Y'NET NEWS
In meeting with Abbas in Amman, King Abdullah warns of 'dangerous consequences of provocative Israeli moves and aggressive acts against al-Aqsa Mosque.' He adds that steps taken 'constitute dangerous provocation that threatens efforts to achieve regional peace'
Israel's eastern neighbor makes a call for action: King Abdullah of Jordan said Sunday that the international community must take immediate measures to protect the holy sites in east Jerusalem from unilateral moves on Israel's part.
According to him, Israel's moves seek to alter Jerusalem's identity and constitute a dangerous provocation that threatens all efforts invested in achieving regional peace.
Jordan's official news agency, Petra, reported that during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman the Jordanian king warned against "the dangerous consequences of provocative Israeli moves and acts of aggression against the al-Aqsa Mosque – moves with Jordan condemns."
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Europe's killer storm tracks north
ABC NEWS
At least 50 people have been killed in violent storms that have caused chaos in Europe.
Most were killed in France, but Spain, Germany and Portugal have all recorded fatalities.
Packing winds just under 150 kilometres an hour, the intense low caused havoc in many countries.
Flooding was most serious in France and Spain and a 10-year-old boy was one of a number of people killed by falling trees.
In the French Vendee region, houses were inundated and people had to be rescued by helicopter from their roofs.
At least a dozen people in France remain unaccounted for and there have been at least 60 injuries.
Up to a million people were without power.
The UK is on flood alert and authorities in Denmark are on standby as the storm continues to track north.
At least 50 people have been killed in violent storms that have caused chaos in Europe.
Most were killed in France, but Spain, Germany and Portugal have all recorded fatalities.
Packing winds just under 150 kilometres an hour, the intense low caused havoc in many countries.
Flooding was most serious in France and Spain and a 10-year-old boy was one of a number of people killed by falling trees.
In the French Vendee region, houses were inundated and people had to be rescued by helicopter from their roofs.
At least a dozen people in France remain unaccounted for and there have been at least 60 injuries.
Up to a million people were without power.
The UK is on flood alert and authorities in Denmark are on standby as the storm continues to track north.
Chilean ground trembles with 90+ aftershocks
CONCEPCION, Chile (AP) -- Aftershocks to one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded continue to rock Chile.
Ninety aftershocks of magnitude 5 or greater have shuddered across the disaster prone Andean nation within 24 hours of the initial, 8.8 magnitude quake. One was nearly as powerful as Haiti's devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.
See also Expect 'Large, Vigorous Aftershocks' in Chile, Warns USGS
Ninety aftershocks of magnitude 5 or greater have shuddered across the disaster prone Andean nation within 24 hours of the initial, 8.8 magnitude quake. One was nearly as powerful as Haiti's devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.
See also Expect 'Large, Vigorous Aftershocks' in Chile, Warns USGS
The 8.8 magnitude Chile earthquake one of the most intense ever measured
Chile Earthquake Leaves Millions Homeless, Grazes Hawaii ABC NEWS
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday. The quake hit 200 miles southwest of Santiago, the country's capital, and the epicenter was just 70 miles from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city. (AP Photo)More Photos
With 214 people confirmed dead and the death toll expected to rise, Chilean rescue workers rushed to save people trapped by Saturday's massive earthquake -- including dozens feared inside a collapsed apartment block in the city of Concepcion.
"It was a catastrophe of devastating consequences," said outgoing Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, according to The Associated Press.
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake was one of the most intense ever measured. More than half a million homes were destroyed in an event scientists said was 500 times stronger than the earthquake in Haiti.
An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday. The quake hit 200 miles southwest of Santiago, the country's capital, and the epicenter was just 70 miles from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city. (AP Photo)More Photos
With 214 people confirmed dead and the death toll expected to rise, Chilean rescue workers rushed to save people trapped by Saturday's massive earthquake -- including dozens feared inside a collapsed apartment block in the city of Concepcion.
"It was a catastrophe of devastating consequences," said outgoing Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, according to The Associated Press.
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake was one of the most intense ever measured. More than half a million homes were destroyed in an event scientists said was 500 times stronger than the earthquake in Haiti.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Universalism: The Gospel Message of Emergent and New Age Spirituality
One of the greatest misconceptions in this country today is that the New Age Movement of the 80s and 90s is (1) a thing of the past and (2) has nothing whatsoever in common with Christianity. Nothing could be further from the truth on either count. Let me explain.
Most Americans today have sort of an eye-rolling, amused response to the phrase "New Age." Perhaps their minds are conjuring up an image of Shirley MacLaine on the beach, talking to the sky, a spiritual eccentric who became the punch line of many jokes for her interest in reincarnation and channeling. Perhaps they think that, like Shirley MacLaine, the New Age has passed gently into history, much like the rubix cube and Duran Duran. Well, the truth is that the New Age is still very much with us today. It never really went away, it just went mainstream. New Age practices or beliefs that were once considered borderline occultic or kooky are now widely accepted and embraced, including yoga, mantra meditation, muscle testing, acupuncture, reiki, sustainable living and going green...
...Both New Age and Emergent heavily promote the practice of mantra meditation, only it's called different names from within each movement. Within the Emergent Church movement, these practices are given "Christianized" names so that they will be more palatable. I mean, what could possibly be wrong with something called the Jesus Prayer, right?
The fact remains that we do not approach God in this way, because here's the rub: as I stated before, if anyone could approach God by use of a mystical practice (a Christian, a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Muslim, etc.) without repenting and confessing Christ, then there would be no point to the Cross, which as far as orthodox Christianity goes, is the hinge that swings the whole door. No, we approach the throne of God through Christ alone, as Scripture plainly tells us: "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, my emphasis)...
Read the rest at Sola Sisters.
See related articles The Global Interfaith Avatars and Awakening The World To Oneness .
Product Recall On The Purpose Driven Production Line
The Druckerites Must Issue a Safety Recall For Their “Emerging Church” Product Line from Extreme Theology:
Rick Warren, Bob Buford and Bill Hybels are the Druckerite “trinity”. All three of these men were personally mentored by the late business guru Peter Drucker and these three men more than any others are responsible for innovating the church by purposely changing congregations from a pastoral leadership model to a CEO / Innovative Change Agent leadership model. All of these innovations were strategically crafted under the careful eye of Peter Drucker. And all of these innovations were incubated, introduced and injected into the church through the coordinated efforts of Drucker’s disciples through their different but intimately connected organizations; Leadership Network, the Purpose Driven Network and the Willow Creek Association...
Click here to hear the interview.
