Left-Leaning Video From Republican
This is a compelling video based on a speech by Ron Paul. Okay. Don't stop reading. Ron Paul may be a (continuous) minor player in the Presidential race, but he has some good points and he is a good counterbalance to the others viewed on stage. However, this point of view is not one that should be taken seriously although one should know what it is. What it is is a rebuttal of America's activities in the Middle East. Give it a look:
However, what this video is not is a good reason to stay out of the Middle East. The example of Texas being invaded falls flat when one understands that Texas did not harbor folks who made the first strike. Remember that OBL and company attacked the United States. Then the US took action. Also remember that Iraq invaded Kuwait and afterward did not abide by the agreement when they lost that war. The comparison is interesting to view because it is where the Left is from, but not compelling when one understands the issues historically instead of emotionally.
Who to Vote For - A Sinful Christian (Gingrich) or a Squeaky Clean Mormon (Romney)
We have quite a quandary here in the Republican primary. There are many candidates that are running any of which would be much better than the current occupant of the White House. However, the decision of which one to choose is very difficult. Santorum? Not quite there yet. Perry? More likable after his gaffes than before, but no. Cain? Very likable and seems to be a good person, but too much of an unknown especially when there are allegations swirling about. If only we knew more. Bachmann? Would make a good VP, but no way for President. Then we are left with only two real alternatives: Romney and Gingrich.
Gingrich has major skeletons that have already left his closet. Third marriage? Wow! Left one when she was dying of cancer? Really? However, he is the most qualified and the most Presidential. He clearly has very good ideas and can convey them in an understandable why. He is the grown up. He would be a very good President. Christian? Yes. Sinner? Yes. Like us? Yes. We are all sinners that need a savior. Can we vote for him? Yes, but let's wait a while before making that decision.
Romney on the other hand has been running for President for about six years now. He looks and acts quite Presidential and is a very good debater although that should not be a factor at all. He has good ideas, but his conservative pedigree is a little debatable. But the big one is that he is a Mormon. Yes this is a factor. It has to be. We are indeed in a post-Christian age when one's religion, or lack thereof as is the case of the current occupant, does not matter. But there are still enough old-fashioned Christians out there to make a difference. Do we really want someone in the White House who thinks he is going to be the god of his own planet. Now that is out there. Christian? No. Sinner? Yes even though he has less visible sins than most, but no redeemer. Pray for Romney that he will come to the truth. Vote for Romney? Not likely.
Free Trade, Donald Trump, and Stupid Politicians
Love him or hate him, Donald Trump tells it like it is. Our politicians are selling us out. He says its because of incompetence and stupidity. Maybe so, but it is more than this. It is because of pure greed. Those politicians and leaders of big business make more money by dealing with China. They have no motivation to keep factories and jobs in the United States. They only care about how much their bonuses and salaries will be. Now there is nothing wrong with profit and big salaries, but there is something wrong, perhaps even a bit treasonous, about putting these before your country.
What can we do? Stop buying products from our enemies when there is an alternative and question the motives of our politicians who spout out the virtues of "free trade".
Good video. Give it a look.
Hagee Embraces Glenn Beck
Recently, prominent Christian pastor John Hagee welcomed Glenn Beck to speak at his church in Texas. Pastors Hagee's affection for Mr. Beck has not been hidden for over the past year or two as they have made prominent appearances together. The only problem here is that Glenn Beck is not a Christian.
Is that a problem? Not really. Not really in that it is fairly common pal around with non-Christians. Yes, we are even encouraged to do so. Befriending non-Christians is one thing. Letting the speak and promoting them is something completely different.
Glenn Beck is not your ordinary non-Christian. Mr. Beck is a Mormon who purports to be a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. They speak all the same words and have all the same morals on their personal conduct, but they do not worship the same God. Mormons worship a false god. Or more exactly, multiple gods. Quite different than Christianity.
Glenn Beck is not your ordinary non-Christian. Mr. Beck is a Mormon who purports to be a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. They speak all the same words and have all the same morals on their personal conduct, but they do not worship the same God. Mormons worship a false god. Or more exactly, multiple gods. Quite different than Christianity.
Let's take a look at what King Josiah did when confronting those choosing to worship false gods. He certainly did not allow them to speak in the Temple and did not promote them in his kingdom:
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. And he brought out the wooden image from the house of the LORD, to the Brook Kidron outside Jerusalem, burned it at the Brook Kidron and ground [it] to ashes, and threw its ashes on the graves of the common people. Then he tore down the [ritual] booths of the perverted persons that [were] in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image. And he brought all the priests from the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; also he broke down the high places at the gates which [were] at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which [were] to the left of the city gate. 2 Kings 23
Coptic Christians in Egypt Fed Up
When Christians are in the minority of a predominately Muslim country, they are persecuted. This video shows how those in Egypt are finally fed up with their Muslim overlords. Perhaps they can remember when their country was Christian and home of one of the four patriarchs of the Christian world.
When will the rest of Christianity be fed up with Islam? Will we wait until it is too late?
Steve Jobs and the Meaning of Life
WSJ: “The problem is I’m older now, I’m 40 years old, and this stuff doesn’t change the world. It really doesn’t. I’m sorry, it’s true. Having children really changes your view on these things. We’re born, we live for a brief instant, and we die. It’s been happening for a long time. Technology is not changing it much — if at all. These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. I’m not downplaying that. But it’s a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light — that it’s going to change everything. Things don’t have to change the world to be important.” [Wired, February 1996]
So Steve Jobs had a huge impact on the way we live, work, and play. He was someone who "changed the world" and we can all admire him for the nice gadgets we have today. But in the end, when men turn back to dust, what does it all mean? If we are merely some advanced microbe that was able to advance quicker to intelligent life forms than the other fragments of ooz, well it would all matter not at all. If we make someone's day a little better, someone's work a little more efficient, or make others in this short life-span of ours a little happier, the only point to it all is if it has eternal consequences. Did Steve Jobs make the world a little better? Absolutely. Did he do it as a reflection of who he was in Christ Jesus and for the glory of God? Only he and the Lord knows. He certainly hinted that life should have more meaning in the quote above. His gadgets were not the most important thing in his life. They were important and our work is equally important, but we must understand that our time here is short. This life will soon be past, only that for Christ will last.
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Mathew 16:26
The Blood(line) of Jesus
The bible tells us the Jesus had brother and sisters. His brothers' names were James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. He also had sisters although their names are not given. This is a very interesting fact, but usually it is not thought about very often. Jesus, the Son of Mary and Son of God, had half siblings. Since Mary's husband, Joseph was not his biological father, the only connection to his brothers and sisters is through Mary. But that is enough to make it interesting. If one thinks about it, there were several people that had the same blood in them as did the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, the One in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells.
What does that mean? That means that it is likely that there is some blood relative of Jesus walking around this earth today. That is quite amazing. No. Mary, his mother, was not special of herself other than being the mother of Jesus. She is not sinless as Roman Catholics purport. She is not to be worshipped as Roman Catholics tend to do. She is merely a human like any other. However her blood ran through her first-born Son. That same blood died on a cross to save many from their sins. And it is that blood that runs through the veins of some unknowns alive today.
It is good that we do not know who they are. Just like it is good that we do not have pieces of the true cross or the robe which Jesus wore since we are so apt to make idols of such things. So too we would likely admire and exult some blood-relative of the only Holy one. However, it is very interesting to think about nonetheless.
Muslims Attempt to Convert Jews
The Washington Post: "In an unprecedented endeavor, a few Muslim believers are crossing the Holy Land’s volatile boundaries of culture, faith and politics to bring Islam to Israel’s Jews — hoping, improbably, that some will be willing to renounce their religion for a new one."
You have to give them credit. They are at least learning the language and making an effort. However converting Jews to Islam is going to be a stretch. Not only are the two groups enemies based on race and religion, Islam took most of its tenets from Judaism and Christianity. For such a religion to go back and try to make converts seems most absurd. Throughout the long struggle with Christianity, Christians' attempt to convert Muslims fell flat even though there was great success in proselytizing all of Europe. This method of conversion is also unusual since much of the conversion to Islam over the centuries has been at the end of a sword. When one looks at the percentage of Muslims in most of the countries in the Middle East, one can see that this is still the case.
Question: What if a Jew or a Christian were to do the same in a Muslim country?
Question: What if a Jew or a Christian were to do the same in a Muslim country?
Netanyahu vs Ahmadinajad vs Erdogan vs Abbas - UN 2011
Watch their full 2011 United Nations speeches below:
Netanyahu
Ahmadinejad
Erdogan
Abbas part 1
Abbas part 2
Abbas part 3
Netanyahu
Ahmadinejad
Erdogan
Abbas part 1
Abbas part 2
Abbas part 3
Moody radio affiliate drops David Barton's Wallbuilders Live Over Defense of Glenn Beck
The following is an excerpt from the site as shown. Finally it appears some Christians are taking a stand when it comes to Mormons purporting to be Christian. They are not. Beck is a great American, but he is not a Christian. PRT supports Mr. Beck until he begins to confuse his religion with that of true Christianity.
Quoted:
Dr. Warren Throckmorton Christian Blog: "An affiliate of the Moody Broadcast system in East Texas, KBJS-FM canceled David Barton’s Wallbuilders Live radio show during the show yesterday while Barton was discussing Glenn Beck’s religious beliefs. Randy Featherston, KBJS manager, said the show was dropped due to Barton’s failure to distinguish between Mormon theology and Christianity.
“When David Barton said it doesn’t matter whether you are a Mormon or a Baptist or a Methodist, we felt we had to do something,” Featherston explained.
On the September 13th program, Barton played audio of Glenn Beck saying that “the Lord Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Redeemer.” Then Barton said he believed that Beck was a Christian based on his statement of belief and “his fruits,” meaning his good deeds. Based on Beck’s statements, Barton then asked co-host Rick Green, “Glenn says he’s Mormon. Ok, that’s fine. Based on what you heard, if you heard a Baptist say that or if you heard a Methodist say that…what would you say?” After Green answered that Beck’s testimony indicated a real conversion, Barton responded, “Why is it not a real conversion because of the label he wears?”
Throughout the program, Barton dismissed Beck’s Mormonism, saying at one point, “I don’t care what label Beck wears. I don’t care what Glenn thinks Mormon means.” Barton also asserted that Beck uses the same Bible, but added, “Now he may use the Book of Mormon, we never talked about the Book of Mormon.”
“When David Barton said it doesn’t matter whether you are a Mormon or a Baptist or a Methodist, we felt we had to do something,” Featherston explained."
