Religion News

CHICAGO — When it comes to saving lives, God trumps doctors for many Americans.

An eye-opening survey reveals widespread belief that divine intervention can revive dying patients. And, researchers said, doctors "need to be prepared to deal with families who are waiting for a miracle."

More than half of randomly surveyed adults — 57 percent — said God's intervention could save a family member even if physicians declared treatment would be futile. And nearly three-fourths said patients have a right to such treatment.

When asked to imagine their own relatives being gravely ill or injured, nearly 20 percent of doctors and other medical workers said God could reverse a hopeless outcome.

"Sensitivity to this belief will promote development of a trusting relationship" with patients and their families, according to researchers.

That trust, they said, is needed to help doctors explain objective, overwhelming scientific evidence showing that continued treatment would be worthless.

Pat Loder, a Milford, Mich., woman whose two young children were killed in a 1991 car crash, said she clung to a belief that God would intervene when things looked hopeless.

"When you're a parent and you're standing over the body of your child who you think is dying ... you have to have that" belief, Loder said.

While doctors should be prepared to deal with those beliefs, they also shouldn't "sugarcoat" the truth about a patient's condition, Loder said.

Loder was not involved in the survey, which appeared in Monday's Archives of Surgery.

It involved 1,000 U.S. adults randomly selected to answer questions by telephone about their views on end-of-life medical care. They were surveyed in 2005, along with 774 doctors, nurses and other medical workers who responded by mail.

Survey questions mostly dealt with untimely deaths from trauma such as accidents and violence. Dr. Lenworth Jacobs, trauma chief at Hartford Hospital, was the lead author.

Jacobs said he frequently meets people who think God will save their dying loved one and who want medical procedures to continue.

"You can't say, 'That's nonsense.' You have to respect that" and try to show them X-rays, CAT scans and other evidence indicating death is near, he said.

Rev. Timothy Wright Critically Injured After Tragic Car Accident

www.streamingfaith.com

Rev. Timothy Wright, pastor of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in New York City who has released a number of gospel recordings, was critically injured in a crash in central Pennsylvania that killed his wife and the wrong-way driver who hit their vehicle.

Wright, 61, was injured Friday night along with his 14-year-old grandson, D.J. Wright, who later died due to injuries.

Both were taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

The accident killed Betty Wright, 58, of Roosevelt, N.Y. and John Pick, the driver of the wrong-way car.

Leroy Johnson, a trustee at Grace Tabernacle, said the Wrights were returning from a Church of God in Christ conference in Detroit.

Our entire family here at Streaming Faith would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the Wright family! May the peace of God rule and reign with you during this time.

Comment here.

Dominica Correspondent 04.JUL.08
canewsonline.com

A prominent radio DJ turned born-again Christian is raising the alarm over the performance of popular reggae artist Mavado, scheduled for this weekend.

In an article publication DJ Alfy raises concern about the current social trend of Dominican youth due to various media and other influences.

“This article’s main objective is to seek to explain how our youth are targeted by the violent lyrical contents of the artists they seek to emulate. As a DJ with over 15 years of experience, I can say without fear of contradiction that many youths are attracted to songs based primarily on the rhythmic beat and not on the lyrics. Artists are aware of this factor, therefore those with a message to “preach” use the beat as the vehicle to capture the audience. One such artist with very catchy beats is the Jamaican artist Mavado, who’s real name is David Constantine Brooks. Mavado, whose latest album entitled “Gangster for Life” (released in 2007) is scheduled to perform in Dominica in July 2008.”

Alfy states in his article that one of Mavado’s trends is his propensity for using popular church songs in order to capture the ears of our youth, but changing around the lyrics in order to preach his own message. A typical example is the popular church song entitled “I am under the Rock.” Mavado has changed the word “Under” to “On”, as he chants: “I am on the rock.” The chorus continues: “I am on the rock; go tell my enemy, I am on the rock, Selassi guide me, and a me them cyaaa stop, I will never look back.”

According to Dj Alfy the biblical reference on which the Christian song “I am under the Rock” is based is 1 Corinthians 10:4 which states that the children of Israel “Drank water from the Spiritual Rock that accompanied them, and that Rock was Christ.” Since many Caribbean contemporary songs tend to convey lyrics of double-meaning, many impressionable minds have interpreted Mavado’s inference to “I am on the rock, higher than I and I” as literally meaning “I am high on crack” since “rock” is one of the street names for crack cocaine. Thus, the song is seen by many as a clear glorification of crack cocaine by a musical icon that they seek to emulate.

