the state of Iran is stalling on the case, reluctant to kill Pastor Nadarkhani on account of the enormous publicity the case has already generated worldwide; but nevertheless trying to break his resolve by legal rigmarole and various deprivations and harassment. The last known Christian to be officially hanged for his faith in Iran was Assemblies of God Pastor Hossein Soodmand, in 1990. http://www.worthynews.com/10672-unofficial-translation-of-pastor-youcef-nadakhanis-death-sentence
Fanatical Moslems, Normal Moslems and the rest of us
There is an interesting article almost going viral on the internet on the world wide epidemics of Islamic fanaticism. It was generally attributed to Dr Emanuel Tanay, a well-known and well-respected German-Jew psychiatrist (see his interviews at http://holocaust.umd.umich.edu/tanay/). Although the Truth or Fiction site seems to have some formal grouse with it, the perspective shared by the author provides a very useful insight into the situation in Nigeria at the present time. Just replace “Nazi” with “Boko Haram” and “German” with “Moslems” and see the striking similarity!
The writer also repeated his analogy about Germany with historic events from other countries like Communist Russia, China, Japan and Rwanda, Serbs, Afghans, etc, including Nigeria! The full article can be found at bibleprobe.com/Emanuel-Tanay.pdf. Here is part of the introduction:
“When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. 'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories. “
The writer also repeated his analogy about Germany with historic events from other countries like Communist Russia, China, Japan and Rwanda, Serbs, Afghans, etc, including Nigeria! The full article can be found at bibleprobe.com/Emanuel-Tanay.pdf. Here is part of the introduction:
“When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. 'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories. “
Pakistan Plans to Ban the Bible
Pakistan’s Islamist party, Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islami (JUI), has petitioned to have the Bible banned from Pakistan because it violates the nation’s notorious blasphemy laws. According to JUI leader Maulana Abdul Rauf Farooqi, the Bible contains passages that show biblical figures whom Muslims regard as prophets (such as Abraham and Solomon) to be engaging in “a variety of moral crimes.” As such, the JUI has called on Pakistan’s supreme court to have the entire Book banned from the country if the offending passages are not removed.
As patently unreasonable as the basis of this petition is, the Christian minority feels it might well succeed. As we mentioned in the last edition, the blasphemy law enjoys such fanatical support in Pakistan that a governor who suggested it could be polished or modernized was gruesomely assassinated – by his own security detail.
In reporting this story about the proposed Bible ban, Frontpagemag observes that over the years, “Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have proven to be a reliable legal cudgel with which to bankrupt, beat, jail and kill Christians.” See further details at http://frontpagemag.com/2011/06/14/banning-bibles/
As patently unreasonable as the basis of this petition is, the Christian minority feels it might well succeed. As we mentioned in the last edition, the blasphemy law enjoys such fanatical support in Pakistan that a governor who suggested it could be polished or modernized was gruesomely assassinated – by his own security detail.
In reporting this story about the proposed Bible ban, Frontpagemag observes that over the years, “Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have proven to be a reliable legal cudgel with which to bankrupt, beat, jail and kill Christians.” See further details at http://frontpagemag.com/2011/06/14/banning-bibles/
In Pakistan, Muslim man murders six daughters in “honor killing”
A Pakistani man has gunned down six of his daughters on suspicion that two of them were in relationships with boys in the neighbourhood. In the morning of Tuesday July 26, Arif Mubashir called his teenage daughters to his room and shot them while the rest of the family, including their mother, watched. His wife Musarrat called the police after the incident. (http://tribune.com.pk/story/218250/honour-killings-man-guns-down-six-daughters’)
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Mubashir shot the girls after their brother said two of them were in a relationship. He afterwards told police officials that he had killed his daughters because they were both “without honour”. That the magic phrase no sensible government official will ignore! The killer dad explained that his daughters Sameena, 14, and Razia, 16, were in a relationship with college boys from the neighbourhood and the sisters had helped each other. Police officials have taken Mubashir into custody and filed a case against him. “He does not regret what he did. He boasted that he would do it all over again if he had to,” the investigating Police officer Javed Sial told reporters.