Rick Warren, Bob Buford and Bill Hybels are the Druckerite “trinity”. All three of these men were personally mentored by the late business guru Peter Drucker and these three men more than any others are responsible for innovating the church by purposely changing congregations from a pastoral leadership model to a CEO / Innovative Change Agent leadership model. All of these innovations were strategically crafted under the careful eye of Peter Drucker. And all of these innovations were incubated, introduced and injected into the church through the coordinated efforts of Drucker’s disciples through their different but intimately connected organizations; Leadership Network, the Purpose Driven Network and the Willow Creek Association...
Click here to hear the interview.
Monday, February 22, 2010
DNA, Tips Lead to Arrests in Texas Church Fire
AP NEWS, TYLER, Texas — Investigators say DNA evidence collected at the site of one of several Texas churches destroyed by arson links one of two suspects to the blaze, and they haven't ruled out more charges.
Jason Robert Bourque, 19, and Daniel George McAllister, 21, were arrested and charged Sunday with one count of felony arson for the torching of a church in rural Smith County, said Tom Crowley, spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The church near Tyler, about 90 miles east of Dallas, was among 10 in east Texas burned since the beginning of 2010. Authorities believe those fires, along with another in central Texas, were arson. No injuries have been reported in the fires.
See related article: Sketches released in 10 E. Texas church arson cases
Sarkozy, Abbas urge rapid renewal of Mideast peace talks
From Haaretz
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, called Monday for the rapid resumption of negotiations that will lead to a Palestinian state.
Following a meeting of the two leaders in Paris, Sarkozy said that he would work for the creation of "a modern, viable Palestinian state" which, like Israel, would have Jerusalem as its capital and which would be drawn up according to the borders of 1967.
In addition, any solution to the Mideast crisis must also include a discussion on the fate of the Palestinian refugees, the French president said.
The created Palestinian state must be "modern, viable, democratic," Sarkozy added.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, called Monday for the rapid resumption of negotiations that will lead to a Palestinian state.
Following a meeting of the two leaders in Paris, Sarkozy said that he would work for the creation of "a modern, viable Palestinian state" which, like Israel, would have Jerusalem as its capital and which would be drawn up according to the borders of 1967.
In addition, any solution to the Mideast crisis must also include a discussion on the fate of the Palestinian refugees, the French president said.
The created Palestinian state must be "modern, viable, democratic," Sarkozy added.
Israel and Iran Beef Up Their Arsenals
From the Media Line:Israel and Iran are rolling out the new toys.
Iran's first domestically built guided-missile destroyer was firing against imaginary air and land targets on Sunday while on a virgin patrol mission of the Gulf as over 1000 miles to the East Israel was formally unveiling a new fleet of some of the world's largest and most advanced drones, capable of remaining airborne for more than 24 hours and flying from Israel to Iran.
The winter beef up of the two arch-enemies' armies began on Friday as Iran's 1,420 ton homemade Jamaran destroyer was launched by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at an undisclosed coastal location, most likely Bandar-Abbas, a port city and capital of Hormozgan Province on the southern coast of Iran.
Last year Iran sent six warships into international waters on Khamenei's orders, marking the first time in modern history that the Islamic republic has projected its military might beyond its regional sphere of interest.
Hamas Assasination: The Shot Heard Around The World
International condemnation is mounting against Israel regarding the assassination of Hamas leader in Dubai...
Israelis Face EU Grilling Over Dubai Murder
European Press Links Israelis to Dubai Killing
Emirates vows to punish killers of Al-Mabhouh
EU to express anger towards Israel over Dubai killing
EU condemns forged passport use in Dubai Mabhouh murder
Israel: Killing of Hamas official is not murder
'Many false accusations against Israel'
Israelis Face EU Grilling Over Dubai Murder
European Press Links Israelis to Dubai Killing
Emirates vows to punish killers of Al-Mabhouh
EU to express anger towards Israel over Dubai killing
EU condemns forged passport use in Dubai Mabhouh murder
Israel: Killing of Hamas official is not murder
'Many false accusations against Israel'
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sketches released in 10 E. Texas church arson cases
TYLER, TX AP PRESS-- Federal arson investigators say they're seeking three men in connection with 10 church fires in east and central Texas.
Sketches of the "persons of interest" were released Friday by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials. ATF spokesman Tom Crowley told The Associated Press that authorities want to interview them.
Nine fires at east Texas churches have been ruled arsons this year, including two Monday northwest of Tyler. Tyler is 90 miles east of Dallas.
ATF officials say another fire, in Temple, 120 miles south of Dallas, also was arson. The sketches depict two short-haired men -- one with a flame-like tattoo on his neck, the other with an inverted cross on his left forearm and elbow. A third man has longer hair.
Editor's note: Fans of " Black metal " style rock and roll music have been involved in murders and church burnings in the 1990's.
THIS IS ONE OF THE TOOLS OF THE ENEMY
WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS DISTURBING.
Learn more about the spiritual battle ( that the seeker sensitive, purpose driven and the emergent totally ignore) that is erupting at Shatter The Darkness.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Climate scientists admit fresh error over data on rising sea levels
Robin McKie, science editor The Observer, Sunday 14 February 2010
Climate experts have been forced to admit another embarrassing error in their most recent report on the threat of climate change.
In a background note – released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last night – the UN group said its 2007 report wrongly stated that 55% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. In fact, only 26% of the country does. The figure used by the IPCC included all areas in the country that are prone to flooding, including land along rivers above sea level. This accounts for 29% of the Dutch countryside.
"The sea-level statistic was used for background information only, and the updated information remains consistent with the overall conclusions," the IPCC note states. Nevertheless, the admission is likely to intensify claims by sceptics that the IPCC work is riddled with sloppiness.
The disclosure will intensify divisions between scientists and sceptics over the interpretation of statistics and the use of sources for writing climate change reports, disagreements that have led to apologies being made by both sides of the debate. Last week a key climate-change sceptic apologised for alleging that one of the world's leading meteorologists had deliberately exaggerated the dangers of global warming...
See what's really behind the global warming agenda here.
Climate experts have been forced to admit another embarrassing error in their most recent report on the threat of climate change.
In a background note – released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last night – the UN group said its 2007 report wrongly stated that 55% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. In fact, only 26% of the country does. The figure used by the IPCC included all areas in the country that are prone to flooding, including land along rivers above sea level. This accounts for 29% of the Dutch countryside.
"The sea-level statistic was used for background information only, and the updated information remains consistent with the overall conclusions," the IPCC note states. Nevertheless, the admission is likely to intensify claims by sceptics that the IPCC work is riddled with sloppiness.
The disclosure will intensify divisions between scientists and sceptics over the interpretation of statistics and the use of sources for writing climate change reports, disagreements that have led to apologies being made by both sides of the debate. Last week a key climate-change sceptic apologised for alleging that one of the world's leading meteorologists had deliberately exaggerated the dangers of global warming...