Stephen Hawking Has No Time For God
There are two videos shown below. One is the full length version of the program in question and the other is the trailer. The full length version may be removed in the future, so I do not know how long it will be available. It is only linked to another’s posting.
In Stephen Hawking’s program on the Discovery Network’s Curiosity program, Did God Create the Universe, he discusses the creation of the universe that includes some of his usual topics such as black holes and quantum mechanics, but with a religious twist. The first item on his agenda is to look into our past and give an illustration of Viking myths and their fears of solar eclipses. Not exactly the most objective way start to this scientific program. What exactly do the Vikings have to do with science, but to imply that they were ignorant and set up the implication that anyone who does not believe in what the program will purport are equally ignorant.
Next he illustrates how a prior pope in the middle ages did not like the laws of nature, so he decreed them a heresy. Another nonsensical illustration ending in the pope dying from a collapsed roof. What does this illustrated? Not much other than implying religion was silly in those times, but, alas, he is setting up his case. He goes on to say that (all quotes are his unless otherwise noted), “each new discovery further removed the need for a god” and that science does not deny a religion, just offers a simpler alternative.”
According to Mr. Hawking, to make a universe, you need just three ingredients. Just like a cookbook: 1. matter (mass), 2. Energy, 3. Space. With these ingredients, you get a universe. Since the universe has these elements, it just sort of popped into existence. You see, protons appear to pop into and out of existence. At that very small level, the laws of nature seem to not apply. Scientists, including Mr. Hawking, really have no explanation for what happens here, but that does not stop him from using it to his advantage in this examination of the existence of God. Since we do not understanding it fully, let’s use it for an explanation for everything. Very scientific.
Unfortunately for Mr. Hawking, this theory is sort of like the theory spontaneous generation that many scientists held in the 19th century. Those silly scientists of the past. What is spontaneous generation? According to Wikipedia, “spontaneous generation refers to both the supposed process by which life would systematically emerge from sources other than seeds, eggs or parents and to the theories which explained the apparent phenomenon.”
Scientists would see life spring up in say a mud puddle with no plausible explanation. It must have, therefore, spontaneous generated from nothing. They did not see the microbial life that we can see today, so they developed this theory. It appears that the universe is easier to make than life in a puddle of mud according to Mr. Hawking.
Again, Mr. Hawking: “Since we know that the universe itself was once very small, smaller than a proton in fact, this means something quite remarkable. It means the universe itself, in all of its mind-boggling vastness and complexity, could simply have popped into existence without violating the known laws of nature.”
He goes on: “After a lifetime of work, I think that in fact you can get a whole universe for free”. “The great mystery at the heart of the big bang, is to explain how an entire fantastically enormous universe of space and energy can materialize out of nothing.” “If the universe adds up to nothing, then you don’t need a god to create it. The universe is the ultimate free lunch.” This part of his discussion focuses on the fact that all the energy of the universe adds up to zero. We have the positive energy that we see all around us like the sun and subtract out the negative energy that is all over the universe and you get a big zero. That’s right. You do not need a god to create the universe because the universe is not really anything at all. It’s a big nothing.
Lastly he discussed the relationship of time to God: “You can’t get to a time before the big bang, because there was no time before the big bang”. “We have finally found something that does not have a cause because there was no time for a cause to exist in. For me this means there is no possibility of a creator because there is no time for a creator to have existed. Since time itself began at the moment of the big bang, it was an event that could not have been caused or created by anyone or anything.”
Does Stephen Hawking have time for God? His conclusion about time slowing and finally stopping as one gets closer to black holes may be true. However, he then takes this to conclude that at the big bang, a super duper black hole if you will, time also slowed and finally stopped as one gets closer to the point of the explosion. Therefore, time did not exist at the big bang. Consequently, there was no time for God.
This conclusion means that since there was no time, there must be no god. However what Mr. Hawking does not seem to understand is that time is a created thing. We are creatures that live in time. It is difficult for such creatures to imagine something outside of this universe, but there is something. That some “thing” is God. He creates. He is the creator. Consequently, He also created time. Yes, there was a “time” when there was no time at all; perhaps the beginning of the universe such as the big bang. God is timeless, eternal. He exists outside of time and space. There is no time for God, but God does not live in time and is not limited by time since He is the creator of time. He purports that “nothing caused the big bang. Nothing.” However, out of nothing, nothing comes. Here is philosophy again.
Of course, Stephen Hawking is our favorite scientist today. He parallels the popularity of even Albert Einstein. It is difficult to argue with such a personality especially when one considers that he has contributed much to our world today. However the science that Mr. Hawking practices is more philosophy with science mixed in. The philosophy of yesterday merely dealt with complex ideas of the mind. However, today’s philosophers must have a scientific background in order to ask the most perplexing questions of our time such as how the universe was created and whether there is a god behind the scenes. Mr. Hawking is a perfect candidate scientifically. Unfortunately, he does not have the proper philosophical or religious background to keep from falling into some serious problems.
So Stephen Hawking is a great scientist. However, he is no philosopher. First, he sets up a straw man in comparing those who believe in God with the silly people of the past that thought there were gods of rain and trees and such. Secondly, he believes everything was created by a super spontaneous generation. Nonsense. Thirdly, his god is very small. The god that he sets out to destroy is small. However, the real God of the universe is much bigger than Mr. Hawking’s god.
He is “pretty pleased as having worked it all out”. “There is no god. No one created the universe and no one directs our fate”. “There is probably no heaven and no after life either. We have this one life to appreciate this grand design of the universe and for that I am extremely grateful.”
This is what you get in Stephen Hawking’s universe:
Creation with no creator.
Design with no designer.
Laws with no law giver.
Gratitude with no recipient.
It is sad that such a great mind is so proud that he cannot see the Truth of science and the reason for studying nature in the first place. God is clearly seen if one has eyes to see. Pray that his eyes will be opened and that he will see the true God of the universe, the creator of all the fun stuff Mr. Hawking has spent his life examining. Then he can find a recipient of his gratitude and an explanation for what science has not been able to find.
Israel vs. the Muslim World - A Little Perspective
When one looks at Israel in the news and people discuss the world's "three major religions", Israel looks so big. However in reality, they are merely a sliver of land in comparison to the rest of the Muslim world. Why do they so long for its destruction? Watch this video for a little perspective:
Turkey's Continued Meddling in the Middle East
Turkey is again attempting to assert itself in the Middle East. The former Islamic caliphate has downgraded relations with Israel and expelled Israeli diplomats from the country. Prime Minister Erdogan continues to control this country on religious grounds rather than secular grounds as has been the method used since they were on the losing side in World War I. Watch for this Prime Minister, as part of his AK party, to attempt even more power grabs in this part of the world.
See CNN International for more information. Even the more left leaning CNN does not fall for Turkey's attempts to blame Israel for the troubles it is seeing.
Open Letter to Glenn Beck
Mr. Beck,
You are one of PoliticsReligionTruth.com’s (PRT) favorite TV personalities. PRT watched your program quite often and loves what you say. There is no one out there that is sounding the alarm like you do. You are truly the Paul Revere to your fellow citizens sounding the alarm against the thinking that has crept into our minds over the years. Without you or somebody like you, we grow oblivious to it. Like the frog in a slowly heated pot of water, we never know that we are boiling to death if we do not jump out. You are needed. We need to continue to be aware of those elements in our government that either knowing or unknowingly do not have our best interests in mind. These folks need to have the spotlight of truth shined on them. You say that the truth lives with you, but this is where there is a problem.
What is truth? This is the question most famously spoken by Pilot to Jesus. This is where Jesus was on trial and Pilot, the Roman overseer, attempted to get to the bottom of things before making a decision whether to let Jesus go or to kill Him on a cross. What is truth? Truth was standing right before Pilot on that very day in bodily form. Jesus is Truth. But who is Jesus? This is where PRT and yourself diverge. If it were any other subject, take George Sorros, the President Obama, or national healthcare, take any other topic or any other person and PRT would continue to sing your praises to all that would listen. Unfortunately, our opinions diverge on Truth, the Truth. It is not a superfluous issue for our opinion is that Jesus is God. Not only is Jesus God, but He is THE God, not a god, one among many. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the One by Whom all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Unfortunately, you are a Mormon. Mormons do not believe this. While your public discussions are very Christian in doctrine, Mormonism does not agree with you or you do not touch on the points where Christianity and Mormonism diverge. According to your religion, Jesus is only one god among many. He is the first born of the god of this particular planet, but not the only begotten Son of the God of the universe. According to your belief, the god of this planet was once a man like us.
Even the things you say about Christianity are usually quite correct. The problem is that you are still a Mormon. You are not a Christian. If your program was entirely political or a-religious, one could live with that. Christians are not to live in a bubble. However if one calls himself a Christian, we are to treat that person differently.
Mr. Beck, you are a great American, but you are not a Christian. Research your religion much like you research the politics you speak of on your program. You will find the real Truth. It doesn't live where you are. He is in heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father. He is indeed part of the Godhead as you would agree, but He is more than that. He is one with the Father in His essence. This is the core at which we disagree and is no small point. Traditional orthodox Christianity worships and believes in a different God than do Mormons. The true God is one. There are not many gods. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three persons, but one essence. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.
It is made worse by your purporting to be a Christian. If you were an atheist or a agnostic or even just a Mormon, PRT would continue to sing your praises in a political nature. However, you claim to be a Christian. Our scripture, the one Mormons believe to be corrupt, tells us not even to break bread with someone that claims Christianity, but either is not a Chirstian or who is in a fallen state.
Just as in the days of Moses and the golden calf, those who worshiped the calf said they were worshipping the true God, only through the visual of the calf. Mormons too claim to worship the true God. However, your god is not the God of the bible and it is not the God of Christianity.
Do not let the fact that this religion changed your life be the foundation upon which you stake your eternity. You were down. They came and lifted you up. That was a nice thing to do for someone that was hurting, but that does not mean they have the Truth. It only means they helped someone. Hamas helps people all the time. That is how they obtain adherents in the Middle East.
Do not fall for the original lie. We will not be [as] God. We are his creatures. We will never be our own gods. Research this, Mr. Beck. Trust Jesus as your Savior and Him alone. Trust Him for He is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe.
Mr. Beck, we will continue to pray for you. Again, you are a great American. Continue to do good things for our country. But more importantly, open up your eyes to the one true God, Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Jesus of the Bible, not the Jesus of the Book of Mormon.
Turkey, Iran and the Signs of the Times
This is part 2 in a series called Wars and Rumors of Wars. If you do not believe that we are in the Last Days or End Times, this documentary is still very informative in that it gives you background on various nafarious elements of Islam including Iran and Turkey. It is long (its about an hour), but well worth watching.