Despite denials and protests by moslems, “honor killing” is firmly grounded in Islam. As pointed out by Robert Spencer, “It is no accident or coincidence that Muslims commit 91 percent of honor killings worldwide.” In 2003 the Jordanian Parliament voted down on Islamic grounds a provision designed to stiffen penalties for honor killings. Al-Jazeera reported that "Islamists and conservatives said the laws violated religious traditions and would destroy families and values."
Pakistan has repeatedly been termed as one of the least women-friendly countries. In June, the Thompson Reuters Foundation ranked Pakistan as the world’s third most dangerous country for women. Please see more details and commentaries at http://www.jihadwatch.org/
.
Mubashir shot the girls after their brother said two of them were in a relationship. He afterwards told police officials that he had killed his daughters because they were both “without honour”. That the magic phrase no sensible government official will ignore! The killer dad explained that his daughters Sameena, 14, and Razia, 16, were in a relationship with college boys from the neighbourhood and the sisters had helped each other. Police officials have taken Mubashir into custody and filed a case against him. “He does not regret what he did. He boasted that he would do it all over again if he had to,” the investigating Police officer Javed Sial told reporters.
Despite denials and protests by moslems, “honor killing” is firmly grounded in Islam. As pointed out by Robert Spencer, “It is no accident or coincidence that Muslims commit 91 percent of honor killings worldwide.” In 2003 the Jordanian Parliament voted down on Islamic grounds a provision designed to stiffen penalties for honor killings. Al-Jazeera reported that "Islamists and conservatives said the laws violated religious traditions and would destroy families and values."
Pakistan has repeatedly been termed as one of the least women-friendly countries. In June, the Thompson Reuters Foundation ranked Pakistan as the world’s third most dangerous country for women. Please see more details and commentaries at http://www.jihadwatch.org/
'Chrislam' - A Spirit of Antichrist by David Dollins
It's becoming increasingly 'in vogue' to accept Islam in the Church. Consider a June 24 article from World NetDaily. "Dozens of churches, ..are planning to send 'a message both here at home and to the Arab and Muslim world about our respect for Islam' with a time to read the Quran during worship this Sunday." Scripture declares 'Chrislam', the mixing of Christianity and Islam, to be a Spirit of Antichrist!
The word 'Antichrist' simply means 'against Christ' or 'opposes Christ'. Anything that would be introduced into the Church that would subvert the finished work of the Cross, that is, distract, corrupt, or take away from who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished at the Cross, is a Spirit of Antichrist.
What I am about to show you are the characteristics that the Apostle John himself used to describe the Spirit of Antichrist:
1) The Spirit of Antichrist denies that Jesus is the Christ. In 1 John 2:22, it says, "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist..." Islam rejects that Jesus is the one and only true Messiah.
2) The Spirit of Antichrist denies that Jesus is the Son of God. In 1 John 2:22, the Apostle continues, "He is Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son". Islam rejects that Jesus affirmed He was the Son of God
3) The Spirit of Antichrist does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. In 1 John 4:3, again the Apostle states, "And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that Spirit of Antichrist..." Islam rejects that God came into this world in the flesh.
For these blind watchmen, to bring Islam and the reading of the Quran into the Church is to deny the Lord himself, it is to deny who He is, and it is to deny what He accomplished at Calvary's Cross when He gave His life for the sins of the world! (see 2 Pet 2:1).
What should the Church do now? We must get back to proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation without fear of reprisal. We must defend and preach the deity of Jesus, that He is the one true God and there is no other. Then we must also boldly proclaim the Holy Scriptures, not the Quran, as the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
Everyone should be free to practice their religion in the way they choose. What this is about is defending the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished at the Cross, and preserving the purity of the Church against the infiltration of false doctrine. David Dollins
http://blogs.christianpost.com/bibleprophecy/2011/07/chrislam-a-spirit-of-antichrist-20/
The word 'Antichrist' simply means 'against Christ' or 'opposes Christ'. Anything that would be introduced into the Church that would subvert the finished work of the Cross, that is, distract, corrupt, or take away from who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished at the Cross, is a Spirit of Antichrist.
