Yes, it’s that time of year again, the time when the debate is renewed among professing Christians whether or not to have anything to do with Halloween. Opinions range from seeing Halloween as harmless to seeing it as an opportunity to reach the lost with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The latter opinion sounds good and seems to be the preferred choice, but I still believe that complete separation from such a pagan religious day is in order.
In the Bible, particularly in the book of Acts, we come across three occult encounters that are important in developing our attitude and actions towards the occult, and, therefore, toward Halloween. First, in Acts 13:6, the Apostle Paul runs into a sorcerer by the name of Barjesus. This sorcerer opposed the preaching of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul’s evaluation of him is found in Acts 13:10, “And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”
Then in Acts 16, a damsel “possessed with a spirit of divination” (v. 16) began to “help” the Apostle Paul and his missionary party proclaim the good news of God. Such help was not appreciated nor needed: God’s servants do not need the help of the Devil and his kind. By the power of God, the damsel was delivered from the spirit of divination (fortune-telling). This act of deliverance got the apostles into a lot of trouble with those who made a profit from her fortune-telling.
Finally, Acts 19 tells how the inhabitants of Ephesus have received the gospel at the hands of the Apostle Paul. Many are converted and now look what they are doing: they are having a bonfire! Why? “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:19-20). “Curious arts”? They took their books on magic, witchcraft, occult practices, tarot cards, etc. and burned them. I wonder: if something like this occurred today in our city, would not Harry Potter, the Twilight books, and many others be burned to ashes?
The question remains: have occult practices changed much since Bible times? Talk to a witch, a person who is into Wicca, a Satanist, a pagan, and see what they think about one of their most dark holy days: Halloween! They laugh at our gullibility and stupidity when it comes to participating in this dark holy day. What can we learn from the historical examples given from the book of Acts? God’s messengers did not have anything to do with the occult, but actually opposed such works of darkness by the Word of God, by the shed blood of Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything less than that for those of us who are Christians today is compromise, and we are giving place to the Devil to have a foothold in our lives. And this ought not to be for a person who names the name of Christ.
Pastor Tom Newton
Calvary Baptist Church
(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)
I view halloween as an amusing convergence of: occult symbolism from various sources, ritualised group behaviour and a decided agenda of personal material gain for the promoters and shapers of the concept. Sound familiar?
Certainly Halloween has become a big business, as has elements of Christmas. I don’t really see the kids glorifying or understanding the occult, but just like computer games, we are increasing the gore and changing sensitivity..
I still cannot believe Pastor Newton is still given a forum to speak. Even the right wing Freeholder stopped publishing his racist narrow minded ramblings. Guess what Pastor? No one wants to hear you quote from your book of B.S. We are living in the REAL world not one made up by men of ignorance 2 thousand years ago and by the way i’m sick and tired of every time i go to a Cornwall event you are there trying to hand me your pamphlet of backward views.
Hilarious as always. {self moderated}
Pastor Tom: You have an opinion, you have a right to your opinion, I would defend to the death your right to your opinion, though I don’t necessarily agree with your opinion! To hell with the religious understandings for Halloween! It’s the children who are important and they don’t give a damn about your opinions……just the candies and chips they collect!
Weird how people who don’t think the pastor should have a forum still take the time to read his writings….
Our Mission and Vision statements are right here. http://cornwallfreenews.com/mission-statement-contact-us/
Mission Statement
CFN is an online newspaper whose Mission is to give voice to the many who’d never have an opportunity to have a voice whether via op-ed, letters, or comments on stories.
To be non-partisan and allow voices to be heard even though our ownership, editors, staff, sponsors, and viewers may not always agree with them.
For people to have voice, but still do so in a safe manner although they may be challenged strongly for those opinions.
And that by creating a forum to share unfiltered news and opinions that we may as a society speak to each other and exchange ideas that can lead to growth of our culture, community and society in a positive manner and show people that they do count; their voices do count, and that anyone can change their world.
I’m really glad that my god doesn’t have a hate on for most of humanity. My god just wants us all to get along and have fun. A simple repast of pasta (gluten-free or otherwise) with a dollop of sauce and a sprinkle of cheese is our blessed sacrament. Halloween trick-or-treating and costumes, especially pirate costumes, are considered to be fun and harmless by the only true god… The Flying Spaghetti Monster! Seek ye The Flying Spaghetti Monster, and ye shall have fun!
Since most people really do not know the origins of Halloween (and probably don’t care) and many scholars are split between paganism and Christianity for roots why not simply enjoy it ! Being Irish I say treat Halloween like St. Patrick’s Day and have everybody join.
Well Stephanie guess what? I no longer read his commentaries anymore because i know exactly what he is going to say. As for defending his right to free speech, i will not defend anyone who’s “free speech” is actually hate speech. That is the difference here, someone who is bigoted and intolerant should not be given a news forum to promote their hatred and self righteousness. It’s bad enough he pickets public events that he doesn’t agree with telling people they are “sinners” and they are going to hell. Why don’t you Pastor just mind your own business and leave people alone to live their lives without having you to tell them how they don’t live up to your standards?
Patrick – look “who is bigoted and intolerant”.
David writes – “many scholars are split between paganism and Christianity for roots”. The Word of God is very clear on this matter, especially when it comes to those who practice such “curious arts”. Gal 5:19- 21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
On the authority of the Word of God such that practice “Witchcraft” will not go to heaven, but to HELL, if they do not repent of such wicked, demonic works. And even now as they practice such fleshly sins such is the case – John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”.
This isn’t suppose to be a podium of hate, it’s meant to be a safe place to express ones opinion. I myself do not agree with the pastors message, and obviously there’s others out there who feel the same. But where does that give you the right to cross the line and disrespect a man who is merely expressing what he truly believes?
There you go again Pastor, you have nothing real to say only quoting bible verses. Good and evil are not entities but what we do. Why don’t you try and actually use your own words when arguing a point. You cannot see past your imaginary deity and therefore the hell you speak of lives in you. You are obviously too far gone to see the facts and reality that are staring you in the face and so you will continue on your self righteous crusade of myths and imagination. Witchcraft? That is just as real as heaven, hell the devil or god. People who practice the belief in all these thins are just wasting their time. The funny thing is you have not retorted what i said about you earlier. After all the truth is found in facts and tangible evidence not a man made book that has been written by word of mouth stories 70-100years after they supposedly taken place then re-written and edited dozens of times over the next 2 thousand years to fit those agendas in power. Quoting your word of god is nothing more than quoting from the ignorance of those who had their hand in editing the bible to their own agenda.
@Cornwallman. Have you read this mans bigoted views? Over the last several years he has repeatedly promoted hate and intolerance by using scripture as evidence and reason for doing so. I have nothing but contempt for this kind of hate speech and intimidation. Not just this ridiculous article but his overall “preachings” throughout the years. Disrespect? I give no respect to anyone who would spread so much hate and intolerance.
Patrick I think we have to learn to use words better. Promoting hatred is against the law. To my knowledge Pastor Tom has never been charged with that. He has beliefs based on the bible. I don’t agree with many of his; but that doesn’t mean they are hatred.
According to Pastor Tom’s belief’s I’m headed to the same spot that many complain and suggest he hates. Tolerance is for all; not just those we agree with or are sympathetic to.
Pastor Tom wrote in a LTE. It was clean, professional and as our Mission Statement clearly states. While it’s great to challenge any belief people have to learn to understand the words that they use and how they use them.
Tolerance is something that is truly hard to live up to. It’s a challenge. I’d like to think that CFN is a tolerant place.
Thanks for your comments and viewership,
j
I hear what you are saying about freedom of speech and although this particular rant of his was not his usual M.O. it leads down a slippery slope that the Standard Freeholder knows all to well. For years his letters to the editor were full of hate and intolerance towards others and their beliefs and it led to a flame war between him and other readers. I don’t blame you for publishing his letter but i’m more upset that he is once again using a public forum to promote lies and silly superstition. Extremists are too often the loudest in expressing their views and in many cases people who aren’t well informed take these words as fact which in turn leads to the manifestation of ignorance.
I hear you Patrick. Just remember that when someone is striking another which do we notice more? The victim or the person striking?
Victims are unfortunately quickly forgotten, it’s those that are the perpetrators are too often sensationalized.
@ Patrick. No religious fanatic will admit to being bigoted, intolerant or hateful. Every one of them will say that he/she is simply interpreting and passing on the “word” of whichever god they chose, no mater how bigoted, intolerant or hateful the message may be. They will always hide behind the old “Don’t shoot the messenger” line.
“Extremists are too often the loudest in expressing their views…” – did you ever think of applying this to yourself Patrick?
I’m not the one promoting hate and intolerance “Pastor” you are. You have been for years now. I’ve read your ramblings and i’ve seen you at Lameroux Park and your antics there. You may think the many that walk by are ignoring you but we’ve come to learn what you really preach.
All Hail Religion..it gives us Pastor Tom AND a catholic church that despite all the NEW rhetoric throws a priest out of St Joes Oratory
from The Canadian Press
A Roman Catholic priest says his attempt to raise the issue of sexual abuse with colleagues resulted in his being ostracized and eventually fired from a Montreal basilica.
The story told by Rev. André Samson suggests that the Vatican’s promises of a new, more open approach to dealing with sexual crimes has not necessarily translated through the church rank-and file.
Samson says his troubles at St. Joseph’s Oratory began in June, when a distraught young man confided in him about being sexually assaulted by a priest from another parish.
He says he now wants to go public about what happened next, to break the “code of silence” he says endures in an era when Pope Francis is taking concrete steps to increase transparency about sexual violence and crack down on guilty priests
It was the Roman Catholic church that christianized the day of the dead – Halloween. And then All Souls Day! This is the RC church normal practice through out history – can’t convert the pagans, christianize their dark holy days, and give them Christian names in order that the pagans will worship the waffle god – the Sun god incarnate. How holy!
And so, StopDrone/strikes what dirt do you have one me? Or are just painting with a broad anti-religious brush? My doctrine is Biblically sound – historic independent Baptist. I have only been arrested once, and that was last year for expressing my freedom of speech in a public park. Which I might say, was dismissed. The prosecuted did not want to go around with possible Charter rights violation. I have never been in jail, nor indicted for a crime. May be we need to search history a bit? When was the last time Baptist put anyone to death – Salem Witch trials? I don’t thing so! but I was not there anyway. So I do object of being lumped into the pro-pedophile RC priests, for sure. You can do better than that, can’t you?
@ StopDrone/strikes. Comparing Mr.Newton’s religion (church) to the Roman Catholic church is a bit of a stretch. The RC church has been in the business of amassing wealth for about two-thousand years. That’s what they do and always have done. Mr Newton’s church is more concentrated on condemning people to hell who don’t adhere to their craziness. Totally different motives. One is motivated by wealth and power. The other is motivated by insanity.
actually Furtz your post is kinda hateful – I know for a fact that Tom’s group have done some community outreach work – I get that you don’t agree with his position – frankly I don’t as well; but using terms like “craziness” is about right where you allege some of his rhetoric is.
No hatefulness at all Admin. Just an opinion based on a lifetime of observing religious charlatans and hate mongers.
But surely Furtz not all religious people whom you disagree with are Charlatans and Hate Mongers?
Pastor Tom Newton I thought this was about HALLOWEEN ? If you believe it to be rooted in Christianity than you should know that it was a time to remember those that have passed away and to honour the saints. It really isn’t complicated nor does it have anything to do with devil worship or witches and warlocks.
David – Halloween is not rooted in Christianity, but in pagan idol worship of fallen demons (saints). Just because the Roman Catholic church puts its stamp and approval on something doesn’t make it “Christian”. The Roman Catholic church embraces a system of works salvation, which the Bible – the Holy Scriptures totally condemns. There is no salvation in the RC Church, but only in Christ alone, and that received by faith alone. No human merit, nor human achievement is good enough but in fact merits the wrath of God -Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”.
In my opinion:
…Christianity’s three goals are to enrich the church and its leaders, control and subjugate the sheep who buy this religious nonsense, and sexually prey on the vulnerable. The catholic church meets all three goals.