Do you understand that Turkey is not a friend of the West? They never have been. They were the center of the last Caliphate. They are in the lineage that overthrew the Christian nation of Byzantium. And they currently look to regain their past glory.
City to Pay Gays to Offset Tax
Mass. city to pay wedded gay workers to offset tax - Boston.com: "When the city of Cambridge issues paychecks to its public employees, nearly two dozen workers find a federal tax on their income that their colleagues don’t have to pay.
Like many people, these 22 school and city workers chose to put their spouses on their employer-provided health insurance. Because they’re in a homosexual relationship, the value of that health coverage is considered taxable income by the federal government.
But starting this month, Cambridge will become what is believed to be the first municipality in the country to pay its public employees a stipend in an attempt to defray the cost of the federal tax on health benefits for their same-sex spouses."Not only are we going bankrupt as a society, but we are going morally bankrupt. This reminds one of the passage in Romans that states that not only do they do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Not only are they approving of their activities, but they are subsidizing them as well. We are about to implode. No money, no morals, no future. Those that still understand that the basis of our society is our moral underpinnings must soon change our society radically. This just does not seem possible other than a divine intervention.
The Mosque on the Mount - Protector or Problem
The Mosque on the Mount - Desiring God: "For the past 13 centuries a mosque has occupied the temple’s former site. It is not a sign of God’s endorsement on Islam. Rather, it is an unwitting guardian of the new covenant reality. God wants the temple gone, not because Judaism is destroyed, but because in Jesus it is fulfilled."
The Temple Mount no longer is the place where God dwells on Earth. However, it is still a very holy place. Not because of what it is today, but because of what it once was. Many believe that it is the foundation stone, the very place where the Earth was first formed. It was the place where Isaac was tested by God. Jesus was in the temple and God the Father was there.
We visit many places of interest because of what they once were; the Roman Colosseum, Athens, past battle fields. They all represent meaningful moments in our history. The Temple Mount represents a moment in our history when God the creator chose a special people to be His own and to dwell with them. Let us view the Mount with a special eye to the past and a vision for the future. Another temple will be built there. Some day soon, an event will take place and the Dome will fall only to be replaced by a better structure. No. God will not dwell there this time. We are His temple now. But it will be built and it will be soon. Pray for the Jews that they will see His Son as He is. The Messiah they have waited millennia for who was, is, and is to come.
Turkey Inches Closer to Caliphate
Recent developments dismissing Turkey's top military brass is another sign that the country is creeping toward further Islamization. Since the former caliphate's demise after World War I, the military has preserved its secular aims. However, the rise of the AK party puts its secular underpinnings in question. They continue to harass Israel, persecute the Orthodox Church, and are on their way to become an Islamic power in the Middle East. With the region on fire, the last thing the West needs is another Turkish horde. Why they were allowed to become a part of NATO is anyone's guess.
Limitless, Limited, or Completely Dependent
Many have watched a movie called Limitless. The premise is that if one were to use more than the limited 10% of our brains, we could do amazing things. The primary character was able to tap into this other 90% by taking a little clear pill. Shortly thereafter, down he went through the rabbit hole to a whole new world. Just like in the Matrix. The world was the same, but it was his perception of the world and his understanding of it that made all the difference. He would become as a god in relation to everyone else around him.
Take a look at this small movie trailer.
Is this the goal? One day perhaps through some evolutionary process or some sort of technology invented in the not so distant future, we may become something better than what we are today. We could become someone that we always wanted to be; a person that can remember everything; out think any problem; become rich and powerful; liked and admired. What a wonderful world it would be. We would have knowledge. No. Super-knowledge. Our eyes will be opened and we will truly know. We would be like a god!
Oops. Like a god or is it, like God. If you watch the movie (and it is very entertaining), try to think about the goals and ambitions we should have. The movie says you will be able to seduce the opposite sex, have gazillions of money, and become rich and famous. However, that is not who we are supposed to be. One day, we will all die and have to give an account of who we were and what we did. Even the little clear pill did not make one immortal. Life is short. We are not God and that should not be our goal even if we are just fantasizing. At our death, all we will be able to say is that we were sinners who committed divine treason against God and then trust that our advocate, Jesus Christ, will be standing there for us. He is our only hope, not some silly pill or technology or the evolutionary process. Think longer term than the here and now. Life is fleeting. What is that saying? "Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last". Trust in Him.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turns to God for fiscal relief
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turns to God for fiscal relief | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Pennsylvania's debt-ridden capital of Harrisburg has tried every form of fiscal belt-tightening, from layoffs to furloughs to filing for bankruptcy. Now, it is turning to God."
Shouldn't turning to God be the first place one goes when having difficulties? The strange thing about this story is that it is strange, but only today. There was a time that those in the public turned to God through public prayer and supplication on a regular basis. It is amazing that such a public and published trend of our not-so-distant past can be almost completely ignored to the point that many do not even believe it existed.
If only all of us, public and private, would turn to the One source of true refuge in time of distress. Not all of our problems would be cured since it is through suffering that we learn obedience. However, many of the self-inflicted issues that we experience would certainly be reduced or eliminated. Let us turn to Jesus Christ who created all things and in Him all things consist. He is the author and finisher of our faith, our hope, and our very existence. He will not turn away from His bride. Nor will the Father turn away from His children in their time of need.
No More Shuttle. What's Next? Nothing
San Jose Mercury News: "With the space shuttle's retirement Thursday, no longer will flying people and cargo up to the International Space Station be a government program where costs balloon. NASA is turning to private industry with fixed prices, contracts and profit margins. The space agency will be the customer, not the boss."
Don't know how you feel about the shuttle getting scuttled, but it seems like farming out space travel to private companies just doesn't seem right. What about the pride in seeing USA slapped on the side of the moon shots some 40 years ago? That iconic image is known throughout the world and it was a tool in our (cold) war against the Soviets. Now with the likes of China and Iran entering the space age, seems like the United States is bowing out. Not only can we not go to the moon, but now we can't even put someone in low earth orbit. Where are we going? Looks like nowhere.
Men Dressed Like Boys
This commercial would be funny if it wasn't so true. While it is not the smartest thing to indulge in bottles of tequila, Michael Imperioli has a point. We've all seen them. Men wearing what they would call "shorts", but are really gauchos or Capri pants. How in the world can you call something "short" when it goes way past your knees! Let's not even get started on the pants they wear well below their rear end. Not sure how they walk. Ridiculous. Grow up.
Plastic vs. Paper? Not Grocery Bags, Money
NYTimes.com: "WASHINGTON — The number of dollar bills rolling off the great government presses here and in Fort Worth fell to a modern low in the last fiscal year. Production of $5 bills also dropped to the lowest level in 30 years. And for the first time in that period, the Treasury Department did not print any $10 bills."
Isn't it inevitable that paper money will just plain go away? Isn't it a bother to sort through the gnawed up wad of torn pieces of green paper? It is just so twentieth century. Most of our bills can be paid electronically. Most of the transactions we have are electronic. How many employers are forcing their employees to have direct deposit? The tide is too great to resist. There will come a day, and it looks to be soon, where electronic will be the only system we have.
The benefits are many, but one that is plain is an increase in revenues to the government. There are many "under the table" or black market transactions that do not get recorded or taxed by the government. Illegal activities are usually done through non-traceable paper money. One of the few steps lacking are person-to-person transactions and that is coming soon too.
However, this trend will not end well. It will one day culminate in the rise of a dictator that will control the population through these means. Just as we can predict the weather by clouds that accumulate on the horizon, so too we can predict what is coming by looking at the political, economic, and religious horizon. Too many are distracted to pay attention and only think it is part of the new normal, but it is not normal at all.
Turkey Wants Cyprus Reunification
Turkey urges Cyprus reunification deal before island takes over EU presidency mid-2012 - Yahoo! News: "NICOSIA, Cyprus - Turkey's foreign minister on Saturday called for a deal reunifying ethnically split Cyprus before the island assumes the European Union's presidency in mid-2012."
Turkey wants the reunification of Cyprus? Wonder what form of government they would like? Perhaps a population that is forced to be 99% Muslim would be much to their liking as well.
The island is divided. Half of it is Turk and the other half Greek. This illustrates the centuries long struggle between Byzantium and the Muslims that culminated in the Turks breaking promises and finally decimating the Christian city-state of Constantinople. The world was shocked, but could do nothing. The bulwark against the aggression of Persia first, then Islam, had finally fallen. The Turkish Caliphate was to rule the region for another 500 years until the First World War. Since that time, those in the Middle East have wished for a return of the caliphate.
So why do we wonder that Turkey is taking sides with the Palestinians? Why do we wonder that Turkey wants a unified Cyprus? Turkey would like to unify the entire Middle East first, then the rest of Europe and Asia next. The world is at war, but the West does not know it.
United States vs China
Op/Ed:The United States versus China – Glenn Beck: "The greatest threat facing the United States in the twenty first century is the risk of war with China. That issue is rarely discussed in the popular media."
This is an excellent article well worth the few minutes of reading. Readers of PoliticsReligionTruth.com have known for a long time that China is a growing threat; a threat we have continued to neglect by shipping our treasurer for their goods and gadgets. American business goes to our enemy first when it comes to manufacturing goods that have been developed in the States. Just look on the back of an ipod. "Designed in California. Assembled in China". Shameful! Equally troubling is our, the American consumer, obsession with all things China. How much effort does it take to look at the tag on a purchase to see where it was made? Is there an alternative? Sometimes there is not, but sometimes there is. The other product may be a little more expensive, but it will not cost us our country in the long run.
So much is in our control, but our choices get fewer and fewer the longer we wait. Do not supply our enemies. Yes, we need to pray for our enemies, but they must be treated as such or they will defeat us not only economically, but militarily.
Muslim Temple Mount Digs
Report on Muslim Temple Mount Digs to Be Declassified? - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News: "Muslim authorities on the Temple Mount have taken advantage of the relative confusion and demoralization in Israel in the years since the launch of the 2000 'Oslo War' to conduct illicit excavations at Judaism's holiest site, bring in generators and carry out other provocations."
This short article is excellent in how it highlights the complete lack of oversight of the Temple Mount by Israeli authorities. It is mystifying to think that they have given carte blanche access to the Mount and whatever is underneath it to its Muslim caretakers. How much damage must be done before the Israeli government comes to its senses and stops the madness? Take it. It is yours.
Justice for Caylee Anthony
Why do the evil prosper? It is a question we ask over and over. Where is the answer as we look across the landscape of our world today? The wicked continue to perform their evil acts and go unpunished. Liars and cheats prevail and get rich while the poor and the honest seem to reap what the others sow. Where is the justice?