See what's really behind the global warming agenda here.
MONVEE TO OPEN DOOR FOR CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY/MYSTICISM IN EVANGELICALISM
From Apprising Ministries: Here we point your attention to something called Monvee, which is billed as The Future Of Spiritual Formation. According to Tony Morgan, “pastor of Pastor of Ministries at West Ridge Church near Atlanta,” it seems monvee will Reshape Spiritual Formation. Now if you don’t know, Morgan is well-known in the Purpose Driven/Seeker Driven circles of Popes Of The Carolinas such as Perry Noble and his disciple Steven Furtick. At Morgan’s website you’ll see he’s worked with Noble:
For more than 10 years, Tony served on the senior leadership teams at NewSpring Church (Anderson, SC)… He’s also a strategist, coach, writer, speaker and consultant who equips leaders and churches to impact their communities for Christ. (Online source)
In fact, Morgan’s stature is such that he’s going to be featured in something called The Whiteboard Sessions—1 Day 7 Influential Leaders—in May along with Noble and Dr. Al Mohler:
The Whiteboard Sessions is a one-day conference on Friday, May 21, 2010 about ideas in ministry – ideas that will stretch our thinking and shape the church’s future. (Online source)
Morgan tells us in his post about Monvee:
I had the opportunity to sit around a table at Panera and talk about the future of spiritual formation in local churches. I heard the vision from Mark Bankord, the Directional Leader and co-founder of Heartland Community Church in Rockford, Illinois, and Eric Parks, the Chief Creative Officer of monvee. (Online source)
He goes on to share that Monvee “recommends resources and practices to help people experience growth” and then we note carefully who Morgan mentions next as he says, “Oh…and it doesn’t hurt that guys like John Ortberg and Dallas Willard have been involved in shaping the solution.”
I suggest you make the time to go through the information in Is Dallas Willard A Christian?, where you can also listen to the Fighting for the Faith program of Christian apologist Chris Rosebrough from Pirate Christian Radio...
FLASHBACK: Preview of The Coming Global Religion, Co-Starring Rick Warren
See the video from February 7, 2008
The Davos World Economic Forum not only discusses economics, but many topics related to the globalization of the world, or, phrased differently, the new re-ordered world system.
The Open Forum panel on “Faith and Modernization”, hosted by Tony Blair, consisted of Muslims, Jews and Catholics, and (Protestant) Christianity. Christianity was being represented by Rick Warren, who claims to be a Baptist Evangelical Christian.
The message communicated by the Muslim, Jewish, and Catholic leaders was basically that religions must coexist, common ground must be found, proselytism must stop, extremism, the source of all the problems, must be stopped, and extremists must be faced and controlled. They declared that all believers (adherents to all religions) must work together in unity for world peace, and that it is in “our hands” to change the world...
The Davos World Economic Forum not only discusses economics, but many topics related to the globalization of the world, or, phrased differently, the new re-ordered world system.
The Open Forum panel on “Faith and Modernization”, hosted by Tony Blair, consisted of Muslims, Jews and Catholics, and (Protestant) Christianity. Christianity was being represented by Rick Warren, who claims to be a Baptist Evangelical Christian.
The message communicated by the Muslim, Jewish, and Catholic leaders was basically that religions must coexist, common ground must be found, proselytism must stop, extremism, the source of all the problems, must be stopped, and extremists must be faced and controlled. They declared that all believers (adherents to all religions) must work together in unity for world peace, and that it is in “our hands” to change the world...
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Awakening The World To Oneness
A ONENESS DAY Petition - Potentially the most important petition ever launched . . . toward a New Spirituality, a new humanity, a new earth.
Humanity’s Team is collecting 50,000 signatures to persuade the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day, a day set aside and embraced by individuals, communities and nations each year for humanity to celebrate, discuss and experience our commonality, while still acknowledging and respecting our beautiful cultural diversities...a day to unite in Oneness for the greater good of the Human Family.
Who is Humanity Team?
Humanity’s Team is a spiritual movement whose purpose is to communicate and implement the belief that we are all one, one with God and one with life, in a shared global state of being, so that the behavior of humanity may shift to reflect this understanding.
Humanity’s Team, based in Boulder, Colorado, proposes a New Spirituality that enlarges and enhances humanity’s current beliefs about God and about life in ways that could change how we live with each other, bringing peace and harmony to our planet at last.
The New Spirituality is not a new religion. Rather, it is an expansion of all our present theologies; an updating of them; a refreshing of them, rendering all of our current sacred teachings even more relevant to our present day and time.
Humanity’s Team is collecting 50,000 signatures to persuade the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day, a day set aside and embraced by individuals, communities and nations each year for humanity to celebrate, discuss and experience our commonality, while still acknowledging and respecting our beautiful cultural diversities...a day to unite in Oneness for the greater good of the Human Family.
Who is Humanity Team?
Humanity’s Team is a spiritual movement whose purpose is to communicate and implement the belief that we are all one, one with God and one with life, in a shared global state of being, so that the behavior of humanity may shift to reflect this understanding.
Humanity’s Team, based in Boulder, Colorado, proposes a New Spirituality that enlarges and enhances humanity’s current beliefs about God and about life in ways that could change how we live with each other, bringing peace and harmony to our planet at last.
The New Spirituality is not a new religion. Rather, it is an expansion of all our present theologies; an updating of them; a refreshing of them, rendering all of our current sacred teachings even more relevant to our present day and time.
Humanity's Team first sponsored the 2005 Seeds of Transformation conference in response to the September 11th terror attacks..
Some very familiar signatories and promoters include Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, and Neale Donald Walsch ( founder), Yoko Ono, Bono.
Desmond Tutu signed the petition appealing to the United Nations to declare Global Oneness Day.
"Tutu, 77, called humanity's oneness "a fundamental law of our being" and he encouraged people worldwide to shift their behaviors to reflect this understanding.
If people did, "Life would truly be 'on Earth as it is in heaven,'" he said."
Desmond Tutu signed the petition appealing to the United Nations to declare Global Oneness Day.
"Tutu, 77, called humanity's oneness "a fundamental law of our being" and he encouraged people worldwide to shift their behaviors to reflect this understanding.
If people did, "Life would truly be 'on Earth as it is in heaven,'" he said."
The Humanity's Team tweeted on February 11, 2010 that the United Nations has invited HT to New York on May 10, 2010.
See the global strategy roll out plan here. Visit Neale Donald Walsch's Global Website of the School of the New Spirituality for youth...
The School of the New Spirituality has been created for people around the world who have been impacted in a powerful and positive way by the life-changing messages in the Conversations with God series of books and who wish to share those messages with their children in an effective and wonderful way.
See related articles: United Religions & The United Nations' International Day of Peace , Global Interfaith Coalition Formed To Support United Nations Peace Initiative , United Religions & The United Nations' International Day of Peace
See what America's Protestant Pope, Rick Warren is doing with his PEACE TRAIN to bring evangelicals toward global oneness.
See more on The Rise of the Fourth Kingdom.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Global Interfaith Avatars
Progressive Global Spirituality brought to you by THE SHIFT - Promoting the evolution of human consciousness:
"With our world facing numerous crises, humanity needs to find a way to live a sacred life, in harmony with ourselves and in service to others. It is time for a great awakening of our human potential and the revitalizing of our society.
How can we make that shift a reality?
Lent is a Christian tradition that memorializes Jesus’ 40 days in retreat in the desert before beginning his ministry. During the 40 days of Lent in 2010, we at the Shift Network are offering a powerful way to deepen your spiritual journey with respected leaders from every major world tradition.
You’ll be able to engage with some of the wisest, most enlightened, and loving spiritual teachers, all from the convenience of home. For those unable to take a long desert retreat, we hope this series will prove illuminating for your path!
Featured speakers include: Marianne Williamson, Robert Thurman, Sadhguru, Bishop John Shelby Spong, Luisah Teish, Rabbi Yehuda Berg, Barbara Marx Hubbard, and Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim."
Here's a look another teleconference promoted by THE SHIFT:
Humanity is facing a moment of unprecedented challenge, and unprecedented opportunity.
As we awaken to the planetary crises facing us, more and more of us are awakening to our role as co-creators of the future.
We're awakening to a new spirituality in which there is no longer any separation between the transformation of ourselves and the evolution of the world.
In Evangelicalism, The Seeker Sensitive and the Purpose Driven fill the coliseums so the Emergents can mystify and unify for the global good.
Hollywood casts it's latest "universal consciousness" spell with AVATAR.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Apparition of Mary: The Sinless Lady of Lourdes
Roman Catholic Feast Day, February 11 OUR LADY of LOURDES (1858)
The first of the eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the humble Bernadette Soubirous took place at Lourdes on February 11, 1858. On March 25th, when Bernadette asked the beautiful Lady Her name, She replied: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” The Church for long centuries had believed in Her Immaculate Conception, Her exemption from every trace of the original sin which through Adam, our first and common father, separated man from his God.
It was never proclaimed a dogma, however, until 1854. Mary Herself, in 1830, had asked of a Vincentian Sister at the Rue du Bac in Paris, that a medal be struck bearing Her likeness and the inscription: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.” Our Lady by Her apparitions at Lourdes in 1858 seems to convey Her appreciation for the formal proclamation of Her great privilege, by Pius IX, in 1854. Countless and magnificent miracles of healing have occurred at Lourdes, confirmed by physicians and recorded in the Lourdes shrine “Book of Life.” To name but one: a doctor wrote a book describing the great miracle he had witnessed for a dying girl, whom he had observed on the train that was carrying handicapped persons from Paris to Lourdes. He had not expected her to survive and return home from the sanctuary.
See more details of the multiple visions Bernadette experienced at Mother Of All Peoples.
Bernadette's state of perfect preservation?
The Apparition instructed Bernadette to drink from a pool of water hidden under a rock. Those waters are credited with her preserving her body which lies in state today...
After thirty years undisturbed in the tomb, Sister Marie (Bernadette) Bernard's body was exhumed for examination. The cause for sainthood had begun. When the stone was lifted from the vault, the coffin was immediately seen. It was carried to the room prepared for it and placed on two trestles covered with a cloth. On one side was a table covered with a white cloth. The remains of Bernadette were to be placed on this table. The wooden coffin was unscrewed and the lead coffin cut open to reveal the body in a state of perfect preservation. There was not the slightest trace of an unpleasant smell. The Sisters who had buried her thirty years earlier noted only that her hands had fallen slightly to the left. The words of the surgeon and the doctor, who were under oath, speak for themselves:
"The coffin was opened in the presence of the Bishop of Nevers, the mayor of the town, his principal deputy, several canons and ourselves. We noticed no smell. The body was clothed in the habit of Bernadette's order. The habit was damp. Only the face, hands and forearms were uncovered..."
In 1919, The Bishop called for the removal of "relics"...portions of Bernadette's ribs, bones, muscle tissue and the liver.
People travel from all over the world in hopes of miraculous healing from the water at Lourdes. Over 2500 healings have been reported.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI granted Plenary Indulgences for the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes.
If you are Roman Catholic, please visit What Every Roman Catholic Should Know.
See more on The Mother of All Peoples here.
See related article: Pope Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Lourdes' Marian Apparitions
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Chicago Awakened by Earthquake
Amy Vaughan, a geophysicist with the agency, said that the tremor was only the second notable earthquake in more than 30 years to rattle the area. Even though the quake was relatively small, it was felt by residents as far away as southern Wisconsin, according to news reports.
Missouri, Tennessse, New Jersey and Eastern Canada also registered quake activity this week.
The Great Global Warming Collapse
Margaret Wente at The Globe and MailAs the science scandals keep coming, the air has gone out of the climate-change movement.
n 2007, the most comprehensive report to date on global warming, issued by the respected United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made a shocking claim: The Himalayan glaciers could melt away as soon as 2035.
These glaciers provide the headwaters for Asia's nine largest rivers and lifelines for the more than one billion people who live downstream. Melting ice and snow would create mass flooding, followed by mass drought. The glacier story was reported around the world. Last December, a spokesman for the World Wildlife Fund, an environmental pressure group, warned, “The deal reached at Copenhagen will have huge ramifications for the lives of hundreds of millions of people who are already highly vulnerable due to widespread poverty.” To dramatize their country's plight, Nepal's top politicians strapped on oxygen tanks and held a cabinet meeting on Mount Everest.
But the claim was rubbish, and the world's top glaciologists knew it. It was based not on rigorously peer-reviewed science but on an anecdotal report by the WWF itself. When its background came to light on the eve of Copenhagen, Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the IPCC, shrugged it off. But now, even leading scientists and environmental groups admit the IPCC is facing a crisis of credibility that makes the Climategate affair look like small change.
“The global warming movement as we have known it is dead,” the brilliant analyst Walter Russell Mead says in his blog on The American Interest. It was done in by a combination of bad science and bad politics.
See more about the Great Global Warming Swindle here.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Are Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Promoting Islamic Dialogue?
Looks like The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) is not only interested in building bridges to Rome and but also to Mecca...
Apprising Ministries revealed the backgrounds of the co-editors of The Parish Paper (TPP) which the BGAV / Virginia Baptist Mission Board "is proud to provide copies of the Parish Paper free of charge to members of our constituency!"
Pastor Ken Silva writes:
"TPP being “ecumenical in the broadest sense of that term,” combined with its popularity in dying mainline denominations such as the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, and the ELCA, explains why knowledge expert Dr. Cynthia Woolever, who wrote the edition of TPP in question, would be so enamored with the EC. It’s also telling when we know that Dr. Woolever..."
Pastor Silva shares an endorsement of Woolever as a Professor of Sociology of Religious Organizations by Hartford Seminary President, Heidi Hadsell.
Hartford Seminary boldly embraces diversity and interfaith unity. From the HS web page:
"Hartford Seminary is an educational institution where a consciousness of God is cultivated and shared. We believe strong religious institutions and healthy communities of faith are necessary to the well being of individuals and society. We affirm the goodness of religious differences that exist in the world and we support faithful living in a pluralistic and multi-faith environment.
...As part of our fidelity to that foundation, we affirm our historic and continuing commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue and commit to further dialogue with Judaism and other religious traditions."
Apprising Ministries revealed the backgrounds of the co-editors of The Parish Paper (TPP) which the BGAV / Virginia Baptist Mission Board "is proud to provide copies of the Parish Paper free of charge to members of our constituency!"
Pastor Ken Silva writes:
"TPP being “ecumenical in the broadest sense of that term,” combined with its popularity in dying mainline denominations such as the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, and the ELCA, explains why knowledge expert Dr. Cynthia Woolever, who wrote the edition of TPP in question, would be so enamored with the EC. It’s also telling when we know that Dr. Woolever..."
Pastor Silva shares an endorsement of Woolever as a Professor of Sociology of Religious Organizations by Hartford Seminary President, Heidi Hadsell.
Hartford Seminary boldly embraces diversity and interfaith unity. From the HS web page:
"Hartford Seminary is an educational institution where a consciousness of God is cultivated and shared. We believe strong religious institutions and healthy communities of faith are necessary to the well being of individuals and society. We affirm the goodness of religious differences that exist in the world and we support faithful living in a pluralistic and multi-faith environment.
...As part of our fidelity to that foundation, we affirm our historic and continuing commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue and commit to further dialogue with Judaism and other religious traditions."
Now, World Net Daily reports in Christian churches fed 'Islam lite' the following regarding Hartford Seminary:
"...organizations such as Hartford Seminary are sending imams "to condition members of the area churches to believe the light version of Islam."
Steve Emerson, director of the Investigative Project for Terrorism, concurred.
"Hartford Seminary is a place that has been compromised by the Muslim Brotherhood, and then there's the Center for Christian and Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University. The center is a de facto arm of the Muslim Brotherhood," Emerson said. "
Is there anyone within the BGAV spiritually awake enough to be appalled at the blatant rebellion of the VBMB?
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
See related articles:
Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Promoting Emergent Phyllis Tickle , Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Host Anglican Emergents At Church Growth Conference , Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) Flirting With Romantic Catholicism , Virginia Baptists One Step Closer To Rome
Priest on alien life: We better know who we are in God’s plan
Counterpoint: Extraterrestrials May Well Be Out There by Father David Swantek , National Catholic Register correspondent
"...The recent gatherings at the Vatican engaged the topic of astrobiology from primarily a scientific perspective of physicists, biologists and astronomers. Pope John Paul II reminds us that both science and religion “bear enormous responsibility for the human condition.”
...Now, whether the universe is teeming with intelligent life-forms or not is for the sciences to discover; theological consideration of this question, however, allows religion a place at the conversation table with the sciences. It also gives our Church a place to speak with a generation raised on science fiction.
Why else do theologians take up this question?
The issues it raises can be helpful tools for better understanding and appreciating our own faith: What does the Incarnation mean? Could there be multiple incarnations? Fallen/unfallen species? Do we assume sin is the universal condition of the universe? Could Jesus’ coming down from heaven, “for us men and our salvation,” apply to peoples other than human beings?
How free is God? Did he have to create us? Did he have to save us?
What would it mean for another intelligent species to encounter a Christian? Would we/could we evangelize them?
These are enormous and consequential questions — questions to be considered cautiously, thoroughly and prayerfully. Yes, answers to these questions may be as elusive as an accurate prediction of the next Super Bowl, but they are questions that can still bear fruit.
Whether we will ever meet another extraterrestrial in this life — in the eschaton — or not at all, we had better know who we are in God’s plan and his universe as we push further into the stars."
"...The recent gatherings at the Vatican engaged the topic of astrobiology from primarily a scientific perspective of physicists, biologists and astronomers. Pope John Paul II reminds us that both science and religion “bear enormous responsibility for the human condition.”
...Now, whether the universe is teeming with intelligent life-forms or not is for the sciences to discover; theological consideration of this question, however, allows religion a place at the conversation table with the sciences. It also gives our Church a place to speak with a generation raised on science fiction.
Why else do theologians take up this question?
The issues it raises can be helpful tools for better understanding and appreciating our own faith: What does the Incarnation mean? Could there be multiple incarnations? Fallen/unfallen species? Do we assume sin is the universal condition of the universe? Could Jesus’ coming down from heaven, “for us men and our salvation,” apply to peoples other than human beings?
How free is God? Did he have to create us? Did he have to save us?
What would it mean for another intelligent species to encounter a Christian? Would we/could we evangelize them?
These are enormous and consequential questions — questions to be considered cautiously, thoroughly and prayerfully. Yes, answers to these questions may be as elusive as an accurate prediction of the next Super Bowl, but they are questions that can still bear fruit.
Whether we will ever meet another extraterrestrial in this life — in the eschaton — or not at all, we had better know who we are in God’s plan and his universe as we push further into the stars."
Signs of Extraterrestrial Life at World Economic Forum ?
First, the concept of Truth is deconstructed at the World Economic Forum. Now, the origins of life is on the table as the search for extraterrestrial life is examined at Davos.
One might ask, "How are these topics even relevant to global economic leaders?" Similar questions were tackled by the Brookings Institute in the 1960 report, Proposed Studies on the Implications of Peaceful Space Activities for Human Affairs. An interesting comment regarding the impact of alien disclosure on humanity...
Curiously, the report also suggests that both scientists and religious fundamentalists might have their paradigms most altered by the verification of extraterrestrial life...
Curiously, the report also suggests that both scientists and religious fundamentalists might have their paradigms most altered by the verification of extraterrestrial life...
That is an understatement. Paradigms in Evangelicalism are already being shifted by the alien theological musings of Progressive Christianity. Add scientific evidence of extraterrestrials, the redesigned origins of life and the Scriptures would be reduced to a historical textbook. Just another book from one of the world's religions.