…As for Christianity, none of it is true except that Jesus was born and was crucified. Eternal homes in heaven and hell, god’s archenemy Satan, and exorcisms are New Testament inventions by Jesus’ in order to sell his apocalyptic views (“The end is near.”) It’s incomprehensible that anyone could study the bible and believe it is anything more than mythology.
…Any of Christianity’s beliefs (i.e. the Trinity, Jesus’ divinity, god loves us, one path (John 3:16) to eternal life, etc) can be easily disproved. I’m convinced that, for many people, Christianity is the crutch that allows them to function in a difficult world.
So, Pastor Tom Newton, you BELIEVE that Halloween is rooted in paganism rather than Christianity. I am aware that this is one of those intriguing questions that will be pondered but never have a definitive resolution. I could be wrong but you seem to have an issue with Catholicism. Do you maintain that Catholic, Anglican, etc “saints” are fallen demons or are you alluding to another interpretation of the term “saints” ? What makes something “Christian” ? Is it up to another faith or sect to decide or is it dependent on a specific interpretation of the word of God ?
“Baptists” have been just as responsible for putting people to death as any other denomination. Somebody hasn’t studied their history. They have failed Christianity and insulted Christ as much as any other group.
Larry writes “Christianity is the crutch that allows them to function in a difficult world”. I think someone else said something like that – “Christianity is the opium of the people”. Where is this famous dictator now? dead! What about his beloved communism? dead too! It is interesting that early 1800 philosophers like Thomas Hobbes,Voltaire, Thomas Pain, and J.J. Rousseau said that they would see the death of the Bible in their time, but surprise – the Word of God is still here Larry. The Bible is a supernatural book, it can not be destroyed! It will conqueror all, and leave such that reject it to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ at the White Throne Judgement that is to come – John 12:47-48 “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day”.
Yup. The idea of being judged by a mythical character that’s been dead for two thousand years has me shaking in my boots.
Roger Roy – “Baptists” have been just as responsible for putting people to death as any other denomination”. Any proof, chapter/verse, book about your false statement? References, web links, anything at all? Or is that just your enlighten estimate or opinion? Here is a link that might help you -http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/trail.htm
Pastor john, you think you’re the only one who knows the Bible? Why select John 12:47-48 (“…the word that I have spoken…shall judge him in the last day.”) for the final Judgement when they are NINE other contradictory Judgement Days just as good.
(1) Matthew 13:41-50 “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather…them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire:Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun…”
(2) Matthew 16:27,”the Son of man shall come…with his angels and…reward every man according to his works.” (3) Jesus says in Matthew 19:28, “…when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye (the twelve disciples) also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”? THEOLOGICAL CONTRADICTION: How can the disciples be sitting on heavenly thrones judging Israel since they want arise from the dead until Judgment Day? THEOLOGICAL CONTRADICTION: Judas sits on one of the twelve heavenly thrones although Jesus says in Mark 14:20,”…woe to that man (i.e. Judas) by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born.” (4) Jesus says in Matthew 24:30-31 (also Mark 13:27), “all the tribes of the earth…shall see the Son of man coming…And he (Jesus) shall send his angels…and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” THEOLOGICAL QUESTION: Heaven has ends? It appears this should have been “from one end of earth to the other” although we now know that the Earth doesn’t have ends either. Jesus and other people of his time believed the earth was flat and had ends like a table. (5) Jesus says (Matthew 25:30-33), “the Son shall come in his glory and set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on the left.” (6) 1 Corinthians 6:2,3,”…the saints shall judge the world… Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” (7) 2 Corinthians 5:10,”For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” QUESTION: Why are Jesus and God, who occupy separate seats in heaven and act independently, considered one god? (8) Revelation 20:12-15, “whosoever…not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (9) John 5:28-29,”…the hour is coming , (when) all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and come forth…they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto…damnation.”
Larry writes -“Pastor john, (you mean Tom) you think you’re the only one who knows the Bible?”. No, I never said that, but I would ask you one thing: Do you know Christ? Do you profess that He is your Savior, Your Master, and Redeemer? And yes your God! Have you been to the cleansing fountain, washed in the blood of the Lamb, all sins forgiven, peace with God, and a heir of eternal life? Have you bowed your knee to King Jesus? Is He your Lord? Is He your Beloved?