Be assured that there is justice in the world. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lives and He is a just God. Those who do not believe in a god may believe they can "get away with murder", but God is the great accountant from above. His debits and His credits will indeed equal. Those who appear to prosper from their wicked and unpunished deeds will reap what they sow.
There is justice, but not from man. We can create no Utopian society here and now. Heaven is just that. It is made by God who believes that the acts of man must be punished in order for there to be true justice. But it is not just the murderers and rapists who will be punished. All of us sin continually. There is none righteous, not even one. We have all gone astray; every one to his own way. We all deserve God's punishment for our cosmic treason and our wicked ways. The only escape is to have faith in the One who did not sin; the One who died, so that we may live. His name is Jesus. Trust in Him and you will not get justice. You will get mercy. Thank God.
casey
Casey Anthony, Why Didn't You Kill Your Baby Two Years Earlier?
It was very difficult in Casey Anthony's case. She could not resist the urge to go out and be the center of attention, to be young and carefree. But now there were cares in her life and they would infringe on who she wanted to be. Her solution? Get rid of her baby girl.
If only she had planned ahead. If only she had a little forethought. Like many girls in their early twenties, she should have known what having a little girl would do to her social life. Millions of young girls have been and continue to be in her situation. They need to get out and live it up while they are still young. No. Adulthood and adult responsibilities are not for them and there is nothing that will stand in their way. They are free and they intend to stay that way. If only Casey knew just a little earlier what many of those other young girls know. If only she knew it two years before she could have killed her little girl and would have had the support of many of us today. You see two years before, Casey could do the same unthinkable thing to her little girl. Today she is being tried as a monstrous killer, but just two years earlier she could have killed her little girl not with duct tape and chloroform, but in the sterile confines of an abortion clinic. Same result. Same death. Same mother.
If only she had planned ahead. If only she had a little forethought. Like many girls in their early twenties, she should have known what having a little girl would do to her social life. Millions of young girls have been and continue to be in her situation. They need to get out and live it up while they are still young. No. Adulthood and adult responsibilities are not for them and there is nothing that will stand in their way. They are free and they intend to stay that way. If only Casey knew just a little earlier what many of those other young girls know. If only she knew it two years before she could have killed her little girl and would have had the support of many of us today. You see two years before, Casey could do the same unthinkable thing to her little girl. Today she is being tried as a monstrous killer, but just two years earlier she could have killed her little girl not with duct tape and chloroform, but in the sterile confines of an abortion clinic. Same result. Same death. Same mother.
Flotilla Fiasco
ABC: "Greece on Friday banned ships heading to the Gaza Strip from leaving Greek ports, and a vessel carrying several dozen Americans which left port without permission was asked to return." Jerusalem Post: "While Cyprus had already banned ships headed for Gaza from leaving their ports, the Greeks had not taken this measure until Friday. "
However, you will not see Turkey doing the same.
However, you will not see Turkey doing the same.
Watch for the successors of the last Muslim Caliphate, the Ottoman Turks, to take aggressive and persistent action in the affairs of the Jewish people. Why would they do this? It is in their history. Since wiping out virtually all remnants of Christianity with the overthrow of Constantinople, one should not be surprised that their descendants would have equally nefarious intentions for the Jews today.
The players from history are lining up. The Greeks, rightful successors to Constantinople, are doing the right and noble thing denying boats from leaving its shore. The Turks of course play their part. The Jews are there too as they always have been, the targets of others' hatred and fear. And finally the Christians. They will play their part as well. Or will they? There is no longer a Christian city such as the one decimated by the Turks in 1453. There is Rome and the West, but what will they do? The leader of the free and the home of the brave, United States President Barak Obama, only gives ultimatims to Israel to give up more land and give up more security. Where will the West be when Israel must again defend its borders?
We are in a war against Islam. Muslims know it. Jews know it. Too bad Christians and the West do not know it. Take back Constantinople!
Create Your Own Religion Competition
Huffington Post: "Well now you can be the next Jesus, the next Buddha, or even the next L. Ron Hubbard. Sign up now to create-your-own religion. You name it, write down the beliefs, rituals, and holidays. We will then post the best submissions on our site and allow you to compete for followers."
This "competition" is a good example of yet another attempt to minimize religion in people's lives except for the implicit religion of self. Whoever had this idea, should have rethought it before putting it out there. Or perhaps they did rethink it and the motivation is just as nefarious as we think. Imagine no religion, aka John Lennon, by making up phony religions. Come to think of it, there are a bunch of phony religions. Only one religion can be true since, contrary to popular belief, they all say different things ie they do not all all lead to the same god.
Bottom line: Do not minimize religion by playing games. The true religion, Christianity, was founded by men throughout the ages that heard directly from our Creator. The rest heard from other-worldly sources as well. However, they were not so godly.
NPR Shows How China's Influence is Expanding World-Wide
NPR is currently doing a series of articles related to China's growing influence around the world. These articles and sound clips include aspects that deal with it military, trade, construction and even includes an interactive map. A listing of all such current and future articles may be found here. There are also various articles on this site that are tagged "China". It is recommended reading.
Mormons Bought the Big Lie. You Know. The Original One.
So what happened in the beginning? Yes, that beginning. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. He also created the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He told the Earth's first two inhabitants not to eat of this tree or they will surely die. This is where the big lie comes in. The serpent, that nasty talking snake convinced the woman that God had lied to them. That they would not surely die. He said that once they ate of the tree, that they would be as God. Now that's a lie. You know the rest.
So let's flash forward a bit to the 1800's when Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, starts his new religion. What does he tell the folks that find him interesting? He tells them the big lie. The original one. He or one of his subordinates said, and Mormons today believe, that God (you know, God the Father, creator of everything) was once a man just like us. Somehow he was able to live a good life and earn his very own planet. Yes, his planet is the planet Earth. The one we all know and love. The lie goes on to say that we too, if we are good Mormons, can someday earn our own planet where, you guessed it, we can become as God. Yes, you too can have your very own planet to literally Lord over. How nice. They even have their very own bible.
Does this resemble anything close to orthodox Christianity? Do not be deceived. They are not Christian in any sense of the word.
Iran vs. Lybia
Why does the West continually punish a select few while looking the other way when it comes to bigger offenders? This is the case when looking at the new war with Lybia in light of what is going on in Iran. We decided that it was time to take action against the crazy man in Lybia only after decades of his lunacy and terror. Why? Because we see that there is a weakness to exploit. Not that it is bad to bomb Lybia, but why now? In 1986, Reagan bombed Lybia...but stopped. Perhaps that should have continued until the wacko was gone. Perhaps not. But the bigger question is Iran.
Iran is admitting that it has a nuclear program. Everyone knows that it is not just for energy purposes. Iran does not need nuclear energy. They are sitting on an ocean of oil. The argument is ridiculous. They are developing nuclear weapons - weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
If one recalls, the reason the world approved of the Gulf War was because Iraq was developing WMDs. That is debatable, but the premise of the operation was legitimate. Should a terrorist state and one run by a loon have such weapons? The reasonable answer is no. So why does the West fiddle while Iran prepares to burn the Middle East? Instead of sending our bombs to Lybia, who is no longer any threat to us, why not send them over Iran's way? They are asking for it, but there is no stomach for starting another war over WMDs even though these are real and they will really be used.
United States to Implement Training Program for Workers in Manufacturing
White House, industry expand programs to educate, train workers - The Hill's On The Money: "Government and industry will step up their efforts to train and educate workers for the manufacturing sector, President Obama said on Wednesday.Its great that we are training folks to manufacture goods. However, how will we be able to manufacture goods if nothing is being manufactured here? The myth of "free trade" just meant that foreign manufacturing could get into the US for "free". Republicans have promised that if we only show the world how free trade works, they would reciprocate and open up their markets. Well, it hasn't happened and its not going to.
An expansion of the Skills for America’s Future program will give high school and college students a clearly defined set of skills and courses they'll need to get a job in the industry, provide new mentoring programs and scholarships for those interested in engineering, along with a new jobs website, the president said during a trip to Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria.
The horse is just about out of the barn at this point. We could have used tariffs to protect the good jobs that we had. If we tried that now, the manufacturers would just go somewhere else since the US market does not dominate like it once did. But hey, there is no time like the present to start trying something. Guess we could train our people for non-existent jobs or maybe we could start playing hardball with countries like China and those companies inside and outside of the United States that do business with our enemy.
Iranian President to Meet Russian, Chinese Presidents
Jerusalem Post: Ahmadinejad launches brutal attack on Israel at Asian security conference, saying Zionism is one of history's worst ills, also slams US, West for slavery, colonialization, World Wars, use of nuclear weapons.
China, the Debt Ceiling, and Aircraft Carriers
The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency: "Li Daokui, an adviser to the People's Bank of China, told reporters in Beijing, 'I think there is a risk that the U.S. debt default may happen.' And he puts the blame on congressional Republicans. 'The result will be very serious and I really hope that they would stop playing with fire,' he said.
Ok. What do you do when you are racking up too many credit card bills? Go out and charge more? Ask more banks to send you another card since the ones you had been using just don't work the same any more? Lunacy! This is exactly what the current Administration is proposing.
The answer is that you need to cut back on your expenses and live within your means. Whacky idea. Now our "friends" in China feel compelled to opine on the goings-on over here. How about they concentrate on building their first aircraft carrier...with our money. Yes. That's right. China is building its first aircraft carrier. Why? Do we answer that question or just stick our heads in a hole as we have been doing for decades now? It is obvious. They wish to supplant the United States as the world's sole super power. They are doing it with currency, the economy, and the military.
China Slaps US with 25% Tariff - US Does Nothing
Associated Press - The luxury market in China has been growing more than twice as fast as the overall auto industry, but American automakers lack a credible entry.
This article goes on to say that the Communist Chinese government slaps a 25% tariff on these luxury imports. Does the United States reciprocate? We import as much of their cheap products as possible. When will we learn? Our exports are reduced by their tariffs because they want to protect their own market. What do we want to protect? If only the United States would be concerned about its own jobs as China is theirs, perhaps there would not be a $14 Trillion deficit today.
RC Sproul and the Sabbath Day
In a recent question and answer session, prominent theologian, RC Sproul spoke on Blue Laws, the laws restricting commerce on the Sabbath Day, or Lord’s Day. This conversation speaks to the broader issue of whether, regardless of Blue Laws, one should work and shop on this day. Sproul states that our neglect of this restriction is a relatively recent matter. This particular conversation centers around whether the government, as a body separate from the church, should be involved in the regulation of this day. He says that it is not function of the church to pass legislation forcing people to take the sacraments or to preach the gospel nor to wage war or impose taxes; that there are different tasks given to the state and given to the church. However, the “question of Sabbath keeping is a question of the origin and the institution and the application of the Sabbath. Is the Sabbath something that was created in the mosaic dispensation of the old testament? Or was the Sabbath instituted before the mosaic covenant?”