“In the intro of the song, the fourth line states: “My name is excellent.” This expression is deemed by many pundits as being blasphemous since Almighty God is the only one whose name is excellent. One therefore wonders who’s name is excellent. Is it Mavado’s, or is it someone else’s? In Matt.12:32 the bible clearly states that anyone who speaks blasphemously against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,” Alfy wrote.

“Another popular church song which Mavado has rearranged is the cherished hymn “Amazing Grace.” But in characteristic fashion he has twisted it into a “Gun tune”. The chorus of his rendition states: “Amazing grace, shot fly tru face, the bwoy dem a trace, shoot up dem base, have the K’s (AK47 assault rifle) dem in case, dem try fi escape, none cyaa escape, when me gun blaze.” The violent content of the song is self-evident. Interestingly, our Minister for national security spoke recently of holding consultations to explore the imposition of stiffer penalties on persons having illegal firearms and ammunitions in their possession, yet we are bringing in an artist whose message is a clear undiluted glorification of the very gun culture that we are trying to put a stop to,” he added.

The verses of Mavado’s “Amazing Grace” rendition are even more graphical. As a parent, I find the contents very disturbing. Indeed, all parents should, because when shots start flying, it is the safety of our children that we first worry about.

Now some might argue that an artist has the right to freedom of speech. Sure, by all means we have the right to our own opinion, and we also have the right to express our opinion in the form of song. However, we must keep in mind the well known axiom that “Word take on flesh.” Two of hip-hop’s biggest artists: Notorious BIG and Tu-Pac both lived and died victims of the violent songs they sang about. One therefore wonders whether we have learnt anything from their mistakes.

Mel Cooke of the April 27, 2008 edition of the Jamaican Gleaner wrote: “Mavado’s often violently graphic lyrics deemed in various quarters as just about the closest thing to Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses.”

In an effort to protect the young impressionable minds of its citizens, some Caribbean governments have taken proactive action by banning artists with such violent lyrical contents from performing on their shores.

In January 2008, the Trinidad Express blamed the music of Mavado for the stabbing of a student. As a result of this, some DJs in Trinidad & Tobago have reportedly refused to play his music.

In an editorial in Barbados’ premiere newspaper The Nation, Mr. Haynes, one of the island’s leading reporters called for all radio stations to ban Mavado’s music.

At a press conference held in Georgetown Guyana on 28th April 2008, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told reporters that Mavado is seen as a security risk to the country. The decision to blacklist the Jamaican was taken by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration after careful consideration of their track record, reported Radio Jamaica.

As for how such actions will impact on Mavado’s career, Jones-Griffiths, Mavado’s manager said in the Jamaica Star that “This type of action does not do anything to cease Mavado’s momentum and popularity, if anything, it just adds to his legend.”

Artists are clearly using the violent lyrical contents of their songs to lure youths into deviant practices, and are using publicity concerns from media as a step-up tool for gaining popularity. I believe that it is absolutely hypocritical for us to lament the proliferation of crimes, drugs and violence in our country while we open our front doors wide to persons who glamorize these heinous activities.

Food for thought: 1 Corinthians 10:21 clearly says that: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

Let me reiterate that this article is not meant to condemn anyone, but to educate and enlighten us. Knowledge is power. As the WCK song says, “Either you In, or either you Out.” The choice is yours. May God grant you wisdom to choose wisely. God’s blessings on all."Comment here.

Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Vote?

Because they're representatives of God's heavenly kingdom.
By Jacob Leibenluft
Posted Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 6:39 PM ET

Serena Williams

Serena Williams told reporters at Wimbledon on Wednesday that she's excited about Barack Obama's candidacy but won't vote for him because Jehovah's Witnesses "don't get involved in politics." Her sister Venus—who is also a Jehovah's Witness—wouldn't even comment on the presidential election. Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses vote?

Because of John 17:14 and other passages in the Bible. In that verse, Jesus says of his followers: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." Jehovah's Witnesses have interpreted that statement as a call to remain neutral in all political matters. (In some of the sect's literature, members are described as "representatives of God's heavenly kingdom"; they are thus obligated to stay out of local political affairs in keeping with the behavior of ambassadors.) Witnesses also refrain from serving in the military, running for public office, and pledging allegiance to the flag.