A warning to all those that quote Bible scriptures – Mat 7:21 -23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”.
P.S. no church membership or affiliation can bring you into a saving relationship with the Risen Lord.
Furtz October 31, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@ StopDrone/strikes. Comparing Mr.Newton’s religion (church) to the Roman Catholic church is a bit of a stretch
Furtz do you have any idea the damage caused by RC reaction to Project Truth in Cornwall
Just a few months ago an area man took his own life as a result of sex abuse
Many poor young men had their lives destroyed FOREVER by the abuse
So far Pastor Tom may have driven you half nuts but hasn’t caused a single loss of life.
I would much rather have somebody ranting than ruining Young Lives
Indoctrinating young children into a religion that focuses more on the hate of others that are of different beliefs is a form of child abuse. It’s not molestation but it is non the less wrong. It’s bad enough to preach intolerance and hate to weak minded adults but it’s worse to shape the mind of children in such a way that they’ll grow up living their life in ignorance and promoting self righteous bigotry. Everyone by now has heard of The Westboro Baptist Church and their campaign of hatred and from what i’ve been reading it looks as though we have a man here who is looking to emulate them. Canada has blocked the Westboro Baptist from entering but we have a cancer within, slowing manifesting itself. I will give them this though, they wear their hatred on their sleeves for all to see and are unlike the Catholic Church that has and continues to try to cover up their crimes against young boys.
Patrick writes “Indoctrinating young children into a religion that focuses…” Let’s talk about indoctrination – how the public school system is forcing the acceptance of the sodomite life style upon kindergartens and up. How the children are indoctrinated with the green eco-religion. How the school children, and middle schools, and in our colleges they are indoctrinated with leftist/socialism. How Darwinism is taught as a fact, and not as a theory that has not been proven, nor can be by fossils and all the various dating processes. How New Age/Eastern religion is now acceptable in our schools and work places, and yes, abortion is now the official offering to the gods. And don’t forget about the indoctrination about how we are over populated and running out of food. And yes, there is more – oils sands, pipeline oil, and yes we must save our fellow animals – the beavers, seals , and toads. While NASA searches the heavens for another planet just like earth -intelligent life while most reject Intelligent design. And of course there is the legalization of the sex trade – prostitution- immorality, and yes lets make it legal to purchase all the weed we want – way to go Justin T., and Mayor Ford – our idols! Political/social correctness gone wild, and that all in the name of human love and advancement. So lets put a needle injection site on the corner of every neighborhood. Hog wash!
Rom 1:21-23 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things”.
I suggest Mr. Newton take some university level courses on the history of the Baptist religion if he wants to educate himself on the crimes committed by his own denomination. There’s no space to do it here, and there are even some good Baptist divinity colleges and universities to choose from, so he can learn from members of his own faith if he feels more comfortable with them. He might also want to inform himself about the current activities of groups like the Westboro Baptist Church, as well as the “pastors” from North America who are actively supporting the death penalty for homosexuality in places like Uganda, hand in hand with Muslim extremists. There’s no shortage of documentation in current media. He might also want to inform himself on their role in things like the slave trade and the KKK in various parts of the world. He also needs a good course on what constitutes hatred.
Roger – a few links for all of us to see and to investigate would be in order. Specially about your comment – “Baptists” have been just as responsible for putting people to death as any other denomination”.
Those who ignore or forget their history are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. That includes Baptists Mr. Newton.
First of all Tom there is nothing wrong with accepting people who are different than ones self. That is where your whole ideals are flawed. You show absolutely no empathy towards anyone who you see as “different”. That makes you a dangerous person because many who lack empathy need the fear of a vengeful “God” to keep them from committing heinous acts but you believe that you are justified in your hatred and your preaching of it.
One can no longer argue “intelligent design” in today’s society without looking like a fool. You need to actually learn what the word “theory” means. Theory is not simply a guess but it must be plausible or at least a likely act. The bible has absolutely no plausibility when it comes to the creation of life or most other things for that matter.
