We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident…

July 4, 2016

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Georgia

Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

North Carolina

William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina

Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Massachusetts

John Hancock

Maryland

Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia

George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

Pennsylvania

Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware

Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

New York

William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey

Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

New Hampshire

Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple

Massachusetts

Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:

Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut

Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New Hampshire

Matthew Thornton

Primary Source by Richard Henry Lee, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, John Hancock (1776)
 
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Additional Text:

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states …” Congress debated independence for several days. The Committee of Five — John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson — was given the job of drafting a formal Declaration of Independence. They gave the task of writing the document to Jefferson.

The Declaration contained 3 sections: a general statement of natural rights theory and the purpose of government; a list of grievances against the British King; and the declaration of independence from England. More than 20 years later, the Second, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution would contain prohibitions against the government to prevent the same forms of tyranny as were listed as grievances. Jefferson’s writing was influenced by George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights, as well as by his study of natural rights theory and the writings of John Locke, including Two Treatises of Government. Franklin and Adams edited Jefferson’s draft, and the final document was presented to Congress about two weeks later.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from England. Congress made several changes to Jefferson’s draft, including removing references condemning slavery. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed it that day. The rest of the Congress signed two months later. By affixing their names to the document, the signers courageously pledged to each other their “lives … fortunes … and sacred honor.”

Many consider the Declaration of Independence to be the philosophical foundation of American freedom. It has been quoted by such citizens as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King, Jr. They have called it a beacon of hope for people everywhere.


BABY ARIA HAS NEVER SLEPT IN HER OWN CRIB

July 2, 2016

Why has Baby Aria never slept in her own crib? As far as the Wings of the Wind has been able to ascertain, there were only two reasons given to her parents:

Reason #1: Aria’s father, Ken Olsen, was a danger to his wife and child.

Reason #2: Aria’s mother, Vibeke, would not renounce her husband.

The video above was made by Ken Olsen and was published one week ago. It explains other details of the case.

This is very similar to the Baby Caspian case. Caspian and his Mother, Nadia, have now been separated for almost 20 days. The Caspian story has gotten notice from many sources including this publication.

Two days after her birth, baby Aria was separated from her father, Ken. Baby Aria and Vibeke were left alone in a place called Moringen. Allegedly, Ken and Vibeke were not able to communicate as Vibeke’s telephone was confiscated. Vibeke was able to contact Ken after five days of separation. Apparently, no one called Ken to let him know what was happening.

It is now one and a half years after Baby Aria was taken from her Parents. The Wings of the Wind has been told by a source close to the situation that the Barnevernet has made NO effort to reunify this child with her biological parents.

There have been four hearings involving baby Aria, two regarding the emergency removal, and two on the “overtaking of the care.” After all other options were gone, Ken and Vibeke appealed to a higher court. The appeal was denied.

==========================
Editor’s Note:

It is another baffling decision that has come from Norway’s Child Protective Services.

Why was this couple given no chance to parent this child?

Why were the mother and child taken from a father who had done nothing wrong? He had not been violent to the mother or the child.

There were 3 members on committees in at least 2 of the 4 hearings where Ken and Vibeke were present. Baby Caspian only had one person make the very important decision that a young child should not be returned to her loving parent. This inconsistency seems very odd.

Ken said, “Even the psychologist, has never seen anything like this.”

I have given a speech in Ken’s behalf THAT CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Most of the words in the speech are Ken’s own and tell of his own childhood in CPS custody.

Here is the JUSTICE FOR BABY ARIA AND HER FAMILY Facebook page.

Ken and Vibeke get to see Aria every couple of months for a couple of hours. Is this the way Aria’s entire life will be?

It is hard to imagine.

Chris Reimers


Confession and Prayer and…”Selfism”

June 29, 2016

“13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that [s]he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

-James 5

I want to thank Maria Bowen for putting this message up on a website devoted to a church we both attended years ago. Alistair Begg rightly divides God’s Word in this focus on prayer.

cr


BABY CASPIAN KIDNAPPED IN NORWAY…UPDATE #5

June 27, 2016
Caspian
Caspian

The judge has decided: Caspian is NOT coming home to Nadia!

Within the past few hours, Nadia has received a verdict by e-mail and Margaret Hennum has talked to Nadia’s lawyer by phone.

The judge has ruled against Nadia and Caspian.

The Wings of the Wind has been told by a good source that there was only one thing the judge considered in this hearing.

A police report was filed by someone at the Vilde Mothers’ Home on the 6th of May. Nadia had left The Vilde Mothers’ Home with Caspian the day before, on May 5th, less than two months ago.