What I am about to show you are the characteristics that the Apostle John himself used to describe the Spirit of Antichrist:
1) The Spirit of Antichrist denies that Jesus is the Christ. In 1 John 2:22, it says, "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist..." Islam rejects that Jesus is the one and only true Messiah.
2) The Spirit of Antichrist denies that Jesus is the Son of God. In 1 John 2:22, the Apostle continues, "He is Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son". Islam rejects that Jesus affirmed He was the Son of God
3) The Spirit of Antichrist does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. In 1 John 4:3, again the Apostle states, "And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that Spirit of Antichrist..." Islam rejects that God came into this world in the flesh.
For these blind watchmen, to bring Islam and the reading of the Quran into the Church is to deny the Lord himself, it is to deny who He is, and it is to deny what He accomplished at Calvary's Cross when He gave His life for the sins of the world! (see 2 Pet 2:1).
What should the Church do now? We must get back to proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation without fear of reprisal. We must defend and preach the deity of Jesus, that He is the one true God and there is no other. Then we must also boldly proclaim the Holy Scriptures, not the Quran, as the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
Everyone should be free to practice their religion in the way they choose. What this is about is defending the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished at the Cross, and preserving the purity of the Church against the infiltration of false doctrine. David Dollins
http://blogs.christianpost.com/bibleprophecy/2011/07/chrislam-a-spirit-of-antichrist-20/
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tunde Bakare defends Islamic Banking in Nigeria
While virtually every Christian institution or individual leader in Nigeria is either outrightly critical or at best cautious on the proposed Islamic Banking in the country, the concept has at last found an enthusiastic Christian advocate - Pastor Tunde Bakare. Apparently enjoying the free publicity that comes with being labeled “controversial,” Pastor Bakare entertained newsmen in his church auditorium on Sunday July 24 by calling for the immediate take-off of Islamic banking.
Bakare, who was the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari in the last presidential election, failed to address any of the issues being raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), but merely kept mouthing the mantra that Islamic banking “has benefits for everybody economically.” In his vigorous passionate defence of Islamic banking, Bakare tried to appeal to the Bible. He was quoted by the Sun newspaper as saying: if the Bible says “do away with usury, any cleric who says otherwise would be an anti-progressive element in the church.” He further expressed the conviction that “business strives better in an interest-free system where no businessman can be tied to bondage.” http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/july/25/national-25-07-2011-004.html
In reality however, while “interest-free” banking follows the letters of “no usury”, it can hardly be said, as being practiced, to imbibe the spirit intended in the Bible (see for instance Deut 23:19-20). Neither also does it guarantee a freedom from bondage. Here the “interest” payable on loans are simply transferred to profit-sharing, making the loan-giver effectively a joint-owner of the business. An enterprising guy might prefer to pay interest and keep his business to himself while a less sure individual might want to share the risk with the capital provider. Both are legitimate means of doing business and each individual should be free to choose their preference. The contention of CAN is that state fund ought not to be used to promote or organize such a system, especially where the CBN is now overtly discriminating between general “interest-free banking” and “Islamic banking” in particular.
In the words of CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor, “ we have continued to frown at the way the CBN governor who is being paid by taxpayers’ money is championing the cause of Islamic banking in isolation of other non-interest banking formats. We are against Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi using state fund to promote Islamic banking as though that is the only form of non-interest banking. It is against the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution.” Declaring at several forums that the CAN is not necessarily against Islamic Banking per se, Pastor Oritsajefor nevertheless wants the CBN governor to “allow people who are interested in Islamic banking to use their money to sell their manifesto to Nigerians with a view to wooing them to accept that form of banking which is different from what they used to know.”
As noted by other Christian and secular business leaders, the zeal with which Mallam Sanusi is prosecuting the Islamic Banking issue is simply amazing and hardly ethical.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Apostles in the Market place (AiMP), the Chief Executive Officer of Pharez Consulting, Mr. Eghes Eyieyen wondered: "What is the inordinate drive and ambition behind the introduction of Islamic banking? To me, it seems as if the CBN is in a hurry to introduce it and why does the CBN think it is going to be a major driver of financial inclusion? It is not about religion, it is about the law and professionalism. Why has the CBN not given such passion and priority to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)? You cannot use a small provision in the BOFIA that gives you the power to regulate, to now begin to legislate."
