New Ecstatics: The Oddest Kind of Street Witness Ever

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

3 Year Old Whacked Out On “Jesus” New Ecstatics Style

 

The poster of this video onto Youtube says:

“Our almost 3 year old cousin admits she is whacked up on Jesus! HAHAHAH!!!”

I ain’t laughing. I’m crying.

The Coming Counterfeit California Revival

Here’s John Crowder now in on it now too:

“The Lord has been speaking to us about California for a long time, but we are seeing such a massive outbreak on the West Coast, we are now feeling a strong confirmation from the Lord to move our families westward and continue experiencing the spirit of revival!” 

 [Source, John Crowder New Mystic's April 21st emailing]

He’s moving to Santa Cruz, apparently, and starting monthly ‘whack’ meetings. This guy is seriously dangerous. Parents, lock up your sons and daughters where John Crowder is concerned.

“Our New Ecstatics event exploded with the Glory of God in Santa Cruz, California, and God has shifted more than our ministry itineraries … He has redirected our entire lives! We are happy to announce that we are moving to California and will continue the party with monthly meetings in Santa Cruz, as we are seeing a massive, ecstatic revival taking place!”

See some of the other plotting re California in these related posts -

Revival Alliance of Bill Johnson and Che Ahn Now Targetting California For Revival

Shawn Bolz Battling It Over The Rights To Angel of Breakthrough Revival

Evangelism Angels Come from Africa to California

California Revival Dreaming – Gwen Shaw and The Spirit of Lakeland

TV sends message that Christians Are Nutters

Article from here -

“Frequent television portrayals of Christians as absurd make it more difficult for believers to defend themselves, a national journalist has said.

Recent storylines in a number of soaps have sent the clear message that “Christians are nutters”, the Daily Telegraph’s religion correspondent, Jonathan Wynne-Jones, wrote last week on his blog.

Christians should expect robust criticism, Mr Wynne-Jones said, but as faith is made to look more ridiculous “the line between ridicule and persecution becomes even thinner”.

Mr Wynne-Jones wrote on his blog: “Some would argue that Christianity has been undermined for some time on television.”

He continues: “Even some of the BBC’s religious documentaries have tended to challenge traditional beliefs, from claiming Mary was raped by a Roman soldier to arguing that Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was caused by an epileptic fit.”

Earlier this week it emerged that dozens of viewers complained to the television regulator after an Easter Sunday episode of Coronation Street featured a string of outbursts against Christianity.

The character Ken Barlow described the Christian faith as a “superstition”, accusing churches of targeting “vulnerable people” and “indoctrinating” his grandson.

Mr Wynne-Jones also referred to Hollyoaks, a soap hugely popular with teenagers, where the ‘Christian’ in the show claims to have found an image of Jesus in a potato.

“Outspoken criticism of Christian beliefs should be expected, but the stealthy attempts to make believers look absurd is much more damaging,” Mr Wynne-Jones said.

“Once faith has been made to look ridiculous, the attempts of believers to rebut the criticism will be met with deaf ears. And then the line between ridicule and persecution becomes even thinner.”

It emerged earlier this month that the producers of Coronation Street are planning to portray a ‘born-again Christian’ character embarking on a lesbian affair in a bid to make the soap more reflective of modern Britain.

The BBC received 150 complaints about an episode of Eastenders shown in October last year, in which ‘Christian’ character Dot Cotton was made to look old fashioned and ridiculous in her beliefs on homosexuality.

She was shown getting to grips with an mp3 player before coming across two men kissing on a park bench and asking them to stop. The two male characters sniggered at her efforts to engage with modern technology.

Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC, admitted last year that he believes Christianity should be treated with less sensitivity in television programmes than other religions.”

______________

Corrie confirms an anti-Christianity trend on the box

Article from here, By Jonathan Wynne-Jones,  Apr 16, 2009

“Ken Barlow, the Coronation Street character normally associated with being incredibly boring, has finally let rip.

However, viewers of ITV’s most popular soap have been left unimpressed by his outburst, which referred to Christian faith as a ”superstition” and came during the Easter Sunday episode.
He accused churches of targeting “vulnerable people” and claimed his grandson Simon was being “indoctrinated” by Christianity.

All very boring really.

Making the attack on Easter Sunday might be rather distasteful, but there’s nothing particularly new or unusual about his views, some of which, rather appropriately, were made in the pub.

A confident faith should not be worried by such cliched brickbats being hurled its way.

More concerning though for church leaders is the way Christianity is being portrayed by the soaps.

While Barlow is considered to be the Street’s resident intellectual, his grandson is shown in church at a service of blessing for farmyard animals and household pets.

Futhermore, he attends a school that teaches creationism.

Meanwhile, in Hollyoaks, a soap hugely popular with teenagers, the Christian in the show claims to have found an image of Jesus in a potato. The message is clear: Christians are nutters.

The anti-Christianity streak on television has been noted by a media blog, tvscoop.

“As a non-believer myself, and an argumentative one, there’s nothing I like more than getting into debates and discussions with religious people,” it says.

Yet it continues: “Anti-religious feeling is now reaching saturation point on the box.”

Some would argue that Christianity has been being undermined for some time on television.

Even some of the BBC’s religious documentaries have tended to challenge traditional beliefs, from claiming Mary was raped by a Roman soldier to arguing that Paul conversion on the road to Damascus was caused by an epileptic fit.

The tvscoop blog goes on to question whether Islam would receive similar treatment, before concluding: “I don’t like the snide, cowardly kickings that Christianity is getting at the minute.

“There’s no point feigning debate just to have a dig.”

And that’s exactly what Corrie and other soaps seem to be doing.

Outspoken criticism of Christian beliefs should be expected, but the stealthy attempts to make believers look absurd is much more damaging.

Once faith has been made to look ridiculous, the attempts of believers to rebut the criticism will be met with deaf ears. And then the line between ridicule and persecution becomes even thinner.”