Voting is not expressly prohibited, but it is discouraged. The Watchtower, the official publication of the Jehovah's Witnesses, ran an article in 1999 suggesting that the decision whether to vote was one of personal conscience, although it carefully laid out reasons for staying out of the voting booth. In reference to countries that require all citizens to show up at the ballot box, the Watchtower has explained that "[w]here Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote … [Jehovah's Witnesses] can go to the polls and enter the voting booths," but the Watchtower did not specify what Witnesses should do with the ballot itself. According to some, the requirement for political neutrality led to the violent persecution of Witnesses in Malawi during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when adherents refused to register with the ruling Congress Party.

National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Incident Report
(23rd June 2008)

Clergyman assaulted in Ampara
Methodist Church
Ampara District

On the evening of 23rd June 2008, at about 4.40 pm, the minister from the Methodist Church in Ampara (Eastern Province) was returning from a cell group meeting in Uhana when he was accosted by three men. They asked him to accompany them to a house claiming they were people there who wished to become Christians.

Sensing it was a trap, the minister requested that they come to the Church to talk to him if they wished to know more about Christianity. The three men then beat him up, threatening him not to return to that village. It is reported that the three men are Gramarakshaka Niladhari (Home Guards). The injured clergyman is receiving treatment at the Ampara hospital.

This attack comes just four months after a Home Guard in uniform shot dead Pastor Neil Edirisinghe on the 17th of February, also in Ampara. The gunman also shot the Pastor's wife, leaving her critically injured. The accused remains in custody and Court proceedings are continuing. The next hearing is scheduled for today (24th June).

Please uphold the injured minister, his family and the Christian community in Ampara in prayer. Please also pray for the court proceedings on the murder of Pastor Neil and for the recovery of his widow.
--------------------------
24/06/2008 NCEASL

More Christians Arrested; Imprisoned Pastors may Face Treason Charges in Eritrea

(christiansunite.com) - Police raided a private home and jailed 25 Christians who had gathered in Adi Kuala on Eritrea's Independence Day on May 24 to pray for their nation, according to a May 27 report from Compass Direct. Twenty men and five women meeting in a Christian's home were taken into custody. All are members of the local Medhane-Alem group, a renewal movement within the Eritrean Orthodox Church. They are now being held in a police station in the town which is about 90 km southwest of the capital city of Asmara.

Two separate groups of Christian prisoners held in detention for the past three months have been reportedly released recently. Ten members of the Church of the Living God, a breakaway group from the Eritrean Orthodox Church, were set free after three months' detention in the Mendefera police station. Another 15 members of the Kale-Hiwot Church who had been held in the Keren police station were also released. All the discharged prisoners were forced to pay 80,000 nakfa ($5,330) per person as bail. When they were set free, authorities strictly warned them against involvement in any Christian activities in the future. Some were forced to surrender property deeds as bond, in order to secure the steep bail demands.

The Compass report also indicated that the Eritrean government plans to press formal charges of treason against several pastors jailed for the past four years. Relatives and church members of the long-jailed pastors are experiencing "great anxiety" over these unconfirmed reports. Official conviction for treason carries the death penalty in Eritrea. Three of the most prominent pastors -- Full Gospel Church leaders Haile Naizghi and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel, together with Tesfatsion Hagos of the Rema Evangelical Church -- have been imprisoned incommunicado for the past four years.

Pray for the release of those in prison for the sake of Christ. Ask God to sustain by His grace the pastors and their loved ones as they face continued suffering (1 Peter 5:12).

For more information on the persecution facing Eritrean Christians, go to www.persecution.net/country/eritrea.htm.

Women's Conference

Burma : Global Day of Prayer – 9 March 2008

The people of Burma have suffered internal warfare and military oppression for more than 30 years. After decades under a brutal military regime, a widespread movement towards democracy culminated in the massacre of thousands of demonstrators in the late 1980's. The demonstrations of 2007 were put down brutally and the war against the ethnic peoples continues. More than 50% of the national budget is being spent on arms, while the Burmese people slide deeper into poverty. Most of the world's heroin comes from Burma. Once one of the richest countries in Asia, Burma is now one of the poorest in the world – and has one of the worst human rights records.

An estimated 7% of the Burmese people are Christian, largely among ethnic minorities. Religious differences are being used to stir up internal divisions and hatred. Persecution is widespread and includes ethnic minorities as well as majority Burmans.

In spite of oppression, the people of Burma have not given up. They need prayer, immediate protection, humanitarian assistance and support for their pro-democracy organizations.

Please join the global initiative to pray for Burma on March 9, 2008

· Pray for an end to the atrocities in Burma. From someone in Burma: ‘My mother and I were captured when I was 5 years old. For a whole day they dragged us through the jungle without any food and water. Then they let us go. After that happened I was always afraid. It did not go away until I turned 12.'

· Pray for the emergence of an open society and religious freedom for all peoples of Burma.

· Pray for love and understanding among all the peoples of Burma.

· Pray that the Church will be faithful in opportunities to stand for love and truth, to love even their enemies and to pray for them.

· Pray for people on both sides of the conflict – for God's love to become a reality and that they may receive eternal life from Him.

· Pray for the relief teams in Burma – for their protection, for courage, for provision on every level, so that they may be able to help Burmese refugees effectively. Even relief workers are being captured, tortured and killed. Pray for Christian relief workers to share the love of Christ with all they meet.

Please consider dedicating regular time to pray for Burma, forming prayer groups. Let us together cry out to God for this nation!

Source: Christians Concerned for Burma publication, ccb@pobox.com

Note. The new name politically of the country is Myanmar, but the indigenous people seem to prefer the old name Burma.

Dominica: The Caribbean's Next “Terror Island”?

In 1983, while aboard a New York subway, I noticed someone reading that day's issue of the New York Post . The front page headline screamed, “YANKS INVADE TERROR ISLAND.” It was early on in the Reagan administration and the U.S. had just militarily intervened in the Caribbean nation of Grenada, ending the island's short-lived socialist experiment. The landing was based on the pretext that the Reagan administration had suspected that the new commercial airport—which Cuban laborers were aiding Grenada to construct on the island—actually would be used to transport Cuban troops to fight alongside African revolutionaries. Today, another Caribbean nation, Dominica, has been forging links with leftist Cuba and Venezuela. Authorities on that small Caribbean island had better watch out, or they may be presiding over this generation's “Terror Island,” but this time the name of the island is Dominica.

A tiny nation of 133 square miles whose population could barely fill the Rose Bowl, Grenada had posed no strategic threat to the U.S. But Maurice Bishop of the leftist New Jewel Movement, which had ruled Grenada since 1979, had become positively irksome to Washington. Inspired at least as much by Bob Marley as by Karl Marx, Bishop, a young LSE graduate and an island intellectual and visionary, had embarked on an ambitious social and economic program aimed at diversifying agriculture, developing cooperatives, and creating an agro-industrial base that was leading to a reduction in food imports. Bishop also established a free health service and secondary education system, resulting in a markedly higher literacy rate on the island.

The Reagan administration sought to halt the New Jewel Movement in its tracks: economic assistance more

Former sister in Christ murdered

BVI News Online 10.FEB.08
A week after the murder of 35-year-old mother of two Donna Baronville, police are yet to establish a motive or arrest anyone for the killing - and a senior police officer said “very few” persons have come forward with information.

Meanwhile a post mortem conducted on Friday confirmed that Baronville died of multiple gunshot wounds [More details of the autopsy will be released later].

In an interview with BVI News Online, Detective Tom Murray said police is appealing to anyone who saw Baronville between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4, to contact the police.

“We are still trying to piece together her movements that evening,” Murray said.

Baronville was shot to death on the balcony of her apartment at Eliott Hodge apartments in Freebottom at about 10 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4, police said. Her husband and two children were inside the apartment at the time; no one else was injured during the incident, police said.

Baronville is originally from Trinidad but has lived in the BVI for a number of years, police said. She was an employee of Caribbean Insurers in Road Town.

Murray told BVI News that police are keeping an open mind as to the motive and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, saw anything suspicious in the area of the apartments or has any information that might assist the investigation to come forward and inform their local police or contact the confidential hotline 1 800 744 8477.

“We are still keeping our options open as what the motives are… as to why anyone would want to kill Donna,” he said.

When asked if police are confident of solving this case – the first murder of 2008 – Murray said: “I don't know. Obviously I am always optimistic about what will happen but we can't really say at this time.”

Murray said “very few” persons have come forward from the area to assist the police in the investigations, though the incident took place in a close-knit residential area. more

>Pastor shot dead in Guyana at the end of CrusadeTuesday, December 4, 2007

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2008