Comment on Religion and War with Particular Reference to Ireland

This is something I wrote in response to some comments on a newspaper's blog, one of which called for the closing of churches to stop the animosity in Ulster:

Again we hear the old Atheistic lie: “every war in history has had religion at its roots”. Is this true from an objective assessment? Was Hitler and Stalin’s invasion of Poland due to religion? Was WWI due to religion? Was the Vietnam War due to religion? Did the Romans attack the Carthaginians because of religion? Did Napoleon fight his wars because he was opposed to the religion of his enemies?

The fact is that war can have a religious motivation, sometimes a nationalistic one, sometimes an economic one, sometimes because there is an egoist at the helm. Frequently it has been atheists who have caused a number of the aforementioned wars, usually tied in with a socialist revolutionary spirit.

Let is be noted, despite the obvious, though complex religious aspects to the troubles in Ireland, that a number of the revolutions/ rebellions/ freedom struggles in Irish history are actually linked with this socialist revolutionary spirit. The 1798 Rebellion was linked with the French Revolution, the 1920’s Revolution was linked with the Communist struggles elsewhere and the recent “Troubles” was linked with the revolutionary spirit of the ‘60’s, e.g. French students came over and taught the Republicans how to stage riots and make petrol bombs. One need only enter “Republican West Belfast” to still see that rabid, extremist socialist spirit sprawled on the walls.

Although most of us deplore this violent revolutionism and terrorism, nevertheless there was economic and nationalist provocation behind this. The landowners (including native Irish Catholics) abused the poor people over the years, leading to the terrible Potato Famine. What is often overlooked is the abuse of the Presbyterian people by the same landowners. Many of these Protestants fled Ireland in the 18th Century because of this, leading to the prominent Scots-Irish bloodline of rural America, and the American War for Independence (“that Irish Presbyterian rebellion” as it was called).

Please note as well that when the English invaded Ireland, they were Catholics invading Catholics, and that one of the reasons was to make the Irish Church toe the Roman line. As long as the English were Catholic, then Rome encouraged the Irish to be obedient to their English masters, but when the Reformation happened, then Rome’s view changed.

Why was Ireland so little affected by the Reformation and the people vehemently opposed to Protestantism? One of the main reasons was that the snobbish English aristocrats allowed services and religious books in Latin and English, but not “barbarian” Irish. Elizabeth I fought against Puritan attempts (not to be confused with Cromwell) to translate the Bible into Irish. Protestantism was inextricably linked with Nationalism.

Despite this, you will find many Irish “Catholic” surnames in Protestant churches, and in the Great Revival of 1859 what was noted was the peace around the Twelfth. Loyalist paramilitaries are usually deeply opposed to colleagues who “find religion”. They hate Biblical Christianity as much as those who think that all wars are started by religion!

"Close all the churches"? He is really naive who thinks that Republican and Loyalist terrorists care about going to church!
Continued...

Alliance Party Leader and PCI Elder David Ford Participates at Gay Pride Festival

A video of David Ford, the Leader of the Alliance Party and a ruling elder in the PCI, attacking Iris Robinson's Biblical stance against homosexuality after participating in the Belfast Gay Pride Festival. This elder thinks that homosexuality is no morally different than having a different colour of skin.

China Tries to Surpress Christians during the Olympics

Pastor Detained for Argeeing to Meet with the BBC's John Simpson
House Church Pastor Arrested and Beaten for Trying to Attend Church with Bush 1
House Church Pastor Arrested and Beaten for Trying to Attend Church with Bush 2

Gay Day for California Schools

Please pray against the evil legislation that has been passed by the Californian Leglislature to have a Gay Day every year in all government schools. See here. Homosexual fanaticism knows no bounds! (I wonder when Christian family day is?)

Working Mums Return to Working from Home

See this interesting article about how there has been a huge increase in the UK of women returning to working from home to allow them to have more time with their children.

English MPs Seek to Force Abortion on N. Ireland

See here. N. Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are unique in Europe in banning abortion, except to really save a mother's life (see here).

What is the point of devolved government, if N. Ireland's government and people oppose such a fundamental point of law, but the rest of the British can force it on us?

Please pray earnestly and regularly that the attempts of these wicked people may be thwarted.

We may allow Gay Unions says Irish Anglican Head

It is sad to think how the Church of my maternal ancestors has declined so markedly. See here. The article shows the Archbishop's heretical hermeneutic.

I recently got a copy of the 2004 CoI Book of Common Prayer. When the CoI was separated from the CoE in 1878 it removed readings from the Apocrypha from the Lectionary. It is sad to see that in 2004 they have been added back in, along with an alternative lectionary from the Romanists (just to show that we're "all one"). Also, in the new marriage service, the vows by both parties seem to be the same, and the promise to obey and serve by the wife has been removed.