The God of The Bible would also be reduced to just one of the god's of the world religions. The resultant vacancy of "The Almighty" in the minds of men would soon then be filled by the lawless one.
The New Progressive Christianity: Taking Evangelicalism By Storm
From Christian Research Network:
The New Progressive Christianity is Rebranding Old Liberalism and thousands of evangelicals under the spell of the Seeker Sensitive & Purpose Driven movements are being led into the abyss of religious pluralism…
“The progressive Christian Movement started by deconstructing the dominant paradigm of the faith in America, taking apart its patriarchy, litealism and chauvinism. But the last few years, our movement has turned in a positive direction.
We begun to construct a new model of Christianity with deep spiritual, religious pluralism, sound science, good common sense, compassion for the needs of humanity, the inclusion of all people, and respect for the environment”- The Center For Progressive Christianity
“The unity of religious experience can only be founded upon the fact that we are all indwelt by the spirit of the One God. It is this divine spirit in men and women that gives origin to the unselfish urge to love and serve their fellows. Each of us is unique, and therefore we will inevitably have different interpretations of the leadings and urges of this divine spirit of God that lives within our minds and souls. Even though we cannot obtain philosophic and/or theological uniformity, we surely can experience the spiritual unity of divine love that emanates from this indwelling divine spirit of God.”- Interfaith Dialogue at the Jesusonian Gospel
The New Progressive Christianity is Rebranding Old Liberalism and thousands of evangelicals under the spell of the Seeker Sensitive & Purpose Driven movements are being led into the abyss of religious pluralism…
“The progressive Christian Movement started by deconstructing the dominant paradigm of the faith in America, taking apart its patriarchy, litealism and chauvinism. But the last few years, our movement has turned in a positive direction.
We begun to construct a new model of Christianity with deep spiritual, religious pluralism, sound science, good common sense, compassion for the needs of humanity, the inclusion of all people, and respect for the environment”- The Center For Progressive Christianity
“The unity of religious experience can only be founded upon the fact that we are all indwelt by the spirit of the One God. It is this divine spirit in men and women that gives origin to the unselfish urge to love and serve their fellows. Each of us is unique, and therefore we will inevitably have different interpretations of the leadings and urges of this divine spirit of God that lives within our minds and souls. Even though we cannot obtain philosophic and/or theological uniformity, we surely can experience the spiritual unity of divine love that emanates from this indwelling divine spirit of God.”- Interfaith Dialogue at the Jesusonian Gospel
Monday, February 8, 2010
VIRGINIA SOUTHERN BAPTISTS (BGAV) ENCOURAGED TO EMBRACE THE EMERGING CHURCH
Apprising Ministries told you in Southern Baptist Convention Embracing The Emerging Church about a grievous mistake being made by the Baptist General Association Of Virginia (BGAV) aka the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. You may recall that the BGAV is one of the two Virgina state conventions aligned with the national Southern Baptist Convention; the other being the Southern Baptist Conservatives Of Virginia.
In that previous piece I pointed you to the April 2010 Parish Paper called What Can We Learn from the Emerging Church Movement? As I said before this foolish edition is woefully misinformed and not only promotes the heretical Phyllis Tickle, the Empress of the sinfully ecumenical Emerging Church aka Emergent Church—that morphed into Emergence Christianity (EC)—but it’s also a full-on embrace of the EC.
You need to realize that this very decidedly anti-Protestant de-formation of the Christian faith is a cult of a postliberalism that’s now firmly entrenched within the mainstream of pretending to be Protestant evangelicalism. Subsequent research shows that it’s no real surprise why The Parish Paper: Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations (TPP) would wish to promote the EC. BGAV tells us concerning TPP:
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is proud to provide copies of the Parish Paper free of charge to members of our constituency!
Co-edited by knowledge experts Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, and Cynthia Woolever, monthly issues of The Parish Paper provide ideas, insights, research-findings, and practical methods that strengthen the effectiveness of congregations in accomplishing God’s purposes through their various ministries. (Online source)
For those who don’t know TPP is not produced by the BGAV; rather, TPP is written by the aforementioned “knowledge experts.” As a matter of fact TPP is actually the brainchild of “America’s foremost church consultant” one Dr. Lyle E. Schaller, who interestingly enough has been involved with Peter Drucker and Leadership Network:
The Parish Paper began in 1971, pioneered by Dr. Lyle E. Schaller, often called America’s foremost church consultant, and the author of more than fifty books on church leadership during the last four decades, many of which were published by Abingdon Press, Nashville. During the 1990s, research by The Alban Institute identified The Parish Paper as the best-known publication of its type among leaders of American Protestant denominations.
Throughout those decades The Parish Paper has had clergy, lay, and middle-judicatory subscribers in more than twenty-eight denominations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has never been connected with a single denomination or publishing company or theological viewpoint. Thus, it is ecumenical in the broadest sense of that term. Due to their large memberships, the greatest numbers of Parish Paper readers are in seven denominations: Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), American Baptist, and Lutheran (ELCA). (Online source)
directed the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. About 300,000 worshipers in more than 2,000 congregations in the United States completed a survey during worship services in April 2001. Worshipers in Australia, England, and New Zealand completed similar surveys. Together, the international effort included about 2 million worshipers and 17,000 congregations across three continents.
The survey included Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Buddhist, Unitarian and Protestant denominations. Its purpose was to develop resources to help congregations better understand themselves, identify their strengths, assess their ministries and relate more effectively with their communities. (Online source, emphasis mine)
As we read further we see Dr. Woolever herself has long been involved with the same kind of egregiously ecumenical interfaith/interspiritual “finding God in the Other” as the EC. We find out from Hartford Seminary President Heidi Hadsell that Dr. Woolever:
“has a deep commitment to the vitality of congregations, across denominational lines. She has worked extensively to help faith communities understand what it takes to remain, or become, organizationally vital,”… (Online source)
So it’s really no wonder Dr. Woolever’s musings about the EC in What Can We Learn from the Emerging Church Movement? are so superficial and enthusiastic when she says, “The emerging church movement poses no threat to Christianity. Rather, it enhances its spread and health” (2).
The question now becomes: Why is the BGAV pushing this pro-EC propaganda and encouraging Southern Baptists in Virginia to read it?
See related articles: Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Promoting Emergent Phyllis Tickle , Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Host Anglican Emergents At Church Growth Conference , Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) Flirting With Romantic Catholicism , Virginia Baptists One Step Closer To Rome
See more of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's slide into apostasy here.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Rick Warren Marketing Mysticism For The Masses
RADICAL APOSTATES, RICK WARREN AND PETER SCAZZERO from Apprising Ministries:
In Rick Warren And Peter Scazzero Up To Monk-ee Business earlier at Apprising Ministries I told you Leadership Network’s propped up Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren has conference called Radicalis that’s set to begin next Tuesday February 9 at Saddleback Church.