______________

This is the full article from TV Scoop -

“For 99% of Christians, it must be rubbish being alive at the moment. Every time you switch the telly on, there’s someone else shoving their opinions down your throat, telling you how wrong you are to believe in Jesus Christ, God, resurrection and Eden and all that… and completely missing the irony when they chastise you for ramming your opinions down the throats of non-believers. I mean, 99% of Christians don’t ram anything down anyone’s throat, preferring to simply… be. As a non-believer myself, and an argumentative one, there’s nothing I like more than getting into debates and discussions with religious people. They fascinate me. However, more often than not, they don’t wanna talk about it… and you can hardly blame them. You see, such is the disdain for Christianity in the world, that TV is getting in on the act and, in many cases, pointing and laughing.

You know something has reached pop-critical mass when the soaps get in on the act. Most of the naysaying toward religion has come from science documentaries and shows. There’s been an almost embarrassing love-in over Charles Darwin of late, with scientists and cynics all falling over themselves to wish him, and his facts, a happy birthday. Celebrating the birthday of a dead-guy? Sounds familiar…

It seems that science, a boy who has always been picked on in school, laughed at and deeply unhip, has been getting revenge in the way it knows how: Intellectual bullying. Science, we’re constantly told by Dawkins et al, is fairer than fair. It constantly tries to prove itself wrong, thus, showing that it’s piously fair because it criticises itself more than anyone else. But as any religious person will tell you… you can’t apply logic (as we know it) to religion… and besides… why should you? I can’t apply logic to the way I love my record collection. I can’t apply logic to the fact that I don’t trust newly shaven chins.

Anti-religious feeling is now reaching saturation point on the box. Sometimes, my message looks like I’m hyper-critical of religion. Maybe I am… but I try not to be a dick about it. I’ve always felt that Songs of Praise should be more inclusive and look at spiritual feeling as a whole, as opposed to sticking solely to Anglican preaching. I think, if it gave me the choice to learn about Islam, Jainism, Judaism and more, I’d be pretty inclined to tune-in every week.

Instead, what we’ve got is the soap-backlash.

In Hollyoaks, the most overtly religious characters have been figures of fun and controversy. A Catholic priest who found he was gay and was subsequently murdered no less. The current religious nut is Carmel, a dim-witted but good-natured lass who is currently being roundly laughed at for finding an image of Jesus in a potato. Her character is so thick that she’d be likely to confuse a bannister for a barrister. Hardly a great advert for religion eh?

Then, over the weekend, the complaints flooded in to ITV and Ofcom after a weird storyline featuring Ken Barlow. The fact that ITV chose to show a deeply anti-religious sentiment on Easter Sunday is unlikely to be coincidental.

Basically, what happened was, Ken pretty much took the sword to the whole of the church and Christianity in front of his family, including his grandson Simon. He bemoaned that the local school was teaching creationism. He said that those going to church were indulging in “pure tokenism”. He then capped off his performance by referring to God as a “supernatural being”. Ladies and Gents, we have a new heathen.

Then, to add fuel to the notion that church goers are mentally ill, we cut to a scene in the service which sees various people singing ‘Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven’ with a bunch of farmyard animals and household pets in tow. Yep, religious people are all clearly insane.

I imagine that the makers of these shows would argue that all views are represented and that Christianity is not something they think of as being ’superstition’ or whatever. Fair enough. To a degree, they have a point… but isn’t it funny that they don’t gun for Islam. That’s right. You see, TV would like you to believe that they’ve got the balls to open up the discussion about anything. That they’re brave and bold enough to question something as big a religion. Really though, they’re only brave enough to pick on the one that won’t retaliate. I mean, what’s an Archbishop going to do? He’ll fight back with words, words that won’t reach nearly as big an audience as a primetime soap opera.

However, if these shows wanted to show how brave and bold they are, they should attack a religion that has got the nerve to attack back in whatever means possible. Open up the debate, sure, but have the courage to do it properly. Attacking the Church of England is like pointing a revolver at a crumpet.

Whilst I’m definitely of the camp that everything should be fair game for a kicking and that nothing is sacred, I definitely don’t like the snide, cowardly kickings that Christianity is getting at the minute. You either have some respect or go for the jugular. There’s no point feigning debate just to have a dig… that’s what 6th formers do. So come on TV, grow a pair… or Christianity might, and I’m betting their faith in their words are stronger than yours.”

You Wanna See Miracles – Here’s How (How Manipulative)

Email from God TV, April 28th 2009

“Be part of a miracle day!

Dearest Partner,

Your GOD TV family and ministry have been in a critical situation since the close of our Missions Week broadcasts:

We find ourselves still extremely short of our total $5 million “in the bank” budget need.

Making this goal is vitally important — it’s the budget for going forward toward reaching ONE BILLION SOULS!

Touch a billion souls with God’s love! Give an emergency gift now.

We have made progress — many have given, and we are truly thankful to these precious partners. We still do, however, have a long way to go and ask for your prayerful consideration of another gift today.

We can all do something — first INTERCEDE before the Father that the attack of the enemy will be pushed back and the Lord’s plans for this ministry will prevail.

Second, give now as God directs — and we believe we can reach the goal together!  [endtimes comment - note the assumption that GOD is directing people to give and the continued manipulation in this]

Our May 15 deadline can become a Miracle Day!

But at the moment, the situation is serious.

We face the prospect of being unable to continue bringing you anointed events, crusades, programs for youth … we are even at risk of losing parts of our distribution, impacting the lives of millions.

This is the time for Christians to stand and be counted – because lives are at risk in the nations of the world. Eternity hangs in the balance for multitudes.

It’s not about us. It’s about touching lives across the world. And this work is in jeopardy at a prophetic moment when the voice of the Lord actually needs to be the loudest and broadcast the furthest!

Please give online immediately – we need the help of every friend of GOD TV.

Thank you for standing with us in this crucial hour. God bless you!

In His amazing love,
Rory & Wendy Alec”

So if you want to see a miracle, give them money. How’s that a miracle exactly?!

And touch a billion souls with God’s love?!   They don’t even have one billion viewers to reach with anything - what utter deceit. As for their “impacting the lives of millions” – what are their actual viewing figures - in truth?

