No. 1 in self-esteem

[Яромip]

I am going to say something very unpopular so those who are overly christian please look the other way.

Pre-determination dogma was added in effort to re-judify christianity. I think a considerable protestan deviations occured exactly for that purpose.

Early new world settlers (puritans) were no really Christians, they were Noahidians ("gentile jews"). They claimed to be the 13th "lost" tribe of the Israelites and called their women "daugters of zion"(a fact you can verify for yourself if you read early literature like "Moby Dick").

The effort to erode the line between Christianity and Judaism continues to this day.

As for wealth being a sign of special status from god, it is alive and well in USA. To my amazement US poor side with US rich against other US poor.

For example, most people I meet are anti-union and when they see a strike("Zabastovka" in russian) they will curse at the workers and say that they are "lazy" or other such things.

In general, USA population worships wealth and wealthy people, to the point where the wealthy can do no wrong. After all, they are the god's chosen!

Of course in USA, like in most other places, much of the wealth is owned by the jews. Yet again, eroding the Christian/Jewish line.

[Vladimir the Solidarist]

People with lots of time on their hands and lots of issues will come up with anything.

[White Cossack]

There is this anedocte told by a historician regarding Calvinists. He says they did not leave Englad out of persecution, but rather because they were not allowed to persecute others. That sums it up. Right in the nail.

[Utobach]

The Czechs need to get off their aimless apathetic artsy asses and get some vitality into their life. DEAD last among the Slavs AND whites in general, I am very sad to see that.

[Utobach]

Oh, and congrats to the Serbs. Spirit is still not dead despite the setbacks!

[demokrat]

I admire the Serbs, really!

[ryanmoreau]

Oct 25, 2005 7:50:01 GMT -5 Яромip said:

Holy Gospel teaches: meekness is to be praised not vanity.

Is that why churches are adorned with colorful art-works(icones, color windows, ceiling paintings...etc) and ecrusted with gold?

I am very much pro-Humility, I just see little of it in the church.

You know that the Roman Catholic Church is the little horn  described in book of Daniel (in the old testament - also the first beast in Revelation) . You know that all the protastant reformers called them the Roman Church State the Anti-christ. History is been rewritten, people are saying everyone lets be one, but God calls His people to be separate. Revelation chapter 18 calls us to come out of Babylon.

There are very little people today who follow Jesus, and love him ( if they loved him they would keep his Commandments John 14:15). That is why Jesus says, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity"
so if people are not keeping the law of God, Jesus will deny him before the angels and God.

Remember works don't save us, salvation is a gift received through true repentance. If our repentance is genuine, we will en-devour to keep God's Law, the whole Law.

Matthew 5:
5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

God bless

[ryanmoreau]

Oct 27, 2005 12:37:07 GMT -5 DmitrySlavist said:

yaromir said:

;D

Lutheranism does seem to be obsessed with wealth hoarding, so you are probably right.

Right on target - Protestantism is all about hoarding. Luther's dogma was that the only mean of salvation was "justifiation by faith" or sola fide.
This means that its not good works or fear of sin, but mainly faith and reading scripture which would lead to salvation. But at least he still allowed for good works.
The end result was that charity was ignored for personal enrichment.

The worst kind is the Calvinist doctrine, leftovers of which still are mainstream in USA. Basically it states that no good works are necessary, because God chooses his people before birth , so called "elect". Calvin believed that faith and "godly living" would confirm the "elect" status. He also said that majority of humans were doomed to hell before birth.

Also Calvinists were obsessed with stopping any possible sin and merriment. During Oliver Cromwell's rule in Britain, Calvinist Puritans banned plays, tennis and football.
Initially, Calvin didnt explicitly say that wealth is proof of being "elected" by God. Later, almost all Calvinist factions emphasized wealth and hard work as definite signs that they would go to heaven. Naturally, the religion greatly attrated the rich and upper bourgeouisie

Calvinist churches were very strong in Holland, Switzerland, Scotland, France, US and even Poland.
Now theyre mainly on decline, but the harmful, snobby Puritan mentality remains in US society.
Still mechanical attitude towards human behaviour while ignoring universal human qualities. Still contempt and hatred of the poor (and poor countries).
Still the snobby belief that America was chosen by God, to teach others how to live and be a "shining city on the hill" (straight from Reagan's speech).

What do you think about Calvinism?

Salvation by faith yes, but if you will get judged on your works, if your faith is true, you will keep the Law, i.e not sin - and if we do sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Look at the church in Acts, in this end time we will see a returning to simple and basic faith.

America is actually the second beast in Revelation, who will give power back to the first beast (the roman catholic church state). Dreadful will the days that follow when they return to power, just look at the dark ages.