He goes on to say that “[t]he Sabbath was not ordained or instituted by Moses merely for the Jewish people, but was established in creation on the seventh day as part of the covenant of creation which would mean that the observation of the Sabbath is given not to Jew as Jew or Christian as Christian, but to man qua man. That this is an ordinance that everybody is supposed to obey and it would fall under the responsibility of the civil government to regulate it. So I [Sproul] for one, as ancient as it may sound, believe that it is the government’s responsibility to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath for the well-being of human beings.”
Perhaps it is because Dr. Sproul is getting a little older than the average preacher, as he alludes to, but this issue is not really an issue any longer. Rarely does today’s preacher or parishioner make any distinction between this day and any other day. If you listen to the question, the questioner even implies that this is a matter of Christian “liberty”. Really? What other of the ten commandments are a question of liberty? There are not nine commandments, but ten. Those Christians that continue to work and do business including forcing others to work by frequenting shops and department stores neglect their duty for the want of more stuff and more convenience in their lives. Let us not be legalistic, but let us observe the Lord’s Day, the Sabbath Day, out of love and reverence for our Father who knows that one day in seven is for rest and reflection, worship and good works, to slow us down in a world competing for our time and attention. If God rested on the seventh day, perhaps we should consider doing the same.
The Temple Mount, the Most Holy Place on Earth, Trampled Underfoot by Rioting Palestinians
Is Israel really in control of the Temple Mount? Why is their most Holy site treated in this manner? Certainly the Palestinians were tempting the Jews to react, but they did not take the bait. However, one must ask why this is allowed in the broader sense. Israel has control of Jerusalem. It is time to take control of the Temple Mount. Watch the video to see what is allowed and realize that Jews and Christians cannot even bow their head in prayer on the Mount for fear of offending the Muslims.
Excellent Video Mapping Out the Security of Israel
This short video is very good in the way it illustrates Israel's precarious position in relation to its hostile neighbors.
Netanyahu Speeches - Prime Minister of Israel
Complete 2011 AIPAC Speech
Netanyahu Speech to Joint Session of Congress - May 23, 2011
Try, if you can, to resist wishing he was the President of the United States. Too bad this dream cannot come true. This is a long video, but worth watching.
May 20, 2011 meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House:
Netanyahu Speech to Joint Session of Congress - May 23, 2011
Try, if you can, to resist wishing he was the President of the United States. Too bad this dream cannot come true. This is a long video, but worth watching.
May 20, 2011 meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House:
Makers of our gadgets in China exploit its own Population
Not only do we send our money to our enemy, Communist China, but we promote their government's mistreatment of its citizens. Recently there was an explosion at a prominent factory that killed two. That can happen. But this is the same company, Foxconn, that had to put anti-suicide nets outside its buildings because the workers were jumping out of the windows. We should not support such treatment of the citizens of China and we should not support the anti-West government of China. They are the enemy. We are our own worst enemy when we aid those that will eventually seek our destruction. Wake up! Look at the tags on the products that you buy before you make a purchase. Make sure it is not from China. Its that easy. Shame on companies like Apple that continue to produce its goods from there. "Designed in California". Great. Thanks for that, Apple.
Hamas 1988 Charter - Highlighted
Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Movement) is an organization that seeks the destruction of Israel and the eventual homeland of the Palestinian people in the land of Israel. One will find the most interesting elements of their 1988 Charter highlighted below:
(See also excellent summary here of hatred against the Jews.)The Charter of Allah: The Platform of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) “In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate You are the best community that has been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed, it had been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-doers. They will not harm you save a trifling hurt, and if they fight against you they will turn and flee. And afterward they will not be helped. Ignominy shall be their portion wheresoever they are found save [where they grasp] a rope from Allah and a rope from man. They have incurred anger from their Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them. That is because they used to disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slew the Prophets wrongfully. That is because they were rebellious and used to transgress.” Surat Al-Imran (III), verses 109-111 Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors. The Islamic World is burning. It is incumbent upon each one of us to pour some water, little as it may be, with a view of extinguishing as much of the fire as he can, without awaiting action by the others. Introduction Grace to Allah, whose help we seek, whose forgiveness we beseech, whose guidance we implore and on whom we rely. We pray and bid peace upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, his followers and those who spread his message and followed his tradition; they will last as long as there exist Heaven and Earth. O, people! In the midst of misadventure, from the depth of suffering, from the believing hearts and purified arms; aware of our duty and in response to the decree of Allah, we direct our call, we rally together and join each other. We educate in the path of Allah and we make our firm determination prevail so as to take its proper role in life, to overcome all difficulties and to cross all hurdles. Hence our permanent state of preparedness and our readiness to sacrifice our souls and dearest [possessions] in the path of Allah. Thus, our nucleus has formed which chartered its way in the tempestuous ocean of creeds and hopes, desires and wishes, dangers and difficulties, setbacks and challenges, both internal and external. When the thought matured, the seed grew and the plant took root in the land of reality, detached from temporary emotion and unwelcome haste, the Islamic Resistance Movement erupted in order to play its role in the path of its Lord. In so doing, it joined its hands with those of all Jihad fighters for the purpose of liberating Palestine. The souls of its Jihad fighters will encounter those of all Jihad fighters who have sacrificed their lives in the land of Palestine since it was conquered by the Companion of the Prophet, be Allah’s prayer and peace upon him, and until this very day. This is the Charter of the Islamic Resistance (Hamas) which will reveal its face, unveil its identity, state its position, clarify its purpose, discuss its hopes, call for support to its cause and reinforcement, and for joining its ranks. For our struggle against the Jews is extremely wide-ranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal efforts we can wield, to be followed by further steps and reinforced by successive battalions from the multifarious Arab and Islamic world, until the enemies are defeated and Allah’s victory prevails. Thus we shall perceive them approaching in the horizon, and this will be known before long: “Allah has decreed: Lo! I very shall conquer, I and my messenger, lo! Allah is strong, almighty.” Part I - Knowing the Movement Article One: The Ideological Aspects The Islamic Resistance Movement draws its guidelines from Islam; derives from it its thinking, interpretations and views about existence, life and humanity; refers back to it for its conduct; and is inspired by it in whatever step it takes. Article Two: The Link between Hamas and the Association of Muslim Brothers The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of the Muslim Brothers in Palestine. The Muslim Brotherhood Movement is a world organization, the largest Islamic Movement in the modern era. It is characterized by a profound understanding, by precise notions and by a complete comprehensiveness of all concepts of Islam in all domains of life: views and beliefs, politics and economics, education and society, jurisprudence and rule, indoctrination and teaching, the arts and publications, the hidden and the evident, and all the other domains of life. Article Three: Structure and Essence The basic structure of the Islamic Resistance Movement consists of Muslims who are devoted to Allah and worship Him verily [as it is written]: “I have created Man and Devil for the purpose of their worship” [of Allah]. Those Muslims are cognizant of their duty towards themselves, their families and country and they have been relying on Allah for all that. They have raised the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors in order to extricate the country and the people from the [oppressors’] desecration, filth and evil. Article Four The Movement welcomes all Muslims who share its beliefs and thinking, commit themselves to its course of action, keep its secrets and aspire to join its ranks in order to carry out their duty. Allah will reward them. Article Five: Dimensions of Time and Space of the Hamas As the Movement adopts Islam as its way of life, its time dimension extends back as far as the birth of the Islamic Message and of the Righteous Ancestor. Its ultimate goal is Islam, the Prophet its model, the Qur’an its Constitution. Its special dimension extends wherever on earth there are Muslims, who adopt Islam as their way of life; thus, it penetrates to the deepest reaches of the land and to the highest spheres of Heavens. Article Six: Peculiarity and Independence The Islamic Resistance Movement is a distinct Palestinian Movement which owes its loyalty to Allah, derives from Islam its way of life and strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine. Only under the shadow of Islam could the members of all regions coexist in safety and security for their lives, properties and rights. In the absence of Islam, conflict arises, oppression reigns, corruption is rampant and struggles and wars prevail. Allah had inspired the Muslim poet, Muhammad Iqbal, when he said: When the Faith wanes, there is no security There is no this-worldliness for those who have no faith Those who wish to live their life without religion Have made annihilation the equivalent of life. Article Seven: The Universality of Hamas By virtue of the distribution of Muslims, who pursue the cause of the Hamas, all over the globe, and strive for its victory, for the reinforcement of its positions and for the encouragement of its Jihad, the Movement is a universal one. It is apt to be that due to the clarity of its thinking, the nobility of its purpose and the loftiness of its objectives. It is in this light that the Movement has to be regarded, evaluated and acknowledged. Whoever denigrates its worth, or avoids supporting it, or is so blind as to dismiss its role, is challenging Fate itself. Whoever closes his eyes from seeing the facts, whether intentionally or not, will wake up to find himself overtaken by events, and will find no excuses to justify his position. Priority is reserved to the early comers. Oppressing those who are closest to you, is more of an agony to the soul than the impact of an Indian sword. “And unto thee have we revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which has come unto thee. For each we have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed, He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which he has given you [He has made you as you are]. So vie with one another in good works. Unto Allah, you will all return. He will then inform you of that wherein you differ.” Hamas is one of the links in the Chain of Jihad in the confrontation with the Zionist invasion. It links up with the setting out of the Martyr Izz a-din al-Qassam and his brothers in the Muslim Brotherhood who fought the Holy War in 1936; it further relates to another link of the Palestinian Jihad and the Jihad and efforts of the Muslim Brothers during the 1948 War, and to the Jihad operations of the Muslim Brothers in 1968 and thereafter. But even if the links have become distant from each other, and even if the obstacles erected by those who revolve in the Zionist orbit, aiming at obstructing the road before the Jihad fighters, have rendered the pursuance of Jihad impossible; nevertheless, the Hamas has been looking forward to implement Allah’s promise whatever time it might take. The prophet, prayer and peace be upon him, said: The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! there is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him! This will not apply to the Gharqad, which is a Jewish tree (cited by Bukhari and Muslim). Article Eight: The Slogan of the Hamas Allah is its goal, the Prophet its model, the Qur’an its Constitution, Jihad its path and death for the case of Allah its most sublime belief. Part II - Objectives Article Nine: Motives and Objectives Hamas finds itself at a period of time when Islam has waned away from the reality of life. For this reason, the checks and balances have been upset, concepts have become confused, and values have been transformed; evil has prevailed, oppression and obscurity have reigned; cowards have turned tigers, homelands