The judge’s ruling was based solely on this report.

Nadia’s lawyer Harald Grape was very surprised by the decision and appealed the verdict today.

The report of a doctor was not considered in the decision.

A doctor approved by the Barnevernet had a checked Caspian’s health and found no signs of neglect. This check up took place the day after Caspian was taken from his crib on Monday, June 13th.

Caspian was doing well with his mother.

The judge did not consider Nadia’s treatment in the Vilde Mother’s Home.

The Judge did not consider the report of the doctor or any of the reports or testimony made by Margaret Hennum, the pediatric nurse who had welcomed Nadia and Caspian into her own home to try and help them.

The judge did not consider the good environment that Caspian was exposed to at Ms Hennum’s home.

A good source states that: “None of this valuable evidence was even mentioned by the judge in his decision.”

The appeal by Nadia’s lawyer, Harald Grape, was made to Tingretten, which is some type of lower court or Council Court in Norway.

The Wings of the Wind will give more information about Tingretten in a future update as this information was only learned from a good source moments ago.

It is not known at this time when this case will be heard. Lawyer Harold Grape is hoping that the court hearing will be set for August 25th.

Mr. Grape wants this case to be heard before that date.

————————

Editor’s note:

This publication is tracking the events as they occur in Norway in modern times.

It is my understanding that this account is not unusual in Norway.

The majority of evidence can be in the mother’s favor and still not be considered.

This is not what happens in a democracy. Where is the due process afforded to any citizen of a democratic society?

Damage has been done today. How much damage has been done we may never know.

A child has been deprived of his loving Mother once again. How many times will they do this in Norway? Sadly, it is just another day there. This is not that unusual. In fact, it is common.

A parent can do nothing right in the eyes of the Barnevernet when it chooses to look at a mother as a bad parent.

Good things that the parent tries are seen as bad.

All one has to do is read the account first reported in THE RISE AND FALL (?) OF THE NORWEGIAN CPS to understand what many young mothers in Norway are going through.

It is a very sad day in Norway.

Chris Reimers.


God Sees All ~

June 27, 2016

Deborah Ann always uses scripture as her guide. One can never go wrong by doing the same!

Deborah Ann Belka's avatarCHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

God See's it All ~ CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann

God sees everything,
there’s nothing hidden
He sees every person
who is evil driven.

He sees the wicked,
the trouble they cause
He sees from boasting
they never take a pause.

He sees the ungodly,
set up their snare
He sees their hatred
erupt and flare.

He sees the sinful,
devise evil demands
He sees they follow
satan’s commands.

God sees the unrighteous,
their evil, dark ways
He sees their future . . .
come judgment day!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 10:11-14

” He hath said in his heart,
God hath forgotten:
he hideth his face;
he will never see it.

Arise, O Lord; O God,
lift up thine hand:
forget not the humble.

Wherefore doth the wicked
contemn God? he hath said
in his heart, Thou wilt
not require it.

Thou hast seen it; for thou
beholdest mischief and spite,
to requite it with thy hand:
the poor committeth himself
unto…

View original post 18 more words


Beaten and Raped Children in Norwegian Institutions – Barnevernet Remains Silent

June 27, 2016

Valeria Iancu has re-blogged more than one recent post from this blog. Her blog is for Romanians and most of her posts are in that language. Many of her readers can read both languages, however, and she will put up an English post if it is important. I found this on Valeria’s blog today. Her blog is called: “Dumnezeu e în control” which means: “God is in Control.”

I would like to thank Mr. Tomas Zdechovsky and Valeria for publishing this information. “Tomáš Zdechovský is Czech politician, crisis manager, media analyst, poet and author.”

Valeria Iancu's avatarDumnezeu e în control

View original post


BABY CASPIAN KIDNAPPED IN NORWAY…UPDATE #4

June 24, 2016
Caspian
Caspian


Nadia’s lawyer thought that a decision would be made in his client’s case today.

He and Nadia waited for a phone call or a text message.

None came.

Nadia received a text message from her lawyer at approximately 4:50 pm this afternoon. It read:

“I have not heard anything and they are closed. This means that they will not decide until Monday.”

Nadia, Caspian’s mother, has been told that her son is in Bergen, a 7-8 hour trip away by car. Nadia has been informed that Caspian is at an undisclosed address because the Barnevernet doesn’t want her to know of his location. This is because they think that Nadia might try to kidnap Caspian. It is the reason they will not let Nadia know where Caspian is.