Rob Ford smoked crack and as an active mayor that is sending the wrong message and he should face police justice for that. Justin Trudeau believes that marijuana use should be legalized and since statistics show it is less dangerous than alcohol then why are we are putting people behind bars and wasting millions of tax payers dollars on it? Idols? Hardly, they are politicians of different party affiliations that have no similarities but i’m guessing everyone in politics to you is some sort of evil person. Constantly cherry picking the parts of the bible to justify your intolerance and hatred of others only furthers the prove to people of rational thought that what you preach cannot be taken as words of “God”. Although they should not dismiss you entirely because you do have influence over a small amount of others that fall for this sort of non-sense.
Patrick writes “First of all Tom there is nothing wrong with accepting people who are different than ones self. You show absolutely no empathy towards anyone who you see as “different” “. Wait a minute, your thinking is flawed, we are all the same. We are all sinners! Fallen in Adam, under the death sentence. We are all going to Hell justly for our sins and rebellion against God and His authority and love. We are all in need of a Saviour, which God has graciously provided. I think we are really not different at all, except for the sins and sinful life styles we choose. I accept that as a sinner saved by His grace. How about you?
1Co 6:9-11 “Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God”.
admin. thanks for the space for the following letter to the editor – signing off.
@Admin…reminding us of your mission statement over and over again doesn’t make it any more truthful.
We are not “all sinners” and “flawed” is only a matter of interpritation. We are all born innocent, free of any past wrong doing made up thousands of years ago by men who decided the best way to control the masses was to instil fear of a vengeful “God”. Sin is a made up word used by the religious, there is however right and wrong. Once you discover that good and bad are things we do and are not a supernatural being then you might start to understand how you are way off. The story of Adam & Eve and original sin is nothing more than a lie meant to keep people ignorant and to never seek the truth. A talking snake that temps Eve to eat from the “tree of knowledge” is so utterly ridiculous and it is laughable when someone actually tries to use it as a truthful event. How can anyone be so lacking in common sense to shun away knowledge and to purposefully ignore facts? Why would anyone not seek truth but would rather just live in a masterful lie created when men lived believing in superstition and mythical beings? There is a reason why droves of people are leaving the church and turning away from religion. Those that use rational thought can no longer be a victim of the greatest lie ever told.
Part of the problem is that some people like Mr. Newton are preaching from bibles, especially the Old Testament, that are inaccurate for two reasons. One is they were never translated from the original languages by qualified scholars who had actually studied the languages, customs and cultures of the times when these documents were first produced, and two, the fact that some of these accounts were stories never meant to be used in the way they are. The best example is the 7 days (and that `s not what Genesis says)it supposedly took an infinite, eternal Being to create man and the universe. No one seems to have included the definition of what a day is in infinity. It sure as hell is not the 24-7 concept WE know, since that in itself is a creation of the Creator. Half if not more of the original biblical texts are also missing, many destroyed by early Christians themselves. Like at other times in history, they were notorious for burning things, even entire libraries. The brand of Christianity that is preached by people like the `pastor`of Westboro Baptist Church and others, is not Christianity at all, but a twisted, evil, satanic brand of `religion`, very much like what led to various forms of inquisition throughout history. These people would love to do just that if it weren`t for our modern laws, and the separation of church and state. They would be the Christian equivalent of the Taliban, at the drop of a hat.
Thought for a new day and free speech. An opinion is a statement usually, that contributes something positive to a conversation, to society, or even civilization. A statement that promotes hatred or evil, is something else, usually promoting something negative, evil or even criminal, making such a statement evil in itself. Ever notice that criminals in prison or insane asylums are very good at justifying their actions with quotes from the bible, or voices from God? If not, visit one of those institutions sometime. Pedophiles, wife beaters, abusers, murderers, can all quote something directly from the bible in their feeble attempts to justify their actions. Does that mean their interpretation is correct? Try and correct them and they ignore anything you say and go right back to their quote. Some are very quick in attacking quotes from things like Sharia Law or the Koran, without realizing they were taken directly from the Old Testament. Read Leviticus sometime, just for starters. Statements taken out of context can mean very different things to different people. An uncivilized or barbaric person will take one meaning that has no relation what-so-ever to what Christ or Mohammed actually preached.