Conservative Anglican GAFCON Jerusalem Declaration

As some of you may know the latest episode in the long-overdue use of discipline in the Anglican Church has been the Global Anglican Future Conference in Jerusalem. The Church Council (which it effectively is) has issued its final statement in which they not only declare an Evangelical Anglican statement of faith, but declare the following, amongst others:

1. A form of independence from the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury (which they say has always existed, although theory and practice are different): "While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury."

2. The formation of a new ecclesiastical organisation, "Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans" (now being referred to as "FoCA"), with a new Primates' Council (seemingly as an alternative to the current Primates' Meeting at Lambeth, etc.) within the Anglican communion.

3. Rejection of Liberal teaching as "heterodox" and a "false gospel".

4. Rejection of "the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed."

4. Encouragement of the ongoing excommuication of Liberals, including the formation of a new Anglican province in North America by the GAFCON Primates' Council.

5. Belief that the Anglican Church will continue to be "reformed around the biblical gospel and mandate to go into all the world and present Christ to the nations."

6. Continued rejection of homosexuality.


We rejoice that Evangelical Anglicans are at last beginning to seek reformation in their church through starting to use discipline and uniting around godly confessions such as this. May God bless this attempt by our dear brethren to glorify His name!

One hopes that this a purely Evangelical movement, but questions arise such as :

a) What is an Evangelical?

b) What will GAFCON adherents mean by the Evangelical-sounding phrases in the GAFCON Jerusalem Declaration?

c) Why is there a lack of statements excluding salvation by works or sacramentalism? (Although how an Anglo-Catholic could adhere to the Jerusalem Declaration is hard to see, but anyone familiar with Anglo-Catholics and "Evangelical" Romanists have seen this done before.) They may argue that the 1662 BCP excludes Sacramentalism, but does it really? The 1662 BCP is an ambiguous document at several points, and is in serious need of revision even to align it with Evangelical Anglicanism.

d) Are Evangelical Anglicans also separating from Anglo-Catholic Traditionalists/ Conservatives, who also preach another gospel? (E.g. Jensen's statement about "the sleeping giant that is evangelical Anglicanism and orthodox Anglicanism", i.e. not Evangelical Anglicanism, or Evangelical and Orthodox Anglicanism, but "evangelical Anglicanism" and "orthodox Anglicanism" as if one can be Orthodox but not Evangelical. Also, Stephen Noll's definition of Anglican Orthodoxy in which he states that it consists of both Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics.)

The sad fact is that Anglicanism as a Traditionalist system that does not adhere to the Regulative Priniciple is disobedient to God and has the seeds of its own destruction within it. (Just as when so-called Presbyterians slide from Biblical Presbyterianism into Committeeism, etc.)

God grant that He may enlighten us all as to our defects and sins, and in particular that He might be merciful to our Anglican brethren so this might be a Third Reformation for the Anglican Church leading them back to the attainments of the Second Puritan) Reformation (esp. the Westminster Confession of Faith) and beyond, so that they may adopt a Biblical Church government, doctrine, worship, evangelism, etc.

God grant that our Anglican brethren may see that their previous tolerance of and communion with heretics, and lack of discipline has led to the whole homosexual fracas, and that they may repent completely of it by rejecting Anglo-Catholics, etc., as heretics also.

God grant that 'Evangelical' Anglicans may see that the ordination of women and Ecumenism, etc., are as much departures from Holy Scripture as homosexuality. God grant that they may also reject Arminianism and Charismaticism.

God grant reformation to the Reformed Churches throughout the World as well, so that we might be more Biblical (holy) in all aspects of our living and ecclesiastical organisation.

God grant that Evangelicals within unorthodox, so-called Presbyterian, Reformed and Baptist denominations may also separate themselves from Liberals and heretics, and commit themselves to true, Biblical communion.

For full details see here and here.

Continued...

Trichet Proposes an Alternative

Jean-Claude Trichet disagrees with Soros that central banks should explictily control house prices, but he and others propose a plausible alternative. See here.

If only either plan had been implemented instead of trusting the greed of the few over the needs of the many! Talk about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted!

The biggest thing that Gordon could do to reduce is to cut the cost of fuel by reducing tax. 85% of our petrol costs is tax!

George Soros on the Economy

At last someone speaks sense. George Soros, the famous billionaire investor, makes the sort of comments to the BBC that I've wanted to say for ages: "He said that the central banks should explicitly target asset bubbles such as housing booms and try to stop them getting out of control, which is something they have resisted doing so far."