And what are these multitudes – however many there actually are – impacted with exactly? A false gospel and delusion. And by the manipulated well meaning but foolish people giving money to this apostate channel, it actually encourages it to  lead astray and delude even more people and broadcast even more false prophets and false apostles so the cycle of fleecing and deceit gets ever bigger.  What kind of miracle is that? And for which Lord? Not the Lord Jesus Christ, that’s for sure – even though they dare use His name.

There is a ’revival’ of lawlessness, disobedience and delusion followed by a great falling away that GOD TV is directly part of and encouraging and promoting  - God help us! And God help those in the church who presently support this crooked abusive deceitful bunch in direct disobedience to the Lord – for they must face His anger, not His blessing. May they repent before even more damage is done. And give their money to far more worthy causes in genuine missions work this is such a dreadful counterfeit of.

True Discipleship Versus False Discipleship, And True Leadership Versus False Leadership

I invited Michelle Freeman who has commented a number of times on the post here The Cult of Star R. Scott and Calvary Temple Star Evangelistic Enterprises to write a little more in order to reach out to anybody else who may be suffering from spiritual abuse. May those who need to hear, hear.

Michelle says by way of introduction to her article -

“The Lord led me out of Calvary Temple in December 2007. I started college at the end of January 2008. In my third block of classes, a college research paper writing class, the instructor allowed me to write about authoritarian/ abusive/ cult/ shepherding movements in organized churches today. I wrote this paper specifically with Calvary Temple, Sterling, VA and Bob Scott in mind. My husband had already left me because of CT, my family was split down the middle; my youngest son was living with his dad and my oldest was living with me, but still in CT. My husband had already contacted the Washington Post – He called the WaPo June 23, 2008, the day after Bob Scott lied about me from the pulpit, and called me a daughter of Satan.

The WaPo article came out November 16, 2008. October 12, 2008, Bob Scott stood in the pulpit and marked me, lied about me and made false accusations about me regarding stealing his credit card statements and giving them to Michelle Boorstein and the Washington Post. However, the article itself, and his son Star II, stated that Star was the one who had given the credit card statements to the WaPo. Bob Scott’s lies and his marking me, and the miracle of God opening my son’s eyes, brought my oldest son out of that place. As Stuart wrote in his own post on your blog, he was being pressured to move out of my house right up until the evening that a CT “pastor” and “friend” confronted him with the ultimatum to move out of my house in the middle of the night or face the consequences of not obeying Bob Scott.”

***

Wolves among Us

Michelle A. Freeman

Even though the majority of the people do not realize that they may or may not be part of an abusive church, there are cult-like tendencies in mainstream Christian churches around the world. Why? Because authoritarianism, legalism, and control is rife in the church, and the discipling or Shepherding movement from the 1970s has gone underground and resurfaced in mainstream denominations.

Shepherding Movement. Discipleship. Authoritarianism. Familiar words? Probably not. Perhaps these words are more familiar: manipulation by church leaders clothed in Biblical doctrine? Again, not very familiar, but the next group of words may be getting closer. How about cult, brain-washing, mind–control? These words are very familiar, are they not? What is the first thing that comes to mind when people hear these words?

November 18, 1978. Most people do not remember the date, but the horrific events that unfolded that day will be remembered forever. On this day, under the direct orders of self-proclaimed leader Jim Jones, over nine hundred people, members of the People’s Temple, died from cyanide poisoning in Jonestown, Guyana (Allitt, 2003). The world was horrified. This event, not an isolated one, is but one of many tragedies that have occurred since man has walked the earth; each has a common denominator.

 

Shortly after Peoples Temple guards gunned down a governor and journalists visiting their colony, hundreds drank cyanide-laced Flavor Aid in a mass suicide.

 

  

 

Note: From the Rick Ross Institute. Copyright 2008, Rick Ross

According to University of California at Berkeley, Professor Emeritus and Sociologist Richard Ofshe, with Suzanne Johnson, as stated in Grolier’s Online Encyclopedia, the narrow definition of a cult is, “a set of religious practices.” Throughout history, specific leaders have taken this definition to an extreme, such as with Jim Jones, and again with David Koresh at Waco, Texas in 1993. These examples are extreme; however, there are common threads found in groups, churches, organizations and yes, cults, throughout the ages: powerful leaders who impose authoritarian rule and apply psychological manipulation. The effects of this powerful combination have been the cause of much devastation, both well-known, and not so well-known (Grolier, 2008).

 

The Branch Davidians and their leader or “Messiah” David Koresh perished after engaging in a gun battle with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms or ATF branch of the United States government

 

  

 

Note: From the Rick Ross Institute. Copyright 2008, Rick Ross

 

Subtle. Irresistible. Conform. Obedience. Elitism. Exclusivity. Charisma. Familiar words, but used in a church; used to describe a church?

The Shepherding Movement is Born

Due to moral failures associated within the Christian church up to the 1970s, counter movements were started to bring back structure and accountability. Five renowned southern Florida church leaders, “felt the need for personal accountability,” joining together to keep each other, and consequently each of their “flocks,” on the “straight and narrow path” (Vinzant, 1980).

Bob Mumford, Derek Prince, Charles Simpson, Don Basham, and Ern Baxter, started the “Holy Spirit Teaching Mission,” later known as “Christian Growth Ministries.” These men called what they were doing “shepherding,” so the alternate name of the ministries came to be known as the Shepherding Movement. Because part of the mission was to disciple or instruct people Biblically, the movement also became known as Discipling. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, movement quickly grew to include other towns, cities, and churches across the nation. However, abuses within the organization, and affiliated churches, were soon evident. Problems arose as discipleship or shepherding methods became authoritarian. For example, disciples were required to ask permission from leadership before getting married, buying a car, or changing jobs. Absolute submission and obedience to leaders, as opposed to God, became rampant (Vinzant, 1988).

Christian author Bob Buess states in his book Discipleship Pro and Con, “The shepherd is treated like an earthly father would be treated…In [extreme] discipleship groups there is absolute submission to the shepherd.” Buess warns in an earlier work, “Some pastors and elders set themselves up as little ‘Hitlers’ over the flock. . . Some even go so far as to demand submission to themselves rather than to the Lord . . . You cannot make a decision for yourself” (Vinznat, 1988).