Radicalis now features Dr. Ed Stetzer along with his Acts 29 cohort Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Kerry Shook, and Andy Stanley; I also reminded you that Warren is pronouncing his PDL blessing upon “evangelical” guru of Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM) Peter Scazzero.
Today Rick Warren tweets:
Besides the biblical ones, u’ll study Luther,Patrick,Wliberforce,Wesley,Booth &other radicals of church history@Radicalis. (Online source)
As you can see further in Rick Warren And Peter Scazzero With Messed-Up Monk-ee Bizness courtesy of Peter Scazzero “u’ll” also study a whole host of “radical” Roman Catholic apostates such as Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the militantly pro-Roman Catholic Church spiritual Gestapo Unit known as the Jesuits.
And let’s not forget deceased universalist Henri Nouwen; who just like CSM Golden Buddha Thomas Merton, was also a Roman Catholic monk much closer to the Buddha than the Christ.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Promoting Emergent Phyllis Tickle
The Baptist General Association of Virginia's (BGAV) Mission Board shares The Parish Paper :
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is proud to provide copies of the Parish Paper free of charge to members of our constituency!
Co-edited by knowledge experts Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, and Cynthia Woolever, monthly issues of The Parish Paper provide ideas, insights, research-findings, and practical methods that strengthen the effectiveness of congregations in accomplishing God’s purposes through their various ministries.
The April 2010 edition asks the question: What Can We Learn from the Emerging Church Movement? ( Good timing considering the 2010 BGAV's 21-C church growth conference was immersed in emergent methodology).
Within the text is favorable reference to emergent mystic and author, Phyllis Tickle. The article claims that the emergent movement is no threat to Christianity.
Oh, really?
Listen to Phyllis Tickle in her own words describe the following:
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is proud to provide copies of the Parish Paper free of charge to members of our constituency!
Co-edited by knowledge experts Herb Miller, Lyle Schaller, and Cynthia Woolever, monthly issues of The Parish Paper provide ideas, insights, research-findings, and practical methods that strengthen the effectiveness of congregations in accomplishing God’s purposes through their various ministries.
The April 2010 edition asks the question: What Can We Learn from the Emerging Church Movement? ( Good timing considering the 2010 BGAV's 21-C church growth conference was immersed in emergent methodology).
Within the text is favorable reference to emergent mystic and author, Phyllis Tickle. The article claims that the emergent movement is no threat to Christianity.
Oh, really?
Listen to Phyllis Tickle in her own words describe the following:
- Ancient mystic's interpretation of the Christian history
- God is both male & female, both father and mother, God is both man and woman
- We are hearing more about the FACT ( emphasis mine ) that all religions are the same...they go to the same place...to the same God. They differ in their cultural context
- All religions have their own mysteries. We must hold on to the mysteries that make us Christians
- Judaism held to the concept that the voice of God loved men so much, the "she sent her daughter" to speak with men. Known as "the daughter of the voice of God."
And here's the grand finale....
- An erotic relationship exists between man and "the daughter of the voice of God."
- When we take communion we are eating our God, the body and blood of our God ( that is the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation )
- We are "FEEDING THE "GOD" WITHIN US".
- The Spirit is reinvigorated within us as we take those elements
Thanks to Chris Rosebrough at The Museum of Idolatry for the audio clips.
See related articles: Virginia Baptists (BGAV) Host Anglican Emergents At Church Growth Conference , Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) Flirting With Romantic Catholicism , Virginia Baptists One Step Closer To Rome
See more of the dangers of the emerging church movement and the growing apostasy within the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
Megachurch Enters Doritos Super Bowl Ad Contest
“My guy Erwin McManus (Mosaic Church) created a Doritos Superbowl Ad!” tweeted fellow megachurch pastor Rick Warren last week in support of “Casket.” “Church could win $! VOTE 4 him!”
From Church Executive Magazine:
Two of his buddies apparently know the scheme and called it a “genius” plan that provides free Doritos and gets him at least a week off of work.
The commercial ends when the man overly excited after a touchdown, overturns his casket and is seen alive and well eating Doritos in front of mourners. One of his friends tries to cover for him by leaping into the aisle and proclaiming, “It’s a miracle!"
The idea for the comical ad was inspired by one of the “Casket” team member’s funeral experience. The team member’s grandfather had requested to be buried with a beer and cigarettes.
“Thx to your help Casket is at 35,000 views,” tweeted McManus, on Monday. “Help us make it 40,000 by tomorrow! (and u could win tix to the Bowl).”
This is the fourth annual Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” contest. The makers of each of the top six entries have each won $25,000. It is now up to online voters to decide which three commercials will be aired during the Super Bowl. Votes will be taken until Jan. 31. The winners will not find out until Super Bowl Sunday when they actually see their commercial aired. Creators of the top three ads will win $1 million each. Doritos is also giving away two Super Bowl tickets every day to voters.
See commercial campaign here at Vote For The Casket.com
Brian McLaren's Emerging Pro-Palestinian Position
The evangelical left's anti-Israel slant from One News Now
The head of a Protestant renewal organization is calling out a prominent member of the so-called "evangelical left" for leading a delegation on an anti-Israel pilgrimage.
Brian McLaren is the founding pastor of the Cedar Ridge Community Church in the Baltimore area, which is part of the "Emergent Church" movement. He recently led a delegation through Israel and the West Bank decrying alleged pro-Israel partiality.
Mark Tooley, president of The Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD), says McLaren's positions are clearly anti-Israel. He says that according to McLaren, the Jewish nation is "a western imperialist power that is oppressing the Palestinians -- who are, in contrast, an impoverished Third World victim...suffering because of American economic and military support for Israel."
...Tooley says McLaren and his ilk do not favor a two-state solution, but rather a one-state solution that dissolves the Jewish state of Israel and replaces it with one where Muslims are in the majority.
The head of a Protestant renewal organization is calling out a prominent member of the so-called "evangelical left" for leading a delegation on an anti-Israel pilgrimage.
Brian McLaren is the founding pastor of the Cedar Ridge Community Church in the Baltimore area, which is part of the "Emergent Church" movement. He recently led a delegation through Israel and the West Bank decrying alleged pro-Israel partiality.
Mark Tooley, president of The Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD), says McLaren's positions are clearly anti-Israel. He says that according to McLaren, the Jewish nation is "a western imperialist power that is oppressing the Palestinians -- who are, in contrast, an impoverished Third World victim...suffering because of American economic and military support for Israel."