The answer to the question of why the CBN is having to use state fund and clout to promote Islamic Banking could be gleaned from a quote by Junaid Bhatti, a member of the team that set up the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB): "As we now approach the sixth anniversary of IBB's launch, I'm sad to finally have to admit that Islamic finance in the UK has been a huge flop." In a World Street Journal report of June 2010, Bhatti added "IBB may still be limping on as probably the last bastion of the cause, but it's difficult to imagine it holding out for much longer." http://zulkiflihasan.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/why-britain%E2%80%99s-islamic-finance-industry-flopped/) In short, without state backing and active sponsorship, Islamic banking would be dead on arrival in Nigeria. As we wrote in the last edition while discussing the demonstrations in Arab lands, Islam is seriously handicapped to deal with real life situations –especially the problem of human lusts and sin. Islam and her institutions always needed some measure of state muscle or coercion to survive in the real world. But that is none of our business or problem.
The other major issue raised by the CAN is that Mallam Sanusi is writing a separate guideline for Islamic Banking, different from other non-interest banking systems. In the words of Pastor Oritsajefor, this can be likened to the National Universities Commission issuing different rules for the establishment of Islamic Universities and another for Christian or secular Universities – which of course is unthinkable. What is probably more serious with the procedure is that the proposed guidelines for the establishment of Islamic Banking requires the establishment of a Shari’a Council of Experts - to be based at the CBN to monitor the operations of the Islamic banking! Pastor Oritsajefor asked rhetorically: “ is this what operates in all the countries in the world where Islamic banking operates?” Speaking further on the proposed Advisory Council, Dr Bankole Sodipo of Babcock University stated bluntly: “there is no way they [the CBN] can delegate the decision making of the body[Islamic Banking] to another body because the National Assembly doesn’t give them that power.” Dr Sodipo, an Associate Professor of Law and Security Studies made this contribution at the AiMP seminar previously referred to above. (see http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=36538)
In making his contribution to what he calls a “worthless and useless debate,” Latter Rain Pastor Bakare used disparaging words on everybody holding views different from his, and as usual, managed to bring in the President for mockery and taunts. One simply cannot help wondering why Pastor Bakare should be the most passionate defender of a concept blatantly labeled as “Islamic” – and that in a clime where Islamic zealots are out on rampage, killing and maiming Christians in pursuant of their publicly declared vow of making the country ungovernable!
In the meantime, the Fellowship of Christian Ministers is insisting that the Islamic banking was a booby-trap that could threaten the corporate existence of the country; and the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has disclosed that the Anglican Church would embark on a protest if the apex bank ignores its position on the issue. He warned that the Anglican Church would equally pass a vote of no confidence on CBN if it approves Islamic banking.
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/july/25/national-25-07-2011-004.html
Bakare, who was the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari in the last presidential election, failed to address any of the issues being raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), but merely kept mouthing the mantra that Islamic banking “has benefits for everybody economically.” In his vigorous passionate defence of Islamic banking, Bakare tried to appeal to the Bible. He was quoted by the Sun newspaper as saying: if the Bible says “do away with usury, any cleric who says otherwise would be an anti-progressive element in the church.” He further expressed the conviction that “business strives better in an interest-free system where no businessman can be tied to bondage.” http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/july/25/national-25-07-2011-004.html
In reality however, while “interest-free” banking follows the letters of “no usury”, it can hardly be said, as being practiced, to imbibe the spirit intended in the Bible (see for instance Deut 23:19-20). Neither also does it guarantee a freedom from bondage. Here the “interest” payable on loans are simply transferred to profit-sharing, making the loan-giver effectively a joint-owner of the business. An enterprising guy might prefer to pay interest and keep his business to himself while a less sure individual might want to share the risk with the capital provider. Both are legitimate means of doing business and each individual should be free to choose their preference. The contention of CAN is that state fund ought not to be used to promote or organize such a system, especially where the CBN is now overtly discriminating between general “interest-free banking” and “Islamic banking” in particular.