In 1975, religious broadcaster, philanthropist, educator, religious leader, businessman and author Pat Robertson (PatRobertson.com, 2008), wrote an Open Letter to Bob Mumford addressing the spiritual abuses directly linked to this harmful movement. He wrote specifically of, “. . . a secretary at the Christian Broadcasting Network (founded by Robertson) who had been turned into an emotional cripple by this movement.” Mr. Robertson said that, “She scarcely could type a letter without a long distance call to her shepherd” (Vinzant, 1988).

In 1976, the original five members of the Shepherding Movement issued a “Statement of Concern and Regret,” that said they realized all the problems and controversies that had come of this movement, and each man asked for forgiveness.

While many people will have difficulty understanding how an intelligent individual becomes an “emotional cripple,” as aptly described by Pat Robertson, comprehensive studies and surveys have been conducted over the past decades, to answer such questions. These studies are dedicated to the study of new religious movements like Shepherding, Discipling, and Authoritarianism, extending to the analysis of cults and cult-like practices, and the devastation brought by all.

What do the Experts Say?

Professor Frederick Bird

Frederick Bird, Professor in the Department of Religion and Chair of the Concordia University Human Research Ethics Committee, wrote a paper in 1979 addressing the moral accountability of “contemporary or new religious and Para-religious movements.” Professor Bird examined three specific groups defined by the follower to leader perspective, i.e., “(a) devotees of a sacred lord or lordly truth, (b) disciples of a reverend and holy discipline, or (c) apprentices skilled at unlocking the mysteries of a sacred, inner power” (Bird, 1979). The various techniques used by leaders, regardless of category, produced the same outcome of reduced moral accountability (Bird, 1979).

Dr. Edward A. Lottick

Just as the Fort Lauderdale Shepherds discovered in 1976, even the best intentions can end with devastating results. Dr. Edward A. Lottick, a retired medical physician, has been a cultic studies student for 18 years. Dr. Lottick lost his son to suicide; Noah had been a member of Scientology. According to Lottick (2005), there were an estimated 5,000 cults and two million followers in the United States alone. One to three percent surveyed were high school students.

Dr. Lottick’s study focused on three aspects: were psychologists aware and familiar with cults and cult-like tendencies, had they ever treated cult members or ex-cult members, and what more can be done to address the fact that mind-control and abuse through leader manipulation is still very much a factor in today’s society?

A comprehensive feedback form was mailed to 2,980 Pennsylvanian psychologists; 698 specialists responded, with half expressing experience with cults, directly or indirectly.

 

Age Distribution of Cult-Affected Clients

The survey indicated that the age range of cult members is wide (see Table 1), with the largest number of members falling in the 18 – 25 range.

 

Note. From the Cultic Studies Review, by E. Lottick, p. 6, Copyright 2008 Cultic Studies Review

 

Relative Prevalence of Symptoms

Lottick used previous psychological evaluations of ex-members conducted by clinical psychology candidate Lynn Aronoff-McKibben (Aronoff-McKibben & Malinoski, 2000) to present a list of symptoms in the survey (see Table 2). In referring to Table 2, anxiety and depression were the most common feelings experienced by the ex-members, followed by guilt, dissociation, fear of reprisal, passivity, and finally psychotic break. The “other” category represented a wide range of turmoil, including post-traumatic stress, relationship problems, marital problems, poor coping and decision-making abilities, loss of critical thinking skills, low self-esteem, and more.

 

 

Note. From the Cultic Studies Review, by E. Lottick, p. 7, Copyright 2008 Cultic Studies Review

The participants also stipulated preferred treatments used in response to ex-members needs. Treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); family support; hypnosis; medication; psychodynamic therapy, an intense form of therapy used to relieve psychic tension; interpersonal relationship development; and insight-oriented therapy, or therapy used to help the ex-member re-discover themselves. Psychologists found that ex-members lose sight of previous identification with their former lifestyle, belief systems and prior relationships, realizing the need for patients to recover their individuality and former lives (Lottick, 2008).

 

Usefulness of Terms for Psychological Manipulation and Control

Table 4 represents terms offered to the psychologists in order to rate the effectiveness of the methods used by cult leaders.

Note. From the Cultic Studies Review, by E. Lottick, p. 11, Copyright 2008 Cultic Studies Review

A majority of the terms in Table 4, according to Dr. Lottick, fall under the two main categories of Mind Control and Brainwashing. Mind Control is defined as, “the ability to control or influence someone’s actions,” while brainwashing is, “any effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person and sometimes destroying the existing ones, usually regarding politics or religion” (Lottick, 2008).

The techniques are subtle and not always easy to detect, leading Dr. Lottick (2008) to conclude that, “there can be no further denying the existence of less dramatic cults . . . The destructive cult universe is very much still with us into the 21^st century” (Lottick, 2008).

Dr. Sylvia Wilkey Collinson

By now the question on everyone’s mind is, “Are all churches bad? The term ‘disciple’ is used in the Bible; how can that be bad?” Dr. Silvia Wilkey Collinson, Dean of Students at the London School of Theology in her doctoral dissertation, Making Disciples and the Christian Faith, brings assurance to the true disciple of the Christian faith. According to Dr. Collinson (2004), there are, “six components in the Biblical discipling model of teaching.” They are Relational – between the disciple and God, and between the disciple and teacher; Intentional – commitment on all parties to learn of Jesus; Informal (mainly) – meaning a majority of the teaching from teacher to student is informal, some formal teaching is necessary; Communal (typically) – peoples from all walks of life coming together, i.e., like-minded believers; Reciprocal – the teacher and student learn from each other; and Centrifugal (in focus) – the disciple does not keep what has been learned to themselves.