The Wings of the Wind has been told by a good source that yesterday’s hearing was held in Molde, about a 1 and 1/2 hour drive from where Nadia now lives.

This publication has also learned more about the hearing in Molde.

First, only one person presided over the hearing.

Second, Brynhild Solvang, the head of the CPS office in Volda, the office where the decision to take Caspian from his mother was made, was present with a Barnevernet lawyer.

Third, Nadia and her Lawyer were present to answer questions and give testimony.

Fourth, Margaret Hennum was allowed to give witness testimony.

Fifth, Nadia’s lawyer expected a decision today.

Nadia’s lawyer waited today for an answer and was not contacted by the Molde office.

Nadia received the text message from her lawyer noted above.

—————
Editor’s notes:

The last two days of this hearing bring up more questions than they answer.

Why was Nadia’s lawyer not notified that there would be no ruling until next week?

Why is Caspian so far away from his mother in Bergen?

Why did the Barnevernet think that Nadia would kidnap her child? She has never attempted anything like it in the past.

Why was only one person presiding over the hearing at the Fylkesnemnda?

As noted in yesterday’s update:

“The Tribunal consists of a lawyer, two experts members and two unknown members.”

This information was mentioned in the link from the Fylkesnemnda, posted here yesterday in Update #3.

Why was Margaret Hennum allowed to give witness testimony?

The Wings of the Wind has been informed that this is very unusual in a case like this.

I have another question based on new information that I have been given from a reliable source.

My question: Even if Nadia is given custody of Caspian on Monday, why does she have to go to another hearing to determine Caspian’s future?

I have been told that the decision of this County Council for Child Welfare and Social Affairs is only a temporary one.

Nadia has been informed that there will be another hearing in late August to determine Caspian’s welfare.

All of these questions create a big one:

Is this how all child welfare cases are handled in Norway?

If so, I can’t imagine a loving parent experiencing something like this.

Added to these tragic events is the story of Nadia’s upbringing.

She was taken from a mother whom she considered “loving” when she was only 13. She and four siblings, including twins, were split up into five different places and were raised in five different environments.

She has already experienced tragedy. Now, it is happening again.

Only this time it involves her only child: Caspian.

If the CPS of Norway (The Barnevernet) was very concerned for Caspian or his mother, this case wouldn’t be handled in such a cold and heartless manner.

The term “kidnap” usually means that someone is taken against his/her will.

The kidnappers here work for Norway’s Barnevernet.

The kidnapper is not Nadia.

She is the loving mother of Caspian.

Chris Reimers

I have spent some time looking for a picture of the Molde, Fylkenemnda, or even a map showing it’s location. I was unable to find either. If you happen to stumble upon one or the other, please place a link in the comment section below.

Thank you.


BABY CASPIAN KIDNAPPED IN NORWAY…UPDATE #3

June 24, 2016
Caspian
Caspian

It is 7:00 am Norway time, Friday, June 24th. According to a source that is very close to this case, today will be an important day in the life of Baby Caspian. A decision will be made that will affect his future.

This publication has learned that a hearing was held yesterday at the offices of the County Council for Child Welfare and Social Affairs (Fylkesnemnda). The Wings of the Wind is unsure of the particular office (1 of 12 in the country) where this hearing was held.

HERE ARE LINKS TO EACH OF THE 12 FYLKESNEMNDA OFFICES.

According to the WEBSITE OF THE FYLKESNEMNDA, it is a:

“court-like administrative body empowered to make decisions in including issues concerning care of children and the forced intervention by severe behavioral problems in adolescents.
There are 12 committees in the country. The Tribunal consists of the case of a manager who is a lawyer , two experts members and two members of a normal range . Decisions made ​​by the County Board may be brought before the district court.”

(Google Translate is used for all translation)

The Wings of the Wind is not aware of any source connected to the Barnevernet or the Norwegian government that has issued any type of public statement on this subject. It has now been 10 days since Caspian was removed from his crib by an “initiative of emergency” (emergency decision) on Monday, June 13th at approximately 2 pm.

It was stated in an earlier update that the Wings of the Wind’s understanding is that the removal of a child according to an “emergency decision” “can be carried out only when a child is in acute danger.” Two of the sources that this publication has relied on for previous information: Nadia, Caspian’s mother, and Margaret Hennum, a friend of Caspian’s Mother, have both stated that the child was in no such danger.