have been usurped, people have been uprooted and are wandering all over the globe. The state of truth has disappeared and was replaced by the state of evil. Nothing has remained in its right place, for when Islam is removed from the scene, everything changes. These are the motives. As to the objectives: discarding the evil, crushing it and defeating it, so that truth may prevail, homelands revert [to their owners], calls for prayer be heard from their mosques, announcing the reinstitution of the Muslim state. Thus, people and things will revert to their true place. Article Ten The Islamic Resistance Movement, while breaking its own path, will do its utmost to constitute at the same time a support to the weak, a defense to all the oppressed. It will spare no effort to implement the truth and abolish evil, in speech and in fact, both here and in any other location where it can reach out and exert influence. Part III - Strategies and Methods Article Eleven: The Strategy of Hamas: Palestine is an Islamic Waqf The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine has been an Islamic Waqf throughout the generations and until the Day of Resurrection, no one can renounce it or part of it, or abandon it or part of it. No Arab country nor the aggregate of all Arab countries, and no Arab King or President nor all of them in the aggregate, have that right, nor has that right any organization or the aggregate of all organizations, be they Palestinian or Arab, because Palestine is an Islamic Waqf throughout all generations and to the Day of Resurrection. Who can presume to speak for all Islamic Generations to the Day of Resurrection? This is the status [of the land] in Islamic Shari’a, and it is similar to all lands conquered by Islam by force, and made thereby Waqf lands upon their conquest, for all generations of Muslims until the Day of Resurrection. This [norm] has prevailed since the commanders of the Muslim armies completed the conquest of Syria and Iraq, and they asked the Caliph of Muslims, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab, for his view of the conquered land, whether it should be partitioned between the troops or left in the possession of its population, or otherwise. Following discussions and consultations between the Caliph of Islam, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab, and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, be peace and prayer upon him, they decided that the land should remain in the hands of its owners to benefit from it and from its wealth; but the control of the land and the land itself ought to be endowed as a Waqf [in perpetuity] for all generations of Muslims until the Day of Resurrection. The ownership of the land by its owners is only one of usufruct, and this Waqf will endure as long as Heaven and earth last. Any demarche in violation of this law of Islam, with regard to Palestine, is baseless and reflects on its perpetrators. Article Twelve: Hamas in Palestine, Its Views on Homeland and Nationalism Hamas regards Nationalism (Wataniyya) as part and parcel of the religious faith. Nothing is loftier or deeper in Nationalism than waging Jihad against the enemy and confronting him when he sets foot on the land of the Muslims. And this becomes an individual duty binding on every Muslim man and woman; a woman must go out and fight the enemy even without her husband’s authorization, and a slave without his masters’ permission. This [principle] does not exist under any other regime, and it is a truth not to be questioned. While other nationalisms consist of material, human and territorial considerations, the nationality of Hamas also carries, in addition to all those, the all important divine factors which lend to it its spirit and life; so much so that it connects with the origin of the spirit and the source of life and raises in the skies of the Homeland the Banner of the Lord, thus inexorably connecting earth with Heaven. When Moses came and threw his baton, sorcery and sorcerers became futile. Article Thirteen: Peaceful Solutions, [Peace] Initiatives and International Conferences [Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement. For renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion; the nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its faith, the movement educates its members to adhere to its principles and to raise the banner of Allah over their homeland as they fight their Jihad: “Allah is the all-powerful, but most people are not aware.” From time to time a clamoring is voiced, to hold an International Conference in search for a solution to the problem. Some accept the idea, others reject it, for one reason or another, demanding the implementation of this or that condition, as a prerequisite for agreeing to convene the Conference or for participating in it. But the Islamic Resistance Movement, which is aware of the [prospective] parties to this conference, and of their past and present positions towards the problems of the Muslims, does not believe that those conferences are capable of responding to demands, or of restoring rights or doing justice to the oppressed. Those conferences are no more than a means to appoint the nonbelievers as arbitrators in the lands of Islam. Since when did the Unbelievers do justice to the Believers? “And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah [himself] is the Guidance. And if you should follow their desires after the knowledge which has come unto thee, then you would have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper.” Sura 2 (the Cow), verse 120 There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. The initiatives, proposals and International Conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility. The Palestinian people are too noble to have their future, their right and their destiny submitted to a vain game. As the hadith has it: “The people of Syria are Allah’s whip on this land; He takes revenge by their intermediary from whoever he wished among his worshipers. The Hypocrites among them are forbidden from vanquishing the true believers, and they will die in anxiety and sorrow.” (Told by Tabarani, who is traceable in ascending order of traditionaries to Muhammad, and by Ahmed whose chain of transmission is incomplete. But it is bound to be a true hadith, for both story tellers are reliable. Allah knows best.) Article Fourteen: The Three Circles The problem of the liberation of Palestine relates to three circles: the Palestinian, the Arab and the Islamic. Each one of these circles has a role to play in the struggle against Zionism and it has duties to fulfill. It would be an enormous mistake and an abysmal act of ignorance to disregard anyone of these circles. For Palestine is an Islamic land where the First Qibla and the third holiest site are located. That is also the place whence the Prophet, be Allah’s prayer and peace upon him, ascended to heavens. “Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of worship to the Far Distant Place of Worship, the neighborhood whereof we have blessed, that we might show him of our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Seer.” Sura XVII (al-Isra’), verse 1 In consequence of this state of affairs, the liberation of that land is an individual duty binding on all Muslims everywhere. This is the base on which all Muslims have to regard the problem; this has to be understood by all Muslims. When the problem is dealt with on this basis, where the full potential of the three circles is mobilized, then the current circumstances will change and the day of liberation will come closer. “You are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah. That is because they are a folk who understand not.” Sura LIX, (Al-Hashr, the Exile), verse 13. Article Fifteen: The Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is an Individual Obligation When our enemies usurp some Islamic lands, Jihad becomes a duty binding on all Muslims. In order to face the usurpation of Palestine by the Jews, we have no escape from raising the banner of Jihad. This would require the propagation of Islamic consciousness among the masses on all local, Arab and Islamic levels. We must spread the spirit of Jihad among the [Islamic] Umma, clash with the enemies and join the ranks of the Jihad fighters. The ‘ulama as well as educators and teachers, publicity and media men as well as the masses of the educated, and especially the youth and the elders of the Islamic Movements, must participate in this raising of consciousness. There is no escape from introducing fundamental changes in educational curricula in order to cleanse them from all vestiges of the ideological invasion which has been brought about by orientalists and missionaries. That invasion had begun overtaking this area following the defeat of the Crusader armies by Salah a-Din el Ayyubi. The Crusaders had understood that they had no way to vanquish the Muslims unless they prepared the grounds for that with an ideological invasion which would confuse the thinking of Muslims, revile their heritage, discredit their ideals, to be followed by a military invasion. That was to be in preparation for the Imperialist invasion, as in fact [General] Allenby acknowledged it upon his entry to Jerusalem: “Now, the Crusades are over.” General Gouraud stood on the tomb of Salah a-Din and declared: “We have returned, O Salah-a-Din!” Imperialism has been instrumental in boosting the ideological invasion and deepening its roots, and it is still pursuing this goal. All this had paved the way to the loss of Palestine. We must imprint on the minds of generations of Muslims that the Palestinian problem is a religious one, to be dealt with on this premise. It includes Islamic holy sites such as the Aqsa Mosque, which is inexorably linked to the Holy Mosque as long as the Heaven and earth will exist, to the journey of the Messenger of Allah, be Allah’s peace and blessing upon him, to it, and to his ascension from it. “Dwelling one day in the Path of Allah is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it. The place of the whip of one among you in Paradise is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it. [God’s] worshiper’s going and coming in the Path of Allah is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it.” (Told by Bukhari, Muslim Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja) I swear by that who holds in His Hands the Soul of Muhammad! I indeed wish to go to war for the sake of Allah! I will assault and kill, assault and kill, assault and kill (told by Bukhari and Muslim). Article Sixteen We must accord the Islamic [young] generations in our area, an Islamic education based on the implementation of religious precepts, on the conscientious study of the Book of Allah; on the Study of the Prophetic Tradition, on the study of Islamic history and heritage from its reliable sources, under the guidance of experts and scientists, and on singling out the paths which constitute for the Muslims sound concepts of thinking and faith. It is also necessary to study conscientiously the enemy and its material and human potential; to detect its weak and strong spots, and to recognize the powers that support it and stand by it. At the same time, we must be aware of current events, follow the news and study the analyses and commentaries on it, together with drawing plans for the present and the future and examining every phenomenon, so that every Muslim, fighting Jihad, could live out his era aware of his objective, his goals, his way and the things happening round him. “O my dear son! Lo! though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Lo! Allah is subtle. Aware. O my dear son! Establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid inequity, and persevere, whatever may befall thee. Lo! that is of the steadfast heart of things. Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loves not braggarts and boasters.” Sura XXXI (Luqman), verses 16-18 Article Seventeen: The Role of Muslim Women The Muslim women have a no lesser role than that of men in the war of liberation; they manufacture men and play a great role in guiding and educating the [new] generation. The enemies have understood that role, therefore they realize that if they can guide and educate [the Muslim women] in a way that would distance them from Islam, they would have won that war. Therefore, you can see them making consistent efforts [in that direction] by way of publicity and movies, curricula of education and culture, using as their intermediaries their craftsmen who are part of the various Zionist Organizations which take on all sorts of names and shapes such as: the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, gangs of spies and the like. All of them are nests of saboteurs and sabotage. Those Zionist organizations control vast material resources, which enable them to fulfill their mission amidst societies, with a view of implementing Zionist goals and sowing the concepts that can be of use to the enemy. Those organizations operate [in a situation] where Islam is absent from the arena and alienated from its people. Thus, the Muslims must fulfill their duty in confronting the schemes of those saboteurs. When Islam will retake possession of [the means to] guide the life [of the Muslims], it will wipe out those organizations which are the enemy of humanity and Islam. Article Eighteen The women in the house and the family of Jihad fighters, whether they are mothers or sisters, carry out the most important duty of caring for the home and raising the children upon the moral concepts and values which derive from Islam; and of educating their sons to observe the religious injunctions in preparation for the duty of Jihad awaiting them. Therefore, we must pay attention to the schools and curricula upon which Muslim girls are educated, so as to make them righteous mothers, who are conscious of their duties in the war of liberation. They must be fully capable of being aware and of grasping the ways to manage their households. Economy and avoiding waste in household expenditures are prerequisites to our ability to pursue our cause in the difficult circumstances surrounding us. Therefore let them remember at all times that money saved is equivalent to blood, which must be made to run in the veins in order to ensure the continuity of life of our young and old. “Lo, men who surrender unto Allah, and women who surrender and men who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth and men who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty and women who guard [their modesty], and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward.” Sura 33 (Al-Ahzab, the Clans), verse 35. Article Nineteen: The Role of Islamic Art in the War of Liberation Art has rules and criteria by which one can know whether it is Islamic or Jahiliyya art. The problems of Islamic liberation underlie the need for Islamic art which could lift the spirit, and instead of making one party triumph over the other, would lift up all parties in harmony and balance. Man is a strange and miraculous being, made out of a handful of clay and a breath of soul; Islamic art is to address man on this basis, while Jahili art addresses the body and makes the element of clay paramount. So, books, articles, publications, religious exhortations, epistles, songs, poems, hymns, plays, and the like, if they possess the characteristics of Islamic art, have the requisites of ideological mobilization, of a continuous nurturing in the pursuance of the journey, and of relaxing the soul. The road is long and the suffering is great and the spirits are weary; it is Islamic art which renews the activity, revives the movement and arouses lofty concepts and sound planning. The soul cannot thrive, unless it knows how to contrive, unless it can transit from one situation to another. All this is a serious matter, no jesting. For the umma fighting its Jihad knows no jesting. Article Twenty: Social Solidarity Islamic society is one of solidarity. The Messenger of Allah, be Allah’s prayer and peace upon him, said: What a wonderful tribe were the Ash’aris! When they were overtaxed, either in their location or during their journeys, they would collect all their possessions, and then would divide them equally among themselves. This is the Islamic spirit which ought to prevail in any Muslim society. A society which confronts a vicious, Nazi-like enemy, who does not differentiate between man and woman, elder and young ought to be the first to adorn itself with this Islamic spirit. Our enemy pursues the style of collective punishment of usurping people’s countries and properties, of pursuing them into their exiles and places of assembly. It has resorted to breaking bones, opening fire on women and children and the old, with or without reason, and to setting up detention camps where thousands upon thousands are interned in inhuman conditions. In addition, it destroys houses, renders children orphans and issues oppressive judgements against thousands of young people who spend the best years of their youth in the darkness of prisons. The Nazism of the Jews does not skip women and children, it scares everyone. They make war against people’s livelihood, plunder their moneys and threaten their honor. In their horrible actions they mistreat people like the most horrendous war criminals. Exiling people from their country is another way of killing them. As we face this misconduct, we have no escape from establishing social solidarity among the people, from confronting the enemy as one solid body, so that if one organ is hurt the rest of the body will respond with alertness and fervor. Article Twenty-One Social solidarity consists of extending help to all the needy, both materially and morally, or assisting in the execution of certain actions. It is incumbent upon the members of the Hamas to look after the interests of the masses the way they would look after their own interests. They must spare no effort in the implementation and maintenance of those interests, and they must avoid playing with anything that might effect the future generations or cause damage to their society. For the masses are of them and for them, their strength is [ultimately] theirs and their future is theirs. The members of Hamas must share with the people its joys and sorrows, and adopt the demands of the people and anything likely to fulfill its interests and theirs. When this spirit reigns, congeniality will deepen, cooperation and compassion will prevail, unity will firm up, and the ranks will be strengthened in the confrontation with the enemy. Article Twenty-Two: The Powers which Support the Enemy The enemies have been scheming for a long time, and they have consolidated their schemes, in order to achieve what they have achieved. They took advantage of key elements in unfolding events, and accumulated a huge and influential material wealth which they put to the service of implementing their dream. This wealth [permitted them to] take over control of the world media such as news agencies, the press, publication houses, broadcasting and the like. [They also used this] wealth to stir revolutions in various parts of the globe in order to fulfill their interests and pick the fruits. They stood behind the French and the Communist Revolutions and behind most of the revolutions we hear about here and there. They also used the money to establish clandestine organizations which are spreading around the world, in order to destroy societies and carry out Zionist interests. Such organizations are: the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, B’nai B’rith and the like. All of them are destructive spying organizations. They also used the money to take over control of the Imperialist states and made them colonize many countries in order to exploit the wealth of those countries and spread their corruption therein. As regards local and world wars, it has come to pass and no one objects, that they stood behind World War I, so as to wipe out the Islamic Caliphate. They collected material gains and took control of many sources of wealth. They obtained the Balfour Declaration and established the League of Nations in order to rule the world by means of that organization. They also stood behind World War II, where they collected immense benefits from trading with war materials and prepared for the establishment of their state. They inspired the establishment of the United Nations and the Security Council to replace the League of Nations, in order to rule the world by their intermediary. There was no war that broke out anywhere without their fingerprints on it: “…As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. Their efforts are for corruption in the land and Allah loves not corrupters.” Sura V (Al-Ma’ida—the Tablespread), verse 64 The forces of Imperialism in both the Capitalist West and the Communist East support the enemy with all their might, in material and human terms, taking turns between themselves. When Islam appears, all the forces of Unbelief unite to confront it, because the Community of Unbelief is one. “Oh ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk, who would spare no pain to ruin you. Hatred is revealed by [the utterance of] their mouth, but that which their breasts hide is greater. We have made plain for you the revelations if you will understand.” Sura III, (Al-Imran), verse 118 It is not in vain that the verse ends with God’s saying: “If you will understand.” Part IV Article Twenty-Three: Our Position Vis-a-Vis the Islamic Movements The Hamas views the other Islamic movements with respect and appreciation. Even when it differs from them in one aspect or another or on one concept or another, it agrees with them in other aspects and concepts. It reads those movements as included in the framework of striving [for the sake of Allah], as long as they hold sound intentions and abide by their devotion to Allah, and as along as their conduct remains within the perimeter of the Islamic circle. All the fighters of Jihad have their reward. The Hamas regards those movements as its stock holders and asks Allah for guidance and integrity of conduct for all. It shall not fail to continue to raise the banner of unity and to exert efforts in order to implement it, [based] upon the [Holy] Book and the [Prophet’s] Tradition. “And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, do not separate. And remember Allah’s favor unto you how ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it. Thus Allah makes clear His revelations unto you, that happily ye may be guided.” Sura III (Al-’Imran), verse 102. Article Twenty-Four Hamas will not permit the slandering and defamation of individuals and groups, for the Believers are not slanderers and cursers. However, despite the need to differentiate between that and the positions and modes of conduct adopted by individuals and groups whenever the Hamas detects faulty positions and modes of conduct, it has the right to point to the mistake, to denigrate it, to act for spelling out the truth and for adopting it realistically in the context of a given problem. Wisdom is roaming around, and the Believer ought to grasp it wherever he can find it. “Allah loves not the utterance of harsh speech save by one who has been wronged. Allah is ever Hearer, Knower. If you do good openly or keep it secret, or give evil, lo! Allah is forgiving, powerful.” Sura IV (Women), verses 147-148. Article Twenty-Five: The National (wataniyya) Movements in the Palestinian Arena [Hamas] reciprocated its respect to them, appreciates their condition and the factors surrounding them and influencing them, and supports them firmly as long as they do not owe their loyalty to the Communist East or to the Crusader West. We reiterate to every one who is part of them or sympathizes with them that the Hamas is a movement of Jihad, or morality and consciousness in its concept of life. It moves forward with the others, abhors opportunism, and only wishes well to individuals and groups. It does not aspire to material gains, or to personal fame, nor does it solicit remuneration from the people. It sets out relying on its own material resources, and what is available to it, [as it is said] “afford them the power you can avail yourself of.” [All that] in order to carry out its duty, to gain Allah’s favor; it has no ambition other than that. All the nationalist streams, operating in the Palestinian arena for the sake of the liberation of Palestine, may rest assured that they will definitely and resolutely get support and assistance, in speech and in action, at the present and in the future, [because Hamas aspires] to unite, not to divide; to safeguard, not to squander; to bring together, not to fragment. It values every kind word, every devoted effort and every commendable endeavor. It closes the door before marginal quarrels, it does not heed rumors and biased statements, and it is aware of the right of self-defense. Anything that runs counter or contradicts this orientation is trumped up by the enemies or by those who run in their orbit in order to create confusion, to divide our ranks or to divert to marginal things. “O ye who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest ye smite some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what ye did.” Sura XLIX (al Hujurat, the Private Apartments), verse 6 Article Twenty-Six The Hamas, while it views positively the Palestinian National Movements which do not owe their loyalty to the East or to the West, does not refrain from debating unfolding events regarding the Palestinian problem, on the local and international scenes. These debates are realistic and expose the extent to which [these developments] go along with, or contradict, national interests as viewed from the Islamic vantage point. Article Twenty Seven: The Palestine Liberation Organization The PLO is among the closest to the Hamas, for it constitutes a father, a brother, a relative, a friend. Can a Muslim turn away from his father, his brother, his relative or his friend? Our homeland is one, our calamity is one, our destiny is one and our enemy is common to both of us. Under the influence of the circumstances which surrounded the founding of the PLO, and the ideological invasion which has swept the Arab world since the rout of the Crusades, and which has been reinforced by Orientalism and the Christian Mission, the PLO has adopted the idea of a Secular State, and so we think of it. Secular thought is diametrically opposed to religious thought. Thought is the basis for positions, for modes of conduct and for resolutions. Therefore, in spite of our appreciation for the PLO and its possible transformation in the future, and despite the fact that we do not denigrate its role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, we cannot substitute it for the Islamic nature of Palestine by adopting secular thought. For the Islamic nature of Palestine is part of our religion, and anyone who neglects his religion is bound to lose. “And who forsakes the religion of Abraham, save him who befools himself?” Sura II (Al-Baqra—the Co), verse 130 When the PLO adopts Islam as the guideline for life, then we shall become its soldiers, the fuel of its fire which will burn the enemies. And until that happens, and we pray to Allah that it will happen soon, the position of the Hamas towards the PLO is one of a son towards his father, a brother towards his brother, and a relative towards his relative who suffers the other’s pain when a thorn hits him, who supports the other in the confrontation with the enemies and who wishes him divine