...Tooley says McLaren and his ilk do not favor a two-state solution, but rather a one-state solution that dissolves the Jewish state of Israel and replaces it with one where Muslims are in the majority.
Intelligence Officials Warn Attempted Al Qaeda Attack Months Away
FOXNews.com
The terrorist organization is deploying operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country, CIA Director Leon Panetta told Congress
WASHINGTON -- Al Qaeda can be expected to attempt an attack on the United States in the next three to six months, senior U.S. intelligence officials told Congress Tuesday.
The terrorist organization is deploying operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country, including "clean" recruits with a negligible trail of terrorist contacts, CIA Director Leon Panetta said. Al Qaeda is also inspiring homegrown extremists to trigger violence on their own, Panetta added.
The annual assessment of the nation's terror threats provided no startling new terror trends, but amplified growing concerns since the Christmas Day airline attack in Detroit that militants are growing harder to detect and moving more quickly in their plots.
The terrorist organization is deploying operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country, CIA Director Leon Panetta told Congress
WASHINGTON -- Al Qaeda can be expected to attempt an attack on the United States in the next three to six months, senior U.S. intelligence officials told Congress Tuesday.
The terrorist organization is deploying operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country, including "clean" recruits with a negligible trail of terrorist contacts, CIA Director Leon Panetta said. Al Qaeda is also inspiring homegrown extremists to trigger violence on their own, Panetta added.
The annual assessment of the nation's terror threats provided no startling new terror trends, but amplified growing concerns since the Christmas Day airline attack in Detroit that militants are growing harder to detect and moving more quickly in their plots.
Scientists in stolen e-mail scandal hid climate data
Ben Webster, Environment Editor, and Jonathan Leake
The university at the centre of the climate change row over stolen e-mails broke the law by refusing to hand over its raw data for public scrutiny.
The University of East Anglia breached the Freedom of Information Act by refusing to comply with requests for data concerning claims by its scientists that man-made emissions were causing global warming.
The Information Commissioner’s Office decided that UEA failed in its duties under the Act but said that it could not prosecute those involved because the complaint was made too late, The Times has learnt. The ICO is now seeking to change the law to allow prosecutions if a complaint is made more than six months after a breach.
The stolen e-mails , revealed on the eve of the Copenhagen summit, showed how the university’s Climatic Research Unit attempted to thwart requests for scientific data and other information, and suggest that senior figures at the university were involved in decisions to refuse the requests. It is not known who stole the e-mails.
The university at the centre of the climate change row over stolen e-mails broke the law by refusing to hand over its raw data for public scrutiny.
The University of East Anglia breached the Freedom of Information Act by refusing to comply with requests for data concerning claims by its scientists that man-made emissions were causing global warming.
The Information Commissioner’s Office decided that UEA failed in its duties under the Act but said that it could not prosecute those involved because the complaint was made too late, The Times has learnt. The ICO is now seeking to change the law to allow prosecutions if a complaint is made more than six months after a breach.
The stolen e-mails , revealed on the eve of the Copenhagen summit, showed how the university’s Climatic Research Unit attempted to thwart requests for scientific data and other information, and suggest that senior figures at the university were involved in decisions to refuse the requests. It is not known who stole the e-mails.
UN climate change panel based claims on student dissertation and magazine article
The United Nations' expert panel on climate change based claims about ice disappearing from the world's mountain tops on a student's dissertation and an article in a mountaineering magazine.
By Richard Gray, Science Correspondent and Rebecca Lefort
The revelation will cause fresh embarrassment for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which had to issue a humiliating apology earlier this month over inaccurate statements about global warming.
The IPCC's remit is to provide an authoritative assessment of scientific evidence on climate change.
In its most recent report, it stated that observed reductions in mountain ice in the Andes, Alps and Africa was being caused by global warming, citing two papers as the source of the information.
However, it can be revealed that one of the sources quoted was a feature article published in a popular magazine for climbers which was based on anecdotal evidence from mountaineers about the changes they were witnessing on the mountainsides around them.
The other was a dissertation written by a geography student, studying for the equivalent of a master's degree, at the University of Berne in Switzerland that quoted interviews with mountain guides in the Alps.
The revelations, uncovered by The Sunday Telegraph, have raised fresh questions about the quality of the information contained in the report, which was published in 2007.
By Richard Gray, Science Correspondent and Rebecca Lefort
The revelation will cause fresh embarrassment for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which had to issue a humiliating apology earlier this month over inaccurate statements about global warming.
The IPCC's remit is to provide an authoritative assessment of scientific evidence on climate change.
In its most recent report, it stated that observed reductions in mountain ice in the Andes, Alps and Africa was being caused by global warming, citing two papers as the source of the information.
However, it can be revealed that one of the sources quoted was a feature article published in a popular magazine for climbers which was based on anecdotal evidence from mountaineers about the changes they were witnessing on the mountainsides around them.
The other was a dissertation written by a geography student, studying for the equivalent of a master's degree, at the University of Berne in Switzerland that quoted interviews with mountain guides in the Alps.
The revelations, uncovered by The Sunday Telegraph, have raised fresh questions about the quality of the information contained in the report, which was published in 2007.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Solar Storm Threat and 2012
Nasa mission to unravel sun’s threat to Earth
NASA is to embark on one of its most ambitious missions in an attempt to unlock the secrets of the sun.
Following its launch in nine days’ time, the US space agency’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will spend five years in orbit trying to discover the causes of extreme solar activity, such as sun spots and solar winds and flares.
Scientists have long been aware that disturbances on the sun can trigger dangerous x-rays, charged particles and magnetic fields that can disrupt power supplies, communication signals and aircraft navigation systems on Earth.
2012 and Solar Maximum
In 2006, NASA published a report by Mausumi Dikpati of the National Center for Atmospheric Research on what could be the most powerful solar storm since records began approximately four hundred years ago, scheduled to reach solar maximum in the year 2012. The geomagnetic storm that results during this time could itself become apocalyptic...
See all articles on The Coming Solar Storm.
NASA is to embark on one of its most ambitious missions in an attempt to unlock the secrets of the sun.
Following its launch in nine days’ time, the US space agency’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will spend five years in orbit trying to discover the causes of extreme solar activity, such as sun spots and solar winds and flares.
Scientists have long been aware that disturbances on the sun can trigger dangerous x-rays, charged particles and magnetic fields that can disrupt power supplies, communication signals and aircraft navigation systems on Earth.
2012 and Solar Maximum
In 2006, NASA published a report by Mausumi Dikpati of the National Center for Atmospheric Research on what could be the most powerful solar storm since records began approximately four hundred years ago, scheduled to reach solar maximum in the year 2012. The geomagnetic storm that results during this time could itself become apocalyptic...
See all articles on The Coming Solar Storm.