In the words of CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor, “ we have continued to frown at the way the CBN governor who is being paid by taxpayers’ money is championing the cause of Islamic banking in isolation of other non-interest banking formats. We are against Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi using state fund to promote Islamic banking as though that is the only form of non-interest banking. It is against the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution.” Declaring at several forums that the CAN is not necessarily against Islamic Banking per se, Pastor Oritsajefor nevertheless wants the CBN governor to “allow people who are interested in Islamic banking to use their money to sell their manifesto to Nigerians with a view to wooing them to accept that form of banking which is different from what they used to know.”
As noted by other Christian and secular business leaders, the zeal with which Mallam Sanusi is prosecuting the Islamic Banking issue is simply amazing and hardly ethical.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Apostles in the Market place (AiMP), the Chief Executive Officer of Pharez Consulting, Mr. Eghes Eyieyen wondered: "What is the inordinate drive and ambition behind the introduction of Islamic banking? To me, it seems as if the CBN is in a hurry to introduce it and why does the CBN think it is going to be a major driver of financial inclusion? It is not about religion, it is about the law and professionalism. Why has the CBN not given such passion and priority to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)? You cannot use a small provision in the BOFIA that gives you the power to regulate, to now begin to legislate."
The answer to the question of why the CBN is having to use state fund and clout to promote Islamic Banking could be gleaned from a quote by Junaid Bhatti, a member of the team that set up the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB): "As we now approach the sixth anniversary of IBB's launch, I'm sad to finally have to admit that Islamic finance in the UK has been a huge flop." In a World Street Journal report of June 2010, Bhatti added "IBB may still be limping on as probably the last bastion of the cause, but it's difficult to imagine it holding out for much longer." http://zulkiflihasan.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/why-britain%E2%80%99s-islamic-finance-industry-flopped/) In short, without state backing and active sponsorship, Islamic banking would be dead on arrival in Nigeria. As we wrote in the last edition while discussing the demonstrations in Arab lands, Islam is seriously handicapped to deal with real life situations –especially the problem of human lusts and sin. Islam and her institutions always needed some measure of state muscle or coercion to survive in the real world. But that is none of our business or problem.
The other major issue raised by the CAN is that Mallam Sanusi is writing a separate guideline for Islamic Banking, different from other non-interest banking systems. In the words of Pastor Oritsajefor, this can be likened to the National Universities Commission issuing different rules for the establishment of Islamic Universities and another for Christian or secular Universities – which of course is unthinkable. What is probably more serious with the procedure is that the proposed guidelines for the establishment of Islamic Banking requires the establishment of a Shari’a Council of Experts - to be based at the CBN to monitor the operations of the Islamic banking! Pastor Oritsajefor asked rhetorically: “ is this what operates in all the countries in the world where Islamic banking operates?” Speaking further on the proposed Advisory Council, Dr Bankole Sodipo of Babcock University stated bluntly: “there is no way they [the CBN] can delegate the decision making of the body[Islamic Banking] to another body because the National Assembly doesn’t give them that power.” Dr Sodipo, an Associate Professor of Law and Security Studies made this contribution at the AiMP seminar previously referred to above. (see http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=36538)
In making his contribution to what he calls a “worthless and useless debate,” Latter Rain Pastor Bakare used disparaging words on everybody holding views different from his, and as usual, managed to bring in the President for mockery and taunts. One simply cannot help wondering why Pastor Bakare should be the most passionate defender of a concept blatantly labeled as “Islamic” – and that in a clime where Islamic zealots are out on rampage, killing and maiming Christians in pursuant of their publicly declared vow of making the country ungovernable!
In the meantime, the Fellowship of Christian Ministers is insisting that the Islamic banking was a booby-trap that could threaten the corporate existence of the country; and the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has disclosed that the Anglican Church would embark on a protest if the apex bank ignores its position on the issue. He warned that the Anglican Church would equally pass a vote of no confidence on CBN if it approves Islamic banking.
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/july/25/national-25-07-2011-004.html