guidance and integrity of conduct. Your brother, your brother! Whoever has no brother, is like a fighter who runs to the battle without weapons. A cousin for man is like the best wing, and no falcon can take off without wings. Article Twenty-Eight The Zionist invasion is a mischievous one. It does not hesitate to take any road, or to pursue all despicable and repulsive means to fulfill its desires. It relies to a great extent, for its meddling and spying activities, on the clandestine organizations which it has established, such as the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, Lions, and other spying associations. All those secret organizations, some which are overt, act for the interests of Zionism and under its directions, strive to demolish societies, to destroy values, to wreck answerableness, to totter virtues and to wipe out Islam. It stands behind the diffusion of drugs and toxics of all kinds in order to facilitate its control and expansion. The Arab states surrounding Israel are required to open their borders to the Jihad fighters, the sons of the Arab and Islamic peoples, to enable them to play their role and to join their efforts to those of their brothers among the Muslim Brothers in Palestine. The other Arab and Islamic states are required, at the very least, to facilitate the movement of the Jihad fighters from and to them. We cannot fail to remind every Muslim that when the Jews occupied Holy Jerusalem in 1967 and stood at the doorstep of the Blessed Aqsa Mosque, they shouted with joy: “Muhammad is dead, he left daughters behind.” Israel, by virtue of its being Jewish and of having a Jewish population, defies Islam and the Muslims. “Let the eyes of the cowards not fall asleep.” Article Twenty-Nine: National and Religious Associations, Institutions, the Intelligentsia, and the Arab and Islamic Worlds Hamas hopes that those Associations will stand by it on all levels, will support it, adopt its positions, boost its activities and moves and encourage support for it, so as to render the Islamic peoples its backers and helpers, and its strategic depth in all human and material domains as well as in information, in time and space. Among other things, they hold solidarity meetings, issue explanatory publications, supportive articles and tendentious leaflets to make the masses aware of the Palestinian issue, the problems it faces and of the plans to resolve them; and to mobilize the Islamic peoples ideologically, educationally and culturally in order to fulfill their role in the crucial war of liberation, as they had played their role in the defeat of the Crusades and in the rout of the Tartars and had saved human civilization. How all that is dear to Allah! “Allah has decreed: Lo! I verily shall conquer, I and my messengers. Lo! Allah is strong, Almighty.” Sura LVIII (Al-Mujadilah), verse 21. Article Thirty Men of letters, members of the intelligentsia, media people, preachers, teachers and educators and all different sectors in the Arab and Islamic world, are all called upon to play their role and to carry out their duty in view of the wickedness of the Zionist invasion, of its penetration into many countries, and its control over material means and the media, with all the ramifications thereof in most countries of the world. Jihad means not only carrying arms and denigrating the enemies. Uttering positive words, writing good articles and useful books, and lending support and assistance, all that too is Jihad in the path of Allah, as long as intentions are sincere to make Allah’s banner supreme. “Those who prepare for a raid in the path of Allah are considered as if they participated themselves in the raid. Those who successfully rear a raider in their home, are considered as if they participated themselves in the raid.” (Told by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi) Article Thirty-One: The Members of Other Religions The Hamas is a Humane Movement Hamas is a humane movement, which cares for human rights and is committed to the tolerance inherent in Islam as regards attitudes towards other religions. It is only hostile to those who are hostile towards it, or stand in its way in order to disturb its moves or to frustrate its efforts. Under the shadow of Islam it is possible for the members of the three religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism to coexist in safety and security. Safety and security can only prevail under the shadow of Islam, and recent and ancient history is the best witness to that effect. The members of other religions must desist from struggling against Islam over sovereignty in this region. For if they were to gain the upper hand, fighting, torture and uprooting would follow; they would be fed up with each other, to say nothing of members of other religions. The past and the present are full of evidence to that effect. “They will not fight you in body safe in fortified villages or from behind wells. Their adversity among themselves is very great. Ye think of them as a whole whereas their hearts are diverse. That is because they are a folk who have no sense.” Sura 59 (al-Hashr, the Exile), verse 14 Islam accords his rights to everyone who has rights and averts aggression against the rights of others. The Nazi Zionist practices against our people will not last the lifetime of their invasion, for “states built upon oppression last only one hour, states based upon justice will last until the hour of Resurrection.” “Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your houses, that you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers.” Sura 60 (Al-Mumtahana), verse 8. Article Thirty-Two: The Attempts to Isolate the Palestinian People World Zionism and Imperialist forces have been attempting, with smart moves and considered planning, to push the Arab countries, one after another, out of the circle of conflict with Zionism, in order, ultimately, to isolate the Palestinian People. Egypt has already been cast out of the conflict, to a very great extent through the treacherous Camp David Accords, and she has been trying to drag other countries into similar agreements in order to push them out of the circle of conflict. Hamas is calling upon the Arab and Islamic peoples to act seriously and tirelessly in order to frustrate that dreadful scheme and to make the masses aware of the danger of coping out of the circle of struggle with Zionism. Today it is Palestine and tomorrow it may be another country or other countries. For Zionist scheming has no end, and after Palestine they will covet expansion from the Nile to the Euphrates. Only when they have completed digesting the area on which they will have laid their hand, they will look forward to more expansion, etc. Their scheme has been laid out in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and their present [conduct] is the best proof of what is said there. Leaving the circle of conflict with Israel is a major act of treason and it will bring curse on its perpetrators. “Who so on that day turns his back to them, unless maneuvering for battle or intent to join a company, he truly has incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey’s end.” Sura 8 (al-Anfal—Spoils of War), verse 16We have no escape from pooling together all the forces and energies to face this despicable Nazi-Tatar invasion. Otherwise we shall witness the loss of [our] countries, the uprooting of their inhabitants, the spreading of corruption on earth and the destruction of all religious values. Let everyone realize that he is accountable to Allah. “Whoever does a speck of good will bear [the consequences] and whoever does a speck of evil will see [the consequences].” Within the circle of the conflict with world Zionism, the Hamas regards itself the spearhead and the avant-garde. It joins its efforts to all those who are active on the Palestinian scene, but more steps need to be taken by the Arab and Islamic peoples and Islamic associations throughout the Arab and Islamic world in order to make possible the next round with the Jews, the merchants of war. “We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. Their effort is for corruption in the land, and Allah loves not corrupters.” Sura V (Al-Ma’idah—the Table spread), verse 64. Article Thirty-Three The Hamas sets out from these general concepts which are consistent and in accordance with the rules of the universe, and gushes forth in the river of Fate in its confrontation and Jihad waging against the enemies, in defense of the Muslim human being, of Islamic Civilization and of the Islamic Holy Places, primarily the Blessed Aqsa Mosque. This, for the purpose of calling upon the Arab and Islamic peoples as well as their governments, popular and official associations, to fear Allah in their attitude towards and dealings with Hamas, and to be, in accordance with Allah’s will, its supporters and partisans who extend assistance to it and provide it with reinforcement after reinforcement, until the Decree of Allah is fulfilled, the ranks are over-swollen, Jihad fighters join other Jihad fighters, and all this accumulation sets out from everywhere in the Islamic world, obeying the call of duty, and intoning “Come on, join Jihad!” This call will tear apart the clouds in the skies and it will continue to ring until liberation is completed, the invaders are vanquished and Allah’s victory sets in. “Verily Allah helps one who helps Him. Lo! Allah is strong, Almighty.” Sura XXII (Pilgrimage), verse 40. Part V - The Testimony of History Article Thirty-Four: Confronting Aggressors Throughout History Palestine is the navel of earth, the convergence of continents, the object of greed for the greedy, since the dawn of history. The Prophet, may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him, points out to that fact in his noble hadith in which he implored his venerable Companion, Ma’adh ibn Jabl, saying: “O Ma’adh, Allah is going to grant you victory over Syria after me, from Al-Arish to the Euphrates, while its men, women, and female slaves will be dwelling there until the Day of Resurrection. Those of you who chose [to dwell in one of the plains of Syria or Palestine will be in a state of Jihad to the Day of Resurrection.” The greedy have coveted Palestine more than once and they raided it with armies in order to fulfill their covetousness. Multitudes of Crusades descended on it, carrying their faith with them and waving their Cross. They were able to defeat the Muslims for a long time, and the Muslims were not able to redeem it until they sought the protection of their religious banner; then, they unified their forces, sang the praise of their God and set out for Jihad under the Command of Saladin al-Ayyubi, for the duration of nearly two decades, and then the obvious conquest took place when the Crusaders were defeated and Palestine was liberated. “Say (O Muhammad) unto those who disbelieve: ye shall be overcome and gathered unto Hell, an evil resting place.” Sura III (Al-Imran), verse 12. This is the only way to liberation, there is no doubt in the testimony of history. That is one of the rules of the universe and one of the laws of existence. Only iron can blunt iron, only the true faith of Islam can vanquish their false and falsified faith. Faith can only be fought by faith. Ultimately, victory is reserved to the truth, and truth is victorious. “And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our Bordmen sent [to warn]. That they verily would be helped. And that Our host, they verily would be the victors.” Sura 38 (Al-saffat), verses 171-3. Article Thirty-Five Hamas takes a serious look at the defeat of the Crusades at the hand of Saladin the Ayyubid and the rescue of Palestine from their domination; at the defeat of the Tatars at Ein Jalut where their spine was broken by Qutuz and Al-Dhahir Baibars, and the Arab world was rescued from the sweep of the Tatars which ruined all aspects of human civilization. Hamas has learned from these lessons and examples, that the current Zionist invasion had been preceded by a Crusader invasion from the West; and another one, the Tatars, from the East. And exactly as the Muslims had faced those invasions and planned their removal and defeat, they are able to face the Zionist invasion and defeat it. This will not be difficult for Allah if our intentions are pure and our determination is sincere; if the Muslims draw useful lessons from the experiences of the past, and extricate themselves for the vestiges of the [western] ideological onslaught; and if they follow the traditions of Islam. Epilogue Article Thirty-Six: The Hamas are Soldiers The Hamas, while breaking its path, reiterates time and again to all members of our people and the Arab and Islamic peoples, that it does not seek fame for itself nor material gains, or social status. Nor is it directed against any one member of our people in order to compete with him or replace him. There is nothing of that at all. It will never set out against any Muslims or against the non-Muslims who make peace with it, here or anywhere else. It will only be of help to all associations and organizations which act against the Zionist enemy and those who revolve in its orbit. Hamas posits Islam as a way of life, it is its faith and its yardstick for judging. Whoever posits Islam as a way of life, anywhere, and regardless of whether it is an organization, a state, or any other group, Hamas are its soldiers, nothing else. We implore Allah to guide us, to guide through us and to decide between us and our folk with truth. “Our Lord! Decide with truth between us and our folk, for Thou are the best of those who make decisions.” Sura VII (Al-A’raf—the Heights), verse 89. Our last call is: Thanks to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. | |||
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