Here what took place at yesterday’s hearing according to a source close to the family:

“On the occasion of the meeting of the appeal June 23, 2016 : After what mother can tell about today’s outcome , she is satisfied with a good lawyer work and testified that she did lead after grueling battle of the lawyer. ( There is normally no witnesses to such complaints . ) Mothers own observer has knowledge beyond the general notes . She is therefore regarded as an expert , where she has also submitted reports to provide care for observations over a long period . It is also submitted observations from others with education that gives them credibility above Tribunal , where it lodged observations describing care agency .”

I have left this just as it was given to me. The Wings of the Wind is aware that Margaret Hennum, the friend and helper of Caspian’s mother, has been taking notes of events as they have happened. She is probably the one referred to here as “Mothers own observer.”

Here is a VERY IMPORTANT part of the information I was given:

“The outcome of today’s meeting we learn tomorrow ( 24.06.16 )”

This seems to indicate that an important decision about Caspian’s future will be made sometime today.

If a decision is made today, this publication will try to get that information out as soon as it can.

Editor’s note: One must be reminded that Caspian is approximately 6 months old. Ten days in the life of a six-month-old is a long time to be away from its mother. Since this publication is not aware of any public statement made by any office of the Barnevernet and is aware of comments made by Ms. Hennum, there is no good reason to indicate why this child was taken in the first place.

Chris Reimers


BIBLICAL PROTESTS

June 23, 2016

I have met some wonderful people across the world in this effort to correct human rights abuses in Norway. Most, but not all, have been Christians like me.

Cristina Nicoli has been one of the protesters that has worked very hard to make Australians aware of abuses in Foster care systems in many places in our world today.

Cristina spent a good deal of time making a wonderful video that has been taken down for some unknown reason.

The video was very encouraging and inspirational to me as it mentioned Biblical stories where people of God did something to protest evil in this world.

Thank you Cristina, for this and the many posters you have designed and taken to churches to make them aware of such abuses. You are using your gift for the glory of God and I can’t help but notice.

Chris Reimers


Ravi Zacharias Speaks at the Mormon Tabernacle

June 22, 2016

(Ravi starts speaking just after minute 42.)
——————————-

I posted the video above with my comments (below) in June of 2016.

It is now May of 2020 and Ravi passed away yesterday. 

I was encouraged by a relative to attempt to contact Ravi regarding my original post here.

I know that Ravi was a very busy man but I agreed and emailed his ministry a couple of times to try and get Ravi’s thoughts on the post I had written.

I knew that the size of Ravi’s ministry meant that someone else would probably write me back with a response that had been given to others about this particular incident.

I didn’t get a reply.

So, I leave this post up with the understanding that many consider Ravi the reason for their strong Christian faith.

At the same time I must admit that I am still confused about this event.

I’m sure that Ravi probably knew at least as much about Mormon theology and history as I do.

Many books have been written on the subject and many have left the Mormon church because of these books.

If you are curious about why I am critical of Ravi’s appearance at the Mormon Tabernacle, this short article will give you a good start: 

Seven reasons why Mormonism and Christianity are not the same.

From there you can find the truth if you seek it. 

There are thousands of books and articles about the issue.

-cr
————————————-

This is a telling video.

I have heard about Mr. Zacharias but I’ve not followed his life and ministry very closely.

I decided to watch this video pretending to be a good Mormon and found that Mr. Zacharias did a very good job.

He speaks of morality.

At about 1:17:50 minutes he says:

“One can lead millions into untold evil.

The reason they are able to do it is most people cannot think for themselves anymore.”

“The lost art of rational thinking….”

At around 1:29:45, Mr. Zacharias gets a nice round of applause.

After watching this video, I came to these conclusions:

This sounded like any Mormon speaker on any Sunday although it was more polished than most.

It seemed that morality was a theme.

This holds well with Mormon teachings.

Mr. Zacharias asks them to read the Gospel of John.

It is one of the Gospels out of four books Mormons believe to be God’s word. Besides the Bible, there is the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.

When one says: “The Word of God” in Mormon terms it can be from any of these four documents.

This speech was an emotional one.

“What is our purpose in life?”

“It is to have communion with God and then our relationship with God is like a marriage.”

These are Biblical themes but a very good Mormon would be comfortable with these themes.

There is no full Gospel message.

John Bunyan’s book, Pilgrim’s Progress, is a great book and Mr. Zacharias mentions it at the end of his message.

Mr. Bunyan was a Christian.

He had never heard of Joseph Smith as he lived in a different time and in a different country.

If he had heard Mr. Smith’s philosophy, I’m sure Mr. Bunyan would have considered Joseph Smith to be a false prophet.

After studying Mormonism on and off over many years, I have come to the same conclusion that I think John Bunyan would have.