Dr. Collinson concludes that true discipleship keeps the focus directly on God and off of the leader, firmly keeping in perspective the value of discipling when conducted correctly. An emphatically stern warning is issued by Dr. Collinson:
Disciples do not give unthinking obedience to anyone. They are expected to weigh up words and actions of a discipler or a discipling community (Acts 17:10,11) against authority of the Scriptures, with the Holy Spirit as guide and enlightner (Jn. 14:26). Each person is responsible for his or her own decisions . . . ; Teachers or discipling communities will be judged severely and their condemnation will be greater if they are responsible for others going astray (Mt. 18:6,7; Rom.14:21) or if their teaching leads others into wrong belief or sin (1 Tim. 1:6,7; 6:3,4; Tit. 1:11; Jas. 3:1; 2 Pet. 2:1,2).

(Collinson, 2004, p.13)

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Most people will never become a member of a cult; however, a majority of the population will be subjected to subtle manipulation at some point in life. These tendencies appear in many forms and show themselves in many arenas, including mainstream churches and denominations.

“A wolf in sheep’s clothing” is the best phrase to describe the subtle authoritarian tendencies currently being experienced in today’s mainstream Christianity. Wolves in sheep’s clothing have little regard for denomination, age, race, or ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Stephen D. Martin, M. Div., a preventive cult education instructor at Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center, says that, “Everything that describes a wolf in sheep’s clothing is what a cult is and does” (Martin, 2005).

Many people believe that they will be able to spot the wolf, that the wolf will be transparent. Martin (2005) accurately states, “But if a wolf could truly disguise itself and do a good job of it, it would look exactly like a sheep.” Hence, the deception is complete. To the individual, a wolf in sheep’s clothing looks like a sheep, not a wolf, regardless of faith, or lack thereof.

But as Martin succinctly states, “In reality, of course, a wolf cannot disguise itself as a sheep, but it is quite easy for harmful groups to disguise themselves as good” (Martin, 2005). Adding to the ex-members’ hurt and pain, they experience the wounding back-lash from friends and family who are unable to understand how intelligent, moral, and spiritual people are able to become duped by these wolves.

Wolf-Sheep versus Cult

The below table (see Table 5) is valuable in explaining the “dual phenomenon of cults.”

 

Table 5

Wolf/sheep	Cult	Explanation
Why would anyone even come near that wolf?	Why would anyone join a group like that?	What they saw initially was not a wolf (a cult) but a sheep (a loving, caring group).
They must have been stupid, crazy, or had some psychological problem to associate with a wolf.	They must have been stupid, crazy, or had some psychological problem to get involved with a group like that.	People who get involved in cults are not impaired. They are normal people looking for answers. In fact, cults often seek to lure the “cream of the crop” — the intelligent, attractive, capable, and successful.
They must not have been good, moral, and spiritual people to be deceived by a wolf.	They must not have been good, moral, and spiritual people to be deceived by such an evil and bizarre group.	People who join cults are usually looking to have legitimate social and spiritual needs met, and are often very moral and idealistic people looking for an appealing group or church through which to serve God and/or humanity, and to improve themselves.
They just need to return to the flock and they’ll be fine.	They just need to get back into a good church, synagogue, or relationship and they’ll be fine.	Many assume that a cult is far different from a good church, synagogue, or human relationship — as different as a wolf is from a sheep. But such a victim has already been injured by an apparent “sheep.” He is naturally wary, has difficulty trusting, and will react negatively to any similarities between a new group or relationship and the former one. These people need special care.

 

Note. From the Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center, by S. Martin, p. 2, Copyright 2007 Wellspring Retreat

 

Final Warnings and Signs: Bad and Good

Rick Ross, founder and executive director of the Rick Ross Institute, expert consultant, and intervention specialist (2003), offers the following guidelines and warning signs to consider before joining any church or group.

Ten Warning Signs of a Potentially Unsafe Group/Leader

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
8. Followers feel they can never be “good enough.”
9. The group/leader is always right.
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

Ten Warning Signs Regarding People Involved in/with a Potentially Unsafe Group/Leader

1. Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
2. Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower’s mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused–as that person’s involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
3. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as “persecution.”
4. Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
5. Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
6. Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
7. A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
8. Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
9. Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
10. Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

Ten Signs of a Safe Group/Leader

1. A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.
2. A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.
3. A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.
4. A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.
5. A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.
6. A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
7. A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.
8. A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
9. A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
10. A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

 

Note. From The Ross Institute, by R. Ross, Copyright 2003 The Ross Institute

 

A Grim Reminder; Words to Heed

Hanging above Jim Jones’ “throne” is a sign stating the following words, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” a paraphrased quote by American philosopher George Santayana from his 1905 book Reason in Common Sense (Net Industries, 2008). Man has proven those words true, time and time again. Perhaps now is the time to say, “Enough.”

In 1978 in Jonestown, Guyana, over 900 members of Jim Jones’s People’s Temple were killed.

 

 

Note: From the Rick Ross Institute. Copyright 2008, Rick Ross

 

Remember: test out everything heard, regardless of the source, regardless of the place. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Know the catch phrases and techniques set forth by these leaders. Become familiar with the signs of a bad church, as well as the signs of a good church. Remember, men are fallible. People are to put their trust in God, not in man. Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” These are the words to not only live by, but are the words that will help people live more healthy, whole, and stable lives. There are wolves among us. Keep families and lives safe: Beware of “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” 

___________________________________

 

References

Allitt, P. (2003). Religion in America since 1945: A History. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Aronoff-McKibben, J., S. J. & Malinoski, P. T. (2000). Are cultic environments psychologically harmful? Clinical Psychology Review, 20, (1), 91-111. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from http://www.somis.org.

Bird, F. (1979, Winter). The pursuit of innocence: New religious movements and moral accountability. SA: Sociological Analysis, 40(4), 335-346. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Collinson, S. (2005, July). Making disciples and the christian faith. Evangelical Review of Theology, 29(3), 240-250. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database.

Lottick, E. (2008, February). Age distribution of cult-affected clients. Table. Cultic Studies Review, 7(1), 1-19. Retrieved July 16, 2008, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Lottick, E. (2008, February). Psychologist survey regarding cults. Cultic Studies Review, 7(1), 1-19. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Lottick, E. (2008, February). Relative prevalence of symptoms. Table. Cultic Studies Review, 7(1), 1-19. Retrieved July 16, 2008, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Lottick, E. (2008, February). Usefulness of terms for psychological manipulation and control. Table. Cultic Studies Review, 7(1), 1-19. Retrieved July 16, 2008, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Martin, P. (2005, August). Summary and explanation of dual phenomenon of cults. Table. Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center, p 2. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from http://www.wellspringretreat.org.

Martin, P. (2005, August). Wolves in sheep’s clothing. Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from http://www.wellspringretreat.org.

The Net Industries (2008). George Santayana: 1863-1952: Philosopher. Retrieved June 14, 2008, from http://biography.jrank.org.

Ofshe, R., & Johnson, S. (2008). Religious cults. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from Grolier Online.

Robertson, M. G. (2008). Biography: Pat Robertson founder and chairman, The Christian Broadcasting Network. The Official Site of Pat Robertson. Retrieved July 16, 2008, from http://www.patroberson.com.

Ross, R. (2003). Jonestown, Guyana picture. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.rickross.com.

Ross, R. (2003). Waco, TX. picture. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.rickross.com.

Ross, R. (2003). Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader. Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader. Ten signs of a safe group/leader. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.rickross.com.

Ross, R. (2003). Jonestown, Guyana picture. Retrieved July 5, 2008, from http://www.rickross.com.

Spiritwatch (n.d.), Ern Baxter, Derek Prince, Charles Simpson, Don Basham, Bob Mumford picture. Retrieved July 21, 2008, from http://www.spiritwatch.org/195ok.jpg.

Vinzant, G. (1988). Historical roots of the discipling movement among Churches of Christ. The Discipling Dilemma, Part 3, pp.123-131. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from http://www.somis.org.

Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center. (2007). Psychological, emotional or spiritual abuse and cult survivors. Retrieved June 13, 2008, from http://www.wellspringretreat.org.

Jason Westerfield Raindancing For Glory Clouds

Jason Westerfield on this video here on the Extreme Prophetic website discusses his ‘raindancing’ prayer ritual on farmland.

It needs to be seen to be believed, but it’s rather odd to say the least – even for kooky Patricia King’s kooky site. It apparently happened with some ministry connected to Randy Clark in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, “not so long ago”.

Jason Westerfield says from around 1.30 mins onward on the video that God was going to the heal the land where they were at. 

Jason says God said -

“I’m going to make it right in this place, literally as it was prior to the Fall. I’m going to bring a ‘restoration of all things’ as a token and ‘protoype’  in this place of what I want to do.

Literally as it was before the Fall?!

Jason Westerfield then boasts about his fasting at the time and there is evident arrogance displayed as he talks about the other guy’s that was with him faith [and other people's later in the video] and then Westerfield goes on to talk about the coming of the raincloud in a place where there were no other clouds, which he said looked peculiar and ‘real cute’.

It sounds more like a UFO.

“The cloud there was literally a glory cloud and it was as a foggy mist and it had twinkling lights all in it…  all over it….. that’s Father God resting … overshadowing us … like pillars of cloud…. like the star that led the wise men…”

You just know all this time he is telling this, because of his mannerisms and the far fetched claims with holes in the story, that Jason Westerfield is lying and revelling in the attention. The more far fetched his tale, the more he seems to delight in telling it. He can hardly keep his face straight when telling it. Why does Patricia King attract people like this around her? Todd Bentley, Joshua Mills, David Herzog and Jason Westerfield? And many more.

God then apparently sends winds to the place ….

“.. as a sign of the angel hosts that are coming that will “dilate heaven and synchronise and make heaven in the atmosphere”, literally “making the weather in this place as it is in heaven.” 

Huh?  The weather literally as it is in heaven?!  Good grief!

Jason then says God says,

“I’m going to break the curse of a closed heaven … which changes literally our atmosphere, the earth, our environment and the land as well.”

The curse of a closed heaven?  This man surely does not know the gospel!

Jason Westerfield then claims the winds come swirling, as God comes as a whirlwind and it was “opening up a portal, vortex” so a throne of God can come in …. beginning removing the veil over all creation so it is liberated. Angelic hosts come as well and celestial chariots and there are thunder peals and punches in the atmosphere. It’s not just one tall tale, it’s dozens of tall tales in this one story alone. All underlining this man does NOT preach the gospel.

This is not ordinary sign and wonder boasts Jason Westerfield.

“This is like creation stuff.” he says.

Yuh, creation stuff of another kind than what he suggests though. Creating a complete pile of tosh.

This guy, apart from being a blatant liar is also a really cocky show off.

I pray the Lord swiftly confronts Jason Westerfield head on with his sin, in His goodness leading Westerfield to the place of repentance - and Westerfield either falls on his face and repents and becomes a changed man OR he faces the immediate  consequences in this life of this lying, this arrogance, this cheating and charlatanism – this mockery and insulting of God and His saints – the judgment of God.

Revival Angels, New Levels and Catherine Brown’s White Feathers

A few days ago, I published Doug Addison’s account of angels and revival related to South Africa and California [please read the post here if you have not already - Doug Addison also personally commented on another post here about his selling prophecy, which makes interesting reading, especially in light of certain severe editing that went on the site that he sold prophecies from after my post went live.] 

Anyway, his post about angels has just been published on today’s Elijah List along with something by Catherine Brown, who describes herself as an “apostolic/prophetic leader” and founder of Gatekeepers Global Ministries.

Elijah List’s Steve Shultz says by way of introduction that Addison and Brown’s words are both ’powerful words’  about angels coming to “bring revival to California and the U.S., Africa, and across the nations.”   He asks in light of all these alleged angelic visitations and encounters,  “What does this all mean?”

He responds:

“I like what Doug Addison shares to help us answer that question, “As these angels and the anointing they bring are released, they take what we already have to a new level. So I encourage you to begin to ask God for more of what He has called you to do. Begin to step out and use your gifts right now. Ask God to give you opportunities to share His love. Watch, as you will begin to see more supernatural signs and manifestations of the Holy Spirit as this is released.”

Where is anointing in the Bible ever brought by angels? It is always symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Before I post Catherine Brown’s comments, I remind readers that these so-called signs and wonders, apart from being easily faked, and/or occuring in the natural world and wrongly taken to be divine, are associated with occultism and spiritualism – especially the white feathers.

Note also the Latter Rain talk eg ‘Dread Champions’, and the NAR dominionism in the marketplace theology and the ‘destiny of the nation’ and so on. These are not little shifts from the true gospel, albeit they are subtle for those not fully alert.

Catherine Brown:

“South Africa—Revival Is Coming!”

I recently received an email from a fellow minister of the Gospel, Doug Addison in the USA, who had returned from a powerful ministry trip in Cape Town, South Africa. Doug shared with me about his supernatural experience of a white feather falling from Heaven into the palm of his hand. He was quickened to contact me after reading the recent ElijahList posting of an article I wrote entitled, “Vision of a New Heart and the Angel called the Winds of Destiny,” in which I make brief mention in the introduction of white feathers manifesting during my trip to Tennessee in March. This is not the first time I have experienced this particular phenomenon. In 2006, I experienced the appearance of white feathers both at home and abroad.

Whilst there may be many possible interpretations for the white feather phenomenon, perhaps the most significant of all is that they speak of the manifestation of the miracle realm of Heaven on earth because of the glory of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

{Endtimespropheticwords comments – why would God manifest these kind of odd and unproductive signs and wonders – all pretty tacky, and like I said easily faked  [and what do they speak of in truth, as true signs and wonders have an obvious and not hidden message in them, and they certainly do not contradict the gospel or the gospel message as these guys and their 'signs' regularly do] – to speak of the ‘manifestation of the miracle realm’ when God can manifest REAL and productive miracles such as healing the sick and raising from the dead, that are not tacky and cannot be faked [though can be lied about as we saw at Lakeland] and will always glorify and lead to GOD and have the message of the true gospel attached to them?

Do you also see Jesus or the early church doing these cheap parlour tricks more befitting a stage magician and illusionist and cheap con-man than a servant of God?

Crucially, these guys talk a lot but don’t actually produce the goods when push comes to shove, as has been demonstrated time and time again. They can do sparkle and fluff but not the real thing. I have quoted people like Patricia King and Matt Sorger talking about how much power Christians have in their prayers and prophetic decrees and anointing etc so that sickness cannot remain. They make amazing promises for everyone. Yet, when push comes to shove, when their associate Jill Austin was sick, where was the power in all of their prayers, warfare, anointing or decrees? They showed their obvious fears, lack of faith and spiritual impotence at that time – and when did they even attempt to raise Jill from the dead?

It also hardly needs reminding why the Lakeland Outpouring came down – because of the lack of any real miracles despite Todd Bentley’s boast to have the biggest book of noteworthy miracles going in the best documented healing revival ever. Ho Hum.]

“As a result of my dialogue with Doug, I have been in prayer for South Africa and would like to share with you what the Lord has impressed to my heart. Please contend with us in prayer for the destiny of South Africa as you read these words.

Vision—Gold in the Earth and Feathers Falling from Heaven

As I pray for South Africa, I am lifted up into the heavenly realms and have an aerial view over the land. I can see gold veins under the earth and these seem to be mines and gold veins that are, as yet, untapped. Simultaneous to seeing below the earth, I am also witnessing an abundance of tiny, pure white feathers falling from Heaven to earth. The white feathers speak of the manifestation of the miracle realm on earth because of the glory of the Lord.

As I continue to gaze on South Africa, I notice that the gold veins become ablaze with fire and it is my strong impression that it first speaks of the coming of revival to South Africa. I believe God is going to show Joseph-anointed investors how to tap into the hidden veins that I am seeing in this vision, to release resources for the Kingdom. The outpouring of God’s glory that is coming to South Africa is going to have both spiritual and physical blessings.

Revival in the Townships—Gang Leaders Coming to Christ

I see revival in the townships of South Africa as multitudes receive Christ as Lord and Saviour. In the vision I am witnessing gang leaders hearing the message of the Gospel. For many their first response is to ridicule and then, alarmingly, they begin to plan to assassinate preachers of the Word of God. However, despite the enemy’s best efforts to use these lost souls as ambassadors of hatred, they become so convicted of their need of salvation by the Holy Spirit and the preaching of God’s Word that they are unable to fulfill their murder assignments. I see many on their knees weeping and receiving personal salvation and deliverance.

In other cases I see people with weapons coming to meetings with the intention to cause harm, but their murderous plans are exposed by the Holy Spirit through the word of knowledge to the preachers and intercessory teams, and once again, many are brought into personal relationship with the Lord. These dear ones are like “Saul”; those who once persecuted the Gospel, but upon conversion they become powerfully anointed to preach the Gospel and win whole communities to Christ. In the heavenly realms I witness angels battling against evil demonic forces so that righteousness can rain down and salvation spring up from the earth. Glory to God!

I hear the Spirit of the Lord say, “There will be revival in the townships, but it will take a people impassioned and emboldened by the compassion of Christ. It will take a league of servant leaders willing to surrender all to Christ and lay down their agendas to take up Heaven’s agenda to see revival come to South Africa.”

I see a table and around it are represented many nations— “the League of Nations” is what I hear the Spirit saying. “Many nations and many representatives from around the world will come again and sit round the table in South Africa. There is a convergence that will take place in South Africa that will shake the heavens and the earth.” I believe this has a double-edged governmental outworking—in the natural as world leaders gather, and also in the spiritual as the Kingdom of God invades earth.

Dread Champions of Faith Arise

“From Cape Town to Johannesburg I am calling forth dread champions of faith,” says the Lord. “I am going to sweep through this land with fire from Heaven, and the destiny of this nation shall come forth refined in holy fire. I am re-establishing My rule and reign in South Africa and I will pour out healings, signs and wonders even as I call multitudes into My Kingdom. I am going to pour out My miracle-working love and power and destroy the yokes of drug addiction, alcoholism, violence and prostitution,” says the Lord.

“The children of South Africa have not been forgotten by their heavenly Father, for many have cried out for deliverance on behalf of the children and I am coming with My presence and My holy fire to touch lips, to sanctify hearts and to commission a new generation—an apostolic company of Believers in South Africa. The market place and the church-based ministries must learn to work together, so that the fullness of My resource and blessing can be released into the nations.

“South Africa, I have loved you with an everlasting love, and I call you forth to be a nation who will pray, a nation who will evangelise, and a nation who will work out the Great Commission in fear and trembling before Me, for I am a holy God and a God of holy love.”

First USA Swine Flu Death Confirmed

Article from here, 29th April 2009

“WASHINGTON – The first U.S. death from swine flu has been confirmed — a 23-month-old child in Texas — amid increasing global anxiety over a health menace that authorities around the world are struggling to contain.

The flu death was confirmed Wednesday by Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an interview with CNN, he gave no other details about the child.

Germany, which confirmed three cases Wednesday, is the latest country affected.

The world has no vaccine to prevent infection but U.S. health officials aim to have a key ingredient for one ready in early May, the big step that vaccine manufacturers are awaiting. But even if the World Health Organization ordered up emergency vaccine supplies — and that decision hasn’t been made yet — it would take at least two more months to produce the initial shots needed for human safety testing.

“We’re working together at 100 miles an hour to get material that will be useful,” Dr. Jesse Goodman, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration’s swine flu work, told The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, health authorities are preparing for the worst. “I fully expect we will see deaths from this infection,” said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. is shipping to states not only enough anti-flu medication for 11 million people, but also masks, hospital supplies and flu test kits. President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to help build more drug stockpiles and monitor future cases, as well as help international efforts to avoid a full-fledged pandemic.

“It’s a very serious possibility, but it is still too early to say that this is inevitable,” the WHO’s flu chief, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, told a telephone news conference.

Cuba and Argentina banned flights to Mexico, where swine flu is suspected of killing more than 150 people and sickening well over 2,000. In a bit of good news, Mexico’s health secretary, Jose Cordova, late Tuesday called the death toll there “more or less stable.”

Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities, has taken drastic steps to curb the virus’ spread, starting with shutting down schools and on Tuesday expanding closures to gyms and swimming pools and even telling restaurants to limit service to takeout. People who venture out tend to wear masks in hopes of protection.

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States rose to 66 in six states, with 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, but cities and states suspected more. In New York, the city’s health commissioner said “many hundreds” of schoolchildren were ill at a school where some students had confirmed cases.

New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Britain, Canada and now Germany have also reported cases.

The WHO argues against closing borders to stem the spread, and the U.S. — although checking arriving travelers for the ill who may need care — agrees it’s too late for that tactic.

“Sealing a border as an approach to containment is something that has been discussed and it was our planning assumption should an outbreak of a new strain of influenza occur overseas. We had plans for trying to swoop in and knockout or quench an outbreak if it were occurring far from our borders. That’s not the case here,” Besser told a telephone briefing of Nevada-based health providers and reporters. “The idea of trying to limit the spread to Mexico is not realistic or at all possible.”

“Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work,” WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in Geneva, recalling the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade that killed 774 people, mostly in Asia, and slowed the global economy.

Authorities sought to keep the crisis in context: Flu deaths are common around the world. In the U.S. alone, the CDC says about 36,000 people a year die of flu-related causes. Still, the CDC calls the new strain a combination of pig, bird and human viruses for which people may have limited natural immunity.

Hence the need for a vaccine. Using samples of the flu taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that could trigger the immune system without causing illness. The hope is to get that ingredient — called a “reference strain” in vaccine jargon — to manufacturers around the second week of May, so they can begin their own laborious production work, said CDC’s Dr. Ruben Donis, who is leading that effort.

Vaccine manufacturers are just beginning production for next winter’s regular influenza vaccine, which protects against three human flu strains. The WHO wants them to stay with that course for now — it won’t call for mass production of a swine flu vaccine unless the outbreak worsens globally. But sometimes new flu strains pop up briefly at the end of one flu season and go away only to re-emerge the next fall, and at the very least there should be a vaccine in time for next winter’s flu season, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institutes of Health’s infectious diseases chief, said Tuesday.

“Right now it’s moving very rapidly,” he said of the vaccine development.”

Accusations fly about attempts to convert Barack Obama’s grandmother, Sarah

Article from here, 29th April 2009

“A row is simmering between the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in western Kenya and Muslims in the country over reported attempts to convert to Christianity Sarah Obama, the grandmother of US President Barack Obama – writes Fredrick Nzwili.

“We had invited her to grace our meeting in Kisumu which was to mark the end of a three-week convention, but although she had prepared, she did not attend,” Lewis Ondiek, SDA central Nyanza executive director, told Ecumenical News International.

Some members of her family had stopped Sarah Obama from attending the service, which was led by an Australian evangelist, John Jeremic. Apart from stating that she is a Muslim, they said she had a knee complication and that they could not guarantee her safety.

The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya secretary, Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa said, “Mama Sarah should not be forced by anybody to join Christianity since she is a Muslim. Conversion must take place in a voluntary manner.” He said, “Muslims will not sit and watch one of their own being coerced by some religious leaders to convert to Christianity.”

The 87-year-old Obama captured the media spotlight in the remote, mainly Christian village of Kogelo, in western Kenya, soon after Barack Obama was elected US president in November 2008. She is widely sought after to preside over occasions because of her new status.

“Mama Sarah had assured us that she was converting, and we were ready to baptise her today, but it seems her family has prevailed upon her,” Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper had quoted SDA Pastor Tom Obuya as saying on 19 April 2009.

Sarah Obama is the third wife of Obama’s paternal grandfather.

Barack Obama is the son of a Kenyan father and American mother who met at a university in Hawaii. He was born in 1961, but his parents split up when he was two. His father returned to Kenya where he worked after independence in the administration of Kenya’s founding president Jomo Kenyatta, while his mother settled with Barack and a new partner in Indonesia. Barack Obama had little contact with his father’s family after his parents divorced.

The son of Sarah Obama, Saidi Obama, said, “She would have attracted unnecessary attention, which is not good for her.”

Some SDA leaders had denied they wanted to convert Sarah Obama.

A number of protesting Muslims leaders in the country have sought state intervention, warning of a religious stand-off. Some of the leaders raised questions about Christians being interested in her because she is now seen as influential and richer.”