If only he had been Chancellor instead of Gordon Brown! Disturbingly, the insightful Soros also "warned the 'financial bubble' of the last 25 years could be drawing to an end and the post World War II 'super-boom' era could also be over."

Ecumenism on Tour!

Pictured at Belfast International Airport are (l-r) Dr John Finlay, Presbyterian Moderator, Rev Roy Cooper, President of the Methodist Church, Cardinal Seán Brady, Roman Catholic Primate, and Archbishop Alan Harper, Church of Ireland Primate. They are currently visiting 'Christians' in Israel and Palestine to show solidarity and promote peace.

What a sad sight to see a professedly evangelical PCI Moderator in such flagrant fellowship (solidarity?) with an avowed heretic like Brady! May God grant a reformation of the PCI. It just gets worse and worse! Once upon a time it was easier to distinguish Evangelicals and Liberals in the mixed multitude that is the PCI, but now, what is an evangelical?

See also here. If only Finlay had the same aversion to crucifixes!

Church Leaders Fear School Move

Bit of an old story (4 months) here, but still relevant.

Poll on Religious Knowledge in Ireland

See here. Surprisingly, NI is worse than ROI, and "Protestants" are worse than Roman Catholics.

Remembrance Day

We give thanks to God for those men and women who laid down their lives for our freedom, and for delivering us from the Kaiser's armies, the Nazis, and other enemies of our country.

We give thanks for all those martyrs who were persecuted and died that we might have the freedom to worship God according to His Word and to bring the Good News of Christ to our fellow countrymen.

We pray that God will deliver us from the internal enemies who are destroying our nation in this day: the liberals, atheists, so-called humanists, materialists, Mohammedans, and all who oppose true godliness.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)

PCI Board Placates Homosexuals

Although rightly pastorally sensitive regarding homosexuals, the PCI's Board of Social Witness'
"Social Issues and Resources Panel Pastoral Guidelines –- Homosexuality" distorts the Biblical emphases around this sin, condemns Biblically acceptable statements and placates homosexuals. This report was received (not adopted) by a small majority, and a motion to send it down to presbyteries for consideration was narrowly defeated by 168 to 163.

See this report for some disturbing comments from Ken Newell. As if it isn't hard enough battling the humanist, atheist and homosexual lobbies, without having to deal with this! Talk about the enemy within!

Petrol/ Gas Prices: UK vs. US

We recently compared the price of a journey in the US vs. the same in the UK. The 571 mile round trip at 43 miles/gallon costs £118 ($236) in the UK, but only £17.50 ($35) in the US ($2.55/gallon + 16¢/gallon SC sales tax). It is down to all the "stealth tax" that Gordon Brown is ripping us off with in the name of the environment.

Flood Geology and the English Channel

A recent sonar study of the English Channel has confirmed the theory that it was formed by a cataclysmic flood released from a giant lake. I wonder what a worldwide flood would do?

Sexual Orientation Regulations (SOR) Starting to Hit

Hereford Diocese has lost a case against a man who brought them to court over turning him down for a youth work job because he was a homosexual. The judgement is confusing in that on the one hand the tribunal stated that "[t]he respondents discriminated against the claimant on the grounds of sexual orientation", yet on the other "the tribunal found that the bishop should only have considered the present lifestyle of Mr Reaney, who is single, and he should have not questioned his future relationships." What if the man was in a homosexual relationship at present?

During his evidence, the Bishop of Hereford said he had made clear to Mr Reaney that a person in a committed sexual relationship outside of marriage, whether they were heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or transgender, would be turned down for the post. After the judgement, he stated, "I still think the decision I made was the right one." Good man!

Show your support to the Bishop here: a.holden@hereford.anglican.org.

The full article can be seen here.

Faith Schools Petition

The following is a petition being presented to the Prime Minister:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to continue the support for faith schools and to ensure that in all schools the teaching of traditional ‘faith’ views of origins is included alongside the more recent scientific ‘theories’ which many scientists ‘believe’.

Faith schools help to ensure that children develop mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and morally. As such faith schools ensure children are well placed to choose their own religious, philosophical and ethical beliefs. Schools should be places where children are given a full education, not centres where the spiritual and moral is excluded. Evolution and other scientific theories should not be taught as fact but instead along side other ‘faith’ views of origins. Supporting faith schools will provide children with a fuller education, parents with the choice of such for their children and help to promote a fully multi-cultural and peaceful society.

Access the petition here, although I have a real issue with the way that Islam and Romanism is lumped with Protestant institutions and supported by the state, but such is the way it is stated. Better to support our brethren than not.

2 out of 3 Indian Children Abused

A report by the Indian Government is discussed here. Such are the effects of paganism.