It is near the end where Mr. Zacharias gets close to the cross but it is not a clear message.

I agree to some degree with a statement of Ravi Zacharias.

He says: “We’ve lost it today” when speaking about our worship life and about man’s communion with God.

The same statement could be made in many times in history and in front of many types of audiences.

Ravi speaks of the “absoluteness of God’s Word” towards the end and seems to be getting close to the Gospel.

Sadly, he never gets there, as expected, in front of an audience that believes in a different Jesus.

How do I know this?

Well, I have studied Mormonism at length in the past.

I have viewed documents taken from early sources that are in serious error.

Current Mormon doctrine is not Christian in spite of what anyone states.

If I need to go more in detail than the following quote may help:

“A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.”

(SOURCE)

These are the words of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.

It is hubris to think that one has done anything better than Jesus.

I remember this unusual statement by the Mormon founder.

Here is another interesting quote::

“A revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1831, soon after the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke of those who had been given ‘power to lay the foundation of this church.’ The Lord then referred to the Church as ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased.’” (D&C 1:30)”
(SOURCE)

If Mr. Zacharias wants to join Mormons to those who believe the Bible is the only inspired world, he has to struggle uphill against this statement.

Ravi sounded like a good Mormon,

I will say that.

But if he claims to be a Christian, how can he not take the road that Pilgrim took?

In Pilgrim’s Progress there are many false ways.

Here, Mr. Zacharias is surrounded by falseness and he has an opportunity, just like Christian does in The “Pilgrim’s Progress.”

Christian succeeds and Mr. Zacharias fails.

Christian makes it to the “Celestial City” in The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Mr. Zacharias speaks of the “Celestial kingdom” and never gets to the Gospel message.

The term “Celestial kingdom” is found in many places in Mormon literature.

In the Pilgrim’s progress, the term “Celestial City” is used in every version I have.

HERE IS WHAT THE MORMONS BELIEVE ABOUT THE THREE “KINGDOMS OF GLORY.”

I have taken Mr. Ravi Zacharias’s words to heart:

“Most people cannot think for themselves anymore.”

Mr. Zacharias is a literate man as this video shows.

My question is: “How can a Christian associate with those who think they will be gods someday?”

HERE IS WHERE SOME OF THAT VERY FAULTY DOCTRINE COMES FROM.

To speak to those who believe in serious doctrinal error and not use the opportunity to preach the Gospel makes one appear guilty by association.

I certainly hope this is the last time Mr. Zacharias speaks at the “Temple.”

He must know of the major differences.

He is an intelligent man.

In fact, I actually have a copy of :

THIS BOOK CALLED: “THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS”

with Ravi Zacharias’s name on the front.

One of the chapters in this book is dedicated to the Mormon church and it isn’t friendly.

I’m sure the Mormons know of this also, so why are they so friendly to Ravi when they were never very friendly to Walter Martin, a man who exposed Mormonism and other groups as cults?

It is very strange.

Here is the end of the Pilgrim’s Progress without the final poem, if you would like to read it.

CR

“Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also those that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the City rang again for joy; and that it was said unto them, “Enter ye into the joy of your Lord.” I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, “Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever”.

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13, 14

Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them: and behold, the City shone like the sun: the streets also were paved with gold; and in them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.

There were also of them that had wings; and they answered one another without intermission, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!” And after that they shut up the gates, which when I had seen, I wished myself among them.

IGNORANCE COMES TO HIS END
Now, while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw IGNORANCE come up to the river side; but he soon got over, and that without half the difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one VAIN-HOPE, a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over: so he, as the other I saw, did ascend the hill to come up to the gate; only he came alone, neither did any man meet him with the least encouragement. When he was come up to the gate, he looked upon the writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him; but he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the gate, “Whence came you? and what would you have?” He answered, “I have ate and drank in the presence of the King, and he has taught in our streets.” Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and show it to the King. So he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, “Have you none?” But the man answered never a word. So they told the King; but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two Shining Ones that conducted CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL to the City, to go out, and take IGNORANCE, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw in the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven, as well as from the city of Destruction . So I awoke, and behold it was a dream! (SOURCE)

Afterwards:

It is December of 2023 and it turns out that at around the time Ravi made this “speech” that he was also guilty of serious misguided sexual behavior. I will eventually put up a post about the latest on this because things like this have become a problem in the “Christian World” of our day. About 2 years ago, Mike Winger discussed the situation as well as it could be discussed at that time in my opinion. Here is brother Mike’s heartfelt comments about the issue at that time: